Secured

Video surveillance has long been the backbone of physical security, but with the integration of artificial intelligence, it’s becoming the first frontier for meaningful innovation. Chuck Wilson, Executive Director of the National Systems Contractors Association (NSCA) and Chairman of the Partner Alliance for Safer Schools, explains why AI is reshaping this space faster than any other.

At the core of the shift is scale. A typical school district or campus may have hundreds of cameras, but only a handful of staff or monitors to review live footage. Human oversight alone can’t keep up with the volume. AI bridges that gap by analyzing thousands of images in real time, flagging risks, and supporting proactive intervention. Through active learning tools and synthetic data, systems can be trained to recognize patterns—from unusual movements to potential threats—long before an incident escalates.

This capability extends beyond detection. With AI-powered predictability tools, schools and organizations gain enhanced risk classification and situational awareness. The goal is to not only detect threats, but also deter and delay them—buying precious time to respond. Importantly, Wilson emphasizes that human interaction remains essential. AI doesn’t replace judgment; it augments it by filtering noise and surfacing what matters most.

In the broader landscape of security, video is the clearest starting point for AI adoption. It’s visual, it’s immediate, and it directly impacts safety outcomes. As Wilson notes, this convergence of technology and human validation is a tremendous opportunity to create safer environments for schools, businesses, and communities alike.

September marks National Campus Safety Month, a timely reminder for students and parents to prioritize personal safety as a new school year begins. In this episode of Secured, Carrie Pasquarello, CEO of Global Secure Resources, highlights emerging risks on college campuses and the proactive steps that can help students stay safe and empowered.

One of the most pressing concerns is drink spiking. According to a survey by Alcohol.org, 52% of respondents who had a drink or food spiked reported it happened at college, often at house parties, bars, concerts, or even on dates. Pasquarello stresses the importance of situational awareness, recognizing the signs of tampering, and using preventive tools such as the NightCap drink cover. These simple strategies can dramatically reduce risks in social settings.

Another alarming trend is the rise in forcible sexual assaults, which now account for 44% of campus crime, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Many of these incidents occur during the so-called “red zone”—the first four months of the academic year, when students are most vulnerable as they adjust to new environments, social circles, and routines. Pasquarello advises students to balance fun with intention: know your limits, trust your instincts, and always have an exit plan and trusted contact.

Campus life should be exciting, not unsafe. As Pasquarello emphasizes, safety isn’t about fear—it’s about preparation, empowerment, and action. By starting conversations early, families can equip students with the tools they need for a safer, more confident college experience.

In this episode of Secured, host Mike Monsive, CEO of ASAP Security, reconnects with Idan Koren, CMO of Verkada, for a conversation about what it really takes to scale events without losing their impact.

Idan shares how his team manages nearly 500 events a year—ranging from intimate gatherings to Verkada One, the company’s flagship conference that draws thousands. The discussion explores the mechanics of scaling, from templates and workflows that make field events repeatable, to the creative and production investment that turns a product launch into something closer to a cultural experience.

The two also reflect on the broader role of in-person connection in an industry that increasingly relies on digital engagement. From hands-on demos to immersive experiences like escape rooms, they examine how events serve as a testing ground for ideas, a forum for customer insight, and a space where trust is built face-to-face.

The conversation widens to consider competition, innovation, and the challenge of staying one step ahead in both technology and presentation. For Idan, the lesson is clear: in events—as in security—success comes from combining efficiency with a willingness to push creative boundaries.

This episode offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at how one of the industry’s most visible brands balances scale with authenticity, and why the “wow factor” still matters in a crowded marketplace.

In this episode of Secured, host Mike Monsive, CEO of ASAP Security, reconnects with Idan Koren, CMO of Verkada, for a conversation about what it really takes to scale events without losing their impact.

Idan shares how his team manages nearly 500 events a year—ranging from intimate gatherings to Verkada One, the company’s flagship conference that draws thousands. The discussion explores the mechanics of scaling, from templates and workflows that make field events repeatable, to the creative and production investment that turns a product launch into something closer to a cultural experience.

The two also reflect on the broader role of in-person connection in an industry that increasingly relies on digital engagement. From hands-on demos to immersive experiences like escape rooms, they examine how events serve as a testing ground for ideas, a forum for customer insight, and a space where trust is built face-to-face.

