Electronic security systems

Deutsche Post has entered the era of end-to-end digitalisation by extending its Postident digital identity management services with Qualified Electronic Signatures (QES), enabling their clients to conduct all their business entirely online, with enhanced security and privacy and in full compliance with the eIDAS regulation. Guillaume Forget, Managing Director at Cryptomathic GmbH comments: “We are very proud to have been selected by Deutsche Post as a primary partner to enhance Postident with eSigning capacity. This truly mobile solution is the first of its kind to achieve the qualified level, which provides the same probative value as paper-signed documents. With such legal certainty, it is no surprise that the financial industry has picked up the service already, to digitalise contract signing.” Remote server signing QES solution offers an excellent, end-to-end digital user experience integrated into the business workflow to ensure a high customer conversion rate Deployed as a cost-effective managed service, the QES solution offers an excellent, end-to-end digital user experience integrated into the business workflow to ensure a high customer conversion rate. It meets the highest standards in terms of data protection, security and non-repudiation, thanks to Cryptomathic's continuous innovation in remote server signing and ‘What You See Is What What You Sign’ technology. One of the primary objectives of the QES service was to improve usability and mobility, to ensure unrivalled levels of user adoption. Achieve digital transformation All the end-user needs is a mobile phone, a connected device and an official ID document to go through the following process: To start the signing process, the end-user and the documents to be signed are rerouted from the business application to the POSTID-Portal. Initial registration can be completed via a video chat session established from a browser or mobile app. During this step, a Deutsche Post agent will remotely verify the authenticity of the user’s ID document and check the identity of the signatory. For signature authorisation, the end-user is required to read the document to be signed through a trusted viewer. Strong authentication is used to provide consent and sign the document in a legally binding way. The signed document(s) are automatically transferred to the business application and are available for download for the signatory. Cryptomathic partners with Trust Service Providers to deliver tailored and fully managed Qualified Electronic Signature services, which are used across Europe for the banking sector and organisations aiming to achieve digital transformation with the highest security and assurance levels.

Matrix participated in the Channel Live 2018, got in touch with a good number of industry experts and received a great response for the Access Control solutions. Access Control solutions Matrix, a pioneer in the well-engineered Telecom and Security solutions successfully concluded participation in the event Channel Live 2018 that was held in the NEC Buckingham, UK. The event offered our solution experts with a great opportunity to get in touch with many of the industry experts attending the event. Our solution experts were able to generate nearly 50 to 60 positive leads. Moreover, the attendees showed great interest in our Access Control solutions we demonstrated at the event. Matrix Access Control solutions have been known to eradicate all access related challenges that enterprises face in the present day.

iluminar Inc., the specialist manufacturer and supplier of infrared and white light illuminators, is proud to announce that CEO Eddie Reynolds has been selected as an ambassador for the 2018 IoT Now Applications in Connectivity Conference. The seminar will take place Sept. 19, 2018 in the Hyatt Regency Tysons Corner Center, in Tysons, Va. 2108 IoT Now Applications in Connectivity Conference IoT Now will focus on innovations in physical security, cybersecurity, industrial automation, digital transformation and connectivity requirements IoT Now will welcome CEOs, CISOs, IT managers, network operations managers, facilities managers and other senior executives from various companies in manufacturing, utilities, healthcare, transportation and infrastructure. This high-level, one-day seminar will focus on innovations in physical security, cybersecurity, industrial automation, digital transformation and connectivity requirements. Senior executives will be able to listen to education sessions that provide valuable insight on what solutions to invest in for increased productivity and efficiency in security. Attendees will also be able to network with peers and see cutting-edge solutions on the expo floor. Bringing over 20 years of security experience, Reynolds will serve as an ambassador for IoT Now, driving collaboration and facilitating important discussions between industry leaders. IoT devices to grow exponentially by 2030 “With the number of Internet of Things devices predicted to grow to 125 billion by 2030, it is critical that we discuss the implications of this technological revolution for security,” said iluminar CEO Eddie Reynolds. “I am honored to serve as an ambassador and host for IoT Now.” iluminar's lineup of Power over Ethernet (PoE) enabled lighting solutions will also be showcased on the expo floor in the Alternate E Source/ Kentix US booth, demonstrating the tight integration between lighting and IP video as well as keypads provided by Alternate E Source/ Kentix US.

