Global MSC Security will debate the ability of artificial intelligence to help Security Managers and Surveillance Camera Operators improve how live incidents are handled. Experts in facial recognition, criminal behaviour will participate in the Developing Smart Surveillance Operators free-to-attend online broadcast on 16th March at 13:00 (GMT). Keynotes will be presented by Dr. Craig Donald, Professor James Ferryman, and Tony Porter QPM LLB, with the broadcast, also featuring an in-depth Q&A panel with technology companies - Genetec, Bosch Security & Safety Systems, and Hanwha Techwin. Automatic visual surveillance Tony Porter is the former Surveillance Camera Commissioner and recently joined the facial recognition company Corsight AI as its Chief Privacy Officer, where is focused on the technological, legislative, and ethical aspects of a technology. James Ferryman is a Professor of Computational Vision at the University of Reading. He will discuss the computer analysis behind CCTV images, focusing on the latest research into automatic visual surveillance of wide-area scenes, using computational vision. Providing insight into the human factors involved in security technology integration will be Dr. Craig Donald, an esteemed organisational psychologist, with a specialist involvement in crime behavioural analysis and detection. Video management systems Technology such AI is placing intelligence in cameras and video management systems" “AI technology has the potential to support operators in making smarter decisions,” comments Dr. Craig Donald. “However, as we move to world where cameras are capable of learning, then both the camera and the operator will need good teachers, to ensure they understand crime behaviour, strategy, and dynamics.” Managing Director of Global MSC Security, Derek Maltby, states: “We are not talking about replacing operators, but enabling them to harness technology that is available right now to work smarter. Traditionally cameras have provided the lens through which operators observe, monitor, and respond to behaviours and actions. However, technology such AI is placing intelligence in cameras and video management systems, enabling them to not only see, but understand, interpret and guide the operator on the appropriate course of action.” Video analytics data A Q&A panel will provide insight into the latest technologies that enable smart surveillance operators. The speakers will be joined by Christian Morin, Vice-President of Integrations & Cloud Services at Genetec who will demonstrate how its Security Centre provides a single intuitive unified interface that enables operators to make sense of complexity. Bosch Security and Safety Systems will be demonstrating how video analytics data and alerts can be optimised by machine learning to support operators with better situational awareness, and Hanwha Techwin will explain how new technologies can enable operators to work smarter not harder. The Global MSC Security ‘Developing Smart Surveillance Operators’ Special Online Event is free-to-attend and takes place on 16th March at 13:00 (GMT).

The Security Industry Association (SIA) has named Tracy Larson as the 2021 recipient of the Sandy Jones Volunteer of the Year award, which recognises SIA volunteers who have made tireless efforts to expand SIA’s programs and services. SIA will present Larson with the award at The Advance, SIA’s annual membership meeting, which will be held on March 23, 2021 as a virtual event. Security industry veteran Tracy Larson is President and a Founding Partner of WeSuite, LLC. A security industry veteran, Larson has served in leadership roles throughout her career at Computer Associates, ITG Larson, Inc., Antar-Com, Inc., and Diebold Electronic Security Systems (Diebold Incorporated). She is a graduate of Cornell University, a recognised speaker at many industry events and a member of the Mission 500 Executive Board. The true honour for me is to follow in the footsteps of someone I idolise, Sandra (Sandy) Jones" “Thank you to SIA and the SIA family. I am truly blown away to be recognised for something I am passionate about and believe so strongly in, which is helping others by giving back,” said Tracy Larson. She adds, “The true honour for me is to follow in the footsteps of someone I idolise, Sandra (Sandy) Jones. Sandy has set an incredible example for all of us in the industry of what getting involved means and the rewards gained in self-improvement, giving back and expanding ourselves through interaction with others. Thank you Sandy, for inspiring me and making it easier today to be impactful.” SPM training seminars’ instructor Tracy Larson is a longtime member of the SIA Education and Training Committee and an instructor for SIA’s Security Project Management (SPM) training seminars. In 2020, she devoted significant time and effort to helping SIA update the SPM Common Body of Knowledge and developing a new review course for SIA’s Certified Security Project Manager (CSPM) certification program. She has shared her expertise and insights as a presenter at multiple SIA Education@ISC conferences, supported AcceleRISE 2020 by involving WeSuite, LLC as an event sponsor and participated as a subject matter expert in SIA’s Security Sales MicroLearning Series. SIA’s Women in Security Forum member She is also a member of SIA’s Women in Security Forum and most recently has become a mentor in SIA’s