Attendees saw live demonstrations of solar-powered mobile surveillance trailers, the self-contained camera units used to protect construction sites, outdoor events, parking areas and other locations without permanent infrastructure.

The new facility gives EOS 24,000 square feet, which is more than double its previous space and the company plans to hire around 10 people in Genesee County, expanding its ability to serve businesses nationwide.

Why Did EOS Open New Facility in Fenton, Michigan?

“Genesee County has been a strong home for our business and this facility gives us room to grow with our customers,” says Francis Ralabate, general manager at EOS, a Security 101 company, in the announcement.

“Some organizations need visibility at construction sites, outdoor events and other temporary locations, while others are using these units as a permanent solution in remote areas where running power and network connections isn’t practical,” he says. “This space lets us support both, alongside the integrated video and access control systems our customers rely on every day.”

“More than doubling our space changes how we work day to day,” said Lolita Kozloff, director of operations at EOS. “We now have room to stage, test and maintain our trailers on site, and as we grow our team, we expect to take on more deployments and support more customers across Security 101’s national footprint.”

The post EOS, a Security 101 Company, Opens New Facility in Fenton, Michigan appeared first on Security Sales & Integration.

As part of the partnership, Convergint’s global network of Technology Centers will “design, quote, deploy and service Lumana’s camera-agnostic AI video security platform, providing enterprise and public sector customers with a trusted integrator to add advanced AI capabilities to their existing security infrastructure,” the announcement says.

“Convergint is a trusted integrator partner that deeply understands complex facilities, camera infrastructure and the teams responsible for keeping them secure,” says Sagi Ben Moshe, co-founder and CEO of Lumana, in the joint announcement.

“The combination of our AI video security platform with Convergint’s field engineering expertise gives enterprise and public sector customers a seamless path to transform their video security into actionable intelligence so they can see, understand and act on threats in real time – all without replacing their existing hardware,” he says.

Why is Lumana Partnering with Convergint?

Lumana’s AI video security platform is built around VIA-1, the company’s proprietary video intelligence model that continually learns from each environment it is deployed to monitor.

The platform’s distributed hybrid-cloud architecture processes video analysis locally on-premises to “drastically reduce bandwidth consumption, eliminate latency and ensure strict data privacy, while leveraging the cloud for advanced analysis of incidents flagged for review, remote management and updates,” the announcement says.

The platform is camera-agnostic, supports SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001, GDPR, HIPAA and NDAA compliance requirements, and is currently deployed across retail, manufacturing, higher education, healthcare, sports venues and Fortune 500 enterprises around the world.

“Convergint’s approach is centered on helping customers select and integrate technology based on their specific security and operational requirements,” says Joe Young, vice president of partners and alliances at Convergint, in the joint announcement.

“Our work with Lumana expands the AI-enabled video options available to customers and combines Lumana’s platform capabilities with Convergint’s experience in solution design, integration, deployment and ongoing service,” he says.

Convergint Technology Centers are now able to design, quote, deploy and service Lumana AI video solutions. For more information, contact sales@lumana.ai or your local Convergint Technology Center.

The post Lumana and Convergint Partner on Enterprise AI Video Security appeared first on Security Sales & Integration.

The presentations were quick but you could fill a notebook with a whole lot of business-changing wisdom if you paid attention to everything being said by the speakers.

My favorite Smart Stage session this year in Denver was “What Every Integrator Needs to Know About the Next Five Years,” which gathered some of the smartest people in residential integration and their crystal balls to look into the future of their industry.

Moderated by our fearless leader Dan Ferrisi, the session — featuring Lutron’s Melissa Andresko, Origin Acoustics’ Nick Berry, ADI Global’s Matt Kamp, Crestron’s Michael Short and Sony’s Kathleen Thomas — delivered plenty of nuggets that those in the commercial AV and security can also apply to their businesses.

What Can You Do With AI?

While many businesses continue to grapple with how artificial intelligence can help them and their customers do things more effectively, the panelists offered a few ways that AI is already making a difference.

While AI will never replace an on-site integration technician, it can help them deploy systems more quickly by diagnosing and repairing connection issues that are keeping the project from being completed. AI can also help with system assessments, they said.

AI will help security and AV integrators as it becomes smarter and more predictive down the road, and it can help them diagnose processes faster than today.

Pushing for Interoperability

Integrators need to have more conversations about what they need and want from their AV and security products from manufacturers and continue to push for fewer silos among them so plug-and-play becomes the norm in the industry rather than the exception.

All of these actions can lead to a better customer experience, which should be the goal of everyone who’s reading my words. If your ultimate goal isn’t creating a better experience for your customers, they won’t be your customers for much longer when someone else does for them what you wouldn’t.

How Do You Stay Relevant?

