pp49 jun20.qxp_000_Benchmark_apr15 15/05/2020 13:02 Page 1
COMPLIANCE
A Solution to Compliance Issues? ompliance is a significant issue for many businesses and organisations. While a necessity to ensure legislation is adhered to, policies and procedures are correctly applied and standards are met, the monitoring, recording and management of compliance issues represents a drain on time and resources. With a growing emphasis on cost efficiencies, anything that can reduce the amount of time and/or resources is welcome. In the majority of cases the requirements of compliance hang upon the implementation of processes and procedures in specified circumstances. First, there is a need to ensure that some type of action is taken when an event or incident occurs. Second, there will be a need to notify specified people of the situation and report details about the event and actions. Finally, the user will need to record that the action has been implemented. Compliance is a key element of security procedures. In order to ensure the security operator takes the appropriate actions, a work-flow might be implemented which guides the operator through the processes, only allowing alarms to be cleared when the required actions have been taken. While security compliance is important, most end users will expect a security system to support this functionality. Where the benefits of a smart system might surprise them is that it can also support other compliance monitoring and management. The flexibility available from many smart systems enables the creation of logic-based rules which can be used to trigger actions, either using connected security equipment, other peripheral IoT edge devices or integrated systems. Advanced reporting can also create audit trails, and data can be shared via mobile devices or the cloud.
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Compliance options There are three ways in which a smart system – such as one based on a VMS or software-based management system – can deliver benefits for compliance. These are the automation of actions, the creation of an audit trail and delivery of notifications. The system can deliver any or all of these three benefits. Where rules-based event management is supported, additional criteria can be added to ensure filtering makes the delivery of actions more specific to changing demands.
For modern businesses and organisations, compliance is a critical element of day-to-day operations. Smart solutions can help. Compliance often demands that specified actions are carried out when certain events or incidents take place. Using logical rules, the smart system can automate the instigation, ensuring the actions are always carried out. These could involve evacuating an area, playing a prerecorded message, switching lighting, opening barriers, etc.. The event log of the system includes data about the event and subsequent action. This will include time, date, information about the event, the identification of the user who interacted with the system and the actions they specifically took, if the processes are not automated. The log will also include information about alerts which were cleared by personnel. Smart solutions support mobile devices and cloud connections. This makes it simple for notifications to be sent to multiple users, ensuring that those in the relevant departments seeking compliance support can receive information only when it is relevant to their tasks.
In summary When it comes to compliance matters, integrators should be offering solutions to their customers. Most users won’t ask, so ensure they understand the smart solution you’re offering delivers flexibility. 49
