Our Best Advice Q&A series keeps going with Peter Boriskin, chief technology officer, Americas, at ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions. He shares the best advice he’s ever gotten, gives tips to security industry newcomers and singles out the person to whom you should always listen.
Security Sales & Integration: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Peter Boriskin: The best piece of advice I’ve ever received is to gather as much information as you can, but never be afraid to make the call. Early in my career, when I stepped into my first executive role managing other leaders, I struggled with the pressure of making decisions outside my own expertise.
I asked a mentor how I’d know when I had enough information to decide and his answer stuck with me: you’ll never have all the information and you’ll never be the expert in everything. Instead, surround yourself with smart people, listen carefully and then make the best decision you can with what you have. It’s far better to act and adjust than to be paralyzed by indecision and that mindset has guided me ever since.
SSI: What advice would you give to those looking to achieve success in the security industry?
Boriskin: Get comfortable with the tools and knowledge now at your fingertips and use them to their fullest. Today, information is far more accessible than it used to be; with AI, online training and platforms like YouTube, you can build a strong understanding of complex topics in a fraction of the time it once took. Take advantage of that.
At the same time, develop a healthy skepticism of what you’re reading or watching — just because information is available doesn’t mean it’s always accurate. Learn how to validate what you’re learning by cross-checking sources and testing ideas. The combination of curiosity, smart use of modern tools and critical thinking will help you make better decisions and stand out in the crowd.
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?
Boriskin: Honestly, the one person I’d point to is yourself. It may sound unconventional but, in a world where we have constant access to experts, data and increasingly powerful tools like artificial intelligence, there’s a real risk of trusting external inputs more than your own judgment. Those tools are incredibly valuable, but they’re not infallible. They can’t guarantee accuracy and they can’t take responsibility for decisions. That part is on you.
So while it’s important to gather insights and learn from others, you have to develop the confidence to trust your instincts and make the call. Success in the security industry, like any field, ultimately comes down to taking ownership of your decisions and being willing to adjust as you go.
The people who stand out are the ones who use all the resources available to them, but never lose sight of their own critical thinking and responsibility in the process.
Click here to check out all entries in SSI’s Best Advice series!
