When Your Home Security Company Becomes the Greatest Security Risk

 

 

They are so commonplace that most of us don’t even notice them anymore: the little shields or decals indicating that a property is “protected” by a home security system. They have become as ubiquitous as car alarms, which seemingly are standard equipment on all but the cheapest autos.

According to the New York Times, in 2010 there were about 36 million security systems in the United States, half of them in homes. That amounted to approximately 16% of all homes in 2010. Revenue for the industry was $28.2 billion in 2009, according to the Installation Business Report, an annual survey published by Security Sales & Integration Magazine.
Americans today are clearly willing to pay a hefty premium, i.e., the cost of the alarm system itself and monthly monitoring, for protection against crimes being perpetrated against their residences. The total annualized cost of home security can easily exceed $100 a month, or the cost of, say, cable television service with all the premium channel add-ons. Does this additional cost, in fact, result in greater security? Or might hiring a home security company actually compromise your security?

The truth is if you’re living in a decent suburb—a neighborhood without a high crime rate—the likelihood of a home robbery or invasion is probably minimal. For many, a statistically remote probability of harm is little comfort. If you are nevertheless (understandably) concerned about protecting your family, valuables and your property, I suggest you consider the dangers associated with home security systems and service providers, along with any potential benefits.



You might be surprised to learn, as I did, that the greatest threat to the security of your home may be the very people you have selected to install or monitor your home’s security.
There are certain dangers associated with the operation of home security systems themselves (such as whether the alarm will sound properly when tripped) and the monitoring services related to these systems (such as whether the security company operator and the police will respond quickly). Given the overwhelming negative customer feedback regarding industry leaders, such as ADT ADT +0.68% (a subsidiary of Tyco International), on sites such as Hellopeter.com (90% unfavorable), it is apparent that there is room-for-improvement in the industry.
However, your greatest concern, I believe, should be whether the individuals and the company you have contracted with for security can be trusted in your home, with access to your valuables, as well as information regarding your family and possessions.
Remember that whomever you allow into your home could potentially use any knowledge gained therein to your disadvantage.
Here’s a personal example of what can happen.
In 2007, I contracted with ADT to install a home security system and monthly burglary and fire monitoring. The total installation charge alone was not cheap—several thousand dollars.
On the installation date, a single technician arrived surprisingly early—at 8 a.m.—as opposed to the 10 a.m.-noon window that had been agreed upon. Also unsettling was the fact that he had no ADT logo on his shirt and did not speak a word of English. I called ADT immediately and the company acknowledged it had made an error. A supervisor would return later with another installation subcontractor who would be better able to communicate, I was told. The supervisor arrived at 10:30 with two other men who spoke little English. In response to my concerns, I was assured that these subcontractors, while not ADT employees, had recently been subjected to thorough background checks. When the men left after six hours, the installation work still had not been completed. Following further complaints, two weeks later a new technician was sent who indicated there would be substantial additional charges to complete the installation.

Thus far, this probably sounds similar to gripes you’ve had with companies who failed to deliver products and services as promised.

But the story gets worse.

The supervisor had damaged a valuable artifact when he was in my home which (fortunately) was immediately brought to his attention. After protracted negotiations, ADT agreed to compensate for the damage. Fair enough.

Most disturbing, our family passports disappeared at the time the ADT technicians were in the house and had to be reported as stolen. When I informed ADT about the missing passports, I was told I would have to pursue it with the subcontractors—ADT was not responsible. So much for chain of command and accountability.
In my last letter to ADT, in February 2008, I asked the company to please advise me whether ADT had determined that the passports had been stolen by ADT subcontractors. Four years later, I have yet to receive a response to my letter.
The moral of this story is that the next time you allow someone into your home for security purposes, scrutinize who they are and consider the formidable risks they pose. The people you allow into your home may be able to inventory your belongings and will forever know the details of your security system. They may share their knowledge of your home with unsavory friends. If they are not trustworthy, trust me (based upon my personal experience), you’ll pay the price.
Home security firms provide a highly sensitive service for a relatively low cost—a service which they believe can be delivered on a scalable basis to the masses. Don’t be surprised to find all of the links in the chain of service they provide may not be as well-forged as you have been led to believe.


This is a great case in point as to why it is so important to know who you hire and who is providing your service. Here at HD View 360 we pride ourselves on great customer service, respect to the client and their property and most of all providing a great service at an affordable service..

