Safe Concert - Ӱԭ /category/safe-concert/ Wed, 25 Feb 2026 13:54:31 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0.2 Tech Trends: The Power of Protective Intelligence /tech-trends-the-power-of-protective-intelligence/ Thu, 06 Jun 2024 12:45:42 +0000 /?p=3103 In the dynamic landscape of security operations, staying ahead of potential threats is paramount. As organizations face increasingly sophisticated risks, the role of Protective Intelligence has emerged as a cornerstone in fortifying a company’s security posture. A Security Operations Center (SOC) serves as the nerve center for monitoring, detecting, and responding to security incidents. Integrating […]

The post Tech Trends: The Power of Protective Intelligence appeared first on Ӱԭ.

]]>
In the dynamic landscape of security operations, staying ahead of potential threats is paramount. As organizations face increasingly sophisticated risks, the role of Protective Intelligence has emerged as a cornerstone in fortifying a company’s security posture.

A Security Operations Center (SOC) serves as the nerve center for monitoring, detecting, and responding to security incidents. Integrating Protective Intelligence within the SOC framework not only bolsters its efficacy, but it also empowers proactive measures against potential vulnerabilities.

Understanding Protective Intelligence

Protective Intelligence encompasses the proactive gathering, analysis, and dissemination of information to preempt and mitigate security threats. Unlike traditional reactive approaches, which respond after an incident occurs, Protective Intelligence focuses on identifying potential risks before they materialize. This proactive stance enables security teams to anticipate threats, assess vulnerabilities, and implement preemptive measures, thereby minimizing the effects of a potential event.

Fortifying the SOC with Protective Intelligence provides security teams with actionable information that was previously non-existent or difficult to come by. Today, robust platforms like samdesk (), Dataminr (), and LifeRaft (), are game-changers in empowering security teams with Protective Intelligence.

In an era defined by evolving cyber threats, geopolitical instability, and emerging risks, the role of Protective Intelligence in enhancing the performance of SOCs cannot be overstated. By adopting a proactive stance rooted in intelligence-driven decision-making, organizations can fortify their security program, mitigate risks, and safeguard their assets against potential threats. Here are some of the key features and benefits these platforms provide:

Early Threat Detection: One of the primary advantages of incorporating Protective Intelligence into SOC operations is the ability to detect threats at an early stage. By leveraging various sources – such as open-source intelligence, social media monitoring, and threat intelligence feeds – security analysts can identify indicators of potential threats before they escalate. This early detection enables swift intervention, preventing potential breaches or attacks.

By analyzing threat patterns and tactics, security teams can devise preemptive measures to deter potential adversaries.

Risk Assessment and Prioritization: Protective Intelligence provides valuable insights for risk assessment and prioritization within the SOC. By analyzing the credibility and severity of threats, security teams can allocate resources effectively, focusing on the most critical areas of concern. This targeted approach increases operational efficiency and ensures that the SOC remains vigilant against the most significant risks.

Enhanced Situational Awareness: Real-time intelligence feeds and threat analysis enhance the situational awareness of SOC operators. By continuously monitoring evolving threats and trends, security analysts gain a comprehensive understanding of the threat landscape. This heightened awareness enables proactive decision-making and rapid response to emerging security challenges, minimizing potential disruptions to business operations.

Threat Mitigation Strategies: Protective Intelligence enables the development of proactive threat mitigation strategies tailored to specific risks. By analyzing threat patterns and tactics, security teams can devise preemptive measures to deter potential adversaries. Whether through enhanced perimeter security, employee awareness training, or advanced threat-hunting techniques, Protective Intelligence empowers SOC operators to stay one step ahead of potential threats.

Intelligence-Led Investigations: Integrating Protective Intelligence into SOC operations facilitates intelligence-led investigations into security incidents. By correlating internal security data with external threat intelligence, analysts can uncover patterns, trends, and indicators of compromise more effectively. This intelligence-led approach streamlines incident response efforts, enabling faster containment and remediation of security breaches.

Proactive Threat Hunting: Protective Intelligence empowers SOC teams to engage in proactive threat-hunting activities. By leveraging advanced analytics and threat intelligence, analysts can proactively search for signs of malicious activity within the network. This proactive stance allows security teams to identify and neutralize threats before they cause significant harm, enhancing the efficacy of organizational defenses.

Collaborative Intelligence Sharing: Effective Protective Intelligence relies on collaboration and information sharing both within the organization and with external partners. By participating in threat intelligence sharing communities and industry forums, SOC teams can gain access to valuable insights and collective intelligence. This collaborative approach enhances the accuracy and timeliness of threat intelligence, strengthening the overall security posture of the organization.

