Stay informed with the latest related news, events and community activities.

Learn why all large buildings should have an active shooter alert system.

In a fire, seconds count, smoke detectors are vital to alerting everyone of a fire in order to evacuate quickly. We all know people who leave bedroom doors open at night, knowing that the recommendation is to sleep with the door closed in case of a fire. Recently, I came …

According to the National Center for Education Statistics less, than 10 percent of schools require their students to wear ID badges. Wearing an ID badge helps to ensure safety and security on the school campus. Since Columbine, an effort to enhance school safety and security has been a priority for …

Physical access control systems and mobile phones allow large-scale facility management to determine where a sick person has traveled throughout the building. Learn more...

When making security camera decisions, employers must consider health, safety, AND engagement. COVID-19 has changed the way we work and how we should respond.

Thermal temperature taking technology should be our first line of defense against the spread of COVID-19 and the flu at work or school. Learn more about your options.

Over the past year the Jewish have been targets of hate crimes. 2018 had the second highest amount of Anti-Semitic incidents. In Massachusetts alone, there were fifty-eight cities that recorded at least one Anti-Semitic incident. Massachusetts had the fourth highest number of incidents per state in the country. (144) California …

If you are a parent heading back to work after having kids, you are not alone. According to a Pew Research Center report, 17 percent of US households have a mom working at least part time, and 46 percent of U.S. households include two full-time working parents, and that leaves …

The summer months are here and that means many families across America will be visiting vacation spots to get away from home. But unfortunately, while many are having fun at the beach, criminals try to take advantage by breaking into homes and if that’s not bad enough, those pesky environmental …

According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, more than 2 million people misused prescription opioids from 2016 to 2017. In the late 1990’s, healthcare providers began to prescribe opioids in greater numbers due to pharmaceutical companies reassurance that patients would not become addicted. Taking prescriptions in a …

Property managers are responsible for a wide variety of buildings from commercial to residential facilities; including commercial office buildings, shopping centers, warehouses, parking garages, and residential apartment buildings, dormitories, vacation homes, condos, gated communities and other properties. Creating a security plan along with solid security solutions can help security staff …

School administrators are under pressure to provide enhanced security in response to increasing safety concerns. Educators are challenged with creating a relaxed yet vigilant environment designed for learning. While the statistics alone for school shootings can be overwhelming, administrators are fighting to keep a balance between safety and education. Over …

Imagine the convenience of having total remote control of your home through your security system. Simplify and secure your life by staying in touch and in control from anywhere using the iBridge app on your smart phone/tablet or iBridge touchscreen...

A distribution center or warehouse can hold tens of thousands of products requiring security to be a top priority. Installing video surveillance and access control can help prevent loss, improve operations and create a safer working environment for employees, which translates to a better bottom line. Employees or truck drivers, …

VSaaS, Video Surveillance as a Service, is a cloud-based video surveillance system where video is located in the cloud. The service typically includes video recording, storage, remote viewing, management alerts, cyber security and more. Cloud technology advances and greater bandwidth availability are making VSaaS increasingly attractive. Many businesses today are …

Athletic events and concerts held in stadiums, around the world in recent years, have been targets of horrible violence. Stadiums are prime targets due to the high volume of people in a condensed area. Creating a layered security approach helps detect and deter suspicious behaviors and events both within and …

Lock and key, the oldest form of access control where locks are used to prevent unauthorized access to a facility manually are still very popular today, but come with a few drawbacks. Keys can easily be duplicated, lost or stolen. When an employee leaves or keys are lost, there is …

Taking some precautionary steps today can make your church a safer and more secure place for staff and members. It’s important to create a security plan that allows the church to stay vigilant yet maintain the open and welcoming feeling a congregation expects. Create a church security team; include members …

Strengthening your on-site security system helps attract new tenants, while keeping your current tenants happy. Failure to provide quality security for your tenants can be detrimental to your business. Potential and current customers are looking to rent a self-storage unit where they feel confident their family heirlooms or everyday items …

In recent years we have seen some pretty horrific things happen on school property. Not everything can be prevented but we can most certainly do as much as we can to deter, detect and defend against these awful crimes. Schools by their very nature are open environments. It’s a challenge …

