Border Security

Cobwebs Technologies (Cobwebs) has launched the only available, fully automated web investigation platform capable of unified identity resolution to the corporate security market. The ability to work in stealth mode and bridge the digital and physical world will boost the corporate security team’s threat intelligence and mitigation capabilities. The law enforcement grade platform’s AI and machine learning (ML)-powered algorithms’ ability to extract targeted intelligence from the web’s big data and deliver trustworthy threat intelligence is unprecedented. Battle-proven technology “Currently, corporate security teams have limited investigative, threat intelligence and detection capabilities because many use disparate systems only capable of monitoring the surface web." "Some still use time-consuming and error-prone manual investigative processes. Cobwebs makes these outdated processes redundant,” explains Johnmichael O’Hare, Sales and Business Development Director at Cobwebs Technologies. “Cobwebs allows corporate security teams to bridge the digital and physical world with its ability to deanonymise threat actors anywhere. No one else has this capability. Our technology is already battle-proven and used by law enforcement agencies and homeland security departments around the world.” How does it work? The Cobwebs web investigation platform works similarly to a search engine. An analyst enters their search terms and the platform conducts wide and deep threat monitoring across the web. When something suspicious is found, the platform moves into the web investigation phase. Here, it not only locates and analyses the activities of threat actors in a myriad of digital and social media channels across the open, deep and dark web but it also proactively thwarts their planning and activities with precision. Investigative process The process seamlessly culminates in the deanonymisation and confirmation of the nefarious individual’s identity irrespective of their online or global location. Corporate security analyst’s identity is masked and secured via Cobweb’s secured browsing tool The threat actor’s identity together with threat intelligence data relevant to the search terms is then displayed on an intuitive dashboard. Throughout the entire investigative process, the corporate security analyst’s identity is masked and secured via Cobweb’s secured browsing tool. Strengthens risk profiles Cobwebs strengthen the risk profiles of companies using the platform and deliver true threat intelligence. “Our platform will give the teams and departments responsible for protecting some of America’s most important businesses the investigative capabilities they need to enhance their field intelligence with actionable and trustworthy data.” “This allows them to manage their internal and external risks, and cyber threats, protect their bottom line, and boost their situational awareness. Company employees, digital and physical assets, and intellectual property remain protected,” adds O’Hare. User protocols From a privacy perspective, the platform is only able to locate information already in place on the surface, deep or dark web. All corporate security teams using Cobwebs Technologies have their own internal user protocols and oversight that govern the appropriate use of the technology. Cobwebs provide the web intelligence platform, trains corporate security teams on how to use it, and provides after-sales support to all clients. It does not carry out investigations on behalf of clients.

Leonardo and LACROIX have signed a strategic agreement that will see the partners working together to develop and integrate solutions in the naval countermeasures sector. The collaboration, which will look towards new technologies as well as new business opportunities, initially provides for the creation of the SYLENA Mk2/MJTE solution. This will see LACROIX's SYLENA MK2 DLS (Decoy Launching System) integrated with Leonardo's MJTE (Mobile Jammer Target Emulator) anti-torpedo countermeasures. Torpedo jamming solution The MJTE is Leonardo's latest-generation torpedo jamming solution. It can emulate the signature and acoustics of its host platform and emit a powerful jamming signal to create convincing false targets, allowing the targeted vessel to perform an effective evasive manoeuvre. Compared to other solutions on the market, the new MJTE packs a number of protective techniques into a low-cost unit and performs effectively in a short-range. The MJTE is part of Leonardo's new anti-torpedo suite, which includes the towed Black Snake sonar, the new OTO Decoy Launching System 20 (ODLS20) and the company’s software package which calculates optimum release timing for countermeasures and escape routes for the host vessel. Expanding accessible market Compact and lightweight form factor of the SYLENA MK2 makes it suitable to expand the potential user base for the MJTE The cooperation agreement between Leonardo and LACROIX will expand the accessible market for both the MJTE countermeasure and the SYLENA MK2 launch system. The compact and lightweight form factor of the SYLENA MK2 makes it suitable for small and medium-sized vessels, expanding the potential user base for the MJTE. Meanwhile, the cutting-edge new capabilities brought by the MJTE will improve the utility of the SYLENA MK2 system. Anti-submarine countermeasure solution Andrea Padella, Head of Defense Systems, Leonardo Electronics said, "This agreement reaffirms Leonardo's ability to interpret, respond to and often anticipate market needs.” “There is a clear synergy in this partnership with LACROIX as together we can offer a sophisticated anti-submarine countermeasure solution, even for platforms with limited space.” “These require compact and lightweight launch systems which can simultaneously deliver Anti-Air Warfare and Anti-Submarine capabilities." Commitment Leonardo is committed to securing and protecting people and communities around the world through its leadership in next-generation technologies. Collaboration within the industry, with government and between individuals to offer superior security capabilities is part of its 'Be Tomorrow - Leonardo 2030' strategic plan. Development of joint solutions The partnership proves the maturity of Leonardo solutions and the modularity and versatility of the range of systems François MOULINIER, COO of LACROIX Defense said, “Following the work, we have undertaken with Leonardo to integrate SYLENA within their Athena-C combat management system as part of ongoing contracts, this collaboration is a natural next step in the development of joint solutions.” “Leonardo is a major player in the European Industrial and Technological Defense Base (BITD) and this partnership proves the maturity of our solutions and the unmatched modularity and versatility of our range of systems.” Decoy Launching Systems (DLS) Following its customers’ requests, LACROIX has developed, since 2012, a range of new generation Decoy Launching Systems (DLS) to protect and significantly increase vessel survivability ratio, from patrol boats operating the SYLENA® Lightweight to destroyers operating the SYLENA® MK1 and MK2. Launchers SYLENA® launchers are capable of employing the latest generation of SEACLAD® ammunition, corner reflectors and IR decoys as well as ASW solutions with the SEALAT dedicated to the SYLENA® MK2. The SYLENA® MK2 DLS, which is the first in-service static anti-missile system in the world operating both corner reflectors (SEALEM) and anti-torpedo countermeasures, maximises vessel protection with a highly reliable system at a low operating cost. Limited acquisition The fact that the SYLENA® DLS static launcher fires only mortars without any pneumatic constraints and has a low footprint on deck along with a low recoil force allows for the limited acquisition and integration costs. Therefore, the system has already convinced numerous navies to either retrofit or fit out their vessels.

