Improving your security system and making it smarter can be done much faster and easier than you might imagine. By focusing on a few key elements, it becomes reliable and useful in the long term, simplifying and streamlining operations while keeping you protected against increasingly numerous potential threats.
A modern security system must find the most effective way to integrate its entire suite of solutions, analyze the data it collects, and enhance security from end to end. Whether security priorities have shifted or the current system is outdated, upgrading it can ensure that it continues to provide the expected level of protection.
Does your current security system effectively meet today’s needs? Here are 5 indicators that it needs an upgrade:
1. False Alarms
A significant percentage of alarms triggered in older or poorly configured security systems are false. These manifest as security alerts in the absence of a real threat, often triggered by people who have a reason to be there. This not only disrupts daily activities but can also lead to a loss of confidence in the reliability of the security system.
When discussing false alarm rates, it is important to distinguish between alarms that are not emergencies due to equipment miscalibration or client-related issues, such as insufficient training of personnel.
Each false alarm consumes time and resources, from the personnel time responding (security firm) to possible costs if police intervention is required. Moreover, they can disrupt employee activities through unnecessary phone calls or repeated alarms, potentially leading to contractual penalties from monitoring service providers, increasing operational costs.
False alarms are often caused by people with a legitimate reason to be in the area, whether an employee who doesn’t have the current alarm code or has not been trained in the proper use of the system. Additionally, false alarms can be triggered by someone making a delivery and entering the property without knowing the security system is armed.
Therefore, it is very important to modernize sensors and data analysis software to significantly reduce the number of false alarms. More advanced sensors, such as those used in facial recognition, can more effectively distinguish between real threats and the usual movements of authorized personnel. Software updates help decision-making algorithms evaluate signals from sensors more accurately.
2. Need for a Dedicated Monitoring Center
You might already have 24/7 surveillance technology. However, when an alarm goes off, who will check and communicate it? A dedicated monitoring center ensures continuous surveillance and rapid response, and is capable of analyzing and verifying each alarm, ensuring that incident responses are prompt and appropriate, 24/7/365, regardless of whether company employees are available.
If the alarm system detects movement or noise, it will generate an alert that triggers professional monitoring to analyze the information and request an appropriate response. A monitoring center will be able to distinguish between different alarm signals sent from multiple devices. They can quickly analyze images captured at the time of the alarm to better understand the cause of the alarm. Additionally, the monitoring center can analyze sound captured by impact-activated microphones to better understand the circumstances of the alarm and assess the threat level.
Furthermore, monitoring agents will check in accordance with the response plan and assess the threat level of the alarm based on the received information. They will contact a site representative (factory or industrial complex) or the police and describe the event based on evaluated data.
Thus, you will have complete control over security processes and can quickly adapt procedures based on changes in the operational environment. The monitoring center transforms the way alerts are managed, allowing for a much more coordinated and informed response.
3. Outdated and Unsafe Monitoring System
Current equipment is smart and connected to the internet, providing information that was not available 10-15 years ago. Transitioning from a traditional video security system to a smart one equates to transforming passive monitoring into active security.
Upgrading to a smart security system enables the implementation of solutions that use, for example, artificial intelligence to anticipate and neutralize potential threats before they manifest. Such systems can offer predictive analysis, significantly improving risk management.
Moreover, a modernized system can be integrated with other building or industry management systems, such as access control, video monitoring, and fire prevention systems, aiding in both economic and energy efficiency.
Furthermore, this period, also known as the “Era of Convergence,” sees a shift from physical security information management (PSIM) to converged security and information management. This expands the capabilities of PSIM software beyond physical security to capturing and correlating data from multiple IT and security information management systems.
4. Need to Enhance Security Operations
As threats evolve, security systems need to keep up. Streamlining operations and transitioning to smart systems means that security data becomes the cornerstone of a smoothly functioning system.
More than ever, companies desire real-time data access, which provides a more detailed view of operations, threat levels, etc. This is possible with today’s intelligent systems, offering a comprehensive view of security at any time.
Another way the system can support operations is through advanced analysis, using AI and machine learning technologies, leading to a better understanding of how security can be improved and adapted to meet dynamic and ever-changing threats.
Digitalizing systems may seem complex and costly, but today’s systems can reduce expenses. You will be able to configure your security system to adopt various verification capabilities, such as video and audio.
5. Inappropriate Equipment for the Industry
For industrial platforms, the support provided by video surveillance is very important, depending on zones and activities within them. Advanced video analytics and remote monitoring can make a difference. However, a basic criterion is using equipment suited for the industrial environment.
Featuring smoke detection alerts, the AXIS XPQ1785 camera serves as an additional layer of safety and monitoring for signs of smoke or fire. Operators are alerted so they can assess the situation to determine appropriate responses. The XPQ1785 is a stainless steel (316L) PTZ camera, globally certified Class I/II/III Division 1 and Zone 1,21 for use in hazardous areas (per NEC, CEC, IECEx, ATEX, and others). It can withstand temperatures from -60°C to 60°C and has IP66, IP67, IP68 protection against water and dust ingress.
The high-precision outdoor PTZ bispectral camera is based on the AXIS ARTPEC7 platform. The thermal sensor has a resolution of 640×480, 30 fps, and a thermal zoom lens of 35-105 mm. The visual sensor has HDTV 1080p video resolution, 32x optical zoom, focus retraction, and is extremely light-sensitive. EIS (Electronic Image Stabilization) on both channels ensures focused and stable video. The integrated long-life silicone wiper ensures remote maintenance. The bispectral camera supports Zipstream, ONVIF, H.265, and local storage. It includes video motion detection and support for AXIS Camera Application Platform, allowing the installation of AXIS Perimeter Defender and third-party applications.
Complete Services. Turnkey Projects
In the field of security systems for critical infrastructure, AVITECH offers a full range of services: Consulting and Design, Equipment Procurement, Installation Works Execution, Programming, Maintenance and Technical Support.
A special role is given to the process of integrating security systems with existing systems: Video Surveillance, Intrusion Detection, Perimeter Protection, Information Systems, Fire Detection, Intelligent Lighting.
FAQs
False alarms are often caused by uncalibrated or inadequate sensors. To reduce them, it is essential to update sensors with more advanced models that include facial recognition or more precise data analysis. Additionally, the analysis software should be updated to improve threat detection algorithms for real versus false alarms.
Yes, a dedicated monitoring center ensures continuous monitoring of the security system and a rapid response to alarms. It can analyze and verify each alert, reducing the risk of errors and ensuring an appropriate response 24/7, which is crucial for effective property protection.
Integrating the security system with other systems, such as access control, video monitoring, and fire detection, allows for centralized and efficient security management. This improves response coordination, operational optimization, and provides a comprehensive overview of security status, reducing risks and operational costs.
Looking for a provider of proven Technical Solutions?
We are happy to help you!