Security 101, one of the fastest growing security integrators in the country, announced it has opened its 40th office in Austin. Kevin Schnyder, an experienced IT and physical security professional, is the owner and president of the new franchise. Most recently Schnyder was an IT manager with the Texas Municipal Power Agency. Previously, he worked with Marathon Oil Corporation in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, West Africa on facility security, access control and perimeter surveillance.  Security 101’s 40th franchise Opening the 40th U.S. franchise is a milestone for Security 101 and a sign of the company’s momentum and the strength of the overall security market, according to Steve Crespo, Security 101’s chief executive officer. “Kevin has the ideal background for his new role at Security 101,” he said. “He has physical security experience combined with a background in IT which is essential for a security integrator today. “Austin is one of the fastest growing metro areas in the U.S. with many people calling it a mini Silicon Valley,” Schnyder said. “We’re looking forward to being part of that growth by helping the business community with its security and safety needs.”

Kwikset, a brand of Spectrum Brands, Inc. – Hardware and Home Improvement Division, global residential security solutions provider, announced the availability of a new Control4 version of its Signature Series Deadbolt with Home Connect. Utilising the popular Kwikset single-cylinder deadbolt as its foundation, this keypad-less lock is ideal for homeowners seeking the safety and peace of mind of a Home Connect solution who are already using or are considering a Control4 Smart Home. Remote locking and unlocking As a Connects with Control4 certified partner, the new version for Control4 enables true remote locking and unlocking, allowing homeowners to access and control the lock from anywhere in the world, using the Control4 OS or Control4 App on a smartphone, tablet or internet connected device. As a result, they can lock a door while traveling for work or vacation and can also remotely provide access to their home to service providers, guests or other family members. Users can also receive notifications of the lock’s activity, as well as creating customised scenes within the home. A new, discreet way to connect to the home, the Control4-ready Kwikset Signature Series Deadbolt is ideal for consumers uncomfortable with keypad entry or who prefer the aesthetics of a traditional deadbolt. Besides its use as a highly secure front-door lock, it can also be a great solution for extending connectivity to side and back doors. Control4-ready Kwikset Signature Series Deadbolt Users can change out both the interior and exterior of their current door lock to gain a smart lock A unique feature of the Control4-ready is the two installation possibilities available to homeowners: Replace the Entire Deadbolt: Users can change out both the interior and exterior of their current door lock to gain a smart lock. In this mode, the lock provides Kwikset’s patented SmartKey Security, which protects against advanced break-in techniques. It also allows homeowners to re-key the lock themselves in seconds. Traditional key functionality as a backup is also available. Convert Installation Application: Users can replace just the interior of the current door lock to convert it into a smart lock, maintaining the aesthetics of the current lock exterior. In this mode it is compatible with select, single-cylinder deadbolts including Kwikset, Weiser, Schlage, and Baldwin.  Keith Brandon, Kwikset’s Divisional Vice President – Residential Access Solutions (RAS) Sales and Marketing, noted that this new version for Control4 is a natural extension of one of the company’s most popular locks.  Signature Series Deadbolt with Home Connect The Signature Series Deadbolt has become an extremely popular, affordable lock that brings homeowners the convenience of remote locking and unlocking" “The Signature Series Deadbolt has become an extremely popular, affordable lock that brings homeowners the convenience of remote locking and unlocking from anywhere in the world,” he said. “It made perfect sense to bring this convenience and security to the users of Control4, a well-established smart home platform that is experiencing its own level of significant growth.” The Signature Series Deadbolt with Home Connect also features: BHMA Grade 2 Certification, ensuring top quality durability; UL Certification with a 20-minute fire rating; and full 128-bit encryption security. In addition, the lock’s revolutionary tapered deadbolt design enables misaligned doors to lock without pulling and pushing a door shut. Remarkably easy to install, the new deadbolts require just a screwdriver, need no hard wiring, and operate on 4 AA batteries that will last for approximately one year. 

