A decade ago, FICO management identified facility security as a key area of need for customers. They also saw that the parallels that existed between physical security and building management systems made it a logical service to offer businesses. Not long after, FICO added Gary Marrone as the firm’s security strategy consultant. Ever since, FICO customers have benefited from Gary’s experience.
Steeped in Defense-Related Security
Gary’s security career started when he enlisted in the United States Air Force in 2000. He trained in San Antonio, Texas, and then at Anderson AFB in Guam. For the next twenty years, Gary immersed himself in physical security. He helped secure Air Force bases in eastern and southern Europe, the Middle East, and throughout the U.S., guarding sensitive operations, elaborate defense systems, and multi-million-dollar aircraft and weapons systems.
Gary’s knowledge and experience led to a promotion to master sergeant and wing inspector general. He was responsible for physical security policies for the Air Force, Joint Armed Forces, and the Department of Defense. Gary developed training curricula, conducted classes, and directly supervised and coordinated more than 3,000 personnel, working with as many as 27 teams. He also received a bachelor’s degree and a master of arts in security management from American Public University.
“My final deployment was in Montana,” said Gary. “As I made retirement plans, FICO kept coming across my radar. I realized they were the company I wanted to work with as my military career drew to an end.”
Gary started part-time for FICO in 2017, helping the company structure its security business. He helped FICO set standards for installing physical security systems. When he retired from the Air Force in 2020, he joined the FICO team full-time.
Gary’s military and physical security expertise has compelled many customers to select FICO as their security contractor of choice for Montana. The Veteran’s Administration selected FICO to assist them with access control in their Montana facilities. Gary helped link the Montana VA facilities to their main headquarters at Fort Harrison. The arrangement offers maximum security for the VA, control and access to data, and ease of use for employees. Before retiring from the Air Force, one of his final projects was a review of government security regulations at all levels. Hence, Gary’s expertise was key to this project and its successful execution.
The Three Pillars of Physical Security
Gary describes the three pillars that complement one aspect of physical security:
Video surveillance– Video is an excellent tool for building and security managers to monitor their facilities. Video surveillance can detect intruders, monitor internal theft, track access control to sensitive areas, and even help reconstruct events. Banks and retail stores use video regularly to review transactions and detect fraud.
Access control– Facilities managers are constantly granting and controlling access to buildings, and access control can use key fobs, cards, RFID chips, or bar codes on employee badges. The changing dynamics in a building, or even the need for repairs, often dictates a change in who is allowed access to certain areas. There are the realities of an active shooter, a fire, or some other disaster. A facility manager with the power to control access can save lives by closing off parts of the building, preventing occupants from entering the wrong area, or routing people to safety.
Intercom– Communication is key to the smooth operation of buildings, whether it’s a factory, warehouse, a hospital, or a college or university. Used in unison with video and access control, facilities managers have strong security.
Constant Education
Gary acknowledges that the chief challenge of modern security systems is staying informed on the changes and improvements in technology and systems’ capabilities.
“Technology is driving security in today’s marketplace,” says Gary. “I maintain a network of peers in the marketplace. We keep each other updated on what the customer is looking for and the latest capabilities of the systems the manufacturers offer. I’m always looking for the latest trends and technologies that we can use to solve customer problems.”
Gary adds that one of his biggest challenges is educating security decision-makers about the capabilities of today’s systems.
“Video analytics is a fascinating area,” says Gary. “The newest video surveillance technology can even be used for specific searches such as ‘red golf hat’ or ‘green hoodie’ to go back and narrow down your search on the cloud or on-premise video servers as you track someone in your building. There are filters you can use with motion detectors in video systems that will ignore animals walking in front of your camera or weather conditions, but they will pick up someone trying to scale your fence.
Gary and his wife live in Great Falls, Montana, where they raise a family that includes three daughters and two sons. They fish, hunt, ski, and do a lot of other outdoor activities. They are also members of the faith community in Great Falls, where they attend Cornerstone Bible Church.
FICO Can Solve Your Security Issues
For over twenty years, FICO has provided turnkey security systems for businesses, schools, office buildings, hospitals, and others in and around Montana. Our dedicated security staff works with leading manufacturers to provide safe environments. We invite you to view our portfolio. Call us for a free estimate or visit our website.
