Our Best Advice Q&A series celebrates its one-year anniversary with Nic Barrus, vice president of monitoring center operations at Becklar. He shares the best advice he’s ever gotten, gives tips to security industry pros on the rise and names a person to whom all others in the security industry should always listen.
Security Sales & Integration: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Nic Barrus: When I first entered the security industry, I quickly realized how complex and interconnected security monitoring truly is. I learned that asking the right questions is critical to building real understanding—of our systems, our processes and, most importantly, the people and customers we serve.
That curiosity drives better decisions, stronger service and continuous improvement, all of which are essential to delivering our responsibility to enhance safety and peace of mind.
SSI: What advice would you give to those looking to achieve success in the security industry?
Barrus: Early in my career, I learned that just because something is done a certain way doesn’t mean it’s the best way—or the way it should be done tomorrow. Some of the biggest improvements I’ve seen came from people willing to respectfully challenge the status quo, ask why and look for a better approach.
In this industry, innovation only matters if it improves service and reliability for customers. When you combine a genuine desire to care for people with the discipline to improve how work gets done, you create solutions that are not only smarter, but more meaningful.
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?
Barrus: I would point to Kirk MacDowell. I met Kirk at my first TMA (The Monitoring Association) event early in my career and he quickly became a trusted and respected voice for me. He’s always been approachable and generous with his time, openly sharing perspective from more than 40 years in the industry.
Kirk has seen the security space evolve through significant change, and that experience gives his insights of real depth and relevance. His willingness to mentor and help others think differently carries meaningful value as the industry continues to move forward.
Click here to check out all entries in SSI’s Best Advice series!
