Access Controllers

An essential component of modern network protection, firewall technology is increasingly relied upon as organisations secure distributed networks and rapidly expanding remote and mobile workforces. To ensure cyber security administration is easier and more accessible, SonicWall announces new zero touch enabled, multi-gigabit SonicWall TZ firewalls with SD-Branch capabilities, along with a redesigned cloud-native management console that helps streamline operations through fresh and modern user interfaces. "The new business norm is forcing organisations to rethink security for remote users and distributed networks," said SonicWall Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Atul Dhablania. Multi-gig malware inspection “SonicWall’s new SD-Branch ready next-generation firewalls, along with re-engineered SonicOS, provide multi-gig malware inspection for increased security needs and advanced protection against threats hiding in the encrypted TLS 1.3 traffic." A cornerstone to its Boundless Cybersecurity platform, the new SonicWall TZ570 and TZ670 next-generation firewalls are the first desktop firewall form factor to offer multi-gigabit (5/10G) interfaces for connectivity with SonicWall Switches or other networking devices in SD-Branch deployments. Cloud-native management With the re-imagined OS, the speed of the interface feels like working on a powerful computer" Included on the new TZ firewall series, SonicOS 7.0 offers administrators a new security experience with modern user interfaces, intelligent device views, advanced security control, plus critical networking and management capabilities. Using SD-Branch-ready capabilities, connectivity and security to branch or distributed locations can be deployed within minutes, delivering unified visibility and threat detection from a single pane of glass. The new appliances can be managed via the new cloud-native Network Security Manager (NSM) 2.0, giving organisation a single, easy-to-use cloud interface for streamlined management, analytics and reporting with innovative new user interface and user experience. 3X threat protection “SonicWall is not just a product, it's a community,” said Leaf Cloud Service Engineer Justin Archer. “It's a range of security products that work and work well, with an extremely strong team behind them who are willing to help if you get stuck. With the re-imagined OS, the speed of the interface feels like working on a powerful computer. It’s smooth and sleek and allows for a more granular dissection of what the firewall is doing. Paired with the new NSM, where the interfaces are practically identical, it is a GUI match made in heaven.” The new TZ series appliances complement the growing presence of affordable gigabit internet speeds and help organisations stop the most advanced cyberattacks without impacting network performance. Easier to deploy New TZ firewalls are easier to deploy and manage with the new SonicWall SonicExpress mobile app “The new TZ670 is the first desktop form factor firewall with multi-gig interfaces, is 5G ready and able to manage connected switches and access points,” said SonicWall Vice President of Products, Jayant Thakre. “With improved user experience and faster security inspections, the new TZ firewall series delivers SD-WAN, advanced security, and complete visibility for WAN edge deployments.” The new TZ570 and TZ670 firewalls can reach threat prevention speeds up to 2.5 Gbps, even with all security services on. Connect and secure up to 1.5 million devices or users - a 900% increase in maximum connection per appliance. For SSL/TLS connections, the TZ570 and TZ670 firewalls can secure up to 30,000 concurrent connections with DPI enabled. Already enabled for zero-touch capabilities, new TZ firewalls are easier to deploy and manage with the new SonicWall SonicExpress mobile app. This allows administrators to easily onboard TZ firewalls within minutes via an easy 1-2-3 process: simply register, connect and manage. The new TZ series also supports high-speed threat protection across traffic encrypted with the TLS 1.3 standard.

Alcatraz, developer of secure frictionless access control platforms, has named Debraj Sinha as Product Marketing Manager - an important role as the physical security technology startup brings its innovative Rock facial authentication product to market. Based in Silicon Valley, Sinha oversees all marketing efforts related to Alcatraz and its core hardware and software solutions including product launch and go-to-market strategy. His current focus at Alcatraz is to execute marketing campaigns, develop customer messaging, build demand generation, and support sales. Product marketing “Debraj is one of those rare finds of top technical skill coupled with impressive business acumen, and we are fortunate to have him leading our product marketing efforts during this very crucial period for Alcatraz,” said Alcatraz Chief Revenue Officer Tina D’Agostin. Before joining Alcatraz, Sinha was a product marketing manager at Qualcomm, where he worked on the go-to-market strategy for 5G Modem-RF products and built marketing content for the 5G team. He also spent several years as a software engineer at Cisco, Oracle, and Delphix. Artificial intelligence and machine learning “What attracted me to Alcatraz is their impressive work in artificial intelligence and machine learning, and the technology aspect, but also how they have managed to enhance access control with modern technology solutions like facial authentication,” said Sinha. “It seems logical that facial authentication be an integral part of an access control solution, but no one has been able to deliver a robust solution that works with any access control system until Alcatraz.” Sinha earned an MBA from UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, a master’s in computer science from Cornell University, and a bachelor’s in telecommunication engineering from the R.V. College of Engineering in India. He lives in the Bay Area with his wife, Carrie, and their corgi, Daisy.

Check Point Research has published its latest Global Threat Index for July 2020. Researchers found that after a five-month absence, Emotet has surged back to 1st place in the Index, impacting 5% of organisations globally. Since February 2020, Emotet’s activities – primarily sending waves of malspam campaigns – started to slow down and eventually stopped, until re-emerging in July. This pattern was observed in 2019 when the Emotet botnet ceased activity during the summer months but resumed in September. In July, Emotet was spreading malspam campaigns, infecting its victims with TrickBot and Qbot, which are used to steal banking credentials and spread inside networks. Some of the malspam campaigns contained malicious doc file with names like “form.doc” or “invoice.doc”. According to researchers, the malicious document launches a PowerShell to pull the Emotet binary from remote websites and infect machines, adding them to the botnet. The resumption of Emotet’s activities highlights the scale and power of the botnet globally. Emotet botnet active again Emotet is the most popular malware with a global impact of 5% of organisations, closely followed by Dridex and Agent Tesla “It’s interesting that Emotet was dormant for several months earlier this year, repeating a pattern we first observed in 2019. We can assume that the developers behind the botnet were updating its features and capabilities. But as it is active again, organisations should educate employees about how to identify the types of malspam that carry these threats and warn about the risks of opening email attachments or clicking on links from external sources. Businesses should also look at deploying anti-malware solutions that can prevent such content reaching end-users,” said Maya Horowitz, Director, Threat Intelligence & Research, Products at Check Point. The research team also warns that “MVPower DVR Remote Code Execution” is the most common exploited vulnerability, impacting 44% of organisations globally, followed by “OpenSSL TLS DTLS Heartbeat Information Disclosure” which impacts 42% of organisations worldwide. “Command Injection Over HTTP Payload” is in third place, with a global impact of 38%. Emotet and Dridex Emotet was originally a banking Trojan, but recently is used as a distributor of other malware or malicious campaigns Emotet is the most popular malware with a global impact of 5% of organisations, closely followed by Dridex and Agent Tesla affecting 4% of organisations each. Emotet – Emotet is an advanced, self-propagating and modular Trojan. Emotet was originally a banking Trojan, but recently is used as a distributor of other malware or malicious campaigns. It uses multiple methods for maintaining persistence and evasion techniques to avoid detection. In addition, it can be spread through phishing spam emails containing malicious attachments or links. Dridex – Dridex is a Trojan that targets the Windows platform and is reportedly downloaded via a spam email attachment. Dridex contacts a remote server and sends information about the infected system. It can also download and execute arbitrary modules received from the remote server. Agent Tesla Agent Tesla is an advanced RAT functioning as a keylogger and information stealer capable Agent Tesla – Agent Tesla is an advanced RAT functioning as a keylogger and information stealer capable of monitoring and collecting the victim's keyboard input, system clipboard, taking screenshots, and exfiltrating credentials belonging to of a variety of software installed on a victim's machine (including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Microsoft Outlook email client). Top exploited vulnerabilities “MVPower DVR Remote Code Execution” is the most commonly exploited vulnerability, impacting 44% of organisations globally, followed by “OpenSSL TLS DTLS Heartbeat Information Disclosure” which impacts 42% of organisations worldwide. “Command Injection Over HTTP Payload” is in third place, with a global impact of 38%. MVPower DVR Remote Code Execution – A remote code execution vulnerability that exists in MVPower DVR devices. A remote attacker can exploit this weakness to execute arbitrary code in the affected router via a crafted request. OpenSSL TLS DTLS Heartbeat Information Disclosure (CVE-2014-0160; CVE-2014-0346) – An information disclosure vulnerability that exists in OpenSSL. The vulnerability is due to an error when handling TLS/DTLS heartbeat packets. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to disclose memory contents of a connected client or server. Command Injection Over HTTP Payload – A command injection over HTTP payload vulnerability has been reported. A remote attacker can exploit this issue by sending a specially crafted request to the victim. Successful exploitation would allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code on the target machine. Top mobile malware families xHelper is the most popular malware, followed by Necro and PreAMo. xHelper – A malicious application seen in the wild since March 2019, used for downloading other malicious apps and display advertisements. The application can hide itself from the user, and reinstall itself in case it was uninstalled. Necro – Necro is an Android Trojan Dropper. It can download other malware, showing intrusive ads and stealing money by charging paid subscriptions. PreAMo – PreAmo is an Android Malware imitates the user by clicking on banners retrieved from three ad agencies – Presage, Admob, and Mopub. Check Point’s Global Threat Impact Index and its ThreatCloud Map is powered by Check Point’s ThreatCloud intelligence, the collaborative network to fight cybercrime which delivers threat data and attack trends from a global network of threat sensors. The ThreatCloud database inspects over 2.5 billion websites and 500 million files daily, and identifies more than 250 million malware activities every day.

