Security Landscape: The 11k-Foot View

This past February, the fourth Safety and Security Summit (S3) took to the slopes of the Wasatch Mountains at Snowbird, Utah. The goal? To assemble a high-altitude think tank of the security industry’s sharpest minds to solve the industry’s most complex challenges and to plan for the future. 

The Future Is Proactive, Not Reactive

The primary focus of S3 was the move from reactive monitoring to autonomous orchestration. In an era where integration is a baseline requirement, the summit explored what happens when we go further.

Through sessions led by industry experts like former CIA Director of Security Mary Rose McCaffrey, retired General William J. Walker from Allied Universal, and former CSO of Boeing Dave Komendat, the conversation centered around moving physical security into the world of AI. The takeaway was clear—the future belongs to systems that don't just alert us to trouble, but proactively manage perimeters, differentiate threats, and execute responses in real-time.

Defining Moments and Shared Challenges

For General Walker, S3 was a chance to gain exposure to the future of security technology. “As a 2-star general, I was always looking forward and thinking ahead,” he said. “LVT has a way to see what’s coming in time to warn, which enhances emergency preparedness and response.” 

Mary Rose loved being part of the event, acting as a moderator for the breakout session titled “From F-47s to Servers: How Defense CSOs Master the Physical-Cyber Risk Balance.” She said, “My personal benefit was two-fold; of the individuals I suggested to attend, they were all impressed with the capabilities. Secondly, I am re-energized about bringing new solutions to a different customer set. My passion  for security solutions is as strong as ever.”

Mike Lamb has been part of each Safety and Security Summit but said 2026 S3 was the best of the best, saying “My favorite part was the realization that no matter the vertical, safety and security challenges are very similar, both in scope and solutions to mitigate.”

Steve Jensen is the Chair of the Board of Directors for the Utah Organized Retail Crime Association (UTORCA) and has more than two decades of experience in law enforcement and public safety. He said, "As the Chairman of UTORCA, I am always looking for ways to bridge the gap between law enforcement and private retail. S3 has a reputation for bringing the right people into the room to discuss how technology can facilitate those public/private partnerships.”

Dr. Mike Perry, who served for more than 30 years with the U.S. Department of Defense and as a command chief and top first sergeant in the Air Force, said, “I think of defining times and defining moments, and I believe this is one of them. Conferences like S3 help us to make sure that we grab ahold of the tools that are out there at our disposal and use them to do what's good for society. The collaboration, innovation, and foresight we experienced at S3 was truly inspirational.” Dr. Perry is currently the Dean of the College of Space, Intelligence, and Military Operations at Columbia Southern University.

High-Altitude Dialogue with Real-World Impact

The setting allowed industry experts and peers to debate and learn from each other without the typical trade-show noise. This resulted in an unfiltered dialogue on the future of AI in physical security—one focused on execution rather than just theory because at the end of the day, the goal of S3 isn't just about discussions or networking. It’s about increasing safety and security at our businesses, in our communities, and throughout the world.