Security guarding in the future: Robocop meets sensor integration. Organizations will look to technology to help augment the jobs of security officers, while boosting efficiency, safety and security.

 Security guarding in the future: Robocop meets sensor integration

 Science fiction in novels and media has a proven track record of predicting future technology advances to fight crime and secure the public. Today, the convergence of physical security, IT infrastructure and cyber is commonplace. The old silos and proprietary solutions are giving way to open architectures, including hybrid and Cloud services, to evolve security from reactive and responsive solutions to predictive and proactive platforms. 

Innovative firms are merging the resources of electronic security teams and physical guarding services to redefine the future of the security industry. The most recent example being the merger of two great companies, Stanley Security into Securitas Technology. 

A transformation case in point is the security guard, perhaps the “most physical” example in the physical security industry. Private protection services date back to the ancient Romans and over the preceding millennium the industry growth has been global and across all sectors. While the physical guard position itself will always remain a centerpiece of the industry, the integration of intelligent sensor technologies will make the old “snoozing” guard caricature history. 

The new model leverages real time intelligence from end points to machine learning algorithms across data lakes, to provide real time decision making and predictive analytics. The next generation of guarding services integrates multiple technologies to improve margins. That is the execution phase.

The rationale for this evolution includes not only technical advances but physical supply. Hiring and retaining competent guarding personnel is difficult, time consuming, and expensive.

Adjacent to the guarding problem is a law enforcement community with record levels or early retirements and the worst recruitment numbers in decades. Rising crime rates are a national emergency in many U.S. cities. Guarding is in demand.

Robots and drones will augment guards at an increasing rate for performing mundane tasks, while providing improved coverage models and profits. The integration of sensor technologies extends guarding performance to new levels while multiplying physical scale as a principal requirement.

Robotics (think fido bomb detectors) and drones (internal and external) patrolling indoors as well as outdoors 24x7x365 into areas where humans are not a fit (physically) or activities are simply too dangerous. Mobile drone patrols can track suspects on foot and in vehicles, while assisting or eliminating dangerous chases. The return on investment (ROI) of drones over manned patrols is compelling, as well as much safer. 

Vison Intelligence will evolve to provide 100% accuracy in facial and vehicle recognition applications across all environments, effectively countering public opposition in favor of proven technical advancements. These technology integrations will also become mobile and embedded into wearable uniforms. Miniature sensors and real time language translation will complement body cameras. 

Integration to G-SOC monitoring will make real time guarding decisions second nature as drones augment security patrols with updated intelligence feeds, incident reporting and Google maps to search for lost individuals or respond to medical emergencies. Integration into existing guard force software will be commonplace and provide new high value services for their customers.

Intrusion detection will evolve from door and window sensor breaches alerting a monitoring center and dispatching guards, to creating an invisible trip wire boundary in the sky. Innovative guard forces will pivot aggressively to service this new niche market to secure low altitude airspace and counter unauthorized drones “as a service”.  Laggards will simply watch as the quadcopter drone threats to people, property, and information assets simply fly over their heads, as well as the line of sight of camera systems. 

The security guarding professional of the future is evolving today at global companies like Securitas Technology, Allied Universal, and Prosegur, to name a few. The new model combines physical guarding, electronic systems, and sensors focused on continuously improving security as a service.

Robocop Redux (Revived) has evolved to be sensor centric and the future of guarding is changing forever, and quickly for the winners who capitalize on the industry transition.

 

 

 

OSHA administers $11.7m in grants for workplace safety By Security Staff

Why aren't the security teams that I know aren't seeing any of this money? Read this thing...

 

 

The U.S. Department of Labor announced the award of $11,746,992, in grants to support worker and employer education to make workplaces around the nation safer and healthier.

Administered by the department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Susan Harwood Training Grant Program is making grants to 90 nonprofit organizations in fiscal year 2022 for education and training on hazard recognition and injury prevention, workers' rights, and employers' legal responsibilities to provide safe and healthful workplaces.

 

Named for late Susan Harwood, former director of OSHA's Office of Risk Assessment, the grants are awarded in the Targeted Topic Training, Training and Educational Materials Development, and Capacity Building categories. During her 17 years with OSHA, Dr. Harwood helped develop federal standards to protect workers from bloodborne pathogens, cotton dust, benzene, formaldehyde, asbestos and lead in construction.

OSHA grants are awarded to non-profit organizations, including community and faith-based groups, employer associations, labor unions, joint labor-management associations, Native American tribes, and local and state-sponsored colleges and universities. Target trainees include small-business employers and underserved vulnerable workers in high-hazard industries.

Access control considerations for healthcare settings.

 Here is a situation with all hospitals since the pandemic started. The good and bad of it all involving Security. Remember, "Security doesn't make money for companies. They spend money." Check this article out.

92% of U.S. hospitals use electronic access control to some extent, representing a 13% increase since 2016. 

