Category: company security blog

In today’s security-conscious environment, security cameras are nearly as valuable of a business commodity as the products a company offers for sale. Commercial security cameras help to deter theft and keep the property safe when no one is there. Recorded video from surveillance cameras provides strong visual evidence that assists in criminal investigations. Even the sight of a camera will deter many individuals from engaging in criminal activities.

What Security Cameras Are the Best?

There are many types of commercial security camera systems currently on the market. Use the following information to help you select the best system for your company:

• Day/night: Day/night commercial outdoor security cameras offer the clear visual images in all types of lighting conditions required for 24/7 exterior monitoring. They can help to prevent break-ins and vandalism, while also providing surveillance of parking areas.

• Dome: Often installed in retail stores to detect shoplifters, dome cameras offer an unobtrusive, but not completely hidden security solution.

• PTZ: Pan-tilt-zoom cameras are a good choice for covering large areas such as warehouses or manufacturing plants. They’re also among the most complex — and expensive — commercial security camera systems.

• Bullet: These cylindrical cameras are typically used in conjunction with closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems to monitor designated high-risk areas. While bullet cameras cannot tilt, zoom or pan, they are usually waterproof, which enables outdoor or indoor use.

• Spy: These compact cameras offer a covert security solution for monitoring activities in small areas. However, they provide relatively poor image quality, and there are certain legal/privacy restrictions regarding their use.

• Covert: Covert cameras offer the benefit of disguise. They can take the form of devices such as alarm clocks, smoke detectors or other smaller items that tend to blend into the surroundings.

• Infrared: Also known as night-vision cameras, infrared devices are used in businesses and homes for monitoring pitch-dark or dimly lit areas.

• Varifocal: This flexible security camera solution works best for monitoring situations where the distances and viewing angles may vary. Users can zoom in and out without affecting the focus.

• HD: High-definition cameras offer the best image quality, making them a preferred choice for protecting expensive items in stores or secure facilities. They’re able to zoom in without negatively impacting image quality.

• IP:  Internet protocol cameras represent the most advanced security camera technology. They’re able to transmit video via the Internet. That, when combined with their wireless functionality, makes them the ideal choice for large security networking applications that require covering long distances.

• Dummy: These “fake” cameras offer no monitoring or recording capabilities and primarily serve as an inexpensive visual deterrent. Many models include flashing red lights and other features that simulate a live camera operation.

Titan Alarm, Inc. Can Help You Explore Your Commercial Security Camera Options

Titan Alarm is your source for the best commercial camera systems in the Phoenix, AZ area. We also have the expertise to help you choose the right system for your needs and budget. Contact us for more information and to schedule a free on-site security consultation today.

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Updated by Titan Alarm on November 5, 2018.

How likely is it that your Phoenix-area business will become the target of a robbery, break-in or employee theft? While just about any business that handles cash or keeps anything of value is vulnerable to theft, some are at higher risk than others. In this post, we’ll list the most common types of businesses targeted by thieves and offer a few business security tips that can prevent you from becoming the next victim.

Retail Stores

Retail businesses are targeted by robbers for several reasons. Many are open at night, and in some cases, around the clock, which provides convenient access for thieves. They also keep cash on hand and typically have few employees on duty. While retail robberies are most often associated with convenience stores, they also occur at supermarkets, gas stations, liquor stores and jewelry stores. Employee theft is also an issue in many retail outlets.

Banks

A reporter once asked notorious bank robber Willie Sutton why he chose to rob banks, and he responded, “Because that’s where the money is.” Although banks typically present a more difficult theft challenge than retail stores, the lure of large amounts of cash make them a favorite target of robbers. While most banks now have sophisticated business alarm systems in place, they do not completely prevent robberies from occurring.

Warehouses/Distribution Centers

The major theft prevention issue in warehouses is not robbery or burglary — the main threat typically comes from the inside. Most warehouses are large structures containing several “blind spots,” which makes it difficult to monitor all employee movements. Employees who have worked in the warehouse for a long stretch of time have the opportunity to determine the facility’s most vulnerable areas. In many facilities, it’s relatively easy for employees avoid detection when attempting to steal goods.

Construction Sites

Construction sites contain valuable equipment that is attractive to thieves. Perpetrators include construction workers who walk off the jobsite with expensive tools, as well as burglars who target unoccupied jobsites during the nighttime hours. The temporary nature of most construction jobs usually makes providing effective site security a daunting challenge.

