Security Management Highlights

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/

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/

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/

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/

From snide remarks that set off office arguments to physical threats connected to a CEO’s social media post, political polarization has put workplace tensions on a hair trigger. Melissa Muir and Raymond Fleck of Pinkerton’s Comprehensive Risk Management Group join the GSX Daily edition of the SM Highlights podcast to talk about their upcoming GSX session on mitigating risk amid workplace incivility and where security professionals can lead their businesses forward by putting the mission over political differences. Additional Resources Meet this episode’s sponsor, Johnson Controls, at GSX booth 1955 or online at https://www.johnsoncontrols.com/ Attend Muir and Fleck’s presentation, “Bridging the Divide: Security Solutions in a Politically Polarized World,” at GSX on 29 September at 11:15 a.m. CT. Learn more here: https://gsx25.mapyourshow.com/8_0/sessions/session-details.cfm?scheduleid=695 Read more from SHRM about social and political incivility in the workplace in 2024 here: https://www.shrm.org/about/press-room/political-and-social-viewpoint-differences-escalating-workplace- Explore the Harvard Business Review coverage of the costs of incivility at work here: https://hbr.org/2013/01/the-price-of-incivility Read more about threats to judges, attorneys, and jurors in Security Management coverage here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2024/10/election-security/attorney-judge-threats/ Explore more about how to manage security during periods of mass protest: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/05/mass-protests/ What do you do if your workplace is feeling toxic? Check out resources and articles here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2024/05/toxic-workplaces/ Discover six sources of workplace conflict here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2020/06/six-sources-of-workplace-cultural-conflicts/

This month’s Security Management Highlights episode features three compelling conversations with industry experts, starting with a chat with Ontic’s Cynthia Marble about a new step on the pathway to violence—step zero—and how it provides an even earlier opportunity to prevent escalation, if you’re paying attention. Then, Jeff Krull from Baker Tilly outlines some of the risk management challenges when an organization swiftly switches third-party partners and vendors and how cybersecurity professionals can step in. Lastly, Sean Spence, APP, at AON Corporation takes us outdoors to talk about scalable and adaptable security at events. Additional Resources What are the steps on the pathway to violence? Watch this video from Security Management to learn more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=job8p3x4uEw&list=PLEIon2_1tJwVHbHlEnyMgNjdMnm0xO_vP&index=67 The U.S. Secret Service’s Exceptional Case Study Project is available here: https://nij.ojp.gov/library/publications/preventing-assassination-secret-service-exceptional-case-study-project Want to learn more from Jeff Krull about cybersecurity and vendor management? Read his article here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/monthly-issues/security-technology/archive/2025/august/shifting-battleground-of-cybersecurity-risk-management-for-manufacturers/ For more about manufacturing security, read the latest issue of Security Technology: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/monthly-issues/security-technology/archive/2025/august/ Having trouble connecting with executives about risk management? Try some of the guidance from Security Management’s coverage about metrics and connecting with stakeholders: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/03/metrics/ Learn more about securing outdoor events, concerts, and festivals in Security Management’s July coverage: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/07/concerts/ Sean Spence outlined the four distinct categories of live events in his Security Management article here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/07/concerts/live-event-risk-management/ Read about the dangers of extreme weather and temperatures on security here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/05/extreme-temperatures/

Brandon Payne, executive director for the National Council on School Facilities, joins this month’s episode of Security Management Highlights to discuss how to integrate security and safety into school facility planning and funding during both retrofits and new builds. Then, Kevin Jones, CPP, PCI, addresses key considerations for arming security professionals, from legal liability to insurance to continuous training. Additional Resources Read more from Brandon Payne about school facility management and where security and safety fit in here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/04/k12/school-facilities-managers/ Meet many of the other essential partners in school safety and security in this Security Management series: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/04/k12/ Want to help drive school security forward? Keep an eye out for the forthcoming ASIS International School Security Standard. Learn more here: https://www.asisonline.org/publications--resources/news/blog/2024/press-briefing-school-security-standard/ Read more about arming security teams in the June issue of Security Technology: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/monthly-issues/security-technology/archive/2025/june/ Hear more from Kevin Jones, CPP, PCI, in his latest article about considerations for selecting the right weapons for security: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/monthly-issues/security-technology/archive/2025/june/how-to-make-a-weapon-selection-when-arming-your-security-team/

