Progeny Access Control Readers

Edge devices (and edge computing) are the future. Although, this does seem a little cliché, it is the truth. The edge computing industry is growing as quickly as technology can support it and it looks like we will need it to. IoT global market The IoT (Internet of Things) industry alone will have put 15 billion new IoT devices into operation by the year 2020 according to a recent Forbes article titled, “10 Charts That Will Challenge Your Perspective of IoT’s growth”. IoT devices are not the only edge devices we have to deal with as the total number of connected edge devices includes the likes of devices like security devices, phones, sensors, retail sales devices, and industrial and home automation devices. The IoT (Internet of Things) industry alone will have put 15 billion new IoT devices into operation by the year 2020 The sheer number of devices begins to bring thoughts of possible security and bandwidth implications into perspective. The amount of data that will need to be passed and processed with all of these devices will be massive. There needs to be consideration taken by all business owners and automation engineers into how this amount of data and processing will be conducted. Ever-expanding edge devices market As the number of edge devices in the marketplace and their use among consumers and businesses rises, the need to be able to handle the data from all of these devices is no longer going to be suitable for central server architectures. We are talking about hundreds of billions and even trillions of devices. According to IHS Markit researchers’ study, there were 245 million CCTV cameras worldwide. One has to imagine there are at least 25% of that many access control devices (61.25 million devices) based on a $344 million market cap also calculated by IHS Markit’s researchers. If all the other edge devices mentioned earlier are considered then one can see that trying to route them all through servers for processing is going to start to become difficult if it hasn’t already, -which arguably it already has, as is evidenced by the popularity of cloud-based solutions amongst those businesses that already use a lot of edge devices or are processing a lot of information on a constant basis. Cloud computing The question is whether cloud computing the most effective and efficient solution as the IoT industry grows The question is this; is cloud computing the most effective and efficient solution as the IoT industry grows and the amount of edge devices becomes so numerous? My belief is that it is not. Taking the example of a $399 USD device that is just larger than the size of a pack of cards and runs a CPU benchmarked at the same level as a mid-size desktop. This device has 8GB RAM and 64GB EMMC built-in and a GPU that can comfortably support a 4K signal at 60Hz with support for NVMe SSDs for add-on storage. This would have been unbelievable five years ago. As the price of edge computing goes down, which it has done in a dramatic way over the last 10 years (as can be seen with my recent purchase), the price to maintain a central server that can perform the processing required for all of the new devices being introduced to the world (due to the low cost of entry for edge device manufacturers) becomes more expensive. This introduces the guarantee that there will be a point where it will be less expensive for businesses, and consumers alike, to do the bulk of their processing at the edge as opposed to in central server architectures. Cloud computing is now being overtaken by edge computing, the method of processing data at the edge of the network in the devices themselves Edge computing There are a plethora of articles discussing and detailing the opposition between the two sides of the computing technology coin, cloud computing and edge computing. The gist of it is that “cloud computing” was the hot new buzzword three years ago and is now being overtaken by “edge computing.” The truth is that cloud computing is a central server architecture hosted at someone else’s location. Edge computing is going to be a necessary development in the technology industry Edge computing is the method of processing data at the edge of the network (in the devices themselves) and allowing for less resources required at a central location. There is certainly a use case for both, however the shift to edge computing amongst the general public and small to mid-sized businesses will not be a surprise to those players, who have been paying attention.  One article titled, “Next Big Thing In Cloud Computing Puts Amazon And Its Peers On The Edge” by Investor’s Business Daily takes the stance that edge computing is going to completely displace centralised cloud computing and even coins the phrase, “Cloud computing, decentralised” to explain edge computing. It speaks for the stance that most experts in technology seem to be taking, including Amazon Web Services’ VP of Technology, Marco Argenti according to the same article. We know that edge computing is going to be a necessary development in the technology industry, and it is happening as I write this, and quickly at that. Cost efficiency of edge processing As time goes on, the intersection between the prices of network bandwidth, edge processing and maintaining super powerful central servers will cause edge processing to be the most efficient and cost-effective way to maintain a scalable network in any environment, including datacenters. Owning a central server or utilising edge computing become the better options As it currently stands, most residential users can only achieve a 1Gbps WAN (internet) connection, and small to medium-sized business can’t get much more but seem to get much less, based on my personal experience. When more than 1Gbps needs to be processed, cloud computing becomes very expensive at which point, owning a central server or utilising edge computing become the better options. Then you look a total cost of ownership and when the cost of edge computing is less expensive than the cost of maintaining central server architectures, edge computing becomes the single best option. So, I’ll say it again, edge devices (and edge computing) are the future.

