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Adam Bannister is a contributor to IFSEC Global, having been in the role of Editor from 2014 through to November 2019. Adam also had stints as a journalist at cybersecurity publication, The Daily Swig, and as Managing Editor at Dynamis Online Media Group.
Ivan Ivanovski, who works for a Macedonian installation firm, on why he became an installer, his love for new technology and diversifying into fire installation.
IFSEC Global: Which areas of installation do you specialise in?
Ivan Ivanovski: My specialty is small business and home surveillance systems.
IG: How long have you been an installer and what did you do before becoming one?
II: I finished high school to become an electrical technician in telecommunications and IT and some of my first loves was surveillance systems, CCTV and computers. I have already had more than 20 years in this business. I started with computers and eventually started to worked in surveillance more than computers.
IG: Why did you become an installer?
II: First at all I like challenge. When I started to work – aged 17 – I was interested in everything, starting with cabling, then connecting devices – sensors, cameras, etc – and eventually I started to build whole systems from zero.
IG: What, if any, are your career plans?
II: I still work for another company and do some freelancing of my own, so my plans are to have my company for new surveillance systems, CCTV and computers.
IG: If you could give one tip to an inexperienced installer what would it be?
II: To listen to the older, more experienced installers and ‘steal’ their knowledge – even if you have to work without money at first.
IG: How has the role of an installer changed over the years?
II: There are new systems, new equipment and everyone expects the installer to handle it without any problems. When IP came along I learned from my colleagues and brochures.
IG: What is the most exciting area of the industry right now in your opinion?
II: Every day we have some new equipment, cameras with better performance, PC-based DVR… I think that the sky is the limit when it comes to learning and working in this area.
IG: What is the most frustrating thing about the security industry right now and why?
II: I don’t have the right answer to that because every day something frustrates me but the show must go on!
IG: Have you ever considered diversifying into fire installation?
II: I work with fire installation also, but not very often. Maybe if the market asked for it, I’d transfer to do it. Here in Macedonia we don’t have strict laws about fire installation. It’s very expensive and we still use optical fire sensors attached to burglar alarm systems on separate zones.
Maybe that will change in the future.
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