School security

ZeroEyes, creators of the multi-analytics weapons detection and threat intelligence platform, launches Harborwatch Association, LLC, an affiliated, risk-focused membership organisation. Initially focused on K-12 schools and school districts that use ZeroEyes visual firearm detection technology, Harborwatch's purpose is to give eligible members access to risk management and risk financing programs connected to firearm and weapons-related threats. The association is designed to help members strengthen preparedness, response, and resilience by connecting them with resources related to firearm threat prevention, visual firearm detection, and school safety. Optional advisory services Depending on member needs, risk management resources and services such as educational content, preparedness tools, practical camera network guidance, detection case studies, school security best practices, and optional advisory services may be available.  Such capabilities can help participating members better organise methodology to evaluate, plan for, and manage campus firearm-related risk. Harborwatch will also provide access to seamless risk financing and crisis management programs to help members strengthen resilience and better navigate the aftermath of qualifying firearm-related events. When a school experiences a firearm-related incident, the impact often extends far beyond initial emergency response. Harborwatch’s risk financing and crisis management will assist schools with unforeseen expenses in the following hours, days, and weeks, including: Operational disruptions Crisis communications Counseling resources Additional security measures Other recovery-related costs that can strain already limited budgets Situational awareness software Some of the unforeseen, second-order financial expenses include heightened student absenteeism, staff absence following the event, spoiled perishables, transportation disruption, and overtime hours. ZeroEyes' AI threat detection and intelligent situational awareness software layers onto existing digital security cameras. If a brandished firearm is identified, images are instantly shared with the ZeroEyes Operations Center (ZOC), the industry's only U.S.-based, fully in-house operation center, which is staffed 24/7/365 by specially trained U.S. military and law enforcement veterans. If these experts determine the threat is valid, they dispatch alerts and actionable intelligence — including visual description, gun type, and last known location — to law enforcement and school security teams, often in a matter of seconds from the moment a gun is detected. Secure learning environments “As schools continue to navigate an increasingly complex security and risk environment, solutions like ours represent a new approach to proactive safety, combining advanced threat detection with seamless recovery support when communities need it most,” said Mike Lahiff, co-founder and CEO of ZeroEyes. “By bringing together risk management and risk financing resources within a single membership organisation, Harborwatch will help school districts take a more comprehensive approach to firearm-related risk while supporting safer, more secure learning environments.”

Teledyne Technologies Incorporated announces the promotion of Michelle Hildyard to general manager of Raymarine and FLIR Marine brands. Hildyard will lead Teledyne’s Raymarine marine electronics business and its FLIR marine thermal camera portfolio, reinforcing the company’s commitment to innovation and customer-focused execution in the leisure marine, light commercial and first responder market segments. Hildyard brings over two decades of experience within Raymarine and FLIR, having held a wide range of senior leadership roles across operations, product management, customer service and supply chain. Most recently, she served as vice president of operations for Raymarine and FLIR Marine, where she led supply chain, engineering, product management and operational execution. First responder market segments “Michelle is an exceptional leader with deep insight into both the marine electronics and marine thermal markets,” said Gregoire Outters, president of Teledyne Marine Group. “Michelle understands how to connect best-in-class maritime solutions across teams and brands, and her collaborative leadership will help us continue to support customers to operate more safely, efficiently, and confidently on the water.” In her new role, Hildyard will oversee strategy, product development and commercial execution for Raymarine’s extensive lineup of marine electronics, along with FLIR’s marine thermal camera systems. She will focus on strengthening product innovation, operational performance and delivering integrated solutions that enhance safety, situational awareness and enjoyment on the water. Delivering integrated solutions “Raymarine and FLIR Marine are world renowned and trusted brands with strong legacies and talented teams behind them,” Hildyard said. “I'm honoured to take on this role leading a  global team unified by our passion to drive the future of maritime. Together, we will keep raising the bar by delivering innovative, reliable sensors and navigation solutions, integrating technologies that work seamlessly, and collaborating closely with our customers so they can operate more safely, efficiently and confidently on every mission or voyage.” Hildyard holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Reading and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Southampton Business School.

ZeroEyes, creators of the multi-analytics weapons detection and threat intelligence platform, announces that its AI gun detection and intelligent situational awareness software has been deployed by Kansas’ Meade USD 226 to help protect students, staff, and visitors from gun-related threats. Located in Meade County, the district serves approximately 350 students with 40 staff members across two schools, a combined elementary campus serving pre-K through 8th grade and a high school. The addition of ZeroEyes complements the district’s multi-layered security plan, which also includes a SafeDefend system that alerts staff and first responders in the event of an incident, along with a comprehensive camera system, locked and secured entrances, and other access controls. Broader community initiatives The district secured funding through the Kansas Safe and Secure Firearm Detection Grant Program, administered by the Office of the Kansas Attorney General, to purchase and implement ZeroEyes. The grant followed coordination with local law enforcement and community leaders to identify AI gun detection as a key safety priority aligned with broader community initiatives. “The addition of ZeroEyes to our security roster adds another layer of safety, enabling us to identify a potential threat before it even enters the building,” said Rex Bruce, Superintendent at Meade USD 226. “The critical time provided with the technology helps us respond faster, strengthening our overall preparedness across the district.” Law enforcement veterans ZeroEyes’ AI gun detection and intelligent situational awareness software layers onto existing digital security cameras. If a gun is identified, images are instantly shared with the ZeroEyes Operations Center (ZOC), the industry’s only U.S.-based, fully in-house operations center staffed 24/7/365 by specially trained U.S. military and law enforcement veterans. If the threat is determined to be valid, alerts and actionable intelligence — including visual description, gun type, and last known location — are dispatched to law enforcement and school officials, often in a matter of seconds from the moment a gun is detected. "We're proud to support Meade USD 226’s mission to provide a safe, secure learning environment," said Mike Lahiff, CEO and cofounder of ZeroEyes. "The district's decision to implement ZeroEyes through the Kansas Safe and Secure Firearm Detection Grant demonstrates their dedication to prioritising security and enabling their students to focus on their education."

Many businesses and buildings need trustworthy, keyless door security without the expense and invasiveness of an advanced access control system. For these premises, PIN-based digital door access adds this security efficiently, freeing managers, employees, and visitors from the cost and hassle of handling physical keys. In all kinds of workplaces, private rooms need separating – securely and reliably – from spaces where the public have free access. Their doors need a simple, standalone locking solution, whether for a stock or medicine store, staff breakroom, private office, or any similar room. Mechanical locking cylinder A Code Handle PIN lock is an elegant device designed for precisely these use-cases. A Code Handle keeps a space secure, while admitting authorised employees via a digital PIN code on its discreet handle-keypad. Designed to add valuable door security to any private room facing interior public areas, it is already proven across multiple applications and environments to keep unauthorised people out. Fitting is simple, only requiring a change of handle. The existing mechanical locking cylinder stays in place and may still be operated with the existing key. Staff need no specialist knowledge or outside help to manage their doors with Code Handle. This flexibility has seen it deployed successfully in a wide range of small and medium-sized settings, including all of the following. Small healthcare facilities In a busy medical facility – surgeries, dental practices, pharmacies, or physiotherapy suites – it is easy to accidentally leave a door unlocked*. With expensive equipment or controlled drugs on the other side, any opening invites opportunists. With a Code Handle digital PIN lock, practice managers need never worry again. Doctors and patients expect privacy during consultations. With Code Handle, they get it. To secure controlled drugs and hazardous waste bins, a Code Handle is quicker and safer than tracking a physical key – with no need to change the lock when one goes missing. Many treatment and examination rooms have expensive or dangerous equipment such as X-ray machines, dental tools, and physiotherapy equipment. With Code Handle, all this gets the extra level of security it deserves, without the expense of a software-based access system. Shops and retail environments Every store has doors from the retail floor where the public should not go. Managing keys for these openings creates unnecessary workload and distracts staff. At the same time, a bulky mechanical PIN lock can ruin carefully thought-out aesthetics. Retail managers can instead secure these doors with a slimline, contemporary handle. Code Handle adds reliable, aesthetic, digital security to almost any interior door. It is easy for shop staff to operate, no training required. When an employee moves on, it is straightforward to cancel their PIN in seconds without removing the handle. In a shop, outlet, petrol station, or car dealership, Code Handle is a convenient, low-cost solution for stock rooms, staff toilets, or offices facing any space where the public is free to roam. Home-based workspaces The contents of an office may be sensitive, valuable, private… or all three: not everyone at a workplace should have free access. Staff should be able to grab a coffee without worrying about the laptop or handbag left inside. Designed for office doors of any kind, Code Handle keeps such stuff safe and private. When the door shuts, Code Handle locks it automatically – staff do not even need to put down whatever they are carrying. The growth in work-from-home (WFH) and hybrid working strategies has also led to an increase in private workspaces within the home and other communal settings such as co-working premises. These require their own security and privacy, whether to make video calls or have a sensitive conversation. Commercial security is always desirable. In many industries, it is required by law: the physical security of documents, data, and conversations may be the responsibility of those who keep them. As experience across sectors and locations has demonstrated, the most elegant, seamless way to put an effective barrier between a residence and a private workstation is with a Code Handle digital door lock. Other education settings Staff and school administrators can relax when they know private rooms and equipment stores are properly secured. Currently, many teachers carry cumbersome key bunches to ensure pupils do not enter rooms which could put themselves or school equipment at risk. With Code Handle, this is possible without having to constantly lock and unlock by key. Fitting a Code Handle brings a sense of security and privacy to the staff room: teachers can leave marked work or mobile phones where no pupils can enter. A Code Handle makes it easy to separate pupil toilets from PIN-protected staff toilets. PIN-protected staff toilets With Code Handle fitted to just a few important doors around the building, school principals ensure sports equipment, musical instruments, cleaning stores, and kitchens are protected against unauthorised access or theft. Health and safety are also part of the package. Code Handle is fire-door compliant (EN 1634) and with a certified lifetime of at least 100,000 operations. Product design makes disinfecting easier. Unlike mechanical push-button PIN locks, a Code Handle has a smooth surface without corners or ridges. Germs have fewer places to hide. A disinfected damp cloth is all a caretaker needs to keep a handle hygienic – and school doors and storerooms secure. Keeping track of keys Code Handle devices are easy for any small organisation to retrofit to their existing doors: the cylinder or lock remains in place and its handle simply swapped for the new device. For power, two standard batteries (CR2) slot inside the handle, typically lasting 30,000 lock/unlock cycles before replacement. Installation needs no wires, specialist tools, or drilling. Two screws attach it to almost any interior door up to 80mm thick. Door management becomes easy and keyless. Every Code Handle comes with a Master Code and 9 different user PINs, making it simple to abandon the inconvenience of carrying and keeping track of keys. PINs are easy to set and to change whenever an office manager decides. It is this easy to transform the security of private rooms which face public spaces.

