Industrial & commercial security applications

From asphalt to apps, Bosch has implemented a connected security solution for the Frechen truck stop near the A1 to protect people and freight from assaults. The modern parking area near Cologne now has around 40 parking spaces that meet the high-security standards of the Transported Asset Protection Association’s (TAPA) according to the Level 2 certificate and are therefore particularly secured.  From now on, forwarding companies can book these via the Bosch Secure Truck Parking app. The fully connected solution ensures maximum security: more than 20 security cameras with intelligent video analytics by Bosch monitor the four-gated entrances and exits as well as the parking area.  In addition, a pedestrian interlock ensures that only authorised persons can enter the area. The reason for this solution is a shortage of some 400.000 secured truck parking spaces in Europe. This has serious consequences for the safety of drivers, goods manufacturers, freight forwarders as well as other road users, as trucks often have to park in an unsafe manner contrary to traffic regulations. Secure truck parking  "The truck parking shortage along German roads is, unfortunately, a daily occurrence. Everyone has seen the lines of unsafely parked trucks along the highways. The fact that thieves, in particular, take advantage of the precarious situation is felt by companies like us that transport goods throughout Europe," explains Rein de Vries, Senior Manager Security from Samsung SDS.  In close coordination with Samsung SDS, Bosch has developed the solution that has now been implemented. "Secured truck parking lots, just like the one in Frechen, are important for our transport of goods. That's why we were happy to contribute with our know-how and experience to this project." A loss of 8.2 billion a year With AI-based video analytics, the security cameras immediately detect risks, unwanted movements and sound A recent study by TAPA illustrates the urgency of the situation: The organisation estimates the financial damage caused by stolen freight across Europe at around 8.2 billion euros annually. Alongside the United Kingdom, Germany is one of the countries most affected by cargo theft. Thieves usually take advantage of the situation at night, when the truck is parked unprotected and the driver is asleep. Consumer goods or car parts are among the most sought-after goods, as are jewelry, precious metals, or food products. Bundled know-how  "On behalf of the site operator, we acted as general contractor to implement a certified complete solution for the Frechen truck stop that protects drivers and freight alike," explains Uwe B. Herrmann, project manager at Bosch Building Technologies.  "The parking lot is now securely enclosed, gated, illuminated in a way that saves energy and equipped with intelligent technology."  AI ensures safety and comfort  With the help of AI-based video analytics, the security cameras immediately detect risks and unwanted movements and sound the alarm at the Bosch video control centre.  Audio technology built-in video cameras allow control center staff to immediately contact people on the premises and notify security forces or police if necessary. Regular virtual guard tours round off the security concept.  Booking parking spaces also work efficiently and digitally: Parking spaces can be booked via the Bosch Secure Truck Parking web portal or app. Truck drivers can pass through the barrier and drive onto the premises with digital license plate recognition.

Cyberint has launched the next-generation Digital Risk Protection platform, Argos Edge, a fully SaaS-based solution, to provide real-time responses to cyber threats coming from beyond the traditional security perimeters.   All-in-one DRP platform Unlike other solutions, Cyberint's holistic and integrated approach combines external Attack Surface Monitoring (ASM), advanced threat intelligence, extensive phishing detection as well as social media and brand abuse monitoring. The different modules work together to infuse and enrich the Argos Edge platform, identifying and remediating weaknesses that other solutions cannot detect seamlessly and continuously. This unique capability makes Argos Edge the most comprehensive and effective all-in-one digital-risk-protection (DRP) platform on the market to date. Monitoring threat intelligence  Argos Edge redefines the digital risk protection space by constantly collecting, analysing, and classifying threat intelligence from the widest variety of sources, tracking cybercriminals in the dark and deep web, criminal forums, market places, social media platforms, instant messaging, file sharing repositories and more. External Attack Surface Mapping Argos Edge reduces false positives by 99%, providing a combination of External Attack Surface Mapping  Pin-pointed targeted alerts such as those provided by Argos Edge are known to reduce false positives by 99%, providing the optimum combination of External Attack Surface Mapping of Digital assets, including cloud assets and threat intelligence. Argos Edge focuses on generating proactive and targeted alerts allowing organisations to take immediate steps to mitigate those incoming threats which pose the greatest potential risk whilst also receiving up-to-date proactive information about global, regional, and vertical threats that may cause a potential breach. Alert integration Argos Edge includes one of the most extensive leaked credentials databases, which is comprised of: fusing breached databases, analysis of phishing kits, and highly effective InfoStealers malware's C&C, helping to reduce the risk from this most common attack vector. The leaked credentials database is also highly effective to B2C organisations helping to reduce account takeover of their customers. The new platform also enables users, via a state-of-the-art user interface, to immediately use the pin-pointed alerts as well as integrate them into SIEM, SOAR, and ticketing systems like IBM QRadar and Palo Alto's Cortex XSoar and others for swift dissemination and remediation. Forensic canvas Argos Edge's unique built-in investigation tool, Forensic Canvas can uncover the relationships between disparate data points, pivot on any IoC, and leverage the massive data lake that Cyberint collects 24/7 to build a quick and up-to-date picture of any threat. "Only by constant analysis of hundreds of millions of data points of threat intelligence and an ongoing monitoring of their external attack surface can organizations counter the threat actors' constantly evolving threat landscape," says Cyberint CEO Yochai Corem. Perimeter security features The Argos Edge platform protects companies from more than 75 different business risks lurking beyond the perimeter The Argos Edge platform also comprises numerous additional features that enable users to extend their security perimeters to include phishing, social media and fake application takedown support, external source code monitoring, and fraud detection capabilities. With this launch, organisations have the capabilities to protect themselves from more than seventy-five different business risks lurking beyond the perimeter, such as fraud, phishing, malware, data leakage, vulnerabilities, brand, social media risks, and more. Users now also have modular options allowing for full flexibility in licensing the platform. Cyber investigations Organisations can benefit from Cyberint's deep expertise in specialised services such as Virtual Humint, deep cyber investigations, and interaction with threat actors to identify possible weaknesses. "With Argos Edge, I have a level of assurance and trust that they are always there for me. The feeling that they always have my back is invaluable has given me the confidence that we have enough visibility and can be proactive in dealing with different cyberthreats," says Mark Frogoso, CISO at GCash.

Systems integrators who want to offer new and exciting services to their end-user customers can now deploy physical asset management location and tracking through the award-winning Connect ONE® cloud-hosted service. Designed for keys, laptops, tablets, electronics, and a wide array of other capital goods including equipment and tools, it’s easy to track assets to locations and users through the Connect ONE Asset Management Module. Asset management module Available as a standalone feature or combined with intrusion detection, access control, and video, the Asset Management Module presents a streamlined way to track equipment and goods to locations and/or users. Once an asset has been designated to a user, it automatically sends a customised authorisation template via email for the person to approve and sign. The completed form is converted to a pdf and recorded with their user account in Connect ONE for the archive.  An asset that is not returned by the specified date will generate a notification to the user via email when overdue An asset that is not returned by the specified date will generate a notification to the assigned user via email when overdue. Asset tracking “While keys represent a common application, there are many other assets which can be tracked,” said Mike Simon, Managing Partner, Connected Technologies. “Users can eliminate time lost searching for equipment and other items, which are easily checked out and logged back seamlessly via the interface and tracked to their current location.” The Asset Management Module streamlines the return process with a template sign-off option generated to the user. Users can manage equipment in the field and track the asset for a quick check of their location. Assets are auto-populated into the Connect ONE interface from a CSV spreadsheet for a simple setup.

