Outdoor Security
SightLogix, the technology pioneer for smart thermal camera systems, announces that Charlie Platipodis, a security industry veteran with over 30 years of executive sales leadership, has joined the company as vice president of sales and marketing. Charlie offered several factors that explained his rationale for joining SightLogix. “I was immediately struck by the company’s passion for building products on a foundation of great detection and high performance. Securing outdoors has alw...
Pelco by Schneider Electric, a global provider of trusted video surveillance solutions, announced the immediate availability of the new Spectra Professional 4K cameras to their portfolio of high resolution (4K) fixed and Pan Tilt Zoom cameras. From license plates to faces, the rugged outdoor camera features state-of-the-art surveillance camera resolutions and compression standards to clarify details of interest in crowded or poorly lit areas such as city surveillance, airports, metro stations,...
A battery powered alarm system with video verification has been launched by Reconeyez, providing a new high quality and flexible solution for outdoor security, with a particular emphasis on mobile/temporary security as well as permanent outdoor asset and infrastructure protection. The completely standalone system can be used where there is no mains power and the PIR cameras work with a battery powered 2G/3G/4G bridge to send alarms and images back to a control room for verification purposes. K...
OPTEX Corporation Ltd, global sensor manufacturer, has launched a new series of outdoor PIRs in EMEA (Europe Middle East and Africa) and in South and North America that offer 180° detection coverage and 12m/40ft radius to detect any intrusion around a residential or commercial building. Outdoor intruder detection sensors The WX Infinity series comprises two wired and two wireless models available either as the standard or anti-masking version. The new models are built upon OPTEX’s ex...
DHF (Door & Hardware Federation) announces that it has introduced more robust procedures for companies wishing to join its membership following a ‘bumper year’. The Tamworth-based trade association is renowned industry-wide for its tireless and on-going efforts in raising standards and levels of safety across the sector, and this latest pronouncement is further testament to these continuing endeavours. Legally compliant products The new procedures, which started on 1st October...
BeHome247 and NoiseAware have partnered to advance smart home automation to include noise monitoring alerts and management. This joint effort fully integrates noise monitoring into the BeHome247 Enterprise Property Control platform. Concurrently, in response to market demand, NoiseAware has just announced the newest generation of their privacy-safe noise monitoring service that covers both indoor and outdoor spaces on any property as well as a new mobile app and enhanced dashboard. Providing 2...
News
Ava Group (AVA), a provider of security risk management services and technology will be showcasing its portfolio of security solutions at Intersec Dubai 2019, stand S3-C48. Intersec Dubai features a rich selection of exhibitors in Security, Safety & Fire Protection, attracting visitors from the Middle East, Africa, the Indian subcontinent and well beyond. Ava Group will be presenting the latest exciting solutions from its technology division - which incorporates Future Fibre Technologies (FFT) and BQT Solutions. As a provider of risk management services and technologies, Ava Group offers a portfolio of complementary solutions encompassing both fibre optic intrusion detection and high security access control and locking. Increased investment As a key event for the region and beyond, Intersec Dubai is the perfect way for security providers and buyers to start 2019" Mark Horton, Global Sales & Marketing Director commented, “As a key event for the region and beyond, Intersec Dubai is the perfect way for security providers and buyers to start 2019. Our solutions offer the very latest in security technology and the highest levels of protection, key benefits that we know are always well-received by visitors at the event.” Mark continued, “Over the last couple of years we have seen a significant growth in demand for our products in the Middle East, with increased investment in infrastructure across the region as a whole. Because of continued growth in the market, we have also invested in the expansion of our Dubai-based office and regional support team to ensure we are perfectly placed to supply and service our customers.” Reporting multiple disturbances Future Fibre Technologies will be showcasing its enhanced Aura Ai-2 controller. Featuring unrivalled high-sensitivity detection, location accuracy, cut resilience capability and the industry’s longest linear range - this product features new ultra-low noise optical detection electronics. This ensures a single controller can cover a distance up to 110 kilometres, accurately detecting, locating and reporting multiple disturbances to just +/- two metres. Also on stand S3-C48, BQT Solutions will be demonstrating the new high-strength Orca lock to the middle east market Also on stand S3-C48, BQT Solutions will be demonstrating the new high-strength Orca lock to the middle east market. Building on the success of the award winning YG10, the Orca lock is designed for securing gates, roller doors, shipping containers and any other large door or entryway. Alongside the Orca’s impressive physical attributes, a unique feature is its ability to fully integrate into an access control system, surpassing any other solutions available in the market. Security risk management Orca is fully monitored, weatherproof, and user configurable - providing the perfect indoor and outdoor locking solution. As well as the products themselves, the Ava Group team will be on hand to explain how its solutions are being used in real-world projects to address the latest threats. Mark concluded, “We are looking forward to discussing recent key examples of our technology in action, including a major military closed data network where our data network infrastructure protection solution is protecting against tapping and tampering. These projects illustrate the depth of our expertise in security risk management and highlight the level of protection which we achieve to client’s assets and infrastructure. If you are visiting the event come and have a chat with our friendly and expert team on Stand S3-C48 about your specific security needs.”
OPTEX, renowned global sensor manufacturer, will demonstrate the recently enhanced long-range RLS-3060 LiDAR series live on its stand, as well as showcase its new 180-degree outdoor sensor ideal for boundary protection. OPTEX LiDAR and REDSCAN series sensors “OPTEX’s LiDARs have been successfully deployed in the Middle East region for years, for a number of applications ranging from perimeter security to roof and asset protection. At this year’s Intersec we are looking forward to showing the new functionalities of our long-range REDSCAN series which will make it more flexible and compelling for perimeter security,” says Gaurav Mahajan, Divisional Manager for OPTEX in Middle East. The advanced RLS-3060-SH model has been designed for harsher environments and extends the detection area to 50m radius in horizontal mode The long-range RLS-3060L has a detection range of up to 30 metres, and now features four detection areas that can be independently adjusted via an analogue connection, and up to eight areas that can be adjusted via an IP connection. The inclusion of area allocation and masking functions enable these detection zones to be precisely defined. The advanced RLS-3060-SH model has been designed for harsher environments and extends the detection area to 50m radius in horizontal mode. When in vertical detection mode, it can detect a standing or squatting person over 100m away. WXI 180-degree outdoor PIR sensors The event is also the opportunity for OPTEX to showcase its new 180-degree outdoor sensor, ideal to protect the boundary of residential and commercial premises. The new WXI 12m 180-degree outdoor PIR has left and right alarm outputs that trigger alarm signals from both sides individually, making it ideal for PTZ activation, direction, recognition and changing detection pattern by day and night. The WX Infinity series features advanced Super Multidimensional Analysis (SMDA) logic to differentiate between human beings and animals, advanced temperature compensation, an area masking shutter, and a single or dual pulse count. The new series is available as both hard wired and battery-operated models. With the launch of our new 180-degree PIR, we are complementing our boundary protection range" “With the launch of our new 180-degree PIR, we are complementing our boundary protection range,” says Masaya Kida, Managing Director of OPTEX EMEA. “We are now able to offer single sided and double-sided curtain PIRs, 90-degree volumetric and 180-degree volumetric sensors, covering all areas around the building.” Fibre optic perimeter fence detection system Also, on the stand, OPTEX’s sister company Fiber Sensys will be showcasing its compact radar range which offers object tracking and object categorising that differentiates between vehicles, people and drones. It complements its fibre optic perimeter fence detection system by offering protection for wide open areas. Masaya says the company is looking forward to exhibiting again at Intersec and having the opportunity to present its range of perimeter protection sensors: “A delegation from OPTEX EMEA will be attending the show including technical engineers, marketing specialists, Middle East and Africa sales managers, and our Strategic Alliance Manager. This gives visitors to Intersec a great opportunity to connect with the OPTEX team and discuss their projects.”
