Campus security systems

ASSA ABLOY introduced an online 360° virtual tour that allows university decision-makers to see how security and access control solutions can be used to create a sustainable, safe, and healthy learning environment. The self-guided digital walkthrough creates an immersive experience that illustrates the important role of door security and access control on a college campus. It also simplifies the process of identifying which solutions are best suited for common problems faced by universities. Door security solutions “With the help of our 360º online tour, universities will be able to visualise how door security solutions can be used to address everyday challenges, from ADA compliance to classroom scheduling and residence hall security,” said Jeremy Saline, Sr. Director of Business Development, ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions Americas. “Our goal is to make it as easy as possible for universities to understand how they can improve safety and security on their campuses.” Another valuable resource that ASSA ABLOY offers colleges and universities is their series of Coffee Time webinars that address an important trend – mobile access and its impact on the student experience.

Security contractors can no longer afford to simply complete a project and move on to the next job without creating recurring service revenues and an ongoing commitment to the customer. iDter, which stands for intelligent and immediate deterrence of crime, recently launched a complete commercial security solution and partnership programme with the ability to generate RMR streams through its unique technology footprint. A fully integrated and automated security solution, iDter is proven to foil 98% of intrusions without the delays of human intervention. Deep-learning technology iDter, part of Kuna Systems Corporation, offers its solution through a qualified network of commercial security integrators, structured/data cable contractors and licensed electrical contractors and is currently seeking additional members for its dealer community. iDter has implemented Artificial Intelligence (AI) deep-learning technology using CNN The heart of the product is an intelligent, quad-core Niō guardian node exclusive to iDter that is designed to identify intrusion and take immediate and effective deterrent actions that surprise intruders and defy predictability. iDter has implemented Artificial Intelligence (AI) deep-learning technology using convolutional neural networks (CNN) and holds some 35 U.S. patents through parent Kuna Systems Corporation. With iDter intrusions are detected, immediately verified on video and alerts with event recordings sent to the client’s iPhone, iPad or Android phone. Ensuring deterrence actions iDter live monitors events to ensure the deterrence actions were successful, and if not, a video verified alarm is sent to a UL Listed, Five-Diamond Certified central station to dispatch authorities through 911 operators. Customers receive access to reports of security incidents and deterrence effectiveness with performance metrics and statistics, such as the total number of incidents, the preventative responses triggered, recordings of the incident and responses and the central station engagement and dispatching activity. “iDter has recognised the need in the security marketplace for an automated and immediate deterrent solution,” said Greg Ayres, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at iDter. “It’s a complete, integrated platform focused on providing documented security results for the property owner and RMR creation for the security dealer.” Immediate deterrent responses The iDter solution begins with Niō nodes installed around the premises, in place of Wall-Pack lighting “With iDter, integrators can provide regular, documented security results to their clients adding substantial value, thus making the relationship sticky. Dealers can grow their business with predictable revenue streams and a proven, end-to-end deterrent solution.” The iDter solution begins with Niō nodes installed around the premises, in place of Wall-Pack lighting. The Niō nodes are positioned to detect intrusion with a powerful 4K HD resolution camera with wide-angle lens, multiple motion detectors, omni-directional microphone and quad-core intelligence. The Niō nodes also deter with a rich set of immediate deterrent responses, such as the instantaneous illumination by 10,000 lumens of multi-directional LED floodlights, blinding strobes of red and blue LEDs, piercing sirens, situation-appropriate voice-down warning messages and intimidating sound effects. Equipment rental sites The nodes are networked to the iDter cloud through WiFi/ethernet communications and include a 256GB SD memory card for onboard, 24/7 HD or 4K camera recordings for online forensic analysis. iDter features Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud video storage and video-verified monitoring with UL 827 dispatch to PSAP. iDter products are fully NDAA compliant, ETL listed, FCC certified and carry an IP-65 environmental rating. The solution is ready for easy deployment and RMR generation at commercial facilities, including construction sites, equipment rental sites, auto repair and dealerships, hotels and malls, educational campuses, agriculture and cannabis facilities, oil and gas and any other location with open-air assets that need immediate deterrent protection. It can be used as a standalone security system or to augment guard services at the protected premises.

Staff and school administrators can relax, when they know private rooms and equipment stores in schools are properly secured. Currently, many teachers must carry around cumbersome keys, in order to ensure that pupils do not enter rooms, which could put themselves or valuable school equipment at risk. With ASSA ABLOY’s Code Handle electronic locking solution, this is possible without having to constantly lock and unlock doors with keys. Instead, a PIN is all that is required to ensure authorised access control. Code Handle with built-in digital PIN keypad Adding a Code Handle lock brings a sense of security and privacy to the staff room Code Handle is a locking handle with built-in digital PIN keypad. It upgrades security at any private interior door that opens to a public or busy space. Users simply have to swap the existing door handle for a Code Handle locking solution, in order to add digital PIN security, without keys or any push-button mechanical lock. Adding a Code Handle lock brings a sense of security and privacy to the staff room. Teachers can leave marked work or mobile phones safe in the knowledge that no pupils may enter. A Code Handle makes it easy to separate pupil toilets from PIN-protected staff toilets. Key equipment secured with Code Handle With Code Handle fitted to just a few important doors around the building, school principals can be sure that sports equipment, musical instruments, cleaning stores and kitchens are protected against unauthorised access or theft. Authorised door users do not even need to remember to lock up, as Code Handle locks itself, when the door is closed and for added safety, allows simple, code-free exit from the inside. Easy to retrofit to almost any internal door ASSA ABLOY’s Code Handle door entry solution can bring keyless and wire-free digital security to schools ASSA ABLOY’s Code Handle door entry solution can bring keyless and wire-free digital security to schools, without disrupting the day for staff and students. Fitting a Code Handle device takes just two screws, wherein an installer leaves the existing cylinder or locks in place, and simply swaps the old handle for a Code Handle device. It is easy to install, even for non-specialists. With the administrator’s Master Code access, a school caretaker or office manager can issue up to nine different 4- to 6-digit PINs to authorised users and amend, or cancel PINs, whenever they choose or deem necessary. Digital security and high-capacity batteries To power the lock’s digital security, standard batteries slot into the handle itself. There is no need to run cables to the door or to connect to the main power supply. Code Handle device also does not warrant the need to use any access control software. Batteries typically last 30,000 lock/unlock cycles, before requiring replacement. A visual indicator on the handle prompts when it is time to change the batteries. ASSA ABLOY’s Code Handle is a robust, fire door-compliant (EN 1634) access control solution, with a certified lifetime warranty of at least 100,000 operations. Code Handle’s design also makes disinfecting easier. Unlike mechanical push-button PIN locks, a Code Handle device has a smoother surface, without corners or ridges. Germs have fewer places to hide on this device. A disinfected damp cloth, no direct liquid spraying, is all that is needed to keep the device hygienic and school doors, and stores secured at all times.