Challenges to Avoid

While the benefits of Protective Intelligence are undeniable, implementing and managing an effective program within the SOC comes with its own set of challenges. The following considerations should be acknowledged and planned for when considering and deploying a Protective Intelligence program. This will minimize any negative or adverse effects of using this technology.

Data Overload: The sheer volume of data generated by various intelligence sources can overwhelm SOC analysts, making it challenging to separate qualified threats from noise. Narrowing the focus of the information these systems collect will help reduce the volume of inbound information that the SOC needs to review.

Resource Constraints: Building and maintaining a robust protective intelligence program requires dedicated resources, including skilled personnel, technology infrastructure, and ongoing training. To implement a Protective Intelligence program, there should be an analysis of whether current SOC staff are able to handle the additional tasks associated with accurately and efficiently curating the inbound intelligence.

Integration Complexity: Integrating disparate intelligence sources and tools into the SOC ecosystem can be complex, requiring seamless interoperability and data correlation capabilities. It is best to crawl before you run, keeping the program simple before creating multiple system dependencies.

Privacy and Compliance:Adhering to privacy regulations and compliance standards while collecting and analyzing intelligence data is critical to maintaining trust and legality. It is important to collaborate with your legal team when creating a Protective Intelligence program to play it safe.

This article originally appeared in theǴ. Paul F Benne is the President of Ӱԭ and has over 35 years in the protective service industry.

The post Tech Trends: The Power of Protective Intelligence appeared first on Ӱԭ.

]]>
Tech Trends: Should Integrators Specify Facial Recognition? /tech-trends-should-integrators-specify-facial-recognition/ Fri, 10 Nov 2023 18:03:00 +0000 /?p=2927 In recent years, the rapid advancement of facial recognition technologies has sparked a heated debate about their use in security and law enforcement. These technologies, which enable the identification of individuals based on their facial features, have been heralded as a breakthrough in enhancing security and streamlining law enforcement operations; however, they have also raised […]

The post Tech Trends: Should Integrators Specify Facial Recognition? appeared first on Ӱԭ.

]]>
In recent years, the rapid advancement of facial recognition technologies has sparked a heated debate about their use in security and law enforcement.

These technologies, which enable the identification of individuals based on their facial features, have been heralded as a breakthrough in enhancing security and streamlining law enforcement operations; however, they have also raised profound concerns about privacy, civil liberties, and potential abuses. As a response to these concerns, numerous cities and countries have started banning or heavily regulating the use of facial recognition technologies in these domains.

This has a big impact on the security industry as we prepare to understand, market, and deploy these technologies. Your customers will have questions, and their integrator should be able to provide some answers. Thus, it is essential to explore the arguments for and against the banning of facial recognition technologies in security and law enforcement to deliver the most informed recommendation to an end-user.

While the proponents of facial recognition technologies emphasize their utility, opponents argue that the risks and drawbacks far outweigh the benefits, leading to a growing movement to ban or heavily regulate their use in security and law enforcement.

The Rise of Facial Recognition Technologies
Facial recognition technologies have evolved at an astonishing pace. These systems utilize computer algorithms and databases of facial images to identify and verify individuals by analyzing distinct facial features. The technology has numerous applications, ranging from unlocking smartphones to enhancing security measures in public spaces and assisting law enforcement agencies.

Advocates of facial recognition technologies argue that they significantly contribute to national security and public safety. They cite instances where these systems have successfully identified and apprehended criminals, located missing persons, and thwarted potential terrorist threats. The potential applications are immense, including the rapid identification of suspects, enhancing border security, and improving the speed and accuracy of validating a person that may have been placed on a watch list.

The Case for Banning Facial Recognition Technologies
While the proponents of facial recognition technologies emphasize their utility, opponents argue that the risks and drawbacks far outweigh the benefits, leading to a growing movement to ban or heavily regulate their use in security and law enforcement.

Privacy concerns: The primary argument against facial recognition technologies is the grave invasion of personal privacy. The constant surveillance and monitoring of individuals in public spaces, without their consent or knowledge, raises serious ethical and legal concerns. The widespread use of these technologies could turn public areas into surveillance states, infringing on citizens’ rights to privacy and anonymity.

Inaccuracy and bias: Opponents have said these systems have been shown to exhibit a significant degree of inaccuracy, particularly when it comes to recognizing individuals from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. This inherent bias can lead to wrongful arrests and misidentifications, disproportionately impacting marginalized communities.

