viisights, the developer of innovative behavioural recognition systems for real-time video intelligence, has been selected for airport cargo security evaluation by global defence contractor, Raytheon Security (RTX). The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) contracted Raytheon Technologies to select and evaluate next-generation security solutions for airports. To conduct the test, Raytheon deployed viisights’ advanced video and behavioural analytics solution for cargo security at various airports across the U.S. for evaluation over twelve months. Neural networks “We’re proud to have been chosen as a candidate to be evaluated by Raytheon,” said Pat Aiello, VP Business Development & Sales, North America at viisights. “Our video and behavioural analytics solutions excel in these environments, and we look forward to seeing the finalized report from Raytheon.” viisights video and behavioural analytics solutions provide new levels of predictive and proactive video intelligence" Powered by neural networks and advanced deep learning algorithms, viisights’ unique behavioural analytics technology can identify suspicious behaviour, vehicle traffic congestion, crowd density and human proximity, perimeter protection, and people or parcels in restricted areas with outstanding accuracy. To help ensure compliance with new health safety-mandates, viisights advanced analytics can also detect and notify security personnel if individuals are not wearing protective face masks in areas where masks are mandated. Suspicious activity detection Optimised to minimise false alerts and their related costs while maximising safety and security, viisights video and behavioural analytics solutions provide new levels of predictive and proactive video intelligence for myriad applications including violence and suspicious activity detection, incident prevention, response management, and risk mitigation. To maintain personal privacy protection, viisights advanced technology analyzes general behaviour patterns of individuals, groups, vehicles, and traffic-flows without identifying faces or license plates. Raytheon plans to keep the viisights behavioural analytics solution in place at the airport installation test sites after the initial evaluation period has been successfully completed to help better secure airports moving forward. The solution will be available to any and all US airports as of September 1, 2021.

Schools were never designed and built with social distancing in mind. So, it’s perhaps not surprising that as children returned to schools, for the autumn term this year, the prospect of outdoor classes and assemblies was mooted in the media and by the Government. Many in the education sector are making the case that, should there be further COVID-19 outbreaks, in the coming months, it would be better to utilise outside space, rather than resort to closing schools. In the COVID-19 era, head teachers are considering taking learning and large gatherings, such as assemblies outdoors, when possible. Managing ‘class bubbles’, hygiene and ventilation While Dr. Yvonne Doyle, the Medical Director of Public Health England (PHE) has publicly reassured parents that schools are not the ‘drivers’ or ‘hubs’ of COVID-19-19 infection in communities, there is a lot of pressure on school leaders to manage ‘class bubbles’, extra cleaning and hygiene, ventilation, and COVID-19 testing, to protect families and staff. It’s a logical step to switch, in certain circumstances, to outdoor activities where fresh air is on tap, and social distancing is far easier to manage. Specially built outdoor classrooms Across the school and nursery sector, there’s ongoing investment in specially built outdoor classrooms Across the school and nursery sector, there’s ongoing investment in specially built outdoor classrooms, which had been growing in popularity, even before the pandemic. These facilities offer numerous benefits as an extension of existing learning spaces and provide children the opportunity for hands-on learning, beyond a stuffy classroom. However, if outdoor spaces are routinely called upon as part of COVID-19 contingency planning, how can schools ensure that their outdoor classrooms and wider areas are secure, robust, and fit for purpose? When specifying outdoor classrooms and learning spaces, it’s essential to take into account the well-being of the students and staff, who will use them, noise pollution and acoustics. Most importantly, education managers need to ensure the surrounding area is secured and adequately protected from threats, including terrorism. Perimeter security measures for schools How can schools and nurseries secure their perimeters, so that outdoor learning is totally safe for all? A starting point is to seek out architects and suppliers, who have a good understanding of security standards. Worryingly, Jacksons Fencing’s research recently found that only one-third of architects are seeing both LPS 1175 and the UK police initiative, Secured by Design (SBD) physical security standards, specified for schools. This highlights a lost opportunity for architects to propose solutions that are appropriate to the level of risk and needs of the school, without turning the site into an unwelcoming fortress. Helping schools identify specific security needs Head teachers would be wise to work with architects, who not only know the latest security standards inside and out, but are also are willing to play a more advisory role, helping the school identify exactly what is needed. Head teachers should prioritise solutions appropriate to their site’s specific risks It’s also vital that architects don’t simply replace existing fencing and gates, with the same security systems that have been in place for years. Instead, they will need to meet changing needs and risks. Our research finds that teachers often report issues, with the school perimeter and gates, from being climbed over (28%) and causing injury, to gates not locking properly (10%). Head teachers should prioritise solutions appropriate to their site’s specific risks, which sometimes require altering of existing measures. School fencing is an important aspect of any education site. As well as defining its boundary and making a visual distinction between public and private property, the fencing and gates that surround and secure a school, will typically meet a wide variety of other important criteria, including preventing unauthorised entry to the grounds, protecting pupils, staff, and visitors from accidents and injury, deterring theft and anti-social behaviour, and reducing the risk of malicious damage, and acts of terrorism. Welded mesh panels for perimeter fencing Popular options for schools include welded mesh panels for perimeter fencing or sports areas, and railing systems to act as demarcation, in order to control foot and car traffic. Within the outlying boundary, barriers, bollards and parking posts will keep pedestrians, and vehicles safe from each other, while timber fencing and gates can be designed to control the flow of people, around the grounds and reduce the areas, where students can be hidden from view. Automated gates and access control Perimeter fencing must be complemented with safe entrances and exits for vehicles and pedestrians. Every school has unique entry-control requirements, determined by factors, such as size, location and the local environment. These needs influence the decisions you make, when preparing technical specifications for school security gates. Do you require gates to be steel or timber, manual or automated, single or double leaf? Specialist suppliers will be in the best position to offer inputs on school gates, which typically need to offer solid security and durability, with a welcoming aesthetic. Specifying access control system When specifying a school access system, it’s important to consider the areas of the school When specifying a school access system, it’s important to consider the areas of the school, such as sports fields, car parks, and children’s play and learning areas, and whether it requires playground segregation. Selected gates should meet the design of the fencing, to create a secure perimeter with no weak points, with automated gates conforming to all current safety regulations. . Noise pollution can be a problem as well, including noise coming in or leaving the school in residential areas. If more teaching is to be carried out outside, it’s worth considering acoustic barriers to reduce noise in and around the school. Timber acoustic barriers for security and privacy Timber acoustic barriers offer security and privacy, and can reduce noise levels, by as much as 32 decibels (in laboratory conditions), so are ideal for city centre schools or those located close to busy highways. There are many ways to build an outdoor classroom. Timber products can help to create a welcoming environment, such as wooden shelters, pergolas, fencing, and decking. Always check that high quality timber, ideally guaranteed for 25 years against rot and insect attack, is being used to provide an attractive, cost-effective, safe and sustainable solution, for all weather conditions. DBS approved installers And of course, installers must be DBS approved, so that they can install outdoor classrooms, during school holidays, or within term time, with minimal disruption. The COVID-19 pandemic had a huge impact on schools and learning. While nobody wants to think of fresh outbreaks of the infection, or any other virus, installing an outdoor classroom made from high-quality, long-lasting materials is a great way to future-proof school learning and ensure safety, and preparedness. Putting extra thought and care into the security angle will provide schools with decades of protection against a host of unforeseen events.

