On The Editor's Desk

I joke sometimes in my house that the best way to communicate with my teenage son is to do a Snapchat video call with him, even when he is in the same house, although I have come to realize that I am too old to even fathom, let alone use, Snapchat. Luckily, the app designers were smart enough to make it so someone like me isn’t even capable of interacting with it, which is why my son — and all teenagers — love the app so much. But I digress! What I am getting to is this virtual...

Systems integrators, security consultants, manufacturers all want the same thing — to truly understand not only what their customers “want,” but also what solutions, technology and services they truly “need” to help solve their specific problems, and meet their specific requirements. Now more than ever that need to be what many in the industry are calling a “trusted partner” is more critically important than ever, which is why new research on end user...

As one of the last in-person shows to take place back in February, the first annual SecurityNext conference is the last memory I have of feeling the excitement and intimacy of being right there and rubbing elbows with so many industry leaders and peers, an experience that I am sure all of us miss since COVID-19 disrupted so much of what was essential to our industry. I feel fortunate that I was able to connect on that level and look forward to a time when we can get back to some level of normalcy...

With so many of us still working from home, and many companies transitioning to a fully functional remote workforce that can produce at the same levels they once did pre-coronavirus, the role of the cloud will continue to increase in all aspects of life, not just security. As Brivo CEO Steve Van Till said during his presentation, “The Cloud Won. Now What?” at SecurityNext back in February, cloud-based technology “has finally won over the hearts and minds of even the most reluctant late adopters...

Despite some obvious setbacks in the U.S. in states that have experienced a resurgence in COVID cases, the security industry overall has seen business get back to some semblance of normal, although nowhere near the levels that were once enjoyed pre-coronavirus. Back in April, an overwhelming number (84 percent) of SSN News Poll respondents said that their business was being negatively impacted by COVID-19. Now, three months later, we asked readers to reevaluate the business landscape, with many saying...

With the business landscape changing so dramatically over the past few months — possibly irrevocably — the task for many in security, including for consultants, integrators, dealers and manufacturers, is to figure out what the “future of security” will look like and how existing and new technologies can help companies to overcome challenges and stay profitable during these extremely trying times. As businesses and organizations begin to reopen, many are rethinking the way they budget...

As my blog title says, giving back is more important — and easier — than ever! With all that is going on right now and so many out of work, or on furlough, or living on diminished wages, the need to give back to those who are less fortunate is becoming vitally important. And thanks to a new fundraising campaign from one of my favorite charitable organizations, Mission 500, it is easier than ever to raise money virtually, right there from your home, or out running, walking or biking. Mission...

Typical weekday at my home: My son and I can be seen chasing our dog Blondie, trying to grab her before she escapes out the front door, which is open for some reason (my son?). Chaos ensues. After countless moments like this over the past nearly three months of working from home, my blog title is a question that many of us — I am sure — are pondering these days. And I mean a LOT of us! With many still working from home, others phasing back to working at the office and others taking on...

As most of you know, each year for the past 13 years, the Security Systems News team has honored a diverse, talented mix of young professionals within the security industry. Known as “20 under 40” up until last year, when we changed it to “40 under 40” to encompass the growing security industry and to include security consultants into the mix for added depth and perspective, once again, we are searching for our next “40 under 40” class of consultants, end users, integrators and monitoring...

Trying to gauge how badly the security industry is being affected by the coronavirus, and figuring out ways to best help us all get through this, is top of mind for everyone. In the last few weeks, The Monitoring Association (TMA), the Electronic Security Association (ESA) and the Security Industry Association (SIA) joined together to conduct a nationwide survey of members in order to better understand the impact COVID-19 has had on electronic security and life safety businesses. This survey confirms...