Why Is My Security Not Working? … And Five Easy Steps To Fixing It.

“I already have a security system but I’m still getting broken into? Why?”

We seem to get asked questions like this all the time. We should also add… These are not security systems we have installed!

Home and business owners find us when their security has let them down. There are usually multiple reasons for this but generally speaking, it’s a simple case of having security that is not fit for its intended purpose. This may be because the system was never suited to the task (usually because a local tradesman with no understanding of security was tasked with installing a basic system) or the threats and grounds were never properly assessed in the first place to ensure complete protection.

Security systems should be relative to the kind of threats they will have to face. They should cover all areas effectively and provide detection and action which stops threats from escalating.

We’ll look at a few ways you can review your current security setup and provide solutions so you can make it work more effectively.

The Five Steps To Identifying Why Your Security Is Not Working.

1: Understanding Your Current System

• Most conventional security systems are designed to either take immediate action (usually basic lighting or alarms) or gather evidence, in the case of CCTV. Whilst these measures do provide some level of protection, they will not stop threats and offer no sort of protection from determined, organised criminals.
• It’s important to look at the current security setup you have in place and identify things like the quality of the CCTV footage, the areas it covers (or more importantly does not cover) because blind spots will create holes in security coverage.
• Do weather conditions (like rain, snow and fog) or wildlife cause false alarms or decrease the effective range of your security system?
• Have numerous false alarms caused you to lose faith in the system? If so, are genuine threats occurring but being chalked up to “another false alarm”.
• Is the system working properly? Without ongoing maintenance, you may find unreliability creeping in.
• Taking some time to test and understand your current security setup may reveal a multitude of reasons that it is not performing in the way you expect or may not be suited to fulfil its role.
• A little bit of investigation can help you understand the limitations of the system you have and may allow you to make some adjustments that will save you money, time in the long run and the need to consult with a security specialist.

2: Identifying Points Of Entry & Potential Areas Of Intrusion

• Leading on from the above points, you will often find that your current security system simply does not cover the areas it should or provide the range that is required to be effective.
• This is especially true of CCTV; We expect cameras these days to be at least Ultra HD or 4K but most systems we encounter (that have already been installed) are 720p or less. The footage they capture is simply not clear or effective enough to provide any real evidence.
• It’s also worth bearing in mind that even multiple fixed-position cameras may not cover the areas they should. This allows for large “blind spots” which can be easily used to move freely in a given target area.
• If you combine the issues of poor positioning and restricted effective range, then these systems will not work. Add the good old British weather to the mix and you may have your answer as to why threats are still taking place.
• You need to understand the area you want to cover and any access points that will allow people to get in, without triggering alarms, security lighting or live feeds.
• Study satellite imagery, which in most cases is free using Google Earth. You can also use the non-digital method of walking and inspecting the area. This will often turn up results that you did not expect, like gaps in fencing or even access big enough for vehicles.
• When you have a good understanding of the area you need to cover, you can assess how effective your current system will be. This allows you to review fixed camera positions and what triggers actionable alerts (PIR lighting, alarms, beacons, sirens) so you can assess whether they are effective on not.

3: Understanding Security Threats:

• Threats are often relative to the area they are taking place in. The risk vs reward will dictate whether you’re dealing with opportunists or organised criminals.
• You will tend to find that once you have experienced a security breach of any kind, it won’t be the last time it happens.
• To stop threats in the future, it’s good to understand the kind of threats you are facing. This can range from trespass, fly-tipping, theft and hare coursing to organised crime and threats to life.
• A security system can only be effective if it is correctly equipped to deal with the type of threats it will face. It needs to provide relative protection to the threat level and offer some form of detection and action that stops threats from escalating.
• Knowing and understanding the threat level makes it possible to create a security system that is as cost-efficient as it is effective.
• Any security system which still allows threats to escalate into actions is not fit for its intended purpose.
• Unfortunately, previous experience of criminal activity will usually provide the benchmark for future threats faced.
• Working out how access was gained and the type of criminal intent will dictate the level of security that is required.

4: Research:

• Once you know the areas that need to be protected, the flaws in your current security system and the types of threats that need to be monitored, you are in a good place to look at the security systems that are currently out there.
• A solid point to start from might be reviewing your fencing and access points. Ensuring that restrictions are in place to stop people from entering will provide a greater level of protection. Especially if some of those access points had little to no protection before.
• Once you have addressed securing your perimeter, you can look at security methods that stop people from scaling fences or bypassing entry points.
• For this, you may choose from a combination of systems that tie together with Integrated Security System Software (ISS Software). This is basically how all security features are processed so a threat can trigger a rection.
• It makes things like an attempted fence scaling trigger a mounted camera feed > which in turn activates lights and sirens > that creates a live alert > and a visual camera feed > to direct security people or property owners to the point of entry or threat.
• This means threats are dealt with at the point of entry and stopped at their source.
• You may already be aware of many conventional systems that exist for security but you will almost certainly be a little behind on modern systems which are adaptations of military systems.
• Depending on factors such as the ground you need to cover, any obstacles and the budget, you can get a pretty good idea of how and where security measures need to be applied and the types of security system you will need.
• You should be aware that standard PIR and laser motion detection and camera systems do operate with a large scope for error, especially given issues like weather conditions.
• We’d suggest you take a look at detection systems that are not affected by adverse weather, need little to no ongoing maintenance and cannot be bypassed.
• These systems may include
  SensoGuard buried detection systems
  El-Far fence-mounted sensors (PIDS)
  Magos civilian radar systems
  AI-powered CCTV systems
  Ultra-long range mounted-camera systems
• Every system will have pros and cons which make each one more suitable to the environment they will be working in.
• Understanding the first three points (Your current system, locations to secure and threats) will be the key to creating a security system which works at all times and in all seasons to protect you.

5: Get Expert Advice.

• No one person is capable of doing everything. We all have personal lives to manage, businesses to run and assets to protect.
• If you find that your time is limited or your ability to assess and install a new security system is not something you’re able to do then it is time to find a security expert.
• Whilst this may seem like the ideal opportunity to plug our own business Safe Security Solutions, you have a world of security firms out there. If you already have an understanding of the flaws in your current system and what you want from your security then you will know the right questions to ask to any potential security provider.
• Whilst many security companies are experienced and legitimate, you will find more often than not, that you are dealing with salespeople who have little to no understanding of genuine security and how to stop threats.

Unbiased, Realistic Security Advice.

Safe Security Solutions is different. We will speak with you, understand your needs and create a system that suits the threat level you need to be protected from.

We can assess, supply and install or work with your team (or security company) to provide a custom security solution that works whilst you take care of putting it into place. We’ll even provide full training so you understand every aspect of the systems we provide.

You can contact our expert team and we’ll be happy to discuss your security concerns with you. Even if you want a second opinion about the advice you have already been given or recommendations that have already been made by another security installer.

We want you to be safe and protected. Whilst you can go a long way to improve your security on your own, we are always here if you need an expert. Get in touch with the perimeter security experts.