Remote monitoring security applications

Rapiscan Systems RTT 110 is the first high-speed Computed Tomography Explosive Detection System (EDS) to be approved on TSA's Air Cargo Screening Technology List (ACSTL). This was achieved last month after a thorough testing process with the TSA and means that the RTT 110 will now undergo further field test activities which it must pass before it can be formally qualified. The RTT 110 has revolutionised the EDS market by providing exceptional performance at significantly lower cost of ownership. With its unique stationary gantry design and belt speed of 0.5m/s, the RTT 110 produces industry-leading high-resolution full volumetric 3D images at high speed, giving excellent security. Reliable and effective high-speed screening “We are very excited to be included on the ACSTL and the only approved CT EDS on the list”, said Mal Maginnis, President, Rapiscan Systems. “Our teams have worked extremely hard to create an exceptional product which we are all proud of. The technology has been designed to the highest quality to provide reliable and effective high-speed screening with many features ideally suited for the fast parcel industry and we are really pleased that our hard work is now being recognised”. By February 2021, all cargo shipments leaving, entering or travelling within the USA must be screened by a product included on the latest TSA’s Air Cargo Screening Technology List (ACSTL). The RTT 110 is the only EDS to be approved by the TSA and to be included on the ACSTL.

Cybersecurity services and Integrated Risk Management solutions provider SureCloud has announced that it has been accredited to provide Simulated Target Attack and Response (STAR) Intelligence-Led Penetration Testing services by the not-for-profit accreditation and certification body, CREST that represents the technical information security market. CREST developed the STAR framework to deliver intelligence-led cybersecurity testing, incorporating advanced penetration testing and threat intelligence services to more accurately replicate cybersecurity threats to critical assets. To meet CREST’s stringent requirements to secure STAR service provider status, SureCloud had to demonstrate its robust methodologies and sophisticated capabilities relating to the latest vulnerabilities and cybercrime techniques, as well as meeting government and risk management requirements. We have recognised their high professional service standards and the rigorous approach" Mitigating risks President of CREST, Ian Glover said, “SureCloud has been successfully assessed against our strict criteria for the supply of Simulated Target Attack and Response (STAR) Intelligence-Led Penetration Testing services. In accrediting SureCloud, we have recognised their high professional service standards and the rigorous approach they take in helping their customers mitigate risks and safeguard against advanced cyber-attacks. We congratulate them on this excellent achievement.” SureCloud’s VP of Cybersecurity, Mike Harrison, said, “The CREST STAR accreditation is a real testament to our capabilities as a business and it’s an important industry benchmark for delivering STAR intelligence-led penetration testing services. We’re proud to be amongst only 5% of UK penetration testing vendors that have been awarded this accreditation and are therefore able to offer STAR services in line with the high standards set by CREST. The fact we can deliver this excellent service through our vulnerability management platform means further value for our clients.” SureCloud’s Penetration Testing services have been CHECK approved since 2009 This accreditation reinforces the strong performance of the SureCloud team in undertaking Red-Team simulated Cyber Attack services for their clients. Techniques used are typically a blend of penetration testing, social engineering and physical breach attempts, with the overall aim being that organisations can prevent, detect and respond to the attack as if it were real. Crucially, this gives them a realistic overview for testing crisis management procedures, and how they might need to improve. Minimising risks of potential data breaches Given the complexity of these engagements, the standards you need to achieve a STAR accreditation are set exceptionally high, as it is imperative that the increasing number of organisations looking to undertake these engagements can understand who has the capability to deliver the highest quality service to them. SureCloud’s Penetration Testing services have been CHECK approved since 2009, and has been re-certified by the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council (PCI SSC) as a PCI Approved Scanning Vendor (PCI ASV) for more than 10 years running. SureCloud is certified by internationally recognised ISO/ IEC 27001 for achieving operational excellence, minimising the risks of potential data breaches. SureCloud is also certified by Cyber Essentials Plus, complying with the requirements of the scheme, which focuses on technical control themes such as firewalls, secure configuration, user access control, malware protection and patch management.

ExtraHop, the leader in cloud-native network detection and response, announced its top predictions for the cybersecurity and technology industries in 2020. Informed by insight from customers, partners and industry analysts and insiders, ExtraHop leaders predict a year of tool consolidation, headline-grabbing breaches and a shifting industry focus on what makes a successful tech start-up. The Year of Deeper Scrutiny for Fast-Growth Companies: “2019 was a tough year for heavily hyped, fast-growth companies going public in Silicon Valley. Several companies that raised huge rounds ultimately failed to deliver expected results or even approach profitability after they went public, and Wall Street was not amused. In 2020, we expect the investment community to more deeply scrutinise companies' financials and business fundamentals, ultimately leading to the support of companies who deliver on their promises, are capital-efficient with sound vision and innovation, and have truly sustainable business results and models to back them up.” - Arif Kareem, CEO File hashing has been the default mechanism for detecting malicious threat activity" Antiquated Threat Detection Methods like File Hashing and Signature-Based IDS Waste Time: “Since the 1990s, file hashing has been the default mechanism for detecting malicious threat activity, despite the fact that it's ineffective against modern attacks that use polymorphic or fileless methods to go undetected. The same goes for signature-based IDS, which are extremely noisy while providing very little actual alert context. Security teams will continue to rely on these antiquated methods of detection because they are expected to, regardless of how well they work in today's threat landscape.” - Jesse Rothstein, CTO and co-founder Accountability for the Ethical Use of Users’ Data: “Recent headlines tell of giant data corporations like Google and Facebook monetising users' data and lacking sufficient transparency in these activities. There’s already been significant social backlash, but in 2020 we predict that users will demand companies not just follow the often-dated laws, but that they also do what’s right. Regulations like GDPR and CCPA are helping to bring more clarity around what’s appropriate, but 2020 will be the year that the industry is held accountable for the ethical, in addition to regulatory-compliant, use of personal data.” - Raja Mukerji, CCO and co-founder A Slowing Economy Will Force Tool Consolidation: “In security programs, it's been very difficult to turn tools off. What gaps will I create? What unintended consequences will I see? As the economy has rolled along over the last decade, most security programs have had the necessary funding to add new tools and retain legacy tools under the guise of risk management. Economic slowdown is likely to change all of that, as investments in new technology will require cost savings elsewhere. A tighter economy will finally cause us to pull the plug on legacy security tools.” - Bill Ruckelshaus, CFO A tighter economy will finally cause us to pull the plug on legacy security tools""Observability" Will Gain Ground as Both a Concept and a Vocabulary Term in Security and DevOps: “Observability is a term that several companies are using to describe the practice of capturing metrics, logs and wire telemetry, or sometimes other data sources, mostly in the DevOps space. The value of correlating insights from these data sources has gained enough ground that vendors need a word for it. Observability, The SOC Visibility Triad, and other terms have been spotted in marketing materials and on big screens and main stages at security and analytics conferences. In 2020, we'll see heated competition to control the vocabulary and mental models that enterprises and vendors use to discuss and market security best practices regarding gathering multiple data sources and correlating insights between them.”- John Matthews, CIO A Major Information Leak from a Cloud Provider is Coming: “In 2020, we are likely to see a major information leak from a cloud provider. While at the same time the cloud providers are providing many useful built-in tools, it's not clear that they are using their own tools to secure themselves. As a further prediction, the leak will not effectively diminish migration to the cloud. As we have noticed with other breaches, they do not significantly erode confidence in the services.” - Jeff Costlow, CISO 2020 may well be the year that a breach of a vendor’s environment exposes the data of one or more of their customers" The Wave Begins Towards Security Tool Consolidation: “Organisations will take a strong look at the number of security vendors within their ecosystem in 2020 to determine overlap and begin a move towards consolidation of tools. The winners will include those that have proven their API superiority and ability to work together within an organisation’s ecosystem. The losers will be those who have not proven their ability to strengthen core security.” - Chris Lehman, SVP of Worldwide Sales A Vendor Will Be Responsible for a Major Breach of Data Due to Phoning Home: “In 2019, ExtraHop issued a security advisory about the vendor practice of phoning data home and how this is happening without the knowledge of customers. The problem with this practice is that it expands the attack surface via which that data can be breached, exposing it to threats within the vendor’s environment. 2020 may well be the year that a breach of a vendor’s environment exposes the data of one or more of their customers. Regulations like GDPR have imagined exactly this type of scenario and laid out specific requirements for data controllers and data processors. But when such a breach occurs, it will have broad impact and implications.” - Matt Cauthorn, VP Security The Big IoT Breach is Coming: “In 2017, major ransomware attacks crippled the networks, and operations, of major global organisations. While those attacks did billions in damage, for the most part, IoT devices were left unscathed. But sooner or later, and probably sooner, the big IoT breach is coming, and it could have global implications. Whether it happens in the US or abroad, in healthcare, shipping and logistics, or manufacturing, IoT devices around the globe are fertile hunting grounds for attackers. Taking down every connected device, from telemetry sensors to infusion pumps to mobile points-of-sale, could easily grind operations to a halt.” - Mike Campfield, VP of Global Security Programs

