Security Management Highlights

Hosted by ASIS International

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Jun 2026

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Security Management Highlights brings the security professional expert interviews and information on the most critical industry topics. Join host Brendan Howard as he interviews thought leaders and industry professionals, as well as editors from the magazine.

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June 1, 202641 min

World Cup Security: Keep Your Eye on the Ball

Little can prepare security teams for the sheer noise, pyrotechnics, national pride, and fan enthusiasm around FIFA World Cup events, but in this episode of Security Management Highlights, we’ll give it a shot. First, Anton Kalaydjian shares how his experience on close protection details for celebrities and VIPs at World Cup events translated to a broader career in soccer security. Then, Efrén Vera Torres, CPP, explains how fraudsters take advantage of the World Cup and what that means for banking and finance institutions. And finally, Mason Wilder, CFE, research director for the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) shares some of the findings from the association’s latest occupational fraud report—not strictly about soccer, but a good reminder not to take your eye off the ball for insider threats. This episode is sponsored by public safety and security company SoundThinking. Gilbert Farrulla, director of customer success at SoundThinking, joins this episode to talk about growing tensions in security checkpoints. Additional Resources Learn more about this episode’s sponsor, SoundThinking, here: https://www.soundthinking.com/ Read more about World Cup security in Security Management’s content package here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2026/05/world-cup-security/ Focused on executive protection around World Cup matches and travel? Learn how to run an effective two-stage advance and build multiple contingency plans: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2026/05/world-cup-security/executive-protection-advance/ Fan culture and rivalries in global football are core factors in World Cup security. Hospitality personnel can play a key intelligence role to detect signs of trouble early. https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2026/05/world-cup-security/hospitality-awareness/ The World Cup could drive upwards of $41 billion in GDP this year. Fraudsters are already taking advantage of the tournament’s economic force to drive scams and counterfeit schemes. https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2026/05/world-cup-security/scam-economy/ ASIS members can join the Banking and Financial Services Community via ASIS Connects and view the recording of a May webinar about the potential impact of the World Cup on financial institutions: https://community.asisonline.org/viewdocument/workshop-fifa-world-cup-2026-the-potential-impact-on-financial-institutions?CommunityKey=4b4dfeed-1f93-4457-a265-ed282c53d03d&tab=librarydocuments Explore more findings from the ACFE Occupational Fraud 2026: A Report to the Nations in Security Management’s coverage: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/latest-news/today-in-security/2026/may/fraud-prevention-background-checks/ Read the full ACFE Occupational Fraud 2026: A Report to the Nations here: https://www.acfe.com/fraud-resources/report-to-the-nations Learn more about white collar crime in SM’s content package from 2024: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2024/11/white-collar/

May 4, 202643 min

All About Agentic AI in Corporate Security

Agentic artificial intelligence (AI) solutions are here, and they can both streamline and endanger your operations. In this episode, sponsored by global security integrator Northland Controls, the chair of the ASIS Emerging Technology Community, Quang Trinh, PSP, discusses some of the bad habits agentic AI can pick up from its users and how to help correct those assumptions. Then, Jordan Hill of Hivewatch explains how adding a flexible AI triage layer for alert monitoring can alleviate user stress, uncover activity patterns, and refine operations in SOCs. Technology writer Sage Lazzaro rounds out this episode by outlining the technical use cases of AI for security to mitigate liability risk, but also where agentic AI could complicate accountability. Additional Resources Learn more about this episode’s sponsor, Northland Controls, here: https://www.northlandcontrols.com/ Read more about the importance of interoperability in security—especially during emergency response—in this sponsored article from Northland Controls CTO Henry Hoyne: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/monthly-issues/security-technology/archive/2026/Agentic-AI/sponsored-interoperability-isnt-optional/ Explore the full Security Technology issue about agentic AI here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/monthly-issues/security-technology/archive/2026/Agentic-AI/ Start playing around with AI and upskill your knowledge with business courses on Coursera, as Quang Trinh, PSP, recommended: https://www.coursera.org/learn/agentic-ai ASIS members can access ASIS Upskill courses about AI for free, including sessions on AI essentials and practical AI uses at work. Explore all courses here: https://store.asisonline.org/learning-programs/asis-upskill.html Read Jordan Hill’s article about how agentic AI can help address burnout in security operations centers: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/monthly-issues/security-technology/archive/2026/Agentic-AI/human-and-tech-collaboration-how-socs-become-truly-intelligent/ Read Sage Lazzaro’s deep dive into agentic AI and liability risk from Security Technology here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/monthly-issues/security-technology/archive/2026/Agentic-AI/Risk-vs-Reward-What-Security-Leaders-Need-to-Know-When-Using-Agentic-AI/ Explore more technology coverage by Sage Lazzaro here: https://www.sagelazzaro.com/ See new guidance from CISA, NCSC-UK, and other government agencies on implementing agentic AI safely: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/latest-news/today-in-security/2026/may/agentic-ai-safety-guidance/ For more about how AI is affecting security, watch this on-demand ASIS webinar about navigating emerging AI-linked threats in the workplace: https://store.asisonline.org/ai-extremism-navigating-emerging-threats-in-the-workplace.html