When it comes to technology, looking five years into the future can often be a fruitless pursuit, given how quickly things can — and will — change. That didn’t stop the Smart Stage panelists from taking a stab at what could help them stay relevant in 2031 (coincidentally, the year my 17-year-old daughter should graduate from college) and beyond, though.

One of the biggest tips is learning to talk to your customers. Integrators who come to a meeting with a fully baked solution for a customer they’ve never met are doing everything completely backwards. Listen to the customer, then solve the problem they actually have.

Sure, cookie-cutter installations are easier on the integrator but they might not fix a problem.

It’s about obsessing over simplicity and creating magical moments at every opportunity.

Another way to stay relevant half a decade from now is to make yourself indispensable by always being there and even fixing things for customers before they even know they need to be fixed. If you want to think of it in different terms, become a trusted advisor and technology authority for your customers.

Own the relationship, not the project.

Perhaps most importantly, make sure you truly understand profitability. It’s not just about raking in big bucks on headline-grabbing installations. There’s a lot more to it and those who understand it will stand out in the crowd.

So how are YOU preparing for the next five years?

The post How Integrators Can Stay Relevant appeared first on Security Sales & Integration.

TOKYO, Japan –– Global professional security and public safety solutions provider i-PRO Co., Ltd., recently announced its new remote head camera, a compact modular camera system designed to “bring edge AI to environments where conventional cameras are difficult to deploy.” 

The post i-PRO Introduces New Remote Head Camera That Extends Edge AI appeared first on Security Sales & Integration.

Mack will be presented with the award during the 2026 Securing New Ground (SNG) conference, scheduled for Oct. 20 and 21 at the Marriott Marquis in New York City.

Mack joined Raymond James in 2025 as managing director and co-head of security and safety investment banking. He joined from Imperial Capital, where he served as co-head of investment banking and head of the security sector investment banking practice.

Previously, Mack was founder and CEO of USBX, a boutique investment bank based in Los Angeles. Prior to his time at USBX, he served as CEO and a member of the board of directors of Protection One.

Why is John Mack the 2026 Lippert Award Winner?

Mack holds a B.A. from Stanford University and an MBA from the University of California, Los Angeles. He is a longtime SIA member whose involvement with the association and the broader security industry has included conceiving of SIA’s Endowment Program, which focuses on growth, expansion and innovation for SIA initiatives, and serving as endowment chairman.

He is a frequent speaker at the Securing New Ground conference and a past SIA board member, executive committee member and treasurer. His advocacy and support of SIA have included sponsorship of SNG and the SIA Executive Reception at ISC West and he has been a strong proponent and influenced SIA’s development of various research reports.

Mack founded the Security Investor Conference while at USBX 23 years ago, promoting the security industry to the investment community.

“I’m grateful for this award and truly honored by this recognition from SIA, which has done so much for the industry,” says Mack in the SIA announcement. “I am happy to have been involved as a board member, founding chair of the Endowment Committee and an active volunteer.

“I am particularly appreciative of the programs and activities that the SIA Endowment has funded over the last several years including, talent development, specific industry verticals programs, startups, school security and support for women and veterans in security,” he says.

SIA’s Lippert Award is named in honor of George R. Lippert, who dedicated more than 20 years of his life to SIA and the security industry. When evaluating candidates for this award, SIA’s committee considers nominees’ “long-term service to SIA and the security industry, the impact of their efforts on behalf of SIA and the industry and the integrity, leadership and diplomacy displayed in their industry dealings,” according to the association announcement.

“John Mack has spent decades helping our industry grow while giving generously of his time and expertise to SIA,” says SIA Board of directors chairman Mike Mathes in the association announcement. “He has brought the security and investment communities closer together and helped establish SIA’s endowment fund, creating opportunities that will benefit our members for years to come.

“His leadership and commitment to the industry’s future make him a deserving recipient of the George R. Lippert Memorial Award,” he says.

In addition to presenting the Lippert Award, SIA will recognize this year’s 25 on the RISE Awards honorees.

Learn more and register to attend Securing New Ground here!

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The initiative “focuses on making cybersecurity understandable and actionable, particularly for SMBs that may not have dedicated cybersecurity teams or extensive technical resources,” according to the company announcement.

Throughout October, uRISQ will publish educational content addressing the human element of cybersecurity, business email compromise, ransomware, multifactor authentication and “other risks that can have significant operational and financial consequences,” the announcement says.

Why is uRISQ Focusing on Cybersecurity Awareness?

The need for continued cybersecurity education is “underscored by recent industry data, according to the uRISQ announcement. Verizon’s 2026 Data Breach Investigations Report found that 62% of breaches involved the human element, including deception and unintentional mistakes. The same report found that ransomware was involved in 48% of the breaches analyzed.

