Mobile surveillance

Vintra, a maker of video analytics powered by machine learning and artificial intelligence, announces an integration with Genetec Inc., unified security, public safety, operations and business intelligence solutions. Genetec customers can now benefit from FulcrumAI, Vintra’s deep learning video analytics solution integrated with Genetec Security Center to deliver real-time, total-environment intelligence from any camera source, fixed or mobile. Vintra has built its proprietary deep learning-powered video analytics solution, FulcrumAI, from the ground up, and has optimised its machine learning models to take advantage of the latest GPU hardware and acceleration techniques. The company’s solution can now be easily deployed to augment the majority of enterprise-grade security, safety, and productivity needs and scenarios. The full power of FulcrumAI is now available as an SDK integration with Security Center. Users can quickly search massive amounts of video from PTZs, body cameras, drones, dash cameras, and mobile phonesAs cameras continue to get smaller, better, and more cost-effective, and surveillance goes mobile through the deployment of drones, dashcams and bodycams, organisations today are faced with an overwhelming amount of video data. FulcrumAI gives organisations the brain capable of analysing the burgeoning amount of video data streaming from fixed and mobile cameras, integrated directly into the Genetec Security Center platform.  Real-time alarms and alerts FulcrumAI integrates with Security Center to provide customers with rich analytics functionality as a task from within the familiar Security Center UI. Users can now easily create and activate both real-time rules for objects and face recognition-powered block lists from a tab within the Genetec software. Alarms and alerts generated by real-time rules are received in Security Desk’s Alarm Monitoring task. They are handled, identically, alongside any other alarms received by the system. Users can quickly search massive amounts of video from fixed cameras, PTZs, body cameras, drones, dash cameras, and mobile phones. Additionally, users can search for and set alarms on a growing list of descriptive attributes of objects such as people and vehicles, and within specific camera zones of interest. Relevant detections can be saved for investigative case reporting purposes. Prevents potentially harmful events We’re excited to be working with Genetec to bring deep learning, neural network-based analytics that provide proactive prevention"“The integration of Vintra’s FulcrumAI with Security Center can help prevent potentially harmful events from unfolding and know exactly where those might occur, delivering fast and accurate results as well as timely situational awareness,” said Jordan Jaumeau, Director of development partnerships at Genetec Inc. “The integration leverages Genetec Security Center UI, allowing Security Center operators to gather intelligence and make decisions using their familiar Genetec environment” added Jaumeau. “We’re excited to be working with Genetec to bring deep learning, neural network-based analytics that provide proactive prevention, increased situational awareness and post-event video forensics to our enterprise, public safety, and transport customers,” said Patrick Vermont, Director of Product at Vintra. “The exciting integration of FulcrumAI and Security Center means measurably better security outcomes, a reduction in operational costs and an increase in employee productivity for forward-looking organisations that are operationalising AI today.”

Fermax is delighted to announce that following the success of its stand at ELEX, Alexander Palace and Elex Manchester in March, it will be present at ELEX Professional Electrician shows throughout 2019. With over 20 years of providing Door Entry and Access Control solutions to the electrical sector in the UK, ELEX provides the perfect venue for Fermax to showcase its latest developments designed for the Electrical Sector including the DUOX 2 Wire Kit range and the WAY-Fi Door Entry kit, which allows for mobile phone connectivity with the Door Entry System. WAY-FI, a Plug&Play Door Entry Kit ELEX 2019 Forthcoming venues include: Harrogate - YEC Centre, 23rd & 24th May Coventry - Ricoh Stadium, 19th & 20th September Surrey - Sandown Park, 7th & 8th of November Unlike many DIY solutions launched in the mass market the Fermax WAY-FI kit is designed for the professional installer. Feature rich with a stylish flat screen, touch capacitive monitor the WAY-FI kit enables residents to control door access through their mobile phone as well as viewing images of previous visitors. The kit provides the complete solution with all essential components in a box: Panel, Monitor and Power Supply Unit. DUOX 2 wires system for a cost-effective upgrade The DUOX 2 Wire system range is the ideal solution for new installations or retrofit projects. Compatible with most types of cable including old intruder or BT cable the system only requires 2 cores to function, enabling quick cost-effective upgrade of old systems without the high cost of re-cabling. Able to cope with long cable runs well beyond the typical limits of 100 to 150 metres, 2 wire DUOX is also excellent for barrier and gate applications.

Avigilon Corporation, a Motorola Solutions company, has announced that Avigilon Blue, its video security as a service platform, is now available in Australia and New Zealand. Avigilon Blue video SaaS platform Powered by Microsoft Azure, Avigilon Blue is a subscription-managed video security platform featuring self-learning video analytics technology that detects the presence and movement of people and vehicles. When a potentially critical event is detected, the Avigilon Blue platform generates a notification to help businessowners effectively self-monitor their security operations, while also offering the flexibility for users to contract a professional monitoring provider to efficiently verify and respond to events that may need further investigation.  The Avigilon Blue platform enables video monitoring providers and integrators to remotely manage and service more customer sites with fewer resources. End-users benefit from easy web and mobile-enabled secure access as well as system upgrades that are pushed directly from the cloud, which help ensure systems remain secure and up to date. The platform’s architecture saves on bandwidth while making sure important video verification clips are archived in the cloud and accessible from anywhere. Avigilon video analytics “The Avigilon Blue platform is designed to bring Avigilon analytics to virtually any security camera and help our customers simplify monitoring and event verification,” said James Henderson, Avigilon's president. “We are excited to expand our cloud platform in Australia and New Zealand, bringing added value to our Partners and their customers in the region.”

Matrix ETERNITY NENX is a small yet powerful phone system for small businesses, offering advanced features and functionalities as available with enterprise grade IP-PBXs. Based on modular architecture and state-of-the-art design, ETERNITY NENX provides connectivity to CO (FXO), GSM/3G and VOIP networks from a single platform. Range of phone options such as Analogue, IP and Mobile extensions provides flexibility to communicate from anywhere and at any time. Furthermore, ETERNITY NENX offers integrated voicemail system, multiple auto-attendants and web based remote management. Built-in resources The Built-in Resources of the ETERNITY NENX are: 50 IP Users 8 VOIP Trunks 8 IP to TDM Calls 25 IP to IP Calls 6 Party Conferencing 8 Video Calls 4 Voice Mail Channels (Optional) 2 GSM/3G Ports (Optional)