LifeSafety Power Inc. heads to the Global Security Exchange (formerly ASIS International Conference and Exhibits), September 24- September 27 in Las Vegas, riding the coattails of recent product awards and groundbreaking innovation in power, security and access control. With continued advancements created by LifeSafety Power in intelligent networking, users can now get a real-time look at the health of power-connected solutions across an enterprise or single location. This data, helps them proactively predict and preempt component failure (such as a failing electronic lock), assess overall solution integrity and perform managed power services. MSM-Enterprise and ProWire Unified Power Booth 2765 will feature Multi-Site Manager-Enterprise (MSM-Enterprise), named a Security Today 2018 New Product of the Year. MSM-Enterprise is PC-software driven and has the ability to manage hundreds of power-connected systems, extracting critical information on the well-being of components. MSM-Enterprise provides detailed data on operability and viability through information gathered on power variances or voltage events. As a result, users can monitor, assess, maintain and troubleshoot proactively for greater system uptime. MSM-Enterprise provides detailed data on operability and viability through information gathered on power variances or voltage eventsAlso, at GSX18, LifeSafety Power will showcase a new standard in power—ProWire Unified Power access management systems. ProWire makes it simple to create a connected power campus, eliminating installation variability for consistent, repeatable and professional results. UL/ULC certified, ProWire’s precision wiring design shaves off hours of internal panel wiring. Network-connected ProWire systems can also interface directly into Mercury Security or Software House C●Cure 9000 platforms, allowing users to receive, manage and control alerts and notifications. FlexPower Unified Power and DCLASS LifeSafety Power will also feature its flagship, modular FlexPower Unified Power and new integration with Digital Monitoring Products (DCLASS). DCLASS features mechanical and electrical integration of power, access control hardware and lock power in a single, certified enclosure supporting two to 18 doors of access control. DCLASS is designed to easily add networking capabilities for intelligent data collection, battery management and monitored power services. Additional products on display during the show include Vantage, a best-in-class pricing, performance and value in a ready-to-install power system; and Gemini, the award-winning rackmount configuration that solves small space dilemmas with a sleek footprint integrating power and access control. New integrations with technology partners Integrated Control Technology (ICT) and Identiv Inc. will also be featured at the booth.

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

Above the Line Security have improved the safety of their at-risk employees by switching from a manual call-in system to the user-friendly StaySafe lone worker solution. Employees at Above the Line Security are responsible for guarding individuals and high-value equipment on busy film sites. Ensuring employee safety StaySafe allows workers on site to send an alert in an emergency while providing the employee with an accurate location via a real-time map Prone to theft and coming into contact with potentially volatile paparazzi and members of the public, the company required a more reliable way of monitoring the safety of their guards. StaySafe allows workers on site to send an alert in an emergency while providing the employee with an accurate location via a real-time map. Monitors are alerted if an employee triggers an alert or fails to check-in on the app during their shift. StaySafe StaySafe also provides the ability for an alert to be raised even during difficult situations. If engaged in a confrontation, a panic can be sent discreetly, or a duress PIN entered if the app is discovered by the aggressor. Missed check-in alerts will also alert a monitor in cases where the lone worker may be unable to send a panic themselves. “Having used an app for the first time to protect our lone workers, we were incredibly impressed by the ease and agility of set up and usability. Our employees have adapted quickly to using the app whenever they work and as they do not always come to the office, it allows them to set up for the day quickly and independently.” Lone workers’ safety Security Personnel are often targets for verbal and physical abuse due to the nature of the work they carry out" Adele O’ Toole at Above the Line, continues; “Previously, we had to rely on night supervisors based in external locations to take check-in and emergency calls manually. This proved expensive and disconnected, particularly if our lone workers were situated in areas of low signal where making contact to ensure their safety was infrequent and unreliable. With StaySafe, we are able to instantly locate our workers on a map once they have checked-in, even in areas of low signal, saving us a lot of time and human resources.” Don Cameron, CEO at StaySafe adds; “Security Personnel are often targets for verbal and physical abuse due to the nature of the work they carry out. They often protect valuable assets which leads to the potential risk of theft and aggression. StaySafe provides peace of mind for the lone workers and the business by providing an effective and reliable solution for a range of volatile situations. Organisations can see exactly where their staff are in the case of an emergency and can send assistance directly to them – all with the added bonus of being user-friendly and cost-effective, only requiring a mobile phone.”

