Biometric Security

Viking Electronics introduces the MPS-XP Multicast Paging Server, a powerful new solution that combines SIP-based multicast paging, scheduled announcements, and advanced automation in one PoE-powered device. Designed for schools, universities, manufacturing facilities, and commercial buildings, the MPS-XP supports up to 100 SIP accounts, 100 independently configurable multicast zones, and 100 automation rules. Users can page all zones from a single SIP extension, assign dedicated extensions to individual zones, or dial DTMF touch-tone codes to reach specific zones. Changing daily operations A built-in calendar scheduler makes it easy to automate bells, tones, announcements, and other pre-recorded messages. Recurring schedules, exception dates, delays, and skipped events provide added flexibility for changing daily operations. With 2.5 GB of audio storage, the MPS-XP can hold more than 21 hours of pre-recorded audio. Store-and-forward recording allows users to record, review, and approve a page before it is broadcast, providing clear, feedback-free delivery. Four dry-contact trigger inputs can also activate pre-recorded announcements or other automated actions. Built for integration, the MPS-XP features a full REST API, MQTT publish/subscribe with TLS and HTTP webhooks, allowing it to connect with IoT devices, building management systems and other third-party platforms. Secure web interface From everyday announcements to facility-wide notifications, the MPS-XP gives you a flexible, scalable way to manage paging, audio, and automated messaging from a secure web interface. Viking Electronics designs and manufactures over 500 security and communication products, including emergency phones, entry systems, paging interfaces, mass notification systems, and more. Founded in 1969 and based in Hudson, Wisconsin, Viking products are built in the USA and backed by a two-year limited warranty with free lifetime technical support.

PureTech Systems, the industry pioneer in autonomous perimeter protection software solutions, announces a powerful new integration between its best-in-class PureActiv® platform and Genetec™ Security Center. The enhanced integration supports Genetec™ Security Center version 5.13.2.0 and enables operators to view classification bounding boxes over live video, receive PureActiv® alarms and manage those alarms within their existing Genetec™ workflows. Together, PureActiv® and Genetec™ Security Center deliver unmatched perimeter protection—marrying the industry's most accurate detection and classification, with the lowest nuisance alarm rate in the industry, to the unified security platform operators already trust. Associated camera information The integration delivers alarm descriptions, associated camera information and bounding box metadata from PureActiv® to Genetec™ Security Center. Bounding boxes visually highlight detected and classified targets in real time, giving operators instant, unambiguous visual confirmation of the target that triggered an alarm and the ability to assess activity within the camera view. PureActiv® alarms can be distributed and managed using the alarm-handling capabilities available within Genetec™ Security Center. This allows organisations to bring PureActiv®'s most accurate, lowest-nuisance-alarm detection directly into the environment their security teams already use for monitoring and response—no new consoles and no new training. Lost computer communications In addition to analytics-related alarms, the integration delivers system health status alarms, including video loss, lost computer communications and analytics hindered. These notifications ensure operators are never blind to conditions that could compromise surveillance coverage or analytic performance. “Security teams deserve the most accurate detection available, the fewest nuisance alarms in the industry and clear visibility into the systems they rely on,” said Larry Bowe, founder, chairman and CEO of PureTech Systems. “Our enhanced Genetec™ integration marries PureActiv®’s best-in-class analytics with Genetec™ Security Center to deliver unmatched perimeter protection—bringing alarms and real-time visual context into the operator’s existing workflow so teams can assess events and coordinate a response with confidence.” Accurate threat identification PureActiv® delivers unmatched autonomous perimeter protection through a detect, classify, track, alert and deter workflow. Its Geospatial AI-boosted Video Analytics (GABVA) and sensor integration capabilities deliver the industry's most accurate threat identification with the lowest nuisance alarm rate, and initiate automated deterrence before an intruder penetrates the perimeter. The Genetec™ integration brings this best-in-class detection, alarm information and target overlays directly into existing security operations.

BearCom and Stone Security announce that their combined business is now operating under the StoneOne brand. The introduction of StoneOne follows BearCom’s acquisition of Stone Security in December 2024 and reflects the strength of the combined platform, bringing together the complementary capabilities, customer relationships and industry expertise of both organisations under one identity. StoneOne is a full-service security and safety integration company whose portfolio spans security, mission-critical communications and connected safety solutions. The company combines BearCom’s more than 40 years of critical communications expertise with Stone Security’s more than 20 years of security integration leadership, positioning StoneOne as an end-to-end integrator of advanced security, safety and mission-critical communications solutions. Through one accountable partner, customers can access consultation, design, deployment, maintenance and ongoing support across the full technology lifecycle. Public safety agencies With more than 70 locations across the United States, Canada, Mexico and Brazil, StoneOne combines broad geographic reach with responsive local service for customers across complex operating environments, including data centres, manufacturing, petrochemical, utilities, transportation and logistics, healthcare, education, retail, hospitality, construction, state and local government and public safety agencies. “StoneOne reflects the strength of what BearCom and Stone Security have built together,” said Hubert de Pesquidoux, Executive Chair and Interim CEO of StoneOne and Executive Partner at October Capital. “By bringing our complementary capabilities, experience and longstanding relationships together under one brand, we are giving customers a more connected way to protect their people, property and operations. StoneOne represents the natural next step for two organisations that have earned the trust of their customers and partners over decades.” Longstanding relationships together “Organisations today do not experience security, communications and data as separate challenges, particularly in the moments that matter most,” said Ramnik Kamo, Chief Operating Officer of StoneOne. “StoneOne brings these capabilities together through one team and one accountable partner, giving customers a simpler, more connected way to protect their people, property and operations. This is more than a new name – it reflects how we operate today and where we see the industry going.” “The combination of BearCom and Stone Security in 2024 transformed the business into a unique, end-to-end security and safety integrator across the Americas,” said Dave Calamai, Managing Director at October Capital. “Since then, the team has brought together complementary capabilities, people and relationships to build a stronger, more cohesive platform. The StoneOne brand marks the culmination of that integration, uniting the business under one identity and providing a strong foundation for continued growth.” Longstanding technology partnerships Following BearCom’s acquisition of Stone Security, the combined business has continued to build momentum, with Stone Security earning industry recognition for its technical capabilities, customer focus and commitment to innovation. In 2026, Stone Security and BearCom were named SDM Magazine’s Systems Integrator of the Year, becoming one of only three companies to receive the honor twice after first winning in 2020. StoneOne will continue to operate with deep expertise, serving more than 37,000 customer relationships and longstanding technology partnerships that have contributed to the success of BearCom and Stone Security. The company maintains longstanding partnerships with leading technology companies, including Motorola Solutions, Milestone Systems, Honeywell Technologies/LenelS2, Axis Communications and Wesco. Complex safety challenges “BearCom has long been an essential partner in delivering Motorola Solutions’ critical communications technologies,” said Jack Molloy, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Motorola Solutions. “The launch of StoneOne expands our collaboration across our full safety and security ecosystem, unifying mission-critical voice, advanced video security and enterprise access control to solve our customers' most complex safety challenges. We congratulate the team on this milestone and look forward to growing our work together.” “Congratulations to Stone and BearCom on this exciting new chapter. Partners like them bring our open-platform vision to life, finding new ways to turn video intelligence into real-world value. By connecting security with critical communications, they’re helping people act faster and build a safer world,” said Jeppe Frandsen, CEO of Milestone Systems. Connect security solutions “Stone and BearCom share our belief that security should empower the people who depend on it. Their ability to connect security solutions with critical communications opens new possibilities for safer, more responsive organisations. Congratulations to them on this next chapter, and we’re excited to continue building and growing our trusted partnership,” said Ewa Pigna, President Security & Access Solutions, Building Automation at Honeywell Technologies. “Congratulations to Stone Security and BearCom on this exciting new chapter. We are grateful for 20 years of loyal partnership and a shared commitment to protect people. It is a privilege to grow together, and we look forward to continuing that partnership as the Stone and BearCom teams unite under a new brand,” said Martin Gren, Axis Co-Founder and Director of the Board at Axis Communications.

