Apr 4, 2025

SECURE Perspectives: Jen Manix, Enterprise Account Executive at Verkada and WISF AmbassadHER Manix traces her security industry career path and what she's learned along the way as well as how to make the sector even better. Published: April 4, 2025SSI Staff [display_gallery_copyright_text] Photo courtesy of Verkada For this edition of SECURE Perspectives, the Security Industry Association (SIA) spoke with Jen Manix, who is enterprise account executive at Verkada and a Women in Security Forum AmbassadHER . SIA: How did you get into the security industry? Jen Manix: My first role in the security industry was as an inside sales rep at Security 101, and I couldn’t be more grateful. From day one, I was fascinated by the industry: everything from witnessing how technological advancements drive innovation to seeing how people and partnerships are at the heart of it all. What really stood out to me was how relationship-driven the industry is. You’re constantly meeting new people, building trust and collaborating to solve real-world challenges. It’s also incredibly dynamic — there’s always something new to learn, whether it’s the latest technology or evolving customer needs. SIA: How does your organization serve the security industry? Manix: Verkada is all about making the user experience for our customer intuitive and easy. This starts with our cloud-based software platform that connects video security cameras, access controls, alarms, environmental sensors, intercoms and workplace management tools under a single pane of glass and also extends to our approach to privacy. Some of the features we’ve introduced to keep people and places safe in a way that respects privacy include Live Face Blur, which automatically blurs the identities of people in live video feeds, and Enterprise Controlled Encryption, which puts the encryption and decryption processes directly in the hands of our customers. SIA: What is your current position? Manix: I’m an enterprise account executive, specializing in manufacturing organizations. SIA: What types of job functions do women fill in your company? Is there diversity of roles in your company, or do women gravitate toward certain job functions? Manix: Women are making an impact across every team at Verkada — from engineering and product development to sales, marketing and operations. What I really appreciate is how Verkada actively supports and empowers these women through initiatives like our Women at Verkada (WAV) employee resource group. WAV’s mission is to connect and equip women to lead, innovate and succeed in their careers. The group offers a variety of resources, including regular programming and community touchpoints like speed networking sessions, mentorship opportunities, guest speaker events and community-building activities through volunteering. You can also connect with women doing similar work through WAV subcommunities like our Enterprise Women channel — a great space to share ideas, get advice and cheer each other on. These resources have helped foster a stronger sense of community for women at Verkada and the industry as a whole. SIA: With more and more data that shows diversity makes a better workforce, what opportunities do you see for women in the security industry? Manix: The opportunities for women in the security industry are endless. This is such a dynamic, fast-growing space, and there’s truly a path for every interest or skill set. If you love technology, you can help shape the future of the industry by working with product teams to build innovative solutions. If you’re creative, there’s plenty of room to flex your skills in marketing or branding. And if you thrive on building relationships, working in sales offers the chance to connect with people and make a tangible impact on safety and security. SIA: What impediments do you see for achieving this? What could remedy some of these impediments? Manix: I think the key to getting more women into the security industry is getting in front of them earlier. People often don’t realize what’s possible until it’s right in front of them, and that’s especially true in an industry like ours. We need to be more present at women-focused job fairs, career events and other early touchpoints, showcasing the wide range of opportunities available and highlighting the meaningful impact of this work. SIA: What do you see as important trends in the security industry? Manix: A major trend I’m seeing beginning to take hold across the security industry is the transition by which technology is shifting end users from a reactive approach to a proactive one. New solutions like artificial intelligence-powered alerts that can monitor and flag specific behavior to search tools that let users use natural language like “person wearing a red baseball hat last Tuesday” to find relevant footage in seconds are helping organizations shift their focus from only responding to incidents to proactively identifying and preventing potential threats before they occur. SIA: More specifically, what trends are you seeing in Verkada’s space as a manufacturer of video security, access control and smart building solutions? Manix: Another major trend we’re seeing is the growing use of video security cameras for applications beyond traditional safety and security. Businesses are tapping into video security data to gain insights that help them better understand customer behavior, optimize staffing and improve overall operations. For