By: Mary Beth Shaughnessy, Event VP, ISC Security Events
This month’s Top Right Drawer article with Mary Beth Shaughnessy is a Q&A where she discusses the upcoming ISC West Expo’s focus on Cybersecurity, the role which ISC Events have played in fostering cross-industry innovation, and her journey into the Security Industry, from humble beginnings to now serving as the Event Vice-President of ISC Security Events.
Give us a little background on how you started at RX / ISC Security Events and your early impressions of the Security Industry.
I’ve always been a people person, an extrovert who gets my energy from connecting with others and networking—probably no surprise to those who know me. I started my career in sales, working part-time for a meeting planner, and have always gravitated toward customer-facing roles. For twelve years, I worked part-time, job-sharing with my great friend and colleague, Trish Moubayed, now the Sales Director at ISC Security Events. When she joined RX, she encouraged me to do the same, and off I went.
My RX career began 15 years ago as a temp in telemarketing. I quickly transitioned into customer service, working closely with exhibitors and attendees, before being given the opportunity to join the ISC team and manage its Attendee VIP Program. I really loved that role; it taught me so much about the industry and allowed me to connect with so many wonderful ISC customers at conferences and events. A few years later, I was promoted to ISC Event Director and eventually to Event Vice President. Believe it or not, thirty years later, Trish and I still work closely together every day!
My first impression was that the security industry is constantly evolving, and I found myself learning something new each day. It was also, at the time, heavily male dominated. Today, I sit on several Women in Security committees and am proud to see progress in this area. Many more women are seen at industry events and in leadership roles.
If you had told me years ago that I would develop such enthusiasm for security, I wouldn’t have believed you. But over the years, I’ve made many close friends and grown to love working with our security customers. I’ve discovered that I now share their same passion for the industry, and I can’t imagine working on any other RX show.
What is your view on the role ISC Security Events have played into the massive growth of the Security Industry?
ISC Security Events have come a long way over the past 50+ years, evolving into global hubs for professionals across the physical and cybersecurity landscape. The rapid pace of industry advancements drives ISC to continuously highlight new, cutting-edge security innovations, foster professional growth, and address the challenges of today’s highly interconnected world.
This year’s event promises an exceptional lineup, featuring the SIA Education@ISC program and showcasing over 700 exhibitors presenting the latest security solutions. With a strong focus on technology, education, and training around cyber-physical threats, ISC West emphasizes the need for a unified, holistic defense strategy. In a world where physical and digital security are deeply intertwined, collaboration is essential to safeguarding an organization’s data, people, and assets. And ISC West stands at the forefront, serving as a bridge between these two worlds.
What is some insight you can provide in ISC / RX’s strategy behind staying ahead of the curve in fostering the increasing cross-industry integration?
ISC Events have long been recognized as premier gatherings for the physical security community, but we’re evolving to reflect the changing security landscape. With the rise of cyber-physical attacks, we’re broadening our focus to include more cybersecurity solutions and content, creating a space where both physical and cybersecurity professionals can come together. The line between physical security and the protection of digital systems continues to blur, requiring today’s security teams to adopt unified operational approaches that drive visibility, promote situational awareness and enable fast, informed decision-making.
At ISC, we’re driven by the belief that innovation and collaboration are the cornerstones of the security industry’s future. Our mission is to be the premier global event that unites physical and cybersecurity professionals, creating a “one-stop shop” for ALL security experts.
You have mentioned the trending focus for 2025 is Cybersecurity, can you elaborate on the specifics.
Cyberattacks are on the rise, making it more critical than ever for physical and cyber teams to work together. ISC West is leading the way as the industry’s holistic event focused on driving the future of unified cyber-physical security. This year’s show will place a stronger emphasis on this critical convergence—from modern access control systems to enhanced operational visibility, ISC West will showcase the tools to accelerate incident detection and response.
This includes a dedicated Cyber & Connected IoT Pavilion, providing an exclusive space for cyber-focused vendors, as well as enhanced networking opportunities and specialized programming designed to engage cyber attendees. SIA Education@ISC sessions will continue to spotlight the integration of cyber and physical security practices, and we have also partnered with RSA Cybersecurity to provide even more cyber-focused content. Lastly, our day one keynote speaker, Rachel Wilson, will bring her unique perspective as a former National Security Agency executive and current Director of Cybersecurity for Morgan Stanley Wealth Management
Give us your perspective on the outlook of ISC events and what you anticipate the role of industry gatherings in general will evolve to.
We are always striving to enhance our customers’ experience. As show organizers, we face the challenge of ensuring that there is “something for everyone,” delivering meaningful value, and introducing fresh, exciting features. We recognize the commitment it takes for attendees to step away from their daily responsibilities and families to join us, so we’re dedicated to making it worthwhile. Each year, we aim to raise the bar by bringing in more thought leaders, showcasing a wider array of innovative technologies, and creating even more opportunities for meaningful networking. Achieving top-quality results is no small task—it demands careful planning, collaboration, and a dedication to continuous improvement. This means actively listening to the needs of our attendees and exhibitors, staying ahead of industry trends, and ensuring we provide an experience that informs, inspires, and connects the security community.
Mary Beth Shaughnessy has worked at Reed Exhibitions for 15 years and has been working on ISC Security Events, ISC West and ISC East for 10 of those years. Prior to her role as Event Vice President, she was the ISC Event Director, and Manager of the VIP Attendee program. She currently oversees all show logistics for ISC East and ISC West and is actively involved with many industry partners and organizations. She sits on the Mission 500 board, the Security Industry Association New Product Showcase committee and is a member of the California Alarm Association Women in Security steering committee.