HID Global hails the renewed promise of mobile access

It’s been almost exactly a decade since HID Global launched the world's first university pilot of smartphones carrying secure mobile IDs. A lot has changed in the following 10 years. Today’s technology has matured, advanced, and proliferated across a variety of high-value use cases.

To catch up on the latest developments in mobile access, we contacted Luc Merredew, Product Marketing Director, Physical Access Control, at HID Global.

Q: What has changed since the first pilot implementation of smartphones used for secure mobile identification?

Merredew: One of the biggest milestones several years ago was when mobile access solutions achieved certification to the ISO 27001:2013 Information Security Management System (ISMS) standard. With increasing awareness of cloud-based security threats and resulting high expectations from a solution, today’s system owners, operators, and users insist on companies being able to demonstrate that they have had their services vetted by independent laboratories and/or agencies. When adopting mobile access solutions that maximise convenience and efficiency, and deliver dramatically improved user experiences, it is neither necessary nor acceptable to compromise security in either the physical or digital domains.

Q: Do universities continue to be the biggest users?

Mobile IDs on devices eliminate person-to-person credentials when accessing secured areas

Merredew: The use cases have grown dramatically, spread evenly across all types of organisations in locations ranging from high-rise buildings to multi-campus global enterprises. But yes, universities continue to be big adopters, and they were among those most eager to leverage the technology so they could bring people back to campus in person during the pandemic. In this environment, mobile IDs on smartphones and other devices eliminate person-to-person credential (e.g., badge or ID card) issuance or revocation, as well as the need to physically touch cards, readers, or keypads when accessing secured areas.

Q: How were mobile IDs employed by your customers as they brought people back to physical locations after the pandemic shutdown?

Merredew: One example is Vanderbilt University, where the challenges of COVID-19 brought renewed attention to the importance of a modern system for identity management and access control that was compatible with Near Field Communication (NFC) and Bluetooth technologies. Members of the campus community could more conveniently access buildings and services with their mobile devices, and the university could efficiently provision and de-provision credentials remotely without person-to-person contact. More recently, Vanderbilt leveraged HID Mobile Access® to deploy campus IDs on iPhone and Apple Watch through Apple Wallet.

Q: Is there another example outside the university vertical?

Merredew: Another example is the iconic tower Arcos Bosques Torre 1 in Mexico City, where the owners and tenants enjoy the simplicity of using their trusted mobile devices to seamlessly access their spaces. As with the Vanderbilt deployment, the drive for operational efficiency and convenience in the tower was combined with a desire to minimise the need for users to come in physical contact with the system. Having a solution like HID Mobile Access that delivers touchless entry and increased safety and security is important.

Q: What have been the biggest mobile access advancements?

The mobile credential provides contactless, seamless access to a wide range of devices and services

Merredew: One of the most important advancements was simplifying upgrade paths to mobile access. In the Vanderbilt example, our HID Reader Manager was used to upgrade the firmware on the university’s physical access control readers and extend support for NFC-based credentials in Apple Wallet. The university uses the HID Origo™ Mobile Identities API integrated with CS Gold®, a higher education transaction system from CBORD, for credential lifecycle management. Another significant enhancement has been the expanded range of uses cases for the mobile credential, going beyond simply opening doors to include providing contactless, seamless access to a wide range of devices and services such as time-and-attendance terminals, cashless vending machines, printers, computers, workstations, and many other applications.

Q: Wearables are also having an impact.

Merredew: Contactless mobile experiences are also delivered through wearable wristbands. One example is the Nymi band which, once authenticated, continuously authenticates the identity of the user until it’s removed from the wrist. This delivers zero-trust security principles and access control using convenient fingerprint and heartbeat biometrics to users seeking touchless authentication.

Q: What is the impact of the cloud?

Merredew: The move to a cloud-based system to issue and manage mobile identity credentials has unified, automated, and simplified identity issuance at a single facility or across any number of distributed office or remote work locations.

Q: What should end users look for in a mobile access solution?

Look for solutions that use a secure element in the reader as well as cloud certificates, to ensure security and data privacy

Merredew: Solutions should support the largest possible number of popular mobile devices – in HID’s case, this includes more than 250. Look for solutions that use a secure element in the reader, and a secure key management process, as well as cloud certificates, to ensure both security and data privacy. Make sure the solution supports Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Near Field Communication (NFC), and both iOS and Android operating systems. Solutions that provide Application Programming Interface (API) and Software Development Kit (SDK) support offer direct access to the solution’s access control hardware, speeding deployment while enabling integration partners to continue innovating products that deliver even better user experiences.