Business travel is back, and travel risk is back right with it. In this episode of the SM Highlights podcast, Robert Dodge outlines the growing threat of wrongful detention during business travel, his own experiences being detained abroad, and how to educate travelers about risk. Gene Petrino shares proactive strategies for preventing workplace violence incidents, including threat assessments and early intervention. Then, Dale Buckner explains how duty of care is changing in the face of escalating and overlapping crises, from hurricanes to pandemics and more. Additional Resources Learn more about wrongful detention in this article from Robert Dodge here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/monthly-issues/security-technology/archive/2025/april/wrongful-detention-an-ermging-travel-risk-for-2025/ Where is wrongful detention on the rise? Find out: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/monthly-issues/security-technology/archive/2025/april/where-wrongful-detention-is-on-the-rise/ What are the different travel risk indicators used by the U.S. State Department? https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2023/07/travel-security/fast-facts-travel-risk-indicators/ Learn how to keep yourself calm during stressful situations with these de-escalation tips. https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2024/11/deescalation/emotional-dysregulation/ What other travel risk management issues should you be watching? Read the latest issue of Security Technology to find out: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/monthly-issues/security-technology/archive/2025/april/ Explore ASIS research about active assailant preparedness and response here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/03/research-active-assailants/ Read more from Gene Petrino about proactive and preventative measures to mitigate active assailant risks: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/03/research-active-assailants/proactive-active-assailant-intervention/ Learn how the COVID-19 pandemic affected duty of care and other security issues in this retrospective: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/03/pandemic-readiness/post-covid-security/ Attendees at ASIS Europe 2025 debated duty of care and travel risk management in a special session last month. Get the highlights here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/monthly-issues/security-technology/archive/2025/april/5-takeaways-from-asis-europe/

Whether you’re considering a career change, debating how to get more involved in your industry, or want to connect more thoroughly with community stakeholders about your security program, this SM Highlights episode has something for you. Security leadership recruiter Kathy Lavinder outlines pathways—and pitfalls—on the journey into private security careers. To celebrate ASIS International’s 70th anniversary, former ASIS presidents Eduard Emde, CPP, and Godfried Hendriks, CPP, share the history of the association and how volunteerism helps move the industry forward. Then, Domingo Ibarra explains how he leveraged community partners to demonstrate security’s value to the organization beyond traditional “guns, guards, and gates” perceptions. Additional Resources Learn more about career transitions in this collection of Security Management articles: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2024/09/career-transition/ ASIS members can access a new eBook about career transitions for free as part of the 2025 ASIS Member Appreciation Month here: https://store.asisonline.org/how-to-boost-your-career-transition-potential-ebook.html?_gl=1*x4hi*_gcl_au*MTc4NTk0Njc0OS4xNzM3MzgyNDE0*_ga*MjEyODY5NzQ4MC4xNjY3NDE3ODkw*_ga_0ZPVSP549B*MTc0MTAxNTI0NC4yNDA2LjEuMTc0MTAxNzQzNS4wLjAuMA.. Read research from The Clarity Factory about hiring: https://www.clarityfactory.com/blog/effective-transitions-from-public-to-private-sector-security Learn more about ASIS career resources: https://www.asisonline.org/professional-development/career-hq/ Learn more about ASIS certification: https://www.asisonline.org/certification/why-get-certified/ Join the ASIS Mentoring Program: https://community.asisonline.org/resources/mentoring?_gl=1*devdb1*_gcl_au*MTc4NTk0Njc0OS4xNzM3MzgyNDE0*_ga*MjEyODY5NzQ4MC4xNjY3NDE3ODkw*_ga_0ZPVSP549B*MTc0MTAxNTI0NC4yNDA2LjEuMTc0MTAxODI1OS4wLjAuMA.. Want to learn more about how to make security a value-generator rather than a cost center? Read the latest research from ASIS International. https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/02/asis-research-security-trends/measuring-security-business-role/ Learn about the National Landlord Training Program here: https://www.cdri.com/library/CDRI_LTP_National_5_4.pdf

