Central Monitoring

Exacq has announced its integration with the highly rated monitoring station software, MASterMind. These technologies combined utilise video verification services to receive live video from the exacq Network Video Recorder when an event occurs, and sends a call to the monitoring station call centre. Made possible through the Connected Partner Program, the exacqVision and MASterMind integration allows seamless collaboration of video into the dispatching process through MASvideo. This provides command centres and central stations the ability to coordinate incoming alarms with the associated video captured by cameras located at the monitored site: Features of the integration The integration provides powerful features such as: View live video linked to an incoming alarm Control single or multi image views Select between cameras utilising PTZ camera features Record video within a single application The Connected Partner Program is designed for product manufacturers and software developers. This opportunity offers access to all the tools needed to build integrations with Tyco products, including software, hardware, documentation, sample code, dedicated engineering and marketing support.

Qognify, the trusted advisor and technology solution provider for physical security and enterprise incident management, has announced that it will share its expertise of how metropolitan areas can make the shift from being safe and smart to fully cognitive cities, at the 5th National Summit on 100 Smart Cities India 2019. Qognify is the Presenting Partner of the Summit which takes place August 22, 2019 at The LaLiT in New Dehli. Safe & Smart City Solution Qognify, with its Safe & Smart City Solution, is one of the leaders in safe and smart cities in India. It is currently involved in more than 20 safe and smart city projects throughout the country that include high profile award-winning projects such as: Navi Mumbai - Qognify is used to monitor all critical points within the city including public transportation, schools, heavily traveled traffic junctions, city entrances and exits, open-air markets and utility infrastructure. Nanded City has an integrated command, control and communication center (C-Cube) that is powered by Qognify’s Safe City solution that includes Qognify’s Situator, video management and analytics solutions. Kohlapur is using Qognify’s video management and analytics to assist law enforcement and city management in coping with the influx of increased tourism. Regional VP, India at Qognify, Dilip Verma, will present at the Summit and he comments: “Many cities have taken steps to become safe cities, whilst a smaller but growing number are breaking ground as truly smart cities. At the Summit, we will use our experience, working on some of the most innovative projects in India and around the world, to look to the horizon, where we envisage urban environments becoming truly cognitive.” Safe, smart and cognitive cities Cognitive cities are much better positioned to thrive in the face of significant challenges" Verma makes the distinction between safe, smart and cognitive cities: “A safe city aims to ensure the safety and security of its residents, whilst smart initiatives go further, improving the operations of city. Cognitive cities take things to the next level by keeping citizens engaged and contributing to the gathering of the relevant data. The insights from which can be used not only to improve security, safety and city operations, but also the lives of residents.” He adds: “Cognitive cities are much better positioned to thrive in the face of significant challenges such as clean water scarcity, climate change, and providing functional and efficient mass transportation at mega-city scales. It is an ambitious goal that not only holds the promise of being more resilient, but at the same time promotes civic participation, sense of community and the health and wellbeing of citizens.” 5th National Summit on 100 Smart Cities India 2019 The 5th National Summit on 100 Smart Cities India 2019 will bring together global thought leaders to focus on aspects of a smart city including urban development, surveillance, power, energy, transport, technology, smart building, smart grid, smart health, network and communication technology.

Traka is making its debut at Security Expo 2019 in Sydney, Australia to demonstrate its local capability to offer innovative, sector specific solutions for key and equipment management, backed with a global support network. Traka, globally renowned intelligent management solutions provider for keys and equipment, acquired Secure Edge early in February 2019, to increase the ability to support its global and regional customer base. Endorsed key control system Traka will unveil its latest systems, including its specialist IntrepidTM SCEC Endorsed key control concept During Security Expo on stand G38, Traka will unveil its latest systems, including its specialist IntrepidTM SCEC Endorsed key control concept. Designed exclusively for Australian Government departments, agencies and suppliers, Traka’s innovative IntrepidTM design provides a scalable solution to secure, control, distribute and audit sensitive, often critical, keys and assets. Traka will be able to demonstrate to visitors its key management portfolio, including its innovative V-Touch together with its scalable L-Touch, S-Touch and M-Touch solutions. Each are presented to operate standalone or fully networked, as part of a centralised system and offer simple ways to control keys and manage different facilities, with full and compliant audit trail capability. Key control management solutions Says Martin Woodhouse, Head of APACMEA for Traka: “Security Expo 2019 is the perfect platform for Traka to demonstrate our international growth, with the most recent acquisition in Australia enabling us to present our bespoke local solutions and our ability to respond to the regional needs. This includes our powerful Traka IntrepidTM SCEC Endorsed Key Control management system, dedicated to presenting high security functionality for the Australian Government.” “Traka’s direct presence here is backed by a global network of technical services and design skills. We look forward to meeting visitors on our stand to discuss their requirements for intelligent key and equipment management solutions and demonstrate how Traka can assist end users to increase efficiency, reduce downtime and enhance safety while maintaining compliance and meeting operational requirements. All these provide a tangible return on investment for our customers.” Locker systems Live demonstrations of Traka’s key management solutions will include faulty item exchange Traka’s dedicated locker systems will also be on display, featuring their ability to charge equipment whilst stored, ensuring the most charged device is always handed out first for equipment optimisation and increased productivity. On the stand, live demonstrations of Traka’s key management solutions will include faulty item exchange, email notifications and random return capability.     Integration with Gallagher security platforms Traka will also be demonstrating the power of integrated solutions by showcasing how Gallagher’s Command Centre and Genetec access control platforms work seamlessly with its key and equipment management systems. All solutions on display, will be fitted with HID readers to present secure authorised access. Oceania Regional Director, Rod Barden concluded: “Our team is really excited to be at Security Expo 2019 and to press ahead with our ambitious growth plans for the region, all based on our ability to be ‘local when you need us, global when it counts.’ We look forward to seeing you there!” Traka’s product portfolio of intelligent key and asset management solutions will be on display on stand G38 at Security Expo 2019, taking place between 24 – 26 July 2019 at ICC Sydney.

Synectics commences the roll-out of Synergy 3 2019, the latest release of its command and control platform for demanding surveillance and security environments. Introducing enhanced customisable mapping, camera management, and third-party integration capabilities, the feature-rich platform is the most customer-centric iteration of the software to date and aims to make the Synergy 3 experience more user-friendly. The new release will be available across Synectics’ key markets, spanning transportation, infrastructure, oil and gas, high security, public space, and gaming. Automatic camera plotting Speaking about the latest developments, Martyn Rowe, Head of Product Management at Synectics, said: “We wanted this release of Synergy 3 to offer practical innovations that customers will truly benefit from in terms of how they work and their security challenges.” We wanted this release of Synergy 3 to offer practical innovations that customers will truly benefit from" “For example, to complement existing GIS mapping capabilities, we’ve introduced advanced CAD mapping that enables customers to upload and seamlessly navigate their own maps of property and asset layouts. Functionalities such as automatic camera plotting in Synergy 3 ensure that any layout changes (for example, to gaming tables or slot machines) don’t require lengthy re-programming of cameras. This has a positive impact for the customer’s on-premise resources, particularly where sites have hundreds or even thousands of cameras.” Monitoring live footage Camera-related developments in the 2019 release also enable footage to be viewed in more intuitive ways. The de-warping functionality within Synergy 3 has been enhanced to provide an undistorted view of fisheye cameras, offering the ability to monitor live footage from multiple angles of the same camera for wide-area situational awareness. Furthermore, Synergy 3 now supports H.265 compression for all IP cameras compliant with ONVIF Profile S. Martyn continued: “Synectics has a strong reputation for offering end-to-end solutions tailored to specific needs. We can’t make that claim if we don’t give our customers the freedom to choose and use systems and devices that meet their unique requirements. Developments such as H.265 compression, new third-party system integrations, and a Software Development Kit (SDK) to help technology partners write integrations to Synergy 3, reflect this and our commitment to future-proofing our solutions.” Facilitating situational awareness Other capabilities strongly associated with Synergy 3 since it first launched in 2014 are its incident management and response features. Synergy 3 2019 builds on these proven capabilities, with further improvements to facilitate situational awareness and incident management under pressure. Clip mode ensures that any footage viewed is automatically imported to a clip basket Two notable developments in this respect are the introduction of quad view automation and the new clip mode functionality. The former refers to tailorable alerts that, if specific criteria are met, trigger quad layouts ‒ allowing the simultaneous tracking of live action and investigation of recorded footage. Clip mode ensures that any footage viewed is automatically imported to a clip basket, for quick and easy transfer to the incident locker if verified as pertinent. Intelligently automate processes Martyn added: “At Synectics, we place great importance on being able to intelligently automate processes for those in charge of securing and operating facilities in the demanding sectors we serve. Whether it’s to improve conditions for keeping on top of incidents, help users get the most out of the powerful capabilities at their disposal, or simply save busy surveillance teams precious time, we are always looking at how we can better support our customers.” “While these developments in Synergy 3 2019 differ in function, they share a common thread. They have all been undertaken with an understanding of the pressures our customers face – one fostered through close working partnerships and real-world sector experience.”

