SRU’s annual speaker series features security experts

Slippery Rock University’s Department of Homeland and Corporate Security Studies are hosting three events as part of its annual Security Studies Speaker Series, Oct. 23, Nov. 1 and Nov. 8.

Oct. 23, 2018

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - Slippery Rock University's annual Security Studies Speakers Series features three opportunities for the community to learn from security experts representing the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Postal Service and Iron Mountain storage and information management service.

Colin Arbes, special agent in the contract fraud investigations division of the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General, will present "Fraud Investigations in the 21st Century," 12:30 p.m., today in Spotts World Culture Building, Room 111.

Robert Staby, senior field intelligence officer from the Transportation Security Administration of the Department of Homeland Security, will present "Emerging Issues in Transportation Security," 12:30 p.m., Nov. 1 in Spotts World Culture Building, Room 111.

Michael Nelson, director of safety, risk and security, and Thomas Hill, manager of safety and security, from Iron Mountain will present "Protecting Third-Party Information," 12:30 p.m., Nov. 8 in Spotts World Culture Building, Room 115.

All events, hosted by SRU's Department of Homeland and Corporate Security Studies, are free and open to the public.

"It's good to have this series because our students will get to understand how their degree applies to the professional world and the various career paths they can take," said Susan Lubinski, associate professor of homeland and corporate security studies and department chair, who said that there are more than 300,000 corporate security jobs in the U.S. and more than 7,000 homeland security jobs in Pennsylvania alone. "This helps increase their network to land internships and enables them to learn about current events in the field."

Arbes will discuss how he conducts mail fraud investigations across multiple jurisdictions and agencies, including Homeland Security and the FBI, and how fraud has evolved in recent decades with the advent of more sophisticated technology and threats of terrorism.

Staby, who has worked with the TSA since 2002, will discuss the importance of aviation infrastructure in western Pennsylvania and how the influx of drone usage by commercial industries is affecting regulations.

Nelson and Hill will discuss securing data, intellectual property rights, governmental records and other information and issues related to their center located in nearby Boyers.

MEDIA CONTACT: Justin Zackal | 724.738.4854 | justin.zackal@sru.edu