Security DNA

Live from the show floor at ISC West 2025, Security Business Editor-in-Chief Paul Rothman meets with Actuate CEO Ken Francis to discuss the impact of AI on monitoring centers and their employees, technology integrations, and Actuate’s mission.

Actuate, an AI surveillance software company founded in 2018, aims to transform security guard operations and reduce the frequency of false positives and nuisance alarms. Ken Francis, who became Actuate’s CEO in November 2024, previously served as President of Eagle Eye Networks for eight years. Francis was also a co-founder of AMAG Technology, the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for UTC’s Global Security Products Business Unit, and the Global Product GM of GE Security’s Integrated Systems Program.

Host Steve Lasky and Genetec President and CEO Pierre Racz return to the podium for the second part of this SecurityDNA special episode.

In a security landscape rife with mergers and acquisitions, Genetec's independence is an increasingly uncommon feat. Committed to the company's mission and continued success, Pierre has a wealth of knowledge to share about maintaining organizational independence, the accountability chain for data breaches and other security crises, and navigating economic shifts—knowledge that will come in handy as the Canadian company plans for an incoming wave of tariffs.

Pierre, who broke ground with Genetec in 1997, founded the company with the belief that technology could break down barriers and improve the day-to-day lives of its users. His vision gave rise to a security powerhouse 2,000 strong with over 42,500 clients globally. Today, Genetec develops networked physical security, operational efficiency, and data analytics technologies.

In the first half of SecurityDNA's recent two-part special, host Steve Lasky sits down for a riveting conversation with Genetec President and CEO Pierre Racz.

Join Steve and Pierre as they speculate about the

 security industry's next big breakthroughs, discuss the "intelligent automation" aspect of artificial intelligence, and dissect the pros and cons of cloud computing.

Pierre, who broke ground with Genetec in 1997, founded the company with the belief that technology could break down barriers and improve the day-to-day lives of its users. His vision gave rise to a security powerhouse 2,000 strong with over 42,500 clients globally. Today, Genetec develops networked physical security, operational efficiency, and data analytics technologies.

This week's episode of SecurityDNA sees host Steve Lasky take to the podium with guest Evan Bloom, industry veteran and CEO of Fortress Strategic Communications.

Bloom's formative years growing up in South Africa left him with a unique perspective on the security industry's transformation through technology and the environment. Together, he and Steve delve into an in-depth discussion on the state of security culture in South Africa and the impact its evolution might have on the industry globally.

Evan Bloom is CEO of Fortress Strategic Communications, a PR consultancy with a focus on the law enforcement, homeland security, physical security, public safety, and enterprise risk management sectors. His expertise in PR advisement has made him a sought-after individual for companies and clients linked to breaking news, geopolitical risks, law enforcement, and physical security market issues.

In this week's episode of Security DNA, Rebel Global Security CEO Mark Freedman joins host Steve Lasky in a timely discussion about online radicalization, social media, and rising threats of violence from both sides of the political aisle.

Mark Freedman is the Principal and CEO of Rebel Global Security, a leading advisory firm specializing in national security, geopolitical strategy, and risk management for critical infrastructure companies. Known for his expertise and trusted counsel, Mark equips executives with actionable strategies to navigate today's complex security landscape.

Previous to his work with Rebel, Mark’s nearly decade-long tenure as a U.S. State Department officer included serving as Chief of Staff to the Ambassador-at-Large for Counterterrorism, overseeing operations for a 150-member bureau managing over $1 billion in foreign assistance funds. He led initiatives to enhance European security after the 2015 Paris ISIS attacks, curb weapons proliferation during the Arab Spring, and establish innovative forums for multilateral security collaboration.

On the show floor at CES 2025, Security Business Editor-in-Chief Paul Rothman discusses the future of monitoring centers, the applications of AI automation, and SimpliSafe's Active Guard solution with SimpliSafe's CEO and High Tech Product Leader, Christian Cerda (L) and Hooman Shahidi (R).

Host Steve Lasky brings on Shannon Torres, Customer Success Manager at 911inform, former Chief of Police of the Keyport Borough in New Jersey, and veteran of the U.S. Army National Guard, for a passionate discussion about emergency preparedness, active shooter training, and emerging technologies in this week's episode of SecurityDNA.

As Chief of Police, Torres managed a team of over 50 employees serving a diverse community 7,000 strong. With a specialization in investigation and internal affairs, she joined the Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce as Detective Sergeant, where her critical investigations and forensic examinations contributed to a culture of safety and security for minors across the U.S. Her achievements include an Outstanding Leadership Award and commendation for cross-jurisdictional collaboration in solving violent crimes.

Industry titan Leonid (Leo) Levit, ONVIF’s Steering Committee Chairman and Director of System Integration at Axis Communications, joins host Steve Lasky in this week’s episode of SecurityDNA. Join Steve and Leo for an in-depth discussion on the benefits, impact, and perils of generative AI and ONVIF’s role in safeguarding video assets.

Leo Levit’s 20-year-strong career in the security field, beginning with a master’s in electronic engineering from the prestigious Moscow State University of Transport (MIIT), evolved to include tenures at multiple industry-leading multinational companies, including Ericsson and Sony. He has contributed to technology adoption in the telecommunication, security, and video analytics fields.

In today's episode of SecurityDNA, host Steve Lasky engages with Michael Julian, the producer of the "Down 'n Dirty" podcast and best-selling author of "10 Minutes to Live: Surviving an Active Shooter Using A.L.I.V.E." Together, they dive into discussion about the A.L.I.V.E. approach, the importance of building a robust security culture, why active shooter training is an essential team investment, and surprising stories from Julian's own podcast.

Michael Julian's storied 30-year career in security and investigations has equipped him with the extensive expertise required to prepare organizations for active shooter threats. His teachings, which span from behavioral threat assessments to interrogation techniques and beyond, have empowered businesses across the country to handle physical threats on their own terms. Since its inception in 2014, Julian's A.L.I.V.E. training program has become a vital part of corporate security training courses on a global scale.

Established in 2019 after a 60-year tenure as Panasonic, i-PRO Americas provides sensing technologies in intelligent surveillance, medical and industrial imaging, and public safety. With a close network of integrators and elite partners in North America, the company's development in the region is being watched with close interest.

On today’s special episode of SecurityDNA, SecurityInfoWatch editor Paul Rothman makes the trek to Japan to speak with Masato Nakao, CEO of i-PRO, about i-PRO’s roadmap for integrators and partners in North America as well as Nakao’s thoughts on acquisitions.