Choice of Words

In my business we get to use words to explain and herald new products, technology and solutions. In this business, our writing follows the AP Stylebook. It's supposed to help journalists use the right words.

I have a few choice words that I don't allow as the editor in chief. For instance, I never allow utilize. We substitute use. I don't like the word personnel. We use staff.

A new word has entered what I call, Ralph's style. The word, convergence.

Convergence was part of the security industry a few years back. I'm sure you remember all the hype. It's one of those words we have to let go of. Convergence has happened, and if you still waiting for convergence, you missed the boat.

I bring this up because during the tradeshow travels on Tuesday, one of the exhibitors began the conversation with, "when the industry converges with IT …."

We've converged.

Here are a few things I found interesting on Tuesday.

Protection 1 has earned a coveted Cisco Cloud and Managed Services Express Partner certification. This award recognizes companies that have attained expertise in the preparation, planning and designing and implementing phases for selling and supporting cloud or managed services based on Cisco platforms. Oh yeah, they are the only monitoring company that has earned this honor.

Sielox has introduced its Sielox Class Crisis Lockdown Alert Status System. This is a great solution in the K-12 education vertical. Getting a handle on crisis situations in our schools and universities is important to students, parents, educators and law enforcement.

The product is accessible from anywhere, anytime on your iPad, Android, smartphone, desktop and more.

Now that Tyco IS and ADT are two separate companies, I had the opportunity to meet with Mark VanDover, president of Tyco IS about the new strategy for Tyco IS.

Tyco IS is targeting small- to medium-sized businesses as new clients. Tyco is known for its focus on commercial accounts, but now are looking at the other end of the market.

"Small business is now a stable market," VanDover said. "Entering this market is a good value proposition."

Five market areas have been targeted for a test drive of the new Tyco IS. They include two areas in Southern California, Chicago, South Florida and Dallas. The criteria for this trial run involves current areas of growth and opportunity, and the skill set of Tyco leadership in these areas.

I think it will be very interesting to watch Tyco IS grow and mature its new business model, which is expected to be fully implemented in 2015. VanDover said the company is always looking for the right opportunity to grow, and they will. Watch them.

It's been a great tradeshow. The traffic near the convention center is horrible, but inside the building is business as usual. Good hard work by hard working people.

About the Author

Ralph C. Jensen is the Publisher/Editor in chief of Security Today magazine.

Featured

  • New Report Reveals Top Trends Transforming Access Controller Technology

    Mercury Security, a provider in access control hardware and open platform solutions, has published its Trends in Access Controllers Report, based on a survey of over 450 security professionals across North America and Europe. The findings highlight the controller’s vital role in a physical access control system (PACS), where the device not only enforces access policies but also connects with readers to verify user credentials—ranging from ID badges to biometrics and mobile identities. With 72% of respondents identifying the controller as a critical or important factor in PACS design, the report underscores how the choice of controller platform has become a strategic decision for today’s security leaders. Read Now

  • Overwhelming Majority of CISOs Anticipate Surge in Cyber Attacks Over the Next Three Years

    An overwhelming 98% of chief information security officers (CISOs) expect a surge in cyber attacks over the next three years as organizations face an increasingly complex and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven digital threat landscape. This is according to new research conducted among 300 CISOs, chief information officers (CIOs), and senior IT professionals by CSC1, the leading provider of enterprise-class domain and domain name system (DNS) security. Read Now

  • ASIS International Introduces New ANSI-Approved Investigations Standard

    • Guard Services

  • Cloud Security Alliance Brings AI-Assisted Auditing to Cloud Computing

    The Cloud Security Alliance (CSA), the world’s leading organization dedicated to defining standards, certifications, and best practices to help ensure a secure cloud computing environment, today introduced an innovative addition to its suite of Security, Trust, Assurance and Risk (STAR) Registry assessments with the launch of Valid-AI-ted, an AI-powered, automated validation system. The new tool provides an automated quality check of assurance information of STAR Level 1 self-assessments using state-of-the-art LLM technology. Read Now

  • Report: Nearly 1 in 5 Healthcare Leaders Say Cyberattacks Have Impacted Patient Care

    Omega Systems, a provider of managed IT and security services, today released new research that reveals the growing impact of cybersecurity challenges on leading healthcare organizations and patient safety. According to the 2025 Healthcare IT Landscape Report, 19% of healthcare leaders say a cyberattack has already disrupted patient care, and more than half (52%) believe a fatal cyber-related incident is inevitable within the next five years. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • Mobile Safe Shield

    Mobile Safe Shield

    SafeWood Designs, Inc., a manufacturer of patented bullet resistant products, is excited to announce the launch of the Mobile Safe Shield. The Mobile Safe Shield is a moveable bullet resistant shield that provides protection in the event of an assailant and supplies cover in the event of an active shooter. With a heavy-duty steel frame, quality castor wheels, and bullet resistant core, the Mobile Safe Shield is a perfect addition to any guard station, security desks, courthouses, police stations, schools, office spaces and more. The Mobile Safe Shield is incredibly customizable. Bullet resistant materials are available in UL 752 Levels 1 through 8 and include glass, white board, tack board, veneer, and plastic laminate. Flexibility in bullet resistant materials allows for the Mobile Safe Shield to blend more with current interior décor for a seamless design aesthetic. Optional custom paint colors are also available for the steel frame.

  • 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.

  • QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    The latest Qualcomm® Vision Intelligence Platform offers next-generation smart camera IoT solutions to improve safety and security across enterprises, cities and spaces. The Vision Intelligence Platform was expanded in March 2022 with the introduction of the QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC), which delivers superior artificial intelligence (AI) inferencing at the edge.