Heron Bros. is an award-winning construction and property development company with its headquarters in Draperstown, Magherafelt, Northern Ireland. It operates throughout the UK, Ireland and Europe and employs over 250 people. The company recently built a garage, which will be accessed by approximately 140 vehicles, the majority of which are cars and vans with a smaller number of HGV lorries. The new garage is accessed down a narrow single-track road that takes two-way traffic. To ensure the security of the site, Heron Bros. wanted vehicles to be able to access the garage through automatic gates without stopping to show a card to a reader. Access control software Inova Gates Ltd who design, manufacture and install high-quality automatic gates, were asked to install two sliding gates, each 7 metres wide to allow large vehicles to be able to turn in and out of the site. The requirement was that if a car or van approached, only the left-hand gate would open, but if a lorry approached, then both gates would open. An additional challenge for vehicle identification was that the access road runs at 90 degrees to the gates with no approach area in front of the gates. Each valid vehicle was issued with a Transit button-activated windscreen tag With the help of Nortech technical support, Inova specified a system using two Nedap Transit long-range readers together with a CRC200 control unit and Norpass3 access control software. Each valid vehicle was issued with a Transit button-activated windscreen tag. This avoids false detects, as the driver presses the button to activate the gate as the vehicle arrives at the gate. Long reading range One reader was installed on the inside of the gates for exit control and the other on the outside of the gate for entry control. The long reading range and wide read angle of the Transit reader enabled the installers to adjust the position and angle of each reader such that it detects tags in all types of vehicles. The access control system determines the type of vehicle by the access rights of the detected tag and operates the gates accordingly. The benefits of the reader are as follows: Robust industrial reader design. Read a range of up to 10 metres. Reader is able to detect vehicle tags at difficult approach angles. Reliable long-range tag detection avoids manual intervention and reduces running costs. Easy windshield mounting of windscreen tag using a suction pad. "Although the installation gave some challenges with the angle of the road to the reader, the technical teams of both Inova Gates and Nortech worked together to create a very satisfactory installation," said Cathal Rogers - General Manager, Inova Gates Ltd.

There is a saying that ‘Everything is Bigger in Texas,’ and the Dallas police department fits the bill. The Dallas Police Department is the ninth-largest municipal police force in the U.S., with 3,099 sworn officers and 598 non-sworn staff. It is led by Chief of Police Edgardo (‘Eddie’) Garcia. In the last several years, the Jack Evans Police Headquarters building (named after the 53rd mayor of Dallas) has been upgrading its physical security using a layered approach to ensure the safety of officers and visitors 24/7. The most recent addition is a brand-new fence line fortified with vehicle gates and Boon Edam Turnlock full height turnstiles to control pedestrian access into secured parking areas. Isolating potential hazards The Jack Evans Police Headquarters building was built in 2003. The six-floor facility has 358,000 square feet and is spread over a three-acre site, with a separate 1,200 car parking garage and a two-acre, open parking lot for additional police and visitor parking. In an average month, there are 5,000 public visitors to the Jack Evans building The Headquarters building was under construction when 9/11 terrorists flew airplanes into the World Trade Buildings in New York. Therefore, security was a concern in its original design. Police officials worked with a Police Design Consultant – McClaren, Wilson, and Lawrie Architects of Phoenix, AZ – to help design the building to resist a terrorist attack and isolate potential hazards. The building also needed to control visitor traffic and access. In an average month, there are 5,000 public visitors to the Jack Evans building. Conducting security assessment After midnight on June 13, 2015, a 35-year-old male placed a duffle bag with a remote-controlled bomb to detonate later between cars in the parking lot of the headquarters building. The suspect then began shooting continuously at the lobby windows with a rifle. Officers responded to the scene, a vehicle chase began, and the incident ended outside the city. Fortunately, officers in the lobby took cover and were not injured. Following that incident, the Dallas Police Department conducted a security assessment of the building, and also at seven patrol stations throughout the city. The assessment included testing various construction materials for bullet resistance to various types of weapons. Gensler Architects and Guidepost Solutions, LLC developed the solutions and plans. Paul M. Schuster, Senior Corporal/Facilities Management, was responsible for managing the implementation of the security upgrades. Present outright attack The police officers and staff only want a place that is safe and where they can do their good work" “The police tend to be a symbol of government and some citizens see that as a visible target to lash out at,” says Schuster. Police officers are trained to expect the routine types of calls, such as domestic violence, traffic accidents, and other crimes. “Yet they must be flexible to anticipate the non-routine that can be dangerous and change in a heartbeat. Yesterday we were concerned about handguns, today we are worried about rifles, and the idea of terrorism is always present with outright attacks or bombs. The police officers and staff only want a place that is safe and where they can do their good work.” Public records service Layer 1 – Upgrading the Building’s Lobby Security with Detection and Prevention - In 2016, funding of $1.3 million was approved to upgrade the lobbies of the seven patrol stations to withstand rifle rounds, and $1.9 million to improve headquarters lobby security, and to upgrade an aging security system. In 2016, funding of $1.3 million was approved to upgrade the lobbies of the seven patrol stations Turner Construction Company and Convergint Technologies, LLC conducted the renovations and security technology integration. The headquarters’ lobby was initially built as a two-story glass-walled structure, with an information desk and public records service windows. Visitors could freely enter the lobby and were only screened in an open area to the side if going to the upper floors. Upgrading lobby security “The challenge in upgrading lobby security was the two-story lobby entrance glass. The glass was not bullet rated, due to budget constraints. Changing the front of the building to support ballistic rifle-rated glass would have caused extensive time, exposed the inside of the lobby to weather, and would not have solved all of the security issues. In addition, there were concerns about keeping an ‘open’ and friendly service concept in mind and ensuring that the lobby would not resemble a ‘fortress’,” Schuster said. The solution was to retain the original, two-story glass exterior but add a layer of security inside once a person enters the lobby – a new separate security screening room. A new interior wall with bullet-rated glass and solid bullet-resistant wall materials was constructed inside the lobby to channel visitors to the room. Security revolving door The door will reject both users and they must request permission from the guard Now, all visitors must pass through a metal detector and have their belongings x-rayed prior to entering the original lobby. The room itself also has bullet resistant walls to enable containment of any violent disruption or shooting inside.   