As Auckland continues to grow and change, so do worries around property crime. With a 20% year-on-year increase in crime rates[1], home and business owners need to be more vigilant than ever to protect their properties. In recent years, the explosion of ram raids has only heightened these tensions. Businesses are now especially aware of their vulnerability.
Fortunately, advances in technology have made it easier than ever to secure your property and deter potential intruders. In this blog post, we'll explore the latest technologies that can help you protect your Auckland property in 2023. From CCTV cameras to advanced security sensors and access control systems. We’ll dive in to how a security system for your home or business will solidly boost your protection.
Smart CCTV security cameras
Surveillance cameras have been around forever. Since mid-last century, cameras have been used to secure a property or a public area. CCTV works as a very strong deterrent, but now it has also developed into an active security measure.
Cameras used to act only as passive protection. The concept is very straightforward and still powerful today: Criminals are recorded in the process of committing their crimes and the footage can be used as evidence to identify and incriminate them. Sometimes putting up fake cameras and a “24/7 CCTV Surveillance” sign can help reduce crime.
However, in the decades that have passed, cameras have gotten more and more powerful as a weapon against crime.
Modern cameras are packed with technology that can actually react to a crime as it’s happening. CCTV motion detection technology can send an alert when there is motion in an area there shouldn’t be. Additionally, in very recent years security camera manufacturers such as Dahua have begun incorporating machine learning (aka AI) into their products. This means the camera can actually identify what sort of motion it’s seeing. A human, an animal, a car, or any other kind of common moving object. Helping to reduce false positives and increase reaction speed.
Alarm systems with advanced sensors
Besides cameras, alarm systems have also been around for a long time. They work through very simple means. There are sensors that when triggered, send a silent signal to a controller. The controller can pass that signal onto a monitoring station. Additionally, it can trigger an audible siren which acts as a deterrent, letting intruders know they’ve been detected.
Modern sensors have evolved into various directions, starting with basic motion detection. The combination of numerous sensors adds fool proofing to your alarm system.
Motion detection sensors
A motion detection sensor is a device that detects movement within a certain area. They are based on different technologies, such as infrared or ultrasonic waves to detect motion. When an intruder enters the monitored area, the sensor will pick up their movement and send a signal upwards.
Motion detection sensors are useful in a variety of settings, from residential homes to commercial properties. They can be set up to monitor specific areas, such as entryways or hallways. Modern developments let them be programmed to ignore movement from pets or other non-threatening sources.
Glass break sensors
These sensors work by detecting the sound frequency signature of breaking glass. This frequency is rather unique and distinct from other sounds. Meaning false positives are extremely rare.
They are very useful to detect forced entry. Most have a range of approximately 20-25 feet, so they should be installed in areas close to windows or glass doors.
Other sensors
Depending how hardcore you want your security system to be, you are absolutely not limited to motion detection and glass break detection. If you can imagine it, it probably exists. For example you can install a vibration sensor (aka seismic sensor) which will help detect blunt force being used to break into a building.
Access control – smart locks
You probably know these as numpads/keypads. Evolving past physical key locks was another huge advancement of modern security.
You may imagine how not having a key can enhance your property’s security. It means a copied key can’t be used to gain access.
Modern smart locks have now grown far past simple keypads however. Current practice is to use scannable cards. These have a huge advantage especially for businesses. However for homeowners a keypad is often the more convenient option.
Full system integration
Combining the three pillars of security (Access Control, Alarm systems, and CCTV) builds a synergistic, responsive security system. Triggered alarms can be verified with CCTV surveillance. Failed access attempts through an incorrect keypad code or the wrong keycard used can also be seen through cameras. There are infinite options for how to respond to these threats.
Facial recognition through cameras can even detect if an employee is in an area he shouldn’t be, sending an alarm and even locking down that area through access control.
Remote Monitoring
Being able to see what’s going on in your property from anywhere in the world. Fifty years ago this would have been magic. Now it is standard practice. Remote monitoring means there can be eyes on your cameras even if no one is physically at the property. You can set up a camera monitoring company to respond to any triggered alarms at your property. Or even watch it from your own smartphone.
Conclusion
If you are a Aucklander reading this, you are most likely reading it for the same reason we wrote it – the alarming rise in crime, especially burglary. Hopefully you are now equipped with an arsenal of understanding about the options you can take to safeguard your property and belongings. Not to mention your loved ones or your employees. The combination of CCTV, Alarm Systems, and Access Control build layers of defences into your property, drastically reducing any crime and damage.
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