In an unpredictable world, one thing is certain, we all want to protect what’s ours. Whether you’re a business owner or a homeowner, you want to keep safe that which you’ve worked so hard for. One of the most effective ways to do that is to install a security system. Well, what exactly is a security system and what makes it a system? Security can be defined as, “the state of being protected or safe from harm,” and system can be defined as, “a group of related parts that move or work together.” A security system is an assemblage of equipment that helps prevent imminent danger or damage.
As a licensed security systems provider, our team at Perfect Connections, Inc. has been helping protect homes and businesses throughout northern and central New Jersey since 1992. We believe that a security system should not only be a group of working parts, but that it should be comprehensive. Comprehensive can be defined as, “complete; including all or nearly all elements or aspects of something.” After decades of installing security equipment we’ve found that a truly comprehensive security system should include some form of access control, fire and burglar alarms, surveillance, and a monitoring service.
Access control is the means by which you limit admission to a specific point of entry. It’s essentially your first line of defense against unauthorized entrants. Probably the most conventional form of access control is a standard lock and key. Today, the lock and key method is either being eliminated or used as a backup to more technologically advanced controls. Traditional keys when lost or stolen can be easily replicated whereas using readers, fobs (tokens), and sometimes biometrics in combination with a password are more concrete and less susceptible to duplication.
Card and proximity readers are typically placed next to a point of entry and a fob or card that is programmed with the appropriate credentials is used. The card or fob is either tapped or swiped on or near the reader to gain access. The benefit to using a swipe card or fob is if they are lost or stolen they can be deactivated in the operating system whereas you can’t deactivate a physical key unless you change out the entire lock. Biometrics, which uses physical credentials like a fingerprint, is similar in the sense that access information isn’t as easily stolen or duplicated. This type of access control isn’t as widely used today because they tend to be more complex and costly. However, as technology progresses we may see a rise in biometric applications.
Fire and burglar alarms are critical alerts in potentially life-threatening situations. Fire and burglary can strike at any given time without warning, wreaking havoc on your business or home. With burglary occurring every 14.6 seconds and national fire departments responding to an estimated 1,240,000 fires a year (2013), it’s critical to the safety and security of any home or business to implement preventative measures. Physical structural damage and property loss incurred by a fire or burglary is only part of the aftermath, the emotional and psychological damage is even harder to repair.
In conjunction with burglar alarms and access control, surveillance is essential. When installed correctly surveillance equipment is not only a helpful crime deterrent, but a useful tool in solving crime. In the wake of IP (Internet Protocol) and wireless technology, surveillance equipment is no longer limited to hardwired installations. This increases scalability, flexibility, and ease of installation. It also helps reduce the cost of installation by not having to pull as much cabling through walls. Another benefit to having a surveillance system is the potential capability to access footage remotely. With a plethora of mobile apps at your disposal, you can access your surveillance system to see what is going on at your facility or home when you can’t be there. Being able to remotely access your security cameras adds a layer of monitoring and convenience that, up until recently, wasn’t widely used or available.
Lastly to complete the effectiveness of a security system you should have an alarm monitoring service. Without a monitoring service who is going to respond to an active alarm? If you’re lucky someone nearby will call the authorities, that’s assuming someone is actually near your facility or residence when the alarm goes off. An alarm monitor can help save you, your family, or your business from potential disaster by decreasing the response time from local authorities and emergency responders. When an alarm is triggered the monitoring station is instantly notified; they typically try to contact you first, and if they don’t get a response within a given amount of time authorities and emergency crews are dispatched. This is a particularly beneficial service in the event that you’re out of town or unable to respond in an emergency. Having an alarm monitoring service can mean the difference between catastrophe and a manageable situation.
A security system is so much more than the equipment that comprises it. It helps provide protection and life safety in a volatile world. Remember, a system is only as effective as the parts that comprise it. For a security system to be comprehensive it should include fire and burglar alarms, access control, surveillance, and a monitoring service, at least. As a security systems expert, Perfect Connections, Inc. has been providing comprehensive security solutions to homes and businesses in northern and central New Jersey for the past 23 years. We understand the importance of mitigating the unpredictable and what it takes to do so.
If you live or run a business in Central or Northern New Jersey and would like information on any of the topics discussed above, please call 800-369-3962 or simply CLICK HERE.
Image Credit: Image by KRoock74-Google-Creative Commons
The images above show the difference between a parking garage being monitored by a camera with no WDR or WDR turned off on the left, and on the right the same area monitored by a camera with WDR enabled. The difference is clear as day. Why do they differ so much? The camera with the WDR enabled has two internal Charge-Coupled Devices (CCD). The two devices, or sensors, scan an image at different speeds, one low and one high, the image processor then combines the separate images producing a clearer, more balanced picture with better contrast and lighting. This process happens quickly enough to produce a stream of clear recorded footage. There are many different manufacturers that produce these WDR cameras in the market today, and not all of them use the same type of sensor and image processing combinations. The best way to ensure you are getting the best camera for your specific application is to hire a licensed security systems integrator who is educated in which camera specifications will work best in variant conditions.
The technological climate is swiftly changing the way we connect and interact with the physical world. Endless runs of cable and spaghetti wiring is becoming an antiquated notion with the development of wireless internet based equipment. This is evident in the way some security system integrators are approaching system design and installation. As industry professionals, our team at 
As the technology driven world continues to evolve, our lives are becoming more and more connected. Virtual distances are shrinking. This has been happening since the inception of the internet. You no longer have to fly across the world to have a meeting, you simply login to a virtual meeting where you can talk “in-person” via video chat. Although it may be imperfect, technology has certainly had an impact on all of our lives in one way or another.
Whether you are installing a new surveillance system or changing an existing one you need to consider the type of system and the operating implications associated with it. The desire for advanced image quality, video analytics, ease of integration, and remote access has ushered in the era of IP (Internet Protocol) surveillance systems. IP surveillance systems have opened the door to a more integrated security system and they provide increased scalability which is important to company growth and future adaptation. This type of surveillance system typically relies on an internet network, and as they say “therein lies the rub.”
Fire is an unpredictable force that can wreak havoc on any business. It is imperative as a business owner, facility manager, or building owner that the proper precautions are in place to help prevent catastrophe. The 
When you picture a surveillance monitoring station what do you see? Is it a half awake guard staring blankly at multiple monitors? If that’s the case you can scratch that image from your mind. The future of monitoring services is quickly shifting and adapting to our society’s need for streamlined and efficient processes. As surveillance systems migrate from analog to IP with megapixel network cameras, and our world becomes more and more connected through the IoT (Internet of Things), the desire to access and monitor footage from anywhere increases. This is where the idea of remote monitoring comes into play.
The days of struggling to carry 50 pounds of groceries while simultaneously trying to dig your house keys out of your pocket or purse, might be coming to an end. As a homeowner your door locks have always been an essential line of defense when it comes to protecting your home. While our everyday lives are saturated with technological advancement, it only makes sense that our physical structures should follow suit. That being said, using a key to unlock your doors may be a thing of the past with wireless access control on the rise.
