Physical Security Information Management (PSIM)

Hanwha Vision has launched its new VGA AI Tele lens Thermal Camera series, introducing a next-generation thermal surveillance solution designed to deliver highly accurate AI-based detection across both land and maritime environments. Combining ultra-sensitive thermal imaging, advanced AI analytics, mission-critical cybersecurity, and rugged durability, the new series is engineered to support critical infrastructure, perimeter protection, coastal monitoring, and border security operations in the most challenging conditions. Border security operations At the heart of the new lineup is industry-pioneer thermal sensitivity with NETD below 16mK, enabling the cameras to capture exceptionally refined thermal data even in low-visibility environments. This enhanced thermal precision allows the AI engine to classify objects with greater accuracy, including people and vehicles that may be partially obscured, and individuals who may be crouching or prone. Rather than simply detecting movement, the cameras are designed to deliver the level of thermal clarity required to reduce false alarms and improve situational awareness in high-risk environments. Expanding beyond conventional perimeter surveillance, the VGA AI Thermal Camera series also features AI-powered Vessel Detection capabilities optimised for maritime environments. The technology enables operators to accurately detect and classify vessels using the same intelligent analytics applied to people and vehicles on land. Maritime border control Designed for coastal protection, port security, and maritime border control, the system maintains reliable performance in fog, rain, snow, and complete darkness through the use of thermal imaging technology. This allows organisations to maintain continuous awareness across shorelines, waterways, and open-sea environments regardless of weather or lighting conditions. To support a wide range of operational requirements, the new series is available with four lens options — 13mm, 19mm, 35mm, and 60mm — providing flexibility in detection range and field of view based on deployment needs. In addition, each model is offered in either a 30fps high-frame-rate version or an 8fps version, enabling customers to select configurations aligned with regional regulations and procurement requirements. Sensitive surveillance footage Cybersecurity also remains a core focus of the new platform. The VGA AI Thermal Camera series incorporates a FIPS 140-3 Level 3 certified Secure Element, delivering hardware-rooted encryption designed to protect systems against unauthorised access and cyber threats. Combined with SD card partition encryption, the cameras help safeguard sensitive surveillance footage from tampering, ensuring the integrity and reliability of critical evidence. Designed for harsh outdoor deployments, the series is built with comprehensive environmental protection including IP66/67, NEMA 4X, and IK10 ratings, alongside MIL-STD-810H compliance covering resistance to rain, humidity, vibration, and salt exposure. Enhanced transient protection further improves reliability against electrical surges and unstable power conditions, supporting uninterrupted operation in mission-critical environments. With the launch of the VGA AI Thermal Camera series, Hanwha Vision continues to expand its AI-driven surveillance portfolio by delivering advanced thermal imaging solutions capable of providing accurate detection, intelligent analytics, and dependable performance across both land and maritime security applications.

IQSIGHT, formerly Bosch Video Systems and a pioneer in intelligence-first video security, today announced the release of the AUTODOME 7100s and AUTODOME 7100s IR. Designed for outdoor environments, the new pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras deliver clear images in all lighting conditions and built-in video analytics to secure critical assets day or night. The AUTODOME 7100s series addresses complex surveillance challenges across smart cities, transportation networks, critical infrastructure, and government facilities. Built on IQSIGHT’s intelligence-first platform, both models offer AI-enabled video analytics for precise detection while reducing false positives and are ready for context-aware GenAI capabilities available later this year. Real-world conditions Built for consistent results in real-world conditions and intelligence at the edge, key features of the AUTODOME 7100s series include: Detailed 4MP Video: Capture high-resolution images with a 30x optical zoom lens for reliable object identification up to 919 feet (280 meters). Motion-optimised HDR X technology prevents motion blur and trailing artifacts on fast-moving vehicles and people, even while the camera is actively panning or tracking. Visibility in challenging light conditions: Dynamic IR illumination synchronises beam angle and intensity with the optical zoom level to deliver balanced, glare-free exposure in total darkness up to 1,804 feet (550 meters). Built-in Intelligent Video Analytics Pro (IVA Pro): Comes standard for reliable intrusion detection, alerts, and operational insights in and around buildings and along perimeters. Additional licenses support object classification and counts for a range of security and safety uses.  Robust Design for Reliable Operation: Brushless positioning motors deliver precise accuracy and Kevlar-reinforced drive belts are engineered for long-term performance.  Positional encoders ensure the camera never loses track of its position, even following power losses or exposure to excessive force. Intelligent Power Modes: Adaptive PoE Management automatically detects available power levels and scales functions, including heaters, IR operation, and pan speeds, for continuous operation on low-power infrastructure. Secure by Design: Features an onboard Secure Element 3.0 certified to Common Criteria EAL6+ and FIPS 140-3 Level 3 to protect sensitive video data.

Johnson Controls, a global pioneer in thermal management, mission-critical building systems, energy efficiency and decarbonisation, announces new AI capabilities in its OpenBlue digital ecosystem to help building owners reduce energy use, automate building operations and cut operating costs. The expanded platform includes: Energy & Comfort Intelligence, an AI-enabled capability that helps optimise how air flows through buildings; an agentic AI assistant; and a new AI-native architecture where data is classified and labelled according to industry-standard models, making it easier to connect information across equipment, systems and software applications. Enhanced AI control Part of the OpenBlue digital ecosystem, Energy & Comfort Intelligence focuses on one of the biggest and often overlooked drivers of energy use in buildings: airside systems. Powered by Nantum AI, the new feature uses AI algorithms to deliver efficiency recommendations and enhanced control across these systems, including air handling units, fans and other air circulation equipment. Enhanced AI control is especially critical for industries requiring precise indoor operating conditions like life sciences, hospitals, research universities, and advanced manufacturing facilities for products such as batteries and semiconductors, where consistent temperature, pressure and humidity matter most. Data-based automated commands “The new OpenBlue Platform changes what a building can do on its own. It brings AI-driven efficiency and autonomous control across the full digital ecosystem, including airside for the first time,” said Jamie Cameron, Vice President and General Manager, OpenBlue at Johnson Controls. “Energy & Comfort Intelligence is one example: it tunes air handling continuously against real conditions, cutting energy waste while giving facility teams unprecedented control.” Financial software company DATEV, for example, implemented Energy & Comfort Intelligence and reduced airside energy use by nearly 10% on applicable equipment. The system operated autonomously, executing thousands of dynamic, data-based automated commands and decisions for each piece of equipment. As an additional benefit, the company’s facility team did not receive a single comfort complaint, demonstrating that autonomous control can achieve substantial energy savings without impacting occupant comfort. Automating routine operational tasks “OpenBlue Energy & Comfort Intelligence exceeded our expectations, and we’re excited to expand its use to more of our facilities,” said Marco Ringer, Plant Engineering Planner at DATEV. “We look forward to working with Johnson Controls to continue cutting our energy use with better control.” OpenBlue now includes OBI (short for OpenBlue Intelligence), an agentic AI assistant that proactively surfaces insights, makes recommendations and executes approved workflows, all while keeping humans in the loop. Facility teams can easily access data through text or spoken interactions across occupancy, air quality, equipment performance, energy use and more. The tool goes beyond providing data, allowing teams to automate routine operational tasks, like placing work orders and prioritising maintenance, ultimately improving productivity and speeding up response time. Multi-building campus Across OpenBlue solutions, new automated onboarding processes use sophisticated algorithms to automatically find devices and points and place them in the appropriate category, reducing implementation times by up to 95%. In complex facilities with thousands of data sources across a large building or multi-building campus, this reduces implementation times from months to days. Data is structured and assigned clear meaning, connecting raw information to specific equipment and actions to allow sophisticated connections in a variety of interfaces. The updated data foundation is AI-ready and aligned to industry-standard models for ease of integration and faster access to insights. For technical customers and partners that use their own applications for workplace convenience and sophisticated portfolio management, the new OpenBlue platform API also enables organisations to seamlessly pull data into apps they use today and leverage the vast quantities of data their buildings produce for key insights. AI-powered digital ecosystem Easier access to data can be paired seamlessly with enhanced cybersecurity features. OpenBlue Airwall offers zero-trust architecture that isolates devices through segmented networks and restricts access to critical assets, reducing the attack surface and limiting exposure to external threats. Remote users and devices are required to prove their identity before any initial connection. Once authenticated, an encrypted tunnel is created between devices to support complex, rapid building-to-building connections between individual devices rather than broad access to entire networks. When external vendors provide remote service, access is limited to only the devices and times necessary to further reduce risk. With increased implementation speeds and greater control that draws on decades of building and software expertise, the OpenBlue AI-powered digital ecosystem helps customers deliver precise control and enhanced visibility across complex facilities while cutting energy use in a time of rising energy costs. Research conducted by Forrester demonstrated that OpenBlue can deliver up to 155% ROI for customers, showcasing the impact of leveraging AI for facility operations and efficiency.