Traka, from ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions, has integrated with Maxxess’ award-winning security management software, eFusion, to present users with a powerful route to achieving operational efficiencies across a wide range of systems and functions. Complete site control Traka, in conjunction with Maxxess Systems, has developed a seamless integration with Maxxess’ eFusion open platform, to allow complete site control, centralise site visibility and present real-time monitoring, ensuring situational awareness for all assets, safely and securely. eFusion with Traka makes it simple for authorised staff to gain access to a wide range of controlled assets, from keys and premises to high value equipment, vehicles and machinery. The new integration enables full traceability and audit reports that can include video and audio recordings, as well as transactional data from systems such as access control, intruder, HR and fire. eFusion system is renowned as presenting a seamless opportunity to integrate to third party systems" Integration with third party systems Martin Woodhouse, Traka Head of Asia Pacific, Middle East, India and Africa (APACMEA), “Maxxess is one of the foremost global innovators within the security industry, its eFusion system is renowned as presenting a seamless opportunity to integrate to third party systems. Now together with Traka, we can deliver a significant futureproof technology that paves the way for users to benefit from one all-encompassing building control system.” “The power of this new integration brings together Traka’s intelligent key and equipment management systems with eFusion’s flexible cloud architecture, developing a solution that will deliver exciting advances in security and operational efficiency.” “It will not only benefit major new build projects, but also open new opportunities for existing users of eFusion and Traka. We look forward to building on this exciting partnership with Maxxess, which we jointly believe continues to deliver real benefits to our valued customers.” Audit capabilities across key cabinets and lockers As with all Traka solutions, the integration with Maxxess’ eFusion presents audit capabilities across its key cabinets and lockers, and enables instant traceability and reporting. Other important features include fault logging, curfews and multiple authorisations, which provide tangible returns on investment by improving operational efficiency, increasing productivity and minimising costly down time. Integration with eFusion opens the way for more powerful joint opportunities" Lee Copland, Managing Director, Maxxess EMEA adds, “With Traka solutions globally deployed in many market sectors such as critical infrastructure, retail, logistics, hospitality and corporate environments - and increasingly integrated with many third-party systems - this integration with eFusion opens the way for more powerful joint opportunities to be developed.” “There are huge benefits to be gained from integrating Traka’s capability with wider functions and operations, including building management systems, security, fire and the many application-specific systems used by our customers in different sectors.” To see Traka’s integration with Maxxess eFusion in action, one can visit Traka in hall 2, stand G20 at Intersec Dubai, taking place at Dubai’s International Convention and Exhibition Centre from 19 - 21 January 2020.

Steel fencing manufacturer Zaun Ltd has appointed Mat White from Highway Care Security Solutions. Zaun boasts a long-standing working relationship with White extending back over many years. For the past five years, he has been at Highway Care, initially as project manager on security and major highways contracts, and more recently as commercial manager and director for H2S2, a joint venture business between Highway Care and Hill & Smith business Hardstaff Barriers. White said, “I’m really excited to be joining the Zaun team and can’t wait to get my teeth stuck into my new role, while strengthening long term customer relationships and opening new doors to help create a sustainable future for the business. Zaun is picking up momentum thanks to the high-quality products it manufactures, and the dedicated and enthusiastic team that represent the business.” White project managed the design, program and deployment of security measures utilising the National Barrier Asset (NBA) Deployment of security measures Prior to Highway Care, White spent 12 years at Hardstaff, starting out as a plant operator and quickly progressing through the ranks to site supervisor and then operations manager overseeing highways and security projects. As the UK terrorist threat increased, he project managed the design, program and deployment of security measures utilising the National Barrier Asset (NBA) for high-profile events including the Nuclear Security Summit in Holland, Champions League Final, G8 and NATO conferences. High security environment Zaun sales and marketing director Chris Plimley said, “Mat brings a wealth of experience to Zaun in the high security environment, having previously worked alongside us on various high profile critical projects over the years. His product and design experience is exceptional, as is his ability to communicate at all levels from the teams on the ground to the end client means, building confidence that the project gets over the line. I’m delighted to welcome Mat into the team.” White joins four other recent recruits at Zaun. Andy Holloway has joined as internal sales manager, alongside sales estimator father and son Dave and Tommy Calvin together with design and production engineer Shane Rowton. Plimley concluded, “These appointments put the Zaun sales team on a stronger footing than ever and are key to driving forward our plans for continued growth coupled with ever improved customer service.”

RSA, a global cybersecurity provider of delivering Business-Driven Security solutions to help organisations manage digital risk, will extend its enterprise offering of modern authentication and identity assurance through a strategic partnership and joint solution with Yubico. The solution, YubiKey for RSA SecurID® Access, combines a FIDO2-enabled hardware device by Yubico with the benefits of enterprise-grade security, risk-based authentication and simplified credential lifecycle management delivered by RSA SecurID Access. YubiKey for RSA SecurID Access In today’s dynamic workforce, users expect a frictionless experience, regardless of where they are or what applications they are accessing. At the same time, organisations want to reduce the risk of security breaches, secure critical assets and minimise the costs associated with credential lifecycle management. Stolen identity is a critical security issue, and often the weakest link in security postures. In fact, 80 percent of breaches involve compromised and weak credentials, and last year security breaches cost companies an average of $3.86 million per breach. “Our partnership with RSA demonstrates a shared commitment to protect millions of users from security breaches,” said Jerrod Chong, Chief Solutions Officer, Yubico. “This collaborative effort combines RSA’s long-standing expertise in identity and access management, with Yubico’s proven leadership in standards and innovation, to bring forward a unified FIDO-based hardware authentication solution for enterprises, their partners and their customers.” Leadership in authentication and identity assurance YubiKey complements the existing range of authentication methods of RSA SecurID AccessAs organisations continue to pursue digital transformation initiatives, identity management has become increasingly complex. Continuing leadership in authentication and identity assurance, the strategic partnership will add to the broad range of authentication methods offered in the RSA SecurID Access Suite. RSA and Yubico will address a variety of workforce use cases with a simple login experience enabled by the YubiKey for RSA SecurID Access and backed by the enterprise-grade security of RSA SecurID Access. The YubiKey complements the existing range of authentication methods of RSA SecurID Access including push notification, one-time password, SMS and biometrics to enable the broadest support for diverse user populations and use cases. FIDO authentication is uniquely suited for use cases like passwordless logon to PCs and laptops and mobile-restricted environments (e.g., call centres). The joint solution will also provide identity insights, threat intelligence, and business context for user access, devices, applications and behaviour to provide businesses with the confidence that users are who they say they are. “With ongoing support for FIDO, RSA continues to deliver modern authentication solutions and identity assurance to help enterprises meet business needs, provide a range of authentication options for users and protect their most valuable assets,” said Jim Ducharme, VP of Identity and Fraud & Risk Intelligence Products, RSA. “Now, we’re enabling our customers to combine the robust, enterprise-grade identity assurance of RSA SecurID Access with YubiKey hardware devices, for secure and convenient authentication. The strategic partnership extends our support for FIDO in RSA SecurID Access, allowing integration with applications from ground to cloud to address the evolving threats and challenges in today’s dynamic workforce.” RSA SecurID Access bridges islands of identity  RSA SecurID Access provides a unified platform for secure enrolment Today, RSA SecurID Access provides the backend software and services required for a full range of authentication options like the YubiKey for RSA SecurID Access to be successfully deployed, managed and used across an enterprise environment. RSA SecurID Access bridges islands of identity, and with one of the strongest partner ecosystems in the industry (RSA Ready), RSA SecurID Access provides a unified platform for secure enrolment, access control, policy enforcement and lifecycle management across all of an enterprise’s applications from data centre, endpoint and network perimeter to the cloud. For customers, this enables features like secure (multi-factor) enrolment, self-service, emergency access, and a single FIDO registration across all enterprise applications. It also provides broader compatibility and a consistent user experience for YubiKeys within the enterprise. RSA is a longstanding member of the FIDO Alliance as well as a member of the Board of Directors. As a market leader in multi-factor authentication, RSA is committed to supporting the new FIDO2 standard and providing best practices for FIDO deployment in the enterprise with RSA SecurID Access.

