If you are a gym owner looking for ways to help your gym stand out from the competition, consider upgrading your client experience with access control for fitness centers. Installing access control technology specifically designed for fitness centers that integrate seamlessly with membership programs can help your gym stay ahead of the curve and remain relevant in a highly competitive industry.
Benefits of Access Control for Fitness Centers
Enhance Client Experience
Fitness centers help newbies and veterans alike get and stay in shape. And access control designed for fitness center can make their client experience as easy and seamless as possible. When clients swipe their card or use an app on their phone, the system recognizes their credentials and allows them to enter. They do not have to stop by the front desk to sign in and out unless they want to say hello or check on services. And with new advancements in access control for fitness centers, clients can keep their credentials on their smartphones. This means that clients who forget their keycard at home can still come in for their workout. Easy access to the facility makes the experience more seamless.
In addition to providing a better client experience, access control can also collect data related to client attendance, which can help fitness facility owners better understand how clients use the facility. This data can help owners improve client service and make client satisfaction a top priority.
Provide A Better Trainer and Employee Experience
Fitness center owners can also use access control systems to provide a better experience for their trainers. When it comes to scheduling, installing an access control system can allow owners to track clients utilizing this valuable perk, which will help manage employee schedules. If your trainers have access to their client profiles, they can arrange to be there when their clients need them.
Safer Environment for Clients and Employees
One of the largest benefits of installing access control for fitness centers is the increase in safety and protection for clients and employees. When clients swipe their keycard at the door, the system recognizes their ID and verifies their identity. This, in effect, keeps a log of who is in the facility at any given time.
Imagine how this knowledge will reassure clients and employees that their safety is your top concern. Especially in fitness facilities that boast 24/7 access, clients will feel more comfortable accessing the gym facilities at a time convenient to them, without fear of unauthorized or suspicious characters hanging around inside the building.
Another benefit of investing in access control for fitness centers is increased facility usage. When clients can quickly swipe their cards and enter the building, they will likely be more likely to come to the facility.
New clients can be self-conscious about coming to the gym for the first time. The seeming anonymity of simply scanning their card or using their phone to enter can remove some of this self-consciousness and increase their desire to come regularly. And regular gym users increase facility usage and boost overall profits.
Not only does this boost profits, but access control for fitness centers allows owners to monitor when the gym is not busy. For instance, knowing that the facility is empty every night starting at 9:00 pm or that on Sundays, the first clients do not come in until 7:00 am will help fitness center owners gauge what hours they should staff the facility.
Insight for More Effective Marketing Campaigns
Access control systems can be an extremely effective marketing tool for fitness centers. How? First, gym owners can track their clients’ engagement, learn their client’s needs and wants, and tailor special offers or coupons to keep them engaged.
And as an added benefit to gym owners, turning access on and off is as straightforward as clicking a toggle on a former client or employee’s profile. If clients are delinquent in payments, denying facility access until their account is up-to-date is easy. Likewise, turning facility access off for trainers or employees no longer employed by the gym can be accomplished with the click of a mouse.
Installing Access Control for Fitness Centers is Easy with System Links
There are many benefits associated with installing access control for fitness centers. Not only do they help to make clients’ and employees’ experiences more seamless, but they can also help owners to understand their client’s needs better, manage employee schedules, and, most importantly, boost profits.
At System Links, we know that security cameras and access control can be as overwhelming as they are necessary for Colorado businesses. That is why we tailor our CCTV and access control installation services to your needs, budget, and industry.
Here at SystemLinks in Colorado Springs, we often get calls from individuals who need help fixing mistakes when installing CCTV at their Southern Colorado home or business. And we are happy to help. When installing a surveillance system for the first time, the fact is that you don’t know what you don’t know.
Until now, that is. We have compiled a list of the most common beginner mistakes when installing CCTV.
Expecting a One-Size-Fits-All Security Camera Solution
One of the most common mistakes when installing CCTV occurs way before installation and even before you buy the equipment. The most common mistake is expecting all security cameras to perform all jobs. Security cameras are not all equal, and some are better suited for specific tasks than others.
For example, if you want a security camera to accurately capture images and video of vehicle license plates as they enter your parking lot, your needs will be different from someone who wants facial recognition. Every security camera you install will not perform every job. These cameras function best when you fully understand their features and then fine-tune the settings to capture the video you want.
Before you begin investing in cameras, ask yourself what your final goal will be. If your goal is to read license plates, investing in a security camera designed exclusively to detect and record them will serve you best. Taking the time to think about what you want from your security footage before you install your CCTV system will prevent many problems, headaches, and wasted money down the road.
While thinking about what security cameras can and cannot do, realize that even with digital zoom, you cannot increase the resolution beyond what already exists in the picture. No digital imaging software can produce new pixels, despite what Hollywood says.
Not Taking Advantage of Your Security Cameras Full Capabilities
Field of View
Another beginner’s mistake when installing CCTV is not maximizing the field of view of your security cameras. Positioning your security cameras right is the key to getting the most out of your system. A camera pointed mainly at the sky or ceiling will not record events on the ground.
Pro Tip: If you can view your security camera stream from a mobile application, you may want to take advantage of that feature while installing the camera. This will keep you from walking back and forth from your computer to your installation site.
Always remember that minor angle adjustments can make a big difference here.