Altronix, the recognised pioneer in power and data transmission products for the professional security industry, is showcasing its advanced power, networking and infrastructure solutions at ISC East 2026, booth 809, that streamline access control, surveillance, fire and other security applications. “Critical security systems depend on reliable power and connectivity to perform when they're needed most,” said Ronnie Pennington, Director of Sales for the Americas. “At ISC East, we're showcasing solutions that help integrators simplify installations, prevent disruptions and build more resilient security systems.” Remote power monitoring Featured products include: NEW eFlow™ Pro Series Universal Power Supply Charger offers auto-ranging input, selectable 12VDC or 24VDC output, true battery load testing, and SLA or lithium battery charging. LINQ™ network management interface enables remote power monitoring, control and reporting of diagnostics. NEW ReServ24B Automatic Transfer Switch with Rapid Battery Charging provides redundant 24VDC power by automatically switching between primary and secondary power sources to prevent interruptions. Built-in rapid battery charging and LINQ™ network management interface maximises system uptime. Trove™ Access and Power Integration Solutions easily combine Altronix power distribution with access controllers from more than 50 leading manufacturers. Pre-wired and pre-configured kits simplify installation, wiring and maintenance, while reducing time and labor. NetWay™ Spectrum Hardened PoE Solutions deliver up to 90W per port with dual fiber connectivity for extended distances in remote, industrial and outdoor environments. With 277VAC input options and compatibility with the Altronix EBC48 Rapid Battery Charger, these solutions provide greater deployment flexibility and faster battery recovery. The new LINQ4RM Network I/O Relay Module adds remote monitoring and control capabilities for systems accessories such as enclosure tamper switches, fans, lighting, and more. Pace™ Long-Range Ethernet Solutions extend connectivity up to 500 meters over structured cabling or 1,000 meters over single-pair Ethernet without repeaters. By eliminating the need to rip and replace existing cabling, it reduces installation costs and simplifies network expansion. Circ™ Automatic Transfer Switch provides high-voltage power redundancy by automatically switching between two independent 115VAC/230VAC AC power sources. Seamless transfer helps maintain operations when primary power is interrupted, ensuring security systems are operating 24/7. LINQ™ Network Power Management with Milestone XProtect integrates Altronix power and device intelligence into the XProtect Smart Client. Centralised monitoring of connectivity, voltage thresholds, service alerts and battery conditions simplifies system management and troubleshooting. Altronix will also feature its new A/E partner portal, providing architects and engineers with convenient access to generate CSI specifications, project management resources and other valuable system design tools. Visit Altronix at ISC East booth 809 to explore their data and power solutions.

Sielox, the established industry pioneer in layered access control and crisis event management solutions, is demonstrating its latest access control innovations at ISC East 2026 in Booth 531. The booth will feature the new AnyWare edge (AWe), a quick and easy on-prem PACS solution for one to eight doors. The company will also highlight an improved user experience with its advanced interface for its flagship Pinnacle Advanced Access Control platform. Improved user experience “This year at ISC East, we’re demonstrating how Sielox makes enterprise-grade security accessible for every size organisation,” said Karen Evans, President and CEO, Sielox. “AnyWare edge gives smaller sites a powerful, plug-and-play solution without recurring fees or complex hardware, while our latest Pinnacle platform enhancements deliver even greater control and flexibility for facilities of all sizes.” The new AnyWare edge is an on-premises physical access control system (PACS) that combines software, server and controller functionality in an integrated solution. Preloaded on the field-tested, industry-pioneer Sielox 2700 Main Controller, AWe provides access control for up to two doors and can expand to support up to eight doors with additional 2700 Terminal Controllers. Access control management Designed for fast deployment and simplified management, the browser-based, plug-and-play solution allows users to manage security events in real time from a desktop, tablet or mobile device using the same interface. AWe supports LAN, WAN, Wi-Fi and cellular networks, including 5G and LTE, requires no separate server or appliance and no Operating System management, as updates are included in AnyWare edge firmware/software package updates. These updates include any Database modification which are auto-saved and distributed to all. As a competitively priced system with high end features, AnyWare edge also eliminates ever-increasing monthly recurring licensing fees while providing a robust feature set designed to simplify day-to-day access control management. Capabilities include flexible event and alarm management, customisable reporting, instant event filtering, Device Groups and Actions, Event Generated Output (EGO), Lock & Block lockdown functionality, and pre-configured templates that allow systems and configurations to be built in advance. Sielox will also showcase the latest enhancements to its Pinnacle Advanced Access Control platform, including its updated UX and interface. The new browser-based interface features updated tools designed to simplify navigation and improve day-to-day system management. ISC East attendees can visit Sielox at Booth 531 to experience its full lineup of solutions.

DigiCert, a pioneer in intelligent trust, announces growing adoption of the X9 Financial PKI as financial institutions modernise secure connections and prepare for approaching security requirements from The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC). Since its introduction in 2025, the X9 Financial PKI has attracted more than 1,900 organisations deploying, evaluating, or testing the infrastructure. Established and governed by the Accredited Standards Committee X9 (ASC X9) and operated by DigiCert, the ASC X9 Financial PKI provides a common framework for organisations to authenticate each other and exchange information securely. ASC X9 Financial PKI supports trusted network connections between institutions, partners, and service providers independently of browser root programs. Critical financial communications “Financial institutions depend on secure connections that extend well beyond their own networks,” said Dean Coclin, Senior Director of Industry Strategy at DigiCert. “The growth in ASC X9 Financial PKI participation reflects demand for a common trust framework built around those relationships. DigiCert is helping organisations put that framework into practice as they prepare for DTCC’s deadlines.” DTCC now requires ASC X9 Financial PKI certificates for certain services that use mutually authenticated network connections, with implementation deadlines of November 30, 2026, in testing environments and December 31, 2026, in production. The requirement marks a significant step in the adoption of ASC X9 Financial PKI for critical financial communications. Browser-trusted certificates Organisations currently participating in or evaluating the ASC X9 Financial PKI ecosystem include leading financial institutions, payment processors, technology providers, and enterprises from sectors such as manufacturing, healthcare, telecommunications, and critical infrastructure.  Changes to public TLS requirements are narrowing the role of browser-trusted certificates, often making them impractical to use for mutual authentication between servers. ASC X9 Financial PKI addresses those needs through a common trust anchor and policies tailored to financial services, supporting mutual TLS authentication without depending on browser root programs. Browser-trusted certificates “The financial sector has always advanced through a shared commitment to stability, trust, and collective progress,” said Sudha Iyer, Chief Officer - PKI & Cryptography at Citi. “Critical infrastructure security delivers its greatest value when the entire ecosystem can participate, rather than only a select few institutions. ASC X9 Financial PKI provide a common foundation that enables banks, financial institutions, and service providers to strengthen security, maintain interoperability, and evolve together at a pace that supports long-term resilience and trust across the industry.” “The ASC X9 Financial PKI was established to address a critical industry need for secure, interoperable communications between financial institutions and their partners,” said Steve Stevens, Executive Director of ASC X9. “DTCC’s adoption demonstrates the value of a common, industry-governed trust framework. Through ASC X9, financial institutions and other stakeholders have a voice in shaping the policies and requirements that will allow the ASC X9 Financial PKI to evolve as technology and industry needs change.” Identify affected connections DigiCert was selected by ASC X9 as a Certificate Authority to provide managed PKI infrastructure and launched the ASC X9 Financial PKI production environment in 2025. Organisations preparing for the DTCC deadlines can obtain the required ASC X9 Financial PKI certificates through DigiCert and should identify affected connections, install the applicable ASC X9 Financial PKI trust chain and allow time for testing before production deployment. More information is available at DigiCert’s X9 PKI solutions page.

