This time around in the Best Advice Q&A series, we hear from Greg Colaluca, chief executive officer of Intellicene. He shares the best advice he’s ever gotten, how he helps security industry newcomers take the next step in their careers and whose advice is most noteworthy in pushing the sector forward.
Security Sales & Integration: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Greg Colaluca: The best piece of advice I’ve ever received is to never be afraid to blaze your own trail. Ralph Waldo Emerson said, ‘Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.’ In business — and especially in the security industry, following someone else’s playbook might feel safe, but it rarely leads to breakthrough results. The real opportunities come when you chart your own course, take calculated risks, and solve problems in ways no one else has tried. That’s how you create value, build trust, and leave something lasting for others to follow.
SSI: What advice would you give to those looking to achieve success in the security industry?
Colaluca: If you want to succeed in the security industry, start with this: security is about people, not just technology. Your job is to earn trust, solve problems that matter to customers and work seamlessly with others to create reliable, effective solutions.
Listen to the people on the ground, understand their challenges, and deliver tools that make them safer and more efficient. Stay curious about new technology, but remember; it only matters if it works for the people using it.
Build strong relationships, keep your word and collaborate across teams and systems. In the end, success here comes down to human connection, customer focus and solutions that work in the real world.
SSI: If you could point to one person in the security industry and tell up-and-comers, “Make sure to listen to what they have to say,” whom would you pick and why?
Colaluca: Interestingly enough, I point employees, partners, and colleagues to customers. So, there are many, not just one. They are the individuals and organizations performing physical security every day — on the ground, in real time, facing real threats and operational challenges. Their insights are not theoretical or abstract; they are practical, tested, and rooted in experience.
While industry thought leaders offer valuable perspectives, I believe the most important voices are those of the professionals who live this work daily. Listening to our clients ensures that our solutions remain relevant, effective and aligned with the realities of the field. Their feedback is the most authentic source of innovation and improvement in our industry.
Click here to check out the entire Best Advice series!
