Border Security

Kari Williams, Former Vice President of Marketing at Rolls Royce, is the second major addition to Optilan’s Executive Management Team this year. Bill Bayliss, the CEO, says, “I am delighted that someone of Kari’s calibre has joined Optilan. Her diverse knowledge, gained through years of international experience, will be crucial to our success in the coming years.” DarkPulse subsidiary, Optilan, the security and communications companies for the energy, infrastructure, and rail sectors, has appointed Kari Williams as its new Sales & Marketing Director. Experience across diverse sectors Kari  Williams joins Optilan from the iconic Rolls Royce brand, for which she was most recently Vice President of Marketing, responsible for Services. Kari provided strategic direction for the Services brand story and helped the company successfully win new opportunities Having spent time in both the UK and Thailand, Kari has worked globally with customers, suppliers, and governments across diverse sectors such as Civil Aerospace, Defence, and Energy markets with a focus on Sales, Business Development, Marketing, and Transformation. Kari provided strategic direction for the Services brand story and helped the company successfully win new opportunities through bids and negotiations for original equipment and services contracts. Focused on brand and marketing Kari will be responsible for developing Optilan’s sales pipeline and helping to reach Optilan’s target sectors, including the renewables and rail industries, which have been identified as key strategic growth areas since Bill Bayliss was appointed as CEO in early 2020. Her demonstrable experience in services, customer requirements and lifecycle, will help guide Optilan’s ambitions in these sectors. As part of this Kari will also spearhead the Company’s reinvigorated brand and marketing strategy focused on building highly scalable, highly optimised marketing functions in order to deliver revenue and market value. Kari is Optilan’s second major addition to its Executive Management Team this year, following the appointment of Adrian Bannister, who recently joined the growing Optilan as Chief Financial Officer. Kari holds an Honours degree in Business Management and a Masters in Supply Chain Management. She is also an advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, and is a qualified Mental Health First Aider. Working towards the overall strategy Kari’s appointment represents a key part of our overall strategy to provide a strong customer focus Commenting on Kari Williams’ appointment, Bill Bayliss, CEO, says, “I am delighted that someone of Kari’s calibre has joined Optilan. As a dynamic, experienced leader in bringing powerful global brands to international markets, Kari will be invaluable addition and will help to envision the future for Optilan." "Kari’s appointment represents a key part of our overall strategy to provide a strong customer focus. I look forward to working closely with her to take our values and service to the next level.” Kari Williams comments, “It’s a truly exciting time to be joining Optilan, a high-growth, international company that has high-quality integrated service offerings. As major projects get back on track following the recent investment by DarkPulse Inc, I’m looking forward to the challenge and helping to lead the next phase of growth.”

Lynred, a global provider of high-quality infrared detectors for the aerospace, defence, and commercial markets announces the unveiling of ATI320, its first advanced thermal imager with embedded image signal processing. The product’s embedded features, with a lens available as an option, aim at saving camera makers time and effort in integrating thermal imaging during the development and manufacturing process, enabling them to speed products to market. Camera assembly Designed as a ready-to-use product, ATI320 simplifies the calibration process during camera assembly, relieving manufacturers from performing complex steps. A key motivation underpinning the product’s advanced design is in eliminating tricky integration steps, to extend access to infrared technology for newer thermal image market entrants. “ATI320 marks a milestone in Lynred’s strategic development towards bringing more ambitious and innovative value-added propositions to key markets,” said Jean-Yves Dussaud, chief marketing officer at Lynred. “This Advanced Thermal Imager is the culmination of our teams’ latest know-how and dexterity in developing image processing solutions, electronics, and software for our microbolometer technology, in which we have a 20-year legacy.”  Market applications ATI320 is suitable for camera makers in industrial, consumer equipment, and safety across a broad range of activities ATI320 is particularly suitable for camera makers in industrial, consumer equipment, and safety across a broad range of activities, for example in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for aerial thermal inspection, as its thermal imaging solutions are compact, lightweight, and low power consumption. It provides the calibration, the associated image processing algorithms, and a lens when required. Product features ATI320 (16x16mm) is the most compact QVGA (320x240 pixels) resolution thermal imager available and comes with ruggedised housing. It is available in two models: ATI320L (with lens) and ATI320S (without lens). It operates as a shutterless product - providing continuous image viewing - an important function for the leisure, firefighting, and security-surveillance market applications.  In contrast to comparable solutions, ATI320 offers more flexibility in camera designs, since manufacturers can choose and optimise where to place ATI320 within the camera. Product performance Resolution: 320x240; 12µm pixel pitch NETD (Noise Equivalent Temperature Difference): f/1, 300 K scene, 20°C ambient for ATI320S version: <60mK Scene dynamic >100°C Operating T°C range: -40°C; +85°C Full digital product with power consumption <400mW, when an image signal processing is fully activated Frame rate: 60 Hz Standards compliance: Mil-Std-810/883 Weight: <3g for ATI320S version; <7g for ATI320L version

