Security Magazine logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Security Magazine logo
  • NEWS
    • Security Newswire
    • Technologies & Solutions
  • MANAGEMENT
    • Leadership Management
    • Enterprise Services
    • Security Education & Training
    • Logical Security
    • Security & Business Resilience
    • Profiles in Excellence
  • PHYSICAL
    • Access Management
    • Fire & Life Safety
    • Identity Management
    • Physical Security
    • Video Surveillance
    • Case Studies (Physical)
  • CYBER
    • Cybersecurity News
    • More
  • BLOG
  • COLUMNS
    • Cyber Tactics
    • Leadership & Management
    • Security Talk
    • Career Intelligence
    • Leader to Leader
    • Cybersecurity Education & Training
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Annual Guarding Report
    • Most Influential People in Security
    • The Security Benchmark Report
    • The Security Leadership Issue
    • Top Guard and Security Officer Companies
    • Top Cybersecurity Leaders
    • Women in Security
  • SECTORS
    • Arenas / Stadiums / Leagues / Entertainment
    • Banking/Finance/Insurance
    • Construction, Real Estate, Property Management
    • Education: K-12
    • Education: University
    • Government: Federal, State and Local
    • Hospitality & Casinos
    • Hospitals & Medical Centers
    • Infrastructure:Electric,Gas & Water
    • Ports: Sea, Land, & Air
    • Retail/Restaurants/Convenience
    • Transportation/Logistics/Supply Chain/Distribution/ Warehousing
  • EVENTS
    • Industry Events
    • Webinars
    • Solutions by Sector
    • Security 500 Conference
  • MEDIA
    • Videos
      • Cybersecurity & Geopolitical Discussion
      • Ask Me Anything (AMA) Series
    • Podcasts
    • Polls
    • Photo Galleries
  • MORE
    • Call for Entries
    • Classifieds & Job Listings
    • Continuing Education
    • Newsletter
    • Sponsor Insights
    • Store
    • White Papers
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • This Month's Content
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP!
Physical Security

Improving Safety and Security through Digital Signage

By Steve Chang
news-sign
March 22, 2016

In 1964, communication theorist Marshall McLuhan famously said, “The medium is the message.” A half-century later, this idea rings truer than ever. As people grow more and more accustomed to receiving and exchanging information through digital devices, other forms of communication are entirely overlooked. A public service announcement displayed on a poster or an ad featured in a print publication may go unnoticed, no matter what the content.

Security executives should take notice of the dramatic shift to digital communication. For safety and security-related communication in a business environment, messages must not merely be sent, they must also be received, sometimes with time being of the essence. In industrial sectors – such as utilities, oil and gas, chemical and manufacturing – the risks of faulty safety and security communication are high.  Beyond industrial companies, any business has exposure to theft and other crime along with weather-related risk. In each setting, the need for timely safety and security communication is critical.

By conveying information quickly and potentially in real time through high-impact digital signage, chief security officers put the odds in their favor of distributing safety and security messages thoroughly, and in a way that registers with recipients. Consider some examples:

 

  • Safety messages, including reminders and performance metrics (e.g.,  number of accident-free days) may go unnoticed when posted on static wall signs in facilities. However, when information is conveyed in real time and via digital technology, employees are more likely to notice. Flashing scoreboards, frequently changing content and other visual techniques can be used to ensure that messages are seen and noticed by all employees no matter where they are.
  • For emergency notifications such as tornado warnings or chemical spills, real-time digital messaging becomes even more important to helping a company reduce injuries and damages. Critical messaging about an event or response to an event can be conveyed and consumed immediately using digital tools across desktop, signage and mobile platforms.
  • Digital signage can be integrated with other security systems by using video feeds from cameras in combination with TV screen displays of surveillance footage to safety personnel. Real-time transmission of information allows companies to react quickly, preventing a bad situation from becoming worse.
  • Digital communication attracts attention in part because of motion: A scrolling ticker on public digital screens with up-to-the-minute information on a developing weather event or live updates on an in-plant accident can instantaneously draw attention to key matters.
  • In the same way, digital reminders about important safety practices, such as wearing safety goggles or staying hydrated carry far more persuasive power when communicated visually (e.g., video clips, graphics, etc.) on digital displays, desktop monitors, and smartphones. A verbal or textual reminder to drink water is not nearly as powerful as watching a video of what could happen  if a worker becomes dehydrated (make mistakes, etc.).

