Education security applications

Schools are continuing to upgrade security measures for pupil safety. However, on top of all the fundamental challenges schools face, implementing well-rounded and effective security solutions can seem a great difficulty. Andrew Shaw, architectural consultant for Allegion UK, discusses the advantages of electro-mechanical solutions. Schools can equate to some of the most complex security challenges for architects, specifiers and school officials alike. This is because choosing the right solution requires a comprehensive analysis of a building’s design and layout and the different requirements of each perimeter, alongside specific uses, user groups and opening hours. Different areas and spaces, such as reception areas, entry points or classrooms, each need to be approached differently in terms of safety and security measures. Precautionary lockdown strategy Adequate training also means all staff know how to support an effective lockdown and facilitate a safe escape in the event of an emergency What’s more, if the building is used for out-of-hours purposes, or if contractors are on-site, these issues will also need to be addressed. Simply put, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution for schools. Security hardware and a precautionary lockdown strategy are necessities, as they are integral to the safety of teachers, students and visitors. Adequate measures need to be implemented so that schools are prepared for, and safeguarded against, external threats or unauthorised access. Whilst a lot of the responsibility falls on the shoulders of facility managers, it’s also important for teachers and administrators to be aware of, and educated on, solutions and training. This means knowing how certain hardware works and how to spot a faulty product. Adequate training also means all staff know how to support an effective lockdown and facilitate a safe escape in the event of an emergency. Unique building requirements This is becoming increasingly important with newer systems too, especially as the Internet of Things (IoT) becomes more commonplace within the industry. Integrating electro-mechanical solutions into existing school security systems is now more commonly viewed as an achievable and viable option. Because an off-the-shelf security solution to fit all doesn’t exist, the benefits of integrating both electronic and mechanical solutions into systems are quickly becoming realised. As such, schools are growing more accustomed to tailored solutions based on their own unique building requirements and budgets. Each school layout is unique and, therefore, must address a range of security factors specific to different areas. Many areas within a school’s building design must accommodate for high capacity, especially in places that may be part of a fire escape route. Mechanical door hardware Schools need to consider the amount of exit and entry points, which will be dependent on the size and layout of the school grounds All schools need to address three different levels of security. The first level is the least vulnerable of the three and concerns the perimeter entry and exit points. The second level is more vulnerable than the first and relates to the point at which people are screened before entering the interior of the school. Finally, the third level - and the most vulnerable - refers to the core of the school that both pupils and staff occupy. The first level of security is the perimeter, and these areas become more important depending on the time of day. Schools need to consider the amount of exit and entry points, which will be dependent on the size and layout of the school grounds. Incorporating some level of electronic access control should be a consideration, whether that is a combination of electronic and mechanical door hardware, or a complete electronic solution. Greater visitor management An electromechanical solution, such as electric strikes, can be beneficial in the effectiveness of perimeter security as they provide greater visitor management and traffic control. Electric strikes are able to control access via keypads, cards and proximity readers. When combined with mechanical locks, they provide the benefits of unrestricted egress. This option also allows integration with central security systems, which can be automatically activated and pre-programmed for regular scheduled control. These solutions help lower the risk of potential unauthorised entry, which can lead to theft of equipment, and compromising people’s safety. They also aid facility and site managers in knowing where potential weak points are in the school perimeter. Because schools will most likely have multiple access points, the combination of mechanical hardware and access control systems allows for both security and convenience, providing greater control and monitoring. Efficient access control A well-designed school with a single-entry point allows for such monitoring, but should also cater to the efficient movement in and out of the building The second level of security is the administration or reception area. As this area will be designed primarily to facilitate visitor entry, it will require adequate monitoring of access control. This area should be able to restrict visitors from freely accessing the rest of the school. A well-designed school with a single-entry point allows for such monitoring, but should also cater to the efficient movement in and out of the building. To do this, the latches used on access-controlled egress doors can be electronically controlled from the reception area or school office. Exit or entry doors can be opened by a push from the inside and, if the entry area is also an emergency exit, electronically-powered panic bars can also provide an effective solution. When using access control solutions, schools are provided with information on who entered a part of the premises and when, are able to restrict or limit access to specific times of the day, and easily add and delete users, allowing them to manage access to the building more efficiently. Integrated centralised systems The areas most susceptible to vulnerability are the internal hallways, corridors, stairwells, entry points and restricted areas (such as staff lounges and science laboratories). These are the areas where a school must foster the safest environments for pupils, whilst also providing protection as they often contain confidential information, expensive equipment or chemicals. For these areas, there are a number of different solutions that will be beneficial, whether electronic, mechanical or a combination of the two. For electronic solutions, there are two options available: remote or centralised systems. With remote lockdown systems, individual locks are activated by remote control within proximity to the door. With integrated centralised systems, the access control system is linked to all doors within the school building and locked at the touch of a button.  Mechanical solutions, which include a cylinder lock and key, are also ideal for places such as classrooms, as doors can be locked externally with a key or internally with a thumbturn, to prevent unauthorised persons from entering. When paired with electronic access control systems, mechanical hardware can provide simplified yet improved security levels. Electromagnetic door closers Electromechanically exit devices allow for monitored and safe access, whilst also allowing for an immediate exit In schools, it is often the case that entrance doors will also be fire exits. Electromechanically exit devices allow for monitored and safe access, whilst also allowing for an immediate exit. When integrated with electronic access control systems, emergency exit points become safer and more secure as access control measures can be added, whether for teachers, pupils or visitors.  In the interest of fire safety, and to eliminate the illegal practice of propping fire doors open as well as aid free passage in busy areas, electromagnetic door closers can be linked with the building’s fire alarm system. When the fire alarm sounds (or in the event of a power outage), the electromagnet deactivates, bringing the door to a close in a normal manner, preventing the spread of fire and smoke. Building design requirements By design, electronic access control systems are also easy to use and maintain. The reliability and durability of such systems also means that there will be less need for excess time and money spent on maintenance, and there’s peace of mind in knowing the systems are code-compliant. Their flexibility additionally allows for the implementation of a highly-effective bespoke solution. Electronic access control and electronic devices are able to be integrated with or into a variety of other electronic and mechanical systems. This means schools are able to successfully tailor solutions to their own budgets and building design requirements. Fully integrated security solutions and biometrics are becoming increasingly affordable and accessible, giving school officials and managing teams greater control over their buildings. These solutions also give them scalability for the future, meaning systems are both future-proof and easily upgradable.

