Monday, 30 September 2019

Town Of Smithtown Earns $50,000 Cyber Security Grant

The New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) awarded the Town of Smithtown $50,000 in grant funding for cyber security, the Town announced.

This is the second year in a row that the Town has received this award, intended to enhance and sustain the Town’s approach to securing confidential data and personal information.

“With the many threats out there making news headlines, from hacked emails to ransomware and malware, we have an obligation to defend the sensitive information our community entrusts us to secure,” Supervisor Edward R. Wehrheim stated via press release. “The funding from this grant will serve as a great assistance in our efforts to update our digital infrastructure and modernize equipment.”

The grant will go toward resources and equipment necessary to prevent disruption and defend the integrity and the use of Town-wide information systems. Additionally, the grant will aid the Town in assessing cyber security risks and developing actionable plans that focus on response and immediate remediation to cyber incidents. Lastly, the grant will work to ensure that Smithtown is equipped with the knowledge and resources necessary for providing cyber security awareness training to staff.

Thursday, 26 September 2019

Paul Viollis Public Speaker & Personal Trainer in UK

Prior to assuming the Chief Executive position of Viollis Group International, Paul Viollis professional business resume includes: CEO of Risk Control Strategies; President & CEO of Corporate Risk Consulting; Senior Managing Director for Citigate Global Intelligence & Security; and Vice President at Kroll, where he served on their post September 11th Threat Assessment Team.

Wednesday, 25 September 2019

Story by Paul Viollis on Wattpad

Paul Viollis has dedicated his career to the protection of country, as well as, the shareholder value of the businesses he has navigated to the pinnacle of their respective vertical markets.

On his speaking tours, his hands on expertise in subject areas of behavioral analysis, leadership development, corporate espionage, extortion/stalking, cyber security, family protection, and workplace violence allows Paul Viollis to develop unforeseeable insights that will have you at the edge of your seat and captivate your audience.

Darren Huston Tells on CNBC- Priceline is in Competition

After beating earnings expectations, Darren Huston discusses how macro factors like oil and terrorism impact the travel environment.

darrenhuston, darren-huston

Tuesday, 24 September 2019

Paul Viollis on Behance

Paul Viollis — Discussion

Each morning in Paris, Paul Viollis (who requested a pseudonym because of privacy concerns), his wife and their 10-year-old son would stroll out of the Hotel George V, where suites can go for $5,000 a night, to meet their personal security detail: two strapping ex-military men who cost $2,000 a day.

Darren Huston Profile on Dbpedia

About Darren Huston

Born - 3 January 1966 Hope, British Columbia, Canada

Residence - Amsterdam, Netherlands

Nationality - Canadian

Alma mater - Trent University, University of British Columbia, Harvard Business School

Salary - US$21,966,094 (total compensation)

Successor - Jeffery H. Boyd

See Full Profile : http://dbpedia.org/page/Darren_Huston

Monday, 23 September 2019

Charlottesville's Security Concerns for Aug 12th Anniversary | Paul Viollis


Paul Viollis, CBS News Security Analyst, talks with Les Sinclair about security concerns that might impact us, in Charlottesville, as the Aug 12th anniversary approaches.

Friday, 20 September 2019

Paul Viollis about injured in shooting at Colorado school

Paul Viollis, CBS Law Enforcement Analyst is discussing about people have been injured in a shooting at a school in Highlands Ranch in Colorado and Police said at least 2 people are in custody.



Thursday, 19 September 2019

Paul Viollis - El Paso And Dayton Mass Shootings

Paul Viollis, CBS Law Enforcement & Security Analyst joined AM Tampa Bay to discuss the El Paso and Dayton mass shootings that took place this weekend. Viollis is an expert analysis of mass shootings. Viollis is an expert analysis of mass shootings.

Wednesday, 18 September 2019

Paul Viollis Speaks With Nypost On The Security Brief

Wealthy New Yorkers are increasingly turning to hard bodies to protect them during European vacations, particularly in cities such as London, Paris and Berlin that have been hit with high-profile terrorism, say Paul Viollis security experts.

