Guest Editorial by Jordan Lippel, CPP at ECAMSECURE, a GardaWorld company

Modern security risks command an agile response from key institutions like local, state, and federal government agencies/services.

American citizens depend on the safety and reliability of these agencies, which underscores their need for state-of-the-art security measures like remote guarding.

Homeland Security’s Unique Risk

Government buildings are held to the highest security standard to account for sensitive assets, high-profile personnel, visitors, and more. Security measures at these facilities may include requirements like personal ID and visitor record logs, and mandatory adherence to compliance rules.

Like many sectors of today’s economy, government agencies face labor, resource, and budget restrictions. The essential security presence on government property makes agencies an ideal fit for a hybrid physical and remote guarding strategy. With numerous properties and assets, remote guarding is especially valuable to fill gaps with physical security personnel.

One factor that differentiates the security needs of government agencies from those of other organizations is the sprawling nature of their operations. Government property can extend far beyond the confines of city hall, the governor’s mansion, or federal offices.

Another reason remote guarding proves especially valuable for government agencies is the disproportionate threats that these agencies face. These threats include political positioning, terrorism (domestic & foreign), active shooter environments, and more.

Additionally, municipal governments in particular, face heightened threats of workplace violence amid custody battles, court billing disputes, juvenile hall, and other matters of business.

The Role of Remote Guarding

The “how” of remote guarding is worth as much examination as the “why.”

Remote guarding utilizes artificial intelligence (AI), which expands the number of “eyes” looking out for potential threats. AI offers proactive threat detection through machine learning (ML).

Electronics, software, analytics, and more work together to closely monitor spaces and provide real-time situation awareness and intervention. A notable example is the automated deterrent remote guarding provides, often in the form of an audio and visible warning system.

Highly-trained agents who are remotely located proactively monitor camera feeds, and, when an unauthorized presence is detected, they can use voice down technology to view and communicate (one way) with intruders to help prevent a crime before it is committed.

Audio and visual deterrents from remote guarding are upwards of 92% effective in deterring threats, meaning that a vast majority of would-be threats vacate the premises upon hearing or seeing the remote warning.

Physical and remote guarding often work in tandem too. Physical personnel can act as backups to the automated system. An AI-backed remote guarding system bolsters existing human security by acting as a force multiplier.

These remote agents also help reduce liabilities and concerns when an officer is responding to threats. Through surveillance, remote agents can guide the physical officers in a safe matter, to the threat and detail when criminals draw a weapon or fire shots.

Protecting People and Agencies

There is a wide range of threats facing federal and state agencies, from traditional security threats to risks during natural disasters.

For example, ECAMSECURE offers mobile surveillance units to monitor these sites, and since the surveillance is mobile, it can easily be moved to accommodate changing threat levels.

These mobile units minimize human and physical asset risk for agencies under threat.

(For a complex security reality, clients need practical, customized solutions. A one-size-fits-all approach lacks the flexibility and insight required for each specific security challenge. See how ECAMSECURE focuses on the right mix of human and technology integration to deploy innovative security solutions quickly. Courtesy of ECAMSECURE and YouTube.)

For example, if a government agency expects higher traffic during a particular season, like Recreation and Parks departments may face in the summer, then mobile units may be dispatched to monitor key assets amid heightened threat risk.

Natural disasters can be unpredictable security threats, so a proactive security plan is essential to protect against possible damage. Storms, electrical failure, wildfires, and other natural threats also present challenges to physical security.

Mobile surveillance units can be placed at natural disaster sites to protect and deter threats like looting. As threats evolve and adapt, so must the measures organizations use to combat them.

The security of local, state, and federal government assets deserves the highest priority, certification, and innovation.

With those imperatives in mind, it’s clear to see why government agencies trust remote guarding to meet the moment’s security needs proactively, and decisively.

