EXCLUSIVE: Developed by security professionals, for security professionals
Victoria Rees
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Security Journal Americas speaks exclusively with Christine Murphy Peck, CAE, Chief Global Learning Officer, ASIS International.
“Developed by security professionals, for security professionals”, GSX 2022 – which is taking place 12-14 September 2022 at the Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta (and virtually) – is set to be a must-attend event.
Offering a thought-provoking conference programme – which includes a range of keynote discussions and presentations focussing on everything from workplace violence prevention to the use of AI in managing risk – there is a staggering 200 sessions on display for those in attendance.
In addition, there are 350 exhibitors and sponsors that will be involved in this year’s event, including Apple, Allied Universal, ASSA ABLOY, Arcules, Azena, Bosch Security and Safety Systems, Cisco Meraki, GardaWorld, Securitas and many, many more.
To get a better idea of what visitors can expect from this exciting event, Security Journal Americascaught up with Christine Murphy Peck, CAE, Chief Global Learning Officer, ASIS International.
Can you give us an overview of what the schedule looks like for GSX 2022?
I would be remiss if I didn’t begin by first mentioning this year’s host city, Atlanta. That city has welcomed us with open arms and continues to be a fantastic partner. Atlanta was recently named a National Geographic Travel 2022 Best of the World Destination for its cultural and historic achievements and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport provides nonstop service to 150 US destinations and 70 international locations in more than 50 countries – giving our registrants world class access to our event.
In regard to GSX 2022, we are thankful for the guidance of more than 120 security professionals from across the globe. Led by Keith McGlen, CPP, we worked together to develop three jam-packed days of presentations, networking opportunities and exhibit hall space.
In total, we will offer more than 200 sessions covering the profession’s biggest challenges, in the classroom on the show floor, several of which will be live streamed. We also have three highly unique keynote presentations from global innovators on the mainstage and three sessions offered in the classroom.
Our exhibit hall is designed to be an interactive learning experience, featuring the latest innovations in the security industry from global thought leaders. The X Stage and UnCrewed U at GSX will feature exhibitor product demos of capability-expanding technologies, leveraging innovations in blockchain and cryptocurrencies, AI, drones and robotics, social media, the digital self and more.
We have also continued our pre-pandemic commitment to digital programming for those who cannot attend in-person. GSX is known as one of the great global networking events and we remain deeply committed to that part of the registrant experience.
Who are the keynote speakers featured at GSX 2022?
We have a stellar cast of thought-provoking and inspiring keynote presenters from across the globe for each day of GSX 2022 addressing a range of issues from innovation and cybersecurity to diversity, equity and inclusion. They include:
Monday 12 September
Everybody Can Change the World – Mateo Salvatto, Head of Innovation for ORT Schools & CEO of Asteroid Technologies: Young tech entrepreneur and social influencer Mateo Salvatto will share his journey transitioning from an average high-school student into one of Argentina’s most respected tech businessmen through the creation of Háblalo, an app that assists more than 250,000 people globally who have hearing loss and verbal communication disabilities.
Through an emotional series of stories of those challenged by their communication abilities and often taken for granted, Salvatto will demonstrate how his passion for robotics and technology led to a series of developments that can help empower disabled people all over the world – and convince us that changing the world is easier than we may think.
Tuesday 13 September
Validating Security Controls – Taking “We Think” to “We Know” – Jake Williams, Executive Director of Cyber Threat Intelligence for SCYTHE: We all have security controls in place that we hope are detecting or blocking threat actor behaviours. But do they? Which behaviours? How do you know? If one of your security controls fails, will the activity still be detected?
Traditionally, security control testing has been performed by red team operators. Unfortunately, these are point-in-time assessments. Ideally, the red team would be involved in revalidating the control with every software update or configuration change, but this is often cost prohibitive. During this session, Williams will help define the value proposition for security control validation and provide advice on how to operationalise and scale the practice.
Wednesday 14 September
A Pathway to Courageous Conversations – Derreck Kayongo, Former CEO for Center for Civil and Human Rights: Has anyone ever calculated the total cost of discrimination in the workplace? Kayongo tackles the subject head-on by sharing how his organization found itself grappling with the issue. He takes his audience through an examination of how diversity and inclusion problems can impact your corporate bottom line. From long term harm to your brand and weakened stock prices to negative perceptions within the security community, Kayongo illustrates with eye-opening examples, how our upbringing and unconscious biases can become a net negative to organizational growth and have a negative impact on the bottom-line.
What are some of the most pressing industry challenges that will be discussed at the event?
One of the differentiators of GSX is that it is an event curated and developed by security professionals, for security professionals. Alongside our keynotes we have 200+ presentations addressing the most pressing challenges the profession faces from a practical standpoint.
This year’s event will cover topics ranging from workplace violence prevention and the use of AI in managing risk. This year’s tracks include: Crime; Digital Transformation; Information Security; Law & Ethics; Managing Organizations; National Security; Physical & Operational Security; Professional Development and Risk Management.
How does ASIS International help with the professional development of the industry?
As the Chief Global Learning Officer for ASIS International, I love that question and live for it! ASIS International, now in its 67th year of existence, is the destination for year-round professional development for our 34,000 members who hail from 150 nations.
We have continued to evolve our approach to meet the needs of our global membership through a number of channels. Through the convenience of our online offerings and tools, our certification program, standards and guidelines, we help global security professionals continue achieve their goals with respect to their own professional development, advancing their knowledge and earning Certified Professional Education credits for recertification. We launched the ASIS Store which has become a one-stop shop for learning materials and where security professionals can purchase webinars, online certification reviews, certificate courses and more.
ASIS International, in its role as a Standards Developing Organization (SDO), develops standards and guidelines to serve the needs of security practitioners in today’s ever-changing global environment. ASIS is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and also serves a key liaison role on two International Organization for Standardization (ISO) technical committees.
We have also created opportunities for security professionals to demonstrate their proficiency in core areas of security by taking an ASIS certificate course. Unlike ASIS certifications, which require rigorous study and recertification to stay current, ASIS certificate courses consist of a learning portion followed by a test based on information in the course. No previous knowledge of the topic is required and at the end of the course participants will earn CPE credits.
Finally, can you tell us more about your Military and Law Enforcement Appreciation Day?
Military and Law Enforcement Appreciation Day at GSX honours the individuals who have dedicated their lives and careers to making our communities and world a safer place.
As a thank you for their service, all active duty and retired law enforcement, military and first responders receive a FREE One-Day Pass to GSX on Wednesday 14 September.
They can register by using the promotional code SERVE to join us that day.
This article was originally published in the August edition of Security Journal Americas. To read your FREE digital edition, click here.
