Do’s and Don’ts of GenAI for Security Metrics

Do’s and Don’ts of GenAI for Security Metrics

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Frank Costa, President, Nexgen Protection Services

 

Security teams must get it right—there’s no room for error.

Do you use ChatGPT or other AI generators for your business security? Regardless of how you implement GenAI, what truly matters is what you do—and don’t do.

There’s no doubt that GenAI models are powerful tools. When adopted responsibly, they can help streamline security protocols, optimize time, and more. However, it’s crucial to remain fully aware of the limitations of GenAI models.

For starters, never underestimate the importance of keeping the human touch in your work. As smart as AI might seem, it cannot capture the intangibles that come from human intuition.

AI lacks a sense of bias and is unaware of what constitutes correct or incorrect facts. Therefore, it is vital to proofread any AI-generated content and verify all facts before acting on the data.

GenAI models are trained on vast amounts of data from multiple sources, meaning there is always a risk that AI-generated content could contain plagiarized text.

 

SOURCE: 

Shelmire, A. Liars in the wires: Getting the most from GenAI without getting duped, Security Magazine, 09/19/2024.
#protectionservices #securitystandards #publicsaftey  #mobilesecurity #securitythreats

 

Building a Diverse, Resilient Team to Enhance Effectiveness

Building a Diverse, Resilient Team to Enhance Effectiveness

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Frank Costa, President, Nexgen Protection Services

 

Resilient teams possess four key traits that contribute to their success: collaboration, diverse skill sets, camaraderie, and positivity.

In today’s fast-paced and ever-changing business landscape, resilience is essential. It is the ability to respond to events or crises in a coordinated manner, minimizing damage and enabling a sustainable path forward. And it all starts with building resilient teams.

These teams are prepared to navigate disruptive events—or a series of events—with cohesion and precision. As a result, when they emerge on the other side, the need for damage control is minimal, and resuming operations and returning to business as usual is both straightforward and sustainable. That’s the goal.

Don’t avoid conflict—tackle it head-on. Even if it’s as subtle as a silent expression in a meeting, leave no stone unturned when it comes to gauging your team’s sentiments and perspectives. Build a culture of transparency and honesty, and make sure to listen to your people.

 

SOURCE: 

Horton, M. Building organizational resilience for sustainable success, Security Magazine, 10/03/2024.
#protectionservices #securitystandards #publicsaftey  #mobilesecurity #securitythreats

 

Aligning your metrics to key security processes within the organization is what’s really important. The challenge is to measure the right things.

Understand What Security Processes Are Essential For The Business To Succeed

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Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services – 

Aligning your metrics to key security processes within the organization is what’s really important.  The challenge is to measure the right things.

Security managers need to speak to senior leaders in familiar business language, offering measurable results that correlate with investment. Without compelling metrics, security managers and their budgets rely largely on the intuition of company leadership.

Experts agree, saying what’s important isn’t just about the numbers used but how those measures highlight that business story while solving problems to further business goals.

 

SOURCE: 

Randolph, C. Metrics that matter: How security professionals can show value, Security Magazine, 11/05/2024.
#protectionservices #securitystandards #publicsaftey  #mobilesecurity #securitythreats

 

Organizations Must Be Ready to Assess Potential Security Risks to Protect Everyone

Organizations Must Be Ready to Assess Potential Security Risks to Protect Everyone

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Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services – 

Security leaders across environments — spanning retail stores, corporate businesses, residential communities and cities — should prepare for threats that will require fast and informed action. We all have experienced major cultural moments, including the 2020 election, COVID-19 pandemic, and nationwide protests. 

It is critical for organizations to put in place security protocols to preserve employee and public safety while respecting the rights of citizens.  Creating a plan and protocols to address these incidents will help you ensure a coordinated response.

  • Establish communication protocols. Create clear communication protocols that explain how information will flow to key parties, such as store or business leadership, employees, customers, neighboring businesses and law enforcement.

  • Assess physical defense measures. How can you protect your building from damage or control the flow of traffic and people?

  • Promote de-escalation tactics. Reinforce your communication protocols during this training. Ensure that the safety of every employee and customer is the number one priority, reminding them to not get involved if physical violence occurs.

  • Implement safety technology. Cameras, alarms, motion detectors, and motion-triggered lights can all bring visibility to situations, add necessary deterrence if you make the decision to close a location, and gather evidence to help law enforcement pursue bad actors. Revisit your existing security investments to assess their capabilities, and consider whether you need new solutions to cover your gaps.   

 

SOURCE: 

Kelley, M. 3 potential security risks to stay ahead of post-election, Security Magazine, 11/20/2024.
#protectionservices #securitystandards #publicsaftey  #mobilesecurity #securitythreats

 

fruad

Mitigating fraud, theft and scam risks within financial institutions

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Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services – 

Social engineering schemes have been such an easy way for fraudsters to get money. To guard against this fraud exposure, banks and financial institutions have to work just as hard as the fraudsters, and stay on top of any new threats that emerge. 

One of the best ways to defeat a social engineering scam requesting payment is to make a phone call to a number that is on file and ask if the person you received the request from really sent those instructions. 

