SIA creates new and updated government relations guides for SIA members

SILVER SPRING, Md. – The Security Industry Association (SIA) has created a series of new and updated government relations and advocacy guides for SIA members: the new Guide to U.S. Biometric Privacy Laws and Guide to Facial Recognition Laws and 2023 editions of the Federal Grants Guide, Guide to Cannabis Security Requirements and Guide to School Security Funding.

“SIA is proud to serve our members through advocacy efforts that promote the effective deployment of security solutions and advance our industry’s important mission of protecting people, property and information,” said SIA CEO Don Erickson. “We are pleased to build on SIA’s premier advocacy program, better support our members and promote innovation in the industry with the addition of these new guides to biometric privacy and facial recognition laws and updated editions of SIA’s guides to federal grants, school security funding and cannabis security requirements.”

Each year, the federal government makes investments in critical capabilities to meet security requirements, which the security industry strives to provide. While security companies can compete and win contracts or complete sales through the federal supply schedules for security products, they also can benefit through federal grants, often awarded to states or municipalities that then spend that money on security requirements.

In SIA’s Guide to Federal Grants – a resource created exclusively for SIA members beginning in 2014 and regularly updated since then, most recently in September 2023 – professionals and companies can access key information on federal grants that can be used for funding of security projects, including funding amounts, weblinks, application details and more. Learn more and access the guide here.

This year, in a number of states, bills were filed that resemble the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA). BIPA-style laws mandate written consent and notice requirements for private entities, including individuals, who use products that include biometric information, such as an individual’s retina, iris, face or fingerprints. Rather than protecting consumers, this outdated law has made many beneficial biometric technologies for safety and security applications unavailable in Illinois – a situation that could expand if BIPA-type laws are enacted in other states.

Continuing a trend, policymakers have rejected this legislation in a dozen states as SIA and other stakeholders representing providers and end users have worked together to detail the unintended consequences. SIA’s Guide to Biometric Privacy Laws shares state-by-state details on active and pending legislation governing biometric information privacy. As biometric laws continue to be enacted and established laws are clarified by state courts, this guidance is a starting point for any business operating throughout the United States designed to help them be proactive and compliant within the different states. Learn more and access the guide here.

SIA has long advocated for policies that encourage the responsible use of biometrics, including facial recognition technology, both by law enforcement and in the private sector and has been a leader in this space, providing subject matter expertise and stakeholder input in several bills that received consideration. SIA is developing a Guide to State and Local Laws on Facial Recognition Technology, which will help members access key information on laws specifically related to facial recognition all in one place. This guide will be released in November during ISC East.

More than ever before, education leaders are seeking security enhancements to their facilities as part of their comprehensive school safety strategies. SIA’s Guide to School Security Funding – initially created in 2020 and regularly updated since then – was designed to offer more centralized information for SIA members, their clients and SIA’s organizational partners on school security grants and the variety of sources of funding available specifically for K-12 school security solutions. The guide examines primary sources of funding for school security improvements, details on key federal and state grant programs focused on school security technology, equipment and related uses and more.  The 2023 edition of SIA’s school security funding guide will be released in November during ISC East.

SIA’s Guide to Cannabis Security Requirements – initially published in 2020 and regularly updated since then – explores recent federal laws, regulations and legislative actions regarding allowed use and production of cannabis and shares an overview of state laws regarding cannabis, a summary of common security requirements included in the comprehensive security regulations for states that have legalized and legislated marijuana or cannabis products, summaries of state-specific mandatory requirements for marijuana establishments across areas including video surveillance, access control, alarm systems and security personnel, additional resources and relevant links for further information. The 2023 edition of SIA’s cannabis security guide will be released in November during ISC East.

SIA’s government relations team works diligently on efforts that matter to SIA members and the safety of our citizens and offers top-quality advocacy, member resources and events. Learn more about SIA’s advocacy efforts and access other government relations resources here.