Key management

  Inner Range has recently announced the release of its latest update to the ASSA ABLOY, Traka Keylocker Integration for the Integriti unified Access Control, Video Surveillance and Security solution delivered in their intelligent management software, further strengthening its ecosystem of enterprise-grade integrations.   Designed to deliver seamless interoperability between physical access control and intelligent key management systems, the latest update enhances operational efficiency, audit transparency, and security compliance across critical infrastructure, commercial, and government environments. Unified security and key management The Traka integration enables organisations to: Centralise control of electronic access and physical key usage within a single platform Automate key access permissions based on Integriti user credentials and roles Improve audit trails and compliance reporting with synchronised event logging across systems Reduce risk of unauthorised key usage through real-time monitoring and enforcement This integration supports Inner Range’s vision of a unified security architecture—bringing together access control, credential management, and physical asset tracking into a cohesive operational framework.   Enhanced capability for high-security environments The latest plugin release introduces performance improvements and enhanced system compatibility, ensuring robust deployment across enterprise-scale environments.   Combined with Integriti’s Security First design principles and support for high-assurance sectors—including government and critical infrastructure—the Traka integration provides an additional layer of control for organisations managing sensitive assets and restricted access zones.             Supporting a growing integration ecosystem “This latest release reflects our continued investment in open, scalable integrations that solve real-world operational challenges,” said Steve Mitchell, Director of Product, at Inner Range. “By integrating intelligent key management with our access control platform, we’re helping customers achieve higher levels of security, accountability, and operational efficiency—all from a single interface.” Availability The Traka Keylocker Integration Plugin (v1.4.0.3572) is available now to Inner Range partners and customers via the Inner Range website.

Brivo, the AI innovator and global pioneer in cloud-native physical security solutions, announces that the Brivo Security Platform API is now fully AI-friendly and capable, empowering developers and systems integrators to deploy business and security solutions faster than ever. The Brivo Security Platform API significantly reduces development costs, making custom integration viable for a wide range of use cases and corporate workflows, including those previously deemed too costly or complex to pursue. Physical security industry Enhancements to the Brivo Security Platform API include agent-friendly documentation, management tools, and resources for all AI agents to build, integrate, and scale with Brivo. “Agentic AI is upending systems integration in the physical security industry, enabling anyone to build apps on our platform leveraging video, access control, alarms and third-party technologies within hours, not months, and at a fraction of the cost,” said Dean Drako, CEO of Brivo. “The Brivo Security Platform API makes this possible with AI-optimised documentation–machine-readable llms.txt and skill files–that provide AI agents everything they need to build diverse applications.” Intrusion detection product Collin Trimble, CEO of Houston-based security integration firm Alarm Masters, used OpenClaw and the Brivo Security Platform API to integrate Brivo’s access control platform with a third-party intrusion detection product. “We’re now at the age where your ability to develop an integration is only limited by your imagination. I described the outcome I wanted in natural language, and OpenClaw built it,” Trimble said. “The biggest benefit for security integrators is that they are no longer beholden to a manufacturer’s roadmap. Security integrators can build their own integrations without hiring a developer, waiting years, or spending tens of thousands of dollars.” AI-optimised documentation Trimble noted that not all APIs are AI-friendly, and hopes manufacturers will follow Brivo’s lead in developing “An open and robust AI-friendly API that has great documentation, helpful examples, and all of the endpoints you need.’" Benefits of the Brivo Security Platform API include: Accelerated Development: Enables AI agents to complete complex integration requests instantly instead of in months through AI-optimised documentation. Natural Language Integrations: Allows developers and integrators to build custom solutions using simple, natural language commands. LLM Agnostic: Supports AI models including Gemini, Claude, and OpenAI’s GPT, as well as agentic coding platforms like Codex and Cursor. Competitive Differentiation: Helps security systems integrators quickly deploy tailored solutions, expand service offerings, and create meaningful market advantages. Unifying Access and Video: Lets agents build a single application using access and video API endpoints. Manual key management New Brivo Security Platform API integrations include: A coworking space automated membership-based door access to eliminate manual key management for 24/7 locations. A gym franchise synced its member database with Brivo to instantly grant or revoke facility access based on payment status. A property rental group built self-guided property tours to text temporary digital keys to prospective renters. A variety of warehouses, office buildings and apartment building managers deployed license plate-based gate entry to keep delivery trucks moving without manual check-ins. A commercial office building integrated license plate recognition/parking gate opening with the tenant management system for added convenience and security. A daycare provider added secure video sharing to the daycare management app to give parents a real-time window into their child’s day. Since its founding, Brivo has been committed to an open platform with a comprehensive RESTful API accessible by all, with extensive support for access control and video. Brivo merged with Eagle Eye Networks in December 2025. The Brivo Security Platform API combines the Eagle Eye Video API Platform and the Brivo API Platform.

A prison is, by definition, a secure place. Those who supervise correctional facilities deal in levels of secure access – from the door on an individual cell to the door open to the facility’s external secure perimeter. According to a report featured on Security Management Online, a prison has certain probabilities for a number of security breaches, each with its own degree of consequence. Maintaining secure accesses The safety of the inmates, the facility’s staff and the surrounding community all depends upon maintaining secure access at all levels. And the most logical way to do that is by maintaining secure accesses to the prison’s keys. Supervisors need to know the condition of the prison at all levels. Frequent information gathering, on both a regular and random basis, is needed to assure that everything is running smoothly throughout the facility. Although various forms of electronic surveillance can be used to maintain that flow of information, there is no substitute for routine tours by trained officers carrying a fail-safe mechanism to keep them moving and recording incidences. All systems used to maintain security in a prison setting must be impervious to tampering and routine wear and tear. A correctional facility is operated all day, every day. Therefore, several individuals supervise large-scale security systems, and the system’s tools are used continuously. Clock recording system Client: The construction of a brand new correctional facility in Woodstown, New Jersey replaced an old, outdated structure and gave its supervisors the chance to take a fresh look at their security needs. As a direct supervision prison, the new Salem County Correctional Facility was to contain two maximum security levels – a security building level and a living level containing 1416 beds for inmates. Ray Skradzinski is the deputy warden for the new facility. Project: The facility’s guard tour system was one area where Skradzinski felt considerable improvement was necessary. Routine tours of the checkpoint stations would be needed to maintain security, but Skradzinski had another reason to reconsider the old facility’s outdated clock recording system. Security management products “By state mandate in New Jersey we’re required to make routine rounds every 30 minutes in the evenings inside the pod, from 10 PM to 7 AM,” he said recently. The purchase and use of a more efficient guard tour system to guide officers through their tours and record their presence at checkpoint stations, helping reduce liability and maintain security. Keeping track of keys was another concern. The keys to the old prison’s doors were kept in an old-fashioned locked key-box, and security personnel had to literally sign out keys. “When we built the facility we were looking to enhance our system,” Skradzinski stated. The key management system purchased for the facility would be used by a variety of personnel. The facility currently has about 130 employees, about 36 of whom have access to master keys of varying security. Skradzinski was looking for an enhanced system that would help him account for each key and restrict its access to the proper personnel. For both systems, Skradzinski turned to Morse Watchman, the world leaders in security management products. Professional football helmets Provider: The Morse Watchmans guard tour systems are made up of three components: checkpoint stations, placed in fixed locations throughout the facility; handheld data recorders that are carried on rounds and used to check into the stations and record other data; and EZ ™ Data Sorting Software, which converts recorder data to useful custom reports. Morse Watchmans guarantees its checkpoint stations for life. They’re built out of impact-resistant Lexan(r), the same material used for professional football helmets. “I remember we didn’t like some of the other data recorder systems that we researched, because they didn’t seem to be rugged enough,” Skradzinski recalled. “We wanted something we knew was going to hold up and last. We did like the design, style and reliability of The Boss 2002 that we eventually chose. The Morse Watchmans salesperson who came in and demonstrated it dropped it on the floor to show us how rugged it was and that was one of the major selling points for us.” User-selectable option In addition to durability, The Boss 2002 features “Auto Pilot,” which is a user-selectable option that displays the next station to visit on the tour. Thus Skradzinski can pre-program the order in which each checkpoint station is to be visited, and the recorder will lead the officer from one station to the next. The Boss 2002 can carry up to 99 incident codes, enabling officers to input any data that supervisors have coded into the system. As for the issue of key security, Skradzinski chose Morse Watchman’s Key-Rings(tm), which use a simple, yet efficient, close-and-lock system. Key management system For the overall accountability and management of the facility’s keys, Skradzinski selected Morse Watchman’s KeyWatcher key management system. The KeyWatcher system conceals keys in a high-tech, efficient wall-mounted cabinet that can expand to hold up to 1000 keys. Each key is individually locked in place, and can only be released by entering individual user codes. Audit trail reports can be generated through a standard printer. Keys are randomly returned to the box, reducing the opportunity for unauthorised access. Morse Watchman’s tamper-proof “Smart Keys” electronically monitor key release and return. A 1/8-inch thick tamper-proof stainless steel ring protects each key. Maximum-security control centers Skradzinski had been impressed with the KeyWatcher system and associated products back in 1994. “I liked the structure of the storage cabinet; it’s a well-made metal box. It certainly held up over the years that we’ve had it,” he expressed. “The design was attractive and it met the specifications that we were looking for.” Implementation: There are two KeyWatcher storage cabinets inside the Salem Country Correctional Facility, maintained in two maximum-security control centers, from which the keys are distributed. “The central control center is only manned by supervisory staff and specially trained staff that work that specific area,” Skradzinski mentioned. Skradzinski said facility staff installed the KeyWatchers and The Boss guard tour system on their own. “It was very simple to do,” he continued. Administrative point of view Benefits: Reaction among supervisors at the Salem County Correctional Facility to the two Morse Watchman systems has been positive. “The officers think the PowerCheck is a good system,” Skradzinski said of his supervisors. “From an administrative point of view, we like it – the reports that it generates are accurate and it’s something we certainly wouldn’t want to do without.” According to Skradzinski, the system has helped to raise the efficiency of his officers, as well as comply with state regulations regarding routine rounds. “The Morse Watchman handheld data recorders are a way of allowing us to make sure we have a definite record that the rounds are being made,” Skradzinski revealed. “And it’s also been there in a couple of instances where we had an internal investigation.” Maximum security building Success: Skradzinski said he has been satisfied with the way Morse Watchmans dealt with his staff. “The tech support system has been good,” he complimented, and “They’ve always been very pleasant with us.” Skradzinski remarked, “We wanted a good, efficient way of maintaining accountability of our high security keys and the ability to restrict who had access to them – and that’s exactly what we got.” Since implementing the KeyWatcher, the Salem Correctional Facility has not lost a single key. Without a doubt, Morse Watchmans has helped the Salem Correctional Facility put the lock down on accountability and access control throughout their maximum security building.