Digital communication – especially when it’s real time and visual – promotes safety and security widely and deeply within an organization, improves response time and prevents accidents, injuries and related costs.

Alcoa has demonstrated the business value of making safety a priority: During a 13-year period of emphasizing safety, lost workdays due to injury plunged 89 percent, accompanied by a five-fold increase in annual net income. Many analysts credit this safety initiative for saving the entire company.

Despite such convincing data, OSHA safety citations continue to be issued for a wide range of issues, such as respiratory protection, lockout/tagout procedures, electrical wiring methods, and forklifts. For many of the problems, a lack of proper signage is a contributing factor. The good news is: signage is a relatively easy problem to fix.

A digital signage communication plan for safety and security works best when it delivers contextual, visual information based on live events and current information. Smarter data – such as live feeds from surveillance monitors – give an interactive dimension to communication that helps employees understand not only what is happening now, but also how to respond based on that knowledge.

Implementing a digital communication network that taps into timely information sources and reaches employees wherever they are can have a profound impact on safety and security results. At a minimum, the network will improve a company’s ability to distribute safety and security information more efficiently. At maximum, it will change individual behavior and corporate culture – for the better. 

KEYWORDS: digital signage emergency communications emergency management security awareness security technology

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Steve Chang is Senior Vice President of Strategy and Solutions at RMG Networks. Steve oversees the strategic direction and expansion of RMG’s intelligent visual communications that is used to improve safety communications at industrial plants. 

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
To unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • Security's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024

    Security's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024

    Security magazine's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024 award...
    Security Leadership and Management
    By: Security Staff
  • cyber brain

    The intersection of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence

    Artificial intelligence (AI) is a valuable cybersecurity...
    Columns
    By: Pam Nigro
  • artificial intelligence AI graphic

    Assessing the pros and cons of AI for cybersecurity

    Artificial intelligence (AI) has significant implications...
    Cybersecurity Education & Training
    By: Charles Denyer
Subscribe For Free!
  • Security eNewsletter & Other eNews Alerts
  • eMagazine Subscriptions
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Online Registration
  • Mobile App
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Security audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Security or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • Crisis Response Team
    Sponsored byEverbridge

    Automate or Fall Behind – Crisis Response at the Speed of Risk

  • Perimeter security
    Sponsored byAMAROK

    Why Property Security is the New Competitive Advantage

  • Duty of Care
    Sponsored byAMAROK

    Integrating Technology and Physical Security to Advance Duty of Care

Popular Stories

Pills spilled

More than 20,000 sensitive medical records exposed

Laptop in darkness

Verizon 2025 Data Breach Investigations Report shows rise in cyberattacks

Coding on screen

Research reveals mass scanning and exploitation campaigns

White post office truck

Department of Labor Sues USPS Over Texas Whistleblower Termination

Computer with binary code hovering nearby

Cyberattacks Targeting US Increased by 136%

2025 Security Benchmark banner

Events

May 22, 2025

Proactive Crisis Communication

Crisis doesn't wait for the right time - it strikes when least expected. Is your team prepared to communicate clearly and effectively when it matters most?

September 29, 2025

Global Security Exchange (GSX)

 

View All Submit An Event

Products

Security Culture: A How-to Guide for Improving Security Culture and Dealing with People Risk in Your Organisation

Security Culture: A How-to Guide for Improving Security Culture and Dealing with People Risk in Your Organisation

See More Products

Related Articles

  • Digital signage can help with coronavirus response and reopening

    Digital signage and wayfinding technology can help your organization reopen safely

    See More
  • SEC0818-gsx-clinton-prod6-feat-slide_900px

    Combines Digital Signage and Theft Deterrence

    See More
  • factory worker

    Improving worker safety and security on the plant floor

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • Physical-Security-and-Safet.gif

    Physical Security and Safety: A Field Guide for the Practitioner

  • Photonic-Sensing.gif

    Photonic Sensing: Principles and Applications for Safety and Security Monitoring

  • effective.jpg

    Effective Physical Security, 5th Edition

See More Products
×

Sign-up to receive top management & result-driven techniques in the industry.

Join over 20,000+ industry leaders who receive our premium content.

SIGN UP TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing