NEW GUARDTEK FEATURE UPDATES
Here you are the last and most important updates of GuardTek both for Post and M-Post:
Set Conditions
- You are now able to get notifications based on how a specific report is answered.
- When the user answers a field in a “particular manner”, that answer can trigger a notification to a specific person or group of people. Let´s see an example: You have an “accident report”, then, It appears an incident with a question “Did you call the police?” if the officer answer is “No” then you don’t send an email, it’s not important. If the answer is “Yes”, then you want to send an email to the general manager, so he knows that the police will come. You have also the option to mix the condition. Let´s use another example for maintenance reports. You can have a question like “type of issue”:
1. Door blocked
2. Window broken
3. Water on the floor
for the response 1 and 2 you would send the report to the maintenance service and for 3 you would want to send to the cleaning service. It can really be useful in a lot of different cases.
Image Canvas
The main request from our customers was to be able to do “vehicle inspection”. With this update the officer would inspect the vehicle and then draw on the picture the places where there are dents or cracks in the car.
- You can now add an image to a report and have the user draw on top of the image. This is quite useful in the case of a vehicle inspection or an injury report.
- A diagram of a vehicle or person can be added to the template. The reporting officer can then use this diagram to indicate where the damage or injury is located.
How can you use this?
Both of these updates are in regard of Incident and Event Reporting. They improve the process by getting more detailed information and more detailed notification.
If you need more detailed information about our updates please contact to support@trackforce.com
Article Resource: http://www.trackforce.com/new-guardtek-feature-updates-2/
Important Tips for Security Patrol Guards while Performing Their Duty
Security patrol guards walk day and night around properties they are assigned to secure. They provide a safe and secure environment to the property and prevent violence and thefts. Unlike normal security officers, security patrol officers do not secure small business, gates or personal premises. They work for the state or a local law enforcement department or a big organization or property. They Patrol and respond to emergencies such as robberies, kidnappings, assaults, homicides and other incidents in only a particular geographic area. When they are appointed on highways and roadways, they control traffic, issue citations and arrest criminals. At the time of accidents, they assess damage, assist injured motorists and assist other local law enforcement agencies. These duties require patrol officers to be in good physical condition. It requires a lot of energy and smartness to make right decisions at crime scenes. Here we have got some tips for security patrol officers that they can follow while working in the field.
Always Stay Awake in the Field:
I know it is hard to stay awake while doing long hours while patrolling in shifts. But staying awake is the most important thing that a security patrol officer should work on. It is very difficult to stay awake when your eyelids start drooping and your head starts bobbing down. Here you have to apply some common sense tips to get rid of feeling sleepy.
- Eat nutritious and small meals.
- Eat in small breaks.
- Drink a lot of water.
- Get a good scheduled sleep.
- Make a routine for exercise.
When all of these do not work, just take a pinch of coffee grounds and put it between your cheek and lower gum, it is similar to chewing tobacco. It might taste nasty and bitter, but it will surely work. A pinch of coffee grounds will easily get into your system within 5 to 10 minutes, which is faster than drinking a cup of coffee.
Do Not Have any Doubts about Patrolling Parameters
To ensure the effectiveness of guard tour system, it is very important for security officers to know about the different parameters of tours such as patrolling timing, intervals timing and tour routes. It is important that patrol officers should not have any doubts about how to execute guard tour but should be aware of specific actions that are required to accomplish in predefined time. Security patrol officers are also expected to be aware of predefined routes to follow while managing staff. They should know appropriate directions as to how security patrols are executed.
Always Carry Required Security Equipments
Do not forget to carry important security equipment with you. As a security patrol officer, carry security equipment that you are allowed to carry such as a gun, baton, pepper spray and knife. Security equipment is an important item that every security patrol officer should carry in their duty belt. Always have a quick access to your security equipment so that you can fight and protect yourself in a critical situation. Ensure that your defensive gear is in good working order. Carry a light torch or wear a helmet torch for night tours. Make sure your light equipment is working and will not fail during tours. Wear a chest west inside your uniform and make sure you are wearing a comfortable pair of shoes.
