Protection Plus Security Blog
By patrick
•
September 30, 2024
Does Verkada’s Access Control Tailgate Detection solution work you?
By patrick
•
July 16, 2021
Openpath is a secure cloud based access control system offering some very impressive and unique features not found in other access control systems. The Openpath access control system primarily utilizes mobile credentials allowing users to use their phones for access into the building. Openpath Readers Allow for Hands Free Entry One of their unique features is the hands free entry. The Openpath readers can be configured to allow the wave of your hand to unlock the door. Allowing you to keep your phone in your pocket, backpack, or purse and not having to present it to the reader. The Openpath readers work with the mobile credentials as well as the Openpath cards and tags. They will even work with legacy HID Proximity credentials that many companies still utilize. Video Reader Pro Openpath has just introduce the Video Reader Pro. This reader contains both the Openpath reader technology and a 5MP super high definition camera in one compact unit. It is designed to automatically associate the video clip with the access control event, allowing you the ability to see the activity at your door. Triple Unlock Technology Openpath’s patented triple unlock technology makes the use of the mobile credential very easy and reliable. This technology works with Bluetooth, WiFi, and LTE cellular data for fast authentication. Bluetooth is utilized directly by the reader and local Smart Hub. The WiFi allows for both local Smart Hub or cloud authentication. The cellular data is authenticated in the cloud. These three technologies combine to make for a quick verification and authorization. Allowing authorized users to pass quickly through secured entry points. Guest Pass If authorized your mobile users can provide Guest Passes for visitors allowing them entry into the building. These passes are provided via text or email and allow visitors entry at a specific reader or group of readers and are valid for a user specified time. Integrations Openpath has a number of integrations with various third party software and services allowing you to link your access control system to these other systems. The integrations include identity providers: Google G Suite, Microsoft Azure Active Directory, Okta, and OneLogin. They also integrate with a number of video systems: Camio, Rhombus, Milestone, and Cisco Meraki. The Openpath system will integrate with the Envoy visitor management system, as well as other integrations with Slack (business communications), Allegion (wireless locks), Zapier (business automation), Cove (tenant experience), and ButterflyMX (intercom system).
By patrick
•
March 9, 2021
Verkada Video Surveillance System is a commercial grade enterprise cloud based video surveillance system. The Verkada video surveillance solution is an advance featured cloud based system that is powerful, easy to use, and easy to share. It requires no onsite video recording equipment.
By patrick
•
October 22, 2018
You are responsible for overseeing your company’s alarm system. Among your many other duties…. As your company has grown the way the alarm system functions has not changed to meet the changing dynamics of your organization. You are finding more times than not the alarm system is not being activated at night and on the weekends when it should be. When it is armed employees are triggering it accidently because they forgot their alarm codes or they are a new hire that has not been assigned a code. This is very typical of a growing organization. The alarm system that worked when you had 30 employees no longer works for 100+ employees. The panel does not allow for enough alarm codes, the way the system functions no longer meets your needs, you have personnel working all hours of the day and night trying to get the latest projects out and meet the deadlines of a growing successful company. As the company has grown so have your security requirements. As a 30 person company you only needed a burglar alarm system; now as a 100+ company you have the burglar system as well as the card entry system and the video surveillance system. You have all these systems because management required them, your customers required them, your insurance company wanted them, and they are providing for a better controlled and more secured environment for your employees and the critical assets of the company. So how do you make sure the burglar alarm system is being activated? That is a good question and one that has different answers depending on your circumstances. Arm & Disarm on a Schedule In some instances simply programming the alarm panel to arm and disarm based on a schedule works well. If you maintain set hours of operations then this can resolve the issue of the alarm system not being activated at night or on the weekends. This may require a panel upgrade to allow for the scheduling functions. Supervised Closings & Smart Application Likewise you may want to have the alarm system supervised. By supervising the alarm system from the monitoring station if the alarm system has not been activated by a specified time then you will receive a phone call or text message alerting you that the alarm system did not arm. The appropriate action can be taken to activate the system. If equipped with a smart application it may be as simple as activating the alarm system from your smart phone. Integrate the Alarm and Access Control Systems Sometimes integrating the alarm system with the access control system is the best solution. Configuring the alarm system such that the first person in automatically disarms the system. The system can be programmed to arm at a specific time or the last person out can manually arm the system. You can even arm the alarm system without an alarm code utilizing the quick arm function. On the Honeywell Ademco system the quick arm function is the # key plus either the 2 key to arm away or the 3 key to arm stay. No user code required. This functionality must be enabled in the system programming. Arm / Disarm Readers Sometimes the best solution is installing an Arm Disarm reader at each of the alarm keypad locations. This reader is designed to toggle the alarm system based on a valid credential. When the system is armed and a valid credential is presented the alarm system disarms. When the system is disarmed and a valid credential is presented the system arms. This eliminates the need to issue alarm codes to all of the employees they can simply use their access control credential. Perimeter Alarm Integrated with Access Control System In other instances the detectors on the alarm system have to be changed out to best accommodate the changes in the way the organization now functions. For those organizations that may have personnel working all hours of the day and night it may be best to have a perimeter alarm system that is integrated with the access control system. A perimeter alarm system consists of door contacts, glassbreak detectors, and local door alarms at the perimeter card entry doors. With this type of system we are strictly monitoring the perimeter of the building. There are no interior detectors. By integrating the alarm with the access control system you allow authorized employees to enter through a card reader door without having to deactivate the alarm system. Likewise, those employees can exit through the card reader door without triggering the alarm system after-hours. The alarm system is programmed to arm and disarm on a schedule and is supervised so if there is a failure you are notified. We at Protection Plus Security Services are experts at protecting your small to medium sized business. We have the experience and know how to provide the right solution. Please contact us for a free security review.
