Steve Van Till

The single largest group of consumer IoT devices being deployed is for home automation and residential security Business and technology analysts are in unanimous agreement that the number of IoT devices will explode into the many 10’s of billions within the next five years. These billions of new computing devices will produce enormous volumes of data about ourselves, our society, and our physical environment. The security industry is at ground zero of this upheaval. In fact, the single largest group of consumer IoT devices being deployed is for home automation and residential security. Gartner estimates that the typical family home could contain more than 500 devices by 2022. Commercial applications are not far behind, and they will dramatically enhance our ability to analyse, predict, and react to conditions in our environment. IoT will change the commercial side of the industry in three fundamental ways:1. New products from new players2. Cheaper and better products from everyone3. Immense device and cyber security management challenges Developing IoT market The first change is apparent in the rise of new companies that were not previously a part of the industry. New players that had not been on the industry radar have suddenly begun showing up at major trade shows. Customers are asking whether major security platforms integrate with the new connected devices they’ve heard of online. Search results that used to turn up the same familiar insider names are now turning up entirely new manufacturers - who, by the way, are often better at Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) than the industry stalwarts. What’s most remarkable about many of the new IoT services is the interaction capability they provide with other cloud services—and other families of IoT devices What we’re seeing from these new players is currently most obvious in the residential sector, where companies like Nest, August and SimpliSafe are offering security products directly to the public. They are probably only the first wave, because security is a must-have feature for any residential IoT solution. Many of the IoT technologies developed for consumers will cross over into commercial security within the next few years. Form factors will change, branding may change, and integrations with larger solutions will be necessary, but the underlying technologies are as relevant and useful in commercial as they are in residential. What’s most remarkable about many of the new IoT services is the interaction capability they provide with other cloud services—and other families of IoT devices. Products that lack these modern integrations, or at least the means to make them happen through an API, will suffer by comparison. Quality low-cost products The second major impact of IoT will be the creation of more capable products at lower cost. This will be the by-product of the mass production of new chip sets designed for IoT devices of all types, from consumer goods to automotive and personal technologies. Security manufacturers will adopt these smaller, faster; lower-power chip sets in their upcoming design cycles. The result will be security products that look and perform more and more like consumer products than industrial products. This change represents the consumerisation of security, like the consumerisation of IT that preceded it. An example of this phenomenon is the incorporation of Bluetooth technology into security products like access control readers and other edge devices. For example, a complete System-On-Chip for Bluetooth can be added to a security product for less than $5—the reduction in costs for various types of sensors is equally dramatic. Amazon’s Dash buttons—arguably the same technology that could be used for panic or REX applications—are now on sale for only $0.99. The lower cost of production for IoT-based security devices will translate into greater device and sensor density in our buildings and public places. With this higher density, we will have many more data points to evaluate threat factors, and the need Big Data solutions to make that data useful. The industry is currently in the throes of sorting out cyber security responsibilities among manufacturers, SaaS providers, integrators and end users Combining physical and cyber security The third big impact that IoT devices will have on physical security is the cyber security of these devices themselves. The massive DDOS attack from a network of 140,000 hacked security cameras on September 9, 2016 demonstrates this risk. Part of the problem is that IoT devices used in physical security applications will often share the same network with numerous other IoT devices deployed for different purposes. This topological proximity is a perfect environment for the spread of malware. The fly in the ointment for the security industry (and any other industrial IoT application) is managing these large quantities of devices and keeping them all up to date with respect to security patches to their firmware. The sheer number of devices that need software updates will become unmanageable - at least with current software update practices. Many of us would say that we’re already at that point. The reality is that it’s difficult to make it through an entire week, if not a day, without an update request from one or more phones, laptops, tablets, televisions, watches, microwaves, refrigerators, thermostats, or other household gadgets. And that’s to say nothing of the mobile apps that control them, all of which seems to be on nearly monthly release cycles that keep us on the update treadmill. The industry is currently in the throes of sorting out cyber security responsibilities among manufacturers, SaaS providers, integrators, and end users. All parties are stakeholders and they all have a role to play. It will be even more critical to have these issues sorted out when the number of connected devices on a network goes up by the predicted tenfold - or more.

Throughout 2015 the security industry saw the appearance of numerous mobile credential offerings, signalling the “beginning of the end” of card-based identity, and strengthening of mobile offerings in general. Overall, the security industry enjoyed healthy growth throughout 2015, as reflected in the better-than-index performance of most publicly traded security company stocks.  Cloud companies, in particular, saw the market turning their way, as a number of security vendors have added cloud-based offerings. Of note are direct-from-manufacturer cloud offerings from the likes of lock manufacturers and video companies. The biggest news for Brivo in 2015 was the acquisition of the company by technology innovator Dean Drako, founder of Barracuda Networks. The move demonstrates the strength of the fundamental cloud value proposition at both the customer and investor level.  Brivo grew the functionality of its core OnAir® platform with additional video capability derived from the integration with cloud video management provider Eagle Eye Networks as well as its new mobile credential capability deployed via the Brivo Mobile Pass application. Brivo added to the opportunities for its API partners through an extensive modernisation and expansion of its RESTful OnAir API suite. Mobile and cloud offerings are here to stay As we look ahead to 2016, I believe both mobile and cloud offerings will continue to grow in popularity. Industry stalwarts who have continued to cling to the outmoded server-based architecture rather than investing in cloud as a successor will be cannibalised from several angles. New entrants with credible multi-tenant SaaS products will take some market share, and the few legacy companies who have kept up with the times will be rewarded for their foresight. As I look at the robustness of the security market in general, it reflects several underlying trends. Growing economies, populations, and infrastructures have contributed strong organic growth tied to general economic prosperity. Unfortunately, unrest and the presence of various types of threats are contributing to a sense of greater need for security solutions in general.   See the full coverage of 2015/2016 Review and Forecast articles here

