City Surveillance

Quantum Corporation announces an agreement to acquire the video surveillance portfolio and assets of Pivot3, a pioneer in hyperconverged infrastructure (HCI) and a provider of intelligent software solutions for the security and surveillance markets. The acquisition brings a diverse portfolio of video surveillance appliances, network video recorders (NVRs), and management applications along with a scale-out hyperconverged software platform, which going forward will all be offered under the Quantum VS-Series product portfolio. Video surveillance market Together with Quantum’s current line of NVR servers, the StorNext™ File System, and ActiveScale™ object storage, the Pivot3 additions round out a comprehensive surveillance and security portfolio, spanning small to multi-petabyte deployments. The Pivot3 additions round out a comprehensive surveillance and security portfolio “Surveillance cameras are the biggest data generator on the planet, and Pivot3 has established themselves as one of the leaders in this space by pioneering the use of hyperconverged software for surveillance recording,” says Jamie Lerner, Chairman and CEO. “This acquisition represents another key step in Quantum’s transformation, solidifying the company as a serious player in the multi-billion-dollar video surveillance market, expanding our global customer base, sales channels, and technical expertise specific to this industry.” Video surveillance portfolio Highlights of the acquisition: Transaction purchase price totals approximately $8.9 million in cash and stock. Acquisition projected to be slightly accretive to EBITDA through remainder of Fiscal 2022. Expands video surveillance portfolio with hardware and software offerings that will be offered under the Quantum VS-Series portfolio. Builds on an established reputation for quality, world class services and support and a mature supply chain in the video surveillance market. Brings core intellectual property around distributed storage, data placement, erasure coding, and storage quality of service. Expands global customer base with over 500 new surveillance customers with some of the most demanding mission critical deployments in the world including airports, mass transit, casinos, education, and smart cities. Adds key employees to engineering, product and sales organisations with deep expertise in video surveillance solutions. Receiving excellent service Lerner added: “We are excited to welcome Pivot3’s surveillance customers and partners to Quantum. We are committed to making sure that they receive excellent service and support throughout this transition, and we have an innovative and compelling roadmap planned that builds on the proven Pivot3 product line with Quantum’s intellectual property and expertise in video. We are excited to share this roadmap and we will be reaching out in the coming days and weeks, starting this week at ISC West.” We are excited to welcome Pivot3’s surveillance customers and partners to Quantum" “We believe it’s critical to manage the video surveillance data lifecycle from initial capture through expiration, and adding Pivot3 to the Quantum portfolio expands our ability to address security projects of every size and scope,” said Curt Wittich, Vice President of Sales, Strategic Markets, at Quantum. Primary video storage “Surveillance traditionally utilises ‘one-size-fits-all’ products that address only primary video storage, but higher quality cameras and increasing retention requirements demand different solutions to support video at various lifecycle stages. These solutions range from entry-level VMS servers all the way to cloud or tape storage for multi-year, multi-petabyte retention. Quantum’s portfolio covers the entire lifecycle for optimal video placement, accessibility, and cost effectiveness.” The new employees joining Quantum will be under direction of the strategic markets business unit, led by Ross Fujii, General Manager. Sales will be led by Curt Wittich. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, and the parties expect to close by July 22, 2021. For those attending ISC West this week, stop by the Quantum booth #11093 to learn more.

Panasonic announces the i-PRO multi-AI system designed to harness the power of its latest AI cameras and applications by integrating them seamlessly into existing CCTV infrastructures. Available free-of-charge, the plug-in software allows users to easily manage the AI analytics from multiple i-PRO cameras, alongside their Video Management System. It creates a faster, more efficient and accurate AI-powered security solution without compromising on image quality or network performance. AI security applications Introduced at the joint Panasonic and Genetec LinkedIn Live online event, the i-PRO multi-AI system is already fully integrated with the latest version of Genetec Security Center (V5.10.1), as well as the in-house VMS Video Insight. Paired with the latest i-PRO S and X Series of AI-capable cameras and its free-to-use AI security applications, it creates a new AI-driven security ecosystem. The system works by using i-PRO AI-capable cameras with edge analytics, and plug-ins on the Video Management System (VMS) server and client-side. The i-PRO multi-AI system captures and filters the best shot images and metadata based on deep learning from the AI camera to enable highly accurate analysis. The powerful data can be used for AI-based detection and alarms, watch-list monitoring and also time-saving post-event searches in order to enhance the capabilities of the CCTV infrastructure. Accurate face detection AI people can detect and classify characteristics of the human face and clothing into useful categories The multi-AI system can be used with existing i-PRO in-house AI applications, which include AI-VMD and AI privacy guard, as well as the three new AI applications which are AI face, AI people and AI vehicle detection. All enable quick and easy search of footage based on metadata. These applications are perfectly suited to city surveillance and for public safety. AI face detection enables highly accurate face detection. The application is even effective in low lighting environments, places with backlight conditions and with faces obscured by masks - especially relevant in the current pandemic. AI people can detect and classify characteristics of the human face and clothing into useful categories such as gender, age and clothing colour. This detailed information can then be searched to easily identify an individual. AI capable cameras AI vehicle detection can detect and classify characteristics of vehicles, such as vehicle type and colour. In addition, sound classification picked up by external microphones, such as vehicle horns, gunshots, yelling or glass breaking has been added as a default feature into the range to lift AI beyond the purely visual. “The introduction of i-PRO multi-AI system, alongside our AI capable cameras and applications has created a powerful new AI-driven security eco-system that allows businesses to take their CCTV infrastructure to the next level,” said Gerard Figols, Head of Security Solutions at Panasonic Business Europe. “And because these systems are already compatible for use with market-leading 3rd party VMS providers like Genetec, it is cost-efficient and simple to move to the AI-fication of the security market.”

Intelligent Security Systems, a provider of intelligent VMS and native analytics globally announced an expansion of the company’s presence in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, into a larger workspace. The new office is located at Jumeirah Lake Towers, a large development consisting of 80 towers built along a scenic waterway. The ISS office in Dubai provides sales, technical support, and maintenance services, along with local development and software customisations and integration. New appointment ISS also supports customers in the region with its presence in both Qatar and Saudi Arabia. The company recently hired Raheel Ahmed Jalili as the new Technical Sales Manager for Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. Raheel manages ISS’ sales strategy, alignment of verticals, channel expansion, and technology partnerships. “Saudi Arabia is a great market within our industry, with plenty of opportunities for which our solutions are perfectly matched.  Since our establishment in the country, ISS has witnessed impressive growth, which has propelled our market share to the next level,” Jalili said. SecurMiddleEast symposium As a sponsor of the SecurMiddleEast symposium, ISS is underscoring its commitment to the Middle East market. This event in Dubai is taking place on June 17th, 2021. Qatar and Saudi events are scheduled for September. The event will focus on innovation and best practices in enterprise security. Key themes among the speakers and delegates at the symposiums will be city surveillance, critical infrastructure security, and intelligent traffic solutions — all solutions in which ISS specialises.

