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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.

So you’re on vacation and you feel safe that your home back in MA or NH is protected by a security system. But will your summer vacation be interrupted by calls from your central station monitoring company due to false alarms, followed by unnecessary visits by the police?

Pictured above is Gemini Security System.

You don’t even have to be on vacation. You could be at work or doing errands–no one enjoys that call informing them that a thief may have just broken into their home, only to find out it was a false trip.

Here Are 3 Ways to Avoid False Alarms

• Don’t have air conditioners, fans or central air vents directing air towards curtains and drapes, or other loose objects that are in the scope of your motion detector.
• Clean out your motion detectors to make sure no spiders or other bugs have taken up residence inside.
• Make sure you have “pet-friendly” motion detectors which don’t trip the alarm panel when pets of a certain size enter the field of view.

One Source Security is Here to Help

If you’re not sure how to clean your motion detector, please contact us. Or if you’d like to inquire about pet-friendly motion detectors, and/or how you may be better able to situate the devices, we can advise you.

We will also provide a free security assessment and address all of your security needs, not just false alarms.

For more vacation advice, please read our blog post regarding 12 tips for security while you’re on vacation.

Finally, make sure that whoever is watching your home has been fully trained on the security system’s arming and disarming procedure. Be sure to provide them with the phone number to the monitoring company, the account number and their own password.

Thanks for your time today. We at One Source Security appreciate your interest.

To create security and peace of mind you installed an alarm system, and you diligently set your alarm every day.

One day, you arrived at work or home and realized you had a break-in. Your alarm didn’t work; you did not receive a call, and the police never came.

How did this happen? What preventative measures can you take?

Testing your home alarm system monthly and your commercial system weekly is extremely beneficial. A properly connected alarm system will ensure your system is communicating correctly with your monitoring station.

Testing your alarm system regularly can expose any problems caused by a sensor failure, phone line failure, change in phone service, power surge, or disconnecting a component and not reconnecting it properly.

Steps to test your system:

Before testing your system call your alarm company and place your account on test. You will need your account number or password. If you do not put your system on test it could result in police dispatch.

1. Make sure all of your doors and windows are closed securely.
2. Arm your system as if you were leaving the premises and wait 60 seconds for the exit delay to expire.
3. Open each door and window with a sensor attached. Wait 3-5 seconds then close the door or window. The alarm will sound, do not turn it off until all sensors are checked.
4. Once each sensor has been checked, disarm your system.
5. Call your alarm company to take your alarm off test.
6. Ask your alarm company which signals were received.

When One Source Security installs an alarm system, we test each system component to ensure proper communication with the central monitoring station. Periodic testing of your alarm system is essential.

If for any reason your system is not communicating to the monitoring station, please call us today at 1-800-570-6478.

In order to run a successful restaurant, owners need to address many different concerns. Probably their first concern is following government regulations, followed by finding and keeping competent employees, staying ahead of the completion, customer satisfaction, theft and liability, to name a few.

Using Video Surveillance

Food and safety regulations apply to every step of food and beverage preparation, when you own a business and rely on your employees to adhere the guidelines it is important to be able to follow up even if you have multiple sites.

Employee theft, another concern for employers, can include manipulation of cash sales transactions, misuse of coupons, gift certificates, and credit cards. It can also include giving free food to friends and family,

Video surveillance should be place in and around your building, include outside the drive thru window, parking lots, entrances, offices, food prep or kitchen areas.

Using visible monitors that can be viewed by customers can be a deterrent for crime as well. Post security signage near exits and entrances to inform potential thieves the business is monitored with video surveillance.

Using video surveillance can help keep everyone accountable. Be sure to have conversations with your employees about the use of video surveillance.

Alarm System

Robbery can be a problem for many restaurant owners and managers. Most spend time in the restaurant before and after closing. Using your alarm system when there are few people in the building especially fast food restaurants, which typically use cash, open early and stay late can keep everyone a little safer.

Using chimes with the security system will notify you when a back door is opening, and can alert the manager of a delivery or an employee leaving the building.

Access Control

Using access control can leave an audit trail while limiting access to critical areas such as offices where the safe is located. Access control will limit access based on the user, time of day and day of the week.

Replacing a lock and key system with access control can eliminate the problem of rekeying all locks when an employee leaves or loses their key. Have you thought about who has access to those keys the employee takes home with them?

Fire Alarm System

Install code compliant fire alarm systems for rapid response. Fire alarm systems need to be inspected on a regular basis, usually once a year, per code requirements. Maintaining a properly working system will optimize performance at the time of an emergency.

Environmental Monitoring

Critical equipment failure can cause a great financial loss to any restaurant owner. By monitoring coolers, freezers, and air conditioners, you can be notified of any failure before the problem becomes costly.

