Facial recognition systems

Videonetics, globally renowned visual computing platform development company, has announced that it has achieved No. 1 position as video management software provider in India with the dominant market share of 36.1%, according to a recently released report by IHS Markit. Videonetics market share is more than the aggregate of total market share of 2nd to 4th ranked VMS providers, which is a huge achievement and a testimony of its undisputed leadership in the VMS segment. VMS solutions provider Videonetics is also the youngest and the only Indian VMS provider in the top 5 listing Videonetics is also the youngest and the only Indian VMS provider in the top 5 listing. Recently, Videonetics was also ranked amongst top 5 VMS providers in Asia market with the market share of 5.4%. IHS Markit is globally renowned in critical information, analytics and expertise to forge solutions for the major industries and markets that drive economies worldwide. Rankings are adjudged using a robust rating scale and evaluated based on percentage revenue growth, competitive advantage, size and innovation capabilities over the years. Commenting on the achievement, Dr. Tinku Acharya, Fellow IEEE, Founder & MD, Videonetics, “It is a prestigious honor to be recognised as an industry leader in VMS by IHS Markit. This recognition validates our drive for high performance, innovation, differentiation and scalability.” Unified Video Computing Platform “Building upon our award winning and patented AI & Deep Learning framework, we continue to achieve widespread adoption of our Unified Video Computing Platform (UVCP), in smart & safe cities, aviation, industrial, education, BFSI, retail, healthcare sectors”, he further added. Mr. Avinash Trivedi, VP – Business Development, Videonetics expressed, “The findings of lHS Markit reaffirm our leadership position in the VMS market. We’ve always strived to bring more value to our partners, integrators and customers. I would like to dedicate this achievement to them for their continued support, commitment and excellent contribution to Videonetics growth”. Videonetics Intelligent Video Management Software Videonetics Intelligent Video Management Software (IVMS) is an open architecture, agnostic, scalable and modular video management and analytics software. IVMS provides enterprise-class features without discriminating on the size of the project and manages the video effectively, optimally and securely. IVMS offers flexible deployment environments to suit user’s preferences and needs. IVMS is a part of Videonetics’ patented Unified Video Computing Platform (UVCP) which brings together other applications such as AI & Deep Learning based Video Analytics, Intelligent Traffic Management Applications and Face Recognition to address all of the video computing requirements. Built on open architecture, IVMS enables easy 3rd party integration with various sub systems such as access control, fire alarm systems, SCADA, Intrusion Detection, ICCC, C4I and IBMS systems.

Panasonic Security Systems, a business unit of the newly formed Panasonic i-PRO Sensing Solutions Co., Ltd., is showcasing its impressive solutions capabilities at ISC East 2019, booth #435 at the Javits Centre. By combining superior imaging technologies with new AI-driven software and analytics solutions, Panasonic i-PRO Security Systems offers comprehensive, customisable solutions to meet the most diverse range of users’ specific needs. Core solutions on display include the company’s fully integrated Video Insight 7 Video Management System Video Insight 7 VMS solution Core solutions on display include the company’s fully integrated Video Insight 7 Video Management System (VMS) and MonitorCast access control platform, innovative FacePRO facial recognition software, and a wide variety of analytics. “There are many new and exciting developments at Panasonic that we will be unveiling over the next several months – the most significant being our enhanced solutions portfolio,” said Bill Brennan, Vice President of the Security Division., Ltd. AI-driven software and analytics Bill adds, “Where Panasonic was once almost exclusively recognised for our superior imaging products, our enhanced portfolio of AI-driven software and analytics enables us to provide advanced integrated solutions that move beyond detection to preventive analysis and business intelligence. This is the new Panasonic i-PRO.” Video Insight 7.5, a powerful and versatile VMS solution with innovative 3D De-warp functionality, fully integrates the company’s MonitorCast access control platform to deliver uncompromised system management and control with unlimited scalability, and no license fees when used with i-PRO Extreme cameras. FacePRO facial recognition solution FacePRO facial recognition software employs an innovative neural network with deep learning technology FacePRO facial recognition software employs an innovative neural network with deep learning technology providing fast face matching on both live and recorded video; the ability to identify and match multiple faces against 10 million records in seconds; and GDPR compliant privacy protection via end-to-end SSL communications and fully encrypted facial data. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) rated FacePRO as the ‘world’s most highly rated facial recognition engine’. A new portfolio of Intelligent Analytics including, License Plate Recognition; Vehicle Search Detection; Intruder Detection, Loitering Detection, Direction Detection, Object Left Behind Detection; Object Removed Detection; and Cross Line Detection. i-PRO Extreme IP cameras i-PRO Extreme IP cameras in a wide range of models with up to 4K/9MP resolution, and in multi-sensor, PTZ, dome, and box configurations. Highlights include the new WV-X8570N iA (intelligent Auto) 4K/33MP H.265 Panoramic Multi-Sensor Camera; WV-S3532LM iA H.265 Compact Dome Camera; and the WV-S2570L4K iA H.265 Dome Camera. The ISC East exhibit also showcases new Remote Demo Sites, with feeds from the majority of the i-PRO Extreme line-up, as well as the ability to demo FacePRO. For added versatility, the Panasonic Partner Ecosystem includes deep integration with over 4,500 cameras from 151 different manufacturers, and integration with 19 access control partners.

Panasonic Security Systems, a business unit of the newly formed Panasonic i-PRO Sensing Solutions Co., Ltd., is showcasing its impressive solutions capabilities at ISC East booth #435. By combining its superior imaging technologies with new AI-driven software and analytics solutions, Panasonic i-PRO Security Systems offers comprehensive, customisable solutions to meet the most diverse range of users’ specific needs. Core solutions on display include the company’s fully integrated Video Insight™ 7 Video Management System (VMS) and MionitorCast™ access control platform, innovative FacePRO™ facial recognition software, and a wide variety of analytics. AI-driven software and analytics There are many new and exciting developments at Panasonic that we will be unveiling over the next several months" “There are many new and exciting developments at Panasonic that we will be unveiling over the next several months – the most significant being our enhanced solutions portfolio,” said Bill Brennan, Vice President of the Security Division., Ltd. “Where Panasonic was once almost exclusively recognised for our superior imaging products, our enhanced portfolio of AI-driven software and analytics enables us to provide advanced integrated solutions that move beyond detection to preventive analysis and business intelligence. This is the new Panasonic i-PRO.” Panasonic i-PRO solutions on display at ISC East include: Video Insight 7.5, a powerful and versatile VMS solution with innovative 3D Dewarp functionality, fully integrates the company’s MonitorCast access control platform to deliver uncompromised system management and control with unlimited scalability, and no license fees when used with i-PRO Extreme cameras. Facial recognition software FacePRO™ facial recognition software employs an innovative neural network with deep learning technology providing: fast face matching on both live and recorded video; the ability to identify and match multiple faces against 10 million records in seconds; and GDPR compliant privacy protection via end-to-end SSL communications and fully encrypted facial data. The NIST rated FacePRO the ‘world’s highest rated facial recognition engine’The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) rated FacePRO the ‘world’s highest rated facial recognition engine.’ A new portfolio of intelligent analytics including: license plate recognition; vehicle search detection; intruder detection, loitering detection, direction detection, object left behind detection; object removed detection; and cross line detection. Showcasing remote demo sites i-PRO Extreme IP cameras in a wide range of models with up to 4K/9MP resolution, and in multi-sensor, PTZ, dome, and box configurations. Highlights include the new WV-X8570N iA (intelligent Auto) 4K/33MP H.265 Panoramic multi-sensor camera; WV-S3532LM iA H.265 compact dome camera; and the WV-S2570L4K iA H.265 dome camera. The ISC East exhibit also showcases new remote demo sites, with feeds from the majority of the i-PRO Extreme line-up, as well as the ability to demo FacePRO. For added versatility, the Panasonic Partner Ecosystem includes deep integration with over 4,500 cameras from 151 different manufacturers, and integration with 19 access control partners.