“These numbers are significant, but cybersecurity awareness isn’t about frightening businesses—it’s about helping them recognize that relatively simple actions can make a meaningful difference,” says Leigh A. McGuire, executive account manager of uRISQ, in the company announcement.

“Security dealers and integrators are in a unique position to help educate their SMB customers about cybersecurity risk,” she says. “They already have trusted relationships with businesses that rely on them to help protect their people, property and operations. Extending those conversations to include cyber risk is a natural and increasingly important opportunity to inform and educate.”

The first blog post may be viewed at https://myurisq.com/2026/10/cybersecurity-awareness-small-actions-that-make-a-big-difference/.

The post uRISQ Marks Cybersecurity Awareness Month with Educational Series and Video Demonstration appeared first on Security Sales & Integration.

The transaction includes Keyhole’s fire alarm, access control, video surveillance, electronic security and monitoring operations. The locksmith business, which has long been part of the Keyhole legacy, is being sold separately and will continue under separate ownership.

Keyhole Security traces its roots to 1948, when Archie Lodge introduced key cutting services at Wenatchee Cycle & Toy. Over the decades, the business expanded beyond its locksmith origins to become a provider of electronic security, fire alarm, access control, video surveillance and monitoring services throughout central Washington, the announcement says.

Ron and Jeanne Lodge purchased the business in 1978 and helped transform it into a full-service security company serving Chelan, Douglas, Grant, Okanogan and Kittitas counties in Washington. David Langlois joined the company in 1989, became general manager in 1997 and later a minority owner, helping lead the organization through “decades of growth and expansion,” according to the joint announcement.

“We have always kept our customers at the center of our business and we know they will be served well by Guardian Security,” says Ron Lodge in the announcement.

Why Did Guardian Security Acquire Keyhole Security?

The Keyhole Security acquisition “reflects a shared commitment to preserving the relationships, expertise and local service that customers have relied upon for generations,” according to the joint announcement. Guardian Security plans to build upon Keyhole’s established presence in central Washington while providing additional resources, expanded capabilities and continued investment in employees and customer service.

“With our central station already located in Yakima and our deep roots in Washington, we are excited to continue building upon the legacy that Ron, Jeanne, David and the entire Keyhole team have created,” says Ainsley Close, president of Guardian Security, in the joint announcement.

“We look forward to serving customers throughout central Washington with the same local commitment and personal service they have come to expect,” she says.

Customers will continue to receive “the services they depend on from experienced professionals who understand the communities they serve and the importance of dependable, personal service,” according to the joint announcement.

The post Guardian Security Acquires Keyhole Security of Wenatchee, Washington appeared first on Security Sales & Integration.

MELVILLE, N.Y. – ADI today launches its 2026 ADI Datacom Road Show, a five-city event series designed to “bring supplier education, product training and networking directly to customers at local ADI stores,” according to the company announcement.

The Road Show “will highlight datacom as a key growth category for ADI and its customers, while showcasing the breadth of ADI’s portfolio and helping customers identify new opportunities in this rapidly expanding space,” the announcement says.

• Denver Oct. 21
• South Plainfield, N.J. Oct. 27
• Orange, Calif. Nov. 4
• Elk Grove Village, Ill. Nov. 10
• Charlotte Nov. 17

Doors will open at 8 a.m. with the first supplier training session beginning at 8:30 a.m. Supplier schedules will vary by location with breaks between sessions.

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The company has elevated Chris Sisto to chief product officer and Jamie Greenberg to chief corporate & legal officer. Kiel Hume has also joined the company as its first head of communications and government relations.

Sisto and Greenberg will both continue to report to CEO Mike Matta. Hume will report to Greenberg.

The moves signal Solink’s plans “to continue its aggressive global expansion, growing the AI vision intelligence category around the world,” according to the company announcement. The company “has seen explosive growth in recent years, introducing new AI capabilities, nearly doubling customer locations to 35,000 sites since 2023, and expanding into new global markets.”

Today, Solink’s platform “provides millions of operational insights every month that help customers across 65 countries run their business,” the announcement says.

Why Did Solink Overhaul Its Executive Team?

Sisto “has built a world-class team of high-performing product managers who create products that help customers solve their biggest business challenges,” according to the company announcement. He joined Solink in 2021, with “increasing responsibility as the company has scaled, driving significant product innovations that directly address customer needs.”

“With a deep understanding of how technology can improve operational efficiency and enhance user experience in complex environments, Sisto focuses on integrating video and operational data to help businesses modernize their operations and grow,” the announcement says.

Prior to Solink, Sisto held senior positions in product management and marketing at various SaaS companies, including Cliniconex, D3M and Teldio.

Chief corporate and legal officer Jamie Greenberg (Photo courtesy of Solink)

Greenberg leads legal, corporate strategy and development, policy, investor relations and corporate communications at Solink and serves as a member of the executive leadership team.

