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By James Lint
Senior Editor for InCyberDefense and Contributor, In Homeland Security
It’s that time of the year when security officials head for the International Security Conference and Exposition, also known as ISC West, in Las Vegas. This year’s conference runs from April 10 to April 13.
ISC West is the largest conference in the U.S. for the physical security industry and is hosted by the Security Industry Association (SIA). It covers such areas as:
- Access control
- Alarms and monitoring
- Biometrics
- IP security
- Video surveillance/CCTV
- Networked security products
At ISC West, exhibitors unveil new products. There are also opportunities to talk with vendors and arrange meetings to create solutions for businesses. Security professionals enjoy events like ISC West because they can easily compare products by taking a few steps from booth to booth.
Over 30,000 Security Professionals Attended 2017 ISC West
Sherida Sessa, industry vice president for ISC Events, told Security Systems News that last year’s show had more than 30,000 attendees. That was a three percent increase from previous years and involved more than 1,000 exhibitors. More than 200 of those exhibitors were at the conference for the first time.
ISC West Has Consistent Focus on Security Education, Industry Trends and New Technologies
ISC West also provides numerous educational opportunities. “Over the years, the show has consistently focused on industry trends and new technologies that impact the security space. The makeup of exhibitors that you see on the show floor is very different than what you’ve seen in the past. [We have] definitely still remained true to our core; our access control, our video, our camera manufacturers, our alarm manufacturers. But we’ve really added to that base with some very new and interesting technologies,” Sessa said.
ISC West’s Expo Areas Provide a Glimpse of Security’s Future
Last year, ISC West introduced the first Unmanned Security Expo@ISC West (USE), which quickly became the hottest area on the show floor. There was great excitement around Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), Unmanned Ground Robotics & Vehicles (UGVs), and the various software and applications that support and detect these unmanned vehicles.
With 30 leading companies exhibiting at this conference, participants will get a first-hand look at the future of security. Creating a totally immersive experience for attendees, the Unmanned Security Expo includes free educational sessions in a theater on the show floor complete with UAVs and ground robots in live demonstrations.
ISC West Also Features Cutting-Edge Security Products
Connected Security Expo@ISC West features cutting-edge products that will secure organizations and homes from both physical attacks and cyber/data/IT breaches. In 2017, attendees and exhibitors of those cutting-edge products included the CIOs of the U.S. Navy, Google, Facebook and other high-profile end users.
Cybersecurity Education Is More Than Patches and Updates
It is important for all cyber defenders to attend security hardware and software conferences because cyber defense is more than just patches and anti-virus programs. It must also include physical security protocols for building and facility security.
ISC West is a good chance for cyber defenders to gain a full understanding of both physical security and cyber security. A hammer in a server farm can do the same amount of catastrophic damage as malware or a virus.
About the Author
James R. Lint recently retired as the (GG-15) civilian director for intelligence and security, G2, U.S. Army Communications Electronics Command. James has been involved in cyberespionage events from just after the turn of the century in Korea supporting 1st Signal Brigade to the DHS Office of Intelligence and Analysis as the first government cyber intelligence analyst. He has 38 years of experience in military intelligence with the U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Army, government contracting and civil service.
Additionally, James started the Lint Center for National Security Studies, a nonprofit charity that recently awarded its 49th scholarship for national security students and professionals. James was also elected as the 2015 national vice president for the Military Intelligence Corps Association. He has also served in the Department of Energy’s S&S Security Office after his active military career in the Marine Corps for seven years and 14 years in the Army. His military assignments include South Korea, Germany and Cuba, in addition to numerous CONUS locations. In 2017, he was appointed to the position of Adjutant for The American Legion, China Post 1. James has authored a book published in 2013, “Leadership and Management Lessons Learned,” a book published in 2016 “8 Eyes on Korea, A Travel Perspective of Seoul, Korea,” and a new book in 2017 “Secrets to Getting a Federal Government Job.”
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