Axis Communications is returning for the 21st edition of Intersec from 20 – 22 January 2019. Axis will showcase the many dimensions of products, solutions and services across Retail, Critical Infrastructure and Smart Cities. Future of security Philippe Kubbinga, Regional Director - Middle East & Africa, Axis Communications, “At Axis, we have stayed at the forefront by constantly challenging the status quo and investing in our people and our partners. As we move into another year, we have an ever-increasing demand for smart products, solutions and services. In the last year, network audio, edge analytics, multi-sensors and privacy of data dominated in demand, conversations and actual applications – trends we deem very positive for our industry.” We have continued to add new dimensions in our offerings across Retail, Critical Infrastructure and are also seeing a positive trend in Smart Cities" “We have continued to add new dimensions in our offerings across Retail, Critical Infrastructure and are also seeing a positive trend in Smart Cities. At Intersec 2019, we look forward to an in-depth conversation with our ecosystem on the future of security and surveillance, and its constantly adapting landscape and application.” Security end points Martin Gren, Co-Founder of Axis Communications, will be a key speaker at the Intersec Future Security Summit on 20th January 2019 where he will discuss “Future of global security industry: security end points viewed as a mode of connection, not an intrusion.” At the stand, visitors can experience the Q8742 Bi-Spectral Camera, Q1645-LE Fixed Box Outdoor Camera, Q6125-LE PTZ with IR, Access Control, Analytics, Audio Products and Management Software, Technologies and the award-winning AXIS P3717-PLE. Axis Communications will be located at stand S1-J12, Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. In the lead up to Intersec, Axis also shared the Key Technology Trends for 2019. Key technology trends Johan Paulsson, Chief Technology Officer, Axis Communications, “It’s become a tradition to write about the key technology trends that we think will have a significant impact on our business over the coming year and the security sector as a whole.” In thinking about 2019 we see a number of the key trends being an extension of those we identified at the start of 2018" “Future-gazing is never an easy task, and while many new technologies and broader issues will no doubt be significant in the long-term, what particularly interests us are those areas where we can see a compelling use case in the shorter-term. As such, in thinking about 2019 we see a number of the key trends being an extension of those we identified at the start of 2018.” Incremental improvements In our industry today, machine or deep-learning is mostly used for video analytics, but we expect the technology will be an important component in many different applications and products in the future. Over time it will become a common tool for software engineers and will be included in many different environments and devices. But, again, its application will be driven by the most compelling use cases, not by the technology itself. There is a temptation in the surveillance and security sector to over-promise in relation to new technologies. This has been true of AI in video analytics and, particularly, in some of the claims made around the current application of deep learning. With AI and deep learning, as with any new technology, we’re committed to making sure its implementation is robust, reliable and addresses real customer challenges. Research and progress will continue, steadily, and bring incremental improvements and benefits over the next year rather than radical change. Ever-increased capacity Cloud computing is based on the centralised computing in one or many data center, and as the proliferation of connected Cloud computing is based on the centralised computing in one or many data center, and as the proliferation of connected, Internet of Things (IoT) devices grows exponentially, so does the amount of data produced. Even as more data centers with ever-increased capacity are created, this tsunami of data could become overwhelming. This can be particularly critical in areas such as video surveillance, where despite the development of technologies designed to reduce storage and bandwidth needs, data demands are still significant. This is where the benefits of edge computing come to the fore. In simple terms, as its name suggest, edge computing puts more data processing at the ‘edge’ of the network, close to where the data is collected by the sensor and before transfer to the data center. Addressing security In our business, edge computing means processing data within the camera itself. Firstly, initial processing of data within the camera can significantly reduce the bandwidth demands of both data transfer and storage. Additionally, data can be anonymised and encrypted before it is transferred, addressing security and privacy concerns. Ultimately, cloud and edge computing will not be an ‘either…or’ decision; the two will work in balance to the greatest benefit. In years to come, 2018 might be considered as the year when broad awareness of data privacy reached its highest point, particularly that associated with personal information. To those in the public and private sectors, the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) bought a higher level of scrutiny than ever before to how organisations collect, store, share and use personal information (including that captured by video surveillance). Heightened awareness This data is used by the likes of Facebook, Amazon, Google and others to increase the value of these services through a high degree of personalisation To the broader consumer, however, it is more likely to be issues relating to Facebook’s use of data which has heightened awareness and concern regarding what happens to the personal data given away online. Ultimately, we live in a world where we have been given valuable online services in exchange for knowingly or unconsciously handing over a significant amount of personal data. Indeed, this data is used by the likes of Facebook, Amazon, Google and others to increase the value of these services through a high degree of personalisation. To many, however, it feels like a line has been crossed between useful personalisation and invasion of privacy, and the rumours that home voice assistants listen in to domestic conversations will only cause this unease to increase. Most impactful aspects Ultimately, the trust between an organisation and its customers is becoming an increasingly important and tangible asset. Concerns about a company’s approach to privacy and the use of personal data will be one of the most impactful aspects of trust in business moving forwards. Can something continue to be a ‘trend’ when it appears every year, and is a constant concern? Whatever your answer to that question, it’s impossible to think about issues that will affect every sector this year without a mention of cybersecurity. Indeed, in relation to the previous point, the fastest way to damage trust between a company and its customers (and shareholders) is through a cybersecurity breach. Good cybersecurity practice Cybersecurity will never be solved, because the cybercriminals will never stop trying to find and exploit vulnerabilities Cybersecurity will never be solved, because the cybercriminals (and increasingly nation states) will never stop trying to find and exploit vulnerabilities. These organisations are incredibly well-funded and organised and can innovate much more quickly than companies that need to adhere to industry regulations. Attacks are becoming more sophisticated, at a time when the number of connected devices mean that potential vulnerabilities and insecure network end-points are growing exponentially. One particular area of vulnerability that has been highlighted recently is in the supply chain, where either a lack of good cybersecurity practice or even deliberately malicious actions can result in cybersecurity breaches being achieved through both software and hardware. The provenance of products is ever more critical than ever, with manufacturers needing to be confident that every link in their supply chain is a secure as it should be. Environmental impact We’ve already seen how video analytics can be used as an operational planning tool by organisations looking to improve energy efficiency within offices, with the subsequent positive benefits for the environment. But new types of sensors can more accurately measure environmental impact across an organisation’s sites, effectively acting as highly sensitive artificial ‘noses’ calibrated to different forms of output, and thermal imaging can be used to pinpoint areas of energy wastage. For instance, one critical area where such sensors can heighten awareness, understanding and, increasingly allow for remedial action is in air quality. Whether inside buildings or in the external urban environment, the negative impacts on health and associated costs are becoming an ever-greater issue. Effective response Smart sensors will have a central role to play in addressing the problem globally. Such applications add value to organisations through efficiencies and cost savings (and, hopefully, health benefits), but also help them reach their own environmental and sustainability goals. But a final trend that we’re confident will be increasingly prevalent in 2019 will be combining and integrating sensors to prompt ‘smart’ actions In themselves, individual sensors such as those described above can deliver significant benefits. But a final trend that we’re confident will be increasingly prevalent in 2019 will be combining and integrating sensors to prompt ‘smart’ actions. For instance, in a smart city, a motion sensor connected to a barrier could trigger a camera which, in turn, would trigger an alert in the operations center, allowing for rapid and appropriate response. Or an environmental sensor could again trigger a video or thermal camera to quickly identify fires or spillages, again prompting alerts which will create a more rapid and effective response. Bringing new technologies When the range of sensors are considered – from thermal to motion, from atmospheric to video – the ways in which they could be combined are endless, as are the potential benefits of doing so. Technology continues to develop at a rapid and accelerating pace. While it can be easy to become distracted by the potential of every new trend or innovation, each must be considered in relation to the use cases that are going to deliver maximum positive impact and value to organisations and citizens. This remains the lens through which we view technology trends and their application, and 2019 promises to be another exciting year in bringing new technologies to market in increasingly useful ways.
ASSA ABLOY has acquired Exidor Ltd from Chamberlin Plc. Exidor is a long established manufacturer of panic and emergency exit hardware in the UK. ASSA ABLOY is an international group with around 47,000 employees and sales close to £6.4 billion. In the UK, ASSA ABLOY is best known for the Yale and UNION brands and has its Head Office and main manufacturing centre in Willenhall. Innovative product range Given the strong commercial synergies between Exidor and ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions UK, in particular with the Door Hardware Group in the UK, the acquisition will create opportunities for both businesses to add greater value to our customers by offering a broader and innovative product range. Exidor will continue to operate as an autonomous business as part of the Door Hardware Group, retaining the existing strong management Exidor will continue to operate as an autonomous business as part of the Door Hardware Group, retaining the existing strong management and commercial teams who have been responsible for developing its excellent reputation in the market. Existing customer contact points remain unchanged. Emergency exit hardware “Exidor are an exciting addition to our UK business and I am delighted to welcome their team into ASSA ABLOY” says Harry Warrender Market Region Manager of ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions UK & Ireland. “It offers an extensive high quality range of panic and emergency exit hardware with a strong track record of innovation. Their portfolio will extend the ASSA ABLOY offering into the UK commercial market.” Exidor was established in 1931 and has its headquarters in Cannock, West Midlands. The business employs approximately 70 employees and 2018 sales are expected to reach around £8 million.
