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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.

Should Locksmiths always do lock changes, or are there alternatives?

Sorry to be non-committal, but…it depends. The good news is, the more costly lock changes can often be avoided in lieu of their more economical cousins—the re-key.

Pictured above is deadbolt.

So many people, justifiable so, automatically think of the term “lock change” or “change the locks” when they’re concerned about a duplicate set of their keys floating around—the term is more a part of the lexicon than re-keying is.

This is not to say that we always recommend a re-key instead of a lock change. There are certainly plenty of times when changing the lock is necessary.

The lock as a whole may be worn, the keyway can be too wide, the latch could be broken and/or the faceplate could be worn as well.

Re-keying a lock like this would be like putting new tires on a car with an engine that’s about to fail.

The most common reason we receive a call for either a lock change or a re-key is when people purchase a new home—one that has been lived in before instead of new construction, of course.

When we receive a call for a lock change, we are happy to give a quote over the phone “site unseen”, but the moral to the story is that if we are able to visit the customer and inspect the locks, we may be able to save them money and do a re-key instead.

And just because re-keying is less expensive does not mean it is any less safe. The old set of keys will be rendered ineffective whether you re-key or you change the locks.

So when you contact a locksmith, be sure to ask for both options to be explored instead of automatically asking for a lock change.

Thanks for spending some time with us today.

A master key system consists of a hierarchy of keys and a number of locks that allows individual key holders to gain access to all or specifically designated areas of a building or buildings. Simply put, a lock which has a master key lock can be designated to be opened only by specific keys, but can also be opened by using a master key.

Planning is vital to the long-term success of a master key system. The simplest keying systems are often the most secure. Complicated systems can reduce security and expansion potential. Begin by creating a key system diagram, broken down by departments, buildings and geographic areas.

Benefits include:

• Keys can only be duplicated from the locksmith company which designed the system and only with authorization from the building owner. Accurate records can easily be kept and maintained of keys produced, eliminating duplicate keys from being made without authorization.
• A master key system reduces the chance of an employee opening the wrong door, thus restricting them from a building, floor, department or geographical area.
• Key blanks are designated to one company or building. Key manufacturers cannot produce copies of the design of the already produced key blank.
• A well designed master key system can adapt to an expanding company. The master key system should easily grow as an organization grows.
• Cost efficient security.

Careful planning is the basis for long-term success of a master key system, ensuring safety and security of people and property. It is possible to create a multi-level master key system with unique access rights for different user groups. Expandable locking systems can be easily designed to cover large and extensive facilities at a reasonable cost. The goal with the master key system is for an individual to only carry one key.

Call One Source Security today to set up an appointment at 603-645-5969 for a free estimate of your business.

Employees in scores of industries would benefit from security staff being able to pinpoint their exact location in the case of duress—at the push of a button.

For instance, hotel employees are at risk when they are in remote areas of the property as well as inside rooms alone while housekeeping.

Attackers know this and can prey on them in these vulnerable positions. Hotel security needs to be notified as soon as possible if an employee is in danger—before a potential attack occurs even.

But to be most thorough, wouldn’t it be best to not only receive a notification that an employee was in duress, but to know exactly where that employee was?

Above illustration is taken from www.inovonics.com

Traditional duress buttons alert a receiver that there is trouble, but security personnel know where the buttons (and the trouble) are because they are typically fixed to a desk or something similar.

But Radius by Inovonics allows for the exact location of the mobile employee to be pinpointed. As Inovonics’ website states of their mobile duress alarm system, “Radius uses the system’s unique positioning technology to provide precise location information whenever a panic button is activated, so that security staff knows exactly where to respond to an emergency alarm.”

With Healthcare, patients can react adversely to medication or lack there of, and can put their provider in danger. Families can become emotional and a nurse may feel more comfortable with security present.

In both these cases, the nurse may not have time to get to a phone or to signal the call station to make the call. That’s where the Radius pendant comes in.

Educators can benefit from Radius’ technology as well, especially in light of the serious violence in schools in recent years.

Not only are teachers being assaulted, but large-scale school shootings are being carried out. Add to the equation that campuses are so large and response times can become even longer if security doesn’t know exactly where to respond, and you’ve got a dangerous situation.

Radius can also notify students campus-wide if a situation arises so that they can begin to take safety precautions, as Inovonic’s website states.

Industrial sites are also prime candidates for a mobile duress alarm system. Employees work on large and complicated machinery, often alone or on understaffed shifts. Malfunctions that can cause harm could happen at anytime. Security staff would need to know exactly where an endangered employee is located.

And the list of appropriate applications goes on from education, to finance and more for those in who could use Raduis by Inovonics. We thank them for information contained in this blog article. Please visit their website (www.inovonics.com) for more information.

Please contact One Source Security if you have any questions or would like to inquire about having a Radius system installed.

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.

Thanks for spending some time with us.

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.