Facial recognition systems

Mercury Security, a pioneer in open architecture access control hardware and a HID brand, announces its Mercury S4 I/O Module family. The new generation of intelligent modules is designed to help organisations modernise and expand physical access control infrastructure, building on the infrastructure they already have in place. As organisations expand facilities, adopt cloud and mobile technologies, and respond to evolving cybersecurity requirements, many are also looking for ways to modernise aging access control infrastructure without the cost and disruption of repeated hardware replacements. Mercury S4 I/O Modules extend the company's trusted intelligent controller architecture with a secure, modular platform that enables organisations to expand systems more efficiently, keep systems running and prepare for future technology requirements. Future technology requirements "Security infrastructure is expected to last for years, even as technology continues to evolve," said Steve Lucas, Vice President of Sales at Mercury Security. “We designed the S4 platform so customers can continue to expand and adapt their systems over time and protect the investments they have already made. These modules represent the next evolution in the Mercury access control ecosystem, offering a stronger cybersecurity posture, improved system performance and the introduction of a high-density option that reduces the overall system footprint." As IT closets and equipment rooms continue to shrink, system integrators face growing pressure to do more with less physical space. The Mercury S4 platform directly addresses this challenge. The new MR54-S4 Reader Interface Module delivers four-door capability in the same space previously occupied by a two-door interface module, effectively doubling door capacity within the same footprint. Each module supports up to 12 inputs and up to 8 readers in a single unit. By increasing door density within an existing footprint, integrators reduce installation complexity through simplified wiring and improved reliability, and organisations expand capacity without adding panels or consuming valuable space. Physical security environments Cybersecurity was a central design consideration throughout development. Mercury S4 I/O Modules incorporate a secure-by-design architecture with hardware-based protections engineered to address evolving cyberthreats and regulatory expectations while providing the resilience required for mission-critical physical security environments. Protections include secure boot, which establishes a hardware root of trust by preventing unauthorised or tampered firmware from running. Building on that foundation, hardware-enforced trust through an EAL6+ Secure Access Module—a top-tier Common Criteria security certification—secures key management, while post-quantum cryptography capability extends that protection to help safeguard deployments against future threats. Critical infrastructure systems This is particularly timely, as the United States and the European Union have both moved to accelerate the shift to post-quantum cryptography, with the White House directing federal agencies in June 2026 to begin their migration and the European Commission publishing a coordinated roadmap directing member states to secure high-risk and critical infrastructure systems by 2030. Most importantly, the platform aligns with recognised industry frameworks including the Center for Internet Security (CIS), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and evolving Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) requirements to help reduce risk and support long-term compliance. Wholesale hardware replacement Rather than requiring wholesale hardware replacement as technology evolves, Mercury designed the platform to accommodate future capabilities through modular architecture. For organisations managing hundreds or even thousands of doors, that means fewer panel replacements, less rewiring and fewer technician visits across facilities. Because labour often represents the largest cost of an infrastructure upgrade, reducing those onsite interventions can significantly lower lifecycle costs while allowing security teams to modernise at their own pace. Together, the Mercury S4 I/O Module family provides organisations with a flexible foundation for expanding access control systems while preserving openness, interoperability and investment protection that have long defined Mercury-based deployments. Access control professionals Built on Mercury's open architecture, the S4 family combines stronger cybersecurity and increased processing power, delivering 6x the memory and 8x the storage of prior generations, along with broad interoperability within a modular design that adapts as customer requirements evolve. The platform supports both forward and backward compatibility, allowing security leaders to upgrade their infrastructure incrementally while minimising disruption to existing deployments. These design priorities closely reflect what Mercury is hearing from the market. Through the company’s ongoing industry research into the needs of access control professionals, clear themes continue to evolve around staying current with evolving cybersecurity and data protection standards and the importance of forward and backward compatibility in future infrastructure planning. These findings underscore the growing demand for access control platforms that balance modernisation with long-term investment protection. The Mercury S4 I/O Modules are available now through Mercury's trusted OEM partner network.

Cyber threats are becoming faster, more sophisticated, and increasingly difficult for traditional Security Operations Centres (SOC) to manage. Security teams face growing alert volumes, evolving attack techniques, and a persistent shortage of skilled cyber security professionals. To address these challenges, organisations are turning to Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered SOC that can automate many aspects of security operations. However, not all AI SOC are created equal. While some simply assist analysts by speeding up tasks, truly autonomous SOC go much further by reasoning, investigating, making decisions, and executing responses with minimal human intervention. Cyber security professionals In this article, you will learn what defines an autonomous AI SOC, how it differs from traditional and AI-assisted security operations, and the key capabilities that enable it to operate independently. We will explore the roles of reasoning, investigation, decision making, and response automation, and examine why these capabilities are becoming essential for modern cyber defence. For years, SOC teams have relied heavily on human analysts to monitor alerts, investigate incidents, and coordinate responses. While security technologies such as SIEM, EDR, and XDR have improved visibility, the workload placed on analysts continues to grow. AI-powered SOCs emerged to help automate repetitive activities such as alert prioritisation and data enrichment. However, many of these systems still require significant human oversight. An autonomous SOC represents the next stage of evolution. Rather than simply supporting analysts, it actively performs complex security tasks by understanding context, evaluating evidence, determining appropriate actions, and executing responses. Preventing lateral movement Imagine a scenario where a ransomware attack begins at 2 a.m. when no senior analyst is available. Would your SOC be capable of independently investigating the threat, determining its severity, isolating affected systems, and preventing lateral movement before significant damage occurs? This hypothetical question highlights the true value of autonomy in cyber security operations. An AI SOC continuously monitors networks, endpoints, cloud environments, applications, and user activity to identify potential security threats. It collects and analyses large volumes of security telemetry, correlates events across multiple systems, and identifies suspicious patterns that may indicate malicious behaviour. Unlike traditional systems that rely heavily on predefined rules, AI SOC use machine learning, behavioural analytics, and threat intelligence to identify threats that may not match known attack signatures. This enables organisations to detect advanced attacks, insider threats, and previously unseen techniques more effectively. Explanation for suspicious activity However, detection alone does not make a SOC autonomous. True autonomy requires the ability to understand, investigate, decide, and act. Reasoning is perhaps the most important capability that separates an autonomous SOC from conventional automation. Traditional automation follows predefined workflows. If a specific condition is met, a predetermined action occurs. While useful, this approach struggles when faced with novel or complex attack scenarios. An autonomous AI SOC uses reasoning to evaluate information similarly to how an experienced analyst would. It considers multiple pieces of evidence, examines relationships between events, assesses context, and determines the most likely explanation for suspicious activity. Reducing false positives For example, a single failed login attempt is usually harmless. However, if that failed login is followed by unusual account activity, access from an unfamiliar location, privilege escalation attempts, and suspicious file transfers, an autonomous SOC can connect these events into a coherent narrative. By understanding context rather than simply matching rules, the SOC can distinguish between genuine threats and benign anomalies. This significantly reduces false positives and allows security teams to focus on the incidents that truly matter. In traditional SOCs, analysts often spend hours gathering information from multiple security tools, reviewing logs, consulting threat intelligence feeds, and piecing together attack timelines. This manual process can delay containment and increase risk. Improving accuracy and consistency An autonomous AI SOC accelerates investigation by automatically collecting and correlating relevant information from across the security ecosystem. The system can analyse endpoint activity, network traffic, authentication logs, cloud events, vulnerability data, asset inventories, and external threat intelligence simultaneously. It then reconstructs the attack sequence, identifies affected assets, determines the scope of compromise, and highlights indicators of malicious behaviour. Instead of presenting analysts with raw alerts, the autonomous SOC delivers a detailed incident narrative that explains what happened, how it happened, and why it matters. This capability dramatically reduces investigation times while improving accuracy and consistency. Appropriate response strategy Investigation alone is not enough. The system must also determine how to respond. Decision making is one of the most challenging aspects of cyber security because every incident involves balancing security risks, business impact, operational requirements, and organisational policies. A truly autonomous AI SOC evaluates these factors before selecting an appropriate response strategy. For instance, the system may identify malware on a critical production server. Immediately shutting down the server could stop the threat but might also disrupt essential business services. The autonomous SOC must assess the severity of the threat, the importance of the affected asset, the likelihood of further compromise, and the potential consequences of different response options. Modern ransomware campaigns Using predefined policies, historical incident data, risk models, and contextual awareness, the SOC can make informed decisions that align with organisational objectives. Importantly, many autonomous SOC also incorporate varying levels of human oversight. High-risk actions may require analyst approval, while lower-risk responses can proceed automatically. The final capability that defines an autonomous SOC is response automation. Cyber attacks often move faster than human response teams can react. Modern ransomware campaigns, credential theft operations, and cloud attacks can spread within minutes. Quarantining suspicious files Response automation enables the SOC to take immediate action once a threat has been verified. Rather than waiting for manual intervention, the system can execute predefined or dynamically selected response actions. Examples include isolating compromised endpoints, disabling user accounts, blocking malicious IP addresses, revoking access tokens, quarantining suspicious files, updating firewall policies, or initiating forensic data collection. What makes autonomous response particularly powerful is the integration of reasoning and decision making. The system does not simply execute a fixed playbook. It adapts its response based on the specific circumstances of each incident. As a result, organisations can significantly reduce Mean Time to Detect (MTTD) and Mean Time to Respond (MTTR), limiting the potential impact of cyber attacks. Enabling rapid response As cyber threats continue to increase in volume and sophistication, security teams face mounting pressure to do more with limited resources. Autonomous AI SOC help organisations address these challenges by reducing analyst workload, improving detection accuracy, accelerating investigations, and enabling rapid response. They also provide greater consistency by eliminating many of the delays and variations associated with manual processes. Rather than replacing human analysts, autonomous SOCs allow them to focus on strategic activities such as threat hunting, security architecture, incident leadership, and risk management. Advanced AI capabilities The result is a more resilient, scalable, and effective security operation capable of defending against modern threats. A truly autonomous AI SOC is much more than an automated alert management system. It combines reasoning, investigation, decision making, and response automation to create a security operation that can understand threats, evaluate evidence, determine the best course of action, and respond at machine speed. As organisations continue to face increasingly complex cyber risks, these capabilities will become essential components of effective security operations. The future of cyber defence lies not in replacing human expertise, but in combining advanced AI capabilities with skilled security professionals to achieve faster, smarter, and more resilient protection.

Iris ID, the pioneer in iris recognition technology, is showcasing its next-generation iris and face fusion solutions at Identity Week America, September 10-11. At Booth 417, attendees can see how Iris ID’s touchless identity solutions are engineered for today’s most demanding environments, from enterprise security to national identification programs. Additionally, NextgenID, an Iris ID partner and trusted provider of identity security and technology, will display their Identity Station Kiosk featuring the iBAR 600E. Multi-modal biometric collection “Our partnership with NextgenID marks an important milestone in advancing the mainstream adoption of biometrics for trust, identity, and security,” said Mohammed Murad, Chief Revenue Officer, Iris ID. “As governments and enterprises demand faster, more secure, and more convenient ways to verify identity, collaborations that unite best-in-class technologies are critical to ensuring ethical inclusion and safeguarding personal identifiable information (PII).” NextgenID’s kiosks—already deployed nationwide with federal agencies and enterprises—NextgenID Kioskdeliver supervised remote identity proofing (SRIP) at the highest Kantara-certified assurance level, support multi-modal biometric collection including fingerprint, face, and iris, and enable high-assurance credential issuance for PIV, CAC, FIDO, and more. Combined with their PresenceID Network and alignment to FedRAMP, NIST 800-63-4, and FIPS 201-3 standards, these capabilities perfectly complement Iris ID’s multi-modal fusion solutions, creating a trusted ecosystem that is transforming secure access, workforce management, and citizen identity systems across industries. High-throughput environments Highlighted in the Iris ID booth are the latest advances in multi-modal biometric technology, where iris and face recognition are combined in fully contactless solutions. These innovations are designed to deliver fast, frictionless throughput while ensuring accuracy and reliability, even in high-throughput environments. Iris ID will also showcase its broader suite of biometric solutions spanning enterprise access, healthcare, workforce management, public safety, and government ID programs. Built for scalability and interoperability, these systems empower organisations to modernise security and identity management while preserving efficiency and user experience. Live demonstrations will run throughout Identity Week America at the Iris ID Booth 417.

