SAGE Integration, Inc. - Experts & Thought Leaders

The Security Industry Association (SIA) has named new members and leadership of the steering committee for SIA RISE, a community that fosters the careers of young professionals and emerging pioneers in the security industry. Dakota Mackie of Northland Controls serves as chair, with Kelly Ann Christensen of BCD now serving as vice chair. In these roles, Mackie and Christensen ensure that RISE delivers educational content and networking opportunities to young professional employees and rising stars at SIA member companies, college students and recent graduates interested in the global security industry. Prior roles of Mackie  Mackie joined Northland Controls in 2020 as the content marketing specialist Dakota Mackie is the business development manager at Northland Controls. Prior to joining the security industry, she worked as a client services coordinator at the Washington Commanders (then the Washington Redskins) before beginning a role with a military nonprofit, Luke’s Wings, where she ultimately ended her tenure as the executive director. Mackie joined Northland Controls in 2020 as the content marketing specialist, and in her current role, she is responsible for supporting the entire sales cycle with a focus on the growth of Northland’s managed services offering. Mackie has been honoured as a SIA Women in Security Forum Power 100 honouree and is a graduate of the University of South Carolina. Outside of work, she has a passion for travelling the world and learning about new cultures. Prior roles of Ann Christensen Kelly Ann Christensen is a digital marketing specialist at BCD, an IP video data infrastructure manufacturer, and has spent nearly five years specialising in the security industry. With a focus on digital advertising and marketing analytics, she has certifications in ROI marketing, marketing management, SEO and PPC marketing. Prior to becoming RISE vice chair, she served as head of the RISE Scholarship subcommittee, which provides scholarships to young professionals in the security industry to assist with furthering education, attending industry events, obtaining new certifications and furthering their professional development, and was awarded the SIA RISE Scholarship in 2022 and one of SIA’s 2024 Sandy Jones Volunteers of the Year. Christensen has also participated in SIA’s Talent Inclusion Mentorship Education (TIME) program, which is designed to promote diversity, equity, inclusion and empowerment of underrepresented identities in the security industry by creating a well-defined pathway for learning and development. SIA RISE Steering Committee The SIA RISE Steering Committee now includes the following members: Chair: Dakota Mackie, business development manager, Northland Controls (Term ends 2025) Vice Chair: Kelly Ann Christensen, marketing manager, BCD (Term ends 2027) AcceleRISE Subcommittee Chair: Erin Grippo, senior manager, product operations, Brivo (Term ends 2025) Content Subcommittee Chair: Tanner LaRocque, marketing director, Evolon (Term ends 2026) Scholarship Subcommittee Chair: Kristin Shockley, manager, segment marketing, Genetec (Term ends 2026) Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Subcommittee Chair: Tristin Vaccaro, owner, Vaccaro Copywriting & Marketing Solutions (Term ends 2025) Jonah Azarcon, deputy project pioneer, M.C. Dean (Term ends 2027) Krystina Beach, marketing communications manager, ASSA ABLOY (Term ends 2027) Andres Capous, regional sales manager, Velasea (Term ends 2027) Joey Joy, distribution channel account manager, March Networks (Term ends 2027) Ryan Knoll, business relations manager, Pro-Tec Design (Term ends 2027) Tim Loth, sales engineer team lead, i-PRO (Term ends 2026) Jackie Paryz, director, sales, technology solutions, Securitas (Term ends 2027) Itzel Portillo, marketing specialist, Allegion (Term ends 2027) Amanda Powell, marketing manager, Boon Edam (Term ends 2025) Nicole Rigby, team lead, distribution operations, Axis Communications (Term ends 2026) Keyser Santana, global security strategist and business execution senior manager, Pratt & Whitney (Term ends 2025) Constantine Tremouliaris, integrated solutions specialist, ASSA ABLOY (Term ends 2025) KeShia Thomas, brand and solutions manager, Allegion (Term ends 2027) Mfon Ubaha, business development manager, i-PRO (Term ends 2027) Sarah Webel, human resources generalist, SAGE Integration (Term ends 2027) Lauren Yonis, global events manager, acre (Term ends 2027) New RISE committee members “SIA RISE is a vibrant community of accomplished young security pioneers and driven industry newcomers that offers a robust array of opportunities for learning, professional development, engagement and relationship building in our industry. This community and its meaningful initiatives would not be possible without our dedicated, talented volunteers, like RISE chair Dakota Mackie, new vice chair Kelly Ann Christensen and our subcommittee chairs, Erin Grippo, Tanner LaRocque, Kristin Shockley and Tristin Vaccaro,” said SIA CEO Don Erickson. “We welcome our new RISE committee members, and we thank outgoing committee members and past RISE chairs Jake Brown and Matt Feenan for their leadership and support over the years. We look forward to working together with the 2025 RISE committee to further advance the reach and impact of RISE and its programs and propel the security workforce of the future.” RISE Awards and annual AcceleRISE conference SIA RISE is a community that fosters the careers of young professionals in the security industry. SIA RISE’s offerings include an annual scholarship to further young talent’s education and career goals, fun in-person and virtual networking events for young professionals, the TIME program for early and mid-career professionals, recognition of new and emerging industry pioneers through the 25 on the RISE Awards and the annual AcceleRISE conference – an essential experience for young security talent. The SIA RISE community is open to all employees at SIA member companies who are young professionals under 40 or have been in the security industry for less than two years.

