Choosing a security integrator used to be straightforward. You’d check their license, ask about their experience, and look at the brands they carried. While those factors are still important, they are now just the starting point.
In today’s hyper-connected world, every security device—from a camera to a door controller—is a computer that lives on your network. Your physical security system is now an integral part of your IT infrastructure. This convergence means the integrator you hire must be as proficient in cybersecurity as they are in physical installation.
Before you sign a contract, demand these three modern essentials. They are the new benchmarks that separate legacy installers from true security partners.
1. Deep IT & Networking Competency
A security integrator who doesn’t understand modern networking is a liability. It’s no longer enough to simply run a cable and mount a device. How that device is configured on your network is critical to your organization’s overall cybersecurity posture.
A poorly configured security camera on your network is like leaving a digital window wide open next to your newly installed physical door lock.
What to demand:
Secure Network Architecture: Do they understand and implement best practices like creating separate VLANs (Virtual Local Area Networks) to isolate security devices from your primary business network? This prevents a compromised camera from becoming a gateway to your financial systems or customer data.
No Risky Shortcuts: Do they rely on dangerous practices like port forwarding for remote access, which exposes your network directly to the internet? Or do they use secure, encrypted methods like VPNs or cloud-based management platforms that never expose your internal network?
Firmware and Patch Management: Do they have a clear policy for keeping your devices updated with the latest security patches to protect against known vulnerabilities? Outdated firmware is one of the most common entry points for cyber attacks.
Integration with Existing IT Infrastructure: Can they work seamlessly with your existing IT team or managed service provider to ensure proper network configuration and ongoing security?
The bottom line: Your integrator must be an IT expert who can ensure the systems they install enhance your security without introducing new cyber risks.
Systems Integrations: We employ a Security Industry Association Cybersecurity Certified engineer on staff, ensuring that every installation is configured with proper network segmentation, secure remote access, and ongoing firmware management. We work collaboratively with your IT team to integrate security systems seamlessly into your existing infrastructure while maintaining the highest cybersecurity standards.
2. A Culture of Cybersecurity Best Practices
How a security company manages its own internal security is a direct reflection of how they will manage yours. If their own house isn’t in order, you can’t trust them to secure yours.
This goes beyond just talking about security—it’s about their daily operational DNA. They are a privileged user with deep access to your most sensitive systems, and they must act like it.
What to demand:
Strong Internal Policies: How do they manage the passwords and network information for their clients? Do they use secure password management tools? Do they enforce Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for their own employees to access critical systems?
Principle of Least Privilege: Do their technicians have access to all client information, or only what is necessary for their specific job? Proper access controls minimize the risk of internal breaches.
Employee Training: Are their technicians regularly trained on the latest cybersecurity threats and best practices? Security is not a one-time certification—it requires ongoing education.
Secure Communication: How do they share sensitive information like network credentials or system configurations? Are they using encrypted communication channels?
Background Checks: Have all employees undergone thorough background checks as required by state law?
The bottom line: A modern integrator must practice what they preach, demonstrating a deeply ingrained commitment to cybersecurity in all their operations.
Systems Integrations: Our entire team undergoes annual continuing education on cybersecurity best practices and the latest security technologies. All employees have passed criminal background checks as required by New Jersey law. We implement strict internal security protocols, including encrypted credential management, multi-factor authentication, and role-based access controls. Our technicians are trained not just on installation, but on secure configuration and ongoing security maintenance.
3. Comprehensive Cybersecurity Insurance
This is a critical, and often overlooked, point of validation. You know to ask for a Certificate of General Liability Insurance, which covers things like accidental property damage during an installation. But what happens if the integrator makes a configuration error that leads to a data breach on your network?
General Liability insurance will likely not cover that.
What to demand:
Proof of Cybersecurity Insurance: Ask for a certificate of their cybersecurity liability policy (also called Cyber Liability or Errors & Omissions insurance for technology services). This specific insurance is designed to cover damages arising from cyber incidents, including data breaches caused by professional negligence, misconfiguration, or security vulnerabilities introduced during installation.
Coverage Limits: What are the policy limits? Are they sufficient to cover potential damages in your industry?
The bottom line: A company that invests in cybersecurity insurance understands the magnitude of the risks involved in today’s connected environment. It is the ultimate proof that they stand behind the security of their work and are prepared to be held accountable.
Systems Integrations: We carry comprehensive insurance coverage including $1 million in general liability and a $2 million umbrella policy. We understand the critical importance of cybersecurity insurance in today’s environment and are committed to protecting our clients from both physical and digital risks.
Why This Matters More Than Ever
The consequences of poor cybersecurity practices in physical security installations are real and growing:
Ransomware Attacks: Compromised security cameras have been used as entry points for ransomware that shuts down entire facilities.
Data Breaches: Improperly configured access control systems connected to corporate networks have exposed sensitive employee and customer data.
Operational Disruption: Vulnerable security devices can be hijacked and used in botnet attacks, degrading your network performance and potentially making you liable for attacks on others.
Compliance Violations: Many industries now have specific requirements for securing networked devices. An integrator who doesn’t understand these requirements can put you in violation of regulations like CMMC, NIST, or industry-specific standards.
The New Standard for Security Partnership
In 2025, a security integrator is more than an installer—they are a guardian of both your physical and digital worlds. By demanding expertise in IT, a verifiable commitment to best practices, and the financial backing of comprehensive insurance, you ensure you’re partnering with a company equipped for the challenges of the modern age.
At Systems Integrations, we are built on a foundation of both physical security and cybersecurity excellence. With over 20 years of experience and a Security Industry Association Cybersecurity Certified engineer on staff, we understand our responsibility to protect your network as diligently as we protect your property.
We use only NDAA-compliant video surveillance equipment, ensuring your systems meet federal security standards and protecting against foreign-manufactured vulnerabilities. Our technicians undergo annual continuing education on both physical security systems and cybersecurity best practices.
We’re fully licensed in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Florida, and we’re active members of NJELSA, ESA, SIA, InfraGard and BNI. Our 75 percent repeat customer rate demonstrates that our clients trust us not just for one project, but as their long-term security partner.
Contact Systems Integrations today at (866) 417-3787 for a consultation and experience the peace of mind that comes from working with a true, modern security partner.