RecFaces, a global developer of enterprise-grade facial biometric software, will participate in FIRE & SECURITY INDIA EXPO 2026 (FSIE 2026), taking place September 3–5 at Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai, India. Visitors will be able to meet the RecFaces team and explore three of the company’s flagship products — Id-Time, Id-Guard and Id-Gate — at the stand of its partner, Startologic Technologies (A9). At FSIE 2026, RecFaces will demonstrate how facial biometrics can address practical business and security tasks across large and complex enterprise environments. The company will focus on applications relevant to enterprises in construction, retail, education and smart offices, where organisations need reliable tools to manage workforce attendance, control access to facilities and strengthen the capabilities of existing video surveillance infrastructure. Video surveillance infrastructure Visitors to the stand will be able to explore three different applications of facial biometrics. Id-Time is designed for biometric workforce time and attendance management, helping organisations gain more accurate visibility into employee presence and working time. Id-Gate brings facial recognition into access control scenarios, while Id-Guard enhances video surveillance with facial biometric capabilities. Together, the three products demonstrate how RecFaces approaches facial recognition not as a standalone technology, but as a tool for addressing specific enterprise tasks within existing business and security infrastructure. The RecFaces team attending FSIE 2026 will include Tamara Morozova, CEO at RecFaces; Farida Baichora, Product Owner at RecFaces; and Oleg Kurochkin, the company’s strategic partner. During the exhibition, they will meet with enterprise representatives and industry professionals to discuss practical facial biometric use cases and explore how the technology can support their operational needs. Rapidly developing industries “India brings together rapidly developing industries and enterprises managing increasingly complex facilities and operations. For RecFaces, FSIE is valuable because it gives us the opportunity to speak directly with the people responsible for these environments and understand the business tasks behind their technology decisions,” said Tamara Morozova, CEO at RecFaces. “Our goal is not simply to demonstrate facial recognition, but to show how it can become a practical part of everyday enterprise processes — from managing access and security to gaining better visibility into workforce attendance. These live conversations also help us understand where the market is heading and ensure that our products continue to address real business needs.” For organisations in construction, facial biometrics can be relevant across environments ranging from infrastructure and residential projects to shopping malls and corporate facilities. Large retail businesses, meanwhile, often operate networks of stores with significant employee and visitor flows. Education and smart office environments bring their own requirements for access, security and workforce management. Lengthy development project “From a product perspective, the value of facial biometrics becomes clear when it is connected to a specific process,” said Farida Baichora, Product Owner at RecFaces. “With Id-Time, Id-Gate and Id-Guard, we address three distinct scenarios: workforce time and attendance management, access control and facial recognition within video surveillance. At FSIE, visitors can discuss with us which product fits their particular task, what role facial biometrics plays within the existing infrastructure, and how organisations can introduce the technology without turning biometric deployment into a lengthy development project.” FIRE & SECURITY INDIA EXPO brings together professionals and companies working across fire protection, life safety, security, building automation, loss prevention and risk management. For RecFaces, participation in the exhibition provides an opportunity to engage with India’s security community and enterprise decision-makers, demonstrate facial biometric software in practice, and exchange expertise on its application in modern business environments. RecFaces invites enterprises, security professionals, technology partners and industry representatives attending FIRE & SECURITY INDIA EXPO 2026 to visit Startologic Technologies’ Stand A9 on September 3–5 at Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai to meet the RecFaces team and explore Id-Time, Id-Guard and Id-Gate in action.

Nutanix, a hybrid cloud pioneer and AI innovator, announces the general availability of Nutanix Enterprise AI (NAI) 2.8, and the upcoming general availability of Nutanix Kubernetes Platform (NKP) 2.19, along with new incentives, programs, and resources designed to help partners accelerate growth on emerging AI opportunities. Many enterprises face a major roadblock when deploying AI: AI is accelerating the shift to containers, while critical applications and data remain spread across both virtualised and containerised environments. This divide can force enterprises to add infrastructure silos, move data or rearchitect existing workloads to support AI alongside the applications and data they already run. Dual-native architecture Nutanix addresses this with a governed, dual-native architecture that runs traditional applications and modern AI side by side, allowing the infrastructure to flexibly support the workload, integrated with silicon partners to provide choice and flexibility to customers. By bringing AI to where enterprise data already lives, Nutanix helps customers reduce silos and accelerate ROI without costly rearchitecting or added networking and data layer complexity. Expanding on NCP capabilities, NAI and NKP are designed to enable organisations to securely run, manage, and govern AI, containerised applications and virtualised workloads through a consistent control plane. These complement the core platform capabilities for near-bare metal performance for AI on virtualised infrastructure introduced with NCI 7.6. Together, they give enterprises a flexible alternative to infrastructure stacks that limit architectural choice, drive up costs, and require disruptive platform changes. Adaptable multitenant cloud foundation For partners, the new Powered by Nutanix: Verified Services program aims to enable them to capitalise on major industry shifts and next-generation AI deployments by empowering them to build validated, high-margin services practices that span the full customer lifecycle. To operationalise these flexible new offerings, Service Provider (SP) Central provides an adaptable multitenant cloud foundation, giving service providers the control they need to grow infrastructure, platform, cloud-native, and AI services on their own terms. “Enterprise AI should not require customers to rebuild the systems that already run their business,” said Thomas Cornely, Executive Vice President, Product Management, Nutanix. “With our dual-native architecture, customers can bring AI to their existing applications and data while running each workload on the infrastructure best suited to it, with consistent operations and governance across VMs, containers and AI. This gives organisations a practical path to production without creating new silos or limiting future choice.” Unified and secure platform NAI delivers a unified and secure platform to deploy, manage, and scale AI workloads across hybrid environments. It enables enterprises to enforce governance over their agents and models, gain total visibility over token usage, and streamline AI development with a simple interface with built-in observability metrics and easy to use model-as-a-service while ensuring security, scalability, and integration with existing infrastructure. Key NAI updates include: Agent Gateway: This now includes a generally available MCP Gateway which serves as a secure, unified front door for AI agents to access tools and data without custom engineering. To complement this, Nutanix has also released MCP Server for NCP to help customers build agentic AI applications with secure access to the infrastructure managed by Nutanix.  Private Inference: New advanced inference and fine tuning capabilities enable scalable, multiGPU inference for LLMs via tensor parallelism, delivering high-throughput serving and low-latency response times for enterprise LLM workloads. In addition, this enables batch inference and speculative decoding. Key features include: 1) Parameter-Efficient Fine-Tuning which supports Low-Rank Adaptation (LoRA) fine-tuning for smaller models (<8B parameters), helping organisations to cost-effectively customise open LLMs on private domain data using single-GPU compute while seamlessly deploying adapters straight to serving pipelines; 2) Scalable multiGPU serving which enables high-throughput multiGPU inference via tensor parallelism, delivering fast, distributed serving across enterprise hybrid cloud environments; and 3) Speculative decoding which accelerates LLM inference token generation by up to 2.5x using lightweight draft models, cutting output latency without sacrificing model accuracy. Enhanced Security against Rogue AI: With the rise of agentic AI and the risk of models breaking out of sandboxes, security is paramount. NAI provides robust protection against rogue models through our platform and APIs, featuring fine-grained Identity and Access Management (IAM), custom roles and seamless model sharing. This enforces least-privilege security, helping ensure agents operate securely and restricting access to only authorised roles, as well as support for air-gapped NVIDIA NIM deployment. Running agentic applications With NKP, organisations can simplify container operations across containers running on bare metal and VMs without piecing together complex, custom stacks. The upcoming release will provide an AI-optimised platform for building and running agentic applications at scale, including the following features coming soon: NKP Metal: Built to bring HCI-grade simplicity to bare-metal Kubernetes, with automated OS, firmware, and container deployment, and persistent, enterprise-grade storage natively, eliminating the complexity of patchwork platforms. NKP Full Stack: While NKP Metal is intended to bring simplicity to bare-metal deployments, NKP on AHV remains the cornerstone for organisations requiring robust, agile virtualised environments. Combined with Nutanix Flow, NKP on AHV is designed to deliver stronger network-level sandboxing for AI agents, helping provide essential isolation to mitigate the risk of rogue attacks and lateral movement. AI Applications Catalog: Offers a one-click deployment path for curated, validated AI/ML software (Kubeflow, Milvus, Slurm) to help bypass manual integration challenges. Hardware and Compliance: Planned expansion of ecosystem support with validated GPU integrations, alongside dynamic resource allocation for modern AI workloads. CNCF Certified Kubernetes AI Conformant Platform: NKP has attained formal CNCF certification to validate that NKP provides the standardised APIs and capabilities required to reliably operate enterprise AI workloads. Maximising GPU utilisation Demanding AI workloads require infrastructure that keeps data moving, maximises GPU utilisation, and reduces deployment risk. Nutanix Unified Storage (NUS) recently achieved NVIDIA-Certified Storage validation at the enterprise level, providing a trusted, interoperable foundation that helps eliminate data bottlenecks. NUS establishes a low-latency, high-throughput data path directly to GPUs, maximising GPU utilisation and ensuring linear scalability for large-scale production AI workloads. According to Gartner®, “By 2029, 55 percent of enterprises will migrate 100 percent of workloads from VMware to alternative infrastructure delivery solutions”. To help partners capitalise on this market shift, next-generation AI deployments and other emerging opportunities, Nutanix recently launched the Powered by Nutanix: Verified Services program. This program provides the framework to support the broader partner ecosystem in transitioning from traditional, one-time deals to high-margin, recurring revenue streams by building validated services practices. Backed by streamlined onboarding, comprehensive service delivery kits, and exclusive badging across hybrid cloud infrastructure, Kubernetes, and VM migration, the program equips partners to own the full customer lifecycle, drive faster time-to-value, and maximise long-term retention. Broad portfolio of infrastructure Nutanix is also announcing the general availability of SP Central, a unified multitenant control plane that gives displaced VMware service provider partners greater choice in how they build and monetise services. Service Provider Central gives providers one consistent foundation to build and monetise a broad portfolio of infrastructure, application, cloud-native, and AI services, with the flexibility on deployment location and licensing they need. This is designed to help providers improve utilisation and protect margins while giving customers more choice in how and where they run applications and AI workloads. “The Nutanix Cloud Platform gives us a dual-native architecture that is governed and brings AI to our applications and data across virtual machines and containers.  This helps speed AI innovation across the production environments our organisation depends on,” said Jasim Abdul Rahman, Group Chief Information Officer, Power International Holding. Prioritising platform consistency Industry Analyst Commentary - “By introducing a “dual native” model that unifies services such as networking, security, and data protection across both VMs and containers, Nutanix is leaning into a competitive landscape where consistent policy enforcement and lifecycle management are becoming key differentiators. Enterprises are increasingly prioritising platform consistency as application portfolios span legacy, refactored, and cloud-native designs,” said Matt Flug, IDC. Ecosystem Partners Commentary - “As enterprises deploy agentic AI to automate complex workflows, they need infrastructure that delivers the performance, security and control required for production environments. Cisco is bringing that foundation. Together with Nutanix’s governed, dual-native cloud operating model, we’re giving organisations greater choice in how they deploy and operate AI while maintaining the control they need across their environment,” said Jeremy Foster, Cisco GM & SVP, Cisco Compute. Highly regulated industries "At Continent 8 Technologies, we've worked closely alongside Nutanix to help shape the next generation of cloud services for regulated industries. Our continued collaboration with Nutanix, including the development of Service Provider Central, is built around helping our customers adopt modern cloud and AI capabilities without adding unnecessary complexity. Together, we're enabling organisations in highly regulated industries to innovate faster and focus on their core business, while maintaining the security, compliance, and operational control they require,” said Edward O’Connor, Chief Technology Officer at Continent 8 Technologies. “The rise of agentic AI is redefining how AI services are delivered, making security and sovereignty foundational requirements. Through our collaboration with Nutanix, we are enabling enterprises and service providers to build high-performance, multitenant AI platforms with hardware-enforced isolation and security. This ensures that sensitive data and models remain protected in use, delivering the secure scale and efficiency required for next-generation AI factories,” said Bill Pearson, VP, Data Center Software, Intel. NAI 2.8 and SP Central are generally available now. NKP 2.19 will be available soon.

