22 Best Pieces of Security Content in 2022
Here’s my list of the best, year 3 since I started this feature:
Best New Standard: The Senior Security Executive standard not only overhauls the Chief Security Officer Standard, but it changes its name to reflect the broad array of titles given to an organization’s top security professionals. The new version delves into how the SSE can bring value all through the enterprise, doing so with an ESRM approach. Kudos to Bryan Leadbetter for leading the effort.
Best promotion for a credential: Detailed presentations by holders of the Chartered Security Professional (CSyP) designation provide an excellent overview of whether, why, and how you should go about obtaining it.
Best ongoing webinar series: Secure Community Network’s frequent webinars on protecting synagogues and other Jewish institutions get the nod here: they cover everything from teaching security personnel about the religion to planning evacuation routes.
Best standalone webinar: Microelectronics and Supply Chain by the Center for Development of Security Excellence is a deep dive into the resilience of the semiconductor supply chain.
Best webcaster: Phelim Rowe, of course. He commands full-day sessions indefatigably and with humor and wisdom.
Best podcast series: Security North and South, by Eddie Sorrels and Mark Folmer. Although their release schedule is spotty, the conversation is first rate. And they definintely have the best cartoon renderings of themselves.
Best mainsteam book with security theme: In The Breach: The Untold Story of the Investigation into January 6th, former member of the January 6th Commission Denver Riggleman provides a thrilling and terrifying behind the scenes look at the leadup to the Capitol insurrection and the continuing threat to democracy.
Best cybersecurity book: The Digital Citizen's Guide to Cybersecurity: How to Be Safe and Empowered Online, by Antoinette King. Clear, concise, and cogent.
Best academic security compendium: the long-awaited third edtion of Martin Gill’s The Handbook of Security is a masterful, comprehensive exploration of crime and security today, with chapters covering topics ranging from the security effects of Covid-19 to crime on the Dark Web.
Best security human interest article: Gotta go with my own story from The Washingtonian’s June 2022 issue about ex-spy Lou Mizell. DM me if you want a copy. You won’t be able to forget his story.
Best article: In the July cover story in Security Management, RC Miles explains how to provide security when your organization is operating in a war zone. He describes how he operated in Ukraine, Ethiopia, and Myanmar—vastly different scenarios and conflicts. Revelatory and original.
Best article, runner up. STE’s September/October cover story, Weaponization of Commercial Drones is a Global Threat, by Paul M. Joyal, describes how COTS UAVs constitute a grave threat to governments, companies, critical infrastructure, and the public.
Best annual magazine feature: The Security Benchmark Report, a gold mine of information on security leaders, programs, and metrics across all vertical markets.
Best magazine column: No one does security nuts and bolts better than Ray Bernard. His Convergence Q&A column in Security Technology Executive answers questions I never knew I had.
Best new magazine: Security Journal Americas is not only monthly, but it features a healthy print version as well, a rarity today. Plus it includes features and interviews from familiar experts such as Lee Odess, Tim Wenzel, Robert Prady, Valerie Currin, and Paul Moxness.
Best new security initiative: The Women in Security Documentary, produced by Richard Ticho and poised to share the stories of many of the great females in our profession, including Bonnie Michelman, Karen Gispanski, Marene Allison, Min Kyriannis, and Eddie Reynolds.
Best new advisory board: SIA’s Proptech Advisory Board, which debuted at ISC West, is explicit acknowledgement that access control is being disrupted by property technology software.
Best new conference: October’s first ASIS LatAm conference, held in Cancun and run entirely by volunteers, set a new standard for excellence for content, networking, hospitality, and ambience. Next year in Peru?
Best conference: There were many good ones, such as GSX, ISC West, OSAC, ICSC, etc. But for concentrated quality of presentations and networking, the prize goes to the Security 500.
Best conference party: Gotta go with HiveWatch, VistaComm Control Room Solutions, Ava, and SiteOwl’s party at the Roof at Ponce City Market during GSX, with carnival amusements, great views of Atlanta, and low-key networking.
Blog tribute: ASIS’s warm tribute to legend Don Walker by Ray O’Hara and Tim Williams was poignant and spot-on.
Best predictions for security in 2022: Adam Green’s prognostications on insider threat, ransomware, and security project management in the December 2021 issue of International Security Journal.