Bosch has introduced the new Autodome IP starlight 5100i IR moving camera with a new 1/1.8 inch sensor offering 4-megapixel resolution and 30x optical zoom. It offers HDR X combined with starlight technology and dual illumination – integrated IR and white light – to capture images that can distinguish individuals or objects for identification or proof. Complemented with built-in Artificial Intelligence (AI), the camera, when idle, supports operators with object detection in areas of interest to enhance safety in city surveillance and perimeter protection applications. Essential video analytics The Autodome IP starlight 5100i IR, designed for outdoors, includes an automatic rain-sensing wiper to maintain clear images during wet conditions, is weatherised with an IP66 rating, and is vandal resistant with IK10 housing. In order for video security to become predictive, it is important to consider the benefits of interpreting video data and how it can do more for businesses than security alone. To support this philosophy, the Autodome IP starlight 5100i IR features built-in essential video analytics. This built-in AI enables the camera to add sense and structure with metadata to captured video data, which is the basis for converting this data into actionable insights. Creating sterile zones The Autodome IP starlight 5100i IR offers HDR X combined with starlight technology Relevant insights, like the detection of moving objects, help to create sterile zones, which establishes a boundary prohibiting any activity. These sterile zones enhance perimeter protection of buildings, parking lots and restricted areas, increasing overall safety. The camera’s AI can also make it possible to retrieve the right footage from hours of stored video instantly and analyse the scene by providing different statistics so an operator can act faster and more efficiently to potential threats. One of the greatest challenges in city surveillance is capturing usable video during the daytime and in low-light and pitch dark scenarios. The Autodome IP starlight 5100i IR offers HDR X combined with starlight technology and dual illumination – integrated IR and white light – to capture usable images 24/7. Ensuring perfect exposure The new HDR X technology has a dynamic range of up to 133 dB ensuring perfect exposure while eliminating motion-related artefacts in scenes with challenging lighting conditions and moving objects during the daytime. In low-light scenes, starlight technology provides clear and relevant images with colour filtering down to 0.010 lux. The integrated IR illumination can help identify objects in monochrome up to 320 metres At night, especially in pitch dark scenes, the camera's white light provides full-colour images in complete darkness up to 60m (196 feet). The integrated IR illumination can help identify objects in monochrome up to 320 metres (1,049 feet) thanks to the built-in intelligent IR beam, which ensures optimum illumination of objects regardless of zoom level. The visible white light acts as a deterrent to intrusion, loitering, and other undesirable activities in city surveillance settings. Extensive user management All Bosch IP cameras are secure by design, a systematic approach centered on a built-in Trusted Platform Module (TPM), safely storing all certificates and keys needed for authentication and encryption. This method offers extensive user management to ensure only authorised users have access to data, supports a public key infrastructure set-up, and provides software sealing to detect changes in the cameras' configuration settings. As a company committed to security and sustainability, all Bosch cameras support remote configuration, management, and planning. System integrators can work remotely with customers to perform services such as changing configuration settings or installing firmware updates, ensuring systems meet the highest reliability standards. It minimises the number of commutes, resulting in sustainable business practices that are economically viable, socially responsible, and environmentally friendly.

In modern crowded cities, effective traffic management is critical for reducing congestion and preventing accidents. With the Hikvision Traffic Visualization Dashboard, traffic managers can view historical and real-time traffic information, helping them make the best decisions and improve outcomes for road users and residents. Traffic management challenge  Cities around the world are experiencing major traffic management challenges related to congestion, air pollution, slow journey times, and increased road accidents. With 68% of people expected to live in cities by 2050 (compared to 55% currently) and tough demands for sustainability and lower emissions, the challenges are set to increase exponentially. In an attempt to keep traffic flowing and to maximise road safety, many cities are investing in roadside infrastructure to monitor traffic conditions, including cameras and sensors at key junctions. However, with no way to convert vast quantities of traffic data into actionable insights, this kind of infrastructure can rarely support effective strategic and real-time traffic responses. Traffic Visualization Dashboard To help authorities overcome their immediate and longer-term traffic management challenges, Hikvision has created the Traffic Visualization Dashboard. This dashboard integrates data from roadside cameras and sensors, and displays it to traffic management teams, via an immersive and map-based interface. Converting traffic data into actionable insights This Hikvision solution gives traffic managers fast and easy access to the information that they need With options to overlay historical and real-time traffic data on either a 2D or 3D map, this Hikvision solution gives traffic managers fast and easy access to the information that they need. The dashboard can also be customised quickly and easily, allowing teams to focus on the traffic information that is most important to them, from vehicle counting and congestion information to traffic incidents and violations, such as drivers who break the speed limit, drive without their seat belts fastened, or run red lights. Key benefits of the Traffic Visualization Dashboard: Optimised traffic management decisions - The Hikvision Traffic Visualization Dashboard solution combines historical and real-time traffic data, to help managers understand key traffic trends, thereby enabling them to make better planning decisions. In particular, the Traffic Visualization Dashboard can support better decisions on which kinds of traffic management policies and solutions to implement, from signal optimisation to access management solutions, and congestion charging schemes. Real-time incident responses and traffic violation management By helping traffic managers to make better long-term planning decisions, the Traffic Visualization Dashboard can help to tackle traffic issues, such as traffic congestion and other negative impacts of excessive traffic. As well as helping to inform long-term traffic planning, the Hikvision solution helps teams to identify and respond to traffic incidents, and violations in near real-time. This helps to keep key corridors on the road network as clear as possible, helping to speed up journey times for road users. Actionable traffic insights ‘at a glance’ The solution provides 2D and 3D map options that model junctions and traffic corridors accurately The solution provides 2D and 3D map options that model junctions and traffic corridors accurately, and to scale. The map-based interface provides a fully immersive experience that allows traffic and incident managers to quickly spot congestion and to detect traffic incidents, and violations in different areas of the city, all in a matter of seconds. With no need to generate reports to understand real-time traffic conditions and ongoing traffic trends, managers can also make faster, better informed decisions, in order to help optimise traffic flow and public safety. Key features of the Hikvision Traffic Visualization Dashboard: Immersive 2D or 3D map-based interface for traffic insights ‘at a glance’ Simple configuration for specific use cases, including congestion management and traffic violation management

