Author: apigroup

Employee theft takes many forms seen as larceny, skimming and fraudulent disbursements. It is estimated that up to 80% of total shrinkage is from internal fraud, the other 20% is related to vendor shrinkage and shoplifting, at a cost to US retailers of up to $30 billion in net loss each year. There isn’t a clear cut way to identify who will or will not steal; most often it’s a crime of opportunity.

At the point-of-sale (POS) or cash register employees can pilfer cash, bag merchandise without charging a customer, mark-down merchandise without authorization, create a false refund recipe (taking the cash), as well as offer employee discounts to friends and family.

The most effective solution is to install video surveillance with a digital video recorder (DVR) above the registers. Using a high definition video surveillance system with high-resolution video imaging will give clear video of events in question. Having fast access to live or recorded video and immediate playback features, allows for quick delivery of video clips to law enforcement when needed. Once the system is installed and the employees are shown the systems capabilities, owners may see an increase in sales and decrease in losses.

Expanding video surveillance throughout the store can prevent employees from helping shoplifters. Include placing cameras over trash bins, too. An employee may throw something in the trash only to come back after closing to retrieve it from the dumpster. Cameras should also, be placed in storage rooms and loading areas, to keep a watchful eye on merchandise.

Pilfering or stealing may stop once the dishonest employee realized their actives can be captured on video surveillance and clearly recorded. A business owner may see some employees leave if they are unable to steal anymore.

Call One Source Security today for a free assessment of your business at 800-570-6478.

Why is it important to have your fire alarm system inspected? Regular service and maintenance may increase the life of your system, meet insurance company requirements, significantly improve reliability and reduce false alarms. Periodic system testing and inspection by qualified specialists can detect any problems.

False alarms and fire alarm problems can be caused by a myriad of problems, such as age, temperature, dust, dirt, contaminates, and vandalism. Even remodeling and improper maintenance procedures can cause damage and increase your false alarm rate.

As the fire system ages, voltage fluctuations and temperature changes with higher humidity levels may cause systems to fail or have alarm problems. Maintaining your system by testing and calibrating alarm sensors, checking battery corrosion and expiration dates may decrease system failure and false alarms.

If systems are older than twenty years it may be at its technology life expectancy. Updating an older system depends upon how well it was maintained, the age and whether or not it is compatible with today’s technology, although, properly maintained systems may continue to work well for many years.

The specialist performing the inspection, testing and maintenance should be knowledgeable and qualified to service your fire alarm system. Use a specialist whose daily work revolves around fire alarm system technology. With proper testing, inspection and maintenance your fire alarm system can function at its optimal performance.

NFPA codes regulate the frequency of required inspections which are annually, at a minimum. Some businesses inspect their systems biannually or quarterly. Remember, business owners cannot conduct maintenance work or inspections on their own system, per fire code. These checkups may be the difference between no line of defense and lives saved.

Many people will be going away on vacation for Labor Day weekend. This gives us plenty of time to put some finishing touches on the security of our homes and provide the peace of mind that will allow us to enjoy our trips even more.

Pictured above is motion detector set of exterior lights

Please refer to our past blog post “Security While You’re on Vacation–12 Important Tips” for many resources. But we wanted to key on one specific tip today–security lighting.

Cardinal Rule Number One: Don’t leave your lights on 24/7 in various parts of the house when you go away, making it appear as if someone’s home. Thieves see right through this. Don’t feel bad if you have done this either. Many people have (even this author is guilty of having done it before he entered the security field).

Instead, purchase timer modules to plug into your outlets in a few areas of your house to hook up to existing lamps and lights. Set them to turn on and off at times you would typically do so yourself.

This is even superior to having a neighbor come in and turn your lights on and off for you, since a thieve could be “casing” your house and see the neighbor’s activity. Lights with timer modules don’t provide such an obvious sign that you’re away.

Lights that turn on when it gets dark and then turn off when the sun rises are an ok solution for the exterior, but the best bet is motion detector lights. One problem with those that turn off and on with the sunrise/set is that people may not use them when they’re home and not vacationing. They’ll activate them when they go away, thereby making them feel more secure.

But, if a thief has been casing your property, and he now sees the lights on during the weekend nights, he may assume you’re not home.

