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The Presence of Security is Still The Best Deterrent to Crime

The Presence of Security is Still The Best Deterrent to Crime

Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services – 

CVS, Target and other chains have barricaded everything from toiletries to cleaning supplies. It’s backfired in almost every way. Different products experience different theft rates, depending on store location and other factors. 

Beyond the financial impact of these crimes, the violence and concerns over safety continue to be the priority for all retailers. Professional security services is a strong deterrent, forcing criminals to think twice before they try to steal something. Security guards also handle vandalism and disturbances, ensuring customers’ shopping experience remains peaceful.

 

SOURCE:  Mull, A., Retailers Locked Up Their Products—and Broke Shopping in America, Bloomberg.com, 8/01/2024.
#protectionservices #securitystandards #publicsaftey  #mobilesecurity #securitythreats

Employee-Safety-in-the-Face-of-Organized-Retail-Crime

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 training can keep employees and customers safe.

 

SOURCE: 

Hernandez, S. Smash-and-grab robbers coordinated crimes on social media. Eight culprits now face prison, Los Angeles Times. 7/30/2024.
#protectionservices #securitystandards #publicsaftey  #mobilesecurity #securitythreats



Responsibilities-For-School-Security.

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 grounds—are potential trouble spots.

 

SOURCE: 

Meeting Responsibilities for School Campus Staff, Security Today. 2024.
#protectionservices #securitystandards #publicsaftey  #mobilesecurity #securitythreats



honeypot can give you equally good information about internal threats and show vulnerabilities in such areas as permissions that allow insiders to exploit the system.

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 over everything he/she knows.

In computer security terms, a cyber honeypot works in a similar way, baiting a trap for hackers. It’s a sacrificial computer system that’s intended to attract cyberattacks, like a decoy. It mimics a target for hackers, and uses their intrusion attempts to gain information about cybercriminals and the way they are operating or to distract them from other targets.

Firewalls also won’t help against an internal threat – an employee who wants to steal files before quitting their job, for instance. A honeypot can give you equally good information about internal threats and show vulnerabilities in such areas as permissions that allow insiders to exploit the system.

Overall, the benefits of using honeypots far outweigh the risks. Hackers are often thought of as a distant, invisible threat – but using honeypots, you can see exactly what they’re doing, in real time, and use that information to stop them getting what they want.

 

SOURCE: 

Grant, D., New honeypot techniques for addressing targeted attacks, Security Today. 07.25.2024. 

#protectionservices #securitystandards #publicsaftey  #mobilesecurity #securitythreats

 

This new legislation, effective July 1, 2024, mandates all employers establish, implement, and maintain an effective Workplace Violence Prevention Plan (WVPP).

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 Workplace Violence Prevention Plan (WVPP). SB 553 underscores the state’s commitment to enhancing workplace safety by requiring employers to proactively address and mitigate the risks associated with workplace violence.

Preventing a case of violence happening at the workplace is objective. Devising an effective anti-violence policy is a cornerstone of any prevention program. Don’t make the mistake of formulating violence prevention program without due deliberations in risk evaluation.

Nexgen Protection Services can help you in devising a prevention policy after thorough risk assessment.

 

SOURCE: 

Saquella, A., Creating a safer workplace: California Senate Bill 553 becomes law, Security Today. 07.25.2024. 

#protectionservices #securitystandards #publicsaftey  #mobilesecurity #securitythreats

 

Provide training about the ways to spot deepfakes, and foster a culture of skepticism,

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 sensitive information. 

Educate your employees about the existence of deepfakes. Provide training about the ways to spot deepfakes, and foster a culture of skepticism, similar to the way that employees are now on guard for phishing emails.

 

SOURCE: 

Collot, B., Are deepfake fraud risks overhyped? Where enterprises are exposed, Security Today. 07.26.2024. 

#protectionservices #securitystandards #publicsaftey  #mobilesecurity #securitythreats

 

Holy places, shrines, cathedrals, synagogues, mosques, megachurches and schools are no longer safe. Nothing seems to be sacred.

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 needs to ensure that the congregation has peace of mind. In doing so they can continue to learn, reflect, pray and celebrate in safety and comfort.

 

SOURCE: 

Omnert, D., In the Spirit of Security, Security Today. 07.31.2023. 

#protectionservices #securitystandards #publicsaftey  #mobilesecurity #securitythreats

 

Loss prevention specialists are leveraging technology to mitigate losses.

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 #publicsaftey  #mobilesecurity #securitythreats

 

The-effectiveness-of-audio-security-surveillance-is-often-underestimated

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 not allowed. For example, restrooms are a no-go area for cameras, but an analytic that detects glass breaks and yells can prevent such an area from being a complete blind spot.

By effectively addressing privacy concerns, audio analytics allow for the responsible utilization of audio capabilities in security cameras. Pairing AI-enabled cameras with audio analytics is an effective strategy for success.

 

SOURCE: 

Barbosa, R., Enhanced Situation Awareness, 07.24.2024. Security Today. 

#protectionservices #securitystandards #publicsaftey  #mobilesecurity #securitythreats

 

Ways to Defuse a Potentially Dangerous Situations

Ways to Defuse a Potentially Dangerous Situations

Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services – 

The unfortunate state-of-affairs surrounding safety and security throughout the country about hostile events has increased in all industries over the years.

Security Details follow these five strategies to defuse a situation from becoming violent. 

  1. Scan for signs of tension.

In order to de-escalate conflict, security officers must first be aware of what that conflict might look like. Raised voices or facial expressions change as anger rises. Brows furrow, lips tend to form a thin line, nostrils flare and the face also may blush and turn redder as anger builds. You may also spot tension in the body with clenched fists, stiff shoulders and even sweating. All of these physical signs may indicate that a situation is heating up and requires intervention.

 

  1. Establish authority and intention.

It’s important to calm those involved without having to take any additional measures. Defusing a situation before it becomes a problem is far superior to reacting to violence as it occurs. 

 

  1. Be calm in your voice and demeanor.

Approach the situation directly, but calmly. Speak with a calm authority. Clearly outline the policy of the event or venue. 

 

  1. Show them that you’re listening.

Active listening is a great tool to help those around you understand that they are being heard. 

 

  1. Define a resolution.

Effectively work through a resolution to make sure things don’t escalate again. The resolution may be that both parties must be removed from the area, facility or event in order to maintain safety. 

 

No two conflicts are alike, and different strategies may be needed in order to resolve that specific dispute. Defusing the situation should be the first step before using other tactics that may intensify a potentially dangerous situation further. Security guards are specifically trained to handle potentially dangerous situations while keeping people safe and secure. 

 

SOURCE: 

Hill, W., Pendants Thwart Panic, 87.01.2023. Security Today. 

#protectionservices #securitystandards #publicsaftey  #mobilesecurity #securitythreats