ZBeta, Inc. - Experts & Thought Leaders

ZBeta, a pioneer in delivering comprehensive physical security consulting services, has announced the appointment of Chris Martini as Principal Consultant. In this role, Chris will guide strategic initiatives, strengthen client partnerships, and help advance ZBeta's mission of delivering transformative solutions. Prior roles of Chris Martini Chris is a board-certified security pioneer with more than 30 years of experience designing and pioneering enterprise risk, physical security, and resilience programs for large, complex organisations. His career spans industries, including finance, technology, critical infrastructure, healthcare, and manufacturing, with leadership roles on both the corporate and consulting sides.  He has built and scaled global security programs, led multi-region crisis responses, and overseen large-scale technical security initiatives, including enterprise access control and video management deployments. Most recently, Chris served as Senior Security Consultant at Burns & McDonnell and previously held senior roles at Control Risks, Swiss Re, and Gemini, where he drove measurable improvements in security posture, compliance, and business continuity. He also has deep familiarity with ZBeta, having supported the company as both a Senior Consultant and Principal Consultant in earlier engagements. ZBeta's dedication to delivering programs “I’m excited to have the opportunity to rejoin ZBeta,” said Chris. “What makes this company unique is its vision, its people, and a culture that encourages collaboration and innovation. I'm eager to take on new challenges and shape solutions that drive meaningful progress through data-driven security strategies." In his new position, Chris will emphasise cultivating strong client partnerships while reinforcing ZBeta's dedication to delivering programs that meet the demands of an evolving security landscape. His familiarity with the organisation's values and priorities ensures he can create impact and add value from the first day. Chris's expertise and leadership "Chris has continually established himself as a trusted advisor and innovative thinker, and we are happy to welcome him back to the ZBeta team," said Andrew Corsaro, Vice President of Consulting Services, ZBeta. “His expertise and leadership will be instrumental as we continue to build programs that deliver unmatched value for our clients." Chris is actively engaged in professional organisations, such as ASIS International. He is also a frequent speaker and contributor to pioneering industry conferences and publications.

One year after introducing LabZ, ZBeta is showcasing how the initiative has evolved from a bold concept into a cornerstone of the company’s mission — enhancing its ability to anticipate and meet the evolving needs of its client base. What began as the first-of-its-kind proving ground has matured into a hub for immersive, data-driven testing and collaborative problem-solving. Advanced testing environments LabZ enables security pioneers to design, measure, and validate strategies for building more trusted operations By combining advanced testing environments with applied research, LabZ enables security pioneers to design, measure, and validate strategies for building more trusted and resilient operations. “LabZ reflects our dedication to creating meaningful opportunities,” said Hash Salehi, Director of Technology and Innovation, ZBeta, adding “In just one year, it has become a powerful platform where we can explore new ideas, gain actionable insights, and shape solutions — helping us build stronger relationships and attract new clients who share this vision.” How technologies perform in real-world environments? A key milestone of the past year is the creation of the industry’s first product hub, giving security pioneers the ability to differentiate between manufacturer solutions and document how technologies perform in real-world environments. Alongside initiatives in product testing, thought leadership, and compliance, LabZ equips organisations to anticipate emerging risks, harness data for greater intelligence, and strengthen resilience. New chapter for physical security When ZBeta unveiled LabZ, it marked a new chapter for physical security, long shaped by legacy approaches and gradual change. Built on the principle that the future of security should be tested and proven in real-world conditions, LabZ provides the framework for validating strategies before deployment at scale. “LabZ is now a proven platform for innovation and testing,” said Zack Brunette, CEO, ZBeta, adding “We’ve scaled its leadership, sharpened its focus, and expanded capabilities to deliver insights and experiences that create greater value for the wide range of organisations we work with.” Interactive LabZ demonstration At Global Security Exchange 2025 in New Orleans, ZBeta will feature an interactive LabZ demonstration, allowing participants to experience a day in the life of its activities. A new video also highlights the company’s vision, offering an integrated look at how LabZ’s culture of innovation is shaping modern security environments.

ZBeta, a pioneer in delivering comprehensive physical security consulting services, has appointed Chris Deck as a Senior Technology Consultant. With nearly 30 years of experience in physical security system design, Chris brings deep technical expertise, proven leadership, and a global perspective to his new role. Prior roles of Chris At ZBeta, Chris partners with clients to develop and deliver integrated security infrastructures that tackle intricate challenges, exceed regulatory standards, and enhance operational performance. Chris has helped guide engineering teams, led large-scale project implementations across international markets He emphasises building security strategies that are tightly connected to organisational priorities — helping businesses protect critical assets, strengthen resilience, and create environments where businesses and security pioneers can operate with confidence and success. Over the course of his career, Chris has helped guide engineering teams, led large-scale project implementations across international markets, and provided strategic consulting for organisations in industries ranging from airports and hospitals to universities, manufacturing sites, and data centres. His track record of delivering innovative, reliable solutions has made him as a trusted advisor in the security industry. ZBeta’s innovative solutions and services  “Chris’s depth of experience and consultative mindset make him an invaluable addition to our team,” said Andrew Corsaro, Vice President of Consulting Services, ZBeta. He adds, “His ability to blend technical know-how with strategic insight will further strengthen ZBeta’s ability to deliver innovative solutions and services that support our clients’ evolving needs.”

