Mobile access

Suprema, global provider of biometrics and access control solutions, has announced that it will showcase new-generation mobile solution and latest facial recognition biometrics at IFSEC 2019 in London on June 18. Suprema mobile credential service Suprema's new mobile credential service provides the end-to-end solution including a cloud-based portal services, a mobile app, BLE readers, open API and in-app SDK for 3rd party support. The new service provides users with easier mobile card administration, enhanced level of security, extensive choice of card types, and cost-efficient pricing plans. We are excited to introduce our new mobile credential service at IFSEC 2019" "We are excited to introduce our new mobile credential service at IFSEC 2019. The new service has been designed to improve overall user experience and enhance interoperability with 3rd party systems, readers and apps," said Hanchul Kim, Director of Global Business at Suprema. XPass 2 RFID access readers To fulfill the new mobile solution, Suprema will also launch XPass 2 readers, a series of access readers supporting BLE, NFC and various types of RFID standards. Comes in both gang box and mullion form factors, the new XPass 2 readers are intelligent edge controllers fully support BioStar 2 and mobile authentication. FaceLite facial recognition terminal In addition, Suprema will also demonstrate the new FaceLite, the company's latest facial recognition terminal for the first time in UK and EU market. Launched in April 2019, the new FaceLite is designed for both the enterprise access control systems and time attendance applications by featuring Suprema's industry-leading technologies and innovative features. Loaded with powerful 1.2GHz CPU and massive 8GB memory, FaceLite achieves incredible matching speed of up to 30,000 matches per second and accommodates up to 30,000 users while providing intuitive face-enrollment GUI for faster user registration. On the optical side, the new face recognition technology overcomes possible interference from dynamic lighting conditions including sunlight and ambient light. The new technology allows greater range of operating illuminance from zero lux to 25,000 lux which covers almost every possible lighting condition regardless of indoor or outdoor, day or night. Biometrics and access control Along with new mobile credential service and face recognition technology, Suprema will also showcase the company's extensive range of latest biometrics and access control solutions at IFSEC 2019.

HID Global, global provider of trusted identity solutions, has announced that it has added the HID Credential Management Service to its growing offering of cloud-based identity solutions. The service simplifies the issuance and management of trusted Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) certificate-based credentials. The PKI credentials can be used by a broader range of organisations for convenient and secure multifactor authentication and converged physical access to facilities, as well as digital signing and encryption of emails and documents. HID Credential Management Service HID Credential Management Service includes everything needed to issue and manage the lifecycle of digital identity The HID Credential Management Service includes everything needed to issue and manage the lifecycle of digital identity and high-assurance credentials using a cloud delivery model. It removes PKI complexity and enables a wider set of authentication use cases than nearly any alternative in the Identity and Access Management (IAM) market. Most operating systems and browsers automatically recognise these certificates, ensuring the digital identity issued by the HID Credential Management Service can be used as a foundation for achieving zero trust security. Endpoint authenticator options include smart cards and USB tokens, mobile app authenticators and converged badges for accessing facilities and IT systems. “An exponentially growing threat surface is placing many of an organisation’s global users – employees and non-traditional users – directly in the crosshairs of a potential attack,” said Brad Jarvis, Vice President & Managing Director of Identity & Access Management Solutions (IAMS) with HID Global. “Regulatory compliance is also driving greater need for high-assurance credentials, but certificate-based multi-factor authentication solutions have been difficult for smaller organisations to implement, or not flexible and comprehensive enough for larger ones with broader, more holistic needs. Our cloud service speeds and simplifies deployment with the broadest possible options for local and state governments, financial institutions and enterprises.” Identity and access management solutions Many IAM solutions have not covered on-premise applications as well as the cloud and virtual private networks (VPNs), nor have they addressed both physical and logical access. Their all-or-nothing approach to high-assurance requirements makes compliance hard to achieve. They also have difficulty supporting zero-trust security models for verifying identities of all users and devices accessing resources from inside and outside physical and logical perimeters. HID Global’s service solves these problems with the following capabilities: End-to-end solution for both on-premise and cloud protection -- Spans all requirements for deploying and managing trusted PKI, and for using certificate-based credentials for authenticating users to Windows and Active Directory as well as cloud applications. Broad authenticator options -- Mix-and-match choices include smart cards and USB keys featuring embedded secure elements, mobile app authenticators stored on a smartphone, FIPS 140-certified smart cards, and smart cards for converged physical and IT access. Flexibility: Integration with open standard protocols ensures the service will support evolving security needs and complex, hybrid heterogeneous systems across many locations, functions and architectures. Subscription licenses are easily added to support up to one million users. Easy integration and deployment: Works directly with an organisation’s Active Directory Federation Services (ADFS) and uses a hosted multi-tenant infrastructure for fast deployment and simplified user on-boarding without expensive up-front investments.  Cloud-based HID Authentication Service The HID Credential Management Service joins HID Global’s recently announced cloud-based HID Authentication Service for managing and using identities. In addition to its expanding suite of cloud identity platform solutions, HID Global also offers an award-winning family of on-premise IAM solutions. The HID Credential Management Service is available through a one-year per-user subscription license that includes round-the-clock support, access to the company’s IdenTrust TrustID certificates and the option of adding ActivID ActivClient software capabilities for automatic email configuration for digital signing and encryption.

Airbus’ new development, Dabat Hybrid Roaming, makes its grand entrance during the Critical Communications World 2019 in Kuala Lumpur. The new solution, a unique combination between Airbus’ Tactilon Dabat hybrid terminal and the Tactilon Agnet 800 Solution, will bring ease and simplicity to daily operations thanks to state-of-the-art seamless switchover technology. The new solution will extend and secure end users’ operations by maximising the benefits of hybrid network communication. Airbus Tactilon Dabat hybrid terminal The Airbus Tactilon Dabat hybrid terminal combines and offers both Tetra and LTE radio technologies in one unique terminal The Airbus Tactilon Dabat hybrid terminal combines and offers both Tetra and LTE radio technologies in one unique terminal. The end user can finally perform their daily duties without being restricted solely to the Tetra radio coverage available. Tactilon Agnet 800 is an app for smart devices such as the Tactilon Dabat. It enables use of features such as push-to-talk, status notifications, text messaging, and emergency calls on the Tactilon Dabat. Group communication with other professional radio carriers or the control room is also possible. Dabat Hybrid Roaming extends Tetra radio coverage by switching to LTE coverage through the Tactilon Agnet 800 application installed on the device. This enables a seamless network change which supports public safety operations and maximises the benefits of hybrid communications. The security of the solution is preserved because all Tactilon Agnet traffic is securely protected via the secure client VPN. Transition between Tetra and LTE technologies These technologies are designed by Airbus to function in a completely transparent and fluid manner. Initially, Tactilon Dabat’s primary mode of operation is to use the Tetra network. In the event of lack of coverage, the end-users can now benefit from an instant and seamless switchover from Tetra to LTE to maintain their mission and business critical operations. On top of the smooth transition between both Tetra and public or private LTE Public Safety solutions proposed by the new feature, the user can benefit from all the fundamental Tactilon Dabat characteristics, such as individual voice calls and messaging with status reports, group calls, group messaging, and emergency calls.

