CCTV Systems

The newest addition to the Best Advice Q&A series is Zeus Fire and Security founder and executive chairman Scott R. Elkins. He reveals the best advice he’s ever heard, gives pointers to security industry pros on the rise and singles out his ultimate business inspiration. Security Sales & Integration: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? Scott Elkins: One of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever received is to fail fast. That doesn’t mean taking unnecessary risks or accepting failure. It means recognizing when something isn’t working, learning from it quickly and having the courage to change course. Whether it’s hiring the wrong person, pursuing a strategy that isn’t gaining traction or investing in a new initiative, the longer you wait to acknowledge reality, the more expensive the lesson becomes. I’ve learned that successful leaders aren’t the ones who avoid mistakes but rather they’re the ones who i...

PITTSBURGH –– AlarMax Distributors, Inc., a national wholesale distributor of security, fire, access control, surveillance, AV, networking and low-voltage solutions, today announces the opening of its new AlarMax Product Experience (APEX) Innovation Lab and National Fulfillment Center. These two strategic investments are “designed to enhance customer education, strengthen supplier collaboration, expand inventory capabilities and improve nationwide distribution as the company continues its next phase of growth,” according to the AlarMax announcement. “As demand for integrated security and low-voltage solutions continues to evolve, distributors play an increasingly important role in helping customers access not only products but also technical expertise, training and dependable supply chain support,” the announcement says. “Together, these new facilities position AlarMax to deliver greater value across every stage of the customer experience.” Wha...

Artificial intelligence is driving the largest macro technology refresh in the history of physical security, transforming everything from video surveillance to access control. Yet, as companies rush to implement AI, a roadblock has emerged in enterprise security strategy: the “missing middle,” which can be defined as the operational gap between acquiring advanced, AI-enabled edge tools and actually weaving them into an interconnected, network-wide security ecosystem. It is the gap between systems that can describe isolated events and systems that can explain incidents in context. Businesses are purchasing isolated, one-off AI tools that may successfully flag security problems, but they are failing to connect these advanced systems to their broader corporate security networks. This creates “AI sprawl,” or a state where an organization accumulates advanced technical capabilities without a clear path to actual business results. When a business piles on fragmented technology, it in...

ST. LOUIS, Mo. –– Artificial intelligence-powered security and remote video monitoring provider Interface Systems  today released its 2026 Restaurant Security Benchmark Report, according to a company announcement. The annual study is based on 1.1 million monitoring events across 9,392 U.S. restaurant locations representing 78 quick-service, fast-casual and casual dining brands. The report provides operational data at a scale to help restaurant security and operations leaders understand when risk peaks, where it concentrates, which threats escalate fastest and which intervention strategies prove most effective across thousands of monitored locations. “Restaurant operators are balancing employee safety, customer experience, and operational efficiency across hundreds or even thousands of locations,” says Brent Duncan, CEO of Interface Systems, in the company announcement. “This report provides real-world operational data that helps them understand where risk is great...

WESTMINSTER, Colo. —  The PSA Network (PSA), the world’s largest consortium of professional systems integrators, today announced the appointment of Travis Deatherage , president of LINX Multimedia, and Pete Keller, chief financial officer of Integrated Protection Services (IPS), to the PSA board of directors. As members of the board , Deatherage and Keller will “help guide PSA’s strategic direction while supporting its mission to empower owner and member companies through education, collaboration, networking and innovative business solutions,” according to the association announcement. PSA also owns an audiovisual buying group, Edge. “Travis and Pete each bring unique expertise and leadership perspectives that will strengthen our board and benefit the entire PSA community,” says Matt Barnette , president and CEO of PSA, in the announcement. “Their experience driving growth and supporting operational excellence will help us maximize the value ...

