FAST Launches 2023 Compensation & Benefits Benchmarking Study

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The Foundation for Advancing Security Talent (FAST) is today launching the 2023 Security Industry Compensation & Benefits Benchmarking Study.

This survey “will provide invaluable insights into salaries and benefits across the security industry, empowering decision-makers to recruit, hire, and retain top talent effectively,” according to the foundation announcement.

“The security industry plays a pivotal role in safeguarding our communities and businesses, and understanding compensation and benefits trends is crucial for its continued growth and excellence,” the FAST announcement says.

“FAST, in collaboration with prominent industry partners such as the Security Industry Association (SIA), Electronic Security Association (ESA), PSA Security Network and Security Sales and Integration, is committed to providing the most comprehensive and accurate data possible.

Inside the Survey

Key highlights of the 2023 Compensation & Benefits Benchmarking Study include:

  • Industry-Wide Focus: This study encompasses both security manufacturers and integrators, offering a holistic view of the industry’s compensation landscape.
  • Standardized Data: Standardized job titles and descriptions enable direct comparisons of compensation data, allowing businesses to make informed decisions.
  • Advance Access: Participating organizations will gain access to a sneak preview of the survey results before the full publication, giving them a competitive edge.
  • Complete Confidentiality: Individual responses will remain confidential, with only aggregated data being published to protect participants’ privacy.

FAST invites all industry stakeholders to actively participate in this essential initiative. By contributing your insights and expertise, you can:

  • Assess compensation structures within your organization
  • Attract and retain top talent by aligning with industry compensation benchmarks
  • Make informed, data-driven strategic decisions

Complete the survey by Friday, Oct. 6 using the instructions provided by FAST’s survey partner, Vault Consulting. The survey may take one to three hours to complete.

“Widespread participation ensures the quality and reliability of the data, so your contribution is vital,” the FAST announcement says.

Three New ECCs Go Live with TMA’s ASAP Service

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TMA is pleased to announce the addition of three new ECCs to it’s growing list of ASAP-to-PSAP service users. All three went live during the week of August 14th.

The implementations were managed by Dianne Flanagan and Bill Hobgood.

Oswego County NY #132

The Oswego County NY Communications Center became the 132nd Emergency Communications Center (ECC) in the United States and the 7th ECC in the state of New York to implement the Automated Secure Alarm Protocol (ASAP).  Oswego County went live the week of August 14, 2023: Vector Security, Rapid Response Monitoring, Amherst Alarm, Doyle, Vivint, Security Central, Securitas (Stanley Division), Tyco (Johnson Controls), United Central Control, Protection One, Affiliated Monitoring, Securitas, Brinks Home Security, National Monitoring Center, Guardian Protection, and ADT.

Lewis County NY #133

The Lewis County NY Communications Center became the 133rd Emergency Communications Center (ECC) in the United States and the 8th ECC in the state of New York to implement the Automated Secure Alarm Protocol (ASAP).  Lewis County went live the week of August 14, 2023: Rapid Response Monitoring, Amherst Alarm, Doyle, Securitas (Stanley Division), Tyco (Johnson Controls), United Central Control, Protection One, Affiliated Monitoring, Brinks Home Security Protection, and ADT.

Seneca County NY #134

The Seneca County NY Communications Center became the 134th Emergency Communications Center (ECC) in the United States and the 9th ECC in the state of New York to implement the Automated Secure Alarm Protocol (ASAP).  Seneca County went live on August 16, 2023 with the following companies: Vector Security, Rapid Response Monitoring, Guardian Protection, Securitas, Security Central, Amherst Alarm, Vivint, Securitas (Stanley Division), Brinks Home Security, National Monitoring Center, Doyle, Protection One, ADT, and Affiliated Monitoring.

 

New York Governor signs Fair Repair Act, with amendments to protect most alarm devices and services

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At year end, New York Governor Hochul signed the Fair Repair Act into law, making it easier for consumers to repair their own electronic devices.  Fortunately, in response to concerns raised by AICC and members of the alarm industry, the Governor simultaneously enacted amendments to the Act to help prevent the compromise of alarm systems in a way that would endanger customers and the public.

