Truly the future of security, Comelit VIP video entry systems are quickly replacing outdated traditional telephone entry boxes. By utilizing the most advanced technologies available, Comelit VIP video door entry system offers an unparalleled level of security and convenience to building managers and tenants. It goes beyond the standard door entry box by adding video, recording, text messaging, and mobile apps to be able to create an all-in-one solution that allows communication, security and peace of mind for all.

As an authorized Comelit provider, New Yorkers choose Paragon when it comes to installation, service and repair of Comelit IP video door entry systems. Suitable for a vast range of applications such as single user residential, single user light commercial, muti-tenant buildings and commercial spaces. Available in a variety of award winning styles, Comelit IP systems are completely scaleable, work for any application imaginable and fulfill the want for modern elegance along with the essential need for security.

Contact us for more information or to schedule a complimentary demonstration of the Comelit video door entry system.

There is a lot to think about, from a security perspective, in the city that never sleeps. As a cultural and financial hub of the world, New York City offers unique security challenges for businesses, residents and visitors. Having the right the right combination of everyday security features in place makes all the difference in simplifying and safeguarding your life:

Access Control Puts Security In Your Hands

Access control systems put every aspect of controlling your home in your hands. They can be integrated to work with wireless locks, intercoms, cloud-based cameras, thermostats and more, all from a single dashboard. Access control systems allow you to control who and when doors can be unlocked, no matter where you are. Entry to specific locations of your home can be narrowed down by person, day of the week, and time of day, using biometic or proximity devices.

Control and Convenience With Keyless Entry

The days of losing keys, forgetting to lock the door or having keys for pet-sitters, contractor or houseguests will soon be a thing of the past. Once a luxury only for the rich and famous, electronic door locks, also known as keyless entry systems or smart locks, can now grace the door to your home.

For NYC residents, especially those who make heavy use of on-demand deliveries, keyless entry systems provide remarkable control and convenience. Log records show the times and dates of all comings and goings of your home. So teenagers can’t sneak in after curfew and babysitters, dog walkers and cleaning people can be better monitored.

Keyless entry systems like Latch, are now being used at a range of properties, from East Village walk-ups to luxury doorman rentals. Another keyless entry provider, Kisi is turning its attention toward residences, with plans to roll out the system at a new 570-unit development on Staten Island.

Intercoms Help Intercept Uninvited Intruders 

In New York City, the intercom is your best friend. It saves you from having to run down to the lobby to let every appointment, delivery person, friend, worker or other visitor in that arrives. It can also be your first line defense against uninvited visitors or intruders. Many of today’s intercom systems have video capabilities, meaning homeowners can ask for identification to check and see if the person has the right credentials, has a parcel under his or her arm or is empty-handed malevolently looking in the window. Individuals should also think about hiring a professional locksmith to change any delicate locks around the house or consult a trusted security systems provider to leverage a silent alarm and round-the-clock monitoring.

Mailbox Security Protects Against Identity Theft

Whether an office, loft, condo, or apartment building, secure delivery of mail is essential to safeguarding confidential information.

There are a wide variety of mailbox solutions to meet both residential and commercial mail security requirements. This includes a variety of shapes and sizes for both indoor and outdoor use. Indoor building mailboxes are sold in individual units or groups to suit apartment buildings and offices. They are typically made of aluminum or steel and come in vertical or horizontal units. Freestanding mailboxes for outdoor use are designed to withstand heavy weather. They can be either column, post, or wall mount styles. The outdoor mailboxes we provide are large enough to accommodate different sized parcels and protect them from both tampering and bad weather conditions.

Among the latest “internet of things” are electronic letterboxes. With the advances of our digital world, they offer an ideal addition to an electronic access control system. Electronic letterboxes know when to expect your mail, notifies when it arrives and locks after delivery. Electric letterboxes can be opened using a fingerprint, code lock or electronic key. Using a companion app, users can check the status of their mail delivery, remotely lock or unlock the box and even dole out virtual keys to allow neighbors to pick up mail in the absence.