Prior to Solink, he was the general counsel at social storytelling platform Wattpad, leading the company’s global legal and policy operations through “significant growth” and its acquisition by Naver Corp.

Hume has spent more than 15 years in B2B and B2C technology, media and telecommunications, growing brands and categories and introducing new technologies.

Prior to Solink, Hume was head of communications at WEBTOON Entertainment, where he led public company corporate communications, public relations and publicity for the company’s WEBTOON, Wattpad and WEBTOON Productions businesses. He led communications for WEBTOON Entertainment’s Nasdaq IPO in 2024 and Wattpad’s acquisition by Naver Corp. in 2021.

Head of communications and government relations Kiel Hume (Photo courtesy of Solink)

The post Solink Evolves Executive Team with 2 Promotions and New Position appeared first on Security Sales & Integration.

“The SSI Year-End Trend-Setting Technologies list is one of the most highly anticipated unveilings of the year,” says Dan Ferrisi, group director of content + editorial, industrial + tech, at Forge. “At a time of year when integrators, installers, dealers and security stakeholders are looking for roundups of products they should be specifying, designing and installing, the Trend-Setting Technologies list gives them exactly what they need.

“That’s why placement on the list tends to have an immediate impact on suppliers’ channel visibility and, thus, their sales,” he says.

Why Should You Submit for Trend-Setting Technologies?

SSI’s 2026 Year-End Trend-Setting Technologies list grabs the attention of the electronic security industry’s tastemakers – indeed, being on the list can open doors, spur new relationships, and drive vendors to even greater levels of success.

Among all the creations your research and development team has delivered over the past 12 months, what has changed the game the most, enabling security installers and integrators to protect life, home, and property more reliably?

Don’t miss your chance to inform SSI’s audience about your biggest, boldest R&D innovation! Submit your nomination before our deadline on Tuesday, Nov. 24 for a chance to be included in this year’s list.

Click here to submit your nomination for the Year-End Trend-Setting Technologies!

The post 2026 Year-End Trend-Setting Technologies Entries Open NOW! appeared first on Security Sales & Integration.

Squires will be recognized Nov. 4 during the 2026 SIA Honors Night event in conjunction with ISC East 2026 at the City Winery, according to the association announcement.

He began his career in the sports and entertainment facilities and events management industry in 1987 and has managed several large professional sports venues. Squires oversaw all aspects of events and operations for these venues.

Squires was the chief venues officer for the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup New York New Jersey Host Committee. He is a past president of the Stadium Managers Association and sits on several boards supporting sports and entertainment facilities and events.

He teaches the Sports Facilities and Events Management (2007) course and co-teaches the Sustainability in Sports: Theory and Practice (2024) course in Columbia University’s Master of Science in the Sports and Sustainability Management programs.

Squires is a United States Naval Academy graduate and was an active-duty naval aviator for 12 years before joining the New York Yankees. He served an additional 12 years in the Naval Reserves and retired as a commander.

Why is Squires the 2026 SIA Insightful Practitioner?

Squires’ involvement in SIA has included delivering multiple presentations to the SIA Artificial Intelligence Advisory Board, participating in SIA’s Vertical Insights Stadium Security Symposium and serving as an executive speaker for The Table, a peer-to-peer business leadership master class from SIA and PSA.

In addition, he is the keynote speaker for SIA’s upcoming Veterans in Security Leadership Forum, scheduled for Nov. 3 in New York City, in conjunction with ISC East.

“It is an absolute honor to receive the 2026 SIA Insightful Practitioner Award. As a graduate of the United States Naval Academy, I promised to serve my country to the best of my ability,” says Squires in the SIA announcement. “As a member of the sports and entertainment facilities and events management industry for the past 39+ years, I have committed to doing the same.

“The primary objective is to ensure the safety and security of everyone attending these events, and to protect the complex infrastructure that supports some of America’s most cherished pastimes. The Security Industry Association shares these goals and I am grateful for their continued support,” he says.

“Bill Squires is a talented security practitioner and leader who has made major impacts in sports, venue and event security during his impressive career,” says SIA CEO Don Erickson in the association announcement. “He has offered considerable time and expertise to SIA through speaking at SIA events and engaging with the AI Advisory Board and Veterans in Security community.

“We commend Bill for his outstanding innovation and accomplishments and thank him for his support of SIA and the industry overall, and we look forward to celebrating him at SIA Honors Night,” he says.

SIA’s Insightful Practitioner Award was created to “honor security practitioners who demonstrate leadership and excellence in promoting the implementation of innovative security solutions through education, advocacy and teamwork with the security industry and other stakeholders,” according to the association announcement.

This year’s SIA Honors Night, held at the beautiful City Winery in New York City, includes networking, entertainment, food and drinks and a gala recognizing “exceptional members of the security industry for their leadership, commitment and service to the industry,” the announcement says.

