Deb Andersen, PSP, CISSP has built a career at the intersection of physical security, cybersecurity, risk management and people protection. As Security Administrator for Physical and Cyber Security at MWI Direct, she manages security policies, programmes and training across both disciplines, bringing together areas that are still too often treated separately.
With more than 15 years of security experience, Andersen has developed programmes across corporate, manufacturing, banking, education and community environments. Her previous work includes building the physical security and Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism programme for a global manufacturer, conducting third-party vendor assessments for a global bank and helping schools and churches implement security solutions. She holds both the ASIS Physical Security Professional and ISC2 CISSP certifications, reflecting the breadth of her expertise across physical and digital risk.
Connecting physical, cyber and workplace risk
Andersen’s approach is centred on how security operates in the real world. In 2025, she co-authored a practice paper in the Journal of Business Continuity & Emergency Planning examining how workplace violence strategies must evolve for remote, hybrid and on-site workforces. The research highlights that duty of care extends beyond the traditional office and that modern security programmes need to consider employees, information and assets wherever work takes place.
That same cross-disciplinary thinking is evident in her current role. Andersen has helped MWI Direct progress from SOC 1 Type II to SOC 2 Type II certification, while continuing to manage physical security alongside cyber policy and training. She also serves as President of the Nebraska InfraGard Member Alliance, supporting collaboration between private-sector organisations, the FBI and other public-sector partners around critical infrastructure protection.
Keeping people at the centre of security
Alongside her operational responsibilities, Andersen consistently contributes to the wider profession through speaking, writing and industry discussion. In 2026, she joined Gigi Agassini and Kehkashan Dadwani on The Security Circle podcast for The Risk of Being Human, exploring trust, psychology, resilience and the importance of retaining human judgement as AI becomes more embedded in security.
She has also contributed to a three-part 2026 discussion series examining women’s mental health, wellbeing and sustained performance in security leadership.
These conversations address an area often overlooked in a profession built around readiness and resilience: the wellbeing of the people expected to make high-pressure decisions.
Her wider service includes leadership within ASIS, including chapter-level roles, and longstanding involvement with InfraGard. Andersen’s contribution combines technical credibility with a clear focus on people, collaboration and continuous improvement, demonstrating how effective security leadership can strengthen organisations while also strengthening the profession itself.
