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New security technology now available for the cannabis industry

As a cannabis security consultant, I have had the privilege of working with many leading security equipment vendors across the United States. Working with these vendors allows me to get first-hand knowledge of some pretty cool security technology for the cannabis industry, like the five featured here.

Here are new security devices you may want to consider when you design your physical security strategy:

1. Rolland Safe & Lock: Drawer Management System (DMS)

The DMS safe system is one of the first safes to be specifically designed for the cannabis industry. The DMS can trace it’s origin to the Pawnsafe which is currently used in most pawnshop locations nationwide and has been proven to reduce and deter robberies over the last 15 years. The DMS safe incorporates a six-sided composite construction with a steel and ceramic matrix on all six sides of the safe. This unified construction achieves the highest degree of burglary protection in its class. Individual drawers inside the safe allow the owner to customize their cannabis inventory accessibility. Each drawer is controlled by time, date, and person with audit capabilities that tell you who has accessed an individual drawer. These time-delay drawers have proven to reduce armed robberies in high-risk businesses nationwide by reducing the access to the merchandise being protected in the safe.

 

2. Patriot 1: Hidden Weapons Detection Systems

The reality is that criminals are very smart and willing to do just about anything to get around your security systems. This hidden weapons detection system is built for commercial use and can be hidden in walls, or really put just about anywhere. This system detects whenever anyone enters your grow or dispensary with a firearm.

 

3. Sharp:Robotics Security Guards

Security needs, and the technology to support these needs, have all changed over the years. When we were younger, robots on TV from “Lost in Space”, “The Jetson’s” or even more advanced ones, like “Robocop”. All were fantasy. Most of those robots don’t exist, but the Roomba sure does what Rosie used to do – it vacuums.

Sharp has developed an Automated Unmanned Ground Vehicle (A-UGV) that is taking the place of night guards. This breakthrough, autonomous robotic system can enhance outdoor surveillance, security, safety and maintenance inspections. By integrating with other technologies, it augments a skilled guard force to provide comprehensive awareness and helps a grow, cultivation, processor or extraction facility meet the challenges of today’s ever-changing, highly-demanding security landscape.  Now if they can just have the robot say “Warning, Warning, Danger, Danger.”

I am completely sold on this new product.

4. Virtual Guard Equipment – Optex Redscan

While there is no replacing security guards, virtual guard equipment supports them, helping on-site security do a better job, and thereby saving owners money by creating a situation where they need fewer guards. Virtual guard systems, such as Optex Redscan, represent technology that never sleeps or eats, and is typically more accurate than human observation.

A laser scan detector mounted on the building simulates someone being present and actively monitoring an area. The Redscan can be either a virtual wall or a motion detector. With a detection area radius of 100 feet in each direction and a 190-degree field of view broken into 12 inch by 12 inch quadrants, it lets owners or guards know if someone is approaching (prior to them breaking thru and setting off external alarm), and protects the facility from the attack.

5. Axiom: Ransomware Cyber Security

Hackers, phishing, malware, ransomware – oh my! How many new words can they come up with for “you are screwed”?

Imagine the following scenario: You receive an email that appears to be from, for all intents and purposes, your manager, owner or local law enforcement agency. There’s a familiar link attached to the email and you click to investigate. Soon after, a pop-up has appeared on your computer screen informing you that your system and data are locked and access can only be restored if a payment is made. At this point, you realize that you have been infected with something, and the only two options you have are to either pay the ransom or to ignore it, effectively losing all of the data on your system and/or network.

This type of “ransomware” brought in more than $1 billion dollars in 2016 to the perpetrators, which was usually paid in Bitcoins to the hackers.

Axiom is one of only a few companies that has ransomware prevention built into its products. Axiom’s threat defense platform can detect and stop ransomware once it is activated on a network. The program works in the offense not defensive positions, thereby taking down threats before they even get to your network.

These new security devices and technology they use are just a few examples of the many security devices that are available to a cannabis business owner. If you do your research, you will see that there are more security devices to protect your employees, customers, and assets than you originally thought. Choosing the right security equipment for the right business need can spell the difference between being profitable or going out of business.

As with all security strategies, early detection and prevention of potential loss is the goal. The right security strategy will help prevent losses. If you can prevent them from attacking your business to begin with, you’ve achieved your security mission.

As a cannabis business owner, you need to ask yourself: Would your business be able to survive a complete loss of your cannabis and cash in the event of a robbery or break in?

I want to thank security expert Todd Kleperis for helping me write this article. Kleperis is CEO for HardCar Security (www.hardcarsecurity.com).  He has consulted with hundreds of business owners in protecting millions of dollars in company asset. His company is one of the leaders in asset protection and armored transportation.

Tony Gallo

Tony Gallo

Tony Gallo is the Managing Partner for Sapphire Risk Advisory Group www.sapphirerisk.com with over 30 years in the Loss Prevention, Audit, Safety, and Risk/Emergency Management fields. He is a published author on cannabis security and has spoken at numerous cannabis business conferences across the country. Tony is considered one of the leading authorities on cannabis security programs.

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