Senstar, a global provider of video management and perimeter intrusion detection solutions, highlights Senstar Symphony Access Control (AC) and the FiberPatrol FP400 zone-based intrusion detection system at IFSEC 2019. “Since first introduced in April, Symphony AC and the FiberPatrol FP400 have garnered a great deal of interest in the security market,” said Fabien Haubert, Vice President Sales, EMEA. “Both of these products address very specific site requirements and provide customers with more options to effectively protect their assets.” Full set of access control functions The FiberPatrol FP400 is one of the most affordable fibre optic fence-mounted perimeter intrusion sensors on the marketSymphony AC is an open software solution designed to support the industry’s most trusted brands of access control and intrusion hardware. Available as an extension to the Symphony Video Management Software (VMS), the module provides a full set of access control functions, including enrolment, scheduling, monitoring, and reporting. The FiberPatrol FP400 is one of the most affordable fibre optic fence-mounted perimeter intrusion sensors on the market. Each processor provides up to four zones of detection and supports insensitive lead-in enabling electronics to be installed up to 12 mi from the perimeter fence. It is ideal for small sites with concerns over EMI, lightning, or conductive elements on the perimeter. Meeting the security needs of customers “Symphony AC and FiberPatrol FP400 are examples of Senstar’s continued commitment to developing products to meet the evolving security needs of our customers and to remaining one of the industry’s most trusted and reliable security providers," said Mr. Haubert. To learn more about Senstar Symphony AC and the FiberPatrol FP400, visit Senstar at IFSEC Booth IF735. Also check out other award-winning products including Senstar Symphony VMS video, security and information management platform; the Senstar LM100 hybrid perimeter intrusion detection and intelligent lighting system; FlexZone ranging fence-mounted intrusion detection system; and the Senstar Thin Client PC-alternative for video management.

DVV Solutions, specialists in Third-Party Risk Management (TPRM), embarked on a strategic managed service provider relationship with BitSight, the Standard in Security Ratings. DVV Solutions and BitSight announced a new channel partnership agreement that will enable DVV Solutions to provide BitSight’s Security Ratings Service and add significant value to DVV’s Third-Party Risk Management and continuous monitoring offerings. Identifying and mitigating risk By integrating the BitSight Security Ratings Service into its ‘TPRM-as-a-service’ managed service portfolio, DVV Solutions customers will have access to daily security ratings that provide forensic insight, allowing them to more proactively identify, quantify and mitigate risk in their organisation in five key areas:   Continuous monitoring of an organisation Third-Party risk management Benchmarking against peers in their market segment Industry indices for comparing security performance Support compliance regulations “BitSight is a powerful addition to our existing portfolio and presents a very exciting opportunity for our customers, providing even greater depth and relevance in their understanding of Third-Party risks,” said Sean O’Brien, Managing Director at DVV Solutions. Expanding reach across UK, Europe DVV Solutions has the market vision, customer relationships and technical expertise to take BitSight forward" “We are excited to partner with DVV Solutions as we expand our reach across the UK, Europe and further afield,” said Ewen O’Brien, VP Enterprise Sales, EMEA at BitSight. “DVV Solutions has the market vision, customer relationships and technical expertise to take BitSight forward into new markets and applications.” Both BitSight and DVV will be in attendance at this week’s Vendor & Third-Party Risk Europe event, organised by CeFPro. Sean O’Brien, Managing Director, DVV will discuss how cloud providers can understand where data is stored and pinpoint liability. Ewen O’Brien, VP Enterprise Sales, EMEA at BitSight, will also chair a ‘Tangible Risk Reduction’ session with Lloyds Banking Group to discuss how Lloyds has utilised BitSight’s Security Ratings to better manage its cybersecurity and risk.

It amazes me how in a few short years security systems have gone from simple, dumb cameras witnessing events to intelligent eyes, ears, speech and touch solutions that boost situational awareness far beyond human capabilities. It seems the only senses missing from the equation now are smell and taste. And who knows, someone might be working on those in a lab somewhere right now. But what’s really fascinating to me is how the Internet of Things (IoT) has opened a world of possibilities for transforming security technology into something new yet again. With IoT we’re able to push and pull nuggets of intelligence from sources we never considered before: environmental sensors, pressure plates, door lock timers and much more. It’s helped us break through the constraining mindset that security systems are strictly single-purpose. With interconnectivity at the core, we’re starting to imagine myriad ways to apply these tools to challenges outside the realm of security. Here are just a few examples. Flood management assistance Network camera adds another dimension and timeliness to flood management by helping responders investigate remotely As recent hurricanes and floods have shown, water damage can be devastating to a community. That’s why some municipalities are using their city surveillance cameras in conjunction with water sensor to proactively address the problem. Water sensors collect data from multiple sources such as rain gutters, sewer systems and pump stations, in order to monitor fluctuations in water levels and water quality. If an alert triggers, having a network camera in proximity to visually verify the situation helps responders determine the best course of action. For instance, if multiple water detection sensors trigger alerts simultaneously or sequentially over a large area it’s probably due to natural runoff from recent rainfall. But without eyes on the scene, how can you be sure? Network camera adds another dimension and timeliness to flood management by helping responders investigate and identify the cause of a trigger remotely. It might be a fire hydrant spewing water, a water main break or even a chemical spill. With video streaming live to the command center, staff can remotely inspect the area, determine the cause of the trigger and decide whether remediation is required, thus avoiding the expense of dispatching an investigative crew to a non-event. Some municipalities are using their city surveillance cameras in conjunction with water sensor to proactively address the problem Environmental control assistance Data centers house the lifeblood of a business so it’s no wonder why companies work hard to protect them. We’re all familiar with the integration of network cameras with access control systems to visually verify who is actually using the credentials. Network camera adds another dimension and timeliness to flood management by helping responders investigate and identify the cause of a trigger remotely But there’s another aspect to protecting data centers and that’s environment control. Data centers need to maintain optimum humidity and temperature for the racks of electronics. When environmental sensors in the facility detect out-of-norm ranges technicians can remotely command a network camera to zoom in on the gauges and help them determine whether remediation might be necessary.  Coupling network cameras with other sensors in the data center can provide visual confirmation of other conditions as well. For instance, every time a data rack door-open-close sensor detects an event it can trigger the camera to pan to the location and stream video to security. Some data centers employ weight sensors at the doorway to weigh personnel and equipment as they enter the room and when they exit to ensure no additional hardware is being taken out of the facility or left inside without permission. Any discrepancy would trigger the camera to zoom in for a close-up of the individual’s face and send a visual alert and ID information to security. Roadway management and parking assistance Network cameras have long played a part in city-wide traffic management. Adding video analytics and integration with network sensors, makes those cameras that much smarter and versatile. They can detect cars driving in bike lanes or driving in the wrong direction and capture license plates of offenders. Their ability to detect anomalous traffic flow patterns can be integrated with car counting sensors, networked electronic road signs and traffic light systems to automatically redirect vehicles to alternate routes. They make great, intelligent parking lot attendants, too. Working in conjunction with weight sensors network cameras can count vehicles coming into and leaving a lot or garage and verify when the facility has reached capacity. License plate recognition and video analytics can be used to ascertain that a vehicle entering a reserved parking space doesn’t match the credentials and vehicle attributes in the database. With the addition of noise sensors and audio analytics, network cameras can improve roadway and parking facility safety by detecting and identifying specific sounds – breaking glass, car alarms, gun shots, and aggressive speech – and triggering a visual alert to first responders. Network cameras can improve roadway and parking facility safety by detecting and identifying specific sounds and triggering a visual alert to first responders Shopper experience assistance In the early days of online shopping, e-tailers designed their sites to replicate the in-store customer experience. In an ironic turn of events, today brick-and-mortar stores are trying to mirror the online shopping experience. To do so, they’re turning their security systems into adjunct sales assistance. With network video and audio system automation they can recognise and acknowledge loyal customers with personal greetings. Retailers are applying people counting video analytics to checkout activity to create rules-based consistency in customer service With heatmapping analytics they can measure how much time a customer spends in a specific department or observe how they walk through the aisles of the store. They can track shopping behaviors such as items looked at that made it into the cart or didn’t, or whether a customer actually checked out or left the merchandise behind. By capturing these shopping patterns and trends retailers can shape a more positive, more profitable customer shopping experience. For instance, integrating video analytics with point of sale systems and RFID sensors on merchandise tags can result in timely alerts to sales associates to recommend additional merchandise. This is a case of emulating how e-tailers let the customer know that other customers who bought X often also purchased items Y and Z. Or to avoid disappointing customers due to stock outages, retailers are linking weight sensors and video analytics to make sure their shelves are well-stocked and if not, quickly alert associates to what items need to be restocked. Capturing business intelligence Retailers are also using video cameras to monitor checkout queues and trigger automated announcements over the public-address system, closed system such as smartphones or other wireless communications devices that checkers are needed rather wait for a person to call for backup. IoT laid the groundwork for network security solutions to seamlessly integrate with other IP-based technologies, sensors and programs They’re applying people counting video analytics to checkout activity to create rules-based consistency in customer service. While retailers will always use their surveillance camera for loss prevention, they’re finding that integrating traditional technology in new ways can yield even bigger returns. Linking network video surveillance, video analytics, network communications system and sensors with point-of-sale systems and customer loyalty databases, retailers are capturing the business intelligence they need to get back in the game and make brick-and-mortar a greater overall experience than online shopping. A natural cross-over technology This trend towards integration has forever changed how organisations view their investment in security technology. The intelligence and versatility of a tool that can see, verify and analyse what’s happening in real-time is spurring users to tap its cross-over potential for a host of other tasks that could benefit from more astute situational awareness – everything from manufacturing and equipment maintenance to logistics, inventory control and beyond. IoT laid the groundwork for network security solutions to seamlessly integrate with other IP-based technologies, sensors and programs. How we capitalise on that connection is only limited by our imagination.

