The security industry often talks about innovation, resilience and protecting what matters most. But one of the most important questions organisations should ask themselves is much simpler:
What are we doing to support the future of the profession itself?
That question sits at the heart of the work delivered by the ASIS Foundation, the charitable foundation of ASIS International. Through research, scholarships, grants and professional development initiatives, the Foundation plays an important role in supporting and advancing the global security community.
Recently, Axis Communications became one of the ASIS Foundation’s “Foundation Five” supporters, helping fund initiatives focused on education, research, leadership development and accessibility within the profession.
For many within the industry, this type of support matters now more than ever.
Investing in people, not just the profession
As a global organisation, ASIS International and the ASIS Foundation support security professionals, students and organisations across the world. It help to improve access to education, professional development and industry-recognised certifications.
For many individuals entering or progressing within the security profession, one of the biggest challenges is often the financial burden associated with training, certifications, continuing professional development and industry participation. Whilst qualifications and certifications can significantly support both personal and professional growth, access is not always equal across different regions, backgrounds or stages of career development.
This is one of the areas where the ASIS Foundation delivers genuine impact.
The Foundation reduces barriers to entry through scholarships, grants, and research funding. It also supports professional development initiatives. These efforts create opportunities for a diverse range of individuals to access education, mentoring, and career advancement within the global security community.
Importantly, this also supports wider Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (ED&I) objectives across the profession, helping ensure that opportunity, learning and professional development are accessible to people from different backgrounds, experiences and regions.
In an industry that increasingly requires diverse skills, perspectives and experiences, improving accessibility to education and professional development is not just socially important, it is strategically important for the future resilience and evolution of the profession itself.
Why this aligns with Axis
For Axis, supporting the ASIS Foundation aligns naturally with our long-standing focus on education, standards, knowledge sharing and industry collaboration.
Whilst Axis is widely recognised for innovation within network video, and the wider security solutions and technologies field, we have also consistently invested in supporting the wider security ecosystem through professional development, training, cybersecurity awareness, standards engagement and industry partnerships.
For more than a decade, we have actively supported the professional development of the global security community through educational initiatives and knowledge-sharing programmes delivered in partnership with ASIS chapters and regions around the world.
This includes:
- supporting and delivering free-to-attend Continuing Professional Education (CPE) days for ASIS members across multiple regions
- helping security professionals access industry knowledge, technical insight and professional development opportunities regardless of role or location.
As security systems become increasingly connected and operationally critical, the industry requires not only better technology, but also better informed professionals, stronger governance and improved collaboration across disciplines.
Supporting initiatives that help develop future talent and improve industry knowledge ultimately helps strengthen the wider security profession.
More than products and technology
There is also a wider message here for the security industry.
Across the security industry, organisations are increasingly recognising the importance of education, collaboration and professional development alongside technology innovation.
Research, education, mentoring and professional development all play an important role in ensuring the industry remains sustainable and continues to evolve positively.
The security industry has always been built on collaboration and knowledge sharing.
Supporting organisations such as the ASIS Foundation helps ensure that future generations of security professionals continue to have access to education, mentorship and development opportunities regardless of geography or background.
Mike Petty, Chair of the ASIS Foundation, recently described the initiative as an opportunity for organisations to become “stewards of the profession, not just participants in it.”
That sentiment resonates strongly across many parts of the industry today.
Supporting the next generation
Having been involved with ASIS International for well over a decade, I have seen first-hand the value the organisation and Foundation bring to the global security community.
The ASIS Foundation plays a critical role in driving meaningful industry research, supporting education and scholarships for the next generation, and helping ensure our industry remains open and accessible to all.
Mike Petty, Chair of the ASIS Foundation emphasize the importance of education and collaboration across the industry: “Supporting the next generation of security professionals is vital. By investing in education, research and leadership development, we help strengthen the future of the profession globally.”
In an industry focused on protecting people, infrastructure and organisations, perhaps one of the most important investments we can make is in the people and profession that underpin it all.
