Paying It Forward: The Side of Security We Don't Talk About Enough

In this episode of Security Tech Talk, host Steve Kenny sits down with Mike Petty, Managing Director for EMEA and APAC at Thermal Radar and the current Chair of the ASIS Foundation. Steve and Mike take a look behind the scenes of one of the industry's most impactful charitable organizations, exploring how it helps security professionals worldwide advance their careers.

The conversation covers the vital importance of professional development, the prestige of certifications like the CPP and PSP, and how the "Foundation Five" corporate sponsorship model (championed by organizations like Axis Communications) directly funds life-changing scholarships.

About Our Guest:

• Mike Petty: Managing Director for EMEA and APAC at Thermal Radar Imaging, LLC, and Chairman of the ASIS Foundation Board of Trustees. A dedicated industry volunteer since 1996, Mike has climbed the ranks from local chapter leadership to regional management, succeeding Martin Gill as the global head of the ASIS Foundation.

Chapters:

• (0:00:30) – Introduction & The Lifelong Volunteer Journey

Steve and Mike open the episode with some light-hearted banter before diving into Mike’s 30-year journey as an industry volunteer. Mike details his progression from local chapter leadership in the United States to his current role leading the global ASIS Foundation.

• (0:02:43) – What is the ASIS Foundation?

Mike outlines the core mission of the Foundation as a charitable entity designed to support the 35,000 members of ASIS International. He explains how corporate sponsorships fund certification grants for those who are changing careers or navigating financial hardship.

• (0:05:09) – Academic Research and Defining "Security Culture"

A preview of the Foundation's upcoming PhD-level research paper focused on security culture. Mike describes the difference between an organisation's corporate culture and an industry identity, challenging technical engineers and guarding forces to see themselves truly as "security professionals" rather than just camera technicians or guards.

• (0:10:23) – Fair Access: Scholarships for Emerging Markets and Veterans

Mike details the formalised annual application process for grants. The Foundation targets specific funding toward law enforcement and military veterans transitioning into corporate security, alongside professionals operating within economically developing markets.

• (0:12:22) – The Summer Fitness Challenge: Global Camaraderie

A look at the annual June-to-August Fitness Challenge. Steve and Mike discuss the healthy (and highly competitive) rivalry between the UK, New York, and Mexico City chapters as they track steps and distance to raise thousands of pounds for the charity.

• (0:14:57) – Optimism Bias, Apathy, and Managing Executive Stress

Steve shares his research into workplace stress and executive apathy. Because security directors are explicitly paid to worry about worst-case scenarios, Mike explains how physical exercise acts as a crucial safety valve to alleviate the intense day-to-day pressure of risk accountability.

• (0:17:10) – The "Mothership" and Local Chapter Engagement

How the Foundation operates independently but remains aligned with the global ASIS board. Steve shares his 12 years of experience with the UK Chapter, emphasizing how continuous professional education (CPE) requirements ensure that professionals never stand still after gaining their qualifications.

• (0:21:36) – The Global "Black Book" of Connections

Steve and Mike celebrate the unique, tight-knit network of global security professionals. They swap stories about international travel, the protective mindset inherent in security peers, and why you will never have to dine alone when visiting a chapter colleague anywhere in the world.

• (0:25:41) – The "Foundation Five" and the ROI of Doing Good

Mike talks about the brand-new "Foundation Five" diamond-level corporate sponsorship model. Steve explains Axis Communications' perspective on corporate social responsibility, illustrating why investing in the next generation of security leaders doesn't always need a direct monetary return on investment.

Resources:

• Learn more about grants, scholarships, and research at the official ASIS Foundation Website.
• Sign up, donate, or track the leaderboard for the ongoing ASIS Fitness Challenge.
• Explore global professional certifications including the CPP, PSP, PCI, and APP via ASIS International.

Meet your host Steve Kenny:

Steve has spent 15 years in the security sector undertaking various roles that have seen him take responsibility for key elements of mission critical, high profile projects across a number of different vertical markets. For the last several years, Steve has focused his attention on how technologies can best compliment day to day operations and specifically address operational issues by supporting the A&E consultant community across EMEA. Steve is a committee member for ASIS International focusing on Education for the security sector and the UK technology advisor for TINYg (Terrorist Information New York group).

Connect with Steve on LinkedIn

More about Axis Communications: Axis enables a smarter and safer world by improving security, safety, operational efficiency, and business intelligence. As a network technology company and industry leader, Axis offers video surveillance, access control, intercoms, and audio solutions. These are enhanced by intelligent analytics applications and supported by high-quality training.

Axis has around 5,000 dedicated employees in over 50 countries and collaborates with technology and system integration partners worldwide to deliver customer solutions. Axis was founded in 1984, and the headquarters are in Lund, Sweden.

Find out more about Axis Communications - Innovating for a smarter, safer world

https://www.axis.com/