Timely and important issues in the security marketplace dominated our list of most-clicked-upon articles in 2018. Looking back at the top articles of the year provides a decent summary of how our industry evolved this year, and even offers clues to where we’re headed in 2019. In the world of digital publishing, it’s easy to know what content resonates with the security market: Our readers tell us with their actions; i.e., where they click. Let’s look back at the Top 10 articles we posted in 2018 that generated the most page views. They are listed in order here with a brief excerpt. 1. U.S. President Signs Government Ban on Hikvision and Dahua Video Surveillance The ban on government uses, which takes effect ‘not later than one year after … enactment,’ applies not only to future uses of Dahua and Hikvision equipment but also to legacy installations. The bill calls for an assessment of the current presence of the banned technologies and development of a ‘phase-out plan’ to eliminate the equipment from government uses. 2. Motorola Makes a Splash with Avigilon Video Surveillance Acquisition Early clues point to Motorola positioning Avigilon as part of a broader solution, especially in the municipal/safe cities market. The company says the acquisition will enable more safe cities projects and more public-private partnerships between local communities and law enforcement. Motorola sees Avigilon as ‘a natural extension to global public safety and U.S. federal and military’ applications, according to the company. 3. Impact of Data-Driven Smart Cities on Video Surveillance One of the major areas of technology that is going to shift how we interact with our cities is the Internet of Things (IoT). One benefit will be the ability to use video surveillance to analyse data on large crowds at sporting events The IoT already accounts for swaths of technology and devices operating in the background. However, we’re increasingly seeing these come to the forefront of everyday life, as data becomes increasingly critical. Bosch is highlighting its “Simply. Connected” portfolio of smart city technology to transform security as well as urban mobility, air quality and energy efficiency 4. CES 2018: Security Technologies Influencing the Consumer Electronics Market Familiar players at security shows also have a presence at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). For example, Bosch is highlighting its “Simply. Connected” portfolio of smart city technology to transform security as well as urban mobility, air quality and energy efficiency. Many consumer technologies on display offer a glimpse of what’s ahead for security. Are Panasonic’s 4K OLEDs with HDR10+ format or Sony’s A8F OLED televisions a preview of the future of security control room monitors? 5. SIA Predicts Top Physical Security Trends for 2018 Traditional security providers will focus more on deepening the customer experience and enhancing convenience and service. The rise of IoT also places an emphasis on cybersecurity, and security dealers will react by seeking manufacturers and technology partners with cyber-hardened network-connected devices. 6. High-Speed Visitor Screening Systems Will Improve Soft Target Security The system is more expensive than a metal detector, but about a third the cost of familiar airport body scanners. Labor reduction (because of faster throughput) can help offset the system costs, but “it’s difficult to quantify the improvement in the visitor experience,” says Mike Ellenbogen, CEO of Evolv Technology. 7. How to Prevent ATM Jackpotting with Physical and Cyber Security A new crime wave is hitting automated teller machines (ATMs); the common banking appliances are being rigged to spit out their entire cash supplies into a criminal’s waiting hands. The crime is called “ATM jackpotting” and has targeted banking machines located in grocery shops, pharmacies and other locations in Taiwan, Europe, Latin America and, in the last several months, the United States. Rough estimates place the total amount of global losses at up to $60 million. The safety and security world bring a complex problem to solve- how to pick out a face in a moving and changing environment and compare it to several faces of interest 8. Why We Need to Look Beyond Technology for Smart City Security Solutions Although technology is necessary for an urban area to transition in to a safe and smart city, technology alone isn’t sufficient. Truly smart cities are savvy cities and that includes how they employ software, sensing, communications and other technologies to meet their needs. 9. How New Video Surveillance Technology Boosts Airport Security and Operations Employing airport security solutions is a complex situation with myriad government, state and local rules and regulations that need to be addressed while ensuring the comfort needs of passengers. Airport security is further challenged with improving and increasing operational efficiencies, as budgets are always an issue. As an example, security and operational data must be easily shared with other airport departments and local agencies such as police, customs, emergency response and airport operations to drive a more proactive approach across the organisation. 10. The Evolution of Facial Recognition from Body-Cams to Video Surveillance The safety and security world bring a complex problem to solve how to pick out a face in a moving and changing environment and compare it to several faces of interest. “One-to-many” facial recognition is a much harder problem to solve.