Two giant video surveillance companies have responded to a United States government ban on use of their products included in the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Both Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Company and Dahua Technology Company are mentioned by name in a section buried in the giant military reauthorisation bill. A ban on use of their products will take effect “not later than one year after” the law is enacted. Response from the manufacturers Hikvision’s statement expresses disappointment with the version of the 2019 NDAA passed by both chambers of the U.S. Congress Hikvision’s statement expresses disappointment with the version of the 2019 NDAA passed by both chambers of the U.S. Congress. “This legislation was quickly drafted without sufficient evidence, review, or investigation to warrant the video surveillance technology restrictions outlined in section 889,” says Hikvision. “The process resulted in an ambiguous provision with potentially far-reaching implications for American business and represents a rejection of the U.S. government’s commitment to use a standards-based approach when evaluating security risks in federal procurement.”  Dahua was less direct and did not specifically mention the ban in its statement. “Although local laws and regulations may present challenges, we never lose sight of our goals — to provide top-tier products and services for the North American market,” says the statement from Zhejiang Dahua Technology Ltd. The rest of the statement centres on Dahua’s ongoing commitment to the video surveillance market and addresses possible motivations for the ban (see below). Impact on contractor business Dahua’s statement expressed its ongoing commitment to the video surveillance market Hikvision also cited a recent article published in The Hill that quoted Chris Nickelson, a Missouri-based contractor, who argued that a ban on Hikvision products would actually harm small American businesses like his. According to the article, Nickelson said allegations against Hikvision have hurt his business, and he decried a lack of evidence supporting the allegations. “Somebody still needs to show me that there’s any real meat and potatoes behind any accusations that have been made towards Hikvision,” Nickelson is quoted in The Hill. The rest of Hikvision’s statement: “Hikvision is committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations and has made efforts to ensure the security of its products go beyond what is mandated by the U.S. government, including certification under the Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 140-2 and opening our Source Code Transparency Center (SCTC), which makes the company’s source code available for review by law enforcement authorities and government agencies in the U.S. and Canada.”We understand that in today’s security industry, cybersecurity is the biggest challenge" Company statement on the NDAA Here is more of Dahua’s statement on the National Defense Authorization Act: “Dahua Technology is a global leading IoT video surveillance solution provider operating in 37 countries and dedicated to bringing our customers innovative solutions. Dahua Technology has been publicly traded on Shenzhen stock exchange market since 2008 and is not a government-owned entity. We understand that in today’s security industry, cybersecurity is the biggest challenge. We have provided remedies to correct those issues with our customers. We take cybersecurity very seriously by implementing a seven-module cybersecurity baseline into our product design. Meanwhile, we continue to work with 3rd party partners like DBAPP Security and Synopsys Technology, to rigorously test our products to combat against current cybersecurity vulnerabilities."To personalise our interaction with customers at this event, Hikvision will not have a booth on the GSX show floor" Dahua’s statement continues: “With over 6,000 R&D Dahua professionals, we strive to provide secure products and solutions to our valued customers to secure what they care about. Although local laws and regulations may present challenges, we never lose sight of our goals — to provide top-tier products and services for the North American market. We will continue to invest in resources and employees to ensure our customers and partners retain the highest quality of services to support future growth in this market. "We will continue to invest in resources and employees to ensure our customers and partners retain the highest quality of services to support future growth in this market.” Hikvision comments on GSX presence Hikvision has also issued a statement about its downsized presence at the upcoming GSX trade show (formerly ASIS) in Las Vegas. A Hikvision spokesperson confirmed that the decision to abandon Hikvision’s large booth presence was made earlier this summer and was not a result of the ban. Here is Hikvision’s statement about GSX: “As in previous years, Hikvision will be well represented at the GSX show in September in Las Vegas. To personalise our interaction with customers at this event, Hikvision will not have a booth on the GSX show floor. Instead, a contingency of Hikvision professionals will attend the conference and host partner meetings and product demonstrations in meeting facilities throughout the trade show. "As a total solution provider, Hikvision looks forward to meeting with end users, A&E consultants, integrators and other partners to discuss how Hikvision's full suite of products can help address the challenges facing security directors and the broader C-Suite.”