F5, the pioneer in delivering and securing every app and API, has officially opened its new EMEA headquarters at Building 100 in Addlestone, Surrey, marking a significant investment in its regional operations and long-term commitment to the UK. The new office spans 23,627 sq ft and will accommodate more than 155 employees, providing a modern, collaborative workspace designed to support F5's continued growth across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. F5 has signed a 10-year lease at the site, underscoring its commitment to the region. Company-wide events Located within the Thames Valley region, one of the UK's pioneer technology and innovation hubs, the new headquarters places F5 close to customers, partners and a highly skilled talent pool. The office has been designed around hybrid working, with flexible collaboration areas, touchdown desks, focus rooms, quiet spaces and technology that supports seamless working across devices and locations. It also features an extensive theatre-style space for training and company-wide events. Accessibility and inclusion were central to the design, with features including gender-neutral facilities, a multifaith room, a mothers' room and dedicated quiet spaces.   Conscious acoustic solutions The office is based in Building 100 at Bourne Business Park, part of the award-winning development that was named Commercial Development of the Year at the 2025 Thames Valley Property Awards. Reflecting F5's commitment to sustainability, Building 100 has achieved a NABERS UK Design for Performance rating of 5.5, making it one of the UK's highest-rated office refurbishments for energy efficiency. It operates as a fully electric building and is powered in part by a roof-mounted solar array. The building has also achieved BREEAM Excellent accreditation, reflecting high standards in sustainable design, construction and operation. The fit-out incorporated recycled and recyclable materials throughout the workspace, including recycled plastics and environmentally conscious acoustic solutions. Creating positive social impact The opening reflects F5's commitment to making a positive contribution to the communities in which it operates. Recent examples in Addlestone include working with workplace transformation partner Area to fund a Mini Medics programme at The Holy Family Catholic Primary School, which provided first aid training to more than 120 pupils. The initiative forms part of F5’s wider commitment to creating positive social impact alongside its investment in Addlestone. Cathy Walkington, F5’s VP for People and Culture, EMEA, LATAM and Canada, said: “The opening of our new EMEA headquarters represents an exciting new chapter for F5 in the region. Addlestone provides an excellent base for our regional operations, offering access to talent, customers and partners, while enabling us to provide a modern, sustainable workplace for our employees. We're also committed to continuing to make a positive contribution to the communities around us as we grow our business.”

When school leaders think about school security, they often picture cameras, access control, badging, and guest management. Students think about something else entirely. They think about whether school feels welcoming when they walk through the front doors. Whether they know where to go when they need help. Whether the adults around them seem approachable. Whether they feel like they’re being protected - or watched. For students, safety isn’t just about physical security. It’s about confidence. Stronger mental health outcomes It’s the confidence to walk through the front door without feeling anxious. It’s knowing where to go when something feels wrong. It’s feeling supported by the adults around you. It’s being able to focus on a math test, a soccer game, or a school play instead of worrying about what might happen. That’s why the most effective school security strategies don’t just protect buildings. They support the students, teachers, and staff inside them. Research shows that students who feel connected to their schools experience stronger mental health outcomes and a greater sense of belonging. According to the Journal of Applied Juvenile Justice Services1, “Perceptions of safety within the school environment enhance the protective effects of school connectedness on mental health outcomes.” Building positive relationships In other words, feeling safe and feeling welcome aren’t separate goals. They reinforce one another. When students feel secure, they’re better able to learn, participate, and thrive. They are more likely to engage with their school community, build positive relationships, and focus on what matters most: their education. Creating that environment requires more than policies and procedures. It requires security strategies that support the overall school experience. The schools that get security right understand that protection and approachability aren’t competing priorities. They’re complementary ones. Technology plays an important role in making that possible. Providing greater visibility The right technology can help schools create environments that feel both secure and welcoming. When security systems are easy to use, investigations move faster, and critical information is easier to access, staff spend less time managing technology and more time supporting students. That’s why schools use Rhombus to build safer, more student-friendly environments. By simplifying security operations and providing greater visibility across campus, Rhombus helps schools focus less on managing systems and more on supporting the people those systems are designed to protect. Because the goal isn’t simply to secure a school. It’s to create a place where students can be students. A place where parents feel confident, staff feel prepared, and students feel safe enough to focus on learning, growing, and building the future in front of them.