Have you thought about using your freezer or cooler as a safe room? Install locks that have the capability to lock and unlock from the inside. An alarm and communication device can be placed inside the freezer and cooler to be used in the event of an emergency.

Safes

Use UL safes to protect your cash and valuables. Our safes are highly secure and easy to use, only granting access to those who need it. Employee theft can be minimized using a UL safe.

Risk Assessment

When was the last time you had a thorough risk assessment? This is important as it provides an objective overview of the existing security system. An assessment can identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses. – Pinpointing areas where you can reduce risk. The assessment should be completed by a security expert for each location that is being built, expanded or updated. If you haven’t had your system evaluated in the last 3 to 5 years you should consider having an expert conduct a thorough assessment.

Areas of concern should include entrances and exits, delivery locations, cash registers, food storage areas, food preparation areas, and ventilation system.

After your risk assessment you may find your security needs to be upgraded. Upgrading your security system, video surveillance, access control and environmental monitors can help increase the profitability by reducing loss.

Conclusion

Using your security system and video surveillance properly can bring some peace of mind. Using the appropriate security strategy can address food safety, food contamination (accidental and malicious), theft and liability.

From fast food to fine dining your security strategy should protect against losses and increase safety of employees and customers.

Call today for your FREE assessment.

School administrators are under pressure to provide enhanced security in response to increasing safety concerns. Educators are challenged with creating a relaxed yet vigilant environment designed for learning. While the statistics alone for school shootings can be overwhelming, administrators are fighting to keep a balance between safety and education.

Over 230 shootings have happened on school property since the year 2000, with almost half of the shootings resulting in death. Not all were students and not all happened inside the school building. Since the beginning of 2018 there have been nearly 35 school shootings alone on school grounds, the worst in February when the alleged shooter pulled the fire alarm, rendering the students, teachers and staff vulnerable.

No school administrator wants to have to face the challenges of violence; yet all must come to grips with that possibility. School Administrators must plan and prepare for a broad array of threats and train for each response option associated with that particular threat.

They must be prepared to proactively communicate about school safety, and evaluate their protocols, strategies, practices and technology on a yearly basis.

Assessing School Safety – Both informal and formal safety and security audits should be conducted. Conduct a security assessment every year.

Best practices

• A comprehensive physical inspection and evaluation of all systems and controls by a security professional will determine where the gaps in security are and be able to recommend cost-effective solutions that will provide the greatest impact on school security.
• Scheduling a preventative maintenance inspection yearly keeps systems in working condition, before issues arise. Regular security system maintenance is vital to safeguard your school.

Making Upgrades – Updating technology is critically important. Innovation moves quickly, so it’s important to mitigate hidden risks from old systems. Upgrading is vital.

Best Practice

• Security enhancements and updates should be done at a minimum of every two years to keep the campus secure against intruders.
• Video surveillance with remote online access capabilities allows first responders real-time access to recorded and live, up-to-the-second information about an unauthorized intruder’s movements. Remote access allows immediate and appropriate responses to situations.
• Use video surveillance with video analytics technology, which is a sophisticated deep learning artificial intelligence search engine for video. See how Fulton County School District is using this technology to keep their students, teachers and staff safe. https://www.youtube.com/embed/8JuVMqlhz_E

Security Measures – The more time you spend in preparing for a threat, the more prepared you will be to respond and defend against it.

Best practices

• Protect the school perimeter with fencing and video surveillance. Install well placed signage with clear instructions for all visitors.
• Use an electronic Visitor Management System or VMS with printed temporary badges that include the date/time, who they are going to see and a photo of the visitor.
• Primary entrances should be equipped with electronic access control and a video intercom system to manage access and communicate with visitors.
• All secondary doors should always be locked from the outside and modified for emergency exit only. Traffic should be directed to designated entrances and exits to monitor and control access to the building.
• Interior doors should be held open with magnetic door holders with the actual hardware locked at all times. During a lockdown event the doors can be programmed to automatically release, close and lock, with the swipe of a specific lockdown card at any reader.
• During emergency lockdowns it is critical that students and faculty are prepared to react quickly.

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1. Install classroom security locks on the classroom doors so teachers can readily secure students and themselves behind locked doors without becoming a target in the hallway.
2. All classrooms and common areas should have the same key, which gives teachers and staff the ability to secure any area or classroom during a lockdown event, quickly and easily. Keys should be with teachers and staff at all times.

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• Implement an effective communication system with an alternative power source, to notify every student, teacher and staff member within and outside the school.
• Panic buttons should be installed with the ability to alert security or police and set emergency protocols in motion.
• Installing security laminates on windows and doors will render them smash-resistant.