By patrick
•
July 25, 2018
Too many times when speaking to business owners or their representatives about an upcoming move I hear “We don’t need security the building has it.” This false sense of security creates huge opportunities for the bad guys. I have seen many instances of the bad guys getting into the building, lying in wait until the building locks down at night, then having their way with every office in the building all because the tenants thought the building security was enough. Don’t be the next victim! Don’t be the one that shows up for work to find out your office has been broken into and critical business data or materials are missing. At a minimum you should have a simple intrusion alarm system in place; monitor the suite entry doors and install some interior motion detectors to detect the presence of an intruder in the office. This simple system can detect and deter an intruder. Additionally, you should have a video surveillance system, this system does not need to be sophisticated, it just needs to view and record the doors into the suite and any other key areas of your business. Many times the bad guys will case out the building and businesses in advance; eliminating the businesses with alarms and video systems from their list. Having a visible camera in the reception area can be a great deterrent. Finally, you may want to consider a card entry system. Control who can enter the suite and where they can go. If the suite design allows then restrict non authorized users from getting beyond the reception area. Control access into the suite; the main reception door, interior reception door, and any hallway doors. Control access into sensitive areas; the server room, any labs, etc. Make it hard to get to your sensitive data and materials. The more layers of security the harder it is for the bad guys the more likely they will move on and select a less complicated target. We at Protection Plus Security Services are experts in business security systems. Contact us for a free security evaluation. Call 800-498-9297 or visit our website at www.protectionplussecuirty.com to schedule an appointment.
By patrick
•
September 30, 2024
Does Verkada’s Access Control Tailgate Detection solution work you?
By patrick
•
July 16, 2021
Openpath is a secure cloud based access control system offering some very impressive and unique features not found in other access control systems. The Openpath access control system primarily utilizes mobile credentials allowing users to use their phones for access into the building. Openpath Readers Allow for Hands Free Entry One of their unique features is the hands free entry. The Openpath readers can be configured to allow the wave of your hand to unlock the door. Allowing you to keep your phone in your pocket, backpack, or purse and not having to present it to the reader. The Openpath readers work with the mobile credentials as well as the Openpath cards and tags. They will even work with legacy HID Proximity credentials that many companies still utilize. Video Reader Pro Openpath has just introduce the Video Reader Pro. This reader contains both the Openpath reader technology and a 5MP super high definition camera in one compact unit. It is designed to automatically associate the video clip with the access control event, allowing you the ability to see the activity at your door. Triple Unlock Technology Openpath’s patented triple unlock technology makes the use of the mobile credential very easy and reliable. This technology works with Bluetooth, WiFi, and LTE cellular data for fast authentication. Bluetooth is utilized directly by the reader and local Smart Hub. The WiFi allows for both local Smart Hub or cloud authentication. The cellular data is authenticated in the cloud. These three technologies combine to make for a quick verification and authorization. Allowing authorized users to pass quickly through secured entry points. Guest Pass If authorized your mobile users can provide Guest Passes for visitors allowing them entry into the building. These passes are provided via text or email and allow visitors entry at a specific reader or group of readers and are valid for a user specified time. Integrations Openpath has a number of integrations with various third party software and services allowing you to link your access control system to these other systems. The integrations include identity providers: Google G Suite, Microsoft Azure Active Directory, Okta, and OneLogin. They also integrate with a number of video systems: Camio, Rhombus, Milestone, and Cisco Meraki. The Openpath system will integrate with the Envoy visitor management system, as well as other integrations with Slack (business communications), Allegion (wireless locks), Zapier (business automation), Cove (tenant experience), and ButterflyMX (intercom system).
By patrick
•
March 9, 2021
Verkada Video Surveillance System is a commercial grade enterprise cloud based video surveillance system. The Verkada video surveillance solution is an advance featured cloud based system that is powerful, easy to use, and easy to share. It requires no onsite video recording equipment.