ASSA ABLOY’s presence at the 2021 Global Security Exchange (GSX) will focus on helping attendees identify opportunities to improve the safety, security and health of their facilities. Visit Booth #1353 to see the latest innovations in comprehensive door security and access control.    “Amid the health, economic, natural, and social crises we’ve experienced in the past 18 months, the role that security plays in creating safe and healthy environments is more critical than ever,” said Sean McGrath, Head of US Commercial Sales and Marketing, ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions Americas. “Today’s dynamic environment requires creative approaches, innovative solutions, and ongoing collaboration to meet this challenge.” Most frequent touchpoints There are many examples of what can be done to upgrade the health, safety and security of a facility, including: Mitigating the spread of germs by reducing touchpoints at the door - Brought to the forefront because of the COVID-19 pandemic, preventing the spread of germs in a facility has become the new standard for healthy spaces. With doors and door hardware being some of the most frequent touchpoints in a building, creating low-touch or touchless openings is an effective way to accomplish this goal. At GSX, ASSA ABLOY will highlight their full range of Safer2Open™ products that allow doors to operate in a hands-free or touchless manner, including the newest addition: Alarm Controls NTB battery-powered wave-to-open sensor: The NTB Series can be used to quickly upgrade existing applications to code compliant no-touch solutions using existing wiring, extending touchless access and egress in an easy and affordable way. Wireless access control Utilising wireless access control to efficiently manage spaces - Wireless technologies continue to be an important option for upgrading the security of a facility. The ability to add access control to doors at a fraction of the cost of traditional solutions makes it even more valuable at a time when security requirements are growing and budgets are limited. Facilities can use this expanded access control footprint to improve safety by managing the flow of people, limiting the number of people in a particular area, and quickly changing how a space is used. Some of the latest developments in wireless access control include: HES ES100 integrated electric strike and card reader: As the newest addition to the Aperio® family of real-time wireless solutions, the HES ES100 combines a concealed electric strike with a surface-mounted wireless reader to provide yet another easy, affordable retrofit solution for remote control and monitoring. Adams Rite DL100 wireless deadlatch: Coming soon to the Aperio line of real-time wireless solutions, the DL100 offers cost-effective retrofit access control capabilities utilising the industry-standard Adams Rite MS® Door Prep for Deadlocks & Deadlatches for single or double narrow stile aluminium mechanical and automatic door applications. Future-proof environments Providing flexibility to adapt to changing requirements - Whether this means upgrading to the latest, high-security credentials or taking the necessary precautions to protect against cybersecurity risks, flexibility is key to creating resilient, future-proof environments. ASSA ABLOY offers many solutions that support this growing need, including one of the newest products that will be featured at GSX: SN Series: Available from ASSA ABLOY Group brands Corbin Russwin and SARGENT, the SN Series offers the latest in security and versatility with a choice of Wiegand communication protocol or Open Supervised Device Protocol (OSDP) that allows for secure channel, serial communication between the reader and Physical Access Control System (PACS). Featuring Signo™ reader technology from HID Global®, the SN Series is ideal for mixed credential environments and enables easy migration to higher security credentials and mobile access. Door opening solutions ASSA ABLOY Booth #1353 will feature a new product showcase with all of these new products ASSA ABLOY Booth #1353 will feature a new product showcase with all of these new products, as well as the award-winning Medeco 4 (M4) high-security key system that offers the highest level of protection against physical attack and unauthorised key duplication. It will also feature the latest complete door opening solutions, such as the multi-solution blast and hurricane opening that is designed to provide extra protection against explosions and hurricane-force winds and the RITE Slide integrated barn sliding door system that combines a sleek profile with an STC 34 rating for maximum privacy. Vertical market solutions In addition, the booth will showcase vertical market solutions and a new virtual 360° tour that helps universities visualise how door security solutions can be used to address everyday challenges on campus. The Global Security Exchange (GSX) 2021 will take place September 27-29 in-person at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL and online via the GSX digital platform. ASSA ABLOY’s sister companies will also be onsite, including Ameristar (booth #1363), LifeSafety® Power (booth #1463), and Traka (booth #1147).

viisights, Inc., developer of revolutionary behavioural recognition systems for real-time video intelligence, will be attending Global Security Exchange 2021 in Orlando, September 27 - 29, 2021, showcasing ROI-generating behavioural video analytics solutions for smart cities, campuses, enterprises, transportation hubs, critical infrastructures, security guard companies and more. Company representatives will also be meeting with systems integrators and technology partners to discuss new revenue streams as a part of the company’s partner program. Representatives will be demonstrating real-time event prediction and recognition capabilities like: Suspicious activity Crowd behaviour Traffic monitoring Personal and environmental safety Public health protection Violent activity Behavioural analytics viisights behavioural analytics provide systems integrators with a new unique selling proposition for customers A benchmark in video intelligence, viisights behavioural analytics provide systems integrators with a new unique selling proposition for existing and new customers that will lead to business growth. viisights personnel will be at the show to discuss these opportunities in one-on-one meetings with potential technology partners and systems integrators during GSX 2021. The company offers extensive support for integrators including project registration; price protection to protect and secure bids; engineering, design, and implementation support; installation documentation and setup tools; training and certification for technical staff; application consulting for specialised projects; software demo licenses; and more. Video intelligence systems “viisights leverages artificial intelligence technologies that facilitate human-like pattern prediction to create fully autonomous video intelligence systems,” said Asaf Birenzvieg, CEO at viisights. “We go further than simple object recognition by analysing full-motion video for objects and their behaviour in the context that they operate in. Our real-time behavioural analytics transform video streams into actionable insights by autonomously recognising behaviours that demand immediate attention, allowing customers to be more proactive.”

Wasabi Technologies (Wasabi), the globally renowned hot cloud storage company, has announced a new partnership with Rasilient Systems, the pioneer in forensic-grade video surveillance systems, to deliver industry-renowned hybrid cloud storage solutions for video surveillance deployments at the edge. Wasabi - Rasilient partnership This partnership combines the strength of Rasilient’s surveillance system optimisation with Wasabi’s unlimited scalability and disruptively low cost, so users in industries with multiple distributed locations, such as healthcare networks, education systems, and retail branches, can effectively handle the rising amount of video being captured, at previously deemed ‘unserviceable’ or ‘difficult’ remote locations. With the ever-increasing amount of data produced by video surveillance applications, moving and archiving infrequently-accessed video to an offsite, secure, and reliable storage environment is the only way to keep up with the demand of footage being generated at the edge. Unfortunately, this is nearly impossible for remote locations, due to the limited bandwidth and connectivity needed to send video files, without the risk of frame drop, video degradation and data corruption. Fast and reliable hot cloud storage Wasabi is 80% less expensive to store video recordings, in comparison to traditional cloud providers Now, with Wasabi’s affordable, fast, and reliable hot cloud storage on-demand, Rasilient customers can shorten upload windows and quickly access their video files for faster retrieval times, with a highly scalable repository for their video management software (VMS), which supports high camera counts, high definition resolutions, high frame rates, and long retention periods, all demands of modern video surveillance deployments. Wasabi is 80% less expensive to store video recordings, in comparison to traditional cloud providers and there are no fees for egress, or API requests. This lower cost allows customers to utilise video surveillance, not only for security and safety but for a variety of uses to cost-effectively monitor operations for business optimisation and process improvement, while holding on to that footage forever, so they can refer back to it whenever necessary. Collaboration to offer cloud and edge hardware The two companies have partnered up to offer cloud, edge hardware, and secure transmission in a simple, predictable RMR pricing model, as well as omitting the expensive and fluctuating costs that are traditionally associated with cloud storage solutions. “With modern systems capturing more evidence and anomalies than ever before, there is a surging demand for increased storage capacity that is scalable, dependable, and secure,” said Sean Chang, the Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Rasilient Systems. He adds, “By partnering with Wasabi, we’re able to provide our customers with a hybrid cloud solution that is affordable, fast, reliable, and secure, so they are properly equipped to manage the growing volume of video captured across locations.” VMS-agnostic NFDLink communication software Rasilient Systems’ patent-pending, VMS-agnostic NFDLink communication software enables the use of commonly available broadband wired or wireless internet services, to send and receive forensic-grade video recordings directly to and from the Wasabi cloud. Wasabi’s flexible storage capacity allows organisations to leverage NFDLink, to archive infrequently accessed video to Wasabi from any VMS, while keeping frequently accessed video on-site with Rasilient edge devices. PrivateLok for zero-knowledge encryption at the edge Rasilient Systems’ PrivateLok provides zero-knowledge encryption at the edge Rasilient Systems’ PrivateLok provides zero-knowledge encryption at the edge, to add cyber security on top of Wasabi’s safe and secure environment. Only the edge user holds the key, so even if the network was somehow compromised, no one could view sensitive video data. Wasabi is deployed in fully secure and redundant data centres that are certified for SOC-2 and ISO 27001 compliance. The service is architected, in accordance with industry-renowned security models and design practices. Organisations can configure their individual video files or storage buckets to be immutable for a user-defined retention period (in increments of days, weeks, months or years). High levels of immutability Designated video files or files written to that bucket cannot be deleted or altered in any way, by anyone, throughout its storage lifetime. This level of immutability helps Rasilient customers comply with state and local government regulations. “Industries that operate in multiple locations, such as healthcare, government, education, and enterprise retail, may have a blend of software at different sites, often times not having one standard VMS across all locations.” said David Friend, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Wasabi Technologies. He adds, “This scenario makes it difficult for organisations to keep up with increasing levels of video surveillance at the edge, in a secure and cost-effective manner. Rasilient has created a surveillance solution that is dependable, can be used in remote areas, and can cover multiple sites. We’re excited to partner with Rasilient, to provide their customers with a flexible, cost-effective and secure cloud storage solution that caters to the modern demands of video surveillance.”

