Mobile access

IMG GlobalSecur, Inc., an international travel security consulting firm, is proud to announce a new post on privacy and travel safety apps on its FoneTrac website. The post highlights some of the important issues HR managers facing when selecting a best-in-class travel security app for employee security including itinerary monitoring. Most businesses and HR managers must be transparent when it comes to privacy issues in contrast to government agencies and law-enforcement personnel who face a different institutional environment. FoneTrac travel security app solution “The privacy relationship between employer and employee needs to be transparent,” explained Chris Hagon, CEO of IMG GlobalSecur. “Our new post highlights some of the different issues that government agencies face when dealing with international travel vs. employers who are seeking a ‘win/win’ and transparent travel security app solution that is also mindful or privacy concerns.”   In fact, he continued, ‘FoneTrac is purposely designed to be user driven’. This means that the App and backend are unaware of a traveler’s exact location unless they press the ‘Check-In’ or ‘Panic Alert’ button.” GPS tracking To view the new post on travel security and privacy concerns, please visit the FoneTrac blog post What this means is that the app is ‘position-locating’ rather than ‘travel monitoring’, providing a happy medium between employee privacy concerns and the technical needs of the app to be able to help in the event of a security concern. This innovative feature has propelled FoneTrac to be one of the most popular travel security and itinerary monitoring apps for employees in the ecosystem. To view the new post on travel security and privacy concerns, please visit the FoneTrac blog post. Persons who want a robust overview to the features of the travel security app can visit and those who would like to know more about the GlobalSecur backend can also visit the blog post. International travel security HR managers and employers are encouraged to reach out for a demo, as demos are available of the FoneTrac travel security app as are one-on-one consultations. Journalists and bloggers are encouraged to reach out to the company for commentary on emerging privacy trends vis-a-vis international travel security.

The newest version of an iconic access control and site management system looks set to revolutionise, both, the operator and user experience. Gallagher Security has released Command Centre v8.10, the latest version of its site management software, with a range of features and enhancements that simplify and improve operation. Improvements to site plans reduce information overload for busy or complex sites by introducing progressive disclosure – the ability to zoom in to reveal more information. It is now easier to create a site plan that includes all floors in the building and easily navigate between them, while new site plan privileges provide greater control over the level of information operators are exposed to. Integration with IDEMIA MorphoWave Compact allows users to be identified with a wave of their hand. This high-level biometric integration delivers faster, more secure biometric access while simplifying the collection and management of biometric data and access rights, and preventing duplication and synchronisation issues. Reducing cyber risk Gallagher’s Mobile Connect app can now be used to open both Gallagher and SALTO Bluetooth® doors with Command Centre v8.10. The SALTO credential has been combined with the Gallagher credential to retain a single mobile credential for each user in Command Centre. Using a single credential and app to open doors creates a simpler experience for users and is easier for operators to manage on a day-to-day basis. The newest release introduces car park management, making it easy to manage and configure parking allocation. Site plan functionality provides detailed oversight, ensuring car park spaces are used efficiently. Improvements to the Inbound Events REST API allow Command Centre to receive external events from third party systems to generate alarms, view alarm instructions, provide alarm indications on site plans, generate notifications, and run reports in Command Centre. This new release builds on Gallagher’s ongoing commitment to design and manufacture security technology that protects people, places, and assets across the world. Enhanced functionality As with all Gallagher version releases, a wide range of minor enhancements that improve existing functionality are included. Gallagher offers a software maintenance programme which provides customers the opportunity to upgrade to every new version of Command Centre as it is released. Adopting the latest technology as it is released helps ensure customers stay ahead of emerging threats and new vulnerabilities – reducing their cyber risk, enhancing system performance, and guaranteeing continued compliance with government standards.

Palo Alto Networks has announced new enhancements to its comprehensive Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR) platform, Demisto. Demisto v5.0 enables security analysts to tailor the way they visualise incident and indicator flows, allowing security teams to better manage and automate incident response. Key updates to Demisto v5.0 include - Reimagined User Interface - Brand new UI that streamlines global navigation while also enhancing the delivery of information within each incident Enhanced Threat Intelligence - Access rich indicator intelligence from integrated sources and take action in a scalable manner Database Scaling - Install the Demisto app server and databases on separate machines. Multi-tier configurations let you scale your environment and manage resources efficiently SOAR on the fly - Introduction of chat support in the mobile application, letting you update relevant stakeholders on-the-go and ability to manage notifications from the web app, choosing to receive updates on email, Slack, Mattermost, or the mobile app Demisto v5.0 security platform Rishi Bhargava, VP Product Strategy, Demisto, a Palo Alto Networks company comments, “Demisto v5.0 is packed with new features suggested to us by our community of customers, partners, and independent users. We’ve also introduced changes that facilitate improved load management and scaling of resources, ensuring that organisations are secure irrespective of the pace at which they grow”. He adds, “Back in 2015, we recognised that security teams wilt under dual pressures every day: an ever-increasing volume of security alerts, and insufficient resources to address these alerts. Over the past four years, our customers have seen us as the only platform that has combined security orchestration, incident management, and real-time collaboration to make their lives easier”. Security Orchestration and incident management Rishi further stated, “Automating as much as possible hands time back to security teams to investigate, learn and improve, and sometimes just take a deep breath. Since joining forces with Palo Alto Networks, we have accelerated our go-to-market and made inroads into use cases outside of traditional security operations.”

Ping Identity, a pioneer in intelligent identity solutions, has announced the release of PingCentral, a self-service delegated administration and converged operating portal for enterprise identity and access management (IAM). The solution addresses common tasks across the Ping Intelligent Identity platform with simple, self-service workflows and standardised templates that can be delegated to business users and application teams that don’t have IAM expertise. Ping Intelligent Identity platform Dedicated IAM admins struggle to manage the high volume of requests required to keep application teams functioning Dedicated IAM administrators often struggle to manage the high volume of requests required to keep application teams functioning. An example of this is adding a connection for an application or API, or handling minor changes like updating configurations, security certificates and more. Meanwhile, business application teams generally have limited IAM knowledge and ability to make these modifications on their own. The result can be IAM changes that take up to several weeks of back and forth activities between IAM administrators and business application teams, including multiple requests, emails and meetings. This leaves little time for identity security teams to focus on value-add activities like enhancing security posture and improving end user productivity. PingCentral streamlines IAM processes PingCentral streamlines IAM processes and helps enterprises efficiently leverage IAM services as a valuable business driver for digital transformation. In doing so, it helps enable business application teams to rapidly onboard their own resources through delegated administration. This extends and increases the value of IAM teams, so they can do more with less, serve the business faster, and achieve widespread adoption and usage of centralised identity services. PingCentral puts IAM teams and application teams on the same page by providing the following capabilities and benefits: Delegated Administration Portal: Contains a self-service, user-friendly interface and template workflow that allows IAM administrators to create, update and deploy standard templates for single sign-on (SSO) and authentication. Orchestration Engine: Automates promotions across the application development and deployment lifecycle by maintaining configuration across environments, and allows IAM administrators to designate protected environments that require approval to reduce risk. Central Monitoring System: Provides visibility of application connections, clients and environment tiers from a single screen, and permits IAM and business application administrators to assign and/or update resource ownership. Lifecycle Management: Supplies an audit trail across the lifecycle of client configuration changes and promotions—so administrators always know who has done what and when to a connection and/or client—and allows for easy reversion back to previous configurations as needed. Enterprise identity and access management solutions Ping Identity is dedicated to providing implicit value to our customers through our IAM solutions" “Ping Identity is dedicated to providing implicit value to our customers through our IAM solutions, helping enterprises to achieve their digital transformation goals,” said Loren Russon, vice president, product management at Ping Identity. “By simplifying fundamental IAM processes and enabling non-technical business teams to manage standard administrative tasks, PingCentral helps enable organisations to save valuable time and resources while strengthening their overall security posture.” "We see enormous potential for PingCentral’s ability to positively impact our organisation,” said Dan Ricke, manager, information security at BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee. “A range of staff roles will be able to collaborate on and work in this solution regardless of IAM sophistication, speeding up the connecting process and saving time for the identity and access management team.” Zero Trust identity-defined security The Ping Intelligent Identity platform provides customers, employees, partners and, increasingly, IoT, with access to cloud, mobile, SaaS and on-premises applications and APIs, while also managing identity and profile data at scale. Ping Identity helps enterprises achieve Zero Trust identity-defined security with a much more personalised, streamlined user experiences