Leonardo ranks first in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) for the Aerospace & Defence industry, confirming the company’s leadership for the second consecutive year. This achievement confirms that sustainability is at the core and a key driver of Leonardo’s strategy, governance, and 2030 vision. Developing new business opportunities “Being recognised as an industry leader in the DJSI,” the CEO of Leonardo, Alessandro Profumo, commented, “further confirms that we are on the right path. We continue to contribute to sustainable progress for a safer world.” “This ambition is at the core of Be Tomorrow-Leonardo 2030, our long-term plan aimed at developing new business opportunities and working towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations (UN) by leveraging on technological innovation and core competencies.” “Economic, social, and environmental sustainability is now at the centre of the international debate. The belief that sustainability creates value and mobilise resources is becoming increasingly shared.” Long-term value creation “We are proud of this recognition,” the Chairman of Leonardo, Luciano Carta, underlined, “in addition to the recent appointment of Leonardo to the United Nations’ Global Compact LEAD, which also confirms our leading role and commitment to sustainability at a global level.” “This is the result of a governance which is increasingly geared towards sustainable success and long-term value creation.” CFO taskforce Leonardo to contribute to the creation of a sustainable financial model for the prosperity of companies and communities Leonardo reinforces its commitment through the CFO Taskforce, part of the UN Global Compact, for sustainable finance, established at the end of 2019. Thanks to the commitment of the Taskforce and the signing of the Principles for Integrated SDG Investments and Finance, Leonardo will contribute to the creation of a sustainable financial model for the prosperity of companies and communities. Sustainability commitments Below are some key figures, referred to in 2019 reporting, as an example of Leonardo’s sustainability commitments: For Prosperity and Innovation: 5 billion euro spent towards Research and Development 9,000 employees operate in R&D activities Over 8,000 suppliers, mainly small and medium enterprises highly specialised, and 81% of purchases from four domestic markets 90 universities and research centres with ongoing collaborations and partnerships For Security: 75 sites in 29 countries have been protected from cyber-attacks Around 300 airports use Leonardo systems for air traffic control Over 1,100 helicopters are used for search and rescue, fire-fighting and civil missions Around 70,000 users protected with cyber security services For People and Skills: Around 2,500 internships, apprenticeships and training initiatives have been activated since 2017 Over 5,000 people under 30 new hires in the 2017-2019 period 20 average hours of training per employee per year in the period 2018-2019 For Planet: Over 1 million images captured by the COSMO-SkyMed constellation since 2008 for Earth observation Reduction of fuel consumption by 10-15% and emissions by 20% through the usage of carbon fibre aerostructures 47,000 tonnes of CO2 avoided in 2019 thanks to virtual systems for the training of helicopter and aircraft pilots

Leonardo welcomes the announcement made by the U.S. Department of Defence to award AgustaWestland Philadelphia Corp. a 171 million USD modification to the previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract for the US Navy’s Advanced Helicopter Training System. This modification exercises options for the production and delivery of an additional 36 TH-73A aircraft, with work expected to be completed in December 2022 in Philadelphia, PA. Firm-fixed price contract In January 2020 Leonardo, through AgustaWestland Philadelphia Corp., was awarded a firm-fixed-price contract valued at 176 million USD for the production and delivery of 32 TH-73A helicopters, initial spares, support and dedicated equipment, and specific pilot and maintenance training services. Training students The TH-73A will be used to train the next generation of student aviators from the US Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard.

Videonetics, AI & DL powered Unified Video Computing Platform™ development company, proudly announces technology integration with RBH Access, manufacturer of access control and security management systems. User benefits from the integration Built on the powerful integration framework between Videonetics Intelligent Video Management Software (VMS) and RBH AxiomX Alarm Management Suite, the users are empowered to gain end-to-end control over the physical access points through one centralised interface. The seamless integration allows visual verification of the person, captures events as they happen and the ability to respond immediately, from the user-friendly GUI of Intelligent VMS. Functions and controls At the time of the incident, the operators will be notified with an alert and they can leverage the full power of both RBH AxiomX and Videonetics IVMS to quickly lock/unlock doors, control cameras, retrieve live video and much more. Henceforth, they are equipped to make decisions, after conducting investigations of specific access points using video evidence, analyse patterns and generate reports. The user can manage access rights with live videos and real-time notifications using Intelligent VMS desktop, web, and mobile clients. Simplified security operation at reduced TCO Customers benefit from reduced TCO by only upgrading the surveillance system Best suited for all sizes of installations with scalability, the integrated solution simplifies security operations and enhances safety measures of the businesses. Moreover, customers will also benefit from reducing the total cost of ownership due to only upgrading the surveillance system, rather than adding multiple hardware components. Authorities statement “We are delighted to have solidified our partnership and further deepens our long-standing relationship with RBH Access, bringing true value to our joint customers and partners. Combining our IVMS with RBH Alarm Management Suite will help them to design highly efficient surveillance solutions for both public and private sectors across the world.” “Built on open architecture, the unified solution delivers powerful, effective, and robust intelligence to our customers, eventually increasing both security and situational awareness of the site,” expressed Avinash J. Trivedi, VP – Business Development of Videonetics. “I see Videonetics as one of the fastest-growing Indian companies in security systems. We are proud to get this integration working. I see in the near future we will work on many large opportunities where customers are demanding and want integrated solutions. Biggest synergy I see both the companies believe in giving customised solutions to users,” said Vinay Vashishta, Director Operations, South Asia, RBH Access.