ISC West continues to innovate and adapt to the changing needs of the security marketplace. In 2019, there will be 200 new exhibitors, 100 new speakers and an expanding mix of attendees that includes more end users and international attendees. The International Security Conference & Exposition (ISC West) will be held April 10-12 at the Sands Expo in Las Vegas. Among the more than 200 new exhibitors on the show floor will be Dell Technologies, Resideo, SAST (a Bosch IoT startup), Belkin International, NetApp, Lenovo, Kingston Technology and many others. The event continues to see more and more solutions in the area of IoT/connected security, a surge in barrier/bollards exhibitors, an increased number of start-up companies, and an emphasis this year on stadium/major events security. Plus, the new exhibit area of ISC West, Venetian Ballroom, will include a mix of solutions from mid-sized domestic and international companies, and is the home of the Emerging Technology Zone – back for its second year with 50-plus start-up companies expected.  The International Security Conference & Exposition (ISC West) will be held April 10-12 at the Sands Expo in Las Vegas “ISC West is no longer just about video cameras, access control systems and alarms,” says Will Wise, Group Vice President, Security Portfolio for Reed Exhibitions, which produces and manages ISC West. Embracing and stimulating the market dynamic of comprehensive security for a safer, connected world, solutions on display at the show reflect convergence across physical security, IT (information technology) and OT (operational technology). The ISC West expo floor includes specialised featured areas such Connected Home, Public Safety & Security, Connected Security, Unmanned Security Expo and the Emerging Technology Zone. Plus, complimentary education sessions in the Unmanned Security Expo theatre will include topics such as drones, counter-drone solutions, ground robotics and regulations/policies that support autonomous technology. This year’s event will feature more than 1,000 products and brands covering everything from video surveillance, access control and alarms/alerts, to IoT, IT/cybersecurity convergence, AI, embedded systems, drones and robotics, smart homes, smart cities, public safety and more. The ISC West expo floor includes specialised featured areas such Connected Home and the Emerging Technology Zone  Elevating the Keynote Series  Over the past few years, ISC West has elevated its Keynote Series (open to all attendee types) to include more speakers and dynamic content covering relevant topics. Attendees should be sure to head to the Keynote room Wednesday and Thursday mornings at 8:30 a.m. before the expo floor opens at 10 a.m.  Relating to attendance, ISC West continues to diversify and grow the attendee universe by attracting additional enterprise government end-users across physical and IT/OT responsibilities. The show also continues to attract and grow the channel audience, and there will be an increasing number of International attendees.  “Years ago, ISC West was known exclusively as a dealer/integrator/installer show, but not anymore,” says Wise. “Today, the demographic mix continues to evolve as the event diversifies its product and educational offerings, embracing the current market reality of collaboration among integrators/dealers/installers, end-user decision-makers, and public safety and security professionals.”  When planning for the show, be sure to view the list of special events and take advantage of the additional connection-making opportunities Within the SIA Education@ISC West conference program, there are over 100 new speakers. Through ISC West’s strong partnership with the Security Industry Association (SIA, the Premier Sponsor of ISC), the SIA Education@ISC West program has expanded and become increasingly dynamic and diverse over the last three years. In addition, ISC West and SIA are hosting a Women in Security breakfast on Friday morning April 12th.  Women in Security is a new track for the education program.    “Our attendance data reflects the demand for a mix of physical security integrator and end-user content, a balance of technical and management/strategic topics, and diverse topics incorporating IoT and cybersecurity/physical security convergence, and analytics expertise,” says Wise. “Last year was a record year for conference program attendance, and 2019 will yet again set new benchmarks.” Mobile apps, information desks and ease of registration ISC West is also focusing on the attendee experience. Need advice on what exhibitors are a fit for your business needs and interests? The Information Desk adjacent to the main expo entrance will provide customised recommendations based on the information attendees provided during the registration process.  Attendees can download the official ISC West mobile app and create a MyShow account through the ISC West website Attendees can download the official ISC West mobile app and create a MyShow account through the ISC West website to research exhibitors and product categories, receive exhibitor recommendations that best fit business needs, review complimentary educational opportunities as well as 85-plus sessions from the paid SIA Education@ISC program.  There are many networking opportunities being offered at the show this year. When planning for the show, be sure to view the list of special events and take advantage of the additional connection-making opportunities.  Whether attendees want to network with peers or customers at an awards ceremony (Sammy Awards, Fast 50, New Product Showcase Awards), Charity event (AIREF Golf Classic, Mission 500 Security 5K-2K Run/Walk), or an industry party (SIA Market Leaders Reception, ISC West Customer Appreciation Party at Tao), there are a variety of special events offered, all designed to help you make new connections. Make sure to check out the ISC West website for all the Special Events taking place at ISC West.

