A Guide To Security

Both the companies are successfully managed by Shri Mahesh C. Sharma who has a long experience in security and investigation with specialisation in Industrial security, consultancy and detection. He is also member of All India crime prevention society of India.

INTEGRATED SECURITY SYSTEMS

Electronic security aids cannot form a complete security system alone. They are designed to be incorporated into a system containing the three main elements:

A. Intruder alarms.

B. Early warning.

C. Speedy reactions.

These three elements can be enhanced with electronics aids in the form of: a.Intruder alarms.b. Access control. c. Close circuit televisions (cctv).d. Fire alarms.

Intruder alarms are designed to protect property in the form of the premises whilst unoccupied, unused by the occupant or workforce and during the silence hours of the day and night. In this capacity intruder alarms acts mainly as part of the `Early warning system. However, because it is visible to any would be intruder/criminal and therefore adds to the deterrent value of the security arrangements, it also forms part of the physical barriers.

Electronic access control systems are designed to allow only authorised entry during the working hours and as such form an aid to the physical barriers, as manned access control does on a gate or door. Its secondary design features provides for an easier locking procedure during silence hours or unoccupied periods. This also plays a part in the role of early warning, because electronic access controlled points are unmanned and the system can be abused in a number of ways.

CCTV is basically an extension of an operators own vision be it for security or any other function, such as keeping eye on the production unit, parkings, lobbys and unmanned places etc. As far as security is concerned the applications of CCTV within a system means more ground can be easily viewed and therefore controlled, resulting in a more efficient use of manpower.

CCTV has two roles to play within the security systems for it is both early. Warning, in terms of warning of manpower requirements where and when needed at the scene of an accident/incident, and also a physical barrier like security lighting, for intruder knows he is likely to be seen crossing the cameras view. The latest equipment can record the movements of the criminal/intruders in the silence hours of day and night.

The purpose of a fire alarm system is: a. Protection of life and b. Protection of property.

So in its first priority role it acts as part of the system, not only early warning to allow the evacuation of personnel from the premises, but also take some speedy reaction to aid the evacuation by perhaps releasing locked doors or other physical barriers and open smoke ventilators.

In its secondary role as a protector of property it is also party early warning calling assistance via a remote signalling system to the fire service as well as taking some speedy reactions with sprinklers, halox or carbon-di-oxide automatic extinguishing system. The three main elements of security system can be provided in part by the application of all the types of electronics aids. But there is no real substitute for physical barriers and manpower. A fully integrated system provision with fully integrated system provision with barriers, manpower and electronics, leads to efficient security management. This integration can also be aided by computerised alarm monitering systems, designed to make the system Whole as opposed to separate systems within systems.

By C.B. Joshi, GDX Detectives Pvt. Ltd.