ASIS International, the world’s largest association for security management professionals, announced the agenda for its free Security Cares program, which will be held during its 63rd ASIS International Annual Seminar and Exhibits (ASIS 2017), Sept. 25-28 in Dallas, TX. This security education program for small/medium-sized businesses/institutions —including houses of worship, hospitals/clinics, schools, retailers, and restaurants, as well as community leaders, law enforcement, and first responders— will tap into the expertise of the more than 20,000 security professionals attending ASIS 2017 by offering free training on the fundamentals of security prevention and preparedness.

“Every day, ASIS members work to bolster the security readiness of communities around the world. We are pleased to be able to leverage this concentration of knowledge as part of our flagship event to deliver hands-on training for small-to-medium-sized organizations who do not necessarily have the resources for a standalone security function,” said Peter J. O’Neil, Executive Vice President and CEO of ASIS International. “Whether through our School Security Grant Program, free Law Enforcement and Military Appreciation Day, or Security Cares, we are committed to leaving the cities that host our Annual Seminar and Exhibits safer and more resilient​.”

The program kicks off Wednesday, Sept. 27 with an active shooter/assailant session featuring Dallas Sheriff Lupe Valdez. Moderated by Kevin Doss, CPP, PSP, author Active Shooter: Preparing for and Responding to a Global Threat, the panel covers the unique risks facing small/medium-sized businesses and community and cultural institutions and steps these organizations can take now to both prepare for, and respond to, an active shooter/assailant incident. Insights will spotlight the importance of a crisis management plan and the various free resources available through local law enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

The full lineup of opening session speakers includes:

• Michael Dailey, Chief, Outreach Programs Branch, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Infrastructure Protection, Region VI
• Jim McGuffey, CPP, PCI, PSP, author Houses of Worship Security Risk Analysis Process and owner, A.C.E. Security Consultants
• Paul Timm, PSP, author School Security: How to Build and Strengthen a School Safety Program and president, RETA Security
• Sheriff Lupe Valdez, Dallas County Sheriff’s Department

“DHS is proud to support the efforts of the Security Cares initiative, especially as it relates to helping educate small and medium-sized businesses on how they can improve their security posture,” said Michael Dailey, chief, Outreach Programs Branch, DHS IP Region VI. “These efforts go hand-in-hand with DHS’s Hometown Security concept that seeks to help better prepare communities and businesses from tragedies stemming from active shooters and/or terror incidents by asking small and medium-sized businesses and places of public gatherings to ‘Connect, Plan, Train, and Report.’”

Wednesday’s second session, “Preventing Violence: Developing and Testing Your Readiness Plans,” focuses on having effective prevention and emergency response plans in place and includes peer-to-peer collaboration in an immersive, simulated scenario focused on testing protocols to surface vulnerabilities. Following the formal program, participants will take a guided tour of the exhibit hall to learn more about the types of security services and solutions available to provide a safe work environment.

Security Cares continues Thursday with the following sessions:

• Don’t Be a Victim! Fundamentals of Cybersecurity, offering best practices and guidelines from leading IT security experts on basic steps to secure an organization’s information assets.
• Mail Security Best Practices (presented by Amanda McMurrey, U.S. Postal Inspector), will provide a primer on safe mail handling practices and share insights into how small businesses and organizations without a formal mail room can take advantage of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s resources.

Learn more about the Security Cares program, or register for complimentary admission, at www.securityexpo.org/securitycares.