The compact new SALTO Neo Cylinder is a compact smart door lock cylinder equipped with state of the art wireless access control design technology. It is designed to provide smarter building management and can be installed on doors where fitting an electronic escutcheon is not normally possible or required and includes standard doors, server racks, gates, cabinets, electric switches, sliding doors, and more. For nearly a decade, SALTO, in partnership with BioCote® - the antimicrobial technology supplier – has incorporated antimicrobial silver ion technology in its smart electronic lock range and supporting product hardware like the new SALTO Neo electronic cylinder product range. SALTO and BioCote® for a hygienic environment By introducing BioCote® antimicrobial technology to the SALTO Neo cylinder range, SALTO helps to support a cleaner and more hygienic environment. This is of particular importance in healthcare applications and in any public or shared space setting by improving the hygiene of common touch points and helping to prevent cross-contamination of microbes. BioCote® is an antimicrobial agent that contains silver-ions which are engineered to provide continuous, built-in protection on SALTO product surfaces and hardware devices like the XS4 smart door lock range, SALTO Neo electronic cylinders, XS4 locker locks, and SALTO wall readers. It works by binding with microbes and damaging their cells in a number of ways, disrupting their normal functions and preventing them from reproducing.

Kleard, an award-winning real estate tech company that provides self-tour technology (called Kleard Now), has partnered with Kangaroo Home Security to make self-touring real estate safer, more secure, and helps promote COVID social distancing. Property access works via the Kleard app (available on iOS and Android). The partnership between Kleard and Kangaroo will allow agents the ability to purchase a unique home security package created specifically for real estate listings with a starting price of only $64.99. The two package options will include a combination of a doorbell camera, door/motion sensors, and an indoor camera. Smart home technology Installation is simple, fast, and is done via the Kangaroo app. In-app notifications will inform agents when buyers arrive, when doors are opened, closed, when motion inside the home is detected, and will capture images and video to give agents visual updates when motion is detected. This helps make self-tours using Kleard safer and increases peace-of-mind. With Kangaroo's optional complete plan (1 month is included free), professional monitoring and premium features can be included. Kangaroo's smart home technology was designed to be affordable, extremely easy to set up" Dhruv Garg, Co-Founder and President of Kangaroo, says, "Kangaroo's smart home technology was designed to be affordable, extremely easy to set up, and respectful of user data and privacy. In partnering with Kleard, we are able to extend these core principles into action to enable more secure self-tour events and complete visibility of listed properties for agents - peace of mind for all parties involved." Powerful home security Kleard Now can be used by any licensed real estate agent on their listings in the U.S. The technology reduces friction and allows homes to be toured easily by verified buyers. Kleard requires that all self-tour requests be approved by the listing agent and is done via the app. Buyers simply download the app to find self-tour enabled homes. Social distancing is becoming normalised and with innovative Kleard's self-tour technology, buyers and agents can feel better knowing that homes can be toured without the need to meet in person. "We're excited to partner with Kangaroo. We love that their home security devices are easy to set up and affordable. With this new partnership, agents will be able to add powerful home security to all their listings that have Wi-Fi and will make homes that are self-tour enabled more secure," says Jonathan Martis, Kleard CEO and Co-founder. Both Kleard and Kangaroo are National Association of Realtors (NAR) Reach® Companies, created by Second Century Ventures, the strategic investment arm of NAR.