Once a visitor has been cleared, they exit the screening room into the main lobby via a Boon Edam Tourlock 180 security revolving door which is set to allow only one-way traffic into the lobby. The Tourlock is the most advanced security revolving door in the Boon Edam product range for its ability to prevent tailgating by unauthorised users. If more than one person tries to enter a compartment, the door will reject both users and they must request permission from the guard to pass through again, one at a time. Overhead police helicopter At the end of their visit, visitors will exit the building via the lobby through a separate Boon Edam Tourlock 180 that leads into the front vestibule where they first entered the building. The Tourlock is set to allow public visitors to exit only and will reject attempts at re-entry. The first layer of security was completed inside the Headquarters building However, any police officer or staff can present a credential and use the door to enter the lobby with a valid credential. In this manner, the first layer of security was completed inside the Headquarters building, while keeping the best aspects of the lobby design, including the antique police car, and the overhead police helicopter. Western access points Layer 2 – Upgrading the Headquarters’ Perimeter Security with Protection and Deterrence - In 2021, the Headquarters building implemented its next, planned security layer to deter crime and violence in the outer ten acres of the property complex, which consists of the three-acre building site, a two-acre, open parking lot, a five-acre garage and an access street between those. This phase was financed by a $1.2 million bond in 2017. Surrounding the north, south and western access points around the facility is a brand new, Impasse II heavy-duty steel palisade fence by Ameristar in a black powder coat finish. The fence is comprised of individual steel pales secured vertically to a framework of specially formed rails and I-beam posts. The pales bend outward at the top to deter climb-over attempts by intruders. Pedestrian entry option Close by is a Public Transit Light Rail station which some officers use to and from work At the north and south entrances located on an access road behind the Headquarters building, HySecurity and Lift Master motorised gates are positioned to allow only authorised police officers and staff to access the exterior secure areas by car. Adjacent to each of these vehicle gates are Boon Edam Turnlock 100 full height turnstiles to allow pedestrian police officers to enter the parking area and walk into the headquarters building. Close by is a Public Transit Light Rail station which some officers use to and from work; and some officers choose to park their personal vehicles outside the secure area; therefore, the Turnlock 100’s provide a discrete, pedestrian entry option that safeguards users who otherwise might walk through the vehicle gates and risk injury or allow unauthorised vehicles to enter. Outdoor weather conditions The Turnlock 100 turnstiles were selected for their ability to stop tailgating and also for their rugged construction that can withstand outdoor weather conditions. Their full height structure deters climb over attempts and a black powder coat finish was selected to match the adjacent fencing perfectly. The Turnlock 100 turnstiles were selected for their ability to stop tailgating On the west side of the property, adjacent to the quartermaster’s building, is a public parking lot for visitors. Another Impasse II fence separates this parking lot from a staff-only, side entrance into the Jack Evans headquarters building. The fence forces all public visitors to walk on the sidewalk to the front of the building to enter via the main entrance and screening room. Police fleet parking However, any police officers that are walking across the lot from the quartermaster’s building can use their badge to access the staff-only, side entrance to the Headquarters building by entering through a third, Boon Edam Turnlock 100 turnstile. The exterior fencing around police fleet parking and the Headquarters building improves the safety of officers, staff and the building itself by keeping potential threats out at a distance. Police facilities, and particularly police headquarters, are subject to incidents ranging from ‘random’ violence on individual officers to large protests related to local or national incidents. “While usually peaceful, we have noticed that as the groups disband or move to other protest sites, groups of individuals will test site security by pulling on exterior entrances to see if they can gain access and potentially be disruptive to operations,” stated Schuster. Police facility design Separation of the public from the movement of prisoners is at the core of good police facility design “A concern is if one person can open the entry, others will follow and outnumber responding officers. The one-at-a-time access granted by the Turnlock 100 turnstile allows police to better control and separate individuals that might be disruptive or who might follow officers accessing the secure area.” Police facilities are usually designed to provide enclosed areas to move arrested persons from vehicles to holding or processing-controlled environments. If these staging areas are overflowing, officers may park their vehicles in the fleet area and walk the prisoner into the building. Separation of the public from the movement of prisoners is at the core of good police facility design. Open parking lots “There have also been incidents nationally, where officers are beginning their shift and walk to their patrol vehicles to secure their work gear and are attacked by pedestrians walking through open parking lots. If you think of patrol vehicles as ‘mobile offices’, it is easy to see that officers can become distracted as they begin their shifts and not always aware of their surroundings until they leave the property. Securing these fleet areas should be the practice everywhere,” says Schuster. These areas are often directly adjacent to the building and are therefore a concern because of threats Every facility must also contend with deliveries, and medium to large facilities usually have loading docks and trash recycling. These areas are often directly adjacent to the building and are therefore a concern because of threats such as vehicle bombs or incendiary items in trash dumpsters; for the police headquarters it made sense to secure these areas from public access. Physical security plan “Securing the private access road to the Jack Evans Police Headquarters has always been a desire, and now the addition of the steel fencing, the vehicle gates and Boon Edam turnstiles has created a barrier of safety that protects all of our people and assets to the very edges of our property,” states Schuster. “This new deterrence layer makes our officers and staff feel safer and it protects our fleet of vehicles and the back sides of the building from random attacks, bombings or shootings. We are very glad to have this second phase of our long-term physical security plan completed.”

