Technology & Trends - Intruder Alarms

A U.S. economic forecast of 2.3 percent growth in real gross domestic product (GDP) bodes well for security businesses to thrive in a healthy economy in 2014. The Conference Board’s 2.3 percent growth prediction for 2014 is higher than its 1.7 estimate for 2013. Globally, both the physical access control and video surveillance markets are forecast to record healthy growth rates this year. Conference board predictions on housing starts (up 1.16 percent in 2014, compared...

Companies that have developed a culture of openness can provide and receive feedback at all levels The nail that sticks out gets hammered down” is an old Japanese saying that encourages an unspoken rule of conformity combined with an authoritarian hierarchical structure. Brent O’Bryan, SPHR at AlliedBarton Security Services, explains that a winning formula for both the organisation and an individual is a culture actively exhibiting healthy behaviours and practi...

Acquiring emergency phones is an effective way to improve security and safety How to maximise security capabilities of call boxes and emergency phonesFrom embedding a security camera to adding video surveillance capabilities to a call box to using emergency phone towers to provide enhanced perimeter security, some simple tips can significantly improve the utility of an emergency phone system for security applications. Here, Sam Shanes, Chairman at Talk-A-Phone, enumerat...

Software can combine information from various systems to create a single identity across the organisation In today's enterprise business environment, the best approach to managing risk for a known scenario is to both prepare for it and guard against it.  Effective security management necessitates credible real-time information about risk and the ability to respond to that information in a timely manner. However, that information is often not available in real-time or ma...

New Norbain paying "compensation" to a select number of creditors Following the Administration and pre-pack sale of Norbain, it is now apparent that the new company (also called “Norbain”) has been paying “compensation” to some suppliers for the debts owed by the old company.  However, it is cherry picking which suppliers it chooses to compensate – some have received a significant proportion of their debt with old Norbain, while others have...

The lights are turned out at Norbain - momentarily The mysterious demise of UK distributor NorbainOn Monday 2 July Norbain issued a cryptic press release.  Apparently, “the UK business and assets of Norbain” – the largest distributor in the UK – have been sold to Newbury Investments (UK) Limited by “the Administrators, KPMG”.  Norbain In Administration – this is news to the security industry! Administrators are typically ap...

Networking is a powerful way to effectively converge and integrate security In an ever-changing world, business organisations require efficient security partners in order to focus their expansion towards growing economies. This physical expansion leads to a need for expanded and enhanced security programs to protect a growing network of people and facilities. In this article, Renae Leary, Senior Director, Global Accounts, at ADT Worldwide, provides an insight into cost-effecti...

 The outlook of the access control is bright despite economic downturn Belying the tough economic environment in which it is operating globally, the security industry is apparently ‘weathering the storm' quite well. Despite some expected adverse impact of the economic downturn, overall the security industry has been relatively immune and resilient compared to some other sectors. This could well be because of the growth in unemployment and higher crime rates necessi...

 Selecting the optimum power supply for a system is critical to an installation  When it comes to selecting power supplies, knowledge is power. Determining the power requirements of every systems product, taking into account their integration with one another is critical to ensure that you are selecting and installing the power solutions most appropriate for your installation. Such information will enable you to select the power supplies that will be required to keep your security sys...

 Dealing with rising airport security threats  demand more innovative solutions   With the rise in large security threats since the commencement of this century, security of airports has become paramount. Looking into this issue Ashley Smith, BSIA (British Security industry Association) Civil Aviation Security Section Chairman, explains how a mix of properly interfaced security systems working in conjunction with monitoring and response staff offers a cost...

Video analytics enables security teams to take action as soon as incidents occur  Video analytics can boost security efforts by automatically alerting personnel to take action when a security event occurs. Intelligent sensors never tire, can cover large distances and “see” what the eye would miss, even in absolute darkness. Based on such intelligent analytics, people can make smart decisions when actual violations happen. John Romanowich, CEO of SightLogix believes...

More attention needs to be given to wireless security technology Despite major developments in radio technology and increased demand in the market for new solutions, wireless systems are still not fully embraced by the security industry. Tony Makosinski of Honeywell Security Group asks why, and explores what the future holds for wireless technology. Although wireless technology -specifically radio - has been used in the security industry since the 1980s, penetration rates in...

  False security alarms can be reduced with simple business practices In today's security conscious environment, repeated false alarms can be costly to a business, and not just in financial terms. A false alarm is simply the activation of one's security alarm system for no apparent reason. With the introduction of European standards and the UK implementation of PD6662 (scheme for the application of European Standards for intruder and hold-up alarm systems) and DD243 (code...

  Poorly maintained environments send messages that undesirable behaviour will be tolerated Crime prevention is not solely the job of locks on doors or security cameras scanning entranceways. The makeup of a physical environment can influence where crimes are committed. That's why Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) should be an essential component to the crime prevention strategy of any building or area.  In this article ASSA ABLOY Future Labs ...

  Globalisation and new technologies have led to increased threats for financial organisations The banking and financial sector needs to be constantly prepared to manage an increasing range of security risks, from fraud and anti-social behaviour to data mismanagement. Organisations must anticipate such potential risks and have well-established plans in place to address them.  Honeywell, with more than 50 years of experience in the security industry, is helpin...

  Cutting costs on security investments puts small businesses at the risk of criminal activity During tough economic times, many small businesses can be found guilty of neglecting investment in their on-going security protection.  Naturally, this can prove to be problematic as the impact of break-ins and criminal activity greatly affect the accounts and day-to-day running of the business. Luke Martyn, SMB specialist at ADT Fire and Security provides practical, cost-ef...

