Genetec: SSI Industry Hall of Fame 2025: Pierre Racz, President, CEO & Founder, Genetec

Racz talks about his journey to the 2025 SSI Industry Hall of Fame, including his keys to success, enduring memories and words of wisdom. Photo courtesy of Genetec MONTREAL - We continue our weeklong rollout of the five 2025 SSI Industry Hall of Fame inductees with Pierre Racz, president, CEO and co-founder of Genetec. Racz joins Christine Lanning and Tracy Larson as this year's honorees, with two more inductees to be unveiled later this week. The five inductees will be celebrated at ISC West in Las Vegas next week. The Pierre Racz Hall of Fame File Founded Genetec in 1997 Holder of 28 granted patents and contributor to more than 100 patent filings in cryptography, network security and access control Champion of privacy-by-design principles and ethical technology practices Passionate mentor and supporter of young engineering talent, leading one of Canada's largest internship programs Why Racz is in the SSI Hall of Fame Founded Genetec with a vision to transform physical security technology Under his leadership at Genetec, pioneered the shift from analog to IP-based security solutions and introduced a unified security platform, setting new industry benchmarks Genetec is today recognized as the number-one provider of video surveillance software and a leader in access control systems worldwide Has a commitment to ethical technology that has reshaped the industry's approach to privacy and cybersecurity Has taken bold stances on cybersecurity, refusing to compromise on security standards and advocating against the use of untrustworthy vendors - even at the cost of potential profits Has influenced global regulatory policies as an industry leader and has reinforced the role of security technology in protecting both assets and civil liberties Beyond his technological innovations, has built Genetec into a company renowned for its culture of innovation, collaboration and mentorship Has created an environment in which employees are encouraged to challenge conventional thinking, take risks and continuously push the boundaries of what's possible in security technology Keys to Success "I believe in hiring brilliant people and giving them the freedom to be creative. Innovation comes from curiosity, and I encourage everyone to experiment without fear of failure." "The key to building a successful company isn't just great technology; it's trust. Our customers and partners rely on us to do what's right, even when it's difficult." "Privacy and security are not at odds; they must coexist. We develop technology that protects people and organizations without compromising their fundamental rights." Enduring Memories "Over a decade ago, we faced skepticism about moving security technology to the cloud. People thought we were too ahead of our time. Now, the industry has fully embraced cloud solutions, and I take pride in knowing we were ahead of the curve." Words of Wisdom "Integrity should never be compromised. In business, there will always be opportunities to take shortcuts. But long-term success is built on trust and ethical decision-making." "One of the biggest challenges for cybersecurity is underestimating the cost of cybersecurity failures and neglecting proper cyber-hygiene. Properly pricing in the costs of cyber-negligence is only starting to happen." Making Our Industry Better "The security industry must continue prioritizing privacy and ethical innovation. We have a responsibility to develop technology that not only protects but also respects civil liberties." "We need to invest in young talent. That's why we've made mentorship and internships a core part of Genetec's culture. The next generation of engineers will define the future of security." "Cybersecurity and physical security are no longer separate challenges. We need to bridge these worlds to create a safer, more resilient infrastructure." The Pierre Racz Hall of Fame Legacy "I hope my work inspires others to challenge norms, push boundaries and always do what's right - even when it's the harder path."