Optical transaction technology specialist, MetaSepia, unveils ScreenBeam, a ground-breaking optical alternative to rival mobile near field communications (NFC) services by enabling fast, frictionless and secure transactions between on or offline devices. Unlike mobile NFC, which relies on transformer-based radio frequency (RF) fields to couple devices, ScreenBeam authenticates visually, displaying and capturing authentication data using the devices’ display screens and onboard cameras. Fast and two-way device authentication ScreenBeam uses light-emissive codes which scan quickly and in all manner of conditions" Uniquely, ScreenBeam uses the same interface to enable the instant issuance of a transaction e-receipt, a feature typically unavailable when performing transactions using conventional mobile NFC. ScreenBeam’s patented optical NFC pairing system supports a variety of use-cases where mobile NFC falls short, notably including rapid and legal in-flight device pairing (in aeroplane mode) and data sharing, offline P2P wallet transactions including cryptocurrency payments, the ability to jumpstart apps and to authenticate automatically to Bluetooth and Wi-Fi gateways. “ScreenBeam is a radical evolution of the QR code model that provides secure, fast and two-way device authentication to compete with mobile NFC,” comments David Watkins, CEO, MetaSepia. “ScreenBeam uses light-emissive codes which scan quickly and in all manner of conditions.” Single directional camera “Since device auto-pairing occurs optically, the privacy and security risks associated with radiating a spherical RF field are removed from the pairing process. Barriers to widespread adoption are small; ScreenBeam is lightweight software, deployable across all smartphones and operating systems, including older models with a single directional camera.” We’re excited about the potential for this technology to enable offline face-to-face crypto payments" “The range of use-cases for optical NFC is compelling,” continues Watkins. “In the payments world, we’re particularly excited about the potential for this technology to enable offline face-to-face crypto payments, especially since individuals and micro-merchants can issue e-receipts and loyalty or promotional materials as part of the transaction, providing a new level of non-repudiation in their digital wallets. These are all attributes that are not catered for by conventional mobile NFC.” Commercial possibilities for service providers Through investment, licensing, IP acquisition or technology partnerships, MetaSepia now seeks to expand its R&D capability to establish ScreenBeam as a fully functional, standalone optical file sharing system operating at over 100Kbps. “Most NFC tokens are between 15kb and 50kb,” adds Watkins. “As a pairing interface, ScreenBeam’s UX is already uniquely visual and tactile. Looking ahead, our development roadmap is clear: ScreenBeam will easily rival mobile NFC speeds and open up a variety of new commercial possibilities for service providers.” MetaSepia’s ScreenBeam technology prototype will be demonstrated at DELTA Summit 2019 (2nd - 4th October) where MetaSepia’s CTO, Kerry Brown, will be available for briefings.

Kestrel Guards, a SIA-approved security solutions specialist, has gained added visibility and control over its operation using employee scheduling and mobile workforce management software, SmartTask. By consolidating its requirements into a single system, the company has been able to streamline and simplify internal processes to help enhance service delivery, maximise productivity and better protect security officers. SmartTask workforce management software We looked at a number of systems, but SmartTask proved to be the most robust and functional technology" Kestrel Guards adopted SmartTask to help better plan and manage security officers by replacing a number of manual and electronic processes. Initially, SmartTask is being used across the company’s static and mobile teams working across 1,150 customer sites, with plans to roll-out the solution to its keyholding and alarm response operations moving forward. “We looked at a number of systems, but SmartTask proved to be the most robust and functional technology that best meet our needs,” explains Russell Doyle, Head of National Operations at Kestrel Guards. “We wanted an employee scheduling and mobile workforce management software solution that was web-based and scalable, so we could provide simple access to key personnel and introduce the system using a phased approach.” Intelligent Rostering SmartTask’s Intelligent Rostering is being used at each of Kestrel Guards’ offices to create weekly work schedules for a total of 350 security officers. By replacing a previous paper-based planning system and implementing consistent processes across the business, the company has reduced the time and cost required to prepare rosters. It is also enabling Kestrel Guard to view all staffing requirements centrally from its head office in Southampton, providing added control and operational insight. Interactive dashboard for live viewing An interactive dashboard provides a live view of the security operation in Kestrel Guards’ 24/7 control centre, allowing the company to monitor the delivery of contracted work and the status of all static and mobile officers. The at-a-glance visibility of attendance, check calls and security alerts, allows the company to use SmartTask to respond quickly to any issues to maintain service levels and better protect staff. The software is also enabling contracts managers to monitor relevant activity, both historically and in real-time, as well as being used for employee performance. Enhanced enterprise security SmartTask-enabled smartphones record both attendance and tasks, capturing relevant information and photo Meanwhile, SmartTask has allowed Kestrel Guards to offer added value services, which is helping to secure business with new and existing customers. As well as providing complete visibility of patrols – using scannable checkpoint tags along predefined routes – officers are able to undertake monitored inspections, audits and equipment checks. SmartTask-enabled smartphones record both attendance and tasks, capturing relevant information and photo evidence where necessary. Thirteen Static Guarding customers have already signed to value added services and this enhanced offering is helping win additional local and regional contracts.    Security management Paul Ridden, CEO of SmartTask commented: “Our employee scheduling and workforce management software is being selected by an increasing number of security businesses, including many of the UK’s top 30 firms. It has become the solution of choice within the marketplace based on its ability to help better, plan, manage, deliver and report on a security operation. Paul adds, “In fact, SmartTask is proven to deliver operational improvements and efficiencies, while significantly enhancing service quality, increasing contract compliance and supporting business development.”