Today’s security industry technology standards create a common framework for achieving predictable performance. Systems are made more secure and easier to install, use and integrate with other devices. Standards are also intended to be living documents, open to continual refinements to benefit manufacturers, integrators and end users. An excellent example is the Open Supervised Data Protocol (OSDP), which is now the industry’s gold standard for physical access control installations. It was designed to offer a higher level of security with more flexible options than the aging defacto Weigand wiring standard. Updating OSDP-readers simultaneously One recent addition enables end users to push firmware and software updates to thousands of OSDP-enabled card readers simultaneouslyOSDP, first introduced in 2011 by the Security Industry Association (SIA), continues to evolve with significant manufacturer input. One recent addition enables end users to push firmware and/or software updates to a few or thousands of OSDP-enabled card readers simultaneously. Weigand technology requires updates to be made one at a time at each reader. Regularly changing reader encryption keys is an excellent way to enhance facility security. It’s easy using the OSDP file transfer capability and the latest DESFire EV2 credentials containing multiple encryption keys. You can transfer the next code on the card to all readers and the job is done. And there’s no need to create a new card for each user or reprogram each individual reader. AES-128 encryption ensures cybersecurity It’s time to migrate entirely away from Weigand technology. If greater security, convenience and reduced labour from the latest OSDP updates isn’t reason enough, here are a few more things to consider. The 40-year-old Weigand protocol provides no signal encryption, making it easy for hackers to capture the raw data transmitted between cards and readers. OSDP readers support AES-128 encryption while providing continuous monitoring of wires to guard against cybercriminals. Weigand reader installations require homerun cable pulls from the control panel to each peripheral device. OSDP readers can be daisy chained, providing additional savings on cabling and installation time. Weigand technology is simply too slow to work with today’s most versatile and secure card technologies. OSDP readers work with virtually all modern access control cards. The OSDP standard also works with biometric devices; Weigand does not. Meeting requirements of FICAM guidelines SIA is pushing to make the latest OSDP version a standard recognised by the ANSI, a move to enhance the global competitiveness of U.S. security businessesAlso, OSDP is becoming a must-have standard for organisations demanding the highest security levels. The standard meets requirements of the Federal Identity, Credential and Access Management (FICAM) guidelines that affect how the access control industry does business with the federal government. SIA is pushing to make the latest OSDP version a standard recognised by the American National Standard Institute (ANSI), a move to enhance the global competitiveness of U.S. security businesses. There’s still a large worldwide reader installation base that works solely with the Weigand protocol. Admittedly, changing them all at one time may be prohibitively expensive; however, standards should be viewed as a journey, not a destination. That’s why a measured migration is the right choice for many organisations. Begin by securing the perimeter. Replace only the outside-facing Weigand readers. As long as the walls are secured, the inside can remain a softer target until OSDP-compatible readers can be added indoors. The case for moving to OSDP as a standard is compelling. It offers our industry the opportunity to design access control software and products that provide what end users want most – greater security, flexibility and convenience.

