Fire Safety

Punch Technologies, Inc. and Johnson Controls have finalised an agreement to bring an innovative safety communications platform to market. The platform, which can be integrated into businesses’ existing security systems, provides the opportunity to more easily and effectively communicate with employees, emergency responders and other surrounding businesses in the event of an emergency incident. Under the terms of the agreement, Johnson Controls will be the primary distributor of PunchAlert by Punch Technologies, Inc. Delivering safety communications "Our partnership with Johnson Controls is a tremendous step forward and is an opportunity for us to partner with a global leader in safety," said Greg Artzt, Co-founder and CEO of Punch Technologies, Inc. It’s critical for businesses to have the necessary tools to easily and effectively communicate emergency plans" "We will build on this exciting relationship to deliver safety communications for a wide range of public and private enterprises, first responders, campuses, and communities. In today’s always-evolving landscape of emergency events, it’s critical for businesses to have the necessary tools to easily and effectively communicate emergency plans and procedures with employees and building occupants," said Hank Monaco, vice president, marketing, Johnson Controls. Advanced safety wearable “This agreement is a continuation of Johnson Controls’ commitment to public safety by providing enterprises with a mechanism to report and react to emergencies and a means to further bolster security systems and safety procedures.” PunchAlert, launched in 2014, has already gained traction in the United States and Canada with both public and private organisations. The PunchAlert platform is designed to continuously innovate and solve customer pain points based on insights gained from partnerships. Building on its portfolio of offerings, Punch Technologies, Inc. will also launch Rescue, the most advanced safety wearable ever, in the first quarter of 2020.

You don’t need to continue using keys and key cards. When you want effective first-line security for private doors in public spaces, you no longer need cumbersome kit. To keep opportunist hands off your belongings, the Code Handle 4-digit code-operated electronic handle locks without any wires, expensive hardware or software, mechanical keys or changes to your existing doors. PIN codes unlock so many features of our daily lives, from a smartphone to your online bank account. Now you can use them to unlock security door handles, too. Code Handle is a stylish handle with an integrated electronic PINpad. When you fit a Code Handle to your door, you make sure only authorised people get in. Without a 4-digit code, the handle stays locked and the door stays closed. Fire accredited Code Handle For such a simple device, Code Handle packs several clever features into its sleek, low-profile design“Code Handle is unique in comparison to common code door locks: it has the code function and battery incorporated inside its handle, so you don’t need to make extra modifications to your door,” explains Lars Angelin, Business Development Manager for Code Handle at ASSA ABLOY EMEA. For such a simple device, Code Handle packs several clever features into its sleek, low-profile design. When you close the door behind you, Code Handle locks itself, so you don’t need to put down whatever you are carrying. From inside, a Code Handle opens freely. It is also fire accredited (EN 1363). Code Handle is simple to install and retrofit. Everything you need for a simple, effective security barrier is inside the box. Two screws fit a new Code Handle to almost any interior door, with left- or right-hand opening. There is no need to cable the door, connect it to mains, or pay a specialist installer. Works with standard lock hardware Code Handle is the lock of choice for sensitive, low-security doors in all kinds of placesCode Handle works in tandem with standard lock hardware. You can keep your existing cylinder or lock mechanism and just change the handle. Two standard batteries (CR2) slot inside the Code Handle, and typically last 30,000 lock/unlock cycles before replacement. Code Handle is an attractive proposition, with an elegant contemporary design, in brushed stainless steel and satin chrome. No more ugly push-button-and-twist mechanical PIN locks spoiling the look of your office. Code Handle is the lock of choice for sensitive, low-security doors in all kinds of places. At libraries, airports, railway stations, gyms, schools, car dealerships, restaurants and offices, a Code Handle PIN lock keeps the public out of accessible private rooms. In company archives, stock rooms, customer toilets, management offices and medicine stores, Code Handle deters casual intruders and keeps your property safe and secure.

National Presto Industries, Inc. has announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, OETA, Inc., has purchased substantially all the assets of OneEvent Technologies, Inc., a Mount Horeb, Wisconsin, company established in 2014 by co-founders Kurt Wedig and Dan Parent. OneEvent was created to empower the protection of lives and property and has created a modern safety solution which protects buildings, homes, assets and occupants. Analytics and cloud-based solutions OneEvent’s cloud-based learning and analytics engine utilises a series of sensing devices integrated with a cellular gateway. Sensors measure a variety of environmental data including smoke, temperature, carbon monoxide, humidity, water, motion and more. This smart technology learns what is normal for a building or home and transmits alerts about potential risks through its app to a cell phone or other device. OneEvent’s Internet of things (IOT) technology also enables users to benefit from the robust volume of data collected In addition to its risk alert capabilities, OneEvent’s Internet of things (IOT) technology also enables users to benefit from the robust volume of data collected. OneEvent’s proprietary analytics and artificial intelligence can empower users to organise and analyse the data in innovative ways to enhance business intelligence and in turn, efficiency. No other environmental monitoring system provides this level of analysis, benefit and value. Technology integration “OneEvent Technologies is a welcome addition to the National Presto corporate family, offering innovative technology to allow people the best opportunity to protect what is important to them,” stated Douglas Frederick, COO of National Presto Industries, Inc. Kurt Wedig, President, OneEvent Technologies, said, “Becoming part of a National Presto Industries’ subsidiary will provide us with additional resources to help us reach new and valuable markets to enhance the safety of our customers. There are numerous synergies and integration opportunities for OneEvent that we look forward to developing. Ultimately, this acquisition will strengthen our ability to fulfill our brand promise to predict, alert and prevent.” The company plans to maintain offices, warehouse, and research and development facilities in Mount Horeb, Wisconsin. National Presto Industries, Inc. operates in two business segments. The housewares/small appliance segment designs and sells small household appliances and pressure cookers under the PRESTO brand name. Rusoh Eliminator fire extinguisher It also designs and markets the first self-service fire extinguisher: the Rusoh Eliminator fire extinguisher It also designs and markets the first self-service fire extinguisher: the Rusoh Eliminator fire extinguisher. The segment is recognised as an innovator of new products. The Defense segment manufactures two varieties of products, including medium caliber training and tactical ammunition, energetic ordnance items, fuses, and cartridge cases. This release contains “forward looking statements” made pursuant to the safe harbor provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, as well as assumptions, that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results and those presently anticipated or projected. In addition to the factors discussed above, other important risk factors are delineated in the company’s various SEC filings.

Allied Universal, a security and facility services company in North America, recently announced the rebrand of Staff Pro to Allied Universal Event Services. Staff Pro was obtained through the company’s acquisition of U.S. Security Associates back in 2018. This new Allied Universal Event Services business is recognised as industry-leading crowd management, event staffing, and consulting company and now has a new logo, tagline, positioning, and web presence. In addition to offering experienced and trained professionals, managers and personnel to every type of venue and event imaginable, Allied Universal Event Services focusses on-site security and a comprehensive suite of advanced technology and risk management solutions. Backed by Allied Universal, this new brand is able to boast an expansive portfolio of industry-leading security solutions, expertise, and technological resources. Single-source solution for event security Allied Universal Event Services' is the pioneer within the entertainment industry “We took this opportunity to rethink how our event services brand should be positioned in the marketplace as a one-stop solution,” said Steve Claton, regional president-Southwest at Allied Universal Event Services. “We are proud to be ahead of the curve in a rapidly evolving industry, and Allied Universal Event Services will now illustrate just how far our company has come.” Through the combined capabilities of Allied Universal, the company's event services division is now a single-source solution for everything from temporary staffing, consulting and security for all events. Allied Universal Event Services' is the pioneer within the entertainment industry providing innovative and expert guest management solutions. In addition, the event services team has a successful formula for addressing convention and trade show's complex challenges from a security and staffing perspective. The Allied Universal Event Services logo encompasses the visual identity of the highly recognised corporate brand of Allied Universal. This new brand’s emphasis on providing a full suite of products and top-notch customer service to clients on a national scale is highlighted in the new tagline Preferred by Clients and Loved by Guests.

