Category Archives for "Commercial Security"

Unveiling The Multi-Faceted Effectiveness Of Security Monitoring

alarm company kansas city

Security monitoring involves continuously observing and analyzing an organization’s infrastructure, networks, and systems to detect and respond to potential security threats.

It encompasses digital and physical security aspects, aiming to identify suspicious activities, vulnerabilities, or deviations from normal operations.

The primary goal is to prevent security incidents or, if inevitable, minimize their impact by responding swiftly.

Alarm companies globally, such as reputed alarm companies in Kansas City, offer effective security monitoring that relies on a combination of advanced technologies, well-defined processes, and skilled personnel.

  • Real-time Threat Detection

One of the fundamental pillars of security monitoring is real-time threat detection. Advanced monitoring systems employ sophisticated algorithms and artificial intelligence to analyze real-time network traffic, system logs, and user behaviors.

Real-time threat detection allows organizations to respond promptly to emerging threats, preventing or mitigating the potential impact.

By leveraging automation, security teams can reduce response times, enhancing the overall security posture.

  1. Incident Response Planning

Security monitoring is most effective when coupled with a well-defined incident response plan. Organizations should establish clear procedures for handling security incidents, including protocols for communication, containment, eradication, recovery, and post-incident analysis.

A robust incident response plan ensures that security teams can act swiftly and decisively when faced with a security incident.

Regularly testing and updating the incident response plan is crucial to adapt to evolving threats. Simulated exercises and drills can help identify weaknesses in the response process, allowing organizations to refine their strategies and improve overall preparedness.

  • Endpoint Security Monitoring

Endpoints, such as computers, servers, and mobile devices, are common targets for cyber attacks. Security monitoring at the endpoint level involves tracking activities on individual devices to identify signs of compromise or malicious behavior.

This can include monitoring for unusual file access patterns, changes in system configurations, or the presence of unauthorized software.

Endpoint security monitoring is particularly relevant in the era of remote work, where employees may use various devices to access corporate networks. By closely monitoring endpoints, organizations can detect and prevent potential security incidents before they escalate.

  • User Behavior Analytics

Understanding normal user behavior is crucial for detecting anomalies indicating a security threat. User behavior analytics (UBA) involves the analysis of patterns and deviations in user activities to identify potential insider threats or compromised accounts.

By establishing baseline behavior for each user, security monitoring systems can raise alerts when deviations from the norm are detected.

UBA can be especially effective in identifying insider threats, where employees may intentionally or unintentionally compromise security. By monitoring user behavior, organizations can detect activities such as unauthorized access, data exfiltration, or abnormal use of privileges.

  • Network Security Monitoring

Network security monitoring focuses on the traffic flowing through an organization’s networks. This includes monitoring for unusual patterns, unauthorized access attempts, or signs of a potential distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack.

Security teams can effectively respond to threats targeting the organization’s infrastructure by analyzing network data.

Intrusion detection and prevention systems play a crucial role in network security monitoring by actively scanning and analyzing network traffic for known signatures of malicious activity.

Additionally, anomaly detection algorithms can identify deviations from normal network behavior, signaling potential security incidents.

Final Thoughts

In an increasingly interconnected and digital world, security monitoring, offered by reputed alarm companies in Kansas City, is a best practice and a necessity for safeguarding organizations against myriad threats.

Real-time threat detection, incident response planning, endpoint security monitoring, user behavior analytics, and network security monitoring collectively form a comprehensive security monitoring strategy.

As threats evolve, so must security monitoring strategies. Continuous improvement, regular testing, and staying abreast of the latest security trends are essential for maintaining an effective security posture.

Protect Your Business: Why Commercial Security Systems in Kansas City are Essential

Commercial Security Systems

As a business owner, the safety and security of your establishment should be at the top of your priority list. In today’s ever-changing world, it is crucial to stay one step ahead of potential threats that could jeopardize your hard-earned success. That’s where commercial security systems in Kansas City come into play – they are not just a luxury but an absolute necessity! Join us as we delve into why protecting your business with these state-of-the-art systems is essential for safeguarding what matters most – because when it comes to the safety of your enterprise, there’s no room for compromise.

