TechSec hosts inaugural SSN '20 under 40' panel

DELRAY BEACH, Fla.—Day one of TechSec Solutions 2014 drew to a close with the first Security Systems News' NextGen panel discussion, which showcased the perspectives of four honorees from SSN's latest “20 under 40” class.

The discussion revolved around four areas of technology—video verification, cellular networks, mobile apps and interactive services—that the panelists identified as crucial points of focus in terms of the direction of the industry.

The panel offered a snapshot of the industry, with representatives from the integration side, the alarm monitoring space, and an IT director at a super-regional. Well-versed across the array of topics, the panelists were able to provide insight into a range of physical security-related subjects.

Joe Parisi, senior account executive at Rapid Response Monitoring, led an in-depth discussion on the value proposition of video verified alarms, and how an awareness of that proposition should guide how a company deploys and sells the offering.

The discussion branched next into the related topics of mobile apps and cellular technology. Johnny Cunningham, IT director at ADS Security, reflected on some of the challenges of the industry's reliance on cellular networks, while Robert Gaulden, VP of sales and marketing at Kratos, discussed the future of NFC technology and clarified some of the demands involved with Kratos' NFC pilot project at Arizona State University.

Jesse Rivest, territory manager at Affiliated Monitoring, led the portion of the panel devoted to interactive services. He discussed the expanded roster of home automation functions becoming mainstream, as well as the prospects for continued (and unlimited) development of interconnected applications beyond the home, some of which have yet to fully crystallize.

After the panel session, SSN's “20 under 40” recipients—along with their counterparts on the security professional side of the business, this year's Security Director News' “20 under 40” recipients—were the guests of honor and received plaques at a poolside ceremony and cocktail party.

For profiles of all of the winners, click here.

Photo (left to right): Ronda Meyer, vice president/controller, Per Mar Security; Navin Goel, Operations manager, Go Safer Security; Stephanie Wagner, Licensing and compliance manager; field operations training and support; The ADT Corp.; Robert Gaulden, VP of sales and marketing, Kratos; Joe Parisi, senior account executive, Rapid Response Monitoring; Johnny Cunningham, Director of IT, ADS Security; Jesse Rivest, Territory manager, Affiliated Monitoring; Michael Campbell, VP of Global Sales, Diebold