Videoloft’s cloud video surveillance platform provides users with a powerful yet highly cost-effective remote recording solution while providing resellers with a new potential revenue stream to add to their offering portfolio. For large surveillance system users, Videoloft’s cloud video surveillance solution provides affordable secure offsite video backup. For SMBs (small and medium businesses), Videoloft’s ability to record up to 8MP direct to the cloud provides a powerful remote standalone storage solution. Budget solution Both applications provide system integrators and resellers with a versatile VSaaS (video software as a solution) for virtually any size system or vertical application. A key benefit of VSaaS solutions is that they can be positioned as an operating expense (OPEX) versus a capital expense (CAPEX), making it easier for users to budget the solution as an ongoing expense for operations rather than a large single one-time investment. Versatile and cost-efficient Cloud video surveillance platform provides users and resellers alike with versatility and cost-efficiency “Our cloud video surveillance platform provides users and resellers alike with the ideal combination of features, versatility, and cost-efficiency,” said Joanna Santander, Director of Sales & Business Development, Videoloft. “As the need and demand for VSaaS cloud solutions with remote access capabilities continue to increase globally, the benefits across different vertical applications continue to become more evident.” Videoloft Use Cases Quick service restaurants (QSR) and retail chains are benefitting from Videoloft’s innovative cloud video surveillance platform as a secure, centralised, and long-term video storage solution. It allows them to easily consolidate video from multiple sites and add cloud storage, eliminating the risk of lost footage due to theft or tampering of onsite recorders. Videoloft also provides QSR and retail chains with a way to store video for up to 3+ years, much longer than is possible on conventional NVRs, to protect them from liabilities associated with injury and insurance claims, and shrinkage. Battery or solar-powered solution For locations that lack power and wired internet infrastructure, such as construction sites, vacant properties, and agricultural locations, traditional video surveillance often isn’t feasible, and guards are needed to ensure security. Videoloft provides an alternative solution that can be battery or solar-powered and connected via a 4G wireless router. Videoloft’s software constantly monitors the network conditions and deploys dynamic frame rate, bit rate, and resolution adjustment when necessary to ensure that footage is sent and recorded even in poor network conditions. Remote management   The Videoloft solution provides site managers with the versatility to remotely manage employees, deliveries, and health and safety protocols. Videoloft’s timelapse feature makes it easy to track development over days, weeks, and months Videoloft's video analytics technology enables highly specific alerting options and smart video search, making it fast and easy to locate specific events. Videoloft’s timelapse feature also makes it easy to track development over days, weeks, and months, and to share this progress with customers.  Audio and alarm features Videoloft is a great solution for education campuses. The platform provides campus security teams with the ability to easily monitor sites even when they are split across multiple locations. With features such as PTZ control, 2-way-audio, and alarm triggering there are many ways to detect, track and address unwanted visitors. Real-time monitoring Cannabis farms and dispensaries can leverage Videoloft’s cloud video surveillance solution to ensure they comply with regulatory requirements. In many states, it is mandatory to record 24/7 video both locally and offsite. Videoloft’s live camera health monitoring functionality ensures problems are spotted in real-time so they can be rapidly diagnosed and resolved, eliminating the possibility of lost video. User-friendly software solution Videoloft is also providing integrators and dealers with a new potential source of RMR. Videoloft’s simple setup, affordable cloud plans, and user-friendly software allow integrators to offer SMBs and the high-end residential market a highly cost-competitive product, even when compared to DIY solutions that typically employ Wi-Fi cameras that are inherently less secure. Users can set alerting and recording schedules and easily playback and download video through the Videoloft app, and assign multiple users with read-only or full admin access to all or specific cameras, depending on their requirements.

Heras, an end-to-end supplier of permanent and mobile perimeter protection solutions – has launched Saros, a new electro-mechanical traffic barrier. Reliable and affordable barrier Suitable for sites with controlled vehicle entry (such as commercial car parks and industrial site entrances), Saros is a best-in-class product that has been designed and developed by Heras to meet all market-led functionality and safety requirements and thus offers a highly functional, reliable, and affordable barrier option. Suitable for harsh conditions Saros can withstand harsh external conditions, making it especially suitable for coastal regions or prone to strong winds Saros can withstand harsh external conditions, making it especially suitable for areas such as coastal regions or other places that are prone to strong winds, as rigorous testing, analysis, and calculations have confirmed. The 4m model - even with the arm in a raised position - can withstand wind class 3, which is categorised as a violent storm with wind speeds more than 70mph. And, the 6m version can withstand wind class 2, which is categorised as a storm with wind speeds approaching 60mph. Fast and efficient barrier Saros is an electro-mechanical barrier with a fast and efficient operation, making it a great addition to the current offering of electro-hydraulic traffic barriers B411, B420, and 94x Series. This further adds to the portfolio of entrance control products manufactured and produced by Heras, which has its UK head office in Doncaster. Plug and play solution Heras Product Manager Jonathan Broughton said that the Saros traffic control system has demonstrable longevity, operating reliably over long periods, meaning there is no limitation to the number of operations it can perform. This makes it an ideal barrier for busy locations. Also complying with the latest safety standards, the barrier can provide a plug-and-play solution that is safe, robust, and reliable. Integrated systems “Saros is a unique product to Heras and was developed after extensive research, investigation, design, development, and testing. The product came alive because of the work of Heras’ own Product and Development department.” The introduction of Saros further strengthens the company’s product offering across its five core areas of expertise: demarcation products, entrance control products, detection products, integrated systems, and service and maintenance. Perimeter protection solutions  Heras is constantly innovating – both in terms of its existing product ranges and also bringing new developments to market to provide a holistic portfolio of perimeter protection solutions, and Saros marks another step forward for the company and comes hot on the heels of its launch of the next generation of perimeter intrusion detection systems (PIDs).  Simplified portfolio Heras has built on the first generation of PIDs with significant innovations that have resulted in a new, simplified portfolio Heras has built on the first generation of PIDs with significant innovations that have resulted in a new, simplified portfolio with next-generation capabilities to provide even greater levels of perimeter protection. They can be used on sites with specific security and perimeter protection requirements – such as warehouses and distribution centres with high-value stockholding. Increases effectiveness   Its new GeoMic and GeoPoint systems, which both have pro versions are designed to complement and greatly increase the overall effectiveness of both existing and newly specified perimeter protection fence and gate lines.

Let's Talk Interactive (LTI), a leader in customisable, HIPAA-compliant telehealth software and hardware solutions, has launched the LTI Tempscreen, a safe, standalone check-in system providing health screening and identity verification. LTI Tempscreen The LTI Tempscreen allows workplaces to facilitate a safe environment for both employees and visitors and is ideal for post-pandemic access management. The touchscreen kiosk quickly verifies a user's identity, measures body temperature, and conducts a symptom screening questionnaire, freeing valuable staff time and reducing potentially unhealthy contacts. Using touchscreen tech "It's important for us as innovators to be promoting and normalising the use of this technology in facilities around the country," said Arthur Cooksey, CEO of LTI. The LTI Tempscreen is easily deployable as both a permanent or temporary solution  "The LTI Tempscreen is easily deployable as both a permanent or temporary solution and shows that companies are committed to protecting their workers and visitors from current and future threats." Availability The LTI Tempscreen is available in three tiers: Base Tier, Base Tier Plus, and Premium Tier, all of which offer PHI/HIPAA compliance, identity verification, real-time alerts, basic reporting functions, and simply go or no-go temperature scanning.  Base Tier The Base Tier is designed for healthcare workers and employees, offering basic reporting functionality and easy temperature screening plus verification capabilities. Users can use one token for identity verification and security (mobile phone, QR code, ID badge, etc.). Base Tier Plus Base Tier Plus offers a greater degree of flexibility and is designed to accommodate both healthcare workers and visitors. Base Tier Plus includes all the Base Tier features, including the use of multiple tokens for identity management and security, improved workflow management, the ability to print wristbands or badges for management and/or visitors, and enhanced real-time reporting. Premium Tier Premium Tier offers full functionality and is designed to be integrated with existing back-end systems like access control, payroll, time clock, electronic medical records, and payment systems.

