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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

In recent years we have seen some pretty horrific things happen on school property. Not everything can be prevented but we can most certainly do as much as we can to deter, detect and defend against these awful crimes.

Schools by their very nature are open environments. It’s a challenge to strike the right balance between maintaining a welcoming and open environment, and protecting the student, teachers and staff, while controlling visitor access. Offering a high level of security with a certain level of convenience can bring peace of mind.

There are some unique challenges facing schools today:

• Not everyone needs or should have access to every part of the building.
• Visitors come and go all day long, parents pick up sick kids, volunteers check in and contractors are hired for projects that can’t necessarily wait until the end of the day.
• Some modern security threats include gun violence and terrorism.
• Extremely large multi building campus, making them hard to manage.

Securing classrooms, hallways and campuses:

• Go key-less for teachers and staff
• By using a school access control system, teachers and staff can use a single card as an ID badge and a keyless entry card. Administrators can control when doors can be opened and by whom. Cards can also be disabled quickly when lost.
• Manage visitors better with sign in, custodial and sex offender checks
• Using a visitor management system with the ability to store custodial information ensures a child is only released to the proper guardian. It also allows you to check visitors against local sex offender databases, providing increased safety.
• Manage a multi-building system from a single location
• Remotely managing every door in every building gives the administrator the ability to open any classroom door. Decreased response times and false alarms by allowing you to quickly assess the situation.
• Integrate your access control system with video surveillance
• Integrating access control and video surveillance can create a powerful, multi-faceted security solution. Your video surveillance system can be set up to record a door every time a card is swiped, giving a visual of who has entered with a time stamp.
• Zero in on the source of an issue quickly
• Many schools have sprawling campuses with the struggle to zero in on a problem. When an alarm is triggered the exact location will show up on the Dynamic Map of the facility. You can pull up video surveillance of the exact spot, in order to confirm or dismiss an issue.
• Lockdown the entire school with the press of a button
• Many schools already have lock down procedures in place that require teachers and staff to lock doors manually. School access control systems can lock down an entire building or campus with the press of a button or by using a specific card at any reader. This creates an instant secure environment.
• Classroom panic notification allows a teacher to push a button to notify the predefined personnel, such as the security staff or principal that there is an incident outside the classroom.
• Create a more secure vestibule
• Vestibules are used as a buffer between visitors and the school. Installing shatter resistant security glass laminates on glass doors and windows in the vestibule can be a cost efficient way to prevent visitors with malicious intent from gaining access quickly by smashing windows and walking right into the main area of the building.

Today, teachers and students have a fear of school shooting, violent intruders and terrorism. Many schools are doing much better securing the perimeter of their schools. We are seeing main entrance doors locked and monitored by staff members using intercoms to communicate with visitors. Increased security throughout the school along with solid security procedures are making a difference when it comes to deterring, detecting and defending against school crimes.

By investing in the district, not each school individually you can create a uniform level of security for all schools, lower capital costs and lower staffing requirements because staff can centrally view and manage the system from anywhere.

Call One Source Security today for your FREE assessment of your school. Remember your ‘One Source for Peace of Mind’ is only one phone call away, 800-570-6478.

This is certainly an appropriate time of year to talk about freeze alarms since freezing pipes are a chief concern for many homeowners, facility managers and the like this time of year.

These vital devices can save your home or business from tens of thousands of dollars in damage due to flooding, spoiled food and more.

Pictured above is an EnviroAlert by Windland, with features beyond just a freeze alarm.

When it’s time to talk to your security integrator about a freeze alarm, you may see that there are many choices—many versions that perform different functions. Today we’ll attempt to explain some of these so that you’ll be better informed.

First of all, what is a freeze alarm? Well, the most basic version of a freeze alarm alerts you that the temperature in a given area has dropped below a pre-determined level.

This alert can come in the form of automated phone calls to a string of people (sometimes with a recorded message describing the problem). It can trigger your security panel to dial the monitoring company and a live operator can begin contacting the call list as well. It could even cause an alarm to sound.

One type of freeze alarm is referred to as a fixed temperature alert. If this were to be used in a residential setting to prevent pipes from freezing, a common temperature for the alarm to be set at would be 41 degrees.

Another type of freeze alarm is referred to as mechanical, or digital. This version can be set for both low and high temperature thresholds. So it’s not only “freezing” that is being guarded against.

Others have remote programming capabilities and allow the user to set alerts for not only temperature, but for humidity and water sensing. They too protect against more than just freezing, but also provide a higher level of programming functionality.

This last type would be used in situations where there is a walk-in freezer at a restaurant or school, for instance. A monitor unit would be affixed at a central location for reading purposes, and often up to four probes can be run off of this unit into varying locations (to more than one freezer, for instance).

The programming flexibility allows for such design as to be able to create windows of time where no alert would be triggered. For instance, if employees were loading and unloading items into and out of the cooler for a period of time, the temperature is naturally going to rise inside.

So instead of instantly setting off an alert due to this rising temperature (past the pre-determined limit), a two-hour window would have been created beforehand so that only if the temperature is above that level for over two hours will alarm sound.

