The Engineers of Tomorrow Are Men, The Women Remain Props [No More]
By John Honovich, Published Jun 24, 2016, 02:19am EDTFor years, IFSEC used women as props to reward male engineerings. After our 2015 criticism, they changed.
Original 2015 post
Celebrated annually at IFSEC, it is called 'Engineers of Tomorrow' a competition for troubleshooting alarm systems.
Young guys win each year and get to pose with the 'CSLDualCom ladies'.
Here are the pictures. First from the official website for the 2014 event:
And here is a tweet from 2015's version:
@SecurityDrum @IFSEC Very proud of our young apprentice who was runner up #EngineersOfTomorrow #IFSEC pic.twitter.com/dTYUEBH40q
— Fidelity (@FidelityIS) June 16, 2015
And here is a tweet / picture from the 2014 version:
Well done! RT @kingsltd: Winners!!! @IFSEC @CSLDualCom #engineersoftomorrow pic.twitter.com/DROUQ57XOB

— Skills for Security (@Skills4Security) June 19, 2014
And here is a tweet / picture from the 2013 version:
Kings apprentice team and @CSLDualCom ladies. Great day #engineersoftomorrow #ifsec pic.twitter.com/VbSAg0xySO

— Kings Security (@kingsltd) May 13, 2013
2016 Update - Reformed
The 2016 version has changed.
The winners no longer pose with models:
Our Group MD Simon Banks with Day 2 Winners of Engineers of Tomorrow at IFSEC - SES Yeovil #IFSEC2016 #Apprentices pic.twitter.com/w5E6P0ifnK
— CSL (@CSLDualCom) June 22, 2016
Even more reformed, they are now actually promoting women in security:
Promoting women in security #Engineers of Tomorrow #Apprenticeships #GetInGoFar pic.twitter.com/7M0Ie6Vsjy
— Simon Banks (@S_BanksDualCom) June 21, 2016
Good job IFSEC and CSL.
1 report cite this report:
Comments (53)
What's there to defend? They're not choosing men over better-qualified women. These women are happily collecting a paycheck for nothing more than having a picture taken of them with some random guys. But no, men should be ashamed of enjoying the company of attractive women, right? Just as attractive women should be shamed from using that trait to earn a living.
I subscribe to IPVM for scholarly and scientific articles, not for this gender politics nonsense.
And here's a graduating class of nurses. This article is obviously trolling. I agree with Undisclosed A Integrator. This couldn't be more irrelevant to the industry.
How many women were in competition for this? What kind of program do they have to attract women into the security career fields? This would be more useful information.
It is difficult enough to find good women candidates who are interested in security without someone implying that the whole industry is sexist.
What in the world is this article?
Defend this article?
I cannot begin to imagine what your defense is to this article.
And, why don't you like Avigilon?
As one of the few contributing women to this blog, and maybe one of the few female members on IPVM, I am not offended. I agree with those that say it's a "job" they applied for and agreed to be paid for. Strippers make good money, I'm sure the Hooters girls, Tilted Kilts, and other "breastaurant" workers do pretty well too. I have to rely on my brain, no one is hiring me to be trade show eye candy. I know my place, and I'd have no problem taking a picture with the Chippendales (again). ;-)
What I do find offensive are the 'pay-to-play' and 'pay-to-promote' awards previously discussed in a previous article. I can create my own medallion, icon or lucite tombstone touting myself, but if I didn't earn it, who cares?
The elephant in the room here is your first words to the title of this spectacle.
"The Engineers of Tomorrow Are Men"
You all zeroed in on the photo of the models. Shameful. The issue is, the engineers of tomorrow are men!
Work constructively to attract a more diverse landscape to our industry and the thing you all seem to be so sensitive about will dry up.
Attack the person(s) and ban the practice(s) are the trademarks of shortsighted ideas with inadequate defense.
New members are encouraged to review the rest of the Booth Babe series here:
The subject is polarizing and emotionally loaded,with plenty of people sure they are on the side of "right."