Placement of Cameras with Infrared Lights
While we are talking about camera position, we also want to include a tip about how infrared (IR) security cameras work. A beginner’s mistake when installing CCTV systems is thinking that your IR-enabled security camera can actually “see” in the dark and records footage accordingly. This is not true. All cameras require light to take pictures, and IR-enabled cameras are no exception. They do not see in the dark but rather have IR lights surrounding the camera that detect heat signatures and thus “light up” a dark room.
Therefore, the position of the security again makes a difference with what is captured on video. If you find that your IR-enabled camera is recording video of a wall while leaving the rest of the room in the dark, you will need to change the location of the security camera. Likewise, IR-enabled cameras outside may suffer from “bounce-back fog,” which occurs when the IR lights are pointed toward a street light or other light source in the dark.
Underestimating The Amount Of Recording Space You Need
Whether wireless or wired, CCTV systems rely on a digital video recorder (DVR) to store the video. One common mistake when installing CCTV is underestimating the storage space you will need on the DVR. Especially when recording data from high-resolution cameras, files can be quite large. We recommend installing a DVR with ample room to store your data to avoid missing vital recorded footage.
Weatherproofing Only the Equipment
A total beginner mistake when installing CCTV is only ensuring your camera is weatherproof, forgetting that the connections and cables also need protection from Colorado weather. If you want your cables and connections to last as long as the security cameras and DVR, you must ensure that you weatherproof these. Rain, snow, and even the debris from the windstorms of recent years can damage, corrode, and otherwise ruin your connections and cables, rendering your security camera system useless.
How Can You Avoid The Biggest Mistake When Installing CCTV?
All of the above beginner mistakes can be avoided in one, easy-to-perform step — call System Links for your free on-site consultation and quote. Our expert security camera installers know that every installation is different and requires a personal, hands-on approach to give you precisely the CCTV footage you need.
Simply said, we have the experience and know-how to get the job done right the first time and have a wide range of CCTV service agreements and maintenance plans available to keep your system running right for years to come.
Are you responsible for visitor management in multifamily properties? Between scheduling move-ins and move-outs, maintenance and repairs, and keeping your current tenants happy, chances are you already have a full plate. But what if we were to tell you that you can install an access control system that is easy to use (for both you and your residents), secure, and does away with the time and expense of fobs and keycards?
At SystemLinks Colorado, we install access control systems for visitor management in multifamily properties across Southern Colorado. Below are the top five reasons you need to install or upgrade your system today:
Unauthorized Rentals
The world of rental properties is evolving every day, and with that evolution, property managers’ concerns are also increasing. Apartment managers are already responsible for keeping additional roommates not listed on the lease agreement from moving in lock-stock-and-barrel. But as the cost of living rises, more and more people are choosing to supplement their income by subletting their living space as AirBnB or VRBO short-term rentals.
Including a clause in your lease agreement preventing sub-leasing is a good starting point, and both AirBnB and VRBO have owner requirements for rentals through their sites. But a determined resident may look for ways around this legality or ignore it entirely.
However, with an access control system that utilizes smartphone technology, this problem is effectively eliminated. The registered resident cannot physically pass keys, fobs or key cards to their “guest.”
Did You Know? The unethical sharing of keys, fobs and keycards has prompted security innovators at VizPin to create their Residential Fraud Alert System. This revolutionary system alerts property managers if residents are exchanging smart credentials back and forth, making visitor management in multifamily properties easier than ever. Contact System Links today to learn more about this and other access control system installations.
No More Fobs and Cards
Most apartment managers who contact us for access control solutions have one thing in common. They are so done dealing with fobs and keycards. Why? For two simple reasons. The first is discussed above, and the second has to do with the very nature of the property management industry.
Few managers of multifamily properties are blessed with long-term tenants who never lose their keys. Instead of spending time issuing new cards for new tenants, replacing lost cards, or chasing down keycards and fobs as tenants leave, savvy property managers are turning to smartphone-based access control to save time, energy, and money.
Amenity Access Control
One of the biggest challenges for visitor management in multifamily properties is controlling access to property amenities, such as the pool, exercise room, laundry room, and clubhouse. Tenants who pay for these amenities rightfully expect access to these areas to be limited to those who live in the community.
When credentials can be easily shared, like cards, fobs or keypad codes, the risk of unauthorized individuals using facilities they have no right to access increases. But, when traditional access control is upgraded to more innovative tech, sharing of information is less likely to occur – most people are unwilling to part with their cell phones at work so a friend can use their pool.
Your Maintenance Team Will Thank You
Remember the old saying, “if Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy?” Managers of multifamily properties know that keeping their maintenance crews happy will keep their tenants happy. A maintenance crew may not be the primary decision-makers, but they influence everything about your property’s online presence.
Keep these professionals happy by eliminating locks outs, changing locks after tenants leave, and managing vendors coming in for repairs or updates. Rather than being interrupted by the tenant in apartment 3B getting locked out of the laundry again, they can stay focused on other essential tasks.
Visitor Management in Multifamily Properties Can Be Easy
Are you frustrated by visitor management in multifamily properties but are hesitant to consider installing or upgrading your access control system because you believe it will be too much of a headache? Then you will love our final reason to take the plunge: System Links makes the process easy!
First, call us to schedule your free on-site consultation and security assessment. Multifamily properties are as unique as the families who live there, and our knowledgeable team will meet with you to discuss your specific property’s needs.
Second, we send you a reliable, free quote that includes all labor and equipment to secure your property.