These are not the only types of freeze alarms available to choose from, as we mentioned, there are many more combinations. We simply wanted you to be better armed with a little information when it’s time to tackle your environmental monitoring needs this winter.

Thanks for spending some time with us today.

Museum security is a creative art form in and of itself. Security, safety and accessibility are all taken into account when protecting irreplaceable works of art. When multi-million dollar works of art are on display, executives and board of directors encourage as many people as possible to enjoy the art while ensuring it is protected. Their desire is to encourage the public to come within touching distance of the artwork while having security measures in place for the artwork against vandals, thieves or the inquisitive 5th grader.

Not only are museums concerned with the public they are also concerned with employees, contractors and even terrorists, these days. According to FBI statistics, between 70 and 80 percent of all solved theft cases involve insider participation of some kind. When creating a security plan it is important not to overlook employee or contractor involvement.

The common overall strategy is to create a balance in the individualized security plan. The plan should include security staff, access policies, and the use of electronic security systems and video surveillance.

The first step would be to create a hierarchy of security measures to put in place which would involve securing the premises with surveillance, scanning and alarms. Creating an in-depth security program starts with monitoring all entrances and exits of the building. It is important to see everyone who enters and exits with a good picture. This would include the general public, employees and delivery people. Placing cameras and alarms at each entrance with video monitoring would allow security to watch all entrances. Service entrances should have alarms, video and intercom for remote access, allowing individuals to be buzzed in from the control room.

We would then secure all windows. Each window should be armed with an alarm contact. There should also be a combination of Security Glass Laminates on the windows with glass break sensors for each window. Using Security Glass Laminates would deter easy access by smashing a window. These laminates will hold the smashed glass together, and some are bullet-resistant to NIJ standard level 3A. Glass break sensors would alarm when the sound of the breaking glass is sensed. Motion detectors can be off when changing a display, moving a piece of art or when the cleaning crew is in the building, yet there is still protection around the perimeter of the building by using a combination of laminates and glass breaks.

The next step in the security plan should include the staff. Implementing access control with a hierarchy of security clearance associated with each employee, and of course performing background checks on all employees is a must.

Motion detectors can be placed over each work of art, when triggered it can chirp to startle the observer who is too close.

Using IP cameras with automatic triggers and DVR’s would be the next layer of security. Using this combination would give a clear recording of an event, whether the event is theft, vandalism, employee conduct or an accident.

Environmental sensors should be used for hi/low temperature changes, water detection, carbon monoxide, and AC power loss.

When we are called in to help with security, we consider site lines, display methods and the value of the art. We create a system with alarms, cameras, card readers and a full security management system. We can help with the challenge of keeping artwork safe yet allowing visitors to come within an arm’s length. We are here to help you and remember we are your ‘One Source’ for peace of mind.

Call today for a FREE assessment.

Most of the articles in our security blog are centered on the topic of keeping criminals out of your home or business with the use of burglar alarms, access control, video surveillance, and more.

Today, we’d like to reverse that process and talk about keeping people in—but these folks are precious assets instead of unwanted guests.

Pictured above is one type of wander alarm–affixed to a door.

With shrinking budgets leading to lower staffing corps in many managed care facilities, it has never been more important to consider wander alarms.

And even with adequate staffing, human error can sometimes come into play. Staff can become distracted by a phone call, for instance, and a patient could start to exit the supervised area.

Wander alarms help contain many types of patients to designated areas in various facilities, but very often they are used with elderly residents of nursing homes and related facilities who may suffer from dementia.

It is very important that these people remain in a certain area where they can be safely monitored by the many different types of wander alarms, as well as staff of course, and we’ll talk about a few in this piece today.

A wireless wander alarm allows you to be notified when a targeted door is opened. A device is actually installed on the door and a chime sounds at a receiver which can be located a significant distance away.

Some manufacturers provide features such as identification of the actual patient who has breached the boundary. This is made possible due to a bracelet or ankle tag that they wear.

These bracelets and ankle tags can also work in conjunction with door devices that emit a field. When the patient who is wearing one enters the field, two actions can take place. If the door is open, an alarm will sound which in turn alerts staff.

If the door is shut at the time the patient approaches, the door will automatically lock and also alarm in some cases.

Motion detectors, which are commonly used with burglar alarm systems, can also be used as a part of your wander alarm system.

So as you can see, there are many ways to keep our revered seniors safe in nursing home settings.

Talk to your security integrator about installing a wander alarm at your facility today.

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One of the most vulnerable parts of a building is the windows. Installing security glass laminates adds a layer of security that can help protect people and property. This state-of-the-art laminate is designed to withstand impacts from forced entry or natural disasters.

Laminates are thin but incredibly strong layers of polyester material. Layers are sandwiched together on the window with a super strong adhesive. These laminates absorb the shock of a blunt object and disperse the energy from the impact. The more the laminated glass is struck the stronger it becomes.