I'd like to know one thing...What those girls have to say for themselves. Several of them are repeaters with at least one attending three times.
What do they think? What do they beleive they are getting from it?
This whole debate is incomplete without their input. Is it simply for a paycheck? Do they think they will get discovered? Are they related to the sponsors, or friends of theirs?
Why do they do it?
I'm surprised no one has asked what will they do if a woman wins...
CSL Lads?
Or will the problems that would create prevent one from ever winning to begin with?
First off, while I hope John's reasons for posting this article were noble in nature, I cannot help but think a man of his talent in this industry is also a master of trolling. Good job John, you got us active on the site (20+ posts) and created 2 Tweets designed to drive traffic to the site.
Secondly, if you really want to mak an impact on the real "the war on women" might I suggest you raise awareness on the abduction and sale of women and children by ISIS as detailed in articles such as this one. This seems to be a much more noble cause that deserves the time invested in it. I am sure the vast majority of these women who are used a sex slaves would look upon your article about women willingly being paid to have a photo taken absurd and distasteful when compared to their situation.
Until then, I will look for more informative articles on your site relative to the reason we all pay to be here and that is to get industry news and reviews that are current, informative and (hopefully) without jaded opinions.
There's no need nor value to have female trophy presnters and it demeans the role of women in the trophy presentation industry :)
[IPVM Note: possibly NSFW / inappropriate - view image at your own discretion.]
There are some interesting perspectives in this article: http://www.securitysystemsnews.com/article/industry-favors-women-workplace
As a woman in the security industry, I think the industry needs to be careful about saying that "women aren't interested in this industry, and that's why there are no women here." Perhaps we should dive deeper and ask, if women really aren't interested in the industry, how come? And how can that be changed? Or perhaps the issue is that women are interested in the security industry, but they face obstacles to career growth that their male counterparts do not face. How can that be changed?
To Anna's, comment.
I hold the believe that anyone male of female can excel in the security business. It take a interest in the field, a passion to learn and a decision to become a true professional.
Once that decision is made, one should by the sheer nature of that decision, go all in and learn the trade. All people who are passionate about their chosen filed of endeavor, hold a trait where they are GOOD at what they do because it started with a solid interest in the field. Along with a focus to get REALLY good at their JOB.
I don't care who you are. If you like cool tech, a dynamic industry, the ability to create true value by becoming mutli-talented, then you can dominate in the security business. If you don't like any of that stuff...then it may not be the right fit. Has nothing to do with gender.
On the "field technician side" it may be that more men are interested in the field than women and that makes sense. Why would anyone choose to invest their life in a job that they they are not interested in?
[Nice thread, enjoyed the read]
As a professional, I'd rather pose for a photo with the president of the association recognizing me for my work.
Second, I'm always skeptical of a trade booth with "babes", the product should be able to draw my attention. If you need to use sex to attract clients, I assume it's an inferior product and you're sales folk will probably say anything if they think it'll close the deal. If you want eye-candy, go "talk business" and a bar or peelers.
Third, a person should be awarded strictly on their ability regardless of (and not given special consideration because of) race, gender or sexual orientation. If I get beat by merit and that alone, that'll only push me towards professional improvement.
Finally, qualified technician are hard to find and harder to retain. Integrators need to do a better job recruiting, male and female alike, try hitting the college circuits and offer summer internships. Partner with local high schools to develop trade courses.
I don't think I saw this perspective in the thread (forgive me if I missed it):
If an award is for professional recognition, the atmosphere (including presenters) should be professional.
If an award is for, for example, best pick-up lines (which I would never win), then sure, bring on the "babes".
I agree with previous comments that the "booth babes" at events like ISC and ASIS are hired and paid for their services and do so voluntarily, but I'm embarrassed for the manufacturers and integrators who employ them for their booths.
I'm a male like any other and with all that implies, but I prefer my professional activities to occur in a professional environment.