April 1, 202626 min

Crafting Examples for Better Connection in Communication

Are your presentations falling flat, even though they’re chock full of metrics? You might be missing some human connection. Peter Rudge, CEO of HumanStory, explains how the effective and efficient use of storytelling structures makes your concepts hit home. Then, freelance journalist Rachel Muller-Heyndyk shares some of her research into the risks faced by extremism researchers in academia and beyond, and what their organizations can proactively do to help protect them. Additional Resources Interested in learning more about the value of storytelling in presentations and corporate communication? Read the article from Peter Rudge and Rachel Briggs here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2026/04/improving-presentations/storytelling-superpower/ Explore the full topic on how to improve your presentation skills in Security Management: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2026/04/improving-presentations/ You’ve got the executive presence, now what about those metrics? Learn how to collect and leverage metrics that matter in this 2025 article: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/03/metrics/crafting-metrics-story/ Discover the philosophy behind successful professional influence in this article recap from the 2025 CSO Secure Horizons event at GSX: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2024/12/influence-philosophy/ “We act on logic, but we buy on emotion,” said executive coach Lida Citroën at Secure Horizons 2023. Learn how to connect emotionally in 30 seconds in this article: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2023/gsx-daily-2023/for-an-impactful-elevator-pitch-aim-to-connect-emotionally/ Read more about harassment against extremism researchers in this article from Rachel Muller-Heyndyk here: http://asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2026/03/misogyny-and-extremism/researching-extremism/ Explore more about risks to extremism and misogyny researchers in this content package from Security Management: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2026/03/misogyny-and-extremism/ Security analysts and professionals face vicarious trauma and burnout from reviewing videos of violent incidents or extremist activity. Read more about the neuroscience behind surveillance review here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/01/burnout/surveillance-review/

March 3, 202637 min

Staffing Shortfalls in Corrections, Intelligence, and Beyond

Is finding sufficient staffing a challenge for your organization? The U.S. Bureau of Prisons has been in that boat for years, and its staffing shortages have had notable effects on correctional facilities’ safety and employees’ security, says Gretta Goodwin, director of homeland security and justice at the U.S. Government Accountability Agency (GAO). Corporate security functions are also scrambling to hire and retain enough specialized intelligence analysts to help keep organizations ahead of emerging challenges and geopolitical strife, says senior security specialist and GSOC manager Shane Clymer. But turnover is inevitable; even so, organizations that invest in holistic security system life-cycle management and governance can protect themselves from disruption after key personnel leave, notes security consultant Mohammed Atif Shehzad. Additional Resources Interested in learning more about staffing and screening challenges in correctional facilities? Check back in with Security Management for our deep dive later this month. What else is on the GAO’s High-Risk List? Review the full set here: https://www.gao.gov/high-risk-list An annual U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of the Inspector General report found that understaffing is one of the top challenges the Bureau of Prisons will face in 2026. Read the report here: https://oig.justice.gov/tmpc/challenge-1 Read a September 2025 GAO report about the need to prevent and address employee misconduct in Bureau of Prisons facilities—a challenge that has been exacerbated by staffing mismanagement: https://files.gao.gov/reports/GAO-25-107339/index.html Take a look at the First Step Act and what it means for corrections facilities here: https://www.bop.gov/inmates/fsa/overview.jsp How can organizations better position themselves to recruit and retain trained intelligence analysts? Shane Clymer explores the subject in his December 2025 Security Management article: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/12/employee-retention/silent_skills_loud_impact_recruiting_and_retaining_intelligence_talent_in_the_private_sector/ Are you transitioning from the public to the private sector? ASIS International has resources for you. Check out Operation Career Change: https://www.asisonline.org/professional-development/operation-career-change/ You could also explore organizations like Hire Heroes USA: https://www.hireheroesusa.org/ Learn more about recruitment and retention in security here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/12/employee-retention/ Explore recent ASIS International research and benchmarking about security and threat intelligence here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/08/research-security-intelligence/ Early risk detection would give their organizations a competitive advantage, said 80 percent of the senior risk decision-makers in a recent survey. But only 20 percent said they are capable of verifying risk information at speed. https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/latest-news/today-in-security/2025/december/dizzying-risk-outlook/ Want to future-proof your security system life-cycle management? Read more from Mohammed Atif Shehzad in his recent Security Management article: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2026/03/security-system-life-cycle-management/holistic-asset-management-framework/