It’s not just a new year, it’s a new decade. And somehow this makes it feel bigger. Almost like we’re moving faster or reaching farther. Technology is certainly advancing at an unprecedented pace. While there’s a lot to talk about, there are three big security trends that we think will continue to have a huge impact in the year to come. 1. What is artificial intelligence and is it going to take over? We’ve seen countless versions of artificial intelligence (AI) in pop culture—think of Sonny in the 2004 film I, Robot or Rachael in Blade Runner—so we feel we know the technology. And, based on this, we believe our anxieties around it are warranted. But, the truth is that the science to produce even far less sophisticated versions of these characters just doesn’t exist. AI today Computers use data to help improve performance without being explicitly programmed Today’s AI science is focused largely on machine learning. With machine learning, computers use data to help improve performance without being explicitly programmed. This means that, through the use of algorithms and training, a computer can be programmed to determine which features it should use in the identification process to efficiently produce the most accurate output. Over time and based on a trainer’s feedback, for example, a computer can determine that using color rather than shape to identify a flower is more efficient because the results are more accurate. Machine learning in the physical security industry In the security sector, we’re seeing good results with automatic license plate recognition (ALPR) systems that employ machine learning. Today’s ALPR cameras and systems are better at recognising license plates from different countries, states, or provinces because they’re more efficient at identifying an ever-expanding number of inputs. We don’t need to worry that AI will be running our lives So, we don’t need to worry that AI will be running our lives. And, in fact, we should be relieved that machine learning can be used to identify scofflaw plates as this will help keep our roads and spaces safer.   2. Can we move beyond the single, secured door? With increased globalisation and the rise of multinational companies, organisations everywhere are facing new challenges around visitor, and employee access management. Protecting your environment is no longer as easy as securing a single door. As the nature of work becomes more complex, organisations are going to have to take a different approach for managing the flow of people through their facilities. Organszations are going to have to take a different approach for managing the flow of people through their facilities The challenges of traditional access control We’ve seen that relying exclusively on a static access control system can increase workload and inefficiencies. With this approach, granting and revoking temporary access and provisioning employees is a labor-intensive process. It requires hands-on participation from security operators and front office staff. There is no guarantee that corporate or regulatory policies are being followed as well as little-to-no traceability. And, ultimately, the process is, by its very nature, prone to human error. Large conglomerates have been meeting these challenges by developing tailor-made solutions based on physical identity management. These systems are costly and require 3rd party support. Smaller organisations simply could not afford the time or resources necessary to implement them. Heading into 2020, we’re seeing an increase in out-of-the-box solutions that will allow organisations of all sizes to move to cloud-based identity management systems. How Physical Identity and Access Management (PIAM) systems can help More affordable Physical Identity and Access Management (PIAM) solutions will help organisations secure their systems and facilities by effectively managing access requests based on an individual’s identity and an organisation’s security policies. They can ensure that only those individuals who have the right to access a secured area can do so by managing and automating the process. In effect, by extending an access control system with a PIAM, organisations of any size will be able to reduce workloads, fully implement corporate policies, and better protect their spaces.   3. Should we be nervous about facial recognition? We shouldn’t be surprised by the public’s fear of facial recognition. The idea that private citizens can be identified and tracked in public is the stuff of political espionage and sci-fi thrillers. But, beyond the fictional examples, we’ve also seen cases where facial recognition gets it wrong. Incorrectly identifying an innocent man for a robbery twice or having difficulty distinguishing members of the same race are just some of the real-world reasons people don’t trust facial recognition. How facial recognition can increase security Facial recognition technology can play a huge role in helping keep people, assets, and spaces safe. It can monitor visitors to improve safety and efficiency, assist security personnel by helping to reduce response times, and aid in the investigation of incidents. Facial recognition technology can play a huge role in helping keep people, assets, and spaces safe In the coming year, we’re going to see a greater focus on developing solutions that use a privacy-by-design approach. For video surveillance applications, this will include the ability to automatically mask—through blurring or pixelation—persons in live and stored video feeds. The system itself will ensure that only authorised personnel can access un-pixelated or blurred images and only in cases that warrant it. Anonymisation Using this approach will help reduce concerns and increase protection, which will lead to greater accuracy and trust. In parallel, technology providers must continue to work with regulating bodies to ensure that the policies around implementing and using any surveillance technology, especially facial recognition, align with our values. With all these trends, we’re seeing the relationship between people and technology evolving. When we focus on improving the lives of people in our communities, we can harness the power in these advancements and make a real difference.

Entrance control and access control - of the physical kind - are common terms in the security industry which are often used interchangeably, but should they be? Having worked both sides of the fence, with previous roles at TDSi and HID and now the Major Accounts and Marketing Manager at Integrated Design Limited, Tony Smith highlights the subtle but important differences between these two terms and the systems they refer to, outlining how they should work together to achieve optimal security. Access control is a system which provides discriminating authentication Access control provides a discriminating authentication process and comprises the software or hardware that defines the criteria for acceptance or denial Used to describe a system which performs identification of users and authentication of their credentials (deciding whether or not the bearer of those credentials is permitted admission) access control is an incredibly broad term. Access control provides a discriminating authentication process and comprises the software or hardware that defines the criteria for acceptance or denial of an individual to a restricted area. Entrance control – such as security turnstiles - takes the output of that validation and has the capability to see whether that criteria is being adhered to, either granting or denying access as appropriate. Entrance control is the hardware responsible for keeping people honest If access control verifies authorised personnel using their credentials – their face, fingerprints, PIN number, fob, key card etc – and decides whether or not they are permitted access, entrance control is the hardware which enforces that decision by making users present their credentials in the correct way, either opening to allow pedestrian access or remaining closed to bar entry and potentially raising an alarm. For example, a card reader acts as an access control device, recognising the card holder as having the correct permissions and saying ‘yes, this person can pass’. But, it’s the entrance control system – a turnstile, for example – which actually physically allows or denies access. Physical access and video surveillance Some entrance control systems don’t feature a physical barrier, however. Fastlane Optical turnstiles will not physically stop an unauthorised person from passing through, and instead alarm when someone fails to present valid credentials, alerting security staff that a breach has occurred. These kinds of turnstiles are suited to environments which just need to delineate between the public and secure side of an entrance, with less need to physically prevent unauthorised users from entering. State of the art access control integrations have been installed for award-winning complex, The Bower It’s also possible to capture video footage of any incidents, allowing security personnel to identify users failing to abide by the access control system’s rules, using It’s also possible to capture video footage of incidents, allowing security personnel to identify users failing to abide by access control system rules the footage to decide on the level of response required. The breach could have been the result of a member of staff being in a hurry and failing to show their card before passing through, in which case they can be reminded about the security protocol. Or, it could be an unidentified person who needs to be escorted from the premises. Entrance control and access control working together For optimum security, access control and entrance control should work together, with the entrance control system enhancing the use of the access control system, making it more efficient and better value for money. The two can’t effectively operate without each other. Security turnstiles, for example, require something to tell them that someone is about to enter – the access control system does this – and, the access control system needs a method of stopping people when they don’t badge in correctly. The two systems are complementary.