Fujitsu launches sales of the "FUJITSU Security Solution AuthConductor V2" which uses various authentication methods, including palm vein authentication, to deliver comprehensive biometric authentication support for customers. In addition to providing a unified palm vein authentication office environment, this product features facial authentication, fingerprint authentication and IC card authentication for PC logons, and is fully scalable to support use by anywhere from several people to organisations with tens of thousands of users. With the launch of this upgraded solution, Fujitsu enables customers to enjoy unparalleled convenience with secure and flexible solutions for a diverse range of use cases and authentication scenarios. Sales start in Japan with global rollout to follow within fiscal 2020. Palm vein authentication functionality Fujitsu has integrated PC login authentication solution into the "AuthConductor Server" software Biometric authentication technologies have become increasingly visible in daily life offering businesses and consumers convenience in a variety of areas, ranging from frictionless transactions for cashless shopping and ticketless travel, to access management for membership data and security clearance for sporting events. At the same time, it's anticipated that companies will continue to integrate a variety of biometric authentication methods, including for PC logins and room access management, to further improve convenience and reduce operational burdens in enterprise settings. To this end, Fujitsu has been offering customers its "AuthConductor Server" software since April 2017, enabling users to add palm vein authentication functionality to their existing business systems. Authentication solution for enterprise users Now, in order to meet the increasingly diverse authentication needs of its customers, Fujitsu has integrated its PC login authentication solution for enterprise users into the "AuthConductor Server" software and added new functions to deliver the "AuthConductor V2". This newly enhanced version enables authentication solutions to meet the unique needs of a variety of customers. Comprehensive access with users' palm vein data across different platforms and applications, replacing the need for different authentication methods Unifying in-house authentication methods with palm vein authentication for enterprise users - By centralising palm vein data on the server, upon registration it can be used for authentication for a variety of purposes, including PC logon, physical access management, and printing authentication, eliminating the need for separate registration for each application. This not only enhances system security but also eases access for users and administrators alike. The software now offers expanded support for a variety of authentication methods Improved authentication performance for consumer-facing services - When the palm vein authentication function is added to customer-facing business systems, the verification time can be sped up to 50% over conventional products. This makes palm vein authentication even more convenient for large-scale service deployments like cashless payments, which are expected to grow in use. The new version offers users exceptional scalability, with support for small, standalone deployments or for organisations with tens of thousands of users. Expanded authentication functionality for PC logon The software now offers expanded support for a variety of authentication methods. In addition to palm vein authentication, the new version offers facial authentication using technology developed independently by Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd., as well as fingerprint authentication and IC card authentication, which offers support for My Number identification cards used with the Japanese social security system Flexibility and Scalability for small to large customers - The service can be adjusted flexibly depending on the size of the customer and the authentication method they want to use. Fujitsu aims to expand the availability of the solution globally by the end of the fiscal year 2020.

Rhombus Systems, a provider of enterprise cloud-managed physical security solutions, announces a suite of new sensors - asset tags, door sensors, environmental sensors – to transform how organisations manage their physical security. The new sensors are battery operated and use the Rhombus security cameras as a local intelligence hub to capture sensor events, corresponding video footage, and data of the physical environment. By seamlessly combining enterprise video security with IoT sensors, organisations can simplify their physical security infrastructure, gather more actionable insights, and better secure their workplaces all from a single console wherever they happen to be. Physical security software tools This innovative approach means that organisations no longer need multiple, siloed consoles to manage different enterprise IoT sensors. Now - all sensors, data collected by the sensors, and video footage - can be remotely accessed and managed from one console and work in unison. All of the data captured by the sensors and cameras work together to deliver a unique experience For example, if you attach an asset tag to a valuable tool on a construction site, you not only can see where the tool is located, but you can also see its movement patterns and even receive an alert for when that tool goes missing. All of the data captured by the sensors and cameras work together to deliver a unique experience rarely seen in physical security software tools. A versatile solution for physical security “Existing systems for securing and managing physical spaces are woefully outdated and underserved,” said Omar Khan, Rhombus Systems Co-founder and CTO. “By leveraging our AI security cameras, we’re able to pair video with IoT sensors to provide a more advanced and versatile solution for physical security. There’s a huge opportunity to completely reinvent this space, and we’re on a mission to do just that.” The Rhombus sensors are managed through a web console or mobile device and are plug-and-play – meaning they can be set up, taken down, and moved in minutes – and have a battery life of up to 2 years with a single coin cell battery. The asset tag can be attached to any object to track and issue alerts when valuable items enter or leave an organisation. Monitoring the temperature and humidity of a space The Door Sensor features a built-in accelerometer and can be attached to any door or entry point to issue alerts when an entry point is opened or left open. The Environmental Sensor monitors the temperature and humidity of a space and issue alerts when certain environmental parameters are surpassed. “We’ve been working with Rhombus for years and are continually impressed with the quality of their products and speed of innovation. It’s hands down the best video security solution we’ve ever used,” said Arik Levy, Luxer One CEO. “We have thousands of Rhombus cameras deployed, and with the new sensors, their platform is going to be game-changing for us. We’re already envisioning the different ways we can add these into our operations.” Full end-to-end encryption The sensors automatically communicate with Rhombus’s R2 cameras The sensors automatically communicate with Rhombus’s R2 cameras meaning no other gateways or network gear is required to set them up. The sensors benefit from the same great infrastructure as the security cameras giving organisations full end-to-end encryption, automatic firmware and software updates, modern cloud management, and a 5-year warranty as standard with the service. The asset tag, door sensor, and environmental sensor will be available in January and will start at $49 plus an annual software subscription. Feature highlights of the Rhombus platform include: Plug-and-play sensors and cameras that can be set up, taken down, and moved in a matter of minutes for unique scalability and flexibility compared to existing options Cloud management, allowing users to securely access their system from any computer or mobile device Rhombus AI and Computer Vision for advanced facial recognition, people analytics, and custom alerts End-to-end encryption for enterprise-grade system security Automatic firmware and software updates to ensure the system is kept up to date with the latest technology IT Integrations with an organisation’s technology stack, such as single sign-on (SSO), Office 365, and Slack