Q: Wonder what this market will look like in 10 more years. What’s next for mobile access?

Merredew: Future innovations are on the horizon with technologies such as Ultra-Wideband (UWB) wireless connectivity, which HID expects will become ubiquitous on mobile devices. It provides unprecedented accuracy and security when measuring the distance or determining the relative position of a target. It is not HID’s expectation that UWB will replace Near Field Communication (NFC) or Bluetooth, but rather supplement Bluetooth and other technologies to provide the assurance, reliability, and granularity of device position that enables truly seamless experiences.

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Larry Anderson Editor, SecurityInformed.com & SourceSecurity.com

An experienced journalist and long-time presence in the US security industry, Larry is SourceSecurity.com's eyes and ears in the fast-changing security marketplace, attending industry and corporate events, interviewing security leaders and contributing original editorial content to the site. He leads SourceSecurity.com's team of dedicated editorial and content professionals, guiding the "editorial roadmap" to ensure the site provides the most relevant content for security professionals.

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AlertMedia, an emergency communication software provider, has announced that it has raised US$ 15 million in Series C funding. The round was led by existing investors, including JMI Equity, Next Coast Ventures, and Silverton Partners. AlertMedia has quickly emerged as one of the major providers of emergency communications technology and solutions. As a result of their product’s ease of use, reliability, and mobility, the company has doubled its business, five years in a row, while maintaining an extraordinary +84 NPS score. AlertMedia supports global enterprises AlertMedia now supports more than 2,000 enterprise customers, including Walmart, DHL, Greyhound, Healthgrades, as well as prominent organisations in all industries, across more than 100 countries. AlertMedia continues to grow in response to the market’s unwavering need, to help organisations easily and effectively communicate with their employees, during critical events, including severe weather, workplace violence, and the current COVID-19 pandemic. The company recently added nearly 250 enterprise customers, during the month of March 2020. Products help companies navigate critical events Our products are made to help organisations navigate critical events" “Our products are made to help organisations navigate critical events, from approaching hurricanes to pandemics, to disruptions in supply chain and operations. Our mission is to save lives and minimise loss, by facilitating timely communications, when an emergency threatens personal safety,” said AlertMedia’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Brian Cruver. Brian Cruver adds, “Right now, the AlertMedia team is working harder than ever to support companies around the world, in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. We are extremely grateful that our software can help organisations and their people during this pandemic.” In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, AlertMedia customers are using the platform to send and receive two-way messages, manage operational changes, perform wellness checks, and dispatch critical communications to their employees, keeping them safe, informed, and connected. Series C funding to accelerate product innovation As a customer-first organisation, AlertMedia plans to use this new round of funding to accelerate product innovation, continue to support existing customers, and help meet growing market demand by expanding its team. “It’s refreshing to see a company like AlertMedia thrive financially while also helping millions of people every day,” said Bob Nye, General Partner at JMI Equity, adding “From an investment standpoint, that’s exactly what we want to accomplish, to support an organisation that not only has huge potential for growth and a product that is in high demand, but also one that makes it their every day mission, to keep people safe and informed, and to save lives.”

AlertMedia announces the appointment of Sara Pratley as the company’s Vice President of Global Intelligence

