Business Security

Ensuring the safety and security of your business premises and assets is of utmost importance in today’s increasingly complex and threat-prone environment. However, choosing a security system for your office or business involves more than just purchasing technology. It requires a comprehensive process of identifying the protection you truly need. 

Let’s explore how you can begin your organization’s business security system installation process.

Identify Your Security Needs

Your business needs a robust security strategy to ensure the safety of your organization’s assets and uninterrupted business continuity. The foundation of any effective security plan is a thorough understanding of your current vulnerabilities and requirements. 

Once you have the necessary information, you can tailor your security system to meet your business’s specific challenges and demands. 

Conduct a Thorough Security Assessment

Start by asking critical questions about your business and what you’re trying to protect. What is your primary concern? Do you need surveillance, monitoring, life safety alarms, or a combination of these? What kind of assets or information do you need to protect? 

Identifying your needs helps you target the type of business and office security system most relevant to your business. For instance, a warehouse will have different security requirements to an office.

The following are some points to consider during your security assessment:

• The size and layout of your premises
• Potential entry points and vulnerabilities in your establishment
• Valuables or sensitive information housed in your offices
• The number of employees and visitors your office handles daily
• Current security system capabilities

Evaluate Compliance Requirements

Depending on your business type and location, legal or regulatory standards may dictate specific security measures. Whether it’s data protection laws for IT firms or access controls for manufacturing plants, compliance is a crucial aspect of your security needs assessment. 

Failing to meet these requirements can lead to severe penalties and increased risk of security breaches. For this reason, reviewing relevant legislation and industry standards is vital to ensure your security system meets all necessary compliance requirements.

Review Historical Incidents

An effective way to assess your security requirements is to examine previous security incidents that have impacted your business or similar organizations. By analyzing these incidents, you can identify vulnerabilities in your current security setup and learn from past mistakes to prevent future breaches. 

Incidents like unauthorized access, data theft, or vandalism can provide valuable insights into the threats your security system needs to address. Using this knowledge, you can make informed decisions that enhance the resilience of your business against potential threats.

Explore Security System Options

Once you have a solid grasp of your security requirements, you can examine the different technologies available for security systems. To help you make an informed decision, consider the following essential components when choosing a security system:

Alarm Systems

Modern security alarm systems for business operations serve as the first line of defense, capable of distinguishing between routine activities and genuine threats, thus minimizing false alarms. They are designed to alert you and the monitoring service in an emergency, ensuring a quick response.

Access Control Systems

Access control systems are essential for managing who enters and exits your office and when. They can range from simple keypads to advanced biometric systems, allowing you to restrict access to sensitive areas and track every movement within your premises. Cloud-based access control systems offer remote management, enabling you to grant or revoke access permissions from anywhere.

Intrusion Alarms

Business alarm system installation notifies you against unauthorized entries using door/window sensors, motion detectors, and broken glass detectors. Customizing these systems to your business premises’ layout and the required sensitivity level is crucial for their effectiveness in detecting and alerting you to intrusions.

Surveillance Cameras

Video surveillance cameras act as a deterrent and aid in gathering evidence during an incident. The latest surveillance cameras come with high-definition recording, night vision, and even AI-powered analytics for unusual activity detection, providing comprehensive coverage of your premises. 

Choose the Right Security System Provider

After identifying your security requirements, the next crucial step is knowing how to choose a security system provider that can effectively meet your needs. Here’s what to consider to ensure you make the best choice:

• Reputation and Experience: A provider’s reputation in the market is a testament to their reliability and the quality of their services. Look for companies with a solid track record of delivering effective security solutions to businesses like yours. 
• Customization and Scalability: Your business is unique, and so are its security needs. The right provider should offer customizable security solutions tailored to your specific requirements and scaled to accommodate changes to ensure continuous protection. 
• Ongoing Support and Monitoring: Effective security does not end with installation. Opt for a provider that offers comprehensive ongoing support and monitoring services. This includes regular maintenance checks, software updates, and 24/7 monitoring for any security breaches. 
• Integration with Existing Systems: If your business already has some security or IT systems in place, selecting a provider who can integrate the new security solutions with your existing infrastructure is crucial. This ensures a seamless operation, reducing potential compatibility issues and maximizing the effectiveness of your overall security strategy.

