Computer Alarm's Security Checkpoint Management System

Introduction:

Of critical importance to any corporation’s internal security matrix is that system’s efficiency and reliability. A company must know that the resources of security system are generating a valuable return. A security safeguard, be it electronic or human, must be able to maintain a high level of reliability to ensure the well being of the people and property that it is designed to protect. Such reliability is easily checked and maintained with mechanical security devices, but is far more difficult to measure and control with regard to the human security officers that a company may employ as part of its overall security design.

The unfortunate truth is that security personnel can be fallible. While it is human to err, a mistake made by a careless security officer could have a heavy cost. For the duration of his or her shift, a security officer is responsible for the well being of the company property and personnel.  For these reasons, it is critical that a security department have in place a system to monitor, record, and safeguard a security officer’s actions so as to ensure that the officer is taking the proper action in the proper way, at the proper time.

Computer Alarm has designed a system ideal for assisting a security department and its parent company in accomplishing this task. Computer Alarm's Security Checkpoint Management System creates an environment in which security personnel are able to operate in a structured system of checks and safeguards, drastically reducing the chance of human error and vastly improving the efficiency of the department.

Computer Alarm's Security Checkpoint Management System has a host of advantages that make its implementation ideal for any company seeking to improve its level of security. The system is simple, yet it is highly versatile, adapting itself to the needs of each individual company. Its design can be easily modified to fit the changing needs of a growing and changing corporate structure. It is highly user-friendly, allowing for ease of use by security personnel as well as being easily programmable and audited by management personnel. Finally, it demands a remarkably low overhead to install and maintain compared to many other such systems.

What follows is a brief introduction to how Computer Alarm's Checkpoint Management System operates.

System Installation and Operation

The Checkpoint Management System is comprised of three simple units, a portable data terminal (PDT), a set of barcode checkpoints, and a software package that would be installed on a company microcomputer and accessed by the appropriate manager.

Installation of this system is easily accomplished. The most challenging task before a client company would be identifying the points of concern and developing the desired parameters around which Computer Alarm's Checkpoint Management System would be deployed. The Computer Alarm sales representative working with your company  would be able to assist developing the best strategy for which the system would be implemented.

Once the client-company and technical representative have isolated the needs would be installed. The instillation process would be swiftly performed by Computer Alarm, requiring minimal effort on the part of the client. Upon completion of the instillation, the following systems would be in place:

• The Portable Data Terminal (PDT) would be configured to respond to the individual demands required of it by the client.

• A barcode checkpoint pattern would be developed and installed within the company property, highlighting key areas that demand regular attention from security personnel.

• All security personnel, security supervisors, and corporate mangers involved in directing the department would be thoroughly trained in the use of the Portable Data Terminal, barcode checkpoint system, and how both are to be utilized to fulfill the unique needs of the client.

• Finally, the software package allowing complete access to the system would be installed on a microcomputer where the manager could observe and control the system’s use.

The specific operation procedure for Computer Alarm's Checkpoint Management System will vary, as each company’s needs are unique. However, because of the adaptability of the system, and the knowledge and experience of your Computer Alarm technical-sales representative, the system, once configured, will serve to provide a reliable system of safeguards. What follows is a general operation procedure for the system.

• Upon installation, the company client and Computer Alarm security consultant will have installed the barcode checkpoints at any and all key locations requiring attention by a patrolling security officer. Such locations could include checkpoints on a standard patrol route, company access points requiring constant surveillance, electronic or mechanical displays or devices that would need to be checked and secured by a security officer, or any other such areas of concern of the client company.

• As the security officer begins his patrol, he would equip himself with the PDT and an easy to carry logbook. Beginning his patrol, he could use the PDT to scan the barcode checkpoint that would record the starting time of his patrol and point of origin. Then, as he proceeds on his patrol, he would use the PDT in similar fashion to record his movements and actions taken to secure company property.

• Depending upon the individual needs of the company, the security officer may utilize the PDT system to check and record special points of importance beyond a simple patrol. For example, the security officer could use the PDT to record the status of certain computers, mechanical devices, or electronic readouts. The officer could use the PDT to input such information into his unit to be analyzed later by management.

• Finally, upon completion of his assigned patrol, the officer could mark his ending time and point of completion as he did in the beginning of this patrol. Then, the  data collected with his PDT would be downloaded into the microcomputer.  In this way, all data gathered by the security department would be available for review by the appropriate management.