Guardland Security Ltd

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Guardland Security Ltd

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Guardland Security for a free Consultation

• Protect your home with Security that goes the extra step to keep you aware and in control — from anywhere!

• Any Special or Integrated Security requirements needed, do not hesitate to ask.

• We will look to finding a solution to your security needs always.

We pride ourselves on providing value and competitive pricing, as well as meeting your budget parameters and timelines. Should you wish to discuss your CCTV requirements or obtain a no-obligation quote, 

Email: noel@guardlandsecurity.com

Telephone Noel at 0858544220

4 Types of Alarm Systems to Consider

You have a few options when it comes to deciding on an alarm system to protect your Home or Business. There are pros and cons to each type of system, and no single solution will work best for all properties. When making your decision, be sure to weigh the options and pick the alarm system with benefits that align with your unique needs. In general, there are four types of alarm systems you should consider.

Wireless Alarm Systems

The sensor of the alarm system communicate using a secure radio frequency. If a sensor is tripped while the alarm is armed, it transmits a signal that is picked up by the control panel, and the alarm is triggered. It is important that all sensors and control panels are within range of each other to communicate properly. If your sensors are too far away from the control panel, or there are too many obstacles in the way, the signal will not be able to reach its intended target.

Since there are not any wires to run, wireless alarm systems are the simplest to install. Most wireless systems can be installed without help, although professional installation is always suggested.

Pros

• Simple installation

Cons

• Limited range between sensors
• Battery changes

Best Uses

Wireless alarm systems are great for residential properties and small businesses.

Wired Alarm Systems

Wired alarm systems, as the name might suggest, are hard-wired into your building. Every sensor, control panel, and detector relates to physical wires. Every part of the system is also wired into your property’s power supply. Wired systems are the most reliable since you never have to worry about connectivity between sensors or running out of batteries.

Installation of wired alarm systems can be difficult. Unless you are okay with wires running along your ceilings and walls, walls need to be taken down to properly install the system. More difficult installation typically means higher cost.

It is a common misconception that wired alarm systems do not have the same versatility or mobile functionality as wireless alarm systems. The truth is that many modern wired systems offer the same remote accessibility as wireless systems.

Pros

• More reliable
• Less maintenance

Cons

• Expensive Installation

Best Uses

Wired alarm systems are best used in larger facilities. When control panels and sensors are connected using wires, distance is not a factor. Wired systems are also harder to hack, so they are slightly more secure than wireless systems as well.

Monitored Alarm Systems

When an alarm is triggered, who gets alerted? With a monitored alarm system, an alert is sent directly to a professional alarm monitoring team who can respond immediately to any type of threat. If there is a break-in, they will dispatch the police. If there is a fire, the fire department will be contacted. Even for false alarms, a monitoring service will know how to handle it. It is like having a smart alarm system that can respond differently depending on what triggered the alarm.

Monitored alarm systems ensure that even when you are not home or able to get to your phone to check for alarm alerts, your property is still protected. They offer unparalleled peace of mind.

Pros

• Most secure
• Reliable
• Customized alarm responses

Cons

• Additional monthly fee

Best Uses

Monitored alarm systems are best for people who are frequently away from their home or business. Even when you are not there, you will feel secure knowing that your property is still being monitored by a professional. They are also helpful if you are looking for some additional security.

Having a monitored alarm system is beneficial for all properties, commercial and residential.

Unmonitored Alarm Systems

Instead of sending an alert to a professional security team who can respond to threats, unmonitored alarm systems simply trigger audible and visual signals to alert someone in the immediate vicinity. It is then up to you or your neighbour’s to react. Some unmonitored alarm systems can send you an alert to your mobile device in the form of a text, email, or notification, but it is still up to you to address the threat.

Since there are not any security professionals watching over your property, unmonitored alarm systems offer much less protection compared to monitored alarm systems, but they are usually cheaper.

Pros

• Inexpensive

Cons

• Less protection
• Reliant on the user

Best Uses

Unmonitored alarm systems work best for people on a budget.

Alarm Systems from Guardland Security Ltd

Your property is unique, so it requires a unique security solution. When choosing an alarm system for your home or business, make sure that it is suited for your specific property. Weigh the pros and cons of each type of alarm system before making a final decision.