Bosch introduces the first cameras based on its Inteox open camera platform starting with the MIC inteox 7100i. The new MIC inteox cameras share the same distinctive characteristics as the rest of the MIC camera family, such as robust housing and high-quality imaging, and support predictive solutions with machine learning; neural network-based video analytics, and third-party software apps for customised applications. Connectivity with S&ST store These Inteox cameras can be classified as “Driven by OSSA.” This distinction signifies that the cameras follow the Open Security & Safety Alliance (OSSA) Technology Stack for video security devices, ensuring seamless connectivity with the Security & Safety Things (S&ST) Application Store. The cameras also allow for the easy creation of customized software apps that can be deployed on the Inteox cameras afterward. Market players can mix and match apps from the S&ST Application Store or develop software apps to create a novel solution. In addition, Bosch introduces two Inteox development kits containing either a bullet camera or mini-dome camera to complement MIC inteox cameras in pilot installations and support further app development. Supporting predictive solutions MIC inteox 7100i cameras support predictive solutions with built-in Artificial Intelligence (AI). It includes intelligent video analytics, camera trainer based on machine learning, and video analytics based on deep neural networks (DNN). MIC inteox 7100i cameras support predictive solutions with built-in Artificial Intelligence These built-in AI capabilities enable Inteox cameras to understand what they see and add sense and structure to captured video data with metadata. This process is an important first step in converting video data into actionable insights and building predictive solutions, helping users anticipate unforeseen events and prevent them from happening. For example, in city surveillance applications, the MIC inteox 7100i cameras can detect abnormalities in behaviours, provide density data, and alert traffic operators with insights they can act on to prevent unwanted situations. By adding third-party software apps to Inteox cameras, integrators can easily customise security systems, enabling them to go beyond their basic functionality. In turn, app developers can leverage the camera's metadata, neural network-based video analytics, and machine learning to introduce innovative software to the market. For traffic applications The MIC inteox 7100i object classification (OC) models are made specifically for Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) applications. Powered by the edge computation capabilities of the Inteox platform, the introductory OC models present a novelty in the field of AI. They offer a traffic detector, an additional video analytics feature based on DNN that helps distinguish and classify automobiles in congested scenes with precise detail. Possible disturbances caused by vehicle headlights or shadows are ignored, uncovering new ways to improve mobility, safety, and efficient use of roadways. The actionable insights delivered by the cameras’ Traffic Detector help detect the presence and volume of vehicles to intelligently control traffic lights to keep traffic flowing when monitoring intersections. These insights can also enhance Automatic Incident Detection (AID) solutions to improve the safety of people and vehicles in tunnels and on highways. Future OC models planned for June 2021 will expand upon these DNN-based features offering greater granularity of data when generating actionable insights for various traffic applications. Performance and storage capabilities MIC inteox cameras range from a 4K enhanced model featuring optical image stabilisation to a 1080p model in a base or enhanced version featuring Bosch’s starlight technology that can capture colour images down to a level of 0.0069 lux as standard. MIC inteox cameras feature Bosch’s starlight technology that can capture colour images down to a level of 0.0069 lux The 4K model's optically stabilised images maintain pin-sharp pictures even when the camera is subject to severe vibration, such as on bridges. With the optional illuminator, the 4K model covers a distance of 300m (984 ft.) The 1080p models feature 30x zoom and a frame rate of 60 frames per second. When light levels drop to zero, the optional illuminator ensures the greatest level of detail over a distance of up to 550m (1,804 ft.). Enhanced versions for both 4K and 1080p models also include an in-window defroster to improve visibility and onboard storage capabilities. Combined with robust housing, the cameras provide the high-quality details required by applications such as city surveillance, traffic monitoring, and perimeter security. Rugged design Like all MIC cameras, the MIC inteox 7100i features rugged housing with superior metallurgy and finish to protect against corrosion, including salt-water, to meet marine requirements. Engineered to endure nearly everything from high winds, rain, fog, and dust, MIC cameras can withstand 100% humidity, temperatures from -40°C to +65°C (-40°F to +149°F), extreme vibrations, and high impacts (IK10). What’s more, a new drive train enables them to track slow-moving targets as smoothly as possible. The cameras are guaranteed never to lose their homing position, returning to a preset position over their entire lifetime, even when exposed to extreme vibration or brute force. Inteox development kits Early adopters can take advantage of Bosch Inteox development kits to complement the MIC inteox 7100i cameras in pilot installations. The kits contain either a Bosch fixed bullet (Dinion) or mini-dome (Flexidome) outdoor camera that will run on the S&ST operating system. Both kits support the testing and development of an overall system solution based on apps already available through the application store and self-developed apps.

The UK government recently announced a doubling of the Safer Streets Fund to £45 million, as it seeks to reassure the public that safety is a top priority, as the night-time economy makes a return. More than just surveillance While this funding increase is much needed, it’s vital that the government and local councils use the money strategically, or risk missing out on a great opportunity to deliver real change and enhance safety across the United Kingdom. One of the main strategies cited by the government is to increase the current vast number of CCTV cameras installed across the country, despite the fact that the UK is already one of the most surveilled nations in the world. Investing in video analytics London alone has around 700,000 cameras, but to effectively monitor them all would be an incredibly inefficient use of manpower and require a huge number of staff. Therefore, I believe the clearest and most cost-effective way for this project to succeed in its overall mission, is by investing in smarter technology, such as video analytics. Incorporating video analytics into existing infrastructure is the clear solution This technology offers a more efficient use of resources, faster response times and enables more informed, time-critical decision making, when reacting to unfolding events in real time. Incorporating video analytics into existing infrastructure is the clear solution, as the technology enables legacy assets, such as analogue CCTV cameras, to become more than just after the fact evidence gathering tools and instead be used to help enhance real-time responses to unfolding incidents. Artificial intelligence-enabled solutions Artificial intelligence-enabled solutions are trained using vast datasets of images and video footage, in order to better understand people, objects and vehicles that are captured on film, and they continue ‘learning’ and improving, while in use. The system’s algorithms analyse and prioritise input from video data to decide which inputs are of value, automatically classifying the footage and notifying security personnel accordingly. This reduces response times by notifying CCTV operators of an incident, as it happens, meaning law enforcement and security personnel can react faster and intervene in an ongoing situation. Edge technology and real-time video streaming A key consideration should be choosing a technology that can operate at the edge and deliver real-time video streaming, even at the lowest bandwidths, so it isn’t limited to use in areas with good connectivity, which would exclude most remote areas. Quality really does matter and technology that can operate over low bandwidths is crucial for allowing operators to zoom in on areas of interest, such as a car number plate or face, and retrieve full-resolution images that can make a real difference in ongoing investigations. Analytics-based security approach Introducing an analytics-based security approach would also help curtail the rising cost of tackling crime Introducing an analytics-based security approach would also help curtail the rising cost of tackling crime. Research conducted by the UK’s Labour Party recently found that the annual cost of crime reached a staggering £100 billion. While statistics show that crime rates in general have been fairly stable over recent years, experts point to the increase in specific types of violent crime, such as knife crime which rose by over 20% during 2020. Implementing smart analytics-based technology Implementing smart analytics-based technology would help maintain staffing costs, as the system can identify incidents without an operator’s input, as well as reducing the cost of managing crime, as more incidents will be intervened in before they escalate too far. This dramatically reduces the burden on staff and allows a single surveillance operator to monitor many more cameras. On the other hand, this level of automation also reduces false alarm fatigue and operator overload, which can quickly sap efficiencies and reduce operator alertness, if left unchecked. Data driven problem-solving approach to crime prevention Procurement officials should avoid the common mistake of simply doubling down and throwing more staff and security assets at the problem to bring results. Instead, they should take a more data driven problem-solving approach to crime prevention by leveraging technologies that can enhance response and preserve their existing investments in cameras. The smart use of real-time video analytics could make the difference by preventing dangerous situations from escalating into serious incidents.