Vision-Box a global provider of biometrics seamless travel, automated border management and electronic identity management solutions dedicated to improving the quality and security in government services, travel and border control - announced a regional strategic partnership with AirAsia Group, to implement pioneering, identity management technology across its network of 152 airports. As a provider and pioneer of new seamless digital identification technologies throughout the travel ecosystem, AirAsia has already demonstrated its ability to be ahead of the curve to be able to respond quickly to the COVID-19 pandemic and the restricted travel environment, including the need for new travel safety requirements than many other airlines. Contactless facial recognition This is evident in initiatives such as F.A.C.E.S (Fast Airport Clearance Experience System), the airline’s contactless facial recognition passenger processing system. To continue their innovative trend, AirAsia engaged Vision-Box to help them realise the next step in providing a seamless touchless identification and contactless clearance traveller experience. Further enhancing their digital identity management strategy across AirAsia Group will dramatically improve the customer experience with a single enrolment for services at key customer process points. Collaborative digital platform Orchestra will interconnect with AirAsia’s network to regulate all virtual and physical security The Vision-Box’s Orchestra Identity Management Platform, a collaborative digital platform of real time data administration and end-to-end customer-centric service management tools, will provide instant analysis, monitoring, reporting and configuration ability for a more convenient and seamless travel experience. Orchestra will interconnect with AirAsia’s network to regulate all virtual and physical security and data infrastructure in real-time, bridging and managing the information flow between traveller processing points, multi-source data streams, and relevant stakeholders. Today’s announcement combines the following new services and solutions: Delivery of F.A.C.E.S (Fast Airport Clearance Experience System) - A touchless identification and contactless clearance platform designed for mobile check-in to enhance the guest experience at the airport, improve customer brand loyalty, and be an integral part of AirAsia’s overall digitisation strategy. Network wide Digital Identity Management - A collaborative development to drive organisational data ecosystem expansion and technology enablers across AirAsia’s travel and finance platforms. Deployment of seamless touchless and contactless experience traveller points across AirAsia’s 24 travel hubs to include: Mobile Digital ID enrolment Biometric Facial Recognition devices at check-in (FACES) Automated bag-drop self-service Roving VPoD for temperature checks Security and Boarding VPoD for seamless traveller identification and clearance Identity management platforms Speaking about the strategic partnership with AirAsia, Miguel Leitmann, the CEO of Vision-Box said: “This collaboration is a powerful gamechanger for the industry. Partnering with AirAsia will allow Vision-Box to deliver the very best strategies that will be uniquely conceived, designed and built for the next generation of transformative identity management platforms.” “We believe this partnership will lead to a traveller management model that will drive how passenger identification and clearance is conducted in the near future with substantially reduced operating costs, increased efficiency and improved output.” Contactless air travel technologies These technologies are integral to make flying as safe, seamless, and convenient as possible" Javed Malik, COO of AirAsia Group said “Our digital transformation strategy commenced over two years ago and we are taking the opportunity from this COVID-19 crisis to further improve our digital capabilities and enhance the customer journey. These new technologies are integral to make flying as safe, affordable, seamless, and convenient as possible, which is critical in the Covid restricted travel environment." "We are pleased to partner with Vision-Box as an industry leader in their field to deliver a major step change in touchless and contactless air travel technologies.” Identity management platform Vision-Box’s Orchestra Identity Management Platform is certified with Privacy by Design, a premiere accreditation for safeguarding personal and private information used in Identity Management services. Privacy by Design prioritises the protection of individual data and ensures the highest level of privacy protection as a system default in government and commercial networks. Its use in Orchestra significantly improves how Vision-Box and its clients meet the levels of privacy and security of personal data that citizens and consumers are demanding. The Vision-Box and AirAsia collaboration will bring together industry renowned innovations in digital traveller processing strategy, biometric ID technology ideation and passenger management system maturation. Together, they will support travellers through a successful transformation towards a safer, more secure, and hygienic airport environment.

AI has opened doors to many transformation opportunities and increasingly minimised many risks  -- personal and economic -- that are alarming today. And illicit trade is one of those pains AI can offer a promising solution against. Illicit trade is a serious threat and problem that affects governments and societies on every level. While governments lose financial funds in tax revenues, thriving businesses are losing potential customers, and customers are getting tricked into purchasing counterfeit, low-quality products. Transnational organised crime generates revenue of $2.2 trillion through transnational criminal organisations, complicit corrupt facilitators, and other threat areas.   The list of criminal activities is long and involves such horrific crimes as trafficking of narcotics, opioids, arms, humans, fake medicines and other counterfeit and pirated goods; illegal tobacco and alcohol; illegally-harvested timber, wildlife, and fish; pillaged oil, diamonds, gold, and other natural resources and precious minerals; stolen antiquities; and other contraband or valuable items sold across streets, social media, online marketplaces, and the dark web. In short, illicit trade is a contributing cause to large-scale insecurity and instability across markets. AI-driven technologies Here is where revolutionary AI-driven technologies come in, with their capability to fight illicit trade across markets. AI technologies in this specific application promise to help build safer and more secure communities in the future. There are a few ways that AI can support the ongoing fight against illicit trade on a global scale in a tangible way. Transnational organised crime generates revenue of $2.2 trillion For financial transactions at risk of fraud and money laundering, tracking has become an increasing headache if done manually. As a solution to this labour-intensive process, AI technology can be trained to follow all the compliance rules and process a large number of documents -- often billions of pages of documents -- in a short period of time. Among these documents widely in circulation, most have an unstructured and inconsistent format -- from invoices to insurance documentation -- are a complex system to tackle; in this whirlwind of pages, the likelihood of non-compliant and misrepresented figures to go by unnoticed. But this is also where AI can thrive as solutions become a necessity, enhancing humans’ capabilities of identifying fraud risks in the early stages. Relying on natural language processing, the technology can begin interpreting the text from the scanned and digitised documents in order to process trade information at high speed. In this context, AI-powered solutions are capable of comparing, contrasting document information and identify anomalies worth looking into further. By automating a large portion of the process, AI-driven technology allows the staff to focus on more pressing, high-involvement issues that require human judgement while saving time on the time-consuming manual work of analysing documents by hand. Identifying covert interactions between criminals As criminal networks become increasingly intricate in their illegal operations, cutting-edge AI technology is crucial in the battle against it. In 2019, EU launched a project with the goal to deploy advanced AI technology and robots to identify smuggling across the borders of Portugal, Estonia, Italy, Greece, Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary.  With the help of AI, it will be possible to send drones and autonomous vehicles to the most dubious border areas in order to enforce border control and detect smugglers quickly and efficiently. Illicit trade triggers a chain reaction of negative impact across industries, governments and individuals The issues the EU is trying to address through the project include drug and weapon smuggling, as well as human trafficking. From tight border control tracking crossings to communication monitoring to identify covert interactions between criminals on both sides of the border, the project is one among many that will expand the scope of solutions to the illicit trade problems today. AI’s contribution is significant on many levels: from predicting crime and threats to safeguarding public health and safety (in face of human trafficking, counterfeit medicines, and toxic products), these are simply inklings of major shifts that AI technology promises for the future of the battle against illicit trade. So why is fighting illicit trade so crucial? Here are a few reasons why AI’s role in fighting this global issue is crucial. In a world where customers run the risk of being deceived and tricked into buying counterfeit products, companies who provide the original products suffer through the loss of revenue and market share. The same companies are also robbed of their intellectual property and proprietary data. Furthermore, people who are employed in these companies run the risk of losing their jobs as a result of revenue and market share loss. And finally, the last straw is the loss of brand integrity and reputation to the need to compete with low-quality, sometimes even dangerous counterfeit products. Just like a domino effect, illicit trade triggers a chain reaction of negative impact across industries, governments and individuals. And it’s time for AI to step in and stop it.