A third of architects say that schools have weak points in their perimeters and entrances Multiple entry points are the biggest access control challenge affecting schools (90%) Nearly all architects are familiar with Secured by Design standards (95%) 71% of refurbishment specifications are identical to the original ones Jacksons Fencing, the UK perimeter security manufacturer, releases insights into architects’ views on school safety from its report ‘Protecting the Future’. Taken alongside teachers’ perspectives, the report highlights significant differences between architects and school management as well as some reassuring common ground. On average, almost two thirds of architects know of schools being affected by fencing and gate issues (60%). While a similar amount of head teachers have commissioned new access solutions at least once (63%) and over three quarters have had their perimeter inspected within the past five years (80%), these problems are clearly not being resolved. Majority of architects (71%) find that school security refurbishments use the original specifications with some value engineering Restricted installation times The majority of architects (71%) find that school security refurbishments use the original specifications with some value engineering while a significant number know of schools down specifying to save cost (17%). This is despite head teachers’ greatest concerns being unauthorised exits and entrances (30% and 25%), both of which can be prevented with well-designed and specified fencing and gates. Architects identify budget as the greatest challenge when installing school fencing (84%), followed by restricted installation times (48%) and working where children are present (39%). The high number of schools keeping the same specifications or down specifying may be a reflection of this concern for cost and minimum disruption. Keeping school community safe A perimeter’s price tag is not the most significant concern for schools, however. Performance is the highest priority (73%) for teachers, followed closely by security ratings and accredited products (68%). These come ahead of both lifetime and initial costs (64% and 59% respectively).  Recent bomb threats sent to schools across the UK reinforced the crucial role that school staff play in protecting pupils from harm. Head teachers’ identify that creating a positive learning environment (86%) and keeping the school community safe (82%) as the most important parts of their positions. Ensuring their security solutions meet industry standards is one way of fulfilling both these aims. Head teachers are concerned about the safety of their pupils, 39% don’t know where to go to find out more about school security and access control Secured by Design A third of architects are seeing Secured by Design (SBD) and LPS 1175 standards increasingly specified (31%). This is complemented with 95% being familiar with SBD. While change is on the horizon, there is work to be done. Currently under half of architects know about LPS 1175 (47%). While head teachers are concerned about the safety of their pupils, 39% don’t know where to go to find out more about school security and access control. They do, however, have some awareness of safety guidelines, with half being familiar with the recommended height for school fences. A similar number know of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) guidelines, which apply primarily to playgrounds. Acknowledge weak points Overall, architects’ views on school security are in line with teachers, with 32% and 29% respectively saying that they acknowledge weak points in the perimeter. There is also agreement between both parties about which safety issues are afflicting schools the most: multiple entrances, having difficult to see areas and more than one building. Architects, however, are more cognisant of these problems than teachers, with a 40% average difference between their responses. This disparity was especially marked where 72% of architects said that aging fencing is an issue, compared to 16% of teachers. Architects are up against stringent budgets that lead to maintaining outdated solutions or down specifying" Impact of perimeter issues Security Consultant at Jacksons Fencing Cris Francis comments: “While there is a healthy level of agreement between architects and teachers on what the key school security issues are, our research reveals some concerning differences. Despite schools prioritising the performance of their fencing and gates, architects are up against stringent budgets that lead to maintaining outdated solutions or down specifying. Schools need to find a way of balancing cost with adequately ensuring children’s safety. Part of the problem might be that without a professional understanding of design and security, school staff can’t appreciate the impact of perimeter issues to the same extent as architects. "Architects also have a greater awareness of safety standards and LPS 1175 certified products. By using their expertise to help schools choose the most appropriate solution for their specific risks and needs, they can help safeguard staff and students alike from future harm.” The ‘Protecting the Future’ report can be downloaded on Jacksons Fencing's website.  

ASSA ABLOY, the global provider of door opening solutions, has unveiled the latest integrated security and access control technologies that it will be showcasing for education environments at IFSEC 2018. Held at ExCeL London on the 19 – 21 June, visitors to stand F320 in Hall S7 at IFSEC 2018 will discover the latest innovations to help ‘access smarter thinking’ for the education sector. Aperio access control technology Key innovations from the organisation’s leading ASSA ABLOY Access Control brand will be on display, with the Aperio technology taking centre stage. Aperio enables mechanical locks to be wirelessly linked to an access control system in a convenient and cost-effective way. Meeting BS EN 179 and BS EN 1125 standards, Aperio can help schools and universities cut energy costs, reduce time and money spent on maintenance, and help deliver a flexible access control solution that can be easily adapted and updated when needed. Part of the Aperio range, the new H100 will also be on display. Packing the power and flexibility of wireless access control into one slim, cleverly designed door handle, the Aperio H100 offers easy retrofitting to almost any interior door. It integrates with all the existing Aperio integrations seamlessly and can work within an online access control system or offline as a standalone device. ASSA ABLOY Access Control’s OEM partners ACS and TDSI will be presenting how Aperio has been integrated into their access control systems PLAN access control system ASSA ABLOY Access Control’s OEM partners ACS and TDSI will be presenting how Aperio has been integrated into their access control systems. ACS will demonstrate how its PLAN Access Control System provides solutions for wired, wireless and wire-free access control, in conjunction with Aperio. TDSI will present how its EXgarde software delivers peace of mind through flexible integration with Aperio. Access smarter thinking Gareth Ellams, Managing Director at ASSA ABLOY Access Control said “IFSEC 2018 offers a vital platform to demonstrate how the education market can ‘access smarter thinking’ with the latest integrated security and access control technologies from ASSA ABLOY. Our intelligent access control solutions are easy to install, manage and expand, which can help improve the education experience for students, staff and visitors.” ASSA ABLOY will be available on stand F320 in Hall S7 at IFSEC 2018, taking place 19 – 21 June at ExCeL London.

