ISC West teaser: Tia Eskandari on ‘fool proofing’ today’s security technicians

LAS VEGAS—As the security industry constantly evolves, so do opportunities for developing and advancing security technicians, says ISC West speaker Tia Eskandari. 

“We have an evolving industry, so we want our technicians to know that there's an opportunity to go from a Level 1 technician and have a career path all the way to an engineer,” said Eskandari, senior director, national field service, Allied Universal Technology Services. “If that's what they want to do, how do we get them there?” 

Here’s a teaser for Eskandari’s panel, “The State of Security Technicians: Challenges, Innovations, and Future Prospects.”  

The role of the technician  

A lot has changed in the security industry over the past two decades, so the panel will discuss why it is imperative to focus on how technicians can evolve along with the industry, especially when it comes to balancing technology, such as AI, with maintaining human interaction.  

“Right now, we're starting to talk about AI,” Eskandari said. “What does that mean for them? A lot of people will get a little fearful when we start to talk about those things. Does that mean their job is going to be taken away? No, we tell them that these are just enhancements in the tools that we use. 

“We want them to know that we are not going to go away from that human interaction,” she continued. “You need that; AI won't be able to do that. AI may enhance the functionality of the tools that we use, but it's not going to replace that interaction with the customers.”  

Career challenges  

The panel will also touch on how integrators can “fool-proof” the careers of their service technicians, especially as they advance in the profession.  

“We want to show them that we can take your skill set and use you in other ways that will benefit our organization that may not require you to go up and down the ladder anymore,” said Eskandari, who noted that Allied Universal employs numerous long-term technicians, some of whom have been on the job for more than 20 years. “At a certain point, a lot of our technicians get to a point where they don't necessarily want to be out in the field 50 to 60 hours a week. They’d rather be behind a desk so they can still support the business in that way.”  

Additionally, the panel will discuss drawing from the knowledge of long-term service technicians to create apprenticeship or mentorship opportunities.  

“How do we cross-train utilizing our current base of field technicians with the folks that might be fearful, such as someone who could say, ‘I don't necessarily know how to install a card reader,’” Eskandari said. “That’s okay, we’re going to teach you the basics by partnering you with somebody who will help bring you along.”  

The details: 

Date: Thursday, April 3, from 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. at Career Zone Booth #4141 at the Venetian Expo. 

Panel: Matt Barnette, CEO, PSA Security Network (moderator); Tia Eskandari, senior director, national field service, Allied Universal Technology Services; Todd Van Haren, CFO/partner, SecurAlarm; and Joe Christie, project manager, Integrated Protection Services