College security

IPVideo Corporation, globally renowned manufacturer of audio/video recording, passive weapons detection systems and IOT sensor technology, was selected as a 2019 Campus Safety Best BEST Award winner in two categories- Emergency Communication Safety and Security Applications and Inspection and Detection Equipment for their HALO IOT Smart Sensor. HALO IOT Smart Sensor HALOs have been installed in school bathrooms and locker rooms across the country in K-12 institutions The HALO IOT Smart Sensor has taken off this year in response to the nationwide youth vaping epidemic. It is the only product to detect vaping with Nicotine or Marijuana (THC oil). HALOs have been installed in school bathrooms and locker rooms across the country in K-12 institutions and is moving into college dormitories. In addition to vape and smoke detection, HALO has several safety features including abnormal sound detection, chemical detection and air quality monitoring. Campus Safety Magazine and Campus Safety Conference recognised the HALO IOT Smart Sensor as an outstanding campus security product in two categories: Emergency Communication Systems and Inspection and Detection Equipment. The award was presented at the Campus Safety Conference East, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Campus Safety “We are very proud of this award and the recognition of the Campus Safety judging panel for recognising the game changing nature of HALO” states David Antar, President of IP Video Corporation who received the award. He adds, “HALO is the missing piece for campus environments as it provides security for bathrooms, locker rooms, patient rooms and dorm rooms where you cannot put a camera. For areas that have camera visibility, the real time integrated alerts provide campus security with the other missing senses of smell and hearing in those environments.” Security and safety solutions The 2019 Campus Safety BEST Awards recognise superlative security, law enforcement, emergency management and safety solutions for K-12 campuses, institutions of higher education and healthcare organisations. All entries were judged on all aspects involved such as innovation, functionality, competitive advantages, benefits to the installer or monitoring provider, and benefits to the end user. "Campus Safety Magazine takes pride in focusing on content that helps protection professionals in the healthcare and education markets keep their students, teachers, patients, visitors, and campuses safe and secure," says Robin Hattersley Gray, executive editor of Campus Safety. IoT sensing tecnology This has been a tremendous year for the HALO product and all of its award recognition" “This has been a tremendous year for the HALO product and all of its award recognition as an industry transforming product.” IPVideo Corporation Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Rick Cadiz stated about HALO. “However, the real win for us is the customer feedback we are hearing; including putting an end to youth vaping inside schools and aiding security teams in preventing dangerous events from escalating.” HALO IOT Smart Sensor has the unique ability to provide instant IoT sensing to event-based triggers and provide security in campus privacy concern areas where traditional security cameras and solutions are not practical. Event driven analytics HALO uses multiple sensors together in a single intelligent platform to learn, analyse and create event alerts. We follow the adage that in the world of safety ‘time equals life’. HALO uses real-time event driven analytics to respond while an event is happening, greatly reducing damage to property and loss of life.   HALO has advanced audio analytics to detect sound abnormalities like glass breaking, yelling and gunshots. The air quality sensors measure things like carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, chemicals such as ammonia and oxidisers as well as gas leaks. HALO’s light detection sensors are utilised for room occupancy. These are coupled with built in temperature and humidity sensors. Integration with POE lighting The additional integration with POE lighting provides unique safety measures like providing emergency directional lighting for the hearing impaired. HALO goes to a whole new level as a campus security solution by providing advanced warning related to health issues including air quality, vape or smoke detection.

Code Blue Corporation once again will be returning as a sponsor for National Campus Safety Awareness Month (NCSAM) in September. During NCSAM, Clery Center will partner with colleges, universities and other organisations to provide professional development opportunities that address the background of certain campus safety areas and strategies for talking about those areas with campus community members. Raising college campus awareness “For more than 30 years, student safety has been at the core of Code Blue’s mission and it remains a top priority today,” Code Blue Director of Distribution Katie Petre said. “We are proud to continue our support of Clery Center and the vital work it does to raise awareness on college campuses around the nation.” In 2018, more than 500 individuals from 409 colleges participated in NCSAM’s free webinar series NCSAM was unanimously approved by Congress in 2008 to encourage a public conversation on important topics in violence prevention at the nation’s colleges and universities. In 2018, more than 500 individuals from 409 colleges participated in NCSAM’s free webinar series, with access to additional tools and resources. Campus safety through education Clery Center is a national non-profit organisation focused on promoting college and university campus safety through education, awareness, policy, and prevention initiatives. “This year’s theme of ‘Bridging the Gap’ focuses on connecting theory to practice in areas campuses often find confusing or challenging,” said Laura Egan, Clery Center Senior Director of Programs. “Through providing subject matter experts across the field in our webinars and hands-on resources like our flowcharts and tools, Clery Center highlights the questions that need answers and provides applicable ways to put the answers into practice.”

It seems like every day there is another school or public shooting incident in the US. It dominates the news and has become a point of stress and fear for many Americans. According to the US Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Investigation, in 2018 alone, there were 27 incidents across 16 states resulting in 213 casualties. There is a great deal the security industry can do to prevent such violent incidents and preserve life. Protection layers In general, protection should be built in layers focusing on the outer perimeter, the building perimeter (entry points) and interior spaces. Electronic access control can provide preventive measures to reduce access in these layers Electronic access control can provide preventive measures to reduce access in these layers. In fact, the National Training School’s Electronic Access Control 14-hour online course has been recently updated with active shooter preparedness in mind. Building security In commercial buildings, this entails having different levels of access throughout the building to prevent individuals from going where they shouldn’t. All visitors should be directed to a single monitored entry point, preferably an area that restricts access to the rest of the building. Security access can be restricted to certain times of day to prevent employee access to the building when they should not be there. Temporary badging should provide limited and timed access that automatically disables when no longer needed. Implementing electronic access control When implementing electronic access control or any security system, installers need to work with the owner and authorities to develop policies and procedures for building lockdowns and evacuations. They can then work to create secure paths of exit. Even in public access buildings, many of the same requirements could be applied and buildings could use alarms to engage added security in the event of a shooter. Life safety systems When designing systems, installers will need to work with the local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) to ensure that they do not create additional life safety concerns, especially as it relates to fire. Imagine having the ability to limit a shooter’s access to other parts of a building and restrict how they move When creating secure exit paths, installers will likely need to provide egress access to all doors to allow emergency exit. Also, most AHJs will require a Knox Box, or something similar, to provide keyed access for emergency responders. When designing access control systems to be secure, always remember code states, ‘No Special Knowledge Required.’ - NFPA 101, 7.2.1.5.3 [‘18] -IBC 1010.1.9 [‘18] Limiting shooter access Imagine having the ability to limit a shooter’s access to other parts of a building and restrict how they move. This could give individuals what could be lifesaving extra moments. As an industry, we should keep these ideas in mind as we tackle security scenarios for job proposals and design. ESA’s National Training School has updated its online Electronic Access Control course — a 14-hour course, followed by a two-hour examination, providing broad training and information to successfully design and install electronic access control systems.

Continental Access, a division of Napco Security Technologies Inc., is pleased to announce its uniVerse Series Single-Door Controllers, featuring “EZ-learn networking”, are now available in a surface-mount version, model CICP2100S. CICP2100S uniVerse Controller Ideal for cinder block walls and other hard-to-wire surfaces, often found in the construction of schools, healthcare facilities & other institutions, and used in a CA4K enterprise access control software environment, the CICP2100S Power over Ethernet Controller, with locking metal enclosure, supports two ID readers and/or one low current strike via Power over Ethernet (PoE). uniVerse Series also includes 2 Form C Relay outputs, for door and aux Up to 14 uniVerse controllers can be networked together or intermixed with Continental’s conventional, 2-16 door SuperTwo or Accelaterm Controllers, and/or integrated with Trilogy Networx Wireless PIN/Prox Access Control Locks. Compact but value-packed, uniVerse Series supports 200K cards, features a Superfast 54MHz RISC Processor, 4MB on-board memory, a 1000 transaction buffer (expandable to 10,000), 256 time schedules, 30,000 access groups and 5 x100 holidays. Seamless integration and cost-efficient The cost-saving uniVerse Series also includes 2 Form C Relay outputs, for door and aux. (MOV-protected) and supports AES-encrypted, IT-friendly POE or RS485, to downstream 10 controllers on 1 network drop. Mounted on the secured side of the door, CICP2100S’s 22-gauge CRS steel locking enclosure (9.18W x 5.4H x 2.1D”) includes 5 diagnostic ethernet LEDs, plus a power indicator, viewable from the closed cabinet. Like all its products, uniVerse controllers, in surface mount or original double-gang box model (CICP1200), are backed by Continental’s 3-year factory warranty.

