Audio or Video Security for Your Business?
Businesses have long relied on audio and video security systems to protect their premises and assets. Although not everyone thinks of an alarm in terms of audio security, an alarm system will alert you to intruders just as much as a video security camera will.
Security needs, however, are rapidly changing. Over the past 20 years, security threats have increased and intensified, which encourages decision-makers to choose the applications of audio and video security to best suit their facility’s particular needs.
Audio Security
Alarm systems have been and continue to be a necessity when it comes to protecting business facilities after closing hours. Most alarm systems rely on interworking components and devices in order to secure designated entry points and interior spaces.
A basic audio security system consists of:
a control panel
door, wall, and window sound sensors
exterior and interior motion sensors
high-decibel alarm or siren, and/or a silent alert relayed to a central monitoring a station
Such a system is capable of fulfilling security needs, but the company must impress on its employees the importance of following proper alarm arming and disarming procedures in order to minimize the incidence of false alarms, as any sounding of the alarm must always be investigated.
If the system is monitored on site, it will precipitate an investigation by a security guard. If monitored by a security company, the usual procedure is to call the person at the top of the designated call list, and if there is no answer, to try the next person. Since time is of the essence, failure to reach the individual on-call will result in a call to the local police. The consequence is expensive and dangerous, as false alarms can result in hefty fines or danger to subsequent emergencies, as officers are not available to respond to true emergencies.
Video Security
While CCTV has been with us for years, it was the introduction of IP cameras in 1996 that resulted in the development of sophisticated video surveillance systems. Unlike CCTV cameras which are hardwired into a facility, IP cameras are installed on a company’s Ethernet network, each camera using internet protocol and assigned an IP address just like any other computer. As such, if you have IP cameras monitoring your facilities you can access them in real-time, or view recorded video from your home laptop or mobile device just as you access your email.
Although avoidance of theft remains the prime reason most businesses employ security cameras, they can be invaluable in dealing with special situations.
Sensitive Information
While any business that keeps sensitive information on the premises must monitor areas where data or files are stored, it has become even more critical for medical facilities. And no matter what your business entails, you need to protect your servers and computers from malicious meddling by hackers. Should a physical breach of security result in data loss, having access to recorded video can aid in forensic investigations.
Unattended Objects
Terrorism has put everyone on guard for explosive devices. Surveillance cameras can monitor areas for suspicious packages or objects that suddenly appear and if any are detected, immediately alert security personnel.
Sudden Disappearance of Merchandise
Conversely, cameras can alert retail store managers or security agents if valuable merchandise suddenly disappears from a showroom or display.
Armed Intruders
Tragic school shootings mandate that schools be able to immediately detect an intruder should he somehow get past existing security. Video security cameras can not only detect an intruder and alert security but also chart his path as he roams the building so arriving police can immediately pinpoint his real-time location.
Loiterers
Individuals loitering on the premises or at their entrances may be harmless or they may be individuals plotting vandalism, including the possibility of intent on mischief, or pickpockets. Video cameras can detect the presence of loiterers within minutes and alert security before they have a chance to follow through on their intentions.
All of the above situations depend on what is known as video content analytics, a fairly new option.