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According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, more than 2 million people misused prescription opioids from 2016 to 2017. In the late 1990’s, healthcare providers began to prescribe opioids in greater numbers due to pharmaceutical companies reassurance that patients would not become addicted.

Taking prescriptions in a way not intended by a physician can lead to an addiction. An addiction can lead to robbery or internal theft by an employee. Trying to support their addiction.

Developing a solid individualized security plan begins with a security assessment of the pharmacy, hospital, physician’s office, distribution center or warehouse where drugs are dispersed or stored.

The goal is to limit access and establish strong site security measures. So, where should security start to provide complete protection for prescription medication?

Access control: Access control is the first line of defense. Creating access control protocols can limit who has access to pharmacies, cabinets or areas of a facility where desired drugs are distributed and stored. Audit trails can be retrieved from an access control system to see who entered an area in the event of a crime. Rather than using a password or pass code, biometric security measures like fingerprint readers allow for unique authentication methods that cannot be replicated or shared with outsiders. As a side note, by using biometrics internal help can be deterred in the event of a theft. Employees cannot share biometrics like they can a pass code or access card.

Video surveillance: High resolution video cameras with artificial intelligence or AI utilize computer software programs to analyze the images from video surveillance cameras in order to recognize humans, vehicles or objects. Camera software can be programmed to send alerts when foreign objects are detected or recognized in a video, such as a gun. Cameras should be installed at dispensing areas, cabinets, drug safes, entrances and exits at the mere site of them is a highly effective deterrent against theft. It is extremely important to protect the privacy of customers, by keeping cameras away from prescriptions and prescription bottles with patient and medication names.

Dual authentication: Place limitations on who has access where drugs are stored or prepared. Implement several layers of security such as dual authentication to include biometric access control along with a pass code to authenticate the employee.

Data storage: Data, such as video surveillance should be stored in locked cabinets, off site or in the cloud. If you lose access to your building, the data can be retrieved remotely with ease. Data should be encrypted when it leaves your server, on the offsite server, and when it is restored back to your server.

Drug safes and locked cabinets: Secure safes and drug cabinets either through standard lock-and-key fingerprint or access control methods.

Security system: Include a monitored alarm system, panic notification, motion detectors and door alarms. Panic buttons should be installed at the counter or staff should have the ability to use mobile devices they carry with them. Alarm codes should be kept on a need to know basis, never shared and changed frequently. Signage stating security system is in place will help deter.

Train staff to be alert: By simply greeting customers, employees can observe any unusual behavior and a thief might feel less inclined to commit a crime.

As security experts, we can provide you with the knowledge needed to increase safety and security in and around your pharmacy, hospital or facility. By developing strong site security focused on safeguarding prescription medicine, employees, drugs and assets can be protected. Call One Source Security today for a free assessment of your facility, 800-570-6478.

The principal, superintendant, school security officer or administrators cannot be everywhere on school property. Using video surveillance can help keep an eye on students, teachers and visitors. In recent years we have had some horrific tragedies in schools across the United States; safety and security are a major concern for most schools today.

Installing video surveillance in plain sight in schools can deter a crime before it happens, whether it is theft, vandalism, bullying, fighting or sexual harassment. Most criminals prefer an easy target where their image will not be captured on camera. If a student gets robbed or hurt on school property, a video clip can be pulled from the recording to corroborate or contradict a story. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) approximately 3 percent of students ages 12-18 reported being victimized at school with in a 6 month period of time.

When video cameras are installed, they become one of the most effective security measures a school can choose. However, there are a few places video cameras are not allowed, such as bathrooms, locker rooms and other private places. They should be placed in hallways, corridors, entrances and exits, main offices, labs, shops, gymnasiums, cafeterias, restroom entrances, classrooms and parking lots.

Unfortunately, bullying and harassment have become a serious problem for our schools. Bullying undermines victims with relentless cruelty that often leads to tragic consequences. Installing video surveillance in the hallway to watch a victim’s locker can be one tool school administrators can use to help identify bullies and deter bullying.

What if a child spray paints a hallway during spirit week to reflect a class color? With video surveillance the student can be quickly caught and swiftly dealt with by the principle in order to deter any further vandalism.