February 3, 202638 min

A Front-Row Seat to Sports Security

At high-profile basketball games, VIPs and celebrities are often in coveted courtside seats, making executive protection challenging. Players also face risks from fans within arm’s reach, and unruly behavior can spill over quickly onto the court. Security leaders Darcy Leutzinger and Larry Thompson share their insights on EP, crowd dynamics, and risk management in sports security. Then, luxury hotel security professional Ricardo Flores, CPP, shares his own personal experience with executive protection threats—when he was abducted, threatened, and ransomed while on the road in 2024. Additional Resources Read more about the risks associated with courtside seating at basketball games in this article from Security Management: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2026/01/fan-misbehavior/risk-sits-courtside-at-basketball-games/ Explore more about sports security and unruly fan behavior in this collection of articles from Security Management: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2026/01/fan-misbehavior/ As fan misbehavior evolves, adopting a holistic risk mitigation approach is key. Learn more in this article from James DeMeo: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2026/01/fan-misbehavior/6-considerations-for-managing-fan-misbehavior-in-modern-sports-venues/ Explore how technology can enable a more effective security advance: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/monthly-issues/security-technology/archive/2023/april/tech-advance-how-executive-protection-leverages-technology/ Study the use of force continuum in this Security Management video: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/monthly-issues/security-technology/archive/2025/june/The-5-Steps-in-a-Use-of-Force-Continuum/ De-escalation is a powerful tool for security professionals to defuse initial tensions. Explore it here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2024/11/deescalation/ Learn about the digital breadcrumbs—including on social media—that can expose principals and executives to risk: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2026/01/executive-protection/digital-breadcrumbs/ Read more about Ricardo Flores’s kidnapping experience in his article for Security Management: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2026/01/executive-protection/highway-kidnapping/

January 5, 202628 min

What Comes Next? Future-Proofing Exercises Can Unveil Your Path Forward

In an uncertain world, it can be difficult to see past the next 48 hours. But future-proofing exercises can help security and business leaders get more strategic about what they want to achieve in the next few years and how to get there, says futurist Heather Vescent. She helps outline how to step back and take a different worldview to uncover emerging risks and opportunities. Then, Scott Fitzsimmons talks about how to chart a path forward from individual contributor to manager to leader in security—for yourself or your employees—and how to instill a culture of reflection and professional growth in your organization. Additional Resources Get to know our colleague and friend, Mariah Bartz, in the ASIS Blog here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-news/blog/2025/in-loving-memory-mariah-bartz/ Read more about how to incorporate future-proofing into security tabletops and thought exercises in Heather Vescent’s article for Security Management: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2026/01/tabletop-exercises/future-proofing/ Want to test out Vescent’s future-proofing Mad Libs exercise? Use this video for a walkthrough: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_4Yt6HYOyk&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.asisonline.org%2F&source_ve_path=OTY3MTQ Worried about how artificial intelligence is changing the security industry? It’s worth thinking about with both discernment and an open mind, according to this Security Management article from August: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/08/guards-to-guardians/ In an AI age, human skills are increasingly valuable. Learn how to leverage core debate skills for critical thinking: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/08/debate-skills-for-ai/ Read more from Scott Fitzsimmons about security leadership and professional development here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/12/employee-retention/from_officer_to_leader_rethinking_leadership_development_in_security/ Interested in advancing your career in 2026? Don’t miss out on the ASIS International resources in our Career HQ: https://www.asisonline.org/professional-development/career-hq/

December 1, 202539 min

Catching Critical Security Blind Spots, From Biohazard Attacks to Investigation Resources