Exabeam, the smarter SIEM company, announces that it has closed $75 million in Series E funding to accelerate worldwide efforts to displace legacy security management vendors. The latest round is jointly led by new investor Sapphire Ventures and Lightspeed Venture Partners, which have collectively backed nearly 40 IPOs. Other existing investors also participated. The funds will be used for expanding sales reach and to expedite new product features and configurations. In the last 12 months, Exabeam’s market perception has shifted from a user and entity behaviour analytics (UEBA) vendor to a leading SIEM provider. Recognising this, Exabeam was recently named a leader in the 2018 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Security Information and Event Management. Unique data sources Exabeam has a 72 percent win rate in replacement deals against incumbents During the last fiscal year, 76 percent of the company’s replacement deals eliminated legacy vendors, including IBM, McAfee, RSA, LogRhythm, Micro Focus and Splunk. In addition, Exabeam has a 72 percent win rate in replacement deals against these incumbents. Technology and services giant NTT DATA is just one example of a global deployment where Exabeam displaced multiple legacy SIEMs and the company standardised on Exabeam going forward. Since its $50 million Series D funding round in August 2018, Exabeam has also seen increased sales of its cloud offerings, on the heels of the release of Exabeam SaaS Cloud, which was launched and purchased by its first customer within the first quarter of this year. The company also expanded its sales team and Technology Alliance Partnership Program, which has already attracted more than 350 software and services vendors, representing integrations with nearly 2,500 unique data sources and APIs. Collective guidance “Over the last year, we’ve seen our strategic value increase, and our average deal size has grown by 100 percent from just two years ago. This is because we’re listening to our customers and delivering the innovative technologies they need, including, most recently, the ability to detect threats in the cloud. With the win rates we’re seeing and market opportunity in replacement business, we’re raising money to accelerate our go-to-market and enhance our products to bring additional innovation to modern SOC environments,” said Nir Polak, Exabeam CEO. Both Lightspeed and Sapphire have an incredible combined track record of spotting up-and-comers" He added, “Having recently backed groundbreaking public companies like Box, DocuSign, MuleSoft, Nutanix and Square, both Lightspeed and Sapphire have an incredible combined track record of spotting up-and-comers that will ultimately dominate their markets. Their collective guidance and support will only further our mission to keep our customers out of the breach headlines and take over the SIEM market along the way.” Streamlined threat detection Alongside the influx of big data driven by cloud applications and mobile devices, as well as increasingly sophisticated insider and external threats, Exabeam is scaling to meet the needs of the largest organisations globally. As a next generation security player founded in 2013, the company continues to disrupt the SIEM market with its flat, user-based pricing model and streamlined threat detection and machine learning-powered behavioural analytics—helping security operations centre (SOC) analysts work smarter. “We’ve chosen to back Exabeam because of the momentum the company has in a very large and important market. Nir and the team are solving the problems that legacy SIEM vendors don’t seem to realise they have, and to us, that demonstrated unmistakable value. Customers are consistently buying its full platform as a replacement for the offerings that once dominated the market to improve their security posture and conquer the hurdles of outdated technology and expensive, data-based pricing,” said Anders Ranum, managing director at Sapphire Ventures. Endpoint protection vendors Lightspeed is excited to double down on our investment in Exabeam" “As cyberattacks, cyberwarfare and corporate espionage are on the rise, Exabeam is enabling companies to analyse user behaviour and spot even the most subtle anomalies in a way no other SIEM vendor has. They’re in an ideal position to be the next big security disruptor, and we’re excited to be joining in their journey.” “Lightspeed is excited to double down on our investment in Exabeam,” said Ravi Mhatre, partner at Lightspeed Venture Partners. “Looking broadly at the security market in recent years, there have been several big exits from companies replacing legacy authentication and endpoint protection vendors. Security management is next, and Exabeam is well positioned to be the leader.” Exabeam has recently been named to Business Insider’s 30 Cybersecurity Startups that Will Blow up in 2019 and Silicon Valley Business Journal’s Best Places to Work in the Bay Area lists. It has also ranked No. 12 overall and No. 1 in security on Inc. Magazine’s 37th annual Inc. 5000, as well as No. 8 on the Wall Street Journal’s Tech Companies to Watch in 2018.

The inaugural Tech Security Summit met at the Sheraton Grand Nashville last week. Combining DICE Corporation’s annual DICE User Group Conference with a series of educational sessions and panel discussions, the April 29-May 2 event provided a platform for leaders in security and alarm monitoring to meet and examine new technology and revenue growth opportunities in an evolving industry. DICE Corporation President and CEO Cliff Dice kicked off day one with an energising keynote presentation, explaining his inspiration behind launching a new conference platform. “I had the idea for a tech security summit because a lot of people in the security industry were coming to us asking if we could contribute to more panels and be part of the discussion.” Security technology companies For almost 30 years, you have turned to us to provide the best solutions you trust to run your businesses" “We are the predominant infrastructure provider in the industry, so it made sense that we would explore new ways to bring those leaders together with our engineers and expand our annual summit to include everyone in the industry,” Dice said. The recent news of other security technology companies being sold and restructured was also discussed in the keynote, with Dice assuring attendees of the company’s commitment to remaining a family business focused on quality and customer satisfaction. “We are not selling,” Dice said before discussing some of the company’s highlights from the last year. “For almost 30 years, you have turned to us to provide the best solutions you trust to run your businesses. This is a family business and we have a long-term vision to keep operating the company from one generation to another,” he said. Alarm automation software Much of the week’s sessions focused on value and usability. The company’s new CloudEye cloud video recording product stood out as a prime example of the company’s ability to streamline an in-demand technology without compromising functionality and performance. Jerry Corrion, DICE Corporation’s chief software architect, addressed the growing need for off-premises surveillance storage and gave attendees and in-depth look at the technology’s simple setup, the CloudEye Connect mobile tool, and how dashboards and integrations with alarm automation software provide additional advantages.  DICE Corporation’s recently announced integrations with Microsoft’s Dynamics 365 financial management system DICE Corporation’s recently announced integrations with Microsoft’s Dynamics 365 financial management system was also a frequently discussed topic. As the first to bring integrated accounting to the security industry, the implementation of Dynamics 365 with the company’s Matrix web applications provides new opportunities for users, including fully automated reporting of RMR and attrition and reporting of industry metrics such as EBITA (earnings before interest taxes and amortisation). Educational opportunities Industry-specific dashboards and business intelligence tools were also showcased by the engineers behind the integrations. In addition to product information and educational opportunities, networking was a large component of the Tech Security Summit experience. Platinum sponsor ACKData sponsored outings at well-known Music City institutions like Famous Saloon, which offered a taste of Nashville to attendees. From sampling the city’s legendary barbecue to participating in line dancing, industry professionals were able to socialise with DICE staff and get to know the people behind the technology they use every day. “Downtown Nashville was the perfect backdrop for our evening networking events,” said Amy Augustin, director of marketing and communications for DICE Corporation. “Being able to get together outside of the summit setting gives us more opportunities to connect and grow as tech producers and users.”    Panel discussion The final day of the Tech Security Summit focused on training opportunities and panel discussions The final day of the Tech Security Summit focused on training opportunities and panel discussions. Joshua Greko outlined new additions in UL, including the changes that will affect monitoring centers going forward. An introduction to level one operator training was offered by the Monitoring Association as part of their Five-Diamond designation program to certify monitoring centers. The event concluded with a panel discussion featuring David Sylvester and Stephen Rubin of Davis Mergers & Acquisitions Group and Barry Epstein of Vertex Capital discussing topics related to acquisitions and the effects of changing markets in the security industry. For Cliff Dice, the 2019 Tech Security Summit proved to be a worthwhile experience in providing another source of information about new technology available to the security industry. “I’m really pleased with the new Tech Security Summit format. By providing a user-focused platform for our customers, tech experts, and security professionals, we were able to do something that was truly different and beneficial for the industry.”