The 5 new vandal-resistant thermal cameras in the Wisenet T series are able to capture images at up to 640 x 480 resolution and are designed to detect objects and people in difficult environmental conditions such as through smoke, snow, heavy rain and fog, which traditional video surveillance cameras may not be able to do. They also offer an effective solution for projects where there are concerns about light pollution. “Wisenet cameras are increasingly being specified for multi-sited, high security and mission critical projects across Europe and these new thermal cameras will enhance our ability to provide robust solutions, regardless of the operating conditions,” said Bob (H.Y.) Hwang Ph.D., Managing Director of Hanwha Techwin Europe. “Our camera line-up is now even more formidable with the introduction of the Wisenet T series. Together with our Wisenet P, Q, X and HD+ cameras, they place us in a very strong position to meet the demanding requirements of airport, bus & railway stations, city surveillance, solar farm and traffic monitoring type applications.” Built-in Gyro sensors offer accurate stabilisation, while audio analysis recognises critical sounds Feature rich thermal camera All models in the Wisenet T series are equipped with audio analysis functionality which recognises critical sounds such as gunshots, explosions, screams and broken glass. Additional features include temperature change, shock, object/people direction, loitering and camera tampering detection. Built-in Gyro sensors offer accurate stabilisation which comes into effect when a camera is disturbed by wind or vibrations, resulting in more stable images. Bi-directional audio, motion detection and handover are also offered as standard, as is the ability to store up to 256GB of data via an SD/SDHC/SDXC memory slot to ensure video is automatically recorded in the event of network disruption. There is also a choice of H.265, H.264 or MJPEG compression and feature WiseStream II, a complementary compression technology which dynamically controls encoding, balancing quality and compression according to movement in the image. Bandwidth efficiency is improved by up to 99% compared to current H.264 technology when WiseStream II is combined with H.265 compression. Wisenet VGA camera range Wisenet TNO-4030T:  13mm fixed lens. 5m minimum object distance Wisenet TNO-4040T:  19mm fixed lens. 11m minimum object distance Wisenet TNO-4041T: 19mm fixed lens. 11m minimum object distance. Pan/Tilt mount Wisenet TNO-4050T:  36mm fixed lens. 36m minimum object distance Wisenet TNO-4051T: 19mm fixed lens. 36m minimum object distance Pan/Tilt mount

K-12 schools and higher education campuses face a number of challenges, not the least of which is the basic principle of safeguarding students, staff and faculty from emerging threats. They must strive to strike a balance between building a safe and secure environment and maintaining a welcoming one. A combination of policies and procedures for stakeholders to follow can be instrumental in achieving these goals, but it's not enough to simply lay down strategies. Manufacturers and integrators must work diligently to meet the needs of educational facilities by embracing convergence and unification. One way to do this is to build technology solutions that are easy to use and install, and those that efficiently integrate with the security solutions already in place to maximise capital investments that budget-conscious schools have made. When designing a system, the unique needs of the organisation must be identified. Are streamlined management and situational awareness the goal? If so, a close integration between various systems is critical to the success of the implementation. Reservations with Security Management System A single reservation system enables students to reserve a meeting space or classroom without having to be physically let in the room every time For example, in access control, when two systems are integrated, the simple act of swiping a card can communicate to the building management system to turn on lights in a specific area, ensuring savings on energy costs while also enhancing security by allowing personnel to control access to certain areas that require more protection. Today's access control systems are doing more than simply granting and restricting access: they're adding more value to capital investments by incorporating information from student and building management platforms in an effort to build more intelligent solutions. One example of this collaboration is the use of Vanderbilt's Security Management System (SMS) with a network-based reservation system. The event management software works with the access control software to communicate in real-time; a single reservation system enables students to reserve a meeting space or classroom without having to be physically let in the room every time. This also allows security officials to readily identify responsible parties in the event of a security incident and saves security teams the added expense of having an on-duty person manually granting and restricting access. Strengthening campus safety Lockdown capabilities are also critical for educational facilities, and SMS enables this with the push of a button or the swipe of a card SMS can also be used in a more holistic approach to strengthen campus safety by bringing multiple systems together in an easy-to-manage and web-based platform. This includes a facility's access control technologies, digital video and alarm monitoring systems. SMS is scalable and ideal for large, multi-site or global organisations, like educational campuses, and supports an unlimited number of cardholders and readers. From a single interface, security leaders are able to manage alarms, photo ID badging, visitor management, elevator control, offline and online locks, advanced reporting and more. Lockdown capabilities are also critical for educational facilities, and SMS enables this with the push of a button or the swipe of a card. Showcasing educational solutions Vanderbilt will highlight its solutions ideal for the education market at the upcoming Jenzabar Jam 2018 Annual Meeting in Nashville, Tenn., USA, May 30 to June 2. The meeting presents Jenzabar users with the opportunity to share ideas and learn more about Jenzabar systems and the solutions that seamlessly integrate with the company's offerings, including Vanderbilt SMS. Visit Vanderbilt at booth 13 or click here to schedule a one-on-one meeting with the team during the show.

