Advertise on podcast: The Security Student Podcast

Today I'm joined by Kristin Rollwagen, an emergency management veteran with about three decades of experience, including serving as Minnesota's Homeland Security and Emergency Management director, who now leads her own firm, Preparedness Partnership Solutions, and is an educator as an adjunct faculty member at the University of St. Thomas.  We talk about the five Cs of emergency management, why relationship building is a cornerstone, the role of intelligence in incident command, and she shares where organizations tend to stumble in exercises -- and how they can improve.  If you're curious about getting into the field, she has great advice on training, certifications, and a few book picks. --  Get the resources and show notes mentioned in this episode  -- https://thesecuritystudent.com/shownotes

Episode #47 | Today I'm joined by Michael Silva. He's a veteran of the security consulting industry and the founder of Silva Consultants, who got his start installing alarm systems as a teenager in Seattle before opening his own security consulting practice in 1985. Following 9/11, he spent several years running the Seattle office of Kroll's security consulting practice before returning to independent practice. Michael has authored multiple books on security consulting, including "Becoming an Independent Security Consultant", now in its second edition, and is a longtime member of the International Association of Professional Security Consultants (IAPSC). His work today spans technical security design and security management across sectors ranging from multifamily housing to high-net-worth estates. If there's one thing I took away from this conversation, it's that longevity in this business comes from listening to the market instead of your own assumptions about it. Michael's career is a study in reinvention: alarm technician, technical designer, security management consultant, and independent consultant again, and every shift came from paying attention to what clients actually needed rather than what he expected to sell them. --  Get the resources and show notes mentioned in this episode  -- https://thesecuritystudent.com/shownotes

Episode #46 | Today I'm joined by Michael Farley. He is a 17-year veteran of the security industry who has worked in GSOC leadership at some of the most demanding technology environments. He specializes in standing up and optimizing global security operations centers, engineering SOPs, runbooks, and instructional systems that turn operational chaos into what he calls "Source of Truth" command hubs. A big part of his craft sits at the intersection of GSOC operations and learning and development, designing onboarding programs, training curricula, and analyst enablement frameworks rooted in adult learning principles. Lately, he's been applying that same architectural mindset to AI, building retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) systems and custom intelligence agents to multiply what small teams can do. If there's one thing I took away from this conversation, it's that you have to embrace the spirit of a pioneer to actually learn these AI tools. You have to be willing to explore, test the limits, break things, and iterate your way to something that works. In this episode, we get into how he's using NotebookLM and Gemini agents to power SOPs, intel reports, and analyst training, plus where this is all heading, from in-house LLMs to the future security role we both see coming: the physical security AI integrator. --  Get the resources and show notes mentioned in this episode  -- https://thesecuritystudent.com/shownotes

Today's guest is Michael Gips, Managing Director of Enterprise Security Risk Management at Kroll and founder of Global Insights in Professional Security. Mike holds both the CPP and Chartered Security Professional designations, and his path to security is one of the most unconventional I've come across — starting with a Harvard Law degree, a clerkship reviewing death penalty cases at the New Jersey Supreme Court, and a stint in litigation before pivoting to journalism. That pivot launched a nearly 13-year career at ASIS International, where he ultimately served as Chief Global Knowledge and Learning Officer, overseeing the magazine, certifications, standards, the CSO Center, and the organization's own security program. He's also a published security leadership author, professional media trainer, and one of the most active voices in the online security community. In this episode, Mike walks us through his career journey and the lessons it produced, including the inside track on professional association pathways that can accelerate your rise into senior security leadership. We dig into why communication and storytelling may be the highest-ROI skill a security professional can develop, regardless of where they are in their career. Mike shares what the process of writing and publishing a security book actually looks like, and what practitioners with a body of written work should consider if they're thinking about doing the same. We close with an honest conversation about AI — where it genuinely helps, where it creates more work than it saves, and how to use it without sacrificing your credibility. Let's get into it. --  Get the resources and show notes mentioned in this episode  -- https://thesecuritystudent.com/shownotes

Today, I am delighted to introduce Jerry Heying, CEO and President of the International Protection Group (IPG), overseeing global executive protection, secure transportation, and security services across 40+ countries. He also serves as Executive Protection and Security Director at the Executive Protection Institute, a training school certifying specialists and trainers over his 18-year tenure. He carries an incredible depth of knowledge and experience from his career, which you’ll hear more about in our conversation. In this episode, we explore career lessons on educating practitioners, thoughts on continual learning, the business of security, and more. --  Get the resources and show notes mentioned in this episode  -- https://thesecuritystudent.com/shownotes