The potential for racial profiling and discrimination is a valid concern; however, tests of different facial recognition technologies have been conducted within the industry by IPVM.com that shows these systems can be successfully deployed but vary in their success by manufacturer.

Surveillance state: The deployment of facial recognition technologies has the potential to create a surveillance state, where individuals’ every move is tracked and recorded. This dystopian vision raises concerns about the erosion of personal freedoms and the establishment of a society where people are constantly watched and restricted in their actions.

Lack of accountability: In many cases, the use of facial recognition technologies lacks transparency and accountability. Law enforcement agencies and security firms may use these technologies without adequate oversight or regulations in place. This absence of checks and balances can lead to abuses of power and violations of civil liberties.

Security vulnerabilities: Facial recognition systems are not immune to security vulnerabilities. Hackers and cybercriminals could exploit these technologies to access sensitive information or manipulate data for malicious purposes. These vulnerabilities pose a significant risk to national security and individual privacy.

Bans and Regulations
In response to these concerns, several countries and cities have taken measures to regulate or prohibit the use of facial recognition technologies in various capacities. The website www.banfacialrecognition.com has a comprehensive list of U.S. locations where this technology is in use, under regulations, or banned.

European Union: The European Union has taken a proactive stance on protecting citizens’ privacy by implementing the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). GDPR places stringent regulations on the use of biometric data, including facial recognition technology. It requires explicit consent for data collection and mandates clear rules for its use.

San Francisco, California: In 2019, San Francisco became the first major city in the United States to ban the use of facial recognition technology by government agencies. The ban is aimed at preventing government surveillance and protecting civil liberties.

Massachusetts: Massachusetts followed suit with regulations aimed at protecting the privacy of its citizens. The state enacted a law that prohibits facial recognition technology for law enforcement purposes, except for cases involving serious criminal offenses.

Portland, Oregon: Portland passed a ban on the use of facial recognition technology by both public and private entities in 2020. The city cited concerns about civil rights and civil liberties as the driving force behind the ban.

The banning of facial recognition technologies in security and law enforcement is a complex issue that revolves around striking a balance between security and privacy. While these technologies hold significant promise in enhancing safety and aiding law enforcement, their potential for misuse, bias, and invasion of personal privacy has sparked a growing movement to restrict or prohibit their use. The global trend of implementing regulations and bans on facial recognition technology reflects the need to safeguard individual freedoms and civil liberties in an increasingly connected and surveilled world.

As you specify and endorse these systems for customers, I recommend consulting the Security Industry Association’s advocacy page on facial recognition technology.

What to Tell Your Customers
The future of facial recognition technology in security and law enforcement will likely involve continued debate and evolving regulations as governments and communities grapple with the challenge of preserving public safety while respecting fundamental rights. As technology advances and the societal landscape changes, finding a middle ground that respects both security concerns and individual privacy rights will remain a pressing issue for lawmakers, civil rights activists, and the general public.

As an industry we should note that the successful deployment and accuracy of these systems largely comes down to understanding the correct use-case, and designing the system to support the intended need. Too often, we rush to implement without considering proof of concept, not by the manufacturer, but within the context of the customers environment and application.

As you specify and endorse these systems for customers, I recommend consulting the Security Industry Association’s advocacy page on facial recognition technology (www.securityindustry.org/advocacy/policy-priorities/facial-recognition). The site includes research statistics that show positive support of facial recognition for public safety, air travel, workplace and other application areas. It also includes a full shareable document and a fact sheet exploring the values and the benefits of facial recognition that outlines each of SIA’s core principles regarding the responsible and effective use of facial recognition technology and makes recommendations for public- and private-sector applications of the technology, including by law enforcement. There are also success stories that integrators can use to validate the effectiveness of the technology.

Article Link –

This article originally appeared in theǴ. Paul F Benne is the President of Ӱԭ and has over 35 years in the protective service industry.

The post Tech Trends: Should Integrators Specify Facial Recognition? appeared first on Ӱԭ.

]]>
Elevating Executive Security with Mobile Command as a Service /elevating-executive-security-with-mobile-command-as-a-service/ Sat, 01 Apr 2023 15:52:00 +0000 /?p=2915 Executives, celebrities, politicians, and high-net worth individuals face everyday security challenges unlike the rest of us. Threats to their safety and privacy can interfere with their work, daily life, and personal brand. Their participation—or mere presence—at large-scale events elevate that risk. In such situations, executive protection services tasked with keeping their clients safe face a […]

The post Elevating Executive Security with Mobile Command as a Service appeared first on Ӱԭ.

