Campus surveillance

Inventor and entrepreneur Scott D'Avanzo, CEO of Adrenalin Technologies LLC, wants to improve security response time in the wake of mass shootings. His new patent-pending technology monitors and detects window vibration and breakage in high-rise hotels and other buildings. The system, known as Safe Place, is designed to immediately notify management of the room or suite number in the event of window vibration beyond a certain threshold or breakage. Safe Place technology One of the biggest challenges in the Las Vegas shooting was being able to identify just exactly where the shooter was at the time One of the biggest challenges in the Las Vegas shooting was being able to identify just exactly where the shooter was at the time. Even when it was pinpointed to the Mandalay Bay hotel, law enforcement still had to clear floors and find the specific room. During that time, the shooting continued. While shootings from high-rise hotels and buildings have been rare, they pose additional complications for law enforcement to detect and stop. D'Avanzo was in Las Vegas during the tragedy that occurred in 2017. It happened just a few blocks from his office. He was at his condo during the incident and was listening to a scanner app as police searched multiple floors and hotel rooms trying to find the room in which the shooter was located. Enhanced security in shoot-out incidents “As I was listening to the incident unfold, I was motivated to develop a device that could both save lives and prevent this type of tragedy from happening or at least minimise its overall impact,” explains D'Avanzo. “The system includes a sensor that is applied to an existing window that can detect vibration and breakage. The system also has other applications. For instance, it can go on an emergency exit door to indicate something is obstructing it, like in the case of the Capital Gazette shooting that just occurred in June.” Adrenalin Technologies is currently seeking investors to continue development and the launch of this technology. Ideally, they would like to connect with a security company that is already providing commercial security services.

Genetec Inc., a technology provider of parking enforcement, unified security, public safety, operations, and business intelligence solutions, announced Plate Link, a new feature for its AutoVu™ automatic license plate recognition (ALPR) solution. Designed to allow vehicles to share license plate data while out on patrol, Plate Link acts as a force multiplier for parking enforcement officers (PEOs), allowing them to administer shared permits and time-limited parking bylaws across multiple zones more efficiently. Shared permit detection Managing shared parking permits (where several vehicles share a single permit) can be a complex and time-consuming task. To identify a shared permit violation, a single parking enforcement vehicle would typically need to see both cars sharing a permit to detect that they were both in the lot at the same time. This can prove challenging, if not impossible, for large facilities that employ multiple enforcement vehicles. With AutoVu Plate Link, any patrol vehicle can detect violations using license plate data collected by other connected vehicles. This helps increase the rate of detection and simplifies the assignment of patrol routes. Better organisation and rule enforcement “In an effort to provide the best experience possible to their patrons, parking organisations have adapted their services to provide more flexibility. Shared permits have become a frequent and popular solution to encourage carpooling and accommodate households with multiple vehicles. This has placed a heavier burden on enforcement officers who must ensure compliance with parking rules,” said Charles Pitman, AutoVu Product Marketing Manager at Genetec. “Our goal is to empower officers by making it easier for them to organize their routes and efficiently enforce those rules, without having to worry about the way their ALPR system works,” he added. How AutoVu Plate Link works AutoVu Plate Link provides similar benefits to officers enforcing time-limited parking bylaws. It allows two separate patrol vehicles to be assigned to a zone and work in unison, as if they were a single vehicle. Each license plate scanned by a vehicle is automatically transferred to the next vehicle that enters the zone. By working together, the first patrol vehicle captures the license plate information initially, and should a violation occur, it will be detected by the second patrol vehicle making a subsequent pass. The first patrol vehicle doesn’t have to circle back after the time-limit has elapsed. Using the same vehicle data eliminates the need to circle back to an assigned zone, and boosts capture rates.

Leaders in the electronic security and life safety industry will roll up their sleeves and contribute some creativity to an interactive art project on the ESX expo floor June 20-21 in Nashville, TN. #PassionateSecurity in Schools initiative As part of ESX’s ‘#PassionateSecurity in Schools’ initiative, which also includes a heartfelt presentation during the show’s Closing Keynote Luncheon on June 22, attendees will be painting a 3-part mural that ESX will then donate to the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. The planned artwork is intended to stimulate an environment of creativity, positive energy, and safety that encourages students to explore and express themselves. Enhancing school security The growing safety issues faced by the country’s school systems today are being confronted by activists, leaders and victims of the tragic incidents As a result of the numerous recent tragedies, school security and safety have taken center stage in public discourse. The growing safety issues faced by the country’s school systems today are being confronted by activists, leaders and victims of the tragic incidents. Everyone is looking for answers. “School districts around the country are looking for expertise in assessing security threats and to address the shortfalls in their current security infrastructure, planning and budgeting,” says Ryan Petty, activist and experienced telecom professional. “We’ve seen a groundswell of interest in enhancing school security in the wake of the Parkland tragedy. There is a flurry of activity in the public sector on school safety, and in particular over the use of security technology to protect students and teachers during class time. We need experienced security professionals to be a part of that conversation.” Electronic security and life safety ESX 2018 show will have a focus on #PassionateSecurity in Schools As a group of individuals and companies with unique qualifications to help improve and strengthen school security, the electronic security and life safety industry has an opportunity to make a difference. For this reason, ESX 2018 show will have a focus on #PassionateSecurity in Schools. Artwork on the mural will be designed before the show, and attendees will each put their own touch on the painting, adding color together throughout the two days that the ESX expo is open to public. This collective creation is representative of an industry coming together, as a whole, to do their part in making our nation’s schools and communities safer for children. ESX 2018 expo This panel will discuss practical ways integrators can strategise with schools and universities to take a multifaceted approach to ensure safety Off the expo floor, the Closing Keynote Luncheon will include perspectives from Petty – who lost his daughter in the MSD shooting in February – as well as an end-user and integrator of security solutions. This panel will discuss practical ways integrators can strategise with schools and universities to take a multifaceted approach to ensure safety and peace of mind for children, educators and parents. Through this initiative, the hope is that ESX attendees will leave better equipped and inspired to make a difference in communities across the nation, displaying #PassionateSecurity far beyond the event. The #PassionateSecurity in Schools initiative is sponsored by CSR Professional Services.