Traka has been specified at a main UK international Airport to deliver bespoke solutions for the safe management of replica improvised explosive devices (IEDs), alongside intelligent key management systems. The UK airport, which cannot be named for security reasons, uses replica IEDs for training purposes across its security network, to ensure correct procedures are being followed in the unfortunate event of a real threat. Security management using replica IEDs The importance of secure management of replica IEDs is integral, with recent well-publicised events having shown the major disruption caused by any unaccounted items, including an abandonment of the last game of the season for Manchester United in 2016. Traka, which already provides the airport with essential intelligent key management units, created a bespoke management locker solution for the safe storage of replica IEDs on site, to ensure they could only be operated by authorised personnel. The units present audit control capability and reporting on an instant basis with any units that do not get returned being instantly accountable. To have any replica IED device unaccounted for would have serious security implications for the Airport as a whole" Intelligent key management Says a Security Manager at the Airport, “To have any replica IED device unaccounted for would have serious security implications for the Airport as a whole, with a real possibility of closure and consequential mass disruption.” “With increasing numbers of passengers and noted global security threats, we cannot afford to take the risk and knew Traka could be called upon as the experts to provide a solution. The lockers not only provide an extra security dimension, but also ensure the smooth running of the Airport security.  They enhance our training objectives as the audit control capability allows replica IEDs to be used across terminal staff, safe in the knowledge they will always be accounted for and returned.” The lockers support the Airport’s use of Traka solutions for intelligent key management Asset and vehicle tracking The lockers support the Airport’s use of Traka solutions for intelligent key management for security and engineering keys, alongside asset and vehicle control. Ben Farrar, Traka Market Development Manager added, “It is the focus of every Airport to deliver the best possible experience for passengers, while ensuring their absolute safety and security at all times. And in doing so, ensure staff can present all processes in a smooth and stress-free environment.” “Traka’s provision of bespoke locker solutions for the safekeeping of replica IEDs, alongside our intelligent key management systems as used by this Airport may only seem like smaller details in a complex security matrix. But they work together for the benefit of security teams to ensure effective management and automation, decreasing the likelihood of causing delays and disrupting the airport flow unnecessarily.”

The saying goes that “business is business,” but many experienced executives in this industry have come to learn that a few ounces of compassion and understanding can sometimes be both necessary and appreciated. Operations don't always go as planned; we know that uncontrollable, tragic incidents may occur, and we want to be sure we're there for our customers and partners when they need it the most. This time of need often presents itself during a significant crisis, such as the one Puerto Rico experienced and continues to face from the devastation of two major hurricanes in September 2017. Hurricane Maria, which made landfall on Sept. 20, and was considered a “catastrophic event,” brought intense rain and wind to the island for longer than 30 hours, leaving residents without power, communication and water. TimeQuest reconfigures access control solutions Vanderbilt dealer TimeQuest Technologies, located in San Juan, was forced to suspend active projects and focus all resources on recovery The destruction and damage to roads, communities and businesses changed the lives of almost everyone involved — with the inability to access supermarkets, banks and gas stations, daily tasks were severely interrupted, and so too were security activities. Vanderbilt dealer TimeQuest Technologies, located in San Juan, was forced to suspend active projects and focus all resources on recovery. With its customers' having lost everything and their buildings destroyed, TimeQuest Technologies Vice President Alberto Cupeles took his team to visit each in person, surveying the need for basic necessities and offering their assistance. As its customers started to begin construction in the aftermath, TimeQuest Technologies was forced to reconfigure and reconstruct its access control systems, software and solutions, while trying to adjust to a shift in electricity and combatting inconsistent power from day to day. Vanderbilt-TimeQuest collaborate on disaster relief Having known Vanderbilt for more than 20 years, Cupeles was grateful for the trustworthy and sympathetic relationship that had developed over time, extending far beyond daily business operations. Both companies worked together to ensure overarching support and commitment to restoration, allowing TimeQuest Technologies to spend its time and effort where it was needed most. “The help we received helped not just our customers but also our families,” Cupeles said. “This wasn't just a business-only situation. There were people in the middle.” Collaborations in the security industry often run deeper than what's seen on the surface; when dealing with an unexpected occurrence, at the end of the day, providing comfort and consideration should always take precedence.