As the COVID-19 pandemic wanes and sporting venues open-up to full capacity, a new disturbing trend has hit the headlines - poor fan behaviour. Five NBA teams have issued indefinite bans on fans, who crossed the line of unacceptable behaviour, during the NBA playoffs. Major League Baseball stadiums have a recurring problem with divisive political banners being strewn over walls, as part of an organised campaign, requiring fan ejections. There was a brawl between Clippers and Suns fans after Game 1 of their playoff series. And, the U.S. vs. Mexico Nations League soccer game over the Fourth of July weekend had to be halted, due to fans throwing objects at players and screaming offensive chants. Cracking down on poor fan behaviour Security directors are consistently reporting a disturbing uptick in poor fan attitude and behaviour With players across all major sports leagues commanding more power than ever before, they are demanding that sports venues crack down on poor fan behaviour, particularly when they are the targets of that behaviour. Whether it’s an extension of the social-media divisiveness that’s gripped society, or people unleashing pent up negative energy, following 15 months of social isolation, during the COVID-19 global pandemic, security directors are consistently reporting a disturbing uptick in poor fan attitude and behaviour. They’re also reporting a chronic security guard shortage, like many businesses that rely on relatively low-cost labour, finding candidates to fill open positions has been incredibly difficult. Low police morale To add the third component to this perfect storm, many police departments are struggling with morale issues and officers are less likely to put themselves into positions, where they could wind up in a viral video. According to the Police Executive Research Forum, police officer retirements in the U.S. were up 45% in the April 2020 - April 2021 period, when compared to the previous year. Resignations were up 18%. In this environment, officers may be less likely to undertake fan intervention unless it’s absolutely necessary. This can seem like the worst of times for venue security directors, as they need more staff to handle increasingly unruly patrons, but that staff simply isn’t available. And, because the security guard staffing industry is a commoditised business, companies compete almost solely on price, which requires that they keep salaries as low as possible, which perpetuates the lack of interest in people participating in the profession. Digital Transformation There is only one way out of this conundrum and that is to make security personnel more efficient and effective. Other industries have solved similar staffing and cost challenges through digital transformation. For example, only a small percentage of the total population of restaurants in the U.S. used to offer home delivery, due to cost and staffing challenges of hiring dedicated delivery personnel. Advent of digital efficiency tools But with the advent of digital efficiency tools, now virtually all restaurants can offer delivery But with the advent of digital efficiency tools, such as UberEATS and DoorDash, now virtually all restaurants can offer delivery. Likewise, field-service personnel are digitally connected, so when new jobs arise, they can be notified and routed to the location. Compare this to the old paper-based days, when they wouldn’t know about any new jobs until they picked up their work schedule at the office, the next day and you can see how digital transformation makes each worker significantly more efficient. Security guards and manned guarding The security guard business has never undergone this kind of digital transformation. The state-of-the-art ‘technology’ has never changed - human eyes and ears. Yes, there are video cameras all over stadiums and other venues, but behind the scenes is a guard staring at a bunch of monitors, hoping to identify incidents that need attention. Meanwhile, there are other guards stationed around the stadium, spending most of their time watching people who are doing nothing wrong. Think about all the wasted time involved with these activities – not to mention the relentless boredom and ‘alert fatigue’ from false-positive incident reporting and you understand the fundamental inefficiencies of this labour-based approach to security. Now think about a world where there’s ubiquitous video surveillance and guards are automatically and pre-emptively notified and briefed, when situations arise. The fundamental nature of the security guards profession changes. Instead of being low paid ‘watchers’, they instead become digitally-empowered preventers. AI-based screening and monitoring technology This world is happening today, through Artificial Intelligence-based screening and monitoring technology. AI-powered weapons-detection gateways inform guards, when a patron entering the venue is carrying a gun, knife or other forbidden item. Instead of patting down every patron with metal in their pockets, which has been the standard practice since walk-through metal detectors were mandated by sports leagues following 9/11, guards can now target only those who are carrying these specific items. Video surveillance and AI-based analytics integration Combining surveillance video with AI-based advanced analytics can automatically identify fan disturbances Combining surveillance video with AI-based advanced analytics can automatically identify fan disturbances or other operational issues, and notify guards in real time, eliminating the need to have large numbers of guards monitoring video feeds and patrons. The business benefits of digitally transformed guards are compelling. A National Hockey League security director says he used to have 300 guards manning 100 walk-through metal detectors. By moving to AI solutions, he can significantly reduce the number of scanning portals and guards, and most importantly redeploy and gain further operational efficiencies with his overall operational strategy. Changing staffing strategy This changes the staffing strategy significantly and elevates the roles of guards. Suddenly, a US$ 20-per-hour ‘job’ becomes a US$ 40-per-hour profession, with guards transformed into digital knowledge workers delivering better outcomes with digitally enabled staffs. Beyond that, these digitally transformed guards can spend a much higher percentage of their time focused on tasks that impact the fan experience – whether it’s keeping weapons out of the building, pro-actively dealing with unruly fans before a broader disruption occurs, or managing business operations that positively impact fan patron experience. Digitally transforming security guards Perhaps most important, digitally transforming security guards elevates the profession to a more strategic level, which means better pay for the guards, better service for clients of guard services, and an overall better experience for fans. That’s a perfect storm of goodness for everyone.

In daily work and life, various locks have always played the role of protecting asset safety. In different usage scenarios, the most appropriate lock must be selected to maximise benefits. In the past applications, the difficulties encountered by managers are as follows. Unlocking authority is difficult to control, unclear access records, emergency unlocking, and troublesome upgrade and installation. Through the following points, how the key-centric access management system solves such problems. Access management system The key-centric access management system, also known as intelligent passive electronic lock system, which is based on three elements: electronic keys, electronic cylinders and management software, can provide powerful and traceable access control. Each smart key is unique and cannot be copied, and in the event of loss or theft, these keys can be quickly disabled. Each smart key is unique and cannot be copied, and in the event of loss or theft, these keys can be disabledIn the process of using traditional mechanical locks, it is not difficult to find that it is quite complex to realise the access control of unlocking. The difficulty is that the keys can be copied at will, the use records are not clear, and the credibility of employees cannot be guaranteed... etc. For managers, this is a safety issue that cannot be ignored. Mechanical lock system And through the key-centric access management system, we can accurately assign access authority for each user, and set different access authority for locks in different areas. For example, we can set the XX user to have access to the archive room (A) from 10:00 on May 1, 2021 to 17:00 on June 1, 2021, within this time range. Outside this time range, there will be no unlock authority. The flexibility of the traditional mechanical lock system is insufficient. There is no clear record to determine who entered the area. It is usually a simple paper record that records the unlocking records of the employees. The authenticity and validity of the system need to be examined. In the key-centric access management system, when an employee unlocks the lock, the unlock record will be synchronised to the management terminal. Remote authorised unlocking With the key-centric access management system, remote authorised unlocking can be realised Through secondary records, managers can easily track employees and supervise employees' visits to each area. In daily work, there are often emergencies that require temporary visits to certain specific areas. If you encounter a situation where the distance is extremely long, and you don’t have the key to that area, you can imagine how bad this is. The process of fetching the keys back and forth is time-consuming and laborious. With the key-centric access management system, remote authorised unlocking can be realised. You can apply for the unlocking authority through the mobile APP, or you can temporarily issue the unlocking authority for the area on the management terminal, which saves time and effort. When faced with the failure of ordinary mechanical locks to meet management needs, some managers can already think of upgrading their management system, that is, the intelligent access control system. Passive electronic locks But before making this decision, the manager will inevitably consider the various costs brought about by the upgrade, including installation costs (cable cost), learning costs, and maintenance costs. Since most of the universal intelligent access control systems on the market require wiring and power supply, the cost of transformation and upgrading is quite high for managers who have such a huge amount of engineering. The key-centric access management system is the ‘gospel’ for managers. Since passive electronic locks and ordinary mechanical locks have the same size, they can be directly retrofitted to existing hardware, and they can be replaced step by step simply and easily. At present, the key-centric access management system is being known and applied by more and more managers and enterprises. Application industries include, such as power utilities, water utilities, public security, telecommunication industry, transportation, etc.

