Speakers Sought for 2025 TMAs Virtual Mid-Year Meeting

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The agenda for the 2025 TMA Virtual Mid-Year Meeting (April 29–May 1, 2024) is under development and session proposals are sought on the industry’s most pressing topics. This 3-day event will focus on leadership and industry trends; technology and innovation; and operations and best practices, with sessions such as:
• Inspiring Leadership in a Changing World
• NextGen Leadership Training
• The Impact of Private Equity on the Monitoring Industry
• Practical Examples of AI in the Monitoring Center
• Emerging Technologies: Drones, Robotics, and Body Cameras
• Cybersecurity Best Practices for Monitoring Centers
• Monitoring Center Quality Assurance and Video Integration Processes
• Improving Efficiencies in Alarm and Video Processing
• Employee Engagement and Retention

If you have expertise or innovative ideas to contribute, we encourage you to submit a proposal. Together, let’s provide actionable insights and practical solutions for monitoring professionals.

For submission details and additional information, go to https://tma.us/education/speakers-smes/call-for-speakers/

Bish to Represent TMA on the SIAC Board of Directors

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Industry veteran and longtime member of The Monitoring Association (TMA) George Bish has been appointed to represent TMA on the SIAC Board of Directors.

“George brings decades of experience and technical expertise to this position,” said Tim Creenan, SIAC Board Chairman. “We deeply appreciate his willingness to add this additional responsibility to his already busy schedule.”

George is currently the Director of Licensing and Compliance at Ring LLC, which Amazon owns.

George replaces industry leader and founding board member Bob Bonifas as a TMA board member. Bob is the founder of Alarm Detection Systems and has been a thought leader in our industry.

“Bob could always be counted on to see the big picture, look into the future and develop sound plans for leadership as our industry has changed and grown over the years,” said Creenan. “We want to thank him for his decades of service to SIAC and our industry.”

“This is a critical time for our industry as we face ever–changing technology,” said Creenan. “SIAC’s role of being the single voice for our industry on alarm regulations and management is more important than ever and we appreciate TMA’s support for this important mission.”

Make National Security Technician Day Special for Technicians, Jan. 23rd!

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TMA joins with security industry associations ESA and SIA to celebrate National Security Technician Day on January 23rd each year. The special day serves as a reminder to recognize the commitment and expertise of security technicians—the heroes fortifying our safety. These individuals, often working behind the scenes, are instrumental in ensuring the functionality, reliability, and effectiveness of security systems that safeguard our communities, businesses, and homes. 

Their dedication goes beyond the technical; it embodies a commitment to our safety. From installing and maintaining security systems to troubleshooting and ensuring operational efficiency, these technicians are integral. Here we explore some ideas to make the day extra special. 

Ideas to Make National Security Technician Day Special for Technicians

1. Recognition and Appreciation:

Encourage businesses and communities to publicly acknowledge and thank security technicians for their invaluable contributions, even a social media shoutout is meaningful. Perhaps distribute thank-you notes or cards expressing appreciation for their dedication and hard work.

2. Professional Development Opportunities:

Organize workshops or seminars to enhance their skills or update their knowledge on the latest security technologies. Offer specialized training opportunities to further their expertise in specific areas. 

3. Security Technician of the Year Awards:

Encourage nominations and entries for the prestigious Security Technician of the Year Awards. Recognizing exemplary skills and dedication, this initiative celebrates outstanding achievements in the field and boosts morale among technicians. It’s an opportunity to honor their contributions and showcase their expertise within the industry. 

4. Celebratory Gatherings:

Host a luncheon or dinner where technicians can relax, socialize, and feel appreciated for their efforts. You can arrange team-building exercises or recreational activities to foster camaraderie among technicians and their colleagues.

5. Gifts and Tokens of Appreciation:

Provide personalized gift baskets containing tokens of appreciation. Present certificates of recognition or achievement to highlight their contributions to the safety of the community. 

6. Honoring Our Heroes 

National Security Technician Day serves as a reminder to extend gratitude, recognition, and support to these indispensable professionals whose commitment safeguards our well-being. By celebrating and honoring security technicians, we affirm their vital role in upholding safety and security across our communities.  

ATN-01 Preliminary Comment Period now open!

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The TMA-ATN-01 Active Threat (Detection) Notification Standard DRAFT is now available for a “Preliminary Technical Review.” The purpose of this optional non-ANSI process review is to gather preliminary stakeholder feedback prior to publishing the final draft for the official ANSI public comment period. It allows for meaningful suggestions to be considered for inclusion in the committee’s final draft document used for the ANSI public comment period.

