The Risk Advisor

Ransomware can paralyze a single PC to the entire network, incapacitating businesses and organizations. It's one of the biggest security problems on the internet and if you don't protect yourself, you'll pay the price….literally.Even with protective measures in place, it is still possible to fall victim to a ransomware attack. Preparation is key to ensure information will not be seized or lost. What do you do and when? Listen to today's show to learn what you need to know.

Are you ready to accept the “New Norm” in protest planning?The rules have changed and the old way is now the wrong way! Today we interview Joshua Skule, Senior Vice President of Allied Universal to talk about the need to understand how the protest landscape has changed and what you need to do to be better prepared for the tactics and aggression you may face.

EOC vs SOCAre you contemplating building an operation center? Would you call it an EOC or an SOC? Does it really matter? The answer is…..Difficult. In today's politically correct world, what you call it is as important to what it is and how it functions. One side will say Security Operations Center is big brother watching and of limited value. The other side says Emergency Operation Center is much friendlier. Who really cares and why does it matter? Listen to Sal and Jim talk about the plus and minus of both and what it all comes down to in this episode

In Part 2 of this series, we talk about Hyper-Convergence and how analytics play a key role in designing your new CCTV video surveillance system. What you don't know can cost you dearly… What are some of the miss-steps that are made when setting up a video management system? What about the new technology that will make your system obsolete? Can you be secure in today's world? Get the answer to these questions and more in this episode!

In security, we learn nothing from history, until it's too late! In this episode, we talk about history repeating itself. Lessons never learned from past experience. How? Reducing security because of the absence of attacks is tempting, but dangerous! It removes the deterrent that deflected attacks to softer targets elsewhere. People want to live and work where they feel safe. The visible presence of security is a necessary element in creating and sustaining the perception of a safe environment. Even a small amount of crime coupled with visible reduction of security presence erodes the perception of safety. So what do most people do when nothing happens? They cut security!

We've Come a Long Way…. Part 1 of a 2 part seriesReal-time video surveillance applications have come a long way over the years with so much information we are going to do a two part series. In this episode we chat with the Director of Advanced Systems Architecture at BCD International about where video started and what is on the horizon.

Ever asked yourself, “In an emergency, what intelligence is real and what is fake?”When responding to a crisis, it is important to have critical intelligence information at your disposal to be able to make proper decisions. Since active shooter situations have increased over the years, new technology has been created to help solve this problem. Today we talk to a CEO who has 25 years of experience in high threat / high crime countries who believes she may have an answer.

The security industry, especially electronic security has long been male dominated – but that is changing for the better! Women are becoming a bigger part of the industry and making people take notice! There are now women technicians, engineers and in key leadership roles fighting their way to the top. Todays guest is an advocate of inclusivity and diversity, and champion of our next generation industry leaders.

Camera performance has advanced tremendously in the 50 years since they were introduced as a tool for security systems. However one fact remains a constant- without light there is no video.Beyond that simple reality, the issue of lighting type, intensity and placement is often totally ignored or not afforded adequate consideration in the design and implementation of security surveillance systems. Did you know that beyond poor image quality, poor lighting drive increased cost for storage of video? Hear all about the issues we never really contemplate that are costing you money.

No good crisis should ever go to waste... and todays COVID crisis is no exception. In this life and death struggle we all are facing globally, we can always rely on the scam artist to come up with a way to take full advantage and pry on our fears. These low-life, scum of existence creatures have come up with multiple ways to take advantage of the infirmed and the elderly. If karma exists, it should strike them in the genital's. Listen to the episode to hear some of the scams being pulled today and be better prepared to protect yourself from falling victim.

Man's best friend, the lovable canine has many jobs; rescuing lost children, finding bombs and drugs. But what goes into the training? How does all this work? In this episode, Sal and Jim take us behind the scenes to learn what goes into the training for the handler and the canine. It's not as easy as it looks.

Cloud computing - what we think about. Cost effective, secure, adaptable and ease of use. All very true. But did you ever stop to think about just what is "the cloud"? Where is it? and more importantly, who is in charge?Today we cover the risks associated with the "cloud"... what happens it gets shut down? How much at risk are you? As always, its the detail that can kill you...

Cyber-attacks prevent us from using the Internet… but what if your supplier shuts you down? Aren't the results the same? The first big threat in the trend to move communications and systems to the internet was exposure to cyber-attacks. Now you have to be aware your provider can pose a threat as well! What are the risks to being turned off? Did you do your due diligence in how the service you are paying for gets delivered to your door? Listen to this episode to hear our guest talk about the risks we never thought of.