The conversation widens to consider competition, innovation, and the challenge of staying one step ahead in both technology and presentation. For Idan, the lesson is clear: in events—as in security—success comes from combining efficiency with a willingness to push creative boundaries.

This episode offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at how one of the industry’s most visible brands balances scale with authenticity, and why the “wow factor” still matters in a crowded marketplace.

In this episode of Secured, Mike Monsive, CEO of ASAP Security, sits down once again with Idan Koren, CMO of Verkada, for a deep dive into how cloud-native technology is transforming school security across the U.S.

With Verkada now protecting over 20 million students nationwide, Idan shares why the company’s integrated platform has become the preferred solution for school districts of every size. From real-time visibility during lockdowns to intelligent alerts for vaping, bullying, and unauthorized access, Verkada’s tools are designed to simplify complex safety challenges while empowering administrators to act faster.

The conversation also explores why outdated on-premise systems are being replaced at scale, how Verkada’s School Safety Advisory Board drives product innovation, and the growing importance of features like one-button lockdowns, AI-powered air quality monitoring, and behavioral threat assessment integrations.

Mike and Idan also discuss the real-world stakes of getting safety right, reflecting on high-profile school incidents and the technology gaps that make emergency response harder than it should be. The episode highlights Verkada’s approach of pairing cloud-native simplicity with powerful, hybrid storage options to give schools control, compliance, and peace of mind — all backed by industry-leading 10-year warranties.

Whether you’re an educator, IT director, or security leader, this episode offers a revealing look into the future of campus safety and why cloud-first platforms are setting new standards for protecting students and staff.

In this episode of Secured, Mike Monsive, CEO of ASAP Security, sits down once again with Idan Koren, CMO of Verkada, for a deep dive into how cloud-native technology is transforming school security across the U.S.

With Verkada now protecting over 20 million students nationwide, Idan shares why the company’s integrated platform has become the preferred solution for school districts of every size. From real-time visibility during lockdowns to intelligent alerts for vaping, bullying, and unauthorized access, Verkada’s tools are designed to simplify complex safety challenges while empowering administrators to act faster.

The conversation also explores why outdated on-premise systems are being replaced at scale, how Verkada’s School Safety Advisory Board drives product innovation, and the growing importance of features like one-button lockdowns, AI-powered air quality monitoring, and behavioral threat assessment integrations.

Mike and Idan also discuss the real-world stakes of getting safety right, reflecting on high-profile school incidents and the technology gaps that make emergency response harder than it should be. The episode highlights Verkada’s approach of pairing cloud-native simplicity with powerful, hybrid storage options to give schools control, compliance, and peace of mind — all backed by industry-leading 10-year warranties.

Whether you’re an educator, IT director, or security leader, this episode offers a revealing look into the future of campus safety and why cloud-first platforms are setting new standards for protecting students and staff.

In this episode of Secured, host Mike Monsive sits down with Idan Koren, Chief Marketing Officer of Verkada, to discuss how the company is transforming the physical security industry through its cloud-first, software-driven approach.

Reimagining Physical Security

Idan reflects on his journey at Verkada since joining in 2018, during its hyper-growth phase. Initially wearing many hats—from HR and operations to Salesforce re-architecture—he shares how Verkada’s software-first mindset became the foundation of its success. By prioritizing scalable solutions, seamless updates, and out-of-the-box value, Verkada has broken away from the industry’s traditional reliance on siloed, hardware-driven security systems.

Empowering Businesses Beyond Security

Verkada’s Command platform is designed to do more than manage cameras—it integrates security with broader business operations. Customers now leverage Verkada for insights like occupancy trends, fraud detection, and marketing performance, turning security data into actionable intelligence. Idan emphasizes that this expansion beyond traditional security budgets reflects Verkada’s focus on operational efficiency and cross-departmental value.

Innovation, Integration, and Trust

The discussion explores Verkada’s Helix API, which allows businesses to integrate video data with critical systems for custom workflows. Idan highlights how automatic firmware updates, multi-factor authentication, and customer-controlled encryption underpin Verkada’s cybersecurity-first approach. With FedRAMP authorization in progress, Verkada is preparing to transform security for the public sector, bringing its innovations to federal agencies and beyond.