7 Significant tips for successful security patrolling
Construction sites, shopping centers, airports and hotels know the importance of hiring security patrol guards for security. These are the main locations that require security guard walk and monitoring for ensuring their security. A security patrol guard obviously has to manage a lot every day. Keeping a watch over the property by regular walking and travelling around the property is not an easy task. To provide quality security patrol services you should need to use proper patrol techniques. Here we have got some essential techniques for safe and effective patrolling that every security patrol officer should bring into play to protect their client’s property and protect them from harm.
1. Security Guard Patrol Officer should wear comfortable shoes
Security Patrol Guards who are on foot patrol should be wearing comfortable shoes that allow them to walk for long distances with ease while they are on shift. Most private security guard firms do not provide their guards comfortable shoes. It is a responsibility of security patrol guard to get proper footwear. Their shoes should be supportive, comfortable and of rubber soles so that security guard should be able to run wearing them if necessary.
2. Security Patrol officer should carry their defensive gear
Security guards on patrolling should always carry their defensive gear with them. As a security patrol officer if you are not allowed to carry a gun as a part of security force, you should always carry whatever defense gear you are allowed to. Defense gear is an important item that every security patrol officer should carry their duty belt. As a security patrol officer you should always have a quick access to security defense gear so that you can fight and protect yourself in any critical situation. Everyday before going on your shift ensure that your defensive gear is in a good working order.
3. Maintain a safe distance during conversation
Maintaining a safe distance during conversation with anybody is an important tip that every security patrol officer should keep in mind to defend himself while doing his duty. For a security patrol guard it is very important tip to remain safe while speaking with members of public. He should look into the eyes of the person he is speaking to and watch his upper body part movement. Person’s eyes and upper body part movement will serve you as a point to defend the security officer in case of an attack.
4. Security Patrol officer should keep his patrol interval random
You should always keep you patrol intervals random. You should never do your patrol at the same time every hour. All your patrols should be random that is a ten minute interval, thirty minute interval and you can mix it up with a fifteen minute interval or in between. Do not let criminals know about your exact timings of patrolling. Make your patrolling timing unpredictable for criminals.
5. Walk for long around corners
Do not forget to walk long around corners while doing patrolling on a site. If you are walk tightly around corners, you will lessen the risk of allowing criminals to hide around the corners and surprising you. Take long time to patrol corners and use your flashlight to patrol around every corner.
6. Do not only look listen to the surroundings
As a security patrol officer you should not only look around the surroundings but you should also listen to the surroundings. It is very difficult to see a moving person or object when you are moving so stand still and listen what is moving within your view. Notice everything that is moving around you, and then continue your route.
7. Do not go by same the route
Taking the same route again and again for patrolling is one of the biggest mistakes that new security patrol officers make. Take different routes as you patrol. Doing this will make criminals live in suspense and they will never know where you will be at any given time.
Physical Security Incident Management Software: Improving the Effectiveness of Incident Management in Hospitals
Physical security incident management software is an important tool for managing overall incidents of hospitals related to patients, staff, emergencies, events, information security breaches and medical errors. It is a life saving tool and a powerful software application that helps hospitals to manage their incidents. It centralizes all incident information and important data of the hospital into a one easy-to-use system. Let’s have a look at the number of features of physical security incident management software that helps hospitals to promote security and working efficiency across the healthcare organization.
- Real-time communication within hospital
Physical security incident management software helps to establish a real-time and smooth communication across the hospital organization. Its incident reporting system has a real- time communication capability that helps hospitals managing daily emergency operations of all levels from one centralized platform.
- Physical security incident management software notifies responders about incidents in real-time
Physical security incident management software with the use of its real-time communication capabilities and critical situational awareness tools notifies hospital’s key security officers or supervisors, and keep them aware and informed about the upcoming crises.
- Enhance security of the hospital organization
Physical security incident management enhances the security of the hospital by monitoring the real-time incidents at all level. It speeds up the process of documenting in the hospital and creates a culture of broader safety awareness.
- Deals with adverse incidents effectively
Adverse incidents like medical frauds, information security breaches, kickbacks and medical errors are the problems that are found in every healthcare organization. Physical security incident management software is a preventive solution that helps healthcare organizations to get rid of these types of adverse incidents. It gives a healthcare organization a wide view of all recordable near-miss cases.
