What is the first thing you think of when you think of a commercial security system? Cameras? Alarms? Access controls? Whatever you think of, chances are there’s a lot more that goes into keeping your business, restaurant, retail space, or warehouse safe than you may realize. Good commercial security is the result of a lot of different parts all working together to protect your premises, your personnel, and your inventory. Whether you have a small business, a bar or restaurant, or a warehouse, many of the components that go into your commercial security system are the same, just deployed on a smaller or larger scale depending on your security needs.
While a good security system should be intimidating to potential thieves, it doesn’t need to be daunting to you, so here’s a crash course in the anatomy of a commercial security system:
- The Control Panel is the brain of your commercial security system. It communicates with each installed component, and is what allows you to arm and disarm the security systems. The control panel also communicates with keypads that allow you or trusted employees to enter your code when you enter or leave, as well as hold up devices and panic buttons that can be placed in strategic locations or carried on your person to notify the monitoring station in the event of an emergency.
- If the control panel is the brain of your commercial security system, then think of 24/7 Monitoring as its autonomic nervous system, the thing that keeps your heart pumping and your lungs going even when you’re asleep. 24/7 monitoring provides your business access to a professional monitoring station that can dispatch the police or fire department immediately when an emergency arises or the system is tripped, even if no one is there.
- Alarms are probably the first thing that most people think of when they think of commercial security, and they’re also the heart of most commercial security systems. Alarms come in a variety of types, and also include things like motion detectors and glass break detectors. The best motion detectors feature passive infrared and microwave technology, while the most advanced glass break detectors include “shock sensors” that detect the impact of a glass break. The alarm system also generates open/close reports that tell when the system is armed or disarmed.
- Premise Access Controls are one of the key components of most commercial security systems. Besides letting you know who is in the building and when, access controls can also let you to grant different access to different employees, depending on their needs and duties. Electro-mechanical locks, card readers, mag locks, and other devices help to ensure that the right people are in the right places at the right times. Premise access controls also create their own log letting you know when employees enter or leave, while Touch Sense Bars (TSB) ensure that employees can exit safely in the event of an emergency.
- Video Surveillance gives you a visual record of what is happening inside or outside of your business. Cameras can be set up to record either when motion sensors are tripped or 24/7, depending on your security needs, while DVRs connected directly to the cameras record all video surveillance. Network video recorders are also available as part of our IP surveillance solution, along with TruVision cameras.
Whatever the commercial security needs of your business, knowing the ins and outs of your commercial security system will help you protect your premises, your personnel, and your products. At A-TEC Security, we can help you and your business assess your security risks and find the right commercial security system for your unique situation.