The Security Industry Association (SIA) Women in Security Forum (WISF) has kicked off the 4th annual Essentials 4 Job Security Giveback, a program coinciding with ISC West that supports the efforts of Dress for Success Southern Nevada (DFSSN) to help women build careers and achieve financial independence. 

The initiative encourages exhibiting companies and their employees to donate new and gently used clothing to DFSSN to help local Dress for Success clients in Nevada — which has had the highest female unemployment rate in the United States — feel more confident and empowered as they interview for jobs, enter the workforce and achieve self-sufficiency. 

WISF’s UpliftHER Subcommittee, which spearheads the Essentials 4 Job Security initiative, hopes to maximize the program’s impact this year by urging companies to set up donation boxes at their facilities during the month of March and ship the collected goods to ISC West inside their crates. Once they have arrived at ISC West, donations can be brought to collection boxes at the SIA booth, #8089. 

Most of the women who benefit from Dress for Success of Southern Nevada’s services seek to enter the service industry. The items most in demand are: 

• New or gently worn basic black work attire
• New or gently used handbags
• New or gently worn black flats, loafers or ballet shoes — especially sizes 9 and larger (no open-toed shoes or sneakers, please)
• New, unopened makeup for darker skin tones
• Planners
• Hygiene kits: New, sealed travel size toiletries, liquid shampoo, conditioner and moisturizer (no bars of soap). 

In addition to collecting the listed items, WISF will host a group of clients from Dress for Success at ISC West on Friday, April 12. These women will attend the SIA WISF Keynote at ISC West, celebrate the 2024 Power 100 honorees and walk the floor of the exhibit hall with WISF members to learn about jobs in the security industry. 

WISF will also have a location within the SIA booth where show attendees and exhibitors can write notes of encouragement to Dress for Success clients. 

Members of SIA are encouraged to share and promote their participation in Essentials 4 Job Security on social media to inspire others to join in this meaningful giveback. For more information on the initiative and to get involved, visit the Essentials 4 Job Security page. 

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SIA’s WISF works to engage all security professionals to promote, recruit and cultivate women’s leadership for a bolder presence within the industry. In addition to the Essentials 4 Job Security Giveback, the SIA Women in Security Forum offers several programs and activities, including: 

• WISF Power 100, an annual initiative showcasing 100 women who are role models, leaders, innovators and influencers in global security

• SIA Progress Award, which celebrates individuals who advance opportunities for women in the security industry 

• SIA WISF Scholarship, which furthers educational opportunities and advancement for a diverse security workforce; special events at ISC West and East; other volunteer efforts that give back to the community 

• Co-development of the Security LeadHER conference 

• Support of the Women in Biometrics Awards 

Membership in the SIA WISF is free and open to all employees of SIA member companies and SIA student members.