Key Takeaways From GSX 2025 + What Security Leaders Should Do Next
Explore GSX 2025 highlights—top sessions, keynotes, exhibit hall innovations, and networking opportunities—plus practical tips and takeaways for security leaders.
Thousands of security, safety, and business continuity professionals gathered in New Orleans for Global Security Exchange (GSX) 2025, the premier event for advancing knowledge, exploring innovation, and building critical industry connections.
This year’s GSX reinforced why it remains the most important gathering for the security community, with cutting-edge technologies on display, thought-provoking education sessions, and powerful networking moments.
Here are the top highlights and takeaways from GSX 2025—and what they mean for the future of security and resilience.
2026 Threat Outlook Report
Highlights From GSX 2025
1. Expert-led education sessions
GSX offered more than 200 expert-led sessions, delivering practical strategies for today’s most pressing challenges:
- AI can be a huge amplifier for security, but it requires human-in-the-loop moderation and verification.
- Business continuity planning increasingly integrates both cyber and physical threat modeling.
- Executive protection encompasses both physical and digital spheres, and demands multiple soft layers of defense.
2. Keynotes that defined the event
The three headline keynotes set the tone for the week with world-class expertise on the geopolitical, technological, and operational issues shaping the future of security:
- Ian Bremmer unpacked the geopolitical “new abnormal” and the ripple effects on global risk management.
- Sol Rashidi revealed how AI is reshaping the security leader’s role, emphasizing practical adoption strategies.
- Gen. Paul Nakasone shared lessons from cyber command on resilience, preparedness, and leadership under pressure.
Sol Rashidi encouraged every security leader to have significant knowledge of AI and to integrate AI tools at their own pace. Sol emphasized that there is no right or wrong way—just do it.
3. A dynamic exhibit hall
The 185,000-square-foot exhibit hall showcased advances in robotics, drones, and uncrewed systems. Among more than 500 exhibitors, key themes included:
- Drone-enabled perimeter defense took center stage with live demos across multiple vendors
- AI-driven communication tools and real-time translation tech underscored accessibility and inclusivity
- Next-gen access control systems blending cybersecurity and physical security controls
Special zones like the X Stage, Resilience Zone, and School Security Zone proved to be hotspots for emerging solutions and high-impact conversations.
4. Connections that strengthened the community
GSX once again delivered unparalleled networking opportunities.
- Career HQ supported attendees with résumé reviews, coaching, and professional headshots.
- The “ASIS Celebrates!” event at the WWII Museum was a highlight, offering an inspiring backdrop for building relationships.
- Military & Law Enforcement Appreciation Day and ASIS Awards recognized outstanding contributions to the security profession.
We had the chance to connect with security leaders, chief physical security officers, heads of global travel risk management, and more around emerging challenges in employee safety, security, and resilience.
5. Making GSX more accessible than ever
This year’s major win was the continued integration of AI-powered captions and translations, which made every education session more inclusive and engaging. Attendees also noted how seamless it was to access presentations in multiple languages on their devices directly.
Lessons Security Leaders Should Carry Forward
Based on what we saw and heard at GSX 2025, here are three big lessons organizations should act on:
- The best mitigation is threat detection: The integration of security platforms, such as alarms, cameras, drones, and facial recognition, is critical for special events.
- AI can’t run loose; it needs a playbook: AI should still have guardrails. It should augment security jobs but not work 100% autonomously.
- Physical security and cybersecurity are no longer differentiated: In today’s landscape, physical security and cybersecurity have converged and require comprehensive and inclusive planning.
Thank You for Connecting With AlertMedia at GSX 2025
We were thrilled to meet so many of you at the AlertMedia booth #4031 and showcase our unified platform—integrating Threat Intelligence, emergency communication, Incident Response, and Travel Risk Management into one powerful solution. Together, these capabilities give organizations the clarity, speed, and confidence to respond effectively to any crisis.
If we missed connecting in New Orleans—or if you’d like to continue the conversation—schedule a time with our team for a personalized demo.
Shaping the Future of Security
GSX 2025 proved once again why it’s the premier gathering for anyone responsible for security, safety, or continuity. The insights shared this year will help organizations strengthen resilience, adapt to evolving risks, and stay ahead of emerging threats.
At AlertMedia, we’re committed to helping organizations turn these lessons into action—building safer, more resilient workplaces for the future.
