EP 036 Cy Oatridge President Elect ASIS International

Cy A. Oatridge, CPP

CEO/President

Cy A. Oatridge, CPP has over 25 years of security management experience and has been a member of ASIS International since 1995. Cy quickly became the Olympic Mountain Chapter Secretary, then Chapter Vice Chairman and Chairman. Cy also served at the Regional Volunteer Leadership level as ARVP, RVP & SRVP, before joining the ASIS Foundation. The Olympic Mountain Chapter is where he met some of his greatest mentors in the Security Industry. Past ASIS President Ray O’Hara, CPP and past ASIS Board of Director Bob Watson, CPP. In 2003, Cy started his own Protective service company, after 10 years of service for Burns International Security. As a small business owner, he has been recognized for his ability to provide unique, affordable security solutions for his clients and for his commitment to providing top quality services. Additionally, Cy consistently earns high levels of customer satisfaction for different government agencies and top 400 companies. Cy has earned a Graduate Certificate from Stanford Graduate School of Business. Cy holds a Bachelor of Science, Business Administration from LeTourneau University, Texas. Cy, also serves the State of Washington as a certified Fusion Liaison Officer. 

Security Circle ⭕️  is an IFPOD production for IFPO the International Foundation of Protection Officers

Transcript

Yoyo 0:15

Hi, this is Yolanda. Welcome. Welcome to the Security Circle podcast. If PO is the International Foundation for Protection Officers, and we want to thank all of our listeners around the world. Thank you for listening. Wherever you are, whatever you're doing. At ifpo, we are dedicated to providing meaningful education and certification for all levels of security personnel. And make a positive difference for our members' mental health and wellbeing. And boy, have I got a special treat for you today. Now, you might not know this man by his name alone, but you're certainly gonna know him at the end of this podcast. I'm gonna introduce to you today, president-elect for a S I S International Site Ridge. Thank you so much for joining us on the Security Circle podcast.

Cy 0:57

Oh, my pleasure. Thanks for having me, Yolanda. What

Yoyo 1:00

an introduction. It's not often I get to talk to President Elect. So, Cy, listen, we're both a s i s members. There will be many a s i s members here listening. We have a very, very big week, and I'm gonna say it straight from the heart, G S X. Already some of us are counting the days down. I know that I'm not flying for a few days, but for a lot of people who will be preparing including exhibitors and visitors, this is a big thing,

Cy 1:26

isn't it? Yes. Yeah, it is. We, you know, we usually have 19, 20,000 people there, and so that's a lot of people to house and feed and be on the exhibit floor and through the conference area.

Yoyo 1:39

And the conference center. This time the A s I S are holding the G S X conference is gonna be the K Bailey Conference Center. It's quite easy to find in downtown Dallas. I mean, what do you expect from Texans hosting this event?

Cy 1:54

Well, I think, I think the first thing you should expect is some Dallas and Texas heat. It's gonna be pretty warm there. And so don't, don't worry about bringing any long coats. bring a hat and you'll be fine. And it's a great floor too. It's a good layout. And last time we were in Dallas, it was a really fun event.

Yoyo 2:11

In fact, you are right about the heat. I mean, I already have the future forecast and we're looking at 30, well, we operate in Celsius here, but you operate in Fahrenheit, I think. But for us, even 39, 41 on one day particular, that's extra. That's, that's Dubai heat. You know that, how, how are the Texans handling this, and is there any kind of special plans you need to put in place for all these, you know, foreigners coming in and how to deal with the heat.

Cy 2:37

I'm sure we're gonna have a lot of mist sprayers coming down from above on all of us to keep us cool. But other than that, we will just try and adapt as best we can and change our tops and shower up a few extra times.

Yoyo 2:50

Now we have a lot of exhibitors going, don't we? And those exhibitors can be from all around the world and they're usually exhibitors that've got a very sort of international narrative. What's special to you with the type of exhibitors that we have usually come year on year.

Cy 3:07

I really enjoy walking the floor and just seeing the exhibitors that have the latest technology. I mean, we always get the core exhibitors that are there every year, and that's We appreciate them doing that. But I like those little niche exhibitors a little bit more where they're really putting theirselves out there and their company out there and producing something that's on the cutting edge or new or some technology that nobody's using. And yeah, I always like to find those folks on the floor and just thank'em for being there, but also to, you know, see what great new gadget or idea or thought that they have.

Yoyo 3:42

So not everybody in our industry is comfortable, you know, walking up to strangers. As a seasoned professional, I'm gonna call you I watched some operators do this here in the UK when we had the National Exhibition Center security Expo here. And that's a, that's a big, that's a big draw. Sometimes it can be, if you're not used to doing it, it can be quite awkward, can't it? Just say, I've always wanted to go up to that company and sort of see them say hello, but there's this fear. What do you, what would you suggest to anybody who's thinking, okay, this is your first time I suggest this.