]]>
Executives, celebrities, politicians, and high-net worth individuals face everyday security challenges unlike the rest of us. Threats to their safety and privacy can interfere with their work, daily life, and personal brand. Their participation—or mere presence—at large-scale events elevate that risk. In such situations, executive protection services tasked with keeping their clients safe face a logistical nightmare.

VIPs may be targets of stalkers, protesters, the paparazzi, and other bad actors seeking to do harm. Security teams need the tools to maintain situational awareness and facilitate command and control wherever heightened protection is called for. It’s a tall order.

Public events like parades, political rallies, sporting events, speeches, and performances, as well as private affairs, like the weddings and funerals of the rich and famous, occur in locations that are difficult to secure. Coverage must often span massive areas. Threats can come from any direction, including overhead and far beyond the event’s official perimeter.

Event security is focused on maintaining a secure environment for the public at large. Meanwhile, executive protection services must stand up separate command and controls dedicated to keeping their clients safe.

Deploying a dedicated command and control is expensive, as it must be equipped with much of the same technology as a permanent security operations center (SOC). Plus, it must provide reliable and redundant connectivity to all systems and devices utilized across the event site without the benefit of a permanent infrastructure.

Public sector dignitaries have protective details equipped to mount exhaustive security operations on their behalf. The U.S. Capitol Police, Secret Service, federal, and state agencies each have an abundance of resources, including a fleet of mobile command vehicles ready to deploy to protect dignitaries and politicians. The private sector does not. Unless such individuals face a specific threat against them, they typically must pay for their own security.

Fortunately, a new option has recently entered the security marketplace: mobile command as a service (MCaaS). Just as VIPs may invest in fractional jet ownership, MCaaS provides access to a fully equipped, state-of-the-art mobile command vehicle for a specified number of engagements per year.

When comparing services, here’s what stakeholders should consider.

What Technologies Are Included?
To approximate the command-and-control systems utilized by public sector dignitaries, an MCaaS solution should include an array of integrated security technologies from best-in-class manufacturers. Look for:

Video surveillance

Video analytics

Aerial drone surveillance

Drone detection

Gunfire detection

Perimeter protection

Real-time weather monitoring

Social media monitoring

Communication systems are equally important. A fully equipped mobile command should offer the following:

VoIP telephones

2-way radios

Cellular PTT radios

Satellite telephone, TV, and radio

Satellite and cellular data

Public address systems

The service should include the deployment of temporary cameras and other devices across the event site. Coverage should extend to broad perimeter monitoring, while placing an emphasis on areas where the client is most vulnerable, such as the green room, stage, and any walkways the client may traverse.

Live monitoring of social media is critical, as it may provide advance warning of potential threats. There should also be communication channels between event security and private security teams. If event security must contend with danger anywhere onsite, private security must have sufficient knowledge to evacuate its charge via the safest route possible

How Is It Deployed?
The “S” in mobile command as a service differentiates today’s new offerings from more traditional rental models. A quick Web search of mobile command rentals will result in rental trailers equipped with communication systems and a workstation for video surveillance monitoring.

MCaaS represents a much broader suite of technologies, plus it includes the expertise of security professionals to assist private details with systems engineering, training, and onsite deployment. They can also attend events, working side-by-side with members of the executive protection service. MCaaS provides high-profile executives, high-net-worth individuals, and celebrities with the same tools and technologies used to protect top-level public sector VIPs.

To ensure the availability of vehicles, MCaaS providers may cap the number of clients they enroll to maintain a suitable client/vehicle ratio. They may also offer services to a limited geographic area, minimizing travel time before an event. An overextended MCaaS provider may not be able to deliver services when needed, negating the value of the investment.

A Paradigm Shift
The security industry’s digital transformation has brought countless new technologies to the market. Unfortunately, they only help the customers that can afford them. Many technology manufacturers have migrated to a recurring revenue model to reduce upfront hardware costs, thus making their cutting-edge solutions accessible to a broader base. Customers benefit from always-current systems that require less maintenance, include free updates, and offer operational expenditure tax advantages.

MCaaS offers similar value propositions, albeit on a grander scale. VIPs, or the executive protection services that protect them, may have previously deemed a fully-equipped mobile command as beyond budget. MCaaS will level the playing field, bringing grade-A resources to the private sector. It’s a paradigm shift whose time has come.

Article Link –

Paul F Benne is the President of Ӱԭ and has over 35 years in the protective service industry.

The post Elevating Executive Security with Mobile Command as a Service appeared first on Ӱԭ.