Ava Group (AVA), global provider of security risk management services and technology will be presenting its portfolio of security solutions at International Security Expo, stand E74. The expo also hosts a range of certified conferences and workshops covering every major sector of the security industry. Taking place over two days at London Olympia, the event focuses on the needs of government and CNI amongst other key sectors. Fibre optic intrusion detection Ava Group will be showcasing the latest solutions from its technology division - incorporating Future Fibre Technologies and BQT Solutions. The Ava Group is a market leader of risk management services and technologies, offering a portfolio of complementary solutions encompassing both fibre optic intrusion detection and high security access control and locking. Mark Horton, Global Sales & Marketing Director – Future Fibre Technologies commented, “Our brands have a strong pedigree in some of the expo’s key sectors including government and CNI, and we’re very much looking forward to discussing with visitors how Ava’s solutions can be applied to protect their organisations. Ava Group has had some major project wins in recent months including a major military closed data network, who have selected our data network infrastructure protection solution to secure its network against tapping and tampering. It is projects such as this that demonstrate Ava Group’s expertise in security risk management and protection of client’s assets and infrastructure.” Perimeter security technology New ultra-low noise optical detection electronics ensure a single controller can cover a distance up to 110 kilometres Ava Group’s CTO – Technology, Dr Jim Katsifolis will be presenting in the Perimeter Security & Intrusion Detection Technology Workshop on ‘Security within security in a converged perimeter intrusion detection solution’ on the first morning of the exhibition. An accomplished R&D professional, Jim will explore the latest generation of PIDS technologies, the convergence of intrusion detection and cybersecurity as well as addressing some common myths in this field. Featured on the stand will be the enhanced Aura Ai-2 controller from Future Fibre Technologies. This market-leading product offers unrivalled high-sensitivity detection, location accuracy, cut resilience capability and the industry’s longest linear range. New ultra-low noise optical detection electronics ensure a single controller can cover a distance up to 110 kilometres and can accurately detect, locate and report multiple disturbances to +/- 2 metres. Security management solution Ava Group is also previewing its Small Site Assurance range, which is designed to protect remote unmanned locations through a holistic security management solution. The solution incorporates intrusion detection, access control and locking as well as environmental monitoring - all controlled remotely from a simple graphical user interface. The Small Site Assurance range is particularly suited for utilities, telecoms, energy, oil & gas and data centres that are at risk from threats such as vandalism, opportunistic and targeted theft, terrorist attack, trespass, system failure, accident or injury. Orca locking security solution The Orca lock is a high-strength lock designed for securing gates, roller doors, shipping containers, and any other large door or entryway From BQT Solutions, Ava Group will be demonstrating the Orca lock. Building on the success of the award winning YG10, the Orca lock is a high-strength lock designed for securing gates, roller doors, shipping containers, and any other large door or entryway. Alongside the Orca’s impressive physical attributes, its ability to integrate into an access control system is what elevates it beyond anything available in the market. Fully monitored, weatherproof, and user configurable, the Orca is the perfect indoor and outdoor locking solution. BQT will also demonstrate the latest software integration between its miPASS Access TMS software and Paxton’s Net2 access control software. The integration enables the seamless addition of BQT biometric readers to new or existing Net2 systems, facilitating a smooth transition from less secure card technologies to more robust options like fingerprint biometrics and BQT’s own miPASS credentials.
Antaira Technologies a global developer and manufacturer of industrial networking devices and communication solutions for harsh environment applications and is proud to announce the expansion of its industrial networking infrastructure family with the introduction of the LNP-1600G, -1802G-SFP, and -2004G-SFP series. As PoE technology has become increasingly popular in many industrial markets including automation manufacturing, security surveillance, power/utility, water wastewater treatment plants, oil/gas/mining, and transportation industries have adopted PoE (Power-over-Ethernet) ready devices; such as, cameras, VoIP phones, wireless radios, and access controllers into their production networks. Works in harsh environments Antaira’s LNP series work well in harsh or outdoor environments that require rugged power sourcing equipment (PSE) with high-density Ethernet port connectivity, wide bandwidth, long-distance data transmission, and reliability. Antaira Technologies’ LNP-1600G, -1802G-SFP, and -2004G-SFP series are the latest industrial Gigabit unmanaged Ethernet switch series that offer high density for sixteen full gigabit Ethernet ports (-1600G, -1802G-SFP, and -2004G-SFP) with each port supporting PSE maximum of 30W and have two or four SFP gigabit fibre slots (-1802G-SFP and -2004G-SFP) for long distance connectivity. These product series have an IP30 rated metal casing design that can support DIN-Rail and wall mountable orientations. Overload current and reverse polarity prevention The devices provide a dual redundant power input range of 48 to 55VDC with an overload current and reverse polarity prevention. The series also has a high EFT, surge protection (2,000VDC), and ESD (6,000VDC) protection. Additionally, there is a built-in relay warning function to alert maintainers when power failures occur. Each unit is built to withstand industrial networking hazards like shock, drop, vibration, electromagnetic interference (EMI) and temperature extremes. Wide operating temperature version options include a standard (-10° ~ 65°C) model or an extended (-40° ~ 75°C) model. The units conform to the following dimensions of 67mm (W) x 99mm (D) x 142mm (H) and a unit weight of 2.69 pounds (LNP-1600G and LNP-1802G-SFP) or 2.75 pounds (LNP-2004G-SFP).


Expert commentary
As anyone who has ever flown on a commercial airline since 2001 knows, security measures at airports are well enforced and the emphasis on traveller safety is all around the airport and its grounds. Mass transportation, meanwhile, presents a special but not any less significant challenge when it comes to determining security issues. These facilities need to develop the means to protect a constantly changing and large population of passengers. And unlike airports these facilities often have hundreds of points of entry and exit on multiple modes—buses, subways, light rail, commuter trains, even ferries. About 2 million Americans will use the nation’s airways on a given work day, while 35 million people will board some form of public transportation. In fact, statistics have shown that nearly 11 billion trips are taken on public transportation every year. In some large metropolitan areas in North America where mass transit is well established, more than 20 percent of the area’s inhabitants get around via public transportation.About 2 million Americans will use the nation’s airways on a given work day, while 35 million people will board some form of public transportation Solving mass transit security For transportation officials and their security providers, solving the mass transit security issue begins with determining the key concerns and then creating the proper responses via security systems, policies and procedures to mitigate the risks. Although vandalism and graffiti are very visible signs of criminal behaviour in mass transit settings such as bus stops and subway stations, this is not where transportation officials typically focus their energy. Fences and gates can secure out-of-service buses and train cars, as can remote surveillance methods to keep such vandalism at a minimum. Instead, it is the day-to-day safety and security of transit riders and employees that should become the highest priority. This begins with creating the safest environment possible that is highlighted with appropriate signage and, when necessary, audible warnings, and supporting that with technology, such as surveillance cameras, that will document what has happened if an incident occurs.Analytics can also be useful in alerting security about other suspicious behaviours at a transit stop, such as an untended bag or package Crime prevention in transportation Analytics can also be useful in alerting security about other suspicious behaviours at a transit stop, such as an untended bag or package Incidents of concern within a transit setting can take several forms, ranging from legitimate accidents or crimes to false claims such as faked fall down the stairs to potential and actual suicides. Bus and subway stations also have become magnets for homeless people who may put themselves and others in harm’s way by trying to access less secure public areas within a station as temporary shelters. If someone is injured on a subway platform and the transit provider is held liable, it could be on the hook for hundreds of thousands, if not millions of dollars. Suicides are a major concern for operators, with personnel now being trained to look for individuals who seem distressed, are loitering in the area or are intentionally putting themselves in a dangerous situation, such as standing too close to the edge of a platform. The deployment of video analytics, which can be programmed to send alerts when certain pre-set actions occur, can help determine when such dangerous behaviours come into play. Analytics can also be useful in alerting security about other suspicious behaviours at a transit stop, such as an untended bag or package or a person going into a restricted area. Whether it is on the bus, train or ferry or at the stops themselves, cameras and intuitive video management systems are the key to both active and forensic transit security. Some cities use buses that are up to 60 feet long and those can be equipped with up to a dozen cameras Train security and safety By using the proper cameras and recording systems in a transit environment, quick-acting personnel can locate a person of interest who boarded a train at one station, follow him during his trip and produce a crisp, clear identifiable image at the end. Those setting up the system thus should keep in mind proper camera positioning, resolution and motion-based changes to framerates or other compression settings. A typical 30-foot bus often has six cameras—one each at the front and middle doors, two more within the bus and then one looking forward and another looking behind the bus. The latter two are important in the event of accidents to verify liability. Some cities use buses that are up to 60 feet long and those can be equipped with up to a dozen cameras.Train stations often deploy high-definition cameras to better support facial recognition software to get that actionable image Train cars are similarly equipped with two to four cameras to view activity down the centre aisle. Within the stations themselves, there can be from 15 to 30 or more cameras capturing wide-angle shots. Train stations, which have a restricted point of egress, often deploy high-definition cameras to better support facial recognition software to get that actionable image. Installing the right technology for the solution Although bandwidth and storage can be a concern, with motion-based recording, the resolution can be bumped up during event, resulting in a 1-megapixel stream jumping to 4 or even 8mbps when needed. By changing the resolution on demand, end users can cut their storage needs significantly. Transportation settings often rely on the same technology used in other security installations, primarily mini dome cameras, although there are some mini transit domes built specifically for the environment with the proper aesthetics. Because of vandalism threats, transit typically avoids pendant mounts, which can be more easily grabbed and damaged. Temperature ratings for cameras also come into play in cold climates with cameras often getting outdoor exposure.Today’s new buses and trains are constructed with the cameras onboard and newer stations also take security into consideration at the earliest design stage As trains and buses move along their routes, especially those that service outlying areas, Internet connectivity becomes an issue as well. Because it may be difficult for video to be sent in transit, security bus barns are equipped with Wi-Fi so video from onboard cameras can be downloaded at the end of the day. And the use of hardened recorders at the stations allows security personnel to retrieve recorded video. Transit security with modern technology Today’s new buses and trains are constructed with the cameras onboard and newer stations also take security into consideration at the earliest design stage. Older infrastructure from long-standing subway and bus terminals can prove to be a challenge when adding security, but these issues aren’t insurmountable. Often the solution is to add more cameras to cover the same square footage because of less-than-ideal sight lines and to place conduit wherever it works best, which may mean positioning it under platforms or in other out-of-the-way places within older stations. Looking ahead, transit security will continue to evolve, not only as new stations and modes of transportation are added to the system, but in terms of communicating with commuters. People can expect to get mass notification alerts on their mobile devices, and those same devices can provide vital data to transportation entities to better develop their overall systems.