STANLEY Product and Technology, a provider of security, access control and door entry solutions, will be showcasing the latest innovations from its PACOM and PAC GDX brands at IFSEC 2018. Specialising in integrated security solutions, for over 35 years PACOM has been trusted by some of the most prestigious organisations around the world in sectors such as banking and finance, healthcare, education, critical infrastructure, logistics, telecommunications and utilities. By visiting Stand F222 visitors will be able to find out more about the PACOM range of products including the Graphical Management System (GMS), which is engineered to communicate over an IP network and has technology tailored specifically for multi-site environments. The PACOM GMS allows the integration of access control, alarm monitoring, video surveillance and many other security services. To show its flexibility and functionality, RightCrowd’s automated workflow management software and EyeLocks’ iris-based identity authentication products will be integrated into the GMS platform and demonstrated on the stand. Unison is the solution of choice for organisations within verticals such as healthcare, universities, commercial buildings, airports and shipping ports Improving operational efficiency Alongside the PACOM GMS will be PACOM Unison – an open and integrated security management platform that enables the management of access control, intrusion detection, fire detection, intercom and video from one single user interface. Unison is the solution of choice for organisations within verticals such as healthcare, universities, commercial buildings, public facilities, municipalities, airports and shipping ports. Helping to protect people, property and assets, it also helps to improve operational efficiency and streamline processes to drive organisational excellence across campus environments. Remote configuration With 40 years’ experience in designing, engineering and manufacturing access control and door entry products for the commercial and residential markets, taking centre stage for PAC GDX will be PAC8 – a simple solution that redefines the way access control is installed, set-up and managed using a dedicated app and the cloud. PAC8 can be remotely configured via Apple iOS or Google Android smart devices, and provides end users with complete flexibility in terms of how they operate the system. In fact, PAC8 is so advanced that it boasts 90 per cent of the features normally only associated with PC-based systems. Ease of management Alongside PAC8 will be PAC's SecureNet integrated security software solution, which is reliable, scalable and can be adapted to suit every access control installation. Easily configured to operate on a standalone PC or across a corporate network, it displays detailed, real-time events information including alarms as they occur across the facility. With the ability to monitor alarm points, control elevators, manage fire doors or even control IP-based CCTV cameras, PAC SecureNet provides unprecedented ease of management. GDX7 SIP can be used to manage local alarms that are reported both locally and at the concierge Door-entry solutions Visitors to Stand F222 will also be able to see a preview of GDX7 SIP, which heralds the next stage in our cutting-edge door entry solutions. The SIP system can be provided with a Windows-based concierge function and enables management of multiple buildings over a large area. It can also be used to manage local alarms that are reported both locally and at the concierge. This functionality can be used to support residents who may be frail or require assisted living by having smoke or panic alarms linked in to the system. Data security and privacy Last but certainly not least, experts from PAC GDX will be available to discuss its Secure Hosting of Access Control Data service, which is the ideal solution for those in the residential sector that find the storing and maintaining of important site and keyholder information to be a financial burden as well as a potential cyber security flaw. It enables end users to manage the operation of their system internally but safe in the knowledge that all data is securely stored. James Ford, marketing director at STANLEY Product and Technology, concluded, “As the key event in the UK’s security calendar, IFSEC International 2018 provides an excellent platform to further highlight our credentials.” “The last 12 months has been a period of considerable activity for us, with a number of significant additions to our ever-expanding portfolio, and we look forward to welcoming visitors to Stand F222, where our team of experts will be available to talk through the features and benefits of our cutting-edge innovations and discuss the advantages of working with us.”

Oncam, global provider of 360-degree video capture and business intelligence technology, has announced the availability of the Evolution 180 outdoor model to its 180-degree camera portfolio, adding to the indoor version introduced earlier this year. The technology builds upon the experience and heritage of the company's 360-degree video and intelligence solutions to meet the needs of customers in a variety of markets that require an outdoor-ready wall-mounted camera with Panoramic+ views from a single fisheye sensor.  The Evolution 180 outdoor camera boasts an IP68 rating making it fit for submersion, as well as an IP69K rating against water and dust ingress to help protect it from the harshest of environments. The enclosure is also IK10+ rated, ensuring extensive protection against vandalism. The camera’s design combines strength and appeal to form a reliable, pleasing aesthetic that doesn’t compromise on image quality. The robust and attractive outdoor model has been tailor-made for true panoramic views" Ease of installation The Evolution 180 Outdoor offers a 12MP sensor and a 6MP de-warped Panoramic+ image. It is equipped with Oncam’s unique Angle Compensation Technology and Offset Angle Compensation, which provide adaptive de-warping of a 180-degree image in the camera. It is also a true day/night camera, which allows users to get high-quality video in all lighting conditions. Environments that benefit from this unique view include education, hospitality, retail, public spaces and transportation, which demand comprehensive monitoring of large, open spaces without blind spots. The solution is also ONVIF Profile S compliant for added integration flexibility with leading video management systems on the market today. “The Evolution 180 Outdoor makes a great addition to our 180-degree panoramic product range,” said Jon Marsh, Vice President of Product, Oncam. “The robust and attractive outdoor model has been tailor-made for true panoramic views, with both the camera and lens optimised to give customers more pixels on target than any other panoramic camera." "The camera has been designed with ease of installation paramount, aimed at simplifying its set up. We’re proud of the technology used inside this product: the housing it comes in supports and enhances our pride.”

Axis Communications, provider of network video solutions, has announced new products and solutions to be introduced at ISC West. The main areas of development include, small business, seamless panoramic surveillance, and audio. “We are excited to attend ISC West and to showcase our products and solutions there,” said Fredrik Nilsson, VP, Americas, Axis Communications, Inc. “We encourage attendees to come to our booth to experience our newest innovations for a smarter, safer world and to learn more about what Axis will be releasing in the coming months.” AXIS Companion Eye Mini L is a fixed mini dome with a compact design for indoor use Fixed dome and bullet cameras AXIS Companion Eye Mini L is a fixed mini dome with a compact design for indoor use, and AXIS Companion Bullet Mini LE is an outdoor-ready fixed, bullet-style camera. In addition to built-in IR for surveillance in dark conditions, both cameras offer high-quality video in HDTV 1080p and 2 MP resolution, wide dynamic range technology to handle scenes with complex light conditions and require AXIS Companion Recorder for system completion. The cameras, which are designed for the small business market to use with AXIS Companion Video Management Software, are 70% smaller than the existing AXIS Companion cameras, making them ideal for discreet installations in small business environments such as, restaurants, small boutiques shops and office spaces. The panoramic multi-sensor AXIS P3807-PVE Network Camera provides a seamlessly stitched 180° panoramic experience Multi-sensor network camera The panoramic multi-sensor AXIS P3807-PVE Network Camera provides a seamlessly stitched 180° panoramic experience and eliminates blind spots through a 90° vertical field of view. This fixed dome camera provides an easy, reliable, and cost-efficient installation, which reduces installation time, cabling, and VMS license costs. Using top-line image sensors, along with Axis Forensic WDR and Lightfinder technologies, the AXIS P3807-PVE provides great video quality in any light conditions while providing full coverage and forensic video quality. This camera is ideal for covering large open areas such as campuses, public places, and parking lots. AXIS T61 Audio & I/O Interface Series enables two-way audio and I/O connectivity together with compact, cost-efficient Axis cameras that do not have the functionality built in. Installed between the switch and the camera, the AXIS T61 unit provides connectivity where it’s needed. With Axis’ new Portcast technology, the camera can then deliver video and audio through a single stream, requiring no additional IP address - the camera will act as if audio and I/O were built in. Portcast will first be enabled with selected cameras from the AXIS M30 Series and, in coming months, will be available in additional cameras. AXIS Audio Manager C7050 Server enables the configuration and management of larger, more complex audio systems Audio manager AXIS Audio Manager C7050 Server enables the configuration and management of larger, more complex audio systems. The AXIS Audio Manager comes with the management software pre-installed, making the installation process easier. When coupled with Axis C Series products, AXIS Audio Manager enables central management of audio content, zone management, and scheduling in larger, distributed setups, such as retail stores or large school campuses. Axis’ products and solutions will be showcased at ISC West in Axis’ booth #14051.