There’s almost no installation that goes 100-percent smoothly in the field of video surveillance. Unexpected issues routinely arise that can increase time on the job, cost of the project and frustration. Manufacturers work on the product side to help ensure their products are easy to install and – when troublesome situations do arise – are flexible enough for installers to quickly find a remedy. Importance of ease of installation Ease of installation is a very important part of the project to the system integrator because the cost of labour is variable  Ease of installation is a very important part of the project to the system integrator because the cost of labour is variable and can be very expensive. In some cases, the cost of labour to install a camera can be more than the cost of the camera! If labour costs are high – or are more expensive than a system integrator planned – they can lose a great deal of money on a project. If a cautious system integrator includes too high of an estimate for labour in a project bid, his overall bid will to high and it could cost him the project. The easier the camera is to install, the lower the labour cost, subsequently achieving higher savings for end-users. Hence it is essential that camera manufacturers develop products that are easy to install or are flexible in the field for system integrators and installers who know that time is money. Enterprise projects can involve thousands of cameras installed Simplifying installation of cameras Camera installation typically involves an electrician, the camera installer and the person who configures the VMS (Video Management Software). Of course, one person can play all three roles, and in many cases, does, but enterprise projects can involve dozens, hundreds or even thousands of cameras with teams of individuals involved in an installation. The electrician runs conduit with an electrical or PoE (Power over Ethernet) connection to the housing or the backplate of the camera; the installer then installs the camera at that location, hooking it up to power; and then a configurator adds cameras to the network and makes adjustments – renaming the camera, setting the frame rate, enabling WDR (Wide Dynamic Range), and the like. When it’s a project that involves different players for any of these functions, there is the potential for a bottleneck and delay in project completion. And if a system integrator is paying an electrician, installer and software configurator – and they are all three on site waiting for each other to finish – that’s a system integrator’s worst-case scenario. Enhancement through modular cameras Video surveillance camera manufacturers like Hanwha Techwin are producing products that take different roles Video surveillance camera manufacturers like Hanwha Techwin are producing products that take the different roles of electrician, installer and configurator into consideration, allowing them to complete their tasks independently. With a focus on modular design which includes a USB dongle, a device manager, magnetic module and included accessories, the Wisenet X series Plus is one of the fastest cameras to install, service and upgrade – saving installers time and money. Wisenet X series Plus cameras have a detachable camera module that utilise magnets to lock into the housing for instant configuration. Electricians can run conduit with a single PoE connection to the back plate/housing while the configurator is working on configuring the camera module, allowing security professionals to later snap the camera into place in just minutes. The VMS configurator can then come and add the cameras to the network and program their functionality. Modular cameras offer flexibility  In the past, an end user might determine after the camera is installed that there aren’t enough pixels on target, or they need certain different functions like video analytics for example, resulting in the time-consuming replacement of the entire camera. With modular-designed cameras, the camera module can be swapped with a new one without having to focus or replace the camera – even to change the resolution or field of view, also Wisenet X series Plus has optional PTRZ modules that can be remotely adjusted to the field of view and the position of the camera lens. Making camera adjustments in the field is also now easier and perhaps even safer. Installers have been known to climb a ladder and juggle a bulky laptop to access the network to be able to see video of how the camera is positioned. Or they’ve had to use analogue video output to view the video feed on a separate monitor which provides the field of view, but not megapixel quality. Using a smartphone, the installer can wirelessly see full and not cropped quality video directly from the camera Wisenet X series Plus cameras have a USB port that allows installers to connect it to a small dongle that converts the camera to a Wi-Fi device. Using a smartphone, the installer can wirelessly see full and not cropped quality video directly from the camera. It’s a much easier way to evaluate video while at the camera. Eliminating the second person looking at live view on a computer guiding through a cellphone to the installer to accurately point the camera to the proper position. If system integrators can do some of the legwork prior to even getting on site, it can reduce cost and improve efficiency. Imagine having 300 cameras ready to send to a project site. To configure those cameras, a system integrator has to take each camera out of the box, plug each into a switch, configure it, take it off of the switch and put it back in the box. To improve this process, camera manufacturers have now developed packaging that provides access to the camera port without even having to remove it from the box. It’s an innovative solution that saves time. Modular cameras have optional PTRZ modules that can be remotely adjusted to the field of view Software programs help in enhancing installation Whether it’s a one-man show or a team of electricians, installers and configurators, software programs can greatly enhance the installation process. Device managers are important tools in adding multiple cameras to a project. Using that 300-camera project, for example, it’s easier when a manufacturer has a device manager that allows the mass programming and configuration of cameras. Adding 300 cameras one by one is time consuming and leaves room for error when making so many multiple entries. A device manager should be able to scan the network and locate its devices, allowing them to be grouped, configured and much more. Every video surveillance camera project is going to have its ups and downs. But camera manufacturers can do their part in the production process to address the many issues known to slow down progress. It’s impressive that many are taking the lead in producing innovations like modular camera design, flexibility in the field and accessible packaging that can truly reduce installation cost and improve efficiency.

By 2020, video surveillance using fixed, body and mobile cameras is expected to capture an astounding 859 PB of video daily. Increasing retention regulations and higher resolution cameras, are forcing the video surveillance industry to reassess its approach to data storage. Large capacity primary storage tends to be expensive to procure and costly to implement – especially without a sound architecture that can balance storage performance levels with the speed of access needed to recall video footage. Active archive strategy These challenges are thrusting storage tiers to the forefront of system design. Storage tiers in video surveillance had previously meant simply using a separate archive or attaching add-on capacity directly to network video recorders. Many of the new storage options designed for video surveillance are pulling together different storage tiers into a single storage architecture Many of the new storage options designed for video surveillance are pulling together different storage tiers (and in some cases storage media) into a single storage architecture, such as an active archive solution. This balance can be achieved with an active archive strategy that automates migration of data between different storage types, to ensure the data is on the correct storage type at the correct time to meet performance and retention requirements without blowing the budget. This approach also ensures ease of access while automatically moving content from more expensive tiers of storage to more cost-effective long-term tiers of storage. This allows for greater efficiencies in how recorded footage is treated throughout its lifecycle. In some cases, it includes moving data from edge devices to centralised storage, and then to the public cloud. Scalable video storage solutions As storage demands have increased, video management vendors have turned to storage specialists for solutions that can accommodate large numbers of high-resolution video files, metadata associated with the footage for easy searching, along with much needed scalable solutions. In terms of video management software, this means the integration of video content from different storage types, tiers and physical locations is required, and which considers the performance profile of each storage type. With an active archive solution, video content is searchable and accessible directly by the end users regardless of where it is stored. Deploying an active archive solution enables surveillance users to reduce the complexity and costs of managing data for long term retention As seen in many product categories, camera and storage vendors continue to provide extremely competitive offerings. But, storage-specific solutions for video surveillance have lagged behind the roadmaps for video equipment and, as more and more cameras have entered the market, less attention has been placed on video storage capacities. Tiered storage strategy The surveillance industry has evolved considerably from the days of the 8mm video recorder; however, enterprise storage solutions will be forced to evolve further to cope with changing storage retention requirements. Video storage is quickly becoming one of the most expensive parts in a surveillance solution, but there is hope. Deploying an active archive solution will enable surveillance users to reduce the complexity and costs of managing from terabytes to petabytes of data for long term retention. By finding a storage solution that delivers the ability to implement a tiered storage strategy, users can adhere to regulation requirements to retain video footage and meet their safety and security objectives, while also significantly reducing storage costs and operational expenses.