Access control manufacturer Inner Range will be rewarding lucky visitors to its stand with a drone every day of IFSEC International (June 18-20). Delegates who watch a demonstration of an Inner Range product will be invited to enter their details into the manufacturer’s flagship product, Integriti, and the system will randomly select a winner at the end of each day. Winners will receive a Holy Stone Mercury 3 racing drone, which can travel at 45km an hour and transmit HD video and aerial photos in real time. The camera, which has a 120-degree wide-angle lens, is easy to install or remove, and the drone is designed to reduce wind resistance for more stable filming conditions. Integration of Inception with XProtect VMS The integration allows the Inception controller to become the security and access mechanism supporting the Milestone systemInner Range has two demonstrations linked to IFSEC’s official ‘Show Me How’ series of presentations and trials. The first showcases how Inner Range’s Entry-level access control system, Inception, can now integrate with the Milestone XProtect video management system. The integration allows the Inception controller to become the security and access mechanism supporting the Milestone system. Inner Range’s Enterprise-level intelligent integrated access control system, Integriti, will also feature in the ‘Show Me How’ series. Delegates can see how ‘user qualifications’ can boost health and safety procedures, or ease car park credit renewals by alerting users when qualifications or credits are about to expire. Chance to win a racing drone Tim Northwood, General Manager at Inner Range said: “We love showing what our products can do and will happily demonstrate any aspect of our systems that people are curious about. To add an element of fun, anyone who has had a demonstration can enter our prize draw to win a racing drone. IFSEC is full of technology enthusiasts and drones are the latest gadget, whether people use them for serious business purposes or fly them just for fun. We hope delegates will like them, either way.” The Inner Range stand will include eight large screens to demonstrate the manufacturer’s access control systems The Inner Range stand (Stand IF1030) will include eight large screens to demonstrate the manufacturer’s award-winning access control systems and software in action at IFSEC International on June 18-20 at ExCel London. Inner Range has been a pioneer in the design and manufacture of intelligent security solutions since it was established in 1988. More than 150,000 Inner Range systems have been installed in over 30 countries. Customers include hospitals and high-security units, colleges, distribution centres and pharmaceutical companies, government and critical national infrastructure.

Workplaces, schools, hotels, sporting events, entertainment venues and other large –and sometimes not so large – facilities have become headlines in the news for all the wrong reasons: violent attacks. The Safer Solution is an effective training method that addresses public/workplace violence and active shooter incidents – by both alleviating a situation before it ever occurs, and by preparing civilians with appropriate response skills in the case of a crisis developing. The Safer Solution The Safer Solution was developed by Ken Good, Ted Westmoreland, and Michael Clarke The Safer Solution was developed by Ken Good, a Navy SEAL; Ted Westmoreland, an Army Special Forces Medic; and Michael Clarke, an Executive Protection Specialist – who, with their combined training, experiences and unique skillsets, have created a new method to teach individuals and organisations how to sense and assess an environment in order to act on red flags before it’s too late. In the event a crisis does occur, the training gives individuals proper skills to have a greater chance of survival as well as the ability to assist others. The Safer Solution provides training so that employees can: Increase situational awareness to allay an incident Identify and communicate threat concerns Protect themselves and others during an active-shooter situation Mitigate imminent and immediate attacks Perform lifesaving first responder actions Prevail overactive shooting situations through well-coordinated evacuation, barricade and engagement drills Training for crisis situations “It’s tragic and unfortunate, but the facts are that random acts of violence and active shooter incidents are increasing; ignoring these facts is no longer an option” said Michael Clarke, CEO of Archangel and one of the three partners in The Safer Solution. “We don’t believe that just telling people to ‘run, hide, and fight’ is effective training; individuals and organisations need a plan. The Safer Solution empowers people so they can prevent, protect, and prevail against aggressive attacks. Our training provides them with the tools and skills needed to make their work environments and public places safer.” The Safer Solution goes beyond the traditional ‘run, hide, fight’ direction" “The Safer Solution is our strategic partner in helping us design, implement, and maintain our workplace violence and active shooter program. With their guidance we have formulated strong company policy, in-depth training and coaching, and our threat response plan. The Safer Solution goes beyond the traditional ‘run, hide, fight’ direction. Their comprehensive in-person and online training has aided Randstad in developing and maintaining a comprehensive safety and security program to deal with the real threat of workplace violence.” - Corey Berghoefer, Senior Vice President – Risk Management & Insurance, Randstad US. Online active shooter training course “After having completed the online active shooter training from The Safer Solution, I am confident that this is the training our organisation needs to help our staff prepare itself in case an active shooter situation was to arise. The training was interactive, kept me engaged and more importantly increased my knowledge of what to do if I were to ever find myself in that unfortunate circumstance. One of the key elements of the training is what to do after, the information is key, and may save a life.” - Rudy Amador, Director Safety, Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc. The Safer Solution is offered through on-site presentations where the team will come to a location and provide “hands on” instruction, demonstrations and drills. An effective, online e-learning version of the training, complete with videos and self-assessment drills, is also recommended for larger organisations with multiple locations.

