Practical Security Tips, News & Advice.
Every organization has its own unique facility security needs, but the basics of gatekeeping are nearly universal. We take a look at all levels of facility security, including building access, protocol and procedures, visitors, security staffing, the common challenges for specific types of facilities, and much more.
U.S. travelers are getting two more years to acquire identification that will be required to board domestic flights and access certain federal facilities. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced its intent to extend the REAL ID full enforcement date by 24 months, from May 3, 2023 to May 7, 2025. Under the […]
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) released its annual calendar honoring the agency’s more than 1,000 explosives detection canines working in the United States. TSA’s 2022 Cutest Canine Contest winner, Eebbers, is featured on the cover of the 2023 TSA Canine Calendar. TSA uses canines as part of its multi-layered security operations nationwide. These highly skilled dogs are trained to […]
I have seen first-hand customers quickly pushing shopping carts full of unpaid merchandise out of a store’s door, purposefully not scanning all their items at self-checkout registers, and concealing merchandise and walking out without paying. Retail security professionals will certainly agree and understand that the issue of theft in retail stores is a constant struggle. […]
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has seen an increase in travel this year and anticipates airport security checkpoints nationwide will be very busy this holiday travel season. The season kicks off with Thanksgiving travel, which begins Friday, Nov. 18 and concludes Sunday, Nov. 27. “We expect to be busier this year than last year at […]
I work at a small college as their first-ever Director of Campus Safety and Security. Prior to my arrival, the college employed security for eight hours an evening, and the security supervisor was also the dorm supervisor/men’s soccer coach. When I came on board, I felt our new department should have a mission statement, because […]
This Veterans Day, we here at Total Security Advisor would like to salute all those who have fought to protect our country. Security managers should consider hiring veterans who are either transitioning from military life to civilian life or perhaps have been civilians for a while. Specifically, many veterans have experience in securing military bases […]
Back to Basics is an article series highlighting important, but possibly overlooked, information that security professionals should know. You’ve seen them helping security and law enforcement at various venues like airports, concert halls, shopping centers, and schools, but do you know the reasons why various organizations and businesses use security canines? Just like how security […]
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) announced November 1 as the kickoff of Infrastructure Security Month 2022 and highlighted its extensive resources to help raise awareness about threats to critical infrastructure. This year’s theme is “Infrastructure Security Is National Security: Drive Down Risk, Build Resilience.” Critical infrastructure spans everything from healthcare, water, and education to […]
The Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Indiana Explosive Detection Canine Program recently hosted its sixth-annual Multi-Agency K9 Training Event. More than 50 handlers and their dogs representing TSA and law enforcement agencies participated in the training, which was held at Avon Middle School North in Avon, Ind., on Oct. 21. This year’s location offered new learning […]
As trick-or-treaters get ready to eerily descend into neighborhoods for Halloween, security professionals should understand how their properties might be just as vulnerable as a camp counselor in the Friday the 13th movie franchise and how to better protect them. Halloween shenanigans can include trespassing, toilet papering, egging, and pelting a facility with pumpkins, as […]