Small business owners work hard. They are often the first ones there in the morning and the last to leave at night. Even then, they likely bring their work home with them. During that time, everything they do is aimed at making their business as successful as possible. Because of this, many business owners don’t take vacations, and if they do, they spend a lot of time worrying about their business while they’re away. In both cases, the potential for burnout is tremendously high. The primary concern for these individuals is loss, whether from theft, waste, vandalism or other causes. Depending on the degree of the loss, it can have a devastating effect on small business. Therefore, professional security solutions must be top of mind for these businesses. Small business owners can take advantage of advanced technology that can help them work smarter, not harder Video surveillance for small businesses One technology that can address loss, the feeling of helplessness that comes from not being on site and more is video surveillance. Sadly, it’s not always on the radar for small business owners, many of whom think video surveillance is very expensive and out of reach. But that couldn’t be farther from the truth. There are high-quality, relatively inexpensive solutions that don’t require much, if any, configuration, allowing an installer to place cameras, run cable, plug cameras into the recorder and use software to get end users up to speed on remote access. Best of all, almost all of these solutions come with a mobile app or other means of accessing video—both live and recorded—remotely from a smartphone or tablet. In a world where our phones have become our lifeline to a lot of information, including email, banking, inventory management and more, a security system simply has to provide this type of access. Given the availability of cost-effective video surveillance solutions and their ease of use, small business owners can take advantage of advanced technology that can help them work smarter, not harder in a few key areas. Video surveillance solutions come with a mobile app for accessing video remotely from a smartphone or tablet Efficient incident monitoring Having a high-quality video surveillance system with proper coverage means that any time an incident or loss occurs, a small business owner can go back and find it on the video and identify exactly what happened. For example, if something goes missing from a retail store, reviewing the video will reveal exactly what happened, when it happened, how it happened and—depending on lighting, camera resolution and field of view—possibly who took it. Video systems can also be valuable from a liability perspective. Slip-and-fall claims are not uncommon, but in many cases they turn out to be false. Thankfully, cameras can provide video that will support or refute a claim. Without video, such incidents could be costly for small businesses. A simple review of recorded videos will solve any mystery and eliminate the potential for a long argument with no evidence Video recording for incident verification Another example would be a customer who claims they were shorted on the change they received from a cashier. Rather than taking the time to count the money in the drawer and reconcile that with receipts, a small business owner could simply review video from a camera placed above the point of sale to determine if the customer’s claim is correct or if they may have been mistaken. This feature can also help alleviate or avoid a potentially awkward or difficult situation when there’s a difference of opinion with a supplier. Say for instance a delivery driver claims he or she brought three cases of product to the back door, but there are only two cases in the stockroom. A simple review of the video that’s been recorded will solve the mystery once and for all and eliminate the potential for a long, drawn-out argument with no evidence one way or the other. Smartphones for remote monitoring It’s natural for small business owners to feel stressed when they’re not at their physical location. After all, they’re the ones who have invested in the business and are responsible for making sure it runs smoothly and profitably from day to day. For small business owners with surveillance systems, vacations can become not only a reality but also the relaxing time they are supposed to be. For small business owners with surveillance systems, vacations can become not only a reality but also the relaxing time Rather than sitting on a beach and worrying about whether the store opened on time or if employees are doing what they’re supposed to be doing, an owner can pull out his or her smartphone, log in to remotely to the video system and know for sure. That peace of mind is invaluable for small business owners. This is also helpful for business owners with multiple locations. Because no one can be in two—or more—places at once, a video surveillance system can provide eyes and in some cases ears at a location, which can be accessed at the click of a button. Video surveillance for training For a small business, it’s imperative that employees follow established policies and that staffing levels are maintained at the most efficient level possible. These are two other areas where video surveillance can help. If a small business owner sees that something isn’t being done properly, whether by a single employee or if the problem is more widespread, he or she can use video for training purposes. They can sit down with the employee or employees to review the video and explain the proper policies and procedures. Conversely, video can be used to demonstrate proper techniques or even to recognise employees for a job well done. From a staffing standpoint, reviewing video could reveal unexpectedly busy or down times Maintaining staffing levels From a staffing standpoint, reviewing video could reveal unexpectedly busy or down times. A business owner can review video from 3 p.m. on a Saturday to see how many customers are in a location and determine the ratio of employees to customers. Looking at a variety of times over a period of weeks or months could help determine optimal staffing levels, which may lead to the decision to increase staffing on Saturday afternoons when a store is busy. This will help improve customer experience and potentially increase sales. Motion detection for accurate access control Cameras can be deployed with motion-detection sensors to alert business owners when someone enters a certain area, whether during or after business hours. In many cases, detected motion can trigger an alert and/or a video clip to be sent to the business owner’s smartphone so they can review and verify whether something is out of the ordinary. These deployments could be set up to monitor a variety of locations, such as an office, safe, doors and other sensitive areas at all times or just during specific hours. If motion is detected during off hours, the business owner can view video and alert police that an unauthorised individual is at their business. Surveillance videos can be used to demonstrate proper techniques or even to recognise employees for a job well done Cybersecure video surveillance systems From a cybersecurity perspective, manufacturers are constantly releasing firmware updates to protect cameras from malware and/or unauthorised intrusion. Once someone has accessed any device, all systems and devices connected to the same network become vulnerable. Updating these devices tends to be an afterthought for small business owners, who may either forget or simply not have the time to do it. So it should come as no surprise that these important updates often go uninstalled. Today’s advanced video systems overcome this obstacle with easy updating, which can be performed by small business owners or installers to ensure constant protection. Other systems are available with auto-updating capabilities, which remove the onus from small business owners completely. Today’s advanced video systems overcome cyberthreats with easy updating Cost-effective surveillance solutions These are just a few of the many benefits video surveillance systems offer small business owners. What’s important to note is that for each to be successful requires having to have the right camera for the right environment. For instance, a camera positioned at the back door of a business has to have wide dynamic range to deal with changing light levels throughout the day. A camera used to monitor transactions must offer high enough resolution to identify bill denominations. Today’s solutions are cost-effective, easy to use and offer the flexibility to monitor operations from anywhere at any time – giving small business owners the power to work smarter, not harder to grow their bottom line.