Safeguard Your Business Assets With Advanced Security Solutions

As a business owner, it is crucial to recognize that security systems are not merely additional expenses but rather an indispensable investment in the continuity of your business operations. By implementing a comprehensive security strategy, you can ensure the protection of your business assets and employees by guarding against potential threats. 

At Aeon Systems, we specialize in providing top-notch security solutions for businesses. We understand that each business has unique security requirements and budget constraints. This is why we offer customized business security system installation services tailored to meet your specific needs. Our experienced security professionals and technicians personally oversee the installation of your chosen security systems, ensuring that your business is protected against potential threats. 

Contact Aeon Systems today to get started!

Artificial intelligence, AI, has enjoyed widespread acceptance in the past decade, making a mark in physical security technology. Security devices that carry the label “AI-powered” appear more reliable, with business owners more inclined to trust products with AI functionality. What exactly is AI in security, specifically in commercial security? 

This blog explores what makes up an AI commercial security system and how it enhances commercial and business security.

What Is an AI Security System?

The introduction of AI in security has made it easier for security personnel to carry out their duties in ensuring the safety of everyone within commercial establishments and business premises. AI is a branch of computer science that enables machines to behave or act as humans do. It gives machines a brain to “think” and perform cognitive functions – tasks that typically require human intelligence, like perceiving, reasoning, and learning. 

AI is intrinsically connected to machine learning. This is another branch of computer science that collects data and gives machines and computers the ability to “learn” things without a technician having to program explicit commands telling them what to perform. 

AI and machine learning operate synchronously, as AI tells a machine what to do, while machine learning enables it to learn and enhance its built-in commands the more it performs AI-operated tasks.

Consider how intelligent surveillance cameras work in an AI security system: artificial intelligence allows cameras to detect objects in live or recorded footage. It alerts the security system when it detects a threatening presence, like a person stepping into a restricted area, as opposed to an unthreatening object such as a bird flying close to the camera or a stray cat running across the turf. Machine learning enhances the AI’s ability to distinguish between these two, teaching the computer system and improving its ability to interpret data independently.

Key Features Of an AI Security System

What can be expected of AI-powered commercial security systems? These technologies are some of its key features. You’ll also find some examples of real-world AI commercial security applications.

• Machine Learning – Machine learning improves an AI security system over time. Its extensive applications include enhancing access control and recognizing threats by identifying subjects in real-time or stored video footage. Machine learning is also used to protect Internet-based security systems that may be vulnerable to malware infections and hacking. 

• 24/7 Surveillance – Since an artificial intelligence security system is machine-operated and needs little to zero human supervision, it can ensure consistent, high-level surveillance security. Modern CCTV cameras with AI and machine learning capabilities are a great example. They provide continuous, vigilant surveillance and don’t require human presence except for the occasional monitoring and routine checks of recorded footage. 

• Smart Functions – Security devices that turn on at a voice command or automatically as one enters the premises are examples of AI-powered smart features in a business security system. Other functions are auto-adjustments (such as for thermostat settings), auto-activation, and auto-switch-off.

• Real-Time Alerts to Authorities – With an AI security system having cognitive abilities to discern threats from non-threats accurately, it can alert the appropriate offices or security teams once its learned red flags are tripped. 

Companies providing commercial surveillance and security services typically have a 24/7 monitoring center. They have full-time security technicians who call clients when their security alarms go off to verify emergencies. These technicians then contact the authorities, firefighters, or first responders if necessary.

• Proactive Threat Prevention – Modern AI commercial security systems can preempt potentially dangerous incidents that harm people’s safety. Systems that monitor indoor environmental conditions like air quality, temperature, and smoke detectors are perfect examples. They have built-in sensors that identify irregular heat patterns, for example, and trigger fire-preemption protocols, such as making the smoke detector alarm go off or broadcasting an evacuation alert through the building’s PA system. 

• Behavior Analysis – We now have sophisticated technology that analyzes human behavioral patterns and detects anomalies that might be considered threats. Behavioral analysis tech tied into biometrics (ID systems based on individuals’ fingerprints, voice, or facial features) can further enhance a commercial security system’s accuracy. For example, they can identify who enters the office after hours or deny unauthorized people access to the vaults, warehouses, back offices, etc. 

