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Leadership Perspectives
September 15, 2009
Priority Four: Compliance Management
The fourth and final keyword for the Twitter contest is COMPLIANCE MANAGEMENT.
We’ve covered the first three of four core areas of security in previous posts on our countdown to ASIS 2009. The fourth core area of security solutions is compliance management
In addition to limiting expenditures while ensuring best-in-class security, businesses worldwide need to meet escalating internal and external compliance and regulatory measures from their respective governments and industries. Meeting these codes and regulations is essential to a variety of vertical markets, including healthcare, life sciences, industrial and government.
For example, there are many codes and regulations for workforce safety in the pharmaceutical industry. A large pharmaceutical company will most likely have a zero tolerance requirement around controlled substances. Through an integrated approach, the HR department’s employee training system can be linked to the security system, allowing the system to deny or permit access to employees automatically. Thus, certain pharmacists can be denied access to a lab that houses a new drug if they do not have the proper training.
Data integrity is another vital measurement of many compliance and regulatory standards. One such safeguard is the ability to use logical security combined with physical security. Specifically, if a sign-on and password are used to log on to a computer and that employee did not use their badge to gain access into the building, the computer login is denied. The system assumes someone is attempting to use a sign-on for someone not within the building.
Traditional compliance management software applications help organizations measure and document compliance to both internal policies and external agencies, an important safeguard for safety and security. Adding real-time data from security and other building systems further enables direct enforcement, documentation and rapid intervention when needed. Being able to automate, verify and provide data around compliance can reduce risk and save costs when compared to traditional approaches.
Wrap-up
The integration of security systems with complete building management is a relatively new concept that challenges all players to look past the traditional policies and procedures. An enterprise-wide approach must be taken to all facets of any business to protect the bottom line, reduce risk and improve compliance.
Driven by a new set of business outcomes, the historic goal of protecting people and assets remains intact. The strategy, however, will continue to evolve with the goal of creating better efficiencies and business results.
-- Jay Alix, director of Global Security Accounts, Johnson Controls
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September 15, 2009
State of the Industry
As summer comes to an end and the leaves begin to fall, we would like to take time to reflect on the past year.
This year presented unique economic challenges for many businesses, including many of our customers. However, these challenges haven’t deterred the need for safe, secure and sustainable buildings. Johnson Controls has continued to provide our clients with the best solutions possible. As a single-source provider delivering comprehensive solutions that include planning and consulting, enterprise technology, implementation and service, Johnson Controls expertise is second to none.
You may remember that in 2008 we announced new leadership in our Security & Fire Safety business as part of a strategy to grow our market share in the $24 billion global security systems integration market.
We are happy to report that our global security and fire business has grown around 3%.
In addition to our growing market share, new leadership organization within the Security & Fire Safety business has allowed us to better serve customers across the globe with complex integration needs. To date, we have over 50,000 businesses globally that use our security solutions everyday.
We also continue to break down the silos between physical security, information security, IT systems, building automation and business applications to ensure technology is comprehensive and sustainable.
Now more than ever, Johnson Controls security solutions through the integration of technologies, products, and services to create smart environments that protect people and secure assets.
-- Lisa Roy, vice president of Global Security and Strategy, Johnson Controls
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September 15, 2009
Priority Three: Building Management
The third keyword for the Twitter contest is: BUILDING MANAGEMENT.
Our countdown to ASIS 2009 and the four core areas of security continues with priority three – building management. Building management is about increasing productivity and creating operational efficiency by focusing on the optimization of systems and their capabilities.
Building automation systems typically control temperature, humidity, lighting and related subsystems to provide occupant comfort and productivity. However, the integration of building management systems with security systems can also maximize occupant safety while reducing labor and energy use. For example, buildings can conserve energy from occupancy information provided by the security system and adjust controls by zone, usage and schedule.
Johnson Controls has the ability to integrate security platforms with building management systems via an interface that extends energy management to security applications. This works to consolidate alarms and events with other building systems such as access control, intrusion, video surveillance and fire detection.
One example of this is at Ave Maria University in southwest Florida which wanted to increase the safety and comfort of its buildings. University administrators were able to reduce energy costs through the integration of occupancy sensors with the lighting and HVAC systems. As a result, lights and airflow are activated in rooms and lecture halls only when needed, but the bottom line was not the only thing that was protected.
The system integration particularly benefits the fire and life safety response. If the alarm system detects a fire, the HVAC system is signaled to stop delivering fresh air to the area and pressurizes the path of egress, clearing it of smoke. The access control system will unlock doors along the emergency route and real-time surveillance cameras will give responders a live feed in the event of a fire emergency.