- Better documentation of records
Physical security incident management software consistently documents the record of events including outcomes and corrective actions. Healthcare emergency providers do not have to search for emergency information anywhere, with the help of incident reporting software; they can easily have a consolidated view of their critical information like Patient/Triage tracking, Reunification, Hazard Vulnerability, Casualty tracking, Evacuation tracking and Bed Availability.
- Helps to follow-up corrective actions
Physical security incident management software also helps hospital emergency managers to follow up corrective actions. With the use of physical security incident management software hospital emergency managers can coordinate and effectively manage incidents in real-time. They can easily build up future operational plans, formulate comprehensive periodic reports, track information requests, and maintain correct records of hospital incidents. They can also leverage analytic data to form physical incident reporting software and identify risky trends. Hospital managers can proactively implement suggested corrective actions by the software, which can ultimately help to prevent emergencies.
Increasing importance of security management systems at schools and college campuses
The security of an educational campus, students, visitors and staff would be of paramount concern for all educational institutions. From the past few years we have seen a vast increase in crime and violence in schools and college campuses. Increasing crime in schools and college campuses is adversely affecting the academic environment along with the personal lives of students and teachers. For this reason ensuring the security of the campus is very important. For every educational institute it is very important to take preventive steps to reduce the risk of crimes, and this can be possible only if right security management systems are in place. Have a look at the reasons why having security management systems are incredibly important for ensuring a secure environment at school and college campuses.
Security management system protects educational institutes against terrorist attacks
The population of schools, colleges and universities is increasing day by day. A large population is arriving into educational institutes every year. With the increasing population at educational institutes, the risk of being jolted by terrorist attacks is also increasing. Just for the reason that places with large population are more prone to threat of terrorist attacks. Educational institute campuses with a large population can be an easy target for terrorist groups. For reducing the risk of being jolted by terrorist attacks educational institutes should have a feature of visitor registration within their security management systems. Educational institutes should have an eye on each visitor. They cannot ignore the importance of managing and tracking visitors in their campus.
Having Security management system protects educational campuses against fire and burglary
The typical fire alarm system, fire extinguishers and burglar alarm systems are necessary elements that should be adopted by every educational institute for their campus security. Whether you own a small school or a large university, fire alarm systems , fire extinguishers and burglar alarm systems should be a part of your educational institute’s security management system. They are very critical to keep an educational institute secure from the risk of potential fire accidents and various unlawful acts. For educational institutes it is very important to give their students and staff members’ proper training of using fire extinguishers and security alarms to lower the effect of fire accidents and other criminal acts.
Security management system prevents violence at educational institute’s campus
Violence at educational institute is a major issue that affects student’s learning environment and performance. For stopping educational institute’s violence educational institutes should hire security guard officers. In case a violent activity of any kind erupts in the campus, the guards should be able to stop it and inform the higher authorities and emergency services about the incident. As guards are properly trained and they know how to deal with adverse violent situations, they will be able to deal with such kinds of incidents in an efficient and professional manner.
Security management systems prevent thefts, drug usage, bullying and other crimes at educational institutes
Theft, drug usage, bullying and other crimes at educational institutes are increasing almost every day. Security management system with CCTV systems and access control system is very important to give protection to school and college campuses against theft, drug usage, bullying, and other harmful activities. CCTV systems and access control systems on educational institutes are the perfect solutions to stop theft, bullying, and other harmful activities. There are many restrictions on the installation of CCTV systems inside schools and colleges thus they can only be installed in cafeterias and high traffic areas, and cameras cannot be monitored constantly. Despite of this installing CCTV systems and access control systems in cafeterias and high traffic areas should help increase campus safety.
Top Four Security issues plaguing Organizations – Handled with a Security Management System
Every business owner has to be aware of the importance of the security of his organization. Any business organization can only thrive in a safe and secure environment, where the security of the building, security of employees, security of important data and financial security are a priority. In this post we shall discuss four most critical security issues that companies face and learn how we can improve the security of an organization with the use of security management system. Let’s take a look at the importance of security management system for an organization’s security awareness program. These four points will guide you to enhance your organization’s safety and security management. After reading these points you will be convinced and agree that these four organizational security issues can be dealt with easily with the use of appropriate security management systems in place.
