Pendants Thwart Panic

INDUSTRY PROFESSIONAL

Pendants Thwart Panic

  • By Warren Hill
  • Aug 01, 2023

The unfortunate state-of-affairs surrounding safety and security throughout the country about hostile events has increased in all industries over the years. Security consultants and dealers are tasked with providing the most up-to-date and vital solutions in this ever-changing landscape.

One specific example is inside U.S. courthouses where unruly, aggressive and even violent behavior is known to occur. It is difficult to understand the feelings and emotions that happen throughout court proceedings or a trial, but it is imperative to have a solution that keeps all parties safe in the event of an altercation or threat.

There have been multiple instances where bailiffs or other first responders need to escort attendees from the premises, whether during high-profile cases or not. These threats can be vocal or non-vocal threats against offenders, witnesses, and victims, or against those handling cases such as judges, prosecutors and investigators. Throughout multiple counties in Georgia, DSI Systems, a Chickamauga-based integrator, provides advanced security products and solutions and completes custom installations for a variety of commercial industries has been working with courthouses to ensure staff and visitor safety.

A courthouse situation could escalate within seconds, resulting in the need for a security solution that has a quick response time and connects staff and visitors to the right authorities promptly. DSI Systems welcomed this challenge to review workable solutions available in the market to ensure that any situation that may occur in courtrooms, judges’ chambers or other areas of the building are dealt with promptly and securely. The main goal of the solution is to thwart any potentially hostile situation from escalating.

DSI Systems, in collaboration with multiple Georgia courthouses and security manufacturer Alula went through a needs assessment for system communications, to ensure the best solution was provided. After understanding the requirements of the courthouses, DSI Systems supplied and installed Alula Connect+, a wireless system that provides security, video and smart property control, into two judge's chambers.

This 5G-ready solution offers the quickest installation process, with remote programming and over-the-air firmware upgrades allowing users to quickly address issues without having to make changes on-site. This panel provides one hub for monitoring all system devices.

The solution provides users with a simple and consistent operational experience from both dedicated on-premises touchscreen controls and a mobile app. With a platform that is easy to learn, operate and manage, users can customize push notification alerts simply, enabling real-time updates throughout the building. This allows customers to have control over their security system.
In addition, an encrypted, wireless panic button was installed on the judges’ benches. When activated, the sheriffs’ officers receive a real-time alert directly to their phones, alerting them to the fact that the judge needs help.

The panic button is intuitive and easy to operate with a single red button, for quick access, and an LED that blinks every minute to provide reassurance that the device is correctly communicating with the Connect+ panel. With the panic button and immediate notifications provided through Alula’s Security App, judges have quick access to those who can help de-escalate any situation that arises in the courthouse.

“The Connect+ provides our customers with speed and promptness, a necessity in the case of an aggressive individual in the courtroom,” said Lowell Poteet, owner of DSI Systems. “From the moment an alarm is triggered there is no communication delay, leading to peace of mind for the courthouse staff and visitors.”

DSI is updating 12 other courthouses that have antiquated security alert systems.

This article originally appeared in the July / August 2023 issue of Security Today.

About the Author

Warren Hill is the vice president of marketing and partner development at Alula.

Featured

  • Evolving Cybersecurity Strategies: Uniting Human Risk Management and Security Awareness Training

    Organizations are increasingly turning their attention to human-focused security approaches, as two out of three (68%) cybersecurity incidents involve people. Threat actors are shifting from targeting networks and systems to hacking humans via social engineering methods, living off human errors as their most prevalent attack vector. Whether manipulated or not, human cyber behavior is leveraged to gain backdoor access into systems. This mainly results from a lack of employee training and awareness about evolving attack techniques employed by malign actors. Read Now

  • Report: 1 in 3 Easily Exploitable Vulnerabilities Found on Cloud Assets

    CyCognito recently released new research highlighting critical security vulnerabilities across cloud-hosted assets, revealing that one in three easily exploitable vulnerabilities or misconfigurations are found on cloud assets. As organizations increasingly shift to multi-cloud strategies, the findings underscore significant security gaps that could provide attackers with potential footholds into networks. Read Now

  • Built for Today, Ready for Tomorrow

    Selecting the right VMS is critical for any organization that depends on video surveillance to ensure safety, security and operational efficiency. While many organizations focus on immediate needs such as budget and deployment size, let us review some of the long-term considerations that can significantly impact a VMS's utility and flexibility. Read Now

  • Paving the Way to Smart Buildings

    In today's rapidly evolving security landscape, the convergence of on-prem, edge and cloud technologies are critical. The physical security landscape is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by the rapid digitalization of buildings and the evolving needs of modern organizations. As the buildings sector pivots towards smart, AI and data-driven operations, the integration of both edge and cloud technology has become crucial. Read Now

  • The Cybersecurity Time Bomb

    If you work in physical security, you have probably seen it: a camera, access control system, or intrusion detection device installed years ago, humming along without a single update. It is a common scenario that security professionals have come to accept as "normal." But here is the reality: this mindset is actively putting organizations at risk. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • 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.

  • EasyGate SPT and SPD

    EasyGate SPT SPD

    Security solutions do not have to be ordinary, let alone unattractive. Having renewed their best-selling speed gates, Cominfo has once again demonstrated their Art of Security philosophy in practice — and confirmed their position as an industry-leading manufacturers of premium speed gates and turnstiles.

  • Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden Door Controls has relaunched its CV-7600 card readers in response to growing market demand for a more secure alternative to standard proximity credentials that can be easily cloned. CV-7600 readers support MIFARE DESFire EV1 & EV2 encryption technology credentials, making them virtually clone-proof and highly secure.