United Arab Emirates News

In a fast-moving market like physical security, sharing information is an essential component of growth. However, there often seems to be more information available than an integrator or end user could ever digest and put to use. How does one go about finding the information he or she needs in an environment that can seem to be drowning in information (sometimes the wrong information). We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable to share their strategies and suggestions. Specifically, we...

Intersec 2017 shines spotlight on emerging technologies as Middle East outpaces global growth in biometric solutions A Dubai university’s cloud-based biometric time attendance system is growing in popularity across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), as the regional education sector joins other industries adopting new technology to boost safety and security.  The Hult International Business School in Dubai was the first to test Swiss company TBS’s (Touchless...

This executive brief explores the security risks associated with using CSN instead of reading the data protected by security mechanisms. When contactless smart cards are implemented and deployed properly, they represent one of the most secure identification technologies available. However, some manufacturers, in an attempt to sell a ‘universal’ reader capable of reading almost any contactless smart card technology, actually disable the built-in security...

Intersec 2017 will feature more than 1,300 exhibitors from 54 countries The declaration from a Dubai Government official that worker lives are being put at risk due to firms failing to properly clothe and protect them has garnered the attention of global health and safety companies and manufacturers of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE). Worker safety Raed Al Marzouqi, Head of Occupational Health and Safety at Dubai Municipality, told delegates at the recently concluded BOH...

An extensive survey revealed that 72% of paramedics were in favour of wearing BWCs at work Body worn cameras (BWCs) are fast becoming a staple piece of equipment for police officers across the United States. Police forces, such as NYPD, have trialled and adopted BWCs to take advantage of the many benefits associated with greater accountability and transparency, as well as potential cost savings. Yet, unlike the European market where other industries have also bought in to body...

Long-predicted consolidation in the video surveillance market seems to have slowed somewhat lately – no big mergers or acquisitions have been announced. However, the announced “partnership” between industry giants Bosch and Sony this week presents a new variation on the theme. No companies changed hands, but the result is one fewer player selling video equipment into the market. In the latest deal, Bosch will handle the sales and marketing globally for all of Sony’s vide...

Thermal cameras see heat rather than light, so they are a perfect “human detector” Safeguarding outdoor assets in a reliable and cost-effective manner often comes down to a single requirement: Accurate intruder alerts and timely information about the unfolding event. While there are many technologies available for outdoor security, smart cameras with video analytics have emerged as the solution of choice for detecting intruders in real time outdoors. Yet the best...

The security and safety industry has seen tremendous advances in cloud-based access control recently as cloud computing has opened up a world of possibilities for security and access control. Whether controlling access for a single door or for an entire enterprise spread out over multiple locations, cloud-based hosted or managed solutions allow security dealers and monitoring companies to provide end users with cost-effective, fully-functional turnkey solutions. The benefits are m...

Arecont Vision created the category of multi-sensor panoramic cameras back in 2006. Now the market is taking off, and many manufacturers now offer panoramic cameras. I recently spoke with Jeff Whitney, Arecont Vision’s Director of Marketing, on the current market for panoramic cameras, and also about some other hot topics – from cybersecurity to making the installer’s job easier. SourceSecurity.com: Where do you see the category of multi-sensor panoramic cameras going from he...

Vulnerability scans rely on mostly automated tools to find potential vulnerabilities at either the network or application level Security vulnerability in any network can be found and exploited by hackers and others in no time. The only questions are when this will happen and how much damage an individual could do once they’ve gained access to the network. Recognising this reality, most organisations test their own networks for security weaknesses, whether to meet compli...

Iris recognition measures the unique patterns in the coloured portion of the eye (the iris) and compares that ‘signature’ to the one on file Since the late 1990s, iris recognition technology has been used in banks and airports as a means of identity authentication. Today, its use is widespread in government facilities, schools/research centres, correctional/judicial facilities, healthcare and others. There are a number of reasons for its rising popularity, but firs...

Currently some retailers operate two separate speaker systems in their stores: one for broadcasting background music and one for announcements Twenty years ago, IP network cameras launched a revolution in video surveillance. Today, network audio systems are about to do the same for the speaker market. Back in 1996, the predominant video cameras were analogue. They weren’t intelligent. They required an expensive and complex head-end of recording and monitoring systems....

The fully customisable app offers hotels the flexibility to add functionality as required MediaConcepts, an innovative provider of integrated digital solutions for global hospitality organisations, has integrated its mobile application, Priscilla, with SALTO System’s access control system. Optimising guest experience Already a feature-rich application that offers hotel guests a more intuitive way to access information and services throughout their stay, Priscilla&rsquo...

Bosch and Sony aim to set new standards in high-resolution and low light video imaging Bosch Security Systems and Sony Corporation signed a contract to establish a business partnership to collaborate in the development of innovative products and solutions in the field of video security applications. Effective from the beginning of 2017, the two companies aim to combine their technological expertise to set new standards in high-resolution and low light video imaging. As p...

A clear image is the desired end-result of video systems – or is it? In a growing number of applications, it’s not the image itself, but rather what information can be gained from the image, that is most important. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable to comment on some of the ways information from video is valuable to end users. Specifically, we asked: In what applications does information derived from video images provide more value than the images themselves?

