Security Industry Association Establishes National Security Systems Technician Apprenticeship Program

The Security Industry Association (SIA) has secured approval from the U.S. Department of Labor for its national program standards establishing a new apprenticeship initiative for security technicians and installers. This 12-month program, created to help address the security industry’s workforce challenges, diversify the talent pipeline and foster career development opportunities within the industry, is designed to develop basic networking, IT and cybersecurity competence among systems installers through workplace learning and one-to-one mentoring.

The new Security Systems Technician (SST) apprenticeship program falls under the Information Security Analysts occupation group (O*NET Code 15-1212.00) aligning with other registered apprenticeship programs that address security for computer networks and information, such as cybersecurity support technician and cyber defense analyst. Unlike other related programs, the SST apprenticeship program uniquely addresses both physical device installation for low-voltage security equipment and cybersecurity controls for safeguarding electronic infrastructure and technology.

“SIA is proud to be presenting its new apprenticeship initiative, which provides a formal process for entry-level employees – without having any technical experience – to gain the skills necessary for physical security device installations and basic IT/networking knowledge required for today’s connected systems,” said SIA CEO Don Erickson. “The program also advances SIA’s broader workforce development strategy, which aims to establish competence in cybersecurity and recruit diverse talent into the industry.”

SIA’s new apprenticeship program has three overarching goals:

  • Raise the level of applied knowledge and skill in cybersecurity and information technology for systems technicians who are responsible for the proper installation, configuration, networking and troubleshooting of low-voltage security devices and equipment
  • Attract new talent into the security industry and provide a pathway for long-term career development in technical roles
  • Foster diversity through targeted recruitment efforts and partnerships with special interest groups supporting veterans, women and other underrepresented minority groups entering the workforce

“Our goal is to leverage learning content developed by SIA member companies to the greatest extent possible to help apprentices become familiar with low-voltage electronic security devices and equipment that is commonly used in the field,” said Dr. Elli Reges, director of learning and development at SIA. “Unlike other SIA education programs that are vendor-neutral and product-agnostic, this program is intended to educate apprentices on product technologies and system design features that will prepare them for hands-on security systems installation work.”

The apprenticeship initiative aims to promote growth in diversity, equity and inclusion in the industry and offer career pathways for populations that are underserved and underrepresented in security or may be unfamiliar with career opportunities in the industry. Recruitment for apprenticeship participants will be geared toward students and recent graduates with trade/vocational schools and community colleges, security industry support staff interested in technology and individuals in low-income and underserved areas who may not have access to traditional education.

Each participating apprentice will complete the SST Work Process Schedule consisting of a minimum of 144 hours of related-technical instruction and 2,000 hours of guided on-the-job training. SIA is working to design a seamless learning pathway for apprentices to complete the program’s training requirements through its learning management system.

The core competencies covered by the SST apprenticeship program include the following:

  • Basic hardware and IT security principles
  • Network security and troubleshooting
  • Threats, attacks and vulnerabilities
  • Governance, risk and compliance
  • Device installation
  • System integration and testing
  • Employability skills

Each core competency area includes specified knowledge, skills and abilities that an apprentice must proficiently demonstrate to successfully complete the program. SIA is currently seeking training content that aligns with the SST Work Process Schedule to support training and development for apprentices. Training content must teach generally applicable concepts for systems integration, such as fundamentals of electronic door hardware or network video.

The pilot program is scheduled to launch in August 2023 with the support of several end-user companies and their integration partners. Following the pilot program launch, SIA anticipates opening the apprenticeship program up for participation to SIA member companies seeking talent in the target job roles. If you are interested in participating in this program or would like to contribute training content to support knowledge and skill development, please contact SIA’s learning and development team at [email protected].

Featured

  • Video Surveillance Trends to Watch

    With more organizations adding newer capabilities to their surveillance systems, it’s always important to remember the “basics” of system configuration and deployment, as well as the topline benefits of continually emerging technologies like AI and the cloud. Read Now

  • 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

New Products

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area.

  • Luma x20

    Luma x20

    Snap One has announced its popular Luma x20 family of surveillance products now offers even greater security and privacy for home and business owners across the globe by giving them full control over integrators’ system access to view live and recorded video. According to Snap One Product Manager Derek Webb, the new “customer handoff” feature provides enhanced user control after initial installation, allowing the owners to have total privacy while also making it easy to reinstate integrator access when maintenance or assistance is required. This new feature is now available to all Luma x20 users globally. “The Luma x20 family of surveillance solutions provides excellent image and audio capture, and with the new customer handoff feature, it now offers absolute privacy for camera feeds and recordings,” Webb said. “With notifications and integrator access controlled through the powerful OvrC remote system management platform, it’s easy for integrators to give their clients full control of their footage and then to get temporary access from the client for any troubleshooting needs.”

  • HD2055 Modular Barricade

    Delta Scientific’s electric HD2055 modular shallow foundation barricade is tested to ASTM M50/P1 with negative penetration from the vehicle upon impact. With a shallow foundation of only 24 inches, the HD2055 can be installed without worrying about buried power lines and other below grade obstructions. The modular make-up of the barrier also allows you to cover wider roadways by adding additional modules to the system. The HD2055 boasts an Emergency Fast Operation of 1.5 seconds giving the guard ample time to deploy under a high threat situation.