Bonnie Michelman, Executive Director of Police, Security and Outside Services at Mass General and winner of the 2021 SIA Insightful Practitioner Award, spoke about the hospital's response to COVID-19 and the lessons she and the security team learned from the pandemic during a talk at the Security Industry Association (SIA) Securing New Ground conference.

Security professionals across all sectors are still dealing with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The International Bar Association (IBA) COVID-19 Task Force has released guidance on how officials in travel, manufacturing, healthcare and other sectors can best continue to fight COVID-19 on a global scale.

As the gravity of COVID-19 was recognized and expanded in the United States, Niyazi Ekici and Dean C. Alexander, professors at Western Illinois University’s School of Law Enforcement and Justice Administration, commenced a research project to gauge the impact of the pandemic on law enforcement agencies. Here's what they found. 

Two common options for surveillance and perimeter protection are visible cameras with near infrared illumination capabilities and thermal imaging cameras—both are optimal for distinct situations. However, optimal lighting isn’t always available or guaranteed, especially when a scenario calls for 24-hour awareness for security applications, including outdoor, remote, or rural locations, or if there is need to see beyond the fence line to identify and react to incoming threats. 

Breakthroughs in artificial intelligence (AI) and other digital technology, including faster, more affordable bandwidth, are revolutionizing the ways cities conduct surveillance and provide security. Major cities throughout the U.S. are utilizing turnkey systems that integrate video footage, access management, traffic monitoring and body-worn cameras into central high-speed networks. 

One thing is clear: the hybrid model will be permanent. Occupier requirements are constantly evolving and they are driving new considerations for landlords and workspace providers. Let’s review the core considerations and components required to create a secure tech operating layer that reassures the integrity of the workspace, operation and infrastructure while delivering a great occupier experience. 

Healthcare businesses are already reeling from massive losses during the pandemic, and cyberattacks could cause further long-term damage beyond the initial attack. Research at Morphisec indicates that almost 3-in-10 consumers say they would consider switching providers if their records were breached in a cyberattack. Considering that same report found that 1-in-5 Americans say a cyberattack has impacted their healthcare provider in the past year, it’s undoubtedly worrying news for the entire industry. With this in mind, here are three avenues hackers are likely to exploit as healthcare becomes a more attractive target and what providers’ need to do to protect their sensitive data and safeguard the lives of their patients.