Tag: Security LeadHER
Pride, progress, and the path forward
November 5, 2025Cory Harris, Editor
The physical security industry is undergoing a transformation - and women are at the heart of it.
According to the newly released 2025 Women in Security Career Perceptions Study, conducted by BEYOND Insights in partnership with the Security Industry Association (SIA) Women in Security Forum (WISF), women in the field are finding deep purpose in their work. Yet, despite growing representation, they continue to face systemic challenges that threaten retention and advancement.
The study, based...
SIA names Yazmina Rawji as 2025 SIA Progress Award honoree
October 7, 2025SSN Staff
SILVER SPRING, Md.—The Security Industry Association (SIA) has named Yazmina Rawji of dormakaba as the 2025 recipient of the SIA Progress Award, an honor presented by SIA’s Women in Security Forum (WISF) community celebrating individuals who pave the way to success for women in the security industry.
Rawji will be presented with the award on Nov. 19 during the 2025 SIA Celebrates & Honors event at City Winery in New York City.
Rawji...
Women in Security Profile: ‘We'll see significantly more diversity in the next few years,’ says Beth Burnsed
May 28, 2025Kenneth Z. Chutchian, Contributing Editor
YARMOUTH, Maine—Beth Burnsed cites two key factors that she says will increase diversity in the security industry.
“Attracting more diversity starts with acceptance and openness,” says Burnsed, senior manager for communication and marketing programs for Genetec. “It ultimately comes down to being a good human - be kind and open to others, regardless of background, race, gender, or other attributes. As more women feel empowered in their roles, their drive and enthusiasm...
2025 Security LeadHER conference program announced
April 14, 2025SSN Staff
ALEXANDRIA, Va., and SILVER SPRING, Md.—ASIS International and the Security Industry Association (SIA) have announced details for the 2025 Security LeadHER conference, a special event dedicated to advancing, connecting and empowering women in the security profession.
The third annual Security LeadHER conference will be held Monday, June 9 – Tuesday, June 10 at the Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center in Michigan. This carefully crafted program represents a comprehensive professional...
Women in Security Profile: ‘Women need to empower each other to know they belong at the table,’ says Emma Barkley
March 4, 2025Kenneth Z. Chutchian, Contributing Editor
YARMOUTH, Maine—Emma Barkley, strategic sales manager for JCI Security Products, believes that there are several key elements that could increase diversity in the security industry.
“This past summer, I had the pleasure of leading a workshop at the Security LeadHER Conference called ‘Security Women Actively Supporting Women,’" she said. “While it's common for women to say they support each other and participate in groups like WISF, we need to ask ourselves:...
Women in Security Profile: ‘The industry needs to apply outside-the-box thinking when it comes to recruiting diverse talent,’ says Candice Aragon
January 7, 2025Kenneth Z. Chutchian, Contributing Editor
YARMOUTH, Maine—While Candice Aragon, chief experience officer at PSA Network, has seen an upsurge in the number of women attending security industry events, she knows there is more work to be done around diversity.
Aragon serves as vice chair of the Security Industry Association’s (SIA’s) Women in Security Forum (WISF) and has witnessed firsthand the dramatic shift taking place when it comes to the diverse representation at conferences and trade shows.
“I...
Security LeadHER concludes engaging, enriching, connecting conference
June 28, 2024SSN Staff
ALEXANDRIA, Va., and SILVER SPRING, Md.—ASIS International and the Security Industry Association (SIA) closed out a successful second annual Security LeadHER conference, a unique event dedicated to advancing, connecting and empowering women in the security profession.
The sold-out event took place June 24-25, 2024, in Phoenix, bringing together more than 400 security professionals from seven countries.
Security LeadHER 2024 built on the tremendous success of last year’s inaugural...
Showtime surplus
June 19, 2024Ken Showers, Managing Editor
Summer is in full swing if you hadn’t guessed by the extreme temperatures surfacing everywhere (unless you happen to live in Antarctica), and somehow, we’re still in full swing of conference season.
Actually, scratch that, I might be wrong. It occurs to me that we might not ever truly be OUT of conference season in the security industry. I mean, ISC West was only a scant few months ago in April, and then in May we had PSA TEC. We started out at the beginning of June with the Electronic...
Women in Security Profile: ‘Diversity is needed to advance our industry,’ says Yazmina Rawji
June 5, 2024Kenneth Z. Chutchian, Contributing Editor
YARMOUTH, Maine—Yazmina Rawji is extremely passionate about the importance of creating a more diverse security industry.
“Diversity is needed to advance our industry and attract/retain the best talent,” said Rawji, the relationship manager for dormakaba Americas’ Access Automation Solutions division. “This in turn will increase engagement and trust amongst employees. Increased engagement can lead to better performance and stronger business results and profits. Diversity...
Security LeadHER wraps groundbreaking inaugural conference for women in security
June 16, 2023SSN Staff
ALEXANDRIA, Va., and SILVER SPRING, Md.—ASIS International and the Security Industry Association (SIA) closed out the inaugural Security LeadHER conference this week, celebrating a successful and groundbreaking first event held June 12-13 in Nashville, Tenn.
Approximately 300 current and future “LeadHERs” and attendees of all backgrounds and genders gathered for Security LeadHER 2023, an event dedicated to advancing, connecting, and empowering women in...