What are Your Options for Home Security Cameras?

There’s a lot to choose from when it comes to residential security systems and, as a homeowner, it can be overwhelming to work through the different options and combinations of electronic security systems. Here are some insights into modern home security cameras and what they have to offer.

Features of high-quality home security cameras

It’s important to know what features are the most critical in a security camera – this way, you can properly evaluate their role in home security systems. 

• Field of view – This term refers to how wide an angle you can get from the camera before it has to move. Generally, FOV can be between 100 and 180 degrees, which is a significant difference. The greater the FOV, the more coverage the camera offers. This means fewer blind spots for criminals and that you’ll likely have to install fewer cameras too. 

• Image quality – This is the quality of the images that the camera will capture. These days, most home security cameras capture images in high definition (1080p), but it’s still good to read reviews to see how clear and free of interference the images should be and whether or not the camera has digital zoom. 

• Motion detection – This is a great feature that allows the camera to start recording as soon as it is triggered by motion. These cameras can send you a notification when the trigger is activated so that you can check-in. it’s also useful because you don’t end up with hours and hours of recorded footage where nothing is happening. 

• WiFi capability – When a camera is WiFi-enabled it means that criminals cannot physically cut the feed and prevent the camera from recording. It also means that you can view camera footage in real-time on your computer or smartphone.

• Smart capabilities – These features allow your security cameras and electronic security systems to connect with one another as well as connect to other smart systems like Alexa or Google Assistant. It’s a pretty useful feature where you can, for example, set lights to turn on when a video camera is triggered. 

• Face detection – This is an advanced security feature that some homeowners really enjoy. While most video cameras send you a notification when electronic security systems are triggered, others can actually use facial-recognition software to help identify who has triggered the camera. This is useful for identifying false alerts, such as when your kids enter the property after hours or forget to switch off the home security system. 

When it comes to electronic security systems for the home, it’s essential to get to grips with the fundamentals of this technology. This will help you create a custom solution that suits your security needs and budget.

Do Vehicle Security Patrols Prevent Crime?

If you are looking at different physical security services to protect your business or secure community, you might be considering mobile security solutions in the form of mobile patrols by manned vehicles. Here’s some insight from a security specialist into the kind of protection and response these services offer to help you decide if it’s the right fit for your needs.

The goal of vehicular mobile patrols

Usually, this service involves one or a pair of trained security guards patrolling an area at scheduled times in a highly-visible mobile security vehicle. They don’t stay on-site, but rather patrol a number of areas at times specified by the client – for example, patrolling commercial office parks after hours.

The goals of a mobile patrol are:

• High-security visibility – This is a highly effective deterrent for crime in commercial, industrial and residential areas, preventing both opportunistic and more organized criminal activity.

• 24/7 security – Mobile security patrols are available at all hours and are a preferred choice for an after-dark security solution.

• Secure large premises – Having a vehicle extends the range of your trained security guards, allowing them to perform effective mobile patrols over large commercial or residential spaces, including entire neighborhoods.

• Test security systems – Mobile patrols actively test your different levels of security, including checking accessible gates/doors/windows, report on the conditions of the property, suspicious activity and more. These reports should be filled in and submitted on a daily basis, making them useful data for building owners, your security specialist, and security teams. In addition to watching for illegal or criminal activity, your mobile security team should report on maintenance or safety issues such as damage to the property or burned-out lights that criminals can take advantage of.

• Prevent trespassing – Any unauthorized access can be quickly detected and responded to, either by trained security guards or law enforcement.

• Affordable security – Mobile patrols are often more affordable than having a private security guard, allowing businesses and residential areas access to trained, experienced security protection from a security specialist without having to pay for a permanent security guard.

The main drawback of mobile security patrols that your security specialist should inform you about is that they are not effective for catching criminals in the act. The vehicles are highly-visible as a deterrent, so they cannot sneak up on criminals or play a role in trapping criminals. In the event of your mobile security team detecting criminal activity or your security alarm is triggered, your mobile patrol may only respond if they are trained to act under these conditions. In general, they will act to alert law enforcement or relevant emergency services.

Tips on Bomb Threat Response from a Security Expert

A bomb threat in business, university or school is something no one really wants to think about – but managed security services know that it’s essential to have bomb response protocols in place if a threat this serious arises. Here’s some important security advice from an experienced security expert.

• Customize plans for your location and risks: Security experts recommend that you develop a customized security plan rather than applying a generic one, as this is unlikely to recognize the specific threats and vulnerabilities that your organization faces. For example, a university will face very different security threats than a marathon or a research laboratory. Developing these protocols should involve security advice and a comprehensive audit by your managed security services partner, including an evaluation of man-made barriers, neighboring entities, current security systems and more.
• Scenario-based training: Once you have developed your protocols with the help of a security expert, it’s important to do regular training based on a variety of scenarios based on their likeliness of occurring. There’s no guarantee that your entire team will be available in the event of a security issue, so training should also consider what should happen if certain staff members are unavailable. Your managed security services partner should play an active role in these scenarios, assisting with training and security advice.
• Keep your team informed: Your team should meet at regular intervals with your managed security services partner to ensure that each person is kept up-to-date on protocols and new threats. They should all know what to do in the event that they receive a suspicious package, how to identify credible threats, and who to contact.
• Keep plans and protocols confidential: Outside of your selected team and the security expert you work with, your security and response protocols should be kept confidential. If these are available publicly or throughout your organization, it can equip a potential aggressor with the information they need to make their threat or attack more effectively.
• Build relationships with useful partners: Good fences make good neighbors and, in the event of an emergency, it’s important to have mutual support in place from neighboring organizations, law enforcement, and emergency response teams. This may mean making neighbors aware of potential threats to your organization (they can act to make you aware of any suspicious activity) or having a plan in place where you can evacuate to a safe location on their property.

If you would like to create a comprehensive strategy for addressing bomb threats and similar security threats to your organization, it’s important to get security advice from an experienced security expert who can deliver customized, industry-leading managed security services.