All Industry comments must be submitted no later than December 4th, 2024, 9pm Eastern.

  1. Please download the TMA-ATN-01 Active Threat (Detection) Notification Standard DRAFT (PDF Format).
  2. Submit all comments individually using the online comment form
  3. All comments will be reviewed by the committee and replied to as soon as possible

After the committee has done the final review, the draft standard will go for 60 days through the ANSI Public Comment process.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact Bryan Ginn at bginn@tma.us. Thank you.

Elite Interactive Solutions Launches New Educational Webinar Series

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Elite Interactive Solutions, a remote video guarding pioneer using proprietary intelligence and integration to achieve proven crime prevention, announces the launch of a new educational webinar series. Featuring some of the industry’s foremost subject matter experts and thought leaders, the sessions are designed to inform security practitioners about the latest developments in security technologies and methodologies, crime and loss prevention, vertical market challenges, law enforcement, and more.

The free series kicks off Tuesday, Dec. 10 at 11 a.m. Pacific Time / 2 p.m. Eastern Time with, “How Remote Guarding Crushes Crime.” In addition to preventing crime, the hourlong presentation will cover how the solution profoundly impacts losses, liability and false alarms.

More and more businesses and other organizations are discovering the extensive benefits of remote video guarding systems. Unlike traditional security systems and monitoring center methods, this innovative solution prevents crime in real-time.

By combining proven system design practices, strategically placed surveillance cameras, specially tuned analytics and AI, high-end cybersecurity, skilled command center agents experienced in diffusing threats, and a trusted relationship with law enforcement, remote video guarding is dramatically transforming security across multiple industries.

The session’s panel of leading crime prevention experts will help attendees evaluate how this solution can help them better protect their facilities – including augmenting or replacing security guards.

Participating in the panel-style webinar will be Elite Vice President of Client Success & Security Solutions Scott Blakeman, former law enforcement executive Justin Feffer, an attorney specializing in cybersecurity who sits on Elite’s Law Enforcement Advisory Board, and Trophy Automotive Dealer Group Director of Facilities Myrna Dekker. All are experienced authorities for the topic at hand.

“As with a lot of new technologies and offerings that emerge on the security industry’s radar, there are many misperceptions, misrepresentations, false assumptions and even fear of the unknown surrounding remote video monitoring — particularly as it pertains to remote guarding and crime prevention,” says Blakeman. “With keen insights from an experienced provider rep, law enforcement official and end user, our intent is to plainly define the solution and its power to truly revolutionize security and safety.”

Those in attendance will have their eyes and minds opened to how advances in AI, video analytics, cybersecurity and other leading-edge technologies are being calibrated, integrated and deployed to deliver real-world results that proactively stop rather than merely react to crime. Attendees will also come to understand the key characteristics that encompass a true remote guarding solution, as opposed to more general video surveillance or alarm monitoring.

By its conclusion, attendees will walk away knowing how a technology-centric solution like remote guarding can make their organization’s security program more effective and efficient, and with a high return on investment (ROI). This webinar is essential for anyone wanting to know more about the heretofore unattainable benefits to be gained through properly executed remote video guarding.

Evolon and UCC Partner to Deliver Proactive Video Monitoring Solutions

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Evolon Technology, a leader in proactive AI-driven security solutions, and United Central Control (UCC) and COPS Monitoring (COPS), premier providers of professional video monitoring, have announced a partnership to transform the proactive video monitoring market.

The companies will co-sell Evolon Insites Proactive Monitoring to oQer a flexible suite of commercial video monitoring services. These services provide businesses and commercial
enterprises with complete peace of mind, after-hours protection, and the ability to selfmonitor their properties by engaging professional monitoring services on demand. By combining Evolon’s advanced technology with UCC and COPS dedicated AlarmWatch expert video monitoring services, businesses can now access comprehensive, proactive video monitoring solutions that enhance security while reducing operational costs.

With Evolon’s cutting-edge AI and cloud-based analytics, false alarms are filtered out precisely, alleviating one of the biggest challenges for video monitoring companies. This partnership allows AlarmWatch operators to focus on real threats, improving response times and deterring crime more eQectively.

The collaboration also brings innovative, tiered services to the market:

  1. Professional Video Monitoring – Provides after-hours protection with simplified pricing, giving businesses complete peace of mind at a predictable monthly rate.
  2. MIY (Monitor it Yourself)—Designed for small businesses, this option gives owners complete control over monitoring their premises through an intuitive mobile app,
    empowering them to manage security on their terms.
  3. SOS (On-Demand Monitoring) – OQers flexible, on-demand support where business owners can manage their security and call in professional monitoring only when
    necessary to dispatch an emergency response.

