IDIS Video Servers (IP Transmission) / Video Encoders

For those of you old enough to remember, video matrix switchers were once the heyday of surveillance camera control. These cumbersome antiques were at the heart of every major video surveillance system (CCTV at the time) in premier gaming properties, government installations and corporate industrial complexes. They required more physical labour to construct and configure than perhaps the pyramids – maybe not – but you get the picture. And then digital video made its way in to the market and everything changed, transforming the physical demands for camera control and management from a hardware-centric to a software driven process. We’ve come a long way in a few short years, and the borders that once defined IT and security continue to diminish, if not disappear completely There’s no doubt that this migration also presented significant challenges as many security professionals often struggled with all things IT and software programming being one of the industry’s soft spots. Fortunately, we’ve come a long way in a few short years, and the borders that once defined IT and security continue to diminish, if not disappear completely. However, the complexities of today’s VMS functionality can be intimidating for anyone tasked with installing one of these systems given all of the user-defined options available from the simplest camera sequencing and bandwidth allocations to mobile management and enterprise level integration. This is where truly advanced VMS solutions need to shine on both the operations and the design/build sides of the equation. Smart VMS design There are more solutions products labelled “VMS solutions” out there than ever before. The issue is the fact that many of these “solutions” really don’t fall into the category of a true VMS by today’s standards but offer basic camera and NVR control. No doubt that there is a place for such software programs in the market. However, VMS solutions from the likes of OnSSI and other industry-leading companies offer distinct and superior management and control capabilities for demanding security and business intelligence applications. Perhaps of equal importance, these top-tier VMS solutions incorporate provisions for installers, so they have a clear and easier implementation path. OnSSI offers VMS solutions with smart camera drivers Here are seven attributes that can assist with the design and implementation of an advanced VMS solution: 1) Open architecture platform We need the ability to easily integrate with other systems and scale for future developments and physical system growth The ability to easily integrate with other systems and scale for future developments and physical system growth is largely dependent on a systems platform architecture. Here’s where VMS solutions with open architecture provide a distinct advantage. Open-architecture solutions expand functionality by facilitating greater integration between multiple systems and components. This not only makes VMS solutions with open architecture easier to implement, it makes them extremely cost-efficient by eliminating the need for proprietary solutions. Open architecture systems also provide adherence to industry standards such as ONVIF and PSIA, as well as compression formats such as H.265 and MJPEG, and help ensure system integration and support of an extensive range of manufacturers’ cameras and off-the-shelf hardware. Be wary of VMS solutions with limited camera manufacturer support. 2) Simple licensing processes and pricing Camera licenses and pricing is always a touchy subject, as any misunderstanding of a specific VMS solutions’ licensing terms can prove to be costly after the fact. And it often seems that some VMS suppliers have gone to great lengths to complicate the process as to obscure actual Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). Perhaps the most direct, simple and straightforward camera licensing and pricing method is to have one license per IP address used by each camera/encoder on multi-channel devices. These should be perpetual licenses with no required annual fees or subscriptions. Additionally, the licensing agreement should be all inclusive without added fees for multiple clients, failover servers, active directory support, I/O devices, redundant management servers, technical support or security patches and updates. 3) Mixing and matching camera license types The ability to mix and match different camera license types within the same system helps facilitate a seamless and simple migration of new and pre-existing systems with minimal downtime or interruption in operation. The ability to mix and match camera licenses not only saves valuable design and installation time, it can provide considerable savings when integrating large, multi-tenant systems. Mix and match capabilities also allow system designers to apply specific feature sets to specific groups of cameras to best leverage functionality and budgets, as well as providing the flexibility to implement an on-site, virtual, or cloud-based VMS solution, without any additional cost. 4) Auto camera detection and configuration Another VMS set-up feature that eases the install process is the ability to forego device registrations or MAC address requirements Another VMS set-up feature that eases the install process is the ability to forego device registrations or MAC address requirements. This functionality allows installers to instantly locate cameras on the network and configure them centrally so they can easily replace older cameras while seamlessly retaining video recorded from them. The auto detection capability should also include the ability to detect and import CSV files, which can then be stored and used to configure camera templates for future camera installation profiles. 