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One Step Ahead continued

New Technology: Pushing Integration Forward

Working with IT should not preclude management from developing a close understanding of the security systems in his or her building. The facility professional must be ready to learn about new technologies and remain up to date with the forces that are shaping security today.

Visbal’s guidance includes this message: “The facility manager that has security as part of his purview will be required to expand his (or her) knowledge base to include a much more sophisticated understanding of developing technology, including its applications, limitations, integration, and deployment.”

As facility professionals and IT work together, it may become increasingly clear that better technology, not extra people, strengthens security. Andrew advises, “I think the best thing any facility manager can do is invest in building technology instead of simply increasing budgets for additional security staff. Capital spent on new technologies that operate independent of personnel or with minimal operator intervention saves money in the long run by reducing the time and expense required to employ and train the staff needed to secure all building areas.”

End users need to push for companies to stay up to date with new threats and respond with progressive tools. Integration will not occur if the equipment is not there to support the process. “What is needed now to expedite the future is for facility managers to push manufacturers and vendors to allow this easy automation and integration to happen sooner rather than later,” says Andrew. “The new automated systems that are needed will track, identify, and isolate suspicious persons without ever putting personnel or bystanders in harm’s way and without requiring constant manpower on the ground.”

New cameras that can detect bombs and concealed weapons not only eliminate the need for live security guards, but can perform functions a human cannot—at least not without invading an individual’s personal privacy. These systems prevent visitors or employees from bringing something dangerous into the facility or taking out valuable or sensitive materials. “Security is becoming much more proactive rather than reactive because of technology,” observes Birkmeier. “We will continue to see a decrease in the time between when a security event happens and when the perpetrator is apprehended.”

Taking advantage of these innovations is important. Ricci notes, “Biometrics, especially hand geometry readers, will continue to be integrated in access control, time, and attendance systems. Further integration between building systems, human resources, and IT access will continue to develop. The role of the security officer will have to evolve to serve the emerging technology applications.”

This new technology will also make life easier for facility managers. Vaitkus foresees, “For access control, we are seeing a shift to more user friendly interfaces and the ability to access information from remote locations.” He also says, “Nobody has the staff to stare at video monitors or search through hours of video to find a key event. We are talking about video that includes fence line detection, detection of objects of interest, objects that speed up and slow down, and objects that are left behind or are removed.”

The Next Step

Security will continue to grow and change in the coming years. Experts agree that this field is in a period of unprecedented expansion.

Visbal says, “All aspects of security are experiencing rapid development. This trend will continue on a global scale for decades to come. Because this field is developing so quickly, the facility manager entrusted with this function will have to dedicate an increasing amount of time and resources to understanding and implementing security solutions on a premises-wide basis.”

Vaitkus agrees: “Five years ago, it was almost unheard of to have cameras monitoring public drinking water reservoirs. Now deployments are going on all over the country. The same thing is happening for cameras set up down the interstate systems. We are now monitoring buses, trains, and aircraft.”

Andrew predicts, “In the future, we will see fully automated, fully integrated systems. You can expect all of your security products to be IP-enabled, with disparate devices connecting together to form a comprehensive system. Your computer will not just manage electronic security, but physical security as well.”

When the proper actions are taken, and security is carefully planned, the integration of physical and electronic measures will create buildings that are safer for every occupant. This bodes well for facility managers who, like most parents, hope to get a little sleep at night.

This article was based on interviews with Andrew, Birkmeier, Groussman, Ricci, Vaitkus, and Visbal.

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