A security camera installed today has more AI processing power than the systems that guided early autonomous vehicle prototypes. And yet the operator who mounts that camera on a wall will, in all likelihood, never use most of that capability.  Industry surveys bear this out: a wide gap persists between the number of security professionals who believe AI can improve outcomes and the much smaller share who have adopted it operationally. The reason has nothing to do with the silicon and everything to do with how the industry has asked people to configure these systems. The problem is not that the industry lacks algorithms. The problem is that physical security has never found a scalable way to personalise systems for each site. The personalisation dilemma hiding in plain sight The problem is that physical security has never found a scalable way to personalise systems for each site A surveillance deployment at an airport, a retail chain, a school campus, and a logistics yard can look strikingly similar in hardware terms. Each installation uses image sensors, edge processors, network connectivity, and a management layer. What changes is what the operator cares about. At a school entrance, the priority might be perimeter approach after hours and controlled access during the day. At a loading dock, the concern is tailgating, vehicle dwell time, and safety incidents near forklifts. At an airport, the operator may need queue-flow analytics one moment, unattended-item detection the next, and then a search for a specific person of interest carrying a particular bag. At a retail store, loss prevention teams want to correlate customer flow patterns with point-of-sale data and identify suspicious behaviour near high-value merchandise. This range of needs forces a reality that the industry has acknowledged in principle but never resolved in practice: the application pool across the market is vast, yet each individual site typically requires only a narrow set of outcomes. Each deployment needs personalisation once, at commissioning, and then again whenever the environment or the risk profile shifts. The app store that never became a market For the better part of a decade, the industry’s most visible answer to the personalisation problem was the “app store” model. The logic was straightforward: curate a marketplace of trained neural network algorithms, let integrators browse a catalogue, and download the right analytic for each job. Queue counting for a passport control hall. License plate recognition for a parking structure. Occupancy monitoring for a conference room. The concept borrowed directly from the consumer smartphone approach. In practice, it never matched physical security’s purchasing and operating rhythm. A phone owner discovers and downloads new apps continuously. A physical security deployment selects one or two analytics functions at installation and rarely revisits them. Another maintenance burden A queue-counting algorithm trained on airport data is excellent at queue counting The economic incentive to maintain, curate, and update a broad catalogue across a fragmented ecosystem of camera OEMs, VMS platforms, and system integrators never materialised when the average buyer drew from only a thin slice of it. And the question of who would operate such a marketplace across that fragmented landscape was never satisfactorily answered. The deeper issue is that distribution was not the hard part. Personalisation was. A queue-counting algorithm trained on airport data is excellent at queue counting. It does not naturally become a general-purpose security tool for whatever the operator needs next. Once a model is trained for a narrow task, adaptation requires another project, another integration cycle, and another maintenance burden. AI-enabled cameras The examples that do exist are instructive. Schiphol Airport in the Netherlands has used trained camera systems for over a decade to measure queue length at passport control and alert staff when additional counters should open. Rome trailed AI-enabled cameras to track pedestrian wait times at crosswalks, measure bus queue length, and monitor parking occupancy to support active transport and reduce vehicle emissions. These are effective, well-regarded deployments. They also illustrate the limitation: each required its own trained model, its own integration effort, and its own maintenance cycle. The queue-counting camera at Schiphol cannot be redeployed to detect an abandoned bag. That is a separate algorithm, a separate procurement, and a separate project. What changes with agentic AI Applied to physical security, this translates into a simpler commissioning experience Agentic AI points to a fundamentally different approach. An agentic system can receive goals expressed in natural language, determine the appropriate actions to fulfil those goals, execute those actions using available tools, and verify the results. Applied to physical security, this translates into a simpler commissioning experience: the operator expresses intent in plain language, and the system configures itself to achieve that intent. Consider the practical implications. An installer commissioning cameras at a retail location could type or speak a set of instructions: “Alert the manager if more than five people are waiting at checkout for longer than two minutes.” A facilities director could ask the system to “Track vehicles that enter the east parking lot after 9 p.m. and flag any that remain for more than 30 minutes.” A school security coordinator might specify: “Notify campus police if anyone approaches the perimeter fence between midnight and 5 a.m.” Appropriate perception capabilities None of these instructions require the operator to select a specific analytic from a catalogue, configure a detection model, or define pixel-level zones in a complex VMS interface. The system interprets the intent, selects the appropriate perception capabilities, configures thresholds and context, and validates behaviour over time. When the operator’s needs change, a new instruction replaces the old one. The camera hardware stays the same. The AI adapts. This is the core of the shift: minimal user input, maximum flexibility, and a security system that personalises itself without requiring the operator to navigate the traditional customise-certify-deploy cycle. Vision language models make it practical A conventional neural network trained for people counting can count people The enabling technology is the vision language model, or VLM. A VLM combines visual encoders with language reasoning, allowing it to interpret images or video in the context of natural language prompts. This is a qualitative leap beyond traditional convolutional neural networks, which classify or detect predefined objects and have no mechanism for open-ended interpretation. A conventional neural network trained for people counting can count people. It cannot distinguish between a crowd of commuters exiting a train station and a crowd assembling in protest. A VLM, by integrating contextual reasoning with visual analysis, can draw inferences that a task-specific model cannot. It can assess behavioural patterns, interpret spatial relationships, and respond to queries about scenes it has never been explicitly trained to analyse. Where a neural network might register two people carrying objects, a VLM could infer whether the scene suggests travellers with luggage or workers transporting equipment, provided the visual context supports that inference. Supporting multimodal input This matters in physical security because operational questions are rarely phrased as taxonomy labels. Operators want to express outcomes. They want to say “show me anything unusual near the loading bay after hours,” and the system should be able to reason about what “unusual” means given the site context. VLMs also support multimodal input. Audio cues such as a raised voice, a scream, an alarm, or breaking glass can contribute to scene interpretation when paired with video. In security applications, where events routinely unfold across both visual and auditory channels, this capability adds a meaningful layer of situational awareness. The edge constraint that forces discipline Large language models in the cloud use hundreds of billions of parameters and consume hundreds of watts None of this works if the architecture assumes data centre conditions. Most surveillance cameras operate under strict power and thermal limits. Power over Ethernet (PoE), the standard delivery mechanism, typically provides between 15 and 30 watts depending on the PoE class, and only a fraction of that budget is available for AI processing after the sensor, ISP, video encoder, and network stack have taken their share. In many installations, the AI workload must fit within a few watts. Large language models in the cloud use hundreds of billions of parameters and consume hundreds of watts. That scale does not translate to a camera mounted on a pole or embedded in a ceiling tile. For agentic AI to work at the edge of a physical security network, the models must be compact, efficient, and designed for the purpose. Neural network acceleration This is where smaller, domain-specific VLMs become essential. Models trained on industry-relevant image and text datasets, combined with techniques such as pruning, quantisation, and parameter-efficient fine-tuning, can deliver meaningful visual reasoning within the compute and memory constraints of an edge processor. The result is a VLM that fits inside a camera’s power budget and still responds to natural language instructions with useful accuracy. Ambarella’s CVflow AI architecture, now in its third generation, was designed for this class of workload. The architecture integrates advanced neural network acceleration with high-resolution image signal processing and video encoding on a single system-on-chip, allowing cameras to run complex AI inference alongside their core imaging functions without exceeding the thermal and power boundaries that define edge deployments. The company's latest addition to its portfolio, the 4-nanometer CV7, runs CNNs and vision language models concurrently across multiple video streams while consuming 20 percent less power than its predecessor. For infrastructure and robotic applications requiring heavier models, the 5-nanometer N1 family supports multimodal LLMs in multi-camera configurations. Distributing intelligence across far edge, near edge, and cloud This tier must respond in milliseconds and operate within a fixed power envelope A workable agentic architecture for physical security distributes intelligence across three tiers, each matched to the processing demands and latency requirements of its role. At the far edge, inside the camera itself, the processor handles real-time perception: object detection, tracking, zone logic, and initial event classification. This tier must respond in milliseconds and operate within a fixed power envelope. At the near edge, on a local gateway or network video recorder, a more capable processor orchestrates across multiple cameras, maintains state, correlates events, retrieves site-specific policies and procedures, and classifies incidents requiring more context than any single camera provides. At the cloud/server tier, available when connectivity permits, the system accesses heavier models for forensic analysis, fleet-wide analytics, model updates, and long-horizon reporting. Periodic cloud access This tiered approach keeps the most time-sensitive decisions local, where latency is lowest and data privacy is strongest. It also means agentic capabilities can scale incrementally. A small installation might run entirely at the far edge with periodic cloud access. A large campus might employ all three tiers, with near-edge orchestration coordinating PTZ patrol patterns across dozens of cameras while the cloud generates shift summaries and updates models based on fleet-wide telemetry. In practice, a security workflow built on this pattern often combines real-time detection at the far edge, behaviour-tree orchestration at the near edge for multi-camera coordination, local retrieval over site playbooks, and conservative safe-mode escalation when system confidence is low. The discipline of deterministic guardrails and structured verification loops is essential in security operations, where unpredictable system behaviour is not acceptable. A hybrid future, with VLMs orchestrating specialist models The transition to agentic AI does not eliminate specialised neural networks The transition to agentic AI does not eliminate specialised neural networks. Purpose-trained models will continue to deliver superior accuracy for well-defined, high-frequency tasks such as license plate recognition, face matching, and fire and smoke detection. In a mature agentic system, the VLM acts as an orchestrator. It handles open-ended perception and natural language interaction while routing to specialised models when a task demands their precision. A PTZ camera at a transportation hub might receive the instruction “monitor the west concourse for unattended items.” The VLM interprets the request, manages the interface, and reasons over broader scene context. Real-time video processing When it identifies a candidate object, it routes to a dedicated abandoned-item classifier optimised for that specific validation step. The VLM orchestrates. The specialist model validates. The operator receives a refined, actionable alert. That hybrid pattern places specific demands on the silicon. The processor must support both traditional CNN inference and generative AI workloads simultaneously while maintaining real-time video processing within the same power envelope. The value of a tightly integrated SoC, one that combines an advanced ISP, a deep learning accelerator, and a video encoder on a single die, is that it eliminates the multi-chip complexity and power overhead that would otherwise make this approach impractical at the edge. Making agentic AI deployable for the ecosystem Ambarella’s Developer Zone, launched at CES 2026, provides a centralised portal of tools Physical security is built on a broad ecosystem of camera OEMs, VMS providers, independent software vendors, module builders, and system integrators. For agentic AI to reach the market at scale, these participants need model-ready tooling, reference workflows, and a practical path from prototype to production. This is where developer ecosystems become part of the story. Ambarella’s Developer Zone, launched at CES 2026, provides a centralised portal of tools, optimised AI models, agentic blueprints, low-code templates, and documentation aimed at accelerating edge AI application development on Ambarella’s SoCs. Common software stack ISVs and integrators can evaluate models, prototype applications, and deploy using a common software stack that spans the company’s CV7 and N1 SoC families through the Cooper development platform. That consistency across the product range reduces per-project engineering cost and accelerates time-to-market for partners building perception and analytics solutions. The point is broader than any single portal: agentic systems require components that have already been tested and optimised for edge deployment, so that integrators can focus on solving their customers' problems rather than rebuilding the AI pipeline from scratch. The ecosystem participants who lead the transition to agentic AI in physical security will be the ones with access to tooling that fits into their existing development and deployment processes. What comes next Physical security has searched for years for a scalable answer to personalisation Physical security has searched for years for a scalable answer to personalisation. The app store model did not provide it. Manual configuration, while functional on a per-site basis, scales poorly across large portfolios of cameras and changing operational requirements. Agentic AI offers a credible path forward because it aligns with how operators actually think. They express outcomes, not model specifications. They want systems that adapt to new requirements without repeated engineering cycles. Traditional neural networks With VLMs as the interface layer, smaller domain-specific models at the far edge, orchestration at the near edge, and disciplined verification loops throughout, personalisation can become a standard part of deployment rather than a custom project. The building blocks are now in place. Power-efficient edge AI processors can run VLMs and traditional neural networks simultaneously. Developer ecosystems are maturing to support rapid prototyping and deployment. Reference architectures for distributing intelligence across far-edge, near-edge, and cloud tiers are solidifying. For an industry that already installs vast numbers of AI-capable cameras each year, the opportunity is to make the intelligence already embedded in those endpoints genuinely usable for the people who rely on them every day.