Hoteliers don't give security a high enough priority Security is not as high on the hotel agenda as it should be according to Michael Hartmann, Senior Vice President for Hospitality Solutions with Siemens Building Technologies.  Here he looks at the reluctance to invest in the latest security systems, the different levels of security typically employed and the benefits of an integrated approach. The contribution to profit, or the perceived lack of it, is one of the major...

Examining the road to convergence The use of Internet Protocol (IP) in the security industry is increasing but little is known about the relationship between end users and the merger of traditional physical security and IT otherwise referred to as convergence in the security trade press. Markus Lahtinen of the LUSAX project examines the growth of convergence in the security industry and discusses complexities of this relationship. The LUSAX project at Lund Universit...

PoE technology allows for safer environments through better security systems Power over Ethernet is both convenient and affordable, says Jonas Rehnberg of ASSA ABLOY Future Labs. The benefits to network security are immense, be it in powering security cameras with added features or enabling better access control systems and intruder deterrents. Hailed as a watershed innovation when first standardized in 2003, Power over Ethernet (PoE) offers a way of supplying electricity to n...

   Key to stability during economic downturn is investment in partners and product innovation  If we are to believe the words of the Bank of England's Mervyn King, the recession may be coming to an end. No longer are we to fear the shouts of the dreaded "credit crunch" resonating from our TV screens. While green shoots of economic recovery spring up around the world, there is still enough uncertainty to warrant the question: How is the security industry...

  Increased public demand for high spec intruder alarm systemsNew kinds of ‘cost-competitive' dual-path security alarm transmission systems are opening up new business opportunities for installers upgrading from audible-only, says BT Redcare's Andy Fyvie.Heightened public awareness of the need to improve security, coupled with new developments in intruder alarm technology, mean that there are now some exciting new opportunities for security alarm installers to grow their bus...

In this article, Carlos Alonso, Director - Intrusion Detection Systems, Bosch, focuses on the two sets of guidelines that exist for the most popular detectors on the security market: EN50131-2-2 for passive infrared detectors, and EN50131-2-4 that relates to a combination of passive infrared and microwave detectors. The aim is to outline the standards that all manufacturers must adhere to New European standards for electronic intrusion detection improve product quality...

D-Tec's MD, Ian Moore, explains the importance of smoke detection systems in the early detection of tunnel fires. Fire in the context of tunnels has been brought into sharp relief in recent years, as a result of a number of high profile tragedies.  Most notably the Mont Blanc Tunnel in 1999, which claimed the lives of 39 people.  As a result, there has been increasing interest in the application of CCTV cameras in conjunction with video analytics technology, specifically Video Smoke D...

In his previous article, Matt Gilmartin of Concept Smoke Screen introduced the... well... concept... of artificial smoke as a defence against burglars.  Here he explores the practicalities of the technology and introduces us to a few of its many applications. Originally, security fog systems were exclusively a means of preventing loss through burglary, and were utilised only in the manner described in my previous article.  But advancements in technology (partly fuelled by ever-growin...

Bob Randall, chief operating officer of Inkerman, took Mark Rowe out to lunch.  The terror threat is as high as it's ever been, he said; but don't panic.  Bob Randall became the corporate risk, intelligence and investigation consultancy's Chief Operating Officer recently (featured in our September issue).  A career Metropolitan Police man, he retired as a detective chief supt.  His work took in counter-terrorism, covert operations, security, major investigations,...

At a time when private security companies are coming under greater public scrutiny following two recent high profile cash snatches, the whole industry is on the verge of collapse, according to security boss, Major Frank Quigley.  Major Quigley, a retired Military Police officer who has advised the Ministry of Defence on the establishment of its own security services is a director of a rapidly expanding medium sized security company, Guarding UK Ltd.  He said: “The industry has b...

The view that ‘dodgy' guard people will be on the way out and prices will rise for guard providers is rose-tinted, according to Douglas Greenwell, Marketing Director, of G4S Security Services (UK).  He spoke of his firm putting through price increases of about two per cent, to recover from licensing, and meeting some resistance from customers.  He said: "That's to reinforce the message - the only way prices are going to go up, or the only way we are going to improve our returns,...

Northamptonshire is the model for joined-up work on business crime, the launch event for the county-wide business crime reduction partnership heard. Introducing Northamptonshire Action Against Business Crime was Sir David O’Dowd, the former Northants chief constable who agreed to be patron of NAABC.  Sir David pointed to the December issue of Professional Security regarding the latest British Retail Consortium crime survey.  He described NAABC as the next evolutionary step in th...

What might police modernisation mean for private security companies and consultancies?  Alan Beckley, director, Baddiley Associates, offers some pointers. Greater inclusion in the ‘extended family of policing’ Need to form new relationships based on new police structure Need to understand new boundaries and new responsibilities Vigilance to spot new opportunities and police tasks, roles and responsibilities that fall off the list of police priorities Vig...

The venue for a recent business crime conference was an example of good practice, the event heard.   Bob Golding, Warwickshire Police Assistant Chief Constable and ACPO lead on business crime, was among speakers at the Belfry golf club.  Welcoming the audience to Warwickshire, ACC Golding said he hoped that their cars would not be broken into.  Such crime at the club near Birmingham - thieves breaking into cars to take laptops, on view on back seats - is no longer a hot-spot...