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Adding iris recognition to a security environment doesn't have to mean getting rid of everything you've invested in to date - LG IrisAccess® 3000 complements token or PIN-based system to provide a high integrity security overlay that boosts ROI and security efficacy of the security systems already in place.Even partial measures can add a whole new dimension to your security - most companies want improved security to safeguard both human and physical assets. But this should not entail a costly overhaul - LG IrisAccess 3000 integrates easily with standard security infrastructure with Wiegand or serial output, and runs on MS SQL and Oracle databases. Up to 128 portals can be controlled off one host. It works in one-to-many search mode, or in 1 to 1 verification mode with many PIN and token-based systems, including a variety of smart-card formats. Ideal application for data centres, laboratories, and other sensitive areas - information gathering is key to any enterprise and ensuring proprietary data on your company, your customers and your competition remains confidential is critical. Laboratories - clean environments need a security system which can provide super security despite protective gear, gloves and goggles - and LG IrisAccess 3000 delivers just thatMore accurate, faster, more stable than any other biometric - LG IrisAccess 3000 draws from a feature-rich iris to capture an image (it's just a picture) that digitises 240 degrees of freedom to produce a small 512-byte template to deliver real-time authentication accuracy that is unmatched. System enrolment is simple and fast - authentication even faster... - a proximity-activated, voice-prompted, mirror-assisted interface makes for easy enrolment and use. Enrolment takes less than 2 minutes. Authentication less than two seconds. Eyeglasses/contact lenses present no problem for use. TCP/IP compatible, networkable, and expandable with built-in countermeasures and other security features - LG IrisAccess 3000 has integration flexibility and addresses special operational security concerns in ways no other security system - biometric or otherwise - can match.
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One size does not fit all when it comes to managing a facility's access rights. With SMARTair™ from TESA, security managers have a choice between 4 levels of access control, each tailored to the needs of different doors and premises. And you don't need to choose one: all of them can work together in the same organisation, providing exactly the appropriate rights management solution for each door—online or offline, high or medium security. SMARTair™ Stand-Alone is suited for smaller premises and low-traffic doors. Facility managers update access rights at the door using the supplied programming card. No access control software is needed. SMARTair™ Offline provides an extra layer of security. In addition to SMARTair™ Stand-Alone features, access rights can be scheduled and it's easy to generate a manual audit trail for any door in the facility. The SMARTair™ Update on Card option adds more automated access rights management, and is suited to buildings with more doors and higher footfall. Access rights are managed via a wall updater. Facility managers can update access directly via user cards, schedule access rights when needed, and generate automatic audit trails with the easy-to-use system management software. SMARTair™ Wireless Online provides the maximum level of system control for large, busy and high-security doors or buildings. A network of wireless hubs links doors to the company's access control system. It's easy for security managers to update or deny access rights wirelessly, or to generate real-time audit trails for any lock in the organisation. Moreover, system managers can open doors remotely via a web browser or mobile app. Facility managers can pick 1, 2, or even all 4, of these SMARTair™ solutions to fine tune their organisation's access rights management. And SMARTair™ gives facilities managers the power to manage access to more than just doors. As well as electronic cylinders, escutcheons, locks, and wall readers, SMARTair™ provides locks for cabinets, lifts, vending machines, and lockers. With SMARTair™ from TESA, it is simple to manage the rights of every lock within one single, secure access system.
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Traka, a division of ASSA ABLOY presents the Traka Touch L Series intelligent touch screen key management system. Traka Touch is a standalone key management solution that operates independently of a company’s IT system via an embedded Windows software and SQL Server database. No server is required to maintain its database. The system is managed via the full colour 7-inch multi-language touch screen on the front panel, from the initial administrative setup of users and keys to the management of day-to-day user access. As with conventional Traka systems the Touch gives the administrator control over the access levels for each particular user. To gain access to keys, users must identify themselves using a PIN code, swipe card or biometric recognition. LEDs indicate which keys a user can and can’t take when they access the cabinet. The Traka Touch provides a real time audit of all key transactions and the unit’s solid state memory can store up to 250,000 events. Administrators can view a report of all key usage and search for a key that is “out of system” via the touch screen. “The new Traka Touch is a secure, cost-effective means of ensuring that only authorised individuals have access to keys, while making them readily available to authorised users 24/7. It is not always feasible for organisations to allow access to IT infrastructures and networks and Traka Touch addresses this” said Robert Smith, Managing Director, Traka plc.