Colleges and universities have been targeted in the last several weeks with a series of bomb threats received via campus printers and fax machines. Targeted institutions included Vanderbilt University, the University of Southern California, the University of Virginia and the University of Detroit Mercy, among others. Businesses were also among the targets. Around 100 organisations in all received print-outs, faxes or emails demanding that a $25,000 ransom be paid to a Brazilian citizen to avoid detonation of explosives allegedly planted on the sites. The police determined that the “form letter” threats were part of a hoax and not credible. The situation highlights the need to proactively secure access to printers in today’s networked world. SourceSecurity.com asked Ashish Malpani, Director, Embedded Solutions Product Marketing at HID Global, for insights from a technology perspective. SourceSecurity.com: What are the best practices for securing access to a printer? How widely employed are such practices (i.e., how vulnerable are most printers today?) Ashish Malpani: Most network printers in university environments are secured using several best practices. They include: Set a strong administrator password. Modern MFPs (multi-function printers) have a web interface for configuration and control. By default no password is set so it is important to set a strong admin password. Restrict network access to campus. Ensure that only campus IP addresses are able to access the printer. Disable unnecessary services. Disable services like FTP, Telnet, other network (and discovery) protocols, etc. Implement firmware updates. Securely dispose of MFPs. A recent scan at University of Nebraska at Lincoln found that, in spite of all security practices, 12 percent of printers still have open port and password issues. SourceSecurity.com: How can systems be set up to accommodate students who need access to printers from off campus (or outside the firewall)? Malpani: In the university environment, the need for off-campus print access is prevalent. One of the ways to enable this capability is to force students to connect to the university network using a virtual private network (VPN). However, this is inconvenient and doesn’t usually support printing on demand or printing from handheld devices and cloud storage. An effective way to address this issue is to deploy a secure printing solution, where the users are required to authenticate themselves before the print job is released to the printer from a centralised pool. The benefits of this approach are increased convenience and ability to print at any printer on the campus. However, most printer manufacturers support entering a PIN for authentication, and it is not necessarily secure or convenient when you want faster access. However, new innovations in secure printing have made the printers more identity-aware and rely on everyday devices such as mobile phones and wearables for authentication, resulting in secure and convenient access. SourceSecurity.com: Whose responsibility is the security of a printer? Should manufacturers be doing more to prevent unauthorised access to printers? What is the customer's role? Malpani: IT security staff is responsible for the security of the printer. Something as simple as a printer is expected to work right away after deployment. Manufacturers can do more to enforce security policies on the printer or provide modes that enforce stricter control by default. As a customer, it is critical to have print data security as part of security policy, to review the manufacturer’s recommendations for securely configuring a printer, and to find solutions that not only enhance the security but also provide convenience to end users. A compromised printer can be used to attack other applications, execute arbitrary malicious code or attack other systems SourceSecurity.com: What are some other ramifications of unsecured printers, beyond the printing of threatening materials as we have seen recently on college and university campuses? Malpani: Today’s MFPs are more than just printers. They are file servers, they can email, act as DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) servers, and have the capacity to hold large data sets. Unsecured printers risk misuse and data disclosure. In January of this year, a team of researchers from Ruhr-Universität Bochum in Germany exposed vulnerabilities of major MFPs, such as exploiting the PostScript and Printer Job Language (PJL) vulnerabilities to get access to the data on the printer’s files system and memory. SourceSecurity.com: How does the problem of unsecured printers relate to wider issues of network security (given that most printers are now networked)? What is the risk that printers might be vulnerable as an entry point to the larger network? Malpani: In addition, a compromised printer can be used to attack other applications, execute arbitrary malicious code or attack other systems (e.g., to launch a denial of service attack on the network). SourceSecurity.com: How does the risk of unsecured printers impact the business world or other markets (in addition to college campuses)? How are the security measures different in various environments? Malpani: The security challenges are the same in business environments but, other than the financial industry, most other businesses do not pay close attention to threat vectors emerging out of print data security. IT security departments are also concerned about network security, and the facilities worry about building security, paying little attention to the security of business systems like printers, elevators, HVAC systems etc. Businesses are increasingly turning to managed print service (MPS) providers to ensure compliance, data security as well as management of accessories like print cartridges. SourceSecurity.com: What's your best advice for customers in terms of what they should do to secure their printers? Malpani: First of all, know your customer, understand their needs and what capabilities they desire from the printing systems today. The next generation of students value convenience over privacy and security. So the IT departments across universities need to think about how to meet the needs of their customer while ensuring best practices for security and compliance. It is critical to develop a comprehensive security policy, a regular audit schedule, to secure printers according to manufacturer’s recommendation, and to invest in solutions like secure print that not only provide convenience but also enhance security. Identity-aware systems definitely handle the challenges more effectively than traditional practices going forward. So it is important that the solutions we invest in also take into account the future trends in authentication and printing. {##Poll35 - How strong are your company’s defenses against cyber threats?##}

The PASS guidelines don’t just point to specific technologies; they address security issues and help guide school administrators to make their schools safer and more secure From K-12 to college campuses, schools need integrated solutions and proactive measures to lessen the potential of active shooters while targeting general loss prevention and security. The good news is that technology is available to address nearly every threat and challenge, and systems integrators and others have upped their game, providing comprehensive, proactive consultations to the education market. According to the Institute of Education Sciences and National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), schools continue to use technology increasingly to address security and safety challenges. Overall, there has been an ongoing increase in the use of technology in schools. For example, the NCES cites the percentage of schools that used one or more security cameras to monitor the school in 2013–14 (75 percent) was higher than it was in 2009–10 (61 percent) with other technologies on the upswing as well. PASS takes holistic security approach Security industry organisations, such as the National Systems Contractors Association, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and the Security Industry Association, Silver Spring, Maryland, are working to establish realistic and effective guidelines for school security. The Partner Alliance for Safer Schools (PASS), powered by NSCA and SIA, released its K-12 security guidelines in April 2015 at ISC West in Las Vegas in an effort to make technology easier to implement and help schools become safer. The PASS guidelines Define threats common to schools at each educational level Offer recommendations on parental and community involvement Detail a layered security approach that combats common threats and mitigates risks related to active shooters Provide information for integrators, school administrators, resource officers, and IT staff on technology-focused solutions like video surveillance, duress alarms, and electronic access control Deliver scalable/tiered measures that administrators can implement based on available resources and local risk levels Advance Technology, Scarborough, Maine, as well as other systems integration firms, manufacturers and consultants, is a PASS-endorsing organisation, according to Rob Simopoulos, President, working with the organisation and others to promote unified efforts. PASS recently updated the initial guidelines to include a new position statement on classroom barricade devices. "It's critical for us to be involved in programs such as PASS," says Simopoulos. "Working together as a united front in the industry, we can help schools become proactive and help them become better prepared." "The guidelines and assessment tools from PASS are not designed to simply point schools towards specific technology. They are designed to take a broader brushstroke to challenges and issues and help guide school administrators through the steps they can take in making their schools safer and more secure,” he adds. Programme gaining traction with schools According to Chuck Wilson, NSCA Executive Director and a Steering Committee Director for PASS, the response to the programme has been extremely positive, and it continues to gain traction. “We see this as a great educational tool, a resource, a way to start a technology roadmap, and a way for schools to build an attainable budget. We have been inundated with requests to download the PASS School Security guidelines, and they are beginning to be used in the field.” The next step is the creation and dissemination of a PASS assessment tool and tool kits that piggyback with the guidelines. “With the PASS assessment tool, integrators can work with school officials to find out what technology they have in place, what can be enhanced or modified to meet the guidelines,and what they can budget for. The PASS tool kits will be custom-designed for the specific audience; for example, for school administrators it might provide information on how to write a grant or respond to a school referendum bond targeting security,” Wilson says. The PASS Steering Committee will meet at ISC West 2016 to address those items.