Check us out today at www.hdview360.com for more details and to setup an appointment today with one of our technicians


this is a repost of a forbes article: http://www.forbes.com/sites/edwardsiedle/2012/10/29/when-your-home-security-company-becomes-the-greatest-security-risk/

Looking for an Added Security Measure?

Here is an interesting article I thought I would share.. Just like the banks use dye packs for robberies now major franchise restaurants are going one step further... Intruder Spray Systems.

Subway will be soon adding an extra measure of security to protect its tens of thousands of franchise locations around the country, reports WATE. Instead of extra alarms or bells, the new security system, manufactured by SelectDNA actually sprays intruders, robbers, or other criminals, with a chemical that marks offenders as they try to exit the shop, reports Fox News. 
A box filled with the dye unique to a particular store, called DNA, is kept above entryways. In the event or a crime, a mechanism will release the traceable spray onto the offender as he or she tries to exit. The dye glows when exposed to a blacklight, can't be washed off and stays on for up to seven weeks.
Subway says they will hang new signs in sandwich store windows to deter potential criminals from committing crimes within.
 http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2015/05/12/subway-to-start-spraying-thieves-with-tracking-liquid-in-new-security-measure/


Here at HD View 360 we specialize in installing security systems for Franchises and Franchisees nationwide.. please let us know if we can help you today!

www.hdview360.com

Examine Weaknesses in your Home security system

 More and More businesses and Homes are broken into everyday.. dont let yourself or your business be next.. check out some of the latest technology brought to you by HD View360. Below is a great article on how the next generation of thieves are breaking into your home or business.

 REDWOOD CITY, Calif. (KGO) --

Home security systems are supposed to make people safer. But as 7 On Your Side found out, it doesn't take much to hack in and foil a system.

7 On Your Side spoke with a hacker who tested 16 smart security systems, connected smoke alarms and thermostats and he found weaknesses in every single one.

This is how an alarm system is supposed to work. Someone breaks into your home and sets off the alarm. The crook is caught on video. But Colby Moore is a professional hacker and his job is to expose vulnerabilities.

"We could intercept the video stream to your cameras," Moore said. "We could watch what you were doing at all times. We could even shut off your video camera. We could sometimes turn off your home alarm system."

He's part of the professional security team at Synack of Redwood City. It bought cameras, home automation controllers, thermostats and even smoke detectors.

"So on all 16 devices, it took about 20 minutes to do what we call rooting the device, and that means we can run our own code on it, and manipulate the device any way we want," Moore said.

Moore can hack into a thermostat and smoke detector then use them as an entry into other devices in your home.

"They can then kind of pivot from that fire alarm to compromise other cameras, other computer systems," he said.

Through a Nest thermostat, another hacker took control of the lights and electronically imprinted his logo on the device. A third hacker cracked a password by running a program with every imaginable password combination until it spit out the network key.

"Once you can get the network key, it's as if you were in the person's house, because you're on their network," said Jeremy Hajek, a professor of the Illinois Institute of Technology.

Weak passwords are one of the main reasons why hackers have it so easy. Another is lack of encryption which requires a secret key or password to read it.

"One of the reasons security is so bad is that a lot of these people that are designing these products aren't security people," Moore said. "They don't have the security background to efficiently design a secure product."

7 On Your Side went with Moore while he hacked into a home in Menlo Park.

He did it all from his car outside the home, but he could be anywhere, hacking into a home in the Bay Area and then sending someone else to carry out the burglary.

"We do what we call reverse engineering," Moore said. "We reverse engineer the device and just determined how it worked. Once you figure out how it works, you can figure out how you can compromise it."

Reverse engineering can take weeks, but once that happens the rest can be done in seconds. It took him less than 30 seconds to gain access to the camera inside the home. Then he disables the alarm in 12 seconds.

To protect yourself, hardwire as many devices as possible. Set up push alerts to notify you when any wireless device is offline and any data sent to cloud should use a secure connection.

