My Point of View: Showcase Your Security Project’s Innovative Strengths

June 24, 2015

With the growing sophistication of physical security technology, video surveillance, evolving IT networks and the overwhelming explosion of captured data, establishing collaborative efforts during the life of a project is crucial to its eventual success.

Integration, cooperation and collaboration have been the foundation blocks that have built the Security Innovation Awards (SIAs) reputation over the previous eight years, and as we announce the call for submissions for 2015, the projects we showcased a year ago have set a high bar. The 2014 Grand Platinum project submitted by AON and Qatar Petroleum was our first international winner, and perhaps the most comprehensive project we have ever seen. The massive corporate complex located in Doha covered more than six million square feet and included a five-star hotel, nine high-rise towers, underground parking for 6,000 cars, a utility plant and a performance-arts auditorium.

So the stage has been set, as Security Technology Executive magazine, in coordination with Secured Cities, the only public/private partnership initiative event for Public Safety and Security in the nation, are again honoring the most innovative integrated deployments the security industry has to offer. For the 9th consecutive year, security, risk, emergency management and law enforcement professionals, along with systems integrators and PE firms are invited to showcase their unique projects. When you submit your collaborative project in the highly competitive Security Innovation Awards program, you will receive some well-deserved recognition at the Secured Cities Awards Luncheon at the Crowne Plaza Reliant Hotel in Houston on November 12, 2015.

The Security Innovation Awards are open to all vendors, solution providers, integrators, PE firms, consultants and end-users. This coveted accolade recognizes the most impressive collaborative project highlighting the lead vendors, integrator (or consultant, or engineer) and the end-user client.

The Security Innovation Awards parallel the focus of the annual Secured Cities event, which features peer-to-peer best practices and lessons learned in the areas of security operations, management and technology implementation. In keeping with the Secured Cities theme, project submissions are being sought from the following five public/private partnership sectors:

  • Municipal/Urban Business Districts/Policing Districts
  • Campus – K-12 and Colleges & Universities
  • Healthcare Facilities & Campuses
  • Transportation Authorities
  • General Corporate Enterprises

It is easy to enter. Here’s how:

  • Projects can have multiple contributors (manufacturer, integrator, consultant, engineer, and/or security professional), but it is preferred that the “author” of the final project submission be a security representative from the END-USER organization that ordered the project.
  • The end-user in all submitted projects MUST be willing have the project featured (including photos) in Security Technology Executive, on stage at the SIA Luncheon at Secured Cities on November 12, 2015,  as well as during a roundtable discussion of the project at an educational session at the event. 

Our panel of security and public safety industry experts will select and honor Gold Medal award winners in these five category sectors. The committee will also select an overall Grand Platinum Champion from among the project submissions finalists, who will be featured on the cover of the November/December 2015 issue of Security Technology Executive magazine and will play host to an exclusive webinar presentation featuring its top project. All winners will be invited to accept their awards at the Secured Cities SIAs Luncheon in Houston this November.

Entry Fees and Deadlines:

  • August 7 2015 — early bird entry deadline - $450 ($400 for Security Industry Association members)
  • Sept. 1, 2015 — - entry deadline $500 ($450 for SIA members) 
    *Additional entries: $50 each additional entry submitted from the same manufacturer or the same integrator or the same end-user.
  • After September 4, 2105 – late entry deadline is $600 ($550 for SIA members. Any entries received September 9, 2015 will not be considered for judging.
  • Nov. 12, 2015 — awards presented at SIA Luncheon at Secured Cities in Houston, TX

It’s easy to enter. Please go to the Secured Cities website at http://securedcities.com/awards.php  for all the details on what the submission package must contain and how to submit. Good luck!