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Aperio® Offline access control doors now allow access control system manufacturers (OEMs) and system integrators to offer even more favourably priced solutions, thus creating a competitive advantage for themselves. All they need to do is integrate Aperio® components into their system, an easy task. Aperio® Offline is particularly suitable for doors which cannot be wired, are used very little or are a distance away from other doors. Very easy to install, an Aperio® Offline cylinder or escutcheon is mounted onto the door and then integrated into the access control system. Access authorisations are saved onto existing RFID user cards or transponders. Doors are all managed using the same access control system, whether they feature Aperio® Offline or Online. Users receive new or modified access authorisations from a central point. One special feature in Aperio® Offline is its status message capability used to indicate low battery status or a jammed lock and transmit other door signals to the access control system via the cards or transponders. This allows system maintenance to rectify faults or replace batteries within a short space of time. Lost user cards and transponders can be cancelled by placing them on a blacklist or become automatically invalid after a specific period of time. Able to support up to 16 time schedules, Aperio® Offline also offers a permanently open mode (office mode) and door status change (toggle mode). For customers or end-users, the greatest advantage lies in the fact that they can now choose the right access control system for every door scenario. Regardless of whether the door is Aperio® Online or Offline, both can be administered using the same access control system. Aperio® Offline cylinders or escutcheons can also be easily used for Aperio® Online if operators wish to integrate a door into an online system at a later date. In such a case, the door is incorporated into the access control system via a wireless communications hub, thus providing a favourably priced, non-wired, online solution.
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LG IrisAccess 4000 is the third generation of the world's number one deployed iris recognition platform. Offering increased application versatility and integration flexibility, enrolment and recognition is easier than ever. Intuitive visual user interface enables users to quickly position themselves for enrolment or recognition as images of both eyes are captured virtually simultaneously. Audio prompts improve speed of enrolment and recognition performance while motor-driven auto-tilt mechanism makes adjusting the camera for proper height a simple ‘one touch of a finger' proposition. What's more, every model of the IrisAccess 4000 contains a camera supported by dedicated illumination that makes badging for credentialing a snap.When it comes to multi-factor authentication, IrisAccess 4000 is extraordinarily flexible. iCAM4000 and iCAM4100 with optional device-embedded SmartCard readers from the world's leading card reader producers give IrisAccess the ability to function with HID iCLASS, DESFire, and MiFARE and CAC-compliant cards. When a reader is present, a card icon placed on the casing indicates where the card should be placed for fast verification. Card reader-equipped models of iCAM4000 and iCAM4100 are designated with a 10 suffix, so become 4010 and 4110 respectively.Multifactor authentication can also be delivered by the 16-element keypad that comes standard on the iCAM4100 unit. The authentication options afforded by being able to configure iris authentication by left, right, either or both eyes plus a smartcard token, and in the case of the iCAM4100, a keypad, are simply unmatched by any other iris recognition offering on the market.iCAM4000/4010iCAM4000/4010 is compact, low profile and designed with architectural aesthetics in mind. It's kiosk-configurable, and can be flush or recessed mounted. An iCAM4010-- with an embedded SmartCard reader provides more than multi-factor authentication. Information residing on the card enhances human factors performance to prompt correct setting of the imager to an individual user's height. An option that will prompt the card to trigger language for audio prompts, will make the system ideal for use in a multi-ethnic milieu, or in countries with more than one official language. iCAM4100/4110 The iCAM4100/4110(SmartCard-equipped, as described above) includes a keypad accepting up to 10 digit PINs affording an additional level of two-factor authentication. Every iCAM4100 incorporates a 40-character LCD, making possible communication regarding authentication status. It also fits well in human resource management applications, as upon identity authentication, keypad and display afford a means to exchange information about payroll, vacation days, shift-work, or other HR data etc.System Security FeaturesIrisAccess delivers security features and performance that set it apart from other iris recognition and most other biometric systems. Safe storage, for example, means no biometric templates are stored on any external system components. Experts concede that countermeasures built into LG IrisAccess set the standard for the industry and note in this area, many other biometric systems leave much to be desired. Security is also a key driver when it comes to software. The LG iData software line for access control and a tool kit for building identity-dependent applications provides FIPS compliant encryption, and offers other alternatives, as well as PKI. Other System ComponentsIrisAccess 4000 System incorporates other system-designed elements. A low profile IdentityController(ICU) offers easy greater integration convenience while ensuring that biometric templates are kept safe, protected and secure, off the imager. The DoorController(DCU) is also available for use in stand-alone access control applications.The Advantage of Iris RecognitionThe physical or behavioural characteristics on which biometrics are based afford a more reliable basis for authentication than other easily compromised identity options relying on something one knows or carries. There are more measurable characteristics in the iris, the visible coloured ring around the pupil, than in other biometrics. Every human iris is unique. Compared to other biometrics, iris recognition is the most accurate, fastest, and scalable option. Iris patterns are also very stable. Barring trauma, an iris pattern will not change over time as characteristic measurements of finger, hand, voice or faces do.
