Teamwork—partnerships—working together. It’s so critical today and will continue to be as we work to foster a more integrated security environment. With that in mind, it’s no surprise that PSA Security Network and BICSI announced a partnership to promote electronic safety and security training.
This is a natural evolution for both organizations, especially since BICSI recently unveiled a security credential to its information technology systems members called the Electronic Safety and Security (ESS) Designer. According to BICSI, ESS Designers are at the forefront of IP convergence, IP video surveillance, access control and intrusion detection systems with this new credential. At PSA-Tec 2011, over 10 courses provided BICSI continuing education credits.
“We are delighted to have a partnership with BICSI,” said Bill Bozeman, CPP, CHS and president and CEO of PSA Security Network. “Our integrators are focusing more and more on network-based technology, and the educational advantages BICSI has to offer in this space are second to none. We look forward to working with BICSI to accelerate our security integrators’ capabilities and success in network-driven technology deployments.”
“This partnership is an essential step toward increasing the visibility and knowledge of both organizations’ education, training and credentialing in the field of electronic safety and security,” said BICSI President Brian Hansen, RCDD, NTS, CSI. “The ESS credential is still relatively new in the industry, but we feel there is a need for the ESS based on our membership surveys and the convergence of IP. As security in the IP arena becomes more and more prevalent, there will be a need for the IT managers to gain a better understanding of the security arena and the ESS will provide this educational path,” Hansen said.
Some of the cooperative activities will include co-marketing the security programs of each organization, highlighting PSA’s security-related educational opportunities and BICSI’s ESS Design credential, as well as related courses and publications. In addition, the agreement allows for reciprocal coverage in the organizations’ industry publications, and booth space and speaking opportunities at both BICSI and PSA’s conferences.
Sharon Shaw, director of Education for PSA Security Network, said PSA and BICSI recognize that convergence is all around us, whether it’s security products being added onto the network or IT integrators offering security solutions to their customers. “Because PSA’s core competency is supporting security systems integrators, PSA is a great fit for BICSI to promote their ESS certification,” she said. “PSA recognizes the value of the ESS credential and is eager to have more of our integrators certified in this area. Education is the obvious overlap between our organizations, and as PSA continues to provide relevant and applicable training to its integrators, BICSI is a partner we wanted to have on board to achieve this objective,” she said. Shaw added that about 10 to 25 percent of PSA integrator technicians have some BICSI credentials, but the ESS is still quite new so most carry the RCDD. (For more information, visit www.buypsa.com or www.bicsi.org.) – Deborah L. O’Mara, editor in chief, Security Dealer & Integrator magazine
