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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.
May 29, 2015

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“I’m in my 10th year and I’m Yet to Meet another Female Engineer”

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Over the course of a decade in the job engineering manager at ADB Alarms Samantha Bennett has already experienced profound changes in the nature of her role.

In a wide ranging interview Bennett also reflects on the lack of female engineers and a range of other industry issues.

IFSEC Global: How has the role of security installer/engineer changed during your time in the industry?

Samantha Bennett: Over the course of my time in the industry the role has changed dramatically. When I first started at ADB we were mostly installing hard-wired systems, which took several weeks to install and occasionally groundwork if underground cabling was required. Now we see a wide range of wireless systems with a long-range capability, which are easy to install, thus cutting down installation time and the manual effort required. Honestly the new recruits have no  idea how good they have it!

IG: How has security tech changed during your time in the industry?

SB: The technology has vastly changed! We obviously see a wide range of old and new systems over a period of time. We see things from a simple switching relay to IP Addressable equipment. Your knowledge has to be vast, not to mention your memory. This is where the older engineers come into play. I work alongside two fantastic gentlemen who have both been in the industry for over 35 years. Occasionally the new technology baffles them and we often find our younger staff teaching them the new technology as they teach us the old. It proves to be rather challenging teaching old dogs new tricks! I say this in a light-hearted manner!

IG: What do you see as your principal priorities for getting more qualifications or training? And why?

SB: At the moment we are rather unsure what our training priorities are. Are we looking to employee installation engineers or IT engineers? At the moment, with the way the technology is heading, it’s very hard to say. But as a company we are embracing the technological changes and find our clients have a very positive attitude to this – even the older generation, as they have more time to play with it. We anticipated the younger generation to take up this market, but this is not the case.

IG: Would you prefer to be called an engineer than an installer? Should the industry call you integrators or engineers instead?

SB: When I first started my employment at ADB the term ‘installation engineer’ was appropriate, but now I’m leaning toward integrator. adb alarms sam web 2Home/office automation is on its way and ADB want to be at the forefront. It’s a very exciting prospect with so many possibilities.

IG: What do you feel about working in a male-dominated industry?

SB: I’m in my 10th year with ADB Alarms and I have come across only one other female engineer. After nearly a decade of working in the industry I still get mixed reactions. I can’t help but feel women are not given the same opportunity from a young age and it is a constant battle to prove our worth in such a male-dominated trade.

However, I have a very supportive employer who has encouraged me to achieve my goals and recently in 2014 I became manager of my department. I feel the security industry could benefit from more female engineers.

We find our elderly clients, especially ladies, feel more comfortable with a female engineer as we may seem less intimidating. Myself and my employer, ADB Alarms, would love to get more women involved and I would love a female addition to my team.

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