PSA TEC Panel Cautious on Cybersecurity, Otherwise Fired Up About Future

PSA TEC’s “State of the Industry” participants say riches in store for firms embracing change in the security industry.

WESTMINSTER, Colo. — One of the centerpieces of PSA Security Network’s always excellent TEC event is the “State of the Industry” panel discussion moderated by PSA President and CEO Bill Bozeman, and this year’s thought-provoking session did not disappoint.

Rather than the time-worn approach of including security integrators and vendors, the 90-minute, interactive discussion instead featured those from emergent fields in 3SE’s David Sylvester, Matthew Rosenquist (also the conference’s keynote speaker) of Intel, eVigilant’s Gunvir Baveja and Chuck Wilson of the National Systems Contractors Association (NSCA).

An early topic was the matter of security integrators potentially losing business to third-party managed services providers that come in after the fact and walk off with a bundle of RMR services from that same client.

“The building automation contractor space in particular is coming in with a managed services-only offering,” said Wilson. “It’s scaring me a bit because our integrators are also pushing that way. My advice is to always get the service contract at the time of the installation.”

Baveja said his company gives the first year of such a service contract free at the time of installation as an incentive. He said his business has had a 95%-98% success rate with that approach and that the ensuing contract years are almost all profit margin.

When the conversation turned to cybersecurity, Rosenquist emphasized how security integrators are ideally positioned to leverage the relationship and also provide cybersecurity solutions.

“End users want a trusted provider to protect them from the dragon behind the curtain,” he said. Sylvester agreed, “Systems integrators have their foot in the door already but have to step up to the challenge where cybersecurity is concerned.”

A poll question to the audience asking who they thought would be held accountable and/or liable for a cyber breach revealed that the majority indicated it would in fact be the security integrator.

For this and other reasons, Wilson recommended integration firms either have a full-time cybersecurity expert on staff or outsource one on a regular basis. Baveja suggested hiring an IT expert and groom that person to also handle cybersecurity.

Bozeman pointed out that the vast majority of integrators are under-insured where it comes to cybersecurity exposure; “Don’t be,” he said. Baveja told the audience an integrator should budget 10% of the average project revenues for cybersecurity and/or insurance.


EXCLUSIVE PODCAST: PSA Security President Bill Bozeman Talks Latest Acquistion, TEC 2018 Event


Rosenquist added, “Expect your customers to ask for it today. It is critical not only to have cybersecurity professionals on staff or as a partner, but also to make sure they are constantly trained because IT and cyber are moving so fast.”

The panel next tackled how CIO’s roles have dramatically risen where it comes to the procurement of physical security solutions.

“With the onset of networked security systems, the decision makers and skillsets changed overnight from security directors with law enforcement background to sophisticated IT experts and CIOs,” said Sylvester. “There is much opportunity for integrators to assist those customers in meeting their organizational needs and compliance, but you have to understand their environments.”

Rosenquist urged integrators to ask the client what they want rather than pushing what you think they may need or want.

“Security integrators must be adaptable and willing to change. Help customers solve issues with the technology they want,” he said.

Baveja told the audience an integrator should budget 10% of the average project revenues for cybersecurity and/or insurance.

As far as the overall industry outlook for security integrators, it is blindingly bright said the panelists.

“The general state of the industry is very strong, with lots of money coming in,” said Sylvester. “Many integrators are following their record years in 2016 with even better business in 2017. New construction is strong, new technology is strong, investment is strong, the security need is strong. You all are in a very good industry at a very good time.”

Wilson agreed, saying the projections are positive for at least the next three-five years across the majority of vertical markets. He also sees growing opportunity for security integrators in commercial A/V.

“Security integrators are in a great spot to expand into digital signage, video walls, communications systems and more,” said Wilson.

The PSA TEC event also included scores of educational and training sessions, networking opportunities and awards. Security Sales & Integration Editor-in-Chief and recent Industry Hall of Fame inductee Scott Goldfine held the publication’s annual integrator roundtable at the conference, which will be featured in the July issue of the magazine.

PSA announced that the event would move to a new location in downtown Denver for 2018 and also shift up two months, being held March 11-15.

You can check out more insights from the discussion panel in this slideshow.

If you enjoyed this article and want to receive more valuable industry content like this, click here to sign up for our FREE digital newsletters!

About the Author

Contact:

Scott Goldfine is the marketing director for Elite Interactive Solutions. He is the former editor-in-chief and associate publisher of Security Sales & Integration. He can be reached at [email protected].

Security Is Our Business, Too

For professionals who recommend, buy and install all types of electronic security equipment, a free subscription to Commercial Integrator + Security Sales & Integration is like having a consultant on call. You’ll find an ideal balance of technology and business coverage, with installation tips and techniques for products and updates on how to add to your bottom line.

A FREE subscription to the top resource for security and integration industry will prove to be invaluable.

Subscribe Today!

Get Our Newsletters