DigiCert, a global pioneer in intelligent trust, announced enhancements to its Document Trust Manager solution to help organisations combat rising document fraud, simplify global compliance, and strengthen trust in digital transactions in the age of AI. Unlike traditional signing tools that require separate regional or departmental infrastructure to meet standards such as AATL and eIDAS, Document Trust Manager centralises signing assurance management in a single solution. Document fraud The surge in generative AI and digital transformation has dramatically increased the volume and vulnerability of digital documents. Enterprise adoption of eSignatures has grown by 400% since 2019  while global fraud, phishing, and identity misuse incidents have risen sharply. High-profile cases involving fraudulent invoices and manipulated documents underscore the urgent need for stronger document integrity and verified signer identity.     “AI is making document fraud faster, cheaper, and harder to detect,” said Deepika Chauhan, Chief Product Officer at DigiCert. “Organisations can’t rely on visual trust anymore. They need cryptographic proof of who signed a document and that it hasn’t been altered. That’s what Document Trust Manager delivers at scale.”    Latest upgrades DigiCert Document Trust Manager consolidates signing key management and signing workflows into a single secure platform, eliminating fragmented processes across business units, countries, and regulatory environments. The latest enhancements include:   Unified Workflow & Centralised Visibility: Enterprise-wide monitoring of signing activity through a single view. Managers and auditors can now track who signed what and when, and also see any potential unauthorised document signing activity.   Secure Certificate and Private Key Repository: Centralised, protected storage for document signing certificates and private keys, eliminating reliance on physical USB tokens and reducing risk of loss or misuse. In line with security best practices, Multi Factor Authentication is required to log on and sign documents.  Pre-Integrated Signing: Seamless integration with DocuSign, Adobe Sign, Adobe Acrobat, and desktop signing tools, enabling organisations to maintain existing processes while upgrading security.   Online counter signing: DigiCert Secure Sign offers users the ability to counter sign with multiple orders in the signing process without using external signing flow.   Identity verification In highly regulated markets, particularly across EMEA, evolving digital identity and electronic signing requirements are increasing the need for centralised, auditable signing controls. At the same time, the rise of AI-generated content is driving demand for stronger verification of document origin, signer identity, and content integrity. DigiCert Document Trust Manager helps organisations address these challenges by enabling:   Verify signer identity with web-based and mobile capabilities for secure, remote authentication.   Meet global regulatory requirements with support for PKI-backed signatures under eIDAS2, ZertES, and AATL.   Centralise and monitor signing activity across the enterprise through a single, unified solution.    Ensure document integrity and authenticity with PKI-backed digital signatures and strong identity verification, including biometric and ID-based proofing.   Enable secure, compliant workflows for remote and hybrid work environments.   “Enterprises are under pressure to demonstrate both compliance and authenticity,” said Ozgun Pelit, Senior Analyst, Frost & Sullivan. “Centralised management of PKI-backed document signing provides stronger assurance than legacy, siloed approaches.”  

Morse Watchmans, the industry pioneer in key control and asset management systems, is showcasing the “Power of Three” at ISC West Booth 12109. Attendees can experience the company’s industry pioneer KeyWatcher® key management systems, along with solutions from sister companies SupplyPoint®, featuring their RotoFlex™ asset management solution, and mobile computer workstations from Newcastle Systems®. The “Power of Three” represents the convergence of legacy intelligent operations asset management product solutions from parent company TouchPoint, Inc., including electronic key control, industrial vending and locker systems, and mobile computing workstations now available for unified deployment across a spectrum of vertical applications. Asset management solution “For the first time, our customers can walk into a single booth and see the entire lifecycle of critical assets managed by proven solutions from trusted brands. It’s a powerful statement about where our company is headed moving forward.” said Tim Purpura, VP of Global Sales and Marketing at Morse Watchmans. At the centre of the platform is KeyWatcher, the industry’s premier electronic key control and asset management solution with real-time tracking and centralised oversight. The new KeyWatcher Sentinel making its debut at ISC West, represents the next generation of key control solutions that is truly scalable. Asset management solution The SupplyPoint RotoFlex provides advanced industrial vending and secure storage of high-value assets along with the capability to track the use of consumables, with detailed reporting. When integrated with KeyWatcher, organisations can control RotoFlex workflows, expanding accountability beyond keys to tools, equipment, and inventory to create a seamless chain of custody. The ecosystem is further enhanced by Newcastle Systems mobile computer workstations. Mobile platforms support real-time data entry, inventory management, and operational workflows for industries from manufacturing and warehousing to healthcare and hospitality. Key control authorisation Together, the three brands create a comprehensive intelligent asset management platform that: Secures and tracks keys and critical/expensive assets Integrates asset locker management with key control authorisation Extends accountability across distributed facilities Supports centralised reporting and operational visibility Enhances workflow and asset management efficiency All three TouchPoint brands are supported by a global network of authorised resellers, ensuring consistent deployment, integration, support and service across international markets.

Morse Watchmans, the industry pioneer in key control and asset management systems, is debuting KeyWatcher® Sentinel at ISC West Booth 12109 . It builds on the company’s decades of experience, helping organisations redefine key and asset management. It will be showcased alongside the company’s comprehensive portfolio of key management solutions. “We listened closely to the challenges our customers face, like the need for better scalability, more integrations, and simpler workflows,” said Tim Purpura, VP of Global Sales and Marketing at Morse Watchmans. “The KeyWatcher Sentinel removes administrative friction without compromising accountability. It gives organisations the flexibility to manage assets with surgical precision, whether they are operating a single cabinet or a global network.” Seamless integration capabilities KeyWatcher Sentinel is a next-generation key control system built around structured workflows, granular permissions, and seamless integration capabilities. It supports networked and standalone deployments, allowing organisations to manage keys and assets with greater precision with operational simplicity. It’s easy to use while improving integration with access control ecosystems and third-party apps. Detailed permission frameworks allow administrators to define roles, scopes, departments, and time-based rules with ease. It features: Smart return workflows with guided placement for various scenarios. Advanced permission models with segmentation. Unified configuration and management across cabinets. Real-time transaction visibility and alarm management with reporting. Browser-based system administration and integration capabilities. Expanded authentication methods Later this year, KeyWatcher Sentinel will expand its feature set to include expanded authentication methods, additional reporting capabilities, and third-party integrations. All prior purchases will be eligible for updates that include these new features as well. Stop by the Morse Watchmans Booth 12109 to explore the KeyWatcher Sentinel and other key management solutions.

