Security System

Abstract

The reason to have a structured security system is to prevent threats such as thefts and accidents. The motive of threats are often towards the value of the work, be it financial, artistic, or cultural—or some combination of those factors.

Giving a good reference is the Isabella Stewart Gardner heist.

The thefts cut Rembrandt’s Christ in the Storm on the Sea of Galilee and A Lady and Gentleman in Black from their frames; removed Vermeer’s The Concert and Flinck’s Landscape with an Obelisk from their frames; pulled an ancient Chinese bronze Gu, or beaker, from a table; and took a small self-portrait etching by Rembrandt from the side of a chest. It only took them 81 minutes to accomplish the heist and escape.

The problem which allow such act to happen is the lack of awareness of the security guards, as you can see from the image, they were duct taped and handcuffed. They should be alert of surrounding people and be able to defend themselves and defend the artwork.

Moreover, the museum only have motion detectors and no CCTV footages. This had made the tracking of the thefts hard as there were only recording of sounds and no image to enable recognition of the thefts. The frames were also left hanging without any protection and security.

Research by Fan Khai Jing

08

For an effective security system in a museum, we can break it down into 3 factors.

1. Museum Planning 2. Technology 3. Manpower

**NOTE that application of the system could vary depending on the type and value of one musuem holds.

When planning a museum, there should be a fix route, where visitors will reach all checkpoints. There should be only one entrance and exit for visitors and one entrance for shipping. The lesser the opening the better as it will be easier to check on the criminal’s escape or theft break ins. This excludes the fire exits and emergency exits.

The exhibitions should be arrange due to values. Room of precious collections should not be located on top levels or near exits as many cases happened through roof entrance, it will only benefit the snatch and grab of the thefts.

As a safety precaution especially for those musuem which holds precious artifacts, the room should be able to act as a secure vault when the museum is close. Moreover, the outer shell of the museum should not allow direct sight of artifacts inside the musuem.

Moving on to technology. Nowadays technology has allowed us to have a better security system. But the best combination is using manpower and technology together. Here are a few example of modern technology that we use in a musuem.

1. Video Surveillance 2. Motion detectors 3. Intruder Alarms 4. Proximity Alarms 5. Fire and smoke detection 6. IP Intercoms

A CCTV surveillance is a must. CCTV not only help catch theft cases but it is also a proof and prevention of unpredicted incident such as kidnap cases and a planned vandalism. The placement of the CCTV should have no dead angles for the room and it will be best if some CCTVs are hidden or hard to locate by thefts.Cameras with better face recognitions should also be placed at all exits especially the fire exit.

Criminals of stealing, often act in 2 ways, they hid in overnight or they break in. Therefore motion detectors should always be open when the museum is closed. Alarm system such as intruder alarm should also be installed in the inside and also outer shell of the building and all openings. For example windows and doors. In order to secure the rooms, lock them with keys and have a keybox labelled with numberings. Or else, IP intercoms could be used especially in restricted acess areas.

Other appliances could be secure doors, bars and burglar resistant glass.

CCTV Motion detector Intruder alarm

We could also protect and preserve the artifacts and arts with specific display casings. The displays often has one of the few features stated below and in the image above:

1. Top buckling prevention system 2. Sheet glass jointed along milled interlocking edges 3. Platform frame technology 4. Ant-collapse system for glass panes in box cases 5. O-ring gasket configuration

When no display cases are used, vibration sensors or RFID are attached on the sculpture or artwork. Vibration sensors are normally attached on sculpture which gives signal once touched since there was a clear instruction to not touch str e said item. Meanwhile RFID acts like a GPS if an artwork is stolen.

Next, the subtopic of manpower is mainly referring the staffs of musuem. When acquiring a staff, a background check is required. This is because such criminal activities are often lead by staffs or fellows that have a connection with the staffs.

Professional security guards should be hired, as they have defensive skills and are more alert of the surrounding. Their job is to take action immediately when any alarms goes off. Only trusted staff member will have access to a control room, collection

In conclusion, there will always be unpredictable threats, but with the application of effective planning, technology and manpower, the chances of threats could be reduced, and enhance the safety of both visitors and artifacts. As Desiderius Erasmus once quoted “prevention is better than cure”.