Specifically Speaking with William “Joe” Fallon

YARMOUTH, Maine—In Security Systems News’ monthly feature, Faith Group LLC Security Solutions Manager, Joe Fallon, RCDD, ESS, talks about how he leverages his Marine Corps’ experience with high-end optics and target tracking systems within video surveillance and electronic security.

What's your role at the company?

As the security solutions manager at Faith Group, I am responsible for resource assignment, training, QA/QC and general management of the Security team.  I am still directly designing systems for clients and frequently am involved in large ConOps and BoD projects.

What kinds of systems do you design/specify and what services does the company provide?

Faith Group is a planning, design, engineering, project management and construction administration firm founded in St. Louis, Mo. by Faith Varwig and Wendy Wilke. Since its 2004 inception, Faith Group has been dedicated to providing the level of specialized expertise in security, technology and building systems services that world-class facilities demand. Faith Group personnel have expertise in security, network and communications, audio visual, mechanical, electrical systems design and implementation as well as energy modeling and system commissioning.

I personally design electronic safety and security systems to include video surveillance, access control, identity management, perimeter intrusion detection, PSIM, and situational awareness systems.

What vertical markets does the company specialize in? Any interesting projects that you can mention?

Faith Groups primary vertical markets include aviation, transportation, government, critical infrastructure, large campus and healthcare.

Faith Group has recently supported several clients conducting pilots in which multiple Thermographic sensors were tested to determine which sensor and software suite best met the needs and use cases of the implementation.  Multiple sensors, installation methodologies, and scenarios were tested with a goal of gaining a deep understanding of the design constraints of the sensors and software allowing for successful deployment.

How did you get started in security and designing and specifying?

I originally learned electronics and optics in the U.S. Marine Corps. After transitioning to civilian life, I leveraged my experience with high-end optics and target tracking systems to video surveillance and electronic security. I started as a field technician and gradually moved up the ranks.  

I have worked in every aspect of the project life cycle from field technician through program management and software development. This cradle to grave project experience coupled with the fortune to work for cutting edge firms specializing in very unique solutions both in the US an abroad has given me a broad holistic approach to solving clients challenges and system design.

Can you talk about what new or emerging technologies you are seeing or specifying today?

With the current pandemic I have seen a lot of new technologies focusing on health and wellness. It is very reminiscent of the initial onset of video analytics.  Traditional security and building management sensors are being adapted and coupled with analytics software to perform tasks such as temperature monitoring/checks, air quality, occupancy monitoring and flow metrics. All of this data has been available for years however it is being utilized in a very different way and applied to processes to ensure clean and safe environments for clients and employees.

What is your view on the industry moving forward?

I think it is a very exciting time in the security industry.  With the decreased footprint of computing resources to include moving computing to the edge coupled with the advancements of AI and machine learning we are just now realizing some of the analytics capabilities that we have discussed for several decades without the constraint of extreme costs for hardware to support.  

This advancement in software capabilities has created a gap in services between the traditional integration firms and consulting firms. Consultants are designing much more complicated systems utilizing advanced software packages and incorporating automation of client ConOps and or processes. This is requiring integrators to become much more specialized in advanced programming of systems or to rely on manufacturers or outsourced programmers for successful implementation.

Specifically Speaking, a Security Systems News monthly column, features Q-and-A with a security consultant provided to SSN by SecuritySpecifiers.