The State Department wants to hire Pakistani security guards to protect its diplomats. Yes, now. Right after a U.S. military accident killed 24 Pakistani soldiers and stoked a new wave of anti-Americanism.

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A Single Security Camera Outworks an Employee

A security camera is a great way to protect any business that needs it. When you walk into a place, you would not expect to be mugged. You wouldn’t want to walk into a mall fearing for your life because you are scared that bombs are somehow lying around unnoticed. Businesses ensure that their customers, employees, commodities, finances and documents remain safe from unwarranted harm. The fact is that businesses, from small deli’s to big malls are never immune to crime. As Hollywood shows, people are aware of ideas for everything from petty stealing to internal conspiracies at the place of business. In order to protect you and your employees as well as any products you have, it’s almost essential to have at least a small security system. A security camera is a mainstay piece of equipment for video surveillance systems, and every business should have one.

Every day the crime rate goes up. Criminals develop with technology to continue to figure out ways to commit crimes. Businesses have to be ready to meet these threats everyday. Every inch of the workplace should be covered by a camera, and its the business operators responsibility to make sure that’s happening. To maximize coverage and try to not leave anyone unnoticed, security cameras should be placed in very carefully placed locations. Even areas outside the businesses such as the side walk or the parking lot are mounted with hidden cameras to provide thorough security.

The CCTV (Closed Circuit Television) camera is actually a network of security cameras that functions almost similar to a broadcast by a TV station. The biggest difference is the signal being sent directly to a specific location like a security room. Security officers can monitor what is going on in other parts of the business. While the security guards roam around the vicinity, they are aided by those who monitor the CCTV camera feeds in the office. They are all taking notes, watching for any unusual activity by shoppers. Hence, should you run out of cash, shoplifting would be a very unwise thing to do. Even Winona Ryder got caught shoplifitng with a security camera.

If there is a robbery reported on the news where they show actual footages, odds are that footage was caught by a CCT camera. CCTV cameras are responsible for the majority of robbery footage out there. Once a criminal has gotten away, a CCTV recording is probably your best bet for catching that person. Security cameras are changing the world, even growing wanted lists. Store owners can rest knowing that the goods they sell remain in the store unless they are sold. The security camera will catch any developing conspiracies between employees. Security cameras even help to protect us from large scale criminal acts like terrorism.

A security camera system does not come cheap. One single security camera can easily cost one hundred dollars and for higher quality picture the cost is going to be even higher. While large businesses should have lots of cameras running at all times in all areas, a lot of small businesses can get away with one or two. You can imagine how expensive it quickly becomes for an operator to protect a business domain. Yet it is a cost most businesses realize is one worth taking for protection.

For the cost, a security system is no doubt the best thing you can do to boost security at your business. It protects businesses from threats. It keeps people in the businesses safe. With a good security and video surveillance system, crooks and the rest of these marauders have got no place to hide.

Ghost hunters, rejoice. Not only does this $150 LED flashlight record 640×480 video at 30 frames per second, it’s also got an eight foot nightvision range that allows it to record in complete darkness.

There’s a five-hour rechargeable lithium ion battery, support for microSD cards up to 8GB (20 hours of video) and, oh yeah, it’s a flashlight too. You know, for seeing in the dark.

According to the product description:

With this hidden camcorder that looks and acts like a regular LED flashlight, you can use it as just that, and record at the same time. With the built-in nightvision, you can record crystal clear footage and take pictures without anyone knowing exactly what you’re doing. This is great tool for bouncers or security guards working in dark bars or clubs for when they check IDs. Also great for regular surveillance hoping to protect themselves, throw the Flashlight Camcorder in your car or pocket and be prepared for any break down or nighttime excursion.

This actually seems like it’d be very useful for certain applications, and not ridiculously expensive at $150. Aside from ghost hunting and ID checking, this product will unfortunately be a big topic of discussion at peeping clubs everywhere. Do they have peeping clubs?

Hidden Camcorder Flashlight – SPY Camera Hidden In A Flashlight [Brick House Security]

The TSA hasn’t explained jack. But we found this audio of a pilot explaining the new in-flight security arrangements. Based on that, and what else we know, here’s an unofficial guide to travel in the age of the underwear bomb.

Duh: Get To the Airport Early

No one knows what the hell is going on. Some places are reporting that British Airways became the first airline to impose a one carry on bag only rule, to help make the other thing we heard rumors of—mandatory bag searches and secondary pat downs for every passenger flying internationally into the US—go quicker. No word if they’re talking about the “personal item” that goes along with the already standard “one bag”, but it’s safer to assume so. Otherwise, why would they restate the restriction? BA says they’ll waive the check in fee, so that’s good news. The bad news is that at any time, any other airline can decide to pick up and follow suit, so be prepared to check in a carry on bag (I.E. don’t carry on fragile stuff that you can’t shove all into one bag.)

Oh! More confirmation just this second from Kotaku‘s chief, Brian Crecente who is flying back from Australia right this moment with some very whiny kids (not his) a few rows away:

We had a second screening at the gate. Hands on thorough check of every bag. Also asked me to open my laptops, but not to turn it on. Then did a metal detector sweep of everyone and very quick pat down. Male security guards for men, women for women.

His captain said that there would be some security procedures they’d have to follow that “won’t hurt” but are “slightly unusual.”

Will They Search Your Underwear or Crotch For Air Safety?