IQSIGHT, formerly Bosch Video Systems, a global pioneer in intelligence-first video security, announced the expansion of its multi-sensor camera family with the launch of the FLEXIDOME multi+ 7100i. This versatile multi-imager delivers 360-degree coverage, built-in intelligence, and modular flexibility. Featuring four independent 5-megapixel imagers, the FLEXIDOME multi+ 7100i delivers a full 20-megapixel view of an environment from a single IP address. The camera’s unique modular design allows it to be combined with a pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ), panoramic, or fixed camera, delivering a unified platform to meet customers’ precise requirements. It replaces multi-camera setups with one intelligent system for expanded coverage, streamlined installations, and reduced complexity. Demanding operational scenarios HDR-X and starlight technology and an IR variant offering up to 98 feet (30 meters) of illumination ensure consistent clarity across dynamic lighting conditions, low-light environments, and demanding operational scenarios for confident decision-making. The launch of the FLEXIDOME multi+ 7100i builds on IQSIGHT’s continued investment in its multi-sensor portfolio. It follows the rollout of the FLEXIDOME dual 7100i IR earlier this year. With two independent imagers, the camera supports flexible configurations, including dual-directional views, a 180-degree overview, or a combined telephoto and wide-angle perspective in a single direction–maximising coverage along corridors, in stairwells, and around corners. These new models join the established FLEXIDOME multi 7000i cameras, creating a complete portfolio of multi-sensor offerings. Personal protective equipment The entire multi-sensor family features built-in Intelligent Video Analytics Pro (IVA Pro) for reliable intrusion detection, alerts, and operational insights in and around buildings and along perimeters. Additional licenses for the latest models support object classification and counts for a range of security and safety uses, including traffic monitoring in smart cities, person attribute data capture in large transportation applications, and detection of missing personal protective equipment in critical environments. The FLEXIDOME multi+ 7100i also offers the intelligent MultiGuard PTZ solution when paired with the new AUTODOME 7100s PTZ camera. With MultiGuard PTZ, the multi-imager camera’s edge-based analytics automatically detects activity across wide areas and steers the PTZ camera to zoom in and track objects of interest–capturing detailed images, streamlining response times, and reducing operator workload. “With a comprehensive portfolio of intelligent multi-imager cameras, customers can address a wide variety of security and operational needs using IQSIGHT solutions,” said Sachin Khanna, Vice President and Chief Product Officer, IQSIGHT. “With broad-area coverage and AI-driven analytics at the edge, organisations gain greater situational awareness, real-time understanding, and the insight needed to make faster, more informed decisions.”

Cows that experience heat stress are more likely to have health problems and produce less milk. Nedap Heat Stress, a new feature within CowControl, detects heat stress and shows the degree and duration of the heat stress experienced by the cows at pen level. This enables dairy farmers to take immediate measures to optimize pen conditions. The Nedap CowControl monitoring system detects four levels of heat stress: no heat stress, mild heat stress, severe heat stress and very severe heat stress, based on a widely used, scientific method. The heat stress calculation is updated in real time every 15 minutes. Explaining performance differences The herd overview shows both the heat stress level and the duration of the heat stress at pen/group level. The dairy farmer can then immediately take measures such as turning on the fans or sprinkler system. A validation study on test farms has shown that such measures directly lead to a reduction of the heat stress level by at least one level. Jeroen Waterink, Product Owner at Nedap, indicates that the Heat Stress function is also important in results analyses: “Nedap CowControl offers the possibility to make notes of events and measures taken, such as turning on the sprinkler system on a hot summer day. This helps the dairy farmer to explain performance differences in result analyses.” CowControl monitoring system Reducing or preventing heat stress is important to maintain the health and milk production of the cows. “Of course, every extra litre of milk results in a higher feed profit. But the calves of dry cows that have not been exposed to heat stress also have a structurally higher birth weight and develop better after birth,” Waterink underlines the importance of timely detection. Nedap Heat Stress is available within Nedap Now, Nedap’s Cloud-based software platform. Dairy farmers and Business Partners can easily expand their current CowControl monitoring system with this new functionality, in order to sustainably improve the return on the dairy farm.

barox Kommunikation AG has partnered with Raytec to confirm compatibility of its range of PoE Ethernet switch and media converter products to power Raytec’s VARIO2 IPPoE LED illuminator products. Raytec is a UK-based manufacturer of LED lighting for security, surveillance and critical infrastructure applications, as well as hazardous area, industrial and transport lighting. Raytec's lighting solutions support CCTV and security systems in over 500,000 locations across more than 70 countries. In response to client and project demand, and to support systems integrators with their specification and set-up of reliable PoE when installing Raytec LED illuminators, barox and Raytec have concluded in-depth ‘proof of concept’ testing. The testing involved Raytec’s VARIO2 IPPoE network range of illuminators which included IR, WL and Hybrid options, and was performed to assess device performance and compatibility with barox’s range of PoE Ethernet switches and media converters. PoE Ethernet switches In the test, the range of barox PoE switches and media converters were assessed for their reliable delivery of power to the VARIO2 IPPoE range of illuminators. In addition, the ability to remotely switch the illuminators On and Off via the barox Smart functionality was also tested. “The device test yielded excellent results, with PoE being supplied to the Raytec illuminators and sustained by the barox switches,” says Rudolf Rohr, barox Co-founder & Managing partner. “The certified barox/Raytec PoE integration enables LED lighting solutions to be configured and installed with complete confidence. barox switches, which cater for the demands of any PoE device, supply their 30, 60 or 90 Watts PoE in compliance with the IEEE802.3af/at/bt standards.” Operation of critical devices  The use of barox switches to supply PoE also allows remote on and off powering to the Raytec illuminators and surveillance cameras, potentially removing the need for engineers to go to site in instances where an IP device has just dropped offline. In the case of a power outage, the efficient PoE management features available on barox switches also allow the ability to maintain the operation of critical devices and extend UPS battery life.   “On losing mains power supply, CCTV systems can provide temporary back-up power via a UPS battery pack,” Rudolf Rohr continues. “However, if the loss of mains power is prolonged, the local battery power can become depleted and the system blacks out. In this scenario, it would be ideal to prevent the total loss of power and system down-time by remotely switching off certain cameras and/or illuminators. Unlike with simple network PoE injectors, by using barox switches and its efficient PoE management, non-critical cameras or Illuminators can be automatically controlled, to extend battery autonomy.” Cost-effective solution The ability to deliver and support multiple IEEE802.3 PoE standards – up to 90 Watts - on a single edge switch, stands barox apart from multiple Ethernet vendors in the market, enabling end users and systems integrators to support/power cameras, other IP devices and lighting solutions from a single switch. The barox approach simplifies equipment, reduces both points of failure and configuration time on site, whilst also providing the most energy efficient and cost-effective solution. "We're always pleased to work with barox. The compatibility between our illuminators and their PoE switches and converters gives customers real confidence when specifying PoE for the VARIO2 range. This testing in particular confirmed that barox switches deliver reliable, sustained power to our VAR2-IPPOE-i6 and VAR2-POE-i8-1 illuminators, exactly the kind of proven compatibility systems integrators are looking for," Charlotte Lowdon-Smith, Marketing Communications Manager, Raytec. To support the installation of Raytec VARIO2 LED illuminators with barox PoE, configuration information is available from barox on request.

Europe has set an ambitious goal. With the European Green Deal, leaders aim to make the continent climate neutral by 2050. Ireland is following this lead, promising to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 51% before 2030. And solar energy is a key part of this plan. If you drive through rural Ireland today, you can see the changes happening. Solar farms now cover former grazing land and open fields. They work quietly and efficiently, providing clean electricity to homes, hospitals, schools, and businesses. Most of the time, these sites are empty. There are no workers patrolling the area and no lights in office windows at night. Clean energy supply That stillness, however, hides a growing risk. Each solar site holds millions of euros worth of equipment. Every megawatt of solar power relies on a complex network of copper cables, solar panels, inverters, and electrical systems. These parts are valuable, especially when copper prices are high. For thieves looking for quick profit, an unmanned solar farm can seem like an easy target. Just one act of trespassing or vandalism can lead to stolen wiring, damaged panels, and production shutdowns that last days or even weeks. Repairs are expensive, but the bigger problem is the impact on clean energy supply and trust in the infrastructure supporting Europe’s low-carbon future. Standard video cameras A report from PV Magazine says police in the United Kingdom have seen a sharp rise in solar-related crimes That stillness hides a growing risk. Each solar site holds millions of euros worth of equipment. A report from PV Magazine says police in the United Kingdom have seen a sharp rise in solar-related crimes, with cases increasing by 93% between 2021 and 2022. This trend is familiar: when commodity prices go up, rural energy sites attract more attention from criminals. While a passerby might see only glass and steel, others see scrap metal and resale value. For a long time, many of these sites and businesses did not prioritise security. They put up fences, used standard video cameras, and hired guards. These steps provided some reassurance, but often only responded after damage had already happened. Traditional cameras record events but rarely stop them. Guards cannot monitor every part of a large site, especially when solar farms cover hundreds of acres. Traditional security methods As renewable infrastructure expands, traditional security methods are no longer enough. The industry needs to change its approach. As Europe builds more renewable energy projects, security should become a main part of planning. Developers now consider not just energy output, but also how resilient a site will be. Communities want the infrastructure supporting their climate goals to run smoothly, and investors want to know that sites and assets are safe. New technology is now helping protect remote energy sites. One method uses video analytics along with live operators who watch camera feeds from remote centers. Instead of waiting for alarms to go off after a breach, these systems can spot unusual activity as it happens. For example, if someone lingers near a fence late at night, the system can send an alert that is different from one triggered by wildlife passing by earlier. Preventing similar problems This approach aims to move security from just recording events to actually stopping them When something suspicious happens, security teams can check the situation and decide if they need to respond. Sometimes, operators send a live audio message to let people know they are being watched. This can stop trespassing or theft because it takes away the feeling of being anonymous. This approach aims to move security from just recording events to actually stopping them. If a situation gets worse, staff can follow set procedures and keep watching until it is over. Afterward, they write incident reports. These records help with reviews, regulatory paperwork, insurance claims, and learning how to prevent similar problems in the future. Large solar projects Ireland already shows how this model works. Several large solar projects across the country now use integrated, remote monitoring from the very start of construction. At one major site, developers installed 170 cameras, investing nearly €1 million in security alone. This amount shows more than just caution. It marks a change in how the industry sees protection. Security is now as important as engineering and grid connection in project planning. Security is now as important as engineering and grid connection in project planning A solar farm that runs smoothly does more than just make electricity. It helps meet climate goals, boosts energy independence, and shows stability. If a site is left unprotected, the impact goes beyond one facility. It affects energy supply and public trust. That is why security should be a basic part of development. Providing reliable power As Ireland grows its solar capacity, it sets an example for the rest of Europe. Clean energy is not just about building infrastructure. It also requires steps to protect what has been built. The new fields of glass and steel are more than just power sources — they are shared commitment to a more sustainable future. Protecting that future requires ongoing effort. Europe is creating its clean energy landscape one panel and one field at a time. By caring for the security of these sites as much as their construction, these quiet areas will keep providing reliable power and support a stronger energy system for years ahead.