The term ‘marine’ comes from the Latin mare, meaning sea or ocean, and marine habitats can be divided into two categories: coastal and open ocean. Video surveillance (VS) applications can cover both types of marine environment with system for ships, maritime ports, onshore and offshore installations, etc. We should want to further analyse VS for ships and try to explain the types of ships on which it can be used, the ways in which VS can be used on ships, the typical certifications in use and what features a camera station must have to be installed on a ship. Starting with ships that have a minimum tonnage, around the world we have: liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers, passengers ships, chemical tankers, crude oil tankers, container ships, general cargo ships and bulk carriers.As the LNG market grows rapidly, the fleet of LNG carriers continues to experience tremendous growth, offering more opportunities for VS Video surveillance for all marine vessels An LNG carrier is a tank ship designed for transporting liquefied natural gas. As the LNG market grows rapidly, the fleet of LNG carriers continues to experience tremendous growth. A passenger ship is a merchant ship whose primary function is to carry passengers by sea. This category does not include cargo vessels which have accommodation for a limited number of passengers, but rather includes the likes of ferries, yachts, ocean liners and cruise ships. A chemical tanker is a type of tank ship designed to transport chemicals in bulk. These ships can also carry other types of sensitive cargo which require a high standard of tank cleaning, such as palm oil, vegetable oils, tallow, caustic soda and methanol. An oil tanker, also known as a petroleum tanker, is a merchant ship designed for the bulk transport of oil. There are two basic types of oil tankers: crude tankers and product tankers. Crude tankers move large quantities of unrefined crude oil from its point of extraction to refineries. Product tankers, generally much smaller, are designed to move refined products from refineries to points near consuming markets. Container ships are cargo ships that carry their entire load in truck-size intermodal containers: a technique called containerisation. They are a common means of commercial intermodal freight transport and now carry most seagoing non-bulk cargo. Today, about 90% of non-bulk cargo worldwide is transported by container. A cargo ship or freighter ship is any sort of ship or vessel that carries cargo, goods and materials from one port to another. Cargo ships are specially designed for the task, often being equipped with cranes and other mechanisms to load and unload, and come in all sizes. Bulk carriers make up 15%–17% of the world's merchant ships and they are specially designed to transport unpackaged bulk cargo such as grains, coal, ore and cement in its cargo holds. For all these ships the protection of vessels, cargo and crew is a priority, that’s why the adoption of VS technology plays a key part in terms of security and safety. Human error is regularly named as a major factor in ship accidents, and one way to avoid it is to aid seafarers by providing them with technology and equipment that is reliable and easy to use in all weather and sea conditions. Marine VS encompasses liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers, passengers ships, chemical tankers, crude oil tankers, container ships, general cargo ships and bulk carriers Emergency security solutions on ship One of the most important applications for camera stations is during “docking”. Mooring is the securing or confining of a vessel in a particular location with a fixed or a floating object (jetty, pier, ship, barge, buoy, etc.) as various cargo operations are carried out. Docking is the final stage of mooring operations when the ship docks to the jetty. This is a very delicate operation and cameras are very helpful in making sure docking is done without accidents.'Man overboard’ is an emergency in which a person has fallen off a boat or ship into the water, and can happen at any time during the day or night Another important application for camera stations is the Man Overboard detection system (MOB). ‘Man overboard’ is an emergency in which a person has fallen off a boat or ship into the water. Man overboard events can happen at any time during the day or night, in all types of weather and sea conditions, and from almost any location on the ship, ranging from a few tens of feet above the water, to over 180 feet. When these events occur, the immediate availability of important data is crucial. Accurate confirmation of the event including time of occurrence, location on the ship and location in the sea is critical. A proactive detection system must immediately and accurately detect man overboard events and provide prompt, actionable data to response personnel. A typical man overboard detection system can report a MOB event in under 1 second. VS on a vessel can also monitor the engine room at all times and provide a good view of people working on dock, machinery and stowed equipment. But what are the most important features that a camera station must have to work in one of the most aggressive environments in nature? Marine surveillance must operate in one of the most harsh environments in nature Ruggedised reliability in surveillance First of all, and perhaps it’s obvious, but it’s extremely important to have camera stations with amazing reliability. Housing units manufactured from AISI 316L stainless steel, passivated and electropolished, makes the cameras completely impervious to air, water, rusting and corrosion, therefore offering excellent weather protection and increased reliability. Housing units manufactured from AISI 316L stainless steel, passivated and electropolished, makes the cameras completely impervious to air, water, rusting and corrosion Sometimes ships also use cameras constructed entirely from technopolymer, which guarantees high impact resistance and superior protection from external weather agents. Keeping the camera glass clean at all times is another essential feature, and it can be done via a wiper/wash system that greatly reduces the need for maintenance. In the case of PTZ cameras, the best option would be a great pan and tilt speed (up to 100°/s). What is the operative temperature range for the cameras? Sea is everywhere and therefore ships go everywhere, from the Arctic Ocean to the Mediterranean, so we need cameras that have to be fully operational across a wide temperature range. -40°C to +65°C covers almost all areas. Analogue or IP Cameras? Actually, both options can be used, especially for applications like docking where it’s important to avoid image delay (as can happen with IP cameras due to the natural latency of data communication over a network). Marine certifications Last but not least, the certifications: Certifications guarantee the quality and reliability of camera stations. There is no compromise! One important certification is the Lloyd’s Register Type Approval which subjects cameras to rigorous testing for performance, vibration (critical on ships), humidity, etc. The application field of the LR Type Approval is VS in public places (e.g. passenger ships), open decks, enclosed spaces that are subjected to heat generated from other equipment, and technical premises. Often, VS cameras used in specific areas of ships, such as hazardous areas, are required to have ATEX and IECEX certifications.
In 2017 we saw a lot of new construction projects, and many existing buildings upgraded their security systems to include high-resolution cameras and better-quality recording systems. Because the economy is stronger, many businesses and municipalities increased their security budgets for large-scale and public projects due to terrorism threats in public places. Smart cities became more popular One of the bigger trends we saw in 2017 is the growing popularity of smart cities and the adoption of public safety systems in both North American and Europe. This includes many cities creating wireless network infrastructure for public WiFi connectivity and for their surveillance network. Oftentimes smart cities develop because of an initial safe city initiative and then cities start to leverage the same infrastructure for more applications. Impact of terrorism Unfortunately, we saw a growth in terrorism attacks in 2017 in Europe and the United States. This has had a significant impact on security in public spaces where large groups of people congregate for entertainment, shopping and sporting events, all of which are now potential targets. We started to see cities install bollards on streets to prevent trucks from driving up on people on sidewalks and video surveillance systems so that police can monitor public spaces in real time. An example was the SuperBowl LIVE venue in Houston, which held several large outdoor events. To help monitor these events the city deployed a mmWave wireless network system for the surveillance cameras which were installed to monitor this area. Cybersecurity a growing concern In addition to terrorism threats, cybersecurity has become a growing concern and focus. More and more manufacturers, including Siklu, have begun to develop secure systems that are extremely difficult for hackers to gain access to because an encrypted network is no longer enough. The devices on the network also have to be secure. There is a growing shift towards younger generations wanting to live in the city where they have access to public transportation, restaurants and entertainment Looking ahead to 2018, the security market should expect to see continued growth in the use of video analytics for proactive surveillance purposes and more technology that leverages the intelligence of this data. Also, there is a growing shift towards younger generations wanting to live in the city where they have access to public transportation, restaurants and entertainment. They also expect to live in a safer environment and this is where the smart city approach comes into play with the introduction of WiFi in parks and public spaces, along with surveillance systems. These two solutions and services can now sit on the same network, thanks to better connectivity options and interference free solutions, such as mmWave wireless radios. Embracing new technology Next year the winners will be those who embrace new technology and do not solely focus on security. It’s important to embrace other IoT devices and recognise that video as a service is growing in demand. Cloud-based solutions are also growing for both video storage and monitoring management systems. The losers will be those who are not willing to embrace new technology, those who offer poor service and those who don’t expand their business to include professional services. Siklu success Siklu’s security business has doubled year over year, and there are now more than 100 cities globally with a Siklu radio deployed. This is because there is an increasing acceptance of our mmWave wireless technology and people are starting to recognise the benefits our systems provide when compared with installing new fiber or a traditional WiFi system. We recently introduced a new point-to-multipoint solution called MultiHaul™, which utilises immune narrow beams within a point-to-multipoint network topology and enables interference free connectivity and complete security. The solution’s 90-degree scanning antenna auto-aligns multiple terminal units from a single base unit, serving multiple locations while reducing installation times to minutes instead of hours by a single person and the total cost of ownership for end users.