It is strong enough to deter and discourage an opportunistic smash-and-grab burglary. When an intruder hits the window, the laminate holds the broken window together, creating a barrier, equiring, on the intruders part, more effort, time and noise to get through a window.

Windows and doors can withstand repeated blows from bricks, bats, hammers and crowbars. Having to repeatedly hit the window or glass door will most likely cause the intruder to flee in search of an easier target.

We know vandals just want to be malicious and mischievous; wreaking havoc for a business owner. If you could keep the vandal outside, you could prevent them from breaking, spray painting etc. property within the building, thus keeping damage as minimal as possible.

During a natural disaster broken windows can be held together preventing flying glass from entering the building and preventing further damage to people and property.

Laminates can prevent a ball from penetrating a window if your home or building abuts a golf course or baseball field.

Schools are installing laminates on their vestibule/entry doors and windows. Hotels are installing them on suites that hold VIPS, celebrities and political figures. Businesses are also installing them on conference rooms and windows of office buildings where it is likely a disgruntled worker could strike.

With each new product, we like to provide our customers with real choices and solutions. We desire to be their ‘One Source” for peace of mind by providing the most state of the art products to our customers so they can feel confident knowing we are providing the best security to protect their building as well as people.

Call One Source Security today for a free security estimate of your building at 800-570-6478.

According to the 2014 FBI crime statistics, “There were an estimated 8,277,829 property crimes (burglaries, larceny-thefts, and motor vehicle thefts) reported by law enforcement. Financial losses suffered by victims of these crimes were calculated at approximately $14.3 billion. Larceny-theft accounted for 70.8 percent of all property crimes reported, burglary for 20.9 percent, and motor vehicle theft for 8.3 percent.” These losses are significant.

As companies invest in security to protect intellectual property, people and physical assets, creating a visible line with perimeter security is a great complement to an already existing indoor security system. It is important to create an uninviting and secure property to deter criminals from considering your property as a target.

Protect important assets stored outside such as lumber on a lumber yard, cars on a dealership lot or repair shop, construction equipment on a retail lot or a construction site, with the addition of access control and video surveillance outside.

Visibility

Avoid blind spots near entrances, limit access by using landscaping and paths to lead to entrances. Obstacles, such as trees and shrubs, can create hiding places for criminals.

Video Surveillance

Install video surveillance with analytic tools at the perimeter of the property. Configure cameras to record based on specific motion detection criteria; this may reduce false alarm rates. The goal is timely notification to security personnel with the ability to zoom into an area where the disturbance is detected.

Access Control

Use access control at the entrance of the property, parking lots and garages, as well as at the entrance of the building can create a secure barrier.

Access control with remote monitoring will leave electronic documentation of access and the failed attempts of anyone entering or exiting your property. The use of video surveillance will provide verification for the access system.

Doors and windows

With the use of glass break sensors along with window and door sensors security will be alerted when a breach happens. With the use of security glass laminates windows become shatter resistant, leaving and intruder perplexes as to why they cannot smash a hole in the window.

Conclusion

The ultimate goal is to prevent criminals from gaining access to the property and reaching the building. With the use of video surveillance, access control, and creating visibility at entrances; perimeter security can complement the already existing interior security system.

Call us today for a free estimate of your property, whether you are a military faculty, correctional facility, hospital, airport or commercial company we can help bolster your perimeter.

https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/2015/september/latest-crime-stats-released/latest-crime-stats-released

Today accidents, sabotage and information theft can be prevented or known the instant it happens with automated server rack protection, video surveillance, access control and environmental monitoring.

Your system and firewalls may be very well secured but is your server room secured? Your server stores, retrieves and sends an abundant amount of data. It is essentially the heart of your system. Protecting your servers from unauthorized individuals is crucial for the protection of your customers and business. When it comes to this type of protection we can give you peace of mind through multi-level security.

Implement server room best practices:

Employees:

• Do background checks on all new employees who will have access to the server room and the information stored there.
• Allow only authorized personnel into the server room and into specific racks in the server room through card access.
• Have cameras to document where employees go in the server room.
• Deactivate terminated employees access when they leave.

Server Room:

• Map out the server room and pinpoint vulnerabilities.
• Install access control and electronic locking devices to prevent entry and minimize risks associated with keys and key management.
• Secure the server racks using Rack Armor. This secures the front and back of the rack, locking and unlocking the cabinet through the software, and two valid cards are needed to open the cabinet.
• Install cameras with a DVR. Record whoever enters and exits the server room, and where they went.
• Use state of the art video cameras which can be programmed to alarm if the server room if there is motion after hours. For example, if the door to the server room is opened after hours and the camera has a preprogrammed scene which does not include the door opening, an alarm will notify the control room of the unauthorized scene change.
• Install Water Bugs which will alert monitoring stations when the smallest amount of moisture is detected.
• Install Temperature Sensors to detect malfunctions with the heating and cooling systems.
• Install Relays to detect power outages, and always have backup generates ready and maintained.

We can help you protect your server room from accidents, sabotage and information theft, call today (800) 570-6478 for a free assessment of your server room.