ECSI alliance brings anti-terrorism applications to PSA’s 120 members

CLIFTON, N.J. - A recently forged partnership between systems integration cooperative PSA Security Network and perimeter security product manufacturer ECSI International will enable PSA’s network of member companies to tap into the anti-terrorism perimeter protection market for perhaps the first time. While ECSI will benefit by being able to draw upon the expertise of PSA’s member companies to install its perimeter protection systems, the systems integration cooperative members are also expected to benefit by gaining additional business in a market they may not have pursued in the past. “My objective is to find other anti-terrorism products,” said Bill Bozeman, president and chief executive officer of the 120-member organization. “The government is really looking to the private security industry to design, install and service this stuff.” The agreement follows a government mandate that certain government facilities and high-risk areas, such as water storage facilities and power plants, implement some form of perimeter security. “In the past the market was really not there in the U.S. Security and particularly perimeter security was looked upon as a very costly proposition with little return on investment, said Arthur Birch, president and chief executive officer of ECSI. “Now, the entire security environment has changed and the government is mandating that corporate America take a real hard look at protecting their assets and the first line of defense is the perimeter of the site.” Unlike some perimeter security product companies, ECSI offers three different types of systems and a full assessment of a facility’s needs before installation. Users can implement one system or take a multi-layered approach. One system, known as IPIDS, uses pulse infrared sensors to detect intruders entering a certain area. The second system, known as FOIDS for its use of fiber optic technology, can detect a breach in a fence material, such as cutting and climbing. The third type of system, the GAMA 2000, detects an intruder as he approaches a fence line. Within the next several months, Birch expects to train PSA’s technical staff, who in turn will work with PSA members. In the few short weeks since the alliance was announced, ECSI has fielded inquiries from about three PSA members interested in learning more about the alliance.