Alcatraz AI has announced that they are bringing the Alcatraz AI Rock facial authentication solution to BrainBox AI’s offices. BrainBox AI is at the forefront of building automation and a renowned company in the green building revolution. Identity and facemask verification solution As BrainBox AI’s office recently re-opened with limited capacity, the company is taking proactive steps, through Alcatraz AI’s robust identity and facemask verification solution, in order to keep employees safe. As one survey showed, two-thirds of employees have safety concerns, regarding the return of on-site operations. Considering these statistics, health and safety must be top priorities for businesses, as they re-open. BrainBox AI is keeping its employees’ safety at the top-of-mind, by installing Alcatraz AI’s Rock solution, before they return, to ensure greater safety and security. Alcatraz AI’s Rock facial authentication solution Alcatraz AI’s Rock facial authentication solution combines advanced AI and 3D sensing technologies Alcatraz AI’s Rock facial authentication solution combines advanced AI and 3D sensing technologies, to provide facilities with enterprise-grade identity verification, which is needed to create secure spaces. Rock’s state-of-the-art security features include touchless access, multi-factor authentication, video at the door and intelligent tailgating detection. Alcatraz AI’s access control solution, the Rock, effectively detects tailgating and sends ‘real-time alerts’, if an unauthorised person enters, and sends real-time notifications to ACS/VMS. BrainBox AI, leading the green building revolution “BrainBox AI is leading the green building revolution, and we are looking forward to bringing frictionless, multi-sensor technology and a touchless authentication feature to the office,” said Tina D’ Agostin, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Alcatraz AI, adding “By utilising the Alcatraz AI Rock, we’ve helped BrainBox AI’s offices re-open smoothly and safely.” “BrainBox AI is excited to announce its partnership with Alcatraz AI. Our employees’ safety is always our top priority. We are confident The Rock’s touchless authentication and the frictionless security system will give each BrainBox AI employee peace of mind, when returning to the office,” said Jean-Simon Venne, the Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of BrainBox AI.

ASSA ABLOY’s Code Handle door entry solution is a simple solution for keeping private rooms very private, in order to allow access only to those who require it and authorised personnel. Code Handle door entry solution The PIN code setting of the Code Handle access control solution allows users to keep control of who has access, particularly important when they want to keep items away from children. In primary schools, Code Handle protects each and every room that staff and security don’t want pupils to access. This ensures that only authorised teachers and support staff, who know the code to unlock the door, can access these rooms. All they need to do is enter the code on the Code Handle‘s keypad and the door opens. Works together with existing locking units Code Handle, by ASSA ABLOY, works in combination with the existing locking units Code Handle, by ASSA ABLOY, works in combination with the existing locking units, already installed in facilities. Users can keep the cylinder or lock, and just change the handle to a battery-powered Code Handle. With Code Handle, there is no need to cable the door, connect it to the mains or install an electronic access control system. The Code Handle door entry solution is perfect for staff offices, kitchens, store rooms, staff toilets, or any other school room that is to be kept private and secure. ASSA ABLOY’s Code Handle has various benefits, including: Auto-lock - Staff rooms are used many times, throughout the day, With Code Handle’s auto lock feature, there is no need to remember to lock the door, when exiting. Easy to install and retrofit - All it takes is two screws and two minutes of time, to install Code Handle on almost any interior door. Keyless and convenient - Secure rooms with no keys, no wires and no expensive access control system, with the Code Handle door entry solution.

