This post was drafted a few days before the latest university shooting incident in California.  Unfortunately, it has become even more relevant.

Straying away from our usual blog posts we want to mention the play FrAcTured by Robinson Wilson playing at Vancouver’s Seacoast theatre.  Seacoast Studios students experiment with this play depicting a one year anniversary meeting of 13 high-school students who survived a shooting.  Crafted from research of over 200 school shootings the play reminds us as security and safety practitioners of the importance of our profession.

As the play progresses details of the shooting are revealed in a realistic scenario.  The survivors describe the emotions they lived during the incident and they share the long term consequences of this event on their lives, their school and their community.  Inevitably a number of social issues are raised like access to guns, faith, bullying and grief.  The emotional cost for these young lives is unmeasurable.

For us as security practitioners, the play reminds us that what we do is important and noble.  It goes far beyond the intellectual stimulation we get from devising elegant technical solutions.  We are challenged to measure exactly what we deliver from a positive perspective – it is only when we look at the negative consequences of failing to protect our people that we get a glimpse of the value we deliver – yet the value of our work is extremely high. 

This is a play that every CFO cutting security and safety resources needs to see. 

This is a play that every parent or board member voting down security and safety budgets needs to see. 

Ryan Taylor, Principal of TRUSYS, was recently interviewed in a leading security magazine.  Martha Entwistle, of Security Systems News, contacted TRUSYS to help their readers understand the role of a consultant and how they add value to the security industry and technology suppliers.  This article covers insightful questions that provide some history of TRUSYS and Mr. Taylor’s experience in the industry.  To see the published article, click here: securitysystemsnews

In March of 2011, TRUSYS established a European branch office in The Hague. Netherlands. TRUSYS has been involved in consulting activities and executing projects in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia for international clients.  These projects were typically managed out of TRUSYS’ USA or India offices.  With the increase in European projects, it was time to establish a formal presence in Europe so Mr. Ryan Taylor, the founder and Principal of TRUSYS, Inc. and his wife Laurel, have moved to The Hague to expand the business. 

TRUSYS chose The Hague due to its focus on Peace and Justice, Private and Public security, and the network of people and companies involved in the industry.  The Hague is a logical choice due to its central location and easy access to other parts of Europe and beyond. In October, 2011, TRUSYS joined the Border Security Innovation Center (BIC) in The Hague.  The www.bordersecurity.eu Innovation Center is an initiative co-funded by the Netherlands Ministry of Economical Affairs and the City of The Hague, to support collaborative use of commercial technologies in public and private security.  “The BIC provides TRUSYS with several advantages that enables our company to hit the ground running as we take on this exciting venture in Europe”, says Mr. Taylor.

To find out how TRUSYS can help reduce the impact of disruptive events, please contact us at info@trusys.com.

Ryan Taylor, Founder and CEO of TRUSYS, is pleased to announce that Mr Colin Edmonds has joined the Seattle, WA, team as Industrial Designer.  Colin graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design from Western Washington University.  With its emphasis on problem-solving methodologies, products research, three dimensional model making techniques and design theory, this program prepared Colin to play a significant role in supporting the security designers of TRUSYS.

TRUSYS saw adding a qualified Industrial Designer as a strategic expansion to the quality of the services we offer to our clients.  Industrial Designers are trained to understand how humans interact with technology; and security technologies that are not adopted easily hinder Organizational resilience rather than enhance it.  The R-SEC Organizational Resilience framework proposed by TRUSYS identifies clearly the need for effective human/technology interactions as part of a successful security implementation.  Colin’s skills fit well in the continuum of the development of TRUSYS knowledge base.

Since graduation in 2002, Colin got hands-on experience with the installation of complex security systems while working with a local system integrator.  This field experience is a valued asset when working at TRUSYS as we believe that understanding firsthand the challenges faced by field personnel enhances the quality of the security designs produced.

Managing Principal, John Gargett, comments: “Already Colin has earned the respect of his colleagues and of our clients with high quality representation of the design concepts proposed by our senior consultants.  His understanding of the technologies of our industry and his high level of software knowledge makes him a great complement to our Seattle team.  We also appreciate his spirit of cooperation and initiative when it comes to supporting our corporate technology initiatives.  Colin is a natural problem solver whose great attitude is appreciated by all.”

Colin can be reached at colin.edmonds@trusys.com, at (800) 905-6810 or on Skype at colin.edmonds-trusys.

Satish, tell us a bit about yourself?
I’m Satish Kumar, the third & last child to my loveable parents.  I was born & brought up in Bangalore.  Once called the garden city it is now recognised as the IT hub of INDIA.  As Bangalore is situated at a height of 3,000 feet above sea level, it’s considered the best place to live in India.

