Remote video monitoring

Wavestore continues to make incremental improvements to its Video Management Software (VMS) with the introduction of v6.16. The latest version of Wavestore’s open platform and highly secure Linux-based VMS includes support for H.265 compression. As a result, Wavestore’s customers are now able to benefit from a considerable reduction in bandwidth and storage capacity requirements due to the efficiency of H.265 over other video formats. Wavestore v6.16 features Other new features offered with Wavestore v6.16 include support for the following: The new Layout Sequences feature allows camera layouts to be defined and shown in a sequence. Each layout can be in any screen format and with any selection of cameras. Each step in the sequence can have an individual dwell-time. Hence, Layout Sequences can give users great awareness of what’s happening on all their important cameras with a minimum of screen real estate. Enhanced I/O compatibility utilising the MODBUS protocol. Event triggered inputs and outputs processed by Adam or Moxa I/O devices can now be integrated with Wavestore’s ‘Cause and Effect’ rules engine to perform any number of functions. Axis VAPIX I/O devices are also integrated, giving systems integrators a wide range of options. IPv6 compatibility has been introduced for sites that require the latest Internet Protocol addressing. SIRA approved VideoGuard remote visual monitoring software platform integration. This feature is likely to be of particular interest to Wavestore’s customers in the Middle East who are specifying VideoGuard to ensure essential compliance with Dubai police requirements. Reducing the cost of deploying systems The new Encoder and Multi-Sensor (EMS) license type is available at all levels (BASE, PREMIUM, ENTERPRISE and ULTIMATE)Wavestore has also introduced a new licensing option for encoders and multi-sensor cameras to lower the cost of deploying systems that utilise these technologies. The new Encoder and Multi-Sensor (EMS) license type is available at all levels (BASE, PREMIUM, ENTERPRISE and ULTIMATE), which licenses the entire encoder or multi-sensor camera instead of each individual channel. They can be mixed and matched as necessary with individual IP channel licenses across a solution. This means that Wavestore customers who wish to continue using legacy analogue cameras, now only require a single EMS license in order to use a 16-channel standard definition encoder, a 4-channel AHD/TVI/CVI encoder or a multi-sensor camera from a host of world leading brands. Enhancements based on integrators’ feedback “We are constantly looking at ways in which we can enhance value and enable our customers to achieve more from their integrated security solutions and in this respect, many of the enhancements incorporated into V6.16 are in response to feedback from system integrators who wish to meet evolving market requirements,” said Julian Inman, Head of Product Management for Wavestore. “Our customers can be confident we remain committed to a programme of continual improvement and that we will be introducing additional innovative features and practical functionality over the coming months.”

The new DC-C4212RX 2MP micro dome camera is the latest addition to the DirectIP line up from IDIS, which is South Korea’s in-country manufacturer of surveillance technology. The compact design of the DC-C4212RX makes it the best choice for understated, less noticeable installation. The neat aesthetics are ideal for applications where there is a need for unobtrusive surveillance but where comprehensive, high-performance video capture is paramount. Measuring only 86 mm x 58 mm and weighing just 105 grams, the DC-C4212RX delivers advanced benefits within its lower profile and is the right choice for high-end locations such as jewellery shops and boutiques, as well as up-market restaurants and luxury hotels. Faster and easier deployment The camera can operate in a wide range of lighting conditions, delivering high performance live monitoringThe DC-C4212RX offers all the key benefits that installers expect from IDIS DirectIP dome cameras, including the company’s signature plug-and-play installation and configuration. The elimination of a pigtail cable allows faster and easier deployment. The 3-axis mechanical lens enables rotation and easy angle adjustment, making it an important design feature for precise image capture, particularly when the camera needs to be discretely wall-mounted. The camera can also operate in a wide range of lighting conditions, delivering high performance live monitoring and playback. True wide dynamic range (WDR) Other key features include true wide dynamic range (WDR); IR LED illumination up to 15m with day and night ICR; dual codec H.264/H.265 performance; and easy, plug-and-play integration with IDIS VA in the Box. This cost-effective video analytics appliance delivers value-add business intelligence gained from heat mapping, people counting, queue management and comprehensive reporting. “Our new micro dome is a great camera for installers to work with and it delivers outstanding surveillance capability for customers,” says James Min, Managing Director of IDIS Europe. “It further strengthens our end-to-end offering for retail applications, including high street fashion, boutiques, dining, pubs and coffee shops – markets in which we have gained significant market share globally.”

Trackforce announces the launch of its new Command Center, which removes the need for security companies to have onsite supervisors at each customer site. The Command Center achieves this with its ability to intuitively capture, process, and display essential information from the field required by supervisors to perform their duties on an easy to navigate screen, irrespective of their location. Security workforce management The Trackforce Command Center equips security supervisors stationed at a central location with the capability to remotely monitor and manage individual or multiple officers and various security situations. It also delivers a unified threat analysis across multiple sites. Security supervisors now have quicker access to existing security resources needed to manage a situation and improve response times. The Command Center also ensures that there is greater oversight and control over client sites. The Command Center is suited to security businesses with clients in various vertical market sectors As a component of the broader SaaS Trackforce security workforce management platform, the Command Center is suited to security businesses with clients in various vertical market sectors. It is scalable and will support the security company through all its growth stages without negatively impacting already tight profit margins. Customer service level The Command Center is provided with a full set of features to all security companies irrespective of size, and all users become fully operational within a few days of the Trackforce platform’s implementation and customisation. “The Command Center changes the security environment from being reactive to pre-emptive, so, security teams don’t have to wait for something to happen and can make proactive decisions,” says Guirchaume Abitol, CEO and Founder of Trackforce. “It does away with disparate solutions that supervisors previously used to monitor and enhance their decision-making capabilities. This results in improved operational readiness and business efficiencies for security companies. Service standards are maintained, SLAs are met, and security companies are able to optimise the capabilities of their security supervisors. This is a win-win for security companies at a management level, supervisors at an operational level, and clients at the customer service level.” Real-time monitoring Supervisors realise enhanced situational awareness through real-time monitoring of security officers With a responsive view of security officers and developing situations at every level, the Command Center empowers supervisors to go from a broad, regional display to site-level data. Management can also opt to zoom in and monitor individual personnel activity at any time and contact, assist, and communicate with even the most remote officers using push-to-talk and mass notification communication capabilities. Supervisors realise enhanced situational awareness through real-time monitoring of security officers. With enhanced command and control capabilities, an officer or developing situation can be tracked in no more than two clicks, on a single screen, with fewer actions than previously required. Privileged user capabilities The system has built-in security and privileged user capabilities controlling who has access to specific functionality, customer data, and officers on client sites. Supervisors have the ability to monitor and manage individual officers and teams of officers, individual sites, or a group of sites in a city, a state, across the country, or globally if needed. Over the past two decades, Trackforce has risen to become a recognised global market leader by improving security officer operations and productivity while reducing cost and risk via innovative mobile and desktop applications. The company implements solutions for clients such as Allied Universal, Whelan Security, SecurAmerica, Inter-Con Security Systems, SOS Security, G4S, and many others.