Ask anyone how they are, and you will probably get the default response: “Fine.” Ask again and you will get a more truthful response. This could be anything from how things are going well, through grumbling around sports results, or more serious statements about pressure and mental health. Getting that real response is essential if you are going to make a difference in the future. For those of us involved in security and access management, pressure is almost a default state. Managing risk and preventing theft or data loss involves being right all the time, minimising the windows of opportunity for attackers, and keeping users productive. The last year has involved supporting remote work, managing access and identities, and keeping things working when faced with restrictions and problems on a daily basis. According to research, managing remote workers has been the biggest challenge to IT teams since the start of the pandemic. The impact of this is high, too - nearly two-thirds (66.3 percent) of IT professionals agree that they feel overwhelmed by trying to manage remote work. Of those surveyed, 55.9 percent plan to spend more on security during the next twelve months. At the same time, more than half (55.7 percent) of IT professionals feel like they are spending too much to secure and enable remote work, and (61.6 percent) believe that their company pays far more for tooling to manage users’ identities and devices than they need (or use).  Looking ahead, fingerprint readers could be used as part of user authentication to grant logical and physical access So what can we learn from these findings? The first thing is that the hybrid workspace is here to stay, and these trends aren’t going away as we emerge from the pandemic. Managing access - whether it is to cloud assets, on-premise, or to accounts on remote devices - will therefore be important in the future. The second is that improving the impact of any spend around identity should be on the roadmap for any business, but particularly at smaller companies. Implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) is one step that everyone should take as it prevents unauthorised access to devices, applications and data. Alongside this, companies can look at how to integrate authentication into their wider working processes through risk-based conditional access and expanding mobile authentication factors. For example, many smartphones today have fingerprint readers included, and these readers can unlock devices and authorise purchases. Looking ahead, those fingerprint readers could be used as part of user authentication to grant logical and physical access, based on integrating those devices into the wider authentication and access control strategy. For many SMBs, the cost to manage access can be high when it involves implementing a traditional directory to control who has access to what. These directories involve hardware and software assets that are costly to run, so cloud-based services can offer a better approach. By removing the hardware side, and by cutting the software cost, more small businesses can improve their approach to identity and access management. Supporting a hybrid world of a physical office and remote access will put more emphasis on identity management Alongside the cost, getting people with the right skills is essential. For example, the ISC2 has estimated that there are around 3.12 million open roles for IT security professionals worldwide. Similarly, according to research by the London School of Economics, the amount of training available is reducing with expenditure per trainee falling by 17 percent. With so many open roles unfilled - and with lower budgets to train them - simplifying the overall process around access control and security is a must. This makes life easier for IT admins that are in place, and helps to free up time. The good news is that budgets have gone up for many IT admins - nearly three-quarters (74.8 percent) of small companies’ IT budgets increased during 2020, and nearly half (49.6 percent) increased by at least 10 percent. While this increase in spending was not matched by higher wages, it seems as though the majority of IT admins have actually seen their satisfaction levels increase. What can we take away from all this? Firstly, the importance of feeling like you are making a difference to your organisation is critical. As companies moved everything online and had to support remote working, the IT admin had to step up. Secondly, supporting a hybrid world of physical office and remote access will put more emphasis on identity management. This environment is one that all companies will have to embrace, even as the world looks to get back to normal. And it will be one that we can all make more than just “fine.” Instead, we can make this hybrid environment more secure and more productive for everyone.                                                        

