This article originally appeared in the December 2024 issue of Security Business magazine. Don’t forget to mention Security Business magazine on LinkedIn and @SecBusinessMag on Twitter if you share it.
During my tenure in security, I have regularly heard the biggest challenge facing the industry is recruiting next-generation talent. People often joke that no one grows up saying, “I want to be a security systems integrator.”
I’ve attended session after session on the topic, and still, the problem persists. With many nearing retirement age, what happens when there is a need for the changing of the guard at many systems integrators?
Granted, this isn’t unique to security. I remember my mother observing the same phenomenon in my family’s business, farming. Where were all the young farmers to continue the vital industry? At least in agriculture, they have 4-H and Future Farmers of America to drive awareness among younger generations.
While many groups are working in the security industry to address the issue, there remains a great need for resources. Last year at PSA TEC, Don Erickson, CEO of the Security Industry Association (SIA) announced with PSA CEO Matt Barnette a partnership between our organizations to get started on this very topic. Thus, the path to the Security Industry Careers Guide began.
Inside the Security Industry Careers Guide
With SIA at the helm, we have been working for months to develop a career guide that gives a soup-to-nuts overview of our industry and all the positions available within it. From the outlook of the industry to the verticals we work in, the Security Industry Careers Guide is a comprehensive overview.
For specific positions, the guide covers the necessary schooling and certifications, expected salary ranges, work-life balance, and career advancement opportunities – making the guide the most comprehensive explanation of career paths in our industry.
Likewise, the Security Industry Careers Guide features “security stories” of diverse professionals across the industry sharing how they began working in security. This allows for next-generation talent to see people who may look like themselves contextualizing what it is like to work in the security industry. Our industry provides a wide range of jobs across a variety of functions, all ultimately working to secure our world.
The guide is free to download on SIA’s website (www.securityindustry.org), and all systems integrators are highly encouraged to download the document and share it with local universities, community colleges, trade schools, etc. We have provided a letter template for this outreach for those who need help getting started.
Next, we will release guidance on how to partner with career services departments at schools to promote jobs and recruit students.
Hopefully 20 years from now at PSA TEC when the question is asked, “Who grew up wanting to be a security systems integrator?” Hands shoot up with pride!
Join us in driving the next generation of talent to our amazing industry. We should no longer be a “best-kept secret.”
Access the Security Industry Careers Guide at www.securityindustry.org/report/secure-your-future-security-industry-careers-guide
