Month: April 2019

Meet the Newest Members of Evolv’s Leadership Team

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Nearly six years ago, Evolv Technology began as a small team of people with a clear mission: return confidence and peace of mind to people visiting public spaces by changing the paradigm of how security professionals keep venues safe from the most serious threats, without compromising visitor experience. Since its inception, the company has grown significantly, having scanned more than 10 million people last year. Today, Evolv is leading the next generation of security and screening by combining advanced sensors with artificial intelligence (AI) to instantly detect weapons, firearms and explosives. 

As Evolv continues executing its mission, we recently announced the appointment of four key members to leadership positions. Evolv hired Peter George as Chief Commercial Officer, named Alan S. Cohen Chairman of the Evolv Board of Directors, and appointed Jin Kim and Bob Eckel to its Advisory Board. Their combined security knowledge, operational experience and company-building expertise uniquely qualify them to help Evolv change the paradigm of how security professionals assure public spaces remain welcoming yet stay safe from today’s most serious threats. 

Here’s a quick snapshot of each of their backgrounds and what they bring to Evolv’s leadership team:

Chief Commercial Officer

As Chief Commercial Officer, Peter is responsible for driving Evolv’s customer-facing operations as the company continues to expand globally. With more than 30 years of experience leading successful cyber security companies, Peter plays a key role helping lead the convergence of physical security with the digital world. Connect with him on LinkedIn.

Chairman, Evolv Board of Directors

Alan has been appointed Chairman of Evolv’s Board of Directors. Most recently, he was a Board member and Chief Commercial Officer at Illumio. A long-time enterprise tech veteran, Alan’s prior two companies, Airespace (acquired by Cisco for 50 million) and Nicira (acquired by VMware for .26 billion), were the market leaders in software-driven, cutting-edge technologies. Connect with him on LinkedIn, and follow him on twitter (@ascohen)

Evolv Advisory Board Member

A former FBI Special Agent, Jin joins Evolv’s Advisory Board as a widely regarded subject matter expert and material practitioner in active shooter and workplace violence risk management. He served 23 years in the FBI, working as the active shooter coordinator on the Crisis Management Unit, and as the leading authority directing active shooter and workplace violence risk mitigation and training for the FBI’s corporate programming and private sector partnerships. Connect with him on LinkedIn and follow him on twitter (@JinKimFBIretSME)

Evolv Advisory Board Member

Former CEO of MorphoTrust USA, Bob joins Evolv’s Advisory Board as a secure identity solutions expert. An established executive with a strong track record of building and leading businesses, Bob will apply his deep experience in biometric systems to Evolv’s technology to improve both security and customer operations. Connect with him on LinkedIn and follow him on twitter (@Bob_Eckel) 

We’re excited to have Peter, Alan, Jin, and Bob join our team to help Evolv create new solutions that actually solve the active shooter problem and other terrorist threats in real-world applications. 

Click here to learn more about our leadership team.

See You at ISC West 2019

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Publish Date: Pre-April 9 (ISC West is Apr. 9-11)

ISC West, the International Security Conference & Exposition, is just around the corner (April 9-11). The Evolv team is eagerly packing up to join the more than 30,000 security professionals who’ll be convening in Las Vegas for the security industry’s largest U. S. trade show. We will be on hand to demonstrate the Evolv Edge®, our physical security system that takes the hassle out of people screening by consistently scanning for bombs and weapons without the need to stop or empty pockets.

At Evolv, safety is not just a business, it’s personal. We’re dedicated to providing physical security systems using the latest technology, which strongly aligns with the theme of this year’s event, “Comprehensive Security for a Safer, Connected World.” We live in a complicated world and there are more threats today than at any other point in history. Every public gathering and event is now a soft target. Traditional physical security systems, like metal detectors, can function as visual deterrents, but the technology has had minimal improvement since the walkthrough metal detector was invented more than 90 years ago.