Importance of Protecting Your Business with Commercial Security Systems

The importance of protecting your business cannot be overstated. As a business owner, your company is not only a source of income and livelihood but also represents your hard work, dedication, and investment. Without proper protection, your business could be vulnerable to security breaches that can have devastating consequences.

  1. One of the main reasons why protecting your business is crucial is to safeguard against financial loss. Theft, vandalism, and other security threats can potentially result in significant financial losses for your company. This is especially true for small businesses that may not have enough resources to recover from such incidents. By having a commercial security system in place, you are taking proactive steps toward preventing these risks and minimizing any potential financial damages.
  2. In addition to financial loss, security breaches can also lead to damage to physical assets such as equipment and inventory. The cost of repairing or replacing these items can add up quickly and impact the smooth operation of your business. A comprehensive commercial security system with features like surveillance cameras and access control can help deter thieves and vandals from targeting your business premises.
  3. Protecting your business also means safeguarding the safety of yourself, your employees, and your customers. With an effective security system in place, you create a sense of safety and well-being for everyone on the premises. This not only promotes a positive work environment but also boosts customer confidence in doing business with you.
  4. Furthermore, implementing a commercial security system helps protect sensitive information related to your business operations or customers’ personal data. In today’s digital age where cyber threats are becoming increasingly common, it is crucial to have security measures in place to prevent data breaches and protect your business’s reputation.
  5. Lastly, protecting your business can also benefit you in terms of liability. In the event of an accident or incident on your premises, having a security system can provide evidence and help defend against false claims or lawsuits.

In conclusion, investing in comprehensive commercial security systems in Kansas City is essential for protecting your business from financial loss, and physical damage, ensuring the safety of individuals on the premises, safeguarding sensitive information, and minimizing liability risks. By taking these proactive steps towards securing your business, you are not only protecting your investment but also setting yourself up for long-term success.

Ten unbeatable reasons to turn your home into Smart Home in Kansas City!

With the advent of modern technology, there has been a significant shift in how we live our lives. Technology has revolutionized every facet of our lives, from how we communicate to conduct business. It is particularly true in the home, where smart home technology can potentially transform our lives. 

Here are ten unbeatable reasons to turn your home into a smart home in Kansas City:

  1. Increased convenience: Smart homes make your life easier and more convenient. By automating home tasks such as turning on lights, adjusting the thermostat, and unlocking doors, smart homes allow you to focus on more important things.
  2. Improved energy efficiency: Smart homes are energy-efficient, which means you can save money on your energy bills. You can reduce energy consumption and carbon footprint with automated lighting, smart thermostats, and energy-efficient appliances.
  3. Enhanced security: Smart home technology allows you to monitor your home from everywhere. With features such as smart door locks, security cameras, and motion sensors, you can keep an eye on your home and ensure it is always secure.
  4. Increased comfort: Smart homes provide maximum comfort. With features such as automated blinds, smart thermostats, and voice-activated assistants, you can create the perfect environment for your home.
  5. Greater control: Smart homes put you in control of your environment. With features such as voice-activated assistants and mobile apps, you can control your home from anywhere in the world.
  6. Improved home value: Smart home in Kansas City can significantly increase the value of your home. With features such as automated lighting, smart thermostats, and security systems, your home will be more attractive to potential buyers.
  7. Improved health and safety: Smart homes keep you safe and healthy. With features such as air quality monitors, water quality sensors, and carbon monoxide detectors, you can ensure your home is safe and healthy for you and your family.
  8. Increased peace of mind: Smart homes give you peace of mind knowing that your home is secure, energy-efficient, and comfortable. With features such as mobile apps and notifications, you can keep track of what’s happening in your home and ensure everything runs smoothly.
  9. Cost-effective: Smart home technology can be surprisingly cost-effective. With energy-efficient appliances, automated lighting, and smart thermostats, you can significantly reduce your bills and save money in the long run.
  10. Future-proofing: Smart home technology is the future of home design. By investing in a smart home today, you can future-proof your home and ensure that it remains relevant and up-to-date for years to come.