The Spanish video door entry systems brand had advanced us that 2019 would be the year of connectivity. And they’re truly making it happen: Fermax announces the launch of their new DUOX monitors with WiFi connectivity. And with them comes the ability to answer calls and open the door from a mobile device (smartphone or tablet). True to their commitment to make the best technology available to the mainstream market, Fermax releases the DUOX VEO WiFi and DUOX VEO-XS WiFi monitors with integrated Internet connectivity, which allows calls at home to be diverted to the user's smartphone or tablet. Video door entry WiFi connectivity on monitors sets a radical change in video door entry, as it allows the user to interact when they are away from their home as they would if they were at home. Thanks the call divert to smartphone and tablet, users can see the person that is at their front door, have a conversation with the them or open the door if they want to, from anywhere in the world. You can answer any call made to your video door entry system, any time It doesn't matter whether you're in the office, travelling or on holiday, in or out of the house: you can answer any call made to your video door entry system, any time: just download Fermax's free BLUE app and pair the monitor with your mobile device. With the new DUOX VEO WiFi and DUOX VEO-XS WiFi monitors, FERMAX has taken the leap into the ‘Internet of Things’, a revolutionary concept where objects are connected to make life easier. Entry-level systems Fermax offers the VEO and VEO-XS monitors with DUOX technology as their new entry-level systems. These monitors were already ahead of any other indoor terminal on the market with their great little technical features. Both the VEO (with handset) and VEO-XS (hands-free) versions have a 4.3" widescreen colour display (16:9 format), ringtone options, automatic image capture and a ‘do not disturb’ function. They also have the impeccable design you would expect from the Spanish brand. And now, you can choose the WiFi call divert option for convenience, natural communication, whether you’re at home or not. And for individual homes, the DUOX VEO WiFi and DUOX VEO-XS WiFi monitors are also available in kits: all-in-one solutions with all the necessary elements for the installation.

Amthal partners with CAME BPT on a number of prestigious projects to create bespoke door entry systems that operate using integrated smart technology for the benefit of residents across the UK. Renowned intercom specialists CAME BPT has continued to specify use of Amthal, operating with leading real estate consultants to design and integrate door entry solutions in line with high-end specification. Specialist networked systems This minimises the supply chain and ensures a more efficient works programme from start to finish, and ongoing" CAME BPT and Amthal have worked together from initial design and specification stages to create specialist networked systems, incorporating high-end smart technology entrance panels and video hands free intercom handsets. Says Steve Bond, Installer East Sales Manager at CAME BPT UK: “Amthal as an all-encompassing fire and security specialist, collaborates well with our team to deliver on smart technology, created and installed to achieve exact customer expectations. The real professionalism is shown in Amthal’s ability to partner with us right from the initial design process, through planned installation to maintenance and monitoring services. To the customer, this minimises the supply chain and ensures a more efficient works programme from start to finish, and ongoing!” Smart video control Most recently, Amthal and CAME BPT have collaborated to upgrade smart video control at the prestigious Arundel Square development. Based in the heart of Islington, Arundel Square has been designed in symmetry of the surrounding prominent Victorian terraces. Run by a Resident’s Management Company (RMC,) it presents studios 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments with full concierge services, overlooking a professionally landscaped vista of an established garden square. With every finishing detail considered in line with the sensitive design, a necessary upgrade to its video intercom system was extensively planned with a bespoke solution, created by CAME BPT in partnership with Amthal to complete the integrated installation. Jamie Allam, Amthal Commercial Director concluded: “The work at Arundel Square is testament to our close working relationship with CAME BPT, whereby we are confident in their products and know we can operate together well to ensure a smooth delivery with minimal disruption to those involved.” Remote monitoring Amthal Fire & Security is dedicated to satisfying end user needs for security safety and convenience “By being involved so early on, we are able to understand and make recommendations on the right approach, when it comes to security design and installation without compromising on style or cutting-edge technology. The result is the perfect blend of smart security, to add finishing touches to any development and guarantee a very professional job all round.” Independently owned, Amthal Fire & Security is dedicated to satisfying end user needs for security safety and convenience offering design, installation, service and remote monitoring of advanced electronic fire & security solutions, including intruder, fire, access and CCTV systems. Amthal Fire & Security are accredited by the Security Systems and Alarm Inspection Board (SSAIB) United Kingdom Accreditation Services (UKAS) and British Approvals for Fire Equipment (BAFE).

