CCTV Systems

Only a few years ago, the “inevitable shift” to all things cloud was met with guarded optimism. But today, the shift is becoming more of a reality in K-12 schools. While many physical security departments were previously hesitant to consider cloud-connected solutions, they now have a greater understanding of the benefits these solutions bring.  Cloud solutions are helping school campuses better utilize resources to achieve goals while minimizing operational complexity. Cost is an important driver for many schools. While on-premises security solutions remain common, the investment in infrastructure can be significant. Servers, information technology (IT) and security staff, wiring, software installations, maintenance, and updates all add up. Cloud solutions offer an alternative, especially for schools that have limited IT resources to manage and maintain servers and hardware. While some institutions have transitioned fully to a cloud-based system, many find a hybrid solution app...

SILVER SPRING, Md. – The Security Industry Association ( SIA ) has named three recipients of the 2025  Sandy Jones Volunteer of the Year Award . Pauline Norstrom, Yazmina Rawji and Joey St. Jacques will be honored with the award at The Advance , SIA’s annual membership meeting, which will be held April 1 during ISC West 2025. The Sandy Jones Volunteer of the Year Award is named in honor of Sandra Jones, principal of Sandra Jones and Company, a prolific SIA volunteer and co-founder of the executive conference  Securing New Ground . The award is presented annually to SIA volunteers “who have made tireless efforts to expand SIA’s programs and services.” More About the 2025 SIA Volunteers of the Year Norstrom is the founder and CEO of Anekanta AI and Anekanta Consulting, which are artificial intelligence and research brands providing AI strategy, governance and AI literacy services to businesses around the world. She is the architect of the business, and with her team she h...

Last time we met, I shared my thoughts about how artificial intelligence is “good” and will help the innovative security integrator work smarter and leverage emerging technology. If done with planning, process and training, they will stand a good chance of increasing growth and profit opportunities, while differentiating themselves from their competitors. All good, right? Here’s the thing, though: this is a two-edged sword because you cannot have good without the other side of the blade, namely “bad.” What could possibly go bad with artificial intelligence? Let me help you count the ways. What Could Go Bad with Artificial Intelligence You have not thought through the steps needed to successfully market, sell and install AI technologies. Just because customers ask about the shiny, new, AI-enabled cameras or VMS they saw at a recent trade show and want a quote does not mean you are ready to dive into a shallow pool of knowledge. If it does happen, don’t step on that land mine of o...

CANTON, Ga.— As the security industry converges at ISC West, Gallagher Security boasts that it is preparing for more than just another trade show. The company says that for its team, this year’s event is about forging connections, challenging industry norms, and exploring new possibilities that security technology can unlock for businesses. With a commitment to delivering more value, greater flexibility, and stronger partnerships, Gallagher is inviting attendees to experience firsthand how security can drive real business impact beyond traditional protection. “For us, ISC West is more than a showcase of technology – it’s a catalyst for meaningful conversations and industry evolution,” explains Melissa Vidakovic, director of marketing, the Americas, Gallagher Security . “We’re excited to meet with customers, partners, and industry leaders to explore how security can deliver more value, more options, and more opportunities for organizations across every sector.” Gallagher Security Out...

IRVING, Texas — The National Systems Contractors Association ( NSCA ) announced the five recipients of the 2025 Excellence in Business Awards at the 27th annual Business & Leadership Conference (BLC) , celebrating the top security and AV member companies for their standout performances in the past 12 months. The 2025 Excellence in Business winners are: Business Performance: PTG, Wixom, Mich . Customer Experience:  Solutionz, Inc, Pacific Palisades, Calif. Differentiating Strategies:  ECC, Lincoln, Neb . Employee Engagement:  Primary Systems, Old Bridge, N.J. Talent Development:  Verrex, Mountainside, N.J. “Despite the relentless challenges they face, integrators continue to demonstrate ingenuity as they navigate through turbulence and NSCA is constantly impressed,” says NSCA executive director Tom LeBlanc. “The nominations this year were filled with inspiring stories of resilience and flexibility. These companies exemplify what is possible in our indu...

