Entries by Andrew Ciccone

Fraud Schemes Continue to Rise

Frank Costa, President of NEXGEN Protections Services on Fraud Schemes: Fraud remains a persistent problem that organizations continue to struggle with, including the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC), one of the federal agencies tasked with addressing fraud schemes. Below are some of the top fraud scams that affected individuals and organizations in 2024 and are […]

Executive Security Protection: Risks, Extremist Influencers, Shifting Tactics

Frank Costa, President of NEXGEN Protection Services on Security Protection: Concerns about executive safety remain high. Not only was UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson tragically killed in December 2024, but there have also been multiple other incidents involving threats against business executives. Additionally, social media influencers and other sources have incited calls for similar attacks. High-level […]

Ways to Boost Fraud Detection with Video Surveillance & Analytics

Frank Costa, President of NEXGEN Protections Services on Fraud Detection: Fraud costs the financial sector billions of dollars each year. It’s a persistent challenge for banks globally, made more complex by increasingly sophisticated fraud tactics and methods. To stay ahead of fraud, financial institutions must leverage every available tool to protect their customers and assets. […]

Has Social Media-Based News Changed How People React to Crises?

Frank Costa, President NEXGEN Protection Services — Security professionals face an emerging challenge in how social media, particularly platforms popular with young adults, shapes public perception and reaction to global crises. While the media’s ability to influence public opinion and even incite mass unrest is not new, the scale and immediacy of social media have […]

To Increase Security, Invest in Inclusion

Frank Costa, President NEXGEN Protection Services — A core principle of buy-in strategies is simple: when people feel personally invested in an activity, they are more likely to want to see it succeed. However, many organizations fail to make frontline employees feel that their involvement is vital to the success or failure of the company. […]

Well-Written Incident Reports: An Essential Element of Effective Public-Private Partnerships

Frank Costa, President NEXGEN Protection Services — Receiving well-written, complete, and timely incident reports from private security partners is a critical aspect of any case. While verbal witness statements can be helpful, they do not provide the level of detail that investigators need to understand the full scope of a case. In recent years, there […]

Lighting Standards for Parking Facilities

Frank Costa, President of NEXGEN Protection Services: While there have been several advancements in technology that can improve a facility’s physical security, simple and cost-efficient lighting upgrades can make a significant impact. Effective lighting in parking facilities can deter trespassers, reveal tripping hazards, and make properties feel safer. For any owner or operator of a […]

Build a Security Mindset Up & Down the Organization

Frank Costa, President, Nexgen Protection Services For security to be truly effective, everyone at your organization must be both informed and invested in safeguarding against external threats. Infusing a security mindset throughout the organization requires consistent prioritization and active engagement at all levels. Security is constantly evolving, and staying ahead of emerging threats demands continuous […]

Workplace Violence Poses Significant Risks to the Well-Being of Workers

Frank Costa, President, Nexgen Protection Services Workplace violence poses serious risks to both employee well-being and business health, leading to decreased employee engagement and significant losses in productivity, profit, and retention. As workplace tensions rise, employees are feeling the strain. With political polarization at an all-time high, fostering respectful dialogue and creating inclusive work environments […]

The Critical Need for Secure Communications in Modern Law Enforcement

Frank Costa, President, Nexgen Protection Services As cyber threats continue to evolve and multi-agency operations become more common, the need for secure communications in law enforcement has never been more critical. Recent events, such as coordinated responses to threats against public figures, have underscored the challenges of maintaining secure, effective communication across multiple agencies while […]