Security at healthcare premises has never been higher on the agenda. Patients expect safety and privacy. Yet many medical locations must be open and accessible around the clock. The protection of drugs, vaccines, equipment and data makes it critical to know who accesses where, and when. Mechanical lock-and-key security was not designed to meet these challenges. Wireless locking devices provide the easiest upgrade or replacement for any access system based on mechanical or magnetic locks. Smartcards, programmable keys or secure mobile keys stored on a smartphone can replace cumbersome physical keys. Online locking systems When access control extends throughout a hospital, healthcare professionals waste less of their valuable time searching for the right key. A personalised credential is pre-programmed to open every door, lock or store they need to access. A personalised credential is pre-programmed to open every door, lock or store they need to access For building managers and healthcare agencies, wireless devices make it cost-effective to add electronic control to many more areas of a building. With online locking systems, facility managers monitor and manage premises in real-time, viewing the status of doors, medicine cupboards and server racks from one software interface. Physical key management Example #1: Upgrading to intelligent physical keys - Physical key management can hinder patient care, as pharmacy nurses at the UK’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham discovered. An older, mechanical system made it difficult to find who held the right keys for medicine stores. Nurses were wasting valuable time searching. Managers identified a better solution: CLIQ® electromechanical locks. With CLIQ, power to each access control lock is supplied by a standard battery inside every key. No wires are required, so this is an easy retrofit solution for doors, cabinets and drug trolleys. Each employee carries one programmable key to open all authorised locks. “The message from nursing staff is that patients are getting medicines much easier and in a more timely fashion,” says Inderjit Singh, Chief Pharmacist at QE Birmingham. “For us, the key return on investment is the quality of service we’re providing.” Swapping mechanical lock The hospital added secure doors without excessive installation or operating costs Example #2: Integrating hardware to extend access control - Swapping a mechanical lock for a battery-powered device can link another door to an existing access control system. It instantly upgrades security for sensitive offices and drug stores. At the Haute Savoie region’s new hospital, managers selected Aperio locking integrated online with an ARD security system. Because Aperio locks are wireless and integrate easily with any access system, the hospital added secure doors without excessive installation or operating costs. Staff no longer waste time hunting down keys. “Having just a single badge — and not having to carry around heavy keys — has been a major advantage,” says Béatrice Dequidt, Health Executive at CHMS. “We have implemented internal HR management procedures, creating badges that are automatically integrated into ARD's operating software,” adds Alain Gestin, CHMS’s IT Systems Architect. Access control system Example #3: Mobile keys to reducing shared touchpoints - Multiple key systems; varied openings including fire doors, glass doors, offices, pharmacies, car parks and lifts; hundreds of workers and contractors whose access permissions constantly change. Faced with these challenges, Hospital MAZ, in Zaragoza, upgraded their mechanical locking to a new SMARTair Wireless Online electronic access control system. Because SMARTair Wireless Online updates in real-time via communications hubs, security managers handle everything from the central system. Staff and contractors carry a single smartcard ID, programmed with individual permissions Staff and contractors carry a single smartcard ID, programmed with individual permissions. At any time, hospital managers can upgrade to SMARTair Openow mobile access without changing lock hardware. This option offers contactless entry for employees, who keep mobile keys updated on their own smartphones. "We have achieved all our objectives with the installation of the system,” says Miguel Angel Hernández Jerez at Hospital MAZ. Electronic PIN lock Example #4: Door security without software - In any busy medical facility, it is easy to leave a door unlocked. With expensive equipment or controlled drugs on the other side, any opening invites opportunists. Installing a Code Handle® electronic PIN lock takes the worry away — without the need for any complex installation or software activation. In Spain’s Basque Country, Fylab chose this simple solution for three consulting-room doors. “I am no artist or handyman, but I managed to fit the handles within 10 minutes,” says Fylab founder, Borja Saldias Retegui. Their Code Handle devices secure both wooden and glass doors, keeping equipment and personal belongings safe.

A host of industry-pioneering fire protection solutions from UK manufacturer, Advanced, have been installed to protect approximately 140,000 sq ft of Grade A office space at Westferry House, Canary Wharf. As a cornerstone office building situated at the western gateway to Europe’s largest and most successful business district, Westferry House consists of 11 storeys, complete with its retail promenade on the ground floor. At the core of the active fire protection for the building are six Advanced MxPro 5 fire alarm control panels installed alongside Apollo Soteria multi-sensors. Installing custom-made fire panel Responsible for all aspects of the installation, as well as the future maintenance of the system, are Advanced partners, Pacific Security Systems Ltd. The Kent-based fire and security specialists installed the MxPro 5 fire panels alongside Advanced’s remote-control terminal and repeater panel, TouchControl, to provide a discreet and aesthetically pleasing means of viewing the fire system in the building’s recently refurbished reception area. Advanced’s team was commissioned by Pacific Security Systems to design and manufacture a custom-built annunciator panel Advanced’s AdSpecials team was also commissioned by Pacific Security Systems to design and manufacture a custom-built annunciator panel to control the pressurisation and extraction fans and dampers on all floors of the building. The annunciator also integrates with the building’s VA/PA system to provide manual control of messages on all floors. Reliable and user-friendly solutions Kirk Short, Director at Pacific Security Systems, said, “As long-time installers of Advanced with many successful projects, large and small, under our belts, we know its solutions are both reliable and user friendly. The bespoke equipment we required for the fire system upgrade at Westferry House is of an excellent standard, and we found the AdSpecials team very easy to work with throughout the entire design process.” Advanced’s AdSpecials team works with customers requiring bespoke fire panels to design and manufacture unique fire system solutions, whatever the installation challenge. Versatile TouchControl solution Amanda Hope, UK Fire Business Development Manager at Advanced, said, “Canary Wharf attracts some of the World’s most respected and successful companies, and it was fantastic to learn that our solutions have been installed in such a prestigious commercial office space.” “Westferry House is just a stone’s throw from the Landmark Pinnacle – the UK’s tallest residential building – another iconic site protected by Advanced’s MxPro 5 panels. Westferry House is also a fantastic example of where our TouchControl solution comes into its own, providing additional monitoring and control in a sleek and versatile format that complements the building’s stylish reception space.” Touchscreen repeater TouchControl is a high-resolution touchscreen repeater that makes it easy to check fire system status via interactive maps TouchControl is the low-profile, high-resolution touchscreen repeater that makes it easy to check fire system status via interactive maps and zone plans while harmonising with a wide range of interiors. When in standby, it can be used to display branding, advertisements, and information, but will instantly revert to fire operation when a fire condition occurs. Advanced, owned by FTSE 100 Company Halma PLC, protects a wide range of prestigious and high-profile sites across the globe – from London’s Shard to Abu Dhabi International Airport and the Hong Kong – Zhuhai – Macau Bridge Fire protection solutions   Advanced is a world pioneer in the development and manufacture of fire protection solutions. Advanced’s reputation for performance, quality, and ease of use see its products specified in locations around the world, from single-panel installations to large, multi-site networks. Advanced’s products include complete fire detection systems, multi-protocol fire panels, extinguishing control, fire paging, false alarm management, and reduction systems as well as emergency lighting. Halma is a global group of life-saving technology companies with a clear purpose to grow a safer, cleaner, healthier future for everyone, every day.