Over the course of the past few months, I have discussed a myriad of topics, from Big Data, the Internet of Things and emerging video surveillance-use cases, to analytics, storage complexities and IT technologies like virtualisation and hyperconverged infrastructure (HCI). All of these trends have a significant effect on the security market, and in April they were highlighted in spades at ISC West. It’s great to talk about these trends but it’s far better to see how they are being leveraged in real-world applications. That’s really where we can all see the true value of new solutions and concepts. We’re lucky enough to work with some leading organisations that want others to benefit from their experience and I’m happy to have the opportunity to share two of these applications with you. Protecting educational facilities UCF has adopted advancements in technology, particularly video surveillance solutions, to help ensure stronger security on campus Educational institutions face an increasingly complex risk environment. Recent high-profile incidents emphasise these risks and magnify the vulnerabilities that educational facilities face. These incidents have led to more public demand for improved security solutions across campuses. The primary mission of these organisations is to deliver quality education to students, and they face the challenge of balancing between a highly secure facility and one that supports open interaction. The University of Central Florida is no different. This organisation, one of the largest universities in the country, has adopted advancements in technology, particularly video surveillance solutions, to help ensure stronger security on campus. Active shooter incidents In March 2013, UCF faced an active shooter situation in which a former student planned to pull the fire alarm in a residence hall and then attack his classmates as the building was evacuated. However, the shooter’s gun jammed, and as officers were closing in on the gunman, he took his own life. During the university’s response to the incident, accessibility to critical video data was a major issue. Educational institutions face an increasingly complex risk environment UCF had cameras in the area where the incident took place, but first responders had no way of viewing the footage without being at the physical location of the video recorder. At the time, UCF had a wide variety of standalone systems in place, including non-integrated video surveillance, access control and intrusion systems. As a result, there was no way to centralise video management, viewing and analysis. Upgrading from analogue systems Altogether, its security system consisted of older analogue platforms that were reaching end of life, 58 standalone servers, 12,000 access points and a wide variety of DVRs — all being managed in a siloed manner. UCF needed a solution that would allow officials to centralise system management, store video data more effectively and reliably, and enable the security team to deliver situational awareness to responders when needed. Security leaders sought a way to further modernise its security, surveillance, access control and IT infrastructure The university deployed an HCI solution, one that is optimised for demanding, data-intensive workloads like video surveillance. Using standard off-the-shelf server hardware, the system aggregates the storage and compute resources from multiple servers into a single unified pool that all cameras can access, which maximises performance and storage capacity utilisation. The platform also hosts the university’s video management solution, which serves as a centralised source to manage video and effectively protect its security data. Because of the growing demand for video across UCF's campuses — for both safety and business purposes — the HCI solution’s ability to eliminate the opportunity for data loss and easily scale were key components in its selection. Protecting air travel and airports In 2012, Charleston International Airport embarked on an ambitious upgrade project dubbed the Terminal Redevelopment and Improvement Program. The $200 million initiative was designed to modernise and expand the facility to meet increased passenger demand. While the aesthetics and amenities of the airport were under construction, security leaders sought a way to further modernise its security, surveillance, access control and IT infrastructure. The IT and security teams needed to address the challenges of their existing standalone server environment, which included siloed systems, management complexity and high administrative and equipment costs. Charleston International Airport embarked on an ambitious upgrade project dubbed the Terminal Redevelopment and Improvement Program Considering the high value of the airport’s video, security and IT data, it required a solution that could deliver reliable data protection, system resiliency and fault tolerance. The airport is required to store video for 30 days, but it seeks to expand its retention time to 60 days. Therefore, technology that can scale simply was key in the selection process. Storage system updates It also required a storage platform that could manage the demanding and write-intensive nature of its nearly 250 IP surveillance cameras — a challenging task for traditional video recorders. The airport deployed HCI appliances to better manage captured video data and expand its archive capability for video surveillance. Users rely on video to validate whether something did or did not happen - and this is essential in airports HCI surveillance solutions are designed to provide industry-leading resiliency. Even if multiple hardware failures occur, including an entire appliance, video management servers will remain online and recording, and any previously recorded video will continue to be protected and accessible. Reducing expenses and costs The solution also reduced total cost of operations by consolidating servers, storage and client workstations into one enterprise-class solution that is easily managed from a single user interface, without the need for specialised IT skills. These use cases demonstrate the value emerging technologies bring to these types of modern environments. And they show that solutions like HCI are no longer simply much-talked about technology trends. Video, IT and security data is critical to organisations of all types and they need to ensure their investment in capturing this data is protected. From a security standpoint, users rely on video to validate whether something did or did not happen. If that video data isn’t protected, they lose a very valuable investigative tool. That isn’t an option in today’s complex environment. That’s is why it is paramount to understand how new technologies can help expand current capabilities and evolve security operations. This can’t be left to chance.