Urban populations are expanding rapidly around the globe, with an expected growth of 1.56 billion by 2040. As the number of people living and working in cities continues to grow, the ability to keep everyone safe is an increasing challenge. However, technology companies are developing products and solutions with these futuristic cities in mind, as the reality is closer than you may think. Solutions that can help to watch over public places and share data insights with city workers and officials are increasingly enabling smart cities to improve the experience and safety of the people who reside there. Rising scope of 5G, AI, IoT and the Cloud The main foundations that underpin smart cities are 5G, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and the Internet of Things (IoT) and the Cloud. Each is equally important, and together, these technologies enable city officials to gather and analyse more detailed insights than ever before. For public safety in particular, having IoT and cloud systems in place will be one of the biggest factors to improving the quality of life for citizens. Smart cities have come a long way in the last few decades, but to truly make a smart city safe, real-time situational awareness and cross-agency collaboration are key areas which must be developed as a priority. Innovative surveillance cameras with integrated IoT Public places need to be safe, whether that is an open park, shopping centre, or the main roads through towns Public places need to be safe, whether that is an open park, shopping centre, or the main roads through towns. From dangerous drivers to terrorist attacks, petty crime on the streets to high profile bank robberies, innovative surveillance cameras with integrated IoT and cloud technologies can go some way to helping respond quickly to, and in some cases even prevent, the most serious incidents. Many existing safety systems in cities rely on aging and in some places legacy technology, such as video surveillance cameras. Many of these also use on-premises systems rather than utilising the benefits of the cloud. Smart programming to deliver greater insights These issues, though not creating a major problem today, do make it more challenging for governments and councils to update their security. Changing every camera in a city is a huge undertaking, but in turn, doing so would enable all cameras to be connected to the cloud, and provide more detailed information which can be analysed by smart programming to deliver greater insights. The physical technologies that are currently present in most urban areas lack the intelligent connectivity, interoperability and integration interfaces that smart cities need. Adopting digital technologies isn’t a luxury, but a necessity. Smart surveillance systems It enables teams to gather data from multiple sources throughout the city in real-time, and be alerted to incidents as soon as they occur. Increased connectivity and collaboration ensures that all teams that need to be aware of a situation are informed instantly. For example, a smart surveillance system can identify when a road accident has occurred. It can not only alert the nearest ambulance to attend the scene, but also the local police force to dispatch officers. An advanced system that can implement road diversions could also close roads around the incident immediately and divert traffic to other routes, keeping everyone moving and avoiding a build-up of vehicles. This is just one example: without digital systems, analysing patterns of vehicle movements to address congestion issues could be compromised, as would the ability to build real-time crime maps and deploy data analytics which make predictive policing and more effective crowd management possible. Cloud-based technologies Cloud-based technologies provide the interoperability, scalability and automation Cloud-based technologies provide the interoperability, scalability and automation that is needed to overcome the limitations of traditional security systems. Using these, smart cities can develop a fully open systems architecture that delivers interoperation with both local and other remote open systems. The intelligence of cloud systems can not only continue to allow for greater insights as technology develops over time, but it can do so with minimal additional infrastructure investment. Smart surveillance in the real world Mexico City has a population of almost 9 million people, but if you include the whole metropolitan area, this number rises sharply to over 21 million in total, making it one of the largest cities on the planet. Seven years ago, the city first introduced its Safe City initiative, and ever since has been developing newer and smarter ways to keep its citizens safe. In particular, its cloud-based security initiative is making a huge impact. Over the past three years, Mexico City has installed 58,000 new video surveillance cameras throughout the city, in public spaces and on transport, all of which are connected to the City’s C5 (Command, Control, Computers, Communications and Citizen Contact) facility. Smart Cities operations The solution enables officers as well as the general public to upload videos via a mobile app to share information quickly, fixed, body-worn and vehicle cameras can also be integrated to provide exceptional insight into the city’s operations. The cloud-based platform can easily be upgraded to include the latest technology innovations such as licence plate reading, behavioural analysis software, video analytics and facial recognition software, which will all continue to bring down crime rates and boost response times to incidents. The right cloud approach Making the shift to cloud-based systems enables smart cities to eliminate dependence on fibre-optic connectivity and take advantage of a variety of Internet and wireless connectivity options that can significantly reduce application and communication infrastructure costs. Smart cities need to be effective in years to come, not just in the present day, or else officials have missed one of the key aspects of a truly smart city. System designers must build technology foundations now that can be easily adapted in the future to support new infrastructure as it becomes available. Open system architecture An open system architecture will also be vital for smart cities to enhance their operations For example, this could include opting for a true cloud application that can support cloud-managed local devices and automate their management. An open system architecture will also be vital for smart cities to enhance their operations and deliver additional value-add services to citizens as greater capabilities become possible in the years to come. The advances today in cloud and IoT technologies are rapid, and city officials and authorities have more options now to develop their smart cities than ever before and crucially, to use these innovations to improve public safety. New safety features Though implementing these cloud-based systems now requires investment, as new safety features are designed, there will be lower costs and challenges associated with introducing these because the basic infrastructure will already exist. Whether that’s gunshot detection or enabling the sharing of video infrastructure and data across multiple agencies in real time, smart video surveillance on cloud-based systems can bring a wealth of the new opportunities.

Smart cities, airports, stadiums, hospitals and other organisations are now liaising with government bodies and law enforcement to propel a new dawn of collaborative security and communication. The influx of new technology coupled with the ever-changing political and social landscapes has meant security is having to evolve. Artificial Intelligence is now allowing law enforcement, security personnel and organisations to a transformational method of fighting crime, maintaining public security and significantly finding persons of interest. AI-powered surveillance cameras Utilising surveillance cameras with implemented AI has revolutionised finding missing persons. Facial recognition and IREX.ai’s “Searchveillance” have equipped both the public and private sector with the tools to collaboratively work together in finding persons of interest. The influx of new technology coupled with the ever-changing political and social landscapes has meant security is having to evolve Finding missing persons has been an underfunded and challenging issue across society, with many countries having no funding at all after the initial police investigation. Through artificial intelligence, surveillance cameras will never sleep on finding missing people by setting up alerts for once a missing person appears under surveillance. How it’s happening Technology like IREX.ai has delivered an AI collaborative security solution which is implemented into surveillance cameras enabling them to become “smart cameras”. Both public and private sector have not been able to collaborate through utilising their existing cameras, which are now powered by AI-backed smart video technology. With surveillance systems now veering toward becoming cloud based, this now allows an unlimited number of cameras for an organisation or city to connect to. The AI platform is helping bringing about a collaborative network to help monitor crowded public areas in real time, something that would have taken a lot of manpower, time and cost to produce. Quicker response through “searchveillance” This has now become a crucial element in the fight against COVID-19. The ability to track and trace has been very effective but this particular AI module may only just be getting started in the fight to find persons of interest. When an individual goes missing or is abducted, every second is crucial along with information gathered. Unfortunately, this brings in human-error, when a person believes they may have seen the person of interest, it can lead law enforcement and authorities critically, in the wrong direction. AI-powered Facial Recognition helps eliminate human-error through 99.5% accuracy success, leading authorities to definitive sightings and factual information through the help of AI. “Searchveillance” enables authorities to liaise with the public and private sector organisations who have implemented the AI into their surveillance to run a single search with the person of interest’s photo. Instantaneously the user receives immediate results of, if and when this person last appeared under surveillance. Long-term missing persons It’s common knowledge that after 72 hours, statistically speaking the chance of finding the individual quickly diminish, but that doesn’t mean people stop searching. This week alone, September 2020, US Marshalls found and rescued 25 missing children in Ohio, many of whom had been missing for years. AI-powered facial recognition helps eliminate human-error through 99.5% accuracy success Implementing AI into surveillance cameras is becoming more frequently adopted around the world, enabling alerts in surveillance cameras and notifying appropriate law enforcement when a missing person appears under surveillance are all extraordinary tools. The alert system from the persons photo in the software. Facial recognition allows law enforcement to receive real-time footage of the missing person and their location. It is of great assistance for law enforcement to simply receive a notification and a real time feed of individual they are looking for. Security is becoming a more collaborative effort In light of recent events throughout the world, with protests surrounding police brutality, rioting, violence and deaths, security is evolving and it has to. Enabling technologies and building security collaboration and communication platforms is assisting in the fight to find missing people. It’s not just smart cities and smart airports who are providing a fishing net for find persons of interest, it’s also stadiums. The Superbowl and other major sporting events generate some of the biggest human slavery and trafficking busts of the year. Stadiums are now harnessing the responsibility to help counteract this and set up these alerts, utilise the AI in their cameras and collaborate with authorities, thus playing their part in finding persons of interest. IREX.ai has helped deliver the AI and the platform for collaborative security and communication, as technology grows and becomes more in our lives than we care for it to be, you often forget of the results it can provide, such as reuniting a family.