A new generation of video cameras is poised to boost capabilities dramatically at the edge of the IP network, including more powerful artificial intelligence (AI) and higher resolutions, and paving the way for new applications that would have previously been too expensive or complex. Technologies at the heart of the coming new generation of video cameras are Ambarella’s newest systems on chips (SoCs). Ambarella’s CV5S and CV52S product families are bringing a new level of on-camera AI performance and integration to multi-imager and single-imager IP cameras. Both of these SoCs are manufactured in the ‘5 nm’ manufacturing process, bringing performance improvements and power savings, compared to the previous generation of SoCs manufactured at ‘10nm’. CV5S and CV52S AI-powered SoCs The CV5S, designed for multi-imager cameras, is able to process, encode and perform advanced AI on up to four imagers at 4Kp30 resolution, simultaneously and at less than 5 watts. This enables multi-headed camera designs with up to four 4K imagers looking at different portions of a scene, as well as very high-resolution, single-imager cameras of up to 32 MP resolution and beyond. The CV52S, designed for single-imager cameras with very powerful onboard AI, is the next-generation of the company’s successful CV22S mainstream 4K camera AI chip. This new SoC family quadruples the AI processing performance, while keeping the same low power consumption of less than 3 watts for 4Kp60 encoding with advanced AI processing. Faster and ubiquitous AI capabilities Ambarella’s newest AI vision SoCs for security, the CV5S and CV52S, are competitive solutions" “Security system designers desire higher resolutions, increasing channel counts, and ever faster and more ubiquitous AI capabilities,” explains John Lorenz, Senior Technology and Market Analyst, Computing, at Yole Développement (Yole), a French market research firm. John Lorenz adds, “Ambarella’s newest AI vision SoCs for security, the CV5S and CV52S, are competitive solutions for meeting the growing demands of the security IC (integrated circuit) sector, which our latest report forecasts to exceed US$ 4 billion by 2025, with two-thirds of that being chips with AI capabilities.” Edge AI vision processors Ambarella’s new CV5S and CV52S edge AI vision processors enable new classes of cameras that would not have been possible in the past, with a single SoC architecture. For example, implementing a 4x 4K multi-imager with AI would have traditionally required at least two SoCs (at least one for encoding and one for AI), and the overall power consumption would have made those designs bulky and prohibitively expensive. By reducing the number of required SoCs, the CV5S enables advanced camera designs such as AI-enabled 4x 4K imagers at price points much lower than would have previously been possible. “What we are usually trying to do with our SoCs is to keep the price points similar to the previous generations, given that camera retail prices tend to be fairly fixed,” said Jerome Gigot, Ambarella's Senior Director of Marketing. 4K multi-imager cameras “However, higher-end 4K multi-imager cameras tend to retail for thousands of dollars, and so even though there will be a small premium on the SoC for the 2X improvement in performance, this will not make a significant impact to the final MSRP of the camera,” adds Jerome Gigot. In addition, the overall system cost might go down, Gigot notes, compared to what could be built today because there is no longer a need for external chips to perform AI, or extra components for power dissipation. The new chips will be available in the second half of 2021, and it typically takes about 12 to 18 months for Ambarella’s customers (camera manufacturers) to produce final cameras. Therefore, the first cameras, based on these new SoCs, should hit the market sometime in the second half of 2022. Reference boards for camera manufacturers The software on these new SoCs is an evolution of our unified Linux SDK" As with Ambarella’s previous generations of edge AI vision SoCs for security, the company will make available reference boards to camera manufacturers soon, allowing them to develop their cameras based on the new CV5S and CV52S SoC families. “The software on these new SoCs is an evolution of our unified Linux SDK that is already available on our previous generations SoCs, which makes the transition easy for our customers,” said Jerome Gigot. Better crime detection Detecting criminals in a crowd, using face recognition and/or licence plate recognition, has been a daunting challenge for security, and one the new chips will help to address. “Actually, these applications are one of the main reasons why Ambarella is introducing these two new SoC families,” said Jerome Gigot. Typically, resolutions of 4K and higher have been a smaller portion of the security market, given that they came at a premium price tag for the high-end optics, image sensor and SoC. Also, the cost and extra bandwidth of storing and streaming 4K video were not always worth it for the benefit of just viewing video at higher resolution. 4K AI processing on-camera The advent of on-camera AI at 4K changes the paradigm. By enabling 4K AI processing on-camera, smaller objects at longer distances can now be detected and analysed without having to go to a server, and with much higher detail and accuracy compared to what can be done on a 2 MP or 5 MP cameras. This means that fewer false alarms will be generated, and each camera will now be able to cover a longer distance and wider area, offering more meaningful insights without necessarily having to stream and store that 4K video to a back-end server. “This is valuable, for example, for traffic cameras mounted on top of high poles, which need to be able to see very far out and identify cars and licence plates that are hundreds of meters away,” said Jerome Gigot. The advent of on-camera AI at 4K changes the paradigm Enhanced video analytics and wider coverage “Ambarella’s new CV5S and CV52S SoCs truly allow the industry to take advantage of higher resolution on-camera for better analytics and wider coverage, but without all the costs typically incurred by having to stream high-quality 4K video out 24/7 to a remote server for offline analytics,” said Jerome Gigot. He adds, “So, next-generation cameras will now be able to identify more criminals, faces and licence plates, at longer distances, for an overall lower cost and with faster response times by doing it all locally on-camera.” Deployment in retail applications Retail environments can be some of the toughest, as the cameras may be looking at hundreds of people at once Retail applications are another big selling point. Retail environments can be some of the toughest, as the cameras may be looking at hundreds of people at once (e.g., in a mall), to provide not only security features, but also other business analytics, such as foot traffic and occupancy maps that can be used later to improve product placement. The higher resolution and higher AI performance, enabled by the new Ambarella SoCs, provide a leap forward in addressing those scenarios. In a store setup, a ceiling-mounted camera with four 4K imagers can simultaneously look at the cashier line on one side of the store, sending alerts when a line is getting too long and a new cashier needs to be deployed, while at the same time looking at the entrance on the other side of the store, to count the people coming in and out. This leaves two additional 4K imagers for monitoring specific product aisles and generating real-time business analytics. Use in cashier-less stores Another retail application is a cashier-less store. Here, a CV5S or CV52S-based camera mounted on the ceiling will have enough resolution and AI performance to track goods, while the customer grabs them and puts them in their cart, as well as to automatically track which customer is purchasing which item. In a warehouse scenario, items and boxes moving across the floor could also be followed locally, on a single ceiling-mounted camera that covers a wide area of the warehouse. Additionally, these items and boxes could be tracked across the different imagers in a multi-headed camera setup, without the video having to be sent to a server to perform the tracking. Updating on-camera AI networks Another feature of Ambarella’s SoCs is that their on-camera AI networks can be updated on-the-fly, without having to stop the video recording and without losing any video frames. So, for example in the case of a search for a missing vehicle, the characteristics of that missing vehicle (make, model, colour, licence plate) can be sent to a cluster of cameras in the general area, where the vehicle is thought to be missing, and all those cameras can be automatically updated to run a live search on that specific vehicle. If any of the cameras gets a match, a remote operator can be notified and receive a picture, or even a live video feed of the scene. Efficient traffic management With the CV52S edge AI vision SoC, those decisions can be made locally at each intersection by the camera itself Relating to traffic congestion, most big cities have thousands of intersections that they need to monitor and manage. Trying to do this from one central location is costly and difficult, as there is so much video data to process and analyse, in order to make those traffic decisions (to control the traffic lights, reverse lanes, etc.). With the CV52S edge AI vision SoC, those decisions can be made locally at each intersection by the camera itself. The camera would then take actions autonomously (for example, adjust traffic-light timing) and only report a status update to the main traffic control centre. So now, instead of having one central location trying to manage 1,000 intersections, a city can have 1,000 smart AI cameras, each managing its own location and providing updates and metadata to a central server. Superior privacy Privacy is always a concern with video. In this case, doing AI on-camera is inherently more private than streaming the video to a server for analysis. Less data transmission means fewer points of entry for a hacker trying to access the video. On Ambarella’s CV5S and CV52S SoCs, the video can be analysed locally and then discarded, with just a signature or metadata of the face being used to find a match. No actual video needs to be stored or transmitted, which ensures total privacy. In addition, the chips contain a very secure hardware cyber security block, including OTP memory, Arm TrustZones, DRAM scrambling and I/O virtualisation. This makes it very difficult for a hacker to replace the firmware on the camera, providing another level of security and privacy at the system level. Privacy Masking Another privacy feature is the concept of privacy masking. This feature enables portions of the video (say a door or a window) to be blocked out, before being encoded in the video stream. The blocked portions of the scene are not present in the recorded video, thus providing a privacy option for cameras that are facing private areas. “With on-camera AI, each device becomes its own smart endpoint, and can be reconfigured at will to serve the specific physical security needs of its installation,” said Jerome Gigot, adding “The possibilities are endless, and our mission as an SoC maker is really to provide a powerful and easy-to-use platform, complete with computer-vision tools, that enable our customers and their partners to easily deploy their own AI software on-camera.” Physical security in parking lots With a CV5S or CV52S AI-enabled camera, the camera will be able to cover a much wider portion of the parking lot One example is physical security in a parking lot. A camera today might be used to just record part of the parking lot, so that an operator can go back and look at the video if a car were broken into or some other incident occurred. With a CV5S or CV52S AI-enabled camera, first of all, the camera will be able to cover a much wider portion of the parking lot. Additionally, it will be able to detect the licence plates of all the cars going in and out, to automatically bill the owners. If there is a special event, the camera can be reprogrammed to identify VIP vehicles and automatically redirect them to the VIP portion of the lot, while reporting to the entrance station or sign how many parking spots are available. It can even tell the cars approaching the lot where to go. Advantages of using edge AI vision SoCs Jerome Gigot said, “The possibilities are endless and they span across many verticals. The market is primed to embrace these new capabilities. Recent advances in edge AI vision SoCs have brought about a period of change in the physical security space. Companies that would have, historically, only provided security cameras, are now getting into adjacent verticals such as smart retail, smart cities and smart buildings.” He adds, “These changes are providing a great opportunity for all the camera makers and software providers to really differentiate themselves by providing full systems that offer a new level of insights and efficiencies to, not only the physical security manager, but now also the store owner and the building manager.” He adds, “All of these new applications are extremely healthy for the industry, as they are growing the available market for cameras, while also increasing their value and the economies of scale they can provide. Ambarella is looking forward to seeing all the innovative products that our customers will build with this new generation of SoCs.”