Security beat
Security is among the defining topics at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2019 this week in Las Vegas. More than 4,500 exhibiting companies are participating, including some 1,200 startups, highlighting the next wave of innovation in consumer electronics – and security. Twenty-four product categories at CES feature solutions to transform how consumers live, work and play. Technologies being highlighted include 5G connectivity, artificial intelligence (AI), augmented and virtual reality, smart homes, smart cities, and machine intelligence. Video is an important element at CES. This year, the focus is on intelligent video. For example, Eyecloud.ai, Santa Clara, Calif., is displaying a home security camera with on-device face recognition that uses AI. Powered by a 12-core Intel Movidius VPU (video processing unit), the camera combines AI-on-the-edge with easy setup and wirefree operation for up to six months per battery charge. On-device artificial intelligence On-device AI is the next big trend in smart home surveillance, and deep neural networks will drive the future of do-it-yourself home automation SimCam, an Intel partner, demonstrates how the Intel Movidius VPU can turn a security camera into ‘the ultimate vision-based sensor’. On-device AI is the next big trend in smart home surveillance, and deep neural networks will drive the future of do-it-yourself home automation. A variety of other residential video systems are also on display at CES. For example, Swann Security is displaying 4K wired security systems featuring Google integration, a wireless smart security camera with True Detect heat-based PIR (photo infrared) motion detection, a video doorbell and chime with two-way talk, and indoor and outdoor wi-fi cameras with Alexa integrations. Intelligent automotive solutions Camera system-on-chip (SoC) company Ambarella is introducing the new CV25 camera SoC at CES. It combines advanced image processing, high-resolution video encoding and CVflow computer vision (video analytics) processing in a single, extremely low-power design. The CVflow architecture provides Deep Neural Network (DNN) processing required for a new generation of affordable and intelligent home monitoring, professional surveillance and aftermarket automotive solutions. CV25 offers half the performance of Ambarella’s previously released CV22 chip, but the new chip’s lower cost will bring intelligent cameras to a price point desirable for home systems. All Ambarella’s chips have hardware-based cybersecurity. A suite of advanced cybersecurity features protects against hacking, including secure boot, TrustZone, and I/O virtualisation. Based on 10nm ultra-low power processing technology, the CV25 chip is optimised for wirefree cameras applications that require long battery life and small form factors. Camera system-on-chip (SoC) company Ambarella is introducing the new CV25 camera SoC at CES Virtual security guards Elsewhere, the Deep Sentinel home security system applies video and AI to predict residential break-ins ‘before they happen’. The Pleasanton, Calif.-based tech startup uses ‘AI-infused security cameras’ to keep an eye on your home. Three wireless 1080p full HD cameras provide night vision and PIR motion sensing, connected by a smart hub. Using proprietary artificial intelligence, the cameras act as virtual guards, watching activity around a house and providing alerts to situations that may lead to burglaries, break-ins, package thefts and other dangers. My Safe Patrol is an AI-driven platform that analyses data aggregated from security personnel, citizen alert systems and IoT smart devices, and responds with geolocated alerts in real-time. My Safe Patrol effectively supports the security/safety ecosystem of a building, a campus, a city or a district through a dynamic dashboard that helps command and control operations manage and deploy security plans. AI-integrated devices Showcased solutions include Smart Living integration of video surveillance applications to enable real-time two-way audio and video streaming simultaneously MicroVision, Redmond, Wash., showcases an interactive display engine for AI-connected devices, providing an integrated solution for projected display and interactivity through multi-point touch and air gestures. MicroVision’s new consumer 3D LiDAR engine provides high-fidelity spatial awareness to smart home hubs, for input to smart devices such as lighting, security, entertainment, and thermostats. The Internet of Things (IoT) is another big topic at CES, and ThroughTek Co., Ltd., Taiwan, demonstrates IoT developments to transmit voice, video and data over both wide- and narrow-band channels in smart home applications. Showcased solutions include Smart Living integration of video surveillance applications combined with voice assistant to companion robots, wireless doorbells, and battery cameras to enable real-time two-way audio and video streaming simultaneously. Advanced Capacitive Touchscreen Decayeux Group, a European manufacturer of mailboxes and high security doors, is displaying MyColisBox, a secure and connected parcel box delivery system designed to provide online shoppers a secure pickup point accessible by a PIN code sent via SMS message to a smartphone. Walter is the new mobile app for MyColisBox. Kwikset, a division of Spectrum Brands, showcases its smart lock portfolio – including three new smart locks – in the CES Smart Home Marketplace. Kwikset is showing the SmartCode 888, Kwikset Convert, Obsidian, and new designs of the SmartCode 914 and SmartCode 916, as well as a new wi-fi lock. Baldwin, Kwikset’s ‘luxury lock’ sister company, is offering a preview of its new TouchScreen Collection, launching this summer, available in five styles and featuring Advanced Capacitive Touchscreen technology. The Internet of Things (IoT) is another big topic at CES, with many companies demonstrating IoT developments Cyber security standards Privacy is increasingly a concern in the consumer space, and Private Discuss, from PIMAN Security, is a premium, secure, white label communication solution. Their active AI-powered defense architecture provides encrypted audio and video calls, messaging and file sharing. It renders a confidential, secure messaging platform that adheres to the highest standards of cybersecurity. FLIR provides virtual reality demonstrations at their CES booth, allowing attendees to put on a virtual fire helmet and try out a FLIR camera in a real-world residential fire response scenario. Participants may also use a FLIR optical gas imaging camera virtually to stop fugitive emissions in a natural gas refinery. Booth visitors may also take “thermal selfies” to post on social media.
Change is happening at MOBOTIX, and the German company wants to get the word out. “This company has been around since 1999, and people still give us a blank stare because they don’t understand what’s behind the curtain,” says Joe Byron, Vice President Sales Americas, MOBOTIX CORP. “As we gain visibility, people really want to know ‘what’s going on over there?’” There’s a lot going on. A new CEO, Thomas Lausten, who joined the company last year, is a former Milestone employee who brings with him the Milestone philosophy of open systems. It’s a culture shift for MOBOTIX, which has historically favoured closed systems. “We needed a new leader to take us to the next level,” says Byron. “Thomas brings an open-platform mentality. He listens to a variety of opinions – from end users, architects and engineers, and MOBOTIX employees – before formulating a smart decision. That will take us to the next level.”MOBOTIX has been well ahead of the industry’s technology curve, and several early innovations have recently become more common The MOBOTIX ecosystem Over the years, MOBOTIX has developed a unique “culture” that has many rabid devotees; some say it’s the security industry’s version of tech giant Apple. “MOBOTIX has many loyalists, who are enthused about the products and the culture,” says Byron. “We can build on that with a new level of products, more excitement and a new direction.” In addition to a new CEO, MOBOTIX will soon have a new chief technology officer (CTO), Hartmut Sprave, who will be joining this summer. Providing “fresh eyes on the subject” and an outside perspective from the IT industry will drive further innovation. “We don’t want to be on the bleeding edge, but on the cutting edge, and know the audience and its needs and challenges,” says Byron. MOBOTIX’ existing technology mix provides a foundation as the company makes the transition. In some cases, MOBOTIX has been well ahead of the industry’s technology curve, and several early innovations have recently become more common. An example is MOBOTIX’ decentralised system approach with edge-based recording. Tradeshow successes Products highlighted by MOBOTIX at the recent ISC West show included the M16 AllroundDual Multisensor IP camera, S16 DualFlex IP camera and the Q26 Hemispheric 360-degree panoramic IP camera for indoor and outdoor applications. MOBOTIX Management Center (MxMC) 1.8 can change the camera settings on 80 cameras at a time. MOBOTIX IP Video Door Stations can interface with iOS and Android smartphone apps. “We have had so many things in place over so many years that people haven’t known about,” says Byron. He argues that MOBOTIX’ emphasis on technology development sets it apart from some camera companies in the U.S. market. Joe Byron, Vice President of Sales, and Ashley Grabowski, Regional Marketing Manager, at ISC West 2018 “People have been let down in the U.S. market with cameras that have been over-marketed, over-reaching and have little substance,” he says. The German engineering of MOBOTIX products and systems provides an antidote to the technology void, he says. “They are looking for the substance, and that’s what we have,” says Byron. What was missing – until now – was the “layer of integration” with other systems in the market, contends Byron. That separated MOBOTIX from the rest of the industry.MOBOTIX offers cybersecurity features that pre-dated the current industry obsession, such as HTTPS/SSL encryption in recording and playback video “But now we are an open platform, and we have these features sets and are the best of both worlds,” he says. “We can align with technology products and bring MOBOTIX to the masses. It’s a matter of listening to customer challenges and formulating a path to meet those challenges.” The fruits of that open system approach were on display at ISC West. The MOBOTIX booth featured integrations with ClearSite, Omnicast by Genetec, Konica Minolta and Mx-MSP by APB Technology. Other MOBOTIX technology partners include Avigilon, Bosch, Exacq, Gallagher, IndigoVision, Lenel, Milestone, Pelco by Schneider Electric, Salient Systems, Verint and Video Insight (Panasonic). Targeting local markets Another change under the new leadership is more flexibility to address the needs of local markets. “We need to be aware of our audience in the Americas,” says Byron, “and how approaching the market and the product mix may be different. We have the ability to create what we need here to be successful.” One particular concern in the Americas market is cybersecurity, and MOBOTIX offers cybersecurity features that pre-dated the current industry obsession, such as HTTPS/SSL encryption in recording and playback video. “We already have it, but we have never broadcast it to the masses,” says Byron. “We have the substance but haven’t communicated it.” Looking to enter the government market, for example, MOBOTIX faces the important requirement to be “IA compliant.” The company qualifies as IA (information assurance) compliant but just needs to go through the process of getting the “rubber stamp.” “We have so much under the hood when it comes to our products,” says Byron. He says MOBOTIX’ Internet of Things (IoT) approach can meet any end user challenges. “We can be all things to all people, if they truly get to know us. We just need to develop a vehicle to allow customers to communicate with us: What is the challenge? Nine times out of 10 we can meet that challenge with one of our cameras.”