Facial recognition continues to be a political football and a target of privacy activists in the United States. For example, San Diego has suspended its use of facial recognition scanners by law enforcement after a campaign by civil rights groups. The San Diego Tactical Identification System (TACIDS) programme included a database of facial recognition scans shared by 30 local, state and federal agencies. A California law, passed in the fall, puts a three-year moratorium on law enforcement use of face recognition technology. A proposal in Congress would prohibit use of biometric recognition technology in most public and assisted housing units funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), thus protecting the more than two million public housing residents nationwide from being “over-surveilled.” The “No Biometric Barriers to Housing Act” is supported by the NAACP, the National Housing Law Project, National Low-Income Housing Coalition, National Action Network, Color of Change, and the Project on Government Oversight. The problems of Facial Recognition "Studies that show that facial recognition systems may misidentify many individuals including women and people of colour" A letter from seven members of Congress to HUD Secretary Ben Carson questioned the use of facial recognition in federally assisted housing because it “could be used to enable invasive, unnecessary and harmful government surveillance of…residents.” The letter cites studies that show that facial recognition systems may misidentify many individuals including women and people of colour, thus “exacerbating vulnerabilities that marginalized groups already face in life.” In June, Somerville, Mass., became the second U.S. city to ban the use of facial recognition technology in public spaces. The first was San Francisco. A coalition of organisations and trade associations has issued a letter to Congress outlining concerns with “blanket prohibitions” or moratoriums on facial recognition technology and listing beneficial uses for public safety, national security and fighting fraud. The Security Industry Association (SIA) is part of the coalition, the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation. A letter from seven members of Congress to HUD Secretary Ben Carson questioned the use of facial recognition in federally assisted housing Facial recognition technology has benefited Americans in many ways, such as helping to thwart identity thieves" The letter says: “While polls consistently show that Americans trust law enforcement to use facial recognition technology responsibly, some groups have called for lawmakers to enact bans on [the] technology. While we agree that it is important to have effective oversight and accountability of these tools to uphold and protect civil liberties, we disagree that a ban is the best option.” Development and guidance  As alternatives to outright bans, the letter proposes expanded testing and performance standards, develop of best practices and guidance for law enforcement, and additional training for different uses of the technology. “Facial recognition technology has benefited Americans in many ways, such as helping to fight human trafficking, thwart identity thieves and improve passenger facilitation at airports and enhance aviation security,” says Don Erickson, CEO of SIA. “SIA believes this advanced technology should be used in a safe, accurate and effective way, and look forward to working with Congress to help the U.S. set the example on how to ethically and responsibly govern this technology.” SIA has produced a document called “Face Facts: Dispelling Common Myths Associated with Facial Recognition Technology.”

In addition to providing the Northeast’s largest security trade show, ISC East will include free conference sessions and keynote speeches right on the show floor and several paid workshops. The Nov. 20-21 event at New York’s Javits Center will also include vendor solution sessions from Axis Communications, Hikvision and NAPCO. Wide variety of paid workshops An advantage of the International Security Conference & Exposition in New York is that much of the programming is complimentary to registered attendees, and location of the sessions on the show floor means attendees don’t have to leave the exhibition to take in a session. The paid workshops include technology sessions about cyber terminology for physical security integratorsThe paid workshops include an Active Shooter Workshop and technology sessions about cyber terminology for physical security integrators; and basic installation and configuration of video surveillance solutions. An OSDP (Open Supervised Device Protocol) Boot Camp Short Course will also be offered. As a smaller show, the topics of ISC East conference sessions are broader and of more general interest, rather than organised into focused “tracks” as at ISC West. Attendance at sessions can provide continuing education (CE) credits with organisations that partner with ISC East – one credit for each hour-long session. Attendees can use their Certificate of Attendance from any session to self-report their education hours to relevant industry bodies: ALOA (AEU education credits), ASIS (CPE continuing professional education credits) and NICET (CPD Continuing Professional Development points). An advantage of the International Security Conference & Exposition in New York is that much of the programming is complimentary to registered attendees Keynote sessions at the Main Stage The Main Stage will be the venue for keynote sessions delivered by Deanne Criswell, Commissioner, New York City Emergency Management (on Day 1 – Nov. 20); and Angela Stubblefield, Chief of Staff at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) (on Day 2 – Nov. 21). The two SIA Education@ISC East educational theaters on the show floor will be booked up both days with a variety of interesting topics. A new session covers penetration testing for physical security, presented by Michael Glasser of Glasser Security Group. A session on LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensors will be presented by Frank Bertini, UAV and Robotics Business Manager, Velodyne LiDAR. Another popular topic is Safe Cities, and FLIR will present a session on moving from secured to smart cities with intelligent, connected systems. New addition is Active Shooter Workshop  The Active Shooter Workshop is a new addition to the ISC East programme. It has been a popular session at ISC West for three years now. At ISC East, presenters of the workshop will be David LaRose, System Director Public Health, Lee Health; and Ben Scaglione, Director of Healthcare and Security Programming, Lowers and Associates. At the end of the workshop, an additional hour of programming will be the “Stop the Bleed/Save a Life” session presented by Jerry Wilkins, Co-Owner of Active Risk Survival. The Main Stage will be the venue for keynote sessions delivered by Deanne Criswell, Commissioner, New York City Emergency Management, and Angela Stubblefield, Chief of Staff at the Federal Aviation Administration Woman in Security event A Women in Security Forum breakfast event will be held on Nov. 21 (Thursday). It’s the second annual event and this year will focus on diversity and inclusiveness in the workplace of the future. Valerie Anderson, President of Boon Edam, will lead a discussion on “Diversity 2.0: Next Steps for Creating an Empowered Workforce”Moderator Valerie Anderson, President of Boon Edam, will lead a discussion on “Diversity 2.0: Next Steps for Creating an Empowered Workforce”. Panelists are Lisa Terry of Allied Universal, Andrew Lanning of Integrated Security Technologies, Elaine Palome of Axis Communications and Dawne Hanks of Milestone. The Women in Security event is likely to attract up to 100 attendees. SIA’s Women in Security is an active organisation, with monthly meetings and a newsletter that recognises prominent women in the security industry. “It’s really a group for both men and women,” says Mary Beth Shaughnessy, Event Director, ISC Events at Reed Exhibitions. “There are many programmes, recruiting efforts, and professional and networking opportunities. They are a robust group of people who are active in making a difference. It’s important to support women in the security industry, which is 95% male, and to develop a new generation of women to be a part of the industry’s future.” The keynote addresses at ISC East will also highlight two high-profile women.