Brivo announces a partnership with Reliance High-Tech, a renowned independent security systems integrator serving the UK and Europe. As cloud-based access control adoption continues to grow across Europe, Reliance High-Tech will add Brivo to their service offering, delivering on their commitment to bring key technology innovation and excellence in customer support to the market. Both companies share a passion for innovation, forward-thinking technology and a record of high standards in customer service and support. With 20 years of experience delivering cloud-based security, Brivo replaces on-premises solutions for single-site, multi-site and enterprise businesses across multiple industries. Cloud-based security There are three key benefits of upgrading to a cloud-based system including the ability to access one’s sites at all times from anywhere, save their security professionals time and money by giving them more efficient tools, and using data to make better informed decisions about security requirements. Adding Brivo to our portfolio allows us to bring best-in-class cloud-based access control options to customers" “The global pandemic has elevated the demand for cloud-based security that is accessible from anywhere, mobile enabled, increases efficiency and is affordable,” says Steve Van Till, CEO at Brivo. “Partners like Reliance High-Tech are helping to drive the adoption of cloud solutions to provide all commercial properties and multifamily residences better solutions to protect people and property.” Cloud-based access control “We’re really excited to partner with Brivo,” said Tom Clarke, Sales & Marketing Director for Reliance High-Tech. “Across our various markets, we’ve seen an opportunity to deliver more agile and robust security solutions also noting that cloud-based access control demand has been accelerated by the pandemic. Adding Brivo to our portfolio allows us to bring best-in-class cloud-based access control options to customers.” “Reliance High-Tech is an important partner to Brivo,” said Jon Polon, Senior Director of Business Development for Brivo. “As the market for cloud-based access control continues to grow internationally, partners like Reliance High-Tech can engage with enterprise businesses to help them realise the benefits of cloud computing.”

Brivo, the global provider of cloud-based physical security, has acquired Parakeet Technologies, a provider of smart building solutions which include sensors, thermostats, wireless locks, and lighting controls. The acquisition accelerates Brivo’s ongoing push to enhance its in-building capabilities beyond its current access control, video, and security. The companies had already been working together as partners, and now plan a deeper integration between their products, including a common user interface, unified billing, and bundled services. Highly reliable remote management “We saw Parakeet’s IoT platform as an ideal way to quickly bring Smart Office capabilities to our channel partners and end users,” said Steve Van Till, President & CEO of Brivo. “Parakeet has a great track record of providing highly reliable remote management to widely dispersed properties, and they share our core values around customer service, cyber security, and innovation.” The Parakeet product leverages cloud services, mobile apps, and an on-premise IoT gateway. The gateway provides connectivity to Z-wave sensors, locks, thermostats, lighting and other devices. Internet connectivity to the gateway is supported via WiFi, Ethernet or an integrated cellular modem with a built-in service plan. Manage smart building infrastructure We uncovered a need for a remotely managed IoT service that would boost productivity and save money" Parakeet’s responsively designed web app enables property managers and security personnel to manage smart building infrastructure from one central dashboard, while collecting data to track, monitor and manage staff. Parakeet launched its product in 2015 in the Vacation Rental market. According to Brad Huber, Founder and CEO of Parakeet, “Among property managers who cover large geographic territories for dozens or hundreds of clients, we uncovered a need for a remotely managed IoT service that would boost productivity and save money.” Professional installation and ongoing service Commenting on the installation challenges across large regions, he added that “being able to provide our products through Brivo’s international base of security dealers will give our customers the convenience of professional installation and ongoing service.” The Parakeet platform will continue to be offered as a stand-alone solution for the Vacation Rental Market under the new name, Brivo Vacation Rental, and will be unified with Brivo’s billing system. All current Parakeet customers will continue to be supported on the existing product, with options to add Brivo offerings to their current service plans.

Eagle Eye Networks, globally renowned cloud video surveillance solutions company, has announced the introduction of an open, public domain, secure, plug and play communications framework that enables video manufacturers to connect cameras, DVRs and encoders to the cloud. Eagle Eye Networks’ Cloud Camera Specification has been developed with 10 years’ experience gained from practical integrations with camera manufacturers and cloud technology partnerships. Eagle Eye is providing an open source SDK and an open public domain specification that can be used across the industry. “Our primary objective is to make video surveillance easier for the integrator, the installer, and the customer. Open systems have been proven to do that better than closed systems,” said Dean Drako, CEO of Eagle Eye Networks. “We have extensive experience integrating cameras and recorders from the top manufacturers in the world. Now we are packaging our experience and cyber security expertise into this open solution by introducing EE Connect.” EE Connect EE Connect is available to any and all camera manufacturers, end users, and VMS makers EE Connect is available to any and all camera manufacturers, end users, and VMS makers. Camera manufacturers that embed EE Connect can have their cameras operate with any cloud system that implements EE Connect, including the Eagle Eye CameraManager and Eagle Eye Cloud VMS platforms. Eagle Eye provides certification and testing tools for the specification. “Eagle Eye Networks has always been at the forefront of innovation to create cloud-enabled cameras with maximum focus on cybersecurity. The new EE Connect specification enables the industry to keep focusing on supporting physical security and relying on Eagle Eye Networks to guarantee cybersecurity,” says Jeremy Howard, Vice President of Business Development for Hikvision USA. Open source secure camera “What Eagle Eye is doing here is truly unique in the security market,” said Steve Van Till, Chairman of the Security Industry Association Standards Committee. “We have seen many standards come and go, but the open source approach that has been so successful in every other industry has never before surfaced in the security ecosystem. The availability of EE Connect source code and SDKs could spell an end to the closed system approach that has made it tough for integrators and end users to choose systems without fear of obsolescence.”