Process and Procedures – When an emergency occurs within the school, staff and students must know how to effectively respond within mere moments. Practiced procedures produce effective results.

Best Practice

• Every school should have a comprehensive, multi-hazard emergency management plan with well-defined and well-executed processes for natural or manmade disaster events that is written and available to staff members.
• Implement active shooter procedures and conduct practice drills regularly.
• Keep a vigilant eye out for any breach of security and take action immediately. Proactive observation by teachers and staff can help to prevent a situation from occurring. Staff should be trained to know what to do if they engage an unauthorized visitor on campus.
• Require all students, teachers and staff to wear color coded photo ID badges at all times.
• Have a dedicated full-time school resource officer for each school or district depending on the size of the school system.

As a school security expert we can provide your school with the knowledge they need to increase safety and security in and around their buildings. We offer access control, video surveillance, intrusion systems, panic notification, security laminates and more. If you would like a FREE security assessment, call One Source Security today at 1-800-570-6478.

‘In reference to One Source Security, We have been using One Source as a preferred vendor here at the Milford School District for 15 years now. From the front office staff to the technicians that show up on site, they are all professional and friendly, willing to help and go the extra step to ensure we are satisfied with all of the work. We have them work on all of our camera systems, card access and alarm systems and I will not hesitate to recommend One Source for all of your security needs’.

William S.Cooper

Director – Buildings and Grounds

Milford School District – SAU 40

We recently got a call from a school administrator who clearly needs security for his district.

He is in need of specifics such as security cameras (we’re doing so many upgrades for schools lately), as well as strobe lights. He needs an innovative solution which may include strobes to signal to students that are further away on campus. We enjoy designing systems such as this.

He sort of tabled our request to visit him and for us to simply provide advice (we’re not in the “selling” business with pressure applied after we meet with potential clients). We are advisors and act as a resource to help with security solutions.

By not meeting with us, he will not get to ask questions and receive advice in a no-pressure meeting and consultation. To his credit, he did say he would “pass it on” at the next quarterly meeting.

We can only assume that he has some of the following concerns, and we can do this because we’ve met with countless schools who have the same, valid concerns.

With all that has occurred at schools in recent years, do we want to further concern the children, parents and staff by installing an over-abundance of daunting security cameras, etc? Or does this action actually soothe people more?

This can go either way, but our experience is, that administrators don’t want an overwhelming display of security due to the former mentioned above.

Schools quite often have metal detectors at the entrances nowadays. So how could some extra security cameras be worse than that?

The answer is, we can install security cameras in discreet fashion. We can even install covert (hidden) cameras.

As for protection of the staff and children, highly discreet measures can be taken such as installing panic buttons under desks and supplying staff with universal keys.

These allow for any staff to jump into a class or other room, and lock any door from the inside with his or her key.

It can be set up also, so that staff can immediately and with the swipe of one access card, set all the doors of the school into an emergency lock down.

Also discreet are the tiny camera lenses that are housed in video-intercom metal plates that are affixed to the building near entrances. This video-intercom allows office staff to not only screen a person, but to see his or her demeanor and current state.

This writer needs to highlight one more issue before he signs off. Does it have to be “zero sum”? All or nothing? Of course not.

Administrators don’t want a “prison-like” atmosphere in their schools. But at the expense of what? Should you take no action because this is your concern? Or should you meet with an expert who does this consulting and installation for scores and scores of school systems?

I say the latter.

Just highlight, click and search all feeds over the whole network!

Avigilon Appearance Search technology help users save time and effort during critical investigations, by recognizing the movements and unique characteristics of people and vehicles, while ignoring any activity that isn’t relevant to a scene. It is designed to provide security operators critical information about where and when a person or vehicle might have been before and after an event.

Avigilon’s new technology can quickly and easily locate a specific person or vehicle of interest across an entire site, whether searching for an individual who left a bag in a hallway, a missing or lost person, or where a vehicle ended up after its arrival at the facility. The goal is to improve incident response time and enhance forensic investigations by allowing operators to build video evidence and create a narrative of events. Operators can scan vast amounts of recorded footage efficiently, grouping video data together in order to help track a person or vehicle route.

Avigilon Face Appearance Search technology increases the speed and accuracy of investigations, by detecting and understanding that it is searching for the same person, even if items such as their clothing change over time.

Avigilon Appearance Search technology is redefining the way customers think about and interact with their video surveillance systems, providing powerful insights for effective decision making, according to Dr. Mahesh Saptharishi, Avigilon’s CTO.

Video analytics brings attention to the right incident at the right time. Notifications can be set to alert personnel of a security breach at the perimeter of a property or a restricted/dangerous area; all information can be pushed to mobile devices, as well.