The locks, alarms and access control solutions used for buildings have little impact outdoors Large campuses – colleges and universities, hospitals and office parks – face difficult security challenges in protecting people and property across wide-open outdoor spaces. Outdoor security requires a different approach. The locks, alarms and access control solutions used for buildings have little impact outdoors. Outdoor security may include protecting a student on an early morning run; a nurse walking to a bus stop at the end of a late-night shift; or possibly securing athletic fields, parking structures, landscaped gardens or performance amphitheaters. One constant between securing the indoor and outdoor environments is the need for multiple security layers. No single solution can meet all security needs. Outdoor surveillance Information – both visual and audio – takes on added importance as security guards and first responders need input from areas that may be hundreds of yards away from the nearest dispatch center. This is one reason video surveillance is an effective outdoor security tool. Pan-Tilt-Zoom megapixel cameras can provide sharp images of wide areas. Infrared cameras continue providing useable images throughout the night, even in low-light environments. Recorded video also provides forensic views to be used in assessing events after they have occurred. Cameras have long been shown to be a deterrent for many criminals. So, it makes sense to post signs throughout the campus reminding people they are likely to be under surveillance at any time.  Emergency stations are ideal for any outdoor area Emergency stations Emergency stations are another valuable outdoor security tool. These stations are easily recognisable by their bright blue lights atop the tower. With a touch of a button, a distressed person can immediately speak with a security guard via imbedded audio intercoms. Video intercoms provide additional views of the area to help dispatchers make decisions about an emergency. The stations can also be integrated with the video surveillance system to provide a broader view of the area. There are other important benefits offered by emergency stations. They are on and available 24/7. Dispatchers immediately know the station’s precise location when calls for assistance arrive. A station’s speakers can broadcast emergency information across the campus. And the intercoms feature two buttons – one for emergencies and a second for non-critical calls, such as inquiries for campus directions. The stations are designed for easy setup by integrators or campus engineers. The units are available in IP-based models which connect to the campus network and draw power over the Ethernet using CAT-5e/6 cable. Stations are also available as stand-alone towers or wall-mounted boxes. Braille signage and adjustable call button heights allow them to comply with ADA standards. Emergency stations are ideal for any outdoor area such as running trails, parking lots, pedestrian pathways and perimeters around office buildings, dorms and recreational centers. They are also useful indoors in areas including elevator bays and stairwells. Ideally, the stations should be placed close enough to allow a distressed person an option of choosing the closest unit. The proliferation of smartphones in the campus environment has led to the development of dozens of apps capable of reaching security or local first responders Mobile applications Unlike telephone-based systems, intercom stations require no POTS line, saving monthly phone costs. Mobile apps are also available to allow patrolling guards to have immediate access to emergency calls on a smartphone or tablet. Over the past few years, the proliferation of smartphones in the campus environment has led to the development of dozens of apps capable of reaching security or local first responders. Most allow the submission of voice and video and may offer other features such as the ability to track friends’ progress as they walk to their destination. While these apps do serve as another valuable layer of outdoor security, they have limitations. They are only useable for people who have enrolled in a campus database. That eliminates students and/or employees who choose not to enroll or campus visitors. Weather, topography and the proximity of cell towers can affect signal quality, making it difficult for security to accurately identify the precise location of calls. Some remote campus areas may totally lack cellular coverage. Then, too, phones have no value if the battery is dead or is taken in a robbery. Also, they can be difficult to remove from a pocket, purse or backpack if a victim is being attacked or chased. The lessons from CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) certainly apply when protecting campus outdoor space. Lighting is critical along pathways, in parking lots and garages and surrounding building perimeters. It not only deters criminals, but also allows security to have a better view of situations either onsite or via surveillance camera or video intercom. Keeping bushes and trees well-trimmed helps deny criminals easy hiding places Additional outdoor security precautions Keeping bushes and trees well-trimmed helps deny criminals easy hiding places. Fencing and locked gates keep people from wandering into potentially dangerous areas. Fences and gates also works well to protect outdoor storage lots and equipment yards. Many campuses, particularly universities and hospitals, have formed escort services. Either security guards or carefully screened volunteers are available to accompany students or employees crossing the campus at night. Outdoor campus security requires well thought-out plans incorporating layers of security equipment. As with any security project, outdoor improvements should follow a thorough risk assessment conducted by an experienced consultant or integrator. Identifying a campus’ strengths and weaknesses will help administrators better spend limited budgets. Campuses may range in size from a few to hundreds of acres. But even the smallest offer significant challenges in protecting outdoor spaces. In the case of colleges and universities, the pressure to keep people safe has never been greater with federal mandates requiring regular crime reports. Fortunately, the security industry has responded with a range of tools to handle the challenge. With careful planning and implementation, a campus’ outdoor spaces can be made much safer.  

Increasing the quality of illumination with LED can help deter crime and improve the accuracy of video analytics One of the greatest challenges that indoor and outdoor security surveillance solutions face is lack of light. However, obtaining the proper amount of illumination for security goes beyond merely flooding a specific area with light. Without an adequate lighting source, video cameras are ineffective. When capturing only dark, blurry images and video, they can quickly become worthless to security staff or law enforcement personnel. On the other hand, too much of the wrong type of light can create issues like ‘hot spots’ and overheating, which can diminish crucial details and eventually cause irreversible camera damage. Fortunately, there has been a recent global shift that is sending users away from the old incandescent and fluorescent bulbs, and toward LED lighting. Regardless of the type of CCTV application, there are an abundance of reasons to stop using alternative types of illumination. Here are 3 of the most substantial. 1. Better illumination and clarity You would think it would be common knowledge by now that cameras need light to see, and well-lit areas provide less cover for criminals to commit crimes. However, it is still somewhat commonplace to have sites where either not enough lighting or the wrong kind of lighting is implemented. Increasing the quality of illumination in an area has the ability to deter crime, make other accompanying safety devices perform better and even improve the accuracy of video analytics. LED lamps are currently the only security lighting option that possesses a multitude of point sources, making it possible to  aim your light Integrators need a lighting solution that consistently performs, and when it comes to supplying the best operation, price, and durability; external LED lighting is the only choice. One particular aspect of external LED lighting that makes optimum illumination possible is the strategic uniformity of its design. External LED lamps are currently the only security lighting option that possesses a multitude of point sources, making it possible to literally aim your light by situating individual diodes in a specific angle or position. This type of alignment offers a more consistent and predictable light source than anything else on the market, eliminating much of the uncertainty involved in installation. This allows you to light a larger area more effectively and efficiently with nearly zero effort. 2. Faster start-up time Whether you are talking about protecting a utilities facility, school campus or international border, it doesn’t take long for an incident to occur. Unlike traditional HID (high intensity discharge) lights, which can take up to a half an hour to reach full competency, LED’s spark up immediately. The colder the climate of the area, the more difficulty the HID bulbs have getting started and functioning properly. Given that there are many places in the United States alone where temperatures can sit at or below single digits, it seems almost absurd to consider anything else besides LED lighting. This sizable flaw can be especially detrimental if attempting to set up any kind of crime deterring, motion detection solution. One of the most crucial components of a sufficient response system is reaction time. Having a sluggish start up regarding any component is much like having a 15 year-old guard dog laying in your yard. By the time the security lights get up and running, the offender has already committed the crime and vacated the premises. And as dependable as the old boy may have been in the years past, he is now just too darn slow. And with an industry that is quickly moving toward more effective real-time, situational security solutions, a hesitated response is the last thing desired. Unlike traditional HID lights, which can take up to a half an hour to reach full competency, LED’s spark up immediately 3. Increased life span and efficiency Organisations have the opportunity to save thousands of dollars each year in energy costs, whilst increasing site security by switching to LED based illuminators. LED’s provide the lowest running cost currently available, with less than 100 watts needed for the most powerful of units. Not to mention, the majority of additional wattage needed for other types of lighting units is generally burned off in the form of unwanted heat, decreasing both quality and length of life. How much longer LED’s lasts when compared to the alternative is astounding. For example, the average life span of an incandescent bulb is about 1,000 hours; fluorescent bulbs last for around 10,000 hours, while LED’s can shine bright up an impressive 100,000 hours. That is 100 times longer without changing a bulb. Furthermore, installing LED’s not only saves money in the form of lower energy and running costs, but also provides a very low rate of bulb malfunction or failure. This cuts down on maintenance fees as well as possible down time that could result in vulnerability. Inspections and servicing of lights alone can be very expensive and time consuming. LED’s radiate much less heat, reducing the chance of insect complications and helping prevent hot spot development, again saving you time, money and frustration at every camera site. Enhancing overall security solution As time goes on, the importance of strategic lighting becomes more and more evident for the security industry. The continual growth of technologically advanced video solutions (biometrics, crowd detection, motion tracking, etc.) demands a level of clarity and consistency that can only obtained through proper lighting. LED’s not only yield a lower running cost and better performance, they provide an enhanced level of control. The most important benefit of a security tool is not always how it performs independently, but how it increases the effectiveness of the overall security solution it is a part of.

