When security integrator Stanley Security Solutions announced plans last year to purchase fellow security integrator Niscayah, one of the largest global security firms in Europe and the U.S., for $1.2 billion, the move shook the very core of the security integrator space. The acquisition was large, to say the least: with it, Stanley Security Solutions increases its global presence, and its North American team greatly increased. There are more installation technicians, service specialists, branch employees, supervisors and team leaders. It created a much larger business, growing 30 percent in overall U.S. associates since January 2011.

Witness, if you will, 50 years of security art and science collapsed into the post 9/11 decade. When the dot com era burst, many venture dollars were looking for a place to work. 9/11, sadly, happened and was followed by many changes, including the creation of DHS and the promises to “inspect every bag at airports,” which led to the venture capital and curious question: Inspect them with what? The need rose, the money poured in. Innovation followed.