As the world’s security landscape grows ever more complex, the need for a dynamic, comprehensive, and globally minded gathering of thought pioneers and practitioners has never been more pronounced. Enter the Global Security Exchange (GSX) 2025, hosted by ASIS International, a signature event representing seven decades of commitment to advancing the security profession. This year marks a historic milestone, as GSX and ASIS International both celebrate 70 years of shaping the future of security, with New Orleans serving as the perfect host city for this anniversary celebration; making the 2025 conference not only a convergence of expertise but a tribute to the security profession’s evolution and resilience.  Setting the stage: A global gathering with a rich legacy GSX has established itself as a premier international forum, bringing together security professionals Since its inception, GSX has established itself as a premier international forum, bringing together security professionals from nearly 100 countries across the globe. This diversity is both a testament to the universal importance of security and a reflection of GSX’s core objective—unifying security and business professionals under a shared mission: to elevate the industry through education, collaboration, and innovation.  GSX’s member-driven approach GSX’s programming is carefully curated each year through a rigorous speaker proposal submission process by security professionals for security professionals. ASIS International consults extensively with its global membership and prior attendees to assess shifting educational needs and emerging industry priorities. This member-driven approach ensures that GSX continually evolves, remaining attuned to the rapidly changing security environment and the real-world concerns of professionals in every corner of the globe. Programming highlights: Education at the core The agenda features more than 200 sessions, giving a masterclass in the most pressing and transformative topics The heart of GSX 2025 lies in its robust educational offerings. This year, the agenda features more than 200 sessions, presenting a masterclass in the most pressing and transformative topics facing the security sector today.  Three standout speakers Ian Bremmer, Sol Rashidi, and General Paul Nakasone - luminaries in geopolitics, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity respectively—will headline the event, offering insights that bridge current realities with future opportunities. These keynote presentations promise to set the tone for an event dedicated to thought leadership and actionable intelligence. GSX 2025’s challenges and emerging trends GSX 2025’s educational framework is structured around nine distinct track themes. Each track addresses a critical area of security management, capturing both enduring challenges and emerging trends: Crime: Delving into the latest strategies for preventing, detecting, and responding to criminal activity in a world where threats are increasingly complex and transnational. Digital Transformation: Exploring the integration of cutting-edge technologies into traditional security operations, including automation, analytics, and the digitalisation of security infrastructure. Information Security/Digital Risk: Addressing the ever-expanding need to protect data, intellectual property, and privacy against cyber threats and breaches. Law/Ethics: Focusing on the legal and ethical dilemmas that security professionals navigate, from compliance to responsible innovation. Managing Organisations: Providing strategies for effective leadership, organisational change, and operational excellence within security teams and entities. National Security: Examining the intersection of corporate, governmental, and civic security with a global lens on terrorism, conflict, and cross-border risks. Physical/Operational Security: Reinforcing the foundations of asset protection, site security, and crisis response through practical case studies and new methodologies. Professional Development: Empowering attendees to advance their careers through skills training, certifications, and leadership development. Risk Management: Mapping techniques to assess, mitigate, and manage risks in a broad array of operational contexts. Together, these tracks create a comprehensive curriculum spanning the complete landscape of contemporary security—from foundational principles to emerging innovations, from physical infrastructure to digital domains, all viewed through an authentically international lens. Innovation in action: Beyond the classroom One of the hallmarks of GSX 2025 is its commitment to making education not just informative, but immersive and accessible. Attendees will find a wealth of learning opportunities woven directly into the Exhibit Hall itself. No longer confined to traditional classrooms, education pulses throughout the venue, with exhibitors invited to showcase their latest insights and real-world solutions to the industry’s most urgent trends. With approximately 500 exhibitors represented, this expansion transforms the Exhibit Hall into a vibrant nexus of exchange, discovery, and hands-on engagement. GSX’s broader ethos No special gear needed, just bring your device and headphones to access live AI-powered captions To further enhance inclusivity and participation, GSX 2025 is pioneering the use of real-time translations through Wordly, for 35 select sessions over the course of this three-day event. This feature ensures that language barriers do not hinder the sharing of ideas, enabling attendees from around the world to fully engage with content and collaborate across borders. This digital transformation is emblematic of GSX’s broader ethos: embracing innovation and experimentation to create greater access to professional development tools within the security profession. No special gear needed, just bring your device and headphones to access live AI-powered captions and translations. Specialised zones and rapid learning GSX 2025's Exhibit Hall transforms into a vibrant ecosystem of discovery, where dedicated learning stages create immersive worlds of specialised knowledge. Journey through the School Security Zone to unlock cutting-edge solutions protecting our educational communities; experience the Organisational Resilience Zone where tomorrow's adaptive strategies come to life; and energise at the X Stage, where security pioneers and integrators accelerate their expertise through lightning-fast, game-changing insights that drive real-world impact. Signature events and unique experiences No GSX experience would be complete without opportunities to connect, celebrate, and unwind No GSX experience would be complete without opportunities to connect, celebrate, and unwind. This year, “ASIS Celebrates!” will take place at the historic National WWII Museum, providing a unique backdrop for networking, reflection, and community building. Beyond formal programming, GSX 2025 pays attention to the “little touches” that make a big difference—such as the Security SyncUP Lounge, where attendees can relax, recharge, and reconnect in a welcoming setting that fosters meaningful exchanges and new friendships. The future of security, united GSX 2025 stands as a testament to seventy years of progress, learning, and community in the global security profession. As participants converge from every corner of the world, the event offers not just a forum for knowledge-sharing, but a catalyst for innovation, collaboration, and progress. With an agenda shaped by its members, a program rich in content and diversity, and a spirit of experimentation and inclusion, GSX 2025 is poised to once again set the standard for what it means to protect, connect, and inspire in a rapidly changing world.

In the past, security and IT teams operated independently, but today collaboration is critical. Modern security systems rely on various devices and systems that are linked to internal and external networks. Without IT involvement, physical security can become a weak point for cybersecurity. Although these groups have made headway in partnering up to ensure the successful implementation of new solutions, often there’s still a disconnect. Differing skills, priorities, and unique ways of thinking have contributed to siloed ways of working. Unified security technologies Thankfully, solutions do exist to help improve coordination between teams and departments Other factors can also make collaboration more difficult. Budget limitations and staff turnover may result in a lack of specialised security training among operators, who don’t know which stakeholders to engage or when. Staff may be willing to collaborate, but do they know who should be alerted when there’s an event? If everyone is alerted to everything, those who don’t need that information will eventually start to tune out. Thankfully, solutions do exist to help improve coordination between teams and departments. Unified security technologies can enhance collaboration, streamline communication, and improve response times. This enables cross-functional teams to respond faster, make better decisions, and work together to enhance overall security. IT and physical security teams Physical security teams are experts at identifying and mitigating physical threats to the organisation. IT teams know the ins and outs of keeping systems and networks secure. Both roles and skill sets are critical to securing the enterprise, but siloed operations create barriers to effective collaboration. Because IT and physical security teams have different mandates, meeting the needs of both can be tricky. In some organisations, different departments or specialties also have their own reporting structure and may have different ways of working. Silos may even exist within departments. Overcoming challenges to collaboration Addressing these challenges is the first step toward improving collaboration For example, floor security, dispatchers, investigators, and loss prevention specialists may be used to operating independently in their day-to-day routines. They may not always share data or involve each other in decision-making. Pioneers of these departments are used to being in charge of their domains and may resist initiatives that appear to threaten this independence.  Addressing these challenges is the first step toward improving collaboration. Organisations need effective tools to filter out the noise and ensure that the right people get the information that’s relevant to them every time. There are tools available to help teams collaborate effectively, stay accountable for completing tasks, and keep track of what’s been done while maintaining departmental goals and objectives. The right technology can help break down silos The first step to improve collaboration is to break down silos between your security systems. Choosing a unified security platform creates a solid foundation for cross-functional collaboration. It ensures that your physical security and IT teams are reading from the same database. Everyone can see potential risks across both digital systems and physical sites. Unified security solutions centralise monitoring, alarm management, and reporting in a single interface. This helps security teams manage incidents, run investigations, and oversee all security policies. Risks of real-time cybersecurity  Data from security systems can be useful to analyse and improve operations and customer experience Within the same platform, IT experts can have a comprehensive view of real-time cybersecurity risks. They can also implement a single data protection and privacy strategy across all locations. Built-in cybersecurity tools help to standardise encryptions, multi-factor authentications, user privileges, and more across the enterprise. In many organisations, colleagues from other departments also find great value in having access to this information. Data from security systems can be useful to analyse and improve operations, customer experience, facilities management, and more. There are many ways to collaborate using a unified security system. Depending on your goals and operating procedures, you have different ways to go about it. The starting point is always to simply get everyone on the same page. Leveraging technology for more effective collaboration A unified security software platform can not only manage your video surveillance, access control, automatic licence plate recognition (ALPR), and other physical security systems, but also data from many other kinds of IoT devices and databases. The volume of data is immense, but thankfully these systems can offer ways to filter out the noise and keep operators focused on the most relevant data for their work. Being able to quickly gather, analyse, and share data with other team members can make or break an emergency response. In one case, an attack at a convention centre was thwarted after a team member monitoring social media mentions of an event noticed threats published online. When security operators were alerted, they were able to use video analytics to identify the suspect at the event. Using a unified security platform, the operators were able to send the camera view to other team members near the suspect. In the end, they were able to stop the attack through multi-departmental collaboration. Right security platform  The right security platform can also help you drive more effective and proactive operational decision-making The right security platform can also help you drive more effective and proactive operational decision-making. When bringing datasets from disparate systems together, it's easier to discover relationships and make changes to business operations. For example, in a retail environment, combining access control, heat maps, and point of sale (POS) data can provide insights into customer activity. This kind of data may be used for things like loss prevention, but it can also be helpful to improve customer experience by improving traffic flow or directing staff toward the busiest areas of the store. The importance of automation One of the most important ways a unified security platform can optimise operations and encourage collaboration is to leverage automation to prioritise and triage alerts. This reduces false alarms and streamlines emergency responses. The reality today is that security operators aren’t always specialists. In K-12 school campuses, for example, the person monitoring the system is often an administrator or teacher. A non-specialist operator may be comfortable using the system in their day-to-day routine, but what about when the unexpected happens? If they don’t know what to do in an emergency, precious time may be wasted while they look up written instructions or call a colleague to help. Instead of keeping your SOPs in a paper binder, you can digitise them so that your security platform guides operators. They immediately have the steps to follow in an emergency. The system can even automatically alert internal or external stakeholders if certain conditions are met.  Pros of automation Automation may also reduce false alarms. Nuisance alerts are a real problem for many organisations because they pull resources away from important tasks. When there are many false alarms, operators can also become desensitised to them, which slows response in a real emergency. Nuisance alerts are a real issue for many corps because they pull help away from vital tasks There are several ways that a unified security platform reduces false alarms. When data from multiple systems is brought into the same platform, a door-forced-open event can be cross-referenced with footage from nearby cameras or motion sensors. The system is programmed to do this automatically and issue a priority alert if there’s both a door forced open and motion detected in a restricted zone. Or, when a door open alert happens, the system can direct operators to first check nearby cameras and then decide whether or not to send a security guard to investigate. Every organisation is unique and automations will reflect that. Stadiums or public transit may want to automate notifications to stakeholders’ phones, change the message on a digital marquee, or broadcast a public announcement when there’s something to communicate. In a school context, perhaps there is a panic button under the front desk, which triggers a threat alert. When the button is pressed, all classroom doors are locked from the outside. Teachers can get a text message notification warning them about the threat, and local police are alerted instantly. Practical steps for building a collaborative security environment As exciting as it can be to explore the possibilities of new technologies, it’s important to have realistic expectations. Start with small steps and simplify as much as possible. Operators require time and training to adapt to new systems, and teams that have been working independently may need time to develop rapport and trust with each other. When adopting new technologies, a phased approach is often best to avoid overwhelming staff. If staff are resistant to change, focus on understanding their perspective: what are they trying to accomplish? What motivates them? What are they afraid of? Once you understand what’s driving their objections, you can come up with solutions to work through concerns. In today's rapidly evolving security landscape, fostering collaboration between physical security and IT teams is no longer a luxury—it's a necessity. By breaking down silos, leveraging integrated security technologies, and embracing data-driven decision-making, organisations can significantly enhance their operational efficiency and response capabilities.