Avigilon Corporation, a Motorola Solutions company, announced that it is launching its Avigilon Blue™ platform in the United Kingdom. For Avigilon partners, the Avigilon Blue cloud service platform provides an easy-to-install, cloud-based video security solution with features and capabilities that allows them to remotely monitor and manage more sites with fewer resources. Partners can easily monitor the health of customer sites, update configurations and deploy system updates, all remotely. Key benefits Other key benefits of the Avigilon Blue platform for partners and end-users include: Patented Avigilon self-learning video analytics – technology that works with almost any IP camera already installed on site, to recognise threats with greater accuracy. Quick video verification – with easy and secure access to video via the Avigilon Blue Mobile app or a desktop browser, users can verify video clips instantly on site or remotely. Monthly subscription costs – helping provide a recurring monthly revenue opportunity for partners, while end-users enjoy the peace of mind of predictable fees for video security services. Patented Avigilon bandwidth saving technology – providing users the simplicity of using a standard internet connection, helping keep internet connectivity costs down. Avigilon Blue for businesses The Avigilon Blue solution is ideal for small and medium size businesses and distributed enterprises. It provides flexible security by allowing businesses to monitor their own security operations or enable third-party remote video monitoring service providers that use technology like I-View Now or SureView Systems to monitor their sites. “The Avigilon Blue video security platform continues to help customers globally to stay secure,” said Ryan Nolan, senior vice president of Commercial Operations at Avigilon. “We are excited to expand the Avigilon Blue platform into the United Kingdom, helping our partners create a new recurring monthly revenue stream. End-users benefit from a simple and highly effective video security solution to keep their businesses safe.”

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

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

Timely and important issues in the security marketplace dominated our list of most-clicked-upon articles in 2018. Looking back at the top articles of the year provides a decent summary of how our industry evolved this year, and even offers clues to where we’re headed in 2019. In the world of digital publishing, it’s easy to know what content resonates with the security market: Our readers tell us with their actions; i.e., where they click. Let’s look back at the Top 10 articles we posted in 2018 that generated the most page views. They are listed in order here with a brief excerpt. 1. U.S. President Signs Government Ban on Hikvision and Dahua Video Surveillance The ban on government uses, which takes effect ‘not later than one year after … enactment,’ applies not only to future uses of Dahua and Hikvision equipment but also to legacy installations. The bill calls for an assessment of the current presence of the banned technologies and development of a ‘phase-out plan’ to eliminate the equipment from government uses. 2. Motorola Makes a Splash with Avigilon Video Surveillance Acquisition Early clues point to Motorola positioning Avigilon as part of a broader solution, especially in the municipal/safe cities market. The company says the acquisition will enable more safe cities projects and more public-private partnerships between local communities and law enforcement. Motorola sees Avigilon as ‘a natural extension to global public safety and U.S. federal and military’ applications, according to the company. 3. Impact of Data-Driven Smart Cities on Video Surveillance One of the major areas of technology that is going to shift how we interact with our cities is the Internet of Things (IoT). One benefit will be the ability to use video surveillance to analyse data on large crowds at sporting events The IoT already accounts for swaths of technology and devices operating in the background. However, we’re increasingly seeing these come to the forefront of everyday life, as data becomes increasingly critical. Bosch is highlighting its “Simply. Connected” portfolio of smart city technology to transform security as well as urban mobility, air quality and energy efficiency 4. CES 2018: Security Technologies Influencing the Consumer Electronics Market Familiar players at security shows also have a presence at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). For example, Bosch is highlighting its “Simply. Connected” portfolio of smart city technology to transform security as well as urban mobility, air quality and energy efficiency. Many consumer technologies on display offer a glimpse of what’s ahead for security. Are Panasonic’s 4K OLEDs with HDR10+ format or Sony’s A8F OLED televisions a preview of the future of security control room monitors? 5. SIA Predicts Top Physical Security Trends for 2018 Traditional security providers will focus more on deepening the customer experience and enhancing convenience and service. The rise of IoT also places an emphasis on cybersecurity, and security dealers will react by seeking manufacturers and technology partners with cyber-hardened network-connected devices. 6. High-Speed Visitor Screening Systems Will Improve Soft Target Security The system is more expensive than a metal detector, but about a third the cost of familiar airport body scanners. Labor reduction (because of faster throughput) can help offset the system costs, but “it’s difficult to quantify the improvement in the visitor experience,” says Mike Ellenbogen, CEO of Evolv Technology. 7. How to Prevent ATM Jackpotting with Physical and Cyber Security A new crime wave is hitting automated teller machines (ATMs); the common banking appliances are being rigged to spit out their entire cash supplies into a criminal’s waiting hands. The crime is called “ATM jackpotting” and has targeted banking machines located in grocery shops, pharmacies and other locations in Taiwan, Europe, Latin America and, in the last several months, the United States. Rough estimates place the total amount of global losses at up to $60 million. The safety and security world bring a complex problem to solve- how to pick out a face in a moving and changing environment and compare it to several faces of interest 8. Why We Need to Look Beyond Technology for Smart City Security Solutions Although technology is necessary for an urban area to transition in to a safe and smart city, technology alone isn’t sufficient. Truly smart cities are savvy cities and that includes how they employ software, sensing, communications and other technologies to meet their needs. 9. How New Video Surveillance Technology Boosts Airport Security and Operations Employing airport security solutions is a complex situation with myriad government, state and local rules and regulations that need to be addressed while ensuring the comfort needs of passengers. Airport security is further challenged with improving and increasing operational efficiencies, as budgets are always an issue. As an example, security and operational data must be easily shared with other airport departments and local agencies such as police, customs, emergency response and airport operations to drive a more proactive approach across the organisation. 10. The Evolution of Facial Recognition from Body-Cams to Video Surveillance The safety and security world bring a complex problem to solve how to pick out a face in a moving and changing environment and compare it to several faces of interest. “One-to-many” facial recognition is a much harder problem to solve.

