Common Security Practices

In a sane world, security means having cops who catch bad guys, keep neighborhoods safe, and handling criminals. That’s not quite how things work in the Corporate Systems or even New Athens.

Private Managment

On Earth, police and military forces have a duty to serve their citizens. These forces are granted their power by a just and democratic government for the performance of an official duty. Acts of corruption and abuse of power are punished, there’s oversight boards, and laws protecting privacy.

In the corporate systems, there is no just government. The citizens are not the source of power. Instead it’s the executives and the shareholders who’re in charge. This shifts the goals a little. In these systems, the military and police forces have a more focused view of their work:

Protect corporate assets
Collect information to sell
No oversight

This system means that while station security will intervene to stop acts of violence, they’re doing it to prevent damage to the station. Investigations into crimes are only to safeguard the company’s public image and business dealings. If someone important commits a crime: no they didn’t.

At the same time, money talks. Those in security can do what they want with their access. A bribe for access to the cameras or for evidence to disappear? Perfectly common practice. Complain to the company? An executive will charge for the same services, even use it as leverage if they can to extract a higher fee. It’s not illegal or immoral in these places.

Common Measures

Most stations have extensive security measures in place. First and foremost, there are weapons scanners everywhere. These function much like a common metal detector, but are far more advanced. These systems are networked and provide detailed reports to the local Security AI and officers. Cameras throughout the station are also monitoring everyone, capable of tracking a person’s movements, identifying them, and selling that information to interested partners. Automated extraction systems analyze audio recordings for secrets worth selling too.

These security measures are common in major cities, but less so in the earliest stages of settlements. Even the pirates use these systems, but without the corruption.

Typically station security stops at a business’s front doors. There are cameras and sensors installed in hotels, restaurants, and more. They’re there for the business owner to profit from. It’s more data to sell.

Varying Quality

Surveillance on this scale isn’t cheap. Consequently, quality has taken a sharp cut. A dedicated hacker can get into individual systems, interfere in scanning systems, erase records, and more. It’s even possible to purchase backdoor access to especially low-tier systems from their vendors and maintainers - for a price.

The skill to exploit these security systems varies. An augmented human might need hours with a console to make headway, while an augmented human can work faster. AI’s built for hacking are preloaded with exploits to work fast. Rogue security units are often able to gather experience from inside their companies and become both fast and adept at exploiting security systems.

Security Responses

Human officers are typically sent in against the average human or even bot criminal. They’ll use intimidation and force, but ultimately will probably just jail the offenders until the bill is paid.

A rented security unit may be brought in from a local security contractor if there’s belief of a more heavily armed or otherwise dangerous criminal. These are brought in under a short-term contract. It’s not that the officers aren’t considered expendable - they are. It’s maintaining the image that the company is untouchable and swift.

On rare occasions, someone will have a bounty so large that the local corporation will put all of their assets into capturing them. Or the bounty will be so large as to warrant extensive bribes and sending heavier assets into a foreign jurisdiction. In cases like these, private gun ships, combat units, and other heavy resources can turn a station or planet into a warzone. A single Combat Unit is akin to facing down special forces.

Security in New Athens

Security practices in-system vary by who has control of a given region. The corporatists will act as above, perhaps with a lighter hand, but they are in line with their counterparts in other systems: protect the company first and foremost. They’re tempered only by the presence of the other factions and their own weakened positions.

Pirate Security

Pirate facilities use the same measures as the corporatists, but their goal is to protect their people. Surveillance AI’s monitor for evidence of traitors and leakers. There is a sense of justice here. The goal of security is to protect the community first, and punish the guilty. Their goal is truly to help the common good. Paranoia has pushed them to do more. There have been corporate infiltrators before.

Typical punishments here can be monetary, but they’re also almost always physical. Cause a bar fight? Physical labor. Caught stealing? Be forced to work in construction or manufacturing. The punishments are fitted to the crime to disincentivize repeat offense.

Worker Security

Of the factions, the Workers are the most Earth-like in their security measures. People have a right to privacy and safety. Investigations are focused on catching the correct criminal. Weapons detectors and other technology is the most common. While cameras and AI do track people, this information is for investigation only. Bribery is less effective here.

The code of laws generally prevents private companies from being as invasive in their spying as well. Hotels are forbidden from having cameras in their hotel rooms, though plenty still do. They’re only concerned with being caught. The system isn’t perfect, but these are perhaps the best places to be.