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 ...

Many alarm companies across the United States seek to add monitoring accounts to their subscriber base by taking over existing systems. While this is a common practice, the takeover alarm contractor takes on risks, and they can vary depending on what the new contractor does and/or does not do, regardless of just using contract language such as “Connect to Existing System for Monitoring Only.” With that in mind, would your company knowingly monitor an existing residential fire alarm system that does not comply with NFPA 72 standards? Would you agree to monitor an existing burglar and fire alarm system if it had serious defects that could foreseeably compromise its detection, reliability and performance capabilities? If your inspection uncovers those problems, will the customer authorize the necessary repairs or are you concerned that they will just find another company willing to monitor the system as is? If so, you may lose the account, but in my view, no job is better than a bad j...

IRVING, Texas — The Morris F. Weinstock Person of the Year Award has always recognized the best of the best, honoring “someone who shines as truly stellar in the security industry,” according to an announcement this week by the Electronic Security Association (ESA). This year’s recipient – Electronic Security Expo chairman George De Marco – has well earned that distinction, having devoted the last 40-plus years of his career to the industry. And, like so many others, De Marco “started in the industry purely by chance and has decidedly remained in it purely by choice,” the announcement says. “I grew up in a family with a strong Italian heritage, where many of our relatives and close family friends were business owners,” says De Marco, an SSI Industry Hall of Famer, in the ESA announcement. “They came from all walks of life, but they all shared that same entrepreneurial spirit. “Being around that had a big influence on me. I always kne...

Artificial intelligence adoption is accelerating across industries. Since the introduction of generative AI tools a few years ago, many organizations are experimenting with AI-driven capabilities. According to the Genetec 2026 State of Physical Security report, AI is now a top priority for security departments. AI ranked alongside access control and video surveillance as a key focus area for 2026. At the same time, 70% of end users report concerns about how AI systems are designed and implemented, particularly around auditability, bias, and data use. The rhetoric around AI today includes a lot of speculative ideas that aren’t yet road-tested or reliable. It’s true that AI is reshaping physical security, but systems integrators can help their customers think through responsible applications, realistic goals and discern what is true and what is hype. How AI is really used today It is important to realize that AI is a technology, a set of tools. But much more important than the tool...

In 2026, the security landscape has shifted from reactive monitoring to proactive intelligence. For decades, motion detection was the gold standard for CCTV systems, but it came with a significant flaw: it couldn't tell the difference between a swaying tree branch and a potential intruder. Enter Behavior-Based AI . Why Motion Detection is Dated Traditional motion detection works by identifying pixel changes in a video feed. While effective in controlled environments, it often leads to "alert fatigue" for homeowners due to false positives from animals, weather, or lighting changes. In high-stakes security, a missed alert is a failure, and too many false alerts lead to the system being ignored. The Behavior AI Revolution Modern AI systems in 2026 utilize deep learning to analyze intent rather than just movement. These systems can recognize specific human behaviors, such as: Loitering: Detecting if someone remains in a sensitive zone for an unusual duration. C...

 Standard CCTV often fails below 0.1 Lux. Our forensic systems operate at 0.0005 Lux, providing usable color evidence in near-total darkness. [Call Gary: 07830638337]

 F1.0 apertures allow 4x more light than standard F2.0 lenses. This technical advantage is why our professional-grade sensors maintain color in 0.0005 Lux conditions. [Call Gary: 07830638337]

  Color vs Black & White: The Truth About Night Vision Choosing the right night vision technology is critical for any professional surveillance installation. In the past, "night vision" simply meant grainy black and white footage. Today, modern sensors allow us to capture full-color evidence even in near-total darkness. 1. Traditional Infrared (Black & White) Traditional IR cameras use infrared LEDs to illuminate a scene. The camera switches to a monochrome mode and removes the IR-cut filter to "see" the light reflected off objects. Zero-Light Performance: The only viable option for absolute 0 Lux environments like windowless basements or remote rural outbuildings with no street lighting. Discretion: 940nm IR LEDs are completely invisible to the human eye, whereas "Warm Light" LEDs used for color night vision can be intrusive. Spider Web Issues: A major technical drawback. IR LEDs attract insects, leading to spider webs that trigg...