Transport Sites

Large trucks that transport goods are another prime target of thieves. Tractor-trailers filled with valuable merchandise present significant security issues, particularly when the trucks are left unguarded in a freight yard or when drivers leave them unattended on the road.

How to Reduce the Theft Risk at Your Business

Steps for making your business less vulnerable to robbery and theft include:

• Improving visibility by altering the layout to eliminate blind spots
• Keeping the interior and exterior of your facility well lit
• Paying close attention to property upkeep
• Posting signs that prohibit trespassing and loitering
• Installing modern business surveillance systems and alarms

Titan Alarm, Inc. Is Your One-Stop Headquarters for Business Security Systems in Phoenix

. We can design and install a customized business security system that will dramatically lower your risk of robbery and theft. Contact us to schedule a no-obligation security consultation today.

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Updated by Titan Alarm on November 5, 2018.

If you own or operate a retail store or other type of business that sells goods to the public, about one out of every 10 people who enter your establishment having shoplifting on their mind. If you haven’t made theft prevention a high priority at your place of business, your company’s profits could literally be walking out the door. In this post, we’ll explore the various reasons why people steal and provide a list of some of the most shoplifted items.

Why Do People Shoplift?

To implement an effective theft prevention system at your business, it’s helpful to understand why people feel compelled to steal. Contrary to what many people believe, most shoplifters do not steal to satisfy a physical need or due to a lack of financial resources. In most cases, a psychological compulsion or mental illness is the driving force behind shoplifting. Approximately one-third of shoplifters suffer from depression, and many shoplifters are diagnosed with kleptomania, which is a recurrent, irresistible urge to steal.

What Are the Most Stolen Items?

The most common items targeted by thieves include:

• Meat: Expensive cuts of meat are a primary shoplifting target in grocery stores — it’s relatively easy to conceal a steak underneath a jacket or slip it inside an oversized pocketbook.

• Alcohol: Teenagers often shoplift bottles of liquor since they are not of legal age to purchase it in most states. Peer pressure and the “thrill” of breaking the law are common motivators in many teenage liquor thefts, and kleptomaniacs who are also experiencing alcohol dependency issues often target the more expensive booze items.

• Electronic gadgets: Small electronic gadgets and devices are a major shoplifting target in electronics stores and mass merchandisers that do not keep them under lock and key. Their small size makes them easy to conceal.

• Over-the-counter medications and personal care items: Most OTC drugs, as well as personal care items such as razor blades, deodorant, toothbrushes, etc. come in small packages, making it simple to slide them into jacket pockets or purses.

• High-end clothing: The theft of high-end clothing is on the rise in many retail outlets, particularly expensive sneakers. The most brazen thieves will try the clothing on in a fitting room and then attempt to walk out the door undetected.

• Trendy toys: It seems that every holiday season there is at least one extremely popular toy that hits the market — and becomes of a prime shoplifting target.

• Tools: Many types of tools, especially power tools, are coveted by thieves in hardware and home improvement stores.

Make an Advanced Security System a Key Component of Your Business Protection Plan

Installing a state-of-the-art security system is an important business safety step that will limit your shoplifting exposure. If you operate a business in the Phoenix, AZ area, Titan Alarm can design and install a customized system that includes video surveillance and other valuable theft prevention features. Contact us to schedule a no-obligation security consultation today.

 

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Updated by Titan Alarm on November 5, 2018.

Threats to safety at school take many forms these days: bullying is a major issue in many schools, and there are growing concerns about active shooter situations and even acts of terrorism. Protecting students and teachers is a top priority in elementary, middle and high schools in Arizona and across the Unites States. In this post, we’ll explore the various teacher and student protection solutions available to school systems. Schools can:

• Install fences: Fences create a visible physical barrier that will deter intruders. Fences are especially important for protecting students on elementary school playgrounds. Consider constructing a fence with blunt top projections to prevent intruders from climbing over.

• Establish choke points: Most school buildings are large structures containing multiple entrances — which also provides multiple opportunities for intruders to find their way inside. Creating a choke point, which entails locking all entrances except one closely monitored access point, allows school staff members to control who enters the building at all times. If it becomes necessary to unlock multiple doors to accommodate a large influx or departure of students at the beginning and conclusion of the school day, these entrance points should also be monitored.

• Train staff to spot security threats: Another important school protection step is providing training for teachers and other staff members so they can detect a potential security threat in the early stages. Local law enforcement agencies can provide valuable security tips and may even be available to conduct in-person training sessions.