The practice of executive protection changed forever on Dec. 4, 2024, when UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot outside a Manhattan, New York, hotel.  The shocking event raised awareness in board rooms around the world about the need for, and challenges of, executive protection. Questions followed immediately, including why was the high-level executive not protected? Combination of risk and reward  UnitedHealthcare’s stock price has gone down more than 20% since the shooting The event also highlighted what is at stake for companies, extending beyond the safety of executives and impacting many factors, even including a company’s stock price. UnitedHealthcare’s stock price has gone down more than 20% since the shooting, equating to tens of billions of dollars. “Companies are considering the combination of risk and reward like never before when it comes to executive protection,” says Glen Kucera, President of Allied Universal Enhanced Protection Services. “What are the chances this could happen? Before Dec. 4 many thought it was zero. And what are the financial implications for a company if it happens? Executive protection is a small investment to protect against a worst-case scenario.” Evaluation of an executive protection  Before the UnitedHealthcare shooting raised awareness, fewer than 50% of executives had protection. But concerns that previously fell on deaf ears now have the full attention of companies, says Kucera. “Boards of directors are having to figure this out,” he adds. “They may not have executive protection, but now they have to do it.” A threat assessment, conducted by a company such as Allied Universal, provides an independent evaluation of a company’s executive protection needs. The assessment evaluates factors such as an executive’s travel habits, the safety of their home, etc. Does the executive need protection 24/7, or just when they travel into more dangerous areas? Risks increase related to corporate earnings Sometimes, cases increase the need for executive protection, such as an internal threat In assessing threats, security professionals also look beyond the individual to consider the safety of a corporate facility, for example. “Is there a visual deterrent, controlling who comes and goes?” asks Kucera. “If there is good security, it all ties together. We do home assessment, facility assessment, route assessment, and travel assessment as needed.” Sometimes, circumstances increase the need for executive protection, such as an internal threat. Timing is a factor, and risks increase related to corporate earnings releases, new product announcements, and corporate layoffs or consolidation. Monitoring social media tracks shifting threats that impact the need for executive protection. UnitedHealthcare shooting  “He didn’t have it and probably didn’t think he needed it,” comments Kucera about the UnitedHealthcare executive who was gunned down in the streets of New York City. “He was staying at the hotel across the street and was used to walking down the street every day.” “Sometimes executives want to preserve their privacy and be able to walk down the street,” says Kucera. “Getting protection can be seen as a sign of weakness. Some CEOs in the past have said they just didn’t want it.” However, the UnitedHealthcare shooting raised the stakes of the need for more vigilance. “The bottom line is you have to yet beyond objections and make the investment to protect against a worst-case scenario,” says Kucera. Anti-capitalist sentiment in the general population An internal police bulletin warned of an online hit list naming eight executives and their salaries Threats to executives sometimes arise from anti-capitalist sentiment in the general population about perceived inequalities in wealth and power. Executives provide symbolic targets for anyone who fights the system, and social media has amplified the voices of those who oppose capitalism.  For example, a "Most Wanted CEO” card deck seeks to shine a spotlight on "titans of greed." Also, in the aftermath of the UnitedHealthcare shooting, CEO "wanted" posters appeared across New York City, threatening various executives of large companies. An internal police bulletin warned of an online hit list naming eight executives and their salaries. Careful monitoring of social media posts Careful monitoring of social media posts and other sources enables executive protection professionals to analyse data and separate the dangerous threats from the merely negative ones. Sadly, positive support of the UnitedHealthcare shooting was expressed by the 300,000 or so followers of the shooter, who became a celebrity of sorts. A huge outcry of negative sentiment toward the insurance industry led to fear that copycat incidents might occur. “There has been an unprecedented amount of positive support for committing murder,” commented Kucera. Executive protection requests HR executives can be at risk, especially at a time of layoffs or consolidation “Let’s face it, there has been a lot of controversy, from COVID to the Middle East crisis, to the political campaign, and there is negativity on both sides,” says Kucera. “People have opportunities to pick sides, and there is a lot of sentiment going both ways, and there is a small percentage of people who will act aggressively.” Executive protection requests now extend beyond the CEO to include others in the management ranks of companies. Basically, any public-facing executive is at risk, including anyone who makes statements to the press. Human resource (HR) executives can be at risk, especially at a time of layoffs or consolidation.   Private information on the Internet Typically, an executive is assigned a single armed operative for protection. The firearm serves primarily as a visual deterrent that hopefully makes a potential perpetrator think twice. “When they plan an event like this, their expectation is that it will be a soft target,” says Kucera. “If there is an officer, it gives them pause.” Controversial or high-profile CEOs are typically protected 24/7, including when they travel with their family. Adding risks is the fact that private information is now posted on the Internet, including where an executive lives and where their children go to school. Internet monitoring  Internet monitoring also includes the “dark web,” which includes sometimes dangerous information “We offer social media monitoring, and we advise them to be more careful with what they post,” says Kucera. “We monitor reactions to posts including any that might be threatening. We watch social media carefully if a company announces earnings or a change in their service or product offering.” Internet monitoring also includes the “dark web,” which includes sometimes dangerous information that is intentionally hidden and requires specific software, configurations, or authorisation to access.   Own layer of protection Public and government officials can also come under fire in a variety of scenarios. FEMA officials faced threats after the recent floods in the Southeast, for example, among other situations where perceived unfair treatment promotes thoughts of retribution.  Although government agencies have their own layer of protection, there are instances when they call on companies such as Allied Universal for additional help.  Ad hoc protection for various executives In the aftermath of the UnitedHealthcare shooting, calls to Allied Universal’s Command Centre increased by 600%, reflecting requests for ad hoc protection for various executives.  These requests are in addition to the company’s business providing “embedded” operatives that travel with executives all or some of the time. On that side of the business, requests for services are up probably 300%, says Kucera. {##Poll1742194323 - Has the recent increase in violent threats changed your company's view on executive protection?##}