instance, retailers are using heat maps to track foot traffic and optimize store layouts, while manufacturers are integrating video footage with product serial number data to enhance quality control. As AI technology continues to evolve, I believe we’ll see even more organizations using their video security systems as a powerful tool for both safety and smarter decision making. SIA: What are the top challenges your company has faced in the last year? Manix: Verkada’s cloud-based solutions provide organizations with easy and intuitive tools to keep their people safe; however, some organizations have been slow to adopt cloud-based cameras and other physical security solutions, often due to concerns about initial investment costs or a lack of awareness regarding the potential benefits. To help bridge this gap, Verkada introduced Command Connector this year to create an on-ramp for customers who are transitioning from their existing on-prem video security systems to our cloud-based platform. Command Connector allows Verkada customers to easily connect third-party cameras to Verkada’s Command platform, unlocking the benefits of Verkada’s scalability, flexibility and analytics capabilities. This has been a game-changer for organizations exploring a transition to the cloud, allowing them to experience key benefits — like our advanced suite of AI tools — while building proofs of concept and making a stronger case for full migration and deeper investment in integrated solutions. SIA: What are the biggest opportunities your company — and the security industry — are seeing? Manix: It’s becoming so much easier to integrate systems, which, again, has been driven largely by cloud adoption. Cloud-based physical security platforms are making security solutions more open and flexible, allowing organizations to connect their security devices with other tools and sources of data. Some of the ways I’ve seen organizations use integrations to get more value from their security solutions include integrating with evidence collection tools to quickly and seamlessly export video archives or other data logs or even connecting point-of-sale systems with video footage to monitor transactions and reduce shrinkage in retail environments. These examples are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to how integrations are transforming security systems into versatile solutions that support a wider range of organizational needs. SIA: What do you hope the SIA Women in Security Forum can achieve for the security industry? Manix: I hope the SIA Women in Security Forum can help make the security industry a top-choice career path for women. There are so many exciting opportunities in this field, but many young women don’t realize these opportunities exist because security isn’t often part of the conversation when they’re considering career paths. By raising awareness, getting in front of young women earlier, and showcasing the diverse roles available, I believe the Women in Security Forum can help change that. If we can show the next generation how rewarding and dynamic this industry can be, we’ll not only bring more women into the field, but also benefit from the new ideas and perspectives they’ll bring with them. SIA: What is your best advice for women in the security industry? Manix: Be bold, be brief and be memorable. Whether you’re applying for a job, making a sale or presenting an idea, it’s always important to be purposeful and efficient in how you communicate. In a fast-paced industry like ours, people remember those who show up with clarity, conviction and a genuine passion for what they do. SIA: Who or what was the strongest influence in your career? Manix: I’ve been fortunate to have several key mentors throughout my career: Phil Bomeisl at Security 101, Eric Lindsey and Ryan Bailey at Knight Watch and Nicole McDargh at Delaware North. Each has played a pivotal role in shaping me as a professional, and I hope I can honor them by shaping the next generation. SIA: How do you define success? Manix: For me, success is about finding joy in what you do while making a meaningful impact. It’s about knowing that your work matters — whether that’s helping a customer solve a challenge, contributing to a team goal or seeing the positive results of a project you’ve worked hard on. At the same time, success is also about balance. It’s finding that sweet spot where you’re pushing yourself to grow and achieve but also making space for the people and activities that bring you happiness outside of work. SIA: What would you say to new upcoming women in the security industry? Manix: Never turn down an opportunity to learn. Security is a fast-moving, exciting space with endless opportunities — but like any career, there will be challenges along the way. Appreciate those moments, because that’s where the real growth happens. You also don’t need to navigate this industry alone. Find your community — people who can be your north star, offering guidance and support. Groups like the SIA Women in Security Forum community are a great place to build those connections. SECURE Perspectives is a column by the Security Industry Association (SIA), profiling women in the security industry. This column is part of SIA’s Women in Security Forum (WISF), a community created to support the participation and advancement of women in the security industry, which fosters growth and advancement through programs, professional development and networking opportunities.