Working closely with Nice’s regional sales managers (RSMs), TMG “will provide local dealers and distribution partners with an additional layer of field support, resources and expertise,” according to the company announcement.

This strategic partnership “reinforces Nice North America’s ongoing commitment to expanding localized sales expertise, dealer engagement and market development within the security and smart home channel,” the announcement says.

Why Did Nice Partner with Thomasson Marketing Group?

“Regional representation plays a critical role in how we support our partners and drive growth in key markets,” says Donnie McVicker, chief sales officer of Nice North America, in the company announcement. “Thomasson Marketing Group brings strong relationships, deep industry knowledge, and a proven ability to execute at the local level.

“Their focus on dealer engagement and sell-through initiatives will help expand the reach of our 2GIG portfolio and support our partners’ success across this important region,” he says.

With this partnership, Thomasson Marketing Group will represent 2GIG solutions across Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming, the announcement says.

Led by president Jordan R. Thomasson, TMG “has built a strong reputation for delivering strategic sales representation and channel development within the security and low voltage electronics industries,” according to the company announcement.

Through this relationship, Nice North America “continues to invest in its regional representation strategy, ensuring dealers and distributors have access to the resources, expertise and support needed to succeed in an increasingly competitive market,” the announcement says.

“We’re excited to partner with Nice North America and represent the 2GIG portfolio across such a dynamic region,” says Thomasson in the announcement. “2GIG continues to be a trusted name in the security and smart home space, and we look forward to helping dealers grow their businesses through strong local support and market development.”

The post Nice Expands U.S. Representation with Thomasson Marketing Group appeared first on Security Sales & Integration.

We also saw New York Knicks fans celebrate the team’s historic comeback in Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden by taking to the streets and, for some reason, throwing eggs at San Antonio Spurs superstar center Victor Wembanyama as he got off the team bus and tried to go into the hotel after the game.

Other surveillance videos this week include a Massachusetts mother lashing out at a graduation ceremony, flash floods across the Midwestern U.S. and someone setting up a burning cross in a historic Chicago park.

Click here to check out the latest batch of Surveillance Videos of the Week. Send your suggestions for future editions to digital editor Craig MacCormack at craig.maccormack@emeraldx.com.

The post Shark Attack Near Fla. Naval Base: Surveillance Videos of the Week appeared first on Security Sales & Integration.

EINDHOVEN, Netherlands — Global intelligence-first video security provider IQSIGHT recently announced that security and technology industry leader Ted Wilkinson has joined its executive team as vice president of sales, North America.

In his new role, Wilkinson “will be responsible for accelerating sales growth, executing regional go-to-market strategy and deepening engagement with IQSIGHT’s channel partners and customers,” the company announcement says.

“Ted brings the right combination of industry insight and execution expertise to lead our North American team and align the regional sales efforts with our broader global strategy,” says Sam Ward, chief commercial officer, global sales, at IQSIGHT, in the announcement.

“He is committed to cultivating loyalty with our channel partners and customers by empowering the sales team
to meet market needs and unlock new opportunities for growth,” he says.

Why Did IQSIGHT Add Ted Wilkinson?

Wilkinson has more than three decades of experience and “has been instrumental in developing successful key account and channel strategies, scalable go-to-market models and effective initiatives that build stronger customer and partner relationships,” according to the IQSIGHT announcement.

He has “a proven ability to lead high-performing teams, deliver consistent results and expand market presence,” the announcement says.

“IQSIGHT’s core strengths in visual intelligence and delivering high-quality, reliable solutions create an excellent foundation for growth,” says Wilkinson in the company announcement. “I look forward to working with the passionate and committed team in North America to deliver an exceptional customer experience providing technologies that help organizations reduce risk, improve safety and keep operations running smoothly.”

The post IQSIGHT Appoints Wilkinson as Vice President of Sales, North America appeared first on Security Sales & Integration.

The decision “establish[es] a long-term coordination and continuity framework designed to strengthen global collaboration across the fire and emergency services profession,” the announcement says.

The Secretariat structure “will provide continuity between Congresses, preserve institutional knowledge, support host-nation coordination and strengthen sustained international engagement on emerging fire and life safety challenges,” according to the association announcement.

“It is an honor for the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association to serve as the Secretariat for the World Fire Congress,” says Otto Drozd III, executive secretary of Metro Chiefs, in the announcement. “What is being established through this partnership is far more than operational coordination for a single event.

“It is the long-term infrastructure designed to support continuity, global engagement and sustained collaboration for future Congresses and the international fire and emergency services community. With the support of NFPA and IAFC, combined with the research and learning efforts being advanced through UL Research Institutes’ Fire Safety Research Institute, the World Fire Congress is building a strong and enduring foundation capable of supporting global cooperation for generations to come,” he says.

What is the World Fire Congress?

The World Fire Congress is a biennial global forum that “brings together fire and emergency service leaders to strengthen international cooperation, share knowledge and advance evidence-informed dialogue on evolving fire and life safety challenges impacting communities worldwide,” according to the announcement.

Topics include firefighter health and safety, climate-driven disasters, structural fires, wildfires, emerging technologies, prevention, response, recovery and resilience.

The 2026 World Fire Congress will take place Sept. 8-9 at the QEII Conference Centre in Westminster, London, hosted by the United Kingdom and organized by the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC).

