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| Equipment theft prevention |
| by Joy Zaccaria |
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June 9, 2008
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Government buildings can be an attractive target for AV equipment theft. It's easy to lose track of all the employees and the general public, and it's even easier to forget to lock all the doors. So, the trick is making sure that projectors, flat panel displays, and other gear stay put when thieves are on the prowl.
Equipment manufacturers concur that visual deterrents are a strong way to discourage theft. When a projector or flat panel looks like it's attached to an immovable object, a thief is likely to move on to something that isn't bolted into place.
"In most cases, theft of AV gear is a crime of opportunity and ease," said Jason Cole, product marketing manager at Premier Mounts. "Morally pliant employees will ogle the latest HD-capable gizmos with lustful eyes and think, 'Man, Medal of Honor would look awesome projected across my entire apartment wall!' If it appears the unit is simple to grab and the opportunity arises, consider it gone."
This is where the visual deterrent can save gear. Elaborate cages, security cables, and blinking red boxes that scream and beep can all accomplish the simple task of making it look like stealing that item is a daunting task.
Locked In Place
Premier Mounts tackles the problem of theft on two fronts, hardware and visual deterrents. "All of our projector mounts now include our Lock-It Security System, which utilizes special screws to secure the display to the projector and also safeguards any of the critical adjustment points for tilt, roll, and yaw," said Cole. Premier's flat panel mounts include security knobs and safety screws that are attached at the end of an installation to make it more difficult to remove the display.
More robust mechanisms include Premier's PP-SEC security cable system and PaneLock. The PP-SEC is a set of plastic-sheathed, braided steel cables that cover the mounting points on a projector and terminate within a keyed, steel lock box that also covers the lag bolts securing the mount to the ceiling.
Chief Manufacturing offers a broad portfolio of products to enhance the security of an AV installation. For Derek Derks, Chief's product manager, projector mounts and accessories, security was a much more common topic a couple of years ago when he talked to customers at trade shows. Now, however, there have been different layers of security integrated into Chief's products.
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"We know if someone is determined enough and is given enough time and opportunity, it doesn't matter what you do," he said. "From a theft standpoint, we've covered all the easy opportunities for theft of AV equipment."
For example, its RPA Elite Series of projector mounts has a lock incorporated in to the housing of the projector mount. "That includes a large plate that covers the bottom of the projector and ensures that there is no access to the mounting screws holding the projector up onto the mount," he said.
For a greater sense of security, Chief offers a clamshell product around the projector mount itself that locks with a key. "Even if you do have the wrench to get through the tamper resistant security," Derks explained, "we use a projector guard security cage that attaches to the mount and encloses the projector." The cage also provides a physical barrier, which makes it useful for places like multi-purpose rooms, where the projector may need protection from flying objects as well.
On the flat panel side, Chief has integrated a latching system that accommodates any standard padlock. "You can secure the release mechanism that allows you to remove the display from the mount with a padlock," said Derks. "Or in some mounts we accommodate a couple of padlocks per mount to prevent theft."
Sharp provides its own mount to deter thieves from stealing its projectors and flat panels. "We have found that the AN-CMCSS16 heavy duty ceiling mount security cable kit offered as an accessory for all Sharp projectors has proven to provide very strong theft control, is easy to install, and relatively inexpensive," said Bruce Pollack, associate director of marketing for the professional display division of Sharp.
Pick A Password
Another theft prevention approach is noise
. Sonic Shock is a noisemaker from Comprotec. It's attached to a piece of equipment (projectors are the primary application, followed by flat panel displays and computers) and is triggered if someone attempts to remove the equipment from the site.
"It makes a noise and requires the thief to either spend time disarming the unit or take the sounding alarm with him -- something thieves just do not want to do," said Comprotec's Andrew Simpson.
If a thief is not deterred by locks, cables, or noise, and manages to get the equipment home, he is not necessarily home free. Password protection, welcome screens, and other built-in options for projectors and displays make them harder to steal -- or at least harder to use once stolen.
The ability to monitor a projector or display panel over a network provides some piece of mind. "If someone disconnects the power cord in an attempt to steal equipment, an e-mail can immediately be sent out to the security desk alerting them that a theft may be in progress," said Pollack. "Many of our projectors have an RJ45 network port. We found that through this network port, you are able to feed information back and forth between the projector and a central monitoring system, or security desk of the AV department."
Customizable startup screens -- where the agency's name and other information appears on the screen when the unit is turned on -- makes it easy to spot if a unit is stolen. "Implementing the necessity to enter a password on startup can make a stolen projector unusable," said Pollack.
With projectors getting smaller, they are more susceptible to theft. Although a lightweight, micro-portable projector may have appeal to a traveling executive, it often makes better sense to go with a larger projector for use in an office environment. According to Pollack, the larger projector typically offers more features and better performance, plus they are more difficult to steal.
MORE INFO
Chief Manufacturing chiefmfg.com
Comprotec comprotec.com
Kensington Locks us.kensington.com
Premier Mounts premieremounts.com
Sharp sharpusa.com
Kensington locks.
The Kensington Security Slot
Over the past 15 years, the Kensington security slot has become a standard for securing AV and computer equipment. "At every situation where theft is a possibility, a Kensington cable and lock is currently the most common first line of defense," said Orlantha Boeker, Kensington's U.S. product marketing manager. "There is a 5mm slot we invented and coined our Kensington slot. Our locks fit perfectly into that slot."
The slot is integrated into projectors, flat panels, laptops, and other AV items. "If anyone tried to remove the lock, it would be extremely difficult," said Boeker. "If you try to yank the cable out then you're either going to make a big hole in the wall or in whatever the cable is attached to."
Kensington recently launched its new MicroSaver locks, which have been updated with more technology to make them more resistant to theft. "Our newest lock is our disc style that recently launched," Boeker added. "It's harder for a thief to try to replicate the lock components inside and make a fake key."
Security Overload?
The downside to an overabundance of security is the rising cost of maintenance. "The trick is making sure you are still able to access the projector or flat panel for easy service," said Derek Derks from Chief Manufacturing. "Otherwise your service and maintenance costs can spiral out of control if it takes hours to remove the equipment because it is protected by a big apparatus."
Projector Protection
Does your projector have these built-in options?
- Password protection
- Customized startup screen
- Network connectivity
- Kensington lock slot
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