Third, schedule your installation. Our experienced team of security camera installers and access control professionals will take care of the rest. If you need anything after the installation, we will be here.
That is it. The solution you need for visitor management in multifamily properties – in three easy steps from System Links.
One of the many benefits of security camera installation is the ability to use security video as legal evidence in El Paso County courts. How can this tool help your Southern Colorado business in the unfortunate event of a crime or accident occurring on your premises?
Security cameras are an indispensable tool for businesses of all sizes, helping them monitor their properties and keep tabs on employees and guests. Security cameras have become commonplace in almost every industry. From pharmacies to hotels and schools, businesses big and small have found ways to integrate security cameras into their everyday operations.
In addition to keeping establishments safer by letting owners keep an eye on their properties from afar, security cameras function as legal evidence when they capture legally significant events, known as “recordings” or “videotapes,” depending on the type of camera used. The recordings can be used in court to prove something happened or didn’t happen at a specific time and place.
What is Security Video Evidence?
The recorded images and sound recordings from security cameras and other surveillance equipment constitute security video as legal evidence.
Security cameras are a vital part of every business’s security plan, along with access control systems. Security video is vital to preventing employee theft, protecting against false accusations, and showing what happened during an incident. Video footage is more reliable than witnesses and can capture information individuals may overlook.
Security video is also a great way to identify criminals and gather evidence against them. The cameras can record 24/7, making it easier to identify people and what they are doing.
Why is Security Video Important as Legal Evidence?
The importance of security video as legal evidence cannot be understated. Security video can be used to prove that an event happened or didn’t happen and can often be used instead of, in addition to, or to contradict eyewitness testimony. For instance, security camera footage can be used to prove that a person was at a specific location at a specific date and time or that someone was driving a car.
Many modern security cameras boast incredible video quality, and law enforcement and prosecutors can zoom in and focus on specific objects, even acting as a scale to measure distances. In some cases, security video can even retroactively track suspects’ movements. When an accident or crime occurs, investigators may be able to see the responsible party on security video and track the person to their home or other important location.
Why Security Cameras Used for Monitoring Only Are Not Admissible
Security cameras that do not record security video are observation tools only. These cameras help spot suspicious behavior and alert law enforcement when the behavior occurs and are especially useful for monitoring entrances, exits, parking lots, or other areas where security is critical. However, because these cameras do not record events, your business cannot use the security video as legal evidence.
As opposed to observation-only cameras, security cameras with recording capabilities are both observation tools to spot suspicious behavior before an event escalates and serve as legal evidence after an event occurs.
Professional Installation Ensures Authenticity of Security Video as Legal Evidence
In the state of Colorado, security video can serve as legal evidence as long as the footage complies with evidentiary requirements set by Colorado law. Put simply, there must be sufficient proof that the visual evidence on the video is actually from the date, time and location in question.
The best way to ensure that your security cameras are pointing in the right direction, with the correct date and time, is to hire a professional security camera installer. These professionals will ensure that the security cameras are properly installed and that the digital video recorder is working correctly and has the storage capacity necessary for your security needs. In addition, the best installers also make themselves available for maintenance, repairs and questions after installation.
System Links of Colorado is just such a security camera installation company. If you are concerned with using security video as legal evidence, trust the locally and family-owned company with 20 years of experience in CCTV and access control solutions.
Today, more Southern Colorado businesses than ever are using electronic door locks for access control. If you are researching how to best control access to your location, you have likely already come across various options available, including smart-technology-based access control utilizing electronic door locks.
But what is an electronic door lock, and how do they work alongside Bluetooth access control to give your employees and assets more protection? Please keep reading to find out the answer to these two questions and our list of why electronic door locks for access control might be the right choice for your business.
What Is An Electronic Door Lock?
Simply put, an electronic door lock operates by employing an electrical current. There are two types of electronic door locks for access control available, and the chances are that you have come across one or both recently without knowing it.
Magnetic Door Locks
Magnetic door locks, or mag locks, are popular solutions for office buildings with glass doors. An electromagnet is installed on the top of the doorframe, with a metal plate attached to the door. When the mag lock is active, the connection between the magnet and the metal plate is strong enough to withstand significant pressure without opening.
To disengage the lock, power to the electromagnet must be interrupted, which is the job of an electronic access control solution. Because electromagnets are so powerful, mag locks doors typically lock on both sides.
Electric Door Strikes
Chances are you have come across a door with electronic door strikes without knowing. These doors have a handle with a lockset and, from outward appearance, do not look different from traditional lock and key handles. However, locks with electric door strikes require an electrical impulse in addition to a lockset to release the door and provide access.
How does this work? Electronic door strikes have actuators that connect a bolt or cylinder to a small motor inside the door’s frame. The motor must receive an electrical impulse from the electronic access control system to start the actuator and release the magnet’s pull.
The tell-tale sign of access control that utilizes electric door strikes is the “click” you hear as the bolt or cylinder slides back, releasing the door and allowing access.
Whereas a door with a mag lock is locked from both sides when engaged, doors with electric door strikes are generally locked only from the outside.
Electronic Door Locks and Bluetooth Access Control
Bluetooth technology has been around since the late 1990s and gained popularity in the 2000s. Today, many types of modern technology utilize Bluetooth in one way or another. Incorporating Bluetooth technology into access control is a logical step for those in the security industry. Many of the benefits of modern access control systems stem from the use of Bluetooth. Eliminating the need for physical keys, keypads and key cards, not to mention the additional security features from using user biometrics, are all made possible using Bluetooth technology.
