Forus Security Service Manager Ruslan Mironov has been awarded the Cross of Merit of the Association of Estonian Security Companies, the highest recognition in the security sector. The Cross of Merit is awarded to individuals whose long-standing and outstanding contribution has helped develop Estonia’s security sector and improve the quality and reliability of security services.
According to Kaimar Karuauk, CEO of Forus Security, the recognition means a great deal to the company. “First and foremost, this is recognition for Ruslan himself, but at the same time it is also recognition of the values on which Forus builds its work — cooperation-oriented, customer-focused and development-minded,” says Karuauk.
He adds that Ruslan’s recognition is a source of pride for the entire team. “Ruslan is someone who has worked in the security sector for more than three decades and has served as a role model for many colleagues during that time. When a person with such experience and contribution receives the sector’s highest recognition, it makes the whole team proud.”
A Passion for Chess Is Reflected in His Work
Ruslan began working in the security sector in 1994 and over the decades has made a significant contribution to the organisation of professional security services. Today, he is responsible for the operation of security services at Forus Security in Western Estonia, including Pärnu, Pärnu County, Haapsalu and Saaremaa.
According to Karuauk, however, what matters most about Ruslan is not only the number of years, but what he has accomplished during those years. “He is characterised by calmness, determination and the ability to see the bigger picture,” says Karuauk.
He says Ruslan’s strength is also evident in the way he analyses situations and looks for solutions. “Ruslan is a passionate chess player, and this is reflected in his work as well. He thinks several moves ahead, can anticipate possible risks and find solutions before problems arise,” Karuauk explains.
Ruslan thinks several moves ahead, can anticipate possible risks and find solutions before problems arise.
In addition to his daily work, Ruslan actively contributes to the development of the entire sector as a member of the Association of Estonian Security Companies’ examination committee. In this role, he helps ensure that people entering the security profession meet the applicable legal requirements and have the necessary knowledge and skills to perform their work professionally. “This means that he is also helping to shape the next generation of security specialists and maintain a high level of professionalism across the entire sector,” says Karuauk.
According to Karuauk, what makes Ruslan special is his broader perspective on the security sector. “For me, what makes Ruslan special is that he does not focus only on his own work or his own region. He always thinks more broadly — how to improve security services, how to develop people and how the entire sector can move forward.”
Forus Nominees Among the Best of the Year
In addition to Ruslan Mironov’s high recognition, Forus was also represented among the nominees in the Association of Estonian Security Companies’ selection of the best in the security sector: patrol officer Aleksandr Rõzov, security technician Vladislav Milaševitš and the comprehensive security solution for NPM Silmet.
According to Karuauk, these nominees reflect the diversity of the security sector. “Security work does not mean just one specific role or solution. It can be a quick and life-saving intervention, the development of a complex technical system, or a comprehensive solution that brings together people, technology and processes,” says Karuauk.
Aleksandr Rõzov — Nominee for Security Employee of the Year
Forus Security patrol officer Aleksandr Rõzov was highlighted as a nominee for Security Employee of the Year. His actions are a clear example of how important a security employee’s quick response and ability to make decisions in a critical situation can be.
On 1 July 2025, Aleksandr was carrying out his usual duties in Jõhvi, near Jewe Centre, when he noticed a person lying on the ground on the road close to the building. The person was unconscious, had a bluish skin tone and no pulse. Aleksandr did not hesitate for a moment — he immediately began resuscitation and continued chest compressions until the ambulance arrived and until the medical team was able to take over.
Security work is not only about guarding or responding, but often also about being ready to help when someone needs it most.
Thanks to Aleksandr’s quick and skilful actions, the person’s pulse was restored, and about half an hour later the person regained consciousness. His actions were not simply an exemplary performance of his duties, but the direct saving of a human life.
“In Aleksandr’s case, we are talking about someone who was in the right place at the right time and whose quick action saved a person’s life. Situations like this remind us that security work is not only about guarding or responding, but often also about being ready to help when someone needs it most,” says Karuauk.
Aleksandr has worked as a security employee at Forus since 2023. His colleagues and clients describe him as calm, precise, attentive and helpful. In addition to helping people, he has also shown care for animals — for example, while checking a site, he noticed an undernourished dog and helped arrange assistance for it.
Aleksandr’s actions were also selected as Forus’ Deed of the Year. Today, he is studying to become an ambulance technician so that he will be even better prepared to help people who find themselves in critical situations.
Vladislav Milaševitš — Nominee for Security Technician of the Year
Vladislav Milaševitš was highlighted as a nominee for Security Technician of the Year. He has worked at Forus as a security systems technician since 2017. More than eight years of practical experience, strong professional competence and systematic thinking have made him a trusted key person for colleagues and project managers in the implementation of complex projects.
In practice, Vladislav performs the role of a project manager-technician. He is able to independently carry out both installation and configuration work, even at the most complex sites, and to find workable solutions in situations where the standard approach does not work or the initial information is incomplete.
“Vladislav represents another side of the security world — knowledge, technology and the ability to solve complex tasks. Modern security increasingly relies on smart solutions, and the contribution of people like him is very important,” says Karuauk.
His work includes several large-scale and technically demanding sites, such as solutions for Eesti Liinirongid, video solutions for Utilitas Tallinn Power Plant, reconstruction of security and access control systems for Info-Auto and Nefab, video solutions for Tapa Operail, a special video surveillance project for Tallinna Linnatransport, and the rapid installation of camera systems for beach patrol.
Vladislav’s strengths are his ability to see the whole picture, think in a solution-oriented way and complete what he starts. Clients value his professionalism, helpfulness and communication skills. According to colleagues, Vladislav is a technician to whom even the most complex projects can be entrusted.
NPM Silmet Security Solution — A Recognised Comprehensive Technological Solution
The NPM Silmet project implemented by Forus was also nominated in the category of recognised security solutions. The aim of the project was to replace the previous extensive manned guarding setup with a comprehensive technological security solution.
NPM Silmet OÜ belongs to the international group Neo Performance Materials and is one of Europe’s most strategic processors of rare earth metals. The specific nature of the plant and the strategic importance of its production require highly precise control of people, vehicles and movement within the territory.
The solution created by Forus included, among other things, the installation of approximately 700 metres of perimeter fencing, eight vehicle gates, barriers, full-height turnstiles, a metal detector, a licence plate recognition system, traffic lights, access control systems, thermal cameras and video analytics. An important part of the solution is also random alcohol testing to support workplace safety. Through this process, an employee confirms their identity and completes a check randomly assigned by the system. In the event of a violation, the information is immediately forwarded to the responsible persons at the plant.
According to Karuauk, the NPM Silmet project shows how people, technology and processes can together create something truly valuable. “This is a good example of how a modern security solution helps increase security while also making work more efficient,” he says.
This is a good example of how a modern security solution helps increase security while also making work more efficient.
The value of the solution lies in the fact that the level of security has increased, while the need for human resources and administrative workload has decreased. Instead of the previous round-the-clock manned guarding, the necessary control, overview and response capability are now ensured by a comprehensive technical and service-based solution.
This is an example of how security technology, well-thought-out processes and the integration of services can together create a modern and effective security solution.
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We congratulate Ruslan Mironov on receiving this high recognition and thank all Forus nominees for their dedication and professional contribution!