Video surveillance cannot address all the security challenges in education, but it is a valuable tool and among the least obtrusive options available. And the list of security challenges that video can address grows every day. Video systems can provide real-time monitoring of school premises and facilitate rapid response to incidents. New advances such as video analytics are currently underutilised in the education arena. Historically, video has been used as a forensic tool in the education market, providing critical information about an incident after the fact. But that generalisation is changing. Today, networking enables video images to be shared throughout a school system, travelling over existing networks, empowering a more centralised security management structure, and making video more valuable. In particular, higher education institutions are more likely to view live video, given the larger campuses, greater number of buildings, and more public areas where staff and students congregate. Challenges for securing a school environment Panoramic cameras are one tool to address challenges, as a single 360-degree camera can replace between 4 and 5 PTZ camerasMultiple challenges in the education market for security goods and services (from a video perspective) include wide open spaces that make securing schools with video surveillance cameras difficult since the vast amount of coverage required can be cost-prohibitive. Second, state and federal regulations must be taken into account and balanced with the need to protect student privacy. Finally, schools and colleges face dwindling budgets, which means security solutions must deliver more coverage and functionality, while also being cost-effective to deploy. Panoramic cameras are one tool to address these challenges, as a single 360-degree camera can replace between four and five traditional pan-tilt-zoom cameras, resulting in fewer cameras and more coverage – all at a lower cost for hardware and licensing. Data capture form to appear here! Intelligent cameras with video analytics Video surveillance with video analytics can be deployed to monitor areas at certain times of day. For example, once school starts, there shouldn’t be a lot of activity in the parking lot or in particular areas around the school. For these situations, intelligent cameras with video analytics can be used to detect activity in those areas of interest to alert school security that something may need their attention. Radar detection is ideal for perimeters, where a device can be set up unobtrusively to alert when someone enters a particular area. ACC 6 video management software with Avigilon Appearance Search technology provides advanced video analytics search The goal in a potentially dangerous situation is to speed up response times. The faster you’re able to detect something using technology, the faster you’re able to respond. Therefore, being able to identify something happening in a parking lot and alert school resource officers could provide 30 seconds or a minute head start for response, which can get the school into a lockdown situation and get first responders on site more quickly. Video cameras with low-light capability There are video cameras available with extreme low-light capability to see in near-dark or complete darknessIt’s been shown that using lighting at night can deter crime. However, it can be expensive to keep a building and grounds illuminated all night, every night. To mitigate these concerns and potential costs, there are video cameras available with extreme low-light capability that allows them to see in near-dark or in some cases complete darkness. This allows a school to save money by turning lights off while achieving a level of surveillance performance similar to daytime deployments. Facing above-average student incident rates and student disciplinary concerns at some schools, a school system in the United States sought to upgrade its video surveillance system to allow better local and remote monitoring in important areas. Avigilon high-definition cameras with self-learning video analytics and access control solutions were installed in 101 schools, and ACC 6 video management software with Avigilon Appearance Search technology provides advanced video analytics search. A deep learning artificial intelligence search engine can sort through hours of footage and allow operators to click on a button and search for all instances of a person or vehicle across all cameras on a site, quickly and efficiently.

In five states in the Western United States, 200 video surveillance cameras keep are keeping watch to provide early warning of wildfires. In the near future, the number of wildfire surveillance cameras will be growing dramatically. Soon there will be more than 1,000 of the cameras in California alone, keeping watch on thousands of acres at risk of destructive events like last year’s deadly Camp and Woolsey wildfires. It is a striking example of how video surveillance technology can be used effectively beyond the realm of corporate or institutional security. The wildfire surveillance cameras are providing extra eyes to avoid a disaster before it can happen. ALERTWildfire surveillance cameras The ALERTWildfire surveillance cameras are installed through a consortium of universities – the University of Nevada, Reno; the University of California San Diego; and the University of Oregon. Dozens of partners also participate in ALERTWildfire, including the National Forest Service, other government agencies, utilities and other private companies, state and local fire departments, and NGOs (non-governmental organisations). Wildfire surveillance cameras can provide early warning when a fire starts and help firefighters respond quicker “It takes a lot of people, pushing in the same direction, to deploy cameras rapidly,” says Graham Kent, University of Nevada, Reno. “We are connected into the community, which is a positive thing.” The wildfire surveillance cameras can provide early warning when a fire starts and help firefighters and first responders scale the resources needed to respond. The cameras also monitor fire behavior until it is contained, enhance situational awareness during evacuations, and ensure fires are monitored appropriately through their demise. Axis Q6055-E PTZ network cameras ALERTWildfire currently uses Axis Q6055-E outdoor-ready pan-tilt-zoom network cameras that provide 1080p HDTV signals, 32x zoom and low-bandwidth compression. (Earlier versions of similar Axis camera models were also installed previously.) The camera’s robust aluminum casing can withstand temperatures up to 60 degrees C, although the cameras are positioned on the tops of towers where temperatures from wildfires are not a factor. In addition to surveillance cameras, each installation site includes a range of equipment including hard power or solar power (on about a third of installations), both with battery backups. Resilient, hardened microwave/fiber networks carry video signals from the cameras to servers at University of Nevada, Reno, which makes them available on the Internet. Geolinks, an ALERTWildfire partner, provides resilient Internet connectivity to mountaintops throughout the West. Firefighters can even watch fires on their mobile devices while they are en route to a fire breakout site Mobile surveillance Dispatchers around the West have access to video from the cameras, and fire management can move the camera views through their iPhones. Firefighters can even watch fires on their mobile devices while they are en-route to a fire. Cameras are located currently in California, Nevada, Idaho, Washington and Oregon. There have been 85 cameras in place for five years or so, and the number of cameras has more than doubled since the beginning of 2019. The accelerated installation schedule is courtesy of a new policy of using existing infrastructure for cameras rather than creating it from scratch. The large number of cameras on the horizon for California is being funded by utility companies such as Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas and Electric. AI in video surveillance The public can view the camera feeds and often call 911 to report early warnings of fires The public can view the camera feeds and often call 911 to report early warnings of fires, thus providing a kind of crowdsourcing, a fire-warning version of “Neighborhood Watch.” In the future, artificial intelligence (AI) could be used to monitor the video feeds to provide early warning. For now, the system is largely used by 911 dispatchers to confirm reports of fires. “Cell phones are so ubiquitous, people call in fires before the AI could react,” says Kent. “We could never beat 911.”  A model for early detection of wildfires is in operation in San Diego, where San Diego Gas and Electric manages an emergency center that uses sophisticated real-time modeling to predict fire events based on weather conditions, vegetation, etc., tracked on a threat map. The system enables firefighting resources to be deployed quickly at the first hint of fire and thus to avoid a larger, sweeping wildfire event. Enhancing surveillance for quick wildfires detection “If you can get on top of it quickly enough, it makes all the difference,” says Kent. “In the case of extreme conditions, 10, 20 or 30 minutes can make a big difference.” Other locations are looking to replicate the San Diego model to discover and confirm fires quickly and then reposition assets to respond. Phos-Chek long-term fire retardant, applied by air from a fixed or rotor-wing aircraft, is used to slow or stop the spread of wildland fires. Our successes have led to a demand to get more cameras out right now" Installing more cameras to provide early warning of wildfires is “a grave need in the Western states,” and the system is likely eventually to be deployed in other areas, too. Wildfires can be a challenge in non-Western states such as Florida and Oklahoma, and a similar approach could also be used to provide early warning of other emergencies, such as tornados. “Once we do the West, we will be looking to do the rest of the United States,” says Kent. Increasing demand for video cameras Currently, the biggest challenge is keeping up with demand. “Our successes have led to a demand to get more cameras out right now,” says Kent. “Funding isn’t the largest issue. The money is there to do it, but we have to be able to scale up quickly, working with partners. It’s a wild ride.” Key words for success of the ALERTWildfire system are “location, location, location” combined with “coverage, coverage, coverage,” adds Kent. “We can solve 90 percent of the problem with coverage.”

