Along with the rise in integrated security systems sales has come the need for designers and technicians to develop different skill sets than those used for traditional security systems. In addition to understanding intrusion protection, video surveillance and access control systems, security professionals also need to know how to make those devices work together to perform as a single, seamless, integrated system. But how can potential employers and customers determine whether a professional has the right skill set? And what is the most straightforward way for people to get the right training?

A new training and certification program under consideration by the Security Industry Association aims to address questions such as these. “The certification will recognize designers for their knowledge and skills,” notes Doug Wright, SIA manager of industry groups, who is helping to spearhead the initiative. “It will also provide manufacturers, dealers, consultants and end users with a tool they can use to select integrators who have proven they have the competency to ‘engineer’ a job correctly.”