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Phoenix Comicon Dazzles with Amazing Science Content!

Posted in Phoenix Security Blog

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Phoenix Comicon Dazzles with Amazing Science Content

To say the least, this was certainly an interesting year for Phoenix Comicon. A scary situation on Thursday brought about tighter security and a prop weapon ban. We'll talk about some of the security aspects in later articles and podcasts, but for now, we want to focus on all of the incredible science content that was at Phoenix Comicon this year! Hats off to RealtimeSTEAM, who negotiated and produced the space for all of these amazing science events!

INCREDIBLE PANELS

They did an OUTSTANDING job integrating real world science with pop culture for Phoenix Comicon! There were several imaginative panels that explored the science behind things like the Justice League, Halo, Mr. Robot, The Twilight Zone, Futurama, Star Trek and more! They were fun, creative and you could tell the panelists had such passion for whatever they were talking about!

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There were also some more 'real world' based panels that touched on topics like cyber security, STEM, microbes, domestification, birdwatching, pharmaceuticals and more! I think curiosity is a trait most comicon goers have in common so it's amazing to have all of these learning rich panels to attend. I particularly enjoyed the 'AZ Stars of Science' panel featuring local science powerhouses Dante Lauretta, Sharon O'Neal and Bert Jacobs!

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EDUCATORS

On Thursday there was also an excellent opportunity for educators. The Edutech Expo provided technological and instructional resources from Arizona's STEM community. I did not attend since I'm not an educator, but I'm sure it was amazing! It was also cool to see that K-12 and community college instructors could recieve Professional Development credits for attending programming with credentialed panelists! 

HANDS ON LEARNING

But the learning didn't stop there! In the Hall of Heroes there were even more opportunities to get your science on including exhibitors such as: Arizona Cyber Warfare Range, OSIRIS - Rex, Arizona Challenger Space Center, Tucson Immersive Museum, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Lowell Observatory, Ron Greeley Center for Planetary Science, ASU Center for Meteorite Studies, ASU School of Earth & Space Exploration, ASU Center for Education Through eXploration, Techshop, Arizona Museum of Natural History, Arizona SciTech Fest, Portable Planetarium Presentations and ASU Students for the Exploration and Development of Space.

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This con was information overload in the best way possible! I just wish I would have had more time to explore everything. Also, can you imagine how awesome a Science Con on the scale of Phoenix Comicon would be?!

 

1984: Surveillance in our Modern Age

Posted in Phoenix Security Blog

1984: Surveillance in our Modern Age

It seems like hardly a day goes by where we don't hear about the topic of surveillance in the news. Government investigations, reports of state-of-the-art surveillance systems and concerns about privacy are just a few examples.

But this is hardly a new thing. For decades, people have had surveillance on their minds. One very notable example of this is Orson Well's Nineteen-Eighty-Four (1984). Way back in 1949 Wells wrote this futuristic dystopian novel and it seems more relevant now than ever.

Since 1984 has gotten a lot of publicity lately I thought it would be interesting to dig in and give you a brief overview of the novel and discuss some of the themes of surveillance in our modern age.

A Brief Summary of 1984

1984 takes place in Oceania, a fictional totalitarian state in what used to be the United Kingdom. It follows Winston Smith, a low-ranking worker of the Records Department of the Ministry of Truth. His job is to alter history and make it fit the need of the Party. The Party is an oppressive government that maintains rigid control over its citizens by constant surveillance and thought control. Winston becomes increasingly frustrated and illegally purchases a diary where he can write his thoughts, a highly illegal act. He meets Julia and they form a relationship that does not go unnoticed. These criminal acts bring Winston under the scrutiny of the oppressive Party as they try to make him conform.

Big Brother is Watching

You've probably heard the term "Big Brother". This phrase has become so popular that a it's become synonymous with abuse of government power, it's been featured in advertising  campaigns and even had a reality show where the contestants are under constant surveillance named after it! But it's origins are in fact, with this novel.

Big Brother is the leader in 1984, it's never clearly defined whether is a real person or simply a symbolism. But nonetheless, is a constant reminder to the people that they their every move is being monitored. Big Brother is describes as "a handsome man in his mid 40s" that appears on telescreens and posters reminding people "Big Brother is Watching".

