The Electronic Security Association Announces New Vice President of Advocacy and Public Affairs

ESA is pleased to announce its new vice president of Advocacy and Public Affairs, Jake Braunger. With prior experience on the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Advocacy Team and many political campaigns throughout the country, Jake is eager to advocate and educate ESA members about legislation that will benefit the electronic security and life safety industry.

“Many legislators aren’t aware of the details and challenges of our industry, which means you as security professionals will have a lot of influence if you get involved and build relationships with them,” Braunger says. “I am looking forward to creating those opportunities for you to build influence in 2023 and beyond.”

According to Jake, the biggest challenge for the security industry when it comes to legislation is getting security professional’s voices heard. It is important to build an industry profile that bears enough influence for industry experts to weigh in on bills before they make it as far as the governor’s desk for signing.

Braunger will lead efforts to effect legislative influence and change for the electronic security and life safety industry in the upcoming years. He encourages ESA members to get involved and stay actively engaged, firmly believing that it will procure more victories for the industry.

“We need to advocate on behalf of our members,” Braunger said. “We must explain the industry’s point of view to law-makers who might only be hearing from one voice at a union or a different company.”

We also need to help provide education for people outside and within our industry, particularly on the local level, to understand various industry elements, and its importance. According to Jake, “If you don’t show up to the table when you’re needed, then other people will put you on the menu. Because everyone wants to limit their competition.”

ESA’s leadership team, along with its Board of Directors, is excited to welcome Jake to the team, confident that his expertise in politics and passion for the security industry’s position will help to develop stronger influence on the political front.

“On behalf of the ESA Government Affairs Committee, I couldn’t be prouder to welcome Jake to ESA,” affirms Holly Borgmann, Vice President of Government Affairs for ADT and Chair of ESA’s Government Affairs Committee “We look forward to building an even better regulatory environment for the security and public safety community under his leadership.”

“I am confident Jake will be an excellent addition to our professional staff — and a strong asset to lead ESA’s advocacy efforts moving forward,” says ESA’s CEO, Merlin Guilbeau.

You can reach Jake Braunger [email protected], or call (972) 807-6807. You may also find and connect with him on LinkedIn.

Featured

  • Report: 47 Percent of Security Service Providers Are Not Yet Using AI or Automation Tools

    Trackforce, a provider of security workforce management platforms, today announced the launch of its 2025 Physical Security Operations Benchmark Report, an industry-first study that benchmarks both private security service providers and corporate security teams side by side. Based on a survey of over 300 security professionals across the globe, the report provides a comprehensive look at the state of physical security operations. Read Now

    • Guard Services
  • Identity Governance at the Crossroads of Complexity and Scale

    Modern enterprises are grappling with an increasing number of identities, both human and machine, across an ever-growing number of systems. They must also deal with increased operational demands, including faster onboarding, more scalable models, and tighter security enforcement. Navigating these ever-growing challenges with speed and accuracy requires a new approach to identity governance that is built for the future enterprise. Read Now

  • Eagle Eye Networks Launches AI Camera Gun Detection

    Eagle Eye Networks, a provider of cloud video surveillance, recently introduced Eagle Eye Gun Detection, a new layer of protection for schools and businesses that works with existing security cameras and infrastructure. Eagle Eye Networks is the first to build gun detection into its platform. Read Now

  • Report: AI is Supercharging Old-School Cybercriminal Tactics

    AI isn’t just transforming how we work. It’s reshaping how cybercriminals attack, with threat actors exploiting AI to mass produce malicious code loaders, steal browser credentials and accelerate cloud attacks, according to a new report from Elastic. Read Now

  • Pragmatism, Productivity, and the Push for Accountability in 2025-2026

    Every year, the security industry debates whether artificial intelligence is a disruption, an enabler, or a distraction. By 2025, that conversation matured, where AI became a working dimension in physical identity and access management (PIAM) programs. Observations from 2025 highlight this turning point in AI’s role in access control and define how security leaders are being distinguished based on how they apply it. Read Now

New Products

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file.

  • PE80 Series

    PE80 Series by SARGENT / ED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin

    ASSA ABLOY, a global leader in access solutions, has announced the launch of two next generation exit devices from long-standing leaders in the premium exit device market: the PE80 Series by SARGENT and the PED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin. These new exit devices boast industry-first features that are specifically designed to provide enhanced safety, security and convenience, setting new standards for exit solutions. The SARGENT PE80 and Corbin Russwin PED4000/PED5000 Series exit devices are engineered to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern buildings. Featuring the high strength, security and durability that ASSA ABLOY is known for, the new exit devices deliver several innovative, industry-first features in addition to elegant design finishes for every opening.

  • FEP GameChanger

    FEP GameChanger

    Paige Datacom Solutions Introduces Important and Innovative Cabling Products GameChanger Cable, a proven and patented solution that significantly exceeds the reach of traditional category cable will now have a FEP/FEP construction.