In addition to the Secretariat announcement, the World Fire Congress confirmed that UL Research Institutes’ Fire Safety Research Institute (ULRI) “will support the Congress’ learning, research and insight efforts by developing global Communities of Practice designed to sustain collaboration between Congresses,” the announcement says.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates is scheduled to host the Congress in 2028, and proposals are currently being accepted for prospective host nations for 2030.

The post World Fire Congress Advances Global Fire Service Collaboration appeared first on Security Sales & Integration.

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

Lessing Gold: Retain your sense of humor.

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

Gold: Always tell the truth and be honest and straightforward with your customers and your suppliers. If a job is beyond the scope of your ability or knowledge, don`t accept it.

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?

Gold: Peter Raymond. He knows the industry inside and out. He takes pride in what he does and is always ready to share his knowledge with new and upcoming men and women entering the industry. If he tells you something, listen!

The post Lessing Gold, Partner, Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp: Best Advice appeared first on Security Sales & Integration.

As demand climbs, so does the pressure to deliver facilities faster, often across multiple regions simultaneously. For security system integrators and consultants, this shift brings both opportunity and challenge.

Physical security and access control are no longer considerations that can be finalized late in the design process. Instead, they must be embedded early and approached as integral components of the overall delivery strategy.

At the center of this evolution is a simple reality: in mission-critical environments, delays are costly, and inconsistency introduces risk. The way doors, frames, hardware and access control systems are designed, specified and coordinated can have a measurable impact on project timelines, commissioning and long-term operations.

The Shift Toward Early-Stage Security Integration

Traditionally, access control and door hardware are addressed after core architectural and engineering decisions are already in place. In many commercial applications, sequencing may still work. In hyperscale and colocation data centers, however, this reactive approach often leads to inefficiencies.

Late-stage coordination frequently results in:

• Increased RFIs as discrepancies emerge between drawings and real-world conditions
• Change orders driven by incompatibility between hardware and access control systems
• Rework that disrupts already compressed construction schedules

For integrators and consultants, this reactive model creates unnecessary complexity and limits the ability to influence outcomes.

Forward-thinking data center owners and operators are taking a different approach. They are bringing security consultants, door hardware experts and access control integrators into the conversation much earlier, often during schematic design or design development phases.

This shift allows project teams to establish clarity around system requirements, performance expectations and installation constraints before they become problems in the field.

Standardization as a Tool for Speed and Scale

One of the most significant trends in modern data center development is the move toward standardization. Hyperscale operators are deploying repeatable design models across regions to accelerate delivery and maintain consistency across their portfolios.

For security integrators and consultants, this creates a unique opportunity to contribute beyond individual projects. Instead of designing one-off solutions, teams can help develop standardized prototypes for door openings, access control configurations and hardware sets.

These prototypes serve several critical functions:

• Eliminate ambiguity during specification development
• Reduce variation across multiple sites
• Streamline coordination between trades
• Provide a tested baseline that can be adapted, rather than reinvented

When properly implemented, standardized opening designs can dramatically reduce the volume of RFIs and change orders, while also improving installation efficiency. This is particularly valuable in fast-track environments where construction sequencing leaves little room for error.

The Expanding Role of Digital Specification Tools

As projects scale in complexity, digital tools are playing an increasingly important role in how specifications are developed and communicated. Platforms that support collaborative hardware specification and prototyping allow architects, consultants and integrators to work from a shared source of truth.

For integrators, this has several advantages:

• Improved visibility into door hardware and access control requirements
• Greater alignment with architectural intent
• More accurate system integration planning

Digital prototyping also enables project teams to validate decisions earlier. Instead of discovering conflicts in the field, teams can resolve them during the design phase, when changes are less costly and easier to implement.

The result is a more coordinated approach that bridges the gap between design and deployment.

Perimeter Security and Exterior Openings

While much of the focus in data center security has traditionally centered on interior access control, there is increased attention being paid to perimeter security and exterior openings.

For integrators and consultants, this includes:

• Secure perimeter fencing and controlled gate access
• Exterior-rated hardware capable of withstanding environmental exposure
• Integration of access control systems with outdoor applications

These environments introduce additional challenges. Exposure to moisture, temperature fluctuations and corrosion can impact performance if products are not properly specified. At the same time, perimeter access points are often the first line of defense, making reliability and durability essential.

Selecting and integrating hardware designed for exterior conditions, such as solutions engineered specifically for outdoor use, can help mitigate these risks. Just as importantly, coordinating these elements early ensures that perimeter security systems align with overall site design and operational requirements.

Resilience Beyond the Data Hall

Resilience is a defining characteristic of mission-critical facilities, but it extends beyond servers and power systems. Physical security infrastructure must also support uptime and continuity.

For integrators, this means considering:

• How access control systems perform during power disruptions
• The durability of door hardware in high-cycle environments
• The ability to maintain and service systems without disrupting operations

It also reinforces the importance of working with manufacturers and partners who can provide not only products, but also application expertise and long-term support.

A holistic approach to resilience considers the entire lifecycle, from design and installation through ongoing maintenance and upgrades.

Collaboration as a Competitive Advantage

As data centers continue to scale, collaboration across disciplines is becoming a defining factor in project success. The intersection of architecture, engineering, construction, and security requires alignment that goes beyond traditional handoffs.

For security system integrators and consultants, this creates an opportunity to take on a more strategic role. By engaging earlier, contributing to standardized designs and leveraging collaborative tools, they can help drive outcomes that benefit the entire project team.

Ultimately, the question is no longer just how to secure a facility. It is how to do so in a way that supports speed, reduces risk, and enables repeatability at scale.

