The Value of Proactivity in the Security Industry

My Experience Within the Security Industry 

From the outside looking in, most jobs within the security industry can appear similar to many other cookie-cutter roles, whether you work in an office or on site. I don’t know about you, but the security integration field wasn’t featured at my high school’s career day.

Over the past three and a half years, I’ve learned that many professionals in this field didn’t initially set out to pursue it as a career; rather, they naturally progressed into it and found their place along the way. My journey was similar. I’m grateful that I took advantage of an opportunity that ultimately led me to the industry I am proud to call home.

I graduated from Stony Brook University with a bachelor’s degree in environmental science, and during my job search, I considered opportunities both within and outside of the environmental field. Shortly after, I accepted a position with A+ Technology & Security Solutions as a client account manager, where I then transitioned into my current role as sales coordinator two years later. Although I was uncertain where this path would lead when I started in 2023, I’ve always maintained a mindset of saying “yes” to opportunity.

The best advice I can offer someone starting in our industry is to embrace opportunity and challenge yourself to learn as much as possible; then you will be able to find what you love. Through engagements with organizations such as the Security Industry Association (SIA) and PSA, I have made valuable connections and developments, both personally and professionally. I am incredibly grateful for the experiences I’ve had, the supportive connections I’ve built, and the growth I’ve experienced thus far. I look forward to continuing to grow and contribute to a field that I’m proud to be part of. Although I may not have known which career path to pursue, I always knew that I wanted to do something that I was passionate about and that would make a difference. Our industry is more than just business. Integrators, although located globally, collectively work toward the same goal: to make the world a smarter, safer and healthier place (our company’s motto!). Professionals in this field are driven by purpose and a passion for making a difference. The energy is contagious and extremely gratifying.

The security industry is experiencing growth and change at an increased rate. We are seeing mergers and acquisitions happening both on the vendor side and integrator side; this is translating to expanding service offerings, geographic reach, and technological capabilities, having a positive impact on end users. In August 2025, A+ Technology & Security Solutions was acquired by Convergint Technologies. Overnight, I went from working at a small business with 50 employees to being part of a global leader with over 11,000 colleagues. Changes like these provide increased resources and support, enabling companies like ours to better serve clients and pursue opportunities that were once out of reach. Through this, we’ve been able to not just maintain, but elevate our original small-scale company values while strengthening relationships with colleagues and clients alike.

Partnership with Clients

Security has become a priority across vertical markets and globally; whether you are engaging with a new prospect or a long-term client, the approach to each conversation, system design and sale should be comprehensive throughout stages and should maintain a consultative approach. Acknowledge that security is one layer in a broader, multi-layered collaborative effort toward asset protection. Organizations recognize that risk is constant and evolving, and preparedness must be intentional and proactive. It’s essential to maintain constant conversations with clients and be willing to ask hard questions. Across all markets, education, healthcare, religious entities, municipalities, commercial and more, these issues should remain at the forefront. Staying aware and taking action are crucial. Security is no longer behind the scenes. Cameras are seen almost everywhere, security guards are present in schools and metal detectors are used at event venues, to name a few examples. As visibility increases, organizations must ensure these technologies are implemented thoughtfully and responsibly, with clear alignment to community expectations. Unfortunately, this visibility reflects the growing demand driven by recent crime and violence statistics. This increased demand has accelerated emerging technologies and advancements, enabling many security practices to be streamlined and automated; reducing the potential for human error while supporting teams with greater accuracy and consistency. 

Technology has advanced rapidly, demonstrating that future developments are virtually limitless. This should serve as a call to action for integrators and partners to stay aligned. It is our responsibility to remain ahead of industry trends, stay on the cutting edge of technological advancements, and equip organizations with the tools, insight, and infrastructure needed to strengthen resilience and respond effectively to evolving risks. As an end user’s trusted integrator, we need to inform stakeholders about innovation developments; the best service we provide to our clients is to guide the everyday and minimize incident risk. 

An Encouraging Word

As security professionals, our responsibility is a commitment to making a meaningful difference in the world around us and helping ensure people return home as safely as when they left. This begins with client partnerships where we serve as trusted integrators responsible for leading proactive conversations rather than responding to incidents; this approach not only reduces risk and cost, but also delivers a measurable positive impact by protecting lives and assets.

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.

This article originally appeared in RISE Together, SIA RISE’s newsletter for young security professionals.