Modernising security infrastructure requires research and planning to build intelligent, connected systems that are secure, scalable and positioned to take the organisation into the future. Prioritising needs, total cost of ownership, interoperability, resilience and sustained value will help ensure that a surveillance system upgrade will deliver both protection and measurable operational impact. Before making that investment, however, security leaders must answer a few key questions to manage expectations, gain buy-in, and minimise disruptions or hurdles during the upgrade itself. What are our needs? First and foremost, leadership must define the overall need for a surveillance system. Some organisations use surveillance purely for security and protection. Others will have additional operational requirements or wants, such as streamlining visitor management, providing data to other departments, or automating specific operations. Defining current and potential future applications is an important starting point. First and foremost, leadership must define the overall need for a surveillance system Surveillance systems are more capable than ever of tackling applications beyond security, including safety, business intelligence, and operational efficiency. Therefore, security teams should loop those areas of business that may have a stake in the system into the discussion as early as possible to further determine must-haves and manage expectations. Managing specific access Next, security teams ought to consider lapses in the capabilities of their current system, along with protocols or compliance requirements already in place. Other considerations include determining how many locations and users will access the system (which is especially important if considering business intelligence opportunities), how many cameras and which types are necessary, and whether the organisation plans to manage specific access. Unless already specified by their business, security leaders should also weigh the pros and cons of a cloud-based system, on-prem system or hybrid approach — taking into account the rising costs of memory and servers. How can we plan for the future? AI and advanced analytics have rapidly changed the security landscape AI and advanced analytics have rapidly changed the security landscape, enabling businesses to ramp up protection and operational efficiencies with just an upgrade. But, in order to take advantage of many of these intelligent advancements, security leaders have to verify that their surveillance system, and the manufacturing partners they are working with, can handle today’s — and tomorrow’s — technology. An open platform, open standards system gives security teams the flexibility to upgrade, add or integrate other systems or new technology over time as the organisation’s needs evolve, technology advances or compliance changes. Open platform systems Flexibility can benefit organisations when it comes to video camera compression. For example, while much of the compression currently is driven by the H.264 codec, the industry is moving toward AV1. Considering cameras that handle multiple types of compression, including H.264, H.265 and AV1, empowers the organisation to pivot and adapt without ripping and replacing all devices. Flexibility can benefit organisations when it comes to video camera compression When taking a long-term approach to planning, if a path toward interoperability could potentially help with operations, communication or workflows in the future, security leaders should confirm that a new surveillance system has those capabilities before upgrading. Open platform systems that support ONVIF open standards protocols, for example, allow organisations to create interoperable platforms with other systems across the enterprise, including mass notification, two-way audio, access control and HVAC systems. What infrastructure do we have in place? Understanding system capabilities is imperative to managing expectations and determining the best system for the organisation, but it’s crucial for security leaders to look at the existing infrastructure in place, from cabling, network and servers to operations staffing and number of locations — all during the research and planning phase. It’s important to take a current assessment of existing equipment and complete a needs analysis to determine which systems should work together or be integrated with the surveillance system. These findings can change potential capabilities and budgetary requirements. Cutting-edge analytics Another consideration when looking at infrastructure is bandwidth and storage capabilities From a practical standpoint, evaluating the existing network, along with cabling and conduit, is critical to understanding if adding additional systems or devices are physically possible within the current infrastructure. Another consideration when looking at infrastructure is bandwidth and storage capabilities. If bandwidth and storage are pain points or roadblocks for a surveillance system, unless businesses are required to process at the server for compliance reasons, processing analytics at the edge could be more economically feasible. Some cameras come with built-in analytics for a wide range of applications and, with an open platform system, custom, cutting-edge analytics can be loaded directly onto the camera without purchasing additional servers as needs or technologies evolve. How can we manage cybersecurity across device lifecycles? In today’s world, with systems such as surveillance often living on a shared network or network governed by IT, it’s necessary for security teams to understand compliance requirements from a cybersecurity perspective. Researching manufacturing partners and their built-in protections to aid with compliance and tighter cybersecurity is an important consideration before any surveillance system investment. Features such as signed firmware prevent third parties from loading firmware that could contain malware onto a camera or other device on the network. Another feature such as secure boot assures that a device boots up using only software that is trusted by the original equipment manufacturer or OEM. Mitigating larger risks Security teams must also factor in when a manufacturer will stop supporting specific firmware Built-in cybersecurity features, health checks and batch updates are essential for ensuring the physical security technology is not the weak point on the network. Many video management systems can alert staff when a camera is not working or there is a problem with network communication. Cloud-based automated device management can perform health checks, track warranties and streamline updates. Security teams must also factor in when a manufacturer will stop supporting specific firmware and confirm that that timeline matches with the organisation’s replacement strategy. Robust lifecycle management will not only address vulnerabilities and mitigate larger risks, but contribute toward a lower cost of ownership as well. Can we quantify our total cost of ownership? Tracking the total cost of ownership (TCO) of the organisation's current surveillance system and planned upgrade empowers leadership to compare similar solutions to find the best long-term option, taking into account, purchase price, implementation, training, maintenance and hidden costs. TCO is much more than the cost of the hardware, itself, but the cost of bandwidth, storage, operations staffing, maintenance costs, and even energy consumption of the devices on the network. For example, if an organisation has 1,000 cameras across the enterprise, quantifying the energy costs between devices and product offerings can add up to significant differences. New technology capabilities Third-party consultants can help organisations with planning and design Security stakeholders can turn to a number of resources to help them make an informed decision about upgrading their surveillance system, as well as to help ensure their current and future needs will be met. Third-party consultants can help organisations with planning and design. Some manufacturers have customer-facing teams and field sales engineers that can conduct site walks and help security teams understand new technology capabilities, current infrastructure and potential use cases. Researching case studies and custom applications both online and through manufacturers is another avenue that allows security leaders to see how specific technologies can help their organisation. By remaining agile and understanding where to start and what possibilities exist before a surveillance system investment, security teams can justify the cost of ownership and future-proof their organisation with stronger, more integrated, traceable security that leads to a strong return on investment.

Security is a top priority for any organisation responsible for safeguarding critical infrastructure. However, recent events have highlighted the fragility of the global energy supply chain and the need for change. When tankers cannot safely navigate the Strait of Hormuz, fuel prices rise and public anxiety grows. This often results in long lines at the fuel pump and fears of shortages quickly becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy. The reality is that critical infrastructure will always be a target because those seeking to disrupt, cause harm or force change — militarily, economically, politically or socially — understand both its physical and psychological impact. Regulating for resilience While headlines focus on political debates over who should keep shipping lanes open, critical infrastructure organisations and governments are moving forward with new physical and cyber safeguards to protect sites closer to home. Before recent Middle East events, CISA’s 2025 review outlined efforts to strengthen U.S. securityWeeks before recent events in the Middle East, the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) released its 2025 review outlining major actions taken to strengthen national cyber and physical defences. Meanwhile, in Europe, the Critical Entities Resilience (CER) Directive will take effect across the EU in July, with member states such as Germany advancing early through its KRITIS framework to establish a model for CER compliance. These initiatives extend to energy supplies, from power stations (gas, electricity and nuclear), refineries and pipelines, substations, water treatment facilities, data centres and food production. And while increased investment in renewable energy may reduce reliance on overseas supply, wind and solar farms remain potential targets as well. Fortunately, the likelihood of missile strikes on critical infrastructure is low in many regions. But the risks of trespassing, espionage, sabotage, terrorism and protest activity are far higher. Protection and detection Security levels vary widely across critical infrastructure.  A large power station may employ live-monitored CCTV, video analytics, alarms, sensors, access control, fencing and other heightened defences. In contrast, a rural electrical substation may rely on a single unmonitored camera, a perimeter fence and a basic alarm. Despite significant annual investment, organisations often lack the ability to connect these systems. Without integrated systems, real-time situational awareness — understanding what happened, how it began, what is occurring now and how to respond — is nearly impossible. Operators typically manage large portfolios of sites spread over vast and often challenging geographies. Only by integrating siloed systems and linking multiple sites into a centralised operation can true enterprise-wide visibility be achieved. Video management system A centralised insight layer (PSIM) ensures incidents are detected using all available resources For example, a perimeter breach at a substation might initially appear to be an isolated incident. But combined with a similar incident at another site, it could indicate the start of a coordinated attack. A centralised insight layer (often referred to as a PSIM — Physical Security Information Management system) ensures incidents are detected using all available resources. A perimeter alarm — triggered by a steel fence sensor or a 3D LiDAR system — initiates an alert and the video management system automatically displays the relevant live camera feed and recent footage. Operators can follow predefined workflows to lock down areas, dispatch first responders or initiate evacuations. Automated actions, such as playing recorded announcements over public address systems, can also occur. Rapid, effective response is essential for safety, security and ensuring uninterrupted service to customers. Resilient supply chains require security measures that function from the source to the point of service. Recent geopolitical and environmental events, such as severe flooding, have shown how quickly disruption to one link can trigger widespread consequences. However, critical infrastructure operators can strengthen resilience by leveraging the robust systems they already have, improving their ability to detect and respond to threats.

