Safeguarding Your Business from Theft
Keeping a potential thief from your business is an essential part of proper business management. And if you want to outmaneuver thief, you need to anticipate his actions. You need to know what you can do to keep thieves from entering your property. Here are the most effective measures for keeping burglars away:
- Checking your basic security protocols often
Ensure that your employees are knowledgeable about the use of your security system. They need to be trained regularly on the proper arming and disarming of the system. Review your current protocols, policies, and procedures so that false alarms don’t happen. High false alarm rate undermines the efficacy of your security system.
- Securing your premises with a monitored security system
A monitored security system is one of the most effective security measures you can have for your business. Provide security personnel that will monitor your security system 24 hours daily. Without this system in place, criminals can successfully carry out their plans. So, have a monitored security system that allows instantaneous dispatch of police officers to interrupt burglary and catch criminals.
- Using intrusion detection sensors
Unlocked doors and windows attract burglars. Make sure your facility’s doors and windows are locked securely. Install intrusion detection sensors to prevent thieves from entering your property.
- Installing a video surveillance system
One of the most effective crime detection and prevention techniques is the installation of video surveillance systems. To guarantee efficacy, make sure you have a system that can monitor your whole property. The priority, however, should be in entrances and exits as well as critical areas such as your warehouse or your accounting and finance department. Pick a system that uses high quality cameras that produce high resolution images so you can easily spot the perpetrator or even the smallest details like plate numbers.
- Hiring the services of a business security specialist
Business security is a field that requires expert knowledge and attention to details. Since you are not a security expert, you can benefit greatly if you hire a business security expert. He can analyze your current security conditions and provide professional insights as to how you can address the most crucial threats to your business security. Additionally, their access to insider information on local crime trends and the most advanced security technologies can be of great help to you in safeguarding your business from theft and other crimes.
Theft is one of the most prevalent types of crime that occur in commercial establishments. The consequences to being a victim of theft can hurt your business. Don’t fall victim to thieves. Upgrade your security system now.
Retail Store CCTV: Maximizing Profit Using Video Surveillance Systems
Shrinkage is a common problem in the retail business that a retail store CCTV can easily solve. The most recent Global Retail Theft Barometer report says that Australian retailers lose about A$2.7 billion each year to shoplifting, supplier fraud, employee theft, and administrative errors.
It doesn’t need a genius to understand that a reliable safety and security system can take your business one step ahead of your competitors. And in the retail industry where competition is rigid, this is of utmost importance. The goal of having a retail store CCTV is to provide total safety for suppliers, employees, and customers. Given the statistics, however, retail store CCTV doubles as a necessary deterrent against thieves, suspicious activities, and potential burglary.
Often, business owners wait until they get victimized by criminals before installing a security system. But for smart business owners, the notion of criminal activities happening within their business premises is enough motivation to install a retail store CCTV.
Theft Prevention and Detection through Retail Store CCTV
When looking for ways to prevent and detect theft, video surveillance is often the first solution you can think of. This isn’t surprising because video surveillance is known to be effective at identifying suspects. But more importantly, the mere sight of video cameras discourages thieves and other criminals.
Aside from identifying suspicious action at the store, retail store CCTV can also be helpful in detecting unlawful acts in the warehouse, admin office, and other back office areas.
Recent Developments in Surveillance Camera Technologies
Digitalization has given us lots of beneficial technologies including cameras and surveillance tools. High-res images, for example, are recent improvements that an outdated camera can’t provide. These days, camera models can provide GD or even 4K ultra HD resolution images even under poor lighting conditions. The high-res images give you better chances of identifying suspects and detecting crimes.
Cameras that offer 180- or 360-degree views are also impressive developments in the security industry. They are also known as panoramic cameras that sole the usual problem of blind spots in old cameras.
Still other retail store CCTV systems include in-video analytics which is a valuable tool a smart business owner wouldn’t want to miss. With this advanced technology, the operator can respond to alerts as they happen. Monitoring numerous videos at once is no longer needed. Security staff can work on other crucial tasks.
It is surprising, however, that some retail businesses don’t take advantage of retail store CCTV technologies. This is perplexing because security cameras offer indispensable benefits to retail businesses.
Providing Better Security in Large Facilities Using Network Video Surveillance
Fences and security guards can keep some establishments safe, but critical infrastructures need network video surveillance and more advanced solutions for their security. This sophisticated technology can provide better security in large facilities.
Security breaches are still common in airports even though improved security measures have been put in place after civilian aviation was recognized as a potential terrorist target. In Australia, there were 21, 146 incidents of suspicious packages and breaches across ten airports from July 2010 to 2014, the Australian Federal Police reported. During the same period, 2, 621 apprehensions and 312 arrests were made related to those incidents.
Two things can be deduced from this. First, it’s not easy to protect large areas, and second, burglars can’t be stopped by barbed wire fences alone.
Critical facilities such as power plants, banks, and hospitals are as vulnerable as airports are. The same can be said about the manufacturing industry. Network video surveillance is what all these facilities need to keep their physical assets and properties secure.
Advanced network video surveillance applications are available these days. They offer the advantage of manageability and accessibility. They allow security personnel to be alerted in real time when the system detects suspicious activities. Instantaneous analysis of video data is possible with this sophisticated technology.