Technology is front and center at a beautiful new City Hall in the Northwest U.S., where community members will find local government offices, city council chambers and the department of economic development. The building’s tightly integrated electrical, lighting, fire protection, telecommunications and security solutions is the work of Coffman Engineers. Ben Helms was project manager responsible for specifying Vicon’s Valerus VMS and VAX Access Control security solutions into the facility and credits Vicon’s A&E tools and support services with helping him to get the job done right. Access control and VMS solutions Ben says that his firm has a long history with Vicon through Vicon’s dedicated A&E outreach programs Ben says that his firm has a long history with Vicon through Vicon’s dedicated A&E outreach programs. In the past, he has attended Vicon’s annual A&E Summit, a 2 ½ day educational event filled with seminars and interactive learning for the specifying community on topics related to surveillance technologies and solutions. It was at one of these seminars that he was first shown a beta version of Valerus, Vicon’s new VMS that was still under development. “I thought it was really cool,” he says. “It’s a big jump to go to an all browser-based system and adds a lot of advantages over a hard system.” As for the VAX Access Control solution, Ben appreciated the over-the-door controllers, which he says, from his standpoint, “made the system a lot less work to design.” He says that “Normally, controllers are all lined up in an IT room and you have masses of wiring going out to the doors, so you have to worry about voltage drop and a lot of other factors. With the VAX controller, you just put it out there, connect it to a PoE drop, and you’re done.” VAX-Valerus integration With the built-in integration between Valerus and VAX, it just made sense to go that way" When Ben began work on the brand-new City Hall, which required a unified access control and VMS solution, he saw a perfect match. “With the built-in integration between Valerus and VAX, it just made sense to go that way.” Steve Helms, Ben’s father and the Principal in Charge of the project, had also attended Vicon’s A&E Summits in the past and had seen what Valerus and VAX could do. He agreed with Ben’s recommendation. For putting together specifications for the security portion of the City Hall project, Ben relied on ARCAT SpecWizard, a free online tool that automates the spec building process. Vicon is one of only a few VMS manufacturers who have invested in providing this resource to the A&E community. SpecWizard is particularly helpful for solutions that include a wide range of components and require a degree of customisation for each project. Ben says that he found SpecWizard really easy to use. “I just went in and checked the boxes for the cameras, servers and software that I wanted, and downloaded the completed spec in Word format. All I had to do was edit it a bit to cut out a few things I didn’t need. It made it really simple to grab all the parts and pieces and make sure that everything was covered.” High megapixel cameras The entire City Hall project was built in AutoDesk REVIT software for BIM (building information modeling) The entire City Hall project was built in AutoDesk REVIT software for BIM (building information modeling), allowing the architecture and engineering teams to collaboratively model the building’s components and simulate its systems and structures. Ben was able to access REVIT models of all of Vicon’s camera models, available through the AutoCAD360 library, drag them into the project and pop them right into place. “This part of the project was really fun,” say Ben. The models clearly showed the mechanicals for the cameras as well as their field of view. When presenting the drawings to the clients, it was easy to explain what could be seen from each camera and how they would all work together as a system to provide coverage of all critical areas. The City Hall project used several different camera models, with resolutions ranging from 2MP to 12MP. High megapixel cameras generate a tremendous amount of data and calculating bandwidth and storage requirements are complicated by factors such as frame rates, video quality, lighting, the types of images being recorded, and use of settings like motion activated recording. To guide him through this evaluation process, Ben says he relied on Vicon’s free calculator tools, which simplified the challenge of determining the system’s server and storage needs. Video-access control integration The City Hall project used several different camera models, with resolutions ranging from 2MP to 12MP While Ben greatly appreciated the many tools that Vicon offers to make his job easier, he says that the biggest reason he would absolutely use VAX and Valerus again is the support he received from the Vicon team. “I have a local Vicon rep here I can call, and I know their entire technical team is always available to help me if I have any sort of issue.” Ben says that it’s also very important to specify solutions that deliver value to his clients. It’s nice to be able to say to them, “Here’s a system that is not going to cost you a ton to install, you can have unlimited user groups, unlimited users, the video and access control will completely integrate with each other, it has all these features included that a lot of systems charge extra for, and the licensing cost is pretty low. From a consulting and specifying standpoint, it checks a lot of the boxes that we really like.”

