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Although Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2018 are over, the holiday shopping frenzy is far from done. In fact, Nielsen projects that seasonal sales will top $923 billion, with $106 billion in purchases expected to originate online.

The approach of Thanksgiving signals the special period for spending quality time with family, friends and coworkers. It’s also a time for expressing gratitude and giving back.

We salute our veterans and extend our gratitude for their service. Military service members are often on the front lines, sacrificing everything to protect our freedom. And at Allied Universal, these unsung heroes help do their part to serve, secure and care for the people and businesses in every corner of our communities.

Soon, a multitude of fans, tourists and media will descend upon Atlanta for Super Bowl LIII. Whether your event is a major sports event or a Fortune 500 meeting, your business, wherever it is located, needs to be prepared with the right security measures and staff to go the distance to your goal line!

As October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, it’s a good time to dust off your passwords and reinvigorate them to protect your data and identity both on and offline. The following is sage advice from our cybersecurity team.

As we reflect on the close of the fourth annual National Security Officer Appreciation Week, I am reminded of just how integral security officers are to our communities and workplaces. These individuals not only deter crime, they lead evacuations, provide information, work closely with local law enforcement and are constantly vigilant in their efforts to keep us safe.

The United States endured 30 active shooter events in 2017. This is the “largest number ever recorded by the FBI during a one-year period” according to the June 2018 FBI Publication “A Study of the Pre-Attack Behaviors of Active Shooters in the United States.” At the rate these attacks are occurring, it is perceived that society is becoming de-sensitized and may be looking at this “as the new normal.” This has caused many people in the chemical, petrochemical and utilities industry to take preparation to another level. Below are some measures being taken.

Security officers, who strive to help maintain safe and secure workplaces, schools, shopping malls and communities, deserve heartfelt appreciation. Hard-working, highly trained men and women, security officers are counted among our country’s first responders. These individuals deter crime, lead evacuations, provide information, work closely with local law enforcement and are constantly vigilant in their efforts to keep us safe. 

Hollywood, the media, and elected officials have all combined to bring light to horrific crimes associated with human trafficking. More people are aware of sex trafficking than the issues of forced labor and domestic servitude, all of which are elements of human trafficking.

Security officers act as community ambassadors where they assume customer service roles. They are also first responders in emergencies, act as a liaison with local law enforcement, lead safety efforts, escort patients in hospitals, raise personal security awareness with students, and check in on residents in gated communities.