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5 Things to Know When Selecting the Best Security Integrator for You

August 4, 2011

These days, the security of your business should be sophisticated and a little bit easier to manage. A security integrator can help you get all of your security components working together in a single stream of information.

But, with so many brand new companies making bigger promises, either to your face or over the Internet, it’s sometimes hard to know what you’re getting into.

The following is a list of five things to think about when selecting a security integrator.

1. Do they want to work with you or just react to you ?

During the consultation phase meeting, pay close attention to whether the representative is hearing what you have to say about your business. Are they taking your needs into account or are they pushing a pre-formed package?

A good security integrator will tailor their ideas to your company’s needs, whether that’s a streamline of security equipment or an advanced network of equipment, IT, and qualified staff.

2. Who are they and how qualified is their roster?

Ask how long they’ve been operating and how long they’ve been in your area or industry. Length of time isn’t always the best pedigree, but you’ll want to be able to see their dedication to being there for you as your needs change and your business grows.

How large is their staff and do they have the specialties your project will need? Do they have at least one person in-house for all the products and services they offer? What is the experience of the staff that will be involved with your project?

Finally, ask for references, ideally repeat customers, that you can contact. Make sure to call more than just a few and in other industries if possible. While those other customers won’t discuss specifics with you, you can ask important questions like:

- Did you find this security integrator or did they win a contract bid?
- How long have you been using this company?
- Did they seem to listen to you each time you made a change or had a problem?
- Did they exceed your expectations or simply meet them?

3. How long have they been representing their security products?

While it’s true that security products are only as good as the professionals who handle them, they are a vital part to any security system.

Be sure to ask how long the security integrator has been using those products and why. How many staff are factory certified with those products who could handle everything from installation to maintenance to problem solving?

4. How will they respond and how do they understand their business?

In security, there are two kinds of calls: service calls and emergency calls. In the first, will they send someone to fix a problem immediately? Within 24 hours? In the second, what is their response time? Ask about a few scenarios including fires, break-ins, and internal situations.

Whether it’s a suspicious person, a termination, a possible labor action or a system failure, the risks are high. Your security integrator should understand that.

5. Are they looking for one job or to become part of your future?

A good security integrator anticipates the growth of your business, not a one-time job, but a great security integrator plans for innovation. Each day, new advancements are made in the industry. How will the next technologies and innovations fit into your system when the time comes? Will it be a matter of replacing or will your security integrator have thought far enough ahead that no time, no money, and no worry are wasted?

The bottom line is this: does the security integrator deserve your trust and are they reliable? It’s hard to know the answers before you see performance, but following this guide will set you well on the path before going too far down the road.

Integrated Security – So Much More Than Cameras and ID

March 22, 2011

Any business, large or small, always has the potential to face a variety of security risks. And there are a variety of measures that can be taken as a safeguard against them. The best, most effective security systems, however, are those that integrate proven security methods and technologies with the regular day to day activities of the company personnel.

If a business owner takes the company’s information, property, and employees’ safety seriously, then having a security system that really, truly works, needs to be an essential business practice.

A truly integrated security system begins by being custom fit to suit the unique security requirements of the business using it. There are certain obvious security techniques that are practically universal, like door locks and signs indicating restricted areas. Even security cameras have become commonplace. These measures are, however, just as obvious to those that wish to bypass them as they are to the business owners who implement them. Additional measures specific to a particular business’s requirements should be utilized. Determining what type of security equipment to employ relies on several factors.

Need There is an essential level of security that any business will absolutely need. A business owner should be able to compile a list of basic security concerns specific to that business by thinking about security measures typical for that industry, and geographic region.

Additionally, the consultation of a trained security integrator will shed much light on the subject. It’s usually only with a professional’s eye that a truly integrated security system can be put in place.

Practicality Once a business owner has a solid concept of necessary security equipment and practices, evaluating the practicality of their implementation should be next. The use of security cameras might be deemed necessary. But how many to use, where to put them, and what type to employ depends on practicality.