Guardian Protection has acquired Chorus SmartSecure of Birmingham, Ala. The acquisition is Guardian’s fifth since 2021 with plans to add more in the future. Chorus SmartSecure has locations in Texas and Alabama. PITTSBURGH – Guardian Protection recently announced the acquisition of approximately 6,000 customer accounts from Chorus SmartSecure, LLC, a privately owned company based in Birmingham, Ala., that has operated since 2019. Chorus has locations in Texas (formerly operating as BSG) and in Alabama, where it installs monitored residential and commercial security systems. In the coming months, Chorus customers “will transition seamlessly from Chorus’ third-party monitoring center to Guardian’s U.L.-certified, Five Diamond accredited monitoring facilities and in-house customer services,” according to the joint announcement. As part of this agreement, Chorus will continue to serve its markets as an authorized Guardian Protection dealer, creating a partnership approach that c...

The Best Advice Q&A series continues with Eddy Dacius, owner and facilities manager at Dacius Facilities Management. He discusses the best advice he’s ever gotten, offers tips for security industry newcomers and names the person to whom all others in the sector should always listen. Security Sales & Integration: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? Eddy Dacius: One of the most helpful pieces of advice I received was to approach every interaction as if you were in an interview for your next opportunity. Every conversation, networking event and person you meet is important. You never know who might be paying attention, who they are connected to or where that connection could lead. This advice encouraged me to always present myself well, no matter who I am talking to. It also taught me to stay focused, ask meaningful questions and leave a professional impression each time. Over time, I understood that opportunities in this field often come from unexpected ...

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Global home comfort, safety and security solutions provider Resideo Technologies introduced AI Smart Search available for First Alert CX4 video cameras and a cloud-based access control integration between ProdataKey (PDK) and First Alert security solutions at ISC West 2026 this week. The new features reflect the company’s commitment to enhance user experiences and unlock new business opportunities for residential and small-to-medium business (SMB) security professionals. “Resideo continues to invest in our platforms and partnerships to help our First Alert Premier Partners optimize operations, strengthen customer relationships and enhance their businesses,” says Ryan Park, senior product director of safety and security at Resideo, in the company announcement. “By integrating First Alert security solutions with PDK access control, we’re opening the doors for united access control and intrusion detection across thousands of installations.” Resideo First Alert So...

SAN MATEO, Calif., — Artificial intelligence-powered physical security technology provider Verkada today announces the launch of four new offices across the U.S., in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas and Los Angeles, and a new international hub in Dubai. This expansion comes after Verkada closed its fiscal year with revenue up 30% year over year and an investment from CapitalG , Alphabet’s independent growth fund, which valued the company at $5.8 billion. “Verkada’s growth in the past year reflects the massive opportunity to bring AI into the physical world,” says Filip Kaliszan, co-founder and CEO of Verkada, in the company announcement. “The longstanding investments we’ve made in AI have enabled us to meet this moment in the market, and most importantly to build safer communities around the globe together with our customers and partners.” Recent Verkada Growth Highlights Customer Growth: More than 31,000 customers globally, including more than 100 of the Fortune 500. Scale: Mor...

We continue our Women in Security Q&A series with Ainsley Close, president of Guardian Security. She shares her security industry career path, how she’s overcome obstacles in her journey and mentors on whom she’s relied. Security Sales & Integration: How did you get into the security industry? Ainsley Close: My dad asked me to join the family business after I spent about a decade in public service. SSI: Have you encountered any difficulties or obstacles in your security industry career? Close: Yes, of course. I think the biggest one for me is my lack of  experience as a technician in the field. SSI: Who would you point to as the most influential and helpful mentors in your career? What did they do to help you? Close: What a fun question. The first is Julie McCoy, who was chief of staff when I worked for the mayor of Seattle. She believed in me and that change was completely possible. She shifted my belief about where power sits and how to understand why decisio...