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Managing assets effectively helps businesses to run more smoothly and increases efficiency - knowing where equipment is located; controlling who has access; saving time at shift start up - all combine to make a powerful business case. At the same, time damage and losses are reduced because users have an increased sense of ownership and accountability; wasted administration time in resolving issues is eliminated and this helps to reduce demands on your staff, so they can concentrate on profitable work - it also makes important equipment more available to those who really need it, 24/7. Who uses our intelligent lockers? Traka intelligent lockers are used in a number of Government offices, Airports, Police, Distribution Centres, Power Stations and a range of commercial organisations to manage a diverse range of equipment - anything from tools and specialist equipment to data communications and portable computing equipment. Hospitals use Traka for managing access to a special variant of our intelligent lockers so that only authorised staff can gain access to controlled drugs and Police use them to control and restrict access to crime scene evidence and confiscated property, thus ensuring that it is not tampered with. In reality, organisations use Traka intelligent lockers because they want to ensure that only authorised, competent and trained staff can gain access to valuable or dangerous equipment - both for security and compliance reasons. What type of equipment do they hold? As an example, Traka intelligent lockers can be used to house and control access to pooled or shared equipment and portable assets such as: Airwave and security radios Controlled drugs Arm mounted data terminals Breathalyzers Police evidence Mobile phones Laptops Specialist tools
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Clay by SALTO is a ground-breaking new product that provides an electronic access control solution with vastly better functionality and performance than is possible in a traditional mechanical solution. Until now many SME’s (Small Medium Enterprise’s) have been unable to take advantage of many of the top technological solutions in access control largely because of the cost and complexity of those systems. Clay™ combines a cloud-based intuitive software platform that is easy and fast to understand and manage, with high quality and design hardware that is easy and quick to install, providing the same features as wired systems at less than 70% of the cost. Its increased security comes from users being able to easily and intuitively establish, consult, change and cancel specific access rights by person and place and time, and all in real-time, thus eliminating the problems and limitations of their existing mechanical solutions, such as the costs associated with changing locks, keys, and cylinders when keys get lost. Clay™ incorporates SALTO Systems’ wireless hardware, capitalising on SALTO’s outstanding products that have seen the company become one of the world’s top electronic lock manufacturers, with more than one million electronic locks installed globally. The key hardware element is the Clay™ IQ that serves as the hub between the wireless lock and the cloud, and is so simple to set up, users need only plug it into a standard electrical socket. Neither router configuration, nor any other cabling is required. SALTO has grown to be the market leader in Data-on-Card and wireless access control solutions by focusing on and delivering what the market needs to stay secure not just today, but tomorrow as well. The revolutionary new Clay™ product utilizes the versatility of the cloud to give owners of SME businesses the ability to control their building access remotely and manage it in real-time via any device with an internet connection, providing security that is both flexible and future-proof.