The Emerging Technology Zone (ETZ) at ISC West welcomes new startups to the security industry; a requirement for exhibitors is that they have been in business for five years or less. This year, the ETZ will be in the Venetian Ballroom, a new section at ISC West 2019, incorporating companies that were previously featured in the “Global Expo” area along with mid-sized domestic companies and the return of the successful Emerging Technology Zone section. Now located in the Venetian Ballroom adjacent to the Sands Convention Center, this group of exhibitors will also have three large entrances of their own. Latest technology companies The ETZ will be a draw in and of itself and will do better for us than being on the main show floor" “The Emerging Technology Zone is a place for attendees to see the latest technology companies all in one place, rather than searching out individual companies all over the main show floor,” says Tom Buckley, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, for Qumulex, a 2019 exhibitor in the Emerging Technology Zone (ETZ). “The ETZ was an easy choice for us and is, in fact, the deciding factor in our taking a booth,” says Buckley. “As a technology startup, we wanted to be located with the other new companies. The ETZ will be a draw in and of itself and will do better for us than being on the main show floor.” Consistent customer lifetime Qumulex (Booth 40932) was formed in late 2018 by the founders of Exacq and Infinias. The new mobile-first, unified video surveillance and access control platform enables security integrators to increase recurring revenue and achieve consistent customer lifetime value, says Buckley. ”We are launching in the fall of 2019 but are exhibiting at ISC West due to early interest from security integrators wanting an early preview of what is coming.” Also among the 40 or so exhibitors in the Emerging Technology Zone will be a range of new technologies, from artificial intelligence (AI) to cloud solutions to wearables to lighting solutions and more. Video analytics platform Simple, intuitive situational awareness platform that gives first responders a tactical advantage Another ETZ exhibitor is ZeroEyes (Booth 40821), an intelligent video analytics platform, powered by AI, to detect weapons and recognise faces in real time. The company’s goal is to provide school administrators and decision-makers with a simple, intuitive situational awareness platform that gives first responders a tactical advantage. The company was founded by five former Navy SEALS with a combined 50 years of combat experience. “Our platform is being developed right now and has hit an inflection point where artificial intelligence and graphics processors are both capable enough and cost effective,” says Mike Lahiff, ZeroEyes CEO. “This technology is just at the point where it is ready for a wider release and not just for early adopters.” The company will be doing live demonstrations of the product in real time. “It is one thing to tell everyone our capabilities, but it is much more powerful to show our capabilities,” says Rob Huberty, ZeroEyes COO. “We will have cameras set up that are typical of school security systems. These cameras will be linked to the best available hardware on the market. We will showcase our software as it will actually be used in practice.” Companies at ETZ Last year’s Emerging Technology Zone, located downstairs on the lower level of the Sands Convention Center, had a lot of foot traffic and created positive feedback. Some of last year’s Emerging Technology Zone companies are exhibiting in the main exhibit hall this year, emphasising its role as a ‘stepping stone’ as new companies enter the market and then achieve critical mass. This year’s ETZ exhibitors will be looking for a similar level of results from the show. Our expectation is to demonstrate the huge value proposition in proactive security solutions in schools" “We will quantify our success at ISC West in the number of partners and integrators that decide they cannot live without our product,” says Lahiff. “Our expectation is to demonstrate the huge value proposition in proactive security solutions in schools. We want to have partners after the show ready to install our product.” Pre-show preparation will help ensure success. “We are inviting prospects and arranging demos ahead of time,” says Buckley of Qumulex. “Success at any trade show starts before the show. We’re fairly certain about the turnout we will get and the level of interest that integrators will have. We are sending out invites to several thousand security integrators to gain early interest. We also have a suite off the show floor for more in-depth demos.” Affordable solutions The Emerging Technology Zone, along with the other exhibitors in the Venetian Ballroom, will be among the must-see highlights of ISC West. “Attendees will get to see the future in security,” says Huberty. “They will see actual solutions that are affordable and make sense. These solutions will have a clear value proposition.”

The 2018 FIFA World Cup tournament is bringing 32 national teams and more than 400,000 foreign football fans from all over the world to 12 venues in 11 cities in Russia. Fans are crowding into cities including Moscow, St. Petersburg and Kazan. Given continuing global concerns about terrorism, security is top-of-mind. Protection of the World Cup games in Russia is focusing on an “integrated safety, security and service approach,” according to officials. Combining the term “security” with the terms “safety” and “service” is not an accident. An aggressive security stance is necessary, but at the end of the day, fan safety is paramount, and a service-oriented approach ensures a positive fan experience. Medical responders will be working side-by-side with police and antiterrorism personnel. Risk management best practices We asked Sean T. Horner and Ben Joelson, directors of the Chertoff Group, a global advisory firm focused on best practices in security and risk management, to comment on security at FIFA World Cup 2018. Although not involved in securing the 2018 World Cup, the Chertoff Group is experienced at securing large events and enterprises using risk management, business practices and security. Integration is another important aspect of protecting the games, says Horner. The use of multiple resources, including Russian military, intelligence and law enforcement, will be closely integrated to provide the best security for the large-scale event in each of the host cities, he says. The approach will be centralised and flexible, with resource deployment guided by effective situational awareness. Primary security and emergency operations centres will be dispersed throughout each host city “There is a unified command structure at the Russian Federation level, and they will keep resources in reserve and shift them as needed to various events and venues based on any specific intelligence, in effect deploying resources where threats are greatest,” says Joelson. “There will also be some regional commands, and resources will incorporate a spectrum of police and military personnel ranging from the ‘cop on the beat’ to the Spetsnaz, the Russian ‘special forces'.” Primary security and emergency operations centres will be dispersed throughout each host city, and additional forces can be shifted as necessary, he notes. Role of law enforcement In Russia, the lines of separation between law enforcement and the military are not as stark as in the United States, for example, where military forces are restricted from deployment for domestic law enforcement by the Posse Comitatus Act. In Russia, there is no such restriction.  A broad range of technology will play a role at the World Cup, Horner and Joelson agree. Technology will be used primarily as a force multiplier and a decision-support tool for security personnel. There are robust CCTV systems in many Russian cities, and mobile CCTV systems, such as camera towers or mobile security centres on wheels, will also be deployed. Technologies will include infrared cameras, flood lights, and ferromagnetic screening systems to scan hundreds of individuals as they walk by. In some locations, facial recognition systems will be used, tied into various intelligence, military and law enforcement databases of known bad actors. Behaviour analytics will be used as a decision-support tool. In addition to security in public areas, private CCTV systems in hotels, at transportation hubs, and inside the venues themselves will be leveraged. Video analytics and detection will help personnel review live view of people who may be acting suspiciously or who leave a bag unattended. In some locations, facial recognition systems will be used, tied into various intelligence, military and law enforcement databases of known bad actors Rigorous anti-terrorism measures A Fan ID card is required to enter the 2018 World Cup Tournament, even for Russian residents. The Russians have an aggressive stance against domestic terrorism, which will also help ensure the safety of the World Cup games, say Horner and Joelson. Terrorist group ISIS has promised “unprecedented violence” at the games, but they make similar threats at every major global event. Russia has been an active force disrupting ISIS in Syria, and experts suggest that losing ground geographically could lead to addition “asymmetric” terrorist attacks. However, Russia is leveraging all their intelligence resources to identify any plots and deploying their security apparatus to disrupt any planned attacks, experts say. Russia’s rigorous anti-terrorism measures include a total ban on planes and other flying devices (such as drones) around the stadiums hosting the World Cup. Private security In addition to military, intelligence and law enforcement personnel, private security will play a have a high profile during the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Private security personnel will be on the front lines in hotels and in “fan zones.” They will operate magnetometers at entrances, perform bag checks, enforce restrictions on hand-carried items, etc. Private security will be especially important to the “guest experience” aspects of protecting the games. Private security will be especially important to the “guest experience” aspects of protecting the games Another private security function at the World Cup is executive protection of dignitaries and high-net-worth individuals who will be attending. Executive protection professionals will arrive early, conduct advanced security assessments before VIPs arrive, and secure trusted and vetted transportation (including armoured cars in some cases.) VIPs will include both Russian citizens and foreign (including U.S.) dignitaries attending the games. Private security details will be out in force. Aggressive security approach Overeager and outspoken fans are a part of the football culture, but Russia will deploy a near-zero tolerance policy against hooliganism and riots. An overwhelming force presence will take an aggressive approach to curbing any civil disturbances, and offenders will be removed quickly by Russian security forces. Strict restrictions on the sale and consumption of alcohol will be enforced in the venue cities before and after the matches. Officials will also be cognisant of the possibility of a riot or other event being used as a distraction to draw attention from another area where a terrorist event is planned. It will be a delicate balance between deploying an aggressive security approach and preserving the fan experience. Joelson notes that freedom of speech is not as valued in Russia as in other parts of the world, so the scales will be even more tipped toward security. “The last thing they want is for things to get out of control,” says Horner. “The event is putting Russia on the world stage, and they want visitors to walk away safely after having a great time and wanting to go back in the future.” Attendees should also have good situational awareness, and keep their heads up, scanning crowds and identifying unsafe situations" Precautions for World Cup attendees Attendees to the World Cup in Russia should take some basic precautions, Horner and Joelson agree. For example, Russia requires a translated, notarised letter explaining any prescription drugs. The country has a more aggressive foreign intelligence environment, so visitors cannot depend on their data being private. Joelson recommends the usual “social media hygiene” and privacy settings. Visitors should not post information about their travel plans or locations, and it’s best to travel with a disposable mobile phone that does not contain personal information. Location tracking should be deactivated. Travellers should also beware of talking and sharing information with others, or of saying anything derogatory. “They should also have good situational awareness, and keep their heads up, scanning crowds and identifying unsafe situations,” says Joelson. “If you bring a personal electronic device, you should expect that it has been compromised,” says Horner. Text messages and email will not be private, and he suggests creating an email address used only for travel. Don’t leave drinks unattended. Travellers from the U.S. should register at the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) operated by the U.S. State Department. “Plan before you travel and before you get to the airport,” says Horner.