Talent Inclusion Mentorship Education (TIME) mentorship program for young security industry professionals. “Over the past year, Tracy Larson has gone above and beyond to ensure that SIA’s educational offerings meet the highest standards of quality,” said Security Industry Association’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Don Erickson. SIA volunteer opportunities Tracy is a steadfast advocate and spokesperson for SIA’s education, training and certification" Don adds, “Tracy is a steadfast advocate and spokesperson for SIA’s education, training and certification and actively promotes SIA programs as a means of professionalising the industry through continuous learning and development. SIA applauds her valuable contributions to SIA and the security industry as a whole, and is proud to present her with the 2021 Sandy Jones Volunteer of the Year Award.” Inspired by Larson’s volunteer contributions? Employees of SIA member companies can make the most out of their memberships by getting more involved with the association. SIA’s Volunteer opportunities include joining SIA committees or groups, lending expertise to SIA’s education and training programs, participating in SIA’s advocacy efforts, contributing to SIA’s publications and thought leadership and getting involved in SIA events. The Advance 2021 The Advance 2021 will take place on Tuesday, March 23, at 1:30 p.m. EDT and be hosted as a virtual event. At this special membership meeting, attendees will review official association business, recognise volunteer achievements in 2020 and exchange market intelligence for the year ahead. In addition to presenting the Sandy Jones Volunteer of the Year Award, SIA will honor the 2021 recipients of the SIA Chairman’s Award, Member of the Year Award, Committee Chair of the Year Award and Standards Service Award.

The Security Industry Association (SIA) has named Tony (Anthony) Diodato as the recipient of the 2021 SIA Standards Service Award, an honour presented to an individual demonstrating continued excellence and tireless service in volunteer efforts, related to the leadership, development, education and advocacy of SIA’s standards programs and services. 2021 SIA Standards Service Award Security Industry Association will present Diodato with the award at The Advance, SIA’s annual membership meeting, which will be hosted on March 23, 2021 as a virtual event. Tony Diodato is the Founder and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Cypress Integration Solutions. Before starting Cypress Integration Solutions in 1983, he became acquainted with SIA, 40 years ago, at his first trade show in New York City, where he met prolific industry veteran and SIA volunteer, Sandra Jones. Active in SIA OSDP access control standard development Diodato has been active in efforts to develop SIA Open Supervised Device Protocol (OSDP) Diodato has been active in efforts to develop SIA Open Supervised Device Protocol (OSDP), a SIA access control communications standard designed to improve interoperability among access control and security products, since 2012. He has been co-chair of the SIA OSDP Working Group, since 2018. “It’s been an amazing journey over the past 40 years in the industry. I’ve had the honor of working with some great colleagues and mentors in the OSDP Working Group,” said Tony Diodato, adding “I’m really looking forward to continue serving and to seeing OSDP gain worldwide acceptance.” Instrumental in development of SIA OSDP version 2.2 Tony Diodato was instrumental in the development of SIA OSDP version 2.2, which was released in December 2020 and improves interoperability, security and support for smart card applications. He also played a critical role in getting SIA OSDP approved as an international standard, by the International Electrotechnical Commission in June 2020. He has spoken at many industry conferences and events on the importance of security industry adoption of SIA OSDP and has introduced the SIA OSDP Working Group to a new generation of industry talent through involving his development team in a variety of working group projects. Educator for SIA OSDP standard Tony Diodato has been a tireless evangelist and educator for the SIA Open Supervised Device Protocol standard" “Tony Diodato has been a tireless evangelist and educator for the SIA Open Supervised Device Protocol standard, and because of his efforts, SIA OSDP is not just an access control protocol – he has specified it for uses in aerospace and robotics and really amplified the reach of SIA’s activities,” said Joseph (Joe) Gittens, Security Industry Association’s Director of Standards. Joe adds, “SIA applauds Tony for his exceptional contributions to SIA, the industry and the SIA Open Supervised Device Protocol standard and is proud to honor him with the 2021 SIA Standards Service Award.” The Advance 2021 virtual event The Advance 2021 will take place on Tuesday, March 23, at 1:30 p.m. EDT and be hosted as a virtual event. At this special membership meeting, attendees will review official association business, recognise volunteer achievements in 2020 and exchange market intelligence for the year ahead. In addition to presenting the SIA Standards Service Award, the Security Industry Association will honour the 2021 recipients of the SIA Chairman’s Award, Committee Chair of the Year Award, Sandy Jones Volunteer of the Year Award and Member of the Year Award.

