The Perimeter Security Subcommittee guides the Security Industry Association’s (SIA’s) support for nationwide and international efforts to prevent hostile vehicle attacks. From crowded public spaces or critical infrastructure sites to government facilities, the subcommittee works to identify best practices, assess current threats and solutions and provide stakeholders with the latest on safety and security standards from governments and industry.
SIA held the first meeting of the newly formed SIA Perimeter Security Subcommittee at ISC West 2019. This meeting provided an opportunity to learn more about SIA activities to address hostile vehicle attacks, meet Subcommittee Chair Rob Reiter, network with peers involved in sector and begin the planning process for subcommittee initiatives.
Additionally, attendees heard from special guest Paul Jeffrey, chairman of the United Kingdom’s Perimeter Security Suppliers Association (PSSA). Chairman of PSSA since 2018, Paul has been involved in the hostile vehicle mitigation (HVM) market for over 26 years, with much of this time spent as managing director of Avon Barrier (one of the largest HVM manufacturers in the UK). In addition to his UK role, Paul was also CEO of Avon Barrier Inc. in Virginia for several years. The PSSA was founded around 10 years ago at the request of the British Security Service as a way for government and the HVM industry to work more closely together.
On Oct. 17, 2019, SIA hosted the Capitol Hill Symposium on Vehicular Terrorism, SIA’s second annual free event on hostile vehicle attacks. This event 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 to examine how safety and security of facilities and public spaces can be enhanced – with a particular focus on protecting pedestrians and crowds. View event highlights and photos here.