SIA Honors Night will once again benefit the Foundation for Advancing Security Talent (FAST). In addition to presenting the Insightful Practitioner Award, SIA will also present the 2026 Progress Award and Jay Hauhn Excellence in Partnerships Award.

The post SIA Names Squires 2026 Insightful Practitioner Award Honoree appeared first on Security Sales & Integration.

Security Sales & Integration: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

Ryan Schonfeld: Surround yourself with people who are smarter than you. It sounds trite but it’s true. No one person has all the answers and the best companies are built by teams that bring different skills and different points of view. When you hire people who see things you don’t, you stop being the ceiling for your own company.

SSI: What advice would you give to those looking to achieve success in the security industry?

Schonfeld: Never underestimate the power of your network. Hard work will get you far but your network will take you the rest of the way. The best part is that this industry is full of people who are genuinely willing to help you grow. Ask for the advice and pay it forward when it’s your turn.

My other piece of advice is to leave the “gates, guards and guns” mentality behind. If you look at security in a vacuum, you’ll always be fighting an uphill battle against the people trying to exploit it.

The most successful security pros I work with look beyond security. They use technology to drive efficiency, and they understand what the business is trying to achieve so they can show how their department helps get it there. Security stops being a cost center and becomes a growth partner.

SSI: If you could point to one person in the security industry and tell up-and-comers, “Make sure to listen to what they have to say,” whom would you pick and why?

Schonfeld: I wouldn’t point to one person. I’d point to a whole group: the up-and-coming generation of chief security officers. Many of them don’t come into security through their law enforcement or military backgrounds but they’ve spent years in and around security programs. They bring real business and technology acumen with them, rewriting what a security department can be.

My advice is to consider leaders outside of traditional security for mentorship as you grow your career. Many of them who “get it” are the business leaders who happen to wear a security hat. They understand the company’s goals first and see security as one of the ways to reach them.

You can also learn this close to home. Look inside your own organization for leaders outside of security, like the heads of finance, operations or technology. They can teach you how the business actually runs and that’s what earns security a seat at the table.

The post Ryan Schonfeld, Co-Founder and CEO, HiveWatch: Best Advice appeared first on Security Sales & Integration.

Through this effort, Everon will be offering FLIR’s UL 2684- and NFPA 72-compliant thermal imaging solution for early warning fire detection, addressing requirements for initiating devices (Chapter 17) and inspection, testing and maintenance (Chapter 14), according to the joint announcement.

FLIR has obtained UL certification for its A-Series thermal imaging cameras as of Sept. 21, enabling the combined solution to meet “stringent fire and life safety code requirements,” the announcement says.

The FLIR thermal imaging solution “can identify abnormal heat signatures and fire-related thermal events as they begin, providing early warning notification while initiating a fire alarm event directly at the fire alarm control panel,” according to the joint announcement. “This integrated approach helps facilitate faster emergency response, reduces overall risk and improves protection of critical assets and environments.”

The system offers “highly configurable alarm settings to meet specific customer requirements and use cases,” according to the joint announcement, including:

• Fixed temperature threshold alarms
• Rate of temperature rise alarms
• Percentage of change notifications
• Multiple zones or areas of interest within a single camera

By covering larger areas and monitoring multiple zones simultaneously, one thermal camera can replace multiple traditional detection devices – improving overall effectiveness and detection reliability while simplifying system design and ongoing maintenance.

The solution is designed for a wide range of applications, including battery energy storage systems (BESS), energy production and utilities, data centers, warehouses, distribution centers, rooftop solar, manufacturing, food and beverage, and recycling and waste management operations.

Why is Everon Collaborating with Teledyne FLIR?

“Working with FLIR on this solution represents a major advancement in how early fire detection and life safety systems can be designed and deployed,” says Ryan Sandler, vice president, fire & life safety, for Everon, in the joint announcement.

“By combining Everon’s deep expertise in code compliant fire and life safety integration with FLIR’ s proven thermal imaging technology, we’re helping customers detect thermal events earlier, respond faster, and reduce risk – particularly in complex, high-hazard environments,” he says.

“When it comes to fire detection, the value comes down to one thing: time,” says Kyle McKinney, vice president, America sales, for FLIR Advanced & Integrated Systems, in the joint announcement. “By enabling earlier detection of developing thermal events, FLIR’s UL-Listed thermal imaging solution gives organizations more time to respond before a fire impacts people, assets, and operations.

“We are excited to bring this capability to Everon’s customer base and help them reduce risk across their most critical environments,” he says.

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Security Sales & Integration: How does the holiday travel season change homeowner expectations around residential security, remote access and system visibility?