The city of Baltimore has banned the use of facial recognition systems by residents, businesses and the city government (except for police). The criminalisation in a major U.S. city of an important emerging technology in the physical security industry is an extreme example of the continuing backlash against facial recognition throughout the United States. Facial recognition technology ban Several localities – from Portland, Oregon, to San Francisco, from Oakland, California, to Boston – have moved to limit use of the technology, and privacy groups have even proposed a national moratorium on use of facial recognition. The physical security industry, led by the Security Industry Association (SIA), vigorously opposed the ban in Baltimore, urging a measured approach and ‘more rational policymaking’ that preserve the technology’s value while managing any privacy or other concerns. Physical security industry opposes ban In such cases, it is local businesses and residents who stand to lose the most" “Unfortunately, an outright ban on facial recognition continues a distressing pattern in which the clear value of this technology is ignored,” said SIA’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Don Erickson, adding “In such cases, it is local businesses and residents who stand to lose the most.” At the national level, a letter to US President Biden from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Coalition asserts the need for a national dialogue over the appropriate use of facial recognition technology and expresses concern about ‘a blanket moratorium on federal government use and procurement of the technology’. (The coalition includes Security Industry Association (SIA) and other industry groups.) The negativity comes at a peak moment for facial recognition and other biometric technologies, which saw an increase of interest for a variety of public and business applications, during the COVID-19 pandemic’s prioritisation to improve public health hygiene and to promote ‘contactless’ technologies. Prohibition on banks, retailers and online sellers The ordinance in Baltimore prohibits banks from using facial recognition to enhance consumer security in financial transactions. It prevents retailers from accelerating checkout lines with contactless payment and prohibits remote online identity document verification, which is needed by online sellers or gig economy workers, according to the Security Industry Association (SIA). At a human level, SIA points out that the prohibition of facial recognition undermines the use of customised accessibility tools for disabled persons, including those suffering with blindness, memory loss or prosopagnosia (face blindness). Ban out of line with current state of facial recognition Addressing the Baltimore prohibition, the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation reacted to the measure as ‘shockingly out of line with the current state of facial recognition technology and its growing adoption in many sectors of the economy’. Before Baltimore’s decision to target facial recognition, Portland, Oregon, had perhaps the strictest ban, prohibiting city government agencies and private businesses from using the technology on the city’s grounds. San Francisco was the first U.S. city to ban the technology, with Boston, Oakland; Cambridge, Massachusetts; and Berkeley, California, among others, following suit. Police and federal units can use biometrics Unlike other bans, the Baltimore moratorium does not apply to police uses Unlike other bans, the Baltimore moratorium does not apply to police uses, but targets private uses of the technology. It also includes a one-year ‘sunset’ clause that requires city council approval for an extension. The measure carves out an exemption for use of biometrics in access control systems. However, violations of the measure are punishable by 12 months in jail. The law also establishes a task force to evaluate the cost and effectiveness of surveillance tools. Transparency in public sector use of facial recognition Currently, the state of Maryland controls the Baltimore Police Department, so the city council does not have authority to ban police use of facial recognition, which has been a human rights concern driving the bans in other jurisdictions. A measure to return local control of police to the city could pass before the year lapses. SIA advocates transparency in public-sector applications of facial recognition in identity verification, security and law enforcement investigative applications. SIA’s CEO, Don Erickson stated, “As public sector uses are more likely to be part of processes with consequential outcomes, it is especially important for transparency and sound policies to accompany government applications.”

For more than 22 years, Open Options, Addison, Texas, has developed access control solutions that connect to leading security technologies to deliver a full-scale solution based on each customer’s unique needs. In 2018, Open Options was acquired by ACRE, which already owned the Vanderbilt and ComNet brands. To find out the latest, we interviewed Chuck O’Leary, President of Open Options. Q: It has been two and a half years since Open Options was acquired by ACRE. Briefly describe that transition and how the company is stronger today because of it. O’Leary: The ACRE transition really focused on integrating our access control solution, DNA Fusion, with Vanderbilt Industries technologies in order to further our reach in the market and enhance our portfolios. With their support, we have been able to accelerate innovations and expand our global reach. Overall, it has been a great experience to be a part of the ACRE organisation, and it has opened the doors to new opportunities for us both here in the states and globally.  Q: What is "Connect Care" and how does it benefit integrators and/or end user customers? O’Leary: For those unfamiliar with the world of access control, it can often be a little overwhelming when first introduced; however, we strive to make our products as easy to use and intuitive as possible, with Connect Care being no different.Connect Care is a system that has been specifically designed to create the most connected experience in the security market Connect Care is a system that has been specifically designed to create the most connected experience in the security market. It serves as a 24/7 bridge from our customers to services like technical support, platform support, professional services, and training. By providing these options for our customers, we can better empower them with the knowledge and expertise of our DNA Fusion access control system and ensure their success with the product.  Q: Who are the new customers entering the market for access control systems in the wake of the pandemic, and how should they be approached/managed differently? O’Leary: Over the last year, there has been a huge demand for access control systems as remote work increased due to COVID-19, and even now, as employees and students are heading back into the offices and schools. Organisations are realising that having an outdated security system is no longer robust enough for the rapid advancement of technology that we witnessed over the course of the pandemic, and really the past few years. For those who are just dipping their toe into a new access control deployment, the most important thing they can do is to search for a provider who has a solution that is easily integrated, scalable, and provides excellent training and resources. Q: Define the term "touchless access control" and explain why it is gaining a higher profile in the post-pandemic world. O’Leary: The interesting thing about access control is that it has almost always been touchless. Many organisations are looking for robust solutions that are touchless and can be utilised remotely, and it's fairly easy to understand why a solution like this would become widely popular because of COVID-19.Integrators are searching for access control systems that will serve as a proper solution for organizations The process of using access control to streamline security infrastructures is not a new concept by any means, but due to the rapid development in technology over the past few years, more integrators are searching for access control systems that will serve as a proper solution for organisations, while still supplying the touchless and remote-based features. Q: What do you see as the future course of the changing technology trends we see in today's market (such as mobile credentials, cloud-based systems, cybersecurity, etc.)? O’Leary: As we continue to tread through the different technological developments in the market today, we are noticing that mobile credentials and biometrics are becoming increasingly popular. As cybersecurity and mobility continue to become more important, we are also seeing the rapid jump to the cloud. By utilising cloud-based systems, an organisation is not hindered by a lack of storage or old software and gains the flexibility to scale their security system as their business grows. Q: How will the access control market look different five years from now versus today? What about 10 years from now? O’Leary: Within the next five years, I suspect that access control will continue to make the move towards cloud-based systems and utilise mobile credentials and biometrics. In 10 years, I think all access control will be open platform and many more organisations will embrace cloud solutions for increased functionality. Also, innovations will continue to be the drivers behind new deployments with some installations being biometrics only and include recognising fingerprints, retina scans, facial recognition, and voice. Q: What is the biggest challenge currently facing the access control market, and how should manufacturers (including Open Options) be addressing the challenge? O’Leary: One of the biggest challenges facing the physical access control market is organisations actually making the shift to more up-to-date access control systems. Organisations are looking to adopt more digital-focused access control experiencesOrganisations are looking to adopt more digital-focused access control experiences — ones that are focused on integration, newer features, cybersecurity, and ease of monitoring. Access control manufacturers should be addressing this challenge by creating integratable, scalable systems that are easily managed and provide a structured, streamlined approach for an organisation’s security infrastructure. Q: What is the biggest misconception about access control? O’Leary: Access control is not a one-size-fits-all solution, and some organisations might have different standards or assets that need protection. This is why it's vital to know the risks your organisation faces when speaking with access control providers — to ensure the best possible outcome for your specific needs. It's important to remember that whatever access control system is chosen should proactively mitigate any risks, be easily taught to and successfully used by employees, and be scalable with your organisation. No matter the line of work, a proper access control system should streamline the security infrastructure and lessen stress on the security team and employees.

