This Week in Security: AI and Video Analytics Deep Dive, Registration Opens for the ESX 2025, & more!
ESA - Electronic Security Association
THE voice of the electronic security and life safety industry.
Each week, the marketing team at ESA gathers the latest news from the security industry for our weekly integrator round up!
This week we look at AI and Video Analytics Deep Dive, Registration Opens for the ESX 2025, & more...
Don’t Miss Out on the Latest News and Technology
AI and Video Analytics Deep Dive: How to Make the Most of Endless Information
The continuing growth of artificial intelligence (AI) means there is exponentially more information available every day. But, if you don’t know what to do with the reams of information you access every time you generate a report, you won’t be able to use it to make more informed decisions.
Security integrators are at the forefront of the AI revolution, helping their customers understand how to use the video analytics tools that are built into just about every video surveillance camera on the market these days so they can act more quickly and prevent problems before they happen.
Mike Compton, CTO for Everon, has been managing software development for the company since his company was acquired in March. He says the sales team’s requests for AI and video analytics integration have become more popular, ranging from the server side to camera-side edge-based analytics.
“I think it’s getting much more popular, frankly, because I think it’s starting to work better,” he says. “Historically, there’s been a lot of false positives. There’s been a lot of ‘the camera’s got to be in a very perfect spot and the right field of view’ and I feel like the analytics have gotten a little bit better and a little bit more robust.”
Read the Full Article - AI and Video Analytics Deep Dive: How to Make the Most of Endless Information
A Legacy That Lives On – Joe Costa and Jim Henry
The security industry has lost two unique and influential leaders in 2024. This past Thanksgiving weekend, I was informed that a mentor and dear friend, Joe Costa, had passed at home with his wife, Dawn, by his side following a prolonged illness.
Joe's unique blend of advocacy for best practices, pioneering spirit in applying technology to security, and belief in the power of collaboration made him a guiding force in our field for more than 30 years. His wisdom, particularly his mentorship, shaped countless careers, including mine, and his absence is a profound loss not only for those of us fortunate enough to have known Joe personally but for the entire industry.
Before co-founding ISR Solutions with Tony Padilla, CSEIP, Joe had built a track record of successful ventures. Among them were an access control company in Los Angeles and Rampart Partners, which he established with his longtime business partner and friend, Bob Rutkowski. Later in his career, Joe led the security division at AllCom Global Services in collaboration with Bob Weatherwax.
Before co-founding ISR Solutions with Tony Padilla, CSEIP, Joe had built a track record of successful ventures.
“What Joe and Tony accomplished with ISR Solutions was nothing short of remarkable. By 2004, it had become the largest independent and privately held security integrator in the U.S. and the world’s largest Lenel value-added reseller, a testament to their vision and dedication,” says Ryan Kaltenbaugh, the SVP of the Americas Region at LenelS2/Honeywell Building Automation, who owed his start in the security industry to Joe.
Memories of Joseph P. Costa
There may be no other friend and colleague who was as close to Joe as Tony Padilla, my friend and partner in crime for over 30 years. In the early 80s, Tony was in Salt Lake City working for an alarm/integrator company when he got the call from Joe to come to Chatsworth, CA. to take a job at SCSI working on the design of the new LINX product.
“As a technical solutions manager, I was invited to all the trade shows to set up, run, and demonstrate the products. I was included in the Ross Perot EDS national account in the LINX sale. Joe asked me to help project manage the Lansing Michigan General Motors Plants LINX installation. I would travel to the site on a three-week rotating schedule with two other PMs,” remembers Tony.
While working at LINX in Chatsworth, Joe and Dawn immediately accepted Tony and his wife as family, creating an unbreakable bond over the decades. The joke was that when Joe had Tony “walk down the hall” at the office with him to discuss business, the Padilla family ultimately moved on to a new opportunity.
“Joe sold LINX to Mosler. We ‘walked down the hall’, and I was invited to move to Hamilton, OH, as the Marketing Director of Electronic Security. While there, I had daily calls with Joe about markets, sales, new products and opportunities. He guided my efforts to grow the electronic security offerings for the nationwide sales force at Mosler. Joe and I had the opportunity to work side by side at Mosler, developing a robust sales training course, which we presented to the over 120 sales associates and their regional VPs. Joe loves to see the sales folks excited about learning about new products, opportunities and associations,” Tony adds. “He was a true professional in selling and training others. He was excited about new opportunities and deeply understood the electronic security industry.”
At an ISC East show in New York not long after, Joe and Tony took another walk that eventually landed the two with partner Barry Banks in launching one of the most successful integration firms in the country, Integrated Security Solutions (ISR).
“Within a year, all those taking our calls were holding on line one. Joe taught me that communication is the key to a successful operation by providing simple responses to requests. We grew ISR nationwide and had growth funding from the Carlise Group. With this growth we became the largest private security company in the nation,” Tony says. “After selling ISR to form Stanley Security, I became CTO of the Stanley Security Group. This role allowed me to collaborate with a talented sales team, many of whom remain active in the industry. Joe's trust in me enhanced my skills and deepened my understanding of corporate leadership.”
The transition from Stanley Security marked a pivotal moment in the industry journey of Tony who launched Security Integrator Corp. (SIC). Within its first year, the company achieved SBA 8A certification and secured contracts to provide security services for the U.S. Federal Government. Joining forces with Joe, SIC quickly expanded its reach. Leveraging Joe's extensive network and sales acumen, the company generated over $5 million in revenue within two years. Following the expiration of the SBA 8A certification, the collaboration continued at ALLCOM, where this partnership fostered business growth and provided critical insights into managing complex, large-scale security initiatives.