Working together to develop an intelligent body-worn camera for public safety users, Motorola Solutions and artificial intelligence (AI) company Neurala are demonstrating how AI can be added to everyday devices such as smart phones using existing hardware platforms.  AI software, working at the “edge,” provides the capability to add AI functionality to existing cameras, such as Motorola’s Si500 body-worn camera. An agreement to develop the products follows Motorola’s strategic investment in Neurala in January 2017. “The technology is real, as our prototypes have demonstrated,” says Massimiliano “Max” Versace, Neurala CEO. “The technology will mature dramatically by the end of the year.” A final, marketable product from Motorola might be a year or more away, and the timing will depend on extensive testing in the meantime, he says. The goal is to enable police officers to more efficiently search for objects or persons of interest, such as missing children or suspects. Adapting hardware for artificial intelligence Neurala’s learning capabilities “at the edge” are hardware-agnostic; its software-only focus enables the principles of artificial intelligence to be applied to a variety of hardware platforms, including low-cost platforms used inside smart phones. Typically, cost and the need for speed are limitations that determine what hardware can be leveraged using the software. The goal is to enable police officers to more efficiently search for objects or persons of interest, such as missing children or suspects In the case of the Motorola body-worn camera, AI functionality is being added to existing hardware in the device, which is much like a smart phone encased in the form factor of a body-cam. Today’s smart phones include cameras, gyroscopes and accelerometers to provide sufficient data to drive AI applications. Software adapts existing hardware to transform them into AI devices capable of continuous learning in the field. Finding missing people in crowds Neurala and Motorola are promoting the new agreement with a use case of how a policeman’s body-worn camera could help find a missing child in a crowd. A network “pushes” a photo of a missing child to a network of 1,000 body-worn and/or dashboard cameras in the field, which employ AI to search for the child within each camera’s field of view and then provide an alert when a match is found. The cameras operate passively, without involving police officers, in effect automating the process without police officers having to look at every face in a crowd. AI’s contribution is to eliminate the need for humans to do repetitive or boring work, such as look at hours of video footage. Neurala began working in AI 11 years ago, long before the current buzz in the market. In a sense, awareness has caught up with the company, which has been developing its technologies ahead of the curve. “The same technology could be applied to closed circuit cameras to detect other objects,” says Versace. “The Neurala Brain is neural network software that can be trained to find a variety of objects, such as backpacks or vehicles, in the air or on the ground.” AI’s contribution is to eliminate the need for humans to do repetitive or boring work, such as look at hours of video footage Adding AI to existing security devices Other applications are also being developed. For example, Neurala has applied its technology to help the Lindbergh Foundation fight poaching of elephants and rhinos in southern Africa using video from drones as part of its Air Shepherd Program. Neurala’s software helps human analysts by searching through terabytes of video, including infrared, in real time as the drone is flying, pinpointing animals, vehicles and poachers during the day and at night. Versace expects the first applications of AI on existing products, including cameras and drones, before it is applied to robotics and other new applications. In effect, Neurala provides a “brain plug-in” that can add AI to change an existing solution from a passive sensor to a device that is “active in its thinking,” he adds. AI is here to stay, says Versace. “The market should know that AI has reached a point of no return. Companies that don’t use AI will be left behind. It’s the way to go to amplify your output.” Does Artificial Intelligence threaten humans? However, the technology isn’t perfect and shouldn’t be expected to be. “It’s still a growing technology, so you can’t expect 100 percent correct performance, especially if you deploy it in a constrained environment such as a cell phone,” says Versace. “AI can approximate 90 percent of a human’s ability to detect an object, and it’s tireless and can work 24 hours a day. It’s a liberating technology that takes on jobs that are not interesting, such as looking for a backpack on a computer screen.” AI tends to engender anxiety among some, with people like Elon Musk warning of an existential threat of the technology and a coming AI apocalypse. We should all relax, says Versace. “It’s a liberating technology,” he says. “Anyone who talks about AI as dangerous is not an AI expert. The less you know about AI, the more alarmist you are.” He suggests the physical security market should “learn more about it so they won’t be so scared.”