Displaying a collective enthusiasm to build a safer future, 8,576 industry professionals journeyed from all corners of Asia to attend the 7th edition of Secutech Thailand, which finished its four day run on 31 October. With smart city solutions as a core theme, exhibitors and visitors alike were united in their consensus that the Thai security market is full of potential, particularly due to the government’s commitment to smart city initiatives. Positive sentiment also surrounded the successful synergies created between Secutech Thailand and Digital Thailand Big Bang, which were held alongside each other for the first time this year. Under the banner of ‘smart city solutions week’, the two fairs together with Thailand Lighting Fair and Thailand Building Fair created a one-stop shop for a wide variety of smart city solutions.   Secutech Thailand 2019 We are delighted that Secutech Thailand has once again built bridges for important business connections to be made" At the conclusion of the show, Ms. Regina Tsai, the Deputy General Manager of Messe Frankfurt New Era Business Media Ltd, said “We are delighted that Secutech Thailand has once again built bridges for important business connections to be made. The introduction of new show elements such as the Zhejiang Smart City area, as well as pavilions from Korea, Singapore and Taiwan has connected the market with innovative products that can solve important security, fire safety and smart living challenges”. She adds, “What’s more, our successful collaboration with the Digital Economy Promotion Agency to run Secutech Thailand and Digital Thailand Big Bang concurrently has helped to further build the profile of Thailand’s growing smart city scene.” High-level security solutions released More than 280 exhibiting brands participated at Secutech Thailand, with many commenting favourably about the connections that they made at the fair. “Every year that we attend Secutech Thailand we notice a different scale, and our company uses the platform to release a different high-level solution,” said Mr. Jeff Yang, the CTO of ZKTECO. Jeff added, “This year, we are showcasing our ‘one-face’ AI facial recognition technology. Many visitors have come to our booth and their feedback has been very good. Interest is coming from many different industries. We have met with system Integrators, government officials and interestingly yesterday we met with two visitors from banks.” Public and private sector collaboration Tasked by the government to lead Thailand’s digital transformation, the Digital Economy Promotion Agency has said that public and private sector collaboration will be crucial to achieve the government’s smart city goals. With government officials from both Thailand and the wider ASEAN region in attendance, Secutech Thailand’s exhibitors had the opportunity to showcase their innovative smart solutions to a relevant audience. More than 20 VIP tours connected exhibitors with various government agencies, including - the National Municipal League of Thailand, the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand, the Fire and Rescue Department, as well as representatives from the UTAPAO airport authority, Suvarnabhumi Airport and Don Mueang Airport. ISS security solutions on display ISS, an exhibitor of video analysis software saw opportunities to promote their smart city and transportation solutions at the fair ISS, an exhibitor of video analysis software saw opportunities to promote their smart city and transportation solutions at the fair. Mr. Nikolay Bushev, Vice President for international markets of the company said, “In the past we supplied our solutions to a smart region in Russia, where 15 different cities were linked to one monitoring centre, and at Secutech Thailand we have the possibility to show the Thai government our achievements. We are aiming to meet with traffic police and city authorities. Apart from these buyers we have noticed a lot of visitors from Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam and Indonesia.” Mr. Jonathan Chan, the Regional Product Manager of Singaporean company New DVR(s) was also enthused by the prospects in the smart city sector. He said, “The government has been talking about establishing 100 smart cities in Thailand, and we can see many changes. The mindset of people in Thailand is very accepting and they increasingly know what the IoT is about." IoT solutions and open source IoT platform Jonathan adds, ”Secutech Thailand continues to be very supportive of the smart city scene. We can see that the organisers continuously attract relevant industry players that are looking for IoT solutions. We see bright prospects in Thailand for our open source IoT platform.” In addition to thousands of visitors from across Thailand, the fair also attracted buyer delegations from Cambodia, Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia and Laos. Helping these buyers to forge new relationships, 167 successful business matching sessions and 181 personalised buyer tours took place throughout the show. Security cameras and digital locks exhibited Mr. Hoeung Kongkeasambath, the Managing Director of Bridge Real Estate came to the show as part of a delegation from Cambodia and was impressed with the connections that he was able to make at the fair. He said, “From year to year Secutech Thailand is improving and growing in size. This year I have found some interesting partners whose factories I will visit over the next few months. I am interested in their security cameras and digital locks”. He adds, “One is from Thailand and the other is from China. By working with these types of suppliers, I can help to improve the level of technology available in Cambodia. The organisation of the fair has been very smooth and I very much appreciate the business matching sessions where I have been able to have one-to-one conversations with potential partners to find scope for cooperation.” High-tech CCTV surveillance solutions exhibited We are looking for new technology and business partners and I feel that we have been able to find that here" The President of the Malaysian Chapter of the Asia Pacific Security Association (APSA), Mr. Dato’ Sri Haji Mustapa Bin Haji Ali, was also impressed with the relationships he was able to build at the fair. He said, “We are looking for new technology and business partners and I feel that we have been able to find that here. The other day, I found a CCTV surveillance solution that I can introduce to our members, and perhaps introduce to the government for possible applications in our country”. He adds, “The business matching service is good; it has helped me find the new business partners that I was looking for. For sure, we will be back here next year. This year we brought 24 members and next year, we want to bring more than 40 members to visit Secutech Thailand.” Fire & Safety Thailand Delegation members also applauded the fair as a great place to network with security associations from different countries: “We have found a lot of opportunities to generate business in the surveillance and access control segments at Secutech Thailand,” said Ms. Wah Wah Min, Secretary of the Private Security Services Association of Myanmar. “But we also come to the fair because it’s a good occasion to network with other associations from across ASEAN. This helps us to expand our network and learn from each other.” Concurrent Fire & Safety Thailand event facilitates transfer of disaster prevention and emergency equipment from Taiwan and Korea. Extinguishing systems, fire alarms on display On top of high-tech surveillance, video analytics, management software and access control systems, visitors to Secutech Thailand could also locate extinguishing systems, alarms, sensors and personal protection equipment at the concurrent ‘Fire & Safety Thailand’ event. A highlight of the event was the Korea Fire Institute Pavilion which hosted internationally certified brands. NARLabs, an organisation founded by the Taiwan Ministry of Science and Technology was also in attendance at the event. Explaining the organisation’s reasons for joining, Mr Kuang-Chong Wu, the Vice President of NARLabs said, “Thailand is one of the most important countries in Southeast Asia for us. Two of our centers – the National Center for Research on Earthquake Engineering and the National Center for High-Performance Computing – are participating at Secutech Thailand 2019 to exhibit our smart technology related to disaster prevention and mitigation. We hope that by showing our technologies, we can enable and initiate more cooperation between our two countries.” Floods, weather monitoring solutions The services that we provide such as flood mapping can help the government better deal with the issue" Another Taiwanese organisation, the Taiwan Association of Disaster Prevention Industry (TADPI) brought a number of companies to share solutions for pollution monitoring, advanced weather forecasts, and flood defense to name a few. “When it comes to Thailand, I think we all remember the floods of 2011”, said Mr Daniel Yao, the Executive Director of the association. “Because of ground sediment issues in Bangkok we are likely to see flooding again. The services that we provide such as flood mapping can help the government better deal with the issue. Taiwan is recognised by the United Nations as an area most effected by natural disasters. So the people of Taiwan have accumulated experience of how to deal with natural disasters that we can share. That’s why we are here at Secutech Thailand, to use the fair as a bridge to connect with those people who are in need of our services.” Smart Factory Conference While new business relationships were being formed in the exhibition hall, important industry insights were being gained at the fair’s Smart Factory Conference. The conference updated industry professionals on topics such as security automation, smart disaster prevention and industry 4.0. Following his presentation at the conference, Mr. Somwang Boonrakcahroen, President of the Thai – German institute underlined the value that the conference delivered, “Today I talked about digital technology and how it can be used to achieve industry 4.0. At the moment, Thailand can be described on average as being at a level of industry 2.5. One of the first steps we need to take to reach industry 4.0 is to build awareness. This conference helps to achieve this goal by informing attendees about what technologies are involved in industry 4.0 and how they can be implemented.”