24/7 Protection For The City That never Sleeps

Innovations in digital technology and security make it possible for cities like New York to keep ahead of the curve. Advanced security providers like Paragon, turn these innovations into reality for residents, offices, apartment managers, retail businesses, developers, hospitals, schools and city facilities throughout the five boroughs and beyond. The best way to remain secure in the city that never sleeps is working with a qualified, locally trusted security provider. Combining locksmith services with a variety of advanced security solutions, such as access control, high security locks systems, surveillance cameras and alarms, can help create a holistic protection strategy. Paragon Security has been proudly serving customers all across the city including in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Staten Island for over 25 years. Don’t miss out on the experience of new locks and keys with the Paragon Security move-in special. Call today for more details 212.203.0821. 

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Innovations in digital technology and security make it possible for cities like New York to keep ahead of the curve. Paragon has been busy the last 3 years integrating new systems into real estate development projects. Systems with mobile capabilities are the #1 seller to new developments. As the real estate market strengthens, developers are looking to give buyers and renters more for their money and IOT integrations have been a simple but effective upgrade in quality of life.

Keyless Entry Offers Convenience

Keyless locks like SmartAir from Mul-T-Lock and Latch are being installed in a range of properties, from East Village walk-ups to luxury doorman rentals. Also known as smart locks, they combine the convenience of keyless entry with sleek styling and enhanced control. Building entrances and apartment doors can be controlled remotely via mobile app. Allowing users to remotely control the lock and provide access to guests from anywhere.

Latch Offers Modern Access

Latch is the first smart access product designed for the mortise lock format, the trusted choice for commercial buildings. Latch has an industry standard mortise cartridge at its core, designed to meet and exceed every project requirement. Whether you’re specifying a product for a new building or retrofitting your existing doors, Latch offers a sleek contemporary take on the classic mortise lock.

SMARTair™ from Mul-T-Lock

SMARTair™ from Mul-T-Lock is an outstanding, modern High-Security solution, combining exceptional quality with appealing convenience and stylish design. It is ideal for a wide range of organizations and businesses. SMARTair is friendly from the start, offering extra-easy installation that does away with costly and complex procedures. SMARTair™ customers are convinced that replacing a lost card is much cheaper than replacing a key. And it can be done quicker. SMARTair™ access control doors can simply be reprogrammed. There is no need to replace locks and cylinders. Wireless SMARTair™ access control doors are more cost effective than standard wired access controlled doors.

Intercom Innovations Offer Control

Intercom systems that ring only at your mobile with video, voice and door release features enables end users to leave messages at the front door, record an image of every visitor and see and talk to every delivery person from anywhere mobile service 3G or wifi.

Stay tuned for many more exciting features driving security to the new and smart application base.

Siedle USA CEO, Karl Lamprecht recently stopped by to showcase the next generation of Intercom security technology including 3D face recognition, touch panel, mobile phone video connectivity, and many more features.

3D FACE RECOGNITION

Adatis TouchEntry / FaceEntry biometric features such as the face are unique and identify a person without any doubt. Face detection also provides a high level of acceptance because it€˜s safe, quick and easy to use. It requires no contact and is therefore harmless and hygienic. The technology which is used by Adatis is based on latest research results, working with a three-dimensional acquisition of the face in the invisible infrared range. When a face in front of the camera is detected, it is measured three dimensional and the extracted features are compared against features stored in a database of the unit. All this takes less than one second. As only abstract features are stored a reconstruction of a face from the features is not possible. Operation does not require any user interaction: If the person standing in front of the door is enrolled, i.e. in the data base, the door opens automatically.

ACCESS CONTROL – TIME AND ATTENDANCE

For small installations with a single door or a few doors FaceEntry-XT/TouchEntry-XT operates in stand-alone mode without a server. Authorized and enrolled staff members are stored in an internal database. If several systems are installed at a site, operation in server mode is recommended: Access data is centrally stored and managed in a server database. For integration into existing or large installations the system works in reader mode: User data is gathered via biometry, RFID card or PIN code and transmitted to a centralized management system. Communication is accomplished either via Ethernet (TCP/IP) or via a serial port with appropriate protocols. The management system grants or denies access and controls the FaceEntry/TouchEntry terminal. The flexibility of the LCD touch screen allows the system also to be used for time and attendance.