Budget A security budget is an obvious concern as well. Small businesses may have the resources to invest in advanced security technologies, but that doesn’t mean they can avoid the issue altogether.

An easy way to start figuring out your security budget is to create a quick list of all the negative consequences a security breach or theft would cause. We’ve found that the investment in security is proportional to the investment in the materials to be protected.

Once it is determined what security measures a business must take, and what the allowable budget is, the logical next step is contacting an expert in security integration and building a precise plan. If you decide to work with us, you’ll find out just how much attention we pay to the details of planning an integrated security system.

Having a fully integrated security system provides safety and peace of mind, and requires thoughtful implementation and continued support. More than just cameras and id badges, an integrated security system relies on human participation and proper practices.

Video Analytics: Your Customers are Ready, Are You?

December 15, 2010

Security companies, military agencies, and law enforcement have been using video footage for decades. In the last twenty years, however, the clarity and usefulness of that footage has increased dramatically. The ability to capture, store, and evaluate images is a cornerstone of security and is improving constantly. Professionals are able to use high-definition cameras and “smart” software to tell the difference between colors, shapes, sizes, movement and even faces without ever involving a single human eye. The technology that unifies these principles is referred to as Video Analytics.

In the past, Closed Circuit Television still required a person to monitor the broadcast. Think of the old image of the security guard falling asleep in front of a dozen black and white monitors. Even with the invention of VHS and, eventually, DVDs, footage still needed to be reviewed by people: hours upon hours of scanning for the slightest details.

Today, footage from ultra HD cameras is analyzed using sophisticated software and works with a specific database of images and unique identifiers. The software makes decisions by comparing a unique identifier, like a password or the unique electronic signature on a swipe card, with an image of a specific face. The software is capable of determining if the person using the card is the person in the image database associated with that card or if it’s an impostor.

This surveillance software can also recognize and make decisions based on directional movement, speed, and shape. For instance, it can tell if a person is running or walking, send an alert if someone leaves a package behind, tell if someone is moving in a direction that they shouldn’t be moving in, and the difference between many types of vehicles.

As high-tech as it may sound, this kind of integrated security is quickly becoming the norm. Homeowners all over America are investing in individualized cameras and security systems that can feed right to their PCs and relay updates directly to their smartphones. Even smartphone applications like Google Goggles are capable of identifying the content of images taken with the phone. Similar video analysis software and hardware can even be seen in the current generation of video game consoles. Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony are all mass-producing and mass-marketing smart cameras that can recognize movements, speed, shapes and use that input as a means of interaction with the game software.

The popularization and availability of this technology is creating a populace that is more aware of “high-tech” gadgetry, which means they will expect more from surveillance. This is great news for security integrators who have stayed ahead of the curve. The right technology investments set the stage for a completely upgradeable, completely programmable security solution.

The result is cutting edge Video Analytics products that are more widely available and more affordable. So for the security integrators who know how to install the right cameras and software, they can offer better products and a more complete service. Making the connection between current technology that is available for recreation and current surveillance technology is an effective way to inform customers, and convince them that this new age of technology is highly functional.

The general public probably knows that video analytics technology exists in some form. They just need to be informed on how obtainable it is, and reminded why they need it for security.

CCTV – Closed Circuit Television: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow

July 26, 2010

Did you know?

The average American comes into contact with a closed circuit television camera between fifty and seventy-five times every day?

Yes, they’re that common in the U.S. From CCTV’s roots in the military, to its current status as a foundation for any security system, through to its high-tech future in our homes and businesses, CCTV has become a critical, though often invisible, aspect of everyday life.

Yesterday

The story of Closed Circuit Television begins with the military and the mother of invention: necessity.

