There is a lot of vendor advertising material floating around boasting the benefits of biometric security systems. A number of construction companies I know are considering access control systems for their construction sites. Some have been advised this is the way to go if you want high security outcomes. The main benefit extolled is that you can rely on biometrics to "man" an unmanned gate - ie by installing a turnstile.
I would advise caution before going down the path of a biometric security system rollout. The important thing to focus on is the business outcome that you are trying to achieve. If you are building a military installation where access control is a premium requirement, by all means, biometrics could be the answer to a difficult security question. However, if all you want to achieve is head count with an added degree of access control, then simple bar code technology could suffice. The difference here in cost could be in the order of 10k to 160k - so consider carefully what you want to achieve before moving forward.
On the issue of securing a gate with a turnstile and biometrics combination I would advise watching the linked Mythbusters video below. This video is not meant to detract from the value of biometrics, rather, it should serve as a clear warning to choose equipment from a reputable supplier with a proven track record.
I have linked anther video which describes the different types of biometric technolgy that is on the market. I will blog specifically on each over the following weeks.
Steve
www.misedio.com
Links
Mythbusters crack fingerprint reader...with wet paper photocopy!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LA4Xx5Noxyo&feature=related
Silcon.com outlines biometric technology
http://software.silicon.com/security/0,39024655,39169487,00.htm
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Friday, January 4, 2008
Liability for Security Contractors
Ive taken this one from my Misedio website - courtesy WorkCover NSW.
Its a good reminder why principal contractors engaging security (or any sub-contrator actually) MUST ensure their subbies have adequate insurance coverage. If your sub-contractor has ineffecitive cover (ie no coverage at all) the principal contactor will be up for the bill (or their insurer will, if its covered in their policy).
$407000 fine for subcontrator employee fatality
In the NSW Industrial Relations Commission in 2005 a head security contractor, a company it had engaged as a sub contractor, and a director were issued fines totalling $407,000. The Workcover CEO said, “This judgement is a landmark decision, which has clarified that the place of work definition in the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 applies equally to principal contractors and sub-contractors.”
Of note, principal contractors often rely on invoicing as a way of controlling their contactors ongoing insured status. They demand that sub-contractors must submit a copy of their current insurance policy prior to issuing payment of an invoice (as principals know,under the security of payments legislation, this is in fact law). However, this system does not adequately cover the situation of insurance expiring immediately AFTER an invoice has been paid. You could potentially have an uninsurred contractor working for you, and not have this identified until the next invoice is recieved for payment.
Don't say I didn't warn you......
Steve
www.misedio.com
Links
Misedio website where article can be found:
http://www.misedio.com/Resources/CaseWatch/tabid/305/Default.aspx
Workcover website where article can be found:
http://www.workcover.nsw.gov.au/MediaResources/MediaReleases/2005/security_firms_fined_after_fatal_robbery.htm
Its a good reminder why principal contractors engaging security (or any sub-contrator actually) MUST ensure their subbies have adequate insurance coverage. If your sub-contractor has ineffecitive cover (ie no coverage at all) the principal contactor will be up for the bill (or their insurer will, if its covered in their policy).
$407000 fine for subcontrator employee fatality
In the NSW Industrial Relations Commission in 2005 a head security contractor, a company it had engaged as a sub contractor, and a director were issued fines totalling $407,000. The Workcover CEO said, “This judgement is a landmark decision, which has clarified that the place of work definition in the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 applies equally to principal contractors and sub-contractors.”
Of note, principal contractors often rely on invoicing as a way of controlling their contactors ongoing insured status. They demand that sub-contractors must submit a copy of their current insurance policy prior to issuing payment of an invoice (as principals know,under the security of payments legislation, this is in fact law). However, this system does not adequately cover the situation of insurance expiring immediately AFTER an invoice has been paid. You could potentially have an uninsurred contractor working for you, and not have this identified until the next invoice is recieved for payment.
Don't say I didn't warn you......
Steve
www.misedio.com
Links
Misedio website where article can be found:
http://www.misedio.com/Resources/CaseWatch/tabid/305/Default.aspx
Workcover website where article can be found:
http://www.workcover.nsw.gov.au/MediaResources/MediaReleases/2005/security_firms_fined_after_fatal_robbery.htm
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Easy and Effective Risk Analysis
I've written before on this blog about site security guarding services and their critical function on construction sites. Well, ive just come across this excellent and simple risk assessment checklist by Ashmark security of Melbourne (Australia). This list contained on this page asks the simple questions that should get any site or project manager thinking the right way about construction site security. The fact that Ashmark are asking their construction clients whether their gate hinge pins are spot welded tells me that this is a company that KNOWS the environment into which they are selling services.
If their webswite is anything to go by, if you are looking for a security provider in Melbourne, I would think they are well worth checking out.