Alcatraz, the AI-powered physical access control company redefining secure entry through facial authentication, announces the appointment of Ilya Ozerets as Senior Vice President of Product & Innovation. In this role, Ilya will lead Alcatraz’s next phase of product and technology evolution, overseeing product, software, and hardware teams to accelerate execution, strengthen cross-functional alignment, and deliver high-impact, revenue-generating innovations across the company. Revenue-generating innovations Ilya brings more than 15 years of experience building and scaling AI-native products, biometric technologies, and enterprise systems. Most recently, he served as Chief Product & Strategy Officer at ID R&D, a pioneer in liveness and anti-spoofing technologies, where he helped scale the company’s biometric technology offerings and contributed to its successful acquisition by Mitek Systems. His previous leadership experience also includes product and strategy roles at Mitek Systems and Wells Fargo, where he led enterprise identity, authentication, and biometric technologies supporting hundreds of millions of users. AI-powered access control “At Alcatraz, we are building the future of physical security with technology that is intelligent, frictionless, and privacy-first,” said Tina D'Agostin, CEO of Alcatraz. “We are the Face ID of physical security. As organizations modernize how they secure buildings, campuses, airports, and data centers, the demand for AI-powered access control continues to accelerate. Ilya brings deep expertise in biometric and identity innovation, AI-native systems, and enterprise-scale execution that will help us continue advancing our technology and delivering transformative experiences for customers around the world.” Strategic upsell pathways Ozerets will focus on bridging product and engineering while driving end-to-end delivery excellence across the organization. He will also help identify new market opportunities and expand Alcatraz’s technology offerings through new product innovation, ecosystem partnerships, and strategic upsell pathways. “I’m excited to join Alcatraz at a pivotal moment for both the company and the industry,” said Ilya Ozerets. “As physical and digital identity continue to converge, organizations are rethinking how people securely move through buildings and critical infrastructure. Alcatraz is uniquely positioned to lead that transformation through AI-driven, privacy first technology designed for the modern enterprise. I look forward to helping scale the company’s next phase of innovation and growth.”

In logistics hubs, production facilities and distribution centres, the access control system is invisible—until it isn't. For decades, the 125 kHz card has been the workhorse of industrial credentialing: inexpensive, reliable and universally understood. It does exactly what it has always done. That consistency has served many organisations well, even as security needs and credential From authentication to smart buildings, gain expert insights about unified access. The same card technology that opened the warehouse gate in 2005 is opening it today. And while operations teams have upgraded conveyors, ERP systems and warehouse management platforms, the front door has often remained on technology selected for an earlier era. Major operational event Why? It is rarely about a lack of awareness. More often, organisations are balancing cost, time and operational risk. In a facility that never stops, a full systemwide upgrade can feel less like a routine project and more like a major operational event. The path forward is continuous modernisation: deploying an agile access layer that adapts to new security requirements and credential technologies over time, rather than replacing everything at once. Universal reader technology makes that possible, without the “Big Bang” shutdown. Why legacy systems can benefit from modernisation The 125 kHz card (also named proximity, prox or low-frequency) helped set a practical standard for convenience and broad compatibility, but many organisations are now evaluating where its security model can be improved by newer options: Increased cryptographic protection. Traditional low-frequency credentials transmit a fixed identifier, which can make them harder to align with today’s expectations for encrypted and dynamic authentication. Increased credential validation. Traditional proximity systems do not provide the kind of mutual authentication or challenge‑response mechanisms that are increasingly common in newer credential platforms. Better protection from duplication/cloning. Because the credential model is comparatively simple, 125 kHz cards present fewer barriers to duplication or cloning than modern encrypted credentials which are inherently designed to better distinguish authorised users from copied identifies. An opportunity to secure the full path. Many legacy deployments also rely on Wiegand communication between reader and controller, creating a strong case for modernisation to encrypted, supervised protocols that help protect credential data in transit. Keeping the interoperability benefit of Prox. Newer open standard provides the same interoperability benefits while addressing improved security. The opportunity for the front door At the same time, security teams face an expanding threat landscape and compliance requirements A traditional access control upgrade is not just a technology swap. It means new readers at every door, new credentials issued to every employee and contractor, platform reconfiguration and installation labor across a facility that cannot afford to stop. Against that backdrop, the rational choice is often to do nothing. At the same time, security teams face an expanding threat landscape and compliance requirements that increasingly demand encrypted credentials. And with Apple Wallet corporate badges and BLE mobile credentials moving into the mainstream, employees and contractors will soon expect to use their phone as their badge, at least as an option if not the primary means of credential presentation. Four specific friction points keep organisations locked in place long after they know they should move. The logistical bottleneck - Replacing a proximity-based system has traditionally meant doing everything at once: new readers, new credentials, new platform configuration, every employee and contractor rebadged before the cutover date. For a site running 24/7 with extensive staff and rotating contractors, that isn’t just an upgrade. It’s a logistical nightmare requiring a hard shutdown. The rebadging event alone, coordinating hundreds or thousands of people through a credential transition on a fixed timeline, can consume weeks of HR and security operations bandwidth. The Credential Soup - Most logistics organisations are not running one clean credential population. They are running three or four: legacy prox for permanent staff, a different format inherited from an acquisition, a contractor badge system managed by a third party, a mobile pilot that never fully rolled out. None of them talk to each other, and no single reader handles all of them. Frozen Infrastructure - Static readers support only the credential formats they shipped with or have limited format support for updates. When a new vulnerability is disclosed or a new mobile standard is released, the hardware has no path to adapt. The only option is physical replacement, which means another capital project, more installation labour, and the same shutdown risk all over again. The Cyber-Physical Gap - IT departments run zero-trust architectures and encrypt everything on the network. Then the same organisation unlocks its server room with a Wiegand-protocol reader transmitting credentials in plain text. The IT security perimeter ends at the network edge. The physical front door is a different conversation entirely, and often nobody's budget. The way forward: Continuous modernisation of access credentials A continuous modernisation plan is both easier and more cost-effective than a one-time “rip-and-replace” event The answer to the Big Bang problem is not a better-planned Big Bang. It is a fundamentally different approach to access infrastructure that treats modernisation as an ongoing capability rather than a one-time event. A continuous modernisation plan is both easier and more cost-effective than a one-time “rip-and-replace” event. It significantly lowers the labour and logistical costs of rebadging the entire organisation at once and eliminates the need for forced downtime entirely. Instead, organisations upgrade incrementally (by site, by department, or as credentials expire), keeping operations running and spreading costs over time. And with future-proof universal reader technology, the reader stops being a fixed asset and becomes a platform that continues to evolve as needs change. Start with a universal infrastructure The foundation of continuous modernisation is a universal reader that can handle whatever credentials are already in the building (legacy proximity, modern smart cards, mobile credentials) while remaining ready for whatever comes next. As access technologies continue to evolve, support for additional credential formats and security approaches can be added through firmware updates rather than hardware replacement, ensuring a secure and future-proof access system. The burden can further be eased by the use of a universal credential that can support existing formats along with new formats, enabling the credentials to work on existing readers as well as new readers. Let old and new credentials coexist Legacy 125 kHz cards continue to function in parallel until the organisation is ready to retire them With a multi-technology reader in place, the rebadging process becomes a rolling transition rather than a synchronised event. New employees get modern credentials from day one. Existing staff transition as badges are renewed or departments are prioritised. Legacy 125 kHz cards continue to function in parallel until the organisation is ready to retire them. Eventually, 125 kHz support or insecure credential support can be switched off, cleanly and deliberately, via a remote firmware update. That means no forced downtime, and no mass confusion at the turnstiles. This applies equally to secure migration to either modern symmetric credentials (such as HID Seos or LEAF) or emerging asymmetric credentials (such as PKOC, Aliro or LEAF Verified). Secure the whole chain, not just the card Upgrading credentials without addressing the communication layer is only half the job. Moving from Wiegand to OSDP Secure Channel (a bidirectional, AES-128 encrypted protocol) closes the replay attack vulnerability and adds tamper detection between reader and controller. Modern credentials and a secure communication layer together protect the entire authentication chain, from the card or smartphone all the way to the access control platform. This becomes critical when the reader is handling the decryption of a secure credential and then communicating to the panel in clear text. OSDP encrypts this last step of communication, while also offering industry best practices for managing reader devices. Choose infrastructure that doesn't choose for you Interoperability is not just a convenience feature. It is a strategic asset Interoperability is not just a convenience feature. It is a strategic asset. A facility running universal reader infrastructure compatible with most transponder technologies and credential formats (physical and mobile) is insulated from vendor lock-in and the next credential transition. Universal readers also act as merger-and-acquisition insurance: when a company acquires a facility running a different badge system or a contractor arrives with an unfamiliar card format, existing readers can be configured to accept the new credentials from day one. As access technologies and credential standards continue to evolve, organisations with adaptable reader infrastructure will absorb that shift as a firmware update. Those without it will face another capital project. A market in motion: beyond legacy credentials Emerging open standards (which reduce vendor dependency) and widely adopted proprietary platforms are both moving the market toward stronger cryptography. These credentials can be delivered on physical smart cards, mobile devices or both. Organisations selecting reader infrastructure today should ensure it is prepared to support this transition without requiring a hardware swap. Several initiatives are gaining significant traction: LEAF Identity: An interoperable credential framework built on strong symmetric encryption, already deployed across a meaningful number of installations and a proven replacement path for legacy proximity systems LEAF Verified: A next‑generation physical access credential platform built on NXP’s MIFARE DUOX that uses public‑key cryptography to eliminate traditional shared key management and enable interoperable, vendor‑neutral access control. PKOC (Public Key Open Credential): An open, vendor-agnostic credential specification from the Physical Security Interoperability Alliance using asymmetric public key cryptography, in which the private key never leaves the device and a derivative of the public key is the credential Aliro: An open mobile-first credential standard released in February 2026 by the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA), the organisation behind the Matter smart home standard. Backed by Apple, Google, Samsung, and 220+ industry members providing native wallet, offline device support and mailbox features on top of asymmetric public key cryptography. HID Seos: A widely deployed proprietary credential platform that continues to drive responsible, large-scale secure symmetric-based encrypted deployments across small to enterprise environments for both card and mobile deployment, including wallet. Security that scales The same principles apply equally to a single site or a logistics operator running 5,000 employees The same principles apply equally to a single site or a logistics operator running 5,000 employees across a dozen sites. Because no single cutover date is required, a large organisation can sequence the migration by site, by department or by credential expiry cycle. The operational risk that makes a traditional upgrade unthinkable at scale becomes manageable when the transition is invisible to the people walking through the doors. The pressure to act is reaching a tipping point. Apple Wallet corporate badges and BLE mobile credentials are arriving in earnest in 2026, as well as asymmetric smart card options. These technologies are rapidly moving from isolated pilots into mainstream enterprise deployment across logistics, manufacturing and production environments. Evolve security infrastructure Organisations that have already invested in universal reader and credential infrastructure that is firmware-updateable and mobile-ready will absorb that shift without a second thought. Those that haven't will face another rip-and-replace decision just as the mobile credential wave hits. Organisations that have already invested in universal reader and credential infrastructure Continuous modernisation is not a one-time project. It is a permanent capability: the ability to evolve security infrastructure at the organisation's own pace, without forced downtime, without mass rebadging events, and without being held hostage to the next credential transition. Organisations that build that capability today are not just solving a security problem. They are future-proofing the way their facilities move. Universal access from ELATEC ELATEC's TWN4 universal readers are built on an agnostic design strategy: multi-technology, multi-frequency, and software-configurable, so organisations are not locked into a single credential technology or vendor. Key capabilities across the TWN4 family: Support for 100+ physical and mobile credentials and 60+ transponder technologies RFID, NFC, and BLE in a single reader platform Software-configurable via the ELATEC DevPack: credential formats, encryption settings, and security protocols can be updated remotely without hardware replacement Supports backward and forward compatibility as new standards emerge Available in a range of form factors for door access, desktop enrollment, OEM integration, and industrial applications