HID Global, global provider of trusted identity solutions, has announced that it has added the HID Credential Management Service to its growing offering of cloud-based identity solutions. The service simplifies the issuance and management of trusted Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) certificate-based credentials. The PKI credentials can be used by a broader range of organisations for convenient and secure multifactor authentication and converged physical access to facilities, as well as digital signing and encryption of emails and documents. HID Credential Management Service HID Credential Management Service includes everything needed to issue and manage the lifecycle of digital identity The HID Credential Management Service includes everything needed to issue and manage the lifecycle of digital identity and high-assurance credentials using a cloud delivery model. It removes PKI complexity and enables a wider set of authentication use cases than nearly any alternative in the Identity and Access Management (IAM) market. Most operating systems and browsers automatically recognise these certificates, ensuring the digital identity issued by the HID Credential Management Service can be used as a foundation for achieving zero trust security. Endpoint authenticator options include smart cards and USB tokens, mobile app authenticators and converged badges for accessing facilities and IT systems. “An exponentially growing threat surface is placing many of an organisation’s global users – employees and non-traditional users – directly in the crosshairs of a potential attack,” said Brad Jarvis, Vice President & Managing Director of Identity & Access Management Solutions (IAMS) with HID Global. “Regulatory compliance is also driving greater need for high-assurance credentials, but certificate-based multi-factor authentication solutions have been difficult for smaller organisations to implement, or not flexible and comprehensive enough for larger ones with broader, more holistic needs. Our cloud service speeds and simplifies deployment with the broadest possible options for local and state governments, financial institutions and enterprises.” Identity and access management solutions Many IAM solutions have not covered on-premise applications as well as the cloud and virtual private networks (VPNs), nor have they addressed both physical and logical access. Their all-or-nothing approach to high-assurance requirements makes compliance hard to achieve. They also have difficulty supporting zero-trust security models for verifying identities of all users and devices accessing resources from inside and outside physical and logical perimeters. HID Global’s service solves these problems with the following capabilities: End-to-end solution for both on-premise and cloud protection -- Spans all requirements for deploying and managing trusted PKI, and for using certificate-based credentials for authenticating users to Windows and Active Directory as well as cloud applications. Broad authenticator options -- Mix-and-match choices include smart cards and USB keys featuring embedded secure elements, mobile app authenticators stored on a smartphone, FIPS 140-certified smart cards, and smart cards for converged physical and IT access. Flexibility: Integration with open standard protocols ensures the service will support evolving security needs and complex, hybrid heterogeneous systems across many locations, functions and architectures. Subscription licenses are easily added to support up to one million users. Easy integration and deployment: Works directly with an organisation’s Active Directory Federation Services (ADFS) and uses a hosted multi-tenant infrastructure for fast deployment and simplified user on-boarding without expensive up-front investments.  Cloud-based HID Authentication Service The HID Credential Management Service joins HID Global’s recently announced cloud-based HID Authentication Service for managing and using identities. In addition to its expanding suite of cloud identity platform solutions, HID Global also offers an award-winning family of on-premise IAM solutions. The HID Credential Management Service is available through a one-year per-user subscription license that includes round-the-clock support, access to the company’s IdenTrust TrustID certificates and the option of adding ActivID ActivClient software capabilities for automatic email configuration for digital signing and encryption.

Being able to verify people’s identities is critical for a nation’s growth and prosperity and yet nearly half of all African citizens can’t prove who they are to vote, travel freely and receive government benefits and services. HID Global, globally renowned trusted identity solutions provider, is launching an initiative to help close this identity gap and will be sharing details at the ID4Africa Movement (ID4Africa 2019). The three-day conference will be hosted this week from 18-20 June 2019 in Johannesburg by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) of the Republic of South Africa. HID identity solutions HID Global brings to its initiative a broad solution portfolio, close working partnerships with leading integrators serving African governments, and strategic investments in its business operations dedicated to building a better future for citizens. The initiative builds on HID’s proven track record of enabling effortless and worry-free identity verification for the citizens of African nations, with a steady cadence of ongoing deployments across the continent. “HID Global addresses each step of the citizen identity journey and everything government agencies in Africa and other emerging markets need to deploy complete solutions for issuing driver’s licenses, social security cards, passports and other national ID documents,” said Jessica Westerouen van Meeteren, VP & Managing Director, Citizen ID business with HID Global. HID technology solutions HID Global will be at ID4Africa 2019 to highlight its extensive solutions that