Amidst the challenges of a prevailing economic downturn, the retail sector finds itself grappling with an unparalleled rise in incidents of shoplifting, theft, and burglaries. The disconcerting scenes witnessed on London’s Oxford Street in August 2023,​ where crowds gathered, looting as many stores as possible, sent shockwaves across the nation’s retailers. This alarming surge in retail crime has put retailers on high alert, as they contend with a rising tide of security concerns.  Shoplifting concerns Recent data from the Union of Shop Distributive and Allied Workers (USDAW), has raised alarming concerns: shoplifting rates have surged by an unprecedented 24%.​ In the first half of 2023 alone, there were approximately 8 million reported shoplifting incidents. With the ongoing burden of the cost of living crisis and the approaching festive season, it is expected that these figures will keep surging.  Implementing robust security measures Theft and prevention strategies cost retailers approximately £2 billion in 2021/2022 While more help from the Government to support retail workers and the businesses shoplifters target is certainly needed, the implementation of robust security measures will significantly contribute to deterring these crimes from occurring in the first place. British retailers spend millions on tools to deter and catch shoplifters inside stores, from CCTV and security guards to electronic tagging and alarms. The Grocer reported that theft and prevention strategies cost retailers approximately £2 billion in 2021/2022. Despite these initial costs, other threats are at play beyond the shop floor. Break-ins by criminal gangs For many large town centre stores and supermarkets, and units in retail parks, the rear doors and delivery areas are commonly targeted by criminal gangs. It’s not uncommon for thefts to occur from pallets or cages that have been unloaded from lorries and sit waiting to be moved into the building. After-hours break-ins are a risk for all store owners too, particularly over the festive season when a lot of high-value stock has been delivered to shops and supermarkets. Addressing anti-social behaviour  The additional fencing was deemed an essential measure to safeguard the community Anti-social behaviour also poses a challenge for retailers. In 2022, an Aldi based in Derby​ invested in security fencing to protect staff and deter loitering groups. The additional fencing was deemed an essential measure to safeguard the community, as dangerous items were frequently found outside the store, including weapons and hypodermic needles.  So how do physical security solutions such as fencing and gates help better protect retail establishments such as supermarkets and edge-of-town retail park shops? Fencing and gates: a critical component of retail security  1. Risk assessment and target hardening  A thorough risk assessment will identify potential weak spots that require protection. ‘Target hardening’ involves implementing physical security measures that become more robust as they approach the target. This helps deter intruders while ensuring ease of access for customers and staff.  2. Effective perimeter security  Opt for difficult-to-climb security fencing that provides a robust obstacle against thieves, vandals, and intruders Selecting fencing solutions according to the potential threats, site characteristics, and topography is crucial. It is important to specify fencing that strikes a balance and maintains a welcoming appearance while safeguarding external areas of the store or warehouse from potential harm and unauthorised access. Solid fencing which provides concealment can help to conceal expensive goods and remove them as a target for opportunistic theft.  Opt for difficult-to-climb security fencing that provides a robust obstacle against thieves, vandals, and intruders. I recommend selecting a sufficiently tall and robust fence such as an acoustic barrier. Its noise-reducing properties are often beneficial for these types of sites too.  3. Controlling vehicular speeds and access  To enhance security, consider controlling vehicular speeds and access. One effective approach is the installation of bollards at the ends of traditional high streets. This practice is already commonplace as a means of safeguarding against hostile vehicle attacks, but it can also play a pivotal role in preventing quick getaways of vehicles involved in potential heists. Additionally, employing road blockers and sliding gates at the rear entrances of delivery areas would serve to fortify security further. These measures can help in delaying vehicles, allowing for necessary checks to be conducted.  4. Balancing security with aesthetics  The presence of high-security fencing can also make a site more of a target for vandals and burglars Another challenge is avoiding creating an imposing presence, especially important for areas situated near residential communities. The presence of high-security fencing can also make a site more of a target for vandals and burglars. To minimise this risk consider specifying timber fencing and traffic barriers to secure car parks, providing both security and a welcoming atmosphere for shoppers.  Taking an integrated approach Combine secure perimeter fencing with effective lighting in places with shaded areas and at doors, gates, and shop windows, alongside Perimeter Intrusion Detection Systems (PIDS), and strategically placed CCTV. These measures will hinder unauthorised entry and escape, increasing the likelihood of detection and apprehension.  Prioritising employee wellbeing  Installing robust security fencing, complemented by CCTV, good lighting, and guarding, creates a safe environment Installing robust security fencing, complemented by CCTV, good lighting, and guarding, creates a safe environment for employees. This not only safeguards their well-being but also provides peace of mind that they are protected effectively in the case of a burglary or crime.  When selecting security products for retail sites, it is advisable to opt for items that have undergone rigorous testing and carry relevant certifications for their security level. Each component should meet industry-specific standards for its intended purpose and originate from manufacturers accredited under ISO 9001:2015. This ensures a high standard of quality and reliability in safeguarding the premises.  High-quality security fencing As the cost-of-living crisis continues, crime rates increase, and the festive season approaches, the time to act and implement on-site security is now. By investing in comprehensive security measures, retailers can protect their assets, employees, and customers, ensuring a safer and more secure shopping environment for all. High-quality security fencing is also a sound investment, that requires little or no maintenance once installed. The best fencing solutions are extremely weather-resistant, and won’t suffer from rust or corrosion. With all sectors preparing to ride the rapids of recession in the coming year, improving on-site security while selecting cost-effective measures, is one surefire way to protect your people, your property, and your profits from harm. 

Global transportation networks are becoming increasingly interconnected, with digital systems playing a crucial role in ensuring the smooth operation of ports and supply chains. However, this reliance on technology can also create vulnerabilities, as demonstrated by the recent ransomware attack on Nagoya Port. As Japan's busiest shipping hub, the port's operations were brought to a standstill for two days, highlighting the potential for significant disruption to national economies and supply chains.  Transportation sector  The attack began with the port's legacy computer system, which handles shipping containers, being knocked offline. This forced the port to halt the handling of shipping containers that arrived at the terminal, effectively disrupting the flow of goods. The incident was a stark reminder of the risks associated with the convergence of information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) in ports and other critical infrastructures.  This is not an isolated incident, but part of a broader trend of escalating cyber threats targeting critical infrastructure. The transportation sector must respond by bolstering its defences, enhancing its cyber resilience, and proactively countering these threats. The safety and efficiency of our transportation infrastructure, and by extension our global economy, depend on it.  Rising threat to port security and supply chains  XIoT, from sensors on shipping containers to automatic cranes, are vital to trendy port functions OT, once isolated from networked systems, is now increasingly interconnected. This integration has expanded the attack surface for threat actors. A single breach in a port's OT systems can cause significant disruption, halting the movement of containers and impacting the flow of goods. This is not a hypothetical scenario, but a reality that has been demonstrated in recent cyberattacks on major ports.  Adding another layer of complexity is the extended Internet of Things (XIoT), an umbrella term for all cyber-physical systems. XIoT devices, from sensors on shipping containers to automated cranes, are now integral to modern port operations. These devices are delivering safer, more efficient automated vehicles, facilitating geo-fencing for improved logistics, and providing vehicle health data for predictive maintenance. XIoT ecosystem  However, the XIoT ecosystem also presents new cybersecurity risks. Each connected device is a potential entry point for cybercriminals, and the interconnected nature of these devices means that an attack on one, which can move laterally and can have a ripple effect throughout the system.  The threat landscape is evolving, with cybercriminals becoming more sophisticated and their attacks more damaging with a business continuity focus. The growing interconnectivity between OT and XIoT in port operations and supply chains is also presenting these threat actors with a greater attack surface. Many older OT systems were never designed to be connected in this way and are unlikely to be equipped to deal with modern cyber threats. Furthermore, the increasing digitisation of ports and supply chains has led to a surge in the volume of data being generated and processed. This data, if not properly secured, can be a goldmine for cybercriminals. The potential for data breaches adds another dimension to the cybersecurity challenges facing the transportation sector.  Role of cyber resilience in protecting service availability  Cyber resilience refers to organisation's ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from threats As the threats to port security and supply chains become increasingly complex, the concept of cyber resilience takes on a new level of importance. Cyber resilience refers to an organisation's ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from cyber threats. It goes beyond traditional cybersecurity measures, focusing not just on preventing attacks, but also on minimising the impact of attacks that do occur and ensuring a quick recovery.  In the context of port operations and supply chains, cyber resilience is crucial. The interconnected nature of these systems means that a cyberattack can have far-reaching effects, disrupting operations not just at the targeted port, but also at other ports and throughout the supply chain. A resilient system is one that can withstand such an attack and quickly restore normal operations. Port operations and supply chains The growing reliance on OT and the XIoT in port operations and supply chains presents unique challenges for cyber resilience. OT systems control physical processes and are often critical to safety and service availability. A breach in an OT system can have immediate and potentially catastrophic physical consequences. Similarly, XIoT devices are often embedded in critical infrastructure and can be difficult to patch or update, making them vulnerable to attacks.  Building cyber resilience in these systems requires a multi-faceted approach. It involves implementing robust security measures, such as strong access controls and network segmentation, to prevent attacks. It also involves continuous monitoring and detection to identify and respond to threats as they occur. But perhaps most importantly, it involves planning and preparation for the inevitable breaches that will occur, ensuring that when they do, the impact is minimised, and normal operations can be quickly restored.  Building resilience across port security and supply chains   In the face of cyber threats, the transport sector must adopt a complete method of cybersecurity In the face of escalating cyber threats, the transportation sector must adopt a comprehensive approach to cybersecurity. This involves not just implementing robust security measures, but also fostering a culture of cybersecurity awareness and compliance throughout the organisation.  A key component of a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy is strong access controls. This involves ensuring that only authorised individuals have access to sensitive data and systems. It also involves implementing multi-factor authentication and regularly reviewing and updating access permissions. Strong access controls can prevent unauthorised access to systems and data, reducing the risk of both internal and external threats. Network segmentation Network segmentation is another crucial measure. By dividing a network into separate segments, organisations can limit the spread of a cyberattack within their network. This can prevent an attack on one part of the network from affecting the entire system. Network segmentation also makes it easier to monitor and control the flow of data within the network, further enhancing security.  Regular vulnerability assessments and patch management are also essential. Vulnerability assessments involve identifying and evaluating potential security weaknesses in the system, while patch management involves regularly updating and patching software to fix these vulnerabilities. These measures can help organisations stay ahead of cybercriminals and reduce the risk of exploitation.  EU’s NIS2 Directive EU’s NIS2 Directive came into effect, and member states have until October 2024 to put it into law The transportation sector must also be prepared for greater legislative responsibility in the near future. The EU’s NIS2 Directive recently came into effect, and member states have until October 2024 to put it into law. The Directive aims to increase the overall level of cyber preparedness by mandating capabilities such as Computer Security Incident Response Teams (CSIRTs). Transport is among the sectors labelled as essential by the bill, meaning it will face a high level of scrutiny. Getting to grips with the complexities of XIoT and OT integration will be essential for organisations to achieve compliance and avoid fines. Global transportation infrastructure Finally, organisations must prepare for the inevitable breaches that will occur. This involves developing an incident response plan that outlines the steps to be taken in the event of a breach. It also involves regularly testing and updating this plan to ensure its effectiveness. A well-prepared organisation can respond quickly and effectively to a breach, minimising its impact and ensuring a quick recovery.  In conclusion, mastering transportation cybersecurity requires a comprehensive, proactive approach. It involves implementing robust technical measures, fostering a culture of cybersecurity awareness, and preparing for the inevitable breaches that will occur. By taking these steps, organisations can enhance their cyber resilience, protect their critical operations, and ensure the security of our global transportation infrastructure.