On November 2019 in Stockton, California, surveillance footage found that vandals shot out glass windows and doors in many places in a small business complex (FOX40). The intruders broke in only to leave with nothing, proving their intent was solely to vandalize the property. Meanwhile, it was reported that a trio of ATM thieves struck around 9 times across many different locations inside Brooklyn and Queens within just over a month in fall 2019 (ATM Marketplace). On average, the cost of vandalism to SMB is around $3,370 per incident (US Small Business Administration), including a staggering 692 vehicle vandalism claims per day. Likewise, the average cost of theft to SMB is about $300 per shoplifting incident and $1,500 per employee theft incident, which accounts for 38% and 34.5% of all theft instances, respectively (National Retail Security Survey). High-performance artificial intelligent systems can automate the monitoring tasks Vandalism and theft have proven time and time again to be inconvenient and deconstructively harmful towards SMB. However, these financial burdens can be prevented with the use of the right security system. AI-based security systems with Deep Learning contain many features that many SMB owners find advantageous in their pursuit to stop unwarranted and unwanted money loss.   Intrusion and loitering detection The first of many features that can help with vandalism and theft prevention is Intrusion Detection. High-performance artificial intelligent systems can automate the monitoring tasks for high-risk sites to provide a high level of security and security personnel monitoring efficiency. Traditional intrusion detection systems detect objects based on size and location, but they do not recognise the type of objects. Now, Intrusion Detection (Perimeter Protection) systems with cutting-edge, built-in AI algorithms to recognise a plethora of different object types, can distinguish objects of interest, thus significantly decreases the false-positive intrusion rate. The more advanced AI-based systems, like those we offered at IronYun, enable the users to draw ROIs based on break-in points, areas of high-valuables, and any other preference to where alerts may be beneficial. Similarly, AI Loitering Detection can be used to receive alerts on suspicious activity outside any given store. The loitering time and region of interest are customisable in particular systems, which allows for a range of detection options. Advanced loitering detection software as such can detect and trigger real-time alerts for both people loitering and/or vehicles that are illegally parked in certain areas of interest. A benefit, which only certain advanced systems contain, is the ability to send trigger actions to 3rd-party systems in reaction to receiving an alert of loitering and/or intrusion detection. These trigger actions can be set to contact authorities immediately and/or trigger a scare tactic alarm or announcement to intruder/loiterer. Certain Face Recognition and License Plate Recognition software can record individual people/vehicles Face and license plate recognition In addition to the activity detection solutions, certain Face Recognition and License Plate Recognition software can record individual people/vehicles and use pre-configured lists to identify particular faces or plates that may be of interest, such as those in watchlists. These systems can also enable the users to upload images of faces not in the lists and search for them in the camera recording. For instance, if a person is detected several times loitering outside a store, one may save one of the detection photos into the watchlist, and set up an alert when said face is recognised again outside the building in the future. The alerts will help to deter and prevent vandalism or theft, and notify the authorities to the scene before the troublemaker completes the act. The main attributes of high-performance Face Recognition systems which maximise assistance with vandalism and theft management include: Face match rate > 90% with good camera angles and lighting. Processing multiple streams and multiple faces per image. Live face extraction and matching to databases of thousands of faces within 3 seconds.                                                                                                                State-of-the-art AI security software with Deep Learning allows the user to no longer need to install special LPR camerasIf the watchlist individual is wearing a mask or their face is not in view of the camera, their license plate may be a good indicator. If a particular car is detected several times loitering in the parking lot or street outside a store, the user can set the alerts for such car to get notified in the future. With an AI solution like this, common street cameras should be equipped with LPR capabilities. So, state-of-the-art AI security software with Deep Learning allows the user to no longer need to install special LPR cameras. High-performance alert mechanisms A high-performance AI solution, in addition to having high accuracy, should be able to: Easily integrate with 3rd-party systems Work well with all ONVIF IP cameras including infrared and thermal ones (for Intrusion detection) Analyses video streams in real time and trigger alerts within a few seconds Send alerts to multiple VMSs, connect with signalling devices such as loud speakers or flashing lights Send email notifications to security staff and police departments Send notification on mobile device using AI NVR mobile app Maintains a record of all alerts to provide evidence of intrusion and loitering instances for police and insurance agencies. To assist in theft and vandalism prevention, AI-based security systems with deep learning will do all of the tedious work for you. Their low cost and high performance also make them the most accessible security solutions in the market with large return on investment. Stopping crimes is a difficult, ongoing challenge, but with the right AI software, business vendors and police departments can do so with more ease.

Facial recognition continues to be a political football and a target of privacy activists in the United States. For example, San Diego has suspended its use of facial recognition scanners by law enforcement after a campaign by civil rights groups. The San Diego Tactical Identification System (TACIDS) programme included a database of facial recognition scans shared by 30 local, state and federal agencies. A California law, passed in the fall, puts a three-year moratorium on law enforcement use of face recognition technology. A proposal in Congress would prohibit use of biometric recognition technology in most public and assisted housing units funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), thus protecting the more than two million public housing residents nationwide from being “over-surveilled.” The “No Biometric Barriers to Housing Act” is supported by the NAACP, the National Housing Law Project, National Low-Income Housing Coalition, National Action Network, Color of Change, and the Project on Government Oversight. The problems of Facial Recognition "Studies that show that facial recognition systems may misidentify many individuals including women and people of colour" A letter from seven members of Congress to HUD Secretary Ben Carson questioned the use of facial recognition in federally assisted housing because it “could be used to enable invasive, unnecessary and harmful government surveillance of…residents.” The letter cites studies that show that facial recognition systems may misidentify many individuals including women and people of colour, thus “exacerbating vulnerabilities that marginalized groups already face in life.” In June, Somerville, Mass., became the second U.S. city to ban the use of facial recognition technology in public spaces. The first was San Francisco. A coalition of organisations and trade associations has issued a letter to Congress outlining concerns with “blanket prohibitions” or moratoriums on facial recognition technology and listing beneficial uses for public safety, national security and fighting fraud. The Security Industry Association (SIA) is part of the coalition, the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation. A letter from seven members of Congress to HUD Secretary Ben Carson questioned the use of facial recognition in federally assisted housing Facial recognition technology has benefited Americans in many ways, such as helping to thwart identity thieves" The letter says: “While polls consistently show that Americans trust law enforcement to use facial recognition technology responsibly, some groups have called for lawmakers to enact bans on [the] technology. While we agree that it is important to have effective oversight and accountability of these tools to uphold and protect civil liberties, we disagree that a ban is the best option.” Development and guidance  As alternatives to outright bans, the letter proposes expanded testing and performance standards, develop of best practices and guidance for law enforcement, and additional training for different uses of the technology. “Facial recognition technology has benefited Americans in many ways, such as helping to fight human trafficking, thwart identity thieves and improve passenger facilitation at airports and enhance aviation security,” says Don Erickson, CEO of SIA. “SIA believes this advanced technology should be used in a safe, accurate and effective way, and look forward to working with Congress to help the U.S. set the example on how to ethically and responsibly govern this technology.” SIA has produced a document called “Face Facts: Dispelling Common Myths Associated with Facial Recognition Technology.”

