Security Systems News is a monthly business newspaper that reaches 25,100 security installers, product distributors, central stations, engineers & architects, and security consultants. Our editorial coverage focuses on breaking news in all major se
Issue link: https://ssn.epubxp.com/i/247003
10 news www.securitysystemsnews.com february 2014 seCurITy sysTeMs news SIA hiring could signal a shift in direction Amid partisan dysfunction, SIA intends to place greater onus on regulatory affairs By Leif Kothe WASHINGTON— In an appointment designed to bring about some shifts in the organization's direction, the Security Industry Association has hired Jake Parker, a 12-year veteran of Capitol Hill, as its new government relations director, Don Erickson, CEO of SIA, told Security Systems News. "You're going to see SIA develop more of a regulatory agenda," he said. "Given how dysfunctional Congress has been, a lot of activity that's going to drive market opportunities is going to come from federal agencies because they still operate with the authority to issue regulations." speAKING Continued from page 6 of time. 6. Audio Video—Reserving a conference room is now in the cloud utilizing the building network. Once inside the conference room, there is more technology today than ever. Video conferencing is a must in any conference room design, as the cost of travel to a meeting is now cost prohibitive. In addition these, video conferences may be recorded for forensic purposes. 7. Network and Infrastructure— The backbone and cabling become the building's nervous system, as all of the above systems require connectivity. Well-designed buildings are future-proofed with enough space to house head end and connectivity equipment for both today and tomorrow. By integrating all of the systems above, utilizing a unified network and technology platform, a Physical Security Management System (PSIM) may be designed to allow all systems to be managed and maintained in one location or remotely via the cloud. You are only the third woman consultant I've interviewed for this column in three years. I understand you're involved in ASIS' Women in Security group. Tell me about the work you do with that group? As a member of ASIS International and the Omaha Heartland ASIS Chapter 59, I serve as the chapter chairperson for the Women in Security Committee. Recently appointed to this role, I plan to expand the membership of women within our local chapter and develop a mentoring network with these women to further develop our skill sets and knowledge of the security industry. —Martha Entwistle Specifically Speaking features Q-and-A with a different security consultant every month. Consultants are provided to Security Systems News by www.SecuritySpecifiers.com. He added that Parker, with years of policy experience in "I bring a constituent his background, will be critiservices mentality to my cal to the organization's more concerted focus on regulatory position." affairs. —Jake Parker, sIa Having worked most recently as legislative director for industry we have a good story to Rep. Tom Lathan, R-Iowa, tell, and from what I understand Parker handled issues pertain- Jake Parker the industry's poised to have ing to homeland security, foreign affairs pretty significant growth over the next and small business issues domestically. few years. "I bring a constituent services mentalParker said he hopes to shape public ity to my position, and my priority is to policy and public opinion to help sustain maximize what we can do for industry a "favorable regulatory and legal envimembers," Parker said. "I think as an ronment for the industry to do business." Erickson noted that Parker has a firm understanding of the myriad factors that go into the congressional decision-making process. "What we were looking for in hiring [Parker] was somebody who could bring public policy substance to the association, someone who had experience and who was comfortable digging into the weeds of legislation and communicating about it in a concise, clear way," Erickson said. He added: "This will help show our members the potential opportunities and the potential challenges of a particular regulation or piece of legislation." ssn New IHSSF president to take on hospital crime Pair of studies will zero in on weapons in hospitals hospitals and other health facilities, and GLENDALE HEIGHTS, Ill.—There were look at crime statistics, to show what's 154 shootings at U.S. hospitals in 40 trending in order to give senior security states between 2000 and leaders information that 2011. More recent statiswill guide their plans tics on crime and weap- "A hospital is a city and and investments, said ons in health care facilia world unto itself." Nibbelink. ties will be the subject The non-profit philof a pair of studies the —steve nibbelink, IHssf anthropic arm of the International Healthcare International AssociaSecurity and Safety Foundation will take tion for Healthcare Security and Safety, on next year, according to Steve Nib- IHSSF supports the association through belink, the foundation's new president. fundraising, networking and awards proThe foundation will examine the grams. It funds and conducts research iHssF see page 11 number and type of weapons taken into By Leah Hoenen sIA Continued from page 8 now," Parker said in early January. SIA's ultimate objective is to give integrators engaged in the chemical facilities vertical frmer ground to stand on. Erickson believes issues surrounding CFATS legislation and regulatory issues are going to be prominent in 2014. "It's on the minds of integrators, whether they're as large as Kratos or smaller independent integrators as well," he said. "The frustration is that the program for a variety of reasons has been criticized for so-called mismanagement or lack of direction within DHS. Hopefully through additional congressional oversight, DHS has a more clear direction from the Hill as to how to manage the program and prioritize." ssn NICE TOUCH Introducing an all new touchscreen keypad. This ultra thin 5" scrollable touch display with animated icons, local weather & the simplest one-touch arming your customers have ever seen. It's backwards compatible with existing DMP panels, features your company logo and nicely priced, starting at $124 with built in Prox. Learn more at dmp.com/touchscreen ® One more reason to choose DMP. l 877-725-1114 dmp.com