Round table discussions

There’s almost no such thing as a local business anymore. Even the smallest of entrepreneurs find they have immediate access to a global marketplace via the Internet, and larger companies continue to find new ways to maximize their successes throughout the world. We asked our panelists this week to comment on how they see globalization impacting the physical security market. Their broad-ranging responses emphazis the opportunities and challenges of succeeding the global marketplace.

As we unpack our bags – literally and figuratively - from the recent ISC West in Las Vegas, it seems an appropriate time to reflect on the busy show. Specifically, it’s a good time to consider how the exhibition could be improved to be more valuable for attendees and/or exhibitors. We asked our panelists for their opinions, and we’re also interested in any other post-show commentary – please share in the comments section.

The U.S. physical security market will be focused on Las Vegas this week and the big ISC West trade show for 2015. But what should attendees expect when they get to Sin City? We asked our panelists for their insights into what will be making “big news” at this year’s show. Fortunately, the suspense is almost over!

Cybersecurity vulnerabilities of IP physical security systems have long been the industry’s “elephant in the room.” Perhaps as a function of salesmanship, the possibility of a cybersecurity attack on a physical security system has sometimes been downplayed or dismissed. However, video from hacked cameras streaming on the Internet cannot be ignored, nor can the possibility that an enterprise’s system could be hacked using back-door entry through an unprotected physical sec...

If we didn’t have manufacturers, integrators wouldn’t have anything to sell. But what is the role of manufacturing companies when it comes to taking those products to market? Effectively managing the sales channel – helping resellers be successful without somehow undermining their efforts or (heaven forbid!) selling direct to an end user – is an ongoing and delicate challenge for manufacturers. They want to do everything in their power to ensure success of their products...

“Buyer beware” is always good advice in the security marketplace – or in life for that matter. But the age-old warning is more timely than ever in our age of global commerce and given our fragmented market with thousands of products manufactured all over the world. Complicating the picture: our market is also inching toward commodization and facing downward pricing that shrinks margins for manufacturers. So the question becomes: When is an item merely a good deal or somehow &ld...

This week’s Expert Panel revisits a classic question that has been around since the advent of IP video: Should an enterprise’s video system have its own network, or should it share the corporate network? Our panelists' responses reflect new IT trends, technology changes and shifting priorities that are impacting how the question is approached. Rising concerns about cyber-security (such as fears that video might provide a hacker entry into the enterprise system) are one new aspect. Ne...

The retired police officer who takes a cushy job as a security director is almost a cultural cliché. Like any cliché, the idea has roots in the real world, where police departments have often been a rich source of the security industry’s leadership talent. Former military personnel often find their way to the security industry, too, and realize that the familiar elements of discipline and command structure translate well. We wondered about the impact of this historic trend an...

The people element is a huge variable in the operation of any security system, and in any aspect of business for that matter. Training is a valuable tool to manage that variable, especially as it relates to newer, more complex networked physical security systems. Training can be a challenge throughout our market, which needs well-trained employees at the security front lines of our end users companies as well as competent, knowledgeable technicians handling installation and maintenance of securi...

We live in a global market, and goods can easily be manufactured anywhere in the world and then shipped anywhere else. For many years, companies have taken advantage of the consequent flexibility to save costs and increase profits by manufacturing products around the world, especially in low-cost areas such as China. Historically, goods made in China (and some other locales) have been characterized as somehow lower in quality, and yet many of the top companies (such as Apple, for example) have m...

This week brought a big surprise to the security and video surveillance market; specifically, the announcement of Canon’s plans to acquire iconic IP camera manufacturer Axis. But surprises happen all the time, especially in a dynamic, technology-driven market like physical security. Those who have been involved in this market for many years have often been surprised, for better or worse, at the various twists and turns over time. It’s part of what keeps life interesting! This week, w...

There’s a cloud hanging over the security market. Or rather, The Cloud is portending great change for our market (and other markets, too). But with all the talk about cloud-based systems, limitations still linger along the path to optimum implementation in the security market. We asked our panelists to reflect on those limitations and look ahead five years to how the situation is likely to change. From bandwidth and connectivity challenges, to geographic limitations and even a need to chan...

We all like hearing about the latest and greatest technologies, but how well are we using the technologies we have? We asked our panelists to reflect on opportunities to maximize the benefits of using common technologies in the marketplace, specifically to point out ways to garner more value from existing products. Underutilizing existing technology capabilities are a waste of money, aren’t they?

Video surveillance, or CCTV, is becoming increasingly common in cities and other public places all over the world. The benefits of video surveillance cameras to prevent crime and aid police investigations have been well documented, and there have been several high-profile cases in which video was instrumental in solving a crime. Still, whenever video surveillance is proposed in a public place, there can be opposition, based on privacy concerns, from various interest groups and the general public...

What lessons, if any, are there to be learned from the recent attacks in Paris? Recent events in Paris highlight the deadly and changing face of terrorism in 2015. Two gunmen armed with AK-47 assault rifles attacked the Paris offices of satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo on 7 January, killing 12 people in all, including eight Charlie Hebdo employees and two national police officers. Two days later, the terrorism continued with a hostage crisis at a printing firm at Dammartin-en-Goel&nbs...