Physical security is essential for a modern production facility, users don’t want just anyone entering the building or accessing secure areas. But what about production machinery? Machine authentication is often a missing link in the security plan for manufacturers. Why machine authentication?  Most manufacturers have made significant investments in physical access control (PAC) for production facilities. Few shops currently hand out physical keys to employees or leave the building unlocked during production hours. For all but the smallest shops, front-door access typically involves individual radio-frequency identification (RFID) badges that enable tracking of who is coming and going and at what times. Use of physical keys, password login It is simply assumed that anyone who has access to the factory floor has the knowledge, authority, and training But when it comes to production machinery, many manufacturers still rely on physical keys, password login on the human-machine interface (HMI), or a shared PIN to unlock machine access. In some shops, machines may not be secured at all, it is simply assumed that anyone who has access to the factory floor has the knowledge, authority, and training to use the machines responsibly. However, this is not necessarily a good assumption, especially in a larger manufacturing plant where many people can access the production floor.  Valuable and sensitive equipment CNC machines, robotic welders, process equipment, and other production machinery can cost anywhere from $5,000 to half a million or more, depending on their size and function. They also have significant safety risks for untrained users and may hold valuable and sensitive IP (such as customer design specs or batch recipes). User authentication Authenticating users at the machine level closes an important security loophole and makes plants safer and more productive. Machine authentication prevents untrained or unauthorised users from accessing production machinery. The right authentication system also allows access levels to be tailored for different users based on training credentials, job roles, or even projects.  Machine authentication benefits A strong machine authentication solution provides several benefits for manufacturers: Minimises unplanned downtime and expensive damage to machines caused by untrained operators. Enables tracking of production outcomes by machine operator for better quality control and troubleshooting. Protects company and client IP held on the machine by preventing unauthorised access to machine controls and memory. Enhances plant safety and compliance by limiting machine access to operators with the appropriate credentials. Reduces the risk of deliberate sabotage by unauthorised operators, including damage to machines and production facilities and data theft or corruption.  Mark Merino, the Director of the Digital Factory Group for Polaris Automation, explains, “Machine authentication allows us to identify which people are logged into different pieces of equipment and make sure they are trained appropriately for the machine and have the right clearances for the data they are trying to access.” Choosing the right machine authentication solution  Access control for production machinery can be accomplished by various means, including password and PIN systems, physical keys or fobs, RFID badges, or smartphone-based mobile credentialing systems. The best machine authentication system will: Be highly reliable and secure to protect the machine from unauthorised access. Enable identification of individual operators and tracking of who has used the machines, at what times, and for what projects. Allow access levels to be differentiated by the user. Be easy to implement and administer. Discourage sharing or cloning of credentials. RFID readers An RFID reader can be easily connected to or integrated with the HMI for the machine In most manufacturing environments, the simplest solution for machine authentication is the RFID badge employees already carry for building entry. An RFID reader can be easily connected to or integrated with the HMI for the machine. All users must do to authenticate themselves is swipe their badge over the reader to unlock machine controls. RFID benefits RFID provides multiple benefits for end users, IT, and managers: It leverages technology already widely used, so users do not have to carry a separate key or fob to access machine controls. It is more secure and easier to manage than a password system, as passwords are frequently forgotten, shared, or hacked. Unlike shared PINs, physical keys, or fobs, user authentication via an ID badge enables accurate identification of who is logging into the machine. Users are much less likely to share their picture ID badge (which is often also linked to HR functions such as time and attendance) than a machine password, PIN, or key. If an ID badge is lost or stolen, or an employee leaves the company, IT can easily disable access to the card. RFID credentials are very difficult to hack or clone. Transmission between the reader and card can be encrypted for added security. Unlike biometric options, RFID is highly reliable even in hot, dirty, or humid environments and does not require workers to remove gloves, safety goggles, or masks. Getting started with machine authentication  Machine authentication starts with selecting the right RFID reader. A universal RFID reader supports easy implementation, integration with other building systems, and scaling. A universal reader also provides flexibility for the future in case companies want to change transponder technologies or allow for user authentication using mobile credentials on a smartphone. IIoT model User authentication must be designed within the context of the wider security ecosystem of the plant To ensure the security of production machinery, user authentication must be designed within the context of the wider security ecosystem of the plant. Modern production machines are increasingly networked and connected in an “Industrial Internet of Things” (IIoT) model. That means machines are not only vulnerable themselves but are also endpoints in the broader IT landscape of the plant. Machine authentication systems must incorporate best practices for endpoint security, such as those outlined by ISO (International Organisation for Standardisation), NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology), and other industry organisations.  Best practices: The reader installation should be tamper-proofed to prevent physical disruption of the authentication system. Use an encryption standard suitable for the security level of the application. Encryption prevents data interception or card cloning. If higher security is desired, RFID can be implemented as part of a multi-factor authentication system along with biometrics and/or a password or PIN. The authentication system should support different access levels for different users or classes of users. A role-based permission system allows for different levels of access for line operators, supervisors, IT, and maintenance, for example. For maximum safety and security, individual users should only have the minimum access required to do their jobs. With secure machine authentication, manufacturers can protect people, production equipment, and IP, while enabling smooth operations. It all starts with an authentication system that supports reliable and secure operator identification at the machine level. 

