What is Integrated Security?

Most modern businesses are now using some form of security to keep their employees, products, and companies secure. Common components include fire and smoke alarms, video surveillance, and access control. In almost all cases, any security system is better than no system at all. With organizational growth, typically comes more security needs. Instead of managing individual systems that may have compatibility issues, bringing systems together through one centralized integrated system can provide long-term savings and operational efficiencies.

Using disparate systems and software offers a false sense of security to its users. When security systems fail to integrate, it makes it difficult for any single component to interact with the other. Think of it this way: if you receive notice of an unauthorized entry into your building, it would be much easier to have immediate access to video of the entry. With disparate systems, you’re left reviewing your video surveillance to find the exact timestamp indicated by the unauthorized entry notice.

What Is Integrated Security?

An integrated security system allows multiple receivers and components of various systems to work together and form a layered approach to protecting what you and your organization values. Integrated security systems can be as sophisticated or straight-forward as you need them. Having a single point of control strengthens the ability of the user to identify the nature of an emergency and facilitate an appropriate response, enhancing the safety of building staff and visitors. Managing many complex systems seamlessly and efficiently provides increased accessibility and better management of multiple systems.

Improved Efficiency Through Integrated Systems

Perhaps the greatest advantage of an integrated security system is improved efficiency. This is demonstrated with a common security system that most people interface with at one point or another: 911. Whether there’s a fire, a medical emergency, or criminal activity, all you must do is call that one phone number and you’ll be connected with the right department for your needs.

Imagine, though, if the fire department, the EMTs, and the police all had different phone numbers, and calling the incorrect one meant hanging up and dialing again. That system would be inefficient and result in small emergencies becoming much larger ones.

Integrated security systems work much the same way as 911, streamlining workflows and processes. This makes comprehensive monitoring easier, as video surveillance, real-time monitoring, and access control systems work together to immediately identify when someone is somewhere they shouldn’t be. Whether it’s an employee engaging in theft or a bad actor attempting to breach a secure area, an integrated, efficient system will allow monitors to warn the intruder through a speaker system, contact security or the police, or take other actions immediately.

Real-Time, Comprehensive Monitoring Reduces Costs

Security guards are often used to monitor physical spaces. There are some advantages to having a trained guard present to surveil the area and act as a deterrent to bad behavior. However, the disadvantages may outweigh the advantages here, as security guards are expensive, offer limited surveillance capabilities, and may incur liability costs. Furthermore, as security guards are not the police, they are limited in how they can respond to nefarious behavior. Each of these disadvantages multiplies with every new security guard you hire or contract.

Video surveillance with real-time monitoring, though, is often less expensive than hiring a platoon of security guards. With appropriately placed, high-definition video cameras, your monitoring team will also be able to view a wider scene than a security guard. When you combine surveillance with access controls, warning speakers, and AI-driven analysis, your security system will cost less and do more than a team of security guards.

Preventing Bad Behavior Provides a Faster ROI

Any security system is an investment in terms of money and time. Purchasing the necessary equipment, subscribing to the best, real-time monitoring services, and focusing on installation and integration can take a great deal of effort. Yet, with integrated security solutions, your return on investment will come quicker than using disparate systems and software.

That’s because an integrated system best prevents bad behavior, whether it’s vandalism, theft, or even loitering. It reduces the amount of time your employees, especially non-security employees, spend on deterring theft or talking to loiterers to ascertain their intentions. An integrated system is also easier to update than siloed components, as the integration better ensures that an update of your video surveillance software doesn’t interfere with other components of the system. This all adds up to a rapid return on your initial investment.

SIS is Here to Solve Your Security Issues

SIS has decades of experience integrating disparate security systems for a variety of industries, from the government to retail to the financial industry and everything in between. To see how we can improve the effectiveness of your current security systems through integration, reach out to us today.