“I can’t fill them fast enough,” said CASS Global Security founder Shawn Engbrecht of requests for vacation bodyguards.

Rich people are hiring bodyguards to go to Disney World.

“Our summer was huge . . . on the heels of what happened in Paris and London,” said Paul Viollis, CEO of Viollis Group International, a global security firm. “We’ve gotten maybe 20 new clients.”

Paul Viollis firm offers multiple layers of protection — from security drivers and armored vehicles with bulletproof glass to vacation bodyguards. But in the case of a suicide bomber or a truck plowing into a crowd, what can a bodyguard even do?
Engbrecht says it’s all about intel and prevention.


“The venues [where terrorists have struck in these cities] are absolutely predictable. We make sure [the client] is not sitting in an outdoor cafe at [the wrong] times,” based on intelligence gathered from governmental and private contacts, said Engbrecht, who charges up to $1,500 per day per guard. 

“When we go to Paris, we avoid the large concerts or venues where there are people in a concentrated area. We avoid anything that can be a target.”

Guards are also trained to take down an active shooter, if need be.

“They can’t predict a terrorist attack, but they can advise you to avoid an area where you shouldn’t be,” said Paul Michael Viollis.

Darren Huston Booking Agent Contact Details

Companies and event planners have turned to Speaker Booking Agency when looking to contact Darren Huston’s booking agent. Our close relationship with Darren Huston’s Manager, Publicist, Assistant and Agent provides us direct access to Darren Huston schedule and availability.
For this reason, many have turned to our agency for Darren Huston’s booking fee, appearance fee, speaking fee, endorsement and/or marketing campaign cost. Our celebrity speakers bureau has successfully aligned talent like Darren Huston with companies needing a guest speaker for conventions, conferences, trade shows, graduations, store grand opening, product launches and much more.


Tuesday, 17 September 2019

Informational Diary: Paul Viollis : Director at Virtus Risk Management

Informational Diary: Paul Viollis : Director at Virtus Risk Management: Paul Viollis is a Director at Virtus Risk Management and advises on our International strategy. Paul Viollis has a proven track record ...

Paul Viollis : Director at Virtus Risk Management

Paul Viollis is a Director at Virtus Risk Management and advises on our International strategy. Paul Viollis has a proven track record of leading security and investigations companies to the top of their respective vertical markets within the United States and brings a wealth of knowledge to the Board and Virtus Risk Management.

Paul Viollis has over thirty years’ experience in the security and investigations industry, having previously served as Chief Executive of Risk Control Strategies and Vice President at Kroll, where he served on their post-September 11th Threat Assessment Team. He is a respected and leading security expert in the United States, hosting the Security Brief TV and radio show, appearing regularly in the media and is lead editor of numerous Jane’s security publications.
Prior to his career in the private security sector, Paul Viollis acted as Supervisor for the New York District Attorney’s office, Security specialist under the United States Space Command and Commanding Officer of a Florida State Police Academy.

Booking.com Made Brand Push in Canada : Darren Huston

Darren Huston knows all about hotel rooms — staying in one at least 80 days a year for his job.

As chief executive officer of Booking.com, an Amsterdam-based hotel accommodation website, Huston says free Wi-Fi is a priority for him.

“Everyone has their own preferences. I have a lot of devices, so I love free Wi-Fi,” he said. “Free and good Wi-Fi makes a huge difference.”
Darren Huston also believes hotels sometimes underestimate the value of having a pleasant person greet a guest at check-in. “That first impression of coming to the desk, and what does it feel like?” he believes can be a key to the experience.

You Must Be Interested In —

With increased Internet bookings, travellers have many more options today — widened immensely thanks to endless photos, detailed reviews and vivid descriptions.

“Think about 20 years ago, you would go to the local travel agency, and you’d say, ‘I’m thinking of going to Tuscany,’ ” Huston said in an interview at Toronto’s Shangri-La hotel.

Sunday, 15 September 2019

The one percent’s new status symbol: Armed bodyguards on vacation

When Upper East Side dad Michael planned a French getaway for his family this summer, his first move wasn’t to book a hotel. Instead, he contacted armed guards.

