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Although we pride ourselves on providing some of the industry’s most user-friendly products, we also know that an onsite assessment is the best way to achieve a truly integrated and comprehensive approach to security. There’s no substitute for being able to see and evaluate for ourselves the unique challenges faced by each client. And after 75 years in business, we can say that every scenario really is unique.
Here’s what you can expect from an onsite physical security assessment by ABC:
1. The inquiry
Right from the point of inquiry, we take a very detailed approach to gather as much information as possible. Our clients typically approach us with a specific area of concern—everything from compliance with new accessibility laws to security system design or integration—so we can already begin thinking about solutions.
Many inquiries have been labeled “unsolvable” by our competitors. In our experience, though, these cases just need a customized and more creative approach to problem-solving.
We also place a lot of emphasis on transparency, which means we’re always upfront about costs and our process. If everyone is on the same page, we proceed with an onsite assessment.
2. Analyze exposure to risk, loss and liability
This is where the depth of our experience and product knowledge really shines. At the site—whether a condominium, store, office, public building or any other kind of facility—we evaluate conditions in close consultation with the facility manager.
That means not rushing the process or forcing solutions that aren’t right for the client.
This includes not only the current state of physical security, but also staff training and responsibilities, internal policies, industry best practices, legislation, site scale and the surrounding environment, among many other variables. When security system integration or expansion is involved, we examine the sophistication of current technology.
Our people are highly trained in their ability to analyze the loss, risk and liability exposure of each client, so we approach every situation with a fresh perspective. That means not rushing the process or forcing solutions that aren’t right for the client.
3. Customize a plan of action for resolving issues and areas of concern
Based on our assessment we’ll provide a detailed quote and plan of action. For some clients this also includes the custom design of a physical security system with IP solutions and hundreds of surveillance cameras, but it could be as straightforward as upgrading mechanical locking hardware.
During our site assessment we also look for ways to minimize operating costs, energy usage and potential for human error—options the client might never have considered.
4. Implement, install and support
We strive to make the implementation process as seamless as possible. This means minimizing disruption to the site and doing exactly what we said we would do.
Our collective skill set includes everything needed to implement fully integrated security solutions. Following implementation, we’re there to support you every step of the way—whether it entails scheduled maintenance of automatic doors and surveillance hardware, or 24 hour emergency service to resolve high-risk situations.
A REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE:
To give you a better idea of our process, consider a recent example from one of our clients in the IT sector.
A provider of remote services to a large-scale national communications company, this client came to us with a unique challenge that nobody else had been able to solve.
The IT vendor situated in Montreal was remotely managing the server room facility at their client location in Toronto. They had issues with not being able to remotely manage environmental conditions that could harm the sensitive network and server equipment.
They wanted to be able to take preventative measures to combat rising temperatures in their server room in the event that the base building air conditioning systems failed or did not respond effectively to the localized potentially volatile conditions associated with server equipment running hot.
…the potential for associated loss and liability was dangerously high.
To achieve this, they would need an integrated solution that would notify them of temperature changes and automatically initiate a preventative reaction to the environmental threat.
After we had collected all of the required criteria from the client we presented a solution that fit the bill. We offered them a web-based access control solution (Protector.Net – Hartmann Controls) that was connected to their secure network.
PROTECTOR.NET is an innovative new access control system by Hartmann Controls. Completely scalable, it utilizes PoE technology with reduced wiring for simplified installation and the ultimate in access control functionality.
We also equipped the server room door with an automatic door operator (Besam SW100) that was interfaced to the PoE Protector.Net door controller. Additionally, we interfaced additional devices such as a temperature monitoring device that would output a signal to the PoE door controller if temperatures exceeded the desired setting.
An auxiliary output would then trigger the activation of a specialized power bar that had commercial-grade vertical standing fans plugged it into it and positioned where necessary within the server room.
We complemented the installation with network connected IP cameras, which would allow for video verification of the incident. As an added benefit, this would also ensure the function was properly carried out.
The function effectively performed the following action:
When the room temperature had risen above the predefined setting on the digital thermostat—reaching a potentially harmful point—the output would be sent to the door controller. The door controller would react by triggering the auto door operator to cycle open and maintain the hold-open function.
Subsequently the door controller would relay the output to the specialized power bar that in turn activated the connected commercial fan units projecting the draft in the direction of the door opening. At the same time, an email notification was sent via the Protector.net web-based software application to the individuals responsible for the operational requirements of this very secure server environment.
The client was then able to proactively notify site personnel to rectify the base building HVAC conditions and verify the function was effectively achieved by logging in to the IP camera system that monitored the critical areas.
Once the environmental conditions were restored to a non-threatening level, the remote staff could then trigger the door operator to close, reset the system parameters and restore the physical security at this location—all via the web-based Protector.Net interface.
With the advance notification, verification and responsive system automation to combat the environmental threats, the client was able to effectively safeguard the equipment and the critical data being stored and managed.
Without having a safeguard in place at this very critical and sensitive location with the very convenient and effective remote management and integration features this solution offered, the potential for associated loss and liability was dangerously high.
This is just one example of ABC Security’s customized approach to solving a unique client requirement. If you’d like to learn more about scheduling a physical security assessment of you facility, contact us today.