As the security industry continues to grow, recruiting must have more sophisticatedscreening and hiring processes, and a commitment to hiring quality personnel The physical security industry today is driving focus on finding the right talent. Deborah O’Mara, SourceSecurity.com's dealer/integrator correspondent, in an exclusive Q&A with Brent O’Bryan, Vice President of Training and Development for AlliedBarton Security Services, discuss the challenges that security companies face while recruiting top talent and practices the physical security industry should adopt to attract qualified security officers. Offering security training and education to hire top talent SourceSecurity.com: How important is it for the security industry to attract top talent today? What are some of the ways in which they should do this? O’Bryan: People want to join growth-oriented job sectors that offer continual training and advancement. The physical security industry and the systems integrator community can attract talent by demonstrating the path to leadership and the training and educational opportunities they offer. Physical security officer companies offer on-the-job training that is site-specific and customised for each client. The curriculum consists of numerous training modules covering various topics important to clients, the employee and the security industry in general. Ambitious employees can take advantage of a wide variety of courses and training, both online and in the classroom setting, from industry-specific curriculum to personal and professional development. The physical security sector demands that the security officers’ and managers’ qualifications merit the position. Today’s security officer requires a balance of formal education and industry-specific training to be competitive and effective in their position. Learning continues throughout the career of a security professional. Course work ranges from demanding advanced Master Security Officer courses, e-learning, scenario-based learning and executive leadership modules, classroom instruction and on-the-job training. Security officers receive significant and ongoing training. Training can include fire safety, terrorism awareness, emergency planning, and evacuation procedures. In addition, officers participate in industry-specific training geared to the market they serve whether it is a petrochemical installation, government facility, shopping mall, hospital, commercial building, residential complex, industrial facility or college. Security companies offer on-the-job training for their officers that is site-specificand customised for each clients’ needs Combining security technology and management experience SourceSecurity.com: What are some of the new and emerging disciplines that are needed, such as IT expertise, integrated systems expertise? O’Bryan: The physical security sector has benefited from advances in technology. Integrated technology solutions enable more complete and easily searchable databases for visitor logs, real-time incident reports and recordable security officer tours. Security officers monitor state-of-the-art security software and hardware, quickly identifying unusual activity enabling immediate responses. Digital devices and integrated video surveillance allow security officers on patrol to effectively monitor the entire facility. Additionally, security isn’t the only area of expertise needed in the security industry. The behind-the-scenes support and infrastructure that allow for seamless security programs require professionals in a variety of fields from IT to accounting, legal, HR and more. That, coupled with the business and management experience needed by security managers, positions this industry as a robust opportunity for job seekers looking for meaningful careers. Career advancement in the security industry SourceSecurity.com: What are some of the unique challenges to both the systems integration and end-user communities in attracting talent as the economy improves? O’Bryan: The physical security sector needs the current generation of high school and college graduates and returning military veterans to take a fresh look at this market as it presents meaningful career opportunities. As the security sector continues to evolve, we need to actively promote our growth and advancements so that professionals see value in a security career. SourceSecurity.com: What's important in particular with physical security providers to ensure they keep top talent, such as training, certification, other perks? O’Bryan: While many people don’t look at the physical security sector as a “glamour” field, the reality is that it is an industry that offers significant opportunity for education, growth and promotion. As the industry continues to grow, there is greater need for sophisticated recruiting, screening and hiring processes, as well as a strict commitment to hiring quality personnel who are a right fit for the position. The physical security sector actively promotes from within by encouraging continual training and education. Security officers must be trained and proficient in numerous security technologiesand systems integration to effectively monitor their facilities Employee engagement, recognition initiatives and formal employee feedback programs are all also critically important to retaining top talent. A strong learning culture is also essential. It is important that we, as an industry, invest in our people. At AlliedBarton, for example, in addition to the extensive training courses available to all employees, we also encourage continued learning through higher education and have partnered with several colleges and universities to offer tuition reduction programs to employees. Nurturing a leadership culture to prevent workplace violence SourceSecurity.com: Since workplace violence and active shooters are increasingly in the news, how can individual security companies be prepared in this area and perhaps also help their end-user customers in these areas? O’Bryan: Numerous studies over the years have proven the link between leadership and physical safety – especially at job sites where there is a higher risk of accidents, such as at industrial facilities. What has been less examined is the relationship between solid leadership and workplace violence prevention. Bill Whitmore, Chairman and CEO of AlliedBarton wrote “Potential Workplace Violence Prevention and Your Organisational Success,” which addresses this in great detail. We believe that strong and steady leadership is at the heart of workplace violence prevention. Any company that fails to embrace a leadership culture, with a definitive mandate on what defines leadership for each and every employee, will be more prone to an incident of workplace violence. In terms of helping our clients in their workplace violence prevention planning, every organisation should have a workplace violence prevention plan in place to help avoid a tragic event. Workplace violence happens every day and businesses that are prepared are better positioned to help prevent, respond and recover. We work with leaders at all levels to develop a plan that works best for their organisation since there is no one-size-fits-all approach.

According to the reports of not-for-profit organisation Gun Violence Archive, the year 2018 saw 323 mass shooting incidents as of November. This number is 346 for the year 2017 and 382 for 2016, with ‘mass shooting’ defined as cases where four or more people are shot or killed in the same time period and location. A variety of gunfire detection solutions and other technology approaches seek to address the problem. ShotSpotter SiteSecure and ShotSpotter SecureCampus provide critical outdoor infrastructure protection against active shooter attacks. SiteSecure delivers critical information such as the number of shots fired, a detailed map of the airport or transportation facility, with the shooting location clearly identified. SiteSecure also provides law enforcement and transportation facility management with real-time information that can be useful to identify and address false alarms and reduce mass panic. Gunfire detection and precise shooter location Designed for college campuses and K-12 schools, ShotSpotter SecureCampus provides gunfire detectionShotSpotter SecureCampus is a gunfire detection system designed to provide outdoor coverage at university and school campuses. Designed for college campuses and K-12 schools, SST SecureCampus provides gunfire detection, precise location, and number of shooters to first responders and school personnel, enabling faster response to an incident. Data capture form to appear here! Gunshot detection can offer tremendous benefits in mitigating active shooting incidents occurring in a public facility or commercial environment. Data shows that active shooter attacks often begin outside a building and then progress indoors. Thus, the first line of defence for security professionals lies outside a facility, in a zone of protection surrounding it or comprising the entire outdoor area of a larger facility of many buildings. Audio solutions for perimeter security Video cameras are effective surveillance tools in the event of a shooting incident, but they are not able to capture everything. Deploying audio solutions can automatically flag incidents not caught on camera, as well as alert central station guards of what surveillance zones need to be closely monitored. Audio analytics solutions for aggression and gunshot detection are some of the best security tools in the security market when it comes to detection, intervention and deterrence. They are the next generation of monitoring; equipping security teams with critical information and enhancing perimeter security. End users can identify high-risk situations in real-time and prevent acts of physical aggression before they happen Aggression detectors are capable of accurately recognising duress in a person’s voice. The software automatically and objectively detects the presence of rising human aggression, anger or fear, and subsequently warns staff by a visual alert or alarm trigger. As a result, end users can identify high-risk situations in real-time and prevent acts of physical aggression before they happen. Artificial intelligence to detect weapons A gunshot detector recognises firearm discharge from various firearms in different settings. Within seconds of a gunshot, the software accurately classifies and triggers an immediate notification through a designated VMS. Security staff can then verify the alert, effectively reducing the reaction time of first responders. With the development of artificial intelligence (AI) in object recognition, AI weapons detection offers an efficient alternative to gunshot detection to prevent active shooting: AI can visually detect guns based on their shapes before they are fired. The AI is trained to recognise firearms in different shapes, sizes, colours, and at different angles in videos, so that the AI weapon detector can be deployed with existing camera systems, analyse the video feeds, and instantly notify security staff when a gun is spotted. Audio analytics, processed inside a video camera, are another approach that can quickly pinpoint zones that security staff should focus on, which can dramatically shorten response times to incidents. Audio-derived data also provides a secondary layer of verification that an event is taking place which can help prioritise responses from police and emergency personnel. Detecting audio levels and alerting operators Operators can be notified of abnormal situations via event signals allowing the operator to take suitable measuresThe first job of a well-configured camera or camera/mic pair is to detect sounds of interest while rejecting ancillary sounds and noise below a preset threshold. Each camera must be custom-configured for its particular environment to detect audio levels which exceed a user-defined level. Since audio levels are typically greater in abnormal situations, any audio levels exceeding the baseline set levels are detected as being a potential security event. Operators can be notified of any abnormal situations via event signals allowing the operator to take suitable measures. Finding a baseline of background noise and setting an appropriate threshold level is the first step. Well configured audio analytics can deliver critical information about a security event, accelerating response times and providing timely details beyond video-only surveillance. Analytics take privacy concerns out of the equation and allow installers and end users to use camera audio responsibly. Hanwha Techwin's audio source classification technology, available in its X Series cameras, features three customisable settings for category, noise cancellation and detection level for optimum performance in a variety of installation environments.