The National Security Inspectorate (NSI), the UK’s global independent certification body specialising in the security and fire safety sector, is delighted to announce it has been granted accreditation by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) for BS EN ISO 45001:2018 - the world’s first International Standard for occupational health and safety (OH&S), replacing the British Standard OHSAS 18001. Workplace health and safety Health and safety in the workplace are of paramount importance. In providing a framework to increase safety, reduce workplace risks and enhance health and well-being at work, ISO 45001 enables an organisation to proactively manage its OH&S performance. The good news for organisations holding management systems approvals such as ISO 9001 (quality management) and ISO 14001 (environmental management), is that the new ISO 45001 Standard is structured in the same way. This means it can be readily integrated into any organisation’s existing management system. NSI’s audit regime is designed in a similarly integrated way so NSI approved companies benefit from streamlined audit programmes by qualified auditors, saving them time and cost. NSI Gold approved companies Health and safety in the workplace is a fundamental responsibility for all organisations" NSI Gold approved companies, who are required by NSI to operate an ISO 9001 Quality Management System, may now choose to maximise the advantage of their NSI approval by integrating ISO 45001 into their management system, bringing benefits to their employees, clients and their business as a whole. Richard Jenkins NSI Chief Executive commented: “Health and safety in the workplace is a fundamental responsibility for all organisations. NSI welcomes this new Standard which makes it easier for organisations to integrate Health and Safety into their quality management system, assure themselves they manage their responsibilities effectively, and clearly demonstrate to stakeholders and clients their credentials as a responsible partner and employer. NSI accredited by UKAS Richard further adds, “NSI’s accreditation by UKAS for this new Standard enhances its management system certification portfolio, and ‘one-stop shop’ capability for NSI Gold approved companies. Aligned with this, our commitment to training and CPD of our audit team means multi-skilled capability ensures seamless integrated audits for NSI approved organisations, and sound guidance for companies seeking approval to any scheme for the first time.” NSI approved companies who previously adopted OHSAS 18001 have until 11 March 2021 to transition to the new Standard.

Hikvision, global supplier of innovative video surveillance products and solutions, has released a new Thermal Bi-spectrum Deep Learning Turret Camera, which will bring enhanced capabilities of indoor fire detection, including an advanced temperature anomaly alarm and visual warning. This new cost-effective camera (DS-2TD1217/V1 Series) reduces the risks of fire and property loss.  Thermal Bi-spectrum DL Turret Hikvision’s Thermal Bi-spectrum Deep Learning Turret Camera supports fire detection using high-quality internal hardware components to capture images using both visible light and infrared light, also called “bi-spectrum” image technology. The bi-spectrum image technology creates a picture-in-picture preview and image fusion The bi-spectrum image technology creates a picture-in-picture preview and image fusion, which can capture what caused the alarm and help personnel to check the situation quickly. It monitors through only one channel, reducing bandwidth and simplifying the live preview procedure of switching channels between thermal and optical channels. Bi-spectrum image fusion technology The bi-spectrum image fusion function also provides more image details under different environmental circumstances, making it easier to find hidden objects and document unusual events. The camera's image processing technology combines multiple image processing techniques to create the best thermal imaging results. It also utilises a ‘noise equivalent temperature difference’ (NETD) of less than 40 mK (this is a measure for how well a thermal imaging detector distinguishes between minute differences in thermal radiation within an image). This means that the lower the temperature difference sensed by the camera, the smaller the value and the better the image. Temperature anomaly alarm This new thermal camera also features a reliable temperature anomaly alarm, which will trigger an alarm once the temperature goes higher than a user-set limit. This setting effectively improves the pre-warning capability before a fire occurs and can alert safety personnel to eliminate hidden dangers before the temperature reaches ignition or combustion. In a practical application, it can help to detect smoking behaviors in the first place, especially for areas that are clearly prohibited from smoking like shopping malls or that are heavily banned like oil depots. Through effective alarms, staff can find and stop the person from smoking in time to reduce environmental pollution or fire damage caused by smoking. Deep Learning algorithm The camera contains a built-in GPU for running the deep learning algorithm for indoor monitoring In addition, the camera contains a built-in GPU for running the deep learning algorithm to effectively help indoor monitoring and detect illegal intrusion. Its intelligent video content analysis technology can help reduce false alarms by filtering out interference factors such as changes in lighting or movement of animals in the field of view. Only actual threats trigger alarms, making security measures vastly more efficient and preventing unwanted entry. Equipped for double-duty – fire detection and intrusion detection – this camera is highly recommended for use in indoor fire detection and intrusion detection solutions, especially in application scenarios such as warehouses, museums, data centers, and banks. Wide viewing angle (up to 90 degrees) along with relatively small and well-designed camera housings make them easy to install and convenient to use.

