Guardian Protection Expands Central Florida Presence With Vortex Security Buy

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Guardian Protection has acquired Vortex Security, based in Jupiter, Fla. Vortex has operated in Florida since 2013, professionally installing commercial and residential security systems.

The acquisition is said to increase Guardian Protection’s customer base primarily in its central Florida footprint.

Guardian Protection President Bryan Cipoletti commented, “This is another highlight in our continuing journey toward profitable expansion. Guardian is financially strong and eager to acquire like-minded companies. We plan to actively pursue acquisition opportunities that make sense for us.”

Vortex Security, which placed 79th in the 2024 SDM 100 rankings, is Guardian Protection’s third acquisition since 2021, when it acquired Rampart Security Systems in Pennsylvania. Guardian acquired Vintage Security of Maryland in 2023.

Vortex’s products and customer base parallel with Guardian’s business and the transition is expected to be seamless. Vortex customers will transition from Vortex’s third-party monitoring center to Guardian’s U.L.-certified, Five Diamond accredited monitoring facilities and in-house customer services.

Securitas Awarded 2024 National System Integrator of the Year by Axis Communications

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Securitas Technology was recently awarded the 2024 National System Integrator of the Year by Axis Communications at its 19th annual Axis Connect and Converge Conference (ACCC) held in Nashville, TN. The company was recognized for its innovative solutions and dedication to meeting its clients’ needs.

“We are honored to receive this recognition from Axis Communications,” said Tony Byerly, Global President and CEO of Securitas Technology. “Our shared values and focus on innovation have allowed us to create exceptional solutions for our clients, helping them navigate complex security challenges while staying at the forefront in today’s dynamic environment. This award is a testament to our team’s dedication, the strength of our partnerships, and our ongoing commitment to help make your world a safer place.”

“Success is built on partnerships, and on behalf of Axis, it is my pleasure to congratulate Securitas Technology on being named the 2024 National System Integrator of the Year. Securitas Technology’s dedication to their clients and the exceptional work they do solving their challenges continues to amaze me,” said Larry Newman, Senior Director of Sales, Axis Communications, Inc. “We’re grateful for our incredible partners who continuously go above and beyond. Together we are making the world a smarter, safer place.”

Axis works with more than 90,000 partners across 179 countries at every stage. Axis’ partner network includes the Channel Partner Program, the Technology Integration Partner Program, the Architecture & Engineering Program, and the Axis Developer Community. For more information about Axis’ partner programs, visit www.axis.com/en-us/partner/programs.

Important Industry Update – New Threat of Verified Response

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We are seeing a sudden uptick in public safety agencies considering or implementing verified response policies. Seattle, Washington recently implemented this policy with virtually no warning to its citizens or our industry. We know that other cities have also been considering these policies which are detrimental to our ability to protect and service our customers.

The Security Industry Alarm Coalition (SIAC) is working directly with local and state alarm associations to combat these efforts providing expertise and background information that has convinced hundreds of agencies to avoid verified response in favor of the model alarm ordinance that reduces false alarms and continues police response to alarms.

SIAC also continues to work directly with the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the National Sheriff’s Association to promote the model alarm ordinance and best practices in alarm management.

The cost of fighting verified response on a local level can cost thousands of dollars in legal fees, lobbying costs and time investment. SIAC’s dual role of promoting the model alarm ordinance and helping communities oppose verified response is more important than ever.

SIAC needs your financial support to continue this vital mission.

Donate to SIAC:

  • By paypal: https://www.paypal.com/donate
  • By check: Go to https://siacinc.org/donate/ for more details on donating by check

The IACP Ratifies Resolution for ANSI/TMA-AVS-01 2023 Alarm Validation Scoring Standard

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The executive committee of The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), the world’s largest and most influential professional association for police leaders, ratified a resolution encouraging PSAP/ECC operations by law enforcement agencies to use The Monitoring Association’s (TMA) ANSI/TMA-AVS-01 2023 Alarm Validation Scoring Standard. The resolution was prepared and submitted to the IACP’s Private Sector Liaison Sector by Security Industry Alarm Coalition (SIAC) and Partnership for Priority Verified Alarm Response (PPVAR). The resolution was ratified in late October at the IACP’s Annual Meeting in Boston.

As written in the final, approved resolution, “WHEREAS, IACP recognizes the need to focus on the credibility of alarms received by law enforcement/first responder call centers from alarm companies and private entities through the establishment of defined threat levels as contained in AVS-01, will allow for agencies to deploy limited resources efficiently and communicate situational information to responding officers for greater officer/community safety…”

“The AVS-01 standard introduces ground-breaking methodology developed to assist public safety departments with their alarm response policies and to increase law enforcement safety,” states TMA Standards Committee Chair Morgan Hertel. It provides a standardized method for calculating an alarm score, or classification level, that results in a repeatable metric that estimates the validity or potential threat level of a burglar alarm activation using historical and real-time data. The alarm scoring assists law enforcement with resource allocation and Call for Service prioritization.

