Security Sales & Integration June 2022 - 64

Secure Perspectives
Presented by
Duo Put Diversity Benefits on Display
This column is brought to you by the Security Industry Association's (SIA) Women in
Security Forum, supporting diversity through programs, professional development
and networking events. Here's a sampling of the complete perspectives posted
monthly at securitysales.com/tag/secure-perspectives.
▶ How does your organization serve the
industry?
Sheryl Maas: Guardian Zone is a security software
solution which allows security officers to
engage with the public during an emergency on a
SHERYL MAAS
Founder and CEO,
Guardian Zone
" one to one " or " one to many " message platform
with instructions on how to find safety. Some
might think about Guardian Zone as crowdsourcing
security, which we think is a powerful
force multiplier. We create a temporary community
in which the public can send messages to
and receive messages from security officers. In
short, we put safety in every hand.
ELAINE PALOME
Director of Human
Resources, Axis
Communications
▶ With more and more data that shows
diversity makes a better workforce, what
opportunities do you see for women in
the security industry?
SM: I feel fortunate that while the security industry
might not have many female CEOs, I've felt
welcome in nearly every industry event and meeting.
As a member of the SIA Women in Security
Forum, I've found the support of other women
in the industry to be invaluable. As an organization,
we actively recruit young women into the
industry and mentor them as they advance. Let's
be clear that not everyone has been welcoming of
women in the industry, but we have many male
champions that understand the value of women
and minorities in this industry, and I must applaud
them for their support. Our industry is
filled with opportunities for everyone, and that
clearly includes women and minorities. We just
need to open the door a little wider and let them
in. There are no limits on the possibilities.
Statistics show women receive more college
degrees than men, which demonstrates our ambition
to achieve knowledge and success. We can
now bring that knowledge to the security industry
in various ways, from marketing executives to
security technology entrepreneurs.
▶ How can the security industry better
attract more women?
Elaine Palome: Just getting started in promoting
diversity, equity and inclusion is
sometimes a challenge. In an ideal world,
there is a commitment from the top to effect
real and lasting change, and managers are
held accountable for participating in activities
that widen the candidate pool to increase
the chances of hiring a diverse candidate. For
example, at Axis, we strive to have at least one
diverse candidate as a finalist for each position.
We will always select the best person for
the job, but we need to try harder to attract
diverse candidates to our organization.
▶ What trends are you seeing in your role
in HR leadership for Axis?
EP: The human resources function is currently
undergoing a sea change to react to disruption in
the marketplace. Changes are happening in the
way employees work, how they do their work,
where they do their work and how long they do
their work. Gone are the days of the old " personnel "
function. HR has become a strategic partner
in growing the business.
▶ What are the biggest opportunities
your company - and the industry -
are seeing?
EP: I subscribe to the notion that challenges and
opportunities are two sides of the same coin. For
example, if you look at the challenges associated
with building the next generation of leaders on
one side of the coin, you can see exciting opportunities
for career growth and retention on the
other. Recruiting in a candidate-driven marketplace
is challenging, but on the other side of the
coin, you can see opportunities to recruit new
people with diversity of thought and ideas. I'm
clearly a " glass is half full " person.
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