You may have sensed the media and marketing buzz around converged security has been intensifying over the last few weeks. This is the normal course of things in the industry as we grow closer to what is arguably the most important conference and trade show for security end users and systems integrators alike. The International Security Conference & Exposition – also known as ISC West – is the largest converged security trade show in the U.S., covering everything from video surveillance, access control, biometrics, smart home, public security, drones & robotics and more.
In partnership with Security Industry Association (SIA), ISC West will be making educational sessions available during its 2019 ISC West show taking place April 9-12, 2019 at the Sands Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada, with SIA Education@ISC kicking off the day prior to the exhibition on April 9. The comprehensive program includes 85+ accredited sessions covering a range of industry topics aimed at providing the critical knowledge attendees need to protect and defend against developing threats in today’s security landscape.
SIA has identified the top technology advancements to look out for at ISC West 2019. The “Top 8,” presented with ISC Security Events, represent the key technology advancements impacting the converged security and public safety landscape.
The “Top 8” are:
Cloud
Artificial intelligence
Robotics/autonomous systems
Mobile credentials
Security audio
Facial biometrics
5G LTE
Voice control
As the industry is accustomed to, complimentary Vendor Solution Sessions will offer practical tips and solutions to the challenges security professionals are facing including a variety of interactive workshops led by some of the industry’s premier manufacturers. A Connected Security Expo is co-located with ISC West and is the only event that focuses on building a holistic security strategy for the connected enterprise, providing education on how physical and information security can be used together to mitigate new and emerging cyber threats in a hyper-connected world.
The ISC West Keynote Series includes members of the security and public safety industry who are well known for their widely-respected accomplishments.
Keynote 1: Delivering Results: How DHS and Industry Partnerships Drive Security Innovation: In this session, keynote speaker William N. Bryan, acting undersecretary for science and technology at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), will discuss the advances in mobility, machine learning and autonomous technologies that provide new capabilities to build resilience capacity and reduce risks.
Keynote 2: Stadium Security – As It Was, Where It Is and Where It Is Going…: Keynote speaker Russ Butler, vice president of security for the San Francisco 49ers and Levi’s Stadium, explores the history and evolution of the ever-changing stadium security landscape.
In addition to the standard education sessions, ISC West and SIA will be holding the SIA Women in Security Forum Breakfast @ ISC West on Friday, April 12. Attendees will enjoy featured remarks from Juliette Kayyem – Belfer lecturer in international security and faculty director of the Homeland Security Project at the Harvard Kennedy School, national security analyst for CNN and CEO of Zemcar, – in addition to networking and complimentary breakfast. Kayyem previously served as President Obama’s assistant secretary for intergovernmental affairs at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and as Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick’s homeland security advisor.
Brilliance Security Magazine spoke with Will Wise, group vice president, security portfolio at Reed Exhibitions, to get his perspective on this year’s conference. He told us that there are 100+ new speakers in the conference program this year and 200+ new exhibitors.
“It’s our ongoing mission to arm attendees with the knowledge, strategies, and tactics they need to make the most informed decisions possible when dealing with today’s cyber-physical and public safety security threats. This year, we have many new speakers and are covering a gamut of topics – from drones to stadiums security to the developments with smart city technology – facilitating thought leadership between security industry peers looking to advance their knowledge on the most pressing issues,” Will said.
Two of the new speakers that Will was particularly excited about are Johna Johnson and Pierre Bourgeix. Johna is the CEO and Founder of Nemertes Research. She will present Cybersecurity by the Numbers: Maturity Metrics of Successful Security Organizations. Pierre is an Enterprise Security Consultant with Boon Edam. He will moderate the Smart Cities, Smart Buildings and The Evolution Of The Converged Security Approach panel.
Another panel that Will said should not be missed is Next Generation Security: The Truths, The Myths, The Future of Fusion Centers and Security Operations. The panel is comprised of security professionals at various stages of building and adopting a fusion center model across different industries. They will discuss common misunderstandings about corporate fusion centers and their role in the future; what corporate fusion centers do and do not do; how security professionals have successfully raised the awareness, garnered executive buy-in, and secured funding to create a fusion center; what are some of the common pitfalls; what lessons can be learned from the panelists’ experiences; and, finally, how do the panelists demonstrate the ROI for fusion centers.
Will said that all presenters were challenged this year to provide real-world examples, not just talk about concepts. This emphasis on examples will make the educational sessions much more useful for security practitioners.
Will was happy to see quite a few new smaller companies emerging at this year’s conference. “Many of these center around cloud-based services, AI, and data analytics. There are also some innovative technologies associated with detection; weather, water, and gunshot detection,” he explained.
Will talked about the growth in the use of drones and unmanned vehicles. He commented that the conference will provide education in this area. He told us that the “Unmanned Security Expo @ ISC West returns this year with a dedicated theater offering a variety of complimentary education sessions focused on drones, robotics and autonomous solutions for commercial and government security and safety use, as well as drone detection/counter-system applications.”
As always, the ISC Conference is sure to be the center of the universe for the security industry, at least for a few days in April. We hope to see you all there.
Steven Bowcut, CPP, PSP is the Editor-in-Chief for Brilliance Security Magazine.