ASIS School Security Standard: K-12 Physical Security Insights

26 Sep 2024

Global Security Exchange (GSX) 2024, the annual conference of ASIS International, the world’s largest association for security management professionals, closed on day two in Orlando, FL.

Concluding the afternoon of Wednesday 25 September, the event features an extensive program with more than 200 education sessions, daily keynote speakers and general sessions, and a show floor with approximately 500 leading innovators from the security industry.

Prevalence of AI

Tuesday’s general session featured Rana el Kaliouby, an executive fellow at Harvard Business School, co-founder of Blue Tulip Ventures, and an investor in leading AI technology.

El Kalibouy discussed the increasing prevalence of artificial intelligence in lives, the opportunities that it presents, and the potential risks. She also highlighted the real-world effects and economic impact of artificial intelligence. “AI has a massive impact, adding $2.6 million to the global economy,” said el Kalibouy.

Physical security in K-12 settings

Kaliouby emphasized the extent of holding strong ethics when implementing AI into workplace policies

Moving forward, el Kaliouby emphasized the importance of maintaining strong ethics when implementing artificial intelligence into workplace policies. The ASIS Professional Standards Board hosted a press briefing Tuesday morning featuring a panel of experts who detailed the proposed ASIS School Security Standard.

The standard is a comprehensive tool, including information on program management, risk management, behavioral threat assessment management, developing operational emergency plans as well as effective approaches to managing physical security in K-12 settings.

Security risk management principles

“Right now, if a school wants to improve its security, it's hard to know where to start,” said Jeff Slotnick, ASIS School Security Standard Technical Committee co-chair. “There's a lot of advice out there, but it's scattered and sometimes contradictory. It's like trying to build a house without a complete set of blueprints.”

“Our aim in initiating this project was to create a solid framework based on enterprise security risk management principles that will assist all schools in developing an appropriate and risk-based security program that blends leadership, risk assessment policies, procedures and practices, physical security, behavioral threat assessment and management, and emergency response principles to provide tools for those schools that they can pick up and apply effectively in their own environment,” added Drew Neckar, ASIS School Security Standard Technical Committee co-chair.

Current challenges

ASIS continues to share updates on the standard, which is expected to be ended in the latter half of 2025

ASIS will continue to share updates on the standard, which is expected to be completed in the latter half of 2025. The Game Changer session titled “Do You Trust Me? How to Thrive in a Mistrustful Era,” delved into how global conflicts can increase not only external threats but can also create discord within workplaces.

Donna Concannon, PCI, Dean of the California School of Forensic Studies at Alliant International University and Principal at CPW Consulting Group, Inc. and Specialized Training Services, Inc., discussed with attendees how mistrust can threaten security, what current challenges are and how technology amplifies them, and how to leverage human nature to combat future mistrust.

Final day of GSX

The final day of GSX, on Wednesday, 25 September, will feature Military and Law Enforcement Appreciation Day (MLEAD) honoring the individuals who make our communities and world a safer place.

As a thank for their service, all law enforcement, military, and first responders receive a free one-day pass to GSX 2024.