Welcome to November! It’s cliché, but somehow, we’ve reached the home stretch of 2026, and if you’re wondering where the year went, you’re not alone. November is an interesting month. Its name comes from the Latin word novem, meaning nine, because it was originally the ninth month of the Roman calendar. Apparently, even the Romans struggled with calendar management! This month brings several important occasions, including Election Day on November 3, the U.S. Marine Corps’ 251st birthday on November 10, Veterans Day on November 11, and Thanksgiving on November 26. We also turned our clocks back on November 1, gaining an extra hour of sleep—or, for some of us, an extra hour to catch up on emails. As we recognize Veterans Day, I want to extend my sincere appreciation to those who have served our country, including the many veterans on our team here at COSECURE, and throughout our profession whose leadership, sacrifice, and commitment to service continue to make a difference.
November also marks the unofficial beginning of “the season of opportunity”—unfortunately, not just for retailers, but for criminals as well. Between holiday shopping, increased travel, crowded public venues, and year-end business activities, November presents a unique combination of physical and cybersecurity risks. Black Friday and Cyber Monday bring a surge in online transactions, accompanied by phishing emails, fraudulent shopping websites, fake delivery notifications, and increasingly convincing AI-generated scams. Meanwhile, crowded shopping centers, holiday events, and transportation hubs create additional concerns involving theft, suspicious behavior, and personal safety. With shorter daylight hours and the distractions of the holiday season, it’s also a good time for every organization to reinforce policies and practices related to access control, visitor management, employee awareness, and emergency preparedness. Remember, criminals don’t take the holidays off—and apparently, they don’t believe in work-life balance either! A little vigilance, a healthy dose of skepticism, and a commitment to established security practices can go a long way toward protecting our people, property, and information.
Finally, November is a month for gratitude, and Thanksgiving provides an opportunity to reflect on the people and relationships that matter most. At COSECURE, I’m especially thankful for our extraordinary team of professionals, the clients who place their trust in us, and the partners who share our commitment to building safer workplaces, schools, and communities. As we approach the end of another busy year, I’m reminded that effective security isn’t simply about technology, policies, or procedures—it’s about people, relationships, and a culture of looking out for one another. Whether you’re traveling, hosting family, volunteering in your community, or preparing for the annual debate over who makes the best Thanksgiving stuffing, I encourage everyone to take a moment to appreciate what matters most. From all of us at COSECURE, have a safe, healthy, and happy Thanksgiving. And remember, the only thing you should be leaving unsecured this holiday season is that extra button on your pants after dinner!
Stay Safe!
Dan Pascale, CPP
Chief Executive Officer