The Security Industry Association (SIA) has announced the schedule, speaker lineup and program for the 2024 Securing New Ground (SNG), the security industry’s executive conference, taking place October 8-9 at the Westin New York Grand Central in New York City. At SNG 2024, the security industry will gather for top-level information sharing, networking and business analysis. This year’s Securing New Ground conference will shape industry trends and offer opportunities to engage with the pioneers who are driving the future of security. Insights for the security industry The 2024 program will explore current and cutting-edge issues, like how digital change will reinvent The 2024 program will explore the most current and cutting-edge issues, like how digital transformation will reinvent corporate security operations and the future of mobile credentials; share investment insights for the security industry; showcase in-depth one-to-one interviews with top executives in the industry; and foster new connections through interactive sessions and dynamic roundtable discussions. “SIA is thrilled to present a stellar lineup of security industry executives at the 2024 Securing New Ground conference – a highly anticipated program featuring the top security luminaries, innovators and pioneers and examining the most critical business and security topics in our industry,” said SIA Board of Directors Chair Scott Dunn. “This year’s conference will offer attendees a variety of candid, insightful conversations on the most current trends, shifts and challenges in global security and how the industry’s pioneering players are navigating these changes and plenty of opportunities to network, share information and form meaningful connections with other security visionaries.” Highlights of the 2024 SNG program A keynote address from Phil Mackintosh, chief economist and senior vice president at Nasdaq, about how market conditions and financial indicators will impact the U.S. and global economies. Compelling executive conversations with Rob Aarnes, president of ADI Global Distribution; Sergio Castillejos, vice president and general manager of Honeywell Commercial Security; Ann Fandozzi, CEO of Convergint; Steve Jones, CEO of Allied Universal; Filip Kaliszan, CEO and co-founder of Verkada; Masato Nakao, CEO of i-PRO; George Oliver, chairman and CEO of Johnson Controls; and Pierre Racz, CEO of Genetec. Trends and challenges in global security Executives speaking in the event program represent major industry sectors like access control, video surveillance, systems integration, distribution, finance, security staffing, identity, critical event management, data sharing, and more. The conference program will see the return of the popular “View From the Top” session on major trends and challenges in global security, featuring top executives from integration, product manufacturers and the practitioner's voice. Security Megatrends session Security Megatrends session that forecasts pioneering trends expected to change the industry over the next one to five years Also returning is the ever-insightful Security Megatrends session that forecasts pioneering trends expected to change the industry over the next one to five years, along with the Investment Insights panel that breaks down the numbers behind industry investments, mergers and acquisitions activity, lending and private equity. The conference will also see the presentation of the 25 on the RISE Awards winners, a recognition program for young pioneers in the security industry, nominated by their peers as rising stars in security. The full agenda is available and a current list of speakers is also available on the conference website. SNG 2024 sponsors  For the first time in 2024, included in the ticket to Securing New Ground is an exclusive evening reception and a can’t-miss evening dinner event featuring a dynamic presentation from an inspiring guest speaker to be announced soon. Registration for SIA members is $1,145 (a savings of $850 off the regular rate). Security practitioners are invited to attend for $495, and government security pioneers are provided complimentary access. SNG 2024 is supported by sponsors ACRE, ADI, Allegion, ASSA ABLOY, Axis Communications, Bosch, Convergint, Eagle Eye Networks, Genetec, Hanwha Vision, HID, Honeywell, Imperial Capital, i-PRO, M.C. Dean, M.C. Dean, Milestone, Raymond James, SAGE Integration, Securitas Technology, SwiftConnect, Verkada, Vivotek, Wachter, Wavelynx and Wesco; industry supporters ISC Security Events and PSA; and media partners Access Control Executive Brief, International Security Journal, Security Business, SecurityInfoWatch, Security Journal Americas and Security Technology Executive.

