Tag: Eric Yunag
SSN checks in with winners from the first '20 under 40' class
October 5, 2016Spencer Ives
YARMOUTH, Maine—Every year, Security Systems News recognizes 20 young professionals in the systems integration and monitoring space for their accomplishments. This month, SSN is announcing its 10th year of “20 under 40” integrator winners. To commemorate this, SSN caught up with several of the first honorees—the Class of 2007—to hear their perspective about how the industry has changed over the past 10 years, and what might be ahead in the next 10 years.“My role...
Convergint buys Dakota Security
January 4, 2016Martha Entwistle
SCHAUMBURG, Ill.– Convergint Technologies, a global systems integrator based here, today announced the acquisition of Dakota Security Systems, one of the fastest growing and most well respected systems integrators in the country.With the Dakota deal, Convergint now has 2,100 employees across the globe, 65 offices and more than $500 million in revenue. Convergint did about $411 million in business in 2014 and $328 million in 2013.Based in Sioux Falls, S.D., Dakota Security has offices in Arizona,...
Security fundamentals can be strong weapons against cyberattacks
February 18, 2015Kenneth Z. Chutchian
YARMOUTH, Maine—The recent security crisis at Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield reaffirms that the constant threat of cyber hacks is the new normal. Business as usual in the security industry doesn't exist anymore. So what kinds of proactive steps are integrators and central stations taking to prevent cyberattacks?Nothing esoteric or revolutionary, actually. But they may be doing things more important than that—reinforcing the fundamentals of cyberhygiene, working harder to improve communication...
Cyber security a recurring theme at PSA-TEC
May 7, 2014Martha Entwistle
WESTMINSTER, Colo.—The data breach that brought down Target CEO Gregg Steinhafel is being used as a cautionary tale here at PSA-TEC.
While the Target breach was not related to a physical security device or system, it could have been, according to experts at PSA-TEC. The topic of what systems integrators need to know about Internet safety was discussed in at least three different educational sessions on May 6.
Some video surveillance components, namely Windows/Microsoft dependent DVRs...
The Haves & Have-Nots of Security Integration Companies
May 8, 2013Martha Entwistle
PSA TEC is in full swing. The action started on Sunday night, but I arrived late on Monday. Yesterday I spent the day (Tuesday) talking to PSA Security integrators and members and attending four different educational sessions.
I attended the State of the Industry panel, moderated by PSA Security CEO Bill Bozeman and featuring a large group of integrators and industry experts; a discussion on Big Data, Business Resiliency and Physical Security moderated by Chris Peckham of Kratos; a session on...
Dakota Security opens seventh office
April 25, 2012Martha Entwistle
RAPID CITY, S.D.—Dakota Security, a PSA Security owner, on April 18 opened its seventh office here. It will serve as a logistical base of operations for Dakota to take advantage of security opportunities arising from the booming local economy, Eric Yunag, CEO of Dakota Security, told Security Systems News.“We've had operations in that area of South Dakota for many years. But opening an office in Rapid City puts us right in the center of our current client base there and [will give us...
PSA Security launches Leadership Institute
October 27, 2011Martha Entwistle
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico—The CEO of a successful independent integration firm is likely a great manager, but is he or she a great leader? Maybe, but not necessarily, said PSA Security CEO Bill Bozeman on Oct. 24, when he announced the launch of a new training program for integrators called PSA Security Leadership Institute.“Leadership is influence,” Bozeman said. “It's our goal to teach you to have positive influence,” he said.Bozeman described the new program at the PSA...
What's PEG?
May 26, 2011Martha Entwistle
WESTMINSTER, Colo.—Dakota Security president Eric Yunag showed up a day early for the PSA-TEC conference here last week so he could meet with seven other systems integrators for a quarterly meeting of a 'PEG'.
What's a PEG? “It's a PSA-sponsored Peer Exchange Group,” Yunag explained. “The concept is about five years old and it was started as a way for PSA members to network on a closer level, to talk about business strategy and challenges with peers who don't compete and with...
Business warms up
April 28, 2011Martha Entwistle
SIOUX FALLS, S.D.—Business is looking up in 2011, but it's not business as usual, says Dakota Security president Eric Yunag.
Yunag said he's seeing more business opportunities in the first quarter of 2011 than he's seen in the past three to five years, but it's not coming from the same old places.
“We've had a great start to the year, with higher activity levels across all the geographies, vertical markets and customer demographics,” he said.
A systems integrator with 100 employees,...