In 1942, Germany was developing its V-2 rocket, a long-range ballistic missile. In order to observe launches safely, engineer Walter Bruch designed and installed a simple camera that fed to a single monitor. Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, the Army Corps of Engineers began using a similar design to watch atomic explosions during the Manhattan Project.

Aside from safety, the need for a different kind of video feed was crucial. Traditional television is broadcast so that any receiving monitor within a radius can pick up the same footage seen by a single camera. Naturally, military research is not fit for broadcast, so scientists designed Closed Circuit: one camera to one screen.

After the war, less than twenty years from Bruch’s V-2 tests, the British began using cameras to monitor crowds at the arrival of the Thai royal family in Trafalgar Square in 1960. After this test proved successful, Liverpool experimented with four hidden cameras that fed to a single location in order to deter and solve crimes. Just five years later, an entire CCTV system was installed in the New York City Municipal Building.

Once the advantages of several cameras linked into a single monitoring station was realized, the industry exploded. As Video Cassette Recorders gave us the ability to capture footage, the 1970’s saw cameras installed everywhere from banks to convenience stores, coast to coast. With the mass production of cameras, the 1980’s saw the British installing thousands all over England followed by the US installing them in busses, train cars, and taxicabs. By the 1990’s, CCTV was being used to monitor traffic and police violators and to ensure safe transactions at every ATM in the country.

At the turn of the 21st Century, however, comes the most significant revolution in CCTV’s history: The Internet.

Today

Since its humble black-and-white beginnings, CCTV has spread to almost every corner of modern life. Today, CCTV is still used for military and civilian research, but also helps law enforcement, monitors traffic, ensures safe and expedient transportation systems, assists emergency personnel during floods, and assesses efficiency of street and traffic lights.

Despite all of these new uses, CCTV’s primary application is still security. As the prices of cameras and monitoring equipment have come down over the years, CCTV has become available to individuals for their residences or small businesses.

Now, it’s true that Digital Video Recording (DVR) has had a tremendous impact on CCTV by eliminating the need for tape libraries and allowing faster and smarter ways to search archived footage. It’s also true that advancements in High-Definition cameras and televisions have increased the usefulness of CCTV systems.

However, no single innovation has had more of an impact on CCTV than the Internet. Why? Because Internet Protocol (IP) cameras send their footage to a computer. And that means Video Content Analysis (or VCA) technology.

VCA is like google for video footage. Today’s cameras can tell the difference between shapes and colors, so you can search entire archives of footage for any incident involving a white van or a person wearing a baseball cap. But searching the past is just the baseline. Current innovations in technology allow CCTV systems to react immediately and move beyond just observation and recording.

For example, imagine you have a loading dock that serves your fleet of delivery trucks. Today’s cameras can tell the difference between your trucks and other vehicles. When an unknown vehicle shows up, the camera can signal a central computer to do any number of things like lock all internal doors or notify the police or your security company.

Likewise, smart cameras can actually pay better attention when something seems suspicious. Today’s cameras can take note when something in the environment changes. An intruder, for instance, can cause a camera to switch to a higher definition mode to collect as much detail as possible.

Essentially, CCTV has become the literal eyes and ears of your security system while a central computerized security manager and the Internet have become its central nervous system: everything is connected.

Tomorrow

So, what’s next?

Despite how smart today’s cameras and VCA systems are, we’re far from science fiction or police dramas. We can’t yet make an image from nothing and we can’t instantly pick out a face in a crowd just because we’ve scanned a photograph.

But that doesn’t mean it’s not coming. Several companies around the world are working toward image reconstruction and facial recognition software with limited degrees of success.

For now, the future of CCTV is integrating intelligent surveillance into existing security systems using hybrid platforms that bridge the gap between today and tomorrow.

A similar trend is compression: condensing footage into smaller and smaller bits of information to minimize data storage needs and optimize the performance of cameras and servers. Right now, the fastest systems use H.264 coding and category 6 or CAT-6 cable conduits, but each day brings breakthroughs in speed, space, and purpose.