AlertMedia, the globally renowned threat monitoring and emergency communication solutions provider, has announced that Sara Pratley joined the company as Vice President of Global Intelligence. Vice President of Global Intelligence In her new role as Vice President of Global Intelligence at AlertMedia, Sara Pratley will lead the team responsible for monitoring emerging threats and incidents worldwide, providing actionable intelligence to help keep millions of AlertMedia users safe and informed. She joins AlertMedia from CNN, the global news organisation with a multi-platform reach of two billion people, where she was Vice President of National News for CNN’s domestic newsgathering unit. During her decade-long role in leadership at CNN, she oversaw the network’s multi-platform coverage and was known for her outstanding leadership in breaking news. Strong leadership and process skills Sara Pratley led the network’s coverage of major events, including the Boston Marathon bombings Sara Pratley led the network’s coverage of major events, including the Boston Marathon bombings, Orlando Pulse Nightclub shooting, riots, destructive hurricanes, and more. Her strong leadership skills and ability to introduce new processes, and products helped her team successfully reach and expand storytelling, to a fast-growing digital audience. Prior to CNN, Sara Pratley was an Assignment Editor at local television stations in New York and Florida. She is a graduate of Syracuse University. Situational awareness and fast incident response Currently, companies face a growing number of threats that pose a significant risk to employee safety. From health crises with a global impact to localised events, such as wildfires or transportation disruptions, maintaining situational awareness, around the clock and mobilising an immediate response is crucial for reducing an event’s impact. AlertMedia enables organisations to drastically reduce their time-to-action, by fully automating threat intelligence monitoring, impact assessment, and multi-channel communication to impacted employees. Fully integrated threat intelligence monitoring Thousands of organisations, including Walmart, DHL, Samsung, Coca-Cola Bottling Company, and Healthgrades, use AlertMedia to monitor threats and rapidly communicate with their people. Sara Pratley joins AlertMedia, as the company is experiencing significant growth Sara Pratley joins AlertMedia, as the company is experiencing significant growth, which it credits to the product’s ease of use and its fully integrated threat intelligence solution, all critical components to a customer’s ability to respond faster, under the pressures of a real emergency. Faster communications and enhanced safety “Dangerous threats and catastrophic incidents are continuously emerging around the world. Our team helps companies sort through the noise, so they can quickly understand the risk to their employees and proactively communicate to improve safety,” explained Brian Cruver, CEO of AlertMedia. Brian Cruver adds, “As a journalist and news leader, Sara excels at bringing fast and accurate information to a global audience. Her extensive experience in curating and communicating information will play a major role in expanding AlertMedia’s ability to provide actionable intelligence to our customers.” AlertMedia, one of the fastest growing US companies AlertMedia was recently named to the Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing companies for the second consecutive year, ranking as the fastest-growing software company in Austin. In May, Inc. named AlertMedia as one of the Best Workplaces of 2020. The company has been named ‘One of the Best Places to Work’ in Austin, by the Austin Business Journal for four consecutive years.

Valsoft Corporation expands education sector portfolio with the acquisition of ScholarChip

Valsoft Corporation (Valsoft), a Canadian company that specialises in the acquisition and development of vertical market software businesses, is pleased to announce the successful acquisition of ScholarChip (ScholarChip Card LLC), a global provider of identity management, visitor management and behavioural software for the K-12 vertical. Acquisition of ScholarChip ScholarChip was founded in 2003, by Dr. Maged Atiya and his wife, Monica Sibillia Atiya, with a mission to help make schools safer, more engaging, and more supportive of student success. Since then, the company has continued to innovate and remained at the forefront in school safety. We are thrilled to have found a partner with a shared vision and a long-term view" Craig Lockwood, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and President at ScholarChip, stated “Valsoft’s considerable experience and expertise in building great software companies will help ScholarChip further its mission of promoting safe and supportive school climates. We are thrilled to have found a partner with a shared vision and a long-term view.” Seamless transition to help drive growth The ScholarChip team will remain in the company’s base in the USA, with Craig Lockwood and the senior leadership team remaining at the helm of the business, ensuring a seamless transition that helps drive the product and company forward. Sam Youssef, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Valsoft Corporation, said “We’re extremely excited to partner with ScholarChip and help them achieve their growth strategy. We’re confident that with their strong market positioning and solutions, along with our best practices, and M&A expertise, ScholarChip and its customers will benefit from this relationship for years to come.”