The statistics are staggering. The death tolls are rising. And those who now fear environments that were once thought to be safe zones like school campuses, factories, commercial businesses and government facilities, find themselves having to add the routine of active-shooter drills into their traditional fire drill protocols. The latest active shooter statistics released by the FBI earlier this year in their annual active-shooter report designated 27 events as active shooter incidents in 2018. The report reveals that 16 of the 27 incidents occurred in areas of commerce, seven incidents occurred in business environments, and five incidents occurred in education environments. Deadly active-shooter events Six of the 12 deadliest shootings in the country have taken place in the past five years Six of the 12 deadliest shootings in the country have taken place in the past five years, including Sutherland Springs church, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, the San Bernardino regional center, the Walmart in El Paso and the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, which have all occurred since 2015. Although these incidents occurred in facilities with designated entry points common to churches, schools and businesses, the two most deadly active-shooter events since 2015 were the Route 91 Harvest music festival shooting in Las Vegas that left 58 dead and the Pulse nightclub killings in Orlando where 49 perished. As Christopher Combs, special agent in charge of the FBI field office in San Antonio, Texas, said during a news conference following the August 31 mass shooting in Odessa, Texas that claimed seven lives: “We are now at almost every two weeks seeing an active shooter in this country." Active shooter incidents Between December 2000 and December 2018, the FBI’s distribution of active shooter incidents by location looks like this: Businesses Open to Pedestrian Traffic (74) Businesses Closed to Pedestrian Traffic (43) K-12 Schools (39) Institutions of Higher Learning (16) Non-Military Government Properties (28) Military Properties—Restricted (5) Healthcare Facilities (11) Houses of Worship (10) Private Properties (12) Malls (6) What the majority of these venues have in common is they all have a front entrance or chokepoint for anyone entering the facilities, which is why any active-shooter plan must include a strategy to secure that entry point. Situational awareness in perimeter and door security Preventing people with the wrong intentions from entering the space is the goal" According to Paul Franco, an A&E with more than 28 years of experience as a consultant and systems integrator focusing on schools, healthcare and large public and private facilities, that while active shooter incidents continue to rise, the residual effect has been an increase in situational awareness in perimeter and door security. “Certainly, protecting people and assets is the number one goal of all our clients. There are multiple considerations in facilities like K-12 and Healthcare. Preventing people with the wrong intentions from entering the space is the goal. But a critical consideration to emphasise to your client is getting that person out of your facility and not creating a more dangerous situation by locking the person in your facility,” says Franco. High-security turnstiles “Schools today are creating a space for vetting visitors prior to allowing access into the main facility. Using technology properly like high-security turnstiles offer great benefits in existing schools where space constraints and renovation costs can be impractical.” What steps should they be taken when recommending the proper door security to ensure the building is safe As a consultant/integrator, when discussions are had with a client that has a facility in a public space like a corporate building, government centre or industrial facility, what steps should they be taken when recommending the proper door security to ensure the building is safe and can protect its people and assets? For Frank Pisciotta, President and CEO of Business Protection Specialists, Inc. in Raleigh, North Carolina, a fundamental element of his security strategy is making appropriate recommendations that are broad-based and proactive. Properly identifying the adversaries “As a consultant, my recommendations must include properly identifying the adversaries who may show up at a client’s door, the likelihood of that event occurring, the consequences of that event occurring, determining if there are tripwires that can be set so an organisation can move their line of defence away from the door, educating employees to report potential threats and creating real-time actionable plans to respond to threats. A more reactionary posture might include such thing as target hardening such as ballistic resistant materials at entry access points to a facility,” Pisciotta says. Veteran consultant David Aggleton of Aggleton & Associates of Mission Viejo, California recommends that clients compartmentalise their higher security areas for limited access by adding multiple credential controls (card + keypad + biometric), along with ‘positive’ access systems that inhibit tailgating/piggybacking such as secure turnstiles, revolving door and mantrap if your entrances and security needs meet the required space and access throughput rates. Integrated solution of electronic access control Defining a single point of entry in some public facilities is becoming the new standard of care according to many A&Es and security consultants, especially in a school environment. This approach allows a concerted effort when it comes to staffing, visitor monitoring and an integrated technology solution. The bottom line remains: most buildings are vulnerable to a security breach A proactive stance to securing a door entryway will use an integrated solution of electronic access control, turnstiles, revolving doors and mantraps that can substantially improve a facility’s security profile. The bottom line remains: most buildings are vulnerable to a security breach, so it’s not a matter of if there will be a next active shooter tragedy, it’s only a matter of where. Enhancing access control assurance “There is no easy answer to this question,” says Pisciotta referring to how a secured entrance can deter an active shooter. “There have been at least two high-profile incidents of adversaries shooting their way into a facility through access control barriers. So, if the threat so dictates, a ballistic resistant might be required.” He concludes: “There is obviously no question that turnstiles, revolving doors and man traps enhance access control assurance. Electronic access control is easy to integrate with these devices and providing that credentials are secure, approval processes are in place, change management is properly managed and the appropriate auditing measures in place, access control objectives can be met.”

With the recent news headlines about store closures and the collapse of well-known chains, alongside clear adjustments in business strategy amongst established high street favourites, there is no denying that the UK retail industry is under huge pressure. A recent report suggests growing issues are leading some retailers to increase risk-taking in the supply chain. But here, Steve Bumphrey, Traka UK Sales Director, looks at ways to help retailers embrace the storm, including paying attention to security, management processes and efficient customer focus. Challenges plaguing retail industry It’s been an awful year to date for UK retail if you believe the cacophony of negative headlines about the health of the UK economy and the confidence levels of the UK consumer. The sector is facing huge challenges in dealing with the evolution in on-line and smart mobile retailing The sector is undoubtedly facing huge challenges in dealing with the evolution in on-line and smart mobile retailing. Further concerns include an unwillingness of policymakers to address the changing retail environment and how business rates and general business taxation and regulation is making a difficult situation worse. Supply Chain Risk Report According to the latest Global Supply Chain Risk Report, published by Cranfield School of Management and Dan & Badstreet, those under pressure, are now facing increased exposure to risk if they are forced to cut costs in their supply chain. The report cites data for the retail sector that shows increased levels of risk-taking since Q4 2018, with retailers reporting high levels of dependency on suppliers and indicating a propensity to off-shore to low-cost, high-risk countries where suppliers are more likely to be financially unstable. In-store technology revolution The underlying evolution of technology taking hold of the retail industry and consequential changing consumer behaviour is what is really forcing the industry to step up and act. This is not only in the shift to online and smart mobile purchases, but also with the increased use of technology in store. Self-scanning and checkouts In a bid to enhance the physical shop experience, especially in supermarket outlets across the UK, retailers are increasingly giving customers autonomy with self-scanners and checkouts and need to be able to trust them to ensure an honest transaction. And for the shoppers, this dependency on technology and not human interaction to complete a shop means scanners must be instantly available and ready for use. Many different underlying competing challenges impact the retail industry Compensators At the recent British Retail Consortium’s ‘Charting the Future’ conference, looking at retail crime and security, Dr Emmeline Taylor, a criminologist at the City University of London identified in self -service shops, several new types of ‘offenders’ such as so-called ‘compensators’ including the atypical ‘frustrated consumer’ who, “fully intended to pay but were unable to scan an item properly”, adding to the security challenge. There are clearly many different underlying competing challenges impacting the retail industry. Arguably, the increase in technology and autonomous shopping, where less staff are present (or staff cuts planned) throws up more vulnerabilities, such as the opportunity for store theft. Use of body cameras Staff needs emerging technology such as body cameras to act as a deterrent to crime and keep employees safe Furthermore, staff may need greater use of emerging technology such as body cameras to act as a deterrent to crime and help keep employees safe. In essence, prevention is better than cure, and it’s certainly cheaper. Whether combating crime physically or online, or looking to find ways to counter the high street trends, working together, sharing information and taking a more holistic approach will help the development of a shared language between retailers. Retail banking It is also here where common approaches can help to deliver on efficiencies, in time, resource and budget that can serve to operate right through the supply chain, and minimise, or even negate the need to take any risks. It can even serve to enhance the customer experience, increasing confidence in the shopping environment. Of course, when discussing the high street, it is not just the department stores and chains that are feeling the impact. Well known banks are also having to redefine their priorities and role on the high street, with customers (especially younger generations) demanding a more efficient service than ever before. Well known banks are also having to redefine their priorities and role on the high street Asset protection Leading the way is Nationwide, globally renowned building society, which prides itself on being one of the largest savings providers and mortgages provider in the UK, promoting itself as running purely for the benefit of its customers, or ‘members.’ Richard Newland, Director of Branch & Workplace Transformation at Nationwide said, “Even more than getting a good ‘deal’ from a building society, the quality of our welcome, or our renowned level of service, we make sure our members feel safe with us, enough to trust us with their greatest assets. We are doing everything we can to evolve our business and focus our efforts on providing the best and most secure services that people value.” Key management systems Traka has supported Nationwide with the introduction of dedicated key management systems So committed to its branch network, it has pledged to its 15 million members that every town and city with a Nationwide branch, will still have one for at least the next two years. A bold statement in today’s climate. Traka has supported Nationwide with the introduction of dedicated key management systems, moving its branch network into a more digital system. Keys no longer need to leave site and the audit trail capability has helped to remove the manual paper recording, allowing status of keys to be established instantly, at any time. Changes in retail market This example, together with Traka’s portfolio of high street brands and globally renowned department stores that cannot be named for security reasons, demonstrates the need for retailers to embrace the need for change, both from a product offering and operational running perspective to achieve aspirations of resonating with customers. They also prove the opportunities for success, in an unquestionable difficult market environment. If retailers can listen to customers and respond accordingly, taking into consideration staff safety and security, alongside an ability to respond quickly to personalised enquiries and expectations. This way, perhaps, the current environment can be seen as an opportunity to innovate and embrace technology to form the high street of the future.