But the reasons that most Colorado companies like to supplement their electronic door locks with Bluetooth access control solutions have nothing to do with the exciting tech and everything to do with the practical benefits it brings to their business.
Why Add Bluetooth to Your Electronic Door Locks For Access Control?
Here are the top three reasons we recommend local businesses consider electronic door locks for access control with VizPin:
No Network Requirements Means A More Cost-Effective Solution
VizPin’s access control is cloud-based. No physical network connection is required, so installation costs are much lower than traditional electronic access control systems.
Easy Installation
Installation of access control systems in the past has been a multi-day headache for both the installation technician and the business needing security protection. However, Bluetooth has cut this time considerably, not only because no network is required but also because installation is straightforward. All installation requires are electronic door locks, a power supply, your smartphone, and an experienced installer.
If you do not have electronic door locks already installed, VizPin has you covered with their VizPin Smart Lock. Contact us today for more information on this all-in-one, battery-operated access control solution!
Ease of Use
Imagine an access control system that doesn’t require you to fumble in your pockets or purse for keys before you can enter your building. Imagine not having to remember to collect keys and keycards from a departing employee. Imagine the administrative time you can save by granting (or revoking) access from anywhere at any time using your smartphone. These benefits, and more, are all possible when you include Bluetooth to your electronic door locks for access control.
Which Access Control Solution Is Right For Your Colorado Business?
As mentioned above, a myriad of options are available to Colorado business owners who want to protect their physical assets and employees with an access control system. How do you know if electric door locks for access control using Bluetooth are right for your business or if a more traditional solution is appropriate? Let System Links be your guide. We have the experience and know-how to provide you with the best access control and security camera installations at the best price.
This article explores the advantages of video surveillance for caregivers and how home security cameras can help both your loved one and you as their care provider.
If you are caring for a loved one in Southern Colorado, you are balancing many responsibilities and are likely open to suggestions that will make your life easier. Video surveillance for caregivers can do just that.
All caregivers have many amazing attributes in common: compassion, empathy, and great love for the family or friends in their care. But that does not mean that caregiving does not come with challenges. One of the challenges that many face is trying to ensure the health and safety of their loved ones when they are not able to care for them personally.
Decrease Anxiety with Video Surveillance for Caregivers
First and foremost, using home security cameras can decrease anxiety for caregivers. The feeling of anxiousness is often what drives families to install surveillance systems in the first place.
With a video surveillance system in place, you can watch over your loved ones more closely and make sure that they are safe and sound. Having this extra level of reassurance will ease your anxiety and make you feel more confident in your role as a caregiver.
Video monitoring can be especially beneficial for caregivers of people with special needs, who have Alzheimer’s or another type of dementia, or seniors who may be prone to wandering or getting lost.
Security camera installation can provide extra peace of mind by letting the caregiver keep an eye on their loved one, whether they are inside the home or in the yard.
Video Surveillance Can Help Build a Caregiving History
Video surveillance systems can also help build a caregiving history for your loved one. Having a video history of your loved one’s daily activities can help you show a physician just how much assistance your loved one needs daily. This can help you get a more accurate diagnosis and assist you in qualifying for any available caregiving services.
A video history can also help if your loved one needs to move into a nursing home or hospice care facility. Having a history of your loved one’s everyday activities can help give their new care providers a better idea of what they can do daily.
Caregiving records and history in the form of video can allow your loved one to spend less time in the transition period of adjusting to a new level of care and more time actually receiving care.
Determine Changing Needs in Care
As your loved ones age, their care needs will change. You can use video to help determine the best ways to address these changes.
Even if you’ve been caring for your loved one for years, a video surveillance system can provide a video history of your loved one’s daily routines. That history can help fill in gaps where your memory might be fuzzy on specific details.
For example, if your loved one struggles with eating every day and requires help from a caregiver, you can use a video recording to determine what’s causing the problem. You can then use that information to help you change your loved one’s eating process. Perhaps they have trouble holding a spoon steady or can’t see their food well enough to know if there is any left on their plate.
A video surveillance system pinpoints these and similar issues so you can make the necessary changes to give your loved one better care.
Detect Abuse and Help Caregivers Know When To Step In
Another great benefit of video surveillance for caregivers is detecting signs of abuse. While the great majority of in-home health care providers choose their profession because of their love and compassion for their fellow man, unfortunately, there are times when this is not the case. With a video surveillance system, you can keep tabs on your in-home healthcare provider and make sure they treat your loved ones with the respect they deserve.
If you notice that an in-home health care provider is treating your loved one harshly or making them do things out of their skill set, you may need to take action. Video footage can show other family members or friends what’s happening and let them know when they need to step in and help you with your loved one’s care, and even provide the video history to report your caregiver to the proper authorities.
Video surveillance can also help keep your elderly loved ones safe from theft and vandalism. This can help you avoid false alarms and make your home safer for everyone. In addition, this will give vulnerable individuals confidence that they are safe if they need to stay home alone.
Caregivers Can Monitor From Anywhere
Finally, one of the best benefits of video surveillance for caregivers is the ability to monitor your loved one from anywhere. Many video surveillance systems have features enabling you to monitor your home anywhere you have an internet connection. This means that you can keep an eye on your loved one while at the office, running errands, or away on vacation. Imagine no more worries about leaving your loved one alone for long periods if you can log in and check in on them remotely.
