Specifically Speaking: Michael Lavway on reimagining the role of security       

LARKSPUR, Calif.—Michael Lavway sees security as “the great equalizer” - “every organization wants to protect its people, assets and reputation.” But as the industry evolves, he sees security as not only a “protective function” but also a “business enabler.” 

“That’s why our mission is to deliver solutions and strategies that allow security leaders to thrive now and in the future,” says Lavway, principal consultant within the technology and program consulting team at ZBeta. “By embracing emerging technologies, proven policies and smart integration, we’re doing our part to help move the industry forward.”  

As part of Security Systems News’ monthly column Specifically Speaking, the following is an exclusive Q&A with Lavway:  

SSN: What are your roles and responsibilities at the company? 

LAVWAY: We take a data-driven, technology-led and human-centered approach to architecting and engineering superior physical security solutions – then implementing and operating them with precision. Our team designs and specifies integrated security systems that bring together access control, identity management, video surveillance, intrusion detection and perimeter protection.  

Every solution is aligned with real-world operational and security needs - from credentialing and authentication workflows to intelligent alarms and advanced video analytics - and all are engineered to work together for maximum effectiveness.  

SSN: What vertical markets does your company specialize in? 

LAVWAY: We operate across a variety of verticals, including enterprise, critical infrastructure and data centers, to name a few. Our data center practice, in particular, has grown significantly over the past year, especially with the rapid build-out of hyperscale and colocation environments driven by AI and cloud computing demands. These facilities have become digital infrastructure’s backbone, and we’ve helped secure them with solutions that are as scalable and high-performance as the environments they protect. 

SSN: How did you get started in security and system design/specification? 

LAVWAY: I had a “circuitous” route to this role. Throughout my career, I’ve worn nearly every hat in the industry – from starting as an intern to leading corporate security. I’ve worked across investigations, emergency management, loss prevention and more - first as an end user, then as an integrator learning the “parts and smarts” of the job. My career has spanned everything from small private businesses to Fortune 500 companies, and I also spent over six years in the Army. Each of these experiences shaped my belief in the power of aligning the right people, processes and tools to drive meaningful outcomes. 

SSN: What new or emerging technologies are you seeing or specifying today? 

LAVWAY: I see artificial intelligence and machine learning continuing to simplify decision-making across the board, while robotics and drones are becoming more accepted in daily life. At the same time, the market is saturated with solutions that often overlap in functionality.  

As a result, I think the focus is shifting away from the technology itself and toward clearly defining the problem it needs to solve. It’s about cutting through the noise to identify the solutions that truly deliver value.