Each morning in Paris, Michael (who requested a pseudonym because of privacy concerns), his wife and their 10-year-old son would stroll out of the Hotel George V, where suites can go for $5,000 a night, to meet their personal security detail: two strapping ex-military men who cost $2,000 a day.

“I’m not a worrywart,” said the 38-year-old, who runs a lending fund. “But once you start having kids, [you want] peace of mind against terrorism.”

Wealthy New Yorkers are increasingly turning to hard bodies to protect them during European vacations, particularly in cities such as London, Paris and Berlin that have been hit with high-profile terrorism, say security experts.

“I can’t fill them fast enough,” said CASS Global Security founder Shawn Engbrecht of requests for vacation bodyguards.

Rich people are hiring bodyguards to go to Disney World

“Our summer was huge . . . on the heels of what happened in Paris and London,” said Paul Viollis, CEO of Viollis Group International, a global security firm. “We’ve gotten maybe 20 new clients.”
His firm offers multiple layers of protection — from security drivers and armored vehicles with bulletproof glass to vacation bodyguards. But in the case of a suicide bomber or a truck plowing into a crowd, what can a bodyguard even do?

Engbrecht says it’s all about intel and prevention.

Friday, 13 September 2019

EveryThing You Need To Know About Darren Huston

Full Name — Darren R. Huston
Born — 3 January 1966 (age 50) (1966–01–03) Hope, British Columbia, Canada
Salary — US$21,966,094 (total compensation)
Alma mater — Trent University, University of British Columbia, Harvard Business School
Nationality — Canadian
Residence — Amsterdam, Netherlands
Darren Huston completed his high school education at the United World College of the Adriatic in Italy, received a BS in Economics from Trent University, an MA in Economics from the University of British Columbia, and an MBA from the Harvard Business School.
From 1990 to 1992 Darren Huston was an economic advisor in the Canadian government. From 1994 to 1998 he held an executive position with McKinsey & Company. From 1998 to 2003 he was a Senior Vice President at Starbucks. In 2005 he became President and CEO of Microsoft Japan, and from 2008 served as Microsoft’s Corporate Vice President, leading the company’s Consumer & Online business. He joined Booking.com as CEO in September 2011, and became CEO of parent company Priceline on 1 January 2014…

Business Leader Darren Huston - Biography

Darren Huston was the President & CEO of The Priceline Group. Mr. Huston was also Chief Executive Officer of Booking.com B.V. (Netherlands), a wholly owned subsidiary of The Priceline Group and the number one online hotel reservation service in the world, a position he held since September 2011.

Mr. Huston came to the Group from Microsoft Corporation, where he served as Corporate Vice President, Consumer & Online from 2008 and President & CEO of Microsoft Japan from 2005. 

Prior to joining Microsoft in 2003, Darren Huston was Senior Vice President at Starbucks Corporation, responsible for acquisitions and new product development. Mr. Huston holds a Masters in Economics from the University of British Columbia and a Masters in Business Administration from Harvard University.

Read Full @ https://www.allamericanspeakers.com/celebritytalentbios/Darren+Huston/392766

Wednesday, 11 September 2019

Priceline Darren Huston : We Have Double the Hotel Bookings of Expedia

While Expedia dominated headlines with its more than $6 billion worth of acquisitions in 2015, the Priceline Group needs to win the narrative back and CEO Darren Huston made his case about his company’s competitive advantages.

“Our capabilities and scale in partner acquisition, customer experience, and efficient demand generation plus our large installed base of accommodations and loyal travelers give the Priceline Group a competitive moat that is deep and wide,” Huston said.
If there were any doubts that Huston’s comments were at least in part an answer to some of Expedia’s gains, including Expedia’s 39 percent fourth quarter growth in room nights sold, although they were pumped up by acquisitions, then consider this Huston zinger:
“Our customers made reservations for over 432 million room nights on Priceline Group platforms in 2015, over twice as many as our next biggest competitor,” Huston said.


He added: “We don’t take any competitor lightly, and we compete ferociously every day, continuously seeking a higher executional gear in every facet of our business.”