Matrix, a ‘Make in India’ manufacturer of Telecom and Security solutions, is renowned internationally for devising solutions for different-sized businesses. The innovator taps the communication requirements of every industry vertical and tailors products accordingly. GeM - CII NPPC 2020 Being a major player in the government sector, Matrix is participating in GeM - CII National Public Procurement Conclave 2020 (GeM - CII NPPC 2020), organised by the Government e-Marketplace (GeM), in association with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), from 9th August to 9th September 2020. The event is a golden opportunity for sellers to network with procuring authorities of government entities. Matrix is well-known for its indigenous and innovative range of solutions for unified communications, IP video surveillance, access control, and time-attendance. Each of their solutions is specifically designed for large, multi-location enterprises, SME and SMB organisations. Security and Telecom solutions Matrix is slated to showcase Matrix COSEC COGNIFACE INTEGRA200, a touchless time-attendance terminal Matrix continuously works towards keeping abreast of the constantly upgrading technology by designing and manufacturing solutions that are equipped with the latest technology. Matrix will be presenting some of its indigenously engineered Security and Telecom solutions at the event. At GeM - CII National Public Procurement Conclave 2020, Matrix is slated to showcase newly launched Matrix COSEC COGNIFACE INTEGRA200, a touchless time-attendance terminal with face recognition. This solution can also be deployed for visitor management, cafeteria management, contract workers management and job processing and costing. Matrix COSEC COGNIFACE INTEGRA200 Matrix COSEC COGNIFACE INTEGRA200 combines all elements used for face recognition into a single package for ease of transportation, installation, mounting and application at the customer end. Apart from this, we are going to showcase a Network Video Recorder for high-resolution recording and live view of multiple streams. We will also showcase IP cameras that deliver exceptional low-light performance and are specifically built for demanding enterprise and project applications. Matrix caters to various industries with a range of IP security cameras (also known as network cameras) powered by Sony STARVIS sensor with Exmor technology for enhanced video surveillance capability. Attendees will also be able to look into high-performance door controllers, such as COSEC ARGO and COSEC VEGA for multiple applications, such as access control, time-attendance, cafeteria management and job processing & costing that removes the need of dedicated hardware for diverse solutions. IP-based Unified Communication Server Matrix will also be showing IP-based Unified Communication Server as well, which is a combination of hardware, SPARK200 and software PRASAR UCS. With IP-at-core, PRASAR forms the basis of a Voice over IP (VoIP) solution for modern-day business enterprise that adapts to existing infrastructure set-up with ease. It is a unique single box office UC solution for small-medium & large enterprises, with the same hardware for workforce strength, varying from a small unit with 100 users to large enterprise up to 2100 users. It connects internal and external decision-makers at multiple locations for effective communication and real-time collaboration. Other than this, there will be Smart Video IP Deskphone for business professionals to offer enhanced audio and video communication quality. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented an unprecedented challenge to businesses. From retail stores to office buildings to warehouses and construction sites, a big question looms: how can landlords, executives, and employers ensure their facilities don’t contribute to the spread of the virus? A low-tech solution - the face mask - has become a leading preventative measure. But, a high-tech solution is necessary to ensure that everyone is wearing them. Cameras powered by artificial intelligence can now identify whether or not people entering a facility are wearing facemasks and help enforce adherence to mask mandates. This technology is proving to be a cost effective solution that reduces risks of confrontations over masks policies and gives managers the data they need to document regulatory compliance and reduce liability. Layers of security They can also be integrated into access control systems or woven into other preventative measures that create overlapping layers of security. These cameras are an ideal solution for low-traffic, remote sites, or areas that are only accessible to employees that need to monitor mask compliance but at which hiring a manned guard is just too expensive. Cameras with mask detection capabilities are especially useful when the technology piggybacks on existing autonomous devices, such as mobile security drones. The premise is simple. When a person without a mask is detected by the autonomous robotic security device, the system can generate, depending on customer preferences, audible and visible alerts to remind people to mask up. It also feeds alerts to a cloud-based data storage system so that security executives can analyse data for trends or quickly locate video of important incidents. Why masks? One study published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society A highlights the benefits of mask usage. If just 50 percent of people use masks, the rate of COVID-19 transmission will slowly decline. If 80 percent of people use them, the rate will plummet. Bu,t people don’t love wearing them. They’re hot. They make eyeglasses foggy. It’s hard to make yourself heard when talking to others. We’re all familiar with industries that wear masks of some type or other, on a regular basis - health care, construction, and heavy industry to name a few. But for the general public, wearing a mask for long periods of time is not a regular habit. For the general public, wearing a mask for long periods of time is not a regular habit We also know that other measures site managers have used to limit the spread of coronavirus are ineffective. For example, at least three meatpacking plants rank among the top 50 locations for coronavirus clusters. One factor driving that spread: many employees, to avoid missing a day’s pay, masked their mild fevers with ibuprofen to fool the infrared temperature scanners that employers used to protect against the outbreak. The paradox of masks, however, isn’t that they protect the wearer from infection. It’s the other way around: when an infected person wearing a mask sneezes, coughs, or breathes, they don’t spread the virus as far, and thus masks slow the spread of the virus from infected people, including those that are not showing symptoms. Prove it One of the very reasons why county and state governments have instituted mask orders is simple: it’s an easily verifiable sign that an organisation is taking steps to limit the spread of coronavirus. Mask detection cameras, coupled with autonomous security systems, can provide the documentation employers need to ensure mask compliance. Imagine, for example, a warehouse full of manual laborers. The county orders everyone to wear a mask any time they leave home. A disgruntled employee, recently terminated, files an anonymous complaint to local health officials stating that the warehouse isn’t enforcing mask compliance - or worse, preventing employees from wearing masks to prevent theft. The county sends an inspector. Mask detection cameras provide site managers with the documentation they need to disprove these allegations. The autonomous systems developed by RAD will feed video footage into a cloud database, documenting not only the instances of non-compliance, but also the instances of compliance - with the mask clearly highlighted. Any inspector that arrives on a job site can see hours and hours of footage, without having to pour through hours of video. Reducing confrontation We’ve all seen the videos in which angry shoppers confront retail clerks and security guards over mask usage. In some cases, these confrontations have turned violent, resulting in injury or death. For every one of these videos, there may well be hundreds of others. While most of the videos featuring mask confrontations focus on retail settings, manned guards also face challenges in enforcement. Confrontations over mask usage have the potential to drive up workman’s compensation claims higher when guards are injured. Because autonomous security units generate alerts automatically, the chance of confrontation is minimised. It’s easy to imagine a couple of scenarios in which autonomous units can be beneficial. In health care settings, where emotions run high, autonomous devices can serve as a force multiplier for patrolling guards in parking areas. For example, roving units can identify people that are not wearing masks, and remind them to do so before they enter the building. These can also be placed in entryways that generate alerts as visitors approach doors. In many buildings, mask detection systems can be integrated into access control systems Autonomous security units can be deployed for a fraction of the cost of manned security. In healthcare, autonomous units can be used to re-allocate security spending, placing less emphasis on low intensity guards whose primary function is to observe and report - particularly those that patrol parking garages - and more emphasis on trained professionals capable of defusing confrontations inside the hospital. In other words, autonomous units outside allow facilities to hire better quality inside, where confrontations are most likely to take place. In many buildings, mask detection systems can be integrated into access control systems, which might be especially useful at entrances that are not manned by security, but accessible via key card. Changing behaviours There was a time when smoking in public was not seen as particularly anti-social. Almost everyone will stop at a stop sign, even when we can see for miles in every direction, and we know that the risk of an accident is zero. We do these things because we have been trained to. These behaviours make us safer, but we didn’t adopt them overnight. Many of us forget, but the fight over banning smoking in bars and restaurants was filled with confrontation. So, too, will it be with mask compliance. But time is short, and we all need to do everything we can to encourage good behaviour. Mask detection technology can do that, and these solutions are very cost effective. In some cases, the cost may be just 5 percent of using a manned guard. They’re effective too. Autonomous systems enforce mask policies consistently and drive accountability. That can make us all safer.

