SIA New Member Profile: Zeptive

New Security Industry Association (SIA) member Zeptive is a provider of state-of-the-art vape detection and air quality monitoring technology for schools, businesses and public spaces. The company is headquartered in Andover, Massachusetts, and its patented smart safety sensors are designed and built in the United States and sold globally to schools and businesses through its network of distributors, resellers and integrators.

SIA spoke with Will Hargett, CEO of Zeptive, about the company, the security industry and working with SIA.

Tell us the story of your company.

Will Hargett: I first worked with my co-founders, Dr. Cindy Bistany (chief technology officer) and Steve Milt (chief growth officer) at General Electric’s Security Division in 2003. At GE, we focused on developing threat detection systems for the Transportation Security Administration, and over the years, we gained extensive experience in building and commercializing advanced threat detection technologies, including ion mobility spectrometry, mass spectrometry and Raman spectroscopy, for heavily regulated security markets. With more than 50 years of combined experience, each of the founders has held various roles across safety and security companies, contributing to the development of detection systems for a wide range of threats, including explosives, narcotics, radiological substances and biological agents.

In 2019, leveraging our expertise in detection technologies, the team founded Zeptive with an initial focus on helping schools detect vaping and smoking. We developed both wireless and wired vape detectors for use in privacy areas where cameras are not allowed. Unfortunately, the vaping issue has since expanded beyond schools, affecting workplaces and hospitality sectors as well.

The team now applies its deep knowledge of sensors and security to offer innovative, smart safety sensor solutions with customer-focused support. Zeptive believes that ubiquitous, low-cost, high-efficacy sensing solutions are the key to solving security problems more efficiently. By getting closer to the threat and providing real-time status updates to key stakeholders, these solutions enable faster and more effective responses to potential risks.

What solutions/services does your business offer in the security industry? And what makes your offerings or your company unique?

WH: Zeptive has developed, patented and commercialized the industry’s only battery-powered/wireless vape detector. Zeptive’s smart safety sensors provide customers the most efficient way to quickly detect risky behavior where no cameras are allowed. Customers install more quickly (in minutes) and easily (no cables necessary) and save money on installation when compared to wired sensors, and if customers ever decide to wire their Zeptive smart safety sensors, every sensor has built-in Power over Ethernet (PoE) for easy conversion from battery/Wi-Fi to PoE or plug-in/Wi-Fi – this offers our customers the most flexibility and versatility when it comes to deploying sensing capabilities across their enterprise.

This unique offering also provides our channel partners a quick and easy way to enable customers to trial devices without running cable. Customers may initially trial a wireless device due to its ease of installation and use and then deploy our Zeptive wired devices across the enterprise. Customers can also mix and match wireless and wired Zeptive sensors to accommodate their varied infrastructure constraints. The placement of customers’ sensors is critical to improving probability of detection and Zeptive’s versatile sensing configurations enable the optimum placement within the confines of customers’ infrastructure limitations.

What is something we might not know about your company – or something new you are doing in security?

WH: Zeptive is set to launch a cellular-connected, battery-powered smart safety sensor in Q1 2025, offering our partners and end users an expanded range of sensing capabilities beyond our current Wi-Fi and PoE options. This new cellular connectivity allows customers to quickly install and begin sensing immediately upon receiving their Zeptive smart safety sensors. It has already proven invaluable to several of our prospects and channel partners, enabling seamless deployment in a variety of environments.

The addition of cellular connectivity provides workplaces, schools and hospitality customers with the most efficient way to implement safety sensing. Zeptive’s battery-powered, cellular-connected devices also support mobile applications, such as school buses and heavy equipment operations, allowing for sensing anywhere a cellular signal is available.

What do you think are the biggest opportunities in the security industry right now?

WH: Zeptive recognizes significant growth potential in the smart safety sensor market, with our innovative wireless and wired sensors strategically positioned to take advantage of this expansion. We see several key market and technology trends driving this growth:

Market Trends

• Continued growth of THC legalization, making access more widespread
• Increased illicit drug use in public spaces, such as restrooms
• New privacy regulations around platforms like Airbnb
• Rising concerns about bullying
• Limited staff time for monitoring

Technology Trends

• Improvements in sensor and battery hardware
• The rise of artificial intelligence and machine learning
• Ubiquitous connectivity (Wi-Fi, cellular, PoE)
• Growing focus on cybersecurity
• Enhanced integration capabilities (MQTT)
• The rise of lower-power, eco-friendly hardware options

These trends present an exciting opportunity for growth in the safety and security industry, and we expect similar advancements and market expansion as seen in video surveillance. With continued improvements in battery technology, connectivity and sensor innovations, Zeptive is well-positioned to lead in this evolving market.

What do you enjoy most about being at your company – and in the security industry?

WH: Zeptive’s mission is to provide ubiquitous sensing insights that enables a safer and more secure world. This lofty mission is translated daily by our team into customer focused activities such as training, support and product improvements. We help communities and workplaces by providing critical sensing insights, such as vape and THC detection, occupancy monitoring and noise alerts, all designed to enhance safety and security. On top of that, our team takes pride in stepping out of the office to support local heroes. Last fall, we proudly donated and installed wireless vape detectors at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lowell, Massachusetts, dedicating our time and energy to supporting this outstanding nonprofit focused on youth development.

What does SIA offer that is most important to you/your company? And what do you most hope to get out of your membership with SIA?

WH: SIA is a key connector in the security industry, offering Zeptive numerous opportunities to engage with and contribute to the security community. As a global manufacturer of smart safety sensors serving a wide range of markets, Zeptive collaborates closely with end users, distributors, resellers and integrators to deliver world-class support and products to its customers; however, Zeptive recognizes that success in this space requires strong partnerships, and SIA provides a wealth of opportunities to connect with and support the broader security ecosystem. Zeptive is excited to partner with SIA to expand its network and enhance its brand presence within the security industry. Zeptive exhibited at ISC East in 2024 and plans to exhibit again. The team is also very excited to be exhibiting at ISC West this year! Please stop by and visit us at Booth #35098.

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.