Security systems

The Nukleas Integrated Security Solutions (NISS) consortium, a one stop UK security industry solution for command and control/surveillance requirements, is exhibiting at Security and Policing 2020, Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre between 3-5 March, on stand E49. The NISS consortium combines British industry excellence to provide complementary solutions for a coordinated approach on all types of security projects. This single integrated solution combines, command and control systems, robust camera surveillance solutions, secure wireless transmission and networking, integrated communication hubs, incident management, perimeter intrusion detection, mobile devices, live streaming of images, video analytics (including world leading facial recognition) and multiple other security and safety solutions which are scalable and tailored to each unique project requirement. Innovative and cost-effective solutions Richard Freeman, Director of Nukleas Limited said: “We are looking forward to exhibiting at Security and Policing and welcome UK and international visitors to stand E49, next to the UK Government zone, at the centre of the event. Together, the NISS consortium has a track record of well over 140 years of providing UK manufactured products, software and services for complex site security designs and budget cycles." "NISS can offer turnkey solutions with innovative and cost-effective solutions, supported by excellent training and we are actively seeking to build joint venture partnerships”. Infrastructure protection and emergency services The UK’s critical national infrastructure protection and emergency services are considered amongst the best in the world and this reputation has been built by working in partnership with the UK security industry and includes the deployment of Nukleas solutions. NISS experience and expertise ensures the safety and security of people and infrastructure across the globe, providing assurance through UK standards including those set by the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI). The consortium concept is also advocated by the UK Government’s Department for International Trade’s Security Export Strategy and is supported by UK export finance.

GlobalPlatform has hailed its 20th year as a strategic milestone in its mission to create collaborative and open ecosystems in which stakeholders can efficiently deliver innovative digital services, while providing greater security, privacy, simplicity and convenience for users. Kevin Gillick, Executive Director of GlobalPlatform, comments: “Twenty years ago, we set out to create an environment for experts to develop the foundations for innovative digital services and devices. Billions of GlobalPlatform-compliant Secure Elements and Trusted Execution Environments are deployed around the world, protecting devices, data and services for identity, payments, telecoms, and transportation and we are now extending this experience with a comprehensive approach to IoT device security. It is fitting that our anniversary year should be pivotal for the organisation and wider industry.” Addressing the needs of the IoT ecosystem The organisation also appointed a Strategic Director to accelerate the association’s work on IoT security Building on GlobalPlatform’s previous work to secure the internet of things (IoT), the organisation launched IoTopia in October 2019. It proposes a common framework for standardising the design, certification, deployment and management of IoT devices. IoTopia device security will be testable and meet vertical and geographical market requirements by building upon four foundational pillars: Security by Design; Device Intent; Autonomous, Scalable, Secure Device Onboarding (SDO); and Device Lifecycle Management. The organisation also appointed a Strategic Director to accelerate the association’s work on IoT security. Chris Steck, Head of Standardisation, IoT & Industries at Cisco, is providing strategic guidance to the Board of Directors on GlobalPlatform’s IoT initiatives, the security requirements of cloud and edge devices and the use of GlobalPlatform technologies to bring trust to the IoT ecosystem. Security Evaluation Standard for IoT Platforms The GlobalPlatform Board has also been monitoring the rapid growth of the secure microcontroller unit (MCU) market. With IoT device manufacturers looking for ever greater security and a range of secure component choices, GlobalPlatform has taken the decision to begin standardisation work to support the integration of greater security within IoT MCUs. GlobalPlatform will also support the IoT device security certification ecosystem with the adoption of the Security Evaluation Standard for IoT Platforms (SESIP) methodology. The objective is to build consistency across IoT certification schemes (regional or vertical) to facilitate product evaluation and certificate recognition. The organisation will share further updates on these activities later this year. 2020 Board of Directors GlobalPlatform has announced its Board of Directors for fiscal year 2020. Five seats were open and after member voting, the following candidates have each been re-elected to serve a two-year term on the GlobalPlatform Board: Rob Coombs – Arm Stéphanie El Rhomri – FIME Rémi de Fouchier – Gemalto, a Thales company Sebastian Hans – Oracle Olivier Van Nieuwenhuyze – STMicroelectronics Secure, scalable and interoperable way Nils Gerhardt of G+D Mobile Security will continue as Chairman of the Board. Rob Coombs retains his position as Vice Chairman and Stéphanie El Rhomri will continue in her role as Treasurer and Secretary. “Through the expertise and collaboration of our members, board and strategic director, our work will enable the IoT ecosystem to evolve with trust and security at its core and assure that users can manage risk in-line with their needs” adds Kevin. “Our successes wouldn’t be possible without the commitment, vision and expertise of our membership. For 20 years we have solved technical and business challenges to ensure technologies deliver value in a secure, scalable and interoperable way.”

Hanwha Techwin enhances its premium Wisenet P series with the addition of three new 4-channel multi-sensor cameras, designed to provide a cost-effective solution for detecting and tracking objects over wide open areas. The 8MP Wisenet PNM-9084QZ features motorised varifocal lenses for precise control of focal length, angle of view and zoom of each of its sensors, as do the 8MP PNM-9084RQZ and 5MP PNM-9085RQZ, which are also equipped with built-in smart IR illumination for each sensor. This illuminates objects at a distance of up to 30m by focusing the beam in line with zoom. Motorised PTRZ gimbals All three new H.265 multi-sensor cameras are equipped with motorised PTRZ gimbals All three new H.265 multi-sensor cameras are equipped with motorised PTRZ gimbals which reduce on site times as they enable installation engineers to remotely pan, tilt, rotate and zoom the lens’ positions in order to set the camera’s field of view. “These new models, which enable operators to choose from a broad range of customisable angles and zoom settings per sensor, offer cost savings for both system integrators and end users,” said Uri Guterman, Head of Product & Marketing for Hanwha Techwin Europe. “This is because multi-sensor cameras use less cable, conduit and mounting hardware compared to what would normally be required to enable up to four separate cameras to do the same job. They also need fewer VMS licenses as only a single IP connection is required.” Digital Image Stabilisation Key features Advanced Wide Dynamic Range (WDR), which performs at up to 120dB to accurately produce images in scenes that simultaneously contain very bright and very dark areas. True day/night camera functionality with a removable infrared cut filter (ICR). Digital Image Stabilisation (DIS), which reduces motion blur caused by wind or vibration and ensures the capture of sharp, stable images. Support for H.265, H.264 and MJPEG compression, as well as WiseStream II, a complementary compression technology unique to Wisenet cameras. Built-in Intelligent Video Analytics (IVA), including Tampering, Loitering, Directional Detection, Defocus Detection, Fog Detection, Virtual Line, Enter/Exit, Appear/Disappear, Audio Detection, Face Detection and Motion Detection. Sound Classification: An audio analytics feature which recognises critical sounds such as raised voices, screams, broken glass, gunshots and explosions, and generates an alert to enable security personnel to quickly react to any incidents. IP66, IK10, and NEMA4X ratings for protection against water, dust, and mechanical impact, makes the three multi-sensor cameras an ideal choice for outdoor applications. Motorised-varifocal lenses The model numbers of the new Wisenet multi-sensor cameras are as follows: Wisenet PNM-9084QZ: 2MP x 4 channels with 3~6mm motorised-varifocal lenses. Wisenet PNM-9084RQZ: 2MP x 4 channels with 3.2~10mm motorised-varifocal lenses. Built-in smart IR illumination. Wisenet PNM-9085RQZ: 5MP x 4 channels with 4.13~9.4mm motorised-varifocal lenses. Built-in smart IR illumination.

