In our Professional of the Month section we highlight Gigi Agassini's track record and love for the industry.
By Duván Chaverra Agudelo
Gigi Agassini is a great professional, tireless and who every day strives to learn more about this industry and to share her knowledge with the rest of the professionals in all the spaces where she reads is possible.
Those who do not know her, in this space will have the opportunity to know a little more about the Manager of the Business Development area for Genetec in Mexico, CPP (Certified Protection Professional) and on the way to becoming PCI (Professional Certified Investigator).
In this section of the Professional of the Month, Gigi told us about her arrival in the industry, her professional challenges and gave us some opinions on the present and future of security.
Gigi grew up in Mexico City, is a Computer Systems Engineer and has a Master's Degree in Large Telecommunications and Transportation Networks. He says his working life began at the age of 11 when he worked in a bazaar. He was in different companies and government institutions and in the private sector he worked in a large company of Satellite Telecommunication services and in several companies when the great takeoff of the . COM's where e-commerce began. "Then I had a stage of my life dedicated to investment banking which led me to live outside of Mexico for several years," he said.
Returning to her "beautiful Mexico," an interview with a wholesaler took her to the security industry. Then he worked in an integrating company where he was close to several manufacturers "and one of them invited me to be part of his team as Regional Sales Manager and I gladly accepted". For 5 years he has worked for Genetec, a company in which he has held different positions.
Security Sales: How was your process of linking to this industry?
My start in the security industry was fortuitous, I didn't look for it, but life brought me here, I met it and I fell in love and it's where I've made a career and it's allowed me to meet great people who have guided me in this career. I am still here, in love and passionate about what I do, lover of learning and committed to myself and the industry, I am sure and convinced that we can make the world a better place, but it is a daily task.
In one of my jobs I became a member of ASIS International and ASIS Chapter 217, I listened and researched about ASIS certifications and my curiosity began about what each one meant. Talking with several colleagues they suggested me explore CPP and think about it better, well it is undeniable to say that I thought about it and for a lot, until I decided that I wanted to fulfill that goal. On my way I found one of the people who has guided me in this career, my mentor and today, my friend and even despite his refusal, he gave me the opportunity to study the DSI (Director in Integral Security) a diploma in truth fabulous, I learned a lot, I met great colleagues, today friends ... this diploma led me to be a partner of AMEXSI in which I am still active, and well the inevitable happened, the more I learned, the more I wanted to learn and finally I began my preparation for my CPP (Certified Protection Professional) certification, I will not deny that it was an immense challenge that in many moments I felt that I would not achieve it, but on March 25, 2020 I got what I wanted so much, obtaining my certification as a CPP, which brought me immense happiness and satisfaction to prove to myself once again, that by wanting and with effort, dedication and discipline you can achieve it.
My thirst to learn and professionalize only increased, which led me to do another diploma in Integral Security Management Leadership at UDLAP Jenkins where I also met great professionals, but I wanted more... because security has many areas of study and I started and achieved the diploma in Cybersecurity and Personal Data Protection also at UDLAP Jenkins in conjunction with the AMDI (Mexican Association of Computer Law).
Security Sales: What are your personal challenges, your fears, and your next goals to meet personally and professionally?
My main personal challenge is myself, I always seek to be the best version of myself, sometimes it does not go very well, but I do not stop trying day by day. This industry is very demanding because of how dynamic it is and staying updated is a constant task.
I would like to continue professionalizing more in other areas of the industry, this is challenging because with the day to day it is always complex to try to find a "balance" between all the activities, since it is not only my daily work in Genetec, I am currently Treasurer in ASIS Chapter 217, an activity that is very committed to the partners who, through their vote, they gave me their confidence to take care of the finances of our Alas International Association (Latin American Security Association), where I have been an instructor for more than 10 years, which honored me with its confidence by appointing me Consultative Vice President for the Mexico National Committee.
Additionally, I like to always contribute with my experience and knowledge, so I always stay active contributing with my grain of sand, living with the conviction that little by little we will be able to professionalize more and more to our industry.
Security Sales: What challenges do you face as a professional?
I can mention that being part of an innovation company and with the demand of our customers leads us to create solutions for different verticals and sectors, staying updated in all is, without a doubt, a constant challenge that pushes us daily to learn more new things.
In Genetec, as a leader in the area of business development in Mexico, it is a constant to keep us updated to be able to meet the demands of our customers, the team always does a great job, however, constant training is part of our days, we know how to keep up to date is part of our activities and in this way give support to each and every one of our customers, in all industries.
Security Sales: What do you think are the reasons for your recognition in this market?
It is undeniable that the passion and commitment to the security industry goes beyond the daily work I perform at Genetec, with my colleagues, collaborators and all those clients who have given me their trust to support them to meet their objectives and challenges they face. Chapters of Associations of other regions in Mexico and other countries, as well as different media (magazines, radio) of the industry, have given me spaces in which I have been able to contribute with webinars, articles, interviews, as a panelist and lecturer on topics related to the security industry.