Beyond all of the rhetoric from the Priceline and Expedia camps, we decided to compare some of their most important fourth quarter of 2015 metrics despite the fact that they are very different businesses. The Priceline Group is more hotel-oriented and derives more of its revenue from non-U.S. points of sale while Expedia Inc. offers a more well-rounded assortment of products, including a much bigger airline-tickets business, cruises and tours and activities.

Darren Huston – Should Robots Ever look like us

Humanoid robots are a recognizable trope in popular culture, but do machines look a bit creepy and possibly harmful like us?

Whether it’s the robotics books by Isaac Asimov, the 1980s film character Johnny 5, Hollywood’s Avengers: The Age of Ultron or the sci-fi drama Humans by Channel 4, there has long been a fascination with robots becoming sensitive in popular culture-humans who can experience emotions and human-like consciousness.

But how realistic is the prospect of robots that become almost indistinguishable from humans-and desirable?

Also Read : Priceline Darren Huston: Focus on organic growth 

Ben Goertzel, the creator of Sophia, a Hanson Robotics-based social humanoid robot from Hong Kong, thinks that robots should look like humans to assist “break down doubts and reservations that individuals may have” about interacting with them.

“Because individuals like them, you’ll have humanoid robots,” he informs the BBC. “They’d rather give orders or complain about their girlfriend to a humanoid robot than to the Roomba [a vacuum cleaner robot].” “I think [Softbank’s] pepper robot is very ugly. It’s kind of like a rolling kiosk. Sophia’s going to look at you in the eye; it’s going to mirror your facial movements.

Read Full Article @ https://ceojournals.com/tag/darren-huston/

Monday, 9 September 2019

Paul Viollis Author & Lead Editor!!

Paul Viollis is the author and lead editor for Jane's Publishing's book "Workplace Security” and Contributing Editor for Jane's. He is co-author of "Silent Safety – Best Practices for Protecting the Affluent”. He appears regularly on the FOX Business Network as well as other national television and radio outlets.

Paul Viollis holds the distinction of Honorary Assistant Attorney General for the State of Louisiana. He holds a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, a Master of Public Administration, and a Ph.D. in Philosophy.


Read Here: https://www.foxbusiness.com/person/v/paul-viollis

Darren Huston- Chief Executive Officer of Booking.com

Darren Huston, who is a Canadian native, brings a deep portfolio of related experience to Booking.com. Since 2008, he served as Microsoft Corporation’s Corporate Vice President, Consumer & Online, responsible for the company’s consumer and advertising businesses in over 40 countries. From 2005-2008, he served as President and Chief Executive Officer, Microsoft Japan, which is the company’s largest subsidiary outside the United States.

Before joining Microsoft in 2003, Darren Huston was a Senior Vice President at Starbucks Corporation, responsible for acquisitions and new product development. He has also served as an executive with McKinsey & Company, and as an economic advisor to the Government of Canada. Mr. Huston holds an MBA from Harvard Business School, an MA/Economics from the University of British Columbia, and a BS/Economics from Ontario’s Trent University.

“Darren Huston has extensive knowledge of two landscapes that are very important to the continued success of Booking.com,” said Jeffery H. Boyd, President and CEO of Priceline. “He is extremely familiar with the online marketing landscape and the strategies that work in different markets around the world. And his leadership of business activities in Japan and 40 other countries position him to understand the global landscape, market conditions, and growth opportunities facing Booking.com.” 





Read :
Darren Huston buy OpenTable for $2.6B


“Booking.com is fortunate to bring on board a chief executive of Darren Huston’s caliber,” said Mr. Koolen. “His global familiarity and his online expertise blend extremely well with Booking.com’s corporate culture. Our hotel supplier partners and customers around the globe will benefit as he puts his expertise to work on their behalf. I look forward to working with Darren in his new role.” “The rapid and sustained growth of Booking.com has been incredible,” said Mr. Huston.

“After meeting the team, I attribute this performance in large part to the superior caliber of Booking.com’s management and its highly dedicated employees in more than 50 offices around the world. Globally, there are significant opportunities for our business, both in core markets and in developing ones. I look forward to leveraging these opportunities with my new Booking.com and Priceline Group colleagues.”