As organisations look to reopen, management needs to implement new processes and technologies to help keep employees and visitors safe whilst adhering to government mandates and various industry compliance regulations. However, many specifics still remain unclear, creating apprehension for enterprises as they look for new solutions to ensure the health and safety of their personnel and businesses. This poses many challenges from a security and workforce management perspective.   The need for elevated body temperature detection There has been much public discussion on the topic of fever detection, and you’ll hear a range of other terms being used to describe it as temperature detection, elevated body temperature (EBT) detection, temperature screening, and temperature measurement to name a few. All these words have different clinical meanings, not to mention different language nuances as companies try to decipher which solution best fits their needs and requirements. The problem with any or all of these new external detection “solutions” is that none provide a way to determine if an individual has a true clinically-defined fever. A clinical thermometer that measures one’s internal temperature usually requires insertion into the mouth, ear, rectum, or armpit. While no equipment can be 100% accurate, clinical thermometers have a variation of 0.3 to 1⁰F, with the ear being the most accurate location to measure core body temperature. COVID-19 creates a new problem for using clinical thermometers But, COVID-19 creates a new problem for using clinical thermometers: individuals responsible for taking temperatures cannot socially distance themselves while inserting an instrument into someone’s body. That instrument, which has now been in someone’s ear, must then be cleaned after contact. Conventional clinical core body temperature measurement is not only unsanitary to do on an enterprise-scale, it is also very, very slow. These challenges preclude large businesses from using this method for these very clear and pragmatic reasons. Thermal imaging technology Thermal imaging technology, which we refer to as “thermography”, provides a touchless option which serves the purpose of pre-screening without putting anyone at risk. However, thermography cannot detect a fever, which is any temperature reading above a specific point in a person. Being a reading of radiated heat, thermal imaging cannot measure the temperature inside the body. Instead, we can use thermography to screen elevated body temperature (EBT) to infer that someone may have a fever. EBT requires a reference point where we can safely say there is a core body fever based on surface temperature. What is a normal surface temperature? How high is too high? What is the threshold? Thus, thermography devices need to be calibrated against a black body. This is a large metal box where the device, like a thermal gun, is held to read a set temperature. Black bodies are used as the reference point for EBT; set the black body to the threshold temperature (e.g. the CDC’s threshold for a fever), calibrate the gun, and compare the black body’s radiated temperature to the forehead of the person being screened. This process, while quicker than using and cleaning clinical thermometers, still takes time and effort to set up every time the environment changes. Further, a black body is an additional expense businesses must incur to begin pre-screening temperatures. Touchless measuring The reason why we see so many thermal guns in lobbies now is because they are the simplest way to touchlessly measure temperature. The gun is held about an inch (2.54 cm) from the forehead, where there is the highest percentage of thin skin exposed on the body. The temporal artery on the forehead heats up the fastest in response to core body temperature changes, so thin skin is important to an “accurate” reading. In a practical sense, it’s just convenient. Until now, thermography was only occasionally used to screen temperatures in people. It’s more commonly used in cars and microwaves, where variation within an acceptable range matters less than it does in healthcare. Companies that make devices like thermal guns and other readers saw the market’s need and shifted into healthcare because businesses required a solution as quickly as possible so they could get back to being productive. Companies that make devices like thermal guns and other readers saw the market’s need The conversation right now is lingering on ambient temperature, and how the skin heats up in response to external factors. Is it cold outside? Is someone wearing a knit hat? Did they just dry their hair with heat? The reading on thermal guns and cameras can be higher or lower than the core body temperature as skin temperature changes with the environment, and that can prohibit someone who isn’t sick from going to work, or, worse, allow someone who does have a fever to enter the building and infect others. In a situation as dire as the one we’re in with COVID-19, those risks aren’t worth taking. Two cameras are better than one So, we now know that we need a quick, accurate and touchless way to measure elevated body temperature without it being affected by the environment. This is a big ask, but there is a solution. The medial canthus, the inner eye where the tear duct is located, is the only place on the face where thermography can come very close to determining core body temperature without the effects of ambient temperature. The tear duct is near the facial and temporal arteries and is not very susceptible to temperature variation from heat or cold from external sources. The only question is, how do we read a temperature from it? One would need a very high-resolution camera. IXM TITAN, our flagship biometric device, has a high-resolution camera for face recognition. Our research and development resulted in a solution where existing cameras work together with a secondary thermal infrared camera to screen body temperature. Dual-camera technology works like this: a high-resolution face recognition camera reads the face, then, based on an algorithm developed by Invixium, it pinpoints the tear duct and triggers the thermal camera to take a rapid reading of that area with a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels. The technology offers a variety of workflows if it reads a temperature above the threshold set in software. For example, if the technology detects an EBT, the system can deny access and keep the door locked, an alert can be sent out to HR, supervisors, or onsite security, or popup messages can be displayed on screen to provide next steps such as “report to security station” for further screening, which may be a clinical temperature check. Because it is self-contained and automated, there is no need for human intervention, and it can monitor temperature data to whatever extent an enterprise needs it to. This new, enhanced technology doesn’t replace true clinical temperature measurement devices, but does provide a safe, fast and accurate access control and workforce management solution that can help organisations get back to work with confidence in the new post-pandemic world. A safe, fast and accurate access control and workforce management solution Security in the new normal COVID-19 is changing our world in a lasting way. Technology can serve the purpose for right now, but also can be beneficial if it is scalable to incorporate other useful screening measures as an organisation's security needs change. In short, the best technology for your business is any technology that can grow with your company’s needs and the demands of the environment you do business in. Manufacturers of security products must always be conscious of how our solutions can be future-proofed using modern technology that pushes boundaries so we can continue to develop the most intelligent solutions for tomorrow’s world.

When designing a security system for a site, the question of how it should be interconnected is often one of the first you need to answer. Should you choose a system that has its own proprietary bus network, which might require twisted pair cabling, or perhaps one based on an ethernet backbone? Both types of network have their advantages and disadvantages as discussed below. Ethernet connectivity Some security systems are based on a number of modules, and each module is connected to its own ethernet connection. One big advantage of a system like this is that, in many cases, it can be much more convenient, allowing the installer to utilise existing network cabling and other infrastructure, rather than needing to install new cabling. On the other hand, if a security system relies entirely on networking infrastructure controlled by others, typically the IT department, then the stability and reliability of the security system is dependent on that network being available when your system needs it. The stability and reliability of the security system is dependent on that network being available Another potential disadvantage is that certain areas of the premises may not be equipped with a nearby network outlet, and if the network in question is not managed by you, it might be necessary to request the IT department add an outlet for you to use. Proprietary bus connectivity A system with its own proprietary bus network can also have advantages. Perhaps the first and most important difference is that, because the network cabling is installed specifically for the security system, the designer has the luxury of being able to decide exactly where the wiring should be placed and terminated. Another advantage is that the cabling would only be used by the security system, so the installation company can be sure the network will always be available, and there would be very little chance part of it could be accidentally unplugged. Another potential advantage is that some systems are able to run bus cabling of distances well over 1,000 metres, whereas individual ethernet connections are typically limited to 100 metres or less. Another consideration, which applies particularly to intruder and holdup alarm systems, is that communications between elements of the security system should not be prevented by other factors, such as a power failure. Obviously, if a part of such a network is formed by ethernet infrastructure, such as network switches and/or media converters, then that infrastructure needs to be battery backed, and the power supply must be monitored. In some cases, the equipment must be able to withstand a power failure of 24 or even 60 hours. Such long standby times are unusual in IT infrastructure, but are quite common in the case of security systems. The equipment must be able to withstand a power failure of 24 or even 60 hours How this all fits together When selecting a system, it is usually most helpful to have a flexible system that can support a number of different deployment options. This is especially true if the system in question can support a combination of different interconnection types. For example, a single system that can contain a variety of interconnections can then be deployed in a very wide variety of systems where existing infrastructure may be used to aid in the design and deployment: Fibre connections – Many modern sites are pre-cabled with existing fibre connections which can be used to form a dedicated interconnection between system components which can be of the order of kilometres apart. Ethernet connectivity – With the increasing ubiquity of networking within premises, some elements of a security system can be deployed using the existing infrastructure. Repeater - For very large or densely packed systems, a device that can be used as a form of “repeater” can be extremely useful to permit very long interconnect cabling distances. Systems can be formed by utilising a fusion of all of the above connectivity methods Some security systems can be set up to enable multiple discrete access control modules to be deployed, connected to an existing ethernet network, and treated as a single ‘system’ by the management software, while retaining full offline functionality in the event the network becomes unavailable. Further, some systems can be formed by utilising a fusion of all of the above connectivity methods. In practice, of course some applications would suit a deployment that relied solely on ethernet connectivity. Some other applications, especially systems or parts of systems that are part of an intruder and/or holdup alarm system, would better suit a deployment using a dedicated proprietary bus network, and other systems would suit a combination of these communications options. Selecting a system that can be deployed in a variety of ways can be enormously helpful in providing the flexibility projects might demand.

