Securitech sees monitoring opportunities everywhere

By Jeffrey Sanders, managing editor

KITCHENER, Ontario - Understanding the benefits of traditional security services linking with IT applications, Securitech has partnered with high-tech firm Computer Advocacy to offer remote monitoring of network servers and Internet sites.

Perimeter911, which is the name of the service and the division at Computer Advocacy, has worked with Securitech for more than a year as part of a test program. However, it was in August that Securitech began offering Perimeter911's service.

According to Alan Cohen, chief architect at Perimeter911, the remote monitoring system recognizes if each of a customer's Internet facilities is properly active by assigning it a zone. When something goes down, the monitoring service from Securitech kicks in. Once Securitech’s central station operators are notified that a web site or server is not working, they then alert the appropriate contact at a business.

“I think it’s a good service to have,” said Terry Schmidt, head of technical services at Securitech. “There seems to be few companies offering it.”

One of the early hurdles of the service was adapting each companies’ networks to work together. But, Schmidt said “(it’s) somewhat like monitoring anything else.”

Despite the obvious differences between the business focuses of the two companies, the goal of diversifying their product offerings are the same.

“These are two industries that have historically not known each other,” said Cohen.

“We pretty much monitor anything,” said Schmidt. “Anything we can find a way to attach a sensor to.”

Perimeter911 is one heck of a sensor. But it’s not just high-tech applications that interest the company. According to Schmidt, Securitech is now considering a service to store back-up data tapes on site.

Researching the market, Schmidt found the majority of the companies that remotely store data tapes use safe-deposit services from local banks. But, access to the tapes is limited as most banks only open their vaults during the business week. Securitech would offer 24/7 access. The service would be regional and not nationwide.

Based in Canada, Securitech offers fire and burglar installation and monitoring as well as third-party monitoring.

Its customers are evenly distributed between commercial and residential interests. Schmidt declined to disclose how many accounts the company monitors.