How 4G Networking Improves Your Home Security

How 4G Networking Improves Home Security–Every phone carrier says they have the best 4G network.  Who do you believe?

I decided to dig deeper into 4G phone networks.  Was I surprised by the results.  The 4G which stands for 4^th generation phone networking is changing the way we live, work and provide security for our homes.

The Last Five Years of Home Security Development

Look what has happen over the past five years. 
We started with 2G cell phones.  These cell phones could make calls and
text messaging.  Ok, so our children taught us how to text.  Our home
security systems were built on the traditional phone lines.

3G phones, smart phones, came on the scene.
 These phones allow us to connect to the internet.  We can watch a video
on our phones.  We could participate on social media from our phones. 
We can use our smart phones to shop.  Tablets became a part of this 3G
phone world.  This opened an entirely new wireless way for home
security.

Now we have 4G phones networks.  4G operate 10
faster and more robust than 3G phone networks.  This speed and power of
4G is not just connecting to the internet.  It integrates with an entire
sophisticated electronic world.  Before I talk about 4G advances for
home security, let me share some examples of ways 4G networking is
changing our everyday lives. 

With 4G technology a prescription can
automatically be send to a pharmacist when you are down to the last
number of pills in the bottle.  Health tags can monitor your health
condition and send critical information to your health provider
automatically.  Cows on modern farms are milked everyday automatically
using the 4G power and connections to information systems on the
internet.

4G networking is faster and more reliable than
3G networking.  Watch a video on 3G and there may be some distortions. 
When many 3G users try accessing Facebook, it can take a long time.  Try
moving a large business document or graphics over your 3G phone.  This
can have some limitations for home security.

What Does 4G Mean to Your Home Security System?

As I already identified in a previous post,
starting in 2017, AT&T will discontinue its support for 2G
networking.  Even before 2017, if your home security system is operating
on a 2G network, you may experience some degradation in the services. 
You have several options.

We can make adaptations to your existing system to bring it up to 3G speed. 

A second option is to move to the newer 4G

networking security systems.  Honeywell has a 4G advanced radio system
that will protect customer security investments for years to come.  It
also provides the high speed bandwidth requires for Total Connect . 
This allows you to move beyond security elements and into the smart home
controls for today’s interactive lifestyle.

If you are unsure about your current security
system and its future, give us a call.  We will provide you with a free
analysis of your security system and the options you can use to make
your home secure and safe now and for the future.

4G is changing the way we live and provide home security.

5 Tips for Construction Site Security

You will not hear about construction site thefts on the local news.  They have become too common place to be news.   Construction jobsite theft losses are more than just the costs of losing expensive equipment and materials. Contractors have to pay to replace or rent equipment to finish the job. There’s also the cost of downtime and project overruns if the missing equipment and materials delay a project. Plus, insurance premiums may increase.
5 Tips for Construction Site Security
1. Analyze Your Job Site’s Security Needs
In an ideal world, planning for job site security happens long before the job starts. Pre-job site analysis for theft and vandalism risks helps you minimize the chance that your site will be a target.
Is the job controversial?
Controversy could require increased security, and budgeting for it now could save you a bundle down the road.
Is there a history of crime in the area?
Talking to neighbors and police about crime in the area gives you more insight into how many layers of security you’ll need. Maybe a fence will be enough. Maybe you’ll need a fence and live monitoring.
Visit the site at night
A quick visit to the site one night after dark can speak volumes about potential vulnerabilities that you’d never see in the day time..
Identify site safety zones based on visibility from the road
While on that night visit you can work to identifying “safety zones” that are highly visible from the road.

2. Check Your Construction Site Security Lighting

Lighting reduces construction site crime because it not only discourages prowlers but offers any neighbors or passers by and your monitoring service to see any suspicious activity.
Bright White Light is Best
Bright white light provides good color differentiation making people easier to identify and license plates easier to read. Bright white lights are also more expensive to keep lit. The difference in visibility is worth the money though. As a general rule of thumb observers should be able to easily identify a face at 30 feet.
Protect Your Power Source
Thieves can and will cut power lines. Ideally power lines stay at a height of 24 feet or higher.

3. Create a Pre-Job Checklist That Improves Your Job Site Security

Keeping your job site secure starts long before you install your fence and other security measures. This checklist will help you reduce job site loss for your next project and give you an increased peace of mind.
Determine who will be held accountable for job loss on your site
Identify who will be responsible for security on your site
Create and implement your loss reduction plan
This includes stuff like an inventory management system, badges and uniforms for all employees and a mandatory sign-in form when anyone steps foot on your job site.
Gather contacts – police, fire and neighbors
Dig out the phone book or search online to find the numbers of the local police and fire departments, as well as the local neighborhood association if there is one. You’re going to want good working relationships with these folks for the duration of your project so it’s a good idea to make contact early and ask if there are any special security precautions you should make. Be sure to drop off your business card with any and all folks you visit with.

4. Create Security Questions for Your Daytime Construction Site

Daytime security is an often-overlooked aspect of construction security. To keep unauthorized “visitors” off your site some security experts recommend that everyone be required to wear a standard uniform. Have your foreman trained to use a series of questions.
So instead of “Do you work here?” Train your crew to ask a series of questions along these lines:
1) “Who do you work for here?
2) “What do you do for that sub contractor?”
3) “When did you and your sub come on the site?”

5. Your Security Fence!

Your temporary chain link fence can and should be your first line of defense in your construction site security program. Not only does it aid in keeping your tools and materials in, but it keeps potential lawsuits from curious trespassers out. Of course it’s important to remember that, “a fence system will only delay or reduce intrusion.”
How high is your fence?
The higher the fence the harder it is to climb. Further, high fences can serve as a psychological deterrent. Temporary fencing typically comes in 6 and 8 foot heights. You’re more secure going with the 8 foot heights in most situations, if only because it’s better deterrent for the “impulse” vandals and trespassers.
How big is the mesh on your fence?
The smaller the mesh the harder it is to climb or cut. 2 inch mesh is common on temporary security fencing but you’d be better with 1 inch mesh or even 3/8″ if available.
How wide is your clear zone?
Have you cleared brush, trash and storage away from the fence? Ideally you’ve got at least 5 clear feet on both sides of the fence to aid outside observers and reduce the ability to break through the fence undetected or even climb over by standing on debris.
How many gates in your fence?
The more gates you have the easier your perimeter is to breach. Minimize the number of gates through the perimeter if possible.

Conclusion

Follow these tips for a more secure construction site.  For more detailed information about construction site security see Jeremy White ‘s article.  If you want more help with your construction site security, give us a call and let us use our experience and security tools to make your site more secure.