SIA launches mentorship program for security professionals

SILVER SPRING, Md.—The Security Industry Association (SIA) and the SIA RISE Steering Committee announced the launch of Talent Inclusion Mentorship Education (TIME), a new mentorship program for early and mid-career professionals in the security industry.

The TIME program is designed to promote diversity, equity and inclusion and empowerment of underrepresented identities in the security industry by creating a well-defined pathway for learning and development.

“SIA’s new TIME mentorship program seeks to build a security industry full of diverse perspectives, people and cultures,” said Pierre Trapanese, chairman of the SIA Board of Directors. “Through the program, we look forward to creating valuable learning experiences for both mentees and mentors, giving back and helping to grow an inclusive, talented security industry.”

SIA’s TIME mentorship program aims to offer meaningful developmental opportunities for participants. Key components of the TIME mentorship program include:

Career development: Connecting early and mid-career professionals and students with established industry professionals to further career growth and talent development

Skill enhancement: Building a sustainable community of support through collaboration, networking and skill building

Recruitment: Attracting students to the security industry by providing insights on the wide array of career opportunities available

Executive leadership development: Promoting leadership development opportunities that will encourage diversity within the ranks

TIME is guided by volunteers from the SIA RISE Diversity and Inclusion Subcommittee – including Bobby Louissaint, technical operations solutions manager at Facebook; Erin Mann, strategy and marketing manager, multifamily at Allegion; and Eddie Reynolds, CEO of Iluminar Inc. – and with the support of SIA staff. The program will run for 12 monthly sessions and have semiannual orientations.

SIA is seeking seasoned security industry professionals to serve as mentors in the TIME program; learn more and apply to become a mentor.

SIA RISE is a community that fosters the careers of young professionals in the security industry. Membership in SIA RISE, which offers fun networking opportunities, career growth webinars and education tracks at ISC West and East, scholarships and the annual AcceleRISE conference is open to all employees at SIA member companies who are young professionals under 40 or have been in the security industry for less than two years. Learn more about RISE and sign up to join.