The industry faces numerous challenges in the coming year. Physical and cyber security threats continue to become more complex, and organisations are struggling to manage both physical and digital credentials as well as a rapidly growing number of connected endpoints in the Internet of Things (IoT). We are witnessing the collision of the enterprise with the IoT, and organisations now must establish trust and validate the identity of people as well as ‘things’ in an environment of increasingly stringent safety and data privacy regulations. Meanwhile, demand grows for smarter and more data-driven workplaces, a risk-based approach to threat protection, improved productivity and seamless, more convenient access to the enterprise and its physical and digital assets and services. Using smartphone apps to open doors Cloud technologies give people access through their mobile phones and other devices to many new, high-value experiencesEnterprise customers increasingly want to create trusted environments within which they can deliver valuable new user experiences. A major driver is growing demand for the ‘digital cohesion’ of being able to use smartphone apps to open doors, authenticate to enterprise data resources or access a building’s applications and services. Cloud technologies are a key piece of the solution. They give people access through their mobile phones and other devices to many new, high-value experiences. At the same time, they help fuel smarter, more data-driven workplace environments. With the arrival of today’s identity- and location-aware building systems that recognise people and use deep learning analytics to customise their office environment, the workplace is undergoing dramatic change. Improved fingerprint solutions Cloud-based platforms and application programming interfaces (APIs) will help bridge biometrics and access control in the enterprise, overcoming previous integration hurdles while providing a trusted platform that meets the concerns of accessibility and data protection in a connected environment. At the same time, the next generation of fingerprint solutions will deliver higher matching speed, better image capture quality and improved performance. The next generation of fingerprint solutions will deliver higher matching speed, better image capture quality and improved performance Liveness detection will ensure that captured data is from a living person. Biometrics authentication will also gain traction beyond access control in immigration and border control, law enforcement, military, defence and other public section use cases where higher security is needed. Flexible subscription models Access control solutions based on cloud platforms will also change how solutions are deployed. Siloed security and workplace optimisation solutions will be replaced with mobile apps that can be downloaded anywhere across a global ecosystem of millions of compatible and connected physical access control system endpoints. These connections will also facilitate new, more flexible subscription models for access control services. As an example, users will be able to more easily replenish mobile IDs if their smartphones are lost or must be replaced. Generating valuable insights with machine learning Machine learning analytics will be used to generate valuable insights from today’s access control solutionsEducation, finance, healthcare, enterprise, and other niche markets such as commercial real-estate and enterprises focussed on co-working spaces will benefit from a cloud-connected access control hardware foundation. There will be a faster path from design to deployment since developers will no longer have to create an entire vertically integrated solution. They will simply add an app experience to the existing access control infrastructure. New players will be drawn to the market resulting in a richer, more vibrant development community and accelerated innovation. Data analytics will be a rapidly growing area of interest. Machine learning analytics will be used to generate valuable insights from today’s access control solutions. Devices, access control systems, IoT applications, digital certificates and location services solutions, which are all connected to the cloud, will collectively deliver robust data with which to apply advanced analytics and risk-based intelligence. As organisations incorporate this type of analytics engine into their access control systems, they will improve security and personalise the user experience while driving better business decisions. 

The Internet of Things (IoT) is having a significant and ever-changing impact on the way we view video security. Today, cameras are expected to be so much more than devices with which to simply capture images; they need to be far smarter than that. These future-facing cameras are becoming an integral part of the vast digital connectivity infrastructure, delivering a parallel performance as intelligent sensors with the ability to extract the kind of invaluable data that helps businesses make improvements in the area of video security, and beyond. However, as the list of possibilities grows, so too does the risk of unauthorised access by cybercriminals. We should all be aware that a single weak link in a communications infrastructure can give hackers access to sensitive data. That’s the bad news. Safeguarding data and utilising deep learning The good news is cybercrime can be avoided by employing a data security system that’s completely effective from end-to-end. One technological advancement that the trend-spotters are predicting will become part of the video security vocabulary is ‘deep learning’ Once this level of safeguarding is in place you can begin to confidently explore the technologies and trends happening now, and those on the horizon. So, what will be having an influence on surveillance in 2018? Well, according to IHS Markit, one technological advancement that the trend-spotters are predicting will become part of the video security vocabulary is ‘deep learning’, which uses algorithms to produce multiple layers of information from the same piece of data, therefore emulating the way the human brain absorbs innumerable details every second. In Europe, GDPR compliance will also be a big talking point as new principles for video surveillance data collection, use limitation, security safeguards, individual participation and accountability are introduced. And, as the popularity – and misuse – of drones continues to rise, the recent developments in drone detection technology will be particularly welcomed by those whose primary concern relates to large areas, such as airport perimeter security. The future of 'smart' video analytics An important feature of today’s intelligent cameras is the ability to provide smart video analytics. The Bosch ‘i’ series, for example, offers a choice of formats – Essential Video Analytics and Intelligent Video Analytics. Essential Video Analytics is geared toward regular applications such as small and medium businesses looking to support business intelligence (e.g. inter-network data transfer), large retail stores and commercial buildings for advanced intrusion detection, enforcing health and safety regulations (no-parking zones or detecting blocked emergency exits) and analysing consumer behaviour. The camera-based, real-time processing can also be used to detect discarded objects, issue loitering alarms and detect people or objects entering a pre-defined field. Intelligent Video Analytics provides additional capabilities. It is designed for demanding environments and mission-critical applications, such as the perimeter protection of airports, critical infrastructures and government buildings, border patrol, ship-tracking and traffic-monitoring (e.g. wrong-way detection, traffic-counts and monitoring roadsides for parked cars: all vital video security solutions). An important feature of today’s intelligent cameras is the ability to provide smart video analytics Intelligent Video Analytics can also differentiate between genuine security events and known false triggers, such as challenging environments created by snow, wind (moving trees), rain, hail, and water reflections. For more expansive areas, like an airport perimeter fence, the system has the range and capability to provide analysis over large distances. And, if a moving camera is employed, it is also possible to capture data on objects in transit when used in conjunction with the Intelligent Tracking feature. For roadside use, Intelligent Video Analytics systems, such as the Bosch MIC IP range, are resistant to vibrations and can still operate in extreme weather conditions, continuing to detect objects in heavy rain or snow.  Evolving cameras past surveillance It’s becoming ever clearer that the IoT is transforming the security camera from a device that simply captures images, into an intelligent sensor that plays an integral role in gathering the kind of vital business data that can be used to improve commercial operations in areas beyond security. For example, cities are transitioning into smart cities. The capabilities of an intelligent camera extend to the interaction and sharing of information with other devices (only those you have appointed) With intelligent video security cameras at the core of an urban infrastructure smart data can be collected to optimise energy consumption via smart city lighting that responds to crowd detection and movement. Cameras can also be used to improve public transport by monitoring punctuality and traffic flow based on queue lengths, with the ability to control traffic lights an option should a situation require it. As the urban sprawl continues and this infrastructure grows, the need for more knowledge of its use becomes more essential, necessitating the monitoring technology developed for use by human operators to evolve into smart sensing technology, that no longer just provides video feeds, but also uses intelligent analytics and sophisticated support systems. These systems filter out irrelevant sensor data and present only meaningful events, complete with all relevant contextual data to operators to aid their decision-making. Expanding the video security camera network Today, video analytics technology has tangible benefits for human operator surveillance, and delivers KPIs that are highly relevant to transport operators, planners and city authorities. As an existing infrastructure, a video security camera network can be improved and expanded by installing additional applications rather than replaced. From a business perspective, that means greater value from a limited investment. Thereafter, the capabilities of an intelligent camera extend to the interaction and sharing of information with other devices (only those you have appointed), image and data interpretation, and the ability to perform a variety of tasks independently to optimise both your safety and business requirements. The fact is, cameras see more than sensors. Sounds obvious, but a conventional sensor will only trigger an alarm when movement is detected, whereas a camera can also provide the associated image and information like object direction, size, colour, speed or type, and use time stamps to provide historical information regarding a specific location or event. Based on this evidence, the video security camera of today is more than ready for the challenges of tomorrow.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will be participating at ISC West in a big way. Representatives of the federal department will be taking part in more education sessions this year, and the DHS tech-scouting team will be on hand to view the latest technologies on display at the show. Exhibitors – and anyone else at the show – are invited to the “DHS Town Hall” on March 19 (Thursday) at 3:30 p.m. in meeting room Galileo 1001. The aim is for DHS to engage with the technology community and provide guidance as industry innovation moves forward. In the face of growing operational demands and complex threats, the need for homeland security technology solutions continues to rise. The Department of Homeland (DHS) is seeking new ideas and partners to safeguard public trust, save lives, reduce risks, and protect the flow of commerce and goods for the community. They will share information about the department’s problem sets, capability needs and business opportunities for accelerating technology development to ensure they are keeping pace with the speed of innovation and complex threats. Speaking at ISC West DHS seeks to challenge industry partners to develop technology to enhance security operations across multiple end user missions. The DHS Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) will jointly speak and exhibit at ISC West. Attendees can meet DHS professionals working in cyber security, critical infrastructure, resilience, aviation security, border and port operations, and first responder capabilities. Attendees are invited to visit the DHS exhibit booth #33040 in the Drones and Robotics Zone. The DHS Town Hall on Thursday, titled “Enhancing Security and Doing Business at the Speed of Life,” will be a “call to action” for show participants to help secure the future. DHS seeks to become more agile and to pursue new pathways to do business in a fast-moving world. Through strategic partnerships, DHS is mobilising the innovation community to safeguard the public trust. Security sessions DHS will also be participating in these sessions at ISC West, March 17-20 at the Sands Expo, Las Vegas, Nev: You Say It’s Going to Change the World? Tues., March 17, 9:45 a.m., Sands 302. Security relies on anticipating what comes next and staying a step ahead. How will 5G increase secure capabilities and reduce threats from bad actors? How will blockchain secure personal and financial identity and when will quantum computing render all encryption obsolete? How is DHS investing in counter-drones? How does AI change the security landscape? The New Federal Security Landscape – Are You Prepared? Wed., March 18, 1 p.m., Sands 302. The federal security landscape is evolving alongside the private sector. What are the new high-risk areas of concern and how are emerging threats (cyber, UAS) changing the way federal facilities are protected? How are these new risks balanced against traditional ones? How is the Interagency Security Committee (ISC) responding? DHS panelists will discuss. CISA Special Guest Speaker at SIA Interopfest. Wed., March 18, 4 p.m., Sands 701. Daryle Hernandez, Chief, Interagency Security Committee, DHS, Infrastructure Security Division, will provide insights to complement the technology interoperability demonstrations. Enhancing Security Through UAS Technology, A DHS Perspective. Thurs., March 19, 11:30 a.m., Venetian Ballroom. What is DHS doing today to prepare for a future of increased visualisation and automation? New questions are emerging around capabilities and vulnerabilities. Emerging technologies like AR, Next Gen Sensors, and UAS, provide the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with tools to become more responsive and adaptive to new threats.