The original version of the Act (S. 4104-A) would have required manufacturers of “digital electronic equipment”, including alarm systems, to make product manuals, repair tools, lockout codes, passwords, system design schematics and other information available to customers and third-party contractors, so that they can attempt repairs on their own.  Both houses of the New York legislature passed the bill in June 2022.  Before the bill was forwarded to the Governor for signing, AICC and members of the alarm industry weighed in with a request asking for chapter amendments to the Act, so as to exempt central station alarm operations from the disclosure requirements in the bill.  AICC pointed out that if access codes, passwords, or alarm system schematics are provided to customers or their contractors, and then either hacked or innocently made public (e.g., as part of a You Tube self-help video), it could allow bad actors to disable alarm systems, endangering tens or hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers.

The Governor’s amendment to the Fair Repair Act was responsive to alarm industry concerns in multiple ways:

  • Creation of a specific exemption for “home” security devices and alarm systems;
  • Creation of a specific exemption for equipment sold under a specific business-to-government or business-to-business contract, which is not otherwise offered for sale directly by a retail seller;
  • Deletion of the requirement for any alarm manufacturer or provider to disclose security codes and passwords for alarm equipment under any circumstance;
  • Creation of an exemption for “medical devices” which should be broad enough to cover many security/medical monitoring pendants (to the extent that these devices are not already protected by the “home” alarm exemption discussed above);
  • Grandfathering of pre-July 1, 2023 equipment, narrowing the scope of the new disclosure requirements and giving the alarm industry time to prepare for the new law (to the extent any devices don’t qualify for one of the above exemptions).
  • Creation of an exemption for certain anti-theft security measures;
  • Allowing the provision of replacement part assemblies rather than individual components.
  • Protecting alarm and other manufacturers from having to disclose trade secrets or intellectual property.

Provided courtesy of AICC.

Celebrate National Technician’s Day, Jan. 23rd

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TMA is pleased to support the first-ever #NationalSecurityTechnicianDay this Monday, January 23rd. Established by FAST, with the support of SIA and ESA, National Security Technician Day  recognizes the contributions technicians make to our industry and our communities.

Technicians are everyday heroes whose work ensures that security and safety technologies are installed and supported so that people and property are protected. It’s not an easy job: They’re wizards who have to know the newest technologies and equally know the labor skills required for complex installations, and how to work with clients in demanding environments.

Join in the celebration and Make a Plan to Celebrate Your Security Technicians:

Make the day special for your security technicians or those of your partners. Can’t celebrate on Monday? Pick another day for your internal celebration and simply announce your plans this Monday.

Here are some ideas to show your appreciation:

  • Host a luncheon, cookout, or other event for your team to celebrate technicians support security, fire and other safety systems.
  • Surprise your techs with swag. Think cool gear, tools and apparel.
  • Put your money where your heart is: Gift cards or spot bonuses go a long way to show appreciation for techs.
  • Reward them with some time off or a short day!
  • Invest in their training/professional development.
  • Recognize your techs or techs you know. Even better, encourage your clients and partners to recognize some of their favorite techs; it’s hard to beat client appreciation

 

TMA Mourns the Passing of Daniel Demers

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Shared by Patrice De Luca, Consultant

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of friend and business mentor Daniel Demers. He passed away Nov. 10th after an 18-month battle with sarcoma, an aggressive and relentless form of cancer. As always, he faced this final challenge with dignity and determination.

Daniel entered the electronic security industry in 1993 as Director of Finance for Protectron, a division of Videotron. He was promoted to President and CEO in 1997. During his 22 years at the helm of Protectron through four successive majority financial owners (Videotron, Wellspring Capital, Reliance Income Trust, Alinda), Daniel has grown a $10 million annual regional business into a $160 million Canadian national player with 400,000 subscribers to its monitoring services. In 2014, he led the sale of Protectron to ADT for $500 million USD. Throughout this journey, Daniel has consistently secured seamless financing to support the company’s growth and development. He also ensured that the investor-owners understood that high quality products and services were the foundation for sustainable growth.

A few years after the sale to ADT, Daniel also led the creation of GardaWorld Security System from 2017 to 2020.