In a global market, at a time of exponential technological growth, Camlock Systems weren’t satisfied with maintaining the status quo. As their customers accelerate the development of intelligent applications and technologies, Camlock has matched its appetite for progression with a renewed strategy and the development of smarter locking solutions. Built on three generations of locking innovation, Camlock Systems has forged a reputation for precision and quality through the design and engineering of mechanical locking systems and patented technology that meets its customers’ unique needs. Innovative electronic locking solutions Camlock has listened carefully to its customers and closely monitored market trends Moving from locksmith, to distributor, to manufacturer and now nascent access control developer, adaptation has always been a continuous theme in Camlock’s history. With their target markets adapting to technological advances at a rapid pace, Camlock has listened carefully to its customers and closely monitored market trends, ready to adapt their business strategy and take Camlock Systems into a new phase of its development. The global shift towards intelligent applications has been a catalyst for change at Camlock Systems, driving them towards continuous improvement and greater innovation of smarter locking solutions: While still supplying high-quality mechanical products, Camlock has shifted its focus from applications with a basic locking requirement, to those with a great need for security and access management. As businesses develop more and more intelligent applications, their development of innovative electronic locking solutions enables them to offer a new level of value to their customers that sets the industry standard for security. Camlock is moving into new markets, with greater opportunities to support its partners in the utilities and infrastructure sectors as they look for smarter solutions that enable increased automation, visibility and connectivity. With the ability to design bespoke, innovative products their reach is greater than ever before. As they expand their offering across the globe to enter new markets in Europe, the Americas and Asia-Pacific they are helping more companies than ever before to achieve the right levels of security for their individual application. Extensive mechanical range Over the past year, Camlock has been working to enhance the visual identity of their business and showcase their vision for the future. As a result of the rebranding process, they have got a sharp new logo and a stylish and more accessible website that represents their values and articulates their strategic shifts. Camlock is proud of its ability to see security as a whole, thanks to more than 100 years of experience More than ever, Camlock is proud of its ability to see security as a whole, thanks to more than 100 years of experience in locking innovation. In addition to highlighting Camlock’s heritage and experience, their new website showcases their extensive mechanical range and new electronic developments, as well as their ability to work collaboratively with its customers to develop products that meet customer’s needs. Developing smarter solutions So, with eyes firmly fixed on the future of both the industry and its customers, Camlock is more committed than ever to developing smarter solutions that offer more. “We’re excited for the future of our business, our markets and the potential to support all of our customers, old and new, in facing the challenges and benefits technological advances bring.” Whatever the locking needs, one can trust that Camlock Systems will work with them to find the smartest solution in locking security and access management.

ExtraHop, a pioneer in cloud-native network detection and response, announces new products and services designed to help midsize enterprises address security maturity, reduce tool complexity, and increase efficiency to better protect their organisations. The new ExtraHop® Spotlight™ service leverages the deep domain expertise of the ExtraHop security analysts and combines it with rich insights derived across customer environments to provide targeted threat investigation guidance for lean security and IT operations teams. The new ExtraHop Reveal(x)™ 5Gbps subscription package provides cost-effective network detection and response (NDR) that delivers complete visibility, detection, and response capabilities for midsize enterprises. Sophisticated security threats ExtraHop customers can now augment their teams with the deep security domain expertise of ExtraHop analysts Midsize organisations face the same sophisticated security threats – from ransomware to insider threats – as large enterprises, but often lack the resources and security domain expertise to combat these threats at scale. With the latest offerings, ExtraHop is helping these organisations mature their security operations, keeping them focused on critical threats while aligning IT operations and security operations teams around common datasets and workflows. According to the 2019 SANS Incident Response Survey, the top two impediments to successful incident response were ‘shortage of staffing and skills’ and ‘lack of budget for tools and technology.’ With Spotlight, ExtraHop customers can now augment their teams with the deep security domain expertise of ExtraHop analysts, providing targeted education and investigation guidance for specific Reveal(x) detections, helping them maximise the value of their investment. Adding another layer of intelligence The Spotlight service also adds another layer of intelligence by leveraging visibility into the most common threats across customer environments to speed detection and scale response for multiple organisations. Midsize enterprises are subject to the same malicious activity as larger organizations" When combined with the cloud-scale machine learning of Reveal(x), this collective insight across customer environments helps customers save time and resources by surfacing only the most pressing threats. "Midsize enterprises are subject to the same malicious activity as larger organisations, but often lack the resources that help large enterprises maintain an upper hand," said Sri Sundaralingam, VP of Product and Solutions Marketing at ExtraHop. Cloud-native network detection “Competition for scarce security talent is fierce, and budget constraints often slow tool modernisation, leaving existing IT and security teams under-resourced. This new offering enables medium-sized enterprises who want to scale their business with a cloud-native network detection and response solution to efficiently cover a wide breadth of use cases.” "For 40 years, our mission has been to provide our customers with innovative solutions that reduce costs, increase productivity, and mitigate risk," said Chris Pyle, CEO at Champion Solutions Group. "As security threats become more and more sophisticated, we are seeing businesses of all sizes looking for solutions to address these security concerns. ExtraHop's expansion into the midsize enterprise will allow us to bring Reveal(x) to a whole new market." Midsize enterprise security solution The new midsize enterprise security solution will open new doors for us to expand our offerings" "At Exclusive Networks, we choose to partner with companies like ExtraHop that provide best-of-breed solutions such as Reveal(x)," said Gilbert de Rijke, New Business Director at Exclusive Networks Netherlands. "We share a joint purpose with ExtraHop to bring industry-leading network detection and response to enterprises of various sizes around the globe and the new midsize enterprise security solution will open new doors for us to expand our offerings.” Enterprise-grade threat detection "The new ExtraHop Reveal(x) subscription offering is a perfect fit for the APAC midsize enterprise market," said Dan Suto, General Manager of Managed Services at DXC Connect. "This enterprise-grade threat detection and response with complete visibility represents a huge opportunity for our go-to-market strategy with ExtraHop and our managed services clients." The ExtraHop Reveal(x) 4200 (5Gbps solution) will be available globally in March 2020. ExtraHop Spotlight service is now available in North America and will be available for specific global regions in the second half of 2020.