The Future of Security

From real-time integrations to cloud-native scalability, Verkada is setting the pace for the industry. As Idan explains, Verkada’s vision is clear: break down silos, enable smarter workflows, and deliver security that’s both powerful and accessible.

In this episode of Secured, host Mike Monsive sits down with Idan Koren, Chief Marketing Officer of Verkada, to discuss how the company is transforming the physical security industry through its cloud-first, software-driven approach.

Reimagining Physical Security

Idan reflects on his journey at Verkada since joining in 2018, during its hyper-growth phase. Initially wearing many hats—from HR and operations to Salesforce re-architecture—he shares how Verkada’s software-first mindset became the foundation of its success. By prioritizing scalable solutions, seamless updates, and out-of-the-box value, Verkada has broken away from the industry’s traditional reliance on siloed, hardware-driven security systems.

Empowering Businesses Beyond Security

Verkada’s Command platform is designed to do more than manage cameras—it integrates security with broader business operations. Customers now leverage Verkada for insights like occupancy trends, fraud detection, and marketing performance, turning security data into actionable intelligence. Idan emphasizes that this expansion beyond traditional security budgets reflects Verkada’s focus on operational efficiency and cross-departmental value.

Innovation, Integration, and Trust

The discussion explores Verkada’s Helix API, which allows businesses to integrate video data with critical systems for custom workflows. Idan highlights how automatic firmware updates, multi-factor authentication, and customer-controlled encryption underpin Verkada’s cybersecurity-first approach. With FedRAMP authorization in progress, Verkada is preparing to transform security for the public sector, bringing its innovations to federal agencies and beyond.

The Future of Security

From real-time integrations to cloud-native scalability, Verkada is setting the pace for the industry. As Idan explains, Verkada’s vision is clear: break down silos, enable smarter workflows, and deliver security that’s both powerful and accessible.

In this heartfelt episode of Secured, host Mike Matranga continues the conversation with Lori Downs and Chele Gillon of Barron County Public Schools, diving deeper into the challenges parents face navigating online safety and mental health with their children. Matranga shares personal experiences as a father, reflecting on the difficult decisions parents must make when balancing digital boundaries with their child’s desire for social inclusion—like allowing access to apps such as Snapchat to avoid isolation from peers.

The conversation emphasizes that parenting in the digital age requires compromise, open communication, and ongoing conversations rooted in trust and support. Downs and Gillon stress that modeling appropriate online behavior, creating tech-free zones, and setting rules around social media are essential, but so is maintaining strong emotional connections with children. They encourage parents to respond calmly when children confide in them, ensuring the child feels safe coming forward even after a misstep.

The educators also stress the evolving role of schools in stepping into parenting gaps, often acting as the counselor, nurse, and protector when families fall short. They urge schools to take a proactive—not reactive—approach by training staff, using anonymous tip lines like the Kentucky Homeland Security’s STOP Tipline, and instilling a culture of early intervention.

Ultimately, the message is clear: online safety starts with relationships. Through empathy, transparency, and consistent education at home and in school, we can empower children to protect themselves—and know they are never alone.

In this powerful episode of Secured, host Mike Matranga is joined by Lori Downs and Chele Gillon of Barron Area School District to explore the complex intersection of technology, online safety, and student mental health. As children are given smartphones and social media access at younger ages, Downs and Gillon warn that many are not developmentally prepared to handle the emotional and social pressures that come with it. The anonymity and reach of online platforms expose students to real dangers—especially sextortion, predatory behavior, and constant social comparison—all while leaving a digital footprint that can have lifelong consequences.

The guests urge parents and educators to move beyond passive monitoring and embrace proactive strategies: set boundaries around tech use, create tech-free zones, secure devices at night, and most importantly, have open, honest conversations with children about what they’re seeing and experiencing online. They emphasize that tools like mental health screeners and SEL (social-emotional learning) surveys can help uncover issues in students who may otherwise mask their distress.

Matranga and his guests also challenge the overemphasis on rare active shooter scenarios, pointing out that the far more common risks—sextortion, anxiety, self-harm—are often overlooked. By focusing on these issues and building strong, trusting relationships with students, schools can create environments that not only support safety, but also promote long-term well-being.