Companies at GSX 2023 emphasised new ways that technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and the cloud can address long-standing issues in the security market. Among the exhibitors at the event in Dallas were companies seeking creative ways to apply technology, lower costs, and make the world a safer place. Reflecting on the exhibition, here are some additional takeaways. Expanding AI at the edge  i-PRO is a company reflecting the continued expansion of edge AI capability in the security market. Today, more than half of the company’s lineup supports AI at the edge so the customer has a wide choice of form factors when seeking to leverage the feature set.  AI processing relay, extended warranty i-PRO is increasing their warranty period from 5 to 7 years, which could be a lifetime warranty in some cases I-PRO also has an “AI processing relay” device that accepts non-AI video streams and applies edge analytics. AI has progressed from a high-end technology to a feature available in a variety of cameras at different price points. i-PRO is also increasing its warranty period from 5 to 7 years, which could be a lifetime warranty in some cases depending on a customer’s refresh schedule and lifecycle management. Active Guard, MonitorCast The company’s video management system (Video Insight) is continuing to build new features including “Active Guard,” an integrated metadata sorter. Their access control platform, MonitorCast, is a Mercury-based solution that is tightly integrated with Video Insight. Their embedded recorders now have PoE built in.  “We can move at a faster pace to fill out our product line since leaving Panasonic,” says Adam Lowenstein, Director of Product Management. “We can focus our business on adapting to the market.” Emphasis on retail and other verticals  Shoplifting is a timely issue, and retail is a vertical market that got a lot of attention at GSX 2023. “We see a lot of retailers who are primarily interested in protecting employee safety, but also assets,” says Brandon Davito, Verkada’s SVP of Product and Operations. “Shrinkage is a CEO-level priority.”  “Retailers are getting more engaged with security posture, instead of letting perpetrators walk,” Davito adds. Intrusion detection Verkada has an intrusion product that will notify a central station if there is an alarm On the alarm side, Verkada has an intrusion product that will notify a central station if there is an alarm, and operators can review videos to confirm the alarm. Other capabilities seeking to discourage trespassers include sirens, strobes, and “talkdown” capabilities.  International expansion Verkada continues to expand internationally with 16 offices in all, including Sydney, Tokyo, and London. The core value proposition is to enable customers to manage their onsite infrastructure more simply, including new elements such as PTZ cameras, intercoms, and visitor management. Verkada emphasises ease of use, including a mobile application to allow access to be managed across the user base. Forging partnerships “We are committed to the channel and industry, and we continue to build relationships and expand our reach,” says Davito. Among the industry relationships is a new partnership with Convergint, which was hinted at during the show and announced later the same day. They are also expanding their partnerships with Schlage, Allegion, and ASSA ABLOY.  Working with other verticals They offer new features for K -12 schools, and a new alarm platform is easier to deploy and manage Verkada has also found success across multiple other verticals, notably healthcare, where they integrate with an electronic medical records system. They offer new features for K-12 schools, and a new alarm platform is easier to deploy and manage. They are integrating wireless locks to secure interior doors in schools, looking to secure the perimeter, and installing guest management systems. Transitioning the mid-market to the cloud  Salient is squarely focused on the “mid-market,” a large swath of systems somewhere between small businesses and enterprise-level systems. Pure cloud systems are not as attractive to this market, which has a built-out infrastructure of on-premise systems. Adding a camera to an existing system is easier and less expensive than tying it to the cloud. Benefits of cloud It’s a market that may not be ready for the pure cloud, but there are benefits to be realised from adding a cloud element to existing systems. “We are continuing to augment our premise-based solutions with added cloud capabilities and flexibility,” says Sanjay Challa, Salient’s Chief Product Officer.  The feedback Salient hears from their customers is “I want to own my data.” The hybrid cloud approach offers the right mix of control, flexibility, and unit economics. Cloud add-on capabilities We want to provide the flexibility for customers to go full-cloud as it becomes more economically attractive" Cloud add-on capabilities include bringing more intelligence about system operation to the user via the cloud. Over time, Salient expects to sell more cloud-centric offerings based on feedback from integrators and customers. “We want to provide the flexibility for customers to go full-cloud as it becomes more economically attractive over time,” says Challa.  Vaidio AI technology Salient seeks to be a transition pioneer to help customers realise the path to the cloud. Their approach is “crawl, walk, run,” and helping customers make the transition at each stage. Salient has added AI to its product offering, incorporating Vaidio AI technology from IronYun into a powerful suite and broad array of on-premise analytics, which are gaining traction. The seamless approach makes it easy for customers to embrace AI analytics, although Salient remains broadly committed to open systems. Addressing ‘soft’ features for integrators AMAG is in the process of enhancing its product line with the next generation of access control panels. However, “product” is just part of the new developments at AMAG. In addition to “hard” features (such as products), the company is looking to improve its “soft” features, too; that is, how they work with the integrator channel. Integrator channel Rebuilding a process to make your organisation more efficient, is relatively easy; it just takes a lot of persistence" “We have the depth of our legacy customer base we can learn from, we just need to close the feedback loop quicker,” says Kyle Gordon, AMAG’s Executive Vice President of Global Sales, Marketing, and commercial Excellence, who acknowledges the value of reinstating face-to-face meetings after COVID. “We are laser-focused on nurturing our integrator channel,” he says.  “Developing new features takes time, but rebuilding a process to make your organisation more efficient, that’s relatively easy; it just takes a lot of persistence,” says Gordon. More cohesive internal communication is another useful tool, he says.  Disrupting the cloud based on price  Wasabi is working to make cloud applications less expensive by offering a “disruptive” price on cloud storage, $6.99 per terabyte per month (80% less than hyperscalers). Contending “hyperscalers” like AWS are charging too much for cloud storage, Wasabi is using its own intellectual property and server equipment co-located in data centres around the world. Wasabi sells “hot cloud storage,” which refers to the fact that they only have one tier of storage and data is always accessible. In contrast, a company such as AWS might charge an “egress fee” for access to data stored in a “colder” tier.  Cloud storage “We saw that several video surveillance companies had not yet adopted cloud storage, and we saw an opportunity to make it easy to use,” said Drew Schlussel, Wasabi’s Senior Director of Product Marketing. “We just install a little bit of software that allows them to store data in the cloud and bring it back from the cloud.” Performance, protection (cybersecurity), and price Wasabi works with integrators, resellers, and distributors and also integrates with VMS companies Wasabi works with integrators, resellers, and distributors and also integrates with VMS companies such as Genetec and Milestone. Emphasising performance, protection (cybersecurity), and price, their data centres are certified to SOC 2 and ISO 27001 standards.  Faster throughput for weapons detection Xtract One is a young company focusing on weapons detection in a time of accelerated concern about gun issues post-COVID. Founded in Canada and based on technology developed at McMaster University, Xtract One has found a niche in providing weapons detection at stadiums and arenas. These customers already have budgets, and it is easy to shift the money to a newer, faster technology. Madison Square Garden in New York City is among its customers.  Cost savings solution Xtract One can increase throughput to 30 to 50 people per entrance per minute (compared to 5 to 6 people per minute when using metal detectors). The solution doesn’t require anyone to empty their pockets and the system alarms on items beyond guns and knives. Using Xtract One allows customers to reduce the number of screening lanes and security staff, providing additional cost savings, all while getting fans through the screening process in half the time. Purpose-built sensors The system uses purpose-built sensors looking for specific characteristics, such as reflective and density properties In addition to stadiums and arenas, Xtract One, formerly Patriot One, is also getting “inbound” interest from schools, hospitals, manufacturers, and other verticals that makeup 50% of their business. “We’re on a rocket ride, mainly because the weapons issues are not going away,” says Peter Evans, CEO and Director at Xtract One. The system uses purpose-built sensors looking for specific characteristics, such as reflective and density properties, all correlated by an AI engine.  Providing early warning of violence ZeroEyes is another company focused on weapons detection. Their AI gun detection system works with video images to identify if someone is “brandishing” (carrying) a weapon. In other words, the system does not detect concealed weapons. Identifying someone carrying a weapon provides early warning of a possible violent act. Increased response with AI-enables images Images are identified by AI and sent to a monitoring centre where a human confirms the image before contacting first responders. Knowing the location of a shooter enables staff to lock entry points, move people to safety, and direct first responders. The company was founded to leverage existing camera views to stop mass shootings and gun violence by reducing response times. 