Neath Port Talbot residents have been given a road safety boost in the form of a new Mobile Enforcement Vehicle (MEV). It has been supplied by Videalert, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of intelligent traffic enforcement, video surveillance and management solutions, which was awarded the contract after due procurement process. Mobile enforcement vehicle “Indiscriminate and dangerous parking around Neath Port Talbot will no longer be tolerated,” said Councillor Rob Jones, Leader of Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council. “The newly purchased mobile enforcement vehicle seeks to challenge those drivers who choose to park on school keep clear markings, within clearly defined bus stops and on pedestrian crossings with no thought for the safety of others. It is hoped that this MEV vehicle will help to further ensure greater safety and protection for pedestrians and other road users as we progress through 2019.” It is hoped that this MEV vehicle will help to further ensure greater safety and protection for pedestrians" As part of an ongoing campaign, the council’s road safety team carried out a county-wide School Gate Parking campaign in partnership with South Wales Police and the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service. This included banners to be displayed outside all schools to raise awareness as well as delivering education to all pupils - encouraging them to be a positive influence on their guardians taking them to and from school. However, it was determined that enforcement for persistent drivers was the most effective way to tackle this growing road safety menace. ANPR and Digital Video Platform The Mobile Enforcement Vehicle (MEV) comes equipped with two roof-mounted high-tech ANPR cameras and two colour cameras to capture contextual video evidence of vehicles whose drivers have chosen to contravene traffic orders across the County’s territories. The on-board systems are controlled by one of the Council’s Civil Enforcement Officers using a dashboard-mounted touchscreen. All contravention evidence data is transferred to Videalert’s Digital Video Platform in the parking office at the end of each shift. The Videalert system automates the construction of video evidence packs which are reviewed by trained council operatives prior to sending confirmed offences to the back-office processing system for the issuance of penalty charge notices to the registered keepers of vehicles. Road and residential safety The winning entry of ‘iPatrol’ was submitted by a pupil at Gnoll Primary School In order to promote the safety messages to younger residents, the Council’s Road Safety Team also engaged with all Primary School pupils in a competition to name the vehicle. The winning entry of ‘iPatrol’ was submitted by a pupil at Gnoll Primary School who was presented with a Chromebook, sponsored by Videalert, by Neath Port Talbot Council Mayor Cllr Dennis Keogh at the Mayor’s Parlour in Port Talbot on Thursday, January 24th. According to Tim Daniels, Sales and Marketing Director at Videalert: “This new generation of multi-purpose mobile enforcement vehicles (MEVs) gives Councils greater flexibility in the way that they can deal with a wide range of moving traffic and parking contraventions.”

This year’s Super Bowl LIII American football game to determine the champions of the National Football League (NFL), has been protected by 360 Vision Technology’s ruggedised-Hybrid Invictus PTZ camera. The cameras were deployed as part of Security Centres International’s high-performance Mobile Advanced Safety Tower (MAST) rapid deployment camera solution. In all, 10 rapid deployment MAST units were deployed in various areas surrounding the brand new, Mercedes-Benz Stadium and State Farm Arena in Atlanta Georgia. With over 1 million fans expected to participate in Super Bowl and the 10-day fan festival, the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), was keen to complement the existing CCTV networks around the grounds and mass transit point footfall areas, such as bus and rail stations. HD surveillance imaging MAST is the only product of its kind that would readily integrate into the existing CCTV infrastructure" Stuart Bostock, Executive Group President at Security Centres International explains why the 360 Vision Invictus camera based MAST system was chosen by MARTA: “Featuring world-class HD surveillance imaging, leading-edge design, robustness, zero infrastructure requirements and seamless Video Management System (VMS) integration, MAST is the only product of its kind that would readily integrate into the existing CCTV infrastructure. Additionally, MAST benefits from a significantly smaller footprint than similar trailer based stand-alone surveillance systems.” “MAST has been developed to answer the need for a more sophisticated and flexible surveillance system for infrastructure and public space safety, including large crowd gatherings, as in this application. MAST is unique, as it combines a rapidly deployable unit with some of the most advanced safety and surveillance technology available – the very reason why we selected 360 Vision Technology’s Invictus camera for its core imaging technology.” Full 1080P HD PTZ camera Invictus’ low-power consumption greatly assists the longevity of critical battery power when deployed in the field" Mark Rees Managing Director of 360 Vision Technology added: “360 Vision Technology’s Invictus is a high-performance, ruggedized all-in-one PTZ camera with full 1080P HD and ultra low-light camera technology - making it the perfect choice for off-grid temporary/rapid deployment mobile surveillance rigs, such as MAST. Additionally, Invictus’ low-power consumption greatly assists the longevity of critical battery power when deployed in the field – extending MAST’s operational performance for deployment in more remote applications.” “The Invictus camera’s unparalleled mix of competitive cost and advanced Predator low-light camera imaging technology makes it the perfect imaging component for the innovative MAST system.” MAST units at Super Bowl LIII The use of the MAST units integrated to the existing fixed camera points during Super Bowl LIII week proved a huge success with high-definition images transmitted back to the MARTA Emergency Operations Centre via a mobile network. System operators were able to identify and tackle a number of incidents Thanks to the high quality of images received, system operators were able to identify and tackle a number of incidents, including a vehicle theft. Additionally, the images were also used to predict areas of dense footfall, tackle crowd control safety issues, and manage general health and safety concerns. The deployment of the Invictus based camera system at Super Bowl LIII proved such a success that plans are already in place for deployment at other large-scale US sporting events, including the NCAA Final Four Basketball Championship in 2020 and for city centre deployment across Atlanta.

As increasing digital engagement powers forward in the hospitality industry, SALTO Systems has joined forces with the KeezApp technology platform to offer hotels an unrivalled guest experience. Property management systems The KeezApp platform provides a range of solutions for any property that hosts guests and is able to integrate with most PMS (Property Management Systems) on the market. Guests can check in from anywhere, receiving a virtual key straight to their smart phone and getting an alert when their room is ready for occupation. The front desk is then alerted when the guest has used the mobile key to enter their room even for doors equipped with offline electronic locks. The virtual app provides for access to all permitted areas of the hotel during their stay and when the time comes to check out, guests can again use KeezApp removing the need to queue at reception. KeezApp – SALTO software integration KeezApp has implemented JustIN Mobile key access technology and interfaced it with SALTO front desk management software ProAccess SPACE Additional tools include live chat with the front desk. This provides a better, more efficient way for guests to talk and interact with the front desk whether they are in the hotel or out and about. Guests can also choose different departments to contact such as reception, concierge, housekeeping or room service depending on their needs. KeezApp has implemented JustIN Mobile key access technology and interfaced it with SALTO front desk management software ProAccess SPACE. SALTO Hospitality add-ons include functionalities such as mobile keys (BLE), group check-in; real-time re-rooming and real-time extended stay. These plus other key hotel features make it easy to control all the offline and online rooms and back-of-house doors from different front desk guest workstations. SALTO electronic locks Both companies are driven by the opportunity for hotels to provide a superior guest experience to their clients, whether by offering mobile functionalities or superior management standards like quick check-in and check-out, online billing, live chat with reception, housekeeping and concierge or auto Wi-Fi connection for guests. SALTO welcomes new partnerships with industry leaders like KeezApp that will result in improved hospitality management and the guest experience. SALTO also continuously adds integrations with other technology providers so that those in the hospitality industry have a choice when it comes to which platform, they use to control SALTO’s robust line of electronic locks and supporting products.