In mission-critical environments, those who can bridge the gap between design intent and operational reality will be best positioned to deliver value.

Brian Parrish is director of mission-critical data center solutions at Allegion.

The post Why Early Access Planning Is Now Mission-Critical at Data Centers appeared first on Security Sales & Integration.

The alliance “enables the two companies to combine complementary strengths to help higher education institutions navigate both long-term transformation and immediate safety challenges through a referral program,” according to the joint announcement.

Academic Innovators’ multidisciplinary approach “brings together a network of partners and professionals across the higher education ecosystem, including edtech providers, legal experts, financial advisors, investment bankers and public policy specialists, to develop forward-looking solutions for evolving institutional needs,” the announcement says.

The industry insiders and strategic collaborators “help colleges and universities anticipate change, navigate complexity and proactively shape their future with confidence,” according to the joint announcement.

Why is ZeroEyes Partnering with Academic Innovators?

By uniting a future-focused advisory approach with ZeroEyes’ advanced threat detection and real-time response capabilities, the collaboration “empowers institutions to better anticipate threats, enhance preparedness and respond with confidence in an increasingly complex environment,” according to the joint announcement.

“We are pleased to partner with ZeroEyes to provide integrated solutions that not only help higher education leaders navigate evolving operational and financial pressures but also enhance campus safety and resilience in an increasingly complex threat landscape,” says Dr. Brian C. Mitchell, managing principal and president of Academic Innovators and past president of Washington & Jefferson College and Bucknell University, in the announcement.

ZeroEyes delivers an integrated suite of artificial intelligence-powered analytics and security tools, including capabilities such as weapons detection, real-time threat geolocation and more, designed to enhance preparedness, accelerate threat identification and enable effective response.

It provides real-time, actionable intelligence on the illegal brandishing of weapons, such as guns and knives, in or near occupied spaces, alerting local staff and law enforcement with images and precise location data, often in a matter of seconds from the moment a gun is detected.

“By combining our proactive safety technology with Academic Innovators’ forward-looking, multidisciplinary expertise, we’re helping institutions respond to threats faster and plan more effectively for a safer, more resilient future,” says Mike Lahiff, CEO and co-founder of ZeroEyes. “We are proud to partner with them.”

The post ZeroEyes Partners with Academic Innovators to Help Universities appeared first on Security Sales & Integration.

These advancements have created tremendous opportunities for integrators to deliver smarter and more capable solutions. Yet as detection technology continues to evolve, many end users are asking their integrators a new question: “what happens after the alert?”

The reality is that detection alone does not stop incidents. Detection creates awareness but awareness without action often leaves organizations reacting to events rather than preventing them. As detection technologies continue to improve, security integrators are uniquely positioned to help customers build strategies that move beyond awareness and toward prevention.

The Shift from Surveillance to Prevention

For many years, physical security systems were designed primarily for forensic purposes. Cameras captured footage, recordings were stored, and evidence could be reviewed after an incident occurred.

Today, many customers want more than evidence. They want solutions that can influence outcomes before an event escalates.

As a result, organizations are increasingly looking to their integrators for guidance on how to bridge the gap between detection and response. The conversation is no longer limited to whether a system can identify a threat. It now includes questions such as:

• How will the organization respond?
• Can intervention occur before a loss takes place?
• What technologies can help influence behavior?
• How can response workflows be automated or improved?

These questions are creating new opportunities for integrators to deliver greater value than ever before.

Building Response into Your Surveillance Strategy

As customer expectations evolve, security integrators are helping organizations move beyond standalone devices and toward coordinated response strategies.

Examples include:

• Automated notifications and escalation paths
• Monitoring center integration
• Live voice communication
• Automated lighting and visual deterrence
• AI-assisted response workflows
• Multi-layered security ecosystems

Rather than relying on a single technology, many organizations are adopting layered security strategies that combine analytics, monitoring, deterrence, communications, and automation into a coordinated response framework.

The goal is no longer simply to know that something happened. The goal is to create a framework that helps reduce risk in real time.

For integrators, one emerging opportunity is the deployment of active deterrence units that combine surveillance, audio communication, and visual intervention into a single platform. These systems can often be layered onto existing camera infrastructure, allowing integrators to help customers improve response capabilities without requiring costly rip-and-replace projects.

This flexibility is particularly important as organizations seek to improve security outcomes while maximizing the value of their existing cameras, VMS platforms, and monitoring investments.

Designing Security Around Human Behavior

One of the most important conversations taking place in the security industry today has less to do with technology and more to do with human behavior.

Technology plays a critical role in identifying threats, but security professionals are increasingly evaluating how individuals respond to communication, intervention, and deterrence.

Questions such as these are becoming more common:

• What causes an individual to abandon suspicious behavior?
• When is human intervention more effective than automation?
• How should responses escalate based on the severity of an event?
• Which actions produce the greatest impact in the shortest amount of time?

For integrators, these conversations represent an opportunity to move beyond equipment recommendations and become strategic advisors.

Customers are increasingly seeking guidance not only on what technologies to deploy, but also on how those technologies should work together to influence behavior, improve response times, and reduce risk.

The most successful security programs are not necessarily those with the most devices. They are often the programs designed around how people actually behave in real-world situations.

Increasingly, organizations are recognizing that the ultimate goal of security is not simply to document incidents after they occur. It is to prevent them from occurring in the first place.