Many video surveillance systems can provide you with a live feed to watch whatever is happening in your loved one’s home in real-time. This can help you catch minor problems before they become huge issues that require you to leave work or cancel your plans to deal with them right away.
Are You Ready to Simplify Your Role as a Caregiver?
If you are a Colorado Springs caregiver looking for ways to balance your many responsibilities, video surveillance can be a great asset for both you and your loved ones. Professionally installed and maintained home security cameras can ease your anxiety for your loved one’s safety when you cannot look after them personally, help establish a history of care, and determine changing needs in care as they arise.
The first step to gain all the benefits of video surveillance for caregivers is to contact us to schedule a free, on-site video security consultation. We are a local, family-owned business that takes your family’s needs as seriously as our own. We look forward to helping you fulfill your important role as a caregiver!
Summer is almost here in Southern Colorado, and with that comes open windows and garage doors, vacations, and for us at System Links, a chance to share some home security tips to keep your property protected during this busy – and higher security risk – season.
In winter, our focus may be on preventing theft during the holidays, whether by protecting deliveries left on our doorsteps or keeping our inflatable Santa from being stolen from our yards.
But in summer, we may be guilty of letting our guard down a bit while we enjoy more time out of doors. Here are three home security tips you might be overlooking this summer.
Shut and Lock Windows and Doors
Yes, keeping your doors and windows shut and locked is one of the most obvious home security tips out there. However, opening your windows and doors to the fresh Colorado air can be very appealing. Even in the heat of summer, afternoons often bring a breeze that freshens the air and cools down your home.
A word of caution is needed, though. Leaving your home with windows open, especially street-level ones, can be an open invitation to thieves. When going out for errands or work, shut and lock your windows and doors.
If your home has storm doors or sliding glass doors, lock the screen or the door itself, even when you are at home. Unfortunately, home invasions are not unheard of, even in the safest of Southern Colorado neighborhoods. Take steps to protect your home and family by keeping doors and windows locked.
Keeping your grass trimmed and your yard clean does more than add to your home’s curb appeal. Homes with disheveled lawns and bushes may indicate to thieves and vandals that you are not home. If you will be away from home for an extended period, clean your yard up and do some maintenance before you leave.
Keep your fence in good condition to limit access to your home. Whether a chain link fence or wooden plank fence, Colorado weather can deliver a beating to even the highest quality fences. Perform regular fence inspection and maintenance to ensure there are no weak spots and take corrective actions if there are areas that need attention.
In addition, putting yard and garden tools away after use does more than prevent rust and is one of our home security tips that we bet you haven’t considered. Tools left outside can be stolen or, worse yet, used to shatter windows and provide access to thieves and vandals. Ensuring your tool shed or garage is shut and locked keeps your precious tools from being used against you.
Clean, Adjust and Maintain Outdoor Lighting and Security Cameras
While you are outside cleaning up your yard, be sure to pay some attention to the lighting and security cameras around your home’s exterior. The brightest lights cannot shine without light bulbs, and the highest resolution cameras cannot give video footage if their lenses are covered in dirt and cobwebs or are not pointing in the right direction.
Step 1: Clean
Cleaning your outdoor lights and security cameras is not hard and takes nothing more than a soft cotton cloth and some water. Remove away any cobwebs or critter nests that may be interfering with the line of vision of both lighting and cameras. Gently wipe camera lenses and foggy glass panels on lighting using a moist cotton cloth. Do not use harsh chemicals or paper products, especially on security cameras, as fogging and scratches on the camera lens may result.
Step 2: Adjust
Next, look at the video footage coming from your security camera at different times during the day. Is the lighting sufficient overnight to deter a thief? Is the security camera still pointing in the right direction, or have Colorado’s high winds shifted the view ever so slightly? By making minor tweaks to the angle of your security cameras or lighting, you will enhance the benefits of each.
Step 3: Maintain
Like any other modern electronic, security camera systems require occasional tune-ups to continue operating at their very best. To keep your security cameras doing their job, do visual inspections of any exposed wires, mounts, and the outside of the camera itself. Make a note of any areas of concern and contact a trusted Colorado Springs CCTV service and maintenance company to make repairs and replace outdated components. h/protect-your-home-security-camera-from-hackers
Hopefully, along with planning your summer cookouts, the above home security tips have given you food for thought too. Thoughts of security, that is. Have a wonderful and safe Colorado Springs summer!
Once upon a time, the thought of security camera systems for churches was laughable. The innate respect for a Higher Authority made places of worship immune to the security issues that plagued the rest of society. However, as Bob Dylan once sang, “The times they are a-Changin,” and more and more ministries are investing in security camera systems for churches, classrooms and offices.
There are many benefits to securing church facilities with security camera systems, here are just a few.
Protecting Donated Funds
Whether your church relies on voluntary contributions or sets tithing for members, the need to keep these funds secure is a primary reason why so many church administrators invest in security cameras. Even with locks on the boxes, donated funds are at risk of theft. After emptying the collection boxes, the funds remain at risk until they are safely deposited into the bank.
When parishioners and visitors alike know that their actions are being recorded, the risk of theft goes down. And if anyone is bold enough to steal from the collection plate, the video evidence will be enough to elicit a visit to the confessional or the police station.