My activism in the different associations such as ASIS Chapter 217 and WINGS International National Committee Mexico, is because as a security professional I feel an enormous responsibility and commitment to this beautiful industry and I firmly believe in its professionalization.
Security Sales: What has been the evolution that the industry has had in your country in the years you have been working in it?
1. The global video surveillance market will maintain growth at a compound annual rate of 14.2 percent during 2018 to 2025, rising from $28.184 billion in 2017 to $87.361 billion within six years. (Allied Market Research)
2. In Mexico, "the increase in insecurity in the last 20 years has brought a moral panic that has promoted the proliferation of surveillance cameras and the need to control what happens in public spaces" With an increase in cameras from 11,112 in 2011 to 33643 in 2015. (Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla)
3. It is estimated that in Mexico sales of video surveillance equipment have grown in the last five years by around 60%, and that at least eight out of ten Mexicans consider that this type of technology is effective in dealing with the security climate that is lived. (National Public Security System of Mexico)
4. Since I started in the industry, it has been thought that more cameras (speaking only video surveillance) less staff is required, which is certainly a false perception, if one person can monitor around 10 cameras, it would require 4,500 people to monitor them in 8-hour shifts without rest; however, control centres cannot accommodate so many people. (Institute of Social Research of the UNAM)
5. The attention of a two-camera operator is 22 minutes, after that lapse his attention decreases 95%. It is estimated that these operators can review up to 900 million events per month. (Secretariat of Public Security of San Pedro Garza García, Nuevo León)
The dynamism of the industry and the risks has led us to acquire more security systems, that is, more devices and although that has evolved because before it was mainly video, today we have more systems around it, such as access control systems, intercom, intrusion, card reading, to name a few; as well as the requirement to start analyzing the information that is generated day by day, this world of internet of things, brings with it more challenges such as the need to unify systems, manage them, administer them and operate them from the same interface and that they can interact with each other, with the help of "machine learning" to be able to analyze all the information that each system generates and place it in an orderly manner to be more preventive and direct systems towards prediction.
Among other challenges that digitalization brings us is cybercrime, an area that is talked about a lot, but is little applied, with the belief that there is nothing to hide, but it is more elaborate than that, talking about cybercrime, is talking about risks.
Security Sales: How do you see the future of this industry in terms of threats, demand, technological advances and applications and possibilities for expansion in Latin America?
The security industry is a demanding and dynamic industry that increasingly requires more technology in different areas. The demand and demand to meet the needs and requirements of the different users pushes manufacturers to innovate more and constantly, to work on a day-to-day basis and closely with users for the generation of new solutions and technological developments. Undoubtedly, the application of "machine learning", "Deep learning", "intelligent automation" and cybersecurity are beginning to be used or thought of implementing in some industries, but focused on security.
While 2020 was an atypical year, it brought with it many lessons, the world changed and we cannot take a step back, so we cannot pretend to do it in the same way expecting different results, we have to be resilient in the face of the dynamism of the world and its risks.
We can not lose sight of the fact that we live in an IoT world (internet of things) and that year after year interconnected devices increase, unfortunately more than 90% of these transactions are not encrypted, within the demands of this industry is also to ensure what is not seen, but that if felt at the time of the impact of having an intrusion into our network or theft of information.
In the processes / procedures of each corporation we must always consider the legal framework, so that these are within local and international regulations, the protection of information, personal data and the identity of people, must be taken with greater responsibility.
Family time, hobbies and passions
Gigi is a great admirer of her mother whom she refers to as "an extraordinary woman, a warrior, my example and inspiration, a woman whom I admire in many ways, who in her own way and as she could gave me the best: her example. My mother in addition to life gave me the best and most beautiful gift that a daughter can have: values, such as respect, honesty, loyalty above all to oneself, fighting for what you want and being faithful to your convictions, to always be better, righteousness and humility. "
He acknowledges the love he has for his two sisters and is grateful for the experiences he had with them that have been important to his life. He also highlights valuable memories with his grandparents: "My grandfather was a father to me, an inspiration and for whom today I love history so much and who inspired me to be a lover of hardware and engineering. My grandmother, another great woman in my life, an example in many aspects and who through the sayings tried to teach me, at that time I did not understand those sayings but today, they are of great help and guide in my life. My family is incredible has given me many things, but my best gift: my values, those that have forged me and opened my way in my life and have led me to be who I am today, "said our guest.
In addition to her passion for work, Gigi loves reading history, especially Mexican history and also enjoys biographical readings. He listens to all kinds of music, but considers himself more of a lover of the classics of the 60's, 70's and 80's.
"I love to know new places, so I love to take vacation trips and get to know new and historic places, meet other cultures, other people, that enriches my education. Another great passion is cooking, I really enjoy cooking, I dedicate time and I like to experience flavors and aromas, and I apply what my aunt always tells me: "little girl, the kitchen is like a laboratory, one experiments every day" and it is like that!"
Sport is another activity that she has always practiced as a long-distance runner, however the pandemic has led her to explore new physical activities such as yoga. He also enjoys watching movies and series and of course, sharing with friends and family, although the current situation has forced us to change the way we do it.