Eagle Eye Networks, renowned company in cloud video surveillance worldwide, has announced the introduction of an open, public domain, secure, plug and play communications framework that enables video manufacturers to connect cameras, DVRs and encoders to the cloud. Cloud Camera Specification Eagle Eye Networks Cloud Camera Specification has been developed with 10-years’ experience gained from practical integrations with camera manufacturers and cloud technology partnerships. Eagle Eye is providing an open source SDK and an open public domain specification that can be used across the industry. “Our primary objective is to make video surveillance easier for the integrator, the installer, and the customer. Open systems have been proven to do that better than closed systems,” said Dean Drako, CEO of Eagle Eye Networks. “We have extensive experience integrating cameras and recorders from the top manufacturers in the world. Now we are packaging our experience and cyber security expertise into this open solution by introducing EE Connect.” Eagle Eye Camera Manager and Cloud VMS EE Connect is available to any and all camera manufacturers, end users, and VMS makers. Camera manufacturers that embed EE Connect can have their cameras operate with any cloud system that implements EE Connect, including the Eagle Eye Camera Manager and Eagle Eye Cloud VMS platforms. Eagle Eye provides certification and testing tools for the specification. What Eagle Eye is doing here is truly unique in the security market" “Eagle Eye Networks has always been at the forefront of innovation to create cloud-enabled cameras with maximum focus on cyber security. The new EE Connect specification enables the industry to keep focusing on supporting physical security and relying on Eagle Eye Networks to guarantee cyber security,” says Jeremy Howard, Vice President of Business Development for Hikvision USA. EE Connect source code “What Eagle Eye is doing here is truly unique in the security market,” said Steve Van Till, Chairman of the Security Industry Association Standards Committee. “We have seen many standards come and go, but the open source approach that has been so successful in every other industry has never before surfaced in the security ecosystem”. Steve adds, “The availability of EE Connect source code and SDKs could spell an end to the closed system approach that has made it tough for integrators and end users to choose systems without fear of obsolescence.”

Brivo, global innovator and designer of cloud-based physical security solutions for commercial buildings, announced its expansion into Europe with the opening of its Amsterdam office and the creation of a new subsidiary, Brivo Systems BV. The move highlights the increasing adoption of cloud-based physical security systems and the company’s growing partner and customer base in Europe. With sales, technical, and logistics operations located in Amsterdam, Brivo will now provide a full range of support services to its European customers. Brivo Systems BV We’re seeing growing demand for cloud-based access control solutions in Europe and felt this was a great time to expand our reach" “We’re seeing growing demand for cloud-based access control solutions in Europe and felt this was a great time to expand our reach,” explained Brivo’s President and CEO, Steve Van Till. “We’re really excited about the opportunities and our ability to provide local support resources for our European customers.” As part of this expansion program, Brivo has recently conducted commercial and technical training sessions in Amsterdam and London, with more planned for the future. “We have a great group of end-users and partners already established in Europe,” said Van Till. “It's a pleasure to see their enthusiasm for our solutions and passion for bringing our products to the European market.” Brivo Onair cloud-based security platform The Brivo Onair cloud-based security platform will offer all the same features in Europe as it does in the U.S, including integrated cloud video from Eagle Eye Networks. With customers in over 55 countries worldwide, Brivo has long had a solid customer base in Europe. The expansion of staff and offices will further drive Brivo’s ability to provide solutions for its customers around the world.

Brivo, global innovator of cloud-based physical security solutions for commercial buildings, has announced the addition of two new executives. Jeff Nielsen joins the company as CTO to lead the technology team behind the Brivo Onair security platform, and Jennifer Love joins the company as the new VP of Marketing to lead go-to-market and partner programs. New CTO to drive physical security division Jeff joins Brivo as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) to continue building the engineering and operations team driving Brivo’s success in the physical security space. Jeff is a technology executive with more than twenty years of experience building, growing and scaling software teams and organisations. Jeff has a proven track record of transforming and improving software/IT organisations in startup to Fortune 500 environments. His experience is particularly relevant to growing our portfolio of native IoT products and enhancing our data analytics capabilities" “Jeff’s experience is invaluable in expanding the Brivo ecosystem and extending our API platform strategy. His experience is particularly relevant to growing our portfolio of native IoT products and enhancing our data analytics capabilities. It’s a great time to have such a talented leader joining our team,” said Steve Van Till. New Marketing VP, technology and SaaS expert Jennifer Love joins Brivo as the VP of Marketing to build out new marketing programs for its existing partner community and to recruit new dealers as Brivo expands its international reach. Jennifer brings a wealth of experience in technology and SaaS models as she has worked in b2b marketing for over fifteen years. “We are thrilled to have both Jeff and Jennifer join Brivo’s leadership team. Jennifer’s experience will prove invaluable to maintaining our industry leadership position and helping commercial building owners make progressive security decisions. Jennifer is a very strong leader. Her strategic acumen in identifying new markets, her passion for growing customer-first cultures, and her expertise in scaling global businesses make her a great match for what Brivo needs to accelerate our growth plans,” says Brivo CEO, Steve Van Till.

Brivo, the original innovator of cloud-based physical security solutions for commercial buildings, has announced its expansion into Europe with the opening of its Amsterdam office and the creation of a new subsidiary, Brivo Systems BV. The move highlights the increasing adoption of cloud-based physical security systems and the company’s growing partner and customer base in Europe. With sales, technical, and logistics operations located in Amsterdam, Brivo will now provide a full range of support services to its European customers. Cloud-based access control solutions “We’re seeing growing demand for cloud-based access control solutions in Europe and felt this was a great time to expand our reach,” explained Brivo’s President and CEO, Steve Van Till. “We’re really excited about the opportunities and our ability to provide local support resources for our European customers.” As part of this expansion program, Brivo has recently conducted commercial and technical training sessions in Amsterdam and London, with more planned for the future. “We have a great group of end-users and partners already established in Europe,” said Van Till. “It's a pleasure to see their enthusiasm for our solutions and passion for bringing our products to the European market. Brivo Onair cloud security platform The Brivo Onair cloud-based security platform will offer all the same features in Europe as it does in the U.S, including integrated cloud video from Eagle Eye Networks. With customers in over 55 countries worldwide, Brivo has long had a solid customer base in Europe. The expansion of staff and offices will further drive Brivo’s ability to provide solutions for its customers around the world.