Companies at GSX 2023 emphasised new ways that technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and the cloud can address long-standing issues in the security market. Among the exhibitors at the event in Dallas were companies seeking creative ways to apply technology, lower costs, and make the world a safer place. Reflecting on the exhibition, here are some additional takeaways. Expanding AI at the edge  i-PRO is a company reflecting the continued expansion of edge AI capability in the security market. Today, more than half of the company’s lineup supports AI at the edge so the customer has a wide choice of form factors when seeking to leverage the feature set.  AI processing relay, extended warranty i-PRO is increasing their warranty period from 5 to 7 years, which could be a lifetime warranty in some cases I-PRO also has an “AI processing relay” device that accepts non-AI video streams and applies edge analytics. AI has progressed from a high-end technology to a feature available in a variety of cameras at different price points. i-PRO is also increasing its warranty period from 5 to 7 years, which could be a lifetime warranty in some cases depending on a customer’s refresh schedule and lifecycle management. Active Guard, MonitorCast The company’s video management system (Video Insight) is continuing to build new features including “Active Guard,” an integrated metadata sorter. Their access control platform, MonitorCast, is a Mercury-based solution that is tightly integrated with Video Insight. Their embedded recorders now have PoE built in.  “We can move at a faster pace to fill out our product line since leaving Panasonic,” says Adam Lowenstein, Director of Product Management. “We can focus our business on adapting to the market.” Emphasis on retail and other verticals  Shoplifting is a timely issue, and retail is a vertical market that got a lot of attention at GSX 2023. “We see a lot of retailers who are primarily interested in protecting employee safety, but also assets,” says Brandon Davito, Verkada’s SVP of Product and Operations. “Shrinkage is a CEO-level priority.”  “Retailers are getting more engaged with security posture, instead of letting perpetrators walk,” Davito adds. Intrusion detection Verkada has an intrusion product that will notify a central station if there is an alarm On the alarm side, Verkada has an intrusion product that will notify a central station if there is an alarm, and operators can review videos to confirm the alarm. Other capabilities seeking to discourage trespassers include sirens, strobes, and “talkdown” capabilities.  International expansion Verkada continues to expand internationally with 16 offices in all, including Sydney, Tokyo, and London. The core value proposition is to enable customers to manage their onsite infrastructure more simply, including new elements such as PTZ cameras, intercoms, and visitor management. Verkada emphasises ease of use, including a mobile application to allow access to be managed across the user base. Forging partnerships “We are committed to the channel and industry, and we continue to build relationships and expand our reach,” says Davito. Among the industry relationships is a new partnership with Convergint, which was hinted at during the show and announced later the same day. They are also expanding their partnerships with Schlage, Allegion, and ASSA ABLOY.  Working with other verticals They offer new features for K -12 schools, and a new alarm platform is easier to deploy and manage Verkada has also found success across multiple other verticals, notably healthcare, where they integrate with an electronic medical records system. They offer new features for K-12 schools, and a new alarm platform is easier to deploy and manage. They are integrating wireless locks to secure interior doors in schools, looking to secure the perimeter, and installing guest management systems. Transitioning the mid-market to the cloud  Salient is squarely focused on the “mid-market,” a large swath of systems somewhere between small businesses and enterprise-level systems. Pure cloud systems are not as attractive to this market, which has a built-out infrastructure of on-premise systems. Adding a camera to an existing system is easier and less expensive than tying it to the cloud. Benefits of cloud It’s a market that may not be ready for the pure cloud, but there are benefits to be realised from adding a cloud element to existing systems. “We are continuing to augment our premise-based solutions with added cloud capabilities and flexibility,” says Sanjay Challa, Salient’s Chief Product Officer.  The feedback Salient hears from their customers is “I want to own my data.” The hybrid cloud approach offers the right mix of control, flexibility, and unit economics. Cloud add-on capabilities We want to provide the flexibility for customers to go full-cloud as it becomes more economically attractive" Cloud add-on capabilities include bringing more intelligence about system operation to the user via the cloud. Over time, Salient expects to sell more cloud-centric offerings based on feedback from integrators and customers. “We want to provide the flexibility for customers to go full-cloud as it becomes more economically attractive over time,” says Challa.  Vaidio AI technology Salient seeks to be a transition pioneer to help customers realise the path to the cloud. Their approach is “crawl, walk, run,” and helping customers make the transition at each stage. Salient has added AI to its product offering, incorporating Vaidio AI technology from IronYun into a powerful suite and broad array of on-premise analytics, which are gaining traction. The seamless approach makes it easy for customers to embrace AI analytics, although Salient remains broadly committed to open systems. Addressing ‘soft’ features for integrators AMAG is in the process of enhancing its product line with the next generation of access control panels. However, “product” is just part of the new developments at AMAG. In addition to “hard” features (such as products), the company is looking to improve its “soft” features, too; that is, how they work with the integrator channel. Integrator channel Rebuilding a process to make your organisation more efficient, is relatively easy; it just takes a lot of persistence" “We have the depth of our legacy customer base we can learn from, we just need to close the feedback loop quicker,” says Kyle Gordon, AMAG’s Executive Vice President of Global Sales, Marketing, and commercial Excellence, who acknowledges the value of reinstating face-to-face meetings after COVID. “We are laser-focused on nurturing our integrator channel,” he says.  “Developing new features takes time, but rebuilding a process to make your organisation more efficient, that’s relatively easy; it just takes a lot of persistence,” says Gordon. More cohesive internal communication is another useful tool, he says.  Disrupting the cloud based on price  Wasabi is working to make cloud applications less expensive by offering a “disruptive” price on cloud storage, $6.99 per terabyte per month (80% less than hyperscalers). Contending “hyperscalers” like AWS are charging too much for cloud storage, Wasabi is using its own intellectual property and server equipment co-located in data centres around the world. Wasabi sells “hot cloud storage,” which refers to the fact that they only have one tier of storage and data is always accessible. In contrast, a company such as AWS might charge an “egress fee” for access to data stored in a “colder” tier.  Cloud storage “We saw that several video surveillance companies had not yet adopted cloud storage, and we saw an opportunity to make it easy to use,” said Drew Schlussel, Wasabi’s Senior Director of Product Marketing. “We just install a little bit of software that allows them to store data in the cloud and bring it back from the cloud.” Performance, protection (cybersecurity), and price Wasabi works with integrators, resellers, and distributors and also integrates with VMS companies Wasabi works with integrators, resellers, and distributors and also integrates with VMS companies such as Genetec and Milestone. Emphasising performance, protection (cybersecurity), and price, their data centres are certified to SOC 2 and ISO 27001 standards.  Faster throughput for weapons detection Xtract One is a young company focusing on weapons detection in a time of accelerated concern about gun issues post-COVID. Founded in Canada and based on technology developed at McMaster University, Xtract One has found a niche in providing weapons detection at stadiums and arenas. These customers already have budgets, and it is easy to shift the money to a newer, faster technology. Madison Square Garden in New York City is among its customers.  Cost savings solution Xtract One can increase throughput to 30 to 50 people per entrance per minute (compared to 5 to 6 people per minute when using metal detectors). The solution doesn’t require anyone to empty their pockets and the system alarms on items beyond guns and knives. Using Xtract One allows customers to reduce the number of screening lanes and security staff, providing additional cost savings, all while getting fans through the screening process in half the time. Purpose-built sensors The system uses purpose-built sensors looking for specific characteristics, such as reflective and density properties In addition to stadiums and arenas, Xtract One, formerly Patriot One, is also getting “inbound” interest from schools, hospitals, manufacturers, and other verticals that makeup 50% of their business. “We’re on a rocket ride, mainly because the weapons issues are not going away,” says Peter Evans, CEO and Director at Xtract One. The system uses purpose-built sensors looking for specific characteristics, such as reflective and density properties, all correlated by an AI engine.  Providing early warning of violence ZeroEyes is another company focused on weapons detection. Their AI gun detection system works with video images to identify if someone is “brandishing” (carrying) a weapon. In other words, the system does not detect concealed weapons. Identifying someone carrying a weapon provides early warning of a possible violent act. Increased response with AI-enables images Images are identified by AI and sent to a monitoring centre where a human confirms the image before contacting first responders. Knowing the location of a shooter enables staff to lock entry points, move people to safety, and direct first responders. The company was founded to leverage existing camera views to stop mass shootings and gun violence by reducing response times. 

