Network monitoring

Digital Defense, Inc. has announced the availability of its Frontline.Cloud integration with Attivo Networks, the award-winning leader in deception for cybersecurity threat detection. Digital Defense’s Frontline.Cloud vulnerability management and threat assessment platform identifies high-risk/critical assets with business context that are highly vulnerable to exploits, remain unpatched, are unpatchable or have already been infected in real-time. Integration with Attivo Networks Frontline.Cloud is the industry's only true threat asset risk posture assessment app built for hybrid cloud environments The integration with the Attivo Networks BOTsink solution allows administrators to quickly and confidently make strategic decisions on where to dynamically deploy additional deception technology assets to enhance their deception deployment and further misdirect attackers. This gives organisations the advantage of time to detect, analyse, and stop an attacker even as their risk posture and critical assets change. Frontline.Cloud is the industry's only true on-demand vulnerability and threat asset risk posture assessment app built for hybrid cloud environments. Frontline.Cloud lets security teams focus on identifying and prioritising the most important assets to proactively harden them against an attack without requiring agents. Frontline.Cloud security platform Frontline.Cloud utilises data from the BOTsink solution to provide risk-based intelligence and for dynamically deploying additional deception technology assets to augment the current deception environment. Additionally, Frontline.Cloud enables security teams to be more effective in identifying compromised assets and assets under immediate attack in order to quickly misdirect attackers and prioritise remediation of the most important systems based on business context. Securing IoT/ICS Networks A significant security capability for ICS networks and critical infrastructure is drawing attackers away from these systems and detecting how they are trying to exploit vulnerabilities. This is especially true in environments where it is often a challenge to patch systems due to limited access and minimal maintenance windows or, in many cases, no patch for a known vulnerability is even available. Attackers continue to exploit different types of vulnerabilities, compromised systems and blind spots in infrastructure" “Attackers continue to exploit different types of vulnerabilities, compromised systems and blind spots in infrastructure. We are now seeing them target critical infrastructure and IoT devices because of the difficulties in patching those assets,” said Larry Hurtado, CEO of Digital Defense. “Security teams have been challenged with identifying and tracking dynamically changing assets, understanding risk in real-time and prioritising patching efforts, while Digital Defense provides the solution to help security teams address these challenges, it is now time to turn the tables on attackers.” Effect threat detection “Attivo has an extensive deception fabric for accurately detecting and derailing threats and the partnership with Digital Defense further ups the game against attackers,” said Tushar Kothari, CEO of Attivo Networks. “The ability to automatically deploy Attivo deception based on shared vulnerability insights provides a unique and innovative way to reduce risk while increasing the difficulty of an attack. It is a powerful example of how organisations can proactively strengthen their security posture while also building out an Active Defense.”

Pulse Secure, the provider of software-defined secure access solutions, is pleased to announce new partnerships with Westcon EMEA, Nuvias Group and Spectrum Networks, to deliver Pulse Secure authorised training courses to its reseller partners and customers across EMEA. Following on from the successful North American launch of the authorised education training course curriculum earlier in the year, the Pulse Secure training and certification programme has authorised new partnerships to prepare customers and reseller partners for the Pulse Secure certified technical expert certification exams in the following countries: United Kingdom, France, Sweden, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Portugal, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. Secure access solutions Pulse Secure has always made its training towards certification available virtually" “Pulse Secure has always made its training towards certification available virtually,” said Sudhakar Ramakrishna, CEO of Pulse Secure. “Now by expanding our authorised education partnership base of providers, we can fulfill our business objective of delivering secure access solutions for people, devices, things and services by offering instructor-led, in-person, hands-on training in local languages.” “As a technology training organisation, we have always focused on imparting the right skills needed for the successful implementation of products and solutions in the vendor, partner, customer ecosystem. We are excited to collaborate with Pulse Secure to add value in this space,” added Sanjeev Singh, MD of Spectrum Networks DMCC. Training and education “Now is a great time for partners to join the Pulse Secure access now partner programme, and we’re delighted to be selected as an ATC partner. This will help our partners gain extra knowledge, helping them differentiate in the marketplace and grow their business. Now is a great time for partners to join the Pulse Secure access now partner programme" "Adding training services to our deep knowledge of Pulse Secure solutions means partners can invest in a relationship that will pay dividends in the long-term. As with all our training and education, our goal is to increase partner profitability and the value they bring to their customers – all from a single, trusted source,” said Sam Paris, VP EMEA of Services and Renewals Westcon at Comstor. Implementation consultants The Pulse Secure training and certification programme includes training courses designed to help network engineers, enterprise system architects, technical support specialists and implementation consultants to successfully deploy and maintain Pulse Secure products and services. After completing the training course, participants are prepared to take the Pulse Secure certified technical expert exams. Local classes will begin in June 2019 and will include training for: Pulse Policy Secure (PPS) - deployment, implementation and configuration; Pulse Connect Secure (PCS) - administration and configuration; and Pulse Secure vADC - administration and configuration.

Partitioned systems and a new evidence vault with cryptographic fingerprinting are among a cluster of improvements for Inner Range’s intelligent access control and intruder detection system, Integriti. Version 19 system update The Version 19 system update is expected to be available to all new and existing Integriti customers in June. The update introduces ‘partitioned sites’, which allows security managers to create users and other global entities that only exist within the partition they were created in. This is particularly useful for multi-tenanted buildings because the partitions are completely isolated and invisible to users in other partitions. The evidence vault allows files to be stored securely without taking up space in database back-ups The evidence vault allows files to be stored securely without taking up space in database back-ups. Users can add MD5 and SHA-256 cryptographic hashes to ensure files are not tampered with, while CCTV footage and snapshots associated with certain alerts can be automatically saved to the vault. Fine grain permissions allow the operator high levels of control over who can store or retrieve evidence items. Enhancements in the Version 19 update: An overhaul of Integriti’s CCTV interface so it now supports multiple standard layout configurations and is more user-friendly. Operators can now synchronise users and access events with Kone’s next-generation ACI HLI lift platform. Anew ModBus TCP Slave allows third parties to use the Modbus protocol to monitor and control doors, areas and other inputs. High-level camera and alarm integration is now possible. Integrated devices, such as cameras and intercoms, can trigger inputs in Integriti’s intruder detection system. Tim Northwood, General Manager at Inner Range, said: “The ability to automatically save images and film to a secure place without bloating back-up files - and adding cryptographic hashes for extra security - is a great addition to Integriti’s offer. As is the ability to separate system users into isolated partitions. These features – and all our latest enhancements - offer genuine improvements for access and security.” Integriti intelligent access control system Integriti is our flagship intelligent integrated access control and intruder detection system" “Integriti is our flagship intelligent integrated access control and intruder detection system and it continues to evolve to ensure clients get robust safety and security from an intuitive system that security managers want to use.” Inner Range will be showcasing these enhancements for Integriti as well as new capabilities for its flexible yet budget-friendly Inception access control system at IFSEC International on June 18-20 at ExCel London at Stand IF1030. The Inner Range stand will include eight large screens to demonstrate the manufacturer’s access control systems and software in action. Inner Range will also be taking part in the event’s ‘Show Me How’ series of demonstrations, with an Inception challenge for installers and integrators. Intelligent security solutions expert Inner Range has been a world leader in the design and manufacture of intelligent security solutions since it was established in 1988. More than 150,000 Inner Range systems have been installed in over 30 countries. Customers include hospitals and high-security units, colleges, distribution centres and pharmaceutical companies, government and critical national infrastructure.

