ASIS International Chapter 206, Lagos has intensified efforts to recruit and empower young professionals for the security sector to address the evolving challenges in the security landscape.

The group disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, at the 2nd edition of its conference, NextGen Conference, themed, ‘Building a secure future: career pathways and innovation for Africa’s next generation of security professionals’, held in Lagos.

The firm said the conference served as a pivotal platform for discourse strategies to empower and equip young professionals with the requisite skills and knowledge to excel in security.

It added that the conference aimed to bring together industry leaders, seasoned professionals, and aspiring young talents.

The Lagos Chapter Chairman of ASIS, Mrs. Joko Olanitori, speaking at the conference, emphasised the importance of laying a solid foundation for identifying interests and acquiring sound knowledge in the security domain.

She said ASIS International and its chapters are reliable allies, offering a wealth of global resources, mentorship opportunities, and certification programs to prepare young professionals for the future.

ASIS Regional Vice President, Mr. Angwa Odum, emphasised the importance of grooming a new generation of tech-savvy and socially aware security professionals.

He underscored the need to integrate emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and cyber security into security practices to address modern security challenges effectively.

Assistant Regional Vice President of ASIS International Region 11A, Mr. Peter Okoloh, emphasised the rising interest of young professionals in diverse security fields beyond traditional physical security.

He highlighted cyber security, AI, and drone technology as burgeoning areas of interest among the youth, signaling a promising future for the industry.

The keynote speaker, the ASIS African Regional Lead for Women-In-Security, Mrs. Tanwa Ashiru, encouraged the attendees to grow their hard and soft skills in striving for greatness in the security sector.