In March 2021, the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) released Special Publication 500-334, which provides guidance on implementing the technology that allows the use of contactless fingerprints, acquired via the camera in mobile devices (e.g., an Android or iOS mobile phone), to be stored, transmitted, and matched against legacy fingerprint databases, operated by law enforcement and border protection services. Special Publication 500-334 Together with NIST and other industry partners, Veridium, a globally renowned company in the development of user-centric authentication solutions, is proud to have played an important role in supporting this guidance, by helping NIST develop, measure and test contactless fingerprint technologies, enabling wide deployment and interoperation with existing backend services. Charles Kolodgy, Principal at Security Mindsets, said “NIST's best practice recommendation advances the use of contactless captured friction ridge imagery for quick and verifiable identification. At the same time, stakeholders have a choice to incorporate this new model of contactless capture, while preserving the integrity and separation of the legacy friction ridge infrastructure.” Identity verification to access critical services In many instances, fingerprints are required to verify the identity to access critical services and enter secure areas In many instances, fingerprints are required to verify the identity to access critical services and enter secure areas, like airport terminals or assume a trusted job, like airline pilot or healthcare provider in a hospital. Fingerprints play a critical role because they are highly unique (even among twins). Until recently, however, only specialised equipment could be used to acquire fingerprints. Standards developed in the 1980s are still being used to certify devices around the world, including single finger readers, glass-plate ‘slap’ readers and conductive metal surface readers, all of which require physical contact of the finger and hands to touch, press and acquire fingerprint information. Contactless mobile fingerprint capture Contactless mobile fingerprint capture eliminates specialised hardware, because much of the process can be performed on a personal device. It also enhances privacy, as there is no need for collection and storage, by a chain of intermediary service providers. The device can communicate directly with the trusted identity service that purges the data after verification. Veridium’s Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Dr. John Callahan, said “We are proud to participate in the NIST Contactless Fingerprint CRADA, since 2015. The new standards open many new doors, as many countries around the globe require fingerprints for access to social services, from remote and underserved areas. Contactless acquisition makes this possible, with the use of existing mobile services, without requiring specialised hardware.” Veridium’s 4 Fingers technology With Veridium 4 Fingers, they can use their mobile phone to satisfy this requirement remotely, anytime and anywhere Veridium’s 4 Fingers technology is leading the way in the acquisition of high-quality contactless fingerprint capture and matching. The new standard from NIST opens up new applications for the use of high-quality contactless fingerprints (e.g. remote identity verification, remote employee and contractor onboarding, account recovery, know your customer (KYC), know your applicant, etc.), especially important in an era of digital first and self-service centric interactions. Earlier, individuals had to physically report to a fingerprinting facility, operated by a vendor or local police department. With Veridium 4 Fingers, they can use their mobile phone to satisfy this requirement remotely, anytime and anywhere. Contactless biometric acquisition and matching Veridium’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ismet Geri, said “We are proud to help advance the state of contactless biometric acquisition and matching. Veridium 4 Fingers, along with vFace, Veridium’s facial recognition platform, provides a device agnostic mechanism to use biometrics for strong passwordless authentication, in addition to identity verification.” He adds, “Looking forward, Veridium and its partners are working on creating more applications of our technology for fast matching between a live capture and NFC-enabled passport, crypto-biometric key management for crypto-currency wallets, anti-human trafficking control using in-field biometric validation, wilderness border crossing, and checkpoint validation against known watch lists.”

