The array of options in security systems can be confusing, but you can avoid costly mistakes by keeping your requirements in mind and comparing them against what each part of a system is meant to do. Here are some tips to make it easier to get the right components:
Access Control
Access control can be as basic as an old-fashioned lock or as advanced as retina-reading biometric locks. Plain old locks are good for keeping people out of buildings that don’t contain a high amount of valuables, but their security can quickly break down due to key loss, key copying, or when there are just too many people who have keys. Extremely-advanced locks, on the other hand, are overkill for all but the most sensitive locations. The best solution is usually in the middle: An electronic lock that uses individualized magnetic-stripe cards for access.
Cameras
Most thieves won’t want to do anything shady if a camera is recording them, so cameras are a good addition even for otherwise-basic systems. Alas, some criminals have a simple solution to cameras: breaking them. Therefore, having hidden cameras as a backup is a good idea. Beyond this, one of the main differences between camera systems is resolution. Cheap ones produce the blurry images often seen on the news when security camera footage is shown. This, however, is just the most basic type of footage that can be produced. Casinos, for example, have cameras that are good enough to read the cards in a player’s hand. Such cameras are essential for catching cheaters. You should consider what image quality you need when deciding on a camera system, as well as whether you want to deter criminal activity or catch crooks in the act.
Alarms
Like cameras, alarms can be used both to deter criminals and to help catch them. Loud, obvious alarms and signs that advertise their presence are best as deterrents. Other alarms are totally silent. Instead of sounding off, they call the local police department. The criminal won’t even know it happened until the officers arrive. These alarms are clearly good for having the police catch the criminal in the act or for situations in which it’s important to be able to summon help without the criminal realizing anything is amiss. Which alarm will be best for you depends on your priorities. Learn more!