Rekor Systems, Inc. (‘Rekor’), a Nasdaq company focused on bringing smarter, faster, cost-competitive solutions to the worlds of public safety and customer experience, announces today it has signed a licensing agreement with SecurePark Technologies to enable the resale of Rekor's cutting edge iP360 Parking Ticket & Permit Management Software Suite. Built using cutting edge Microsoft technology, iP360 creates seamless and efficient processes for registered owner information management, adjudication management, payment integration, letter creation, and reporting. It also comes with a permit management module and can be integrated within a city's handheld enforcement devices. Violation management solution Rekor's iP360 platform is a robust parking, permit and violation management solution that our customers will benefit" SecurePark will offer Rekor's iP360 platform on a software-as-a-service (SaaS) subscription model for parking operations customers. SecurePark's customers include parking owners, operators and security companies in the United States and Canada who provide services to airports, schools, hospitals, hotels, transportation and property management (commercial, retail, residential) clients. "Rekor's iP360 platform is a robust parking, permit and violation management solution that our customers will benefit from when using with SecurePark's mobile enforcement solutions. iP360 is easy to integrate, highly scalable and the licensing supports our SaaS based subscription model, making it affordable for all budgets," said Shane Nolan, President, SecurePark. "We're excited to partner with Rekor to offer cutting-edge parking technologies to our clients across the globe." The agreement with SecurePark represents further penetration by Rekor into the parking vertical. Parking management software industry Last year it announced a licensing agreement with ParkSmart, a subsidiary of Coinamatic Canada, whose first deployment of the iP360 system is in the final stages of launching with the City of Ottawa. Once live, it will enable the city to manage and track parking tickets throughout the ticket lifecycle. All around the world, parking operations supervisors are searching for more efficient ways to manage inventory" "We are excited to announce our partnership with SecurePark, a recognised leader in the parking management software industry, and to continue our penetration of this growing vertical. All around the world, parking operations supervisors are searching for more efficient ways to manage inventory and streamline the handling of permit issuance, payments, reporting, and more," said Robert A. Berman, President and CEO, Rekor. "Rekor's iP360 is an all-inclusive solution that enables the simple management of all aspects of parking operations, from a single dashboard. The selection by two leaders in the space serves as validation that our iP360 platform is the go-to solution." Parking management solution The combination of Rekor's vehicle recognition systems with its iP360 platform creates a complete and scalable parking management solution. The system, powered by OpenALPR's state-of-the-art AI-based software, allows additional capabilities such as gate access and fixed and portable camera monitoring using whitelist features. Data captured by the system can be used to create strategies to optimise parking management and enforcement, with more efficient oversight of residential, employee, and visitor parking. The powerful, dynamic platform can be used where any type of approved permits is valid. Customers have several permit management options including applying for a new permit for property including office building garages/lots, municipal garages/lots, convention centers, hotels, or multi-purpose developments.

ISC West attendees include physical and IT security professionals; dealers, installers, integrators, end-users (from various vertical markets), law enforcement/government officials, consultants, specifiers, architects, engineers, consultants, and more. Within the ISC brand, we are continuing to diversify and grow the number of attendees by attracting international visitors, as well as encouraging physical and IT/IoT teams to visit the show together. Our VIP programme, branded the ISC Executives' Club® programme, attracts the highest level attendees who have buying power for their organisation. Members include: high level end-users from government, education, healthcare, retail, casino gaming (and other verticals), national integrators (along with their End User customers), specifying security consultants, and independent dealers/installers with open projects and decision-making power. Some examples of Executive Club clients attending this year's event are the Department of Homeland Security, Apple, Google, San Francisco 49’ers, Sephora, AirBnB, and United Airlines, just to name a few. “We are so honored to have such dedicated and influential customers in our Executive Club programme. They are among the top thought leaders of the physical/IT security industry, and we are truly grateful for their loyalty to our event brand”, said Sharon Kelley, ISC Attendee Relations Manager. The show floor The show floor has six featured areas to mirror the evolution of the converged security industry. The areas include: Public Safety, Smart Home, Connected Security, Emerging Tech, Drones & Robotics, and (new for this year) Loss Prevention & Supply Chain. The Emerging Tech and Loss Prevention & Supply Chain areas will be located in the Venetian Ballroom, along with the International VIP attendee lounge, and Venetian Ballroom Theatre, which will feature complimentary Drone & Robotics and Loss Prevention education sessions, along with the Mission 500 5k run/2k walk awards ceremony. At the show, you’ll see a new ISC re-brand that has created more identifiable segments and will assist with easier show floor navigations for attendees.The ISC Executives' Club® programme attracts the highest level attendees There is never a shortage of special events at ISC West. Below are a few you won't want to miss: Charity Events (AIREF Golf Classic, Mission 500 5k run/2k walk) Awards Ceremonies (Sammy Awards, New Product Showcase Awards) Industry parties (SIA Market Leaders Reception, ISC West Customer Appreciation Party at TAO). These events are designed to enable attendees and exhibitors network with peers and forge new connections. Visit the ISC website for a list of all our Special Events taking place. Women in security SIA Women in Security Forum is thrilled to be hosting the second annual breakfast at ISC West In addition, the SIA Women in Security Forum is thrilled to be hosting the second annual breakfast at ISC West. “It’s great to see the security industry embrace this initiative and we hope signature events like this will continue to raise awareness of the importance of gender diversity as a competitive differentiator” states Kim Landgraf, SIA Liaison for the Women in Security Forum. This year’s breakfast will feature keynote speaker, Jaime Paris Boisvert, GM for Siemens Smart City Infrastructure.  Jaime will share her insights on leading strategy, sales, and operations whilst working closely with clients to deliver solutions that optimise buildings and infrastructure by improving energy efficiency, comfort, safety, and security. Looking beyond ISC West this March, the ISC Security Events portfolio for 2020 also includes the Expo Seguridad event in Mexico City in April, ISC Brazil in Sao Paulo in June, and ISC East in New York City in November (co-located with Infosecurity North America). 

How can security system integrators not just survive but thrive in today’s IT-led market? The key seems to be in training. As increasingly more clients look to integrate access control with IT environments, they want integrators with the specialist skills to achieve this. For integrators that don’t invest in training, the risk is being left behind. Because many security system integrators aren’t providing specialist IT support, manufacturers are now offering services to make implementations and integrations easier. This isn’t a scalable or desirable option for many manufacturers though, they don’t want to become integrators. The result? Manufacturers will be pushed into developing products that can be integrated with IT networks off the shelf. And this isn’t necessarily the best option for end user, manufacturer or integrator. With a growing number of cloud-based security solutions, integrators also face the threat of clients opting for installation-only services. How security system integrators can survive and thrive today It’s not all doom and gloom for security system integrators though. To avoid becoming redundant, or being downgraded to simple access control installers, there’s lots you can do to strengthen your position. Listen carefully Many integrators are reluctant to do this, but it’s a great way to demonstrate the depth of your experienceOne of the first ways you can distinguish yourself from your competitors is by really listening to what your clients want and need. You can then translate this into a security or access control application tailored carefully to them. Many integrators are reluctant to do this, but it’s a great way to demonstrate the depth of your experience and product knowledge. It’s far superior to carrying out a standard implementation, which can leave clients feeling they’ve not been listened to or given good value. Up your IT knowledge TCP/IP has become the standard for communication between devices and central server applications in access control and security in general. So every technician now needs to know how to connect IP devices to networks and configure them in the central application. This is only the tip of the iceberg though, there’s so much more that integrators now need to be proficient in when it comes to IT. From understanding a client’s WAN, LAN and VPN networks to back-up systems, encryption technologies, key management and transparent communication. It’s also important to know how to integrate applications at server level, whether you’re integrating two or more security systems or a HR database. Most integrators have begun to invest in one or two IT experts, but this usually isn’t enough to meet clients’ needs. To really stay ahead, it’s crucial to invest more heavily in IT training and expertise. Choose your portfolio carefully When considering your portfolio, ensure you check the background of each product’s manufacturer Ideally, your portfolio should be small but rich, which is more difficult than it sounds. Choosing products that will scale easily is complex, and you need to consider the potential for increased functionality or connectivity as well as scalability. When considering your portfolio, make sure you check the background and outlook of each product’s manufacturer. You don’t want to select items that are likely to be discontinued in the near future, which can often happen after a manufacturer is acquired, for example. Get in the cloud In the security market, the mid and low segments are already shifting to cloud-based solutions that need neither integration nor IT skills. This leaves you with opportunities for just installation and maintenance services, where profit opportunities are reduced. An alternative is to begin selling cloud-based security services yourself to help you attract and retain clients for the long-term. Give clients added commercial value As competition increases and budgets shrink, offering added value, to new and existing clients, is a vital way to differentiate your business. This will help you to not just defend against competitors but to grow your business and increase your profitability. Configuring access control reports for clients is just one example. It’s relatively straightforward to do but provides really valuable insight into visitor flow. This can then enable them to, for example, staff reception adequately and provide sufficient catering, which all improves the experience for visitors and employees. Providing this kind of consultative service, instantly pushes you up the value chain. Stay agile and well informed To survive and grow as a security system integrator today, the upshot is that it’s crucial to keep pace with the market’s ever-changing trends, technology and client needs. And, to make sure you’re ready to adapt and give clients the services they want, it’s vital to give your people the in-depth training they need.