Finally, the future of CCTV is in networking. Already in use in larger cities, networking allows cameras to combine environments to increase the monitored area and allow viewing from remote locations.

Chicago has experimented with networking its municipal cameras with private systems to greatly increase the viewing area for security officials. Certain companies are currently developing ways to mark a person of interest and map his or her movement throughout an entire building. And, since we’re never far from work or home thanks to smart phones, networking will mean that you can see what each of your cameras see from anywhere in the world through your mobile device.

Needless to say, the future of CCTV is bright. Between advancements in Internet service and personal cameras, CCTV is rapidly becoming an integral part of our lives. Whether we’re the monitors or the monitored, the sophisticated network of CCTV grows wider and wider each day.

UL 2050 Room Certification

May 24, 2010


Developing a UL 2050 Room

Anyone already in the security business knows that getting a certificate from Underwriters Laboratories is no small task. On the contrary, getting a facility “certificated” is a lengthy and labyrinthine process that requires achieving a host of the highest standards and ongoing inspections to maintain them.

That said, it is far from impossible. Hundreds of security companies are certificated nation-wide and thousands of UL 2050 certificated facilities are in operation.

This article is primarily meant to assist those businesses looking to develop a UL 2050 room and Closed Areas by compiling all of the necessary information in a single place. However, those who already own and operate these secure facilities, but are looking to change their security company, can also benefit.

A Brief History of UL 2050

In 1993, the United States Department of Defense developed a set of standards and guidelines for securing its classified material, information, and equipment to be developed, stored, or maintained by a government contractor. Specifically, these standards were laid out in something called the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual or NISPOM. This meant that in order to do work for the DOD, every contractor’s facility needed to meet these particular standards and procedures.

Around the same time, an independent organization called Underwriters Laboratories developed a set of standards that would meet and often surpass the standards laid out in the NISPOM. The result was Underwriters Laboratories 2050 or UL 2050.

2050 has no particular meaning except it’s how UL refers to this specific level of security. The DOD recognizes UL’s meticulous standards and UL, in turn, is authorized to certify security companies to create, monitor, and inspect Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities or SCIFs.

SCIFs and Who Uses Them

At it’s core, a SCIF is any room or facility that will be used to research, manufacture, store, or support any projects, information, equipment, or personnel for any branch of the Armed Services or other agencies. Usually they imply classified information or materials, but while this may conjure images straight out of James Bond, these can be anything from a computer or chemical lab to warehouses and woodshops.

These SCIFs are almost always used by government contractors or those hoping to become one by bidding on military and government projects. Indeed, UL 2050 is the standard for the Department of Defense. Any company looking to work with the DOD, the Armed Services, or any of the other twenty-two government agencies must have a UL 2050 certified SCIF. Since these contracts are far-reaching and often insulated by a national budget, the demand for UL 2050 certified SCIFs typically remains fairly constant even in times of economic downturn.

Getting a Business UL 2050 Certified

Firstly, it isn’t a business or company that gets UL 2050 certified, but rather a specific room or facility. UL 2050 means that the SCIF has been constructed and inspected to meet UL specifications that take as their basis the DOD’s NISPOM. Whether it’s one or one hundred, this must be done separately for each SCIF.

However, and this is key, it is not UL that issues the certificate. Underwriters Laboratories deals directly with specific security companies. Each security company goes through a rigorous process of validation and certification to achieve what UL calls “CRZH” certification. CRZH doesn’t stand for anything, but refers only to the code UL assigns to this type of certificate.

The security company, by virtue of its CRZH certification, is authorized to consult, construct, inspect, monitor and certify a SCIF within a specified radius of about a four-hour response time, or 200 miles. It is the security company that sponsors a facility for certification and issues the UL 2050 certificate.