Security’s intersection with consumer electronics is on view at CES 2020, the world’s largest technology event, Jan. 7-10 in Las Vegas. The giant show features more than 170,000 attendees, 4,500 exhibitors and 1,100 industry thought-leaders featured on the CES stage. A range of technologies will be on display, from artificial intelligence (AI) to 5G, vehicle technology to AR/VR (augmented and virtual reality), robotics to home automation. Security plays a prominent role, too.The impact of this event for the smart home could be about delivering home analytics and enhancing privacy" Smart home market on the forefront The smart home market is a major focus. “For the smart home market at CES this year, we expect to see numerous announcements regarding home awareness,” says Blake Kozak, Senior Principal Analyst at IHS Markit. “This will include brands offering up additional analytics for consumer security cameras with a focus on edge-based solutions.” “The impact of this [event] for the smart home could be about delivering home analytics and enhancing privacy through cloudless architectures and new electronic door lock approaches,” he adds. An example of cloud analytics is the Resideo Home app, introduced in December, which will make whole-home monitoring possible for four critical networks of the home – water, air, energy and security. Resideo promises a “simplified and integrated smart home experience.” Video is also prominent at the show. “For cameras, we can expect to see more cameras focused on the outdoor space and possibly new form factors for video doorbells,” says Kozak. Familiar security industry brands exhibiting at CES 2020 include ADT, Ring, August Home and Yale (both part of ASSA ABLOY), Bosch and Alarm.com. Focus on Cybersecurity In 2020, companies will continue to focus on solutions for protecting consumer data" Cybersecurity is an aspect of many of the devices on display at CES. “Device security and data privacy play a key role in the adoption of connected devices,” says Elizabeth Parks, President, Parks Associates. “Consumer security concerns for smart home products will continue to be a barrier to adoption in the U.S. and Europe, and these concerns can actually intensify with device adoption-71% of U.S. smart home households are concerned about cybersecurity. In 2020, companies will continue to focus on solutions for protecting consumer data. One big area of interest is protection on the network router, providing whole home solutions, which are very appealing to consumers.” “At CES we will see the traditional players introducing new DIY (do-it-yourself) products, as well as new players announcing new product features, services, and partnerships,” Parks adds. Smart access control Smart locks will be among the security products at CES 2020. For example, PassiveBolt, a lock company, will show the Shepherd Lock, a touch-enabled smart lock with enhanced security through sensors and AI. The add-on lock converts existing locksets into touch-activated devices. Another lock manufacturer is Kwikset, whose door locks and door hardware include Wi-Fi-enabled smart locks, Bluetooth-enabled smart locks, keyless and keyway-less locks and connected home technology. Video doorbells, including industry-innovator Ring, have been a hit in the consumer market. At CES, Ring will expand the mission to make neighbourhoods safer by creating a “Ring of Security” around homes and communities with a suite of home security products and services. The “Neighbors by Ring” app enables affordable, complete, proactive home and neighbourhood security. Homeguard offers a range of affordable CCTV solutions for home and small business DIY CCTV demonstrations DIY security systems are another market. Homeguard is a leading DIY consumer brand offering a range of affordable CCTV solutions for home and small business, including wired and wireless CCTV kits, smart cameras, home alarm systems and wire-free HD CCTV kits. Swann Communications is also at the forefront of surveillance and monitoring with new products developments including wire-free HD cameras and doorbells, professional CCTV video surveillance systems, and 1080p full HD systems with “True Detect” heat and motion sensing. AVTECH, and subsidiary YesGo Tech, will demonstrate a compact Wi-Fi home security set, a series of special cameras with face recognition, thermal detection and license plate recognition, customised central management software and a university ID tag that is compatible with access control, OEM and ODM opportunities. Security and automation solutions D-Link’s home networking, security and automation solutions will help consumers connect, view, share, entertain, work and play. SECO-LARM, manufacturer of a Room Occupancy Monitor that shows whether a room is in use, has a line of keypads and proximity readers with built-in Bluetooth for convenient access. Another smart home security solutions provider, Climax Technology, integrates wireless security, home automation, energy management, home emergency monitoring and live visual monitoring. Personal safety mobile application Manufacturers are positioning outdoor cameras as deterrents to theft before a burglary happens" WaryMe designs and develops a personal safety mobile application to improve a user’s security in public places, schools, transports and companies by addressing major risks such as terrorism attacks, intrusion, fire and even industrial accidents. An all-in-one mobile application integrates alerting, crisis management and mass notification features. “Market players are looking to expand beyond established smart home devices like smart thermostats and networked cameras to products like smart water leak detectors, smart pet feeders, and smart air purifiers,” says Elizabeth Parks. “Manufacturers are positioning outdoor cameras as deterrents to theft before a burglary happens. This trend is part of a broader security marketing effort to extend the perimeter of home security beyond traditional home access points.” “Familiarity with smart home devices lags behind familiarity with smart entertainment products; it even lags that of smart speakers, which are quite new in the market,” adds Parks. “In 2020, we will see players working to advance the visibility and marketing around device integration, and specifically focus on use case scenarios around safety, security, and convenience, which have always been the primary drivers of adoption of these types of products.”

Across the security industry, power supplies are too often an afterthought and the first item in an access control system to be value-engineered. However, when the power supply fails on a high-end access control device, the system becomes a very expensive paperweight. Fortunately, there are now power supply units available that can enhance system reliability by providing remote diagnostics and real-time reporting and analytics. There is also a mistaken perception that all power supplies are the same, says David Corbin, Director of ASSA ABLOY’S Power Management Strategic Business Unit. Access control and security applications Power supplies today are more important than ever for access control and security applications The fact is, a properly designed unit for today’s market must have a wide input range, a myriad of features, interface to network, have adequate transient protection, good surge capability and a demonstrated quality level for mission critical reliability, he says. “Power supplies today are more important than ever for access control and security applications,” says Corbin. “From heavy snowstorms in the Midwest and East Coast to the two million Californians that experienced unprecedented power outages, extreme weather conditions have created chaos for millions over the past few months. These events have resulted in students being locked out of schools, hospitals darkening and electronic keypads or card readers shutting down. With events like these on the rise, and an increased reliance on the technology we use to get in and out of the spaces we occupy, power supplies are critical for keeping systems up and running and people safe and secure.” ASSA ABLOY's LifeSafety Power’s FPO Intelligent Power Supplies and Helix Redundant Power Systems Installing right power supplies ASSA ABLOY has a range of products within the power supplies category, including LifeSafety Power’s FPO Intelligent Power Supplies and Helix Redundant Power Systems. ASSA ABLOY’s acquisition of LifeSafety Power in September expanded the company’s offering of smart integrated access control power solutions for OEMs, integrators and end-users. Other ASSA ABLOY power supply products include Securitron AQ Series Switching Power Supplies, and eco-friendly, linear, plug-in and solar power supplies, as well as Power over Ethernet (PoE). Access control is crucial to security and life safety, says Corbin. And without power, any protective system is useless. When the right power supplies are installed correctly, the system will have built-in backup power that will be triggered during an outage. Dependable power supplies, with regularly replaced and appropriately sized backup batteries, are critical to keeping occupants safe in an emergency event. Other ASSA ABLOY power supply products include Securitron AQ Series Switching Power Supplies Periodic testing of the battery When it comes to extreme weather conditions, the result of a power outage can lead to hazardous situations for employees, patients, residents and students, he says. Buildings that require power to gain access can leave people stranded outside or locked inside. “When access controls are disabled, intruders can easily enter buildings without notice, affording the opportunity for interruptions to power distribution, water supplies and other necessary public utilities,” says Corbin. Preparation for the next big power outage should include the sizing of power supplies to the system requirement with a reasonable safety factor for foreseeable system expansion and a battery set that is sized for operating the system for a period of time greater than the planned requirement, he says. Using a ‘smart’ power supply provides early warning of an impending failure; and consistent, periodic testing of the battery set keeps the system in peak operating condition. Predictive maintenance of access control Predictive analytics and data harvesting can help with predictive maintenance of access control Redundancy ensures that power remains available in the event of a failure, regardless of whether it is a blackout situation or a failure of the power supply itself, says Corbin. “In critical power installations where redundancy is vital, the system must have a properly sized and maintained backup battery,” says Corbin. “Additionally, further redundancy can be achieved via products like our Helix systems that provide for seamless switching between two different power supplies in the event of an electrical failure of one of the power supplies.” Corbin also notes there is a growing want and need for more data and analytics in the access control field. End users increasingly expect access control systems to be able to integrate with building information systems. Predictive analytics and data harvesting can help with predictive maintenance of access control and building systems. For example, intelligent power supplies can identify problems before they happen – such as performing periodic, automated battery tests and then notifying a central monitoring location and/or a facility manager of a battery that needs replacement. Lock operation can also be monitored on a real-time basis for failure or impending failure of a secured door opening, he says.