All the tiered services oQer an intuitive user experience with a smartphone app that includes live video viewing, event recording, visibility to alarms, and emergency dispatch.
An AI copilot enables rapid and precise searches through video content, allowing users to find a specific recorded video, such as a car by make, model, and color or loitering
incidents.

“Our all-inclusive packages provide businesses with everything they need in one seamless solution,” said Tom Galvin, CEO of Evolon. “From an intuitive mobile app, AI-powered
security copilot, and cloud event storage to powerful forensic search and after-hours protection with professional operators. We oQer businesses a fully integrated security
solution without extra charges or complexity.”“Our partnership with AlarmWatch enables businesses of all sizes to access reliable and cost-eQective protection,” Tom continued. “Together, we’re enabling channel partners to oQer more value to their clients while bringing proactive video monitoring to the forefront.”

“We’re pleased to partner with Evolon on the Insites program,” said Teresa Gonzalez, President, UCC, which operates the UL, FM and TMA 5-Diamond certified centers that support professional video monitoring services through the dedicated AlarmWatch team.

“We’ve adopted the Evolon AI technology in our central stations and have been impressed with Evolon’s team, solution, and overall enthusiasm to make video monitoring easier and
more accessible to small and large businesses.”

Evolon Insites is now available through Evolon, United Central Control, and COPS Monitoring.

PureTech Systems Announces the Release of PureActiv® Version 16

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PureTech Systems Inc., a leader in geospatial AI-boosted video analytics for wide-area perimeter and border security, is proud to announce the release of PureActiv® Version 16. This new version introduces advanced features aimed at providing nuisance alarm elimination, and autonomous perimeter detection, classification, tracking, alerting, and deterrence—designed to address the evolving security needs of critical infrastructure.

PureActiv® Version 16 leverages PureTech’s patented geospatial AI-boosted technology, delivering accuracy in detecting and classifying potential threats with near-zero nuisance alarms. One of the new capabilities in Version 16 includes enhanced machine learning (ML) models that significantly improve classification accuracy, allowing for precise differentiation between real access control events and faulty door switches/locks.
Key features include:

  • Enhanced ML Models: Improved classification accuracy, ensuring real access control events are confirmed while nuisance alarms are automatically rejected.
  • PTZ Camera Tracking of Specific Intruders: Intelligent tracking of specific intruders with Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) cameras for real-time situational awareness and response.
  • Access Control Real and Nuisance alarm differentiation plus auto-clearing.
  • Integrated Air and Ground Intrusion Detection: Integration of ground and counter-drone detection into a single operating picture, providing protection across land, maritime domain and air.

“We are excited to release PureActiv® Version 16 as the next step in autonomous perimeter security,” said Larry Bowe, CEO of PureTech Systems Inc. “With enhanced machine learning models, advanced PTZ camera tracking, and integrated detection capabilities, PureActiv® continues to set the standard for protecting borders and critical infrastructures.”

“This new release enables new autonomous capabilities that go beyond conventional measures, providing operational advantages and seamlessly blending with other integrated technology systems,” says Chris Sincock, VP of Critical Infrastructure.

For more information on PureActiv® Version 16 and its new security capabilities, visit www.puretechsystems.com or contact us at 602-424-9842.

Resideo Announces CEO Succession Plan and New Chairman of the Board

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Resideo Technologies, Inc. announced that Jay Geldmacher, President and Chief Executive Officer, has informed the Board of his intention to retire from his executive and Board roles in 2025. Mr. Geldmacher will continue to serve as President and CEO until his successor is named, at which time he will also retire from the Board and become a senior advisor to the company to facilitate a smooth transition.

Today’s announcement is part of the company’s active succession planning process. The Board has engaged a nationally recognized executive search firm to assist in the process of identifying and evaluating qualified candidates.

“It has been my privilege to be a part of Resideo, and I look forward to continuing to serve the company and its stakeholders until my successor is named. I am proud of the company’s achievements, and I want to express my deepest gratitude to the Resideo team,” said Jay Geldmacher. “Over the past four years, we have refocused our product portfolio, substantially improved the cash flow and financial profile of the company, made two transformational acquisitions, entered new markets, and accelerated our new product introduction cadence. All of this has created a foundation for future revenue and earnings growth.”

“As a market leader, I believe Resideo is well positioned to capitalize on its profitable growth opportunities and generate durable free cash flow in the future. I look forward to supporting a smooth transition to the next CEO as Resideo prepares to embark on its exciting next chapter.”

