General News
News Poll: M&A activity on the upswing after early slowdown
September 23, 2020Paul Ragusa, Editor
YARMOUTH, Maine—Results from Security Systems News’ recent News Poll confirm what we here at SSN have been seeing over the last few months within security, which is a noticeable increase in M&A activity.
The arrival of COVID earlier this year may have put a temporary delay on some deals, but over the past few months the M&A landscape has certainly opened up, with deals both big and small making headlines recently.
Looking big picture, three quarters of respondents agree that there...
Five Questions with Brivo’s Steve Van Till
September 23, 2020SSN Staff
Did you know Founder and CEO of Brivo, Steve Van Till, has a furkid? Yep, it’s true; a Goldendoodle named Ginger! SSN Managing Editor, Ginger Hill, thinks that’s awesome! Learn more about his family, current industry trends, his favorite book and podcast, and more.
ARE YOU MARRIED? ANY KIDS? ANY PETS?
Yes, married to wife Robin now for just over 11 years. We have three children between us, plus our fourth child, a Goldendoodle named Ginger.
WHAT’S SOMETHING INTERESTING ABOUT...
Get to know a few of SIA WISF’s scholarship winners
September 16, 2020Ginger Hill, Managing Editor
YARMOUTH, Maine—Last month, the Security Industry Association (SIA) — with the help of the organization’s Scholarship Selection Committee and Human Resources Committee — chose 12 recipients for the inaugural Women in Security Forum (WISF) Scholarship, a program developed by WISF to further educational opportunities and promote advancement for a diverse security workforce.
“The SIA Women in Security Forum continues to break new ground, inspire me and many others, and...
Specifically Speaking with John Acosta
September 16, 2020Paul Ragusa, Editor
What is your role at the company?
I am the Lead Security Consultant for The Clarient Group (TCG). I design and specify all the security systems required in a project, and work with my teammates to integrate the security systems with other building systems, to the greatest extent possible.
What kinds of systems do you design/specify and what services does the company provide?
I have been very fortunate to be in positions to design the full gamut of security systems both physical and...
SIA speaks out on Portland's rigid facial recognition ban
September 10, 2020SSN Staff
SILVER SPRING, Md.—The Security Industry Association (SIA) said that the decision by the Portland, Ore. city council to ban facial recognition technology use by businesses in places of public accommodation starting January 2021 and to prohibit all city government use of facial recognition technologies are shortsighted decisions that do not consider effective and beneficial applications of facial recognition.
“Turning back the clock on technological advancement through a complete ban...
Mission 500 and COPS Monitoring team up to help children in need
September 8, 2020SSN Staff
BOYNTON BEACH, Fla.—In what has become an annual event spearheaded by Mission 500, students at Crosspointe Elementary School in Boynton Beach, Fla., will once again have essential school supplies, provided by COPS Monitoring, thanks to the generous efforts of the “Back to School Backpack Event.”
Different from the past six years, the COVID-19 pandemic dictated a format change from the norm. Rather than meeting in-person to assemble the backpacks and distributing them directly...
ISC East 2020 canceled, going virtual
September 2, 2020SSN Staff
NEW YORK—ISC East 2020, scheduled for Nov. 18-19, 2020, in New York City, has been canceled due to the ongoing impact of COVID-19 and continued restrictions on large events.
While ISC East cannot convene in person for 2020, Reed Exhibitions, along with Premier Sponsor SIA (Security Industry Association), announced that ISC East, in partnership with ASIS NYC Chapter, will collaborate to host a virtual event on Nov. 18. The ISC East 2021 event will take place at the Javits Center on Nov. 17-18.
ISC...
SIA and ESA launch Foundation for Advancing Security Talent
September 2, 2020SSN Staff
DALLAS, Texas – The Security Industry Association (SIA) and the Electronic Security Association (ESA) have partnered to launch the Foundation for Advancing Security Talent (FAST), a new 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization designed to promote careers in the physical security technology and life safety industry.
The goal for FAST is to connect passionate, innovative professionals with new opportunities in electronic security and life safety.
”Whenever we talk to SIA members about their...
Announcing ESX 2020 TechVision, People's Choice Award winners
August 31, 2020Ginger Hill, Managing Editor
YARMOUTH, Maine—As the exclusive media partner with Electronic Security Expo (ESX) in announcing the 2020 ESX TechVision Challenge and People’s Choice Award winners, a “Shark Tank” style business pitch to identify the best product or service, the Security Systems News team is excited to share this year’s recipients. Traditionally held in conjunction with the in-person ESX conference, this year’s TechVision Challenge and People’s Choice Award proceeded as...
Mission 500 Golf Challenge tees-up for children in need
August 28, 2020SSN Staff
MIAMI—Mission 500, a non-profit initiative focusing on the security industry and dedicated to serving the needs of children and communities in crisis, will host the Mission 500 Golf Challenge will take place Monday Sept. 21, 2020 at the Bella Vista Country Club in Marlboro, N.J., beginning at 8:30AM and culminating with cocktails and dinner at 4:00PM.
Proceeds raised at the event will benefit the New York Firefighters Burn Center Foundation Children’s Camp. The camp makes it possible...