MUSEUM SECURITY

After banks and jewelry stores, museums hold some of the most valuable objects in the world. These museums are responsible for preserving and exhibiting material treasures, as well as the history and memories of countries and nations, rare objects, and works of art that can cost millions of dollars. If these works and objects are lost, stolen, or damaged for any reason, the damage can be irreparable.

While theft is often the first threat that comes to mind when considering the safety of museums, it is only one of many potential threats. Other dangers include moisture, mold, dust, oil, terrorist attacks, looting, fires, floods, and other disasters. Carelessness and negligence can also cause serious damage to the artifacts in museums. Therefore, it is the duty of museum management to ensure that these artifacts are transferred to future generations with as little damage as possible.

The large number of threats facing museums highlights the importance of security. For museums that will exhibit or preserve valuable works, it is often preferable to construct a new building specifically designed for museums, rather than converting existing buildings. This allows for a more efficient path for visitors to view all the works, as well as for better control over inputs and outputs through limited entrances and exits. It is also important to protect the exhibited works from direct sunlight to preserve their condition.

Although the physical security of museums is ensured, the security of digital data and inventory lists is still provided through conventional methods. Unfortunately, many museums around the world still use software such as Excel for their inventory management, which is outdated and can lead to security risks. Allowing for all kinds of changes to be made at any time and entrusting the inventory to museum staff without proper security measures can result in theft or loss of valuable works. To properly protect our cultural heritage, it is crucial to use high-tech Museum and Collection Management software. Muselera Museum and Collection Management software, a 100% native software, provides museums with advanced digital security and inventory management using cutting-edge technologies like blockchain.

Let's summarize the security and opportunities provided by the Muselera Museum and Collection Program to museums with a few items.

  • The inventory list created by the artifacts and objects registered to the software is protected by a live mechanism created by the inventory numbers. While recording each artifact, single id numbers are created with an algorithm that cannot be solved by using all the inventory numbers in the inventory list by using blockchain technology. Inventory numbers of all previously registered works are hidden within each inventory number created. Thanks to this structure, malicious deletion of records by personnel or authorized persons who have direct access to the database of the software will cause the system to react instantly. In summary, when someone accesses the database of the software and deletes an inventory record, the software will make the necessary warnings with a warning mechanism and ensure that the system is corrected without loss of time.
  • The conditions of all the objects in the software are recorded in the system along with their photographs on the day of admission to the museum. In cases of maintenance, it is determined whether the works need to be replaced with their replicas.
  • As a result of damage or the sale of artifacts, deaccessioning, or deletion from the inventory, can only be carried out by authorized users and must be accompanied by uploading the properly signed forms to the system.
  • It facilitates the digital management of the transfer of artifacts and objects that are temporarily leaving the museum for maintenance or exhibition purposes. Their departure and arrival are monitored and controlled through the system.
  • With fast and recent technology, it makes it easier for museum management staff and visitors to access data.
  • The system helps prevent problems such as forgetting or neglecting planned maintenance, and automatically reminds users to ensure that artifacts and objects are transferred to future generations with minimal damage.

Ensuring the safety of artifacts in museums

Elements required for 100% security in museums

  • Museum Building Architecture : The museum building is designed in accordance with museum architecture and is structured to prevent external threats, such as through secure entrances and windows.
  • Safety Equipments : It is essential to maintain 24/7 monitoring of the museum using security equipment, including high-definition cameras and monitoring systems, sensitive alarm systems, and sensors for gas and humidity levels, as well as gaseous fire extinguishing systems.
  • Security staff : The employment of specially trained security personnel and periodic training for these personnel is necessary to ensure the security of museums.
  • Preventive maintenance planning : Planned maintenance and monitoring of these maintenance activities through Muselera helps to protect the objects and preserve them for future generations, by reducing the risk of harm from external factors such as moisture, rust, oxidation, oil, and dust.
  • Condition records : Regularly reviewing each object against the condition recorded in Muselera and updating the records as necessary.
  • Conservation : Management of conservation information in order to prevent the objects from being affected by external factors such as light, airflow, temperature, humidity, apart from their maintenance.
  • Inventory security : Preventing unauthorized modification of the museum inventory records will only be possible with a secure software and backup.