inter airport Europe, the B2B event brand for the international airport sector is going ahead with the first major live event for the entire airport industry, providing a much-needed opportunity for airports, airlines, air cargo carriers, and aviation-support specialists to meet with the innovation drivers in airport technology in their endeavour to exchange solutions how to return strong from the crisis. Currently, 226 exhibitors from 29 countries have already registered their participation, with Germany, France, Italy, and the USA amongst the top exhibiting countries. A significantly extended seminar programme on the future of airport operations provides important insights on how to adapt to the long-term realities in post-pandemic times, plus plenty of additional networking opportunities with relevant leads and suppliers. The platform for airport professionals With the biggest vaccination campaign in history underway and positive signs of general recovery, exhibition organiser Mack-Brooks Exhibitions has announced to go ahead with the live edition of inter airport Europe, the flagship event for the international airport industry. Taking place from 9 - 12 November 2021 in Munich, the eagerly awaited trade event provides a much-needed business and networking platform for airport professionals to meet and re-connect with technology suppliers and peers in person. Call to action as industry revisits business strategies Along with rising demand to start flying again, there are indications of a fundamental shift in air travel that go way beyond new hygiene and safety standards. Before the pandemic, growth seemed very much reliant on an indefinite increase of passenger numbers and runways. As aviation is adapting to the long-term realities of COVID-19, it looks like the rules need to be radically changed for an actual increase in the robustness and diversification of air travel. The rules need to be radically changed for an actual increase in the robustness and diversification of air travel There is a genuine appetite for increased digitalisation in passenger and freight operations, and the industry is facing a big sustainability challenge to achieve what politicians and the public require. Also, once futuristic concepts of urban air mobility are now turning into real opportunities. “With air passenger numbers recovering, the race is on to emerge leaner, greener, and more efficient from the pandemic crisis to gain a long-term competitive advantage”, says Olaf Freier, Portfolio Director of inter airport Europe. “At this crucial time, attending inter airport Europe is a unique opportunity to look beyond the pandemic and devise strategies to adapt to new realities.” Extended seminar programme on future-proof operations To help companies get the ball rolling, the event has significantly extended its seminar programme, focusing on multiple longer-running trends that have been accelerated by the pandemic crisis: Smart airports: Top technology trends in AI, digitalisation, robotics, and data intelligence to help manage changed consumer behaviour. Greener, cleaner airports: Sustainable practices and the use of renewable fuel sources to reach the target of net-zero emissions. Managing threats and challenges: Crisis management including pandemics, drone defense, border control, and cyber security. Future airport: New opportunities through eVTOL aircraft, cargo drones, air taxis, and mobile Air-One landing pads. Operations efficiency: New strategies to achieve more flexibility and agility in airport operations to save costs and enhance customer experience. Further information on speakers and the sessions programme will be released in due course. Exhibition all set to welcome live visitors With inter airport Europe, we aim to drive tomorrow’s needs and required solutions by providing opportunities" While the after-effects of the pandemic are likely to continue impacting international event participation, the organiser has taken steps to ensure that attendees will meet a wide range of high-quality leads and suppliers from Germany, Europe, and beyond, including a VIP Buyer Programme with representatives from leading international airports and airport operators. “The coming show certainly reflects the current market situation, including budget and travel restrictions for some of our regular exhibitors and visitors”, explains Freier. “However, the industry is facing a major turning point and the future requires different new solutions. With inter airport Europe this year, we aim to drive tomorrow’s needs and required solutions by providing relevant content and business opportunities through our long-term experience and relationship with the airport community.” Conducting events with utmost safety Key partner GATE, the German Airport Technology & Equipment Association, highlights the show’s important role as a catalyst for business relations, “As the leading industry network of the airport industry, we are very much looking forward to inter airport Europe. Nothing replaces personal contact with our association members and their customers”, says Jens Reinhard, Managing Director of GATE. The inter airport Europe show team is dedicated to accommodating the needs of all participants, showing great flexibility as preparations continue. “Even though inter airport Europe will present itself differently than usual due to the current circumstances, we are very much looking forward to welcoming all exhibitors and visitors in Munich”, explains Freier. “But our top priority is safety. Together with our venue partner, Messe Munich, who has recently gained much international praise for successfully conducting a pilot exhibition with more than 16,000 trade visitors, we will make sure to deliver a milestone event where airport professionals and technology providers can finally meet – safe, in person, and all in one place.”

