3 Security Resolutions to Make and Keep in 2017

3 Security Resolutions to Make and Keep in 2017

It is a new year, so it must be time for a few resolutions. While most resolutions made are about healthy eating or breaking bad habits, security resolutions are surprisingly easy to keep up with. Here are a few things that you could do at the beginning of the year that will pay off all of 2017.

Password Manager

In 2016, we saw some of the worst cyber breaches of all time. Billions of user information was stolen giving hackers access to credit card information, addresses and sometimes even social security numbers. Because of this, securing your accounts is one of the biggest things to do in 2017.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: make your password to any account hard to guess and change it frequently. While this is great in theory, it is hard to keep up with what password goes to what account and when you changed it last. So, instead of resetting your password every time you attempt to log in, sign up for a password manager.

A password manager is a software application or hardware that helps a user store and organize passwords. They usually store passwords encrypted, requiring the user to create a master password: a single, ideally very strong password which grants the user access to their entire password database. These platforms are wonderful at keeping everything straight, so you don’t have to.

If you don’t feel comfortable using a password manager, then most accounts have the ability to set up two-step authentication to get into your account. With this service, you will get a ping to your mobile deice asking if it is really you signing into your account. With a simple yes, and perhaps a code given by the account, you are in.

Home Surveillance

You don’t have to spend a lot of money to feel secure in your home. Take stock of what you worry about most when it comes to your home. Are you afraid of who might be at the door? Worried to leave your kids alone after school? Scared to leave the house unattended for longer than a work day? There is a low-budget security solution for all these problems.

To tackle the door, find a doorbell camera that works best for you. Many of them give you the ability to know when someone is at your door just by motion sensors. You can choose to engage with that person over a speaker from your phone, or just watch until they leave.

Other door security systems pair up to your mobile device to let you know who’s coming in and when. You can have a log of which key is used at what time, giving you piece of mind that your kids got off the bus safely.

If you’re worried to leave your house unattended for a long period of time, then invest in some smart bulbs that give the illusion that you are home. Don’t get me wrong, you don’t need timed lights, those will tip off burglars if your whole house goes dark all at once. But get a system that recognized the doorbell, and lights up one room at a time to suggest that someone is in the house.

The Quadruple S

Perhaps the most important resolution you make this year is to make a pact with yourself: If you see something, say something.

2016 saw its fair share of campus security scares, mass shootings and terrorist attacks. In 2017, let’s keep our heads up and our eyes peeled for unusual activity. The police can’t see it all, which is why they’ve been pushing the “see something, say something” phrase for quite some time.

It doesn’t matter if what you see, if it feels strange or makes you uncomfortable call the police. Many times, crimes could have been prevented if someone just said something.

Featured

  • AI to Help Resolve Non-Emergency Calls Across Utah and Decrease 911 Caller Wait Times

    The Utah Communications Authority (UCA), which oversees the state’s next generation 911 technology services, recently announced that public safety answering points (PSAPs) throughout the state plan to implement Motorola Solutions’ Virtual Response technology to automate the receipt and resolution of 10-digit non-emergency line calls in Utah with the help of AI. Read Now

  • Report Reveals Local Governments Face Surge in Ransomware Attacks with Minimal Resources

    KnowBe4, the cybersecurity platform that comprehensively addresses human risk management, recently released new research highlighting the critical cybersecurity challenges facing state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) governments. The report details how government organizations have become prime targets for cybercriminals while simultaneously facing severe resource constraints. Read Now

  • Video Surveillance Trends to Watch

    With more organizations adding newer capabilities to their surveillance systems, it’s always important to remember the “basics” of system configuration and deployment, as well as the topline benefits of continually emerging technologies like AI and the cloud. Read Now

  • New Report Reveals Top Trends Transforming Access Controller Technology

    Mercury Security, a provider in access control hardware and open platform solutions, has published its Trends in Access Controllers Report, based on a survey of over 450 security professionals across North America and Europe. The findings highlight the controller’s vital role in a physical access control system (PACS), where the device not only enforces access policies but also connects with readers to verify user credentials—ranging from ID badges to biometrics and mobile identities. With 72% of respondents identifying the controller as a critical or important factor in PACS design, the report underscores how the choice of controller platform has become a strategic decision for today’s security leaders. Read Now

  • Overwhelming Majority of CISOs Anticipate Surge in Cyber Attacks Over the Next Three Years

    An overwhelming 98% of chief information security officers (CISOs) expect a surge in cyber attacks over the next three years as organizations face an increasingly complex and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven digital threat landscape. This is according to new research conducted among 300 CISOs, chief information officers (CIOs), and senior IT professionals by CSC1, the leading provider of enterprise-class domain and domain name system (DNS) security. Read Now

New Products

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis.

  • PE80 Series

    PE80 Series by SARGENT / ED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin

    ASSA ABLOY, a global leader in access solutions, has announced the launch of two next generation exit devices from long-standing leaders in the premium exit device market: the PE80 Series by SARGENT and the PED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin. These new exit devices boast industry-first features that are specifically designed to provide enhanced safety, security and convenience, setting new standards for exit solutions. The SARGENT PE80 and Corbin Russwin PED4000/PED5000 Series exit devices are engineered to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern buildings. Featuring the high strength, security and durability that ASSA ABLOY is known for, the new exit devices deliver several innovative, industry-first features in addition to elegant design finishes for every opening.

  • Mobile Safe Shield

    Mobile Safe Shield

    SafeWood Designs, Inc., a manufacturer of patented bullet resistant products, is excited to announce the launch of the Mobile Safe Shield. The Mobile Safe Shield is a moveable bullet resistant shield that provides protection in the event of an assailant and supplies cover in the event of an active shooter. With a heavy-duty steel frame, quality castor wheels, and bullet resistant core, the Mobile Safe Shield is a perfect addition to any guard station, security desks, courthouses, police stations, schools, office spaces and more. The Mobile Safe Shield is incredibly customizable. Bullet resistant materials are available in UL 752 Levels 1 through 8 and include glass, white board, tack board, veneer, and plastic laminate. Flexibility in bullet resistant materials allows for the Mobile Safe Shield to blend more with current interior décor for a seamless design aesthetic. Optional custom paint colors are also available for the steel frame.