Physical security isn’t a one-time project or a static system. It’s a dynamic, ongoing process and program that requires constant attention and management to remain effective. While the initial implementation of a security system — what we often call Day 1 — is critical, the ongoing maintenance, service, and adjustments made after systems are operational, or Day 2, are equally essential. Security program long-term Organisations that fail to focus on post-occupancy security operations risk falling victim Organisations that fail to focus on post-occupancy security operations risk falling victim to a phenomenon known as "program drift," where systems and policies gradually deviate from their intended standards over time. To manage your security program long-term, you often need an outside perspective. By engaging a security partner to provide managed services, organisations can achieve a strategic solution for maintaining their security programs' integrity, effectiveness, and efficiency over the long term. Let’s look at the reasons why. Moving beyond Day 1 Day 1 is the milestone moment when a security system is launched — whether it’s a new system, an upgraded access control platform, or a transition to advanced surveillance technology. On this day, all components align with established policies and standards. Yet, Day 1 is only the beginning of a security program's lifecycle. What happens on Day 2 and beyond is often where the real work begins. Without a robust plan for ongoing service and maintenance, security systems can quickly fall out of compliance. Policies become outdated, configurations drift, and vulnerabilities emerge. This gradual degradation — program drift — occurs not due to neglect but as a natural result of decentralised management; competing operational priorities; and the lack of dedicated, knowledgeable resources to oversee the systems. Avoiding program drift Drift is particularly pronounced in physical security because, unlike other building systems Program drift occurs when a security program’s elements — such as access controls, camera placements, or intrusion detection settings — gradually become misaligned from their intended standards. Think of a straight line representing perfect compliance on Day 1. Over time, various factors push individual components off this line. Left unchecked, these deviations accumulate, leading to significant vulnerabilities and deferred remediation costs that would be much easier to manage and predict with a more proactive approach. Drift is particularly pronounced in physical security because, unlike other building systems such as lighting or HVAC, security measures are often viewed as inconveniences. Even when systems function as designed, features like turnstiles, visitor management, or additional access controls may face pushback for being "in the way" of daily operations. This resistance and the Day 2 problems that often result — along with the lack of centralised oversight — exacerbate the risk of misalignment and ongoing inefficiencies. Why centralised post-occupancy management matters Post-occupancy management is critical for maintaining the long-term health of a security program. Facility managers, who are often tasked with overseeing security systems, may lack the technical expertise or bandwidth to handle the complexity of modern security infrastructure. Partnering with dedicated professionals to help meet these responsibilities ensures systems are managed effectively and vulnerabilities are addressed proactively. It also helps improve system availability and uptime, accelerate break/fix response and resolution times, lower ownership costs by reducing unnecessary and repeat service dispatches, and achieve a more consistent end-user experience. Moreover, centralised management provides a consistent framework for handling security systems across multiple sites. This consistency is vital in preventing Program Drift, ensuring that local variations or individual decisions do not undermine the organisation’s overall security posture. The case for managed services Hiring outside consultants offers a proactive and professional approach to mitigating program drift Hiring outside consultants offers a proactive and professional approach to mitigating program drift. Specialised providers have the expertise, tools, and resources to manage complex security systems effectively and ensure those systems remain aligned with organisational policies and performance expectations. By acting as a dedicated external resource and interfacing regularly with your security team, your consultant can help you build, manage, and optimise a variety of services that help keep your program on track. These services range from system health and availability management (break fix); move, add change management; system configuration administration; and program/project management offices. Key benefits in the following areas Let’s look at how a managed services a partner can yield key benefits in the following areas: Standards compliance. Centralised management ensures that security systems and processes remain in compliance with established policies and standards, reducing vulnerabilities caused by ad hoc changes or decentralised management. Operational efficiency. Managed services streamline maintenance and support workflows, minimise downtime, and ensure quick issue resolution. Enhanced security resilience. Proactive monitoring and maintenance reduce the likelihood of system failures and improve overall system reliability. Standardised processes for move-add-change (MAC) activities ensure that security configurations remain consistent across locations. Cost savings. Outsourced providers help organisations optimise resources, avoid errors, and benefit from economies of scale in service delivery. Strategic focus. Outsourcing also allows internal teams to shift their focus from routine operational tasks to higher-value activities, such as strategic planning, threat analysis, and incident response. Long-term value of security investments While Day 1 success is the foundation of a comprehensive program, what happens on Day 2 determines your ability to realise the long-term value of your security investments. As the complexity of security challenges grows, pioneers must prioritise sustained management and professionalised oversight to protect their organisations, making the conversation around post-occupancy security more critical than ever.  By adopting innovative strategies, implementing mature toolsets and processes, and leveraging specialised expertise, organisations can ensure their programs remain robust, aligned, and prepared to meet the challenges of tomorrow.