CNL Software, globally renowned Physical Security Information Management (PSIM) software firm, is pleased to announce that it will be showcasing the latest enhancements to its IPSecurityCenter PSIM solution as an ecosystem partner on the MOBOTIX stand IF1330 at IFSEC International 2019. MOBOTIX is a global manufacturer of high-quality intelligent IP video systems and sets standards for innovative camera technologies and decentralised security solutions with the highest level of cybersecurity. IPSecurityCenter PSIM solution CNL Software will demonstrate how its PSIM technology helps increase situational awareness, integration and management of vast estates of sensors, systems and devices as well as a wide range of enhancements to enable large-scale federated systems to support critical national infrastructure. With over 15 years of development, IPSecurityCenter leads the PSIM market with its features With over 15 years of development, IPSecurityCenter leads the PSIM market with its features, performance and sophistication and boasts a continuous development program that recently added advanced biometric authentication to the platform. Ever-increasing global IoT devices Every year billions of dollars are spent developing new technology to help reduce new threats as they emerge. And this means more data. By 2025 there will be 75 Billion Internet of Things (IoT) devices online, that is almost 10 devices for every person. CNL Software will discuss what this means for the industry and how security professionals can help to prepare for more information inside of the control room. “We are delighted to partner with MOBOTIX at IFSEC and look forward to meeting with their extensive ecosystem to discuss how we can build on our technical partnership," says Adlan Hussain, VP Marketing - CNL Software. "One of our strengths is our ability to work with leading technologies within the security, life safety and facilities management industries. We have developed an open platform and adopted an open approach to working with our partners which enables the creation of cutting-edge solutions that leverage data to solve complex security challenges.” Mission-critical security systems Providing a single view of all of an organisation's mission-critical security systems, IPSecurityCenter helps increase emergency preparedness, deliver intelligence to the point of need and provides process guidance to enhance security responses. Beyond the timesaving and efficiency benefits of automation, IPSecurityCenter enables processes that are essential to any modern security department; including scheduled reporting, dashboard overviews, incident logs, continuous process improvement initiatives, training drills, system healthcare checks and much more.

Qognify – the technology solution provider for physical security and enterprise incident management solutions – has launched Umbrella. The new web-based management platform leverages significant cost savings by managing large distributed video surveillance systems centrally in the cloud. In recent years, video surveillance projects have become larger and more complex, demanding more resources and increasing operational costs. Altering the configuration of multiple sites is time-consuming and monitoring the health status of all servers and cameras across every location is a challenge. As a consequence, organisations frequently over-spend on technical expertise and unnecessary licenses, as well as potentially exposing themselves to regulatory risk. Organisations frequently over-spend on technical expertise and unnecessary licenses Qognify new product is aimed at solving these challenges and is fully integrated with Qognify’s video management software (VMS) Cayuga. The web-based Umbrella can be hosted in the cloud (including Microsoft Azure and AWS) as well as on premise. Remote configuration Once installed, Umbrella provides a consolidated view of all servers and cameras across every connected installation, highlighting those, which require attention. Furthermore, if any company-wide changes are required to be made to how the video system operates (e.g. caused by changes in regulations such as GDPR), they can be configured and rolled-out remotely and immediately. Umbrella is well-suited for organisations in the banking, retail, logistics and transportation industry, which operate large-scale branch networks with hundreds of sites and thousands of cameras to be managed and place a premium on their physical security strategy. Umbrella was unveiled at Qognify’s EMEA launch event in Germany on May 9 in Karlsruhe, giving key partners and end customers of Qognify the opportunity to learn more about the new combined company after the acquisition of OnSSI and SeeTec at the end of 2018.  Enterprise-class video solutions Umbrella is born out of our commitment to delivery truly enterprise-class video solutions" Vice President of Research & Development at Qognify, Chen Porat, comments on value the new technology delivers: “Centralising system monitoring, administration and license management through Umbrella, enables organisations to be more proactive and effective in the way they operate and maintain their surveillance camera networks, regardless of scale or complexity.” Steve Shine, CEO of Qognify, adds: “Qognify is one of the leading solution providers for video surveillance and Umbrella is born out of our commitment to delivery truly enterprise-class video solutions. Launching Umbrella, we want to fundamentally change the way organisations deploy, use and manage technology to protect people, customers, assets and infrastructure.” Umbrella is now available to organisations using Qognify’s Cayuga video management system.

Inner Range’s access control system, Inception has been upgraded with a dedicated app and the ability to integrate with the Milestone Access platform. Inception access control system Inception is Inner Range’s powerful yet budget-friendly access control and security alarm system. New and existing customers can now use the Sky Command App to control access remotely. It allows interactive control and live status of areas, inputs, doors and outputs as well as simple or multimode area arming options. Push notifications can be sent to smartphones helping security managers stay alert to any changes on site. Integration with Milestone XProtect VMS Multiple Inception systems can be integrated with a single Milestone system for multi-site monitoring A new integration with Milestone XProtect video management system allows the Inception controller to become the security and access mechanism supporting the Milestone system. Multiple Inception systems can be integrated with a single Milestone system for multi-site monitoring. The integration means live access and alarm events can be sent to Milestone, allowing a wide range of actions to be triggered within the Milestone system, such as operators being able to compare video footage to a user’s photo to grant access. Customised notifications The latest update for Inception also includes the ability to customise notifications that are sent to security managers about events on site as well as the capability to secure the Local Area Network (LAN) and detect if a module has been substituted without permission. A warning now indicates if the LAN is not secured and any detected module substitutions are automatically reported. Tim Northwood, General Manager at Inner Range, said: “These enhancements add to Inception’s competitive advantage, offering easier and smarter access for security managers, the option to integrate with Milestone XProtect and even better security when it comes to the LAN and rogue module substitution. Inception is a now an even greater access and security system for power and flexibility that’s also quick and easy to install and won’t break the bank.” Integriti intelligent security solution Inner Range will showcase new capabilities for its flagship intelligent access control system, Integriti Inner Range will be showcasing these enhancements for Inception as well as new capabilities for its flagship intelligent access control and intruder detection system, Integriti, at IFSEC International on June 18-20 at ExCel London at Stand IF1030. The Inner Range stand will include eight large screens to demonstrate the manufacturer’s access control systems and software in action. Inner Range will also be taking part in the event’s ‘Show Me How’ series of demonstrations, with an Inception challenge for installers and integrators. Inner Range has been a provider in the design and manufacture of intelligent security solutions since it was established in 1988. More than 150,000 Inner Range systems have been installed in over 30 countries. Customers include hospitals and high-security units, colleges, distribution centres and pharmaceutical companies, government and critical national infrastructure.

