The Security Industry Association (SIA), in cooperation with Mercer County Community College located in Township, New Jersey, has unveiled a the launch of the Systems Technology Associate in Applied Science Degree in Security Systems and Technologies.
The program aims to address the inadequate supply of highly skilled workers in the security industry. The program prepare students for jobs that support the selling, installation and management, and technical support of physical security systems technologies in an IP-based networked environment.
The inaugural course, taught by Doug Haines of the Haines Security Group, is Systems Integration: A Business Blueprint, seeks to offer students the tools to create security solutions by assessing customer needs. Other courses available through the Security Systems Technology program include: Physical Security Product Technologies, Fiber Optics, Scaling Networks, and Network Security among many others.
SIA CEO Don Erickson explained that the degree program is designed to attract and train a new generation of professionals.
“Today, physical security solutions are delivered and managed on traditional IP-based computer networks and end devices. Clearly, the need exists for specialists who understand both physical security and logical security,” Erickson said. “Mercer County Community College has been the perfect partner to help the Security Industry Association begin to address that need.”
SIA is the leading trade association for electronic and physical security solution providers. One of their primary methods of protecting members’ interests is advancing industry professionalism through education and training; opening global market opportunities; and collaboration with other like-minded organizations.
Graduates of the course will be expected to:
- Understand, configure, and install physical security hardware and software, cameras and optics, access control systems, video management systems (VMS), as well as fire and burglary systems, and perform control station monitoring;
- Understand, describe, and implement physical security practices and procedures;
- Understand, describe, and implement computer network protocols and standards;
- Sit for the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) and CompTIA Security+ exams;
- Use printed and online technical documentation; Work effectively as individuals and in work – groups to install and implement physical security systems technologies; and Demonstrate written and oral communication skills.
Students who have successfully developed these skills are eligible for internships with security product manufacturers, security system integrators, and distributors.
Mercer County Community College has received unprecedented support from the City of Trenton, which will allow the college to use the area around its campus in downtown Trenton into a real-life learning lab.
“We are excited about the participation from the security industry with the hands-on lab, and it is our intention that students implement their learning by actively working on actual security projects for the campus. The mayor has connected with the college on this initiative and supports this concept,” said Winston Maddox, Dean, Business and Technology, Mercer County Community College. “The Security Industry Association has been a vital partner in helping this urban learning lab come to life with the generous support of its members.”