Coming up: Priority Four – Compliance Measurement
-- Steve Thompson, director of Global Security and Fire Safety, Johnson Controls
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September 10, 2009
Security Systems Retrofits
As the uncertain economy requires facility owners and managers to closely watch their spending, we continue to hear from clients who are considering a retrofit of their security systems instead of a new installation. Because many ASIS 2009 attendees may be investigating the same thing, here some key considerations:
Planning is a vital part of the process. A customized plan, developed with the assistance of a trusted consultant or design-build technology contractor, will cover everything from technology integration to return on investment (ROI.) For example, Johnson Controls offers a planning process called Security Solutions Navigator in which we hold structured, interactive sessions with a company’s representative stakeholders to quickly assess priorities and perceptions. The findings reveal consensus data that is used to update the security plan.
Quantify ROI in four areas that you could potentially see benefit. These are: a reduction in operating costs, mitigation of risk, improved compliance management and generating business revenue. In addition, cost savings and improved ROI can often be achieved by designing around an open architecture and integration framework so that the systems are flexible for integration as new technologies become available.
Select the right technologies at the front end of a project to help produce a seamless transition to a new security system. It’s wise to choose head-end technology that can accommodate both the existing and future devices. Evolving technologies enable companies like Johnson Controls to integrate all building systems onto one common platform. Thinking ahead and taking an enterprise-wide approach will help with a migration to new equipment both now and in the future.
Involve your IT department early in the design and throughout the entire process. Because so many of today’s security devices communicate on a company’s IT network, they need to be integrated for maximum use. That’s why it’s critical to get IT involved in all aspects of a security retrofit, including vision and scope definition, technical design, installation, commissioning and ongoing maintenance.
Drop by the Johnson Controls booth #3308 at ASIS. We’d be glad to tell you more!
-- Chad Lawrence, director of Sales for Security and Fire Safety – North America, Johnson Controls
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September 8, 2009
Priority Two: Identity Management
The second keyword for the Twitter contest is: IDENTITY MANAGEMENT.
In our last post, we focused on events (event management). Now it’s time to talk about people. The second core area of security solutions is identity management. Businesses must consider the growing need for employee identification management services that protect access to buildings and data.
Typically, identity management is driven by a facility with a large number of employees who are looking for a one-card technology solution. Each individual employee or contractor receives a unique credentialed badge that can be used across integrated systems including physical security, logical (IT) security, and business (ERP) systems.
Identity management can help businesses reduce risk by controlling who goes where and has access to what. Employees, contractors and visitors can all be managed this way. Tracking these individuals’ activities can help meet specific work rules, including minimum or maximum hour requirements, building occupancy regulations, training measures, or even drug testing intervals. Access rights can also be assigned based on changes to employment status, changes in job function, or changes in threat level.
One example of event management can be seen at Broward County Public Schools in Broward County, Florida. The school district partnered with Johnson Controls to install a district-wide visitor management system called the Security Tracking and Response (STAR) System to better safeguard students, faculty and visitors. The system allows the district to share data, monitor, identify and screen visitors to more than 250 school district properties.
Real-time access to databases allows personnel to identify potential threats instantly. The STAR system allows administrators to process visitors with minimal delay by scanning the required form of identification, automatically checking this information against the databases, and issuing a badge for approved visitors only.
Coming up: Priority Three – Building Management
-- Brandon Arcement, manager of Global Security Technology, Johnson Controls
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September 4, 2009
Let the countdown begin! Priority One: Event Management
The first keyword for the Twitter contest is: EVENT MANAGEMENT.
We previously outlined the four core areas of security solutions as event management, identity management, building management and compliance management.
With regard to the first core area, event management, the traditional approach to the security process has been to react to a compelling event, such as a lapse in internal compliance. However, this traditional approach to the security process is reactive, not proactive.
To engage proactively and eliminate threatening events before they occur, security decision-makers must have full situational awareness of the ongoing activities throughout the building. Such awareness results from the implementation of a single integrated command and control system. Through integration, data from physical security, building management, and other systems are combined to create a common operating picture.
The command center application allows convergence through a single IP network that optimizes real-time awareness at all levels. As a result, security at building entrances and exits can now be linked to video surveillance, IT, HR and building automation systems, including HVAC and lighting. Combining data from multiple systems on one interface reduces data overload and can help ensure timely reactions and resolutions during an event.