Protecting against fire and security risks is an essential aspect of life for people and across all sectors. However, there is an increasing expectation and demand on fire and security providers, in areas such as education. The securitisation of our world paired with the rapid speed of communication and news updates means that young people especially have the potential to be more aware of potential dangers and threats to their own safety and the safety of those around them. Education institutions are large and sometimes sprawling sites that present considerable fire and security challenges. From kindergarten to university Each education site brings distinct challenges, with differing facilities and specialties, as well as the need to maintain the capacity of students, teachers and lecturers to study, learn and teach at the high level expected.Each education site brings distinct challenges, with differing facilities and specialties While some schools and universities are based in urban areas with a mix of heritage and high rise buildings, others are sprawled across green open spaces. Some of these sites have specialised sporting facilities, while others may be focused on engineering or scientific study, with costly technical equipment. Kindergartens and primary schools have their own unique requirements. Parents expect the highest safety standards, while schools require safety in addition to efficient facilities management. The demographic of these institutions is predominantly young children, who are often unaware of or only just learning about fire safety and personal safety. This creates a huge vulnerability and an added onus on teachers to keep their students safe. Facial recognition at West Academy of Beijing In response to this need, Chubb China upgraded the closed-circuit television (CCTV) system for Western Academy of Beijing (WAB) focusing on elevating video content analytic features, including maximised CCTV monitoring, automatic police calling, and a smart search solution. Complementing this, a facial recognition system capable of finding the exact location of a student on campus within 30 seconds was added, aided by real-time remote gate operation. This integrated and advanced system resulted won the "High Quality Educational Technology Suppliers for School" award for the WAB project at the 2019 BEED Asia Future Oriented Construction of Universities and Schools Seminar. This award recognises outstanding solution design and project execution. Parents expect the highest safety standards, while schools require safety in addition to efficient facilities management Awareness remains important at university As students graduate from kindergarten, primary school, junior and senior school, they become more aware of fire safety, relevant dangers and how to protect themselves. Unfortunately, external dangers remain. There are particularly high stakes for university campus facilities managers The safety of students in a university environment is also critical. It is often the first time young people live away from their family home and have the independence of adulthood. For this reason, there are particularly high stakes for university campus facilities managers. In the eventuality of a fire, students could be at great risk and, beyond the immediacy of physical harm, this can have serious ramifications for the reputation of an educational institution. Integrated solutions Integrated solutions must be nimble and adapted to a range of site types including campus residences, recreational areas, open spaces and lecture theatres. Chubb Sicli recently identified and overcame these challenges through the installation of a full suite of fire safety and security equipment and services at Webster University Geneva. Established in Switzerland in 1978, Webster University Geneva is an accredited American university campus that offers programs in English to students interested in undergraduate or graduate-level education.  Located in the Commune of Bellevue, just a few kilometres from Geneva's central station, the campus of Webster University Geneva includes five buildings in a park-style atmosphere. Full fire and security audit Chubb Sicli provided Webster’s fire extinguisher maintenance for over 25 years. This business relationship led to a full fire and security audit that identified the need for updates to the university’s security installation. The initial audit showed several improvements to the university’s security profile were needed.The challenge was to create and provide an effective and interconnected fire and security solution The challenge was to create and provide an effective and interconnected fire and security solution, enhancing the security of the student population and its ever-evolving needs. This included complete fire detection and intruder alarms for all five buildings, upgrades to existing CCTV systems, new video surveillance equipment and an automated fire extinguishing system in the kitchen areas. In addition to this integrated system solution, Webster University required access control for all main entrances, with the requirement that all documentation to be made available in English, because Webster is an American company. Customised solution Chubb Sicli’s quality, capability, and security expertise provided a customised solution for the unique educational establishment. Not only was the solution both tailored and integrated, the approach and planning were based on audit, fire extinguisher and emergency light maintenance, fire detection, intrusion detection, access control, video surveillance and Fire Detection. Through dedicated and integrated fire safety support, Chubb provides students and families peace of mind and security. From the moment a young child enters the education system, Chubb’s diligent and effective surveillance and fire safety systems work to prevent and protect, offering a new kind of ‘end-to-end’ service for education systems around the world.

Video surveillance is commonly associated with security. But in most cases, it's used to record incidents and assist in investigations after the fact rather than prevent undesirable events. Artificial intelligence–powered video analytics is a highly promising trend that fundamentally changes the way things work. Extracting manageable data from a video stream can help recognise risky situations early on, minimising damage and, ideally, completely avoid emergencies. At the same time, AI significantly expands the areas of application of video surveillance beyond security systems. AI significantly expands the areas of application of video surveillance beyond security systems However, the hype around this new, trendy technology prevents the potential user from choosing quality solutions in a wide variety of products. This often leads to over-expectation, followed by a complete let-down. Can AI-powered video analytics really be the key to a technological breakthrough in video surveillance? We'll take a look at what the technology can do, what it can't, and where it can go from here. Technological breakthrough or just another bubble? It's often said that the video management software (VMS) market is becoming increasingly commoditised and widely available. A lot of products with similar features (or, at least, similar promises from the manufacturer) make it hard to choose. As a result, vendor names and reputations are turning into one of their primary selling points. Manufacturers have two choices available: get wrapped up in a price war and rely on cutting expenses, or offer a product that's truly innovative and revolutionary. Manufacturers have two choices available: get wrapped up in a price war, or offer a product that's truly innovative and revolutionary VMS developers who choose the second route are gravitating towards creating products that use artificial intelligence based on neural networks and deep learning. Emerging two or three years ago, the AI video analytics market is experiencing a boom in growth. This new tech wave has stirred the still, stagnant backwaters of the VMS world and gave small, ambitious developers something to be optimistic about. It seems they now have a chance to emerge as market leaders in the next few years. However, the hype around this popular trend is raising reasonable concerns among experienced security industry professionals. These concerns come from clients looking for a solution to their problems, and from suppliers building a long-term development strategy. This largely resembles another tech bubble, like the one built up around pre-AI video analytics and burst when it became clear that the sensational promises around it were pure marketing hype (and rather unscrupulously so). However, there are a lot of factors that indicate that AI-powered video surveillance systems aren't another bubble. The three factors The first — and the main one — comes from systems already in place on customers' sites. They fulfill the same promises made during the previous bubble by hotheads in a rush to teach the computer to analyse events in real time using a classical algorithmic approach. The second is the fact that this new technology has seen investment from not only software and cloud startups, but also established VMS developers. Even giants like Intel, which has presented a full line of neural network accelerator hardware and a set of software tools that streamlines working with them, specifically in the field of computer vision. This new technology has seen investment from not only software and cloud startups, but also established VMS developers The third factor lies in artificial intelligence's abilities. AI plays chess, drives cars, and works wonders in many other fields. Why shouldn't it be applied to video monitoring and analysis? What AI can do Just what can artificial intelligence do in video surveillance systems at this stage of development? It can't quite analyse a sequence of events and understand the "logic" of what's happening in the cameras' field of view. At least not yet. But it's probable that AI will learn to do this in the next few years. But neural network analytics can already detect, classify, and track objects very well, providing high accuracy even in busy scenes. Artificial intelligence can be used in the real world to: Detect smoke and flames for early fire warning at open areas (forest, open warehouse, parking lot, etc.) Distinguish people/vehicles from animals and other moving objects, e.g. to protect the perimeter of a nature park from poachers Distinguish a person in a helmet and protective clothing from a person without them to prevent accidents at a dangerous production facility or construction site Count objects of a specific type, e.g. cars in a parking lot, people in the sales floor, wares moving on a conveyor belt, etc. in non-security-related solutions Those are just a few examples. After training a neural network, it can tackle other, similar tasks, too. Generally, a neural network trained in specific conditions isn't replicable. In other words, it won't work as well under different conditions. On the other hand, developers have learned how to quickly train AI for the needs of a specific project. The most important requirement is having enough video footage. Somewhat apart from that is the use of neural networks in facial and automatic number-plate recognition. This is an example of reproducible neural networks (train once, deploy everywhere), which makes them more appealing commercially. If non-reproducible neural networks have only recently become economically feasible due to the rapid evolution of specialised hardware (aforementioned Intel's product, for example), then the use of AI in facial recognition and ANPR has been well established for a long time. The use of AI in facial recognition and ANPR has been well established for a long time Another kind of AI analytics that we'll explore is behaviour analytics. This function, probably more than any other, is bringing video surveillance systems closer to understanding what's happening on camera. Its potential is vast. How behaviour analytics works From a technical point of view, behaviour analytics combines artificial intelligence with a classic algorithmic approach. A neural network trained on a multitude of scenarios can determine the position of the bodies, heads, and limbs of humans in the camera's field of view. The algorithm outputs an array of data containing descriptions of their poses. Conditions can be set for data to detect a specific pose, such as raised hands, prostrated or crouching persons. Developers can use this to quickly create new detection tools to identify potentially dangerous behavior specified by a government or business client. There's no need for additional training of the neural network. How behaviour analytics can be deployed Someone crouched down next to an ATM could be a technician, CIT guard, or burglar. Bank security should be notified in any of the cases. A person in shooter position, together with a bank employee or cashier with their hands raised could indicate a robbery. The system can be configured to automatically send alerts with a surveillance snapshot to the police so they can assess the threat and take action if needed. It's vital that the police receive the alert, even if the employee is unable to activate the alarm. In many cases, attention should be directed to a prostrate individual. This could be somebody who needs immediate help, or it could be someone sleeping in an inappropriate public place, for example, a 24/7 ATM space. Behavioural analytics can also be used to ensure workplace safety. For example, tracking whether employees are holding the handrails when using the stairs at a manufacturing facility or a construction site. What now? Behaviour analytics can be deployed wherever your clients' imagination takes them. With this feature, practically any pose that indicates potentially dangerous behaviour can be detected. Timely response to an alarm helps avoid material damages or, in other situations, casualties. Practically any pose that indicates potentially dangerous behaviour can be detected An area of potential development for behaviour analytics is the ability to analyse a sequence of poses by the same person or a combination of poses and relative positions of several individuals. That will be the next level of evolution in AI's use in video surveillance: moving from "detecting" to "understanding" behaviour in real time. In its most basic form, this type of analytics can be deployed to detect deviations from the search procedure in correctional facilities when a person being inspected must assume a pre-defined sequence of poses. A more advanced form allows it to detect any kind of abnormal behaviour, such as a brawl breaking out in a public space. Ideally, behaviour analytics can predict dangerous situations based on nearly imperceptible cues gleaned from collected statistics and a Big Data analysis. At the moment, this sounds like pure fantasy, but what seemed like whimsy not too long ago is now a reality with AI. It's already beaten humans in chess and the game of Go (Weiqi). Will artificial intelligence be able to outplay humans at charades one day? It's entirely possible that we'll soon see for ourselves.