ATLANTA — Full-service fire protection, life safety and service service provider Pye-Barker Fire & Safety has acquired Nebraska Safety and Fire Equipment, according to a joint announcement. This move adds three new Nebraska  locations to Pye-Barker ‘s growing Midwest presence, “enabling the company to bring full fire code compliance to more communities nationwide,” the announcement says. Nebraska Safety and Fire Equipment “provides comprehensive fire protection equipment services, specializing in fire sprinkler systems, security systems, fire alarms and fire extinguishers for commercial customers,” according to the joint announcement. Over the past 30 years, the company has expanded its service area to Colorado ,  Wyoming ,  South Dakota  and  Kansas . Nebraska Safety and Fire Equipment and its team are dedicated to community safety and quality workmanship. Why Pye-Barker Acquired Nebraska Safety “Joining the Pye-Barker team provides us with the cap...

Delivering campus-wide safety communications during an emergency is often easier said than done. And the longer it takes to get a message out during a crisis, the longer people are put at risk. That’s why we’re hosting a webinar, “Clear Communication During Emergencies: Expert Insights for Unified School Notifications,” on Friday March 14 at 1 p.m. ET. Our panel of experts, which includes Scott Lord, a founding member of the Partner Alliance for Safer Schools (PASS), as well as representatives from Singlewire Software and  Axis Communications , will offer strategies for creating a holistic safety strategy focused on communication, while avoiding the pitfalls that can lead to an ineffective response.   Why Communication is Critical During an Emergency Our experts will discuss the following:   Benefits of unified communications solutions   Obstacles preventing campuses from delivering effective communications   Software and hardware so...

Schlage, a manufacturer of home security solutions for over a century, has introduced its new Advanced Rekey at the 2025 International Builders Show (IBS 2025). The global home security company boasts that its latest solution is a rekeying solution that offers builders and their professional partners efficient key management and a simple way for homeowners to maintain security as their homes evolve. Debuting at annual new homebuilder trade event, Schlage states that its Advanced Rekey is designed for ease of use, giving users greater control over home security with a seamless, do-it-yourself feature that makes rekeying fast, convenient and cost-effective. “Schlage’s Advanced Rekey solution puts the power of quickly rekeying directly into builders’, their partners’ and homeowners’ hands,” says David Perozzi, general manager, Allegion Home . “We are excited to add this feature across all of our residential keyed mechanical and electronic products, bringing our trade professi...

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The security industry is starting off the year strong, with more than four out of five participants in the January-February 2025 Security Industry Association ( SIA ) Security Market Index (SMI) survey reporting positive sentiments. When asked to rate current business conditions for their companies, more than 27% of security leaders polled said “excellent” and nearly 54% said “good. “We are excited, though not surprised, to see the continued upswing in industry sentiment. This bodes very well for a successful ISC West and a strong 2025,” says Scott Dunn, SIA board of directors chairman and senior director of business development, at Axis Communications. Inside the January/February 2025 Security Market Index The SMI measures security industry executives’ current status and future expectations through a select survey of SIA members. The Index’s goal is to provide a macro-view of confidence levels in the security industry every two months while closely exam...

LAKE FOREST, Calif. – Professional monitoring services provider National Monitoring Center ( NMC ) has attained the ANSI/TMA AVS-01 certification, joining an exclusive group as one of the first monitoring centers nationwide to achieve this distinction. This certification “underscores NMC’s commitment to delivering the highest alarm verification and security response standards,” according to the company announcement. Developed by The Monitoring Association (TMA), UL Solutions and other key stakeholders, the AVS-01 standard “establishes best practices for alarm monitoring to ensure first responders receive accurate, prioritized information,” the announcement says. The certification “enhances the effectiveness of emergency communication.” How NMC Earned ANSI/TMA AVS-01 Certification To earn this certification, NMC “met rigorous requirements for classifying and reporting alarm events,” according to the company announcement. The AVS-01 standard “provides a structured approach for iden...