Cy 4:13

I would suggest that you just kind of put yourself out there. Our, generally, our security industry and security professionals are a little bit reserved in nature and a little bit you know, there's few that are. We would look at as gregarious in our community security community. So, just put yourself out there, put your hand out there, introduce yourself and say, Hey, can you just give me a brief synopsis? Not the whole essay, just a white page on what you guys are doing here in the exhibit.

Yoyo 4:49

And, you know, I'm sure they'd appreciate that as well. I've made a list actually, si because it certainly, you know, in my security journey as well, having met online and certainly since Covid, we, we did a lot remotely, didn't we? But now I say we're coming outta Covid. Sensitively because I know I know a few friends that have covid at the moment. I have four separate friends who have covid here in the uk. So I'm tucking myself away until I need to fly on Saturday. But we're now much more open, aren't we? After covid to getting to see each other in person, shaking hands, looking at each other in the eye, it's something that's really quite nice to see.

Cy 5:29

Yeah, it really is. I mean, and I think since Covid and since we started coming back together post Covid, we've seen a, a consistent uptick in the attendance and the involvement at G S X. We've just so it's really nice to see folks coming back and putting Covid behind us.

Yoyo 5:50

So first things first. If you wanna see the latest in what's going on, the company's offerings around digital transformation and technology, you've got the physical security side, you've got access, control, all of these key facets within the security industry, and there's a piece isn't there? Around convergence this year, I know there's a lot more about how cybersecurity and physical security are learning to operate together. Whose idea was that, Cy?

Cy 6:15

Well, I think actually that was the A s i s foundation. So our nonprofit, our, or part of our a s I s did a research paper on convergence. And so through that they've done a follow-up and I think it's resonated with a lot of security professionals. And so, and it's been a slow process. In general, convergence has been in our industry. I mean, we've talked about it for, I'd like to say decades it feels like. So it's been going on for a while and and it continues to go on, you know, it's also part of the industry, but then there's gonna be it's gonna create newer parts too. You know, A lot more folks are talking about resilience. these are other ops topics that will be in the educational wing of the G S X conference.

Yoyo 7:05

I know that environmental security is also very important. You've got other types of security like water security, energy security, all of those things. Now taking more of a center stage around for horizon scanning and future planning. What's, what's interesting, I think if you're going along as a, like me, you're going along as a consultant or you're going along as an employee. Mm-hmm. You've got opportunity to top up your C P d, haven't you, if you're doing continuing professional development, which is really a big thing that asis are all about c p d. Mm-hmm.

Cy 7:34

Yeah. A s I s a while ago started giving credit for folks as attendees for just coming for just being in the in, in the community. I like to say in the zoo, because we got a lot of in the zoo, the security zoo. Yeah. They they, they've given credit for that, but yeah, but if you want a little bit more or you just really wanna strengthen your knowledge and foundation there's a lot of great educational sessions going on.

Yoyo 8:01

And also talking about sessions. There's lots of extracurricular sessions, aren't they? I know that the UK A S I S cohort will be getting together. There are several different sessions to have cocktails in the evening. Maybe that's where the security jungle element comes in. I have heard it gets a little bit, you know, funning games, but look, we're all professionals. We've all got very serious jobs, haven't we? Really deep down. Mm-hmm. This isn't the kind of job to quote Chuck. You know, this isn't the kind of job that has a lot of joy. You have to find the joy in a lot of these roles. You have to put that joy in. So I guess we know how to let our hair down and have a little fun with each other when we all get together, right?

Cy 8:39

Oh yeah. There is. Continually to grow. You know, it started off, I think the Canadians were the first to have Canada Night. Now we've, you know, we've got Texas Night, we've got latam we've got some countries in Europe that get together. We have countries in Africa that get together. So we have we just keep evolving on the evening affairs and and so yeah, it's a lot of fun to Renew those friendships that you haven't seen since last year, or you've talked to'em on the phone, but you, you know, haven't had any FaceTime with them. And so those are opportunities and, you know, you bump into people, meet new friends, and Find out how much you have in common

Yoyo 9:20

I know what a S I s Kenya are doing online. It's amazing. I cannot wait to meet some of them. I know who's going already, and I have done everything I can to certainly shine a light on what they're doing there. And the fact that they're coming over to Texas is phenomenal because I can meet a S I s Kenya in Texas, in Dallas, and that's gonna be a bit of a gigg. Yeah. And I wanted to give them a little shout out as well because they're doing such a lot to raise the profile of a s i s and a s i S membership. C p P and p s P certainly in Kenya. They're doing a fantastic job. Anyone else standing out for you?