7 On Your Side has contacted all of the companies in this report. Click here to see their responses

http://abc7news.com/home/7-on-your-side-looks-at-weaknesses-in-home-security-systems/525491/

Avigilon Launches Security Industry's Highest Megapixel Camera with Self-Learning Video Analytics

Avigilon Corporation ("Avigilon") (TSX:AVO), a leading global provider of end-to-end security solutions, today announced the addition of its self-learning video analytics technology to its HD Pro camera series, available in 4K (8 megapixel) and 5K (16 MP) resolutions. An innovative technology, Avigilon's self-learning video analytics instantly detects and learns the monitored scene upon installation, adapting to changes and movement patterns without complex manual calibration. Avigilon's 5K (16 MP) HD Pro is the security industry's highest single-sensor megapixel camera with self-learning video analytics.

The combination of Avigilon's self-learning analytics with its HD Pro camera series delivers superior perimeter protection and wide-area monitoring with exceptional coverage and clear image detail. All new 4K (8 MP) and 5K (16 MP) HD Pro cameras will ship with self-learning analytics technology as standard.

"Video analytics is decreasing the cost model for monitoring by increasing the productivity of security personnel. The combination of our self-learning analytics technology with our industry-leading HD Pro series can be used to proactively mitigate the impact of incidents in progress, reducing damage and loss," said Dr. Mahesh Saptharishi, Avigilon's Chief Technology Officer. "With our innovative technology and comprehensive portfolio of more than 250 patents, Avigilon is the leader in self-learning video analytics."

Avigilon Self-Learning Video Analytics
Avigilon's self-learning video analytics solutions provide a high degree of accuracy in object detection and classification thanks to numerous patented technologies, including advanced video pattern detection and teach-by-example technology.

The Avigilon solution identifies people, vehicles or other important moving objects while ignoring insignificant items in a scene, enabling the self-learning video analytics to automatically adjust to changing scene conditions. The system's performance therefore continually improves over time. In addition, with teach-by-example technology, users have the ability to provide feedback about the accuracy of alarms. This helps further refine the device's performance and capabilities, which results in increased accuracy in detection, a lower rate of false alarms and a simplified user experience.

HD Pro Camera Series with Self-Learning Video Analytics

The new HD Pro camera series with self-learning video analytics is available in 4K (8 MP) and 5K (16 MP) resolutions, which is the industry's highest single-sensor megapixel camera with self-learning video analytics. The new series offers wide scene coverage, highly accurate object detection and the ability to zoom in for clear image detail. The image quality of the HD Pro camera series is made possible by Avigilon's H4 platform, which combines Avigilon's LightCatcher(TM) technology for unmatched low-light performance, H.264 compression and the latest edition of its patented High Definition Stream Management (HDSM)(TM) technology, HDSM 2.0. These technologies enable increased resolution, greater processing power, outstanding image quality and smarter bandwidth and storage management.

Avigilon Control Center 5.6 Software
Intuitive and user-friendly, the Avigilon Control Center (ACC) 5.6 software offers intelligent search capabilities for Avigilon's portfolio of analytics-enabled HD devices, including the 4K (8 MP) and 5K (16 MP) HD Pro camera series, 1-3 MP HD Dome and HD Bullet camera series and Rialto(TM) analytics devices. ACC 5.6 offers fast, accurate and effective intelligent search of recorded footage for classified objects in a monitored scene, enabling remarkably efficient forensic investigation of video.


source http://news.thomasnet.com/fullstory/security-cameras-incorporate-self-learning-video-analytics-20043176

#SEC #DENNISMANCINO #HDVIEW360

Want to know more about IP cameras?? Here at HDview360 we are here to help explain the basics..

 

 

An Internet protocol camera, or IP camera, is a type of digital video camera commonly employed for surveillance, and which, unlike analog closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras, can send and receive data via a computer network and the Internet. Although most cameras that do this are webcams, the term "IP camera" or "netcam" is usually applied only to those used for surveillance. The first centralized IP camera was Axis Neteye 200, released in 1996 by Axis Communications.
There are two kinds of IP cameras:

• Centralized IP cameras, which require a central Network Video Recorder(NVR) to handle the recording, video and alarm management.
• Decentralized IP cameras, which do not require a central Network Video Recorder (NVR), as the cameras have recording function built-in and can thus record directly to any standard storage media, such as SD cards, NAS (network attached storage) or a PC/Server.

for more information check out our website http://www.hdview360.com

 

State legislatures and security technology

LPR, body cams, data centers are topical in 2015

by: 