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

Intrusion alarm systems are currently facing a growing number of potential error sources in the environment. At the same time, alarm systems must comply with increasingly demanding legal requirements for sensors and motion detectors. As a future-proof solution, detectors equipped with Sensor Data Fusion technology raise the level of security while reducing the risk of cost- and time-intensive false alarms. This article provides a comprehensive overview of Sensor Data Fusion technology. Anti-masking alarms A cultural heritage museum in the South of Germany for decades, the installed intrusion alarm system has provided reliable protection on the premises. But suddenly, the detectors trigger false alarms every night after the museum closes. The system integrators are puzzled and conduct extensive tests of the entire system. When they finally identify the culprit, it’s unexpected: As it turns out, the recently installed LED lighting system in the museum’s exhibition spaces radiates at a wavelength that triggers anti-masking alarms in the detectors. Not an easy fix situation, since a new lighting system would prove far too costly. Ultimately, the integrators need to perform extensive detector firmware updates and switch to different sensor architecture to eliminate the error source.  This scenario is by no means an isolated incident, but part of a growing trend. Need for reliable detector technology Legal requirements for anti-masking technology are becoming stringent in response to tactics by criminals The number of potential triggers for erroneous alarms in the environment is on the rise. From the perspective of system operators and integrators, it’s a concerning development because every false alarm lowers the credibility of an intrusion alarm system. Not to mention steep costs: Every false call to the authorities comes with a price +$200 tag.   Aside from error sources in the environment, legal requirements for anti-masking technology are becoming more stringent in response to ever more resourceful tactics employed by criminals to sidestep detectors. What’s more, today’s detectors need to be fortified against service outages and provide reliable, around-the-clock operability to catch intruders in a timely and reliable fashion. Sensor Data Fusion Technology In light of these demands, one particular approach has emerged as a future-proof solution over the past few years: Sensor Data Fusion technology, the combination of several types of sensors within one detector – designed to cross-check and verify alarm sources via intelligent algorithms – holds the keys to minimising false alarms and responding appropriately to actual alarm events. This generation of detectors combines passive infrared (PIR) and microwave Doppler radar capabilities with artificial intelligence (AI) to eliminate false alarm sources without sacrificing catch performance. Motion detectors equipped with Sensor Data Fusion technology present a fail-proof solution for building security “It’s not about packing as many sensors as possible into a detector. But it’s about including the most relevant sensors with checks and balances through an intelligent algorithm that verifies the data for a highly reliable level of security. The result is the highest-possible catch performance at the minimum risk for erroneous alarms,” said Michael Reimer, Senior Product Manager at Bosch Security Systems. Motion detectors with sensor data fusion Looking ahead into the future, motion detectors equipped with Sensor Data Fusion technology not only present a fail-proof solution for building security. The comprehensive data collected by these sensors also unlock value beyond security: Constant real-time information on temperature and humidity can be used by intelligent systems and devices in building automation. Integrated into building management systems, the sensors provide efficiency improvements and lowering energy costs Integrated into building management systems, the sensors provide the foundation for efficiency improvements and lowering energy costs in HVAC systems. Companies such as Bosch support these network synergies by constantly developing and optimising intelligent sensors. On that note, installers must be familiar with the latest generation of sensor technology to upgrade their systems accordingly, starting with a comprehensive overview of error sources in the environment. Prominent false alarm triggers in intrusion alarm systems The following factors emerge as frequent triggers of false alarms in conventional detectors: Strong temperature fluctuations can be interpreted by sensors as indicators of a person inside the building. Triggers range from floor heating sources to strong sunlight. In this context, room temperatures above 86°F (30°C) have proven particularly problematic. Dust contamination of optical detectors lowers the detection performance while raising susceptibility to false alarms. Draft air from air conditioning systems or open windows can trigger motion sensors, especially when curtains, plants, or signage attached to the ceilings (e.g. in grocery stores) are put in motion. Strong light exposure directly on the sensor surface, e.g. caused by headlights from passing vehicles, floodlights, reflected or direct sunlight – all of which sensors may interpret as a flashlight from an intruder. Extensive bandwidth frequencies in Wi-Fi routers can potentially confuse sensors. Only a few years ago, wireless routers operated on a bandwidth of around 2.7GHz while today’s devices often exceed 5GHz, thereby catching older detectors off guard. LED lights radiating at frequencies beyond the spectrum of visible light may trigger sensors with their infrared signals. Regarding the last two points, it’s important to note that legislation provides clear guidelines for the maximum frequency spectrum maintained by Wi-Fi routers and LED lighting. Long-term security But the influx of cheap and illegal products in both product groups – products that do not meet the guidelines – continues to pose problems when installed near conventional detectors. For this reason, Sensor Data Fusion technology provides a reliable solution by verifying alarms with data from several types of sensors within a single detector. Beyond providing immunity from false alarm triggers, the new generation of sensors also needs to comply with the current legislature. These guidelines include the latest EN50131-grade 3, and German VdS class C standards with clear requirements regarding anti-masking technology for detecting sabotage attempts. This is exactly where Sensor Data Fusion technology provides long-term security. Evolution of intrusion detector technology Initially, motion detectors designed for intrusion alarm systems were merely equipped with a single type of sensor; namely passive infrared technology (PIR). Upon their introduction, these sensors raised the overall level of building security tremendously in automated security systems. But over time, these sensors proved limited in their catch performance. As a result, manufacturers began implementing microwave Doppler radar capabilities to cover additional sources of intrusion alarms. First step detection technology In Bosch sensors, engineers added First Step detection to trigger instant alarms upon persons entering a room Over the next few years, sensors were also equipped with sensors detecting visible light to catch flashlights used by burglars, as well as temperature sensors. In Bosch sensors, engineers added proprietary technologies such as First Step detection to trigger instant alarms upon persons entering a room. But experience in the field soon proved, especially due to error sources such as rats and other animals, that comprehensive intrusion detection demands a synergetic approach: A combination of sensors aligned to cross-check one another for a proactive response to incoming signals. At the same time, the aforementioned bandwidth expansion in Wi-Fi routers and LED lighting systems required detectors to implement the latest circuit technology to avoid serving as ‘antennas’ for undesired signals. Sensor data fusion approach At its very core, Sensor Data Fusion technology relies on the centralised collection of all data captured by the variety of different sensors included in a single detector. These data streams are directed to a microprocessor capable of analysing the signals in real-time via a complex algorithm. This algorithm is the key to Sensor Data Fusion. It enables the detector to balance active sensors and adjust sensitivities as needed, to make truly intelligent decisions regarding whether or not the data indicates a valid alarm condition – and if so, trigger an alarm. Advanced verification mechanisms The current generation of Sensor Data Fusion detectors, for instance from Bosch, feature advanced verification mechanisms, including Microwave Noise Adaptive Processing to easily differentiate humans from false alarm sources (e.g. ceiling fans or hanging signs). For increased reliability, signals from PIR and microwave Doppler radar are compared to determine whether an actual alarm event is taking place. Additionally, the optical chamber is sealed to prevent drafts and insects from affecting the detector, while the detector is programmed for pet and small animal immunity. Sensor cross-verification Further types of sensors embedded in current and future generations of Sensor Data Fusion detectors include MEM-sensors as well as vibration sensors and accelerometers. Ultimately, it’s important to keep in mind that the cross-verification between sensors serves to increase false alarm immunity without sacrificing the catch performance of actual intruders. It merely serves to cover various indicators of intrusion. Protecting UNESCO World Cultural Heritage in China Intelligent detectors equipped with Sensor Data Fusion are protecting historic cultural artifacts in China from theft and damage. At the UNESCO-protected Terracotta Warriors Museum site, one hundred TriTech motion detectors from Bosch with PIR and microwave Doppler radar technology safeguard the invaluable treasures against intruders. To provide comprehensive protection amid the specific demands of the museum site, the detectors have been installed on walls and ceilings to safeguard the 16,300-square-meter museum site. To ensure an optimal visitor experience without interference from glass walls and other barriers, many detectors are mounted at a height of 4.5 meters (15 feet) above ground under the ceiling. Despite their height, the detectors provide accurate data around the clock while exceeding the performance limits of conventional motion detectors, which clock out at a mere 2 meters (6 feet) catchment area. Integrated video systems The site