In conclusion, turning your home into a smart home in Kansas City is a wise investment. With increased convenience, improved energy efficiency, enhanced security, increased comfort, greater control, improved home value, improved health and safety, increased peace of mind, cost-effectiveness, and future-proofing, smart homes offer numerous benefits that are hard to ignore. To enhance your home, consider investing in a smart home today.

Don’t Let the Next Home Invasion Horror Story Happen to You!

No one wants to be the victim of a home invasion horror story. But if you’re planning an extended vacation away from home, it’s important to take steps to protect your house while you’re away. Fortunately, with today’s technology, there are plenty of ways to ensure your home is secure and monitored for any suspicious activity.

The Benefits of Home Security Monitoring                               

Home security monitoring can give you peace of mind and help protect your home from burglars or other intruders. With the right system in place, you can monitor who comes and goes from your property—even when you’re miles away. Other benefits include:

• 24/7 monitoring with advanced motion sensors that can detect even subtle movements inside your home;

• Remote access to keep a check of your property from anywhere in the world;

• Video surveillance that records any activity on your property; 

• Immediate notifications if something triggers an alarm or sensor;

• Peace of mind knowing that someone is watching out for your property while you’re away.

How To Choose the Right System?

When selecting a home security system, there are a few things to consider. First, decide whether you want a wired or wireless system, as each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Wired systems are more reliable but require more installation time. Wireless systems are easier to install but may only sometimes provide as much protection as wired systems do. You should also consider features like remote access, video surveillance capabilities, motion sensors, and alarms. All these features will help ensure your home is safe and secure while you’re away on vacation.

Convenient Installation Process

Installing a good quality home security monitoring system doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive either; most systems come with easy-to-follow instructions for setting up the equipment yourself, or professional installation services are available at an additional cost depending on the provider. Many companies also offer compatibility with existing alarm systems, making the process even more accessible for those with an existing security setup installed in their homes. 

Conclusion:

If you’re planning an extended vacation away from home this year, take steps now to protect it with a reliable home security monitoring system. With the correct setup in place, you can keep tabs on who comes and goes from your property—even when you’re thousands of miles away! With 24/7 monitoring capabilities and advanced motion sensors available today, there’s no reason not to invest in a quality system that will keep watching over your home. At the same time, you’re gone—so don’t end up as the next horror story! Get started today with creating a secure environment for yourself by investing in Home Security Monitoring Solutions!

If you are looking for reliable home security monitoring Kansas City, you need to look into the offers provided by Shield Kansas City. They provide the most updated technology when it comes to security monitoring and is superb to rely upon for high-end solutions. Sign up and contact us now!

How Shield differs from ADT Kansas City

One of our favorite questions is “How are you different from ADT Kansas City?” It is a good question and the answers to the question are important.  To start with, ADT Home Security Systems is a dealer program which makes it difficult to answer the question precisely, because there are a multitude of “authorized Kansas City ADT Dealers” in the Kansas City area.  They are all competing with one another with a non differentiated product, so offers may vary between them.

The main product of ADT Kansas City is usually a security system that they tell you is worth over $800 that they are giving away for free.  You will often have door knockers disturb you from multiple dealers, especially if you recently moved.  You will also receive annoying phone calls attempting to lure you with “free ADT security systems”.  In most cases, the offer is to give you the equipment for free with only a $99 installation fee.  the catch is the 3 year contract that usually is required.  Essentially, your monitoring rate is raised by enough to pay for the ADT equipment in those three years, but after the equipment is paid for, you continue to pay the inflated monitoring rate.

At Shield, we can usually monitor your existing land-line security system for just $21.95 per month, and if you want to upgrade to tamper resistant cellular monitoring it is only $11 more.  If you don’t have an existing system, we will sell you one at a very competitive price and then monitor your security system without requiring the expensive multi year agreement.

Everyone’s security system needs are different, but we would recommend checking reviews and ratings on Google, Angie’s List, and the Kansas City Better Business Bureau, before making your final decision.

