The Security Industry’s ‘Third Wave’

​​Last month, SIA Industry Relations Director Ron Hawkins spoke at Engage 2016, The Verint Systems Global Customer Conference, in Chicago, specifying trends in what he called “the third wave” of the security industry.

“First, we had basic mechanical equipment like locks, then electronic devices, including cameras and alarms, and now we are entering security’s digital age. The opportunities are vast, but the risks have increased proportionally,” said Hawkins. “In this, though, the security industry is not unlike nearly every other sector that is trying to figure out how to make the most of this new technology without, at the same time, falling victim to it.”

In that context, Hawkins explored a few of the emerging technologies and trends being explored by the Security Industry Association (SIA).

Advancements in technology have led to the commoditization of security systems, producing a do-it-yourself market for consumers, he noted. While DIY itself hasn’t been too disruptive, a monitor-it-yourself marketplace could be by shattering the model of recurring monthly revenue for alarm companies.

Still, the security marketplace is adapting, Hawkins said. Companies have been offering DIY installation with professional monitoring, producing a hybrid of offerings while maintaining professional services and thus diminishing false alarms and other errors.

Meanwhile, security robots have emerged to perform certain jobs, such as intelligence-gathering devices that can collect and relay sights and sounds, rapidly read and process license plates, and even test the air for dangerous chemicals, all while adding a new level of deterrence.

“If seeing a surveillance camera can dissuade somebody from committing a crime, imagine the effect of seeing an early version of Robocop rolling toward the scene,” Hawkins quipped.

Chief among robotic innovations, of course, are capabilities among unmanned aerial vehicles or drones. The Federal Aviation Administration recently published rules on certification for drone operators, which is likely to guide the expanded use of the systems in the security industry.

Moreover, the rise of the Internet of Things has empowered connections between security devices and incorporation of security function into a greater array of devices. These new capabilities produce a great deal of Big Data, which promises greater security through analytics if handled properly.

But these enhanced security measures also come with new risks, Hawkins cautioned.

“Not too long ago, pretty much the only vulnerability that one had to worry about with video cameras was somebody coming along with a baseball bat. Now, though, with those cameras — and everything else — on the network, a security system can be vulnerable to anybody with an Internet connection anywhere in the world,” he said.

The security industry is getting better on cybersecurity issues, Hawkins said, particularly as physical security and cybersecurity converge and the walls come down between organizational security and IT departments. To help SIA Members improve their cybersecurity postures, SIA established the SIA Cybersecurity Advisory Board in 2015 to provide advice and guidance in this area.

As SIA’s director of industry relations, Hawkins works with vertical market associations and other partner organizations to strengthen and make use of synergies between them and to assess security requirements among end-user communities.

“Here, we seek to work with other organizations, both within the security industry and outside it,” he said, adding, “We have partnered with groups such as the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate, the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security, the International Security Management Association and many other organizations.”

To contact Ron Hawkins, email rhawkins@securityindustry.org​ or call 301-804-4713. You may find that your organization may benefit from SIA Industry Relations, particularly in the face of the security industry’s “third wave.”