Secured

In this episode of Secured, Mike Monsive, CEO of ASAP Security, sits down once again with Idan Koren, CMO of Verkada, for a deep dive into how cloud-native technology is transforming school security across the U.S. With Verkada now protecting over 20 million students nationwide, Idan shares why the company’s integrated platform has become the preferred solution for school districts of every size....

In this episode of Secured, host Mike Monsive sits down with Idan Koren, Chief Marketing Officer of Verkada, to discuss how the company is transforming the physical security industry through its cloud-first, software-driven approach. Reimagining Physical Security Idan reflects on his journey at Verkada since joining in 2018, during its hyper-growth phase. Initially wearing many hats—from HR and op...

In this episode of Secured, host Mike Monsive sits down with Idan Koren, Chief Marketing Officer of Verkada, to discuss how the company is transforming the physical security industry through its cloud-first, software-driven approach. Reimagining Physical Security Idan reflects on his journey at Verkada since joining in 2018, during its hyper-growth phase. Initially wearing many hats—from HR and op...

In this heartfelt episode of Secured, host Mike Matranga continues the conversation with Lori Downs and Chele Gillon of Barron County Public Schools, diving deeper into the challenges parents face navigating online safety and mental health with their children. Matranga shares personal experiences as a father, reflecting on the difficult decisions parents must make when balancing digital boundaries...

In this powerful episode of Secured, host Mike Matranga is joined by Lori Downs and Chele Gillon of Barron Area School District to explore the complex intersection of technology, online safety, and student mental health. As children are given smartphones and social media access at younger ages, Downs and Gillon warn that many are not developmentally prepared to handle the emotional and social pres...

In this episode of Secured, host Mike Matranga welcomes Lori Downs, Director of Pupil Services, and Chele Gillon, School Social Worker, from the Barron Area School District in Kentucky to discuss a critical and often overlooked issue—how digital behavior is fueling real-world challenges in schools. Downs and Gillon reveal that nearly all the behavioral concerns they manage—about 98%—are rooted in...

In this episode of Secured, host Mike Matranga welcomes Lori Downs, Director of Pupil Services, and Chele Gillon, School Social Worker, from the Barron Area School District in Kentucky to discuss a critical and often overlooked issue—how digital behavior is fueling real-world challenges in schools. Downs and Gillon reveal that nearly all the behavioral concerns they manage—about 98%—are rooted in...

In today’s workplace, balancing employee safety with privacy is more important than ever. Kenny Kelley, founder of Silent Beacon, sheds light on this delicate balance by highlighting a key differentiator in their emergency alert system: selective location tracking. Unlike many cellular-based solutions that track users continuously, Silent Beacon activates location monitoring only when the emergenc...

In this bonus segment from Secured, Kenny Kelley, founder of Silent Beacon, discusses a critical and often overlooked vulnerability in frontline safety: the protection gap for crisis responders outside of law enforcement. “Unless it’s police, most crisis responders—like paramedics or home healthcare workers—are walking into unpredictable environments with little backup,” Kelley explains. While too...

In this Secured segment, national security and HR expert Timothy A. Dimoff, CPP, delivers a sobering message: violence and aggression are on the rise across every corner of society—from schools and churches to businesses and public events. Dimoff warns that growing publicity around violent incidents is fueling a dangerous copycat effect, where individuals seek notoriety by replicating past tragedi...

In this segment of Secured, cybersecurity and infrastructure expert Pushpjeet Shrivastava, VP of Production Services at Bank of America, addresses one of the most overlooked risks in enterprise cybersecurity: the human and organizational breakdown behind the tech. While most cybersecurity discussions focus on firewalls, software, or toolkits, Shrivastava emphasizes that the real vulnerabilities of...

On this bonus clip from Secured, Daniel Maigler, Mental Health Advisor at Paws for Patrick, weighs in on how schools and communities can better respond in the aftermath of trauma. His message is clear: true healing takes time, space, and honest conversation—even when the topics are uncomfortable. In the wake of student suicides or traumatic events, communities often rush to restore order. But Maig...

