Telecommunications 

Remote location security / Physical Data Protection

Remote location security - mobile telephone masts and other isolated equipment

Telecommunications and other similar industries often have remote or unmanned buildings, equipment and land scattered in diverse locations across the country. Security for these often potentially vulnerable locations can be costly or difficult. Problems with a network may be as a result of vandalism or 'force majure', but determining the problem and location by sending out staff can be time consuming and costly. In both these instances security solutions provided by G4S Security Systems can help.

Remote Response System
Our Remote Response system use CCTV or 'IP Network' cameras fitted at each remote location. After a site analysis we will recommend a combination of detectors or beams to be fitted to detect any intruder. This system is then linked to a centralised monitoring station. Using a combination of 'IP Network' cameras and wireless devices (IP packet radio transmitters) it is possible to link sites up to 40 miles away.

Any movement detected triggers an alert which can then be analysed by trained staff remotely via your CCTV system.
By combining the system with a public address system, it is then possible to address intruders (this will usually be enough to dissuade them from continuing or establish that they are non-malicious in intent) . Should the intruder remain the operator can call the police and record the incident for follow up.

Physical Data protection
Protecting customer data is a major issue for many companies, from a customer care standpoint, from a simple functional standpoint and recently from a legal stand point under newly enforced provisions of the Data Protection Act. Under recently enforced provisions of the 1998 Data Protection Act, company directors can even face prison if electronically held records fall into the wrong hands.

Companies are certainly aware of the issues, particularly in the communications industry, where customer data runs into the terabytes of information. Although electronic breaches of security are still prevalent in the news, companies are getting to grips with the fundament issues of network security. However the most comprehensive network security system, firewalls and encryption can be compromised (and frequently are) by an unauthorised visitor accessing insecure data rooms or un attended workstations. According to most experts the majority of computer crime is perpetuated not by criminals hacking in from outside, but by disaffected or opportunistic employees.

Quite apart from legal implications of such action the cost to businesses can be very high. According to the Department of Trade and Industry in 2002, the average cost of each serious incident is £30,000, and several companies reported breaches costing more than £500,000, with more than 44% of all UK businesses have experienced at least one malicious security breach in the last year.

Telecommunications security breaches - what can be done?
With carelessness and opportunism accounting for such a high proportion of computer and data security breaches, what can be done enable companies to ensure that they comply with the law, and protect their own interests at the same time?

Workforce education often plays a key role, forcing changes to passwords regularly, using a combination of letters and numbers and emphasising the importance of not revealing passwords to anyone, are simple first steps that can be taken.

Data rooms and server centres can be protected by biometric access control, or even more effectively with a combination of biometric and smart card systems, thus ensuring that an unauthorised visitor cannot steal a card and access high security areas 'legitimately'.

Alarms linked to the access control system can be fitted to laptops and other easily portable but highly valuable computer equipment thus ensuring that an alarm will sound if it is removed from the building without authorisation.

An integrated system of cameras and access control or intrusion detectors in areas of high security, allows building management or security staff to view any area as soon as an alarm is triggered or a door is opened giving them the immediate ability to determine the person's authenticity.

These are just some examples of ways to protect your valuable customer and coporate data. G4S Security Systems can provide you with a comprehensive review of your physical security arrangement and devise a strategy that compliments your existing virtual security strategy.