This is a Anti-theft marketing research and can include information on the background, market structure, definitions, competitors, trends and developments of anti-theft and is related to other topics such as property, safety and crime.

Table of Contents

[edit] Background

An anti-theft system is any mechanism or process used to prevent the unauthorized theft of property and assets. Theft is one of the most common and oldest criminal activities. Night watchmen were in place in the Middle Ages in Europe. Walled cities in ancient Greece and Rome also had watchmen - “vigiles” were soldiers appointed to protect the city of Rome, often credited as the origin of both security personnel and police.

Anti-theft systems in a way have have been in operation since individuals started stealing other people's property. Increasingly more sophisticated methods are currently needed to thwart technology, identity and other cyber-crimes. Approaches used to deter crime have ranged from the first lock and key to the introduction of RFID tags, biometric identification and anti-theft systems evolved to match the new technologies criminals currently utilize.

Anti-theft not only involves the prevention of theft but also the identification of the thief and the regaining of stolen materials. Therefore, in addition to developing new and sophisticated methods to prevent overall theft, the anti-theft industry is also improvising ways to track the thieves and recover the stolen property or assets.

Anti-theft systems are currently in high global demand especially in light of the high rate of identity theft crime. Insurance companies normally command a minimum level of anti-theft system as part of the conditions for insurance for vehicles or other property.

[edit] Market Structure

The anti-theft industry comprises not only equipment and technologies, but also the organizations and companies that monitor, control and prevent theft. This has given rise to a systematic industrialization of anti-theft organizations such as security agencies, intelligence departments and systems manufacturers.

Both human surveillance and technology innovations are supplementing each other in the effort to prevent theft. The anti-theft industry has two sections: the business of producing anti-theft equipment and the organizations that use such anti-theft products in order to ensure safety to clients and to their property and assets.

Sub-categories of the anti-theft industry include the following:

Service Providers

System installer & service guide

Security Guard services

Perimeter Security – barriers, fences, gates, glazing and lighting:

Barriers and fences

Gates

Glazing

Lighting products

Other perimeter security equipment

Physical security – locks, safes and containers:

Containers

Key control systems

Locks, mechanical

Locks, electronic

Safes and cabinets

Alarm systems – sensors, panels and systems:

Alarms, control panels, etc

Car burglar alarms

Inspection products

Intrusion sensors

CCTV and surveillance equipment:

CCTV products and accessories

Film surveillance equipment and accessories

Mirrors

Video tracking systems

Enterprise security

Access control and identification:

Access control systems and accessories

Asset tracking

Biometric systems

Doors and door operators

ID systems and products

Other electronic access control systems and accessories

Communications equipment

Communication equipment

Radio equipment

Recorders (security)

Other security sectors

Banking security equipment and devices

Cables, fibres and connectors

Central control rooms

Document management

Information protection hardware

Information protection software

[edit] Industry Definitions

• Security guard - a person responsible and paid to protect property and/or assets, and/or people.

• Security officers are classified as either of the following:

In-house or proprietary (i.e. employed by the same company or organization they protect, such as a mall, theme park, or casino)

Contract - working for a private security company that protects many locations.

Public security, private police officers or security police

Private patrol officers - vehicle patrol officers that protect multiple client premises.

• CCTV - Closed Circuit Television - defined as any application of television that does not involve broadcasting for public viewing. The programs can be seen only on specified receivers connected to the television camera by circuits, which include microwave relays and coaxial cables.

• Burglar system - an electronic system designed to detect unauthorized entry into or within a premise. The system may be activated by the closure of a switch (for example, by stepping on a mat, opening a window, etc.), by the interruption of a photoelectric beam or by a motion detector.

• Biometric security – biological-based identification of a person. Examples are identification of iris and retinal patterns, fingerprints, hand geometry and voice. Biometrics may be used as a secondary mechanism for authentication.

• RFID - (Radio Frequency Identification) - a data collection technology that uses electronic tags for storing data. To foil stealing attempts, retail stores tag their commodities with a tag similar to RFID.