Krowd is an app that connects people together based on geography; that is, if they are at the same place at the same time. Users sign into the app using the local WiFi, identify themselves by username, and are placed immediately in a group chat comprising anyone else at the location who has signed into the app. An enhancement of the Krowd app, known as Krowdsafe, leverages the technology to achieve and promote security and safety. Specifically, Krowdsafe enables users to interact directly with security personnel at a public place to report any crimes or security infractions and to enable rapid response. Think of it as “crowdsourcing” security – the app provides more eyes and ears to keep a venue safer. In effect, it enables each of its users to be an extension of the security presence at a venue or event. Krowdsafe improves crowd resilience. “Crowdsourcing” security – the app provides more eyes and ears to keep a venue safer Krowdsafe security app Krowdsafe also opens a channel of communication for the security team to provide ad-hoc security information reminders or messages. Krowdsafe can be used at a variety of venues, including stadiums, transport hubs, office blocks, retail malls, college campus and major events organisers. The app does not access identities, violate privacy, or track the movements of users. Other app users only know the information fellow users disclose. Still, group chats, one-on-one engagement, and other social media interactions can ensue, whether about a favourite football team or the excitement of a rock concert. The system fosters digital engagement that centers around a physical space. Krowdsafe applies those capabilities to promoting better security. Enhancing crowd safety and management The elements of Krowdsafe beat out 67 competitors to win the Defence & Security Accelerator Competition to Innovate Crowd Safety, launched by the UK Home office after terror events in 2017. Key areas of interest in the competition were to improve the detection of threats from explosives and weapons within a range of crowded places with high footfall and so reduce the chance of future attacks. Krowdsafe provides a prioritised, readily accessible and simple way for members of a crowd to communicate with a security team charged with keeping them safe. The £250,000 government award has helped the product move forward commercially at a faster pace. Krowdsafe app does not access identities, violate privacy, or track the movements of users Krowdsafe users can tap a red button, prominent on the Krowd app, that says “Report.” They may then choose from a listing of common threat types – from suspicious activity or unattended activity to medical emergency or fire services. The list is configurable by venue and corresponds to any specific threat models. The list corresponds to the nature of any situation security wants to address, such as “anti-social behavior” at a football club. Users in the crowd can anonymously report racist chanting, for example. In a children’s sporting event, the app can be used to facilitate lost-and-found children. If a child gets lost, a user can share a photo with the security team, who can alert the “public” (other Krowdsafe users) and find the child within minutes or seconds. Encrypted identifier code A user taps the “Report” button, selects an issue, and an alert goes directly to the security team A user taps the “Report” button, selects an issue, and an alert goes directly to the security team, who can respond because they have the encrypted identifier code from which the message came. For that point, the security team communicates one-on-one with the user, who can then choose to share their current location with the security team to facilitate response. (The “legitimate interest” of knowing the location negates any privacy concerns.) Once location is enabled, the security team can follow the precise positioning of threats on a map, using GPS and other technologies, or even on a three-dimensional digital map of a multi-story building. Another security benefit of Krowdsafe is prevention. Event organisers and venue managers can promote the use of Krowdsafe on posters or in announcements throughout the venue. Additional eyes and ears are the equivalent of CCTV coverage on every inch of a venue and use of the system makes the environment more hostile to mischievous, malicious and/or terrorist activity. In effect, bad guys will go somewhere else. Enhancement to Krowd app Krowdsafe is an enhancement to the Krowd app, which has been around for a couple of years and is available in app stores for iOS and Android. The app approximates in the digital world the experience of being a stranger in the crowd in the real world. Users can join a conversation based on their username, and then disclose to the crowd whatever they wish (or not). Event managers/organisers can promote hashtags to help identify others in the crowd (such as #ManUnited to identify fans of the same football team). In general, users can identify themselves (voluntarily) according to common interests using hashtags.  “Krowd is a group chat that connects people together at the same place at the same time in a group, but without anyone having to disclose personal information,” says Geoff Revill, Managing Director, Krowdthink Ltd. “You have a digital presence in the same place with other people at the same time.” Wireless connectivity Users connect initially into the system through WiFi, access to which serves to approximate presence at a venue Users connect initially into the system through WiFi, access to which serves to approximate presence at a venue. Once someone signs in, information about them is merely a grouping of “hash” numbers, which are used to identify them as they communicate with others in the location. However, the “hashing” cannot be hacked to find a user’s location, thus ensuring greater privacy. Because Krowd does not collect personal data (which is a revenue source for most social media companies), the company generates revenue by providing the service to venue owners who wish to interact with and manage a crowd. Data security Location data is considered sensitive under General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and tracking locations can help to identify where someone lives, works, who they associate with, etc. By not tracking location, Krowd avoids the related privacy issues. After initially signing in on WiFi, Krowd communications can also use 2G, 3G and other cellular networks in addition to WiFi. Addressing privacy concerns is essential to encouraging involvement in the Krowd app, and in Krowdsafe. “If you want people to participate in keeping the crowd safe, you have to get their trust and respect them, that’s a building block behind the behavioral science,” says Revill. By not tracking location, Krowd avoids the related privacy issues Privacy protection Because Krowd users remain anonymous (except for the information they choose to share), user data is not collected (and/or sold or used for future marketing purposes). Krowd’s paying customers are event venues and public places that provide the Krowd service and can promote their commercial messages or provide other information to their populations while on site. Krowdsafe can provide immediate security benefits to a venue. Even if only 25 staff members use the app in a given location, for example, that’s 25 more sets of eyes and ears to help the security department. In a retail mall, if the staffs of 200 tenant businesses use the app, that’s another 500 or so people watching out for security. Among the general public, use of the app can be promoted in customer newsletters, or by posting group discussions on big screens around a venue. Wide marketing scope It enables members of a crowd to report any broken doors, water leaks or blocked toilets Security is a secondary benefit for some Krowd users, who are drawn to the app because of marketing opportunities, such as the ability to provide discounts or promotional offers to customers while they are on site. The app also encourages social media interaction, while maintaining the venue’s ability to “manage” the crowd by moderating any discussions. The Krowd app also provides management benefits to a venue. For example, it enables members of a crowd to report any broken doors, water leaks or blocked toilets. In general, the app helps to promote a better brand experience for the customer. Incident management One of the UK government’s concerns about Krowdsafe was its possible use by terrorists or other to cause incidents in a public venue. Think of the case of Olly Murs, a U.K. singer, whose mistaken tweets about hearing gunshots caused a brief panic at a department store on a busy shopping day. Might Krowd be uses similarly by a terrorist or other evil-doer to cause chaos or a distraction? No, says Revill, who points to a higher level of control over content exchanged in Krowd versus Twitter, for example. The security team can censor content or limit its propagation. They can also disable or block a user from communicating on the app. Messages containing dangerous or troubling content, such as racist terms, can trigger alerts to enable security teams to respond quickly.