Sooner or later (hopefully sooner), the novel coronavirus global pandemic will allow workplaces to reopen. But as we move into this recovery phase, there are many questions surrounding the transition. How can companies ensure facilities are in acceptable working order to reopen? How do they decide who is coming back and when? How will social distancing impact the operation of a company’s physical access control system? How can companies ensure that both visitors and employees are aware of the policy changes and extra controls? For answers to these and other salient questions, we called on Ian Lowe, Product Marketing Director of HID SAFE Identity and Access Management (IAM) solutions. “There’s no doubt about it: the global pandemic will change the way we live, work, and conduct business for some time,” says Lowe. “Over the past several weeks, we have been working with customers to enable a safe return to the workplace. We have observed that the number of challenges in the mid-to-long-term level and the associated complexity vary by location.” Lowe shares some of the proactive measures and best practices that can assist in a safe return to the workplace as we settle into a “new normal”. Challenge 1: Ensuring building readiness After being unoccupied for weeks or months, building readiness must be addressed completely before welcoming anyone inside. Even though employees may be eager to return, the workplace itself may not be ready. Companies may want to consider continuing remote work while facility operations are prepped. Challenge 2: workforce management There’s no doubt about it: the global pandemic will change the way we live, work, and conduct business for some time While it is dependent on location and industry, taking a phased approach is the best course of action when allowing employees, contractors and visitors back into facilities. First, facilities management will want to survey the property for readiness and then provide an estimate as to when employees may begin reporting back into the office. Next, it’s important to consider that office density needs are interrelated to the facility architecture. It is possible to accommodate a higher capacity of workforce in an airy, open office space than in a constrained one. A good rule of thumb is to start by introducing no more than 30% of employees back into the workplace at first. This could be a rolling group model in which the population total remains controlled and constant, but specific individuals vary from day to day. This option is good for a workforce that needs to be together in person but not necessarily all at the same time due to office density concerns. Welcoming visitors or customers into the office should be delayed as long as possible. If that’s not feasible, visitor numbers should be factored into the total density count. A cloud-based visitor management system can help with implementation. Challenge 3: Controlling access The ability to vet staff, employees, contractors and visitors before and during the return will vary greatly depending on the location. Policies should be implemented that require employees to be screened regularly — and for an extended amount of time. Look to answer the following questions: Where have you visited in the days since last entering the workplace? Have you come into contact with anyone else who has recently visited high-risk areas? Have you shown any symptoms of infection in the past xx number of days? Policies should be implemented that require employees to be screened regularly — and for an extended amount of time If there is cause for concern, refuse the visitor and/or supplement the screening process with additional steps. Temperature checking is mandatory in many organisations⁠— often multiple times a day. This applies to interactions at delivery bays, too. A policy-based physical identity and access management solution integrated with existing physical access controls makes it possible to enforce, monitor and report this type of activity. Challenge 4: Social distancing and contact tracing plan Social distancing may continue within the office, which will impact restrictions and guidelines related to access control. The office layout may be reworked for proper distance between cubicles, workplace positions and employees. Specific entrances, exits and pathways may be designated as one-way-only. Assigning Bluetooth LE beacons to employees once they are inside the workplace will allow companies to monitor proximity to others and measure localised density in real-time⁠ by using location services, contact tracing, and surge response technologies. Challenge 5: Reduced physical touchpoints Contactless technologies can help enforce social distancing and reduce touchpoints on common surfaces Reducing the number of physical touchpoints is desirable throughout a workplace. Contactless technologies can help enforce social distancing and reduce touchpoints on common surfaces such as faucets, doorknobs, coffee pot handles, etc. While introducing additional security checks and screenings, it’s important to not increase touchpoints and further infection risks. There have been more requests for a contactless experience to secure workplace access, including automatic doors and turnstiles, contactless cards and mobile access. Challenge 6: Communicating for confidence Proactive communication is key to provide reassurance that appropriate safety measures have been taken and that both visitors and employees are aware of the policy changes and extra controls. Equally important is to communicate a policy change – and the reasoning behind it – before it happens. While there may not be an exact expiration date on these new policies, ensuring that impacted individuals will have a safer experience is universally appreciated.

Spread of the novel coronavirus has jolted awareness of hygiene as it relates to touching surfaces such as keypads. No longer in favour are contact-based modalities including use of personal identification numbers (PINs) and keypads, and the shift has been sudden and long-term. Both customers and manufacturers were taken by surprise by this aspect of the virus’s impact and are therefore scrambling for solutions. Immediate impact of the change includes suspension of time and attendance systems that are touch-based. Some two-factor authentication systems are being downgraded to RFID-only, abandoning the keypad and/or biometric components that contributed to higher security, but are now unacceptable because they involve touching. Touchless biometric systems in demand The trend has translated into a sharp decline in purchase of touch modality and a sharp increase in the demand for touchless systems, says Alex Zarrabi, President of Touchless Biometrics Systems (TBS). Biometrics solutions are being affected unequally, depending on whether they involve touch sensing, he says. Spread of the novel coronavirus has jolted awareness of hygiene as it relates to touching surfaces such as keypads “Users do not want to touch anything anymore,” says Zarrabi. “From our company’s experience, we see it as a huge catalyst for touchless suppliers. We have projects being accelerated for touchless demand and have closed a number of large contracts very fast. I’m sure it’s true for anyone who is supplying touchless solutions.” Biometric systems are also seeing the addition of thermal sensors to measure body temperature in addition to the other sensors driving the system. Fingerscans and hybrid face systems TBS offers 2D and 3D systems, including both fingerscans and hybrid face/iris systems to provide touchless identification at access control points. Contactless and hygienic, the 2D Eye system is a hybrid system that combines the convenience of facial technology with the higher security of iris recognition. The system recognises the face and then detects the iris from the face image and zeros in to scan the iris. The user experiences the system as any other face recognition system. The facial aspect quickens the process, and the iris scan heightens accuracy. TBS also offers the 2D Eye Thermo system that combines face, iris and temperature measurement using a thermal sensor module. TBS's 2D Eye Thermo system combines face, iris and temperature measurement using a thermal sensor module Another TBS system is a 3D Touchless Fingerscan system that provides accuracy and tolerance, anti-spoofing, and is resilient to water, oil, dust and dirt. The 2D+ Multispectral for fingerprints combines 2D sensing with “multispectral” subsurface identification, which is resilient to contaminants and can read fingerprints that are oily, wet, dry or damaged – or even through a latex glove. In addition, the 3D+ system by TBS provides frictionless, no-contact readings even for people going through the system in a queue. The system fills the market gap for consent-based true on-the-fly systems, says Zarrabi. The system captures properties of the hand and has applications in the COVID environment, he says. The higher accuracy and security ratings are suitable for critical infrastructure applications, and there is no contact; the system is fully hygienic. Integration with access control systems Integration of TBS biometrics with a variety of third-party access control systems is easy. A “middleware” subsystem is connected to the network. Readers are connected to the subsystem and also to the corporate access control system. An interface with the TBS subsystem coordinates with the access control system. For example, a thermal camera used as part of the biometric reader can override the green light of the access control system if a high temperature (suggesting COVID-19 infection, for example) is detected. The enrollment process is convenient and flexible and can occur at an enrollment station or at an administration desk. Remote enrollment can also be accomplished using images from a CCTV camera. All templates are encrypted. Remotely enrolled employees can have access to any location they need within minutes. The 3D+ system by TBS provides frictionless, no-contact readings even for people going through the system in a queue Although there are other touchless technologies available, they cannot effectively replace biometrics, says Zarrabi. For example, a centrally managed system that uses a Bluetooth signal from a smart phone could provide convenience, is “touchless,” and could suffice for some sites. However, the system only confirms the presence and “identity” of a smart phone – not the person who should be carrying it. “There has been a lot of curiosity about touchless, but this change is strong, and there is fear of a possible second wave of COVID-19 or a return in two or three years,” says Zarrabi. “We really are seeing customers seriously shifting to touchless.”

