The Security Industry Association (SIA) announced that Dan Rothrock, president of Zenitel Americas, has been appointed as the first chair of SIA’s newly formed Audio & Intelligent Communications Working Group.

Rothrock has worked for 30 years with Zenitel and has more than 40 years of experience in the audio industry. He has frequently spoken about the role of audio and intelligent communications in the world of security, and together with fellow SIA member and audio industry advocate Richard Brent, president of Louroe Electronics, they recognized the need for a unique group within SIA that would address opportunities for growth and education in the areas of audio and intelligent communications.

The Audio and Intelligent Communications Working Group was thus created to serve as a catalyst for the intelligent communications sector of the security industry and is intended to bring together stakeholders within the audio and communications sectors.

“One of the most important components of any security solution is high-definition audio that enables clear and intelligible communications,” Rothrock said. “The open and productive dialogue that will take place through this new group will result in an enhanced understanding of the role of intelligible audio communications within a risk, resilience and security program and will further drive the advancement of audio communications within the security industry.”

The group plans to research and provide authoritative information on how audio communications can be used within a risk, resilience and security program, and will also identify both the challenges and opportunities for increased adoption of such audio and communication solutions by both security systems integrators and security practitioners. The working group has also set its sights on developing informational and educational resources, including a future SIA Guide to Audio & Intelligent Communications that would help educate the industry and the public.

“Audio and communications are vital to comprehensive security plans and security systems, but today there still exists a need to increase the awareness around the technology, applications, business opportunities and even policy that might guide implementation of audio and intelligent communications,” said Don Erickson, SIA CEO. “Dan’s extensive experience and his enthusiasm and commitment to develop an active volunteer community via this newly formed Audio & Intelligent Communications Working Group allows SIA to uniquely address this industry need.”