Morse Watchmans, the industry pioneer in key control and asset management systems, is showcasing the benefits of their KeyWatcher Touch and AssetWatcher key and asset management solutions at IFSEC International 2019 (stand no. IF620) in London, from June 18-20. The company is also introducing KeyWatcher Fleet, a key control system specifically for fleet management, to IFSEC attendees. “We’re thrilled to once again showcase the exciting features of our AssetWatcher and KeyWatcher Touch solutions,” said Fernando Pires, CEO at Morse Watchmans. “This year, IFSEC attendees can get a demo of our KeyWatcher Fleet, which is purpose-built for fleet managers. We are looking forward to sharing all three key and asset control products with IFSEC 2019 attendees.” Tools to optimise vehicle usage Morse Watchmans’ KeyWatcher Fleet offers fleet managers a wide array of tools to maintain and optimise vehicle usageMorse Watchmans’ KeyWatcher Fleet offers fleet managers a wide array of tools to maintain and optimise vehicle usage while reducing many operational costs. Managers can create user role-based ‘Pools’, or groups of vehicles, to automatically assign each vehicle accordingly. Flexible booking workflows enable customisation to balance usage, ensure vehicle availability and more. A range of service features makes it possible to report problems and automatically initiate new or scheduled work on each vehicle. System alerts notify management to specific issues such as an unauthorised booking attempt or expiring driver’s license, and the system generates a number of useful reports with actionable insights. A convenient dashboard displays real-time status, bookings summary, vehicle use and many other data points to provide the pulse of the fleet in an instant. KeyWatcher Touch key management system The AssetWatcher is Morse Watchmans flexible, scalable, and highly capable RFID-enabled locker systemMorse Watchmans’ KeyWatcher Touch key management system utilises a 7” touchscreen for an easy-to-use interface and patented SmartKey system with KeyAnywhere technology to make it simple to withdraw and return a key securely to any key cabinet in an enterprise. Updates to KeyWatcher Touch for 2018 include a new database design, a desktop fingerprint reader that allows users to enrol fingerprints through TrueTouch software, and the ability to utilise multiple KeyWatcher Touch server instances with a single SQL database. The AssetWatcher is Morse Watchmans flexible, scalable, and highly capable RFID-enabled locker system. Perfect for tools, mobile devices and other valuable items, it can easily support more than 10,000 users on a single system and is configurable in three usage modes for flexible usage. AssetWatcher’s RFID technology allows you to easily track who is removing or replacing an asset, as well as when and where in the system the asset has been taken from or placed. Proven features of KeyWatcher, including email notifications, multi-site operation, and multi-user capability, bring the highest levels of security and capability to AssetWatcher.

Transforming the way security teams monitor, manage and control multiple systems, Maxxess is launching its new, open-architecture InSite solution at IFSEC International, (London ExCel 18-20 June, stand IF2120). Maxxess InSite is a cyber-secure, cloud-based service that has been developed to give organisations impressive new levels of situational awareness and allow the most rapid, coordinated response to wide range of incidents, both emergency and non-emergency. InSite can pull data from a wide array of security and safety systems and infrastructure thanks to its open-architecture design. Applications range from device fault monitoring, maintenance tracking and reporting, to incident handling and emergency response coordination.  Effective coordination during emergency InSite doesn’t simply integrate disparate systems, it unifies their capabilities and makes them more powerful in use"For large organisations, or those with complex sites or multiple premises to manage, InSite reduces complexity and allows seamless central control. It lets day-to-day operations to be managed more efficiently, identifying problems early and reducing risks, and it enables more effective coordination during emergency incidents. “InSite doesn’t simply integrate disparate systems, it unifies their capabilities and makes them more powerful in use,” said Lee Copland, Managing Director, Maxxess EMEA. “InSite pulls together critical security infrastructure and systems – everything from cameras to door controls - bringing everything under a single operating umbrella, and unifying their functions to allow rapid communications, analysis and action.” eFusion security management platform Ambit allows system controllers to link with remote personnel via their personal devicesInSite joins Maxxess’s full suite of advanced control solutions, including the Ambit family of mobile apps and the eFusion security management platform. Ambit allows system controllers to link with remote personnel via their personal devices, enabling alerts, notifications, status assessment and functions including video surveillance support. And eFusion integrates seamlessly with more than 60 off-the-shelf systems from leading vendors, including surveillance, access control, fire and intruder systems with back-office processes. For managers and teams that need to be mobile, the Maxxess MX+ client gives secure web access to eFusion controls and functions via smartphones and tablets. The full suite of Maxxess technologies will be on show at IFSEC, providing complete solutions for organisations looking to streamline their operations and improve control of multi-system infrastructure.

