Surveillance systems

Maxxess Systems, the innovator in security solutions that empower total situational awareness for security enterprises, is demonstrating the company’s powerful eFusion Security Management Software at ISC West 2019 (booth #6065). eFusion embraces the advancements of today’s leading PSIM, VMS, access control and numerous other technologies on a single platform to provide a new level of systems intelligence for enterprise-wide security and business intelligence applications. “Maxxess eFusion aggregates data from previously disparate surveillance, security and operations systems on a unified management and control platform, dramatically improving overall situational awareness, safety and security,” said Nancy Islas, President of Maxxess Systems. “Already integrated with over 50 industry leading manufacturers’ solutions, eFusion eliminates the need to rip and replace legacy systems and infrastructure which increases users’ Return on Investment (ROI) for existing capital expenditures.” The powerful eFusion platform provides video, access system management and control capabilities along with alarm monitoringVideo and access system management Field-proven worldwide, eFusion Security Management Software correlates data from surveillance, access control and facility systems such as HVAC onto a comprehensive monitoring and reporting dashboard. In addition, the powerful eFusion platform provides video and access system management and control capabilities along with alarm monitoring; remote access credentials tracking; authorisation and de-authorisation; door/access status and more. New enhancements to eFusion include new Flow Control with Auto Expiration, and Advanced Data Processing. Flow Control allows users to configure the specific door(s) that must be used first to gain primary access to a facility with programmable timer setting. Advanced Data Processing correlates databases to accommodate complex relationship rules between the authoritative database and the Maxxess database. System-wide lockdown, VMS integration To further simplify user engagement with eFusion, Maxxess Systems’ MX+ Web Dashboard has also been further enhanced with new features including: System-wide lockdown; Video Management System (VMS) integration; mobile cardholder management operations with badge printing; access control status indication in an easy-to-read graphical format; and schedule configuration. eFusion can be deployed as a stand-alone management and control platform or supplemented with the unique capabilities of Maxxess Ambit Event Management Communications Software. Both Ambit and eFusion are core components of Maxxess Insite Awareness and Response Coordination System.

Security innovator IndigoVision is set to introduce a range of new features that will lead to faster security investigations and drive down industry storage costs as part of its presence at ISC West 2019 in Las Vegas. Trusted in installations across the world, and with 25 years of experience in developing complete end-to-end security surveillance solutions, IndigoVision’s latest innovations will be unveiled as part of an array of new features being introduced to Control Center, its intuitive Security Management Solution. Faster security investigations Focusing on advanced analytics, cyber-security and ease of use, Control Center v16.0 will offer operators a powerful new line-up of features to help combat security threats. Faster security investigations – users will be able to save time and instantly zero in on specific events with the introduction of timeline preview, which provides a thumbnail of the recorded video timeline. Lower storage costs – users will benefit from improved compression and longer retention times thanks to Control Center’s support for the latest video compression standard, H.265. Reduced eyestrain for users – Control Center v16.0 now adds to its core grey/white view with a new Dark Mode, which has been specifically designed to reduce eyestrain in darker control room environments. Deliver enhanced performance Operators will also be able to access next level detection and cyber-security Appearing at booth 23031 from 10th to the 12th April, IndigoVision will add to its Ultra and BX camera ranges with the introduction of an exciting new line-up which offers users multiple form factors, low light sensitivity, augmented analytics and wide dynamic range (WDR) giving operators improved image clarity. The new HD Ultra X Cameras will deliver enhanced performance through the company’s ground breaking SMART.core and CyberVigilant in-camera technology which give users the ability to detect and respond quickly to potential cyber-threats. NDAA compliance also means these cameras are pre-approved for installation in government sites within the United States and other areas of the world where this legislation has been adopted. Operators will also be able to access next level detection and cyber-security with IndigoVision further expanding its advanced Analytics Metadata and its award-winning CyberVigilant technology to select cameras from its BX Camera range. The BX420 4K Minidome, BX430 4MP Microdome and BX630 HD/4K Bullet and Fixed Cameras will now have an enhanced intruder detection enabling Control Center to safeguard against an increased range of threats.

Global MSC Security announces that it has chosen The Lily Foundation as its charity for the Global MSC Security Conference and Exhibition 2019, which takes place on 11th and 12th November in Bristol and this year focuses on the ethical use of surveillance. Conference programme Founded in 2008, by Liz Curtis in memory of her daughter Lily, who died from mitochondrial disease at eight months old, The Lily Foundation is a national charity committed to finding a cure through funding research, as well as raising awareness and supporting more than 300 families. Global MSC Security was introduced to The Lily Foundation by Sarah Moore, a mother from Bath who lost two children (Harriet and Kimberley) to mitochondrial disease. Managing Director of Global MSC Security, Derek Maltby says: “When we heard Sarah’s story and the work of The Lily Foundation we instantly wanted to support it.” He adds: “Each year we choose a charity to benefit from the generosity of security practitioners who join us at our gala dinner and I can think of no worthier cause than The Lily Foundation to support this year.” Double CPD points Previous beneficiaries from the Global MSC Security gala include the Royal British Legion, Bristol Children’s Hospital’s Grand Appeal. Children’s Hospice South West, the Above and Beyond Charity and Movember. The gala charity dinner will take place on Monday 11th November at the Bristol Hotel, Bristol. The doors to the 21th annual Global MSC Security Conference and Exhibition will open on 11th for an exhibition preview with the conference taking place on 12th November. The event is free-to-attend for all delegates and they will receive double CPD points from the Security Institute for attending the conference programme.

Verint Systems Inc., The Customer Engagement Company, announces a new software platform to help banks and credit unions simplify, modernise, and automate security, surveillance and fraud investigations across their enterprise. “Video Investigator has a very modern user interface, making it easy for me to access more data than what I would've been able to gather before,” said David Campbell, vice president of corporate security, Dollar Bank. “All of the information I need is right there in front of me, packaged in an organised manner, and it is very easy to access data. I am very impressed overall.” Innovative security tools When an incident occurs, investigators must turn to innovative security tools to be able to swiftly locate and analyse data Verint Video Investigator eases the daily challenges security investigators face. It simplifies and reduces the time to access live and recorded video through an intuitive interface, empowering users to quickly find the data needed to eliminate risks while increasing productivity. With an enhanced user experience, investigators can reduce training time, align investigation workflow, streamline video sharing, and focus on more critical tasks. The fraud and security challenges banks contend with can be overwhelming, but prompt action is necessary to limit the damage that can greatly affect customers, employees, and the brand. When an incident occurs, investigators must turn to innovative security tools to be able to swiftly locate and analyse data. But these solutions are typically complex to use and manage. Data-gathering efforts “Banks and credit unions have data and security workloads spread across multiple platforms and as a result, business processes, compliance, and data-gathering efforts can be hampered,” said Brian Lettiere, vice president product management, Verint. “The challenge is to overcome data and technology siloes to quickly deploy new services that reduce complexity and enhance usability.” Verint Video Investigator is an industry solution designed specifically for financial fraud and security personnel to help facilitate cohesive and straightforward threat mitigation and investigations. Lettiere added, “Verint Video Investigation is backwards compatible and fully integrated with our entire video software management platform.” Streamlined user experience Investigators can experience an overall time savings of more than 50 percent in an average investigation Verint Video Investigator provides organisations with an intuitive platform that can easily be leveraged across multiple departments to provide the actionable intelligence needed for effective risk management. Investigators can experience an overall time savings of more than 50 percent in an average investigation due to a streamlined user experience and quicker access to video. To learn more about Verint’s complete portfolio of solutions for the financial services sector, visit booth #26049 at the ISC West conference in Las Vegas, April 10-12 or attend an upcoming webinar, ‘Experience the Power of Verint’s Video Investigator’ on Thursday, April 18th at 1:00 p.m. CT.

