SIA announces 2024 Women in Security Forum Scholarship opportunity

SILVER SPRING, Md.—The Security Industry Association (SIA) is now accepting applications for the 2024 SIA Women in Security Forum (WISF) Scholarship, an initiative led by the SIA Women in Security Forum. 

The 2024 program will offer multiple scholarships worth $7,500 each that SIA members and students can use toward professional development and education.

SIA’s Women in Security Forum is a community for both women and men that works to promote, recruit and cultivate the leadership of women for a more inclusive and diversified industry. The WISF Scholarship program was created to further educational opportunities for the widest spectrum of people and empower all to join the SIA Women in Security Forum and thrive in the security industry.

“The SIA Women in Security Forum Scholarship is a key element of SIA’s efforts to grow and diversify the talent pipeline in our industry, and we are thrilled to present this opportunity for the fifth consecutive year,” said SIA CEO Don Erickson. “We encourage professionals already in security and students interested in this cutting-edge field to apply and look forward to supporting the career and educational goals of the next class of scholarship awardees.”

Scholarship funds may be used toward:

• Registration for SIA education or certification programs and/or conferences
• Repayment of student loan debt
• Registration for other industry education and certification programs
• Tuition for courses that will lead to completion of accredited trade, vocational or academic degree programs related to the security industry
• Registration for industry online learning programs

“The SIA Women in Security Scholarship is a shining example of SIA’s dedication to advancing women in the security industry,” said Tia Eskandari, senior director, national field service at Allied Universal Technology Services and co-chair of the SIA WISF AmplifiHER Subcommittee. “As a recipient of the scholarship in 2022, I was able to further my education and obtain key certifications that helped advance my career. Now, as co-chair of this year’s AmplifiHER subcommittee, I am dedicated to promoting similar opportunities for women to achieve their professional goals. I am excited to see who will be chosen to represent the class of 2024.”

In 2023, SIA awarded $75,000 in scholarships through the WISF Scholarship program to SIA members and student members across the industry.

This program is made possible by the generous donations of SIA members and SIA member companies. The WISF Scholarship Committee is currently seeking donors for the 2024 scholarship. Please visit the scholarship page for more information.

“We want to thank Axis Communications, Genetec, Boon Edam, Brivo and Eagle Eye Networks, who have already donated to the 2024 WISF Scholarship program, for their ongoing support, generosity and leadership,” noted Martha Entwistle, senior manager of corporate communications at Eagle Eye Networks and co-chair of the AmplifiHER Subcommittee. “However, our work is just beginning; we are actively seeking sponsors for the 2024 Scholarship program and invite all companies interested in fostering a highly skilled and diverse workforce to get involved by contacting us.”

Each applicant for the SIA WISF Scholarship must be either 1) a SIA student member or 2) a member of the SIA Women in Security Forum and an employee of a SIA member company. Applications for the 2024 SIA Women in Security Forum Scholarship must be submitted by Wednesday, July 31.