also presents additional error sources such as large amounts of dust that can contaminate the sensors, as well as visitors accidentally dropping their cameras or mobile phones next to museum exhibits. To distinguish these events from actual criminal activity, the intrusion alarm system is integrated with the museum’s video security system. This allows for verifying alarm triggers with real-time video footage at a fast pace: In the case of an actual alarm event, the system alerts the on-site security personnel in the control room in less than two seconds. Added value beyond security Sensor Data Fusion technology provides a viable solution for the rising number of error sources in the environment As of today, Sensor Data Fusion technology already provides a viable solution for the rising number of error sources in the environment while providing legally compliant building security against intruders. In light of future developments, operators can leverage significant added value from upgrading existing systems – possibly without fundamentally replacing current system architecture – to the new detector standard. Added value how? On one hand, the detectors can integrate with access control, video security, voice alarm, and analytics for a heightened level of security. These synergetic effects are especially pronounced on end-to-end platforms like the Bosch Building Management system. On the other hand, the data streams from intelligent detectors also supply actionable intelligence to building automation systems, for instance as the basis for efficiency improvements and lowering energy consumption in HVAC systems. New backward-compatible detectors Bosch will release a new series of commercial detectors by end of 2021, based on the latest research on risk factors for false alarm sources in the environment and line with current legislation and safety standards. Throughout these developments, installers can rest assured that all new detectors are fully backward compatible and work with existing networking/architecture. With that said, Sensor Data Fusion technology emerges as the key to more secure intrusion alarm systems today and in the future. TriTech detectors from Bosch For reliable, fail-proof alarms the current series of TriTech detectors from Bosch relies on a combination of different sensor data streams, evaluated by an integrated algorithm. These Sensor Data Fusion detectors from Bosch combine up to five different sensors in a single unit, including: Long-range passive infrared (PIR) sensor Short-range PIR sensor Microwave sensor White light sensor Temperature sensor Equipped with these sensors, TriTech detectors are capable of detecting the most frequent sources of false alarms; from headlights on passing cars to a mouse passing across the room at a 4.5-meter distance to the detector. What’s more, TriTech detectors provide reliable performance at room temperatures above 86°F (30°C) while fully guarding against actual intrusion and sabotage attempts from criminals.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is improving everyday solutions, driving efficiency in ways we never imagined possible. From self-driving cars to intelligent analytics, the far-reaching impacts of Deep Learning-based technology empower human operators to achieve results more effectively while investing fewer resources and less time. By introducing AI, solutions are not merely powered by data, but they also generate valuable intelligence. Systems which were once leveraged for a narrow, dedicated purpose, can suddenly be engaged broadly across an organisation, because the previously under-utilised data can be harnessed for enhancing productivity and performance. Video analytics software When it comes to physical security, for instance, video surveillance is a standard solution. Yet, by introducing AI-driven video analytics software, video data can be leveraged as intelligence in previously inaccessible ways. Here are some examples of how diverse organisations are using AI-based video intelligence solutions to enhance security and performance with searchable, actionable and quantifiable insights. The video intelligence software processes and analyses video to detect all the people and objects that appear Law enforcement relies on video surveillance infrastructure for extracting investigation evidence and monitoring people and spaces. Instead of manual video review and live surveillance – which is prone to human error and distraction – police can harness video content analysis to accelerate video investigations, enhance situational awareness, streamline real-time response, identify suspicious individuals and recognise patterns and anomalies in video. The video intelligence software processes and analyses video to detect all the people and objects that appear; identify, extract and classify them; and then index them as metadata that can be searched and referenced. Maintaining public safety For law enforcement, the ability to dynamically search video based on granular criteria is critical for filtering out irrelevant details and pinpointing objects of interest, such as suspicious persons or vehicles. Beyond accelerating video evidence review and extraction, police can leverage video analysis to configure sophisticated real-time alerts when people, vehicles or behaviours of interest are detected in video. Instead of actively monitoring video feeds, law enforcement can assess triggered alerts and decide how to respond. In this way, officers can also react faster to emergencies, threats and suspicious activity as it develops. Video analysis empowers cities to harness their video surveillance data as operational intelligence Empowering law enforcement to maintain public safety is important beyond the benefit of increasing security: A city with a reputation for effective, reliable law enforcement and enhanced safety is more likely to attract residents, visitors and new businesses, exponentially driving its economic development. Furthermore, in cities where law enforcement can work productively and quickly, time and human resources can be reallocated to fostering growth and building community. Video surveillance data Video analysis empowers cities to harness their video surveillance data as operational intelligence for optimising city management and infrastructure. When video data is aggregated over time, it can be visualised into dashboards, heatmaps and reports, so operators can identify patterns and more seamlessly detect anomalous behaviour. A city could, for instance, analyse the most accident-prone local intersection and assess the traffic patterns to reveal details such as where cars are dwelling and pedestrians are walking; the directional flows of traffic; and the demographic segmentations of the objects detected: Are cars lingering in no-parking zones? Are pedestrians using designated crosswalks – is there a more logical location for the crosswalk or traffic light? Do vehicles tend to make illegal turns – should police proactively deter this behaviour, or should the city plan new infrastructure that enables vehicles to safely perform these turns? Finally, does the rise in bike traffic warrant implementing dedicated biking lanes? With video intelligence, urban planners can answer these and other questions to facilitate local improvements and high quality of life. By leveraging the video insights about citywide traffic, public transit organisations can make data-driven decisions about scheduling and services   Enhancing situational awareness Insight into traffic trends is also critical for transport companies, from public transit services to transportation hubs and airports. By leveraging the video insights about citywide traffic, public transit organisations can make data-driven decisions about scheduling and services. Analysing video surveillance around bus stops, for instance, can help these companies understand the specific hours per day people tend to dwell around bus stops. Correlating this information with transactional data for each bus line, bus schedules can be optimised based on demand for individual bus lines, shortening waiting times for the most popular routes. Similarly, the traffic visualisations and activity heatmaps derived from the video of major transit hubs, such as international airports and central stations, can be beneficial for increasing security, enhancing situational awareness, identifying causes of congestion, improving throughput and efficiency and, ultimately, solving these inefficiencies to provide a streamlined customer experience for travellers. Large education campuses Much like a city, large education campuses have internal transportation services, residential facilities, businesses and law enforcement, and video content analysis can support the campus in intelligently managing each of those business units, while also providing video intelligence to these individual groups. Campus law enforcement can leverage video data to increase situational awareness and public safety Campus law enforcement can leverage video data to increase situational awareness and public safety, driving real-time responses with the ability to make informed assessments and accelerating post-event investigations with access to easily extractable video data.   When campuses are expanding or developing additional infrastructure, they can plan new crosswalks, traffic lights, roads, buildings and entrances and exits based on comprehensive video intelligence. By understanding where pedestrians and vehicles dwell, walk, cross or even violate traffic laws, the campus can inform construction projects and traffic optimisation. Countless business operations Finally, the campus can leverage video business intelligence to justify leasing pricing for different retailers across campus, demonstrating property values based on traffic trends that can be correlated with retailer point of sale data. Whether its empowering security, productivity or decision-making, the insights generated by AI-based technology can drive significant optimisation – especially when data is fused and cross-referenced across smart sensors and systems for even deeper intelligence. The campus can leverage video business intelligence to justify leasing pricing for different retailers across campus In the case of AI-backed video analytics, diverse organisations can harness video surveillance impactfully and dynamically. Whereas once video technology investments could be justified for their security value – with the introduction of AI capabilities – procurement teams can evaluate these solutions for countless business operations, because they offer broadly valuable intelligence. And video surveillance and analytics is merely one example of AI-driven solutions’ potential to disrupt business as we know it.