It has been 10 years since the European Union adopted the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), triggering a fundamental overhaul of data protection and privacy law. Today, GDPR is embedded in the day-to-day operations of organisations working with, or within, EU member states. GDPR was introduced in recognition that the world had changed profoundly and that existing data protection laws were no longer adequate in an increasingly digital and interconnected environment. The regulation was also designed to be forward-looking, providing a framework capable of governing innovation and emerging technologies. However, the rapid growth of AI-driven applications is prompting national data protection authorities to revise guidance for systems that process personal data. AI-driven applications Some of this innovation was already gaining momentum before GDPR, most notably body-worn video, which was being tested and deployed primarily by police forces. At the same time, more advanced projects, such as live streaming, were receiving funding, while organisations across the public and private sectors moved quickly to achieve compliance ahead of the regulation’s entry into force in 2018. Today, body-worn video is widely used by police forces in the U.K., France, Germany and Italy Today, body-worn video is widely used by police forces in the U.K., France, Germany and Italy, with adoption continuing to grow elsewhere. Uptake in commercial environments is more uneven. Some member states apply stricter rules than others, particularly around whether and how the technology may be used, and whether it infringes the rights of workers or members of the public. Facial recognition systems These concerns are amplified in relation to live facial recognition. In the U.K., no longer an EU member state but still aligned with GDPR, the government is encouraging police use of the technology and concluded a consultation on a new legal framework in February 2026. While reported deployments have been positive, the technology remains controversial and continues to attract opposition from civil liberties groups. The picture is further complicated by the fact that many facial recognition systems rely on AI. As a result, they may breach the EU AI Act, which entered into force in 2024 and largely prohibits real-time biometric identification in public spaces. Complex video environments This capability is critical not only for operational needs but also for responding to DSARs Over the past decade, video use across Europe has expanded significantly, encompassing CCTV, body-worn video, smartphone footage and video doorbells. At the same time, major advances in technology now allow security professionals to manage larger and more complex video environments while remaining compliant with GDPR. Modern video management systems (VMS) are a clear example. Security control room operators, whether on site or working from centralised locations, can now retrieve relevant footage quickly and efficiently. This capability is critical not only for operational needs but also for responding to data subject access requests (DSARs), which require organisations to provide personal data on request, within reasonable limits, or for sharing footage with law enforcement during investigations. Hybrid video environments Masking and blurring technologies have also improved significantly, reducing the time and effort required to redact footage before it is shared, either digitally or physically. Because GDPR applies to both public and private sector organisations, redaction requirements also apply when footage is shared with police. However, the economic and operational benefits of these systems have driven greater transparency The shift from on premises systems to cloud-based and hybrid video environments has introduced new challenges, particularly around data residency and the risk of EU citizens’ personal data being stored outside GDPR jurisdiction. However, the economic and operational benefits of these systems have driven greater transparency and the development of stronger controls, enabling organisations to adopt them with greater confidence. Delivering meaningful protections GDPR replaced the EU’s 1995 Data Protection Directive. In the 21 years between that directive and GDPR’s adoption, the world moved decisively from analogue to digital. Ten years on, the regulation has proved resilient in delivering meaningful protections for EU citizens’ personal data. While there have been several high-profile fines related to CCTV use, some exceeding €10 million, the security industry has adapted effectively. Challenges, debate and controversy will undoubtedly continue as AI creates new opportunities to enhance safety and security operations. Taken together, GDPR and the EU AI Act provide a robust legal framework that allows security professionals to innovate while maintaining strong safeguards for privacy and data protection.

For years, physical security and cybersecurity evolved on parallel tracks. One team managed doors, badges and cameras, while the other handled network access, authentication and logical assets. The systems rarely shared information and, in many organisations, they still do not. That separation is becoming harder to defend now that employees move continuously between physical and logical environments throughout the workday. A single person may badge into a building, access cloud applications, reserve workspaces, connect to operational systems and authenticate into sensitive applications within minutes. Disconnected identity systems Yet many organisations still treat each interaction as a separate identity event managed by different systems with different policies and different visibility. Attackers, with the help of AI, are becoming increasingly adept at exploiting those gaps. According to HID’s 2026 State of Security and Identity Report, identity management is now the top strategic priority for security leaders, with 73% identifying it as a trend shaping their security planning. The report also found that managing multiple disconnected identity systems is now the primary operational challenge for more than half of respondents. This shows that identity is becoming the link between physical security, cybersecurity and operational resilience. Fragmented identity creates operational and security risk The growing convergence between physical and logical environments has raised the stakes considerably Many organisations accumulated identity systems over time rather than designing them as a unified architecture. Access control platforms, visitor management systems, HR provisioning tools, multifactor authentication systems and workplace applications were often deployed independently to solve specific operational needs. Individually, these systems may function well. Together, they often create administrative duplication, overhead and blind spots. A terminated contractor may lose network access immediately while retaining physical access to facilities for days. An employee may require multiple credentials to navigate a single workday. Security teams may need to reconcile disconnected logs across several systems during an investigation. These inefficiencies slow response times and increase operational risk. The growing convergence between physical and logical environments has raised the stakes considerably. Modern attacks increasingly target the connections between systems, particularly where identity validation is inconsistent. HID’s research highlights growing concern around AI-driven credential attacks, biometric spoofing and phishing campaigns designed to exploit fragmented identity environments. This is one reason organisations are reevaluating identity management from the ground up. Converged credentials reduce complexity One of the clearest developments in this evolution is the growing adoption of converged credentials One of the clearest developments in this evolution is the growing adoption of converged credentials, where a single trusted identity is used across both physical and logical environments. This allows one credential to securely support access to buildings, workstations, cloud applications and other enterprise systems. The operational advantages are substantial since security teams gain more consistent governance across environments and IT and facilities teams reduce administrative duplication. Organisations simplify onboarding and offboarding workflows while improving auditability and compliance visibility. Users benefit from a more seamless experience that supports how modern workplaces actually operate. Importantly, converged identity strategies also reduce the number of credentials employees must manage. They are no longer forced to manage separate badges, passwords, tokens and access workflows across disconnected systems. That simplification means employees are less likely to seek workarounds. HID’s 2026 State of Security and Identity Report found that 75% of organisations have either deployed or are actively evaluating physical-logical identity convergence solutions. Mobile credentials are changing expectations Mobile credentials are also reshaping how organisations think about identity management. What began primarily as a convenience initiative has matured into a broader security and operational strategy. HID’s research found that 74% of organisations have already deployed or are actively planning to deploy mobile credentials. Security improvement now ranks ahead of convenience as the primary driver for adoption. Mobile credentials support encrypted communication, biometric authentication and real-time credential lifecycle management. Administrators can issue, revoke or update credentials remotely without requiring physical card replacement. Organisations also gain stronger visibility into credential usage and access patterns. Credential lifecycle management Equally important, mobile identity aligns with broader expectations of the workforce Equally important, mobile identity aligns with broader expectations of the workforce. Employees increasingly expect workplace access experiences to mirror the simplicity of consumer technology, whether they are accessing offices, applications or services. The future is unlikely to be entirely mobile, however. Most organisations are expected to maintain hybrid credential environments for the foreseeable future, combining mobile credentials with physical cards and other identity technologies based on operational needs and user requirements. Biometrics expands beyond MFA Biometric technologies are becoming more central to identity strategies across industries. Historically, biometric technologies were primarily deployed for multifactor authentication and to protect highly secure environments. HID’s research shows that organisations are increasingly adopting biometrics as part of core access control and identity verification workflows. This trend is particularly visible in sectors where identity assurance and operational efficiency are both critical. Healthcare organisations are using biometrics to strengthen patient identification, secure sensitive areas and streamline staff authentication workflows. Higher education institutions are exploring biometric-enabled mobile experiences that support campus access, workspace login and digital services. Transportation operators are deploying facial recognition to accelerate passenger processing while improving identity verification. With broader adoption comes greater scrutiny around privacy, transparency and governance. Organisations are paying closer attention to how biometric data are collected, protected and managed. HID’s report found that privacy and ethical concerns surrounding biometrics rose sharply year over year, reinforcing the importance of encryption, secure architecture and privacy-first design approaches. Physical access is now part of cybersecurity As physical and logical systems converge, every access decision carries more weight As physical and logical systems converge, every access decision carries more weight. The credential used at the door may also support workstation login, cloud application access and other enterprise workflows. That makes the integrity of the entire identity chain more important, from the credential and reader to the systems that manage permissions, events and audits. This is where older access infrastructure becomes a real liability. Legacy cards, weak reader-to-controller communication and disconnected credential systems can undermine even a strong cybersecurity program. If an organisation cannot prove who entered a facility, whether the credential was valid and how that event relates to logical access activity, it is working with partial visibility. Common governance model Converged identity helps close that gap by linking physical and logical access under a common governance model. Organisations can apply more consistent policies, reduce credential fragmentation and accelerate investigations. IT gains stronger assurance that the person accessing systems is tied to the same trusted identity used to enter the building. Security teams gain better context when reviewing access events, anomalies or incidents. This does not require an organisation to replace everything at once. The practical path is phased modernisation: moving away from easily cloned cards, strengthening reader and credential security, improving integration with identity systems and choosing architectures that can evolve as requirements change. Identity is becoming core to enterprise infrastructure. It now supports access control, cybersecurity, compliance, workplace experience and operational continuity. Organisations that treat identity as an infrastructure will be better positioned to reduce risk without adding unnecessary friction for users.

