Security systems

Arecont Vision Costar, the provider of network-based video surveillance solutions, announces the signing of TMG Sales Agents, Inc. (TMGSA) as a new Authorised Manufacturer’s Representative. TMGSA will be focussed exclusively on increasing sales support to customers and prospects in the state of Florida. Supporting customer needs “The TMG Sales Agent team that Olivier has assembled has strong expertise in supporting customer needs,” said Kyle Parker, Vice President, Americas Sales. “Those in the state of Florida are going to really appreciate TMGSA as a result.” Headquartered in West Palm Beach, Florida, TMGSA operates three offices across the state that provide extensive customer coverage. The company’s portfolio is focussed on leading products in the security, access control, surveillance, fire safety systems, structured cabling, and other low voltage industry products. Expand surveillance offering  “Arecont Vision Costar is our new lead surveillance offering, and it fits in very well with the rest of our outstanding product portfolio,” stated Olivier de La Ronciere, President, TMG Sales Agents, Inc. “We are very pleased to be able to add Arecont Vision to the product mix for our customers across the state.” “With a number of high-profile customers across the state of Florida, I am excited that we were able to engage with TMGSA,” stated John Bujarski, Senior Sales Director, Eastern US and Canada. “The Arecont Vision Costar regional sales team is already working TMGSA to expand our coverage and enhance our support levels.”

Matrox Graphics Inc. is pleased to announce that the Matrox Mura IPX 4K DisplayPort capture and IP encode/decode cards are now shipping. These new dual DisplayPort 1.2 video wall cards feature 4Kp60 with full 4:4:4 colour sampling support alongside a dedicated onboard network interface controller (NIC), offering the most advanced capture, encode, stream, record, and decode capabilities from a single card. The Mura IPX capture cards are ideal for OEMs and system integrators looking to build cutting-edge video wall controllers that deliver fast-moving video content and high-frequency desktop graphics and text to local and/or networked videos walls. Active cooling options Available in passive and active cooling options, the all-in-one Matrox Mura IPX cards feature two full-size DisplayPort 1.2 connectors for native capture of 4Kp60 physical sources, while the network connector enables the encoding and decoding of up to two 4Kp60, four 4Kp30, eight 1080p60, sixteen 1080p30, or exponentially more SD streams. System builders now have a building block to satisfy the increasing requirements of multi-4Kp60 content and can continue to mix and match System builders now have a building block to satisfy the increasing requirements of multi-4Kp60 content and can continue to mix and match from a wide selection of Matrox video wall cards to construct scalable, high-density, low-footprint video wall systems. Cost-effective integration “The new Mura IPX capture cards address two major pain points for the video wall industry,” says Fadhl Al-Bayaty, business development manager, Matrox Graphics Inc. “First, is the ability to capture and transfer multiple 4Kp60 channels over the bus without any colour-quality degradation. Second, is the inclusion of IP technology directly on the board, a critical differentiator only available with Matrox capture cards.” “The ability to simultaneously stream, record, and decode while capturing physical signals from one board makes the new Mura IPX products the most powerful capture cards on the market. This industry-unique design translates into a smoother, more cost-effective integration process for OEMs and system builders looking to deploy high-density video walls.”

ISC East, in collaboration with premier sponsor, the Security Industry Association (SIA), reported strong growth results at the conclusion of this year’s industry event in New York City. The International Security Conference & Exposition is the Northeast’s largest security trade show, where close to 7,500 security and public safety professionals convened this month to meet experts from over 300 leading security brands, all the while co-locating with the launch of Unmanned Security Expo New York and Infosecurity North America, Europe’s global information security event. Welcoming 85 new companies and brands and close to 1,000 more industry professionals compared to 2017, the ISC East exhibit hall bustled and featured expanded in-depth content - including new technologies and product categories, more special events/networking opportunities, and a variety of all-new complimentary education through SIA Education@ISC and Unmanned Security Expo New York. Comprehensive Security for a Safer, Connected World The extensive variety of vendors and professionalism of the ISC staff make it one of the best shows out there" Mary Beth Shaughnessy, Event Director for ISC Security Events, noted, “It was exciting to see such a robust expo floor and high attendance growth with our New York event this year, all while matching up to our brand theme of Comprehensive Security for a Safer, Connected World. The top attended education sessions were formed around a diverse spectrum of topics including cyber-physical integration, converged security for smart cities buildings, the impact of IT and AI on video surveillance/intelligence, critical incidents prevention and mitigation, plus drones, drone-detection, drone-regulations and policies, and more. The present and future is bright for ISC East and we are committed to providing great solutions and education for this community.” Over the past 4 years, the ISC East Show Floor has grown by over 60% in square footage and has come to be known as ‘the highlight of the year,’ stated by Linda Esposito, Security Specialist of US Postal Inspection Service. “The extensive variety of vendors and professionalism of the ISC staff make it one of the best shows out there. In addition, Alex Pachikov of Sunflower Labs, a first-time exhibitor at Unmanned Security Expo, commented, “This was the perfect venue for us to introduce the Sunflower Labs drone-based security system. We had the perfect audience and fantastic exposure to potential customers, installation partners and system integrators.” Unmanned Security Expo Additionally, while Unmanned Security Expo presented 15+ sessions dedicated to the in-depth issues, policies and opportunities for UASs and UGVs, the SIA Education@ISC East program offered 25+ complimentary education courses and highlighted two distinct Keynote Speakers for the first time at ISC East - Philip Halpin, Senior Vice President & Head of Global Security for Brown Brothers Harriman, and James A. Gagliano, Retired FBI Supervisory Special Agent, CNN Law Enforcement Analyst, and Adjunct Assistant Professor at St. John’s University. SIA Education@ISC East 2018 SIA Education@ISC East 2018 was a great success, with hundreds of conference attendees participating in education sessions, engaging keynotes and hands-on workshops" “SIA Education@ISC East 2018 was a great success, with hundreds of conference attendees participating in our education sessions, engaging keynotes and hands-on workshops,” said Don Erickson, CEO of the Security Industry Association. “This year’s sessions highlighted cutting-edge topics like the move to smart cities, convergence in the security industry, the use of artificial intelligence in video analytics, and how some legacy connections leave modern access control data vulnerable to hacking.” With so much learning and knowledge-sharing happening on the show floor, security professionals still found time to participate and engage at the numerous special events that ISC East had to offer, including: the first-ever SIA Women in Security Forum Breakfast, the new Mission 500 Hygiene Kit Building, the ever-popular ASTORS Homeland Security Awards, ISC East’s Featured Product showcase featuring some of the most innovative product technologies, a high-profile celebrity appearance of former NY Yankees player Tino Martinez , the signature ISC East Grand Opening Ceremony, the  Crack the Tap Cocktail Reception, and so much more. ISC Security Events As ISC East comes to a close, the ISC Security Events portfolio continues to provide comprehensive security for a safer, connected world through ISC West and Unmanned Security Expo, and Connected Security Expo taking place on April 9-12, 2019 (SIA Education@ISC: April 9-11 | Exhibit Hall: April 10-12) in Las Vegas.

