Securing Alaska; Your Business & Home.

Common Workspace Security Measures
 * Always follow company policy and data handling guidelines.
 * Use your badge to enter your work environment and do not allow tailgating by others.
 * Be aware of shoulder surfing and other trust vector forms of social engineering.
 * Keep your desk free of any proprietary or confidential information. Do not write or leave passwords on notes.
 * Lock your computer screen and cell phone. Treat all devices as sensitive if they contain proprietary and sensitive data.
 * Securely back up sensitive and critical information to the cloud or secure physical location.
 * Shred and destroy all documents that contain sensitive personal or organizational information.
 * Report broken doors, windows, and locks to your security personnel. Report suspicious activity and left packages out of place.

What are the top brands of camera systems on the market in 2020?
  * According to recent reports via IPVM.com; Hanwha Techwin, Avigilon, Bosch, Axis Communications
  * Other references on the internet are: Digital Watchdog, Speco Technologies, Dahua, Hikvision, Uniview, Geovision, and Swann.
  * Cheaper solutions are available on major vendor sites like Amazon, Brickhouse Security, B&H, SuperCircuits, A1 Security Cameras, and CDW.
  * Better brands to consider: Panasonic, Samsung, Acti, Everfocus, and Arecont.

The difference between DVR, NVR and VMS Recordings:
  * A Digital Video Recorder receives video from connected analog sources, encodes it, and stores it to disk. The DVR does all the work and gets very hot.
  * A Network Video Recorder captures and stores network (rtsp) streams from IP cameras. The camera does the encoding before sending it to the recorder.
  * A Video Management Software system is typically bundled with license per channel or exclusive to a brand for managing multiple locations of NVRs or camera systems.
  * Edge recording, local storage retention for use in single camera deployments. Commonly used to stream back to a VMS during non-peak hours.

What is an average price for a camera system?
  * When you purchase on an Internet site, a 4 channel system will cost $400 – $600 and you will have to install each camera, run the cables and setup the recordings yourself.
  * When you purchase through a security professional, the labor will match the system base price plus any additional agreement extras that are discussed prior to installation.
  * Agreement extras: Specific installation requirements, specific camera upgrades, features, and tutorial support features. A specialist will always guarantee their work.

4K Ultra HD For Network Cameras and Recording
  * 4K Ultra HD provides up to four times higher resolution than standard HDTV 1080p resolution. 4K Ultra HD uses the 16:9 format.
  * Defined by SMPTE (Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers), the most important standard is SMPTE ST 2036-1UHDTV.
  * A camera that complies with the SMPTE standards indicates adherence to 4K Ultra HD quality and should provide all the benefits of 4K Ultra HD in resolution, color fidelity and frame rate.

Intelligent Video Analytics – Not All Cameras Are Built The Same
  * Tamper – Detection of the camera being moved or removed, sending a system alarm and/or a notification.
  * Intrusion – Objects crossing into the detection zone (pros: people entering into the area being covered. – cons: rain, snow, leaves or shadows falsely activating the sensor).
  * Line Crossing – Objects crossing the detection line (pros: people entering into the area being covered. – cons: rain, snow, leaves or shadows falsely activating the sensor).
  * Counting Line – Numerically increment or decrement the objects or persons that cross the detection line.  Based on the object size and can be directional or bi-directional.
  * Loitering – Detection of an object or person entering the area being monitored and remaining longer than the set duration.
  * Tailgating – 
  * Enter – 
  * Exit – 
  * Object Removed – 
  * Object Left – 
  * Direction – 
  * Stopped – 
  * Appear – 
  * Disappear – 

Doors and gates are controlled by low voltage circuits and signals using a management system. Keypads or proximity readers accept the credential assigned to you.
    Input devices can be keypads, proximity readers, bio-metrics, or sensors. Similar to the garage opener you may have, the signal is received and the circuits obey.
    Schedules can be applied to keep the gate open during the day & closed at night.

The management system controls the logic behind the rules and credentials. Not all systems are alike and not all systems are user friendly.
    If you have a smart system, you might have access to the programming over cellular or internet. Older systems still use the telephone line to program with dial tone prompt.
    An entry management system for condominiums may have multiple entry locations and the panel programming will have to be shared between units. 