Arteco’s VCA video analytics system is their latest new product, signalling a move from machine vision-based analytics to deep learning video analytics. A server – separate from the Arteco video management system (VMS) – manages the algorithms for the analytics. Arteco has been field-testing the product for a year and a half and had planned to launch it officially at ISC West in March (which was postponed). In lieu of the trade show launch, the company has been presenting the product (along with partners) through a series of webinars. The deep learning video analytics product operates out of the box – “just turn it on,” says Steve Birkmeier, Arteco VP of Sales. Functionality is based on “training” of pre-classified objects, such as differentiating between a person, an animal, a vehicle, or just clutter. The deep learning library focuses on people and vehicles. Detection and identification The new system detects everything in the field of view The new system detects everything in the field of view and only identifies what the operator is looking for, thus reducing false alarms. Any identified object is provided with an accuracy reading (e.g., 92% confident it is a human.) The system can be set up from the graphical user interface (GUI). Arteco VCA (video content analysis) also uses analytics rules, such as “if A+B=C, then do D.” Therefore, an abandoned object may elicit a different response than a violated area. With roots in the industrial automation market of the early-2000s, Arteco offers an event-based video management system (VMS) platform. That is, their emphasis is on identifying and providing video at the moment something happens rather than managing a vast amount of video that shows, in effect, nothing of interest. Arteco’s system, providing functionality expected in a full-featured VMS, is designed around the need to react to exceptions and events. Video verification “We can pull in events from any type of system and provide the related video,” says Steve Birkmeier, Arteco VP of Sales. “It can be access control, fire, intrusion, perimeter security, radar or microwave barriers, vape sensors, license plate recognition, or whatever.” An open connector, xml framework enables Arteco to interface with other systems and provide video verification of events. In addition to a focus on event-based video, Arteco also emphasises ease of use, building on their 20-year history with video analytics. Another point of differentiation is their open architecture that easily and repeatably enables incorporation of third-party “events.” Finally, Arteco’s systems are competitively priced (less expensive), including flexible pricing and licensing structure to maximise value for a customer.  In addition to security, there are multiple operational applications that use video verification In addition to security, there are multiple operational applications that use video verification. For example, integration with warehouse management software using metadata from warehouse surveillance video can provide a searchable database. An operator can enter a purchase order number, for instance, and the system provides video associated with that sale.  The role of video in physical security Arteco has traditionally been a strong player in the utilities vertical, where event-based video management is useful to keep watch on high-value assets located in remote areas with little physical security. Another strong vertical is car dealerships in the United States, including security and loss prevention applications as well as integration with fleet management (using RFID and/or license plate reading). Arteco’s heat mapping capabilities can help a car dealer analyse customer activity to guide merchandising decisions, in the same way a retail store might. Big-box stores are another application for Arteco’s combination of marketing analytics, security and loss prevention.  Arteco’s strength is also proving useful in the emerging, highly regulated cannabis industry. State regulations require that each marijuana plant be tagged, and systems are required to provide total chain of custody records from “seed to sale.” In the case of Arteco, video associated with a specific plant tag is available at each stage of growth, production and sale. Coronavirus and video management The analytics can detect when people are grouped together closer than 2 meters As an Italian company, Arteco has already applied its deep-learning VCA product at city centers in Italy, which was hard hit by the novel coronavirus. The analytics can detect when people are grouped together closer than 2 meters, for example, and can provide an alarm if social distancing requirements related to the coronavirus are not being observed. The system can also detect and confirm the use of face masks at an entrance. Tracking that number – the percentage of customers who comply – in real time might offer additional peace of mind for high-risk customers entering a store, for example. Birkmeier contends the world has been changed forever by the pandemic, although acceptance over time of new technologies being introduced will vary greatly by geographic location. Already, in the last decade or so, acceptance of video surveillance has been greater, even in the U.S. market, he says. ”More often you hear ‘why don’t you have cameras’ rather than ‘I don’t like these camera here,’” he comments.

Schools and heritage sites present their own unique difficulties for security and access control. It becomes a challenge when the same is to be applied to a school that is also a heritage site of exceptional value. This was the challenge facing security administrators at the Colegio Diocesano Santo Domingo in Orihuela, Spain. The Colegio Diocesano is more than just a school. Its historic buildings date to the 1500s, a heritage site as well as a place of learning - with a museum that requires the protection of the same access system. Hence, the brief for a new access system required minimal disruption on two fronts. The college buildings are a Resource of Cultural Interest and on Spain’s heritage registry: they must not be damaged. School chiefs also required little disturbance of everyday school learning. Wireless access control was the obvious answer. A wireless access solution to a 16th-century problem Powerful management option enables real-time security control to limit free access to and around the site SMARTair® wireless access control devices now control access through 300 doors around the school. A mix of battery-powered escutcheons and weather-proof escutcheons, knob cylinders and wired wall readers (including for lifts) are connected to SMARTair’s intuitive software by a network of 38 wireless communication hubs. The school chose SMARTair Wireless Online management for its new keyless access system. This powerful management option enables real-time security control to limit free access to and around the site, even if the school data network is down. Automated emails inform security staff of any incidents, keeping students, staff, equipment, and precious heritage safe. “The main benefit is the ease of real-time key management — from any place and at any time — via the wireless online management system,” says IT Manager, Francisco Fernández Soriano. “This increases security for children and for staff because no unauthorised people can enter the school.” SMARTair locks and readers SMARTair TS1000 software makes it easy to issue and cancel access credentials for temporary visitors such as parents SMARTair locks and readers provide a streamlined way to manage access. Student and staff carry credentials programmed to allow access to specific authorised areas. SMARTair TS1000 software makes it easy to issue and cancel access credentials for temporary visitors such as parents. “In addition to the main entrances and classrooms, access to private spaces such as lifts, offices, staff rooms, the church, the museum, the library and the IT room is constantly monitored,” he adds. “Thanks to our SMARTair devices installed at more than 300 doors, the security team can find out who has accessed which space and when, at any time.” Installation and integration The system was installed without a hitch and also without any disruption to classes" The installation of the school’s new SMARTair system demanded minimal work. Some school doors date to the 16th century, so major alterations to door hardware were not possible. “The system was installed without a hitch and also without any disruption to classes,” confirms Fernández Soriano. Because SMARTair is a modular system, scalability is built in. They can extend or fine-tune their access system when they choose. Indeed, SMARTair’s “Phase II” is already under discussion. SMARTair software also easily slotted into the school’s existing management workflows. The Colegio Diocesano has used iinventi education management software for the past five years. Integration with SMARTair software was simple: access control, the library and canteen are managed from an integrated system.  “SMARTair gives the school’s security team the answers they need,” concludes school director, Reverend José María Fernández-Corredor.

Loughborough University has selected the ASSA CLIQ® Remote system from the ASSA ABLOY Door Hardware Group to help secure its plant control rooms. With more than 18,000 students at Loughborough University for 2018-19, the award-winning ASSA CLIQ® Remote technology has been used across the site for a range of different applications, including teaching laboratories and offices. Its success as a security and access control solution has led to it being extended to cover the university’s plant control rooms too. Providing an easy-to-use electromechanical locking system, the ASSA CLIQ® Remote solution uses high-end micro-electronics and programmable keys and cylinders to offer flexible control over access rights. ASSA CLIQ® Remote solution Loughborough University can programme and update each key remotely, removing or granting access privileges for the key holder in real-time. This allows only those with the necessary authority at the university to enter a plant control room. Furthermore, the system removes the security risks associated with lost or stolen keys, eliminating the time and cost spent on replacing a mechanical lock. For staff that have access to these areas and then leave the university, their access rights can be easily be removed by using the system’s simple, web-based interface, ensuring ex-employees and contractors never pose a security risk. ASSA CLIQ® Remote also provides a full audit trail for assured peace of mind around who has accessed the plant control rooms and - because the locks are powered by a battery inside the programmable ASSA CLIQ® Remote key - no extra wiring is required when installing the system. Wireless electronics locks Phil Sheppard, Senior Clerk of Works at Loughborough University, said: “For us, a big advantage to ASSA CLIQ® Remote is that its electronics effectively extend the patent of the key indefinitely. The system cannot be copied, which means ASSA CLIQ® Remote provides a long-lasting access control solution.” “The audit capabilities of the system are also really useful, ensuring we know exactly who accessed a plant control room, and when. The system can be extended really easily as well, which has been another key reason why we continue to use ASSA CLIQ® Remote to meet our access control needs across the university.” “Ultimately, by working with a trusted manufacturer such as ASSA ABLOY, we can be safe in the knowledge that only authorised individuals can access the university’s plant control rooms.” Secure access control solution Sean Falkinder, National Sales Manager for ASSA CLIQ® Remote, adds: “We have provided a range of solutions for Loughborough University over the years, and the use of ASSA CLIQ® Remote for the university’s plant control rooms is just the latest success story. We’re delighted that the technology is able to provide such a safe and secure access control solution for the site.”

