What will be the new Trends in 2017 towards Security as a Service?

In 2017, physical security services are predicted to trend towards offering more specific solutions as well as a higher level of integration and service. The thought is, instead of viewing physical security as a series of connected hardware and software systems, industry experts see a movement towards systems such as Guardtek that provide more of a security as a service.

The world changes ever faster due to new technologies. But why does it move so quickly? Because industries are changing their needs, the consumers are changing too and the world needs to move in the same direction.

2017 is expected to be the year that will increase the demand for security as a service as a key component of successfully run security operations. In an industry where control is essential and multiple details are going on at the same time, there are Security operations management systems like Guardtek that will lead the way.

In an article from IFSEC Global titled ¨Top trends in security tech to expect in 2017”, Johan Paulsson, Chief Technology Officer at Axis Communications details the reasons why he feels the industry is moving in this direction of security as a service:

1. “Systems like GuardTek will “not only take away the burden of managing the complex systems involved, but also reduce the costs of keeping those systems up to date and secure”. The result “will not only free up internal resources which could be better focused elsewhere, but also improve the service level of the security system and enable better device management”.

2. Security industry will continue trending towards more specific solutions to individual problems. Customers look for integrate solutions in one unified system. They want that system to be adapted to their needs and customized based on the site and post. “The end to end solutions could tackle a specific issue”. Customized Saas systems, like the one provided Trackforce, provides a key advantage to physical security providers, allowing the supervisors to adapt the system to all possible scenarios and update the reports in real time.

3. The article also states that in 2017 the security industry will see an increase in the use of artificial intelligence. “The benefits are that although all customers are different, the environments and locations they are based in tend to fall into the same general categories, with people exhibiting the same general behaviors. Once those behaviors have been ‘learned’ the patterns that underlie them can be shared, enabling the system to flag up when something unexpected occurs”.

According to another interesting article “6 trends to watch in the security guard industry” from propertycasualty360, we can find other relevant trends for the security industry in 2017.

4. Expanded responsibilities. “Security guard firms are contracted to protect people and property in a wide variety of industries”. The firms are starting to be asked to provide additional services outside of security, and this trend will increase in 2017. A multifunction and customizable software can completely avoid communication or dispatch issues for these companies, as they will be able to adapt the software to each customers’ growing needs. With a system like GuardTek, for example, companies will be able to keep all incident and activity reports centralized and categorized in a digital logbook.

5. Remote video monitoring. Customers contracting security firms are increasingly asking for remote video monitoring. They believe that even though there is a high initial investment on equipment, it will reduce costs in a future.

6. Increased specialization. Security firms used to work with a big variety of clients. Nowadays, the trend is to specialize in industries such as schools or hotels. This can also differentiate you from your competitors.

The trends indicate that the industry is following this path of offering security in addition to other services.  Specialization and customization are the stars this 2017.  Therefore we will see an increasing demand from security providers for customizable Security Management Software that will provide an easier way to manage the security operations.

If you are not a user of a software such as Guardtek we encourage you to contact Trackforce today to learn how to stay one step ahead of your competitors.

Article Resource: http://www.trackforce.com/new-trends-2017-towards-security-service-2/

Industries that Need to Have a Guard Tour System in Place for Better Guard Monitoring and functioning

A guard tour system is an important tool that helps companies and organizations to organize log, and execute guard tours and patrols effectively within the facility. Guard tour system ensures that the security officers accomplish their tasks within the predefined time. Generally, guard tour systems are divided into two categories. One is wand guard tour system (handheld devices) and other is cloud guard tour system (modern mobile devices and cloud technology). Trackforce, one of the best guard tour system provider companies in USA, describes why an organization should consider adopting a guard tour system.