These are just some examples of enhanced security features thanks to AI. We can look forward to even more impressive enhancements in the future. AI is very versatile and can be integrated into many information technology systems and applications, so businesses might enjoy more customizations to satisfy their unique security needs in the future.

Choose the Right Artificial Intelligence Security System for Your Business

Physical security should be a priority when you operate a physical store or conduct business in an office or building. More than safeguarding your business processes and assets, ensuring your and your employees’ safety while on the job is a must.

Finding the best AI security system for your business will require thoroughly studying your security needs, starting with identifying the dangers your employees or customers potentially face on your premises and finding an equivalent security solution. 

Comprehensive systems designed to provide umbrella protection against known physical threats like burglars, vandals, trespassers, and structural fire risks are convenient and cost-effective. Still, in some cases, customized on-site security solutions are a must. Every business has unique security requirements, which may require a strategically-crafted system of security devices and technology. 

Aeon Systems can provide the security solutions your business needs. We’ve provided comprehensive and affordable commercial security solutions to local business owners in Arlington, Texas. As a family-run company, we are hands-on in helping customers design a custom security network for their business establishments. We offer AI-powered access control, alarm monitoring, fire and video surveillance systems for commercial and industrial applications.

Investing in AI security systems protects your business and employees from physical threats. Contact Aeon Systems for a consultation and request a free quote.

After investing so much time, effort, and resources into your business, it is only tight that you protect it in every way you can. Hiring a full-time security guard is a good option, but that opens many other questions like hourly rates, night differential, benefits, night and weekend shifts, etc. 

For many businesses, especially small and mid-sized enterprises, investing in robust security systems designed and installed by experienced security professionals is more convenient and affordable.

What Is a Security System?

A security system is a collection of electronic devices, technology, and software working together to ensure an establishment’s security. These systems have specific functions, like automatic door locks, intruder alarms, smoke detectors, audio and video surveillance, and more. 

Security systems for businesses primarily protect against intruders and burglars and prevent theft of goods, equipment, technology, or confidential data. Beyond physical security, however, the security needs of each business differ. 

A jewelry shop, for example, needs more sophisticated intruder alarms and containment systems that will deter burglars and prevent intruders from escaping should they successfully get past the first lines of security. 

Other factors that dictate the components of a business’s security system are your industry, the type of goods you sell, location, business structure, etc. It is, therefore, helpful to consult a reputable security business and inquire which technology is ideal for your business.

Functions of a Business Security System

Security systems for businesses often consist of devices that perform the following functions:

• Perimeter and Premises Security: These are security systems attached to perimeter fences or along the outer walls of buildings. These are a combination of access control devices, automatic locks, and surveillance systems. As the first line of defense against intruders, perimeter security must be both proactive and reactive. 
• Access Control: Keep customers and guests on the main floors and prevent them from entering restricted areas in your building or facility by installing access control locks on doors and gates. Only authorized employees with IDs or passcodes may access areas like the administrative floor, executive offices, laboratories, storage, and mechanical rooms.
• Intruder Alarms and Automatic Locks: A standard feature in business security systems, anti-intruder locks and alarms alert people inside the establishment and the nearest police station when it detects a possible break-in (i.e., forced entry through a locked window, breaking of a glass window, failure to enter the correct security code within the Entry Delay period). 
• 24/7 Video Surveillance and Monitoring: Video surveillance cameras are passive security tools that can provide evidence for locating and identifying burglars. But with a real-time monitoring team, video surveillance becomes a proactive business security solution that can help prevent or stop crime as it happens.
• Remote Alarm Monitoring: If your business premises are empty every evening, on weekends, or on holidays, and you don’t hire security guards to watch over the place 24/7, remote alarm monitoring will be essential to your security system. It will notify you via text of any activity the monitoring system deems suspicious (i.e., movement near the video cameras, movement across your property beyond business hours, etc.)
• Smart Lighting: The mere presence of people inside a business establishment helps deter most burglars and thieves. As such, smart lighting is useful because it makes it seem like your store or office is occupied even when there’s no one on the premises. You can turn the lights on and off according to your usual schedule or use remote control and monitoring features to choose which lights to switch on and off while you’re at home or on vacation. 
• Time Lock Safe: Commonly found in banks and high-security facilities, time locks are programmable locks that cannot be opened during a specified time, which can be hours or days. Banks activate this lock when conducting security systems checks to reduce liability risks. 