In 2017, IoT-based cyberattacks increased by 600%. As the industry moves towards the mass adoption of interconnected physical security devices, end users have found a plethora of advantages, broadening the scope of traditional video surveillance solutions beyond simple safety measures. Thanks in part to these recent advancements, our physical solutions are at a higher risk than ever before. With today’s ever evolving digital landscape and the increasing complexity of physical and cyber-attacks, it’s imperative to take specific precautions to combat these threats. Video surveillance systems Cybersecurity is not usually the first concern to come to mind When you think of a video surveillance system, cybersecurity is not usually the first concern to come to mind, since digital threats are usually thought of as separate from physical security. Unfortunately, these two are becoming increasingly intertwined as intruders continue to use inventive methods in order to access an organisation's assets. Hacks and data breaches are among the top cyber concerns, but many overlook the fact that weak cybersecurity practices can lead to physical danger as well. Organisations that deploy video surveillance devices paired with advanced analytics programs often leave themselves vulnerable to a breach without even realising it. While they may be intelligent, IoT devices are soft targets that cybercriminals and hackers can easily exploit, crippling a physical security system from the inside out. Physical security manufacturers Whether looking to simply gain access to internal data, or paralyse a system prior to a physical attack, allowing hackers easy access to surveillance systems can only end poorly. In order to stay competitive, manufacturers within the security industry are trading in their traditional analogue technology and moving towards interconnected devices. Due to this, security can no longer be solely focused on the physical elements and end users have taken note. The first step towards more secured solutions starts with physical security manufacturers choosing to make cybersecurity a priority for all products, from endpoint to edge and beyond. Gone are the days of end users underestimating the importance of reliability within their solutions. Manufacturers that choose to invest time and research into the development of cyber-hardening will be ahead of the curve and an asset to all. Wireless communication systems Integrators also become complicit in any issues that may arise in the future Aside from simply making the commitment to improve cyber hygiene, there are solid steps that manufacturers can take. One simple action is incorporating tools and features into devices that allow end users to more easily configure their cyber protection settings. Similarly, working with a third party to perform penetration testing on products can help to ensure the backend security of IoT devices. This gives customers peace of mind and manufacturers a competitive edge. While deficient cybersecurity standards can reflect poorly on manufacturers by installing vulnerable devices on a network, integrators also become complicit in any issues that may arise in the future. Just last year, ADT was forced to settle a $16 million class action lawsuit when the company installed an unencrypted wireless communication system that rendered an organisation open to hacks. Cybersecurity services In addition, we’ve all heard of the bans, taxes and tariffs the U.S. government has recently put on certain manufacturers, depending on their country of origin and cybersecurity practices. Lawsuits aside, employing proper cybersecurity standards can give integrators a competitive advantage. With the proliferation of hacks, malware, and ransomware, integrators that can ease their client's cyber-woes are already a step ahead. By choosing to work with cybersecurity-focused manufacturers who provide clients with vulnerability testing and educate end users on best practices, integrators can not only thrive but find new sources of RMR. Education, collaboration and participation are three pillars when tackling cybersecurity from all angles. For dealers and integrators who have yet to add cybersecurity services to their business portfolios, scouting out a strategic IT partner could be the answer. Unlocking countless opportunities Becoming educated on the topic of cybersecurity and its importance for an organisation is the first step Physical security integrators who feel uncomfortable diving headfirst into the digital realm may find that strategically aligning themselves with an IT or cyber firm will unlock countless opportunities. By opening the door to a partnership with an IT-focused firm, integrators receive the benefit of cybersecurity insight on future projects and a new source of RMR through continued consulting with current customers. In exchange, the IT firm gains a new source of clients in an industry otherwise untapped. This is a win for all those involved. While manufacturers, dealers and integrators play a large part in the cybersecurity of physical systems, end users also play a crucial role. Becoming educated on the topic of cybersecurity and its importance for an organisation is the first step. Commonplace cybersecurity standards Below is a list of commonplace cybersecurity standards that all organisations should work to implement for the protection of their own video surveillance solutions: Always keep camera firmware up to date for the latest cyber protections. Change default passwords, especially those of admins, to keep the system locked to outside users. Create different user groups with separate rights to ensure all users have only the permissions they need. Set an encryption key for surveillance recordings to safeguard footage against intruders and prevent hackers from accessing a system through a backdoor. Enable notifications, whether for error codes or storage failures, to keep up to date with all systems happenings. Create/configure an OpenVPN connection for secured remote access. Check the web server log on a regular basis to see who is accessing the system. Ensure that web crawling is forbidden to prevent images or data found on your device from being made searchable. Avoid exposing devices to the internet unless strictly necessary to reduce the risk of attacks.

Johnson Controls recently unveiled the findings of its 2018 Energy Efficiency Indicator (EEI) survey that examined the current and planned investments and key drivers to improve energy efficiency and building systems integration in facilities. Systems integration was identified as one of the top technologies expected to have the biggest impact on the implementation in smart buildings over the next five years, with respondents planning to invest in security, fire and life-safety integrations more so than any other systems integration in the next year. As advanced, connected technologies drive the evolution of smart buildings, security and safety technologies are at the center of more intelligent strategies as they attribute to overall building operations and efficiencies. SourceSecurity.com spoke with Johnson Controls, Building Solutions, North America, VP of Marketing, Hank Monaco, and Senior National Director of Municipal Infrastructure and Smart Cities, Lisa Brown, about the results of the study, smart technology investments and the benefits of a holistic building strategy that integrates security and fire and life-safety systems with core building systems. Q: What is the most striking result from the survey, and what does it mean in the context of a building’s safety and security systems? The results show an increased understanding about the value of integrating safety and security systems with other building systems Hank Monaco: Investment in building system integration increased 23 percent in 2019 compared to 2018, the largest increase of any measure in the survey. When respondents were asked more specifically what systems they we planning to invest in over the next year, fire and life safety integration (61%) and security system integration (58%) were the top two priorities for organisations. The results show an increased understanding about the value of integrating safety and security systems with other building systems to improve overall operations and bolster capabilities beyond the intended function of an individual system. Q: The survey covers integration of fire, life safety and security systems as part of "smart building" systems. How do smarter buildings increase the effectiveness of security and life safety systems? Hank Monaco: A true “smart building” integrates all building systems – security, fire and life-safety, HVAC, lighting etc. – to create a connected, digital infrastructure that enables individual technologies to be more intelligent and perform more advanced functions beyond what they can do on their own. For example, when sensors and video surveillance are integrated with lighting systems, if abnormal activity is detected on the building premise, key stakeholders can be automatically alerted to increase emergency response time. With integrated video surveillance, they also gain the ability to access surveillance footage remotely to assess the situation. When sensors and video surveillance are integrated with lighting systems abnormal activity on the premise can automatically be detected Q: How can integrated security and life safety systems contribute to greater energy efficiency in a smart building environment? Hank Monaco: Security, fire and life-safety systems can help to inform other building systems about how a facility is used, high-trafficked areas and the flow of occupants within a building. Integrated building solutions produce a myriad of data that can be leveraged to increase operational efficiencies. From an energy efficiency standpoint, actionable insights are particularly useful for areas that are not frequently occupied or off-peak hours as you wouldn’t want to heat or cool an entire building for just one person coming in on the weekend. When video surveillance is integrated with HVAC and lighting systems, it can monitor occupancy in a room or hallway. The video analytics can then control the dimming of lights and the temperature depending on occupant levels in a specific vicinity. Similarly, when access control systems are integrated with these same systems, once a card is presented to the reader, it can signal the lights or HVAC system to turn on. In this example, systems integration can ultimately help enable energy savings in the long run. Security and life safety systems contribute to help enable greater energy efficiency and energy savings in the long run Q: What other benefits of integration are there (beyond the core security and life safety functions)? Hank Monaco: Beyond increased security, fire and life-safety functions, the benefits of systems integration include: Increased data and analytics to garner a holistic, streamlined understanding of how systems function and how to improve productivity Ability to track usage to increase efficiency and reduce operational costs Enhanced occupant experience and comfort Increased productivity and workflow to support business objectives Smart-ready, connected environment that can support future technology advancements Q: What lesson or action point should a building owner/operator take from the survey? How can the owner of an existing building leverage the benefits of the smart building environment incrementally and absent a complete overhaul? Lisa Brown: Johnson Controls Energy Efficiency Indicator found that 77% of organisations plan to make investments in energy efficiency and smarter building technology this year. This percentage demonstrates an increased understanding of the benefits of smart buildings and highlights the proactive efforts building owners are taking to adopt advanced technologies. There is an increased understanding that buildings operate more effectively when different building systems are connected As smart buildings continue to evolve, more facilities are beginning to explore opportunities to advance their own spaces. A complete overhaul of legacy systems is not necessary as small investments today can help position a facility to more easily adopt technologies at scale in the future. As a first step, it’s important for building owners to conduct an assessment and establish a strategy that defines a comprehensive set of requirements and prioritises use-cases and implementations. From there, incremental investments and updates can be made over a realistic timeline. Q: What is the ROI of smart buildings? Lisa Brown: As demonstrated by our survey, there is an increased understanding that buildings operate more effectively when different building systems are connected. The advanced analytics and more streamlined data that is gathered through systems integration can provide the building-performance metrics to help better understand the return on investment (ROI) of the building systems. This data is used to better understand the environment and make assessments and improvements overtime to increase efficiencies. Moreover, analytics and data provide valuable insights into where action is needed and what type of return can be expected from key investments.

