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Strengthen SMEs with integration

“Security today has gone so much further than just protecting against robberies, it has become more about assessing and understanding risk, offering insights and information on trends and behaviour, and coming up with the most appropriate solution,” says Duncan Tindall, MD of Commercial Business Tyco South Africa.

Duncan Tindall, Managing Director of Commercial Business Tyco South Africa.

In line with this, Tyco’s approach for small businesses is generally to harden from the inside out by offering a fully-integrated solution starting with access control, backed by CCTV and supported by security guards with a pro-active control room to manage the situation.

“Access control can be the route to all evil if not managed appropriately. Back areas, such as cash offices and the likes, need to be strictly monitored and secure. It doesn’t help putting in an alarm system at home if you leave the garage door open and it’s the same principle with a business. High risk areas need highly effective access control,” explains Tindall.

Access control can be as simple as a guard manning the access point with a sign-in system to a fully-integrated, biometric system with remote monitoring. “While each business is unique in terms of its security needs, small business owners need to realise that a security breach can be as costly to them, if not more than a large business. It’s essential to include a security evaluation as part of your annual budget,” he recommends.

With a comprehensive and complete range of security products and services from leading edge electronic systems including electronic article surveillance, CCTV, remote video monitoring, fire systems and gas detection and suppression through to manned guarding and access control, Tyco provides the platforms that allow customers to integrate all of these solutions into a single front-end for ease of monitoring and reaction.

“All products are selected and designed for forward and backward compatibility to ensure that solutions can change as customers’ needs change or allows customers to sweat these assets for much longer in response to increased budgetary constraints. All programming and configuration of systems is managed by our team,” adds Tindall.

As a side note he also mentions that support elements are crucial in a holistic approach to security. “An example of this would be an emergency medical service on stand-by. Armed robberies are a reality for business owners and have increased the need to ensure staff are well protected and have access to emergency services. By pressing a panic button, the staff have direct access to a paramedic, an excellent and often vital, value-added service.

“There’s no denying that an integrated solution is key in today’s world of security. Using a provider that understands your company’s needs, no matter what size the business is, will go a long way to ensuring you get the best solution possible,” he concludes.

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