We’re odd. Katalytic was originally formed to provide bespoke video-based physical security systems to discerning clients who have unusual needs. We observed that many of the larger physical security firms had business models that did not support the intensive specific analysis, customization, and extended installation timeframes that characterize our work and our clients’ needs. We felt that the “one size” approach did not fit all. We’ve expanded our business focus since then. But our original “bespoke” operating philosophy is intact.

Katalytic has core competencies unique to our industry, built from decades of experience in military and physical security, threat analysis, weapons systems engineering, advanced weapons development, special operations, program management, and corporate operations. We use systems design protocols and methodologies that were originally developed for advanced weapons systems. We have several years experience in commercial and home security operations “with the enemy”. Couple that with a network of artists, IT technicians, electrical engineers, weapons system software engineers, fine cabinetry carpenters, faux-finishers, and a myriad of other specialized talents, and you will begin to capture the tangible essence of Katalytic. Loosely defined on the periphery, solid at the core. We enjoy being good at what we do.

We’re committed to video. We are a small group of dedicated professionals, who are intensely focused on appropriate application of video technology. We feel that the current state of the practice doesn’t fully exploit video technology, for a number of reasons. We formed Katalytic to capture the full capabilities of this explosively evolving industry. We’re small, adaptive, and driven

We’ve cut our teeth in the most demanding environments. Military physical security in Desert Storm as a Marine; weapons systems engineering on the Advanced Tactical Fighter (F-22); technology application and assessment during high energy physics experimentation at the Air Force Weapons Laboratory. We’re comfortable facing difficult challenges.. We have decades of experience analyzing, building, operating, and maintaining systems that people relied on with their lives. Many of our current video deployments face the same demands. This translates directly to our security philosophy, our design tactics, our passion for knowing our products, the companies we represent, the manner we install and test our systems, and every aspect of our interaction with you.

We have clients with challenging needs. We’re lucky.
“I need the best surveillance possible, and I don’t want to see any of it.”
“I have no security staff, but I want the same level of protection.”
“We need to know of an intrusion, any time of day or night, in any weather. Oh! We can’t have any security lighting.”
“You’ll need to work with our interior designer about your internal cameras.”
“I need the system to tell me when to look at the cameras. I don’t want to be annoyed with false alarms, and I need to have access to the images anywhere I’m at, anywhere in the world.”
“Can I see the camera on my: Crestron (AMX), cellphone, and televisions? I have to be able to view them from my car.”
“I want to know how many people enter this building” usually followed by “I don’t care about how many people enter, I only want to know who exits”.

Who asks these kinds of questions? Our clients. Have we answered? Yes; and in doing so have developed a palette of solutions to meet a variety of unique challenges. Bring us your toughest issues. You’ll understand why those clients who can select any provider in the world, have chosen Katalytic for their advanced surveillance needs for residential, corporate, and marine (yacht) applications across the United States.


We know that the need drives the solution, not the other way around. It’s curious how things get twisted around. A cookie-cutter video system solves nothing, by itself. A challenge that can be solved by “throwing cameras at it” is a pretty trivial threat. The “mind behind the design” makes the difference. Is that “mind” trying to discover your true risks and needs first? Or are they simply strategizing how to spin your perspective in a way that fits their prepackaged solution?

We believe your risk or requirement lives in a world on its own, it doesn’t read our threat analysis, and is not compelled to obey the rules we establish for it. It won’t necessarily be resolved with an off-the-shelf solution. The more sophisticated and intelligent the threat, the more elusive the countermeasure solution can become. Importantly: A poorly designed system is frequently worse than doing nothing at all: It not only doesn’t perform its assigned mission, but it tricks you into thinking the problem is solved, so you become less vigilant. We understand this paradigm and counter with a fresh perspective and customized tools for your specific application.


Each client is unique; each solution is a new evolution. . Each client requires a different balance of capability, ease of use, technical or aesthetic integration. Everyday, we assess technology and discover new applications. So each combination of client requirement and technology solution is distinct. Being different has advantages on many levels. We’ll be happy to describe them to you.


We believe video systems are supposed to solve problems, not create them. Access to video images (as an example) is a double edged sword. On the one hand, you might want open access for appropriate users, whether it’s in a dedicated security room, through distributed televisions systems, over the LAN or internet. On the other, how do you know that your video is only seen by appropriate viewers? What information are you transmitting unwittingly? How difficult is it to maintain security for your security system? This form of security starts the first moment you decide to communicate with us. We solve problems without creating collateral weaknesses.