If you have any questions regarding the different types of alarm systems or next steps in the process, contact the experts at Guardland Security Ltd. With 40 years of experience in the Ireland & abroad, we can help you with choosing the right system, installing it in your property, and ensuring that it is functioning properly. If you are interested in professional monitoring, we can help with that too! Contact us with your questions or for a free, no obligation quote today.

HOW TO RIGHT-SIZE YOUR VIDEO SURVEILLANCE INVESTMENT

When it comes to video Surveillance the question is seldom if the technology is needed. The real question is: Which camera or cameras will best suit my needs?

Many technology purchases are plagued by the same misguided symptom: spend more money, get more features. While this can be true in many cases, it does not help you understand whether you need those extra features. Understanding your needs can help you not only avoid unnecessary and excessive costs, but it can also help make your business more secure.

Consider the following guidelines to make a more informed decision about IP cameras for your video surveillance system.

Resolution Impact on Network Bandwidth

When you are using IP cameras on a network video recorder (NVR) or video management software (VMS) system, your video quality is going to be directly impacted by the amount of available network bandwidth.

Bandwidth is simply a measure of how much data can flow over your network. Higher resolution cameras require more available bandwidth to transmit optimum image quality. If the bandwidth is too limited for data your cameras are trying to transmit, you may experience lower resolution video or a loss in frame rate.

Exceeding your bandwidth limitations can also lead to entire network shutdowns and other serious errors that can compromise your security, so it is imperative to involve your IT department or discuss your network infrastructure with your security integrator.

Think of your network bandwidth like traffic on the daily commute: The more traffic (data) there is, the longer it takes to get from point A to point B. Whether you are driving a high-end sports car or a compact sedan, you can only move as fast as traffic allows.

In much the same way, an ultra HD camera on a slow network can only transmit as much data “traffic” as the network “highway” will support, resulting in pixelated image quality and stop-motion-like frame rates.

If uncompromised image quality is important to you, work with your IT department or internet service provider to ensure your network bandwidth can support your video surveillance system. The key here is to understand how much data your network infrastructure can support and make any changes necessary to ensure your system will perform well within that framework.

How Much Resolution Do You Really Need?

Understanding the limits of your network bandwidth certainly provides insight into your video surveillance system capabilities, but it says nothing about your application. Are you trying to gain visibility

into a narrow interior hallway, or do you need to monitor an entire parking lot? Do your cameras need to provide forensic-grade image quality, or simply verify human presence? Addressing what you hope to achieve through video surveillance will help you define your technical needs.

In simplistic terms, higher resolutions mean your cameras capture more detail, whereas lower resolution cameras tend to be more cost-effective. Unfortunately, enhancing image quality is not as easy as Hollywood often portrays, so if you need uncompromising image quality, you will need higher resolution cameras and the network infrastructure to support them.

All too often, business owners overspend on resolution and exceed their bandwidth. To avoid this, work closely with your security integrator to define how much resolution your ideal surveillance system requires. This will help you maximize your network’s stability and maximize your security investment.c

What Features Do You Need?

Beyond megapixels, there are certain camera features that may or may not benefit your video surveillance system. Review the features below to further define which solution might be the best fit for you.

• IR LED/IR Illumination: This is ideal for low-light monitoring, as it utilizes the infrared spectrum and IR lamps that are invisible to the naked eye. It is often referred to as “night vision”.
• Wide Dynamic Range: This is best for applications in which lighting conditions can rapidly change, such as an area exposed to daylight, like a main entrance. This feature enables cameras to see more detail in the light and dark areas of an image with greater clarity than conventional cameras allow.
• IR Cut Filter: This allows the camera to automatically remove an IR filter from the camera imager so more IR light from the scene can be captured by the imager in a lower light environment.
• Field of View (FOV): This is defined by the lens; it is extremely important to select the lens properly to attain your expected FOV. The smaller the lens, the more FOV you get – a 2.8 mm lens offers a wider FOV than an 8 mm lens. However, if you want to see an area farther away, an 8 mm or higher lens will give you greater optical clarity in addition to the image sensors’ resolution capabilities.
• Power over Ethernet (PoE): An IP camera can get power and network connection using a single ethernet cable, which can reduce installation and cabling costs. When paired with an NVR that supports PoE ports, this can reduce overall bandwidth on your network.
• Edge/Local Storage: This allows you to save video files directly on the surveillance camera with the addition of an SD or micro SD memory card. This is beneficial in the event of any network dropouts or failures to capture and record events.
• Panoramic view: This allows you to see much wider scenes, such as parking lots, large fence lines, seaports and more.

