W


e asked a range of people in different roles in security to provide a summary of their career to date, how they got there and any advice they would pass on to others.


Kuldeep Kainth Contract Manager, CIS University of London


I started working as a security officer whilst studying for a degree in Decision Analysis and IT. I


got a summer job at a large local brewery and ended up being promoted to supervisor there after I saved hundreds of thousands of pounds by working out systems weaknesses that unscrupulous employees were exploiting in the picking systems!


I moved on to a couple of roles working as security manager, including at one of the UK’s biggest retail and lifestyle destinations. I was also enrolled on a management programme. I’ve been lucky to have good training, excellent personal mentoring (which I feel is really important for confidence building) and good experience in how modern, corporate security is managed. I worked briefly as a commercial manager for one of the “big four” supermarket brands, giving me an essential grounding in retail, before I got a job working in security again at one of London’s biggest airports. There I was promoted to terminal security manager before getting my current job here with CIS at Goldsmiths’ University of London.


My current role is so varied; managing people throws up some great challenges and is very rewarding. I really believe relationship development with the client and end users is a big part of my day-to-day work. I’m really big into delivering results, having something to show for my hard work. My studies gave me a taste for data analysis and unless I am seeing real, tangible improvement, I know it’s time to go back to the drawing board. Sometimes this requires a cultural change or changing people’s mindsets, which is one of the more challenging things to do.


There are endless opportunities in this industry. My top tip would be to specialise in an area and become a thought leader by researching and demonstrating an appetite for knowledge and innovation. A good grounding is, of course, essential at entry level and that can be achieved by working as an officer for a while. This is a really enjoyable job in terms of the variety but it can be overwhelming too. Keeping healthy in body and mind is vital to do the job well, so fresh air with friends and family is my recommendation for managing the swan metaphor: speedily paddling away while smiling elegantly above the water’s surface!


Simon Cook


Sales Engineering Manager Genetec


Like many security professionals, my career in the industry happened rather by chance. Leaving


college, I had no idea what I wanted to do. I started out at a computer company and then moved to a communications company, keen to evolve my technical knowledge. This got me into voice and data networking, which in turn led to a new job at a large networking manufacturer. Here, I attended a number of courses on different aspects of the IP realm and ended up as a third line support engineer.


After six years I moved from post sales into presales. Whilst I enjoyed troubleshooting and fault finding, I wanted to work on the design of networks, rather than the support side. A discussion with an old colleague secured me a sales engineer position with a systems integrator. Here I built my knowledge of servers, storage and network security – technologies that are all still relevant in my role today.


This prepared me well for my entry into the security industry as a sales engineer at Axis Communications. My mentor was the very knowledgeable Atul Rajput (now Regional Director Northern Europe at Axis) and I worked with a great team who helped me hone my skills. I enjoyed the role immensely, and spent most of my time assisting and training installers moving into IP, and in turn learnt the intricacies of evolving surveillance camera technology.


From Axis, I moved to Genetec, because with the hardware side under my belt, the software side seemed a logical step. My role today is busy and varied, each day offering something different – from working on enterprise level design, public speaking, training, writing articles or working on better customer support strategies. It can be challenging, with long periods of travel and high levels of pressure which can be hard to balance with my home life. But, I’m lucky to work for a company with great products, backed by a great team who all share the same drive and passion – as well as understanding and supportive family and friends!


I often encourage people to step into security and can offer the following pointers from my own experience: find a company/product that excites and motivates you, understand what your competition does and finally, understand


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the problems that your customer is trying to solve, and build a solution that fits. Don’t just sell features, as in the long term, that won’t get you anywhere.


Paul Beschizza Security Systems Service Supervisor


Lazerbeam Fire and Security


I have always had an interest in electronics and


was the kind of person who took things apart to find out how they worked. As a result, my parents encouraged me to begin my career working for my uncle who was a locksmith. Thanks to my parents’ encouragement, I went on to train as an installation engineer, later progressing on to a service engineer and eventually I was promoted to a supervisory level. Along the way, I took it upon myself to attend evening classes to obtain the qualifications I needed.


I worked with one company for 28 years, installing and maintaining various security systems such as intruder and flood alarms. This included about 5 years on the London Underground, working on access control, CCTV and PA systems.


Eighteen months ago, I joined Lazerbeam as a security systems service supervisor. My day- to-day role takes me to our customers’ sites, ensuring the smooth installation, commissioning and maintenance of security systems, including fault finding. A large part of my role is working with our customers, advising them on their systems and dealing with any issues that arise. I work closely with my engineers, training and guiding them, checking their workmanship, assessing new products and troubleshooting.


In this job, you are generally working in an environment where business must carry on as usual, so you need to have strong people skills, confidence, and patience. You should also be someone who thrives on customer service and takes pride in your work.


The best thing about this job is the variety – you are not stuck in the same place all the time – you meet many different people. In addition, you get to solve various problems often thinking on your feet, which on its own can be very satisfying.


There are not enough engineers in the security sector, and I would encourage anyone who is good with people and has an interest in electronics to get involved. You will always be employed. My top tips for success are work hard, listen and respect people.


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