Airport environments have become more sophisticated and complex over the course of the last 20 years. What was once a simple structure to facilitate travel from point A to point B has now been transformed into a hustling and bustling setting that offers passengers the comforts and conveniences of a small city. As a result, the complexity of risks that airport operators face has grown exponentially. Security personnel must now mitigate risks like terrorism, theft, personal safety and insider threats all while streamlining operations to help preserve a positive passenger experience. Beyond the visual of long and winding security checkpoint lines, most travelers are unaware of the vast amounts of work that take place behind the scenes to ensure their safety. Increasing passenger numbers On top of the typical, day-to-day concerns security operators face, airports are only becoming busier. According to the United States Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2018 was a record-breaking year for air passenger travel. U.S. airlines and foreign airlines operating in the United States saw 1 billion passengers fly, which was a 4.8% increase from 2017. As these numbers continue to increase, the demand on airport security personnel to keep people and property safe also increases. This is why the latest advancements in security technology are critical as part of a comprehensive and cohesive airport security strategy. Let’s take a look at some of these advancements and how they are helping airport security operators mitigate risk. U.S. airlines and foreign airlines operating in the United States saw 1 billion passengers fly, which was a 4.8% increase from 2017 Video-based command and control  Airports are operational 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, which means it is paramount (and typically mandated) to have video as the heart of modern-day security operation centres (SOC). In today’s data-focused environment, security personnel rely on a multitude of solutions and systems, which often include video surveillance, access control, alarm notifications, and more, to ensure comprehensive protection of passengers. What’s needed is a single, unified platform with integrated event management and response The rising influx of information from these systems can often be overwhelming, and in most cases, manual processes are used to manage across these domains in an attempt to achieve a coordinated response. These manual processes are not scalable. What’s needed and is now being introduced to the market is a single, unified platform with integrated event management and response to allow security operators to maximise situational control and determine the appropriate intelligence-powered response. Real-time situation management  The combination of real-time video, with information from a variety of additional sensors, devices and applications is changing the game for airport security personnel. Now, in the event of an incident, security officials can use this data to gain enhanced situational awareness of what’s happening and deliver actionable insights to efficiently and effectively respond to the incident. Through numerous information sources and security systems, airports can benefit from a modernised and enriched investigative experience for a broad and deep understanding of routine or emergency situations.  Advanced analytics Analytics are a powerful resource that gives security teams the ability to discover significant patterns and obtain insightful knowledge from video surveillance data. Advanced algorithms can be the key in providing early warnings to assist in detecting threats, helping to establish a proactive security strategy. By effectively correlating and assessing data, airport officials can bring latent intelligence to the forefront and present a more complete view of security situations. Additionally, analytics can automate predefined standard operating procedures to help minimise human error and optimise resource utilisation.  By effectively correlating and assessing data, airport officials can bring latent intelligence to the forefront and present a more complete view of security situations Mobile reporting  The Internet of Things (IoT) and ubiquitous connectivity have brought remote capabilities to airports, where instantaneous information sharing is paramount. Mobile reporting solutions allow passengers and employees to act as additional “eyes and ears”, bringing critical safety alerts to the attention of security officials. Information shared by passengers and employees can be extremely beneficial to help shed light on a security incident and enable faster and more efficient response. Some solutions even offer the ability to share video and audio with the command centre through a passenger’s smartphone. Facial recognition technology Facial recognition can provide situational intelligence through detecting, tracking, and alerting on persons-of-interest A powerful and versatile security solution, facial recognition can provide situational intelligence to security operations centres through detecting, tracking, and alerting on persons-of-interest appearing in video streams across multiple sites and thousands of cameras simultaneously. These systems are capable of forensic-search recognition capabilities and can be compared against national, local or custom databases to make investigations faster and more efficient. Interest and adoption of the technology is growing, with new use cases being introduced daily. The solution is sure to become a valuable tool in the years to come. In short, airports are very much like small connected cities, featuring a landscape with a variety of assets, a wide range of stakeholders, and numerous sites that keep safety at the forefront of the public eye. However, while global risks and day-to-day challenges can be difficult for security operators to manage, today’s advanced and intelligent technologies can ultimately help improve the overall traveler experience. 