4 smart ways to use security to power the business of the future

In the new era of work, our relationship with the workplace is defined by flexibility and mobility. Employees are working across the home, office, and blended spaces more than ever before, as well as working varied hours to suit the modern work schedule. This new hybrid workforce model holds the potential for more diverse talent and better productivity, but it also comes with its challenges – one being how to ensure security, health, and safety in the workplace. Strong and smart security ecosystem While nearly one-third of companies report that they’ve implemented a hybrid model, according to a recent survey by STANLEY Security, many still have much to do to prepare their office for the future. Building a strong – and smart – security ecosystem is crucial in preparing for the future. As such, businesses should consider technologies that help protect their people, as well as safeguard their assets, optimise their operations, and secure their network. 1)Protect your people Implementation of a security ecosystem combines health, safety, and security hardware and software solutions seamlessly Nearly 60% of mid-market and enterprise businesses across the UK and US report that the health and safety of their employees and customers are a primary concern when implementing modern and hybrid working models. This begs the question: How can businesses create a safe and healthy work environment when 59% are planning to bring employees back on-site in some capacity within the next 18 months? The answer lies, in part, in the implementation of a security ecosystem that combines various health, safety, and security hardware and software solutions seamlessly. Integrating platform Nearly half (46%) of business decision-makers say they are interested in adopting an integrated platform such as this. This means integrating traditional and digital security solutions, then leveraging the data and insights they produce to further enhance the workplace experience. Take this example: With employees and visitors moving in and out of the office at different times, a business may lack oversight of occupancy or density levels, people flow, workspace scheduling, visitor check-in processes, and more. However, with visitor management, access control, and other building/business systems integrated, employees can reserve a workspace for a specific date and time and be granted access to the building. Leveraging AI and machine learning Visitors can pre-register, answer a health screening questionnaire, and receive a mobile credential before arriving. Once the visitor arrives on-site, the system can alert the respective department – all without the close contact typically required for traditional visitor check-in processes. When layering artificial intelligence and machine learning on top of the data, a business may identify trends in people flow and opportunities to optimise congested areas. They may also see that certain rooms within the building get more use than others and leverage these insights to manage their space more effectively. All of this is powered by a security ecosystem that can help a business better protect its people while realising other benefits in the process. 2) Safeguard your assets Businesses are concerned about the security of their assets when it comes to the hybrid workforce model Even more, businesses are concerned about the security of their assets when it comes to the hybrid workforce model. About 72% of leaders say this is, in fact, their primary concern with the hybrid approach. This figure isn’t surprising when you consider the impact of the pandemic, which left many businesses closed either temporarily or permanently, with few people allowed on-site to manage facility operations. As a result of the pandemic, we saw tech adoption accelerate at an astonishing rate – simply because businesses had to implement cloud and remote technologies to survive during a time when buildings were closed indefinitely. Remote management and visibility This was particularly true for security solutions, such as cloud video surveillance and cloud access control solutions like wireless IoT-connected locks. Nine out of 10 businesses (91%) report that they have already implemented cloud security technology; of those, nearly half (48%) stated that this was due to the pandemic. These technologies allow for remote management and provide visibility into business operations at the same time. In a retail setting, for example, cloud video surveillance allows businesses to identify and track not only criminal activity, but also foot traffic patterns, peak operating hours, staff shortages, and more. Loss prevention strategy When integrated with the retailer’s point-of-sale (POS) system, businesses can gain greater insights into their traffic counts, end cap effectiveness, loyalty card activity, and a variety of POS exceptions, such as high-dollar transactions, repeated transactions, excessive returns, employee discounts, and more. For retailers especially, a security ecosystem means a more efficient loss prevention strategy that helps safeguard assets and profits. 3) Optimise your operations The “future of work” is still very much a work in progress, but one thing is clear: Businesses are looking for ways to increase efficiencies, drive cost savings, and, ultimately, optimise their operations – especially now with the challenges posed by price inflation. A relatively untapped opportunity for businesses to achieve these goals lies within their security infrastructure. Security technology and solutions gather incredibly rich data which, when unlocked, can help businesses understand how their buildings are being used, when the busiest times are, where there are highly trafficked areas, and more. Leveraging cloud video surveillance systems, businesses could identify emerging staff training needs Cloud video surveillance systems For example, by leveraging the insights produced by cloud video surveillance systems, businesses could identify emerging staff training needs, which could ultimately result in improved employee satisfaction and reduced attrition. However, much of this data sits untouched within the infrastructure, leaving businesses unaware of the opportunities in front of them. 44% of businesses that currently use a cloud security system for its primary use say they want to know how else this technology can be utilised, and an additional 20% aren’t even aware that it could be used in other ways. AI and analytics The interest in adoption is promising for the office of the future, especially when we see that the majority of businesses (78%) would consider using AI and analytics technologies to optimise their operations, helping their business to operate more effectively and efficiently. The increase in adoption of cloud technology – paired with the rise in interest in AI, machine learning, and advanced analytics – could make it possible for businesses to uncover invaluable insights from their security infrastructure and leverage them to adapt and build business resilience. 4) Secure your network Advanced technology help businesses improve their cybersecurity, making it harder for hackers to gain entry With cyber threats becoming more prevalent, businesses are increasingly looking to secure their networks and protect their data. More than half (54%) of those surveyed expressed interest in using AI, machine learning, and advanced analytics to secure their network by identifying and eliminating cybersecurity threats. Advanced and automated technology can help businesses improve their cybersecurity, making it harder for hackers to gain entry to the larger corporate network. Modern cybersecurity tools that use AI and machine learning can detect anomalies in network traffic or alert and act on suspicious behaviour. Cybersecurity software For example, if an IoT device suddenly begins broadcasting and establishing connections with multiple devices, cybersecurity software could detect this abnormal behaviour, send an alert, and suspend traffic or quarantine an endpoint immediately – saving precious time during a potential breach. A single data breach could result in widespread distrust from workers and customers, potentially leading to decreased business as well as litigation issues. As such, businesses need to take action to update and strengthen their defences so that they can avoid downtime and continue to operate with peace of mind. Prepare your business for the future Businesses will continue to look for more ways to extract value out of their existing infrastructure, including their security technology. For many, the tools to do so are already in place, it’s just a matter of unlocking the insights with a security ecosystem. With such an ecosystem – one that helps protect a business’ people, assets, and network, while optimising operations – companies can better safeguard the future of their workspaces and usher in the new era of work with confidence.