DALLAS — The Foundation for Advancing Security Talent (FAST) has named Dr. Elli Reges to serve as its new executive director. Created in 2020 through a partnership of the Electronic Security Association (ESA), the Security Industry Association (SIA) and PSA, FAST “connects aspiring professionals with meaningful careers in the electronic security and life safety industry,” according to the foundation announcement. As FAST’s executive director, Reges “will lead the foundation’s efforts to expand awareness of career opportunities and strengthen the industry’s talent pipeline through education, outreach and collaboration,” the announcement says. “Our industry has an incredible story to tell, yet too many students and job seekers simply don’t know the opportunities that exist,” says Reges in the FAST announcemebt. “Together, we have an opportunity to redefine how people see the security industry—not just as a place to find a job, but as a place to build a m...

LAS VEGAS — Milestone Systems is rebuilding for the artificial intelligence (AI) era. Security Sales & Integration attended the company’s inaugural Milestone Xperience Days event in North America in early June, where two of the company’s leaders expounded in detail on their vision: vice president of Americas Tim Palmquist and chief technology officer Andrew Burnett. Their messages converged to form a compelling synthesis: Milestone wants to modernize its platform, keep humans at the center of automation and turn retained video into long-term value, all while leaning into an open partner network that’s refreshingly different from the “we should own it all” mentality we sometimes see in the tech space. Milestone is certainly not a new name — its heritage stretches back 28 years. What’s different now is the architecture underneath the products and the conviction that video data — once routinely discarded — has become one of the industry’s most valuable ass...

Security integrators often invest significant effort engaging with technology providers or manufacturers that fail to deliver what customers actually need. In the worst cases, so-called “partners” actively hurt the integrator’s business or deliver short-sighted solutions that don’t contribute to an optimal security posture. The good news is that great partnerships are possible — and due diligence in partnership coordination can catalyze your growth through new marketing streams, increased market exposure and proven excellence in your craft. To help you avoid poor partnerships and effectively deliver on your customers’ needs, let’s explore the realities of partner development today, red flags you should look for, and proven ways to transform your partner strategy into a long-term growth advantage. What’s a Successful Provider-Integrator Relationship? Customers increasingly need integrators to bring more than piecemeal solutions to the table. The security market is flooded with ...

CCTV Compliance for UK Business Owners (2026 GDPR & ICO Guide) By Gary Pearce | Security Infrastructure Engineer AI-enabled security camera system installed on a modern commercial site. In 2026, business security is more sophisticated than ever. From high-definition IP cameras to AI-powered motion analysis, keeping commercial premises secure is highly accessible. However, the legal landscape surrounding video surveillance has also evolved. For UK business owners, installing security systems is not just a matter of mounting cameras and running cables; it is a serious legal responsibility governed by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Failing to comply with these standards can result in severe financial penalties, lawsuits from employees or customers, and the rendering of crucial footage inadmissible in court. This guide outlines everything a UK business owner needs to know to keep their CCTV syst...

Welcome to Gary Pearce Home Services' authoritative guide: Do Dental Practices Need CCTV? UK Regulations, ICO Compliance & Patient Privacy Guidelines . 1. Legal and Regulatory Standards Dental practices in the UK are subject to stringent legal and regulatory standards designed to protect patient privacy, security, and confidentiality. The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) plays a crucial role in ensuring compliance with these regulations. The UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) imposes strict rules on the collection, storage, and processing of personal data. Dental practices must ensure that any CCTV footage complies with GDPR requirements, including obtaining informed consent from patients, limiting the retention period of data, and implementing appropriate security measures to protect against unauthorized access. 2. Hardware Specifications and Deployment CCTV cameras should be equipped with high-resolution lenses to ensure clear images of pati...

Ultimate CCTV Installation Guide for UK Homes & Businesses — 2026 Edition Ultimate CCTV Installation Guide for UK Homes & Businesses — 2026 Edition By Gary Pearce, Senior Security Installer Securing your property is more important than ever. According to the latest ONS crime statistics, properties with visible, professionally installed CCTV systems are up to 60% less likely to be targeted by burglars. Whether you run a business in Leeds, operate a warehouse in Manchester, or want to protect your family home in Newcastle, a well-designed surveillance system offers irreplaceable peace of mind. In this comprehensive guide, we layout the technical essentials, equipment comparisons, and legal requirements for installing security systems in the UK. What is a CCTV Security System? At its core, a Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) system consists of cameras, recording storage (an NVR or DVR), cabling, and a power source. ...