Rodrigue Zbinden, CEO at Morphean, discusses the business benefits from merging video surveillance and access control technologies as demand for ACaaS grows. The big question facing businesses today is how they will use the data that they possess to unlock new forms of value using emerging technologies such as the cloud, predictive analytics and artificial intelligence. Some data is better utilised than others: financial services were quick to recognise the competitive advantages in exploiting technology to improve customer service, detect fraud and improve risk assessment. In the world of physical security, however, we’re only just beginning to understand the potential of the data that our systems gather as a part of their core function. Benefits of ‘Integrated access control’ The first thing to look for is how multiple sources of data can be used to improve physical security functionsWhat many businesses have yet to realise is that many emerging technologies come into their own when used across multiple sources of data. In physical security, for example, we’re moving from discussions about access control and CCTV as siloed functions, to platforms that combine information for analysis from any source, and applying machine learning algorithms to deliver intelligent insights back to the business. ‘Integrated access control’ then looks not just to images or building management, but to images, building management, HR databases and calendar information, all at the same time. And some of the benefits are only now starting to become clear. The first thing to look for, of course, is how multiple sources of data can be used to improve physical security functions. For example, by combining traditional access control data, such as when a swipe card is used, with a video processing platform capable of facial recognition, a second factor of authentication is provided without the need to install separate biometric sensors. CCTV cameras are already deployed in most sensitive areas, so if a card doesn’t match the user based on HR records, staff can be quickly alerted. Making the tools cost-effective In a similar vein, if an access card is used by an employee, who is supposed to be on holiday according to the HR record, then video data can be used to ensure the individual’s identity and that the card has not been stolen – all before a human operator becomes involved. This is driving growth in ‘access control as a service’ (ACaaS), and the end-to-end digitalisation of a vital business functionThese capabilities are not new. What is, however, is the way in which cloud-based computing platforms for security analytics, which absorb information from IP-connected cameras, make the tools much more cost effective, accessible and easier to manage than traditional on-site server applications. In turn, this is driving growth in ‘access control as a service’ (ACaaS), and the end-to-end digitalisation of a vital business function. With this system set up, only access control hardware systems are deployed on premise while the software and access control data are shifted to a remote location and provided as a service to users on a recurring monthly subscription. The benefits of such an arrangement are numerous but include avoiding large capital investments, greater flexibility to scale up and down, and shifting the onus of cybersecurity and firmware updates to the vendor. Simple installation and removal of endpoints What’s more, because modern video and access control systems transmit data via the IP network, installation and removal of endpoints are simple, requiring nothing more than PoE and Wi-Fi. Of all the advantages of the ‘as a service’ model, it’s the rich data acquired from ACaaS that makes it so valuable, and capable of delivering business benefits beyond physical security. Managers are constantly looking for better quality of information to inform decision making, and integrated access control systems know more about operations than you might think. Integrating lighting systems with video feeds and access control creates the ability to control the lightsRight now, many firms are experimenting with ways to find efficiencies and reduce costs. For example, lights that automatically turn off to save energy are common in offices today, but can be a distraction if employees have to constantly move around to trigger motion detectors. Integrating lighting systems with video feeds and access control creates the ability to control the lights depending on exactly who is in the room and where they are sitting. Tracking the movement of employees Camera data has been used in retail to track the movement of customers in stores, helping managers to optimise displays and position stocks. The same technology can be used to map out how employees move around a workspace, finding out where productivity gains can be made by moving furniture around or how many desks should be provisioned. Other potential uses of the same data could be to look for correlations between staff movement – say to a store room – and sales spikes, to better predict stock ordering. What makes ACaaS truly exciting is it is still a very new field, and we’re only just scratching the surface of the number of ways that it can be used to create new sources of value. As smart buildings and smart city technology evolves, more and more open systems will become available, offering more ways to combine, analyse and draw insights from data. Within a few years, it will become the rule, rather than the exception, and only grow in utility as it does.