BIOMETRY, RFID, PIN-CODE

FaceEntry® allows the combination of biometry using 3D face detection, RFID and PIN code. So you can enhance the security according to your requirements or migrate from traditional access cards to a state-of-the-art biometric system

INTUITIVE TOUCH INTERFACE

Ever since the proliferation of smartphones, everyone knows the benefits of touch technology. By pointing a finger you ring the door bell or choose a contact from the phone list – nice to have this now also available for your entrance.

DOOR COMMUNICATION

Visitors either choose their desired point of contact directly using the built-in phone book – or ring the door bell for the receptionist. As the unit is networked, distance does not matter any more and the receiving station can be anywhere in the world. The high quality echo cancellation allows for natural voice communication, without loosing a word. At the same time you will see the person and the situation in front of the door, live and in color, anytime, even if no one is ringing.

Contact us to learn more about Siedle’s next generation of Intercom security technology. The Paragon team can help make the most of your security investments with an integrated system solution. Paragon Security proudly serves customers throughout New York, including in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island, and elsewhere in NYC.

This article written by Roie Telyas was originally published to the Brivo blog as Innovation Secures Our Future. Paragon is a proud retail provider of Brivo products. 

Innovation Secures Our Future

Customer needs drive every business, and this has never been more true than in the security and locksmith industry. As the world becomes more digital and fast-paced to accommodate our busy lives, the security industry has moved with it. The industry is shifting toward high-tech solutions. Cutting-edge security brands like Brivo work to keep homeowners and office managers ahead of the curve.

Mastering classic security measures has been a hallmark of successful businesses in the past, but combining them with electronic systems protects us from unwanted guests in the digital age. High-tech security solutions aren’t just for corporations in summer blockbusters—they are very real, and very affordable for homeowners too.

When it comes in full force, the Internet of Things will revolutionize the way that we protect our homes and offices. It will become an era of unprecedented interconnectivity. What will it look like? You don’t need to guess—you can already find advanced security and locksmith products on the market.

Wireless locks add convenience

Don’t you want a key that only you can use? That’s what wireless locks do—they recognize your digital signature as you approach, meaning that you choose exactly who can access your building who cannot.

Say goodbye to changing your lock every time someone loses a key! This innovation is here to stay because it keeps us a few steps ahead of unauthorized visitors.

Wireless locks are among the most common and reliable digital security products available, as natural extensions for low-tech locks. They can unlock as you approach and automatically lock behind you while you carry groceries inside, as well as letting only certain people inside based on the corresponding authorization on your phone or keychain. They’re as important as traditional locks now, intertwining security for the home and the personal device. When everything is connected, everything needs to be secure.

Cloud-based cameras provide peace of mind

Not everyone lives according to the popular 9-5 schedule, and those who do can’t always spend much time at home. Monitoring our safest places can give us the security we need when we can’t be there in person. Even low-tech offices frequently have affordable cloud-based cameras installed in the event of a theft, altercation, or vandalism. Setting up a cloud-based camera gives you added layers of security, accountability, and the ability to respond quickly during emergencies.

Connect to your workplace computer and even your phone with real-time updates of the camera feed. This is particularly useful to keep tabs on teens, shops, or even just to secure your home while away on vacation.

Access control systems

Its real value is in having control over your home, whether it’s for an intercom system, the temperature, or security. These systems bring every facet of your home in front of you like a dashboard. When it comes to security, you need to have all the details in front of you. They work with wireless locks, cloud-based cameras, and your devices, all of which will connect our homes to the Internet of Things in the near future.