Security personnel can now focus their attention on other high-risk tasks rather than keep their eyes glued on multiple video feeds. The system also provides irrefutable forensic evidence in case actual breaches happen because video data can be retrieved easily. If the exact time and place of an incident is known, operators can find the video through their timestamps.
Problems in Outdoor Video Surveillance
Outdoor video surveillance poses a host of problems. Lighting conditions is but one of them. While some changes in the environment can be predicted, there are some that can’t be predetermined. Sophisticated network cameras can identify changes in lighting conditions and automatically adjust their settings to produce high quality images.
Adverse weather conditions are the archenemy of network video surveillance systems, but only if they do not have the current technology of Intelligent Video Analytics. This technology lowers the rate of false alarms by differentiating the motions of an object of interest from that of moving water or flying leaves.
Network video surveillance cameras with Intelligent Defog also provide clear images even in low-contrast environments like places with air pollution, mist or fog.
No matter the weather conditions, network video surveillance provides better security in large facilities. Keep your mind at ease by installing one for your business.
Perimeter Intrusion Detection Systems: Lowering their False Alarm Rates
False alarms are common among Perimeter Intrusion Detection Systems (PIDS). This fact should encourage PID manufacturers to come up with a solution and find ways to reduce false alarms in their systems. You can do your best to pick only the best perimeter intrusion detection system, but there are also other ways to lower false alarm rates in your PIDS.
False alarms from burglar alarm systems bring adverse effects on your business. This is especially true when such alarms take your security personnel away from other high-risk security matters. Not only that. When false alarms occur frequently, they are likely to get ignored when it sounds due to real threats. Your Perimeter Intrusion Detection System now becomes ineffective in deterring crimes.
The most common causes of false alarms in burglar alarm systems are:
- Employees who do not follow procedures for opening and closing the facility.
- Providing unlimited access to suppliers and non-employees to your facilities.
- Employee oversight.
- Failure to follow procedures by cleaning and maintenance staff.
- Defective alarm system.
- Strong winds, electrical storms, and other acts of nature.
Preventing and Minimizing the Occurrence of False Alarms in PIDS
Threat detection can be made more accurate so that your security personnel only reacts to genuine threats. This avoids wasting of time and resources. You can lower false alarm rates in your PIDS through the following:
- Training your employees on how to properly manage your perimeter intrusion detection system especially if it’s new.
- Holding a drill to make sure all employees know how to operate the system especially after changing pass codes.
- Be especially attentive during late night office parties and all-nighters. False alarms are common during these times due to carelessness of employees.
- Keeping hanging objects away from motion detectors and sensors.
- Making sure all doors and windows are locked before arming the system.
- Keeping the monitoring office informed in case you change arming codes, pass codes, and authorized users.
- Contacting your security provider if you are suspicious of a possible defect in your perimeter intrusion detection system.
- Upgrading all obsolete alarm systems.
- Making sure your perimeter intrusion detection system fits your business needs.
- Working with a reliable security provider that can take complete responsibility for securing your facility.
A perimeter intrusion detection system is installed mainly to detect potential crimes in your facility. They can, however, become ineffective when they give off false alarms too often. It is, therefore, important to find ways to lower false alarm rates in your PIDS.
Buying an Access Control System: 4 Questions to Ask
There are important things to consider when buying an access control system since not all models are the same. Running a business successfully requires strict control over the access to your facility. Therefore, you need to make sure you pick the best system available in the market.
One of the things you need to think about is the nature of your business. Do you deal with after-hours deliveries from third-party vendors? Do you hire third-party cleaning and maintenance crew that require access to your facility? Are there regular visitors that may need temporary access to your facility? Are there employee theft incidents you want to prevent?
Another thing to consider are the specific areas that need safeguarding. Do you need to secure multiple areas and monitor using a single software? What are the areas susceptible to intrusion?
Knowing the most critical needs of your business helps you make a smart decision when buying an access control system. Once you determine all that, answer the following questions:
- Will my business benefit best from cloud-based or hosted access control system?
When buying an access control system, being aware of the benefits of a cloud-based or hosted solution is essential. A hosted or cloud-based system eliminates manual upgrade of technology. The solution does it for you. This ensures that your data is stored securely, your security system is backed up properly, and your software is updated regularly.
- Can this solution be scaled according to my business’ future needs?
Security technology is a fast-paced industry where new software is introduced regularly. If you want to keep up with the changing times, you need to find a scalable model when buying an access control system.
Find a solution that can grow as your business grows. For example, if you want your access control system to be connected to a CCTV in the future, you need to find a solution that makes that kind of integration possible.
- Is this solution accessible through my mobile device?
Almost everything is mobile-optimized these days. If your access control system isn’t, you are not taking advantage of the latest technology. Buying an access control system that’s accessible through a mobile device is a smart move for savvy business owners who are always on the go.
Make sure you pick an access control system that is compatible with your desktop and mobile device and can run on both iOS and Android.
- Where do I find a security system that fits my needs?
Finally, you need to find out who can provide you the kind of access control system that meets all your requirements. The company should have good reputation, be reliable, and knowledgeable of the current security technology trends.
Make sure your facility is safe. Make a smart decision when buying an access control system.