Your Homes Newcastle (YHN), which manages more than 26,000 properties on behalf of Newcastle City Council, is taking an innovative approach to fire safety with a pilot project utilising thermal imaging cameras in tower blocks. The ALMO has installed the thermal imaging cameras in three of its 45 multi-storey blocks across the city in a trial partnership with OpenView Security Solutions, with the project attracting praise from Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service. Mobotix M16 thermal cameras The trial of the Mobotix M16 Thermal Camera sees the cameras installed in bin chute rooms The trial of the Mobotix M16 Thermal Camera sees the cameras installed in bin chute rooms. The cameras detect minute increases in temperature, triggering an alarm in YHN’s central enquiry centre before any fire has had a chance to take hold, meaning within seconds of a possible fire starting the alarm is raised with the fire service. The camera continually monitors the temperature in the room, with information relayed back to the fire service, enabling them to better prepare for responding to the fire. David Langhorne, YHN’s Assets and Development Director, said: “The tragic events at Grenfell Tower have undoubtedly put fire safety in multi-storey blocks under a microscope, but we have been trialling new measures in our multi-storey properties for some time. Faster fire detection “We pride ourselves on being innovative, so it was an easy decision for us to test something that had not yet been adopted elsewhere. The early detection system provided by the camera has many benefits, but, most importantly, the faster response time from the fire service means the potential impact on residents and their properties is minimised and they and their homes are far safer as a result.”  “This trial system is one of many fire safety measures currently in place in the blocks we manage across the city, where we also have wet and dry risers, central alarm systems, smoke alarm activated bin chute fire dampers, and bin room sprinklers.” Reducing false fire alarms Alan Robson, Assistant Chief Officer at Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service said “It’s great that YHN is innovating in this way. Using technology to support the monitoring of storage areas such as this helps improve the information we receive about incidents. This technology can reduce false alarm calls and improve our response to confirmed fires.” The standard CCTV lens provides a live feed for further verification of events OpenView Security Solutions is the UK’S largest privately-owned independent security company and a leading national supplier of fire, electrical and mechanical services to the public and private housing sectors. Thermal imaging The Mobotix M16 Thermal camera’s lens is triggered when an unexpected heat pattern occurs and automatically sends an alert to the central control room. Images from the thermal lens are automatically presented to operators enabling the exact location of hotspots, such as smouldering fires, to be pinpointed. The standard CCTV lens provides a live feed for further verification of events. YHN’s existing infrastructure, which uses Openview installed equipment in the blocks to link alarms through to its enquiry centre via Jontek, meant the new approach could be easily implemented without any disruption to residents. Innovative fire protection solutions Andy Ward, Sales Director of OpenView Security Solutions, added “This innovative fire protection solution enables housing providers to ensure a safer environment for residents and minimise the incidence of false alarms. It now forms part of our expanding portfolio of fire and life safety solutions, one of the fastest growing areas of our business, and consolidates our leading position in the public and private housing sector.” Commenting on the partnership with YHN and OpenView, Frank Graham, Mobotix Regional Sales Manager, said: “We are very happy to be working so closely with both YHN and Openview in the development and provision of an innovative solution for such a serious issue. Mobotix cameras have inbuilt intelligence to meet all the requirements of integrator and end users alike and we look forward to a longstanding and fruitful partnership with both organisations moving forward.”

Security installation specialist Vision Security Services installed Vanderbilt’s ACT365, a cloud-based access control and video management system, at Work.Life, a co-working and private offices facility in London Fields, east London. The ACT365 solution was implemented late in the construction stage, as initially, the client had used a conventional system, before realising late-on the benefits available from cloud management. Essentially, the client needed unified management of access points and video, both locally and remotely. It was for these reasons that ACT365 was chosen for the task. Remote monitoring capabilities ACT365 allows the system user to activate doors and analyse their status from any major web browser or the ACT365 appImportantly, ACT365’s remote monitoring capabilities deliver a force that gives business owners far greater visibility and control of their property. For instance, at the London Fields site, ACT365 allows the system user to activate doors and analyse their status from any major web browser or the ACT365 app. This allows Work.Life to make immediate remote adjustments to a user’s details, including updating access privileges when a lapsed membership is renewed. Crucially, ACT365 can also generate muster reports during a building evacuation, with marshals being able to see instantly from their phone or smart device if members have mustered out. Again, this function can be used remotely if required. Controlling doors through mobile devices Vision Security Services operates as an integrator across access control, video surveillance, intruder alarms and barrier systems across the south of England and London from a base in Sittingbourne, Kent. Commenting on the installation of ACT365, Reg Butler, Director of Vision Security Services, stated: “There are very few true cloud-based access control solutions, and the ability of Vanderbilt’s ACT365 to synchronise access control events instantly to camera footage from a single platform means no time is wasted searching through video. Vanderbilt’s ACT365 appeals to our end-users regarding functionality and price point. They also appreciate being able to view sites and even open and lock doors based on what they see on a camera feed, all from a smartphone or web browser.” Protecting people and assets during emergency ACT365’s real-time management enables the kind of flexibility that system users need to instantly protect people and assets in the event of an emergency Overall, ACT365’s real-time management enables the kind of flexibility that system users need to instantly protect people and assets in the event of an emergency. Essentially, ACT365’s remote monitoring feature puts business owners first by eradicating once heavy responsibilities that can now be promptly completed through the click of a button on mobile or desktop devices. This gives business owners convenience through simplicity. As explained by Ross Wilks, Head of Marketing Communications at Vanderbilt: “ACT365 deals with convenience. It deals with things that are at the heart of customer pain points. Vanderbilt has always looked to invest in technology that will match our values of collaboration, empowerment and customer-first. "Products like ACT365 excel with these criteria. ACT365’s distinguishing characteristics deliver information rapidly, cost-effectively, and can be upgraded with the latest features as and when they become available.”

Founded in 1871, Fulton County School System is the fourth largest school district in Georgia, United States. It consists of 101 schools and administrative support buildings, including 67 elementary schools, 19 middle schools, 17 high schools and eight charter organisations. Fulton’s mission is to provide a safe and secure environment for its more than 96,000 students and more than 12,000 full-time employees. To help enhance safety at more than 100 schools, Fulton has installed a full Avigilon security solution that includes Avigilon cameras with self-learning video analytics, Avigilon network video recorders, and Avigilon Control Center™ (ACC) video management software with Avigilon Appearance Search™ technology. Fulton is also deploying Avigilon Access Control Manager to secure physical access points, providing an integrated security solution for the district. Simplifying recording and capturing of footage Fulton sought to replace analogue cameras with an end-to-end high definition security system camera system in order to maximise protectionFulton sought to replace analogue cameras with an end-to-end high definition security system camera system in order to maximise protection, enable proactive event response, and facilitate the recording, capturing and sharing of clear footage with its school board, police and the concerned public. Securing more than 100 buildings is no easy feat, but it’s of utmost importance to the Department of Safety and Security at Fulton, which also includes the School Police and Student Health Services and Emergency. Upgrading video security system With recent data showing above average student incident rates and student disciplinary concerns at some schools, upgrades to the security system were needed to allow better local and remote monitoring in important areas. “One of the biggest security challenges we face is our ability to reliably monitor important areas throughout our schools, especially during an emergency. With Avigilon, we not only benefit from exceptional image quality, but their advanced video analytics, like Avigilon Appearance Search technology, save us valuable time and effort, ultimately making our schools a safer place.” - Paul Hildreth, Emergency Operations, Safety and Security, Fulton County School System.  Appearance Search technology Avigilon high-definition cameras with self-learning video analytics and access control solutions have been installed in 101 schoolsAvigilon high-definition cameras with self-learning video analytics and access control solutions have been installed in 101 schools. ACC 6 video management software with Avigilon Appearance Search technology is a particularly exciting new development for the district. “We chose Avigilon because of the capabilities it offers in its advanced video analytics search technologies, including Avigilon Appearance Search,” said Paul Hildreth, Emergency Operations, Safety and Security for Fulton. “Their analytics are easy to set up and use, and can save us valuable time and effort, ultimately making our schools a safer place for generations to come.” Video data analysis Avigilon Appearance Search video analytics technology uses a sophisticated deep learning artificial intelligence search engine to sort through hours of footage with ease. This technology allows Fulton’s operators to click on a button and search for all instances of a person or vehicle across all cameras on a site, quickly and efficiently. This can save Fulton time and effort during critical investigations as Avigilon Appearance Search technology intelligently analyses video data, helping to track a person’s or vehicle’s route and identify previous and last-known locations. Avigilon self-learning video analytics enable proactive, real-time event response. Built from the ground up to manage high-definition video, Avigilon offers self-learning analytics on camera resolutions of up to 5K (16 MP). Avigilon Multisensor cameras were also set up to capture challenging angles and provide total coverage within a 180 to 360-degree area Avigilon H4 platform Avigilon H4 bullet and dome cameras from the new H4 platform were installed, offering self-learning video analytics, greater resolution performance and Wide Dynamic Range support. Avigilon H4 cameras are available in 1 to 5 MP and 4K Ultra HD (8 MP) resolutions. Avigilon Multisensor cameras were also set up to capture challenging angles and provide total coverage within a 180 to 360-degree area. Upgrading the district’s security solutions began three years ago with a single high school as a pilot program. The success of this replacement led the district to integrate ACC in other school projects and, in 2014, Fulton opened new administrative centres with both Avigilon access control and video security solutions. At the start of 2017, Fulton began implementing a three-year approach to completing the upgrade. Image quality and resolution Before switching to the Avigilon solution, the district was challenged with low system reliability, which resulted in not having video evidence when needed. Furthermore, in situations where there was recorded footage, it was not of high enough quality to provide value. With the installation of Avigilon video security, Fulton has benefited from exceptional image quality and resolution across wide areas in all lighting conditions. The ongoing Avigilon implementation will provide the district with crucial and powerful insights that can help save time and effort during critical investigations. With the help of Avigilon trusted security solutions, the future looks bright for Fulton County Schools.

