Many of our clients once felt that video was their best line of defense for outdoor perimeter security. Video was chosen to tell them how something happened, and who did it. It takes one incident to tell them they needed more.
After viewing thousands of blurry, obstructed, or otherwise disappointing camera snapshots and videos of security breeches, it’s clear to me that cameras don’t always work the way they’re supposed to.
Bright sun and darkness is still a problem, especially for high definition video systems. That magnified but blurry picture may hold some clues for a detective, but it usually takes a lot of analysis and luck to recover something that’s been stolen. Even if it’s recovered, it’s loss disrupts your operation and the returned property often isn’t in the same shape as when it left.
If you’d rather have barriers that deter or a system that helps you intervene before your property is lost for good, it might make sense to have an in-depth conversation about perimeter security. While it’s not for everyone, nor is video alone.
Are conventional keys and locks safely securing property and people in your buildings?
SALTO access control solutions provide security reassurance for everyone on site while protecting assets and equipment.
Physical keys are easily lost or copied and expensive to replace. If it’s easy for bad actors to get in, your people and property are at risk. Smart access is safer, more secure and simpler to manage.
SALTO continues to release impressive technological innovations where connectivity between the door, user and system operations aids the growth of overall safety, security, and access control for any building application or access type. SALTO solutions work with any door including emergency exits, wooden and metal doors, elevators, parking garages, and applications where padlocks have been used even outdoors. SALTO hardware and technology platform can be added to doors with existing locks without additional modifications or wiring.
Modular design and future-proof engineering accommodate growth or regulatory changes to ensure continued compliance.
SALTO products are integrated with our access control solutions to combine style with reliable security and flexibility. Choose from an extensive range of finishes, door handles and locks options to customize for specific needs.
Integration of legacy credentials and compatibility with other systems through multi-application is possible.
SALTO access control integrates with the business technology ecosystem including management and security software (BMS) and other third-party systems. Also integrates with other security systems such as alarm and video.
Denning Electronics represents SALTO in Illinois and Wisconsin. Please call Steve Vivacue or Ken Wippich to review your access control needs.
Vigitron is relentlessly driven to provide secure high performance security and communications networks.
The security market stands out, since edge devices may be in remote locations, far outside the range of standard Ethernet connections. By their nature, security and communication devices demand a secure connection in all weather and environmental extremes.
At sites with a lot of real estate it may not make sense to have closely spaced IDFs. First, the device density in a given area may be so low that you cannot justify an IDS. Second, it may be costly or hard to find a secure place for an environmentally controlled IDF. Imagine, for example, a parking lot with Emergency Call stations. These may be spaced as much as 50 or 100 yards apart, so many stations may approach or exceed the 100 meter copper Ethernet limit. A warehouse with cameras trained on long aisles has the same challenges, and tall elevators have unique challenges providing reliable CCTV and intercom connectivity. A Vigitron hardened device may be the answer.
Vigitron has network gear for big sites. Fiber is usually a great choice, though if you’re upgrading from analog to IP cameras or intercoms it may make better economic sense to reuse existing cables.
Vigitron is especially good at providing reliable power and connectivity for distant high current devices such as cameras, intercoms, and access controllers. Does it make sense for you to share some of your challenges with Denning or the Design Center, to see if Vigitron’s a fit for you?
While video systems often seem to be the first choice for outdoor protection, they may not provide the high level security needed for a critical facility. Some experienced intruders know how to exploit camera vulnerabilities, using this knowledge to their advantage.
Southwest has reliable perimeter intrusion detection (PIDAS) sensors, all of which perform in the conditions where camera systems sometimes fall short. Southwest sensors detect in rain, snow, fog, and in heavy shadows, and when used with your video system provides an excellent layered defense.
Southwest Microwave’s analog microwave sensors have been the gold standard for over 40 years. We regularly see sensors – even complicated deployments using reflectors – installed back in the 1980’s still in operation at some of the most secure facilities in the world.
