G4S Justice Services launches LoneProtector

ORLANDO, Fla.—G4S Justice Services, a division of one of the largest full-service service security companies in the world, debuted a new monitored lone worker safety solution called LoneProtector at the recent ASIS International convention here.

According to the company, LoneProtector enables G4S to deliver customized lone worker solutions across a wide range of sectors and industries. Employees are provided with a GPS device that looks like—and can be concealed in—an employee's ID badge. The employee can alert G4S of trouble through a panic button function.

"The G4S LoneProtector solution includes monitoring from G4S Justice Service's two geographically redundant monitoring centers, which are fully staffed 24/7/365. Specially-trained staff monitor the devices and software and respond in real-time to alerts," G4S Justice Services president Darryl Martin told Security Systems News. "When the lone worker raises an alert, or if the `Man Down' technology triggers an alert, monitoring center staff use the device's communications link to listen to the situation and determine escalation steps, up to and including sending local emergency response to the precise GPS location of the device."

G4S Justice Services' main monitoring center is in Irvine, Calif. and was designed using UL standards, but is not UL-listed or CSAA Five-Diamond certified since "we don't monitor facilities." The other monitoring center is in Atlanta.

Martin said the solution was a real differentiator for G4S Justice clients.

"G4S LoneProtector is unique," Martin said. "We have partnered with Connexion2, manufacturer of the market-leading Identicom lone worker device, to make this award-winning device available to our customers. Finally, LoneProtector is customizable to meet the needs of each individual organization, ensuring the greatest level of protection and peace of mind for both lone workers and their employers."

According to a release from G4S Justice Services, the device is very versatile. For example, for lone workers who do not require a discreet device, LoneProtector software can be built into a smartphone or PDA.