Digital Barriers, edge-based IoT surveillance and security technologies solutions provider, has announced that its cutting-edge facial recognition technology was successfully deployed at The O2 in London to enhance security at both The BRIT Awards (“BRITs”) in February and the National Television Awards (“NTAs”) in January this year. The technology was used to screen guests at multiple entrances at both events, which had a combined television audience of more than 10 million viewers. “After a series of demonstrations with facial recognition providers, we selected Digital Barriers for our live trials. Their holistic approach, analytic technology and partnership with human verification worked perfectly in a real-world deployment,” said Stefan Thompson. Digital Barriers – SRI partnership  At the O2, Digital Barriers partnered with Super-Recognisers International (SRI), whose trained staff identify faces in crowds, enabling them to respond quickly to any matches on the system. Digital Barriers provides mobile apps linked to its facial recognition system, enabling face-to-face secondary verification and the super recognisers were fully trained in this technology. Digital Barriers has the best facial recognition technology of any I’ve seen, and I’m excited to join" Digital Barriers has also announced that following this successful partnership, Kenny Long, SRI’s co-founder and COO, has joined Digital Barriers. “As an expert in people identification I’ve seen every solution on the market,” he said. “Digital Barriers has the best facial recognition technology of any I’ve seen, and I’m excited to join.” Facial recognition system at O2 Arena Digital Barriers and SRI have agreed to partner together wherever there is a requirement to combine facial recognition and specialist operators. “This is a unique offering anywhere in the world,” Kenny Long explained, “and I look forward to working with my former colleagues.” “The O2 is the world’s most popular music and entertainment venue, we’re continually reviewing our security measures. The use of facial recognition is proving to be a valuable enhancement to the security and safety of the venue, its guests and staff. The trials with Digital Barriers have been successful and we’re committed to creating a safe and secure venue for all our fans, staff and performers,” said Paul Williams, Senior Security Manager at The O2. “There are multiple companies in the facial recognition field making claims as to what their technologies can do in the real-world – most have never deployed at scale successfully and rely instead on exaggerated marketing,” said Zak Doffman, CEO of Digital Barriers. “We work with government agencies around the world. Our technology is field-proven in the hardest operating environments. We are delighted with the successful deployments at The O2 and that Kenny Long is joining us. Both attest to the world-class quality of our technology.”

Integrity Security Group is using SmartTask’s SmartForms to gain added visibility and dramatically cut down on its administrative burden. Having adopted the employee scheduling and mobile workforce management software last year for the provision of proof of attendance, control room management and staff rostering, the company is now using its electronic data capture functionality to streamline a range of operational processes. Initially, SmartForms are being used for vacant property and mobile patrol inspections as well as daily vehicle checks, already saving more than 15 hours of admin a month. SmartTask SmartForms The SmartForms replace previous paper-based processes that were increasingly difficult to manage by the office-based admin team “We are now using the SmartTask SmartForms to help reduce administration, capture critical work data and enforce health and safety procedures,” explains James Chittil, General Manager at Integrity Security Group. “We are constantly looking at clever ways to take advantage of the software’s rich functionality, so we can continue to simplify and enhance the way we operate.” The SmartForms replace previous paper-based processes that were increasingly difficult to manage by the office-based admin team. All reporting for vacant property and mobile patrol inspections – for both scheduled patrols and alarm activations – are now completed using a SmartTask-enabled smartphone. By electronically capturing all relevant information, including photo evidence, Integrity can quickly provide customers with a status update and details of all undertaken work as well as respond to any identified issues. Vehicle checks and fleet management Meanwhile, daily vehicle checks for Integrity’s fleet of vans are now completed using a specially-developed SmartForm, so the company can instantly see if drivers are complying with this health and safety procedure. Any vehicle-related problems or damage can be raised by the driver and actioned immediately by the admin team to mitigate fleet risk. Mileage data is also captured through the software, enabling maintenance requirements to be tracked and scheduled at appropriate intervals. “The SmartForms are enabling us to dramatically reduce paperwork and remove manual processes. This is making it much simpler for both our security officers in the field and our office-based admin team to capture, collate and communicate essential operational data. This is not only helping us make better use of our valuable resources, but also enhance the service we are providing to customers,” added James Chittil. Paul Ridden, CEO of SmartTask commented: “Our experience within the security sector means we are continually developing new functionality that overcome real-world problems for our customers. This is the reason we are working in partnership with a growing number of security businesses who recognise the value they can gain and the benefits they can achieve from using the SmartTask software.” Integrity selected SmartTask to replace an outdated time and attendance system, enabling it to effectively monitor the whereabouts and welfare of staff Lone worker protection Integrity selected SmartTask to replace an outdated time and attendance system, enabling it to effectively monitor the whereabouts and welfare of staff as part of its commitment to lone worker protection. The company is also using the intelligent rostering functionality to streamline internal planning processes, while the interactive dashboard supported the launch of a dedicated, out-of-hours control room operation by providing a live view of all scheduled shifts and expected or missed check calls. SmartTask is an advanced and simple-to-use employee scheduling and mobile workforce management solution that enables security companies to better plan and manage their workers, so they are at the right place, at the right time. The cloud-based software solution combines intelligent rostering, live monitoring and integrated proof of attendance across both static and mobile teams, making it the ideal tool to improve operational control, enhance customer satisfaction, and support duty of care to staff.

More and more police forces in the EU are getting equipped with bodycams. Recently the State Police of Niedersachsen in Germany, the Police of Mechelen in Belgium and the Police in the Czech Republic have signed contracts for the supply of bodycams by Dutch company Zepcam. Body worn video (BWV) and body worn cameras (BWC) Body worn video (BWV) and body worn camera’s (BWC) improve the safety of law enforcement officers Body worn video (BWV) and body worn camera’s (BWC) improve the safety of law enforcement officers, increase transparency and supply video-evidence for criminal investigation purposes. Surveys in the US, where bodycams are used for years now, show that they de-escalate aggression or have a civilizing effect on police-citizen encounters, thus reducing complaints. Also, police forces want to use bodycams as a countermeasure against the public shooting more and more videos of incidents on their smartphones. Unlike public videos, footages captured by law enforcement can be admissible in court. Zepcam, bodycams supplier for police forces globally Zepcam already supplies bodycams to police forces in 15 countries like Switzerland, Germany, Hong Kong and The Netherlands. The Dutch company is global supplier in Europe, with clients in over 40 countries. It both manufactures and supplies the camera systems and the IT structure which automatically stores and processes the captured footages. Zepcam has seen and enormous increase in the use of bodycams by law enforcement in the past five years The State Police of German State Niedersachsen has ordered 500 bodycams in a 4-year contract. Zepcam has won this tender because its cameras and software platform made the best match with requirements of field users and the central IT department. The region of Mechelen is the first police zone in Belgium to deploy bodycams on a large scale. Zepcam was selected after a test period with 7 different bodycam suppliers. Video management software (VMS) integration The Czech Police in the Central Bohemian Region purchased Zepcam bodycams for law enforcement purposes. Also, the company will assist the police force to expand and integrate the new video management software in the management software that is used in over 80 locations in the Czech Republic. Zepcam has seen and enormous increase in the use of bodycams by law enforcement in the past five years. According to the company the cameras help reduce aggression and allow for better transparency. For instance, because situations tend to de-escalate when people know they are being recorded.

The reviews are in, and ISC West was another hit. Brisk attendance and a comprehensive lineup of the industry’s top companies and products contributed to another successful show for Reed Exhibitions. Our Expert Panel Roundtable, who have attended many such events, added their own reflections to the industry’s post-ISC glow. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: How successful was ISC West 2018 for security industry exhibitors and visitors?

Body-worn cameras are becoming more common every day, driven both by needs of the marketplace and technology developments. However, questions remain about the usefulness of the devices, and their future role in promoting safety and security. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What are the challenges of body-worn cameras for the security industry?

How mobile telephones have transformed into “smartphones” is one of the great technology stories of our time. What once was a single-function device now can do almost anything – display video, pay for groceries, monitor our health. The smartphones we carry in our pockets today have more computing power than the “super computers” of yesteryear, and that power has found many uses in a seemingly endless array of “apps.” Some of them are directly related to our physical security systems. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What security applications are best suited to smartphone apps?