]]>
Keeping 350K Anime Expo Attendees Safe /keeping-350k-anime-expo-attendees-safe/ Fri, 11 Nov 2022 15:18:00 +0000 /?p=2905 The Anime Expo (AX), an annual celebration of all things “Anime,” is one of the largest conventions of its type in North America; in fact, its size and popularity of AX has grown exponentially since its humble beginnings in 1991, from about 10,000 people to more than 350,000. For years, AX – formally known as […]

The post Keeping 350K Anime Expo Attendees Safe appeared first on Ӱԭ.

]]>
The Anime Expo (AX), an annual celebration of all things “Anime,” is one of the largest conventions of its type in North America; in fact, its size and popularity of AX has grown exponentially since its humble beginnings in 1991, from about 10,000 people to more than 350,000.

For years, AX – formally known as Anime Con – earned the unfortunate nickname of “line-con” due to massive crowds that formed just to gain entrance, which meant headaches for security and operations staff.

Thanks to a unique combination of weapons screening technology, guard and canine services, and temporary security technology – all coordinated by security firm Ӱԭ – AX 2022 was a rousing success. The project has been named has been named as an honorable mention in the 2022 Security Vanguard Awards from SecurityInfoWatch, Security Business magazine and Security Technology Executive (STE) magazine.

The Crowd Control Challenge
Based on turnstiles at the entrances, more than 110,000 people attended the Anime Expo over the three days at multiple venues, including the Los Angeles Convention Center, Novo (an indoor club), and the Microsoft Theater.

Efficient screening was the first challenge for Michael Grossman, a senior advisor at New York City-based Ӱԭ
Photo: Anime Expo
A carefully crafted screening strategy helped was part of a successful crowd control effort at the 2022 Anime Expo in Los Angeles.
A carefully crafted screening strategy helped was part of a successful crowd control effort at the 2022 Anime Expo in Los Angeles.
Consulting, who was responsible for all security planning and operations, including the preparation of a comprehensive operations plan and the management of the overall on- site security operations.

A massive crowd is one thing, but the vast majority of these attendees came to the AX venues in full costumes – many including imitation weapons. The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA), the event organizer, also required COVID-19 checkpoints.

“We were getting people into the buildings, but the crowding on the outside [creates] a soft target,” explains Matthew Thomas, SPJA’s senior director of operations.

Thankfully, Grossman and the Ӱԭ team came up with a multi-faceted solution, combining high-throughput weapons screening technology with good, old-fashioned security officers – provided by Ayvar Security, JRM Security and Executive Event Services – and canine teams from MSA Security Services, a division of Allied Universal. Additionally, RFID badging implemented at the show helped with counting attendees and protected against people getting in without the proper credentials.

“It is not all high-tech, but when you use all those things to your advantage and integrate their use, that makes a system more efficient and there are a lot fewer problems,” Grossman says.

As for the technology aspect of the crowd control technology, Thomas and Grossman zeroed in on the Evolv Express, a high-throughput walk-through weapons screening system that uses digital sensors and artificial intelligence to spot concealed weapons and other threats.

The company claims a unit can screen 4,000 people per hour, and that the technology has been successfully used at stadiums, theme parks, hospitals, schools and other busy venues. Ideally, the technology is accurate enough that people are not required to stop, empty their pockets or remove bags as they are screened.

2022 was the first year that AX used the screening technology, and Thomas – who held previous security operations roles at Universal Studios and Westfield malls – says it enhanced the throughput of patrons from 55 people per hour to 300 people per hour at each entry point.

“Honestly, I think it was a little too quick, and we slowed that down on site just to be very thorough,” Thomas admits. “That was due to my thinking that it is impossible. I am used to the metal detector going off on every belt buckle.”

Achieving Situational Awareness
Grossman – who retired from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department in 2013 as chief of the Homeland Security Division and later served as SVP of U.S. National Security for Westfield Corp., where he oversaw security operations for 32 malls across the nation – assembled a security command center at AX that coordinated the activities of all security and life safety agencies, including convention center security and private contractors, Los Angeles Police Department, and many others.

Through the assistance of Las Vegas-based Unified Command, a temporary surveillance system was also deployed, with cameras placed at strategic locations to maintain situational awareness at key points throughout the venue. The temporary system focused on areas outside the venues, since the buildings had their own cameras.

“We were working with the existing Convention Center security with their technology and adding on our technology to compliment,” Thomas says. “That really helps us get good angles to manage crowds and respond to certain things from the [security monitoring] perspective.”

Those working in the Unified Command post could monitor cameras, zoom in on nearly any area or focus on certain cameras. “They know exactly the things that need to be seen and where to put cameras,” Grossman says, adding that the command post at AX was similar to one that he might set up for a large wildfire or other major event.

