Security Solution for Hawaiian Credit Union Earns ADT Integrated Installation of the Year Award

With the advent of networked physical security solutions, no system need be an island, cut off from other locations, devices and functionality. And a recent venture for the Hawaii State Federal Credit Union (HSFCU) demonstrates that no island need be isolated from a security solution.

Leveraging IP connectivity and technology, this ADT project depicts how systems can be federated to soar over mountains and seas alike — as well as capture an SSI Integrated Installation of the Year (Multisite) Award.

HSFCU is a federally chartered credit union headquartered in Honolulu, Hawaii, and regulated under the authority of the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA).

HSFCU’s previous security provider was no longer living up to expectations and the company needed to make a change. Its security equipment was outdated and costly to maintain. The service they received was lacking, particularly IT support.

HSFCU needed help to comply with various NCUA and PCI regulations, including the ability to supply timely reports to the various agencies. ADT (and the recently merged Protection 1; collectively referred to as simply ADT in this article) provided an integrated solution that included help in designing a new custom-designed security platform along with IT infrastructure recommendations.

The platform also included access control, video surveillance, DVR health checks, video alarm verification, alarm installation and monitoring and ADT’s eSuite account management tools.

“Because ADT was able to provide the intrusion detection, video and access control, it enabled the customer to coordinate and focus with just one vendor not only for the installation but also the servicing and monitoring,” says Rick Osborne, vice president of ADT Hawaii. “Video alarm verification also helps reduce false alarm fees.”

Read on for a deeper journey into paradise for a tale of how this serious security solution coexists among picturesque beaches and sugarcane fields.

Find out how ADT tapped into its inner Steve McGarrett to nail the Integrated Installation of the Year criteria of innovation; systems design; integration of at least three electronic systems; seamlessness of installation; uniqueness of application; ease of operation; and end-user satisfaction.

Cashing In on Bank Referral

HSFCU is the largest credit union in Hawaii, operating 12 locations across the islands. Originally known as the Hawaii Territorial Employees’ Federal Credit Union, the entity was founded on Oct. 26, 1936, by 15 government workers.

HSFCU is a founding member of the Hawaii Credit Union League, an association of credit unions in Hawaii. When HSFCU determined it was time to replace its security provider, the organization turned to the industry for recommendations.

First Hawaiian Bank, the oldest and largest financial institution in Hawaii with 57 branch locations, pointed HSFCU toward its longtime security partner, ADT.

“ADT has been providing First Hawaiian Bank with first-rate technology and outstanding customer service for many years,” says Osborne. “A referral from a highly-respected institution is one of the best endorsements a company could ask for.”

The installation commenced in March 2017 with ADT as the primary consultant. The customer provided drawings from the architect and the integrator laid out the electronic security solution.

ADT also attended owner-architect-contractor weekly meetings to make sure the project stayed on schedule. The company’s project managers also worked closely with the equipment manufacturers to ensure the equipment was onsite when needed, as well as the electricians, carpenters and network companies.

A priority for HSFCU was to update its antiquated IT system. ADT’s Integrated Solutions Division offers custom-designed, enterprise-level security platforms along with IT infrastructure recommendations.

“Our network operations center of Cisco-certified and Meraki-certified team members provide design services and remote software support,” says Osborne. “Key members of this team, working with HSFCU’s IT department, came up with a plan to upgrade their current technology to a Meraki VPN [virtual private network] solution.”

While HSFCU staff did the actual conversion and upgrade, ADT helped design and offered guidance along the way to ensure the solution would meet their needs and resolve their concerns.

“We provided a comprehensive electronic security solution that included upgrading the client’s current access control firmware to utilize and expand the system, allowing budget dollars to be used elsewhere,” says Osborne. “We also upgraded the DVRs to an OpenEye hybrid solution for continued migration to a full IP platform.”

When completed, the video solution would also permit ADT to perform DVR health checks. The video and intrusion detection system, which was also converted, would be integrated to enable ADT’s monitoring center to perform video alarm verification.

HSFCU is the largest credit union in Hawaii, operating 12 locations across the islands. Up to 24 cameras were installed per branch, with a mix of 2MP IP, analog and 360° fisheye cameras.

Showing Network Know-How

Along with helping to design the Meraki VPN solution, ADT worked closely with the customer to design a new IP-enabled security solution for all its branches.

The team performed in-depth surveys to understand the security requirements and also understand how those requirements needed to work to complement and enhance business operations.

The credit union was required to provide network drops for the intrusion detection systems, video and access control, and there was extensive coordination between the customer’s IT department and ADT’s video monitoring team.

“We also updated their drawings and parts list in order to recommend the right integrated solution,” continues Osborne. “Federally chartered credit unions like HSFCU are regulated by the National Credit Union Administration and must comply with PCI requirements. This includes adhering to strict auditing and reporting demands.”

To that end, ADT’s account management tool, eSuite, was included in the project and quarterly inspections were incorporated into the design. HSFCU had existing Bosch video surveillance, intrusion detection and Stanley access control in place, and so ADT tailored the upgrade around those systems.