Matt Kamp: The busy holiday travel season reinforces how much homeowner expectations have evolved. While protecting an empty home remains the primary concern, homeowners also want to stay connected to their property, including primary residences as well as vacation homes, no matter where they are.

Remote visibility is now an expectation rather than a premium feature. Whether checking that doors are locked, confirming a package was delivered, viewing live camera feeds after receiving an alert or adjusting access for a house sitter or guest, homeowners expect immediate access to information and control from anywhere.

For security professionals and integrators, that means designing systems that are reliable, intuitive and easy to manage remotely.

SSI: When designing systems for clients who want to monitor and manage their homes while away, what are the most important design and usability considerations?

 Kamp: Ease of use should be the primary consideration. During the holidays, homeowners may be traveling, hosting family or simply spending more time away from home, so they need to be able to quickly check in and respond to alerts without navigating a complicated system.

A clear interface, logical controls and appropriately configured notifications help guarantee the system becomes part of the homeowner’s daily routine rather than something they only use during emergencies.

Reliable connectivity is equally important. Since remote access depends on network performance, integrators should evaluate wireless coverage, bandwidth requirements and overall infrastructure early in the design process.

It’s also important to think beyond today’s needs. Homes continue to add connected devices over time, so designing with future expansion in mind helps avoid unnecessary upgrades and supports a better long-term experience.

SSI: Where do connected residential security projects most often break down once multiple devices, platforms and networks have to work together? 

Kamp: The biggest challenges often stem from system planning rather than the individual devices themselves. As connected homes become more complex, successful projects depend on thoughtful integration, strong network performance and careful configuration.

A reliable home network serves as the foundation for every connected system. Weak wireless coverage, insufficient bandwidth or improperly configured equipment can affect cameras, sensors, notifications and remote access across the entire installation.

Another common challenge is failing to consider long-term interoperability. Homeowners frequently expand their systems over time so selecting technologies that can continue working together helps reduce future compatibility issues and service calls.

SSI: What installation, configuration or homeowner-education mistakes do you see most often in connected home security deployments?

Kamp: One of the biggest mistakes is treating installation as the finish line instead of the beginning of the homeowner’s experience. A successful project includes helping clients understand how to use the system effectively after installation is complete. For example, families with young children, pets or frequent visitors may require different notification settings, user permissions or automation preferences than other homeowners.

That includes explaining how notifications work, demonstrating remote access features, reviewing user permissions and encouraging basic cybersecurity practices such as strong passwords, multi-factor authentication and regular software updates.

From a technical perspective, overlooking network readiness or failing to account for future system growth can create avoidable challenges. Taking time to properly configure the system, customize it for the homeowner’s lifestyle and educate the homeowner helps improve both long-term performance and homeowner satisfaction.

SSI: Over the next several years, which changes in homeowner behavior, system architecture or service expectations are likely to matter the most for integrators?

Kamp: Homeowners increasingly expect connected technologies to work together as a seamless experience. During the holiday season, when homes may have more guests, activity and connected devices in use, that expectation becomes even more important. Rather than managing multiple disconnected applications or devices, they want systems that are intuitive, dependable and accessible from virtually anywhere.

Artificial intelligence will continue making security systems more practical by reducing nuisance alerts and helping homeowners focus on activity that actually requires their attention. Rather than receiving dozens of notifications each day, people increasingly expect systems to provide more relevant information with greater context.

Cybersecurity and privacy will remain equally important. As more connected devices become part of everyday life, homeowners are becoming increasingly aware of how systems are secured and how their data is managed.

For integrators, the greatest opportunities will come from designing scalable, reliable, flexible systems, educating homeowners on best practices and providing ongoing support that helps ensure those systems continue performing as expected over time.

The post How Connected Technology Gives Holiday Travelers Real-Time Control appeared first on Security Sales & Integration.

This will be the first user conference since the merger with Portal, opening the conference up to Portal.io users this year.

As a result, the theming of the conference this year is “Let’s Build Together,” with D-Tools declaring it both a milestone and invitation to attendees.

Roughly 150 integration business leaders are expected to attend this year’s conference alongside users for training, education and discussion. D-Tools has also mentioned that this conference will give attendees a chance to have a direct voice in the company’s product roadmap.

What’s on the 2027 D-Tools User Conference Itinerary?

DTUC 2027 will open March 22 with a half-day of hands-on training across all three platforms aimed at all levels of user confidence and experience.

The two-day main program, March 23 and 24, includes:

• A State of the Industry address powered by D-Tools data, plus presentations from industry thought leaders
• Integrator panels where small, mid-size and large firms share what’s working
• Peer roundtables for trading practical, process-level ideas with fellow integrators and the D-Tools and Portal team.
• Three education tracks for owners and executives, sales and design teams, and operations and engineering teams

In addition to the hands-on training and roadmap discussions, the conference will engage in topics of operational efficiency as well, such as faster and more accurate quoting, AI in proposals, selling recurring services, hiring and team building, inventory and procurement, and the sales-to-operations handoff.