Online security retailer safe.co.uk, which stocks big names in home security such as Yale, Swann and Ring, has launched its own brand of home safes. The Black Box series is ideal for homes or offices and is affordably priced for homeowners looking to kickstart their home security. Available in three sizes and with two lock options, key or digital keypad, safe.co.uk’s Black Box series is positioned as a starter range. Features of digital lock range: Digital keypad with a 3-8 digit PIN Emergency access via override key Lock-out when wrong code is entered 3 times Anti-bounce solenoid prevents forced entry Door includes two 19mm diameter locking bolts Carpeted floor to protect valuables Installs to floor or wall (fixing kit included) 2 years warranty Recommended insurance rating of £1,000 cash and £10,000 valuables The digital range has 3 sizes: 20E (200 x 310 x 200mm), 25E (250 x 350 x 250mm) and 40E (400 x 380 x 380mm). The 40E also includes a removable shelf. Features of key lock range: High security key locking supplied with two keys Key type: double bitted Door includes two 19mm diameter locking bolts Carpeted floor to protect valuables Installs to floor or wall (fixing kit included) 2 years warranty Recommended insurance rating of £1,000 cash and £10,000 valuables The key lock range also has 3 sizes: 20K (200 x 310 x 200mm), 25K (250 x 350 x 250mm) and 40K (400 x 380 x 380mm). The 40K also includes a removable shelf. The Black Box series is a great entry-level option for those looking for everyday home security to keep their small to mid-size valuables secure.

Frontline Security Solutions has won the 2018 C-CURE Partner of the Year Award. The award was presented to Chris Masters, Director of Frontline Security Solutions, by Gordon Morrison, GB Sales Director for the Tyco access control and video brands, at the C-CURE Enterprise Partner Appreciation Dinner which took place on 28th November at Boisdale of Canary Wharf. It was also announced at the dinner, which was attended by representatives from many of the UK’s leading security system integrators, that the Project of the Year Award has been won by Total Security Protection (TSP). Beneficial to the end-user clients “We were delighted to acknowledge the contribution Frontline Security Solutions and TSP are making to the ongoing success of our C-CURE 9000 access control and event management platform,” said Gordon Morrison. “The expertise of these two award winners, as well as all our other certified Enterprise Partners, is ensuring that our mutual end-user clients are able to achieve maximum value from their investment in C-CURE 9000. “The C-CURE Enterprise Partner Appreciation Dinner is now firmly established as an annual event which provides Tyco, the security division of Johnson Controls, with the opportunity to formally thank our Enterprise Partners for their loyal support and for their commitment to help maintain the reputation of  C-CURE 9000 as being the most robust, feature rich and user-friendly access control platform available.”

telent Technology Services Ltd (telent) has announced that it has been awarded a multi-million-pound contract to test the Emergency Services Network (ESN) for the Home Office as it transitions to 4G based communications. The win will see telent deliver the ESN Assure service and follows an announcement from the Home Office in September for a ‘new strategic direction’ for ESN. It aims to save £200 million in public money per year by fully replacing the current radio-based network with a mobile 4G network. Full testing of the 4G commercial network The telent contract for ESN Assure includes the full testing of the 4G commercial network from all the mobile network providers for the emergency servicesThe new approach will mean emergency service users including police, fire and ambulance services can use data services over the network from as early as next year, with voice capabilities following soon after. The move aims to transform the emergency services way of working, especially in remote areas and at critical times when faced with network congestion, giving them priority over commercial users. The telent contract for ESN Assure includes the full testing of the 4G commercial network from all the mobile network providers for the emergency services. telent will also handle up to 150 individual user accounts and 50 simultaneous user logins for access to all software analysis of testing, with the possibility to develop the application to allow for more capabilities once ESN is made available. Better data quality for emergency services “We’re thrilled to be involved in this new direction for ESN and help to provide the emergency services with far better data quality,” said Barry Zielinski, General Manager Public Safety & Defence at telent. “As one of the most critical communications networks in the UK, it’s crucial that officers can communicate in real-time. Our testing and service offering is second to none, with our support offices available 24/7/365.” The contract will also include drive and walk test services for the ESN and 4G commercial networks; the provision of a helpdesk to support and maintain all components of the solution; a training service and full reporting on all tests carried out. Hosting service, drive and walk test results telent will provide a hosting service of the server, drive test and walk test results in a fully secure, PSN accredited environment In addition to the contract requirements, telent will provide a hosting service of the server, drive test and walk test results in a fully secure, PSN accredited environment, within its own UK based private cloud. Zielinski continued: “The Home Office recognising the quality of our testing services is a brilliant achievement for us. This ambitious project will change the way that emergency services communicate and ensures that they are rightly prioritised. "It reflects our credibility in the industry and delivery capabilities, putting us at the heart of the ESN. We can’t wait to see the transformation.”

Today’s security leaders encounter many challenges. They have to operate with reduced budgets and face challenging and evolving risks on a daily basis. Security leaders are often ignored and only called upon when needed or in disaster situations. Many don’t have an ongoing relationship with the C-suite because the C-suite doesn’t understand the value they bring to the whole business. In order to resolve these challenges, a security leader can apply a risk-based approach to their security program. According to  dictionary.com, risk is “exposure to the chance of injury or loss; a hazard or dangerous chance”. Risk is broader than a security concern and involves the entire business.  Through utilising a 3R model - considering resources, risks and resolutions - a security leader can evaluate the output from the model to build the foundation of a strong plan. This allows the leader to make security decisions based on a quantified risk measure.  A business determines what resources it wants to protect, what risks it needs to protect the resources from and what resolutions it can put in place to mitigate the risk. Decisions are based on measurable evidence. Free online risk assessment tools are available to provide a fast, easy way to determine an organisation's basic security risks through an investigative approach The 3 Rs The first step in the 3R model is to figure out what resources need protection. This could be physical - such as buildings, critical infrastructure or valuable equipment, knowledge-based - such as intellectual property, or organisational - such as people or governance structure. Understanding the business will help the security leader develop a list of critical elements. Look for tangible resources such as buildings and machinery, and intangible resources like reputation, knowledge and processes. Second, determine what the resources need to be protected from. Anything that threatens harm to the organisation, its mission, its employees, customers, partners, its operations or its reputation could be at risk. These can include contextual risks (workplace safety or natural disasters), criminal risks (theft or cybercrime) or business risks (compliance or legal issues).  Anything that threatens harm to the organisation, its mission, its employees, customers, partners, its operations or its reputation could be at riskFree online risk assessment tools are available to provide a fast, easy way to determine an organisation's basic security risks through an investigative approach. The tools ask several questions and determine risk based on an organisation’s location and the answers provided. Security leaders can also work with security companies and consultants that offer risk assessments to determine their company’s needs, and then offer solutions based on that assessment.  The third objective is to determine how businesses can best protect the identified resource. The last of the 3 Rs - resolutions - are those security activities that enable the business to mitigate the impact of security risks. Resolutions can potentially prevent a security incident from occurring, contain the impact to resources if an event does occur and also assist the organisation in recovering from an impact more quickly or easily.   The first step in the 3R model is to figure out what resources need protection, this could physical such as buildings or critical infrastructure  The path forward Understanding what risks a business faces in totality provides an opportunity for the security leader to collaborate with other department heads. This gives security leaders an opportunity to engage with functions outside their norm as well as a chance to demonstrate their subject matter expertise. A risk-based approach also helps security leaders fully understand an organisation’s needs and concerns, which they can communicate to the C-suite to help them make better business decisions. Metrics can also help business leaders understand the cost/benefit of resolutions C-suite and executives help define an acceptable level of security risk tolerance to resources and make quality, educated decisions about mitigating security risks. Through collaborating with security leaders using a risk-based approach and the 3R model, metrics and reports show the impact of security expenses, and there is a transparent view of security risk. The final decision about how to mitigate and resolve risks is up to the business owner of the resource and the risk stakeholders. To obtain funding, show the risk and value of resources exposed to potential impact. Then present the recommended resolution that reduces the potential level of impact and the associated cost benefit savings. By providing this information, security leaders can ensure that the business owners can make an educated decision. Measuring success A risk-based approach aligns the security mission with the organisation’s mission. Security leaders should have these conversations with their business leaders on a regular basis. Understanding the thresholds of risk tolerance and showing when incidents or activities are trending outside of acceptable boundaries will help business leaders make educated decisions. The 3R model also helps a business to track occurrences, quantify the direct and ancillary impact and make continuous adjustments to the security program Determining a baseline of acceptance gives a foundation for security leaders to point out when the organisation is not meeting its own requirements. Metrics can also help business leaders understand the cost/benefit of resolutions and demonstrate when costs may be trending outside of acceptable boundaries. The 3R model also helps a business to track occurrences, quantify the direct and ancillary impact and make continuous adjustments to the security program. It is important to note that this process is not stagnant, and needs to be constantly revisited. Examining risks, resources and resolutions in a systematic way will help security leaders understand what they are protecting Defining risks and vulnerabilities Continuous conversations using the 3R model also help business leaders understand what security risks could interfere with meeting business objectives. It also aligns the total cost of ownership for the security program with the business value of the resources at risk.The approach puts the security risk decisions in the hands of the ones impacted by those risks And it defines the security role as risk management, not just task management. The approach puts the security risk decisions in the hands of the ones impacted by those risks…the “owners” of the resources. Examining risks, resources and resolutions in a systematic way will help security leaders understand what they are protecting, what they are protecting it from, and how they can help prevent, contain or recover against a specific risk. Followers of this approach are in a better position to ask for funding because they can clearly define and quantify risks and vulnerabilities. Applying these principles will equip security leaders with the knowledge needed to have better dialogue with colleagues in other departments, encouraging more proactive discussions about security.