The security landscape is undergoing a profound transformation, as evidenced by the innovations showcased at the ISC West Expo 2026. From dismantling of silos between physical and digital security to the ongoing transition to cloud and hybrid platforms, much of the discussion on the show floor was familiar, if somehow more urgent than ever. Clearly the industry is moving toward unified, cloud-native, and highly automated ecosystems. In a series of deep-dive meetings and demonstrations at the recent show, I got a first-hand glimpse of the future of the physical security marketplace. Spoiler alert: The future is now! HID Global: Tearing down the silos HID Global is addressing the long-requested convergence of physical and digital security. Recognising that the industry has historically operated in silos, HID is now leading with a combined implementation team to leverage the power of both sides. HID is supporting the transition by combining its logical and physical security teams to help end users design secure, end-to-end journeys for their employees. By leveraging its massive existing footprint in physical access, HID is uniquely positioned to help organisations upgrade their cybersecurity posture without a total "rip and replace" of their hardware. HID is seeing a surge in demand for converged credentials that unite building access with digital identity. On the digital front, HID has implemented FIDO (Fast Identity Online) and passkeys to replace traditional passwords with more secure, biometric-backed authentication methods. Acre Security: Bridging the gap to the cloud Acre Security previewed a cloud-native video solution, reinforcing its cloud-first security strategyAcre Security is currently consolidating brands, bringing established names like Feenics and AccessIt under a single corporate umbrella. A primary theme for the company at ISC West is the migration of legacy systems to modern infrastructure. To facilitate the transition, they are launching "The Bridge," a technology designed to help on-premise customers transition to the cloud at a pace that suits their operational needs. The company is also expanding its portfolio into video. Attendees at the show received a preview of a new cloud-native video solution slated for release later this year, signaling Acre’s commitment to a holistic, cloud-first security suite. Acoem: Real-time acoustic threat detection With a 35-year foundation in vibration and acoustics—including military sniper detection—Acoem is providing gunshot detection through edge processing. Unlike systems that rely on the cloud and may suffer from latency, Acoem’s technology processes data at the sensor level for instant alerts. Their sensors are engineered for massive outdoor spaces, covering a 500-foot radius (roughly 11 football fields) and can detect high-powered rifle shots from up to half a mile away. The system provides critical intelligence by distinguishing between muzzle blasts and "mach noise" from bullet travel, delivering an audio file to the end-user that maps the location and direction of the threat. They use AI to filter out environmental false positives, such as skateboards hitting metal rails. Alarm.com: The all-in-one dealer ecosystem Beyond hardware, Alarm.com is leveraging AI to streamline the sales process Alarm.com is doubling down on "giving tools to dealers to help them be successful," with a focus on unified commercial solutions. A highlight at ISC West is their new fire communicator, which integrates fire monitoring into their single app, completing what they call the "fourth leg of the stool." The product allows fire systems to benefit from the same real-time customer engagement and push notifications that have long been available for intrusion and video. The key products, such as commercial-grade hardware, are now available for immediate purchase. Beyond hardware, Alarm.com is leveraging AI to streamline the sales process. Their new AI Proposal Builder uses customer meeting notes to automatically generate customised, value-driven sales proposals for dealers. Allegion: A global shift in credentialing Following the acquisition of ELATEC, Allegion is adopting a more global market approach and expanding its OEM business. The company is involved in the development of Aliro, the newly unveiled mobile credentialing standard. Allegion’s strategy is built on versatility: While Aliro serves the burgeoning mobile market, they also offer PKOC for plastic cards, allowing them to provide solutions regardless of the user's preferred credential type. The ELATEC acquisition has effectively filled previous gaps in their use-case portfolio, positioning them as a comprehensive provider for both physical and digital access needs. AtlasIED: Engineering for life safety Transitioning from audio to a fully automated threat detection company, AtlasIED showcased its new IPX line at ISC West. This modular platform uses a single PoE++ port to power various "plug-and-play" modules, allowing for easy system upgrades. Their gun detection technology achieves a 99% confidence rating by "stacking" AI models; it cross-references audio data with infrared signatures to detect muzzle flashes and air quality sensors for particulates. With systems already running in 80% of U.S. international airports, the company maintains 24/7 domestic engineering support to manage these "life-safety adjacent" environments. Axis Communications: Unifying connectivity Axis Communications is advancing network video with 4G/5G surveillance, reducing cabling needs Axis Communications continues to lead in network video, with a new focus on offering surveillance through 4G and 5G networks to eliminate the need for extensive cabling in long-range applications. Axis also introduced several specialised hardware pieces, including the P1486-LE global shutter camera for high-speed traffic monitoring and the Q2802-TE, which integrates thermal and visual monitoring into a single unit.  To assist technicians, they launched a new installer app that uses Bluetooth for easier camera pairing and management directly from a mobile device. Axon: De-escalation through enterprise wearables Focusing on frontline safety, Axon is expanding from law enforcement into the enterprise sector with its retail and healthcare-focused body camera. Weighing only 0.25 lb, these cameras are designed to be less intimidating, using colorful designs and acting as a primary de-escalator for aggressive behavior. A clear front display signals when recording is active, striking a balance between safety and a non-intimidating appearance. These devices feature live-streaming and panic alarms that connect workers to a Global Security Operations Center (GSOC). To ensure the footage is legally viable, Axon maintains a rigorous audit trail that authenticates every action recorded. Genetec: The value of the unified platform Genetec is advocating for unified platforms that reduce the time between incident detection and resolution. They argue that AI is becoming a commodity and that the true value lies in unified platforms that reduce the time from incident to resolution. Their approach emphasises the "outcomes" customers need, such as allowing security teams to coalesce around an investigation quickly. Genetec remains a strong supporter of open systems for enterprise customers, ensuring they have the choice to integrate diverse technologies rather than being locked into a manufacturer’s “walled garden.” This flexibility is critical for high-end security environments that require tailored, responsive systems. Johnson Controls: Large-scale enterprise solutions Johnson Controls has made a significant push into the enterprise video market with C-Cure IQ, a standalone VMS designed for major hubs like airports and large campuses. Through a partnership with Scylla, they have integrated 11 advanced analytics—including facial recognition and weapons detection—directly into their cameras. They also showcased new multi-sensor panoramic cameras capable of "stitching" multiple images into a single 360-degree view. While innovating in video, Johnson Controls also confirmed modern upgrades to their intrusion line, including their legacy DSC Neo line. The new DSC PowerSeries Neo 5, a high-end residential and commercial platform, features an all-new user interface and built-in PowerG+. They have also begun shipping the IQ5 family lineup, which is powered by a Qualcomm DragonWing processor.  ONVIF: Standardising the future of AI and cloud ONVIF continues to lead the charge in establishing common languages for the security industry. A major focus is their new "Cloud Profile," which enables cameras to connect directly to the cloud through a standardised protocol. They are also expanding into audio standards to ensure IP-based speakers can seamlessly connect to Video Management Systems (VMS). To combat the rise of sophisticated digital manipulation, ONVIF is developing "video signing" standards. ONVIF is actively seeking more diverse enterprise participation to help shape these emerging AI standardsThis feature protects the integrity of video for evidentiary purposes by embedding a digital signature and timestamp directly into the footage at the camera level. Additionally, the organisation has formed an AI Working Group to develop common communication methods for "AI agents" within physical security systems. ONVIF is actively seeking more diverse enterprise participation to help shape these emerging AI standards. Roberto Licari is the new ONVIF Ambassador, seeking to attract new companies (even outside the security sector) to ONVIF as they look to expand their offerings. SwiftConnect: Bridging digital and physical identity SwiftConnect is redefining access control by shifting the focus from physical cards to digital identity. As a cloud-based "connected access network," the platform bridges the gap between IT identity providers (like Okta or Azure AD) and legacy physical access control systems. At the show's Security Experience Center demonstrations, SwiftConnect showcased its ability to integrate mobile credentials within Apple and Google Wallets across multiple technology platforms. By aligning physical security with Zero Trust principles, they ensure that access is governed by the same rigorous standards as digital networks. Their software-centric approach allows for a more seamless employee experience while simplifying the management of complex, multi-site building security. This emphasises a future where the mobile device becomes the primary tool for navigating the physical workspace. Wasabi Technologies: Redefining cloud storage economics With cloud technology becoming a baseline requirement at every booth, Wasabi Technologies highlighted its "hot cloud storage" as a cost-effective alternative to major hyperscalers. Their model claims to be 80% less expensive than competitors, notably removing hidden fees. Wasabi is increasingly bundled at the "back end" of security solutions through partnerships with integrators and end users. A key feature for law enforcement and high-security sectors is their "Object Lock" capability, which ensures that video evidence remains untampered with and immutable during defined retention periods. By providing high-performance storage without the unpredictable costs typically associated with the cloud, Wasabi is positioning itself as the foundational layer for data-heavy video surveillance applications that require long-term, secure retention. Wasabi is positioning itself as the foundational layer for data-heavy video surveillance applications ZKTeco USA: Versatile and integrated access ZKTeco USA showcased a range of integrated solutions, including turnstiles, visitor management, and access control. Their Atlas access control series offers versatility, supporting everything from traditional readers and keypads to QR codes and fingerprint scanning, with the flexibility to operate on-premise or in the cloud. For tight environments, they introduced the Mars 100 turnstile, which features a compact 2x3-foot footprint. They also highlighted the Omni series, an all-in-one standalone reader-controller that manages access, intercom, and visitor functions in a single device. Innovation in portability was evident in their new walk-through metal detectors, which consist of two poles with an 8-hour battery life—ideal for schools and temporary events. While they offer their own Armatura readers, ZKTeco emphasised that their solutions can integrate with other industry leaders to fit diverse customer needs.

An attention-grabbing exhibit at GSX 2024 in Orlando involved a robot dog that could open a door.  Boston Dynamics robot dog ASSA ABLOY impressed attendees with the robotics demonstration, featuring the Boston Dynamics robot dog that could open a door using either an HID credential or a mechanical grip. This innovation represents a shift toward more autonomous security solutions and is suitable for environments where human access may be limited. ASSA ABLOY impressed attendees with the Boston Dynamics robot dog Operational efficiency Eye-catching exhibits at the GSX in Orlando, showcasing the future of security technology It was one of many eye-catching exhibits at the GSX in Orlando, showcasing the future of security technology, and offering practical solutions to the industry's challenges.  For security professionals, the advancements presented opportunities to enhance operational efficiency and to maintain a proactive stance in a rapidly evolving market.  Control ID face identification Alongside their robot demonstration, ASSA ABLOY also highlighted the Control ID Face Identification.  Access Controller, providing advanced facial recognition access control. From identity management to AI-driven surveillance systems, GSX 2024 offered a glimpse into the tools that can streamline processes, increase security, and reduce costs. Here are some other highlights. ASSA ABLOY also highlighted the Control ID Face Identification More integration with critical infrastructure  A major theme at GSX 2024 was the increasing integration of security solutions with critical infrastructure. ALCEA (formerly ASSA ABLOY Critical Infrastructure) is an example. Their globalised software solution ALWIN is designed for managing access control, visitor management, and other security factors across multiple locations. ALCEA's approach involves not only internal collaborations within ASSA ABLOY but also partnerships with external organisations. An example of innovation is the Neenah Foundry lockable manhole cover, blending safety and security. Solving identity management challenges  The solution simplifies onboarding and access request changes while ensuring compliance with policies Identity management continues to be a key focus in the security sector, and AMAG Technology addresses this need with its Symmetry Connect product. The solution simplifies onboarding and access request changes while ensuring compliance with policies. For professionals overseeing identity access management, Symmetry Connect provides a streamlined, automated approach, reducing human error and increasing operational efficiency. AMAG also sees a growing demand for efficient visitor management systems, especially in the post-COVID landscape. AMAG’s products cater to the need for enhanced security without overburdening staff.  AI and cloud-based surveillance solutions  Axis Communications highlighted its advancements in AI and cloud-based video management systems with its AXIS Camera Station Edge and Pro products. These solutions can connect seamlessly to cloud systems, providing security professionals with easy access to surveillance data anywhere. With the increasing need for centralised management, Axis’s offerings ensure that security teams can efficiently manage surveillance with minimal infrastructure. Axis also showcased its commitment to AI-driven analytics based on superior video quality. There were also networked audio solutions for public announcements and background music, among other uses. Body-worn cameras for corporate and healthcare uses  Traditionally focused on law enforcement, Axon is now expanding its body-worn cameras and TASER technology into corporate, retail and healthcare environments. Their Axon Body Workforce camera is a practical solution for protecting frontline workers in high-risk environments.  Axon also introduced drone-based solutions for real-time aerial awareness Axon also introduced drone-based solutions for real-time aerial awareness, a significant benefit for large campuses or remote locations. As more industries adopt corporate surveillance systems, Axon’s offerings provide flexible, scalable solutions that address the need for real-time, actionable intelligence.  Cloud-based access for smart buildings  Brivo’s native cloud systems and flexible credentials offer practical, future-proof security options Brivo showcased how cloud technology is revolutionising access control by offering systems that integrate seamlessly with other smart building platforms. Their open API approach enables collaboration with IT teams, bridging the gap between physical security and IT management. Brivo’s new partnership with Comcast Smart Solutions illustrates how large enterprises can implement advanced solutions, including access control while maintaining flexibility. For professionals managing complex building environments, Brivo’s native cloud systems and flexible credentials offer practical, future-proof security options.  AI-powered multi-sensor camera  Hanwha focused on an AI-powered multi-sensor camera, equipped with an NVIDIA processor capable of running complex analytics. In addition, Hanwha’s new AI camera technology can process multiple video streams simultaneously, either stream from its sensors or outside cameras, enabling better tracking of objects in complex environments. Their eight-channel AI Box, which converts legacy cameras into AI-enabled devices, is an attractive solution for professionals seeking to upgrade existing systems without the need for complete overhauls. For security teams looking to enhance situational awareness, Hanwha’s AI-based offerings provide advanced, scalable solutions.  Workflow management and hybrid cloud security  Genetec continued the theme of integrated solutions with their Operations Centre module for Security Centre, which consolidates work management into a single platform. Built on lean management principles, this system simplifies workflow for security professionals, promoting real-time collaboration across mobile and web platforms. As the industry shifts from on-premises systems to hybrid cloud solutions, Genetec’s products provide seamless transitions for organisations. Their new SaaS Security Centre also allows for natural language video searches in multiple languages, making it easier for global teams to manage operations across locations.  Simplifying remote surveillance  The company’s focus on scalability and efficiency is demonstrated by the “Eagle Eye Complete” subscription service Eagle Eye Networks showcased their continued international expansion, highlighting a new data centre opening in Saudi Arabia and new hiring initiatives in Australia and Europe. Their “Eagle Eye Anywhere” solar-powered camera system exemplifies the move towards flexible, easy-to-install solutions that can be deployed in remote locations. Integrators benefit from simplified maintenance through remote management, reducing the need for on-site support and ensuring operational continuity. The company’s focus on scalability and efficiency, as demonstrated by the “Eagle Eye Complete” subscription service, reflects the broader industry’s shift toward managed security services.  Tailored solutions for commercial clients  Everon continues its transition away from its former identity as ADT Commercial. Claiming the status of a competitive commercial integrator, Everon is reinventing itself by offering customised billing and monitoring solutions for a range of industries. Their cloud-based business intelligence platform, which combines video surveillance with data analysis, is aimed at enhancing operational awareness by detecting anomalies such as OSHA violations or retail point-of-sale exceptions. With AI-driven dashboards, clients can customise their security solutions to meet specific needs, reflecting a growing demand for tailored, data-driven security applications.  Innovation through cloud and mobile LenelS2 is part of Honeywell, and they emphasised their investment in cloud and mobile solutions at GSX 2024. Their "Enterprise OnGuard Cloud" platform, launched in June 2024, is a testament to the growing demand for cloud-enabled access control systems. With the addition of NFC-enabled Blue Diamond credentials, LenelS2 is pushing towards smarter, more secure mobile access options. The strategic combination of Lenel’s solutions with Honeywell’s infrastructure offers users enhanced engineering capabilities and global reach. This reflects a broader market trend of integrating mobile devices into physical security protocols.  Bringing AI to everyday security LPR system, combined with their Searchlight Cloud Analytics, offers a powerful tool for identifying security risks March Networks highlighted their new AI-driven smart search feature, designed to help security teams quickly detect operational anomalies in retail and financial environments. From identifying misplaced cash in quick-service restaurants (QSRs) to detecting "jackpotting" attacks on ATMs, their solution highlights the increasing importance of AI in enhancing both security and operational efficiency. Their Licence Plate Recognition (LPR) system, combined with their Searchlight Cloud Analytics, offers a powerful tool for identifying and responding to security risks in real-time, emphasising the practicality of AI in daily security operations.  Driving sustainability in security  Securitas showcased its commitment to sustainability, a growing concern for businesses across all industries. By providing CO2 data for clients and promoting digital tools like mobile credentials, Securitas is leading the charge in creating greener, more sustainable security solutions. Their focus on remote services and occupancy insights offers companies a way to reduce their environmental impact while enhancing security operations. The company’s alignment with science-based targets and circular economy practices signifies the increasing role sustainability will play in the security sector.  Future lies in integration  The GSX 2024 trade show revealed that the future of security lies in intelligent integration, AI-driven analytics, and cloud-based management systems. The innovations presented will help security professionals streamline their operations, enhance situational awareness, and future-proof their systems. As these technologies continue to evolve, professionals must stay informed about the latest advancements to maintain a competitive edge in the security marketplace. GSX was a great place to start. At the end of the day at GSX, it wasn’t just the robot dog that was opening doors …. to the future of security systems. {##Poll1727925373 - Of the important factors highlighted at GSX 2024, which do you consider most when adopting new security solutions?##}