Security managers, installers and integrators look into a wide variety of factors when selecting a remote video monitoring receiving centre to provide continued real-time surveillance of their sites. But there’s one factor which isn’t often taken into consideration, when it really should be. That’s the welfare of the CCTV operators who are tasked with responding to alarms and ensuring on-site incidents are dealt with appropriately. The fact is, in most UK monitoring centres those operators are working extremely long hours: typically 12-hour shifts, often four days in a row. The cumulative effect of that regular extreme shift pattern can be a level of fatigue which is detrimental to the performance of the operators, as well as to their own physical health and mental wellbeing. The result is a reduction in effectiveness of client video security systems. If the operators are compromised when it comes to clear decision-making, the entire monitoring operation suffers. The central aspects of concentration and alertness I’ve worked in monitoring centres for most of my adult life, starting just out of school. When I had the opportunity to begin my own CCTV and security alarm most In UK monitoring centres, those operators are working extremely long hours: typically 12-hour shifts, often four days in a rowmonitoring centre with my business partner Andy Saile, we were clear that operator welfare was a priority. After all, the operator’s job is literally to be alert and responsive, so why would we want to do anything to detract from that? That’s certainly not the case at all remote monitoring centres, though. The vast majority follow the 12-hour shift template, usually in four days on, four off patterns. Anyone who has done any job knows that at the end of a 12-hour shift, fatigue kicks in, and the ability to focus diminishes. That’s particularly the case in roles where concentration and alertness are central to the job. For a CCTV operator in a monitoring centre, fatigue starts to affect the ability to work effectively during the stretch between 9 and 12 hours. That’s the danger period. If an operator misses a criminal incident because of fatigue, that means the security system the client is relying on is not working. The operator is the link between the technology and the police. They are a key component of the whole system.   If an operator misses a criminal incident because of fatigue, that means the security system the client is relying on is not working Government guidance After working in remote video monitoring centres and experiencing what we considered both good and bad practice, when Andy and I established our business, we were clear that our operators would work in shifts that were no longer than nine hours at most. This delivers the best results for our customers and our staff. Our feeling was backed up by UK government guidance on designing CCTV control rooms. The Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure has produced a detailed publication called 'Human factors in CCTV control rooms: A best practice guide'. This publication says: “12-hour shifts, although common in many settings, rIf the operators are compromised when it comes to clear decision-making, the entire monitoring operation suffersepresent a greater risk to health and performance than 8 hour shifts in terms of higher perceptions of workload, fatigue and stress, risk of more errors and accidents, and higher health risks.” Negative impacts on health and wellbeing It further says: “Research confirms that the interruption of circadian rhythms (the 24 hour natural bodily cycle) by shift work can have a negative impact on both general wellbeing and physical health (short and long term), as well as on performance due to general fatigue (i.e. an increased likelihood of errors). Shift-patterns are often designed to meet commercial and operational requirements, but serious consideration should be given to minimising negative effects on health and well-being by the use of appropriate shift patterns.” The majority of our shifts cover seven or eight hours, and our operators never work more than four in a row. That allows for an average of three or four days between each batch of shifts. The idea is to avoid running staff into the ground, and that in turn makes our company more efficient and effective in the service of our clients. We’ve seen the results in practice: our operators only took four sick days in the past year. That’s four sick days in total, not per operator. It’s a CCTV operators have intense jobs, responsible for monitoring and responding to CCTV and intruder alarm events from commercial and domestic propertiesremarkably low figure in the remote video monitoring industry. Full readiness CCTV operators have intense jobs, responsible for monitoring and responding to CCTV and intruder alarm events from commercial and domestic properties. They liaise with the police, the customer keyholder, end users and any relevant authorities as required. Our customers are equipped with both cameras and motion sensors, which generate alarms on movement. When a movement in a specified zone occurs, the alarm is raised directly with the operator responsible for that site. The response differs from customer to customer depending on their own protocols. If there are dome cameras in place, for instance, they can be utilised to provide additional situational awareness. Escalating risks Traditional intruder alarm monitoring centres required the operator to react to an alarm by calling a keyholder, who would then respond to the incident. But remote monitoring requires concentration, focus, and deductive skills. The information required to make an informed decision isn’t immediately obvious – the The operator must be able to snap to full focus at any point over the course of their shift, and it’s tiringoperator must work out what has moved and establish its cause. There’s no one to provide extra detail. The operator’s art is in working out for themselves what is relevant information in a scene and what isn’t. That requires their full attention. When operators work four days of 12-hour shifts in a row, risks escalate as a result. The risk that the wrong decision can be made. The risk that customers or police are not notified when they should be. There is a real-world cost associated with those decisions. The operator must be able to snap to full focus at any point over the course of their shift, and it’s tiring, whether there’s an incident to respond to or whether the operator is simply prepared to act. Operator skills are diluted if their shift patterns are not considered. Why would you hire someone based on their skillset, and then work them into the ground until they’re too tired to execute those skills? Choosing a monitoring centre Security systems and modern technology are crucial ingredients in protecting people and property, but they also require interpretation. A CCTV operator is an Security systems and modern technology are crucial ingredients in protecting people and property, but they also require interpretationinvestigator and a conduit, bridging the divide between images, alarms and authorities, be they police, security guarding operations or keyholders. To run them into the ground is to diminish their ability to make intelligent decisions. It makes sense, then, to opt to work with a monitoring centre which puts the welfare of its operators at the forefront of its business. Start by asking your prospective RVRC about their shift patterns. A monitoring centre with respected and happy staff is a monitoring centre best able to provide a fully effective service, optimising your security systems and maximising your investment.