Where are video surveillance cameras headed? At the core of next-generation Internet Protocol (IP) cameras are advanced chips with artificial intelligence (AI) at the edge, enabling cameras to gather valuable information about an incident: scanning shoppers at a department store, monitoring city streets, or checking on an elderly loved one at home. Thanks to advanced chip technology, complex analytics operations are becoming more affordable across the full spectrum of surveillance cameras —professional to consumer — fueling the democratisation of AI in the IP camera market. Complex analytics operations are becoming more affordable across the full spectrum of surveillance cameras Expanding the global IP camera market  The video surveillance equipment market grew to $18.5 billion in 2018 and is expected to increase this year, according to IHS Markit. The latest research points to video everywhere, edge computing, and AI as the top technologies that will have a major impact in both commercial and consumer markets in 2019. Computing at the edge means that the processors inside the camera are powerful enough to run AI processing locally, while still encoding and streaming video, and are able to do it all at the low-power required to fit into the limited thermal budget of an IP camera. New SoC chips will be able to perform all of the processing on camera and provide accurate AI information, with no need to send data to a server or the cloud for processing. Instead, data can be analysed right in the camera itself, offering high performance, real-time video analytics, and lower latency — all critical aspects of video surveillance. This new AI paradigm is made possible by a new generation of SoCs, a key driver behind the market growth of IP cameras. Complex analytics operations are becoming more affordable across the full spectrum of surveillance cameras to fuel the advent of AI in the IP camera market Micro-processor-enabled video analytics Next-generation video cameras will be able to create heat maps of stores to see where people spend the most time Microprocessor-enabled analytics allow users to more easily extract valuable data from video streams. How about an insider’s view into retail customer behavior? Consider video cameras at a department store, monitoring shoppers’ behavior, traffic patterns, and areas of interest. Next-generation cameras will recognise how long a shopper stays in front of a specific display, if the shopper leaves and returns, and if the shopper ultimately makes a purchase. Next-generation video cameras will be able to create heat maps of stores to see where people spend the most time, so retailers will be able to adjust product placement accordingly. Analytics will also help identify busy/quiet times of the day, so retailers can staff accordingly. By understanding customers’ behavior, retailers can determine the best way to interact with them, target specific campaigns, and tailor ads for them. Cue the coupons while the shopper is still onsite! Analytics will also help identify busy/quiet times of the day, so retailers can staff accordingly Fast processing for rapid response at city level City surveillance and smart cities are depending on advanced video surveillance and intelligence to keep an eye on people and vehicles, identify criminals, flag suspicious behavior, and identify potentially dangerous situations such as loitering, big crowds forming, or cars driving the wrong way.Quick local decisions on the video cameras are also used to help analyse traffic situations Quick local decisions on the video cameras are also used to help analyse traffic situations, adjust traffic lights, identify license plates, automatically charge cars for parking, find a missing car across a city, or create live and accurate traffic maps. Real-time HD video monitoring and recording When it comes to home monitoring, what will next-generation video surveillance cameras offer? Real-time monitoring and notification can detect if a person is in the back yard or approaching the door, if there’s a suspicious vehicle in the driveway, or if a package is being delivered (or stolen). Advanced video cameras can determine when notifications are and aren’t required, since users don’t want to be notified for false alerts such as rain, tree branches moving, bugs, etc. Next-generation video camera capabilities can also help monitor a loved one, person or pet, helping put families at ease if they are at work or on vacation. For example, helpful analytics may be used to detect if someone has fallen, hasn’t moved for a while, or does not appear for breakfast according to their typical schedule. City surveillance and smart cities are depending on advanced video surveillance and intelligence to keep an eye on people and vehicles, identify criminals, flag suspicious behavior, and identify potentially dangerous situations Next-gen IP cameras When evaluating next-generation IP cameras (cameras on the edge), look at the brains. These cameras will likely be powered by next-generation SoCs chips. Here is what this means to you:       Save on network bandwidth, cloud computing and storage costs. There is no need to constantly upload videos to a server for analysis. Analysis can be performed locally on the camera, with only relevant videos being uploaded. Faster reaction time. Decisions are made locally, with no network latency. This is critical if you need to sound an alarm on a specific event. Privacy. In the most extreme cases, no video needs to leave the camera. Only metadata needs to be sent to the cloud or server. For example, the faces of people can be recognised in the camera and acted upon, but the video never reaches the cloud. The cameras can just stream a description of the scene to the server “suspicious person with a red sweater walking in front of the train station, has been loitering for the last 10 minutes, suggest sending an agent to check it out.” This could become a requirement in some EU countries with GDPR rules. Easier search. Instead of having to look through hours of video content, the server can just store/analyse the metadata, and easily perform searches such as “find all people with a red sweater who stayed more than five minutes in front of the train station today.” Flexibility/personalisation. Each camera at the edge can be personalised to work better for the specific scene it is looking at, compared to a generic server. For example, “run a heat map algorithm on camera A (retail) as I want to know which sections of my store get the most traffic; and run a license plate recogniser on camera B (parking lot) as I want to be able to track the cars going in/out of my parking lot.” No cloud computing required. For cameras in remote locations or with limited network bandwidth, users have the ability to perform all analytics locally, without relying on uploading video to a server/cloud. Higher resolution/quality. When AI processing is performed locally, the full resolution of the sensor can be used (up to 4K or more), while typically the video streamed to a server will be lower resolution, 1080p or less. This means more pixels are available locally for the AI engine so that you will be able to detect a face from a higher distance than when the video is streamed off camera. AI at the edge Professional-level IP cameras capable of performing AI at the edge are coming soon with early offerings making their debut at this year’s ISC West. As we enter 2020, we will begin to see the availability of consumer-level cameras enabling real-time video analytics at the edge for home use. With rapid technology advancement and increased customer demand, AI is on the verge of exploding. When it comes to image quality and video analytics, IP cameras now in development will create a next-generation impact at department stores, above city streets, and keeping an eye on our loved ones.