As one of ASEAN’s leading business destinations for smart city solutions, Messe Frankfurt in collaboration with Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA) will host the inaugural Smart City Solutions Week in Thailand from 28 ‒ 31 October 2019. Messe Frankfurt’s brand shows for the smart city industry ‒ Secutech Thailand, Thailand Lighting Fair and Thailand Building Fair ‒ will showcase innovative smart city solutions, while the focus on digital infrastructure will be at the DEPA-organised Digital Thailand Big Bang show. The four shows will embrace this new theme to serve as a one-stop shop for the latest smart city technology and solutions. Secutech Thailand A press conference was held today in Bangkok to announce the debut Smart City Solutions Week. Committed to showcasing the best in security, building automation, lighting and digital infrastructure solutions, the line-up of fairs, which kick-off on 28 October, look set to cement Thailand’s position as one of the leading hubs for smart city solutions in the ASEAN region. Messe Frankfurt is proud to support the ASEAN smart city development" Mr Hubert Duh, Chairman and Managing Director, Messe Frankfurt New Era Business Media Ltd, said: “Messe Frankfurt is proud to support the ASEAN smart city development. We are confident that local organisers DEPA, Worldex and Exhibiz understand key local market needs and concerns, while Messe Frankfurt shall use its deep-rooted experience in nurturing and growing trade fairs while also leveraging our international network to foster new business opportunities. The synergy created amongst the four fairs will not only enhance the visitor experience but also help to build even more momentum for ASEAN’s smart city sector.ˮ Smart City Solutions Dr. Nuttapon Nimmanphatcharin, President/CEO, Digital Economy Promotion Agency, remarked: “We are looking forward to a fruitful collaboration with all our partners to mark this noteworthy new milestone of the Smart City Solutions Week in Thailand. The adoption of the smart city concept is an undeniable trend for ASEAN cities and we hope that industry players will take advantage of these integrated solutions and build a networking platform across the smart city ecosystem.ˮ The 2018 editions of Secutech Thailand, Thailand Lighting Fair and Thailand Building Fair collectively gathered 300 exhibitors from 18 countries and regions and welcomed over 10,000 visitors. With a new show date and position alongside Digital Thailand Big Bang, it is forecast that the Smart City Solutions Week 2019 will enhance visitor numbers and the overall fair experience for the smart city industry. AI and IoT security innovations Secutech Thailand has experienced steady year-on-year growth since its first edition in 2011 Secutech Thailand has experienced steady year-on-year growth since its first edition in 2011. The fair is now widely recognised as a must-attend trade fair for security industry professionals from across the ASEAN region, partly thanks to its heavy influence in the smart city sector. Under the new theme of ‘Security + AI – Empowers Sustainable City Development’, the fair will deliver the latest AI and IoT security innovations for the smart city. To accommodate different sourcing requirements and highlight the most important security markets, the 2019 edition will be designated into five zones – the Smart Police Zone, the Safe Factory Zone, the Smart Transportation Zone, the Smart Campus Zone and the Smart Solutions Zone for Waste and Environment Management. These zones will feature all of the very latest surveillance systems, biometric identification systems, smart sensors, alarms, access control systems and crowd management systems. IoT-enabled street lighting solutions Thailand Lighting Fair and Thailand Building Fair will concentrate its focus via a new show theme: ʼCity + IoT – A sustainable and livable futureʼ. The use of IoT-enabled street lighting supports the development of smart city applications as these smart grids can be used for future public services to enhance the quality of city life. Likewise, buildings that leverage IoT technologies are developing into vital elements of the complex smart city network. Ranging from sensors collecting data to developers building thousands of smart city apps, the IoT movement will facilitate large volumes of high-quality data to be in the hands of city leaders and decision makers, leading to better quality living environments. Under this theme, both Thailand Lighting Fair and Thailand Building Fair will present the full spectrum of the smart city concept including digital applications (smart lighting solutions, smart parking and smart buildings), smart technology (intelligent sensors, dimming and control and smart lighting platforms) and smart governance (facility management and smart community features). In addition, to create a sustainable and livable future, the fairs will have an additional focus on energy efficiency and power generation to address ongoing efforts to diversify our energy mix and showcase an array of technology and solutions. Digital Thailand Big Bang Digital Thailand Big Bang, established in 2017, is a platform that receives government backing to promote digital technologies Digital Thailand Big Bang, established in 2017, is a platform that receives government backing to promote digital technologies. The fair is organised by the Digital Economy Promotion Agency to showcase the ways in which big data can be used to transform society and improve urban living standards. In its mission to move towards Thailand 4.0, some of the solutions that can be found at the fair include city management systems, cloud computing, fintech products and digital infrastructure such as submarine cables and satellites. Located at the Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre, Secutech Thailand and Digital Thailand Big Bang will be held from October 28 ‒ 31, while Thailand Lighting Fair and Thailand Building Fair will be held from October 28 ‒ 30.