Purpose of incorporating a guard tour system in the organization

Guard tour system is a tool that keeps a check on guards’ activities that are assigned in the area they patrol in real-time. It provides a means to check and record the time a guard takes to execute his guard tour. On-site security managers can manage and monitor each staff and each location of specific territory in a real-time from a checkpoint that can be established in any part of the organization’s building or any remote location. They can send SOS alerts track and record events and conduct and send reports to the managing staff or the clients in real-time.

Guard tour system makes organization tasks simple. A site-officer does not need to maintain personal notebooks and keep data in a paper format while passing through each checkpoint. A security officer can simply send the whole information about the facility with a simple tap button on a Smartphone or mobile rugged devices to the central monitoring system.

Which industries should consider adopting Guard tour system?

The implementation of guard tour system helps organizations to monitor their security officer and staff daily accurately in real-time. So many different industries should implement guard tour system and can take advantage of it. Have a quick look at the main industries that are already aware enough to implement a guard tour system and will not be able to do without it.

Security Companies:

Security companies need guard tour systems to monitor security officers, lone workers, manage security patrols and conduct reports.

Educational Organization:

Educational organizations needs guard tour systems to ensure their students and staff’s security. Manage student movement within the campus and keep an eye on outsiders entering the campus to create trouble or nuisance.

Real Estate Organization:

Real estate organization should implement guard tour system to monitor different properties located at different locations. With guard tour system monitoring they can protect their various projects, machinery from the damage of thefts and breakouts. Apart from that it is a great tool to keep an eye on your workers remotely in real time.

Financial Institutes:

Guard tour system protects financial institutes from external threats like robbery, theft and breakouts in a property. This is one system that will be able to synchronize your security staff, develop a sense of coordination and keep them motivated since they know they are protected and are being watched.

Warehouses:

Guard tour system is an ideal tool to assure security of goods and merchandise stored within the warehouse. It is a great tool that ensures the security of goods and warehouses.

Manufacturing organizations:

Guard tour system monitors manufacturing locations in a real time and monitors manufacturing process, incidents and accidents. Apart from that workers are being monitored in real time which of course leads to an increase in their productivity.

Cleaning and maintenance services:

They can use guard tour system as a tool for keeping track of their installations and workers while they work at various locations thus giving a freedom to their supervisor to keep an eye from one place.

Healthcare organizations:

Healthcare organizations can use guard tour system for keeping track of patient’s safety and important data. It is a great tool for lone workers’ safety that ensures a safe environment in a healthcare organization.

Body worn camera should be an essential part of Security Guard Equipment

This is the electronic age! Even if you have a security guard manning your premises you need to have a pair of few extra eyes that always remain open and keep seeing what all is happening within your premises. Security cameras are the eyes that will help you keep an eye on your premises at all hours. Still human intervention is required at a few places and security cameras cannot replace that human intervention. Thus you need a security guard with all the equipments that he will require to care of your property and the people it houses

Importance of security guard equipment

After all a security guard is a human being and faces the same kinds of threats and problems that a normal human faces. The training and equipment that is provided to a security guard officer or a security guard makes him someone who is able to protect the property and people around him that would have been vulnerable to threats both outside and inside. Security guard equipment ensures the safety and security of the security guard, enhances his confidence while taking crucial decisions and ensures speedy communication with the backup teams and the central monitoring command that can assess the situation and provide the much needed advice that may be required in a crisis situation.

How much essential is a body worn camera as part of security guard equipment?

We have seen instances where the security guards and officers have been accused of making the situation worse by the offenders; in those cases generally the security guard has just been doing his duty which may be taken as an offense by someone. In such scenarios body worn cameras are a great advantage since everything has been recorded and there I no need to check with both parties for their side of the version. The body worn camera will be more than enough proof of what exactly has happened.

Body worn cameras give a boost to the security guard’s morale since he knows there is someone who is recording his activities and behavior thus is he is performing his duties diligently no need to be scared of any professional reprimands for the lack of proof that he has not dealt with the situation properly.