Security Executive Council’s SLRI unveils 2021 Corporate Security Organisational Structure, Cost of Services and Staffing Benchmark

The Security Leadership Research Institute (SLRI), part of the Security Executive Council (SEC), has released the results of its 2021 Corporate Security Organisational Structure, Cost of Services and Staffing Benchmark. A few highlights of the new benchmark include: 41% of respondents operated at the Director level Average security budget reported was US$ 13,254,850 On average, respondents reported one security employee, for every 93 employees Results on SLRI's new benchmark Security leaders have used the budget, title and reporting data, provided by this benchmark, to avoid budget reductions Security leaders have used the budget, title and reporting data, provided by this benchmark, to avoid budget reductions and secure job title changes, so as to better reflect their level of responsibility. The 2021 Corporate Security Organisational Structure, Cost of Services and Staffing Benchmark results include more detailed data breakdown and more comparison data than previous versions of the benchmark. The full report includes: Report-to level by organisation revenue Domains managed compared to security budget Report-to function vs. reporting level Budget by square footage Budget as a percentage of revenue Budget by sites covered Budget per employee Uniformed security vs organisational employees Personnel cost as a percentage of budget Responses and respondents vetted for data accuracy The report also details security’s responsibility and accountability by programme (e.g., supply chain security, IT forensic investigation, business continuity, asset protection), broken down by revenue, the number of employees, budget, and more. The Security Leadership Research Institute (SLRI) carefully vets responses and respondents, in order to ensure a high level of confidence in the reliability and accuracy of benchmark data. No other organisation focuses exclusively on quality, meaningful research specific to the corporate security function.

Kathleen Kotwica of the SEC discusses the state of corporate security research on The Security Podcasts: Women in Security Edition

Kathleen Kotwica, the Executive Vice President and Chief Knowledge Strategist at the Security Executive Council (SEC) and Principal Analyst, Security Leadership Research Institute (SLRI), recently sat down with Layan Dahhan of The Security Podcasts: Women in Security Edition, to discuss her career in the security industry and the current state of corporate security research. The podcast celebrates influential women in the security industry. Research in corporate security Kathleen Kotwica discussed the challenges of conducting research in corporate security Kathleen Kotwica discussed the challenges of conducting research in corporate security, a field in which leaders frequently balk at the prospect of sharing information. She recognised early on that without industry-wide research, security leaders would forever be re-inventing wheels, from developing or enhancing security programmes to gaining traction with their senior management. Reliable trend data and benchmarks Kathleen Kotwica has spent the last 16 years developing, conducting and enhancing research that is specific to the corporate security function, in an effort to provide meaningful and reliable trend data, and benchmarks, not just for a few security leaders, but to improve the security industry as a whole. She has architected and directed what is believed to be the largest knowledge base on security programme and leader success. “What people need to know is the more they share, the more information and actionable resources we can create for them,” Kathleen Kotwica told the podcast.