IDIS will celebrate five years at ISC West International Security Exhibition in Las Vegas, April 10-12th, with a comprehensive showcase of the South Korean manufacturer’s IDIS Total Surveillance Solution in booth #18059. Highlights of the company’s fifth anniversary with ISC West include areas of special emphasis on cybersecurity, deep learning analytics and facial recognition, and solutions for the retail and banking sectors; and a review of IDIS’s latest technology releases. Founded in 1997 by experts in computer science and artificial intelligence, IDIS has grown to become the largest manufacturer of video surveillance technology within South Korea and a leader in industry innovation, anchored by the company’s flagship DirectIP offering—a  true plug-and-play solution that eliminates the complexity of installing and operating networked surveillance systems, and extending through to the modular, feature-rich IDIS Solution Suite software and IDIS latest Deep Learning Engine-powered analytics. Innovations and solutions at ISC West Some of the specific innovations that IDIS will highlight in booth #18059 at ISC West this year are: The latest in IDIS cybersecurity innovation, including edge encryption and IDIS Chained Fingerprint, the company’s proprietary integrity check which chains adjacent images with stored digital fingerprints, allowing for the detection of possible tampering or alteration The newest IDIS Deep Learning Analytics offerings—powered by the IDIS Deep Learning Engine—including IDIS DV-2116 IDLA-ready hardware (with an embedded NVDIA GTZ1060 GPU chipset), and the introduction of IDIS Intelligent Search, allowing tracking by colour, object, and number; and new IDIS face tracking technology Latest-generation iterations of IDIS’s core surveillance offerings, including the DirectIP 12MP Panomorph and new 5MP Compact Fisheye cameras—utilising IDIS’s industry-leading dual-sided dewarping technology—delivering IDIS’s celebrated Fisheye technology in all the ways our users need them; and the official debut of the full IDIS Compact Solution and upgraded IDIS HD-TVI line ups Exhibiting for the fifth time We look forward to returning to the show for the fifth time to highlight the powerful innovation and market-responsive technology" IDIS America President Andrew Myung remarked, “The IDIS partnership with ISC West has been a fruitful one from the beginning. We chose ISC West to launch the IDIS brand in the Americas in 2015 and launched a year-long Americas-wide celebration of our Two Decades of Innovation on the ISC West floor in 2017 to celebrate our 20th Anniversary. “We look forward to returning to the show for the fifth time since IDIS America’s successful debut to highlight the kinds of powerful innovation and market-responsive technology that are IDIS’ signature and to engage in the kinds of insightful conversations about the state and future of our industry that are ISC West’s signature in booth #18059." Debut of ‘Create a Better World’ campaign IDIS will also debut the IDIS ‘Create a Better World’ campaign on the show floor this year. As described on the company’s official campaign page, “Creating a Better World is all about the kindness and generosity ‘caught on camera’ every day (so easy to overlook in these stressful times), and the many ways we all can do our part to create a kinder, warmer, better world.” The campaign will involve public participation and a contest, and the kick off will offer visitors to the booth the chance to win gift cards and a Smart Home Starter Pack. For more on these offerings, DirectIP, the IDIS Total Surveillance Solution, or the “Create a Better World” campaign, visit IDIS at ISC West in booth #18059.

Across the country, law enforcement officers are finding it increasingly difficult to respond to the near overwhelming number of calls coming from security alarms. Police departments commonly define a false alarm as a call, which upon investigation, shows no evidence of criminal activity, such as broken windows, forced doors, items missing, or people injured. While false alarms bog down police, they can also negatively impact customers and integrators. End users can expect hefty fines for false alarm responses, and when these customers receive large bills from the city, many turn to installers, dealers, and even manufacturers expecting them to accept the responsibility and pay the bill. What first brought the issue of alarm verification to your attention? It is crucial to both see a situation and concurrently listen to any corresponding sounds to gain full insight I’ve been aware of the problem of false alarms for about 5 years. I believed audio capture, through microphone deployment, could be an active part of the solution when used as a second source for indicating ‘out of the norm’ activity and as an equal component with the video surveillance technology. In 2015, I found similarly minded security professionals when introduced to the Partnership for Priority Verified Alarm Response. After reading PPVAR’s paper on ‘Audio Verified Alarms Best Practices; [April 2015],’ I knew that the Partnership was on to something important. In our lives, two of the five senses we count on day-in and day-out are sight and sound. It is crucial to both see a situation and concurrently listen to any corresponding sounds to gain full insight. What is the false alarm rate? In 2016, the International Association of Chiefs of Police reported that over 98 percent of all alarm calls in the United States were false. This number is obviously staggering, and something we need to work towards correcting. Why did this issue resonate so strongly with you? When I first investigated this issue, I was sure that the security industry would have already recognised this and was acting to ensure improved alarm verification, preferably through a combination of audio and video technologies. However, I quickly saw that this was not the case, or even close to the norm. I have questioned the rationale behind the lack of adoption and found the deployment of audio is often hindered by the concern of privacy. I’ve spearheaded many initiatives to explain the monitoring policies surrounding audio As CEO of Louroe Electronics, I’ve spearheaded many initiatives to explain the monitoring policies surrounding audio. I’ve had to reassure many security personnel and customers how the law supports the use of audio in public places as long as there is no expectation of privacy. By dispelling fears with facts around deploying and implementing audio sensors, customers can confidently include audio in their surveillance systems and gain a more effective security solution. Who is affected by this? Truth be told, everyone from the end user to the manufacturer is affected by this issue. Not to mention the strain this puts on law enforcement who are tired of ‘wasting time’ and effort out in the field on these nuisance alerts. When an end user receives a bill for their false alarm, many of them will immediately blame the integrator and or the monitoring center for a faulty set up and management and expect the integrator to remedy the situation, including carry the burden of paying the fines. The integrator, on the other hand, will turn to the manufacturer, assuming faulty equipment and installation instructions; therefore, looking for reimbursement for the cost. What is the average false alarm fee? It depends on many factors, and especially your first responder assigned location for responseIt depends on many factors, and especially your first responder assigned location for response. According to the Urban Institute, fees generally range from $25-$100 for the first offense, rising as high as a few thousand dollars per false alarm if a location has a large number in a single year. What’s worse, in extreme cases, alarm systems may even be blacklisted by the police dispatch center if they have raised too many false alarms in the past. Why do you believe audio is the ideal technology for secondary source verification? Video surveillance has been the main option for security monitoring and alarm validation for decades, however industry professionals are realising that video alone is not enough. Video only tells half of the story, by adding audio capture, the responsible party gains a turnkey solution with the ability to gather additional evidence to verify alerts and expand overall awareness. In reality, audio’s range is greater than the field of view for a camera. Sound pickup is 360 degrees, capturing voices, gunshots, breaking glass, sirens, or other important details that a fixed camera many not see. How would a secondary source verification system work with audio? Using a video monitoring solution equipped with audio, the microphone will pick up the sounds at the time a visual alert or alarm is triggered. If embedded with classification analytics, the microphone will send alerts for specific detected sounds. The captured audio, and any notifications are immediately sent to the monitoring station, where trained personnel can listen to the sound clip, along with live audio and video from their station. When law enforcement receives a validated alarm, they can better prioritise the response From here, an informed decision can then be made about the validity of the alarm, along with what the current threat is at the location. If the alarm is in fact valid, the information is then passed along to the law enforcement within minutes. When law enforcement receives a validated alarm, they can better prioritise the response. It also provides more information in a forensic evaluation. Are there any additional resources you would suggest looking into? Yes, we would suggest looking into the following to see a few different perspectives on the matter: NSA Support For 2018 Model Ordinance For Alarm Management and False Alarm Reduction Partnership for Priority Verified Alarm Response Support for the Term “Verified Alarm” and Prioritising Verified Alarm Responses Urban Institute Opportunities for Police Cost Savings without Sacrificing Service Quality: Reducing False Alarms