Across the security industry, power supplies are too often an afterthought and the first item in an access control system to be value-engineered. However, when the power supply fails on a high-end access control device, the system becomes a very expensive paperweight. Fortunately, there are now power supply units available that can enhance system reliability by providing remote diagnostics and real-time reporting and analytics. There is also a mistaken perception that all power supplies are the same, says David Corbin, Director of ASSA ABLOY’S Power Management Strategic Business Unit. Access control and security applications Power supplies today are more important than ever for access control and security applications The fact is, a properly designed unit for today’s market must have a wide input range, a myriad of features, interface to network, have adequate transient protection, good surge capability and a demonstrated quality level for mission critical reliability, he says. “Power supplies today are more important than ever for access control and security applications,” says Corbin. “From heavy snowstorms in the Midwest and East Coast to the two million Californians that experienced unprecedented power outages, extreme weather conditions have created chaos for millions over the past few months. These events have resulted in students being locked out of schools, hospitals darkening and electronic keypads or card readers shutting down. With events like these on the rise, and an increased reliance on the technology we use to get in and out of the spaces we occupy, power supplies are critical for keeping systems up and running and people safe and secure.” ASSA ABLOY's LifeSafety Power’s FPO Intelligent Power Supplies and Helix Redundant Power Systems Installing right power supplies ASSA ABLOY has a range of products within the power supplies category, including LifeSafety Power’s FPO Intelligent Power Supplies and Helix Redundant Power Systems. ASSA ABLOY’s acquisition of LifeSafety Power in September expanded the company’s offering of smart integrated access control power solutions for OEMs, integrators and end-users. Other ASSA ABLOY power supply products include Securitron AQ Series Switching Power Supplies, and eco-friendly, linear, plug-in and solar power supplies, as well as Power over Ethernet (PoE). Access control is crucial to security and life safety, says Corbin. And without power, any protective system is useless. When the right power supplies are installed correctly, the system will have built-in backup power that will be triggered during an outage. Dependable power supplies, with regularly replaced and appropriately sized backup batteries, are critical to keeping occupants safe in an emergency event. Other ASSA ABLOY power supply products include Securitron AQ Series Switching Power Supplies Periodic testing of the battery When it comes to extreme weather conditions, the result of a power outage can lead to hazardous situations for employees, patients, residents and students, he says. Buildings that require power to gain access can leave people stranded outside or locked inside. “When access controls are disabled, intruders can easily enter buildings without notice, affording the opportunity for interruptions to power distribution, water supplies and other necessary public utilities,” says Corbin. Preparation for the next big power outage should include the sizing of power supplies to the system requirement with a reasonable safety factor for foreseeable system expansion and a battery set that is sized for operating the system for a period of time greater than the planned requirement, he says. Using a ‘smart’ power supply provides early warning of an impending failure; and consistent, periodic testing of the battery set keeps the system in peak operating condition. Predictive maintenance of access control Predictive analytics and data harvesting can help with predictive maintenance of access control Redundancy ensures that power remains available in the event of a failure, regardless of whether it is a blackout situation or a failure of the power supply itself, says Corbin. “In critical power installations where redundancy is vital, the system must have a properly sized and maintained backup battery,” says Corbin. “Additionally, further redundancy can be achieved via products like our Helix systems that provide for seamless switching between two different power supplies in the event of an electrical failure of one of the power supplies.” Corbin also notes there is a growing want and need for more data and analytics in the access control field. End users increasingly expect access control systems to be able to integrate with building information systems. Predictive analytics and data harvesting can help with predictive maintenance of access control and building systems. For example, intelligent power supplies can identify problems before they happen – such as performing periodic, automated battery tests and then notifying a central monitoring location and/or a facility manager of a battery that needs replacement. Lock operation can also be monitored on a real-time basis for failure or impending failure of a secured door opening, he says.

Penetration testing of physical security systems is used to evaluate if a company’s security measures operate as intended. From a technology angle, penetration testing (pen testing) assesses whether the totality of the systems operate as designed, rather than testing each individual component. Does the system work with the officers, the policy and procedures that are in place? A session at ISC East, Nov. 20 in New York, will address the need for and benefits of penetration testing (also known as red teaming). The session, titled “We Sneak into High Security Buildings and Get Paid for It”, will be presented by Michael Glasser, President, Glasser Security Group. He has two decades of experience providing security design strategic planning, implementation oversight, auditing and penetration testing.   “Penetration testing determines whether people and systems are providing the protection you think they are,” says Glasser. Various system components should come together into a solution that works for the client.  People, technology and architecture are all components of successful security systems. His motto: “Stop guessing and starting testing". Test-driving security systems “You can compare it to driving a car,” says Glasser. “You want to be sure the brakes work and the engine works, but then somebody has to test-drive the car.” Stop guessing and starting testing" The concept of penetration testing goes back to the Cold War, when the military had “Red Teams” and "Blue Teams”, competing squads that used their skills to imitate attack techniques enemies might use. More recently, the term “pen testing” has become common in the cybersecurity industry, often referring to “white hat” hackers that test the effectiveness of cybersecurity measures. Applying the concept to physical security in corporate America brings the concept full circle. “People think their controls work, but they realize they really need to see if it all works together,” says Glasser. Pen testing in corporate America “You can go to any military base or nuclear power site and you see pen testing,” says Glasser. “But often it doesn’t happen in corporate America.”  Sometimes physical pen testing is approached as an extension of cybersecurity testing because addressing physical threats is an element in cybersecurity, too. “It’s the same service, except to make sure the physical house is in order,” says Glasser. Glasser’s session will be among the SIA Education@ISC East presentations scheduled at the education theaters on the show floor at ISC East, Nov. 20-21 at the Javits Center in New York. The process If you believe the movies, Glasser’s job is all fun and excitement, like a “bunch of kids having fun”. The reality is more mundane, he says. “People think it’s fun, but it’s work, not fun.” The process is front-loaded with weeks of research and surveillance to determine possible vulnerabilities before attempting a break-in. Research is based on threat modelling: What is a company worried about? Who is the bad guy? What do they want to do? What are the threats? The process is front-loaded with weeks of research and surveillance to determine possible vulnerabilities Among other tools, Glasser uses Open Source Intelligence (OINT), which is collection and analysis of information gathered from public, open sources, such as media, the Internet, public government data, etc. Glasser comes from a physical security industry family – both his mother and father were employed in the security industry – and he attended his first ISC East show in the 1990s when he was 11 years old. As a security consultant and security expert witness for more than 20 years, he has previously spoken at GSX and various ASIS International events. 