5) Smart camera driver technology VMS solutions with smart camera drivers offer valuable assistance during system implementation, and any time new cameras are added to the network or replace older models. Manufacturer-specific smart camera drivers expand the range of model-specific static drivers. Instead of storing the device’s information (codecs, resolutions, frame rates, etc.) statically, a VMS with smart camera drivers queries devices for their capabilities using the manufacturers’ proprietary protocol. All that is required for configuration is that the camera is available on the network. Smart camera drivers eliminate the need to wait for model-specific drivers or installation of driver packs, allowing for newly released cameras to be used immediately. Network security is an area where leading VMS suppliers like OnSSI have ramped up development efforts to stay ahead of hackers  6) Importance of network security Network Security is perhaps the greatest challenge faced by industry professionals today Network security is perhaps the greatest challenge faced by industry professionals today. This is an area where leading VMS suppliers like OnSSI have ramped up development efforts to stay ahead of hackers. New security developments to look for include TLS 1.2 encryption protocols for camera-to-server communications (SSL 3.0 supported for older cameras), as well as server-to-server communications. Additional safeguards to consider include: randomised video databases with no camera identification information to secure recorded data; support for Active Directory authentication; AES encryption between servers and clients; and AES encrypted exporting. 7) Automatic updates Regardless of the supplier you select for your VMS solution, they should be consistently providing new updates and security patches on a frequent if not regular basis. Keeping up with these updates can be a burden and are often overlooked leading to system failures and breeches. Advanced VMS solutions now feature automatic update service checks on a system-wide basis, eliminating the need to manually update individual servers and devices. This ensures that your VMS system always has the latest drivers, fixes and updates which assures overall security while reducing TCO. So next time you’re getting a demo of the latest and greatest VMS solution, remember to ask what it offers in terms of design and implementation tools. Half the battle with new technologies is getting them installed and working properly. Without the right tools to accomplish these critical first steps, all the functionality in the world will do you little good.

It amazes me how in a few short years security systems have gone from simple, dumb cameras witnessing events to intelligent eyes, ears, speech and touch solutions that boost situational awareness far beyond human capabilities. It seems the only senses missing from the equation now are smell and taste. And who knows, someone might be working on those in a lab somewhere right now. But what’s really fascinating to me is how the Internet of Things (IoT) has opened a world of possibilities for transforming security technology into something new yet again. With IoT we’re able to push and pull nuggets of intelligence from sources we never considered before: environmental sensors, pressure plates, door lock timers and much more. It’s helped us break through the constraining mindset that security systems are strictly single-purpose. With interconnectivity at the core, we’re starting to imagine myriad ways to apply these tools to challenges outside the realm of security. Here are just a few examples. Flood management assistance Network camera adds another dimension and timeliness to flood management by helping responders investigate remotely As recent hurricanes and floods have shown, water damage can be devastating to a community. That’s why some municipalities are using their city surveillance cameras in conjunction with water sensor to proactively address the problem. Water sensors collect data from multiple sources such as rain gutters, sewer systems and pump stations, in order to monitor fluctuations in water levels and water quality. If an alert triggers, having a network camera in proximity to visually verify the situation helps responders determine the best course of action. For instance, if multiple water detection sensors trigger alerts simultaneously or sequentially over a large area it’s probably due to natural runoff from recent rainfall. But without eyes on the scene, how can you be sure? Network camera adds another dimension and timeliness to flood management by helping responders investigate and identify the cause of a trigger remotely. It might be a fire hydrant spewing water, a water main break or even a chemical spill. With video streaming live to the command center, staff can remotely inspect the area, determine the cause of the trigger and decide whether remediation is required, thus avoiding the expense of dispatching an investigative crew to a non-event. Some municipalities are using their city surveillance cameras in conjunction with water sensor to proactively address the problem Environmental control assistance Data centers house the lifeblood of a business so it’s no wonder why companies work hard to protect them. We’re all familiar with the integration of network cameras with access control systems to visually verify who is actually using the credentials. Network camera adds another dimension and timeliness to flood management by helping responders investigate and identify the cause of a trigger remotely But there’s another aspect to protecting data centers and that’s environment control. Data centers need to maintain optimum humidity and temperature for the racks of electronics. When environmental sensors in the facility detect out-of-norm ranges technicians can remotely command a network camera to zoom in on the gauges and help them determine whether remediation might be necessary.  