Governments and corporations face crisis events every day. An active shooter terrorises a campus. A cyber extortionist holds a city for ransom. A hurricane washes away a key manufacturing facility. Not all critical events rise to the level of these catastrophic emergencies, but a late or inadequate response to even a minor incident can put people, operations and reputations at risk. Effective response plan In 2015, for example, the City of Boston experienced several record-breaking snowstorms that forced the city to close the subway system for three days. The extreme decision cost the state $265 million per day and was largely attributed to a lack of preparation and an inadequate response plan by the transportation department. The reputation of the head of the transportation department was so damaged by the decision she was forced to resign. Being able to better predict how the storms would impact the subway system’s aging infrastructure – and having a more effective response plan in place – could have saved the state hundreds of millions of dollars (not to mention the transit chief’s job). A comprehensive critical event management strategy begins before the impact of an event is felt and continues after the immediate crisis has ended. This full lifecycle strategy can be broken into four distinct phases – Assess, Locate, Act and Analyse. Assessing threats for prevention Security teams might have complained about not having enough intelligence data to make accurate predictionsIdentifying a threat before it reaches critical mass and understanding how it might impact vital assets is the most difficult challenge facing security professionals. In the past, security teams might have complained about not having enough intelligence data to make accurate predictions. Today, the exact opposite might be true – there is too much data! With crime and incident data coming from law enforcement agencies, photos and videos coming from people on the front line, topics trending on social media and logistical information originating from internal systems it can be almost impossible to locate a real signal among all the noise and chatter. Being able to easily visualise all this intelligence data within the context of an organisation’s assets is vital to understand the relationship between threat data and the individuals or facilities in harm’s way. Social media monitoring Free tools like Google Maps or satellite imagery from organisations like AccuWeather, for example, can help understand how fast a storm is closing in on a manufacturing facility, or how close an active shooter is to a school. Their usefulness, however, is limited to a few event types and they provide only a very macro view of the crisis.Data from building access systems, wifi hotspots, corporate travel systems, among others, can be used to create a profile Critical event management (CEM) platforms, however, are designed specifically to manage critical events of all types and provide much greater visibility. Internal and external data sources (weather, local and national emergency management, social media monitoring software, security cameras, etc.) are integrated into these platforms and their data is visualised on a threat map. Security teams can quickly see if there are actual threats to the organisations or communities they are protecting and don’t lose time trying to make sense of intelligence reports. The more they can see on a ‘single pane of glass,’ the faster they can initiate the appropriate response. Locating a threat Once a threat has been deemed a critical event, the next step is to find the people who might be impacted – employees/residents in danger, first responders and key stakeholders (e.g., senior executives or elected officials who need status updates). Often, this requires someone on the security team to access an HR contact database and initiate a call tree to contact each person individually, in a specific hierarchical order. This can be a time-consuming and opaque process. There is no information on the proximity of that person to the critical event, or if a person has skills such as CPR that could aid in the response. Ensuring ahead of time that certifications, skill sets, or on-call availability is included with contact information can save valuable time in the middle of a crisis response. Going even further, data from building access systems, wifi hotspots, corporate travel systems, among others, can be used to create a profile of where a person just was and where he or she might be going in a CEM platform. This information can be visualised on the threat map and help determine who is actually in danger and who can respond the fastest. The emergency response then becomes targeted and more effective. Security teams can quickly see if there are actual threats to the organisations or communities they are protecting Acting and automating The third step is to act and automate processes. If there is a tornado closing in on a town, for example, residents should not have to wait for manual intervention before a siren is activated or a message sent out. Organisations can build and execute their standing operating procedures (SOPs) fully within a CEM platform. Sirens, alarms, digital signs and messages can all be automatically activated based on event type, severity and location. Using the tornado example, an integration with a weather forecasting service could trigger the command to issue a tornado warning for a specific community if it is in the path of the storm. Summon security guards Warning messages can be prepared in advance based on event type so there is no chance of issuing a misleading or unclear alert Warning messages can be prepared in advance based on event type so there is no chance of issuing a misleading or unclear alert. All communications with impacted individuals can be centralised within the platform and automated based on SOP protocols. This also includes inbound communications from first responders and impacted individuals. An employee confronted by an assailant in a parking garage could initiate an SOS alert from his or her mobile phone that would automatically summon security guards to the scene. Conference lines can also be instantly created to enable collaboration and speed response time. Additionally, escalation policies are automatically engaged if a protocol is broken. For example, during an IT outage, if the primary network engineer does not respond in two minutes, a designated backup is automatically summoned. Eliminating manual steps from SOPs reduces the chance for human error and increases the speed and effectiveness of critical event responses. Analysis of a threat Looking for ways to better prepare and respond to critical events will not only improve performance when similar events occur again It’s not uncommon for security and response teams to think that a critical event is over once the immediate crisis has ended. After all, they are often the ones pushing themselves to exhaustion and sometimes risking life and limb to protect their neighbours, colleagues, community reputations and company brands. They need and deserve a rest. In the aftermath of a critical event, however, it’s important to review the effectiveness of the response and look for ways to drive improvements. Which tasks took too long? What resources were missing? How many times did people respond quickly? With a CEM platform, team performance, operational response, benchmarking data and notification analysis are all captured within the system and are available in a configurable dashboard or in after-action reports for analysis. Continuously looking for ways to better prepare and respond to critical events will not only improve performance when similar events occur again, but it will also improve response effectiveness when unforeseen events strike. Coordinate emergency response Virtually every organisation has some form of response plan to triage a critical event and restore community order or business operations. While many of these plans are highly effective in providing a structure to command and coordinate emergency response, they are reactive in nature and don’t account for the full lifecycle of a critical event – Assess, Locate, Act and Analyse. Whether it’s a large-scale regional emergency or a daily operational issue such as an IT outage, a comprehensive critical event management strategy will minimise the impact by improving visibility, collaboration and response.

All schools and universities need to address three different levels of security when considering access control. The first level is the least vulnerable of the three and concerns the perimeter entry and exit points. Here, incorporating some level of electronic access control should be a consideration, whether that is a combination of electronic and mechanical door hardware, or a complete electronic solution. An electromechanical solution, such as electric strikes, can be beneficial in the effectiveness of perimeter security as they provide greater visitor management and traffic control. Data capture form to appear here! Facilitating visitor entry Electric strikes are able to control access via keypads, cards and proximity readers Electric strikes are able to control access via keypads, cards and proximity readers. When combined with mechanical locks, they provide the benefits of unrestricted egress. The second level is more vulnerable than the first and relates to the point at which people are screened before entering the interior of the school. As this area will be designed primarily to facilitate visitor entry, it will require adequate monitoring of access control. To do this, the latches used on access-controlled egress doors can be electronically controlled from the reception area or school office. Exit or entry doors can be opened by a push from the inside and, if the entry area is also an emergency exit, electronically-powered panic bars can also provide an effective solution. More and more schools are installing visitor management systems to control who can and cannot get into the building. Access control solutions Finally, the third level – and the most vulnerable – refers to the core of the school that both students and staff occupy. These are internal hallways, corridors, stairwells, entry points and restricted areas (such as staff lounges and science laboratories). These are the areas where a school must foster the safest environments for pupils, while also providing protection as they often contain confidential information, expensive equipment or chemicals. The access control system is linked to all doors within the school building A number of different access control solutions are beneficial, whether electronic, mechanical or a combination of the two. For electronic solutions, there are two options available: remote or centralised systems. With remote lockdown systems, individual locks are activated by remote control within proximity to the door. With integrated centralised systems, the access control system is linked to all doors within the school building and locked at the touch of a button. Prevent unauthorised persons Mechanical solutions, which include a cylinder lock and key, are also suitable for places such as classrooms, as doors can be locked externally with a key or internally with a thumbturn, to prevent unauthorised persons from entering. At one university in the United States, a smart RFID wire-free access control solution has been installed At one university in the United States, a smart RFID wire-free access control solution has been installed. The SALTO Virtual Network (SVN) wire-free system pushes and pulls data from the university’s ‘hot spot’ entry points to all their offline locks. By choosing a wire-free solution, the university only had to run wires to their exterior doors. The interior doors do not require wiring as these locks are stand-alone wire-free locks. Student accommodation block Securing access to student accommodates is another concern among colleges. One university in the United Kingdom wanted a security system to protect their student accommodation; in particular, a keyless system that would grant 24/7 access to its students while also enabling campus security to monitor these activities remotely. They chose Vanderbilt’s ACT365, which keeps audit trails by monitoring and recording fob activity. When another English university sought electronic locks for its newest student accommodation block, it turned to Aperio wireless locking technology from ASSA ABLOY. They used the wireless locks to extend the Gallagher Command Centre access control system to a student residence with 231 en suite rooms separated into flats for between 8 and 13 postgraduates. Aperio wireless locks are battery-powered and use less energy than wired magnetic security locks.