There’s only so much a corporation can do to counteract the threat of a major incident. You can ask everyone to be vigilant and to report anything suspicious, but you cannot stop someone intent on deliberately starting a fire, threatening a work colleague with a knife or something much worse. And of course, most businesses recognise that even routine events – such as burst pipes, IT system failures, extreme weather event or power outages – can have significant consequences unless they are quickly brought under control. Training security officers Governments and organisations across the world are increasingly encouraging businesses to re-assess risks and to plan for and conduct drills for major emergencies. This is driving different agencies and companies to invest in new skills, resources and systems, and encouraging businesses to routinely re-evaluate their emergency response strategies. UK police forces are increasingly training security officers in the public and private sectors on how best to react to potential terrorist incidents For example: UK police forces are increasingly training security officers in the public and private sectors on how best to react to potential terrorist incidents, as part of the UK government’s Action Counter Terrorism programme. And organisations including the Association of University Chief Security Officers (AUCSO) and Higher Education Business Continuity Network (HEBCoN) are developing customised training for their members to improve their own response and business continuity plans. Mass notifications systems Whether an organisation is facing a terrorist attack or a severe weather event, follow up reports consistently identify that the same types of challenges are common to all crisis situations, with similar errors often occurring again and again. Typically, these are centred on three key areas: poor communications, fractured command and control structures, and delayed deployment of resources. Communications skills and technologies clearly play a pivotal role in how effective an organisation is in responding to major incidents, particularly when it comes to assessing the situation and its implications, moving people towards safety and providing updates as an incident unfolds. However, when an organisation is considering its technology options, emergency response and mass notification systems (MNS) are often touted as the ideal platform to deliver all the required critical communications and ongoing updates. UK police forces are increasingly training security officers in the public and private sectors on how best to react to potential terrorist incidents Emergency notification system All the incident reporting, command and control, and communications functions have been brought together on a single platform But, if an organisation does not know exactly where all its staff or students are, and it cannot see the location and availability of its first responders and other emergency coordinators relative to them and the incident, then how useful is it to send a top-down alert to everyone? And what about fast moving or multi-centre incidents, where previously agreed evacuation procedures, recommended actions or mustering points may need to change if an incident takes an unexpected turn? Many organisations may have been lulled into believing that an emergency notification system will allow them to confidently handle all the communications aspects of virtually any crisis. In reality, too many businesses are still unaware that there are now much more sophisticated and proven technologies where all the incident reporting, command and control, and communications functions have been brought together on a single platform. Using live map tracking The benefit of using these advanced and more integrated approaches – often categorised as mobile distributed command and control systems – is that they enable faster and better decision making in a crisis using real-time feedback and two-way dialogue with those closest to the emergency. And they avoid the risks of any potential delays, miscommunications or mistakes that can happen when an organisation is under pressure to respond and often switching between multiple systems. Leading universities and multi-national corporations are already using new mobile/web-enabled platforms to improve their incident response These next generation emergency management platforms have been specifically designed to enable real-time mapping of an organisation’s security assets and its users on a single screen and to fully integrate it with a highly targeted geo-fenced notification capability. The mass notification aspect of the system can then be used to advise specific groups on the best actions to take at their location as an incident develops. The use of live map tracking enables real time mapping of an organisation's security assets  Segmented messaging Many leading universities and multi-national corporations are already using these new mobile/web-enabled platforms to plan, manage and improve their incident response, leading to 50% faster reactions and more positive outcomes.During a crisis, users can receive push notifications so the security centre can immediately see their exact location and advise them accordingly The systems have been widely adopted within the higher-education sector, but they are equally applicable to any large company with multiple international sites or those situated in research or corporate campuses where the bulk of assets and people are based in one or more key locations.  Typically, systems provide users with a smartphone app that they can use to call for immediate emergency or first aid support when at work, or to report something suspicious which could prevent an apparently minor incident from escalating into a full-scale emergency. During a crisis, users can receive push notifications, SMS and E-mails asking them to open the app if they are not already logged in, so the security centre can immediately see their exact location and advise them accordingly. Supporting dispersed mustering Now that communications can be more nimble, responsive and flexible this can support the increasing numbers of planners are recognising the advantages of dispersed mustering. This is a strategy that has been developed to reduce the risk of secondary attacks on unprotected people complying with instructions to evacuate from premises and gather in what are, effectively, exposed locations. It is now acknowledged that evacuees waiting outside for any length of time are more vulnerable to targeted attacks or to injury, from flying glass for example. With dispersed mustering – a strategy made more effective by these new mobile distributed command and control systems - a building’s occupants can be advised not to go outside, but to move to known safe internal locations. People in each specific area can then be kept regularly updated. Many corporations are now using new mobile/web-enabled platforms to improve their incident response Coordination between response agencies The software platforms can be integrated with an organisation’s fixed security infrastructure to take real-time sharing of information First responders are permanently logged in, so the emergency operations centre can see their exact locations in real-time and can advise what actions to take in mustering people or in setting up and protecting security cordons. Bringing everything together on one platform, with real-time feedback and in a fully integrated system also removes what is often seen as the weakest communication link in managing any major incident: the need to rely on conventional two-way radio as the sole means of communication between the command and control centre and its first responders and other team members on the ground. The software platforms can be integrated with an organisation’s fixed security infrastructure to take real-time sharing of information to a new level for improved collaboration, coordination and communications between users, the incident management team and external agencies. Improving emergency response strategies One of the most powerful features of some of these new systems is the ability to record and view all alerts, responses and the detailed conversations between first responders, emergency coordinators and other parties. This allows the systems to be used to simulate major incidents involving inputs from the emergency services and other key agencies and to ensure the organisation’s crisis management plans have been fully tested against a range of possible incident scenarios.