New technology allows for controllers to be installed at the door and handle all the locking circuit locally. This is a cost savings in copper wires making home runs back to a closet.
    Several brands offer the controller at the door or gate but only a few offer the controller within the reader or keypad. This has several benefits

** Contact us if you have a need to reprogram your system, add a credential, code or if there are other malfunctions with the system. 

Are wireless alarm systems safe to use?
    The downfall of wireless are the battery consumption over time but today’s sensors are better than wireless sensors 4 – 5 years ago.
    The signal between the alarm panel and the sensor is proprietary to the system and the data being transmitted is encrypted using 128-bit AES.
    Signals from the sensor to the panel or repeater devices range between 200′ to 300′ depending on the channel and frequency being used.
    New technology has allowed today’s sensors to provide intelligent feedback about the battery life level and smart sensors allow firmware updates, which means better encryption.

Is there a difference between alarm systems?
    Depending on your property size and the amount of sensors needed; you may need to share a system with keypads for each separate space. 
    Newer alarm panels are more focused on residential needs and  typically do not support partitioning. If partitioning is a need for your premise, you may sacrifice smart device inclusion; depending on the platform.
    If you are in need of automation for lighting or locks, a simple system is not adequate to expand in these areas.

Who responds to the alarm if the siren goes off?
    The alarm system calls the monitoring company. If the sensor indicates a break-in, dispatch will call you directly first, afterward they will request a police dispatch.
    The signals from the panel give clear indication of a hold up, break-in, or an emergency depending on the sensor or event.
    When you receive a call from American Digital Monitoring, they will ask for your “password” to authenticate who you are. If you don’t know your code, they will call the next number on the list.
    Be aware of Municipal Code 14.70.190 – False Alarms

Is there a difference between Cat 5e and Cat 6 cables?
  * For Cat 5e cables limited to 300 feet, the speed from device A to device B is 10 Megabits, 100 Megabits, and 1 Gigabit per second @ 100 – 350Mhz and costs less than superior cable.
  * For Cat 6 cables limited to 300 feet, the speed from device A to device B is 10 Megabits, 100 Megabits and 1 Gigabit per second @ 250 – 500Mhz. Cat6A can acheive 10 Gigabit per second speeds if the devices support this connection.
  * At this point, simplex or multi-mode fiber would be the best method to connect with. There are more support choices using SFP modules that connect to each device and the distance is quite favorable.

Is wireless the best method to connect devices?
  * A wireless device had the benefit of roaming around like a laptop or mobile but are limited on range. The further away from the Access Point, the slower the response on the network.
  * Wireless is susceptible to interference by other wireless devices or structures of concrete or wire and metals.
  * A saturation of devices on one Access Point will cause slow speeds even if you are paying for “fast internet”.

Do I need fiber optics for my building?
   * If you are expanding to another floor in a multi-riser building or expanding to another part of the building; fiber would be your best method to keep your network speeds optimal.
   * If you handle larges amounts of data {synchronizing databases, uploading large formatted files, broadcasting or streaming content between departments}, fiber optics would increase your productivity.
   * Fiber optics are a great way to circumvent EMI issues around machinery or radio equipment because signals are light based and not electrical.
   * Distance issues are not a problem with fiber optics as they can traverse several kilometers per segment. Security fencing with cameras or sensors that report to the guard station would be an ideal example of this.

There are currently no premise boundary recording issues for the state of Alaska.
    You can mount and record video on your property. 
    Common sense law presumes you are keeping 80% of the monitored video within your property line.

Can you record third party conversations – Recording Audio
  * Alaska Stat. Ann. § 42.20.310 (You can only record conversations you are a part of.)

Recorded Indecent Viewing
  * Alaska Stat. Ann. § 11.61.123 – You cannot share nudity without the consent of the person being photographed or video recorded.
  * Penalties: Alaska Stat. Ann. § 42.20.330, 11.61.123 – Max of 1 year in jail and up to $10,000 fine. It is a felony if the person being video recorded is a minor.