PAC & GDX, providers of access control and door entry solutions, are showcasing the range and depth of their innovative technology on Stand IF2930 at IFSEC International 2019. From a single door installation to a fully integrated network based system, the company’s extensive portfolio provides unbeatable reliability and robust functionality, at a price point that enables installation in a diverse range of residential and commercial buildings. In order to provide integrators and end users with the highest level of flexibility and ease of operation, PAC & GDX have joined forces with STid, the principal manufacturer of instinctive, contactless security technologies. NFC based readers By incorporating STid’s Bluetooth and NFC based readers with PAC or GDX controllers, a mobile phone can be used to gain access. To enjoy all the benefits of a handsfree option, all an individual has to do is tap their phone twice and the Bluetooth signal is sent to the reader to unlock a door. By downloading the STid app a virtual credential can be configured in a smartphone wallet By downloading the STid app a virtual credential can be configured in a smartphone wallet, allowing the user to have multiple virtual ‘keys’ for different areas or sites. The system can also be configured to use proximity based near field communication (NFC) instead of Bluetooth, or a combination of the two. Furthermore, it is available with a PAC or PAC 64 output and, when using a PAC 512 or PAC 212 access controller, two readers can be connected to provide true read in/out from a single channel. Access control systems Also on display is the PAC Residential Cloud solution, which leads the way in allowing organisations to remotely manage and monitor their access control systems in a secure, modern and cloud based environment. Users can address technical issues, deal with key fob management, view status, set and unset a system, and gain access to an event log more easily than ever before – all from a remote location. Various site communication options are available including PSTN, GSM and GPRS and it can be configured and managed via a smartphone, tablet or PC. At IFSEC PAC is demonstrating how Residential Cloud can be integrated with 3xLOGIC cameras to provide a fully hosted solution, which is perfect for the residential sector. This system allows designated personnel to be notified if, for example, a door is forced or left open. Network switches By sending an alarm to the camera, it starts to record and transmits images to a mobile device via a push notification. This allows the system to provide vital information that elicits a fast response and immediate action. With an optional camera, a backlight LED to provide clear visitor images in low light levels Sharing the limelight with STid and Residential Cloud is GDX7 – a next generation IP based door entry system that offers integrated access control for up to 1,000 keyholders using a standard two-core cable. With an optional camera, a backlight LED to provide clear visitor images in low light levels, and an inbuilt reader, GDX7 has an incredibly high level of functionality and enables integrators to install an IP system without being skilled in IT or familiar with network switches. Identification devices The GDX7 door entry panel can be provided with multiple button options, including those that meet the requirements of the Equality Act, and its readers and identification devices have also been approved by Secured by Design – a police service initiative that aims to improve the security of buildings. Already a huge success, GDX7 has a new seven-inch apartment station and a new landing card, which enables it to provide up to 96 handset connections. It too has recently been augmented with STid integration providing property owners, engineers or contractors with a flexible way of gaining access to remote properties. “PAC & GDX are driven by constant innovation and the desire to push the boundaries of what’s possible with access control,” commented David Hughes, the company’s global product manager. “We also pride ourselves on our customer service and technical support, which includes the provision of a new online training platform that offers a great way to get the most out our products.”

Edge devices (and edge computing) are the future. Although, this does seem a little cliché, it is the truth. The edge computing industry is growing as quickly as technology can support it and it looks like we will need it to. IoT global market The IoT (Internet of Things) industry alone will have put 15 billion new IoT devices into operation by the year 2020 according to a recent Forbes article titled, “10 Charts That Will Challenge Your Perspective of IoT’s growth”. IoT devices are not the only edge devices we have to deal with as the total number of connected edge devices includes the likes of devices like security devices, phones, sensors, retail sales devices, and industrial and home automation devices. The IoT (Internet of Things) industry alone will have put 15 billion new IoT devices into operation by the year 2020 The sheer number of devices begins to bring thoughts of possible security and bandwidth implications into perspective. The amount of data that will need to be passed and processed with all of these devices will be massive. There needs to be consideration taken by all business owners and automation engineers into how this amount of data and processing will be conducted. Ever-expanding edge devices market As the number of edge devices in the marketplace and their use among consumers and businesses rises, the need to be able to handle the data from all of these devices is no longer going to be suitable for central server architectures. We are talking about hundreds of billions and even trillions of devices. According to IHS Markit researchers’ study, there were 245 million CCTV cameras worldwide. One has to imagine there are at least 25% of that many access control devices (61.25 million devices) based on a $344 million market cap also calculated by IHS Markit’s researchers. If all the other edge devices mentioned earlier are considered then one can see that trying to route them all through servers for processing is going to start to become difficult if it hasn’t already, -which arguably it already has, as is evidenced by the popularity of cloud-based solutions amongst those businesses that already use a lot of edge devices or are processing a lot of information on a constant basis. Cloud computing The question is whether cloud computing the most effective and efficient solution as the IoT industry grows The question is this; is cloud computing the most effective and efficient solution as the IoT industry grows and the amount of edge devices becomes so numerous? My belief is that it is not. Taking the example of a $399 USD device that is just larger than the size of a pack of cards and runs a CPU benchmarked at the same level as a mid-size desktop. This device has 8GB RAM and 64GB EMMC built-in and a GPU that can comfortably support a 4K signal at 60Hz with support for NVMe SSDs for add-on storage. This would have been unbelievable five years ago. As the price of edge computing goes down, which it has done in a dramatic way over the last 10 years (as can be seen with my recent purchase), the price to maintain a central server that can perform the processing required for all of the new devices being introduced to the world (due to the low cost of entry for edge device manufacturers) becomes more expensive. This introduces the guarantee that there will be a point where it will be less expensive for businesses, and consumers alike, to do the bulk of their processing at the edge as opposed to in central server architectures. Cloud computing is now being overtaken by edge computing, the method of processing data at the edge of the network in the devices themselves Edge computing There are a plethora of articles discussing and detailing the opposition between the two sides of the computing technology coin, cloud computing and edge computing. The gist of it is that “cloud computing” was the hot new buzzword three years ago and is now being overtaken by “edge computing.” The truth is that cloud computing is a central server architecture hosted at someone else’s location. Edge computing is going to be a necessary development in the technology industry Edge computing is the method of processing data at the edge of the network (in the devices themselves) and allowing for less resources required at a central location. There is certainly a use case for both, however the shift to edge computing amongst the general public and small to mid-sized businesses will not be a surprise to those players, who have been paying attention.  One article titled, “Next Big Thing In Cloud Computing Puts Amazon And Its Peers On The Edge” by Investor’s Business Daily takes the stance that edge computing is going to completely displace centralised cloud computing and even coins the phrase, “Cloud computing, decentralised” to explain edge computing. It speaks for the stance that most experts in technology seem to be taking, including Amazon Web Services’ VP of Technology, Marco Argenti according to the same article. We know that edge computing is going to be a necessary development in the technology industry, and it is happening as I write this, and quickly at that. Cost efficiency of edge processing As time goes on, the intersection between the prices of network bandwidth, edge processing and maintaining super powerful central servers will cause edge processing to be the most efficient and cost-effective way to maintain a scalable network in any environment, including datacenters. Owning a central server or utilising edge computing become the better options As it currently stands, most residential users can only achieve a 1Gbps WAN (internet) connection, and small to medium-sized business can’t get much more but seem to get much less, based on my personal experience. When more than 1Gbps needs to be processed, cloud computing becomes very expensive at which point, owning a central server or utilising edge computing become the better options. Then you look a total cost of ownership and when the cost of edge computing is less expensive than the cost of maintaining central server architectures, edge computing becomes the single best option. So, I’ll say it again, edge devices (and edge computing) are the future.