Market dynamics are changing the U.S. residential security market, creating new business models that better appeal to the approximately 70% of households without a security system. Smart home adjacencies have helped revitalise the traditional security industry, and alternative approaches to systems and monitoring for the security industry are emerging, including a new batch of DIY systems. Growth in the residential security market and its position as the channel for smart home solutions have attracted numerous new entrants. Telecoms, cable operators, and CE (consumer electronics) manufacturers are joining traditional security players as they compete to fulfill consumer demand for safety and security. Connected products also provide a layer of competition as consumers must decide whether having category devices such as doorbell video cameras, networked cameras, and other products suffice for their security. Increasingly competitive landscape Smart home services can provide additional revenue streams for the security industry For instance, IP cameras are a highly popular smart home device rooted in security, and Parks Associates estimates 7.7 million standalone and all-in-one networked/IP cameras will be sold in the U.S. in 2018, with $889M in revenues. Product owners may feel their security needs are fulfilled with this single purchase, as such dealers and service providers are under increasing pressure to communicate their value proposition to consumers. Categorically, each type of player is facing competition uniquely—national, regional, and local dealers all have a different strategy for overcoming the increasingly competitive landscape. Smart home services can provide additional revenue streams for the security industry. In Parks Associates’ 2017 survey of U.S. security dealers, 58% report that smart home service capabilities enable extra monthly revenue. Almost half of dealers also note they have to offer smart home devices and services in order to keep up with their competition. While white-label devices are acceptable in some instances, dealers need to integrate with hero products whenever possible when those exist for a category. For dealers who have added smart home devices and services are all potential benefits and good for business Improved customer engagement That 2017 survey also revealed 36% of security dealers that offer interactive services report security system sales with a networked camera and 16% report sales with a smart thermostat. For dealers who have added smart home devices and services, enhanced system utility, increased daily value, and improved customer engagement with the system are all potential benefits and good for business. Security has served as the most productive channel for smart home solutions, mainly because the products create natural extensions of a security system’s functions and benefits, but as smart home devices, subsystems, and controllers expand their functionality, availability, and DIY capabilities, many standalone devices constitute competition to classical security. Particularly viable substitute devices include IP cameras, smart door locks, smart garage doors, or a combination of these devices. Products that are self-installed offer both convenience and cost savings, and these drivers are significant among DIY consumers—among the 6% of broadband households that installed a security system themselves, 39% did it to save money. Enhance traditional security Self-installable smart home devices may resonate with a segment of the market who want security While many security dealers believe substitute offerings are a threat, some dealers do not find such devices an existential threat but instead view them as another path to consumer awareness. They argue that the difference between smart product substitutes and traditional security is that of a solution that provides knowledge versus a system that gives one the ability to act on that knowledge. A common theme among professional monitoring providers is that a homeowner who is aware of events happening in the home does not necessarily have a secure and protected household. For example, a Nest camera, a DIY product, notifies a consumer via smartphone about events in the home when it detects motion, but only when the notification is opened and identified will a consumer be able to act on the related event. Self-installable smart home devices may resonate with a segment of the market who want security but are unwilling to adopt professional monitoring; however, providers can leverage these devices to enhance traditional security features and communicate the value of professional monitoring. Smart home devices and features, while posing a threat to some security companies, are a potential way forward to increased market growth Increased market growth A key counterstrategy for security dealers and companies is to leverage their current, powerful role as the prime channel for smart home devices. Many security dealers now include smart home devices with their security systems to complement their offerings and increase system engagement. For example, as of Q4 2017, nearly 70% of U.S. broadband households that were very likely to purchase a security system in the next 12 months reported that they want a camera to be included as part of their security system purchase. In response, many security system providers now offer IP cameras as optional enhancements for their systems. Smart home devices and features, while posing a threat to some security companies, are a potential way forward to increased market growth. Security dealers have an opportunity to become more than a security provider but a smart home solutions provider rooted in safety. Provide status updates Comcast has entered both the professionally monitored security market and the market for smart home services The alternative is to position as a provider of basic security with low price as the key differentiator. Comcast has entered both the professionally monitored security market and the market for smart home services independent of security. It has discovered that monetising smart home value propositions through recurring revenue becomes increasingly challenging as the value extends further away from life safety. Since the security industry remains the main channel for smart home services, security dealers are in a unique position to leverage that strength. Value propositions must shift from the traditional arming and disarming of a system to peace-of-mind experiences that builds off the benefits of smart devices in the home to provide status updates (e.g., if the kids arrived home safely) and monitoring at will (e.g., checking home status at any time to see a pet or monitor a package delivery). These types of clear value propositions and compelling use cases, which resonate with consumer and motivate them to expand beyond standalone products, will help expand the home security market.