The success of smart homes began with professional security providers offering bundled packages, focused mostly on security monitoring. However, due to the cost of professional contracts, consumers began to embrace the do-it-yourself (DIY) approach. Despite the challenges and opportunities that come with professional and DIY approaches, the momentum of smart home growth depends on these two approaches working symbiotically. Smart home systems In 2017, there were about 122 million smart home devices shipped globally, according to IHS Markit. The retail channel represented about 62 percent of all device shipments in 2017 and will represent about 70 percent in 2021. Despite the increased demand for professional installation, the “do-it-for-me” approach, most the volume remains with ad-hoc purchases. This includes a consumer video camera or a smart thermostat purchase from a retailer. Data capture form to appear here! When a consumer wants to add devices to an existing professionally installed system, they often will buy products from retail. Flexible service offerings and pricing are already taking shape across smart home offerings. DIY installed smart home systems such as Scout Alarm already offer no contract monitoring. Professional monitoring companies are already offering no contract pricing, and providers such as Comcast are looking to pilot programs for just video monitoring, bundled with Internet for a low monthly fee. Home automation system Connected smart locks can actually act as an extension of a smart hub or controller Options for financing are also going to become commonplace. Smart home equipment is expensive, even when attempting to outfit a modest size home (2,500 square feet). Immediate access to services is becoming more critical. This means consumers should be able to access on-demand service options directly from a mobile device to activate or deactivate professional monitoring. Lastly, pricing still needs to come down for many smart home devices, but there is a threshold. For example, the sale of wireless, connected smart locks (viewed by some consumers as DIY) can lead to opportunities for further home automation product sales and professional installations. Connected smart locks can actually act as an extension of a smart hub or controller. They can be used to communicate wirelessly with and control all the devices that make up a home automation system, including lighting, entertainment, thermostats, air, alarms, shades and more. Residential security According to a 2018 Residential Security Market Report prepared by Parks Associates, “More than 60% of installing dealers now report that DIY systems are biting into demand for their services.” But the rise in DIY is not entirely bad news for security and home automation installers and dealers. There are a number of ways to view this glass as half-full. For example, with their lower cost and perceived ease of installation, DIY products have broken down barriers for additional purchases. There are reasons for dealers and installers to be cheerful about the rise of DIY. For one thing, according to that same Residential Security Market Report from Parks Associates, residential security dealers are doing quite well. The report states, “In 2017, revenues were up an average 7.72% for security dealers.” Full-time monitoring DIY products have broken down barriers for additional purchase and installation of professionally installed systems What about installations? The report goes on to say, “For 2017, the average number of installs per dealer was 22 per month, compared to 17 per month in 2016.” So, revenues are up for security dealers, and at least part of the reason can be attributed to the fact that DIY products can raise overall awareness of and spur interest in other home automation and security products. With their lower cost and perceived ease of installation, DIY products have actually broken down barriers for the additional purchase, and installation, of complete, professionally installed systems. Instead of paying for monthly monitoring, homeowners can install a web cam, access from a smartphone or tablet and essentially do their own security monitoring. The downside of this approach is readily apparent. Without full-time monitoring, homeowners can easily miss the break-in or the aged parent who falls and can’t get up. Near-field communication Until they log on and take a look, there’s no central station to send medical aid or call the police. Connecting door locks and other devices to the Internet can also open a door to hackers, if the infrastructure isn’t properly protected. The areas of consumer electronics and security are closely intertwined. For example, Apple recently expanded near-field communication (NFC) support to include the NDEF (NFC Data Exchange Format), which will likely accelerate the adoption of smartphones for access control credentialing. In another recent development, Amazon acquired Blink, a home security camera startup that offers wireless home security systems. The acquisition aligns with Amazon’s effort to offer more home devices. 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. Traditional security features 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 that 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. Missed part one of our smart home mini series? Read it here.

Navata Road Transport, a road logistics service provider, established in the year 1982, by founder Late Parvataneni Subhas Chandra Bose, now occupies a place of pride among the leading Road Transport Organisations in South India. Navata is spread across a network of 672 branches across India. Warehouses and distribution centers are an integral part of a hub and spoke operations at Navata. HR people at the Navata Road Transport had to manage and do manual work for time-attendance and overtime data. With manual work, data are prone to error. With error-prone data, it was difficult for them to proceed for salary payment. Not only this, but centralised monitoring of time-attendance data of employees of 20 locations across Andhra Pradesh was a difficult task for them. Time-attendance systems As they already had their inhouse application, communication/integration of the time-attendance devices with that inhouse application was the biggest question for them. To communicate with the Linux Server and devices, they required a third party application interface which was not feasible. Established in 1991, Matrix is a provider of Security and Telecom solutions for modern businesses and enterprises. Matrix Door Controller comes with built-in API for system integration As an innovative, technology driven and customer focused organisation, the company is committed to keeping pace with the revolutions in the Security and Telecom industries. With around 40% of its human resources dedicated to the development of new products, Matrix has launched cutting-edge products like Video Surveillance Systems - Video Management System, Network Video Recorder and IP Camera, Access Control and Time-Attendance systems as well as Telecom solutions such as Unified Communications, IP-PBX, Universal Gateways, VoIP and GSM Gateways and Communication Endpoints. Built-in API for system integration These solutions are feature-rich, reliable and conform to international standards. Having global footprints in Asia, Europe, North America, South America, and Africa through an extensive network of more than 2,500 channel partners, Matrix ensures that the products serve the needs of its customers faster and longer. Matrix has gained trust and admiration of customers representing the entire spectrum of industries. Matrix has won many international awards for its innovative products. With extensive analysis of the existing system and Navata’s requirements, Matrix came up with the solution to provide Door Controllers. Matrix Door Controller comes with built-in API for system integration. It directly pushes all the entry and exit records to the company’s Linux server. In addition to that, the customer can command and control the devices now through the inhouse Attendance Management and Payroll Application which was not possible earlier. Additional dedicated server Elimination of the errors has been possible in the data of Time-Attendance and overtime So, there is no requirement of any additional dedicated server for the interface with Matrix’s Door Controllers. Ultimately, these Door Controllers have overcome the challenge of communication with the company’s Linux server. By overcoming the challenges of the entire system, the customer enhanced the productivity of the employees and can effectively use the resources.  After acquiring the solution from Matrix Comsec, Navata got the efficiency in Time-Attendance management. Elimination of the errors has been possible in the data of Time-Attendance and overtime. Now, employees get an accurate and timely salary at Navata Road Transport after the atomisation of Time-Attendance record and calculation. This increased the productivity of the employees because of the accurate data. This also made the HR work smooth and hassle free. Through live monitoring, centralised control of all the 20 sites has been taken. Reduces installation and maintenance cost Product Offered: COSEC DOOR FOT A Door Controller with higher storage capacity and touch sense keypad. It identifies the user in less than one second. With multiple connectivity options like 3G/4G/LTE it gives flexibilities with the customer’s existing system and therefore, reduces installation and maintenance cost.

The UK railway industry has set out its plans for the future of the rail sector, including completion of major projects, clean air policies and a long-term plan for infrastructure renewals and enhancements. With more investment and commitment predicted for the industry, Andy Hewitt, Product Manager for ASSA ABLOY High Security and Safety Group, Rail Products, looks at what is needed to supply the best products and solutions for rail projects. As a Group we have been supplying security and safety solutions to the rail sector for over 100 years and as such we’re aware of the many complexities involved specifying products for rail projects, which are very different to securing a building. Rail Standards for Safety Critical Items Any locking systems or safety products supplied to the railway industry are classed as ‘safety critical’ items Considerations around ease of use, product quality and wider issues around supplying on-scale and on-time all impact on a project’s delivery, but ultimately safety and security must be the key consideration. Any locking systems or safety products supplied to the railway industry are classed as ‘safety critical’ items and therefore must conform to specific Rail Standards for Safety Critical Items. In addition, the company supplying these products must be accredited as a safety critical supplier by an independent body. ASSA ABLOY High Security and Safety Group (previously Pickersgill - Kaye) was one of the first companies to be accredited back in 1994 and has remained an accredited supplier ever since. Products supplied for use on rolling stock is by, its very nature safety critical, securing doors that are used daily by the rail users must operate reliably and safely. Security, access and safety needs ASSA ABLOY products are not only supported by the exacting requirements of industry standards but are also backed up by years of experience gained working within the industry and having a detailed knowledge of changes to legislation put in place to protect both the public and the experienced rail staff. The security, access and safety needs on the UK’s railways is constantly changing and therefore products and solutions must continually adapt to meet these needs.  Locking systems in particular are subject to high usage and the dynamics of a moving train, shock and vibration at speeds of up to 140 mph, this must be taken into consideration when designing products for this sector. Prototype locking system An example of how this has developed is in the change from traditional slam door trains where the door could be, and sometimes was, opened when the train was moving at speed, to the replacement of all slam doors with power operated doors. These doors cannot be opened unless the train is stationary and only then when the guard or driver allows. The Group has designed and fitted a prototype locking system that reduces the chances of fingers becoming trapped Another development High Security and Safety Group has been working on is the enhanced safety of Diesel Locomotive driver doors, where previously fingers being trapped was a concern, the new design has significantly reduced this. The Group has designed, manufactured and fitted a prototype locking system that drastically reduces the chances of fingers becoming trapped. The prototype is now in-service undergoing assessment, not only by train drivers, but by the locomotive operators’ safety representatives and the train drivers’ unions. Safety and security Investment is continuing into the UK railway network, whether that’s on large-scale projects like HS2 or enhancements to existing systems. The products and solutions which ensure the safety and security on these projects, must not only adhere to the relevant safety requirements but should come from suppliers with an established heritage and understanding of the sector. ASSA ABLOY High Security and Safety Group is committed to innovation and quality across all its railway solutions.