I did my primary & higher education at Christian missionary Maria Niketan School and I completed my Diploma in Electronics & Telecommunication at Mahatma Gandhi Polytechnic. Having an interest in Electronics, I joined an evening class on Radio & TV hardware practical training from the LIZZNER Institute.  I then added Computer Hardware & Networking training from the Sahara Institute of Technology.  And I completed the certification in AutoCAD & REVIT MEP at Kruthy Computers.

I started my Career in the Physical Security Industry with a leading Integrator in the Indian Market.  My career started with Field engineering as a trainee and in a short time I was able to learn the technology & concepts of Physical security.  I have successfully served when given the opportunity as a Field engineer, Technical engineer, Design Engineer, Project Co-ordinator and project manager.  I was ready and delighted when TRUSYS CEO Ryan Taylor asked me to spearhead the start of our company in India.

What attracted you to a career in the Physical Security Industry?

Initially I was interested in camera technology, their angle of view, coverage etc.  I worked with my brother in that Industry.  Naturally, I came across many security related products and concepts used in different configuration as per clients’ requirements.  I learned about CCTV, Access, Alarm, Fire, PA etc. Integrating them to respond between them in critical situation is the challenge that attracted me to the Physical security Industry.

India’s economic growth rate is the envy of the world.  How is this fast paced economy affecting your work?

Not only is there a lot of internal growth in India, but our economy is rapidly integrating itself with the rest of the world.  Large Indian firms like Tata or Mittal are rapidly becoming multinational firms as they invest abroad.  As they expand abroad and as multinational firms invest in India, there is a need for better security practices to protect the benefits we all get from international commerce.  This is one of the reasons why we felt that TRUSYS needed at its inception a presence in both the United States and India.

As to how it affects my work, it means that we work to the best international standards to satisfy both local and international clients.  It is also interesting to work for a multinational firm like TRUSYS as we can help one another by sharing best practices and expertise.

Tell us about the state of the physical security industry in India?
In the past, India was considered a very safe place where people relied on Indian defence and security.  The first blow that shattered that feeling was the suicide attack by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam that killed Prime Minister Rajeev Gandhi.  At that moment the physical security industry started slowly to develop in the Indian market.

Later the terrorist attack on the Indian Parliament and a series of low intensity bomb blasts in major cities pushed the growth of Physical Security industry.   After the 2008 “26/11” attack by Terrorist in Mumbai, the Physical Security Industry saw significant increases in sales & implementation.  In addition, the Fire incidents in Bangalore Carlton Tower fire and the Kolkata Shopping Mall fire increased the desire for physical security in the people of India.

Are the typical security practices in India different from other countries?

After the “26/11” attack the Physical Security practices aims to be no different than in other developed countries.

What are the main concerns you hear from your clients?

·    First, that the security system is not optimized to take full advantage of its features.
·    Second, the integration of fire and security devices like access control is a critical issue in case of emergency that is not always well planned.
·    Often CCTV installations are not optimized to the manufacturers’ specs and the coverage does not meet the clients’ needs.
·    Pre design document for a proposed project are inadequate.
·    And installations do not have proper “as built” documents produced for future maintenance or upgrading.

These are all typical needs that TRUSYS India professionals address.

On June 9, 2011, TRUSYS celebrated an important milestone in its corporate development: the opening of the TRUSYS Institute.  Thanks to the leadership of the Institute Director, John Gargett, an important tool has been added to the advancement of the services TRUSYS delivers.

TRUSYS CEO, Ryan Taylor, commented: “When we founded TRUSYS in 2007, we envisioned the day when we could contribute to advancing the knowledge of our industry by creating the TRUSYS Institute.  Since then TRUSYS has completed work in dozens of locations around the world and has a presence in five countries on four continents. The day to launch the TRUSYS Institute has finally arrived.  We see it as a place to congregate the thought leaders of our industry for meaningful learning and exchanges.”

The event was timed with the first visit to Seattle by the TRUSYS Netherlands team led by Léon de Brujin.  Mr de Brujin, a highly respected security expert in the Netherlands, explained some of the differences in security practices in the Netherlands.  He focused on organizational practices and on the growing need for Organizational Resilience best practices like R-SEC™, TRUSYS own Organizational Resilience methodology.

The second speaker for the event was Mr Paul Pattynama.  Mr Pattynama is a former Netherlands Provincial Fire Chief.  Mr Pattynama focused on Fire and Safety practices in the Netherlands and Europe.  Again the need for better Organizational Resilience practices was stressed.  Interestingly, most of the participants’ questions referred to organizational issues rather than technical or technology matters.