Coupling network cameras with other sensors in the data center can provide visual confirmation of other conditions as well. For instance, every time a data rack door-open-close sensor detects an event it can trigger the camera to pan to the location and stream video to security. Some data centers employ weight sensors at the doorway to weigh personnel and equipment as they enter the room and when they exit to ensure no additional hardware is being taken out of the facility or left inside without permission. Any discrepancy would trigger the camera to zoom in for a close-up of the individual’s face and send a visual alert and ID information to security. Roadway management and parking assistance Network cameras have long played a part in city-wide traffic management. Adding video analytics and integration with network sensors, makes those cameras that much smarter and versatile. They can detect cars driving in bike lanes or driving in the wrong direction and capture license plates of offenders. Their ability to detect anomalous traffic flow patterns can be integrated with car counting sensors, networked electronic road signs and traffic light systems to automatically redirect vehicles to alternate routes. They make great, intelligent parking lot attendants, too. Working in conjunction with weight sensors network cameras can count vehicles coming into and leaving a lot or garage and verify when the facility has reached capacity. License plate recognition and video analytics can be used to ascertain that a vehicle entering a reserved parking space doesn’t match the credentials and vehicle attributes in the database. With the addition of noise sensors and audio analytics, network cameras can improve roadway and parking facility safety by detecting and identifying specific sounds – breaking glass, car alarms, gun shots, and aggressive speech – and triggering a visual alert to first responders. Network cameras can improve roadway and parking facility safety by detecting and identifying specific sounds and triggering a visual alert to first responders Shopper experience assistance In the early days of online shopping, e-tailers designed their sites to replicate the in-store customer experience. In an ironic turn of events, today brick-and-mortar stores are trying to mirror the online shopping experience. To do so, they’re turning their security systems into adjunct sales assistance. With network video and audio system automation they can recognise and acknowledge loyal customers with personal greetings. Retailers are applying people counting video analytics to checkout activity to create rules-based consistency in customer service With heatmapping analytics they can measure how much time a customer spends in a specific department or observe how they walk through the aisles of the store. They can track shopping behaviors such as items looked at that made it into the cart or didn’t, or whether a customer actually checked out or left the merchandise behind. By capturing these shopping patterns and trends retailers can shape a more positive, more profitable customer shopping experience. For instance, integrating video analytics with point of sale systems and RFID sensors on merchandise tags can result in timely alerts to sales associates to recommend additional merchandise. This is a case of emulating how e-tailers let the customer know that other customers who bought X often also purchased items Y and Z. Or to avoid disappointing customers due to stock outages, retailers are linking weight sensors and video analytics to make sure their shelves are well-stocked and if not, quickly alert associates to what items need to be restocked. Capturing business intelligence Retailers are also using video cameras to monitor checkout queues and trigger automated announcements over the public-address system, closed system such as smartphones or other wireless communications devices that checkers are needed rather wait for a person to call for backup. IoT laid the groundwork for network security solutions to seamlessly integrate with other IP-based technologies, sensors and programs They’re applying people counting video analytics to checkout activity to create rules-based consistency in customer service. While retailers will always use their surveillance camera for loss prevention, they’re finding that integrating traditional technology in new ways can yield even bigger returns. Linking network video surveillance, video analytics, network communications system and sensors with point-of-sale systems and customer loyalty databases, retailers are capturing the business intelligence they need to get back in the game and make brick-and-mortar a greater overall experience than online shopping. A natural cross-over technology This trend towards integration has forever changed how organisations view their investment in security technology. The intelligence and versatility of a tool that can see, verify and analyse what’s happening in real-time is spurring users to tap its cross-over potential for a host of other tasks that could benefit from more astute situational awareness – everything from manufacturing and equipment maintenance to logistics, inventory control and beyond. IoT laid the groundwork for network security solutions to seamlessly integrate with other IP-based technologies, sensors and programs. How we capitalise on that connection is only limited by our imagination.

