SIA New Member Profile: ICS Security Solutions

New Security Industry Association (SIA) member ICS Security Solutions is a licensed security systems integrator using state-of-the-art technology in expandable, forward-thinking systems designed to grow with companies. The firm is headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, and serves clients across Maryland and in parts of Delaware.

SIA spoke with Jim Snier, president of ICS Security Solutions, about the company, the security industry and working with SIA.

Tell us the story of your company.

Jim Snier: I always had a drive to own my own business. I knew no matter what career I chose, I was going to build something somewhere at some time. In 2003 I was working for a company installing and servicing electron microscopes. I was laid off after government contracts expired and funding was cut due to the aftermath of 9/11. I needed a job, so I answered a Craigslist ad for a security technician, where I worked my way up to director of operations within seven years.  I transitioned into sales for two years and then eventually went on my own full time in 2014 and founded ICS Security Solutions.

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

JS: We’re similar to other integrators when it comes to the types of security systems we install and integrations we offer. We hold ourselves to a very high standard and have embraced the cloud for the last nine years In both access and video. Every customer’s needs are not the same, so we evaluate them with an open mind and determine exactly which platform is right for them, not us. 

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

JS: With only five employees, we were able to develop a footprint in 17 cities across the country, as well as internationally in London, Shanghai and Beijing.

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

JS: We believe every facility has a story. A hospital protecting newborns has different security needs than a museum protecting irreplaceable art or a university managing open campus access for thousands of students.

Our vision is to be the company that listens first and designs around each customer’s needs.

Our goal for the security industry is straightforward: to raise the standard of what a local integrator can deliver.

We service clients like Frederick Health Hospital, the Baltimore Museum of Art and the University of Baltimore. These are diverse clients that require a partner who understands their operational complexity.

We prove that a small business enterprise can bring deep expertise and strong manufacturer partnerships and deliver the same quality and responsiveness as a national firm, with better (and perhaps more) accountability. There’s just something to be said for having that local touch.

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

JS: Two things:

• The transition from mechanical to electromechanical access control is the single biggest growth opportunity in our space. Every manufacturer is investing heavily in it, and building owners are starting to see the value. We pass that value on to our customers too.
• And the second is edge-based artificial intelligence analytics in video surveillance. ICS closely follows new developments in on-camera intelligence. Edge processing brings powerful new capabilities to every camera on a network. As an integrator, we bring the configuration and hardening expertise needed to keep these new systems secure and performing as intended.

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

JS: Short-term: the cloud-first approach we adopted nine years ago has become the industry standard and facility managers expect much. By providing remote access, real-time dashboards, mobile credentials and systems that do not require a dedicated server room we are providing real value to our clients.

In the long term, biometrics and AI-driven analytics will become the standard in commercial security. They are the future and the future is now. We are invested in these technologies so that we continue to provide the best for our clients.

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

JS: Engaging with new clients in a meaningful way is the challenge every integrator our size faces. We are not running national ad campaigns or sponsoring stadiums. Our growth comes from relationships, referrals and demonstrating expertise in the rooms where facility managers and security directors gather.

We invest time, we prioritize consistency, and we show up as a resource long before we ever become a vendor.

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

JS: I started this company because I wanted to build something. After being laid off in 2003 and finding my way into security through a Craigslist ad, I spent over a decade learning this industry from the ground up. I started out pulling wire, programming panels and managing operations and eventually began running sales.

When I launched ICS in 2014, I knew I could build a company that does it the right way: high standards, honest work and long-term client relationships built on trust.

What I enjoy most is the diversity of environments we serve. In a single week, our team might be in a hospital, a museum, a law firm, a bank or a hotel. Each facility has its own security story, and we get to be part of solving it. That variety keeps the work interesting and keeps us sharp.

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?

JS: We joined SIA because we want to stay at the leading edge of where this industry is heading. The educational content, market intelligence and standards work that SIA produces is exactly what a growing integrator needs to stay informed of and serve our clients with subject matter expertise.

We are actively engaged in SIA programming and participate in SIA’s National Capital Region Security Forum networking events monthly, and we recently attended the 2026 virtual SIA Open House series. Susan Mason, ICS’ business development manager, attended the 2026 Security LeadHER conference and is a member of the SIA Women in Security Forum community, and ICS has also joined SIA’s Identity and Biometric Technology Advisory Board.

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.