Access Control Systems vs. Lock & Keys

Access control enables you to control who has access to your building, store room, office, file room, parking area, elevator or any secured area that requires some type of control. More and more Maryland Businesses and Organizations are using some type of Access Control from a single proximity card reader to a large system using a combination of Proximity Readers, Keypads and Bio-metric Readers.

Locks and keys also allow you to secure your building, but when keys are lost or stolen, the inconvenience and expense of changing locks and re-issuing keys can be considerable. Keys may also be copied, creating even more security risks. This is what most Baltimore Businesses and Organizations are getting away from and switching to Access Control.

All businesses, whether small, medium or large, have assets that need to be protected from theft. There is also the issue of protecting staff and their property. It is common in buildings that are secured by locks and keys for doors to be left unlocked all day. This opens up the possibility of opportunistic theft and malicious damage.

Electronic access control provides the most efficient and convenient way of securing your building and assets. Installing an access control system means that you will never have to change a lock again. Once an access control system is installed, all doors controlled by the system will automatically lock when the door is closed. Anyone without access is unable to enter. If necessary, doors may be set to unlock during a designated time frame.

Access control can also offer flexible control over users’ access rights. For example, all staff can gain access through the main door of a building, but access to internal areas may be restricted to those who have a specific need to be there. Access may also be restricted by time, only granting access to particular users at certain times of day or night.
Contact ACS Security for a site survey and information. We can show you all the available options with this technology for your office, warehouse, distribution center, church, nursing home, store, restaurant and much more.

Maryland Business Crime Prevention

Crime, burglary, robbery, and vandalism can be particularly devastating to a businesses in terms of money, customers, and employee safety. Through crime prevention, business owners can protect their assets as well as their employees.

Laying a Foundation for Prevention

Business owners should take a hard look at their businesses in areas such as physical layout, number of employees, hiring practices, and overall security to determine vulnerability to various kinds of crime, from burglary to embezzlement. Once this step has been taken, crime prevention measures can then be implemented.

• Provide training for all employees including cleaning staff so they are familiar with security procedures and know expectations.
• Provide training for all employees on security procedures and performance expectations.
• Use good locks, safes, and alarm systems.
• Keep detailed, up-to-date records and store back-up copies off premises to provide useful information for law enforcement investigations quickly.
• Establish and enforce clear policies about employee theft, employee substance abuse, crime reporting, opening and closing the business, and other security proce¬dures.
• Consider the cost of each security improvements made against the potential savings through loss reduction.

Since crimes against businesses are usually crimes of opportunity, failure to take good security precautions invites crime into a business.

Prevent False Alarms in Baltimore County, Maryland

Most businesses and organizations experience false alarms not because of human error but by the one thing that they don’t normally consider and that is the alarm system battery. This is usually found locked up in the control panel so it is out of sight and out of mind for anyone to realize the cause of the problem.

When Baltimore County Police respond to an alarm call and find no evidence of criminal activity then it is reported as a false alarm and this can result in a fine if it has not been 1st or 2nd time the police have been out to the business address. One of the main causes of False Alarms is loss of power and a weak battery. Most security systems have a rechargeable battery that powers the system for a minimum of four hours in the event of a power outage.

If you have false alarms after a storm, it may not be the storm that caused the alarm. If your batteries are not up to the job, a false alarm may be generated when your alarm system powers up after a power failure caused by a storm. Even a short power failure of a second or less may be long enough to cause a false alarm.

Like all batteries, your backup has a useful life of about 3 to 5 years, but that life may be shortened if you have had several power outages. Your battery backup should be checked annually, or after any storm related false alarm, by an alarm technician and replaced when needed.

Other Steps to take to avoid false alarms.

• Make sure that your doors and windows are all locked before arming the system.

• Move objects that could move by heat vents such as balloons and hanging signs away from the path of a motion sensor.

• Make sure everyone has a separate code to track who armed and disarmed the system.

• Have the system programmed to alert you through the keypad of a low battery problem.

• Test your system monthly. Always contact your alarm company before you test the system.

• Have your system tested by a technician annually or any time you have an unexplained false alarm activation.

