Technical Security Measure VS. Physical Security
Technical Security Measures
versus Physical Security
If you own or manage a business that is open to the public then security is going to be an issue that you need to address.
In these modern times we are
given many avenues to choose
from but in the end,
it boils down to just three choices:
Technology,
physical security,
or both.
In this blog we will attempt to answer the questions: Can I replace security officer hours with technology? Can I use this camera & camera monitoring system instead of physical security?
Technology has certainly come a long way in the last 50 years, high resolution cameras, automatic locking doors, drones, and various alarm systems and drones have all helped business owners mitigate risk to their companies. This avenue is very alluring to businesses who wish to reduce not only the risk to their companies and employees but also to their bottom dollar. Having a camera is a lot cheaper than having a physical security officer present. However, there is an unseen price that is paid, and that comes into play when there is an active threat. Cameras and alarm systems are great but not all can call law enforcement or manage a crowd or provide aid to an injured individual. A common misconception behind the surveillance camera is that customers may think there is a person always watching on the other end (CCTV).
Unfortunately, this is not the case in many businesses and while the camera can record what happens it cannot call 911 or defend a person being attacked on the property. In all fairness, the other side of the coin is just as risky. Having a single officer on site with no tech can be a fool’s gambit. An officer takes breaks and cannot be everywhere at once. Understandably, this has led to a regrettable reliance on technology to save companies from litigation or financial strain. But those who depend solely on tech find out the hard way that having an actual expert security witness on site is essential. All technology is dependent on power and if it fails so does the security system. Even if a company has backup power there is another aspect that can render an alarm system ineffective. The internet. Alarm systems can fail for unexpected reasons too.
They can be cheated or turned off by insects, birds, rodents or even mother nature.
One example took place at a stationary security patrol placed at an open-air shopping mall. After closing, one of the managers of the anchor store for this particular property management client, the manager would set the alarm and leave.
Our security professional would then walk around the building to make sure that all was well. During the fall this security officer would often get a call on the company phone from the alarm service they hired. The alarm had been tripped and they needed it to be inspected.
They said the southeast window had triggered the alarm but when the security officer arrived the window was intact with no signs of tampering. Our security team would call the property manager and he said that in the fall the high winds would rattle the window and set off the alarm.
In a short period there this happened five times until they finally got the system fixed.
So what is the answer to the aforementioned question?
The answer is to use both technology and physical security. Alarm systems and technology work best when a security professional is present on site or performing patrols. Security officers can handle active threats and the technology not only keeps the officer in check but makes sure to get an accurate account of what is happening.
When first starting out, some business owners might forgo common sense and think of security as something that is not needed. They may even be intimidated by the message having a physical security could project. However, those who purchase both the tech, and the officers quickly feel at ease knowing that they have done the utmost to keep their business and their employees safe.
“It has become apparently obvious
that our technology has exceeded our humanity”
-Albert Einstein
“One machine can do the work of fifty ordinary men.
No machine can do the work of one extraordinary man.”
-Elbert Hubbard