When violence or a life-threatening incident occurs, hospitals and other healthcare institutions are often in the crosshairs. Hospitals increasingly face a reality of workplace violence, attacks on patients, and threats to doctors and other support staff. And even if violence happens outside a hospital – such as an active shooter at a public place – the local hospital must be prepared to respond to an influx of injured victims. When conflicts arise inside a hospital, there is an urgent need to lock the facility down quickly. Security professionals and their teams need access control options that allow lockdowns to occur at the touch of a button. Lockdown capabilities are an important aspect of safety and security for hospitals, doctor’s offices and medical facilities The need for mass notification is also growing in the healthcare environment Fire alarm public address system The need for mass notification – another aspect of responding in an emergency – is also growing in the healthcare environment. Various systems can communicate through the fire alarm public address (PA) system to notify people in an emergency, or, alternately, to use email notification, text messaging, pagers, smart phones and/or personal computers (PCs). In lockdown situations, access control systems provide an emergency button with various triggers in the system – a hospital can lockdown specific units or the entire facility. Data capture form to appear here! Jim Stankevich, Global Manager – Healthcare Security, Johnson Controls/Tyco Security Products, points out that the safety of hospital staff, particularly nurses, cannot be overlooked. In the emergency room, 55 percent of nurses are assaulted in some way each year, which is a high percentage. The safety of nurses and all hospital staff deserves more attention. Duress/emergency notification technology Stankevich says one solution is to use duress/emergency notification technology: staff can carry and wear a ‘panic button” or have a two-key combination on their computer as an alarm trigger. When the staff member hits the panic button, a direct message can be sent to security, alerting security staff about the event and requiring a response. There has been an increase in demand for the safety and security of patients, staff and visitors at healthcare institutions, as evidenced by the recent CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) Emergency Preparedness Rule. As of Nov. 17, 2017, healthcare institutions that participate in Medicare or Medicaid must demonstrate compliance with the rule. Emergency preparedness systems A major challenge in compliance to this rule is balancing patient safety with comfort At its core, the rule seeks to establish national emergency preparedness requirements to ensure adequate planning for both natural and man-made disasters, and coordination with federal, state, tribal, regional and local emergency preparedness systems. A major challenge in compliance to this rule is balancing patient safety with comfort. Institutions should consider two-way communication that enables leadership to disseminate targeted messages quickly and efficiently, while arming all employees with a tool that can alert the appropriate staff should an incident occur. Solutions like this enable swift communication of issues without disturbing patients and visitors unless necessary. Effective response to emergencies “Fortunately, hospitals and their security departments are generally well equipped to respond to most emergency situations”, said John M. White, president/CEO of Protection Management, a consultant who works with hospitals to address their security needs. During the Ebola scare in 2014, however, hospitals had to re-examine their plans to ensure they were prepared to meet the challenges specific to rare and deadly disease. “Hospitals are prepared for most things, but Ebola seemed to have caught the whole world off guard, so people responded in different ways,” says White, who previously was security director of two multi-campus medical facilities before becoming a consultant. Hospital security Hospitals made adjustments to their emergency programs to determine how best to handle Ebola patients" He adds, “Hospitals made adjustments to their emergency programs to determine how best to handle Ebola patients and to protect other patients and staff. It was a new threat that healthcare organisations had not specifically addressed.” A particular concern was the possibility of an infected person walking into an emergency room and infecting other people and/or requiring facility decontamination. One role the hospital security department plays in such an emergency is to control access to the facility and to control visitors’ movements once they are inside the facility, says White. If the Ebola scare had progressed to the point that a hospital would need to screen patients, security would be positioned at the front entrance to help with that screening and, if necessary, to direct patients to a specific area for quarantine. Protective equipment Security might also need to wear protective equipment to handle a patient who is resistant to treatment, for example. There are often interactions between security personnel and the general public, a scenario that becomes more complicated if Ebola or a similar infection is likely. In general, security would be tasked with maintaining order and keeping people where they need to be, freeing up the medical professionals to do their jobs more efficiently, says White. To prepare for the impact of the Ebola scare, hospitals addressed various training and equipment needs and adjusted their disaster/emergency response plans. Read parts two and three of our heathcare mini series here and here.

One of the common characteristics of trade shows is booths with walls and walls of new products. Sometimes exhibitors seem intent on displaying everything in their portfolio, even though the displays appear cluttered and may not be welcoming. In an age of system sales, in particular, the emphasis on products can seem off kilter. Discussions with exhibitors at this year’s GSX show reveal a new awareness of the need for less cluttered booths, but the equipment walls persist. Here’s a review of Day 2 from the show floor.  Allegion embrace more open booth design At GSX 2019, Allegion is among the exhibitors embracing a new, more open booth design that encourages engagement with customers and puts less emphasis on product displays. Discussions at the Allegion booth have centred around the value proposition and lower complexity of network-connected access control systems. The approach has been gaining a higher profile at Allegion since the company acquired Isonas, whose system configuration involves a reader-controller connected to the network via power-over-Ethernet cable. “Customers are also asking about Bluetooth technology and mobile applications,” said Jonathan Mooney, Allegion sales leader. Allegion is looking to deploy the Isonas software in other products in their portfolio; it will be offered in the range of Schlage wireless locks by the middle of 2020.The benefit of the cloud and network is to remove a lot of complexity and unnecessary costs for access control" “The benefit of the cloud and network is to remove a lot of complexity and unnecessary costs for access control,” said Mooney. Bosch offer complete security solution Bosch is introducing 55 new products at GSX 2019, but when it comes down to it, the company’s overarching message is not about individual products but about how they can be combined into a larger system. “At the end of the day, the message from Bosch is ‘how do I create a complete security solution?’” said Paul Garms, Bosch Director, Regional Marketing Security. “That’s what we are trying to demonstrate: How do all these things integrate?” Most of interest to attendees are actual demonstrations, which are a unique aspect of the trade show experience. “It’s nice at a show where we can really demonstrate what we are talking about when we say ‘integrated solution,’” said Garms. “And people can say, ‘oh yeah, if I trip this video analytic, the speaker will warn me I am approaching a restricted area.’ Or, when the manager signs in on the intrusion panel, now the associate can access a door he wasn’t able to before. It’s that integration and the complete solution that resonates. People are also interested in new products. At a show, they like to see them in operation.” At the Bosch booth, there is a big wall that illustrates some integration possibilities. An array of cameras was among the 55 new products introduced by Bosch, which also emphasised systems. Machine learning and advanced video analytics One implementation featured on the wall is Bosch’s Camera Trainer machine learning system. The system can “train” a camera to recognise a car in a parking lot, for example. Among the new Bosch products is the Autodome 7000i, the next generation of a best-selling camera, now with H.265 encoding and analytics such as line crossing. There is also an outdoor panoramic camera that is adjustable to 180-degree or 360-degree views. The new, less expensive 3000i series cameras provide an affordable option with edge analytics and Bosch’s data security protection included. Integration from Honeywell as well as 'the bigger picture' At Honeywell Security Group, Senior Product Manager G. Eric Green said the show seems to be much better attended than last year, “and we have had a lot of interest in our products.” Even end-user attendees typical of the GSX show are interested in the details of technology, as well as “the bigger picture,” commented Green. “Some of our booth visitors want to get into the weeds,” he said. “They say they want this piece of hardware. But they also also interested in the big picture. How things are interacting is very important.” Honeywell announced the 30 Series IP cameras, which can be used as part of video systems that comply with National Defense Authorization Act Section 889" “Most customers have installed products from other vendors that they expect us to work with. So integration is always at the top of the list. Can you work with these guys? Do you have an API? Do you support this piece of equipment? We always hear that a lot,” said Green. “There are customers who want best-in-breed products, but they’re not necessarily concerned about that coming from one manufacturer,” he said. “Other customers want ‘one throat to choke.’ When something goes wrong, they don’t want any finger-pointing.” Web-based security console and frictionless access control Honeywell is showing a beta version of its Pro-Watch 5.0 product, which is coming out in Q1 next year. It is an integrated security console that provides a map view of access control, video management, intrusion and other third party systems. The web-based platform offers access to each element, all controlled by permissions. “We are also building in an incident workflow engine that allows an operator to see exactly what steps he should take when something occurs as defined by the supervisor or a security director,” said Green. “It can literally walk you through, and it is completely freeform. Whatever you want it to say, it will say. This works in conjunction with access control, video, and all the things we talk to.” The Honeywell booth was a busy place on day two of GSX 2019 Another new Honeywell product is the OmniAssure Touch reader, a “frictionless” device that can read a credential off a smart phone in a user’s pocket. The user merely touches the reader, and it scans the area for a nearby mobile device that is authorised, and you can walk through the door. Honeywell also announced the 30 Series IP cameras, which are encrypted and can be used as part of video systems that comply with National Defense Authorization Act Section 889. They are made in Taiwan. Arcules' cloud security solution “There are fewer people here at GSX 2019, but we have seen a lot of really big companies looking for a cloud service,” said Andreas Pettersson, CEO of cloud video company Arcules. At previous shows, questions about the cloud often seemed out of curiosity. Now, potential customers are more decisive: They say “we want to move to the cloud.” Pettersson theorised that concerns about a possible weakening economy may prompt some companies to avoid the large capital expenditure of procuring a new on-premise system and instead opt for the minimal investment needed for a cloud system. Monthly operating expenses of a cloud system are also predictable and more easily managed, said Pettersson.At previous shows, questions about the cloud often seemed out of curiosity. Now, potential customers are more decisive Arcules is proactive on the subject of cybersecurity and has a two-page handout that summarises the cybersecurity advantages of their system. They are eager to talk about cybersecurity as it relates to cloud systems, said Pettersson. He said that, in his experience, on-premise systems tend to have more cybersecurity issues,  whether because ports are left open or a firewall is implemented incorrectly. Users may also seek to bypass the firewall — a dangerous practice that is not an option with cloud systems. Security patches may not have been implemented; in a cloud system, such updates are pushed out automatically. The recurring monthly revenue (RMR) aspect of cloud systems are a windfall to integrators who embrace the cloud. “One integrator said he went on vacation for the first time in years because he had the extra money coming in,” said Pettersson. Control room integration from Vistacom "We're still fairly new to GSX, as our first show was 5 years ago, but what we have noticed is that the show continues to attract valuable attendees and drive critical conversations around what companies like ours must bring to the table in order to be successful in this space," said Dan Gundry, Director of Sales and Marketing, Vistacom. "We've had so many chances to learn from and share with potential customers and partners, and as a result, we continue to forge great relationships.” Vistacom is highlighting its control room integration and the value enterprise organisations can gain from implementing one in their facility. The company works alongside end-user customers and security integrators to build a command centre space, taking into account video wall display technology, operator consoles and furniture, audio and lighting considerations, as well as temperature and more, in an effort to optimise these centres. Stay tuned for the full GSX 2019 show review.