Keeping students and staff safe at school is extremely important today. We know that school administrators want students and staff to be safe, as well as be prepared in the event of an unforeseen incident. An effective, unique access control system can be created to meet your individual school needs. …

Whether you are a company with one building and a couple of employees or a company with multiple facilities and hundreds of employees, we can design, install, and implement a security, access control and video surveillance system for your business with the ability to control it from a Smartphone, tablet …

With the holidays upon us and the increase in customer volume in stores, retailers may be asking, what can we do to make sure profit margins don’t slip? Installing video surveillance, access control and a security system, not only brings peace of mind and protection but can help deter theft …

One of the most vulnerable parts of a building is the windows. Installing security glass laminates adds a layer of security that can help protect people and property. This state-of-the-art laminate is designed to withstand impacts from forced entry or natural disasters. Laminates are thin but incredibly strong layers of …

As the old adage goes ‘An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure’. Your security equipment can provide years of service and top performance by implementing an ounce of prevention along the way. Preventive maintenance is the process of maintaining equipment in order to prevent a reactive situation …

We at One Source Security believe that installing panic notification buttons are yet another line of defense for creating a safer environment for employees, customers, students and patients. By not only using video surveillance with analytics and access control, installing panic notification buttons in locations where employees can quickly and …

Just highlight, click and search all feeds over the whole network! Avigilon Appearance Search technology help users save time and effort during critical investigations, by recognizing the movements and unique characteristics of people and vehicles, while ignoring any activity that isn’t relevant to a scene. It is designed to provide …

The short answer would be yes. With the use of smart cards comes an added layer of protection. Have you ever wondered if someone could steal your access or your employee’s access to a building? You may think yes if I lost my access card, but what if you are …

Dealership owners carry high-valued inventory outside for public display. Tailoring security solutions for your specific needs can protect on-site assets. The goal is to stop crimes while in progress. Using the latest video analytic surveillance technology combined with highly skilled and experienced live video monitoring operators can help prevent crime. …

Have you recently called a locksmith because your door doesn’t seem to be closing properly? It may need a little push or an extra tug to get it to close securely. Your door may be ailing because of age or excessive use, which can make your facility vulnerable to a …

Successful school operations combine a safe and secure environment with the freedom needed to focus on education. Providing safety and protection to staff, students and property is one of many responsibilities every school faces day in and day out. Your school may not have had a crisis that captured the …

The principal, superintendant, school security officer or administrators cannot be everywhere on school property. Using video surveillance can help keep an eye on students, teachers and visitors. In recent years we have had some horrific tragedies in schools across the United States; safety and security are a major concern for …

As a company grows, so do concerns about security. Access control to the facility becomes an even larger priority, to ensure the safety of employees and protecting property (physical and intellectual). Human Resource integration into access control protocols can become necessary for increased security within a facility. HR departments can …

One of your business goals this year may be to install a new security system for your business. Your next step now is to decide whether it should be a professionally installed system or a DIY system. There are pros and cons with each. We have found the biggest pro …

When upgrading to access control there are many things to think about. Asking the right questions will help to design the system that is perfect for your business. A professional security integrator can help you answer all of your questions and provide a solution that is just right for your …

As a business owner you have many choices when it comes to video surveillance. The goal is always to protect people and property. There are many types of cameras available with a variety of uses, including but not limited to dome cameras, bullet cameras, infrared cameras and network/IP cameras. …

Without proper security controls in place a company or property manager of a high rise building can run the risk of criminal activity, damage to the facility and unauthorized personnel or visitors wandering the building. There can be a higher risk of theft, tampering and break-ins, which can include loss …

Your access control and security system can be integrated in such a way that your alarm system can be armed and disarmed through a single action on the access control side. The advantage of this is the convenience of doing two things at once without remembering PINs or operating keypads. …

As the gateway to your business your doors should be in proper working order. When a customer is having a crisis with a door, door jam or hardware, many times we have found the problem could easily have been prevented. With a Preventive maintenance plan (PMI) problems can be …