When the UnitedHealthcare CEO was killed in New York City in early December 2024, executive protection and corporate security professionals worldwide had to grapple with increased fear, criticism, and demands. Chuck Tobin and Caleb Gilbert from the International Protective Security Board join the SM Highlights podcast to discuss close protection and pre-attack indicators. But growing pressure on private security can have personal ramifications—Eric Davoine outlines how burnout is a serious challenge for security professionals and what ethical leaders can do about it. Additional Resources Read more about the UnitedHealthcare CEO killing from Security Management in a number of articles, including: • Security Professionals Grapple with Criticism, Board Mandates, and Public Anger in the Wake of Targeted CEO Attack: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/latest-news/today-in-security/2024/december/aftermath-ceo-attack/ • UnitedHealthcare CEO Shot and Killed in Manhattan: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/latest-news/today-in-security/2024/december/unitedhealthcare-executive-protection/ • Copycat, Contagion, and the Robin Hood Effect as Risk Enhancers in Targeted Violence: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2024/12/robin-hood-effect/ Want to learn more about executive protection? Here are the recommended resources from Chuck Tobin and Caleb Gilbert: • ASIS International Executive Protection Community: https://community.asisonline.org/subjectareahome?CommunityKey=067c2745-7d91-4044-b7f4-11edd0e782b1 • International Protective Security Board (IPSB): https://ipsboard.org/ • ASIS International Standards and Guidelines: https://www.asisonline.org/publications--resources/standards--guidelines/ Learn more about mental health and burnout in security in the latest coverage from Security Management here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/01/burnout/ Read more about burnout from Eric Davoine and Gigi Agassini, CPP, here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/01/burnout/tackling-burnout/ How does burnout differ from operational stress? Learn more here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2019/07/under-pressure-managing-team-wellness/ Having trouble keeping your high-performing team engaged but not burned out? Read insights and guidance here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2022/09/how-to-keep-high-performance-security-teams-motivated/ Explore how best to manage across private security and former public sector professionals here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2024/09/career-transition/

How does the tone from the top influence fraud investigations, organizational culture, security training, and technology upgrades? Scot Walker, PCI, Manish Mehta, and John Rodriguez join this episode of the SM Highlights podcast to talk through how proactive relationship-building and partnerships can drive tactical and strategic success. Additional Resources Join the ASIS International Investigations Community here: https://community.asisonline.org/subjectareahome?CommunityKey=e3a5949e-d103-40a3-80f9-38f8476100b1 Get resources from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) on investigations here: https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/tools/how-to-guides/how-to-conduct-investigation To learn more about security operations centers (SOCs), check out Security Management’s coverage from September: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2024/09/soc/ Read Manish Mehta’s take on modernizing SOCs in his article: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2024/09/soc/modernizing-socs/ More interested in security culture and how it affects leadership? Read more here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2024/10/culture/ Hear more from John Rodriguez about how security leaders can leverage and influence culture in his article: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2024/10/culture/culture-security-differentiator/

Where do climate and security intersect today? Amanda McCarty, director of the Climate Ready Nation initiative at the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), joins the SM Highlights podcast to talk about how climate change is a “destabilizer” for organizations and individuals worldwide and how scientists are reevaluating what they measure to track new effects and map a path to resilience. Additional Resources Take security higher with GSX: https://www.gsx.org/ Learn how to build resilience and deal with unknown knowns in this year’s GSX Game Changer sessions: https://www.gsx.org/game-changers/ Learn more about the Climate Ready Nation initiative and NOAA here: https://www.noaa.gov/building-a-climate-ready-nation Interested in understanding how climate change intersects with security risks? Read more from Security Management: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2023/05/climate-change-and-security/ Learn more about security’s role in resilience and anti-fragility here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2024/07/resilience/ Study the links between climate extremes and mass migration and displacement with Security Management: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/latest-news/today-in-security/2024/june/mass-migration-extremism-climate/