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.

For those of you old enough to remember, video matrix switchers were once the heyday of surveillance camera control. These cumbersome antiques were at the heart of every major video surveillance system (CCTV at the time) in premier gaming properties, government installations and corporate industrial complexes. They required more physical labour to construct and configure than perhaps the pyramids – maybe not – but you get the picture. And then digital video made its way in to the market and everything changed, transforming the physical demands for camera control and management from a hardware-centric to a software driven process. We’ve come a long way in a few short years, and the borders that once defined IT and security continue to diminish, if not disappear completely There’s no doubt that this migration also presented significant challenges as many security professionals often struggled with all things IT and software programming being one of the industry’s soft spots. Fortunately, we’ve come a long way in a few short years, and the borders that once defined IT and security continue to diminish, if not disappear completely. However, the complexities of today’s VMS functionality can be intimidating for anyone tasked with installing one of these systems given all of the user-defined options available from the simplest camera sequencing and bandwidth allocations to mobile management and enterprise level integration. This is where truly advanced VMS solutions need to shine on both the operations and the design/build sides of the equation. Smart VMS design There are more solutions products labelled “VMS solutions” out there than ever before. The issue is the fact that many of these “solutions” really don’t fall into the category of a true VMS by today’s standards but offer basic camera and NVR control. No doubt that there is a place for such software programs in the market. However, VMS solutions from the likes of OnSSI and other industry-leading companies offer distinct and superior management and control capabilities for demanding security and business intelligence applications. Perhaps of equal importance, these top-tier VMS solutions incorporate provisions for installers, so they have a clear and easier implementation path. OnSSI offers VMS solutions with smart camera drivers Here are seven attributes that can assist with the design and implementation of an advanced VMS solution: 1) Open architecture platform We need the ability to easily integrate with other systems and scale for future developments and physical system growth The ability to easily integrate with other systems and scale for future developments and physical system growth is largely dependent on a systems platform architecture. Here’s where VMS solutions with open architecture provide a distinct advantage. Open-architecture solutions expand functionality by facilitating greater integration between multiple systems and components. This not only makes VMS solutions with open architecture easier to implement, it makes them extremely cost-efficient by eliminating the need for proprietary solutions. Open architecture systems also provide adherence to industry standards such as ONVIF and PSIA, as well as compression formats such as H.265 and MJPEG, and help ensure system integration and support of an extensive range of manufacturers’ cameras and off-the-shelf hardware. Be wary of VMS solutions with limited camera manufacturer support. 2) Simple licensing processes and pricing Camera licenses and pricing is always a touchy subject, as any misunderstanding of a specific VMS solutions’ licensing terms can prove to be costly after the fact. And it often seems that some VMS suppliers have gone to great lengths to complicate the process as to obscure actual Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). Perhaps the most direct, simple and straightforward camera licensing and pricing method is to have one license per IP address used by each camera/encoder on multi-channel devices. These should be perpetual licenses with no required annual fees or subscriptions. Additionally, the licensing agreement should be all inclusive without added fees for multiple clients, failover servers, active directory support, I/O devices, redundant management servers, technical support or security patches and updates. 3) Mixing and matching camera license types The ability to mix and match different camera license types within the same system helps facilitate a seamless and simple migration of new and pre-existing systems with minimal downtime or interruption in operation. The ability to mix and match camera licenses not only saves valuable design and installation time, it can provide considerable savings when integrating large, multi-tenant systems. Mix and match capabilities also allow system designers to apply specific feature sets to specific groups of cameras to best leverage functionality and budgets, as well as providing the flexibility to implement an on-site, virtual, or cloud-based VMS solution, without any additional cost. 4) Auto camera detection and configuration Another VMS set-up feature that eases the install process is the ability to forego device registrations or MAC address requirements Another VMS set-up feature that eases the install process is the ability to forego device registrations or MAC address requirements. This functionality allows installers to instantly locate cameras on the network and configure them centrally so they can easily replace older cameras while seamlessly retaining video recorded from them. The auto detection capability should also include the ability to detect and import CSV files, which can then be stored and used to configure camera templates for future camera installation profiles. 5) Smart camera driver technology VMS solutions with smart camera drivers offer valuable assistance during system implementation, and any time new cameras are added to the network or replace older models. Manufacturer-specific smart camera drivers expand the range of model-specific static drivers. Instead of storing the device’s information (codecs, resolutions, frame rates, etc.) statically, a VMS with smart camera drivers queries devices for their capabilities using the manufacturers’ proprietary protocol. All that is required for configuration is that the camera is available on the network. Smart camera drivers eliminate the need to wait for model-specific drivers or installation of driver packs, allowing for newly released cameras to be used immediately. Network security is an area where leading VMS suppliers like OnSSI have ramped up development efforts to stay ahead of hackers  6) Importance of network security Network Security is perhaps the greatest challenge faced by industry professionals today Network security is perhaps the greatest challenge faced by industry professionals today. This is an area where leading VMS suppliers like OnSSI have ramped up development efforts to stay ahead of hackers. New security developments to look for include TLS 1.2 encryption protocols for camera-to-server communications (SSL 3.0 supported for older cameras), as well as server-to-server communications. Additional safeguards to consider include: randomised video databases with no camera identification information to secure recorded data; support for Active Directory authentication; AES encryption between servers and clients; and AES encrypted exporting. 7) Automatic updates Regardless of the supplier you select for your VMS solution, they should be consistently providing new updates and security patches on a frequent if not regular basis. Keeping up with these updates can be a burden and are often overlooked leading to system failures and breeches. Advanced VMS solutions now feature automatic update service checks on a system-wide basis, eliminating the need to manually update individual servers and devices. This ensures that your VMS system always has the latest drivers, fixes and updates which assures overall security while reducing TCO. So next time you’re getting a demo of the latest and greatest VMS solution, remember to ask what it offers in terms of design and implementation tools. Half the battle with new technologies is getting them installed and working properly. Without the right tools to accomplish these critical first steps, all the functionality in the world will do you little good.