Despite any negativity you may hear, Hikvision is optimistic about their role in the U.S. market. “We demonstrate that we can be trusted, and that we should be trusted,” says Jeffrey He, Vice President, Hikvision, and President, Hikvision USA and Hikvision Canada. “We have sound products and technology. Our mission in the security industry is to protect, not to harm. Otherwise why would we be in this industry?” Hikvision is committed to investing in the North American market, where there was ‘positive year-over-year growth’ in 2018 and ‘strong’ sales in Q1 this year, according to Eric Chen, General Manager of Hikvision USA and Hikvision Canada. HikCentral central management software The company’s U.S. focus is shifting from products to solution sales, with emphasis on ‘mid-market’ small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). The largest verticals are retail and education, and there are emerging opportunities in the cannabis market. Launch of the HikCentral central management software (CMS) is a component of the company’s solution-sales approach. Launch of the HikCentral central management software is a component of the company’s solution-sales approachMr. He acknowledges the growth of ‘anti-China sentiment’ in the United States and other parts of the world, which he says will impact Hikvision’s operations globally. Specifically, in the U.S., ‘political’ elements impacting Hikvision’s business include ongoing tariffs and a trade war, Congressional calls for export controls and sanctions, and a provision of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that bans use of Chinese video surveillance products in government applications. Specifying cybersecurity initiatives at ISC West In spite of it all, Hikvision’s message at the recent ISC West show was overwhelmingly positive, and the company also detailed cybersecurity initiatives they say put the Chinese company ahead of many competitors in the industry. Eric Chen came in as General Manager last year; he previously spent a decade working for Hikvision in China. Chen reports solid 18.8% year-over-year growth for Hikvision globally, totalling $7.4 billion last year. He notes the company saw 40% compounded growth between 2010 and 2018. Globally, there are 34,000 employees, 16,000 of whom are research and development (R&D) engineers. Hikvision’s expanding global footprint includes 46 international branches. There are three manufacturing facilities in China, in addition to one in India. HikRewards program for HDP customers At ISC West, Hikvision’s theme was ‘Focus on Your Success’, including introduction of the HikRewards program that provides rebates to HDP (Hikvision Dealer Partner) customers, their core dealer base. A new online Hikvision Knowledge Library for HDPs provides training and reference materials dealers can share with employees. A new tech centre, introduced in December, provides data sheets, product information, and support resources. There is also a North American R&D team headquartered in Montreal. At the industry’s largest U.S. trade show, Hikvision unveiled a brand-new booth with plenty of open space and video walls A customer satisfaction survey launched in March provided good feedback from customers. “They know who to call if they have a problem,” says Chen. “We want to focus on making customers successful.” The success theme also extends to Hikvision employees, who are featured in videos describing their jobs and enthusiasm for Hikvision. There are some 400 employees in the North American operation. At the industry’s largest U.S. trade show, Hikvision unveiled a brand-new booth with plenty of open space and video walls. Half of the booth was focussed on solutions, especially retail and education, and also gaming and commercial real estate. Security products displayed at ISC West A variety of devices, including access control, intercoms and cameras, are integrated using the HikCentral CMS systemProduct highlights at the ISC West booth included the 32-megapixel PanoVu multi-sensor dome camera, whose 180-degree panoramic image was displayed on a 65-inch monitor. A variety of devices, including access control, intercoms and cameras, are integrated using the HikCentral CMS system. Some products new to the North American market, including intercoms, turnstiles, emergency call stations, and under-vehicle inspection, were displayed. Hikvision’s deep learning products are moving into their second generation, including the ability to obscure private information on videos to comply with GDPR/privacy requirements (previewed at ISC West and released later in the year). Algorithm components of Hikvision’s DeepInMind artificial intelligence are being adapted into a platform called AcuSense for value-priced products, which can recognise a human or vehicle and help filter out false alarms. Also being adapted to products with lower price points are the ColorVu system that incorporates visible light LEDs to provide colour images at night, and DarkFighter low-light capabilities. Penetration testing of cameras and NVRs As a global manufacturer, Hikvision faces a high level of scrutiny about cybersecurity, which Mr. Chen says is “a good thing for us,” enabling them to highlight the steps they are taking to improve cybersecurity. Chuck Davis, Director of Cybersecurity, outlined specific milestones Hikvision has achieved in its quest to provide world-class cybersecurity. Chuck Davis, Director of Cybersecurity, outlined specific milestones Hikvision has achieved in its quest to provide world-class cybersecurity In September 2017, Hikvision began working with third parties (including Rapid7) for penetration testing (ethical hacking) of its cameras and recorders. That same month, Hikvision set up a Cybersecurity Hotline open to anyone with questions about cybersecurity, including white-hat hackers and researchers. Even before that, Hikvision had an open-door policy on cybersecurity and a program for patching and disclosing responsibility. In February of 2018, Hikvision released a 40-page Cybersecurity White Paper describing cybersecurity testing and processes built into the software development lifecycle. That same month, Hikvision launched an Opened Source Code Transparency Center and offered an open invitation to anyone wanting to inspect Hikvision’s source code and let them know of any vulnerabilities. FIPS 140-2 certification by NIST Hikvision has also become a Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) Numbering Authority (CNA), which ensures their patching and incident reporting programs have been reviewed by a CNA partnering company. Hikvision's encryption module (HIKSSL) received Level 1 FIPS 140-2 certification to be used in both IP cameras and NVRsIn August, Hikvision received Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 140-2 certification, a U.S. government encryption standard created by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Hikvision's encryption module (HIKSSL) received Level 1 FIPS 140-2 certification to be used in both IP cameras and NVR products. Davis said the FIPS 140-2 certification process began before the NDAA ban on use of Hikvision products in the U.S. government, and in any case is a standard that ensures a high level of encryption. “We wanted to make sure we had the same level of technology,” he says. “It was not to win over the government.” Making industry more cybersecure “We are really trying to have third parties test and certify our equipment,” adds Davis. “We are trying to be open and transparent. Education and awareness are key.” “We need the trust of customers in the security community,” says Mr. He. “No matter what, we have to follow the highest standards to offset the concerns and accusations.” In April 2018, Davis became a member of the Security Industry Association (SIA) Cybersecurity Advisory Board to help make the entire industry more cybersecure through education, awareness and standards. Hikvision has also joined the Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams (FIRST at first.org), a global cybersecurity incident response consortium that cooperatively handles computer security incidents and promotes incident prevention programs. Davis has presented Cybersecurity Road Shows in 22 cities in the United States and Canada, and also in Australia and New Zealand. The 90-minute presentations focus on education awareness around cybersecurity and seek to get attendees engaged and aware about cybersecurity in business and also in their homes.

Allegion, globally renowned provider of security products and solutions, has announced that the Schlage AD electronic locks, NDE networked wireless locks, LE networked wireless locks and MT multi-technology readers now support contactless student IDs in Apple Wallet. Allegion - CBORD collaboration Allegion worked with CBORD and Apple to enable a mobile credential leveraging the industry global standard NXP DESFire EV1 security technology to provide higher education campuses with an easy-to-implement solution for the enablement of contactless student IDs for iPhone and Apple Watch. The University of Tennessee, University of Vermont and University of San Francisco are among the first schools to leverage the solution. “A recent study from The Center for Generational Kinetics found that 95 percent of Gen Z owns a smartphone and being connected is their norm. Because of this, universities are tasked with meeting student preferences while also ensuring campus security,” said Jeff Koziol, Allegion business development manager, campus software partner. “Allegion is proud to expand its product features to provide higher education campuses seamless yet flexible security solutions, and an improved mobile access experience for students and faculty members alike.” Contactless student IDs Having contactless student IDs in Apple Wallet makes it easier and more convenient for students and faculty to access buildings like residence halls or the library, as well as make payments on and around campus for coffee, laundry and other purchases with iPhone and Apple Watch. Universities can remotely issue credentials over-the-air, and those credentials are protected by two-factor authentication and can be remotely deactivated by the student or university. MIFARE DESFire EV1 technology, supported by Allegion in this program, is the widely accepted open global standard "As an institution that values innovation, it's important to us that we are always adapting to the way students use technology to enhance the campus experience," said Chris Cimino, senior vice chancellor for finance and administration. "Being able to access your VolCard on your iPhone is one of the many ways UT is continuously improving to meet expectations for a modern campus.” MIFARE DESFire EV1 technology MIFARE DESFire EV1 technology, supported by Allegion in this program, is the widely accepted open global standard and one of the top solutions in contactless credentials. By leveraging Allegion and CBORD’s solution with DESFire, higher education campuses are now able to take advantage of an open architecture and work with various manufacturers without being locked into a siloed proprietary solution. This new capability is compatible with the following Schlage commercial solutions: AD electronic locks - Schlage AD-400 wireless locks were designed to reduce installation costs on interior access-controlled doors, such as student rooms, faculty offices, classrooms and lab spaces, while offering the adaptability to support future evolutions in technology. The AD-400 and AD-300 wired locks are available in cylindrical, mortise, mortise deadbolt and exit trim chassis options, and they integrate into popular physical electronic access control systems (PACS). NDE networked wireless cylindrical locks - NDE wireless locks integrate into popular electronic access control systems from PACS providers to bring the benefits of electronic access control deeper into university buildings. NDE packages the cylindrical lock, credential reader and access control sensors together in to a small footprint that is both easy to install on university campuses and affordable. LE networked wireless mortise locks - The LE design packages the mortise lock, credential reader and access control sensors together into a small footprint that is both elegant and affordable. They feature two sleek trim options with broad range of decorative lever choices to match the style of any residence hall. MT Multi-Technology readers - Schlage MT multi-technology readers are designed to simplify university access control solutions and allow a transition from proximity or magnetic stripe (on a physical student ID) to more secure, encrypted smart card technology or mobile credentials in the Apple Wallet. Schlage’s AD Series Locks This extended offering is the next wave in Allegion’s pursuit to work with other providers in the industry for digital credential rollout in universities. Recently, the company announced its collaboration with Transact to enable contactless student IDs in Apple Wallet through Schlage’s AD Series Locks at Mercer University.