When it comes to security cameras, the end user always wants more—more resolution, more artificial intelligence (AI), and more sensors. However, the cameras themselves do not change much from generation to generation; that is, they have the same power budgets, form factors and price. To achieve “more,” the systems-on-chips (SoCs) inside the video cameras must pack more features and integrate systems that would have been separate components in the past.  For an update on the latest capabilities of SoCs inside video cameras, we turned to Jérôme Gigot, Senior Director of Marketing for AIoT at Ambarella, a manufacturer of SOCs. AIoT refers to the artificial intelligence of things, the combination of AI and IoT. Author's quote “The AI performance on today’s cameras matches what was typically done on a server just a generation ago,” says Gigot. “And, doing AI on-camera provides the threefold benefits of being able to run algorithms on a higher-resolution input before the video is encoded and transferred to a server, with a faster response time, and with complete privacy.” Added features of the new SOC Ambarella expects the first cameras with the SoC to emerge on the market during early part of 2024 Ambarella’s latest System on Chip (SOC) is the CV72S, which provides 6× the AI performance of the previous generation and supports the newer transformer neural networks. Even with its extra features, the CV72S maintains the same power envelope as the previous-generation SoCs. The CV72S is now available, sampling is underway by camera manufacturers, and Ambarella expects the first cameras with the SoC to emerge on the market during the early part of 2024. Examples of the added features of the new SOC include image processing, video encoders, AI engines, de-warpers for fisheye lenses, general compute cores, along with functions such as processing multiple imagers on a single SoC, fusion among different types of sensors, and the list goes on. This article will summarise new AI capabilities based on information provided by Ambarella. AI inside the cameras Gigot says AI is by far the most in-demand feature of new security camera SoCs. Customers want to run the latest neural network architectures; run more of them in parallel to achieve more functions (e.g., identifying pedestrians while simultaneously flagging suspicious behavior); run them at higher resolutions in order to pick out objects that are farther away from the camera. And they want to do it all faster. Most AI tasks can be split between object detection, object recognition, segmentation and higher-level “scene understanding” types of functions, he says. The latest AI engines support transformer network architectures (versus currently used convolutional neural networks). With enough AI horsepower, all objects in a scene can be uniquely identified and classified with a set of attributes, tracked across time and space, and fed into higher-level AI algorithms that can detect and flag anomalies. However, everything depends on which scene is within the camera’s field of view. “It might be an easy task for a camera in an office corridor to track a person passing by every couple of minutes; while a ceiling camera in an airport might be looking at thousands of people, all constantly moving in different directions and carrying a wide variety of bags,” Gigot says. Changing the configuration of video systems Low-level AI number crunching would typically be done on camera (at the source of the data) Even with more computing capability inside the camera, central video servers still have their place in the overall AI deployment, as they can more easily aggregate and understand information across multiple cameras. Additionally, low-level AI number crunching would typically be done on camera (at the source of the data).  However, the increasing performance capabilities of transformer neural network AI inside the camera will reduce the need for a central video server over time. Even so, a server could still be used for higher-level decisions and to provide a representation of the world; along with a user interface for the user to make sense of all the data. Overall, AI-enabled security cameras with transformer network-based functionality will greatly reduce the use of central servers in security systems. This trend will contribute to a reduction in the greenhouse gases produced by data centres. These server farms consume a lot of energy, due to their power-hungry GPU and CPU chips, and those server processors also need to be cooled using air conditioning that emits additional greenhouse gases. New capabilities of transformer neural networks New kinds of AI architectures are being deployed inside cameras. Newer SoCs can accommodate the latest transformer neural networks (NNs), which now outperform currently used convolutional NNs for many vision tasks. Transformer neural networks require more AI processing power to run, compared to most convolutional NNs. Transformers are great for Natural Language Processing (NLP) as they have mechanisms to “make sense” of a seemingly random arrangement of words. Those same properties, when applied to video, make transformers very efficient at understanding the world in 3D. Transformer NNs require more AI processing power to run, compared to most convolutional NNs For example, imagine a multi-imager camera where an object needs to be tracked from one camera to the next. Transformer networks are also great at focussing their attention on specific parts of the scene—just as some words are more important than others in a sentence, some parts of a scene might be more significant from a security perspective.  “I believe that we are currently just scratching the surface of what can be done with transformer networks in video security applications,” says Gigot. The first use cases are mainly for object detection and recognition. However, research in neural networks is focussing on these new transformer architectures and their applications. Expanded use cases for multi-image and fisheye cameras For multi-image cameras, again, the strategy is “less is more.” For example, if you need to build a multi-imager with four 4K sensors, then, in essence, you need to have four cameras in one. That means you need four imaging pipelines, four encoders, four AI engines, and four sets of CPUs to run the higher-level software and streaming. Of course, for cost, size, and power reasons, it would be extremely inefficient to have four SoCs to do all this processing. Therefore, the latest SoCs for security need to integrate four times the performance of the last generation’s single-imager 4K cameras, in order to process four sensors on a single SoC with all the associated AI algorithms. And they need to do this within a reasonable size and power budget. The challenge is very similar for fisheye cameras, where the SoC needs to be able to accept very high-resolution sensors (i.e., 12MP, 16MP and higher), in order to be able to maintain high resolution after de-warping. Additionally, that same SoC must create all the virtual views needed to make one fisheye camera look like multiple physical cameras, and it has to do all of this while running the AI algorithms on every one of those virtual streams at high resolution. The power of ‘sensor fusion’ Sensor fusion is the ability to process multiple sensor types at the same time and correlate all that information Sensor fusion is the ability to process multiple sensor types at the same time (e.g., visual, radar, thermal and time of flight) and correlate all that information. Performing sensor fusion provides an understanding of the world that is greater than the information that could be obtained from any one sensor type in isolation. In terms of chip design, this means that SoCs must be able to interface with, and natively process, inputs from multiple sensor types.  Additionally, they must have the AI and CPU performance required to do either object-level fusion (i.e., matching the different objects identified through the different sensors), or even deep-level fusion. This deep fusion takes the raw data from each sensor and runs AI on that unprocessed data. The result is machine-level insights that are richer than those provided by systems that must first go through an intermediate object representation. In other words, deep fusion eliminates the information loss that comes from preprocessing each individual sensor’s data before fusing it with the data from other sensors, which is what happens in object-level fusion. Better image quality AI can be trained to dramatically improve the quality of images captured by camera sensors in low-light conditions, as well as high dynamic range (HDR) scenes with widely contrasting dark and light areas. Typical image sensors are very noisy at night, and AI algorithms can be trained to perform excellently at removing this noise to provide a clear colour picture—even down to 0.1 lux or below. This is called neural network-based image signal processing, or AISP for short. AI can be trained to perform all these functions with much better results than traditional video methods Achieving high image quality under difficult lighting conditions is always a balance among removing noise, not introducing excessive motion blur, and recovering colours. AI can be trained to perform all these functions with much better results than traditional video processing methods can achieve. A key point for video security is that these types of AI algorithms do not “create” data, they just remove noise and clean up the signal. This process allows AI to provide clearer video, even in challenging lighting conditions. The results are better footage for the humans monitoring video security systems, as well as better input for the AI algorithms analysing those systems, particularly at night and under high dynamic range conditions. A typical example would be a camera that needs to switch to night mode (black and white) when the environmental light falls below a certain lux level. By applying these specially trained AI algorithms, that same camera would be able to stay in colour mode and at full frame rate--even at night. This has many advantages, including the ability to see much farther than a typical external illuminator would normally allow, and reduced power consumption. ‘Straight to cloud’ architecture For the cameras themselves, going to the cloud or to a video management system (VMS) might seem like it doesn’t matter, as this is all just streaming video. However, the reality is more complex; especially for cameras going directly to the cloud. When cameras stream to the cloud, there is usually a mix of local, on-camera storage and streaming, in order to save on bandwidth and cloud storage costs. To accomplish this hybrid approach, multiple video-encoding qualities/resolutions are being produced and sent to different places at the same time; and the camera’s AI algorithms are constantly running to optimise bitrates and orchestrate those different video streams. The ability to support all these different streams, in parallel, and to encode them at the lowest bitrate possible, is usually guided by AI algorithms that are constantly analyzing the video feeds. These are just some of the key components needed to accommodate this “straight to cloud” architecture. Keeping cybersecurity top-of-mind Ambarella’s SoCs always implement the latest security mechanisms, both hardware and software Ambarella’s SoCs always implement the latest security mechanisms, both in hardware and software. They accomplish this through a mix of well-known security features, such as ARM trust zones and encryption algorithms, and also by adding another layer of proprietary mechanisms with things like dynamic random access memory (DRAM) scrambling and key management policies.  “We take these measures because cybersecurity is of utmost importance when you design an SoC targeted to go into millions of security cameras across the globe,” says Gigot. ‘Eyes of the world’ – and more brains Cameras are “the eyes of the world,” and visual sensors provide the largest portion of that information, by far, compared to other types of sensors. With AI, most security cameras now have a brain behind those eyes. As such, security cameras have the ability to morph from just a reactive and security-focused apparatus to a global sensing infrastructure that can do everything from regulating the AC in offices based on occupancy, to detecting forest fires before anyone sees them, to following weather and world events. AI is the essential ingredient for the innovation that is bringing all those new applications to life, and hopefully leading to a safer and better world.