• Provide emergency response training: A security emergency can create chaos that is counterproductive when attempting to maintain school safety. Training your staff to function as a coordinated team — including individual responsibilities to each team member — can significantly reduce confusion and improve the chances of a positive outcome.

• Implement a visitor management system: Establish a system for verifying the identity of individuals who arrive on campus claiming to be parents or invited guests. Software systems are available that can provide valuable security information, including whether the visitor is a registered sex offender.

• Use guards and metal detectors: It may be necessary to resort to implementing more “extreme” security measures in schools with a history of violent behavior. Metal detectors can screen for weapons such as guns and knives. Many school systems have enlisted the services of security guards or local police officers to patrol the building during school hours.

• Install school alarm systems and other security devices: Technology can play a vital role in protecting teachers and students, as well as for securing the premises during after-school hours. Options include video surveillance cameras, access control systems, burglar alarms, motion sensors and video verification systems.

Titan Alarm, Inc. Can Meet Your School Safety and Security Needs in Phoenix, AZ

Titan Alarm is a reputable security solutions provider serving Phoenix and all of Maricopa County. We can work with school administrators and security personnel to design a customized, state-of-the-art system with 24/7 monitoring that addresses the security risks in your campus’s most vulnerable areas. Contact us to schedule a no-obligation security consultation today.

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Updated by Titan Alarm on November 2, 2018.

If your business handles cash or stores or displays valuable items, you could easily become the target of a robber. A robbery is different from a burglary in that the victims are confronted by an armed individual who demands cash or property. Consequently, a robber typically poses a greater risk to your personal safety than a burglar who makes every effort to avoid detection.

While being the victim of a robbery is a frightening and a potentially life-threatening experience, you can increase your odds of survival by following these safety tips:

• Remain calm: While most robbers do not want to harm anyone, they are usually desperate — which makes them highly unpredictable. Victims who appear stressed could further agitate the robber, possibly increasing the risk of a violent outcome. While staying calm under such trying circumstances is difficult, it can significantly enhance your safety during a robbery.

• Cooperate: Another important robbery survival tip is to obey the robber’s commands. Robbers want to get what they’re after and flee the premises as quickly as possible. Cooperation reduces the likelihood that the robber will view you as an obstacle or threat. However, do not volunteer to do anything more than what the robber specifically tells you to do.

• Stay quiet: Robbers are not interested in engaging in conversation. They will view your attempts to talk to them as a distraction and could cause them to become even more agitated. Speaking should be limited to providing brief, direct responses to the robber’s questions. If you need to clarify a command, keep your question short and to the point.

• Do not resist: The robber will likely view any attempt to resist or fight back as a threat. Do not attempt to reach for a weapon or overpower the robber. Any sudden movement could have disastrous consequences. Always ask permission before taking any action.

• Observe as many details as possible: Any information about the robber you can provide to the police will greatly improve the chances of apprehension and a successful prosecution. Make a mental note of as many details as possible about the robber, such as approximate height, weight, clothing, type of weapon and any distinguishing or unusual physical features.

• Lock up immediately after the robber leaves: There’s always a chance the robber could return to the scene — perhaps due to a fear of leaving incriminating evidence behind. Make sure to lock the door and immediately call the police when the robber exits the building. If possible, note the direction the robber takes when leaving.

Installing a Security System: An Essential Robbery Protection Step

An advanced security system can reduce the chances of a robbery, as well as provide important visual evidence should a robbery occur. If you operate a business in the Phoenix, AZ area, Titan Alarm, Inc. can provide custom surveillance camera installation and design that will provide the reliable robbery protection you need. Contact us for more advice on protecting yourself during a robbery and to schedule a no-obligation on-site security consultation.

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Updated by Titan Alarm on November 5, 2018.

Did you know that there are more than 6,000 office fires in the United States each year? Virtually any business is vulnerable to a devastating fire, and the risk is even greater in facilities that store or handle flammable liquids or other combustible materials. A fire can break out with little or no warning and create panic among your workers. If you don’t have a carefully crafted fire evacuation plan in place, you could be placing many lives in danger.

Developing an Effective Emergency Evacuation Plan

A well-designed business evacuation plan will serve as an easy-to-follow guide that outlines the actions your employees should take in the event of a fire. A good place to start is performing an assessment of your building’s fire safety systems.

This entails determining the availability and location of equipment such as pull alarms, smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and sprinklers, and replacing or upgrading equipment as needed. You should also take steps to identify and eliminate potential fire and safety hazards such as piles of trash, blocked doorways and burned out exit lights.

