Editorial
By Deborah L. O'Mara
2013:
THE YEAR OF VIGILANCE
Be strong in your security and safety message
I
f you are like most systems inteperimeter detection, school drills and safety lessons,
grators and alarm dealer entremaybe day-long lockdowns? Of course those schools
preneurs, you are always looking
with totally open access need to get on board now or
for ways to improve, so the New Year might only
suffer in the future. Our exclusive coverage in news is
serve as a boost of creative adrenaline. But this year,
all here, with commentary from leading dealers and
there are certain issues in which you might want to
integrators across the country.
take more control over.
Finally social media continues to
One item to begin to assess is
play a role in your success. Yes, it
the Affordable Care Act (www.
can be time consuming but there
"Use 2013 as a starting
securityinfowatch.com/10761821).
are ways to schedule messages or
point to achieve even
Under provisions of the law that go
perhaps you can hire an intern or
greater success."
into effect January 1, 2014, compapart-timer to increase your exponies with 50 or more workers will
sure. Don't forget that regular safety
have to provide some level of health care insurance.
messages, reminders and specials via Twitter, LinkedIn
Companies must decide before that date how they'll
and Facebook can keep you top of mind with customcomply with the law. Right now, no one knows what
ers and prospects.
level of insurance will be required and what it will
Use 2013 as a starting point to achieve even greater
cost and if they will be better off buying it or instead
success. And let us celebrate your successes with our
face a per-worker penalty. In Illinois, the penalty for
Fast50 best practices and ranking program: www.secunon-compliace is reported to be about $2,000 per
rityinfowatch.com/sdifast50. Enter online today and let
employee. The Affordable Care Act may also cause
us honor you at ISC West 2013 in Las Vegas as one of
some to lay off workers to get to the below 50 numAmerica's Fastest Growing Systems Integrators.
ber or cut workers' hours to under 30 a week. It's a
SD&I;, Security Technology Executive and Locksmith
big dilemma and one which you should start your
Ledger magazines are all powered by www.securityresearch on now. Talk to other companies in the secuinfowatch.com, our award-winning website. Here, we
rity industry and network together to share informapresent not only our magazine content, but breaking
tion. Collaborate on this critical issue and you'll be
news and interviews, webinars, videos, blogs and so
better prepared to face it head on.
much more. And as the industry continues to change
and morph with technology, we will be right beside
School security under a microscope
you with the latest information you need to do busiIn other areas, there's the ongoing dilemma with
ness better.
school security and safety. Now, at issue is gun conAbove all—vigilance is key. Stay vigilant with your
trol. I'm not going to take an official stance other
customers and prospects. Help them do business betthan to say that I believe in and support the U.S.
ter—whether or not there's a contract behind it. Your
Constitution and its rights. That brings us to our comvigilance will also pay off with work in your commuprehensive story on the most recent school shootings,
nity. You will be remembered when the time comes.
starting on page 10. What's the formula that might
Here's to a safe and prosperous 2013!
let us breathe easier as we pack our children off to
school? No one truly knows, but dealers and integraDeborah O'Mara, editor
tors believe in back to basics—layering security with
@SecurityDealer
www.facebook.com/SDIMag
8
www.SecurityInfoWatch.com | SD&I; | January 2013
www.securityinfowatch.com/sdifast50