“You have representatives from all the agencies that do security or emergency response in the same room and monitor for 24 hours a day through the entire event,” he explains. “If you don’t have adequate planning, and documented planning, a clear organizational chart, clear lines of communication, and contingency plans, [if] something comes up, it is pretty tough to manage,” Grossman says.

In reviewing the successful AX 2022 security operations, Thomas says “the secret sauce is there right now” to maintain an effective security program for AX in the future. As for similar events, he implores event security managers to take advantage of all the technology and tools available, even if the cost is hard to swallow.

“All it could take is one situation, and you no longer have an event anymore,” Thomas says. “I like spending a bunch of money on security…because [it means] we’ve done the most that we can to protect everybody.”

John Dobberstein is managing editor of SecurityInfoWatch.com.

Project Overview: Anime Expo

Project submitted by: Ӱԭ

Weapons Screening: Evolv Technology

Temporary Surveillance System: Unified Command

Video Management System: Milestone

Guard Services: Ayvar Security, JRM Security and Executive Event Services

Canine Services: MSA Security Services

This article is part of the annual Security Vanguard Awards, presented by SecurityInfoWatch.com, Security Business magazine and Security Technology Executive (STE) magazine. Learn more about the Vanguard and its many winners over the years at www.securityinfowatch.com/vanguard.

Article Link – https://www.securityinfowatch.com/security-executives/article/21284746/keeping-350k-anime-expo-attendees-safe

The post Keeping 350K Anime Expo Attendees Safe appeared first on Ӱԭ.

]]>
Free eBook on Church Security /free-ebook-on-church-security/ Sat, 20 Jun 2015 17:49:16 +0000 http://www.sentinelgroup.us/?p=735 This weeks tragedy at the Bethel AME Church in Charleston, SC where 9 people were murdered at the hands of a deranged visitor has become an all to frequent occurrence in housesof worship. Today more than ever, churches need to preserve the sanctity of the sanctuary. We live in a fallen world where bad thing […]

The post Free eBook on Church Security appeared first on Ӱԭ.

]]>

This weeks tragedy at the Bethel AME Church in Charleston, SC where 9 people were murdered at the hands of a deranged visitor has become an all to frequent occurrence in housesof worship. Today more than ever, churches need to preserve the sanctity of the sanctuary. We live in a fallen world where bad thing happen and the naiveté of thinking that we don’t need to be security conscious in our houses of worship can no longer exist.

I was invited to share some thoughts on the topic of Church Security on the in New York City. You can listen to the segment by clicking on the play button at the top of this post.

In the wake of the Bethel AME incident, I am making my ebook on church security available for free. Please feel free to download it and share with your house of worship. You can download your copy by visiting .

The post Free eBook on Church Security appeared first on Ӱԭ.

]]>
3 Steps to Securing Personal Data on Company Computers /3-steps-to-securing-personal-data-on-company-computers/ Wed, 07 Jan 2015 21:14:09 +0000 http://www.sentinelgroup.us/?p=699 Everyone does it, you create a personal document, spreadsheet or other file on your company owned computer. Why, because you’re human and actually have a life outside of work.Unfortunately, most peopleare not aware that acompany has the ownership rights to the content of the computer and its associated storage. This can put you at potential […]

The post 3 Steps to Securing Personal Data on Company Computers appeared first on Ӱԭ.

]]>
Everyone does it, you create a personal document, spreadsheet or other file on your company owned computer. Why, because you’re human and actually have a life outside of work.Unfortunately, most peopleare not aware that acompany has the ownership rights to the content of the computer and its associated storage. This can put you at potential risk for discovery and possible loss of your confidential personal data. Consider this: many companies, when terminating critical or influential personnel, will terminate the employee while IT personnel confiscate any company owned resources.

But its not realistic to work all day long and not use your work supplied computer for personal business. So, how can you protect yourself without undermining your companies acceptable use policiesorloosing your data at the whim of your employer? Here are three tips to help keep you personal data safe:

  1. Use a USB thumb drive. This oversimple approach is straight forward. Use the computer as needed and store your personal information on a USB thumb (that you own). Don’t use the “chachkies” given out at trade shows by your company, that could be construed as company property. Furthermore, websites such as portableapps.com can installand launch applications directly from a USB drive without having to install on a host computer.
  2. Use a cloud based storage service WITHOUT installing their synchronizing software on your work computer. As needed upload/download temporary working files to the storage service from a folder marked “personal files and delete the local files after use.If you install the storage services sync’ing software you may be in violation of company policy, and all those files that have technically landed on company property are at risk. Accessing these sites through Chrome’s incognito mode or Firefox’s privacy mode ensure that no personal information is retained on the host computer. However, be aware that your network traffic can still be monitored and recorded.
  3. Encourage your company to create and honor a personal folder policy. Basically this type of policywould allow you to store at will, non-IT-threating personal files on your work computer. The company would honor the boundary of your personal information, while allowing you to retrieve and retain that information in the event your employment is terminated.

