A guide to perimeter protection of commercial spaces during

As governments worldwide enforce mass lockdowns to combat COVID-19, protecting the perimeter of commercial spaces that remain shut for indefinite periods has become critical. Retail stores, restaurants, offices, and any other business need to know what perimeter security sensors and solutions they need to use in this situation.

Speaking to asmag.com, Tom Hofer, Product Manager for Video and Analytic Solutions at Senstar, pointed out that in times like these, with a dramatic economic downturn and restrictions on commerce and public gatherings, people may do things they usually wouldn’t.

“We are seeing more break-ins than usual, making the need to protect your organization’s space, goods, and equipment more important than ever,” Hofer said.

From perimeter motion detectors to video analytics

For interior security applications, you can add motion detection and people tracking video analytics to existing surveillance infrastructure. The analytics can alert security personnel of unauthorized activity, enhance access control mechanisms, or simply notify staff of activity in high-value areas.

“To be a success, and avoid high false alarm rates, video analytic solutions must intelligently differentiate between expected business activities, suspicious behavior, and innocuous events like shadows, lighting changes, and signage movement caused by HVAC systems,” Hofer explained.
At warehouse-style buildings, it can be challenging to monitor the complete area, including exterior walls with video cameras. In these situations, intrusion detection sensors that detect attempts to physically break-through walls and ceilings come in handy.

“At stores with high-value assets, thieves may ignore the doors and windows (where the presence of security sensors is assumed) and simply smash or cut through a wall or ceiling,” Hofer added. “Building intrusion sensors can detect these attacks and notify security, long before intruders gain access.”

Types of perimeter security sensors to use

As technology advances and new products enter the market, customers often wonder what devices and sensors would suit their requirements. Knowing what kind of perimeter sensor to use is pertinent to ensuring robust protection. Here’s a list Hofer offers:

1. Inventory scanner: By linking scanned inventory data with video surveillance footage via TCP/IP listener software plugins, organizations can maintain accurate inventory counts, a prerequisite for site security and loss reduction plans.
2. Video Motion Detection (VMD): Detect movement during business closures without having to add new cameras or other equipment. VMD is ideal for interior areas without external environment influences such as car headlights or vegetation movement.
3. People tracking analytics: Ensure protection of high risk or high-value areas by monitoring people entering from specific directions or at specific times. People tracking analytics are ideal for outdoor areas like rooftop monitoring, entrances, and parking lots, where environmental influences like cars, wind, rain, and vegetation movement are present.
4. Electronic access control (EAC): Use EAC to secure areas and limit access to specific times based on access levels or groups.
5. Intrusion sensors:  Protect walls, ceilings, and security cages/partitions with cable-based intrusion detection sensors. These sensors can cover large areas at minimal cost and, when properly installed, have a virtually zero false alarm rate.
6. Gate sensors:  You can link gate sensors with video-based motion detection and automated callups to monitor and record all activity near the gate, both during and outside business hours.

How should you select perimeter sensors and solutions?

Security officers should adopt a systematic approach, and consult with industry experts to avoid gaps in security, ensure new initiatives are sustainable and maximize their investment. According to Hofer, the following steps are critical to making sure you select the best perimeter protection system.

• Define potential threats and risks
• Define access areas
• Consult with security providers to ensure comprehensive and sustainable solutions
• Mitigate known risks with either physical or technology security solutions
• Integrate video surveillance and access control to ensure security personnel can actively respond to all situations, from identifying employees and opening doors to controlling on-site deterrence devices like intercoms or loudspeakers to providing local authorities with immediate, specific information.

What next?

In most countries, there is no clarity yet on how long commercial establishments should remain shut or even when they open, how long they can operate daily, and what other steps they should follow. There is so much uncertainty, and uncertainty is never good for business. Perimeter security is not something you can be uncertain about, especially at such a time. With the right solutions that include a range of perimeter sensors and video analytics, this will be one concern less for you.