The rise to prominence of smart cities should not go unnoticed. To the untrained eye, you might not realise just how connected your city is and how it’s helping your everyday life. From crossing the road to monitoring water levels, technology is allowing cities to think quicker and act smarter. Data-driven decisions A recent whitepaper by ABI Research has revealed that the total global cost-saving potential offered by smart cities stands at more than $5 trillion. This shows how technological improvements to the places we live offer a significant opportunity to not only improve our personal lives and wellbeing, but to also ensure our cities are able to continue contributing to the wider economy. One of the major areas of technology that is going to shift how we interact with our cities is the Internet of Things (IoT). One benefit will be the ability to use video surveillance to analyse data on large crowds at sporting events The IoT already accounts for swathes of technology and devices operating in the background. However, we’re increasingly seeing these come to the forefront of everyday life, as data becomes increasingly critical. In an IDC study sponsored by Seagate, Data Age 2025 estimates that by 2025, nearly 20% of data will be critical to our daily lives and nearly 10% of that will be hypercritical. Data is no longer just going to provide simple insights and recommendations, it is going to be making decisions that impact the fabric and quality of everyday life. Analysis and application The decisions that this critical data is attached to must be made quickly. A living, breathing city must constantly be monitoring, assessing and utilising data in order to ensure it keeps people safe and mobile. A prime example of this is in the Dutch city of Almere, where the local police force and parking management teams are using surveillance technology to improve congestion and manage traffic flow. This is hugely important when 20% of city traffic is caused by drivers circling around trying to find a parking space, according to Stuart Higgins, Strategic Lead - Cisco Impact. While older cities such as London may not be as equipped with new technology like modern cities, such as Dubai, an appreciation of the different ways individual cities can adopt technology is vital. For those that have the right infrastructure, one key benefit will be the ability to use video surveillance to analyse data on road congestion, or even large crowds at sporting events or national ceremonies. Using this data to spot patterns of behaviour will enable city planners to develop long term solutions to ensure city life runs smoothly. Instant access to connected devices By 2025, an average connected person anywhere in the world will interact with connected devices nearly 4,800 times per day — that’s one interaction approximately every 18 seconds.   As access to data becomes the central component to a functioning smart city, the way data is stored has become more important than ever It isn’t just new-paradigm services such as Uber that are causing this. Increasingly, the ability to instantly access data relevant to many aspects of our lives will drive our interactions with these devices, and industries around the world are undergoing a digital transformation motivated by these evolving requirements. The benefits of data access is best shown through Project Green Light in the US city of Detroit, where the police department has partnered with gas stations across the city and the community to improve the quality of life within the neighborhood. The result is a strengthened relationship between public services and private businesses operating in the area. As access to data becomes the central component to a functioning smart city, the way data is stored has become more important than ever. When it comes to surveillance in our cities, the need for not only the technology but the hardware to analyse this data is of imperative importance. Real time data storage availability The growth of real-time data will cause a shift in the type of storage needed in the future – with fast, uncompromised access to data being non-negotiable. Data Age 2025 predicts that by 2025 the global datasphere will grow to 163 zettabytes. The security of our data and how it is stored will be the foundation to any future smart city strategy That’s ten times the 16.1ZB of data generated in 2016. This increase in data will propel the need for data to be available in real-time to heighten the focus on low-latency responsiveness from enterprise edge storage, as well as from the endpoints themselves. The rise in edge computing exemplifies how this demand is already present. The stakes are rising and with them, the critical importance of our data’s veracity and timeliness. It is important to identify city-wide data partnerships, architecture, and standards for effective and safe data sharing when developing a data strategy. Securing stored data It’s important to note that the security of our data and how it is stored will be the foundation to any future smart city strategy, ensuring that safety, regulatory, speed and access requirements are all met. Securing the data that underpins life as we know it is circular, not linear. Every company that creates, uses or touches data has to have a role in keeping it secure and should be the backbone of any smart city. What’s evident however is that digital transformation is shaping the surveillance industry and in turn how our cities operate. As a result, data is the fuel that will ensure the impact is a positive one. People, government and businesses all contribute to the cities of today, so no one can afford to ignore the shift we are seeing. The cities that utilise surveillance data when considering any changes to their infrastructure will ultimately become the cities of tomorrow, not only future-proofing, but prospering in the data-driven age.

