BrickHouse Security Blog

BrickHouse Security provides security and surveillance products to consumers, businesses of all sizes including roughly half of the Fortune 500, and more than 500 local and national government agencies such as the NYPD, the LA County Sheriffs Department and the FBI. To help our customers protect what they care about most, we offer an incredible variety of leading-edge GPS tracking, hidden cameras, video surveillance, cell phone & PC monitoring and counter-surveillance solutions. BrickHouse’s industry-leading experts are the go-to source for our readers’ security needs, providing timely information through the company’s informative blogs and content, and by identifying, developing and selling quality products that represent the best and the latest in safety and security. BrickHouse is headquartered in New York City and serves a diverse US and international client base.

Whether you’re looking to protect your family, your property or your business, we created this blog to help keep you up to speed on the latest technology and news on all forms of security and surveillance. Please let us know how we’re doing.

Our contributors

Todd Morris

Todd is the CEO of BrickHouse Security. He founded the New York City-based firm in 2003 after an impressive 15-year career in the software industry, where he worked for such visionary companies as Apple, Adobe and MapQuest, leading the development of custom technology for large clients. When he was charged with finding or developing a GPS tracker and panic button for use in law enforcement, his quest uncovered a broader demand for location-based security, from affordable child locators for family use to easy-to-use GPS tracking systems for teen and employee monitoring. While continuing the development of the complex solutions required by the government and a fast-growing list of security-minded corporations, Todd launched BrickHouseSecurity.com, a consumer- and small business-focused Web site, to provide access to hard-to-find security products for professional and personal use. The site launched to immediate success in 2004, and has seen over 200% growth each year since its inception.

The security product he can’t live without: Todd is always leaving his keys behind, as a matter of fact he totally despises keys in general. After all, they are an antiquated. Instead, he uses a Fingerprint Door Lock to enter and exit his home.

Marc Horowitz

Marc is the Editorial Director at BrickHouse Security. He’s a former Editor-in-Chief at Hachette Filipacchi Media and has written about technology and general interest topics for a number of major national print and online publications, including The New York Times, Popular Science, Popular Mechanics, The Economist, The Village Voice and many others.

Marc joined BrickHouse in 2011 after serving as CEO and Creative Director of Fluid Editorial & Design, a creative services and communications firm he founded a decade ago.

A native New Yorker, Marc lives in NYC’s West Village. His passions include travel, skiing, food, books, film, live music, comedy and irony.

The BrickHouse product Marc can’t live without: “No doubt it’s the Spark Nano portable GPS tracker. I use it to make sure my entire family is safe. Plus, I just love the way the name sounds. Spark Nano. I could say it all day…”

Gok Tezgor

Gok is a Senior Surveillance and Sales Specialist for Brickhouse Security, and has been with the company since 2006. Gok, attended the University of Chicago’s Laboratory Schools, and studied journalism at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. Afterwards, Gok moved to the divided Mediterranean island of Cyprus, and eventually established himself there as a journalist working for Reuters as their correspondent in the Turkish Cypriot north of the island. He also did regular freelance work for the BBC and The Times of London. Through his work with Reuters and the BBC, and working closely with the United Nations forces, the Turkish military, and both Turkish and Turkish Cypriot government officials on the island, Gok became very well versed in the importance of security, and gathering information.  “Being cautious and aware of my surroundings is something I learned to be really good at. And there were definitely times where my safety and security were at risk,” said Gok about his experiences.

Throughout his 10 years living in Cyprus, Gok filed thousands of articles chronicling the diplomatic and political conflict that continues to divide the island to this day. Gok was also one of the first journalists to cover the historic opening of the borders on the divided island back in 2003, an event that partially warmed ties between the two sides of the island. A few short years after completing his degree, Gok was referred to an up-and-coming company. This was the start of a successful career for Gok with BrickHouse Security. “I feel privileged to be able to be a part of a company from the beginning and watch it grow at such a fast pace,” he said. “Everyday at BrickHouse is a challenge, but I love to help people find solutions for their specific and unique problems.”

A product Gok can’t do without: “That will probably have to be the Secret Service Earpiece. I really wish I had this back in the day when I was in Cyprus. It would have been great to have during press conferences and interviews in order to be discreetly in contact with my editors in real time. It’s amazing how quickly the technology changes in a matter of a few years.”