VMS software and IP products from Hikvision, a supplier of innovative video surveillance products and solutions, are now being used by the Government of Gujarat Directorate of Technical Education (DTE), to protect and administer education facilities and services across Western India. A government organisation that provides qualitative and higher level technical training for students from a diverse mix of financial and social backgrounds, the Directorate of Technical Education’s (DTE) goal is to deliver global standards of excellence in technical education for all its students. Looking to provide a more secure environment and enhance education management, both inside its college campuses and within classrooms, DTE enlisted the help of Prama Hikvision India to evaluate their needs and recommend a practical solution. Enhancing education processes Working closely with the client, Hikvision undertook site surveys at 43 campuses across Gujarat and in respect of DTE’s management and system performance needs, proposed a cost-effective solution that would provide the required level of indoor and outdoor surveillance coverage. The considerations for the surveillance solution would also take-in DTE’s objective of enlisting the new system to play a role in enhancing the day-to-day education processes, where it could also be used to remotely monitor examinations, as well as being a time-saving facilities management tool for use across the large Western India state.The Hikvision control software fully supports smart search, playback, and smart detection Centralised surveillance monitoring Providing centralised remote surveillance and alarm monitoring, Hikvision proposed an IP-based solution that would use DTE’s existing secure virtual private network (VPN), which connects all education sites across Gujarat to a central point at the Directorate of Technical Education, in the capital city of Gandhinagar, Gujarat. At two control rooms, Hikvision iVMS-5200 Professional VMS software was installed to control and monitor the new surveillance system 24/7. Ideal for controlling any mix of surveillance system products, the iVMS-5200 Professional software fully supports all Hikvision products, including DVRs, NVRs, cameras and speed domes, as well as any mix of third party manufacturer products that conform to ONVIF standard. Allowing DTE’s security and management application needs to be addressed, regardless of its size and complexity, the Hikvision control software fully supports the installed Hikvision products’ smart features, including smart search, playback, and smart detection. Low-light surveillance capability To provide affordable high-quality surveillance imaging across the 43 college campuses covered, Hikvision specified a mix of DS-2CD2620F-IS HD 2 Megapixel vari-focal IR network bullet, and DS-2CD2720F-IS HD 2 Megapixel outdoor network IR dome cameras. Both camera models provide 1920×1080 resolution, and true day and night (ICR) low-light capabilities, along with back-light compensation (BLC). Approximately 1,300 Hikvision cameras installed now provide comprehensive surveillance within the campuses lobbies, classrooms, laboratories, staff rooms, examination halls, auditoriums, storerooms, exit and entry doors, and open campus area access gates and car parks. Integrated campus security The Hikvision iVMS-5200 Professional VMS software enables 43 campus locations to be monitored easily and reliably"The Hikvision IP-based surveillance solution successfully illustrates just what can be achieved with large-scale integration,” explains Pinkal Shah, Asst. Manager - Technical Support, at Prama Hikvision India. “The Hikvision iVMS-5200 Professional VMS software enables 43 campus locations to be monitored easily and reliably, encompassing central video management, integration and failover mechanism." "Supporting all remote sites’ local storage and camera SD storage, the system uses Hikvision’s Center Video Record (CVR) mode using NAS to receive data streams directly from network cameras. With CVR mode, there is no need for an intermediate storage server, which not only increases storage efficiency and system stability, but also greatly reduces system hardware cost for the end-user.” Remote surveillance DTE system operators can remotely check the status of facilities or presence/absence of support staff "The Hikvision video surveillance system utilises a WAN/VPN to connect each of the separate locations in this massive multi-site project,” explains Mr. Dayashankar of Progility Technologies Pvt. Ltd., systems integration company responsible for the installation of the project. “The excellent Hikvision iVMS-5200 Professional VMS software enabled us to integrate the many existing third-party manufacturers cameras into the new system, as well as providing out of office hours remote alarm configuration and monitoring. We found the quality of the Hikvision networked camera images to be exceptional under every operating condition.” Viewed from the central monitoring stations, DTE system operators can now remotely check the status of facilities or presence/absence of support staff across Western India. In addition, on examination of the high definition play back, since the installation went live, incidents of petty theft have been recorded, and stolen belongings of students and facilities recovered.

The Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU) was founded in 1898 by the k. k. Ministerium für Cultus und Unterricht as the "k. k. Exportakademie". At that time, tuition was being given in the following relatively modern ­fields: Foreign languages, economics, business affairs, economic geography, public law, private law and consumer affairs. Relocation to Vienna Due to steadily increasing numbers of students, the WU had to relocate to various sites in Vienna several times in its history. The previous location in Althanstraße – originally designed for around 9,000 students – was already fully occupied when the university moved there in 1982. In the 1990s, the number of students grew further and eventually settled at over 20,000. As a result, in 2009 work began on a new campus in Vienna's second district to the east of the Prater park. Six renowned architects from around the world were involved in the planning of the WU campus, with the stated goal of constructing world-class architecture. What was ultimately created was an open site with clear spaces and green areas, with a total of nine standalone and very di­fferently designed building complexes distributed across it. The heart of the WU campus is the Library & Learning Centre designed by the Zaha Hadid design office, which houses central service facilities, banqueting halls and a library, among other areas. Campus WU was opened in a ceremony on 4th October 2013 and provides space for 24,000 students and 2,300 employees. SeeTec software o­ffers encrypted communication between the server and the client, and also supports secure connections to the cameras Viable concept for campus security Even during the planning stage of the WU campus, the topic of security played an important role. A viable concept had to be developed, in particular for the large outdoor areas that are accessible day and night, to protect students, staff­ and visitors on the campus against attacks and thefts, whilst still respecting their personal rights. A further key task of the security technology is visual support for the emergency services in the event of an alarm as well as the securing of escape routes. Design aspects also needed to be taken into account; this means that the cameras should be placed as inconspicuously as possible, and should not in any way affect the overall architectural impression, a tricky task for the installation engineers in particular. SeeTec VMS An invitation to tender was launched for the security technology on the WU campus, with Siemens AG Austria ultimately winning out with a comprehensive overall concept which also takes the architectural features into account. Since its launch in 2013, a networked