Security is more-than-ever linked to consumer electronics, especially in the residential/smart home market. CES 2018 in Las Vegas is therefore brimming with news that will have a direct impact on the security market, today and especially looking into the future. Products for the future of security CES is a giant trade show for consumer electronics with 2.75 million net square feet of exhibitor space and featuring more than 3,900 exhibitors, including 900 startups - in contrast, ISC West has some 1,000 exhibitors. During the week-long show welcoming 170,000-plus attendees from 150 countries, more than 20,000 new products are being launched. The products incorporate ingredient technologies such as artificial intelligence and 5G that will also be familiar elements as the future of the security industry unfolds. Familiar players at security shows also have a presence at CES, and many consumer technologies on display offer a glimpse of what’s ahead for security The areas of consumer electronics and security are closely intertwined. For example, Apple recently expanded near-field communication (NFC) support to include the NDEF (NFC Data Exchange Format), which will likely accelerate the adoption of smartphones for access control credentialing. In another recent development, Amazon acquired Blink, a home security camera startup that offers wireless home security systems. The acquisition aligns with Amazon’s effort to offer more home devices. Key security technologies at CES 2018 Familiar players at security shows also have a presence at CES. For example, Bosch is highlighting its “Simply. Connected” portfolio of smart city technology to transform security as well as urban mobility, air quality and energy efficiency. Many consumer technologies on display offer a glimpse of what’s ahead for security. Are Panasonic’s 4K OLEDs with HDR10+ format or Sony’s A8F OLED televisions a preview of the future of security control room monitors? At CES, Johnson Controls is announcing support for Apple HomeKit now offered in their DSC iotega wireless security and automation solution. Consumers can manage both their security system and also other home automation abilities using Apple’s Home app, or Siri on their iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch. Interlogix is announcing new features and components of its UltraSync SmartHome system, including hands-free voice control, high-definition cameras, an LTE cellular module and soon-to-be-released doorbell camera. The areas of consumer electronics and security are closely intertwined Developments in crime awareness ADT has a high profile at CES, including the launch of its ADT Go mobile app, equipped with 24/7 emergency response from ADT’s live monitoring agents and backed by Life360’s location technology, providing emergency response, family connectivity, safety assistance and crime awareness. ADT is also unveiling a video doorbell and expanding its monitoring to cybersecurity. IC Realtime is introducing Ella, a cloud-based deep-learning search engine that augments surveillance systems with natural language search capabilities across recorded video footage. Ella enables any surveillance or security cameras to recognise objects, colours, people, vehicles and animals. Ella was designed using the technology backbone of Camio, a startup founded by ex-Googlers who designed a simpler way to apply searching to streaming video feeds. It’s a “Google for video:” Users can type in queries such as “white truck” to find every relevant video clip. Smarter homes and smarter computers Do-it-yourself smart home security company Abode Systems announces iota, an all-in-one system giving customers more freedom and flexibility to build out and monitor their smart home. The new form factor has a built-in full-HD resolution camera enabling customers to see and hear what’s going on in their home 24/7 while a built-in gateway supports hundreds of devices to make homes more convenient, safer and more secure. There is also support for Apple HomeKit. Highly programmable and high-performance platforms will no doubt play a role in the future of video surveillance systems in our market The Z-Wave Alliance will host 30-plus leading smart home brands in the Z-Wave pavilion at CES. A full walk-through home will demonstrate different brands working together to create one cohesive smart home experience. Sigma Designs unveils its 700-Series Z-Wave platform, including numerous performance and technology enhancements in energy-efficiency and RF performance. Personal protection in attendance Self-defence product company SABRE will debut a combination pepper spray with dual sound-effect personal alarm that “alternates between the traditional wailing sound and a primal scream, while a strobe blinks 19 times per second to disorient assailants.” SABRE’s Modern Fake Security Camera includes “sleek, realistic design to deter would-be thieves.” Chip maker Ambarella is introducing the CV1 4K Stereovision Processor with CFflow Computer Vision Architecture. The chip combines environmental perception with advances in deep neural network processing for a variety of applications, including video security cameras and fully autonomous drones. At CES, applications will focus on automotive uses, including advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), self-driving, electronic mirror and surround view systems. The highly programmable and high-performance platform will no doubt play a role in the future of video surveillance systems in our market. A full walk-through home will demonstrate different brands working together to create one cohesive smart home experience Extending home security and efficiency The Ring whole-house security ecosystem creates a “Ring of Security” around homes and neighbourhoods. Products include “Stick Up” indoor/outdoor security cameras, integrated LED lighting, a “Ring Alarm” integrated bundle for $199 including a base station, keypad, contact sensor, and Z-Wave extender. “Ring Protect Plans” include 24/7 professional monitoring. The “Streety” phone app, from Vivint Smart Home, extends home security into the neighbourhood. Streety makes it easy for neighbours to monitor neighbourhood activity through a network of shared residential cameras. They can keep an eye on kids, cars and property through live video feeds and use recorded video clips to investigate incidents. A new device making its debut at CES is the Walker “commercialised biped robot,” from UBTECH Robotics, which provides a complete home butler service and is designed to ease the day-to-day operations of a busy home or office. The varied of functions includes video surveillance monitoring, security patrol monitoring, motion detection and “instant alarm,” as well as dancing and playing games with children. The company says Walker will “bridge the gap between technologies that were once only available in scientific research institutions and everyday people.”
Case studies
Raytec Hybrid IP PoE illuminators have been installed to protect a residential palace in Lebanon. The palace located in the Lebanese mountains outside Beirut lies at an altitude of 1,150 metres above the Lamartine Valley. The ornate design and treasured contents of the palace meant the client wanted an advanced security solution for the premises to protect both indoor and outdoor areas. The client approached local security company, Security Engineering, who specialise in complex integration between various systems, to provide an effective solution for their property. Combining CCTV surveillance with intrusion alarm Raytec’s Vario2 IP PoE Hybrid 8 units were selected for use on this project and would be used alongside Optex laser beam detectors and Bosch camerasThe client wanted to achieve high levels of security which they could control and activate remotely. Security Engineering recognised this would be best achieved using a range of different devices to provide a complete solution, combining CCTV surveillance with an intrusion alarm system. As well as the need for IR lighting to assist the CCTV system in the challenging low light conditions, the client also wanted to use White-Light as a deterrent to any potential intruders whenever an alarm was raised. Raytec’s Vario2 IP PoE Hybrid 8 units were selected for use on this project and would be used alongside Optex laser beam detectors and Bosch cameras (equipped with video analytics) and intrusion panel. All devices were linked to a Bosch Video Management System (BVMS), which would be used to control the system. Together, these devices would provide the client with the CCTV surveillance and intrusion alarm system they required and would be connected using TCP/IP technology in a unified communications protocol. High quality images for day/night surveillance The quality of illumination meant the camera analytics could clearly identify any intruders approaching the palace and boosted the accuracy of detectionAs the only IP enabled illuminator combining White-Light and Infra-Red into a single unit, Raytec’s Hybrid illuminators provided the client with the greatest level of functionality, flexibility and control. In Infra-Red mode, the illuminators provide high quality images for general night-time surveillance. The quality of illumination meant the camera analytics could clearly identify any intruders approaching the palace and boosted the accuracy of detection. Crucially for the client, Hybrid’s dual functionality also meant White-Light could be triggered as a deterrent (when an alarm was activated by the camera analytics or the Optex laser beam) to scare off any intruders. As well as being able to easily control the entire system remotely through the VMS, the entire system also linked to an indoor keypad or mobile app which had to be activated in order to arm the system. This ensured the deterrent lighting was only enabled when needed and couldn’t be triggered by false alarms. Using Infra-Red and White-Light together From the outset, Security Engineering identified the need to use both Infra-Red and White-Light illumination. Combining Infra-Red, White-Light and IP capability in a single illuminator, Hybrid represents the most advanced product of its type in today’s security market, providing the client with a more dynamic security response and tight integration with the other devices being used as part of the solution. Hybrid achieves the same power and distance as two dedicated illuminators; an important factor for the challenging low light conditions Thanks to Hybrid’s IP capability, all elements of the solution could work together seamlessly. As an open platform, all Raytec IP illuminators can easily integrate with a wide range of security devices; in this instance, Optex detectors and Bosch cameras. This gave Security Engineering greater flexibility when specifying their solution. Same power as two dedicated illuminators Hybrid’s dual use also helped to reduce the number of illuminators used on-site (previously the client would have had to install separate, dedicated White-Light and Infra-Red illuminators), reducing outlay on infrastructure and cabling by half. With no compromise on performance, Hybrid achieves the same power and distance as two dedicated illuminators; an important factor for the challenging low light conditions. Khaled Jaber, Security Engineering Managing Director comments: “Due to low light challenging conditions, and in order to maintain quality and efficiency of our Bosch cameras, we decided to use Raytec product for the advanced features it offered in enhancing the overall night image and delivering optimised end result of the camera under the given circumstances.”
