On The Editor's Desk

As Americans get ready to celebrate the nation’s 249th birthday this Fourth of July weekend, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) warn law enforcement officials to be on alert for what the agencies call “lone wolf attacks” in light of recent attacks at home and abroad. Intelligence bulletins released this week by the FBI and DHS say that these lone wolf attacks pose the biggest threats to July 4 celebrations across the U.S.,...

Hall of Fame quarterback Terry Bradshaw spent his entire career looking to avoid getting picked off, but he could not avoid getting intercepted by Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officials at Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri. The 76-year-old FOX NFL Sunday broadcaster was the “chosen one” to get screened prior to boarding a flight on June 16. Bradshaw’s traveling companion decided to film the entire TSA screening process to share on social media,...

It appears that federal immigration authorities are utilizing state and local law enforcement agencies across the U.S. as a conduit to help their mass deportation efforts, and a manufacturer of license plate readers is caught in the middle. A report released by independent website 404 Media on May 27 revealed that state and local law enforcement agencies across the U.S. are helping U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) investigations by using AI-powered automatic license plate reader...

Ah yes, I’m channeling Timbuk 3 and the band’s only hit from 1986 to represent the excitement I’m feeling after the recent unveiling of the second annual Security Systems News Emerging Leaders Under 40 digital yearbook!   This stellar Class of 2025 features 16 of the most talented, dedicated, hardworking security professionals in the industry right now, each of whom has already made quite an impact not only on the companies they work for, but also the industry as a...

After Gov. Kathy Hochul’s announcement this week restricting phone use in K-12 schools throughout New York State, beginning in the 2025-2026 school year, it’s time to revisit a topic I addressed in a blog almost a year ago.  Hochul’s decree, which will take effect in the fall as part of the agreement on the FY 2026 State Budget, will see the implementation of bell-to-bell restrictions on smartphones throughout the entire school day. As a result, Hochul envisions “distraction-free”...

In the category of “how could this happen,” combined with a tinge of irony, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's handbag was stolen by a brazen purse snatcher while dining at a Washington D.C. restaurant on Easter Sunday. Let me address my own question – with two Secret Service officials present in the restaurant, mind you, the thief somehow managed to enter the Capital Burger establishment, sit near Noem’s table, inch closer to the table and use his foot to slide...

It’s time to pack your bags, hop on the plane, and head over to the biggest security industry event of the year. That’s right, it’s ISC West week, which means that nearly 30,000 security professionals - covering access control, video surveillance, AI technologies, alarms, smart home, cybersecurity and so much more - will gather in Las Vegas at the Venetian Expo for a whirlwind couple of days featuring education sessions, awards presentations, corporate functions, a charity run/walk,...

I guess someone must have been reading my mind at PSA TEC, because a session I attended this week in Denver touched on the topic of our next Security Insights webcast (which is May 29, BTW. Details to follow). That topic – the collaboration among integrators, manufacturers, and end users – was addressed during the State of the Industry panel, a session which I always pay close attention to each year at PSA’s annual gathering of integrators. After all, this annual session features...

Hollywood just handed out the Oscars for excellence in film. Now it’s the security industry’s turn to showcase its finest. The next few weeks will be jam-packed with awards presentations for security professionals and companies that go above and beyond protecting people and assets. Let’s take a sneak peek at what’s in store on the security awards docket for the rest of the month and into early April. First, the Security Industry Association (SIA) will reveal...

It’s been a busy first month for the Oval Office pen, with President Trump’s arm likely experiencing tennis elbow with all the executive orders he’s signed in the first 30 days of his second term as leader of the free world. Just weeks after sending shockwaves throughout the nation, including in the security industry, by pausing federal grants and loans (though the order was later rescinded), the president made headlines, and heads roll again on Feb. 10, signing proclamations...