The ACS6000 is a powerful plug-compatible update to Brivo’s popular ACS5000 controller, adding higher credential capacity, OSDP reader support, and optional WiFi connectivity Brivo, a provider of cloud-based physical access control systems and mobile credentials, has announced the availability of two new door access controllers, the ACS6000 and the ACS300, to complement its existing product lines, as well as the recently announced introduction of the Authentic Mercury open platform.   “Our channel partners have told us that they appreciate having multiple alternatives, and want to match equipment to the needs of their end users,” said Steve Van Till, President and CEO of Brivo. “Our strategy with these product options acknowledges that we don’t live in a one-size-fits-all world. People want freedom of choice.” Brivo ACS6000 controller The Brivo OnAir solution combines physical access control, video surveillance and mobile credentialing The ACS6000 is a powerful plug-compatible update to Brivo’s popular ACS5000 controller, adding higher credential capacity, OSDP reader support, and optional WiFi connectivity. The ACS6000 works with Brivo’s complete line of Door Boards and IO Boards, and fits inside the same cabinets, including those of Brivo partner LifeSafety Power. The ACS300 is a modern two-door controller featuring a built-in Bluetooth mobile credential reader, optional WiFi connectivity, and IT-friendly Power Over Ethernet, all packaged in a visually appealing design that would look at home in any modern office. “We are excited about the increased capacity of the new controllers because it will allow us to more effectively service our organisations with a large membership base,” said Sarita Myers, Senior Director of Product Strategy at Daxko, a Brivo channel partner serving nationwide member-based health and wellness centers. Brivo OnAir These new products, as well as the previously announced Authentic Mercury open platform, operate on Brivo’s flagship cloud-based access control system, Brivo OnAir®. The OnAir solution combines physical access control, video surveillance and mobile credentialing in a unified cloud-based security platform for over eight million users, making it the largest cloud-based access control solution in the security industry. Product availability for the ACS6000 and ACS300 for the Brivo OnAir system is set for Summer, 2017. For more information visit Booth No. 23109 during the ISC West Exposition held between April 5th-7th in Las Vegas.

Brivo OnAir combines access control technology, video surveillance and mobile credentialing in a unified cloud-based security platform Brivo, the provider of cloud-based physical access control systems and mobile credentials, and Mercury Security, a global provider of OEM access control hardware, announces the integration of the Authentic Mercury open platform into Brivo’s flagship OnAir access control system. “We have always believed in open standards for our physical access control system, and lately we’ve heard a growing desire among our customers for an open hardware solution,” said Steve Van Till, President and CEO of Brivo. “Many of our customers have a preference for Mercury hardware, and want to leverage the Mercury training they’ve already invested in their installation teams. We also appreciate the scalability of the Mercury platform, because it extends our reach into more enterprise customer applications.” Brivo OnAir Brivo OnAir combines access control technology, video surveillance and mobile credentialing in a unified cloud-based security platform. Brivo pioneered the service in 2002, and has grown to be the largest cloud-based provider in the security industry. The company added a mobile solution in 2015 that is compatible with all installed Brivo systems, as well as the newly supported Mercury hardware. OnAir will support Mercury within both new and existing OnAir accounts, and presents the same user interface that Brivo customers already use and like. Authentic Mercury platform "Mercury is pleased to welcome Brivo as a valued Authentic Mercury Partner," said Matt Barnette, President of Mercury Security. “With Mercury’s proven open hardware and Brivo’s scalable products, we look forward to jointly addressing the market demand for fully interoperable, flexible access control platforms and cloud-based solutions.” The Authentic Mercury platform is the dominant open hardware solution for access control with advanced, industry-leading features that are optimised to meet the full range of customer requirements in today’s dynamic market. Mercury product availability for the Brivo OnAir system is set for Summer of 2017.

Allegion, Brivo integration offers installers a cost-effective security management solution Allegion, a provider of security products and solutions, and Brivo, a global provider of cloud-based physical access control systems and mobile credentials, have worked together to provide customers with a cost-effective security management solution. The integration unites the security of Schlage NDE wireless locks and Brivo OnAir, Brivo’s flagship cloud-based access control solution. Previous integration includes the Schlage AD series locks. Enhanced security management “Through this collaboration, our customers will benefit from simplified installation, secured wireless communication and access via mobile device—without sacrificing safety or efficiency,” said Brad Aikin, Electronics Portfolio Leader at Allegion. “Brivo OnAir easily integrates to deliver enhanced security management and monitoring as well as a unique user experience.” Brivo OnAir combines access control, video surveillance and mobile credentialing in a unified cloud-based security platform that can be managed anywhere with a secure connection to the Internet. Enhanced capabilities include enabling secure access to locks via a smartphone. NDE locks are designed to fit a standard cylindrical door prep without any modification. Users can upgrade from mechanical keys to electronic employee identification credentials without having to drill additional holes or run wires. Integration showcased at ISC West “The ease of the installation combined with the lower cost of owning these wireless locks makes moving to a cloud-based access control system even more attractive for single or multi-tenant building owners,” said Steve Van Till, President and CEO of Brivo. “Brivo is excited to begin distributing Allegion’s Schlage NDE wireless locks through its channel partners, across vertical markets.” Brivo will feature the product integration during the International Security Conference and Exposition (ISC West) at Booth No. 23109, held April 5-7 in Las Vegas.

The partnership offers customers new, comprehensive physical access control and business operations solutions Brivo, a provider of cloud-based access control and mobile credentials, and Savance, a provider of business automation and employee tracking software solutions, announced its integration partnership. The partnership will provide customers with unified, customisable, and fully scalable solutions—combining access control with visitor management, staff tracking, time & attendance, emergency mustering, and digital status boards. Brivo OnAir physical access control solution “Partnering with Brivo provides us an opportunity to integrate with another cloud company, and offer comprehensive access control and business operations solutions that make businesses more efficient and improve on their safety,” says Steve Bardocz, President and CEO of Savance, LLC. Brivo and Savance partnered due to growing market demands for an integration between physical security systems and solutions for payroll management, electronic visitor check-in, emergency preparedness, and staff tracking. The partnership will combine Savance’s expertise in highly customisable business automation solutions with Brivo’s flagship cloud-based physical access control solution, Brivo OnAir, to deliver advanced capabilities that enhance the security and tracking requirements of any size company or organisation.Better staff accountability“This combined solution is suited for all types of businesses, and provides customers with increased safety, better staff accountability, simplified reporting and management at a reduced cost of ownership,” said Steve Van Till, President and CEO of Brivo.