How Much Footage Do You Need to Store?

It is very easy to lose track of how much data your video surveillance system needs recording on a regular basis. When you consider that multiple cameras are all transmitting signals at the same time, it is easy to see how fast you can exhaust your video storage solution’s capacity.

However, it is also important to consider each camera’s resolution. As mentioned above, higher resolution means more data flowing across your network and more storage space required. Start multiplying that data by the number of cameras on your network, and you will get an idea of how much storage space your system will require.

How Many Frames Per Second (FPS) Are Sufficient?

Higher frame rates mean smoother motion will be captured in your video footage. However, many higher resolution cameras capture footage with lower frame rates simply because they are continually transmitting more data than their lower resolution counterparts. More data means more traffic on your network, which means a longer commute (and higher bandwidth requirements).

Low frame rates are not necessarily a bad thing, though; while high-resolution IP cameras might be capable of 30 or 60 FPS, you may find that a lower frame rate at a higher quality meets your surveillance needs without monopolizing your network’s bandwidth. The below information provides some general guidelines for common applications:

• Monitoring: 10-30 FPS
• Emergency Response: 5-30 FPS
• Investigations/Forensic Evidence: 10-30 FPS

Next Steps

Understanding your network bandwidth and choosing the right cameras for your business can be a complicated process. If you still have questions about which camera system is right for your facility and needs, contact your security integrator, who can quickly prescribe the right security system for your needs and help you answer the tough questions along the way.

Guardland Security & Access Control

Security begins with how you control access to your business.

It should come as no surprise to anyone aware or anyone with a CCTV security system that access control is the most crucial element of the system. But those new to CCTV solutions may be wondering just what access control is. Access control determines who is allowed ‘access’ to your business and what they are allowed to do. And that is a key point, it is not just about who can enter your building, it also allows you to decide who can enter a specific room or office, or even computer terminal.

There are a variety of types of access control including intercom systems, swipe cards and even biometric scanners. Some can be controlled remotely from a web browser or a smartphone. The type you choose depends on the level of security you need.

So, Who Does Needs Integrated Access Control?

You may be wondering what types of businesses need integrated access control with their CCTV security system. Or, you may be asking yourself if you need it. To get a better understanding of what these systems are, and who there for.

Now let us look at the types of businesses that would benefit from this kind of integration. An access control system is essential for any business that:

• Deals with sensitive or confidential information
• Manufactures dangerous materials including chemicals or equipment
• Sells any type of pharmaceuticals
• Houses dangerous materials
• Needs to protect a proprietary materials

Here is our list of the top five businesses that need integrated access control within their CCTV solution.

Law Firms or Investment Firms

These types of businesses house sensitive and confidential information. Personal and Financial information about their clients. They may not choose to install access control at the entrance to their building as clients will come and go, but most definitely may choose to only allow certain employees into offices or rooms that hold client files, etc. In addition, they may choose to use access control on certain computer terminals.

Law Enforcement Facilities

Obviously, any law enforcement office or facility will hold weapons of various types and sizes including hand guns, shotguns . This would be another example of using access control for certain rooms or offices. 

Hospitals, Clinics, Pharmacies

This category encompasses a broad range of businesses. First, they all house drugs of many types, some highly dangerous if put into the wrong hands. Hospitals and clinics also have a vast amount of electrical machinery in places as well as sterile areas and areas of quarantine. Access control is a business such as this is a no brainer. And most access control systems can be easily changed to add or remove employees on a regular basis. For example, different doctors or nurses on different days. 

Industrial Businesses

In this category we include businesses that manufacture dangerous chemicals, or that have heavy machinery on the grounds. You could also include businesses that are inventing proprietary items. This is an example of a business where we would recommend access control at the entrance so everyone entering the building is validated and supposed to be there. Especially in the case of larger industrial businesses with hundreds of employees.

School Systems

Years ago, we would not have included schools on this list, unfortunately, in today’s world these institutions are becoming more of a target. Access control integration in a CCTV system could help protect both student and faculty.

Guardland Security: The Experts on CCTV Access Control

Let us face it, in today’s world, security is not an option. Fortunately, it is what we do. If you are interested in discussing access control integration into a new or existing CCTV system, Guardland Security is here to help. Contact us for a free, no obligation quote today.

Email: noel@guardlandsecurity.com

Tel 0858544220