An Inside Job

By Ralph C Jensen · September 22, 2008

Thieves are a clever bunch -- I guess they have to be. In Mesa, Ariz., a public storage facility had a security system, but it wasn’t catching the thieves.

The problem was that customers using valid security codes would enter their own storage unit and while inside, enter other units via adjacent walls and steal other people’s property.

The thieves would then leave unnoticed. Roaming guards and CCTV cameras would see the customers enter and leave, but because they had a legitimate code, no one knew they were doing anything illegal.

Facility owners solved the problem with PoE to monitor the property in real time. Four of the eight cameras on site were converted to IP so the feeds were monitored remotely via the Web by an IT video surveillance firm. Any suspicious activity was observed as it happened, and the information was passed to law enforcement.

Here’s the way to make things happen for good. American Security LLC is partnering with an Arizona IT firm -- Iveda Solutions -- to ensure customers get real-time solutions over the Internet. Access is unlimited and can be viewed from anywhere worldwide.

This is convergence at the most basic level but also pinpoints the intricacies of IT security providing solutions in the physical security market. American Security is looking to leverage technology that improves the results by its security officers.

This partnership between Iveda and American Security means consultative services comes from American to develop a security-management program plus provide guards. The guards are able to respond to real-time surveillance.

About the author

Ralph C Jensen
Ralph C. Jensen is editor-in-chief of Security Products magazine.

You can visit the company Web site at 1105 Media Inc..


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