Qognify’s security management systems compile information from a variety of sensors to provide situational awareness, and now they can leverage the benefit of a different kind of sensor, what the company calls the “human sensor.” Employees see and hear a lot of information during their work day, and some of it has an impact on security. Now that information can become part of an integrated security system, reported by trusted employees through a smart phone app. Qognify’s Extend adds new capabilities to the company’s existing Situator physical security information management (PSIM) and VisionHub video management; it’s a new element in Qognify’s interconnected product portfolio. Using smartphones to report incidents The Extend Mobile Solutions Suite enables systems to leverage the “human sensor” by equipping employees (or students in a campus environment) with an easy-to-use app on their smart phones. If a user sees or hears something, they can initiate an “incident” through the smart phone app’s “See It Send It” function. The app can also provide protection for a student or employee with a GuardMe function that enables a security operations centre to hear an employee, see their location and monitor their progress from Point A to Point B, reporting any distress situations along the way. The system also provides mass notification capabilities (using smart phones) without the installation of any software or hardware. “The best sensor is the human sensor,” says Dharmesh V. Patel, Qognify’s global business initiatives vice president. “At an airport, you may have 20,000 employees, and they each know if something is awry because they work there all day long.” A reported incident might not even be a security issue; it could be something as simple as a slippery floor. Live Video Broadcasting Qognify Extend, which is the company’s rebranding of a system “powered by CloudScann,” captures the data from human sensors and allows it to be brought into the Qognify platform. Because smart phones are equipped with high-resolution megapixel cameras, Extend also enables the addition of 20,000 video cameras (and audio), all tied into a command centre. The app can also provide protection for students or employees with the GuardMe function “It would take years and millions of dollars to [add that many cameras] any other way,” says Patel. “And the information is coming from your employees, which is a trusted source. Actionable information becomes part of the workflow.” In case of an emergency, a smart phone can be used to stream live video to a command centre, a capability called Live Video Broadcasting, even as a control room operator dispatches an officer to help. Qognify visual intelligence desktop application Information from Extend mobile apps reports to the Qognify Visual Intelligence Command Center (VICC), a cloud-based desktop application that collects and aggregates information and presents it on a map to enable control room operators to have complete situational awareness. The live, global system compiles data from open source systems anywhere in the world. If you type in New York City, for example, the interface takes you to a live map that shows where live cameras are viewing the Lincoln Tunnel. Various “levels” of information provide real-time routing and traffic, weather information, etc. In addition to information from mobile apps, the system can bring in views from any public source cameras, including tapping into cameras mounted on drones hovering over the scene of an emergency. Fast response to incidents Finding information on any incident using VICC is like conducting a Google search. The system can also find the locations of people (employees or students) based on their smart phone signals.  Availability of real-time video from a trusted source in an emergency helps to shift the mission of a video system from reactive after the fact to a real-time response, says Patel. And the cameras providing the video are not mounted on the ceiling but are closer to the action (held by a person on the scene). Because smart phones provide location data, the command centre knows the location of an incident and can trigger a response. “I know where it is, I can say ‘who’s my closest responder?’” says Patel. “We can see this whole situation in the command centre – not just visualise it but dispatch a response.”

In a school security lockdown, teachers typically display red or green cards on the doors or in the windows of their classrooms. The manual procedure uses red cards to alert to a crisis condition; green cards designate that everything is safe inside the classroom or office. Colour-coded crisis management system Physical security company Sielox has adapted the idea of using a colour scheme to characterise an emergency situation into its electronic security system. CLASS [Crisis Lockdown Alert Status System] by Sielox is an incident and crisis management solution that uses a variety of colours to designate the emergency conditions in various parts of a school building – red to alert to a crisis condition and green to designate "safe/secure." Colours are displayed on a schematic of the building, and new colours have been added, too, such as yellow for “unaccounted individual,” orange for “disturbance” and blue to designate a medical emergency. CLASS offers five different alert levels and eight different colours that are configurable to denote a wide variety of emergency or non-emergency situations (such as maintenance or homeroom check-in status).   The system has provided an opportunity for Sielox to expand into the education market, where daily news headlines remind us of the potential for violence. The Sielox system also helps education end users manage more day-to-day situations, such as a possible medical emergency, or bullying, fighting, or other incidents. The system integrates easily with a school's various existing systems, using Internet URLs to make connections without additional cabling, and can provide email alerts, screen pop-ups, text messaging and communication with first responders. The system can also access video feeds directly from an IP camera (no license or hosting fees). It can integrate with access control, response plans, intercoms and other systems. "They don’t have to change their system.Our product goes in as a quarterback,and everything they have in place can stayintact  – whatever their procedures are,we can enhance them" Instant alerts for first responders The CLASS system can drastically reduce the response time in an emergency, says Karen Evans, Sielox president and CEO, and the difference between a four-minute response time and one-second alert can be the difference between life and death. Also, knowing where within a building an emergency is occurring – using the system’s dynamic floorplan – can provide more information to enable first responders to act faster. “You get instant notification, a condition status, and you know where it is on the map, and the situation is qualified by texting and chatting back and forth,” says Evans. “Our core market is still access control, and we still play in every vertical market,” adds Evans. “But as a smaller player, we are sometimes lost in the shuffle or perceived as a ‘me-too’ player. But this capability has given new life to the business.” Sielox filed for a patent on the technology in November 2012, coincidentally a month or so before the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting incident in Newtown, Massachusetts, which raised awareness of school security vulnerabilities. Since Sandy Hook and other violent incidents that have dominated headlines in recent years, a variety of new panic alert systems, two-way chat functions and similar products and features have emerged onto the education security market. “Our system has about 10 different features, and any of the competitors might have two or three or four, but nobody has put the entire solution together like we have,” says Evans. Cost-effective security enhancement Evans points out that the sales cycle in the education market can be long – budgets may be set up to a year before any work is contracted. There are also more stakeholders involved in the decision-making, whether it’s a school principal, or superintendent, or SRO (school resource officer), or the IT department. Local first responders can also help to influence the purchase decision once they see how the system can make it easier for them to respond to an emergency, Evans notes. “When I am educating my business partners, I tell them if they can get an audience with anyone at a school, they should also engage someone from the local police, fire or EMS (Emergency Medical Services) into the meeting,” says Evans. “First responders absolutely love what we’re doing, and they let the schools know.” Law enforcement has even influenced development of the product – their suggestions have been integrated to make CLASS more user friendly for the first responder community. "Everybody thinks that systems aredesigned for extreme situations suchas Sandy Hook or Columbine, butschools can use the system every day. If situations are handled quickly,the severity of the injury is reduced" School consultants also favour the product because it enhances a school’s operating procedures rather than forcing them to change, says Evans. The system can also be employed cost-effectively. The Onslow County (North Carolina) School District installed the system in 37 schools for a total cost of less than $250,000. It’s a one-time deployment with no monthly licensing or hosting fees, and the system uses existing communication media and IT networks. “We’re not telling them to change anything unless their procedures need to be enhanced,” says Evans. “They don’t have to change their system. Our product goes in as a quarterback, and everything they have in place can stay intact. Whether there’s a threat in the community, they need to lock the perimeter, lock down internally, or if it’s a weather or bomb threat – whatever their procedures are, we can enhance them.” Other industry applications Too often stakeholders tend to think that video cameras are sufficient for school security. However, camera systems do little to promote faster response in an emergency. And the CLASS system is also helpful in the day-to-day operation of a school. “Everybody thinks that systems are designed for extreme situations such as Sandy Hook or Columbine,” Evans comments. “But schools can use the system every day. There are more injuries from bullying and fights, or a medical situation that wasn’t attended to correctly. If situations are handled quickly, the severity of the injury is reduced.” Sielox is actively looking for new integrator business partners seeking to expand in the school market. Evans emphasises the need to understand the crisis management component of security. CLASS has also caught the attention of a new population of dealer/installers for Sielox – those that sell sound and paging systems into the healthcare and education markets. The CLASS system also has applications in other markets. In the commercial/industrial sector, for example, CLASS can provide a more cost-effective and informative panic alarm system and communicate information such as weather threats, chemical evacuations, medical conditions or even a “suspicious individual.” The government market is also a possibility. And workplace violence incidents are in the news as often as school shootings.

