It’s all about the savings! – Daisy Chain Wiring

With copper prices higher than ever before and continuously rising, cabling has become an expensive procedure. Did you know Daisy Chain wiring in access control systems can save you time, labor, and money? It is estimated that the final cost of installation using daisy chain technique is 30% less than others.

What is daisy chain?

Daisy Chain is a wiring scheme in which multiple devices are wired together in a sequence or in a ring. I’m sure you’re wondering what distinguishes daisy chain from other techniques.  The term daisy chain can refer to a few things. The first reference includes large scale devices connected in series, such as a series of power strips plugged into each other to form a single long line of strips. Another refers to the wiring patterns embedded inside of devices. Using daisy chain technique with central power significantly reduces electrician costs because it saves on the need to use 110VAC locally. 

You may be thinking to yourself, what other type of wiring is there? The typical type of wiring you will see is called home run wiring. In home run wiring you take the wire from each component back to the control panel. The technique has been known as having a central location where all signals are distributed from.

There are some common misconceptions to daisy chain wiring:

·         “If one device goes down don’t they all?”

Some believe because of the wiring, if one fails they all will. This is just simply not true. Millennium’s daisy chain architecture consists of a blockage module and blockage sensors.  Each module and sensor displays on the virtual terminal indicating critical system parameters for the selected communication loop. There are advanced diagnostics as a value added feature, to assist in quick identification of system issues relating to sensor, communication, and power of the daisy chain wiring.

·         “Aren’t the control panels now compromised because of the location?”

Some believe that because daisy chain wiring requires control panels to be in proximity of each door anyone can access them and break in. This is untrue with Millennium products. Millennium offers an electronic tamper-proof lock box system designed to securely house a control panel. Anyone trying to access the box will send a signal to the central workstation documenting the event.

Daisy chain technique means less wiring, resulting in more storage space.  The cost savings are a no brainer.

For diagrams and more information about Millennium Group’s daisy chain wiring visit:

 http://www.millennium-groupinc.com/did-access_control/security-did-you-know/daisychain.html

You can also sign up to receive our white paper!

http://www.millennium-groupinc.com/did-access_control/security-did-you-know/paperdaisychain2.html

Combat Internet Crime - How to Save Yourself from Costly Attacks

Everywhere you go you hear talk of the increasing issues of cyber crime. What many people don’t know is that cyber crime does not just involve hackers. These crimes include any criminal act dealing with computers and networks. Traditional crimes such as credit card threats, hate crimes, and fraud are becoming extremely prevalent in the internet world.  The growing threat of cyber crime has become a great concern to people everywhere. You can alleviate your stress and control a majority of the risk when it comes to internet crime.

How can you protect yourself?

1.      Use preventative measures

All of your computers should be installed with spyware or antivirus programs. Viruses will always be present. You’ve probably heard “The best defense is a good offense,” this holds true when it comes to computer protection as well. These programs allow you to protect your property by being proactive. The installation of antivirus programs and active updating will allow for a secure computer.

 

2.      Passwords are important!

Passwords are of extreme importance on any site. They allow you access confidential information, while keeping unwanted users out. When it comes to passwords remember two key words- variety and strength. To make sure all your accounts are secure you should have a variety of different passwords for every account. This will assure you that just because an outsider gains access to one account, they won’t necessarily gain access to a separate account. The strength of your password is also extremely important.  Your password should be lengthy including upper and lower case letters as well as symbols.

3.      Wireless connections must be secure

You’re sitting at lunch, and the urge to interact on social media sets in. Or maybe you want to do some lunch time shopping.  You realize the there is a network you can have access to, PERFECT! Why not connect your laptop and spend your time on the web? STOP! Is this a secure network? If the internet is not secure anyone can connect to it. This poses a major problem because information passed from your computer to the wireless router can be intercepted by a third party. If the connection is not secure you might as well hand your credit card over to some stranger walking down the street, you are giving your personal information away for free.

4.      Protect your Smartphone

Phones are no longer bricks you use minimally for phone calls and occasional texting.  Your cell phone now acts as a mini computer you use to access email, conduct online banking, shop, and set your schedule. This diminutive object holds most of your life- protect it with a password. Phones are commonly stolen due to their value. Don’t let a thief have access to your personal information as well.

5.      Credit card numbers should not be saved online.

Those of you who are avid online shoppers, of course it seems easier just to save your credit card information on the website. Taking the easy way out could essentially cost you. The website you’re shopping on will more than likely guarantee your information is secure. There are many incidents of past hacking attempts on these “secure sites,” leading to stolen personal information.

6.      Online shop on secure websites

Security issues are becoming more prevalent with the increased participation of online shopping. It is important for consumers to verify they are submitting their information to a secure site. How can you identify a secure site from one that is not secure? All secure sites will have a padlock icon in the address bar, as well as an address that begins with Https.

Cyber crime currently has a higher payoff than drug trafficking. That being said, we can almost guarantee that the criminal activity will not stop anytime soon. Some specialists even estimate that crime involving the internet will begin to surpass all criminal activity. It is impossible for you to control the attacks, but you can control most of the outcomes. Being proactive and aware can help ensure a safe internet experience all around. Learn more at www.millennium-groupinc.com.