The mindset behind a new law to prohibit the use of facial recognition and other security-related technologies by San Francisco police and other city agencies is obvious in the name of the new ordinance: “Stop Secret Surveillance.” Ordinance to stop secret surveillance The San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed the ordinance 8-1 with two abstentions on May 14, and there will be another vote next week before it becomes law. We have an outsize responsibility to regulate the excesses of technology precisely because they are headquartered here" The irony of such a law emanating from northern California, where tech giants promote the use of numerous technologies that arguably infringe on privacy, is not lost on Aaron Peskin, the city supervisor who sponsored the bill. “We have an outsize responsibility to regulate the excesses of technology precisely because they are headquartered here,” he told the New York Times. Regulating facial recognition technology  Although the facial recognition aspects of the ordinance have been the most publicised, it also targets a long list of other products and systems. According to the ordinance, "Surveillance Technology" means “any software, electronic device, system utilising an electronic device, or similar device used, designed, or primarily intended to collect, retain, process, or share audio, electronic, visual, location, thermal, biometric, olfactory or similar information specifically associated with, or capable of being associated with, any individual or group.” Broadly interpreted, that’s a lot of devices. Includes biometrics, RFID scanners The ordinance lists some examples such as automatic license plate readers, gunshot detection hardware and services, video and audio monitoring and/or recording equipment, mobile DNA capture technology, radio-frequency ID (RFID) scanners, and biometric software or technology including facial, voice, iris, and gait-recognition software and databases.   Among the exceptions listed in the ordinance are physical access control systems, employee identification management systems, and other physical control systems; and police interview rooms, holding cells, and internal security audio/video recording systems. The ordinance ban applies to city departments and agencies, not to the general public and exceptions include physical access control systems, employee identification management systems, and internal security audio/video recording systems Airport security not part of ordinance The ban only applies to city departments and agencies, not to private businesses or the general public. Therefore, San Franciscans can continue to use facial recognition technology every day when they unlock their smart phones. And technologies such as facial recognition currently used at the San Francisco airport and ports are not impacted because they are under federal jurisdiction. Furthermore, the San Francisco police department does not currently use facial recognition anyway, although it has been deployed in places such as Las Vegas, Orlando, Boston and New York City. Safeguarding privacy of citizens The ordinance appears to have a goal of avoiding government uses of technologies that can invade individual privacy, seeking to avoid worst-case scenarios such as an existing system in China that uses millions of surveillance cameras to keep close tabs on the Uyghurs, a Muslim minority population. Any new plans to use surveillance technology must be approved by the city government, and any existing uses must be reported and justified by submitting a Surveillance Technology Policy ordinance for approval by the Board of Supervisors within 180 days. Surveillance technology policy Banning use of facial recognition just when its capability is being realised is counterproductive But might such a ban on technology uses undermine their potential value as crime-fighting tools just when they are poised to become more valuable than ever? Ed Davis, a former Boston police commissioner, told the New York Times it is “premature to be banning things.” He notes: “This technology is still developing, and as it improves, this could be the answer to a lot of problems we have about securing our communities.” Technology development doesn’t happen in a vacuum and banning uses of facial recognition and other technologies just when their capabilities are being realised is counterproductive. We should be thoughtful, deliberate and transparent in how we embrace new technologies. However, discarding them out-of-hand using emotionally charged words such as “secret surveillance” does not promote the best use of technology to the benefit of everyone.

Managed services provided through the cloud offer multiple advantages for system integrators. These include: Increased recurring monthly revenue: Managed services are a new business model that generates more stable and predictable income streams for integrators. Stickier customers: Managed services foster a more involved relationship between integrators and their customers, which can help boost customer retention. The cloud enables integrators to serve more sites without hiring additional technicians High gross profit margins: Cloud managed services create an opportunity for a service and technology to be purchased together, helping to generate a higher gross profit margin from the beginning of the customer relationship. They are easier to provide: The cloud enables integrators to serve more sites without hiring additional technicians. Problems can be fixed proactively: When a problem occurs on a site that is managed by a cloud-based system, the integrator can receive a real-time notification regarding the issue - possibly before the customer even notices a disruption in service. Increased valuation of business: According to a study by Dell, companies that utilise cloud, mobility, and security technologies are experiencing as much as 53 percent higher revenue growth rates compared to those who do not such technologies. Importance of cloud-based solutions The cloud also challenges integrators to educate customers on the value of the new approach The cloud also challenges integrators to educate customers on the value of the new approach. For example, the cloud changes the expense model of security systems. It allows customers to shift from a capital expenditure (CapEx) model, where large capital funding is required to purchase equipment, to an operational expenditure (OpEx) model, where the costs of the solution become an operating expense. Since the cameras, installation, storage, and software are packaged into the service, you don’t need a large capital outlay up front - you simply pay a predictable expense every month. Leveraging this difference opens new sales opportunities for integrators. The benefits of cloud services on how physical security equipment and software services can be monitored and maintained through a connected service is a particular benefit to integrators. Data monitoring and security “By having data describing the health of the system shared on the cloud, system integrators can observe data on demand and create proactive maintenance plans in coordination with the end user,” says Stuart Rawling, Director of Business Development, Pelco by Schneider Electric, and one of our Expert Panelists. A daily challenge for end users is balancing human resources used in the operation of a system “Such plans should result in increased system reliability and less downtime. If system performance data is aggregated and anonymised, it could also be used by manufacturers to analyse and form conclusions about maintenance schedules and system lifespan.” A benefit is happier customers. “A daily challenge for end users is balancing human resources used in the operation of a system and daily maintenance, with maintenance having shared responsibility with the system integrator,” says Rawling. The cloud software as a service The SaaS model gives companies the resources to improve the deep learning model" The cloud also can help to make cutting edge technologies more affordable. Economies of scale provided by the Cloud (Software as a Service, or SaaS) are making the sophisticated capabilities of deep learning affordable to a wider audience. Meanwhile, deep learning augments cloud systems with capabilities that may not be available (or affordable) in on-premise systems, thus accelerating the broader move to cloud systems. “Having a SaaS model gives companies the resources to improve the deep learning model,” says Shawn Guan, CEO and co-founder of Umbo Computer Vision, a provider of deep learning video analytics. "We can make more accurate systems that scale better and faster. SaaS enables vendors to do something great with deep learning. You don’t have to redo it for everybody. One customer benefit from another customer and all the knowledge is aggregated together.”