When it comes to security cameras, the end user always wants more—more resolution, more artificial intelligence (AI), and more sensors. However, the cameras themselves do not change much from generation to generation; that is, they have the same power budgets, form factors and price. To achieve “more,” the systems-on-chips (SoCs) inside the video cameras must pack more features and integrate systems that would have been separate components in the past.  For an update on the latest capabilities of SoCs inside video cameras, we turned to Jérôme Gigot, Senior Director of Marketing for AIoT at Ambarella, a manufacturer of SOCs. AIoT refers to the artificial intelligence of things, the combination of AI and IoT. Author's quote “The AI performance on today’s cameras matches what was typically done on a server just a generation ago,” says Gigot. “And, doing AI on-camera provides the threefold benefits of being able to run algorithms on a higher-resolution input before the video is encoded and transferred to a server, with a faster response time, and with complete privacy.” Added features of the new SOC Ambarella expects the first cameras with the SoC to emerge on the market during early part of 2024 Ambarella’s latest System on Chip (SOC) is the CV72S, which provides 6× the AI performance of the previous generation and supports the newer transformer neural networks. Even with its extra features, the CV72S maintains the same power envelope as the previous-generation SoCs. The CV72S is now available, sampling is underway by camera manufacturers, and Ambarella expects the first cameras with the SoC to emerge on the market during the early part of 2024. Examples of the added features of the new SOC include image processing, video encoders, AI engines, de-warpers for fisheye lenses, general compute cores, along with functions such as processing multiple imagers on a single SoC, fusion among different types of sensors, and the list goes on. This article will summarise new AI capabilities based on information provided by Ambarella. AI inside the cameras Gigot says AI is by far the most in-demand feature of new security camera SoCs. Customers want to run the latest neural network architectures; run more of them in parallel to achieve more functions (e.g., identifying pedestrians while simultaneously flagging suspicious behavior); run them at higher resolutions in order to pick out objects that are farther away from the camera. And they want to do it all faster. Most AI tasks can be split between object detection, object recognition, segmentation and higher-level “scene understanding” types of functions, he says. The latest AI engines support transformer network architectures (versus currently used convolutional neural networks). With enough AI horsepower, all objects in a scene can be uniquely identified and classified with a set of attributes, tracked across time and space, and fed into higher-level AI algorithms that can detect and flag anomalies. However, everything depends on which scene is within the camera’s field of view. “It might be an easy task for a camera in an office corridor to track a person passing by every couple of minutes; while a ceiling camera in an airport might be looking at thousands of people, all constantly moving in different directions and carrying a wide variety of bags,” Gigot says. Changing the configuration of video systems Low-level AI number crunching would typically be done on camera (at the source of the data) Even with more computing capability inside the camera, central video servers still have their place in the overall AI deployment, as they can more easily aggregate and understand information across multiple cameras. Additionally, low-level AI number crunching would typically be done on camera (at the source of the data).  However, the increasing performance capabilities of transformer neural network AI inside the camera will reduce the need for a central video server over time. Even so, a server could still be used for higher-level decisions and to provide a representation of the world; along with a user interface for the user to make sense of all the data. Overall, AI-enabled security cameras with transformer network-based functionality will greatly reduce the use of central servers in security systems. This trend will contribute to a reduction in the greenhouse gases produced by data centres. These server farms consume a lot of energy, due to their power-hungry GPU and CPU chips, and those server processors also need to be cooled using air conditioning that emits additional greenhouse gases. New capabilities of transformer neural networks New kinds of AI architectures are being deployed inside cameras. Newer SoCs can accommodate the latest transformer neural networks (NNs), which now outperform currently used convolutional NNs for many vision tasks. Transformer neural networks require more AI processing power to run, compared to most convolutional NNs. Transformers are great for Natural Language Processing (NLP) as they have mechanisms to “make sense” of a seemingly random arrangement of words. Those same properties, when applied to video, make transformers very efficient at understanding the world in 3D. Transformer NNs require more AI processing power to run, compared to most convolutional NNs For example, imagine a multi-imager camera where an object needs to be tracked from one camera to the next. Transformer networks are also great at focussing their attention on specific parts of the scene—just as some words are more important than others in a sentence, some parts of a scene might be more significant from a security perspective.  “I believe that we are currently just scratching the surface of what can be done with transformer networks in video security applications,” says Gigot. The first use cases are mainly for object detection and recognition. However, research in neural networks is focussing on these new transformer architectures and their applications. Expanded use cases for multi-image and fisheye cameras For multi-image cameras, again, the strategy is “less is more.” For example, if you need to build a multi-imager with four 4K sensors, then, in essence, you need to have four cameras in one. That means you need four imaging pipelines, four encoders, four AI engines, and four sets of CPUs to run the higher-level software and streaming. Of course, for cost, size, and power reasons, it would be extremely inefficient to have four SoCs to do all this processing. Therefore, the latest SoCs for security need to integrate four times the performance of the last generation’s single-imager 4K cameras, in order to process four sensors on a single SoC with all the associated AI algorithms. And they need to do this within a reasonable size and power budget. The challenge is very similar for fisheye cameras, where the SoC needs to be able to accept very high-resolution sensors (i.e., 12MP, 16MP and higher), in order to be able to maintain high resolution after de-warping. Additionally, that same SoC must create all the virtual views needed to make one fisheye camera look like multiple physical cameras, and it has to do all of this while running the AI algorithms on every one of those virtual streams at high resolution. The power of ‘sensor fusion’ Sensor fusion is the ability to process multiple sensor types at the same time and correlate all that information Sensor fusion is the ability to process multiple sensor types at the same time (e.g., visual, radar, thermal and time of flight) and correlate all that information. Performing sensor fusion provides an understanding of the world that is greater than the information that could be obtained from any one sensor type in isolation. In terms of chip design, this means that SoCs must be able to interface with, and natively process, inputs from multiple sensor types.  Additionally, they must have the AI and CPU performance required to do either object-level fusion (i.e., matching the different objects identified through the different sensors), or even deep-level fusion. This deep fusion takes the raw data from each sensor and runs AI on that unprocessed data. The result is machine-level insights that are richer than those provided by systems that must first go through an intermediate object representation. In other words, deep fusion eliminates the information loss that comes from preprocessing each individual sensor’s data before fusing it with the data from other sensors, which is what happens in object-level fusion. Better image quality AI can be trained to dramatically improve the quality of images captured by camera sensors in low-light conditions, as well as high dynamic range (HDR) scenes with widely contrasting dark and light areas. Typical image sensors are very noisy at night, and AI algorithms can be trained to perform excellently at removing this noise to provide a clear colour picture—even down to 0.1 lux or below. This is called neural network-based image signal processing, or AISP for short. AI can be trained to perform all these functions with much better results than traditional video methods Achieving high image quality under difficult lighting conditions is always a balance among removing noise, not introducing excessive motion blur, and recovering colours. AI can be trained to perform all these functions with much better results than traditional video processing methods can achieve. A key point for video security is that these types of AI algorithms do not “create” data, they just remove noise and clean up the signal. This process allows AI to provide clearer video, even in challenging lighting conditions. The results are better footage for the humans monitoring video security systems, as well as better input for the AI algorithms analysing those systems, particularly at night and under high dynamic range conditions. A typical example would be a camera that needs to switch to night mode (black and white) when the environmental light falls below a certain lux level. By applying these specially trained AI algorithms, that same camera would be able to stay in colour mode and at full frame rate--even at night. This has many advantages, including the ability to see much farther than a typical external illuminator would normally allow, and reduced power consumption. ‘Straight to cloud’ architecture For the cameras themselves, going to the cloud or to a video management system (VMS) might seem like it doesn’t matter, as this is all just streaming video. However, the reality is more complex; especially for cameras going directly to the cloud. When cameras stream to the cloud, there is usually a mix of local, on-camera storage and streaming, in order to save on bandwidth and cloud storage costs. To accomplish this hybrid approach, multiple video-encoding qualities/resolutions are being produced and sent to different places at the same time; and the camera’s AI algorithms are constantly running to optimise bitrates and orchestrate those different video streams. The ability to support all these different streams, in parallel, and to encode them at the lowest bitrate possible, is usually guided by AI algorithms that are constantly analyzing the video feeds. These are just some of the key components needed to accommodate this “straight to cloud” architecture. Keeping cybersecurity top-of-mind Ambarella’s SoCs always implement the latest security mechanisms, both hardware and software Ambarella’s SoCs always implement the latest security mechanisms, both in hardware and software. They accomplish this through a mix of well-known security features, such as ARM trust zones and encryption algorithms, and also by adding another layer of proprietary mechanisms with things like dynamic random access memory (DRAM) scrambling and key management policies.  “We take these measures because cybersecurity is of utmost importance when you design an SoC targeted to go into millions of security cameras across the globe,” says Gigot. ‘Eyes of the world’ – and more brains Cameras are “the eyes of the world,” and visual sensors provide the largest portion of that information, by far, compared to other types of sensors. With AI, most security cameras now have a brain behind those eyes. As such, security cameras have the ability to morph from just a reactive and security-focused apparatus to a global sensing infrastructure that can do everything from regulating the AC in offices based on occupancy, to detecting forest fires before anyone sees them, to following weather and world events. AI is the essential ingredient for the innovation that is bringing all those new applications to life, and hopefully leading to a safer and better world.

Large-scale events, including both corporate and sporting events, are coming back strongly in the aftermath of the pandemic. With the increase in activity comes more demand for oversized credentials preferred by many event planners and end users. Pent-up demand due to the pandemic has caused a tremendous uptick in the entire ID card industry in 2022. The return of large-scale events and in-person trade shows will extend the higher demand for cards well into 2023 and beyond, says Andrew Schonzeit, President of Idesco, a provider of ID card solutions. Supply chain concerns Supply chain concerns will continue as companies seek to upgrade and purchase new ID printers and badges An impact of the pandemic was a shortage of supplies related to the ID card industry, says Schonzeit. Like other industries, several leading ID card and printer manufacturers had supply chain issues, and some deliveries were delayed at times for more than six months. Supply chain concerns will continue into 2023 as more companies return to the workplace and others seek to upgrade their current systems and purchase new ID printers and badges.  Persistent price increase concerns “The shortage created hardships for end users and often resulted in them purchasing any solution that was readily available even if it was not the preferred one,” says Schonzeit. Another issue during the pandemic was persistent price increases, due both to inflationary pressures and a shortage of products. The industry was used to stable prices with infrequent increases, but the pandemic changed this quickly. Some companies also decided to upgrade their entire system as employees returning to the office increased demand.  Oversized credentials advantages Among the advantages of oversized credentials is the ability to print more information on the card, says Schonzeit. For example, a larger credential allows event organisers to preprint the corporate agenda on the back of the card to increase efficiency. In addition, companies can enhance their brand presence by distributing a nice thick plastic badge to attendees. Two categories  Standard credit card size These are generally CR100 size, which is around 40% larger than the standard credit card Oversized badges fall into two main categories. One category is for cards that are larger than the standard credit card size (CR80), but smaller than event badges. These are generally CR100 size, which is around 40% larger than the standard credit card. They are generally used by law enforcement or healthcare institutions. It is easier to see an oversized badge more clearly from a distance than a regular-sized badge. Oversized ID badges The other category of oversized ID badges is used for events, these badges are typically 3.5” by 5.5” and are usually worn around the neck. These events include categories such as sporting events, corporate events, music festivals, and trade shows. The badges are generally used only for the duration of the event and are often kept as souvenirs. Anticipating the needs  “My advice for event planners is to manage your expectations about badges as it is very hard to order extra badges at the last minute,” says Schonzeit. “It is important to plan well in advance and anticipate your needs upfront to help avoid a shortage.” Idesco often gets requests from customers to include some type of technology on the credentials. The most common technologies are proximity cards, NFC, and/or UHF. “It is a much ‘cleaner’ and safer solution if the chip can be embedded within the credential as opposed to putting a sticker on the outside of the credential,” says Schonzeit. Additional technologies in credentials  Customers wanting technology in their credentials should allow additional lead time Generally, these additional technologies are used for gaining entry to a location (access control), or they can be used for gathering valuable information regarding an event, including attendance at seminars, crowd flow, vending, and food services information, among others. Supply chain issues have led to less availability of many of the most common chips, which can impact delivery times. Customers wanting technology in their credentials should allow additional lead time, says Schonzeit. Applications  In addition to corporate events, sporting events, and trade shows, other markets can also benefit from oversized ID badges. Industries include healthcare, government, and law enforcement. Oversized badges are becoming more popular in hospitals, for example, where color coding can make it easy to identify doctors, nurses, and hospital personnel from a distance, even in congested hospital spaces. ID card necessity  Could there be a negative impact on the ID card industry if more companies allow employees to work from home? It’s always a possibility, says Schonzeit. “However, with many hybrid options out there, most employees are required to come to the office either one or two days a week,” he says. “Employees will still need a way to access their workplace for meetings, conferences, etc., and will require an ID card to do so.”   Mobile vs. physical credentials The growing popularity of mobile credentials has created some concerns in the ID card marketplace The growing popularity of mobile credentials has created some concerns in the ID card marketplace about the continuing need for a physical credential. So far it has not been an issue. “[Mobile credentials] have not had any type of meaningful effect on the physical ID card market,” says Schonzeit. Relying on smartphones  “Sometimes these disruptive technologies can linger in the background for some time and then suddenly have a massive effect on the market. This is something to be concerned about, but I don’t think there is an imminent threat.” A big issue with using only mobile credentials is the need for a backup plan rather than relying only on a smartphone to enter a facility. Also, for mobile credentials to work, specialised readers are required, which requires a large investment. “In my opinion, ID badges are here to stay for the long haul,” says Schonzeit.

