Stand Down Day shares awareness of security threats

By Joel VazquezMarch 18, 2019

Stand Down Day helps employees understand worldwide security threats
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

NEW CUMBERLAND, Pa. - The Security Assistance Command has held its first Security Stand Down at its New Cumberland offices as part of a continuing effort to increase awareness on current security threats that could impact the lives and missions of personnel throughout the world.

The dangers and pitfalls of social media, the importance of reporting suspicious or illegal activity, identifying insider threats and active shooter response were just some of the topics presented to USASAC employees, not only to be in accordance with Army policies, but to create a culture of awareness when it comes to facing security threats.

Joy Seegers, USASAC-NC G3/security manager and Army Protection Program coordinator, organized the event and was one of four presenters during the Stand Down Day. She said her hope was to inform all USASAC-NC employees about specific local, state and regional security concerns as well as to ensure that everyone left with knowledge that could protect them, their families and friends.

"Although we are local to Central Pennsylvania, we sometimes forget that we support a worldwide mission, and that makes us vulnerable from a security standpoint. Days like today serve as a reminder that we must remain vigilant at all times," Seegers said.

To drive this point home, many of the presenters used criminal intelligence patterns and trends from stories in the local area. In many of the examples given, crimes or terrorist acts were prevented by everyday people reporting suspicious activities.

"I would want to tell people, you're not being nosey and you're not being rude when you call in suspicious activity. Even the smallest piece of information can be extremely helpful to the people behind the scenes," Seegers said.