Evolutionary to Revolutionary: GSX 2019

2019 marks an historic year in the world of security. 65 years ago, during the height of the Cold War, five individuals, who were connecting the dots between the private sector and national defense, sparked a revolution in coalescing a burgeoning security profession—creating a forum to promote knowledge, expertise, experience, and new technologies, as well as opportunities to network with fellow practitioners. What started off as an idea over six decades ago has grown into Global Security Exchange (GSX)—the world’s best-in-class environment for education, business-building, and networking, resulting in year-round benefits for attendees and exhibitors alike. Like the security industry itself, this benchmark is more of a tale of evolutionary processes leading to revolutionary outcomes.

First, the conference name itself, Global Security Exchange, reflects ASIS International’s commitment to uniting the full spectrum of security—cyber and operational security professionals from all verticals across the public and private sectors, allied organizations and partners, and the leading service and solution providers—for the most comprehensive security event in the world.

Second, as the event evolved, we followed the guiding principle that learning shouldn’t just be reserved for a classroom setting. It’s especially important for security professionals to get hands-on access to new and emerging technologies, as well as ideas and insights that offer modern solutions to current challenges. The GSX education program, led by ASIS, InfraGard and CSS subject matter experts, will provide an immersive and interactive learning environment for security professionals at all experience levels—including an exclusive CSO track focusing on strategic security, business, and leadership topics.

The breadth, depth, and diversity of educational offerings at GSX 2019 surpass every other industry event globally. The education program boasts over 300 educational sessions organized into 17 subject matter tracks, four general sessions, six certification reviews and pre-conference courses, and new this year gamechanger sessions. Plus, the live-streaming Global Access LIVE! program will deliver GSX education sessions to hundreds of security professionals around the world. Over 220 ASIS subject matter experts across a wide spectrum of security subjects will deliver this massive education program. GSX 2019 is perhaps the most comprehensive immersive learning and networking platform ever staged for security professionals by design; not by accident.

Related, the exhibition component of GSX has evolved into quite a unique offering as well. The GSX exhibit hall will be transformed into a learning laboratory environment, showcasing new and emerging products and technologies such as machine learning, robotics, forensic analysis, and artificial intelligence. GSX exhibitors represent over 550 companies showcasing the most advanced hardware and software available addressing today’s most challenging security issues—areas of keen focus for today’s security management, law enforcement, and homeland security professionals.

It’s also important to note that there are well over 100 new exhibitors at GSX 2019. Many are from new solution categories such as the audio/video and drone markets, as well as systems integration and managed service suppliers (IT integrators), who recognize the expanded role traditional security systems are playing across the enterprise.

GSX 2019 will propel the advancement and presentation of technology even further with a new dedicated area on the exhibit floor aptly named the Disruption District. Here, the latest technology innovations will be displayed, demonstrated and discussed in a variety of micro-venues, including:

• X-Learning Stages, which will feature experiential sessions with topics and content designed to actively shape the future of security professionals. 
• The GSX D3 Xperience (Drones, Droids, and Defense), which has been greatly expanded to provide demonstrations of the latest drone technologies for the air, land and underwater. Equally important, D3 will also feature solutions designed to counter infiltration from drone attacks.
• The Startup Sector is dedicated to highlighting new companies at the forefront of new and emerging technologies impacting the security industry.
• The GSX Pitch Competition brings together an elite group of entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders to experience how some of the world’s most exciting early-stage startups pitch their innovations and concepts. Each company is given time to pitch, followed by Q&A and feedback from world class investors and top CSOs.
•  Innovative Product Award (IPA) winners will also have a dedicated area to showcase the industry’s newest, most innovative products, services, and technology solutions.

All of these show destinations provide attendees with an enormous, immersive learning lab on virtually every new and emerging technology, system, and product impacting the security industry—coupled with world-class networking events that will facilitate relationship-building and the sharing of best practices from around the globe.

Event Facts

Global Security Exchange will be taking place 8-12 September at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL. If you are interested in learning more about GSX 2019 visit us at GSX.org/STE. A complete list of exhibitors is available can be found at GSX.org/floorplan.

About the author: Ron Rosenbaum is Chief Global Marketing & Business Development Officer for ASIS International.