video system with several hundred IP cameras has been guaranteeing security on the WU campus. The image data is recorded, managed and supplied using SeeTec video management software. The SeeTec software was chosen for the video management system; and thanks to its flexible and modular design the SeeTec solution is expandable and can be easily connected to third-party systems. For the WU campus, this was important because all security systems were to be linked and managed via a centralised building management system. Securing public spaces As the public spaces on the WU campus also needed to be secured, observing the highest possible standards on data. To minimise the system load, the video images are recorded and supplied via multiple servers that are also protected against failure via a made-to-measure redundancy concept. The live images can be displayed as required on a large-screen system in the WU campus control centre. Protection and maintaining the personal rights of students, staff­ and visitors was of paramount importance. In this respect, the SeeTec software o­ffers encrypted communication between the server and the client, and also supports secure connections to the cameras. In addition, sensitive areas can be masked out in the camera image or persons can be made unrecognisable by pixilation; access to the recorded original data is then only possible with the works council being present, for example.  Inconspicuous CCTV To permit interaction of the total of 16 di­fferent systems (such as fire, access control, video technology), they are linked to one another via the Winguard SiControl building management solution from Siemens. If, for example, a fire alarm is triggered, action plans can be automatically displayed in the control room or in the deployment centre, and live images from cameras in the vicinity can be displayed. This means that the emergency services personnel can quickly gain an overview of the situation and ensure that escape and access routes are clear. The challenge faced by the WU campus was to reconcile the requirements of security and ­fire protection with protecting personal rights and video data The cameras distributed across the terrain and in the buildings focus primarily on the outer shell, the escape routes and the critical infrastructure. Thanks to specially developed mounting concepts from Siemens, it was possible in many cases to incorporate them inconspicuously into the façade and ceiling structures, thus preserving the overall architectural impression. SOS telephones on premises To offer additional security to students, staff­ and visitors on the site, SOS telephones have been erected at multiple points on the premises. If an emergency call is sent from there, this triggers an alarm on the Winguard SiControl. In addition, the nearest PTZ camera focuses the column and turns on the live image in the control room. This means the security personnel can immediately gain a picture of the situation on the ground. Johann-Wolfgang Hörtl, responsible for the security department at WU Vienna, and therefore also for the video system, summarises the special features of the video system at WU Vienna: “The challenge faced by the WU campus was to reconcile the requirements of security and ­fire protection with protecting personal rights and video data - after all, we operate in the public space here as well as in areas where lots of people are working. The SeeTec software does both – it seamlessly integrates with building and hazard management systems and at the same time offers numerous features to protect data and personal rights." Expandable system Another important aspect when selecting a suitable video solution was the simple expandability of the system to keep pace with potential further rises in employee and student numbers in future as well. Thanks to the modular design of the SeeTec video management software, new camera channels can be integrated quickly and easily into the system. In addition, new functionalities can be added at any time in the form of expansion modules – examples of this include intelligent video analysis or licence plate recognition for managing parking areas.

Given the choice, would you rather run security at a bank vault or at a student halls of residence? At least the bank job is straightforward: Keep the money inside, and everyone else out. If only protecting hundreds of young people was so easy.   Securing student accommodation Student accommodation blocks are usually large, with high traffic moving from bedrooms to common areas, canteens and libraries. A single resident travelling between her room, a study area, the gym and a couple of trips offsite would use secure doors 15 times a day. In a residence housing just 200 students, that’s 3,000 daily events for the access system to handle. Rapid student turnover puts a further admin burden on facility managers. Imagine, among hundreds of students living at the halls, just a handful leave or arrive each semester. That’s a couple of manual key handovers to schedule every week, and to chase if a key-holder fails to appear. If keys are not handed in, is a room really secure for its next occupant? And how can you know if one has been copied? With physical keys and mechanical locks, security lacks flexibility, and it’s impossible to get a site overview without a time-wasting manual key audit. Today’s students, tomorrow’s secure solutions Mechanical security is not the answer, because mechanical locks don’t offer the control or flexibility managers need. There’s no real-time monitoring, and you can’t generate detailed audit trails for locks or users, meaning there’s no easy way to track unauthorised access — in cases of a theft, for example. The current crop of students — so-called “Generation Z” — were raised as digital natives. They expect convenience as a standard feature, not a mechanical solution first used in Ancient Egypt. In Europe’s increasingly international, marketised higher education system, attracting these tech-savvy students and keeping them satisfied with the campus experience are critical.A wireless access control system like SMARTair™ solves admin problems with a combination of control and cost-effectiveness The SMARTair™ wireless access system is built to meet the challenges of securing a student residence: A system needs the product and software robustness to handle so many users, high traffic, and fast resident turnover. SMARTair™ has it. A system should make student life easier with cards, rather than keys. SMARTair™ does. A system should secure more than just doors, including cabinet locks and devices to protect secure areas like car parks. SMARTair™ does. A system must be easy to upgrade in the future, both adding new doors and upgrading the functionality of the devices already installed. SMARTair™ is; it future-proofs your investment. A system should be able to handle additional student services like the vending machines and canteen on the same credential card as the room door lock. SMARTair™ can. Swapping mechanical for wirelessA wireless access control system like SMARTair™ solves admin problems with a combination of control and cost-effectiveness. It is based on battery-powered locks and is easy to retrofit wirelessly to existing premises or incorporate in a new-build. Installers simply swap the existing mechanical lock for a wireless device and link the door to the management software. Slim, robust SMARTair™ devices can secure almost any opening. Escutcheons (with optional keypad for added security) are ideal for student bedrooms, and fit wood or glass, emergency exit and even fire doors. Available with or without PIN entry, SMARTair™ wall readers can filter lift, main door or car park access. The SMARTair™ knob cylinder is easy to retrofit to management offices; you just replace an existing mechanical cylinder with the SMARTair™ device. For storing belongings, SMARTair™ cabinet and locker locks are configurable in the same system without the need for an extra module. With SMARTair™, students come