HiveWatch, a physical security software company reimagining how organisations keep their people and assets safe, announced a partnership with globally renowned security technology provider - SAGE Integration. Together, the two companies will build efficiencies to streamline security operations for their enterprise clients.  One-of-a-kind solution "The partnership with HiveWatch highlights how SAGE aims to work with innovative manufacturers to provide one-of-a-kind solutions for customers that solve some of their biggest challenges," said John Nemerofsky, Chief Operating Officer, SAGE Integration. He adds, "Our companies share the sentiment of advancing the industry and moving beyond boilerplate solutions to deliver best-in-class security solutions." SAGE and HiveWatch partner on GSOC OS The platform simplifies and centralises disparate systems and solutions, reduces overwhelming noise SAGE will partner with HiveWatch to offer its Global Security Operations Center Operating System (GSOC OS), which is an end-to-end security operations management platform built to solve some of the industry’s biggest challenges. The platform simplifies and centralises disparate systems and solutions, reduces overwhelming noise, streamlines operations, and empowers security teams to make data-driven decisions. Seamless visibility While SAGE Integration provides expertise in access control, video surveillance, intrusion detection, and visitor management systems, HiveWatch is the software that brings these disparate systems together to provide customers with seamless visibility into their entire security programme. "HiveWatch’s partnership with SAGE is based on the shared vision that the security industry must be tech-forward, data-driven, innovative, and laser-focused on providing real solutions to real problems that security teams face," said Ryan Schonfeld, Co-Founder & CEO of HiveWatch.  Streamlining security operations Ryan Schonfeld adds, "We’re looking forward to bringing SAGE’s clients a way to streamline their security operations, harness the power of data to make better decisions, and better align security investments with strategic business decisions."  HiveWatch will showcase its platform at GSX 2024, Sept. 23-25, 2024, in Orlando, Florida, USA, at Booth #1987.

Enterprise security directors often count on an integration firm to handle jobs ranging from day-to-day activities to long-term, technology-laden projects. However, before entering a relationship, you must know what's reasonable to expect from an integrator – as not all are created equal. Here are some tips that might make the selection process easier. Completing comprehensive classwork An integrator's experience working in an enterprise environment is an obvious consideration. Ideally, that experience fits well with your business. Any enterprise experience is a plus, but local, state, and federal regulations create precise yet very different rules for securing a utility instead of a hospital. That's also true for university campuses, manufacturing facilities, and many other operations. Many manufacturers offer certifications awarded after completing comprehensive classwork and testing Look for certifications indicative of an integrator's commitment to staying on top of industry changes. Organisations such as ASIS International and the Security Industry Association offer certifications showing an integrator's team members have mastered security principles and skills. Many manufacturers offer certifications awarded after completing comprehensive classwork and testing. Also, ensure an integrator sells and services equipment that integrates with your current security systems. Using multiple systems for the same function is less efficient. Project update meetings Go beyond an integrator's slick brochures and websites to ask tough questions about previous experience. How would the integrator handle a hypothetical situation in one of your facilities? Ask the integrator if there will be one project manager for all jobs. And ensure that person handles all interactions with security subcontractors. Ask if the integrator provides regularly scheduled project update meetings. It's frustrating to wonder how your project is progressing. Ask if the integrator's team can work during the hours and days that result in the least interference to your daily operations. Ask for onsite system training to save time and eliminate travel costs. Gathering sensitive data Look for an integrator with proven experience working with an enterprise IT department A malfunctioning component may be more than an inconvenience – it may be a severe security threat. You need to know how quickly your integrator can respond when things go wrong. Ask about available service plans. And consider the embedded staff approach in which the integrator places employees on your site full time to handle day-to-day and emergency activities. Much of the security equipment – video, access control, intercoms, visitor management, and more – is wireless and dependent upon networks operated by your IT department. Network-based devices provide more opportunities for hackers to gather sensitive data or cause critical equipment to malfunction. Don't trust your security operations with an Integrator unfamiliar with at least basic cybersecurity principles. Look for an integrator with proven experience working with an enterprise IT department. At a minimum, ensure the integrator can set and change security device IP addresses and port locations. Certifications from providers such as Cisco, Microsoft, and IBM indicate an understanding of various IT technologies. Potential security partners Knowledgeable integrators work with the well-encrypted Open Supervised Data Protocol (OSDP), now an internationally recognised standard. Run from any integrator who suggests operating an access control system with used Wiegand technology offering no encryption between cards and readers. It's easy for hackers to capture data and clone a working credential. Technology moves at a rapid pace. Your modern system of a few years ago may be long-of-tooth. You need an integrator capable of bringing new and innovative ideas to the table. You want an integrator who conducts in-house testing of new products, not relying solely on a manufacturer's claims. You want an integrator capable of thinking outside the box to solve a complex security problem. These ideas are just a start in assessing an integrator's value to your enterprise operation. However, they will help you sort through potential security partners to find one that best meets your needs.

Assembling security solutions has long been considered the role of the integrator, whose role is to pick and choose the best technology tools and then to assemble the complete system. However, more manufacturers are offering pre-integrated end-to-end solutions that include multiple elements from the same manufacturer, designed to work seamlessly together. At the end of the day, end users want to know: Whose role is it to provide security ‘solutions’ – the manufacturer or the integrator? We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable.

There is a broad appeal to the idea of using a smartphone or wearable device as a credential for physical access control systems. Smartphones already perform a range of tasks that extend beyond making a phone call. Shouldn’t opening the door at a workplace be among them? It’s a simple idea, but there are obstacles for the industry to get there from here. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What are the challenges and benefits of mobile access control solutions?