Why integrators should take note

One facet of the conference D-Tools has been heavily promoting has been the opportunity attendees will have to work directly with D-Tools product, support and leadership teams to help shape the product roadmap.

“This is our first chance to stand in front of our whole community as one company,” says G Paul Hess, CEO of D-Tools, in the company announcement. “The best software is built with the people who use it every day. We want integrators in the room trading ideas, working side by side with our product and support teams, and telling us what to build next. Let’s build it together.”

How to register and apply for a sponsorship for DTUC 2027

Registration is open now at https://www.d-tools.com/2027-d-tools-user-conference. D-Tools and Portal users of every experience level can register for the conference.

Limited sponsorship opportunities are also available for companies that want to connect with integration business leaders. Interested companies can learn more about sponsorship on the D-Tools website.

The post D-Tools Opens Registration for 2027 User Conference in Atlanta, Georgia appeared first on Security Sales & Integration.

The fact pattern in this case revolves around the fact that, during the fire, the central station never received any fire alarm signals from the premises and the building burned down.

Forensic investigation reveals that, seven months prior to the fire, the central stations automation software had detected that this system was unable to communicate with the central station once every 24 hours, as is required under NFPA 72.

Notably, instead of these trouble conditions initiating the central station operator to notify persons on the emergency call list, a no-action plan had been input by the dealer, whereby if the fire alarm system was unable to communicate with the central station it was set up to be a log only event meaning no one would know to take action.

What Role Does NFPA 72 Play in Alarm Suppression?

Of course, the mandatory minimum requirements of NFPA 72 uniformly prohibit logging any signals that are transmitted to a central station and/or that are detected by the central station as being unable to communicate.

There are certain critical standards of care that have been inherent in the services that the professional and technical community of the alarm and central station industry has been providing to subscribers for more than 50 years. Resultantly, alarm contractors have a duty to provide these services to subscribers in accordance with their duties and what they contracted with their subscribers.

For example, one of the core pillars of central station alarm monitoring services is that it is provided 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. In other words, no one in the alarm industry could ever market, contract or get a subscriber to agree to have central station alarm monitoring services from Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. only because no one can predict when an alarm or trouble condition will happen.

Yet, many alarm contractors in the industry have decided to suppress certain signals, and incredibly, this conduct is being performed without the knowledge or consent of the subscriber or the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ).

These signals include, but are not limited to, AC fail, low battery, comm fail and fail to test indications that are transmitted and/or detected by the central station’s automation software.

What Does This Mean for Central Stations?

Against the foregoing backdrop, subscribers have suffered serious personal injury, death and/or significant property loss due to the decisions made by their alarm contractor and/or central station to disregard, ignore and suppress all of this critical information.

It is important to note that suppression equates to increased profits for central stations, in that less activity means that central stations do not have to spend any time on all of this signal activity and can have fewer operators.

Meanwhile, when an alarm contractor and/or central station deviates from, disregards or ignores their duties to increase profits by not performing services, it puts profits over the safety and security of subscribers.

Along those same lines, due to the mission-critical nature of security systems, there is no security and/or life safety benefit to not detecting and reporting all conditions of an alarm system, whereby a change of state has occurred and/or it has been detected by the very system that was purported to be equipped with 24-hour, 365-day central station alarm monitoring services.

On the other end of the technical spectrum, if a control unit is designed to detect an impairment(s), and it would have, but for your decision to suppress the loss of functionality at the central station, this will significantly increase your risk and liability and, most importantly, your subscribers have increased risk as well.

Moreover, suppression is not and has never been recognized by NFPA 72, the National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, and if you deviate from NFPA 72 in the services that you provide to your subscribers, you have violated the fire code and your statutory duties.

The choices that your company and/or central station make shall align with what you represented that you are providing to subscribers. To the extent that you do not take these duties seriously, you do so at your own peril because there is no security, life safety and/or technical justification for suppression of central station signal activity, nor does this conduct comply with NFPA 72.

In closing, for alarm contractors who believe that they can continue with the practice of suppression and/or for those central stations who continue to agree to adopt suppression efforts from alarm dealers, this is a recipe for disaster, and both alarm contractors and central stations know, have a duty to know and/or most certainly have to know, that it is foreseeably dangerous.

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More than one-quarter of replies (26%) in the latest Security Market Index cited “excellent” conditions, while 57% said that conditions are “good.” Fifteen percent said they are “average,” while 3% said “fair.” None said “poor” in the September/October 2026 report.

This marks the third straight index in which at least 80% of survey participants gauged conditions as excellent or good, with the July/August report setting the bar at 86% and the May/June index showing 80% of respondents with a positive outlook about the security industry.

