Welcome to all returning and new ASIS Chapter 79 members!  

If you have not heard, we recently received two awards from International – an Honorable Mention for Website of the Year in 2011, and an award for Net Membership Growth in 2011.  What a great way to start our year!  Your Chapter Board has been working diligently to continue with these successes and further develop the resources available for you as an ASIS member.

Speaking of membership resources, prospective members frequently ask me questions regarding the benefits of joining ASIS. Although there are obvious benefits such as access to standards and guidelines, publications, reduced tuition for training and seminars, and the opportunity to earn the most recognized security-related certifications, there is one benefit that we often forget – networking. 

Networking is so much more than a handshake and simple exchange of business cards. It is the opportunity to develop a trusted group of people that you can rely on as a support lifeline when the going gets tough. Once established, your network should be one of your key go-to resources - whether you reach out to these contacts when you have an emergency, unusual business decision, regulatory question, or in developing a new policy or procedure. Your network can provide proven and actionable advice – with much more reliability and effectiveness than using a Google search.

What is another way to expand your network?  If you have not already, please join our Chapter LinkedIn group. Search for ASIS International – Central Pennsylvania Chapter 079 and send your request to join the group.  This network is only as strong as the number of group members who sign up to share their experience.

I look forward to continuing to work with the wonderful security professionals in our Central PA network, and am excited to connect with new colleagues throughout the year.

At your service,