Electronic Security of Homes

                         Security of homes whether in flats or independent houses is yet another concern, especially for those who are out for a job or vacation with none to stay in the abode. In addition, when a lady is alone in the house, she is always worried about who is at the door. The door eye       installed at the entrance door is not good enough as the intruder keeps himself/herself away to avoid the face being seen by the occupant of the house. The following suggestions may be adopted to enhance the security of the house.

                Video Door Phone. In the existing environment, many builders install video door phones at the entrance of the house/flat. On arrival of an individual at the door, once the individual presses the door bell, the persons inside gets to see the image of the individual on the screen/s installed in the house. The door is opened only when the person is known or is expected. There is two way communication system along with the device, which enables the person inside to talk to the person at door. In larger complexes where the Number of flats or houses are more and entrances to the complex are manned by security guards, an integrated video door phone system can be installed. On arrival of an individual at the gate, the security guard makes a query and then rings up the house where the person wants to go. The house owner can see the image of the person on the screen inside the house, if required can talk to the person and then give clearance to the security guard to let the person in.  

                Entry of Vehicles in Gated Housing Complexes. Many gated housing complexes use security guards to permit entry of vehicles inside the complex. The gates can be electronically controlled to open and shut. Each vehicle owned by occupants of the complex is installed with a small chip (RFID), this chip has details of the vehicles and the owner, on arrival at the gate, the RFID chip on the vehicle is read by the device installed at the gate, if the data of the vehicle is inserted in the system, the gate opens automatically to let the vehicle in and then closes. The system also records the time of entry & exit. Only one vehicle is permitted to enter by the system at one time. The tail gating (another vehicle following the lead vehicle) is obviated. This system thus avoids presence of security guard at the gate all the time. If a visitor wishes to enter with a vehicle, depending upon the availability of parking of visitor vehicles, necessary entry is made in the system and the vehicle is permitted inside by security guard by manually operating the gate. On exit the security guard makes a note and enters in the system. Installation of CCTV cameras at the gate can assist in identifying the driver and registration plate of the vehicle. The images captured by the CCTV camera are stored the system and can be seen when required.

                Use of CCTV cameras to Track/Identify Individuals entering housing complex towers. In many gated complexes there are many towers housing large No of flats. In order to track the person entering in the tower, CCTV cameras are installed at relevant locations including the lifts. These CCTV cameras record the video images of entry and exit on devices known as DVR. The video images stored inside the DVR can be seen when required. If required, video management software installed in DVR can provide an alarm if the a person enters restricted area or enters the tower after stipulated time, say after 2200 hours. The alarm can be seen and heard by security guards to take further action.

                Keeping an eye on security personnel. In many large gated complexes, security personnel are required to patrol the area along a specified route at night as well as day. In some cases the patrolling activity is required to be repeated. To ensure that patrolling is carried out as per regulations laid down, a system can be installed. Each security guard required to undertake patrolling activity is issued with a device. At required locations along the route specified, RFID chips are installed, the location of these chips need not be known to security guards. The device available with patrolling guard notes down the details of the chip when the guard approaches the RFID chip, the time of visit is noted in the device. When the device is attached to the security computer system, a record is maintained and can be checked when required. To avoid proxy patrolling at each given location, bio-metric identification devices can be installed at required locations along the patrolling route, these devices can identify a person based on his/her finger print or palm or iris. The guard undertaking the patrolling activity is required to identify himself/herself with bio metric device installed.

                Use of Fiber Optic Cable. In large housing complexes instead laying numerous types of cables to install CCTV cameras, communication system, TV facilities, Fiber optic cable can be installed. Due to large amount of band width available on this cable, it can be used to install all above mentioned devices. This saves effort as also obviates laying of various different types of cables for each device.

                Security of Independent Houses/Bungalows. Independent houses/bungalows pose an additional challenge of security. The following methods can be used to ensure the security/ provision of early warning.

·        CCTV cameras located outside the house can be focused on compound walls/fence. The video images can be stored in DVR for required time limit. Video management software can generate an electronic/sound alarm whenever the wall or fence is breached by an outsider.

·         Another method is use of intrusion detection devices. These devices are installed at given intervals along the wall or fence. They emit electromagnetic beam, whenever the beam is disrupted, an alarm is generated and gives warning of intrusion. These devices can also be installed at windows or doors of the house. The alarms can be generated inside the house as well as on smart phone. Whenever the house owner is away, the alarm generated on smart phone gives warning to take further action.  

·         The walls of house can be installed with vibration detection devices, whenever an effort is made to breach the wall, an alarm is generated.

·         Video door phone can be installed at the entrance gate to identify a person wishing to enter the area.