Ethics is a particularly important subject in an industry such as fire and security because the result of unethical actions might make the difference in life and death. For example, if an employee acts unethically when servicing a fire extinguisher, the result could be to burn down the building. Although ethics is not a common topic of discussion in the fire and security industry, perhaps it should be. Chubb Fire and Security is a company that provides an example of how an emphasis on ethics can benefit a company, their employees, their customers and the whole world. Fire safety and security risks “The fire and security industry is different than others because lives and people’s safety are on the line,” says Harv Dulay, Director of Ethics and Compliance at Chubb Fire and Security. “Our purpose is to protect clients from fire safety and security risks. This is a business where no one should take short cuts. It is important to do the right thing all the time, every time, and it’s about protecting lives and property.” At Chubb, we have a code of ethics, our ‘bible,’ that is issued to employees when they start" “At Chubb, we have a code of ethics, our ‘bible,’ that is issued to employees when they start,” says Dulay. “Within the bible are core fundamental rules about what’s acceptable and not acceptable. We lay it out for employees very specifically. They understand and embrace the code of ethics, which is based on trust, integrity, respect, innovation and excellence.” “If you get those right, the business moves in the right direction. A key piece of our ethics policy is based on trust. We relate to others with openness, transparency, and empathy. It makes Chubb a better place to work and enables us to provide better service to customers.” Fire audit For Chubb, ethics is not just theoretical, but ethical concepts play out every day in practical ways. An example might be an engineer who goes to a customer’s site and is asked to do a task that is outside his or her duties and/or not allowed under the ethics policy. The pressure might be even greater if the employee is struggling to meet a sales figure. The code of ethics addresses specific situations and outlines the behaviour that is expected. In another example, a customer asked a Chubb technician to forge a certificate saying the customer had previously passed a fire audit in order to validate his previous year’s insurance. Showing ethical integrity, the technician was able to cite the company’s Code of Ethics and refuse to do it. The technician also reported the situation to his Ethics and Compliance Officer. Customers benefit, too. Delivering ethics excellence It’s a message heard from the top down, from everyone in the company" One of Chubb’s sales associates immediately reporting a situation in which all the tenders and competitors’ prices were visible as they prepared a tender for upload to a customer portal. Not only did the sales associate deliver ethics excellence by reporting the issue, he also helped a grateful customer who thereby avoided anti-trust issues, says Dulay. “Ethics is not just a current issue,” says Dulay. “It’s embedded in our values and has been since the beginning. Ethics is making sure people do the right things.” Ethics is integrated into the Chubb business model, and everyone knows what is expected of them. “It’s a message heard from the top down, from everyone in the company.” On-line training modules Ethics discussions begin for employees at Chubb when they join the company; clear instructions about ethics are included as part of employee induction. There are nine modules of ethics training during employee orientation, and a discussion with an Ethics and Compliance Officer is part of the onboarding process. The training program includes information about ethics, company expectations around ethics, where to go for questions about ethical issues, and details of the anonymous ombudsman program. Additionally, field staff are trained by their supervisors via regular face-to-face ethics toolbox talks. Office staff complete a series of on-line ethics training modules regularly. A series of supervisor-led trainings encourage managers to deliver face-to-face ethics training to their team, citing real-life examples. Healthy discussions are encouraged to deal with any ‘gray areas.’ Worldwide implementation of data security Some 14,000 employees globally have multiple options when it comes to reporting an issue Dulay estimates that ethics and compliance officers spend about half their time answering questions and clarifying for employees what’s expected in the code of ethics. Some 14,000 employees globally have multiple options when it comes to reporting an issue, and there are full-time Ethics and Compliances Officers in every country where Chubb does business. A reflection of Chubb’s global approach to compliance is their worldwide implementation of data security requirements of Europe’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR); the company saw the benefits of the program for any jurisdiction. Training and education are part of Chubb’s investment in ethics. For example, a recent module on ‘respect in the workplace’ covered the need to create a company culture in which everyone feels respected. “Training and continuous communication are embedded in the organisation,” says Dulay. Managing potential conflicts proactively “We invest in the process,” says Dulay. “We have had employees who left the company and then come back. They realised the importance of ethics and rejoined us. We start with the foundation that we would rather lose business than give up our ethical standards,” says Dulay. Some business is not worth getting if you don’t adhere to your values" “We won’t abandon our policies even if there is money at stake. Some business is not worth getting if you don’t adhere to your values. We manage potential conflicts proactively by creating and instituting methods in which employees have access to tools they can use to be successful and adaptable in times of change,” says Dulay. “Also, we will not tolerate retaliation against any employee who reports wrongdoing – regardless of the outcome of the investigation.” Forming good ethics behaviour And while there is no specific monetary value assigned to good ethical practices, success can be measured. “We measure it by people’s conduct, the number of cases we have, and awareness,” says Dulay. “It’s good for employee morale, and it’s good for customers and our business. It’s not measurable, but it is fundamental for business and customers.” “The work we do as a company can impact people’s lives so it is important that everyone has an understanding of the importance of their role,” says Dulay. A common misconception about ethics is: “If no one is watching, it must be ok.” However, Dulay says it is the things employees do when no one is watching or checking in on them that form good ethics behaviour. During training, Chubb emphasises that ethics is about doing the right thing, all the time even if no one is watching.

