ATLANTA, Ga. — Balancing the law enforcement and administrator sides of a campus protection professional’s job; addressing the current labor shortage in the education sector; fostering support for campus security, public safety, emergency management, technology, personnel, and policy upgrades – these were just some of the topics covered by the “Security In Education” Panel at the 7th Annual Converged Security Summit held at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta on March 6.
The event, hosted by the GC&E Systems Group, brought together cybersecurity and physical security professionals from across the Southeast to share ideas and best practices.
Charlotte International Airport’s Norvell Barber kicked things off with a dynamic keynote address on resilience that set the tone for the day’s discussions.
The 7th Annual Converged Security Summit was held at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta on March 6. Image courtesy GC&E, by Kim Evans Photos
Barber was followed by the “Sports and Entertainment Operational IT” panel, moderated by BBNC CIO R.C. Woodson. The panel featured Houston Rockets Director of IT and Telecommunications Okpara Young, Detroit Pistons Vice President of IT Paul Rapier, Ilitch Companies Director of Executive Services and Corporate Security Raymond Johnson, and Indianapolis Colts Information Security Architect Jack Thompson.
Later in the day, the “Security in Education” panel discussed a wide range of issues unique to K-12 school districts and institutions of higher education. Moderated by Campus Safety Editor-in-Chief Robin Hattersley, the panel featured Hernando County School District Executive Director of Business Services Jill Renihan, Fulton County Schools Director of Safety and Security Paul Hildreth, and Berry College Police Department Chief Ryan Chesley.
All three panelists discussed the obstacles they regularly face, as well as the opportunities they’ve experienced when bolstering security at their facilities. They also discussed how they’ve been able to successfully garner support for upgrades, emphasizing the need to take a measured approach to safety and security improvements rather than just adopting quick fixes that might backfire in the long run.
The event wrapped up with raffle prizes courtesy of the summit’s 36 technology partners who also exhibited at the show. Information about next year’s event will soon be announced on GC&E’s web site.