ISC West is being affected only minimally by the COVID-19 coronavirus, which is having an impact on international business travel, specifically to and from China. One consequence of coronavirus travel restrictions is a decision by Reed Exhibitions International not to proceed with a dedicated pavilion for Chinese companies at ISC West, March 17-20. In the main hall, however, some Chinese companies will remain in the show and staff their exhibit booths with U.S. office personnel and resources. Importantly, the ISC West event is moving forward as planned. Several trade show organisers globally have cancelled events because of fears of spreading the disease. For example, the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona was cancelled at the end of February. “Our clear focus is on the health and safety for our entire ISC community, and empathy and compassion for our Chinese customers relative to personal health and safety, and the very challenging business predicament for these companies,” says Will Wise, Group Vice President, Security & Gaming Portfolio, Reed Exhibitions. Minimal Impact Our clear focus is on the health and safety for our entire ISC community, and empathy and compassion for our Chinese customersThe ISC West team and Reed Exhibitions International colleagues in China have been working diligently to assess the status of all ISC West exhibitors from China, given the travel restriction, says Wise. Among show attendees, Chinese travel restrictions will have a negligible impact. In past years, only a tiny fraction of attendees traveled to Las Vegas from China for the show. Immediate action by the U.S. government as soon as the world became aware of the COVID-19 coronavirus has enabled a controlled business and health and safety dynamic that will allow the show to proceed as planned. The U.S. took quick action to put major travel restrictions in place, including no incoming flights/travel from China. “The status is ever-evolving and we’ll be keeping the expo floor plan updated,” says Wise. The China pavilion In previous years, the China pavilion had hosted 50 or more companies as part of what was formerly known as “Global Expo,” located in the Venetian Ballroom adjacent to the Sands Convention Center.  In 2019, the slate of companies in the Venetian Ballroom expanded to include some domestic exhibitors as well as the international companies. Importantly, the ISC West event is moving forward as plannedThis year, Venetian Ballroom exhibits will continue without the participation of Chinese companies. There will be international exhibitors from countries outside China as well as some domestic companies, including the Emerging Technology Zone, where new startups will highlight their latest innovations. The Security Industry Association (SIA) New Product Showcase will also be featured in the Venetian Ballroom, as well as a VIP international lounge. Additionally, a new pavilion highlighting Loss Prevention and Supply Chain companies will be featured, and there will be an educational theatre offering free sessions on topics such as drones and robotics.  Reed Exhibitions strongly urges exhibitors and visitors to refer to the guidelines and protocols as suggested by the World Health Organization and local/national public health authorities to contain and mitigate against any further spread of the virus. Suggested precautions include frequent hand washing (including alcohol-based hand rubs) and maintaining a three-foot distance between oneself and other people, particularly those who are coughing, sneezing and have a fever.