Another week, another school shooting. Or so it seems recently with all the incidents in the U.S. news media. Just this week there was another one in Troutdale, Ore. In fact, the organisation Everytown for Gun Safety says there have been roughly 74 school shootings since the well-remembered tragedy in Newtown, Conn., about 18 months ago. Counting just the weeks school has been in session since then, the number is more than a shooting a week. The organization lists the shootings on their web site (everytown.org/article/schoolshootings/) The list includes incidents when a firearm was discharged inside a school building or on school or campus grounds, as documented in publicly reported news accounts. This includes assaults, homicides, suicides, and accidental shootings. Because the list is based on news reports, the organisation contends the number is likely an undercount. In scanning down the list, I notice several incidents near my office in Atlanta. I can barely recall hearing about them in the local media, let alone any national news coverage. Sadly, it’s like we have grown so used to hearing these stories that we are losing the ability to be shocked by them. How sad it that? Meanwhile, the ongoing likelihood of school violence is directing much of the security activities at our educational facilities, and many school children are haunted by the fear of a possible incident when they should be more concerned with less scary and more age-appropriate problems. We can all be proud of the role our industry plays in curbing school violence just as we continue to help our education customers keep the issue top of mind. The shock value may be declining, but our commitment to prevention and rapid response get more important with every passing week, the numbers climbing like an urgent drumbeat.  

Majmaah University is based in Al Majmaah, a city of 130,000 people located approximately 180km north of Riyadh. The university was founded in 2009 as part of a state-sponsored Ministry of Education initiative to expand university education and the number of graduates in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, particularly outside the biggest cities. Key aims of the university include more provision for higher education, high quality scientific research and development, support for the regional economy and meeting the needs of local communities. The university serves a wide area including Majmaah city, Zulfi, Remah, Ghat and Hawtat Sudair. The main campus is situated in the southern part of Majmaah city, with teaching and research delivered through 13 academic schools. The university has around 20 buildings across its multiple sites which provide accommodation for the colleges, administration, deanships and medical services. Enhanced student and staff safety Today’s higher education sector is major business and maximising student safety is central to any university’s duty of care and reputation. With this in mind, the security team at Majmaah University wanted to upgrade protection for students, staff and visitors. To achieve this, they needed to identify a cost-effective HD surveillance system combining robust performance with state-of-the-art functionality. The team needed a solution to provide centralised control, reliable remote monitoring and full redundancy for key university facilities at multiple campus sites located almost 50km apart.  Digital Media installed a comprehensive mix of networked systems at campus sites in Majmaah, Hawtat Sudair and Alghat Additional requirements included innovative features guaranteed to deliver excellent image quality, rapid video retrieval and optimised use of network bandwidth. Other key priorities included compatibility of all surveillance systems; simple plug-and-play deployment; video management software; ease of use; live and simultaneous video playback; simultaneous map monitoring; minimal maintenance; plus, user-friendly diagnostic, administration and reporting capabilities. Integrated IP-enabled HD surveillance Assisted by expert regional security systems integrator Digital Media, Majmaah University chose a complete, integrated IDIS DirectIP solution that offered superior performance, dynamic multi-stream control and multi-view functionality to minimise bandwidth usage-all at a low total cost of ownership. Digital Media installed a comprehensive mix of networked systems at campus sites in Majmaah, Hawtat Sudair and Alghat. Equipment included: 336 pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ), box, dome and infra-red bullet cameras; 18 network video recorders (NVRs); a suite of ISS Expert servers and clients; and 16 DAS systems. The new command centre at Majmaah was fully equipped with control systems including an IDIS Software Solution (ISS) Video Wall and 512CH Federation server to provide centralised monitoring across multiple campus sites. Following a smooth, swift installation by Digital Media, IDIS DirectIPTM is providing cost-effective surveillance to improve campus safety and protection.