Consolidation persisted in the physical security industry in 2018, and big companies such as Motorola, Canon and UTC continued to make moves. Also among the mergers and acquisitions (M&A) news in 2018 was a high-profile bankruptcy (that ended well), continuing consolidation in the integrator market, and the creation of a new entity called “LenelS2.” Here’s a look at the Top 10 M&A stories in 2018: 1. Motorola acquires Avigilon Motorola Solutions announced in February that it had entered into a definitive agreement to acquire video surveillance provider Avigilon in an all-cash transaction that enhances Motorola Solutions’ portfolio of mission-critical communications technologies. Avigilon products are used by a range of commercial and government customers including critical infrastructure, airports, government facilities, public venues, healthcare centers and retail. The company holds more than 750 U.S. and international patents. 2. UTC Climate, Control & Security buys S2 Security UTC Climate, Controls & Security agreed in September to acquire S2 Security, a developer of unified security and video management solutions. UTC subsequently combined S2 with its Lenel brand to create LenelS2, “a global leader in advanced access control systems and services” with “complementary strengths.” 3. Costar Technologies acquires Arecont Vision after bankruptcy Arecont Vision, the provider of IP-based megapixel camera and video surveillance solutions, announced in July that the acquisition by Costar Technologies, Inc. of its assets had been approved by the bankruptcy court. After the closing of the sale, the company began operating as Arecont Vision Costar, LLC and is part of Costar, a U.S. corporation that designs, develops, manufactures, and distributes a range of products for the video surveillance and machine vision markets. 4. Allegion acquires access control company ISONAS Allegion plc, a security products and solutions provider, agreed in June to acquire ISONAS through one of its subsidiaries. ISONAS’ edge-computing technology provides access control solutions for non-residential markets. ISONAS' devices – like its integrated reader-controllers – utilise power over ethernet, making them easy to install and cost effective as they utilise existing customer infrastructures. The company is based in Boulder, Colo. 5. HID buys Crossmatch for Biometrics HID Global announced that it had acquired Crossmatch, a provider of biometric identity management and secure authentication solutions, from Francisco Partners. Crossmatch’s portfolio of products includes biometric identity management hardware and software that complement HID’s broad portfolio of trusted identity products and services. 6. BriefCam announces acquisition by Canon BriefCam, a global provider of video synopsis and deep learning solutions, announced its acquisition in May by Canon Inc., a global digital imaging solutions company. The addition of BriefCam to Canon’s network video solutions products portfolio complements the Canon Group’s previous acquisitions of Axis Communications and Milestone Systems. 7. Allied Universal acquires U.S. Security Associates Allied Universal, a security and facility services company, finalised its acquisition of U.S. Security Associates (USSA) in October, further building on its position in the security services industry. This acquisition includes Andrews International (including its Government Services Division and Consulting and Investigations and International Division) and Staff Pro. 8. Johnson Controls acquires Smartvue Corp. Johnson Controls announced in April that it had acquired Smartvue, a global IoT and video provider that empowers cloud video surveillance and IoT video services. The addition of the Smartvue cloud-based video platform will enhance Johnson Controls’ offering of an end-to-end, smart cloud-based solution that can provide superior business data and intelligence to customers and added value to partners. 9. ADT acquires Red Hawk Fire & Security (and others) ADT Inc.’s acquisition of Red Hawk Fire & Security, Boca Raton, Fla., was the latest move in ADT Commercial’s strategy to buy up security integrator firms around the country and grow their footprint. In addition to the Red Hawk acquisition, announced in mid-October, ADT has acquired more than a half-dozen security system integration firms in the last year or so. 10. Convergint Technologies continues to acquire Convergint Technologies announced in August the acquisition of New Jersey-based Access Control Technologies (ACT), bringing further electronic security systems experience to Convergint's service capabilities. Convergint has strategically grown its service footprint across the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia Pacific through strong organic growth and the completion of 18 acquisitions since early 2016. And it continues: Convergint announced acquisition of SI Technologies, Albany, N.Y., in November and Firstline Security Integration (FSI), Anaheim, Calif., in December. (And Convergint itself was acquired in February by private equity group Ares Management.)

