2.2.2 Camera Surveillance Systems

Camera surveillance systems can either be monitored or recorded on-site.

How and whether you choose to operate a visual surveillance system really comes down to the risk at hand.

Highly visible cameras are a significant deterrent to would-be thieves – especially shoplifters and other ‘casual’ thieves – plus the recordings can provide useful evidence in the event of prosecution of an offender.

The main things to remember if you are going to use a camera surveillance system are that, firstly, someone is actually watching the activity under surveillance, and secondly, that you change the recording tapes frequently to maintain image quality (or have ample hard disk space on digital systems to ensure a reasonable back-up period).

It’s best to call on a security professional to advise you on both the electronic alarm and camera surveillance system that will best suit your needs.

2.3 Controlling access once someone is inside your premises

Intruders do not necessarily enter your building outside of business hours.

It is not uncommon for thieves to simply walk into an office on the off chance no one will see them – or sometimes they may pose as a technician or just look like they ‘should be there’. (In retail/wholesale environments, install a buzzer or similar device on the entry door to warn staff when someone has entered the shop.)

Irrespective of whether you’re open for business or not, you need to restrict the movement of intruders in your premises.

2.3.1 Reception area

Your reception area is and should be your first line of defense against intruders during normal business hours. It is one of the most important parts of company security and it should always be the first point of contact when anyone enters the building.

This means that the reception area must ideally never be left unattended, every visitor entering the building should be signed in and out and should be issued with identification against a signature.

Visitors should always be picked up from, and escorted back to, the reception by an authorised member of staff.

If reception staff are used to control access from a public reception area into more secure parts of the building, care should be taken to ensure that they cannot be threatened or placed under duress to allow unauthorised entry. The reception area should always be equipped with a personal attack/emergency button.

Bear in mind that intruders sometimes enter the building and hide themselves until it is closed and empty. You should carefully search the premises before locking up and ensure your alarm system will pick up movement inside the building – not just at the entry/exit points.

More to follow next week…

Steven Szabo

ProtecSYS Pty. Ltd.

Tel: 1300 788 132