In March 2024, security professionals attended a sold-out edition of ASIS Europe – From Risk to Resilience, which took place in Vienna, Austria. James Thorpe, Editor of our sister publication International Security Journal, reports.

This year’s ASIS Europe – From Risk to Resilience event in Vienna, Austria brought together a diverse and international community, placing a focus on the role that security plays in helping to support business objectives.

It examined both physical and cybersecurity risks and highlighted the vital management roles that security leaders play in large multinational organisations.

In the opening plenary, conference Co-Chair, Inge Huijbrechts, Global Senior Vice President of Sustainability, Security and Corporate Communications at Radisson Hotel Group likened Vienna, known as the city of great composers, to the role of today’s security leaders, underscoring the complex and strategic nature of their responsibilities.

“Just as Mozart or Strauss would bring all their instruments together in harmony, at this event we are bringing together the various parts of the security profession to create ‘security in symphony’ and go from Risk to Resilience,” she commented.

Fellow Co-Chair, Gavin Henderson, Vice President and Chief Security Officer of Regional Security at Mastercard noted that the event attracted a total of 922 registrants from 57 different countries.

“To make a symphony we need lots of players with different skills and expertise to contribute and we certainly have that here; this will be the best attended ASIS Europe conference so far.”

Exploring key trends

Attracting both seasoned and emerging security leaders, sessions showcased how security leaders can shift their focus from urgent issues to developing solutions for significant challenges.

Speakers emphasised the importance of moving past short-term crisis management to tackle long term, critical issues such as extremism within supply chains, globalisation, compliance and climate change.

During the opening keynote on 21 March, General (ret.) Tom Middendorp, former Chief of Defense for The Netherlands, addressed the convergence of climate change risk and security concerns, stressing the importance of innovation, collaboration, and dynamic management models.

Later, on 22 March, Ambassador Julianne Smith, US Permanent Representative to NATO, delved into a variety of subjects, including broad geopolitics, NATO expansion and strategies to combat cyber-attacks and disinformation campaigns.

ASIS Europe – From Risk to Resilience

The annual ASIS Europe – From Risk to Resilience conferences attract a diverse array of participants from various sectors, emphasising its significance as a central hub for expertise and insights that transcend regional boundaries.

In total, more than 50 sessions took place across two days, with five stages in action and a host of different session formats to ensure a vibrant learning experience.

ASIS’s dedication to shaping the future of the security profession and nurturing the security talent pipeline was emphasised through the active participation of its NextGen and Women in Security communities.

These groups organised workshops focused on engaging professionals from diverse generational backgrounds and advancing initiatives in diversity, equity and inclusion.

Networking and partnership development was another key component of the event.

Onsite networking was based around a buzzing exhibition area where 48 exhibitors participated, including headline sponsors Nedap, Genetec and Securitas.

Solutions and services on display ranged from crisis, critical events and business continuity management to geopolitical risk intelligence and executive protection to video surveillance, cloud-based solutions and access control as well as cybersecurity, drones and background screening.

“Vienna was an absolutely outstanding conference and overall experience.

“ASIS Europe, with the support of the ASIS International Team, put on a sublime show in such a majestic location,” commented Lee Oughton, Security, Risk and Crisis Management Leader and Co-Founder of the Kindness Games.

“I had the pleasure of networking with some outstanding professionals that I’ve had the honour to know for a long time, whilst at the same time, making new friendships which I look forward to nurturing.

“I was particularly impressed with all the volunteers, who worked tirelessly to ensure that the conference was a huge success for all.

“I am extremely excited for Dublin in March 2025 and I can’t wait to ignite the security community camaraderie again.”

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