As the deal/no deal prospects of Brexit are tossed in a whirlwind of UK and EU politics, the uncertainty of the back-and-forth has broadly impacted general economic trends, and by extension, the physical security market. The new deadline for a Brexit agreement is October 31, already postponed six months from the scheduled April 12 departure date. Numbers show that Britain’s GDP shrank in the second quarter, possibly reflecting fewer exports because of Brexit uncertainty. And beyond the current indecision lies the long-term impact of a possible change in trading status between the United Kingdom and continental Europe. Other issues include capital flow and labor mobility. Brexit uncertainty leading to security concerns Loss of shared information with the EU will make the UK less safe “Companies … are unclear about their future,” comments Martin Warren of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. “Companies are making decisions now about jobs, supply chains, headquarters and asset locations, incurring significant, and possibly unnecessary, cost and upheaval.” Warren fears the destructive effects of a ‘no deal’ outcome and hopes politicians will break the deadlock and restore business confidence. Security implications of Brexit extend beyond economics. Loss of shared information with the EU will make the UK less safe. Extradition across EU borders will be more difficult, and exchange of data such as fingerprints and vehicle registrations is at risk. The Irish border after Brexit is of particular concern to security professionals. Countering threat of international terrorism Robert Hall of London First and Alison Wakefield of Security Institute say the security impact of departing the EU will be long lasting and profound. “In security terms, the UK will still have to contend with international terrorism, transnational crime and the global movement of people, all challenges that require wide scale cooperation.” They add that leaving the EU will require “a significant investment in people, resources and databases to cope with the anticipated volumes of traffic through ports, airports and tunnels.” Analyst company IHS Markit earlier commented about the impact on the security industry of Brexit’s drag on the UK economy, “Access control, intruder and fire alarm markets typically track construction rates closely and are forecast to be affected most. However, a large cut to infrastructure spending would be just as damaging to the video surveillance market.” UK security companies prefer ‘soft exit’ from EU If a ‘soft exit’ trade deal is not negotiated, the UK would have to revert to WTO trade rules If a ‘soft exit’ trade deal is not negotiated, the UK would have to revert to World Trade Organisation (WTO) trade rules, which means tariffs on trade between the UK and the EU, says IHS Markit. There are five British-based access-control and intruder-alarm vendors supplying the European market in significant quantity – each with revenue exceeding $10 million. IHS Markit estimates these companies combined account for less than 10 percent of total European, Middle-Eastern and African (EMEA) market revenues for both industries.  Uncertain future of UK security marketplace Asset protection specialist VPS Security Services has warned that the ongoing Brexit saga will likely lead to a rise in vacant commercial and residential properties as developers and investors are more reluctant to move forward with their UK real estate strategies. Seemingly endless machinations and shifting proposals are making the eventual outcome of Brexit very much a guessing game. Uncertainty translates into a volatile and changing outlook, and the eventual impact on the broader economy is an open question. As a reflection of that economy, the security marketplace will inevitably feel the economic impact, too, not to mention the new security challenges likely to ensue.

Vimpex has supplied Agrippa wireless acoustic fire door holders to hold open fire doors at the HQ of one of England’s largest housing associations to provide an easy and effective method of infection control, while not impacting on fire safety. A COVID-secure risk assessment identified the need to reduce the touching of fire door locks and door handles at the organisation’s administration offices by staff and visitors. “Reducing the spread of germs and bacteria has never been more critical. We identified self closing fire doors that need constant handling to open them as having the potential to spread the virus. The Agrippa door holder provides an excellent, hygienic and legally compliant solution to holding open internal fire doors, supporting infection control without compromising fire safety." Increase in building ventilation While preventing door handle contact, the Agrippa door holder also increases room ventilation Vimpex’s Agrippa wireless acoustic fire door holders offer the perfect wire-free solution to legally hold fire doors open, using digital wire-free technology to uniquely ‘listen and learn’ the sound of a specific fire alarm. This ensures the holder’s releasing trigger reacts only to the precise sound of the fire alarm rather than extraneous loud noises, so false activations are virtually eliminated. While preventing door handle contact, the Agrippa door holder also increases room and building ventilation while improving visibility and accessibility to ensure social distancing is maintained. Fire door holders The Agrippa fire door holder is the perfect solution to legally hold open fire doors in schools, care homes, hotels and office buildings, as well as many others. It is recognised by UK Fire and Rescue Services and the London Fire Brigade, suitable for installation to BS 7273-4 Standard Actuation (Category B) and conforms to EN1155, and is CE marked.

SMART SHOOTER, a world-class designer, developer, and manufacturer of innovative fire control systems that significantly increase the accuracy and lethality of small arms, was awarded a contract by the Indian Ministry of Defence for the supply of its SMASH Fire Control Systems to the Indian Navy. The contract calls for the supply of Smart Shooter's SMASH 2000 Plus fire control systems, which will be installed mainly on AK-47/103 rifles. Smart Shooter's SMASH 2000 Plus fully complies with the Indian needs and shall significantly improve soldiers' accuracy and speed of hitting targets and shooting down threats, hence dramatically increasing each soldier's confidence in any combat scenario and maximising operational effectiveness. Fire control solution SMASH is a combat-proven Fire Control solution that ensures each round finds its target. With a unique ‘One Shot – One Hit’ capability, SMASH allows the operator to quickly and effectively neutralise any ground or airborne target, manned or unmanned. SMASH 2000 Plus is ideal for border security, bases and strategic facilities protection SMASH 2000 Plus includes the SMASH fire control solution's full feature set, with an additional advanced Counter-UAS mode which provides accurate Hard Kill capability against drones or any static or moving ground targets. Designed to give soldiers a decisive tactical edge in almost every operational scenario, SMASH 2000 Plus is ideal for border security, bases and strategic facilities protection. Cutting-edge solutions Smart Shooter's state-of-the-art technology allows each soldier to be smarter, effective, and professional and ultimately revolutionises the world of small arms. Michal Mor, SMART SHOOTER CEO: "SMASH 2000 Plus provides an inimitable hard-kill solution against the growing threats of drones, and delivers proven ability to hit any ground or airborne targets and eliminate the threat quickly and effectively.” “We are honoured that the Indian Navy has chosen Smart Shooter's technology, and see this as a sign of proof for the unique value SMASH offers. We will be happy to keep offering the Indian Military diverse cutting-edge solutions for protection against ground and aerial threats at land, air, and sea."