Recently, Planet Fitness, with the help of their preferred system integrator Adirondack Direct, incorporated a video surveillance solution from Hanwha Techwin and Genetec that not only enhances security, but also improves operations. When leadership evaluated security at their 70-plus corporate run locations a few years ago, they chose to incorporate a video surveillance solution that would address security needs and would be advanced enough to help with management and operations.  Each of Planet Fitness’ corporate-owned clubs throughout North America is outfitted with approximately eight to 15 video cameras that provide around the clock coverage of the parking lot, lobby, break room, the fitness area where members workout and other key areas – without invading private areas, such as locker rooms and other intimate spaces. After issuing a Request for Proposal, Planet Fitness Senior Vice President of Corporate Club Operations Jim Esposito said they tested several of the leading camera and video management software (VMS) solutions, but ultimately decided on Hanwha video surveillance cameras managed by the Genetec Security Center platform. Esposito said they wanted to use Hanwha’s 360-degree cameras in particular because they provide more coverage, yet they save in hardware expenses because fewer cameras are needed. 360-degree fisheye camera Hanwha’s SNF-8010 5 MP 360-degree fisheye camera provides 5MP at 20FPS which captures smoother video at a higher framerate with true day and night function. Built-in on-camera de-warping allows instant access to PTZ, quad view, and panorama views. Alarm triggers for the Hanwha SNF-8010 include intelligent motion detection, audio detection, tampering detection, alarm input and network disconnection.Adirondack Direct also offers a 24-hour monitoring service and liaisons with law enforcement when needed A typical system setup at Planet Fitness includes placing cameras 25 feet from the wall and 50 feet apart which provides almost 2,000 square feet of coverage per camera. Club managers, regional managers and corporate employees manage the system via the Genetec Security Center which provides convenient bookmarks of recorded incidents so that – instead of time spent searching through video – events are already tagged. Adirondack Direct also offers a 24-hour monitoring service and liaisons with law enforcement when needed. “We knew that Planet Fitness would need thousands of video surveillance cameras for this project and it’s very important to consider reliability and functionality as well as durability,” said Adirondack Direct Director of Security and Technology, Tim Collins. “Hanwha has the lowest customer return number and that means that they manufacture products that aren’t sidelined by constant replacement and repairs.” Collins said Adirondack Direct has long recommended Genetec’s Security Center for video surveillance management because it provides the best open-architecture platform, robust features and is easy to use. Security Center blends IP security systems within a single intuitive interface to simplify operations and empowers organisations through enhanced situational awareness, unified command and control and connectivity to the cloud. When a Lunk Alarm is pressed, Genetec’s Security Center creates a bookmark of the event which provides video evidence of what preceded the alarm and how it was managed Business intelligence  While the Hanwha-Genetec solution has provided an excellent security system – as well as protection against liability for slip and fall incidents – it’s also improved operations in multiple ways by providing invaluable business intelligence, said Esposito. Planet Fitness has a judgement-free environment for individuals who want to work out, but don’t want to have to endure the negatives so often found in gyms: loud grunts, the clanging of dropped weights and aggressive behavior. Anyone engaging in obnoxious behavior will likely be the recipient of a Lunk Alarm and the flashing lights, sirens and unwanted attention that accompanies it.Use of the Lunk Alarm – or lack of use – can be an indicator of how the club is operating Use of the Lunk Alarm – or lack of use – can be an indicator of how the club is operating. In order to monitor and evaluate use of the Lunk Alarms, Adirondack Direct has integrated the Lunk Alarm into the Hanwha-Gentec video solution. When a Lunk Alarm is pressed, Genetec’s Security Center creates a bookmark of the event which provides video evidence of what preceded the alarm and how it was managed. Potential medical emergencies Gyms typically have automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in the event a member suffers a medical emergency. At Planet Fitness facilities outfitted with the Hanwha-Genetec solution, once an AED is removed from its cabinet, a sensor is activated to shut off the music in the club to provide a calmer atmosphere. The system also creates a bookmark in the VMS and notifies managers and regional managers that an AED has been deployed. The Hanwha-Genetec Planet Fitness solution also provides key employee analysis that can help managers identify areas of improvement. Each facility has rubber floors that must be cleaned daily and Adirondack Direct has placed a sensor on a floor scrubber that creates a bookmark and recording in Security Center when the device is moved. Video evidence verifies whether the floor was actually cleaned or if the scrubber was just relocated. Break room sensors Each break room is outfitted with a sensor that creates a video bookmark every time the door is opened. If an employee visits too often, Planet Fitness management can reorient that employee on the proper policies and procedures. For day to day efficiencies, video analytics can be a valuable tool. If an employee is constantly leaving the front desk to go to a storage closet for a particular item, they can make changes including moving the item closer to the front desk. “If during an overnight shift the camera indicates that there was no motion at the front desk for a prolonged period of time, then that’s a problem,” said Esposito. “We expect someone to be in that position greeting and welcoming members so if someone isn’t there, the video can help us understand why.”If an employee visits the break room too often, Planet Fitness management can reorient that employee on the proper policies and procedures A big question for Planet Fitness – that can be answered via video analytics – is have they been losing sales opportunities without realising it? “What we’re exploring now is a virtual line that counts the number of people that come and go in the club,” said Esposito. “We know how many people check in. So, if a club checks in 500 people in a day, but there are 600 people that enter the door, that can be lost revenue.” Esposito said they chose Hanwha cameras and the Genetec platform because they knew that they needed a solution that was at the forefront of technology, with the flexibility to grow with them and meet their future needs. He added the solution delivers a safe environment that is appreciate by everyone. “It’s somewhat of a security blanket for our members and employees,” he said. “They appreciate our no intimidation mantra and the fact that we have created this safe and secure environment that offers a judgement free zone where people can do their own thing.”