In my coverage of China Tariffs impacting the security industry over four recent articles, products on the tariff schedules routinely integrated into security solutions included burglar and fire alarm control and transmission panels, video surveillance lenses, HDTV cameras used for broadcast use cases and fiber optic media converters. The general ‘callout’ of ADP (Automatic Data Processing) devices and peripherals technically includes servers, workstations and microcomputers, all of which are commonly used to support security solutions. The underperformance, from June 15 to August 24, of U.S. stocks with high revenue-exposure to China, and that of Chinese stocks with high revenue-exposure to the United States was significant and almost identical at 3.2%, significant losses to some investors already involved in security industry M&A activity. Significant public safety Facial Recognition (FR) vendors leveraging AI expanded their market focus to retail and public safety While it was not apparent that practitioners’ security program budgets kept pace with the growth of the more popular solution providers like video surveillance and cyber security, the ICT industries supporting the security economy continued to expand, especially in wireless and wired infrastructure, including preparations for 5G wireless rollouts. These omnipresent technologies drove significant public safety, smart city and public venue projects in 2018. Facial Recognition (FR) vendors leveraging AI expanded their market focus to retail and public safety. In 2018, virtually every public presentation, webinar and published Q&A on social media monitoring and facial recognition technologies I worked on, involved significant pushback from privacy advocates, almost to the point of alarmism. Massive risk reduction Several solution providers in these areas have made significant strides on data protection, accuracy, powered by AI and documented crime reduction cases; however, this real news is quickly shadowed by privacy advocates, seemingly ignoring massive risk reduction, especially in the case of active assailants and gang-related crime. Will FR become mainstream? The cautious security industry may take a cue from the maverick retail industry, sports venue and VIP verification solution providers that grew in 2018. 2019 trends: presupposition or repudiation; winners and losers. Chinese tariffs have had a huge impact on the security industry, which can be seen from changes to U.S and Chinese stocks  Although technology adoption forecasting is inexact, there are definitive opportunities in the security industry born on necessity. With the widespread problem of false alarm transmission and inability for first responders to ‘be everywhere,’ developers of solutions that provide automated verification and alternative security incident detection are expected to become mainstream. Promising detection systems The use of AI, NLP, LiDAR, UAS (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles aka drones) with surveillance and thermal imaging will grow, mostly due to higher acceptance in other industries like autonomous vehicles, rail safety, terrain and post devastation mapping/rescue. However, legacy ‘listing’ or certification organisations will be forced to make an important decision for their own survival: work toward integrating these promising detection systems into acceptance by insurance, licensing and standards development organisations. 2019’s ‘true’ Industrial Philanthropists will be needed to fund early warning tech for firefighters and the presence of active assailants 2019’s ‘true’ industrial philanthropists will be needed to fund early warning tech for firefighters and the presence of active assailants. For these use cases, 5G infrastructure rollouts, FR acceptance, lower cost perimeter detection and long range object and fire recognition by LiDAR and Thermal imaging will all be watched closely by investors. Should public agencies and philanthropical solution providers in the security industry cross paths, we may just yet see a successful, lifesaving impact. Cyber risk profile The ‘Digital twin’ refers to a digital replica of physical assets (physical twin), processes, people, places, systems and devices that can be used for various purposes. Your ‘Security Digital Twin’ has a similar physical and cyber risk profile, either through common threats, similar assets or both. Good news: managing your risk, protecting assets and securing your facilities in 2019 will get easier as security digital twin profiles will grow in maturity, while keeping their data sources private. This will be accelerated by the maturity of AI-based, auto-generated visualisations and image recognition, that happens to also drive the FR solutions. The 5G wireless infrastructure market is emerging as far more of a quantum leap in connectivity, like ‘wireless fiber optics’ performance, than an upgrade to 4G LTE. The 5G infrastructure market will be worth $2.86 billion by 2020 and $33.72 billion by 2026, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 50.9%. Intelligent applications The explosion of ingested voice, video, and meta-data, the interconnectivity of devices, people and places, and the integration of intelligent applications into expanding ecosystems all require faster communications. To be more accurate, 5G rollouts will accelerate in 2019; however, current project funding will include and be impacted by future enterprise security connectivity: 5G and FWA (Fixed Wireless Access). 5G rollouts will accelerate in 2019; however, current project funding will include and be impacted by future enterprise security connectivity Quite simply put, larger solution providers are gently coaxing practitioners into seemingly ‘open systems;’ the negative discovery during an M&A process, audit or integration with a smart city’s public/private partnerships will continue to be revealed, and related industries will force reform. Autonomous things will be enabled by AI and image recognition. With few affordable rollouts of security robots and outdoor unmanned ground vehicles (UGV) that leveraged platforms popular with research and even NASA, the autonomous security robot was mostly MIA from a security practitioner’s program in 2018. Perimeter intrusion detection One platform was even accused of intimidating homeless people in a public place, at a major city. Industries mutually beneficial are often unaware of each other; this will change gradually: one major domestic airport is currently evaluating a UGV platform performing perimeter intrusion detection, runway weather conditions and potential aircraft taxiing dangers. The platform is being used largely in transportation research, yet offers significant opportunities to the security industry. Research firm Gartner estimates that 70% of today’s technology products and services can be enhanced with ‘multi-experience’-based VR/AR/MR The ‘immersive experience’ of virtually any security or threat detection is a twist on virtual/augmented/mixed reality (VR/AR/MR) with additional sensory features. Although VR/AR/MR is well underway in other industries, there are several companies with solutions like VR-based active assailant training that could provide a fighting chance for practitioners, employees, visitors, faculty and children. Research firm Gartner estimates that 70% of today’s technology products and services can be enhanced with ‘multi-experience’-based VR/AR/MR. Security ecosystem members Not necessarily MIA, but of special mention is the need of security and safety practitioners to prioritise communications systems over ‘nice to have’ expansive video surveillance systems for mass casualty threats. This will eventually improve with 5G for Enterprise solution rollouts. At the past GSX and upcoming CES Technology trade shows, a new roundup of technologies is discovered: a wider diversity of protection promise to save ASIS members on their technical security program is realised. With each of the ‘winners,’ (5G, AI, NLP, LiDAR, UAS [Unmanned Aerial Vehicles aka drones], thermal imaging, digital security twins and smart-city-friendly technologies) it is both exciting and challenging work for both security practitioners and solution providers. All things equal and with the necessary technology acceptance testing processes, this is a truly great time for security ecosystem members.

