Q&A: How Public Sector Experience Can Benefit Security Technology Development

For professionals in law enforcement and the military, transitioning to a career in the private security sector can present opportunities and challenges. To shed light on this process, I sat down with my colleague, Jason Tyre, who served in law enforcement for nearly 20 years. He worked closely with federal agencies before making the move to the private security industry.

Now a business development manager for smart cities at Milestone Systems, Tyre shared his experiences, insights, and advice for others considering a similar public to private career transition.

Soren Lorentsen. After serving 18 years in law enforcement working closely with federal agencies, what made you decide to transition into the security sector?

Jason Tyre. I transitioned into the security sector based on what I did as a police officer. I aspired to get into homeland security and made my way into a threat mitigation unit, where our primary focus was the protection of critical infrastructure for the state of Arizona. I got to work with everything from grants to threat vulnerability assessments, target hardening, and working with advanced technology security solutions.

I also recognized early on that I enjoyed the technology side of security. I enjoyed testing and evaluating advanced technologies and security solutions, deploying them in real-world environments, and then working with manufacturers to improve accuracy and functionality. My background, experiences, and affinity for technology in law enforcement pushed me into the security realm and where I am today.

Lorentsen. What were some of the biggest differences you noticed right away in moving from the public to private sector regarding culture and procedures? How did you adapt?

Tyre. The biggest differences I noticed after transitioning were the ability to get things done and the focus on tracking and quantifying success. Government agencies move at a slower pace, and it can be difficult to measure progress. In contrast, in the private sector we are constantly evaluating whether the organization is progressing and meeting customer needs because our work impacts the success of the business.

To adapt, I had to rethink my mindset and start to understand aspects like sales, marketing, and building brand recognition and reputation. It was important to learn how different departments within a company operate and contribute to the bigger picture goals, strategy, and success.

Lorentsen. What key skills, experiences, and perspectives did you bring from your law enforcement background that serve you well in the security industry?

Tyre. One of the most valuable skills I brought from law enforcement is the ability to speak with people and really listen to what they are saying. You learn early on as a patrol officer that you can take control of a situation by using your words. In the private sector, this has helped me immensely, as I can ask the right questions, listen to customers to understand their needs, and guide them to the right solutions.

My technical skills from being at the forefront of advanced technologies and solutions used in law enforcement have also been beneficial. I can relate to customers’ challenges and build relationships by leveraging my first-hand knowledge and experience.

You learn early on as a patrol officer that you can take control of a situation by using your words.

Lorentsen. What were some areas or concepts you had to spend time getting up to speed on related to how private firms operate as profit-driven businesses? How would you describe the process of acclimating to this more fast-paced, bottom-line-driven environment?

Tyre. Adapting to the profit-driven mindset was a significant change from government work. In the private sector, it's crucial for departments to work in tandem toward a common goal and ensure customer requirements are met. Success often relies on word-of-mouth, so meeting each customer's needs is vital, particularly in the security and law enforcement fields where validation from peers carries weight.

Getting into the mindset of profitability and understanding how individual performance contributes to the company's bottom line was challenging at first. It required a shift in thinking and learning to operate in a more fast-paced environment with a focus on constant evaluation and improvement.

Lorentsen. Are there specific misconceptions or stereotypes that individuals transitioning from law enforcement or military to the private sector may encounter, and how can these be addressed?

Tyre. There are typecasts and preconceived notions about people in all walks of life. Some people who have only worked in the private sector may have ideas about what it means to be a military or law enforcement professional—perhaps thinking they are too rigid or not creative—but these typecasts simply aren’t true.

The best way to work through any misconception is through open conversation and education. By understanding what people are trying to accomplish and listening to their needs, you can break down barriers. As people see the excellent business value that former law enforcement professionals bring through their unique perspectives and real-world experience, respect grows, and their knowledge can be leveraged to accomplish common goals.

Lorentsen. In what ways has your experience in assisting with protecting critical infrastructure in Arizona translated over into your current private role with a manufacturer and software developer?

Tyre. My experience protecting critical infrastructure in Arizona has given me a deep understanding of real-world threat scenarios for the most critical assets, from power and water generation to communications and mass gatherings. By understanding how these assets operate, the threats they face, and the challenges and limitations they deal with, I can effectively communicate with security technology manufacturers and developers.

I often act as a translator between engineers, management, and end users to help build, develop, or partner with others to provide comprehensive, multipronged solutions for specific problems. My firsthand knowledge allows me to contribute to solutions from both a development and operational perspective.

Lorentsen. What security industry skill gaps would you say retired law enforcement professionals can help fill most effectively based on their previous training and experience?

Tyre. Sometimes private-sector companies lack roots in the real-world use of their solutions. Retired law enforcement professionals bring invaluable real-world experience to the security industry. They understand the bigger picture, from development to operations, and can effectively communicate with various stakeholders. When building solutions for law enforcement or the military, having someone on staff who has done the job and can relate to the customer carries significant weight. They can help guide solutions, open doors, build relationships, and ensure the most complete and effective solutions are provided.

By understanding what people are trying to accomplish and listening to their needs, you can break down barriers.

Lorentsen. What advice would you give to law enforcement and military veterans considering a career shift into private security to help them make a successful transition?

Tyre. My biggest piece of advice is to do your homework. Talk to people and ask questions to truly understand the career roles you're considering. Job descriptions can be misleading, so it's important to educate yourself from the private sector perspective to ensure you're the right fit for a company and that you will enjoy the work.

Learn how your skills and experience will be evaluated and highlight key points in your resume to get past initial screenings and land an interview where you can articulate your background and value. Recognize that the private sector offers more opportunities for growth, often through moving between roles and organizations, which is a different mindset from the long-term commitments typical in law enforcement and the military.

And if there is a recruiter involved, take the time to articulate what you've done, because a lot of times it's difficult for a piece of paper to really say what type of individual you are and the value that you could bring to an organization.

Lorentsen. If you could improve one thing about how private security firms onboard and utilize retired law enforcement talent, what would it be and why?

Tyre. I would suggest that companies could improve the onboarding process by helping retired law enforcement professionals better understand the business systems they'll be using. Many aren't familiar with tools like Salesforce or other processes common in the private sector. Providing training on these systems and emphasizing the importance of documentation would be advantageous for both the individual's success and the overall success of the company. Coming from a background where detailed reports and documentation are standard, the key is learning where and how to apply those skills in the new environment to ensure information can be effectively leveraged, tracked, and measured.

Soren Lorentsen is director of business development, Americas, at Milestone Systems, where he brings more than 20 years of technology and IoT leadership in driving global partnerships and scaling businesses. He enjoys being customer-obsessed by thinking big to solve problems and not accepting the status quo. Working at companies like AWS and Silicon Labs, Lorentsen has developed a deep expertise in edge-to-cloud ecosystems, semiconductor platforms, and wireless IoT solutions. Lorentsen has a broad range of experience in driving relationships with Amazon, Google, Apple, and other leading global technology companies, and he has a proven track record of delivering results through cross-functional teams in complex organizations.

Lorentsen earned his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the Engineering College of Copenhagen, Denmark, and is AWS Cloud Practitioner Certified.