IOTICS is creating a digital twin of Portsmouth International Port as part of an ambitious 1.5m project to demonstrate an achievable modular green hydrogen generation system within the Port. The Shipping, Hydrogen & Port Ecosystems UK (SHAPE UK) project is part of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition, funded by the Department for Transport and delivered in partnership with Innovate UK. Carbon neutral port Portsmouth International Port is the UK's largest and most successful municipal port, operated by Portsmouth City Council, and is one of the sites of the new Solent Freeport. It is committed to becoming the first carbon-neutral UK port by 2030 and the first zero-emission port by 2050.  “As a port operating in the heart of a major city, and that is owned by the people of Portsmouth, we must do everything we can to minimise our impact as we continue to grow in the coming years,” said Jerry Clarke, Senior Project Manager at Portsmouth International Port. Virtualising activities  Connected Places Catapult and Portsmouth University will leverage data to enhance and optimise operations IOTICS and its partners will create a digital twin of the port, interoperating with existing and emerging data from the port infrastructure and its activities as well as gathering data from the working hydrogen electrolyser. The IOTICS-enabled semantically defined digital twins, interoperating with data sources uncovered by KnowNow and deployed by Barter4Things will be an amalgamation to virtualise both dockside and offshore activities.  Connected Places Catapult and Portsmouth University will leverage data from the digital twins within the port ecosystem to enhance and optimise operations with decision-support tools. Digital twin approach The digital twin approach will create a scalable model that is translatable for other ecosystems, use cases, and locations, offering a flexible foundation for further development.  Sophie Peachey, Head of Customer Success at IOTICS said, “This project gives us many options to showcase the value of a digital twin approach by reusing data across different use cases." We will be looking at the business benefits for deploying renewable and clean fuels" "We will be looking at the business benefits for deploying renewable and clean fuels as well as the logistics of refuelling onshore equipment and sea-going vessels in a busy port. We’ll also be setting up the foundations of ways to look at environmental impacts of switching to clean fuel sources." Reducing carbon emissions Dr. David Hutchinson, a Reader in Environmental Innovation and Innovation and Impact Development Manager for the Faculty of Technology at the University of Portsmouth, said, “The Government has a very ambitious environmental target within the maritime sector." "SHAPE UK represents a milestone in the move to innovative low-cost green hydrogen generation and storage systems that bring significant reduction in carbon emissions and air pollution in and around Portsmouth and other UK ports.” He added, “The port is keen to act as a living lab so there will be a great student experience element, which will be particularly relevant for students in our Faculty of Technology, such as those on the renewable energy degree.”

According to a recent survey, 70% of the total waste in offices is made up of paper and as much as 30% of print jobs are never even picked up from the printer. Even worse, 45% of printed paper ends up in the trash by the end of the day. When the user considers that the total amount spent annually by U.S. companies on printed documents is $120 million, it’s clear that there is a lot of pointless printing in modern offices. Managed print solution Meanwhile, in the same company’s main office, marketing, sales and support staff had multiple printers running all day to publish reports, marketing materials, and more, and stacks of unread documents ended up being piled in bins next to the machines. These are two very different offices within the same company with very different needs: one office barely needed a printer while the other was in desperate need of a managed print solution. Imagine tones of print task fulfil a printer and employees take other’s print work unnoticeably Anviz now integrates the face recognition (FaceDeep 3) and fingerprint (P7) access solution with Canon printer. By enable face recognition or fingerprint access, they eliminate waste and secure the print, scan, copy, and personal information. Imagine tones of print task fulfil a printer and employees take other’s print work unnoticeably, and there is always some print work last in the printer that no one collects them. Face recognition terminal With their solution add-on to the printer, only authorised employees can use the printer, and print work only starts when someone is in front of the printer to eliminate print jobs that no one picks up. FaceDeep 3 series are the new AI-based face recognition terminal equipped with a dual-core-based Linux-based CPU and the latest BioNANO® deep learning algorithm. It supports up to 10,000 dynamic face databases and rapidly recognise users within 2M(6.5 ft) in less than 0.3 seconds and customises alerts and a variety of reporting for no-mask wearing.

