SIA New Member Profile: AVTEL

New Security Industry Association (SIA) member AVTEL is a global security company dedicated to helping organizations protect what’s important through robust, responsive and innovative security solutions. The company is headquartered in Singapore, with ultimate ownership in Japan, and has locations in Japan, South Korea, Australia, Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia, New Zealand, India, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Sweden, Poland and the United States.

SIA spoke with Myles Hick, co-founder and CEO of the AVTEL Group, about the company, the security industry and working with SIA.

Tell us the story of your company.

Myles Hick: AVTEL was founded in 2007 in Japan. A gap was identified for an international security integrator that had the ability to focus on the quality and consistency demanded by the global corporate security sector. At its core, AVTEL is people who want to provide excellent customer service. Recently AVTEL was acquired by the SECOM Group of Japan, who have similar values and want to continue to grow their international presence in the security integration industry.

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

MH: AVTEL is focused on high-end integrated security systems for global customers with a special focus on data centre delivery, but our customers range from top-end retailers, ports and pharmaceuticals to large retail chains and distribution centers.

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

MH: Following AVTEL’s acquisition by SECOM, one of the largest security companies in the world, the plan is to continue with a growth strategy. The mission is to create a truly global security integration company with consistency and quality at its heart. AVTEL’s centralized design and estimating teams enables the delivery of high-quality solutions consistently. At the core is AVTEL’s People strategy and fundamental to that are AVTEL’s values initiative named “ICCCE” (Ice) : Integrity, Commitment, Care, Courage, Excellence.

What is your company’s vision, and what are your goals for the security industry?

MH: With massive geopolitical change and war zones expanding into the virtual world, the security industry has a responsibility to protect customers from the new cold war front in areas such as ransomware, cyber intrusion and physical disruptions caused by virtual and physical threats.

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

MH: Data and artificial intelligence are our biggest opportunities to protect intellectual property and asset; the threat is real and comes from many different angles. Being able to identify and mitigate threats immediately requires the security industry to be at the forefront of technical innovation.

What are your predictions for the security industry in the short and long term?

MH: Data breaches are becoming more common. Whilst cybersecurity is critical, being able to focus on physical threat must remain high on the agenda. The “data-based” world means that customers are provided with the right solutions that remain tried and tested—hybrid technologies that embrace IP technologies but secure data and protect identity will succeed in the next 3–10 years.

What are the biggest challenges facing your company and/or others in the security industry?

MH: The ability to grow without sacrificing quality delivery to customers. Recruiting high-caliber people aligned to AVTEL’s values is fundamental to AVTEL’s success.

Sourcing talent by recruiting from outside our industry from graduate to senior executive level. Multilingual technical skills are a rare commodity.

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

MH: AVTEL is still an exciting place to be. Our growth potential and focus on excellence both energizes me and focuses me mentally. But above all, I like the people I work with.

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?

MH: SECOM is a global company, and through AVTEL it hopes to grow its presence. The SIA has within its membership key leaders and groundbreaking innovators. We want to be close to the front and listen to those voices as we grow.

How does your organization engage with SIA? What are your plans for involvement in the next year?

MH: Future plans include taking advantage of resources such as reports and publications, attending events, professional development and introducing resources to internal colleagues.

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.