Technology offers security safeguards.The risks of real estate ownership come in many forms, but building security is a constant. The forms of such risk vary by property type and location, with the predominant concern being unauthorized personnel access. Arriving just in time from the defense laboratories of the 90's a broad range of commercial security applications are now available for immediate or soon-to-come installation. BIO HAZARDS: The threat of a bio-based terrorist attack or even unauthorized access by individuals with communicable diseases communicable diseases, illnesses caused by microorganisms and transmitted from an infected person or animal to another person or animal. Some diseases are passed on by direct or indirect contact with infected persons or with their excretions. , remains a high concern of owners of shopping, office, and industrial complexes. Infrared cameras can now scan individuals for disease symptoms, such a s elevated body temperatures. A new technology coming out of the labs at the University of Wisconsin will provide instant scan capability for biological threats, ranging from small pox pox (poks) any eruptive or pustular disease, especially one caused by a virus, e.g., chickenpox, cowpox, etc. pox n. 1. to bubonic plague bubonic plague: see plague. bubonic plague ravages Oran, Algeria, where Dr. Rieux perseveres in his humanitarian endeavors. [Fr. Lit.: The Plague] See : Disease . This DNA-altered diamond film is at the cutting edge of the merger between biology and micro-electronics and is expected to become part of standard building security in the next few years. SCANNERS: Biometrics has taken over the role of identification at property access points. RFID tags the size of a grain of rice can be imbedded in clothing, as well a s an ID tag, and scanned by an RFID reader A transmitter/receiver that reads the contents of RFID tags in the vicinity. Also called an "RFID interrogator." The maximum distance between the reader's antenna and the tag vary, depending on application. from more than 6 feet away. AUTOMATED FACIAL SURVELLIANCE: Can be employed using high resolution cameras linked to software-embedded watch lists to single out unwanted individuals. FINGERPRINT SCANNERS: Minimized to the size of a credit card and integrated with a USB USB in full Universal Serial Bus Type of serial bus that allows peripheral devices (disks, modems, printers, digitizers, data gloves, etc.) to be easily connected to a computer. storage device, these scanners can now be plugged into any computer and can control entry points, internal building areas, and access to computer applications using inexpensive software. More intrusive ID control methods already extend to eye scans and DNA DNA: see nucleic acid. DNA or deoxyribonucleic acid One of two types of nucleic acid (the other is RNA); a complex organic compound found in all living cells and many viruses. It is the chemical substance of genes. scans. PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER: The brave new world Brave New World Aldous Huxley’s grim picture of the future, where scientific and social developments have turned life into a tragic travesty. [Br. Lit.: Magill I, 79] See : Dystopia Brave New World of property security will connect an array of surveillance, scanning, and identification nodes to control elevator access, sprinkler and burglar alarms, exit and entry points and times, and positioning and routing of security personnel. Public access properties, such as shopping centers, sports stadiums or office complexes, will have digital and infrared scanning cameras linked by LAN (Local Area Network) A communications network that serves users within a confined geographical area. The "clients" are the user's workstations typically running Windows, although Mac and Linux clients are also used. and microwave to multi-gigabyte processing centers capable of detecing a theft or assault in progress or the arrival of an unauthorized vehicle or individual. Entering individuals will b e greeted by name a s they are scanned at each seemingly unsecured entranceway. Those without biometric ID will be delayed. Elevators and equipment rooms will open at the touch of a finger to authorized personnel. Bio and chemical sensors will control shut-down and exhaust actuators on all air-handling equipment, while security personnel tracked with GPS from the central security office will have portable scanners capable of individual identification, metal detection, etc. UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES For the "Law of unintended consequences", see Unintended consequence Unintended Consequences is a novel by author John Ross, first published in 1996 by Accurate Press. : With security technology providing such awesome capabilities for risk management, the standard of performance required by owners to avoid liability will be both high and expensive to reach |
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