No doubt about it, the ASIS International show is smaller than in years past. And there is (the usual) grumbling about slow attendee traffic (and the also predictable counter-arguments about “the quality of the leads.”) Some of the security and safety technology being featured was introduced earlier at ISC West, but there is still plenty to see in the exhibit hall. Growth of mobile credentials Mobile credentials are a hot topic again, and Lenel has joined the growing number of companies supplying a mobile credentialing system to the market. Lenel’s Blue Diamond mobile credentials are based on technology developed by United Technologies sister company Supra. The use of a cell phone (by Supra) to open a real estate key box has already been adapted to the hospitality industry (with a deployment at Hilton Hotels), and now as an access control credential, part of Lenel’s OnGuard Version 7.3 release for the commercial and industrial security market. The components of the system are a Bluetooth reader, a virtual credential provided through a smart phone app, a cloud-based credentialing portal, and integration with the latest version of OnGuard. Offering a full solution is simpler to implement, and Lenel even has an “in-line” Bluetooth reader that can be used to add Bluetooth capabilities to existing systems. It’s just one aspect of the OnGuard 7.3 release that also is “reinventing the OnGuard experience,” according to Ross McKay, Lenel Systems International’s Director of Project Management. Future adoption Mobile credentials are big talk at ASIS, but how long before they will be widely used? Estimates are all over the map, but research firm IMS has projected the percentage adoption of mobile credentialing at 19 percent by 2020 (according to McKay of Lenel). "Our industry is slow to adopt, but if you show mobile credentialing to end users, they get it immediately, anything you can give them on a phone, they will use" But Steve Van Till, president and CEO of Brivo, which launched its mobile credentialing system at last year’s ASIS, sees a range of possibilities in terms of adoption. Witnessing the fast adoption of smart phones as alternatives to perform a large number of daily tasks, some say mass adoption could only be a couple of years away. On the other hand, in our market, a lot of people are still using proximity cards (despite introductions of superior alternatives over the years). That legacy argues for slow adoption indeed. “Our industry is slow to adopt, but if you show mobile credentialing to end users, they get it immediately,” says Van Till. “Anything you can give them on a phone, they will use.” Because ASIS is an end user show, exhibitors tend to reflect on the changing dynamic of selling to end users. Changing purchasing dynamics How end users buy products may be changing -- obviously the IT department is having a greater influence than ever before. But what hasn’t changed is the importance of creating a system that will keep end users satisfied as they use it day-to-day for years after the installation is complete. IT may be yielding more influence, but at the end of the day, it’s the security customers -- the attendees at ASIS -- who must be satisfied. “While the IT infrastructure and personnel are involved in how decisions are made, security personnel are still heavily involved,” says Sharad Shekhar, CEO of Pelco by Schneider Electric. “On a day-to-day operations level, it’s the security user who either truly benefits or gets truly hurt by the product. We face IT challenges up front, but the day-to-day utility of our products in the market is judged by the security people, not the IT people.” Shekhar says feedback from those day-to-day end users is one factor that makes a show like ASIS so important. “We need to get continuous feedback to guide our future product development,” says Shekhar. “The type of people who do security -- they like stability. They like certainty because it’s the nature of the business. They want to apply solutions that have been vetted, that are proven. Customers can’t afford to make a mistake.” "The type of people who do security - they like stability. They like certainty because it’s the nature of the business" At ASIS, Pelco is showing its VideoXpert open video management system (VMS) platform, integrated with the Optera multi-sensor panoramic camera. The ability of the VMS to display a seamless multi-sensor image is getting good feedback from customers. Pelco’s core strategy is to focus on four major verticals -- gaming, city surveillance, oil and gas, and ports. They devote a range of resources to each of the major verticals, including multi-functional teams including research and development, engineering, product support and marketing personnel. A fifth core vertical in the United States is corrections, and Pelco also sells in secondary verticals such as education, healthcare, etc., although they are focusing more on the core verticals. Education and training Education is an important aspect of the ASIS show, there are rooms and rooms of educational sessions on a range of topics going on concurrently with the trade show. But education is also happening on the show floor, often in the form of presentations from vendors in theatre-like areas of their booths. Promise Technology, a manufacturer of storage systems, is a first-time ASIS exhibitor that is providing educational sessions in their presentation theatre in cooperation with VMS partners. “There is a lot of information in education and training,” says John van den Elzen, Managing Director, Worldwide Surveillance Business Unit, Promise Technology. “End users like to know how a solution is working. They don’t want to hassle with it if it doesn’t work. We qualify all the VMS vendors before the product comes to market. We know it works. We have a good relationship with the VMS vendors and work together if there is a problem -- no finger-pointing.” Promise provides RAID storage systems that are specifically targeted to the security market, and promote the products using security terms rather than IT terms. And they listen to feedback, whether at a trade show or at the many education events they have held globally to growing numbers of attendees. “This is very successful,” says van den Elzen. “People have a lack of knowledge and we look to fill in that gap.” There’s more knowledge to be had, and more exhibitors to visit in the second day of ASIS.