The event was followed by a reception, and as most such events, valuable connections were made and good business relationships were enhanced.

Mr Ryan Taylor Founded and CEO of TRUSYS, is pleased to announce the opening of the TRUSYS Institute with a first event scheduled for June 9, 2011.  In addition Mr Taylor announces that TRUSYS Managing Principal, Mr John Gargett, has been named Director of the Institute.

MR Taylor comments: “We first envisioned the TRUSYS Institute when we were writing the original business plan for TRUSYS.  TRUSYS was going to sell only knowledge, no hardware, no software and no guard services.  So we had to establish a “thought leader” advantage to separate TRUSYS from our competition.  We saw the TRUSYS Institute as a place to research, learn and teach the newest concepts related to organizational resilience.”

“We were convinced of the need for such an organization, but until John Gargett joined the TRUSYS team we were not in a position to start the Institute, John took on the responsibility of Managing Principal to lead the TRUSYS team in the execution of our strategic and tactical plans and I am delighted that he accepted the additional role of Director of the TRUSYS Institute.  John is eminently qualified for this role.  His experience starting with his early leadership in the development of the original courses on technology for the National Emergency Training Center to his development of R-SEC™ , to implementing Organizational Resilience.  He participates in several industry committees helping TRUSYS contribute to the advancement of our industry practices.  Now he will lead hands-on advances in Organizational Resilience knowledge.”

John Gargett adds: “Leading the TRUSYS-Institute is a rewarding role after spending over 30 years in the industry.  Our industry has a valuable mission to fulfill.  We need to develop new knowledge and practices and to teach other leaders how to implement best practices.  We are privileged to participate in industry forums and committees and we plan to be the first ones to implement and share the best practices leaders of our various security and safety disciplines recommend.”

The TRUSYS Institute’s first program is a perfect example of bringing industry thought leaders together.  On June 9, two TRUSYS colleagues from the Netherlands will share their reflections with a selected audience.

• Mr Leon de Brujin, co-founder of the Physical Security Innovation Center (PSIC) in The Hague will speak on “Crisis Management and Terrorism Preparedness in the Netherlands – 20 years of Lessons.”
• And Mr Paul Pattynama, who has served as a safety leader in the Netherlands will speak on “Preparedness and Planning between the Public and Private Sector”.

This event will be followed by an intimate reception to launch the TRUSYS Institute.

Follow this link to the TRUSYS Institute site if you would like to register for this first event

The May issue of Security Dealer and Integrator magazine includes an article by TRUSYS thought leader Dave Miller.

Based in Portland Oregon, Dave Miller SET, is the TRUSYS Principal leading the Fire Safety portfolio of our firm.  In this article Dave explains how the convergence of fire alarm and IP technology is here at last, and how it delivers immediate and significant cost savings to organizations willing to make the transition.

While the transition to this new technology requires some adaptation to the communications tools present in a facility, the changes are simple to implement when properly planned with the help of people with the right knowledge.  A little planning effort goes a long way in saving precious financial resources in these challenging times.

Dave has over 20 years of experience in a wide variety of fire/life safety applications and provides NICET Fire Alarm exam preparation courses throughout the U.S. He is a regular contributor to the TRUSYS Institute. He can be reached at dave.miller@trusys.com or 503-537-9200.

John Gargett, TRUSYS Principal, will serve on the ASIS comittee developping the new International Standard for a Management System for Quality of Private Security Company Operations – Requirements with Guidance.

“This Standard provides the principles and requirements for a quality assurance system (QAMS) for private sector security organizations to abide by and demonstrate accountability to internationally recognized norms of civil rights while providing quality assurance in the provision of their products and services.”  Click here for more details.

TRUSYS CEO Ryan Taylor and Netherlands based Léon de Bruijn will attend SecEURO 2011 in Amsterdam on March 15th, 2011 and in Stockholm, Sweden, on March 16th, 2011.  The SecEURO Business Development Mission is an initiative if the U.S. Commercial Service of the United States of America Department of Commerce.

The Mission will consist of a 3‐day program commencing at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. The group will travel a short distance to the Amsterdam RAI fair grounds the following morning where a national safety/security show opens that day and they will travel to Stockholm, Sweden in the afternoon. In Sweden, the program will open with a roundtable with the Swedish ASIS Chapter. The mission’s emphasis is on one‐on‐one B2B meetings with Dutch and Swedish companies.

This mission is part of TRUSYS strategy to expand its presence globally as it serves global clients.  TRUSYS has resident professionals in 8 cities in five countries on four continents.  Current plans call for adding 5 new locations in 2011.