Today’s car dealership owners are faced with more business and personnel challenges than ever, whether it is loss prevention, employee conduct or customer behavior. With the use of video surveillance you can monitor your business, employees and customers. Loss Prevention Securing a parking lot with inventory valued from a few …

Employee theft takes many forms seen as larceny, skimming and fraudulent disbursements. It is estimated that up to 80% of total shrinkage is from internal fraud, the other 20% is related to vendor shrinkage and shoplifting, at a cost to US retailers of up to $30 billion in net loss …

One Source Security and Automation offers a private or proprietary key ways which restrict who may copy additional keys for your business or home. Only an authorized employee or homeowner with a valid ID can have keys duplicated by an authorized locksmith. Your local hardware store cannot duplicate these keys. …

Construction sites can be a valuable place for thieves. There are vehicles and equipment, as well as copper and electrical components to steal. Construction sites can be perceived as an easy mark or a soft target. Most building sites are in open areas, with no natural security, walls or roof, …

Fire doors should be inspected on an annual basis according to the 2007 Edition of the NFPA 80. Some buildings such as schools and hospitals are subject to heavy traffic and the doors can be subject to misuse, these facilities should be inspected more often. As part of the overall …

A master key system consists of a hierarchy of keys and a number of locks that allows individual key holders to gain access to all or specifically designated areas of a building or buildings. Simply put, a lock which has a master key lock can be designated to be opened …

It can be a daunting process to choose the best security system for your business or home. When researching a security system the features, price, expansion capabilities and security concerns should all be taken into consideration. Using a professional security systems integrator can quickly and easily answer all of your …

A property manager’s primary concern is the safety and security of their tenants, as well as the assets they manage and maintain. It is important for property managers to have the right level of security to meet their tenant’s expectations, while protecting assets. Security is part of the buildings amenities …

When pharmacies are burglarized, thieves are not usually looking for money, their desire is narcotics. They will try to gain access to a pharmacy through the roof, doors or breaking windows, as well as boldly holding up the store during business hours. These criminals usually are addicted to the drugs …

According to the 2014 FBI crime statistics, “There were an estimated 8,277,829 property crimes (burglaries, larceny-thefts, and motor vehicle thefts) reported by law enforcement. Financial losses suffered by victims of these crimes were calculated at approximately $14.3 billion. Larceny-theft accounted for 70.8 percent of all property crimes reported, burglary for …

Balancing the security needs of an assisted living facility, which can include a blend of independent living, assisted living and skilled nursing services, can be a complex issue. Residents and staff need to move throughout the facility freely, while unauthorized people are kept out. Keeping track of staff, residents (some …

Today accidents, sabotage and information theft can be prevented or known the instant it happens with automated server rack protection, video surveillance, access control and environmental monitoring. Your system and firewalls may be very well secured but is your server room secured? Your server stores, retrieves and sends an abundant …

In order to run a successful restaurant, owners need to address many different concerns. Probably their first concern is following government regulations, followed by finding and keeping competent employees, staying ahead of the completion, customer satisfaction, theft and liability, to name a few. Using Video Surveillance Food and safety regulations …

Why is it important to have your fire alarm system inspected? Regular service and maintenance may increase the life of your system, meet insurance company requirements, significantly improve reliability and reduce false alarms. Periodic system testing and inspection by qualified specialists can detect any problems.

False alarms and fire alarm …

As you research the method of video storage for your analog or IP camera you will find the security industry has come a long way from the original VCR recording one camera onto one VHS tape. The first Digital Video Recorders were introduced allowing business owners to record multiple analog …

Museum security is a creative art form in and of itself. Security, safety and accessibility are all taken into account when protecting irreplaceable works of art. When multi-million dollar works of art are on display, executives and board of directors encourage as many people as possible to enjoy the art …

Jewelry store owners and managers have a big responsibility when it comes to protecting their merchandise, employees and customers. They can be up at night thinking about the amount of valuable merchandise in their store, and whether they are a target for a midday or midnight robbery. Regardless of the …

According to the FBI’s report ‘ A Study of Active Shooter Incidents in the United States Between 2000 and 2013’, Rockne Newell entered the Ross Township meeting, in 2013, held in the municipal building, with a rifle and a handgun and started shooting, killing three people and wounding one. He …