Chemical and biological attack attempts can be hard to detect, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t happening, including at major events and sports games, says Jeff Brodeur in this month’s Security Management Highlights podcast, sponsored by Acoem. We look at other blind spots this episode, including in multitenant building security with René Reider, CPP, PSP, who explains how changing perspectives from flat, concentric circles of security to vertical strategies makes a difference for tenants. Then, Kim Pacelli outlines some of the frequently encountered challenges in discrimination and Title IX investigations and how security personnel can get involved. Additional Resources Learn more about this episode’s sponsor, Acoem, and the ATD gunshot detection system here: https://acoematd.com/ Read more from Jeff Brodeur about chemical and biological weapon risk and screening in the latest issue of Security Technology: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/monthly-issues/security-technology/archive/2025/december/essential-security-strategies-threat-of-chemical-attacks/ Dive deeper into screening skills and considerations here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/monthly-issues/security-technology/archive/2025/december/ Want to learn more about multitenant facility security and the challenges of porous facilities? Check out Security Management’s coverage here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/11/multitenant/ If you’re facing pushback on security controls, read this analysis here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/11/multitenant/canny-communication/ Before introducing new security measures, consider your change management process: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/09/change-management/ Want to boost your creative, concierge-style security? You can learn from museums. https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2024/04/concierge/ What are your responsibilities during a Title IX investigation? Security personnel are often the first responders. Learn more in these Security Management articles: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/11/title-ix-investigations/

November 3, 202526 min

How to Manage Manipulative and Disruptive Behavior at Work and in Public Spaces

Have you ever felt manipulated into doubting yourself and your abilities, even though your track record shows that you’re doing well? You might have encountered a gaslighter, says Michael Gips, CPP. These individuals’ manipulative shenanigans can be costly to personnel and productivity unless managers intervene promptly. Also in this episode, disruptive behavior extends beyond the office. Yan Byalik, CPP, of Newport News, Virginia, shares how and when security teams can intervene in unwanted behavior in public spaces—such as libraries, city halls, and parks—and how to communicate about access rights and restrictions with staff and visitors. Additional Resources Read Michael Gips’s article about gaslighters here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/10/disruptive-behavior/gaslighting/ Gaslighters are the only adversarial personalities you might meet at work. Read the list here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/10/disruptive-behavior/adversarial-personalities/ Incivility in the workplace can be very expensive. Explore the costs and risks of disruptive behavior in this collection of articles from Security Management: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/10/disruptive-behavior/ Concerned about panhandlers or other disruptive behavior near your organization’s property? Explore some of the legal protections around those behaviors in this article: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/10/disruptive-behavior/securing-public-spaces/

October 3, 202535 min

How to Proactively Manage Change in Security Technology Implementations

Your mindset makes a huge difference in proactively managing change at work, rather than just reacting to it, says Mohammed Shehzad in the October 2025 episode of SM Highlights. When security technology and processes get involved, resistance and confusion can impact the overall progression and success of the change. Also in this episode, Rachel Briggs from The Clarity Factory outlines some of the essential findings from the 2025 Chief Security Officer Survey. Then, Erin McNally from Growing Resiliency for Aquarium and Zoo Employees (GRAZE) explains how traumatic critical incidents at zoos can offer lessons around crisis recovery, employee support, and grief. Additional Resources Contemplating a security technology or process change? Read more from Mohammed Shehzad about managing that process here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/09/change-management/resistance-into-readiness/ Explore that 2023 study about change management and the reasons people resist change here: https://www.oak.com/media/c5llwb4v/oak-change-report-digital.pdf More resources and case studies on change management—including at the CIA—are available here from Security Management: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/09/change-management/ Explore research from The Clarity Factory about change management as an essential part of holistic security: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/09/change-management/holistic-security-change/ Dig deeper into issues of violent incident recovery, including trauma response and leadership, here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/09/violent-incident-recovery/

September 30, 202513 min

GSX Daily: How New Orleans Police Leverage Engagement and Communication to Secure Mardi Gras and More

With nearly a million people participating every year, Mardi Gras is a massive economic and cultural engine for the city of New Orleans, Louisiana. While the festivities—and the many other major events hosted in The Big Easy—can make security efforts more complex, community outreach and partnership enable law enforcement to keep the good times rolling, says Captain Anthony Micheu, New Orleans Police Department Traffic and Special Events Commander. Find out more about mass event security in this year’s GSX host city, New Orleans, in this special edition of the SM Highlights podcast. Additional Resources Learn more about GSX for this year and moving forward at https://www.gsx.org/ Interested in boosting your security intelligence capabilities, whether for an event or an individual, in this issue of Security Technology: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/monthly-issues/security-technology/archive/2024/october/ Read about the New Year’s Day terrorist attack in New Orleans and how the city reevaluated security: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/latest-news/today-in-security/2025/january/Bourbon-Street-Reopens/ Interested in soft target protections? Read more from Security Management: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2024/03/site-hardening/ How did security and law enforcement professionals use the swarm leadership style to lead an effective response to the Boston Marathon bombing? Read more in Security Management: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2023/09/marathon-and-mass-event-security/swarm-leadership-boston-marathon-bombing-response/