The DSC550 was tested to the new ASTM F2656-20 standard which measures the penetration level from the foremost edge of the barrier versus the back-side of the barrier like the previous standard. This can provide a difference of (1.52 m.) and makes the negative penetration level even more impressive. Design and features The DSC550 open frame barrier features a shallow foundation of only 24 inches (61 cm). The open-frame design additionally provides a unique counter-balance design with no springs that need extra maintenance. The DSC550 alleviates the concerns of interference with buried pipes, power lines and fiber optic communication lines in urban applications. The shallow foundation also reduces installation complexity, time, materials and corresponding costs. The DSC550 is perfect for high water table locations and areas with corrosive soils. Installation The barrier was fully operational after the force of the M50 impact. The fact that no-assist devices are used to operate this electro-mechanical barrier is something totally new to the industry. In addition, the fact that little rebar is needed in the very small foundation is a win for integrators trying to earn a solid margin while installing the DSC550 and a win for the end-user with little disruption during installation. Emergency fast operation The new DSC550 provides an emergency fast operation of 1.5 seconds for electro-mechanical and 0.75 seconds for hydraulic operations. This allows a guard to quickly react to a perceived threat with the peace of mind knowing the barrier will deploy in a rapid manner under the most demanding scenarios. The DSC550 also provides intuitive touchscreen controls with data-logging and custom programming.

Wind is a free and unlimited resource that provides potential energy toward the growing demand for clean, renewable power. In coastlines, islands, grasslands, mountainous areas, and plateaus that lack water, fuel, and convenient transportation, wind power poses a potential boon for addressing local challenges. Chaka Wind Farm is located on the Gobi Desert in Qinghai Province, China. At an altitude of 3,200 meters (nearly 2 miles), Qinghai has abundant wind energy reserves. Since its commissioning in December 2012, the energy-capturing capacity of the installed wind power turbines has reached 99 MW, while the annual average power generation is about 184 million kWh and the average annual utilisation hours are a mere 1,850 hours. Mechanical energy of rotation However, the plateau environment experiences squally winds all year round, and in severe cold winters the temperature often falls below minus 30° C! At those temperatures, the biting cold wind carries a severe risk of freezing for wind farm employees, and the harsh weather makes operation and maintenance extremely difficult. The difficulty lies in the fact that most of the wind farms are located in remote areas A wind turbine’s transmission system is composed of blades, hubs, main shafts, gear boxes, and couplings. Its main function is to convert the kinetic energy of wind into mechanical energy of rotation, then into electrical energy. As the key element in wind power, these wind turbines require routine maintenance. At present, maintenance relies mainly on the on-site staff climbing up the towers to check for and predict unit failures. However, the difficulty lies in the fact that most of the wind farms are located in remote areas. Personnel safety management When they rely solely on manual maintenance, the costs remain high enough to threaten the economics of the whole operation. Chaka Wind Farm hosts 62 wind towers, distributed across a wide 38,000 square meters (9.4 acres). This generous area creates a big challenge for maintenance staff who spend large amounts of time on transportation and logistics from tower to tower. Furthermore, according to the maintenance plan, workers have to climb each 80-meter-high wind tower for routine inspections each month. To solve these challenges, Hikvision provided a set of intelligent operation and maintenance systems for Chaka Wind Farm, including intelligent visual inspection equipment, personnel safety management, and real-time communication, providing a 24-hour online ‘Smart Examiner’ for the wind farm. Monitoring equipment temperatures Technicians at headquarters can remotely support personnel during on-site maintenanceFirst, for core unit components, thermal cameras are deployed in the wind turbine cabin to monitor equipment temperatures. This way, machine failures can be detected immediately, and staff can be automatically alerted when abnormal conditions (such as overheating) are found. In addition, with the wind towers located in the expansive Gobi Desert, unstable communications can leave operating personnel feeling disconnected. To resolve this, Hikvision’s one-key alarm intercom at the bottom of wind tower provides communication with the control center. Technicians at headquarters can remotely support personnel during on-site maintenance operations, assisting with diagnoses and repairs. Lastly, panoramic and thermal cameras and other equipment vastly expand the visual capabilities of the control centre. Staff can monitor the situation and various parameters around the wind turbines at all times. If an abnormality is found, they can immediately receive an alert from the system and identify specific problems. Engine room equipment “Originally, each wind turbine had to be inspected by staff members every month; climbing the towers was difficult and the risk factor was high. After the intelligent operation and maintenance system was installed, the engine room equipment on each tower can be inspected daily through the video system. Now each wind turbine only needs to be visited once every three months, and the frequency of climbing is reduced more than 60 percent,” said Sun, a technical operating engineer from Chaka Wind Farm. “More importantly, those problems that could only be discovered by personnel on the scene can now be identified by the intelligent operation and maintenance system – even proactive and early warnings of abnormal problems – which is a great help for our overall equipment operation and maintenance.”

GX-DT35B Smart Care Medical Alarm comes with a brand-new case design. The battery level and the cellular signal strength will be indicated through the white bar on the top cover. In addition, the current status of the system, for example, in learning mode or alarm reporting, will be also indicated through the LED backlight of the large Help button. Users can always be informed of the system status and have peace of mind. GX-DT35B can be compatible with Bluetooth medical devices, like blood glucose/blood pressure monitors, pulse oximeters, etc., to track medical data and remote monitoring directly from caregivers/physicians; and also has telecare alarm features, including emergency monitoring, inactivity monitoring, voice control, and home automation capabilities to assist seniors to have a more secure, healthy living. GX-DT35B Smart Care Medical Alarm is all-in-one wellness, and personal safety medical alarm solution, bridging medical health monitoring and emergency alarm to keep seniors safe in their own homes. Bluetooth Medical Device Pairing GX-DT35B is compatible with Bluetooth Medical devices, like blood pressure/blood glucose monitors, pulse oximeters, thermometers, etc., to track health and medical data and allow caregiver/physicians to remote monitor and provide treatment as needed. Smart Home Automation ZigBee, Z-Wave, or Bluetooth automation devices incorporated into GX-DT35B creates a smarter and safer home, by auto turning on hallway lights at night to decrease the chance of a fall; or auto turn on the heater if there’s a sudden temperature drop. Wi-Fi Hotspot GX-DT35B can serve as a Wi-Fi hotspot, allowing users’ computers, smartphones or other devices to connect and access the Wi-Fi network. Location Tracking GX-DT35B can be paired with BRPD-1 Bluetooth pendant, a small wearable panic button that partners with a smartphone application for GPS location reporting and trigger help alarm with one button press, whether the user is at home or out for a walk. Voice Control GX-DT35B is compatible with Google Home and Amazon Alexa voice control to control home electronic devices, allowing seniors to use their voice to make their environment more suitable without lifting a finger. Pivotell® Advance Automatic Pill Dispenser GX-DT35B is compatible with Pivotell® Advance Automatic Pill Dispenser, keeping secure of all pills, remind users to take their medication, keep track of their medicine intake, and allow caregiver/physician to monitor pill taking results/record and keep an eye on user’s needs. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) & DECT GX-DT35B’s built-in VOIP function allows users to initiate two-way voice calls to contact CMS and family members during alarms and emergency. With the optional add-on of DECT, GX-DT35B can pair with voice extenders, talking pendants, call points…etc placed around the home to create a safety net and peace of mind. Visual Monitoring and Verification GX-DT35B can integrate Camera PIR Motion Sensors to deliver real-time visual monitoring and verification. When an emergency occurs, alerts are immediately sent to family members, and Monitoring Centre to verify the event and sending immediate assistance as needed. Safety & Inactivity Monitoring GX-DT35B can support wireless sensor devices, allowing users to add smoke detectors, water leakage sensors, and gas sensors to monitor emergencies; and motion sensors, door contacts, sensor pad transmitters for inactivity monitoring, to build healthier, safer independent living.

