Building Security
Revolutionizing brick-and-mortar security with wireless sensor technology
Building Security Augmented by Wireless Sensor Technologies
Using wireless sensors and low-power wide area networks (LPWANs), we are now able to transform everyday objects into Internet-enabled devices that help us protect buildings and homes. Without spending much capital, facility managers can use low-maintenance Internet of Things (IoT) sensors to monitor diverse environments, track activity in specific rooms, and identify suspicious behavior around valuable assets. It is easier now to integrate sensors with existing security systems and create additional layers of protection where needed. In this article, we highlight several security-related use cases for wireless sensors and showcase some of the ways that you can optimize wireless sensor technology for your organization.
Monitoring Commercial Buildings and Facilities of any size
Using wireless sensors and low-power wide area networks (LPWANs), we are now able to transform everyday objects into Internet-enabled devices that help us protect buildings and homes. Without spending much capital, facility managers can use low-maintenance Internet of Things (IoT) sensors to monitor diverse environments, track activity in specific rooms, and identify suspicious behavior around valuable assets. It is easier now to integrate sensors with existing security systems and create additional layers of protection where needed. In this article, we highlight several security-related use cases for wireless sensors and showcase some of the ways that you can optimize wireless sensor technology for your organization.
Example Use
A retail business might install sensors at every ground-level window and any doors that lead to high-value lockboxes or vaults. A jeweler could place wireless door sensors on the inside of display cases that alert security staff members if opened unexpectedly. An electronics store with high-value merchandise might want wireless sensors installed wherever expensive inventory sits before it is brought out to the floor.
Security teams could cross-reference sensor messages with camera footage or rely completely on sensors to notify of unusual activity. Wireless tilt sensors can be placed on garage or bay doors to track opening and closing events.
Example Use
A retailer with major warehouse operations might want a tilt sensor to alert staff when garage doors open after-hours. Facilities can also use passive infrared (PIR) motion sensors to detect movement in and out of certain areas. PIR sensors can be programmed to send alerts when individuals enter or leave small spaces, which can be helpful for monitoring back rooms and quieter areas in large warehouses.
Acceleration-based movement sensors are particularly effective for brick-and-mortar businesses that leave inventory outside of their physical structures. For example, car dealerships can place wireless accelerometers underneath every car in their lots to quickly detect stolen vehicles. Home improvement retailers that leave large equipment or gardening tools outside could place wireless movement sensors on high-value goods that bad actors might be tempted to steal.
On building exteriors, wireless push buttons are useful in security applications as they can be used as small, low-cost panic or notification buttons that can be placed almost anywhere.
Example Use
A bank might install wireless push buttons underneath every desk so that law enforcement could be immediately notified of any attempted robberies. Front-desk staff for any major office building could also alert security if necessary, with the simple click of a button. Additionally, it’s becoming increasingly common for hotels to provide cleaning staff with wearable panic buttons to use if they find themselves in dangerous situations.
Overall, there are countless ways that commercial businesses and organizations can protect their brick-and-mortar locations. Facility managers now have the tools to easily manage many devices simultaneously and thoroughly cover properties in multiple ways.