The First Step

The very first step toward UL 2050 certification is to contact a CRZH certified security company. UL maintains a directory of such companies on their website. Simply, type in your location information and “CRZH” into the “UL Category Code” and you will be given a list of all certified companies in your area. Keep the scope of the search broad by using only state or country information. This will return more results that may apply to you in a 200-mile radius.

Once you contact the security company, negotiations begin for the kind of SCIF you need for what you’re looking to do. Typically, this will start with an inspection of the proposed site and then proceed to what systems and changes will need to be implemented.

It is impossible to overestimate the importance of this security company. A SCIF must be constructed according to precise standards. Each step of construction, programming, electronics, and monitoring must be done by companies with their own particular levels of certification and quality. A CRZH security company is an invaluable resource for finding trusted companies from builders to alarm monitors.

Consulting a CRZH certificated security company as early as possible allows a business to develop realistic budgets and determine competitive bids for government contracts.

Cloud of Mystery

Anyone looking to develop their first SCIF may be put off by how unclear the public information is. Cost, for example, is rarely discussed in any finite terms until well into the process. The reason, simply, is that the cost must be determined on a case-by-case basis according to what changes need to be made to meet UL 2050 standards.

Similarly, the standards themselves, described in a single UL publication, are one of the most highly controlled documents in the nation. Due to the level of security concerned, a copy can only be issued when a security company registers with UL. Even then it will only be given to a designated employee that is verified by address and contact information and the copy he or she receives is individually numbered and cataloged. Needless to say, the consequences of duplicating or leaking the security standards of every DOD and Armed Services project in the country are dire indeed.

After Online and Long-Term

Once the room is developed, the security company is responsible for inspecting and monitoring the facility to ensure it meets and maintains UL 2050 standards. Underwriters Laboratories will execute their own inspection of each aspect of the facility. After the facility has been approved, the security company is authorized to issue an official UL 2050 certificate.

This certificate is a kind of bond ensuring that the facility will operate by UL 2050 standards and that the security company issuing the certificate will facilitate and ensure that level of operation. To do so, the security company will perform periodic inspections of the facility, as will Underwriters Laboratories. These inspections are often unannounced and will occur at least once a year by both organizations.

Consequently, it is critical to have a security company you trust. Not unlike other services, a good security company should have an extraordinary commitment to quality in installation, service, and response. The stakes, after all, rank into the millions of dollars in government contracts.

About this Article
This article was commissioned by Security Integrations to offer businesses a comprehensive overview of what UL 2050 certification means. Security integrations is an upstate NY Security firm specializing in complete security solutions for government, manufacturing, and other industries where the highest security is necessary. One of a few companies in New York State to hold UL 2050 Certification, they serve New York (NY), Pennsylvania (PA), Massachusetts (MA) and New Jersey (NJ). Their website is www.securityintegrations.com.

Office Security – 10 Great Tips for a More Secure Workplace

April 21, 2010

Today, businesses must address and prepare for security threats that are larger and more varied than ever before. With each technological advancement that allows innovative, effective business strategies, comes a security threat that is equally innovative and equally effective.

Any assessment of an office security system should begin with specific security needs and the impacts they will have on your business as a whole. You may need a facility secure enough for UL 2050 certification or you may simply need to ensure your employees safety before and after business hours. Regardless, here are ten important ways to improve your office security system.

Effective Communication:

First and foremost is communicating information to and between employees. Many companies use email alerts to warn employees about would-be hackers. Likewise, be certain that employees remain updated on procedures and potential visitors. By letting employees know what and who to expect, they are better equipped to recognize suspicious activities or persons. In order to avoid complacency, try to use a single source of information that becomes part of an employee’s routine. This could be a daily server broadcast or informational email. Whatever the source, it should be brief, practical, and include positive news as well as precautionary information.