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of security technologies and touchless solutions, according to the 2022 Health Care Trends Report from Allegion. The report surveyed 100 decision makers from across leading U.S. health systems. 

COVID-19's effect on hospital security

Beyond PPE and touchless access control, the study unveiled how COVID-19 accelerated the adoption of new security and safety measures aimed at protecting people and physical assets. Many strategic initiatives around door hardware and access control have been adopted since the pandemic, according to the report.

• 73% added extra layers of security to limit the spread of infection while protecting people and property.
• 59% added touchless technology at openings and 62% electrified openings with access control.
• 61% are using hands-free or touchless access products more than before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Electronic access control adoption

Adoption escalated throughout the healthcare market over the last five years, especially among larger facilities located in urban and suburban markets, according to the report. Common areas with electronic door hardware in place include surgical suites, nurseries, behavioral health units and equipment rooms.

• Of those using connected systems in their facilities, 82% are using hardwired electronic access control products, and 71% are using wireless technologies.
• Healthcare professionals cite cost (34%) and lack of budgets (28%) as primary barriers to widespread electronic access control adoption.

Patient accommodations in access control

Facilities have become more accommodating for patients of all abilities and needs. The pandemic and an increased focus on mental health are cited as key drivers for these shifts.

• Over 80% of hospitals updated doors to meet ADA compliance over the last year.
• Changing door knobs to levers (45%) and adding automatic door operators (44%) were the most common changes made in areas like patient rooms, common areas and restrooms.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      By Security Staff

Well, another story about a stupid black man and his girlfriend.

 Well, another story about a stupid black man and his girlfriend. Can't be decent, nor followed the rules that is socially accepted by everyone. Instead, take out their violent stupidity at a Security Officer doing his/her job. These are the kind of people that the Book should be thrown at. Fully.

 by: Gary Dymski  Posted: Aug 5, 2022 / 05:06 PM PDT/Updated: Aug 5, 2022 / 05:29 PM PDT

 

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A man wanted for striking an officer at a Department of Motor Vehicles office was tracked through his girlfriend’s license plates after the two fled the scene in her vehicle, authorities said Friday.

Willie Demario Jones

Nevada DMV officers and the U.S. Marshals Office found Willie Demario Jones, 31, a convicted felon, when they traced his girlfriend’s license plates to her residence and determined the two were living together, according to a news release from the state agency.

Jones faces multiple charges, including battery, intimidating a public officer and obstructing a public officer during a July 8 confrontation with two security officers at the North Decatur DMV office, the agency said.

Officers from the Nevada DMV and the U.S. Marshals Service arrested Jones on the battery and obstruction charges on Thursday (Aug. 4).

Jones was convicted for aggravated robbery in Tennessee, the agency said, and also has “multiple previous violent charges in Nevada” that include unlawful possession of a pistol, evading arrest, aggravated robbery and domestic battery.

Jones has active arrest warrants in Las Vegas Municipal Court for several vehicle and driver licensing offenses, the release said.

According to the DMV, Jones and his girlfriend pretended to have an appointment at the North Decatur office and then created a disturbance.

When two officers intervened, Jones struck one of them in the head; he and his girlfriend then fled in her vehicle.

Jones is being held at the Clark County Detention Center with initial bail of $9,000.

He faces a prison term of two years to 10 years on the battery charge; the prison term for intimidating a public officer with threat of force is one to five years, the DMV said.

It's been a long time since my last post. I lot has been going on in the world of Security. A lot. This article explains what the Security companies should be doing now, and for the future. You can immediately rule Las Vegas Security companies out for this, even after the incident in October.

 Incident response plan: 5 basic steps to consider

 August 5, 2022  by Rod Miner

 As an employer, it’s important to pride yourself on being there for employees when they need you most. More often than not, we’re seeing that care and attention involve an individual’s mental well-being.

It has been established that employee well-being has many benefits beyond the most important one — taking care of and caring for the employee. This includes more engaged, productive, and safer employees.

This kind of well-being is needed at any time, but in the workplace, two of the largest problems employers face include:

• A catastrophic event that not only affects their business but also impacts the emotional well-being of their employees
• An intervention for a worker who is experiencing emotional or mental health challenges

Critical or catastrophic events impacting employees can be personal or work-related. Think about it — the loss of a loved one, witnessing a horrific auto accident, an idiopathic personal health event, or having one of their co-workers killed or seriously injured while in the same building or performing the same job. These examples all take a tremendous toll on an employee.