Lack of cybersecurity of video systems made headlines in 2016. The Mirai cyberattack that year impacted Internet service on the East Coast of the United States and kept several high-profile websites offline. Cybersecurity attacks later in the day were more global in nature. The cyberattacks were carried out by a botnet, a network of bots, which are software applications (in this case, computer viruses) that communicate with each other and run tasks automatically over the Internet. IP-enabled cameras Bots can infiltrate unprotected computers and then use the computing power of their ‘hosts’ to carry out various kinds of cyber-attacks on other Internet targets. In the case of the Mirai attacks, a hidden army of bots worked together to bombard various websites with so many bogus requests that the sites became overwhelmed by the volume of traffic and could not respond to legitimate requests. It’s called a denial of service (DDS) attack. Many of the attacking bots were hosted by IP-enabled cameras and digital video recorders (DVRs). In other words, the bots used the computing power of our industry’s video products to launch the headline-grabbing cyberattack. Many of the attacking bots were hosted by IP-enabled cameras and digital video recorders Safeguarded communication Since 2016, awareness of cybersecurity for video systems has grown. Today, it is understood that video solutions should be designed to safeguard communication between trusted devices, ensure that video in transit (streamed) or in storage remains encrypted, and any commands and configurations to control cameras and other devices are transmitted via a secure channel (HTTPS). Some basic best practices can go a long way to improving the cybersecurity of video systems. A small change is to remove default passwords from products and software, and to avoid using ‘guessable’ passwords. All firmware should be encrypted to reduce the possibility of it being downloaded from the manufacturer’s website and deconstructed. Use of a secure operating system that is regularly updated can protect against video tampering, altering, spoofing and snooping. Video surveillance systems Another precaution is to avoid remote login using Telnet or FTP, which are less secure. Finally, use of digital certificate provides assurance that data from a third party is true and not falsified. All data should be encrypted with digital certificates. Video manufacturers often provide ‘hardening guides’ to enable enterprises to protect their systems from potential cybersecurity threats. Video manufacturers often provide ‘hardening guides’ to enable enterprises to protect their systems from potential cybersecurity threats Free downloadable guides and other resources provide specific recommendations on hardening video surveillance systems by applying proven cybersecurity initiatives. For example, the OnSSI Hardening Guide for Networked Video Surveillance Systems includes guidance on password strength, how to avoid poor password practices, collaboration with IT and HR departments and how to apply software and firmware security updates. Hardware-level encryption It also includes standard, advanced and enterprise cybersecurity best practices for cameras, servers and workstations and networks. Another cybersecurity requirement is data-at-rest encryption to ensure that data, such as stored video, is secure right down to the storage medium in which it is held. Hardware-level encryption, firmware protection for the hard drive, and instant, secure erasing technology allow devices to be retired with minimal risk of data misuse. Despite the clear benefits, data-at-rest encryption lags other areas, such as network and endpoint security, in terms of the investment it currently receives. A Thales Data Threat report found that data-at-rest security was receiving some of the lowest levels of spending increases in 2016 (44%), versus a 62% increase for network and a 56% increase for endpoint security.

Senstar, global provider of video management solutions and perimeter intrusion detection systems, has published a case study detailing how its Senstar Symphony video management system (VMS) and video analytics are helping Ferretería Ochoa secure spaces and gather business intelligence. Senstar Symphony VMS Ferretería Ochoa is a hardware and home improvement retail chain that has been operating in the Dominican Republic for over 45 years. Symphony was first installed at one of its retail stores in 2013 and is now being used at six locations, including a storage facility and a manufacturing facility. Ferretería Ochoa also uses several of Senstar’s video analytics to better understand customer and employee behavior. One of the main benefits Symphony has provided Ferretería Ochoa is increased inventory control One of the main benefits Symphony has provided Ferretería Ochoa is increased inventory control. This not only refers to shoplifting by customers, but also to errors – accidental or intentional – made during shipping and receiving. Employees are aware they are being monitored at all times and understand the system’s ability to capture incidents and provide proof. Central video monitoring “It dissuades deceitful and malicious situations such as shipping more items than ordered or a more expensive item,” said Mr. Gomez. “The deterrence factor Symphony provides is probably the most important result we have achieved.” Symphony has also enabled Ferretería Ochoa to utilise security personnel more efficiently and has reduced costs by having video from all sites managed from one central location. Retail security “Senstar Symphony and analytics are ideal for retailers looking to deter theft, protect staff and customers and improve the overall customer experience,” said Senstar’s Director, North America Business Development Anthony Hackett. “We are happy to be helping Ferretería Ochoa achieve such results.”

A multi-division and multi-location conglomerate in Kutch (Gujarat, India), engaged in manufacturing, trading, exporting and supplying a finest assortment of Roofing Accessories Roofing Sheets, Metal Coils, Roofing Accessories, Metal Roofing Sheets, Coated Roofing Sheets and Tiled Sheets for Roofing has trusted Matrix with providing top grade security solutions for its site. Matrix IR bullet cameras and VMS VMS Software with Inbuilt Weighbridge Application Module: SATATYA SAMAS PLT IPC Channel Wise ANPR/LPR License (ANPR1) Cameras installed at the site: 2 MP Varifocal IR Bullet Camera with 2.8-12 mm Lens- SATATYA CIBR20VL12CWS 2 MP Fixed Lens IR Bullet Camera with 3.6 mm Lens- SATATYA CIBR20FL36CWS The company was using conventional Weighbridge system that performed basic functionalities. This traditional system had certain limitations, such as Data spoofing due to manual system Lack of centralised solution for multiple branches Dependency on more than one system Lack of evidence for auditing purpose Matrix Weighbridge integration solution Looking at all the challenges that the company was facing, Matrix offered an optimised solution with Weighbridge Integration. Matrix Weighbridge Integration solution provides the following functionalities: Vehicle Number Snapshot (ANPR) Driver Snapshot (Evidence) Material Snapshot (Auditing) Weighbridge Snapshot (Avoid Data Spoofing) Safeguard Evidence Bookmark Video Recordings Print Evidence Record Periodic Report Generation Benefits Client will be able to track in-bound and out-bound material movement by capturing the details of respective material weight. Enables the client to make easy comparison of weights between supplying plant and receiving plant with the help of captured screenshots. Record weight of the material and then use the data to post good’s receipts, production bookings and dispatch documents, etc. Limits Weighbridge Vendor dependency by providing interoperability without depending much on other APIs.