Recent technology advances – from the cloud to artificial intelligence, from mobile credentials to robotics – will have a high profile at the upcoming ISC West exhibition hall. Several of these technologies were recently designated by the Security Industry Association as the Top 8 security technologies for security and public safety. Some of them will also be a focus at the ISC West conference program, SIA Education@ISC, April 9-11 at the Sands Expo Center. This article will highlight some of those conference sessions.  Topic: Cloud Systems and Video Surveillance as a Service (VSaaS) Managed Video Services are saving TD Bank $500K annually, April 9, 2:45 to 3:45 p.m. Why TD Bank decided to roll out a managed services solution, what it took to deploy and how the bank is saving an astounding $500,000 annually. IT 4.0 and Video Surveillance: A Guide to the New Terminology and What It Means to You and Your Customers, April 11, 1:15 to 2:15 p.m. How IT 4.0 can enhance or change video surveillance, and consequently deliver additional value to customers, including explanations of terms such as cloud data centers, personal clouds, the edge, IoT sensors and data analytics. One of the sessions to cover how IT 4.0 can enhance or change video surveillance, and consequently deliver additional value to customers Topic: Artificial Intelligence (AI) In Video and Other Systems The Challenges and Opportunities of AI in Physical Security, April 10, 3:45 to 4:45 p.m. Looking toward what the future may hold for AI in physical security; the challenges and opportunities the technology has created; and how participants can leverage AI and machine learning with existing customers to grow their business. Deep Learning Demystified: Next-Generation AI Applied to Video, April 11, 9:45 to 10:45 a.m.  Dispelling the myths of the terms “deep learning” and “artificial intelligence,” and what the technologies can do in practical terms. Modern cameras find and identify faces and vehicles, analyse behavior and organise and control assets Neural Processing and Smart Cameras, April 9, 8:30 to 10 a.m. Deep learning-capable hardware is evolving at a frantic pace, and GPU and NPU (neural processing unit) co-processors are commonly embedded in cameras and video management systems. Modern cameras find and identify faces and vehicles, analyse behavior and organise and control assets. Analytics in the Video Central Station: Proper Deployment, Programming and Configuration to optimise operational and cost efficiencies, April 11, 3:45 to 4:45 p.m. How analytics plays a critical role in reducing alarm traffic in a central station environment, allowing them to save money and realise other operational and performance efficiencies. Topic: Robotics and Autonomous Devices Robotic Aerial Security – Growth Trends and Best Practices, April 10, 11 a.m. to noon The lion’s share of growth in the robotic aerial security sector will come from autonomous systems and changing FAA regulations will soon allow companies to monitor and secure remote facilities with no human guards present. Racing drones are difficult to detect as they do not use GPS or radio frequency signals to identify the location of other devices How to Adapt to Address Drone Security, April 11, 1:15 to 2:15 p.m. Drone industry professionals and a physical security design engineer will cover the realistic applications of drone systems and counter-drone solutions that can protect organisations and facilities. Next Generation Threat: Racing Drones, April 11, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Racing drones are difficult to detect as they do not use GPS or radio frequency signals to identify the location of other devices. This session will identify the potential risks these drones can pose to facilities, special events, and critical infrastructure. Establishing a Corporate Drone Program, April 10, 9:45 to 10:45 p.m. Is a corporate drone program an appropriate addition to an existing security program? How to understand and navigate the regulatory challenges and processes associated with starting up a commercial-use drone program. The Rise of Intelligence in Physical Security, April 11, 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. “Intelligence” incorporates a variety of subdomains from artificial intelligence to machine learning and contextual analysis. It is rapidly becoming a focus in the realm of IT security – and increasingly in the realm of physical security, too. Changing FAA regulations will soon allow companies to monitor and secure remote facilities with no human guards present Topic: Mobile Credentials Finding Their Place in Access Control How Biometrics Are Enabling the Convergence of Physical and Information Security, April 10, 1:45 to 2:45 p.m. At the center of convergence is one crucial building block: strong irrefutable identity powered by biometrics. Driving the Future: How Interoperability Standards in Access Control Can Enable Smart Building Success, April 9, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Growing user demand is driving new open platform approaches and the adoption of interoperability standards Growing user demand for unfettered and unlimited third-party integrations is now driving new open platform approaches and the adoption of interoperability standards. They are changing the dynamic of access control and its role within the smart building environment. Topic: Facial Biometrics in Professional Solutions How Biometrics Are Enabling the Convergence of Physical and Information Security, April 10, 1:45 to 2:45 p.m. Securing workstations, virtual desktops, turnstiles, front doors, mobile devices and more, biometric authentication is helping enterprises and governments worldwide to realise a more secure future. Topic: Voice Control in the Smart Home Environment Delivering the Smart Home of the Future, April 11, 3:45 to 4:45 p.m. With the proliferation of connected smart devices, including voice control devices, consumers have a growing array of options for defining what their Smart Home experience could be.

ISC West in Las Vegas is the first of several major security trade shows planned for 2019 as part of the Reed Exhibitions ISC Security Events portfolio. Next up will be Expo Seguridad México in May in Mexico City, followed in June by ISC Brasil in Sao Paolo, and ISC East this fall in New York. Expo Seguridad México, May 7-9, will serve the important Mexican market for security goods and services. In Mexico City alone, a large population translates into plenty of buildings and facilities that need protection; security is a big concern and a large market. Concerns about information security, cybersecurity and convergence are also dominant topics. Benefitting from a revised trade agreement with the United States, Mexico offers a favourable business climate and low costs. In addition to video and other hardware products familiar at the U.S. show, Expo Seguridad also includes a large public safety/police component, a workplace, environmental and industrial safety sector, and fire products, offering a broad range of additional product categories. Developing knowledge of attendees The FISSE (Innovation and Solutions of Security) conference room will have cybersecurity and electronic security speakersOn the exhibition floor will be the VIII International Conference for the Administration of Security and Law Enforcement, which will bring together renowned specialists in the security and public safety sector. Free conference track rooms will be provided on the exhibition floor to develop knowledge of attendees in various business areas. The FISSE (Innovation and Solutions of Security) conference room will have cybersecurity and electronic security speakers. Manufacturers, distributors, integrators, and national and international end users have come together at Expo Seguridad since 2002 to interact and exchange knowledge during the three days dedicated to the security industry. Expo Securidad México provides access to more than 350 exhibitors and the opportunity to interact, connect and develop face-to-face relationships with more than 16,300 security and public safety decision-makers. This year, Daniel Linskey, former Boston police chief, will provide a welcome speech at the opening ceremony and will share his experience and thoughts about the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing. Exhibition of public safety equipment The exhibit encompasses a selection of public safety equipment and vehicles, body armour, and counter-terrorism solutionsISC Brasil, June 25-27, offers a combination of physical security and emerging information and cybersecurity elements. An Infosecurity pavilion on the show floor and related conference track sessions highlight growing concerns in the marketplace. A large meeting of Brasil’s law enforcement commanders is collocated with ISC Brasil, and the exhibit encompasses a selection of public safety equipment and vehicles, body armour, and counter-terrorism solutions. A strong VIP attendee program ensures attendance by high-level decision-makers with money to spend. The ISC Brasil Congress is an educational program for continuing professional education and technical training for corporate end users, police commanders, distributors, integrators, law enforcement officials, security consultants, IT and public safety managers. Of the expected 18,000 attendees, some 53% come from corporate end users in several vertical industries. Some 21% of attendees are commercial system integrators, with 9% central monitoring systems and 5% law enforcement and public authorities’ safety. Security for oil and gas companies Brasil’s economy has been improving steadily after a rough patch, and the ISC Brasil show has seen an uptick for the last two yearsBrasil’s economy has been improving steadily after a rough patch, and the ISC Brasil show has seen an uptick for the last two years. Brasil’s huge economy includes big industries that need lots of security – oil and gas companies, and automotive production are among the contributors to economic growth. Attendee and exhibitor satisfaction is strong for ISC Brasil, and the show is on a new growth path as the economic situation in Brasil continues to improve under a new president.  Large exhibitors at ISC Brasil include Bosch, Genetec, Hikvision, Dahua, HID Global, Honda, Yamaha, and Microsoft. Large Reed Exhibition offices in Mexico City and São Paulo manage the Latin American events and work with local partners, marketing organisations and clients. Emerging Technology Zone ISC East in New York, Nov. 20-21, continues to build momentum in 2019 after a successful 2018 show that saw double-digit growth both in exhibition space and attendance. Reed Exhibitions’ Infosecurity/ISACA North America Expo and Conference will again be collocated with ISC East, expanding information security and cybersecurity horizons for attendees. (ISACA is an international professional association focussed on IT governance.) New at ISC East in 2019 will be an Emerging Technology Zone, providing a high profile for emerging technology companies at the show New at ISC East in 2019 will be an Emerging Technology Zone comparable to the one at ISC West, providing a high profile for emerging technology companies at the show. The Unmanned Security Expo, a big success last year, will be even bigger in 2019 with more exhibits than ever. There are good signs on the horizon for greater use of drones and robotics. Protection for enterprises ISC East has traditionally focussed on the ‘tri-state’ area around New York City – New York, New Jersey and Connecticut – an area rich in end user companies, especially in financial services, retail, entertainment and the media. In New York City alone, there are almost endless numbers of big enterprises that need protection, so a localised show is a natural, and doesn’t require the large pool of potential customers to travel away from their businesses. New York also has a large and active law enforcement community, and there are many large systems integrators that operate in and around the New York area. ISC East is a growing show that serves a large, unique audience. Growth of ISC East also suggests it is becoming more of a ‘super-regional’ event, drawing good attendance from the Southeast and Midwest in addition to the tri-state area.