Surveillance systems can track the locations of mobile phone users and spy on their calls, texts and data streams. The Washington Post has reported on such systems that are being turned against travellers around the world, according to security experts and U.S. officials. The summer season highlights the need to take extra precautions when travelling. When travelling anywhere in the world, for business or pleasure, citizens need to be aware of and alert to looming physical and cybersecurity threats. To elaborate on expert security tips, strategies and advice for traveling this summer, we presented several questions to The Chertoff Group, a global security advisory firm that enables clients to navigate changes in security risk, technology and policy. Chris Duvall, Senior Director at The Chertoff Group, offers insights into cybersecurity concerns, physical security precautions, and recommends digital resources/apps for consumers while traveling. Q: How are security risks – physical and digital – changing? Why are threats greater today than five years ago? The exponential number of headlines over the past few years is a strong indication that both physical and digital risks are evolving and increasing Duvall: The exponential number of headlines over the past few years is a strong indication that both physical and digital risks are evolving and increasing. The scope, severity and complexity of physical and cyber risks are increasing and becoming more dangerous and destructive. This is especially true for those travelling outside the U.S. On the physical side, threat actors are actively seeking “soft targets” – public events, social settings, mass audience venues, etc. – to communicate their message, sow chaos and inflict catastrophic harm. On the digital or cyber side, we have seen a shift from “thrill hacking,” to an increase of “hacking as a business” (through credential compromise and ransomware), to an increase in “hacking for harm” - with the rise of “nuke ware” and ransomware without a clear financial motivation. Q. What specific precautions should a traveller take to protect their calls, texts and data streams from being spied on? Duvall: When travelling abroad, we recommend to our clients that their personnel and executives should practice good internet and social media hygiene. Some best practices include: Avoid using public Wi-Fi services—unless you use private VPN service for encryption Increase the privacy setting on your technical devices Disable location identifiers on apps Create a new (unlinked) email for internet correspondence Consider purchasing international MyFi devices to decrease the risk of getting your personal identification information (PII) or protected healthcare information (PHI) stolen  Use temporary (i.e. burner) phones to protect your data and your contacts Q. What cybersecurity concerns are likely to impact travellers? Are the threats greater outside the United States or in any specific parts of the world? Significant precautions should be taken to protect personal electronic devices (PEDs) and the data connected to PEDs Duvall: The international cybersecurity landscape has grown increasingly dynamic, with threats posed by government authorities (in some countries), terrorists, insurgents, and criminals, requiring travelers to be proactive and vigilant. U.S. citizens, particularly executives of U.S.-based technology companies, must be aware that they are considered high-value targets for nation-state intelligence services and criminally-motivated bad actors. Many countries will go to great lengths and expense to acquire and exploit proprietary information from U.S.-based companies, and views U.S. executives visiting the country as “soft” targets of opportunity. As such, significant precautions should be taken to protect personal electronic devices (PEDs) and the data connected to PEDs. The tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) utilised by bad actors are often covert and nearly undetectable by the affected person. Threat actors routinely access, monitor and utilise Wi-Fi networks at hotels and in public spaces to compromise target devices. Other targeting methods include luggage searches, extensive questioning, and unnecessary inspection and downloading of information from personal electronic devices. There are numerous, high-risk countries for which the U.S. Government warns travellers to be wary of mobile malware, mobile device privacy attacks and hot spots for mobile botnets. The U.S. Department of State has the most recent and up-to-date list. For example, the U.S. Government has investigated numerous incidents in which U.S. travellers’ PEDs (personal and company devices) have been compromised by Russian authorities while transiting Russian airports, left unattended in public spaces and in travellers’ hotel rooms.  When travelling to an unfamiliar place, research your destination to understand the local roads and transportation, geography, local roads, culture, etiquette and laws Q: What physical security precautions should a traveller take? Duvall: Here are some useful precautions: When traveling to an unfamiliar place, research your destination to understand the local roads and transportation, geography, local roads, culture, etiquette and laws. Protect your personal information and travel itinerary as much as possible. Limit the amount of jewelry worn, cash, credit cards and electronic devices carried while traveling. Avoid staying on the ground floor of a hotel. Consider choosing a room on the 2nd through 7th floors as these rooms may be more difficult to break into than those on the ground level, but still able to be accessed by fire/emergency response equipment. Never answer your hotel room door for anyone until you’ve determined who they are, why they are at your door, and if it is necessary for you to open the door to interact with them. Carry a rubber door stop/wedge with you to install on the room side of the door before you go to bed. Vary your patterns and routines when venturing out in to a new location, do not become predictable. Politely decline offers of food or drink from strangers (If you do accept beverages, ensure that they are in sealed containers and that there is no evidence of tampering). Never discuss your itinerary, personal, business or other sensitive information where others can hear you. Q: How can companies be proactive in protecting their business travellers? Companies should educate their employees on the importance of maintaining good internet hygiene while travelling abroad Duvall: When travelling on business, companies should provide their employees with clean computers and cell phones before departure. Upon return, the company should immediately wipe the computer clean to prevent any malicious threats from penetrating the company’s internal, cyber-infrastructure. Additionally, companies should educate their employees on the importance of maintaining good internet hygiene and recommend their employees disconnect from social media platforms while travelling abroad. Some general tips to recommend to your employees when travelling abroad include: Register in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (https://step.state.gov/step/) Visit Travel.State.Gov to view travel related information specific to the country or countries you’re visiting, including local US Embassy or Consulate contact information, as well as current travel advisories and alerts. Always leave a copy of your transportation and hotel itinerary and driver’s license (or passport if travelling internationally) with a family member or trusted friend. Always use a baggage tag with a protective cover Avoid using public Wi-Fi services Q: What digital resources and/or apps might a traveller benefit from (and how)? Duvall: The Chertoff Group recommends researching the below travel-related apps before departing on a trip: TravWell: This app provides destination-specific vaccine recommendations, a checklist of what you need to do to prepare for travel, and a customisable healthy travel packing list. The app can store travel documents, keep records of medications and immunisations, and set reminders to get vaccine booster doses or take medicines. My TSA: This app provides real-time updates on airport delays. It includes how long security lines are at various airports; information about what you can and cannot bring onto an airplane; and a frequently-asked question list, including new advanced imaging technology. Border Wait Time: The app provides estimated wait times and open-lane status at land ports of entry, which may be particularly helpful when in an area with multiple crossings. Mobile Pass: The Mobile Passport app speeds you through U.S. Customs and Border Protection at (1) cruise port and (24) airports Q: As a security expert, what’s your best advice for travellers? Duvall: At the end of the day, travel security is not rocket science. Simply put, travellers need to: Be aware and situationally alert at all times. Be aware and situationally alert to the location of your luggage and carry-ons at all times. Don’t access unknown, unsecured or public Wi-Fi if at all possible. Turn off “auto connect” features and institute stringent privacy controls as much as possible. Try to “blend in” – you don’t have to try to look like a local but travellers should avoid gaudy and expensive attire wherever possible. Use your common sense – if an offer, invitation or opportunity seems to good to be true... it probably is.

