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Rising Workplace Violence Necessitates The Need For Implementing A Structured, Approach To Incident Response.

Rising Workplace Violence Necessitates The Need For Implementing A Structured, Approach To Incident Response.

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Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services – 

Every year, thousands of American workers report being victims of workplace violence, with assaults resulting in 57,610 injuries in 2021-22 alone, according to the National Safety Council. 

These alarming statistics underscore the urgent need for managers and safety professionals to implement a structured, approach to incident response. By adopting this proactive strategy, businesses can not only respond effectively to violent incidents but also mitigate future risks, ensuring a safer environment for all employees.

Most Common Challenges in Proper Incident Response

  • Information overload can occur in the chaos following an incident, making it difficult for staff to capture all relevant details accurately. As a result, important information may be missed or recorded inconsistently.
  • Communication breakdowns often arise when attempting to quickly alert nearby locations about potential threats, especially in the absence of a standardized communication system.
  • Connecting the dots between incidents can be challenging without a centralized system that allows for data comparison across different locations and time periods, making it difficult to determine if an incident is isolated or part of a larger trend.
  • Resource allocation becomes guesswork when there are no data-driven insights to guide decisions about where to deploy additional measures, particularly in high-risk areas or during specific time periods.
  • Learning from incidents is hampered when there isn’t a systematic way to analyze past events, leading to missed opportunities for implementing lessons that could prevent future incidents.
  • Balancing speed and thoroughness is a common challenge, as the urgency to respond quickly to violent incidents often conflicts with the need for thorough data collection and analysis.

 

These challenges require a thoughtful, systematic approach to incident response. By addressing these issues head-on, businesses can significantly improve their ability to respond to and prevent violent incidents, creating safer environments for employees and customers alike.

SOURCE: 

Workplace Violence Reporting: Proper Responses to Violent Incidents, Loss Prevention Magazine, 09/26/2024.
#protectionservices #securitystandards #publicsaftey  #mobilesecurity #securitythreats

TSA Final Rule Enables Continued Acceptance of Driver Licenses at Airport Security Checkpoints

TSA Final Rule Enables Continued Acceptance of Driver’s Licenses at Airport Security Checkpoints & Federal Buildings

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Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services – 

Consistent with the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) efforts to enhance the passenger experience, TSA published a final rule in the Federal Register that would allow passengers to continue using mobile driver’s licenses (mDL) for identity verification at TSA airport security checkpoints once REAL ID enforcement begins on May 7, 2025.

The final rule, effective November 25, 2024, allows states to apply to TSA for a temporary waiver of certain REAL ID requirements written in the REAL ID regulations. Once approved, those state mDLs will continue to be accepted at TSA airport security checkpoints. TSA will publish on its website a list of states where mDLs are approved for federal acceptance. After emerging industry standards and federal guidelines are finalized, TSA intends to issue a future rule making to set more comprehensive requirements for mDLs that will eventually replace the waiver provisions established by this rule.

 

For more information on REAL ID, please visit TSA.gov/real-id. For more information about TSA’s use of digital identification, please visit TSA.gov/digital-id.

 

SOURCE: 

Anderson, L. TSA final rule enables continued acceptance of mobile driver’s licenses at airport security checkpoints, federal buildings, Security InfoWatch, 10/25/2024.
#protectionservices #securitystandards #publicsaftey  #mobilesecurity #securitythreats

The Glendale Police Department Uses Tech to Expedite its 9-1-1 Response

The Glendale Police Department Uses Tech to Expedite its 9-1-1 Response

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Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services – 

The Glendale Arizona Police Department was alerted to a shooting by following a 9-1-1 call’s real-time transcript.  The real-time crime center (RTCC) analysts immediately pulled up the security camera at the intersection and saw the homicide suspect fleeing in the victim’s vehicle. The officer was able to react before a computer-aided dispatch (CAD) incident was entered and apprehended the suspect after a pursuit.

Motorola Solutions’ CommandCentral Aware unifies voice, video, and data feeds from public safety, private enterprise, and community-facing systems, leveraging AI to verify incident data and speed up response. Built to the highest security standards, the command center solution surfaces, on a single pane of glass in the RTCC, 9-1-1 call details, the location of resources in the field, data from license plate readers and footage from fixed video, mobile, and body cameras.

 

SOURCE: 

Arizona police department utilizes Motorola 9-1-1 intelligence to halt active shooter, Security Infowatch, 10/17/2024.
#protectionservices #securitystandards #publicsaftey  #mobilesecurity #securitythreats

 

Factors to Consider When Implementing a Physical Security System.

Factors to Consider When Implementing a Physical Security System.

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Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services – 

While technology like cameras, alarms, and access control systems are crucial components, they are only as effective as the people who use and manage them and the systems that deploy them. When installing physical security systems, the focus should be on the holistic operation of the system rather than the functioning of individual components. 

Tight collaboration between security and IT stakeholders delivers significant value to both security and business operations, but it’s important to clearly define and communicate goals and expectations from the start. 

 

SOURCE: 

Anderson, L. What Is The Most Overlooked Factor When Installing Physical Security?, Security Infomed, 09/10/2024.
#protectionservices #securitystandards #publicsaftey  #mobilesecurity #securitythreats

An Effective Physical Security Plan Starts with Deterrence, Detection, Delay, & Response.