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This is an 8 Input and 8 Output device that allows an ACT controller to be used in applications where signalling to other equipment is required. Examples of this are elevator control, alarm systems, CCTV switching applications, I/O Mapping etc.Main Features 8 form C relays 8 supervised inputs Tamper protection 2 status LEDs Polycarbonate housing Input and output names Timer for each output Output switched off or on by log event, input, timezone ACTWinPro support Inputs and outputs Logged Normally open/closed Inputs monitored by timezone Supervised Inputs option
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Human face images, fingerprints, cards and passwords can be recorded to the face recognition access standalone. With face detection box; the largest face among faces that appear at the same time is recognised first; the maximum face size can be configured on the web. Face recognition distance is 0.3m–2m , human height range is 1.1m–2.4m. Face verification accuracy>99%; face comparison speed ≤0.5s per person; false recognition rate<0.1%. Profile faces can be recognised; face recognition angle can be adjusted, the range is 0°–90°. Supports 30,000 users, 30,000 cards, 30,000 passwords, and 50 administrators. Support liveness detection. Supports duress alarm, tamper alarm, intrusion alarm, door contact timeout alarm, and illegal card exceeding time alarm. Has six user levels: general users, patrol users, blacklist users, VIP users, guests, and disabled users. Attendance records can be uploaded to the management platform
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Access control systems & kits - Expert commentary

The cyber security threat is constant and real. Entire businesses, large enterprises and even whole cities have been vulnerable to these attacks. Growing threat of cyber attacks The threat is not trivial. Recently, two cities in Florida hit by ransom ware attacks – Rivera Beach and Lake City – opted to capitulate and pay ransom totaling more than $1.1 million to hackers. The attacks had disrupted communications for first responders and crippled online payment and traffic-ticketing systems. It was reminiscent of the $4 billion global WannaCry attacks on financial and healthcare companies. A full two years after the WannaCry attack, many of the hundreds of thousands of computers affected remain infected. And hackers are continuously devising new techniques, adapting the latest technology innovations including machine learning and artificial intelligence to devise more destructive forms of attack. Indeed, AI promises to become the next major weapon in the cyber arms race. For enterprises, there is no choice but to recognise the threat and adopt effective countermeasures Enterprise security For enterprises, there is no choice but to recognise the threat and adopt effective countermeasures. Not surprisingly, as the number, scale and sophistication of cyber-attacks has grown, so has the significance of the Chief Information Security Officer, or CISO, who owns the responsibility of sounding the alarm to the C-suite and the board – and recommending the best defense strategies. Consider it a grim irony of the digital economy. As companies have migrated to the cloud to gain scale and efficiency and integrated new channels and touch points to make it easier for their customers and suppliers to do business with them, they have also created more potential points of entry for cyber-attacks. IoT increases threat of cyber-attacks Amplifying that vulnerability is the trend of allowing employees to bring their own laptops, smartphones and other digital devices to the office or use to work remotely. And thanks to the Internet of Things, as more devices connect to enterprise systems – from thermostats to cars – the threat surface or targets of intrusion are multiplying exponentially. According to the McAfee Labs 2019 Threats Predictions Report, hackers will increasingly turn to AI to help them evade detection and automate their target selection. Companies will have no choice but to begin adopting AI defenses to counter these cybercriminals. Importance of cyber security This escalation in the cyber arms race reflects the sheer volume of data and transactions in modern life. In businesses like financial services and healthcare it is not humanly possible to examine every transaction for anomalies that might signal cyber snooping. Even when oddities are glimpsed, simply flagging potential problems can create so-called threat fatigue from endless false alarms. What’s more, attacks like those from Trickbots are specifically designed to go undetected by end users. The fact is, even if throwing more people at the problem were a solution, there aren’t enough skilled cyber security workers in the world. By some estimates, as many as 10 million cyber security jobs now go unfilled. AI is being used to conduct predictive analysis at a scale beyond human means Deploying AI As a result, AI is being deployed on multiple cyber-defense fronts. So far, it is mainly being used to conduct predictive analysis at a scale beyond human means. AI programs can sift through petabytes of data, identifying anomalies and even helping an organisation recognise and diagnose intrusions before they turn into catastrophic attacks. AI can also be used to continually monitor and allocate levels of access to a network’s multitude of legitimate users – whether employees, customers, partners or suppliers – to ensure that all parties have the access they need, but only the access they need. Countering cyber security threats To harden defenses, some AI programs can be configured to perform simulated war games To harden defenses, some AI programs can be configured to perform simulated war games. Because cyber attackers have stealth on their side, organisations might need dozens of experts to counter only a handful of attackers. AI can help even the odds, scoping out the potential permutations of vulnerabilities. As CISOs – and the CIOs they typically report to – advise C-suites and boards on their growing cybersecurity risk, they can also help those leaders recognize an enduring truth: AI programs cannot replace experienced cybersecurity professionals. But the technology can make staff smarter, more vigilant and more nimbly responsive. AI-based cyber security tools Financial and healthcare companies are leading this charge because of the sheer volume and variety of transactions they handle and because of the value and sensitivity of the data. Organisations like the U.S. Department of Defense and the space agency NASA, as well as governments around the world are also implementing AI-based tools to address the cyber threat. For businesses of all types, the threat stretches from the back office to the supply chain to the store front. That is why recognising and countering that threat must involve everyone from the CISO to the CEO to the Chairman of the Board. The AI arms race is underway in security. To delay joining it is to risk letting your enterprise become one of the grim statistics.

