Giving Thanks

Well, we’re just one day away from getting together with our loved ones and feasting on turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing, sweet potatoes, loads of other scrumptious offerings and, of course, mouthwatering dessert to cap off our Thanksgiving smorgasbord.

As we spend time with our family and friends on Turkey Day and throughout the holiday season, this is a perfect time to focus on all the good things that happened over the past year, especially with the challenges we have all faced due to COVID-19.

Personally, I reached a milestone with Security Systems News as I recently celebrated my first year as Managing Editor. I must say that, together with Editor Paul Ragusa, we make a pretty good team, and I give thanks to Paul for reaching out to me over one year ago about joining the Security Systems News team. As I enter my second year with SSN, I will continue to help our publication grow and maintain its status (at least in our mind) as the No. 1 trusted news source in the security industry.

Throughout this past year I’ve been fortunate to meet - both virtually and in person – so many brilliant, influential people in the security industry who have helped me learn about our ever-changing market, while also making friends in the process.

We know it’s been extremely difficult over the last year and a half to serve your customers the way you did prior to the pandemic, but you have gone above and beyond to ensure that your clients are taken care of, and for that I have to give thanks.

Last week, I was thankful for the opportunity to attend my first security industry trade show since joining Security Systems News. I hopped on the train into Manhattan for the first time since COVID-19 (and I live in New York City!) and attended ISC East 2021 at the Javits Center.

It was just so great to see the amount of foot traffic on the show floor over the two days, and so great to have in-person contact with industry folks, rather than sit in front of a laptop to talk.

I was also very excited to hear from our readers talking about SSN, with positive feedback such as “I’ve been reading your publication since the beginning,” and “Keep up the good work” and “I read it all the time” coming from you and making us burst with pride and making us blush as well. Your kind words let us know that we’re doing a good job, and we can’t thank you, our readers, enough.

Speaking of ISC East, I was also thankful that we were able to attend Security Industry Association (SIA) Honors Night on the first night of the show. In addition to honoring leaders who have made an indelible mark in the security industry, it was just so great to see the networking, the engagement, the catching up that was taking place in the room prior to and following the awards ceremony. The in-person mixing and mingling was SOOOO needed after what we’ve all been through since March 2020, and we hope that it continues next year, starting with our own SecurityNext conference in April (details TBA).

I must also give thanks to the four amazing Moms in Security – Elisa Mula, Min Kyriannis, Antoinette King, and Janet Fenner – who continue their tireless efforts to eradicate human trafficking. You ladies rock!

I’m giving thanks as well to all our 40 under 40 winners (2021 winners to be announced very soon) who have demonstrated why the future of the security industry is in great hands.

I would be amiss if I did not give thanks to the women who we honor each month in our Women in Security Forum (WISF) feature. You ladies have shown that you could be successful leaders and game-changers in what is considered to be a male-dominated industry. Keep up the good work!

Now that I’m done giving out thanks, I want to wish you and your families a very healthy, safe and Happy Thanksgiving!