Organised by ASIS International, Vienna will host this year’s ASIS Europe – From Risk to Resilience on 20-22 March.  

Opening keynote on Thursday 21 March is General (ret.) Tom Middendorp.

He will speak in his current capacity as Chairman of the International Military Council on Climate and Security (IMCCS), sharing hard-hitting insights on the intersection of climate change risk and security concerns. 

On Friday 22 March, Ambassador Julianne Smith, US Permanent Representative to NATO will take to the stage, exploring the current geopolitical landscape and how it relates to business risk. 

The programme is focused on the role security plays in supporting business objectives, examining both physical and cyber security risks, and the vital management roles security leaders play in large multinational organisations.  

Conference co-chair Inge Huijbrechts, Global Senior Vice President Sustainability, Security and Corporate Communications, Radisson Hotel Group, comments, “Our world is increasingly complex, our roles reflect that. We manage security strategy, information sharing with our executives and boards, lead teams, tactical implementation, crisis management, and reporting obligations.

“It’s an extremely demanding mix so I am excited to co-chair the conference at ASIS Europe because I believe it’s exactly the event security professionals need.”  

The real-life experience of security practitioners plays a key role in the experience sharing the conference promotes.

Participants can learn from and dialogue with speakers from a wide range of sectors – from manufacturing to finance, technology to energy.  

All manner of contemporary security challenges is covered, from effectively leveraging the latest technology, trends in cybercrime, insider risk – or those related to leading teams through exceptionally challenging times. 

ASIS Europe case studies

Case studies in Vienna will include: 

• Digital Transformation to Enhance Security Operations and Performance at Airbus, Craig Morton, Head of Physical Security, Airbus and Vonda Greene, Head of Physical Security, Airbus Americas 
• Countering Insiders from Criminal Organisations in the Financial Sector – A Human Vulnerability Based Approach, Björn Johansson, Head of Group Security, Swedbank 
• Cybersecurity Risk from Digitisation of Security Operations – Lessons Learned and Best Practices, Mohammed Basleem, Senior Information Security Analyst, Aramco 
• Lessons Learned from Climate Activist Incident, Hans Verdoodt, Chief Security Officer, ENGIE Europe 
• The Human Side of Managing Permacrisis, Erik Marangoni, Regional Security Director EMEA&South America, Daimler Truck AG 
• How Cyber Criminals are Targeting Your Employees Outside of Your Organisation, Marylin de Kort, Information Security Officer, Dutch Government 
• Additionally, the programme continuously innovates with its Interactive workshop format – 90-minute sessions that are based on lively, challenging and rewarding table-top exercises and collaborative learning. Five workshops will feature in 2024 on a range of themes: crisis management exercises; working with next generation professionals; threat casting; the future of physical security; and relationship and influence building within organisations.  

For those who prefer “bite-sized” learning – the Innovation Track is based on a rapid succession of 20-minute presentations looking at the latest technology and innovation trends, research, and outlooks.  

Community Sessions and a DE&I breakfast meeting hosted by ASIS’ Women in Security Community, also offer an informal, “fireside chat” format to engage on topics related to career and skills development.

Alongside the conference programme, 12 hours of dedicated networking time are built in, promoting peer to peer dialogue and creating new partnerships.  

That is a key element of the event for conference co-chair Gavin Henderson, Vice President/Chief Security Officer, Regional Security, Mastercard, who explains, “As we head into 2024, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer number of challenges our organisations are facing. That’s why partnership is so vital.

“This event has the right people in the room to help you, your team and your organisation work through whatever 2024 throws at us.”  

A rapidly expanding participant list already includes security leaders from global companies such as Ahold Delhaize, ArcelorMittal, Axa, BMW, Boehringer Ingelheim, Dell, Deutsche Telekom, DHL, Erste Group Bank, Estee Lauder, Henkel, Holcim, Meta, Omv, Richemont, Sanofi, Takeda and Uber.

With the diversity of sectors guaranteeing vibrant exchange.  

Networking functions will include the welcome reception on Wednesday 20 March, plus coffee breaks, lunches and happy hours at the main venue.

The highlight will be the Security Leaders Networking Dinner – Powered by Nedap, at the spectacular Palais Ferstel. 

The onsite networking will be based in a buzzing exhibition area where 50 exhibitors are expected, including headline sponsors Nedap and Genetec.  

This article was originally published in the March Edition of Security Journal United Kingdom. To read your FREE digital edition, click here.