The industry faces numerous challenges in the coming year. Physical and cyber security threats continue to become more complex, and organisations are struggling to manage both physical and digital credentials as well as a rapidly growing number of connected endpoints in the Internet of Things (IoT). We are witnessing the collision of the enterprise with the IoT, and organisations now must establish trust and validate the identity of people as well as ‘things’ in an environment of increasingly stringent safety and data privacy regulations. Meanwhile, demand grows for smarter and more data-driven workplaces, a risk-based approach to threat protection, improved productivity and seamless, more convenient access to the enterprise and its physical and digital assets and services. Using smartphone apps to open doors Cloud technologies give people access through their mobile phones and other devices to many new, high-value experiencesEnterprise customers increasingly want to create trusted environments within which they can deliver valuable new user experiences. A major driver is growing demand for the ‘digital cohesion’ of being able to use smartphone apps to open doors, authenticate to enterprise data resources or access a building’s applications and services. Cloud technologies are a key piece of the solution. They give people access through their mobile phones and other devices to many new, high-value experiences. At the same time, they help fuel smarter, more data-driven workplace environments. With the arrival of today’s identity- and location-aware building systems that recognise people and use deep learning analytics to customise their office environment, the workplace is undergoing dramatic change. Improved fingerprint solutions Cloud-based platforms and application programming interfaces (APIs) will help bridge biometrics and access control in the enterprise, overcoming previous integration hurdles while providing a trusted platform that meets the concerns of accessibility and data protection in a connected environment. At the same time, the next generation of fingerprint solutions will deliver higher matching speed, better image capture quality and improved performance. The next generation of fingerprint solutions will deliver higher matching speed, better image capture quality and improved performance Liveness detection will ensure that captured data is from a living person. Biometrics authentication will also gain traction beyond access control in immigration and border control, law enforcement, military, defence and other public section use cases where higher security is needed. Flexible subscription models Access control solutions based on cloud platforms will also change how solutions are deployed. Siloed security and workplace optimisation solutions will be replaced with mobile apps that can be downloaded anywhere across a global ecosystem of millions of compatible and connected physical access control system endpoints. These connections will also facilitate new, more flexible subscription models for access control services. As an example, users will be able to more easily replenish mobile IDs if their smartphones are lost or must be replaced. Generating valuable insights with machine learning Machine learning analytics will be used to generate valuable insights from today’s access control solutionsEducation, finance, healthcare, enterprise, and other niche markets such as commercial real-estate and enterprises focussed on co-working spaces will benefit from a cloud-connected access control hardware foundation. There will be a faster path from design to deployment since developers will no longer have to create an entire vertically integrated solution. They will simply add an app experience to the existing access control infrastructure. New players will be drawn to the market resulting in a richer, more vibrant development community and accelerated innovation. Data analytics will be a rapidly growing area of interest. Machine learning analytics will be used to generate valuable insights from today’s access control solutions. Devices, access control systems, IoT applications, digital certificates and location services solutions, which are all connected to the cloud, will collectively deliver robust data with which to apply advanced analytics and risk-based intelligence. As organisations incorporate this type of analytics engine into their access control systems, they will improve security and personalise the user experience while driving better business decisions. 

It’s not surprising that people are nervous about the security of newer technologies, many of which are part of the Internet of Things (IoT). While they offer greater efficiency and connectivity, some people still hesitate. After all, there seems to be a constant stream of news stories about multinational corporations being breached or hackers taking control of smart home devices. Both of these scenarios can feel personal. No one likes the idea of their data falling into criminal hands. And we especially don’t like the thought that someone can, even virtually, come into our private spaces. The reality, though, is that, when you choose the right technology and undertake the proper procedures, IoT devices are incredibly secure. That said, one of the spaces where we see continued confusion is around access control systems (ACS) that are deployed over networks, particularly in relation to mobile access, smartcards, and electronic locks. These technologies are often perceived as being less secure and therefore more vulnerable to attacks than older ACS systems or devices. In the interest of clearing up any confusion, it is important to provide good, reliable information. With this in mind, there are some myths out there about the security of ACS that need to be debunked. The fact that these devices communicate with an ACS via Bluetooth or Near Field Communication (NFC) leads to one of the main myths we encounter Myth #1: Mobile credentials are not secure The first myth we have to look at exists around mobile credentials. Mobile credentials allow cardholders to access secured doors and areas with their mobile devices. The fact that these devices communicate with an ACS via Bluetooth or Near Field Communication (NFC) leads to one of the main myths we encounter about the security of credentialed information. There is a persistent belief that Bluetooth is not secure. In particular, people seem to be concerned that using mobile credentials makes your organisation more vulnerable to skimming attacks. While focusing on the medium of communication is an important consideration when an organisation deploys a mobile credentialing system, the concerns about Bluetooth miss the mark. Bluetooth and NFC are simply channels over which information is transmitted. Believing that Bluetooth is not secure would be the same as suggesting that the internet is not secure. In both cases, the security of your communication depends on the technology, protocols, and safeguards we all have in place. So, instead of wondering about Bluetooth or NFC, users should be focused on the security of the devices themselves. Before deploying mobile credentials, ask your vendor (1) how the credential is generated, stored, and secured on the device, (2) how the device communicates with the reader, and (3) how the reader securely accesses the credential information. When you deploy smartcard technology as part of your ACS, you should choose the latest generation, such as MiFARE DesFIRE EV1 or EV2 and HID iCLASS SEOS Myth #2: All smartcards are equally secure The question “how secure are my smartcards?” is a serious one. And the answer can depend on the generation of the cards themselves. For example, while older smartcards like MiFARE CLASSIC and HID iCLASS Classic offer better encryption than proxy cards and magstripe credentials, they have been compromised. Using these older technologies can make your organisation vulnerable. As a result, when you deploy smartcard technology as part of your ACS, you should choose the latest generation, such as MiFARE DesFIRE EV1 or EV2 and HID iCLASS SEOS. In this way, you will be protecting your system as well as your buildings or facilities. Some traditional readers and controllers can also pose a serious risk to your organisation if they use the Wiegand protocol, which offers no security. While you can upgrade to a more secure protocol like OSDP version 2, electronic locks are a very secure alternative worth considering. It is also important to understand that not all smartcard readers are compatible with all smartcard types. When they are not compatible, the built-in security designed to keep your system safe will not match up and you will essentially forego security as your smartcard-reader will not read the credentials at all. Instead, it will simply read the non-secure portion—the Card Serial Number (CSN) —of the smartcard that is accessible to everyone. While some manufacturers suggest that this is an advantage because their readers can work with any smartcard, the truth is that they are not reading from the secure part of the card, which can put your system and premises at risk. Using electronic locks can help protect facilities and networks through various security protocols, including encryption and authentication Myth #3: Electronic locks are more vulnerable These days, there are still many who believe that electronic locks, especially wireless locks, are more vulnerable to cybercriminal activity as compared to traditional readers and controllers. The concern here is that electronic locks can allow cybercriminals to both access your network to get data and intercept commands from the gateway or nodes over the air that would allow them access to your buildings or facilities. The reality is that using electronic locks can help protect facilities and networks through various security protocols, including encryption and authentication. Additionally, because many of these locks remain operational regardless of network status, they provide real-time door monitoring. This means that many electronic locks not only prevent unauthorised access but also keep operators informed about their status at all times, even if a network goes down. Outdated technology and old analogue systems are more vulnerable to attacks When it comes to deploying electronic locks, it is important to remember that, like any device on your network, they must have built-in security features that will allow you to keep your information, people, and facilities safe. Be prepared to unlock future benefits Ultimately, the information in your IP-based ACS is at no greater risk than any other information being transmitted over the network. We just have to be smart about how we connect, transmit, and store our data. In the end, maintaining the status quo and refusing to move away from old technology is not a viable option. Outdated technology and old analogue systems are more vulnerable to attacks. The reason it is so important to debunk myths around ACS and, at the same time, get people thinking about network security in the right way is that network-based systems can offer an ever-increasing number of benefits. When we deploy new technology using industry best practices and purchase devices from trusted vendors, we put ourselves and our networks in the best possible position to take full advantage of all that our increasingly connected world has to offer.