ADT Inc.’s acquisition of Red Hawk Fire & Security, Boca Raton, Fla., is the latest move in ADT Commercial’s strategy to buy up security integrator firms around the country and grow their footprint. In addition to the Red Hawk acquisition, announced in mid-October, ADT has acquired more than a half-dozen security system integration firms in the last year or so.  Here’s a quick rundown of integrator companies acquired by ADT: Protec, a Pacific Northwest commercial integrator (Aug. 2017); MSE Security, the USA’s 27th largest commercial integrator (Sept 2017); Gaston Security, founded in 1994 as a video surveillance integration company and whose services have since expanded to include intrusion, access control, and perimeter protection (Oct. 2017); Aronson Security Group (ASG), which delivers risk and security program consultants and offers advanced integration services, consulting and design engineers and a National Program Management team (March 2018);  Acme Security Systems, among the largest privately held security systems integrators in the Bay Area, focusing on electronic security systems, access control, video networks and more (March 2018); Access Security Integration, a regional systems integrator specialising in design, delivery, installation and servicing of electronic security systems including enterprise-level access control, video and visitor management solutions, perimeter security and security operation command centers (Aug. 2018); In addition to their moves in the commercial integrator space, ADT has also sought to expand their presence in cybersecurity with the following two acquisitions: Datashield, specialising in Managed Detection and Response Services (Nov 2017); Secure Designs, Inc., specialising in design, implementation, monitoring, and managing network defense systems, including firewall services and intrusion prevention, to protect small business networks from a diverse and challenging set of global cyber threats (Aug. 2018). ADT has acquired more than a half-dozen security system integration firms in the last year or so For additional insights into ADT’s game plan and the strategy behind these acquisitions, we presented the following questions to Chris BenVau, ADT’s Senior Vice President of Enterprise Solutions. Q: ADT has been actively acquiring regional integrators this year – more than a half a dozen to date. Please describe the history of how ADT came to embrace a strategy of acquiring regional integrators as a route to growth? ADT's acquisition of Red Hawk is set to close in December, and brings premiere fire and life/safety solutions BenVau: Our acquisition strategy started at Protection 1 when we embarked on our journey to build out our commercial and national account business and add enhanced integration capabilities to our portfolio. The merger of Protection 1 and ADT brought that foundation to ADT which up to that point was primarily a residentially and SMB-focused company. After the merger, we set out to identify and acquire additional regional integrators that would continue to build on that foundation and deliver enhanced technical solutions, advanced technologies and an expanded service, install and support footprint. Through our acquisitions we now operate two Network Operations Centers and three Centers of Excellence. We are also unique in the industry with the number and variety of certifications, like Cisco and Meraki, our engineers hold which ultimately allows us to offer Managed Security as a Service. They have also enhanced our operational capabilities. Q: What criteria do you use to evaluate whether an integrator is a good “fit” for ADT? BenVau: First and foremost, we look at the culture of the companies. The companies that we target for acquisition must be metrics- and customer service-driven. Secondly, we look at the leadership teams. ADT view their acquisitions more like mergers and take a patient approach to integrating them into their business We have been fortunate in the fact the leadership of the companies we acquired remain with us today in key management and executive positions helping to drive continued growth within their organisations. We also evaluate their current customer base, unique solutions and their ability to complement and enhance our portfolio with the goal of becoming a leading full-service, enterprise commercial provider. Our acquisitions have bolstered our network capabilities, brought enterprise risk management services, and a broader solution set in high-end video and access control solutions. Our most recent acquisition – Red Hawk, set to close in December – brings us premiere fire and life/safety solutions. Q: What changes are typically needed after an integrator is acquired in order to adapt it to the ADT corporate model? BenVau: We view our acquisitions more like mergers and take a patient approach to integrating them into ADT while taking into account their culture. We want to ensure that we find the right positions for their people, embrace the right messaging and put the right processes in place. We acquire these companies because they are the best in their respective businesses and geographies and bring their knowledge and experience in markets or with solutions that we may not have had previous access to. ADT can support clients with their own in-house technicians which helps to ensure a consistent security program Q: How can regional integrators benefit from the ADT brand? Have your newly acquired integrators realised additional growth? BenVau: The companies we have acquired, generally, have exceeded expectations and surpassed initial goals. ADT brings expanded opportunities for these companies as well with our national footprint. Our National Account Sales Team has seen impressive growth over the years and are only limited by our ability to deliver. These integrators help to deliver on that. In the past, the regional players may have had to rely on sub-contractors to service their larger clients. With ADT, we can now support those clients with our own in-house technicians which helps to ensure a consistent security program across multiple locations.Our National Account Sales Team has seen impressive growth over the years and are only limited by our ability to deliver" Q: Are additional integrator acquisitions planned this year and into 2019? How much is enough and when will it end (or slow down significantly)? BenVau: We expect to close on our latest acquisition, Red Hawk, before the end of 2018. Red Hawk brings a national footprint focused on fire/life safety and security to ADT. While ADT already had a robust security offering, Red Hawk will contribute significantly to the fire side of the business. In addition, we will continue to evaluate the companies in the industry to determine if additional acquisitions make sense. Q: Do you expect greater consolidation of the integrator channel in the industry as a whole? Why is this a good time for consolidation? Is it a good M&A market for buyers like ADT? BenVau: We will continue to evaluate companies in the industry to determine if further acquisitions make sense. As for the industry, we can only speak for ourselves. Our focus is on investing in our field organisation, in particular our service technicians, engineers and project management teams" Q: What other trend(s) do you see in the industry that will impact ADT (on the commercial side) in the next year or so, and how? BenVau: In addition to their moves in the commercial integrator space, ADT has also sought to expand their presence in cybersecurity Networking is a big one. As we continue to drive integration of devices and services, from AI, “the cloud,” machine learning and even analytics, there will be more focus on the network they ride on. A deeper knowledge of network design, bandwidth impact, and system integration will be critical. As part of our acquisition strategy, we focused on talent to add to the team and have been able to add to our bench strength in this area. Q: Any other comments/insights you wish to share about ADT’s strategy, future, and role in the larger physical security marketplace? BenVau: Our focus is on investing in our field organisation, in particular our service technicians, engineers and project management teams. The cornerstone of our success lies in our ability to deliver outstanding customer support and service. It starts with sales and the ability to deliver security and life safety technologies, but it ends with a delighted customer who partners with us to help secure the things that matter most to them. Our recent acquisitions have more than doubled our commercial field operations teams and are key to establishing the ADT Commercial brand as a leading full-service provider of enterprise solutions to the marketplace.

GSX 2018 is both a new event for the security industry and the continuation of a 63-year tradition. Global Security Exchange (GSX) is the new branding for ASIS International’s annual seminar and exhibits, which have been held since 1955. In recent years, the ASIS event has joined forces with other organisations to expand its scope and to appeal to a broader audience. Partners include ISSA (Information Systems Security Association) and Infragard, a public-private partnership between U.S. businesses and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The expansion is continuing this year with the addition of 30 supporting organisations representing industry verticals and reflecting ASIS’s intent to unite the full spectrum of security. Improving the state of cyber security Held September 23-27 at the Las Vegas convention Center, GSX 2018 seeks to attract more than 20,000 operational and cyber security professionals and 550 exhibitors. The Cyber Security Summit will co-locate with GSX, offering cyber security programming at a time when it is needed the most Other elements will further expand the 2018 event’s scope. The Cyber Security Summit will co-locate with GSX, offering cyber security programming at a time when it is needed the most. Top government, industry and academic thought leaders will engage in a dialogue to improve the state of cyber security. The 2018 Security Cares Program will address school violence prevention and response in a free education program. Topics will include pre-violence indicators, target hardening, and best practices to involve the entire community of school administrators, law enforcement, security professionals and mental health providers. Experts to deliver keynote speeches Keynote speakers including CNN host Fareed Zakaria will bestow celebrity appeal. Air Force Major General Bradley D. Spacy will share details about the new AFWERX innovation and tech hub in Las Vegas and how the U.S. Air Force is collaborating with the private sector to bring new security product ideas to market. Spacy’s keynote on Sept. 26 will kick off Military and Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. Also, K.T. McFarland, former Trump Administration Deputy National Security Advisor, will share an insider’s perspective on critical foreign policy and defence industries. Attendees to ASIS International’s annual gathering typically list networking and education as big benefits of the event. Historically, the trade show aspect has existed separately from the educational program, and foot traffic to the exhibits has sometimes suffered from the competition. Beginning last year, and continuing in 2018, ASIS International has pursued innovative approaches to integrate the trade show more closely into the overall attendee experience. “The integration of programming and exhibits is truly seamless,” says one observer of the new approach. Held Sept. 23-27 at the Las Vegas convention Center, GSX 2018 seeks to attract more than 20,000 operational and cyber security professionals and 550 exhibitors X Learning Theatres GSX has sought to transform the exhibit hall into a ‘learning lab environment’ that features thousands of security products, technologies and service solutions (provided by the exhibitors), in addition to ‘immersive learning opportunities to connect the current and emerging threat landscape with solutions available in the marketplace’. There are several ‘X Learning Theatres’, including one (‘X-Stage’) focussed on leading-edge technologies such as blockchain, cryptocurrencies, AI, drones, and robotics. There is also an ‘Xcelerated Exchange Stage’ to facilitate discussions among security practitioners and solution providers. The ‘Xperience Stage’ showcases case studies and best practices. Also attracting more attendees to the Exhibit Hall will be ‘Career HQ’, a free career fair and enhanced career centre. ‘D3 Xperience’ (Drones, Droids Defence) will focus on unmanned systems with education and demos. The ‘Innovative Product Awards (IPAs) Showcase’ will highlight winners of an awards program. Focussing on security practices GSX is not as much about sales leads as about making connections and contributing to a larger conversation about how to protect people, facilities and assets ASIS International (now GSX 2018) is often compared to ISC West, the U.S. industry’s largest show held in Las Vegas in the spring. GSX 2018 this year may face even more scrutiny based on the changes, rebranding, and location (also in Las Vegas). However, GSX is a completely different show than ISC West, which focuses on the business of security. In contrast, GSX is much more about the practice of security than business. The international network of ASIS International members attend the yearly conference to make new connections, to learn and to benefit from the experiences of other security professionals around the world. The successful trade show exhibitors are the ones that approach the show with that understanding. GSX is not as much about sales leads as about making connections and contributing to a larger conversation about how to protect people, facilities and assets. ASIS International deserves credit for their efforts to integrate the trade show element into the larger goal of the event. Hopefully their new approach will enhance the overall experience for both attendees and exhibitors – and help to make the world a safer place as a consequence.

