Security systems and safety systems

Security systems and safety systems are two separate fields where the security system is used to represent abnormality in our surrounding environments, such as accidents, fire, floods, electrical faults, and earthquakes. Security systems refer to systems installed to detect or prevent attacks caused by criminal activities done by human beings. At times the two can be used to represent the same thing (Garcia, 2008). In both cases, measures can be used to prevent, detect, and solve trouble from happening. It is good to know which security measures the best suit you and are useful when applied because not all systems can be relied on to give adequate and accurate results. The following are goals of a security system; deterrence is where composite measures are used to prevent attackers from performing an attack by making a location unattractive for attackers. An example of deterrence is hiring a guard to protect your place. It is of help but not to attackers whose aim is to attack that specific location. The other goal is detection; the security system is supposed to discover a criminal activity about to happen or in the process of happening by sensing of hidden or open illegal activities (Pete, 2012).

Another goal of the security system is responsive, and it comprises of action taken by those in charge to prevent activity from happening by interrupting or dealing effectively with the criminals while there are enough security guards. Lastly, the delay is another goal of a security system where an action can be slowed down when happening or about to happen. This can be achieved by activated delays, locks, barriers, or security guards who are in well-protected locations.

One of the goals of safety systems includes; preventing damages from happening as a result of natural disasters. To accomplish the above necessary measures should be put into place to prevent people from being impacted by activities that could have been solved. In the case of floods, individuals living in lowland areas where flooding will mainly affect should be moved to highlands to prevent loss of lives and properties. In fact, an earthquake was to happen; necessary equipment should be used, such as earthquake sensors to know the impact it will cause to take the right actions (Garcia, 2008).

Deterrence has both disadvantages and advantages. One of its drawbacks of deterrence is that it is risky to rely on the successful prevention of a crime to happen. Another problem is that it is less helpful when it comes to attackers’ who will attack any place (Rogers, 2018). Its advantages include; preventing an attack from happening, essential when the attackers’ falls into the security measure applied. Also, it is useful since it can be used to protect properties from being stolen or destroyed (Garcia, 2008).

A security system must fulfill its purpose, and if not, it might be considered useless. For a security system to meet its objective, there are some functions that should be considered. One of the features is the ability to detect an attack that is about to happen. This can be detected using sensors or cameras which will capture motions or movements of intruders. After identifying, the system should respond to the action either by setting on an alarm system or alerting the security guard or owner of premises to take necessary action. Another function is the prevention of criminal activity from happening; this can be through the use of robust locks that are hard to break or which has an alarm system, fence, security guard, or sensors (Safewise Team, 2018). The above functions are applied to keep off intruders from accessing, stealing, or damaging properties; thus, they are used to secure and protect individuals and their ownership.

References

Mary L. (2018). The Design and Evaluation of Physical Protection Systems. Sandia National Laboratories. (2^nd Edition).

Pete, A. (2012). Principles for Intrusion Detection. A security system is only as good as its weakest link. Retrieved from: https://securitytoday.com/Articles/2012/02/01/Principles-for-Intrusion-Detection.aspx

Rogers, J. (2018). Reinforcing Deterrence Through Societal Resilience: Countering Hybrid Threats in the Baltic Region. In A Civil-Military Response to Hybrid Threats (pp. 259-280). Palgrave Macmillan, Cham.

Safewise Team (2018). What Is a Security System and How Does it Work? Retrieved from: https://www.safewise.com/home-security-faq/how-do-security-systems-work/