Most organisations operating at enterprise scale have more or less solved digital identity, consolidating directories, adopting single sign-on, and automating the workflows that govern application access, so that provisioning follows role changes and access revokes when employment ends. It is, by any measure, one of the more quietly impressive feats of enterprise IT over the past decade. Physical access has generally not followed, which creates exposure that rarely surfaces until an audit or an incident forces the issue. Also, it is fragmented across buildings, running on different access and identity systems that do not connect to each other. Visitor management platforms The friction that arises from the different approaches to physical and digital access shows up in predictable places: an employee who joins on Monday and waits days for a badge, and a contractor whose data centre access depends on someone manually emailing building security. Additionally, visitor management platforms do not always link to the access control systems that allow visitors through the door. Every link in that chain for employee or temporary access adds coordination work that falls between IT, HR, facilities and security teams with no clear owner. Most of these organisations have already invested heavily in the identity systems that could close this gap, but only ever applied them to digital access. Why the obvious fix doesn't work The usual answer to physical access fragmentation is standardising on a single vendor The usual answer to physical access fragmentation is standardising on a single vendor, which is unrealistic as users rely more on their own mobile devices for access, and ripping and replacing access infrastructure is simply too expensive and disruptive to day-to-day operations for most organisations. This puts physical security at the crossroads IT faced a decade or more ago, where neither standardising nor replacing systems is a realistic option. The result is an infrastructure that is vendor-dependent at every layer and disconnected from the identity and IT systems managing every other enterprise resource. Mergers and acquisitions complicate this further, since a company that has standardised on one access control platform can acquire an organisation that is using entirely different solutions and technologies across numerous properties. Enterprise tenants face a version of the same problem when leasing office space in a commercial real estate property, given that the offices, doors and floors they manage sit inside the landlord's base building infrastructure that controls access to lobby turnstiles, lifts, and shared spaces. Access control platform The result of all this fragmentation is manual provisioning, fractured audit trails and a poor user experience. For example, when an employee moves between offices, provisioning falls to administrators at each site, who often don't have visibility into the access that person already has elsewhere. The employee doesn't know who to contact, and security teams usually have to check several databases to answer basic audit questions. Information such as who currently has access to a given facility and which doors a specific employee can actually open exists across systems with no consolidated view. Contractor access occupies its own complicated middle ground that can create gaps in governance Contractor access occupies its own complicated middle ground that can create gaps in governance, with some contractor data residing in corporate directories that do not assign expiration dates. In other cases, contractors may be operating entirely outside identity systems while holding long-term credentials that are supposed to activate and deactivate based on when they are actually on site (but in practice they rarely do). The integration layer physical security was missing What resolved this kind of fragmentation in the IT space was a neutral technology layer capable of enforcing consistent identity logic across disparate systems. A connected access network applies that same principle to physical security, integrating access control systems, readers, mobile technologies, workplace applications and identity platforms, allowing access permissions to follow identity. Because the network is vendor-neutral, organisations can use physical cards, mobile wallets and visitor credentials side by side without becoming locked into proprietary infrastructure. Users wanted to adopt it, since streamlining authentication removes friction they noticed every day Like single sign-on (SSO) for applications, the network enables a consistent experience without requiring organisations to replace existing readers, systems, and technologies. The user experience is a main reason for SSO becoming so popular for digital access. Users wanted to adopt it, since streamlining authentication removes friction they noticed every day. For security teams, the single authentication layer also meant that when someone leaves the organisation, their access ends across every connected system at the same moment. Physical access infrastructure The same logic extends to physical security, where identity governance determines access to doors, floors, spaces and resources, with entitlements added, updated or revoked as joiner, mover and leaver status changes. Where an organisation's physical access infrastructure spans multiple vendors and buildings, the network handles permissions, credentials and policy enforcement centrally, without requiring costly replacement. Such an approach fits the reality of most deployments, which depend on leveraging systems that are already installed. It is also especially important in the UK and broader EMEA, where reader certification processes and the interoperability burden of managing multiple access control systems have, in some cases, contributed to slower wallet adoption. Beyond physical access, the value of the network grows when it connects to the platforms that enterprises already rely on for identity and workplace management. Enterprise service management platforms ServiceNow as a proof point: access requests in the same workflow as everything else Many large organisations already run enterprise service management platforms like ServiceNow across workplace operations and employee experience, handling everything from desk reservations, ticketing, and equipment requests to facilities management and identity lifecycle workflows. Yet physical access, arguably the most fundamental workplace requirement, has traditionally remained outside those workflows. The same employee who requests access to software or orders new hardware through ServiceNow still has to email the building security team to get through a door. When a connected access network integrates with ServiceNow, the physical access request enters the same workflow used for everything else. The employee submits through the portal, the request routes to the right approver based on rules the organisation defines, and access provisions automatically to the employee's credential on approval. Permissions revoke at the end of the approved period without manual follow-up, all within the governance frameworks already in place for digital resources. Dedicated request form The workflow doesn't have to originate from a dedicated request form, since meeting invitations The workflow doesn't have to originate from a dedicated request form, since meeting invitations, desk bookings, and travel itineraries can all trigger the same provisioning process in the background. As a result, access is already in place for the employee based on their activity, without the need for separate requests. With ServiceNow's Action Fabric now opening the platform to any AI agent through a generally available MCP server, that request can equally come from Now Assist, Claude, Copilot, or an agent the organisation has built itself. For security and compliance teams, the value extends well beyond provisioning, with the connection between access control systems and ServiceNow enabling a broader set of capabilities that include: Anomaly detection across physical and digital behaviour, surfacing events like a laptop authenticated in New York while a badge is used in London Occupancy analytics drawn from actual access events, giving facilities teams reliable data to support space planning and return-to-office decisions Automated recertification on a defined schedule, helping prevent privilege creep and overly broad birthright access, with every decision logged in ServiceNow for an audit-ready trail under standards including ISO 27001 Where the industry is heading Physical and digital access workflows have been converging gradually for years, driven by employee expectations shaped by digital-first experiences in every other area of working life. The organisations furthest along in addressing the gap are those that connected their physical and digital environments through a unified identity layer, allowing existing systems to keep controlling doors, floors, spaces and shared resources while one identity works across every building. Workplace systems and AI assistants can increasingly drive permissions in the background As workplace applications, identity platforms and physical infrastructure become more closely connected, access is likely to become less about badges and individual systems and more about identity following people automatically. Workplace systems and AI assistants can increasingly drive permissions in the background, with credentials delivered to employee and visitor devices before they even arrive to create seamless experiences across buildings, devices and applications regardless of the underlying infrastructure. Creating seamless experiences This is also where physical access starts to meet the zero trust principles already governing enterprise IT, where trust is never implicit and permissions are verified continuously against role, location and time. Employees, contractors and visitors get access only to areas they need, and because those entitlements adjust automatically, access is effortless for users and oversight is continuous for security teams. The conditions driving this shift are already in place: multiple systems and technologies across numerous locations have made managing access building by building untenable, while scrutiny around governance continues to tighten. Organisations throughout the UK and Europe know these pressures well, and large enterprises everywhere are arriving at the same place — physical access is finally becoming part of the same identity infrastructure that manages IT resources across the enterprise.