power trusted identities of a government’s people, places and things “Our initiative tackles the challenges of serving citizens living in remote, unconnected areas who are at the greatest risk of marginalisation and exclusion, and aligns well with the ID4Africa organisation’s ‘ID-4-All’ movement aimed at facilitating economic development and the success of humanitarian aid, government services, and other critical programs.", she adds. HID Global will be at ID4Africa 2019 to highlight its extensive solutions that power trusted identities of a government’s people, places and things. Each of HID’s solutions help solve the technological, infrastructure and other deployment challenges that prevent citizens from having the official identification they need to access government services and programs. Examples of HID identity solutions in practise The company’s identity document and mobile identity solutions pave the way for convenient and secure access to government programs and services. Tanzania is using HID’s citizen ID solutions to add e-Visa and e-Permit capabilities to its e-Passport, which HID helped deploy last year as part of the Tanzania e-Immigration program. The new web-based visa and residence permit services allow visitors and residents to apply for and receive validated credentials for traveling or living in the country. Several African governments have already embraced the company’s card and identity document personalisation solutions for national ID, resident ID, driver’s license, voter ID and refugee identification programs. Of an estimated 1.1 billion people worldwide, that cannot officially prove their identity, it is believed that approximately 500 million live in sub-Saharan Africa. Problems are worsened in areas where conflict adds to the millions of displaced people who flee without the necessary identification documents to receive basic legal, social and economic rights and opportunities. HID’s citizen ID solutions enable disenfranchised citizens to be enrolled into government identification programs Citizen ID solutions HID’s citizen ID solutions enable disenfranchised citizens to be enrolled into government identification programs, bringing empowerment, freedom and connectivity to those who need it most, and making social benefits programs more fraud-resistant and border crossings more convenient. The company’s broad portfolio help solve these problems while bringing a sense of inclusion, engagement and pride in regional and national communities.  See live demonstrations of HID Global’s trusted identity solutions at ID4Africa 2019. Visit HID from June 18-20 in Booth #G1 at the Emperors Palace Convention Center in Johannesburg to learn more about HID Global’s broad range products, solutions and services that make it more convenient and safer to achieve what citizens want to do in everyday life.

HID Global, a provider of trusted identity solutions, will showcase its latest physical access control and secure identity solutions at IFSEC London in Hall 7, stand IF 2130, June 18-20. For the first time in the UK, HID Global will present its recently launched biometric fingerprint reader for secure access control, and a new, game-changing augmented reality tool. The company will also highlight new integrations using HID’s cloud-based card issuance for streamlined enterprise deployments and its award-winning mobile access control solution. Trusted identity solutions HID Global will present its extensive portfolio of trusted identity solutions and provide visitors hands-on demonstrations in Hall 7, stand IF 2130. Solution demonstrations include: HID SAFE allows identity information to be captured from physical access control systemsBiometrics at the door using HID’s new iCLASS SE RB25F fingerprint reader, which merges credential excellence with HID’s globally-patented multispectral imaging technology to fuel broad adoption of biometrics at the door. The high-performance reader provides an unrivalled experience by dramatically increasing image capture performance and fingerprint matching in under a second, significantly reducing delays that were previously symptomatic of biometric solutions. New Augmented Reality technology that innovates how integrators, installers and consultants deploy and use HID’s access control product. The game-changing HID AR Reader Tool optimises and expedites installation, while simplifying onsite upgrades and support with a powerful combination of 3D data and guided animations in real-world environments. HID Reader Manager, a tool that streamlines management of iCLASS SE and multiCLASS SE readers. It consists of two new elements: an app (available on both iOS and Android) for configuration, inspection and firmware updates of readers equipped with a Bluetooth and OSDP module, and an administration portal to grant key authorisation. HID Mobile Access for accessing doors, gates and more using a smartphone, tablet or wearable, and HID Location Services for accurate, real-time location awareness and occupancy data to optimise safety, meet compliance and reduce facility costs. HID’s latest card personalisation solutions, including the HID FARGO HDP6600 High Definition Printer/Encoder designed to save customers time, money and energy by cutting in half the time it takes to print the first ID card, while doubling overall throughput as compared to many alternatives. A powerful combo: HID FARGO Connect + HID SAFE: HID SAFE, Enterprise, a centralised platform for identity management, combined with the revolutionary cloud-based card issuance solution HID FARGO Connect, takes seamless on-boarding and credential issuance to a new level. HID SAFE allows identity information to be captured from physical access control systems, active directory, HR, and other external systems so that it can be pre-loaded prior to printing a credential. On 19th June, Spencer Marshall, Director of Sales Northern Europe, will participate in a panel discussion on ‘A security culture for your organisation’ in the keynote arena at 11:00.