Security DNA

Setting the South African Security Stage with Fortress CEO Evan Bloom

This week's episode of SecurityDNA sees host Steve Lasky take to the podium with guest Evan Bloom, industry veteran and CEO of Fortress Strategic Communications.
Bloom's formative years growing up in South Africa left him with a unique perspective on the security industry's transformation through technology and the environment. Together, he and Steve delve into an in-depth discussion on the state of security culture in South Africa and the impact its evolution might have on the industry globally.
Evan Bloom is CEO of Fortress Strategic Communications, a PR consultancy with a focus on the law enforcement, homeland security, physical security, public safety, and enterprise risk management sectors. His expertise in PR advisement has made him a sought-after individual for companies and clients linked to breaking news, geopolitical risks, law enforcement, and physical security market issues.

Holding the Line Against Terrorism with Rebel Global Security CEO Mark Freedman

In this week's episode of Security DNA, Rebel Global Security CEO Mark Freedman joins host Steve Lasky in a timely discussion about online radicalization, social media, and rising threats of violence from both sides of the political aisle.
Mark Freedman is the Principal and CEO of Rebel Global Security, a leading advisory firm specializing in national security, geopolitical strategy, and risk management for critical infrastructure companies. Known for his expertise and trusted counsel, Mark equips executives with actionable strategies to navigate today's complex security landscape.
Previous to his work with Rebel, Mark’s nearly decade-long tenure as a U.S. State Department officer included serving as Chief of Staff to the Ambassador-at-Large for Counterterrorism, overseeing operations for a 150-member bureau managing over $1 billion in foreign assistance funds. He led initiatives to enhance European security after the 2015 Paris ISIS attacks, curb weapons proliferation during the Arab Spring, and establish innovative forums for multilateral security collaboration.

CES Exclusive: SimpliSafe Executives talk Active Guard, AI Automation, and the Future of the Industry

On the show floor at CES 2025, Security Business Editor-in-Chief Paul Rothman discusses the future of monitoring centers, the applications of AI automation, and SimpliSafe's Active Guard solution with SimpliSafe's CEO and High Tech Product Leader, Christian Cerda (L) and Hooman Shahidi (R).

Ensuring Active Shooter Preparedness with Police Chief Shannon Torres

Host Steve Lasky brings on Shannon Torres, Customer Success Manager at 911inform, former Chief of Police of the Keyport Borough in New Jersey, and veteran of the U.S. Army National Guard, for a passionate discussion about emergency preparedness, active shooter training, and emerging technologies in this week's episode of SecurityDNA.
As Chief of Police, Torres managed a team of over 50 employees serving a diverse community 7,000 strong. With a specialization in investigation and internal affairs, she joined the Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce as Detective Sergeant, where her critical investigations and forensic examinations contributed to a culture of safety and security for minors across the U.S. Her achievements include an Outstanding Leadership Award and commendation for cross-jurisdictional collaboration in solving violent crimes.

Shining the Spotlight on Generative AI with ONVIF's Leo Levit

Industry titan Leonid (Leo) Levit, ONVIF’s Steering Committee Chairman and Director of System Integration at Axis Communications, joins host Steve Lasky in this week’s episode of SecurityDNA. Join Steve and Leo for an in-depth discussion on the benefits, impact, and perils of generative AI and ONVIF’s role in safeguarding video assets.
 
Leo Levit’s 20-year-strong career in the security field, beginning with a master’s in electronic engineering from the prestigious Moscow State University of Transport (MIIT), evolved to include tenures at multiple industry-leading multinational companies, including Ericsson and Sony. He has contributed to technology adoption in the telecommunication, security, and video analytics fields.

Staying A.L.I.V.E. During Active Shooter Incidents with Michael Julian

In today's episode of SecurityDNA, host Steve Lasky engages with Michael Julian, the producer of the "Down 'n Dirty" podcast and best-selling author of "10 Minutes to Live: Surviving an Active Shooter Using A.L.I.V.E." Together, they dive into discussion about the A.L.I.V.E. approach, the importance of building a robust security culture, why active shooter training is an essential team investment, and surprising stories from Julian's own podcast.
Michael Julian's storied 30-year career in security and investigations has equipped him with the extensive expertise required to prepare organizations for active shooter threats. His teachings, which span from behavioral threat assessments to interrogation techniques and beyond, have empowered businesses across the country to handle physical threats on their own terms. Since its inception in 2014, Julian's A.L.I.V.E. training program has become a vital part of corporate security training courses on a global scale.

i-PRO CEO Talks North America, Acquisitions, and the Road Ahead for Integrators

Established in 2019 after a 60-year tenure as Panasonic, i-PRO Americas provides sensing technologies in intelligent surveillance, medical and industrial imaging, and public safety. With a close network of integrators and elite partners in North America, the company's development in the region is being watched with close interest.
On today’s special episode of SecurityDNA, SecurityInfoWatch editor Paul Rothman makes the trek to Japan to speak with Masato Nakao, CEO of i-PRO, about i-PRO’s roadmap for integrators and partners in North America as well as Nakao’s thoughts on acquisitions.

How Johnson Controls is Bringing Data-Driven Security Solutions to Buildings

On the show floor at GSX 2024, Julie Brandt, vice president and president, Building Solutions North America at Johnson Controls, and Greg Parker, Global Vice President of Lifecycle Solutions at JCI, talk with SecurityInfoWatch.com editor Paul Rothman about what the company is doing to help its building customers implement connected, data-driven security solutions. They also discuss what thecompany is doing to address workforce development challenges.

Peeling Back the Layers of Veteran Suicide: The Mission of Willpower for Veterans

SecurityDNA podcast host Steve Lasky has an impactful discussion with Donna Chapman, Director of the A&E Program at HID Global North America, about the challenges in dealing with veteran suicide after her24-year-old son, Army National Guard Sgt. William Davidson, committed suicide during in Operation Enduring Freedom.
Chapman is working to help troubled vets through her foundation – Willpower for Veterans – and hopes to get her fellow securityprofessionals on board with this effort and the entire New England and New York communities. The Willpower for Veterans Fund is a non-profit organization and 100 percent of all donations go to the fund and help veterans and their families through awareness, resources, and financial contributions to wounded and troubled vets. Chapman has 25 years of industry experience in physical security, specializing in architectural door hardware and access control.

Protecting People First and Reimaging Security

In this edition of the SecurityDNA podcast, host Steve Lasky has an inspiring discussion about the evolving world of security with Francis D’Addario, emeritus faculty for theSecurity Executive Council. Francis is a Lifetime Outstanding Security Performance Award (OSPA) recipient and his cross-functional teams have achieved reduced violent crime claims by 80% while establishing multi-million-dollar, per year, net ROI contributions for multiple brands.  
D’Addario, who co-leads strategic, SEC, Next Generation Leadership initiatives, including Solution Innovation Partner (SIP) programming, will discuss all-hazards operational risk oversight, communicating ROI-capable concepts of operations, and establishing value with security performance metrics.