Delivering on high expectations, the first day of ISC West 2019 kicked off with a crowded Sands Expo Center and exhibitors putting forward their best new technologies. Developments seemed more evolutionary than revolutionary, but attendees quickly found plenty of interest. Thermal cameras Hanwha Techwin also showed off a new Android camera that can deploy new apps The largest booth at ISC West, Hanwha Techwin, remained crowded throughout the first day as attendees checked out the company’s eight new thermal cameras offering features such as pan-tilt-zoom, H.265 encoding to minimise storage needs, VGA resolution and detection of temperature changes, all built on Hanwha Techwin’s Wisenet chip. There is also a new 5-megapixel version of Hanwha’s popular 2-megapixel multi-sensor camera, and a new panoramic camera; multi-sensor panoramic cameras ‘stitch’ the images together rather than just aligning them. Hanwha Techwin also showed off a new Android camera that can deploy new apps developed as part of the Korean company’s role as a founding member of Open Security & Safety Alliance (OSSA). Avigilon's H5 series Avigilon is introducing a new line of cameras — the H5 series — with improved imaging and designed to provide deep learning/neural network processing at the edge. Improvements to video analytics will enable the cameras to track multiple moving objects simultaneously in a field of view and to track objects more accurately. More granularity enables better differentiation among types of vehicles, and the cameras enable more detailed data to be pulled from video. The improved analytics engine will also support better face detection and recognition. Operators can view the dashboard and react to information provided in a more digestible format The new version of Avigilon Control Center 7 (ACC7) software will apply principles of AI to enhance an operator’s ‘Focus of Attention’ when monitoring live video. Video is fed into an AI engine that determines which events in the live footage are most worthy of an operator’s attention. Monitoring live video can be a challenge for human operators, whose short attention spans undermine the best surveillance systems. Automation helps to direct that limited attention span to events most worthy of attention. A ‘dashboard’ displays clusters of cameras that are colour-coded to reflect the types of activity that are detected. Rather than watching video, operators can view the dashboard and react to information provided in a more digestible format. Clicking brings up the live video. Quantum Cloud Storage Platform Video storage is another area of innovation at ISC West. The Quantum Cloud Storage Platform is flexible for video surveillance and industrial IoT applications. The architecture is built from the ground up for video surveillance applications and can scale from five cameras to millions of cameras in a simple deployment model — no settings or configurations needed. Products range from a small ‘mini-tower’ configuration for a retail store or gas station up to rack-mount servers that can accommodate thousands of cameras. We make the storage piece so simple that you don’t have to think about it" Quantum introduced the VS-Series in a range of server choices at ISC West. The hyperconverged and software-defined environment will support a combination of video management systems (VMS), along with access control, HVAC and lighting controls. Quantum worked with Johnson Controls to develop the products. “It’s designed for an installer, not for an IT guru,” says Jamie Lerner, Quantum’s CEO, President and Chairman of the Board. “We make the storage piece so simple that you don’t have to think about it.” Quantum is showing its VS-Series publicly for the risk time at ISC West. S2’s Magic Monitor LenelS2 is a newly coined name in the industry — resulting from a recent acquisition. The combination of Lenel and the acquired S2 is playing out to the benefit of both product lines. For example, Lenel’s Blue Diamond mobile credentialing system can now be used along with the S2 Netbox hardware. Lenel’s OnGuard is being combined into S2’s Magic Monitor unified solution that combines video, access control, and digital messaging. OnGuard is also benefitting from Magic Monitor’s graphics maps. The S2 Cumulus cloud-based service, focused on system health monitoring, is being applied to OnGuard. LenelS2 is also developing a full commercial access control as a service (ACaaS) offering The combined LenelS2 is stepping up with new solutions for frictionless access control, too. A ‘phone as a badge’ approach enables a door to be unlocked by a smart phone, even if it is in a pocket, locked and/or the app has not been opened. Another alternative is a ‘shake to open’ action that sends the credential to the nearest reader. LenelS2 is also developing a full commercial access control as a service (ACaaS) offering, which is being previewed at ISC Show and will be released commercially later in the year. Video surveillance product line Mobotix is expanding its MOVE video surveillance product line with six new models announced at the show and broadening its reach into new vertical markets. A solutions approach offers both end-to-end Mobotix systems and other systems offered in conjunction with technology partnerships displayed in the Mobotix booth. Top of the list of new verticals is education, and Mobotix’s edge-based approach includes programmable logic built in so that ‘technology can take over when the human element is the weakest.’ Automated response is faster and ‘seconds equal lives’ during an emergency. In an education scenario, the Mobotix system acts as an Internet of Things (IoT) device that offers more functionality than other manufacturers’ ‘cameras.’ There are 22 steps involved to ensure the cybersecurity of Mobotix products, reflecting a higher level of cybersecurity commitment Mobotix has thermal products that are also finding uses in a variety of verticals, from oil and gas to manufacturing process control. Mobotix systems that can detect defects in products in the manufacturing process are expanding usage in applications beyond the traditional ‘security’ industry. Cybersecurity Commitment Mobotix is looking at the market in a completely different way, redefining how their products can fit into a variety of scenarios, and with a focus on cybersecurity. There are 22 steps involved to ensure the cybersecurity of Mobotix products, reflecting a higher level of cybersecurity commitment than some other manufacturers. “There are so many features within our solutions, and we want to get the word out to the end users, so they understand the features,” says Thomas Lausten, Mobotix CEO. “There is untapped potential.”

Constantly optimising deep learning algorithms yields better video analytics performance, even in complex applications such as facial recognition or in scenarios with variable lighting, angles, postures, expressions, accessories, resolution, etc. Deep learning, a form of artificial intelligence (AI), holds the potential to enable video analytics to deliver on long-promised, but not often delivered performance. Our AI series continues here with part 2. Adapting existing hardware Today, low-cost system-on-chip (SoC) camera components enable deep neural network (DNN) processing for the next generation of intelligent cameras, thus expanding the availability of AI processing to a broader market. AI software can even add learning capabilities by adapting existing hardware to AI applications AI software can even add learning capabilities by adapting existing hardware to AI applications. Today’s smartphones include cameras, gyroscopes and accelerometers to provide sufficient data to drive AI applications. Software can adapt existing hardware to transform them into AI devices capable of continuous learning in the field. Inside a video camera, real-time deep learning processing can be used to detect discarded objects, issue loitering alarms and detect people or objects entering a pre-defined field. Data capture form to appear here! Detect anomalous data Additional capabilities are applicable to demanding environments and mission-critical applications, such as the perimeter protection of airports, critical infrastructures and government buildings, border patrol, ship-tracking and traffic-monitoring (e.g. wrong-way detection, traffic-counts and monitoring roadsides for parked cars: all vital video security solutions). IoT is transforming the lowly security camera from a device that simply captures images, into an intelligent sensor that plays an integral role in gathering the kind of vital business data that can be used to improve commercial operations in areas beyond security. For example, cities are transitioning into smart cities. Deep learning enables systems to search surveillance footage, to detect anomalous data, and to shift surveillance from post-incident response to providing alerts during, or even before, an event. The ability of deep learning for video analytics is much more sophisticated and accurate Make critical decisions Deep learning can eliminate previous video analytics limitations such as dependence on a scene’s background. Deep learning is also more adept than humans at discerning subtle changes in an image. The ability of deep learning for video analytics is much more sophisticated – and accurate – than the programmed approaches previously employed to identify targets. AI is a timely solution in an age when there is more video surveillance than ever. There are too many cameras and too much recorded video for security operators to keep pace with. On top of that, people have short attention spans. AI is a technology that doesn’t get bored and can analyse more video data than humans. Systems are designed to bring the most important events and insight to users’ attention, freeing them to do what they do best: make critical decisions. Multiple camera streams AI can reduce information overload to enable humans to work with the data more efficiently The video benefits reflect the larger goal of AI to amplify human skills. AI can reduce information overload to enable humans to work with the data more efficiently. Another benefit is faster search, and new systems make searching video as easy as searching the internet. AI enables specific people or cameras to be located quickly across all the cameras at a site. Searching can be directed by a reference images or by physical descriptors such as gender or clothing colour. Consider a scenario of a child missing from a crowded shopping mall: Every second can seem like hours, and artificial intelligence and neural networks can enable a rapid search among multiple camera streams using only one photo of the child. The photo does not have to be a full-frontal passport-type photos; it could be a selfie from a party as long as the face is there. Intrusion detection scenario AI can find her and match her face from among hundreds of thousands of faces captured from video, in nearly real time. AI can also continuously analyse video streams from the surveillance cameras in its network, distinguishing human faces from non-human objects such as statues and animals. Privacy concerns are minimal as there is no ID or personal information on the photo, and the image can be erased after use. And there is no database of stored images.    In a perimeter security/intrusion detection scenario, an AI-driven video system can avoid false alarms by easily distinguishing different types of people and objects, e.g., in a region set up to detect people, a car driving by, a cat walking by, or a person’s shadow will not trigger the alarm. Part three coming soon. If you missed part one, see it here.

