After the initial shock of Sept. 11 passed and the government began taking steps to tighten up the country’s security, it looked like the security industry and its participants might receive a significant boost in sales. Although slower in coming than anticipated, funds allocated for homeland security are beginning to flow into the industry. The good news is that the federal dollars should stimulate sales and cultivate market growth.
My concern and that of many of my colleagues is this: Who is actually receiving these procurement opportunities and why? For example, large amounts of money are being given as grants to universities for research into testing and technology. Many of these needs can be met by our mature industry of quality suppliers, integrators and end users already experienced in the development and support of these technologies. Another concern with this approach is the time involved. Why spend valuable time researching and developing technologies that are already available?