Having the best, most accessible technical support team will ensure the safety and security of not only your data and staff, but will be an added benefit to your company’s long-term bottom line, as well.

Online Exclusive: Top 4 Security Installation Mistakes to Avoid

Having the best, most accessible technical support team will ensure the safety and security of not only your data and staff, but will be an added benefit to your company’s long-term bottom line, as well.

  • By Phil Lake
  • Feb 25, 2016

When it comes to professional security integrations, having the latest technology installed is of paramount importance. But something that many businesses overlook is the equal importance of a professional service level agreement. If you have an extensive, customized security system installed throughout your facilities, but inadequate service to provide support in times of need, then your security system might actually put your company at a grave potential risk. With that, let’s take a look at our top 4 potential security installation mistakes you might want to avoid.

  1. Hiring a company that has a small technical support team. While doing this may seem like your company would get a more tailored, personable approach, hiring a company that has a small technical support team also means forfeiting backup of technicians and the timeliness and accessibility of a security firm that has multiple locations across your territory, with a geographically dispersed technical on-call support staff.
  2. Economizing on Service-Level Agreements. This is where many companies will face giant security gaps within their custom systems. Research as many SLA’s you can, and gather the facts. Does your company need 24/7 system health monitoring and remote remediation in case of a crisis? Does your company have the capability to have a full-time system technician on staff or would it be more appropriate to hire a company that can remotely support your system. All of the above are great starting criteria as you begin your search for the right security installation company.
  3. Going with an out-of-the-box system. While this may seem like the thriftier option, collaborating, designing and installing a system that is the most tailored to your company size, parameters and compliance requirements is not only far more beneficial in the long run from a security standpoint, but will also secure your bottom line.
  4. Ignoring the importance of a stop-false alarm system. According to Stephen J. Dubner writing for the Freakonomics blog, “False alarms make up between 10 and 20 percent of all calls to police”. Not only that, but according to Joe Mullich from the Wall Street Journal,  “...responding to a single false alarm can cost up to $125, that information can translate into a significant savings over the course of a year.” All the more reason why designing and installing a system that can detect and react to false alarms on your company’s behalf is of the utmost importance.

There are many other points you should look for when scoping out your needs for your next security system installation, such as project scope capabilities, products offered, and overall cost. But having the best, most accessible technical support team, purchasing the right SLA for your company, designing a custom system and finding the right combination of intrusion alarm, access control and video will ensure the safety and security of not only your data and staff, but will be an added benefit to your company’s long term bottom line, as well.

About the Author

Phil Lake has been in the Life Safety/Security, and Controls industries for thirty years. During those thirty years, Phil has had ever increasing responsibility and opportunity and has held the President title for twenty years. The companies he has led include Honeywell, Chubb Security and Siemens--all global firms where Phil made a significant impact. However, Phil is most proud of his work at Knight Security Systems. Working at Knight has been a doubly-rewarding experience, leading and cultivating an environment where each team member has valuable input in the direction of the company. With Phil as President, Knight has been growing at an aggressive pace, fueled by a dedication to service and client satisfaction. Phil holds a Certified General Accountant Degree (CPA equivalent) from the University of Toronto where he studied Industrial Marketing in the Executive Programs.

Featured

  • Report: 47 Percent of Security Service Providers Are Not Yet Using AI or Automation Tools

    Trackforce, a provider of security workforce management platforms, today announced the launch of its 2025 Physical Security Operations Benchmark Report, an industry-first study that benchmarks both private security service providers and corporate security teams side by side. Based on a survey of over 300 security professionals across the globe, the report provides a comprehensive look at the state of physical security operations. Read Now

    • Guard Services

  • Identity Governance at the Crossroads of Complexity and Scale

    Modern enterprises are grappling with an increasing number of identities, both human and machine, across an ever-growing number of systems. They must also deal with increased operational demands, including faster onboarding, more scalable models, and tighter security enforcement. Navigating these ever-growing challenges with speed and accuracy requires a new approach to identity governance that is built for the future enterprise. Read Now

  • Eagle Eye Networks Launches AI Camera Gun Detection

    Eagle Eye Networks, a provider of cloud video surveillance, recently introduced Eagle Eye Gun Detection, a new layer of protection for schools and businesses that works with existing security cameras and infrastructure. Eagle Eye Networks is the first to build gun detection into its platform. Read Now

  • Report: AI is Supercharging Old-School Cybercriminal Tactics

    AI isn’t just transforming how we work. It’s reshaping how cybercriminals attack, with threat actors exploiting AI to mass produce malicious code loaders, steal browser credentials and accelerate cloud attacks, according to a new report from Elastic. Read Now

  • Pragmatism, Productivity, and the Push for Accountability in 2025-2026

    Every year, the security industry debates whether artificial intelligence is a disruption, an enabler, or a distraction. By 2025, that conversation matured, where AI became a working dimension in physical identity and access management (PIAM) programs. Observations from 2025 highlight this turning point in AI’s role in access control and define how security leaders are being distinguished based on how they apply it. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    The latest Qualcomm® Vision Intelligence Platform offers next-generation smart camera IoT solutions to improve safety and security across enterprises, cities and spaces. The Vision Intelligence Platform was expanded in March 2022 with the introduction of the QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC), which delivers superior artificial intelligence (AI) inferencing at the edge.

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area.

  • Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

    Connect ONE®

    Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.