Amy Canfield

 - 

Thursday, May 7, 2015

SILVER SPRING, Md.—Legislation dealing with security technology, most notably body-cams for law enforcement and data centers’ tax status, made an appearance at the state level this year, according to SIA.
Other bills focused on mobile driver’s licenses and the use of license plate readers, Elizabeth Hunger, SIA’s manager of government relations, told Security Systems News.
“It’s exciting to see technology addressed,” she said, noting that proposed legislation on body-cams and data centers is new on the state front.
“These are the top trends in terms of volume of legislation, and they won’t be going away anytime soon,” she said. The measures likely will carry over into next year’s sessions as many states are in the process of wrapping up current session work.
In the wake of fatal shootings by police in Missouri and New York, and along with the establishment of the president’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing, 95 bills about body-worn cameras for law enforcement turned up in 36 states, Hunger said.
“That’s a huge amount of legislation for just one issue,” she said.
The focus of the bills ranged from calling for feasibility studies to developing policies for how body-cams should be used, how their data should be used and how long the data should be retained, to requiring the use of cameras for law enforcement, she said.
Another topical issue is data centers. Thirty-eight bills in 15 states dealt with tax exemptions for data centers’ structures and equipment.
“There was an influx of legislation about that. This is really interesting for our industry as we move into a cloud-based world. Data centers are so important. There needs to be a physical space for the cloud,” Hunger said.
Governors in Missouri, Oregon and North Dakota have signed data center tax-exemptions into law, she said.
Nine states took up the issue of mobile driver’s licenses, a trend that “caught on pretty quickly” after Iowa and Delaware started allowing the use of a mobile app on smartphones as a driver’s license, Hunger said. Most of the 11 bills this year were for feasibility studies.
Legislation regarding the use of license plate readers primarily took two forms, those seeking an outright ban on LPRs and those addressing how information collected from LPRs should be stored and accessed and how long it should be retained. “This came up in 16 states. It had more traction this year,” she said.
As always, school security measures were introduced at the state level, from setting guidelines, to establishing emergency preparedness plans to creating, funding and refunding grant programs. Thirteen states have created grant programs for school security and the trend is slowing moving toward state-assistance for school technology, Hunger said.
Other security-related bills dealt with recurring issues, including copper replacement, low-voltage installation and automatic contract renewal.
In total, SIA and its local policy working group examined 430 pieces of state legislation this year.
“It’s fun when you see new trends emerge and where the states are going,” Hunger said.

Dennis Mancino and HD View 360

Who am I and what is HD View 360?

 My Name is Dennis Mancino and I am the CEO of HD View 360. A revolutionary new security company with some of the clearest HD security cameras in the industry.

About HD View 360

• HD View 360 has been building and designing CCTV systems, such as Analog, IP, SDI, for many years. We're excited to add the newest products in HDCVI.

• We have the know-how to diagnose and repair the majority of systems from most major CCTV manufacturers -- at a price much less than the traditional surveillance shop.

• Most problems can be fixed very fast onsite, so you won't be without your second set of eyes for long at all. If we can't fix it, you don't pay for our efforts -- it's that simple.

We also custom design and build security systems that will suit your exact needs, without paying for "extras" that you'll probably never use.

Let HD View 360 help monitor your business or home. We specialize in designing and maintaining all of your high definition CCTV needs.
We make it simple and affordable to see whats going on around you. If you're looking to catch people stealing from your business, or perhaps you just want to make sure the babysitter is doing her job, we can help.

Do you have an existing CCTV system and need to upgrade add more cameras - or are you just not happy with the quality and want to try something new?
Here at HD View 360 we have what you are looking for from analog cameras to megapixel.
Lets get started today before it might be too late. From the initial idea to the ongoing maintenance, HD View 360 has the experience to support the full lifecycle of any surveillance project undertaking.
We have experts who are well versed in the most popular technology upgrade paths for all small to medium-sized businesses.
This is the first step in determining and identifying problem areas in your companys IT model.
HD View 360's Surveillance Assessment will enable IT managers, office managers and business owners to gain a keen insight to their security infrastructure.

The assessment will show us where your system or systems are lacking key components which will ultimately hurt your business security, where your infrastructure can be enhanced to improve safety, theft prevention and where any critical faults may lie. We can also show you weaknesses in your current personnel and human resources.



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