At times a teacher can be the victim of an accusation. Installing video cameras in a classroom to see what really happened not only protect the teacher, but the student as well.

Visitors can be monitored entering and exiting school buildings. Video surveillance can make it easier to identify unauthorized visitors who may be wandering around on school property. Perimeter or parking lot cameras allows footage to be viewed in the event of vandalism to a teacher’s, or student’s car, fighting or other crimes. Remote entrances and exits can also be monitored for intruders. Parents can have peace of mind knowing that video cameras are installed in schools as part of the schools security plan.

When video surveillance is installed in schools, students and teachers tend to be better behaved. The goal is to ensure a safe, secure and healthy learning environment for children. One Source Security can help place video surveillance in the most strategic places within your school. Call us today for a free assessment at 800-570-6478.

As the gateway to your business your doors should be in proper working order. When a customer is having a crisis with a door, door jam or hardware, many times we have found the problem could easily have been prevented.

With a Preventive maintenance plan (PMI) problems can be avoided before a crisis happens and prevent a costly, bothersome, and potentially dangerous problem from occurring.

A PMI plan can significantly reduce the cost of ownership by increasing performance life. Regular inspections and maintenance are recommended to ensure efficiency of all security doors. With regular inspections, current and potential problems can be detected and identified, preventing costly repairs and serious personal injuries in the future.

Doors can swell when moisture is present and become damaged if they slam. Lack of proper lubrication in lock cylinders, hinges, latches, exit bars, etc. is one of the most common forms of neglect which cause many serious problems and malfunctions with hardware and locks yet is so simple to maintain.

Having a PMI plan which includes inspecting, lubricating, adjusting and tightening doors, and lock sets, as well as testing devices for safety and functionality can extend the life of your commercial doors and hardware, and ensure operational efficiency and reliability.

Installing an access control system on primary doors which features auto locking and unlocking can help with door lock maintenance by controlling the door speed in which it shuts as well as controlling the locking mechanism. Electronic keys can be easily removed from a system when the need arises or when a card key is lost or stolen to restrict the entry of unauthorized users. Audit trails can be created to document who enters and exits a particular door.

Video security should be considered in all commercial properties. If there is excessive damage to one door, the availability of video surveillance can help identify the problem. Being able to view video history or live video for key areas can add a great deal for your peace of mind.

A properly installed well maintained door will last, saving money and time with repairs. Call One Source Security today for more information about our PMI programs for your doors, door jams and locking hardware at 800-570-6478.

Intercoms are everywhere

Think of all the places where intercoms are used: at the drive-through for lunch, “buzzing” a friend’s apartment or listening to the specials while you shop at the market.

Pictured above is an Aiphone brand intercom with a video function

We may not always equate intercom with security, but it sure plays a vital role in making our premises safer.

How about outside the doors of an elementary school? In the “sallyport” of a prison? Or at the security desk of a governmental office? Now that sounds more like security.

Have you ever been “buzzed in” by a guard or other professional and considered how important that function is to the security of a building or did you just proceed without much thought? Don’t worry, many of us have.

Getting the most of your intercom system

To achieve maximum security effect, intercoms can be combined with other functions such as video surveillance, for instance.

In fact, security integration makes it possible for a “pan, tilt and zoom” camera (often wide angle) to swivel and focus in on a person who wants to enter a building after they press the button to speak outside the door. This, in turn, makes it possible for the person inside the building to verify the person’s identity, and just as importantly, it records their image for future use if necessary.

Video also allows for the employee granting access inside to make sure that an additional unauthorized entrant isn’t “piggy backing” and entering with the original person.

IP-based video, combined with intercom, allows the image to be placed onto the network. So if a security or reception desk isn’t manned, a person as far away as another city can grant access by being able to see the video via the network.

Parlay the prevalence of cell / mobile phones into efficiency

Not only can intercom be integrated with other security platforms such as video, it can be used more effectively with phones.

For instance, with a cell phone instead of a call box receiver, a security guard doesn’t have to be in one fixed place at all times. He or she can grant access while on a mobile patrol.