As threats grow more sophisticated, the technologies used to prevent the next tragedy need to evolve, too. We’re are committed to bringing the latest sensors and AI/machine learning technology to our technology, so that it’s smart enough to enable seamless screening at venues without disrupting the visitor experience. People can walk through the Evolv Edge at a regular pace without the need to stop, pause, or turn around. They can even walk through with bags. The system scans more than 800 people per hour using active MMW imaging. Whether you’re walking into a hospital, place of worship, or public transportation hub, it’s our duty to make that experience as safe and seamless as possible.

We’re looking forward to hearing from other thought leaders about the new products, trends, and technologies that are helping to solve physical security challenges. 

Visit Evolv at ISC West for a demo of Evolv Edge and see firsthand how Evolv protects employees and visitors while taking the hassle out of people screening. Sign up here to schedule a demo and meet with an expert at the show.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Ensuring a Safe Workplace

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Intro

As more workplaces are targeted by a variety of physical threats, it is critical to examine the figures behind this phenomenon. Recent research from the world’s largest human resources organization, the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM), outlines a rise in workplace violence, ranging from verbal threats to mass casualty attacks. One in four HR professionals reported an incident of workplace violence in the past year, pointing to a high rate of violence that should concern all employers. Disturbingly, 48% of HR professionals said that their organization had experienced an incident of workplace violence before. 

The Challenge 

Over time, regulatory and technological advancements have contributed to safer working conditions, yet according to SHRM, a staggering two million Americans are victims of workplace violence annually, and one in seven employees feel unsafe at work. If that figure is applied to the national workforce, it means 22 million Americans go to work every day without feeling safe. In addition to endangering human lives, workplace violence can impact employee morale, retention, customer relationships, and financial performance. This pervasive issue creates a serious challenge for America’s working professionals, employers, and security professionals.  

External attacks, such as those on Westgate Mall, The Capital Gazette, and Charlie Hebdo, have many businesses looking outward for potential threats. However, 15% of workplace homicides are committed by a co-worker, emphasizing the need for internal screening. Additionally, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that more than 76% of workplace homicides are committed with a firearm. These internal threats range from disgruntled employees, like the shooting in Aurora, Illinois, to those entrusted to be in secured areas, such as the baggage handler in Atlanta who smuggled 135 guns onto commercial flights.

Importance of Prevention & Training Programs

               Naturally, it is difficult for any workplace to deal with a violent incident, but SHRM’s research shows that those who prepare effectively are significantly better off. The organization heavily stresses the value of implementing a program to prevent workplace violence. At firms with employee response training and violence prevention programs, almost nine out of ten employees are confident that they “know what to do” in a violent situation. At organizations without these preventative measures, the figure is five in ten. These figures demonstrate the importance of making sure employees understand the resources available to them and are trained in violence prevention and emergency response. 

Spotting Red Flags

History has shown that violent incidents occur at almost every size and type of business, and it only takes one disgruntled employee to inflict long-lasting pain on an organization. According to SHRM, indicators of potential violence include noticeable decreases in attention to appearance or hygiene, resistance or overreaction to changes in policy, and noticeably unstable, emotional responses. When considering potential warning signs or threats, SHRM reports that one of the safest ways to voice concerns is through an anonymous tip line. However, the workplace can be unpredictable, and warning signs may not appear until it is too late, further stressing the importance of deploying effecting security measures and training employees how to act in an emergency. 

Solutions

While more commonly targeted businesses, such as airports, have been making strides in employee screening, many other businesses only act after an incident occurs. With violence persisting in the American workplace, the need for efficient, reliable security measures has never been greater. Improving workplace security requires a variety of considerations and factors, including assessing security vulnerabilities and receiving stakeholder feedback. In order to ensure a safe workspace for employees, customers, and guests, internal and external threats need to be comprehensively evaluated, including the strategies put in place to deal with them.  If an organization decides to screen employees for physical threats, it must be in a respectful, non-invasive manner that doesn’t interrupt regular business functions. Physical threat detection systems like the Evolv Edge accomplish this, allowing businesses to utilize a scalable, risk-based security model based on perceived threat level.