Dallas–Fort Worth, Texas – Today, Mark Herrera, president and chief security strategist for Global Awareness Professionals, LLC (GAP), is pleased to announce a comprehensive recalibration of its safety and security training programs to align with the evolving realities of today’s threats. Training curricula have also been adapted for use in event venues, schools, churches, hospitals, and corporations with high-profile headquarters, while meeting the standards of the Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Safety Act framework.
“Threats don’t stay static, and neither should training. This recalibration is about taking what has worked in the field and refining it to address the risks organizations are facing today—without losing the practical, experience-based foundation that effective preparedness depends on,” said Herrera. “More and more organizations are finding they cannot afford ineffective security preparedness. We are developing GAP trainings that are forecast-based on what risk concerns will trend in the next 2-5 years, and training organizations to mitigate them now.”
For more than a decade, GAP has delivered practical, experience-driven safety and security training shaped by real-world operational environments. This latest effort reflects a deliberate decision to ensure those programs remain current, credible, and effective amid increasingly complex threat dynamics, public scrutiny, and accountability for preparedness. GAP’s recalibrated training approach emphasizes the latest behavioral threat recognition techniques, includes models for decision-making under pressure, outlines coordinated response procedures, and offers guidance on integrating with regional public safety partners.
“I’ve known Mark Herrera for over 12 years and have tremendous respect for him as both a leader and mentor in venue safety and security,” said Billy Langenstein, veteran leader in venue and major event security operations. “What sets Mark apart is how he teaches—he inspires confidence, calm, and accountability, equipping people with new tools to add to their toolbox to help them carry out their job. Across the entire industry, Mark leads with integrity, helping shape national safety and security standards.”
The substance of GAP trainings draws on Herrera’s experiences as a retired SWAT Tactical Sergeant, background as a Department of Homeland Security–contracted counterterrorism and crisis response instructor, member of the Department of Homeland Security’s Public Assembly Facilities Sub-Sector Council (PAFSC), FBI training, and a longtime leader in venue safety and security. GAP’s high-profile client list includes the Dallas Independent School District, the Dallas Cowboys, the Dallas Mavericks, the American Airlines Center, the AT&T Performing Arts Center, Dickies Arena, Bass Performance Hall, and others.
“Preparing teams to meet the ever-changing threats to public safety is essential in today’s public spaces”, Herrera adds. “Organizations that invest in their people’s ability to recognize and respond to risk are the ones that protect lives, reputations, and communities.”
About Global Awareness Professionals
Global Awareness Professionals (GAP) is committed to preparing people, strengthening teams, and protecting communities with risk assessment and staff training—because when organizations are prepared, lives are protected. Established in 2015, GAP is now expanding its client base beyond event venues to include schools, churches, hospitals, and other venues serving vulnerable populations. GAP will begin rolling out the updated training frameworks nationwide in 2026, with expanded offerings that integrate emerging technology, scenario-based learning, and cross-sector preparedness strategies.
Visit online at gapglobaltraining.com