ODSecurity’s flagship product, the Soter RS Full Body Scanner, is already renowned worldwide for its ability to find literally anything that is either in, or on any person entering a correctional establishment, be those prisoners, visitors, or even staff, as well as supporting Law Enforcement, Customs & Border Security Screening and Embassy security.   This appointment will enable ODSecurity and AIAUST to work together to ensure the safety of prisons, correctional, border entries, and embassy security establishments across Australia. Benefiting Australian customers AIAUST will provide full sales, installation, engineering, warranty, and training support for ODSecurity products across Australia.   Stefan van der Veen of ODSecurity said, “We are pleased to announce our partnership with AIAUST, as it will guarantee our Australian clients will have full support from our extended team, regardless of any time difference, or travel disruptions. I am confident that this teaming agreement will be of great benefit to our customers in Australia.” Philip Lutkens, CEO of AIAUST, said, “AIAUST is proud to partner with ODSecurity. Our combined expertise and after-market support will benefit our Australian customer’s comprehensive security needs.”

Corps Security has partnered with tech company MoonHub to deliver virtual reality training to its security officers at two key London sites. More than 70 officers at BNP Paribas and the Royal Opera House will undertake immersive and interactive training on topics including patrolling, managing protests, dealing with suspect packages or aggressive people, and being aware of potential hostile reconnaissance. Ten modules are currently available with more being planned. Using VR headsets Officers wear VR headsets to complete a module that lasts two to three minutes. Because it simulates the officer’s exact experience of an incident on the site in which they work, training has proven to be four times faster when using VR in comparison to traditional training methods and more effective – with knowledge retention rates of up to 75 percent compared to 10 percent in standard training.   MoonHub is currently undertaking 360-degree filming of the Royal Opera House and BNP Paribas and the training will launch in mid-August. Each officer will complete up to 10 modules over the course of a year allowing them to keep their skills and knowledge fresh and relevant. Some of the modules are also relevant to other front-of-house teams at the sites. Corps started using the technology in March 2021 at the innovation and technology campus Here East. VR training The gamification involved in the VR training makes it really popular and helps to retain more knowledge" “The reaction from the officers who have used the technology has been outstanding. The gamification involved in the VR training makes it really popular and we’ve demonstrated that officers retain their knowledge more with this type of training,” says Paul Lotter, MD of Corps Security. “I’m proud that we’re leading the way with VR training in the security sector.” Effective and quick knowledge retention “I’m delighted that we’re partnering with Corps Security to support BNP Paribas and the Royal Opera House,” said Dami Hastrup, co-founder of MoonHub. “Research shows that immersing users in interactive VR training helps them gain and retain knowledge quicker and more effectively than traditional training so these security officers will be working at their best.” Other Corps Security customers will be offered the opportunity to adopt the technology over the summer months.

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.

Edge sensor technology developed by HENSOLDT will strengthen Frontex maritime surveillance in the Mediterranean Sea and contribute to the protection of Europe’s strategic south-eastern border. In the frame of a technology pilot programme, HENSOLDT’s ARGOS-II HD Electro-Optical Infrared (EOIR) system will be deployed on two tethered aerostats and deliver extensive security surveillance. The project is operated by Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency which has the mandate to safeguard the external borders of the European Union and ensure the freedom and territorial integrity of member states. Monitoring maritime coastline Andreas Huelle, Head of HENSOLDT’s Optronics Division, says, “This innovative technology offers Frontex the ability to monitor a very strategic maritime coastline and collect critical data. This is a capability that has been identified as a strategic priority by both the EU and the United Nations.” ARGOS-II HD forms part of an integrated turn-key solution that consists of advanced sensors that are fitted on two aerostats The ARGOS-II HD forms part of an integrated turn-key solution that consists of advanced sensors that are fitted on two aerostats, provided by CNIM Air Space, tethered on Greek islands in the Aegean Sea. At altitudes of several hundred metres above the host islands, the ARGOS-II covers a range of up to 40 km and can detect both large and small vessels and monitor activities with exceptional clarity and detail. It is in operation 24/7, day and night, even in inclement weather. The continuous zoom thermal imaging camera records the images and transmits video and data in real-time to base stations on the ground. Sensors provide real-time information “Argos II is one of the best EOIR sensors in the market today and will provide Frontex with accurate, real-time information on activities in the maritime environment and enable it to analyse situations and initiate respective countermeasures,” says Mischa Niedinger, Director of Airborne Systems Sales at HENSOLDT. The ARGOS-II HD system can be fitted onto fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles, and aerostats. It is used extensively in border protection, search and rescue operations, maritime patrols, law enforcement, and asset protection. It is already widely used in the security and surveillance environments, including by the German Federal Police where it is deployed in anti-smuggling, illegal trafficking, and border security operations.