To create security and peace of mind you installed an alarm system, and you diligently set your alarm every day. One day, you arrived at work or home and realized you had a break-in. Your alarm didn’t work; you did not receive a call, and the police never came. How …

Increasing security in and around healthcare facilities has become a priority to keep patients and employees safe, since healthcare facilities are not immune to crime. However, there is a balance between accessibility and security for patients and employees. One solution is to use access control to streamline the security process …

According to the FBI 2012 Crime Report, almost nine million property crime offenses occurred that year. Of those property crimes 68 percent were theft. Glass areas are extremely vulnerable since they present an easy way to gain entry to a premise. Glass doors, side windows next to the main entrances …

We recently got a call from a school administrator who clearly needs security for his district.

He is in need of specifics such as security cameras (we’re doing so many upgrades for schools lately), as well as strobe lights. He needs an innovative solution which may include strobes to signal …

File this one under “People never cease to amaze me”, and, “He didn’t seem like the type of guy to do that”. If you’re the owner or administrator of an animal hospital or shelter, you need to protect your assets just as much as if they were electronics, jewelry or …

Intercoms are everywhere Think of all the places where intercoms are used: at the drive-through for lunch, "buzzing" a friend's apartment or listening to the specials while you shop at the market. Pictured above is an Aiphone brand intercom with a video function We may not always equate intercom with …

Many people will be going away on vacation for Labor Day weekend. This gives us plenty of time to put some finishing touches on the security of our homes and provide the peace of mind that will allow us to enjoy our trips even more. Pictured above is motion detector …

So you're on vacation and you feel safe that your home back in MA or NH is protected by a security system. But will your summer vacation be interrupted by calls from your central station monitoring company due to false alarms, followed by unnecessary visits by the police? Pictured above …

Today we'll continue with our list of 10 security mistakes that businesses make and how to prevent them. The following post is number 6 on the list. If you'd like the entire list all at once, please visit our homepage or click here. Pictured above is a 180 degree …

1. Have a locksmith do a free survey of your doors and door hardware Ask your locksmith if they do free surveys (inspections) of your doors and door hardware. It only makes sense that you’d want to first ensure that the doors you’re about to invest in are structurally sound. …

Two reports on the Today show this morning highlighted the fact that Grinches really do surface during the holidays—from a neighbor stealing Christmas decorations to professional thieves stabbing store personnel then fleeing via a high-speed chase. Pictured above is a dome security camera used in business and home video surveillance. …

File this story under “I’ve heard of that happening, but what are the chances it would happen to me?” Well, according to a report on NBC’s Today show this morning, thefts of packages left on front porches or doorsteps by delivery companies are experiencing an uptick this year. Pictured above …

Security for liquor stores is serious business. There’s simply so much at stake. Inventory. Cash. Employee safety and more. If you’re the owner or manager of a liquor store, you most likely already have an alarm system and also video surveillance. But more can always be done and adjustments to …

Of course the number one priority if you detect a fire at your home is to usher your family outside to a safe place. It’s debatable and depends on the situation if family photos or a laptop, for example, should be grabbed on the way out. But what about your …

So you’ve decided to upgrade from a lock and key system and have your security systems integrator install an electronic access control system. Or maybe you already have keyless entry on one or some doors and are looking to expand your access control system. What are some decisions you need …

Most of the articles in our security blog are centered on the topic of keeping criminals out of your home or business with the use of burglar alarms, access control, video surveillance, and more. Today, we’d like to reverse that process and talk about keeping people in—but these folks are …

They’re everywhere. The sports news anchor is in front of one conducting an interview outside the arena. Employees have them on their shoulders as they record fans doing silly things that are worthy of being posted on the jumbo-tron for everyone to see. How about the cameras that are actually …

This is certainly an appropriate time of year to talk about freeze alarms since freezing pipes are a chief concern for many homeowners, facility managers and the like this time of year. These vital devices can save your home or business from tens of thousands of dollars in damage due …