IP video intercom systems are becoming more popular not only in industrial environments but also in residential projects. Security business has moved towards IP technology. Video intercom, on the other hand, is a key system that should be considered as a link between the user and the security systems due to its integration capabilities. With MEET, it’s easy to integrate video surveillance systems and receive alarms at home. It can be integrated with third-party home automation systems and access control solutions. Face recognition, CCTV visualisation MEET system is a 100% IP technology based on a Point-to-Point infrastructure MEET, the most advanced IP system from FERMAX, was specially designed for residential communication. Secure, reliable and with cutting-edge functionalities, it ensures an outstanding high-quality audio & video, featuring call divert. Moreover, it is easy to install and maintain, with almost unlimited capacity. The system is a 100% IP technology based on a Point-to-Point infrastructure, highly efficient, flexible and powerful. As pointed out by Juan Madrid, Business Development Director and IP Product Manager at FERMAX, “MEET second-generation technology allows our customers to benefit from a top-notch 100% full IP system, even compatible with GPON infrastructure, and a broad range of built in security functions as proximity reader, lift control, face recognition, CCTV visualization and alarm detection”. ​Monitoring CCTV cameras The devices communicate directly, so MEET does not require central units or servers which could compromise the availability of the system in the event of an unforeseen error. MEET allows the installer to freely assign the range of IP addresses according to the needs of each project, and thus facilitate the control of the networks in every building. MEET system, has already been successfully adopted by FERMAX integrators worldwide MEET system, launched in January 2018, has already been successfully adopted by FERMAX integrators worldwide. “The market feedback has been very positive, especially due to the flexibility of the system, its capability to integrate with Wiegand controllers or readers and to monitor CCTV cameras through RTSP protocol. All these features allow the system to fulfil project requirements from different markets around the world” assures Francisco Alapont, Solutions Department Director and Digital Business at FERMAX. Home automation integration MEET is the system that brings to life the state-of-the-art digital panels which include a triple access control system: face recognition, keypad and proximity. The system’s range is made up of digital panels, one-button panels, touch screen monitors, concierge stations and various accessories. KIN panel, for instance, is an interactive approach featuring touch screen. While being elegant and customizable, it allows the visitor to interact in a simple way with its user interface. MILO panel and MEET Guard Unit are outstanding due to their design and intuitive interaction features. When it comes to the apartments, MEET offers indoor monitors with a simple and compact design. WIT PoE monitor, with its technology and exclusivity, is specially designed for home automation integration and suitable to fit in the most sophisticated environments; MIO monitor, is a symbol of urban and modern residences, represented by its compact and simple design. Single internet connection Our customers will benefit from a wide variety of intercom and security functions in all MEET products" Call Divert function to smartphone has been one of the key goals achieved thanks to MEET ME App, which features a high-resolution image even in portrait mode. It is not only an additional gadget; it is a part of the core features of MEET, which implements by default this function at zero cost. “Connectivity is the cornerstone of FERMAX´s strategy. With MEET system we can offer a seamless and enhanced experience to our installer, connecting our MEET monitors by default without any additional costs related to servers, gateways or licenses. Only one single Internet connection for the building is required.” adds Francisco Alapont. Competitiveness is key for FERMAX and MEET IP technology allows to offer a complete bundle of features already built in the product without increasing its price. “Our customers will benefit from a wide variety of intercom and security functions in all MEET products. This adds value to the MEET system and revert back to the installer as a turnkey solution in terms of easiness of installation and cost reduction” says Juan Madrid.

Your Homes Newcastle (YHN) manages more than 26,000 properties on behalf of Newcastle City Council. They are piloting an innovative fire detection system in partnership with OpenView Security Solutions, the UK’s largest privately-owned independent security company and a national supplier of fire, electrical and mechanical services to the public and private housing sector. MOBOTIX thermal imaging cameras have been installed in 3 multi-storey blocks across the city to continually monitor temperatures in the buildings’ bin chute rooms. The thermal cameras will send an alarm to OpenView’s central control centre and the fire service immediately if an unexpected heat pattern is detected. The early detection system provided by the OpenView now means that residents can be reassured of much faster response times from the fire service in the event of an incident, minimising the potential impact on occupants and their properties, so that they and their homes are far safer as a result. Risks and Challenges Ensuring safety of residents through early detection and prevention of potential fires To be able to react quickly to verify a fire situation Alerting the fire service within seconds of a potential fire so they can respond rapidly Keeping residents safe and minimising damage to property in the event of a fire The risk to lives and property caused by rapid spread of a fire in high-density apartment blocks Solution provided by MOBOTIX and OpenView MOBOTIX M16 thermal cameras installed in bin chute rooms of 3 YHN multi-storey blocks Thermal technology continuously monitors temperature, triggering an alarm if an unexpected heat pattern is detected Operators in OpenView’s central control room assess and monitor the situation Fire service instantly alerted ready for rapid response MOBOTIX cameras integrated into existing infrastructure with no disruption to residents Potential risk to lives and property minimised through early fire detection Installation of thermal imaging cameras YHN has installed thermal imaging cameras in 3 of its 45 multi-storey blocks across the cityYour Homes Newcastle (YHN) manages community and public housing on behalf of Newcastle City Council. Set up in 2004, the organisation oversees more than 26,000 properties for the council. With fire safety in tower blocks having been in the spotlight since the Grenfell Tower tragedy in 2017, YHN took the decision to pilot an innovative fire detection system. In a trial partnership with OpenView Security Solutions, the UK’s largest privately-owned independent security company and a national supplier of fire, electrical and mechanical services to the public and private housing sectors, YHN has installed thermal imaging cameras in 3 of its 45 multi-storey blocks across the city. “The tragic events at Grenfell Tower have undoubtedly put fire safety in multi-storey blocks under a microscope, but we have been trialling new measures in our multi-storey properties for some time,” says David Langhorne, YHN’s Assets and Development Director. ONVIF compliant thermal cameras OpenView Security designed and installed an early fire detection system using MOBOTIX dual M16 thermal cameras, featuring one thermal and one optical sensor. MOBOTIX thermal sensors measure minute differences in mid-wavelength infrared radiation emitted from an object or body based on its temperature, allowing them to pick up temperature differences of 0.05 of a degree within a temperature range of -40 to +550 degrees Celsius. The ONVIF compliant MOBOTIX cameras contain a powerful CPU that can deliver up to 3 video streams simultaneously The ONVIF compliant MOBOTIX cameras contain a powerful CPU that can deliver up to 3 video streams simultaneously and fulfil the H.264/ONVIF standard, making it easy to combine them with other systems to create unique solutions to real-world problems. By integrating the cameras into YHN’s existing infrastructure, which uses OpenView installed equipment, it was possible to implement the new system without any disruption to residents. Alerts central control room in case of fire Operators are able to monitor images from the thermal lens to pinpoint the exact location of hotspotsThe MOBOTIX M16 cameras were installed in bin chute rooms, where they continually monitor the temperature, sending an alert to the OpenView’s central control room instantly if an unexpected heat pattern is detected. Operators are then able to monitor images from the thermal lens to pinpoint the exact location of hotspots, such as smouldering fires, as well verify the situation via a live feed from the optical lens. An alarm is also raised with the fire service within seconds of a potential fire, making them ready to respond rapidly to a potential emergency situation. According to Andy Ward, Sales Director of OpenView Security Solutions, the innovative fire protection solution enables housing providers to ensure a safer environment for residents and minimise the incidence of false alarms: “It now forms part of our expanding portfolio of fire and life safety solutions, which is one of the fastest growing areas of our business, and consolidates our leading position in the public and private housing sectors.” Faster response times from fire service The early detection system provided by the OpenView now means that residents can be reassured of much faster response times from the fire service in the event of an incident, minimising the potential impact on occupants and their properties, ensuring that they and their homes are far safer as a result. We have wet and dry risers, central alarm systems, smoke alarm activated bin chute fire dampers and bin room sprinklers"“This trial system is one of many fire safety measures currently in place in the blocks we manage across the city. We also have wet and dry risers, central alarm systems, smoke alarm activated bin chute fire dampers and bin room sprinklers,” Langhorne explains. “We pride ourselves on being innovative, so it was an easy decision for us to test something that had not yet been adopted elsewhere,” he adds. Meeting requirements of integrator and end-users Frank Graham, MOBOTIX Regional Sales Manager UK & Benelux, said of the partnership with YHN and OpenView: “We are very happy to be working so closely with both YHN and OpenView in the development and provision of an innovative solution for such a serious issue. “MOBOTIX cameras have inbuilt intelligence to meet all the requirements of integrator and end-users alike and we look forward to a longstanding and fruitful partnership with both organisations moving forward.”