How to Silence Security System Siren

How to Silence Security System Siren without Passcode

When your alarm system goes off there are recommended ways of silencing the siren and cancelling the alarm.  There are situation though where the Siren won’t stop with normal means.  Such causes include:

  • Security System was powered off in alarm and when plugged back in the siren started
  • A power surge damaged system
  • System was armed accidentally and the user code is not known

Regardless of the cause, when that siren sounds, people are in a hurry to find a way to silence it.  In most cases, the following steps will work:

  1. For a traditional security system, find the alarm control box (figure 1), which is often hidden out of sight in a closet or in the basement.  It will usually be a large metal box with many wires running into it.
  2. Open the box with the key that should be nearby.  Some boxes are held shut with a screw.
  3. Remove either the red or black wire from a terminal on the security system battery (figure 2).  The battery will be a large rectangular object measuring roughly 4″ x 4″ x 3″
  4. Next Find the transformer (figure 3) that is plugged into the wall near the security system.  It is usually a tan cube about 3″x3″x3″ with a wire leading to the security system control panel.  Unplug the transformer.  Sometimes it will be screwed to the outlet in which case you will need to remove the screw first.

Once you have removed all of the power from the system, the siren will be silenced.

Note! Very often, people will call us to silence an alarm only to find out that it was not the security system that was making the noise.  It was often a smoke detector or carbon monoxide detector near by.

Important Note! If you are unsure of what you are doing, call your security system company to talk you through the steps to make sure that you have identified the correct components and are removing the correct wires, etc.

Figure 3: Security System Transformer

Figure 3: Security System Transformer

Honeywell Security Panel

Figure 1: Security Panel

Security System Battery

Figure 2: Security System Battery

How to Delete User on Honeywell Vista Security System

Honeywell 6150 KeypadHow to Delete User

From time to time there will come the need to delete a user from your security system.  This might happen when an employee leaves, switch baby sitters, or any number of other circumstances.

To delete a user from a Honeywell Vista 10p/15p/20p/21ip, you do the following:

  • Enter your 4-digit master code
  • press the 8/code button
  • press the 2-digit user number, example 03
  • press #0

Should you have any other questions, you can consult your honeywell user’s guide or call our Kansas City office at (913) 667-7500

Mega-Pixel Security Cameras

Video surveillance has made tremendous advances in the last five years.  One of the significant advances is in IP video surveillance.  IP or internet prootcol has revolutionized video surveillance in several different respects.

  1. Quality.  IP cameras are able to achieve resolutions of 8 mega-pixels or more.  That is higher than high-definition TV and 100 times the standard resolution (320×200) that many CCTV systems support.  This resolution is extremely valuable for two types of applications.  First, any application where detail is important, like point of sale, facial recognition and licence plate recognition will benefit from the ultra high resolution.  Second, One IP camera can provide the same coverage as more than 10 traditional cctv cameras in applications where large areas are to me monitored like warehouses and factories.
  2. Simplicity.  IP cameras can utilize existing IT infrastructure for connectivity.  This reduces the expense and speeds installation.  Many can also utilize POE or Power over ethernet so that separate power is not even required by the cameras.
  3. Analytics.  IP cameras also benefit from advanced analytics.  That means that complex processing can be done like tying cash register transactions to video, tracking people and vehicles, reading license plates, and much more.
  4. Evolution to IP.  There are several products that are helping client migrate to IP.  Hybrid DVRs can terminate a combination of IP and analog security cameras so that you can leverage your existing investment and tailor the system to leverage the benefits of both technologies.  Cat 5 transmission is now possible on analog cctv cameras which means that you can use ethernet cabling for analog cameras today and then reuse it for IP cameras in the future.
  5. Cost.  The cost Of mega pixel systems continues to drop and is now between 2 and three times the cost of traditional systems, but with far greater performance, depending on the application.

In conclusion, IP cameras are a remarkable tool for many applicaitons, but traditional analog cameras are rugged, reliable, and cost effective, so they’ll likely be around for years to come.

SHIELD Security Systems | 7111 W. 151st Street, Suite 30 | Overland Park, KS 66223 | (913) 667-7500