Located in the middle of the deep forests of Småland in the south of Sweden, the Strandudden Gated Community has been designed to provide a safe environment for homeowners who wish to enjoy a high quality of life. The first phase of the development has seen the construction of 18 apartments which have stunning lake views. The materials and features of each apartment have been carefully selected to ensure sustainable energy consumption. When the development is completed, over 100 Wisenet cameras manufactured by Hanwha Techwin, will enable security personnel to closely monitor the movements of people and vehicles as they enter and move around the public areas of the gated community. Ensure strict compliance Equally important, the massive processing power of the chipsets of the open platform cameras means that our client is able to run specialist applications" 6 Wisenet cameras were initially installed during the construction of the apartments. These have been used to ensure strict compliance with the site’s healthy & safety regulations and to keep a close eye on valuable plant and machinery. “We evaluated products from a number of different manufacturers, but the superb quality of the images captured by the Wisenet cameras made it a very easy decision for us to recommend that they should be deployed throughout the Community,” said Henrik Carlsson, CCTV Product Manager for Elajo, one of Sweden’s electrical, mechanical, engineering and energy installation companies who were awarded the contract to manage the project. “Equally important, the massive processing power of the chipsets of the open platform cameras means that our client is able to run specialist applications, such as licence plate recognition (ANPR), in order to control vehicle access to the Community.” High quality images The Hanwha Techwin Europe pre-sales and technical teams have worked closely with Elajo to ensure the best camera types have been specified for each of the carefully chosen camera locations. 6 different Wisenet models have been selected to ensure high quality images can be captured day or night and that there are no blind spots. Among these is the Wisenet IP network PNP-9200RH 4K PTZ dome which has built-in IR illumination. The PNP-9200RH, which is IP66 and IK10 rated for vandal-resistance and outdoor use in the harshest environments, utilises Progressive Scan technology to provide sharp edges on moving subjects and vehicles. The PNP-9200RHs which have been installed at the entrance to the Community are equipped with the Wisenet Group ANPR solution which provides the opportunity to automatically control the movement of white listed cars through barriers via camera relay outputs. Drag and drop tool Images from all 100 cameras will be displayed in the Community’s control room via Wisenet WAVE video management software (VMS) Developed by Hanwha Techwin in partnership with analytics experts, FF Group, the solution uses camera-to-camera IP communication technology to enable up to 4 Wisenet Group ANPR cameras to work together, with data from each simultaneously transmitted to a single web based display. Images from all 100 cameras will be displayed in the Community’s control room via Wisenet WAVE video management software (VMS). An intuitive ‘drag & drop’ tool makes it extremely easy for operators to set up a display of live and recorded images on a single screen or video wall, with customisable layouts and sizes. Other key features include a virtual PTZ which, with just simple clicks of a mouse, enables operators to zoom in to see close up detail of any suspicious activity, whilst motion detection and video analytics support can be configured to generate alerts when user defined incidents occur. Auto-discover feature “Wisenet WAVE has proved to be extremely easy to use and it is a significant bonus that, with minimal training, operators are able to take maximum advantage of its wide range of innovative features,” said Henrik Carlsson. “It has also helped reduce installation costs as it has an auto-discover feature which means connected cameras can be addressed and set up within just minutes.” In addition to the images being displayed in the Community’s control room, should an incident occur that needs a rapid response, security personnel on patrol will be able to remotely view any activity via a smartphone or tablet with the help of the secure Wisenet Mobile App. PNP-9200RH: Wisenet P 4K PTZ IR dome camera PNM-9020V: Wisenet P 7.3 megapixel multi-sensor 180˚ Panoramic camera PNV-9080R: Wisenet P 4K Vandal-Resistant IR dome camera PNO-9080R: Wisenet P 4K IR Bullet Camera QND-7080R: Wisenet Q 4 megapixel IR dome camera XNO-6120R/FNP: Wisenet X ANPR camera
The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge relies on customised security solutions from Bosch to ensure safe operations. The world’s largest sea-crossing bridge was opened by Chinese officials late October 2018. Spanning 55 kilometres in length, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge directly connects Hong Kong to Macao and then to the Chinese city of Zhuhai for the first time. At a total cost of USD 20 billion, it is a major boost for China’s Greater Bay Area, an emerging industrial and technological hotbed that is home to 68 million people and a showcase project for Bosch Building Technologies. Equipping critical infrastructures The large-scale project was built over the course of eight years using 400,000 tons of steel and includes underwater tunnels and two artificial islands that serve as customs ports. Ensuring the security of these two islands, where drivers need to present special permits to use the new bridge and pass customs checkpoints, was a priority from the start. Bosch Building Technologies won the contract to provide the artificial islands with video surveillance, intrusion alarms With a proven track record of equipping critical infrastructures such as airports, hotels, commercial buildings and underground metros, Bosch Building Technologies won the contract to provide the artificial islands with video surveillance, intrusion alarms, as well as public address and voice evacuation systems. On the island between Zhuhai and Macao, the Bosch partner Shanghai SAGA Electronic Technology Co., Ltd. installed more than 5,700 Bosch loudspeakers and over 260 amplifiers which are all managed via the PRAESIDEO Digital Public Address and Emergency Sound system. Custom-ordering solutions Fulfilling a key customer request, the installation incorporates 15 different models of ceiling, wall mount, and line array speakers to blend in with the facility’s modern interior. Furthermore, Bosch was able to match Macao’s local standards by custom-ordering solutions with British power cord, programmed with graphic interfaces in traditional Chinese lettering. On the island outside of Hong Kong, which is home to a customs clearance port, Bosch partner Pro-United Co., Ltd. installed 2,200 public address speakers of various models, including outdoor speakers for the travel inspection building. Experts also adjusted 200 vari-directional array loudspeakers to balance sound variations from different building materials. Live voice announcements “The Bosch technical team and partners used professional software to simulate the sound pressure level of a specific area and comprehensively simulate the entire project to ensure that the selected products can meet the requirements of different areas in the actual application,” said Lin Lizhi, Bosch Building Technologies. Bosch also covered the island with more than 2,000 HD cameras including the FLEXIDOME, DINION, and AUTODOME series. The PRAESIDEO systems on both islands enable security staff to broadcast live voice announcements via security call points Monitored from a security control center on the Hong Kong-side of the island, these cameras support 24/7 surveillance of the customs clearance port, travel inspection building, Immigration Department and Hong Kong Customs Office. The PRAESIDEO systems on both islands enable security staff to broadcast live voice announcements via security call points, while multiple sets of intrusion alarm systems protect personnel and property. Broad customisation options “We added the supporting intelligent call station PRAESIDEO, which is usually used for airport projects, in order to ensure that the staff can directly perform voice broadcasts throughout the call station during operation, thus making the security management more convenient,” said Wang Yiping, Deputy General Manager of Shanghai SAGA Electronic Technology Co., Ltd. The high-profile infrastructure project highlights the flexibility and broad customisation options offered by Bosch Building Technologies as a one-stop solutions provider. Now that it is fully operational, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge is already considered a key asset in the Greater Bay Area, also known as ‘China’s Silicon Valley’. The bridge reduces the travel time between Zhuhai and Hong Kong from four hours to a mere 30 minutes. It also creates a new gateway for travellers between vital transportation hubs such as Shenzhen and Hong Kong airports with the integrated Bosch security solutions ensuring a safe passage.
