It’s that time of year: show season! And for systems integrators and security installers, PSA-TEC is one of the quintessential annual conferences, offering hundreds of hours of education and training during the May 4-8 show (exhibits are May 6). Hotel registration at the Westin in Westminster, Colo., is due on or before April 16.
PSA Security Network was established in 1974 as the Professional Security Alliance, Inc. dba PSA Security Network and is now the world’s largest electronic security cooperative. More than 200 electronic security systems integrators belong to the organization, which also aligns the group with over 150 vendor partners. The PSA network is responsible for over $2 billion in annual security systems design, installation, integration and maintenance of access control, video surveillance, intrusion detection, fire and life safety systems.
As security solutions have increasingly become more network-centric and Internet-connected, we decided to move quickly to create a program to help both integrators and manufacturers take the right steps towards becoming “more risk-responsible solution providers.” |
The group’s mission is to help systems integrators succeed, and that’s where PSA-TEC comes in. SourceSecurity.com caught up with Barbara Shaw, CPLP and PSA’s Director of Education, to discuss this year’s conference.
Sourcesecurity.com: What’s the theme of PSA-TEC 2015?
Shaw: Think. Explore. Connect. Insight is the foundation to innovation and growth, and PSA is always striving to inspire new avenues of thought for our integrators. With the speed of change in the technology environment, just trying to keep up can seem overwhelming. PSA takes a proactive approach to sourcing new products and services to explore at TEC, which can save hard-working entrepreneurs loads of time as opposed to independent research. TEC has always been well-regarded for ample opportunities for knowledge sharing and networking. TEC veterans value the history of connecting with a solid network of peers they can call on for professional collaboration.
Sourcesecurity.com: Tell us what's new, like the Cybersecurity offerings; why that particular topic?
Shaw: Cybersecurity has been a principal focus for PSA this year, influencing education strategy as well as new product and services direction. As security solutions have increasingly become more network-centric and Internet-connected, we decided to move quickly to create a program to help both integrators and manufacturers take the right steps towards becoming “more risk-responsible solution providers.” The program is designed to help prepare them to adopt policy and implement security controls programs to reduce risk to their own and their customers’ networks. In January, we held a Cybersecurity Congress for the senior leader to help them prepare to adopt policy and identify potential strategic partnerships to respond to market demands for more cybersecurity oversight. In May at TEC, in addition to management-level focus on new revenue opportunities and risk management discussions, we will also offer a more tactical focus, introducing product and services solutions to harden their overall security posture.
Sourcesecurity.com: What are other PSA-TEC highlights?
Shaw: Our “State of the Industry” and “State of the Integrator” panels have become popular mainstays in our Executive Education lineup. This year the State of the Industry discussion will focus on industry association partnerships. Association executives will share their outlook on trends affecting the systems integration business, the rapidly escalating cybersecurity challenge, and new developments to boost competitive advantage such as standards and certifications. The State of the Integrator panel will take a provocative turn with the challenging theme of “adapt or die.” Leading security integrators will share some of their recipes for continuous innovation and strategies that help them maintain their edge over often-times larger and better capitalized competition.
Sourcesecurity.com: How does PSA-TEC help integrators do business better?
Shaw: The PSA Vision is to become the single most valued relationship to our owners. The PSA staff continuously cultivates a deep understanding of the challenges integrators face because we are directed by integrators themselves. For example, our sales and marketing, technical and project management committees, all crewed by integrators, work together with us to co-create the right tools and resources to empower our owners to become the most successful integrators in the market they serve. This is our mission.