Motorola Solutions and Avigilon Corporation, a Motorola Solutions company, announced that they have been selected to help protect Georgetown County School District (‘GCSD’) in South Carolina, USA. Serving over 9,500 students throughout its 10 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, 4 high schools, career centre and adult education centre, GCSD sought to undergo a major security upgrade to increase safety, help mitigate misconduct and offer greater ease-of-use for school administrators, security officers and law enforcement officials using the security system. Deployment of Avigilon Control Center VMS To enhance safety throughout its locations, a complete Avigilon video security system was deployed, with over 1,000 cameras including the H4A Bullet with self-learning video analytics, H4 Mini Dome and H4 Fisheye cameras, all of which helped achieve a tailored security solution for each location while allowing school security operators to leverage the benefits of real-time analytics. Avigilon Control Center video management software was also deployed to provide a more efficient way to manage video from a central location. GCSD also uses Motorola Solutions XPR 3500e radios across its locations GCSD also uses Motorola Solutions XPR 3500e radios across its locations. If suspicious activity is flagged using the Avigilon solution, security operators can quickly contact each other using the Motorola Solutions radios and take immediate action to keep students and staff safe. By using the two systems together, school officials can seamlessly improve operations from the time an emergency call is placed until after an incident is resolved. Unified security solution for schools “Georgetown County School District is an excellent example of how Motorola Solutions and Avigilon provide a unified security solution for schools,” said John Kedzierski, senior vice president, Video Security Solutions at Motorola Solutions. “We are committed to continuing to develop products and technologies that can help enhance school safety and protect what matters most: students, staff and faculty.” “The ability of Avigilon and Motorola Solutions to provide an integrated solution for security, and critical communications is quite unique and extremely valuable to us,” said Alan Walters, executive director, Safety and Risk Management at GCSD. “We selected this system knowing that it is designed with every step of the response process in mind, which can make a world of difference in the moments that matter most.”

Health services and their funding have long been in the news, with social care and mental health coming in for particular attention. Both of these core areas are seeing a growing need for their services. While nationally this is a problem, there is good news in East Anglia with the opening of the 16 bedroom Samphire Ward at Chatterton House, a new acute care mental health facility in King’s Lynn, Norfolk. The build comprised of a refurbishment of two redundant wards linked to create one modern compliant 16 bed facility at a cost of £4m which is operated by North and West Norfolk Care Group, part of Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT). NSFT provides inpatient and community-based mental health services in both Norfolk and Suffolk. It is also commissioned to provide in some of its localities, learning disability services, along with other specialist services including medium and low secure services and wellbeing. Continuim access control system Many of these sites use a legacy building access control system called Continuim The new facility is one of many sites across Norfolk and Suffolk that fall under management of the trust. Managing over 4,000 staff and controlling over 1500 access controlled doors across multiple sites. Many of these sites use a legacy building access control system called Continuim which is a bolt on module to Trend BMS, where all doors on this system are required to be wired on-line. Several years ago the trust wanted a more modern contactless access control solution for their facilities in Norfolk and Suffolk. They specifically wanted a solution that offered cost savings by not having to wire all doors. SALTO access control was chosen for fitting to new and refurbishment projects, with a view to possibly retro-fitting the new solution across all the existing sites on a rolling upgrade basis as time and future budgets allow. SALTO access control solution Security and Infrastructure Manager for the Strategic Estates department at the trust, Paul Evans, says “By choosing SALTO the trust were able to specify a mix of online and offline equipment. The cost saving for offline equipment enables the trust to specify more internal offline doors to become controllable as part of the access control system, thus giving us greater flexibility and security for our facilities.” Evans continues “Given the nature of our work and that some of our service users can have really challenging behaviour issues, it is vital that for their safety and that of the staff, we are able to control access simply and easily yet securely into and around the many different areas of the ward, the administration area and indeed the rest of the rooms in the building.” Contactless smart access control Reduced-ligature hardware working with contactless smart access control was needed in the user areas A standard off-the-shelf access control solution was not suitable as reduced-ligature hardware working with contactless smart access control was needed in the user areas together with anti-barricade doors, vision panels, automatic lockdown abilities, locker locks and a host of other special items and so we wanted a company with specialist experience in this field to carry out the supply and installation.” After going out to a competitive open tending process, local security specialist and certificated SALTO partner AC Leigh, based in Norwich, won the contract to secure the new facility. One of their lead designers, Simon Clarkson, worked with Paul and his team to design and deliver the system. Central monitoring system Clarkson, Health and Safety Director at AC Leigh says “We listened to what Paul and his team needed and especially how they wanted to manage and control the building and delivered a completely focused solution that allows central administration of the facility using hardware and software from SALTO Systems as the core of the solution.” On-line wall readers are used to control access into and around the building and these have been installed on main entry points, alongside bedroom doors and in ‘airlocks’ to control access from one area to another. SALTO slave control units Paul Evans says, “The latest SALTO online CU4200 control units were used on this project where data can be shared to SALTO slave control units via a single master control unit. This reduced the load on the already exhausted IT infrastructure which has meant that more online doors can be added to the SALTO system.” Bedroom doors are all fail secure with mechanical key override and are also anti-barricade. The facility has the bespoke ability to operate a standard 8 male, 8 female bedroom configurations. However, the trust wanted the flexibility to extend either male or female bedrooms to 10 bedrooms. This was achieved by two swing corridor doors. Electro-magnetic locks In standard operation, these powered swing doors are held open with electro-magnetic locks In standard operation, these powered swing doors are held open with electro-magnetic locks. In their swing scenario a key switch can be operated which releases the hold open magnet and energises the SALTO system powering a separate electronic locking device on the door. This enables the trust to easily maintain the required gender separation within the bedroom areas. Paul Evans comments “AC Leigh were able to configure the required solution easily and train the staff in its operation accordingly.” Aelement Fusion smart locks Other doors are fitted with Aelement Fusion smart locks. AC Leigh worked closely with the trust to design and manufacture special reduced ligature handles and reader covers to ensure that ligature points were reduced in conjunction with DHF technical specification TS001:2013 enhanced requirements and test methods for anti-ligature hardware. “The consultation between AC Leigh and the trust took several months with multiple prototypes being presented to the trust for approval.”, Evans says, adding “After looking at all the various options, the trust is happy that the best solution for this type of battery operated offline door has been chosen and installed at Chatterton house.” He also confirms that the bespoke design would be used as their preferred solution on future projects for this type of door. XS4 Mini locks Meanwhile in staff areas XS4 Mini locks are fitted. In open common areas, lockers are equipped with smart XS4 locker locks enabling each service user to have a secure storage place for their individual personal items. To operate the various doors, staff use their smartcard ID badges to gain access while service users use wristbands to access their bedroom, locker and certain permissible doors. SALTO SPACE electronic locking Tying all this together is SALTO SPACE a flexible, fully integrated electronic locking and software platform Tying all this together is SALTO SPACE a flexible, fully integrated electronic locking and software platform that enables operators to effectively manage every door and user access plan on-site via powerful web-based access control management software. Audit trail information from the doors is held for 31 days before deletion in accordance with the trust data policy.  Simon Clarkson concludes “The client needed precise tailoring of access levels and the SALTO access control solution has empowered them with an intuitive, easy to use but adaptive system. The use of this standalone largely battery operated access control system will provide significant cost savings over the years to come compared with other systems, and will deliver a reduction in engineer call-outs and simplify system administration making for a long term secure and reliable access control solution for the trust.”