“On behalf of the entire Board, we wish to extend our sincerest gratitude to Jay for over four years of devoted service to Resideo,” said Andrew C. Teich, incoming Chairman of Resideo’s Board of Directors. “Jay’s collaborative partnership in the boardroom and strong leadership in driving structural improvements to the company’s operations leave Resideo far better positioned to achieve long-term profitable growth.”

“The Board remains fully confident in the company’s strategy as well as its senior leadership team. Through our ongoing succession planning, the Board is committed to appointing a new CEO who will continue to drive our ambitious vision forward. We greatly appreciate Jay’s support in ensuring a smooth transition.”

Chairman of the Board Change

Resideo also announced that Board member and current Vice Chair, Andrew C. Teich, has been named as Chairman of the Board, succeeding Roger B. Fradin, who has stepped down from the Board after having served as Chairman of the Board since 2018. Given his long history with the company, Mr. Fradin will continue to advise Resideo in a consulting capacity, leveraging his extensive and relevant industry and operational experience.

“Andy is a strong leader who has been an incredibly valuable voice on the Board since the company’s launch in 2018,” said Mr. Fradin. “Drawing on his significant experience, Andy is the ideal person to assume the Chair role and continue to work closely with other members of the Board in connection with our CEO succession process that was announced today.”

“Resideo has benefited greatly from Roger’s deep expertise, guidance, and commitment to the company and its stakeholders,” said Mr. Teich. “His leadership has played a key role in the company’s transformation process and has set the company up for success in the future. On behalf of the entire Board of Directors, I want to thank Roger for his tremendous efforts and look forward to continuing to work with him in his consulting capacity.”

Mr. Teich previously served as Resideo’s Lead Independent Director from 2019 through June 2023 and currently serves as the Chair of the Innovation and Technology Committee and as a member of the Nominating and Governance and Compensation and Human Capital Management Committees.

Prior to joining Resideo’s Board, Mr. Teich served as President and Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors of FLIR Systems from 2013 to 2017. Mr. Teich has served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sensata Technologies, a publicly traded global industrial technology company, since July 2019.

As appeared in SecurityInfoWatch.com, Nov. 9, 2024

Everon CEO Dan Bresingham Has Left; Chairman of the Board Tim Whall to Serve as Interim CEO

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Security integrator Everon has confirmed a story broken this morning on IPVM.com that its CEO, Dan Bresingham, has left the company. Industry veteran and current Chairman of the Board Tim Whall will take over the CEO position for the company on an interim basis.

“Everon is grateful to Dan Bresingham for his years of dedication and leadership, and most recently in leading Everon through monumental transformation to become a standalone, nationwide integrator,” the company said in a statement provided to SecurityInfoWatch.com. “We thank him for all he has done to help us reach this critical milestone and warmly wish him well in all his future endeavors.”

The statement continues: “As of today, Tim Whall, Chairman of the Board, will step in as Everon’s Interim Chief Executive Officer. Tim has nearly 50 years of leadership experience within the security industry and is well-positioned to lead Everon into its next phase of growth. Our vision for the future is focused on optimizing service delivery, investing in meaningful innovation, driving financial results, and keeping our commercial customers at the center of our business.”

As the statement indicates, Bresingham guided Everon through the company’s divestiture from ADT, shedding the ADT Commercial branding and being acquired by GTCR, the private equity firm that purchased the commercial division of ADT in Oct. 2023.

Whall and GTCR’s relationship dates back decades. In 2000, the private equity firm acquired Whall’s company SecurityLink, which was soon sold to Tyco/ADT, where Whall remained as president before taking over another GTCR acquisition, Honeywell Security Monitoring, in 2004.

At HSM, Bresingham joined forces with Whall as CFO of the company, and Bresingham stayed on when Stanley purchased the company in 2007. Three years later, GTCR and Whall teamed again to acquire Protection One and transform the residential-focused company into a dual-threat residential/commercial player, reuniting the two executives. Bresingham and Whall created the commercial offering of Protection One, which, over the course of many acquisitions, evolved to become ADT Commercial and then Everon.

Bresingham was a key executive on hand for Everon at GSX this September, and met extensively with both the media and customers. It is unclear at this time the details of his exit from the company, and if/when Everon plans to name a new CEO or remove Whall’s interim tag.