Krowd is an app that connects people together based on geography; that is, if they are at the same place at the same time. Users sign into the app using the local WiFi, identify themselves by username, and are placed immediately in a group chat comprising anyone else at the location who has signed into the app. An enhancement of the Krowd app, known as Krowdsafe, leverages the technology to achieve and promote security and safety. Specifically, Krowdsafe enables users to interact directly with security personnel at a public place to report any crimes or security infractions and to enable rapid response. Think of it as “crowdsourcing” security – the app provides more eyes and ears to keep a venue safer. In effect, it enables each of its users to be an extension of the security presence at a venue or event. Krowdsafe improves crowd resilience. “Crowdsourcing” security – the app provides more eyes and ears to keep a venue safer Krowdsafe security app Krowdsafe also opens a channel of communication for the security team to provide ad-hoc security information reminders or messages. Krowdsafe can be used at a variety of venues, including stadiums, transport hubs, office blocks, retail malls, college campus and major events organisers. The app does not access identities, violate privacy, or track the movements of users. Other app users only know the information fellow users disclose. Still, group chats, one-on-one engagement, and other social media interactions can ensue, whether about a favourite football team or the excitement of a rock concert. The system fosters digital engagement that centers around a physical space. Krowdsafe applies those capabilities to promoting better security. Enhancing crowd safety and management The elements of Krowdsafe beat out 67 competitors to win the Defence & Security Accelerator Competition to Innovate Crowd Safety, launched by the UK Home office after terror events in 2017. Key areas of interest in the competition were to improve the detection of threats from explosives and weapons within a range of crowded places with high footfall and so reduce the chance of future attacks. Krowdsafe provides a prioritised, readily accessible and simple way for members of a crowd to communicate with a security team charged with keeping them safe. The £250,000 government award has helped the product move forward commercially at a faster pace. Krowdsafe app does not access identities, violate privacy, or track the movements of users Krowdsafe users can tap a red button, prominent on the Krowd app, that says “Report.” They may then choose from a listing of common threat types – from suspicious activity or unattended activity to medical emergency or fire services. The list is configurable by venue and corresponds to any specific threat models. The list corresponds to the nature of any situation security wants to address, such as “anti-social behavior” at a football club. Users in the crowd can anonymously report racist chanting, for example. In a children’s sporting event, the app can be used to facilitate lost-and-found children. If a child gets lost, a user can share a photo with the security team, who can alert the “public” (other Krowdsafe users) and find the child within minutes or seconds. Encrypted identifier code A user taps the “Report” button, selects an issue, and an alert goes directly to the security team A user taps the “Report” button, selects an issue, and an alert goes directly to the security team, who can respond because they have the encrypted identifier code from which the message came. For that point, the security team communicates one-on-one with the user, who can then choose to share their current location with the security team to facilitate response. (The “legitimate interest” of knowing the location negates any privacy concerns.) Once location is enabled, the security team can follow the precise positioning of threats on a map, using GPS and other technologies, or even on a three-dimensional digital map of a multi-story building. Another security benefit of Krowdsafe is prevention. Event organisers and venue managers can promote the use of Krowdsafe on posters or in announcements throughout the venue. Additional eyes and ears are the equivalent of CCTV coverage on every inch of a venue and use of the system makes the environment more hostile to mischievous, malicious and/or terrorist activity. In effect, bad guys will go somewhere else. Enhancement to Krowd app Krowdsafe is an enhancement to the Krowd app, which has been around for a couple of years and is available in app stores for iOS and Android. The app approximates in the digital world the experience of being a stranger in the crowd in the real world. Users can join a conversation based on their username, and then disclose to the crowd whatever they wish (or not). Event managers/organisers can promote hashtags to help identify others in the crowd (such as #ManUnited to identify fans of the same football team). In general, users can identify themselves (voluntarily) according to common interests using hashtags.  “Krowd is a group chat that connects people together at the same place at the same time in a group, but without anyone having to disclose personal information,” says Geoff Revill, Managing Director, Krowdthink Ltd. “You have a digital presence in the same place with other people at the same time.” Wireless connectivity Users connect initially into the system through WiFi, access to which serves to approximate presence at a venue Users connect initially into the system through WiFi, access to which serves to approximate presence at a venue. Once someone signs in, information about them is merely a grouping of “hash” numbers, which are used to identify them as they communicate with others in the location. However, the “hashing” cannot be hacked to find a user’s location, thus ensuring greater privacy. Because Krowd does not collect personal data (which is a revenue source for most social media companies), the company generates revenue by providing the service to venue owners who wish to interact with and manage a crowd. Data security Location data is considered sensitive under General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and tracking locations can help to identify where someone lives, works, who they associate with, etc. By not tracking location, Krowd avoids the related privacy issues. After initially signing in on WiFi, Krowd communications can also use 2G, 3G and other cellular networks in addition to WiFi. Addressing privacy concerns is essential to encouraging involvement in the Krowd app, and in Krowdsafe. “If you want people to participate in keeping the crowd safe, you have to get their trust and respect them, that’s a building block behind the behavioral science,” says Revill. By not tracking location, Krowd avoids the related privacy issues Privacy protection Because Krowd users remain anonymous (except for the information they choose to share), user data is not collected (and/or sold or used for future marketing purposes). Krowd’s paying customers are event venues and public places that provide the Krowd service and can promote their commercial messages or provide other information to their populations while on site. Krowdsafe can provide immediate security benefits to a venue. Even if only 25 staff members use the app in a given location, for example, that’s 25 more sets of eyes and ears to help the security department. In a retail mall, if the staffs of 200 tenant businesses use the app, that’s another 500 or so people watching out for security. Among the general public, use of the app can be promoted in customer newsletters, or by posting group discussions on big screens around a venue. Wide marketing scope It enables members of a crowd to report any broken doors, water leaks or blocked toilets Security is a secondary benefit for some Krowd users, who are drawn to the app because of marketing opportunities, such as the ability to provide discounts or promotional offers to customers while they are on site. The app also encourages social media interaction, while maintaining the venue’s ability to “manage” the crowd by moderating any discussions. The Krowd app also provides management benefits to a venue. For example, it enables members of a crowd to report any broken doors, water leaks or blocked toilets. In general, the app helps to promote a better brand experience for the customer. Incident management One of the UK government’s concerns about Krowdsafe was its possible use by terrorists or other to cause incidents in a public venue. Think of the case of Olly Murs, a U.K. singer, whose mistaken tweets about hearing gunshots caused a brief panic at a department store on a busy shopping day. Might Krowd be uses similarly by a terrorist or other evil-doer to cause chaos or a distraction? No, says Revill, who points to a higher level of control over content exchanged in Krowd versus Twitter, for example. The security team can censor content or limit its propagation. They can also disable or block a user from communicating on the app. Messages containing dangerous or troubling content, such as racist terms, can trigger alerts to enable security teams to respond quickly.