Collaboration among manufacturers in the physical security industry can result in systems that are easier to install for integrators and that provide a better customer experience for end users. Illustrating the point is the recent collaboration among a turnstile technology company, a supplier of short-range wireless readers/writers, and a biometric business focused on ‘frictionless’ access control.  “The more manufacturers collaborate with each other, the more benefits for end users,” says Steve Caroselli, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Orion Entrance Control. Better collaboration means a better user experience We look for opportunities to collaborate and make sure the experience is above and beyond" Steve Caroselli adds, “Better collaboration means a better user experience. We look for opportunities to collaborate and make sure the experience is above and beyond.” Orion’s collaboration with ELATEC RFID Systems and SAFR touchless biometrics by RealNetworks Inc. highlights the advantages of manufacturers working together to ensure technologies operate smoothly in the real world. Taking ownership of the customer experience When Orion Entrance Control provides a SpeedGate swing-glass optical turnstile, they take full ownership of the customer’s experience. That means ensuring the turnstile application operates as it should, regardless of which component of the broader system might be at fault. To the customer experience, a card reader that doesn’t work is the equivalent of a turnstile that doesn’t work. Which component is at fault is irrelevant, and in fact, invisible, to the overall customer experience. Importance of dependable operation of turnstiles As the most visible element in many access control systems, dependable operation of turnstiles reflects positively on the manufacturer and on the entire system. Orion tests various third-party components with their turnstiles To ensure an optimum customer experience, Orion tests various third-party components with their turnstiles, in order to ensure flawless operation before a turnstile is delivered to a customer. Customers buying an Orion turnstile send the card readers they want to use to Orion’s corporate headquarters in Laconia, New Hampshire, USA, where Orion engineers ensure seamless operation. Ensuring optimum customer experience All readers are designed to be bolted to the wall rather than installed inside a turnstile In addition to scenario-based testing, readers are placed inside the turnstile for a streamline appearance, which can be a challenge given the variety of sizes and types of readers a customer might choose. All readers are designed to be bolted to the wall rather than installed inside a turnstile, which complicates adaptation efforts. In short, historically for Orion, ensuring the optimum customer experience involved extra time and effort, although obviously it was worth it. Providing flexibility for any environment Seeking to simplify the process, Orion has found an alternative to using many different types and models of card readers for its turnstiles. Deploying an RFID reader/writer from ELATEC provides flexibility to operate in a variety of card and reader environments, including almost all 125 kHz and 13.56 MHz contactless technologies. The product is compatible with low-frequency (LF), high-frequency (HF), near field communication (NFC) or Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) signals. An integrated BLE module supports mobile ID and authentication solutions. There is an integrated antenna for LF and HF to ensure excellent contactless performance. ‘Universal’ configuration of the ELATEC reader hardware Using applicable firmware, the ‘universal’ configuration of the ELATEC reader hardware is compatible with any card system. It works with all the access control protocols, including SEOS, OSDP and other open protocols. “We can stock an open SKU and flash the firmware as per the customer requirement,” says Steve Caroselli. The small form factor (around 1 1/2 inches square) of the ELATEC module lends itself to easy installation inside the turnstile housing. Easy availability of the ELATEC readers helps Orion continue to serve customers, despite recent disruptions in the supply chain. And, ELATEC’s reader hardware has earned global certifications that enable Orion to use their products for customers around the world. Testing to ensure smooth operation ELATEC was responsive at every stage as the relationship evolved, providing sample equipment for testing Before embracing the ELATEC reader module, Orion tested it for several months to ensure compatibility with its turnstiles. ELATEC was responsive at every stage as the relationship evolved, providing sample equipment for testing and working closely with the Orion team. Everyone in the ELATEC sales and engineering team, right up the company’s C-suite, worked to support Orion during the testing phase. In the end, in addition to other advantages, ELATEC’s detection speed and read range compares favorably to competing technologies. “We move really fast as an organisation, so we are looking for other organisations that move very fast,” says Steve Caroselli, adding “We met with ELATEC one week and had the equipment for testing the next week. We like to work with companies that move fast, and they are culturally aligned with how we do business.” Orion turnstiles with ELATEC TWN4 Palon Compact panel The Orion turnstiles incorporate an ELATEC TWN4 Palon Compact panel, a versatile panel-mount reader designed for integration into third-party products and devices. It supports enhanced interfaces, especially RS-485, and reflects the advantages and integrated tool support of the ELATEC TWN4 family. Orion is implementing SAFR SCAN biometric technology using hardware and software from RealNetworks Inc. “The selection of ELATEC products allows Orion to provide their customers and partners with a flexible RFID reader solution that supports numerous credential options and virtually all transponder technologies,” said Paul Massey, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ELATEC, Inc., adding “This is especially valuable in multi-tenet, multi-credential environments.” Orion works with all the various stakeholders – architects, consultants, integrators, and end users – to ensure total satisfaction with an installation. Biometric technology for ‘frictionless’ access control Orion is also implementing SAFR SCAN biometric technology into their turnstiles using hardware and software from RealNetworks Inc. The facial recognition reader technology, designed for mainstream commercial access control, provides a ‘frictionless’ experience, and allows users to pass through turnstiles at a walk. The system can authenticate up to 30 individuals per minute with 99.9% accuracy, despite varied lighting conditions. SAFR’s system provides a good user experience Orion designed a mounting system to incorporate the biometric reader into their turnstile design Orion designed a mounting system to incorporate the biometric reader into their turnstile design. SAFR’s system provides a good user experience, when it comes to enrollment. On each turnstile, the SAFR technology can operate separate from the ELATEC reader or in conjunction with it for multi-factor authentication in higher-security applications. Innovation for new applications A broad approach to the customer experience reflects Orion’s positioning as a technology company, in addition to being a manufacturer of turnstiles. Their Infinity software is the ecosystem ‘nerve centre’ platform to ensure operation and connected through a single ‘pane of glass.’ The need to protect more entrances beyond the lobby led Orion to develop its recently patented DoorGuard, a LIDAR-based solution that detects each person who passes through a doorway and prevents tailgating (like a turnstile) for applications, such as stairway doors, perimeter doors, data centres, IDF closets, etc. The software mimics the advantages of a turnstile to monitor access control and occupancy. Removing friction during installation and beyond Orion’s Constellation is a presence detection system that uses UWB (ultra-wideband) radar to sense where people are in a building for emergency response and building utilisation applications.  “One of our core values is to remove friction and make customers’ lives easier,” says Steve Caroselli, adding “Our people-first philosophy is: What can we do to make your life better? We want to be systematic, and everything must be repeatable in terms of how we react and interact with customers.”

As Missouri’s largest and busiest aviation facility, St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) welcomed more than 15 million passengers in 2025. To implement a digital 360-degree surveillance system and secure over 70 million square feet of airport infrastructure, STL required a solution capable of covering vast spatial areas while significantly reducing infrastructure costs and complexity. At the same time, the airport aims to implement AI-applications to optimise its operations. With Dallmeier’s Panomera® multifocal sensor technology, STL achieved comprehensive high-resolution coverage with approximately 90 % fewer cameras and 75 % less infrastructure compared to the original surveillance design. Video security system Due to the continuous growth in passenger numbers, the STL Operations and Security Teams decided to modernise the existing video security system in June of 2018 in two areas: Firstly, in surface parking areas to increase customer safety and eliminate criminal activity such as vandalism and theft. The second solution targeted the airport’s four runways, the taxiways, and all terminal buildings to monitor the activities of aircraft, ground vehicles, and airport personnel. STL Airport Operations Team contacted their security integrator, Tech Electronics, to design and deploy an updated camera solution. The initial design used a combination of PTZ and single sensor IP cameras and would have required more than 130 cameras in total. From an infrastructure perspective, this would have required the installation of more than 42 new camera poles and the corresponding infrastructure (cable, network, power, etc.). The airside solution required significantly more technology to achieve the desired surveillance coverage. So, STL and Tech Electronics decided to look for another, more economical solution. Desired surveillance coverage During their technology search, STL discovered the Dallmeier Panomera® multifocal sensor technology, which was developed specifically for surveillance of large spatial areas using the fewest number of cameras to achieve the required surveillance coverage.  David Kulinsky, Deputy Director of Operations & Maintenance at STL, recalls: “When we discovered Panomera® and saw that one Panomera® camera can capture large areas at high resolution and replace several single-sensor cameras, including the costly infrastructure, it became clear that Panomera® provided STL a more economical solution with higher quality images at a lower overall cost.” Intuitive user experience The test installation at the airport proved the image quality of the Panomera®. Kevin Hubble, Services Manager for STL with Tech Electronics, comments: “I was surprised at how few Panomera® cameras were needed to replace several PTZs and single sensor cameras and display the images in a much more user-friendly format. The SeMSy® Compact VMS software enables the user to view a single high-resolution image of the entire scene with simple digital PTZ controls to ‘zoom’ into any part of the image in greater detail. The result is an intuitive user experience resulting in greater operational efficiency – not to mention the superior high resolution video coverage.” To date, STL has installed more than 27 Panomera® cameras. Multiple IPS 10000 recording appliances and 5 user workstations with the SeMSy® Compact VMS client software complete the video system. Compared to the original planning, this resulted in approximately 90 % reduction in the number of cameras and approximately 75 % reduction in infrastructure required for the installation. Comprehensive situational awareness A particular highlight of the deployment is STL’s digital 360-degree surveillance concept. Using only ten Panomera® cameras, the airport achieves comprehensive situational awareness across large airside areas including runways, taxiways and apron operations.  Unlike conventional camera concepts that require numerous PTZ and single-sensor cameras, Panomera® delivers a complete high-resolution overview in a single seamless image. This enables operators to monitor critical airport activities more efficiently across large spatial areas, while significantly reducing infrastructure complexity, maintenance effort and overall operating costs. AI-based video analysis Beyond security applications, STL is also evaluating Panomera® technology for operational process optimisation inside the terminals. As part of a planned deployment in the ticketing area, a Panomera® V8 system will support AI-based video analysis functions such as passenger flow and waiting time analysis. The objective is to improve operational efficiency, optimise check-in processes and enhance the passenger experience — while leveraging the same high-resolution surveillance infrastructure already deployed throughout the airport. Video information technology David Kulinsky with STL summarises: “Any technology project at an airport must deliver a solution that is operationally efficient, resilient, and built for long-term performance. Our decision to deploy Panomera® cameras significantly enhanced overall surveillance coverage across the airport while reducing the technology and infrastructure footprint required to support it.” “The system also provides the ability to zoom into specific areas without sacrificing full-scene situational awareness or recording capabilities—an operational advantage over traditional PTZ cameras, which only record the field of view being actively monitored and can limit broader operational visibility.”  In 1984, Dieter Dallmeier founded what is now Dallmeier electronic – not in the proverbial garage, but in a garden shed in Regensburg, Germany. Today, the company, which can justifiably call itself a hidden champion for video information technology "Made in Germany", has several hundred employees worldwide, more than 250 of them at the company headquarters in the center of Regensburg alone. Digital image storage system Dallmeier's camera, recording, software, and analysis solutions optimise security and processes for B2B end customers in a wide range of industries in over 60 countries. The focus is on users from the casino, smart city, airports, logistics, stadiums, and industrial sectors. But also, banks, critical infrastructure facilities as well as medium-sized companies from all sectors. With pioneering innovations, Dallmeier has succeeded time and again in placing itself at the forefront of technology: From the world's first digital image storage system with motion analysis in 1992, the patented "multifocal sensor technology" Panomera® with its "Mountera®" mounting system, to the latest Domera® camera family, which allows up to 300 camera variants with only 18 components. Complete manufacturing process These and many other innovations provide real, tangible customer benefits. And with a low Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and a high Return on Investment (ROI) they can easily compete with systems produced and supplied from low-wage countries. With "Made in Germany", we also guarantee our customers the highest standards in data protection, cybersecurity, and ethical responsibility. With high quality and short supply chains, we also ensure – almost incidentally – sustainability and environmental protection. From our prestigious headquarters in the center of Regensburg, Dallmeier not only carries out its own research and development but also the complete manufacturing process – from component to product to solution.