Through the use of high-definition video analytics, pattern-based analytics algorithms, and teach-by-example capabilities, Avigilon provides full HD video footage with sharp image detail and smarter analytic solutions through proven self-learning video analytics technology. Avigilons technology can instantly detect and learn the surrounding scene upon initial set up.

From cameras to software, everything you need all in one place, call One Source Security today for a FREE assessment of your facility, at 800-570-6478.

File this one under “People never cease to amaze me”, and, “He didn’t seem like the type of guy to do that”.

If you’re the owner or administrator of an animal hospital or shelter, you need to protect your assets just as much as if they were electronics, jewelry or other traditionally sought-after goods by thieves.

And those assets are much more important to some people than the aforementioned material things. They comprise “man’s best friend”. Of course you also need to protect medication from being stolen, and equipment as well.

Keeping tabs on employees is another important function of a security system. Monitoring employees with video (both remotely and on-site), as well as making sure they close up the facility safely and on time with the help of your monitoring company, doesn’t have to have a negative connotation. It actually acts to protect them and provides a feeling of safety for them—and peace of mind for you.

Getting back to the latest craziness alluded to at the open of this blog…An elderly man in Methuen, MA actually stole a beagle recently in the middle of the day—he even brought his own leash. He and his wife teamed up to pull off the heist.

But, because the shelter had video surveillance in place, the footage was released to local news outlets and ultimately the man returned the dog.

Sadly, this is the second beagle, and third dog overall, to be stolen from a facility this year in Massachusetts.
Only having a monitored alarm system may not be enough.

Sure, it will alert the central station if someone tries to break in, but you can do so much more with your security system for animal hospitals and shelters.

How about open and close reports to ensure that your employees have opened and closed safely and on time? Even better, utilize supervised reports where a central station operator will call you if the facility is opened late, not closed and armed at night, etc. You will also be alerted if an employee enters in the middle of the night and disarms the system.

Remote video monitoring, as part of your overall video surveillance solution, is a convenient and effective security measure.

Use your mobile device from anywhere there is an internet connection to feel as if you’re at your facility constantly. Even receive email alerts if there is any motion inside your property during times when there shouldn’t be anyone present.

Access Control can ensure that only the properly authorized and credentialed employees and vendors enter sensitive areas.

You will receive reports of who went where and when. You can also create time zones that only allow entry to certain areas at certain times. And as a bonus, the expense of re-keying or changing locks won’t be an issue because there are no keys to lose.

So you can use a combination of several security measures to create a safe environment at your animal hospital or shelter. You know better than anyone that those animals are more precious than any material item such as jewelry, and now they can be protected, along with your employees

File this story under “I’ve heard of that happening, but what are the chances it would happen to me?”

Well, according to a report on NBC’s Today show this morning, thefts of packages left on front porches or doorsteps by delivery companies are experiencing an uptick this year.

Pictured above is a dome security camera positioned on the roof of a porch.

And just like with house break-ins, these crimes are often committed in broad daylight, in quiet neighborhoods, with neighbors carrying on in the meantime.

And thieves have more opportunity than ever this holiday season, since more and more people are doing a greater percentage (if not all) of their gift shopping online. This could possibly explain the aforementioned uptick in thefts, but nonethesles, there has been an increase no matter how you look at it.

So what can you do about it? Can you hold the delivery companies responsible? Actually, they will not be held accountable for any theft after the package has been delivered. Nor should they be.

But most do have the option for delivery confirmation. They would require someone be present to sign for and accept your package if you choose that option when you purchase your product. There may be fees associated with this this.

But since this is a security blog, let’s talk for a minute about video surveillance. The report on the Today show indicated that many people use home security cameras.

One woman interviewed even posted images of her thief online. But at the time of the report there were no suspects.

Home video surveillance helps in a few ways. Yes, you can also post clips of the thief online after the fact and provide the images to authorities—you are so far ahead of the game if you have these pieces of the puzzle than if you didn’t.

But if you have the home security cameras installed in plain view on your front porch or equivalent area, they certainly act as a deterrent to some degree. They obviously don’t stop all brazen thieves, but they do more good than harm, many would say.

You can also set up remote video monitoring for your home. You can at least see your package throughout the day. As well as see when it arrives, then call a neighbor to go pick it up. Some remote video monitoring allows you to transmit audio, so you could communicate a choice greeting to someone you saw snooping where they shouldn’t be.

In fact, driveway alert sensors can also transmit pre-recorded messages that warn potential package-stealers that they are on video or that they should think twice. These can be set up in a variety of places.

Other actions you can take include having the package delivered to your place of work. You could also have a trusted neighbor keep watch for the delivery and pick it up upon arrival, or have it delivered to him or her.

According to the report on Today, some companies are offering text alerts upon delivery, so be sure to ask for this.

Thanks for spending some time with us today.

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.