An attention-grabbing exhibit at GSX 2024 in Orlando involved a robot dog that could open a door.  Boston Dynamics robot dog ASSA ABLOY impressed attendees with the robotics demonstration, featuring the Boston Dynamics robot dog that could open a door using either an HID credential or a mechanical grip. This innovation represents a shift toward more autonomous security solutions and is suitable for environments where human access may be limited. ASSA ABLOY impressed attendees with the Boston Dynamics robot dog Operational efficiency Eye-catching exhibits at the GSX in Orlando, showcasing the future of security technology It was one of many eye-catching exhibits at the GSX in Orlando, showcasing the future of security technology, and offering practical solutions to the industry's challenges.  For security professionals, the advancements presented opportunities to enhance operational efficiency and to maintain a proactive stance in a rapidly evolving market.  Control ID face identification Alongside their robot demonstration, ASSA ABLOY also highlighted the Control ID Face Identification.  Access Controller, providing advanced facial recognition access control. From identity management to AI-driven surveillance systems, GSX 2024 offered a glimpse into the tools that can streamline processes, increase security, and reduce costs. Here are some other highlights. ASSA ABLOY also highlighted the Control ID Face Identification More integration with critical infrastructure  A major theme at GSX 2024 was the increasing integration of security solutions with critical infrastructure. ALCEA (formerly ASSA ABLOY Critical Infrastructure) is an example. Their globalised software solution ALWIN is designed for managing access control, visitor management, and other security factors across multiple locations. ALCEA's approach involves not only internal collaborations within ASSA ABLOY but also partnerships with external organisations. An example of innovation is the Neenah Foundry lockable manhole cover, blending safety and security. Solving identity management challenges  The solution simplifies onboarding and access request changes while ensuring compliance with policies Identity management continues to be a key focus in the security sector, and AMAG Technology addresses this need with its Symmetry Connect product. The solution simplifies onboarding and access request changes while ensuring compliance with policies. For professionals overseeing identity access management, Symmetry Connect provides a streamlined, automated approach, reducing human error and increasing operational efficiency. AMAG also sees a growing demand for efficient visitor management systems, especially in the post-COVID landscape. AMAG’s products cater to the need for enhanced security without overburdening staff.  AI and cloud-based surveillance solutions  Axis Communications highlighted its advancements in AI and cloud-based video management systems with its AXIS Camera Station Edge and Pro products. These solutions can connect seamlessly to cloud systems, providing security professionals with easy access to surveillance data anywhere. With the increasing need for centralised management, Axis’s offerings ensure that security teams can efficiently manage surveillance with minimal infrastructure. Axis also showcased its commitment to AI-driven analytics based on superior video quality. There were also networked audio solutions for public announcements and background music, among other uses. Body-worn cameras for corporate and healthcare uses  Traditionally focused on law enforcement, Axon is now expanding its body-worn cameras and TASER technology into corporate, retail and healthcare environments. Their Axon Body Workforce camera is a practical solution for protecting frontline workers in high-risk environments.  Axon also introduced drone-based solutions for real-time aerial awareness Axon also introduced drone-based solutions for real-time aerial awareness, a significant benefit for large campuses or remote locations. As more industries adopt corporate surveillance systems, Axon’s offerings provide flexible, scalable solutions that address the need for real-time, actionable intelligence.  Cloud-based access for smart buildings  Brivo’s native cloud systems and flexible credentials offer practical, future-proof security options Brivo showcased how cloud technology is revolutionising access control by offering systems that integrate seamlessly with other smart building platforms. Their open API approach enables collaboration with IT teams, bridging the gap between physical security and IT management. Brivo’s new partnership with Comcast Smart Solutions illustrates how large enterprises can implement advanced solutions, including access control while maintaining flexibility. For professionals managing complex building environments, Brivo’s native cloud systems and flexible credentials offer practical, future-proof security options.  AI-powered multi-sensor camera  Hanwha focused on an AI-powered multi-sensor camera, equipped with an NVIDIA processor capable of running complex analytics. In addition, Hanwha’s new AI camera technology can process multiple video streams simultaneously, either stream from its sensors or outside cameras, enabling better tracking of objects in complex environments. Their eight-channel AI Box, which converts legacy cameras into AI-enabled devices, is an attractive solution for professionals seeking to upgrade existing systems without the need for complete overhauls. For security teams looking to enhance situational awareness, Hanwha’s AI-based offerings provide advanced, scalable solutions.  Workflow management and hybrid cloud security  Genetec continued the theme of integrated solutions with their Operations Centre module for Security Centre, which consolidates work management into a single platform. Built on lean management principles, this system simplifies workflow for security professionals, promoting real-time collaboration across mobile and web platforms. As the industry shifts from on-premises systems to hybrid cloud solutions, Genetec’s products provide seamless transitions for organisations. Their new SaaS Security Centre also allows for natural language video searches in multiple languages, making it easier for global teams to manage operations across locations.  Simplifying remote surveillance  The company’s focus on scalability and efficiency is demonstrated by the “Eagle Eye Complete” subscription service Eagle Eye Networks showcased their continued international expansion, highlighting a new data centre opening in Saudi Arabia and new hiring initiatives in Australia and Europe. Their “Eagle Eye Anywhere” solar-powered camera system exemplifies the move towards flexible, easy-to-install solutions that can be deployed in remote locations. Integrators benefit from simplified maintenance through remote management, reducing the need for on-site support and ensuring operational continuity. The company’s focus on scalability and efficiency, as demonstrated by the “Eagle Eye Complete” subscription service, reflects the broader industry’s shift toward managed security services.  Tailored solutions for commercial clients  Everon continues its transition away from its former identity as ADT Commercial. Claiming the status of a competitive commercial integrator, Everon is reinventing itself by offering customised billing and monitoring solutions for a range of industries. Their cloud-based business intelligence platform, which combines video surveillance with data analysis, is aimed at enhancing operational awareness by detecting anomalies such as OSHA violations or retail point-of-sale exceptions. With AI-driven dashboards, clients can customise their security solutions to meet specific needs, reflecting a growing demand for tailored, data-driven security applications.  Innovation through cloud and mobile LenelS2 is part of Honeywell, and they emphasised their investment in cloud and mobile solutions at GSX 2024. Their "Enterprise OnGuard Cloud" platform, launched in June 2024, is a testament to the growing demand for cloud-enabled access control systems. With the addition of NFC-enabled Blue Diamond credentials, LenelS2 is pushing towards smarter, more secure mobile access options. The strategic combination of Lenel’s solutions with Honeywell’s infrastructure offers users enhanced engineering capabilities and global reach. This reflects a broader market trend of integrating mobile devices into physical security protocols.  Bringing AI to everyday security LPR system, combined with their Searchlight Cloud Analytics, offers a powerful tool for identifying security risks March Networks highlighted their new AI-driven smart search feature, designed to help security teams quickly detect operational anomalies in retail and financial environments. From identifying misplaced cash in quick-service restaurants (QSRs) to detecting "jackpotting" attacks on ATMs, their solution highlights the increasing importance of AI in enhancing both security and operational efficiency. Their Licence Plate Recognition (LPR) system, combined with their Searchlight Cloud Analytics, offers a powerful tool for identifying and responding to security risks in real-time, emphasising the practicality of AI in daily security operations.  Driving sustainability in security  Securitas showcased its commitment to sustainability, a growing concern for businesses across all industries. By providing CO2 data for clients and promoting digital tools like mobile credentials, Securitas is leading the charge in creating greener, more sustainable security solutions. Their focus on remote services and occupancy insights offers companies a way to reduce their environmental impact while enhancing security operations. The company’s alignment with science-based targets and circular economy practices signifies the increasing role sustainability will play in the security sector.  Future lies in integration  The GSX 2024 trade show revealed that the future of security lies in intelligent integration, AI-driven analytics, and cloud-based management systems. The innovations presented will help security professionals streamline their operations, enhance situational awareness, and future-proof their systems. As these technologies continue to evolve, professionals must stay informed about the latest advancements to maintain a competitive edge in the security marketplace. GSX was a great place to start. At the end of the day at GSX, it wasn’t just the robot dog that was opening doors …. to the future of security systems. {##Poll1727925373 - Of the important factors highlighted at GSX 2024, which do you consider most when adopting new security solutions?##}

Active shooter situations grab the most attention, but there is a long list of other threats facing schools, including bullying, vandalism and emergency medical situations. Broadly speaking, a comprehensive approach to school security should prioritise prevention, preparedness and response to all threats.  Holistic security approach “Fostering a culture of safety within a school, which involves strong relationships, trust, and communication, is highly effective and does not require significant costs,” says Christin Kinman, End User Sales Consultant with Allegion, a security manufacturer. “It is crucial to educate stakeholders about the unintended consequences of quick fixes, like barricade devices, to ensure informed decision-making and a holistic security approach. The goal should be to promote safety and security for all, every day, in every situation.” Integrated and successful security plans  While this might solve a particular challenge, it can also create unintentional conflicts" "Creating an integrated security plan requires a multi-faceted approach," says Kinman. "Too often, security measures are implemented as a reaction to either an event or a specific vulnerability. While this might solve a particular challenge, it can also create unintentional conflicts," adds Kinman. “Creating a successful security plan involves a comprehensive approach,” she says. “An effective, systematic approach begins with assessing, identifying, and valuing assets, identifying threats and vulnerabilities, quantifying the impact of a loss, analysis and prioritisation, and finally, development of mitigation measures.” Safety and security An effective resource is the Partner Alliance for Safer Schools (PASS), which provides a framework to help with school assessments, including identifying and valuing assets, identifying external threats and internal vulnerabilities, assessing the impact of loss, and analysing and prioritising mitigation measures.  Safety and security are words used seemingly interchangeably when it comes to schools, but they mean different things. “How we define these terms influences planning and addressing challenges,” says Kinman. “It is easiest to think of these terms as being either external or internal to the individual.” Coordinated security Safety is internal to the individual and relates to the individual’s perception of being free from harm Security is external to the individual and encompasses the protective physical, emotional, and environmental measures implemented in conjunction with policies, procedures, and training, as well as mental health measures and social and emotional learning.  Safety is internal to the individual and relates to the individual’s perception of being free from harm or danger. Coordinated security measures create an environment of safety. Four main elements of physical security Kinman lists four main elements to physical security, often referred to as the 4D’s. These elements are deter, detect, delay, and deny:  Deter refers to measures implemented to prevent an attack or threat from happening. These are usually visual deterrents that communicate legitimate use. Detect refers to measures that can detect the presence of a threat, such as video surveillance and monitoring. Delay refers to measures that slow down an attack or increase the level of effort needed for an incident to occur. Finally, deny refers to measures that prevent or restrict access to valued assets. Four layers of ground perimeter A layered approach to school security creates “layers” that must be defeated for an event to occur, says Kinman. Typically, the four layers are the ground perimeter, the private grounds around the building, the building perimeter, and the building interior. The ground perimeter layer demarcates public vs private space, and deterrence is the primary objective. The grounds layer allows for identification of legitimate vs illegitimate users and detection is the primary objective. The building perimeter layer prevents illicit users’ intent on harm from gaining access. The primary objectives at this layer are delay/deny. The building interior protects the most valuable assets, and the denial of an unauthorised individual is the primary objective. Report on Indicators of School Crime and Safety The second element is impact, also rated on a scale of 1-5 and ranging from negligible to catastrophic “Quantifying loss and assessing risk is one of the most important steps in creating an integrated security plan,” says Kinman, who explains that the two elements that guide this step are probability and impact. Probability is the likelihood that an event will occur, typically rated on a scale of 1-5 ranging from rare to almost certain. The second element is impact, also rated on a scale of 1-5 and ranging from negligible to catastrophic. “Probability multiplied by impact equals risk, which has a score ranging from 1-25,” says Kinman. “The higher the score, the higher the risk.” An analysis of vulnerabilities and threats using a matrix yields a systematic approach to prioritise improvements and identify mitigation measures. For statistics on crime and safety in schools, visit the Report on Indicators of School Crime and Safety: 2022. Security improvements “The costs of school security encompass various aspects, including physical measures, personnel, training and policy enforcement,” says Kinman. “While there is no fixed amount, it often involves investments in technology, such as access control and emergency response systems. Many security improvements do not require additional funding, like training staff and students on security protocols and implementing policies to create a culture of safety.” Generally, funding for public school security is a shared responsibility among federal, state and local governments; communities also contribute. “Striking a balance between shared responsibility and ensuring adequate resources is crucial for effective school security,” says Kinman. K-12 school security  Community members and parents can donate by being vigilant and noting any suspect activities Various stakeholders play crucial roles in enhancing K-12 school security in addition to schools and communities. Stakeholders include community members, parents, local government, local law enforcement, first responders and non-profit organisations.  “Engaging these stakeholders fosters a comprehensive approach to school security,” says Kinman. Community members and parents can contribute by being vigilant and reporting any suspicious activities. Local government can support schools with funding and resources, while local law enforcement and first responders can provide expertise, conduct drills, and establish emergency response protocols. Safe and secure learning environment In addition, non-profit organisations can offer valuable resources, training, and support programmes to address specific security concerns.  “By involving all these stakeholders, schools can tap into a diverse range of expertise, resources and perspectives, pioneering to a more effective and comprehensive approach to school security,” says Kinman. “Collaboration and communication among these entities are vital to ensure a safe and secure learning environment for students and staff.”