Read Full Article @
https://news.booking.com/darren-huston-named-chief-executive-officer-of-booking-com/

Sunday, 8 September 2019

Risk and Security | An Interview with Paul Viollis

For over three decades, Paul Viollis has dedicated his career to the protection of our country, as well as to the shareholder value of the businesses he has navigated to the pinnacle of their respective vertical markets.

What was your vision in creating Viollis Group International?

Our industry has withered considerably since we began, despite our original projections, leaving our firm positioned where we are today. My vision was truly global. When I was CEO of Risk Control Strategies, the vision there was much more domestic. As the world became more spontaneous with respect to need and the nature of a client’s desire for instant solutions on a global scale became more apparent, the need to be truly global was evident.

When I created Viollis Group, my intent was to reach back out to people I had worked with over my 38-year career from all different walks of life to come join me.

The vision was also to have a greater depth of technology and technological solutions and investigation, and that’s what we’ve built.


How have the service offerings evolved and what is Viollis Group’s sweet spot?

Information has become the cornerstone of the entire firm. One would think it would be cyber, and that is important. However, when we think about the forensic side of the investigation and when it comes to representing either very wealthy people or very large corporations, the nefarious individuals that are going to target that demographic will most likely not be found.

Cyber is more of a breezeway to the overall intelligence gathering we pride ourselves on. This ranges from in-depth investigative due diligence to the type of information that is available through cyber intelligence. These have enabled us to position ourselves with very large corporations, law firms, private equity firms, venture capital firms, hedge funds, private individuals, personal investors and institutional investors that are looking for information that is not readily available.

We dovetail that with advanced information gathering on what is going on in the world. We garner information on people and entities, validate intentions and peel back the onion so we can clearly crystallize who people should and should not be in business with.


Read Full Interview @ http://www.leadersmag.com/issues/2018.2_Apr/ROB/LEADERS-Paul-Viollis-Viollis-Group-International.html

Thursday, 5 September 2019

Alumnus Darren Huston Visited the College and Held a Lecture

Alumnus Darren Huston (UWCAD 83-85), visits the College and establishes a new scholarship scheme.

Alumni are not just the “primary outcome" of UWC. They are also a source of sometimes unexpected ways to support fundraising for scholarships. While he was CEO of Booking.com alumnus Darren Huston (UWCAD 83-85) visited the College and held a lecture. 

darrenhuston, darren-huston, darren_huston


While he was talking about his life and career he was struck by the fact that his audience comprised so many young travelers from around the world and that all UWC alumni travel too – actually, as UWCers they tend to do so quite extensively! So – he thought – how about creating a way for the Alumni to give to the College simply by using Booking.com?

The grant is open-ended and variable and depends on the bookings our alumni, students and staff members make through Booking.com: the greater the bookings, the higher the grant! When the grant amount reaches the value of a scholarship it is allocated to a student as a Booking.com Scholarship.

So, when using the services provided by Booking.com, whether for holidays or work-related travel, please remember to use this link and why not ask friends and relatives to use it too? No additional costs are involved and you will be contributing to supporting future generations of young “travellers of the mind”!

Read Full Article @ https://www.uwcad.it/code/16522/Booking-com-scholarship

Why Driving Brand Value Matters Explained By Darren Huston

Skift has a fascinating interview with Darren Huston that covers a range of topics. But the one that really got the attention revolved around his views of meta search. It’s not every day that Priceline explains why driving brand value matters and it’s well worth your time. Here’s the first quote that leapt off the screen:

“Huston is fairly dismissive of price-driven meta search in general and the now-you-see-it, now-you-don’t pricing games that are endemic to lot of meta search sites.”

darren-huston, darren_huston
He continues:

    “We’d like to win not through constantly buying customers, but more creating experiences that customers want to have. That’s been the belief. I think that across the [Priceline] Group we believe in creating great products that people actually want to use and great customer experiences. That will, at the end of the day, carry the day. That’s a more valuable way to create a long term sustainable business than being in the market every year having to re-buy your customers.”