Securing New Ground, the security industry’s annual executive conference this week in New York, offered food for thought about current and future trends in the security marketplace. Highlights from SNG 2019 included keynote remarks from security leaders at SAP, Johnson Controls and the Consumer Technology Association, discussions on how CSOs mitigate security risks, topic-focused thought leadership roundtables and a lively networking reception. Top trends observed at the event include cybersecurity, data privacy, facial recognition and artificial intelligence. A "View from the Top" session covered the need for companies to consider responsible use and ethics around technology; responsibility should extend throughout the organisation. A panel of security leaders emphasised the need to understand the diversity of risks that end users face. As the Internet of Things (IoT) expands connectivity, the inputs, outputs and "attack surface" also expand. It's critical to have security "baked" into products themselves, and also to undertand the mission of the organisation being protected, the context and correlation. Technologies transforming security market Keynote speaker Gary Shapiro, President and CEO of the Consumer Technology Association, listed the many technologies that will impact the consumer electronics market – and the security market – in the near future: artificial intelligence (AI), voice recognition, the transition to 5G and self-driving cars.As the Internet of Things expands connectivity, the inputs, outputs and "attack surface" also expand “What we're seeing today is a huge turning point in where the world is going,” said Shapiro, whose organisation presents the giant CES trade show each year in Las Vegas. “It’s not just about jobs and technology, but who we are and how we address fundamental human rights.” Privacy is a component of human rights, but “in the world of AI, there is a tradeoff between innovation and privacy”. Balance between security standards Shapiro sees Europe as representing one extreme of privacy, epitomised by General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which he sees as stifling innovation. Meanwhile, China is pushing innovation using massive amounts of data with no regard to privacy. The United States, therefore, should look for a balance that acknowledges the inevitability of innovation while respecting privacy and realising it is “always situational.”With new technologies, biometric ID and cybersecurity issues, your business is in a strong and growing place" Too much concern for privacy comes at a cost, Shapiro said. “Privacy zealots are killing facial recognition, step by step by step,” he said. “Regulators should not throw away the baby with the bathwater. Every technology in history has been used to cause evil and to do good. Throughout history any new technology could have been banned and made illegal.”  Shapiro offered encouraging words to the security marketplace, even in the wake of large tech firms such as Amazon entering the market. “With new technologies, biometric ID and cybersecurity issues, your business is in a strong and growing place,” he said. “There is opportunity. There will be increasing new things people want, and always new threats. People will want what you're providing, which is physical and technology security in their facility.” Scott Schafer, Chairman of the Board of the Security Industry Association (R), interviewed Steve Jones, CEO, Allied Universal, on stage about the importance of merging technology with security officers Allied Universal CEO Steve Jones discussed holistic approach Steve Jones, CEO, Allied Universal, was interviewed on stage about the importance of merging technology with security officers for a holistic approach to securing a facility. “Today, customers are asking us to look at their facility holistically and asking: What is my best approach?” said Jones. A holistic approach includes protecting people, the facility, intellectual property (IP), and how to handle visitors. Manguarding perspective on security Allied Universal looks at security from a manguarding perspective and also from a technology perspective, based on their daily experience managing security for 40,000 customer sites across the United States and Canada.Allied Universal has a new handheld technology platform that uses AI “We are in a unique position in the channel,” said Jones. “We know the stats at any customer site. We know the last time there were repairs on cameras, which card reader is malfunctioning, how long the systems company takes to respond to a call. We are at these locations 24/7 and have an intimate relationship with customer. We are a significant influencer in the decision-making process. We have an opportunity to have a voice, and to build a business around it.” Predictive security “We are looking for technology that will enhance the security of the customer,” said Jones, including situational awareness and analysis of data to predict patterns. Allied Universal has a new handheld technology platform that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to analyse data, predict outcomes, and prescribe optimum responses. Workforce development – hiring and training new employees – is a big issue for Allied Universal, which last year interviewed more than a million applicants to find around 100,000 employees. They are targeting every demographic, and last year hired 33,000 veterans. The company is using technology to help with the massive recruiting effort, including AI to analyse applicant qualifications and a computer-generated avatar to conduct the first online interview. Future security challenges Jones sees the rapid increase in the homeless population in the United States as one of the biggest security challenges of coming years. The rapid increase in the US homeless population is one of the biggest security challengesMany businesses face the prospect of homeless individuals living in front of their buildings, possibly using drugs or approaching customers. “It has become a real threat,” he said. “When they are living in front of your buildings, in many cases, there are ordinances that allow them to be there so the police will not get involved. It falls on the facility owner and private security to address the problem. Given the large homeless population we have now during good economic times, I don’t know what it will look like in an economic downturn.” Human side of security An SNG session on the human side of security observed that people are the biggest source of vulnerability. Companies should foster a "safety climate" in which security is integral to operations and viewed as something that helps employees rather than create hassles. Human resources is now a technology field and should work together with security to achieve shared goals. At the consumer and small business level, cybersecurity must also be top-of-mind and built into a security companies' DNA. SNG attendees heard about opportunities to move beyond providing products and devices to providing experiences, by partnering with customers to protect what matters most to them. While a bit of inconvenience comes along with security, products should be built in a way that is easy to use, with security baked in. The results are systems people are comfortable engaging with every day. Securing New Ground is presented by the Security Industry Association (SIA).

ISC East continues to flourish as the Northeast’s largest security trade show. Focused on the big Tri-State market and overall Northeast sector vs. the flagship ISC West event in Las Vegas in the spring, the International Security Conference & Exposition at New York’s Javits Center will be held Nov. 20 and 21. “Anybody who has been to the show has commented and seen the growth,” says Mary Beth Shaughnessy, Event Director, ISC Events at Reed Exhibitions. Ninety new exhibitors When the show opens, there will be around 90 new exhibitors, including Gunnebo, Mobotix, Liftmaster, Cypress Integration Solutions, SAFR from Real Networks and Security Brands. Because it is a regional show, some large companies have smaller exhibits that feature their local and regional personnelLarger exhibitors at the show include Brooklyn Low Voltage Supply (distributor), Axis Communications, DoorKing Inc., NAPCO Security Technologies, and All American Monitoring. Because it is a regional show, some large companies have smaller exhibits that feature their local and regional personnel eager to meet with security professionals from the Northeast corridor. ISC East will be co-located with the Infosecurity ISACA North America Expo and Conference. The combination provides a comprehensive approach to physical and cyber security products and services. Rapid growth in past three years The audience at ISC East is unique – about 90% of attendees do not attend ISC West. The show has seen rapid growth in the past three years, and attendees report a new energy and passion among exhibitors and attendees. By every measure, the show will be bigger than last year, while maintaining the intimate, smaller vibe of a regional show. A “Crack the Tap” cocktail reception will be held at the end of the first day on the show floor. A charity activity on the ISC East show floor will be presented in partnership with Mission 500, an organisation that works to serve the needs of children and communities in crisis. At the Mission 500 booth which will be adjacent to the Main Stage, each exhibition attendee will be invited to create a “care package” of essential hygiene items that will be delivered to children and families in need, in partnership with Volunteers of America - Greater New York. Attendees may write a note of encouragement to be included in the package they assemble. Event will highlight security startups A Nov. 20 (Wednesday) session at ISC East will highlight startup companies in a format reminiscent of television’s “Shark Tank.” Four finalists will take to the main stage and provide a seven-minute pitch about their new product or service. After the “Tech Tank” presentations, audience members vote live on their mobile app for their top choice, and the winner will be announced during the “Crack the Tap” cocktail reception.Four finalists will take to the main stage and provide a seven-minute pitch about their new product or service “It’s a programme that allows attendees to see and hear about cutting edge technologies,” says Nicole Miller, Senior Conference Manager, ISC Security Events. The four finalists, chosen from more than 40 exhibitor submissions, are Arrow Labs’ MIMS Smart Watch for mobile incident management; Cepton Technologies’ Helius Smart LiDAR System; SAFR from RealNetworks’ Facial Recognition system, and ZeroEyes’ Weapons Detection and Active Shooter Mitigation Platform. New partnership with ASIS New York Beginning in 2020, ISC East will be combined with the ASIS New York chapter’s annual conference and expo, which was held in May this year. Starting next year, the events will be rolled into one industry-wide expo and education event geared to serving the total security industry in the tri-state area (New York, New Jersey and Connecticut). In 2020 there will be an enhanced education programme along with the combined event next fall. In recognition of the new partnership, ISC East is involving the ASIS NYC chapter in this year’s show, too, with a booth on the show floor, and promotional logos and signage. The ASIS chapter will have a table at the SIA Honors Night event on Nov. 20. “We are really involving them this year to show we are working together and partnering going forward,” says Shaughnessy.