Once Joe retired from ALLCOM to enjoy the salt life on the shores of Solomons Island, MD, sailing and boating with Dawn, he was satisfied to mentor remotely. The two eventually moved to Colorado to be closer to family
“I had the opportunity to go see Joe several months ago. He was fighting his illness and taught me another great lesson: never give up the fight. Joe was my boss, mentor, friend and teacher. I consider him part of my extended family. He truly is a wonderful industry icon and will be missed. I will miss my conversations with my mentor and friend. I especially will miss my ‘walks down the hall,” concludes Tony.
Joe is survived by his wife of more than 31 years, Dawn; his sons Joe (Nikki) and Tony; grandchildren, Rachel, Anthony and Audrey.
Read the Full Article - A Legacy That Lives On – Joe Costa and Jim Henry
领英推荐
Registration is Open for the RMR Educational Event of the Year – ESX 2025
The Electronic Security Association (ESA) is pleased to announce that registration is now open for its 2025 Electronic Security Expo (ESX). This trade show and educational conference, known to dealers and integrators as The RMR Educational Event of the Year, is designed by and for electronic security and life safety integrators and dealers. ESX 2025 will be held June 16-19 at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Cobb County, Atlanta, GA.?
ESX is an ideal forum for security professionals to learn about the latest technology, acquire proven business strategies and new insights based on best practices, and interact with peers to grow a trusted network. Security pros can take advantage of early bird registration rates until Friday, April 18, 2025.
Bring the Team to ESX?
ESX is an exclusive opportunity for security professionals to leverage powerful educational sessions. It delivers many team-centric benefits and, to underscore this team-focused effort, ESX offers special team registration discounts:?
There will be no discount added to an Expo Only pass or a spouse pass, but they will count towards the total count to get to 5 or 10 people?
This incentive promotes full team involvement and facilitates training and networking opportunities at a reduced cost. ?
“ESX 2025 promises to continue the tradition of offering attendees the very best of educational offerings, innovation, and extensive networking opportunities,” says George De Marco, ESX Chairman. “We’re pleased to announce that early bird registration is now open and look forward to welcoming security professionals eager to stay on top of the latest technologies, best practices, and trends shaping the ever-evolving security industry.”?
Exceptional Educational Programming??
Beyond the excitement of the Expo show floor, dealers, integrators, and monitoring professionals holding the Deluxe or Executive Pass can also take part in over 30 exceptional educational sessions led by peers and industry thought leaders.?
Book Your Stay at a Discounted Rate??
We are partnering with the Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel for ESX 2025! Conveniently connected to the?Cobb Galleria Centre, this hotel gives attendees ultra-easy access to attend sessions, network, and retreat back to their rooms. Secure your registration for ESX 2025 today and take advantage of specially curated official ESX hotel choices at discounted rates. The deadline to book is Monday, May 26, 2025.??
Read Full Article - Registration is Open for the RMR Educational Event of the Year – ESX 2025
Responding to Our Call of Duty to Enhance School Security
On September 10th, Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks, who serves Iowa’s 1st District, hosted ESA’s Government Insider to discuss her bill, HR 7357, also known as the Securing Our Schools Act of 2024. This legislation, introduced in February of this year, has yet to gain major support from House leadership. During the interview, it was suggested that this important bill could receive backing during the lame-duck session.?
A lame-duck session occurs when Congress meets after an election but before the new Congress is seated, usually from November to early January. It often allows members of Congress to consider bipartisan legislation that might otherwise hurt their re-election chances or that of their colleagues. These sessions have become increasingly interesting over the last few decades as polarization has risen in the United States, while the setup of the session remains unchanged. In many parliaments around the world, newly elected representatives assume office soon after the election. However, the United States holds elections in early November but waits to seat new members in January. This gap can sometimes work in favor of passing much-needed legislation, such as measures to better equip schools with technological solutions to prevent senseless and tragic acts of violence. Congresswoman Miller-Meeks believes the lame-duck session might be an ideal time to push for enhanced school security measures.?
Most school security bills in Congress, including Miller-Meeks’ proposal, would allow previously allocated COVID-19 funding to be redirected toward school safety enhancements. However, this has met resistance from some members who would prefer to reclaim unused funds to reduce the debt or reallocate them to other projects. There is also opposition from those concerned that increased spending on security equipment and systems could disproportionately impact marginalized students, leaving them feeling less safe.?
The lame-duck session may be crucial for Congress to come together and take action to advance school security initiatives before the new Congress convenes. During the interview, Congresswoman Miller-Meeks assured us that if the bill does not pass during the lame-duck session, she will continue to advocate for it if re-elected. As an industry, we hope it gets done. There is still time to draw attention to the importance of this legislation.?
ESA’s ongoing campaign empowers members to support the HR 7357 Securing Our Schools Act of 2024 by visiting esaweb.org/advocacy, where they can click on the campaign and email their representatives, urging them to support the bill. However, if Congress fails to pass this critical legislation, we will be back at square one, continuing our efforts to push for new measures and more funding to secure our schools and protect students, teachers, and staff.?
As stewards of security and life safety, ESA will continue to advocate for and protect our nation’s schoolchildren and the educators who serve them in every way possible.
Read Full Article: Responding to Our Call of Duty to Enhance School Security