BIRD Aerosystems, the pioneering developer of Airborne Missile Protection Systems (AMPS) and Special Mission Aircraft Solutions (ASIO), has won a contract for the delivery and installation of its AMPS-MLRD solution, that includes the patented SPREOS DIRCM, on a customer VIP and Military aircraft in Africa. The SPREOS will be installed as part of the AMPS-MLRD solution on several types of aircraft. About AMPS-MLRD solution AMPS-MLRD missile protection system provides the most enhanced protection for military and civilian aircraft against the growing threat of ground to air missiles including MANPADS, Laser guided threats, and radar-guided threats. The system is designed to automatically detect, verify, and foil SAM attacks through the effective use of countermeasure decoys (Flares and Chaff) and additionally by Directional Infrared Countermeasures (DIRCM) that jam the missile's IR seeker and protects the aircraft. SPREOS DIRCM system The AMPS-MLRD includes BIRD Aerosystems SPREOS, a patented DIRCM system that provides Missile Verification, Tracking, and Jamming. As part of the program, all aircraft will be installed with the SPREOS (Self Protection Radar Electro-Optic System) that combines a Semi-Active Dual Band Radar and Directional IR Countermeasure. Sensors, interrogation and tracking Queued by the Missile Warning Sensors, SPREOS points towards the suspected threat, performs a Doppler based interrogation to confirm the existence of a valid threat, and extract its key parameters. In addition, SPREOS precisely tracks and points an advanced 5th generation solid-state Quantum Cascade Laser (QCL) towards the threat for the most effective jamming of the missile while continually assessing the jamming effectiveness. Advanced protection solution Ronen Factor, Co-Chief Executive Officer and Founder at BIRD Aerosystems: “After a careful examination process, the customer chose BIRD Aerosystems' SPREOS and the AMPS-MLRD to protect its VIP and military fleet.” “BIRD Aerosystems' AMPS with the SPREOS DIRCM makes it possible to identify and intercept high-velocity threat attacks such as enemy MANPADS and eliminate all of the systems False Alarms. Being the most advanced protection solution in the market today, SPREOS enables our customers to detect threats in a way that has never been possible before, ensuring optimal aircraft protection tailored to defeat each specific threat.”

The contactless technologies will enhance passenger safety and security during the pandemic. Vision-Box, a pioneer in biometrics seamless travel, automated border management and electronic identity management solutions dedicated to improving the quality and security in government services, travel and border control, has announced the implementation of an integrated Biometric experience for Emirates Airline at Terminal 3 of the Dubai International Airport. Vision-Box’s contactless technology Vision-Box’s Orchestra™ Digital Identity Management Platform - a state-of-the-art touchless and contactless passenger processing at the airport to provide passenger safety and security in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Vision-Box’s contactless technology will offer a sophisticated traveller experience, comprising an identification, clearance, and safety monitoring environment. The new infrastructure offers a suite of digital tools that reduces or eliminates passenger contact with touchscreen surfaces, and physical interaction with airport and airline staff, thus providing a safe travel experience. Some of the key automated features of the Orchestra Platform provided for Emirates passengers include: Touchless identification using facial biometrics Contactless security checks for clearance Digital travel document authentication – eliminating the need for carrying paper documents Touchless lounge access Touchless boarding Additional benefits This also reduces long waits at checkpoints and curtails crowding at clearance hotspots The Orchestra™ Digital Identity Management Platform removes the time-consuming task of manual identification, meaning that passengers do not need to physically interact with potentially exposed touchpoints or exchange travel documents manually at counters. This also reduces long waits at checkpoints and curtails crowding at clearance hotspots, allowing passengers to navigate the airport a lot quicker and safely without the need for interacting with other people, thereby reducing the transmission and exposure to pathogens. Vision-Box and Emirates reaffirmed their mutual commitment by signing a long-term agreement to deploy and advance a digital shift in passenger operations at Dubai Airport and beyond, aimed at keeping travellers and staff safe. Advanced touchless biometrics and contactless clearance technology used at Terminal 3 shifts the passenger clearance process from a manual interaction to one of minimal physical contact with automated self-service devices. Using the award-winning Vision-Box Orchestra™ Digital Identity Management Platform, Emirates is optimising traveller flow and passenger processing through security and clearance checks being performed in less time. Facial recognition biometrics offers the highest level of traveller identity security and significant improvements over traditional manual and touch-based identification procedures in terms of hygiene, accuracy and privacy protections. Vision-Box and Emirates alliance The collaboration with Emirates is the result of a successful 4-year trial of digital identification technology, when one of the world’s leading airlines selected Vision-Box as the key technology provider and partner to deliver a One-ID end-to-end biometric solution that complies with all international security and privacy standards.  Travellers digital enrolment allows them to be automatically recognised and for contactless passageIn March 2019, Emirates launched its Biometric Path for select passengers at Dubai Airport T3. Travellers who chose to opt-in, enroled their facial biometrics during the check-in process to generate their unique One-ID Single Identification Token. This digital enrolment allowed passengers to be automatically recognised and allowed for contactless passage through border control, boarding, and Emirates lounge access using eGates. The new partnership with Vision-Box will now expand the enhanced contactless traveller experience to all Emirates Airline passengers. The agreement also covers an Emirates Group Enterprise wide framework that will allow enhanced contactless access security measures to be deployed across all of the Emirate Group companies and affiliates. Contactless experience Miguel Leitmann, the CEO of Vision-Box said “The need for touchless identity management and seamless passenger flow management is the new reality. As air travel dynamics have evolved under the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of a safe contactless passenger experience is paramount to the industry’s revival. Emirates has been one of the first in the world to recognise the need for contactless digital technology for passenger safety and have sought to swiftly implement the most advanced technology with Vision-Box’s touchless and contactless technology." "With this combined with Orchestra, our smart passenger flow management platform, Emirates is fully equipped to offer revolutionary world class contactless experience for passengers navigating though the airport.” “We are excited to build this partnership with Emirates and together deliver safe, secure and seamless experiences to the millions of travellers who chose to fly with Emirates.” Installed first phase of contactless technology As part of the Orchestra™ Digital Identity Management Platform implementation, Vision-Box has deployed and delivered the first phase of the biometric self-service touchless devices at areas in Concourse B at Terminal 3. The Contactless Passenger solution includes eGates and VBoT™ IoT Biometric devices located at manual counters. The VBoT provides contactless biometric face enrolment and identification for Economy, Business and First-Class travellers and is natively embedded into the Emirates check-in application. Last generation smart eGates enable the use of Seamless Self-service processes for Lounge access and Automated Boarding that ensure a contactless travel experience. TVS allows Emirates to biometrically identify all the US outbound passengers at boarding Emirates is already leveraging on the flexibility of the Orchestra platform on flights to the USA, directly connecting Vision-Box solution with the U.S. CBP TVS (Traveller Verification Service) from Dubai. In cooperation with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, TVS does not require pre-enrolment and allows Emirates to identity biometrically at boarding all the US outbound passengers. Subsequently, Vision-Box will scale up and implement the contactless passenger solutions across all Terminal 3 concourses. Certification and compliance The Orchestra™ Service Platform is fully compliant with Data Privacy regulations through its unique Privacy-by-Design certification. It operates under user-centric business rules and is the kernel of the advanced management of Identity proofing and Flow Monitoring of Passenger processes. The platform’s powerful capability allows it to process the full extent of Emirates passenger volume, thanks to its future-proof scalable design and resilient architecture. With Emirates and Vision-Box building a strong case for contactless and hygienic biometric security on an enterprise wide approach, they are providing the aviation industry with a model for business continuity in challenging conditions. Together they are enabling a distinctive touchless, contactless brand asset in the world of aviation 4.0 that is technologically grounded and inspires passenger confidence. The solution unleashes the power of the IATA One-ID framework as a tool to combat future epidemics and other threats.