From robots to drones to counter-drone solutions, a range of new technologies will be displayed at ISC West 2019. The Unmanned Security Expo will return, including a dedicated complimentary education theater for attendees offering sessions on a range of topics. UAVs, UGVs and autonomous systems Also included will be demos of the best UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles), UGVs (unmanned ground robotics and vehicles) and autonomous systems on the market. The market growth for unmanned technologies being used for security and safety benefits is progressing at a rapid pace. Let’s look at some of the exhibitors in the 2019 Unmanned Security Expo: Cobalt Robotics' robots are purpose-built for a specific use case, providing after-hours support and security for corporate locations Cobalt Robotics' robots are purpose-built for a specific use case, providing after-hours support and security for corporate locations. Indoor environments, which are confined and controlled, present fewer navigation challenges for robots, which can quickly become familiar with the surroundings and navigate easily through an office space. Indoor robots can provide benefits beyond security, too, such as facility management, promoting employee health and safety, and emergency response Compact surveillance radar (CSR) system SpotterRF provides the world’s most advanced compact surveillance radar (CSR) system for affordable wide-area, all-weather perimeter security and small force protection. Incorporated in 2009, the company attained profitability quickly and is ahead of forecasts. Dedrone has remained at the front of the issue of drone threats, integrating installations to military bases, stadiums, public events, and private individuals. The company has expanded its operations to include a new office in Washington, D.C, and has continued to upgrade its DroneTracker software. DroneTracker is the industry’s first airspace security solution that includes automated summary reporting for instant diagnosis of drone airspace activity. Airspace security and drone tracker Magos Systems is a state-of-the-art radar technology and perimeter protection solutions provider Magos Systems is a state-of-the-art radar technology and perimeter protection solutions provider. Founded in 2007 in Israel, Magos first specialised in advanced radar solutions for the military and defense markets. In 2015, Magos’ technology was declassified, allowing the company to focus on developing best-in-class systems for the commercial security market. Today, Magos radars are used in over 30 countries in critical infrastructure, data centers, electric utility sub stations, and oil refineries as well as in other commercial verticals like vineyards and car lots. Now, Magos is positioned to see increased adoption of its solutions in the U.S. Patriot One Technologies Inc. develops solutions to detect concealed weapons, utilising novel radar technologies. Their innovative radar technology provides first responders and security personnel valuable time in active threat scenarios. The technology offers stand-off detection of concealed threats typically employed in public locations. These are just a few of the exhibitors in the Unmanned Security Expo. They represent technologies that will help to shape the future of the security marketplace.