Confirming with the appropriate person on file through a verbal phone call that a funds transfer request can proceed is a smart way to identify scam (fraud) attempts. With possibly hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars at stake, it’s worth taking the extra time to confirm the validity of a funds transfer request.

SOURCE: 

Alger, J. Mitigating fraud, theft and scam risks within financial institutions, 12/2/2024.
#protectionservices #securitystandards #publicsaftey  #mobilesecurity #securitythreats

 

Why Local Businesses Should Build Strong Relationships with Law Enforcement

Why Local Businesses Should Build Strong Relationships with Law Enforcement

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Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services – 

Building strong relationships with law enforcement has always been crucial to a successful loss prevention program. Historically, the relationship between retail stores and local law enforcement has been a part of both community safety and retail performance, reinforcing the critical elements of security and well-being.

Trust and respect are essential, along with a general understanding of how we can work together to keep our communities safe and our businesses successful.

SOURCE: 

Brittain, J. Fostering Next-Level Partnerships That Make a Difference, Loss Prevention Magazine, 11/20/2024.
#protectionservices #securitystandards #publicsaftey  #mobilesecurity #securitythreats

 

Cargo Theft is Real and You Need to Protect Your Assets

Cargo Theft is Real and You Need to Protect Your Assets

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Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services – 

A new form of theft has developed – strategic cargo theft. Strategic cargo theft is defined as deceiving a party at various points within the supply chain to hand over their freight to thieves. This form of theft involves the manipulation of data, paperwork, and identities from a distance to gain access to freight under false pretenses.

Use dedicated, asset-based carriers to move your freight. An asset-based carrier is a company that owns its trucks and hires its own drivers. This allows you to clearly vet the company you will be doing business with.

Insist on placing disposable GPS trackers inside your high-value loads. These cost-effective devices eliminate reverse logistics and device management while providing complete visibility of your freight, in real-time, from anywhere around the world. 

 

SOURCE: 

Tabor, J. Strategic Cargo Theft: What It Is, How It Started, and What You Can Do to Stop It, Loss Prevention Magazine, 12/2/2024.
#protectionservices #securitystandards #publicsaftey  #mobilesecurity #securitythreats

 

Artificial intelligence and Machine Learning are Game Changers

Artificial intelligence and Machine Learning are Game Changers

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Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services – 

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are no longer just buzzwords; they’re reshaping the very fabric of how we protect our spaces, assets, and people. These smart systems are not just observing – they’re thinking, predicting and enabling security professionals to do more with less.

AI and ML allow security departments to extend their reach and effectiveness without necessarily expanding their workforce. 

  • Automated Monitoring: AI can continuously monitor multiple video feeds from one to dozens or many hundreds of cameras, flagging only the events that require human attention.
  • Intelligent Dispatching: ML algorithms can analyze incidents, learn from the patterns, and automatically dispatch the most appropriate response.
  • Predictive Maintenance: AI can monitor the health of security equipment, predicting failures before they occur, helping reduce downtime.

These capabilities don’t just save time; they fundamentally change how security teams operate, allowing them to be more strategic and proactive in their approach.

 

SOURCE: 

Carder, H. Smart systems usher in a new era of proactive physical security, Loss Prevention Magazine, 10/22/2024.
#protectionservices #securitystandards #publicsaftey  #mobilesecurity #securitythreats

 

Manage & Analyze Data To Safeguard Operations Against Threats

Manage & Analyze Data To Safeguard Operations Against Threats

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Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services – 

Effective data collection and management in the aftermath of violent incidents are key for preventing future occurrences. During violent incidents, chaos and stress can lead to critical details being overlooked. A standardized approach to data collection ensures that no pertinent information is missed.

Intelligence from mobile phones, tablets, computers, and hotlines, provides detailed information such as suspect identifiers, vehicle descriptions, targeted items, and much more.

Effective data management allows for the identification of patterns and characteristics shared among violent incidents. By analyzing data on vehicle information, physical descriptions, and targeted items, organizations can identify trends and take proactive measures.

 

SOURCE: 

How Proper Data Collection Prevents Future Violence Incidents, Loss Prevention Magazine, 10/10/2024.
#protectionservices #securitystandards #publicsaftey  #mobilesecurity #securitythreats

License Plate Recognition (LPR): Secure, Intelligence Led Approach Retail Protection

License Plate Recognition (LPR): Secure, Intelligence Led Approach Retail Protection

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Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services – 

Retailers are increasingly focused on establishing additional layers of control – so it makes sense why License Plate Recognition (LPR) is becoming a common talking point when it comes to LP strategies.

The scope of loss prevention has expanded to human safety first and foremost. This shift is matching the rise of Organized Retail Crime and violence in stores.

LPR systems use high-resolution cameras and other systems to capture and convert images of license plates into alphanumeric text, which can then be cross-referenced. Retailers worldwide have adopted LPR (sometimes known as ANPR) increasingly as an important component of their security strategies.

 

SOURCE: 

Elevating Retail Security Integrating License Plate Recognition and

Audio Detection into Your Safety Strategy, Loss Prevention Magazine, 12/10/2023.
#protectionservices #securitystandards #publicsaftey  #mobilesecurity #securitythreats