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.

Public safety and the protection of property initiatives led the city of Mankato, Minnesota to deploy a city-wide IP-based video surveillance system. Founded in 1852, the city is the seat of Blue Earth County. It encompasses 18.26 square miles of land and water, and supports a population of about 41,000 (2015 US census estimate). Home to a variety of natural landmarks and higher educational institutes, Mankato provides a dynamic lifestyle for its citizens all year round. Surveillance for key community areas The new city surveillance system uses a range of Arecont Vision megapixel cameras to cover key areas of the community, with the largest concentration of cameras deployed in the popular downtown entertainment district. Surveillance is also in place throughout Mankato’s city hall, civic event centre, shopping areas, parking ramps, public safety centre, municipal water plant, public works centre, regional airport, and for multiple public parks and community streets. The limitations of the previous surveillance system inspired extensive enhancements and capabilities for the new project. The original system NVR supported primarily analogue technology cameras, with a small percentage of early generation IP cameras supporting only JPEG video. The image quality of megapixel cameras could not be matched by this system, nor could it be cost effectively grown to address city requirements. In order to enjoy enhanced security, increased public safety, and the protection of property, a more modern and capable surveillance system was required. The city thus engaged security and communications integrator WW Communications to design and deploy such a project.The limitations of the previous surveillance system inspired extensive enhancements and capabilities for the new project WW Communications WW Communications’ COO Mike Bales led the effort and selected Arecont Vision’s IP megapixel cameras as the core of the new project. With regards as to why Arecont Vision was selected for the project, Bales explained: “A variety of factors led to the use of Arecont Vision, not least of which was the commitment and quality they provide as an American-based manufacturer. They are one of the few vendors who design and build their cameras in the U.S., and their cameras’ features and reliability reflect that.” Delving further into what features specifically appealed to them, Bales concluded, “Simplified installation features such as remote focus, along with advanced features such as true WDR (wide dynamic range) were key factors in the decision. Additionally, the SurroundVideo camera series’ cost effectiveness and coverage capabilities placed Arecont Vision ahead of its competitors for the job.” SurroundVideo cameras were first designed and pioneered in the surveillance industry by Arecont Vision in 2006. Now in their fifth generation, they provide non-stop coverage with four individual megapixel sensors for superior situational awareness and image quality while reducing the total number of cameras required for surveillance projects. After deciding on a manufacturer, Milestone Systems was then brought on as the video management software for Mankato’s new surveillance system. Arecont Vision and Milestone are proven integration partners, having completed thousands of seamlessly-integrated city surveillance projects around the world. Arecont Vision and Milestone Systems Additionally, Milestone is a top-tier participant in the Arecont Vision Technology Partner Program and its VMS software is among those used in Arecont Vision’s MegaLab. “The close technology and support integration between Arecont Vision and Milestone helped ensure that a best-in-class surveillance system was delivered to the Mankato,” commented Bales. “The result is a single system for the city that is second to none in capabilities and can grow with the community’s needs.” The surveillance system has exceeded the expectations of the city to protect both people and property City surveillance project phases Phase one of the project included deploying thirteen cameras to the newly-built public safety centre. Phase two resulted in the deployment of thirty-seven cameras to the city’s entertainment district. The effectiveness of these cameras led to additional installations at city sites which greatly assisted in reducing common vandalisms and other public safety crimes. Phase three of the project involved the installation of twenty-three MegaDome 2 single sensor cameras onto the fourth floor of a brand-new, four-storey parking facility in the downtown area. Surveillance of the structure was further enhanced through use of a SurroundVideo Omni — a unique omni-directional camera introduced to the industry by Arecont Vision in 2014. Unmatched surveillance capabilities The Omni camera series offers four megapixel sensors that are mounted on three-axis gimbals inside a low-profile dome enclosure. The sensors can be individualised to cover virtually any direction, providing unmatched surveillance capabilities with a single high-resolution camera that is fully integrated with the VMS. With the recent Public Works Centre campus construction project, another three MicroDome G2 and five SurroundVideo Omni cameras were added to the city’s overall surveillance system. Five SurroundVideo Omni cameras and MicroDome G2 cameras were also installed along a pedestrian walkway that stretches from local hotels to the city’s civic centre and entertainment district. The system is expected to continue growing in order to address public safety and property protection concerns as they arise. Security and city-wide situational awareness After a Mankato bar closed for the night, a major altercation took place, where the Arecont Vision Cameras were crucial in solving the crime Depending upon the location and local requirement, the Mankato’s city surveillance system uses a range of Arecont Vision cameras. These include single sensor 2 – 5MP MegaDome 2 and MicroDome G2 cameras. 20MP SurroundVideo multi-sensor cameras provide 180° situational awareness coverage, while omni-directional SurroundVideo Omni G1 and G2 cameras cover an even wider range of deployments. The city surveillance system is managed and monitored from a command centre with a multitude of large screens displayed across a wall. “The surveillance system and the screens are critically important during high-traffic events in the city,” said Mr. Bales. “With three colleges here in town, homecoming is a very busy time of the year. There are also numerous festivals that take place in the city combined with a very dynamic downtown. Our staff is able to view the activities as they happen, enhancing security and city-wide situational awareness.” Video streaming to mobile devices It is not just the security centre that can monitor this system either — video can also be streamed to mobile devices and can be monitored for official use all over the city. The system provides public monitoring as well. There are about half a dozen locations downtown with indoor walkways and skyways that are covered by Arecont Vision cameras with live video, providing the public with supplementary awareness and security. The surveillance system has exceeded the expectations of the city to protect both people and property. An example of the system’s usefulness was evident in a recent incident that made national news. After a Mankato bar closed for the night, a major altercation took place, where the Arecont Vision cameras were crucial in solving the crime. The city surveillance system caught the incident on camera, providing detailed video evidence which assisted law enforcement in proceeding accordingly. The cameras prompted the ideal outcome in an unfortunate situation, helping make the legal process more efficient and serving to greater deter the occurrence of future incidents. When probed on how the system has performed to date, Bales responded that Arecont Vision “exceeded the expectations.” Arecont Vision looks forward to continuing this legacy throughout its work with the City of Mankato.