(Learn More about how ECAMSECURE can also cover all the needs for your retail security, with technology that brings lights, cameras, and rapid action wherever you need them. ECAMSECURES Moblie Surveillance Units (MSUs) can also be configured with solar panels and/or diesel generators for areas where energy is not easily available. Courtesy of ECAMSECURE and YouTube.)

About the Author

Jordan Lippel, CPP at ECAMSECURE, a GardaWorld company, has over 25 years of security experience within the data security, man-guarding, integration, and technology sectors.

At ECAMSECURE, he helps provide portable surveillance systems that combine AI, technology, and state-of-the-art mobile security equipment to deter, detect, analyze and respond quickly to security threats.

ECAMSECURE, a GardaWorld company, is the pioneer in outdoor video surveillance, providing portable surveillance systems that combine AI, technology, and state-of-the-art mobile security equipment for over 15 years.

ECAMSECURE is part of GardaWorld, one of the largest privately owned security services and cash services companies in the world, offering physical security services, cash management solutions, and security risk management, with Crisis24.

For more information, visit www.ecamsecure.garda.com.

ECAMSECURE Named a Finalist in the 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards

American Security Today’s Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards is the preeminent U.S. Homeland Security Awards Program, and now in its Seventh Year, continues to recognize industry leaders of Physical and Border Security, Cybersecurity, Emergency Preparedness – Management and Response, Law Enforcement, First Responders, as well as federal, state and municipal government agencies in the acknowledgment of their outstanding efforts to Keep our Nation Secure.

Homeland Security remains at the forefront of our national conversation as we experience an immigration crisis along our southern border, and crime rates that are dramatically higher than before the Pandemic across the United States.

These challenges have become a national priority with an influx of investments in innovative new technologies and systems.

The pinnacle of the Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program is the Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Luncheon, an exclusive, affordable, gourmet, full-course plated meal event, in the heart of New York City, held at the International Security Conference & Exposition (ISC East) since it’s inception in 2017.

And who better to address the aforementioned challenges, and initiatives to meet today’s threat landscape than Deputy Executive Assistant Commissioner (DEAC) Diane J. Sabatino of the Office of Field Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the opening keynote speaker at the much-anticipated 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Luncheon, on Wednesday, November 16th, 2022.

As the DEAC of the Office of Field Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Mrs. Sabatino leads over 31,000 employees and oversees an annual operating budget of $6.5 billion.

Register for the 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Luncheon Today

(Hear a recent interview with Deputy Executive Assistant Commissioner (DEAC) Diane J. Sabatino held at Identity Week Europe on leveraging biometric comparison technology in U.S. air, maritime, and land border environments for the security of passengers, enhancing the customer experience and limiting the transmission of biological pathogens while respecting personal privacies and educating the public as the CBP further expands the implementation of biometrics to keep up with threats to the aviation and other border sectors. These new technological tools are there to automate administrative functions so that the most valuable component of the process, the officers, are able to focus on critical issues as they arise. Courtesy of evie kim sing and YouTube. Posted on Jul 13, 2022.)

Enter, American Security Today, the #1 publication and media platform in the Government Security and Homeland Security fields with a circulation of over 75,000 readers and many tens of thousands more visiting our AST Website at www.americansecuritytoday.com each month.

The continually evolving ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program will emphasize the trail of Accomplished Women in Leadership in 2022, as well as the Significance and Positive Impact of Advancing Diversity and Inclusion in our Next Generation of Government and Industry Leaders. #MentorshipMatters

In addition, the First 100 Registered Attendees to the 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Ceremony and Banquet will receive a complimentary autographed copy of ‘STOP THE KILLING: How to End the Mass Shooting Crisis‘ by the former head of the FBI’s active shooter program, Katherine Schweit.

Ms. Schweit offers insight into what each of us can do to end the active shooter crisis plaguing America.

Within the pages of STOP THE KILLING she provides us with an insider’s look at what we’ve learned and failed to learn, about protecting our businesses, houses of worship, and schools. 