The National Security Inspectorate (NSI) is supporting this year’s UK Outstanding Security Performance Awards (OSPAs), which is part of a global awards scheme currently running in 12 countries recognising outstanding performance in their private security sectors. This year’s UK OSPAs awards show will be taking place ‘virtually’ on the afternoon of 25 February and NSI is delighted to be sponsoring the Outstanding Security Installer/Integrator category. NSI congratulates the 21 NSI approved companies and individuals shortlisted as finalists this year, who, between them have 51 nominations across multiple categories including Outstanding Contract Security Company (Guarding), Outstanding Event Security Team, and Outstanding Security Installer/Integrator. Celebrate outstanding performance Through a rigorous and transparent process, the OSPAs judges have recognised the finalists’ exceptional company and individual performance. Richard Jenkins, NSI Chief Executive commented: “The UK OSPAs celebrate outstanding performance and achievements, and supporting these awards is important to NSI and our dedication to raising standards in the private security sector. We congratulate all the finalists and wish them every success at this year’s OSPAs and beyond.” Over 700 people have already booked their places’ to attend this year’s UK OSPAs virtually. There will be guest appearances from Paul Sinha (AKA ‘The Sinnerman’), Quiz master, presenter, and stand-up comedian, and Alan Dedicoat, best known as the ‘Voice of the Balls’ on the National Lottery programmes.

Mobile credentials are set to become the mainstream choice for access control in office buildings as a new generation of workers are forcing employers and landlords to prioritise fast, secure and convenient access via their smartphones. Omdia predicts annual downloads of mobile credentials worldwide rising from 20 million in 2020 to 120 million by 2023 and 150 million in 2024. It is particularly bullish about Bluetooth, which it predicts to grow by more than three times the speed of the next highest-growth type of access control reader over the next four years (by 119% to 2024, which must not be ignored). Smart building technology This rings true taking into account the CBRE study, where nearly half of employees (49%) said that they would like to use digital solutions in the office, but that they are not widely accessible for them, and 30% of companies seeing smart building technology as a factor in choosing a building. Featuring 2N specialists, the online event will explore the key features of the new technology To help building managers and system integrators understand the benefits of the new patented mobile access technology, 2N is hosting a live webinar on 25th February. Featuring 2N specialists, the online event will explore the key features of the new technology including the new slimline office-focused access unit – where to use it and how this solution can address the needs of proposed and existing office buildings. Integrated access system Matt Raban, Distribution Manager for the UK and Ireland at 2N, said: “Developers in the UK realise that an integrated access system combined with a smartphone application will be the future of technologically advanced office buildings. In this country, it will become a competitive advantage for forward thinking building designers and facility managers.” “Our new technology couples near-instant responsiveness with intelligent security and will become the most reliable mobile access solution on the market.” The 2N On Air webinar takes place on Thursday 25th February at 15:00 CET. Speakers include Chief Sales Officer, Tomas Klima, and Chief Product Officer, Tomas Vystavel.