Control room operators face a tricky and ever-growing list of responsibilities. Every day, they're expected to monitor dozens, sometimes hundreds, of camera feeds, identify suspicious behaviour, and respond quickly when something goes wrong. Add in a constant stream of alerts, many of which turn out to be false alarms, and it's easy to see how even the most experienced security professionals can become overwhelmed. Indeed, in the UK alone, there are an estimated six million CCTV cameras, with around one in 70 publicly owned. A human, or team of humans, cannot possibly be expected to keep on top of every single one of those devices without missing something. Monitoring multiple locations Recently, the UK's Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI), now part of the National Protective Security Authority (NPSA), uncovered a challenge faced by many security operators known as the vigilance decrement, where concentration can begin to decline after just 20 to 30 minutes of continuous monitoring. A study of 42 professional CCTV operators, published in Applied Ergonomics, found that they detected only around half of the target behaviours during a 90-minute video review task. For security teams working long shifts and monitoring multiple locations, this presents a significant challenge. Missing an incident can have serious consequences, yet expecting operators to maintain the same level of concentration throughout an entire shift simply isn't realistic. Identifying unusual activity The result is that operators spend less time reviewing routine activity, have faster responses to threats This is where AI-powered video analytics makes a huge difference. By automatically identifying unusual activity, filtering out unnecessary alerts, and highlighting events that require attention, AI can help operators work more effectively and focus on what matters most. The result is that operators spend less time reviewing routine activity, have faster responses to potential threats, and there are more opportunities for security professionals to apply their experience and judgement where it's needed. Breaking the cycle of alarm fatigue Traditional video surveillance systems have often relied on motion detection and basic rules to identify potential security incidents. While useful, these technologies can also generate large volumes of unnecessary alerts. A tree branch moving in the wind, an animal crossing a perimeter, or a delivery vehicle stopping near a building can all trigger a false alarm. Now imagine this happening across hundreds of cameras, throughout an eight- or twelve-hour shift. Operators can quickly find themselves dealing with a seemingly endless queue of notifications, most of which turn out to be harmless. Over time, this can lead to alarm fatigue. When operators are repeatedly presented with false alarms, they may become less responsive to new notifications, increasing the risk of a genuine threat being overlooked. This isn't a reflection of their professionalism or experience, but a natural response to information overload. Persistent alarm fatigue It can also make it harder for organisations to demonstrate the value of their security investments The consequences extend beyond missed incidents. Persistent alarm fatigue can contribute to stress and burnout, slow response times, and place additional pressure on security teams that may already be stretched. It can also make it harder for organisations to demonstrate the value of their security investments. Simply adding more cameras, hiring more operators, or increasing training isn't necessarily the answer. Instead, organisations need to consider how technology can reduce the volume of information operators must process and ensure that the alerts reaching them are genuinely useful. Smarter alerts, faster responses AI-powered video analytics is helping to address this challenge by making surveillance systems more intelligent and proactive. Rather than simply detecting movement, modern analytics can identify objects, recognise patterns and provide greater context around what's happening within a camera's field of view. For example, a traditional system might generate an alert every time something moves near a perimeter fence. AI analytics can help distinguish between an animal passing through, an authorised vehicle following its usual route, and someone loitering near a restricted entrance. Operators can then focus on the activity that warrants further investigation, rather than spending valuable time reviewing harmless events. Providing relevant information The system identifies potential concerns and provides relevant information Advances in vision-language models are taking this a step further. These technologies can interpret and describe activity within video footage, helping operators understand what's happening without having to manually review every camera feed. This shift is gaining momentum across the industry. The Security Industry Association's 2026 Security Megatrends report identifies the automation of security operations centres as a leading trend, highlighting opportunities for AI to support activities such as incident reporting and filtering lower-priority alarms. Importantly, the aim isn't to remove operators from the process. Much of this technology takes an agentive AI approach, where AI assists human decision-making rather than acting independently. The system identifies potential concerns and provides relevant information, while operators remain responsible for assessing situations and deciding how to respond. For security teams, this creates an opportunity to improve situational awareness while reducing the pressure of constant monitoring. Identifying threats before they escalate One of the most valuable capabilities of advanced video analytics is its ability to identify unusual behaviour and patterns over time. Consider a vehicle driving slowly around a business park. On its own, this might not appear suspicious. However, if the same vehicle returns on three consecutive evenings, stopping near a restricted entrance before leaving, it could indicate someone assessing the site's security arrangements. An operator working a single shift might not notice the connection, particularly if the activity occurs across several days. But AI analytics can help identify recurring patterns and flag them for further investigation. Identifying recurring incidents These capabilities also offer benefits beyond immediate security monitoring The same principle applies to other scenarios. Someone repeatedly approaching a restricted area, a person remaining in an unusual location for an extended period, or a vehicle travelling against the normal flow of traffic could all trigger an alert based on predefined rules or patterns of behaviour. With the right information available, security teams can investigate potential threats earlier and respond before an incident escalates. These capabilities also offer benefits beyond immediate security monitoring. Analytics can help organisations identify recurring incidents, understand how spaces are being used and make more informed decisions about patrols, staffing and security resources. For multi-site organisations, this can be particularly valuable, allowing security teams to identify trends across locations rather than treating each incident in isolation. Making investigations faster and more effective AI can also significantly reduce the time required to investigate incidents after they occur. Reviewing hours of recorded CCTV footage has traditionally been a painstaking process. Investigators may need to search through multiple camera feeds to identify a person, vehicle, or sequence of events, often under considerable time pressure. Advanced video search and synopsis technologies can simplify this process by condensing lengthy recordings into a much shorter visual summary. Events and objects captured at different times can be presented together, allowing investigators to identify relevant activity quickly while retaining links to the original footage and timestamps. For example, an investigator looking for a particular vehicle can search footage based on characteristics such as colour, type, or direction of travel, rather than watching hours of recordings manually. For police forces, local authorities and private security teams, these capabilities can make a substantial difference to investigations, reducing the time spent searching through footage and helping important evidence reach the right people sooner. Demonstrating the value of intelligent video AI-powered video analytics can also deliver a measurable return on investment Alongside the operational benefits, AI-powered video analytics can also deliver a measurable return on investment. An Omdia survey of 140 end users across North America and Europe found that more than 85% of organisations achieved a return on investment from their video analytics deployments within one year. More than half reported seeing returns within the first six months, with banking and manufacturing reporting particularly strong results at 95% and 90%, respectively. Evidently, intelligent video can deliver value far beyond traditional surveillance. Improved incident detection Reducing false alarms can help operators use their time more effectively, while faster investigations can lower the resources required to review footage. Improved incident detection and response can also help organisations minimise disruption, protect assets and strengthen their overall security posture. There are benefits for installers and integrators too. By introducing advanced analytics into existing video management systems, they can help customers get more value from their security infrastructure, while offering additional capabilities that can evolve alongside operational needs. Rather than viewing video surveillance solely as a cost centre, organisations can increasingly use the intelligence it provides to improve security performance and inform wider operational decisions. Keeping people at the heart of security As AI becomes more capable, questions around human oversight and decision-making will become increasingly important. There is a distinction between AI that supports operators and fully autonomous systems that can independently make decisions and take action. While more agentic AI capabilities are emerging, many of the most practical applications in video security today are designed to assist people, not replace them. Making informed decisions This combination of machine intelligence and human experience is where the greatest value lies For instance, AI might identify a person behaving unusually near a restricted entrance, but an operator can assess the wider context, determine whether there is a genuine threat and decide on the appropriate response. Similarly, analytics can highlight a vehicle that has repeatedly visited a site, but it takes human judgement to establish whether that behaviour is suspicious or entirely legitimate. This combination of machine intelligence and human experience is where the greatest value lies. AI can continuously analyse large volumes of footage, identify patterns across different cameras and shifts, and highlight events that deserve attention. Operators bring the contextual understanding, professional judgement and accountability needed to make informed decisions. An operator reviewing five relevant alerts, each supported by useful information, is in a much better position to respond effectively than someone attempting to process 50 notifications with little context. The goal is therefore not to automate every aspect of security, but to create a more effective partnership between people and technology. A smarter approach to security operations The demands placed on security teams are unlikely to decrease. Organisations are managing larger sites, more cameras and increasingly complex security environments, often without equivalent increases in staffing or resources. At the same time, the limitations of human attention remain unchanged. No matter how experienced or well-trained an operator may be, maintaining constant concentration across dozens of video feeds is an unrealistic expectation. AI-powered video analytics offers a way forward. By reducing unnecessary alerts, identifying suspicious patterns, and accelerating investigations, these technologies can help security teams become more proactive, efficient, and effective. Most importantly, they allow operators to concentrate on what they do best: understanding situations, making informed decisions and protecting people and places. The future of security isn't about replacing the people behind the screens. It's about giving them the intelligence and tools they need to do their jobs better.