In a highly visible, and competitive sport like Formula One racing, it’s not hard to understand why an organisation like Aston Martin Red Bull Racing attracts people who want access to their factory, and all the secrets contained within. Intrusion from unwanted visitors or vandalism is something that the people at Milton Keynes headquarters, in Buckinghamshire, England, want to avoid at all cost. Asset protection “Our Milton Keynes facility contains valuable technology and intellectual property,” says Mark Hazelton, Chief Security Officer. “At the same time, we are located alongside a public road, close to a residential area with high footfall. That is why it is critical for us to have high-performing security processes and systems in place, so we can effectively protect our assets as well as the people who work here.” The scale of operations at the Aston Martin Red Bull Racing Team factory in Milton Keynes is amazing The scale of operations at the Aston Martin Red Bull Racing Team factory in Milton Keynes is amazing. Crafting the next Formula One challenger is done on the engineering site with a variety of buildings, including many office spaces, an R&D facility, manufacturing and storage areas. The design, testing, building and assembling of thousands of parts required to construct each race car all happen in house. About 750 people are employed at Milton Keynes and some parts of the factory are operated on a 24/7 basis. Site and facility security “As our site has grown, our previous CCTV system was no longer sufficient to provide adequate security monitoring,” says Caroline Tierney, Infrastructure Project Manager at Aston Martin Red Bull Racing. “Our CCTV installation was no longer state of the art and we wanted to ensure that we made best advantage of the improving technology available. We were also looking to make it easier to retrieve information from the system.” Aston Martin Red Bull Racing started to look out for an updated CCTV system, investigated different options and ultimately selected FLIR Systems as their technology provider through a local IP security system integrator. Quasar HD and 4K cameras The facility is now equipped with some 120 cameras, both visual and thermal, that cover the entire area 24/7. Cameras on site include FLIR’s visual Quasar HD and Quasar 4K, the latter presenting four times the resolution of the HD camera and, therefore, able to cover larger areas with less cameras. The facility also makes use of the Quasar Hemispheric Mini-Dome, which provides 360° immersive viewing, and of the thermal FLIR FC-Series ID camera, which includes onboard video analytics capable of classifying human or vehicular intrusions. The entire camera network is managed by FLIR’s Latitude Network Video Management System (VMS). FLIR thermal cameras The image quality that we get from the new range of visual FLIR cameras is truly impressive" “The image quality that we get from the new range of visual FLIR cameras is truly impressive,” says Zoe Chilton, Head of Technical Partnerships at Aston Martin Red Bull Racing. “It’s amazing what kind of image quality can come out of such a compact camera unit.” The FLIR thermal cameras have powerful video analytics on board, which makes them extremely useful as intrusion protection devices at several strategic locations across the Milton Keynes site. With the FC-Series ID camera, you can set custom trip lines and regions of interest that will trigger alarms for human or vehicular intruders, even at night or in poor weather conditions. Upon the detection of an intruder, an alert is sent over to security personnel via email. FLIR Latitude VMS The FLIR Latitude video management system is the backbone of the system, allowing Aston Martin Red Bull Racing personnel to easily view, playback, search and export video from a scalable number of cameras. “In the past, when we wanted to investigate a particular incident in more detail, it used to take a long time to actually retrieve the information we needed from our video recordings, but with the new FLIR Latitude VMS, this is much more straightforward and we save a lot of time,” says Tierney Comprehensive camera network The cameras used in the network around the Milton Keynes site are relatively small in size. And there’s a very good reason for that, according to Chilton. “Of course, it’s important to have the best image quality possible, but on the other hand, we don’t want our cameras to be too large and imposing either.” The Milton Keynes headquarters receives visitors, customers and partners every day. For Aston Martin Red Bull Racing, it’s important that everybody feels welcome: “While we need our site to be secure, and the cameras are of course important, we don’t want them to be the first thing visitors see when they arrive to visit us, " said Chilton. "I think that the FLIR cameras strike that difficult balance between security and subtlety really well.” The cameras can also be used to check whether visitors are using the parking lot correctly FLIR security monitoring system Other than the security aspect, there are other practical benefits of having a comprehensive camera network, as well. The cameras can also be used to check whether visitors are using the parking lot correctly, to track contractors around the site, and just for general site management purposes. The selection of the FLIR security monitoring system fits into a long-standing technology partnership between FLIR and the Aston Martin Red Bull Racing team. Since 2014, the team has been integrating FLIR cameras for a wide variety of uses around the factory and track, from electrical maintenance, test rigs and security on site, to tyre temperature assessments in the garage. High product quality The high product quality and innovative approach FLIR takes to developing new solutions for the challenges of Formula 1 makes a great fit with Aston Martin Red Bull Racing’s desire to push the boundaries of available technology for developing their cars.

"The safety of others has always been a matter close to my heart", says Hans Wetzlar, Managing Director of IHRE SICHERHEIT Security Service in Bielefeld. It was out of this motivation that he founded his security company ten years ago. Together with his team, he ensures, for example, that visitors to events and trade fairs can move around safely. Mobile ‘video guards’, using Dahua's powerful video surveillance technology, are now contributing to this. Video surveillance system Video surveillance is a new addition to the portfolio of security service providers Video surveillance is a new addition to the portfolio of security service providers. "This enables us to offer our customers a much wider range of services from a single source," says Hans Wetzlar: "Even the sight of a camera can deter potential perpetrators. The inhibition threshold increases. In our experience, this means less damage to property and less theft." And if 'someone dares', the course of events is completely documented. While searching for a reliable video surveillance system, the security expert quickly came across Kruse Sicherheitstechnik in Salzkotten. The idea to develop mobile ‘video guards’ arose from this cooperation. The compact housing of the video monitor contains a great deal of technology: four high-resolution HD cameras are attached to the 6-metre-high trailer, which can record a range of up to 200 metres using motion detectors. Wide-angle fixed cameras "When it comes to technology, we rely on Dahua Technology's products and solutions - and with good reason. The heart of this control station is the DSS server, which receives all signals from the video trailers. The advantage over other providers is that Dahua Technology's licenses are provided free of charge - regardless of whether a 4-channel or a 64-channel recorder," says Tobias Vieth of Kruse Sicherheitstechnik. The Starlight series has very good night vision and a high-performance infrared illuminator Two different camera types are mounted on the trailers: Two wide-angle fixed cameras and two Dahua Starlight series PTZ cameras. They can zoom to certain objects. The Starlight series has very good night vision and a high-performance infrared illuminator - allowing people to be seen from up to 300 metres away. Specialist trade partners "The feedback from our customers is consistently positive. Our video guard allows significantly better surveillance at the best price. With Dahua Technology at our side, we are well prepared for the future," says Hans Wetzlar. Dahua Technology remains on a growth course in Germany, Austria and Switzerland with a comprehensive benefits programme for its specialist trade partners. Reliable on-site support, permanent customer advisors, dedicated project support and technical support from Germany: The comprehensive services contribute to the fact that within a short period of time a three-digit number of specialist trade partners have decided to cooperate with Dahua Technology.