Ava Group a provider of risk management services and technologies, announces that an Ava Group Company solution has been selected to protect a major military closed data network from the threat of tampering and tapping. The project to deploy its fibre optic intrusion detection and location solution is valued at around US $11M and asserts Ava Group’s status as a pioneer in data network protection. Ava Group Chief Executive Officer, Chris Fergus states: “We are proud that the Future Fibre Technologies (FFT) solution has been selected through a rigorous competitive tender, to deliver the very highest levels of protection to a closed data fibre optic network.” Asset owners can be potentially exposed to the threat of state-on-state action, terrorism and industrial espionage, as well as incident without motive Closed fibre network The principal task of this project supports The Ministry of Defence in India, who has the responsibility to protect its closed user group data network which is one of the largest in the world and used by more than one million military personnel. Any data network is as strong as its weakest link. Government departments, intelligence services, military organisations, financial organisations, nuclear facilities and commercial businesses with valuable intellectual property will have stringent measures in place to mitigate physical and cybersecurity threats yet are often oblivious to the danger of leaving even a closed fibre network unprotected. As such, the asset owners can be potentially exposed to the threat of state-on-state action, terrorism and industrial espionage, as well as incident without motive. Introducing additional vulnerabilities With low-cost readily available technology that requires little expertise, it is possible for an agenda-driven individual, or state-sponsored actor to tap and infiltrate a network at the fibre optic level and harvest data, without raising the alarm, or leaving an evidence trail. Chris Fergus, Ava Group CEO comments: “Any data breach is of grave concern, but those that pass undetected raise the stakes significantly. What’s more, in some instances fibre networks run across vast distances, meaning there could be tens of thousands of potential entry points for attack.” Unlike the widely used data encryption and protection schemes used to protect data in transit, Ava Group’s solution does not involve manipulation or processing of the data streams, thus avoiding third-party access to the data and therefore introducing additional vulnerabilities. Furthermore, processing or encryption of the data has a significant detrimental impact on bandwidth and latency, thus negating a major benefit of using fibre networks. Ava Group expects additional revenue from spares and support for seven years after the initial three-year warranty period Globally-recognised cybersecurity standards Kevin Berry, Ava Group’s Head of Information Security explains: “The FFT solution does not see or process the data, cannot access it and there is no requirement for encryption. Consequently, the network infrastructure is fully protected at every point and crucially performance is unaffected. Another major benefit of the FFT solution is that deployment is completed with zero network downtime and can be rolled out across live infrastructure utilising dark fibres.” A further reason for organisations to choose Ava Group company solutions is the recent launch of its Global Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence (CCoE). The initiative provides all customers with expert guidance and assurance that the products deployed on their data networks meet globally-recognised cybersecurity standards. The project is expected to be delivered in phases over a 15-month period, with the FFT solution beginning to strengthen the network from day-one of the installation. Ava Group expects additional revenue from spares and support for seven years after the initial three-year warranty period.
Cherokee Nation Entertainment (CNE) is the gaming and hospitality arm of the Cherokee Nation, operating multiple casinos and hotels across northeast Oklahoma, USA, including the prestigious Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa. Concerned that their security team was spending an overly large number of person-hours reviewing video recordings searching for a single person of interest, CNE sought to reduce the time it took to review security footage, so their security team could remain focused on proactive tasks, and optimise their day-to-day efficiency. CNE also wanted to obtain and assess accurate data on occupancy and visitor trends for business intelligence purposes. Furthermore, CNE wanted to be alerted to security-related events in real-time, in order to handle security issues as they developed. savVi’s video surveillance solution CNE selected savVi, Agent Vi’s on premise video analytics solution, due to the wide range of video analytics capabilities that savVi offers. Over 1,000 savVi licenses were purchased, allowing cameras at CNE’s ten Oklahoma-based casinos to be enabled with different combinations of real-time event detection, video search and business intelligence capabilities. CNE utilises the video search capability most widely – to enable rapid search through the surveillance video to pinpoint events of interest – and therefore video search capabilities are enabled on the majority of cameras at the sites. Business intelligence capabilities are mostly deployed around the various gaming machines, and at entrance and exit points, to show traffic patterns and real-time people counts. Real-time event detection capabilities are used largely for the high-security areas to ensure that CNE’s security team is informed regarding situations, as they unfold. savVi is deployed through integration with a range of Axis network cameras, primarily the AXIS P3225 and Q3505 fixed cameras, the AXIS P5635, Q6044 and Q6045 PTZ cameras, and for outdoor vehicle search, the AXIS Q3708 fixed camera with three sensors. CNE uses Milestone XProtect Corporate Video Management System (VMS), which is fully and seamlessly integrated with savVi, a Milestone Certified Solution. savVi’s video search capabilities allow for verification of personal injury claims by customers who may be trying to defraud the casino savVi’s real-time event detection savVi’s video search capabilities are of considerable importance to CNE. There is a prevailing need for the casinos to be able to swiftly locate specific events within masses of footage (“incident remediation” as it is known within the entertainment industry). Among other things, this allows for verification of personal injury claims by customers who may be trying to defraud the casino. Previously, the security team’s time was heavily occupied by observing hours of footage in search of a specific person or incident. savVi now enables CNE to run the search automatically, allowing far more effective use of the operators’ time, and reduced search time from as much as 16 hours for a single search, down to a matter of minutes. savVi’s real-time event detection capabilities are primarily used by CNE to ensure a safer and more secure environment within the casino parking facilities. By immediately alerting to any suspicious event, such as people loitering or cars moving in an unauthorised direction, the security team can monitor events and act accordingly as they unfold. savVi’s heat mapping capabilities savVi also allows CNE to gather and analyse essential business intelligence data on occupancy and visitor trends. savVi delivers accurate headcounts, meaning that the security team is constantly aware of how many people are on-site and using the casino facilities. This provides essential knowledge in the case of an emergency where a facility might need to be evacuated, and also helps prevent over-crowding. By utilising savVi’s heat mapping capabilities, CNE has knowledge of which areas of the casino are more heavily populated, and at what times. CNE can then leverage the data collected in a number of ways, including negotiating leasing deals for externally-owned casino equipment and knowing which internal locations require heavier investment of machines and personnel. This puts CNE well ahead of its competitors, as it is one of, if not the, first gaming company to employ Business Intelligence through video analytics. SavVi’s deployment in CNE’s casinos is an endorsement of the great benefit that savVi’s video analytics capabilities" savVi’s video analytics capabilities “It was savVi’s swift and effective video search that caught CNE’s attention when searching for an enhanced security solution, in particular due to the automated query ability,” said Joshua Anderson, Director of Surveillance and Technology, Cherokee Nation Entertainment. “We have been extremely impressed with savVi’s capabilities and the quality of its performance, and fully expect savVi to increase efficiencies and provide true ROI which will have a major impact on the bottom line.” “Cherokee Nation Gaming Commission’s approval of savVi’s deployment in CNE’s casinos is an endorsement of the great benefit that savVi’s video analytics capabilities offer to gaming concerns,” commented AJ Frazer, VP Business Development, Agent Vi. “Having selected to deploy the full range of savVi video analytics functionalities, savVi offers CNE valuable insights into the activities and customer experience at their multiple sites, benefitting both CNE and their customers.”
Property is one of the biggest targets for crime in the UK, especially open land. There are thousands of acres worth of property across the UK which aren’t effectively secured, as a result of which they have become hot-beds for crime, anti-social behaviour, and not least fly-tipping. Security therefore must be a top priority for property owners, too many of whom tend to favour traditional methods such as fencing or hiring security guards. But, these methods come with a premium budget, with manned security running at a cost typically of some £300 per day. Nor is it possible to guarantee that every inch of a property is monitored. An increasingly adopted solution is Ad Hoc Property Management’s Smart Tower Security System and Smart Alarm System. Ad Hoc’s Smart Camera Security Tower sits six metres tall with a 36x optical zoom magnifying distances of up to 150 yards Ad Hoc Smart Camera Security Haringey Council contacted Ad Hoc Property Management after one of its industrial sites, Rosebery Industrial Estate in London, was repeatedly being targeted by fly-tippers over the course of many years. Every time the property was dumped with waste, it was costing the council hundreds of pounds to have their waste contractor called out to clean-up. By November 2017, they had expensed literally hundreds of thousands of pounds. By the end of the month the first Ad Hoc Smart Camera Security Tower was deployed, since then costs and incidents have plummeted. In fact, there have been no major incidents and local residents and tenants alike are delighted, welcoming the improved local environment. Ad Hoc’s Smart Camera Security Tower sits six metres tall with a 36x optical zoom magnifying distances of up to 150 yards, and a 12x digital zoom to enhance optical performance. Using state-of-the-art SMART technology (the same technology used in monitoring US Defence Centre, The Pentagon), the tower boasts a 360 degree camera which can be programmed to move zones at set intervals for 24/7 monitoring. Utilising wireless technology, the camera is able to filter large objects from those that are small, ensuring the alarm is only triggered when there is a clear threat. Ad Hoc’s Smart Cameras have been deployed successfully by numerous property owners around the UK" Ad Hoc's property security solutions “Open land is one of the biggest targets for waste dumping, but it doesn’t have to be. Ad Hoc’s Smart Cameras have been deployed successfully by numerous property owners around the UK, preventing anti-social behaviour and, more importantly, reducing opportunity for property-related crime,” said Darren Tubb, General Manager, Ad Hoc Security UK Limited. Land owners aren’t the only ones who can benefit from Ad Hoc’s security solutions; property owners of retail spaces, industrial buildings and homes who traditionally look at hiring in security guards, can benefit too, deterring fly-tipping and other anti-social crimes. As it stands, if a property is fly-tipped and no one is caught, it is the responsibility of the property owner to remove the waste legally at their own expense, which means hiring in a company licensed to remove these materials. However, as more property owners become aware of the technology available to them through Ad Hoc, not just in protecting the property but in helping police to identify the culprits, we could see property damage and fly-tipping become a thing of the past.


Products