Ipsotek, an Atos company and a pioneer in Artificial Intelligence-powered video analytics, has announced the fulfillment of its contract with Sydney Trains, the operator of rail services across the metropolitan Sydney area, to increase security capabilities at 13 railway stations. Following a competitive tendering process, Ipsotek was selected by Sydney Trains, to deliver an AI-based video analytics solution. This has seen the train operator, Sydney Trains, integrate a range of Ipsotek’s AI-powered video analytics solutions with its security cameras, to identify incidences of tunnel and track intrusion at its 13 stations, located across the metropolitan Sydney area. AI-based video analytics solution Ipsotek’s AI solutions are at the core of Atos Computer Vision Platform, a unique end-to-end computer vision platform that offers pre-trained & customisable AI models, powered by the BullSequana server range, enabled by NVIDIA GPUs and enriched by worldwide expert labs. Mark Edmonds, the Manager of Security Capability for Transport at Sydney Trains, commented “Sydney Trains chose Ipsotek, after an extensive comparison of a number of products. Ipsotek’s proven track record in the AI Video Analytics space, its partnership with Genetec and its work with Innovate UK’s Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) for railway-focused AI applications, made it a well-deserved choice.” Enhancing security at Sydney Trains’ stations The project with Sydney Trains is the second transportation project in the region for Ipsotek Chris Bishop, Sales Director APAC & Marketing Director at Ipsotek, said “As a British SME, competing against some of the industry’s big-named companies, we are delighted to have been chosen by Sydney Trains, to deliver this project. It represents a welcome validation of our expertise within the transportation and more specifically, the rail sector and we are proud to have supported Sydney Trains with its commitment, to delivering enhanced security practices across its network.” The project with Sydney Trains is the second transportation project in the region for Ipsotek, which is working with accelerated computing solutions firm, NVIDIA on implementation. Ipsotek, member of NVIDIA Metropolis partner group Ipsotek is a member of the NVIDIA Metropolis partner programme, which brings together a computing platform and extensive ecosystem of specialists, to help create smarter spaces and solve some of the world’s most pressing problems, which involve operational efficiency and public safety. Sudarshan Ramachandran, the Country Manager, Enterprise, ANZ at NVIDIA, commented “As an NVIDIA Metropolis partner, Ipsotek delivers incredibly valuable capabilities, solving deeply challenging video-analytics problems using AI and the NVIDIA GPU accelerated computing stack.” AI video analytics for public transport Ipsotek’s project with Sydney Trains follows the company’s previous success in delivering an initial programme of work via the Innovate UK SBRI initiative, for the development of AI video analytics, to enhance the rail experience for passengers and staff in the UK.

Starr Corporation, located in American Falls, Idaho, United States, needed a way to track people’s time for time cards for a project that was to last a year long. It contacted Anviz for assistance. The customer, a food manufacturer, saw what they were doing for the construction site and wanted to have all subcontractors use the system, as to date there are 10,000 users and 200 some companies using the system. The challenge: For about a year-long length of the project, who comes to the construction site and who leaves. At any moment pull up a report of who is on-site ordered by the company. There are 200+ contractors and subcontractors on this project. The solution: It organised it so that company was the project name; departments were the various companies working on that project. Key benefits: Accuracy of capturing people and ability of reporting. Comments “The monthly attendance hours that CrossChex Cloud report to me took me 20 minutes to prepare to the bill while it typically takes me 2 hours without it,” said Brad Shroeder Pocatello, Idaho Manager.

Truline Industries is a specialty machining business located in Chesterland, Ohio, United States. Founded in 1939 Truline is built upon integrity both in work and in life. An AS 9100 / ISO 9001 certified facility, Truline makes use of the latest technology to fabricate fuel pump bearings for the aircraft industry as well as other high-tolerance precision machine parts.  Challenge Truline Industries has been using Gallagher physical access control systems for their office building. However, the traditional access control is no longer satisfying; the client looked for an outdoor touchless face recognition access control solution with mask-wearing detection. Touchless recognition system  Users who have been using RFID cards will still be able to keep using them on FaceDeep 5 RFID module Anviz reliable and stable touchless face recognition FaceDeep 5 (temperature detection optional) offers the client a good outdoor solution to get access to their office building without touching the reader, and wearing a mask. In addition, users who have been using RFID cards will still be able to keep using them on FaceDeep 5 RFID module, due to Protech Security with the Gallagher Controller integration. 10pcs FaceDeep 5 was installed in their office building outdoor and indoor, all devices are controlled centrally by software, very convenient to check access records, manage users, etc. Project partner Protech Security, with more than 30 years of service in Northeast Ohio and a strong commitment to providing quality, cost-effective protection for homes, businesses, educational institutions, and government facilities.  Customer comments Anviz FaceDeep 5 is a very nicely designed and sturdy device, the recognition is very fast and precise even under outdoor strong sunlight, Truline Industries is very happy about this upgrading, which definitely brings the employees a safer and touchless access experience. Therefore, Protech Security provides excellent services and support; "we will surely recommend Anviz and Protech Security to our business partners." 

The past year has elevated consumer awareness about personal safety, from COVID-19 issues to social unrest, making safety top-of-mind and the need for personal safety solutions, even more prevalent. In addition, consumers spent more time at home, as schools closed, events were canceled and remote work increased. This prompted two major shifts that, in my opinion, most significantly opened the need for and raised the popularity of mobile safety solutions. Demand for grocery and food delivery apps surged Rise in use of app-based delivery services During the past 18 months, the use of app-based delivery services has skyrocketed During the past 18 months, the use of app-based delivery services has skyrocketed. With more use comes more interactions among strangers in homes and businesses, and while the majority of these moments are completely safe and convenient, incidents are happening, ranging from uncomfortable situations to physical assaults.   And, with more delivery drivers on the road, there are going to be more accidents among gig-economy workers. Based on recent estimates, food and grocery delivery are expected to remain popular, even as we get back to normal life. High popularity of mobile security apps and wearables With more work shifting from stationary locations to working on-the-go, mobile security apps or wearables can be a lifeline in all sorts of situations. It’s important for these mobile safety products to be comprehensive, dynamic and designed to address the full range of people’s safety and security needs, from providing simple human reassurance to dispatching emergency help. Domestic violence cases increased According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, due to COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, domestic violence rose as a result of many victims being stuck at home with their abusers, while sheltering in place and working from home. Mobile safety apps, such as ADT’s SoSecure U.S. Attorneys General and other state-elected officials have endorsed mobile safety apps, like SoSecure by ADT These situations necessitate the need for discreet ways for victims to call for help. U.S. Attorneys General and other state-elected officials have endorsed mobile safety apps, like SoSecure by ADT, as a tool to help victims of domestic abuse, safely call for help, without alerting their abuser. Over the past year, the mobile safety app market has seen tremendous innovation, including more user-friendly ways to make SOS calls. Today, within a single app, a person can summon help hands-free, by saying a secret phrase, by text or by swiping a button. Extension of mobile safety into wearable devices And, users can connect with people trained to help in unsettling situations over video, which can be an effective deterrent and provide video evidence. We’ve also seen the extension of mobile safety into wearable devices, in order to make these devices more discreet and usable. There will always be some safety risks in our lives. However, the good news is there’s no need to live in a constant state of fear. The easiest, most direct way to be prepared and ready to ‘fight back’ is by having a personal safety tool in your pocket, a mobile safety app that is there, when you need it most.