Grafisch Lyceum Utrecht (GLU) is a creative and safe school that specialises in various multi-media disciplines as well as communications, media management and marketing. With approximately 2,100 students, GLU is located in Utrecht, The Netherlands and as at any education establishment, the protection of its staff and students is of paramount importance, which saw the school first implement a surveillance system in its new main building in 1998. Unobtrusive video surveillance In 2004, following several burglaries over the previous four years, Sead Hafizovic, GLU’s Safety and Security Supervisor identified the need to upgrade security provisions. The current surveillance systems consisted of five analogue cameras connected to a video recorder that required the changing of video tapes daily, and Hafizovic recognised this was no longer fit for purpose. Located across two facilities in Utrecht, GLU’s the main building in Vondellaan features glass walls and multiple access points giving the school an open and creative feel that Hafizovic wanted to maintain, making the need for unobtrusive security measures an important factor. Following a thorough assessment by both GLU and Trigion, a mix of 30 IDIS analogue cameras together with motion detectors were implementedHafizovic turned to trusted partner Trigion, a systems integrator responsible for all the school’s security measures encompassing intruder, access control and video surveillance. Acting as an advisor, Trigion was tasked to find the most effective surveillance solution that would meet the security and performance needs of the school, while having the flexibility to scale and adapt as security and operational requirements changed.  Migration from analogue to HD IP surveillance Following a thorough assessment by both GLU and Trigion, a mix of 30 IDIS analogue cameras together with motion detectors were implemented. The new security system proved incredibly effective in reducing crime as well as health and safety incidents and was gradually extended over the next ten years to include cameras in all strategic locations. In 2013, the GLU went about updating the school’s security policy to include the use of cameras and their related images. While working alongside Trigion to develop the policy, Trigion advised GLU to make the move from analogue to high-definition IP to vastly improve performance and thereby further increase safety and security. Since the existing IDIS system was still reliably operating, GLU needed to be convinced of the investment. IDIS HD IP cameras and NVRs GLU was operating a mix of IDIS analogue and HD networked cameras connected to IDIS NVRs all seamlessly managed through IDIS Center Trigion first installed two networked HD cameras next to the existing surveillance system. Both systems could be viewed easily through IDIS Center, totally cost-free video management software (VMS). The improved performance in terms of crisp picture quality, fast retrieval of footage and the easy and rapid installation quickly convinced GLU to implement a phased upgrade from analogue to IP. By 2014, GLU was operating a mix of IDIS analogue and HD networked cameras connected to IDIS network video recorders (NVRs) all seamlessly managed through IDIS Center, providing a high performance, centralised monitoring capability.  Since implementation the number incidents of internal theft, harassment, fighting and drug taking has reduced to almost zero—a measurable result Hafizovic is very proud of. The security policy has been shared with students and they fully understand their rights and obligations when it comes to the use of surveillance in the school and the importance of personal safety. Adapting to safety and security provisions The innate flexibility and backward compatibility of the IDIS solution allows GLU to continuously improve and adapt safety and security provisions, effectively enabling the school to upgrade to next generation IDIS technology when it comes online and integrate with other systems as required. In 2015, GLU was voted the third best school in a nationwide survey, in which GLU scored top in the areas of safety and security. Later the same year, the King of The Netherlands, Willem Alexander and Jet Bussemaker, the Dutch Minister of Education, Culture and Science visited GLU to witness its achievements for themselves, proving a proud day for GLU staff and students.

Knightscope, Inc., a developer of advanced physical security technologies focussed on enhancing U.S. security operations, announced that it is has taken a major step in its commitment to help better secure schools across the country by selecting Clovis Unified School District in California as its beta testing location for a suite of new technologies under development. The Company had prior announced this effort earlier this year when it solicited students to get involved and submit essays on how Knightscope’s fully autonomous security robots could help in a school setting. Security robots to monitor school safety “With over 100,000 schools in the country, we need to develop a new set of tools and technologies as a critical part of our long-term mission to better secure the United States of America,” said William Santana Li, chairman and chief executive officer, Knightscope, Inc. Knightscope’s robots will provide the authoritative presence needed on a school campus and provide actual intelligence by filling in the blind spots"“Being able to utilise a real-world environment to test, sample, and iterate on new capabilities while inspiring students to pursue STEM careers is certainly a winning combination,” continued Li. “As a teacher of thirty years, my philosophy has always been to be proactive instead of reactive, and the idea of security robots monitoring a school is definitely a proactive approach to school safety. Knightscope’s robots will provide the authoritative presence needed on a school campus and provide actual intelligence by filling in the blind spots with their ‘eyes and ears,’” said Clifford A. Nitschke, Jr., AP United States Government and Politics Instructor, Clovis North High School. Trialling a new technology in school safety Mr. Nitschke’s class submitted the winning proposal to Knightscope. “We are honoured to be chosen by Knightscope and to be given the opportunity to pilot a new and exciting technology in the field of school safety.” The Clovis United Unified School District Governing Board is scheduled to meet on January 16, 2019 to formally accept the beta testing program by Knightscope. The meeting is planned to occur at 6:30pm at the Clovis Unified Professional Development Building, 1680 David E Cook Way, Clovis, CA 93611. Assuming an approval by the Board, the parties will determine implementation timing thereafter.

Texas A&M University-San Antonio (A&M-SA) has become the first university in the world to deploy an Indoor Positioning Solution across its entire campus for the purpose of providing the safest possible environment. The SafeZone indoor positioning solution, provided by CriticalArc, provides the campus police with an unprecedented three-dimensional view of multi-story buildings. For example, instead of receiving an alert about ‘an incident somewhere in the student union building’, they get pinpoint specifics, such as ‘it’s on the fourth floor, west wing, outside room 410’.  "With indoor positioning and SafeZone, we're able to provide a faster response time, whether it's a medical emergency or an active shooter,” says Roger Stearns, A&M-SA’s assistant chief of Police, featured in this video. The entire police department benefits from advanced features such as heat mapping and incident playback to optimise performance" Safer environment for students The university’s Chief of Police Ron Davidson wanted to innovate with this full-coverage system because the campus was expanding, including a newly completed residence hall, which meant having students around the clock for the first time in A&M-SA’s history. He was committed to ensuring a safer environment for students, staff and visitors. In addition, Chief Davidson was in search of a common operating view that would provide the Emergency Operations Center and all officers on patrol a real-time location of all available officers and volunteers, as well as showing the location of all incidents ̶ essential for coordinating first responders and the Campus Community Emergency Response Team (CCERT). Heat mapping and incident playback “SafeZone is essential technology to position your organisation on the cutting edge of campus law enforcement. The real-time common operating view both enhances officer safety and acts a force multiplier. Plus, the entire police department benefits from advanced features such as heat mapping and incident playback to optimise performance,” Davidson said. Texas A&M-San Antonio has adopted the indoor positioning solution as a standard and will deploy it in all future buildings on campus. The solution is fully supported by the University’s Information Technology department and has been assessed for additional applications to enhance the student experience including wayfinding and research by academics in the newly completed Science and Technology building. Easy to maintain wireless installation The process to get the SafeZone indoor positioning solution deployed is a simple one, as it’s a wireless installation and easy to maintain"SafeZone was easy to deliver with no disruption to the campus. It was deployed in a matter of weeks during the summer break. “The process to get the SafeZone indoor positioning solution deployed is a simple one, as it’s a wireless installation and easy to maintain,” added Stearns. Organisations can install wireless, wearable duress alarms able to pinpoint anyone anywhere on campus as an alternative to fixed, expensive, wired panic alarms. Among other capabilities, SafeZone allows users to get the most rapid help simply by activating an alert, using an app or a wearable duress alarm. As soon as the alert is triggered, the location and details of the user are streamed to the monitoring team, allowing officers to coordinate a smarter, more targeted response. By enabling responders to visualise the precise location of an incident, anywhere on campus, SafeZone is much more powerful than traditional, fixed panic alarms and blue light telephones, which are more expensive to install and less accurate in operation. SafeZone public safety solution Glenn Farrant, Chief Executive Officer, CriticalArc, notes; “I’m delighted by the close partnership between A&M-SA and CriticalArc resulting in this ground-breaking implementation of the SafeZone public safety solution. Chief Davidson and his team are at the forefront of using this technology and we are pleased to be helping them improve the quality of life, and the learning experience, for everyone on their campus.” The SafeZone indoor positioning solution is commercially available worldwide for a range of university, hospital, enterprise and finance applications and is being deployed in more than 80 countries worldwide.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council has taken delivery of a new CCTV enforcement vehicle from Videalert, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of intelligent traffic enforcement and management solutions. The new Mobile Enforcement Vehicle (MEV) has an unattended operating capability and will be used to enforce school locations where illegal parking on the yellow ‘keep clears’ has been identified as putting children’s lives in danger. School and students’ safety Councillor Bob Norton, Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Growth & Highways, said: “We know that measures to tackle parking are often controversial and seen by some as a ‘cash grab’ but that is simply not the case. This is all about safety! Three accidents involving school children in one year is three too many and we won’t allow this continuing risk to the safety of children in our schools.  Our message is clear: Don’t want to get fined? Then don’t put people at risk when you park.” Videalert ANPR cameras Videalert has supplied a white Renault Kadjar equipped with two roof-mounted ANPR cameras and two colour cameras to capture contextual video evidence Videalert has supplied a white Renault Kadjar equipped with two roof-mounted ANPR cameras and two colour cameras to capture contextual video evidence. Used in conjunction with the latest video analytics, the system delivers the highest productivity at the lowest operating cost even in the highest density traffic environments. The on-board systems are controlled by the operator manning the vehicle using a dashboard-mounted touchscreen. All contravention evidence data is transferred to Videalert’s Digital Video Platform in the parking office at the end of each shift. The Videalert system automates the construction of video evidence packs which are reviewed by trained council operatives prior to sending confirmed offences to the back-office processing system for the issuance of PCNs. Mobile Enforcement Vehicle (MEV) Redcar and Cleveland’s new mobile enforcement vehicle is also equipped with a complete suite of Videalert software applications enabling it to be used for a wide range of traffic and parking management applications in the future as required. “In recent benchmarking trials, our MEVs equipped with four cameras have proved to deliver industry-leading capture rates whilst consistently outperforming vehicles from other suppliers. This new generation of multi-purpose MEVs will give councils greater flexibility in the enforcement of a wide range of moving traffic and parking contraventions,” added Tim Daniels, Sales and Marketing Director at Videalert.