Cy 9:53

You know, I, I think that I just think that for me it will be Being involved in a lot of different events trying to get a chance to walk the exhibit floor trying to get a chance to pop in training session. You know, I will enjoy meeting new friends at some of the evening events. And I hope I get round of golfing, you know, before it all gets started. So

Yoyo 10:15

is is, is it too hot for golf? S seriously, isn't there like a cutoff

Cy 10:19

temperature? For some people there is, yes. I don't fall in that category yet, but

Yoyo 10:25

are these the people from the Arctic Circle? Oh dear. We're gonna see some snowmen in Texas for sure.'cause I know that some people, even on the WhatsApp groups I'm in, where we're, I mean, I'm having people tell me they're more excited about meeting everybody than they are the thought of Christmas coming up, which gives you an idea about. This great energy. And I have to say there is definitely this kind of fear of missing out. Like if you're not going, so just go. If you're thinking about it, just go, what's the worst that can happen? You spend four days away from your desk, you spend four days chatting your front, your colleagues' ears off about what you do for a job.

Cy 11:02

for your folks in Europe Yep. If they like the European conference, which I have thoroughly enjoyed the last few years that I've gone and, and I try not to miss it because I enjoy it, the G S X conference is like the European Conference on steroids. I mean, we just got it going on. Just that much larger

Yoyo 11:19

Oh wow. Oh wow. That is super cool to hear.'cause I couldn't make it to a s i s Rotterdam this year. But yeah, and, and I think after going to Dallas, maybe I would've hit the peak there. I don't think anything could be quite as much fun as that. But No, you're selling it. You're selling it for sure. But look, a s i s you are president elect of a, the top man, the top dog. You know? Seriously, how did you get that job? Psych.

Cy 11:45

I I have no idea. I I sometimes, I think I'm being modest. No, I, you know, it was just a natural occurrence of events that happened. It was not something I sought out, nor particularly. it was just something that just I, I was always interested in being on the on the global board. I mean, I did. And once I got there, I thought that my volunteer time with a s I s was done. I was like, all right, well this is great. This was a good experience, and let other people volunteer and jump in and you know, and then something crazy happened. they asked me to sit on the executive committee and move into a session for president. I'm just like, wow. Do you guys, did you really do all your vetting properly? Have you really,

Yoyo 12:33

you are too humble. I'm sure. I'm sure. And look, you know, but I, I, I get it. It's a huge responsibility, Cy, isn't it? I, yeah. What can you tell me, and I, I appreciate your president-elect, so you don't actually start your position, do you? Till the 1st of January. Great. But. What and I know you you must have a little bit of imposter syndrome thinking, crikey, you know, that's a big job. How am my boots gonna fill it or how my feet gonna fill those shoes. But do you have any sort of mental preparedness already for the kind of things that you wanna do from the get go? Yeah, I

Cy 13:06

have I've really been involved this last year in setting and, and changing the strategy of a s I s and that's kind of been my core thing is making sure we get the ship going in the right direction and everybody's on board. And so those are probably the biggest thing for me. Tim's been a great president and you know, had a great theme in, in getting people involved and I really really enjoyed his leadership and his style. So mine will be a little bit more in strategy and, and inclusive of everybody to make sure we're all rowing in the same direction. and for good reasons too. So part of that is, you know, have to sell that cause and reason why everybody should row in this direction and how it'll benefit all of us as a security industry. Zoo

Yoyo 13:54

and zoo, and we have a lot of security professionals. It is the largest professional security membership body. It's worldly known. I know that the footprint in certain countries around the world is greater and there's a lot of work to do in improving footprint, certainly in underrepresented countries, which is something I'm quite passionate about. But I have to think about those times when I wasn't an A S I S member. Mm-hmm. And I'm not saying that'cause I'm trying to encourage people to be in a, in a membership body. I would say just be in as many as you can afford.'cause my life changed when I joined a S I s I've been very clear about that. I, I found a mentor for the first time in my career, something that I really needed. And I, I knew I needed it, but I, you know, I didn't where to go, who to ask. And, and all sudden I was around all of these people who. Better than me. And I loved that. You know, I loved just listening and having a glass of red wine which some of us love to do here, but there's a, there's a, there's a belonging meant that I hadn't experienced before and I wouldn't be doing this now, I don't think, if I hadn't joined a s i s So how has it changed your life?

