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Modern security systems work using a combination of different approaches to keep your property safe from threats.
Whether it is CCTV, burglar alarms, or access control systems, all modern security hardware relies on deterrence, detection, and response. These three aspects give these systems an edge over legacy hardware and can help you keep your assets secure.
Read on to learn more about the difference between deterrence, detection, and response and the technologies modern security systems use for maximum security:
24/7 SECURITY USING MODERN SYSTEMS
Residential properties and businesses face several types of threats, ranging from commercial burglaries, theft, suspicious loitering, intrusions, and vandalism. However, if you were to depend on only legacy systems, then you might not get the full level of security that comes with technologically advanced security hardware.
Commercial and residential security systems like alarm systems, surveillance systems, and access control systems are specifically designed to minimise threats and ensure extended security with the use of algorithms and even artificial intelligence (more on this below).
Let’s first look at the strategies that modern systems use to keep you safe, and the differences between them:
Deterrence – Prevention
The biggest way security systems protect you is through their presence on your property. Notice how people behave differently when they know that they are being monitored?
The same effect is on criminals, but magnified because criminals will do all that they can to avoid cameras or sensors that can alert the authorities. With security hardware around the premises, your property will be perceived as too risky or too difficult to attack for criminals.
This is why modern systems are effective deterrents and cause potential criminals to reconsider their plans even before they enter the premises.
Detection – Proactive Surveillance
Detection can be done in several ways. We mentioned above that modern security systems use advanced hardware and technologies like AI to detect threats.
AI and algorithms can provide proactive security by inferring data collected from the sensors around your property. For example, if the CCTV and perimeter alarm detect suspicious loitering, the system will alert the owner about the potential threat. The system can then focus its attention on them and record their movement around your property.
If people actually end up entering your premises, then an alert will be sent out to the authorities immediately. Modern systems can automatically zoom, enhance, and save the facial data of confirmed threats, thereby making it easier for law enforcement to act.
Response – Quick Action
Response refers to the system’s ability to report threats in real time. Prevention, deterrence, and detection are all important and great first lines of defence against criminals, but if thieves are adamant on entering your property, then the system must be able to counter this with a quick response.
Typically, modern systems can respond to confirmed threats within seconds. In AI-powered devices, this can happen instantaneously and without the fear of false alarms.
False alarms can be a burden to law enforcement, which is why you need to have a system that uses data from multiple sensors to confirm threats. For example, if someone enters your property, they can be picked up by the CCTV, then the perimeter sensors, and finally the alarm system located within the property.
This triple-detection method can confirm threats and minimise false alarms to virtually zero.
SECURITY TECHNOLOGY – WORTH THE INVESTMENT?
Legacy systems have been in place for decades and have proven their worth. However, with growing threats and smarter criminals, it has become pertinent to employ modern security hardware that takes deterrence, detection, and response to new heights.
From an investment perspective, this makes sense because you would want to have the latest and greatest in security technology, as it secures your property from multiple angles.
As long as the system is compliant, it can help you cover yourself from legal aspects and even help you keep your insurance premiums down year over year.
Let’s look at the latest technologies that you can invest in today:
Intelligent Security
We briefly discussed AI in modern security systems above; let’s dive a bit deeper into this promising technology.
Artificial Intelligence uses advanced algorithms and the concept of machine learning to recognise patterns and learn from past experiences.
These devices inherently can get better the longer they are used around your property because they can analyse the footfall around your residential and commercial property and differentiate between threats and normal behaviour.
AI is revolutionising the way we perceive security and is creating systems that are designed with integration and security in mind.
People have been shifting from analogue CCTV cameras to more advanced AI-integrated network/IP CCTV cameras over the last few years. These hardware systems can produce higher-quality footage with significantly more processing power.
Data analytics is also an integral part of these systems because they can “reason” and apply logic to different scenarios. For example, these systems can learn the schedule of occupants over weeks and months and automatically flag events that are not normal.
The biggest advantage of these systems is that they use standardised protocols to communicate, making them highly integrable. Even if you have multiple types of hardware installed, you can connect them all together using a central control panel and let each device “talk” to each other to identify and confirm threats.
Smart Access Controls
Access control systems are a godsend for businesses and even homes, especially if a residential property is also used for commercial activities such as Airbnbs.
Access control systems can manage the entry and exit of occupants and enable only authorised people to enter your property.
This not only adds an extra layer of security to your property, but it can also enable you to manage access remotely. Additionally, the system can also keep a log of access and give you periodic reports to help you understand the footfall around your business or general property.
These systems are also easier to use than legacy systems. Now, thanks to near-field technologies, you can use mobile credentials and other keyless authentication methods to access your property. Biometric security is another option that you can go for, especially if you want to protect valuable assets or strictly control the flow of people in restricted spaces.
This convenience alone makes them worth the investment and a great improvement over regular access control systems.
Cloud Security
Cloud computing has been on the rise for the better part of the decade now. The reason why cloud computing is so popular is that it allows for smarter devices. Instead of having highly complex devices that do computations onboard, the system can simply send the data to an online server and process it over the cloud.
This results in products that don’t need to be too computationally complex and expensive. Cloud computing also enables users to take advantage of cloud storage solutions.