A New Opportunity for Security Integrators

As organizations shift from surveillance toward prevention, the role of the security integrator continues to expand.

Customers are no longer looking solely for hardware providers. They are looking for trusted advisors who can help them create safer environments, reduce risk, and improve operational outcomes.

This creates opportunities for integrators to deliver value in areas such as:

• Security workflow design
• Response planning
• Monitoring integrations
• Layered security strategies
• Deterrence technologies
• Risk reduction initiatives

By helping customers connect detection, response, and prevention into a cohesive strategy, integrators can differentiate themselves in an increasingly competitive market.

More importantly, they can help customers achieve the outcomes they care about most: fewer incidents, faster response times, and greater confidence in their security investments.

Looking Ahead

The industry has made tremendous progress in its ability to detect threats.

Artificial intelligence will continue to improve. Analytics will become more accurate. Sensors will become more sophisticated. Detection capabilities will continue to expand.

The next phase of innovation, however, may be less about identifying threats and more about preventing incidents before they occur.

For years, security integrators helped customers answer the question: “Can we detect it?”

Increasingly, customers are asking a different question: “Can we prevent it?”

The integrators who can help bridge the gap between detection, response, and prevention will be best positioned to lead the next chapter of the physical security industry.

Justin Gant is chief executive officer and co-founder of Action-CS.

The post How Integrators Help Customers Go from Surveillance to Prevention appeared first on Security Sales & Integration.

The SIA Data Privacy Advisory Board “provides information and best practices to help SIA members handle sensitive data in a safe and secure manner to protect the personally identifiable information of their employees, partners and customers from potential abuses, breaches and misuses,” the announcement says.

Manna is associate general counsel and deputy chief privacy officer at global security products and solutions provider Allegion, which serves both residential and commercial markets in more than 120 countries. He advises senior leadership and business teams across a broad range of legal matters, supporting strategic initiatives and helping the organization navigate complex legal and regulatory issues.

Manna holds a bachelor’s degree, a Juris Doctor and a Master of Science in cybersecurity risk management from Indiana University. He is recognized as a Certified Information Privacy Professional/United States (CIPP/US) and Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM) by the International Association of Privacy Professionals.

Why is Manna SIA Data Privacy Advisory Board Chairman?

Manna moderated an SIA Education@ISC conference session on data privacy at ISC West 2026 and hosted a breakout room for the Data Privacy Advisory Board during the 2026 SIA Open House.

Key Data Privacy Advisory Board activities and accomplishments include:

• Developing the Security Cornerstones Learning Series module on data privacy,
• Publishing the SIA Privacy Code of Conduct and data privacy codes of practices for video surveillance and access control to guide the handling of sensitive data and
• Developing the Data Privacy Pro Certificate program, which helps security professionals advance their expertise on key data privacy concepts and gain strategies for data protection and compliance.

“I’m honored to serve as chair of the SIA Data Privacy Advisory Board and to build on the group’s strong foundation, including initiatives such as the SIA Data Privacy Pro Certificate,” says Manna in the SIA announcement.

Programs like this help security professionals understand evolving privacy and security challenges and apply that knowledge in practical, real-world scenarios to strengthen data protection,” he says. “As organizations navigate an increasingly complex mix of federal, state and global privacy requirements alongside rapid advances in artificial intelligence and shifting security standards, they need practical, experience-driven guidance. I look forward to working with the board to develop resources that help organizations manage risk, strengthen trust and protect the data entrusted to them.”

“SIA is proud to welcome Tony Manna as chair of the SIA Data Privacy Advisory Board,” says SIA CEO Don Erickson in the association announcement. “Tony’s deep knowledge of privacy, data protection and risk management and strong leadership experience will provide great value to the advisory board going forward.

“We look forward to working with Tony to build on the advisory board’s educational content, best practices resources and analysis of the complex privacy, legal and regulatory environment our industry must navigate,” he says.

The post SIA Welcomes New Chairman of Data Privacy Advisory Board appeared first on Security Sales & Integration.

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

Freddy Kuo: One of the best pieces of advice I’ve received is: “Listen to the problem before you present the solution.”

That has stayed with me because it is very easy in this industry to lead with technology. We all get excited about the newest capabilities, whether it’s better cameras, artificial intelligence analytics, cloud platforms or new integrations.

But, when you sit down with a customer or integrator, the conversation usually becomes more practical very quickly. They are trying to protect people, reduce risk, respond faster and make better decisions. If you start with the product before you understand that reality, you are already moving too fast.

That advice has shaped the way I look at product development and leadership. The best ideas come from understanding what integrators, dealers and end users actually experience in the field. If you understand the problem first, you can build something that is useful in the field, not just impressive in a demo.

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

Kuo: My biggest piece of advice is to learn how the entire security ecosystem works and spend time where the work actually happens.

Success in this industry requires more than knowing cameras, access control or AI. You need to understand how a manufacturer’s decision affects a distributor, how that affects an integrator and how all of it eventually affects the customer using the system every day.

Early in your career, spend time with installers and visit job sites. Talk to customers after deployment, not just during the sales process. Pay attention to what slows projects down, from installation time and network issues to user training, service calls, cybersecurity concerns and long-term support.

If you stay curious, keep learning and never lose touch with the realities customers face every day, you’ll make better decisions.

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?

Kuo: I would point to Wayne Hurd, our VP of sales at Luminys. One thing people can learn from Wayne is the importance of staying close to the channel. He spends a lot of time listening to integrators, dealers and partners and he understands the pressure they carry when they recommend a system to a customer.