U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota is a 66,200-person venue, hosting regular football games for the NFL and NCAA as well as baseball and soccer games, concerts, weddings, and many other events. Approximately 3,500 people make up the staff on a game day or during a major event. These concession workers, cleaning personnel, police, guest experience team, security officers and supervisors, operations managers and more are on site to deliver not only a safe and secure event, but also a memorable experience for all guests in the stadium. Access control systems While under construction, U.S. Bank Stadium managed their keys by using a complicated pencil-and-paper system that required key users to provide collateral against key removal; this proved to be both time-consuming and inefficient. When looking to upgrade their internal access control systems to provide the security and efficiency they required at such a large facility, U.S. Bank Stadium while working with Hoffman Security Solutions, chose Morse Watchmans’ KeyBank system for cost-effective, highly capable key management throughout their facility. Automated key control systems “There were a few different automated key control systems we looked at,” said Billy Langenstein, Director Event Services, U.S. Bank Stadium. “But when it came down to not only the financials, but also the capabilities, reporting and infrastructure that Morse Watchmans KeyBank has, I personally believe there’s nothing comparable on the market that amounts to how we wanted to use the system here at the stadium. This is the first time I’ve used this system in my career, and if I have the opportunity to open up another stadium, Morse Watchmans will be installed there as well.” In February 2016, Hoffman Security Solutions installed one KeyBank managing 120 key locations throughout U.S. Bank Stadium. In June 2017, they added 2 expansion cabinets to fill out the system, bringing their total managed key locations to 360. Maintaining business operations Each day, U.S. Bank Stadium has different staff working throughout the stadium to fulfill the varied roles needed for their many events. Contractors working on the facility itself, temporary staff, and other day-to-day workers all require access to different workspaces. By requiring that staff check out a key from the KeyBank system, U.S. Bank Stadium security staff are able to account for all the keys in the system, who removed each key, and what time they were checked out or returned through the KeyBank’s timestamp feature. At the end of each day, a report is delivered to security staff that displays this data in an easy-to-read manner, allowing staff to account for the many keys they use throughout the stadium during the day. With access control a strong component of U.S. Bank Stadium’s security, consistent reporting of key access is essential to maintaining business operations. Guest experience team U.S. Bank Stadium’s guest experience team, consisting of ushers, lobby hosts, ticket takers, scan ambassadors, and others, arrives early each morning and requires their own separate access. Through the KeyBank system, they are allowed to prepare for a game while simultaneously reporting that access to security staff. Each team member is given access to the keys they require, while ensuring safety throughout the stadium by keeping other keys restricted. This ease of use and reporting ability are what have made KeyBank an essential element of U.S. Bank Stadium’s access control and security systems. “We’re looking at installing another Morse Watchmans KeyBank here at the Stadium because we’re already outgrowing the one we have, and we want to start creating efficiencies within our own departments,” said Mr. Langenstein. “Having a Morse Watchmans KeyBank gives us a sense of security and a sense of convenience while providing the level of accountability that we want. It’s a fantastic product that we’re very proud to have here.”

The New York City Transit (NYCT), a public organisation that provides mass transportation services via rail and bus to the five boroughs of New York City, is a system that runs 24 hours-a-day, seven days a week. The challenge NYCT faced was how to secure and track keys to restricted areas and revenue collecting equipment at locations offsite from the central command center. The previous process of keeping keys in a bag in the safe, and using a paper log to sign keys in and out was cumbersome and ineffective. Additionally, requiring a supervisor to sign out keys and gain access to the safe was not feasible in many remote locations where equipment is stored. According to Hank D’Amato, NYCT’s Senior Director of Operations and Administration, Division of Revenue Control, key loss and accountability were problems NYCT faced on a regular basis. Secure key management As more equipment was moved to remote storage facilities with no supervisor onsite, it became clear that new key management processes were necessary. NYCT’s overall technology objective was effective and secure key management to reduce key theft and loss as part of its overall effort to provide safe, reliable and efficient transportation to its customers. After having seen Morse Watchmans’ KeyWatcher system in place in another division of the NYCT system, D’Amato looked to the company to help design a new key management system to meet this objective. Outdated lock boxes Morse Watchmans Solution - Working closely with Hank D’Amato, and the NYCT’s Revenue Control Division team, Morse Watchmans developed a customised key access solution to meet the NYCT’s goals. Morse Watchmans implemented its KeyWatcher system in NYCT’s Revenue Control Division. This state-of-the-art key management system consists of wall-mounted key storage cabinets that eliminate outdated lock boxes, unreliable manual logs, and messy key identification tags. The KeyWatcher intelligent key management system helps prevent lost or stolen keys by only releasing assigned key to users with the proper authorisation code and recording the access history of each key, including user, date, and time of checkout/return. Improved system communications With KeyWatcher, when a key is missing or overdue, an alarm alerts security personnel of the situation. KeyWatcher, was installed in combination with Morse Watchmans’ Key-Pro™ Performance Software, to provide NYCT with extensive key management reporting options, centralised programming, advanced network capabilities, improved system communications, detailed reporting and real-time transaction polling. According to D’Amato, “Morse Watchmans understood our initial challenges and continually suggests the best way to work through our needs as they evolve.” Key management system The Morse Watchmans KeyWatcher system eliminated NYCT’s need for a supervisor with access to the safe to issue keys. It also replaced NYCT’s outdated, and often not updated, manual paper logs. The KeyWatcher system provides NYCT with a precise log as to the times, locations and holders of all keys at all times. NYCT’s Revenue Control Division is in the process of upgrading its KeyWatcher key management system, adding five more units to it’s existing cabinets to manage over 500 keys in central and remote locations. Under the authority and administration of D’Amato and a few supervisors, the KeyWatcher system can be easily customised to meet all of the NYCT’s central and remote location needs. NYCT’s Revenue Control Division can set access constraints at an individual level, for each key, every hour of each day. If a security issue arises with an employee, access permission can be restricted immediately. Key accountability issues Any unauthorised key access attempts or discrepancies such as late key returns or returns to the wrong location trigger an immediate alarm to the security department and show up on reports. At NYCT, key reports are run daily and all discrepancies are noted and resolved appropriately, virtually eliminating key accountability issues entirely. According to D’Amato, KeyWatcher system glitches have been few and far between. However, on the rare occasion NYCT has had to contact Morse Watchmans for support, the company has been extremely responsive. Despite NYCT’s 24 hour-a-day operations, Morse Watchmans has been able to resolve problems consistently on a timely basis. Unauthorised access incidents Since implementing the KeyWatcher system, NYCT has strict accountability for keys throughout its operation. KeyWatcher electronically manages the key inventories of the entire Revenue Control Division of the transit system around the clock. Successfully maintaining a record of who has each key and alerting management when keys are not returned on time has reduced the number of key replacements and eliminated the number of unauthorised access incidents. “KeyWatcher has taken the place of a supervisor in managing keys at remote locations and is an integral part of the way we do business,” said D’Amato. Hiring and training process Additionally, education and understanding of how and why NYCT manages keys through the KeyWatcher system is now a part of the hiring and training process, ensuring that all employees understand the necessity and benefits of the KeyWatcher audit trail system. “It is the way we manage accountability for all of our high security access keys,” said D’Amato. “Morse Watchmans’ KeyWatchers have provided the key inventory management and control we were seeking.”

Located in the scenic and historic town of Saratoga Springs, New York, the Saratoga Gaming & Raceway facility is an entertainment destination for the Northeast. Features include over 1,700 video gaming machines, live harness racing, several restaurants and a recently opened nightclub. Automated key management system Technology Objective - To automatically record all fire watch and building checks and to help ensure the security of the environment for guests and employees through an automated key management system. The Challenge - The Saratoga Gaming & Raceway facility, known as a “racino” (combined racetrack and video gaming casino), employs a staff of more than 600 and is served by an in-house security team that protects the entire 156 acre property. Security and surveillance on the 50 plus buildings is continuous, per the rules and regulations established by the New York State Racing and Wagering Board. Adhering to mandated procedures such as the daily checks of multiple buildings can become routine and potentially careless unless there is a method in place to ensure the tasks are being completed. In addition, because casinos store and use large amounts of cash, access to keys needs to be strictly enforced and requires a safe and secure key management system. Key identification tags Morse Watchmans Solution - PowerCheck® Guard Tour System – with its multiple tour capabilities, integrated functions and reporting options, the PowerCheck Guard Tour System delivers a convenient and cost-effective solution to the Saratoga Gaming & Raceway facility. Tour Pro® Software – the Tour-Pro Data Sorting Software is a Windows® application which converts the tour information into printable reports which may be customized by time, day, week and month. For added value and convenience, this same software can be used to program the data recorder and manage the files. KeyWatcher® Key Control System – by only releasing assigned keys to users with the proper authorization code, the KeyWatcher system helps guard against stolen or misplaced keys. Simple and elegant in design, the wall-mounted key storage cabinet eliminates outdated lock boxes, unreliable manual logs and messy key identification tags. KeyWatcher records the access history of each key, including user, date and time of checkout/ return. Rugged steel cabinet In Action - With the PowerCheck Guard Tour System, the security department of the Saratoga Gaming & Raceway facility can automatically record when building checks are made. On their rounds, the officers simply hold the data recorder up to a station to record the visit. This procedure ensures that the security department maintains a constant vigil on the properties. This information can be downloaded by the supervisor to ensure that the station reads on these tours are being completed in a timely manner and that the areas where the stations are located were physically checked. The KeyWatcher Key Control System installed in the Gaming facility is where all of the sensitive keys are stored. This rugged steel cabinet with illuminated key slots is designed to resist abuse, is wired to alarm against tampering and can be easily programmed to allow access to only those who have clearance. Keys are tracked while in use, including times and user names, and should the key not be returned or returned late, management is notified and can take the appropriate action. Recording, managing and retrieving the access and guard tour data is an uncomplicated procedure and reports are quickly generated as required. Elevated key management The Results - According to security management at the Saratoga Raceway & Gaming facility, in its ten years of use at the facility, the PowerCheck Guard Tour System has definitely delivered an overall contribution to the protection of the property. Security officers are better able to perform their duties while make their rounds. In addition, management can better monitor the security officer’s performance and follow up with additional training when required. The KeyWatcher system has elevated key management to a more sophisticated and intelligent level, in keeping with the security policies and procedures established by the racino. Only a few authorized individuals have access to the sensitive keys and should they not be returned on time, management is immediately notified. In an environment where cash is a daily temptation, the KeyWatcher system helps to reduce the risk.