BIRD Aerosystems, a globally renowned provider of innovative defence technology and solutions, which protect the air, sea and land fleets of governments and related agencies, has delivered a complete ASIO Maritime Surveillance Task Force Solution to an undisclosed African government. ASIO Maritime Task Force Solution The ASIO Maritime Task Force Solution, provided to the undisclosed African nation, includes multiple Cessna Citation CJ3 aircraft that the company converted into Maritime Patrol Aircraft, together with BIRD's advanced mission management system (MSIS), which was also installed on a number of vessels, as well as at the naval HQ command. BIRD Aerosystems' ASIO Maritime Task Force Solution provides customers with an integrated Aerial-Naval-Land solution. It facilitates maritime and coastal surveillance, patrol and survey of borders and strategic assets, and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) monitoring capabilities. Advanced mission management system ASIO Maritime Task Force Solution delivers an extremely powerful and flexible maritime patrol solution Leveraging BIRD's advanced mission management system (MSIS) for complete mission operational support, including planning, execution, debriefing, online mission updates, and complete situational awareness between all segments (airborne, naval and ground) within the task forces, the ASIO Maritime Task Force Solution delivers an extremely powerful, comprehensive and flexible maritime patrol solution, enabling efficient detection, tracking and interception of any suspicious activity at sea. Ronen Factor, the Co-Chief Executive Officer and Founder at BIRD Aerosystems, stated “BIRD's ASIO Maritime Task Force Solution, including the Cessna Citation CJ3 aircraft, will be used to defend the customer's territorial waters, with an emphasis on detecting illegal fishing, oil theft, and smuggling.” He adds, “Rapidly deployed in multiple configurations, ASIO enables even small crews to deliver detailed and comprehensive surveillance information, covering large geographic areas.”

Vision-Box, a world pioneer in biometrics seamless travel, automated border control, and digital identity solutions has announced the launch of a Frontex awarded trial to implement an innovative pilot project at two land borders in Bulgaria, in the context of the EU Entry/Exit System (EES). The EES is a landmark framework set to replace traditional border controls of Third-Country Nationals with interoperable digital data processing and automated biometric data collection in 2022. The Frontex pilot, which went live in June 2021 in Bulgaria in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior and the Border Police will be for coaches, cars, and pedestrians at the entry of Kapitan Andreevo BCP from Turkey for phase 1, and exit at Kalotina BCP to Serbia for phase 2. Impact on border crossing points The implementation of the EES will influence the flow of travellers and the technology deployed at the border to collect the required data, to cope with the variety of sites and related complexities. This effect will possibly be more important at the EU land border crossings, which are more constrained environments as compared with airports and ports, as many travellers arrive in their vehicles. Therefore, the introduction of EES will have a significant impact on travellers’ flow at those border crossing points (BCP). Self-Service Enrolment System Self-Service Enrolment System executes real-time intensive queries into the Bulgarian national border control systems The purpose of the pilot project is to deliver a Self-Service Enrolment System to enable travellers to perform a self-service collection of travel document data, biometric data, and other information (e.g., questionnaire on entry conditions). It also executes real-time intensive queries into the Bulgarian national border control systems, in combination with an EU EES backend simulator. After the enrollment, travellers are invited to go to an open corridor and be identified on the move to directly cross the border, or to be redirected to the manual control booth to be verified by a border guard with last generation Coppernic handheld technology. EES Frontex pilot The secured linkage and encrypted communications with the national and EU border control systems, performing border checks on all travellers and EES registration/verification on third-country nationals, are jointly performed by Vision-Box and the respective border agencies. The EES Frontex pilot applies to short-stay visa and visa-exempt third-country nationals as well as EU citizens entering or leaving the European Union. Eliminates manual data collection and verification The pilot ecosystem (enrolment kiosks, biometric corridor, handheld tablets) is powered by Vision-Box’s award-winning Orchestra™ Identity & Border Management Platform. Orchestra™ removes the time-consuming task of manual data collection and verification, meaning that travellers do not need to physically interact with touchpoints or manually exchange travel documents and biometrics at counters. Touchless process The whole process