For the security market, the ‘fine ranging’ capabilities of ultra-wideband (UWB) technology opens up a range of new uses based on the ability to determine the relative position and distance of two UWB-equipped devices with pinpoint accuracy – within centimetres. UWB is more accurate and secure, even in challenging environments full of interference, compared to narrow band wireless technologies. UWB technology transmits a large amount of data over short distances using a small amount of energy. It will be used in seamless access control, location-based services, and device-to-device services across industries including smart homes, cities, retail services, and healthcare. Increasing the accuracy of ranging measurements UWB technology will support any application that benefits from knowing the precise location of a connected deviceUltra-wideband is a mature radio technology that transmits information spread over a large bandwidth, as described by the IEEE 802.154 standard. A new, enhanced amendment to the standard – IEEE 802.15.4z – focusses on improvements to existing modulations to increase the integrity and accuracy of ranging measurements. Moving forward, UWB technology will support any application that benefits from knowing the precise location or presence of a connected device or object. This reflects a move from data communication to secure sensing. New capabilities of UWB are largely unfamiliar to the market, but a new Consortium – the FiRa Consortium – has a mission to educate the market, provide use cases, and promote UWB technology. Delivering interoperability across devices “With a consortium, we can better deliver interoperability across devices, software, and chipsets,” says Ramesh Songukrishnasamy, Director and Treasurer of the FiRa Consortium, and SVP & CTO of HID Global. “This creates a frictionless experience for the user, which is vitally important with a new technology. People are more likely to adopt emerging technology when it runs smoothly without interruptions or errors.” The FiRa consortium is ensuring new use cases for fine ranging capabilities can thrive" An industry consortium can create a UWB ecosystem of interoperable technologies instead of individual companies launching products that consumers struggle to make work together, says Songukrishnasamy. “Simply, the FiRa consortium is ensuring new use cases for fine ranging capabilities can thrive.” Founding members of the FiRa consortium ASSA ABLOY and HID Global, pioneers in secure access and identity solutions, are founding members of the consortium. Their technology manages access to physical and digital places, things, and identities. Another founding consortium member, NXP Semiconductors, is a pioneer in secure connectivity solutions for embedded applications. Other founding members are Samsung, which creates top-of-the-line TVs, smartphones, wearables, and other connected devices; and the Bosch Group, a global supplier of technology and services that is at the forefront of IoT innovations. Sony Imaging Products & Solutions Inc., LitePoint and the Telecommunications Technology Association (TTA) are the first companies to join the newly formed organisation. Immune to radio frequency interference UWB is also immune to radio frequency interference, so it functions in high traffic settingsUWB introduces higher levels of accuracy in positioning capabilities and increased security for ranging data exchange compared to existing technologies. Fine ranging with UWB technology can localise devices and objects to 10 centimetres of accuracy with or without line of sight. UWB is also immune to radio frequency interference, so it functions in high traffic settings. These capabilities will enable a variety of use cases like secure, hands-free access control in hospitals, location-based services for ride sharing, and targeted marketing for retailers. FiRa will demonstrate UWB technology at upcoming trade shows. The FiRa Consortium aims to build on IEEE’s work with an interoperable high rate physical layer (HRP) standard, including defining an application layer that discovers UWB devices and services and configures them in an interoperable manner. The consortium also plans to develop service-specific protocols for multiple verticals and define necessary parameters for applications including physical access control, location-based services and device-to-device services. Promoting the adoption of UWB solutions     As a consortium, FiRa is not just setting standards but actively championing use cases for UWB technology. Creating the consortium addresses the need to develop interoperability and implementation standards; brings key players together to create a rich UWB ecosystem; allows for the sharing of intellectual property; and promotes the adoption of UWB solutions. The FiRa Consortium is committed to educating and promoting new use cases" “Since UWB is a mature technology with new potential uses, there is a general lack of awareness of potential applications that take advantage of the technology,” says Songukrishnasamy. “The FiRa Consortium is committed to educating and promoting new use cases.” The FiRa name comes from Fine Ranging to highlight UWB technology’s use cases and distinction from older UWB technologies and solutions. Enhanced security in challenging environments Fine ranging powered by UWB can outperform other technologies in terms of accuracy, power consumption, robustness in wireless connectivity, and security, especially in challenging, high density environments. UWB previously served as a technology for high data rate communication and as such was in direct competition with Wi-Fi. Since then, UWB has undergone several transformations: UWB has evolved from an OFDM-based data communication to an impulse radio technology specified in IEEE 802.15.4a (2ns pulses with Time of Flight); and A security extension being specified in IEEE 802.15.4z (at PHY/MAC level) makes it a unique secure fine ranging technology. Moving from data communication to secure ranging allows ‘spatial context capability’ to be utilised by a variety of applications: seamless access control, location-based services, and device-to-device (peer-to-peer) services. Information is available at firaconsortium.org.

The Prague city administration together with the Criminal Investigation Department relies on security technology from Germany-based Dallmeier in Prague's Wenceslas Square, one of the largest city squares in Europe with an area of 45,000 square metres, and the Old Town Square. Wenceslas Square and Old Town Square in Prague are both steeped in history, and now as ever before remaining important hubs for tourism and traffic. To ensure the safety of the streams of people and vehicles in these places, when it comes to security equipment the Prague city administration relies on a combination of conventional cameras and a solution from the Regensburg company Dallmeier. From horse market to commercial thoroughfare Wenceslas Square in Prague was created in the 14th century and originally served as a horse market, as was reflected in its name. It was renamed "Wenceslas Square" in 1848 in tribute to Saint Wenceslas of Bohemia. Since the 19th century, the function of the square has evolved from that of a place for trading horses to a busy commercial district. The function of the square has evolved from that of a place for trading horses to a busy commercial district It is used by pedestrians, cyclists, motor vehicles, and local public transport alike, and so constitutes a major confluence point in Prague's New City. The city administration attaches great importance to ensuring that all these traffic elements can coexist in harmony, and to have a general overview of what is happening, the administration together with the police criminal investigation department rely on the sharp "eyes" of the Panomera®. Tourist magnet Old Town Square Panomera® also provides security in the 9000 square metre Prague Old Town Square. The Old Town Square is the historic heart of the city and attracts thousands of tourists every year with its atmosphere, sights, and markets. Its history dates to the 11th century, and it has always been a crossroads for commerce and a marketplace.  It is a magnet for tourists and its borders abound with restaurants, museums, galleries, and shops. The astronomical clock on the tower of the Old Town Hall is one of the most well-known sights in Europe. Advantages of Panomera® technology for monitoring The solution for both Wenceslas Square and Old Town Square consists of Panomera® models from the Topline series. The Panomera® multifocal sensor system can provide coverage for vast expanses and areas. Infrastructure costs are also lower since a single Panomera® captures a much larger area and fewer installation points The advantage: The combination of general overview with the highest possible resolution of details is very important, particularly for large squares, and with this camera technology more remote objects can also be displayed with the same resolution as objects in the image foreground. Several operators can zoom into the same image at the same time. Even then, the overall scene always remains in view and the recording continues. Where previously several megapixel cameras would have been needed, the users' workload has been reduced significantly, because fewer images must be captured. Infrastructure costs are also lower since a single Panomera® captures a much larger area and fewer installation points are needed. For customers, this means savings not only in terms of infrastructure but also regarding operation and management, so total operating costs are reduced. Planning that delivers  In the project planning phase, the Dallmeier 3D specialist team consisting of engineers and graphic designers created a three-dimensional simulation of the customer's environment. In the 3D model, the team simulated the real camera models and locations/installation sites, and thus also angles of vision and ranges. The completed 3D model was presented to the customer jointly with integration partner KH Servis in Prague and comprised the entire solution including the cameras and other essential components. The city administration and police authorities were delighted by this manner of project visualisation because this approach also allowed an accurate calculation of costs to be made, giving the customer certainty regarding the cost and scope of the project. "What we plan is what you get" 3D planning also guarantees that there are no surprises either on the technical or financial level 3D planning also guarantees that there are no surprises either on the technical or financial level during or after the installation. Dallmeier calls this approach "What we plan is what you get". Besides the technical advantages delivered by Panomera®, the customers were also impressed by the planning certainty they were given by the 3D visualisation, and, at the end of 2017, Dallmeier won the order to put the project into practice. Test run at the Dallmeier FAT Centre Before it was installed, the planned solution underwent a Dallmeier Factory Acceptance Test at the FAT Centre in Regensburg. All components were assembled there, and the final environment was tested in live operation. While testing was proceeding in the FAT Centre, KH Servis was also attending training in Regensburg so they would be ready for the on-site installation and so they could see the system operating flawlessly for themselves. Observation and intervention With the installation of the multifocal sensor systems, the desire for increased security and more effective intervention capabilities was realised. The cameras are used to observe situations and when necessary, enable rapid countermeasures or also a rapid investigation of incidents. In the event of criminal offences, the video material can be stored separately as evidence. Special challenge: Protection of historic monuments Permission had to be obtained from the building owners before the cameras could be mounted Both squares are bordered by buildings with historic monument status, the Panomera® cameras could not always be mounted where single sensor cameras had hung previously, enabling the "old" installation points to be used. Permission had to be obtained from the building owners before the cameras could be mounted, but this was managed successfully for all the new installation points. Conclusion The conclusion by KH Servis, Dallmeier's integration partner in Prague, "We worked together with extreme professionalism, the city administration and police authorities were ultimately convinced, not only by the quality of the systems and the image material but also the impressive planning phase and planning certainty it gave them."

