C O N T A V A : SECURING THE FUTURE T
BY NERISSA MCNAUGHTON
hink of the word “security.” Are you imagining a guard or police officer, perhaps an alarm system, closed circuit camera or an electronic lock on a door? Behind those commonly imagined security devices are computers, software and networks which enable these people to do their jobs. This is where CONTAVA comes in. “We provision and administer the IT infrastructure and software necessary to collect security data and apply the security rules decided upon by management. We monitor the network, look at the security devices and ensure, 24 hours a day, security is playing its role in protecting businesses assets. We are the behind-the-scenes part of what makes a business secure,” explains CONTAVA president Curtis Nikel. CONTAVA does business in the security vertical of information technology. “The opportunity which I saw,” says Nikel, “was that the information technology (IT) departments within companies were being asked to take the lead on the procurement and the administration of security technologies. This made perfect sense as most companies IT infrastructure existed amongst all of their properties. Armed with the request to procure security, IT departments then began to search for partners
CURTIS NIKEL
who could explain how security devices would behave on their networks and what the configurations would look like. Further, they needed to ensure these technologies would meet the needs of the security department and allow them to apply those security rules mentioned earlier. Understanding that IT knows best
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how to install and manage technology while security knows best how to establish rules and apply them, CONTAVA was created to bridge the two industries together.” Nikel’s instinct was right. The doors opened for the business in 2004 and ten years later, the company continues to grow at a rapid pace. “The growth has been fuelled by the passion of our employees, the trust and acceptance within our target markets and the leadership the team has been able to offer our clients,” says Nikel with pride in CONTAVA’s achievements. “There is nothing more important to CONTAVA than our culture and the quality of our people. That’s what drives our success.” Just how important is protecting client data in this day and age? Very! One needs to look no further than the recent high profile cyber attacks on Home Depot and Target. The Home Depot attack alone put 56 million consumer credit and debit cards at risk across Canada and the States. “The cyber attack risk exists for every business,” stresses Nikel. “It’s happening right now as you and I talk. People are trying to hack into networks and obtain that confidential data we all store. The concern is we are all moving into everything being networked, from our home alarm to our refrigerators; even one day our cars will report back to the manufacturer when parked in our garages. We are so networked and the risks are enormous, to individuals and companies.” What’s a company to do? Operate off the grid? That’s impossible in a world where your business doesn’t survive if we can’t search for it on Google. “You need to be connected to do business today, but you also have to protect your data,” says Nikel. “This is where CONTAVA is going. We must be leaders in this area. To work on client’s networks, businesses need to have cy-
ber business policies that protect clients and ensure integrity is never compromised.” Canada was more than ready for CONTAVA. Their first large project was University of Alberta’s Enterprise Square in 2006. “That project gave us an opportunity to work with a well-known builder and electrical contractor. It also gave us the opportunity to on board proficient technical people and create a solid foundation for business in Edmonton,” says Nikel. Many more high profile projects quickly followed, including work for the City of Calgary’s LRT system. This project showcased the full cross section of CONTAVA’s talents, including data networking, fibre optics, video storage, a command and control center, engineering, electrical work and ongoing support. In Edmonton, CONTAVA recently completed the upgraded command and control center for the LRT and is applying its security technology in many of the construction projects underway in the downtown area. Today, CONTAVA works across Canada. Its clients have properties and employees working east to west and CONTAVA’s employees are right there supporting their needs. CONTAVA technology, in the hands of the security professionals, allows millions of people to go safely to work, unlocks and locks thousands of doors, and archives hours of video for investigations. While you’re not at work, CONTAVA technology is protecting your workplace so you have one to return to the next day. “The CONTAVA difference is that we only focus on security,” Nikel explains. “We are security professionals; we employ professional engineers and perform design services for our clients. Our staff of university and college graduates combine to offer a
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very high IT IQ to our clients and allows us, as a team, to dede liver on many complex opportunities. We are the only security integrator this committed to the industry in Canada. As a fullfledged engineering company, we often earn the opportunity to work with others to be part of the early design on client’s facilities. This early planning ensures our clients receive a wellfunctioning and secure building. “Once on board with CONTAVA, our staff receives industryspecific, ongoing education. We are committed to staff that are likeminded to learning, have a passion for security and for makmak ing the community a safer place. We have a set of corporate valval ues that we live by, and we expect our employees to live by them as well. Wellbeing, integrity, respect, creatively, accountability
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and passion can be found in all of our people. We are all focused on delivering results that make a difference.” CONTAVA also makes a difference in the community. “CONTAVA’s culture is one of fun, respect and continuous learning,” smiles Nikel. “We get involved in many activities, both individually and corporately. There is not a day that goes by when someone posts a fundraiser or charitable event on our company’s intranet.” CONTAVA’s charitable participation includes the ALS Ice Bucket challenge and 630 CHED’S Santa’s Anonymous, among many others. One charitable organization that is very dear to Nikel is Crime Stoppers. He is the second generation president of the Edmonton and Northern Alberta chapter. “The value Crime
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Stoppers provides communities in Alberta is unbelievable,” he points out. “I recently met with the Edmonton Police Service and the RCMP. In both cases, the senior officials had trementremen dous respect for what Crime Stoppers provides them by way of intelligence and how it offers anonymity and information.” This year, Nikel won a well-deserved Leaders of Tomorrow award and he’s poised to keep the company on its path of growth by adding new client-centric services. He also wants CONTACONTA VA to continue as an employer of choice in the industry. He’s thankful to his clients, staff and many supporters, both personal and professional. “Building a business is a team effort and you
need to work with individuals and groups inside and outside of your wall to achieve this.” Nikel’s philosophy ensures CONTAVA and his team have a bright future forecast. “Think big,” he says in closing. “You only get what you ask for in life.” CONTAVA asked for, and received success; but it’s not an inward-focused success.
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