John Szczygiel, EVP and COO of Brivo, will host two in-booth educational sessions at ASIS 2016 Brivo, a leader in cloud-based physical access control and video systems, announced that it will be exhibiting at ASIS 2016 in September 12 to 14, 2016. John Szczygiel, Executive Vice President and COO of Brivo, will present, “Success Stories: How to Win with Cloud Access Control”, ways to leverage cloud-based services to deliver multi-site security, improve corporate agility, drive compliance and increase business continuity. The session will be hosted at Brivo’s booth (number 3641) on September 12 and September 13, 2016 at 3:30pm EST. Leveraging cloud platforms Over the past decade, the physical security industry has steadily begun to adopt cloud-based technology for critical applications. Along with this new technology, security practitioners have been able to change the way they manage their enterprises, as SaaS applications have freed them from desktops and restrictive licensing agreements. Mobile applications that leverage these cloud platforms have continued to drive the ability to interact with databases and system administration tools with greater ease for an increased number of staff. “We’re expecting a great turn out at this year’s show. John will share examples of how Brivo customers have successfully achieved the ability to support rapid business changes, improved monitoring and compliance with standards and reporting, as well as enhanced their business value and agility with cloud-based integrations,” said Steve Van Till, President and CEO of Brivo. Save Save

Mike Voslow joins Brivo with over 30 years of experience in both public and private finance and accounting Brivo, the provider of cloud-based physical access control and video systems, has announced the appointment of Mike Voslow as Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective July 5, 2016.  Mike joins Brivo with over 30 years of experience in both public and private finance and accounting. Financial leadership “I am excited to welcome Mike to Brivo. He is joining us during a crucial period of high growth when his financial leadership will be important to our continued expansion. Mike has extensive experience scaling high-growth private and public companies, with extensive expertise in strategic guidance, accounting, compliance, and process improvement,” said Steve Van Till, President and CEO of Brivo.As CFO, Mike will lead Brivo’s financial management and operations, information management systems initiatives and human resources department.  He will work closely with Brivo’s senior management team to meet the company’s financial objectives.Experience and expertise Before joining Brivo, Mike served as the Chief Accounting Officer and Senior Vice President of Finance and Treasurer at GlobalLogic Inc. where he spearheaded a turnaround leading to the successful sale of the company.  Previously, Mike was the Chief Financial Officer of Network Solutions, LLC and held various senior financial executive positions within publicly traded companies Network Solutions, Inc. and its former parent VeriSign, Inc.  Mike was an instrumental player in Network Solutions’ evolution and growth including its IPO, sale to VeriSign, retail spin-off as a private company and its subsequent acquisition.Mike is a Certified Public Accountant and received his Master of Business Administration in Finance from Duke University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Miami University (Oxford, Ohio). He began his career at Price Waterhouse (now PwC).Brivo is poised to accelerate its industry-leading revenue and customer growth, building upon its outstanding track record. Save

The rate of adoption of mobile credentials will progress quickly, because of its exciting value proposition Cloud computing has been around for some time now, starting with the formal public Internet in 1990. But the nature of it has changed and evolved quickly and dramatically. Now, the cloud is becoming foundational to many emerging security applications, including mobile credentialing involving Near Field and Bluetooth communications, with the Internet of Things (loT) poised to come on strong as still another disruptive technology within the physical security space. Open standard for cloud-based access control As such, there continues to emerge a new crop of cloud-based technologies in access control that need to be addressed with open standards to facilitate easy integration of diverse components and establish more predictable levels of performance. The Security Industry Association (SIA), Silver Spring, Maryland, as an ANSI-accredited Standards Development Organisation, is currently working on a project focusing on Bluetooth credentials (Mobile/Device/Reader Transactions) while setting sights on other standards. Standards are an important element as technology widens from traditional security to billions of connected devices and users through the loT, according to Steve Van Till, president and chief executive officer, Brivo Inc., Bethesda, Maryland. Enabling interoperability with BLE standard Van Till chairs the SIA Standards Committee, which recently formed the Cloud, Mobility and loT Subcommittee Working Group and is developing a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) standard slated for committee review this summer. “Mobile credentials are a compelling story for security dealers, driving additional sales. The rate of adoption of mobile credentials will progress quickly, because of its exciting value proposition,” he says. The goal of the BLE standard is to enable interoperability between mobile credentials (phones, wearables, etc.) and readers permanently affixed to physical structures. Further, a BLE standard would promote the growth and use of mobile credentials and expand the utility of access control solutions. Mobile credentials will over time replace cards, and quite quickly compared to the move from analogue to IP video surveillance Mobile credentials have also created heightened visibility of the security industry by outside companies and developers once unfamiliar with its nuances. Van Till says SIA has been in discussion with various companies and currently is educating these firms and others on the organisation and its ANSI affiliation. IoT shaping the future of security industry The security industry’s realm is destined to widen further, especially with the ongoing advent of the loT, adds Van Till. “There are really two pictures here with regards to the efforts of SIA to create standards. Within the context of the security industry, mobile credentials will over time replace cards, and quite quickly compared to the move from analogue to IP video surveillance. According to IHS Technology, Englewood, Colorado, some 25 percent of access control will be mobile credentials versus cards in the next five years. The second factor is the introduction of disruptive technologies with the loT driving that trend globally. There’s the requisite to log into devices, no matter what they are, and that will result in the need to create additional interoperability and cybersecurity standards,” he says. “Cybersecurity and the loT has become the trump card for why standards are necessary,” says Brivo CEO, Steve Van Till Van Till says that as Silicon Valley giants move into the security space there will be a spillover of ubiquitous connected technologies used by billions of people and billions of loT devices. Cybersecurity and loT demand open standards “Where the security industry is working out standards for relative handfuls of device types, the IoT world is doing the same for many tens of thousands of products. Readers, locks, gates and more are just a special case of a general capability that is being built into mobile operating systems, wearables and many other connected devices.” Van Till says physical security will become less idiosyncratic and instead, part of the evolving ecosystem of “computers logging into computers.” “We are seeing many different organisations now interested in the security industry as a result of the shift to the IoT,” he says. “This will be a huge benefit to the industry and its users. Standards will continue to encourage openness and discourage proprietary technologies.” For the installing community, standards make installation easier and promote integration between different compositions of products. Standards can also promote greater cybersecurity. “If everyone is doing their own thing in a proprietary environment, cybersecurity is difficult to develop and implement. Cybersecurity and the loT has become the trump card for why standards are necessary,” he adds.