Stan Martin, executive director, SIAC, commented, “I am thrilled that SIAC successfully facilitated the approval of this resolution. This accomplishment highlights the strong trust and respect we have cultivated with the IACP leadership throughout the years.”

Learn more about the AVS-01 standard online at https://tma.us/standards/tma-avs-01-alarm-validation-standard/.
Read the full text of the resolution HERE.

ESA – TMA 10/18/24 AVS-01 Webinar Available to Stream

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On Oct. 18th, ESA hosted “Selling and Installing for Escalated Response – The Benefits of Selling AVS-01.” TMA-AVS-01 (Alarm Validation Scoring Standard), a new TMA Standard, the defines how monitoring centers and 911 ECCs will communicate the alarm level of burglary signals during the dispatch process with the goal to increase the safety of first responders and drive escalated response to the highest priority alarms. This webinar explored the current state of this impactful standard and what the future holds for sales and installation companies.

SPEAKERS:

  • Jeremy Bates, Bates Security
  • Steve Butkovich, TMA President, CPI Security
  • Chris Denniston, Rapid Response Monitoring
  • Morgan Hertel, Rapid Response Monitoring
  • David Holl, Lower Allen Township (PA)

Stream the 10/18/24 presentation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qP9a9NEC20s&t=4s

 

Donate to Support Helene Victims in NC

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TMA Board of Director Caroline Brown, a North Carolina resident, shared information on two charities assisting communities in North Carolina that have been impacted.

Please consider making a donation.

https://givingtuesday.mightycause.com/event/Supportbannerelk

https://www.samaritanspurse.org/article/pray-for-those-in-helenes-path/?utm_source=Ggl&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=m_YGND-B24V&utm_content=HurricaneHelene&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwpP63BhDYARIsAOQkATb6wV68kcjmmT72m30gWkBJJ2er3cYDTbOappPIXtK0cVuaPHUW6poaAsQWEALw_wcB

Reminder – new TN 729 area code

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The Tennessee Public Utility Commission issued a news release about the new 729 area code that will overlay the existing 423 area code in eastern Tennessee earlier this year. Please be aware of the key dates for the overlay implementation:

  • August 5, 2024: Permissive 7- or 10-digit dialing began for customers with the 423 area code
  • February 5, 2025: Mandatory 10-digit dialing begins for customers with the 423 area code
  • March 5, 2025: The new 729 area code becomes effective, and mandatory 10-digit dialing is required in the new 729 area code too.

October is Cybersecurity Month – Stay Safe Out There

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Since 2004, the President of the United States and Congress have declared October to be Cybersecurity Awareness Month, time dedicated for the public and private sectors to work together to raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity.

Over the years it has grown into a collaborative effort between government and industry to enhance cybersecurity awareness, encourage actions by the public to reduce online risk, and generate discussion on cyber threats on a national and global scale. October 2024 marks the 21st Cybersecurity Awareness Month.

Find free resources to support Cybersecurity Awareness Month activities on CISA’s website.

Download CISA’s Resources & Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2024 Toolkit

 

Register to attend:

Emerging Technologies in Cybersecurity
A TMA VPR hosted by OneTel Security

Thursday, October 24, 2024 at 1:00 PM

Seattle Issues New Response Parameters

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Starting October 1, 2024, the Seattle Police Department (SPD) will only dispatch officers to calls from alarm companies with supporting evidence, such as audio, video, panic alarms or eyewitness evidence that a person is illegally entering or attempting to enter a residence or commercial property. SPD will no longer respond to calls from alarm companies based only on sensor or motion activations. With depleted resources we cannot prioritize a patrol response when there is a very low probability that criminal activity is taking place.

Read the full announcement HERE.

COURT OVERTURNS FTC’S BAN ON NON-COMPETE CLAUSES. SEPT. 4 DEADLINE FOR NOTIFYING EMPLOYEES IS CANCELLED

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On August 20, the US District Court for the Northern District of Texas overturned the FTC’s recently-adopted ban on the use of non-compete restrictions in employee contracts.  The rule was scheduled to go into effect on September 4, which would have required employers to proactively notify their employees as of that date that most existing non-compete clauses would not be enforced, and no new non-compete arrangements could be imposed. The Court set aside the Non-Compete Rule in all respects, finding it to be arbitrary and capricious, and beyond the authority of the FTC (especially since the ban applied to all non-compete clauses with no attempt to identify only those restrictions that were harmful to competition and did not serve a legitimate need). Consequently, the Court made it clear that “the Rule shall not be enforced or otherwise take effect on its effective date of September 4, 2024 or thereafter.”  The FTC may appeal this decision to the US Court of Appeals, so employers will need to stay abreast of any further rulings in this matter.  But it is clear that employers do not have to send their employees a non-compete notice on September 4 (unless a higher court issues a stay of the District Court’s decision, which is unlikely since postponing the Sept. 4 deadline simply maintains the status quo).

Please consult with employment counsel if you have any questions.