3xLOGIC introduces all-in-one functionality for a variety of cameras

3xLOGIC, the provider of integrated and intelligent security solutions, has announced the availability of its All-in-One Functionality, currently available in its serverless camera bundle, indoor cube camera, and 56-degree thermal camera offerings. All-in-One cameras feature onboard storage and, with the purchase of appropriate licensing, allow the camera to function as a standalone VIGIL Server. The cameras can also be used in conjunction with a VIGIL DVR for redundant storage capability. Affordable, edge-based solution As a standalone camera, All-in-One models are compatible with the entire VIGIL Software Suite, including direct access through VIGIL Client and its mobile app View Lite II, as well as with VIGIL Central Management for remote health monitoring and notification. “As dealers and customers look for more ways to balance and optimise video delivery and video verification, the need for camera-based edge storage and remote accessibility has increased,” says Bill Hobbs, VP of Global Sales. “The new All-in-One feature addresses these needs with an affordable, redundant, edge-based solution.” All-in-One Functionality is available on the following new solutions from 3xLOGIC: Flexibility, functionality, scalability, and future-proofing are at the heart of the serverless camera bundle Serverless camera bundle Designed for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as well as being suitable for educational, retail, healthcare, and warehouse and distribution environments, the 3xLOGIC Serverless Camera Bundle offers organisations that don’t have support staff to maintain on-site servers and infrastructure, the opportunity to benefit from a cutting edge security solution. Flexibility, functionality, scalability, and future-proofing are at the heart of the serverless camera bundle. As the world moves away from on-premises servers and into the cloud, 3xLOGIC has provided an interim step with serverless cameras that offer a “per camera” alternative. However, recognising that requirements change, it is possible to add a server if required or transition to the highly cost-effective 3xLOGIC cloud solution. All-in-one functionality The serverless camera bundle incorporates 3xLOGIC VISIX devices that boast all-in-one functionality. Users can choose from the VISIX 5MP fixed 2.8mm lens indoor/outdoor vandal-proof mini-dome and VISIX 5MP fixed 4mm lens outdoor mini-bullet cameras, which are both available in 128GB or 256GB storage options. Both variants feature solid-state components, so there are no mechanical drives as failure points, and they can be configured using the VISIX Setup App. Remote access to live and recorded video is possible through VIGIL Client and/or the VIGIL View Lite II App. Indoor cube camera VX-2M-CPIR-IAW delivers recording at the highest quality while enabling fast live viewing The 2MP Indoor/Outdoor Multi-Sensor Cube Camera with Wi-Fi. Featuring built-in passive infrared (PIR) sensors, two-way audio, and digital I/O, the VX-2M-CPIR-IAW delivers a feature-rich IP camera, alarm annunciator, and audio in a single small unit. With dual-streaming compression, the VX-2M-CPIR-IAW delivers recording at the highest quality while enabling fast live viewing from anywhere regardless of available bandwidth. Maximum performance The camera can be used with optional edge recording for a true all-in-one solution or it can be coupled with the VIGIL Series of network video recorders (NVR) and video management system (VMS) software for superior point-to-point hardware compression and decompression to allow for maximum performance of the live-streamed video. This provides higher-quality video, more concurrent streams, and lower overall demand on CPU performance. 56-degree thermal imager The 56-degree thermal device is ideal for surveillance and detection applications with insufficient lighting The new 56-degree field of view (FoV) thermal imager provides enhanced detection capabilities and is ideal for surveillance applications with insufficient lighting or in areas where smoke, fog, or dust are an issue. The 56-degree thermal device is ideal for surveillance and detection applications with insufficient lighting, or for customers who want visibility where they once had none. Edge-based recording software and an advanced analytics engine eliminate the need for an on-site server. Equipment temperature monitoring In addition to detecting intruders, the thermal fulfills another increasingly important function: equipment temperature monitoring. The ability to monitor generators, electrical panels, and other equipment – and proactively notify the user of an overheating or runaway condition – is a highly effective way to manage and preserve assets and security. Target markets for this thermal device include car dealerships and equipment rental companies; pawnshops; utilities, sub-stations, and maintenance facilities; seaports, railyards, and airports; and K-12 education campuses.

ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions’ Incedo Business access control solution offers greater versatility for Clockwise’s flexible workspaces

Following a change in employment practices, created by the COVID-19 pandemic, many office-based employees now follow a hybrid schedule, working where they are needed or find convenient. The fast-growing use of flexible offices and co-working spaces is a testament to this emerging trend. With employees coming and going as they please, a change in how security and access control are managed is an urgent, but overlooked aspect that many firms are just waking up to now. Clockwise, renowned office space provider Clockwise is the UK and European provider of flexible office space for entrepreneurs and established businesses. The company’s expanding offering includes contemporary offices, meeting rooms and shared workspaces, across multiple cities. Any business, which relies on flexibility, places high demands on door security and access control. Clockwise needs a broad choice of electronic devices to secure meeting rooms, private offices, communal spaces and main entrances, which may not all require the same lock type. Access management should adapt to changing needs Access management must be able to adapt and change, as fast as Clockwise clients’ needs The office space demands of a start-up, freelance co-worker or growing SMB can change at any time, so Clockwise offer a range of membership levels and packages. Access management must be able to adapt and change, as fast as Clockwise clients’ needs. Because tenants come and go frequently, Clockwise facility managers need tailoring of user access rights, to be as easy as possible. Clockwise’s own spaces and a portfolio may also evolve, so any access system must be able to scale instantly up or down. How flexibly Clockwise can deliver for their clients is essential to growing in such a competitive market. Incedo Business offers versatile access control The range of Incedo-enabled devices and door hardware, managed by simple cloud-based software, convinced Clockwise to choose ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions’ Incedo Business, for all their premises. This platform-based access solution connects security software and hardware within a single, future-proofed ecosystem. The diversity of Incedo-enabled devices enables Clockwise to select the ideal electronic lock for every opening in their properties. Internal private office doors, ‘Zoom rooms’ and meeting rooms, as well as communal area doors, and entrance/exits, are now secured with wireless access control devices from the Incedo Business range. Flexible system management options Incedo’s flexible system management options help Clockwise to operate access control with maximum efficiency. Administrators quickly create groups with tailored access for specific doors. Access permissions may also be time-limited, which is perfect for meeting room bookings or for facilitating access hours for different membership options. Private desk members get 24/7 admission, whereas hot-desk membership is only allowed entry during office hours. According to Clockwise, the flexibility to create groups and the ability to remotely update cards, both work really well for their business.

TopSource provides a comprehensive payroll solution to Retail Hub Solutions

Retail Hub Solutions Ltd. is a subsidiary of Raymond Ltd. Retail Hub is engaged in sales of all Raymond brand like: Raymond Premium Apparel ColorPlus Park Avenue Parx Makers Notting Hill Multi-location existence Retail Hub required full HRIS and employee self-service module. Employee data collection was an issue due to the pan-India multi-location existence of the client. Employees were not getting payslips & Income tax reports on time. This led to incomplete employee data collection and distribution. A large number of employee queries were unanswered each month. Retail Hub approached TopSource Worldwide to provide a comprehensive payroll solution that needed to be delivered on time, accurately, and also be able to respond to their growing needs. Data fields editable TopSource Worldwide helped the client by making data fields editable by employees themselves TopSource Worldwide provided employee self-service through Portico that gave access to employees for their payslips and enabled them to make investment declarations online. The Payslip distribution took place through Portico to multiple locations. 24X7 secure access to payslips was provided by Portico from anywhere via the web. TopSource Worldwide provided the solution for HRIS with Portico, which had the data storage functionality and client contact was able to generate reports at any point in time. TopSource Worldwide helped the client by making data fields editable by employees themselves. Thus, it helped the client to gather the HRIS data on time and accurately. Facilitating internal reporting Special reports such as MIS, CTC, and many more were provided to facilitate internal reporting for finance and HR functions. All queries related to HR and Payroll are now tracked through a web-based system and they have substantially reduced in number. Retail Hub no longer spends time on administrative work and queries related to payroll. When necessary the HRIS data can be generated with a click of a button. They have eliminated the risk of issues caused due to employee dissatisfaction with payroll and are now getting their payroll reports on time. Online availability of information has assured Retail Hub employee satisfaction.

