Skip to Content

Women in Security Profile: ‘We need to shift our thinking about diversity to one of opportunity and growth,’ says Nikki Williams

Women in Security Profile: ‘We need to shift our thinking about diversity to one of opportunity and growth,’ says Nikki Williams

Women in Security Profile: ‘We need to shift our thinking about diversity to one of opportunity and growth,’ says Nikki Williams

YARMOUTH, Maine— Nikki Williams, North American regional marketing manager at Integrated Control Technology (ICT), cites two factors that can serve as catalysts for increased diversity in the security industry.  

“We need to shift our thinking about diversity to one of opportunity and growth,” she explained. “Diversity will only fuel the evolution of the security industry for the better. There’s so much talent out there in the next generation of security industry professionals. We need to hire and promote inclusively now and invest in good people, regardless of their gender.”  

Integrated Control Technology (ICT)Williams acknowledged that she has had her “ups and downs” while navigating her way through a male-dominated industry but noted the critical role that diversity has played in creating a “stronger” security industry.  

“With diversity, we’re more innovative and we challenge one and other to get out of our comfort zones,” she stated. “With different backgrounds we come at problems in different ways, and we open others up to ideas they may not have considered otherwise. We all miss out when we don’t have more voices at the table.”  

As part of Security Systems News’ and the SIA Women in Security Forum’s continuing series highlighting the contributions of women in security, the following is an exclusive Q&A with Williams:  

SSN: What are your current roles and responsibilities?  

Williams: I am fortunate to work alongside a very talented global marketing team, but I manage the North American responsibilities: strategic planning and implementation of trade shows, events, marketing, advertising and public relations specific to my region. I support sales initiatives and regional go-to-market product launches, drive inbound leads, and overall monitor and report campaign metrics to senior leadership. 

SSN: How did you get into the security industry? What motivates you to stay? 

Williams: I started in the security industry 10 years ago because I simply wanted to try something new – and the rest, as they say, is history.   

This industry seems to have a magnetic pull. The technology is always changing, it’s challenging and it’s exciting, and no matter what role you play in security, you end up helping people. Protecting people or property, it’s all just helping one and other and that’s very motivating at the end of the day. 

SSN: What has been your biggest challenge in the security industry and how did (do) you overcome it? 

Williams: One of the biggest challenges for me, back when I started in the security industry years ago, was seeking out female role models – those women in security successfully growing and contributing to this industry. I know now that there were absolutely amazing women making waves in our industry then and now.  

Overcoming this challenge was a combination of community and mentorship for me. Getting involved with SIA’s Women in Security Forum opened my world up to an entire community of women that encourage and inspire me in so many ways. Seeing other women succeed in this industry, joining a community that supports one another at educational events, networking events and conferences has been great.  

SSN: What advice would you give other women thinking about getting into the security industry, or who are just getting started? 

Williams: The security industry is an exciting, growing industry that will challenge and reward you in ways other careers can’t.  

Although there are fewer women in this industry, we’re quickly growing in numbers, and this is truly an exciting time to be part of an evolutionary shift toward diversity in this industry. We need you! 

 

 

Comments

To comment on this post, please log in to your account or set up an account now.