Organization Personal Security threats
Personal security stands for employees, workers, clients and customer’s security. If an organization wants to groom well in its market then the owner should has to take care of his organization’s personal security. Personal security is frequently cited as the most worrisome security concern. Personal frictions between employees and employees and customers and customers are one of the major reasons of violence in the organization. Violence in any organization can form frightening prospects for any company. As we know, personal security threats and issues are so difficult to detect and prevent in advance, however we can exercise vigilance and discretion in dealing with employees issues by adding a feature of workforce management system into a security management system along with human resources and management personnel. Workforce management system allows organization owner and the security officers to track incidents, manage overall workforce, and delegate task and authority according to the employee’s skills and knowledge. This feature in your security management system will help to reduce the chance of fight or clash between employees and clients.
Take care of IT infrastructure, Information/Data Security
After protecting the company’s personal security, organization’s IT infrastructure requires a stiff security. A business’s IT and internet network contains confidential data and information that are hundred times valuable than the companies’ other assets, just for the reason that the organization’s IT infrastructure and network is the lifeline of the organization. It holds the organization’s most confidential data or information. Employees of the organization rely on IT infrastructure and network to do their jobs and subsequently make money for the organization. Therefore it is important to recognize that your IT infrastructure and network are secured with the top security. You can secure your IT infrastructure with the use of complete security management system that includes CCTV monitoring, alarm monitoring system, security guard services and network and password security software. It will reduce the chances of data and network security breaches in the organization.
Physical Security of Organization
Physical security of an organization is the most important security that cannot be ignored whether the organization is big or small in size. Physical security includes keeping facilities safe from theft, robbery and other criminal acts. It also includes controlling access to the facilities and maintaining them to meet standards for the safety of the company’s employees. With the use of security management system that includes security guard at the front gate, badges for employees, fire suppression systems or intruder alarms keypad access, security camera monitors and biometrics to manage employee identification and access you can remove the risk of physical security breaches.
5 Event Management Security tips: Keep your Guests Safe
Security at big events, such as festivals and concerts should be a priority since these events have a lot of footfall from the general public and are prone to attacks and mismanagement. Terrorist attacks in Bataclan concert hall in Paris on the evening of 13 November 2015 is one of the recent examples that tell us why effective security management is important in events. If an event’s security is not handled deftly, security issues could lead to incidents that prove embarrassing and costly for the hosting company and guests of the event. Event security is extremely important. An effective event security management does not only help to prevent breeches of safety and other illegal activities however it also make guests of such events feel safe and ease. Let us discuss most important safety measures that we as a security company or as an event manager for an event should swear by. These security measures and guidelines are very important to provide a good foundation for mitigating risks at events.
1. Make a Definite Budget for Event Security
Hire a security team that is professional and dedicated to the event’s security. It is very important that your budget for event should allocate around 20% to security. Professional security companies such as Trackforce provides a comprehensive package for event security that includes guard security, guard patrol security, security management software, visitor management system, CCTV monitoring and emergency alarm monitoring. Trackforce deploys only the best security guard companies, trained to handle different scenarios. To ensure the seamless integration of security into an event’s operations a professional security provider company should be involved in event planning from Day 1.
2. Research and Mange Your Guest with the help of Visitor Management System
It is very important in high profile events to have the same procedure as is employed at airports for security checking. You are essentially required to have metal detectors, bomb-sniffing dogs and X-ray machines at all entry points along with armed security guards. Tell your guests to come ahead of time, on the invitation, that any bags or briefcases will be searched and/or passed through an X-ray machine. Cut-off time for late arrivals, if some guests arrive late don’t let them in. Manage your visitors through a visitor management system in real time. Provide entry badges to your guests to ensure that the guests are authorized.
3. Choose a safe Venue and Get a Detailed Layout of Event Venue
When selecting the location for an event, select a safe venue. It is very important to prepare a checklist of security questions, don’t forget to ask for evacuation plans in case of an emergency, the location of all emergency exits, access for paramedics, and contingency plans in case of bomb threats or power outrages. It is very important to get a detailed layout of event venue to avoid unauthorized entry. Get updated with the floor plan of the venue. This way you can keep security covering all entrance and exists.