That has influenced how I think about this industry. A good security solution is shaped by more than what happens in a product meeting. It is shaped by the people who install it, sell it, support it and depend on it after deployment.

The broader lesson is that trust is built slowly. If you want people to believe in what you are building, you have to listen consistently, communicate clearly and understand what they are dealing with after the sale.”

The post Freddy Kuo, Chairman, Luminys Systems Corp.: Best Advice appeared first on Security Sales & Integration.

The partnership “combines Emergency24’s established monitoring infrastructure and dealer network with Worldview Monitoring’s experience in remote guarding delivery,” the announcement says.

Together, the companies “aim to help monitoring centers, dealers and security providers introduce and expand remote guarding services in a way that supports long-term growth, recurring revenue opportunities and operational consistency,” according to the joint announcement.

Why Are Emergency24 & Worldview Monitoring Partnering?

The partnership between Emergency24 and Worldview Monitoring is “designed to address that need through a service model focused on operational consistency, structured escalation and helping dealers introduce remote guarding in a way that aligns with how they already support commercial customers,” the announcement says.

“Remote guarding has moved well beyond being a niche offering,” says Tim Pearman, CEO of Worldview Monitoring, in the joint announcement. “More dealers and monitoring organizations are actively evaluating how to support it, but maintaining consistency becomes increasingly important as deployments scale.”

“Our partnership with Emergency24 is significant because it validates the model within the U.S. market. The focus is not just on analytics or technology. It’s about delivering the service consistently and helping partners introduce remote guarding in a way that aligns with how they already operate,” he says.

Emergency24 “views the partnership as part of a broader shift taking place across the security industry as video monitoring continues evolving into a more proactive service category,” according to the joint announcement.

“Commercial customers are asking dealers more questions about remote guarding because they want greater visibility and faster intervention when activity occurs after hours,” says Steve Mayer, CEO of Emergency24, in the announcement. “For many dealers, the opportunity now is figuring out how to introduce those services in a way that supports long-term growth while remaining manageable operationally as accounts expand.

“Worldview’s experience in remote guarding delivery made this a strong fit for us. The partnership gives our dealers access to a proven operational model while maintaining the consistency and reliability they expect from Emergency24,” he says.

The partnership “will support monitoring centers, dealers and security providers looking to introduce remote guarding through a structure designed to integrate with existing monitoring environments, dealer workflows and customer relationships,” according to the joint announcement.

The post Emergency24, Worldview Monitoring Ink Partnership appeared first on Security Sales & Integration.

Red Wireless Cylindrical Lock

What are the Security Needs of Today’s Commercial Spaces?

From office buildings and educational institutions to healthcare facilities and multi-site enterprises, commercial organizations must balance security, convenience, and operational efficiency. Traditional mechanical locks often lack the flexibility required for modern environments, while hardwired access control solutions can be costly and time-consuming to install. At the same time, facility managers are seeking systems that support remote management, real-time visibility, and seamless scalability. As businesses grow and security requirements evolve, access control solutions must be able to adapt without creating additional complexity or excessive infrastructure costs.

Cloud-based security technologies have emerged as a preferred approach, enabling organizations to manage credentials, monitor activity, and make security updates from virtually anywhere. The result is a more responsive and efficient security strategy that aligns with the needs of today’s connected workplaces.

What Sets the Red Wireless Cylindrical Lock Apart?

The Red Wireless Cylindrical Lock was developed to address these modern security challenges with a streamlined and user-friendly approach. Designed for commercial applications of any size, the lock combines advanced access control capabilities with simplified deployment and management.

One of its most significant advantages is ease of installation. Because the lock communicates wirelessly, organizations can avoid the expense and disruption often associated with running new wiring to doors. This allows facilities to expand access control coverage more quickly and cost-effectively. The solution also provides flexible management through PDK’s cloud-based platform, PDK.io—giving administrators the ability to manage access permissions, monitor activity, and make updates remotely. This flexibility helps organizations maintain security while reducing administrative burden.

The Red Cylindrical Lock from ProdataKey represents an intuitive approach to commercial security by delivering easy installation, flexible management, and reliable cloud connectivity. To learn more about how the Red Cylindrical Lock meets the needs of modern commercial environments, visit prodatakey.com/red-wireless-locksets or reach out to sales@prodatakey.com.

The post Commercial Security Made Easy with Wireless Locks from ProdataKey (PDK) appeared first on Security Sales & Integration.

ATLANTA — Full-service fire protection, life safety and service service provider Pye-Barker Fire & Safety has acquired Liberty Lake, Wash.-based Fire Protection Specialists, strengthening “its comprehensive services for customers in the Northwest,” according to the joint announcement.

This transaction “will add integrated fire protection services to Pye-Barker’s existing fire alarm and security offerings in the Pacific Northwest,” the announcement says.

Established in 1999, Fire Protection Specialists serves Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and California with the installation and servicing of fire suppression and fire alarm systems for commercial and industrial customers, including education, utility, government and healthcare facilities.

The company’s fire protection solutions include advanced system monitoring, system inspections and testing and fire extinguisher service.

Why Did Pye-Barker Acquire Fire Protection Specialists?

Fire Protection Specialists offers clean agent fire suppression systems to extinguish fire in high value spaces, such as data centers, equipment vaults and MRI/CAT scan rooms. The team also has expertise in automatic extinguishing systems for commercial kitchens and off-road fire suppression systems for heavy mobile equipment.