The tallest building in the European Union, Varso Place in Warsaw, Poland, is now live with Forge Bluepoint visitor management and Inner Range intelligent access control. Forge Bluepoint, Forge’s cloud-based visitor management solution was chosen by Varso Place’s developer HB Reavis after the firm researched the market and found it could provide a great experience for visitors as it was multi-tenant ready, multi-lingual and it could integrate seamlessly with Inner Range’s sophisticated Integriti system. Jakub Kacer, Security Manager at HB Reavis said: “When all tenants use Forge Bluepoint, our receptionists will have less administration work, we will have real-time visitor statistics and it’s a modern attractive visitor system.” Access control system Forge Bluepoint will allow the main reception teams at each building to focus on the experience at Varso Place. Visitors will be invited by tenants via email which will provide them with a unique QR code. Visitors will use this QR code to check-in at the Forge Bluepoint kiosk or with the reception team. The integration with Inner Range’s Integriti access control system allows visitors to also use the QR code to call the lifts, supplied by Schindler, to access the floor of the tenant company and nowhere else. Paul Speariett, Co-founder and Director at Forge, said: “Working closely with the onsite security and building management team at Varso Place, in Warsaw, we were able to implement Forge Bluepoint during the COVID-19 crisis from the UK. It wasn’t ideal, but we overcame the challenges and are proud to see Forge Bluepoint working to give visitors a great experience.” Visitor management supplier Forge is currently rolling out Forge Bluepoint at Nivy Tower in Bratislava and the Agora Tower in Budapest Tim Northwood, General Manager at Inner Range, said: “Our flagship intelligent integrated access control system Integriti provides robust security and sophisticated controls around access to these new buildings. But it also allows trouble-free access for users, including the ability to invite and manage visitors easily via Forge Bluepoint.” With 1.5 million sq ft of leasable space, companies including Cambridge Innovation Centre, Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego (a state-owned development bank in Poland) and the Polish offices of Nvidia, Yves Rocher and Workday will call Varso Place home and use Forge Bluepoint to invite visitors easily, safely and securely. Forge, as the chosen visitor management supplier for HB Reavis globally, is currently rolling out Forge Bluepoint at Nivy Tower in Bratislava and the Agora Tower in Budapest. Access and security solution Inner Range has been a world leader in the design and manufacture of intelligent security solutions since it was established in 1988. More than 150,000 Inner Range systems have been installed in over 30 countries. Customers include hospitals and high-security units, colleges, distribution centres and pharmaceutical companies, government and critical national infrastructure. It’s Integriti product is an award-winning intelligent access control and security system that can integrate with a multitude of third-party products to create a sophisticated and highly secure access and security solution while also providing trouble-free access for site users. Varso Place is Warsaw’s largest mixed-use development and consists of Varso 1, Varso 2 designed by HRA Architekci, and Varso Tower, the tallest building in the European Union at 310m high which was designed by celebrated architects, Foster + Partners.

ISONAS Inc., a globally renowned IP access control and hardware solutions provider, and part of the Allegion family of brands, has announced that the ISONAS Pure IP access control solution has been installed at a new flagship distribution centre for Premier Packaging, an international packaging solutions company, with facilities in 14 locations nationwide. ISONAS Pure IP access control In the summer of 2018, Premier Packaging was looking to implement an access control system to help secure their brand-new 320,000-square-foot facility in Louisville, Kentucky. After working closely on a recent project with Orion Networks, a trusted IT infrastructure provider, Premier Packaging relied on their recommendation to implement a cutting-edge access control solution from ISONAS. With no access control system in place at any of their 14 locations and a combination of office workers, support staff, truck drivers and warehouse employees entering and existing the building daily, a process to control access was a necessity.  Monitoring and tracking visitors to distribution centre A major challenge facing the new distribution centre was truck drivers, who came into the facility, were not company employees. With on average 250 people coming in and out of the new facility in Kentucky daily, monitoring and tracking who those people were and if they belonged there was imperative. They were also looking for the flexibility to manage the locking and unlocking of doors remotely, rather than having to rely on physical keys. “After comparing ISONAS to other access control systems out there, we knew that ISONAS was the right flexible access control solution to meet Premier Packaging’s security needs,” states Brock Jamison, VP and Director of Sales at Orion Networks. ISONAS RC-04 reader-controllers installed ISONAS Pure Access software was implemented to give the packaging company remote access capabilities The initial project consisted of 18 ISONAS RC-04 reader-controllers installed at their new distribution centre in Louisville. The RC-04 reader-controllers from ISONAS delivers advanced technical functionality with an easy installation process. In addition to the ISONAS hardware, the ISONAS Pure Access software was implemented to give the packaging company remote access capabilities.  Pure Access Pure Access, ISONAS’s industry-renowned software, is a cloud-based access control application that provides users the ability to manage their access control from anywhere at any time, on any device.  “We are extremely happy that our unique access control solution could help Premier Packaging improve safety and security at their new distribution center seamlessly,” states Jonathan Mooney, ISONAS Sales Leader. ISONAS cloud-based platform By using both the ISONAS hardware and software solution together, Premier Packaging was able to improve security and keep employees safe. With the ISONAS cloud-based platform, Premier now required all Louisville employees to enter the building using their ID badges to gain access.  If an employee was not in the database and verified, then access would be denied. Future plans include rolling out the ISONAS access control solution to additional buildings and possibly integrating it with other security systems.

