Collections Management and Security: A Look into The National WWII Museum’s Protection Procedures

When: Thursday November 05, 2026 
Webinar Time: 12:00 PM – 12:45 Mountain Time / 2:00 PM - 2:45 Eastern Time (plus post-webinar Q&A)
Presented by: Toni Kiser, Senior Registrar & Director of Collections Management at The National WWII Museum.
Register at: https://ifcpp.org/event-6872507

Collections Management and Security: A Look into The National WWII Museum’s Protection Procedures

The webinar will explore the various ways security protocols can aid in the preservation and protection of the Museum’s varied artifacts. From tanks to teacups Collections Managers and Security Officers oversea a large and diverse collection that requires good communication, access procedures, emergency management planning, and coordination. We’ll explore topics from bad visitor behavior, to firearms protocols.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: November 4
 
ABOUT YOUR PRESENTER: Toni Kiser is the Senior Registrar & Director of Collections Management at The National WWII Museum. She oversees all aspects of registration and collection management and has worked on varied projects from large exhibit installations, digitization projects, storage moves, artifact re-housing, and cataloging and nomenclature standards. She is the author of Loyal Forces: American Animals in WWII and co-editor of Museum Registration Methods, 6th edition. Ms. Kiser has served on the Board for the Association of Registrars and Collection Specialists (ARCS). She holds a BA in History from Brevard College and an MA in Museum Studies from The George Washington University.

Check our our interview with Toni Kiser here!

Register at: https://ifcpp.org/event-6872507
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Live Q&A Forum

Following each 45-minute presentation, attendees are invited to participate in an Open Forum and Live Q&A, providing an opportunity to ask questions, discuss real-world challenges, and engage directly with webinar presenters and fellow professionals. The new member forum will include monthly Zoom gatherings, hot-topic discussion, member-to-member problem-solving, extensive resource-sharing, and recorded discussions for ongoing reference. Practitioners responsible for protecting cultural institutions, collections, visitors, and staff are encouraged to participate. 

One Door. One Credential.

Preventing Tailgating & Piggybacking
It happens quickly. An employee badges into a secure area and, trying to be courteous, holds the door open for the person walking behind them. Someone carrying boxes asks for help getting through a locked entrance. A familiar-looking contractor follows a staff member through an access-controlled door.
 
Most of the time, there's an innocent explanation—but one moment of courtesy can unintentionally bypass an important layer of security. 
 
Tailgating and piggybacking occur when someone enters a controlled area by following an authorized person rather than using their own approved access credential. In museums, libraries, archives, historic sites, universities, and other cultural institutions, this can potentially provide unauthorized access to collections, offices, storage areas, mechanical spaces, or other sensitive locations. ️ ️
 
 What should staff watch for?

•  One person, one credential. Each individual entering a controlled area should use their own authorized access method whenever institutional policy requires it.
•  Don't let packages become a pass. Someone carrying boxes, equipment, or supplies may genuinely need assistance—but their identity and access authorization should still be verified.
•  Don't rely on a badge alone. A visible ID badge does not necessarily mean someone is authorized to enter every area of the facility.
•  Be aware of who follows you through a secured door. Before allowing someone to enter behind you, make sure they are authorized to be there.
•  Be polite but verify. Security doesn't require confrontation. A simple “Hi, can I help you get checked in?” or “You'll need to badge in here as well” can reinforce security while maintaining excellent visitor and customer service.
•  Report concerns. If someone attempts to bypass access controls or repeatedly tries to enter restricted areas, follow your institution's established reporting procedures.

 Remember:

Access control technology only works when we support it with good security habits.
Holding a door may feel courteous, but when it comes to a restricted area, the safest courtesy is helping someone follow the proper access procedure.
 
 One Door. One Credential. One Simple Habit That Helps Protect Everyone.  ️
Protect the people. Protect the facility. Protect the collection.

Become a member of our Group on LinkedIn to connect with your peers that have already joined us there. Then stay tuned to see promos ONLY available to those who participate in this group! Find us by searching: International Foundation for Cultural Property Protection (IFCPP) Official Group
 
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Follow us on X @IFCPP and also search #IFCPP to see what we've been up to.

