SSN proudly welcomes '20 under 40' Class of 2016 end users

YARMOUTH, Maine—Security Systems News is excited to announce the "20 under 40" Class of 2016 end users—a unique array of security professionals working in vastly differing verticals, but all focused on the same goal: to provide the best possible security systems, protocols and services for their company. From securing vaults that hold drugs that treat rare diseases to vaults that hold millions of dollars, many of these year's winners work on a national and global scale.

Each of this year's winners has a love and passion for helping others combined with an affinity for new technology and a strong ambition to be a leader in the industry.

Zaki Boukili, supervisor, corporate security, Darden Restaurants, based in Orlando, Fla., said, “I've always had the personality and the attitude to help others. I did my undergrad in criminal justice. � The main thing for me—that I love about the field—is the ability to help others."

Interoperability is a big theme this year, as many end users are in the process of integrating multiple systems into one open platform that can be controlled from a main hub, which in many cases in a global security operations center, or GSOC.

Jeff Reider, who is the senior manager of global risk and crisis management for Paramount Pictures in Los Angeles, said his first task in his new role was integrating the many disparate systems into one solution. “We brought all of our systems into one platform, so it is one medium that our new global security operations center uses now,” he said. “We use technology to bring all of our other security aspirations into the business, so it let us expand into different areas we couldn't do before because we didn't have the manpower to monitor it.”

Having systems reporting back to one platform allows security operators to leverage all of the data coming in using analytics.

Jon Harris, senior manager, international trade compliance, security & property, sensors & integrated systems, UTC Aerospace Systems, based in Burnsville, Minn., said he is most excited about the opportunity to leverage broader big data components. This includes looking at different streams of information available within UTC Aerospace Systems' physical security systems and migrating that information in a way that allows for more post-event or reactive reviews and incident management investigations, as well as more predictive analysis. “The technology helps our security professionals make proactive decisions or review certain things proactively to help thwart or otherwise mitigate adverse incidents,” said Harris.

Amrinder Dhinsa, corporate manager for security and parking, William Osler Health System, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, said he is excited about new capabilities with analytics software, which “narrows down the time an operator spends to investigate a system or event and solve that investigation from hours to minutes.”

Tyrone Chambliss, director, brand protection—security systems, Flex, based in Austin, Texas, said, “We can also use data analytics to improve time efficiency and productivity with workforce and figure out ways to be more efficient, faster and more controlled. By having integrated data with the different systems put together, you can do a lot more.”

On the new technology front, many end users mentioned biometrics as a viable option moving forward.

Chris Boyer, who is the system administrator at the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Md., noted that biometrics will also play a part in how end users configure their security systems in the future. “With biometrics being introduced into the field, it's increasingly more important that cybersecurity be a huge factor in planning and implementation," he said. “With physical security moving into the IT world, I think cybersecurity is of the utmost importance and will continue to be � into the future.”

Included below are this year's "20 under 40" end user winners:

Amrinder Dhinsa, William Osler Health System

Bob Bernazal, National Oilwell Varco

Brian Phillips, Alexion Pharmaceuticals

Christopher Boyer, NCI

Chuck Young, University of Texas Medical Branch

Clifford Hufnagle, NV Energy

Dan Schmelzer, Cardinal Health

Eric Napralla, Port of Oakland

Evan Morgan, Equinix

Jeff Reider, Paramount Pictures

Jeremy Bragg, Walgreens