Southwest’s new digital microwaves improve false and nuisance alarms to rates never thought possible.
Southwest Microwave’s family of intelligent perimeter security solutions also includes the INTREPID™ Micropoint™ Single Platform Detection Systems feature field-proven detection technologies, made even smarter with single-platform networking convenience. While factory training is advisable or may be mandatory depending upon your site, these cable installation and calibration videos provide background information to help your installation go smoothly.
DSI relentlessly focuses upon reliability, security, and throughput. This video taken at ISC West in 2018 shows throughput for DSI’s 831 series barrier optical turnstile:
With over 50 years of experience and 70,000 installations worldwide, Southwest Microwave is the global leader in the design and manufacture of high-performance outdoor electronic perimeter security systems meeting the demands of security-sensitive applications and harsh exterior environments.
Southwest Microwave’s field-proven perimeter protection systems and security management tools provide accurate, immediate detection of perimeter disturbances across wide ranging sectors – government, military, utilities, corrections, industrial, transportation and VIP residential – areas that by their intrinsic nature dictate high performance and unyielding reliability.
Product excellence is only one component of the Southwest Microwave customer commitment. A pledge to provide world-class customer care is backed by extensive technical service capabilities, including system planning and design assistance, commissioning services, comprehensive training programs and responsive tech support. By delivering proven technologies and broad-reaching value added services, Southwest Microwave offers a solid foundation for long term perimeter security solutions.
It’s been some time since we posted comparing sensor-based perimeter security to video-based outdoor intrusion detection systems. Has anything changed?
The security market is video-centric. We get it – CCTV is a good tool, and it keeps getting better. Every year hundreds of firms plow millions of dollars into CCTV R & D, and millions more are invested in mobile platforms such as drones and artificial intelligence and its integration with security systems. Video is visceral and better than “eyes on” assessment since systems may be capable of collecting and displaying information we cannot see (think thermal and IR imaging of the invisible). Storing information on a system featuring quick retrieval provides an even more compelling case for video.
If your system has been designed and installed right and everything’s working properly, video addresses what happened and when it happened. With improved internet connectivity you now may have the means to see what’s happening now, and remotely intervene when a crime is taking place. Using high tech tools under ideal circumstances you may even identify a perpetrator.
Yet we’ve learned crime often doesn’t happen under ideal circumstances, whether by plan or accident. Factors such as weather and mistakes can make a bad situation worse. Layered systems use tools such as intrusion detection, CCTV, communications, access control, and screening that together mitigate an enterprise’s vulnerabilities.
There’s no substitute for starting with a physical security risk assessment (RA) followed by a vulnerability assessment (VA). The RA outlines the threats, while a VA shows under what circumstances assets are at risk. The VA will also outline and perhaps quantify the potential impact.
DETECT DELAY RESPOND
Some situations add Deter, Deny, Assess, Communicate, and Intervene to address a particular vulnerability. We do so understanding ASIS International ESRM (Enterprise Security Risk Management) models and tools.
If you’ve determined it’s people you’re trying to find, consider the environment. Even the best lighted perimeters with low light/no light video technologies may be compromised if there’s blowing sand or snow, and/or fog. At a minimum you should be considering a layered “defense in depth” approach, with physical and electronic systems providing enhanced protection for the times when conditions are bad.
Testing cameras in an ice fog with air temperatures of -2 F.
As outside reps for leading industry manufacturers, we have field experience with scores of sensors and systems.
It is with this insight that we repeat: many of our clients once felt that video was their best line of outdoor perimeter defense. Video was chosen to tell them how something happened, and who did it. It took one incident to tell them they need more than video alone can provide.
*Denning is a manufacturer’s middleman that sells to resellers, so these sales estimates reflect wholesale equipment costs less accessory components and installation.
Vigitron solves Ethernet networking challenges for security and communication systems. The big four challenge are:
It’s nearly impossible or simply too expensive to get Ethernet cabling and power to where cameras, intercoms, access control readers, or SIP phones are needed.