Elements of a Business Emergency Plan

A business evacuation plan requires organization and employee participation to be effective. While your emergency fire plan should be tailored to your unique workplace environment, a solid plan will consist of the following fundamental elements:

• Assigning escape routes: Every employee should know the fastest, safest evacuation route to take based on their location in the building and proximity to exits.

• Establishing procedures for “mission critical” employees: In some workplaces, it may be necessary for a few workers to remain behind to perform certain shut-down operations prior to exiting the facility. It will be necessary to develop specific evacuation procedures for these individuals.

• Developing accountability procedures: Your plan should indicate a centralized location away from the building where your employees should meet after evacuation. Create a procedure for taking a head count of employees to ensure everyone has exited the building safely.

• Assigning specific duties to employees: Your fire evacuation plan should designate certain employees who are responsible for administering medical assistance until first responders can arrive at the scene.

• Rendering assistance to visitors: Visitors to your facility will not be familiar with your business evacuation plan, so you’ll need to develop procedures for assisting them.

Your business evacuation plan should be in writing, with a copy given to every employee. The plan should also make provisions for regular fire drills so your staff will know exactly what to do and where to go when a fire breaks out. Practice can minimize the inevitable confusion that occurs during any fire emergency — and can make the difference between a successful business evacuation and a tragic event resulting in serious injuries or loss of life.

If you operate a business in the Phoenix, AZ area, Titan Alarm, Inc. can design and install an advanced commercial fire alarm system for your company. Contact us to schedule a free on-site consultation today.

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Updated by Titan Alarm on November 2, 2018.

We don’t necessarily think of the workplace as the site of criminal activity. However, worksite crimes are an all-too-frequent occurrence in many offices, plants and jobsites, ranging from minor instances of theft to threats or acts of physical violence. And if you operate a retail store or other facility that is open to the public, you’re vulnerable to the risk of shoplifting or other forms of customer theft.

Using a Business Security System as a Crime Prevention Tool

Companies that are serious about preventing crimes in the workplace take the step of implementing stringent business security measures. Surveillance cameras often serve as the cornerstone of an effective business security system. When used in conjunction with a closed-circuit television (CCTV) system, strategically placed cameras enable continuous monitoring of the property and its most vulnerable areas. The visible presence of security cameras can also serve as a strong theft prevention tool, as well as a deterrent to other types of criminal activity.

In addition, surveillance cameras can allow you and your staff to monitor visitors as they enter and exit your facility, which is extremely important for businesses where security is a high priority. If you operate a store or other business entity that attracts large crowds, cameras can assist your crowd control efforts. Also, employees who know their actions are being caught on camera are often more productive and less prone to committing theft.

Surveillance Systems Also Assist in Solving Crimes

A business surveillance system can also help solve crimes in the workplace. Today’s advanced IP surveillance camera systems enable digital storage of recorded video on network servers, which can easily be retrieved for review as needed. This can prove invaluable when you suspect that theft or other criminal activities have transpired. Periodic random reviews of stored footage may also uncover crimes you were not even aware of, such as an employee who is sneaking company equipment or supplies out of the facility at the end of the work day.

Another important benefit of using surveillance cameras and a CCTV system is that the footage recorded by the cameras has evidentiary value. Law enforcement and prosecutors can normally use the footage as part of a criminal investigation to show proof that a crime has been committed and to clearly identify the perpetrators. Images from the recorded feed can also be distributed to law enforcement agencies and the public to help apprehend a suspected criminal who is on the run.

Professional Business Security System Design and Installation Is Essential

No two business premises are exactly alike, and each property poses its own unique security risks and challenges. That’s why it is crucial to consult with a professional business security system solutions provider that can conduct a comprehensive assessment of your property and recommend the most appropriate solution for your needs and budget.

If you operate a business in the Phoenix, AZ area, contact the experienced pros at Titan Alarm, Inc. to schedule a no-obligation business security system consultation today.

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Updated by Titan Alarm on November 5, 2018.

A perennial threat that retailers face is shrinkage, which is the loss of inventory before it can be sold to customers. Shrinkage costs retailers approximately $42 billion per year, with shoplifting and employee theft being primary causes. Shoplifting and internal theft can have dire consequences for smaller retailers who are struggling to fend off competition from the larger chains that can offer their goods at lower prices. This makes implementing effective theft prevention techniques imperative for the survival of any small retailer.

Shoplifting Prevention Tips

 Steps smaller retailers can take to prevent shoplifting include:

• Employee training: Train your employees to watch for suspicious behavior and the telltale signs that indicate a customer may be looking to steal something. Examples include lingering too long in one area of the store, acting nervous or constantly looking around, wandering the aisles without purchasing anything and leaving the store and then returning.