“We welcome the Fire Protection Specialists team to the Pye-Barker family with open arms,” says Bart Proctor, CEO of Pye-Barker, in the joint announcement. “They have a longstanding reputation of expert care in their community, and that legacy was clear in every conversation we had with their team.

“As we join forces, I’m excited for us to strengthen our customer service in Washington and beyond,” he says.

Fire Protection Specialists’ technicians and staff will continue to serve customers in the Northwest. Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, LLP represented Pye-Barker in the transaction.

The post Pye-Barker Acquires Washington-Based Fire Protection Specialists appeared first on Security Sales & Integration.

One of the most important conversations districts are having right now is around campus safety and security and what it should look like in 2026 and the next academic year. The discussion is no longer just about cameras, access control systems and emergency response protocols.

Schools are also trying to address fights, vandalism, student well-being, unauthorized visitors, behavioral warning signs and growing parent pressure to identify threats before they escalate.

This shift is changing the role security systems integrators are expected to play. Schools are looking beyond hardware and evaluating whether their overall security strategy can help staff identify risk earlier, improve visibility across campus operations and respond faster and smarter to potential incidents.

The good news is that most districts are not starting from scratch. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, nearly 93% of public schools already use security cameras in some capacity. In many cases, they already have extensive infrastructure installed across campuses, sometimes hundreds or thousands of cameras, access control systems and emergency communication tools.

The challenge is: much of this infrastructure still operates reactively, not proactively.

Security teams often need to manually review footage after incidents occur, piece together information across disconnected systems, or rely on staff members to recognize warning signs in real time while managing dozens of other responsibilities. The time and resources behind this add up.

The problem is not visibility. The problem is operational bandwidth.

A district may have hundreds or even thousands of cameras deployed across its campuses, but no school can realistically staff enough people to monitor every feed at all times. As campuses grow larger and schools struggle to staff security teams, many districts are realizing that adding more hardware alone does not necessarily improve situational awareness.

AI Changing What Schools Expect From Security

Artificial intelligence is becoming a larger part of school security conversations and changing what districts expect from their technology partners and integrators. The conversation is becoming less about individual devices and more about how schools actually detect, communicate and respond to potential issues across campus.

For integrators, that changes the discussion entirely. Schools are increasingly asking operational questions like:

• Can technology help identify unusual activity earlier?
• Who receives alerts, and how are they prioritized?
• Can it improve coordination between administrators, school resource officers and security personnel?
• How do these teams respond?
• Can these systems realistically fit into existing workflows?

The answers matter because AI is only valuable if schools can operationalize it effectively. Technology should help staff process information faster and identify patterns that might otherwise go unnoticed, not overwhelm teams with additional complexity or constant false alarms.

Now, districts and decision committees are evaluating how well technology supports the people responsible for keeping campuses safe. Using AI to improve campus safety and security is ultimately a risk management decision, not a technology decision.

Integrators Risk Falling Behind As Schools Move Beyond Hardware

Following major incidents on school campuses over the past several years, many districts invested heavily in emergency response planning and physical security measures. Those investments remain important, but administrators increasingly recognize that many safety incidents are preceded by observable warning signs.

In many cases, staff do not become aware of those situations until students, teachers or administrators report them after the fact. By then, the opportunity for early intervention may be limited and the situation may have already escalated.

As a result, schools are no longer evaluating security systems based solely on cameras, coverage areas or recording capabilities. They are looking for solutions that can help staff identify concerning activity earlier and respond more effectively.

That shift is changing what districts expect from integrators. School leaders want strategic partners who understand deployment, alert management, staffing limitations and how new technologies fit into daily operations — not simply vendors focused on the next hardware upgrade.

Trust and Transparency Matter More Than Ever

One of the biggest mistakes integrators can make right now is overselling what AI can realistically do in a school environment. Administrators are becoming far more educated buyers. They understand that no technology can predict every incident or replace human judgment.

They are looking for tools that improve visibility, reduce blind spots and help staff make faster, more informed decisions without overwhelming teams with false alarms.

Concerns around privacy, false positives and operational transparency are legitimate, particularly in sensitive environments involving students. Integrators who acknowledge those concerns directly and explain how systems are designed to support human decision-making, rather than replace it, are far more likely to build trust with district stakeholders.

The sales process itself is also becoming more complex. Conversations now involve superintendents, operations leaders, school boards and even parents, not just facilities or IT departments. That’s because security decisions are tied more closely to discussions around student well-being, campus culture and community trust.

The Future of School Security Will Favor Strategic Integrators

As districts prepare for the next school year, it’s clear that modern school security is no longer just about documenting incidents after they happen. It is about improving awareness early enough to support prevention whenever possible.

The schools evaluating safety upgrades this summer are asking what technology can help them understand, prioritize and respond more effectively across increasingly complex campus environments.

Integrators who can help answer those questions thoughtfully, realistically and strategically will be far better positioned than those still approaching school security as a purely reactive, hardware-driven conversation.

The industry spent years solving visibility. The next decade will be about interpretation — turning information into action before incidents escalate.

Dmitry Sokolowski is co-founder and chief executive officer of VOLT AI.

The post Integrators Need to Rethink Their Approach to School Security appeared first on Security Sales & Integration.

This milestone makes FieldResolve “the most comprehensive technical knowledge base available to security and fire professionals,” according to the CMOOR Group announcement.