Upon hearing Pablo Picasso’s famous praise of art’s ability to clear ‘the dust of everyday life’, one’s thoughts could easily turn to one of Arizona’s newest landmarks, the Mesa Arts Center. Set proudly amidst the dust of the Sonoran Desert, the Mesa Arts Center is a striking complex of buildings, art installations, and public throughways, offering a rich blend of visual impressions in glass, water, stone, and metal, with splashes of vibrant colour and metallic reflection. At more than 21,000 sq. feet, the award-winning $95 million campus is the largest and most comprehensive performing, visual and educational arts complex in Arizona, serving as a gathering point for the citizens of Mesa and region alike, seeking to enjoy the indoor and outdoor spaces, public events, classes, and art exhibitions. Ensuring safe, family friendly environment Ensuring a safe, family friendly environment is essential to fulfilling the role the Center plays as a gathering pointThe presence of an adjacent light rail station and hosting of multiple festivals throughout the year further increase traffic to, from, and through the open planned site at various hours of the day, and on weekends and even holidays. The heart of the Mesa Arts Center complex is a grand promenade that knits together all of its pieces, while providing places for group gatherings, performances, and quiet reflection, comfort and relaxation. Ensuring a safe, family friendly environment is essential to fulfilling the role the Center plays as a gathering point for all walks of life. In addition to welcoming visitors to the Center, the open configuration of the complex invites commuters coming off the nearby light rail line to stroll through on their way to and from the station, and draw loiterers, would-be vandals, and itinerant populations (attracted to the semi-secluded spaces created by outdoor art installations and the complex’s fountains and water elements). Surveillance system for crime prevention Particularly outside of traditional hours of operation, such factors can increase the risk of nuisance crimes, vandalism, and petty theft, and potentially more serious crimes against visitors and staff, without a vigilant and comprehensive security and surveillance operation. Additionally, complex spaces, varied materials, and water elements increase risk for incident and accident without proper prevention and/or prompt response. A technical solution with proven power, performance, and reliability was paramount to ensure protection of property While customary approaches to similar venues have typically relied heavily on a combination of CCTV and human security guards, the size and complexity of the Mesa Arts Center campus makes a traditional manned guarding solution, even when supported by a typical surveillance technology, both cost prohibitive and potentially inadequate. Protection of property and campus safety The Mesa Arts Center is an architectural showpiece and regional destination, requiring comprehensive surveillance at all hours, every day of the year, under highly variable conditions. A comprehensive technical solution with proven power, performance, and reliability was paramount to ensure protection of property and the safety of everyone on campus. The City of Mesa, who operates the Center, in partnership with Scottsdale’s Surveillance Acquisition Response Center (SARC) and IDIS technology, provided a mix of surveillance cameras and network video recorders (NVRs) able to meet the varied requirements of a campus housing multiple art galleries, studios, performance spaces, walkways and cut-throughs, and outdoor gathering spaces; and support SARC’s innovative approach to virtual guarding, which incorporates military, police, and intelligence best practices and personnel to enhance traditional remote monitoring models and outcomes. Using Direct IP NVRs and cameras SARC monitors use IDIS’s powerful, modular, and feature-rich VMS, IDIS Solution SuiteThe City of Mesa’s previous successes implementing SARC and IDIS technology at the Mesa Grande Cultural Park made the integration of technology and monitoring selected for the Mesa Arts Center a natural fit. Featuring multiple IDIS DirectIP [model number] network video recorders (NVRs), and IDIS Direct IP [model number] cameras, with [feature set], at the heart of a comprehensive security posture, SARC monitors use IDIS’s powerful, modular, and feature-rich VMS, IDIS Solution Suite, and their unique military, law enforcement, and intelligence-derived protocols and best practices to support on-site personnel and cover the campus comprehensively at night and during other off-hours. Additionally, the IDIS solution also seamlessly integrates with, recording and managing footage from other camera installations, demonstrating the IDIS dedication to eliminating the common frustrations and complexities of security systems. SARC’s virtual guard protection The implementation of SARC’s virtual guard protection and protocols to support on-site personnel, and the highly visible, but seamlessly integrated, presence of IDIS surveillance cameras, as part of a total IDIS solution, have contributed to the Mesa Arts Center’s reputation as one of the region’s most welcoming and inviting community spaces among the area’s art lovers, families, and neighbourhood’s workers (who regularly use the space without fear or discomfort as a gathering place for lunch or pathway to and from the local light rail station). The integrated on-site and virtual guarding professionals identify, deter, and document threats to the campus 24/7, the integrated on-site and virtual guarding professionals identify, deter, and document threats to the campus and those within it, using innovative surveillance application bringing together IDIS’s highest quality remote viewing and VMS offerings and SARC’s remote ‘voice down’ virtual guarding protocol, which informs those under surveillance, in real time, that they are being watched and should leave the property immediately or face consequences. Keeping people and property safe The successful implementation of this solution has placed the City of Mesa and Mesa Arts Center management at the forefront of innovation in keeping the people, places, and property under their protection safe and secure, and marked them as leaders in responsible stewardship of taxpayer, grant, and donor dollars, through the implementation of a system that provides more comprehensive coverage, measurably better outcomes, and enhanced visitor experiences 24/7, year-round for a fraction of the cost of previous manned guarding solutions.

