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Surveillance bonanza

Welcome to the May issue. Regular readers will know that the surveillance section in Hi-Tech Security Solutions is usually the largest section in each issue, with a few exceptions. This issue follows suit, but we have an even bigger surveillance bonanza waiting for you as the annual CCTV Handbook 2012 is being distributed along with the May issue.

The handbook is all about surveillance and the various things that support camera operations, from the control room through to the storage and management of images. This year’s handbook is packed with opinions, technology, Q&As and case studies. I would like to have your take on the handbook: Did we miss anything; did we give too much attention to anything? Feel free to let me have your opinion on andrew@technews.co.za.

Offsite may be worth the investment

The Star recently ran a story about a diamond dealer that had millions in stock stolen over a long weekend. The company had guards at the gate, who apparently waved the thieves through because they were dressed as ADT guards in a marked car. The CCTV worked well, until the thieves cut the business’s communications cables and wiped or stole the footage. So there is no video to help the police. In this instance, the only thing that may have helped stop the crime was offsite monitoring by a third party. Once the communications were cut, hopefully an alarm would have been raised and action taken.

Of course, looking at the details we are given, the thieves were prepared so there is no telling what they could have done if they knew they were under the surveillance of a remote control room. While offsite surveillance could be too expensive for the average company, a business keeping millions in stock or cash on site might want to consider this as an option.

This incident also reminds us that, no matter how advanced your security plan is, if you have something worth stealing, today’s syndicates will find a way to get it. Your security team cannot simply rely on a third party and hope for the best, you need to continually revise your security processes and prepare for the worst while hoping for the best.

On a lighter note, May means it is time for IFSEC UK. Hi-Tech Security Solutions will be there again. Let us know if there is anything you think we should be examining at the show. Then it will be time for IFSEC SA, by now you will have seen the notice of our preview in the June issue as well as the Event Guide – be sure you get the most out of the show with Hi-Tech Security Solutions.

Enjoy the issue and let us know if you will also be in Birmingham.

Andrew Seldon, Editor

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