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

Surveillance solutions business Synectics develops and delivers a solution to help enhance safety and security monitoring at Nottingham Trent University. With more than 28,000 students and 3,100 staff to protect, surveillance footage at Nottingham Trent University (NTU) is captured by over 1,300 cameras covering the estate of 75 buildings. Each of the university’s three main campuses has a 24/7 control room and its own security team, ensuring that safety measures enable free movement while protecting the community from both external and internal threats. Integrated surveillance solution Synectics deployed a tailored solution based around its Synergy 3 command A progressive development plan, coupled with the need to optimise legacy technology, meant the university required an integrated surveillance solution that would enable teams based at each control room to monitor and manage footage from both IP and analogue cameras, supporting a gradual transition to digital solutions and full-IP ambitions. In one of the UK’s first cloud-based surveillance contracts, and in collaboration with integrator PFS, Synectics deployed a tailored solution based around its Synergy 3 command and control platform to support NTU’s long-term objectives. Interactive camera map Mark Stacey, Security Systems Operational Manager, NTU, said: “Moving the university onto a sophisticated surveillance monitoring platform has significantly improved the provision of student security, saving our team vital minutes in the event of emergencies.” “As well as supporting both analogue and IP inputs, where many solutions on the market do not, Synectics’ Synergy 3 offers impressive functionality and is easy to use. The ability to import an interactive camera map means we can now bring up footage in just seconds, where operators previously had to spend time manually correlating sensor triggers to the relevant cameras – an enhancement that keeps our students safe in real time.” Cloud-based system “Synectics even created a new feature at our request, which enables us to circle an area of the on-screen map and immediately view up to nine local cameras in that zone. Furthermore, opting for a cloud-based system means we don’t have to look after a physical server, freeing up space and our resources.” The system will help us in our mission to provide an ever-safer environment for our students" “Throughout the process, Synectics has gone the distance to deliver, as highlighted by the tailored training sessions provided for the team and its commitment to support us throughout the life of the system. We’re delighted with the results and sure the system will help us in our mission to provide an ever-safer environment for our students.” Future-proof solutions Martin Bonfield, Sales Manager at Synectics, commented: “We passionately believe that command and control systems should be flexible enough to allow for the evolution of customer needs. Only then can you provide seamless, future-proof solutions that improve safety both now and in the long term.” “Working closely with the team at NTU to understand their needs, the Synergy 3 platform has been designed to ensure they have an intuitive system that saves staff-hours and significantly improves incident response times. Nottingham Trent University is nationally recognised, having received the University of the Year award three years in a row. I’m delighted that we’ve provided them with this leading-edge solution, along with support, and ongoing training, to help safeguard their students, staff, and premises.”

The power grid is a modern engineering marvel, providing us widely available and affordable energy for not only our day to day lives, but also highly critical infrastructure elements for which we rely on personally, and as an economy. However, our reliance on the grid also makes it highly susceptible to adverse events, including physical attacks. All parts of the grid can become victims of malicious events, but substations are particularly vulnerable due to their role in power distribution and the nature of their equipment. Power utilities’ security The challenge power utilities worldwide are facing is finding an affordable solution The challenge power utilities worldwide are facing is finding an affordable solution, which can help detect, deter and facilitate an informed response to a substation security event. In the United States, this need is furthered by the physical security mandate CIP-014 issued by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), calling for identification of security issues, vulnerability assessments and deployment of appropriate processes and systems to address. CIP-104 specifically calls for implemented security plans which include measures to deter, detect, delay, assess, communicate, coordinate and respond to potential physical threats and vulnerabilities. Fortunately, there are many solutions to help power utilities address these security concerns, one effective choice is the use of intelligent video. Intelligent video analytics solution Intelligent video, or video analytics, is a popular choice for the protection of critical facilities given its ability to detect, provide instant visual confirmation of the event and subsequent event forensics. The capability of this technology is increasing at a rapid rate, while decreases in hardware cost make such solutions affordable for owners or operators of critical bulk-power system sites. This case study looks at the issue of substation vulnerability and how to best use video to address, keeping in mind requirements of CIP-014. Such a system consists of fixed cameras, pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras, a deterrence device and data communication capability. Perimeter designs can vary based on the vulnerabilities identified, aspects of the site, budget, etc Perimeter designs can vary based on the vulnerabilities identified, aspects of the site, budget, etc. In most cases, substations can benefit from a simple “camera-following” design, which includes surveillance of a potential breach at the fence line, as well as, the ability for early detection for some distance beyond the physical perimeter. Camera-following design In a camera-following design, in addition to its own coverage, each camera is responsible for covering the blind spot of the adjacent camera. That camera is then responsible for covering the blind spot of the next camera, and this pairing continues around the perimeter until the final camera covers the blind spot of the first. This type of coverage design is very effective and affordable for locations with well-defined perimeters, such as substations. Using this layout, the video feed from the fixed cameras are then enabled with video analytics algorithms to alert when predefined conditions are met. This is done by inputting the video signal into a server, edge device or NVR, located at the site, or remote to the location. Intelligent video technology Today’s intelligent video technology provides for very specific alarm criteria Today’s intelligent video technology provides for very specific alarm criteria, which in addition to only alarming when a target enters in a specific region, can also discriminate, or classify, by the type of target: human, vehicle, etc. Furthermore, the alarm can be restricted by specific actions taken by the target, such as loitering in an area, dropping or throwing an object, more than one target entering with a valid badge swipe (tailgating) or even the speed at which a target is entering an area. This level of discrimination provides the ability to address very specific vulnerabilities, as well as, avoid nuisance targets, such as wildlife, debris or moving vegetation. Another key feature with significant value to substation protection is the geospatial aspects available with some video analytic solutions. This capability maps each pixel of video to its real-world latitude, longitude and elevation. This results in further assessment of the target, including the actual location, the real size of the target, the real speed and the current track. It also affords the opportunity to provide a real-time display of this information to the security operator through an easy to understand map-based user interface. Autonomous PTZ cameras Geospatial video analytics provide the benefit of knowing the exact map-based location of the target Another key assessment aspect of this substation protection scheme is the use of autonomous PTZ cameras. These are typically placed at the corners of the perimeter where they can service detections from multiple fixed cameras. As previously mentioned, geospatial video analytics, provide the benefit of knowing the exact map-based location of the target. Knowing the location of the target is extremely valuable to the security officer, but it is also the basis for a feature known as “slew to cue,” whereby PTZ cameras armed with video intelligence can be automatically steered to the same location for instant confirmation of the target. In most cases, “slew to cue” functionality also includes an “intelligent zoom” feature, which uses the target size information from the alarm, the PTZ camera location and the target location to adjust the zoom level of the PTZ for an instant view of the target that can provide identification details (clothing color, car type, etc) without the need for the operator to further adjust the zoom. Target detection and response Once a target is detected, a security approach leveraging intelligent video can continue with a coordinated response  Once a target is detected and confirmed, a security approach leveraging the use of intelligent video can continue with a coordinated response to the event. When video analytics is applied to pan-tilt-zoom cameras, it has the ability to automatically follow a defined target, freeing the operator to take other actions, such as coordinating with law enforcement officials. This feature, referred to as camera auto follow or PTZ following, can be automatically engaged as the result of a detection event, or subsequent to a slew to cue action. The system will continue to follow the target until it reaches a pre-defined system time-out, the operator takes manual control, or the camera can no longer view the target. The system can then provide the resulting PTZ video as a component of the detection alarm, for a more complete understanding of the intrusion for the operator to review. Effective deterrence At this point, the system has detected the target, classified its type and verified it has met alarm conditions. As part of the alarm it has also included dynamic indication of its location on a map, autonomously steered a PTZ to the target to allow for gathering of more detailed target information and a PTZ has locked on and is now following the target without any required user interaction. Total elapsed time to this point in the security response is typically less than 5 seconds. Deterrence is often realised as a fence, physical barriers or access controlled gates This level of automated response addresses many vulnerabilities typically identified as part of a CIP-014 security assessment, but with minimal extra cost, it can be extended to help with the aspect of deterrence. Deterrence is often realised as a fence, physical barriers or access controlled gates. These are physical items and should certainly be included in a substation security plan. Intrusion detection However, another form of deterrence, which can be enabled through the use of intelligent video is the idea of audio talk down. This is the use of live or pre-recorded audio, which is activated upon an intrusion to deter the intruder. Different from a general alarm warning audio, audio talk down uses information about the location of the intruder and their actions to select appropriate pre-recorded audio to deter the intruder. Worse case, the understanding that they are being actively monitored may hasten their plan. Video-based security and alarm system A common concern when deploying such a system is the amount of bandwidth required A common concern when deploying such a system is the amount of bandwidth required. Substations are almost always unmanned, which means the intrusion information must have a means to get communicated back to the main monitoring location. From a design aspect, this is typically the case, but it is important to know that it is not a requirement in order to gain security benefits from a video based system. The system described in this case study has the capability to detect, assess, respond and deter without any communication back to a main command and control. Alarms, events and system actions can be logged and stored remotely for review at a later time. In reality, utilities will want to be notified and react in real time. In these cases, video systems can adjust to the available bandwidth – from a low bandwidth situation where a textual alarm is provided with an image of the detection, to a high bandwidth installation where feeds from multiple cameras can be monitored and controlled in real time. Web-based, mobile access In each case, complete alarm information, including meta data, images and video can be readily available to the security operations center, which can then take action based on their security response plan, including contacting and coordinating this alarm data with local law enforcement through web-based access or mobile phones. This case study outlines the effectiveness of utilising video analytics to address the physical vulnerabilities of a typical substation. The study outlines how recent technological advances can autonomously address assessment, response and deterrence This case study outlines the effectiveness of utilising video analytics to address the physical vulnerabilities of a typical substation. Further, the study outlines how recent technological advances allow such a solution to extend beyond the mere detection of events, but can also autonomously address assessment, response and deterrence. Key capabilities of intelligent video include: Advanced Detection – Accurate alarming based on specific targets types and actions Situational Awareness – The ability to quickly convey the critical details of a security event in an easy to understand map-based format. Real-time Target Location – Real-time location information of events and real-time location tracking of potential intruders. Autonomous Sensor Control – Automated steering of cameras to an event location and subsequent hands free video tracking of a suspect. Although each utility and substation may encounter different vulnerabilities, this case study outlines how video can be considered to address NERC guidelines for protecting critical substation assets by providing situational awareness of a potential threat and initiating an appropriate and timely response.

