building at night

Security Lighting

Dana Frentz, CHPA, PSP Security Assessment

This is the first in a series of videos that Protus3 will be doing on lighting, specifically, security lighting. Ideally, lighting should be designed so that a person feels as secure at night as they do during the day. Lighting is very subjective. It invokes feelings that in turn provide a choice. Lighting in and of itself does not stop …

two different panels

Why should you have security standards?

Dana Frentz, CHPA, PSP Security Program Development, Security System Design Development, Security System Lifespan Management

Although this article was written for the International Association of Healthcare Safety and Security (IAHSS), these concepts apply to almost any organization. To put it simply, if you have security technology, you should have security standards. If you’re a member of IAHSS, you can access the entire original article here. Have you ever seen a situation where there seems no …

CPTED vegetation

CPTED – Security Design Beyond the Acronym

Dana Frentz, CHPA, PSP Security Program Development

As progressive managers and owners of contemporary organizations search for ways to reduce company losses caused by criminal acts, they are beginning to examine more closely the actual environment in which these crimes take place. Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) as part of a security design can reduce the fear of crime. It can also reduce the actual incidence …

Technical Assessments - Standards

Technical Assessments – Standards

Dana Frentz, CHPA, PSP Security Assessment, Security Master Planning, Security System Lifespan Management

Our first post reviewed enclosure conditions and installation practices found in technical assessments.  We then discussed the importance of the appropriate installation and conditions of field devices. In this third installment, we are going to discuss one of the best ways to avoid the conditions previously discussed. It’s also how to begin cleaning up the messes that you do find. …

Field Devices

Technical Assessments – Field Devices

Dana Frentz, CHPA, PSP Security Assessment, Security System Lifespan Management

In this second installment, we will be looking at field devices. This information comes from practices we have found when conducting a technical assessment. Multiple hardware components make up a security system. The term “head-end” equipment often refers to the server-based computers, client monitoring stations, and security panels. The “head-end” hardware devices communicate with the “field devices” of a particular …

Technical Assessments – Installation and Maintenance Issues

Dana Frentz, CHPA, PSP Security Assessment, Security System Lifespan Management

This is the first of three blogs concerning the installation and maintenance practices we have found when conducting technical assessments. There are three principal parts of an integrated security plan: people, processes, and technology. As a result, each of these components serves to augment the effectiveness of the other. Looking at technology, there are dozens of electronic security management systems …

Campus Safety article about RFPs

What is the Right RFP?

Dana Frentz, CHPA, PSP News, Security System Bid Process and Evaluation

Ensure you get what you ask for! An RFP provides a great opportunity to specify exactly what you want in equipment or a service. Campus Safety’s article “How the Right RFP Can Ensure the Program You Buy Is the Program You Get” provides engaging aspects for developing and issuing RFPs. Many companies contract for security officers through a third-party company. …

down the rabbit hole

Lighting at the End of the Rabbit Hole: How to Determine Appropriate Lighting Levels as Part of a Total Security Program

Dana Frentz, CHPA, PSP Security Assessment, Security Program Development

Beginning Down the Rabbit Hole We all know the use of lighting alone does not stop crime, but the effects of good lighting coupled with additional security measures have been shown to reduce the occurrence of crime. Lighting can elicit an emotional response, providing a level of confidence and the feeling of security. It can also provide a decrease in …

IAHSS publication

Body Worn Camera Use in Health Care Facilities

Dana Frentz, CHPA, PSP Compliance, News, Security Program Development

>As a result of the “Evidence Based Healthcare Security Research” Series, the IAHSS Foundation published Body Worn Camera Use in Health Care Facilities. The Foundation’s research series summarizes the current state of knowledge regarding specific challenges in healthcare security. You can downloaded the report here. The International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety – Foundation (IAHSS Foundation) began in 1981. …

hospital

Behind the Scenes of the Recent IHSSF Crime Survey

Dana Frentz, CHPA, PSP Security Assessment, Security Program Development

In summer 2013, the International Healthcare Security and Safety Foundation (IHSSF) tasked a small group of members to develop a hospital Crime Survey based on a common metric regardless of the number of participants or size of the facility. The goal of the Crime Survey was to create measurable and trending data based on three different denominators – bed count, …