Access control systems don’t just rely on physical keys as we know them, either. Installing one can change the very way you access your home and everything in it. They work with facial recognition, key codes, fingerprints, card keys, and even proximity readers. Most of these measures can’t be stolen or illegally copied like physical keys, making them the next logical step in security.

Installing even one of these security features goes a long way toward protecting your home or office. Customer needs drive the industry, and those needs call for security measures that can’t be faked, stolen, or duplicated.

ABOUT BRIVO

Brivo Inc. is the worldwide leader of cloud-based physical access control systems. Currently servicing over eight million users, the company’s award-winning Brivo OnAir® provides unmatched scalability and centralized security management for global enterprises, while retaining the ease of use for small and medium sized customers. The Brivo OnAir security management system is unique in providing combined access and video management in a single cloud platform. Headquartered in Bethesda, MD, Brivo was founded in 1999.

Keyless touchscreen deadbolts offer enhanced security and convenience

Experience FREEDOM FROM KEYDOM! – Keys have been used to lock our doors for centuries. Finally there is a more secure and convenient way to come home that completely eliminates the need for keys: Keyless touchscreen deadbolts.

No more keys.
Returning from work, dinner, a run, shopping or walking the dog? No need to look for your keys. Just type your code on the keypad and open sesame!

No more lock outs.
KEYFREE living means never having to remember your keys again. No more sitting outside waiting to be let in, simply use a pin code to open the door.

No more spare keys.
Set up a temporary visitor code to let your friends, family, or the cleaner in at any time. After the allotted time the code will expire they will no longer be able to gain entry.

No need to Re-Key.
Roommate moved out, guess it’s time to change the locks, right? Not when you are KEYFREE!  Program unique locking codes for up to 25 users. Delete user code on move out to eliminate user access.

Easy to program.
Its voice-guided operating instructions take the guesswork out of programming and the capacitive touch screen is well-lit and responsive.

• Sleek aesthetics
• Operational efficiency
• Completely eliminate the need to manage keys
• No need to ever re-key – just set up a NEW access code
• Increased security

To learn more or schedule a demonstration call 1 (888) 688-9771 or CLICK HERE and a Paragon representative will be happy to help. You will see our prices and know-how are second to none!

Written by By MICHELLE HIGGINS | The New York Times

New York Discovers Keyless Entry Systems

In the next few months, residents at a handful of buildings in the city will be able to walk up to their apartment doors and go inside without fumbling for keys. And if the dog walker or cleaning service comes by while they are out, residents can use an app to let them in remotely. Ditto for deliveries.

Keyless entry systems are starting to make their way to your apartment door. While smart locks have been available to individual homeowners for a few years, developers and property management companies have been hesitant to lose the key, citing the cost of upgrading hundreds of locks and the risk of losing money if the technology goes the way of Betamax.

LATCH Access Everywhere.

Latch, a new keyless entry system from a two-year-old start-up with the same name, is being introduced at a range of properties, from a four-unit East Village walk-up to a 431-unit luxury doorman rental in Chelsea, managed by real estate firms that have invested in the technology, like Corigin and Pan Am Equities. KISI, another keyless entry provider that has made strides in offices, is also turning its attention toward residences, with plans to roll out the system at a new 570-unit development on Staten Island in March (installed by Paragon Security).

For residents, especially those who make heavy use of on-demand deliveries, the pitch is control and convenience. Instead of doling out keys to your pet-sitter, contractor or houseguests, you can issue a virtual key. Instead of worrying about extra keys floating around that you lent out but never got back, you can simply disable access.

Landlords and property management companies can track the comings and goings of workers, guests and deliveries. If a tenant moves out, or doesn’t pay his rent, “keys” can be turned off. Access to health clubs, children’s lounges, pools and bike rooms can also be easily added or subtracted.

Designed by Thomas Meyerhoffer, a Swedish-born designer whose early career includes tenure at Apple, Latch is a contemporary take on the classic mortise lock. Perched above the traditional keyhole, a discreet camera sits behind a circular touch screen. Like an unblinking eye, it records who is at the door, so residents can determine whom to let in. Bluetooth technology allows Latch to communicate with your phone.

