Camera Surveillance Systems and Your Smartphone

By the year 2013, analysts predict smartphones will be in the hands of one billion people.  Did you know that your smartphone can be used as a reliable camera surveillance system?

Property crime occurs every 3 seconds so protecting your investments becomes a high priority.

Home owners need the right home security solutions to feel protected properly.

Did you know that 1 out of 5 homes in the United States will suffer from a break-in or some type of home invasion?

• Property crime occurs every 3 seconds
• 1 burglary occurs every 10 seconds

Smartphones used along with the proper security camera surveillance systems have already helped stop crime.

In Norwak, Conn. a man was able to catch and identify a person who had tried to break into his home via his iPhone.  His smartphone had an app that allowed him to view his surveillance cameras in a live feed.

A Dallas, TX man stopped a robbery in his home from over 1,500 miles away visiting family in Connecticut.  He was able to view his home security system surveillance cameras with an app for his iPhone.

More than 8000 break-ins occur across America everyday.  Protecting your home with a security alarm system is a choice many homeowners make.

1 out of every 4 Americans under the age of 44 uses a smartphone, says a recent Forrester’s survey.

With smartphones in the hands of so many homeowners it makes it extremely easy to keep an eye on your valuables from anywhere.  You have a live stream of your home from:

• Work
• Store
• Vacation
• School

If your home is protected by a camera surveillance system ask your service provider about apps that can access your security cameras in real time.  Use the advancements in technology to put your mind at ease with a live stream of your home.

Business Security Solutions and Your Smartphone

Neilsen reports that by the end of 2011, 1 in every 2 Americans will own a smartphone.

For business owners, this gives them another great way to monitor the store while not physically there.  Security camera surveillance systems can be watched via live streams using a smartphone.

Have you ever thought of your smartphone as the extra line of protection in your business security solutions?

Keeping an eagle eye on your store has more benefits than just preventing shoplifters and burglars.

Workplace fraud and theft creates a $600 billion loss for businesses each year in America.

Being able to monitor your store in real time allows you to target areas where your business could save money.

• How do employees behave while on the clock?
• Is any shoplifting or employee theft occurring?
• Is it necessary for me to have four workers in my business at 8PM?

Using your smartphone to view your surveillance cameras can also keep security costs down.  A grocery store owner in Detroit uses his smartphone to view his store’s video surveillance system.

Having a live streaming view of what is happening in your store at all times helps to keep your valuables safe.

Business theft takes around 10% out of every sales dollar nationwide.  In the United States, property crime occurs every 3 seconds. Property crime can include:

• Retail Theft – Shoplifting
• Employee Theft – Embezzlement of Cash/Merchandise/Inventory
• Robberies

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce estimates that 75% of employees steal from work in some way.

Hiring a security guard is an expense many small businesses cannot afford.  Being there to watch over your employees shoulders at every turn may not give you the needed answers.

The ability to use a smartphone to view surveillance cameras in real time is a useful tool for savvy business owners.  Use what most people cannot live without to give your business one extra layer of protection.

Fire Alarm Systems Provide Early Warning To Employees And Fire Departments

We have talked a lot about business security solutions and the benefits of a home security system. However, it is important not to forget about fire alarm systems for your business.

The threat of fire for any business is real. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, direct property loss because of fires was estimated at $12.5 billion in 2009. A fire can be devastating to any business.

In August, a fire ripped through a string of buildings in Fullerton, Calif. According to the Orange Country Register, six businesses were destroyed with at least $2.2 million in damages. A clothing store, a restaurant and a hair salon were among the businesses lost in the fire.

To help prevent the catastrophic loss of valuable assets, lost revenue and most importantly life, a professionally installed fire alarm system can help provide early warning.

Benefits of professionally installed fire alarms include:

• Sprinkler system supervision
• Periodic inspections, testing and maintenance
• 24-hour monitoring
• Support initiating devices

If fire fighters arrive early enough, priceless business assets can be saved. When considering a fire alarm system be sure to consult with a professional to see what is best for your business.

Another benefit of having a fire alarm system professionally installed is the professional relationship some alarm companies have with local fire authorities.

When looking for a fire alarm company, you want to work with one that has a good-standing relationship with local fire authorities. This can help to prevent any code issues that can arise.

Prevent Shoplifting With Mirrors For Added Business Security

With today’s economy, businesses are looking for cost-effective solutions to prevent shoplifting. Surveillance mirrors are one of several cost-effective business security solutions a business or store can use.