Protection Against Vandalism
Another reason so many Colorado Springs ministries are researching security camera systems for their churches is to deter vandalism. High-resolution security cameras located in parking lots and around the perimeter of the church and offices capture video evidence that can be used to prosecute vandals. Often, visible security cameras and signs alerting potential vandals that they are on camera are enough to deter their actions.
As already mentioned, times are changing, and present-day churches need to take steps to protect their parishioners while they are attending services or visiting church property. There are three primary areas where installing security cameras can provide a safe haven for members.
Domestic Violence Incidents
Incidents of domestic violence can happen anywhere, and churches are not immune to these situations. Angry spouses and partners can target their victims while attending church services because most churches have an open door, all-are-welcome policy. Protecting church members by installing security cameras can mean the difference between having a sanctuary where victims can soothe their troubles and yet another location where parishioners are anxious for their safety.
Accusations of Misconduct
The news is littered with accusations of sexual misconduct by clergy members, leaving church leaders and the ministry itself open to legal charges and civil lawsuits. Installing security camera systems for churches can provide parishioners with peace of mind that misconduct will be caught on video and reassure trusted leaders that unfounded accusations of sexual misconduct will not impact their ability to oversee their congregations.
Acts of Violence
Unfortunately, acts of violence at houses of worship are on the rise. Many Colorado Springs residents are still living with the aftermath of the 2007 shootings at New Life Church, the second church incident in Colorado within one 24-hour period. These tragic events well illustrate the need for security camera systems for churches. Security camera footage can be an invaluable resource in identifying potential shooters or others whose intentions are less than holy on church grounds.
Churches as Community Centers
Many modern-day churches regularly open their doors to the community through soup kitchens, classes, youth events, or other services. These admirable outreach programs do much good in the communities for both members of the church and those outside the congregation. With security camera systems for churches, employees and volunteers alike will be confident in carrying out their duties, knowing that activities are being recorded and made available to law enforcement as evidence should the need arise.
Other Effective Security Measures for Churches
In addition to the obvious benefits of security camera systems for churches in Southern Colorado, ministries can improve their security by implementing the following tips:
Designating church employees or volunteers as door-greeters
Walk the parking lot during services to deter vandalism
Next Steps: How to Get Security Cameras for Churches
The first step to installing security camera systems for churches is to request a professional security assessment. Experienced CCTV and security camera installers like System Links are experts in locating areas that pose a security risk for Colorado Springs churches.
Contact System Links today to learn about security solutions that will keep both churches and parishioners on hallowed ground. We are locally owned and operated and are happy to provide a free on-site consultation and quote for Southern Colorado churches and ministries.
As Colorado Springs’ experts in security camera and access control sales and installation, we receive many inquiries for access control systems for property managers. This request is easy to understand. When you manage properties for a living, keeping those properties safe, secure and well-maintained is your livelihood.
Below we discuss how an access control system, installed and serviced by a professional security system contractor, can make the job easier for Colorado Springs property managers.
Keep Your Properties Safe From Theft and Vandalism
One of the major benefits of access control systems for property managers is the protection they provide from theft and vandalism.
Thousands of Colorado Springs properties are the target of vandalism and break-ins each year. These incidents can take a toll on your tenants, maintenance costs, and most especially on your bottom line. Break-ins and vandalism can also create a risk of liability from tenants and guests who sustain damages.
Modern access control systems make it easy for property managers to limit access to certain areas to specific individuals. The system will let you know when unauthorized individuals attempt to enter those areas. When you have a system that identifies who’s been in your building, along with installing security camera systems that record activity in and around your properties, preventing objects and sensitive materials from being tagged, defaced, or stolen becomes much easier.
Property management is a constant balancing act between keeping each of your tenants happy while at the same time managing maintenance, repairs and budgets.
How would your management company benefit from the ability to track how much time your maintenance crew spends on each property, which properties you spend the most time on, and which repairs take the longest?
Access control systems for property managers will help you manage your assets more efficiently, and identify opportunities for cost savings.
In addition, with an access control system, property managers can register tenants, managers and guests with the click of a button. You’ll be able to keep track of who’s been in your properties and easily assign permissions, making it easier to book appointments and manage repairs.
These capabilities help you streamline your operations, making it easier to run your business.
Securely Track Access
One of the benefits of access control systems for property managers is that they can be used to track visitors. This makes it easier to know who’s been to your properties and when.
Most modern access control systems also let you create user profiles, including photos and biographical information. This allows you to track who is on your properties and identify potential visitors from the start. Imagine, never again worrying about tenants giving out their keys, keycards or fobs to friends and relatives. The only ones allowed on your property will be those with proper access credentials and their guests.
Many systems, like those from VizPin, allow access through Bluetooth. This allows the tenants easy access while giving property managers complete control over their properties at the touch of a button.
The goal of every property manager, whether residential or commercial, is to have happy long-term tenants. And one of the best ways to ensure quality tenants stay for years to come is to provide peace of mind through access control systems.
In apartment buildings, the safety and security of tenants is of prime importance. By ensuring that entrances and exits, as well as common areas like the laundry, exercise room and pool areas, are accessible only by tenants and authorized individuals, you are giving your tenants peace of mind that they are safe in these areas. And when a tenant leaves, you can immediately turn off all access to your property amenities.
For commercial tenants, the added protection from inventory loss provided by means of access control may be the option that sets your property apart from your competitors.
Recognize the Benefits of an Access Control System for Property Managers
This article has just touched on just a few of the many benefits of access control systems for property managers.