Dubai trade show to feature two-thirds of world’s top 50 solutions providers as regional security spend continues to rise The Middle East market for security, safety, and fire protection is on track for double digit growth over the next four years, as regional governments and the private sector look for improved technologies to better protect assets, people, businesses, and borders. Led by the Gulf nations of Saudi Arabia and the UAE, regional countries are making rapi...

Intersec Saudi Arabia 2017 is expected to host more than 100 exhibitors, including 22 launch partners Saudi Arabia and the UAE are leading the upward trend for the fire safety systems market in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), as stringent government regulations fuel demand for the replacement of existing and outdated equipment. According to consultancy firm 6Wresearch, the GCC’s fire safety systems market was worth US $ 1.36 billion in 2015, with Saudi Arabia (US $...

As the trend from analogue to IP continues to progress, more and more security devices are IP-enabled for seamless network integration With rising concerns over organisations’ physical security and potential network vulnerabilities, it has become more important now than ever for security professionals and other decision makers to take actions that will guard against potential problems and help prevent system failures. One specific area of heightened focus is the implemen...

If all the components within a security and wider IT network have the ability to interact together, they can offer so much more than their individual capabilities The widespread use of open protocol systems is one of the most important developments in the security and safety sector for decades. With a heavy reliance upon various security softwares (even for physical security), using open systems has gone from being a desirable selling point to a necessity in the security indus...

ONVIF will be eight years old in the next several weeks. It has been interesting to watch the open industry forum’s impact on physical security since it began in 2008 with a goal to develop a global standard for the interface of IP-based physical security products. ONVIF’s influence has accelerated just in the last year, with the number of ONVIF-conformant products in the market growing from about 5,000 a year ago to more than 7,000 today – more than a 40 percent increase. ON...

Visitor management refers to the methods organisations use to admit and track visitors to their facilities. The concept is not new. Many facilities use some form of visitor management, ranging from simple sign-in sheets to high-tech approaches that scan government IDs to capture relevant data. But visitor management is more than a sheet of paper or a technology. It is also a policy that governs the how, why, and who of visitors. Increased security driving VMS upgra...

Keynote speakers will share crucial insights and in-depth knowledge on a variety of sector critical topics RSA Conference, an information security conference and exposition, has announced that it will host a group of diverse cyber security experts and influential speakers in Abu Dhabi. This year’s keynote speakers will share crucial insights and in-depth knowledge on a variety of sector critical topics including enterprise malware, changing security perspectives, and th...

RSA Conference 2016 Abu Dhabi to host information security professionals under the theme of “Connect to Protect” RSA Conference, the world’s leading information security conference and exposition, has announced the agenda for RSA Conference 2016 Abu Dhabi, which includes a broad spectrum of captivating sessions and thought-provoking workshops. The Conference will be held from November 15-16, 2016 at Emirates Palace Hotel, with an impressive line-up of pre-con...

The HCSA training sessions focus on basic and essential operation of, and maintenance of, Hikvision devices Hikvision, a supplier of innovative video surveillance products and solutions, is inviting security engineers and dealers to register and participate free of charge in their forthcoming Hikvision Certified Security Associate (HCSA) training programme. Being held across the Middle East and North Africa between 29th October-3rd December, 2016, the HCSA training sessions f...

Multi-modal biometrics refers to a technology that combines a number of biometrics working together as a multifactor solution Global terrorism is on the rise. For many years, the West felt immune to these incidents, often asserting that these were problems felt only in countries with heated conflicts, such as Syria, Iraq, Israel and Nigeria. However, recent terror attacks have taken place in both Europe and the United States: Belgium, France (Paris and Nice), Orlando, various...

Aiphone’s IX system offers video entry security, internal communication, emergency stations and multicast paging Users of the Aiphone IX IP network PoE based intercom and security system are now able to remotely utilise many of its key features via their Android and Apple smartphones and tablets, thanks to the launch of a new mobile app. Enhanced flexibility Designed to enhance the flexibility and ease of use of the IX system, Aiphone’s new free mobile app, avail...

Panoramic cameras enable an operator to assess a wide field of view at a glance and to zoom in to view additional detail as needed. Providing this capability are a single camera, a single mounting location, and often using a single cable. Complete 180-degree or 360-degree coverage brings total situational awareness of the area being viewed. Panoramic cameras can also enable you to record everything in the field of view, all the time, and to zoom in for detail, wheth...

Higher pixel count is better. It’s a basic tenet of the video surveillance market, or at least it is the implication as manufacturers continue to tout their latest products offering ever-higher pixel counts. But the reality is more nuanced, as our Expert Panel Roundtable panelists explain this week. Pixel count shouldn’t be seen as an end unto itself, but rather as a factor in determining what camera is applicable to which application. Pixel count is just one factor of several to con...

Arteco’s webinar to further enhance event-driven security within individual applications Arteco, a global provider of event-driven video management solutions, announced a focused webinar series that highlights the design features, benefits and use cases of select platforms within the Arteco solutions suite. Enhancing event-driven security The global webinar series consists of four separate sessions that will span the course of the remainder of 2016. The series aims to...

The installation incorporates 30 cameras to observe the traffic flow on the road, all of which are PTZ domes CCTV equipment supplied by Vanderbilt Security Products Ltd has provided a versatile and effective basis for a temporary traffic-monitoring scheme devised, installed and operated by the Serco Group on the busy A282 road (M25 south of the Dartford crossing) in Kent. The construction project has been undertaken by Coastain Ltd on behalf of the Highways Agency. The CCTV s...