Stan Shyshkin

Stan is a marketing associate at BrickHouse Security and has been with the company since his internship in 2009. He’s highly interested in Internet marketing, social media and SEO, and loves to travel. On a regular weekday you’ll find him working hard at BrickHouse, then trudging off to class at night. But on the weekends it’s time to relax, cut loose a bit, and maybe plan the next big vacation.

Stan’s days are packed with activities, and he barely has a minute to spare. On his busiest days, he wakes up at 4:30  in the morning, hits the gym to train in Krav Maga, an Israeli military combat technique, then heads into BrickHouse. And to top it all off, he goes to class until 9 pm and doesn’t make it home until almost 11.

The security product he can’t live without: Stan’s favorite product: the DVR Spy Sunglasses w/ Audio. They let him go out, enjoy his day, and capture great memories without tying up his hands with a camcorder.

Guest Contributors

Susan Bartelstone

Years ago, Susan Bartelstone had a bad break-up with a guy, complete with physical and emotional bruises, and determined to learn how to protect herself. Today, she’s a certified Crime Prevention Specialist and Personal Safety expert, with 17 years combined training in WWII Combatives, self defense and martial arts. Along the way, she deterred five extremely dangerous criminal encounters, fought her way out of a surprise attack and, for the past 18 years, has taught safety skills to men and women from such organizations as American Express, the U.S. Post Office and the Livery Cab Owners Coalition of New York. She’s the author of Think Fast and Prevent a Violent Crime: How to Respond to Danger in 20 Seconds (or Less!), which is based on her own experiences, and is also the host of Crime Prevention 101, a personal safety talk radio show where she’s speaks about hot crime and personal safety topics; and give the tips and tactic needed to reduce fear and increase safety. Over the years, she’s helped thousands of people solve their personal safety dilemmas with her Workshops and her practical advice—which stresses the many opportunities you have to avoid or defuse a criminal encounter and how to use your brains instead of your muscles in a fight.

The personal safety product she can’t live without: Her pepper spray: it’s inexpensive, easy to carry (and conceal), and simple to use. And it can be a real lifesaver! Her favorite model is the JOGGER, made by Sabre, which has an adjustable hand strap so you can attach it to your hand. Download her Tips for Using Defense Sprays to learn how to use them most effectively.

J.D. LeaSure

J.D. LeaSure, Counter Surveillance Specialist is the President/CEO of ComSec LLC. He founded the Virginia Beach-based firm in 2007 filling the need for an experienced and knowledgeable Counter Espionage and Technical Surveillance Countermeasures (TSCM) service provider in the greater Virginia/DC Metro area. He launched ComSec LLc to provide bug sweep, eavesdropping detection services to business professionals, government agencies, celebrities, consulting firms, P.I. firms, government contractors, technology development companies and law firms, etc. The organization also implements counter espionage protocols aimed at helping its customers maintain the integrity of their security posture against Corporate, Economic and Industrial Electronic Espionage Threats. J.D. has extensive knowledge of eavesdropping devices, detection methods, and the tactics most often employed by those seeking to steal valuable information. Since its launch, ComSec LLc has enjoyed steady growth and noted a staggering increase in public interest in the counterespionage, counter surveillance segment of the business. J.D. started the Spy vs. Spy blog to educate the public about the law, legislature, emerging technologies, new detection devices and espionage tactics. The blog also provides the public with a source for help should they become the victim of corporate, economic or industrial espionage.

The Personal safety product he can’t live without: “I will have to say the “Mega Mini Spy Camera Stick.” I have had one of these in my kit for a long time (I have one of the first ones to hit the states, that I recovered on a TSCM assignment). It is a fantastic little device, extremely discreet and easy to use and a must-have for any covert assignment. I have actually used the one I have to catch an eavesdropper in the act of swapping out a DVR “spy pen” in a client’s office.  It worked great!

 

Previous Contributors

Bing Chen

Bing Chen is one of the founders of BrickHouse Security, so she has built up years of knowledge in the world of safety technologies. Bing also oversees the Human Resources department as well as day-to-day corporate operations to keep everything running smoothly. But first and foremost, Bing is a mother who prioritizes her child’s safety on top of everything else. Consequentially, she understands just how essential family safety is and she knows first hand what tools and methods can be the most effective when it comes to keeping your family members – especially minors, safe.

The security product she can’t live without: The BrickHouse Child Locator, because it gives her peace of mind when she is out with her 2-year-old, that he can never wander off too far without her being alerted.

