Entries by Andrew Ciccone

Employee Safety in the Face of Organized Retail Crime

Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services –  The rash of flash-mob-style robberies in Los Angeles prompted several task forces of local and federal agencies to target the thefts, as well as work with retailers to enhance security and deterrence measures. To overcome the ongoing threat of organized retail crime, pairing safety technology and ongoing safety […]

Video Surveillance is Critical for Safety and Security

Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services –    Video surveillance plays a major safety and security role at all types of facilities, and the technology has come a long way over the years. Cameras with powerful processors will be able to do more edge processing of video data than ever before.  With technology changing so […]

Responsibilities For School Security

Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services –    Among the most important responsibilities are maintaining a visible presence and building trust. Another important responsibility includes touring the campus frequently.  High-risk areas that have been identified—such as locker rooms, bathrooms, isolated hallways or stairways, portable classrooms, playing fields, other out-buildings, and/or isolated areas of the building […]

Honeypot Techniques Expose Internal and External Threats

Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services –  One honeypot definition comes from the world of espionage, where Mata Hari-style spies who use a romantic relationship as a way to steal secrets are described as setting a ‘honey trap’ or ‘honeypot’. Often, an enemy spy is compromised by a honey trap and then forced to hand […]

Developing an effective anti-violence policy is a cornerstone of any prevention program.

Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services –  In response to increasing concerns over workplace safety, California’s Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 553 (SB 553) into law, a significant step towards ensuring a safer work environment for all employees.  This new legislation, effective July 1, 2024, mandates all employers establish, implement, and maintain an effective […]

Deepfakes can cause financial and reputational damage to your organization.

Cybersecurity and fraud prevention are inextricably intertwined. Most organizations have robust firewalls, secure operating systems and intrusion detection systems. Deepfakes bypass these preventative firewalls through social engineering techniques.  Individuals receive an email from a seemingly reputable source requesting employees give up sensitive information over email. Once this information is provided, hackers infiltrate company’s databases extracting […]

Sidewalk bollards prevent and protect the public from being injured by vehicles nearby.

Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services –  Bollards installed on sidewalks and around the perimeter of buildings are an essential way to keep everyone safe. A bollard is a short vertical post used to separate pedestrians or streetscape elements from vehicles. There are too many accidents where you see a vehicle crashed inside of a […]

Houses of worship are now targets of vandalism, theft and attacks.

Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services –  Holy places, shrines, cathedrals, synagogues, mosques, megachurches and schools are no longer safe. Nothing seems to be sacred. Antisemitism has skyrocketed over the past few years. Bigotry continues toward followers of Islam. Conflicts between spiritual beliefs and mainstream culture have also created tension. Many are assessing their security […]

Loss prevention specialists are leveraging technology to mitigate losses.

Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services –  Organized retail crime (ORC) has become widespread. Artificial Intelligence, AI-based cameras with advanced analytics can extend the reach of loss prevention specialists by accurately alerting staff to certain behaviors such as loitering of people and vehicles.    SOURCE:  Foley, S., Addressing Unique Challenges, Security Today. 07.21.2023.  #protectionservices #securitystandards […]

The effectiveness of audio security surveillance is often underestimated.

Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services –  In the world of security and video surveillance, the value of audio is often underestimated. While audio plays a pivotal role in intercom systems, its significance in broader security and event management contexts is frequently overlooked. Audio analytics can also enhance situational awareness in areas where video is […]