Gozoki, a French family-owned company and pioneer in the freshly prepared meals market (Maison Briau, Maison Tino and other brands), has taken the step of investing to secure its industrial sites. At its facilities in Agen, the company now benefits from a state-of-the-art video surveillance system deployed by specialist integrator SDP, using Hanwha Vision hardware and software solutions. Production sites in the food manufacturing sector face stringent requirements for security, access control and traceability. Protecting staff, preventing intrusions, monitoring logistics flows and securing sensitive areas all present significant challenges. Present significant challenges As part of its ongoing commitment to improving its infrastructure, Gozoki began modernising its surveillance system in 2025 to enhance reliability, accuracy and responsiveness. “We needed a system capable of operating 24/7 in a demanding environment while delivering outstanding image quality. The Hanwha Vision solution meets these requirements perfectly,” says Nicolas Jeannesson, buildings and energy manager at Gozoki. To deliver the project, Gozoki selected SDP, a company renowned for its expertise in integrating electronic security solutions. SDP carried out the site survey, designed the network architecture, installed the equipment and completed its advanced configuration. The objective was to deliver a robust, scalable solution perfectly suited to the demands of a challenging industrial environment. “Our role is to provide a turnkey solution that is reliable and built to last. Hanwha Vision cameras enable us to deliver high levels of performance while simplifying maintenance,” says Pierre Albanese, managing director of SDP. Video analytics capabilities The cameras SDP and Gozoki chose to install were Hanwha Vision’s, and were selected for their exceptional image quality, even in challenging conditions, thanks to high-resolution sensors and WDR technologies. Advanced video analytics capabilities that enable intrusion detection, intelligent management of sensitive areas, and behavioural analysis, were also key features that Gozoki required. The reliability and durability of Hanwha Vision’s cameras are essential in industrial environments that are subject to fluctuations in temperature, humidity or lighting, such as Gozoki’s sites. Enhanced cybersecurity - a critical factor in preventing the risk of cyber attacks on connected systems - was also a vital element of the project’s requirements. The installed cameras cover all strategic areas, including vehicle entrances, loading bays, storage areas, internal traffic routes and external perimeters. “The integrated video analytics allow us to go far beyond simple monitoring. We now have a decision-support tool capable of anticipating risk situations,” adds Nicolas Jeannesson of Gozoki. Future regulatory requirements With the planned deployment of nearly 200 cameras across multiple sites around Agen, Gozoki now benefits from a modern video surveillance system that supports the company’s growth while meeting current and future regulatory requirements. “This project perfectly illustrates our commitment to supporting our customers over the long term with reliable, scalable technologies,” concludes Pierre Albanese. Together, SDP and Hanwha Vision delivered Gozoki a cohesive, high-performance and scalable solution, providing a clear, centralised view of security across its facilities.

New York City’s vast public transportation network is the lifeblood of the region, serving millions of residents and visitors daily. To maintain and improve the daily commutes of riders across the system, a steady stream of innovation is required. The Transit Tech Lab, a public-private partnership created by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and the Partnership Fund for New York City, was established to accelerate the adoption of emerging technologies across the city’s transit systems. This initiative seeks to solve pressing challenges related to resilience, customer experience, and security. Increased operational costs For its highly competitive program, the Transit Tech Lab received 150 applications from companies around the globe. Only 18 were chosen as finalists to proceed to an eight-week proof-of-concept phase. Among this select group was Intelligent Security Systems (ISS), which was tasked with demonstrating how its technology could enhance security operations for key transit agencies, including the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The Challenge: Modernising Outdated Vehicle Screening Processes - Charged with protecting the city’s vital transportation hubs, the Port Authority was seeking a solution that could help them automate the vehicle screening process at one of the sites under their purview. Traditional methods of under-vehicle inspection — often involving manual checks with pole-mounted mirrors or bomb-sniffing canine units — can be slow, labour-intensive, and subject to human error or fatigue. These methods can also lead to bottlenecks, increased operational costs, and may not always provide the consistent, high-level scrutiny required. Vehicle screening challenges The Port Authority needed a solution that could not only detect potential threats with greater accuracy but also streamline the entire screening process, reducing congestion and improving operational efficiency without compromising safety. The goal was to find a technology that could provide fast, reliable, and detailed inspections while integrating into the existing security framework. “Being selected for the Transit Tech Lab initiative is a tremendous honour and a testament to our commitment to innovation and excellence,” said ISS CEO Aluisio Figueiredo. “This opportunity allowed us to demonstrate how our groundbreaking video intelligence solutions can address the unique vehicle screening challenges faced by high-security sites, enhancing both security and operational efficiency.” Automated visual inspection The Solution: Advanced Undercarriage Inspection with SecurOS® UVSS - To address these challenges, ISS proposed its SecurOS® UVSS (Under Vehicle Surveillance System) solution. For over two decades, ISS has been a pioneer in video intelligence and data awareness, holding over 30 patents and trademarks. With a global presence and a robust R&D team of over 200 engineers, ISS develops next-generation video analytics that solve complex security problems. The SecurOS® UVSS is a complete, enterprise-level solution for the automated visual inspection of vehicle undercarriages. It is designed to screen for explosives, illegal contraband, dangerous objects, and structural anomalies. The system consists of a rugged, IP68-rated scanning platform deployed on the roadway along with a powerful processing controller. Powerful processing controller As a vehicle drives over the platform, a high-resolution, area-scan machine vision camera captures detailed images of its undercarriage. The system can effectively scan vehicles moving at speeds up to 22 mph and even handles complete stops, ensuring image quality is never compromised. Patented de-warping technology corrects distortion and stitches together a complete, high-definition composite image in as little as three seconds, while the UVSS’ foreign object detection system automatically flags anomalies in the undercarriage that could pose a security risk. This image is then displayed for the operator on a user-friendly interface, alongside data from other native systems, including license plate recognition (LPR) software and optional driver-facing cameras. Forensic investigations and compliance This automated process offers significant advantages over manual inspections: Speed and Efficiency: A scan takes mere seconds, drastically reducing vehicle processing times and preventing congestion at checkpoints. Accuracy and Detail: The high-resolution camera captures clear images, allowing operators to spot anomalies that might be missed by the naked eye or a mirror. The system’s 3D-magnifier view enables detailed examination of suspicious areas, while foreign object detection highlights potential threats automatically. Consistency: The UVSS solution provides reliable, 24/7 performance, unaffected by human factors like fatigue or distraction. Data Integration: Each undercarriage image along with the respective vehicle’s colour, class, make and, model is saved and linked with license plate data, time of entry, and even the driver’s face (with optional cameras). This creates a comprehensive, searchable audit trail for forensic investigations and compliance. Simplified Installation: The UVSS does not require heavy construction to deploy and is available in several different models. An optional UVSS cleaning system that uses a dual air-fluid cleaning process to remove things like dirt, snow or ice ensures that system remains in optimal working condition, even in dusty or debris-prone environments. Average checkpoint passage times The Results: A Successful Pilot for the Port Authority - Beginning in May 2024 as part of the Transit Tech Lab’s proof-of-concept phase, the SecurOS® UVSS was used to scan the undercarriages of over 2,000 vehicles over a three-week period at the aforementioned site. The primary goal was to demonstrate how the technology could improve the existing screening process for vehicles entering the location. The results were immediate and impactful. The UVSS was integrated with the Port Authority’s security databases, helping to increase efficiencies in standard vehicle screening processes. The system provided real-time data on vehicle types, traffic flow, and average checkpoint passage times, giving the Port Authority valuable insights into its operations. Additionally, the UVSS cleaning system ensured the unit provided clear and accurate images regardless of the operating conditions. Vehicle security screening operation A senior engineer for major capital projects with the Port Authority noted the value of the pilot, stating, “ISS’ technology complemented our vehicle security screening operation, and the real-time data helped improve the visibility of several unknown everyday processing details that are super useful and present an efficiency opportunity.” The success of the initial trial led to ISS being selected to advance to the large-scale pilot phase of the initiative, further cementing the value of its technology. The application at the Port Authority site is one of many high-profile deployments for the SecurOS® UVSS. The system is trusted by governments, military organisations, and corporate enterprises around the world to protect critical infrastructure, airports, border crossings, state institutions, and public venues, like stadiums and arenas. Its proven reliability and advanced capabilities have made it a global standard for under-vehicle inspections. Robust vehicle screening process By automating the inspection process, the Port Authority was able to achieve a significantly higher level of threat detection and dramatically improve the overall efficiency of its checkpoints. The rich data provided by the UVSS has also proven instrumental in informing the Port Authority on the types of operational improvements that are needed to ensure a robust vehicle screening process at its secure facilities moving forward. “The challenge of securing a facility of this magnitude requires technology that is not only powerful but also intelligent and adaptable,” added Figueiredo. “The SecurOS® UVSS provides a scalable, integrated solution that transforms vehicle inspection from a manual chore into a streamlined, data-driven process, setting a new standard for modern security operations.”

Comelit-PAC has partnered with Editquest Limited to deliver a comprehensive security solution at a private residential development on Kings Road, Fulham. The development required a comprehensive approach, with the priority to provide residents and visitors with a safe, reliable and intuitive system. The installation brought together door entry, access control and CCTV into one integrated solution, designed and installed to meet the highest standards, including full compliance with Secured by Design. Video entry communication Editquest worked with Comelit-PAC to deliver a total of 128 Icona monitors, offering residents stylish and user-friendly video entry communication. At the main entrances, six digital video door entry panels were installed. These were fully integrated to enable secure visitor and guest management throughout the building. Says Kobee Hussain of Editquest: “Our role was to bring together all elements of the installation and ensure the system was designed and delivered to the specification required. Comelit-PAC’s technology enabled us to do exactly this, providing us with the flexibility to manage all elements as one integrated platform. From an installer perspective, the process was smooth and we knew we could rely on the product to perform both during installation and in long-term use.” Robust and flexible solution Access control was also a central requirement, covering 48 doors across the property. To achieve this, Editquest installed a mixture of 512 DCI enclosures and four-way enclosures with 512 DCI and 512 DC, ensuring a robust and flexible solution suited to the development’s scale. To complement the door entry and access control, 46 CCTV cameras were installed. These provide extensive site coverage and reassurance for both residents and building management, all operating within the same Comelit-PAC ecosystem. The result is a single system designed, supplied and supported by one manufacturer, providing ease of management and peace of mind for the long term. Gareth Van Der Merwe, Business Development Manager, South East at Comelit-PAC concluded: “Our focus is always on delivering systems that combine technology, stylish design and reliability. The Kings Road, Fulham project shows how our solutions work seamlessly - from door entry to access and CCTV - while meeting Secured by Design requirements. By working closely with Editquest from initial design to work completion, we’ve created a future-proofed system that enables residents to feel secure in their homes, while enhancing their overall living experience.”

