Security is ensuring a safe environment for people to deal with their daily affairs. Private contractors or security companies provide extensive measures that suffice their client’s needs. Recent times have forced the implementation of electronic gadgets and new technologies to get ahead of the problem. The origin of security services can be traced back to the year 1850. Allan Pinkerton established Pinkerton Detective Agency based in Chicago, making it the first-ever security services company.
Technical approach
Security companies took their step into using technology in the late 1960s/early 1970s by using CCTV cameras. After that, it was a straightforward invention and implementation of that piece of technology. From the first use of CCTV to drone security, technological advances in security have come a long way. In this blog let us go through some of the applications used by modern-day security providers.
- Taser
Taser, an acronym for Tom A. Swift Electric Rifle, was invented in the year 1970 by an American inventor named Jack Cover. It is a handheld device that can incapacitate a person by transferring 50,000 volts of electric shock. Tasers are considered most effective up to a distance of 35 feet. The mechanism of the taser uses compressed nitrogen to launch two darts connected to thin wires that transmit volts of electric shock to the central nervous system resulting in temporary incapacitation. The use of compressed nitrogen however excludes it from the category of firearms. They can also be used as stun guns by directly establishing contact with the body in close proximity.
- Pepper spray
It is an inflammatory agent used to apprehend people and permits people in a life-threatening position to use it as a defense & escape. Pepper spray is a compound made to cause temporary blindness by causing irritation, burning sensation, and pain when sprayed on the face. It can also cause shortness of breath by causing a burning feeling in the lungs.
Kamran Loghman was the person who developed it for law-enforcement agencies as an alternative for firearms.
- Tear gas
A chemically induced gas used to stimulate the nerves of the lacrimal gland in the eye to produce tears is commonly known as tear gas. Tear gas includes the composition of pepper spray, PAVA spray(nonivamide), cs gas, cr gas, cn gas(phenacyl chloride), bromoacetone, xylyl bromide, and Mace. These agents are commonly used by various law enforcement agencies to perform riot control.
- Bean bag rifles
This particular shotgun rifle uses rounds that consist of a small fabric ‘pillow’ 9 lead shot weighing 40 grams. The gun itself is a typical 12 gauge shotgun. Upon contact, these rounds result in muscle spasms or other reactions to immobilize a violent person. These rounds cause minimum long-term discomfort and no penetration.
- CCTV cameras
A closed-circuit television camera produces images and recordings for security purposes. It was invented by Walter Bruch using the technology to capture light and convert it into video signals. Supporting a CCTV camera is a CCD sensor(charged-coupled device) that converts light into an electronic signal and the signal processing converts it into a video signal that can be viewed or recorded on a display screen.
- Drones
In recent times, autonomous drones have proved to be useful in maximizing the visual line of sight. This technology is used by a security services company to observe various areas from a secure space and direct any unlawful activity without getting noticed. Its application in terms of defense is well appreciated as it can be used to supervise crowds and various types of public gatherings in real-time.
- Infrared sensors
Infrared was first discovered by Sir William Herschel in the 1800s. The significant development of detectors happened in 1829. Leopoldo Nobili using the Seebeck effect created a thermophile and later joined hands with Macedonio Melloni to develop a much-improved instrument. Later, the first-ever infrared camera was developed in 1929 by a Hungarian physicist named Kálmán Tihanyi. Infrared sensors are used for the detection of criminals using thermal imaging, infrared scanning, etc.
- Ultrasonic motion detector
A device that emits ultrasonic sound waves to detect any anomaly in the region is called an ultrasonic motion detector. When an intruder’s presence disrupts the flow of sound waves, it triggers an alarm notifying others in the same region. Depending on the device, it can consume from 0.5w to 8w of power.
Conclusion
The use of the latest technologies in a security services company is essential in providing extensive security. Companies spend enormous amounts of their financial resources to acquire these technologies and use them to uphold their reputation.