Dr. Elizabeth Goins is a leading communication expert specializing in executive coaching, consulting, and training worldwide. Her highlights include a Ph.D. in Organizational Communication & Technology from The University of Texas at Austin, researching narratives for complex tech, regulations, and policies in oil and gas. She advanced via a post-doc at a cybersecurity think tank, translating engineering research for political and public audiences. With 4,000+ coaching hours, 10 years teaching, and 400+ trainings, including Rhetoric of Oil and Leadership Coaching at undergrad/MBA levels, she advises on strategic messaging, energy policy, and stakeholder engagement. Today, we explored her Pineapple Strategies work, empowering security professionals in storytelling, executive presence, and AI-era adaptation. See show notes for her website, LinkedIn, and Write Like a Boss Udemy course. --  Get the resources and show notes mentioned in this episode  -- https://thesecuritystudent.com/shownotes

Simon Osamoh is a seasoned security practitioner with over 20 years of experience in counterterrorism, risk management, and security consulting. His career highlights include leading counter terrorism at the Mall of America. He’s also spent 14 years as a detective in England, collaborating with intelligence services on the 2006 liquid bomb terrorism plot, which reshaped global aviation security. As a former Director of Risk and Compliance at top financial institutions, including Wells Fargo and US Bank, he has overseen critical risk programs in areas such as business continuity, crisis management, and regulatory compliance. In our discussion today, we discussed Simon’s work as the founder of Kingswood Security Consulting, where he helps clients develop programs to prevent workplace violence, lends his expertise as an expert witness in legal cases involving targeted violence and retail crimes, and more. Please check out the show notes for links to Simon’s several best-selling books, his podcast, and his website to connect. --  Get the resources and show notes mentioned in this episode  -- https://thesecuritystudent.com/shownotes

#041 – In this next episode, I was joined by Terry Conlon, a global leader in Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) and the author of The CPTED Paradigm – A Holistic Approach to Crime Prevention. Today’s conversation explored what CPTED is, how it’s applied differently across global communities, how to sell the idea to decision makers, the central role of people in the process, and why CPTED should be accessible to everyone. Terry also shared how he’s working to bring these concepts to a wider audience. Terry brings nearly three decades of experience in physical security and crime prevention. He is the Founder and President of the European Institute of Crime Prevention, President of Safer Spaces International, and a Director at RFC Security Group. It was an honor to sit down with Terry for this discussion, and I think you’ll find his perspective both insightful and practical. --  Get the resources and show notes mentioned in this episode  -- https://thesecuritystudent.com/shownotes

In this special (AI) recap episode of The Security Student Podcast, Travis reflects on the biggest lessons from his last ten conversations — spanning architecture and PropTech, intelligence, crime analysis, business continuity, red teaming, executive protection, and more. Instead of rehashing every detail, this episode dives into the themes, insights, and takeaways that matter most for security practitioners at every stage. --  Get the resources and show notes mentioned in this episode  -- https://thesecuritystudent.com/shownotes

#039 - Today’s guest is Paula Balmori Beltrán, Global Director of Security Design and Integration at Brivo, President of the Secure Building Council, and Director of the U.S. CPTED Association. Paula is a recognized leader at the intersection of architecture, security, and PropTech. Her background spans architectural design, risk consulting for military bases, and security leadership for global enterprises.  In this episode, we talk about her journey from design to security, how she’s leading the development of the SHIELD certification for secure buildings, and why CPTED and PropTech are essential to building safer, smarter environments. We also dig into lessons learned from enterprise projects, strategies for aligning stakeholders, and the growing role of AI in security design. --  Get the resources and show notes mentioned in this episode  -- https://thesecuritystudent.com/shownotes

#038 – In this next episode, I was joined by Randall Stickley, a Lead Intelligence-Targeting Analyst supporting federal law enforcement and national security clients. His prior work includes intelligence specialist and supervisory roles addressing drug crises, corporate threats, and national security issues, as well as supporting Fusion Centers. Randy is also an instructor and active member of multiple professional organizations, which you'll hear more about in our conversation. And he holds a dual Bachelor of Arts in National Security and Political Science from Fairmont State University, along with advanced certifications.  You'll find this episode fascinating to hear about Randy's career path, his perspective on what it takes to be a successful analyst, the lessons he's learned from being an instructor, and much more, including the book he recently published. --  Get the resources and show notes mentioned in this episode  -- https://thesecuritystudent.com/shownotes