Combining artificial intelligence (AI) with cloud video creates systems that are smarter, safer and more cost-effective. Furthermore, adding AI capabilities can widen the advantage gap of cloud video systems compared to on-premise systems, especially for cost-conscious end users. “We strongly believe the total cost of ownership (TCO) for cloud systems is more affordable,” says Ken Francis, President of cloud video surveillance company Eagle Eye Networks. “And introducing really powerful AI will expand the cost differences.” Combining AI and cloud video To finance realisation of their vision to combine AI and cloud video, Eagle Eye Networks has raised $40 million of Series E funding from venture capital firm Accel. The money will allow Eagle Eye to continue its steep growth curve and leverage AI on its true cloud platform to reshape video surveillance. “The investment will make video surveillance smarter and safer for end users,” says Francis. In effect, end users have maximum flexibility to manage and analyse their video data however they wish The system sends captured video to the cloud, where a variety of AI or video analytics systems can extract valuable data from the captured video. Eagle Eye offers an application programming interface (API) to enable integration of best-in-breed third-party AI and analytics systems to leverage the video. In effect, end users have maximum flexibility to manage and analyse their video data however they wish. Delivering lower costs In addition to offering integration with third-party systems, Eagle Eye is investing in its own AI development, and hiring additional development and customer service personnel. As new technologies become part of the Eagle Eye platform, customers benefit from lower costs because of economies of scale. Keeping the emphasis on development of cloud systems, Eagle Eye also offers customers maximum flexibility in choosing their cameras. Eagle Eye’s on-premise cyber-hardened “bridge” can connect to almost any camera from thousands of manufacturers, including those connecting with HD-over-coax. The COVID-19 pandemic has expanded the need for end users to view their premises remotely, and in the process has highlighted shortcomings of their existing video systems. As a result, video manufacturers - including Eagle Eye Networks - are seeing a surge in end users updating their systems. Cloud video surveillance Given the costs of installing and maintaining hard drives for local storage (and additional challenges during a pandemic lockdown), more end users are opting to use cloud systems. In effect, the COVID-19 pandemic is accelerating installation of cloud video surveillance. “Our industry is the most resilient in the world,” says Francis. Eagle Eye Networks was on track to double their growth in the first quarter, and then COVID slowed everything down As a whole, 2020 has been a successful year for the cloud system provider. Eagle Eye Networks was on track to double their growth in the first quarter, and then the COVID lockdown slowed everything down. During the second quarter, their revenue from setup fees and appliances fell by 35% or so, but subscriptions increased slightly including customers looking to keep watch over their shuttered businesses. Temperature alerting solutions The third quarter saw another big uptick in business; August and September were booming, and not just from projects that were delayed from Q2. There has also been a spike in customers looking to apply temperature alerting solutions, says Francis. In uncertain economic times, cloud systems require around 40% less up-front costs, and provide flexibility to eliminate the system (and the expense) at any time without losing a large financial investment.  Cloud video has reached a tipping point in the United States, Mexico, and the United Kingdom, among other locales, but the technology lags in some other geographic areas such as France. Driving adoption is availability and cost of sufficient upload speed and bandwidth. In addition to Eagle Eye’s branded growth, the company also provides the OEM engine behind a half dozen or so cloud systems offered by other manufacturers. Backing multi-site enteprises About eight years old, Eagle Eye Networks has focused squarely on the small- and middle-sized business (SMB) market, especially multi-site businesses such as retail, banking and healthcare. They also work with local governments and K-12 schools. Moving forward, the company will seek to expand more into multi-site enterprise customers, some of which have 1,000 locations around the world and need to store their video locally to meet regulatory requirements. Multi-site businesses, benefit from the cloud by eliminating the need for local IT equipment and expensive staff Multi-site businesses, especially, benefit from the cloud by eliminating the need for local IT equipment and expensive staff. As internet connectivity becomes less expensive than installing new cable infrastructure, cloud systems will become more attractive to large campus environments such as colleges and airports, says Francis. The advent of 5G connectivity will also be a plus. All Eagle Eye products are NDAA compliant. Premium support services Further expanding its services, Eagle Eye Networks is poised to launch “Premium Support Services,” in which the cloud provider’s employees will proactively monitor and service customer sites for a minimum additional monthly fee. The cloud structure enables most problems to be addressed and solved remotely without needing to send personnel to a site. The new investment from Accel, a funding partner of top-tier tech companies such as Facebook, Dropbox and Spotify, is Accel's first investment in the security industry. In addition to investing in AI, Eagle Eye also plans to leverage the funding to expand into new regional markets with new data centres and additional staff in business development, sales and support roles.