When an active assailant strikes, it’s over fast, and most of the damage happens before help arrives. Responding appropriately can save lives, and it takes training and practice to know what to do as a tragedy unfolds: Where can I hide? Can I get out? Where do I run? If you hear shots or see someone with a knife, your training empowers the best response, and thorough and repetitive training avoids being paralysed by panic. Standards on workplace violence ASIS International is a member of ANSI and an accredited standards developer ASIS International has been working for more than a year on a document to enable security professionals to develop an effective approach for prevention, intervention, response and recovery to an active assailant, whether he or she is acting alone or as part of a group. The Active Assailant Supplement is an annex to the ANSI Standard on Workplace Violence and Intervention; it is being developed as part of the current revision to the standard. ASIS International is a member of ANSI (American National Standards Institute) and an accredited standards developer. Security practitioners use the ANSI standard to develop their own processes, procedures and documentation related to workplace violence. The ANSI standard on workplace violence was created 10 years ago and already has been revised once. In that time, the standard has been quoted extensively and adopted and utilised by many corporations and security practitioners. Leading creation of the Active Assailant Supplement is Michael Crane, Security Consultant and Attorney at Securisks, and chair of the ASIS International Active Assailant Working Group. There are 17 individuals on the drafting committee on active assailants, each with their own specific areas of expertise, from big corporations, to psychologists, to the government. The committee will create a draft, which will be submitted to the technical committee (150 or so people) for review and comment. The ANSI standard on workplace violence has been quoted extensively and adopted and utilised by many corporations and security practitioners Active Assailant Supplement elements Prevention - A key to preventing active assailant incidents is awareness, such as identifying behaviours that suggest a potential for violence. In addition to recognising troubled behaviors, companies should have policies and procedures in place to report concerns to supervisors, and then policies to follow up. Intervention - Training equips companies to react effectively in the case of an active assailant attack. Repetition and practice ensure an appropriate reaction, and inform decisions about where to hide, the nearest exits, etc. Employees might hide in a washroom or a conference room that locks, or they might use furniture to block the door. Response - It also takes training for employees to understand what happens when first responders arrive. Private security and employees have specific roles when first responders show up. Recovery - After the incident, other issues include clean-up, providing a gathering place for employees and family members, and counselling. Addressing school violence The workplace violence prevention plans in the Federal government are right in sync with private industry"Crane was an assistant state’s attorney in Chicago before going into private practice. He has also served as general counsel and vice president for security companies and combines law and security expertise to protect companies from liability. Crane has written and provided training on the topic of workplace violence prevention for many years for ASIS International and was among the first members of the Standards and Guidelines Commission in 2000. Although school violence is not addressed specifically in the Active Assailant Supplement, the protocols covered in the document apply to schools as well as other sites such as governments. “The workplace violence prevention plans in the Federal government are right in sync with private industry,” says Crane. “They are almost identical.” Workplace violence at GSX 2018 Workplace violence, including active assailants, will be among the issues addressed at the upcoming GSX 2018 in Las Vegas. Global Security Exchange (GSX) is the new branding for ASIS International’s annual conference and trade show, attended by more than 22,000 security professionals from 100-plus countries. There will be sessions addressing workplace violence and interest group discussions on a range of topics.

TCA, the provider of security services for North Lanarkshire Council, has seen savings of around £50,000 a year, after installing 300 Panasonic CCTV cameras, waterproofed with a unique ClearSight coating. Located east of Glasgow, North Lanarkshire has challenging weather conditions for any technology, which has previously hindered the provision of cost-effective security in the area. High levels of rain resulted in watermarks, dust spots and condensation, which meant heavy maintenance burdens and the potential for missing incidents. When considering an upgrade to the system, TCA needed to combat these issues with a security system that remained affordable in an era of local authority austerity. Implementing PTZ cameras for cost reduction The ClearSight coating forms an invisible layer over the surface of the dome preventing water droplets from obscuring footageTCA secured the lower total cost of ownership they were seeking by implementing Panasonic PTZ cameras. The ClearSight coating forms an invisible layer over the surface of the dome preventing water droplets from obscuring footage, while also eliminating dirt and dust build-up on the dome cover. "On many models, when the rain stops, you tend to get a coating of dust on the dome, which the camera then focuses on," says Nikola Graham, Operations Manager. "We just haven't seen that with the Panasonic cameras. In fact, we have actually halved the number of maintenance visits, which we think probably equates to a £50,000 annual saving.” The initial installation took place over two years with the bulk of the cameras installed on 27 high rise blocks, identified as having problems with crime and antisocial behaviour. Reduction in criminal incidents "The result has been impressive. The council has seen a reduction in the number of criminal and anti-social incidents within the residential blocks, the cameras have contributed greatly to this. The people living in the blocks feel safer as a result,” said Graeme Good, Business Manager at TCA. In total, 875 cameras are monitored round the clock, while a further 300 cameras are linked in and monitored out of hours if an alarm is triggered “A camera in the Motherwell area has on several occasions been used to catch vehicles that were used in some pretty serious crime. The quality of the footage and the evidence packs that we are giving the police is exactly what they are looking for.” Round the clock monitoring Utilising tours and salvos, the control room in Coatbridge has eyes trained on 21 Full HD monitors. In total, 875 cameras are monitored round the clock, while a further 300 cameras are linked in and monitored out of hours if an alarm is triggered. Various triggers, such as alarms within the lifts, will show as priorities for the operators. "It's a great credit to our integration partners that some of the cameras we monitor are 16 years old," adds Graeme Good. "Every time we have a fault, we will appraise whether it's cost-effective to repair the unit. If not, we'll continue with the roll out of Panasonic, which have been virtually faultless thus far."

Unlike private sectors, the government-run offices or buildings are the places where people constantly visit for specific purposes, making these official institutions easily become a target for tempted malicious attack by people who might possess strong and negative emotions toward the governments. Despite the fact that these buildings are often guarded with more security staff with arms, it is even more than necessary to set up a solid surveillance system to proactively safeguard the public and its assets. Surveon provides government solutions with product lines including weatherproof cameras with excellent image quality, patent RAID NVRs with spare drive protection, and feature-rich VMS with post VA search. These powerful solutions enable the governments to protect people from most of the threats. Weatherproof cameras with smart WDR Surveon cameras secure the outer spaces of government building with IK10 vandal proof and IP66-rated weatherproof housingTo build a reliable security system for governments, SIs might encounter some challenges such as harsh outdoor conditions and data protection of recorded video. Under these circumstances, Surveon cameras secure the outer spaces of government building like parking lot with IK10 vandal proof and IP66-rated weatherproof housing, giving partners the most reliable outdoor-use option. Moreover, all of Surveon cameras provide excellent image quality with smart WDR, allowing the security guards to recognise crucial details such as license plates even under lighting contrast and prevent any suspicious vehicle from entering. Patent RAID NVR with data protection To avoid the loss of confidential data from surveillance system, the data protection of recorded video is particularly important in terms of planning for government security. Featuring patent RAID function with spare drive data protection, Surveon NVRs provide reliable performance with zero video loss. Featuring patent RAID function with spare drive data protection, Surveon NVRs provide reliable performance with zero video lossBesides, its client-server architecture can offer high I/O, large capacities, and overall system stability. To quickly identify useful information and relative footage from hundreds of hours of video recording, Surveon designs Post VA Search, an efficient management tool, reducing the time and efforts of management staff, making the surveillance system more efficient. Enhancing security system Surveon government solutions have been successfully safeguarded the customs building in Bolivia, the post offices in Cairo, and the border checkpoint in Turkey. “Surveon provides the best C/P value solutions for the customs and improves its whole security system with high-reliability products. We are satisfied with the result and I’m sure we will keep choosing Surveon’s solutions in the future projects,” said VisionLine, Surveon’s major partner in Bolivia. Surveon is dedicated to offering a variety of end-to-end video surveillance solutions catering to different vertical applications, giving partners reliable options for their projects.