leverages identity and biometrics tokenisation to digitise the operation in a touchless manner. This also reduces long queuing at checkpoints and curtails crowding at clearance hotspots, allowing travellers to navigate the border a lot quicker and safely with biometric recognition technology. Facial recognition & fingerprint sensors Facial recognition biometrics offers the highest level of convenience for traveller identity proofing  Facial recognition biometrics offers the highest level of convenience for traveller identity proofing, in compliance with the EU regulations, combined with touchless fingerprint sensors for combined verification against the EU EES biometric backend systems. The solution drives significant improvements over the traditional manual and touch-based identification procedures in terms of hygiene, accuracy, and privacy protections. EU GDPR compliant The powerful Orchestra™ Service Platform is compliant with EU GDPR 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 traveller processes at the border. The platform’s powerful capability allows it to process the full extent of national border passenger volume, thanks to its future-proof scalable design and resilient architecture. Maintaining the pilot For this pilot delivery, Vision-Box has hired the services of PwC Luxembourg, to help sustain the definition of the use cases, their testing, and overall pilot reporting. In addition, Bulgarian system integrator - Global Sat, is supporting Vision-Box in the deployment of the solution on the ground and its maintenance during the overall 6 months’ operation of the two pilot phases at the two different land borders. Exploring Frontex pilot Speaking about the pilot project, Jeff Lennon, Vice President Strategic Sales & Global Partnerships at Vision-Box, said: “We are thrilled to run this Frontex pilot for exploring the future of EES in Bulgaria and Europe, in partnership with the Ministry of Interior and the Border Police as long-time customers, PwC and Global Sat.” Maximises process efficiency “This innovative undertaking will allow all of us to stress-test ground-breaking technology in a very challenging environment, yet at a small scale. It will also help us establish the foundations for expanding the technology at the national level for any type of land border environment, minimising the footprint of the solution at stake while maximising the process efficiency for the border guards and the travellers.” “This is also a great opportunity for understanding the flow of border-crossings at two of the largest EU land border sites, to effectively expand our solutions in the EU context for Smart Borders as we are already doing in Finland since 2019 among other EES projects with additional member states.” Collaborative testing with EES Frontex and Bulgarian's authorities collaborate in testing the European EES at two critical land border control points" Serge Hanssens, Partner at PwC for Smart Borders said: “Frontex and Bulgarian's authorities collaborate in testing the European Entry-Exit System (EES) at two critical land border control points in Europe.” “This is a unique opportunity and milestone to try out these new processes in real conditions. PwC Luxembourg is so pleased to be part of the adventure supporting Frontex and Bulgarian's authorities to make the EES deployment a success; securing the entry and exit to the European Schengen Area of all third-country nationals." Automated border control Tsvetan Mutafchiev, Executive Director at Global Sat said: “We at Global Sat are excited to be part of this very innovative PoC project. EU land border crossings create several new challenges for automated border control due to the specifics introduced by different types of vehicles used by passengers.” System integration “We do believe that the pilot project will successfully prove the concept of the Vision Box‘s platform and will also provide valuable feedback from Bulgarian border police officers. The implementation of self-service enrolment systems, when applied in full scale at the EU's external borders, will facilitate efforts against illegal migration and will contribute to the security of European countries with a full commitment to personal data protection.” “The Global Sat team is proud to be at the forefront of this endeavour. With our experience as a system integrator, we will continue to contribute to its success.” Safe and efficient travel Vision-Box’s technology is proving crucial in guaranteeing safe and efficient travel processes With the industry expected to resume travel as restrictions begin to ease, Vision-Box’s technology is proving crucial in guaranteeing safe and efficient travel processes. Over the past months, Vision-Box has also inaugurated Automated Border Control eGates at Malta International Airport in collaboration with the Malta Police Force, implemented an integrated Biometric experience for Emirates Airline at Terminal 3 of Dubai International Airport, and secured a regional strategic partnership with AirAsia Group, to implement industry-leading, identity management technology across its network of 152 airports.

