PSIApril2017

together raising standards
Meet the installer – myths Q&A
Every month we talk to an NSI Gold accredited installer about life in the business. This month we take
a look back at a selection of answers from previous editions concerning the industry’s biggest myth..
Anthony King – Kings Security Systems
What is the industry’s biggest myth?
I think the biggest myth is that we
think we are qualified because we are
accredited and that we are prepared
for the future, I learnt so much when I
did my CSMP course and putting my
business through ISO27001 and
ISO22301 have been huge challenges
for all the right reasons.
Chrissy Powell – Castle Alarm Securities
What is the industry’s biggest
myth?
I find myself constantly assuring
my customers that not all security
companies are going to sell you an
expensive alarm and tie you into a
long and expensive contract. The
small independent companies, like
myself, are there to help, reassure
and protect their customers for the
best price possible.
Paul Rosenthal – Amthal Fire & Security
What is the industry’s biggest
myth?
Understanding where we are now
to where we are going to be in
‘tomorrow’s world’. In terms of
technology, the world as a whole is
rapidly changing, but also in fire
and security, where we have come
from and where we are going to
be, is literally world’s apart.
I have been in the industry 25
years, which is a long time and
hence seen many changes. It’s exciting to think about what the
next 25 years will bring; we are already seeing significant
advances in home automation and intelligent buildings and this
is a trend that will only continue to become more mainstream.
Security will become integrated with air conditioning, heating,
lighting systems and all controlled by one device. You only have
to look at the advancement of CCTV as one example, from a one
recording device to purely analytical ability to keep track of
communities to show how security is advancing rapidly with the
time and technology available.
On a practical level as well, we have seen that criminals are
becoming more sophisticated in their approach, finding more
digital tools to increase their chance of success. This is why it’s
critical to keep innovating in our industry so that new smart
methods of prevention are launched, and we continue to work
closely with Police forces to keep our customers safe and secure.
Nicky Stokes – ISD Tech
What is the industry’s biggest myth?
That cloud based security solutions are
not secure and inaccessible to most
businesses due to cost. In fact, most
cloud-based infrastructure is ultra-secure
with data encrypted and stored within
highly resilient and fault-tolerant data
centres. As for cost, many IP-based
access control solutions are far more
affordable than traditional access
control. Firstly, remote deployment
reduces install costs and they’re incredibly easy to manage and
maintain, while offering the future-proof flexibility to grow and
adapt. The same is true for cloud-based surveillance,
particularly for a multi-site organisation.
Robert Truesdale – Securi-Guard Fire & Security
What is the industry’s biggest myth?
Even in our fast paced, computer and
smart phone dominated world, people are
still convinced that when an alarm is
activated, it immediately rings in a police
station. I bet even some people reading
this are saying to themselves: 'you mean,
that isn't what happens?' It is true though,
many people have no concept of the key
role an Alarm Receiving Centre plays in the
process as 'middle man'. Having said that, they may all have the
last laugh though. As technology develops we could easily go
back to that kind of direct link again as processes are constantly
being further streamlined.
Robert Moore – Boston
Networks
What is the industry’s biggest
myth?
It would probably be that no
specialist expertise is required to
install and manage devices on an
IP network. The security markets
move to IP adoption and migration
is a result of the advancements in
technology and the realisation of
the multiple associated benefits.
Security cannot solely be managed by Facilities or IT teams as
expertise in both fields is essential when selecting modern
solutions that use the network for connectivity and operation.
Specialist experience of both is imperative and should be
enlisted when designing and deploying these types of systems to
achieve maximum benefits and return on investment.
If you would like to be featured in ‘Meet the Installer’
then contact Andy Clutton on 0208 295 8309
www.psimagazine.co.uk
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