For instance, video surveillance footage from CCTV cameras is usually stored on a local hard drive. The problem is that this data is at the behest of the quality of hardware and can usually only be accessed and viewed on-site. If something goes wrong with the DVR setup or hard drive, then you can say goodbye to all the footage!
Using cloud-based storage, you can instantly have all the footage stored online on a secure server, which itself has several security layers on it. This enables users to access footage or security data from anywhere in the world.
Companies that sell advanced security hardware provide this feature and ensure that all user data and footage remain safe and protected. Protection of this data is done according to laws, regulations, and privacy outlines in the UK.
Security System Integration
Centralised security systems are increasingly becoming the future of security around the world. Instead of depending on disparate devices, we are now looking at an integrable security infrastructure that works together to provide comprehensive security.
We have discussed how these devices can communicate and confirm threats throughout this guide. However, integration isn’t just about allowing the devices to talk to each other. It is also about giving users control over all security measures around their property.
This means that you can custom-build schedules, manage personnel or users, and manage security data, all according to your specific needs. This move from generalised security to personalised surveillance is why people find modern systems to be more attractive.
From businesses to residential properties, you can have not one, but multiple properties managed from one hub. Furthermore, if you want, you can also opt for external surveillance through an Alarm Receiving Centre or ARC.
This can allow a team of professionals to manage all security matters on your behalf and send out law enforcement and even emergency services when needed.
Through all this integration, you don’t have to tweak the alarm system, CCTV cameras, and access control system individually. You only need to have the system installed by a professional once, and the system can work without tweaks by learning from patterns and user behaviour.
What’s even better is that the system can also detect problems in individual security hardware. So, if an alarm is running low on battery, it can simply send out a notification or inform your maintenance team, if you have a maintenance contract with a security company like Calder Security.
Environmentally Friendly
Modern systems are designed not just to help you get the most security, but they are also designed to be environmentally friendly by using less energy. If you have a large residential or commercial space, then you know the energy bills at the property can rack up.
With modern security hardware, you can ensure that your property uses a fraction of the energy by using smart systems that may also be solar-compatible. Additionally, these systems are also being built with recycled or environmentally safe materials so that they are less toxic to the environment, especially when they are decommissioned.
Depending on the vendor of the security hardware, these systems can also be linked to your solar system installed on your property. The system can automatically switch the hardware from the grid to solar energy when needed.
This is especially important during blackouts or power surges. This way, your system can endure and provide continued security even during harsh weather conditions.
HOW TO IMPLEMENT MODERN SECURITY HARDWARE
Security systems are not meant to be a DIY project. We highly recommend that you get professional help if you want the most out of your investment.
While modern security hardware is easier to install and offers plug-and-play features, it must be installed and configured by a certified security company that focuses on compliance and industry-standard best practices.
Here’s how you can implement these systems and get them up and running without any chance of downtime:
Risk Assessment and Audit
The best way to build a layout for your security system is to begin with a risk assessment. A security company can be hired to conduct an audit that can help highlight vulnerabilities in and around the premises. This audit will be the foundation upon which your system will be built.
Security companies like Calder Security perform detailed security risk assessment reports that identify the top threats and mitigating strategies. These companies can use compliant security hardware to ensure that you get the most out of your investment without having to do anything.
Room to Grow
One of the best things about modern security hardware is that it can be enhanced by implementing new systems. This is especially important for businesses that want the ability to grow the system as needed.
With a modern system, you can simply add new hardware and have it integrated with the central control network. This can allow you to continually add hardware whenever needed without the fear of starting from scratch.
Installers like Calder Security can even help you upgrade cloud storage options so that you can scale your security infrastructure as per your needs.
Costs and Budgeting
Modern security hardware is wonderful, but it can also be expensive, certainly more than legacy systems. However, this is where you will need to conduct a risk-benefit analysis.
Does installing a new system that helps you get advanced security outweigh its cost? In most cases, the answer is yes. However, you would need to account for your budget when deciding.
CONTACT CALDER SECURITY
At Calder Security, we provide a comprehensive range of security solutions that include not just professional installation but also monitoring, maintenance, and repair services.
We are members of the Master Locksmith Association (MLA), approved members of the Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board (SSAIB), and also conform to all the relevant British and EU Standards. We follow all the best practices in the industry and install only high-quality, state-of-the-art security systems.
We offer various levels of monitoring via a 24-hour monitoring centre using Dualcom and BT Redcare signalling, which is the most secure alarm monitoring system and the largest supplier of intelligent alarm signalling services in the UK.
We understand the importance of having to regularly maintaining security systems since the inability to do so might result in serious faults and consequent vulnerabilities in your property’s security.
We provide professional maintenance checks and reminders for when the checks are due to help you stay compliant with the law and work fast to restore your security systems to excellent condition.
We offer a 24-hour call-out service for customers and can also repair systems not installed by us. Our engineers are highly skilled and can restore faulty systems to full working order in one visit.
Contact us here or call us at 0800 612 9799 to talk to our experts for more information on the difference between deterrence, detection, and response and the technologies modern security systems use for maximum security.
Photo by BEN ELLIOTT on Unsplash