Ask a student, or pretty much anyone, what they think about “access control” and you’ll get a shrug. Conversely, all of us are enthusiastic about security and convenience. Students across Europe are discovering SMARTair wireless access control gives them both. Adding SMARTair access control to a door involves just replacing a standard cylinder or escutcheon with a digital, smartphone- or smart-card–operated electronic lock. It’s hassle-free to make the switch to SMARTair. And with a system design focused on user experience, SMARTair takes some of the everyday pain out of student life. Wherever you fit SMARTair, it’s easy to configure access cards to enable payments in the canteen or at vending machines; for changing room locker locks; and for the photocopier or library loans. You can’t do that with a metal key. MIFARE RFID cards At Madrid’s prestigious Colegio Universitario de Estudios Financieros (CUNEF) students now open doors with smart MIFARE RFID cards instead of keys At Madrid’s prestigious Colegio Universitario de Estudios Financieros (CUNEF) students now open doors with smart MIFARE RFID cards instead of keys. CUNEF fitted escutcheons to monitor and ease access to different areas of the university for 1,600 students, without the need for expensive wired door locks. If a student loses their card, there’s no threat to campus security. A manager issues a new credential which automatically cancels the lost card — much faster than changing a lock. When Mezzino took ownership of Rialto Court — apartments for students attending Durham University and Teesside University — they replaced a mechanical master key system with SMARTair. From the company’s point of view, the high annual tenant turnover and a need for scheduled cleaning and summer shutdown were becoming difficult to manage with physical keys. Students also reaped the benefits of their new, user-friendly access system. They have the confidence no previous resident of their flat has copied a physical key. At Funway Academic Resort in Madrid, student rooms are also locked with SMARTair escutcheons. Energy-saving wall devices inside rooms regulate electricity use, and students each have their own safe locked with a SMARTair cabinet lock. The Funway gym, study rooms, games rooms, swimming pool and changing rooms, spa and staff areas are also locked with SMARTair escutcheons — and open with the same smart-card. SMARTair Openow solution The recent launch of the SMARTair Openow solution puts credentials on a mobile phoneThere’s more to come from SMARTair. The recent launch of the SMARTair Openow solution puts credentials on a mobile phone. With SMARTair and the Openow app, students can open their rooms and authorised doors with a smartphone. If you have your phone, you’re already carrying your keys. Student services or facilities managers issue virtual keys over-the-air — and can revoke them whenever they choose — so there’s no need for a key-card handover meeting, at the beginning or end of term. A time-limited virtual key arrives ahead of the first day and automatically expires when it’s time to vacate your halls. Mobile credentials Mobile credentials will be a big hit. Student life goes on inside the handset, as much as IRL (“In Real Life”, for the uninitiated). Last year’s Deloitte Mobile Consumer Survey found a fifth of 18- to 24-year-olds even check their phone for messages in the middle of the night*. From a security standpoint, phone-based credentials have another advantage. Checking our phones is “habitual”, “unconscious” and “repetitive”, according to one study**. We know very quickly if it is missing. How soon would you notice a missing plastic card, especially if you were enjoying yourself on a night out? Biometric security Plus, a virtual key on every student’s smartphone potentially provides an extra layer of biometric protection for every controlled university door Plus, a virtual key on every student’s smartphone potentially provides an extra layer of biometric protection for every controlled university door. Fingerprint, and even face and iris, scanners are commonplace on smartphones. ”Generation Z students were raised as digital natives,” says Felix Moran, SMARTair Product Manager at ASSA ABLOY. ”They expect convenience as a standard feature, not a mechanical solution used in Ancient Egypt. In Europe’s increasingly international, marketized higher education ecosystem, attracting these tech-savvy students is critical, as is keeping them satisfied with the campus experience.” SMARTair TS1000 software The complete SMARTair solution includes wireless escutcheons, cylinders, wall readers, locker locks and more; the intuitive SMARTair TS1000 software; and the enhanced new Openow app functionality. It works out the box and is easy to install — and even easier to operate.

College campuses often operate like small communities – or even like large communities depending on enrolment. Although each college and university campus is unique, there are commonalities such as a young and vulnerable population of students, many living away from their parents for the first time. Campuses can be urban or rural, geographically dispersed or densely populated, with a variety of demographics and “wild card” elements such as partying, drugs and alcohol. Campus police and security officers face a variety of challenging environments. Is it wise to add firearms to the mix? Is it necessary for campus police to be armed? Specifically, we asked this week’s Expert Panel: In what situations should college or university campus police be armed?