Edgeworx, the edge computing company, has launched a new AI-powered camera called Darcy to help protect workplaces of every size. In addition to detecting signs of fever, Darcy’s AI engine identifies whether individuals are wearing a face mask, tracks self-reported symptoms and delivers a quick, comfortable screening experience ideal for high-traffic environments. Organisations currently face an impossible choice between affordable, but ineffective, temperature readers (such as point and click devices or tablets) on the one hand, and cost-prohibitive medical-grade thermal cameras on the other. Affordable and accurate thermal camera Darcy ends this dilemma by offering the accuracy of a precision thermal camera at a fraction of the price. Darcy costs less than a fifth of the price of competing FDA-compliant thermal cameras, putting it within reach of schools and small businesses as well as enterprises and large retail outlets. To further ensure screening is accessible to all, Edgeworx is offering the first camera free to all public schools. The solution is already being piloted in Bay Area and New York schools. Despite their five-figure price tags, precision thermal cameras are slow, ungainly, inaccurate and hard to operate. Some take as much as an hour to warm up and need regular recalibration. By contrast, Darcy uses artificial intelligence and smart-room sensors to do the work of expensive hardware. Real-time alerts Safety checks will become a feature of daily life as we return to our schools and workplaces" Darcy logs self-reported symptoms via a mobile app, and checks for temperatures in less than a second, keeping lines moving and avoiding dangerous congestion at entry points. It provides real-time alerts and data reports so organisations can spot outbreaks early, take appropriate action and demonstrate compliance with public health mandates. It can be updated with additional features (such as AI for social distance checks) as public health practices evolve, no additional hardware required. Darcy provides peace of mind to businesses, employees, and customers. Schools and workplaces safe re-openings “Safety checks will become a feature of daily life as we return to our schools and workplaces. But many of these checks will be ineffective because organisations can’t afford high-end solutions that cost tens of thousands of dollars so they rely on devices that have been hastily thrown together and are inaccurate. That has to change,” said Farah Papaioannou, President and Co-founder of Edgeworx. “We developed Darcy because we knew we could use our AI, data and edge computing knowledge to really help people struggling with the challenges of re-opening. We’re focused on protecting all workplaces with a solution that’s affordable and accurate today—and is smart enough to adapt as the world’s knowledge of COVID-19 and other viruses evolves in the future.” Darcy secures Manhattan preschool Manhattan preschool program Kids At Work is among the organisations using Darcy to create a reliable and reassuring screening experience for children and staff. "We were searching for a health check solution that would give families peace of mind and be non-intrusive for our student population, from infants to five-year-olds,” said Julie. Darcy reads temperatures with a margin of error of 0.5 degrees Centigrade Averill, founder at Kids At Work. “Darcy checked all our boxes with its seamless experience, easy record-keeping and affordability. We're also thrilled with the day-long temperature monitoring feature. As an owner, I feel so much more confident about reopening with Darcy.” Darcy owes its speed, precision and low cost to Edgeworx’s edge computing fabric, which allows Artificial Intelligence (AI) to run on the device rather than in the cloud. Darcy’s AI performs many of the functions that require expensive hardware on other devices. Key benefits include: Accuracy and reliability Darcy reads temperatures with a margin of error of 0.5 degrees Centigrade. It overcomes the traditional challenges of contactless temperature monitoring with several innovations: Using AI, Darcy identifies where on a person’s face the reading should be taken, determines if they are close enough and whether they are wearing anything, such as a headband or sunglasses, that would interfere with an accurate reading, and automatically adjusts to body temperature fluctuations caused by circadian rhythms throughout the day and even the weather outside. To offset the effect of room temperature on a reading, most thermal cameras require an expensive scientific instrument called a blackbody reference unit, which maintains its own temperature and is used to calibrate the reading from the camera. Faster readings and less prone to errors By contrast, Darcy calibrates its readings against inexpensive smart sensors that attach to objects around the room, read the temperature of those objects and report it continuously and wirelessly to the camera. Not only is this significantly less expensive, but also less prone to failure, requires no maintenance and means the camera can be moved without triggering a lengthy recalibration process. Darcy takes readings in less than 100 milliseconds and uses data processing to identify any anomalies. As a result, by the time a person has approached the camera, Darcy may have 10 to 40 readings and can ensure that only a reliable one is recorded. Traditional cameras take only one reading, whether reliable or not, increasing the chances that a person with fever is not detected. Check mask usage and symptoms Darcy goes beyond temperature scanning to help organisations identify high-risk individuals who may not have a fever. Its AI identifies whether the individual is wearing a mask and allows organisations to conduct efficient wellness checks: Visitors complete a symptom survey from their home or phone via an app, which generates a unique QR code to be scanned by Darcy at entry. Additional features can be easily deployed so these devices can adapt as new practices come into play, without costly hardware changes. Avoid long lines and unsafe crowding at entry pointsBecause all the processing happens locally on the camera rather than in the cloud, performance is dramatically improved, avoiding the need for delays while a person’s temperature is checked. Beautifully designed, unobtrusive and with a friendly interface, Darcy makes screening quick, easy and unintimidating. By installing additional cameras in pass-by mode, schools and businesses can continue to monitor temperature and mask usage throughout the day—and throughout the building—without interrupting schedules. Get real-time alerts and compliance reports Darcy provides warnings via SMS, email, app or desktop notification so organisations can get early warnings of facilities where symptoms are trending and create a complete audit trail for compliance with public health mandates. Armed with data, organisations can make informed decisions and implement targeted measures rather than resorting to broad closures. Built-in privacy and securityBecause Darcy handles storage and AI processing locally, it never sends images or sensitive personally identifiable information (PII) to the cloud. Subscription Organisations can choose from two subscription packages and schedule a demo - Monthly subscription - Yearly subscription Until the end of 2020, Edgeworx is donating a free camera to any public school that purchases a subscription. To apply for a free camera, one may contact Edgeworx.

HID Global, a worldwide in trusted identity solutions, announced that the University of Connecticut (UConn) has selected its Seos® smart cards and HID® FARGO® Connect secure issuance solution to optimise student services and strengthen security across its five-campus network. The HID FARGO Connect cloud-based platform enables UConn to decentralise ID issuance and eliminate student wait times, while Seos technology eliminates the vulnerabilities of its legacy system. Identification provided to students for access The university’s One Card office partnered with identification solutions supplier, ColorID, to upgrade its Husky One cards - which provide access to student essentials such as dorms, dining halls and printing services - with Seos credential technology to combat card duplication and fraud. “The biggest challenge for UConn was it needed to re-card its campus to bolster security,” said Cassie Bunner, Higher Education Account Manager at ColorID. “We wanted to present the university with a technology we knew and had confidence in. HID was exactly that.” Previously, the university’s card solution utilised proximity and magstripe technologies, which can easily be cloned. UConn’s 40,000 new Husky One cards retained magstripe and proximity technology to minimise disruption to campus life, while adding Seos technology for a phased university-wide transition to iCLASS readers. Once complete, UConn plans to remove proximity technology, further reducing card issuance costs. Campus security credentials “HID Global is leading the way in providing universities with trusted identity solutions so they can revolutionise processes that are vital for student success,” said Craig Sandness, Vice President and Managing Director, Secure Issuance with HID Global. “With our HID FARGO Connect solution and Seos smart cards, UConn leverages best-in-class credential technology to secure its campus and simultaneously consolidates and streamlines its student ID issuance process.” In the future, the One Card office will manage its high-volume credential requirements and expedite student delivery using HID FARGO Connect and HDP5600 printers. UConn administrators plan to encode, print and issue about 18,000 credentials annually from any device on campus with a web interface. “Setting up our university with HID FARGO Connect will allow regional campuses to print cards directly for students - no wait, no temporary card,” said Stephanie Kernozicky, Director of UConn’s One Card Office. “The mobility of being able to take pictures and print wherever we need was a big factor in selecting FARGO Connect solutions.”

A shift toward touchless devices during the coronavirus pandemic has been a boon to the biometrics sector. Another factor in the recent increase in use of biometrics is lower prices, which are a symptom of a maturing market and of new technology capabilities. Increasingly, integration of biometrics with access control and other security systems is expanding use cases and sales numbers. For additional insights, we asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What are the new trends and opportunities with biometrics (facial, fingerprint, iris and/or voice)?

The first half of 2020 has been full of surprises, to say the least, and many of them directly impacted the physical security market. The COVID-19 pandemic created endless new challenges, and the physical security market has done our part to meet those challenges by adapting technology solutions such as thermal cameras and access control systems. In the second half of 2020, we can all hope for a return to normalcy, even if it is a “new normal.” In any case, technology will continue to play a big role. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: Which technologies have the greatest potential to disrupt the security industry in the second half of 2020?

Protecting the oil and gas market is key to a thriving economy. The list of security challenges for oil and gas requires the best technology solutions our industry has to offer, from physical barriers to video systems to cybersecurity. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: what are the security challenges of the oil and gas market?