After a period of rapid international expansion, the next step for Ajax Systems is to set deeper roots in each market and become more sustainable. The manufacturer of wireless security equipment will continue to extend the range of Ajax products and capabilities by responding to local requests. Smart home management options and automation scenarios will be a significant focus for the next year. Wireless security equipment The systems are resistant to false alarms, regularly update over the air Established in 2011 in Kyiv, Ukraine, Ajax Systems produces wireless security equipment for end users and small-medium-sized businesses. Ajax is a complete eco-system. The devices are ready to work out of the box. There are 24 devices for protecting residential and commercial properties from intrusion, fire, and floods as well as a set of automation modules. Users treat them as gadgets that make their homes smarter. Ajax wireless systems are easier to maintain, configure, and monitor for installers as well as for security companies, according to Ajax. The systems are resistant to false alarms, regularly update over the air, and can be easily expanded to cover premises of any size. IoT-based security systems “Our IoT-product approach to security systems, gadget-like industrial design, and user-friendly interfaces disrupted the market in 2016,” says Valentine Hrytsenko, Chief Marketing Officer at Ajax Systems. “After receiving global recognition in the security market, the company grew 80-fold.” Today, Ajax IoT-based security systems protect more than 200,000 people in 80 countries around the world from break-ins, fires, leaks and other threats. “Our mission is to reshape security and make it a common attribute of every household,” says Hrytsenko. Ajax wireless systems are easier to maintain, configure, and monitor for installers Ajax smart technology Ajax smart technology features a combination of reliable hardware and intelligent software. A proprietary Jeweller two-way radio protocol allows placing devices at a distance of up to 2000 meters from the hub in an open space. The system is encrypted, resistant to jamming and code grabbing. Ajax detectors feature false alarm-preventing algorithms: Haze Flow, ZOE, LISA, SmartDetect. The hubs run on a real-time operating system, Malevich OS that processes the commands and sends the alarms. Ajax Cloud service helps to control the system from anywhere in the world using native apps. Easy and seamless installation Ajax features system scalability, flexible management of administrative rights"Easy installation facilitates Ajax on-boarding. The company says 67% of Ajax users purchase additional security devices within the first six months. And an average system configuration consists of nine items. “We focus primarily on the residential, small and medium-sized businesses,” says Hrytsenko. “In the residential segment, Ajax covers the needs to detect break-ins, prevent fires and floods. Ajax devices are visually appealing to fit any home and business interior seamlessly. For the small and medium-sized business, Ajax features system scalability, flexible management of administrative rights, informative notifications, professional maintenance software, as well as integration of the security camera streams for centralised monitoring.” Route-to-market approach Ajax Systems’ route-to-market approach is two-fold. First, they develop strategic partnerships with the local professional security equipment distributors in each country. From the distributors, Ajax equipment goes to the installers, system integrators, security companies, etc. In addition, Ajax seeks to build brand recognition and actualise the concept of security by weaving it into the daily routine of a general audience. “We form a good understanding of their security needs,” says Hrytsenko. As with any new technology, there is an adoption curve for both B2B and B2C clients. Thus, the educational challenge is persistent for Ajax from country to country. Ajax Systems’ route-to-market approach is two-fold Wireless security systems “On a professional market, new products are often met with understandable suspicion,” says Hrytsenko. However, a huge misconception is that user-friendly equipment is either hard to customise or unreliable. Not true, he says. After testing in five accredited laboratories, Ajax devices successfully earned Grade 2 certification for compliance with the requirements of the international standard EN50131-1:2006. Grade 2 is the highest reliability grade a wireless security system can get.

While security salesmen are touting megapixels and anti-passback features, they are missing an opportunity to communicate the role of technology in the broader context of risk management and incident response – and in saving lives. That’s the message of Gerald Wilkins, PSP, Vice President of Active Risk Survival. Incident response is at the core of how an enterprise reacts to risk and is a standardised approach to the command, control, and coordination of emergency response. Effective incident response requires integrating a combination of facilities, equipment, personnel, procedures, and communications operating within a common organisational structure. All the elements must work together to achieve the desired outcome – to mitigate a risk using countermeasures. Capabilities of systems during emergencies I want to see us have more meaningful conversations with security directors and emergency operations planners"Equipment such as CCTV, access control and mass notification systems can provide effective countermeasures, but salesmen in the physical security market are not ‘connecting the dots’ between equipment specifications and its capabilities as part of the broader incident command system. “Historically, purchases of security technologies have not been considered in that context,” says Wilkins. “Rather, the industry’s sales pitches have been about features and capabilities – pixels or communication distances or intelligence – not about how those capabilities are useful in the specific context of emergency response.” “My goal is to change the industry,” says Wilkins. “I want to see us have more meaningful conversations with security directors and emergency operations planners.” Focusing on the Emergency Operations Plan “We are in the life safety business, and we need to have more conversations about where technology fits into the Emergency Operations Plan (EOP). When was the last time you [as a security salesman] asked a client to look at their Emergency Operations Plan? No one knows the technology better than we do.” What’s missing, however, is attention to how technology is applied to risk management and response“There are so many folks in our industry who are technology gurus, who ‘get’ the technology, and are good at selling it,” he says. What’s missing, however, is attention to how technology is applied to risk management and response. “As an industry, even guys who have been in the business a long time have never heard about incident command,” says Wilkins. “How are we weaponising technology to maximise the outcome? We don’t talk about it. We want to talk about megapixels and wide dynamic range. But when are we going to talk about how we can apply that technology to mitigate our tangible and intangible risks?” Importance of security equipment In the wake of each active shooter or other incident in the news, Wilkins looks back to consider the missed opportunities and how security equipment could have saved lives. “What technology did we have to help first responders – video, access control and paging – but they weren’t used?” he asks. An example is the San Bernandino shooting in 2015, when police officers were heard asking “has anybody found that access control card?” In effect, a law enforcement officer was asking for technology that should have been included as part of the emergency plan. Situational awareness, such as that provided by video systems, can help responders judge which areas are safe fasterSituational awareness, such as that provided by video systems, can help responders judge which areas are safe faster and provide Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel more time to save lives. However, video is not being viewed in that light as a part of the broader life-saving mission. “Our industry needs to sit down with a security director or operations manager and ask: How are you using technology as a resource tool that will become part of your critical response?” says Wilkins. Understanding how equipment works Technology is often not being incorporated in emergency planning, even with something as simple as a fire drill. Most fire drills are ‘one size fits all’ – every person knows where they should go and how they should exit. But what if there is a fire in a particular part of the building? Today’s fire alarms operate in zones to communicate the location of a fire, but this capability is not being used to practice a variety of resulting scenarios that could save lives.  “We need to understand as an industry how our partners in law enforcement and EMS do their jobs,” says Wilkins. “We can help stakeholders in a building understand how our equipment works every day and how they can use it in a critical incident. We need to understand Emergency Operations Plans (EOPs), how incident command works, and how we can help emergency responders.” Security training for salespeople I want to know everything I can know to help guys sell things that can change the outcome if something bad happens"“If a guy wants to talk about his pixels or his anti-passback, he should instead consider having a meaningful conversation with the client about best practices and how to mitigate risk. This creates a different position [for the salesman], and if there is a critical incident, something you said or did might save someone’s life.” When it comes to training and taking a more strategic approach to sales, to some extent, the security technology industry has been a victim of its own success. When business is good, security companies are less likely to look for ways to train their salespeople. “We’re in the life safety business, not in the ‘stuff’ business,” says Wilkins. “I want to know everything I can know to help guys sell things that can actually change the outcome if something bad happens.” Another problem is “we don’t know what we don’t know.”

