Cash is King — Right?

Cash is King — Right?

Many small business owners — freshman or veteran — think profit is the true measure of their enterprise’s success, even more valuable than other business investments. Is this true? Well, no offense to George, Thomas, Abe or Benjamin, but the answer is “no.”   Cash is the “gasoline” for your business “machine,” but your profit...
4 Arrows to Implement into Your Marketing Quiver for 2021

4 Arrows to Implement into Your Marketing Quiver for 2021

As I reflect on the small security business landscape of 2020, I think one of the greatest lessons learned was that of being agile enough to pivot while staying relevant. It was motivating and inspiring to see small security businesses literally shuffle entire business plans and create ways...
Global Security Industry Statement on Cybersecurity Threats

Global Security Industry Statement on Cybersecurity Threats

As representatives of the security practitioners and security solutions providers responsible for protecting people and assets around the globe, our organizations have long championed and promoted robust cyber readiness education and adherence to international cyber security standards. We share a...
Must-Know Trends for All Electronic Security and Life Safety Professionals

Must-Know Trends for All Electronic Security and Life Safety Professionals

The start of 2021 seems to have the same feel as the end of last year with masks still mandated, required social distancing, closed businesses, remote working and an overall slow reopening of states — although some are opening faster...
Comments on Commercial in 2021

Comments on Commercial in 2021

As commercial will see more doors reopen this year — even if modified in terms of limited numbers of people inside spaces, the wearing of masks, moving to a hybrid physical-digital experience, etc. — courage is being restored as the...
Focus on Fire in 2021

Focus on Fire in 2021

COVID was the catalyst that caused a slowdown of the fire market, however, toward the end of 2020, the market began to bounce back. Throughout 2021, the fire market is expected to keep improving and realize improved stability.  “The industry has adapted...
Newness, Resilience and Gratitude Stewards Us Forward

Newness, Resilience and Gratitude Stewards Us Forward

The turn of the year always seems to bring a sense of newness, but this year, within that newness, we must find the resiliency to continue down the road of recovery — professionally and personally — all the while, demonstrating...
Getting Real about Residential in 2021

Getting Real about Residential in 2021

The happenings of 2020 forced people to shelter-in-place, obey stay-at-home orders and even perform their regular work duties from home, inspiring creativity on the part of most who found solace in Zoom meetings, FaceTime and other technologies to stay connected to family, friends...
Alarm Industry Research and Education Foundation (AIREF) Evolves Into the Foundation for Advancing Security Talent (FAST)

Alarm Industry Research and Education Foundation (AIREF) Evolves Into the Foundation for Advancing Security Talent (FAST)

By Kirk MacDowell, MacGuard Security Advisors and past Chair, AIREF Something important happened in 2020 and it occurred without fanfare. The AIREF Board of Directors did something admirable. They reexamined their existing mission, looked at common issues impacting the industry...
ESA Becomes a 2021 National Cyber Security Alliance Data Privacy Champion

ESA Becomes a 2021 National Cyber Security Alliance Data Privacy Champion

ESA is pleased to actively participate in Data Privacy Day, a program by the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) consisting of a single day — January 28, 2021 — to inspire dialogue and empower individuals and businesses to take action...