Over the years, Daniel established himself as one of the leading figures in the North American security systems and monitoring industry, leading Protectron to the 15th position on this list and within a few months of the number one position in Canada before the sale to ADT. A self-taught entrepreneur, he has built a solid and fast growing organization. He has created a “Work Hard Play Hard” culture and a strong sense of belonging by always insisting on total integrity. He also built an extensive business network in Canada and the United States, which allowed the organization to share best practices with many of North America’s best-run companies.

Daniel will be missed as a father by his daughter and son, both in their twenties, as a spouse and as a brother. He will be missed by many as an influential business leader and mentor, and as a true and genuine friend to those who were fortunate enough to be closer to him.

Enter the 2023 TMA/SDM Excellence Awards Beginning Dec. 1

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Looking for a way to differentiate your company and brand in today’s crowded and competitive landscape? Awards are one of the best ways to stand-out and convey your commitment to quality and to your customers. The Monitoring Association (TMA) and SDM magazine joined together nearly 20 years ago to establish the Excellence Awards. A combination of five awards is presented annually to recognize excellence demonstrated by monitoring centers and outstanding monitoring professionals. The winners are recognized in an SDM feature article.

The application period for the 2023 TMA Excellence Awards will open December 1, 2022. Applicants must be a member of TMA. The submission deadline will be January 6, 2023. The awards will be presented virtually in conjunction with TMA’s Mid-Year Meeting in April.

Go to http://tma.us/events/awards/excellence-awards/ for complete award details. If you have any questions, please contact communications@tma.us.

John Deere Wants to Connect its Tractors and Other Machines to Satellites

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Published by Fierce Electronics, Sept. 29, 2022

John Deere technology officials met with 60 representatives from various satellite communications providers at a test farm here on Thursday to issue an RFP to set in motion a satellite communications network connected with its Deere tractors and other smart field machines in 2024.

Deere already has terrestrial cellular connections to hundreds of  thousands of its machines producing crops globally, but many parts of the world lack the broad connectivity required to make quick adjustments in the field for spraying fertilizers alongside young plants or to adjust a huge combine machine to deliver precise measurements in real time for maximum grain yields.

Satellite connectivity would help with precision guidance using AI and sensors, Deere officials told a small group of reporters gathered at a research farm as satellite reps from Hughes Satellite and other companies heard conditions and opportunities in the RFP.

“SATCOM will unlock significant opportunities for agriculture by enabling farmers to take advantage of innovative technologies that rely on real-time information and communication,” said Lane Arthur, vice president of data, applications and analytics at John Deere.

The company is on track to provide driverless tractors to paying customers this fall and those machines would benefit from real-time communication through the John Deere Operations Center as farmers control them via smartphones or tablets to start and stop them, monitor a particular job being executed and to determine what to do when the machine encounters a tree or fence or other obstacle.

Deere may work with a vendor or set of vendors to connect new and retrofitted machines through satellite service and ruggedized terminals atop each machine. Ultimately, the goal it to increase food and fuel production for a growing population.

The company said satellite vendors stand to benefit financially and would gain experience by collaborating with Deere.

Deere sees a $150 billion total addressable market in 2030 for connectivity to the agriculture community, officials said. Deere now connects over terrestrial cellular to 500,000 machines around the globe and hopes to grow that number to 1.5 million in 2026. Up to 5,000 new machines could be connected over satellite each year, with the potential of retrofitting 40,000 existing machines.

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Jahmy Hindman, CTO at John Deere, said the eventual SATCOM network could be a hybrid of various low-earth and geostationary satellites that would need the ability to interconnect with 5G and other cellular networks. The focus initially will be on satellite connectivity in North and South America, but global connectivity is a goal. The US and Brazil are the largest producers of crops and the US has up to 85% cellular coverage nationwide, while Brazil has only up to 30%.

On some farms in Brazil, two tractors may work a single large plot but at distances far apart. Today they most likely could not communicate over cellular, but satellite would assist in coordination.

“Imagine if your business depended on a connection as it does for most farmers in Brazil,” said Arthur. “They are flying blind and can’t see what’s happening.”