A business can integrate all or some of these functions into its security system. The more functions you need, the more advantageous it would be to consult a security business that specializes in commercial security.

What Areas of a Business Are Vulnerable to Theft

Businesses have different assets to protect, but generally, enterprises need some form of security for the following areas: 

• Main business floor (where products are displayed and customers mingle)
• Storage or stock room
• Checkout counters 
• Baggage counter
• Administrative offices or executive offices
• Finance office (on-site vault)
• Main hallways and lobbies
• Entrance halls
• Mailroom

These are the rooms and spaces where your products are on display. If you have a main floor where customers can walk around and browse, the risk of theft is even higher because thieves can also target your customers. 

In non-retail businesses, the back rooms often become the target because of the assumption that money and assets (i.e., confidential documents, computers, expensive equipment, vaults, and safes) are kept there.

How a Security System Benefits Owners of a Small Business

Many burglars today don’t discriminate between big and small businesses. If they see that you don’t have a sound security system, burglars will target you because they know they have a good chance of getting away with their crime (with your hard-earned money in their pockets).

We understand the hesitation to invest in security systems when you are a small business with a small annual revenue. However, you must consider the long-term benefits and pay-offs of protecting your business and employees from potential threats.

Here are more benefits small businesses can get from a robust and well-designed security system:

• You can get lower insurance premiums.
• You can present evidence to disprove false personal injury claims or allegations against your staff.
• Your employees will feel safe and have peace of mind reporting for work.
• Your customers will feel safe on your premises and be encouraged to return.
• Vandals, burglars, and thieves will think twice about targeting your establishment.
• You’ll have peace of mind as a business owner.

How AEON Systems Can Help Install Security Systems

Aeon Systems has been in the residential, industrial, and commercial security business for almost 20 years. As a family-owned and run company, we are attuned to every customer’s needs and are dedicated to delivering top-quality services and installations every time. 

We specialize in access control, video surveillance, fire detection, and alarm monitoring systems. No matter how big or small your establishment is, we can provide security solutions that meet your security needs. 

Contact us today to schedule a consultation and claim your free quote.

Security is a top priority for any business owner. Investing in security systems and commercial alarm monitoring to protect your employees, customers, and inventory can no longer be a last resort, especially for retailers and convenience stores.

The US Chamber of Commerce website reports that 56% of small retail stores have been burglarized from mid-2021 to mid-2022. In 2020, the Federal Bureau of Investigation reported that 3% of all violent crimes happened in convenience stores, and 2% occurred in gas stations.

These figures show that small and medium-sized businesses are vulnerable to burglaries, theft, vandalism, and other crimes – perhaps more so than bigger businesses and establishments, because most assume they have low to zero security measures.

What Is Commercial Alarm Monitoring?

Security systems come in different formats and devices. Putting together compatible security features can give your establishment a comprehensive security system. 

Commercial alarm monitoring setups connect alarm systems remotely to a monitoring center where security specialists keep watch over everything. They receive and review real-time data, like live feeds from video surveillance cameras or entry logs of every person who enters code-accessed doors. 

Monitoring centers in facilities that handle sensitive materials may also receive readouts on pressure gauges, freezer temperature, air quality indicators, and other environmental factors they need to monitor. 

