It would be hard to find a topic more pressing across the entire security industry than the current workforce shortage. From manufacturers to security integrators, the issue of finding and keeping great employees is among the top concerns of nearly everyone.

The Security Industry Association (SIA) announced on March 8, International Women’s Day, the establishment of the SIA Women in Security Forum to support the participation of women in the security industry. Through programs, professional development and networking events, the committee will engage members, both men and women, who share this goal.

The Women’s Security Council (WSC) launched its 2015 submissions for the Women of the Year awards on December 1. The submission process will be open until the end of February and all submissions will be reviewed by a council of industry thought leaders.

Professional networking has long been a key component of doing business in security. Today, social and professional networking websites spring up and gain worldwide popularity seemingly overnight, and it’s necessary to build strong networks that effectively use resources such as Twitter or LinkedIn. Add to that the fact that the face of the security is changing, and it’s now more important than ever to create these supportive networks. Enter: the Women’s Security Council (WSC).