Video, access control and visitor management are among the technologies that are enabling greater safety and security at hospitals and other healthcare facilities. Video surveillance systems enable hospital management and security professionals to know what goes on in and around a medical facility. Recording images in high resolutions (megapixels and gigapixels) is becoming more and more important in healthcare, says Jason Ouellette, Product Line Director – Access Control, Tyco Security Products. Video event management software Video analytics are now being leveraged for patient tracking, asset tracking, and operational purposes If an incident occurs in a medical facility, the security staff has to be able to identify faces easily and accurately. Storage and costs have to be considered, of course. With technology improving and prices decreasing, video solutions can even be used for purposes beyond traditional security. For example, video analytics are now being leveraged for patient tracking, asset tracking, and operational purposes, and captured video can be used to defend against liability claims. What’s next? Video analytics will continue to be a valuable addition to any surveillance infrastructure due to its ability to address patient needs, operational efficiencies and early risk detection, says Brandon Reich, Senior Director of Surveillance Solutions, Pivot3. Through video event management software (VEMS), hospitals can customise the statistics that are relevant to their individual buildings or campuses without having to spend extra time or money on rigorous employee training. Data capture form to appear here! Real-time access control security updates Furthermore, once healthcare facilities are able to digitise all of their patient records, secure any of their ingress and egress points with real-time access control security updates, and fully transition from analogue to IP video surveillance cameras, VEMS systems that house analytical software will be able to multiply the benefits offered to hospitals, not just in real time, but in planning ahead for future risk, expansion and safety protocols. It is vital to implement integrated and innovative access control solutions With large, complex facilities, directors of security at hospitals struggle with controlling access to various levels of the facility, according to Eric Widlitz of Vanderbilt Industries. To manage the risks that hospitals face and ensure a comprehensively protected atmosphere for patients and staff, it is vital to implement integrated and innovative access control solutions. For example, ease of access with controlled entrances is vital to medical crash teams, as is the need for a zonal access control lockdown in the event of a contagious disease outbreak. Strict access limitations Different hallways, rooms, floors and waiting areas within a hospital require different amounts of restriction, and sensitive materials, such as medical files, controlled substances and sterile environments (such as operating and procedure rooms) all necessitate an additional layer of protection. Access control in particular has advanced significantly to offer healthcare facilities the ability to control access remotely, through mobile applications, confirm identity quickly and easily and program varying levels of access for visitors, patients, doctors and staff. One area that is recently experiencing rapid growth – and drastic change – is the securing of narcotics within healthcare facilities, says Robert Laughlin, CEO and Chairman, Galaxy Control Systems. In the past, all medicine was controlled in a central pharmacy located somewhere in the hospital or health facility. These pharmacies were highly secured areas, with strict access limitations; only authorised staff could get near the medicine stocks. Fiber optic communication lines For vehicle access control, medical centers and hospitals prefer beam barricades and shallow foundation barriers To improve the speed of delivery, and to have the necessary medicines ready at hand for in-patients without retaining a large delivery staff, the current trend is to have distributed pharmaceutical closets or carts that hold medicines much closer to the intended patients. For vehicle access control, medical centers and hospitals prefer beam barricades and shallow foundation barriers, according to Gregg Hamm of Delta Scientific. Manual beam barricades are installed at the Fort Bragg Veterans Administration Hospital in North Carolina to shut down certain areas of the facility when a higher alert is sounded. They will stop a 15,000-pound vehicle traveling 50 mph. The Navy Hospital in San Diego uses high speed, high security and very shallow foundation barricades to control all vehicles going in and out of the facility. With their extremely shallow foundation, they obviate the concerns of interference with buried pipes, power lines and fiber optic communication lines. They will stop a 15,000-pound vehicle traveling 50 mph. At the National Institute of Health in Bethesda, Maryland, even stronger shallow foundation barriers are used for traffic control and protection. These barriers will destroy a 65,000-pound (5.4 million foot-pounds) dump truck traveling 50 mph and continue to stand. Physical access control systems Controlling visitors to hospitals and healthcare facilities can directly impact security Controlling visitors to hospitals and healthcare facilities can directly impact security. Traditional methods of visitor management, such as paper visitor logs and handwritten badges are insufficient given today’s variety of security challenges. A hospital using paper-based systems cannot easily cross-check information, confirm patient information, check visitor names against up-to-date watch lists, or visually confirm identity. An increasingly popular and important application is secure and simplified visitor management, integrated with the physical access control systems (PACS). Today’s visitor management systems enable the screening, badging and tracking all visitors or, at a minimum, those visiting critical areas or during ‘after hours’ periods, Quickly identify inappropriate visitors One other growing technology is the ability to link to internal or governmental watch lists, to quickly identify inappropriate visitors before they gain access to the facilities. For example, Visitor Management systems can be configured to perform a Sex Offender search in both Children’s Hospitals and Pediatric areas, further decreasing the likelihood that someone of the list could gain access. Wayfinding is indoor navigation to guide a person step-by-step on the way to a desired destination HID Global and Phunware Inc. are addressing the need of healthcare institutions to deploy standardised technology to provide a better wayfinding and visitor engagement experience inside the hospital, across campus and even in parking lots. The companies are collaborating to improve the experience for hospital patients and visitors to find their way within medical facilities, using wayfinding on their mobile phones. Wayfinding is indoor navigation to guide a person step-by-step on the way to a desired destination. Enterprise-level mobile wayfinding “It’s easy for visitors and patients to get lost in hospitals, and every time they do it puts appointment times and patient satisfaction at risk,” says Rom Eizenberg, Vice President of Sales, Bluvision, part of HID Global “With our location-aware app on a mobile device, we equip the visitor to get instant, turn-by-turn navigation that creates a better experience than that which is currently available on the market.” HID’s healthcare IoT solution-enablement platform simplifies the delivery of real-time location of clinicians, patients and devices. The platform is enabled by Bluvision (part of HID Global). Phunware’s Multiscreen-as-a-Service (MaaS) platform also provides enterprise-level mobile wayfinding, engagement, data and more for other vertical markets, including retail, residential, hospitality, media and entertainment and more. Missed the rest our healthcare mini series? Read part one here and part two here.

Many venues are using access control, video surveillance systems, sensors, and additional hardware solutions as part of a broader security strategy. By utilising so many disparate systems, corporate security teams are left with information “silos” that create inefficiencies and hamper communication. This abundance of hardware has left teams with too much data or too many tools, to manage effectively. Armored Things offers a software solution. The company’s “spatial intelligence platform” currently collects more data than other security intelligence solutions, utilising a broader range of sources and fusing data together rather than integrating it. The platform currently focuses on taking in data from WiFi, access control, and video surveillance systems and applying machine learning to deliver customers features such as real-time predictive analytics to prevent incidents like bottlenecks or overcrowding. Spatial Intelligence is an approach to physical security that enables users to collect, manage, and interpret data in a single platform. Combine machine learning with data The term can best be used to describe how digital transformation has affected physical security. Spatial Intelligence in its infancy looked like video surveillance data combined with machine learning to produce video analytics. The spatial intelligence solutions of today can combine machine learning with data of any source, type, and size to deliver value across a large organisation, not just the security team, says the company. Armored Things’ Spatial Intelligence platform unifies data from information silos to support data-driven decisions around operations and security. By fusing data from multiple sources, we can produce more consistent and useful insights for our customers” A suite of analytics, reporting and visualisation tools helps customers gain a real-time understanding of people and flow in their space. By removing the guesswork of everyday decisions, the product enables customers to make data-driven decisions at a moment’s notice, according to the company. Armored Things is more than a data management tool. “By fusing data from multiple sources (rather than only cameras or only WiFi), we can produce more consistent, accurate, and useful insights for our customers,” says Kevin Davis, Chief Security Officer at Armored Things. "Being able to collect the data is the first step, but turning it into actionable intelligence is where Armored Things excels.” IP cameras and other IoT-enabled devices The range of data sources includes IP cameras and other IoT-enabled devices and even outside data sources like bus schedules and weather reports. Armored Things has built a team of public safety and technical experts with the mission to keep people safe where they live, work, and play. By leveraging emerging technology to enhance physical security, the company built the software-centric Spatial Intelligence Platform for large organisations to enhance the safety and operations of their space. Schools and education facilities are among the customers that can benefit. The leadership at Armored Things cares deeply about school safety, so the recent epidemic of campus violence has definitely been a large topic of conversation, according to the company. “By delivering our products to a greater number of customers, Armored Things hopes to continue making schools a safe place to learn and gather,” says Davis. Recently, there was a significant bottleneck lasting nearly 30 minutes at the Syracuse-Clemson football game. Unifying data into one platform Digital transformation is disrupting the way our customers think about physical security,” Using Armored Things technology and providing real-time data to security and operations personnel could have identified the bottleneck as it began to form. This would have notified relevant personnel, who could have taken steps to mitigate the problem before it turned into a security risk. Keeping the security infrastructure simple is imperative to success. Integrating a software solution into the security strategy shouldn’t complicate existing operations, says the company. “Armored Things Spatial Intelligence Platform can bring your security and operations into focus by unifying all of your data into one platform for ease of use,” says Davis. For this reason, the team chose to integrate not only with customers’ existing security infrastructure but with non-traditional data sources (e.g. WiFi, event schedules, ticketing) as well. “By combining and analysing a more diverse dataset, Armored Things can help our customers make better decisions with deeper data-driven insights,” says Davis. "Digital transformation is disrupting the way our customers think about physical security,” says Davis. “As a team, our aim is to help our customers adapt to the digital age, as they transition from hardware to software-centric security solutions. Fostering organisational change is difficult, and our team hopes to make the transition process easier for our customers.”

Australian systems integrators can now deliver a new generation of seamless, end-to-end security solutions powered by Quanika’s Enterprise and VisitorPoint software, following a distribution agreement between the two companies. Quanika Enterprise enables out-of-the-box integration with world-pioneering tech from Axis Communications including its full range of network cameras, door controllers, and audio devices as well as a choice of video management software. Users can connect, off-the-shelf a range of popular third-party systems from intruder and fire detection and site-specific applications and widely used databases, such as Microsoft Active Directory. Unified security management Quanika’s modular approach is more affordable and flexible than traditional enterprise-level integrated solutions and its access control and visitor management software works seamlessly with Axis Communications’ hardware, and a wide choice of video management software (VMS) including AXIS Camera Station, Milestone, and IPConfigure, to give users a unified security management platform. Quanika’s VisitorPoint visitor management software is also being used by organisations to combine increased security with improved access convenience for visitors, staff, contractors, and deliveries. Through access digitisation it is automating workflows, eliminating siloed systems, and helping organisations adapt to more flexible and hybrid working patterns. Integrated solutions Quanika’s integration model combines off-the-shelf affordability with bespoke tailoring is being deployed globally" The distribution agreement covering Australian markets positions SensaTek to deliver complete integrated solutions to meet the security, safety, and operational demands of businesses of any size including single facilities, campuses, and multi-site applications in the healthcare and logistics sectors. “Quanika’s integration model, which combines off-the-shelf affordability with bespoke tailoring whenever required, is being deployed in settings globally including hospitals, global logistics operations, retail, manufacturing, and leisure,” says James Robinson, Senior Business Development Manager, SensaTek. “It’s helping organisations improve security and drive up efficiency by moving away from stand-alone, siloed systems. We are looking forward to delivering the same benefits to Australian customers too.” Security and safety Quanika Enterprise offers an intuitive security and safety management platform that integrates advanced access control functionality with video and wider building management and popular databases, including Microsoft Active Directory, that gives organisations single and multi-site management and control and the flexibility to orchestrate change and adapt to the latest security, safety, and operational requirements. “As well as the advantages of affordable integration with off-the-shelf software, Quanika offers the ability to quickly add new integrations to meet site-specific challenges,” says Phil Campbell Sale Director, Quanika. “In line with our expansion in other markets we are delighted now to be working with SensaTek to deliver a new generation of affordable integrated solutions across Australia.”