Jutting up to a height of 126 meters, the 36-story Prime Tower is Zurich’s tallest building and number two in Switzerland. Its 40,000 square meters of floor space can accommodate more than 2,000 workplaces. It is striking with its futuristic architecture and dark green reflective exterior. The tower’s impressive details include a 10-meter-high entrance hall and the CLOUDS bar and restaurant on the top floor boasting an unmatched view far out across the surrounding landscape. Bosch networked security solution The operator relies on Bosch to keep the building safe and secure. And to meet the Prime Tower’s unique requirements, the company’s experts recently implemented a modernisation project. One of the new system’s technical highlights is a combination of electronic and biometric access control. “Our owner, the firm of Swiss Prime Site Immobilien AG, attaches great importance to monitoring who exactly is inside the building at all times,” explained Annika Hammes, who heads the trustee department at Wincasa, a building services outfit that was contracted to design and execute the solution. Electronic and biometric access control Error-free biometric identification is accomplished by reading the vein patterns on the backs of people’s hands Error-free biometric identification is accomplished by reading the vein patterns on the backs of people’s hands. This is done contactlessly for very easy, comfortable use. A total of 120 hand vein readers have been installed in the building and connected to the controllers of the eight elevators. Once employees and guests have been biometrically registered, they board lifts that automatically take them to the right floors. Encrypted ID cards are used to access the rental units, thereby making sure that people can only enter zones for which they have been authorised. All relevant security information is collected in a management system so that the responsible employees always have everything in view and can respond quickly when there is a need. Bosch handled everything for this project: advising the client, and then planning and implementing the system. The modifications were made without interrupting use of the building, which was a major challenge not only for the project team, which therefore had to work very swiftly, but also for the tenants themselves. “This called for very close cooperation between the Bosch team and the mixed-use site management (MUSM) team of Wincasa AG, which met the requirements for continued building use while the work was ongoing,” explained Hammes.

Recife’s urban trains system carries around 400 thousand passengers a day – it is the third largest railway operator in number of users in Brazil. To ensure a safe journey for passengers, it is imperative to increase the subway security with modern technologies and monitoring equipment. The main challenge was to adapt the technology to the specific conditions such as lighting, people flow and speed of a subway station while not interrupting the transportation service. Therefore, ease of operation, installation and high availability of the system were prerequisites for choosing the surveillance solution. Surveillance operation development With a contribution of BRL 61.5 million to invest in the improvements for the Pernambuco subway, Companhia Brasileira de Trens Urbanos (Brazilian Urban Trains Company, CBTU) has started a recovery plan for stations, trains, electrical systems and permanent pathways last year. It then inaugurated a new phase of the surveillance operation with the acquisition of 1380 high-resolution cameras from Dahua Technology for the deployment of the surveillance system. The Dahua intelligent surveillance system with embedded video analytics monitors 52 places scattered all over the 71 km of the railway line The Dahua intelligent surveillance system with embedded video analytics monitors 52 places scattered all over the 71 km of the railway line at the capital and the metropolitan region. The project led by Grupo Avantia from the publication of the bidding contest until the installation combines four models of network cameras from Dahua: DH-IPC-HF5231EN-Z-S2; DH-IPC-HF5231EN-S2; DH-IPC-HDBW8231E-ZS2; and DH-SD65F230FN-H – all equipped with H.265 compression and video analytics. Efficient processing format These cameras work every day capturing and identifying images. With an amount of data that needs to be analysed daily, the H.265 video compression pattern, a format twice as efficient as its predecessor (H.264), is essential since it uses only 50% of the bandwidth, maintaining the same quality. The equipment using the main features of Dahua (H.265 compression, analytics, Starlight) has reinforced the security of the Central and Southern lines of the Pernambuco Subway and has allowed the operators to obtain detailed views of the subway operations, especially at peak hours or during tourist events, such as Carnival. Starlight surveillance solution Day and night, under difficult lighting conditions and even in points with extreme low light, Dahua exclusive Starlight cameras deliver sharp and colorful images to the surveillance center to guarantee the best performance in conditions of very low luminosity (0.005 Lux). Technology strengthens user protection in a general way, because it avoids intrusions into vital areas of operation, depredations or other occurrences that could hinder the passenger transportation. With video analytics, even if the video surveillance operator is not tracking the images of a specific camera, the system automatically identifies and alerts a detected movement in a restricted region, for example. In addition to the high technology, Dahua also provided professional technical support to guarantee the success of the installation process Professional technical support In addition to the high technology, Dahua also provided professional technical support to guarantee the success of the installation process, which did not hinder the operation of the subway. As revealed by Avantia’s Operational Director, Mr. Hamilton Valentin, “The partnership with CBTU has been very successful, due to the peculiarities of the implementation of the security system. It was a major deployment challenge, since all the systems of the stations were in full operation. It was a result of an outstanding team effort with the full support and partnership of the client, so that the implementation would occur in the best way possible and with minimal interventions in the subway system". With the help of Dahua network cameras, the coming and going of passengers from Central and Southern lines now have the protection of the security teams in multiple locations throughout the subway’s operation. The new video surveillance system was designed to operate in a centralised management, which differs completely from the previous single-management model. Thus, with this change, it became possible to take better advantage of the human resources of the security team at the 37 stations. Improved quality of service The whole system of Dahua video surveillance was thought to ensure not only the physical safety of each user, but also to avoid a common problem that causes a high impact to the quality of the service: vandalism. On some occasions, a window broken by a user can delay the routine of thousands of passengers. With the video surveillance cameras, it is possible to identify suspects, trigger the maintenance service in a more agile way and minimise the impact on the operation. The video footage of occurrences that happen inside the System of Urban Trains’ facilities can be shared with the Military Police which, if necessary, can conduct searches in the image database and use resources such as Zoom to capture details that help in the investigations. The operators themselves can alert the authorities depending on the incident. This is the first CBTU project, which also manages the urban rail transport in other Brazilian capitals, such as João Pessoa, Maceió, Natal and Belo Horizonte Smart video surveillance system This is the first CBTU project, which also manages the urban rail transport in other Brazilian capitals, such as João Pessoa, Maceió, Natal and Belo Horizonte. “With this case, Dahua Technology ratifies once again its expertise in projects for the public segment. The solution offered will enable the end client to have a fully smart video surveillance system that will provide optimal lighting in dark environments, 24h protection of restricted areas, occurrence alerts and high performance to operators. All this will focus on prevention and alerting possible situations that endanger the subway system as well as the security of its users", Fabio Lopes, Channel Sales Director of Dahua Technology Brasil.  “The cameras are being installed and monitored centrally, in a control room. In the future, we intend to achieve a cost reduction for the company, since with the cameras we were able to reduce in local surveillance at some subway stations, but the great advantage will be seen in the safety of our passengers. The images help us identify crimes in the stations and send this information to the law enforcement. We are in the implementation phase and starting to operate with smart technology, the results have already started to be seen – we have already managed to identify and arrest suspects, forwarding them to the police. We are employing all efforts to train and hire new agents and I am sure we will achieve greater gains in the future”, commented Leonardo Villar Beltrão, CBTU Recife Superintendent. Minimal interventions for deployment “The partnership with CBTU has been very successful, due to the peculiarities of the implementation of a state of the art security system. It was a major deployment challenge, since all the systems of the stations were in full operation. It was a result of an outstanding team effort with the full support and partnership of the Client, so that the implementation would occur in the best way possible and with minimal interventions in the subway system", said Hamilton Valentin, Avantia’s Operational Director.  “This project is of extreme importance to Spectra. We have been close to Avantia and Dahua Technology throughout the implementation process, providing them with all the necessary support in the delivery of solutions”, Reginaldo Mattos, Director of Spectra Systems.

