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Aligning your metrics to key security processes within the organization is what’s really important. The challenge is to measure the right things.

Understand What Security Processes Are Essential For The Business To Succeed

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Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services – 

Aligning your metrics to key security processes within the organization is what’s really important.  The challenge is to measure the right things.

Security managers need to speak to senior leaders in familiar business language, offering measurable results that correlate with investment. Without compelling metrics, security managers and their budgets rely largely on the intuition of company leadership.

Experts agree, saying what’s important isn’t just about the numbers used but how those measures highlight that business story while solving problems to further business goals.

 

SOURCE: 

Randolph, C. Metrics that matter: How security professionals can show value, Security Magazine, 11/05/2024.
#protectionservices #securitystandards #publicsaftey  #mobilesecurity #securitythreats

 

Organizations Must Be Ready to Assess Potential Security Risks to Protect Everyone

Organizations Must Be Ready to Assess Potential Security Risks to Protect Everyone

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Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services – 

Security leaders across environments — spanning retail stores, corporate businesses, residential communities and cities — should prepare for threats that will require fast and informed action. We all have experienced major cultural moments, including the 2020 election, COVID-19 pandemic, and nationwide protests. 

It is critical for organizations to put in place security protocols to preserve employee and public safety while respecting the rights of citizens.  Creating a plan and protocols to address these incidents will help you ensure a coordinated response.

  • Establish communication protocols. Create clear communication protocols that explain how information will flow to key parties, such as store or business leadership, employees, customers, neighboring businesses and law enforcement.

  • Assess physical defense measures. How can you protect your building from damage or control the flow of traffic and people?

  • Promote de-escalation tactics. Reinforce your communication protocols during this training. Ensure that the safety of every employee and customer is the number one priority, reminding them to not get involved if physical violence occurs.

  • Implement safety technology. Cameras, alarms, motion detectors, and motion-triggered lights can all bring visibility to situations, add necessary deterrence if you make the decision to close a location, and gather evidence to help law enforcement pursue bad actors. Revisit your existing security investments to assess their capabilities, and consider whether you need new solutions to cover your gaps.   

 

SOURCE: 

Kelley, M. 3 potential security risks to stay ahead of post-election, Security Magazine, 11/20/2024.
#protectionservices #securitystandards #publicsaftey  #mobilesecurity #securitythreats

 

fruad

Mitigating fraud, theft and scam risks within financial institutions

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Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services – 

Social engineering schemes have been such an easy way for fraudsters to get money. To guard against this fraud exposure, banks and financial institutions have to work just as hard as the fraudsters, and stay on top of any new threats that emerge. 

One of the best ways to defeat a social engineering scam requesting payment is to make a phone call to a number that is on file and ask if the person you received the request from really sent those instructions. 

Confirming with the appropriate person on file through a verbal phone call that a funds transfer request can proceed is a smart way to identify scam (fraud) attempts. With possibly hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars at stake, it’s worth taking the extra time to confirm the validity of a funds transfer request.

SOURCE: 

Alger, J. Mitigating fraud, theft and scam risks within financial institutions, 12/2/2024.
#protectionservices #securitystandards #publicsaftey  #mobilesecurity #securitythreats

 

Conduct Vulnerability Assessments to Mitigate Violent Threats

Conduct Threat & Vulnerability Assessments to Mitigate Violent Acts

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Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services – 

UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally shot Wednesday morning in what authorities described as a ‘deliberate and targeted attack’ outside a Manhattan hotel hosting the health insurer’s investor conference.

The rise in violent incidents within the healthcare industry can often be traced back to personal frustrations with healthcare decisions, such as claim denials or unsuccessful procedures. These experiences can trigger strong emotional reactions, leading some individuals to express their anger through violent behavior. 

To mitigate these risks, healthcare organizations should conduct regular threat and vulnerability assessments using data-driven tools to identify exposures. Implementing layered security measures, such as access control systems, surveillance and secure office environments, can significantly enhance safety.

 

SOURCE: 

Bosch, R. Targeted killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO raises executive protection questions, Security Info Watch Magazine, 12/4/2024.
#protectionservices #securitystandards #publicsaftey  #mobilesecurity #securitythreats

 

Cargo theft involves the manipulation of data and identities to gain access to freight under false pretenses.

Cargo theft involves the manipulation of data and identities to gain access to freight under false pretenses.

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Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services – 

Organized retail crime (ORC) has been the buzzword in the retail loss prevention world for well over the past decade. During that time, the lack of support from the criminal justice system has certainly negated most of those efforts.

Criminals will establish fake trucking and brokerage companies with the sole intention of stealing cargo. They go through the same process as legitimate carrier information, registration, obtaining insurance, and operating authority. These companies then start completing legitimate jobs to establish a history of work performed. Once established, the thieves target high-value loads within their customer network to steal.

Insist on placing disposable GPS trackers inside your high-value loads. These cost-effective devices eliminate reverse logistics and device management while providing complete visibility of your freight, in real-time, from anywhere around the world. If and when a theft were to occur, you could follow the load in real-time from your phone to assist law enforcement in finding its exact location.

