In conversations with five leading experts in the security space, this Deep Dive explores the challenges, solutions, and strategies for strengthening cybersecurity efforts, mitigating risks, and helping property managers safeguard their real estate assets. With cyber threats on the rise and advancements in technology, companies across all sectors are placing increasing emphasis on strengthening their cybersecurity efforts. For many organizations, including those in commercial real estate, cybersecurity is becoming the top priority, often taking precedence over physical security measures.

PLATTSBURGH — Chimera Integrations, a security systems integrator with deep local roots, received national recognition as SDM’s 2024 Systems Integrator of the Year.

This award is the highest honor in the security integration industry, and highlights Chimera’s efforts in technological innovation and community engagement, solidifying its reputation as one of North America’s top integrators.

Find out how security integrators are addressing the rapid adoption of AI technologies, overcoming cost challenges, implementing advanced solutions for clients, and improving internal business efficiency with AI.

Known as Eagle Eye 911 Camera Sharing, it allows first responders and emergency callers to communicate rapidly and effectively with emergency officials, all while providing immediate visual context of the situation

Chimera Integrations recently completed a comprehensive security upgrade at UHS General Hospital in Binghamton, N.Y. The hospital, which serves as a critical healthcare provider for the region, faced several challenges with its outdated security systems. Chimera’s solution not only modernized the hospital’s security infrastructure but also improved operational efficiency and patient safety.

The 2024 SDM Systems Integrator of the Year excels at its three top priorities: employee & community connection; a customer approach with cutting-edge technology; and financial success that feeds directly back into the company and the communities it serves.

Chimera Integrations, a leading innovator in security systems integration, is excited to announce the recent upgrade and public opening of its newly enhanced headquarters in Syracuse, N.Y.

This significant development reinforces Chimera Integrations' dedication to the Central New York region and complements its extensive presence across New York State, with additional offices located in Plattsburgh, Watertown, Binghamton, Potsdam, and Albany.

Casey White, President & Founder of Chimera Integrations, has a passion for problem-solving that has driven his success in the security industry. His core values of respect, collaboration, and flexibility have shaped the culture of his company. When faced with the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, Casey’s leadership vision and innovative strategies led to the doubling in size of his company. Aspiring leaders and entrepreneurs can learn from Casey’s insights to be innovative, listen to customers and employees, and remain flexible in order to make a lasting impact in their industries.

We’ve had video monitoring for a long time, which includes intrusion detection and system monitoring. Current technology can send an alert the second somebody’s breaking into a facility, but 911 Camera Sharing goes a step beyond that. In my local school district, last year, we had a series of prank phone calls about an active shooter situation. Everybody went into complete lockdown. Because a solution like Eagle Eye 911 Camera Sharing wasn’t available, the police were opening every single door, anticipating an active shooter on the other side. If they had the information that Eagle Eye 911 Camera Sharing would have provided, then they would have been able to discover much more quickly that there was no emergency.

Cybersecurity is a priority for Syracuse, NY-based Chimera Integrations and their customers as well. Chimera Integrations vice president Justin Stearns said cloud storage is always part of the deal for cybersecurity reasons. The number one reason people purchase cloud-managed and cloud-hosted services is to future proof their investment, according to Stearns. “To know that your investment will work on any operating system, anywhere in the world and from any device without having to open any ports outside of the standard two (80, 443) is a big deal,” he said.

New Security Industry Association (SIA) member Chimera Integrations is a security and communications company that is passionate about helping businesses find an integrated security system designed to help effectively secure their people and property. The company is headquartered in Syracuse, New York, with additional offices in Plattsburgh, Potsdam and Watertown, as well as two remote office in Binghamton and Rochester, and serves national accounts while maintaining a steadfast presence in the Northeast region.

Justin Stearns, Vice President of New York-based Chimera Integrations, which offers solutions for commercial, industrial, retail, and municipal sites, says that the increase in AI use is being driven by its affordability and growing range of applications. “The growing intelligence and cost-effectiveness of AI are opening up numerous use cases throughout the surveillance industry. In particular, AI is addressing critical challenges for end-users, including staff augmentation, threat intelligence, and situational awareness.”

Justin Stearns, vice president of Chimera Integrations, says 2022 and 2023 were both great years for his company, with 42 percent growth over last year.

With supply chain mostly out of the way, this year’s panelists were much more interested in discussing the issue of attracting talent. “Workforce is still a major issue, especially with how fast we are growing,” Stearns says. “We do a fairly good job of retaining talent. We haven’t lost a lot of people. But our company is just six years old and we have quadrupled in the last three years.”

Chimera Integrations recently undertook an installation project with the BCI Lakeside Division of Buckeye Corrugated, a prominent corrugated manufacturer, to shift from on-prem surveillance to a cloud-managed AI-enabled system.

The transformation at BCI Lakeside Division showcases the remarkable benefits of integrating AI-enabled surveillance and access control systems.

“I thought surveillance was going to be our largest revenue and it continues to be access control,” said Justin Stearns, vice president of Chimera Integration in Syracuse N.Y. “We are getting huge access control projects. What we do best is a single pane of glass, hardware as a service, and really offering just proactive surveillance systems with intelligent access control systems that communicate together. … And that just makes everybody’s lives easier.”

As digital threats loom large, manufacturers and security integrators are uniting to fortify the defenses of physical security systems. Discover how these industry players are navigating varied complexities and helping safeguard end users in the evolving realm of cybersecurity.

PLATTSBURGH — Chimera integrations, a technology integration firm headquartered in Syracuse with offices spanning Upstate New York, has proudly secured a prominent position on the INC 5000 list as one of the fastest growing companies in America, reaching top 5 companies in Syracuse and 202 in all of New York state.

According to SDM’s 2023 Industry Forecast, 69 percent of security professionals consider the state of the video surveillance market to be very good or excellent, while 22 percent consider it to be good, and just 10 percent believe the state of the market is poor or fair.

Chimera Integrations sponsored a hole for a one day tournament throughout downtown Plattsburgh.

“Working with Casey White and the team at Chimera Integrations has been the most enjoyable and rewarding experience of my professional career,” says O’Donnell.