There is a new event on the calendar for the security industry in 2019: The Security Event 2019, 9-11 April, at NEC, Birmingham. For additional details and a preview of the new trade show and conference, we spoke with Tristan Norman, Founding Partner and Event Director, The Security Event. Q: It seems recently that some trade shows have been on the decline in terms of exhibit size and attendance. Why does the physical security industry need another trade show? Norman: I think there are numerous factors that play into the decline of trade shows in general and not something that is limited to the security industry. Those events that are suffering are no longer serving their target market or have failed to adapt to the changes in the industry they serve. However, what we are seeing now is the rise of focused, more “evolved” trade events which fulfil a gap in the industry event calendar and provide something new and fresh to a disillusioned audience. Q: What will be unique about The Security Event, and what role will it serve in bringing together buyers and sellers in the market? Where (geographically) will attendees come from? What we are seeing is a rise of trade events which provide something fresh to a disillusioned audience Norman: The driving ethos behind The Security Event is that we are “designed by the industry, for the industry.” We were able to start with a blank canvas and take onboard all the feedback from stakeholders throughout the security buying chain and create an event that is sustainable and fit for purpose. We see the role of the event as a very important one – to truly reconnect the currently fragmented UK commercial security industry, back at the NEC in Birmingham. We had originally anticipated that this would be an almost-exclusively UK event in year one. However, we have seen significant interest from potential visitors from across the wider EMEA region who are keen to do business in the UK. We formed a strategic alliance with Security Essen to help facilitate and strengthen our reach in these regions through additional marketing and PR activities. Consequently, early registrations indicate that it will be approximately an 80% UK and 20% international split. Q: What conference programming is being planned to augment the trade show event? Norman: Content will be delivered across three focused theatres, serving the needs of our audience throughout the buying chain. Emphasis will be placed on the latest technology innovations impacting the industry, practical advice on the most pressing issues facing security technicians, and important industry updates and insights. All sessions are focused on delivering tangible benefits to ensure professionals are equipped to stay relevant and to grow their business and we’re excited to be working with key industry bodies, innovators and experts to deliver the programme. We look forward to announcing those in coming weeks. Exhibitors want to re-engage with the thousands of industry colleagues who no longer attend other events on offer Q: Comparisons to IFSEC are inevitable. How will The Security Event be different than the IFSEC Security and Fire shows? What are the advantages of locating at Birmingham NEC? Norman: Both The Security Event and The Fire Safety Event, based at the NEC are completely different to any other trade show in the UK. We pride ourselves in creating a business platform that puts the exhibitors’ needs first, by limiting the size of stands and total number of exhibitors as well as creating a comprehensive CPD accredited educational programme for the visitors. Q: Which big industry players are supporting the launch of The Security Event, and what feedback are you hearing in terms of why they signed up at the show's inception? If a global manufacturer has a footprint in both the US and Europe, any tradeshow will be managed locally Norman: Our founding partners are Assa Abloy, Avigilon, Anixter, Comelit, Dahua, Honeywell, TDSi, Texecom, Tyco and Videcon. The full list of exhibitors and supporting partners can be found on our website. The reasons why they have signed up are very simple. They all see the exact same gap in the industry event landscape as we do. We believe there is a need for a 3-day channel focused commercial security exhibition based at The NEC in Birmingham. Our exhibitors want to re-engage with the thousands of industry colleagues who no longer attend the other events on offer. Q: Your 2019 show will be the same week as ISC West in Las Vegas. Do you think the competitive calendar will be a factor? Norman: In terms of our both our audience and our exhibiting base there is very little overlap with ISC West. Generally, if a global manufacturer has a footprint in both the US and Europe, any tradeshow will be managed locally so we haven’t observed any issues so far. We do acknowledge that having two shows at the same time globally isn’t ideal and we have moved our dates in 2020 to the 28-30 April to mitigate this going forward. The Security Event 2020 will not clash with Las Vegas' ISC West 2020 as it will in 2019, says Norman Q: How will you measure success in the first year of the show? What measurements (show size, number of attendees, exhibitor feedback, etc.) will constitute a "successful" first year for the show?Security Event will continue to evolve year after year, but will intent to stay true to the event's original concept Norman: Great question – the most important barometer of success for me and the team next April is the general industry reaction, after all, this show was created for them. Furthermore, it is vital to us that our exhibitors feel they have achieved their objectives for the show, whether it be quality, quantity of leads or raising awareness of a new product launch. We’ll also be keen to understand how satisfied visitors are with the event, including their views of the content, access to new products/services, effectiveness of the out of hours networking, etc. We are anticipating 6,000 visitors over the 3 days and I believe if we achieve this goal, we will have a strong rebooking on site, laying a great foundation for our 2020 event. Q: How would you expect/hope the show would continue to evolve in coming years? Norman: I hope over the next few years The Security Event cements itself as the industry’s favourite trade show and that exhibitors and visitors alike look forward to every year for both the business opportunities at the event and the networking outside of it. The Security Event will continue to evolve year after year, but I am determined that we stay true to our original concept and the principles on which the show was founded. After all, it is this formula that has proved to be so popular to date.