ISC West 2024 mirrored a vibrant industry on the precipice of accelerated change. Factors such as the cloud, artificial intelligence (AI), edge computing, and biometrics are shaping the future of the security marketplace, and they were front-and-centre at the industry’s biggest U.S. show in Las Vegas.  Foot traffic was steady and impressive, including more than 29,000 security industry professionals viewing 750 exhibitors. A torrent of eager attendees crowded the lobby on the first day and could not wait for the doors to open. When they were admitted, the wealth of technological innovation and business opportunity did not disappoint. Focus on cloud systems Cloud systems were high-profile at ISC West. Camera manufacturer Axis, for example, introduced their Axis Cloud Connect at a press conference. Meanwhile, Genetec officially launched their Security Centre SaaS platform, which aims at eliminating points of friction to enable integrators to easily embrace cloud systems from quoting and ordering to provisioning and installing.  Camera manufacturer Axis, for example, introduced their Axis Cloud Connect at a press conference Cloud provider Eagle Eye Networks promoted their new “Eagle Eye 911 Camera Sharing” technology under which both non-Eagle Eye Cloud VMS customers (via Eagle Eye 911 Public Safety Camera Sharing) and Eagle Eye customers can opt to share their video feeds for use by 911 operators in case of emergency. If users opt-in, 911 operators can have access to live video as an emergency unfolds. Eagle Eye Networks provides the feature by integrating with RapidSOS call centre software. Camera locations are based on geolocation coordinates, and customers can choose if they want to participate and which cameras they want to share. Biometrics in the mainstream Biometrics were well represented at ISC West, including Alcatraz AI, which introduced an outdoor version of their biometric face recognition product. The Rock X works well despite harsh lighting. Alcatraz’s products do not have to be integrated, they communicate just like a card reader using OSDP or Wiegand protocol. “At the show, customers are excited about moving to a frictionless environment and getting rid of existing credentialing,” said Tina D’Agostin, CEO and co-founder of Alcatraz. “We are making access control frictionless, secure and private. The experience can be as passive as possible – people can just walk in.” Multiple types of authentication, and the ability to detect tailgating and stream video SAFR from Real Networks also featured biometric face recognition, emphasising feature sets, convenience, and price/performance. They offer multiple types of authentication, and the ability to detect tailgating and stream video. A new device is a small mullion mount that is “approaching the price of a card reader, factoring in the need to purchase cards,” said Brad Donaldson, Vice President and General Manager. SAFR focuses on convenience: You don’t have to take out your phone to pass through a door. Enrolment is easy by incorporating existing databases, and costs are lower than competitors, said Donaldson. The system analyses multiple points on the face, turns it into data and then encrypts it, providing a “unique signature for each person.”  Credentials in Apple Wallet and Google Wallet AMAG Technology announced the compatibility of credentials with the Apple Wallet and Google Wallet. The company is also embracing a new strategic direction under President David Sullivan. They launched a new website in January, are developing dynamic resources and a partner page, and they now integrate with 120 tech partners. AMAG Technology Financial Services now enables their channel partners to offer leasing and financing options to customers. The big new booth at ISC West reflected an effort to “market different and look different,” according to the company. The big new booth at ISC West reflected an effort to “market different and look different" The new Symmetry Control Room, a command-and-control system, is a relaunch of an earlier AMAG product with enhanced features. Suitable for large enterprise customers, the software enables a big video wall to display all the various systems and incorporates all the data into a single “pane of glass.” Operators can “draw a lasso” around cameras they want to display on the video wall and can follow action across multiple camera feeds.  Navigating megatrends A breakfast meeting for integrators, sponsored by Assa Abloy Opening Solutions, was built around the theme “Navigating Megatrends for Sustainable Growth." The megatrends are artificial intelligence, sustainability and cybersecurity. Related to cybersecurity, there are 350 common vulnerabilities and exposures (CVE) published per week, reflecting the continuing threat to cybersecurity. Physical security has a “data lake” of information from various physical security systems that can be an attractive target for cybersecurity breaches. Data sets can be exploited and/or poisoned. The security industry needs to apply “defence in depth” to the challenges of protecting data. “The threat landscape is always changing, and security technology is an iterative process,” said Antoinette King, i-PRO’s head of cyber convergence, one of the panellists. Natural language systems Natural language systems are a newer approach making an early appearance at ISC West Natural language systems are a newer approach making an early appearance at ISC West. Brivo, for example, has an early prototype of its “natural language search capabilities” that can answer questions such as “Who is in the office?” or “Where is Bob and what has he done?” Brivo also promoted its all-in-one door station device that combines a card reader and a camera (for facial authentication) and serves as a video intercom, thus eliminating the need for multiple devices at the door. Brivo is also emphasising tailgate prevention, facial authentication, and people counting using AI at the edge. Also promoting natural language systems was Verkada, which unveiled a beta version of its AI Search feature that embraces national language capabilities. With AI Search, users will soon be able to use natural language to search for people or items. For example, a search could be “person climbing over a fence” or “person making phone call” or “person wearing football jersey.” Verkada wants to be thoughtful with the rollout and make sure effective guardrails are implemented to prevent abuse and bias. The release should happen in the coming months. Multi-family applications Allegion is promoting the XE360 hardware lock platform in various formats, including cylindrical lock, mortise lock, deadbolt and exit trim. At the show, Allegion noted an enthusiasm for multi-family applications. “We have been surprised by the people who want to add electronics and to retrofit existing multi-family facilities to compete with newer facilities,” said Henry “Butch” Holland, Allegion’s Regional Director, Channel Sales East Region. Allegion works with 60 different physical access control software providers, including familiar players such as LenelS2 and Genetec Allegion also offers an “indicator” display on its locks, showing at a glance whether a door is locked or unlocked. The “indicator” might also display “occupied” or “vacant.” Allegion works with 60 different physical access control software providers, including familiar players such as LenelS2 and Genetec.  Integrator M&A trends Everon looks for acquisitions in areas where they do not currently have support for national accounts A conversation with Everon at ISC West provided insights into the accelerating trend of mergers and acquisitions among the integrator community. Everon, formerly ADT Commercial, has done six acquisitions of local integrators since they changed their name last year. In targeting companies to acquire, they look for a good company with a good reputation, and they consider how the new company’s competencies complement their own. Some M&A strategy is geographic, as Everon looks for acquisitions in areas where they do not currently have support for national accounts. They also consider density, seeking to add new acquisitions in larger markets where they don’t currently have a big market share. “A lot of investment is coming into security because it is seen by investors as recession-proof,” said Michael Kennedy, VP, Mergers and Acquisitions, for Everon. Kennedy met with 95 businesses last year for possible acquisition, and the company only finalised a handful – reflecting that Everon is selective and careful that corporate cultures are aligned. “With an acquisition, the goal is to keep every customer and every employee,” said Kennedy. Voice of the customer  ISC West provides an opportunity for manufacturers to listen to the “voice of the customer;” in person, no less. “We have every kind of problem come to the booth,” commented Heather Torrey, Honeywell’s General Manager, Commercial Security, Americas. “People are passionate, interested and very specific with their questions and comments,” she said. “We are driving a complete system, but we are flexible, helping our customers to meet their needs and not try to fit every foot into the same shoe. Sometimes meeting customer needs involves working with competitors," Torrey commented. “It truly comes back to listening to the customer, not just ‘this is what we have to offer,’” she adds. ISC West provides an opportunity for manufacturers to listen to the “voice of the customer;” in person, no less. Edge applications are everywhere at ISC West, and one company is promoting a new approach to expand functionality at the edge. Camera company i-PRO advocates the use of the “Docker” platform for app development, an option they offer on their cameras. Docker “containers” package deep-learning algorithms to make it easier to embed software into edge devices. Anyone can run Docker apps on i-PRO cameras that use the powerful Ambarella chip. A Docker “swarm” can combine multiple edge devices to work together and share resources. For example, the approach can increase computing power at the edge to increase the capabilities of instant analytics. It’s faster and provides better redundancies. A “distributed computing platform” ensures less latency than communicating analytics to a central server.  Unification of capabilities Johnson Controls (JCI) also promotes the trend of combining multiple systems into a single pane of glass. Their “Open Blue” platform, with a security version unveiled at the show, integrates various security systems into one, combining data and monitoring device health.  Basically, the system manages all resources holistically. JCI also notes a trend toward “unification of capabilities,” e.g., combining access control and video. “The scope of security is evolving from a focus on protection to a broader focus on operations,” commented Julie M. Brandt, JCI’s President, Building Solutions North America.

