Counterfeit security devices are a growing problem, with the UK government estimating an annual loss of £9 billion to the economy through counterfeiting and piracy, in addition to 80,500 job losses each year. In the security industry, up to 10% of all security products sold may be counterfeit. Counterfeit security devices are imitation devices that resemble genuine security equipment, and using them as part of your security system can expose you to numerous risks.

Counterfeit security devices are often made using substandard materials and may not have undergone proper testing and certification, leading to poor security and malfunctioning devices. Compatibility issues may also arise, rendering these devices ineffective and leaving your premises vulnerable to intruders and other security threats. Counterfeit security devices may contain malware or other malicious software that can be used to infiltrate your network and steal sensitive information, posing a significant cybersecurity threat to your business.

The use of counterfeit security devices can have a devastating impact on businesses, with studies showing that over 60% of small businesses that suffer a cyber attack go out of business within six months. Additionally, the use of counterfeit security devices can result in significant financial losses and a loss of customers.

Counterfeiting also has ethical implications, as it has a considerable impact on the rights of workers around the globe. The lack of control over working conditions and respect of employment rights places workers who produce counterfeit goods, many of them children, in very vulnerable positions. According to the United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, counterfeiting is now the second largest source of criminal income worldwide, including having proven links to terrorist operations and other criminal organizations.

In order to ensure the integrity of the devices we use in our designs, we responsibly source all our equipment from brands who work to the same set of values as us. Our manufacturing processes can be tracked and are documented to make sure that all devices are of the highest standard, secure, and won’t compromise your security system. We form partnerships with suppliers who hold the importance of integrity to as high a standard as we do, for the benefit of all our customers.

For more information on our suppliers, visit our website www.pointer.co.uk. Learn more about the risks of counterfeit security devices and how to protect your business today.