Here’s a comment I recently got when I wrote about non-compete agreements and non-solicitation: Ken, I’m in no way an expert, but it seems that a non-disclosure/non-solicit agreement would be the most fair for both sides.  Larry D. Here are the basic arguments about non-compete agreements and solicitation from the perspective of the employee and the employer. The employee… does not have ownership interest in the job has no real commitment to the job other than doing the job and getting paid the agreed compensation and benefits and perhaps bonus incentives needs to have the flexibility to move to another job without restrictions that may inhibit the ability to get another job in the only industry the employee knows anything about On the other hand, the employer… needs to feel secure that the business confidential and proprietary information does not get revealed to competitors needs to feel secure that an investment in training and nurturing an employee will not resul...

NEW YORK— Accessia, the open-cloud platform for smarter physical security and safety, has announced that it is set to show its new ultra-wideband (UWB) access control for enterprises at the upcoming ISC West 2025 event. The company explains that its Ultra-wideband access control is just one part of the Accessia end-to-end solution, which includes fully integrated visitor management and booking-based room access, as well as Bluetooth -powered location services for life safety, and a full suite of integrations for an organization’s existing tech stack, all powered by its open-cloud platform and on display during the security industry trade event. “With ultra-wideband, Accessia delivers the future of access control, enabling hands-free instant door unlock so users can walk straight through with no need to tap or swipe. ISC West is the perfect place to showcase this game-changing technology,” states Mark Loney, CEO, Accessia . Accessia Access Control Platform Provides a Range of Conne...

ST. LOUIS – Interface Systems , a managed service provider of business security, actionable insights and purpose-built networks for multi-location businesses, has been certified by Great Place to Work for the second year in a row. The award is based on “what current employees say about their experience working at Interface,” according to the company announcement. Interface employees reported year-over-year improvements across all survey categories, with the most significant gains in company culture, community, camaraderie and overall support. Why Interface Systems is a Great Place to Work Great Place To Work is the global authority on workplace culture, employee experience, and leadership behaviors proven to deliver market-leading revenue, employee retention and increased innovation. According to the 2025 Great Place to Work survey: 89% of Interface employees report having “significant responsibilities” and the “flexibility needed to maintain a healthy work-life balance.” 87%...

The security industry is experiencing an unprecedented technological shift, driven by breakthroughs in artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR) and ever-evolving compliance regulations. For dealers, installers and integrators, keeping pace with and adapting to these advancements isn’t just a recommendation; it’s a necessity. Falling behind means exposing clients and facilities to vulnerabilities that modern threats can exploit. Staying informed and adapting quickly to new technologies is the only way to maintain relevance and effectiveness in this rapidly changing security landscape. Embracing Advancement By Adapting to Changes Technology is advancing faster than ever, but rather than resisting it, the industry should embrace these changes as opportunities. New tools are making security smarter, faster, and more efficient, allowing for better threat detection, streamlined processes, and improved decision-making. AI-driven analytics, AR-assisted personnel, and enhanced co...

SAN MATEO, Calif.— Verkada, a developer of cloud-based physical security, has announced a wide range of updates to its Command platform that will make it easier for customers to keep their people and places safe. To strengthen the entry experience, Verkada has improved the integration of Verkada Guest and Verkada Access Control. Now, the company says, its customers can grant guests temporary, customizable visitor access credentials. The moment a visitor checks in Verkada says organizations can provision a temporary access badge with custom permissions, or they can send a door unlock link that enables a visitor to open authorized doors directly from their phones. Each credential is unique, time-bound, and exactly matched to the visitor’s needs.  Guests are also now fully integrated with Verkada’s roll call reports. Verkada customers can manage all occupants—both employees and guests—in emergency situations from a single tool. Verkada also announced several step-change impro...

SILVER SPRING, Md. – The Security Industry Association ( SIA ) has launched Startups in Security, a new community and accelerator program for security innovators. This initiative, guided by SIA’s executive advisory board, is “designed to identify, support and partner with innovative startups, scale-ups and industry leaders shaping the future of security technology,” according to the association announcement. Startups in Security is designed for companies classified as startups or scale-ups who are “seeking to propel their growth and establish industry relationships,” the announcement says. Eligible startups include: Companies in their early operational stages and focused on product/service development Innovation-oriented businesses introducing novel solutions Organizations targeting large or emerging markets with significant growth potential Companies that typically rely on external funding for growth Businesses managing significant market and financial uncertainties P...

CHICAGO — Motorola Solutions has acquired RapidDeploy, a complementary cloud-native 911 solution provider for public safety, based in Austin, Texas. RapidDeploy’s advanced Next Generation 911 (NG911) product suite accelerates emergency response and enhances decision-making. The suite includes Radius Mapping, precise real-time call location mapping that allows for faster and more focused dispatch of emergency resources. Its companion mobile application, Lightning, “gives first responders direct access to critical 911 call data on their smartphones or tablets,” according to the company announcement. Eclipse Analytics “helps public safety answering points measure 911 call response times, queue times and provide the right levels of staffing based on expected call volumes,” the announcement says. Why Motorola Solutions Acquired RapidDeploy “In a crisis of any magnitude – a vehicle accident, medical emergency or active shooter – every second counts during the emergency response,” says...

You may want to read this through sunglasses. That’s how bright the future is for commercial market security practitioners right now. This is particularly true for those adapting to how video and access control advances can be exploited, meeting the rising user demand for their expanding capabilities, and evolving their service offerings to capitalize on emerging opportunities. Hopefully, by the time you read this, the promise of vigorous 2025 business for the security industry that was articulated at the Security Investor Conference (SIC) — 2024’s final significant event — will already be becoming evident. The litmus test will be at ISC West 2025 , scheduled for March 31 to April 4 in Las Vegas, which I expect to be booming with electricity in the air. Security Market is Especially Active At the SIC, SSI Industry Hall of Famer John Mack, head of Imperial Capital’s security group, noted the year would be an especially active one for mergers and acquisitions at the provider (deal...

Industry veterans Steve Rubin, Kelly Bond and Jason Grelle have launched Bridgepoint Advisors, a new mergers and acquisitions firm dedicated to representing buyers and sellers in electronic security market. With their “deep industry expertise and long-standing relationships,” Bridgepoint Advisors is “poised to provide unparalleled guidance and strategic insight,” according to the company announcement. The Team Behind Bridgepoint Advisors The founding partners of Bridgepoint Advisors are “well-known and highly respected within the electronic security sector,” the announcement says. With careers spanning decades, Rubin and Bond most recently served as partners at Davis Mergers and Acquisitions Group and have advised numerous clients on “complex transactions,” earning reputations as “trusted advisors and strategists in the industry,” according to the announcement. Before joining Rubin and Bond in forming Bridgepoint Advisors, Grelle spent more than a decade as senior vice presiden...

MONTREAL—Genetec, a global enterprise physical security software, has announced Genetec Cloudlink 210, a cloud-managed appliance to support multiple security workloads, including video management , access control , and intrusion detection . The latest addition to the Genetec Cloudlink family simplifies security infrastructure by consolidating critical functions into a single, scalable appliance. Designed for hybrid environments, Cloudlink 210 provides a cybersecure bridge between on-premises systems and the cloud , offering organizations a cost-effective and flexible path to modernizing their physical security operations. “As organizations transition to modern security infrastructure, outdated or vulnerable devices can create critical cybersecurity gaps,” says Christian Morin, vice president of product engineering, Genetec Inc. “Cloudlink 210 acts as both a bridge and a shield—seamlessly connecting legacy systems to the cloud while enforcing robust protection against cyber threats....