Since hospitals are generally easy to walk into and wander around inside, electronic security needs to be as strong as possible to compensate. Especially with violent acts occurring nationwide, such as those by disgruntled patients. Decision makers certainly want effective hospital security, but they tend to not desire an overly …

One main component of security is prevention, and security cameras are a chief player in this equation. They need to be seen. What good would hidden cameras be if you’re trying to prevent a crime from happening in the first place? The image above shows a visible exterior security camera. …

What is Your Alarm System’s Role After a Power Outage? You may be thinking that it’s a bit late to write a blog on this topic—we just had a major weather event… Hurricane season may be just about over, but winter storms with high winds, fallen branches onto power lines …

So you just moved into your new home and you’ve experienced all the excitement as well as the exhaustion that goes along with the transition. The furniture is in place, the utilities are set and you’ve even been out in the yard putting some personal touches on the landscape to …

Property managers obviously can’t be everywhere at once. Some firms manage hundreds of properties with scores of units at each property—so much could go wrong from a security standpoint. Pictured above is a water sensor. Having video surveillance and access control are very common needs of property managers. Being able …

Illegal dumping causes residents of communities great frustration. It also causes damage to the local landscape—both aesthetically and environmentally. One thing that is frustrating about the issue, as is stated in an article published in the Republican online newspaper in Springfield, MA on October 19th, 2010, is that these dumpers …

There might not be a single “best” form, but there sure are “different” methods. And if there is a best form of biometircs, it’s often someone’s opinion that determines this. Pictured above is a time and attendance biometrics unit by Find Biometrics. For example, in an article written in the …

Much is written about Megapixel and IP security cameras, and justifiably so—with their ability to provide vividly clear images and valuable evidence to authorities, for instance. When Megapixel/IP cameras are discussed, not always does recording and storage come up. Often times, the topic is about the aforementioned level of clarity. …

In our last blog post we discussed the need to accommodate for low and no-light situations in your CCTV system. Today we’d like to address changes in light with video surveillance. Light, as well as darkness, needs to be dealt with in specific ways. In this article, we’ll talk about …

As security integrators, we often get asked about dummy security cameras as a solution to our customers’ security issues in lieu of an actual video surveillance system. Pictured above is a "dummy" security camera These issues can include such things as car break-ins in employee lots, employee theft, home security …

To say that companies need to watch their bottom line in this economy is an understatement. Every opportunity should be taken advantage of whenever a firm can identify areas to reduce wasteful spending, shrinkage, energy loss and more. Security companies can actually play a big role in reducing financial losses …

Employees in scores of industries would benefit from security staff being able to pinpoint their exact location in the case of duress—at the push of a button. For instance, hotel employees are at risk when they are in remote areas of the property as well as inside rooms alone while …

Should Locksmiths always do lock changes, or are there alternatives? Sorry to be non-committal, but…it depends. The good news is, the more costly lock changes can often be avoided in lieu of their more economical cousins—the re-key. Pictured above is deadbolt. So many people, justifiable so, automatically think of the …

Here at One Source Security, we have been receiving more and more inquiries lately from schools of all types regarding access control. These inquiries stem from several concerns: financial, safety, tracking and more. The educational facilities themselves include childcare centers, public and private schools, and colleges. Pictured above is a …

We’ve written about access cards before, as well as key fobs in the form of wireless transmitters to arm and disarm your security system, for example. Pictured above is a proximity card and reader But today, we’d like to talk about key fobs vs. access cards as credentials for access …

One note: The importance of fire and environmental monitoring cannot be overstated, such as for smoke, carbon monoxide, temperature changes and for water detection. This certainly could/should have been included in the previous article about the "core" of a system. We hope you had a chance to read part I …

Speaking of anatomy, what are the bare “bones” of a residential burglar alarm / security system, and what are the added features? Pictured above is a Gemini keypad which is a core component of a security system. It’s like shopping for a new car. You’ll still get a quality, new …

Security Systems Companies-Questions to Ask

You’re looking around for the right security company but are feeling very intimidated about which one to choose. You have questions, but are they the right ones? Will your choice be good enough to secure your family and your valuables? Pictured above is a Gemini …