Steve
http://www.misedio.com/
Links
Ashmark Website:
http://www.ashmarksecurity.com.au/scripts/default.asp?idPage=5&Name=Home
Ashmark page on which risk assessment information is found:
http://www.ashmarksecurity.com.au/Scripts/default.asp?idPage=4
If their webswite is anything to go by, if you are looking for a security provider in Melbourne, I would think they are well worth checking out.
Steve
http://www.misedio.com/
Links
Ashmark Website:
http://www.ashmarksecurity.com.au/scripts/default.asp?idPage=5&Name=Home
Ashmark page on which risk assessment information is found:
http://www.ashmarksecurity.com.au/Scripts/default.asp?idPage=4
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Internet Connectivity for Construction Sites
One of the big challenges I've confronted with in the past has been how to get wireless internet across a big construciton site. The benefits in respect of productivity are numerous - getting staff on site connected on a permanent basis to office resources means less trips back to the office and less mistakes made in the field. From a risk management perspective 'site wide' internet connectivity allows for numerous management systems to be put in place. If you could provide sub-contractor access to a site wide network this would have substantial efficiency benefits. In the circumstances I was dealing with my issue was needing to provide handhelds that security staff were using with real time access to the security management system.
With unlimited resources providing site wide access is not a difficult thing to do. There are many proprietary systems around that will provide a solution. However, doing it cost effectively is another matter all together. Running cabbling is problematic in terms of the cost (versus benefit), and there is the constant issue of signal degredation of of wireless access points where these are used.
Enter Meraki
It was with great interest that I read the linked article on the Sydney Morning Hearld website. The article discusses Meraki wireless networking technology, and on the face of it, it looks like this could be a 'hot' wireless solution for construction projects. The technology allows you to install wireless access points. These subsequently 'talk' to one another, enabling the signal to be hopped around the site via each access point. So rather than using cabling to carry the signal, each access point forwards the signal on. You can put as many of these around the site as you like. There is also the option to install solar powered units (no specifications available on usage testing ie how does the unit perform on a cloudy day).
Quite astoundingly, the Meraki solution costs just $99 - $149 for each wireless access point - depending on the features you want and whether you want an outdoor or indoor version. This is amazing when you consider that solutions I have previously priced up ran out at 600$ - $1000 per access point!
The Meraki solution also supports a fully outsourced billing system. This means you can open up the wireless network to your subcontractors, and Meraki will look after the billing sytsem - including taking payments. They will forward you any commissions made on sales - which would allow you to easily recoup the costs of installation!
Presuming the meraki system is robust this represents a real game changer for easy wireless access (in a lot of environments outside of construction as well). If you need to get internet access across a a large project it provides a solution that was unavailable at that price point only just over a year ago.
Steve
http://www.misedio.com/
With unlimited resources providing site wide access is not a difficult thing to do. There are many proprietary systems around that will provide a solution. However, doing it cost effectively is another matter all together. Running cabbling is problematic in terms of the cost (versus benefit), and there is the constant issue of signal degredation of of wireless access points where these are used.
Enter Meraki
It was with great interest that I read the linked article on the Sydney Morning Hearld website. The article discusses Meraki wireless networking technology, and on the face of it, it looks like this could be a 'hot' wireless solution for construction projects. The technology allows you to install wireless access points. These subsequently 'talk' to one another, enabling the signal to be hopped around the site via each access point. So rather than using cabling to carry the signal, each access point forwards the signal on. You can put as many of these around the site as you like. There is also the option to install solar powered units (no specifications available on usage testing ie how does the unit perform on a cloudy day).
Quite astoundingly, the Meraki solution costs just $99 - $149 for each wireless access point - depending on the features you want and whether you want an outdoor or indoor version. This is amazing when you consider that solutions I have previously priced up ran out at 600$ - $1000 per access point!
The Meraki solution also supports a fully outsourced billing system. This means you can open up the wireless network to your subcontractors, and Meraki will look after the billing sytsem - including taking payments. They will forward you any commissions made on sales - which would allow you to easily recoup the costs of installation!
Presuming the meraki system is robust this represents a real game changer for easy wireless access (in a lot of environments outside of construction as well). If you need to get internet access across a a large project it provides a solution that was unavailable at that price point only just over a year ago.
Steve
http://www.misedio.com/
Links
Meraki website:
http://meraki.com/
Sydney Morning Herald Article:
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
New Year 2007
Well 2008 has arrived! I was fortunate enough to see the new year in at Milsons Point in Sydney, Australia - with good friends and a few 'quiet' ones. It was really good to switch off and enjoy what was a fantastic Sydney evening. Happy new year to all!!
Many thanks to our kind hosts for the night - Brett from http://www.gainsworth.com.au/
Steve
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