SAFR from RealNetworks, Inc., the premier facial recognition platform for live video, has been selected as the facial recognition technology provider to support the Japanese government’s evolution from paper documents to digital “My Number” ID cards with face-based authentication infrastructure. Part of a larger digital transformation, My Number cards represent a new digital identification system designed to streamline and expand access to government services for Japanese citizens and residents. My Number card reader The solution will be rolled out to hundreds of thousands of hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies over the next two to three years. The My Number Card Reader provides online confirmation that supports My Number insurance cards together with facial recognition authentication supplied by SAFR. Certified system integrator Nextware, developed the card reader integration using SAFR’s lightweight and highly accurate facial recognition algorithm. SAFR was chosen because of its speed, precision, and extremely low bias about skin tones, age, and gender. SAFR enables face recognition with little variation in authentication accuracy  based on its deep learning" Accurate online authentication “In developing a card reader with face recognition to be used for online authentication, we needed the best facial recognition system available,” commented Mr. Takayoshi Toyoda, President, and CEO of Nextware Co., Ltd. "SAFR enables high-precision face recognition with little variation in authentication accuracy across gender, age, and race-based on its deep learning of about 10 million images. The availability of a device-embedded development kit enabled rapid development of the product.” Identity management in the healthcare system The initial rollout of My Number cards provides access to Japan’s universal healthcare system by allowing citizens to confirm their identity and medical information with specialised card readers and facial recognition features. As part of the new initiative, residents will no longer require multiple ID cards to access different government services. My Number cards contain an IC chip that stores a digital photo of the user. The My Number Card Reader reads the photo information and authenticates the user utilizing SAFR facial recognition even if the user is wearing a mask. The initiative significantly reduce resources and costs associated with the administration of healthcare information Reduces cost and errors The new initiative is expected to significantly reduce resources and costs associated with the administration of healthcare information while increasing convenience and access for all citizens and residents. The new digital system will also enable health providers to access accurate historical medical data reducing treatment time and avoiding costly errors. Digital transformation “We are happy to announce that SAFR facial recognition technology has been chosen for this important digital transformation project by the Japanese government,” said Noriaki Takamura, VP, APAC, SAFR. “Many Facial Recognition companies were considered, but SAFR’s excellent performance, high speed, small technology footprint and focus on privacy made it the ideal choice for this application.”

Roselle Catholic High School is a co-ed private high school founded 61 years ago in Roselle, New Jersey. Home to more than 400 students, Roselle Catholic is part of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark. In its community, Roselle Catholic is known for its core values promoting academic excellence, service, and tolerance. Like many high schools across the country, Roselle Catholic High School relied on outdated technology to communicate between the front office and classrooms. Outdated intercom system While the front office could connect with the classroom through its dated one‑way intercom system, teachers could not communicate with the front office from the classroom. In the event of a classroom emergency, such as a student suddenly falling ill or a classroom disruption, teachers had to rely on a student to run down to the front office to request assistance. “Our school is in an older building and the original communication system layout doesn’t have the talkback option to the main office,” said Principal Tom Berrios. “That left teachers in a bad spot if they ever had to reach an administrator for an emergency.” Lack of visitor management system School administrators sought a new system that could provide communications between teachers and staff The school also lacked a visitor management system allowing the front office to visually confirm and speak with anyone before permitting them to physically enter the building. In addition, with new health and safety concerns from the COVID‑19 pandemic, the school wanted to implement new measures to help screen visitors before they enter the building. As part of its efforts to improve security facility-wide, school administrators sought a new system that could provide internal communications between teachers and staff—while sending audio alerts in the event of an emergency. They also needed a visitor management system enabling them to visually confirm and communicate with visitors before they enter the building. IP video intercom system To assist with these challenges, the school installed the IX Series Peer‑to‑Peer IP Video Intercom System from Aiphone. Installing the system was Maffey’s Security Group, a systems integration company from Elizabeth, New Jersey, with close ties to the high school. “Roselle Catholic High School is my alma mater and we try to help them keep up‑to‑date with the latest technology and security,” said Ed Maffey, president of Maffey’s Security Group, a family-owned and operated business for 110 years. By leveraging a program through the state of New Jersey, the high school was able to apply and receive a grant designed to support security improvements at both public and private schools. The grant was used to help pay for the new Aiphone IX Series Peer‑to‑Peer IP Video Intercom System, which included two master stations, two IP video door stations, and 43 IP audio substations for classrooms. The IX Series delivers flexibility The benefit of the IP video intercom system is its ability to integrate with a recently installed thermal imaging camera The IP system is a scalable, enterprise‑level solution that uses Power over Ethernet (PoE), eliminates the need for a power source for each intercom and substation. The system can easily integrate with access control, video, and other security devices to provide a fully unified solution. One main benefit of the IP video intercom system is its ability to integrate with a recently installed thermal imaging camera system, which is being used to screen students, staff, and visitors before the entrance. A thermal imaging camera located at the front entrance will screen people for a mask and elevated temperature, and only allow access if that visitor is cleared. Video-based monitoring system With the new Aiphone IX Series system, front office staff can respond when a visitor rings a bell asking for entrance. Staff can speak to the visitor and also make visual contact before pushing the door release button to allow that person to enter. The school is equipped with two touchscreen master stations, with one located in the front office and the second located in the principal’s office. The live video also helps to prevent people from following an approved guest through the doors. Trained front desk staff can monitor a visitor as they enter the building to ensure additional people aren’t following behind. Added benefits with emergency notifications In addition to enabling communication directly from teachers to the front office, they also can put the entire school on a lockdown notice in the event of an emergency. The Aiphone IX Series can send a pre‑recorded notification building‑wide, alerting students or staff of a problem and providing directions about what steps to take next. With one push of a button, a message will play continuously and that message can be used for a variety of scenarios “The system makes the teachers feel more secure with what’s going on in the building and they have an easier way to communicate,” said Berrios. Maffey called this feature a “hot button” capability. With one push of a button, a message will play continuously and that pre‑recorded message can be used for a variety of scenarios, including fire drills, emergency evacuations, and lockdown situations. Entry door security   The school is also using the Aiphone IX Series on an entry door located in the back of the building, which is frequently used by students heading outside for athletics or gym class. “After school, the intercom system has become an added security feature because we can now visually see the students who need to enter the building and the locker room,” said Berrios. “Before we had to keep the door propped open or students could not gain access from the back of the building.” Leveraging IP connectivity Maffey said the installation was relatively easy because he was able to leverage the school’s existing IP network to run the new IP‑based video intercom system. Additional switches helped to fill in areas where network connectivity wasn’t available. “When we install an Aiphone system we can walk away confident that it is going to work,” said Maffey. “Aiphone has been our go‑to intercom system for over 20 years.”

