Issues & Policy Priorities
SIA’s Government Relations team WORKS DILIGENTLY ON ISSUES THAT MATTER TO OUR MEMBERS AND TO THE SAFETY OF OUR CITIZENS.
FEATURED CONTENT
Video: It’s Time to Act on School Security
To stress the importance of investing in K-12 school safety, SIA produced a video with partners from the Partner Alliance for Safer Schools and from Safe and Sound Schools. Learn why it’s time to act.
SIA is actively tracking a wide range of issues for our members. Pressing topics include border security, preventing vehicular terrorism, artificial intelligence and school safety.
Airport Security
Safe and secure air travel is the expectation of every passenger, and it is critical that airports are able to update security strategies in response to evolving threats.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
The Trump administration and Congress have recognized the significance of AI and machine learning across many sectors by creating working groups such as the White House Select Committee on AI and the Congressional AI Caucus to learn how the federal government can foster, and not stifle, development and use of these technologies.
Body-Worn Cameras
SIA supports efforts to provide assistance to law enforcement agencies for the implementation of body-worn camera systems. Learn more about this timely issue.
Border Security
SIA supports ensuring that any legislation seeking to improve security at U.S. borders provides for the deployment of modern security technology to its full potential in conjunction with other measures and in a manner that is most cost effective and beneficial for U.S. taxpayers.
Cybersecurity
The security industry fulfills a crucial role in cybersecurity and national security by providing systems that manage credentials for federal workers and contractors and control access to federal facilities and computer networks.
Facial Recognition
For many years, use of advanced facial recognition technology has benefited Americans in countless but underpublicized ways – helping to find missing children, fight human trafficking, find dangerous criminals, bring sexual predators to justice and thwart identity thieves. Clearly, the benefits of facial recognition technology vastly outweigh the risks.
Fair & Open Trade
SIA has a deep and increasing concern with the direction of U.S. trade policy due to the willingness of the current administration to use tariffs as a major policy tool in disputes with our trading partners, and the negative economic effects that could result from escalating tariffs.
Patent Reform
SIA supports legislation that cracks down on abuses by patent trolls, which thwart technological innovation and cost manufacturers millions of dollars each year.
Preventing Vehicular Terrorism
Unfortunately, public areas and places where crowds gather have become targets for vehicular attacks around the world, and recently in the U.S. The strategic placement of security barriers and other systems in key locations is critical to protecting the public but requires significant security and engineering expertise to deploy effectively.
School Safety
SIA is committed to promoting safe and secure learning environments for our children, where security technology is a vital component.
Technology Workforce Development
SIA is engaged in efforts to grow the security talent pipeline by working with community colleges, creating outreach programs for students and young professionals and providing information about security industry careers – which are increasingly IT centric as the information technology and security disciplines converge.
Telecommunications
SIA advocates that the federal government should play a key role in fostering investment in the communications infrastructure that supports the Internet of Things and collaboration between the public and private sectors to eliminate barriers to deployment.
Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and Counter-UAS
Autonomous robotics are increasingly relied upon for smarter security by complementing – not replacing – traditional security practitioners, guards and other personnel and systems.
Get Involved in SIA Government Relations
Our active committees help SIA members like you shape public policy and be the first to know about regulations and legislation that could impact your business.
Why SIA Opposes Massachusetts’ Far-Reaching Facial Recognition Technology Prohibition Bill
Massachusetts’ Joint Committee on the Judiciary held a hearing on Oct. 22, 2019, to consider S. 1385/H. 1538, an extreme ban on facial recognition technology prohibiting any government entity or employee at the state and local level throughout the commonwealth from “acquiring, accessing or using the technology or any information derived from it by another…
Keep Reading »
Opinion: Impact Expected From Commerce Department’s Rules on Largest Chinese Video Surveillance and AI Providers
Contributing author Steve Surfaro notes potential effects upon chip makers, investments in artificial intelligence. On Oct. 9, 2019, the U.S. Department of Commerce issued a final rule amending the Export Administration Regulations to add 28 Chinese governmental and commercial organizations to its Entity List determined to be “acting contrary to the foreign policy interests of…
Keep Reading »
Capitol Hill Symposium on Vehicular Terrorism: Highlights From SIA’s Second Annual Event on Hostile Vehicle Attacks
On Oct. 17, the Security Industry Association (SIA) hosted a free symposium on preventing vehicular terrorism. This event, held at the Reserve Officers Association on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., brought together policymakers, federal agency personnel, state and local government leaders, public safety personnel, project designers, security industry solution and service providers, and other stakeholders…
Keep Reading »
SIA and Other Organizations Urge Congress to Consider Facts and Benefits of Facial Recognition
Groups outline concerns with blanket prohibitions or moratoriums on the technology, citing beneficial uses for public safety, national security and fighting fraud. SILVER SPRING, Md. – The Security Industry Association (SIA) – as part of a coalition of organizations and trade associations – has issued a letter to Congress outlining its concerns regarding potential bans on…
Keep Reading »