Norris joins one-of-a-kind, inaugural security industry conference & roundtable

WATERVILLE, Maine—I had the privilege recently of joining a group of my security industry peers—all American Society for Industrial Security Maine Chapter members—to speak at the first ASIS International Security Conference and Roundtable held here at Thomas College.

Security industry pros talk opportunity

Security industry pros talk opportunity

Conceived of and moderated by Dr. Mark Marsolais, Thomas College Associate Professor of Criminal Justice and Security, the conference brought together more than a dozen ASIS-certified experts in their fields to share their stories. Presenters were also asked to speak on specific aspects of the security industry. They showed how the students in attendance could plot a successful career path in an industry they perhaps hadn’t considered.

“The intent of the meeting was twofold,” Marsolais told me in a post-conference interview. “First, to let the students know about the vastness of the security industry, and second, to inform them about the future growth of the industry.

Law enforcement, criminal justice, security students see opportunity in security industry

Presenters spoke on such topics as:

ASIS and the Professional Security Fields

21st Century Security: Future Needs & Future Employment

First annual ASIS International Security Industry Panel & Roundtable

First annual ASIS International Security Industry Panel & Roundtable

Risk and Threat Assessments, Critical Infrastructure Protection, Corporate Loss Prevention

Security Technology and Integration

Private Investigations

Opportunities in Security for the Criminal Justice Major

Cyber Security

To name a few…

How do we attract best and brightest to security industry?

This conference was a bit like coming home for me. When I was managing editor at Security Systems News, one of the things we wrote about quite often was the struggle to attract the best and the brightest. How do we find tomorrow’s leaders in many different fields, bearing many different skillsets? How do we bring them to the security industry to keep it fresh and vital.

“Students reported that their attendance at the panel was informative and rewarding and provided them with an opportunity to look at a profession they had not considered,” Marsolais said.

Half the speakers carried ASIS certifications, including Certified Protection Professional (CPP) and Physical Security Professional (PSP).

ASIS International, founded in 1955, is “a global community of security practitioners, each of whom has a role in the protection of assets – people, property, and/or information, according to the organization’s website.

Several dozen students from Thomas College, Husson College, and U Maine Augusta studying in the fields of law enforcement and criminal justice were in attendance. The conference took place on January 30th at Thomas in Waterville, Maine, just outside of the state capital Augusta.

Asked if he would consider putting the conference on again, Marsolais affirmed.

“The college and the chapter intend to team for future meetings and informational panels,” He said. “In addition, the college faculty with input from the ASIS chapter, intends to expand its security course offerings.”