CONNECT WITH IFCPP

Understanding the U.S. History Sector: Core Issues Briefing Series Webinar: October 14 Using AASLH’s National Census of History Organizations as a primary foundation, attendees to this webinar will learn the ins and outs of the U.S. history sector—its parameters, key characteristics, and top pain points—as well as insights into audience trends. Read more...

Upcoming Training & Development Opportunities

Understanding the U.S. History Sector: Core Issues Briefing Series Webinar: October 14
Using AASLH’s National Census of History Organizations as a primary foundation, attendees to this webinar will learn the ins and outs of the U.S. history sector—its parameters, key characteristics, and top pain points—as well as insights into audience trends. 

Getting Started in Local Advocacy Webinar: October 20
Building on AASLH’s new manual, Speak Up for History: Getting Started in Local Advocacy, this webinar will offer attendees a basic understanding of what local advocacy is and why it matters, ways to translate big ideas into practical and flexible techniques, and concrete examples and tools for getting started. 
Read more...

AASLH

Disaster Preparedness for History Organizations and Sites — October 28, 3 p.m. Eastern, online. Covers institutional risks and mitigation. Details

 
ARSL
Compassion Without Collapse: Boundary Setting for Library Staff Under Pressure — November 5, 2 p.m. Eastern, online. Practical approaches to difficult interactions and maintaining welcoming spaces. Registrants receive the recording. Details
 
ASTC
Developing an AI Policy at Your Institution — November 5, 3–4 p.m. Eastern. Listed on ASTC’s upcoming calendar. Calendar
 
WMA
Disaster & Emergency Preparedness Resources: an ongoing collection covering planning, recovery, and assistance. Resource collection
 
MAAM
Buildy Award nominations close November 9. Eligible museum building projects include construction, additions, and renovations. Building Museums™ follows March 17–19, 2027, in Los Angeles; registration opens in early December. Awards · Symposium

Thank You for Joining Our Art Sentry Webinar!

Thank you to everyone who joined us last week for “When Resources Fall Short: Supporting Museum Security Teams Through Technology.”

A special thank-you to our presenters, Carrie Heflin, Sales Manager at Art Sentry, and Ken Nielsen, Chief of Security at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, for sharing their expertise and perspectives on using technology to support museum security teams and protect cultural collections. 

We appreciate your participation and commitment to cultural property protection! 

AASLH NEWS

Getting Started in Local Advocacy: The history community needs advocacy but often struggles with where to begin. Building on AASLH’s new manual, Speak Up for History: Getting Started in Local Advocacy, this webinar will offer attendees a basic understanding of what local advocacy is and why it matters, ways to translate big ideas into practical and flexible techniques, and concrete examples and tools for getting started. Register here.

This Month: Virtual Workshop on NAGPRA: Register here

AASLH Encourages Your Participation in Museums on Call: Learn more

Show Your AASLH Pride! Visit the AASLH Store

NEWS FROM THE FIELD

Smithsonian Integrity and Historical Independence Act: Read more. 

Only 1 in 10 Americans Support Censoring Museum Content: Read more

Curating a Milestone and Embracing Complexity for America’s 250th: Read more

AASLH EVENTS

Webinars
October: Core Issues Briefing Series Bundle
October 7: Engaging Younger Generations: Core Issues Briefing Series – THIS WEEK
October 14: Understanding the U.S. History Sector: Core Issues Briefing Series
October 20: Getting Started in Local Advocacy
October 21: Doing History in Polarized Times: Core Issues Briefing Series
October 27: AASLH History Hour: Is This Place Haunted? – FREE
October 28: Disaster Preparedness for History Organizations: Core Issues Briefing Series
November 4: Understanding the U.S. History Workforce: Core Issues Briefing Series

November 17: Level Up Your Site's Membership Program – NEW
December 8: What is STEPS and Can It Help My Site? – FREE

Workshops
October 21: Deaccessioning Deep Dive (Virtual)
October 22: NAGPRA Essentials for History Organizations (Virtual)
November 18: Basics of Archive Management (Virtual)
November 19: Basics of Fundraising (Virtual)
February 4, 2027: Designing History Walking Tours (Virtual)
May 20, 2027: Reimagining the Historic House Museum (Waltham, Massachusetts) – NEW
June 7 – 8, 2027: Collections Camp: Textiles (Richmond, Virginia)

