We are excited to announce the opening of our office in Switzerland!
Since 1988, we’ve helped clients with security in almost all 50 states and at least 28 countries. Because of our current projects and relationships, it’s time for us to open a European office.
So who gets to go to Switzerland? Marty McClanahan.
Marty has had a significant career in both IT and Physical Security with 10 years of Corporate Security and 15 years of IT Support experience in the pharmaceutical industry. He was recently embedded in Honolulu, Hawaii, providing direct installation, configuration, and post-installation validation testing for the Honolulu Rail Transit Project (Hawaii’s largest public works effort).
We’ve been so glad to have Marty in the office and will miss his daily presence when he leaves!
We wanted to ask him about his experiences so far since we won’t be seeing him on a daily basis anymore. Here’s what he had to say.
What have you been doing to prepare yourself for living in Switzerland? Skiing lessons. (Just kidding!) Mostly there is a great deal of time and work required to seek local Swiss approvals to even be considered for remote work in Switzerland. Unlike visiting different European countries for vacation (where you can visit without Visa for up to 90 days), working in Switzerland is a more complex task. It requires multiple reviews, meeting immigration quotas, canton approval and federal approval from the local Swiss authorities. From a local point of view, I am mostly wrapping up some loose ends here in Raleigh before making the transition to Switzerland. I’ve been spending as much time as I can with my two sons (and I’m looking forward to having them fly over for a visit). Once there I’ll be focused on selecting housing, setting up banking, selecting a local Swiss healthcare plan, reviewing travel methods (car/bikes/trains), and understanding the local rules and regulations to help make the transition as smooth as possible. I’ve also been trying to learn a little French. It is an exciting and challenging adventure which should provide many rewards once fully settled.
What will you be doing for this client? Assisting them with the review of currently implement security systems globally and putting together a strategy for implementation of a centralized security system. I’ll also be helping them through the RFP process for manufacturers and integrators through different phases of the project.
What have you found interesting about the work for this client so far? There’s a lot of detail and planning involved with constructing a manufacturing site. They are filled with equipment and technology, making them complex areas to secure.
What has been the most surprising thing so far? Seeing the overwhelming support from senior leadership to employees in the support of Ukraine. This was very refreshing to see.
What are you most looking forward to? I am looking forward to becoming settled in Switzerland and bringing over my wife. During the weekends and holidays, we can explore places in Europe that we haven’t had the opportunity to visit.