In the Biatta family, the craft of producing excellent wines is passed from generation to generation. Back in 1985, Giovanni Biatta, the forefather of the Le Marchesine operation, purchased the first three hectares in the area of Franciacorta, but the family has dedicated itself to a single passion for at least five generations: Excellence in wine-making. Heir of an ancient family from Brescia, the great-grandfather of Giovanni, Camillo Biatta, was a negociant eleveur, a noble and ancient trade inherited from father to son, all the way to Giovanni. Le Marchesine agricultural success Born as a small and innovative firm in Franciacorta, Le Marchesine is today one of the most prestigious agricultural success stories in this well-endowed region of Lombardy; from the three original hectares the company has grown to cover 47 hectares of vines, all registered in the Doc and Docg, and managed directly by the heir of Giovanni, Loris, who manages the wine cellar and the vines together with son Andrea and daughter Alice. Presently production hovers around 450 thousand bottles per year, of which 230 thousand of Franciacorta Brut and Extra Brut, 40 thousand of Rose’ vintage, 40 thousand of Franciacorta Saten, 30 thousand of Vintage from only the best years, in addition to 10 thousand of Secolo Novo cru vintage, 15 thousand of Curtefranca Bianco, and 15 thousand of Curtefranca Rosso. Starting from the Fall of 2012, two new wines were added to the Le Marchesine production, the Franciacorta Brut Giovanni Biatta Secolo Novo, of which 5,700 bottles were produced, and the Franciacorta Brut Blanc de Noir with 6,700 bottles. Pilot project in wine making sector Loris Biatta, presently the owner of the farm but also a gifted entrepreneur and technology enthusiast, had long expressed the desire to showcase the beauty of the farm and the care with which the wine is produced to customers residing outside Europe, even on other continents; an ambitious and innovative idea that was not met with a positive response, in terms of feasibility, when proposed to some of the technicians in the market. The solution was provided by Informatica Lombarda, a company located in Rovato that specialises in integrating computer and technology systems.MOBOTIX provides the solution as the only video camera capable of guaranteeing high quality images that can be accessed in real time "When we were contacted by Le Marchesine we immediately accepted the challenge”— according to Fulvio Baresi, the general manager of Informatica Lombarda. “This was a new idea, that would start a pilot project in the wine making sector; a project with a far-reaching outlook, that would provide the opportunity to fully exploit the great potential of the technologies we are implementing". Implemented in the span of only three months, the project included the installation of a MOBOTIX video security system integrated with an open VOIP infrastructure (based on an Asterisk switchboard) and a wireless network based on antennas built by Meru Networks. MOBOTIX video security system The integration of the entire installation on the Asterisk switchboard provided many opportunities for development in the project, including during the implementation, both in relation to the integration of new technologies and – no less important – controlling costs. "My main objective - which has been a lifelong dream of mine - was to be able to show in live images, especially when shipping products abroad, and not just in photographs or brochures, the beauty of our land - the Franciacorta - the elegance of our wine cellars, and the care with which we produce and store the wine, which stands for quality even for less pretentious customers", says Biatta. Integrated hardware and software "But the eyes are blind. One must look with the heart...", said Saint-Exupery in the famous novel The Little Prince. In this project there is a lot of heart: The love of our land, the love for our company and the family it belongs to, the love of a craft, that when is done with the heart produces notes and flavours that preserve the taste of artisan passion and skill. When the hearts are far away, MOBOTIX provides the solution as the only video camera capable of guaranteeing high quality images that can be accessed in real time thanks to the software integrated on each device: A video security system where the hardware and software are integrated into a single product. Images recorded by the cameras can be viewed by means of the MOBOTIX application installed on an iPad "Thanks to MOBOTIX we were able to exploit the high quality of the images and the power of the free proprietary application, which, in our capacity as the system integrators, allowed us to develop truly state of the art projects. Not least important, thanks to the software integrated in the device, which is a unique technology in the world, the MOBOTIX decentralised system is able to provide the possibility of managing the images recorded by the video cameras remotely and in real time, when necessary, or when the client on the other side of the world has special requirements", added Baresi. Securing outdoor and indoor facilities The advantages of the MOBOTIX decentralised concept are also evident in other terms. In fact, the video cameras do not leverage an external PC – or the efficiency of the connection – the analysis of the recordings and images are already scaled by the software on board. Today there are 11 MOBOTIX eyes pointing outdoors, to the vines and indoors, to the production facilities and the wine cellars of the well-known wine producer, not only because of security, but also and most of all within the scope of the commercial and marketing promotions of the company and its products. Wherever they may be, the business associates of Le Marchesine are able to view the images recorded by the video cameras by means of the MOBOTIX application installed on an iPad. In case of issues of lighting as a result of time zones on the other side of the globe, they are able to remotely turn on the lights directly from the video camera by selecting an icon on the application.The T25 video door intercom is provided with an RFID reader that manages access control for authorised personnel "The saying ‘see it to believe it’ has never been more appropriate for me, in the sense that until I tried the system I did not believe that it was possible! The project also received the same positive responses from our traditional clients and potential buyers, who were often incredulous at what they were seeing thanks to MOBOTIX", says Biatta. Tracking annual and multi-year statistical trends Shortly, a pole will be installed in the vines, which, thanks to solar panels, will power a weather station, which will be in turn connected to a MOBOTIX video camera. The objective is to allow Le Marchesine to remotely broadcast in real time the data concerning the humidity and the level of acidity of the soil, the presence of potential bacteria, the colour of the leaves, the state of ripening of the wine, etc. – activities that until today were carried out manually by the agronomists, who will now be able to base their manual activities on precise data and measurements carried out at periodic intervals. The objective of this new system is to track both annual and multi-year statistical trends, which will allow Le Marchesine to evaluate the production of a particular type of wine in a given vintage and make predictions about the years to come. The results obtained by Le Marchesine went well over the expectations, preserving the standards of quality and excellence the owners first of all require of their own products, providing much more than a simple video security installation. MOBOTIX T25 video door intercom  The new 5 megapixel MOBOTIX video cameras installed – 3 M15 Day&Night models for monitoring the vines, active round the clock, 3 D15 models for remotely monitoring and viewing the wine cellars, 2 Q25 models installed in the production facilities, and 1 T25 video door intercom – are integrated with the VoIP switchboard and allow authorised parties to directly connect with a complete mobile wireless solution. Moreover, the T25 video door intercom is provided with an RFID reader that manages access control for authorised personnel, an application that provides the best results, especially in the harvest season, when external personnel is brought on the premises during periods of large volume. "The project implemented for Le Marchesine is the feather in the cap for informatics in Lombardy and represents the true meaning of ‘automation’, a term that is sometimes overused and often utilised in the wrong - and restrictive - manner with respect to what it really means. In order to implement true automation it is not enough to improvise, select what is available on the market, and install it. It is important to understand the technology on which each product is based and the capability to interconnect them. I am completely convinced that 70 percent of the success of a system integration project resides precisely in the evaluation and design stage before the implementation. Obviously, as in most things, it is not necessary to know everything, but to be able to discern the best; and for us in this case MOBOTIX is certainly in first place", concluded Baresi.

2019 was a big year for the Expert Panel Roundtable. The range of topics expanded, and we had more participation from more contributors than ever before. In closing out the year of contemplative discussions, we came across some final observations to share. They can serve both as a postscript for 2019 and a teaser for a whole new year of industry conversations in our Expert Panel Roundtable in 2020.  

The new year comes with new opportunities for the security industry, but what technologies will dominate our discussions in 2020? Topics such as artificial intelligence (AI) and HCI (hyperconverged infrastructure) became familiar in conversations during 2019, and they are likely to dominate our thoughts again in the new year. But other buzzwords are also gaining steam, such as “blockchain” and “frictionless access control.” Connectivity and the cloud will also be timely technology topics as the industry evolves. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What technology buzz will dominate the security industry in 2020?

Public spaces provide soft targets and are often the sites of terrorist or active shooter attacks. Public spaces, by definition, require easy accessibility and unrestricted movement. Given that openness, what security technologies can provide real results? We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: How is technology innovation impacting the security of public spaces?