In case you hadn’t noticed, everything and everyone around you, including your customers, are connected 24/7. You can’t deny it or avoid it; a seismic shift has happened with the digital revolution, and it’s a complex web of connections that has gone worldwide.

Not only have people adopted technology, but all aspects of life revolve around it. This dramatic change is happening quickly and many people need help taming the technology in their lives. But who do they turn to and trust?

I’ve said it before and will say it again, even louder: the security industry is best positioned to take advantage of the huge opportunities that are emerging.

The speed of acceptance of technology has escalated at a staggering rate. Just think about it: electricity adoption took more than 150 years; working with computers by the masses took 33 years; remote access to data over the Internet became widespread in just 11 years; and pervasive social media happened in only five years.

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Digital living with ubiquitous networks, connectivity, and the Internet of Things is definitely mainstream. The numbers don’t lie: 51.7 percent of the world population — almost four billion people — are Internet users as of June 30, 2017, according to www.internetworldstats.com. And connectivity market penetration in North America is the highest of any region around the world at 88.1 percent, making connected living the norm. The IoT is forecast to have almost 31 billion “things” connected by 2020. Now that’s a lot of data and things in cyberspace.

Technology, connectivity, and the IoT bring amazing new opportunities to maintain, expand and grow business. Consider new offerings and services that align with your current commitment to provide physical security, dwelling protection, and remote monitoring. Offer secure and monitored drop-off zones with connected deadbolt locks or large lock boxes accessible over the Internet and integrated with delivery providers such as FedEx and UPS. Recommend automating water and gas shut-off as add-ons to standard leak detection. Check out integrating automatic door closers with the fire alarm system already being installed. Enhance and expand access supervision with connectivity and the ability to manage access control on-demand. Leverage the sensors and detection systems being installed by interpreting data, sharing conditions, and assisting aging in place. DIY security installation is growing and creates new professional monitoring opportunities.

The security industry is in the lead position to take advantage of these developing possibilities. Security system providers are trusted to keep the home and family safe and have longtime relationships with their customers. These companies practice proven business models delivering installation, ongoing customer care, and monitoring. Recurring monthly revenue is an integral part of every firm and they are well-positioned to expand offerings of installation and monitoring services. 

The greatest opportunity lies with the network — the lifeblood of being connected. Security installations already connect devices to the network and Internet so why not be responsible for it?

Start with documentation. Impress your customers with complete and secure recordkeeping of network devices; IP addresses, router/ modem settings, and passwords. Next, manage the network and ensure performance and security. And finally, be proactive and continuously monitor the network; head off problems before they occur and minimize interruptions. 

What are you going to do to take advantage of the rapidly changing connected world?