And with video integrated into this security guard scenario, he could also allow access to an individual without having to dispatch personnel to do so, thereby saving time and resources–especially on larger premises.

Intercoms have many ancillary yet important functions as well

Companies like Aiphone manufacture devices that have intercoms with built-in card access readers and access control keypads. This reduces space required on the same wall outside a door, for instance, and allows each system to operate independently.

Another security function for intercom is for public address purposes — in an emergency situation. People need to be warned, directed where to proceed and given vital information en masse. And zones can be created to broadcast a message which is directed to a specific location.

Nurse call stations at hospitals, retirement communities and more are yet another use for intercoms. Just think of the vital role they play when a patient needs urgent care or when one station needs to request meds or charts immediately from another.

So we hope you can see the important role intercoms play in security, not just to order lunch at a drive-through. So whom do you contact if you have questions or would like an intercom system installed? How about your security company?

Thanks for spending some time with us today.

One Source Security and Automation offers a private or proprietary key ways which restrict who may copy additional keys for your business or home. Only an authorized employee or homeowner with a valid ID can have keys duplicated by an authorized locksmith. Your local hardware store cannot duplicate these keys. If an unauthorized employee or person tries to duplicate a key, they will be denied and the lock owner will be notified. The blank key is owned by the company or individual, creating the highest level of security using a traditional key.

This patented key control system makes it virtually impossible for someone to make a copy of your key without your permission. With the angled cuts on our keys, and slider combination, there are millions of combinations so you can rest assured your key and slider combination will not be duplicated. This low-cost solution can prevent thieves from entering your business.

A private keyway locking system can be used with a company’s master keyway system. Call One Source Security today to talk to one of our locksmiths about using a private keyway system, at 800-570-6478.

With the holidays upon us and the increase in customer volume in stores, retailers may be asking, what can we do to make sure profit margins don’t slip?

Installing video surveillance, access control and a security system, not only brings peace of mind and protection but can help deter theft and verify liability claims.

By asking the right questions, a unique security system can be created specific to your business.

Perimeter: Creating a safe and transparent parking area and entrance can create a welcoming feel. We would ask:

• Are your entrances and parking lots well lit?
• Do people loiter around the building or property?
• Do you have the ability to see who is entering and exiting the building or property?
• Are bushes cut back preventing someone from hiding in them?
• Are loading dock doors locked when not in use?

Building: Most criminals are opportunists and look for lapses in security to strike. We would ask:

• Do you have any way of knowing if a window has been broken or a screen cut?
• Do your windows latch and lock?
• Is your safe anchored to the floor?
• Are your locks up to date?
• What is the protocol if an employee loses a key?
• Is your alarm set every night? How do you know, do you receive a notification?

Neighborhood: Crime in the neighborhood can impact business. We would ask:

• Have there been robberies in your area or is there a threat?
  Employees: With the increase in sales help during the holidays, you don’t always know everything about everyone you are hiring. We would ask:
• Can you see if employees are stealing money from registers, stock rooms or offices?
• Can employees give merchandise to friends or family while checking out?
• If an employee is hurt while working do you have a way of verifying the claim?
  Customers: With the increase in customer volume, shrinkage may occur. We would ask:
• Do you have a problem with merchandise shrinkage from shoplifting?
• Are there any areas of the store where customers are isolated from sales help? Where they cannot be seen?
• Do you have any way to verify liability claims if a customer is hurt while on your premises?

Prevention/Solutions:

1. Keep parking areas and entries well lit.
2. Cut bushes back near entrances and along walkways, so no one can hide behind them.
3. Install 360 degree and license plate cameras in your parking lots and cameras on the outside of the building.
4. Install security cameras at all entrances, including delivery doors.
5. Use security cameras inside the store or building and at the perimeter and entrance of the property or building.
6. Keep security cameras focused on registers, stock rooms, aisles and other critical areas.
   a. Security cameras can deter a criminal from committing a crime, just by their presence in and around your business.
7. Keep recorded video at least 30 days, use cloud storage for maximum benefit.
8. Install a monitored security system with motion detectors.
   a. Remember to arm the system every night.
9. Install panic buttons, at registers, customer service, loading dock areas, and offices.
10. Install glass break sensors near windows and glass doors.
11. Have a locksmith audit of all the doors in your facility.
12. Use an access control system to determine access to areas where employees need to be in order to do their job.
    a. For example, only allow managers into the office area where the safe is located.
13. Install a monitored fire and environmental alarm system, to detect heat, smoke, temperature changes, CO and water leaks.

