Today the job of a physical security integrator is more challenging than at any time over the last decade. “Convergence” of IT infrastructure and physical security solutions is complete. Not only is an IT decision maker or influencer directly involved, but cybersecurity is now a requirement for devices connected to the network.

A time period we will never forget is the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020-2021. The virus and its affect surfaced in January of 2020 and within two months, much of the world was beginning the lockdown that has lasted for over a year. This global pandemic has negativity affected almost every person and business on earth.

Recreational use of Cannabis is now legal in 16 states and allowed for medical purposes in 36 states. The Cannabis industry is growing rapidly, with annual market values expected to reach $30 billion by 2025.

Here’s the good news: Experts predict that within the next four or five years, there will be more than 40 billion IoT devices hard at work — improving the safety, efficiency, reliability and productivity of the world’s enterprises.

Buildings and related assets are very vulnerable to vandalism, theft and other crimes after employees have left for the day. Until recently, the choice for securing a property overnight was between expensive onsite human guards or static surveillance cameras and alarm systems reporting alarms that were up to 95 percent false.

Selecting the right video surveillance manufacturer to recommend to a customer can be one of the most important decisions an integrator will make. A system can generate a storm of complaints if it doesn’t measure up, or it can make you a hero and produce referrals to build your business.

With a plethora of access control solutions on the market, the breadth of technologies available, and the accelerating pace of innovation, it can be a daunting task for integrators to choose which access control solutions to leverage in their own businesses.

The coronavirus pandemic was a powerful reminder that we live in a world with significant uncertainty, where unpredictable events can occur without warning.

Access control is shining in the physical security industry, finding niches that range from traditional entrance control to COVID-19 identification and containment strategies and friction-free, touchless experiences. With wireless, integrators can take advantage of more opportunities where cable running may be a major issue and won’t be left wondering “how do I get a wire from here to there?”

COVID-19 has challenged how we view security as a society. When the pandemic began, companies had to keep their day-to-day operations running smoothly while still protecting customers, employees and visitors. Especially for security and IT professionals, the interruption of the pandemic and a primarily remote environment forced them to assess current infrastructure and upgrade systems to better protect the network.