Here are examples of technologies and equipment that can be integrated into a commercial establishment’s alarm monitoring system:

• Keycard access systems and controls
• Intercom
• Fire and smoke detectors
• Security alarms
• Motion detectors
• 24/7 video surveillance
• Internet of Things (IoT) devices / smart technologies

Modern Capabilities of Commercial Security and Alarm Systems

The technology behind commercial security systems is so broad that businesses can customize alarm systems and monitors according to their unique needs. Here are some examples of the impressive features commercial security systems offer to businesses:

• • Intelligent Lighting: Adjusts to daytime and nighttime hours.
  • Thermal Imaging Cameras: Useful for detecting people with fever.
  • Remote, Real-time Surveillance: Allows video surveillance off-site.
  • Remote, Mobile Intercom: Allows you to speak to people near surveillance cameras.
  • Keycard Access: Ensures only authorized employees enter restricted areas.
  • Vehicle Tracking and Monitoring: Useful for monitoring and tracking fleet activity.
  • Smart Locks: Allows heads of security to revoke or grant access immediately.
  • Heating, Air Quality, and Flooding Detectors: Ensures everyone’s physical safety and well-being on the premises.

The Security Benefits of Commercial Alarm Monitoring

There is no downtime for security in commercial establishments. Even if you are located in a relatively safe neighborhood, a lapse in security can lead to a break-in, causing your business to incur losses. 

Commercial alarm monitoring maximizes the benefits of security alarms, empowering businesses to deter and prevent crimes. If an intruder gets past your perimeter security, you have a better chance of catching and detaining them if you have an alarm monitoring station. 

Other benefits of commercial alarm monitoring systems include the following:

• 24/7 Surveillance and Security: Most crimes happen at night and on the weekends when an establishment is closed for business. Alarm monitoring systems provide passive protection: you don’t need to be there to reinforce locks, sound the alarm, or alert the nearby establishments of a crime. Additionally, if there are attempts at forceful entry or vandalism during non-business hours, you’ll have useful information to track down and identify criminals. 
• Immediate Response From First Responders and Emergency Services: Modern security systems are directly connected to the nearest police station. When a qualified threat trips your security alarm, the system automatically sends a transmission to the authorities or the security company, alerting them of a possible break-in. 

• Deter Criminals: Security cameras, locks, and alarms may discourage thieves from targeting your establishment. Studies and federal reports show that collective use of security cameras and alarms reduces the overall crime rate in residential and commercial districts.

• Resolve Claims: Surveillance and alarm monitoring data can also be helpful in identifying fraudulent claims, like people claiming to be injured inside business premises or harmed in any way because of employee negligence.

• Reduce Insurance Premiums: Security systems lower the risk of loss and damage to commercial property. As such, insurance companies typically reduce premiums when you have a sound security system.

• Gain Tax Incentives: Section 179 of the Tax Code allows businesses to write off the total cost of fire alarms and security systems in the same year they are bought. You can recoup this investment through tax incentives. 

Choosing the Right System for Your Business

Before investing in any security product or system, it’s essential to identify your business’s goals and needs. Consider the following:

• Location
• Prevalent security threats in the area
• Your building’s physical features (i.e., number of doors and windows and window types)
• Number of entry points
• Number of employees and daily customers
• Business hours
• Number and working hours of security guards
• Value of the goods and services you sell

All of the above will help you decide what type of security systems to buy, where to install specific devices, how many devices to install, and other technical details.

It helps to consult security experts about this matter. They can advise you on how to get the best security while keeping costs within your budget. 

We recommend our security specialists at Aeon Systems. Our company offers comprehensive home and business security solutions. We provide and install security devices and have operators on standby. If you seek expert advice on commercial alarm monitoring and security systems, we can help. 

Browse our website to learn more about our services, and contact us to request a free quote.

Surveillance systems help keep your property secure by recording evidence of crimes committed on your property. More than this, but these video-recording capabilities also act as a deterrent to criminal behavior. One study found that installing video surveillance cameras on parking lots reduced crime by as much as 51%.

What Are Video Surveillance Cameras?

A video surveillance camera is a recording device capable of capturing security footage of an area of interest around your home or property. In modern surveillance systems, the surveillance camera is often a high-definition capture device capable of detecting and capturing motion, which helps keep an area secure.

Modern surveillance systems are best described as closed-circuit systems. Commonly referred to as closed-circuit television (CCTV), these systems capture security footage, which is then transferred to a digital video recorder (DVR) and stored for later viewing. These systems are considered the most secure, efficient, and cost-effective methods of video surveillance today.

