Origin Stories - How Did You Get Started In The Security Industry?

JH
John Honovich
Nov 21, 2014
IPVM

Were you born into it? Did you plan to get in? Did you fall into it?

Vote:

I'll start with my own crazy story.

(2)
Nc
Nicholas carlton
Feb 10, 2016

My brother was employed with ADT security services and in 2004 they were trying to hire an experienced resi installer. Well that was not who i was but in 2004 I needed a new career path. So i chose a local alarm company no longer in business and listed them as my past work experience in the industry. So my brother took a few days before the interview to coach me up on the terminology for the low voltage field. by the interview date I knew about line priority, normally opened or normally closed circuits. I could describe a few types of popular alarm panels, I knew what parallel and series circuits were, and a whole line up of devices. We even went of the ole EOLR ! What I didn't was how to install an alarm in a home or business. Well I gave notice to my current job and my brother took a week vacation and we installed home security in every friend, family and neighbor who would entertain the idea and here we are 2016 installing IP and HD analog video surveillance in retail and fuel chains in nearly 49 states. I try not to fool people anymore hopefully this class and other resources IPVM has to offer will allow the doors of opportunity to open a little easier in my future.

Shane Carlton

UI
Undisclosed Integrator #5
Feb 16, 2016

I worked in narcotic enforcement in a high end city and was taught various types of electronic surveillance. My partner a salesman type who was so good at buying drugs undercover that we used to say he could buy drugs from the pope. One day while we were waiting to go to court we heard a radio call of a burglary at the residence of a famous movie star. My partner insisted we go over to his house to meet him. By the time we left the movie star's house my partner had a check for $25000 to buy a Westinghouse burglar alarm franchise. My now ex-partner, he quickly grew his new business while I continued Narcotic enforcement.

About four years had gone by when I went to a retirement party for a person who had 32 years of service. His retirement reward was a set of golf clubs from JC Penney. Didn't think that was going to work for me so thought I would try the alarm business. My business quickly grew to many thousands of alarm clients and about 500 leased video systems.

I just love protecting people and their property and have not been able to work for a while because of a non compete clause agreement with the people that purchased my business. Finally I am in a position where I can work again and am loving every minute of it.

Enrolled in IPVM to try and get current on all the new technology.

(1)
U
Undisclosed #1
Feb 17, 2016
IPVMU Certified

My now ex-partner, he quickly grew his new business while I continued Narcotic enforcement...
My business quickly grew to many thousands of alarm clients and about 500 leased video systems...

Who had the bigger business in the end, you or your ex-partner? :)

UI
Undisclosed Integrator #5
Feb 17, 2016

My former partner, Frank, needed working capital and sold 51% of his company to people he was unfamiliar with. Several years later he was forced out for much less than his portion of the company was worth. Franks partners later sold to a national company for an undisclosed amount.

My company was lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time with the right business and we had multiple bidders.

LQ
Luke Quinlan
Feb 24, 2016
IPVMU Certified

I've been a career bartender until I was 25. Had a child on the way and wanted to give the trades a try and the ol 8-5. Living in Yellowknife, Canada, there was no problem and a had my pick. After some contemplation of the different trades I initially picked electrical. I worked with some great electricians and found all the "spin off" trades related to electrical and wiring... i.e. HVAC, fiber optics, telecommunications, access control, cctv, intrusion alarm systems, fire alarm,sound masking, networking, and the spin off from the spin offs... computer repair, controls, sales, I.T., network security, and on and on. The company I was working for did a a lot of electrical, and a little fire alarm and some security. After 4 years doing the electrical thing I found there was a gap in the company and I filled it. I got more and more interested in what I call the "3" - video surveillance, access control, and alarms systems and the integration of these. The more different and newer technologies I see on the market the more I believe that this is a career that truly demands continual education and certification , as I love to learn and be tech savvy. So here I am, a fourth year electrician who is on the verge of becoming a Red Seal Journeyman who has been working in the security field consistently in mining, hospitals, malls, small business and homes for the last 4 years and has recognized that technical security is my calling.

(2)
UI
Undisclosed Integrator #6
Mar 03, 2016

Growing up I was one of those kids that was always fascinated with computers and electronics. Taking things apart and putting them back together just to see how things worked. After graduating High School I went to college not really knowing what I wanted to do the rest of my life. I dabbled in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science but finally settled on Information and Telecommunication Systems. To this point I had no experience in the security industry at all.

Towards the end of my College career I had to do an internship. I found a local company in my home town and applied and got the internship. Back then I was working manly with phone systems and I absolutely hated it. I finished my college career and as soon as I finished I decided to apply for a job with the company I did my internship with. Needless to say I got the job and worked with phones and networks for about a year. At that point the company started to really ramp up the security department and I decided I wanted to go down that path instead.

I started off as a Systems Integrator then progressed to Systems Engineer. Now I am the Senior Systems Engineer for my company all within a matter of 5 years. This industry is evolving so rapidly and technology is changing so quickly. That right there keeps me engaged. I also feel a sense of pride doing what I do. Solving problems that most people would have no idea where to start and also providing a sense of a security for people.

(1)
BW
Ben Wilks
Apr 05, 2016

I was working as a valet at the Barbary Coast in Las Vegas, NV. My brother, who was the casino security chief, and the surveillance director were friends. The Surv. Dir. approached me on several occasions recruiting me for his dept. . I began working in the Gold Coast Surveillance Dept. around 1996. I worked as a surveillance agent, and then a shift supervisor, before seeking a position as an entry-level technician with Coast Casinos. I immediately knew that I was born to perform these duties, and rarely have I ever been reluctant to go to work since I had the best job I could ever imagine. I love it to this day.

UE
Undisclosed End User #7
May 09, 2016

fell into it

TW
Tom Whitten
May 10, 2016
IPVMU Certified

I had a fascination with technology, and was recruited to work for a security company. I originally sold cameras, and then went into integration with this position.

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