C-TEC’s powerful new Quantec Surveyor2 Cloud-based data management software has been installed at Croft House Care Home in Yorkshire. With its capacity to generate reports on busiest shifts, call response times, most frequently visited rooms and more, the owners and managers of the facility, Victoria and Giles Bateman say that Surveyor2 has revolutionised operations at their family-run residential care home, recently rated outstanding in care by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Covering different time periods Said Victoria Bateman: “Providing outstanding care is fundamental to our core values and we are constantly asking for feedback from our residents. One area we identified as being vital to our residents feeling safe in their environment is their use of our Quantec addressable call system. The ability to make a call to a carer for help and be responded to in a timely fashion is very important to them and therefore very important to us too.” We’ve been able to monitor and analyse the use of our call system on a daily, weekly and monthly basis" “Since Surveyor2 was installed, we’ve been able to monitor and analyse the use of our call system on a daily, weekly and monthly basis. We can print a variety of reports, covering different time periods, so we can see which of our 29 residents are calling, at what times of the day and, most importantly, our response times to those calls. We can also see, via the user dashboard, all live call system activity so we are aware of any potential issues before they become a problem.” Secure cloud-based system “Minimum and maximum response times have been set for each type of call, via the KPI (Key Performance Indicator) settings facility, to allow us to pinpoint where we need extra staff at busy times or identify areas where further training is required. We can also see which residents require more time, again allowing us to plan and allocate staff in the most effective way.” “Reports highlighting how often individual residents call has helped us identify times when they feel more anxious and we have been able to address those concerns.” A secure Cloud-based system, Surveyor2 also allows email notifications to be sent to Croft House’s management team so they can monitor response times when not on site. Recognising areas of improvement As the system has remote access capabilities and displays ‘real-time’, call, reset and room occupancy information, the senior member of staff on shift can view the status of all current calls and respond accordingly if a call is taking too long to be answered. Our staff are all aware that we monitor response times and that they are accountable for their actions" Says Giles Bateman: “Our staff are all aware that we monitor response times and that they are accountable for their actions. Teams and different shifts are rewarded for excellent response times and areas of improvement recognised. Overall the system allows us to feel confident that our residents are receiving timely help when they ask for it.” Easy-to-use addressable call system Says Kelly Flaherty, Deputy Manager at the home: “Surveyor2 has proved invaluable to us in reassuring patients, their relatives and regulatory authorities that we are delivering the highest standards of care and, during future inspections, will provide vital evidence that we are responsive, effective and caring, that all our residents are safe and that our facility is extremely well led and organised.” Surveyor2 is designed to work with Quantec, C-TEC’s powerful yet easy-to-use addressable call system. With its flexible call routing, multiple call levels and laptop programmable systems controller, the system can be tailored to suit the exact operational needs of any building.

DHL Express is the global provider of international shipping and courier delivery services, and has a major market share of express logistics in the Middle East with a strong customer base in Saudi Arabia. DHL Express has facilities at all the major airports and in most of cites in Saudi Arabia and the fastest clearance in KSA when compared to its competition. Saudi Arabia is one of DHL’s key markets and the delivery firm strives to be close to its customers here. But with facilities spread across the Kingdom, DHL faced issues in securing its critical assets. Particularly in terms of preventing unauthorised access to critical operational sites; unauthorised access for employees and contractors outside working hours; and unauthorised vehicle access to its warehouse facilities and receiving and responding to critical alarms. Intrusion detection Nedap’s AEOS access control and intrusion detection system was selected as the ideal solution One of DHL’s main aims was to switch to a new security system that would support all the latest access control and intrusion detection features, meet its business requirements and use its existing investments effectively Nedap’s AEOS access control and intrusion detection system, integrated with the Milestone VMS system, was selected as the ideal solution. AEOS is based on an open architecture, and offers flexible integration. So DHL was able to quickly implement its new access control and security system while retaining the investments it had made in existing readers and cards. RFID identifiers After using Nedap’s AEOS access control and intrusion detection system in one of the airport facilities, DHL decided to extend its use across the Kingdom. This set a roadmap for unifying all its facilities under the same access control and intrusion system. And ultimately, gave DHL the opportunity and flexibility to use the same cards across all its facilities. Nedap was able to provide secure, convenient access for DHL’s people and vehicles using RFID identifiers Through AEOS, Nedap was able to provide secure, convenient access for DHL’s people and vehicles using RFID identifiers. With the intrusion alarm system activated to restrict access during non-operational hours, unauthorised access to DHL’s operational sites has been prevented. And integrating AEOS with Milestone’s CCTV Video Management system has enabled DHL to receive graphical alarms on video walls. It’s also allowed it to view all related video footage associated with each alarm or event. SecuTronic, based in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, implemented the project successfully and efficiently. Flexible access control platform AEOS, secured and flexible access control platform has helped DHL Saudi Arabia to protect all its facilities, with access control and intrusion alarms, from one centralised control room. All the service points are equipped with a burglar alarm system and an enterprise-level access control platform connects all its sites across the country. AEOS has helped DHL to address all the security challenges it faced in Saudi Arabia and stay ahead of them, winning the trust of the customers by ensuring their shipments are secure. In addressing its security and operational challenges, DHL Saudi Arabia has been able to meet every TAPA (Transported Asset Protection Association) regulation. And by implementing such a secure monitoring system, it’s positioning itself as the last-mile fulfilment giant in the Middle East region.

The campus site near Aix-en-Provence is diverse, with offices, event spaces, kitchens and two accommodation blocks totalling 170 units. The Camp must remain open around the clock, all week, while maintaining security for staff and visitors. Aperio provided locking devices tailored to every door type — interior and exterior. So far, The Camp has integrated 221 Aperio Wireless Escutcheons, 42 Aperio Wireless Cylinders and 10 Aperio Wireless Handles within a TIL Technologies security system. Integrated online with the central system and controlled from the same interface, these Aperio devices effortlessly handle daily staff traffic of around 250 people. Meeting rooms, server rooms, living spaces and kitchens are secured with Aperio wireless locks. Up to 2,000 external visitors arrive on-site when The Camp stages an event — and each must also have credentials issued and access filtered through the site. Aperio makes it straightforward to enable visitor access. Real-time and future-proofed “Many credentials get lost and Aperio enables us to handle this efficiently,” says Benjamin Ciotto, Head of Information Technology at The Camp. Online mode is very important because [access] rights are very often updated for the constantly shifting campus population" A few clicks are all it takes to cancel a lost key-card and issue a replacement. Security staff at The Camp ensures only authorised users to enter offices where expensive video projectors and screens are stored. Their TIL integration enables real-time management of the whole site, with specific profiles created to segment individuals who need fine-grained access to specific areas. “Online mode is very important because [access] rights are very often updated for the constantly shifting campus population,” explains Benjamin Ciotto. “We can also program access to defined time slots, which is essential when we welcome 200 people for an all-day meeting, for example.” Environmental Product Declarations Aperio technology also met The Camp’s need for an aesthetically pleasing, wireless solution. They did not want to compromise their interior or exterior design. The Aperio product ecosystem’s sustainability performance also fits The Camp’s ethos. Because Aperio devices are wireless and battery powered, they are much more energy efficient than traditional wired locking systems, which require an “always-on” mains connection. Multiple Aperio devices have independently assessed Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs). These detail the footprint of each device through its full life-cycle, from production to disposal. “Aperio is a real comfort of use,” Benjamin Ciotto concludes. “And we handle the easy maintenance for ourselves.”

“Open systems” has been a security industry buzzword for decades, although reality has sometimes diverged significantly from the ideal. The current state-of-the-art in open systems provides a multitude of benefits to increasingly complex physical security systems. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable to elaborate: What is the impact of open systems on physical security?

Products are the building blocks of the security industry. Historically much of the industry’s sales effort has been focused on highlighting product features and functionality. At the end of the day, however, an end user is less interested in the performance of any individual system component than in the system as a whole. Lately, the industry has embraced a changing sales approach by emphasising systems rather than products. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What are the benefits of a transition from selling security products to selling security solutions?

Along with the integration of security and other systems in an enterprise environment comes a need to centralise monitoring and control of the unified network. A control room is at the center of managing integrated systems, providing the focal point to collect information from a variety of sensors, analyse the data, and then respond appropriately. The technologies that drive these functions are changing and evolving, thus increasing the efficiency and efficacy of systems. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What’s new in command-and-control systems, and what is the impact?