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Building Security's Future

NCJ Number
113818
Journal
Security Volume: 25 Issue: 9 Dated: (September 1988) Pages: 54-57
Author(s)
B Zalud
Date Published
1988
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Heathrow Telecommunications is revolutionizing building security using technology based on the integrated systems digital network (ISDN) at a planned community in Florida.
Abstract
The Heathrow community, including homes, shops, and offices, has integrated security from the ground up. Heathrow has its own 24-hour-a-day, 7-day-a-week security force and a fire, life support, and rescue station. Access control is via a data base that joins together residents and office workers, card readers, and other security devices that plug into the wall just like a modular telephone. Optical fiber is routed throughout the community to provide a variety of security and information-sharing services such as alarm monitoring, access card systems, closed-circuit television, medical alert systems, banking, shopping, climate control, and energy management. The Heathrow Telecommunications network permits video teleconferencing, dial-up data communication, and security monitoring. ISDN transforms today's diversities and incompatibilities into one inside-the-building and coast-to-coast network. ISDN provides a bridge between computers and telephones that is fast, efficient, and cost-effective. Telecommunications technology, such as that incorporated at Heathrow, makes everything run more smoothly, including security. Additional information on ISDN and photographs are included.