“HSFCU was a longtime user of Bosch video and [Stanley] ReadyKey access control. As part of the new design, ADT migrated the analog video systems to the OpenEye hybrid solution,” adds Osborne. “This allows them to continue their migration to a full IP solution over time and within budget.”

5 Solution Highlights

Details of the systems, products and services ADT rendered for HSFCU are as follows…

Access Control

Includes ReadyKey system for 32 doors, HID multiclass readers, Bosch request-to-exit motion sensors, Sentrol SPDT door contacts and HES electronic strikes.

As part of the integration, ADT staff, having been well-versed in the Stanley solution, updated the firmware to utilize and expand the system. This allowed budget dollars to be used elsewhere on the project.

Per usual practices, ADT confirmed with the AHJ regarding the fire exit doors that were controlled by the access control system to make sure they met local codes.

Video Surveillance

There were 16-24 cameras total per location, with various combinations of 2-megapixel IP models, analog units and 360° fisheye cameras for the teller bars, vault, telecom/ATM room and lobby areas.

As mentioned prior, ADT upgraded all the DVRs to OpenEye, allowing for continued migration to a full IP platform over time and within budget. The integrator’s quarterly inspection and labor coverage package covers servicing the equipment and issuing reports to ensure effective operation.

ADT also monitors HSFCU’s DVRs for performance anomalies such as hard drive failures, storage space shortages, network connectivity loss and more. When issues are identified, the customer is notified and ADT takes corrective action.

Video Verification

Using the secure VPN, ADT connects to the video systems and performs a live look-in to verify the cause of any alarm before dispatching authorities.

The resulting reduction in false alarm fees is a key cost-saving factor for the security department’s bottom line and boosts first responder response time.

Intrusion Detection

Devices include Bosch D7412 panels and keypads, Telguard cellular backup, Sentrol recessed door contacts, Detection Systems (Bosch) DS936 and DS937 ceiling motion sensors and United Security Products HUB-2B hold-up buttons.

ADT converted all existing alarm panels and monitors them for alarm signals, schedule violations and open and close reporting. The aforementioned video alarm verification also helps to better understand the nature of the alarms.

Control Platform

ADT’s eSuite allows the customer to seamlessly administer their locations from any secure connect device including mobile ones. The interface was a key factor in HSFCU’s decision to adopt the integrator’s solutions.

It allows the end user to modify open/close schedules, put systems on-test, schedule service calls and check on their status, and run reports, among other features.

ADT provided its credit union client an integrated solution that included help in developing a new custom-designed security platform along with IT infrastructure recommendations. The platform also included access control, video surveillance, DVR health checks, video alarm verification, alarm installa-tion and monitoring and ADT’s eSuite account management tools.

Conversion Immersion

Once HSFCU made the decision to change security providers, one of the customer’s concerns was calculating the cancellation terms with the old provider and the ability to convert everything else within a 60-day window. ADT and HSFCU staff had many meetings to set a timeline and strategy to complete the conversion.

“Probably the most difficult aspects of the installation were getting things completed on time,” Osborne says. “Because the electronic security solutions are usually the last systems to be installed, many times the GC has not completed certain items, i.e. the teller counter or furniture is not in, and we would have to install our equipment at the very last minute before the branch opening. Occasionally, we would have to work weekends.”

ADT first went through and converted the nonmonitored systems, such as the access control and video systems in each branch. This allowed the company to resurvey each location, prepare for the alarm conversion and better understand the inner-workings.

The integrator then prepared each site with a writeup of all user names, passwords, PINs and schedules. It was then simply a matter of converting the panels, testing signals and training the users. Each alarm location or branch was completed within a day with no downtime or loss of protection.

Results Fit for a Celebratory Luau

Upon project completion, HSFCU was extremely pleased with ADT’s exemplary service and began to request additional services. HSFCU and ADT can now continue to grow as partners as the credit union grows.

“ADT’s customer service responsiveness and the technical skillsets of their technicians are above and beyond anything I have experienced so far,” says HSFCU Assistant Vice President of Facilities Randy Gillespie. “I can email a request for service and have the technician here that same day, even calling to let us know when they would arrive. HSFCU and ADT have formed a true partnership.”

In all, ADT provided its client with a platform that figures to help keep their locations, employees and customers safe and secure for years to come. It’s a solution as satisfying as a South Pacific sunset.

Click here to see more of the Best of the Best from the past and present. 

If you enjoyed this article and want to receive more valuable industry content like this, click here to sign up for our FREE digital newsletters!

Related Content

Illinois School District Deploys AI Gun Detection, Intelligent Situational Awareness

Vantage Standardizes Security at 32 Global Data Centers with Genetec Security Center

Piñon Unified School District Adopts AI-Powered Safety Technology Solution

SSI Industry Hall of Fame 2024: Andrew Lanning, Integrated Security Technologies