Brivo Inc., the worldwide leader in cloud-based physical access control systems, recently announced Brivo OnAir for Government is now registered on the GSA Approved Product List (APL #10073) under the PACS Infrastructure category. Brivo’s newest Software as a Service (SaaS) solution is the first cloud-based PACS designed to assist federal government agencies in meeting Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12). Brivo OnAir for Government solution “Our commercial cloud-based security solution has a track record of over 14 years of successful deployments for tens of thousands of corporate and government facilities. We are pleased to be able to bring this experience to bear for our federal customers by being the first to market with our Brivo OnAir for Government solution,” said Steve Van Till, President and CEO of Brivo. “We have known for years that the scale and special demands of federal customers make cloud solutions a natural fit. That is why years ago we introduced Brivo OnSite Server, our first solution to make the GSA APL, into the market. This was a steppingstone to getting our customers to the cloud. Today with the launch of Brivo OnAir for Government, federal agencies are able to preserve their initial investments in access control hardware that worked with Brivo OnSite Server and now can seamlessly be integrated with our cloud platform,” said Van Till. The Brivo OnAir for Government successfully passed rigorous GSA testing and a comprehensive set of functional HSPD-12 policy requirements derived from government specifications. Given the strict guidelines for being added to the APL, federal agencies have the peace of mind that their security needs will be met with Brivo OnAir for Government, a solution backed by a tenured leader in the PACS market. Designed specifically for government agencies “Leveraging a cloud-based PACS infrastructure is a great option for many federal agencies challenged with securing large dispersed organisations on limited capital budgets,” said John Gaydos, VP of Federal Systems Divisions for Tyco Integrated Security. Brivo OnAir for Government is designed specifically for government agencies to leverage the benefits of cloud computing and the SaaS business model. This gives agencies the ability to scale its access control technology to multiple locations while providing maximum security. Access control hardware automatically and securely connects to Brivo’s dedicated FISMA compliant data centres, and enables system management from any remote location—on computer, tablet or smartphone.

The access control market grew at a pace of 10% in 2015, while Brivo’s revenue grew by 20% Brivo Inc., the worldwide leader in cloud-based physical access control systems, recently announced significant 2015 growth in demand for cloud-based access control solutions. Brivo’s momentum within the physical security industry was driven by the release of new integrations, Brivo Mobile Pass, and strategic channel partnerships. Growth in access control market According to Memoori, the access control market grew at a pace of 10% in 2015, while Brivo’s revenue grew by 20%. “We’re seeing the physical security market finally making the same shift to the cloud that began in enterprise software nearly 10 years ago. The Access Control as a Service (ACaaS) market, in particular, has tremendous room to grow, and we are excited about the opportunities in 2016,” said Steve Van Till, President and CEO of Brivo Inc. Since June 2015, when Dean Drako, President and CEO of Eagle Eye Networks, acquired Brivo, the company has successfully launched the first complete cloud-to-cloud integration of access control and video with Brivo OnAir cloud access control and Eagle Eye Networks’ cloud video surveillance. Brivo Mobile Pass In September 2015, Brivo released Brivo Mobile Pass, a mobile credential solution that allows the company’s seven million users to unlock doors with a smartphone. Making access control a part of one’s phone means one less thing to carry, remember, and replace. Brivo’s first user of Brivo Mobile Pass agrees. Jody Dellinger, District and Parks & Recreations Manager for Harris County Water Control and Improvement District Number 110 said, “Seeing that everyone around me is glued to their phones, Brivo Mobile Pass hit the nail on the head with its convenience factor.”  Brivo grew its dealer network by 30% including creating a global presence. The company is attracting a new breed of dealer, one that is motivated to grow their business with a recurring monthly revenue (RMR) subscription model. Brivo also grew its employee base by 19%, including several strategic new hires such as Vice President of Marketing Lisa Bonanno and Manager of Sales Effectiveness Christine Lau. Brivo was a finalist in the DC Inno 50 on Fire ranking, which celebrates visionary individuals and companies across the DC area’s top industries.  Looking ahead into 2016, Brivo aims to continue its double-digit growth by providing innovative solutions and service for the cloud-based access control market.

Brivo Inc, the worldwide leader in cloud-based physical access control systems, recently announced the release of Brivo Mobile Pass, a digital credential solution that lets users unlock doors with their smartphones. As an enhancement to the existing Brivo OnAir® access control system, customers can immediately distribute mobile credentials to their entire user population without any on-premise equipment changes. Available on iOS and Android Available now on both iOS and Android, Brivo’s Mobile Pass Application revolutionises physical security by immediately delivering access control via smartphones without having to install new door readers. Brivo Mobile Pass serves as a mobile complement to physical key cards and readers, and is fully interoperable with existing door reader technologies. “We are giving all of our customers five free Brivo Mobile Passes so that they can use it immediately,” said Steve Van Till, CEO of Brivo. “Mobile credentials are changing the way access control works. It’s not just about convenience and improved security — although that’s a huge part of it. It’s that we are improving the relationship with the people who come and go from the spaces we protect.” Brivo’s previously released Brivo OnAir Mobile Application already provides administrators full accessibility to manage their system from a smartphone; now with Brivo Mobile Pass, all users can open doors using their smartphone. “Our customers have been requesting the ability to open doors with their phone,” said Taylor Carr, Sr. Vice President of Business Development at Securadyne Systems. “With Brivo Mobile Pass, we now have the means to service that need, all without changing any hardware or sending out a technician. It’s proof of the value of a true cloud solution.” How Brivo Mobile Pass works Brivo Mobile Pass is a cloud-based mobile credential system that is part of the Brivo OnAir platform. From a workflow perspective, the Brivo OnAir administrator selects a user and creates a Brivo Mobile Pass invitation that is delivered via email. The user then clicks the “Add” button in the email to activate Brivo Mobile Pass on their phone. The user can now open doors as they would have with a key card, however, Brivo's cloud authentication is far more secure because of the cloud-based authentication. As with key cards, Brivo Mobile Passes can be revoked at any time by the administrator. For users, the Brivo Mobile Pass Application is much more convenient and secure than traditional key cards. It travels with them wherever they carry their phone, and it’s protected by passcode and biometric capabilities built into the smartphone. When the user wants to open the door he/she simply opens the Brivo Mobile Pass application. It communicates with the cloud using the smartphone’s capabilities and requests that the door be opened. No key card is needed. Brivo Mobile Pass also operates across multiple, unaffiliated Brivo-equipped facilities such as offices, gyms and parking garages. Users can add Brivo Mobile Passes from an unlimited number of Brivo OnAir accounts via email. “Naturally, we’ve invested a lot in encryption and cyber security for this new service,” said Van Till. “When designing it, we recognised that cloud-based authentication is a very well understood field, with rich solutions that work very well for banking, electronic signatures, and the like. We chose to adopt these proven secure approaches over the much less developed technologies that are utilising Bluetooth door readers." The Brivo Mobile Pass app is available for download from the App Store and Google Play.

