Skip to Content

Women in Security


Martha Entwistle

Women in Security

Eagle Eye Networks’ Martha Entwistle – ‘It’s just a great industry at its core’

November 29, 2023Cory Harris, Editor

YARMOUTH, Maine—Martha Entwistle’s security career has come full circle – starting from a very familiar place and culminating with one of the industry’s highest honors. Entwistle is a former editor of Security Systems News (SSN), where she spent over a decade  reporting and writing about security industry business trends, mergers and acquisitions, and technology, and directing two security technology conferences - TechSec Solutions and Cloud+ - during her tenure with...

Alice DiSanto, Cloud+, Don Erickson, Eagle Eye Networks, Kasia Hanson, Martha Entwistle, Maureen Carlo, Security Industry Association (SIA), Security Industry Association (SIA) Progress Award, SIA Women in Security Forum (WISF), TechSec Solutions


Read Full Articlered right arrow icon

Sandra Polvi

Women in Security

Women in Security Feature: Sandra Polvi – ‘I’ve made some valuable connections with my peers’

November 21, 2023Cory Harris, Editor

YARMOUTH, Maine—Sandra Polvi has many people to thank for her professional growth in the security industry. Polvi currently serves as director of marketing for Kaadas North America, a developer of high-tech electronic and smart lock solutions serving millions of homes and businesses worldwide, based out of Orange, Calif., with its worldwide headquarters located in Shenzhen, Guangdong, China. She told Security Systems News that the connections she has made throughout her 12-year career...

AcceleRISE, baldwin, bluesalve partners, CEDIA, Elizabeth Parks, Elizabeth Taylor, ESA, ISA, Janet Collins, Kaadas North America, Kwikset, Mary Miller, Masonite, Parks Associates, Sandra Polvi, Security Industry Association (SIA), Security Systems News (SSN), SIA Women in Security Forum (WISF), Silicon Labs, Stanley Black & Decker


Read Full Articlered right arrow icon

Alicia Dawson

Women in Security

Women in Security Feature: Alicia Dawson – ‘My journey has been one of challenges, small victories, and life-changing moments’

October 11, 2023Cory Harris, Editor

YARMOUTH, Maine—Alicia Dawson calls her inspiration to work within the security industry “an act of destiny.” Dawson is the lead cybersecurity engineer at The MITRE Corp., a private, non-for-profit corporation that operates federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs), based out of Bedford, Mass., and McLean, Va. She told Security Systems News how she began her career in the security industry 20 years ago at the company she still works for to this day. “After...

2023, Alcorn State University, Alicia Dawson, Chris Barber, Craig DeRose, Daniel Finley, Dawson CyberSecurity Consulting, Department of Defense, Donny Carrington, Ed Cochrane, Gail Shelton, Gloria Ellis, Gordon Lynch, International Organization of Black Security Executives (IOBSE), ISC East, Katie Greatti, Kim Hooper, Lee Schuh, MetLife Stadium, Security Systems News (SSN), SIA Women in Security Forum (WISF), The MITRE Corp.


Read Full Articlered right arrow icon

Jill Bartyzal

Women in Security

Women in Security Feature: Jill Bartyzal – 'Designing security solutions'

September 13, 2023Cory Harris, Editor

YARMOUTH, Maine—Jill Bartyzal is no stranger to being featured in Security Systems News. A member of the 20 under 40 Class of 2008 with Armor Security, Bartyzal currently serves as senior business relationship manager with Pro-Tec Design, a purpose-driven Twin Cities security integrator providing consulting, design and installation of video surveillance, card access control, intercom, and intrusion systems, based out of Minnetonka, Minn. As part of Security Systems News’ and the...

Armor Security, Bosch Security, Chris McPartland, Cindy Bracey, Jill Bartyzal, Pro-Tec Design, Security Systems News (SSN), SIA Women in Security Forum (WISF), University of Minnesota


Read Full Articlered right arrow icon

Nisha Advani

Women in Security

Women in Security Feature: Nisha Advani – ‘I’ve strived to open doors”

August 21, 2023Cory Harris, Editor

YARMOUTH, Maine—Nisha Advani is a seasoned professional with a diverse background in the security and technology industries. With a foundation in software engineering, she transitioned her career path to explore her passion for marketing and sales. Challenging herself out of her comfort zone professionally and personally, she moved from India to the United States to obtain an MBA, equipping her with a well-rounded skill set that combines technical prowess with strategic business acumen. During...