#037 – In this next episode, I was joined by Erin Grippo, Senior Manager of Product Operations at Brivo, who brings nearly a decade of experience in the security industry across marketing, business strategy, partnerships, and product operations. Today’s conversation explored Erin’s career journey and how she navigated major transitions across roles, companies, and countries. We discussed her philosophy about career growth, overcoming early career challenges, and her advice for aspiring professionals. Erin also shared her perspective on leadership development, the value of networking, and why mentorship is important in our careers. I think you’ll find this to be an honest and inspiring discussion! After graduating from DePauw University with a degree in Communication, Erin launched her career at Allegion in the U.S. and later relocated to Toronto to lead multifamily and PropTech initiatives for Allegion Canada. She continued to expand her expertise at Latch, managing partnerships and launching new products and programs before joining Brivo in 2023. Erin is active in the security industry’s professional community, serving on the Security Industry Association’s RISE Steering Committee and previously on the Foundation for Advancing Security Talent (F.A.S.T) board from 2020 to 2024. She was recently named one of the 2024 Women in Security Forum Power 100. Erin is passionate about mentoring early-career professionals and building stronger pathways for the next generation of security leaders—and it was a pleasure having her on the podcast. --  Get the resources and show notes mentioned in this episode  -- https://thesecuritystudent.com/shownotes

#036 — In this episode, I’m joined by Amanda Bruner, a crime analyst and adjunct professor with a rich background in crime analysis, intelligence, and law enforcement. We discuss how crime analysts support their organizations, key skills for success, advice for aspiring practitioners, and more. Amanda currently works at CNA’s Center for Justice Research and Innovation, providing training and assistance to nearly two dozen U.S. law enforcement agencies. Previously, she served as the first crime analyst for the Matthews Police Department, implementing the Stratified Policing Model, and as a corporate intelligence specialist for Bank of America. A Michigan State University graduate with criminal justice and law enforcement intelligence degrees, Amanda has contributed to publications, conferences, and podcasts on automation, dashboards, and data analytics. She also leads professional organizations as President of the International Association of Crime Analysts and the Carolinas Crime Analysis Association. Recognized with industry awards, Amanda’s impact on the field is significant, and it’s an honor to speak with her. -- Follow Amanda here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandabrunermsu/ Carolinas Crime Analysis Association 2025 Annual Training Conference, March 25-28, 2025, Wilmington, North Carolina: https://www.carolinascrimeanalysis.org/page-18075 --  Get the resources and show notes mentioned in this episode  -- https://thesecuritystudent.com/shownotes

#035—In this next episode, I was once again joined by Jeff Donaldson, PhD, to continue the conversation on emergency preparedness, this time discussing it in the context of enterprises and business continuity.  This episode starts by looking at the topic from a business perspective. Specifically, we covered a range of ideas, including adaptive business continuity compared to the traditional approach, empowering business leaders to support planning and response, prioritizing people over technology, and so much more. Jeff brings a tremendous amount of experience and education directly relating to preparedness and business continuity to the podcast today, from his experience as a military officer in the Canadian Army (28 years!) leading logistical operations, as the principal researcher at Preparedness Labs Incorporated, and as an Associate Faculty member at Royal Roads University. Plus, he's earned his MA in Disaster and Emergency Management and his doctorate in Public Policy. I'm excited to bring you all his expertise. He even hosts a highly acclaimed podcast on preparedness and leads training sessions where he communicates (as he says), "Non-Apocalyptic evidence-based strategies for rational people with dreams." --  Get the resources and show notes mentioned in this episode  -- https://thesecuritystudent.com/shownotes

#034 - In this next episode, I was joined by Jeff Donaldson, PhD to kick off a new topic we haven't discussed on the podcast yet — emergency preparedness. This episode starts with a look at the topic from a micro perspective, personal preparedness, and future episodes will touch on the macro, such as corporate or public-level preparedness and resiliency. Jeff brings a tremendous amount of experience directly relating to preparedness to the podcast today, from his experience as a military officer in the Canadian Army (28 years!), as the principal researcher at Preparedness Labs Incorporated, and as an Associate Faculty member at Royal Roads University. Plus, he's earned his MA in Disaster and Emergency Management, along with his doctorate in Public Policy. All that to say, he's a wealth of knowledge for us on the subject. He even hosts a highly acclaimed podcast on preparedness and leads training sessions where he communicates (as he says), "Non-Apocalyptic evidence-based strategies for rational people with dreams." Today's conversation focused on the philosophy of preparedness, the critical role of social capital and how it increases your ability to survive and thrive, personal responsibility, and systematic thinking/planning/considerations for you and I. --- Learn more about Jeff and his projects here --- Preparedness Labs Inc: https://preparednesslabs.ca/ Inside My Canoehead (Podcast): https://insidemycanoehead.ca/ --  Get the resources and show notes mentioned in this episode  -- https://thesecuritystudent.com/shownotes