Body worn cameras will keep the behaviors of a security guard in check since they know each of their activities are being monitored closely thus they can’t afford to be slack in their duty, cant misbehave with a guest or even can’t leave their post till a back up come in to relieve him.

Body worn cameras also work as a deterrent for offenders who know they will be caught red handed if they try to sneak or force a security guard into the premises without the permission of the property owner. Thus a body worn camera along with the other security guard equipments has a big role to play in the protection and safety of a commercial or a residential property.

Does Security guard equipment really help deter crime?

Security guard equipment essentially helps in controlling crime since people with not so good intentions will always give a second thought about entering premises or creating a ruckus that is secured by security guards. Security guards having the best equipment will be confident of their abilities and will have the courage and resources at hand to wage a battle against nuisance or attacks on property or people they are protecting.

Public transportation and infrastructure security by Private security companies

Public transportation and infrastructure security have become an over-riding issue for every country. Any country’s transportation system and infrastructure is the softest target for terrorist groups and criminals. Terrorist groups and criminals are always seeking a chance to exploit the security weakness of any country’s transportation system and infrastructure. A country’s weak transportation system is the only element that terrorist groups and criminals bring into play to enter into the county’s border. It is a key element of overall plan of terrorism. Terrorists enter into a country’s border with the intention of carrying out criminal activities as well as illegal transactions such as drugs, weapons, piracy and illegal activities. For protecting a country from these unlawful acts and their adverse effect, securing a whole network of country’s transportation system as well as infrastructure is very important. Let’s have a look, why securing public transportation and infrastructure is a major concern, why securing them is important.

Why public transportation system and infrastructure’s security is a major concern for a country?

Country’s transportation system and infrastructure have a vital role in the country’s overall economic growth. If a country’s transportation network and infrastructure are not well secured like it has to be, then it can cost the country’s economic growth very dearly. As terrorist always seek to kill or injure significant number of individuals and destroy the country’s infrastructure and country’s economic conditions. They always look for the opportunity to jolt public transportation facilities like planes, trains, buses, terminal facilities and pedestrian plazas. As public transportation facilities always contain number of individuals they are one of the easy targets for terrorist’s attacks.  Countries with insecure transportation network, infrastructure and with weak security management systems are very easy targets for terrorist groups. Thus, a secure transportation system is critical to the overall national security from terrorism and for overall economic growth.

Why ensuring public transportation system and infrastructure security is important?

If we analyze the patterns of past terrorist attacks, the majority of terrorist attacks in the past were the reason of weak transportation and infrastructure security. Disruption in economy’s transportation security system and infrastructure security system invited terrorists and criminals to harm economy and its growth.  Public gathering places like railway stations, trains, airlines, airports, bus stops, public parking places, tourist places and shopping malls are more prone to threat of being targeted by terrorist groups and criminals. Hence ensuring the safety of the country’s public transportation and infrastructure is very important.

How private security companies can play a role in protecting public transportation system and infrastructure

Private security companies are playing a major role in securing any country’s infrastructure and transportation system. They are the trusted vendors in the public transportation and infrastructure space. They have the latest hi-tech technologies, skills and software monitoring systems which come handy while protecting public transportation facilities against terrorist attacks and other unlawful acts. Public places, facilities and organizations that can be an easy target of terrorist attacks and criminal activities are trusting private security companies for their security solutions.  Private security companies have number of customized security solutions almost for all types organizations and public events. With the increase of potential security threats on public infrastructure and transportation system, professional security companies are finding new ways and techniques to protect countries from potential security risks. You cannot imagine a secure economy and transportation network without the existence of private security companies.