As a personal best practice, you should always be in control and in ownership of your data. The best way to put this into perspective isto think about if you were to go to lunch, and from that point forward never have access to your work computer again. Would you be missing anything?

Additional privacy considerations:

  • If you use an app like Evernote for personal and business use, consider creating separate accounts.
  • Is your LinkedIn profile managed by your corporate email address? What if tomorrow, you don’t have access to your corporate email account?

The post 3 Steps to Securing Personal Data on Company Computers appeared first on Ӱԭ.

]]>
Protests – 5 Security Considerations /protests-5-security-considerations/ Wed, 10 Dec 2014 00:02:36 +0000 http://www.sentinelgroup.us/?p=679 During protests emotions run high; the balance between being a unified voice of a cause and a destructive movement of anarchy teeter a fine line. Regardless of your position on the cause of the movement, when all is said and done your business and personal life must go on. So what can you do to […]

The post Protests – 5 Security Considerations appeared first on Ӱԭ.

]]>
During protests emotions run high; the balance between being a unified voice of a cause and a destructive movement of anarchy teeter a fine line. Regardless of your position on the cause of the movement, when all is said and done your business and personal life must go on. So what can you do to manage your risks in light of protests? Here are 5 considerations for protecting assets during a protest.
1. Assess your risk – Does your building house people or businesses that could be the target of the protest? Do neighboring businesses pose a risk based on there activities or occupants? Is your building in an area likely to be occupied by protesters? If so, in addition to communicating specifics with law enforcement, you will need to develop a specialized protection plan that reduces your exposure to the risk.
2. Relocate at-risk assets – If you are a retailer and have high value displays, or merchandise close to an exterior viewpoint or access point, relocating these assets can reduce the likelihood of your business being targeted should the protest turn unlawful. The same holds true if you are a commercial enterprise and have core assets or business functions that can be secured or relocated so that you can reduce your exposure.
3. Review your business continuity plan – If you could not use or access your facility for a day, week, or month what would you do and how would you operate? Where would your employees work? Having a well thought Business Continuity Plan can mean the success or failure of your business. What, you don’t have a plan?! The time of crisis is too late to develop a plan so start now.
4. Communications – Assigning a person responsible for monitoring social media, news media, and inbound communications, and having access to outbound communications to your organization is critical in detection and early decision making. Providing employees or occupants of your facility with information that could prevent them from being exposed to a protesting event that may expose them to delays, danger or harm is good business.
5. 󲹳ٲᲹԾԲ– Every year there are numerous events like court rulings, hurricanes, blackouts, celebrations, etc. that are moments away from becoming a protest, riot, looting, or other crowd style disorder. If your facility is not hardened (without going overboard) for a reasonable threat, once the threat is present its too late to address. Taking reasonable precautions ahead of time may prevent thousands in lost business revenue or use of your facility.
Protesting should be a celebrated right of all Americans, but when protests turn unlawful and at the expense of people and property, no one wins, voices are no longer heard, and civility is replaced with contempt. But your not in control of a protest, you’re in control of your property and actions. So taking prudent and reasonable actions now is within your control.

The post Protests – 5 Security Considerations appeared first on Ӱԭ.

]]>
NYPD: Basic Methods of Security /nypd-basic-methods-of-security/ Tue, 18 Nov 2014 01:58:36 +0000 http://www.sentinelgroup.us/?p=668 Paul Benne of Ӱԭ took part in the semi-annual NYPD training course as instructors. The NYPD Basic Methods of Security teaches basic security procedures and design practices to police officers from the Community Affairs, Housing, Traffic, and Crime Prevention bureaus. Using their extensive security knowledge, Paul teaches the officers about Perimeter Security and the […]

The post NYPD: Basic Methods of Security appeared first on Ӱԭ.

]]>
Paul Benne of Ӱԭ took part in the semi-annual NYPD training course as instructors. The NYPD Basic Methods of Security teaches basic security procedures and design practices to police officers from the Community Affairs, Housing, Traffic, and Crime Prevention bureaus.

Using their extensive security knowledge, Paul teaches the officers about Perimeter Security and the Security Survey. John teaches on Video Surveillance System and Biometrics.