ZeroEyes, creators of the pioneer multi-analytics weapons detection and threat intelligence platform, announces that its proactive AI gun detection and intelligent situational awareness software has been deployed by Goessel USD 411 in Kansas to help protect students, staff, and visitors from gun-related threats. Goessel USD 411 is a small rural district serving approximately 285 students and employing 75 faculty and staff members across two campuses -- an elementary school and a combined junior-senior high school. The district is strengthened by a caring and supportive community, engaged families, and a strong school board, all of which contribute to its success and commitment to student well-being. Broader community initiatives The district secured funding through the Kansas Safe and Secure Firearm Detection Grant Program, administered by the Office of the Kansas Attorney General, to purchase and implement ZeroEyes. The grant followed coordination with local law enforcement and community leaders that identified AI gun detection as a key safety priority aligned with broader community initiatives. “I was very impressed by the system’s performance during our calibration process,” said Scott Boden, Superintendent of Goessel USD 411. “The ability to accurately detect and identify a handgun from a distance exceeded our expectations and gave us added confidence in the technology’s role in helping keep our schools safe.” Intelligent situational awareness ZeroEyes’ AI gun detection and intelligent situational awareness software layers onto existing digital security cameras. If a gun is identified, images are instantly shared with the ZeroEyes Operations Center (ZOC), the industry’s only U.S.-based, fully in-house operations center staffed 24/7/365 by specially trained U.S. military and law enforcement veterans. If the threat is determined to be valid, alerts and actionable intelligence — including visual description, gun type, and last known location — are dispatched to law enforcement and school officials, often in a matter of seconds from the moment a gun is detected. Proactive detection technology Goessel USD 411 works in coordination with county law enforcement and surrounding agencies to support school safety efforts. The addition of ZeroEyes enhances this collaboration by providing earlier detection and faster communication, helping bridge the gap created by geographic distance and limited local resources. “Goessel USD 411 is taking an important step in strengthening school safety by implementing proactive detection technology,” said Mike Lahiff, CEO and co-founder of ZeroEyes. “By leveraging grant funding to bring advanced capabilities into a rural environment, the district is demonstrating a strong commitment to protecting its students and staff while preserving the close-knit culture that defines its community.”

  A school access control system brings together access control, video surveillance, intruder detection, and emergency response into a single platform, allowing schools and universities to protect students, staff, and assets while maintaining the open, welcoming environment essential to education, across single campuses or multi-site institutions.      A school access control system is the foundation of how modern educational institutions protect students, staff, and campus assets. Schools and universities are large, open, and highly connected environments, with thousands of students, staff, and visitors moving freely across expansive campuses every day. From lecture theatres and research laboratories to student accommodation, libraries, and sporting facilities. Because of this diverse nature of facilities, institutions must balance accessibility and collaboration with the need to protect people, assets, and infrastructure.  It's a balance that's becoming harder to manage, and institutions are investing accordingly. The global education security market is projected to grow from around USD 1.01 billion in 2025 to USD 1.82 billion by 2031, as schools and universities modernise ageing systems and move toward integrated, campus-wide security.  The core challenge is unauthorised access. Campuses span vast, open spaces with multiple entry points, making them naturally vulnerable to people who shouldn't be there. Add the valuable assets held on site (equipment, IT infrastructure, research, and chemicals) and the need to protect residential accommodation and staff areas, and the security picture becomes genuinely complex. Institutions must manage all of this while keeping the environment welcoming, inclusive, and accessible.  Campus access control for open environments    Educational institutions carry a distinctive tension. A profusion of valuable assets must be protected (buildings, equipment, chemicals, and research facilities) while a vibrant, changing student population needs everyday access to classrooms, libraries, sports halls, and laboratories, often across multiple buildings and campuses.  Inner Range ensures that only authorised staff and students are permitted in restricted areas while keeping common areas open and accessible. Multiple authentication methods (cards, fobs, mobile credentials, PINs, and biometrics) provide flexibility, with multi-factor combinations available for high-security areas such as laboratories and data rooms. Access permissions can be automatically revoked based on a calendar schedule or a specific campus activity, ensuring access rights always reflect current enrolment and timetabling. All activity logs are recorded digitally, allowing the auditing of access to resources including time and actions taken.  Integration with student management systems  One of the most powerful capabilities for education is automatic access provisioning. Inner Range seamlessly integrates with external systems such as student management applications, offering the convenience of automatic access upon enrolment. This provides a safer campus and a better student experience while dramatically reducing administrative overhead.  Student access permissions can be supplemented by enrolment and training records, providing a tailored solution for each campus. A single credential can serve multiple campuses and functions including access control, personal ID, and library services.  Protecting empty campuses out of hours  Some of the greatest risk to a campus happens when nobody is there. Outside school hours, on weekends, and during holiday periods, unattended facilities become prime targets for break-ins, theft, vandalism, and graffiti. Large campuses with multiple blind spots are especially exposed.  Inner Range protects campuses around the clock. When an intruder enters a restricted area, the system can trigger an alarm, notify a central monitoring station, initiate a guard tour, and send an instant alert to the building manager. Intrusion detection can be armed automatically when the site closes and disarmed during operational hours, ensuring continuous protection without interfering with daily routines.  Incident response and emergency coordination    When incidents occur, institutions need to respond quickly across large, distributed environments. Inner Range enables coordinated responses through real-time alerts, automated actions, mass notifications, and system-driven workflows. Whether coordinating an emergency response across multiple buildings or managing a specific incident, the system ensures the right information reaches the right people at the right time, with tailored messages based on assigned roles and responsibilities.  Inner Range's Priority Access adds a further layer, keeping doors in a protected area locked until a designated staff member is first on site. During an emergency, Priority Access also safeguards entry to affected areas, giving authorised responders control while keeping others out.  Integrated video surveillance and intercoms    Video surveillance integration gives control rooms immediate access to live and recorded footage across the campus. Take a common scenario: a student presses the help button on an intercom point in a car park. The system treats it as an alarm and triggers a coordinated response. Guards receive texts and emails. Relevant video appears on the guard's video wall. The surrounding area can be locked down automatically.  Every system works hand-in-glove to deliver an effective response, improving coordination across the campus.  Single pane of glass across multiple campuses    The Inner Range Enterprise Solution provides a single pane of glass for monitoring security, access, alarms, and operational events across multiple campuses and facilities. Rather than juggling independent systems across different locations, teams maintain consistent policies, reporting, and operational procedures throughout the entire institution.  Bringing together access control, intrusion detection, alarm monitoring, mobile technologies, and operational workflows, Inner Range simplifies complex security environments while sharpening visibility at every level of the organisation.  Smarter, safer, more efficient campuses    Beyond security, Inner Range helps institutions save energy and enhance safety. Lights and heating turn on and off automatically based on whether people are in a building. Facility managers get centralised control over cameras, gates, and parking lights, all from a single, easy-to-use platform. Administrative tasks are simplified through automated, customised reporting delivered to relevant stakeholders.  With more than 130 native and 350 third-party integrations, the platform connects into existing infrastructure and scales effortlessly, from a single school to a multi-campus university.         

ZeroEyes, creators of the multi-analytics weapons detection and threat intelligence platform, announces that its AI gun detection and intelligent situational awareness platform has been deployed by Kansas’ Bonner Springs–Edwardsville USD 204 to protect students and faculty against gun-related violence. USD 204 serves more than 2,400 PreK–12 students with 455 staff members across a network of schools in the suburban communities of Kansas City, Bonner Springs, and Edwardsville, including one high school, one middle school, three elementary schools, and two pre-K buildings. ZeroEyes complements the district’s multilayered security plan, which also includes school resource officers (SROs), secured entrances, and close, ongoing collaboration with local law enforcement agencies across all three communities.  Situational awareness platform The district secured funding through the Kansas Safe and Secure Firearm Detection Grant Program, administered by the Office of the Kansas Attorney General, to purchase and implement ZeroEyes. “Ensuring the safety of our students and staff is at the core of everything we do,” said Lisa Terrell, Director of Education Foundation & Counseling Services. “The deployment of ZeroEyes is a natural extension of our district’s proactive, layered approach to security, enhancing the strong foundation we’ve built through trusted partnerships with local law enforcement, secure facilities, and dedicated personnel.” Digital security cameras ZeroEyes' AI gun detection and intelligent situational awareness software layers onto existing digital security cameras. If a gun is identified, images are instantly shared with the ZeroEyes Operations Center (ZOC), the industry's only U.S.-based, fully in-house operation centre, which is staffed 24/7/365 by specially trained U.S. military and law enforcement veterans. If these experts determine the threat is valid, they dispatch alerts and actionable intelligence — including visual description, gun type, and last known location — to law enforcement and local security teams, often in a matter of seconds from the moment a gun is detected. “Thanks to the Office of the Kansas Attorney General, we can provide an added level of confidence for USD 204’s families and community with ZeroEyes,” said Mike Lahiff, CEO and co-founder of ZeroEyes. “It's great to see the district reinforce its commitment to creating a safe, supportive environment where every student can thrive.”