And, just to underscore that point, he adds:

    “We like selling experience versus selling things. We also believe there’s a large body of customers who are looking for value more than just saving a dollar on a hotel room.”

Now, remember, this is Priceline, a company originally founded on the idea of travelers naming their own price, a company that owns Booking.com. And here’s the CEO suggesting that the real opportunity isn’t in competing on price; it’s about competing on value.

Read Full Article @
https://www.timpeter.com/2015/02/10/ceo-darren-huston-priceline-explains-why-driving-brand-value-matters-travel-tuesday/

Tuesday, 3 September 2019

Darren Huston buy OpenTable for $2.6B

Extending its reach into restaurant reservations, online travel giant Priceline Group CEO Darren Huston buy OpenTable for $2.6 billion.

Priceline paid $103 per share in cash, which is a 46% premium over OpenTable’s Thursday closing price of $70.43.

OpenTable’s stock soared 48% to $104.48 Friday. Shares of Priceline were down 3% to $1,189.

OpenTable charges restaurants monthly fees to seat diners who book their reservations online. It has an inventory of more than 31,000 restaurants, and seats more than 15 million diners a month.





“Travelers are diners,” Priceline CEO and President Darren Huston said in a conference call with analysts and reporters. It’s the same customers. There’s opportunity to cross-promote brands.

“We spent a long time looking at OpenTable. It’s been on our radar for a long time. We felt now was a good time,” Darren Huston said.

Darren Huston said Priceline’s first goal is to expand OpenTable internationally. Users can already book restaurants through OpenTable in London, Berlin, Hong Kong and other cities, but Darren Huston said he wanted to bring it to more cities. Since Priceline already has “offices in every major city in the world,” doing so should be seamless, Huston said.

OpenTable will still be based in San Francisco and will operate as an independent business led by its current management team.

Since its start in 1998 as Priceline.com — a “name your price” site for airline seats, hotel rooms and rented cars — Priceline Group has grown into a colossus on which consumers can shop for U.S. and international accommodations, as well as cruises and vacation packages.

Read Full Article @ https://ceojournals.com/darren-huston-priceline-ceo-to-buy-opentable-for-2-6b/

Police Investigating Suspects in Dayton and El Paso Shootings, Paul Viollis


Federal and local authorities are working together to investigate the shootings in Dayton, Ohio and El Paso, Texas. The Dayton shooting suspect was killed by police, while the El Paso suspect was apprehended alive. 

Paul Viollis, CBS News law enforcement and security analyst and host of "Security Matters" on CBS News Radio, joined CBSN to discuss.


Monday, 2 September 2019

CBS News Radio Adds Daily 'Security Matters With Paul Viollis' Feature

CBS NEWS RADIO is launched a daily feature on safety and security issues. "SECURITY MATTERS WITH PAUL VIOLLIS" starts and is hosted by CBS NEWS security consultant VIOLLIS, CEO of VIOLLIS GROUP INTERNATIONAL and an expert on cybercrime, terrorism, and other security issues affecting the public and country. The series will also be available as a weekly podcast and will offer "Parents Alert" reports on security issues affecting family and children.

paul viollis, paul-viollis, paul_viollis


VP/GM CRAIG SWAGLER said, “We’re delighted to offer PAUL’s insight and expertise to our affiliates. PAUL speaks to the ever-present concern for safety and those issues that keep us up at night: the safety of our families, businesses, our country and the world.”

Read Full Article @ https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/186101/cbs-news-radio-adds-daily-security-matters-with-pa

Personal Security Show Hosted By Paul Viollis

Security expert Paul Viollis hosts a show about personal security. Each episode begins with true crime story that will keep you on the edge of your seats. Viollis then offers real-world solutions to help you protect yourself, you family and loved ones from similar situations.



Read Here:
https://www.nyc.com/arts__attractions/the_security_brief_with_paul_viollis.1313896/

Microsoft's AI Generates Chinese and English Voices

Analysts at Zhejiang College and Microsoft announce they've built up an AI system — DeepSinger — that may produce performing voices i...