Monroe County is the southernmost county in Florida and the United States. It is made up of the Florida Keys and portions of the Everglades National Park and Big Cypress National Preserve. These parks are mostly uninhabited mainland areas while the Florida Keys are a string of islands connected by U.S. Highway 1 which ends in Key West, 150 miles southwest of Miami. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, in addition to providing law enforcement service to the area, is responsible for three detention facilities which are located in Key West, Marathon and Plantation Key. The main facility is located in Key West and has a capacity of 597 beds. There is a 57 bed facility in Marathon and a 46 bed facility in Plantation Key. Key management system Technology Objective - Because of the nature of the facilities, it is imperative that there be absolute key control and accountability. It is also essential that the access procedures already in place be strengthened by an automated key management system. The Challenge - Detention facilities are a highly structured environment so that security, safety and order can be maintained among the populace. Security procedures are clearly defined and include among others, head counts, inmate movements, visitor logs and cell inspections. Among the most closely guarded and stringent policies and procedures however is key control. Regulations state that staff is not permitted to discuss key control with anyone except duly authorised personnel and only outside the presence and hearing of inmates. In addition, policy states that each facility shall have a key control system that includes the absolute control of keys by the staff, key issuance records and a system which ensures that missing keys are immediately identified. Highly structured environment Morse Watchmans Solution - KeyWatcher® Key Control System – By releasing assigned keys only to users with the proper authorisation code, the KeyWatcher system helps to ensure adherence to established policies and procedures. Using minimal wall space, the key storage cabinet eliminates outdated lock boxes, unreliable manual logs and messy key identification tags. It also records the access history of each key, including user, date and time of checkout/ return. Constructed of rugged stainless steel, the illuminated key storage system is designed to resist abuse and is alarm-protected against tampering. KeyPro® Performance Software – The user-friendly PC application software delivers real-time polling transactions, status, alarm and reporting capabilities for the KeyWatcher system. Activity reports can be customised to trace key movements by time, date and user code or biometric access data. Access control option In Action - The KeyWatcher Key Control System, complete with the fingerprint access control option, was selected by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office for installation in all three detention facilities. The KeyWatcher controls access to the keys and keys are tracked while in use, including times and user names. Staff is assigned various levels of access to the keys to help maintain effective key control and guard against carelessness or oversight. The accompanying KeyPro software provides a visible and audible notification of key activity and is easily custom programmable. The Results - Using the Morse Watchmans KeyWatcher Key Control System and KeyPro software, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office has been able to better adhere to established policies and procedures regarding key control and reporting. The biometric (fingerprint) access function and the “time release” capability of the key control system have also been extremely beneficial to the operation.

Morse Watchmans has been known as an innovator of high- quality, cost-effective technology for over a century. Through seamless design, manufacturing and support, they earned the reputation as the world leaders in security management products. Specialising in state of the art key management (KeyWatcher), guard tour (Powercheck) and Tamper-proof KeyRings, our products are reliable, easy to use and expandable to meet your growing needs. Material provision only Lenel Systems International is a provider of software and security systems for corporate and government markets. Lenel focuses on developing products that enable organisations to effectively perfect and manage their people, property and assets by maximising I.T. and infrastructure investments. Lenels’ expertise have been able to provide “Morse Watchmans” KeyWatcher with the integration package illustrated below, in order they comply with legislation for various industries. Dryad-Hudson is a partnership of Wolseley U.K, and the Hudson (Group) Ltd., developed in order to provide a global Ironmongery and Security design package direct to Dryads’ customer base introducing the full supply and installation of all products rather than a material provision only. Hudson being a “Value Added Reseller” for Lenel Systems International with Lenels’ expertise have been able to provide “Morse Watchmans” Keywatcher with the integration package illustrated below in order that they can comply with legislation. Producing accurate reporting A preventative measure from removing keys off site was needed. This needed to incorporate an electronic solution to reduce man hours, to prioritise work load and eliminate human error After assessing feedback from various industries and companies a system was required to facilitate a KeyWatcher to produce accurate reporting, backed up with preventative measures of keys not being removed from a controlled perimeter. Allocated keys will only allow users to walk off site through an air lock with their key being returned first, to the KeyWatcher. The basics of this function must allow for any customers needs, such as any individual security applications and any future expansions. Access controlled doors The Solution - To bring together recognised market pioneers in their industries such as electronic key management systems, installers / suppliers of security hardware and security software. To interface the Keywatcher system with various access control systems, using a frontend database. The area of movement for staff with keys would be defined by the parameters within the building controlled by various access controlled doors. The Results - The electronic integration is intended to work as a self running, stand alone system allowing staff more time to concentrate on their own duties. The only time intervention is needed is when an alarm is actuated requiring attention to deal with any issues raised, Through the database provided it can offer various security parameters that can be applied to users, keys, bunches of keys, time restraints, reservations and notes etc.

Airport Retailers Association is an organisation responsible for a part of the support services of many stores and sales outlets at the Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam. This includes security, maintenance, and support of collective affairs like the distribution of clothing and bags. The approximately 120 associated employers are located both at the so-called airside (See Buy Fly) and the landside (Schiphol Plaza) of Schiphol Airport. Because of the character of the facilities and the location of the stores and sales outlets, it is necessary that the provision of keys is done in a good, reliable and safe way. It is also important that the current access procedures are supplied by computerised key management. Current access procedures The Challenge - Airport Retailers Association wishes to distribute all issued keys for about 1.800 users from one point. This was initially coordinated by a department at Schiphol Airport, but it appeared to be inefficient due to the 24/7 staffing and the administrative work relating to the registration. The organisation then started looking for an alternative for the distribution of keys with registration. The key management system KeyWatcher® met the set criteria and wishes. Old-fashioned key cabinets Morse Watchmans Solution - Because allocated keys are only released to users with the appropriate authorisation, the KeyWatcher® helps to pursue a certain policy and to ensure that procedures are followed. On a minimum-sized wall surface the biotechnologically executed system eliminates old-fashioned key cabinets, unreliable handmade journals and sloppy ID tags. It files the history of each key including the user, date and time of distribution and return of the key. The solidly executed stainless steel cabinet has been designed to prevent abuse and it is manipulation-proof. By using the KeyPro™ Performance Software you can manage, if you are authorised, one or more KeyWatcher® systems through the network of any work station within your organisation. You are able to change the data in your database, retrieve reports, release keys, cancel alarms etc. This way, the opportunity is created to manage and check access to buildings and rooms, subject to time and place, 24/7. Key management system Implementation - After opting for the KeyWatcher® key management system, executed with a card reader, the Airport Retailers Association decided to install the system at various locations within the airport. The Key Watcher manages the access to the keys and the keys are tracked when they are in use including the times and user names. The personnel are authorised different levels of access to the smart keys with keys. This way, efficient control is managed and carelessness or inadvertences will be prevented. By means of the KeyPro™ Performance Software the KeyWatcher® systems are centrally managed at a distance and the transactions and reports are filed. Procedures concerning management The Result - Thanks to the use of the KeyWatcher® key management system of Morse Watchmans and the KeyPro™ Performance Software, the Airport Retailers Association has been able to create a stricter key policy and to tighten the procedures concerning management and reporting. The combination with the card reader (this prevents manipulation when taking out the smart keys) and the possibility of time-saving have also been of importance in successfully deploying the system.

There is safety in numbers, or so the expression goes. Generally speaking, several employees working together tend to be safer than a single employee working alone. Even so, some environments require that workers complete their jobs alone, thus presenting a unique combination of security vulnerabilities. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) defines a lone worker as “an employee working alone, such as in a confined space or isolated location.” We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: How can security technologies help to protect "lone workers?" 

Headlines of violence in our schools are a reminder of the need to keep educational institutions safe. In fact, if there is a positive aspect to the constant bombardment of headlines, it is that it keeps our attention perpetually focused on how to improve school security. But what is the role of physical security systems? As the new school year begins, we asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: Are schools safer because of physical security systems? Why or why not? 

Faces captured by video cameras could be perceived as an invasion of privacy, as could images captured through residential windows or that involve private or proprietary information. Fortunately, modern video systems incorporate technological features that help avoid an inadvertent invasion of privacy, while preserving any data that may be needed by authorized persons. For the latest commentary, we turn to our Expert Panel Roundtable with this week’s question: What new features of video systems are helping to ensure privacy?