ADT Commercial have grown organically in double digits since 2016, in addition to growing through 15 acquisitions completed since the merger of ADT and Protection One. Acquisition of integrator companies such as Red Hawk Fire and Security and Aronson Security Group have expanded ADT Commercial’s presence geographically to more areas of the country. Most of the employees of the acquired companies have stayed with ADT and “helped to create a corporate culture and a good place for employees to work,” says Dan Bresingham, Executive Vice President of ADT Commercial. Happy employees ensure good customer service. Enterprise resource planning Bresingham will lead ADT Commercial as it becomes a separate business unit in 2020 “We adapt to where our clients want us to be,” adds Joe Sanchez, Senior Vice President of Customer Operations of ADT Commercial National Accounts. “We take a strategic approach as we determine how adaptive our customers are going to be to the new technology.” I caught up with ADT Commercial at the GSX trade show in Chicago. Bresingham tells me ADT Commercial has benefitted from the calibre and breadth of leadership talent that have come along with the various acquisitions, including Mike McWilliams of Red Hawk, Bob Dale of Protection One, and Phil Aronson of Aronson Security. The transitioning of internal systems such as enterprise resource planning (ERP), billing and customer repair software will further steamline the ADT Commercial operation in the next several months. Bresingham will lead ADT Commercial as it becomes a separate business unit in 2020. We caught up with ADT at the GSX trade show in Chicago Providing new opportunities for regional integrators Additional acquisitions are also likely; in fact, growth is likely to accelerate. ADT Commercial offers a national footprint that can provide new opportunities for regional integrators it brings into the fold. New acquisitions will continue to fill out ADT’s skillset requirements in specific geographic areas where more expertise is needed. Security directors have a small staff and we help them know what they should be looking at in terms of data" “The industry doesn’t change a lot,” says Bresingham. “The technology just gets better, faster, and cheaper. As a service provider we take the best technology and combine it to provide the best solutions. We’re product-agnostic. Most of our jobs are down-and-dirty, doing the same things, but we’re pushing ourselves to be the best every day at the basics.” An emphasis at ADT is to provide customers ‘actionable’ data compiled from their various security systems. “We have a range of customers,” says Sanchez. Managing networks and video remotely “From small businesses to large data centers, there is no electronic system we cannot do. We are adaptable, from providing basic intrusion all the way to more sophisticated elements. Security directors have a small staff and we help them know what they should be looking at in terms of data.” “Our customers are our ‘true north’,” says Sanchez. A strong relationship with clients forms the basis for ADT Commercial’s success. Helping customers track data utilises ADT Commercial’s eSuite account management system, homegrown software that compiles and analyses various customer data inputs. It also allows the ability to manage networks and video remotely. “We built it from scratch for customers. It’s a web-based system that helps them manage their business,” says Bresingham. “We hold ourselves accountable. We don’t hide from data, we encourage it.” Monitoring refrigeration units The solution is different in every case, just as every customer is uniqueIn addition to data from customer systems, eSuite can compile local weather information, crime statistics and other information that can help provide trending information to guide a customer’s business. The system’s flexibility enables ADT to provide the data each customer needs. ADT helps customers manage their business beyond the security department, too. “We do a lot of things in environmental control, monitoring refrigeration units and making sure humidity and temperature readings are correct,” says Sanchez. Leaving a door open could cause product loss at a pharmaceutical company, for example. In the food industry, a freezer malfunction could cause huge losses. In either case, an alarm can draw attention to the problem in a timely manner. Other customers face regulatory requirements that demand an audit trail of compliance, which ADT’s systems can provide. At the end of the day, ADT asks customers ‘What’s your security need?’ The company then adapts and assembles its solutions using internal resources and outside vendors, to meet that need. The solution is different in every case, just as every customer is unique.

Use of iTrak solution by casino operators in both Macau and Las Vegas for reporting, security and loss prevention expands Omnigo’s global footprint. Omnigo’s security system “One of the major benefits of penetrating a market like Macau with Omnigo’s security system is that casinos can draw from a shared database of banned patrons, advantaged players, and VIP guests from Day One of implementation,” said Mark Kornegay, CRO of Omnigo Software. He adds, “Sharing data across properties enhances security and surveillance for everyone by allowing casino operators to exchange critical information with each other and with law enforcement.” Omnigo’s iTrak allows casino operators to protect their staff, patrons, property and assets while streamlining reporting iTrak security solution Omnigo’s iTrak allows casino operators to protect their staff, patrons, property and assets while streamlining reporting and data analysis. Casinos can function more efficiently using iTrak thanks to its simplified reporting and notification process. The system also empowers casino employees to leverage data-driven security intelligence to address incidents in real-time, track persons of interest and mitigate risk and exposure to liability. Various modules within iTrak include Facial Recognition, Visitor Management, Lost and Found and more. Security and risk management system In addition to the Macau expansion, Omnigo’s casino portfolio also includes 100% of the Las Vegas Strip casinos and 65% of the Canadian gaming market. Each casino uses iTrak, Omnigo’s security and risk management system for incident reporting, property surveillance and security and loss prevention. “It’s a true testimony that these casino operators have put their full confidence into Omnigo’s offerings to keep their properties safe. With that level of trust, we’re able to prioritise innovation and bring the latest technology like facial recognition software and advanced data analytics to market faster for our customers, both large and small,” Kornegay added.

Ciudad Ros Casares has become one of the most important business parks in Valencia, Spain. It is a unique commercial and residential construction, which responds to the new business and networking requirements. The intercommunication system chosen by the project managers is the MEET IP System from FERMAX, because of its high performance and integration features as well as the security offered by MEET. The system includes integrated access control in the standard panel: facial recognition (up to 6,000 users can be registered), numeric keypad and MIFARE proximity reader. The system includes integrated access control in the standard panel: facial recognition (up to 6,000 users can be registered), numeric keypad and MIFARE proximity reader Residential management software The project has a total of 245 apartments in 2 buildings, with two outdoor panels per building plus a concierge service managed with MEET's residential management software. The chosen outdoor entry panel is the MILO Digital Touch Panel and the 245 apartments are equipped with the MIO 7'' Monitor. The project is equipped with high technological features and qualities of different types, large leisure and green areas, general and specialised services and an excellent geo-strategic location. This commercial condominium includes offices, stores, a business centre, spaces built to organising events and apartments for rent. The installation of Fermax MEET system started in January 2019. Learn more about MEET by Fermax in this video:

The Danish Superliga football club Brøndby IF were aware that family attendance had fallen at some of the more high-profile games, such as the local derby with F.C. Copenhagen, due to concerns over hooliganism and safety. With an average attendance of 14,000 people per game, and up to 100 registered persons on the stadium blacklist for causing trouble, the football club wanted to find a way to make genuine fans feel safer by preventing problems before they could occur. Improving security With the use of cameras and facial recognition, blacklisted offenders can now be automatically identified in the crowd before they attempt to enter the stadium. This system identifies any individuals registered on the offenders list and alerts security staff to prevent them from entering. The automated procedure at the stadium entrance also decreases congestion at the gates, so genuine fans can get into the stadium faster. As well as improving security outside, the system allows staff more time to focus their attention on creating a safe and entertaining environment for those inside the stadium. The technology can identify faces that are difficult to recognise with conventional techniques Facial recognition server The Panasonic facial recognition software ensures high levels of accuracy. The technology can identify faces that are difficult to recognise with conventional techniques, such as those taken from an acute angle and even when part of the face is concealed or hidden by sunglasses or scarves. In fact, the National Institute of Standards of Technology (NIST) in independent testing identified the system as the most accurate facial recognition server on the market. And the system is already working. One blacklisted offender was prevented from entering the stadium at the very first home game of the season in mid-July and he will receive a fine and extended ban. Protection of personal data However, some fans were initially sceptical about the scheme. They were worried about the Big Brother concerns of privacy and personal data protection. These fears quickly faded once the club explained the sensitive way that the scheme had been implemented. Security personnel remain in control of the process at every stage. The technology flags potential blacklisted offenders and the security advisers then take over and investigate further before taking action. People-led and technology supported The solution is people-led and technology supported. Personal data privacy is also protected because the facial recognition technology does not store the images or data of any supporters, other than those registered on the blacklist. In addition, all personal data is stored on an internal server, not connected to the internet or to any other system, significantly reducing any cyber risk of data breach. After seeing the results of the technology and receiving reassurances about data protection, both Brøndby management and fans alike have welcomed the new technology. Moving forward there is also the potential to utilise a national hooligan register with the system to help spot travelling troublemakers within Denmark.