With the recent news headlines about store closures and the collapse of well-known chains, alongside clear adjustments in business strategy amongst established high street favourites, there is no denying that the UK retail industry is under huge pressure. A recent report suggests growing issues are leading some retailers to increase risk-taking in the supply chain. But here, Steve Bumphrey, Traka UK Sales Director, looks at ways to help retailers embrace the storm, including paying attention to security, management processes and efficient customer focus. Challenges plaguing retail industry It’s been an awful year to date for UK retail if you believe the cacophony of negative headlines about the health of the UK economy and the confidence levels of the UK consumer. The sector is facing huge challenges in dealing with the evolution in on-line and smart mobile retailing The sector is undoubtedly facing huge challenges in dealing with the evolution in on-line and smart mobile retailing. Further concerns include an unwillingness of policymakers to address the changing retail environment and how business rates and general business taxation and regulation is making a difficult situation worse. Supply Chain Risk Report According to the latest Global Supply Chain Risk Report, published by Cranfield School of Management and Dan & Badstreet, those under pressure, are now facing increased exposure to risk if they are forced to cut costs in their supply chain. The report cites data for the retail sector that shows increased levels of risk-taking since Q4 2018, with retailers reporting high levels of dependency on suppliers and indicating a propensity to off-shore to low-cost, high-risk countries where suppliers are more likely to be financially unstable. In-store technology revolution The underlying evolution of technology taking hold of the retail industry and consequential changing consumer behaviour is what is really forcing the industry to step up and act. This is not only in the shift to online and smart mobile purchases, but also with the increased use of technology in store. Self-scanning and checkouts In a bid to enhance the physical shop experience, especially in supermarket outlets across the UK, retailers are increasingly giving customers autonomy with self-scanners and checkouts and need to be able to trust them to ensure an honest transaction. And for the shoppers, this dependency on technology and not human interaction to complete a shop means scanners must be instantly available and ready for use. Many different underlying competing challenges impact the retail industry Compensators At the recent British Retail Consortium’s ‘Charting the Future’ conference, looking at retail crime and security, Dr Emmeline Taylor, a criminologist at the City University of London identified in self -service shops, several new types of ‘offenders’ such as so-called ‘compensators’ including the atypical ‘frustrated consumer’ who, “fully intended to pay but were unable to scan an item properly”, adding to the security challenge. There are clearly many different underlying competing challenges impacting the retail industry. Arguably, the increase in technology and autonomous shopping, where less staff are present (or staff cuts planned) throws up more vulnerabilities, such as the opportunity for store theft. Use of body cameras Staff needs emerging technology such as body cameras to act as a deterrent to crime and keep employees safe Furthermore, staff may need greater use of emerging technology such as body cameras to act as a deterrent to crime and help keep employees safe. In essence, prevention is better than cure, and it’s certainly cheaper. Whether combating crime physically or online, or looking to find ways to counter the high street trends, working together, sharing information and taking a more holistic approach will help the development of a shared language between retailers. Retail banking It is also here where common approaches can help to deliver on efficiencies, in time, resource and budget that can serve to operate right through the supply chain, and minimise, or even negate the need to take any risks. It can even serve to enhance the customer experience, increasing confidence in the shopping environment. Of course, when discussing the high street, it is not just the department stores and chains that are feeling the impact. Well known banks are also having to redefine their priorities and role on the high street, with customers (especially younger generations) demanding a more efficient service than ever before. Well known banks are also having to redefine their priorities and role on the high street Asset protection Leading the way is Nationwide, globally renowned building society, which prides itself on being one of the largest savings providers and mortgages provider in the UK, promoting itself as running purely for the benefit of its customers, or ‘members.’ Richard Newland, Director of Branch & Workplace Transformation at Nationwide said, “Even more than getting a good ‘deal’ from a building society, the quality of our welcome, or our renowned level of service, we make sure our members feel safe with us, enough to trust us with their greatest assets. We are doing everything we can to evolve our business and focus our efforts on providing the best and most secure services that people value.” Key management systems Traka has supported Nationwide with the introduction of dedicated key management systems So committed to its branch network, it has pledged to its 15 million members that every town and city with a Nationwide branch, will still have one for at least the next two years. A bold statement in today’s climate. Traka has supported Nationwide with the introduction of dedicated key management systems, moving its branch network into a more digital system. Keys no longer need to leave site and the audit trail capability has helped to remove the manual paper recording, allowing status of keys to be established instantly, at any time. Changes in retail market This example, together with Traka’s portfolio of high street brands and globally renowned department stores that cannot be named for security reasons, demonstrates the need for retailers to embrace the need for change, both from a product offering and operational running perspective to achieve aspirations of resonating with customers. They also prove the opportunities for success, in an unquestionable difficult market environment. If retailers can listen to customers and respond accordingly, taking into consideration staff safety and security, alongside an ability to respond quickly to personalised enquiries and expectations. This way, perhaps, the current environment can be seen as an opportunity to innovate and embrace technology to form the high street of the future.