Key Control:

Assign the responsibility of locking or unlocking the office to as few individuals as possible. Eliminating the “first in, last out” method ensures that all access points are secured regularly. Create a procedure for those responsible for opening or closing your office that includes checking washrooms, closets, or anywhere someone might be able to hide. Hard keys should be numbered and assigned to specific individuals. Employees assigned keys should periodically be asked to produce their keys to verify a master registry.

Site-Wide Policies:

Something as simple as a “clean-desk” policy, training all employees to clear and secure their desks of valuable equipment or information before leaving for the day, drastically reduces potential theft. Mandating employees to have and display ID badges or access cards at all times increases the visibility of any unauthorized persons. Don’t include job titles on any directory accessible to the general public as many criminals will use a name and title to justify their presence in restricted areas. Finally, make sure to maintain a “chain of possession.” Any deliveries should be handed to a person and not left in a hallway or on an unattended desk.

Small Investments:

All computers, laptops especially, should be secured with cable or plate locks to avoid “walk-off.” Docking stations are relatively inexpensive ways to protect electronic devices when not in use. Pay close attention to high-risk targets like state-of-the-art equipment, postage meters, check writers, and company checkbooks. Improve doors by installing peepholes and keypads. Utilize two locked doors surrounding a small lobby or foyer. This type of “airlock” system eliminates piggybacking, a method criminals use to gain entry by catching a locked door as an employee exits.

Anti-Virus:

While it is extremely unusual for a company not to have anti-virus software in this day and age, it is impossible to overstate its importance. High-end protection from viruses, spyware, malware, Trojans, and worms is one of the shrewdest investments an office can make. This includes firewall protection for your main system, security for your wireless Internet routers, and securing backups of all data, preferably off-site, for recovery in the event of a cyber attack.

Lights, Camera, Layout:

Be aware of “dark spots” both inside and outside your office. Install adequate lighting in parking lots and outdoor break areas for employee safety, eliminate blind areas in stairwells, and arrange hallways and offices to remove any places where someone could conceal himself or stolen items. Short of CCTV, discussed below, it may be worthwhile to install recording security cameras at key areas like loading bays and access points like after-hours entrances.

Reception:

Among the more complete solutions is to employ one or more full time receptionists. From a security system standpoint, this person allows for close inspection of credentials and identification and funnels security information through a single point. If it is impractical to have each visitor greeted and checked-in by a person, consider a dedicated phone line in your lobby or at your front door that goes only to a designated receiver. This method, combined with a sign-in station, can be a cost effective strategy for many offices.

Access Control System:

One of the difficulties with hard keys is reacting when one is lost or stolen. With an access control system, businesses can issue access cards to employees while maintaining complete control over what each card will open. Moreover, access control systems minimize risk by allowing only enough access to complete a job. Thus, employees, contractors, or visitors can be restricted by area or time of day. Two things are critical with access control systems. First, allow “total access” to as few individuals as possible. This will clarify who is authorized to be where and thereby enable employees to recognize and report infractions. Second, monitor the use of each card. By reviewing card activity, you can determine who needs access to where and at which times, streamlining routines and defining access.

Closed Circuit Television (CCTV):

For higher end security system needs, CCTV is one of the most effective methods of protection. Through limited broadcast, each camera can be monitored through a single interface. Depending on the specifics of the system, footage can be monitored by an employee or digitally recorded. Place cameras strategically to achieve the maximum coverage for a single unit. Likewise, cameras or corresponding signs that are visible to guests and employees can be effective deterrents and create a safe environment. It is important to remember, however, that as effective as CCTV is, it should be used efficiently and in tandem with other measures. For example, installing a unit in an entry with an “airlock” door system allows extended footage of a person(s) entering or exiting the premises.

Proper Training:

Above all, make sure each of your employees is adequately trained to use security equipment and follow procedures. Investment and planning in the best security system will have little impact if individuals are unclear on precaution and intervention. This may be as simple as making sure employees keep doors and windows secure or protect their personal belongings, but often entails specific training on identifying and responding to suspicious items, persons, or events.

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