Cable distance is too long for Cat 5/6 Ethernet, and there is no secure place for an IDF.
Our outdoor security devices (cameras, intercoms, sensors, lights) aren’t reliably powering-up or they fail when heaters or illuminators turn on.
There’s no convenient way to health monitor all of our security system components. Often the first we hear of a failure is when we most needed the system!
Vigitron has long provided physical tools to test edge devices and monitor networks. 2020 marked the beginning of NetObserver, the first in a family of software tool designed to provide real time network monitoring.
NetObserver is a next generation health monitoring Windows™ based software capable of receiving status messages from up to 240,000 ports using TCP, UCP, Syslog and SNMP communications. NetObserver recognizes network connected devices by means of Onvif, UPnP and also allows for manual entry.
Why health monitoring? Large and small security systems with IP CCTV cameras, intercoms, and access control devices must be dependable. Unlike IP phones or other common devices powered by PoE, high power and high bandwidth PoE security devices often have different component states. Outdoor day/night cameras and LED lighting have power requirements that vary by day and by season, so a PoE switch with an inadequate power budget is prone to fail. NetObserver’s GUI with email notification traces the problem, making it easier to quickly respond.
A built-in mapping feature accounting for both IP-enabled network and edge devices ensures manageability, while custom messaging pinpoints trouble.
The Application Programming Interface used to manage the database is Microsoft’s SQL Server Compact 4.0, which is automatically included in the NetObserver installer.
In 2020 Vigitron introduced PoE Ethernet over untwisted conductors, and in 2021 – 2022 is introducing more switches and components aimed at the industrial market, hardened smart switches with ring topology ensuring high reliability, and more tools to ensure top performance from your security components and network.
Do you have a project? Whether you’re an end user, integrator, contractor, or security dealer, we’re here to tackle your network issues.
Denning Electronics ensures that clients have the lowest possible maintenance cost for their security, surveillance, and intercom systems. We are a resource not only for our current lines, but we also help with products we haven’t worked with for a decade or more and some manufacturers we’ve never directly represented.
We currently help integrators and their clients who experience cameras, video clips, and intercoms mysteriously disappearing on their IP systems and recorders.
Vigitron’s unique and economical diagnostic tools are purpose-built for security integrators. They may be used to evaluate and test cabling and networks before they are commissioned, and they track down problems caused by bad network wiring, insufficient PoE, or bandwidth-limited networks.
Please contact us for a test drive of the NeTester/NetStat and NetObserver or one of Vigitron’s other test products.
Optical turnstiles provide for tenants and visitors:
A safe, smooth, and orderly flow of personnel into and out of the building.
A secured pathway for visitors and exceptions such as disabled or baggage-laden individuals.
Turnstiles are a force-multiplier for building concierges and security officers. Maybe someone claims they’ve misplaced their security credential, or they say they’re late for a meeting. Maybe there’s an ex-employee trying to use an old credential to get back in, or an ex-spouse or boyfriend trying to ride in on someone’s coattails. The optical turnstile barrier helps attendants address the situation while maintaining building security.
DSI turnstiles and anti-tailgating systems have been used with temperature screening sensors (For COVID-19), PPE (such as facemask and hard hat) detection, electrostatic discharge equipment, and security screening for metal and radioactive material.
Are employees and visitors socially distanced as they use your turnstiles? Where turnstile lanes are closely spaced, DSI’s new sturdy acrylic Separation Shields may be the answer. These stable and rugged barriers are easily installed with turnstiles (regardless of brand), low walls, or countertops.
DSI turnstiles are compatible with most card and biometric access control manufacturers and elevator destination dispatch systems.
DSI has provided gear for food processing facilities, public buildings, banks, data centers, industrial sites, and sports venues where the new norm is to safety-screen all who enter. DSI has been deployed in some of the most secure facilities in the world, and we’re prepared to share our knowledge with you in confidence.