What are the key ways to find government contracts? How do you navigate to the right person for that perfect assignment? In this episode, Stewart Liberman talks in detail and gives valuable information on where to go for a contract, how to make a lasting impression and how to stay out of trouble by not biting off more than you can chew. If you want to make a lasting impression, follow his simple step by step guide.

The vaccine is here…. Now what happens? Don't get too comfortable… the problems and risks have only started!Who is essential, who isn't? How do you track the people who got it, vs. those that don't want it? Is the government set up to effectively distribute the vaccine? Listen to this episode to hear all the challenges the leadership will be faced with… It's an episode you don't want to miss.

Dealing with a government agency is a whole lot different then dealing with a fellow businessperson. The are many constraints on what you can and cannot do. How should one best present their Product or Service? What are the questions you can ask and what can you ask that might shock them? You need to use your introduction of your product or service wisely. How will you motivate the individual and get them vested into your product or service that meets their need or solve their business issue? Listen hear to learn all about it.

Navigating Government Contracts – A 3-Part SeriesHave you ever asked yourself, how do you find gov't contracts? How should you posture your first meeting? How do I go about contacting key people at a Gov't Agency and whom do I call?This series will bring insights and hopefully a better understanding of the hurdles a vendor or contractor should be aware of before engaging with a government entity or responding to a proposal. Hear first-hand accounts from an industry expert on what to do, and not do in this episode.

2020 proved to be a difficult year right up until the last day… what's is store for 2021? Can it get any worse?COVID has had an incalculable effect on all aspects of our lives. Because of it, how we go about our business has changed the risk profile considerably. Listen now to hear Jim and Sal talk about the changes that occurred, what new challenges are on the horizon and what opportunities await us if we look at it in the right way.

The vaccine is here now … but what are the expectations of the employees and the employers? Can you force your employees to take it? In today's show, we explore the exemptions employees can declare and how the Americans With Disabilities Act (the “ADA”), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and collective bargaining agreements need to be considered before you make your decisions. Our guest tries to explain what you should consider in the complicated world of COVID.

Todays security director role is so much more than it used to be. Do you have a statesman or a lunatic on your hands? What are the traits you should be looking for and what traits should you run and hide from? Jim interviews Sal to talk about these issues in depth, giving the signs to look out for and what you need to know before you make your decision.

Technology advances give drones a whole new dimension. Can this help reduce risks? We all know the stories about the invasiveness of drones and how they are used to violate our personal space, but there are more beneficial services they can provide. In this episode we talk about how this emerging technical capability is helping to find lost children, lowering manpower costs and keeping us safer.

For Thanksgiving, we thought a replay of “The Legal Implications COVID Can Bring About” was worth the replay… Join us for an informative discussion on returning to work and the legal implications and challenges that seem to be getting greater than ever. Helen Rella of Wilk Auslander joined us to talk legal issues and potential liabilities employers may face during the pandemic. We tried in this episode to answer some questions you might have.

What are you willing to give up to be politically correct?In this episode of our Common Sense Series, Jim and Sal talk about the CEO's risk of being politically correct. The risk profile is changing, there is a difference between brick and mortar facilities vs a tech company. What are the new risks? They also touch on private vs. public security, armed vs. unarmed, and how all that plays during periods of civil unrest. This is our most thought-provoking session yet….

Edge technology is the wave of the future, but what is it really?What are the logistical issues between edge and standard systems? Do they have the capacity to save money on critical infrastructure cost? The development of apps gives this new technology a capacity with a simple upload never before available. Can this make our old, reliable standard systems obsolete? Find out here in this episode with two of Meraki's best, Ryan Harami and CJ Ramsey.

In today's litigious society, a reduction in a police force can mean a delayed response, or possibly no response to crimes being committed, leaving your security up to you. What are these liabilities you need to be aware of? In this episode, we talk to an attorney very familiar with security liabilities. Hear what he has to say about understanding the contract process, who is responsible for indemnifications and what private citizens can and cannot do to protect your property. This is an episode you cant afford to miss.

Ever wonder what goes into a professional security design? Where do the specs come from?Todays guest helped write the standard for how security designs are specified and how integrators engage with consultants. There is so much more to how a security system should get designed. What goes on behind the scenes and how the products you get offered is discussed by two industry veterans in todays episode.

If we disregard common sense in risk, are we producing real victims?In security we hope for the best, plan for the worst! The tug of war between hope and fear in today's society has risen to an all-time high... In part three of the “Common Sense” series we try to tackle the erosion and attack on common sense in the security world. Can the lack of common sense produce real true victims? We explore how security countermeasures are being taken away with potential devastating effects.