An Effective Physical Security Plan Starts with Deterrence, Detection, Delay, & Response.

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Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services – 

Deterrence, Detection, Delay, & Response.

Physical security technology helps to control access, monitor behavior, and respond to potential threats, thus enhancing overall security posture. It involves securing organizational assets from harm due to physical events, including natural disasters like fires and floods, and human-inflicted dangers like theft and vandalism.

Elements of an effective physical security plan–

  1. Deterrence: Deterrence can encompass various equipment such as signage, security cameras and door access systems. It also includes physical barriers such as doors, locks and walls.  
  2. Detection: Technologies used for physical security detection measures are sensors, alarms and automatic notifications via video management software. 
  3. Delay: Simple security measures such as additional doors, locks and security guards can help delay incidents. More advanced physical security technology, such as key card access and mobile credentials, can make it more difficult for unauthorized users trying to enter a building.  
  4. Response: A response strategy such as building lockdowns or automatically notifying emergency services is critical. 

Successful and effective plans should include these technologies to ensure that a facility can prevent physical threats and take necessary action if a security breach occurs.

 

SOURCE: 

Berg, D. Playing a Crucial Role, Security Today, 09/1672024.
#protectionservices #securitystandards #publicsaftey  #mobilesecurity #securitythreats

Body Cameras Deliver Enhanced Security and Accountability

Body Cameras Deliver Enhanced Security and Accountability

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Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services – 

Retailers seek effective solutions to the growing issues of theft and violence, the adoption of body cameras has emerged as a promising way to enhance security and accountability. This technology offers not just a way to record events as they unfold but it also serves as a preventive measure by visibly demonstrating that customer behavior is being monitored.

Body cameras can be strategically implemented to address these challenges, providing both immediate and long-term benefits to retailers. The operational, technological, and strategic advantages of integrating body cameras must be carefully considered. It’s important to ensure that all stakeholders are equipped with the knowledge to make informed decisions.

SOURCE: 

Wolfe, C. WHITEPAPER: Top 10 Points for Retailers to Consider Before Purchasing Body Cameras. Loss Prevention Magazine, 06/21/2024.
#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

 

Advanced AI Technology Enables Security Real-Time Monitoring to Mitigate Crime

Generative AI Technology Enables Security Real-Time Monitoring to Mitigate Crime

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Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services – 

Many organizations are investing in generative AI solution, Incident + ORC Intelligence, that automatically links incidents of theft, fraud, and abuse, enabling the seamless creation of comprehensive cases to help dismantle Organized Retail Crime (ORC) syndicates.

The technology enables real-time searches across millions of incidents and provides investigators with sophisticated tools to process, summarize, and analyze related criminal activities.

This solution is specifically designed to identify connections between incidents, using key details such as suspects, narratives, vehicles, and other critical case information. This targeted approach significantly enhances the investigative process, helping investigators quickly pinpoint related cases.

 

SOURCE: 

Appriss Retail introduces AI and shared investigative reporting to fight ORC. Security InfoWatch, 09/06/2024.
#protectionservices #securitystandards #publicsaftey  #mobilesecurity #securitythreats

 

Remote Loss Prevention Monitoring Enables Businesses to Secure Operations from Anywhere

Remote Loss Prevention Monitoring Enables Businesses to Secure Operations from Anywhere

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Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services – 

In-person loss prevention and security audit for retail locations isn’t going away any time soon, and shouldn’t. Sometimes you just need to visit a place, if only to show the frontline workers that you genuinely care and are serious about theft and loss, and nothing can replace walking through a retail space with the on-site leader. 

Remote video monitoring allows businesses to conduct loss prevention audits from anywhere. This has a couple major benefits over traditional loss prevention audits:

  • It’s cheaper because you don’t need to travel to a location to conduct the audit. .
  • It’s faster, so you can audit more stores in a day and increase the frequency of your audits

Today, asset protection professionals are being asked to do more with less these days. Remote loss prevention and security audits allow field workers and leaders to do just that. 

 

SOURCE: 

Langley, C. Loss Prevention And Security Audits In Retail. Security Informed, September 2024.
#protectionservices #securitystandards #publicsaftey  #mobilesecurity #securitythreats

 

Today's integrated technologies are transforming school safety approaches, enabling districts of all sizes to implement effective, scalable security solutions.

Integrated Technologies are Transforming School Safety

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Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services – 

 

An active shooter situation is often cited as being extremely rare among school violence incidents in our country. Nevertheless, when one occurs, it’s always devastating, often unpredictable, and evolves quickly. Whether at a school, a house of worship, or anywhere for that matter, one is still too many.

Today’s integrated technologies are transforming school safety approaches, enabling districts of all sizes to implement effective, scalable security solutions. These systems address unique local needs and facilitate compliance with emerging legislation. By leveraging the power of interconnected systems and devices, real-time communication, and data insights, schools can create a flexible and responsive security infrastructure that is efficient and effective.

SOURCE: 

Securing K-12 Schools From the Inside Out. Security Today, August 2024.
#protectionservices #securitystandards #publicsaftey  #mobilesecurity #securitythreats