Author: SearchPooch.com
An interesting side effect of the economic downturn is how, in its wake, the mind of many people has turned to matters of security. A predictable result of job insecurity or of the failure of investment portfolios to deliver reasonable returns is, obviously, an increased effort to protect what assets we do have, whether they take material form such as our homes and cars, or are represented by the skills, knowledge and experience we bring to our work. In the case of physical assets, many people are looking to bring added protection to their valued possessions.
The ISC West international security conference in Las Vegas at the beginning of April 2009 showcased a whole range of security technology, hardware and information. The list of exhibitors covered hundreds of different vendors " there were 95 in the A section of the alphabetical list alone " in 24 categories, from Access Control to Wireless Equipment.
Winner of the Access Control new product award was a New Zealand company marketing technology that lets you unlock a door with your cellphone. All you need is a Bluetooth enabled device (phone, PDA or any other device), an electronic door (or gate, alarm, garage, or vehicle central locking), and an ECKey. According to the manufacturers web site (eckey.com) once your Bluetooth device is registered, its mere presence will unlock the door, open the garage or disable your alarm. You dont even need to take your phone out of your pocket or bag!
As you might expect, the conference had a lot more hardware that targeted locking things up rather than unlocking them. They still sell padlocks, and other locks that use a key. But the lock category bristled with combination locks, computer locks, electromagnetic locks and other keyless solutions. It could be difficult, though, for unauthorized persons to even get near the lock. The show provided the security conscious with a galactic array of sensors. These included night vision systems, motion detectors, dual technology sensors (they combine passive infrared with active microwave detection), proximity sensors and vehicle detectors. And just to remind us that we need protection not only against our fellow citizens but also from nature, you can order flood alarms, fire alarms, smoke alarms and temperature alarms as well as your everyday burglar alarm.
For those with an interest in the higher end of the security spectrum, exhibits included biological identification systems such as iris scanning, facial and fingerprint scanning.
Viewing the list of exhibitors could have a depressing effect on the security-conscious citizen. It could make them aware of all the security enhancements they lack: the perimeter protection (intrusion sensors, perimeter barriers, security lighting); the keyless security entrance door; the video surveillance; the bomb detection system; panic hardware. Fancy not having panic hardware! And, heres a thought, buying some of this protection might set you back more than the net worth of the assets you seek to protect.
Its nice to know that ingenious inventors have provided the honest home owner with such an array of defences. What a pity we need them.
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Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Security Plus
