Tag: SIA Women in Security Forum (WISF)
SSN, SIA WISF team up again to spotlight women driving security forward
December 8, 2025SSN Staff
YARMOUTH, Maine, and SILVER SPRING, Md.—Security Systems News (SSN) and the Security Industry Association’s Women in Security Forum (WISF) are joining forces once again in 2026 to celebrate the women shaping the future of security.
Through its yearlong profile series, SSN will spotlight leaders whose innovation, resilience, and vision are driving progress and diversity across the industry.
SSN and SIA WISF began the partnership in 2021 and in 2022, expanded coverage beyond...
SIA opens call for nominations for 2026 Women in Security Forum Power 100
December 1, 2025SSN Staff
SILVER SPRING, Md.—The Security Industry Association (SIA) has opened the call for nominations for the 2026 SIA Women in Security Forum (WISF) Power 100.
Now in its fifth year, this annual initiative, presented by the SIA Women in Security Forum community, honors 100 women in the security industry whose outstanding accomplishments and success stories are breaking barriers, redefining the faces of leadership and showcasing the innovative contributions women bring...
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 launches sixth annual CAN DO Challenge to combat food insecurity
October 20, 2025SSN Staff
SILVER SPRING, Md.—The Security Industry Association (SIA) Women in Security Forum (WISF) has officially launched the sixth annual CAN DO Challenge, a charitable initiative running Oct. 13 through Dec. 3, 2025, designed to unite the security industry in the fight against food insecurity during the holiday season.
Spearheaded by the SIA WISF community’s UpliftHER Subcommittee, the CAN DO Challenge invites security professionals and organizations to help alleviate...
SIA announces 2025 SIA Women in Security Forum Scholarship winners
October 10, 2025SSN Staff
SILVER SPRING, Md.—The Security Industry Association (SIA) has named eight recipients for the 2025 SIA Women in Security Forum (WISF) Scholarship - a program developed by WISF to further educational opportunities and promote advancement for the widest spectrum of people possible in the security industry.
The 2025 winners for the SIA Women in Security Forum Scholarship are:
Bianca Banuelos, operations assistant, Safe and Sound Security
Sushma Nayak, associate mechanical...
“If we truly want new talent, we must look beyond conventional pipelines,” says Elli Reges
September 29, 2025Kenneth Z. Chutchian, Contributing Editor
SILVER SPRING, Md.—As the security industry continues to engage in open and honest conversations about diversity, it’s equally important to examine education and experience preferences as part of that dialogue, says Elli Reges, Ph.D., director of learning and development for the Security Industry Association (SIA).
Reges notes that many roles within the security field don’t require a college degree, and there are ample opportunities for individuals who have gained skills through...
Alcatraz appoints Kasia Hanson to vice president of strategic partnerships
September 23, 2025SSN Staff
CUPERTINO, Calif.—Alcatraz, a provider of facial biometric authentication for physical access, has announced the appointment of industry veteran Kasia Hanson to vice president of strategic partnerships.
In this role, Hanson will be responsible for expanding Alcatraz’s partner ecosystem and deepening relationships for the company across key sectors, including critical infrastructure, corporate campuses, higher education, and major stadiums and venues.
Hanson is widely recognized...
NYC leaders to take center stage at ISC East 2025
September 22, 2025SSN Staff
NORWALK, Conn.—ISC East, with premier sponsor the Security Industry Association (SIA) and in partnership with the ASIS International NYC Chapter, will feature a lineup of New York City leaders in its 2025 Keynote Series and ASIS International NYC Person of the Year Luncheon.
Held Nov. 18–20 at the Javits Convention Center, ISC East offers attendees unparalleled access to the experts driving security and public safety in the region.
“There is no better place than New York City...
Women in Security Profile: ‘It is about real influence’
September 3, 2025Kenneth Z. Chutchian, Contributing Editor
NEW YORK—The security industry must ensure that diverse voices have genuine power in decision-making, says Denise Niles, vice president of business development at Advanced Electronic Solutions (AES).
“It is about creating not just seats at the table, but real influence,” she said. “We need to be intentional about who we are developing, promoting and empowering, especially in leadership. That means investing in mentorship, creating hiring pipelines, and rethinking...
Women in Security Profile: ‘Inclusiveness is no longer an afterthought for this industry, but a must,’ says Tiffany Renz
July 2, 2025Kenneth Z. Chutchian, Contributing Editor
LANCASTER, Pa.—Tiffany Renz truly believes the security industry has turned a corner when it comes to addressing diversity.
“My opinion is that the industry as a whole is finally doing a better job addressing diversity, especially these last few years,” says Renz, North American director of sales for HID’s Secure Issuance FARGO division. “Having been in it for 16-plus years, I see the changes that have been happening, and it could not make me happier.”
Renz...