From airports to embassies, from warehouses to depots, Delta crash-rated gates stop unauthorised pedestrians and vehicles from entering places that they don't belong. Some models operate without contact with the ground across the opening, one is a manually operated swing gate and others operate with rack and pinion drives across V-groove wheel ground tracks while incorporating IR safety beam and safety edges. Swing versions are also available. The clear openings range from 12 to 30 feet (3,657 mm to 9,144 mm). The standard height for all, except the swing gate, is 109 inches (2,769 mm). There are five different models to choose from, assuring that any facility can incorporate a gate that will definitively meet its security demands. TT280: Exceeds every known  standard  The TT280 Linear Crash Gate withstands the impact of a 15,000 lb (66.7 km) vehicle striking the gate at 50 mph (80 kph), suffering no significant damage. The TT280 was created for the highest security applications such as embassies, government facilities, and corporate headquarters. The gate can be tailored to match the surrounding decor in a wide variety of architectural treatments. TT280 Linear Crash Gate withstands the impact of a 15,000 lb vehicle striking the gate at 50 mph The TT280 has been tested three times in full-scale configuration, each test at a successfully higher energy level, using the same gate, buttress, and foundation without any structural repairs or changes between tests. The gate met the test criteria in each case. Standard sizes are 108 inches (2.74 m) high and 144 inches (3.65 m) long. Clear openings of up to 33 feet (10 m) may be specified. SC3000S: High-security cantilever gate The SC3000S high security, the rolling gate is ideal for installations that need rugged performance. This gate will stop a 5,000 lb vehicle traveling 50 mph. The gates are fully cantilevered with no road track or overhead support. The gate leaf is supported by the main buttress at all times. When the gate system is closed, the gate leaf is locked into both the main buttress and the receiving buttress in a position to absorb the energy of a vehicle collision. The drive mechanism is electro-mechanical or hydraulic. The final drive is via rack and pinion with V-groove wheels in sub-grade or at-grade ground tracks.  The gate can be tailored to match the surrounding decor in a wide variety of architectural treatments. Standard sizes are 108 inches (2.74 m) high and 144 inches (3.65 m) long. Clear openings of up to 33 feet (10 m) may be specified. A non-crash-rated form—the SC3000—is also available. TT300: High-security rolling pedestrian gate The TT300 high security, rolling gate is ideal for installations that need a heavy-duty non-crash- rated gate but still demand rugged performance. The drive mechanism is electro-mechanical or hydraulic. TT300 high security, the rolling gate is ideal for installations that need a heavy-duty non-crash- rated gate  The final drive is via rack and pinion with V-groove wheels in sub-grade or at-grade ground tracks. The standard design is 9 feet (2.7 m) tall and is specifically designed for openings over 33 feet (10 m). The gate can be tailored to match the surrounding decor in a wide variety of architectural treatments. SGC1000: Manual crash-rated swing gate The SGC1000 fills the need for a rugged manual crash-rated swing gate. The design of the end support assemblies adds to its crash-rated performance. A ground track is not needed. The SGC1000 provides a clear opening of 12 to 30 feet (3,657 mm to 9,144 mm). The gate can be tailored to match the surrounding decor in a wide variety of architectural treatments. DSC288: High-security sliding gate  For the first time, a high security (DOS K12/ASTM M50– no penetration) gate can now fully match the perimeter fence in materials ranging from wood, steel, mesh, glass, fence pickets, or railings. Anti-climb, clear, or opaque ballistic infill are all available. The gate is guided from the rear side leaving out the front buttresses. This provides the architect and security engineer flexibility on the face treatment or infill of the gate. The gate can be supplied as an open frame for field fitting or supplied completely assembled. The crash beam behind the gate stops the vehicle, not the face. DSC288 Features The DSC288 features a shallow foundation of only 33.5 inches (85 cm) to avoid underground utility conflicts. It also significantly lowers the time and cost of implementation. A typical implementation can be completed in only three days. DSC288 features plug-and-play touch screen control panels with intelligent monitoring and programmable logic control For easy operation, it features plug-and-play touch screen control panels with intelligent monitoring and programmable logic control. A positive latch pin secures the gate in the fully closed position and protects against mobs forcing the gate open. Clear openings range from 120 inches (3m) to 360 inches (9.1 m). There are four versions: DSC288 Full Size Slide Gate DSC286 Low Profile Slide Gate DSC284 Sliding Beam Gate DSC290 Cantilever Gate Custom heights and widths are available A Variety of Power Options Depending on the gate, Delta gates can be powered manually, electro-mechanically, or hydraulically. Fully Manual–Ideal for infrequent use locations Electromechanical–Rack and pinion drive sized to the power gate Hydraulic–High-power and high-speed applications for shared use of the hydraulic pump operating other high-security barricade systems on property Typical drive speeds range from 27 feet (8.23 m) per minute to 48 feet (14.63 m), depending on electrical supply and gate length. Delta controls meet all requirements for control and safety Ballistic-rated gates for increased security Delta gates can be manufactured to specific ballistic and blast ratings. Ballistic-rated gates are good complements to Delta ballistic-rated guard booths.