Ever feel like a goalie on a dart team with no pads?Todays leadership is challenged by the shiny new toy they see on the tradeshow floor. It all works great on the floor, but then real life deployment shows a different side. How does the integrator deal with the dilemma this causes? Listen to our discussion highlighting Jim Henry's industry leading experience talking about this very issue.

When common sense starts to fall apart, our whole world in how we approach risks comes under attack…Today, political risk is as important as traditional liability. What you approve for the use of risk mitigation today can become outlawed tomorrow. How has the risk process changed? Listen here to find out on this episode as our hosts interview each other in a series they call “Common Sense”.

Will there be a need for on premise video management systems given so much capability in the new edge devices? The increase of cyber threats have exposed the vulnerabilities of low-cost, non-hardened IT infrastructure. Cloud managed edge technologies may be the new disrupter. The industry just might be moving to a turnkey cloud managed video communications infrastructure inclusive of analytics to detect, classify and route video. Listen here to learn more.

How should it be used? Mostly everything is wrong to someone… Technology is advancing and presenting challenges we could never anticipate. Social pressures are being exerted at great levels. What are the questions regarding facial recognition systems? Hear the questions and answers in this episode.

Loss or theft of information can cause serious harm to areas such as business development, product research, stock prices, brand reputation, and corporate litigation.Understanding the importance of protecting communications and information helps to create an atmosphere where security inspections are not only accepted but expected. Corporations should work to develop an atmosphere where proactive TSCM sweeps are an accepted part of security in the workplace, protecting information assets as well as protecting privacy. Learn why in todays episode.

If you think you aren't -- because your business is too small or doesn't have worthwhile data to steal -- think again. Likewise, if your business is larger, with a dedicated IT department and has never fallen victim to an attack, also, think again, because the risk of a cyber-attack increases every day. Hackers know that the IT systems for small and medium-sized businesses typically have weak security and are easy to exploit. Small business in particular, tend to favor convenience over security. Our hosts explain and offer up suggestions for you to follow.

Are Architects Forced To Deploy Psychological Concepts For COVID?Tactical approaches to security postures need to change with the psychological dynamic affecting todays workforce. What might once be considered “smoke and mirrors” is now becoming a reality. Today's architects are considering issues and opinions security would never have dreamed of. Our experts talk about these issues and what to do about them and the implications on our systems.

What are the real cost savings going with the cheaper security systems? Pay now or pay later….CEO's and Security Directors try to go with the cheapest price. But what are the real costs once the project is installed? What risks do you have with no one around to help… Our experts talk about the risks and what to look out for in this episode.

When will cyber compliance become a reality for commercial markets? Soon! Compliance is a term no one likes, invoking federal regulation and accountability that is sometimes hard to maintain. New Federal/Government regulations are on the way, and they may become the newest regulation you may have to follow. In this episode, our experts talk about what's on the horizon and how it will affect you…

Convergence into private cellular networks – what does it entail? Today our experts talk about the convergence of security systems through the use of the new private cellular systems and the new standards and compliance issues you will face!

In today's show our experts talk about the evolution of connected devices, the internet of things and how technology is pushing us to new standards

Are you attempting to develop a re-occupancy plan for your facility without a net?It feels that way… The government guidance changes weekly with new requirements, and with inconsistent enforcement. What's approved is not always interpreted as it gets enforced. Add to this non-specific health criteria , just suggestions…. Does common sense work? Hear what we have to say about all of this.Find more at: http://theriskadvisor.com/

COVID and the legal implications seem to be greater than ever. Helen Rella of Wilk Auslander joins us to talk legal issues and potential liabilities employers face during the pandemic. We try in this episode to answer some questions you might have. For show notes and to find more information go to: https://theriskadvisor.com/shows/returning-to-work-after-covid-19/

Alan Stoddard of Verint's Situational Intelligence Solutions Business discusses problems facing security directors and corporate management today, covering the blending of traditional security with health and safety… no more trip and falls being our safety issues… temperature screening/medical issues and tracking all play into this on a domestic and global scale. He offers recommendations on how to solve these issues incurred during this crisis.**To see more about this topic and to view the show notes, please go to: https://theriskadvisor.com/shows/managing-security-for-a-changing-global-landscape/

Kevin Engelhardt, Chief Operating Officer of Securitas Electronic Security joins us, along with Nelson Barreto, Vice President for Enterprise Sales to discuss how to determine what new technologies are real and what's fake in the new COVID normal. How can you trust what you are being solicited with? We take an in depth look at serious innovation and the due diligence process Securitas uses before it makes a product recommendation. For show notes and to find more information go to: https://theriskadvisor.com/shows/a-global-integrators-perspective-on-adapting-to-business-in-todays-covid-environment/