Notwithstanding the largely positive sentiments, some concerns were cited with the overall economy and the
potential impact on the security industry, according to the SIA announcement.

“Uncertainty rules the day right now,” a representative of the audio/voice communication sector who described current conditions was “good” said. “The economy doesn’t seem to be clear, so confidence in the future is lower than it was.”

How is the Security Market Index Measured?

The Security Market Index, which has been regularly published by SIA for nearly 30 years, is calculated using a
proprietary formula based on three-month projections related to five key business components. The September-October index dipped four points from two months ago to 53.

The index has seen some volatility this year, possibly because of international events. It fell 14 points in the March April survey, which was conducted shortly after the United States and Israel launched military operations in Iran, then increased 12 points in May-June as a ceasefire was signed.

Hostilities – as well as inflation-inducing restrictions on the movement of oil – have continued since then, though, and a resolution has remained elusive. The current index is four points below the rolling 12-month average of 57. An index of 50 and above indicates growth in the industry.

Survey respondents represented all of the main sectors of the security industry, with access control/identity
management, integration, and video surveillance accounting for more than 40% of participants.

“These numbers show just how strong our industry is,” says SIA board of directors chairman Mike Mathes, executive vice president at Convergint, in the association announcement. “Even amid geopolitical disruptions, we are able to grow because of dedicated people delivering innovative products and services that enhance safety and improve quality of life.”

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Guarino stepped into the role in August, taking on full responsibility for the New England market after joining Security 101 earlier this year to lead the area’s sales organization, according to a company announcement. 

“Bobby has made an immediate impact since joining Security 101, and he brings exactly the kind of leadership our New England customers and team deserve,” says Craig Shulman, chief operating officer, in the announcement. “He leads from the front, holds his team accountable and knows how to grow a business the right way. I have no doubt he will do outstanding work leading the area.”

Why Did Security 101 Promote Robert Guarino to GM?

Guarino brings more than 15 years of sales and operations leadership experience with “a track record of building high-performing teams, driving growth and managing strong P&L performance,” according to the company announcement.

He joined Security 101 in February 2026 to lead sales across New England and now oversees the market as General Manager, focused on revenue growth, market expansion and customer relationships across key verticals including healthcare, education and municipalities.

Earlier in his career, he held full P&L leadership roles as chief sales officer at Champion Elevator and general manager at Everon, following sales and operations leadership positions at Johnson Controls, Tyco Integrated Security and ADT.

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Spearheaded by the SIA WISF community’s UpliftHER Subcommittee, the CAN DO Challenge invites security professionals and organizations to help alleviate hunger through both donations and acts of service.

This year, the challenge offers two ways to give: CAN DO Local, which encourages participants to serve their own communities individually or through their companies and CAN DO Virtual, a virtual food drive benefiting Food Bank for New York City, the city’s largest hunger relief organization. The effort “reflects the industry’s broader commitment to safety, well-being and social responsibility,” according to the SIA announcement.

“We’re making it easy for individuals to participate and contribute this year,” says Katie Krug, SIA WISF UpliftHER Subcommittee co-chairwoman and senior account executive at SAGE Integration, in the association announcement.

“People can shop our virtual food drive and purchase specific food items or make their own custom donation and thanks to the Food Bank for NYC’s reach and purchasing power, every dollar donated helps provide five meals,” she says.

“Nearly one in five children in the U.S. lives in a household facing food insecurity. As a mother, helping to close that gap and feed those in need is important to me,” says Colleen Bourbonais, SIA WISF UpliftHER Subcommittee co-chairwoman and human resource manager at IndustrialEnet, in the announcement.

“The CAN DO challenge is an incredible way to make a meaningful, hands-on impact for families who need support within your own local community,” she says.

How Can You Participate in the CAN DO Challenge?

Individuals and companies across the security industry are encouraged to:

• Shop the virtual food drive: Visit the CAN Do Virtual food drive to build a cart up to your desired donation amount or make a custom donation to Food Bank For New York City. Every $1 helps provide five meals.
• Support a local organization: Volunteer individually or as a team at a food pantry or a homeless shelter, especially during the busy holiday months.
• Deliver or serve meals: Deliver meals to homebound or senior citizens or serve free dinners at a house of worship.
• Host a food drive: Spearhead a food drive at work to benefit a local food bank, or coordinate a local meal service.
• Donate funds: Financial contributions to local or national food banks are equally valuable; every effort counts toward making a difference.
• Visit the Mission 500 booth at ISC East: If your company is attending ISC East this year, stop by the Mission 500 booth (#825) and donate to our virtual food drive, Mission 500 will match all donations made up to $2,500.
• Spread the word online: Share your CAN DO Local and CAN DO Virtual activity on social media using the hashtag #WISFCanDo.

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