No word on crotch pat downs, yet. UPDATE: It appears that the pat downs focus on the “torso” and “upper legs”. Upper legs not quite the crotch. I’m torn. I’m happy to retain my security screening virginity, but Hhow will they find the rest of the underwear bombs without going all the way?

Be Ready For Anything, Especially Surprises

We have heard that only international flights entering the US are going to be going through these pains. But we’ve seen other data to the contrary, and again, we don’t have official word about which flights will enforce these rules, except that we should expect randomness, especially in domestic flights (emphasis added):

“Passengers flying from international locations to U.S. destinations may notice additional security measures in place. These measures are designed to be unpredictable, so passengers should not expect to see the same thing everywhere. Due to the busy holiday travel season, both domestic and international travelers should allot extra time for check-in.”

However, readers are coming in with evidence that even domestic flights are being restricted somehow.

And from a Gynranger, who flew domestically:

I few yesterday, just a domestic flight, from New York, NY to Savanna, GA. We were allowed to use electronics but during take off until cruising alt and about 30 minutes before landing they made us shut everything off, including iPods or computers and other devices even those that didnt broadcast.

Again, be ready for hell.

The Important Stuff: Gadgets

It sounds, as if we’ll be ok between take off and landing, with gadgets. British Airways is letting people bring electronics on the plane. Some flights are letting people use gadgets up until the last hour, some the last thirty minutes. But as said in this Jetblue audio recording, there will be no in flight entertainment system; “no movies, no tv, no xm radio, the system is required by federal government to be shut down.” But it sounds like most flights are allowing gadgets, and all the variation in restriction is happening at landing.

Where You Are is a Secret. Like the Apple Tablet. So Not Really a Secret.

The government, according to some of our readers, have requested the in flight maps be turned off, too, to, I presume, eliminate the risk of geo precise bombings near the end of the flight? Then again, the flight attendants warning you to not get up the last hour of flight and landing gear dropping are sure signs of landing, so WTF.

It’s Always Gonna Be Sweater-Weather

You’re not allowed to have anything genuinely useful on your lap in the final hour of flight—the sterile period—and that rule includes blankets and the like. This makes attempting to snooze through the remaining portion of the trip chilly and awkward, particularly since pillows are banned as well, so it might be wise to at least dress warm enough to maintain some semblance of comfort.

Bring a Book or Prepare to Die of Boredom

Bring a book. Not a Kindle, not a Nook, not any other sort of ebook reader, but a plain ol’ low-tech book. Because apparently books are pretty much the only thing you can have in your hands during the final hour of your flight (“the government says ok”) and how the hell else will you keep from falling into a cold and uncomfortable slumber?

Here, more inconsistency appears, with some readers saying no books on landing either.

From Arturo:

We flew from Eugene, OR to San Francisco today: they would not even let us read paperback books that we had brought with us. According to them, the new TSA directive is that in the last hour of flight, we are not allowed to leave our seats, nor use or have anything from our carry-on luggage or personal items.

But it is unclear if the books were being restricted because the flyers didn’t already have them in hand, or if they were in bags. Again: Confusing!

Update: Arturo wrote in to explain that he already had the book in hand at the time of the announcement:

I already had the book in my hands when they made the announcement. I never accessed my carry-on. They made us put our reading material away anyhow. This included magazines and anything else that we brought on board. Strangely enough, they didn’t seem to mind passengers accessing their wallets when beverage service came through the cabin.

Even more confusing!

Tinkle Before the “Sterile Period” Starts

As if having to abandon your personal items during the last hour of the flight isn’t enough, you’re not allowed to get up to use the restroom during that time. The captain in the audio recording referred to the Since I doubt that your flight attendants would appreciate seeing you break out a bedpan, just plain head to the lavatory before the seat belt sign hits and a line forms.

Then again, some readers are reporting that on their flights, they saw plenty of standing up and walking around going on after the mandatory buckle up:

I must have seen 30 people still doing whatever 20 minutes in and half a dozen people just get up anyways for the final 40 minutes to use the bathroom, go to their bags, whatever, and that was just where I was sitting.

Again: Madness!

More News Soon, Says Pilot

We’ve been keeping an eye on what’s happening in the news regarding flight security measures and gadget-centric regulations, but based on the pilot’s announcement, it sounds like some “more news” will hit the wires “tomorrow”. No idea if this recording happened yesterday or today, but we’ll find out come Monday. I mean, the TSA has to say something, right? I mean, other than “Oh shit oh shit oh shit oh shit” with their actions.

What Now?

That’s what we’ve learned from that almost chilling recording. Of course, whether any of that will actually improve actual security is questionable. One thing is certain: All these procedures have raised my personal terror status to the sunset hue of orange-red. [Thanks, Jake Lodwick]

Special Addendum: If I am a Head of State or Roll Deep With Heads of State, Do I Have To Put Up With This Shit?

Answer: No! (See the TSA’s Security Directive.)
Previously: The New, Terrifying No-Electronics US Flight Rules, Underwear Bomb: The New, Stained, Patted-Down Crotch of Terror, Electronics May Still Be OK for Some US Flights.

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While we’re still in the dark as to when it’ll launch or how much damage it’ll do to our wallets, we just got word of where future owners will be picking up their new Nokia-made netbook. You want one? You’ll have to talk to the dudes in the blue polos.

At their holiday gift guide event, Best Buy announced that they’ll be the exclusive retailers for the Nokia Booklet in the U.S. That’s great – but look out for the big mean security guards on the way out.