Newspeak

Another notable element in 1984 is "Newspeak". Newspeak is the official language of Oceania. It is a controlled language designed to limit freedom of thought by simplifying complete thoughts into contractions. The political purpose of Newspeak was to reduce the language to simple concepts thus eliminating ambiguity and nuance. All standard words that implied negativity were removed and aided in further thought control of the people.

Doublethink

Doublethink is a part of Newspeak which entails simultaneously accepting two contradictory beliefs. The brainwashed citizens learn and use Newspeak and Doublethink due to peer pressure. Themes of truth are very prevalent in 1984 and have caused it to gain recent notoriety due to "fake news" and "alternative facts" flooding our newsfeeds.

A Modern Day Analysis

If you listened to our History of Surveillance Cameras podcast, you know surveillance cameras didn't even really start to be widely used until the sixties and seventies. I am so fascinating by Mr. Orwell's predictions into a future with surveillance state. There are so many parallels we see with 1984 and the world today, but what can we learn from it?

Obviously there's a ton of things we can learn from this novel, now more than ever. (If you haven't read the book, I highly recommend it!) But, since we are a surveillance company I'll stick with that angle.

Surveillance cameras have undoubtedly become a valuable tool for businesses. We live in a dangerous world and they do add a measure of protection from those who wish to do harm. But while surveillance has benefits, it also has costs. So stay alert to privacy rights and keep yourself informed. And if you find yourself burdened by constant connectivity, do what you can to take a break from modern society!

Learn more about 1984.

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Buy it online.

3 Benefits of Having a Commercial Surveillance System - Scottsdale AZ

Posted in Phoenix Security Blog

3 Benefits of Having a Commercial Surveillance System - Scottsdale AZ

Benefits-Security-System

Security systems are quickly becoming an essential part of day-to-day operations for commercial businesses in Scottsdale.  Many business owners are curious as to why and how a security system can benefit their bottom line. There are several benefits of having a security system installed and we are going to discuss just a few of them.

'Round-The-Clock Surveillance

Surveillance systems never need a day off and offer more thorough monitoring than any human alone could provide. This means you have access to footage of everything that goes on at any conceivable time on your property.

Insurance Discounts

Many insurance companies offer reduced premiums for having a security system installed, and in certain cases, it's even required. Discounts are usually available for fire and alarm systems so check with your insurance provider to get the specific details.

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Boost Customer Experience

Many companies are using surveillance footage to monitor the trends and activities of customers. With the help of highly sophisticated analytic software this enables businesses to enhance the customer's experience by better providing more appealing product placements as well as staff interaction.

These are just a few examples of the many ways a surveillance system can benefit you! Here at Phoenix Security & Technology we'd be happy to assist you in finding and installing a surveillance system that works for you! Give us a call at 602-248-8477 or request a quote at the link below!

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How To Choose The Right Access Control System For Your Restaurant

Posted in Phoenix Security Blog

Hello everyone. We're pleased to present you with an article written by Ralph Goodman of United Locksmith!

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How To Choose The Right Access Control System For Your Restaurant

Physical security measures have changed in many ways since they first became adopted in modern society. The need to keep your investments protected has increased tenfold, and as such, solutions to make this possible have become much more common. A simple example of this comes in the form of access control systems. Nowadays, many restaurants utilize access control systems to increase their security while simultaneously offering their patrons better protection. However, choosing the right access control system should not be taken lightly. Here are the steps you should follow, and the things you should consider when you are choosing an access control system for your restaurant.

Assess Your Security

The first step you should take is to assess the current security measures you have in place and pay close attention to the manner in which it may, or may not restrict access. Taking the time to audit your security allows you to take stock of any flaws that you might have to address. This simple measure ensures that you choose an access control system that seeks to nullify these flaws rather than increase them. Assessing your security also gives you a chance to see how your current methods have been holding up, and this helps you plan accordingly. For instance, if the locks you have securing your restaurant are not properly restricting access, you should factor that in when you are choosing an access control system.

A proper security assessment will also give you a chance to determine if some of your other security measures can be integrated with an access control system. One key integration component that many restaurants take into consideration is their surveillance system. Phoenix surveillance is available to help restaurant owners figure out if their commercial surveillance systems are compatible with other security measures.

