On The Editor's Desk

The suspected abduction of Nancy Guthrie has turned into more than a heartbreaking national story. It has become a blunt warning for the home security industry. In the early hours of the investigation, authorities believed Guthrie’s disconnected, non‑subscribed Google Nest camera held no useful video. Days later, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) released clear footage of a masked individual at her front door. The surprising recovery came only after a multi‑day forensic effort...

Corporate executive protection is being rewritten in real time. When Starbucks disclosed in late January that it is now requiring CEO Brian Niccol to use company aircraft for all travel following a security review that identified “credible” risks, the decision underscored how boards are responding to a more volatile threat landscape. What might once have been dismissed as an executive perk is now increasingly framed as a duty‑of‑care decision, rooted in threat assessments, exposure...

In an industry fueled by innovation, performance metrics, and nonstop growth, it’s easy to focus on the next technology breakthrough or market shift. But sometimes the most meaningful progress happens in quieter ways - when knowledge is shared, and when that knowledge is used to help people beyond the industry itself. That’s exactly what Axis Communications and Fredrik Nilsson have been doing for years. For nearly two decades, “Intelligent Network Video: Understanding Modern...

Starting 2026 close to home, I’m kicking things off with yet another New York-based story that puts security front and center – this time in the area of healthcare. When more than 1,000 nurses at three Northwell hospitals on Long Island delivered strike notices on Jan. 2, a critical issue was raised that hospital leaders cannot ignore - safety. Nurses aren’t just fighting for fair contracts - they’re fighting for environments where they can care for patients without...

Ransomware isn’t slowing down. In fact, it’s accelerating. According to a new Financial Trend Analysis from the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), ransomware payments reported under the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) totaled more than $2.1 billion between 2022 and 2024, with 2023 marking a record-breaking year at $1.1 billion. The report highlights the growing sophistication of ransomware actors, the industries most at risk, and the urgent...

I’m channeling the late KISS guitarist Ace Frehley for my blog title as I’ll be making my way to the Javits Center this week for ISC East 2025, along with more than 7,000 security professionals. ISC East is considered the leading security and public safety event in the Northeast part of the U.S., bringing together security dealers, installers, integrators, consultants, and practitioners from corporate, government, and law enforcement sectors for three days of educational sessions,...

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...

Ah, Paris - the city of lights, love, and apparently, low-effort museum break-ins. In a dazzling display of what can only be described as “Ocean’s 11 meets Home Depot,” a gang of thieves robbed the Louvre Museum in broad daylight on Oct. 19, stealing eight priceless Napoleonic-era jewels in just seven minutes. That’s right - seven minutes. Most people take longer to order a croissant. And what did the Mona Lisa do? Nothing. She just sat there, smirking like she knew...

There’s something uniquely energizing about attending industry events in your own city - especially when that city is New York. Next week, I’m thrilled to be part of not just one, but two impactful gatherings in the security space - Securing New Ground (SNG) and the Federal Enforcement Homeland Security Foundation (FEHSF) Ridge Awards Gala. Both events represent the very best of what our industry has to offer - vision, leadership, and a deep commitment to service. And both are happening...

When a 16-year-old student at a high school in the next town over from me was arrested for carrying a loaded pistol in his backpack, this was not just a close call - it was a wake-up call. On Sept. 18, 2025, that student allegedly posted a threat to Instagram saying he was “boutta shoot the school up.” Within hours, law enforcement traced the post to Benjamin Cardozo High School in Bayside, N.Y., identified the student, and recovered a loaded 9mm pistol from his backpack. Thanks to...