Not only do criminals look for easy targets, stress from the holidays and financial crisis can cause a normally trustworthy persons judgment to become impaired. Security measures like an updated security system, locks, lighting, access control and video surveillance can make a business less attractive for a crime of opportunity to be committed.

Creating a security system that brings peace of mind to your customers and employees, also helps tighten your bottom line by deterring theft.

Call One Source Security today at 800-570-6478; we can help you develop an individualized security system just right for your business.

Property managers obviously can’t be everywhere at once. Some firms manage hundreds of properties with scores of units at each property—so much could go wrong from a security standpoint.

Pictured above is a water sensor.

Having video surveillance and access control are very common needs of property managers. Being able to view and record illegal activity and potentially apprehend criminals on their properties is essential. And with access control, they are able to restrict the flow of unwanted people into the residences.

But an important aspect of security is often neglected—environmental monitoring. Most commonly, when environmental monitoring is mentioned, people think of carbon monoxide detection. It is important that it is on the forefront of people’s minds because it is a life saving precaution. In fact, property managers are generally very good about installing and maintaining these devices.

But it’s the other types of environmental monitoring that are often disregarded.

One of the most overlooked problems that can occur is boiler shutdown. There is a device that monitors this. Be ahead of the curve before your tenants are in the cold for too long—you will be notified immediately that the boiler needs to be tended to.

Of course pipes freezing is a major issue as well. The damage caused from water leaking uncontrollably due to broken pipes is devastating—several different tenants’ units can be affected by one pipe bursting. Know ahead of time that the pipes are below an acceptable temperature.

Water detection is key in places like basements, for example. With so many locations to manage, it’s impossible for property management companies to be able to monitor basements for moisture and potential flooding on their own. This is especially a concern here in New England with our rain-laden springs.

Water sensors placed in strategic locations pick up the smallest amount of moisture before it becomes a problem and trips an alarm that notifies you.

So when you consult with your security integrator, most commonly about things like your intercom system or cameras in the common areas, be sure to ask about how environmental monitoring can save your properties from damage and save lives for that matter.

Thanks for spending some time with us today.

Jewelry store owners and managers have a big responsibility when it comes to protecting their merchandise, employees and customers. They can be up at night thinking about the amount of valuable merchandise in their store, and whether they are a target for a midday or midnight robbery. Regardless of the concern, owners and managers should consider installing or updating their security systems in order to give themselves peace of mind.

A manager could open in the morning and realize merchandise went missing overnight. The motion detector did not trigger the alarm.

Maybe the overhead camera did not capture an image of the employee who did not follow a procedure and an item that went missing while they were distracted. An employee could also decide to help themselves to a beautiful piece of jewelry if they know there is a blind spot in the camera field.

The jewelry store may not have glass break sensors or laminates on their display cases and windows. The brazen thief could smash the case or window grabbing a piece of beautiful jewelry that caught their eye.

Creating a secure environment with the most advanced technology can protect your employees, store and valuable inventory from theft. Insurance companies can require a security system.

Jewelry store robberies are usually either smash/grab/run, or safe/vault theft.

Preventing the smash and grab burglaries can be as easy as protecting all display cases, storefront windows and glass doors with Security Glass Laminates. These laminates absorb the energy from the impact. For example, when a window or glass door is struck by a Louisville Slugger, the laminate disperses the energy from the bat. This causes the glass to stay intact, even though it is broken or shattered, preventing the thief from grabbing the merchandise.

Protect your valuable merchandise in a UL-listed burglary-resistant safe or vault, secure the safe or vault to the floor with the back of the safe against the wall. These safes can protect valuables from break-ins.

Video surveillance should be placed over jewelry cases, entrances and exits. Using a visible camera can deter a potential robber. Do not forget to place video surveillance at the vault. Having a secure vault does not mean video surveillance should be neglected where the most valuable merchandise is stored.