Honeywell announces it was selected to lead the Bengaluru Safe City project under the Nirbhaya Fund by the Government of India’s Ministry of Home Affairs. The project aims to create a safe, secure and empowering environment for women and girls in public places to enable them to pursue all opportunities without the threat of gender-based violence or harassment. The Bengaluru Safe City project is valued at INR 496.57 crore ($67 million USD). Advanced video analytics Honeywell will create an integrated Command & Control Center to manage a state-of-the-art video system that features more than 7,000 video cameras deployed at more than 3,000 locations across the city. The video system will provide advanced video analytics, including facial recognition, a ‘Dial 100’ application, and drones. Honeywell will also upgrade the city police department’s existing Suraksha app to help improve incident response rate and citizen engagement. Bengaluru is among eight cities selected for India’s Safe City project, which involves the identification of hot spots for crimes against women and the deployment of various components, including infrastructure, technology adoption, and capacity building in the community through awareness programs. Making informed decisions Honeywell helps develop future-ready cities with its wide portfolio of smart city offerings" “Globally, Honeywell helps develop future-ready cities with its wide portfolio of smart city offerings, including a focus on connected safety and security technology,” said Matthew Britt, Smart Cities General Manager, Honeywell Building Technologies. “Our technology-led integrator approach combined with our global expertise in delivering complex integrated solutions can help city administrators make informed decisions and improve safety for citizens in near real-time, with the goal of turning Bengaluru into a city that’s safer, smarter and more resilient.” The Bengaluru Safe City project will be implemented in phases. Honeywell will operate and maintain the security infrastructure for five years. Smart city systems Honeywell’s smart city systems connect more than 100,000 IoT sensors and touch the lives of more than 100 million people. The company’s solutions help create actionable insights that city authorities and municipalities can use to improve their situational awareness, economic development and quality of life for residents. Honeywell has delivered similar projects under India’s Smart Cities Mission across multiple states, including Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat, to name a few.

Revader Security has supplied a fleet of over 20 re-deployable CCTV cameras to West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), to provide visibility of multiple major construction projects being undertaken, in anticipation of the 2022 Commonwealth Games. 2022 Commonwealth Games The Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) capital construction programme comprises several major Commonwealth Games critical projects, within the Perry Barr area, including the A34 highways scheme, Perry Barr Rail Station & Bus Interchange, Alexander Stadium, A34 Sprint and A34 public realm works. The sheer scale of simultaneous construction activities within a constrained geography and along one of the busiest radial corridors into Birmingham City Centre, presents acute transport challenges. The redistribution of traffic flows is expected to cause significant potential disruption to the regional transport network, which requires intensive CCTV monitoring and rapid incident response. Re-deployable CCTV cameras Revader’s re-deployable CCTV cameras are rugged outdoor surveillance solutions Revader’s re-deployable CCTV cameras are rugged outdoor surveillance solutions, which combine camera, recording, storage and wireless video transmission in a single unit. They can be installed in virtually any location within minutes and repositioned to subsequent locations, to suit changing surveillance requirements. The units can operate from a variety of power sources, including mains and battery. Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) are able to relocate their cameras from site to site according to construction schedules, traffic volumes and the variable levels of disruption caused to surrounding infrastructure. The camera units are primarily attached to street lighting columns adjacent to major traffic routes. Data and video storage Data and video feeds are fed back to TfWM’s Regional Transport Coordination Centre in Birmingham, where these can also be shared with regional Urban Traffic Control centres and third parties, such as the Police. It was, therefore, important from the outset that the new cameras interface with existing network infrastructure and control room systems. Revader Security worked in partnership with CDC Technical Services (TfWM’s appointed consultant for the project) and Total Integrated Solutions (the authority’s incumbent maintenance provider) to ensure that the cameras integrated seamlessly with existing CCTV systems. Deploying high performing 4G cameras Revader’s re-deployable products are both reliable and high performing" Carl Chippendale, Owner and Managing Director of CDC Technical Services said, “Given the large geographical area involved, the solution to use 4G cameras was an obvious one. Revader’s re-deployable products are both reliable and high performing, making them the perfect match for a complex project. The level of support provided was exemplary and I would not hesitate to recommend them.” Eamonn Murphy, Key Account Manager at Total Integrated Solutions said, “Revader supplied us with a large fleet of re-deployable cameras, which were delivered on time and have proven highly effective. They also worked closely with us on this complex project to help configure our video networks and ensure that all our client’s priorities had been satisfied. I would recommend them highly.” Working with partners Revader Security continues to work alongside their partners, in order to support West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) and a variety of other clients, in the public and private sectors.

Aman Aviation plans to drive the adoption of RFID-based tool control best practices in the Indian civil aviation sector, in partnership with Dolphin RFID and Xerafy. An increasing number of aviation companies are implementing RFID for MRO Tool Control, as a way of improving safety by automating Foreign Object Debris (FOD) detection and supporting Maintenance Repair and Operations (MRO) processes. RFID-based automated tool control system Aman Aviation's automated tool control system uses RFID to save time compared to paper-based record keeping and manual tool searches. RFID will also improve record accuracy and make tool status information available in real-time which will reduce the time airplanes spend on the ground, augment the number of trips they make, make air travel in India more cost-effective and profitable, and maintain high levels of safety. RFID tags Xerafy RFID tool tracking applications were selected for aviation and its RFID tags suited to temperature extremes MRO is one of the most extreme environments for RFID tags because it demands reliable performance for as long as the tagged tool, part or other asset is in service. RFID can provide the essential link between the physical items and the information needed to keep them running safely and efficiently. Xerafy was selected for its strong experience in RFID tool tracking applications for aviation and its high-performance RFID tags uniquely suited to temperature extremes, oil, dirt, hydraulic fluid, cleaning solvents, and other challenging materials and conditions common to aerospace operations. The Xerafy XS tags, in particular, were selected by Dolphin RFID for the tool control application because of their small form factor and excellent read range as well as reading reliability when used on and near metal objects. Asset management Rajendra Johri, CMD Aman Aviation, and Aerospace Solutions said, “The new civil aviation policy has relieved the MROs from paying a royalty to airports they operate in. This will translate into a possible saving of about 20% of operating cost, which can be used to implement technologies such as RFID to enable cost-effective, safer, and on-schedule air travel for Indian customers.” “By leveraging RFID technology through this collaboration, we can help airlines to better manage assets, inventory, and customer’s baggage and also maintain the highest level of safety and security without using excess manpower. This will help make air travel affordable, enhance the connectivity of India’s tier-2 and tier-3 cities, and create more business hubs across India.”