Other classes such as Access Control, Window Glazing, and CPTED are provided. All the instructors are volunteers and many, including Paul and John, are members of ASIS councils.

The post NYPD: Basic Methods of Security appeared first on Ӱԭ.

]]>
Paul Benne presents at ASIS NJ /paul-benne-presents-at-asis-nj/ Tue, 11 Nov 2014 20:30:30 +0000 http://www.sentinelgroup.us/?p=672 On Friday, November 7, I had the honor of being a speaker at the Western New Jersey ASIS Annual Seminar and Exhibit held in Morristown, NJ. This years event topic was business continuity and emergency preparedness. I presented the topic “Stress Testing Security: Identifying breaking points before an emergency”. Stress testing is essentially applying the […]

The post Paul Benne presents at ASIS NJ appeared first on Ӱԭ.

]]>
On Friday, November 7, I had the honor of being a speaker at the Western New Jersey ASIS Annual Seminar and Exhibit held in Morristown, NJ. This years event topic was business continuity and emergency preparedness. I presented the topic “Stress Testing Security: Identifying breaking points before an emergency”. Stress testing is essentially applying the simulated pressures of an emergency on the people, processes, and systems of an organization to identify areas where improvements are needed. Doing so prior to an emergency incident allows undiscovered weaknesses to be identified, planned for, and budgeted for correction so that the failure does not impact the organization in a real emergency.

In addition to several speakers, the event hosted several security vendors showcasing their products and services.

For more information on the Western New Jersey Chapter of ASIS International click here:

The post Paul Benne presents at ASIS NJ appeared first on Ӱԭ.

]]>
Arming Teachers – RadioWest Broadcast /arming-teachers-radiowest-broadcast/ Fri, 19 Sep 2014 19:00:43 +0000 http://www.sentinelgroup.us/?p=649 Click the above player to listen to the broadcast in its entirety I had the privilege of joining Doug Fabrizio, a well known and respected radio host on NPR’s RadioWest show to discuss the topic of Arming Teachers.Joining us on the broadcast was Utah Representatives Curtis Oda (R) and Carol Speakman-Moss (D). Last week in […]

The post Arming Teachers – RadioWest Broadcast appeared first on Ӱԭ.

]]>

Click the above player to listen to the broadcast in its entirety

I had the privilege of joining , a well known and respected radio host on NPR’s RadioWest show to discuss the topic of Arming Teachers.Joining us on the broadcast was Utah Representatives and .

Last week in Taylorsville, Utah a Westbrook elementary school teacher, legally licensed to carry a firearm, accidentally discharged the gun in a faculty restroom injuring herself from the gunshot. This incident again brings the issue of arming teachers to the forefront. Utah as well as 17 other states allow teachers or adults to carry firearms into schools without any specialized training, and in some cases without the express permission of the school district.

During this radio broadcast you will hearfrom both sides of the issue: from representing a person’s 2nd amendment right to arm and protect themselves even within a school with little to noformal training all the way to banning or regulating the ability to carry a firearm into a school building.

As for me, I can’t help but to listen to both sides and say you’re both right and have valid points. However, having spent 9 years in a classroom teaching Security and Police Science in a career and technical education high school, and having done countless security assessments on schools, most teachers and staff members are not
candidates to carry a gun. That is not to say they don’t have the right to own and carry a gun as an individual, nor to say that they are not capable of proficiently operating a gun. This is to say that they (and most people) are not mentally conditioned and trained to operate a gun and act in the capacity required to engage a determined aggressor. Not to mention, their jobs are educators, that is what they should be concerned with being proficient at; not tactical protective measures to engage an armed intruder.

With that said, there are schools where, for various valid reasons, having an armed person on staff is a completely reasonable request.Its for this reason I say that structure must be provided around this issue, such as, but not limited to:

  1. The local school district needs the ability to determine if having an armed person on their campus is in their best interest. If that answer is yes, then;
  2. The state must provide a structure in which a school district can successfully screen, train, and authorize a person to not only carry the firearm but to act on behalf of the school in a life threatening duress condition.
  3. Individuals given this responsibility must be heldin strict confidence to protect them, the school and the children.
  4. Ongoing re-certification of the individuals, again to act with deadly force in an official capacity for the school, not as a private citizen.

Whats your opinion? Where do you draw the line between personal protection rights and the rights to have well trained and qualified persons in charge of our children while they attend school.

Somewhere in the mix there is a real solution.

The post Arming Teachers – RadioWest Broadcast appeared first on Ӱԭ.

]]>