WORKING FOR CDS

INTERVIEW WITH ELLIOT MOON

ELLIOT MOON

SUPPORTED BY OUR EXPERT TEAM

Right from day one, we've made customer satisfaction our number one priority.

Our staff blend a passion for system design with a common-sense business approach, that keeps our clients informed and assured, even in the most pressurised situations.

Fourteen-year CDS veteran - Elliot Moon gives us an insight into his job as a Senior Service & Maintenance Engineer, describing how he balances a wide range of demands to keep national scale clients secure.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR ROLE?

My role primarily focuses on the service side of our projects.

Typically this starts after our Installation Engineers have implemented the new system. Then it's over to me to ensure everything runs smoothly and is maintained.

From a wider team perspective, we combine our knowledge to ensure everything integrates as it should, so I frequently advise on hardware compatibility before sign-off. I'm an expert on gates and access control, so I often get consulted on this.

THAT SOUNDS LIKE YOU COVER A LOT!

Yes, I do. I cover all aspects of the security scheme, including CCTV, access control across the site, perimeter integrity, ensuring it's maintained to the required standard.

It also gets more complex, considering my clients typically have a national footprint with multi-site operations, each with its security scheme specification.

THAT SOUNDS CHALLENGING! HOW DO YOU MANAGE IT?

No matter your role at CDS, you are always part of a team, so I am lucky to work with a talented and experienced group. But yes, it is challenging, mainly covering such diverse requirements across a large geographical area. Being organised and having strong project management skills really helps.

Still, I'd say having a deep understanding of the technology is the secret sauce that gives us the advantage and makes sure everything runs smoothly. By keeping everything joined up internally, we can make sure that everything works perfectly, right from inception.

WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS YOU HAVE TO DO?

Several sites I cover have very high security requirements, so ensuring the integrity of these sites is paramount.

While all site areas are critical, ensuring no perimeter breach occurs is particularly important. No one must get in.

The gate and perimeter fence perhaps then take on a slightly higher priority in these sites. We have utilised some leading tech on the perimeter fence, such as acoustic wire, which enables us to listen to the immediate surroundings anywhere along the site boundary.

HOW DO YOU SUPPORT YOUR CLIENTS?

That's a crucial aspect of what we do, as it would be pointless if the client didn't understand their system. We see our clients as part of our wider team, and I'm used to working with diverse skill sets and levels of understanding within the client team.

I work typically with the Security or Facilities Manager, who usually has a technical background. We then figure out how to disseminate the info across the broader client team. This involves group training sessions, one-to-one sessions and follow up support documentation.

It's important that I'm approachable and give them the one-on-one time and the level of understanding they need.

WHAT OTHER CHALLENGS COME WITH THE JOB?

Retrofitting existing hardware into new systems is a common challenge for us. When we install a new system, the scenario often is to integrate existing analogue units, as the client will not have invested in all new hardware yet.

This involves a lot of system analysis and product knowledge to understand what will work. This can be very time-consuming.

Even though this is a challenge, it does enable our clients to more efficiently manage the transition from their existing security scheme to the new IP system. In addition, this often helps them take incremental steps, which is helpful from a resource and budget management perspective.

YOU'VE BEEN IN THE INDUSTRY FOR A WHILE NOW, HOW HAVE THINGS CHANGED SINCE DAY ONE?

Technologically, I mentioned using equipment like acoustic wire earlier, but the most significant change is the shift to cyber security.

When I was an apprentice, the buzz for cyber security was only just getting going. Most of the kit we worked with was analogue.

Now it's about moving forward to full cyber security infrastructure.

Many clients are still not quite at a full IP stage yet. They have evolved to a hybrid stage where analogue hardware goes through a coder to talk to the IP system. However, any new kit now is mainly IP protocol, so securing the network structure is the most significant change.

We always pride ourselves on being at the forefront of technological developments and have a team of cyber security specialists who work across projects to ensure clients are safe and everything meets regulations. We are an accredited Cyber Essentials Partner.