CSLA at GSX: Recognition for Retention
Recognizing the Importance of Frontline Security Professionals
The Canadian Security Lifesaver Association took its mission of recognizing frontline security professionals to the ASIS International Global Security Exchange (GSX) conference in Dallas, Texas.
On September 13, CSLA members Jody Reid, Chairperson; David Sulston, Co-founder and Board Member; and Steve Hoffman, Board Member, delivered a presentation titled “Recognition for Retention.”
The presentation focused on something central to the CSLA's mission: recognizing the bravery, professionalism and lifesaving actions demonstrated by frontline security professionals.
A Profession That Continues to Evolve
Corporate security has changed significantly over the years.
New technology, evolving best practices and changing expectations have transformed the way security services are delivered. What has not changed is the willingness of frontline security professionals to meet — and often exceed — what is expected of them.
Sometimes that means going far beyond their normal responsibilities.
Security professionals may suddenly find themselves responding to an overdose, assisting during a medical emergency, preventing suicide, intervening in an attack or taking action during another life-threatening situation.
These are the people the Canadian Security Lifesaver Association was created to recognize.
Recognition for Retention
Recognition matters.
Frontline security professionals perform work that can easily go unnoticed, even when their actions have a profound impact on the people and communities they protect.
The CSLA's Recognition for Retention presentation highlighted how acknowledging exceptional work can help the security industry celebrate its people and reinforce the value of the profession.
Since its founding, CSLA has received hundreds of nominations from across Canada describing incidents in which frontline security professionals helped save lives or prevent serious harm.
At the time of the GSX presentation, CSLA reported that the number of nominations it received had approximately doubled each year.
Recognizing Canada's Security Lifesavers
Every CSLA nominee is recognized for their actions, with award recipients selected by a board of non-partisan security industry professionals.
The stories behind those nominations demonstrate just how varied the work of frontline security professionals can be.
They include security professionals responding to overdoses, preventing suicides, assisting during medical emergencies and intervening in potentially dangerous attacks.
Each story represents a person who stepped forward when someone needed help.
Bringing the CSLA Mission to GSX
Approximately 100 people attended the Recognition for Retention presentation at GSX.
The presentation provided CSLA with an opportunity not only to share the accomplishments of Canada's security lifesavers, but also to highlight the growth of the association and the importance of recognizing frontline professionals throughout the security industry.
The message remains an important one:
Security professionals do extraordinary things every day. Their actions deserve to be seen, shared and recognized.
If you know a security professional whose actions helped save a life or protect someone from serious harm, consider nominating them for recognition by the Canadian Security Lifesaver Association.
September 18, 2023