Patient falls in nursing homes are a serious problem. In the United States, for example, around 1,800 elderly people, living in nursing facilities, die each year from injuries related to falls, according to the Nursing Home Abuse Center. Those patients who survive their injuries often have a reduced quality of life and suffer some form of permanent disability. Rise in nursing home patient falls Figures show that between 50% and 75% of nursing home residents suffer falls each year, twice the chances of falling when compared to seniors who live in a regular residential community. It has been a prevalent challenge to detect falls quickly and effectively, especially when these occur in residents’ bedrooms. In the United Kingdom, the Care Quality Commission has recognised that the use of CCTV may be one of the best ways to ensure safety and quality of care. However, using video surveillance also brings into question other security issues, such as privacy and data protection. Dahua’s WizMind technologies WizMind embraces human-based AI (Artificial Intelligence), for a whole host of applications across verticals This is where Dahua Technology’s WizMind technologies come into play. WizMind embraces human-based AI (Artificial Intelligence), for a whole host of applications across verticals, such as retail, energy, finance, transportation and of course, health and social care. Specific to the health and social care sector are deep-learning algorithms, to protect the privacy of the face and body in real-time, and stereo analysis, which combines dual-lens cameras with three-dimensional scene analysis, in order to detect sudden physical movement, such as falls. Stereo video analysis The growth of AI applications has enabled the greater availability of 3D scene analysis solutions, thereby enabling objects and people to be analysed in three dimensions. Dahua Technology’s stereo analysis uses two lenses, in order to capture separate images of the same scene. It then computes the ‘optical parallax’ of spatial points in the two images, providing 3D information of the scene. The stereo vision mimics the depth of view that comes from humans having two eyes, known as binocular vision. Combined with deep-learning algorithm Combined with a deep-learning algorithm, stereo analysis can recognise event patterns, such as falls and other movement-based behaviours, such as people approaching, the detection of an abnormal number of people in an area, and violent behaviour. In nursing and care homes, stereo analysis cameras can help staff monitor residents, in case of emergency and respond to residents’ problems, such as tripping and falls. The cameras can view all three dimensions of subjects and together with its deep-learning algorithm, can immediately alert staff to any unusual or sudden movement, such as would be evident in a fall. Cameras in communal areas and bedrooms With cameras situated both in communal areas and in bedrooms, the staff is able to respond quickly to incidents With cameras situated both in communal areas and in bedrooms, the staff is able to respond quickly to incidents, which may otherwise stay undiscovered for hours. An example of such a scenario is a nursing home in Singapore, which has a capacity of around 400 beds and is divided into 14 separate living environments, with each designed to be a home-like living area. Dahua cameras with intelligent fall detection technology Dahua cameras, such as IPC-HDW8341X-BV-3D with intelligent fall detection technology were installed, including the provision of 167 stereo analysis cameras inside each bedroom. These trigger an alarm, in the case of incidents, such as a fall, allowing immediate response by staff. Not only does this enhance the well-being and safety of residents, but it also can reduce the nursing home’s labour costs. In addition, Stereo Analysis can also be applied in other application scenarios. An underground unmanned bicycle parking garage in Amsterdam, for instance, has installed Dahua Technology’s behaviour analysis cameras, to detect abnormal events and prevent accidents, such as people tripping and falling, or suspicious individuals wandering around the area. Privacy Protection 2.0 technology While monitoring their situation inside the nursing home, Dahua also adopts Privacy Protection 2.0 technology that features masking of human face and body, to protect the residents’ privacy. It involves the restriction of what can be seen in video images and applies equally to live, and recorded images. Digital masking takes place on the front-end device (e.g. network camera). Dahua’s Privacy Protection 2.0 provides real-time occlusion of the body and face and enables users to access recorded videos, without having to overlay faces with mosaic masks. It also offers additional occlusion options, such as irregular polygons, mosaics and coloured blocks, and allows code exporting based on specified targets, ensuring the privacy of subjects. Privacy and security in evidence collection Stereo video analysis and privacy protection come into their own in nursing homes and healthcare facilities Benefits offered include non-pixelated human targets, allowing for privacy and security in evidence collection. The technology also allows for face and human attributes analysis, without breaching people’s privacy, making it ideal for nursing homes. Stereo video analysis and privacy protection come into their own in nursing homes and healthcare facilities. It allows the close monitoring of residents or patients to help ensure their well-being and safety, while at the same time protecting the privacy of often vulnerable individuals. Dahua TechMonth As part of the Dahua TechMonth, this blog highlights how Dahua’s stereo analysis technology, combined with privacy protection, can provide a valuable tool to help staff respond to incidents quickly and efficiently, including falls, without infringing on people’s data protection rights. In the next blog, Dahua Technology will be discussing the WizMind application of human metadata, enabling users to maximise situational awareness and analysis of events.