• Educate everyone who works at the alarm site on the proper operation of the system.

• Never give a code to someone who is not familiar with the alarm system.

Testimonial, Life of Reilly Irish Pub, Baltimore, MD

Testimonial, Alex Cooper Auctioneers, Towson, MD

We had a Burglar Alarm System installed over eight years ago by ACS Security and our business has doubled in size since then. During each phase of our addition ACS Security was able to keep the original system in good working order while adding new protection for our business expansion. We were so impressed with their work that we asked them to install video cameras and a digital video recorder to increase our level of security.

Coeline Hilseberg – Accounting, Alex Cooper Auctioneers, Towson, MD

Security Systems are not the only thing.

There are many reasons to get a electronic security system and one of the most common reasons is to protect your assets. Let’s face it if your business has product, inventory, equipment, or money in your business then you have what someone else wants and you need to protect it.

Crime cost Maryland Businesses in the millions of dollars each year. It has a particularly damaging effect on companies that can lose both customers and employees after a wave of crime. This effect isolates them and increases their vulnerability to crime. There are ways that businesses can fight back and prevent crimes from occurring.

• Train all employees full time and part time including the cleaning staff- so they are familiar with security procedures and know your expectations.

• Keep detailed, up-to-date records. Store back-up copies off the premises. If you are ever victimized, you can access losses more easily and provide useful information for law enforcement investigations.

• Mark all equipment, including computers and cash registers, with an identification number (tax ID or license). Take pictures of all the equipment and keep a record of all identification numbers off the premises with other important records.

• Windows should have secure locks and remove all expensive items from your window displays at night and make sure you can see easily into your business after closing. Move valuable merchandise away from the door and windows to prevent “smash and grab” thefts.

• Check the parking lot for good lighting and unobstructed views.

• Light the inside and outside of your business, especially around doors, windows, skylights, or other entry points. Consider installing covers over exterior lights and power sources to deter tampering.

• Install locks on Dumpsters to prevent unauthorized trash dumping, a hiding place and keep your trash from being pick through for those looking for any type information.

• Make sure that your entire sales floor can be easily viewed. Eliminate any blind spots that may hide a robbery in progress. Keep displays neat, and place small and valuable objects in cabinets. Ensure that your staff is familiar with all of the merchandise in the store.

• Make bank deposits often and during business hours. Do not establish a regular pattern. Take different routes at different times during the day.

• Think before talking about the details of your job or working on sensitive projects in public places such as restaurants, airplanes, classrooms, and gyms.

• Think about what is on a piece of paper before you toss it into the trash. If it is sensitive information, tear it up or use a shredder.

• Challenge any strangers who enter your work area. Ask for identification. Call a supervisor or security for help.

• After hours, do not work late alone. Create a buddy system for walking to parking lots or public transportation or ask security to escort you.

• If a thief confronts you or your employees, cooperate. Merchandise and cash can always be replaced- people can’t!

Maryland Security Systems Installations

As a Maryland security systems expert, I’m ofter asked how do I find a reputable security systems company in the Baltimore area. When you are looking for a home security system, you may neglect to think about the best security company to meet your needs.  You should consider the security company you use to be a very important component of meeting your security needs.  This is the company that will be the backbone of your security system and the way they respond to your security needs will be what makes your security system a good one or not.

The basics of a security system meant that once the alarm is activated the security firm will either send a security guard to investigate the situation or the police will be called out to handle the disturbance.  How effective or smoothly this goes will depend upon the security company you have.  If you have a security company that will move quickly, then it is much more likely that this will be a fast response time.

There are a lot of security companies that offer these products and services to protect the home. Each security company has different ways to help protect their customers with different devices, such as intrusion detection, video surveillance, and fire or smoke detection. The costs involved will cover the hardware, installation fee, and the on-going monthly services charges.  The cost of maintaining the system is included in the monthly charges as well.

In order to make the wisest decision when it comes to getting your security system, you should try to research several of the best home security companies. Look into the background of a company, how the company performs, the quality of the security hardware, and the customer service.