Barnet Council recently undertook a major upgrade of its CCTV infrastructure, partnering with i-PRO and systems integrator DSSL to enhance security, improve urban planning, and drive smart city initiatives. The project was driven by the need to replace an aging and largely non-functional CCTV network while maximising cost efficiency and scalability. With i-PRO’s market-leading edge computing analytics, the council was able to implement a future-proof technology that not only delivers high-quality security and safety but also provides valuable data insights for business and community planning. Future-proof technology The Customer - Barnet London Borough Council, also known as Barnet Council, is the local authority for the London Borough of Barnet in Greater London, England. The borough's major urban settlements are Hendon, Finchley, Golders Green, Friern Barnet, Chipping Barnet, Whetstone, and Edgware; there are also village settlements notably Totteridge and Arkley along with rural areas and countryside part of the Green Belt. As such, the area is geographically diverse and is also the largest London borough by population, with close to 350,000 residents. Business Challenge - The council’s previous CCTV system was in a state of disrepair, with only 15-20 of its 3000 cameras operational across the entire estate. Further to this, the council also looked ahead and made the decision to future-proof existing technology and enhance the capabilities of the system by strategically upgrading to smarter technology, capable of providing deeper insights, finding new efficiencies and generally improving the quality-of-service Barnet Council could provide to constituents and local businesses alike. Prominent AI capability The Solution - To address this, Barnet opted for a phased upgrade and system enhancement using the X-series AI Processing Relay Application, integrating i-PRO cameras with a newly upgraded control room and an enhanced Genetec video management system (VMS). The decision to go with i-PRO was influenced by its prominent AI capability and the substantial cost savings— an estimate of £600,000 over five years — when compared to server-based alternatives. Additionally, the system’s scalability allowed Barnet to expand its camera network without requiring extra server infrastructure, space, or cooling requirements. “A key factor in the decision was the ability of i-PRO cameras to serve as multifunctional sensors, capturing both security footage and valuable urban analytics. The cameras are used for people and vehicle counting, feeding real-time data into Power BI for internal council reports,” states Aaron Stephens, Managing Director at DSSL Systems. Planning future expansions The analytics data has become instrumental in planning future expansions, which will include additional coverage in parks, railway stations, and high-traffic areas. The insights generated help local businesses understand customer footfall, assist in investment decisions for town infrastructure, and support the council in managing traffic and public spaces more efficiently. “Unlike traditional server-based AI technology, which place a heavy burden on network infrastructure, i-PRO cameras process analytics on the edge, transmitting only metadata rather than large video files,” continues Stephens. Video management solution This approach significantly reduces costs while enabling faster and more efficient data analysis. The system was deployed with strict cyber security compliance, in alignment with regulations such as NDAA. Installed by DSSL, the network adheres to stringent firewall policies and integrates seamlessly with the Genetec video management solution, ensuring secure and reliable data management. "The i-PRO forensic capabilities are directly embedded within Genetec Security Center, which enables control room operators to quickly find specific objects or events by filtering through attributes and characteristics captured by the cameras. This speeds up the investigative process and enhances collaboration with the Metropolitan Police," said Benjamin Durrant, Account Executive, Genetec UK & Ireland. Culturally diverse community The deployment included 127 X-series bullet cameras for general safety and monitoring, 10 fisheye cameras in libraries for heat-mapping and people counting, and dual-view 5G re-deployable units for festivals and outdoor events. In Barnet’s unmanned libraries, the cameras also play a critical role in security, with audio detection triggering alerts for disturbances and automated people counting ensuring buildings are empty before lockdown procedures are initiated. Barnet Council’s investment in smart city technology extends beyond security. Re-deployable 5G cameras are being used to track attendance at public events, festivals, and religious gatherings, providing valuable crowd insights for better planning within a culturally diverse community. Return on investment and planning “With an initial £1 million investment, the council has maximised existing infrastructure to expand its data capabilities without significant additional spending. Phase two of the project, which has already been approved, will see the addition of 60-70 new i-PRO bullet cameras,” states Stephens. Beyond security, the smart city and community safety teams are leveraging i-PRO’s capabilities for advanced applications such as people and vehicle analytics. A new trial for automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) is also set to begin, potentially leading to a larger rollout. The council has already started benefiting from i-PRO’s analytics, such as heat-mapping in libraries, but is awaiting governance approval before publicly sharing results. The system complies with data privacy regulations as it does not use facial recognition. Smart city infrastructure Looking to the future, Barnet is exploring additional IoT integrations, including environmental sensors, flood detection, and traffic signal coordination. These efforts will further enhance the council’s smart city infrastructure. “This transparency, combined with i-PRO’s compliance with strict security standards, solidified the council’s trust in the solution. The i-PRO team came in to answer questions from the council and really won them over with their knowledge and honesty,” said Stephens. “Furthermore, i-PRO’s deep integration with the Genetec security solutions portfolio created a seamless ecosystem, reinforcing its market position as a leading smart city solution provider.” Looking to the future As Barnet Council continues its journey towards a fully integrated smart city, the focus remains on future scalability and efficiency gains. The initial return on investment is still being assessed, but the long-term impact is clear: by leveraging real-time data insights, the council can optimise public spending, justify infrastructure investments, and drive smarter, more connected urban development. As more councils recognise the benefits of data-driven planning, projects like Barnet’s will set the standard for the future of smart city technology.

Carrefour Brazil is one of the largest retail groups in Brazil and Latin America, operating more than 1,000 stores and serving a high volume of customers every day. Its Pamplona store in São Paulo, for example, located in one of the city’s busiest areas, greatly reflects the operational complexity faced by modern retailers: maintaining safety, reducing losses, improving efficiency, and delivering a better shopping experience at scale. Limited real-time visibility Challenges - Carrefour needed to address several key pain points. Manual processes and disconnected systems created risks of inaccurate alarms and inconsistent service. High customer traffic increased exposure to theft, fraud, and checkout losses, while traditional investigation methods made incident tracing slow and inefficient. At the same time, limited real-time visibility into customer flow, queues, inventory, and in-store behaviour made it difficult to optimize staffing, replenishment, store layout, and checkout efficiency. Unified retail ecosystem Solutions - To meet these needs, Dahua provided an integrated smart retail solution combining video surveillance, AI analytics, alarm linkage, customer flow analysis, and digital in-store technologies. The solution was built around Dahua’s DSS PRO platform, Retail Loss Prevention IVD/IVSS, Retail NVR, AcuPick intelligent search, people-counting cameras, Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) integration, alarm host, access control, electronic shelf labels, and digital signage. These systems work together to connect security, operations, and customer engagement within a unified retail ecosystem. Integration of video surveillance For loss prevention, Dahua’s video analytics can detect suspicious behaviors such as item concealment and issue real-time alerts to security staff. Integration with EAS and intrusion alarms provides immediate contextual information for each alarm, helping teams respond faster and more accurately. High-value merchandise is further protected with anti-theft tags, while restricted storage areas are secured through access control. In the event of an incident, AcuPick and intelligent video analysis can be used to track the movement paths of customers or employees, significantly reducing investigation time. The solution is also projected to checkout and self-checkout security. Cart analysis can help to identify unscanned items, while intelligent barriers at self-checkout stations prevent customers from exiting before completing payment. Looking ahead, the integration of video surveillance with transaction data can further support automated sales auditing, discrepancy detection, and faster resolution of operational variances. Data-driven store operations Beyond security, Dahua’s smart retail technologies support data-driven store operations. People-counting cameras, customer flow analysis, queue monitoring, and heatmap analysis provide Carrefour with insights into occupancy, peak hours, movement patterns, high-traffic areas, and dwell time. This can help to optimize staff scheduling, product placement, promotional planning, and checkout lane management. Shelf replenishment monitoring enable detection of low stock or abnormal product removal and triggers real-time alerts, helping prevent lost sales and improving product availability. Dahua also enhanced the in-store customer experience through electronic shelf labels and digital signage. Electronic shelf labels enable automatic price updates, reduce manual errors, and support promotional communication. Digital signage and point-of-sale displays provide product information, strengthen brand presence, and create a more interactive shopping environment. Interactive shopping environment Results - As a result, Carrefour Brazil now operates in a safer, more efficient, and more connected retail environment. The project improves operational visibility, strengthens loss prevention, accelerates incident analysis, supports better staffing and merchandising decisions, and enhances the customer journey from entrance to checkout. Through this collaboration, Dahua helped Carrefour transform traditional store management into an intelligent retail model powered by integrated security, analytics, and digital engagement.

If AI is the dominant buzzword in the physical security industry, it is the second letter (I for intelligence) that is having the biggest impact. Simply put, intelligence transforms computer systems, including those used for physical security, from rigid, rule-following calculators into adaptable, problem-solving partners to human operators. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: What is the changing role of intelligence in physical security?

Adequate video surveillance coverage depends entirely on a facility's layout, square footage, and security goals. Historically, better coverage required more cameras, but technology innovations are changing those expectations and undermining previously held rules of thumb. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: Do today's video systems generally require more cameras or fewer cameras, and why?

Next-generation (Next-Gen) technologies are products, services, or infrastructures that represent a significant leap forward rather than a small, incremental update. In the physical security industry, NextGen products are those that enable disruptive change, breakthrough performance, and a fundamental change that renders previous products obsolete. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: What is the next generation of physical security solutions, and how will they change the industry?