Among the cloud’s many impacts on the physical security market is a democratisation of access control. Less expensive cloud systems are making electronic access control affordable even to smaller companies. Cloud-based access control  With the growing cloud-based access control market, integrators can find more opportunities in small businesses and vertical markets that typically wouldn’t be on the radar of their sales team. Large upfront costs for a server, software and annual licensing previously made a typical electronic card access system cost-prohibitive. With cloud access, integrators can offer less expensive upfront costs with low monthly subscription fees that cover all software updates, database backups, security patches and more. The benefit for the integrator is recurring revenue that increases their profitability The benefit for the integrator is recurring revenue. While helping clients save money on server, software and IT infrastructure costs, integrators secure recurring revenue that increases their profitability. Building recurring revenue not only provides cash flow but also keeps a manufacturer’s name on the top of the minds of customers and leads to additional sales. Mobile access Continued investment in mobile access and cloud technology is essential to meet the access control needs of the booming multi-family housing and shared office-space markets. Managing access control for end users and residents in these verticals is challenging. Use of mechanical keys in these environments is too expensive and time consuming; it’s necessary to deploy wireless, technologically-advanced solutions. Managing access control for end users in different verticals is challenging, thus it’s necessary to deploy wireless, technologically-advanced solutions While the security industry has traditionally been slow to adopt IT technologies, the cloud is the exception. Large IT industry cloud players such as Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, and Google are being used by security industry professionals to provide systems that are easier to install, maintain, and administer and are far more secure and less expensive than a customer can provide on their own. Advancing cloud technology Cloud technologies give people access through their mobile phones and other devices  Enterprise customers increasingly want to be able to use smartphone apps to open doors, authenticate to enterprise data resources or access a building’s applications and services. They seek to create trusted environments within which they can deliver valuable new user experiences; in effect, there is a demand for “digital cohesion.” Cloud technologies are a key piece of the solution. They give people access through their mobile phones and other devices to many new, high-value experiences. At the same time, they help fuel smarter, more data-driven workplace environments. With the arrival of today’s identity- and location-aware building systems that recognise people and use deep learning analytics to customise their office environment, the workplace is undergoing dramatic change. Application programming interfaces Cloud-based platforms and application programming interfaces (APIs) will help bridge biometrics and access control in the enterprise, overcoming previous integration hurdles while providing a trusted platform that meets the concerns of accessibility and data protection in a connected environment. Cloud-based platforms, APIs will help bridge biometrics and access control in the enterprise “A big growth driver for the cloud is demand from enterprises that no longer look at access control simply for securing doors, data and other assets,” says Hilding Arrehed, Vice President of Cloud Services, HID Global, one of our Expert Panelists. “They want to create trusted environments within which they can deliver valuable new experiences to users. Cloud technologies make this possible by enabling people to use mobile devices for new applications and capabilities.”Cloud-based platforms and application programming interfaces (APIs) will help bridge biometrics and access control in the enterprise Cloud-based platforms For example, cloud-based platforms will provide the backbone for quickly adding complementary applications like biometrics, secure print, virtual photo IDs, and vending as well as other access control use cases and emerging permission-based capabilities yet to be developed. “Cloud-based platforms facilitate new managed service models for mobile IDs and secure issuance and will fuel simplified development environments and easy integration into vertical solutions,” says Arrehed. “They have the potential to give organisations greater flexibility to upgrade and scale security infrastructure, improve maintenance and efficiency, and accelerate ROI.”