FLIR Systems, Inc. announced it has won a contract with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to rapidly develop novel fabrics with embedded catalysts and chemistries that can fight and reduce chemical and biological threats upon contact. The revolutionary fabrics will be incorporated into protective suits and other equipment such as boots, gloves, and eye protection that can be worn by troops on the battlefield, medical experts, healthcare workers, and more. FLIR received $11.2 million in initial funding for the potential five-year effort worth up to $20.5 million, including options. Incorporating lightweight materials The goal of DARPA’s Personalized Protective Biosystems (PPB) program is to reduce the substantial weight and physiological burden of current Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) so soldiers and other specialists can better perform their tasks. PPB will combine novel, lightweight protective materials with new prophylactic medical technologies that mitigate chemical and biological threats at vulnerable tissue barriers, notably the eyes, skin, and lungs. The complete system will enable first responders to operate without the burden of carrying and wearing PPE The complete system will enable troops and first responders to operate without the burden of carrying and wearing PPE, which can cause heat stress and reduce time spent completing the mission. First-of-its-kind protective fabrics “With lives at stake, future operators wearing PPB suits will gain a major edge in staying protected from toxic chemicals and emerging biological threats such as dangerous viruses,” said Mark Stock, VP, and general manager of the Sensor Systems business at FLIR. “We’re honored DARPA has chosen us to lead this extraordinary and highly innovative effort to develop first-of-its-kind protective fabrics for our nation’s warfighters, health, and public safety officials.” Prototype for testing FLIR and its teaming partners will develop a prototype fabric material, the Integrated Soldier Protective System (ISPS), for testing by government laboratories. Work will be performed at FLIR facilities in Pittsburgh. The ISPS award consists of a two-year base period, two-year first option, and one-year final option. The result after five years will be a suite of prototype protective fabrics and garments ready for the transition to a program of record with the U.S. Department of Defense.

ClanTect and ePm have signed a partnership agreement for the sale and servicing of ClanTect’s next generation Motion Detection systems (also referred to as ‘heartbeat’ detection systems) for the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Detecting humans in vehicles ClanTect’s systems are used to detect the hidden presence of people inside vehicles and are deployed within a wide range of organisations in the Border Security, Prisons and Critical Infrastructure markets.  Customers include globally renowned organisations, such as the UK Border Force and Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency and Her Majesty’s Prison Service in the United Kingdom. Tens of thousands of clandestine operatives and fugitives are detected by ClanTect each year, with hundreds of lives being saved. Ultra-sensitive sensors Its ultra-sensitive sensors can detect even the faintest of movements, from anywhere within a vehicle ClanTect’s systems are based on sound and vibration technology. Its ultra-sensitive sensors can detect even the faintest of movements, from anywhere within a vehicle. The system is extremely fast (approx. 60 seconds for a vehicle search), it is very easy to use, the search process is fully automated, and, unlike X-Ray and some other technologies, it is completely safe for both the operator and for the stowaway. ClanTect’s system is extremely accurate. It utilises a unique ‘blocking’ capability, which eliminates any nearby surrounding noise from outside of the vehicle. Compact 2nd generation systems With the launch of their 2nd generation systems, ClanTect provides smaller and more compact devices, which are now fully wireless, thereby making them easy to deploy in ad-hoc outdoor roadside locations, even in windy weather conditions. Professor Steve Daley, Managing Director of ClanTect commented, “Our systems can enable the UAE authorities to meet some of today’s most pressing security challenges, such as human trafficking, the protection of critical infrastructure and the security of custodial facilities.” Protection of critical infrastructure Steve Daley adds, “We have also ensured that our systems have been thoroughly tested to meet the challenging environmental conditions faced in the UAE.” Hadi R Omer, Director of Sales & Marketing (Systems & Solutions) at ePm said, “Here at ePm, we have been serving the needs of government and commercial customers since the 1980’s, including the Ministry of Interior, Abu Dhabi Police, Dubai Police, UAE Armed Forces, Dubai Customs, and ADNOC. We feel that ClanTect’s technology perfectly complements our existing portfolio of security products and offers tremendous operational capabilities for public and private sector organisations across the UAE.”

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?