*
     * @param key the property key to look up
     * @param defaultValue the default value if the property is not found or invalid
     * @return the long value or default value
     */
    protected Long getDefaultLong(final String key, final Long defaultValue) {
        final String value = systemProperties.getProperty(key);
        if (value != null) {
            try {
                return Long.parseLong(value);