SIA Member Profile: FLIR Systems, Inc.
Security Industry Association (SIA) member FLIR Systems, Inc., is a leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of thermal imaging infrared cameras. The company offers a diverse portfolio that serves various applications in government and defense, industrial and commercial markets. With a corporate office in Wilsonville, Oregon, and government and defense headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, FLIR also houses its security division in Goleta, California, and has offices in the United Kingdom, Sweden, Belgium and Hong Kong.
SIA spoke with Fredrik Wallberg, director of marketing, security and intelligent transportation systems at FLIR Systems, about the company, the security industry and working with SIA.
SIA: Tell us the story of your company.
Fredrik Wallberg: Founded in 1978, FLIR Systems is a world-leading industrial technology company focused on intelligent sensing solutions for defense, industrial and commercial applications. FLIR first entered the physical security industry in 2006 and was the pioneer who introduced the security market to thermal solutions.
What solutions/services does your business offer in the security industry? And what makes your offerings/company unique?
FW: FLIR is the global leader in advanced thermal imaging solutions. In addition to thermal, FLIR provides advanced video and sensor technologies designed to meet complex border, critical infrastructure, safe city and commercial enterprise needs. FLIR’s signature products include thermal cameras, visible light cameras, radars, video management systems, unmanned aerial vehicles and physical security information management solutions. What distinguishes FLIR from other companies is our breadth of technologies. We can truly provide customers with a total solution.
What’s something we might not know about your company – or something new you’re doing in security?
FW: The industry primarily knows FLIR for its perimeter protection technologies designed for critical infrastructure applications. One of our new initiatives is that of smart cities. We want to help metropolises go from secured cities with disparate sensors to smart cities with intelligent connected systems – and we have the technology to do so. Our comprehensive platform of technologies includes thermal and visible security cameras, smart wearable sensors, intelligent traffic cameras, automated driving solutions, drones, CBRNE detection systems and equipment condition monitoring systems.
What is your company’s vision, and what are your goals for the security industry?
FW: FLIR’s vision is to be “The World’s Sixth Sense,” creating technologies to help professionals make more informed decisions that save lives and livelihoods. For the security industry, FLIR wants to be the premier provider of total solutions in the critical infrastructure and smart cities sector.
What are the biggest challenges facing your company and/or others in the security industry?
FW: We see remote video monitoring and video verification as prime areas for growth. These technologies will see increasing demand as commercial end users need more effective systems to protect their outdoor assets and integrators continue to look for solutions that drive recurring revenue. Thanks to the proliferation of Internet of Things devices and the adoption of artificial intelligence technologies, smart cities are another sector full of new business opportunities.
What are your predictions for the security industry in the short and long term?
FW: The security market is healthy. High-profile incidents of intrusions, data breaches and the like continue to drive the need for advanced security solutions for both the short and long term.
What are the biggest challenges facing your company and/or others in the security industry?
FW: Breaking through unrealistic customer expectations for technology performance can be a challenge.
What do you enjoy most about being at your company – and in the security industry?
FW: FLIR is a dynamic organization with many different facets and technologies. The company is constantly growing and evolving.
SIA: What does SIA offer that is most important to you/your company? And what do you most hope to get out of your membership?
FW: SIA has the ear of the security industry and provides key opportunities for integrators, end users and suppliers to come together to learn and discuss the latest market issues.
FLIR greatly values these opportunities and hopes to continue to participate in SIA’s education initiatives by speaking at industry conferences and contributing insights to SIA’s publications, webinars and blog.
SIA: How does your organization engage with SIA? What are your plans for involvement in the next year?
FW: In addition to participating in SIA’s education platforms, FLIR exhibits at SIA’s signature seminars and sponsored events, including ISC East and ISC West.
The views and opinions expressed in guest posts and/or profiles are those of the authors or sources and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Security Industry Association (SIA).
Back to Top