ESA launches advisory council for new security research center

The Electronic Security Association has formed an advisory council to steer its Industry Research Center and upcoming Performance Index, with the first benchmark report set to launch later this summer. The effort is meant to give security integrators, dealers, manufacturers and other members more practical intelligence on industry health, growth and technology adoption.

Why it matters: - ESA is trying to turn its research arm into a more practical decision-making tool for the electronic security and life safety market. - The new council is designed to keep ESA’s intelligence products focused on the issues that affect integrators, dealers, manufacturers and other security companies day to day. - The ESA Industry Performance Index is intended to give the industry a common benchmark for business health, workforce capacity and technology adoption.

What happened: - The Electronic Security Association announced the formation of the ESA Industry Research Center Advisory Council on July 9, 2026. - The council will help guide the strategic direction of ESA’s research initiatives. - The inaugural members are Michael Barnes of Barnes & Associates, Kirk MacDowell of MacGuard Security Advisors, Scott R. Elkins of Zeus Fire and Security, and Ken Francis of Digital Monitoring Products. - ESA said additional council members will be announced in the coming weeks. - ESA also promoted registration for the first issue of the Industry Performance Index.

The details: - The council will advise on research priorities, emerging industry trends and topics that can create the most value for ESA members and the broader industry. - Council members will work with ESA leadership and Beacon Economics, ESA’s independent research partner. - The advisory group will provide feedback as the Industry Research Center expands its benchmarking tools, economic analysis and educational resources. - ESA said the Industry Research Center was created to provide objective economic intelligence and market insights. - The center is meant to help security companies understand industry trends, benchmark performance and make strategic decisions. - The Industry Performance Index is scheduled to launch later this summer. - The index will measure four areas: business activity and market growth, workforce capacity, revenue and business model health, and technology and AI adoption. - ESA said the index was developed in partnership with Beacon Economics. - ESA describes itself as the largest trade organization representing the electronic life safety and security industry. - ESA says its member companies employ more than 500,000 industry professionals and serve more than 34 million residential and commercial clients. - ESA provides advocacy, training, certification, resources and research. - ESA’s website is More information.

Between the lines: - The advisory council gives ESA a way to pull more operator-level input into a research platform that could shape buying, staffing and technology decisions. - The focus on AI adoption signals that ESA sees technology change as a core business issue, not just a technical one. - Bringing in Beacon Economics adds an outside research layer that may help the Industry Research Center gain credibility with members who want data, not marketing.

What's next: - ESA will add more advisory council members in the coming weeks. - The Industry Performance Index is expected to launch later this summer. - ESA’s research center will continue expanding its portfolio of benchmarking and educational resources as the council begins its work. - The first issue of the Industry Performance Index is open for registration.**