IDIS has launched its totally cost-free IDIS Dynamic Privacy Masking (IDPM) solution at IFSEC International (stand IF1110 at London’s ExCel) 2019.  IDIS now offers a simple answer to the previously labour-intensive – or prohibitively expensive – problem of de-identification in video footage which is being submitted in response to requests for access under The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) or for evidential purposes. Protecting privacy with masking GDPR came into play during a challenging time and some users have stopped reporting smaller losses" Last year, GDPR gave the right to any person captured by a video surveillance camera to access a copy of their personal recorded data. But at the same time, companies are required to protect the identity of other individuals who feature in the recorded video, with anonymisation and masking.  The same de-identification also needs to be applied when providing video clips to the police and courts for use as evidence. GDPR-compliance for incident investigations Jamie Barnfield, Sales Director at IDIS Europe, says that many small to medium companies – for example, retailers and eating-out chains - are struggling to manage their recorded video footage. They are under pressure to provide police with GDPR-compliant video for incident investigations, to respond to freedom of information requests from the public, and to supply footage to insurers assessing claims including as slips, trips and falls. In all of these cases the video needs to be redacted, Barnfield points out. “GDPR came into play during a challenging time and some users have stopped reporting smaller losses and petty crimes because of the increased work involved. For others the alternative has been to resort to expensive video cloaking services that charge by the minute, or to use third-party redaction software not budgeted into the running costs of their surveillance operations,” he said. IDIS Dynamic Privacy Masking (IDPM) Solving this problem, IDPM is now available from the IDIS Partners Portal as a direct download. It allows authorised system users to blur sensitives areas and dynamically de-identify faces, vehicles etc. Crucially, IDPM does this automatically for the duration of the clip, even as the object or person moves around the scene. Users can then quickly save video as clips or project files via the IDIS Clip Player which, crucially, does not rely on transcoding to prevent forgery. The integrity of recorded video is already assured with IDIS Chained Fingerprint technology As a result, masking can easily be removed later by the authorised user without affecting the integrity of the footage, if that becomes necessary for a subsequent investigation. Users also have options to set passwords and expiration dates, and to control who can access and play video files.  IDIS Chained Fingerprint technology The integrity of recorded video is already assured with IDIS Chained Fingerprint technology, which extracts distinctive features of recorded video data to create fingerprints for each frame and then embeds each fingerprint into the data of the next frame, connecting each frame together with the next like a blockchain. “IDPM now gives users a simple, fast and intuitive tool to provide evidence to the police and courts so that theft, abuse and violence against staff can be investigated and criminals brought to justice. At the same time companies can respond, within the stipulated timeframe, to information requests in line with GDPR without additional costs,” added Barnfield.

IDIS has launched its AI in the Box (DV-2116), boosting the power of surveillance systems with the most accurate deep learning analytics yet developed. Korea’s surveillance manufacturer says, that in independent tests IDIS Deep Learning Analytics (IDLA) has achieved industry-beating accuracy rates of 97%, a record performance which is further boosted by high speed processing.  Affordable deep learning analytics Users benefit from robust and calibration-free object detection and classification; intrusion and loitering detectionThe DV-2116 makes deep learning analytics more affordable for small to mid-sized applications, enhancing security and control room efficiency. The plug-and-play IDLA-ready appliance comes embedded with an NVIDIA GTX1060 GPU chipset allowing the analysis of up to 16 channels simultaneously. Users benefit from robust and calibration-free object detection and classification (objects such as people, cars, and bicycles); intrusion and loitering detection; powerful, intelligent search functions; and tracking by colour, object and number. The introduction of AI in the Box makes deep learning analytics now easier to adopt through trouble-free plug-and-play installation via IDIS Solutions Suite video management software (VMS). This allows installation without costly disruption. And the 97% accuracy minimises false alarms, significantly improving detection and monitoring performance. Automated monitoring of video streams IDIS’s Deep Learning Engine can recognise potentially significant movements and characteristics of people and vehiclesJames Min, Managing Director, IDIS Europe, says this latest innovation has the potential to make surveillance much less labour intensive – and more effective – for a wide range of users. “Our high accuracy analytics can process vast amounts of data, without break, in a way that human operators can’t. This means that high-resolution video streams can be automatically monitored to spot suspicious behaviour or distinguish potential threats from every-day activity.” IDIS’s Deep Learning Engine, which powers the new DV-2116 AI in the Box solution, can recognise potentially significant movements and characteristics of people and vehicles, while ignoring activity that isn’t relevant. The technology can quickly check through hours of video to find specific individuals. It also becomes more accurate over time due to its self-learning characteristics. “This is very exciting as it means that time critical activities – such as investigating incidents – will become increasingly efficient as our analytics are embedded in operations,” adds James Min.

