ASIS International’s Dave Tyson Discusses the Future of the Security Industry
Tyson sees the use of access control technologies like biometrics being used more often in the future.
Dave Tyson, CPP, assumed his role as the 60th president of ASIS Int’l on Jan. 1, 2015, for a one-year term. He serves as senior director, global information security, business process and technology, for Racine, Wis.-based SC Johnson & Son. He spoke with SSI before his term concluded. (David C. Davis, CPP, a senior security manager for Northrop Grumman Mission Systems, became the new president of ASIS on Jan. 1.)
What do you expect to be the biggest changes, challenges and/or opportunities in security technology, markets, business operations and the industry itself?
Tyson: There will be more emphasis on ONVIF and IP cameras. IP camera prices will continue to go down. In light of recent domestic terrorism and mass shootings, I believe more public and private facilities will increase the use of access control and possible biometrics as an additional layer of defense. Integration will continue to progress and include more technologies, such as building controls, lighting and door lock integration. The Internet of Things [IoT] is also coming into play and many systems will be combined, as long as there is a strong consideration for security. The use of biometrics in access control will create new challenges for security such as the risk to exposure of fingerprints that are stored in insecure locations; passwords can be changed, but fingerprints cannot.
It is anticipated that all markets/sectors will increase across the board, including more commercial buildings, multifamily facilities, and child/elder-care facilities. Hacking of HVAC and other industrial controls systems has become a more common occurrence and as these systems continue to be more integrated, greater care will be required in some markets, such as healthcare or critical infrastructure.
As for business operations, there will be more inclusion of public and for-profit remote video monitoring centers, which will continue to grow from both private and for-profit monitoring centers. The developments in virtual reality and augmented reality technologies will enable virtual operations monitoring capabilities for decentralized security resources to work more collaboratively.
Looking at the industry overall, we are entering a new era in public and private security. [There was a] smash-and-grab robbery at a mall about 20 miles away from the site of the Dec. 2 [2015] San Benardino, Calif., mass shooting. The local police department received dozens of calls of “shots fired” and a full response was initiated, resulting in over 100 police officers from that city and surrounding jurisdictions arriving within minutes. I believe that the public will now be more diligent in their reaction to events, situation awareness and general security. This will shift the burden to building owners and public management to provide the best security possible.
San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors announced the increase in armed guards and physical security enhancements at all of their facilities. This county is the largest in the country, and larger in area than nine states! This tragedy has put all public venues on notice.
RELATED: How Video Surveillance Imaging Technologies are Improving
What are some pressing security industry issues you expect to remain unresolved?
Tyson: Two such issues are false alarm reduction and modified responses from both police and fire departments. Greater promotion and emphasis on ASAP-to-PSAP is necessary. The continuing impacts of cyber technologies on traditional security systems will be an ongoing issue as legacy security technologies remain in place and sub-optimally protected. The convergence between physical and cybersecurity threats remains a problem. Security leaders and practitioners must continue to mature the relationship between the two functions to improve security protection and drive business value against an ever evolving threat portfolio.
What is something that might surprise security professionals in 2016? How can they be best prepared to handle?
Tyson: The incorporation of key security industry stakeholders into respective regional Joint Terrorism Task Forces [JTTF] would be of great benefit to communities across the United States. Collaboratively, security professionals – end users, systems integrators, consultants, manufacturers – possess the knowledge and experience to identify current and future trends in security best practices and technology. By opening the dialogue more broadly, communications and protection of the community at large can be enhanced.
RELATED: What’s Next for Physical Security Information Management Systems?
Explain the motivation behind ASIS joining with the NFPA to launch an active shooter initiative.
Tyson: I believe that the need for the security industry and law enforcement community to build on their partnership will be increasingly more important in the year ahead. Our organizations recognize the need to collectively address the administrative, management and technology issues related to active shooters to maximize protection of human and physical assets during active shooter incidents. Given the unpredictable and rapid nature of active shooter events, it is critical that schools and educational institutions, entertainment and sporting facilities, religious establishments and organizations of all types and sizes, have the best tools at their disposal to manage security, safety and fire risks associated with mass violence.
If you appreciated this article and want to receive more valuable industry content like this, click here to sign up for our FREE digital newsletters!
Related Content
Leading in Turbulent Times: Effective Campus Public Safety Leadership for the 21st Century
This new webcast will discuss how campus public safety leaders can effectively incorporate Clery Act, Title IX, customer service, “helicopter” parents, emergency notification, town-gown relationships, brand management, Greek Life, student recruitment, faculty, and more into their roles and develop the necessary skills to successfully lead their departments. Register today to attend this free webcast!
