Entries by Andrew Ciccone

New Framework for Law Enforcement to Make Ethical Decisions

Frank Costa, President of NEXGEN Protection Services on Law Enforcement: Europol released a new framework designed to help law enforcement make ethical decisions regarding the incorporation of new technologies into their work. The framework is part of the report Assessing Technologies in Law Enforcement: A Method for Ethical Decision-Making, which provides a structured approach for […]

The Trump Administration Designates Several Cartels as Terrorist Organizations

Frank Costa, President of NEXGEN Protection Services on Terrorist Organizations: The Trump administration designated eight Latin American cartels as terrorist organizations on Thursday, a designation typically reserved for groups with political goals achieved through violence. The U.S. Department of State filed the notice of the designation in The Federal Register on February 20. The action […]

Security Threats: Keeping Convenience Stores Safe

Frank Costa, President of NEXGEN Protection Services on Security Threats: Store owners and operators often face security threats. A difficult balancing act between maintaining profits and implementing security measures—especially when the costs of security are presented alongside traditional profit generators like marketing or product stocking. Convenience stores come in many forms, from the mom-and-pop bodega […]

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 […]