In five states in the Western United States, 200 video surveillance cameras keep are keeping watch to provide early warning of wildfires. In the near future, the number of wildfire surveillance cameras will be growing dramatically. Soon there will be more than 1,000 of the cameras in California alone, keeping watch on thousands of acres at risk of destructive events like last year’s deadly Camp and Woolsey wildfires. It is a striking example of how video surveillance technology can be used effectively beyond the realm of corporate or institutional security. The wildfire surveillance cameras are providing extra eyes to avoid a disaster before it can happen. ALERTWildfire surveillance cameras The ALERTWildfire surveillance cameras are installed through a consortium of universities – the University of Nevada, Reno; the University of California San Diego; and the University of Oregon. Dozens of partners also participate in ALERTWildfire, including the National Forest Service, other government agencies, utilities and other private companies, state and local fire departments, and NGOs (non-governmental organisations). Wildfire surveillance cameras can provide early warning when a fire starts and help firefighters respond quicker “It takes a lot of people, pushing in the same direction, to deploy cameras rapidly,” says Graham Kent, University of Nevada, Reno. “We are connected into the community, which is a positive thing.” The wildfire surveillance cameras can provide early warning when a fire starts and help firefighters and first responders scale the resources needed to respond. The cameras also monitor fire behavior until it is contained, enhance situational awareness during evacuations, and ensure fires are monitored appropriately through their demise. Axis Q6055-E PTZ network cameras ALERTWildfire currently uses Axis Q6055-E outdoor-ready pan-tilt-zoom network cameras that provide 1080p HDTV signals, 32x zoom and low-bandwidth compression. (Earlier versions of similar Axis camera models were also installed previously.) The camera’s robust aluminum casing can withstand temperatures up to 60 degrees C, although the cameras are positioned on the tops of towers where temperatures from wildfires are not a factor. In addition to surveillance cameras, each installation site includes a range of equipment including hard power or solar power (on about a third of installations), both with battery backups. Resilient, hardened microwave/fiber networks carry video signals from the cameras to servers at University of Nevada, Reno, which makes them available on the Internet. Geolinks, an ALERTWildfire partner, provides resilient Internet connectivity to mountaintops throughout the West. Firefighters can even watch fires on their mobile devices while they are en route to a fire breakout site Mobile surveillance Dispatchers around the West have access to video from the cameras, and fire management can move the camera views through their iPhones. Firefighters can even watch fires on their mobile devices while they are en-route to a fire. Cameras are located currently in California, Nevada, Idaho, Washington and Oregon. There have been 85 cameras in place for five years or so, and the number of cameras has more than doubled since the beginning of 2019. The accelerated installation schedule is courtesy of a new policy of using existing infrastructure for cameras rather than creating it from scratch. The large number of cameras on the horizon for California is being funded by utility companies such as Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas and Electric. AI in video surveillance The public can view the camera feeds and often call 911 to report early warnings of fires The public can view the camera feeds and often call 911 to report early warnings of fires, thus providing a kind of crowdsourcing, a fire-warning version of “Neighborhood Watch.” In the future, artificial intelligence (AI) could be used to monitor the video feeds to provide early warning. For now, the system is largely used by 911 dispatchers to confirm reports of fires. “Cell phones are so ubiquitous, people call in fires before the AI could react,” says Kent. “We could never beat 911.”  A model for early detection of wildfires is in operation in San Diego, where San Diego Gas and Electric manages an emergency center that uses sophisticated real-time modeling to predict fire events based on weather conditions, vegetation, etc., tracked on a threat map. The system enables firefighting resources to be deployed quickly at the first hint of fire and thus to avoid a larger, sweeping wildfire event. Enhancing surveillance for quick wildfires detection “If you can get on top of it quickly enough, it makes all the difference,” says Kent. “In the case of extreme conditions, 10, 20 or 30 minutes can make a big difference.” Other locations are looking to replicate the San Diego model to discover and confirm fires quickly and then reposition assets to respond. Phos-Chek long-term fire retardant, applied by air from a fixed or rotor-wing aircraft, is used to slow or stop the spread of wildland fires. Our successes have led to a demand to get more cameras out right now" Installing more cameras to provide early warning of wildfires is “a grave need in the Western states,” and the system is likely eventually to be deployed in other areas, too. Wildfires can be a challenge in non-Western states such as Florida and Oklahoma, and a similar approach could also be used to provide early warning of other emergencies, such as tornados. “Once we do the West, we will be looking to do the rest of the United States,” says Kent. Increasing demand for video cameras Currently, the biggest challenge is keeping up with demand. “Our successes have led to a demand to get more cameras out right now,” says Kent. “Funding isn’t the largest issue. The money is there to do it, but we have to be able to scale up quickly, working with partners. It’s a wild ride.” Key words for success of the ALERTWildfire system are “location, location, location” combined with “coverage, coverage, coverage,” adds Kent. “We can solve 90 percent of the problem with coverage.”

Avigilon Corporation, a Motorola Solutions company, announces that the New Bedford Housing Authority (‘NBHA’) in Massachusetts, USA has selected Avigilon video security solutions to help improve safety and reduce crime within its community. With close to 1,750 federal public housing units and 748 state aided units, the NBHA services over 6,000 individuals by providing safe, well-maintained and affordable housing units. New Bedford has faced challenges related to crime, which prompted the NBHA to seek out a security system that delivers actionable results to increase public safety throughout its community.  Monitor critical areas The NBHA has deployed a complete Avigilon solution to monitor 13 of its properties throughout the city The NBHA has deployed a complete Avigilon solution to monitor 13 of its properties throughout the city. The system includes more than 125 Avigilon cameras and Avigilon Appearance Search™ technology, which is powered by AI to help enable security officers to quickly sort through hours of video with ease to locate a specific person or vehicle of interest across an entire site or multiple sites that are connected to the same Avigilon Control Center™ client software. “Our goal is to provide a safe environment for our residents and deploying an Avigilon system has allowed us to monitor critical areas more efficiently and respond more quickly,” said Steven Beauregard, executive director of NBHA. Video security solutions “So far, the results are tangible as we’ve made great strides in improving the safety and security of our communities.” “The NBHA is taking significant action to proactively address crime and other security concerns to help protect what matters most: its residents,” said Ryan Nolan, senior vice president, Commercial Operations of Avigilon. “By using our AI-powered video security solutions they are able to increase the effectiveness of their security system and provide a new level of public safety.”

King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital (KCMH) is a public medical facility in Bangkok, Thailand. The hospital is operated by the Thai Red Cross Society and functions as the teaching/training medical center for Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Medicine as well as the Thai Red Cross College of Nursing. With 1,479 in-patient beds, it is one of the largest hospitals in Thailand. Bhumi Siri Mangalanusorn Building (BSMB) is the largest Centre for Medical Excellence in Thailand. The building has 34 floors and total area of 225,000m. Gallagher security solution benefits Can integrate with other systems, such as Symphony video management software, building automation, parking and fire alarm systems Has a user-friendly Graphical User Interface (GUI) Is highly reliable and scalable, to meet future security needs Can meet increasing compliance requirements Supported IT industry standards for integration, XML, SQL, OPC, BACnet, etc Gallagher and AES Group Ltd, the local Gallagher system integrator, worked closely with the designer to ensure that the proposed system met the tender requirements of securing the hospital and protecting staff, patients and assets. The system is fully integrated, scalable and expandable, digital-based, user-friendly and crucially, a combination of enhanced operational efficiency and cost saving. Gallagher Command Centre Through Command Centre, Gallagher’s site management solution, KCMH is able to integrate multiple systems Through Command Centre, Gallagher’s site management solution, KCMH is able to integrate multiple systems, including fire alarm, video management system, building automation and parking, and feed the information into Command Centre. KCMH Security Manager, Adul Karutbumrung, says having one central monitoring platform ensures operational staff quickly identify, locate and respond to any risks on site. “The Gallagher system provides us with a higher level of validated access control in critical areas”. Centralised operation platform Gallagher’s system streamlines operations for KCMH to lower total cost of operation through its centralised operation platform. The user-friendly GUI also delivers the best value to reduce training time. In addition to meeting KCMH’s requirements for security, privacy and compliance, Gallagher provides additional benefits and features not available in other systems. Its scalability ensures that future expansion requirements can be addressed in a cost effective manner.