Factor In The Restaurant Layout

Factoring in the layout of your restaurant is a key step to follow in choosing the right access control system. Essentially, you will be able to choose a system that can be tailored to your restaurant. To do this, you will have to pay close attention to your exits and entrances, and the manner in which your patrons and employees have to access specific parts of your restaurant.

This gives you the luxury of being able to choose an access control system that safeguards all potential access points without sacrificing the experience your patrons have or making it difficult for your employees to carry out their duties. Since there is no universal restaurant design, and every restaurant has different needs, you have to make sure that you choose an access control system that is tailored to your needs and your restaurant design.

Consider Employees and Patrons

It is important for restaurant owners to consider the way their patrons and their employees interact with different aspects of their restaurant. This means that you have to consider where access should be given and where access should be restricted. It goes without saying that patrons should have the ability to move around your restaurant and feel comfortable when they are enjoying a meal, but this does not mean that they should have access to every single part of the premises. The same concept applies to employees as well. These things should be considered when you are choosing an access control system, and it will help you select a system that caters to your needs.

Ideally, you should choose an access control system that allows you to set up access hierarchies within your restaurant, similar to master key systems implemented in more traditional locks. This means that you will be able to determine who gets access to specific places. A measure like this ensures that you have a limited number of people dealing with high-value aspects of the business like cash drawers etc. It is important to choose an access control system that gives your patrons access to where they need to be, while simultaneously restricting them from areas they do not need access to.

Think Of Scalability

Scalability should always be factored into the discussion when you are dealing with anything related to the restaurant business. The reason being that it is hard to predict growth in this industry, but it should always be expected. Therefore, you do not want to implement an access control system that is not flexible. This means that you do not want to choose an access control system that will be rendered useless if you begin to expand your business or make any changes.

You should strive to implement a system that allows you to easily integrate new security measures that can grow with your business as changes are made. More often than not, growth for a restaurant is usually about being able to entertain more clients and hire more employees. It is best to choose an access control system that also caters to more individuals than you currently have on hand. This will mean that you won’t have to change out systems with every minor change made to your business.

Conclusion

Access control systems are extremely useful when they are installed and used in the right way. They help increase the security of your restaurant, which leads to a safer business and a better experience for both your patrons and your employees. Choosing the right access control system should not be overlooked. The points outlined above will help you get started on choosing the right access control system for your restaurant.

Thanks again, Ralph! 

Be sure to check out more of Ralph's articles!

And if you're in need of an access control system be sure to get a quote today! Call us at 602-248-8477 or request a quote online!

Phoenix Comicon Technology and Science Preview

Posted in Phoenix Security Blog

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Phoenix Comicon Technology and Science Preview

We're excited to announce we're sending Marketing Manager Kate Dubinko to Phoenix Comicon next week! So what does a massive pop culture event like Phoenix Comicon have to do with a technology company like Phoenix Security & Technology? Actually, more than you might think.

Science Panels

Science and fandom often go hand-in-hand and Phoenix Comicon is a great platform to present science to the masses. This year Phoenix Comicon has panels on fascinating topics such as digital data, rocket science, nuclear waste, STEM professionals and more!

Science Related Guests

We often retreat to science fiction or the super-hero genre for entertainment and distractions. But real world scientists prove themselves heroes everyday by changing the world and you'll get a chance to meet some of them at Phoenix Comicon! These awesome scientists will be at Phoenix Comicom:

Sharon O'Neal, an Engineering Director at Raytheon Missile Systems (RMS) in Tucson, Arizona.

Bertram Jacobs, a School of Life Sciences Director and professor of virology.

Teagan Wall, PhD in Neuroscience from Caltech.

Dante Lauretta, the principal investigator of the OSIRIS-REx mission and a professor of planetary science at the University of Arizona's Lunar and Planetary Laboratory.

Science and Pop Culture

In addition to the more real-world based science, there are also several panels based on the science behind pop culture intellectual properties such as The Justice League, Westworld, The X-Files, Mr. Robot, Halo, Daredevil, Star Trek Voyager, Starcraft, The Twilight Zone, Futurama, King Kong and The Matrix.

Be sure to check our social media for updates and watch the site for more articles and podcasts soon!

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