One of the best business lessons I learned didn’t come from business journals or the boardroom. It came from a biography: Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson. If you haven’t read it, you should! The book covers the full arc of Jobs’ career, and while many of the most talked about lessons center on his entrepreneurship, perfectionism, and brand building, the one that has stayed with me is his philosophy of design. Digital music player market I don’t mean design in the sense of aesthetics, although Apple certainly became famous for that. I mean design as an understanding of how people interact with technology. Examples of Jobs’ design philosophy appear throughout the book, but the chapters about the birth of the iPod are particularly compelling. If you’re too young to remember the era of downloading songs from Napster and loading them onto MP3 players, here’s the context. By the early 2000s, Apple was entering a crowded digital music player market. Companies like Sony, Creative and Rio had already introduced devices that were packed with technical innovation, and they were growing in popularity among college students, commuters, and early adopters who preferred the solid state devices over larger, glitchy portable CD players. Yet Jobs believed the entire MP3 player category possessed a fundamental flaw: all the products were too complicated. More intuitive experience In envisioning the iPod, Jobs became obsessed with creating a more intuitive experience Actually, Jobs used more blunt language. He said they all “were deeply flawed.” They held only a handful of songs, and users struggled with frustrating menu trees to access their most basic functions. As for the software managing the devices’ music libraries? To quote the book, “Only a genius could figure out half of their features.” Jobs saw something the existing manufacturers didn’t. Their MP3 players weren’t offering the one thing that consumers wanted the most, an easier way to listen to music. In envisioning the iPod, Jobs became obsessed with creating a more intuitive experience. He challenged his team to eliminate unnecessary complexity and established a simple rule for the user interface: if a person wanted a song or a function, they should be able to get there in no more than three clicks. Incredibly sophisticated technology The result was a product that felt completely different to use. Apple took an incredibly sophisticated technology and made it approachable. The complexity didn’t disappear; it was just moved behind the curtain where the user didn’t have to think about it. Despite being a late entrant to the MP3 industry, Apple quickly became the dominant manufacturer in the category because of the iPod’s unmatched usability. Plenty of successful companies cared about usability, but Jobs made simplicity a strategic priority. While competitors were adding features and complexity, Apple was asking, “How do we make this easier?” Twenty years later, I still think that’s one of the most important questions any technology company can ask, and one that is shaping the next generation of security technology. Stronger security practices Making a system more secure meant adding steps, procedures, and user responsibilities Which brings me to where I spend most of my time these days: Identity verification. For years, the security industry viewed convenience and security as competing priorities. Making a system more secure meant adding steps, procedures, and user responsibilities. What’s exciting about modern biometrics is that we’re increasingly able to improve both simultaneously. In many ways, we’re applying Jobs’ three click philosophy to identity verification, reducing the interaction required from the user without compromising the strength of the underlying security. And by reducing friction, organisations can implement more frequent identity verification that supports stronger security practices. Biometric authentication experience The simplicity of the biometric authentication experience can make people underestimate the sophistication of the technology behind it. Just as iPod users didn’t have to think about file formats, manually transferring songs to their device, or navigating cumbersome menus, users of modern biometric systems don’t have to think about how their faces, palms, or fingerprints are converted into encrypted, mathematical templates that cannot be reverse engineered. Or how the system verifies that a live person, not a photo, is standing in front of it. Or how AI quietly adjusts for the naturally occurring, gradual changes in a person’s appearance, whether from age, lifestyle, or a few extra pounds. Interacting with a biometric identity solution is like listening to music on an iPod or today, an iPhone. You don’t even think about the incredible technology working in the background that makes the experience possible. For example, with facial authentication, the most frictionless form of identity verification, you look at a reader without even stopping. In a fraction of a second, the system accurately matches you to your digital identity with a false match rate as low as 1 in 10 billion! I consider that more like a ‘zero click’ solution. Providing better protection The challenge for manufacturers will be resisting the temptation to make them more complicated As our industry embraces AI, we can expect to see a new generation of products that can automate more tasks, synthesise more data, and deliver more functionality than ever before. The challenge for manufacturers will be resisting the temptation to make them more complicated. Product teams should take a page from Jobs’ playbook. Instead of focusing on what the latest technology makes possible, they should be asking, “What do our customers genuinely want? And how can we use technology to make that experience better? Easier? Simpler? As effortless as using your face to access your phone?” That’s the lesson of the iPod, and why a guy who never developed a security product has provided one of the most important lessons for our industry. Companies that build products people want to use will also be creating solutions that are adopted more broadly, used more consistently, and ultimately provide better protection.

Deploying artificial intelligence (AI) tools should be seen as a business initiative rather than a technology initiative, says Martin Soukup, CTO of Solink, a cloud-based video security and data intelligence platform. The approach makes a difference that plays out in practical terms. A technology initiative is tactical and solution-oriented, often solving an isolated problem within a single department's silo. In other words, it might solve just a security problem. In contrast, a business initiative is cross-disciplinary, driven by executive leadership to impact the entire organisation in a measurable way. “Viewing AI tools as a business initiative ensures they adapt to multiple departmental needs and drive high-level strategic growth rather than just fixing a localised technical issue,” says Soukup. AI platform combines video and business systems Demonstrating the value of embracing AI as a business initiative is Solink’s new video intelligence platform Demonstrating the value of embracing AI as a business initiative is Solink’s new video intelligence platform that combines video with business systems to detect threats and send real-time alerts. The capabilities are designed to help security teams operate smarter and more efficiently, supporting the next generation of lean, intelligence-driven security operations centers (SOCs). And benefits of the platform extend beyond security to include other parts of the business. “At the end of the day, video cameras only tell part of the story, much like looking at a 2D shape,” says Soukup. “They capture dimensions and colors, but only from a single perspective, even with powerful AI analysis providing traffic metrics, wait times, product interaction, and compliance logs. The addition of operational data, such as inventory, shipping, labor, and sales data, fills out that shape into 3D, adding critical context.” For example, while a camera simply shows three people standing in a line, and AI data flags that those individuals have been waiting for over five minutes, operational data lets you know also that a cashier has not checked into their shift yet. Combining these data streams gives businesses full situational awareness, turning passive observation into immediate, contextual intervention. AI agents handle repetitive tasks The Solink platform uses AI Agents, which are software that operates autonomously to handle manual, repetitive, or high-volume tasks based on specific instructions and tools. For Solink users, AI Agents unify their existing camera and data source investments into a single automated workflow. “AI Agents transform Solink from a security tool into an operational investment that benefits all departments,” says Soukup. “Modern operational leaders are turning to AI to scale productivity without increasing overhead.” Integrating business intelligence Operations checks compliance, loss prevention investigates theft, and security assesses threats Customers already use Solink to centralise video, integrate business intelligence, and trigger real-world responses like real-world alerts, two-way communication, or smart locks. AI Agents tie these pieces together, analyse the data and identify what matters most, and then take action either without human intervention or with humans in the loop. Businesses currently watch video manually across separate workflows. Operations checks compliance, loss prevention investigates theft, and security assesses threats. However, a human must always watch the footage to get results. Solink AI Agents automate this entire workflow. If an operational event can be seen on camera and matters to the business, a Solink Agent can be integrated to automatically review, assess, and trigger the next step in the workflow across hundreds or thousands of locations simultaneously. Calling all stakeholders to the discussion When discussing applications, stakeholders should include revenue and marketing officers, compliance officers, and line-of-business executives. Agents leverage existing infrastructure by adding an intelligent automation layer that drives efficiency and grows revenue across the entire organisation without large capital investment. Solink AI Agents will not replace employees; they empower lean teams to maximise their existing resources. Job descriptions will shift toward human-in-the-loop workflows where humans and machines collaborate. The AI Agent handles the high volume, filtering out noise and processing data at scale. Human employees set up and guide the Agents, give feedback to improve performance over time, and step in to make final decisions, managing the nuanced situations that require critical thinking, empathy, and deep context. Passive data visualisation In contrast, a Solink AI Agent is deployed with a clear mandate for a specific task, deliverable, or outcome Given the convergence of physical and digital security, AI Agents, not dashboards, are the right unit of enterprise AI deployment. Dashboards typically aggregate data without evaluating the context or importance of the source. Data looks identical whether it comes from 10 sources or 100. In contrast, a Solink AI Agent is deployed with a clear mandate for a specific task, deliverable, or outcome. This approach shifts the focus from passive data visualisation to active intent, creating a direct path of accountability and clear attribution for business results. With dashboards, everyone can see the problem, but nobody owns it. An agent with a mandate either did the job or it did not, and you can audit exactly what it saw and why it acted or did not. Overcoming obstacles to deploy AI agents The primary obstacles to integrating AI Agents into the physical security workflow are change management, building trust, and system interoperability. Physical security requires absolute reliability, which demands rigorous initial configuration to establish trust. Furthermore, Agents are only as effective as the data they can access. Overcoming these hurdles requires comprehensive team training, shifting organisational mindsets, and ensuring seamless integration with existing tools so the Agents have the full context needed to execute tasks accurately and integrate with human workflows seamlessly. Addressing common security challenges Several use cases are driving the deployment of AI Agents among Solink's customers Several use cases are driving the deployment of AI Agents among Solink's customers. Overnight guarding, loss prevention, and store readiness will be the first wave of use cases. These are proven, high-frequency scenarios in which Solink provides pre-built template Agents to address common security challenges out of the box. The second wave of use cases will include highly customisable occupancy tracking, health and safety, and food quality. Pre-built template Agents are coming for these next. In addition, custom, niche operational use cases can be tailored to a specific business environment. Just like hiring a specialised contractor, companies can deploy custom Agents to tackle unique operational challenges rapidly across all locations. Measuring the effectiveness of AI agents The effectiveness of AI Agents can be measured by multiple factors. Core Accuracy, and consistency and accuracy of detections and automated outputs. Business Outcomes delivered, such as reduced inventory loss, reduced fraud, and faster incident resolution. Financial Impact, measured through recovered budget, reduced operational overhead, and increased per-store conversion. There is a perception that AI Agents possess predictive or flawless capabilities, like stopping crime before it happens or operating perfectly in dark, chaotic environments. Not true, says Soukup. AI cannot understand ambiguous requests like "look for suspicious activity." Success requires explicit parameters, tools, and skills, defining what is acceptable, what is unauthorised, and how to handle the gray areas. Another misconception is that Agents need a fundamentally different security model than people. “I run security for this company as well as engineering, and I hold our own Agents to the same standard I would hold a third-party vendor,” says Soukup. “That means least privilege, full audit trails, anomaly detection, random audits, and no action they can't explain after the fact.”

