The Impact of Strategic Technology Partnerships

The Impact of Strategic Technology Partnerships

It may sound counterintuitive, but transparency is vital in the security industry. While many solutions block, divert and alert to imminent threats, at its core, security is rooted in the critical clarity between what the end-user needs and what the provider can offer.

Identify the Needs First
That should be the roadmap: identify the needs first and let that drive innovation. The evolutionary crossroads we have seen in the security realm is when a customer presents a complex requirement requiring additional expertise. Do we allocate resources to producing something ourselves? Do we seek outside assistance to solve it with a collaborative approach? While the former may be a bold idea, the latter is proving far more successful in today's ever-evolving security landscape.

Installations in numerous worldwide organizations, Gallagher has been involved in access control, perimeter and intrusion detection for 85 years. They are constantly evolving to meet and exceed the needs of their customers, including the one they brought to Traka. Traka understands the value of like-minded collaboration to address security solutions as well as a partnership with Gallagher.

The result was a comprehensive system for the customer that combined Gallagher's expertise in high-assurance credential card access and Traka's secure key and equipment management solutions. The extensive integration between systems allowed the customer to assign appropriate access while protecting against unauthorized usage quickly.

The Requested Solution
That was the initial customer's perspective – thanks to the partnership, they got the requested solution. But that is just one audience to consider when looking at the value of integration.

After an initial collaboration, each company has established a footprint in the others' landscape, and the opportunity for cross-promotion and lead generation is clear. The integration demonstrates to potential clients that both businesses are partnering to address the most urgent security concerns. Customers know that even if they have a problem outside of a business's core strengths, the company will look to forming partnerships to resolve it.

Internally, both businesses share the same sentiment. Any supplier acknowledging, they cannot eliminate every security problem alone is humble. Yet, in a manner, by reiterating, "We know we do X well," it reinforces the brand identity. You display initiative, teamwork and creativity to your employees and consumers while bolstering the firm's basic principles by combining expertise with an equally enthusiastic partner to handle more difficulties than either company could. Such camaraderie among employees fosters a positive workplace culture and conveys a more vital message to your clients.

Integration also has an impact on competition. Suppose you continue to evolve and align with providers in your space. In that case, you can grow your customer base and position yourself as the solution-seeker of choice while putting pressure on competitors. They limit their potential to solve ongoing threats if they do not follow your lead in collaborative efforts.

This is Note a Battle
It is important to note, though, this is not a battle between organizations; it is a battle against the security threats themselves. That is the final audience to consider with integrations. Like-minded companies leveraging their collective expertise to solve the most critical needs send a clear message; they are innovating to stay one step ahead.

Every company needs to assess its security measures regularly, and Gallagher's National Technical Manager Blake Smith provided a crucial response to the question, "How secure is your security?" Sometimes, a single business can give a solution; we in the security industry strive to do this daily. Nonetheless, there are situations when cooperation is required, as in the case of Traka and Gallagher. Consider that other providers were examining examples of such alliances.

In such a case, manufacturers could better guarantee a more significant proportion of clients are confident their security systems are as secure as possible.

This article originally appeared in the May / June 2023 issue of Security Today.

About the Author

Craig Newell serves as the vice president of sales and business development for Traka Americas.

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

New Products

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis.

  • Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

    Connect ONE®

    Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

  • 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.