An effective way of making use of surveillance systems. CCTV camera kits are great value for money if you are getting started in home or business security, or if you want to survey a large area.

The cameras that come with a CCTV kit are often weather resistant, so there’s no reason why they cant be placed outside as well as in, or even a mixture of the two. This adds to the versatility of the kit in general.

Camera kits are also effective as they allow you to watch from anywhere with the use of wireless networking. This works as the DVR can be connected to your home network, allowing footage to be streamed live and securely to your smartphone, tablet or laptop.

Cameras are often HD 720p ready. This means they offer excellent footage through to your monitor or viewing device. Allowing events to be captured in high visual clarity.

A good way to make the most of a home security system is to understand how it works. A security system is composed of several parts, which work in unison to provide surveillance around the home.

Main Panel and Keypad
The main panel and keypad contain the main circuitry which allows the system to function. The keypad is used to activate and deactivate the system, and on some models gives the user the option to do things like program alarm settings.

Sensors and Motion Detectors
A home security system includes window and door sensors that detect when the window or door is opened. The number of sensors used will be dependent on the number of windows and doors in the home that requires surveillance.

Motion detectors are positioned in corners detect any motion in a room. Motion detectors can also function directly with a security camera. Which will start recording when they sense movement.

Security glass is widely used as part of many security systems. Whether its business or home security, security glass is a reliable, unobtrusive way to secure areas of the building.

Many security glass systems available are of a high quality as standard. However, the combination of high quality glass and a high quality frame which holds it is what needs to be adhered to. It is sometimes the case that whilst high quality glass is used, the frame or fixtures used to hold it are not at the same level of quality, this leads to issues of compatibility and creates vulnerabilities within the security system.

The glass can behave differently in different framing systems. So it is recommended that high performance glazing is combined with high quality framing systems to attain a high level of protection. A high quality frame and glass is a far safer alternative to the cheaper variations. Allowing for a secure and reliable system.

In 1993 certain internet protocols were designed on the assumption that no one could access the actual wires and listen to the packets of data.

However In recent years, attackers have hooked up computers to do just that. These methods of “sniffing” have been used to detect passwords. This is of concern to many security companies as it signals a area of vulnerability that needs to be approached from a constructive viewpoint.

Potential attackers may also engage in “spoofing,” or using the same computers to transmit their own packets, with false identification fields, as a way of gaining access to systems. In order to counter these attacks, Firewalls are often utilised. Firewalls are routers that attempt to filter out these “spoofed” packets. Sniffing and spoofing have become key security concerns as the Internet has grown. Because of the growing nature of these issues, it is of concern that they are looked at appropriately.

Security glass is widely used as a method of cordoning off areas, using a material that is visually appealing and functional. Security glass is defined by two terms; safety and security.

• The term “Safety” is applied to glazing used to reduce the risk of accident by impact, fracture, shattering, or in a fire
• the term “Security” is applied to glazing, which in addition to “Safety”, is able to withstand a variety of deliberate attacks such as manual, ballistic or blast resistant.

Using the right type of glass for security applications is usually not enough to ensure the necessary resistance to severe attacks and pressures. This is because the glass can behave differently in different framing systems, it is usually the case that high performance glazing is combined with high quality framing systems to attain a high level of protection.

A high quality frame and glass is a far safer alternative to the cheaper variations. Allowing for a secure and reliable system.

Security smoke is a thermally generated white smoke. Otherwise known as ‘security fog’ or ‘smoke screen’, the smoke is breathable, used primarily as a deterrent as opposed to an actual defence.

The smoke is composed of particles that settle very slowly, allowing for an area of space to be visibly blocked for a long period of time. The composition of particles also greatly lowers the possibility of residue forming or contamination.

Because of the longevity of the smoke screen, security smoke is best used around valuable goods or areas which are deemed vulnerable to intrusion.

When activated the smoke will shroud the area completely, making the actions of intruders very difficult due to lack of visibility. For this reason, it is recommended that the smoke be used in an area that intruders would spend a lot of time in. As this will hinder their progress and often cause the intruders to abandon their activities.

Securing temporary buildings can be a tricky task. Generally buildings of this nature, while on a private site do not benefit from the security of the site itself, because they are geographically detached from the main site.

This is an issue, because assuming your site has a security system installed, it will be designed to secure buildings that were there when the system was being designed and temporary structures have been added at a later time to the existing area.

Temporary structures can in fact reduce the security of the site. Large structural additions to the site can act as cover for approaching intruders and may provide a protected route around the site.

The best way to secure the site is to consider and design the security system after the temporary buildings have been installed. If this is not possible then make allowances for temporary buildings if you think they may be used in he future.

Using fake cameras around a property can act as a serious deterrent and can offer more protection than you might think.

• Fake cameras are much cheaper their real counterparts. This allows security funding to be put into other areas of the business or on more critical areas of the security infrastructure.
• Fake cameras do not require an electricity source and do not need to be wired to monitors and recording systems. This in itself is a great advantage as the cameras can be placed anywhere on the property.
• Because of the low cost, fake cameras can be placed in large quantities around a property creating a visually intimidating countermeasure against criminals.
• Fake cameras have no running costs and do not need to be operated or maintained by a person.
• Fake copies of high-end real cameras will make criminals think that the security of a property is much more sophisticated than it actually is.

For CCTV to provide the best security the cameras need to be running and recording 24/7. This can use an extensive amount of data and as a result, a large amount of data storage is required. The traditional method of storing recordings was via tape recorders. However CCTV footage using tape is time consuming to look through and sometimes causes the tape to get jammed or snapped. Data storage has since evolved, become more efficient, and easier to use. A new and effective method of storing data is using Cloud Storage.

Could Storage involves the process of instantly uploading recordings to a server, hosted via the internet. These recordings are then readily accessible via a computer or laptop. This can be an effective way of storing data as it removes the need of holding onto a vast array of tapes or CDs, all of which quickly accumulate as the CCTV is continuously used.

Military security in the UK is responsible for defending the government and the people of the United Kingdom, as well as deterring any threat or military aggression. Because of the nature of their job, military personnel may have access to classified or sensitive information about the security details of the United Kingdom. If this information is released indiscriminately or unnecessarily, it could damage the integrity or security of the UK. This is why all security personnel who work for the military have to undergo a thorough and comprehensive vetting and clearance process. The purpose of this vetting and clearance process is to ensure that all the people who work for the military are trustworthy, and that they can work in positions that would give them access to sensitive military information.

Vetting for Candidates
There are usually four levels of clearance in the UK. They include:
– Basic check
– Counter-terrorism check
– Security check
– Developed vetting

All employees as well as contractors who are working with the military must go through developed vetting. There are even contractors who are required to go through security checks as well. Security checks are required before entering certain government buildings that have sensitive information. The developed vetting is the most thorough, and it is required for all long-term employees or contractors who will have consistent access to sensitive or secret information. (more…)