Motion detector lights are effective because they are set to trigger on motion all the time, whether you’re home or away. They save energy because they don’t need to be on all the time and they certainly startle a potential crook who is about to set up shop outside your window or door.

For advanced measures, and to take action should a breach were to happen, it is possible to have your lighting tied into your security alarm system. So not only will your alarm sound and alert the central monitoring station, but it will also illuminate the scene.

Please ask One Source Security for details on how to make to this happen, or for other questions about security lighting.

In fact, please click the button below for a free security assessment. We would be happy to discuss your needs with you. Thanks for spending some time with us today.

Strengthening your on-site security system helps attract new tenants, while keeping your current tenants happy. Failure to provide quality security for your tenants can be detrimental to your business.

Potential and current customers are looking to rent a self-storage unit where they feel confident their family heirlooms or everyday items can be stored safely and securely knowing every precaution is taken to protect their precious items.

Unfortunately, break-ins, vandalism and false liability claims do occur. Installing or upgrading to a fully functioning security system, which is routinely maintained with monthly testing and preventive maintenance inspections yearly, can help deter these from happening.

Must haves for self-storage facilities:

1. A fully functioning monitored security system can help alert you of a break-in.
2. A video surveillance system with monitors in the office area and remote access can allow you to see your facility from anywhere. Make sure video is recorded in case there is a liability claim, vandalism or theft. Footage can be saved for short or extended periods of time, depending on the storage method you choose.
3. a.We know criminal incidents can be decreased with the visibility of cameras. Thieves or vandals are looking for soft targets, most often without video surveillance.
4. b.Today, camera software can be programmed to alert administrators when an incident happens, thus decreasing costs for continuous monitoring.
5. c.If you own a facility with outdoor entrances to each unit and no fences around the property, using license plate cameras may be an excellent way to increase security.

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1. If you’re using keys to enter the building and units, upgrading to an access control system can create a more secure environment. Administrators can download audit trails of who has been in the building, when they have been in the building and if the door has been propped open.
2. If you’re already using access control, remember to remove outdated access codes. As soon as an employee leaves your employment, make sure their code is disabled. When a tenant no longer wishes to rent their unit, their code should be disabled the day they move out.
3. Create temporary pass codes for contractors, vendors, landscapers, etc. and update codes regularly. Limit their access to the property or building to only the time of day, as well as the day of the week they need to enter.

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1. If your facility is using locks, make sure you are using master keyway locks for pedestrian doors or padlocks for overhead doors. It’s important to have a master keyway system designed for growth and changing needs along the way. With a master keyway you can easily access a unit at any time for any legal reason.
2. Tenants expect there to be adequate environmental monitoring. Many items will be fine in a standard unit but items like papers, clothes, electronics, cars and antiques, need to have some form of environmental monitoring, including temperature and humidity for protection. If your facility is at ground level in a low area, water monitoring should also be included. Fire, smoke and CO detectors are standard for most storage facilities.
3. We cannot say enough about maintaining your system. Testing your system monthly ensures everything is in proper working order. Another is to have a yearly preventive maintenance inspection by a professional security company. By maintaining your system you can keep it in optimal working order for years to come.

Call One Source Security today to schedule an appointment to talk about your self-storage security needs, 800-570-6478.

Athletic events and concerts held in stadiums, around the world in recent years, have been targets of horrible violence. Stadiums are prime targets due to the high volume of people in a condensed area.

Creating a layered security approach helps detect and deter suspicious behaviors and events both within and outside the stadium walls. Developing a strong security posture, with vigilant stadium security can help identify threats and vulnerabilities. This layered approach should include building a strong security and emergency response team, developing protocols in the event of an emergency, creating access controls and installing a state-of-the-art intelligent video surveillance system.

Here are some points to consider:

If your security command center is located onsite, move it to an offsite location. The command and communications center will be the first area taken out by an attacker.

Control external access by creating no-vehicle zones and limited parking close to the stadium. Stadium access points and entrances with visible security such as bag checks and uniformed personnel can make a difference in deterring violent acts, just by their presence.

Create levels of access throughout the stadium for employees; install biometrics for players, staff and owners allowing them to enter a restricted area without having to carry a physical credential.