We believe aesthetic integration is nearly equal in importance to technical performance. Our systems influence behavior, either on the part of the viewer or the person being viewed. But we understand that the manner in which these systems are deployed frequently reflects back on our client. Put another way, nothing says “Welcome Home” like barbed wire, bullet proof glass, and a myriad of obvious camera placements.

For this reason, aesthetic integration requirements are defined up front, at the same time the systems performance requirements are identified. Frequently a balance must be reached between technical performance and product “look and feel”. At Katalytic, this is not a triviality. A poorly executed system is a source of constant irritation regardless of its technical adequacy. Additionally, exposed components become targets of abuse or attempted spoofing. Our systems frequently cannot be discerned even by a trained eye, unless such exposure is intentional, or until it is too late for them to evade.


We assess, apply, and integrate as separate activities. That’s a good thing. We believe it’s important to have separation between technology assessment and application design. By allowing each of these functions to evolve separately, we ensure we always bring fresh perspective on each new challenge. It also means that you can use Katalytic as an independent source for each of these steps.

Note: Not long ago, the Theater of Chicago (www.thechicagotheatre.com) contacted Katalytic for our perspective of cameras installed by a large security firm. We acquired their exact camera as well as three other candidate cameras, installed them in our lab, connected them to an video server, and let the Chicago Theater evaluate camera performance with their own eyes, from their offices over 1000 miles away.


We live with the technology we apply on your project. We experiment so you don’t have to. A lot! A single example: several clients asked us about viewing video over a cell phone. Katalytic independently invested thousands of dollars and countless hours testing numerous video server technologies, deployed on three cell phone carriers and five phone platforms. Each was evaluated by members of our team in a wide array of locations and environments for over six months in order to recommend a solution (see products/services). We’ve done the same with advanced video content analysis systems, low light cameras, covert cameras, remote viewing (see resources), digital video recorders, biometric locks, and more. We find this is the best way to separate the marketing hype from the practical reality. When you see and hear “Katalytic Recommends” associated with a product, you know we’ve worn it for quite a while before putting our name on it.


We understand our tools. Katalytic’s concentration on video system applications in challenging environments, signals to our providers that Katalytic measures and selects the best product for our clients. Consequently, we have very objective, honest, knowledge-based relationships with our providers. These relationships stimulate design development at the supplier, while ensuring that we apply their technology correctly and truly understand the strengths and vulnerabilities of their products. While our competitors might buy a camera off the shelf from a large distributor who has business motives and quotas to fill, our providers know we’re creating a solution, potentially with their product, possibly with someone else’s, based on performance.


We have great allies. Recently, a premier source for high quality industrial/military grade cameras culled over 7000 of its dealers—but added Katalytic. Founding engineers of advanced behavior recognition systems exchange confidential corporate information with us. Design engineers consult with us on how to package a video server, or ask us to review an operations manual for adequacy. Engineers in Germany request our feedback on compatibility of their systems with a given Pan Tilt Zoom camera software. Our reputation is building.


We play well in groups. We share what we know. The number of systems employed in large residences and buildings are simply too numerous, and are changing too rapidly for one firm to exist in isolation. One can’t “do it all” with any degree of sophistication, in our opinion. Add our clients’ typical desires to integrate video surveillance systems with any number of existing systems (e.g. public address, home theater, or commercial/residential building automation systems) and you’ll understand why we formed Katalytic with a tight core-business definition. This requires that we team well with associate contractors with enormous diversity of talent. We enjoy working as part of high-performance teams, and help our colleagues get to the finish line with a highly reliable, integrated protection system that meets our clients desires.


We’re competitive. If it were possible to have a large security company counter quote us, you’d find our installations are cost competitive. Aside from cost, you’d find our selection of products are more specifically tuned to your requirements, uniquely customized from a wide array of providers, then blended to your aesthetic needs. Often, other firms either do not have the freedom to independently select products, do not have the experience or tools to truly understand their systems, or the necessary time and patience to fully execute what is usually a multi-year project or to keep the same team on board through out the project to completion. The degree to which we work each small aspect (for example: aesthetic blending) is simply not economically feasible for a large security corporation.

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