Reasons Why Your Organization needs a Visitor Management System

Industrial espionage and global terrorism are major threats for every organization’s security. Industrial espionage and global terrorism are external business threats that come from outside with visitors. As our business environment is becoming vulnerable day by day in terms of safety and security, most organizations are taking preventive measures to ensure the protection and safety of their organization by using CCTV access control systems and alarm monitoring systems. But most of the organizations are forgetting to manage one of the serious threats to organizations, Organization’s visitors. Yes, your organization’s visitors are a big threat to your organization’s security.  As organizations always have numbers of visitors on regular basis, they are more prone to security threats posed by intruders, unwanted guests, and temporary visitors. If organization’s visitors are not handled precisely by the organization, they can present a potential risk to the organization. Organizations essentially need to pay special attention to their visitors. They need to ensure that the visitors who are authorized to enter are not risky to the organization. 

Here are the main Reasons why visitor management system is a typical need of any organization

 Eliminate errors of visitor records

Front desk officers, security officers and door men overlook the visitors of your organization from the front desk. But the fact is that even the best front desk clerk, security officer or doorman cannot always get everyone who comes into the organization to sign in. Especially during times when there is a lot of traffic in and out of the organization. It is all too easy for someone to slip into your facility unnoticed. So it is becoming very important to equip your front desk management staff with visitor management system to eliminate omission mistakes. 

Better Front desk visitor log book

Visitor management system from the front desk can do a lot to streamline the inflow of visitors to an organization.  Visitor management system allows making better log book of visitors on computer devices.  It replaces the traditional paper-based solution to keep visitor records with a more systematized and hi-tech software. Visitor management system keeps better records of visitors on its software; more uniformly and correctly than the log book of a receptionist. It tracks the activities of visitors in real time. The information can be accessible easily at any time from the visitor management database.

Ensures Security of the organization

Visitor management system in the organization reduces administrative burden and increase security. It helps to ensure the security of the overall organization. Visitor management system complements the organization security system and helps to access the control systems. With the help of CCTV footage, visitor management system gives a complete record of everyone who visited your organization. In the case of emergency and doubt on a visitor, security Department can be alerted instantly.

Adds Substantial value to organization reputation and better operation management

Visitor management system helps to add substantial value to the organization reputation.  Along with improved security, it enhances operational efficiency as well as the professionalism in the organization. It handles the operations of the organization by monitoring them live on a desktop screen. An effective visitor management system monitors each visitor of the organization and makes a detailed report on visitors by monitoring -who they came to see and when they enter the organization, what areas of the organization they are authorized to enter. When they leave the organization and next time when they enter into the organization.  Visitor management system also confirms individual’s identification and confirms other relevant information about them that could impact the specifics of their visit or the organization as a whole.

Important Safety and Security tips for Shopping Malls

There is always a large number of people and frequent flow of visitors inside shopping malls. As shopping malls are one of the most crowded places in any city, they are more likely to feature in the attack plans of terrorist. Terrorist attacks on shopping malls are a real and serious danger. Hence, it becomes highly essential to focus on shopping mall’s security for a secured and peaceful environment. Here we have got protective security advice for those who own, operate and manage shopping centers. These three tips will help you to mitigate the risk of criminal acts like bombings, shootings and theft inside and around the shopping mall.

Security management systems 

You are essentially required to have a high- tech security management system to maintain a peaceful and threat free environment inside and around the shopping mall. Hire a professional security company that’s dedicated entirely to the shopping mall security and security concerns. Trackforce one of the best security provider companies of United States, provides advanced security services to shopping malls throughout Canada, United Kingdom, Spain France, Asia and Europe along with United States. Trackforce offers special security packages to shopping malls. This security package includes 24/7 guard patrol monitoring system along with CCTV and emergency alarm monitoring for ground buildings and shopping mall parking slots. Trackforce also offers visitor management system software to manage guests and visitors of malls in real time to ensure that the guests are authorized and not harmed in any way.

Metal detectors at entry points

In recent times terrorist attacks and shootings at shopping malls is a biggest security threat. This is a reason why shopping malls must seriously consider metal detectors at entry points. The most important benefit of placing metal detectors at shopping mall's entrance is the immediate detection of weapon as guests and visitors enter on the building. Shopping malls are essentially required to have metal detectors to avoid a terrorist attacks, bombings and shootings. Metal detectors help to keep all entrances and exits of shopping mall safe and secure.