4. Keep Communication up Throughout the Event and after
For a better security management or to look after something that is valuable, ensure that it is communicated to all involved. If someone important arrives late to the event that should be communicated to the event security detail to prevent unauthorized entries and security breaches. After the event reporting problems that arise or that could have been avoided should also be communicated and discussed, so as to learn from them and to provide better services to the guests in future events.
5. Have an Emergency Planning
For a good event security management you should have at least one backup plan in case of emergency. An effective backup plan includes venue evacuation plans, the availability and accessibility of emergency medical care and thoroughly briefing event staff prior to the start of the event. Do not forget to examine you existing event contracts and review your insurance policies to check on specific coverage.
Trackforce Introduces CARES, our Client Success Program
Trackforce, a software company who specializes in web-based and mobile app platforms to optimize the management of physical security services, is leading the industry in client support. Currently we offer no-cost support, free deployment training, unlimited software updates, no annual maintenance fees and cost-effective device-based subscription pricing. To better help our clients grow their business as well as create strong client success relationships, Trackforce is introducing a new program called CARES.
Existing GuardTek subscribers will be given a designated Client Success Specialist (CSS) who will monitor, manage and mentor each client throughout their relationship with Trackforce. In addition, each CSS will provide enhanced support through a series of informative web and email campaigns, new database tools and interactive events.
CARES is a construct of five words that express the commitment each of our CSS agents makes to our clients. These words define the level of effort we undertake to educate, empower and improve the experience of our subscribers.
Communicate
Amidst the variety of ways to connect, the telephone is the most popular source of help at 61%, followed by email at 60% (eConsultancy). We are increasing the tempo of customer communication through regular calls and emails to check-in and see how you are doing and how we can help.
Anticipate
The more we understand about our clients, the better we can anticipate needs and address any complications. We strive to know exactly who our clients are, about their business, how it runs and how we can best foster the most successful use of Trackforce products and services.
Respond
Trackforce promises to respond quickly and effectively to all client requests for assistance. Security is 24/7 and we are committed to providing the highest quality service when you need us most. This will help ensure that our clients can keep their clients happy.
Engage
Each client will be given a dedicated CSS. Although the entire Client Success Team is available to help, engaging in meaningful collaboration creates trust. We want to earn our client’s loyalty and help them grow their business.
Sustain
Success of the Trackforce CARES Project will be measured by customer satisfaction. We will ask for feedback, suggestions and recommendations. Only by actively listening can we know what we can provide to help clients achieve their strategic objectives.
To drive the success of our CARES Project, we rely on the commitment and experience of our Client Success Team. Recently we changed the name of our group from Customer Support to Client Success. This is more than just a change of words, it expresses the caring commitment we make to our clients.
Curious about how Trackforce and our security operations management software can help modernize your operation? Contact us for a demo!
Security Mobile Apps Transforming the Construction Industry
Managing and handling a construction company is not an easy job. It is very tricky to handle various projects, contracts, subcontractors, bids, scheduling at one time flawlessly. Construction companies have to maintain a balance between high value projects and low value projects while they also has to save time and money, finish contracts on time and have to complete projects within budget. To be successful in this industry construction companies not only have to hire diverse workforce with specialized skills and high tech equipments but also have to ensure safety and security while complying with various laws. Recent advancements in security mobile apps for construction sites have features that help to ensure safety and security and also provide new avenues for keep visual records of construction projects from start to finish for better project management.
Role of Mobile Security Apps for Managing Construction Sites
For ensuring a smooth and safe works flows on his different construction sites, construction site owner has to keep track of construction teams, progress, equipment, bylaws, and hours in real time. For doing this it is very important for Construction Companies to adopt security management systems software along with mobile security apps. Construction sites are increasingly subject to theft of expensive equipment and materials. Statistics shows every year Construction Companies bear a loss of minimum million dollars due to equipment and metal theft. Security management system software with mobile security apps is a technology being used to streamline construction project management, eliminate delays, and reduce overall project costs. Here are four ways mobile security apps are making a difference in the construction industry.