and go using programmable smart cards, tags, or even the secure SMARTair™ mobile app — not a cumbersome, easy-to-lose key. SMARTair™ devices support all major RFID technologies. Plus, students only need carry one credential to open their door and access additional onsite services. A single card to unlock their room, secure their belongings inside a locker, enter the library, pay for photocopying and buy lunch makes sense for them. It’s another step to boosting resident convenience.Because SMARTair™ devices run on standard batteries, the system is also cost-effective for accommodation providers And because SMARTair™ devices run on standard batteries, the system is also cost-effective for accommodation providers. Already trusted by students all over Europe SMARTair™ is already making life easier for student residence managers all over Europe, including at Mezzino’s Rialto Court in Middlesbrough, UK. “We are so pleased with the result. We are already looking to adopt the access control system for the other student accommodation properties we manage nationwide,” says James McGrath, Mezzino’s co-owner and director. At Funway Academic Resort in Madrid (www.funwayresort.com), student rooms are locked with SMARTair™ escutcheons. Energy-saving wall devices inside rooms regulate electricity use, and students have an individual safe fitted with a SMARTair™ cabinet lock. Students and staff open all their authorised doors with the same access card: the Funway gym, study rooms, games rooms, swimming pool and changing rooms, spa and staff areas are also locked with SMARTair™ escutcheons. “The system meets the expectations we had and offers very easy maintenance,” says Mario Arias, Facility Manager at Funway.  To discover how SMARTair™ can upgrade student security and put you in total control of your halls of residence, visit www.tesa.es/smartair-students

The Ottawa Elementary School District is in Ottawa, Illinois, a river town 80 miles southwest of Chicago. The district consists of five schools, the campuses of which include Jefferson Elementary School, Lincoln Elementary School, McKinley Elementary School, Shepherd Middle Schools, and the Jefferson Elementary “Art House” building.   In the spring of 2015 a variety of issues caused the schools’ administration to determine that they needed a surveillance system upgrade. The district’s IT director Kyle Olesen met with Nick Melnyk of systems integrator Ficek Electric & Communication Systems and the Arecont Vision regional sales team, ultimately sparking a major collaboration to redesign the surveillance systems used by all their schools. No formal coverage strategy The district had been using mostly analogue cameras for its school surveillance. The original cameras had been placed throughout the five campuses without a formal coverage strategy, greatly hindering the usefulness of the surveillance system. This prevented key areas from being effectively monitored and the images that were provided by the analogue cameras were of low quality. New challenges presented themselves as the project continued. With five completely different locations to work with, it was clear that the project would be a long-term one. It was imperative that the installation efforts be planned accordingly. Part of planning was to treat each school as a separate project with its own surveillance coverage layout and system requirements. Education session on IP technology Such a long undertaking also meant staffing challenges. The project manager changed five months into the project, resulting in the bidding process to be undertaken a second time. A The school then hired Chicago-based Architecture and Engineer company to help facilitate the project. Arecont Vision delivered educational sessions to bring the new firm up to date on IP megapixel camera technology. The Ottawa School District approved the installation of Arecont Vision cameras in all five locations in July 2016 During the first meeting with the district in 2015, the IT director was introduced to Arecont Vision megapixel single- and multi-sensor cameras. The end user was impressed, and a more in-depth meeting was scheduled. This led to walkthroughs at each of the five campuses to outline recommendations for camera locations and models. Detailed layout of coverage area The individual schools were pleased with Arecont Vision’s camera performance during this series of events, and the project continued into the design phase. During this period, the district received a detailed layout for each school. The layouts outlined the coverage area that each camera would provide. After completing the design phase, the systems integrator and the school district participated in the Arecont Vision Try-and-Buy Program. This program provided the end user community with the opportunity to experience Arecont Vision megapixel cameras before committing to a full installation. Impressed with what they saw, the Ottawa School District approved the installation of Arecont Vision cameras in all five locations in July 2016. Solutions installed Exacq Technologies, part of the Security Products business unit of Tyco, was selected as the video management system (VMS) provider. Exacq and Arecont Vision have thousands of joint installations for schools and other surveillance projects around the world. Exacq is a member of the Arecont Vision Technology Partner Program, and their VMS software is available in the Arecont Vision MegaLab certification and support facility for the best possible continued integration. The five schools utilise an array of Arecont Vision products throughout the district. The multisensor, panoramic 180o SurroundVideo and adjustable-view SurroundVideo Omni series provide coverage of large areas such as cafeterias, gyms, and parking lots. Arecont Vision pioneered the multi-sensor surveillance megapixel camera market in 2006, and has continued to lead the industry with new features, performance, and reliability. Now in their fifth generation, SurroundVideo cameras provide coverage with four individual megapixel sensors for superior situational awareness and outstanding image quality. The Arecont Vision camerasare monitored both locallyand remotely by the schools,using the Exacq software Arecont Vision MicroDome G2 series cameras were used for interior areas such as for coverage of hallways and doorways. MegaView 2 series cameras equipped with STELLAR (Spatio Temporal Low Light Architecture) technology were implemented for day and night outdoor coverage. The Made in USA Arecont Vision cameras used by the project are hardened against potential cybersecurity attacks, and cannot be repurposed for malicious purposes, giving the schools an added level of security protection. The Arecont Vision cameras are monitored both locally and remotely by the schools, using the Exacq software. Each school’s administration has access to the cameras monitoring their individual campus, allowing for real-time monitoring throughout the day. Video can be accessed remotely, with playback from any camera using district laptops and tablets. Superior image quality and user-friendly interface “The customer and our company are very satisfied and happy with the quality of the equipment,” said Nick Melnyk, of Ficek Electric and Communication Systems, Inc. “The accessories, the mounts, everything fit very well and works very well. That all comes into play because a lot of times you can be sent cameras with wrong accessories and other things that don’t fit, extending the installation process longer than it needs to be. For this project, installation went very smoothly.” “Arecont Vision provided superior image quality and a user-friendly interface,” continued Mr. Melnyk. “The school district was so pleased with Arecont Vision products that they are now looking to put additional cameras onto to the surveillance systems on most of the campuses.” Upon being asked if Arecont Vision could do anything better in the future, Mr. Melnyk stated, “We are very satisfied with everything we have received from Arecont Vision.”