X-ray screening system at entry points

Trouble makers are there in all part of the world and a shopping mall is the most vulnerable target for them. Shooting and Bombings at shopping malls have become the method and choice for subversion by militant organizations all around the word. X-ray screening system helps to keep check on these types of people who enter in shopping malls only with the intention of harming people by doing illegal activities or crimes with weapons and bombs. X-ray screening system sends immediate alerts to security team and police if any bomb and weapons are detected. With the help of x-ray screening machine acts of crime in shopping malls can be stopped at the very first step. Having X-ray screening system on entry points is very critical for more tight and strong security.

Top 3 Clever Techniques to Curb Pilferage within Construction Site

Losses due to pilferages on construction sites are one of the realities of the construction industry but we do not add it into our budget as a cost of doing business. Pilferages on construction site have been increasing dramatically over the past decade. There are a handful of scenarios that make construction sites easy target for thieves. Construction sites tend to keep things easy for thieves for the reason that construction sites are unoccupied and poorly illuminated during night time. Construction sites have no fencing or lack locks on doors that would deter trespassers and have no security in place after work hours and on weekends. We use single key that opens several locks or fires up multiple pieces of machinery and open or unlocked doors. Hiring security guard officers is not enough for preventing construction sites from the loss of pilferages. They cannot stop small and unseen thefts in the construction sites.

Importance of Construction Site Safety From Pilferages

Estimates have shown that the losses due to pilferages on construction sites are in billions of dollars. Stealing of scrap metal, plywood, lumber tools, small equipment and other construction material not only leads to multiple losses for owners but also increases the insurance premium. According to researches most of construction site thefts are committed by the workers or the person that you have authorized to be on your construction site. With the help of these 4 techniques you can prevent your construction site from losses due to pilferage. These techniques will help you make your construction site less tempting to pilferages.

Increase After Hour Lighting in Construction Site

Adding adequate or increased light to external and internal areas is a great way to curb pilferages. It is very essential to illuminate construction after working hours to protect material and equipments of the construction site. Well lit construction sites are much less apt to be hit by thieves. Stadium-quality lighting within construction sites also helps to identify a theft in action by neighbors and passerby’s. You can reduce electrical costs by putting movement-triggered illumination into construction site. Auto motion detectors - lighting system is often enough to give a prospective job site thief a run for his money.

Install Property Management Systems for Construction Site

Installing property management system is a smart technique that every department of construction and management has to adopt for improved security. Property management system is a web based solution that does not only ensure security within the construction site but also helps to monitor the movement of engineering works, and workers. It helps to do effective inventory management and also schedule supply of raw materials and equipments according to construction site’s requirements. As employees and workers know the construction manager is paying attention through property management system, there will be no chance of thefts and pilferages initiated by them. By chance if something is stolen by an outsider it will give a notification to your insurance agent. Property management system ensures that fences are securely locked at the end of the day. With the help of property management system a construction site manager can check and ensure that the work is going according to contracts and legislation in the construction site. Construction management can 90% control their cost of construction and can maintain health and safety in the construction site. Property management system is an easy way to pay attention to construction site’s workers from anywhere.

Install CCTV & Alarm Monitoring System Along with Property Management System

CCTV monitoring is the most important technique that ensures comprehensive security for construction sites. With the use of CCTV monitoring inside and outside of construction site your site will benefit from experts monitoring activity at your site when you need it. Either when the staff is gone from the construction site or on weekends CCTV monitoring system will monitor and ensure security responses. CCTV monitoring in places will give you the ability to produce detailed report of CCTV footage in real time and over the entire lifecycle of construction project. Also install security alarm monitoring system for your construction site it will help to reduce more than 85% chances of pilferages and thefts that can happen on a construction site. Alarm monitoring system will notify the guards and police about the pilferage practice in a real time.