So Register Today for the 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Luncheon on November 16th, 2022, and be on the lookout for Special Guests, Presenters, and Attendees to be announced!

The United States forever changed on September 11th, 2001, and we were fortunate to have many of those who responded to those horrific tragedies join us at our 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Luncheon.

In the days that followed 9/11, the critical need to protect our country catapulted us into new and innovative ways to secure our homeland – which is how many of the agencies and enterprise organizations that are today ‘ASTORS’ Awards Champions, came into being.

Our 2021 keynote speaker featured a moving and informative address from TSA Administrator and Vice-Admiral of the United States Coast Guard (Ret), David Pekoske; to our attendees who traveled from across the United States and abroad, on the strategic priorities of the 64,000-member TSA workforce in securing the transportation system, enabling safe, and in many cases, contactless travel.

Legendary Police Commissioner William Bratton of the New York Police Department, the Boston Police Department, and former Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department  was also live at the event, meeting with attendees and signing copies of his latest work ‘The Profession: A Memoir of Community, Race, and the Arc of Policing in America,’ courtesy of the generosity of our 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Premier Sponsors.

The 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program is Proudly Sponsored by New PLATINUM SPONSOR:   NEC National Security Systems (NSS),

New Premier Sponsors Rajant Corporation, guardDog AI, plus IPVideo Corporation, and

Returning Premier Sponsors ATI Systems, Automatic Systems, Fortior Solutions, RX Global, and SIMS Software!

In 2021 over 200 distinguished guests representing Federal, State, and Local Governments, and Industry Leading Corporate Firms gathered from across North America, Europe, and the Middle East to be honored among their peers in their respective fields, which included:

• The Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

• ICE Homeland Security Investigations (ICE HSI)

• Customs & Border Protection (CBP)

• The Federal Protective Service (FPS)

• Argonne National Laboratory (ANL)

• DHS Science & Technology (S&T)

• The National Center for Disaster Medicine & Public Health (NCDMPH)

• The American Red Cross

• The InfraGard National Alliance

• The Metropolitan Police (MPD)

• The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA)

• Naval Postgraduate School Center for Homeland Defense and Security (CHDS)

• The Federal Air Marshals Service

• The San Diego Harbor Police Foundation, and Many More!

Register Today for the 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Luncheon

ISC East is the Northeast’s leading security & public safety event, hosted in collaboration with premier sponsor Security Industry Association (SIA) and in partnership with ASIS NYC.

Each year, in order to keep our communities safe and secure, security dealers, installers, integrators, and consultants, along with corporate, government and law enforcement/first responder practitioners, convene in New York City to network, learn and evaluate the latest technologies and solutions from premier exhibiting brands.

This combination of one-on-one conversations with top innovators, high-quality special events, and cutting-edge education and training, makes ISC East the most comprehensive East Coast event to guide the industry in getting back to business.

Taking place November 15-17 at the Javits Center in NYC (SIA Education@ISC: November 15-17 | Exhibit Hall: November 16-17), ISC East will be co-located with the Natural Disaster & Emergency Management Expo (NDEM EXPO), a comprehensive trade event and online resource dedicated to the preparation, response, and recovery of physical and human assets of public and private organizations, and the 33rd ASIS NYC Expo. 

Qualified professionals who register for the 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Banquet Luncheon, will receive complimentary access to all three events.

Corporate firms, the majority of which return year to year to build upon their Legacy of Wins, include:

AlertMedia, Allied Universal, AMAROK, ATI Systems, Attivo Networks, Axis Communications, Automatic Systems of America, BriefCam, Canon U.S.A., Fortior Solutions, guardDog.ai, Hanwha Techwin of America, HID Global, Mark43, IPVideo Corporation, Konica Minolta Business Solutions, Lumina Analytics, NEC National Security Systems, NICE Public Safety, OnSolve, PureTech Systems, Quantum Corporation, Rave Mobile Safety, Regroup Mass Notification, Robotic Assistance Devices, Rajant Corporation, SafeLogic, Senstar Corporation, ShotSpotter, Singlewire Software, SolarWinds Worldwide, Teledyne FLIR, Valor Systems, and Wiresecure, just to name a few!