When you take the time to do your research on all of this, you will be much better off and also much more informed to making the correct decision when it comes to your getting the best security system to meet your needs.

If you’re looking for a Maryland security systems company to help secure your Baltimore are business  surronding area facility or building please pick up the phone and give us a call at 410-557-6006 or send an email to jlucas@acssec.com.

If the answer is “YES” then call ACS Security.

Video Surveillance

· Would you like to be at your business when you are not?

· Want to know how your employees conduct themselves while on company property?

· Tired of relying on 2nd hand information ?

· Are you interested in reducing risk of liability claims?

· Can you identify between employees and visitors?

Access Control

· Is your building security still a lock and key?

· Do you know everyone that has keys to your building?

· Would you like to know who and when someone enters the building?

· Can a person that is knocking at the door be identified?

· Are you interested in keeping certain areas controlled so only specific personnel can enter these areas?

· Would you like to have your doors be able to lock and unlock on a time schedule?

Intrusion Detection/Alarms

·  Would you like to know all the latest in security technology?

· Is your current alarm system more than five years old?

· Are you paying more than $300.00 per year for monitoring?

· Do you have remote access to arm or disarm your system?

· Can your current system send text messages and alerts?

· Are you experiencing more than 10 false alarms a year?

Critical Condition Monitoring

· Would you like to save money and protect your building and equipment from water damage, unstable temperatures, excessive heat and smoke damage?

How to purchase a Security System

Flexible terms and payment options are available to your customers so they can get the equipment they need. A one-page application and speedy process make it simple for you to apply. Call ACS SECURITY SYSTEM of MARYLAND to take advantage of our financing options. It doesn’t matter if you need Digital CCTV System, IP Cameras, Access Control System, Alarm System, Monitoring and Intercom/Pagining all at once because we can help you in more ways than one.

Standard Lease Plans

Fair Market Value – This plan offers the most options both during and at the end of the lease term for those worried about obsolescence or wanting a small security deposit and a relatively low monthly payment. At the end of the lease term, you have three options: extend the term of the lease, return the equipment, or buy it at its fair market value. Marlin also offers financing for those wishing to buy the equipment at the end of the lease term. A True Lease allows the most cost to be deferred to the end of the lease when a decision to retain or upgrade the equipment can be made.

10% Security Deposit – Because this program offers the lowest monthly payment, it is especially attractive to those who can afford to pay a 10% security deposit of the lease amount at the beginning of the lease. End-of-lease options still apply. Use the deposit to extend the lease or return the equipment and request the refunded deposit.

10% Purchase Option – This plan offers the customer a fixed purchase option at the end of the lease term. Upon final payment, the customer can continue to lease the equipment, return the equipment, or buy it at 10% of the original equipment cost.

$1.00 Buy Out – For those who are fairly certain they wish to purchase the equipment at the end of the lease term, this is the recommended plan. Once the lease term expires, the equipment is simply purchased for $1.00.

10 ways to protect your company’s bottom line.

Most businesses have some type of security from a simple lock and key to a basic alarm system but has your business been exposed to Internal Theft, Fraud, Workers Compensation Claims, Production Losses, Burglary, Vandalism, Time Theft, Work Place Violence or any other threat to your bottom line. Security technology provides a wide range of benefits and applications especially to the corporate bottom line. A well-planned security application for a business can provide a significant return on investment and should not be seen as an expense or drain. Here’s a list of just a few benefit’s a security system can provide. Be sure to contact ACS Security Systems to set up you free no obligation Security Evaluation or email us for free Business Continuity Guideline
What can a well planned security system do for your bottom line?

1. Protect against internal and external theft.
2. Offer avenues to reach and reduce employee time theft as well as business shrinkage
3. Lower insurance premiums by minimize risk and loss due to accidents.
4. Automated tools for tracking people, places and materials.
5. Receive data and images for measuring business activities such as production and materials.
6. Identify and control access to the facility.
7. Real time and remote status of business operations as they occur.
8. Integrate of physical access control and logical database access.
9. Activity log of events to provide actual information as it occurred.
10. Security can provide a greater feeling of comfort for customers.

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