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FAST Security Technician of the Year Awards

The Foundation for Advancing Security Technology (FAST) presents the Fourth annual Security Technician of the Year Awards.

Security technicians are a vital part of the security industry, helping to design, install and maintain critical technologies and systems in our communities every day. Their efforts to install and service security systems are foundational to the safety of the places in which we work and live and to our nation’s homeland security. This award program recognizes security technicians who have demonstrated excellence, premier customer service and leadership within their organizations. Check out the winners of the 2026 awards here.

Eligibility Criteria

Those nominated must meet all requirements set forth below to be considered eligible as an award recipient.

  1. Awards nominations are open to members of the Security Industry Association (SIA) Electronic Security Association (ESA) and/or the PSA Security Network (PSA).
  2. Each nominee must have at least 1 year of professional experience in the security industry.
  3. Current officers, directors and key employees of SIA, ESA, PSA and the immediate families of SIA, ESA, PSA officers, directors and key employees are not eligible to receive awards under the program.
  4. Companies may nominate as many individuals as they would like. A maximum of two winners will be chosen per company.
  5. Individuals who have received technician recognition from SIA, ESA, or PSA are not eligible for the FAST Technician of the Year award during the same year or the subsequent year.

Nomination Process

Each form must be completed as follows:
  1. The nomination form, completed with accurate and up-to-date information.
  2. Short answers to the following questions:
    1. Why should this individual be recognized as Security Technician of the Year? (500 words maximum)*
    2. What sets this individual apart? Describe how they have made a meaningful impact on their company, the security industry, or their community. (500 words maximum)*
    3. How does this individual demonstrate technical expertise and strong customer service in their role? Describe how their skills and approach support safety and security objectives and contribute to client satisfaction. (250 words maximum)*
    4. What leadership qualities does this individual demonstrate that make them exceptional? Describe how these qualities benefit your company. (250 words maximum)*
    5. If selected, will the company cover travel expenses for the person to attend the awards ceremony at ESX on June 4th?

* Scored questions

Award Selection Committee

The FAST Award Working Group (the “Committee”) will consist of volunteers from SIA’s, ESA’s and PSA’s membership bodies. Committee members are volunteers and perform their duties without compensation, financial or otherwise. If the Committee is reviewing the application of an applicant who is an employee of the Committee member’s company, or if the Committee member is otherwise conflicted with respect to the applicant, the Committee member shall recuse him or herself from all deliberation and voting regarding the applicant’s application.

Selection Process

1

Only those nominees who meet the eligibility criteria and have been nominated via a completed a nomination form on or before the deadline will be considered in the selection process.
It is the nominator’s responsibility to submit a complete form, which must be received on or before the deadline. The Committee accepts no responsibility for incomplete forms, lost submissions, or any other submission not in compliance with these requirements or the instructions provided within the nomination process.

2

3

The Committee shall review each nomination and award points based on the nominee grading criteria set forth below. As noted above, a committee member with a conflict with respect to any applicant shall not participate in the review or grading of that applicant’s application and supporting materials.

The award will be based on the Committee’s scores of the overall quality of the application and essays. The nominations receiving the highest scores shall be awarded. In the case of a tie, the SIA, ESA, and PSA CEO’s will make the final decision.

4

5

Award selection shall be made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other category protected by federal, state or local law. Conversely, an applicant will not be selected solely based on one or more of the categories identified above.
The decision of the Committee is final and not subject to review.

6

7

All deliberations and decisions of the Committee shall be recorded in Committee meeting minutes, which shall be drafted contemporaneously with the review and decisions of the Committee.

Applicant Grading Criteria

The following applicant grading criteria will be followed by members of the Committee in reviewing applications and determining those applicants that will be granted awards:

See scoring rubric below for more details.
Scoring rubric

Important Dates for 2026

Nomination Deadline: Wednesday, April 22

Award Presentation: Thursday, June 4

Submit a nomination