It may be cliché to say that any industry’s success depends on its people, but it’s a cliché that has the virtue of being true. In the security industry, in particular, we see this every day, as installers and manufacturers alike earnestly work to protect life, safety and property both at home and on the move.
We created the SSI Industry Hall of Fame in 2004 to celebrate the highest achievers and the legends in our ranks…to spotlight those whose imprint on the security industry is indelible and will never be forgotten.
Over the years, we have inducted 125-plus remarkable individuals into this esteemed group. Last year, we added the following quintet: Kelly Bond, partner, Bridgepoint Advisors; Aria Kozak, CEO, Elite Interactive Solutions; Andrew Lanning, co-founder, Integrated Security Technologies; Kirk MacDowell, president and CEO, MacGuard Security Advisors, Inc.; and Jeffrey Zwirn, president, IDS Research and Development, Inc.
And now, our editorial team is excited to add five more honorees to the SSI Industry Hall of Fame, acknowledging their countless career accomplishments and their ongoing service to the cause of a safer and more secure society.
Please give it up for the first of five SSI Industry Hall of Fame class of 2025 inductees to be revealed this week: Christine Lanning, president of Integrated Security Technologies, Inc.
Each of our inductees has tread a different path in the security industry; however, their core values nonetheless tie them together. Each is passionate about mentorship, visionary leadership and giving back to the society we serve. Each is committed to ethical, honest business and treating customers and clients well. These values lie at the heart of being SSI Industry Hall of Fame-worthy.
This week, you will hear from each one — writing in their own voice — about what their keys to success have been, what their most cherished memories are and what they’d like their legacy to be.
The Lanning Hall of Fame File
- Born in 1973 to a Navy family, then raised in Iceland and Hawaii
- Father is a retired U.S. Navy master chief electronics technician
- Mother was also a U.S. Navy electronic technician and the first woman in her electronics class
- Earned a bachelor’s degree in business from University of Hawaii and masters of science in information systems from Hawaii Pacific University
- ASIS Physical Security Professional (PSP)
- Multiple marathon, triathlon and Ironman finisher
- SCCA racecar driver
- Serves on national, industry and local community boards and committees, including as vice chairperson of PSA Security Network, board of directors for Hawaii Pacific University, Associated Builders and Contractors Hawaii chairperson and vice chairperson for the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii Military Affairs Council
Why Christine Lanning is in the Hall of Fame
- Co-founded Integrated Security Technologies (IST) in 1998
- Received these company accolades:
- 10-plus-year Hawaii Business Magazine Best Places to Work
- 3-plus-year Pacific Business News Best Workplaces
- 6-plus Hawaii Business Magazine Top 250 Businesses
- 2021 NSCA Stepping up Award: Employee Engagement
- 2014/2015 Hawaii Psychologically Healthy Places to Work
- Received these individual awards:
- 2022 Security Systems News Legends Award
- 2020 SIA Women in Security Forum: Progress Award
- 2020 SBA Small Business Person of the Year, State of Hawaii
- 2016 Pacific Business News Women Who Mean Business Award
- 2014 Women’s Security Council Women of the Year
- 2013 Small Business Administration Emerging Leaders
- First female Lenel Master Systems Integrator in Hawaii
- First female board of directors member of PSA Security Network; currently, the first female vice chairperson
- Volunteer activities in the past year:
- University of Hawaii IT Project Day: provides guidance to IT students on their projects.
- Hawaii Pacific University Women’s Executive Leadership Council: provides job opportunities and networking for students.
- Central Pacific Bank We the Rising Tide: provides support to women business owners.
- Pacific Intelligence and Innovation Initiative: provides job opportunities to local students looking for intelligence jobs.
- CIO Council of Honolulu: provides support for events to get more women involved in IT.
- Organization of Women Leaders: speaking engagement to discuss being a woman leader in Hawaii.
Lanning’s Keys to Hall of Fame Success
“I realized early on how crucial authenticity is. For a long time, I thought a leader needed traits like decisiveness, charisma and the ability to inspire with their words. As an introvert, I always struggled with that. But when I embraced just being myself, I discovered that I lead in a different way — more as a servant leader. To me, success is about the growth and success of my team, not just my own achievements.”
Enduring Memories
“At a PSA Owners Convention many years ago, I awoke to my phone ringing very early in the morning. It was Bill Bozeman. He never calls unless it’s important. I rolled out of bed and answered it. He explained that the presenter at the PSA Convention was at the hospital and would be unable to continue the EOS Traction training.”
“He asked if Andrew (my husband, business partner and fellow SSI Industry Hall of Famer) and I would be willing to cover. In less than an hour, we came up with a quick presentation and received glowing reviews.”
Words of Wisdom from Hall of Fame Inductee Christine Lanning
“My favorite word is ‘flexible,’ defined as being able to easily modify to respond to altered circumstances or conditions. I can come up with a bazillion reasons why I can’t do something, but, if I’m willing to be flexible and get outside of my comfort zone, there is almost nothing I cannot achieve.”
“Without flexibility, I wouldn’t have been the first in my family to get a bachelor’s degree, run a marathon, start a business or complete an Ironman triathlon.”
Making the Security Industry Better
“The key to making our industry better is to invite more people into it. We need to grow our own. No one grows up dreaming about being in #sectec. (That’s security technology, for short.) Most people just end up in the industry by chance.”
“We must be willing to approach recruitment and retention differently. That means looking at diversity in hiring — diversity in age, gender, race, education, experience level and thought.”
Lanning’s Hall of Fame Legacy
“I want to be remembered as a champion for culture-building and leadership, or Ho’ohui, which means creating connections and building bridges together. If you have spent any time with me, you’ll hear me say that a rising tide lifts all boats. Well, I have spent the last 25-plus years of my life rising the tide of our company.”
“And we need that if we’re going to achieve our vision of Leading Hawaii to a Safer Place.”
