Vertical Insights: Airport Security Symposium
About the Webinar
Vertical Insights is a series of virtual events presented by the Security Industry Association (SIA) and focused on top vertical markets. This series is designed to bring together practitioners, security integrators, solution providers, consultants and others involved in protecting key sectors.
Airports are complex, high-traffic environments that serve as critical infrastructure for global travel and commerce. They face evolving physical and cyber threats while also balancing regulatory requirements, operational efficiency and a seamless passenger experience, along with a high expectation of safety and security.
Security technologies play a vital role in protecting passengers, employees and assets, while supporting resilience and compliance. This symposium will explore emerging risks, innovative solutions and best practices that strengthen airport security and enhance operational performance to keep the aviation ecosystem safe and secure.
This symposium will be followed by a 30-minute presentation (2:30–3:00 pm. EDT) from the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA). This presentation will discuss TSA Gold+, a new public-private partnership opportunity aimed at modernizing aviation security technology at select airports across the United States. By enabling direct investment, TSA Gold+ unlocks new revenue streams, empowers local decision making and accelerates the deployment of cutting-edge solutions nationwide.
Sponsors:
Symposium Partner:
Speakers
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Christopher R. BidwellSenior Vice President, Security, Airports Council International – North AmericaChristopher R. Bidwell is senior vice president of security at Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA). He is responsible for leading the association’s efforts on aviation security and oversight of ACI-NA’s regulatory activities. Bidwell serves as a subject matter expert, providing guidance on security policy, monitoring domestic and international aviation security developments as well as regulatory actions and programs affecting security at North American airports. He represents industry aviation security interests as the longstanding chair of the Aviation Sector Coordinating Council and formerly served as the vice chair of the Aviation Security Advisory Committee.
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Patricia F.S. CogswellPartner, GuidehousePatricia (Patty) Cogswell is a homeland and national security executive with nearly 30 years of government and private-sector experience.
Cogswell joined Guidehouse in September 2020, leading efforts in the areas of innovation, organization and mission transformation and redesign with a focus on travel, transportation and national security. She led multiple organizations through strategy, policy, technology execution and operations in support of national security missions, as well as how to construct and implement both business and technical architectures, and led complex initiatives across the federal government and with international partners.
Prior to joining Guidehouse, Cogswell led programs at the National Security Council, U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Department of Justice in transportation, intelligence, policy, border security, screening, information sharing and the Arctic. She possesses substantive expertise in aviation, maritime and surface transportation security; U.S. government and foreign partner screening and vetting programs; counterterrorism; transnational organized crime; intelligence collection, analysis and production; information sharing and associated technology architectures; and immigration and border processes.
Cogswell’s prior senior executive positions within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security include deputy administrator of the Transportation Security Administration, assistant director for intelligence at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, acting undersecretary for DHS’ Office of Intelligence and Analysis, acting assistant secretary for policy integration and implementation and deputy assistant secretary for screening coordination. She previously served at the National Security Council as acting deputy assistant to the president for homeland security and counterterrorism and as special assistant to the president for transborder security.
During her time in government, Cogswell received DHS’ Outstanding Service Medal, Secretary’s Award and Thought Leadership Award. She now also serves as a fellow with the National Academy of Public Administration, is a strategic advisor for government executives (SAGE) for the Partnership for Public Service and serves on the editorial board for HSToday and the board of the National Military Intelligence Foundation. In 2024, Cogswell served on the U.S. Travel Association’s “Seamless and Secure Travel Commission,” formulating recommendations on the future of travel.
Cogswell received a Bachelor of Arts in mathematics from the University of Pennsylvania with a minor in economics and a Juris Doctor from the College of William and Mary.
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Jack WagnerEnd User Business Development Manager, Transportation, HIDWith over seven years of experience in the physical access control industry, Jack Wagner serves as a trusted advisor to aviation security leaders. He specializes in helping organizations implement secure identity solutions aligned with industry best practices and both physical security and cybersecurity standards. Based in the Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, area, Wagner enjoys golfing in his free time.
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