Instructor-Led Online Course
January 11 - February 7: Introduction to Financial Management
January 11 - March 7: Collections Management 100: Collection Development
January 11 - March 7: Museum Education and Outreach
January 11 - March 7: Developing Exhibitions
January 11 - March 11: Basics of Archives

On Demand Online Courses
Accessibility for Historical Organizations
Creating Engaging Social Media Content for History Organizations
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for History Organizations
Foundational Principles of LGBTQ+ Inclusion
Introduction to Fundraising
Introduction to Indigenous History
Program Planning for Nonprofits

On October 8, 2026, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), National Security Agency (NSA), and international partners issued a joint Cybersecurity Advisory warning that Integrity Technology Group (Integrity Tech), a China-based cybersecurity company, is enabling threat actors to target multiple critical infrastructure sectors worldwide using a range of sophisticated tools, such as large-scale botnets, virtual private network infrastructure and living off the land.  

 

With ties to the Chinese government, Integrity Tech is a key enabler of malicious cyber activity by acquiring or developing cyber tools, hosting infrastructure, and compromising networks globally. These Integrity Tech-enabled threat actors are using tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) consistent with activity publicly known as Flax Typhoon, Ethereal Panda, and Red Juliett. To maintain long-term, stealthy access to networks, these actors are targeting edge devices that are not closely monitored by the targeted organization.  

 

The advisory includes a range of actionable steps for network defenders to secure edge infrastructure and protect their networks which includes patching the listed known exploited common vulnerabilities and exposures (CVEs). Critical infrastructure across sectors being targeted include government, critical manufacturing, and healthcare. They also targeted victims in US law enforcement, religious and education organizations.   

 

Based on real-world investigations and observed activity in North America, Southeast Asia and Africa, this advisory provides recommended mitigations and information to help network defenders detect and respond to this malicious activity. CISA urges organizations to review this advisory to be aware of the wide range of tactics used by these actors and implement recommended actions and mitigations. The advisory underscores the critical role of collaboration between government agencies and the private sector. 

 

For more information, please visit China Threat Overview and Advisories.  

Understanding the U.S. History Sector: Core Issues Briefing Series Webinar: October 14
Using AASLH’s National Census of History Organizations as a primary foundation, attendees to this webinar will learn the ins and outs of the U.S. history sector—its parameters, key characteristics, and top pain points—as well as insights into audience trends. Register Here.

Getting Started in Local Advocacy Webinar: October 20
Building on AASLH’s new manual, Speak Up for History: Getting Started in Local Advocacy, this webinar will offer attendees a basic understanding of what local advocacy is and why it matters, ways to translate big ideas into practical and flexible techniques, and concrete examples and tools for getting started. Register Here.

Doing History in Polarized Times: Core Issues Briefing Series Webinar: October 21
Political and cultural divisions in America today pose great challenges to the history field. This webinar will explore recent research and tested strategies to help history practitioners work more effectively in today’s fractious discourse. Register Here.

NAGPRA Essentials for History Organizations Virtual Workshop: October 22

Feeling overwhelmed and underprepared to comply with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA)? During this workshop, Bernstein & Associates NAGPRA Consultants will provide an overview of NAGPRA and the 2024 updated regulations as well as offer a roadmap to repatriation. Register Here.

 AASLH History Hour: Is This Place Haunted?: October 27

Join us for some spooky fun at October's History Hour, AASLH's free monthly online meet up. At this History Hour, there will be three rounds of breakout sessions. You'll meet a new set of peers during each round. Register Here.

Disaster Preparedness for History Organizations: Core Issues Briefing Series Webinar: October 28

While every history institution is susceptible to disasters of some kind, properly preparing for such events can promote more effective recovery. Attend this webinar to gain a deeper understanding of the risks an organization should consider and how to mitigate them. Register Here.

Understanding the U.S. History Workforce: Core Issues Briefing Series Webinar: November 4

Who works in the history field today? Attendees will learn about data and insights that can support making informed decisions, advocate for needed change, and building more sustainable institutions through this clearer, more complete picture of the people who power the history sector. Register Here.

Become an AASLH member and join a national community of history practitioners that support and learn from each other.