A good security system should be tailored to meet your individual needs, there is no one-size-fits-all program. Every space and building is unique and your security needs may also change over time. Even if you have a security program in place, it may not meet the current standards for protection. Don’t wait for a security breach to evaluate your security program. A site assessment with a trained security professional from National Protective Services, Inc. can help you improve the safety of your building by uncovering weak points in your current system, and identifying the best, most cost-effective security solution tailored to meet your individual needs. Get ready for your security assessment, also known as a security audit, by reading more…. Or check out this handy security audit checklist.
Identifying Threats and Making a Plan
The first step is performing a risk assessment. This is a tool that will help you identify what your goals are for your security program (i.e., protection of life, enforcement of safety protocols, access control, greater visibility on the property). Rank these goals in order of priority. Does your current security program address these issues?
Next you want to assess what potential risks pose a challenge to meeting each of your goals. For example, if your goal is to have visibility into who is on the property at all times, you’ll want to look at surveillance options with remote access capabilities. Be sure to include manmade challenges, like crime, as well as natural hazards, like floods and fire. Understanding the challenges, you might face can help you determine the most appropriate security measures to meet your goals.
Strong security programs are multi-layered and multi-disciplinary, utilizing specific security measures in conjunction to create an overall security posture for your property. The level of security required is dependent on the specific needs of the situation and your budget.
Physical Security
Physical security measures are typically the first measures put in place. Cost effective measures like lighting, fencing, and landscaping can significantly lower your risks and create deterrence to bad actors. Other physical security measures include perimeter hardening mechanisms, like enhanced door and window locks, along with different types of bollards, gates, and other measures designed to limit access and direct the flow of foot or vehicle traffic on your property.
Also in the realm of physical security are security personnel. Consider whether a uniformed security officer or marked vehicle patrol may benefit your property. Uniformed officers and marked vehicles are useful for providing a visible security presence and deterring would-be criminals from targeting your property, as well as giving you enhanced visibility into the activities on your property when you’re not there and a human response should a serious incident occur in your absence. Learn more about NPS’s dedicated, professional security officers.
Electronic Security
Electronic Security can be divided into 3 basic categories: Access Control, Intrusion Detection (alarm systems) and Video Surveillance. Each category serves a specific purpose, which we’ll go into briefly below. A well-planned electronic security system can pay dividends in reduced liability, increased visibility, and peace of mind. A poorly planned system will cost a lot of money and deliver poor results and can even increase your risk and liability.
Access Control and Intrusion Detection
Access Control and Intrusion Detection systems often work hand-in-hand, but they perform two different functions. As it sounds, Access Control systems control who has access to a given space. This would include electric door locking hardware, as well as keyless numeric or biometric entry systems. Today’s access control systems fall into 3 categories: cloud based, mobile or smartphone based, and IoT based.
Intrusion Detection systems alert you when someone has entered a restricted space. This would include measures like door and window contact alarms, motion detection alarms, and infrared heat sensors. The array of intrusion detection technologies is endless with a solution for every application. Choosing the right one for your specific situation is critical for an effective security program.
Video Surveillance
Increasingly, video surveillance is a critical component of any security program. CCTV surveillance has existed for decades, but today’s surveillance technologies offer much more than just simple recording. IP technology allows your cameras to be cloud-connected, which means you can see your property in real-time from anywhere on your smartphone or laptop. A wide array of options, including infrared and twilight night vision, panoramic and fisheye lens, pan-tilt-zoom, license plate reading, and advanced analytics ensure there is a camera exactly right for every situation. There are also Active Surveillance options in which a trained officer can watch your camera feeds in real time. A well-designed surveillance system will deter crime, increase the overall security posture on your property and act as a force multiplier for your safety and security personnel. Learn more about NPS’s state-of-the-art video surveillance options.
Our Pledge to You
National Protective Services, Inc. is here to serve you. NPS was founded in 1979. We are family owned and operated, now in our second generation of security professionals. Our management team has nearly 100 years of combined security experience! Our mission at NPS is to promote safety and security in our communities through security education and promotion of best practices. Our pledge to you is that we will always seek to recommend the best, most cost-effective solutions to address your needs. Our motto is “Protecting You Like Family” and that’s how NPS officers serve their properties. We go the extra mile to make sure you have not just adequate security, but exceptional security and the peace of mind knowing that your property is protected by serious security professionals. Contact us today to schedule a FREE on-site security consultation.