SNGTM takes a broad look the latest research, and commercial and industrial market trends in the security industry The Security Industry Association (SIA) has announced the agenda for Securing New Ground® (SNGTM), the security industry’s top executive conference, scheduled for Oct. 28-29, 2015, at the Millennium Broadway Hotel in New York City. The SNGTM 2015 This executive forum takes a comprehensive look at the state of the security industry, the latest research, and commercial and industrial market trends impacting business strategies. Over a day-and-a-half of sessions tailored for suppliers, integrators and practitioners, conferees will experience a focused, unbiased event where game-changing information is exchanged, and business gets done. “In the last several years of SNGTM, we have mapped incredible change in the security industry to the benefit of our members and conferees,” said V. John Stroia, Chief Operating Officer of The Will-Burt Company and SIA Chairman. “I’ve seen firsthand how businesses have been bought and sold and lucrative new deals have been made because of contacts initiated at the SNGTM conference. It is the best place for security industry executives to make things happen.” Some of the top presenters confirmed to date include influential suppliers, integrators and practitioners in the security industry: Suppliers Steven Van Till, President & CEO, Brivo Systems Thanasis Molokotos, President & CEO, ASSA ABLOY Americas Division Ron Virden, President & General Manager, Lenel, Supra and Onity Integrators and dealers Tim Whall, Chairman & CEO, Protection 1 Jason Oakley, President, North American Video, Inc. Pamela Petrow, President & CEO, Vector Security Inc. Practitioners Bonnie Michelman, Director of Police, Security and Outside Services, Massachusetts General Hospital Brian Allen, Chief Security Officer, Time Warner Dave Cullinane, Founder, TruSTAR Technology LLC New SNGTM opportunities For the first time, SIA is teaming up with the Global Security Risk Management Alliance (GSRMA) to expand SNGTM opportunities for security practitioners. A half-day practitioners’ session will provide a plain English translation of IT security concepts and actions so any physical security leader can effectively engage in a discussion of cyber security. “As cofounder and president of GSRMA, I have alerted my fellow security practitioners to beware of the blurring distinctions between traditional and logical security. As we work toward an umbrella Enterprise Security Risk Management framework, SNGTM is an excellent venue for practitioners to identify the challenges of a unified security alignment side-by-side with suppliers and security integrators,” said Ray O'Hara, CPP, Executive Vice President of AS Solution. The security sector is evolving at a rapid pace, and SNGTM is essential to properly evaluate new partnerships and key factors that will influence the decisions and investments visitors make in the future.

Entrepreneur, president and CEO Dean Drako acquired Brivo for $50 million Dean Drako and Brivo announced recently that the company has been wholly acquired for $50 million by Dean Drako, entrepreneur, president and CEO of Eagle Eye Networks. As Brivo’s owner, Drako will serve as the company’s chairman, and Steve Van Till, Brivo’s president and CEO, will continue leading the company. Brivo’s cloud-based access control system currently services over 6 million users and over 100,000 access points, providing feature-rich access control for small and medium businesses, along with unmatched scalability and centralised management for global enterprises.   “My goal was to acquire the physical security industry’s best access control system,” said Dean Drako. “Brivo’s true cloud architecture and open API approach put it a generation ahead of other access control systems. Cloud solutions provide exceptional benefits and Brivo is clearly the market and technology leader. Brivo is also committed to strong, long-standing relationships with its channel partners, which I believe is the best strategy for delivering extremely high customer satisfaction.” With this acquisition, Drako will apply the strategy and execution processes he used at his other successful companies, including Barracuda Networks, to leverage Brivo’s technology lead and growth trajectory. In particular, Drako sees the opportunity to accelerate the cloud technology shift already underway in the physical security industry by combining Brivo’s cloud access control with his cloud video surveillance company, Eagle Eye Networks. "My goal was to acquire the physical security industry’s best access control system," said Dean Drako, CEO of Eagle Eye Networks Immediate business and technology acceleration following acquisition As a first step, Brivo will begin selling an integrated solution unifying Brivo OnAir cloud-based access control with Eagle Eye Networks’ cloud security camera system. The combined solution will offer a cloud based video surveillance and access control solution which is bi-directionally integrated using the open APIs from both companies. This will deliver: Video verification of door events, with natively viewable and searchable video. Door event visibility in video: Brivo OnAir door events will appear within the Eagle Eye Security Camera VMS. Because Brivo and Eagle Eye are both cloud-based, the combined solution uniquely offers flexible deployment, with scalability and cyber-secure remote management. Sales will begin in July. “We are extremely excited that Dean Drako has acquired Brivo and is serving as chairman. In addition to Dean's experience founding and leading Barracuda Networks to be a multi-billion dollar company, he has grown his latest company, Eagle Eye Networks, to be the technology leader in cloud video surveillance,” said Steve Van Till, president & CEO, Brivo. “We both share the vision of delivering the tremendous advantages of cloud-based systems to our customers.”