The Security Industry Association (SIA) has named Maureen Carlo, director of strategic alliances – North America at BCDVideo, as the 2019 recipient of the SIA Progress Award, an honor presented by SIA’s Women in Security Forum celebrating individuals who pave the way to success for women in the security industry. SIA will present the award to Carlo during SIA Honors Night on Wednesday, Nov. 20, in New York City.

Carlo – an industry veteran whose 15-year tenure includes roles with BCDVideo, Videotec Security, NeuEon, Venture Communications & Security and Wells Communication – has developed an international reputation as a strategic leader in electronic security and integrated systems based on her contributions to the security community and her advancement of SIA’s mission. She serves as the committee co-chair of the SIA Women in Security Forum, a group open to all SIA members that offers programs, professional development opportunities and networking and career growth events with the goal of supporting the growth of women in the security industry. She helps guide SIA’s efforts in engaging security professionals to promote, recruit and cultivate the leadership of women for a more inclusive and diversified industry.

“Joining SIA offered me the opportunity to connect with the most prestigious leaders in our industry, and together we have created a movement with the Women in Security Forum that is engaging and influencing our integrated security world through diversity and inclusivity,” said Carlo. “I am inspired by this and awed by the honor of receiving the 2019 SIA Progress Award. When we are dedicated to championing others and recognize values, vulnerability, courage and grit as part of the process, our partnerships and participation grow – the effects are force multipliers in bettering our workforce and advancing the next generation of our converged physical and cybersecurity industry.”

Carlo has helped the SIA Women in Security Forum organize and present lively networking and professional growth events, including a breakfast at ISC West 2019 and a happy hour at GSX 2019. She recently moderated the ISC West conference session “Being a Woman Business Owner in the Security Industry Is an Advantage, Not a Disadvantage” and was a panelist in the ISC East session “Strategies for Successful Leadership in the Security Industry.”

SIA’s Women in Security Forum is designed to support the involvement of women in the security industry. Through programs like the Progress Award, regular profiles of female security business leaders in industry publications, professional development offerings and networking events, the forum engages both men and women who share this goal.

SIA’s Progress Award recognizes SIA members who have shown excellence in their advancement of opportunities and success for women in the security industry. Each year’s recipient is determined based on their contributions to fostering women in the industry, promotion of women’s professional growth through mentorship and/or sponsorship, recognitions and awards for related activities and demonstration of the highest levels of professionalism and integrity in the security industry.