Ask a student, or pretty much anyone, what they think about “access control” and you’ll get a shrug. Conversely, all of us are enthusiastic about security and convenience. Students across Europe are discovering SMARTair wireless access control gives them both. Adding SMARTair access control to a door involves just replacing a standard cylinder or escutcheon with a digital, smartphone- or smart-card–operated electronic lock. It’s hassle-free to make the switch to SMARTair. And with a system design focused on user experience, SMARTair takes some of the everyday pain out of student life. Wherever you fit SMARTair, it’s easy to configure access cards to enable payments in the canteen or at vending machines; for changing room locker locks; and for the photocopier or library loans. You can’t do that with a metal key. MIFARE RFID cards At Madrid’s prestigious Colegio Universitario de Estudios Financieros (CUNEF) students now open doors with smart MIFARE RFID cards instead of keys At Madrid’s prestigious Colegio Universitario de Estudios Financieros (CUNEF) students now open doors with smart MIFARE RFID cards instead of keys. CUNEF fitted escutcheons to monitor and ease access to different areas of the university for 1,600 students, without the need for expensive wired door locks. If a student loses their card, there’s no threat to campus security. A manager issues a new credential which automatically cancels the lost card — much faster than changing a lock. When Mezzino took ownership of Rialto Court — apartments for students attending Durham University and Teesside University — they replaced a mechanical master key system with SMARTair. From the company’s point of view, the high annual tenant turnover and a need for scheduled cleaning and summer shutdown were becoming difficult to manage with physical keys. Students also reaped the benefits of their new, user-friendly access system. They have the confidence no previous resident of their flat has copied a physical key. At Funway Academic Resort in Madrid, student rooms are also locked with SMARTair escutcheons. Energy-saving wall devices inside rooms regulate electricity use, and students each have their own safe locked with a SMARTair cabinet lock. The Funway gym, study rooms, games rooms, swimming pool and changing rooms, spa and staff areas are also locked with SMARTair escutcheons — and open with the same smart-card. SMARTair Openow solution The recent launch of the SMARTair Openow solution puts credentials on a mobile phoneThere’s more to come from SMARTair. The recent launch of the SMARTair Openow solution puts credentials on a mobile phone. With SMARTair and the Openow app, students can open their rooms and authorised doors with a smartphone. If you have your phone, you’re already carrying your keys. Student services or facilities managers issue virtual keys over-the-air — and can revoke them whenever they choose — so there’s no need for a key-card handover meeting, at the beginning or end of term. A time-limited virtual key arrives ahead of the first day and automatically expires when it’s time to vacate your halls. Mobile credentials Mobile credentials will be a big hit. Student life goes on inside the handset, as much as IRL (“In Real Life”, for the uninitiated). Last year’s Deloitte Mobile Consumer Survey found a fifth of 18- to 24-year-olds even check their phone for messages in the middle of the night*. From a security standpoint, phone-based credentials have another advantage. Checking our phones is “habitual”, “unconscious” and “repetitive”, according to one study**. We know very quickly if it is missing. How soon would you notice a missing plastic card, especially if you were enjoying yourself on a night out? Biometric security Plus, a virtual key on every student’s smartphone potentially provides an extra layer of biometric protection for every controlled university door Plus, a virtual key on every student’s smartphone potentially provides an extra layer of biometric protection for every controlled university door. Fingerprint, and even face and iris, scanners are commonplace on smartphones. ”Generation Z students were raised as digital natives,” says Felix Moran, SMARTair Product Manager at ASSA ABLOY. ”They expect convenience as a standard feature, not a mechanical solution used in Ancient Egypt. In Europe’s increasingly international, marketized higher education ecosystem, attracting these tech-savvy students is critical, as is keeping them satisfied with the campus experience.” SMARTair TS1000 software The complete SMARTair solution includes wireless escutcheons, cylinders, wall readers, locker locks and more; the intuitive SMARTair TS1000 software; and the enhanced new Openow app functionality. It works out the box and is easy to install — and even easier to operate.

Above the Line Security have improved the safety of their at-risk employees by switching from a manual call-in system to the user-friendly StaySafe lone worker solution. Employees at Above the Line Security are responsible for guarding individuals and high-value equipment on busy film sites. Ensuring employee safety StaySafe allows workers on site to send an alert in an emergency while providing the employee with an accurate location via a real-time map Prone to theft and coming into contact with potentially volatile paparazzi and members of the public, the company required a more reliable way of monitoring the safety of their guards. StaySafe allows workers on site to send an alert in an emergency while providing the employee with an accurate location via a real-time map. Monitors are alerted if an employee triggers an alert or fails to check-in on the app during their shift. StaySafe StaySafe also provides the ability for an alert to be raised even during difficult situations. If engaged in a confrontation, a panic can be sent discreetly, or a duress PIN entered if the app is discovered by the aggressor. Missed check-in alerts will also alert a monitor in cases where the lone worker may be unable to send a panic themselves. “Having used an app for the first time to protect our lone workers, we were incredibly impressed by the ease and agility of set up and usability. Our employees have adapted quickly to using the app whenever they work and as they do not always come to the office, it allows them to set up for the day quickly and independently.” Lone workers’ safety Security Personnel are often targets for verbal and physical abuse due to the nature of the work they carry out" Adele O’ Toole at Above the Line, continues; “Previously, we had to rely on night supervisors based in external locations to take check-in and emergency calls manually. This proved expensive and disconnected, particularly if our lone workers were situated in areas of low signal where making contact to ensure their safety was infrequent and unreliable. With StaySafe, we are able to instantly locate our workers on a map once they have checked-in, even in areas of low signal, saving us a lot of time and human resources.” Don Cameron, CEO at StaySafe adds; “Security Personnel are often targets for verbal and physical abuse due to the nature of the work they carry out. They often protect valuable assets which leads to the potential risk of theft and aggression. StaySafe provides peace of mind for the lone workers and the business by providing an effective and reliable solution for a range of volatile situations. Organisations can see exactly where their staff are in the case of an emergency and can send assistance directly to them – all with the added bonus of being user-friendly and cost-effective, only requiring a mobile phone.”