Nexkey says its mission is to disrupt the access control market and ‘change the way people experience access to physical places’. The startup is embracing the latest buzzword for access control – frictionless – while also enabling electronic access control for doors currently protected by mechanical locks. The system is simple with only three components – a controller, an electronic replacement lock core, and a smart phone app. The ‘controller’, a combined reader and access control panel, is used to connect to existing electric strikes, mag locks, electronic push bars and other hardware components at the door. It also communicates via Bluetooth with a smart phone credential. Users approach a door, choose the door they want to open in the app, and wait for the app to say ‘unlocked’. Replacing key cards and fobs with app Access rights are customised for each user, and doors can be unlocked remotely to allow a delivery guy or guest to enterThe electronic ‘core’ device can be switched out with existing mechanical lock cores to provide electronic access control in locks such as deadbolts, mortise locks, Euro-cylinders, levers and camlocks. It is compatible with 95 percent of mechanical locks, using a changeable tail piece to adapt to various configurations. The core communicates via Bluetooth with a smart phone credential that links to a cloud system. Users approaching a door open the app, tap the core, and wait for the app to say ‘unlocked’. A Nexkey goal is to ‘replace all keys, key cards and fobs with one app’. The Nexkey app recognises which ‘key’ goes to which door and reveals the right key as you approach. ‘Keys’ are created and access rights are assigned from a smart phone, using email addresses and phone numbers to verify identity. Temporary codes can be texted for one-time entrance for cleaning crews or contractors. Access rights are customised for each user, and doors can be unlocked remotely to allow a delivery guy or guest to enter the building. The Nexkey Portal provides a snapshot of system operation, who enters which door at what time, and logs that can be reviewed and downloaded for audit reports. Affordable access control systems for SMBs Nexkey is targeting the small- and medium-sized business (SMB) market, basically companies with 20 to 500 employees, which are looking for access control systems that are affordable and easier to manage. The Nexkey controller costs $999, and the core is $499. Monthly fees start at $15 to $29 per month per door, but the prices go down as additional doors are added. Nexkey is targeting the SMB market, which are looking for access control systems that are affordable and easier to manage Larger enterprises tend to want out-of-the-box integration with alarm systems and video, which Nexkey does not offer, so SMB is their “sweet spot,” says Eric Trabold, CEO. There is an API (application programming interface) that integrates with third-party applications. According to Nexkey’s customer surveys, 30 percent of customers say they bought Nexkey to have a simpler access control credential (a smart phone instead of a key, card or fob). Another 30 percent favour simplified management and quick access through the app. Some 17 percent like the ‘unified’ experience to manage shared, single and multiple workspaces using smartphone credentialing and a cloud-based system. Involving security dealers and integrators Nexkey announced a ‘dealer program’ at the recent ISC West trade show in Las Vegas, and interest was highIn the early days, Nexkey looked to work directly with businesses to foster communication and to gain understanding of how the product can best be deployed. Having gained that insight, the ‘next level’ is to engage security dealers and systems integrators to install the system, says Trabold. Nexkey announced a ‘dealer program’ at the recent ISC West trade show in Las Vegas, and interest was high. Trabold says 134 integrators/dealers sought to engage. In coming weeks, the company will be finalising that program, enhancing the dashboard to enable dealers to manage the system on behalf of their customers, for example. “We will be looking at how we can go from that amazing level of interest to being actively engaged with partners in the channel,” says Trabold. Using NPS to measure product quality Nexkey uses the Net Promoter Score (NPS) as a benchmark for how well the product is accepted in the marketplace. NPS measures the quality of a product by analysing how likely customers are to recommend it to a friend or colleague. As an example, Apple currently has an NPS of 65%. In comparison, Nexkey has achieved a score of 60 percent, and is looking to improve it even more. “A year from now, we want to get the same positive feedback from our dealer/integrator community,” says Trabold. “That’s the challenge, engaging with partners and scaling the business forward. We still have work to do.”

Two years ago, LABS opened up its new co-working facilities in Camden Market and has a number of locations centered around this iconic area of London. LABS isn’t just popping up in random locations but creating a co-working ecosystem of interconnected buildings and communities. Many companies who hire space are high tech, therefore they expect the facilities they work in to include the latest technology. The challenge LABS faced when developing a co-working environment was to offer a safe and secure working environment that is easy to use by both the clients and staff and uses the latest technology features and provides flexibility and future proofing. Gallagher Command Centre The Gallagher solution was specified for the project because of the central hub it provides The Gallagher solution was specified for the project because of the central hub it provides as well as its ability to integrate with a number of products, such as visitor management software (VMS) and CCTV. The Gallagher Channel Partner was able to offer a tailored security package that ensured LABS premises are safely monitored, guaranteeing smooth day-to-day operation. The buildings are managed by Community Managers, whose role is to understand all the companies and people who work within the LABS buildings. With this understanding the managers can bring the community together and help create beneficial relationships. Community Manager at Camden, Fran, is able to use Gallagher Command Centre for a number of tasks such as monitoring who enters the building including visitors, checking which meeting rooms are reserved, what hospitality is required etc. Bluepoint Real-Time Access Management LABS also use Bluepoint Real-Time Access Management (RAM), which integrates with the Gallagher Visitor Management system to create and modify cardholders and groups. Commands sent from the integration provide muster functionality and enables Community Managers, like Fran, full visitor and staff journey awareness. In order to attract new clients, the building runs open events and also allows people to book a tour. Guests will receive a QR code on their mobile phone so they can enter the building. Fran will receive a notification to say her guest has arrived so she can meet them and show them round. People within the building can also use the same functionality for visitors. Mobile access control Leases can be short, medium or long term and range from the occupation of offices to desks Everyone who works within a LABS building has access to an app so they can book meeting rooms seamlessly, find talent, swap skills, and engage with the community. This is the customer facing tool which links to Command Centre to ensure when someone books a room the relevant people are notified, and the system is updated. Leases can be short, medium or long term and range from the occupation of offices to desks. This means there are lots of leases starting and ending at different times making it difficult to keep track. By integrating with Command Centre access can be instantly revoked should a lease lapse, saving Community Managers time by not having to manually deny access.