With this expansion, projects built inside FieldResolve “can now encompass virtually any security or fire product an integrator or dealer works with, from access control panels and intrusion detection systems to fire alarm controllers, video surveillance equipment and beyond,” the announcement says.

Technicians “can mirror the full, multi-manufacturer complexity of a real installation and get fast, accurate answers across every product on that job,” according to the company announcement.

How Does FieldResolve Help Integrators in the Field?

“Real-world security integration is never single-manufacturer,” says Connie Moorhead, CEO and founder of The CMOOR Group, in the company announcement. “A field technician walks into a job and faces Johnson Controls panels, Bosch detectors, Avigilon cameras and Kidde Commercial fire systems, all in the same building. FieldResolve was built for that reality.”

“Multi-manufacturer environments are the norm, and among the most challenging scenarios a security technician can face,” according to the company announcement. “When a system fault occurs, determining whether the problem originates with the panel, a device, the wiring or an integration between two different manufacturers requires deep cross-product troubleshooting knowledge that most technicians carry only through years of experience.

“FieldResolve changes that equation. The platform’s technical knowledge base spans products from Honeywell, Bosch, DMP and dozens of additional manufacturers, giving security and fire technicians a single resource that reflects the full scope of what they actually install,” the announcement says.

“By creating a project in FieldResolve that mirrors an actual installation, including all manufacturers present on the job, technicians can ask questions in plain language and receive precise, sourced answers drawn from that knowledge base,” according to the company announcement.

“For security and fire integrators managing large, complex installations, including schools, hospitals, high-rise buildings or enterprise campuses, the ability to perform multi-manufacturer troubleshooting from a single platform represents a significant operational advantage,” the announcement says. “Shorter service call resolution times protect both the customer relationship and the company’s bottom line.”

How Does FieldResolve Handle Data?

FieldResolve is “also differentiated by how it handles data,” according to the company announcement. All queries and results are end-to-end encrypted, meaning “none of its data ever feeds into the broader large language model (LLM).”

“Information entered into FieldResolve remains secure and will never find its way to the internet at large, making it one of the few AI field technician support platforms built with enterprise-grade data privacy at its core,” the announcement says.

The 40,000-document, 36-manufacturer milestone “reflects The CMOOR Group’s ongoing commitment to building FieldResolve as a true field-ready platform, not a document search tool, but an intelligent technical partner that understands the life safety systems professionals install and service every day,” according to the company announcement.

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Other clips this week explore a recent trend by so-called “treasure hunters” in Brooklyn and Queens who were spotted climbing out of sewers in those boroughs, a deadly explosion at a paper mill in Washington that killed 11 people and a fireworks factory explosion in Malta.

One of the biggest stories of the week across the U.S. was the series of sonic booms, meteor explosions and fireballs. As you might imagine, those rare occurrences made for some spectacular videos!

Click here to check out the latest batch of Surveillance Videos of the Week. Send your suggestions for future editions to digital editor Craig MacCormack at craig.maccormack@emeraldx.com.

The post Rescuers Save 8 in Flooded Cave: Surveillance Videos of the Week appeared first on Security Sales & Integration.

The directors will begin their terms following the association’s Annual Meeting in November 2026.

The following individuals were re-elected to the TMA board of directors:

• Michael Picciola, ADT, LLC – Vice President
• Justin Bailey, Becklar Monitoring – Secretary
• David Charney, Everon – At-Large Board Member
• Richard Flores, Puget Sound Energy – GSOC Board Member
• Brandon Niles, Acadian Monitoring Services, LLC – Contract Monitoring Board Member
• Joseph Pereira, Securitas Technology – At-Large Board Member
• Joey Rao-Russell, Kimberlite Corporation dba Sonitrol – Regional Board Member

What Does TMA Leadership Say About the Board?

“TMA is fortunate to benefit from the expertise, vision, and commitment of these accomplished industry leaders,” says TMA president Alan Gillmore IV in the association announcement. “Their collective experience in professional monitoring, security and technology will help guide the association as it advances initiatives that strengthen the professional monitoring industry and support our members.”

As members of the board of directors, the elected leaders “will help shape the association’s strategic direction and oversee programs that advance public safety, industry standards, education, advocacy and innovation throughout the monitoring and security sectors,” according to the TMA announcement.

The post The Monitoring Association Elects 2026-2028 Board of Directors appeared first on Security Sales & Integration.

Gill is founder and CEO of Alert Enterprise and he has spent more than two decades advancing enterprise security through artificial intelligence-driven automation and identity-first security strategies. In recognition of his contributions to engineering, technology and industry leadership, Gill was awarded an honorary doctorate of engineering by Guru Nanak Dev University in 2026.

Prior to founding Alert Enterprise, he founded Virsa Systems, a governance, risk and compliance and application security company acquired by SAP in 2006. Beyond business, Gill supports industry and community initiatives, including serving on advisory boards and leading Trakki, his initiative focused on education, AI learning and community development in Punjab, India.

Why is Jasvir Gill the Vice Chairman of the SIA UAB?

When the SIA Utilities Advisory Board was established in 2022, Gill was among the group’s founding members and immediately stepped into the role of Technology Subcommittee chairman. He has been “engaged with the advisory board’s development of educational content to help utility security practitioners, integrators and end users tackle cyber-physical convergence in practical, actionable terms,” according to the SIA announcement.