Security is important for any construction project, but the stakes are higher when the tenants are a team of professional athletes, the parking lot is filled with sports cars and luxury vehicles, the property includes a multi-million-dollar turf field, and a professional training facility where exercises held there must be guarded as corporate secrets. To meet these challenges, Vicon recently completed work with a professional national sports team to install an end-to-end, tightly integrated video management and access control solution that relies exclusively on Vicon software, hardware and cameras. Due to sensitive security demands the team remains anonymous in this piece. The professional team’s Security Director says that he needed a system that would capture footage of everything going on, inside and around the perimeter of the facility, and make sure that access was limited to only authorised personnel. At the same time, the technology needed to make it easy for players and employees to get through security. “It doesn’t do anyone any good if a system is so difficult to use that people just prop the doors open. We had to blend those two things together,” he says. VAX access controllers Twenty-six doors, including both exterior exits and interior doors throughout the building, have been secured with VAX access control door controllers. Employee’s permissions are based on their jobs. Administrators can’t enter the locker rooms or training areas and players can’t enter the marketing offices. Many of the players come to the facility wearing athletic apparel and prefer not to carry around a wallet and key card, so Vicon created customised proximity tags embossed with the team’s logo, designed for players and employees to stick on the back of their cell phone cases. This turned out to be a popular solution, as the players always carry their cell phones with them and the tags are attractive and support the team’s branding. VAX door panels The panic buttons are wired to open inputs on the nearest VAX door panels In the world of professional sports, athletes must sometimes be protected from overly aggressive fans. This particular training facility is equipped with panic buttons at several spots within the building that allow anyone who notices a problem to immediately instigate a lock down. The panic buttons are wired to open inputs on the nearest VAX door panels, eliminating the need for long electrical runs back to the server room. The player’s practice field is accessible through an external gate that’s used by the media, and VAX provides the ability to control visitors who enter there. As needed, members of the press are given temporary credentials that can unlock the gate only for a designated time period before expiring. Parking lot video surveillance The players’ parking lot also leverages the VAX system The players’ parking lot also leverages the VAX system. The transmitters that players use to open the parking lot gate from their cars are integrated with VAX, providing a record of each time the gate is activated, and by whom. In addition, a 12MP camera captures very high-resolution video of the vehicle entering and exiting, along with the person driving it, and that video is linked to the respective access control event. “Very expensive cars are left in the lot for extended periods, when the team is traveling, and this makes sure that absolutely nobody gets into that parking lot who shouldn’t be there – not even the office staff,” says the Security Director. The facility’s surveillance system includes close to 50 cameras, inside and outside the building, connected to Vicon’s Video Management System, Valerus. They range from 2MP to 12MP, depending on their use, and all are from Vicon. Any doorway equipped with a VAX controller has a dedicated camera mapped to it, so that video verification can be made of anyone entering a restricted area. Valerus VMS and 360-degree network cameras Special 360° cameras are mounted high on each of the exterior corners of the building Special 360° cameras are mounted high on each of the exterior corners of the building. Valerus VMS software dewarps their fisheye image and breaks it into four separate views from each camera. Those four cameras provide the security team with 16 different camera views from around the building’s perimeter, providing a very cost-effective way to cover such an expansive area. The same type of cameras is used within the team’s equipment room, where warehouse style racking is filled with valuable inventory. The system is managed by the team’s head of security and head of IT. Valerus’ thin-client web-browser interface provides monitoring access to support staff, including the team’s receptionist. The system’s video search capabilities have made it easy for them to conduct investigations. Video has helped to identify vehicles that were improperly driving on the turf field, document a theft on the property, and trouble-shoot when the parking lot gate had mechanical problems. Motion activated cameras Special motion-activated 2MP cameras are positioned at every door that provides access between the players’ area and the field One of the more unusual uses for the system is not related to security at all. The team’s professional athletic league requires team management to retain a full year’s documentation of the time each player spends on the practice field. To do this, special motion-activated 2MP cameras are positioned at every door that provides access between the players’ area and the field. Anyone walking from the field to the building triggers the motion sensor and is recorded in high-definition video. That way, if a player initiates a legal battle saying he practiced too long, there is clear documentation of exactly when he was on and off the field. Vicon’s Valerus delivers powerful, end-to-end security solutions that are easy to manage. Its work with this professional sports team also highlights its ability to deliver convenience to employees and operational efficiencies to management.