Each day administrators and executives strive to take the necessary steps to lead their institution in the optimal direction. While profits, overhead, personnel and market improvement are the main focus for decision-makers, we tend to forget one of the most essential aspects of any institution or business: security.
In today’s environment, putting up surveillance cameras or contracting a security guard service provider is simply not enough from a security liability perspective.
Optimal security solutions can only be achieved with security systems integration that fits each institution’s unique requirements.
What is Systems Integration?
An integrated security system takes multi-layered security systems and integrates them into one solution. For example, a campus may have the following security systems:
- Video Surveillance
- Access Control
- Intrusion Alarm
- P.A System
- Uniformed Guard Service
Here is how an integrated security system can benefit your organization.
1. Efficiency
Running an institution or district comes with an abundant amount of high-order tasks, one of them being the campus’s security. An integrated security system will allow organizations to flourish more effectively and efficiently.
Assigning a specific role for a specific person in regards to the different sectors of the integrated security system will allow the team member to utilize their skills, specifically in that area, ultimately ensuring the management team that the tasks assigned to that specific person will improve efficiency.
2. Centralization
Systems integration will allow a campus’s security operations to become centralized. Management teams, administrators and business owners can now get a full report from one area rather then needing to speak to all areas of their integrated security system.
This not only is a time saver, but also allows a more organized work flow for businesses.
3. Theft Prevention
No matter what kind of industry one works in, they must always be prepared for unexpected theft. Whether internal theft or external theft, it can be overwhelming.
According to the Kroll Annual Global Theft Report, theft remains predominantly an inside job. The 2016 figures show that 60 percent of frauds are committed by insiders, up from 55 percent the year before. Integrating a specifically catered security system for your organization can help to prevent theft.
4. Real Time Monitoring
With multiple security systems, securtiy teams and administrators are able to see what is going on within their facilities and areas of work instantly. However, these teams don’t always spend all their time on the properties and can’t always ensure that everything is running smoothly by themselves.
With real time monitoring, that task is simplified and is accessible with a click of a button on your phone, tablet or computer.
5. Conflict Resolution
Some integrated security systems come with a package of video surveillance, access control, intrusion alarms, PA systems and uniformed guard services.
All of these elements will come forth if a problem were to arise in a work place or on campus, whether it be an internal/external burglary, attempted break-in or just about any security threat that can occur on campus.
6. Boost Productivity
An integrated security system can increase productivity in the workspace. According to Kristin Morgan at St. Francis University, “Employee monitoring is being used to increase customer satisfaction, improve employee performance and enhance productivity.”
This allows administrators and management to monitor their employee activities, as it’s one of the most essential points in protecting their organizations from unwanted actions at the workplace.
7. Savings
In the long run, systems integration will protect your campus and save you money. With an integrated security system, institutions have multiple outlets to look into and see what occurred and why it occurred. There is also the possibility of a reported incident not happening at all. Integrated systems can help your campus uncover bogus claims.
So organizations need to be proactive for their security, because failing to integrate the latest security system can lead to an increased risk of a major security breach.
Ahmad Hamidi is an author and editor at Secure Guard Security Services, a leading security guard company in California region.
The above story originally ran in Campus Safety’s sister publication Security Sales & Integration.