Atos announces its new partnership to integrate viisights software into its Atos Computer Vision Platform. Atos is a pioneer in global Edge AI. This collaboration will allow viisights’ powerful behavioural video analytics to run on Atos Computer Vision Platform, providing users with unique insight and therefore to immediately detect and predict violent activity, suspicious activity, crowd behaviour, traffic monitoring, and much more to help authorities prevent harmful activities from escalating. AI-based behavioural video analytics viisights is a developer of advanced AI-powered behavioural video analytics software. viisights will integrate its AI models to VISuite, these models are specifically designed for security and safety applications, targeting transportation hubs, smart cities, critical infrastructure, and various kind of campuses. They leverage viisights’ unique video understanding technology capabilities. Computer vision platform Atos Computer Vision Platform enables users to reduce error rates, guarantee people and asset safety Atos Computer Vision Platform, launched in July 2021, is a unique end-to-end computer vision platform providing pre-trained & customisable AI models powered by the BullSequana server range and enriched by a partner ecosystem and Atos computer vision experts through worldwide expert’s labs. It enables users to identify events and behaviours, reduce error rates, guarantee people and asset safety, deliver the highest quality, and offer frictionless and personalised customer experiences. Delivering advanced solutions Atos Computer Vision Platform offers full compatibility with Atos BullSequana server range designed for AI applications, Atos data science services and leverages Atos’ established global presence in the public safety space. “We’re very excited to partner with Atos. This strategic partnership will help deliver highly advanced and valuable solutions that leverage our respective core areas of expertise,” said Asaf Birenzvieg, CEO of viisights. Easy and cost-effective solutions “Integrating Atos Computer Vision Platform as a partner makes it easier and more cost-effective to offer municipalities and other customer’s turnkey solutions that deliver proactive safety and security.” “We are proud to announce viisights integrates Atos Computer Vision Platform as a partner, integrating VISuite, the software toolbox. This partnership will harness the reach of Atos Computer Vision Platform to make public transports and public areas across the globe safer, smarter, and more secure,” said Jérôme Sandrini, Head of Big Data solutions, Atos.

One of India's most premier educational institutions, IIT Delhi, is sprawled over 325 acres of land. It houses classrooms, department buildings, laboratories, libraries, recreational zones, and residential areas for students, faculty, and other staff, among other things. Need for an intelligent surveillance system As expansive and beautifully landscaped the institute is, it presented a massive security challenge. Until now, its measures were limited to the campus being physically manned by security personnel. Considering the size of the institute, having a few security guards was inadequate and inefficient to properly monitor the entire premises, safeguard the students and prevent unsightly events. The need of the hour was an intelligent surveillance system that facilitates end-to-end protection by providing complete visibility of the campus, especially the entry and exit points, perimeter walls, and passages, as well as helps instill discipline within the institute.  Videonetics provided 24X7 protection Videonetics worked closely with IIT Delhi and system integrator Supreme Audiotek to identify key strategic locations on the premise that needed to be secured. Approximately 300 high-definition network cameras were deployed to cover all vantage points and locations. Approximately 300 high-definition network cameras were deployed to cover all vantage points and locations These cameras covered entry and exits, boundaries of the campus, passages, playground, cafeteria, outdoor walkways, and lobbies of the various buildings, to keep in check incidents of bullying, vandalism, teasing, unauthorised visitors, and so on. Videonetics AI-powered Intelligent Video Management Software (IVMS) 3.0 was chosen to support these network cameras to ensure efficient and seamless management of humongous video data. The enterprise-class solution helped to record, view and manage these cameras from its unified interface, providing situational awareness and actionable intelligence. Vigilance and collaborative action The hundreds of cameras deployed across the campus provide a comprehensive view of all areas to the security personnel manning the Command & Control Centre. With live video playing 24X7 on the video wall, they can ensure constant vigilance, spot unusual behaviour at any time, and send alerts to the on-ground security staff for swift action.  With Videonetics Intelligent VMS, security operators at IIT Delhi are proactively identifying, addressing, and investigating incidents faster. Robust data protection To safeguard the privacy of students, staff, and visitors, Intelligent VMS ensures that the highest possible standards of data protection are followed. In this respect, it has offered its multi-pronged security measures, which include multi-factor authentication so that data is accessible only to authorised operators, encryption of data at rest to protect from cyber threats, video watermarking to discourage unauthorised use, and more.  Smart investigation-friendly software    With smart and user-friendly Intelligent VMS, security operators can monitor and evaluate live and recorded videos With smart and user-friendly navigation of Intelligent VMS, security operators can monitor and evaluate live, as well as recorded videos simultaneously in the same interface, helping them to quickly investigate incidents in history, without losing sight of the current activities. That means when incidents happen, operators can quickly find, select such videos, and share them with authorised officials for conducting investigations without leaving their desks. Furthermore, the leading-edge Intelligent VMS also provides collaborative tools for the operators to exchange messages and share observations about any suspected activity by using in-built chat room of the software.  Resilient and future-ready platform  Lastly, Videonetics open, flexible, and resilient IVMS system can be evolved with the growth of the infrastructure, as well as seamlessly integrate with third-party applications and devices. Moreover, it is future-ready and can tackle all the challenges of today and tomorrow. Videonetics Intelligent VMS 3.0 With the cutting-edge and state-of-the-art Videonetics Intelligent VMS 3.0, security personnel can efficiently monitor the entire campus round the clock. With live visualisation, they can identify incidents and emergencies in real-time and respond immediately. Additionally, the knowledge that the premises are protected by cameras has brought down disciplinary and safety-related incidents. AI-powered interface AI-powered offering also provides them with intelligent insights to help on-campus authorities predict and prevent events The AI-powered offering also provides them with intelligent insights to help on-campus authorities predict and prevent events. For example, people crowding to fight, someone being followed, property being vandalised, unwanted people entering the premises, etc. This allows them to intervene in time and take preventive action before the issue escalates. The intuitive, adaptive, and user-friendly interface of the solution has made it very easy for the security teams to understand, learn and master the software. Boosting safety and confidence of students The solution is designed to complement the existing security systems and practices to ensure a comprehensive security infrastructure for enhanced safety of the students and faculty. The Videonetics solution has boosted the confidence of students, parents, faculty, staff, and others and made them feel safe at all times. It has brought them immense peace of mind, helping them focus on what they came to IIT Delhi for -- learn and grow.  Advanced features & user-friendly interface Operators are increasingly relying on real-time surveillance, monitoring, and instantaneous investigation" Tarun Sethi, Manager – Sales of Supreme Audiotek Pvt. Ltd expressed “IIT Delhi wanted to install a surveillance system that can be adopted by their security personnel easily. Today, operators at the command control centre are effortlessly using Intelligent VMS due to its user-friendly interface and advanced features.” “They are increasingly relying on real-time surveillance, monitoring, flagging, playback, and instantaneous investigation. Needless to mention, our partnership with Videonetics was one of the cornerstones that allowed the project to fly and succeed. We look forward to working with them in the future as well.” Network monitoring Mukesh Khandelwal, Institute Engineer of IIT Delhi said "We were looking for a solution that could provide security to the entire premises of IIT Delhi, as well as help us administer discipline.” “The Videonetics IVMS solution was a perfect fit for viewing and managing extensive camera network covered all key strategic locations, enabling protection of students and faculty. Additionally, its user-friendly interface with advanced features made it very easy to monitor the campus 24X7, by empowering our existing security infrastructures.”

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

“Deep learning” is recently among the more prevalent jargon in the physical security industry, and for good reason. The potential benefits of this subset of artificial intelligence (AI) are vast, and those benefits are only now beginning to be understood and realised. But how can we separate the marketing hype from reality? How can we differentiate between future potential and the current state of the art? To clarify the latest on this new technology, we asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What is “deep learning?” How well does the security industry understand its full potential? 

The idea of touchless systems has gained new levels of prominence during the last year, driven by the global COVID-19 pandemic. Contactless systems have been part of the industry’s toolbox for decades, while technologies like facial and iris recognition are finding new uses every day. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: Which security markets are embracing touchless, contactless systems and why? 

Public spaces provide soft targets and are often the sites of terrorist or active shooter attacks. Public spaces, by definition, require easy accessibility and unrestricted movement. Given that openness, what security technologies can provide real results? We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: How is technology innovation impacting the security of public spaces?