Why American Security Today?

The traditional security marketplace has long been covered by a host of publications putting forward the old-school basics to what is Today – a fast-changing security landscape.

American Security Today is uniquely focused on the broader Homeland Security & Public Safety marketplace with over 75,000 readers at the Federal, State, and local levels of government as well as firms allied to the government.

American Security Today brings forward a fresh compelling look and read with our customized digital publications that hold readers’ eyes throughout the story with cutting-edge editorial that provides solutions to their challenges.

Harness the Power of the Web – with our 100% Mobile Friendly Publications

AST Digital Publications are distributed to over 75,000 qualified government and homeland security professionals, in federal, state, local, and private security sectors.

‘PROTECTING OUR NATION, ONE CITY AT A TIME’

AST Reaches both Private & Public Experts, essential to meeting these new challenges.

Today’s new generation of public safety and security experts need real-time knowledge to deal with domestic and international terrorism, lone wolf attacks, unprecedented urban violence, shifts in society, culture, and media bias – making it increasingly difficult for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Military and Private Security Professionals to implement coordinated security measures to ensure national security and improve public safety.

These experts are from Government at the federal, state, and local levels as well as from private firms allied to the government.

AST provides a full plate of topics in our AST Monthly Magazine Editions, AST Website, and AST Daily News Alerts, covering 23 Vital Sectors such as Access Control, Perimeter Protection, Video Surveillance/Analytics, Airport Security, Border Security, CBRNE Detection, Border Security, Ports, Cybersecurity, Networking Security, Encryption, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Campus Security, Security Services, Corporate Facilities, and Emergency Response among others.

AST has Expanded readership into integral Critical Infrastructure audiences such as Protection of Nuclear Facilities, Water Plants & Dams, Bridges & Tunnels, and other potential targets of terrorism.

Other areas of concern include Transportation Hubs, Public Assemblies, Government Facilities, Sporting & Concert Stadiums, our Nation’s Schools & Universities, and Commercial Business Destinations – all enticing targets due to the large number of persons and resources clustered together.

(See just a few highlights of American Security Today’s 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Luncheon at ISC East. Courtesy of My Pristine Images and Vimeo.)

To learn more about ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Award Winners solutions, please see the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ CHAMPIONS Edition Fully Interactive Magazine – the Best Products of 2021 ‘A Year in Review’.

The Annual CHAMPIONS edition includes a review of Annual ‘ASTORS’ Award Winning products and programs, highlighting key details on many of the winning firm’s products and services, including video interviews and more.

It serves as your Go-To Source throughout the year for ‘The Best of 2021 Products and Services‘ endorsed by American Security Today, and can satisfy your agency’s and/or organization’s most pressing Homeland Security and Public Safety needs.

From Physical Security (Access Control, Critical Infrastructure, Perimeter Protection, and Video Surveillance Cameras and Video Management Systems), to IT Security (Cybersecurity, Encryption, Data Storage, Anti-Malware, and Networking Security – Just to name a few), the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ CHAMPIONS EDITION has what you need to Detect, Delay, Respond to, and Mitigate today’s real-time threats in our constantly evolving security landscape.

It also includes featured guest editorial pieces from some of the security industry’s most respected leaders, and recognized firms in the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program.

• For a complete list of 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Award Winners, begin HERE.

For more information on All Things American Security Today, as well as the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program, please contact Michael Madsen, AST Publisher at mmadsen@americansecuritytoday.com.

AST strives to meet a 3 STAR trustworthiness rating, based on the following criteria:

• Provides named sources
• Reported by more than one notable outlet
• Includes supporting video, direct statements, or photos

Subscribe to the AST Daily News Alert Here.

Learn More…

Kate Schweit’s ‘STOP THE KILLING’ at 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Luncheon