As part of a wider regeneration of Plymouth, Teats Hill, known as the ‘unforgotten corner’ recently underwent a much-needed transformation. The residents’ call for change instigated Plymouth City Council, partnering with several local organisations including Plymouth and Exeter Universities, Blue Health, and the National Marine Aquarium. Together, they selected five sites across the city to benefit, to improve the quality of life for the local community. Current building regulations In Teats Hill, an existing play area was restored. It now boasts brand new equipment to reflect its marine location and heritage. An amphitheatre was also constructed to host educational activities, public events, and performances. Alongside the development, Teats Hill flats, built in the late 1930s, were renovated by Mi-space Construction. The flats offer unrivalled sea views and are situated in a prized location near the National Marine Aquarium. The demarcation wall surrounding the flats was over this height and therefore needed securing Despite this, the building had been neglected for many years and consequently had fallen into disrepair. The flats were also not compliant with current building regulations, as it is a legal requirement for any wall over 600mm high to have a handrail of at least 1100mm high, to protect people from falling. The demarcation wall surrounding the flats was over this height and therefore needed securing with adequate fencing. Polyester powder coating Jackson Fencing’s Sentry® Residential railings were specified for the project. These were installed on top of the wall by Chiffi Group Ltd, Constructionline Gold Member fence contractors. The tubular construction and welded stopped pale-through-rail design meant these railings provided a strong but lightweight safety fencing solution. The building’s original features needed to be carefully considered and preserved during the renovation. This made these metal railings the ideal solution, designed specifically to offer a more fitting, modern alternative to traditional wrought iron railings, while providing the same elegant appearance. The railings are hot-dipped galvanised inside and out, to ensure long-lasting protection against rust and corrosion. Finally, a black polyester powder coating was added to provide a durable and attractive solution that would match the renewed aesthetic of the building. Robust fencing option The Sentry residential railings are manufactured carefully to ensure long-lasting protection" Crucially, the pale spacing of the railings conforms to building regulations, which state that a 100mm sphere should not be able to pass between pales, to prevent a trap hazard, which is particularly essential in areas where children are present. Peter Jackson, Jacksons Fencing Managing Director, comments: “As the UK and its urban centres continue to grow, making residents feel safe and secure in their local area is essential. It’s encouraging to see this community was supported by government at the local level, as councils work to improve the lives of their communities.” “We were pleased to be a part of this regeneration project, providing a robust fencing option that was also in keeping with the desired aesthetic. As with all our steel products, the Sentry residential railings are manufactured carefully to ensure long-lasting protection so they withstand the test of time. Moreover, we know from experience that these manufacturing techniques will also help to significantly reduce the long-term costs for repairs and replacements, leaving maintenance budgets for the local area available for other necessities.”

A subway system serving Southeast Asia needed to modernise from its aging analog CCTV system to new IP. The subway system includes over 150 stations connected by 135 miles of rail; facilitating over 5 million commuter trips on an average weekday. The passengers have come to expect a high level of quality and reliability as the transit system is one of the most reliable in the world; consistently achieving a 99.9% on-time rate. However, it was becoming increasingly complex and difficult to manage passenger security and safety within a transportation network of this incredible size, especially while relying on outdated surveillance technology. The existing analog CCTV surveillance equipment was approaching end-of-life and the organisation wanted to modernise security in their rapid transit subway stations. The organisation decided to modernise to an IP security system, which would provide enhanced capabilities and higher resolution security footage. Infrastructure barriers One of the company’s core strategies is to continuously upgrade its services to meet the needs of its customers. However, the organisation was facing several infrastructure barriers as they planned their upgrade to IP security. Traditional LAN design philosophies would involve ripping and replacing the existing Coax-based infrastructure to support the new IP cameras, leading to concerns of high project costs, long deployment times, and a harsh environmental impact. The organisation was unsatisfied with this approach and required an innovative solution. Change the conversation; improve the outcome The organisation leveraged its existing Coax-based infrastructure using the CLEER24 long-reach PoE solution Due to the organisation's needs, the distributor was confident in recommending Modern LAN design philosophies and the NVT Phybridge CLEER24 PoE solution. Developed by Frost & Sullivan, Modern LAN principles provide new best practices for connecting IP endpoints as organisations expand their network to incorporate IoT devices. Principle #1 suggests designing the LAN using the “outside-in” approach by first identifying the endpoint characteristics to determine the best-supporting infrastructure. Another principle is to consider new Power over Ethernet innovations to support IoT initiatives and simplify LAN design/requirements. By applying these principles, the organisation determined that they could leverage their existing and proven Coax-based infrastructure using the CLEER24 long-reach PoE solution. CLEER24 switch The customer was excited about the new solution but wanted to test the capabilities in their environment. NVT Phybridge assisted the customer in organising a no-obligation proof of concept. After a few simple setup steps, the CLEER24 switch transformed the existing Coax-based infrastructure into a robust and reliable IP backbone for the new surveillance system. The customer was also pleased with the ability to connect IP devices up to 6,000ft (1,830m) away from the application using existing infrastructure – with zero IDF closets required along the way. Environmental responsibility Protecting the natural environment is an important core value of the organisation, as they aim to become one of the most resource-efficient and ecologically sustainable railway companies in the world. The organisation has implemented LEED green building standards and continuously strives to reduce energy and resource consumption in all railway operations. Aligned with their existing sustainability programs, Modern LAN design helped the organisation: Reuse their existing physical infrastructure; which prevented over 10 US tons (20,000 pounds) of Coax cable from ending up in a landfill Avoid extensive construction and renovation work; reducing material and energy consumption Eliminate the need to install additional IDF closets thanks to the CLEER24’s long reach capabilities; reducing ongoing energy consumption Reduce the deployment time by 9 months; ensuring minimal disruption to passengers Using an innovative analytical tool to measure environmental impact, the subway system received the highest rating, 5 stars, for their environmentally responsible modernisation to IP. A better return on investment The customer took a proactive approach to support their IP modernisation objectives in a responsible manner The customer took a proactive approach to find new and better ways to support their IP modernisation objectives in a financially and socially responsible manner. By applying Modern LAN principles and leveraging innovative switch technology, the organisation was able to: Reduce infrastructure costs by more than $500,000 Deploy over 500 new IP cameras with no disruption to passengers Prevent over 10 US tons (20,000 pounds) of cabling e-waste from entering a landfill Reduce the overall deployment time by 9 months Simplify deployment and ongoing network management Build a cyber-secure and robust IP platform for their new security solution

The new year is several weeks old, so it is safe to say that many of our New Year resolutions have fallen by the wayside. Despite the limited success of our personal resolutions, the new year is a great time to take stock, look ahead, and plan to make 2020 the best year yet. Thinking about our industry as a whole, we asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What should be the security industry’s “New Year’s resolution?” 

2019 was a big year for the Expert Panel Roundtable. The range of topics expanded, and we had more participation from more contributors than ever before. In closing out the year of contemplative discussions, we came across some final observations to share. They can serve both as a postscript for 2019 and a teaser for a whole new year of industry conversations in our Expert Panel Roundtable in 2020.  

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