Types of Video Surveillance Cameras

There is a wide range of camera models currently available on the market. But all of these camera options fall under two main categories:

• Analog Cameras: Traditional cameras that offer lower resolutions and are connected to the DVR through coaxial cables. In these systems, the camera must be close to the DVR for better-quality images.
• Digital Cameras (Internet Protocol/IP): Digital cameras generally have higher resolutions, producing higher-quality images. These cameras connect to a network video recorder (NVR) and can do so wirelessly. Cables are only used when connecting the NVR with the power source.

The following examples of camera types fall under these two categories:

• Dome Cameras (Internal and External) – Cameras that come with a protecting dome covering that makes it difficult to see where it’s pointing.
• Zoom Cameras (PTZ Pan, Tilt) – Remote-controlled cameras that allow operators complete freedom to keep track of targets and movement.
• Discreet Cameras – Cameras that can be disguised and are ideal for indoor surveillance purposes.
• Bullet Cameras – Compact and tube-shaped cameras with cylindrical-style bodies.
• Thermal Image Cameras – Not often easily distinguishable from standard cameras but are capable of detecting motion based on body temperature.
• High-Definition Cameras – Commonly used in high-risk environments and institutions where high-resolution images are critical.

Businesses That Can Benefit From Having a Video Surveillance Camera

All businesses can benefit from the installation of a surveillance camera system on their premises. However, some companies have more incentive to acquire extra protection. These include the following:

Construction Companies

Construction sites are prone to theft, trespassing, and vandalism. As a result, projects get delayed, and expenses exceed the entire budget. A surveillance camera can help deter criminal activity and secure all valuable equipment and materials.

Banks and Financial Institutions

It’s no secret that banks require increased security to help secure their clients’ money. Installing bank surveillance cameras enables security personnel to detect suspicious activity within their premises 24/7.

Utilities and Communication Companies

Utilities and communication companies offer services critical to society’s functioning. As such, all their equipment must be kept secure from vandals, thieves, and trespassers.

Commercial Properties

Video surveillance cameras are essential as they help protect your property from burglaries and vandalism. They also protect employees, visitors, and tenants from any crime that may occur inside the property and the immediate vicinity.

Retail Establishments

Retail establishments must invest in loss prevention to maintain their businesses’ profitability. Video surveillance cameras can help deter thieves and catch shoplifters in the act in real-time, securing your inventory and protecting your bottom line.

Advantages of Video Surveillance Cameras For Businesses

Keeping your business protected from any security threat should be a primary concern for any business owner. The following are some of the benefits you can enjoy with the installation of a video surveillance camera system.

Peace of Mind

The mere presence of video surveillance equipment on your premises offers peace of mind. By acting as an early warning system, these pieces of equipment can help detect the presence of intruders, fire, and smoke, which is absolutely critical in emergencies.

Theft Deterrent

They say prevention is always better than a thousand cures. In this case, preventing theft is always better than trying to recover the items stolen from you – and a surveillance camera can help you with that. Whether the threat is an outside thief or an employee, the mere presence of a video surveillance camera can deter thieves from stealing from you, protecting your inventory and your bottom line.

Liability Protection

Video surveillance cameras can document instances of inappropriate behavior on your premises. They can also offer documentary evidence of any incident that may or may not have occurred, shielding you from any potential liability. For instance, a customer may claim to have slipped due to a puddle of water but did not actually happen. Video footage can clear you from such a lawsuit, saving you a significant amount of time and money.

Asset Protection

Each year, businesses lose up to 7% of their annual revenue to theft and burglary. This figure also doesn’t account for other potential losses you may experience, such as the destruction of property due to vandalism. Aside from acting as a deterrent to criminal behavior, security footage can also aid in identifying crimes as they happen, which helps prevent inventory loss. Further, it can provide additional insight into problematic behavior and reduce instances of workplace incidents, protecting your assets from damage and loss.

Get the Best in Video Surveillance Technology at Aeon Systems

As a business owner, keeping your assets and inventory secure is crucial in protecting your investment. Invest in video surveillance equipment from a reliable provider to prevent losses and ensure your bottom line.

Aeon Systems offers a complete range of security solutions for residential and commercial properties, helping protect your precious assets. We also provide and install security devices on any existing system to greatly enhance your security capabilities. Visit our website to learn more about our services, and contact us to request a free quote.