Arcules, Cybage Software, dormakaba, Josh Cummings, Maureen Carlo, Nisha Advani, Paladin Technologies, Rick Zimmerman, SIA Women in Security Forum (WISF)


Read Full Articlered right arrow icon

Alana Batschelet

Women in Security

Women in Security Feature: Alana Batschelet - ‘Everyone deserves to feel safe’

July 10, 2023Cory Harris, Editor

YARMOUTH, Maine—Alana Batschelet joined the Waipahu, Hawaii-based Integrated Security Technologies team in August 2020, bringing with her over 15 years’ experience specializing in customer relations and a passion for helping people. Since starting with the company, she has taken an active role in the PSA Security Sales Strategy Committee and in 2022, took on the role of chairperson for that committee. As part of Security Systems News’ and the Security Industry Association...

Alana Batschelet, Integrated Security Technologies, Kasia Hanson, PSA Security Network (PSA), Security Systems News (SSN), SIA Women in Security Forum (WISF)


Read Full Articlered right arrow icon

Security LeadHER

Women in Security

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...

Antoinette King, ASIS International, Axis Communications, Charity Blackwell, Credo Cyber Consulting, Elaine Palome, Eliza VanCort, Security Industry Association (SIA), Security LeadHER


Read Full Articlered right arrow icon

Tia Eskandari

Women in Security

Women in Security Feature: Tia Eskandari - “I am here to help make a difference”

June 14, 2023Cory Harris, Editor

YARMOUTH, Maine—Tia Eskandari joined the security industry five years ago believing that she would land a role as a project manager or program manager. It turned out that service was where her security journey would begin. Eskandari, the director of service for the Southwest Region at Allied Universal, told SSN, “Service is dynamic, and when your job is customer facing, no two days are ever the same as you can imagine. I have a strong background in operations and process management,...

Allied Universal, Asya Watkins, Carla Manzanilla, James Gallagher, Kasia Hanson, Maria Molina, Minda Harts, Philip Young, Security Systems News (SSN), SIA Women in Security Forum (WISF), Tia Eskandari, Tracy Senstock


Read Full Articlered right arrow icon

Deanna VanHout

Women in Security

Women in Security Feature: Deanna VanHout – “The security industry is challenging, but also rewarding

May 17, 2023Cory Harris, Editor

YARMOUTH, Maine—Deanna VanHout’s Paladin Technologies bio describes her as a “driven, supportive, and passionate team member.” Boy is she ever! VanHout, the partner program manager at Paladin, told SSN about the various roles and responsibilities she takes on daily for the North American-based systems integrator. “I am responsible for fostering effective communication, setting clear expectations, and ensuring accountability between our subcontractor partners and...

Deanna VanHout, Paladin Technologies, PSA Security Network (PSA), SIA Women in Security Forum (WISF)


Read Full Articlered right arrow icon

SIA WISF

Women in Security

SIA names Alice DiSanto, Candice Aragon as SIA WISF chair, vice chair

May 12, 2023SSN Staff

SILVER SPRING, Md.—The Security Industry Association (SIA) has named a new chair and vice chair to lead the SIA Women in Security Forum (WISF). Alice DiSanto – vice president of global marketing at Rajant – will serve as chair of the WISF Steering Committee, with Candice Aragon – vice president of marketing and education at PSA Network – serving as vice chair. DiSanto and Aragon will lead the SIA Women in Security Forum in presenting programs,...

Alice DiSanto, Candice Aragon, Kasia Hanson, Maureen Carlo, PSA Security Network (PSA), Rajant, Security Industry Association (SIA), Security LeadHER, SIA Women in Security Forum (WISF)


Read Full Articlered right arrow icon