ZeroEyes, creators of the multi-analytics weapons detection and threat intelligence platform, announces that its proactive AI gun detection and intelligent situational awareness software has been deployed by Colby Public Schools in Kansas to help protect students, staff, and visitors from gun-related threats. Located in a rural community in northwestern Kansas, Colby Public Schools serves approximately 950 students across three campuses, including an elementary school, middle school, and high school, supported by a staff of 175 employees. The district’s close-knit environment fosters strong relationships among students, staff, and the broader community. Broader community initiatives The district secured funding through the Kansas Safe and Secure Firearm Detection Grant Program, administered by the Office of the Kansas Attorney General, to purchase and implement ZeroEyes. The grant followed coordination with local law enforcement and community leaders to identify AI gun detection as a key safety priority aligned with broader community initiatives. “As a smaller district, we don’t have the resources to dedicate someone to monitoring cameras at all times,” said Lucas Schnider, IT Director at Colby Public Schools. “ZeroEyes acts as an extra set of eyes to catch something we might otherwise miss. Most security tools are reactive, but this gives us a proactive way to respond and better protect our students and staff.” Situational awareness software ZeroEyes’ AI gun detection and intelligent situational awareness software layers onto existing digital security cameras. If a gun is identified, images are instantly shared with the ZeroEyes Operations Center (ZOC), the industry’s only U.S.-based, fully in-house operations center staffed 24/7/365 by specially trained U.S. military and law enforcement veterans. If the threat is determined to be valid, alerts and actionable intelligence — including visual description, gun type, and last known location — are dispatched to law enforcement and school officials, often in a matter of seconds from the moment a gun is detected. Strong working relationship Colby Public Schools maintains a strong working relationship with local law enforcement, with officers regularly collaborating with the district to support safety initiatives and respond quickly when needed. This partnership reinforces the district’s commitment to maintaining a safe and supportive learning environment. “Colby Public Schools is building a culture of safety where students can learn, grow, and thrive every day,” said Mike Lahiff, CEO and co-founder of ZeroEyes. “By leveraging state grant funding and strengthening their existing safety partnerships, the district is demonstrating its commitment to protecting students and staff while preserving the close-knit culture that defines its community.”

ZeroEyes, creators of the multi-analytics weapons detection and threat intelligence platform, announces the deployment of its AI gun detection and intelligent situational awareness solution by Illinois’ Thornton Township High School District 205. The district has added ZeroEyes to its multi-layered safety program to help mitigate the threat of gun-related violence. District 205 serves more than 5,500 students and employs nearly 300 staff across three high schools: Thornridge in Dolton, Thornton in Harvey, and Thornwood in South Holland. The district is committed to empowering minds, inspiring futures, and preparing students for college, career readiness, and lifelong learning. In addition to ZeroEyes, the schools are equipped with metal detectors, on-site security personnel, and security cameras throughout each building. Law enforcement veterans “Keeping our students and staff safe is a responsibility we take seriously every day,” said Dr. Nathaniel Cunningham, Jr., Superintendent of Thornton Township High School District 205. “Adding ZeroEyes strengthens our layered approach to campus safety by helping us quickly detect and verify a visibly brandished weapon and alert the right people so we can act fast.” ZeroEyes' AI gun detection and intelligent situational awareness software layers onto existing digital security cameras. If a gun is identified, images are instantly shared with the ZeroEyes Operations Center (ZOC), the industry's only U.S.-based, fully in-house operation center, which is staffed 24/7/365 by specially trained U.S. military and law enforcement veterans. Dispatch alerts and actionable intelligence If these experts determine the threat is valid, they dispatch alerts and actionable intelligence — including visual description, gun type, and last known location — to law enforcement and school security teams, often in a matter of seconds from the moment a gun is detected. “We’re proud to support District 205 in strengthening their already comprehensive approach to campus safety,” said Mike Lahiff, co-founder and CEO of ZeroEyes. “Every second matters in an active threat situation, and our technology is designed to deliver rapid, actionable intelligence that helps schools and law enforcement respond faster and more effectively.”

Global security solutions specialist Convergint is giving its time and technology to deliver video surveillance improvements at Hythe Bay Primary School in Kent, supporting a community-focused project designed to strengthen site safety and provide added reassurance for pupils, staff, families and the wider school community. The project, which is being delivered voluntarily by Convergint’s UK team, will help improve visibility across the school site, supporting day-to-day safety while helping Hythe Bay remain an open, welcoming place to learn. Practical security support The work is being delivered as part of Convergint’s STEP Up for Schools — Secure, Train, Educate and Protect — global initiative, which helps schools access practical security support, technology and expertise. The Hythe Bay project is being supported with solutions and support from Genetec, Hanwha and Wesco. The activity forms part of Convergint Social Responsibility Day, the company’s annual day of service, when colleagues around the world volunteer their time and expertise to support the communities where they live and work. In the UK, the Hythe Bay project brings that global initiative into a local school setting, with a focus on practical, proportionate security improvements. Video surveillance improvements For schools, safety has to be balanced with the need to remain open, calm and welcoming. The Hythe Bay project focuses on video surveillance improvements that support visibility and reassurance without changing the character of the school environment. “Schools have to remain open, welcoming places for pupils, staff and families, but they also need practical security measures that support day-to-day safety,” said Amy O’Loughlin, Europe Marketing Manager at Convergint UK. “The most effective approach starts with understanding the site, how people move through it and where additional visibility or control can make a meaningful difference. Technology has an important role to play, but only when it is applied in a way that supports the school environment.” Safety in learning environments “Hythe Bay Primary School took a proactive step by putting itself forward for STEP Up, and the project reflects exactly what the initiative is designed to do: bring together Convergint’s expertise, our colleagues’ time and support from partners to help strengthen safety in learning environments.” “STEP Up is something our teams around the world are eager to participate in each year because it creates practical value for the communities where we live and work. Supporting Hythe Bay through this UK project gives us a valuable opportunity to bring that approach into a local school community, and we hope to build on it with more STEP Up activity across the UK and Europe in the future.” Practical safety measures Hythe Bay Primary School put itself forward for support through the initiative after identifying an opportunity to strengthen practical safety measures across its site. The application was taken forward by Convergint’s STEP Up team and has helped create one of the first UK school projects connected to the programme. Rebecca Prout, Hythe Bay Primary School’s headteacher, said: “A safe and welcoming school environment is fundamental to everything we do. We put ourselves forward for STEP Up because we wanted to explore ways to strengthen safety across the school site, and the support from Convergint will help us take that forward. This is a positive project for our pupils, staff, families and wider school community.” Security risk assessments In addition to the UK project, a further school project in France is also planned to be delivered on June 5, marking the first two STEP Up installs in Europe. In total, 2026’s Convergint Social Responsibility Day will bring together nearly 11,000 colleagues, families and more than 45 industry partners across 37 countries, contributing approximately 60,000 volunteer hours worldwide. From supporting children and families in need to advancing school safety and strengthening local communities, these initiatives reflect Convergint’s belief that creating a safer and more secure world starts with investing in the people and communities we serve. Through the 2026 STEP Up for Schools Grant Programme, Convergint and its technology partners have awarded 30 grants supporting a range of school safety and security needs, including access control, video systems, environmental and vape sensors, preventative maintenance services, fire alarm inspections and security risk assessments. Underserved schools worldwide “Our long-standing partnership with Convergint is built on shared values, including a commitment to innovation, customer success and community engagement,” said Georges Tannous, Area Vice President, META/UK & Ireland at Genetec. “Initiatives like STEP Up for Schools demonstrate what’s possible when technology providers and integrators combine to make a tangible difference.” Since 2002, on the first Friday in June, the company has observed Convergint Social Responsibility Day (CSRD), closing for a full, paid workday so colleagues can serve in their communities through various service projects. Convergint established its STEP Up for Schools Initiative as part of CSRD to help strengthen school security. Through the program, Convergint provides free safety and security installations, upgrades, and assessments to underserved schools worldwide. These initiatives aim to give back and create impactful change in communities around the world, and Convergint Social Responsibility Day strives to inspire all colleagues to surpass what they believe is possible.

Students deserve a safe and positive environment where they can learn and thrive. Teachers and administrators should be able to focus on their primary role of educating students because they feel supported and protected by a comprehensive security plan. Staff require a clear protocol for responding to emergencies. And parents deserve peace of mind that their children are safe during the school day. One of the tools for safer schools is physical security technology. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: How can physical security systems make schools safer? 

College campuses are meant to be places of learning, growth, and community. Fostering such an environment requires the deployment of policies and technologies that ensure safety and security. Considering the growing role of security technology in the higher education market, we asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What are the new applications for security technology in the college and university markets?

Physical security is a large market overall, encompassing a range of diverse vertical markets, each with its own set of challenges and opportunities. The success of the security industry overall depends on the ability of companies and technologies to meet the specific needs of each vertical market. Some markets offer more lucrative opportunities than others. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: Which vertical markets have the greatest potential for growth for physical security systems?