Integrators '20 under 40' 2017—Michael Lavway

Michael Lavway, 33

Senior manager, Enterprise Security Risk Group, Aronson Security Group (ASG)

Renton, Wash.

Michael Lavway joined ASG, a Security Risk Management Services (SRMS) provider, in 2013 after serving nearly seven years as an officer in the U.S. Army. But ASG was not his first foray into the security industry.

“I attended Northeastern University to get a degree in criminal justice, so my sights were set on security from 17 years old,” he said, noting that he gained invaluable experience through internships he completed while earning his degree. “One was with Hannaford Bros., working in loss prevention, and I also worked with Proctor & Gamble and Gillette doing executive protection, investigations, and emergency management.”

Lavway said that when he left the Army he was concerned that he wouldn't find civilian life impactful or rewarding, but “providing security really satisfies that need for me,” he said.

In his current role with ASG's Enterprise Security Risk Group (eSRG), Lavway orchestrates the efforts of the other internal teams at ASG, while also providing security domain expertise. “We (eSRG) are the connective tissue between the security program's needs and the technology roadmap which enables it. SRMS is all about leveraging the technology expertise with end-user experience upfront in the design of the security program with a focus on mitigating risk, creating organizational resilience and optimizing the deployment of security efforts. Ultimately, my job is to make sure we are delivering a quality security program instead of a system, while making sure the client's needs are represented in the design and implementation.”

Lavway also assists with the internal security function at ASG, including creating the program for travel safety for the company's nearly 175 employees.

In terms of new and exciting technologies, Lavway sees great potential for machine learning. “Our whole security profession is based on detecting anomalies, and machine learning is an exciting way to optimize the efforts of all security practitioners,” he said.