Cy 15:03

Well, you know, very similar to you. I it changed my life with Having mentors in the industry, it, it changed my life with getting a deeper and broader education of the profession. Getting my C P p sitting for that, studying for that I. I didn't grow up in law enforcement. I didn't grow up in the military. I've, I'm more self-made, more self-educated, but having to take all the training having to get the certifications, it's really given me a foundation, a strong foundation, and changed my life and provided. Provided a great life for my family. And so it has been a growing industry and I think that anybody's looking to get into an industry that's growing, that's not going away. Mm-hmm. And could spend their whole life and career in one industry and grow with it. This is the right industry

Yoyo 16:01

for you. Yeah. I second that. I left the police and I went into a shopping mall. As a security officer, I felt like the only way to be heard and listened to and understood would be to start from what they say, the bottom up. Let's start with that front line. Let's understand those challenges. And obviously very quickly I went into management. But I think the, the industry will give you what you wanna take from it. Quite frankly, it's there. It's like, oh, I didn't think myself eight years ago being in cybersecurity Now, Cy, here I am.

Cy 16:31

also what you give it too. Yeah. You know, so putting in, you're gonna get

Yoyo 16:36

back Yes. Taking fine opportunities like this. I, I do with a S I S International Turning Pages book Review podcast. Well, if I wasn't a member, that's not something that I could facilitate and helping to connect people who are writing books and reading books and putting them together. Wow, that's phenomenal. And I love the work that women can do internationally. Mm-hmm. Just by knowing. You know, look what Brittany Galley's doing. Look at what? Victoria is doing in Kenya. You know, we've gotten together, we've had meetings, we've talked about our challenges, and we can only do that if we are connected in some way. Inclusivity. So, We definitely need to see more inclusivity though, and I'm not just talking about women. what would you, what would you say to any, you know, to your plan going forward around how do you make even your boards, your regional boards more inclusive? Well,

Cy 17:36

I think it, I think it's important to welcome everybody with open arms. You know, we're all different. Even some of us that look the same are different. And It's just important to welcome everybody. You know, we, you know, there's twofold two ways of thinking. You know, when it comes to boards I've always been of the belief, you know, it's the best person for the best position is the right decision. And now we now we look at we have a broader way of looking at things now. As far as how things are perceived, and I'd like to you know, we've done a whole project and paper and, and study on de and I, and that's a you know, a buzzword in itself. But also you know, I, I think that part of me It would be nice if we all had a similar core thinking about being inclusive with everybody, just naturally. yet it doesn't happen naturally sometimes. People have to be taught, sometimes people have to be reminded to be inclusive. thankfully I was brought up in a way with my family and home to be You know, unconditionally loving and, and welcome people into your circle. And so just naturally do that. And you know, for me, I just hopefully, yo-yo, I just hope, hopefully it trickles down to everybody else and

Yoyo 18:56

that's why you're in your fine leadership role that you are s I have to say, and I, I say this, when I brought other women on board into A S I S, I've always said, of all the places that I've been in a professional environment, I felt safer in my A S I S community than I have in my work environments. Yeah, and that says a lot. It says an awful lot, certainly about the respect, you know, and I've gone to other networking events. I've had guys ask me out for dinner and stuff like that, you know, and I've had to look at them and say, dude, why do you think it's acceptable? You know, however gorgeous I am to ask me out on a date in a networking event, which is a work event. And he's kind of gone, well, you can't blame me for asking, but you don't get that in a S I s. Events. You, you just don't get it. And I don't know, everyone just treats me with respect and I treat everybody with respect. And I think that's probably the most refreshing thing I can say about this environment.'cause I know the report you're referring to, you're referring to Rachel Briggs This's Report, aren't you? Mm-hmm.

Cy 20:00

Correct.

Yoyo 20:01

Yeah. Spoken to her in depth about that. And it's, it's, look, it's, it would be nice to see Cy, you know, a year under the belt as president. Let's revisit that and let's see if things have gotten better, because then we'll know the delta, won't we? And we'll know where we need to put our energies.

Cy 20:19

Yes, yes. Maybe even next year I'll get to talk to you again, yoyo.

Yoyo 20:24

Well, I think, I think a year anniversary at least. I wanna find out what you've been doing. S

Cy 20:29

Thank you for the opportunity to talk about a S I S and G S X. Yeah, I appreciate that. And you know, I look forward to seeing you in the Big D in Dallas.

Yoyo 20:36

I'm gonna come and find you. Walk in the floor. I'm gonna walk the floor myself. Everybody wear some sensible shoes. I. Gonna be on your feet all day. Gonna be talking all day advice. Yeah, 100%. Thank you so much for your time today, Sai Oakridge, and I really appreciate your time and I'm really looking forward to meeting you in Dallas. You as well.