HID Global, globally renowned trusted identity solutions provider, has announced support for Seos-enabled student IDs in Apple Wallet. Beginning this fall, students, faculty and staff at Clemson University will be able to add their IDs to Apple Wallet and use their iPhone and Apple Watch to access buildings on campus, purchase meals and much more. Seos-enabled student IDs “HID Global is excited to play an important role in creating transformative connected university experiences that make it easy for students to simply use their iPhone or Apple Watch to enjoy all that daily campus life has to offer,” said Stefan Widing, President and CEO with HID Global. HID’s technology and electronic locks from our parent company ASSA ABLOY are helping Clemson University students" Stefan adds, “HID’s broad range of technology and electronic locks from our parent company ASSA ABLOY are helping Clemson University students, faculty and staff take full advantage of convenient mobility applications. This fall, their Apple devices can be used for everything from entering buildings – such as residence halls and individual rooms – to buying meals, accessing the gym, and using secure print services and numerous other university resources.” iCLASS SE reader modules To support student IDs in Apple Wallet on iPhone and Apple Watch, HID provides Seos-enabled credentials, HID iCLASS SE and HID OMNIKEY readers, embedded HID iCLASS SE reader modules, and Corbin Russwin and SARGENT electronic locks from ASSA ABLOY. Through HID’s support of student IDs in Apple Wallet, Clemson students will be able to seamlessly access residence halls, libraries and fitness centers, buy lunch, make purchases at the university store, print documents and more by placing their iPhone or Apple Watch near a reader where contactless student ID cards are accepted. Contactless student IDs Contactless student IDs are supported on iPhone 6 and later and iPhone SE. On iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR, student IDs may still be used for up to five hours in power reserve mode when the iPhone battery needs to be charged. Student IDs in Apple Wallet are not only convenient, they also provide an extra level of security as students no longer have to worry about misplacing their physical card. School credential provisioning is protected by two factor authentication.

The University of Birmingham educates over 30,000 students, with more than 6,000 doors providing access to student accommodation. Gallagher’s integrated access control solution is responsible for providing operational continuity and creating a safe and secure environment for residents. The University recently completed its new state-of-the-art student accommodation development, Chamberlain, which consists of a 19-storey tower and three low-rise blocks. An essential requirement was an integrated access control system, reducing the need for keys. Timothy Owen, General Manager of Student Accommodation at the University says, “We wanted to move away from using keys as students are prone to losing them and trying to manage thousands of locks and associated keys was a constant administration and financial drain.” In order to minimise the complexity of managing a new system, the University required a solution that integrated with, or was an extension of, their existing campus access control and accommodation management systems. “We need to maintain control over access to our buildings, while ensuring a duty of care to our residents and staff so that they can go about their business as required,” says Timothy. “Fundamentally, we needed a system that gives both us and our resident’s confidence in the security of the accommodation.” Gallagher Command Centre, together with the Aperio wireless locking technology, was selected as the University’s choice Aperio wireless locking technology A large and complex estate with buildings of different construction and age, the University needed a solution that was flexible enough to accommodate their unique requirements. Gallagher Command Centre, together with the Aperio wireless locking technology by ASSA ABLOY Access Control, was selected as the University’s preferred choice, meeting their security needs in a cost effective way while still delivering to the overall specification. Timothy says, “The completion of our new state of the art Chamberlain development was extremely close to the date of the first student arrival, so the team had to be dedicated and work flexibly to ensure it was ready in time – which it was.” Gallagher Command Centre integration The Gallagher Command Centre integration allows for the access key and student ID to be combined into one card, offering a number of benefits to both students and staff. Previously the accommodation arrival process required students to arrive at the University with their contracts and queue up so that a member of staff could sign them in manually and hand them the keys to their accommodation. From there students could head to their room. “Arrivals is always a busy time but with the help of the Gallagher solution we’ve not only improved the student experience but also the administration process,” says Timothy. “Now the student ID and accommodation key is encoded on to one card so it can be posted out in advance and access to the room automatically granted via the accommodation management system. Students no longer need to queue for keys, can get to their rooms instantly, and spend more time enjoying their arrival experience.” Secure, authorised access control The simple act of swiping an access card automatically checks the student in and an attendance report can be instantly generated The simple act of swiping an access card automatically checks the student in and a report can be generated to show who has arrived and who hasn’t, allowing staff to follow up accordingly. If the room is no longer required it can be quickly and easily re-allocated to another student, resulting in improved occupancy rates. Using Gallagher Command Centre together with the University’s accommodation management system allows staff to check on the well-being of students by monitoring the use of their access card. Student security and tracking The University also houses students under the age of 18, and one of the safeguarding requirements is that the University can monitor their whereabouts on a daily basis. Timothy adds, “This can be difficult to achieve with many students to track, but Gallagher Command Centre can easily confirm the time and location of our resident’s last door access, providing peace of mind that students who may be uncontactable are in fact on site.” University staff are also seeing positive improvements since the installation of the new system – particularly at the start of the year. The arrivals process is now less congested and more relaxed. The team have far fewer issues than with physical keys, enabling them to spend more time on the overall student experience. Since the installation of the first 800 bedrooms at Chamberlain, the University has already extended the system by a further 900 at Mason, with plans in place for an additional 1500 bedrooms this summer. Combined access and student ID card “Replacing keys with a combined access and student ID card has reduced our operational costs as we now have far fewer keys to purchase and store,” explains Timothy. “The student experience has improved and staff are now free to deal with urgent matters and offer a more personal service. We can easily create reports to help us audit access and have generally provided a much more modern and secure place to live and work.”

King’s College London, based in the centre of London in UK, is a world-leading university and a founding college of the renowned University of London. One of the oldest universities in England, it was established by King George IV and the Duke of Wellington in 1829, receiving its Royal Charter in the same year. Campus security and access control King’s College London had been using a variety of access control products to control and manage security across its multiple campuses. Its key requirement was a standardised access control system that could operate college-wide and be scaled to include new buildings and establishments. Also, considering the college campus is based in the heart of London, the threat of terrorism and active shooter incidents is a major concern for KCL, especially in more recent times where attacks have taken place extremely close to college buildings and campus. With thousands of students and employees to protect, the need to adopt the latest security features is essential in order for the college to keep all areas secure, in particular student accommodation, high security labs and research facilities. Gallagher access control solution Gallagher’s access control products were easily integrated with King’s College’s existing systems With Gallagher technology already successfully deployed in isolation at the university’s Guy’s and Strand campuses, it made sense to select Gallagher as the access control platform of choice for the entire college. Gallagher’s access control products were easily integrated with King’s College’s existing systems, including staff and student databases, and sources for cardholder information. This included the college’s enterprise Identity Management system, called FIM, which provides daily updates on joiners, movers and leavers to allow accurate decision-making by the security team. Additionally, Gallagher products were integrated to work alongside SITS, the college’s student management system, providing rapid updates of new students so that individual ID cards can be issued once the registration process is complete. Gallagher Mobile Connect app KCL has also invested in new mobile technology, with Gallagher readers that can be accessed via a mobile phone using the Gallagher Mobile Connect app. This will allow students and staff to conveniently access designated areas, control lighting, visitor access, and more. While it is still early days for the college using this technology, the system is adaptable and provides the ability to add features that meet future requirements. The overall benefits of the Gallagher security solution deployed at King’s have proved significant. Nick O’Donnell, Director of Estates and Facilities at King’s College London, says the Gallagher solution “improves service to King’s College’s facility users, especially its students, and reduces the college’s reputational risk by removing technical barriers to comprehensive security management.” Streamlining multiple security systems Streamlining the differing security systems used by individual campuses by introducing a college-wide standardised system has highlighted many additional advantages, including a considerable reduction in costs for training, special projects and operator skills. Gallagher integrations allow extra security features to connect to Gallagher Command Centre Gallagher integrations allow extra security features to connect to Gallagher Command Centre, creating a central administration system that keeps things simple to manage. Integrating with Aperio, for example, ensures doors are locked when people leave the room – providing peace of mind that rooms won’t be accidentally left open over night or during the weekend. Student and staff ID management Gallagher’s proven technology has boosted King’s College’s confidence in its electronic system. When there are alerts, the university’s security services can consult a single system and react quickly. Card holders are also now registered on one system, allowing tighter management of passes. Overall, the college reports fewer system failures, with better decision-making between its numerous estates and libraries, while multi-site students, staff and visitors have experienced easier card management.

