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...

SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon House of Representatives unanimously passed Alyssa’s Law (House Bill 3083), backing legislation that would require school districts across the state to consider implementing panic alarm systems to improve emergency response times in schools. The legislation, named in honor of Alyssa Alhadeff, a 14-year-old who lost her life in the 2017  Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School  active shooter attack, passed with a unanimous 50-0 vote. Introduced by Rep. Emerson Levy (D-Central Oregon), the bill seeks to equip schools with  mobile-based wireless or wearable panic alarm systems  designed to connect teachers and staff directly with emergency medical services and first responders in the event of a crisis. The goal of implementing panic alarms is to provide faster response times, critical during emergencies such as medical incidents or school shootings. When Are School Panic Buttons Most Often Pushed? School teachers and other employees activate ...

ATLANTA — Get ready to raise a glass and make new connections, as the Electronic Security Association (ESA) has announced its official ESX 2025 pub crawl stops . The ESX 2025 Pub Crawl, set for Tuesday, June 17, offers attendees “a fun and relaxed way to network with peers while exploring some of Atlanta’s most iconic venues near The Battery,” according to the ESA announcement. The Pub Crawl is open to all ESX 2025 pass holders. ESX 2025, scheduled for June 16-19 at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta, will also feature a lineup of educational sessions, Main Stage presentations, hands-on workshops, an expo floor and “countless opportunities to connect with the industry’s best and brightest,” the announcement says. ESX 2025 Pub Crawl Stop Schedule 7 p.m. – Murph’s (Galleria Parkway) Kick off the night at this local favorite where sports fans of all ages can gather and make great memories. Stop sponsored by JLM Wholesale 8 p.m. – The Tavern at Live! (Battery Ave SE) Celebra...

The security industry — and its fellow technology-based endeavors, including audiovisual and information technology — are always evolving. That means there’s no end to emerging technologies in those sectors. Something is always changing and moving forward. It’s the job of security systems integrators to stay on top of and even ahead of those emerging technologies and understand how they can help their customers, even if the customers don’t even know they exist. Let’s find out how emerging technologies are helping security integrators not only show their expertise, but also to make more money while always ensuring they’re helping to solve their customers’ security problems. Rafael Padilla, who works for consulting company Inter-Rep Business in Bogota, Colombia, is the former head of Bosch Security Systems for Latin America and country manager for Colombia and Ecuador for Anixter. Inter-Rep Business has designed and implemented projects using IoT, drone technologies and advanced dat...