One of the fastest growing districts in the upper Midwest of the United States, Harrisburg in South Dakota educates almost 4000 students across eight schools. Gallagher Command Centre was selected as the only solution that could meet the district’s security requirements, and in October 2015, these security measures were put to the test when the local high school was the target of a shooting. The incident resulted in one staff member being injured but was prevented from escalating further due to Gallagher’s central management platform, Command Centre, being activated by staff. Logs from the incident confirm that from the time the emergency button was pressed, it took just four seconds for Command Centre to lock all outside doors, notify district authorities, and limit building access to emergency responders only. Physical barriers for students’ security Gallagher Command Centre was involved with placing physical barriers between an active gunman and high school students"James Straatmeyer, Chief Executive Officer of Integrated Technology & Security, partnered with Gallagher for the installation of Harrisburg districts security solution. James says, “Gallagher Command Centre was directly involved with placing physical barriers between an active gunman and hundreds of high school students filling 37 classrooms. As far as I’m aware, there’s no other product on the market that has the capabilities and integration solutions for protecting students and staff to the extent of Gallagher Command Centre.” This type of security alert is of increasing concern for many educational institutions, prompting renewed focus on daily security protocols. Integrated and scalable security system Essential to providing an optimum learning environment for students is ensuring their safety and security – a responsibility the district of Harrisburg takes extremely seriously. Key to this was partnering with a security solutions provider that understood the specific needs of educational institutions, with the flexibility to employ customised features that could be tailored to Harrisburg’s particular requirements. The system needed to be fully integrated, scalable and expandable, digitally based, user-friendly The system needed to be fully integrated, scalable and expandable, digitally based, user-friendly and crucially, to assist and not replace, existing manual security procedures. Gallagher and South Dakota based Integrated Technology & Security completed the initial installation within three weeks. Since its introduction, the system has been under continual expansion. Features of updated security solution The access control system originally installed in 2013, fulfilled the region’s initial security requirements; however, a period of growth prompted the need for an enhanced system that could protect the increasing number of students. Some of the features of Harrisburg’s upgraded security solution included: Outlook calendar integration, to enable scheduling of access for special events Intercom / phone integration, to control doors from a desktop icon or smartphone Strobe light control to provide lockdown notifications in hearing impaired areas such as deaf education, shops and the gym Intercom integration for lockdown announcements Command Centre provides enterprise level lockdown controls which limit access to buildings, control fire doors, and send notifications, while providing an audit trail and video alerts. Lockdown access to all staff members An understanding of the benefits of an advanced, interactive security network is essential, and in some cases, lifesavingUsability is a highlight of Command Centre, offering access for all levels of personnel. Initially, only office and administrative staff were trained in the use of lockdown systems, but as the Command Centre’s lockdown features have developed, all staff members can now control access in individual school buildings. Once a lockdown has been activated, a notification is automatically issued to district authorities, immediately alerting emergency services if required. The security incident in 2015 strongly supported Harrisburg district’s decision to install a sophisticated access control system to protect its faculty, staff and students. At a time when concern over campus security is rising, an understanding of the benefits of an advanced, interactive security network is essential, and in some cases, lifesaving. Gallagher’s security solution offers educational institutions around the world a combination of enhanced operational efficiency and cost savings. Command Centre’s software provides a powerful and versatile feature set, enabling system operators to configure, monitor and control their unique security system.

Wellington is the southernmost capital city in the world and is the centre of New Zealand government. With the second highest population in the country, Wellington is a large coastal city with a diverse range of facilities and attractions. A large portion of those facilities and attractions are the responsibility of the Wellington City Council (WCC) – a local body government organisation employing around 1,800 staff. As with all councils that manage a large number of facilities on behalf of their city, the WCC has a broad range of security needs and an accountability to the rate-paying citizens of Wellington. Since 2001, WCC has met those security needs with Gallagher’s integrated security solutions. Central management platform WCC developed a five year plan to migrate all 150 sites on to the Gallagher system With 1,800 employees and 150 sites located across Wellington, the council has a large number of people and assets to secure. With sites including libraries, swimming pool complexes, community and recreation centres, housing blocks, a city zoo, event facilities, and a multi-story central office building, the security requirements vary considerably. “We’re responsible for securing and monitoring all 150 sites around the clock” said Chetan Prasad, Security Manager for Wellington City Council. “It’s imperative we have a reliable system that provides us with a complete view of activity at all sites”. In order to deliver this, WCC uses Gallagher’s Command Centre central management platform to manage security across numerous sites. Utilising a single security platform has been a long-term objective of the council. Initially operating six different systems, WCC developed a five year plan to migrate all 150 sites on to the Gallagher system. Chetan links the Council’s growth with their need to become smarter about how security is managed. Primary security solution “Gallagher’s system has enabled us to standardise our infrastructure and bring all elements including alarm management, fire systems, vehicle bollards, video surveillance, facility and carpark access, reporting, visitor management, and more, on to one platform. That was a key factor in why we chose Gallagher initially, and why we will continue with them as our primary security solution.” Visibility is critical when you have 150 independent sites to secure. An integration between Command Centre and over 400 cameras located throughout the WCC’s facilities provides live video footage to the security team. “Our camera integration with Command Centre means that in addition to being able to continuously observe critical areas, any site alarm that is triggered will immediately bring up a live video feed for the security staff in our control room. This visibility is invaluable for us in activating appropriate responses and, in the event of a crime, being able to provide crucial evidence to police” said Prasad. Electronic access control WCC is utilising Gallagher security technology to ensure staff are protected In addition to securing facilities and assets, WCC secures and protects staff working at each of its sites. From initiatives like integrating building elevators with access control to prohibit unauthorised entry, to the integration of panic buttons at each site, WCC is utilising Gallagher security technology to ensure staff are protected and that in the event of an incident, a rapid security response is initiated. According to Prasad, the Gallagher system is delivering cost savings to the Council in several key areas. The first area relates to the shift from traditional key systems to smart card technology. “With such a large staff base and so many sites, we inevitably faced challenges with traditional keys being lost or not returned by staff or contractors” said Prasad. Rekeying a site cost the Council approximately $4,000 each time – an expense that has now been eliminated by the replacement of traditional lock and key systems with electronic access control. Visitor management solution “Now if a card is lost or not returned, we simply deactivate it in our system. Not only is it a solution that saves us money” said Prasad, “it is also a solution that can be applied instantly.” Similarly, the ability for security personnel to assess a site and reprogram an alarm remotely, also saves the council considerable costs associated with dispatching guards to site. The second area where cost savings are apparent relates to intelligent automation. An integration with WCC’s HR system means that as staff leave employment, their cardholder profiles are automatically disabled in the system. The use of Gallagher’s Visitor Management solution, means that appropriate staff are automatically notified if a guest or contractor fails to sign out or return a key. These two automations alone, save the WCC security team approximately 4-5 days of cardholder administration each year. Software maintenance contract WCC elected to take a 10 year Software Maintenance agreement with Gallagher In 2014, following 13 years as a Gallagher customer, WCC elected to take a 10 year Software Maintenance agreement with Gallagher. The Software Maintenance contract ensures the Council have access to the latest developments as soon as they are released, keeping WCC at the forefront of security technology. “Software Maintenance makes good business sense” says Prasad. “It gives us access to a comprehensive range of licensable features and benefits, and ensures our upgrade costs are effectively distributed.” Prasad describes the Council’s confidence in Gallagher as another significant factor in the 10 year agreement. “We have found Gallagher’s security solution to be a reliable and versatile, highly secure, modern system. It has supported our significant growth to date, and we are committed to using Gallagher systems for the Wellington City Council’s future.”

