Security Trends: What’s on the Horizon for 2018?

Here we are again in a new year, always exciting because with every New Year comes a variety of new trends and innovations. In the world of security, technical development is what is leading us forward and helping to enhance how we safeguard our homes and business premises.

In this post we are taking a look at some of the most important security trends for 2018, all of which are already forming part and parcel of our multi-layered security solutions here at Barry Bros Security.

Trend 1: Ultra-HD CCTV Cameras

It wasn’t long ago that we were talking about HD CCTV cameras, notable for their ‘unbelievable’ quality which is ‘actually as good as the image you can see with your own eyes’.

Imagine then what ULTRA-HD CCTV is going to deliver. The ultimate in clarity, ultra-HD CCTV footage is fully admissible in court and is helping greatly in the battle against serious crime such as terrorism thanks to its remarkable facial recognition capabilities.

Trend 2: Smart Locks

Smart locks are set to really take off as an integral element of intelligent home security systems this year. Smart locks are connected either by Wi-Fi or Bluetooth to a smart device, such as a phone, tablet or voice controlled hub such as the Amazon Echo.

These locks provide access to property without the use of a key, although you can go for a key override option if preferred. No more trying to recall whether you’ve locked your door: just check your phone. In addition, full remote control over your locks from wherever you are is now a real possibility, as is the issuing of temporary digital keys to friends, family or contractors for example.

Trend 3: Smart Alarms

Continuing the smart theme, smart alarms are looking to be the intruder defence systems of choice for new installations in the coming year. Smart alarms remove the need for remembering to switch on: instead you can rely on the intelligent functionality to detect that no one is home and then automatically set your alarm for you.

Smart alarm systems work on a zone by zone basis which provides full control over the areas you wish to protect at any one time: upstairs, downstairs, back room, front room; whatever you wish. There is also the option to instigate audible or notification based alerts if say a window or door has been left ajar after a certain time of day. A panic button can also be incorporated to trigger flashing lights, opening or closing of curtains or a phone call to a pre-determined number.

Trend 4: Increased Focus on Cyber Security

Just this month it was announced that Carphone Warehouse has been fined £400,000 by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) following a data breach in 2015 involving hackers gaining unauthorised access to the personal data of over 3 million customers and 1,000 employees.

Not long ago we reported a similar story centred on TalkTalk and discussed the vital importance of taking every possible step in order to protect sensitive data. Naturally digital security ranks as important in this respect, but physical security is also an essential element in a data security armoury.

Businesses must adhere to a raft of data protection legislation, more so in the coming months as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is due to be introduced in May this year. Such legislation provides for appropriate steps to be taken to protect a business from unauthorised or unlawful processing of personal data and against accidental loss or destruction of or damage to personal data.

Physical security measures like these will help to manage your risk in this respect, and will also contribute towards insurance compliance. Basically, the more you can demonstrate your efforts to safeguard against a data breach, the more favourably you will be looked upon by regulatory bodies and insurers and of course, the less likely it will be that you suffer reputational and financial damage.

On-Trend Security Advice from Barry Bros Security

Barry Bros Security may have been providing home and business owners with security advice for more than six decades, but that does not mean the advice we provide is not on-trend. In fact, we offer many of the latest, cutting-edge innovations and boast one of the largest selections of modern security products and solutions in London.

If you are seeking to upgrade your security systems this year, or are looking to install brand new measures, talk to Barry Bros Security for tailored guidance and a wide range of up to the minute options.