On a recent episode of Secured, a critical truth emerged—one that too often goes unsaid in conversations about school safety and violence prevention. Care isn’t a job that ends when the bell rings or the office closes. The responsibility to protect and support students extends beyond working hours, past Friday afternoons, and into weekends, holidays, and quiet moments when no one is watching. It's...

In this compelling segment of Secured, hosts Mike Matranga and Mike Monsive break down three powerful reasons why schools must prioritize investing in people over products. As school districts across the country face increasing pressure to adopt new technologies, this conversation reminds us that true security begins with human connection, training, and empowerment. From the alarming reality that...

In this special countdown-style episode of Secured, hosts Mike Matranga and Mike Monsive reveal the Top 5 Hard Truths About School Safety—uncomfortable realities that challenge conventional thinking and expose the flaws in current security strategies. #5: The Illusion of Safety – Why SROs Alone Aren’t Enough "SROs, unless they are right there in the front of it when it pops off, are responsive in...

In this Secured podcast soundbite, host Mike Matranga delivers a no-nonsense critique of the growing wave of unrealistic security solutions being pitched to schools. He calls out companies promoting sci-fi-inspired gadgets—like stationary drones and RC cars equipped with less-lethal munitions—designed to "hunt down threats." Matranga warns that these ideas ignore practical security measures, human...

In this excerpt from the Secured podcast, host Mike Matranga speaks with Gregory Guidice, President and CEO of Zebra K9, about the meticulous process of selecting and training safety dogs for K-12 schools. Guidice explains that the foundation of an effective safety dog begins with strong lineage, focusing on bird dog breeds like Labrador Retrievers, ensuring they have both the drive to work and th...

In this Secured episode, host Mike Matranga speaks with Gregory Guidice, President and CEO of Zebra K9, about the transformative impact of floppy-eared "safety dogs" in K-12 schools. Initially focused on firearm detection, these canine teams have become essential for addressing students' social-emotional needs. Guidice shares a powerful example of a distressed student during finals who was calmed...

In this compelling clip from Secured, the conversation centers on the transformative impact of equipping teachers with essential crisis response skills and resources. The hosts emphasize that a society where educators are trained in life-saving basics—such as applying tourniquets, chest seals, CPR, AED application, and behavioral threat assessment—would be significantly safer. Highlighting the ala...

In this powerful clip of Secured, host Mike Matranga underscores the critical role teachers play in fostering safer school environments and responding effectively to crises. Reflecting on a recent event, Matranga discusses the need to shift focus from reactive measures to proactive, community-driven strategies. The discussion begins with recognition of the swift actions of two School Resource Offi...

In this thought-provoking clip of Secured, hosts Mike Matranga and Mike Monsive tackle the controversial topic of school safety investments, shedding light on the misplaced priorities often driving spending decisions. They question the effectiveness of widely implemented technologies like gunshot detection systems, which they argue offer no real advantage in crisis situations. "Gunshot detection i...

In this segment of Secured, host Mike Matranga dives into a critical discussion with Lori Downs and Chele Gillon of Barren County Public Schools on the challenges of public perceptions around school safety solutions. The trio explores why, despite historical evidence and data-driven research, public sentiment and some state policies continue to prioritize visible deterrents—like arming teachers or...

On the latest episode of Secured, host Mike Matranga, CEO of M6 Global Defense, discusses the innovative approaches to school safety with Lori Downs, Student Assistance Coordinator, and Chele Gillon, Guidance Counselor from Barren County Public Schools. Inspired by the work of experts like Molly Hudgens and Dr. Peter Langman, Downs and Gillon share insights into the development of their "Student S...

On the latest episode of Secured , host Mike Matranga of M6 Global Defense welcomes Greg Guidice, President and CEO of Zebra K9, to discuss the critical role K9 units play in enhancing security and well-being across multiple sectors. Greg shares how Zebra K9 has evolved from primarily explosive detection to addressing emerging needs in K-12 schools, hospitals, and event security through specially...

On the latest episode of Secured , host Mike Matranga of M6 Global Defense welcomes Greg Guidice, President and CEO of Zebra K9, to discuss the critical role K9 units play in enhancing security and well-being across multiple sectors. Greg shares how Zebra K9 has evolved from primarily explosive detection to addressing emerging needs in K-12 schools, hospitals, and event security through specially...