Control Panels Help Keep Intruders at Bay
Securing the perimeter of the grounds is the first line of defense, but it is also important to consider technology that assists in preventing unauthorized entry to the building itself.
Glassbreak detectors are an effective means of detecting an intruder attempting to gain entry by breaking through a window or glass door. Using sound analysis technology, these detectors listen for the frequencies associated with breaking glass and issue an alarm if the signal produces the specific fre
quency, signature and timing relationship. Glassbreak detectors should always be used in conjunction with motion sensors to fully protect the building.
Outside of the traditional use of a building’s intrusion detection system, consider areas that need to be opened for authorized employee use, but restricted to others. Security control panels with integrated access control come into play here, allowing those authorized employees to gain entrance. But, how do you prevent mistakes made by employees who may forget to rearm a system when leaving, or prop, or inadvertently, leave a door open?
Modern security control panels will offer advanced programming capabilities that either prevent these situations or that alert security personnel or the central monitoring/dispatch station when they happen. For example, a panel could be programmed to automatically rearm an area after a specified amount of time. This is ideal for areas that may be unoccupied for an extended period, such as a service shed or other remote station on the facility grounds. This ensures these areas are never left unsecured for a long period.
In addition, by delaying the reaction of a point for a specified time – from one minute up to an hour depending on the user’s requirement – disarmed points can also be monitored for abnormal conditions. This can be used for emergency doors to ensure they haven’t been propped open or for loading dock doors or roof hatches inadvertently left open to provide an enhanced level of building perimeter security. Technicians can program the system to annunciate locally, or send an alert to the user via text message and delay the supervisory report. This can serve to remind the user to close the door or hatch before a report is sent to the central monitoring station.
Apps for remote control and monitoring of panel functionality offer another opportunity to enhance perimeter security. Within the same app used to arm or disarm a system or area or control doors, users can also view live video from IP cameras integrated with the system. All of this can be done using a smartphone or tablet over the Internet, a local wireless network or over cellular, depending on the control panel model.
Add Live Intervention Via Cloud-Based Services
Combine these latest security technologies with services that enable the central monitoring/dispatch station to intervene at the time of an impending perimeter breach or one in progress and you have a powerful deterrent that may prevent possible intrusions. Cloud-based services are available that enable the operator at the central monitoring/dispatch station to intervene with audio. Once a video or intrusion alarm is transmitted to the dispatch center and verified through video images, the operator can take immediate action with audio intervention using a nearby camera that is equipped with a loudspeaker. If intruders are warned that they are on camera and that the local authorities or campus police have been contacted, they may likely flee the area. This added layer of security is an effective means for preventing damage and theft.
All of the capabilities described here can be implemented with security control panels, IP cameras and cloud-based services that are available today. With this type of integrated security solution, hospitals, schools and universities are better equipped to secure the perimeters of facilities and grounds with a range of requirements and environmental conditions.
Tom Mechler is the intrusion Product Marketing Manager at Bosch Security Systems. Sean Murphy is the North America Regional Marketing Manager for video systems at Bosch.
