Identity management with virtual credentials - adding a new dimension to the access control industry

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Use of virtual credentials to manage identity is opening the access control industry to new solutions

Today's mobile phones are so much more than communication devices - they have become an indispensable consumer appliance for numerous personal, professional and entertainment applications. With the advent of Near Field Communications (NFC) technology, these mobile phones can now also be used to hold your identity keys and used to carry out numerous secure transactions, Dr. Tam Hulusi, senior vice president at

Choosing the right power supplies for security installations

Thu, 07 Jul 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Selecting the optimum power supply for a system is critical to an installation

When it comes to selecting power supplies, knowledge is power. Determining the power requirements of every systems product, taking into account their integration with one another is critical to ensure that you are selecting and installing the power solutions most appropriate for your installation. Such information will enable you to select the power supplies that will be required to keep your security system running...

Improving airport security effectiveness - key solutions

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Dealing with rising airport security threats demand more innovative solutions
With the rise in large security threats since the commencement of this century, security of airports has become paramount. Looking into this issue Ashley Smith, BSIA (British Security industry Association) Civil Aviation Security Section Chairman, explains how a mix of properly interfaced security systems working...

Design tips to migrate from analogue to high definition surveillance

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Migrating from analogue to HD surveillance solutions
Globally, the video surveillance market has been slow to move beyond its analogue origins. Many analogue technologies or first generation network video management systems installed in the last decade are now aging, becoming less reliable and unable to deliver the quality and coverage most security professionals demand. Increasing video quality using these older solutions requires an unmanageably large number of surveillance cameras and results in marginal forensic detail, making...

Understanding transform, quantisation and entropy encoding in H.264 video compression

Thu, 26 May 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Understanding the complexities of the transform matrix
In the concluding part of this 3-part review of the H.264 video compression standard, Kate Huber, Peter de Konink and Piet Nieuwets of Siqura discuss the transform, quantisation and entropy encoding - various block-encoding steps following motion estimation.
Describing data in the transform matrix
In contrast to the motion estimation step, the transform...

Access control with mobile phones: the future with Near Field Communications

Thu, 12 May 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Keys could be a thing of the past as Near Field Communication technology enables mobile phones to be used as keys
Near Field Communications (NFC) technology is a catalyst that will hasten the use of mobile phones as mobile electronic keys for access control. Though the technology already exists, the necessary infrastructure and supporting devices still have some way to go. In this article, Rachel Sa of

Best practices in using video analytics for outdoor security

Thu, 05 May 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Video analytics enables security teams to take action as soon as incidents occur
Video analytics can boost security efforts by automatically alerting personnel to take action when a security event occurs. Intelligent sensors never tire, can cover large distances and “see” what the eye would miss, even in absolute darkness. Based on such intelligent analytics, people can make smart decisions when actual violations happen....

Using smart card authentication and logical access for robust access control solutions

Thu, 28 Apr 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Using card-based access control solutions alongside IT password management provides an additional layer of security
A mandatory part of any organisation's relationship with its employees is the requirement to set up a secure password, which allows access to important documents needed to ensure fluid day-to-day processes of the business. Ken Scotland, Sales Director at ADT Fire &...

IP security: a case for switching over

Thu, 21 Apr 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Migration to IP-based systems is a necessary way to future-proof an organisation
To say that IP security offers myriad benefits will merely be stating the obvious. The value proposition of IP is strong, as can be seen from its growing adoption. However, navigating the road to IP requires careful consideration of many factors, from network infrastructure to physical...

Benefits of video security systems in the mining industry

Thu, 14 Apr 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Video surveillance systems can be used in a variety of ways within the mining industry
The development of specialised, integrated video security systems for specific environments has vastly increased the benefits they deliver to users. However, the mining industry has considerable scope for exploiting the more sophisticated functions provided by integrated systems with data mining techniques which have added significant value in other business environments. In this article Jan de Beer,

Benefits of migrating to an all-IP video surveillance solution

Thu, 31 Mar 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Migrate to a better system by adopting an all-IP video surveillance solution
With declining prices for IP cameras and advancements in video compression technology such as the latest H.264 compression standard, IP video surveillance is increasingly becoming the preferred security solution. The convergence of voice, video and data in the world of surveillance has truly arrived, a fact amply highlighted by the projected growth of the network video market to over $2.6 billion by the end of this year. Simon Nash, Senior Marketing...

Motion estimation in H.264 video compression

Thu, 17 Mar 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Image quality of objects in motion is greater with H.264 technology
In the first part of this three part series, the authors described the H.264 video compression standard including its history. In part two, the authors discuss motion estimation, the phase during which H.264 really distinguishes itself from other MPEG standards.

Differentiating from other MPEG standards: Adapting raster block sizes for...

Application of Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) in physical access control

Thu, 03 Mar 2011 08:00:00 GMT

The Public Key Infrastructure is beginning to be adopted as a driver in physical access
Traditionally associated with logical access and the digital signing of documents, Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) is now also being used to control physical access. Their use in physical access control is likely to be more prevalent with the implementation of the FIPS 201-2 recommendations this year. Derek Scheips of ASSA Abloy...

Benefits of using infrared (IR) illumination in modern surveillance environments

Thu, 17 Feb 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Night-time surveillance has various challenges to overcome in terms of capturing high quality images
There is a simple rule which determines the effectiveness of any CCTV installation - without light there can be no picture. In this article, Ian Crosby (EMEA Product Marketing Manager - Illumination of Bosch Security Systems) looks into the effects of infrared (IR) illumination on bandwidth and how the use of IR lighting can contribute to reduced cost of storage...

IP network camera buyer’s guide: do’s and don’ts

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Taking time to evaluate some do's and don'ts before buying an IP network camera
IP network-based surveillance cameras offer enticing possibilities. However, you need to evaluate several factors before deciding on the type of IP camera installation you'd like to go for. For example, do you want full or partial IP? How much bandwidth? Simon Nash, Senior Marketing Manager at Sony Europe explains the entire...

SourceSecurity.com RSS - Expert Commentary

Intelligent security components pave the second wave of convergence

Open standards in physical access control gain momentum as ONVIF adoption grows

Fibre optic transmission in security and surveillance solutions

True open platform IP video: the distinguishing characteristics

Differentiating High-Definition and megapixel camera resolution

Identity management with virtual credentials - adding a new dimension to the access control industry

Choosing the right power supplies for security installations

Improving airport security effectiveness - key solutions

Design tips to migrate from analogue to high definition surveillance

Understanding transform, quantisation and entropy encoding in H.264 video compression

Access control with mobile phones: the future with Near Field Communications

Best practices in using video analytics for outdoor security

Using smart card authentication and logical access for robust access control solutions

IP security: a case for switching over

Benefits of video security systems in the mining industry

Benefits of migrating to an all-IP video surveillance solution

Motion estimation in H.264 video compression

Application of Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) in physical access control

Benefits of using infrared (IR) illumination in modern surveillance environments

IP network camera buyer’s guide: do’s and don’ts