AlertMedia appoints Kara Hamilton, the Chief People and Culture Officer at Smartsheet, to the Board of Directors

AlertMedia, the globally renowned emergency communication and threat intelligence solutions provider, announced that Kara Hamilton, the Chief People and Culture Officer at Smartsheet, has joined the company’s Board of Directors. Strategic growth initiatives In her capacity on the company’s Board of Directors, Karan Hamilton will work closely with AlertMedia’s executive leadership team, to support a variety of strategic growth initiatives and pursue new market opportunities. 2020 was a record year for AlertMedia and reinforced that we’ve only scratched the surface" “2020 was a record year for AlertMedia and reinforced that we’ve only scratched the surface, as we work to deliver the technology businesses need, to keep their people safe and informed, during critical events,” said Brian Cruver, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at AlertMedia. Vast industry experience Brian Cruver adds, “Kara is a unique leader, who brings years of experience serving in a variety of roles, at multiple fast-growth businesses, including at her current company, where she helped take the company public. I’m excited to tap into her immense talents, to accelerate our growth trajectory and momentum in the market.” As the Chief People and Culture Officer at enterprise collaboration software company, Smartsheet, Kara Hamilton is responsible for all aspects of employee experience, including recruiting and retention strategies. Served in leadership roles in global companies Under her leadership, the company has garnered numerous awards, recognising company culture, including consistently being recognised as a best place to work. Prior to focusing on people and culture exclusively, Kara Hamilton served in a variety of leadership roles that spanned finance, legal, and IT sectors. Before joining Smartsheet, she also served as the Director of Finance for GoAhead Software (acquired by Oracle), where she led business operations for the U.S., Poland, and India. “The AlertMedia team has delivered truly market-leading solutions to an impressive and rapidly-growing customer base,” said Kara Hamilton, adding “Given current events and the unprecedented year we’ve just endured, emergency communication and employee safety have never been more important.” Solutions supporting faster and effective communications Kara Hamilton’s board appointment comes at a time of explosive growth for AlertMedia’s business and team She further said, “An organisation’s investment in the safety and well-being of their people should be a central component of the future of work, and every company can benefit from solutions that support faster and more effective communication.” Kara Hamilton’s board appointment comes at a time of explosive growth for AlertMedia’s business and team. During the past 12 months, the company experienced a 96% increase in year-over-year revenue growth, while adding nearly 1,000 new customers. Additionally, the company added more than 100 new employees, since the beginning of 2020. AlertMedia, recognised as top employer AlertMedia has continued to earn accolades, as one of the top places to work in Austin, Texas and the entire country, recently being recognised as a top employer, by multiple technologies and business publications, including the Austin Business Journal, Built-in Austin, and Inc. magazine. Kara Hamilton joins current AlertMedia board members, Mike Smerklo, Co-Founder and Managing Director at Next Coast Ventures, Morgan Flager, Managing Partner at Silverton Partners, Bob Nye, General Partner at JMI Equity, and Brian Cruver, Founder and CEO at AlertMedia.

Abloy UK secures Thames Water Contract

Abloy UK has been awarded a three-year contract with Thames Water, valued at an estimated ∼750k, to upgrade existing locking systems between now and June 2024. Thames Water is the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, serving 15 million customers across London and the Thames Valley. Cylinders and padlocks Products specified for the project include padlocks and a range of cylinders, which will be used to secure a variety of areas and assets. These include treatment plants and pumping stations on applications such as hatches, doors, and gates. They'll be used at over 22 sites in North and East London including Coppermills and Abbey Mills. Abloy cylinders combine flexibility with security, to provide unbeatable performance and meet the BS EN 1303 standard for Cylinder Locks. Abloy padlocks use a unique rotating disc principle and are renowned for their endurance and maximum resistance against physical attack, offering durability in even the severest of climatic conditions. Access control and keyless solution There is also the future potential to implement a PROTEC2 CLIQ access control system and BEAT keyless solution that combines a digital key, mobile application, and a heavy-duty, Bluetooth padlock, all managed with the visual Abloy OS user interface. Simon Jeff, Market Developer for Critical Infrastructure at Abloy UK, said, “We are delighted to have secured a contract of this size with such a prominent and well-respected company such as Thames Water, and look forward to successfully implementing the new locking systems over the next three years.”