Queensland University of Technology (QUT) is a major Australian university at the forefront of innovation and development in tertiary education. With a strong focus on research, technology, and sustainability, QUT has state-of-the-art facilities and equipment located across three campuses in Brisbane, as well as multiple remote research sites. With highly-valuable assets and facilities, open campuses, and a combined population of approximately 58,000 staff and students, it is imperative for QUT to have a robust yet discreet security and site management system operating 24/7. In 1995, QUT selected Gallagher as their technology partner to develop and implement a seamless security and site management solution. More than 20 years on, this partnership remains strong as QUT continues to seek new and innovative technology to manage their campuses and simplify operations. Intelligent access control readers QUT’s three campuses have diverse physical environments which are essentially open to the general public. One campus is situated between the Brisbane River and Brisbane Botanical Gardens, another is located in the centre of an urban retail village, residential area and high-school. “The QUT campuses, whilst tertiary education institutions, are open to the public. This open and accessible environment presents a challenge when trying to protect the people and property of QUT” says Tracey Bartlett, Security Systems Officer. We have high expectation of the Gallagher system to manage the security of the non-public domain" “We have high expectation of the Gallagher system to manage the security of the non-public domain whilst allowing staff, students and authorised visitors the access they require.” To do this, QUT operates 1500 intelligent access control readers across their sites. Integration with Command Centre With the readers communicating directly with Gallagher’s site management software platform, Command Centre, QUT is able to manage, monitor, and report on facility access. “We have buildings that are open until 10pm and others that are accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.” says Bartlett. “Our security staff in the CMS (Central Monitoring Stations) are able to create building and cardholder schedules, quickly lock down areas, grant immediate access and generate report. These reports assist the QUT Space Management Team on exactly how and when our facilities are being used.” Key objectives Secure multiple campuses that have open perimeters Protect staff and students and assets Ensure quick identification and response to alarms from multiple systems Streamline cardholder administration processes Staff and students security The safety of students and staff is the number one priority for QUT and the university works hard to ensure they operate safe and secure campuses. Through Gallagher’s site management solution, QUT is able to integrate multiple systems – including emergency control points and alarms for temperature change, fire, and flooding - and feed the information into Command Centre. Having one central monitoring platform ensures staff quickly identify, locate, and respond to any potential risks on campus. CMS Operators are highly skilled with the Gallagher system and, in conjunction with our CCTV system" “Our CMS team operates 24/7, of CMS Operators are highly skilled with the Gallagher system and, in conjunction with our CCTV system, have a complete view of what’s happening on site. They are then able to direct the field staff to areas of the campus that need attention,” says Bartlett. Ease-to-use software With tens of thousands of cardholders, all with ever-changing access needs, QUT requires a large number of staff to be able to administer and manager cardholder profiles within Command Centre. “The feedback from staff new to the CMS have commented that Command Centre is very easy to use software and they’re surprised at just what the system can do.” says Bartlett. In addition to streamlining the administration processes involved in cardholder management, Gallagher’s system also streamlines operations for QUT. More than just a card controlling physical access, QUT’s cards act as staff and student IDs, are used to operate printers and borrow from the library and can be used to monitor time and attendance. Through Command Centre, audit trails are generated for quick and easy reporting on each card function. Site management software As a technology focused university, QUT continuously reviews and implements new systems and technology as they become available. In order to keep up with the very latest site management software available from Gallagher, QUT opts for an ongoing Software Maintenance agreement. “We’ll continue to welcome the opportunity to embrace Gallagher’s latest products as we are confident, they will meet our needs” says Bartlett.

At the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, the Technology Integration Services department provides infrastructure, customer service and web application support to the faculty, staff, students, and units of the College of Business. Its focus is to facilitate the use of the campus infrastructure and support while adding complementary infrastructure and services to meet the unique needs of the college. The college took a very innovative approach to operating and securing its 174,000sq ft state of the art Haslam Business Building. The technologically advanced facility incorporates over 40 meeting rooms and needed a way to efficiently schedule and fill classrooms and conference space, yet maintain security and control. Physical access control CSC identified the Gallagher security management platform as the best fit for the foundation of the system The university had previously used an antiquated access control and security system across the campus, and realised it did not meet the demands of this new high-tech facility. Ramsey Valentine, Director of Technology for the College of Business, turned to WWR Engineering of Knoxville, and Coactive Systems (CSC) of Canton, Ohio to design and deploy a state-of-the-art integrated security business solution. The difficulty involved in deploying this solution was that certain components, like physical access control, were readily available, but other components such as digital signage information kiosks and the integration of all components of the system, were not off-the-shelf. CSC’s Brad Green and John Kortis worked with Director Valentine to understand the college’s specific needs and develop a solution that exceeded their expectations. CSC identified the Gallagher security management platform as the best fit for the foundation of the system. Application programming interface Gallagher systems are installed in approximately 90 percent of Australia’s and New Zealand’s universities. With proven strength in the tertiary market internationally, the Gallagher system was selected because of its open architecture, application programming interface, and published software developer’s kit. CSC also teamed with the local office of Simplex Grinnell. Led by Mitch Hall, Simplex was the contractor responsible for the assembly and installation of the Gallagher security system and the kiosks provided by CSC. WWR was responsible for the engineering drawings and interface to the existing security systems. The College utilises Meeting Room Manager from NetSimplicity for room scheduling; CSC created an integration from Meeting Room Manager with Gallagher Command Centre software. CSC also designed and custom manufactured the 42 kiosks that the college uses at each classroom and in meeting room areas. Door position switches Use of the kiosk requires a valid access card carried by all students and faculty The kiosks are the user-interface to the ‘system’ for room access and scheduling. Use of the kiosk requires a valid access card carried by all students and faculty. Each touch-screen kiosk contains digital signage showing the classroom name and detailed information about the room schedule and its status. Users can also access current weather, news, and stock information via the touch screen. The kiosk may be programmed to display emergency messages and egress data if needed. The kiosks are connected to the college’s network on which Gallagher Command Centre resides. The Gallagher system controls and monitors the door functionality including electric lockset and door position switches. Meeting Room Manager is utilised by staff to schedule rooms for classes and assign students via the campus intranet. Gallagher server and controller application programming interfaces extend the functionality and flexibility of the Gallagher system as the platform for integration. Providing technology solutions Utilisation of the integrated system provides continuous communications security and access control for the college, while allowing students unencumbered access to the meeting rooms and classrooms. Gallagher would like to acknowledge the support of the University of Tennessee and their security partners Coactive Systems of Canton and Simplex Grinnell, Knoxville in the development of this in-site study. CSC is a full service IT integration company providing technology solutions for audio, video, data, voice, dispatch, asset management, inventory, kiosks, security, communication, insurance, retail and medical systems. CSC’s services include custom software development, system installation, maintenance and cabling. Photos reproduced with permission from University of Tennessee.

The new school year is a good time to reflect on the role of security in protecting our schools. From video to access control to some newer technologies, our Expert Panel Roundtable found plenty to talk about when we asked this week’s question: How does security technology make our schools safer?