Everbridge, Inc., the global pioneer in critical event management, announced that it has been awarded a multi-year contract to support the deployment of Australia’s next-generation national early warning system. In combination with Australia’s major telecommunications companies, the Everbridge Public Warning solution will be used to power Emergency Alert in Australia, providing population-wide alerting to help reach the country’s over 25 million residents and approximately 9 million annual visitors. If residing within an area where a sudden, critical event occurs such as fire, extreme weather or a terror attack, residents and visitors to Australia will receive location-based SMS notifications on their mobile phones, in addition to smart phone mobile app notifications and fixed line voice alerts, among other modalities.  Supports first responder communications Everbridge Public Warning leverages telecom infrastructure to reach everyone within a geographic area Everbridge Public Warning leverages existing telecom infrastructure, with no opt-in required, to reach everyone within a geographic area to reduce disaster risk, support first responder communications, and analyse disaster communication effectiveness for subsequent mitigation activities. “Our Public Warning solution enables government organisations and public safety agencies to immediately connect with every person in an affected area during a critical event regardless of nationality, residency or mobile telephone handset type,” said Jaime Ellertson, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Everbridge. “Australia has served as a model example for population-wide alerting and emergency preparedness over the past decade, and we are honoured to support them on the evolution of their national system.” The next-generation system is scheduled to become operational in 2020.  

Guests at some of Dubai’s newest hotels will enjoy more efficient and memorable service thanks to eFusion technology from Maxxess. Improving control The eFusion solution is being used for comprehensive streamlining of security and safety – tying together front-of-house and back-of-house operations – at a number of landmark hotel developments in Dubai. The result will be a smoother check-in experience for guests, with minimal queuing, no cumbersome paperwork, and more attentive service. By integrating front and back of house operations at busy hotels, eFusion reduces problems with inefficiency and human error and improves situational awareness and control capability for management teams. Among the latest five-star destinations to adopt eFusion, the Taj Exotica Resort & Spa on Palm Jumeirah, which is due to open later this year, comprises seventeen floors with 200-plus rooms and suites, along with recreational and dining facilities. The Taj Jumeirah Lake Towers, another development by the Indian Hotels Company due to open this year, will also benefit from Maxxess integration technology. Seamless integration eFusion allows rapid integration - off-the-shelf - with a wide choice of security, safety and business-critical technologies eFusion allows rapid integration – off-the-shelf – with a wide choice of security, safety and business-critical technologies. It provides an umbrella management system and allows the highest level of service efficiency by removing the need for operators to continually switch between systems. The systems and IT integrator for the new-build project, PACC Information and Communication Technology LLC, says eFusion was specified because it met requirements for the most robust solution and one that would be easy to adapt going forward. Delivering guest satisfaction “Guest satisfaction is the hotel’s top priority and the eFusion system will let them focus their efforts on delivering it,” says PACC spokesman Shantanu Mukherjee. “Visitors to these new hotels will really notice the difference.” At the Taj Exotica, eFusion will integrate the front of house system from ASSA ABLOY; the Honeywell Simplex fire system controls; the Honeywell Building Management System connected via a Bacnet gateway; and a combination of 403 Hanwha Technwin Wisenet IP internal and external cameras, installed by ISS CCTV and operated through SecureOS video management software (VMS). ASSA ABLOY VingCard access control The ASSA ABLOY VingCard access control system, securing almost 300 doors, will be managed from the eFusion platform alongside other key services due to be added, including the OTIS elevator controls. eFusion will allow the hotel’s management to define events of interest – such a particular door being unlocked, or alarms being set or unset – and provide transactional information to improve security for guests, and accountability. The solution also enables centralised management of room safes, mini-bars and cupboards, and the control of all alarm transactions. Integration with access control system Using eFusion off-the-shelf integration modules, ID badging and building management systems are also fully integrated Cameras linked to door access will allow video pop-up to be triggered by pre-defined events, and operators will have complete PTZ control, playback and video functionality. Using eFusion off-the-shelf integration modules, ID badging and building management systems are also fully integrated, allowing easy operation and control of a wide range of functions including heating, ventilation and air conditioning. A further 300 rooms are expected to be added to the Taj Exotica Resort & Spa system in a phase-two development scheduled for 2021. Modular, building block approach “The eFusion platform was chosen for these major projects because it offers the advantages of a modular, building block approach and gives IHCL maximum freedom to integrate, customise and adapt to future needs,” says Lee Copland, Managing Director EMEA, Maxxess Systems. He adds, “This success positions Maxxess as a clear leader in linking front-and-back of house operations to enable seamless facilities management, safety and security operations in often complex and busy hotel environments. Visitors to IFSEC International will have the opportunity to see the power of eFusion integration on our stand IF2120,” added Copland. As well as the new IHC Taj hotels, Maxxess eFusion is also being implemented at six upcoming Dubai developments, including major hotel, leisure and retail destinations, with several other projects underway in the wider region as well as in London, UK.

Cybersecurity has become the ultimate buzzword in the physical security market. And it also represents one of the industry’s most intractable challenges. Several years ago, the problem with cybersecurity was lack of awareness among physical security practitioners. It’s now safe to say that awareness has increased. Everyone today talks about cybersecurity, but has it helped the larger problem? We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: Is greater awareness helping to increase the cybersecurity of physical security systems?

The new year 2019 is brimming with possibilities for the physical security industry, but will those possibilities prove to be good news or bad news for our market? Inevitably, it will be a combination of good and bad, but how much good and how bad? We wanted to check the temperature of the industry as it relates to expectations for the new year, so we asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: How optimistic is your outlook for the physical security industry in 2019? Why?

Consolidation – a decrease in the number of companies in a market achieved through mergers and acquisitions (M&A) – has been an important trend among manufacturers in the physical security market for many years. More recently, the trend has also appeared to extend to the integrator market. Larger integrators have been buying up other large integrators; in some cases, they have also been buying up smaller, regional integrators to expand their geographic coverage area. We wondered if this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable has noticed the trend. We asked: Has consolidation among security companies shifted to the integrator/installer market? What is the impact?