In a move to modernise campus operations and create a smoother experience for students and staff, Peru’s National Agrarian University has deployed a comprehensive Hikvision smart campus solution. From streamlined access to safer transportation, the university is building a safer, connected and efficient campus environment. Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina (National Agrarian University) is one of Peru's most respected academic institutions. Its 102-hectare campus operates more like a small city than a traditional university, serving eight faculties, around 8,000 students, and about 600 teachers every day. Campus bus operations As campus activity continued to grow, the university wanted a more modern and efficient way to manage daily operations. Previously, visitor and vehicle access relied heavily on manual checks and handwritten records. The university also wanted better visibility over campus bus operations and more effective support for security teams patrolling the large campus area. Their goals included: Streamlining pedestrian and vehicle access Equipping patrol teams with mobile tools to enable them to respond to incidents faster Enhancing safety and visibility across campus bus operations Centralising management through a single unified platform To achieve these, the university worked with system integrator Consorcio Valtar Security y Serinfortel to deploy a unified Hikvision smart campus solution. Anti-tailgating functions To improve pedestrian access, the university installed 18 Hikvision Pro Swing Barriers (DS-K3B530X) and 28 Face Recognition Terminals (DS-K5671-ZV) at the main and side entrances. The solution helps students and staff move through gates quickly while improving entry management. The facial recognition terminals support recognition speeds of less than 0.2 seconds per user and accuracy rates above 99%. Anti-tailgating functions, which prevent people slipping in behind others, helps ensure only authorised individuals can enter. LED indicators, meanwhile, provide visual indicators guide people through the turnstiles in order to avoid bottlenecks. To further streamline visitor handling, the university deployed a Visitor Terminal (DS-K5032-D) together with an Enrolments Station (DS-K1F600U-D6E-F) at the main entrance. The dual-screen visitor terminal supports paperless registration, helping security staff process guests more efficiently while reducing manual paperwork. At the same time, the enrolment station simplifies face enrolment and user management through an easy-to-use touch-screen interface. Anti-hitting protection mechanisms For vehicle access, Hikvision deployed 6 ANPR Cameras (DS-TCG406-E(S)) together with 6 Barrier Gates (DS-TMG520-H/B) at two campus entrances. The system automatically recognises license plates and manages vehicle access in real time, helping reduce waiting times and improve traffic flow. Staff vehicles can be pre-registered through the university’s app, allowing smoother entry during peak hours. Adjustable barrier speeds and multiple anti-hitting protection mechanisms also help improve operational safety. To further improve the driver experience, LED Screens (DS-TVL224-4-5Y) display welcome messages and vehicle information in real time. Because of the campus’s large size, motorcycle patrol teams play an important role in maintaining daily operations and responding quickly across different areas. To support these teams, the university has deployed 10 Hikvision Ultra Series Body Cameras (DS-MH2311) together with 2 Dock Stations (DS-MDS001). Several features make this solution particularly suitable for mobile patrol work: Clear 2 MP video recording with a wide 129° horizontal field of view Up to 8 hours of recording with a removable 3,300 mAh battery Wireless connectivity for improved communication Real-time positioning support through GPS Centralised charging, storage, and evidence upload through dock stations Professional campus operations The cameras are mainly used during routine motorcycle patrols and when responding to incidents on campus. Recorded footage helps clearly document security procedures and provides reliable records of how situations were handled, supporting transparent and professional campus operations. The university has also upgraded safety across its fleet of 11 campus buses with Hikvision onboard solutions. Each bus is equipped with: Mobile Dome Cameras (DS-2XM6726G1-IM/ND) and Mobile Network Cameras (DS-2XM6522G1-ID): These provide real-time HD video coverage inside and outside the buses, helping operators monitor passenger boarding, alighting, and road conditions clearly. DSM Camera (AE-VC1B1I-ISF(RJ45)): This improves driving safety by detecting critical safety indicators such as fatigue, distractions, and smoking. When potential risks are identified, alerts are immediately issued to the driver, helping encourage safer driving practices during daily routes. Touch Monitor (AE-MW1203): Drivers can view live camera feeds through the monitor. The display automatically switches to relevant views when doors open or when reversing, helping drivers monitor passenger movement and blind spots more effectively. Alarm Button (DS-1530HMI(AE)(O-NEU)): It allows drivers to immediately notify the control center for rapid assistance in emergency situations. Mobile NVR (AE-MN5043(1T/SSD)(RJ45)(O-STD)): This records and stores video while also supporting GPS positioning, geofencing, and route monitoring through Google Maps integration. Campus bus management Every solution, from access control and patrol operations to campus bus management, is centrally managed through HikCentral Professional. From this single platform, the university can: Monitor access events in real time Manage user permissions and visitor records Track campus buses through GIS-based maps Receive centralised alarms and event notifications Coordinate faster responses across campus According to the university, the solution has significantly improved operational visibility and coordination across the campus. “With Hikvision’s smart campus solution, we now have a much more efficient and connected way to manage daily campus operations,” says Joseph Jimy Ordóñez Blanco, General Coordinator of the University’s Security Unit. “From access management to transportation safety, the platform gives our teams better visibility, faster response capabilities, and greater confidence in maintaining a safe environment for students and staff.”

Milestone Systems, a provider of open platform video management software (VMS), is helping Resorts World Las Vegas (RWLV) bring together security operations, investigations, gaming compliance, and operational intelligence through an open platform video ecosystem built on Milestone XProtect VMS. Located on the iconic Las Vegas Strip, Resorts World Las Vegas is one of the newest and most technologically advanced resorts in the United States. Opened in 2021, the $4.3 billion property spans 88 acres and includes multiple hotel brands, a large casino floor, entertainment venues, retail spaces, and dining experiences that collectively attract thousands of guests each day. Diverse set of technologies Managing safety, compliance, and operational efficiency at this scale requires highly reliable and flexible video technology capable of supporting thousands of cameras and multiple specialised applications. Milestone XProtect VMS serves as the backbone that connects approximately 5,800 cameras and multiple best-of-breed technologies. The open architecture enables Resorts World to integrate a diverse set of technologies that support gaming surveillance, fraud detection, forensic investigations, business intelligence, and operational analytics while allowing operators to work from a consistent interface. "We rely on the system every day to investigate fraud, theft, and any activity that could result in a loss. It gives us the visibility we need to quickly understand what happened and take action," said Lindsay Dever, CFE, Assistant Director of Fraud & Nightclub Surveillance, Resorts World Las Vegas. Supporting regulatory requirements The full security system integrates camera technologies from Axis Communications, Bosch, and Hanwha Vision, while BriefCam supports forensic video review, people counting, and heat mapping. Oosto provides facial recognition capabilities, Aeyesky supports card-counting and cheating detection, and AXIS Case Insight helps analyse foot traffic and customer behavior. “Large, dynamic environments like Resorts World Las Vegas require technology that can adapt to multiple operational needs without adding complexity,” said Tim Palmquist, VP Americas, Milestone Systems. “An open platform approach allows this Las Vegas casino resort to bring together best-of-breed technologies into a single ecosystem, enabling teams to improve investigations, support regulatory requirements, and generate operational insights that extend well beyond traditional security.” Time-sensitive investigations Resorts World Las Vegas is able to respond to incidents more quickly, conduct investigations more efficiently, and support law enforcement with speed and confidence. The impact is particularly evident during time-sensitive investigations. Looking ahead, the resort plans to expand its use of AI-driven capabilities, including enhanced people counting, behavioural analytics, and tools that can better track guest movement across the property. Future enhancements will also focus on streamlining operator workflows and creating a more proactive approach to investigations.

When Brazil’s Taquari River threatens to overflow, the Municipality of Muçum no longer waits and watches—it knows. Using Hikvision’s water-level detection solution, the town gets faster, more accurate insights about the changing water levels in the river. This strengthens emergency responses and helps protect communities across the Taquari Valley. Located in Rio Grande do Sul, the southernmost state of Brazil, the Municipality of Muçum is part of a wider region that has grown up along the Taquari River which runs through this mountainous region. Following relentless rainfall in both 2023 and 2024, the region experienced flooding of historic proportions. The 2024 disaster became the largest natural calamity in the state's recorded history. More than 600,000 people were displaced and infrastructure was damaged across nearly every municipality in the region, according to a report by Médecins Sans Frontières. Extreme weather conditions For the people of Muçum and its neighbouring cities, the focus quickly shifted from reacting to floods to preparing for them more effectively. Previous approaches had relied on manual observation and physical gauges. But such solutions, as they knew only too well, are unable to provide the kind of continuous, integrated, and real-time visibility that is so vital during extreme weather conditions. Instead, they needed to find a more reliable way to monitor river conditions, improve coordination during heavy rainfall, and communicate risks to residents earlier. Specifically, the municipal council of Muçum sought a technology solution that would: Deliver accurate, real-time water-level measurements Maintain operation during severe floods Support automatic alerts and emergency communication Centralise monitoring and historical data analysis Water-level monitoring solution To support these goals, the council worked with system integrator Infosat and distributor Tecline to deploy Hikvision’s intelligent water-level monitoring solution. Hikvision’s 4 MP Water-Level Detection Network Speed Dome (DS-2DF3C400SCG-D/4G/WL40(F1)(LA)) has been installed on a bridge above the river. Combining video imaging and millimetre-wave radar technology in a single device, the solution allows operators to visually monitor river conditions while simultaneously receiving highly accurate water-level measurements in real time. Preparing nearby communities Unlike traditional gauges positioned close to the water, the radar-based system can measure water levels from distances of up to 40 meters. This elevated installation approach helps ensure continuous operation even during major floods, when conventional equipment may become submerged or damaged. The solution’s millimetre-level precision allows emergency teams to detect even small changes in water levels and receive alerts when predefined thresholds are reached. With earlier visibility into changing conditions, emergency teams gain valuable time to evaluate risks, coordinate response actions, and prepare nearby communities. Challenging lighting environments The device delivers 4 MP high-quality imaging, allowing operators to visually confirm river conditions in real time. Its 120 dB WDR (Wide Dynamic Range) technology helps maintain clear images in challenging lighting environments, while the IP67-rated housing supports reliable outdoor performance during harsh weather. The integrated 4G connectivity and low-power design also simplify deployment in critical monitoring locations. To strengthen public communication, the municipality also deployed five Hikvision Network Horn Speakers (DS-QAZ1325G1T) in higher-risk neighbourhoods. Installed in areas where floodwaters can rise quickly, the speakers broadcast evacuation warnings and emergency notifications when necessary, enabling them to reach residents rapidly and directly. Real-time monitoring The entire solution is centrally managed on HikCentral Professional. Through the platform, operators can: Monitor water-level changes in real time Manage alarms and emergency alerts Review live video feeds remotely Access historical statistics for flood analysis and planning Since the deployment, the Municipality of Muçum has reported an 80% increase in the accuracy of water-level information compared with previous manual readings. Real-time monitoring and automated alerts now help emergency teams respond more proactively while improving communication with residents during critical situations. Mateus Giovanoni Trojan, the former Mayor of Muçum, said: “The Hikvision solution brings us more reliable information and enables us to respond faster. Automatic alerts help our emergency teams act earlier and improve safety for the population.” Creating a smarter foundation The benefits also extend beyond Muçum itself. Data collected from the monitoring system helps support neighbouring municipalities across the Taquari Valley, contributing to regional preparedness efforts that affect around 100,000 residents. “For nearby communities like ours, earlier information can make a huge difference,” said Luis Maya, Emergency Coordinator for the Municipality of Lajeado. “It helps emergency teams react faster and keep people safe.” Today, Muçum’s story is no longer only about overcoming floods; it is about building resilience through technology, coordination, and preparedness. By deploying Hikvision’s AIoT (AI-powered Internet of Things) technologies, the municipality has created a smarter foundation for flood response across the Taquari Valley. As climate challenges continue to evolve, Muçum is showing how AIoT technologies can help communities respond earlier, act faster, and face the future with greater confidence.