With surveillance mirrors, employees can see customer activities from a distance. The shape of the mirror allows employees to see activities from several angles. Surveillance mirrors also serve as a theft deterrent. When potential shoplifters see the mirrors, they know they are being watched.

There are a variety of surveillance mirror options including:

• Convex Mirrors: These rounded mirrors provide views from multiple angles. These mirrors are typically mounted in an upper corner of a store.
• Dome Mirrors: These mirrors are placed on ceilings and allow for a 360-degree perspective.
• Mirror Panels: These mirrors are rectangular panels mounted on ceilings. These mirrors allow for an overhead view.

Before choosing the right surveillance mirror for your business, you will want to consider the following:

• Price: Does the price of the surveillance mirror protect against the loss of stolen goods and items?
• Employees: Are your employees trained to monitor for suspicious activity?
• Atmosphere: Will mirrors make customers feel at ease in your store?

These are just a few things to consider before purchasing surveillance mirrors. Be sure to consider all of your security options before purchasing surveillance mirrors. Camera surveillance systems are another option to consider. When implementing a shoplifting prevention plan, you want to have several tools to help fight against stolen goods and property.

Remember, not to focus on the price tag too much. It’s about security first.

Critical Steps To Choosing A Strong Business Security System

Choosing a business security system can be a difficult and time-consuming process. It requires patience and collaboration among decision makers at your business.

There are several critical steps you need to follow when choosing a business security system.

Step 1: Discussion

• Have a period of time to discuss what type of security you want for your business. Be sure to discuss a budget. Take as much time as you need to talk during the discussion period. You want to have a clear plan of what security needs are most important.

Step 2: Security Cameras

• Discuss with your employees and managers if they would like surveillance cameras. For some, this may be too intrusive. Be sure to discuss locations. You may want cameras outside of your business.

Step 3: Access Control Cards

• Discuss if access control cards are the right fit for your business. Access control systems keep doors locked until an employee uses his or her access control card to remotely open the door. This is a good day-time business security solution.

Step 4: Fire Alarms

• Having a fire alarm is a very important safety feature. You will want to find a company that has good working relationships with fire departments across the country.

Step 5: Security Alarm

• You will need to have a discussion about what type of security alarm you want. Do you want motion detectors, 24 hour monitoring, etc. See what security features best match your business and your budget.

Once you have discussed various business security solutions, you will be able to work with a security system provider to help carry out your business security plan.

$50 Million Art Heist Shows Business Security Importance

How does someone steal a $50 million painting from a museum in Egypt with a security system and 40-plus surveillance cameras?

You would think it involved an elaborate plan like something out of The Thomas Crown Affair or Ocean’s Eleven. But no high-tech gadgets or slight of hand were used to take a priceless Vincent van Gogh painting.

According to the investigation, all it took was sloppy security measures and carelessness from museum employees. Only seven of the 43 security cameras were working and guards neglected to check museum visitors for suspicious activity.

The lessons learned from this embarrassment can be applied to your business security plan:

• Have a good, working business security system
• Invest in reliable camera surveillance systems
• Employ trustworthy, professional employees
• Train employees to notice suspicious activity

Most Importantly: Regularly test your security cameras to ensure they are working properly.

Security cameras do not work forever. Many business owners assume equipment works for years. But without proper maintenance and regular testing these cameras can break down. We recommend testing your cameras on a regular basis.

Because the security guards at the museum were so negligent, police are holding them in jail for neglect and professional delinquency.

Don’t let a faulty security system and employee incompetence threaten the security of your business. Do your homework and find the right business security solutions.

How To Insure Against Employee Theft

Even with the best employee theft prevention strategies, you’re still not going to stop every instance of theft. No matter how hard you look, someone is always going to be able to escape the system… at least for a little while.

That’s why some larger companies choose to purchase insurance policies called fiduciary bonds.

These policies help eliminate the risk of theft, fraud, embezzlement, bribery, and a number of other issues caused by employee misdeeds.

The system works so that once a company is able to prove that is has suffered losses due to the actions of its employees, the insurer pays the company for the loss and gains the rights to take civil action against the employee.

If the insurance company successfully sues and is rewarded above the policy amount, the company is given any additional amount awarded.

This type of insurance is important for many companies as the misdeeds of employees can lead to expensive liabilities for a company. However, these policies can be expensive and are generally only used by large companies.