IDEMIA, the globally renowned company in Augmented Identity, moved to its new headquarters in September 2018, in an 11-floor building located in La Défense business district, in Paris, France. The building brings together 1,300 employees out of total worldwide staff strength of close to 15,000 people. Biometric access control Due to the sensitive nature of its activities in this building, and given its position on the biometrics market, IDEMIA decided to deploy biometric access control throughout the entire building, a first in this business district and a fantastic opportunity to showcase IDEMIA’s flagship products in real life. Most employees get to the office via nearby metro and tram stations, and therefore, arrive within the same 30-minute window. This creates the need for a high throughput access control solution, for entrance and exit peak-times. Access to the six elevators serving the eleven floors is given after a first control at speed gates in the lobby area. MorphoWave Compact devices deployed IDEMIA opted for MorphoWave Compact associated to Digicon’s dFlow speedgates IDEMIA opted for MorphoWave Compact associated to Digicon’s dFlow speedgates. MorphoWave Compact devices were mounted on a special stylish stainless steel pedestal. Four dFlow lanes were installed, with readers for entry and exit. MorphoWave Compact is IDEMIA’s flagship biometric device for physical access control. It performs a 3D scan and verification of four fingerprints in less than one second, in a quick and easy touchless ‘wave’ gesture within the reader. dFlow speedgates These features make the product particularly well-suited for such high-traffic locations, with the capability to authenticate up to 50 people per minute, thanks to advanced algorithms based on Artificial Intelligence. With dFlow speedgates, Digicon introduces a new vision for access control gates, one with continuous flows and normally open doors. dFlow enables free flow, ushering new levels of comfort and security. Frictionless biometric solution The installation is highly acclaimed by employees who appreciate the frictionless use of MorphoWave Compact and its natural ‘wave’ hand gesture, as well as Digicon’s ‘always open’ dFlow concept, that enables them to get to the elevators in only a few seconds. Of course, IDEMIA was well-placed for this biometric employee access control deployment, being the provider of MorphoWave Compact. The employees were immediately convinced by the frictionless and hygienic experience it offered them. The team in charge of the security of the building found the MorphoWave Compact and dFlow combination more secure and less intrusive than other access control systems. Most importantly, what is true for a company like IDEMIA will also be true for any company in need of a high level of security delivered in a frictionless and convenient way, especially in high-traffic locations like in an HQ lobby.

The 100 Mount Street premium-grade office tower completed in May 2019, is the tallest (152m) building in North Sydney. With an innovative cross-braced exoskeleton structure and a soaring glass curtain wall, the tower celebrates Sydney‘s history of excellence in architecture and structural engineering. The 35-story office tower offers panoramic views of Sydney Harbour, Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge, and is occupied by some of Sydney’s best-known companies. The site also benefits from its proximity to key transport infrastructures with a train station, bus stops, ferry wharf and taxi stand all within walking distance. This high traffic location required a convenient and secure way to ensure controlled access for the 2,000 people entering the building everyday, while maintaining the aesthetics of the 8 metres-high ceiling lobby. Efficient control access to the building In order to efficiently control access to the building, the security contractor supplied top quality COMINFO EasyGate SPT entrance control gates equipped with IDEMIA’s MorphoWave™ Compact high-end biometric contactless devices. COMINFO is an experienced manufacturer of turnstiles and speed gates. EasyGate SPT models were installed, equipped with the latest MDD motor technology (Magnetic Direct Drive: no gearbox, no oil, no brush) and advanced infrared optical sensors which ensure safe passage and detect tailgating and cross-over, to ensure that only authorised people can pass through the gates. MorphoWave Compact™ is the flagship biometric device for physical access control from IDEMIA, the front-runner in Augmented Identity. The terminal performs a 3D scan and verification of 4 fingerprints in less than 1-second, in a quick and easy touchless wave gesture. Aesthetic integration The features of the product are particularly well-suited for high traffic locations with the capability to authenticate up to 50 people per minute thanks to advanced algorithms based on Artificial Intelligence. COMINFO carried out an aesthetical integration of MorphoWave™ Compact into EasyGate SPT, resulting in a powerful solution that brings the latest physical access control system using only a simple wave of a hand. The project was deployed by Centaman, COMINFO’s partner for Australia/New Zealand. First to implement biometric technology Dexus and Dexus Wholesale Property Fund who owned the building were the first to implement this biometric technology in office buildings and have now more than 2,000 people registered with their biometrics, removing the need for physical access cards or touching anything when entering or leaving the secured premises. The installation is highly acclaimed by employees who appreciate the frictionless and hygienic use of MorphoWave™ Compact and EasyGate SPT.

Sharps Pixley is a British bullion house, formed in 1957 when two historic private bullion partnerships merged. In 2015 Sharps Pixley decided to put physical gold back on the streets of London via a flagship high street presence in St James’s Street, just off Piccadilly. In this very special shop, not only can customers buy products but they can also store them on-location in new, state-of-the-art safe deposit box facilities. Sharps Pixley needed to upgrade their ageing control system for their safe deposit box service. Old biometric system They were facing a number of challenges with their old biometric system which was substantially impacting customer experience and satisfaction: Capturing fingerprints during the enrolment phase, especially with older clients, would typically take several attempts. During the verification process, the shop operator faced similar issues thus requiring multiple system restarts to get the device working correctly. The software was unstable and would often crash. New additional functionalities were also required to be able to offer the correct secure services to the clients: Two person authentication to access a single safety deposit box. Manual authentication in addition to biometric identification. Replacing the key fob with a biometric solution. Access control technology Arana Security was contracted to help. Operating in the UK and Middle East, Arana Security specialises in biometric solutions, access control technology, surveillance and monitoring systems. They set about to design a new application for Sharps Pixley, to enhance the security, authentication and usability of the system - adding new next-level security clearance and a fresh and improved enrolment of clients’ biometrics. For the important biometric part, Arana Security and Sharp Pixley selected IDEMIA’s MorphoWave Compact contactless fingerprint device to enable fast, smooth and accurate verification of clients. MorphoWave Compact performs a 3D scan and verification of four fingerprints in less than one second, in a quick, easy and hygienic touchless hand wave gesture. Thanks to advanced algorithms based on Artificial Intelligence, the accuracy is very high, even with ageing fingers. Contactless biometric devices The system provided has improved the client’s service and provided a more robust, secure and reliable solution The implementation of MorphoWave Compact contactless biometric devices meant less time wasted at the desk waiting for confirmation of IDs and less stress on both the clients and employees. The system provided has significantly improved the client’s service and provided a more robust, secure and reliable solution. Sharps Pixley’s comments: “We approached the Arana team with a particularly unique set of problems to resolve including a security system that used hardware and software originally designed for a totally different purpose. I knew what I wanted but was not sure if it was possible. I was essentially an explorer deep in the jungle with a perfect map in my own head, but with no tools or machinery to hack my way out." Provides palpable reassurance "Arana did more than just clear a path for me to get to my destination - they paved the road for me afterwards. MorphoWave Compact device from IDEMIA is the icing on the cake that makes this all possible. Used properly it is refreshingly simple and intuitive. The team here and our clientele no longer struggle to manage or use our access system. The device itself provides palpable reassurance in the technology and that has true value”, says Bruno Garcia, Sharps Pixley.

The idea of touchless systems has gained new levels of prominence during the last year, driven by the global COVID-19 pandemic. Contactless systems have been part of the industry’s toolbox for decades, while technologies like facial and iris recognition are finding new uses every day. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: Which security markets are embracing touchless, contactless systems and why? 

Adoption of General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) by the European Union in 2016 set a new standard for data privacy. But adherence to GDPR is only one element, among many privacy concerns sweeping the global security community and leaving almost no product category untouched, from access control to video to biometrics. Because privacy concerns are more prevalent than ever, we asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What is the impact on the physical security market?

Many of us take critical infrastructure for granted in our everyday lives. We turn on a tap, flip a switch, push a button, and water, light, and heat are all readily available. But it is important to remember that computerised systems manage critical infrastructure facilities, making them vulnerable to cyber-attacks. The recent ransomware attack on the Colonial Pipeline is an example of the new types of threats. In addition, any number of physical attacks is also possibilities. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What are the security challenges of protecting critical infrastructure?