Jason Lazarus

Jason Lazarus was the Director of Marketing at BrickHouse Security. Aside from overseeing all of the company’s public relations and marketing efforts, Jason also spent a good deal of his time discovering the latest and greatest security technologies. Jason was also heavily involved in the research and development process of our in-house technologies, overseeing everything from concept to production. We like to think of him as our resident Q. He also works hands-on with law enforcement professionals and government agencies to determine what are the most efficient tools to meet their demanding security needs.

The security product he can’t live without: Jason uses the Mega Mini Spy Camera Pro for interviews and to record meetings, so that later on he can thoroughly go over what the client spoke about.

Helena Stone

Helena was the Social Content Multimedia Manager at BrickHouse Security where she was involved in the BrickHouse Security blog operations and other social media presences like Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. Helena has experience working in the digital marketing and interactive design field, and if you’re a technology enthusiast, chances are you are familiar with her blog Chip Chick. She is also an out and proud gadget geek who loves playing with the latest 007 spy gadgets that comes through BrickHouse Security’s doors. From the perspective of being a twenty-something woman living alone in New York City, Helena also understands how important is to use the right tools to stay safe. Whether it’s traveling on the subway or securing your apartment, there is no room for being careless.

The security product she can’t live without: The Air Ionizer, which she uses to keep watch on her vacation home when she is away.

Lydia D. Leavitt

Lydia was the blog’s Editor-in-Chief. Originally from Boston (yes, she’s a Red Sox fan!), Lydia began working in the technology niche for a live mobile broadcasting company before moving to New York City to join the BrickHouse Security team in 2007. At BrickHouse, Lydia managed and implemented all aspects of writing copy for new products, press releases, as well as the company’s social media ventures. An avid thrill seeker, Lydia loves swimming, traveling, water skiing, hiking, and exploring New York City – making her need for security products that much more important.

The security product she can’t live without: The Little Titan DVR Camera Kit because with it she can record all of her adventures on land or in water. Perfect for the extreme sports enthusiast.

Douglas Schubert

With a unique background in Red Dragon Stealth-Fu, Douglas Schubert used to moonlight as a local East Side security Ninja, where he would mysteriously locate and return the stolen pocket books of previously burgled maidens. Drawing on nearly a millenia of collective meta-knowledge, Douglas was the East Side’s white-light of pocket-book safety. Unfortunately, after realizing that freelancing as superhero, though spiritually fulfilling, wasn’t nearly as lucrative as corporate bloggin’ Douglas gave up his alter-ego and rejoined the business community using the meta-knowledge he acquired as a do-gooder. Douglas was BrickHouse Security’s in house superstar social media consultant. Douglas was responsible for the uber-scientific BrickHouse Security blogging game, as well as the exceptionally sophisticated BrickHouse Security Twitter feed. With skills that range from power blogging, ultra book-facing, and hyper-speed tweet-blasting, Douglas has swiftly become a multimedia demi-god in the BrickHouse Security realm.

The security product he can’t live without: The X-Ray Spray. Douglas admits that when he first heard of the X-Ray Spray, he was more than just a wee-bit skeptical. With a quick spray of the… spray, any paper or envelope was to instantly become transparent. Moreover the proprietary solution was to evaporate completely within a matter of seconds and it leaves behind no evidence.

Daniel Atkinson

Danny was a marketing intern at Brickhouse Security and a junior at Fordham University, where he was studying history and communications. He is originally from central Connecticut and got interested in writing as a possible career through his love of reading and sports, as well as through his experience as an editor on Fordham’s student newspaper The Ram. Danny enjoys the friendly vibe at BrickHouse Security and how the BrickHouse Security Blog has challenged his style of writing. He is a diehard Red Sox and baseball fan who loves a good book or movie, and also enjoys all the culture NYC has to offer, especially if it’s free.

The security product he can’t live without: Danny can be a very unorganized person and is constantly misplacing and losing his keys, among other things, so the USB Fingerprint Lock is a lifesaver for him.

Jimmy Bosch

Jimmy was a marketing intern at BrickHouse Security and also a senior at Baruch College, where he was studying creative writing and journalism. He is originally from the Bronx and became interested in writing as a possible career through his love of poetry and music. Jimmy is passionate about anything creative, whether it be fashion, art, or filmmaking, and he is always looking for new outlets to showcase his creative endeavors.

The security product he can’t live without: Being a poet Jimmy loves the DVR Camcorder Pen Camera Recorder – the ability to record himself when reading and writing prose comes in rather handy when he doesn’t have a piece of paper nearby.