MUNCIE, Indiana NEWS – As an employer, you are responsible for providing your employees with a safe work environment. The U.S. State Department has a unit that’s main responsibility is to address security in everything from a business’s office suites and storage areas to the access-control systems and intrusion-detection systems. While this is more security attention than most businesses need, it does give you a sense of how far you can go with your security measures.
According to Scott Miles, co-owner of the training and consulting firm Calx Group, “businesses should hire professional security consultants to perform an assessment, but a DIY approach can be taken if the business does their research.” Miles added, “something is better than nothing.” In order to help you make sound physical security choices, we’ve compiled a list of technology you should consider to keep your employees safe.
Security Cameras
When it comes to security cameras, you don’t have a shortage of choices. Shopping for them can be daunting if you don’t know what you are looking for. Lorex has a plethora of contract-free options and their website is a great place to learn about security cameras. For outdoor cameras, look for cameras that will provide usable footage in low-to-no light conditions.
Biometric Access Control Systems
Access control systems help employers maintain control of who enters and exits the property, what areas people can access and when property and various areas can be accessed. These can be as simple as turnstiles and as complicated as a manned guard shack at the parking lot entrance. For our purposes, we are going to look at technology that manages and restricts control to your building. Ideally, you will want to buy a system that integrates with your security cameras. However, it isn’t always necessary.
While keys (physical, old school keys) are an access control method, keys are hard to maintain control of as employees can lose them or make copies. Instead, consider installing a biometric system, which is better than using keys, codes or cards. Biometric systems scan a person’s fingerprint, palm vein or eye. Obviously, these cannot be lost or stolen and it is easy to revoke or grant privileges. An added benefit to moving to a biometric security system is that you will save money in the long run as you can forgo the cumbersome infrastructure that other methods often require and there isn’t a need to issue keys or cards.
No matter how much you spend on an access control system, unsecured doors can easily defeat them. While it sounds simple, and it is, make sure your employees shut doors after they enter and exit to prevent unauthorized access.
Mobile Physical Security Technology
The biggest trend in physical security is mobile technology. Wi-Fi enabled security systems can be monitored from any smartphone, which is a great feature for businesses who can’t afford to hire a dedicated person to watch security cameras and access control systems. Moreover, this technology is usually comparable, price wise, with non-mobile systems. You’ll have to make sure all your systems “talk” to each other to effectively monitor your business, but this is easily accomplished by purchasing components that are compatible or by installing a hub that connects everything.