By allowing only authorized individuals to enter buildings or specific areas, property managers can reduce the risk of vandalism and break-ins. Access control systems can help manage your properties more efficiently, streamlining operations. And best of all, property managers who install access control systems at their properties boost tenant retention. Tenants who feel safe and secure are happier and stay longer.
If you are a Colorado Springs property manager interested in learning more about how access control systems can benefit your bottom line, contact System Links today for a free on-site assessment and quote.
If you take identity protection and your privacy seriously, you need to take steps to protect your home security cameras from hackers. Home security cameras can be an excellent way to keep an eye on your home while away or even capture moments that you’d usually miss. However, these devices aren’t necessarily secure. There are numerous ways an attacker could compromise your security camera and cause you a great deal of harm. This article surveys the top seven ways to protect your home security camera from hackers. We’ll explore the risks posed by hackers to your camera and practices to safeguard against these risks.
Why Home Security Cameras Are Vulnerable
We have all seen movies in which expert hackers can access the security system of a museum, vault, or other high-visibility building. Unfortunately, however, this scenario is not limited to the silver screen.
The fact that a home security camera is linked to your home network makes it a prime target for hackers seeking to steal your identity and violate your privacy. Home security cameras are often paired with other devices connected to your home network, such as a hub or recorder, to stream footage to an online account. This means that an attacker could potentially access your other devices on the network and cause untold havoc in your life. How can you protect your home security camera from hackers?
Change Your Password
You should change your password on all of your devices that connect to your home network. This includes your router, smart devices, and home security camera. You can use the same password on all of these devices, so make sure you choose something complex and unique. Cyber-security experts suggest using a randomized password generator to ensure that you do not unwittingly set passwords that are easy to hack. One we particularly like is from Avast. With their password generator tool, you can adjust the length and required characters. Because the passwords are generated on your local system and not over the internet, they can help protect your home security camera from hackers.
Install The Latest Firmware
Just as hackers are constantly coming up with ways to breach security measures, technology providers are constantly coming up with ways to block their efforts. The way they accomplish this is through firmware updates.
Modern security camera systems can have firmware pushed to the device as they are available, or you can manually download and install the updates. If you choose the second option, be sure to check for new firmware often. This is especially important if you use the device to connect to a home automation system. If an attacker were to breach your camera, this would allow them to access other connected devices on your network, such as your home automation hub.
Encrypt Your Camera
If you use a cloud-based storage service for your video feed, you should encrypt your camera. This will prevent your camera footage from being visible to anyone with access to the internet. An experienced Colorado Springs home security camera installer can provide you with options for the best way to encrypt your camera system and provide suggestions for the best places to install home security cameras.
Don’t Point Cameras at Private Areas
When setting up your home security camera, don’t point your cameras at private areas like bedrooms and bathrooms. Avoiding these areas will reduce the likelihood of a hacker invading the more intimate aspects of your home privacy. Point cameras at entryways and other public places. This goes for outside and inside security cameras.
If you use two-factor authentication (2FA) on any online account, you should use it on your home security camera. Doing so will add an extra layer of security to protect your home security camera from hackers. 2FA requires you to enter a code along with your password when logging in from a new device. This step makes it harder for hackers to steal your password and login details, as they would have to have your password and the 2FA code to access your account. 2FA is enabled by default for many cloud-based home security cameras, but you can also set it up on your own home security camera.
Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN)
An effective way to protect your home security camera from hackers is by using a Virtual Private Network (VPN). A VPN routes all your internet traffic through a secure server, making it more difficult for an attacker to intercept your home security camera feed. You can use a free VPN service like TunnelBear or pay for a premium VPN service like ExpressVPN.
Conclusion
You have already shown that you take your home and family’s safety, security, and privacy seriously by installing a security camera system. But while these cameras are an invaluable asset to have, you must also take proper precautions to protect your home security camera from hackers by applying the tips in this article.
Talk to an experienced, locally-owned and family-operated home security camera installer for more information and a free quote to protect your most valuable asset – your family.
Why Prioritize Employee Safety Outside Your Four Walls
If you are a Southern Colorado business wanting to retain your valuable employees, there is good reason for you to address parking lot safety sooner than later. You have spent the last two years prioritizing their physical and mental health during the pandemic. Now that employees are transitioning back into the workplace, their physical safety needs to be a priority. And that starts from the moment they enter your parking lot.
Criminals flock to parking lots because they are secluded and offer places to hide. This makes them the ideal location for car theft (including carjacking), vandalism, and assault. Unfortunately, many criminals assume that no one is monitoring these areas-which allows them to go undetected. What steps can you take to ensure your employees’ parking lot safety and security?
Parking Lot Safety Tips
Promote Safety in Numbers
Encourage your employees to leave in small groups or pairs, especially after the sun has gone down, and be aware of their surroundings. If they observe what seems to be suspicious behavior, have them report the activity immediately. Managers who get such reports should take appropriate steps to ensure the safety of all employees.
Install Adequate Parking Lot Lighting
There is a good reason why so many crimes occur at night. Criminals find it easier to strike under cover of darkness. Eliminate the temptation and increase your parking lot safety by keeping your lot well lit at all times.
In addition, increasing the lighting in your business’s parking lot can prevent accidents. With the many affordable options for outdoor lighting, even companies on a tight budget can take steps to illuminate their parking lot and improve employee safety.