For everybody else, business security solutions and a good business security system is more than enough.

How To Prevent Employee Theft By Hiring the Right People

With employee theft estimated to cost U.S. businesses $50 billion annually, it’s become a major problem for this country’s companies. In fact, it is estimated that 33% of all business bankruptcies are a direct result of employee theft.

That’s why taking measures to prevent theft should be a major concern of for every business owner and management team.

Beating employee theft is a battle that must be fought on many levels. Everything from access control systems to full business security solutions can be used with great success. However, it all starts with good hiring practices. Hiring the right people can significantly decrease the likelihood of problems down the road.

Here are some good hiring practices that you should implement at your business:

• Get The Applicant’s Consent – There are federal and state laws that govern the collection of information about someone you’re looking to hire. It’s important to get written agreement from someone before you take any of the other steps outlined in this post. You’ll also want to check with your lawyer for more precise details.

• Verify Education And Certification Claims – Make sure that your interviewee has attended the school(s) they posted on their resume, and make sure they are in good standing with any organization that they say they are certified by. Remember, just because they had certification at one time, doesn’t mean that their certification hasn’t been revoked.

• Contact Past Employers – Calling past employers is a great way to learn more about a job applicant. Even if they will only give you position and employment dates, their tone often tells a lot about what they really thought.

• Check References – Few employers actually check references and job applicants know this. By actually talking with someone’s references, you’ll learn a lot of valuable information that will help you make a hiring decision.

• Check Criminal Record – Unless you want to hire felons, it’s important that you know that your new employee has a clean criminal record.

• Do A Google Search – These days there’s a lot more on the web than people realize. Enter the candidate’s name into Google and see what pops up. Look for any articles about the person, check their Facebook page, and make sure that he/she looks like a trustable person. Just remember to make sure that any information you gather is actually about the person you’re hiring and not someone else with the same name.

By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to fighting employee theft. But it’s only a start. A lot of employee theft comes from trusted employees with no record of wrong doing. Stay tuned to our blog to learn more about how you can stop employee theft.

Quick Guide For Preventing Shoplifting In Your Store

According to the National Association for Shoplifting Prevention, more than $13 billion worth of goods are stolen from retailers each year. Retailers can protect their store by enacting a few tried and true tips. We recommend store owners do the following:

• Try to understand the techniques shoplifters use to steal items
• Discuss with your employees the best practices that deter the threat of shoplifting
• Make your retail establishment a shopper-friendly experience

Shoplifters often steal merchandise out of sight in a fitting room or a part of the store where it is difficult to see them. Locking fitting room doors and arranging your store so there are clear views where no one can hide are two cost-effective ways to deter theft.

Incorporating your staff into your shoplifting prevention plan is another cost-effective solution. Employees should greet customers when they enter the store and pay attention to suspicious activity. It is less likely that someone will steal if an employee is able identify them. Providing incentives, such as bonuses or discounts, to employees also helps keep them on high alert.

Sometimes shoplifters will switch price tags on items to receive a significant discount. It is important for cashiers to be aware of the actual price of items.

While training your employees is a good first line of defense, incorporating business security solutions and a camera surveillance system adds an extra layer of security, deterring potential shoplifters. Another effective method is placing security tabs on high-priced items.

Security is important, but so is good customer service. Don’t let your shoplifting plan overwhelm you, your employees or your customers.

Business Security For Your Home Office

As more and more people work from home – either through telecommuting or because they run their own small business – the concept of business home security is becoming more and more important.

After all, if you’re at home, but also at your business, which type of protection do you really need?

The answer is you need a little of both. Since you are in a private residence, you’ll technically need a home security system rather than business security solutions. However, since you are also in a place of business, you’ll want to take some additional security measures that most homes do not need.

You’ll want to make sure that in addition to a well-maintained security alarm, you have deadbolts on all doors and also that you keep windows and other possible entry points locked. Also be careful to not leave the spare key under the doormat or in a vase where anyone can find it.

Pay extra attention to whom you give a key to. Providing keys to multiple employees can be potentially dangerous, and so you will want to be sure you can really trust someone before they get a key.

Finally, natural surveillance is helpful for deterring would-be thieves. By keeping your home office well lit, clearing away shrubs or areas where someone can hide, and taking steps to show that it will be difficult to break-in without being seen, you significantly decrease your risk of break-ins.

Be sure to mention your home office to a security professional for additional ways to stay protected.