Should ‘Made in China’ be seen as a negative in security systems and products? It’s an important and complex issue that merits a more detailed response than my recent comment in the Expert Panel Roundtable. For me, there are two sides of the answer to this question: Buying products that have certain negative attributes that are not in alignment with some part of a belief system or company mandate. Buying products that do not perform as advertised or do something that is unacceptable. For integrators and end users making the buying decisions, the drive to purchase products may not be based on either aspect and instead on the product that can do the best job for their business. But for others, a greater emphasis on the ethical implications of purchasing decisions drives decision-making. What is ethical consumption? Ethical consumption is a type of consumer activism that is based on the concept of ‘positive buying’ in that ethical products are favouredEthical consumption — often called ethical consumerism — is a type of consumer activism that is based on the concept of ‘positive buying’ in that ethical products are favoured, and products that are ethically questionable may be met with a ‘moral boycott’. This can be as simple as only buying organic produce or as complex as boycotting products made in a totalitarian regime that doesn't offer its citizens the same freedoms that we enjoy in the United States. Consider the goals of the Boston Tea Party or the National Consumers League (NCL), which was formed to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. Some examples of considerations behind ethical consumption include fair trade, treatment of workers, genetic modification, locally made and processed goods, union-made products and services, humane animal treatment, and in general, labour issues and manufacturing practices that take these factors into account. Increase in ethical consumption The numbers show that ethical consumption is on the rise. In a 2017 study by Unilever, 33 percent of consumers reported choosing to buy and support brands that they believe are doing social or environmental good. In the same study, 53 percent of shoppers in the United Kingdom and 78 percent in the United States said they feel better when they buy products that are ‘sustainably’ produced. There’s clear evidence that products from some Chinese companies suffer from cybersecurity vulnerabilities Though the aforementioned question that sparked this conversation centres around concerns with products made in China, there are many other countries where, for example, governments/dictators are extremely repressive to all or parts of their populations, whose products, such as oil, diamonds, minerals, etc., we happily consume. There are also a number of countries that are a threat in terms of cybersecurity. It may be naive and simplistic to single out Chinese manufacturers. Impact on physical security products Product buying decisions based on factors other than product functionality, quality and price are also starting to permeate the security marketplace. While this hasn't been a large focus area from the business-to-business consumption side, it's something that should be considered for commercial security products for a variety of reasons. Hardware hacks are more difficult to pull off and potentially more devastating" There’s clear evidence that products from some Chinese companies suffer from cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Last fall, 30 U.S. companies, including Apple and Amazon, were potentially compromised when it was discovered that a tiny microchip in the motherboard of servers built in China that weren't a part of the original specification. According to a Bloomberg report, “This attack was something graver than the software-based incidents the world has grown accustomed to seeing. Hardware hacks are more difficult to pull off and potentially more devastating, promising the kind of long-term, stealth access that spy agencies are willing to invest millions of dollars and many years to get.” This, along with many other incidents, are changing the considerations behind purchasing decisions even in the physical security industry. Given that physical security products in general have been lax on cybersecurity, this is a welcome change. Combating tech-specific threats In early January, members of the U.S. Senate introduced bipartisan legislation to help combat tech-specific threats to national security posed by foreign actors and ensure U.S. technological supremacy by improving interagency coordination across the U.S. government. The bill creates the Office of Critical Technologies & Security at the White House, an indication that this issue is of critical importance to a number of players across the tech sector. Members of the U.S. Senate introduced bipartisan legislation to help combat tech-specific threats to national security posed by foreign actors To address a significant number of concerns around ethical production, there are certifications such as ISO 26000 which provides guidance on social responsibility by addressing accountability, transparency, ethical behaviour, respect for stakeholder interests, respect for rule of law, respect for international norms of behaviour and respect for human rights. While still emerging within physical security, companies that adhere to these and other standards do exist in the marketplace. Not buying products vulnerable to cyberattacks It may be counter-productive, even irresponsible, to brand all products from an entire country as unfit for purchasing. Some manufacturers’ products may be ethically questionable, or more vulnerable to cyberattacks than others; so not buying products made by those companies would make sense. The physical security industry might be playing a bit of catch up on this front, but I think we're beginning to see a shift toward this kind of responsible buying behaviour.

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