Barnet Council recently undertook a major upgrade of its CCTV infrastructure, partnering with i-PRO and systems integrator DSSL to enhance security, improve urban planning, and drive smart city initiatives. The project was driven by the need to replace an aging and largely non-functional CCTV network while maximising cost efficiency and scalability. With i-PRO’s market-leading edge computing analytics, the council was able to implement a future-proof technology that not only delivers high-quality security and safety but also provides valuable data insights for business and community planning. Future-proof technology The Customer - Barnet London Borough Council, also known as Barnet Council, is the local authority for the London Borough of Barnet in Greater London, England. The borough's major urban settlements are Hendon, Finchley, Golders Green, Friern Barnet, Chipping Barnet, Whetstone, and Edgware; there are also village settlements notably Totteridge and Arkley along with rural areas and countryside part of the Green Belt. As such, the area is geographically diverse and is also the largest London borough by population, with close to 350,000 residents. Business Challenge - The council’s previous CCTV system was in a state of disrepair, with only 15-20 of its 3000 cameras operational across the entire estate. Further to this, the council also looked ahead and made the decision to future-proof existing technology and enhance the capabilities of the system by strategically upgrading to smarter technology, capable of providing deeper insights, finding new efficiencies and generally improving the quality-of-service Barnet Council could provide to constituents and local businesses alike. Prominent AI capability The Solution - To address this, Barnet opted for a phased upgrade and system enhancement using the X-series AI Processing Relay Application, integrating i-PRO cameras with a newly upgraded control room and an enhanced Genetec video management system (VMS). The decision to go with i-PRO was influenced by its prominent AI capability and the substantial cost savings— an estimate of £600,000 over five years — when compared to server-based alternatives. Additionally, the system’s scalability allowed Barnet to expand its camera network without requiring extra server infrastructure, space, or cooling requirements. “A key factor in the decision was the ability of i-PRO cameras to serve as multifunctional sensors, capturing both security footage and valuable urban analytics. The cameras are used for people and vehicle counting, feeding real-time data into Power BI for internal council reports,” states Aaron Stephens, Managing Director at DSSL Systems. Planning future expansions The analytics data has become instrumental in planning future expansions, which will include additional coverage in parks, railway stations, and high-traffic areas. The insights generated help local businesses understand customer footfall, assist in investment decisions for town infrastructure, and support the council in managing traffic and public spaces more efficiently. “Unlike traditional server-based AI technology, which place a heavy burden on network infrastructure, i-PRO cameras process analytics on the edge, transmitting only metadata rather than large video files,” continues Stephens. Video management solution This approach significantly reduces costs while enabling faster and more efficient data analysis. The system was deployed with strict cyber security compliance, in alignment with regulations such as NDAA. Installed by DSSL, the network adheres to stringent firewall policies and integrates seamlessly with the Genetec video management solution, ensuring secure and reliable data management. "The i-PRO forensic capabilities are directly embedded within Genetec Security Center, which enables control room operators to quickly find specific objects or events by filtering through attributes and characteristics captured by the cameras. This speeds up the investigative process and enhances collaboration with the Metropolitan Police," said Benjamin Durrant, Account Executive, Genetec UK & Ireland. Culturally diverse community The deployment included 127 X-series bullet cameras for general safety and monitoring, 10 fisheye cameras in libraries for heat-mapping and people counting, and dual-view 5G re-deployable units for festivals and outdoor events. In Barnet’s unmanned libraries, the cameras also play a critical role in security, with audio detection triggering alerts for disturbances and automated people counting ensuring buildings are empty before lockdown procedures are initiated. Barnet Council’s investment in smart city technology extends beyond security. Re-deployable 5G cameras are being used to track attendance at public events, festivals, and religious gatherings, providing valuable crowd insights for better planning within a culturally diverse community. Return on investment and planning “With an initial £1 million investment, the council has maximised existing infrastructure to expand its data capabilities without significant additional spending. Phase two of the project, which has already been approved, will see the addition of 60-70 new i-PRO bullet cameras,” states Stephens. Beyond security, the smart city and community safety teams are leveraging i-PRO’s capabilities for advanced applications such as people and vehicle analytics. A new trial for automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) is also set to begin, potentially leading to a larger rollout. The council has already started benefiting from i-PRO’s analytics, such as heat-mapping in libraries, but is awaiting governance approval before publicly sharing results. The system complies with data privacy regulations as it does not use facial recognition. Smart city infrastructure Looking to the future, Barnet is exploring additional IoT integrations, including environmental sensors, flood detection, and traffic signal coordination. These efforts will further enhance the council’s smart city infrastructure. “This transparency, combined with i-PRO’s compliance with strict security standards, solidified the council’s trust in the solution. The i-PRO team came in to answer questions from the council and really won them over with their knowledge and honesty,” said Stephens. “Furthermore, i-PRO’s deep integration with the Genetec security solutions portfolio created a seamless ecosystem, reinforcing its market position as a leading smart city solution provider.” Looking to the future As Barnet Council continues its journey towards a fully integrated smart city, the focus remains on future scalability and efficiency gains. The initial return on investment is still being assessed, but the long-term impact is clear: by leveraging real-time data insights, the council can optimise public spending, justify infrastructure investments, and drive smarter, more connected urban development. As more councils recognise the benefits of data-driven planning, projects like Barnet’s will set the standard for the future of smart city technology.

Large entertainment venues offer opportunities for memorable experiences enjoyed by many attendees. With such breadth and scope of operations comes great operational complexity in managing a massive amount of foot traffic which exponentially increases risks for the safety and security of patrons. Increasingly, entertainment operators are looking to technology to help solve some of the most pressing challenges in managing these environments in real-time. Facial recognition technologies Facial recognition technologies among sports venues, casinos, and corporate buildings are increasing because of their ability to quickly and accurately recognise people — whether they are bad actors (e.g., felons, hooligans) or authorised personnel. This capability is increasingly being leveraged across a broad range of use cases from watchlist alerting, access control, and forensic investigations. It’s not surprising that the market is facing explosive growth and is expected to quadruple by 2026, according to Global Market Insights. Challenges for the racecourse included issues with identifying and managing evictions of bad actors across multiple entries and exits throughout the massive property. Theft and fraud are rampant in such large crowds, and it is humanly impossible to monitor everyone at all times. Security personnel needed to identify bad actors who had caused trouble on one property and to be able to recognise them again at another time, and in another one of the ATC racecourses. Maintaining data protection Coupled with a challenging and evolving risk landscape, more than 500 staff, including up to 300 security officers (and over 2000 casual staff) needed to be accounted for and kept safe on 120 major race days. Moreover, with an ever-changing set of regulatory requirements, ATC needs to comply with a strict set of regulations in order to maintain the integrity of operations while maintaining data protection. Finally, ATC needed security technology that would enable real-time monitoring as well as the ability to analyse video footage retrospectively for post-event investigations to track behaviors - especially during high-traffic times. Essential security tool And the final requirement? A solution that needed to be user-friendly as the head of security knew all too well that if a system were too complicated, it wouldn’t get used and would be money not well spent. The human eye alone is imperfect, and most facial recognition solutions underperform in real-world conditions (i.e. when there are crowds, facemasks, and POIs looking directly at the camera). This is even more challenging when the cameras are positioned on ceilings or high on walls, which makes facial recognition even more challenging (especially if the lighting is less than ideal). That’s why facial recognition technology is an essential security tool for entertainment venues and gaming operations. Video analytics software The Australian Turf Club and its systems integrator, Quorum Systems, turned to Oosto to take their venue’s enterprise security systems to a new level and solve their existing challenges. “Positioned at key entry points, our passive cameras were turned into smart cameras with Oosto’s video analytics software nearly instantly,” said Gary Colston, Head of Security and Access at Australian Turf Club. “We didn’t have to invest in a bunch of brand new cameras or a massive amount of servers and things like that. It was easy for us to implement it on our system.” Moreover, said Mr. Colston, “We needed something that was user-friendly. If it’s too complicated, [security teams] won’t use it and it becomes a waste of money.” Biometrics-based technology Once The Australian Turf Club implemented Oosto OnWatch real-time watchlist alerting to recognise potential security threats, the solution delivered vast efficiencies in operations by ensuring that evicted and banned patrons were immediately refused entry, while security teams were able to better track persons of interest throughout the venue without disruption. Since OnWatch can identify a person of interest through both face and attribute recognition in real-time or in historical footage, security personnel can receive alerts instantly on any device, without having to rely solely on memory or manual comparison of images between systems. With the world’s pioneer-edge biometrics-based technology in use, ATC was empowered to identify individuals a lot quicker than traditional methods allowed and manage their operations more efficiently and safely. Addressing compliance risks Oosto OnWatch quickly and accurately recognised persons of interest for security teams – from VIPs to banned players – to help improve the player experience, address compliance risks, and make ATC ultimately a safer, more enjoyable destination for patrons and a safer place to work for employees. "Positioned at key entry points, our passive cameras were turned into smart cameras with Oosto’s video analytics software nearly instantly. We didn’t have to invest in a bunch of brand new cameras or a massive amount of servers and things like that. It was easy for us to implement it on our system. We needed something that was user-friendly. If it’s too complicated, [security teams] won’t use it and it becomes a waste of money," said Gary Colston, Head of Security and Access at Australian Turf Club. Context of a security incident Since working closely with the ATC and Quorum to implement Oosto’s OnWatch solution, ATC has significantly improved in the rate of detection, finding individuals, and being more proactive than reactive with potential threats. The ability to search backward in video footage at a rapid speed to find POIs’ locations historically has been a welcome tool and a key point of differentiation for ATC; Oosto’s technology has dramatically improved ATC’s ability to perform forensic investigations and understand the full context of a security incident or crime scene. Forward-thinking venues Oosto’s cutting-edge technology is also in use at the Club to help protect guarded points of entry for authorised employees. According to Mr. Colston, this proved especially beneficial recently: “One of our staff members was assaulted and we were able to obtain a photo of the person we thought had done it and run them through the facial rec system here and we were able to locate him at the event at the time and have that person banned.” Oosto’s Vision AI technology is helping entertainment destinations like the Australian Turf Club stay focused on the fundamentals of strong client service while remaining resilient as the marketplace continues to shift. As forward-thinking venues look to stay competitive, grow revenues, solve business challenges, gain greater operational efficiencies and ensure safer, more secure spaces, they look to Oosto - and then never look back.

Israel offers one of the most advanced medical systems in the world where cutting-edge treatments and patient care are provided by some of the best medical professionals using high-tech equipment in modern facilities. As such, medical tourism is growing exponentially in Israel. The country’s Ministry of Health shows that more than 50,000 medical tourists travel to Israel for treatments every year and consistently ranks in the Top Ten in the globe for health tourist destinations. Raphael Hospital is Israel’s newest and most advanced hospital. It is a state-of-the-art private hospital recently opened in Tel Aviv. Advanced medical systems A team of experts, drawing from best practices around the globe, designed Raphael Hospital to be technologically advanced and to provide a premium standard of care and services. It is staffed by senior doctors who are some of the most experienced in their respective specialties. Everything about its construction, for example, was thoughtfully planned for — even the types of tiles used on the hospital flooring: they come with “an integrated antibacterial shield that is 99.9% effective against bacteria, 24 hours a day, in all light conditions.” Special emphasis is placed on a patient’s overall wellbeing, mentally and physically, and thus the physical space is designed to appeal to patients from both an aesthetic sense (to promote an inviting, welcoming feel much like a luxury hotel), and a high-tech approach, in order to maintain maximum patient safety, efficiency, and the finest level of medical care. Physical security risks Hospitals are among the most essential and vulnerable spaces worldwide. In terms of security, hospitals are often considered “soft targets” — along with shopping malls, schools, and sports arenas — because they are high-density locations with large, vulnerable crowds. Soft targets have many access points, increasing certain physical security risks. Security professionals are thus tasked with “hardening” hospitals as part of a holistic security protocol. Raphael Hospital’s operating rooms are some of the most technologically advanced in the world; they are specially equipped with advanced medical technologies for surgeries including the Mako robotic arm-assisted technology for joint surgery and the Da Vinci robotic surgical system. Touch-free environments Such advanced technologies, and the people operating them, require an extra level of security in order to protect the most sensitive areas of the hospital where delicate surgeries are performed. Moreover, even before the pandemic, maintaining sterilisation in operating rooms was challenging. COVID-19 only heightened the need for touch-free environments to help limit the spread of germs. The hospital’s advanced access control and video monitoring technologies were incorporated from the very start of its operations, using the hospital’s existing CCTV cameras. According to Raphael Cohen, Operating Room Manager for Raphael Hospital, “We had a lot of challenges. We wanted to build the most updated hospital.” Facial recognition based technology Raphael Hospital wanted to incorporate facial recognition based technology for a few reasons, including protecting people, patients, and physical assets. Face-based access control plays an essential role in infection control protocols while keeping highly sensitive areas of the hospital, such as operating rooms, restricted to authorised personnel at all times. Hands-free and automated access allows hospital staff to not be required to touch any buttons to open doors while reducing contamination as much as possible and defining exactly which staff could travel within specific areas of the hospital. "Oosto’s OnAccess solution gives the staff, doctors, and nurses a sense of belonging in the hospital…they’re an essential part of the hospital, and when the hospital recognises them, and the doors open - it’s effortless for them to get about," said Raphael Cohen, Operating Room Manager, Raphael Hospital. Facial recognition technology Now, with Oosto’s facial recognition technology, surgeons and support staff can benefit from gaining frictionless access to the most sensitive areas of the hospital without having to touch any surfaces. Contamination is avoided, patients and staff are kept safe from unauthorised access to restricted areas of the hospital, and the frictionless, face-based access control in the hospital contributes to the overall perception of Raphael Hospital as a world-pioneer and cutting-edge healthcare provider.

In the past, security installers and integrators were used almost exclusively to install hardware. However, the role is changing and expanding along with the technologies used in the physical security industry. Nowadays, an installer or systems integrator is much more likely to use a strategic, IT-centric, and data-driven approach. To gain additional insights, we asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: How is the role of the security installer/integrator changing?

Technology offers a range of tools to bolster security at public events, including before, during, and after. This year, the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris will draw the attention of the world, requiring the best protection available for the venues, the athletes, and the attendees. Other happenings such as the FIFA World Cup, the Super Bowl, the Tour de France, and the U.S. NBA Finals are momentous events that challenge security and law enforcement personnel to keep them safe. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: How is technology contributing to security in the arena of public events? 

Technological leaps in the last several decades have revolutionised biometrics. The technologies are constantly evolving, spanning facial recognition to iris scanning to fingerprints, to provide new levels of security and convenience. Biometrics are everywhere, from smartphones to border control, constantly evolving to meet the needs of our increasingly digital world. They are also more accurate and easier to use than ever. We asked this week's Expert Panel Roundtable: What’s new with biometrics?