Contributing to the SIA Knowledge Center: FAQs and Editorial Guidelines

As part of SIA’s overall mission and board strategy to serve as a source of trusted security information, the Knowledge Center is an online, searchable repository of content on technical and non-technical security information. All Knowledge Center content is organized by essential product and market categories and is further tagged to associate relevant content.

The mission of the Knowledge Center content is to improve the overall knowledge and education of the security industry, including all potential users and buyers (large and small) of security solutions. We believe an informed populace is better for our industry’s long-term growth and that an educated populace contributes to a safer world.

Content in the Knowledge Center is regularly featured on our homepage, published in our SIA Update email newsletters, shared and discussed in our SIA360 online community, and referenced by media and researchers. Plus, nearly half of Knowledge Center traffic comes from search engines, primarily Google, which indicates recognition that the SIA Knowledge Center contains quality, trusted information.

SIA is seeking contributions of information that explain core security knowledge, particularly when focused around technology topics. From explaining the basics of a networked video system to fairly explaining the pros and cons of prox access control, how to secure office parking garages, how to test your video system’s cybersecurity, or how to deploy thermal video solutions for best results – the topics are wide-ranging. Think of this like a wiki or a textbook on various aspects of security and security technology solutions. Articles that explain “How it works,” “How to use this,” “How to install this,” the “Pros and Cons” and other such formats that help clearly explain security and security technology solutions.

For the core content base of the Knowledge Center, we are not seeking case studies, product information, opinions/editorials, or trends discussions. There may be opportunities for these contributions on the SIA blog.

Articles should be clearly organized with sections that explain different aspects of the overall topic. Clear organization of the content aids web-based readers, who often skim to find the information they seek. As you write, embrace the fact that some web readers are looking for basic information, while others are looking for nuanced, professional-level knowledge. We recommend you organize your content with both audiences in mind.

Any SIA member company or academic faculty member in good standing can contribute to the SIA Knowledge Center. Security practitioners and government employees are all also encouraged to contribute. All articles are bylined and position the individual and the company they represent as a thought leader in the security industry. Each article should have a single lead contributor, even if other individuals contributed to the information and are recognized in the article.

The editorial guidelines below are intended to ensure that the SIA Knowledge Center builds and maintains a reputation as a vital source of reliable, non-commercial information about security and security technologies.

1. Articles must be vendor-neutral and product-neutral. As a rule, no references to security companies or security product brands or models will be allowed within an article. As you write the article or information page, your goal should always be to educate the security industry and potential buyers about security, but not to overtly or even subtly sell or push specific product solutions. Each article byline will credit the author and the author’s company, and each post-article tagline will provide the author’s email address and the company’s website address.
2. Content must be original. Previously published articles, whitepapers, etc., will not be accepted.
3. Each article topic should be cleared with SIA before writing, in order to ensure that the subject is appropriate and will not duplicate other submissions. A content committee/editorial board exists to review incoming proposals on a regular basis.
4. An author must be affiliated with a company or organization that is a member of SIA. Exceptions are made for individuals who are security practitioners or government employees. Additional exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis.
5. All articles will be edited for grammar, spelling, punctuation, style, readability and conformance with SIA editorial guidelines.
6. Article formats support images and multimedia such as audio files, videos and animated GIFs. Authors are encouraged to use visuals and multimedia. Submission of high-resolution pictures, graphics, videos and other images that are relevant to the article is strongly encouraged. Captions and photo credits should be included where appropriate.
7. All links within the articles will be reviewed as to the appropriateness of the link. Links should be generally placed to other SIA Knowledge Center contributions, to editorial content of journals and media publications, and not to corporate web pages unless the information contained on that page is vital to the overall content of your submission and the information found there is not found elsewhere in a non-commercial format. Editing staff reserve the right to remove or relink any sections.
8. Contributions should be 1,000-2,200 words long.
9. Articles should be submitted as Microsoft Word documents.
10. Articles should be submitted with:
    1. a suggested headline and sub-headline
    2. the author’s name, title and email address
    3. the company’s name and website address
    4. a high-resolution headshot-style photo of the author
11. We request that articles included in the SIA Knowledge Center not be published elsewhere for at least 180 days after publication. SIA retains the right to publish this article indefinitely in a variety of electronic and print formats.
12. SIA staff will respond to all proposals and will alert authors when an article is published. If changes are substantial, we may ask for the author to submit a revised version and we may ask the author to review changes if required before publication.

Submit proposals (not full articles) to knowledgecenter@securityindustry.org. Proposals will be reviewed and responded to within 2 weeks. Proposals can be in the form of an email and should describe the topic and scope of content proposed. The author(s) should be identified, and the proposal should include a brief bio about the author(s).

Once SIA accepts a proposal, we will work with the author(s) to identify a deadline for submission of the completed content. We will then review the content internally and provide feedback to the author. In the case that rewriting or significant editing is necessary, SIA staff will work with the author(s) to determine the timeline for rewriting, editing or expansion of the article. Review on SIA’s end typically requires 2 weeks, but this review period may be extended if it overlaps with major holidays or one of our larger industry events. Authors will be provided with a tracked changes version of the article before final publication.

Since articles are published online, they can be continually updated to improve accuracy, add depth or correct typos/grammar/spelling. Simply contact us if you think a revision of your article (or another existing article) is needed.