Cognitec maintains a successful partnership with WorldReach to facilitate remote identity verification during self-service ID issuance processes via their smartphone app. Applicants for passports, visas, residency/settlement programs or digital on-boarding services are required to take a selfie during the enrolment process. An automated back-end process verifies the claimed identity, validates the ID document via NFC and chip reads, checks for watch list alerts, completes a liveness check, and forwards the application for completion of assessment. Uninterrupted digital services “We chose Cognitec’s market-leading face matching technology to achieve consistently high accuracy rates for the verification process,” says Gordon Wilson, President of WorldReach. “Government agencies require proven, reliable technologies for each step in the application process, as they aim to build the community’s trust in these new digital application methods. This partnership gives our companies a pioneering role in advancing e-government services.” Using the app eliminates the visit to an office facility and allows for uninterrupted digital services. Users welcome the app’s straight-forward design and the quick application process. WorldReach is currently applying this solution with passport and border control agencies in Canada, the UK, Ireland, and other organisations pursuing seamless travel initiatives. “The WorldReach solution brings the advantages of face recognition to modern ID management systems,” says Alfredo Herrera, Cognitec CEO. “We look forward to contributing our expertise as WorldReach evolves this trend-setting technology.”

The first China International Import Expo was held on November 5, 2018 in Shanghai. As the world's first import-themed national exhibition, it attracted more than 3,600 exhibitors from 172 countries, regions and international organisations, making security a top priority during the event. As an essential force in the global security industry, Dahua Technology has performed outstandingly in assuring the security of many international events such as the Rio Olympic Games, G20 Hangzhou Summit and the 9th BRICS Summit. This time, Dahua Technology has shouldered the security responsibility again with its state-of-the-art products and solutions. Event security Dahua Technology provided more than 3,000 sets of cutting-edge intelligent equipment The Expo expected a total number of 800,000 visitors, as well as tens of thousands of displayed goods, coming from more than 3,000 companies in more than 130 countries, demanding safety as the top priority in the venue. Integrating data from various departments as well as monitoring the venue and command dispatching became a huge challenge for the security and police personnel. Dahua Technology provided more than 3,000 sets of cutting-edge intelligent equipment in the core locations of the Shanghai National Convention and Exhibition Center and its surrounding areas, using video AR, face recognition, ANPR, video structuring, intelligent analysis and other technologies to improve the venue’s level of security. Artificial Intelligence solutions In order to further enlarge the area security coverage, Dahua Technology set up video surveillance points in key areas of Shanghai National Convention and Exhibition Center including entrance and exit points of the outer ring, interior area, office buildings, as well the surrounding major passages, plazas, commanding points, subway entrances and exits, pedestrian bridges, etc. In addition to the already pre-installed surveillance equipment, new monitoring devices were also added to make sure that there will be no blind spots and interruptions of the video transmission in the whole area. Panoramic cameras Dahua panoramic cameras installed at the commanding point of the Shanghai National Convention and Exhibition Center employs AR technology in order to achieve omni-directional and no blind spot surveillance. Additionally, the panoramic cameras deployed inside the exhibition center monitor the situation inside the exhibition hall and obtain real-time dynamic information that builds a three-dimensional platform that are visual, controllable and schedulable to facilitate an efficient security operation. Intelligent video analysis system Intelligent video analysis system was built in the exhibition area to classify the acquired data  Moreover, intelligent video analysis system was built in the exhibition area to classify the acquired data according to the preset rules and application requirements, such as crowd detection, behavior analysis, map search, etc. This system expands and deepens the application of video information in the efficiency of public security. Furthermore, through the Dahua Deep Learning Series video alert camera, people who would illegally climb over the perimeter fence built within the 4-kilometer area of the exhibition hall would be identified and captured. Dahua face recognition system The Dahua face recognition system deployed at the entrance and exit of the exhibition center could recognise the identity of all visitors in real time by comparing their ID card’s recorded information with the face photo captured by the front-end smart camera. This system did not just improve the traffic efficiency of the entrance and exit points, but also guaranteed the safety and accuracy of the identification of people walking in and out of the venue. High-definition smart cameras Dahua high-definition smart cameras were also set up at the entrance and exit around the transportation hub of the Shanghai National Convention and Exhibition Center to monitor and track high-risk vehicles and people in real-time. This effectively improved the road management and traffic control in the area. Fully structured cameras capturing real-time videos of motor vehicles, pedestrians and non-motor vehicles were deployed in the surrounding area, which also support face and body recognition for a more comprehensive security. Video network platform Video network platform automatically connects the video and image data captured within the area  Additionally, a video network platform automatically connects the video and image data captured within the area to the public security command center, creating a resource sharing integration of valuable information. China International Import Expo has facilitated countries and regions all over the world in strengthening economic cooperation and trade, and promoting global trade and world economic growth. Dahua AI solutions has greatly enhanced the prevention and control measures within the key areas around the venue, assuring security during the Expo. Cutting-edge security solutions After the event, Dahua Technology received letters from the Shanghai Public Security Bureau, Qingpu Public Security Bureau, Changning Public Security Bureau, Shanghai Hongqiao Integrated Transportation Hub Emergency Response Center, and other offices, thanking Dahua Technology for its strong support and contributions to the success of the security management during the event. From the Rio Olympic Games to the G20 Hangzhou Summit, from the 9th BRICS Summit to the first China International Import Expo, Dahua Technology always accomplishes various security tasks with high quality and efficiency. With its cutting-edge products and solutions, quality operation services and professional technical team, Dahua Technology will continue to assist more major international events in the future.

With 15,000 visitors per day, and a watch list of about 3,000 people, the casino faced an impossible task to recognise persons of interest in real time. Surveillance staff manually detected only 5–7 known persons per week and was looking for an automated face recognition system to support two separate requirements: Detecting voluntarily excluded patrons to promote responsible gambling and to avoid compliance fines associated with allowing these people to play Detecting banned persons or people on the lookout list for loss prevention and security. Fully managed services At peak times, the system sees 20 persons per second in front of all cameras Cognitec offers the Face VACS-VideoScan Enterprise Solution as a fully managed service that allows the casino to benefit from the technology at affordable cost and with low implementation effort. The system for this casino includes the software, installed on three redundant servers, and 29 Cognitec C5 cameras at various entrances and in walkways. Some cameras have been installed to blend into the wall design, and not disrupt the overall casino decorum. At peak times, the system sees 20 persons per second in front of all cameras. The software stores the appearances of all persons for 30 days, collecting an average of 1 million faces. After this time window, all images, videos and biometric templates are deleted. Taking optimal photos with a hand-held camera When the surveillance team receives an alert, they verify the facial match, and send the person details to the database administrator. The security team receives the confirmed alert on a mobile device to discreetly find and approach the person on the floor. For new enrolments, staff have been instructed on taking optimal photos with a hand-held camera For new enrolments, staff have been instructed on taking optimal photos with a hand-held camera. The technology has been optimised to generate a high rate of true alerts while generating the lowest possible count of false alerts. The surveillance team evaluates the image pairs in an alert within seconds, and discards the alerts with questionable match results. Face recognition services The system currently generates up to 30 correct alerts per day. Self-excluded problem gamblers are now detected at a much higher rate, resulting in a significant reduction in fine payments compared to the past with traditional detection methods. Observing such reliable system performance has convinced the client to add more cameras to the system and implement the technology at additional locations. The casino also considers to use the technology for underage detection and VIP recognition. Furthermore, the casino has the option to report visitor demographics and statistics that help planning for staff resources and casino capacities. While Cognitec continues to provide reliable, fully-managed face recognition services, the casino continuously reaps the benefits: a secure environment for customers and staff, a profitable business, and support from the community.

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

The role of video surveillance is expanding, driven by all the new ways that video – and data culled from video – can impact a business. As a growing population of video cameras expands into new fields of view, we asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What is the most unusual application of surveillance cameras you have seen recently?

Securing large campus environments can be particularly demanding and requires a range of technology solutions. In effect, a campus may represent a dozen or more individual facilities to be secured, in addition to protecting the overall environment. Seeking more insight into the number and variety of needs of securing a campus, we asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What are the security challenges of protecting large campus environments?