Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
Back to Basics is an article series that highlights important, but possibly overlooked, information facilities management professionals should know. While some workers and workplaces face higher risks of violence, it can happen to any worker in any work setting. Earlier this year, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that violent acts were the third-leading cause […]
Citing major concerns about privacy and misuse, communities across the country are increasingly pushing back against automated license plate reader (ALPR) technology, namely Flock cameras widely used by law enforcement and businesses. Amid the national debate, the Security Industry Association (SIA) has issued a call for the responsible and effective use of ALPR technology and released […]
Editor’s note: FM Perspectives are industry op-eds. The views expressed are the authors’ and do not necessarily reflect those of Facilities Management Advisor. Twenty-five years ago, you could walk your daughter to her airport gate when she left for college. Families waited at the jet bridge to say goodbye. In office towers, anyone could walk onto almost […]
Give a big round of a-paws for Bolt, an explosives detection canine from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)! The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has named the three-year-old German shorthaired pointer the winner of its 2026 Cutest Canine Contest. The agency uses the annual contest to highlight the important role of security dogs. TSA conducted a […]
During my years as a teacher and school principal, I learned that having an emergency operations plan and being prepared to respond to an emergency are not always the same thing. Most districts have emergency preparedness procedures that include conducting drills, working closely with first responders, and investing time preparing for emergencies. Those efforts certainly […]
Based on responses from retail professionals worldwide, new research shows retailers increasingly view physical security as a business function that supports operations, employee safety, and modernization efforts—not solely loss prevention. According to the 2026 State of Physical Security Report from Genetec, retailers are now using physical security data to improve broader business outcomes. More than […]
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has released the K-12 Cybersecurity Foundations Resource Package, a comprehensive collection of guides, videos, and supplemental materials to help K‑12 schools and districts prevent, mitigate, and respond to prevalent cyber threats. Based on current cybersecurity best practices and frameworks, the resource package outlines cost-effective, actionable, and customizable steps that […]
Retail store theft levels are stabilizing, but external theft and fraud overall continue to rise, according to a new study released by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and the Loss Prevention Research Council. In addition, workplace violence remains a major concern for retailers. The Impact of Theft & Violence 2026 report found that retailers experienced a […]
Every day, thousands of people pass through building entrances without a second thought, until something goes wrong. A malfunctioning door during peak hours isn’t just an inconvenience; it disrupts operations, creates safety risks, and slows critical building flow. For facilities managers overseeing high-traffic environments, such as hospitals, retail centers, corporate campuses, transit hubs, and more, […]
Healthcare facilities are designed to heal people. Yet for many healthcare workers, safety has become an increasingly urgent concern. Hospitals and healthcare campuses today face a complicated environment. Teams are managing higher patient volumes, workforce shortages, increased visitor traffic, and growing concerns around workplace violence. Security leaders are being asked to do more than respond […]