Always Connected, Always Protecting
Today’s technology provides security at the fingertips
- By Joe Oliveri
- Nov 01, 2016
In today’s world, businesses and organizations require a multitude of
security solutions at their fingertips to adequately help protect their
customers, employees and facilities from harm. The always-on, always-
connected nature of our workforce calls for managers to have
oversight and control over the security systems in place 24/7. These technologies
include intrusion detection, access control and video surveillance,
and can expand to encompass much more.
THE FIRST STEP
Implementing these systems is just the first step on the journey towards
a streamlined security operation. The real challenge comes in managing
these separate components simultaneously. Operating a range of security
systems can’t be done in a vacuum; without a wide view of the technologies
in place, busy managers don’t have the bandwidth to ensure facilities are
secure and operating at top efficiency.
This introduces a need for a packaged security solution that combines
insights into various security products and allows managers to easily access
it with a unified user interface. Offerings of this kind currently on
the market enable business owners and security managers to remotely
manage more than 20 security tasks in real time, from anywhere with
an Internet connected device. These integrated security solutions, including
real-time alerts, remote arm/disarm capabilities, access management
and live video look-in, can provide new ways to help improve workplace
safety, security and business operations. Some solutions even allow for
multiple users with the same or varied views, privileges or access rights,
in one or multiple locations.
Mid-sized businesses are a particularly relevant customer base for an integrated
solution, since their smaller management teams may have a wider
range of responsibilities and could benefit from an all-in-one platform for
managing various systems. Additionally, comprehensive solutions are built
to scale to larger environments as the business and operation grows, allowing
for the quick expansion that growing businesses often require. Convenience
and efficiency are two of the main drivers for managers to adopt a
solution that encompasses multiple security tasks.
A TOTAL SOLUTION
The benefits of a total package solution go beyond ease of management, as
organizations can save time and money on system maintenance and concentrate
their efforts on core business functions. Utilizing one application
to implement and operate multiple components of a security system can
help users avoid spending time and resources contacting multiple providers
for questions, software upgrades, service and administration. Additionally,
these kinds of solutions can be supported by one server and one manufacturer
to ensure consistent upgrades and integration, requiring fewer resources
when updates become available.
Dealers and integrators also greatly benefit by packaged solutions, which
can manage multiple security systems. Such offerings are typically designed
to be integrated out-of-the-box and with minimal effort. Just as business
owners and managers are saved time and resources by requiring less contact
with numerous providers, those providers are able to regain some time
to focus on additional customers. This can help improve business overall
for those providers as well; rather than spending a large amount of time
working with one customer to address issues and updates, they are able to
work with numerous customers for smaller amounts of time, increasing
their profitability.
There are three common security systems that may be included in a
packaged security solution: video surveillance, access control and intrusion
detection. Understanding how each of these systems can work together
to benefit a business provides a strong argument for the usefulness
of a unified interface that can simplify and streamline even the most complex
security procedures and environments. It should come as no surprise
that video surveillance is a foundational security tool to deter theft and
optimize business operations.
Video surveillance devices capture activities taking place inside businesses,
providing insights to business owners and managers to improve
training and customer service. They can also help identify parties involved
and actions taken in the review of a crime and provide concrete evidence
for liability claims, such as slips and falls. Scalability and remote management
capabilities are crucial to the effectiveness of video surveillance and
can be provided in a unified packaged solution that is accessible from Internet
connected devices. Some solutions even provide the ability to connect
to and control more than 15 Internet protocol (IP) or analog cameras.
Monitoring and playback at anytime from anywhere is a noteworthy feature
that business owners should seek in video surveillance systems that are
part of an integrated security solution.
ESSENTIAL TECHNOLOGIES
Access control is another essential technology for businesses, which can
best be utilized through a mobile and connected application. Intended to
restrict people from the areas of a business that they are not meant to be
in, access control solutions can regulate and track access for employees and
visitors on a daily basis. Managers are able to help prevent members of staff,
cleaning crew, or visitors from rooms that store sensitive information or
other areas that are off-limits. Additionally, access control technology can
define access privileges to help prevent disgruntled former or terminated
employees from entering a business without permission. If a critical area
has been penetrated, access control systems that are integrated with a packaged
security solution can provide date and time stamps showing when
the event occurred – helpful for use in tandem with video playbacks. With
certain applications, business owners can use access control to view interactive
floor plans and arm and disarm systems, as well as scale the system
for multisite locations.
Last, but certainly not least, intrusion detection (or burglar detection)
provides a much-needed alert in the event that an intruder is able to gain
access to the facility. The ability to control a business’ alarm system remotely
from a virtual keypad in a unified mobile application can help provide
the peace of mind that business owners and managers need while they’re
away from the office. With the technology available on the market today,
businesses can help protect more than 60 zones and enjoy scalability for
even greater expansion capabilities. Intrusion detection systems that are
managed through a packaged application can also share alarm events to
help keep managers up-to-date on the status of their facility at any point
in the day.
With a security solution that brings together all the benefits of video
surveillance, access control, and intrusion detection systems, businesses
would have the ability to be better positioned to handle any type of challenge
that they may encounter. Mobility and simplicity are key attributes
for business owners and managers to look for when considering packaged
security solutions.
A unified mobile application can exhibit these features by increasing the
ease of implementation and regular use while enabling on-the-go management.
Benefits of such solutions extend beyond the system managers to
dealers and integrators, who from such solutions may be able to reduce
time spent correcting problems and updating systems and increase time
addressing a wider range of customers. Comprehensive packaged security
solutions can both help increase operational efficiency for businesses while
helping to provide additional protection.
This article originally appeared in the November 2016 issue of Security Today.