Avigilon Corporation, a Motorola Solutions company, announces that the New Bedford Housing Authority (‘NBHA’) in Massachusetts, USA has selected Avigilon video security solutions to help improve safety and reduce crime within its community. With close to 1,750 federal public housing units and 748 state aided units, the NBHA services over 6,000 individuals by providing safe, well-maintained and affordable housing units. New Bedford has faced challenges related to crime, which prompted the NBHA to seek out a security system that delivers actionable results to increase public safety throughout its community.  Monitor critical areas The NBHA has deployed a complete Avigilon solution to monitor 13 of its properties throughout the city The NBHA has deployed a complete Avigilon solution to monitor 13 of its properties throughout the city. The system includes more than 125 Avigilon cameras and Avigilon Appearance Search™ technology, which is powered by AI to help enable security officers to quickly sort through hours of video with ease to locate a specific person or vehicle of interest across an entire site or multiple sites that are connected to the same Avigilon Control Center™ client software. “Our goal is to provide a safe environment for our residents and deploying an Avigilon system has allowed us to monitor critical areas more efficiently and respond more quickly,” said Steven Beauregard, executive director of NBHA. Video security solutions “So far, the results are tangible as we’ve made great strides in improving the safety and security of our communities.” “The NBHA is taking significant action to proactively address crime and other security concerns to help protect what matters most: its residents,” said Ryan Nolan, senior vice president, Commercial Operations of Avigilon. “By using our AI-powered video security solutions they are able to increase the effectiveness of their security system and provide a new level of public safety.”

With the ability to power over 590,000 UK homes from a total capacity of 660 MW, Walney Extension is set to be the biggest offshore wind farm in the world when it is commissioned at the end of 2018. The new onshore substation covers an area of reclaimed marsh land and required an innovative perimeter and internal fencing package to be designed to offer the highest levels in security and electrical safety. Design work started in 2017 and looked at how existing fencing systems could be used to create a bespoke solution. Challenges faced by utilities industry Protecting critical national infrastructure in the utilities industry presents a number of challenges: External perimeter to offer guaranteed delay against attack All fencing to be earthed or offer non-conductive features Internal fencing to include multiple systems including rigid mesh and GRP in same fence line External perimeter and access control to be compatible with monitored pulse fencing (electric fencing) to meet security requirements Internal fencing to be base plated Prevention of unauthorised access The substation installed five systems in total from the CLD Fencing Systems range of rigid mesh fencing and security gate solutions and combined this with a Gallagher Monitored Pulse Fence to add an extra layer of security to the site. The Gallagher solution provides reliable detection and prevention of unauthorised access to the site, protecting the public from accidental or intentional entry to the site. The solution ensures operational continuity, avoiding significant costs associated with loss of supply, while protecting the site's assets from theft and damage. The system has been so successful that they want to use the same solution for all its electrical substations.

Insurance Auto Auctions (IAA), is one of North America’s leading salvage auto auctions companies with the largest facility footprint, strong buyer base, and high auction returns. The exclusive focus is on the automotive total-loss industry with over 160 corporate owned facilities across the United States and Canada. IAA provides sellers and buyers with the best solutions to process and acquire total-loss, recovered-theft, fleet lease, dealer trade-in and collision damaged rental vehicles. Holding a variety of automobiles from cars, trucks, SUV’s, and motorcycles on site - the highest property protection measures must be taken. When IAA felt it needed a more robust security system along with unsurpassed service to protect its business, they chose Gallagher’s perimeter security solution. Over 12 strong years, Gallagher is now much more than a security solutions vendor to IAA. Gallagher is a long-term partner. Reduction in theft and vandalism The quality of the fence is rigid, and wires are closer together and tighter, not loose and easily movable"Covering auction site sizes up to and over 70 facility acres, Gallagher’s networked perimeter fencing is in use and continually being rolled out into new IAA sites across various geographical regions. IAA staff believe that the threat of theft, vandalism and damage has been significantly reduced thanks to the deterrence and detection features of Gallagher’s networked perimeter security. Compared to other electric fences on the market, IAA chose Gallagher after they tested it and found it to be the best product available. Eric Zurawski, Director of Security, said “The quality of the fence is rigid, and wires are closer together and tighter, not loose and easily movable, as we’ve found with other products. All these attractive features are what sets Gallagher’s electric fencing apart.” Monitoring perimeter security With Gallagher’s latest software system Command Centre v7.10 and Trophy FT Fence Controllers, IAA monitors and controls perimeter security by sending a regulated electrical pulse around the high voltage fence zones and sections of the perimeter fence. IAA has the ability to configure, control and monitor between 3-12 fence zones at one time giving a thorough overlay of the entire yard, zone by zone, region by region. The integration features of Gallagher Command Centre have enabled IAA to streamline and improve all operations from the head office in Chicago. By remotely monitoring all sites they can see when fences go offline and where from a central control room. Protecting assets of customers Gallagher’s electric fences are our number one perimeter security choice to protect our assets and the assets of our customers"“The interface is far better than anything on the market. It is a very powerful tool, particularly great for monitoring. We’re able to monitor sites that turn on their electric fences and the ones that don’t from a remote location. It’s really helped boost our security measures. “Gallagher’s system has grown with us as we continue to expand by opening new sites and overflow lots, and acquiring existing businesses. Gallagher’s electric fences are our number one perimeter security choice to protect our assets and the assets of our customers. It is the number one security solution on the market that deters, detects, and delays.” Gallagher perimeter electric fencing is IAA’s primary line of defence, enabling IAA to enhance the security of its facilities while at the same time reducing its security costs. IAA has integrated Gallagher’s Command Centre with third party alarm systems offering regional alarm companies advanced installation help and support.

A basic tenet of sales is ABC – always be closing. But it's a principle that most professional salespeople would say oversimplifies the process. Especially in a sophisticated, high-tech market such as physical security, the required sales skills are much more involved and nuanced. We asked this week's Expert Panel Roundtable: What unique characteristics are required of salespeople in the arena of physical security systems?

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

There is no expectation of privacy in a public space. That’s the premise on which most video surveillance applications are justified. But new concerns about privacy, specifically the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe, are changing expectations. And what if a camera must be positioned where a private area happens to be within its range? Fortunately, there are technology approaches to solving these dilemmas, as our Expert Panellists explain. We asked: What new technologies are helping video systems overcome concerns about privacy?