Creating an overall security system should include video surveillance, a security system, fire, and access control starts with one phone call. Protect your valuable merchandise with a state-of-the-art security system. Call us today to speak with one of our security specialist. Let us answer any questions or give you a FREE assessment of your business.

We’ve written about access cards before, as well as key fobs in the form of wireless transmitters to arm and disarm your security system, for example.

Pictured above is a proximity card and reader

But today, we’d like to talk about key fobs vs. access cards as credentials for access control systems in terms of cost, durability and overall functionality.

Pictured above is a key fob on a key chain

So what makes a company choose to order a key fob over an access card, or vice versa from its supplier? After all, they use the same technology to trigger an electric strike to release a door—RFID technology, for instance. They both have built-in authentication.

RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification. Radio waves are transferred from your key fob or card (with its own unique code) through a reader that’s attached next to the door frame. When your fob is held within a certain distance from the reader, it releases an electric strike, or your door’s lock.

People who choose key fobs over access cards for their access control system usually do so for convenience and durability.

Many find it more convenient to keep their key fob on their key chain and simply wave it in front of the reader (cards can be waved in proximity to a reader as well–they’re called “prox” cards.) If a card is used (unless you have a lanyard), many times you’d have to take it out of your wallet or fish for it in a purse.

Key fobs are also considered more durable by many users. They are not flimsy and can handle the wear and tear of being pulled in and out of pockets, purses, etc. They’re less likely to split or crack.

We’re not saying that there’s anything wrong with using access cards over fobs. In fact, one benefit to using cards is price. They tend be considerably less expensive than fobs.

Another reason why access cards may be chosen over fobs is because photo identification can be used along with cards. Some companies require badges to be worn in many areas, if not throughout their entire facility. The photo ID badges (cards) can also be swiped—a magnetic strip would be on the reverse.

Fobs are shaped such that they cannot accommodate an image, whereas cards offer a great area over which to superimpose an image of someone’s face and accompanying information.

As this blog article’s title reads, fobs can be part of your card access system. Many organizations will have both as each can be used with the same reader to enter through a door.

So there are valid reasons to choose either fobs or cards, or mix of the two. But one thing is for sure: each option presents a better solution than “old fashioned” keys which leave no audit trail of who went where at what time. Key systems don’t allow you to restrict certain areas of the building to certain individuals either, or have doors lock and unlock at certain times of the day.

Thanks for spending some time with us today, and click here for more information on specific access control credentials and accessories.

Successful school operations combine a safe and secure environment with the freedom needed to focus on education. Providing safety and protection to staff, students and property is one of many responsibilities every school faces day in and day out.

Your school may not have had a crisis that captured the attention of the nation, but you may have had vandalism in your parking lot or graffiti on school grounds or even heard there were drug deals somewhere on school property.

On the other hand you may not have heard or seen anything unusual, but it is never too early to assess risks and vulnerabilities in and around your school. Below you will find some reminders and a list of questions to ask when surveying the security risks for your school. For the full survey go to www.onesourcesecurity.com/schoolsurvey

Remember to:

• Have crime and natural disaster plans in place
• Clearly mark visitor entrances with a secure vestibule, including an intercom system
• Have a visitor management system in place, to know who belongs in the building and who does not
• Encompass detached buildings into your security plan

Important questions to ask:

• Security System – When was the last time you tested your system?
• Access Control – Is access control required to enter all your buildings?
• Video Surveillance – Does your system monitor, record and store information?
• Fire – Are your smoke detectors vandal-resistant? Have they been cleaned recently?
• Environmental Monitoring – Does your system include environmental monitoring for water leaks or chemical spills in
• classrooms?
• Communication – Do you have a system that provides two-way communication and an emergency notification system?
• Monitoring – Is your system connected to a central monitoring station and have cellular backup?
• Windows and Doors – Are windows smash resistant? Can classrooms lock from the inside? Are doors and frames rusted? Do
• they latch properly? Can people evacuate quickly and easily?

One Source Security can help answer any of these questions and provide you with school security advice. We are privileged to provide security for many schools, (private, public and universities) in our area. Call us today at 800-570-6478. We are your school security experts.