After the recent terrorist attacks in Paris, many of us are naturally petrified, wondering how such a well-organized operation could be executed without interruption or why there were no prior intelligence alerts. More importantly, what can we do to prevent the next terrorist attack?
The answer to these questions is complex, but the immediate action you can take is simply installing a security system that can save your life.
How can security equipment prevent a terrorist attack or save lives during an attack? The following three security levels complement each other and provide you with the best possible protection. Let’s review them.
1) Surveillance Cameras: Installing surveillance cameras can alert you in real time and allow you to prepare you for the upcoming situation. How? Assume a gunshot is heard in the background. It takes time for the average person to process the sound and figure out the nature of it until the situation is fully verified as to whether it’s a gunshot and not a fireworks or some other sound. (Witnesses from the Bataclan Theater in Paris, where one of the attacks took place, testified as to how long it took the crowd to realize that the shooting was real and not part of the show.)
For example, in the case of a break-in, once you hear a suspicious sound (or the burglar alarm goes off), before you take any action and do a full scan of your property, a simple peek at the security camera monitor can tell you what you are dealing with.
This happened to one of our clients just recently. In the middle of the night while he was sleeping, he received a notification of break-in. A quick glance at the security camera monitor installed upstairs revealed the shocking picture of a burglar with a gun in his hands roaming the first floor below. This knowledge gave the resident enough time to choose his course of action (calling for help, barricading himself in his room, escaping, or fighting back). In this case, we can see how real-time visual confirmation is important and a lifesaver.
Terrorist attacks like the ones in Paris are not born overnight. They are the result of long-term planning. All of the details must be worked out prior the action. The terrorists must choose their targets carefully, and they did (highly populated low security locations over the weekend, etc.). It is likely that they also toured the target areas beforehand, noting their vulnerabilities, how many security guards, cameras, and alarms were in place, and so on. Once a security camera is installed and monitored on a regularly basis, it services as a tool to help detect such suspicious surveillance and gives you the opportunity to prevent the attack before it happens. To increase your level of security, we recommend high quality equipment that allows for facial recognition and license plate recognition. Both of these features will assist the authorities in tracking down the suspect(s) before the terrorist attack is executed.
2) Panic button: If such an event is already happening, you must follow the proper protocol and procedure, which includes notifying first responders in real time. Pressing the panic button will alert the central station of the event, provide the details of your location, your name, contact information, and so on. Pressing the button allows you to avoid a phone conversation, which is time consuming. In other cases, it is a waste of crucial time to call (unlocking the phone, ensuring you have a signal, etc.) in the midst of such a stressful and panicked situation. It’s also difficult to provide accurate details (e.g., location and directions). Simply hitting the panic button for the security system provides all of the relevant information in one swift and simple action. It might seem like a small thing, but it can save lives during an attack.
3) Alarm: In the event of a terrorist attack, no one wants to be surprised and discover it a second later than necessary. An alarm system solves this problem easily and notifies you in real time about an intrusion on the perimeter. For example, a single terrorist could break into a news office in the middle of the night and then wait for his prey. In the morning, as the workers show up, the terrorist can easily capture them one at a time and take them hostage or even kill them. An alarm system can help prevent such a scenario by notifying you of a break-in or any other suspicious behavior.
The above methods do not cover all aspects of security and do not offer a complete solution for preventing or protecting you from a terrorist attack. For better enhancement, the following steps need to be considered:
RISK ASSESSMENT
Gives over an advantage on the protection side in providing you with a professional security tools (i.e.: consciousness and awareness strengthening of staff to hostile factors, detection of local weaknesses and strengths and evaluations, and identifying possible threats).
SITE PLANNING & SYSTEM DESIGN
It is required to take a comprehensive view of your overall security needs and focuses on both the technical and the business needs of creating the most effective risk-preventing environment.
SECURITY INTEGRATION
Full security coverage requires more than one security system, allow the experts assist you in integrating all security systems and customizing them to your needs.
ANTI-TERROR TRAINING
In case of real-time events, people tend to act instinctively in a way that may not correspond to the correct and proper actions to be taken, from a security point of view.
Therefore, proper Security Plan Protocol and procedures requires training and exercise. The implementation of the protocol is essential and destined to save lives, prevent and diminish damage and conserve the capacity to restore the situation to normal in the post-event chaos.
SECURITY PLAN PROTOCOL & PROCEDURES
Provides tools and guides the staff in preventing or mitigating intentions of terror attacks by responding and acting according to preplanned plan. i.e. relationship with first responders, detecting, sheltering, evacuation and responding.
Based on past experience, we have learnt that when a site is properly kept and managed, and the security arrangements are implemented as required, it becomes a less attractive target for terror organizations.
This article brought to your benefit by www.safezone24.com.
