AV Trust, a newly established non-profit organization based in Westfield, Indiana, is on a mission to enhance cybersecurity in the commercial AV and unified communications (UC) industries. Founded by Douglas Schaefer, President, Colin Birney, vice president & treasurer and Frank Padikkala, secretary, AV Trust aims to address the growing need for security in AV systems by focusing on education, research and the development of security standards.
A Trusted Resource for AV Security
AV Trust serves as an independent resource for identifying, cataloging and communicating security vulnerabilities in AV and UC systems. The organization is dedicated to advancing cybersecurity practices by promoting vulnerability disclosure frameworks and security standards that have long been used in traditional IT environments.
“The AV industry has evolved to embrace more connected architectures, but our security practices haven’t kept pace,” says Douglas Schaefer, President of AV Trust. “We created AV Trust to bring the same security frameworks to AV that have protected IT for decades. Our goal is to make AV systems safer and more consistent for organizations worldwide.”
Opportunities to Get Involved
AV Trust is actively seeking council members from the cybersecurity and AV communities to contribute in the following areas:
- Secretariat Council: Focused on coordinating vulnerability disclosure and communication activities.
- Standards Council: Dedicated to evaluating and creating cybersecurity standards for AV systems.
- Education & Events Council: Responsible for developing educational resources and managing events.
Additionally, AV Trust is calling on companies in the AV industry to provide financial support. Contributions will fund the organization’s operations, security-related events, standards development, and research conducted by security professionals.
A Call to Action for the AV Industry
AV Trust believes that collaboration between the AV and cybersecurity communities is essential to addressing systemic security issues, particularly those found in IoT devices. By fostering partnerships and promoting best practices, the organization aims to position the AV industry as a valuable ally in the global effort to enhance cybersecurity.
Industry members are encouraged to learn more and get involved by visiting the AV Trust website at avtrust.org or connecting on LinkedIn.
Together, AV Trust and its partners are working to ensure that security becomes a cornerstone of AV system design and product development, creating a safer and more reliable technology ecosystem for all.