Event management needs are common, particularly for customers whose facilities are large in size and shape, such as a multi-building complex.
For example, administrators in Collier County in southern Florida needed to protect the people, property and assets in over 200 physical buildings including jails, courthouses, administration offices, and water parks. To manage these facilities individually would have led to unnecessary expenditures and risk and so a command center was designed to provide automation upon triggering events.
The central command center tracks the location and security of county commissioners, county managers, and deputy county managers. For instance, when one of these individuals enters the parking structure at the County Courthouse, the system automatically increases the security level within the facility. Doors that are normally open become secured, cameras switch to real-time recording, and onsite security personnel are alerted that one or more of these individuals are on the premises.
Managing this data promotes efficiency by reducing nuisance alarms, simplifying assessment and streamlining an effective response.
Coming up: Priority Two – Identity Management.
-- John Fenske, director of Global Security Product Management, Johnson Controls
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September 2, 2009
ASIS Twitter Contest
Are you on Twitter? Follow the Johnson Controls Security and Fire Safety Solutions on Twitter @SecureBuilding. Each week until ASIS 2009, we’ll be posting a keyword in correspondence with one of our blog posts. We encourage you to write down each of these four keywords.
On September 21, the first day of the ASIS trade show, log onto Twitter and send all four keywords to the Johnson Controls Security and Fire Safety Solutions Twitter account @SecureBuilding for the chance to win a $100 gift card!
Those steps again are:
1. Read the Johnson Controls Security and Fire Safety Solutions blog.
2. Make note of the four keywords that will be posted.
3. Send a Tweet on Twitter to @SecureBuilding on September 21 for the chance to win a $100 gift card!*
*Only one winner will be chosen randomly from all participants. Only Twitter messages sent on September 21, 2009 that include all four keywords will be qualified.
-- Michael Mann, director of Global Security Solutions, Johnson Controls
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September 1, 2009
ASIS Countdown: The Four Core Areas of Security
As we count down the days until ASIS 2009, we thought we would hold a parallel countdown to provide an overview of the four core areas of security.
Security has traditionally been driven by the need to protect life, property, and assets. Today, these security needs are still critical, but new driving forces for security solutions are emerging. The needs to lower costs, reduce risk, and improve compliance are forcing company executives to reassess their security strategies to maximize enterprise-wide results.
Evolving technologies in building automation are enabling companies like Johnson Controls to integrate all building systems through one communications platform for efficient monitoring with limited risk. This environment of integration presents security leaders with the opportunity to take a holistic approach to providing safety and security.
It can be helpful to think of potential security solutions in a broader context. Over the next few weeks, we will be counting down these four core areas of security:
- Event Management
- Identity Management
- Building Management
- Compliance Management
Addressing these core areas will ensure the necessary solutions to create safe, secure and comfortable environments. Furthermore, the right security solutions will help customers to lower costs and risk through improved efficiency and streamlined operations while adhering to compliance guidelines and other regulations.
We’ll outline each of these four core areas of security in a bit more detail in the weeks ahead, beginning with event management.
-- Michael Mann, director of Global Security Solutions, Johnson Controls
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August 24th, 2009
Welcome to the Johnson Controls Security & Fire Safety Blog
Welcome to the new blog on behalf of Johnson Controls Security & Fire Safety Solutions. The blog is a part of our new Web site launched in conjunction with the ASIS 2009 trade show, September 21-24, 2009 in Anaheim, California (www.asisonline.org).Real People. Personal Stories. That’s the theme of our Johnson Controls booth for ASIS 2009. This year, we’re proud to show new technologies that demonstrate our abilities to be leaders in the security marketplace. For example, our newest hybrid systems can support IP implementations while integrating existing infrastructures to allow for a blend of existing and future technologies.
But at the end of the day, it’s over 50,000 companies worldwide and real people who use our integrated security solutions that make us who we are.
Whether these companies need to protect people, assets, physical property, or intellectual property, or whether they are in transportation, healthcare, financial services, government, education, or manufacturing, Johnson Controls provides comprehensive security and fire safety solutions designed to meet their specific needs.
If you’ll be at ASIS in Anaheim, stop and visit our booth, #3308,
on the show floor to see what Johnson Controls has to offer and to meet the real people behind our company and hear personal stories from the customers that use our products and technologies everyday.
If you are not planning to attend ASIS 2009, we hope you’ll check our blog for updates on what’s new from Johnson Controls and to read the industry insights from our security experts.
We look forward to sharing our stories with you.
-- Michael Mann, director of Global Security Solutions, Johnson Controls
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