As of now, there is no silver bullet that will stop these thefts from occurring. But understanding the problem, training your staff, and installing protective measures will certainly act as a shield to help fend off these criminals.

SOURCE: 

Tabor, J. Strategic Cargo Theft: What It Is, How It Started, and What You Can Do to Stop It, Loss Prevention Magazine, 10/01/2024.
#protectionservices #securitystandards #publicsaftey  #mobilesecurity #securitythreats

 

Shrink From Theft Significantly Impacts Small-To Medium-Sized Retailers

Shrink From Theft Significantly Impacts Small-To Medium-Sized Retailers

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Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services – 

SMB retailers operate on narrow profit margins, they typically don’t have the budget or resources to invest in the training, security systems, and personnel to combat theft like larger retailers do. Offenders might also be more familiar with SMB retailers’ store layouts and know they lack specific security measures. If smaller stores with weaker security are located near larger stores with more robust protection, there might be an issue of displacement in which offenders pass by the big box shop for the mom-and-pop.

A low cost solution to theft prevention for SMB retailers is partnerships. Many law enforcement organizations have community policing units, where officers are specially trained to interact with local businesses and citizens to help them solve problems. SMB retailers can connect with this unit or a liaison and invite them to the store to dispense free crime prevention advice.

 

SOURCE: 

Fritsky, L. For Small- to Medium-Sized Business Retailers, Thwarting Theft Needn’t Come with High Effort or Costs, Loss Prevention Magazine, 10/09/2024.
#protectionservices #securitystandards #publicsaftey  #mobilesecurity #securitythreats

Artificial Intelligence Technology Delivers Proactive Security

Artificial Intelligence Technology Delivers Proactive Security and Efficient Crisis Response.

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Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services – 

The early days of artificial intelligence technology (AI) and facial recognition in video surveillance were often inaccurate and prone to false positives, limiting their effectiveness. Continuous advancements in AI algorithms and processing power have significantly improved the accuracy and reliability of these technologies.

Artificial intelligence and cloud technologies have become mainstream in the video surveillance industry.  Cloud-based solutions offer scalable, flexible storage and processing capabilities, reducing the need for on-prem infrastructure. 

True artificial intelligence will enable even more sophisticated analytics, predictive capabilities and autonomous decision-making. As technology continues to evolve, the possibilities for enhancing security and operational efficiency are limitless.

 

SOURCE: 

Hile, R. Teaching Old Dogs, New Tricks: 21st Century Video and Video Integration, Security Today, 09/16/2024.
#protectionservices #securitystandards #publicsaftey  #mobilesecurity #securitythreats

 

Retailers' Concern for Safety and Security have heightened

Retailers’ Concern for Safety and Security have heightened due to the Growing Threats.

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Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services – 

Break-ins and break-in attempts are always a concern for retailers for safety and security reasons, and these concerns have heightened due to the growing threats faced in recent years.

Before the pandemic, physical security’s role in business intelligence and operations was already growing, but over the last few years, it has proven to be a strategic asset in coping with a variety of challenges.

Security measures need to be integrated to manage potential threats to create the safest, most secure environments. 

SOURCE: 

Wolfe, C. LPM Survey: Storefront Security and Emergency Response 2024. Loss Prevention Magazine, 07/09/2024.
#protectionservices #securitystandards #publicsaftey  #mobilesecurity #securitythreats

Organized Crime and Shrinkage are on The Rise

Organized Crime and Shrinkage are on The Rise, Security Protection Is Essential to Offset Losses.

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Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services – 

The final stage of the supply chain process in retail, is getting products off trucks and into stores. Retailers face rising security threats, such as theft, shoplifting, internal fraud, vandalism, and even violence. Matters are intensified by self-checkout systems and the complexities of post-pandemic retail environments. 

Whether managing day-to-day retail operations or responding to disasters and large-scale events, retailers must be prepared for the unexpected. Nexgen Security offers scalable solutions to meet these challenges head-on, enabling businesses to enhance security, reduce losses, and maintain operational integrity.

 

SOURCE: 

Wolfe, C. WHITEPAPER: The End-of-Sale Process in the Retail Supply Chain. Loss Prevention Magazine, 10/20/2024.
#protectionservices #securitystandards #publicsaftey  #mobilesecurity #securitythreats

loss protection strategies

Loss Prevention Strategies for Effective Collaboration

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Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services – 

 

The most effective loss protection strategies are those that engage every level and department within an organization.

The essence of this collaborative approach is to move beyond the traditional confines of asset protection. It’s about breaking down the silos and fostering a culture where asset protection is seen as a shared responsibility.

To be effective, asset protection leaders must ensure they are seen as valuable partners rather than roadblocks. This involves actively seeking ways to support other departments’ goals and finding solutions that benefit the entire organization. When others see you as a collaborator rather than an obstacle, they are more likely to include you in critical meetings, ideation sessions, and decision-making processes.

 

SOURCE: 

Shugan, D. Collaborative Approaches to Asset Protection: Engaging All Stakeholders. Loss Prevention Magazine, 08/01/2024
#protectionservices #securitystandards #publicsaftey  #mobilesecurity #securitythreats