[edit] Market Metrics

Most states require a license to work as a security guard, although 10 states require no licensing. Licensing may include a criminal background check and training requirements. The presence of security personnel (particularly in combination with effective security procedures) is often critical to reduce theft, employee malfeasance, safety rule violations or property damage. Most casinos appoint multiple, specialized teams of security guards to guard the money while transferring it from the casino to the bank, monitor the visitor and gamblers and patrol the facilities.

Identity theft is likely the most high profile current theft problem. It has been estimated that the cost to prevent identity theft can be as low as US $6 per account but the cost to rectify the identity is over $90 per account.

Security alarm systems are extensively used to protect property as well as personal safety. Many high-end residential residences, facilities and vehicles have installed security alarm systems to monitor the unauthorized intrusion or theft or to indicate fire, flood or other accident hazards.

[edit] Industry Players

• Lock Manufacturers

Master Lock Company

U.S.

Estimated sales by the fiscal year ending December 2007:

Sales: US $57.6M

Padlocks and combination locks constitute its primary base of business. The company develops and manufactures locks for sporting goods, such as bicycles, skis, and guns; rustproof locks for marine uses.

STRATTEC Security

U.S.

Designs, develops, manufactures and markets mechanical locks, electro-mechanical locks, latches and related security/access control products for global automotive manufacturers.

Schlage Lock Company

U.S.

Employees: 800

Sales: US $151M (2005)

ASSA ABLOY

Stockholm, Sweden

China and South Korea are the major CCTV producing nations. China, which produced over US $170 million worth of CCTV cameras in 2005, is forecast to increases production to US $300 million in the next few years.

• CCTV manufacturers

ACTi Corp.

Taipei, Taiwan, China

ACTi exports up to 90 percent of its products mainly to Europe and the United States. Europe accounts for 36 percent of the company's sales revenue, with the United States at 24 percent.

• Alarm systems manufacturers

Advanced Security & Controls, Inc.

U.S.

Bosch Security Systems

Germany

Checkpoint Systems, Inc.

U.S.

Federal Signal Corporation

U.S.

Modularm Corporation

U.S.

NAPCO Security Systems, Inc.

U.S.

Nohmi Bosai, Ltd.

Japan

Visonic Group

Israel

• Biometric Security providers

SecuGen Corporation

California, USA

The company provides biometric software and hardware used for security functions such as restricting and granting access to computer networks and facilities. Utilizing optical fingerprint recognition technology, its products include fingerprint readers, computer peripherals with optical sensors, sensor modules, and security management and development software. The company was founded in 1998 and has offices in Japan and the US.

ActivIdentity, Inc.

U.S.

Sales: $53.4M

One-year growth: 26.6%

Providers smart cards, biometric readers, tokens, and USB keys. The company's customers have included Citibank, France Telecom, and Sun Microsystems.

BIO-key

U.S.

Sales: $15.2M

Develops biometric security software and hardware designed to secure access to networks and buildings as well as to mobile devices. The company's products incorporate biometric technology to scan and analyze fingerprints in order to grant or deny user access. BIO-key also offers wireless information retrieval systems used by law enforcement agencies, fire departments, and EMS teams.

[edit] Trends and Recent Developments

In many countries including Canada, anti-theft immobilizing systems are made mandatory in all new cars, vans and light trucks, including SUVs. The systems prevents unauthorized use of the vehicle’s engine ignition.

In Canada, the amendments to the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations comes into effect on September 1, 2007, and applies to vehicles built after that date. U.S. manufacturers of anti-theft immobilizing systems stand to profit from these new regulations regarding the motor vehicle safety standards. Consumer/corporate demand for these devices should also expand the market and provide export opportunities for U.S. firms.

[edit] Sources

Wikipedia

Answers.com

Electronicsmanufacturer.com

Hi-Tech Security Solutions Business Directory

Business Week