Deter Crime with Security Fencing
Having a professionally installed security fence around the perimeter of your parking lot can deter crime. If the fence is hard to climb or requires effort to access, potential wrongdoers will likely feel that the effort needed is not worth their while and will look elsewhere for an easier target.
Security Guard Patrols
Security guards can provide an effective deterrent to potential thieves and other miscreants. If you can afford this service, make sure the patrol path is randomly selected. It does not take even an inexperienced thief long to detect patrol patterns, opening up opportunities for them to do their dirty work.
All of the above tips combine nicely with installing surveillance cameras in your parking lot.
Ensuring a security camera system is in place and maintained is one of the most productive and cost-effective ways to reduce crime and deter loitering in any parking lot. These weather-proof and tamper-proof cameras will keep an eye on the area around your building and in the parking lot to prevent break-ins, vandalism or burglary.
An experienced security camera installer can increase parking lot safety by making sure the cameras are adjusted correctly and are recording valuable footage that can be used to prosecute vandals, thieves, and attackers to the fullest extent of the law.
The options in facial and license plate recognition, high-resolution video recording, and night vision can assure your employees that you take parking lot safety seriously. They will have the comfort that they will have access to the needed proof to gain compensation if anything happens to their valuables or their person while they are at work.
An extra bonus of parking lot surveillance systems is that the cameras can be pointed at the entrances and windows of your building, increasing the overall security of your property and valuable assets in your building.
Put Up Signs
If you are protecting your parking lot with video surveillance, advertise that fact! Put up multiple signs letting people know that they are being recorded. When criminals know there will be video evidence of their activities, they are less likely to take the risk of getting caught.
Take Steps Today to Ensure Parking Lot Safety For Your Valuable Employees
Employees are the most valuable asset to your Colorado business. Show your staff that you take their safety and security seriously while in the office with access control systems and while outside with these tips for parking lot safety. Being proactive instead of reactive will give your employees (and you) peace of mind.
Putting a few protective measures in place can significantly improve your home security while on vacation. Knowing your home is safe will give you extra peace of mind and allow you to relax while enjoying your time away.
Here are four powerful ways to improve the security of your home and boost your peace of mind while you are away and the house is empty.
Make Your Home Look Occupied
One of the simplest ways to improve your home security while on vacation is to make your home look occupied.
Set timers on lights, radios and televisions so they’ll automatically turn on at different times during the morning and evening. Ensure your grass is freshly cut or (if winter) snow is being shoveled while you are away.
Ask a friend to park their vehicle in your driveway every once in a while to give the impression that you’re home when you’re not there.
Go to usps.com and put your mail on hold. Ask a neighbor to collect any deliveries that unexpectedly arrive for you. If you still get newspapers delivered, place your subscription on hold.
Install Outdoor Security Lights
A great way to enhance your home security while on vacation is to make sure the burglars cannot use the cover of darkness to break into your house.
Well-placed security lights can remove any shadowy hiding spots, encouraging would-be thieves to move on to an easier target.
Of course, you need to be mindful of how your outdoor light affects nearby homes, but it is usually okay with neighbors to shine a light on your own home doors and windows.
Install a Home CCTV Security Camera System
Security lights have an especially good effect when paired with security cameras. Place the cameras in conjunction with your security lights so you can view all your home entry points on your phone from anywhere in the world.
Just like the security lights make your house less of a target, a CCTV security camera system will deter burglars and other pranksters from approaching your home. For this reason, we recommend placing your security cameras in plain sight of your home’s entryways, garage door, walkways and first-floor windows. Your local security camera installers can help you find the best locations for optimal security in your home.
Security Yard Signs and Stickers
Finally, if you’ve invested in a home security camera system, let would-be burglars know about it. Display a yard sign or sticker with a “Smile Your On Camera” that tells them they won’t be able to mess with your house with impunity because of your home security camera system.
Breathe Easier Knowing You’ve Improved Your Home Security While On Vacation
You spend a lot of time and money planning your travels to relax and unwind, so it is worth your time, energy and money to maximize your home security while on vacation.
Taking the powerful combination of steps above to make your home look occupied, well lit and monitored by security cameras will work together to keep your house safe from burglaries, break-ins, trespassing and theft.
New clients can be self-conscious about coming to the gym for the first time. The seeming anonymity of simply scanning their card or using their phone to enter can remove some of this self-consciousness and increase their desire to come regularly. And regular gym users increase facility usage and boost overall profits.
One of the biggest challenges for visitor management in multifamily properties is controlling access to property amenities, such as the pool, exercise room, laundry room, and clubhouse. Tenants who pay for these amenities rightfully expect access to these areas to be limited to those who live in the community.
While you are outside cleaning up your yard, be sure to pay some attention to the lighting and security cameras around your home’s exterior. The brightest lights cannot shine without light bulbs, and the highest resolution cameras cannot give video footage if their lenses are covered in dirt and cobwebs or are not pointing in the right direction.
Most modern access control systems also let you create user profiles, including photos and biographical information. This allows you to track who is on your properties and identify potential visitors from the start. Imagine, never again worrying about tenants giving out their keys, keycards or fobs to friends and relatives. The only ones allowed on your property will be those with proper access credentials and their guests.
All of the above tips combine nicely with installing surveillance cameras in your parking lot.
Security lights have an especially good effect when paired with security cameras. Place the cameras in conjunction with your security lights so you can view all your home entry points on your phone from anywhere in the world.