The world of security technology holds great promise, but it is fraught with opportunities for expensive missteps and misapplications. The quality of the security technology consultants and system integrators one uses will have a direct bearing on how well his school masters this complex subject. Security technology consultants help determine one's security technology needs. Systems integrators design and install the appropriate hardware and software to meet those needs. There is often overlap between consultants and integrators; most consultants were at some point integrators and installers themselves. The distinction is that a consultant acts as a neutral third party, serving as an advocate and protecting one's interests as he wades into the security technology maze. Select a consultant first; the consultant will help in finding the right systems integrator. This paper offers tips for selecting a security technology consultant and selecting a systems integrator. Appended are (1) Identifying Desired System Attributes; and (2) Identifying Desired System Components. (Contains 4 footnotes.)