Edmund Rice, formally Christian Brothers College, was established in 1926 and is an independent Catholic high school for boys located in the heart of the picturesque Illawarra district, to the south-west of Sydney. The founder of the Christian Brothers, Edmund Rice, lends the school its present-day name. Installation of new surveillance system Since 2013 Edmund Rice College has invested millions to bring cutting-edge facilities to their students, including a first-class sports hall, state-of-the-art computing facilities, and new learning spaces both inside and out. The school’s current 1980s analogue security system was only semi-operational and not up to the essential task of protecting these assets. Only authorised members of staff have access to review or download foot­age, with neither students nor teachers able to do so So, the headmaster called in Dean Scanlen from Forcefield Security to carry out repairs. Dean knew that continuing to repair the increasingly defunct technology was not a long-term solution: "I suggested, why not include the installation of a brand-new security system in the Sports Hall into the construction cost? I explained the savings that would be seen in the long term and how it was a perfect time to incorporate into the larger project.” The decentralised design of the MOBOTIX cameras with intelligent low bandwidth requirements allowed integration into the school’s existing network and MOBOTIX hemispheric technology meant fewer cameras cover larger areas. With licence-free regularly upgraded firmware, and cameras built to last and to stringent quality standards, MOBOTIX technology offered an economical long-term solution and was perfect for the school. Furthermore, as many areas to be covered were internal, the competitive pricing of the indoor range brought even greater savings upfront. "In order to convince them, I suggested that they try out one MOBOTIX camera. They used it for a month, and came back more than happy and ready to go ahead with the entire installation,” Dean explains. MOBOTIX video surveillance solutions A combination of M15s and D15 easily protected the exterior of the building and only a single i25, MOBOTIX hemispheric indoor camera, was needed to cover the entire sports hall arena A modern alarm system was fitted in the Sports Hall and MOBOTIX cameras were installed around the outside and inside of the building. A combination of M15s and D15 easily protected the exterior of the building and only a single i25, MOBOTIX hemispheric indoor camera, was needed to cover the entire sports hall arena. Positive results were seen quite soon afterwards, with the access reliable footage acting to reduce incidences of bullying and fighting. Extremely happy with the installation, the school were eager for the newly refurbished library to be secured next. By this stage the VMS (video management software) had been upgraded to the newly released MxMC (MOBOTIX Management Centre), making installation even simpler. In spite of its size, the library only required 2 indoor hemispheric c25 cameras to monitor the whole area. Q25s and D15s were installed to keep a watchful guard on the entrance and exterior respectively. Thanks to MxMC’s intelligent sorting of all parameters, which supports visual control and drag&drop, installation time was significantly cut. Pros of MOBOTIX decentralised technology MOBOTIX decentralised technology keeps bandwidth requirements extremely low, allowing a secure subnet to be installed on the school’s existing network without causing any extra burden. Indeed, at busy times, such as during class when students are using computer equipment, the cameras delay sending footage, storing it in a buffer designed specifically for this purpose. “IT didn’t even see an imprint of MOBOTIX on their network,” Dean explains. Edmund Rice College can now look to the future with reassurance, knowing that they have a scalable, flexible security system built to last Live monitoring takes place in a local control room performed by security staff, and only authorised members of staff have access to review or download foot­age, with neither students nor teachers able to do so. Further measures were taken to protect the privacy of students in view of the new system, by disabling all microphones on the cameras during teaching hours. However, at night time, the microphones are switched on through a custom setting, so that the control room can speak to anyone on site using remoteGUARD. Protection against vandalism The cameras have already had their first major win protecting computer equip­ment from vandalism. “Someone had been swapping the letters over on the keyboards in the computer room,” Dean explains. “Using MxMC, we reviewed the recordings and found perfect footage of the culprits in action. They were repri­manded and asked to pay for new keyboards. It had happened in the past and the school hadn’t been able to catch them, until now.” Edmund Rice College can now look to the future with reassurance, knowing that they have a scalable, flexible security system built to last. MOBOTIX decentral­ised technology made installation simple, with no new cabling nor additional infrastructure required. This, along with the great coverage provided by hemispheric technology and the lower price point of indoor cameras, meant a sophisticated security system was also affordable. And, because MOBOTIX firmware is licence-free and regularly updated, the school have the reassurance of knowing the system will remain cutting-edge for many years to come.

The high-mount external detector, XDH10TT-AM, showcases the innovation, reliability and quality upon which Pyronix has built its reputation. Usability, adaptability and reliability From the various mounting options and proven Tri-Technology to Anti-Interference Technology, which consists of Anti-Masking and Anti-Blocking, the XDH10TT-AM has been manufactured with usability, adaptability and reliability in mind. Whether a residential, industrial or commercial installation, the XDH10TT-AM maintains maximum performance. For schools, this is the ideal perimeter detector to protect playgrounds and perimeter walls. This provides the peace of mind necessary for knowing that students, as well as school buildings, are safe from unwanted visitors during or after school hours. Tri Signal Detection Logic The detection of human presence is based on the advanced analysis of the activation sequence of the microwave movement sensor and the two independent digital PIR sensors. All three sensors have to activate at the same time in a particular time window to create an alarm. Using tri signal detection logic enhances the detector’s immunity to environmental disturbances. Residential protection In terms of residential protection, the XD also delivers superior security for gardens, drives, exits, perimeter walls or outbuildings. The XDH10TT-AM provides the ultimate external security solution for literally any scenario.