Since GTCR’s 2023 acquisition, Everon has acquired five integration companies: Newtech Systems of Kentucky, Portland Safe of Maine, Apex Integrated Security Solutions of Idaho, Customized Service Concepts of New England, and Michigan-based Riverside Integrated Systems. The company also recently acquired DIGIOP, a provider of video and business intelligence software, and launched an Innovation and Operations Center in Dallas.

As reported by SecurityInfoWatch.com, 11/6/2024

Axis Communications Opens First Southern Cone Technology Experience Center in Chile

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Axis Communications celebrated the grand opening of its newest Axis Experience Center (AEC) in Santiago, Chile—the first AEC to be constructed within the southernmost part of South America, otherwise known as the Southern Cone.

The Chile AEC will serve industry professionals across five Latin American countries—Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Bolivia—benefiting key industries in the region, including critical infrastructure, mining, and smart cities. Within the experience center, local Axis partners and customers will be able to observe and gain hands-on experience with the latest Axis technology innovations across video, audio, analytics, and security controls.

As both the capital and largest city in Chile, Santiago is rapidly emerging as a hub for innovation within Latin America’s technological landscape. This growing market will only continue to expand with the addition of Axis’ newest AEC, which is sure to further stoke smart technology interest and adoption within the region and surrounding countries, in addition to providing accessible resources and critical on-the-ground support. The AEC will support both current and future Axis partners in the region, providing a convenient physical location where organizations can improve their knowledge and understanding of modern security solutions.

“The opening of our new Chile experience center is a monumental moment for Axis,” said Leopoldo Ruíz, Regional Director for Latin America at Axis Communications. “It demonstrates our steadfast commitment to providing our partners and customers across the globe with the highest quality products and services within both the security and broader technology spaces.”

In addition, Luis Mariano Vega, Area Sales Manager for South Cone, stated, “Thanks to our AECs in Latin America and beyond, we’re able to build deeper, more trusting relationships with local businesses, as these facilities offer an easy and accessible way to experiment with our technology and get answers to important questions. Our goal is to continue fostering trust with our partners and customers within the Southern Cone, and we are excited to see what this new chapter in the Axis story will bring.”

The new 3,659-square-foot AEC will provide an immersive, interactive, and user-friendly experience for local Axis partners and visitors. The facility will allow visitors to experience a wide range of unique capabilities and features, including:

  • Simulation scenarios where visitors can test out specific conditions based on different industry segments such as critical infrastructure, mining, and energy, as well as experiment with the latest Axis security solutions for each scenario.
  • Displays and demonstrations for AXIS Perimeter Defender, offering high-security perimeter surveillance and protection, and AXIS Object Analytics, which detects, classifies, tracks, and counts objects to provide actionable insights for more informed decision-making.
  • In addition to solutions from the Axis product line, offerings from Aidant Intelligent Technology, Araani, Genetec, ISS, Milestone, Camstreamer, and Vaxtor will also be on display and available for demonstration.

“Over the years, both companies have worked hand in hand, building an excellent relationship based on trust and collaboration in all areas,” said Cristián M. Barraza Navarro, Regional Sales Director for the Southern Cone at Genetec, an Axis partner. “This relationship will be further strengthened now that both companies will have the new Axis Experience Center in Santiago. It will be an incredible opportunity, as it will allow people to test and personally verify the features, advantages, and functionalities of AXIS products and solutions.”

“For Mercado Libre and at the Internal System Department, we are very pleased to have a local Axis Experience Center featuring the latest products and solutions,” added Daniel Hernández Gómez, Internal System Senior Analyst at Mercado Libre, an Axis customer. “It will undoubtedly be a great asset for the projects we are currently working on and serve as a support for future projects.”

“Axis has been a cornerstone in the initiative I launched to connect municipalities with video surveillance companies,” said César Figueroa, Senior Engineer of Telecommunications and Electronic Security Systems at the Santiago Metropolitan Regional Government, another Axis customer. “Now having an Axis Experience Center significantly enhances the ability of municipalities to explore, evaluate, and test its solutions. It’s an invaluable resource, which provides strong support for both current and future projects.”

Axis, along with Ted Wiklund, Sweden’s Ambassador to Chile, local partners, customers, and stakeholders, will celebrate the Chile AEC grand opening with a formal ribbon cutting on October 16 and 17. The event featured music, speeches, presentations, and tours of the new facility given by local Axis experts, in addition to special activities for attending media. The Chile AEC is located at Av. Vitacura 2827, oficina 801, Las Condes, Santiago de Chile. To schedule a time to tour the new Axis Experience Center or to learn more about the facility and its resources, please email Tamara Castro, our Office Services Coordinator in Santiago (tamara.castro@axis.com).