Today many products have 3D cousins, from cereal boxes prizes to comics; calling cards to conference calls. If you can see it, someone will 3D it. 

But do you have 3D security? 

To find out; put on your red and blue tinted glasses and journey with me, not to the Center of the Earth, but to Secure Me... in 3D.

In technical terms 3D is short for 3 dimensional; the ability to perceive length, width and depth in a photo or video. For our purposes today we will discuss the other 3D:

1. Diligence
2. Detection
3. Documentation

Diligence is first on the list for many reasons: it's FREE!, it's essential, and it's effective. The most elaborate system system will fail if you are not diligent in keeping a secure mindset. Lock doors that should be locked. Arm the system when it should be armed. Run criminal background checks on your employees. Keep your facility or residence clear of obstructions such as shrubbery or window advertisements.

Detection is your alarm system. Your system should be customized to fit your specific needs and requirements. As we have discussed in prior posts, an alarm system should include at least two different elements: Perimeter Detection (exterior door / window contacts, glass breakage detectors etc), and Interior Traps (motion detectors, interior trap doors etc.). Best case scenario, we will become aware of the intruder before he or she has entered the facility, business or residence. Worst case - he or she is detected quickly once inside.

Documentation is capturing the event for evidence purposes and in some cases live verification of the actual crime. This can be accomplished by both audio and visual means. In the event of an alarm, a central station has the ability to observe and capture the sights and / or sounds of a crime in progress. Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) or video surveillance has become mainstream in criminal forensics and has been instrumental in solving many crimes. Video Surveillance is no longer just for banks and Fortune 500 companies; it can be used to aid home and or business assisting law enforcement in their investigation, usually ending in an a quicker apprehension and hopefully prosecution of the criminal.

As you review your existing security measures, if you find that you don't have 3D security, please call us at 888.696.8926 or request a free security evaluation.

For years we have used IR LEDs to see what darkness covered. Unfortunately infrared (IR) had significant limitations: the picture was not very clear and it was not in color.

Our friends at Speco Technologies recently introduced The Intensifier Series video surveillance cameras which allows you to see color in the dark with out IR LEDs.

Basically this works by amplifying and maximizing the existing light to generate pictures where other cameras cannot.

BTW - For the techies interested the cameras sensitivity goes down to 0.002 lux, still in color.

Enjoy the comparison video below and lets us know if you have any questions about "Super Hero" night vision.  888.MyNTX.com (888.696.8926)

Intensifier Vs IRcamera.wmv (5.31 mb)

Your Basic Security System? Part Three

Perimeter Protection – The moat around your castle.

What is the difference between a trespasser and an intruder? Answer - which side of the wall they are on.

Second only to fire detection is perimeter protection. Although unglamorous, it is my favorite piece in the security puzzle. A system designer should view the outside of your business or residence with as much or more scrutiny as the inside. If you can detect the intruder or even scare him or her away before they even enter the premises then you are well on your way to a secured facility. Many times securing your home or business is simply addition by subtraction… Remove the clutter!

What entices an intruder more than a big score? A big score that can be done in total anonymity. If you have big shrubs, tall fences, window clutter (advertisements) you are sending signals to the enemy that this is a peaceful secluded place for their line of work. BTW – how much does correcting this cost? Many times it is free with a little elbow grease.

What screams to an intruder “Pick me first!”?  The lack of yard signs, window decals, plaques etc that says this premises (site, residence, building etc) is protected by : _______________ (Insert reputable local security company here.)

If you wanted to sell your car, you would take out an advertisement; put a sign on the window or something to let people know your intensions. The opposite is true as well. By notifying the general public (by omission) that you don’t have your building secured you are taking out an ad saying “Rob me first!”               

As a consumer, would you want your personal information in a business that you knew did not have a security system?

What else? You have basically three types of perimeter protection: Visual, Mechanical, and Audio.

Visual:

·         Lighting – Make sure you home, business, church, school etc is well lit. (PS – be green and save green using  energy efficient lights when possible)

·         Strobes – If an intruder is looking for seclusion and there is a red or blue flashing light alerting the neighbors something is wrong, it will not be an easy hit. PS as an added bonus – it makes it easy for the responding officers to find your location.