- Eliminate Construction Delays
Mobile security apps help owner to gather critical information of all his construction sites such as trades and contractors present at the site, climate conditions, and construction progress. This important information helps to reduce overall project delays. Mobile security apps keep construction on schedule and bring issues to light that might put projects on hold.
- Improved Communication and Office Efficiency
Combination of Mobile security apps and security management system software works together 24/7 and monitors each single area of the different construction sites in real time. Owners and project stakeholders can read daily reports of their different construction sites on mobile devices. Security management system software automatically sends alerts via emails to smart phones, or a monitoring center for immediate assessment and response. This enhances communication and increases back-office efficiency. It reduces errors and issues and ensures required attention faster. It helps construction managers to run projects smoothly and complete on time and on budget.
- Better Accountability and Documentation
Mobile security apps have a big advantage that they provide better accountability of workers and reduce labor costs. Through mobile security apps owners can track staff travel times GPS locations and time spent on-site consistently. Using mobile apps to capture information at the job site improves accuracy and reduces issues that arise from illegible handwriting, inconsistent data, and information gaps. Photos, GPS and time stamps captured on-site provide an accurate and indisputable audit trail for the project, delivering accountability. It gives evidence in legal disputes and also helps to take instant required action if any emergency situation arises.
- Better Equipment Management
Through database-driven mobile security apps owner can better manage and track their equipments or machinery in real time from anywhere. He can have all important information about maintenance schedules, availability, and equipment locations. Security mobile apps help construction mangers to improve inventory planning and use. It enhances security of their equipments.
How to Identify Internal Security Threat to Your Business
According to business threat researchers SMEs (small and medium sized enterprises), lack in the understanding of the security threats. Many administrators neglect to even consider internal threats when securing an organization. They don’t know that most security breaches are perpetrated by people inside the company. Most of business entrepreneurs think security threats are posed by outsiders and visitors but they do not know that 90 percent of criminal computer crimes were committed by employees of the company.
Entrepreneurs are not aware of the security threats that can be posed from internal business environment. They ignore possibility of internal attacks. They don’t realize business criminal attacks are particularly likely to happen from the inside due to internal knowledge of the organization. Internal security attacks can be much more costly than an attack from external security attacks. It is hard to identify the internal security threat of your business organization but these four most likely causes of security breaches will protect your business against them.
Identify what are internal security threats
In order to protect your business organization against internal security threat, it is necessary to understand what they are. Internal security threats occur when the resources inside the organization are used to harm just for the reason that the organization has poor workforce management system. Harm can be executed by employee, contractor, or third party support technician. With the use of secrecy of internet they can easily walk on their wrong tracks. They can do it by running software or by making a change that has a negative impact on the organization.
Disgruntled or Unhappy Employees
Every organization has some disgruntled or unhappy employees. Reason might be many like- low income, extra work load, demotions, no raise or promotion, swiping of their ideas, and fight with the boss. These types of employee can be pissed off or frustrated with company and companies’ terms and conditions. They think they are not treated fairly by the company. These employees are the biggest threat for the company security. They can use company’s confidential information against company that can harm company. They do it with the intention of revenge. Some of disgruntled employees know how to use authority data against company. They can hack your company’s important software and passwords with the help of their knowledge and job experience. They can break and steal the company’s assets with the intention of vengeance.
Careless or Uninformed Employees
There are also some employees who are careless and uniformed. They can harm your business organization and its confidential information and assets not by the intention of harm but for the reason of carelessness. With their carelessness they can misplace, delete and drop organization’s important papers, documents, and data. These types of workers can be a serious threat for your company and can be easy targets for competitors who want to harm your company’s reputation.
Mobile Devices (BYOD)
Make sure you have a carefully spelled out BYOD policy. Mobile devices pose a big threat to your business organizations. Data theft is at high vulnerability when employees are using mobile devices to share company ‘information and access company’ information. Disgruntled employees can misuse their phone and phone cameras for stealing company information for the intention of harm. 68 percent of security breaches are perpetrated inside the company just because of the misuse of mobile devices.
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