It’s imperative that organizations organize, draft and implement emergency preparedness and critical incident response policies for crisis management. Internally, a suitable critical incident response plan should also include: 

1. A consistent procedure for how incidents will be reported and to which members of leadership. That way, there’s no confusion on whom to report incidents to within the workplace.
2. Safety procedures to be used at the time of an incident, including step-by-step evacuation logistics. These procedures will help to save time when the incident occurs. 
3. Names and contact information for those who should be notified at the time of a critical incident, including their specific roles. This should include contacts both within and outside of the organization. 
4. Instructions regarding urgent procedures to take place during a critical incident, such as equipment shutdowns, additional security for company entrances, etc.
5. Designated first aid and rescue duties for any employees assigned to perform them.

Critical incident response is a subset of an operational crisis management plan. Whereas crisis management helps companies prepare for and respond to crises, critical incident response helps companies and their employees recover from crises, including active shooter or workplace violence; terrorist and criminal attacks, both directed at you or within the vicinity; fire, explosion and hazmat incidents; political and civil unrest/special events, pandemics or epidemics; kidnap/extortion; and/or weather emergencies.

In the event of a critical event, having a single point of contact through the company’s insurance to reach out to for the purpose of responding to the emotional needs of a worker who has been impacted may be useful for the company. The contact may be an outside vendor partner that has experience in critical incident response and employee/worker assistance services.

The use of critical incident response services is optional and offered to assist clients during a critical incident event. At times, coverage may help pay for these critical incident response services if it involves a covered property casualty loss. It can also replace or supplement current Employee Assistance Programs (EAP). 

In all, employers should have a critical incident response plan in place that can help with security risk management and establish general emergency guidelines for potential security events.

Top Benefits of Having Armed Security Services

 

Top Benefits of Having Armed Security Services

Security is one of the top things that you will have to keep in mind if you have a business. You can keep your business safe by investing in armed security services. There are several reasons that you will need to have armed security.

Deterrent

People will think twice about robbing or vandalizing a business if they see an armed security guard. Criminals prefer places that don’t have a lot of protection. A security guard is a visual deterrent.

More Training

You can hire any security guard for your business. However, sometimes it may be best to hire an armed one. Armed security guards have more training for their weapons and intense situations. They will also meet or exceed any standards that have been set by the state.

Respond to Crime

Do you have a plan for what will happen if a crime occurred at your business? You may already have a plan in place. However, even if you have a plan, you may panic if something happens. Armed security officers will be able to respond to the crime efficiently. They can handle threats professionally and are trained to spot unrulily behavior.

Peace of Mind

The threat of violence can make you uncomfortable in your own place of business. However, if you have an armed security guard, then you will have peace of mind knowing that you are protected. Any threat that your business has will be quickly addressed.

Security guard for TV news crew killed during Oakland robbery attempt. Kevin Nishita shot dead while protecting Kron-TV crew covering smash-and-grab theft in California city

Associated Press in Oakland

Sat 27 Nov 2021 15.14 EST

A security guard died after he was shot while protecting a San Francisco Bay Area TV news crew covering a smash-and-grab theft, part of a rash of organized retail crime in the region.

“We are devastated by the loss of security guard and our friend, Kevin Nishita,” Kron-TV’s vice-president and general manager, Jim Rose, said in a statement on Saturday. “Our deepest sympathy goes to Kevin’s wife, his children, his family, and to all his friends and colleagues.”

Parts of California have been struck by organized bands of thieves, some carrying crowbars and hammers, who break into high-end stores and snatch merchandise.

Similar thefts were reported in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills.

At least eight people stormed a Home Depot store in Lakewood on Friday and grabbed hammers, crowbars and sledgehammers in the tool section before dashing off in a getaway vehicle, the Los Angeles county sheriff’s department said.

Four people who may have participated in the Home Depot theft were arrested in Beverly Hills after officers stopped two cars that were part of a caravan of vehicles driving around the city’s business district, police Lt Giovanni Trejo said.

A bystander called police after seeing that some of the vehicles did not display license plates, Trejo added.

Meantime, police in Los Angeles arrested three people suspected of storming a designer clothing store on Melrose Place after stopping a vehicle and seeing clothes in plain view, said Mike Lopez, of the Los Angeles police department. Lopez said more than 10 people ransacked another store on La Brea Avenue.

The thefts are believed to be part of criminal networks that recruit people to steal merchandise throughout the US and then sell it online. Experts and law enforcement officials say the thefts are ratcheting up as the holiday shopping season begins.

Nishita was a police officer for the cities of Hayward, San Jose and Colma before retiring in 2018. The Alameda county sheriff’s office said deputies escorted his body from the hospital with full law enforcement honors.

Nishita provided security for many reporters in the region. He was shot in the abdomen during an attempted robbery of Kron-TV’s camera equipment near downtown Oakland on Wednesday, police said. The news crew was covering a recent robbery where a group of thieves attacked a clothing store.

A reward of $32,500 was offered for information leading to an arrest in Nishita’s killing.

“This senseless loss of life is due to yet another violent criminal act in the Bay Area,” Rose said. “We hope that offering a reward will help lead to the arrest of those responsible so they can face justice for this terrible tragedy.”