Combining VIVOTEK’s branded video security business with March Networks paves the way for the combined brands to meet customers’ increasing appetite for integrated solutions rather than individual components. The merger brings VIVOTEK's branded video security business together under one operating structure with March Networks’ enterprise-grade video surveillance, AI analytics, and cloud-managed security solutions. Customers now have access to a broader, more integrated portfolio spanning enterprise video management, advanced cameras, edge artificial intelligence (AI), cloud services, recording platforms, and business intelligence, says Net Payne, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer at March Networks and VIVOTEK. Distinct product strategies Given the combined companies, product development, sales, marketing, and customer support can move in step rather than in parallel. March Networks and VIVOTEK were already both part of the Delta Electronics family, but they previously operated as separate businesses with distinct product strategies, teams, and routes to market. March Networks and VIVOTEK announced the merger of their branded video security businesses last spring following Delta Electronics' acquisition of remaining VIVOTEK shares. “Aligning our complementary capabilities lets us innovate faster, simplify engagement, and respond more quickly to a market moving toward AI, cloud and intelligent video,” says Payne. This merger reflects a broader shift across the physical security industry, adds Payne. “Customers no longer see video purely as a tool for reviewing incidents after the fact,” he says. “They expect it to help identify risks earlier, simplify investigations, improve operations, and support better decisions across the organisation.” Cloud video management Meeting customer expectations requires more than bolting AI features onto existing systems Meeting customer expectations requires more than bolting AI features onto existing systems. Rather, it requires cameras, edge intelligence, recording, software, cloud services, and business data working together as one coordinated platform. “By bringing March Networks and VIVOTEK together, we combine deep expertise across the full video technology stack while preserving the relationships, sector knowledge and customer focus both companies have built over many years,” says Payne. “Our goal is to make intelligent video more integrated, scalable, and practical for customers and partners worldwide.” Both entities bring strengths to the combined companies. March Networks brings experience in enterprise software, cloud video management and large-scale deployments; while VIVOTEK brings strength in imaging, camera technology and edge intelligence. Together they seek to ensure more choice when designing systems, a clearer path for future expansion, and technologies that work together more effectively without compromising the reliability, cybersecurity, and support customers expect from both companies. Advantages for channel partners Channel partners gain a broader portfolio to address a wider range of customer requirements, combining components as each deployment demands. Channel partners also benefit from expanded geographic reach, deeper technical expertise, and greater investment in training and enablement. “Importantly, this is designed to be a seamless transition,” says Payne. “Partners keep working with the teams and relationships they already know, while gaining access to new capabilities and certification opportunities. Over time, that alignment should make it easier to design, deploy and support complete solutions.” Because they are established and respected brands, March Networks and VIVOTEK branding will continue to be used. Rebranding is not a goal, and neither identity is being replaced by the other. Coordinated decision-making “The immediate priority is organisational alignment by making it easier for customers and partners to benefit from the combined portfolio,” says Payne. Product branding will continue to reflect the relevant portfolio and market context. As product roadmaps become more closely coordinated, customers can expect greater interoperability and a more cohesive experience, says Payne. Any future branding changes will be managed carefully and communicated clearly. Combining the businesses reduces duplication and enables coordinated decision-making across product strategy, engineering, sales, marketing, operations, and customer support. “Instead of developing capabilities independently, teams can share their expertise, align roadmaps, and direct investment to where it has the greatest customer impact,” says Payne. Combining specialised knowledge globally The combined organisation operates across six continents and more than 75 countries The combined organisation includes more than 300 research and development (R&D) engineers across four Centres of Excellence in Canada, Taiwan, Italy and Poland, thus bringing together a substantial base of specialist knowledge. The unified network also sharpens the ability to prioritise global opportunities, respond to regional needs and bring innovations to market faster. The combined organisation operates across six continents and more than 75 countries, supported by more than 1,100 certified channel partners. That footprint provides greater capacity to support multinational customers while staying responsive to local market needs. Looking ahead, future growth will increasingly come from helping customers turn video into useful, actionable intelligence. “The market is moving beyond conventional surveillance toward solutions combining AI, cloud services, edge processing, video management and operational data — and our new structure brings these together as one connected solution rather than several isolated technologies,” says Payne. Broader technical expertise There will also be closer collaboration among specialists in imaging, hardware, software, analytics, and cloud, which is important given how much customer infrastructure, regulatory, and deployment requirements vary. The companies can support cloud, hybrid, and on-premise environments, giving organisations a practical path toward more intelligent video. More choice comes from bringing together complementary technologies across product groups. Greater scale is achieved through a larger engineering organisation, broader technical expertise and more capacity to invest in innovation. Challenges for the industry at large Looking to the future for the industry at large, the greatest challenge will be managing the rapid growth of AI Looking to the future for the industry at large, the greatest challenge will be managing the rapid growth of AI responsibly, securely and at scale, says Payne. Video systems will generate more data and automate more decisions, but organisations must be able to trust how that intelligence is created, protected, and applied, he adds. “Cybersecurity, privacy, data sovereignty, system interoperability and AI accuracy are more important than ever,” says Payne. Addressing these elements requires expertise across the entire technology stack: from camera and edge processing to recording, cloud infrastructure, video management and analytics. “Together, March Networks and VIVOTEK can coordinate development across all these layers, giving customers flexible architectures that balance innovation with security, transparency and operational control,” says Payne.

IQSIGHT seeks to bring visual intelligence to environments where clarity, reliability, and trust matter the most, says CEO Sabrina Stainburn. Formerly Bosch Video Systems, IQSIGHT is an intelligence-first video security company, combining more than 60 years of engineering expertise with real-time intelligence to help organisations see clearly, act confidently, and improve outcomes in environments when every second matters. While the brand is new, the technology, reliability, and trust behind it are familiar— the products still carry the Bosch name, and the engineering teams remain the same to ensure the continuation of the Bosch legacy. As a result, customers can expect the same standards they rely on today. Embracing emerging technologies IQSIGHT is embracing emerging technologies. “We are applying AI where it delivers value by helping systems understand what is happening and surface the events and patterns that matter most—so customers can detect risk earlier, make faster decisions, and operate with confidence,” says Stainburn. With intelligence at the edge, the cameras act as sensors to secure premises, make buildings safer, and monitor perimeters — without requiring a cloud connection. Edge-based AI also supports integration into existing systems to add visual intelligence without a rip-and-replace — such as adding cameras with visual gun detection outside of entrances or supplementing systems with the ability to detect clothing colour and other attributes. IQSIGHT combines the Bosch video portfolio with new AI-enabled capabilities AI-enabled capabilities IQSIGHT combines the Bosch video portfolio with new AI-enabled capabilities designed to remove blind spots IQSIGHT combines the Bosch video portfolio with new AI-enabled capabilities designed to remove blind spots and support earlier, better-informed decisions. The portfolio continues to include intelligent cameras, such as the FLEXIDOME, AUTODOME, DINION, and MIC models, AI-enabled Intelligent Video Analytics Pro (IVA Pro) offerings, and recording and video management solutions, such as BVMS software. This year, the portfolio will also expand with technologies and solutions built on IQSIGHT’s new intelligence-first platform. Vertical markets that are core to the strategy include government, critical infrastructure, education, and smart cities, all industries closely connected with safety, continuity, and operational performance. In these environments, visual intelligence helps organisations address practical challenges — securing perimeters, enhancing safety, and improving traffic flow — so they can operate securely and efficiently. Visual intelligence helps organisations address practical challenges Operating securely and efficiently “Reliability is essential in these industries, and our cameras are engineered to Bosch quality standards and designed to perform in demanding conditions, including extreme weather, while delivering dependable video and accurate analytics where it matters most,” says Stainburn. “These strengths make our video solutions ideal for any industry where security must be uncompromised.”   IQSIGHT evolves from the sale of Bosch’s security and communications technology product business to European investment firm Triton on June 30, 2025. The product brands for video systems, access control, intrusion systems, and communications systems united under the roof of the new company Keenfinity Group. New organisational structure The Keenfinity Group now operates as a holding company consisting of four businesses In late 2025, Keenfinity Group introduced a new organisational structure designed to unlock the next chapter of growth and innovation. The Keenfinity Group now operates as a holding company consisting of four businesses, including the video systems business now called IQSIGHT. Bosch has a long history of partnerships and integrations, and partnerships will remain essential to how IQSIGHT delivers value and flexibility for customers. “We work closely with technology partners to ensure customers can use visual intelligence within the platforms and architectures that best fit their operations,” says Stainburn. Secure-by-design approach Deep integrations include VMS platforms, such as Genetec and Milestone, thus enabling real-time insights across on-premise and cloud environments. This approach gives customers choice — without compromising performance, security, or reliability, according to IQSIGHT. “Continually strengthening our existing partnerships is vital, and we regularly add capabilities to these integrations to deliver new features to enhance security and safety for customers,” says Stainburn. “Cybersecurity is not a feature for us — it’s a foundation,” Stainburn emphasises. “As video systems become more connected and intelligence moves closer to the edge, trust must be designed in from the start. We take a secure-by-design approach across our hardware, software, and integrations. That means protecting data at every stage — from capture to analysis to delivery.” Combining sight and intelligence Just as important, the company works closely with partners and customers to ensure systems fit into their broader security and IT strategies. “When organisations rely on video to make critical decisions, security and reliability must be non-negotiable,” says Stainburn. Stainburn sees video as evolving from traditional surveillance into “visual intelligence” — moving from simply recording events to understanding what is happening in real time. By combining sight and intelligence, organisations can see patterns, giving them the power to predict events that may happen. Proactively addressing risks Stainburn sees video as evolving from traditional surveillance into “visual intelligence” Traditionally, video security was based on video surveillance — an investigative tool for users to review what has already happened. With AI, users can take a different approach — looking at patterns to better secure their premises and have the foresight to intervene before incidents escalate. AI helps systems understand what is happening in a scene, enabling them to discern between a person standing at a train platform and an individual vandalising a train platform, someone holding a power drill versus someone holding a gun. “This level of visual intelligence brings clarity to unfolding events to assist users in proactively addressing risks,” says Stainburn. AI-enabled video systems With foresight, end users can prevent those events from occurring or other issues from escalating. The ability to discern patterns can also influence decisions around safety, resource use, and the customer experience, says Stainburn. “While security will always remain core, we expect visual intelligence to play an increasingly important role in improving operational efficiency across many environments over the next five years.” Not all AI-enabled video systems are equal. Edge, cloud, and GenAI-based tools have different strengths and selecting one approach over another depends on the application or the problem customers need to solve. IQSIGHT works closely with integrators and end users to understand the challenges they are addressing and to provide guidance on the best AI approach to reduce risks, lower response times, and improve operations. Proof of concept projects are important to demonstrating performance in the real world. That’s where IQSIGHT gains an advantage with solutions that deliver reliable results even in challenging conditions, says Stainburn.

