Integrators constitute the fastest growing membership segment in the Security Industry Association (SIA), a leading U.S. non-profit association of physical security companies.
There are several reasons for this. Integrators, of course, are the glue of the security industry, bringing everything together in project management to turn a concept into reality. Whether video surveillance, access control or intruder alarms — or a combination — the realization of a security project often involves an integrator at the heart of it to bring everything together.
Since 1969, SIA has served at the intersection of the industry, where leading companies, alliances, partnerships (even competitors) come together for the greater good: to advance the electronic physical security sector. In 2013, SIA added 90 members and achieved a 92 percent retention rate.
And in 2013, the fastest growing membership segment was independent systems integrators, which increased by 50 percent over the previous year. In 2014, SIA added 116 new members.
SIA plans to continue this growth with a focus on integrators in 2015. SIA chairman of the board V. John Stroia, who is COO of The Will-Burt Company, Orrville, Ohio, recently outlined the association’s priorities in a video address to members
(watch at securityindustry.org/Pages/Letter-from-the-Chairman.aspx).
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“Our members tell us they are concerned about the impact of non-traditional entrants into our industry, the influence of new technologies on traditional security solutions and complex regulatory requirements,” Stroia said. “SIA is committed to helping its members navigate these challenges and grow their businesses. This year, we hope to deliver insight, influence and information that will help you better serve your customers and channel partners while positioning SIA to be a trusted advisor to security practitioners across all vertical markets.”
From its headquarters in Silver Spring, Md., SIA serves as the chief advocate to federal government agencies on regulations and legislation affecting the physical security industry and critical infrastructure. SIA plans to continue its robust advocacy efforts this year to the federal government as well as to state governments.
Moreover, SIA will provide its members with insight into the security market through several important avenues. A new survey and accompanying publication, the SIA Security Market Index, is emerging as a metric that the industry is using to assess confidence in the security market.
The SIA Security Investment Trends Committee will hold more webcasts this year to keep our members informed of marketplace fundamentals and fluctuations. SIA soon will launch an annual compendium known as START (securityindustry.org/start), a publication that includes the SIA Membership Directory, new product listings, company profiles and current market research.
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This spring, SIA will release a set of recommendations for safer schools, thanks to its Partner Alliance for Safer Schools (PASS) initiative with NSCA. And SIA’s Security Practitioner Insight webcast series will tackle the challenges faced by security professionals at schools, ports and transit systems.
This year, SIA will continue to provide opportunities for networking and education. Many of these efforts culminate in Las Vegas during ISC West (April 14-17), the largest security products tradeshow in the United States, and with networking events like the SIA Market Leaders Reception. Also at ISC West, SIA Education produces 60 specialized education courses, a significant percentage of which addresses matters important to integrators.
In October, SIA will build on the success of last year’s Securing New Ground (securing newground.com) executive business conference, with an even more powerful and compelling slate of speakers and topics on tap to provide insight into the major trends shaping our industry.
In an industry that is constantly changing, the lines between physical security and cybersecurity continue to blur. Through all the changes, SIA remains a reliable voice of the electronic physical security industry, advocating, and we would like you to be a part of it.