With a large campus comprising historic and modern buildings and significant research facilities and equipment, the University of Otago has assets in excess of $1.4 billion (NZD). In 2006, an internal security review of campus facilities identified that a number of critical areas – including laboratories where medical research is conducted on animals and human cadavers – could attain an increased level of security and achieve greater cost efficiency through the installation of Gallagher systems. A key priority of the security upgrade was to replace the traditional lock and key system in place in facilities across campus with Gallagher’s electronic access control solution. By moving to an entirely electronic system, the University has mitigated the risks associated with lost keys and unauthorised access. Lost and misplaced cards are reported and immediately deactivated ensuring complete control is maintained over facility access. Comprehensive alarm monitoring The team at the University of Otago needed an auditable system, capable of identifying access by people, place, and timeThe electronic system also allows for comprehensive alarm monitoring per door and per freezer, ensuring campus security is immediately notified if a door or freezer has been left open. Gallagher’s Mobile Client, available with the Command Centre v7.30 security management platform, means these alarm notifications can be communicated directly to security personnel’s Apple iPhone devices providing valuable information in real-time, to those outside of the control room. More than simply managing the access permissions across campus, the team at the University of Otago needed an auditable system, capable of identifying access by people, place, and time. Gallagher’s Command Centre application provides this high-level of traceability and enables the University to quickly and easily extract the exact information required both for internal use and for the regulatory audits required of research facilities. Identifying who accessed which areas “Due to the nature and value of our assets, it’s critical not just to control who has access to facilities but to be able to identify exactly when areas were accessed and to know who was there,” said Deputy Proctor at the University of Otago, Andrew Ferguson. Key industry challenges Eliminate the security threat that comes with lost keys Enhance the level of security for critical areas including Medical Research laboratories Procure a solution capable of producing comprehensive audit trails Introduce a secure, automated facilities management system Gallagher security products installed Command Centre Electronic card readers Syllabus Plus integration Syllabus Plus integration Syllabus Plus enables automation in the scheduling and booking of resources and equipment Founded in 1869, the University of Otago is New Zealand’s oldest university. Ranked in the top 200 universities worldwide, the University of Otago is New Zealand’s primary medical tertiary institute and is considered the top research university in New Zealand. The Gallagher system installed at the University of Otago includes a Syllabus Plus integration. Syllabus Plus enables automation in the scheduling and booking of resources and equipment through Command Centre. The University of Otago team were quick to see value in the opportunity to synchronise their access control system with class time-tables, and subsequently manage room resources by automatically unlocking doors. Easily search and book resources A key benefit for the University was a move away from the manual process of entering room bookings into Command Centre. In addition to removing the labour associated with this manual process, the university also found a reduction in the number of booking inaccuracies caused when people changed their plans, as staff can now quickly and independently reschedule their resource and room bookings if their requirements change. “Smart scheduling gives authorised users in our wider team the ability to quickly and easily search and book resources,” said Ferguson. “It’s a genuine time-saver for us and ensures our facilities are managed efficiently.” The university has implemented an ongoing software maintenance agreement with Gallagher To ensure the University of Otago’s security system remains at the forefront of technology, the university has implemented an ongoing software maintenance agreement with Gallagher to ensure they receive the latest system developments as they are released. “We would never go without software maintenance, it’s imperative that our high-end security be the best it can possibly be,” said Ferguson. Training for system operators In addition to ensuring their security products and systems are up-to-date, the University of Otago also ensures their system operators undergo regular training. According to Ferguson, “We arrange annual training with Gallagher for our Campus Watch security team. The training teaches the team valuable tips and tricks on how to utilise the system to its fullest.” During the years since the initial installation of Gallagher security systems, the University of Otago has experienced significant savings associated with not needing to re-key facilities or replace locks when traditional keys have been lost or not returned – maintenance that the University estimates used to cost tens of thousands of dollars each year.

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

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

Everbridge, Inc., the global pioneer in critical event management software that helps keep people safe and businesses running, announced that its mass notification solution will be used to power alerts for Nashville and Davidson County, Tennessee in times of emergency. The Metro Emergency Alert & Notification System (MEANS) will deliver safety instructions via cell phone, landline, and SMS for localised emergencies such as flooding, public health emergencies or active shooter situations. “This is an important way for us to keep the community updated on incidents happening in Nashville and Davidson County,” said Chief William Swann, Director, Nashville Fire Department. “The Everbridge system will be leveraged by Metro Government to communicate directly to the public. Residents and visitors can feel confident that when they receive alerts, they are getting accurate information straight from a Metro public safety agency.” Everbridge Mobile App delivers alerts to cell phones based on a user’s physical location during emergency Receiving alerts on cell phones Metro officials also urge residents to download the Everbridge Mobile App, which brings the added security of delivering alerts to cell phones based on a user’s physical location at the time of an emergency. “The Everbridge app provides Metro with a key alerting capability because it enables us to send safety instructions to residents who happen to be in the vicinity of an emergency in real time,” said Department of Emergency Communication’s Director Michele Donegan. Nashville joins a growing list of America’s largest cities, counties, and entire states that have rolled out the Everbridge platform including the cities of New York, Philadelphia, New Orleans, Atlanta, Houston, Phoenix, San Francisco, Tampa, and Washington, DC; hundreds of counties including Napa, Sonoma, Ventura, Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, Cook, Harris, and Maricopa; and the states of Florida, Connecticut, Vermont, and New York.

Ahli United Bank (AUB) is a leading financial institution providing banking, investment, and wealth management services from 147 branches in eight countries. Utilising Gallagher’s business and security solutions in Bahrain since 2008, Ahli United Bank decided in 2017 to undertake a full upgrade of the systems at its headquarters. Installing controlled doors As part of upgrading the full product suite at its Bahrain Headquarters – which included all controlled doors and software – Ahli United Bank (AUB) also took the opportunity for a complete re-design of the set-up and locations of its security system. The bank was committed to finding a product that was cost effective and had a long life expectancy. While researching their options, AUB management saw a demonstration of Gallagher’s Mobile Connect technology and were immediately convinced that this was the ideal product for the bank’s upgrade. Gallagher Mobile Connect uses Bluetooth wireless technology to enable users to badge at a reader using a smartphone  Gallagher Mobile Connect In late 2018, AUB began testing the new mobile solution on site then to be rolled out to most of its staff at headquarters. Gallagher Mobile Connect uses Bluetooth wireless technology to enable users to badge at a reader using a smartphone instead of an access card. A huge benefit for AUB is the solution’s capability to add additional layers of security where needed. Gallagher’s Mobile Connect solution provides the option to apply two-factor authentication via the smartphone – either fingerprint, PIN, or facial recognition – delivering heightened security over access to restricted areas. According to AUB’s management, the two-factor capability was very appealing to them. “Using mobile with facial recognition is far more secure than card and PIN, and it’s immensely more cost-effective than buying biometric readers,” they said. Temporary remote access control From an administrative and site management perspective, Gallagher Mobile Connect provides AUB with significant flexibility. Easy provisioning means that authorised staff can remotely allocate temporary access in advance and can also schedule when a user’s access can begin and end – ideal for visitors and contractors who come to the bank’s headquarters. Beyond Mobile Connect, readers and controllers, AUB uses Gallagher’s security software platform, Command Centre, to manage alarms and access for its headquarters and all branches, all from a centralised location. “The power of Command Centre is enormous,” said AUB’s Management. “It integrates with our CCTV equipment and gives excellent oversight of our operations.”

With the advent of online shopping, brick-and-mortar retail businesses are challenged to make transactions more convenient while enhancing the “experience” aspects that differentiate real-life shopping from the simpler route of clicking on a website. Technology is helping retailers create that differentiation, including technologies such as video systems, deep learning analytics and point-of-sale (POS) integrations that have evolved from innovation in the physical security market. For more insights, we asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What new security industry technologies are having an impact on the retail market?

What is a business, or an industry, but a collection of people and the results of their work? People make all the difference in the destiny of a business or industry. And the people involved in a business reflect the impact of demographic changes – and the passage of time. The security industry has been largely built by Baby Boomers, who are getting older and increasingly stepping aside to make way for younger folks. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: Is there a “new generation” of employees and managers entering the physical security marketplace, and what will be the impact?

ISC West 2019 is in the industry’s rear-view mirror, and what a show it was! The busy three days in April offered a preview of exciting technologies and industry trends for the coming year. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What was the big news at ISC West 2019?