Traditionally, security alarm systems used fixed telephone lines to pass information from the security alarm panel to a central monitoring facility. Today, however, that communication is increasingly being delegated to a digital cellular link. ABI Research forecasts that the 2007 number of just fewer than 2.5 million wireless security alarm connections will increase to more than 7.5 million in 2013.
Marquette University may not have Robocop, but school public safety officials are convinced they’ve got the next best thing—a virtual surveillance system that could make a dent in campus crime. What campus today isn’t thinking about and implementing key security plans?
- By Larry R. Rickard
- May 21, 2008
Monitoring is the cornerstone of the residential security industry—whether a dealer is maintaining an account itself or selling the contract to a third party.
- By Jim German
- May 01, 2008
Over the past decade, the security industry has gone through significant changes, driven by the times we live in, technology and end users.
- By Frank Defina
- Apr 02, 2008
Many organizations now require that CCTV video images are recorded and archived continuously from all cameras for 90 days or more. In large systems, this can create a significant storage requirement. The issue is compounded by users wanting to store video at the highest quality and maximum frame rate, particularly in homeland security and law enforcement applications where CCTV footage is required for evidential purposes.
- By Barry Keepence
- Apr 02, 2008
With an explosive demand for security monitoring worldwide, cameras are appearing in every conceivable location. The challenge is how to support this rapidly growing infrastructure with affordable and flexible real-world solutions. The adoption of PoE offers new opportunities for the design of products directly powered over Ethernet lines, drastically reducing overall installation and maintenance costs.
- By Koen Geirnaert
- Apr 01, 2008
If you don’t think the aftermath of Sept. 11, 2001, continues to have strong repercussions throughout the world, then you haven’t traveled much in the last six years. Security is still the word du jour—perhaps even more so as time goes on. Transportation venues continue to protect themselves from terrorist threats.
- By Jeffrey Lynn
- Mar 18, 2008
Construction sites are fiercely regulated environments in the United Kingdom, under a program called the Construction Skills Certification Scheme. At these sites, CSCS accreditation is tied to employee biometric details. At many construction sites, only workers with a CSCS card can be employed. The Olympic venues in London fall into this group.
- By Jon Mooney
- Mar 18, 2008
Video management systems have evolved considerably since the analog tape-based VCRs that were prevalent nearly 10 years ago. Then, analog CCTV cameras with coaxial cable typically were connected to a multiplexer so multiple video images could be displayed on a video monitor simultaneously. These signals then were recorded for review and archiving.
- By Matt Barnette, Adam Shane
- Mar 18, 2008
Arteco has announced an enhanced “Pop-Up” feature to its remote software ARTECO-LOGIC. When activated, the feature only displays video streams from cameras where security violations are taking place in real-time.
In the hit movie “Ocean’s 11,” Daniel Ocean and his crew succeed in robbing $160 million from the Bellagio casino. Ocean’s crew carries out that task by using a wide range of swindling skills and top-notch technological capabilities, not the least of which involves breaking into the casino’s video surveillance system. In the movie, the crew’s computer wiz physically taps into the system from the casino’s own server room.
- By Lior Frenkel
- Mar 03, 2008
Mention border security, and you might imagine the intersection of two countries, or perhaps the border separating government facilities from private land. But border security also can be defined as perimeter security, which expands the concept to encompass walls, fences, roads and other perimeters around businesses, schools, prisons, utilities, research facilities, and other properties and buildings.
- By John Monti
- Mar 01, 2008
Whenever a casino looks at video analytics, the discussion often leads down the path of far-fetched concepts and applications for catching and tracking cheats.
- By Bob Cutting
- Feb 29, 2008
From retail and manufacturing to healthcare and government, security departments and staff for decades have looked to security industry experts for new technology and services to improve operations and the bottom line. To that end, remote services provided by electronic security alarm providers that augment local security staff have become a frequent customer request.
- By Bill Fitzhenry
- Feb 29, 2008
Monitored security is a $30 billion industry with approximately 24 percent household penetration and consistent year-over-year revenue growth.
- By Paul Dawes
- Feb 29, 2008
- By Bill Savage
- Feb 14, 2008
Stretching several miles, Mission Beach, Calif., is the most popular beach area in San Diego, and it draws large crowds during the summer. Various shops, restaurants and beach rental outfits line its narrow boardwalk. Mission Beach offers limitless opportunities for sunbathing, surfing, bicycling, skateboarding and other outdoor activities. Despite the beach area’s idyllic landscape, last year San Diego Public Safety recorded the largest number of violent crimes ever.
Think about it. Two decades ago, cell phones were the size of bricks and could barely receive phone calls; today, they are wafer-thin and offer Internet access. Traveling to unknown destinations required detailed instructions scribbled on a notepad; today a car’s navigation system will direct the driver while the kids watch a DVD in the back seat.
- By Paul Dawes
- Feb 14, 2008
If you pick up any local employment guide, you cannot avoid seeing the many call centers with ads that read, “Customer service representatives wanted—immediate hire.” Why are these call centers continuously struggling with hiring and turnover?
- By Jacquellin Faison
- Feb 01, 2008
You’ve all seen that guy in the hallway: that unfamiliar face. “He must be the new guy.” “He must be here for a meeting.” “Isn’t he Jane’s husband?” “He probably works for facility management.” In too many cases, employee simply do not know who or why that person is wandering around the premises