Digitalising access presents a specific challenge in heritage buildings: how to protect these premises against 21st-century threats while preserving the unique building fabric? Choosing a programmable smart key system provided the solution at a historic Prague monastery. The Franciscan Monastery is a living space which, in addition to its spiritual mission, hosts exhibitions, baptisms, and community meetings. Managers must therefore effectively control access to individual parts of the building, to retain an overview of the movement of people, and at the same time react flexibly to events. Streamline key management The original access system could no longer meet their requirements. Key management was complex; there was a lack of clarity; and risks associated with the loss or non-return of site keys increased. They wanted to upgrade access security to streamline key management and minimise risks associated with missing keys. Another essential element was that any software for this enhanced control over key and space management should be user-friendly and operable even by non-technical staff. Above all, preserving the historic character of the building was non-negotiable. No invasive installation process was possible. Leaning into ASSA ABLOY expertise in the heritage sector helped monastery managers to identify the right solution. Combining mechanical robustness Based on these requirements, a CLIQ system was the preferred choice. The ASSA ABLOY eCLIQ smart key solution combines mechanical robustness with intelligent electronics; it enables modern access management without any need for cabling. “Even in historic buildings, our eCLIQ smart key system can be implemented efficiently while preserving safety, aesthetics, and flexibility,” explains Ondřej Gajdoš, Acquisition Sales Manager at ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions. Thirty-five wire-free cylinders were installed and 90 programmable keys distributed, with everything now managed in intuitive software which allows staff to easily set and edit access rights according to evolving needs – whether for employees and visitors, or to stage one-off events. One CLIQ advantage for the monastery is the ability for staff to respond immediately to any risky situation. If someone loses their key, for example, its authorisations are quickly blocked without any need to replace cylinders – saving time and money while also safeguarding security. Streamlining daily operations The CLIQ solution is also wire-free, so installation took place without interfering with the historic structure. It fully respects the architectural value of the building. By deploying CLIQ, the monastery has gained a modern access management tool that significantly increases security while streamlining daily operations. The solution brought not only a higher level of security and more efficient key management, but also the necessary flexibility for more dynamic use of space around the site. If needed, expansion of their system in the future is totally seamless: the CLIQ system’s reach can scale as the monastery’s needs evolve.

Located in Nantou County, Taiwan, Zhonggua River was once heavily impacted by river engineering projects that disrupted the natural relationship between the stream and its surrounding environment. As habitats became simplified, native species declined while invasive species spread, and the river gradually lost much of its ecological vitality. With growing environmental awareness and conservation advocacy, restoration efforts supported by Taiwan’s Agency of Rural Development and Soil and Water Conservation, together with National Chung Hsing University, helped restore the river’s natural landscape by removing concrete barriers and reopening the riverbanks to nature. The area has since evolved into a space for biodiversity conservation, environmental education, and community engagement, earning “OECM” (Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures) certification in Taiwan’s first competition. As biodiversity returned, the need for a long-term, low-impact monitoring system created an opportunity for smart security solutions to support ecological conservation. Sustainable environmental management Background - Climate change, extreme weather, and changing land use patterns have increased the importance of river conservation and water management. Zhonggua River and its surrounding wetlands provide important habitat for Taiwan’s native wildlife. After restoration, the River’s natural floodplain regained its ability to regulate floodwaters, replenish groundwater, and rebuild ecological habitats during typhoons and heavy rainfall. VIVOTEK partnered with National Chung Hsing University and AI startup team DATAYOO to introduce an intelligent video monitoring solution, creating a 24/7, non-intrusive ecological observation system that supports both conservation and sustainable environmental management. Track environmental changes Challenge – Previously, ecological surveys relied on field inspections, manual observations, and conventional infrared cameras with limited recording capabilities and fixed viewing angles. Researchers entering the site could also unintentionally disturb wildlife. In addition, the river experienced wastewater pollution incidents from upstream of the restoration site that damaged water quality and aquatic life. Traditional monitoring methods made it difficult to quickly identify pollution sources or track environmental changes over time. These challenges highlighted the need for a smarter and more environmentally friendly monitoring solution. Environmental management efficiency Solutions - Remote Ecological Monitoring - As part of its “Safety Map” initiative, VIVOTEK mobilised employees to participate in local ecological restoration, including wetland creation, invasive plant removal, and native vegetation recovery. The company also deployed high-resolution PTZ cameras integrated with the VORTEX cloud surveillance platform, enabling remote live monitoring, centralised video management, and cloud-based data access to improve ecological research and environmental management efficiency. Researchers can now remotely observe wildlife without disturbing natural behavior, documenting species such as the protected crab-eating mongoose, kingfishers, spot-billed ducks, turtles, and wild boars. The footage also supports the development of a local biodiversity database for long-term conservation research. Environmental and Disaster Monitoring - The system monitors water levels, water conditions, and surrounding environments in real time, helping authorities manage flood risks during typhoons and heavy rain while reducing the need for personnel to enter hazardous areas. If pollution incidents occur, recorded footage can help trace contamination sources and assess ecological impacts. Environmental Education - Time-lapse footage and recorded videos are also used as educational materials for schools and local communities, helping raise awareness of biodiversity and ecological restoration. Ecological and environmental benefits Result and Customer Feedback - Since the deployment of the smart monitoring system, Zhonggua River has achieved significant ecological and environmental benefits: Improved efficiency in biodiversity monitoring and long-term ecological research. Documentation of at least 13 species, including protected crab-eating mongooses, spot-billed ducks, kingfishers, turtles, and wild boars, validating the success of habitat restoration. Enhanced pollution tracking and water environment management capabilities Stronger flood and disaster monitoring during extreme weather Creation of a growing environmental education and ecological resource database Supporting environmental protection Since deployment, PathCare has significantly enhanced its security and operational oversight. With VIVOTEK’s high-quality cameras, advanced VSS Pro monitoring, and responsive local support, PathCare now operates a future-proof surveillance system that protects valuable assets, enforces SOP compliance, and strengthens overall safety. VIVOTEK’s smart security solutions empower researchers to observe ecosystems over longer periods and across wider areas without disturbing wildlife. Combined with wetland restoration efforts, the system has helped document the return of many native species once displaced by human activity. - Chiou-Rong Sheue, Professor, Department of Life Sciences, National Chung Hsing University VIVOTEK will continue leveraging AI and smart security technologies to support environmental protection, public safety, and sustainable development, creating a future where technology and nature coexist in harmony.