Once you register and download the app, there are a number of ways to open a door. You can use the app on your smartphone, input a key code on the circular touch pad on the door, or use an old-fashioned key. “We realize that not everyone will want to use it digitally,” said Luke Schoenfelder, the chief executive of Latch. The app can also be configured so that the door unlocks automatically upon sensing the phone in your pocket.

Access via key codes can be issued permanently, temporarily for deliveries or on a set schedule, as for a dog-walker. The system creates a record of every entry so you — and your landlord — can see who has been there and for how long.

Because your custom passcode always lets you in, you won’t get locked out if you leave your phone in a cab. You can also deactivate the code by logging into your account, if your phone is lost or stolen.

KISI Cloud Managed Office Access

KISI, a cloud-based control system, is designed for buildings with doors that are electronically wired. Once it is installed, tenants can download the app to turn their smartphones into their keys. Depending on how the system is configured, tenants either tap a button on the app to enter the building or touch their phone to a reader as they would at an office turnstile. One drawback: Because your phone is now your key, you’ll need to find a workaround if your battery dies before you get home.

To learn more or schedule a demonstration call 1 (888) 688-9771 or CLICK HERE and a Paragon representative will be happy to help. You will see our prices and know-how are second to none!

New York Discovers Keyless Entry Systems by Michelle Higgins From The New York Times, Jan 1 © 2016 The New York Times Company . All rights reserved. Used by permission and protected by the Copyright Laws of the United States. The printing, copying, redistribution, or retransmission of this Content without express written permission is prohibited.

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When it comes to education, it is essential for students to have a safe but welcoming environment, in which to grow. Schools have long struggled with finding the right balance in creating this learning environment. The challenge is in maintaining the flow of day-to-day academic activities while still protecting students against unauthorized entry and access to the facilities. The tragedy at Sandy Hook elementary school served as a sobering reminder of the importance of safeguarding our schools against such dangers.

Controlling Access With Innovative Security Methods

Retrofitting the outdated architecture of our decades old schools has been difficult. Many lack the type of cabling and electrical infrastructure needed to establish a proper advanced security system. With windows in every classroom constantly opening and closing and numerous points of entry and exit, schools throughout the country have initiated an integrated layered approach to access control and electronic security methods.

This approach gives schools the ability to monitor access at multiple levels, allowing students to move freely but providing enough checks that intruders are slowed and blocked at multiple points. In many cases, accomplishing this depends on the ability to use a combination of access control technologies, advanced electronic lock systems and cameras throughout a building. These types of solutions provide security personnel with the ability to identify where intruders are, lock doors strategically to slow their access and provide the oversight needed to give students and faculty members a clear path to exits.

CCTV Security At New Hanover

New Hanover County schools have chosen to implement the use of high-tech integrated security systems when allowing visitors to enter the property. Video intercom systems are linked to their security cameras and which allow the office to monitor access to the buildings through CCTV. Visitors are forced to stop at the entrance and have their identity verified before entering. This enables them the school to allow or deny them access, until the visitor is authorized.

Camden School District Invests $1.4 million

The Camden City School District stepped up and invested $1.4 million in high-resolution digital security cameras and security doors at Camden and Woodrow Wilson high schools. Students and faculty will be much safer thanks to new system that requires the use of ID swipe cards to open the doors.

The plan aims to keep out intruders and unauthorized visitors while keeping students and staff safe so they can focus on academics rather than worrying about danger. Each high school has gone from having more than 80 entry points and doors open, down to fewer than 10. Surveillance cameras now monitor each entry point and alarms are set to sound if an unauthorized door is opened.

North Bend Takes Security To Next Level

The North Bend Central School District has taken school security to a new level with the use of one of the most advanced integrated security systems available.  To help protect their students and faculty, as well as decrease incidents of vandalism, they have started using high-tech surveillance system with security cameras and video surveillance.

