A recent panel discussion reveals the challenges and strategies facing security companies as they prepare for a competitive landscape in 2025.
In a recent panel discussion hosted by SDM Magazine, experts from three prominent companies in the security sector shared their insights on competitive landscapes as they look ahead to 2025. The panel comprised Kathleen Ford, co-owner and CEO of ScDataCom; Chuck Petrusha, president and CEO of Advanced Security Systems; and Greg Parker, global vice president of security and fire life cycle management at Johnson Controls.
When asked about the greatest competition their companies will face in 2025, the panel offered varied perspectives rooted in their unique positions within the industry.
Kathleen Ford noted that as a small business operating across the United States, ScDataCom faces significant challenges from larger, national counterparts. “For us as a small business, I think the challenge is competing against large nationals,” she explained. Ford highlighted the limitations imposed by smaller marketing budgets and lesser name recognition compared to their more prominent competitors. Despite these hurdles, she asserted that ScDataCom remains committed to providing agile all-in-one solutions with competitive pricing, stating, “We consider ourselves small and mighty.” However, she acknowledged the ongoing challenge of competing against well-known brands in the security industry.
Greg Parker from Johnson Controls reflected on the competitive dynamics from a different angle. He acknowledged admiration for smaller integrators like ScDataCom and Advanced Security Systems, but emphasised the necessity for larger companies to become more agile in their approach. Parker indicated that a major focus for Johnson Controls is the enhancement of customer value through connected security solutions. He remarked, “We know who the big players are and we understand that roughly 80 percent of the market is probably a regional integrator.” Parker detailed the need to create and demonstrate the value of connected security offerings, particularly in catering to different market segments, including geographic considerations and variations in market type.
Chuck Petrusha took an insightful approach by identifying a distinct kind of competition facing the industry in 2025—tertiary competitors. He stated, “I think truly my biggest competitor will be that of a tertiary competitor,” highlighting that consumer spending choices are influenced by inflation and economic constraints. Petrusha elaborated that homeowners may prioritise expenditures on non-security upgrades, such as home appliances or landscaping, which further complicates the financial landscape for security services. He underscored that the same principles apply to the business sector, where inflation has led to increased costs across the board, creating a limited pool of available capital for security investments.
As businesses prepare for the competitive landscape of 2025, these insights from key industry leaders reveal the complexities of market positioning, customer engagement, and the challenges posed by economic conditions. The dialogue reflects a rapidly evolving industry, one that must adapt to both internal dynamics and broader economic influences to thrive in the coming years.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.sdmmag.com/articles/103864-sdm-2025-industry-forecast-a-year-of-optimism – This article provides insights into the security industry’s outlook for 2025, including trends and challenges faced by companies like those represented in the panel discussion.
- https://www.myclearopinioninsightshub.com/reports/sdm-industry-forecast-study-report – This report offers detailed insights into the security industry’s trends, challenges, and opportunities, aligning with the panel’s discussion on competitive landscapes.
- https://www.noahwire.com – This is the source of the original article, providing context for the panel discussion hosted by SDM Magazine.
- https://www.johnsoncontrols.com/ – Johnson Controls’ official website provides information on their security and fire life cycle management services, relevant to Greg Parker’s insights.
- https://www.advancedsecuritysystems.com/ – Advanced Security Systems’ website offers details on their security solutions, aligning with Chuck Petrusha’s perspectives on the industry.
- https://www.scdatacom.com/ – ScDataCom’s official website provides information on their agile all-in-one security solutions, relevant to Kathleen Ford’s comments.
- https://www.securityindustry.org/ – The Security Industry Association website provides industry insights and trends, supporting the panel’s discussion on competitive dynamics.
- https://www.clearseasresearch.com/ – Clear Seas Research is the company behind the SDM Industry Forecast, offering market research and analysis relevant to the security industry.
- https://www.asisonline.org/ – ASIS International provides resources and insights on security management, which can inform discussions on industry challenges and trends.
- https://www.siaonline.org/ – The Security Industry Association (SIA) website offers reports and insights on industry megatrends, including AI and cloud technology changes.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative discusses future projections for 2025, indicating it is recent. However, there is no specific mention of recent events or updates that would confirm its absolute freshness.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The quotes appear to be original and specific to the panel discussion. Without prior online references, it suggests these are likely first-hand quotes from the event.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative originates from SDM Magazine, which is a known publication in the security industry. However, its reliability might vary depending on the specific context and audience.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims about market competition and economic challenges are plausible given current trends. However, specific figures like ’80 percent of the market’ being regional integrators lack concrete evidence.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative appears to be recent and includes original quotes, enhancing its credibility. While the source is somewhat reliable, the plausibility of specific claims could be improved with additional evidence. Overall, it passes with medium confidence.