Delta Scientific, the prominent manufacturer of counter-terrorist vehicle control systems used in the United States and internationally, announced that, on Monday, October 7, at approximately 7 am, a Delta MP5000 portable barrier stopped a stolen Dodge Ram pick-up truck at an entrance gate of the Naval Air Station - Corpus Christi. The stolen car was chased by the local police onto the base. The barrier then impacted the rear of the vehicle, disabling it. Simultaneously, the Air Station announced that an unauthorised person was on base and the facility immediately would go under lockdown with all gates secured to all traffic. Having taken flight after the truck was stopped by the barrier, the intruder was quickly apprehended within the hour and taken into custody by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. "This is the second attempted intrusion into the Naval Air Station - Corpus Christi in eight months," explained Greg Hamm, Delta vice president of sales and marketing. Control vehicle access "On February 14, a Delta MP5000 portable barrier stopped a stolen Ford Edge crossover SUV at the North Gate. The trespasser had driven across the base to escape but crashed into the Delta unit and erupted into flames. The driver was shot and killed." Delta's totally self-contained MP5000 mobile deployable vehicle crash barriers now carry an ASTM rating as high as M50, able to stop and disable a 15,000 lb (66.7 kN) G.V.W. vehicle moving at 50 mph (80.4 kph). They tow into position to control vehicle access within 15 minutes. No excavation or sub-surface preparation is required. Once positioned, the mobile barricades will unpack themselves by using hydraulics to raise and lower the barriers off their wheels. DC-powered pumps will then raise or lower the barriers. Once the event is over, procedures are reversed and the barriers are towed away.

ADT, a security and automation provider serving residential and business customers, announces a partnership to integrate mobile safety solutions into the Lyft platform. Extending ADT’s safety and technology to mobile applications will bring an additional layer of security to Lyft’s rideshare experience. With ADT’s mobile safety platform, Lyft seeks to give riders and drivers more peace of mind. The pilot will focus on an ADT-powered safety feature within the Lyft app that will discreetly connect Lyft users who feel unsafe - by voice or SMS chat - with a security professional at one of ADT’s owned and operated monitoring centers. Detailed incident information After contacting the user, or if there is no response, the ADT security professional will alert authorities as needed so they can arrive at the user's location, equipped with detailed incident information. “As a rideshare company with an exceptional commitment to rider and driver safety, Lyft is the ideal partner for ADT,” said Jim DeVries, President and CEO of ADT. When it comes to safety, there is no better partner for Lyft than ADT" “We look forward to working closely with the Lyft team as together we bring our industry-leading technology to rideshare riders and drivers. We continue to leverage our deep expertise, technology and the trusted ADT brand to expand our reach into new areas of security beyond the home and business. Partnering with Lyft broadens our exposure while enabling ADT to further realise our mission and belief that people deserve to be safer and more secure wherever they are.” Professional monitoring services ADT’s data-driven mobile safety solution provides Lyft with a platform to extend the safety and security of ADT’s professional monitoring services to its users within its mobile app experience. Beginning in early 2020, Lyft intends to pilot the ADT mobile safety solution in nine U.S. markets including Chicago, Los Angeles and New Jersey, with potential to implement nationally to Lyft’s 30 million riders and 2 million drivers. “When it comes to safety, there is no better partner for Lyft than ADT,” said Ran Makavy, EVP and Chief Product Officer of Lyft. “We are extremely excited to enter into this partnership and look forward to a meaningful, industry-leading collaboration.”

VuWall, the pioneer in video wall control and AV network management, announces that the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) successfully deployed VuWall's VuScape processor to monitor the launch of the satellites and their trajectory for the RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM). Installed by Applied Electronics, VuScape video wall controller shares and manages incoming content to the control rooms' video walls. Managing multiple surfaces and streams of information "The RCM will collect information from multiple satellites that is critical to maritime management, disaster management, and ecosystem monitoring in Canada," said Paul Vander Plaetse, CEO at VuWall. The CSA can manage multiple surfaces and streams of information, cutting down on the amount of cabling" "From a single VuScape processor, the CSA can manage multiple surfaces and streams of information, cutting down on the amount of cabling. This is an excellent example of how our affordable visualisation solutions can be scaled and tailored to meet the needs of any organisation — from the smallest to the largest and most mission-critical deployments — while adding capabilities that further the value of the system." Performing maintenance and control operations For the project, VuWall's VuScape processor shares the incoming information on the video wall in both mission control rooms and meeting rooms. Control room operators can easily configure and update the layouts as needed on each of the video walls, providing them with at-a-glance information that's vital for performing maintenance and control operations on the satellites that they are mandated to monitor. With a single VuScape processor driving multiple video walls in multiple rooms, the CSA is able to manage the access and control of each individual surface with user profile management, limiting access to view and/or manage video wall content only to authorised personnel.

As in every health facility, security for the Haute Savoie region’s new hospital presented a complex challenge. Access control required multiple checkpoints and access rights tailored to individual staff and contractors. Real-time control, enabling managers to respond proactively including by opening and closing doors remotely, was another essential. To meet their security challenges, managers selected Aperio® locking technology integrated online with an ARD access management system. Because Aperio® locks are wireless, the hospital could introduce many more layers of security and secure doors without incurring excessive installation or operating costs, including for sensitive offices and drug stores. Central access system software Secure 128-bit AES encryption protects communications between Aperio® lock, hub and system Now staff no longer carry key bunches or waste valuable time hunting down relevant keys. All their individual permissions are stored on a single, programmable RFID credential. Alongside standard wired locking, the hospital chose 1,300 Aperio® wireless escutcheons, 10 Aperio® wireless handles with integrated RFID reader, and 301 Aperio® wall readers. A network of 228 Aperio® communications hubs connects every Aperio® lock wirelessly to the central access system software. All these battery-powered Aperio® devices integrate natively with the centralised access system, so wired and wireless access points at Centre Hospitalier Métropole Savoie (CHMS) are managed together, with real-time management logs, remote door opening and free time slot management. Secure 128-bit AES encryption protects communications between Aperio® lock, hub and system. Maintaining access control autonomously “Having just a single badge — and not having to carry around heavy keys — has been a major advantage for us,” says Béatrice Dequidt, Health Executive at CHMS. “This solution's advantage is it represents a single site from an authorisation management and systems perspective,” explains Aurélien De Riols, ARD’s Eastern Region Director. One single, intuitive management interface enables security teams to administer and maintain access control autonomously, as well as streamline laborious everyday tasks. “We have implemented internal HR management procedures, creating badges that are automatically integrated into ARD's operating software,” adds Alain Gestin, CHMS’s IT Systems Architect. Aperio and ARD maintain compatibility of credentials with the French government’s electronic Health Professional Card (CPS), for added staff convenience. For every site user, the advantages of carrying a single RFID-enabled badge — instead of multiple keys — are clear.