Effectively monitoring large crowds across an entire stadium can be done with a state-of-the-art video surveillance system. High definition cameras with sophisticated artificial intelligence driven video management software are designed to help operators efficiently identity and respond quickly to potential security events.

Stadiums and large venues have benefited from using cameras with higher resolution that provide both broad coverage and excellent image detail, allowing security personnel to monitor a large crowd using fewer cameras.

The Avigilon Control Center software is an easy to use high definition system allowing operators to quickly search, identify, mark and capture details of a person, object or vehicle of interest. Security personnel can monitor and analyze footage in real time, providing front-line security employees with information they need to enhance screening and crowd management. Zoom in on an activity within large crowds and provide detailed video information. Watch the Avigilon Sample Footage – Stadium here.

Large amounts of video are never analyzed, not for lack of interest but rather the decline in human attention spans. Advanced video analytics technology is designed to help improve response time. When security personnel highlight a person, object or vehicle using this technology, hours of footage can easily be sorted through across all cameras on a site saving time and effort during critical investigations. A person or vehicle’s route can be traced from beginning to last known location.

Unusual motion detection technology brings a new level of automation to surveillance by learning and remembering what a typical activity/scene looks like. This is designed to bring attention to atypical events needing further investigation. This technology is designed to detect things like a vehicle traveling in the wrong direction or a crowd being suddenly disrupted, when this occurs an alert is sent to the security staff.

We can show you how to incorporate biometrics and video surveillance with artificial intelligence into your security plan. Call One Source Security today at 800-570-6478.

Imagine the convenience of having total remote control of your home through your security system. Simplify and secure your life by staying in touch and in control from anywhere using the iBridge app on your smart phone/tablet or iBridge touchscreen.

What can iBridge do for you?

• Control your security system, video cameras, thermostat, lighting, appliances and locks, all in one place, using the iBridge app or iBridge touchscreen as your universal remote control.
• Forgot to turn the heat back before you got into bed? No problem, just grab your smart phone/tablet, and make your changes without even getting out of bed.
• On your way to work and forgot to close the garage door? With the iBridge app you can close it remotely.
• The kids arrived home from school and realized they forgot their house key. Unlock the door for them quickly and easily from anywhere.
• By remotely turning on the heat or air conditions, arrive home to the perfect temperature.
• Whether at home or away you will have the ability to arm/disarm your alarm, look in on your home, see who is at the door, set heating & cooling temperatures and much more, all with the touch of a button.

iBridge Connected Home Services is an easy and affordable way to take control of your home and add to the power of your security system.

Features:

Security – Using your smart phone/tablet or the iBridge touchscreen, remotely control your security system. Arm/disarm your alarm or send a silent alarm/panic alert to get help from authorities.

Video – You can check on the kids, pets and loved ones, when you are away from home. Great to look in on kids returning home, deliveries & alarm events as they happen.

Climate – You have total remote control of your thermostat; touch a button to change the temperature to the desired level or set and schedule heating & cooling temperatures. Homeowners can save on energy costs with manual or scheduled temperature settings.

Lights – Set the mood you want with the touch of your fingertips. Touch a button to turn a light on or off, or dim it to the desired level. Create lighting schedules for morning, afternoon, evening and nighttime.

Locks – Once programmed you can remotely lock and unlock the doors from any location using the iBridge app/tablet or the iBridge touchscreen through z-wave devices.

Notifications – Get Live Video Alert “Message/Notifications” on the events you choose and see pre- and post-video clips of the events/alarms as they unfold. See what’s happening at your front door. Receive emails, texts and video notifications if your security system is unexpectedly turned off or set off.

Feel safe and secure whether you are home or away by making iBridge Connected Home Services part of your security system. iBridge Connected Home Services is an easy and affordable way to take control of your home and add to the power of your security system. Call One Source Security today at 800-570-6478, to set up your connected home.

The summer months are here and that means many families across America will be visiting vacation spots to get away from home. But unfortunately, while many are having fun at the beach, criminals try to take advantage by breaking into homes and if that’s not bad enough, those pesky environmental hazards will strike when you least expect.

According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program, the average loss per burglary in 2017 was nearly $2,500. Law enforcement officers say typically during the summer months, the number of home break-in cases rise. And the sad but true fact is just 7% of burglars face justice for breaking in. Often, property crimes are some of the most difficult for detectives to solve. People rarely witness their crimes, and burglars know how to spot an easy target.

