Specifically Speaking with Jeff Brown – “The future of the security industry is stronger than ever”

YARMOUTH, Maine—Safe to say that Jeff Brown has enjoyed his career in the physical security space.

With 25 years of experience, Brown is a recognized expert in the field of physical security with a knack for cost-effectively integrating security policies, procedures and systems into existing operations.

Brown serves as director of security at Live Oak Consultants (LOC), a N. Charleston, S.C.-based full-service civil, structural, mechanical, plumbing, electrical and forensic engineering firm providing design services for its clients.

He is a Certified Master Anti-Terrorism Specialist (CMAS), Physical Security Manager (PSM) and Maritime Security Manager (MSM) by the Anti-Terrorism Accreditation Board (ATAB) and International Society of Anti-Terrorism Professionals (ISATP).

“My role at LOC involves security and risk management, telecommunications and information technology,” he told SSN.

As part of Security Systems News’ monthly column Specifically Speaking, the following is an exclusive Q&A with Brown:

SSN: What kinds of systems do you design/specify and what services does the company provide?

BROWN: Security and Risk Management - All organizations/facilities face a certain level of risk associated with various threats. These threats may be the result of natural events, accidents, or intentional acts to cause harm. The objective of risk management is to create a level of protection that mitigates vulnerabilities to threats and the potential consequences, thereby reducing risk to an acceptable level.

Our team of security professionals utilize proven methods to identify threats, evaluate risks, and then mitigate those risks through sound security principles. Security must be scalable, suitable, and based firmly on layered physical security foundations: deter, delay, detect, deny, and response.

Live Oak Consultants offers specialized in-depth experience in ▪ security master planning ▪ risk/vulnerability/threat assessments ▪ security program management ▪ detailed design ▪ site adaptation ▪ system integration & configuration ▪ construction oversight ▪ commissioning on projects ranging from hospitals, to schools & universities, to houses of worship, nationally significant historic structures, critical heavy infrastructure, nuclear power stations, the U.S./Mexico border, maritime facilities, national landmarks, critical government installations, and to military bases and facilities worldwide.

LOC security professionals are certified by the Anti-Terrorism Accreditation Board (ATAB) and International Society of Anti-Terrorism Professionals (ISATP):

• Certified Master Anti-Terrorism Specialists (CMAS)
• Physical Security Management (PSM)
• Maritime Security Management (MSM)

Expertise

• Operational Security ▪ Technical Security ▪ Physical Security
• Threat and Vulnerability Assessments
• Security Master Planning
• Security Audits / Gap Analysis
• Security Engineering
  • Security Planning & Program Management
  • Security Systems Design
  • Bidding/Procurement Assistance
  • Construction/Integration Support
  • Security Program Commissioning
• Specialty Design & Consulting
  • Explosion Resistant Design
  • Ballistic Resistant Design
  • Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design
• Security/Operations/Telecom Systems Integration

SSN: What vertical markets does the company specialize in? Any interesting projects that you can mention?

BROWN: Schools and universities, houses of worship, commercial and industrial facilities, high net worth individual estates, nationally significant historic structures, critical heavy infrastructure, nuclear power stations, the U.S./Mexico border, maritime facilities, national landmarks, critical government installations, military bases, and facilities worldwide.

SSN: How did you get started in security and designing/specifying?

BROWN: During my graduate studies (2001) in structural engineering at the University of Missouri we established the National Center for Explosion Resistant Design (NCERD). At the center, faculty from civil, computer, electrical and mechanical engineering work together to improve knowledge of explosions, create new and improved structural designs and protection from explosions, and share what is learned with other universities, government agencies and industry. My master’s thesis, “Evaluation of Wall Systems Subjected to Lateral Pressure for Blast Resistant Design,” featured over two decades of groundbreaking research in the study of structural response to explosions.

I was recruited out of graduate school to work for Black & Veatch Special Projects Corp. – Federal Services Division as a structural/blast/force protection engineer.

From national defense systems to the U.S./Mexico border, nuclear power plants, warhead development facilities, ports/maritime facilities, national landmarks, critical government installations, to military bases and facilities in CONUS [continental United States] and OCONUS [outside the continental United States], it has been and absolutely amazing career.

SSN: Can you talk about what new or emerging technologies you are seeing or specifying today?

BROWN: a) Artificial intelligence and machine learning

AI is all the buzz in the security industry today, however I believe that most misuse this phase because it is trendy and current. I believe that most of what the industry calls AI is actually machine learning and data mining. AI is on its way, but we have to better understand what AI actually is and how it operates in our industry before we start telling clients that we have security solutions that think for itself.

At one time in history, we didn’t really understand “the internet,” but now “the internet” is integrated into just about everything we do. We wouldn’t imagine designing a building without an internet connection, or a phone, or a car, etc. etc. etc. I believe we are in that same pre-understanding time with artificial intelligence.

For example, how would I go to a client today and say, “I’m going to design a security program/solution for your facility, but I can’t tell you exactly what it is going to do, because it is going to think for itself.” These are certainly interesting times to be in the industry and helping to adapt what we do to this emerging technology.

b) Increased adoption of cloud-based security technologies

c) Increased integration of security and building automation

d) Increased use of mobile security technology/credentials

Even in high-security scenarios, smartphone credentials are increasingly accepted as a viable and secure entry method. With management in the cloud, access control management can revoke or adjust user permissions more easily. I believe this movement will expand not just in the physical security space but also in connection with building automation.

e) Biometrics and multi-factor authentication

f) Unified Security Platforms - Access control, video surveillance, intrusion detection, building automation, etc.

g) Information security technologies with zero-trust network access

SSN: What is your view on the industry moving forward?

BROWN: We do not live in a world that is becoming safer; in fact, the opposite is true. I believe the future of the security industry is stronger than ever and will be integrated more into our daily lives, not just our residence and our office.

These are exciting times as we try to understand and harness this thing we call AI and how it will revolutionize everything in the same manner as computers or the internet did.

As one who has operated in this space for a good number of years, I look forward to continuing to help to shape this dynamic/ever-changing industry.