In the aging trend of 21th century with rapid aging population and high healthcare costs are creating a growing demand for care at home, especially for seniors with long-term health conditions. Home care is moving towards tele-health monitoring and telemedicine, including video conferencing and remote monitoring technology to help increase caregiver efficiency while still providing constant convenience to the patients. Living independently and aging gracefully are the ideals that every individual seeks to pursue, and the challenge is to ensure that all people can age with dignity and security. Climax’s GX Cubic Smart Care Medical Alarm is an all-in-one wellness, and personal safety medical alarm solution, designed to help the elderly to manage their long-term health conditions, bridging medical health monitoring information to care providers/hospitals and create points of care to keep them safe in their own homes. GX Cubic medical alarm GX Cubic can be flexibly connected with third-party Bluetooth (BLE) healthcare sensors GX Cubic can be flexibly connected with third-party Bluetooth (BLE) healthcare sensors, like blood glucose monitor, pulse oximeter, blood pressure monitor, or weight for tracking health data and providing customised alerts to meet individual needs. The measurements can be automatically sent to a health professional who can review the results and continuously keep an eye on the patient’s health needs and provide early treatment as necessary. In addition to medical health monitoring, GX Cubic is also compatible with Pivotell Advance Automatic Pill Dispenser to keep secure of all pills, and remind the user to take the correct medicine at the pre-set time. The solution allows health professionals to monitor pill taking timely results and keep an eye on the patients’ treatment as needed. For situation when remote monitoring care given is insufficient and the user requires onsite assistance, GX Cubic can raise an emergency alarm to inform the caregiver or medical personnel for immediate action. Seniors can be assured that they are always being taken care of, and provide their family members with a peace of mind. Voice recognition solution Voice recognition has innovated over time and continues to advance, allowing products to become even more intuitive and easier to use. GX Cubic has built-in voice recognition and can activate an emergency call to care provider or central monitoring center by preset vocal commands or keywords. This allows seniors to receive emergency attention even in situations where they are immobilised or cannot manually reach the panic button. Working with the leading voice ecosystems Amazon Alexa and Google Home via cloud, GX Cubic also features voice control to activate home electronic devices, complete daily tasks, and seek help during emergencies. Voice over Internet Protocol With the VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) feature, GX Cubic users can also initiate two-way voice callsWith the VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) feature, GX Cubic users can also initiate two-way voice calls to contact their caregivers or family members at any time. With the additional add-on of DECT, GX Cubic can pair with voice extenders, talking pendants, call points, and voice extenders placed strategically around the home to create a safety net. Smart Home Automation Comprehensive elderly-friendly health care should also have a focus on preventive action to maintain a healthy ageing process. To realise independent living in a smart way, GX Cubic pairs with Zigbee or Z-Wave sensors to enable the whole-home control with various protocol-of-choice. GX Cubic can be programmed to turn on the hallway lights automatically when a sensor reports a senior’s movement in the middle of the night, to reduce a chance of falling; or automatically adjusting air conditioning when there is a sudden temperature-drop. The scenarios are unlimited to fit individual requirements, ensuring a safest living experience for the senior users. GX Cubic can also integrate IP security cameras and camera PIR motion sensors to deliver real-time visual monitoring and verification. When an emergency occurs, alerts are immediately sent to family members, and Monitoring Center to verify the event and sending immediate assistance as needed. Lastly, GX Cubic can support wireless sensor devices, allowing users to add in smoke detectors, water leakage sensors, and gas sensors to monitor environmental emergencies; and motion sensors, door contacts, sensor pad transmitters for inactivity monitoring, to build a healthier, safer independent living.

New Covent Garden Market is the largest wholesale fruit, vegetable, and flower market in the United Kingdom. Redevelopment work launched in 2015 included a new security monitoring system, as well as a migration from analogue security equipment to an IP solution from FLIR Systems. New Covent Garden Market is a phenomenon in London, to say the least. The world-famous wholesale market provides 40 percent of London’s fresh fruit and vegetables eaten outside the home and serves 75 percent of London’s florists. With more than 175 affiliated businesses, New Covent Garden Market is the largest wholesale market in the UK. IP-based security system Redevelopment construction works started in 2015 and should continue until 2022 When London authorities decided to redevelop the entire site on Nine Elms and Battersea in order to meet future needs, it was clear that New Covent Garden Market was facing a huge operational challenge. Redevelopment construction works started in 2015 and should continue until 2022. In addition to a better road layout, improved waste management, and upgraded parking facilities, the market authorities wanted better security so that employees, tenants, customers and suppliers would feel safer. The organisation wanted to upgrade its legacy analogue CCTV technology to an IP-based security system capable of incorporating future upgrades. Surrey-based company Phoenix Integrated Security Limited, which had been the security solution provider for New Covent Garden Market for years, oversaw the security overhaul, as well. Future-proof system “We designed a security system together with the end customer and the site constructor so that it could meet today’s security standards again,” said Trevor Hearn, Director at Phoenix Integrated Security Limited. “We were looking for a future-proof system that was able to monitor this complex site and that was easy to work with for our security guard personnel. We looked at various manufacturers for this, but FLIR Systems was the only company that ticked all the boxes.” Phoenix opted for FLIR United VMS, which includes FLIR’s enterprise-level software solution Latitude, and a wide range of FLIR IP cameras. At the end of 2018, New Covent Garden Market already had more than 300 IP cameras installed across the entire site it intends to gradually upgrade all analogue systems over a five-year period. Wide range of cameras The image quality of the FLIR IP cameras represents a huge improvement over analogue The site combines a wide range of cameras, including the FLIR Quasar 4K fixed box camera, the FLIR Ariel Quad HD bullet camera, and the Quasar 1080p PTZ camera. The cameras offer high evidentiary detail and discreet, compact form factors. According to Hearn, the image quality of the FLIR IP cameras represents a huge improvement over analogue. Image quality is not the only benefit of using United VMS. Another valued feature is the platforms scalability. From 2016 onwards, New Covent Garden Market has been gradually replacing analogue cameras and storage equipment across the entire site, and Latitude has the flexibility to incorporate an unlimited number of channels. Body-worn cameras Operators have the flexibility to present their video sources on screen where they want and define user profiles to see only specific video sources from a given particular building, for example. “This project is an engineer’s dream,” said Hearn. “The FLIR Latitude system allows New Covent Garden Market to easily expand their camera network whenever they feel the need and to connect with practically any camera they want, including body-worn cameras. The Latitude system is also easy to couple with third-party systems, such as intercom and access control systems.”

The concept of how security systems can contribute to the broader business goals of a company is not new. It seems we have been talking about benefits of security systems beyond “just” security for more than a decade. Given the expanding role of technologies in the market, including video and access control, at what point is the term “security” too restrictive to accurately describe what our industry does? We asked the Expert Panel Roundtable for their responses to this premise: Is the description “security technology” too narrow given the broader application possibilities of today’s systems? Why?

You could say concerns about privacy are “trending” in our increasingly data-driven world. Unease about how Facebook and other high-tech companies use and share data dominates the news, and the full impact of new European Union (EU) regulations is about to be felt around the world. By May 25, companies that collect data on EU citizens will need to comply with strict new rules around protecting customer data, as enumerated in the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). But how do the new regulations, and broader concerns about privacy, affect the physical security market? We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: How do privacy issues and regulations, such as GDPR, impact physical security systems and how they are managed?

Companies in fast-moving industries tend to want half or more of their revenue to come from products released in the last three or so years. The logical extension of that philosophy is the demise of product "cash cows" that remain in a company's portfolio for many years. Where better to witness the shortening life cycles of technology products than in the smart phone market, where most of us buy into the hype of the "latest and greatest?" But does acceleration of new product introductions translate into shorter product life cycles in the field? We asked this week's Expert Panel Roundtable: What is an acceptable life cycle for a physical security system? Is there a trend toward systems being replaced more, or less, often?