WALNUTPORT, Pa. — Like many others in the security industry, Jill Frack fell into the space by accident–and marriage. That doesn’t mean she doesn’t love it though.
Frack, the founder and special project consultant for Fracktional Solutions, which specializes in project management, data analytics, people analytics, information technology services, finance, human resource functions, training and development and safety, shares her career path in the first installment of our Women in Security series, which will continue throughout March, which is also Women’s History Month.
Security Sales & Integration: How did you get into the security industry?
Jill Frack: We joke that my husband (Tyson, the chief technology officer at Fracktional Solutions) sucked me to the dark side! LOL! My husband was in the security industry and I would attend ISC West with him. Through networking, I was able to make some connections and people started utilizing my consulting services.
SSI: Have you encountered any difficulties or obstacles in your security industry career?
Frack: Yes! The industry we work in can be very difficult and stressful, especially when systems go down or the components needed are not available. During COVID-19, it was very difficult to manage the projects as customer sites were limiting who was allowed onsite, and personnel couldn’t always access the systems remotely due to IT security rules.
It allowed me to collaborate in new ways with others to develop creative solutions to ensure customers’ needs were being met.
SSI: Whom would you point to as the most influential and helpful mentors in your career? What did they do to help you?
Frack: Jerry Noah was so supportive during my early days in the security industry. I learned a lot from him regarding the industry and appreciated his approach to working with people when difficult situations arose.
The biggest thing I learned from Jerry was to seek the understanding of ,“tell me why you did what you did.” It would disarm the person and allow him to see why the person made the decision that they did and get facts about the situation without jumping to conclusions or escalating the situation.
Jerry would always have my back, and to have a manager who truly cared allowed me to bring my best self to work. Thank you, Jerry, for being an awesome mentor!
SSI: What is your proudest career accomplishment?
Frack: Being able to be an entrepreneur and get to do what I enjoy!
SSI: What do you love most about working in the security industry?
Frack: The people! When you get to meet other folks in the industry who are doing similar work and understand the responsibilities that come with this industry, it makes the relationships very meaningful.
SSI: How can the security industry become even better?
Frack: Volunteer to join a committee or focus group within the Security Industry. It allows you to bring skills to the table that can help someone else, and it can create opportunities from which everyone in the industry can benefit.
Click here to read our entire Women in Security Q&A series!