Otay-Tijuana Venture LLC, a US-Mexican group of companies operating Tijuana International Airport’s Cross Border XpressTM (CBX), has chosen SAFR from RealNetworks’ video analytics technology to be used throughout the San Diego - Tijuana terminal in order to optimise operations and improve passenger flow. The first building to connect the United States to a foreign airport terminal, CBX serves millions of passengers that cross the border as part of their trip, helping them avoid unforeseen delays in the congested border crossings of San Ysidro and Otay. Video analytics technology “We are very satisfied with the performance, specific dashboards, and team support that SAFR offers, providing the necessary insights that are required to run such an important operation like CBX,” said Julio Armentariz, CTO of CBX. The 390 ft long bridge is a hub for many daily situations where technology, process, and people work together to create a safe and efficient passenger experience. AI video analytics technology ensures CBX staff have actionable data at their fingertips as they monitor passenger flows and make real-time decisions. Mask detection feature SAFR has recently added additional features specifically designed to help customers respond to the global COVID-19 “We are extremely proud to help CBX in their day to day operations, contributing to more efficiency and quality of journey for the thousands of passengers that frequent the terminal every day,” said Jose Larrucea, RealNetworks Senior VP of International Sales. SAFR has recently added additional features specifically designed to help customers respond to the global COVID-19 pandemic including mask detection and occupancy counting. CBX has applied the mask detection feature to passenger flow monitoring to better track mask compliance and gather critical operations data. Face recognition technology "We see optimal potential in RealNetworks’ technology and we are looking into expanding its use in other areas within CBX in order to increase operational efficiency," added Armentariz. SAFR offers highly-accurate, fast, low-biased face recognition and additional face and person-based computer vision features. SAFR’s NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) scores for speed, accuracy, and bias combine to distinguish SAFR as one of the leaders in real-world accuracy and performance. 

Beginning September 1, 2020, six Vision-Box Automated Border Control (ABC) eGates will greet arriving travellers enrolled in the NEXUS Program at Winnipeg International Airport. As the only international airport in the Province of Manitoba, Winnipeg is an important travel hub for the region, having served close to 5 million aviation passengers in 2019. NEXUS program NEXUS is a trusted traveller program operated by Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) that expedites border crossings for pre-approved and enrolled Canadian, American, and Mexican citizens. Travellers enrolled in the NEXUS program avoid border entry lines by using specially reserved lanes equipped with identity screening platforms for expedited checks when entering the country from anywhere in the world. Automated Border Control (ABC) eGates ABC eGates will facilitate and speed up the border clearance of arriving NEXUS enrolled passengers The Automated Border Control (ABC) eGates will facilitate and speed up the border clearance of arriving NEXUS enrolled passengers from all international locations using safe and secure automated biometric facial matching. “Finding better ways to serve the needs of travellers is paramount for Winnipeg Airports Authority,” said Barry Rempel, WAA President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), adding “Adding Vison Box eGates for NEXUS users at Winnipeg Richardson International Airport not only enhances the customer experience but sets the foundation for future innovation and brings us one step closer to seamless, touchless passenger travel.” NEXUS touchless solution This is the first time that ABC Biometric eGates are being deployed to process NEXUS enrolled Travellers, instead of the regularly used NEXUS kiosks. It is also the first NEXUS touchless solution that will improve the border clearance process and give NEXUS travellers a unique convenience at the airport. The deployed GT-11 eGates are part of Vision-Box’s newest generation digital identity systems and will use the latest advances in biometric technology to securely and efficiently clear travellers using digital facial matching. The GT-11 eGates offer a smaller footprint than the previous NEXUS kiosks and are part of a modernising process for a seamless travel journey from curb to boarding at Winnipeg International Airport. Remote installation of border digital identity software This may also be the first time that a complete remote installation of border digital identity software has been successfully attempted and completed. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic that quickly spread across the globe, work at Winnipeg International Airport had to be stopped in February 2020, with only the physical installation of the eGates completed. Software and systems setup The ability to go live with a remote orchestrated installation is a major accomplishment" Logical setup of the software and system testing, prior to going live was then completed entirely from Vision-Box Lisbon headquarters, in close collaboration with Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), using a dedicated secure connection. By remotely installing a border processing system, Vision-Box proved the feasibility and security of a remote installation process that could lead to far-reaching industry changes and cost-saving measures. “The ability to go live with a remote orchestrated installation is a major accomplishment,” said Miguel Leitmann, Vision-Box’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), adding “Our team, along with CBSA and members of the Winnipeg Airport Authority worked tirelessly across time zones, with frequent and intense communication, to make this happen. I couldn’t be prouder of this accomplishment and I congratulate all the agencies and people involved in making this project a reality.”  Orchestra Digital Identity Management Platform Vision-Box’s Orchestra Digital Identity Management Platform will manage the Nexus border clearance and crossing process. Orchestra manages in real-time the necessary parameters of traveller identification at the crossing point. After the traveller scans their NEXUS member card, a photo is taken of the traveller’s face and a secure identification match is made against the biometric facial information in the traveller’s NEXUS membership profile. This system gives CBSA and Winnipeg International Airport added flexibility with faster dedicated lanes that simplifies the airport border clearance process along the way.

The world of politics, like the world of security, is an environment of constant change. But do changes in one have an impact on the other? Governments around the world are involved in buying a wide variety of physical security systems, so how those governments operate certainly affects how they spend money on security. But in a broader sense, governments (and the associated political forces at work) also impact how their citizens and those in the private sector view threats and, as a logical extension, the security systems they need to address those threats. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: How does the political climate affect spending on security systems?

Terrorism is in the headlines all over the world. After any such incident, many of us in the physical security market find ourselves asking: What could we have done to prevent it? Assessing risk and preventing catastrophes before the fact are part of our market’s DNA; and yet, too often the random nature of terrorist attacks and their targeting of public places leave us unsure of anything anyone could have done. How can we translate the benefits of our industry’s products into real-world solutions that can prevent terrorist attacks? We presented the question to this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable, and received a variety of interesting responses. Specifically, we asked: How is the recent rise in terrorism impacting the physical security market (e.g., higher demand, different mix of products, etc.)? How should the physical security market respond? What solutions are needed?