This innovative access control system only allows the appropriate personnel and students admittance to all buildings. Instead of having to rely on someone to be available with a key, the doors are programmed to automatically lock and unlock based on the school schedule. The times can be changed as often as desired to accommodate evening meetings or times outside of the normal school hours.

The employees use card readers to let themselves in and out of the building. If their employment status changes, their readers can be remotely deactivated. There are discreet dome network cameras inside of the school and fixed network cameras to provide security footage of the outside perimeter of the building.

Commitment To Creating A Better Living And Learning Environment

Children deserve to be safe at home AND at school. Our Goal is to improve our business and increase our efficiency and profitability while keeping our commitment to help in the creation of a better living and learning environment in our world. Feel free to reach out for a Free no-obligation consultation with one a Paragon security expert to discuss safe-guarding your residential home or commercial building.

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The Siedle app for Access turns your iPhone or iPad into a mobile extension of an Access door intercom from Siedle. It allows you to see who is standing outside your door, talk to visitors at the entrance and open the door if you choose – no matter where you happen to be.

The Siedle app for Access can also perform switching and control functions, like door release, lights, garage door or shutters. Switching and control functions are encrypted for security purposes.

Now the full support of Apple Watch is also available for the Siedle apps for Smart Gateway and Siedle Access. Camera images of each door ring are be saved on your Apple watch and always available. To speak directly with visitors, calls can be transferred from the Apple watch to your iPhone.

Paragon is an authorized Siedle dealer, so stop in or call for more information.

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Security and regulatory compliance needs create a business environment in which organizations have to carefully control who has access to different types of information. While the focus of such discussions is often on the IT side of data protection, many companies maintain paper records, in-house IT infrastructure and other physical assets that have to be protected. Keeping hackers out of the network is not the only access control concern that organizations have to keep in mind.

Because physical access to records and IT equipment can create major security problems and lead to a regulatory breach, businesses have to build multiple layers of access control into their facilities.

Establishing exterior access control setups
Organizations should have at least two layers of security to prevent individuals from accessing their offices. If a company is in a shared building, the first layer of defense – the parking area and entry points – should be secured by the building owner. However, organizations should be aware of the nuances of the locking system and ensure its employees know the proper ways to enter and secure the building. Companies that own their own facility gain more control of the entry points, but have to be responsible for proper security. Generally speaking, a flexible locking system that allows for easy entry for authorized personnel is needed at this first layer. Having security personnel present can also help since initial entry should rarely be obstructed with locks during normal working hours.

The second layer of entry-point access control has to be put in place at the main entry to corporate offices. If the facilities are inside a shared building, fairly simple locks can be used because easy access is needed during work hours and external security systems should provide more complex protection at other times. In a single-business facility, a more nuanced approach that accounts for authorization for different parts of the office is important.

Dealing with internal access control systems
Once inside the office, the locking system has to be more nuanced. Individual offices and storage rooms should each have their own locks. Only authorized personnel should be able to open these. While a key-based system can work in this type of scenario, it can be unwieldy for individuals that have to access a variety of rooms. An electronic solution, on the other hand, can be more flexible. For example, key cards that store all of an individual’s authorizations enable an individual to carry a single card that lets them get where they need to go, but does not work in doors they are not allowed to open.

Such a system can present risks, however, when extremely high levels of security are needed. In such a setting, biometric scanners and other specialized solutions can pay dividends. Using code-based locks can also help in some circumstances.

However, there is more than just locking offices and storage rooms that has to be considered. For example, an organization that stores key records internally may need to give administrative assistants access to a room where sensitive documents are stored, even if those employees do not have the authorization to view every file. Similarly, an accountant or human resource worker may need to enter the same room, but only be able to access certain files that the assistant cannot see.

These types of nuanced scenarios pose a major challenge that organizations have to keep in mind. Using a combination of safes, specialized file cabinets and even building walls with lockable doors into storage areas may be necessary to properly protect files.

There are many layers to access control in an office, but the right combination of advanced locks can enable organizations to develop a simple, but highly secure system for access control and data protection.

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