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 Forget Proprietary Customer Surveys...Think Like a Senior Executive
By Dan Dunkel
I have read several recent surveys regarding security convergence. One Fortune 500 Physical Security giant had an interesting PowerPoint of their results, but I was amazed to see that 33 percent of the respondents felt "Security Convergence will never happen"...33 percent actually said NEVER?
I understand some installs will never be widely networked: the local family-owned restaurant, my chiropractor or the downtown parking garage, for instance. However, considering larger installations or enterprise deployments - you have got to be kidding yourself or be blind to business history. We have to consider the survey source and their customer base, which is self-serving (no problem), however, this message sends the wrong information to an industry experiencing fundamental transformation and new competitors. The future is not the status quo.
Another survey I read was more optimistic stating that 50 percent felt IT would eventually be managing security solutions. More insightful, however, the bottom line on many of these surveys is that most of these respondents do not understand how executive decision-making vis-à-vis information technology expenditures work in large organizations.
Think about it for a moment: The IT department on average has 10 times the budget of most security departments for a reason. The facts are that for the last one or two decades (yes, decades), the executive staff has been funding information technology initiatives as a way to be more competitive by reducing costs and improving personal productivity. In many ways this is our nations' value add to the world: creativity and technical innovation.
I see some important trends occurring that are not in the surveys. Security directors are becoming more knowledgeable about the "holistic" business goals of their companies. Former FBI agents, law enforcement and military veterans are getting MBAs and climbing the corporate security ladder to the executive ranks. The increasing threats of corporate espionage and cyber attacks have become front-burner issues in boardrooms, and executives want coordinated action to protect the business. Senior executives are asking the IT management why security operations are not leveraging their technology investments by sharing information across the network like the other
departments.
Thinking like a senior executive (CEO, COO, CFO) offers some excellent insights into where the security industry is heading. The executive staff and board of directors feels they have made significant financial commitments to automate the organization.
Thus, the physical security department will follow every other department in the enterprise from several viewpoints:
- It will have a consistent and cost effective operational policy across the organization and not operate in the standalone, proprietary silo mode they have worked to eliminate.
(Can you imagine having a different payroll system in every department? or not sharing design information globally between engineering).
- The security department will add value to the various business operations, while protecting the corporate asset chain (human, physical and electronic) and brand (ultimately shareholder) value.
- As security becomes a discipline with more visibility and responsibilities, the CEO wants a security executive with more business skills to leverage their security experience.
Eventually, my opinion is that as security responsibilities grow, simultaneous to IT functions being commoditized and outsourced, the CSO will become one of the Top Three executive positions in the organization.
Now, try to take that survey into the executive suite and justify 33 percent of your industry believing security convergence will NEVER happen. The smart money is on deploying a security policy that extends across the internal IT infrastructure, and externally out to your partners and suppliers.
The trusted enterprise is the future. Silos be damned.
About the Author:
Dan Dunkel, President of New Era Associates, is a frequent presenter on the topic of systems integration and convergence before security, enterprise and executive groups. New Era specializes in creating sales strategies and developing business partnerships between IT and physical security firms focused on convergence solutions. Contact him at dan@neweraassociates.com or visit
www.neweraassociates.com |
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National Training Conference 2009
Many in the industry are referring to the National Training Conference 2009 as 'the training event of the year'. Find out for yourself on February 2-3, 2009 in Las Vegas.
This Conference offers four different comprehensive tracks, which include:
- Business Development - Crucial advice on getting the most our of business practices.
- NICET Preparation for Sprinklers - Preparation for NICET certification for sprinklers.
- NICET Preparation for Fire Alarms - Preparation for NICET certification for fire alarms.
- IP Technology - Overview of IP technology using video security and access control.
For details and registration, visit the National Training Center's Web site at www.NationalTrainingCenter.net or call (702) 648-8899.
Special Event at ASIS - Check It Out
SecurityDreamer and Hunt Business Intelligence (Steve Hunt) is hosting a free pre-ASIS "happy hour and show" at the Hard Rock in Atlanta. The event is in special cooperation with InfraGard and Security Magazine.
Join the SecurityDreamer and Hunt Business Intelligence teams on Sunday, Sept. 14 starting at 4 pm -- right before kickoff of the ASIS show. Steve says that food, drinks, music and edgy information will help you get the most out of the ASIS show -- What to pay attention to, what to avoid.
Pre-registration to this unique event is required. It's free for end-users and consultants. Sorry, no vendors.
Register at
http://www.regonline.com/builder/site/Default.aspx?eventid=639243
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In Trenton, Cameras Protect Big Investment In The Downtown
As a debate rages in Brockville about downtown surveillance, 90 minutes west down Highway 401 the city of Trenton has had the cameras rolling for about a month. With a population of 22,500, Trenton is part of the amalgamated city of Quinte West and Mayor John Williams said the eyes in the sky are designed to protect a major public and private investment in the downtown core.
Will cameras increase public safety downtown?
Students Adapt To Text-Message Alert System
Kansas University continues to fine-tune its emergency messaging system. The system was designed in the wake of mass shootings that have occurred in the U.S. in recent years. It is intended to alert students and staff as quickly as possible about a security problem. The alerts are issued through a multitiered system that involves e-mail, text messaging, public address, voice mail and Web pages.
Is texting an effective notification system?
'Robocam' Pilot Hailed As Success; Claim CCTV Camera Helped Expel Gang Ring Leaders
The company behind an "intelligent" camera installed on a Chester housing estate claims it helped expel gang ring leaders. Kent-based Viseum says the pounds 7,000 Intelligent Moving Camera (IMC), installed at The Parade in Blacon, captured all reported incidents but also a number of crimes that would otherwise have passed by unnoticed.
What did 'robocam' discover?
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Your Decision:
Failure or Success
It's a tough life out there. There is more business pressure to succeed. Chief security officers (CSOs), wanting that C-suite seat, now are more visible and vulnerable. In a slumping economy, there is more concentration on budget constraints. With regulations, rules and liability in their face, CSOs know more eyes are on them. And thanks to convergence and the networking of security data, there is the stress of working - successfully - with the information technology department, which is fondly revered by CEOs.
Look for the rest of this article in the August Issue of Security Magazine, or
sign up for a free subscription.
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 CSAA Central Station Excellence Awards: Aiming the Spotlight
Day in and day out central station employees everywhere represent the industry one phone call at a time, one decision at a time, one moment at a time. Each year, the Central Station Alarm Association (CSAA) takes a moment to step outside of those day-to-day motions and shine a spotlight on the industry leaders, illuminating a specific operator, manager and company that represent the best of what can be found throughout the industry.
Look for the rest of this article in the
August Issue of SDM Magazine, or sign up for a free subscription.
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