Discover how OpenEye Web Services empowered a major U.S. grocery chain to streamline its operations and simplify the management of its video security for more than 140 stores with over 15,000 cameras. Select Systems has been a trusted provider of security solutions for over 30 years, serving grocery stores, retail outlets, and other businesses in the western U.S. Streamlining user management When their long-time customer, a major U.S. grocery chain, approached Select Systems looking to make the move to IP, they requested Select connect with OpenEye and develop an IP solution for new store locations. The hardware is managed through OpenEye Web Services (OWS), which streamlines user management, reduces IT workload, provides actionable intelligence and expedites video export and sharing. In a few short years, Select had installed over 40 stores with the IP solution from OpenEye. During this time, Select Systems was maintaining about 100 existing analogue stores. What began with modernizing one store, grew to more than 140 locations with over 15,000 cameras. Providing actionable intelligence Learn how OpenEye Web Services enabled the national chain to manage its system more remotely and simplify operations by increasing staff access to video. The grocery chain ultimately chose the OWS platform because OpenEye listened to their feedback and developed several new features to specifically address their operational needs: Streamlined user management Reduced IT workload Actionable intelligence Expedited video exporting and sharing

Dubai Parks and Resorts, the Middle East’s largest integrated theme park destination, has introduced Gunnebo Entrance Control’s SpeedStile FLs gates to strengthen safety, security and the overall guest experience across its attractions. Since opening in 2016, Dubai Parks and Resorts has become one of the region’s most popular leisure destinations, welcoming guests from across the world to enjoy more than 100 rides and experiences across its 232-hectare site. Single-person detection technology The resort brings together four award-winning theme parks, a water park, Riverland Dubai as a themed leisure and dining district and the Lapita Hotel Dubai, a Polynesian-style resort designed for families. With its scale and variety, the resort faces the challenge of ensuring guests experience a smooth entry without compromising on safety or security. To meet these requirements, Dubai Parks and Resorts selected Gunnebo Entrance Control’s SpeedStile FLs. Designed for high-traffic environments, the gates combine a sleek design with advanced single-person detection technology to ensure only authorised visitors are granted entry. High level of security Since implementation, visitor entry has become more efficient across the resort, helping guests move smoothly through access points, even during the busiest times of day, while maintaining high security standards. The solution supports both the guest experience and the operational requirements of a large and complex destination, balancing efficient throughput with robust entrance control. The SpeedStile FLs provides valuable data insights on visitor flow, giving management greater visibility into how people move around the site. Gates can also be configured remotely, offering flexibility to adapt to different visitor types and operational requirements. Integrating with the resort’s existing ticketing and validation systems helps the resort optimise staffing and streamline operations, while maintaining a high level of security. Robust entrance control Clear visual indicators and audio signals make them intuitive to use, reducing the need for staff assistance. The gates are also engineered to handle high visitor throughput, coping easily with the surges in footfall that theme parks experience at different times of day. Fadi Yakoub, Project Director for Gunnebo Entrance Control, added: “Dubai Parks and Resorts is a destination recognised worldwide for its scale and ambition. We are proud to see our SpeedStile FLs supporting such a landmark site, helping the team deliver a safe, secure and seamless experience for every guest. It demonstrates how entrance control can go beyond security to add value in both operational efficiency and a seamless visitor experience.”

Premier Inn, Ilford, has completed a major upgrade to its fire alarm infrastructure with the installation of Advanced MxPro 5 fire panels, providing comprehensive Category L1 protection throughout the nine‑storey hotel. As a busy hospitality environment accommodating guests around the clock, the hotel required a robust and reliable fire detection system capable of delivering early warning across all areas of the building. The project involved a full system upgrade, with new detection installed throughout communal spaces, guest bedrooms, kitchen and dining areas, and roof spaces, ensuring maximum protection for both guests and staff. Effective occupant warning The new fire system comprises three Advanced MxPro 5 panels, including two four‑loop panels and one single‑loop panel, networked to cover all nine floors of the hotel. Detection has been installed throughout communal areas and bedrooms, with sounder beacons provided within each bathroom and accessible room to support effective occupant warning. The system is also connected to a pager system to assist hard‑of‑hearing guests, enhancing inclusivity and safety. Haskell Fire & Security Ltd was responsible for the full design, installation, and commissioning of the fire alarm system. The team worked on site to complete the final stages of installation and commissioning as part of the hotel’s refurbishment programme, delivering a modern fire system designed to meet the operational demands of a live hospitality setting. Live hospitality setting Lee Haskell, Managing Director at Haskell Fire & Security Ltd, said: “This project was all about delivering maximum protection without compromise. The MxPro 5 is a fantastic product, and it’s one we specify wherever possible. It gives us the flexibility, reliability and ease of commissioning we need, while providing the client with a system that’s simple to manage and built for the long term.” Advanced’s MxPro 5 was recommended as a replacement for the originally installed system, offering greater flexibility through its open‑protocol design and consistency with fire systems installed across other Premier Inn sites. With powerful processing, intuitive configuration software and extensive cause‑and‑effect capabilities, the panel is well-suited to complex, multi‑storey hospitality buildings. Robust fire protection Salvy Vittozzi, Advanced’s Regional Sales Manager for the South East, added: “Hotels place unique demands on fire systems, with high occupancy, varied risk areas and the need for clear, reliable protection at all times. The MxPro 5 is designed for exactly these environments, combining powerful performance with ease of use for installers and end users alike. The Premier Inn, Ilford installation is a great example of how the system can deliver Category L1 protection across a busy, multi‑floor site.” With the upgrade now complete, Premier Inn, Ilford, benefits from a modern, high‑performance fire alarm system that supports early detection, clear occupant warning and long‑term reliability. The installation demonstrates how Advanced’s MxPro 5 can be successfully deployed in hospitality settings to deliver robust fire protection and peace of mind.

OpenEye Web Services modernises security systems for multi-use facilities like Salem Covenant Church with remote monitoring, access control, and real-time alerts. OpenEye Web Services (OWS) offers an innovative and intelligent security solution tailored for multi-use facilities like Salem Covenant Church in Worcester, Massachusetts. By implementing OWS, the church significantly enhanced the efficiency of its security system, allowing for seamless access control and remote monitoring. The OWS platform has successfully replaced the outdated, time-consuming process of managing keycards, ensuring a safer and more welcoming environment for the church community. Intelligent security solution Key Benefits of OWS: Streamlined access control Remote monitoring capabilities Easy integration with existing systems Real-time alerts Customisable access levels OWS offers a comprehensive security solution that caters to the unique needs of multi-use facilities. With features like real-time alerts and customisable access levels, OWS enables organisations to adapt their security measures to meet their specific requirements. In the case of Salem Covenant Church, OWS has allowed the staff to focus on their core mission of serving the community, knowing that their security system is reliable and efficient.

Inflation surged dramatically because of supply disruptions and high energy costs following the COVID pandemic and given the Russia-Ukraine conflict. More recently, inflation has cooled significantly, although it still has not achieved the historically targeted rate of 2%. Factors such as tariffs and the Iran war continue to drive broader inflation. The physical security market faces its own multiple trends that continue to drive inflation of the industry's products and services. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: What is the current state of price inflation in the security market, and what is the outlook for the near future?

Passwords originated in ancient times, used by Roman military forces around the first century BC. Since then, passwords have evolved from physical words to the computer access control tools used today. Passwords are easy to implement, widely supported, and familiar to users. However, they are easily forgotten, stolen through phishing, prone to reuse, and vulnerable to credential-harvesting or brute-force attacks. We asked our Expert Panel: What is the role of passwords in physical security?

Critical national infrastructure encompasses sectors such as energy, utilities, healthcare, and data centers – environments that underpin economic stability and public safety. With so much at stake, the importance of effective security systems is that much higher. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: What are the unique aspects of the critical infrastructure market, and how should the security industry adapt?