But you can outwit burglars’ break-in secrets:

Home security is absolutely essential and there are many options to choose from, so make sure you opt for one that fits your home. One Source Security will help assess your risks, needs and possible security weaknesses before we design your system. We are an advisor and will offer preventive advice, so you can avoid many potential problems altogether, including environmental hazards. We customize each system to suit the end-user’s specific needs.

Monitored alarm system: An alarm system is just one tool in the home security tool chest, but it’s an important one. While it may seem that you can install just a basic alarm and it will scare off intruders, that’s not necessarily the case.

Think of the last time you heard a car alarm. Did it even phase you? Did you call the police? Did you notice anyone else heading toward the sound to investigate? Likely, you and everyone around you has grown so accustomed to the sound of car alarms that you just ignore it. The same can be true in populated areas when a home alarm sounds. If your home location is more remote, there’s the chance no one would even hear it. That’s why alarm system monitoring can be critical in protecting your property and assets.

What is a Monitored Alarm System?

In a nutshell, it is exactly what it sounds like: an alarm system that is monitored, typically by a company that charges for the service. For the safety and security of your home, the basic coverage of a monitored alarm system commonly includes detection of intrusion and alerting authorities.

Once armed, these systems use sensors to detect if a door or window has been opened, if a window has been broken, or if there is motion within (and sometimes outside of) the home. These sensors trigger both the alarm and whatever alerts have been set up (to a monitoring company or to your cell phone). The system is either hardwired or wireless, and may include a cellular backup in case wires are cut or internet connection is lost.

Beyond this, systems can include many types of sensors, various levels of alerts, and integration with other security systems and smart technology.

Video Surveillance Systems: A video surveillance system can add next-level security to your home’s efforts to deter crime. Strategically placed cameras could mean would-be burglars bypass your home for an easier target. And if a crime does occur, the video footage can provide important evidence for both your insurance company and the police.

There are many options and features to consider across a broad spectrum of equipment.

What is a video surveillance system?

Video surveillance systems involve strategic placement of security cameras, monitoring motion and activity, generating alerts, transmitting footage, and storing that footage. Cameras can be both indoors and outside.

The camera system may also be referred to as closed-circuit television or CCTV. As part of your home security protocol, the purpose for a video surveillance system is to:

• Deter break-ins and theft
• Increase the security of your home and property
• Gather and store evidence if a crime does occur

Security cameras can be stand-alone devices or part of a system depending upon the complexity of your security needs. In order to meet your security objectives, cameras (or signs saying cameras are present) must be visible and the cameras must be able to record, store and transmit footage (or be connected to recorder or system that can do so). Not only can it be viewed from anywhere in the world, including your phone, due to network capability, it can also allow you to view live video remotely so you can see what’s happening in real time.

An added perk to installing a surveillance system may be a discount on your office insurance premiums.

Environmental Hazards: are something homeowners have to deal with constantly, but how do you save your home when you are away enjoying yourself on vacation?

As with the home alarm system monitoring, the environmental alarms are also monitored by a company. For the safety and security of your home, the basic coverage of a monitored alarm system commonly includes detection of environmental hazards, alerting you and alerting authorities.

Once armed, these systems use sensors to detect if there is the potential for water damage from flooding, broken or leaking pipes, improper changes in temperature possibly leading to frozen pipes, or the deadly carbon monoxide hazard, filling your home with the deadly, odorless, unnoticeable gas. These sensors trigger both the alarm and whatever alerts have been set up (to a monitoring company or to your cell phone). The system is either hardwired or wireless, and may include a cellular backup in case wires are cut or internet connection is lost.

PROTECTION FROM WATER DAMAGE

Whether you need to protect your home from water damage due to seasonal floods, in a basement for instance, or you’re concerned about important documents and equipment, water sensors such as “Water Bugs” can pick up the smallest amount of moisture.

DETECT TEMPERATURE CHANGES

It is important to maintain proper temperature in the home. It’s also important to know that pipes won’t freeze at home. A Hi / Low Temperature monitor helps to keep temperatures at the correct level and protect valuable equipment.

CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTION

Many consider Carbon Monoxide—the “Silent Killer”—the most important environmental hazard to guard against. Detection is a strong complement to any home security system to say the least; it can be a life saver.