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

Leon Medical Centers is a privately-owned healthcare organisation with seven state-of-the-art facilities serving over 46,000 elderly and Medicare patients in Miami and neighbouring communities in Dade County, Florida. Established in 1996 by Benjamin Leon Jr., Leon Medical Centers is one of the largest and most prestigious primary healthcare organisations in the state. However, what really sets it apart is its rigorously enforced service philosophy of ‘personal attention at all times’ and its commitment to treating its patients with the ‘dignity, respect, compassion and human kindness that they deserve.’ Mobile video recorders Leon Medical Centers began deploying previous-generation March Networks mobile video recorders in 2011 In keeping with its commitment to exceptional service, Leon Medical Centers operates a fleet of 230 buses that pick up patients, take them to their appointments and return them home. To ensure their safety in transit and monitor compliance with its service philosophy, it relies on an integrated March Networks® RideSafe™ video surveillance solution. Leon Medical Centers began deploying previous-generation March Networks mobile video recorders in 2011. “We had another vendor’s equipment up to that point, but the system couldn’t support IP video,” said Erick Martinez, Leon Medical Centers’ Security Systems Manager. “At the time, we were using analogue cameras and wanted to upgrade to higher definition video. We were also experiencing a lot of issues with hard drive failures.” Hybrid network video recorders In 2014, Martinez began upgrading to RideSafe GT Series Hybrid Network Video Recorders (NVRs), and now has 120 of the new mobile recorders in addition to almost 200 older March Networks mobile DVRs. The RideSafe GT Series recorders are available in 8, 12, 16 or 20-channel models with hybrid capability allowing end users to migrate from 100 percent analog to 100 percent IP video. An embedded Linux-based operating system, ruggedised design offering protection against shock, vibration, dust and moisture, solid state electronics, and internal battery backup make the RideSafe GT Series recorders ideal for reliable operation in punishing mobile conditions. A hard drive mirroring capability ensures redundancy and storage flexibility, while health monitoring proactively alerts system administrators to hard drive failures, irregular temperatures or synching issues with cameras. Safety of our passengers Our patients are elderly, so if there’s a slip and fall incident, we want to have evidence of what happened" Each Leon Medical Centers bus is equipped with six March Networks cameras. Five of the cameras are mounted to capture interior views and the last is used externally to capture video of passenger entry and exit points. “Our focus is on the safety of our passengers,” said Martinez.  “Our patients are elderly, so if there’s a slip and fall incident, we want to have evidence of what happened. We also use the system to confirm compliance with our service standards. Our drivers are the first and last points of interaction with our patients, so if there’s an issue, we want to be able to review and rectify it.” In the event of an incident in transit, the driver is able to push a button on the dashboard to tag the associated video. Diagnostic imaging services When the bus arrives at one of the clinics, the tagged video automatically down-loads through a Wi-Fi hotspot to a server for immediate review by Leon Medical Centers risk management personnel. While in range of a Wi-Fi hotspot, the system also downloads health alerts and can also upload any scheduled software updates or new device settings. For routine video downloads, there’s hardly ever a need for Martinez’s staff to board a bus. “Wireless downloading saves us a lot of time,” he said. “It makes incident reporting much more efficient when we need to have an issue resolved. It helps a lot.” The seven Leon Medical Centers are one-stop-shop facilities with onsite labs, pharmacies, diagnostic imaging services and dental clinics. Traveling to multiple locations Leon Medical Centers operates four Healthy Living Centers with modern gyms, exercise and yoga classes This convenient service model enables patients to see their family doctor or a specialist, have blood work done, get an X-ray and fill prescriptions without having to spend time traveling to multiple locations. Each center has a café, where patients can have a coffee and socialise. And to help patients stay fit, Leon Medical Centers operates four Healthy Living Centers with modern gyms, exercise and yoga classes, seminars and other programs. Patients who require surgery or a hospital procedure are picked up and delivered by Leon Medical’s bus transportation service. On arrival, they’re greeted and escorted to their destination by staff from Leon Medical’s Hospital Service Centers, which are located within all of the major Miami-Dade County hospitals. Aside from the seven centers and four Healthy Living Centers, Leon Medical operates a fleet maintenance garage and a 300,000 square-foot corporate headquarters. Video management software Martinez says that the fixed facilities are also being equipped with March Networks 8000 Series Hybrid NVRs, which are managed using the same March Networks Command video management software powering the mobile recorders. Having a single software solution to access and manage video - regardless of whether it’s recorded on a bus or in one of the medical centers - means that Leon Medical Centers doesn’t have to train staff on multiple software systems. It also provides the organisation with complete oversight of its clients and operations. Once again, it’s all about patient safety and service excellence. “If a patient loses a purse or a wallet, for example, we’ll be able to find it for them on one of our buses or in a clinic. Or if they have an issue with an employee, we’ll be able to review the video and take care of it,” said Martinez. Video surveillance infrastructure Martinez and his staff are trained to take full advantage of all the Command software functionality A Microsoft certified engineer, Martinez heads up a department solely focused on overseeing Leon Medical’s video surveillance infrastructure. “This department didn’t exist four years ago,” he said. “I was part of the IT department responsible for PC support. Mobile security was handled by transportation at the time. I thought it would be a good idea to create a separate department with IT expertise to look after mobile security, and senior management agreed.” Martinez and his staff are trained to take full advantage of all the Command software functionality. For example, they’re able to manage video viewing privileges to ensure users have access only to those cameras corresponding to their roles or responsibilities. They’re also able to take advantage of Command’s support for Microsoft Active Directory integration, which collects established user account information from Leon Medical’s corporate network directory. Patient safety and service excellence This allows them to select users from the company directory, assign a profile and customise their user interface to display the tools needed for their role. Looking ahead, Martinez and his team will be busy this year, as Leon Medical Centers continues to expand. We have four construction build-outs planned, including a four-story, 80,000 square-foot building" “We have four construction build-outs planned, including a four-story, 80,000 square-foot building and two parking garages - one six-floor and one seven-floor garage - so there will be opportunities for additional fixed video surveillance systems. Because we lease our buses for three years, we’re also always adding to our transportation fleet, so we’ll continue swapping out our 5308 recorders in favour of the newer GT Series.” “March Networks has served us well,” said Martinez. “Without a high-quality, reliable video surveillance system, we would have a much more difficult time fulfilling our commitment to patient safety and service excellence. It’s that simple.”

Video analytics are undergoing a fundamental change in the market as machine learning enhances their accuracy while expanding their capabilities. But what are those expanded capabilities and how are they impacting the operation of security and video systems? We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What new video analytics are having an impact in the market and how?

Fire and security systems are two elements of the same mission: To keep buildings and their occupants safe. However, the two systems often operate independently and may not be integrated. Should there be more integration and what are the pitfalls? We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What are the challenges and opportunities of integrating security and fire systems?

An aging employee population and the influx of a new generation of workers and customers is driving change in the physical security industry. Millennials – those born in the 1980s and mid-1990s – are especially impacting how the industry operates, the technologies it produces, and the customers it serves. This tech-savvy generation grew up with the Internet at their fingertips. They embrace innovation in all its glory and expect it to play a seamless role in their lives – and work. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: How are millennials changing how security systems are designed, installed and/or operated?