The new vibration-proof Wisenet TRM-410S and TRM-810S NVRs manufactured by Hanwha Techwin are designed to be at the heart of video solutions for transport applications. Wisenet NVRs With a footprint of just 250mm x 210mm and offering two-way audio communication, the two new robust NVRs are EN50155, EN-50121 and EN-61373 certified. This makes them particularly suitable for deployment on buses and trains where they can be used to record video of passenger activity, as well as video of the road or track ahead, in order to provide evidence of any incidents. The new NVRs, which support H.265, H.264 and MJPEG compression, offer 4TB onboard video data storage, with the TRM-810S also offering the option of RAID.  PoE/PoE+ support Both of the new Network Video Recorders (NVRs) have a built-in Power over Ethernet (PoE and PoE+) switch Both of the new Network Video Recorders (NVRs) have a built-in Power over Ethernet (PoE and PoE+) switch, making them ideal for mobile applications as there is no need to install separate power supplies for cameras and monitors. Designed to offer the stable recording of event and location data as well as video, the two new devices complement the sixteen channel TRM-1610S and TRM-1610M NVRs and the three compact Wisenet X mobile H.265 dome cameras which were launched in 2018. Cost-effective video solution  “Our two existing sixteen channel NVRs are proving to be popular among train operators who wish to record images captured by a large number of cameras installed in train carriages,” said Uri Guterman, Head of Product & Marketing for Hanwha Techwin Europe. “The introduction of the four and eight channel NVRs means that we now have cost-effective solutions for bus, coach and truck type applications.”

The year ahead holds endless promise for the physical security industry, and much of that future will be determined by which technologies the industry embraces. The menu of possibilities is long – from artificial intelligence to the Internet of Things to the cloud and much more – and each technology trend has the potential to transform the market in its own way. We tapped into the collective expertise of our Expert Panel Roundtable to answer this question: What technology trend will have the biggest impact on the security market in 2019?

Even the most advanced and sophisticated security systems are limited in their effectiveness by a factor that is common to all systems – the human factor. How effectively integrators install systems and how productively users interface with their systems both depend largely on how well individual people are trained. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What is the changing role of training in the security and video surveillance market?

You could say concerns about privacy are “trending” in our increasingly data-driven world. Unease about how Facebook and other high-tech companies use and share data dominates the news, and the full impact of new European Union (EU) regulations is about to be felt around the world. By May 25, companies that collect data on EU citizens will need to comply with strict new rules around protecting customer data, as enumerated in the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). But how do the new regulations, and broader concerns about privacy, affect the physical security market? We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: How do privacy issues and regulations, such as GDPR, impact physical security systems and how they are managed?