• Planning your store’s layout to minimize the risk of retail theft: While smaller stores have the advantage of less floor space to monitor, it is still important to lay out your aisles and displays in a manner that maximizes visibility and minimizes blind spots. The effective use of security mirrors can help you keep an eye on hidden areas.

• Use signage as a deterrent: Signs stating that shoplifters will be prosecuted placed in highly visible locations can be an inexpensive, yet highly effective shoplifting deterrent.

• Closely monitor groups of shoppers: Shoplifting techniques have become more sophisticated and often involve multiple individuals. Be aware of a shopper who creates a disturbance, as this can be a diversionary tactic that allows an accomplice to steal merchandise without being noticed.

Employee Theft Prevention Tips

 Small business protection steps for preventing employee theft include:

• Efficient inventory management practices: Using inventory management software is an affordable way for small retailers to keep track of goods. You can also cross-reference your software data with manual inventory counts to spot any discrepancies.

• Monitor employee cash handling: Much of the employee theft that occurs in retail stores takes place at the cash register. In addition to careful reconciliation at the end of cashier shifts, implement practices such as performing unannounced spot checks of register drawers and staying vigilant for instances of “sweethearting,” which is when employees give unauthorized discounts to their friends or relatives.

• Pairing up: Have employees work in pairs when performing tasks such as opening and closing the store or taking cash receipts to the bank, as this minimizes the risk of a rogue employee perpetrating a retail theft.

Consider Installing a Comprehensive Business Security System

Even a smaller retailer can benefit from installing a business security system. A key system component is strategically placed video surveillance cameras that monitor store entrances, blind spots on the sales floor, registers and other cash handling areas as well as backrooms/inventory storage areas. The cameras should also have recording capabilities, as video recordings can prove invaluable when prosecuting shoplifters or employees who commit retail theft.

Titan Alarm, Inc. can handle all your small business security needs in the Phoenix, AZ area. Contact us to schedule a free in-store security consultation today.

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Updated by Titan Alarm on November 5, 2018.

While shoplifting gets much of the attention in terms of business theft losses, employee theft continues to be a major issue. Each year, U.S. companies lose billions of dollars to internal theft, which can take the form of the outright stealing of goods or equipment, diversion of business assets or funds, fraudulent disbursements, embezzlement or the use of trade secrets or other proprietary information for personal gain. Businesses that do not make theft prevention a top priority risk losing much of their profits to criminal activity.

Steps for Preventing Employee Theft

Taking a proactive approach to business security can deter and even prevent internal stealing. The following employee theft protection tips can reduce your business’s vulnerability:

• Proper vetting during hiring: The hiring process gives you the opportunity to perform a thorough background check on prospective employees to determine if there were any previous theft incidents or other “red flags” that makes them a higher risk.

• Strong inventory control practices: The use of tools such as inventory management software allows you to keep a closer watch on your inventory to determine if any goods are “disappearing.”
• Close supervision of employees: Lax supervision can foster an environment that increases the chances of theft or fraud. Employees who realize that their activities — especially those related to company finances — are being closely monitored are less likely to steal.

• Tight computer security measures: Tech-savvy employees could use your company’s computer systems and software for the misappropriation of funds. Implementing strict computer security measures such as restricting access to only authorized users and frequently changing passwords can reduce your theft risk.

• Noticing changes in employee behavior: Changes in employee behavior such as volunteering to work late — especially “after hours” when no supervisors are around — signs of drug or alcohol abuse or strong objections to changes in company policy pertaining to financial matters are potential theft indicators.

Using Business Security Systems Can Increase Theft Protection

Installing a robust business security system is an important theft protection step for any company. Depending on the type of business and the nature of its operation, a security system can include surveillance camera monitoring and record employee activities — particularly those employees who handle cash — and access control systems to limit entry to your facility and sensitive areas to only authorized personnel. While a business security system creates an upfront expense for a company, it can quickly pay for itself by significantly reducing theft losses.

Titan Alarm, Inc. Provide Effective, Affordable Business Security Solutions for Phoenix, AZ Companies

Our security experts will conduct a comprehensive assessment to determine your company’s most vulnerable areas and recommend a solution that meets your requirements and fits your budget. We can provide cost-effective small business security systems, as well as solutions for larger companies.

Contact us to schedule a no-obligation on-site security consultation today.

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Updated by Titan Alarm on November 5, 2018.