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Data needs to be physically protected, too By Leischen Stelter - 11.16.2010 <http://www.securitydirectornews.com/index.php?p=fullindex&ad=20101116> <http://www.securitydirectornews.com/sendemail.php?id=sd201011sQeJ8W> http://www.securitydirectornews.com/images/email.gif AURORA, Ontario-Even when data protection is your business, ensuring the security of a facility to house that data is equally as critical to operations. "Data security is extremely important, but we've always had that. Physical security is just as important so someone can't come inside the building and wreak havoc on our data," said Dave Ralph, CEO of Commport Communications, a data-storage company that processes about $100 billion in commercial interactions a year. The company is currently piloting an Oncam IPZoom five-megapixel 360-degree camera with software that triggers a co-located IP PTZ camera to zero in and interrogate suspicious events or people while the entire area continues to be surveilled. Both cameras are mounted on 40-foot towers near the 12,000-square-foot secure-data storage building and provide unblinking security for the company's three-quarters of an acre of property. In addition, Commport Communications has four stationary IP cameras installed on its building to monitor the exterior perimeter as well. But Ralph said he wasn't interested in monitoring the cameras or hiring a full-time employee to operate the new system. Instead, he opted to have the video monitored by SecureVisionView, a systems integrator and video-monitoring company also based in Aurora, Ontario. "It made more sense than to have someone on staff, sitting around," he said. "All my people in the building are productive, so I don't have to have someone reading a magazine and doing a walk about every 30 minutes." Prior to installing this system, the company had a significant issue with false alarms. "After a while the police force told us they were not going to respond unless we paid them," he said. However, now that the company uses video verification to ensure the validity of an incident, Ralph said the police will not only respond, but will prioritize the call at a higher level. Ralph said this new system has improved employees' sense of safety. Because the company operates 24/7 there is constant influx of people at odd hours of the day. Before employees leave the building they are encouraged to access the cameras and scan the parking lot before heading out to their vehicles. They can also contact the monitoring center and ask them to do a video patrol or provide a virtual escort as well. "It's a comforting feeling knowing that they can check and literally take control of the cameras and look around the yard," Ralph said. The video system has also improved confidence among the company's customers as well. "Because we handle data we get audited by customers all the time and they often come in and do network audit," he said. "We often show them that we've recorded them coming on our property and that no one comes and goes without us knowing, and that adds to their comfort level, knowing we're concerned about security." The cameras are also integrated with the burglar alarm and access control system. Bob Miller, owner of SecureVisionView, said integrating the various systems helps track individuals coming and going. The cameras are also programmable to zoom in on motion in certain areas. For privacy concerns, it can also mask certain areas. One of the other benefits of third-party monitoring is that Ralph doesn't have to worry about storage issues. SecureVisionView keeps all recordings at their facility and on their servers. Also, the cost of purchasing these two high-resolution cameras was more economical than the alternative, 10 less-expensive cameras. Miller estimated that the Oncam IP camera is providing the equivalent coverage of 10 stationary cameras. And, although IT is really at the core of Commport Communications' business, Ralph said he had no interest in trying to set up this system without the guidance of a security professional. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ -------------------------- Want to discuss this topic? Head on over to our discussion list, [email protected]. -------------------------- Brooks Isoldi, editor [email protected] http://www.intellnet.org Post message: [email protected] Subscribe: [email protected] Unsubscribe: [email protected] *** FAIR USE NOTICE. This message contains copyrighted material whose use has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. 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