The focus of the global security industry will shift to London this month for IFSEC International, Europe’s ‘integrated’ security event focusing on the latest technologies and the opportunity to learn from the industry’s top leaders and experts. IFSEC will be held from 18-20 June, 2019, at ExCel London, welcoming 27,000 security directors and managers, installers, integrators and distributors. The exhibition at IFSEC may not be as large as previous years, and several big players are conspicuously absent. Even so, there will be plenty of innovation on display, including big exhibitors such as Avigilon, Axis, Dahua, dormakaba, FLIR, Genetec, Hanwha Techwin, HID Global, Hikvision, IDIS, and Uniview. Exhibitions will likely reflect a continuing shift in emphasis away from individual products and toward integrated solutions, including some end-to-end solutions provided by single manufacturers. Also, likely to be abundantly evident at IFSEC will be a trend toward manufacturers who partner together to provide integrated solutions. For example, look for some manufacturers to host other manufacturers at kiosks within their stands. Texecom will explain the value of training and digital services and their impact on the future of the industryValue of security training Emphasis will continue to be on the practical aspects of using technology: Throughout the show floor, designated technicians wearing ‘Show Me How’ badges will provide demonstrations of products and solutions on display at the various stands. Texecom will explain the value of training and digital services and their impact on the future of the industry. The Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB) Attack Testing Zone features LPCB’s security experts conducting live attack tests on a range of perimeter and façade security products, as well as safes, security enclosures and padlocks. More than 35 hours of seminar sessions will cover timely topics such as ‘Future Proof your CCTV Networks’, ‘Social Media and Internet Security’ and ‘AI and Machine Learning for Security’. Security topics at the Keynote Arena This year, topics will include video analytics, AI, machine learning, GDPR, Brexit and security in smart citiesThe new programme will replicate last year’s successful changes. The Keynote Arena will again be placed at the heart of IFSEC, sponsored by Western Digital. The Keynote Arena will host influential speakers and real-life case studies to inspire attendees. Topical issues will take front and centre, from cybersecurity to ethical and legal challenges to extremism. This year, topics will also include video analytics, AI, machine learning, GDPR, Brexit and security in smart cities. The Future of Security Theatre will present CPD-accredited sessions and presentations that share a vision of the industry’s future and answer burning questions about critical topics, technologies and issues. Education partner Tavcom will present the programme of education dedicated to the ideas, products and innovations driving the industry’s development. The Converged Security Theatre will highlight new approaches that combine cyber and physical defences to tackle dangerous security threats. Included will be real-time technical solutions enhanced by artificial intelligence, powered by Vidsys and partners. Participation by government organisations The Government Pavilion will feature representatives from government bodies such as JSaRC, DIT, and DSOFor the third consecutive year, The Government Pavilion will feature representatives from government bodies such as JSaRC (Home Office & Counter Terror Unit), the Department of International Trade (DIT), and the Defence & Security Organization (DSO). New this year will be participation by the British Transport Police. IFSEC 2019 will again present a snapshot of how manufacturers from across video, access control and intrusion detection are continuing to innovate and collaborate to stay competitive in the challenging market. Innovations first unveiled in the spring at the ISC West 2019 show in the United States will be promoted anew for the European and global markets. IFSEC will be co-locating with FIREX International, a dedicated fire safety event that attracts 18,000 fire prevention and protection professionals; the FACILITIES Show highlighting building management and workplace technologies; and the Safety & Health Expo, dedicated to innovative health and safety products. IFSEC attendees can access the Smart Buildings Expo, the Workplace Wellbeing Show, and the Sprinkler & Suppression Presentation Area within the co-located events.