Don’t wait until it’s too late! Home Security, Video Surveillance and our environmental monitoring can offer peace of mind.

As security experts, we can provide you with the knowledge needed to increase safety and security in and around your home, and keep you in the know whether you are near or far. Call One Source Security today for a free assessment of your home, 800-570-6478.

Today we’ll continue with our list of 10 security mistakes that businesses make and how to prevent them. The following post is number 6 on the list. If you’d like the entire list all at once, please visit our homepage or click here.

Pictured above is a 180 degree (with 4 lenses) dome security camera.

Mistake: Not using video surveillance because your employees will be uneasy

Dealing with employee theft can be a sensitive issue. Many times, business decision-makers don’t want to give their employees the wrong message. Does it make your staff feel uneasy and that they’re not trusted if there are too many cameras around?

This is an answer only you can answer. One recommendation is to communicate with your staff when the security cameras are installed. And if they’re already installed, it’s certainly not too late.

Let them know that you may have had an issue with a particular person in the past–that it’s not them specifically. You could also explain that you need to protect the business, and sometimes even the employee, if a legal issue were to arise–such as a lawsuit stemming from a slip–for example.

And most importantly, regarding their safety, explain that video surveillance can protect them against former or current disgruntled employees. If these employees know they are being recorded, it may deter them from entering the premises, thereby thwarting their plans.

And finally, the most obvious explanation is that the security cameras are not there for the employees at all. They are there to identify burglars should a break in happen, as well as to deter the break in altogher.

If you’d like to speak or meet with someone from One Source Security & Automation about how to make your workplace more safe, please click the button below and we will be in touch to schedule an appointment.

Thank you for spending some time with us today.

The short answer would be yes. With the use of smart cards comes an added layer of protection. Have you ever wondered if someone could steal your access or your employee’s access to a building? You may think yes if I lost my access card, but what if you are standing in a crowd or in an elevator, would you be able to tell if someone was electronically pick pocketing you (also called crowd hacking)? Some electronic pick pocketing equipment can be used up to 30 feet away hidden in a normal computer case or messenger bag.

Smart cards have Mifare which is a technology that enables the card to have encrypted two-way communication between a card and a reader. Encryption needs to be authenticated on both ends. Some benefits include, increased data storage capacity, and reliability as each card has a unique serial number. The information on the card can be PIN coded and /or read-write protected and can be updated without issuing another card.

With the use of a standard RFID Proximity card, the information transmitted from the card is fixed via either a high or low frequency antenna embedded within the card. When the card comes within the proximity of the readers radio waves, data is easily pulled from the card by the reader; the card has no problem releasing the information to the reader. There is no encryption to authenticate, which creates an easy target for hackers.

So how can you protect your business and employees? One way is to use a dual technology smart card, which contains an embedded computer chip or integrated circuit that stores and transacts data, as well as low and high frequency antennas inside the card. In order to hack the card the hacker would need to know that there are 3 different technologies within the card. Most often only one type of technology is stolen.

If you need to give employees 24 hour access to a building, require the use of a card and pin on external doors. This prevents cards that are copied or cloned by hackers from gaining unfettered access to a building.

Protect your ID card from dangerous data theft by using a shielded ID badge sleeve. This sleeve contains a thin piece of metal that prevents your card from being read without authorization. This is the perfect badge holder for protecting PIV, CAC, TWIC, FRAC and other 13.56 MHz smart credentials.

Smart card technology is conveniently available in a variety of form factors, including:

• Plastic cards
• Key fobs
• Watches
• GSM mobile phones
• USB-based tokens.

Many industries are choosing to use dual technology smart cards, including:

• Healthcare
• Airports
• Government and Correctional facilities
• Commercial and High Tech facilities
• Education
• Banking & Financial

Smartcards outperform proximity cards in terms of reliability, convenience, security, speed of use, fraud risk management and lowering operating costs. Smart cards offer more storage and secure reading and writing of data because of a number of encryption algorithms and electronic keys.

By installing an access control system that uses duel technology smart cards instead of keys, you can greatly minimize the risks that come with unauthorized duplication, increasing security across your site. Call One Source Security today to set up a FREE assessment of your facility at 800-570-6478.