Category: Security

Biden Admin Offers Resources to Combat Antisemitism and Islamophobia at Schools

The Biden administration has announced new actions and resources to address the “alarming rise” of reported Antisemitic and Islamophobic incidents at schools and on college campuses since the October 7th Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel. These actions aim to help protect students, engage school and university leaders, and foster safe and supportive learning environments. President Joe […]

FMA Shorts: What Are Must-Have Security Solutions for Public Venues?

On this latest episode of FMA Shorts, Scott Ashworth, head of safety and security at Overtime Elite, discusses top solutions to protect people during sports games and other live events. This clip was taken from a webinar titled “Scoring a Slam Dunk in Sports Security.” The full session is available for FREE on-demand here.

TSA Prepares for ‘Busiest Ever’ Holiday Season, Offers Top 10 Travel Tips

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has screened a record number of passengers this year and anticipates airport security checkpoints nationwide will be busier than ever this holiday travel season. The season kicks off with Thanksgiving travel, which begins Friday, Nov. 17, and concludes Tuesday, Nov. 28. During the 12-day period, TSA expects to screen 30 […]

Robots, AI, and Digital Transformation: The Future of Security in FM

Editor’s note: The Global Security Exchange (GSX), presented by ASIS International, is an annual gathering of security professionals worldwide. ESFM Vice President of Security Solutions Russ Collett recently attended GSX 2023 in Dallas and wrote his takeaways on how key trends apply to facilities management. The world is getting smaller, technology is getting smarter, and […]

The Evolution of Zero Trust in the Age of IoT

In today’s rapidly expanding digital ecosystem, the explosion of Internet of Things (IoT) devices has broadened network vulnerabilities. Recent statistics reveal that almost one in every five organizations has encountered cyberattacks targeting their IoT devices over the past three years. Regrettably, a majority of these compact computing devices were designed prioritizing convenience over security. While […]

How the Internet of Things Is Helping Facilities Management

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a groundbreaking, innovative technology that profoundly transforms facilities management. Running a facility encompasses a wide range of day-to-day tasks, ranging from asset management to security and access control, and IoT is pivotal in making those tasks and duties more manageable and autonomous. IoT in Facilities Management IoT technology is […]

New CA Law Requires Workplace Violence Prevention Plans

A new law recently enacted in California requires employers to implement a workplace violence prevention plan and could prove influential if other states follow suit. On Sept. 30, Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 553 into law, requiring nearly all businesses to have their plans in place by July 1, 2024. Exempted from the law are […]

AI in Healthcare Facilities Management

Technology seems to advance at an hourly pace these days, with generative artificial intelligence (AI) seeing a significant uptick in use this year. Free and open tools such as ChatGPT and Google Bard have shown how generative AI can be used for learning, content generation, coding, and other tasks. This has prompted many industries and […]

Prioritizing the Security of Building Operations in an Era of Digitization

In recent years, our world has become increasingly interconnected as technology plays a role in almost everything we do. This interconnectedness has given rise to smart buildings, enhancing productivity and promoting sustainability. However, it has also exposed vulnerabilities of a building’s critical infrastructure. With October being Cybersecurity Awareness Month, there’s more attention on the importance […]

How to Safeguard Your Facilities Against Workplace Violence

Security professionals need to work with all building departments and occupants to keep their facilities safe from workplace violence, a growing problem in all types of facilities. On September 26, during Facilities Management Advisor’s FM Now: Emergency Preparedness online summit, guest speaker Hector Alvarez, president of Alvarez Associates, provided the opening keynote. The presentation, titled […]