·         Surveillance Camera – We will go into more detail in a later post, but if the intruder knows that his or her every move is being documented and possibly watched live remotely, there will be little privacy for bad behavior.

Mechanical:

·         Door and window locks and latches – If you do nothing else, you can greatly improve your security by ensuring With Out Fail that your doors and windows are locked where applicable when not in use. This means double checking the doors, maybe by two separate individuals in business. One more quick tip – check every door and window immediately after a contractor has serviced your home or business.

·         Door and window alarm contacts – When and where possible, I strongly recommend either hardwired or wireless contacts on every door and/or window. This includes your overhead garage door. Not only will they inform you when your perimeter is being breeched, it will also advise you when they are left open. This is very important for openings that are not in common view i.e. attic windows and garage doors.

Audio:

·         Interior Siren – To an intruder, what is the opposite of peace and quiet?  A 90db siren screaming to all that can hear.

·         Exterior Siren (when and where applicable) – Will let all of your neighbors and or law enforcement know to be on the lookout.  (BTW – Please don’t respond to a siren blaring beyond taking notes and being observant. The absolute worst place you can be is between an intruder and their rapid exit. It is simply not safe.)

·         Audio Deterrent – By using modern technology we can be alerted at our central station when someone is in an area that is secured. We can then play a prerecorded message or even a live message basically stating  “Warning - you are on private property, please leave immediately”

Building a moat is more than a weekend project and feeding alligators is not cheap. However protecting your business and / or home’s perimeter is easy and affordable. Call your local security professional today and ask for a free security survey and leave the alligators at the zoo.

Next time we will discuss the motion commotion and how to use interior traps to catch a thief.

When we met last time (see "Your Basic Security System?"),  we discussed what a basic security system contains and why you may have one in your home or business. Today, we will discuss recommendations to enhance your base package, and what I recommend for the absolute essentials.

First, there is no substitute for an on-site evaluation by a security professional. We will discuss at another time what a security evaluation should entail, but don’t be fooled to believe that you can have effective coverage without someone taking your habits and physical location in consideration. 

So where does your quest for essential protection (detection) begin? In my opinion, the first level of enhancement should always begin with fire detection.  There is simply no other intruder more ruthless than fire.  Fire is indiscriminate.  It takes everything.  It does not care where you live, how safe your neighborhood is, how young or old you are or how you voted in the election.  It wants, and takes everything.

Most homes built since the late eighties have some form of fire protection that meets code today.  The detectors built in with your home were likely installed by your home builder’s electricians.  They are an effective noise maker in the event of a fire, but they cannot call for help.  Additionally, they may not be the best suited detector for your home.  How can you upgrade the fire protection for your home?  This requires a licensed fire planner to design a system for your dwelling; here are some of the components:

• Ionization smoke detector  
• Photoelectric detectors
• Fixed heat detectors 
• Rate of Rise Heat Detectors
• CO2 Detectors 

When planning to enhance your existing fire coverage, look at the following areas to enhance your protection beyond what the code may require: (These are only points of interest - check with you local fire marshal or AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction) for the codes for your specific area.

Heat Detectors: (Fixed or Rate of Rise) 

• In attic - especially if HVAC units or water heaters are present.
• Garages - especially if garages are attached and very important if garages have a bedroom above the garage
• By electrical panels
• By HVAC units (i.e. closet, attics)
• By water heaters (i.e. closets, attics)
• Kitchens
• Laundry Rooms
• Special rooms / workshops where flammables may exist

Smoke Detectors: (Photoelectric or Ionization) 

• To local code – check with your local fire marshal

CO2 Detectors:

• In the hallway outside the bedrooms. 
• Outside the kitchen area if there is a gas or wood burning stove / oven present. 
• Adjacent to the room containing carbon based (gas or wood burning) heating appliance: (examples)-Water heater- Furnace 
• Inside the home near the door to the attached garage (or car port).

FYI - Check out some great fire safety information here. 

Next time, we will discuss perimeter protection and how to build a virtual moat and your "castle".