“Critical infrastructure is the backbone of modern society, and securing it is one of the defining challenges of our time. I am honored to serve as vice chair of the SIA Utilities Advisory Board and collaborate with some of the brightest minds in our industry to advance the future of cyber-physical security,” says Gill in the announcement.

“We have an extraordinary opportunity to reimagine security as a catalyst for resilience, operational excellence and sustainable growth,” he says. “By bringing together innovation, leadership and a shared commitment to protecting what matters most, we can help build a safer, stronger and more connected world.”

What’s the SIA Reaction to the New UAB Vice Chairman?

“SIA is proud to welcome Dr. Jasvir Gill as vice chair of the SIA Utilities Advisory Board,” says SIA CEO Don Erickson in the association announcement. “Since this group was established, Jasvir has brought his conviction, passion and expertise to helping address the unique security challenges facing utilities.

“His leadership in partnership with chair Joey St. Jacques will be immensely valuable in the advisory board’s efforts to shape how the next generation of security professionals approaches the protection of critical infrastructure,” says Erickson.

The SIA Utilities Advisory Board develops recommendations and guidance for the physical security and cybersecurity of utilities infrastructure, offers formal responses to security rules and guidance proposed by regulatory agencies, shares knowledge with related industries and develops content for SIA events and publications.

Key advisory board initiatives include helping to develop the Security Cornerstones module on critical infrastructure security, hosting the annual Protecting Utilities lunch events at ISC West and East, developing a six-session SIAacademy LIVE! course on securing utilities and the energy sector and developing SIA’s Guide to NERC CIP Compliance.

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The good news is that great partnerships are possible — and due diligence in partnership coordination can catalyze your growth through new marketing streams, increased market exposure and proven excellence in your craft.

To help you avoid poor partnerships and effectively deliver on your customers’ needs, let’s explore the realities of partner development today, red flags you should look for, and proven ways to transform your partner strategy into a long-term growth advantage.

What’s a Successful Provider-Integrator Relationship?

Customers increasingly need integrators to bring more than piecemeal solutions to the table. The security market is flooded with vendors and focused capabilities, but every investment must support a holistic, programmatic solution that efficiently meets the stated goals.

Some solution providers may appear to be a perfect fit for your customers’ current need, however, these relationships can quickly introduce reputational risk or simply be unable to generate ongoing customer value.

The most effective partnerships are built on the following elements:

• Established rules of engagement. Vendors should not compete with you for business. Friction is inevitable when there’s no alignment between the vendor’s partner program and overall go-to-market strategy. Develop an agreed upon rules of engagement with every partner to clarify how each of you will operate, what responsibilities you hold and how you can benefit each other’s growth. Each partner should understand how they will invest in scoping the right program for the needs of the end customer.

• Joint sales motions. It’s unrealistic (and unsustainable) to expect your team to be experts in every security sector and solution provider. Effective partners enable your sales team with resources and education that make it easy to identify when that partner may be the right fit for a customer and how to bring them into the conversation.

• Long-term commitment. Vendors focus solely on an initial sale and then remove themselves from ongoing conversations. As your customers’ needs continue to change, actual partners are prepared and eager to consider alternate implementations or strategies that reflect the newest needs and opportunities.

• Open collaboration with industry players. Your chosen partners need to understand and appreciate the entire ecosystem your business operates with. Individual vendors aren’t the only players in their space, and the best partners will collaborate with other vendors in your network and invest resources to ensure complete cohesion across every solution you deploy for customers.

These guiding principles will help you define what you are seeking in prospective partners. Next is strengthening your ability to evaluate partners for alignment with those principles.

How to Assess Integration Partners for Long-Term Value

Thorough vetting of any potential partner can reduce the risk of false starts or building a network of frenemies who don’t have your best interest in mind.

There are several red flags to look for when deciding whether a vendor is trustworthy to partner with, exemplifies a commitment to preserving your customer experience, and will ultimately support your brand’s reputation and growth.

Ask questions like these throughout your discovery and evaluation process to develop the greatest likelihood of a fulfilling partnership:

• “How does your direct sales program support partner relationships?” Any partner should be able to clearly explain how they work with you and not directly compete with you. The most successful partnerships are built from a team selling approach where the integrator can benefit from the expertise and collaboration of the direct sales team.

• “What joint marketing opportunities do you hope to engage in?” Ideal partnerships uplift all parties in spaces where buyers engage: trade shows, exclusive events, webinars and content experiences delivered in online channels. Explore joint marketing options from the beginning to gain a solid understanding of how mature the partner’s marketing function is and whether they will bring as much to the table as you will.

• “Do you have a tiered partner program, or how do you incentivize partners that bring more business to you?” As your team generates business for vendors, you should understand how that investment is rewarded and if they prioritize organizations that deliver significant value.

• “How quickly can you respond to support needs and how do you assist us with product or service concerns?” The post-sale experience is just as crucial as implementation. Customers will call you when they encounter a problem and it is your reputation on the line if a partner’s solution causes an issue. Align with partners on how they partner with you to solve challenges and what support they do or do not provide.

Partnerships Are Your Best Business Investment

A strategic partnership mindset delivers a win-win-win that creates a flywheel of success: happier customers who retain their business and recommend you to others, higher operational efficiency with greater flexibility to reach new buyers, and combined power with partners to engage buyers and stay ahead of market trends.

Achieving this reality starts one partner at a time, helping you better spot the vendors who are invested in your growth and eager to tackle your customer challenges together.

Celeste Miller is director of channels for LiveView Technologies (LVT).

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