There have been a number of developments in the last year which have impacted the security industry in one way or another.  As we begin a new year, we thought we'd ask our panelists to reflect back on 2014 and tell us what changes they think have made the largest impact in their areas of expertise within the security industry.

Value Isn't Always Just About Monetary Worth In any sales conversation, price will inevitably be one of the points of discussion. When it comes to large investments such as security systems, customers want to ensure that their money is well spent. Where price is concerned, systems and solutions providers would want to impart the worth of their products. At the end of the day, in the consumer world, customers want the best value for the least amount of money po...

How do you stand out in a world of commoditization? We live in a world of commoditized consumer goods. You probably own at least one item which would be considered "commoditized" by the majority of the population today, but you can probably also remember the days when it would have been described as "new" and "unique". Think about smart phones: most people you know are likely to own a smart phone. But remember when not everyone even a regular cell phone? Now they'r...

The ability to view surveillance footage on mobile devices adds greater flexibility to an organization's security monitoring system. But of course, there are drawbacks. In the age of mobile devices, we are able to do more and more while "on the go" and are less limited by the need to be at a desktop computer with internet / network connectivity. We are seeing the proliferation of mobile apps designed to enable us to access our most important files and perform important tasks...

"Going green" is not a new initiative, but rather, one that businesses and individuals are constantly aware of and continuously making a conscious effort to contribute to. The global population has become increasingly environmentally conscious over the years. Businesses and homeowners alike are investing more in green alternatives for their various needs. Many businesses adopt a green business ethic by ensuring that their products and ways of working are compliant with certa...

Just like many things, security systems have their own life cycles.  Most end users would say that a "good" system should last a certain amount of time. Each system or device has a generally established and expected life span, and anything that falls short of its life expectancy is generally deemed as "poor quality." We asked some of our panellists to reflect on the life cycles of security systems. We wanted to get their insights on trends they have observed i...

The general public often has misconceptions about security systems. How should security industry experts educate the general public to better understand security systems and their capabilities? As security industry professionals, our panellists are more than used to explaining security systems to customers and other members of the general public. As experts in the field, it is their prerogative to help set the records straight when it comes to what people understan...

Customers sometimes look at how old or new a company is when having to decide between different security suppliers. But should they? There are several decision-influencing factors in the security industry. Other than the actual technical specifications of the security systems and solutions, there are several other factors people take into consideration such as customer service, technical support offered, product warranties and interoperability, just to name a...

Information overload. That's how tradeshows can seem. You're being fed lots of information by several different people in a short amount of time. It can all be very overwhelming. So what do you do? It's relatively easy to create a plan for smaller shows. But with larger events such as Security Essen, IFSEC and ASIS, it's far easier to become overwhelmed by the amount of choices and options.With Essen and ASIS just behind us, we asked some of our panellists to reflect on...

We are in the midst of tradeshow season. With Security Essen and ASIS International back to back this year, several manufacturers are present at both. ASIS is one of the largest security tradeshows in North America, but not nearly as huge as Security Essen. Some prefer Essen, and others prefer smaller shows like ASIS or IFSEC. We asked some of our panellists for their thoughts on smaller versus larger tradeshows. Let's see what they had to say.

Surveillance cameras in public places and private properties are rather ubiquitous these days, but what is less obvious is whether a camera is a "dummy" camera or not. Installing fake surveillance cameras to use as a deterrent is a common tactic used when the price of a real security camera falls outside of one's budget. But when should dummy cameras be used? What are the implications this poses? Let's see what some of our panellists think.

You can expect to pass through tight security checks in environments, such as airports and government buildings, which are greater targets for terrorist attacks or other forms of violence. You don't expect to pass through the same level of security checks in neighborhood shops and schools. It's a simple rule that there will be more security systems in places where there's a greater need for them. Generally speaking, there isn't such a high need for very high end securit...

In today's world of mobile devices, the number of apps available to the general public is increasing daily - apps that are designed to make our lives simpler and help us be more efficient. With about three-quarters of the world's population having access to a mobile device, it's no surprise that the range of different types of apps available today is so wide and varied. For the general public, there's an app for nearly everything. You can do your banking, order grocerie...

Maintaining a high level of customer service can be a challenging experience when an acquisition takes place.This issue is of particular relevance to the security industry, where merger and acquisition activity continues to rise. We asked some of our Expert Panelists to share their thoughts on how both the acquired company as well as the company making the acquisition can retain the focus on their customers throughout the integration process. Here’s what they had to say.

How often have you been caught in the midst of animated chatter and swept up in the anticipation of "the next big thing in X", only to look back and think it was all overhyped? It happens everywhere and with everything, from pop culture movies and new budding artists, to aspects in professional industries such as new consumer products and technology. The security industry certainly has its share of overhyped technology. We asked some of our Panellists on their...