This year’s Super Bowl LIII American football game to determine the champions of the National Football League (NFL), has been protected by 360 Vision Technology’s ruggedised-Hybrid Invictus PTZ camera. The cameras were deployed as part of Security Centres International’s high-performance Mobile Advanced Safety Tower (MAST) rapid deployment camera solution. In all, 10 rapid deployment MAST units were deployed in various areas surrounding the brand new, Mercedes-Benz Stadium and State Farm Arena in Atlanta Georgia. With over 1 million fans expected to participate in Super Bowl and the 10-day fan festival, the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), was keen to complement the existing CCTV networks around the grounds and mass transit point footfall areas, such as bus and rail stations. HD surveillance imaging MAST is the only product of its kind that would readily integrate into the existing CCTV infrastructure" Stuart Bostock, Executive Group President at Security Centres International explains why the 360 Vision Invictus camera based MAST system was chosen by MARTA: “Featuring world-class HD surveillance imaging, leading-edge design, robustness, zero infrastructure requirements and seamless Video Management System (VMS) integration, MAST is the only product of its kind that would readily integrate into the existing CCTV infrastructure. Additionally, MAST benefits from a significantly smaller footprint than similar trailer based stand-alone surveillance systems.” “MAST has been developed to answer the need for a more sophisticated and flexible surveillance system for infrastructure and public space safety, including large crowd gatherings, as in this application. MAST is unique, as it combines a rapidly deployable unit with some of the most advanced safety and surveillance technology available – the very reason why we selected 360 Vision Technology’s Invictus camera for its core imaging technology.” Full 1080P HD PTZ camera Invictus’ low-power consumption greatly assists the longevity of critical battery power when deployed in the field" Mark Rees Managing Director of 360 Vision Technology added: “360 Vision Technology’s Invictus is a high-performance, ruggedized all-in-one PTZ camera with full 1080P HD and ultra low-light camera technology - making it the perfect choice for off-grid temporary/rapid deployment mobile surveillance rigs, such as MAST. Additionally, Invictus’ low-power consumption greatly assists the longevity of critical battery power when deployed in the field – extending MAST’s operational performance for deployment in more remote applications.” “The Invictus camera’s unparalleled mix of competitive cost and advanced Predator low-light camera imaging technology makes it the perfect imaging component for the innovative MAST system.” MAST units at Super Bowl LIII The use of the MAST units integrated to the existing fixed camera points during Super Bowl LIII week proved a huge success with high-definition images transmitted back to the MARTA Emergency Operations Centre via a mobile network. System operators were able to identify and tackle a number of incidents Thanks to the high quality of images received, system operators were able to identify and tackle a number of incidents, including a vehicle theft. Additionally, the images were also used to predict areas of dense footfall, tackle crowd control safety issues, and manage general health and safety concerns. The deployment of the Invictus based camera system at Super Bowl LIII proved such a success that plans are already in place for deployment at other large-scale US sporting events, including the NCAA Final Four Basketball Championship in 2020 and for city centre deployment across Atlanta.

A total overhaul of care and safeguarding measures at Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust’s mental healthcare facilities was required following historic failures, including preventable deaths in 2012 and 2013. A root-and-branch reform programme was put in place to improve care, ensure transparency and cut risks. A comprehensive video surveillance solution was sought to underpin these efforts. The first phase project required complete video capture and recording at the Ravenswood House facility for children and adolescents, with further premises to follow in subsequent phases. Affordable surveillance system The surveillance system not only needed to cover all areas of the site but also needed to be affordable, secure against cyber-attacksSouthern Health had a critical need for continuous video evidence capture in all areas at Ravenswood House, in all lighting conditions, without blind-spots. The primary objective was to use the recordings of interactions with patients to improve standards of care, with clinical staff reviewing how incidents are handled, and protecting staff in the event of accusations of mistreatment. Because vulnerable young people are being cared for, any allegation of mistreatment requires that the staff involved are removed from front-line care duties pending investigations, therefore the ability to find and present video evidence quickly is vital. The surveillance system not only needed to cover all areas of the site but also needed to be affordable, secure against cyber-attacks in compliance with NHS requirements, quick to install – as the hospital had to remain in constant use – and easy for clinical staff to use as well as security specialists. Installation of 12MP Super Fisheye cameras The 12MP Super Fisheyes benefit from IDIS’s Smart Failover protection, which ensures continued recording even during network instability or drop-outHigh specification IDIS video technology was identified as the best for the project following a detailed on-site comparison which demonstrated its superior picture quality and ease-of-use. Specialist integrator ISD Tech was brought in to install more than a hundred IDIS 12MP Super Fisheye cameras. These units allow affordable, comprehensive area coverage, typically doing the equivalent job of three or four PTZ cameras. The result is lower installation fees, a reduced maintenance burden and affordable operation, recording the full scene without the need for an operator 24/7. The 12MP Super Fisheyes also benefit from IDIS’s Smart Failover protection, which ensures continued recording even during network instability or drop-out. And IDIS’s Korean-made technology uses proprietary protocols (not off-the-shelf) that makes it fully network-secure, allowing it to be linked to local LANs without the risk of system hacking, which is a key consideration for any IP surveillance solution. Easier and less costly installation The impact on staff is huge when they can’t work in the wards, so this speeded-up process is really valuable"The IDIS video solution was used to quickly and easily replace a previously-installed IP video system which comprised a mix of equipment from different manufacturers, and in comparison, it is easier and less costly to install, maintain and operate. “This will really assist us with evidence gathering and any criminal process. We can now look at the footage ourselves and quickly determine what happened. And we can email video links to the police and local authority designated officers. The impact on staff is huge when they can’t work in the wards, so this speeded-up process is really valuable,” said Tracey Edwards, Head of Security Southern Health NHS Trust. Following ISD Tech’s successful completion of the Ravenswood House upgrade, 250 more facilities across Hampshire are to follow, including clinics, medium secure units and admin centres.

MARSS NiDAR system has been selected to secure and protect a critical national infrastructure (CNI) site in the form of a major dam facility. The NiDAR command and control (C2) system has been selected to integrate a thermal camera and a sonar system to protect the dam from potential underwater and surface approaches. NiDAR is an advanced long-range surveillance system designed to protect maritime and land-based critical infrastructure from air, surface and underwater approaches. Tracking objects in real time NiDAR is sensor agnostic, enabling it to integrate with any existing hardware or systems, and due to its modular design, not only does it meet the current contract needs, but it also offers the flexibility to meet any future expansions or requirements. NiDAR can track, monitor, detect, classify, and respond to multiple objects, 360° in real time NiDAR can track, monitor, detect, classify, and respond to multiple objects, 360° in real time, of over 1000 known and unknown, air, surface and underwater objects thanks to the software algorithms. It can intelligently analyse and rank unknown objects to determine potential threat levels and automatically trigger the appropriate alert. When the user determined warning and alarm zones are breached the system can automatically or manual deploy integrated countermeasures to deter potential approaches and de-escalate threats. Enhanced awareness picture The intuitive C2 interface provides an enhanced awareness picture, in real-time, through a touchscreen user interface and multi touch control. Rob Balloch, Sales Director of MARSS said, “NiDAR was chosen for this critical national infrastructure as it is robust and suited to all environments, however challenging. Its high availability and reliability, low maintenance and cost effectiveness makes it the perfect choice for any future growth, or change of requirements, with minimum disruption.”

On his 2018 two-day visit to Ireland for the World Meeting of Families, Pope Francis’s scheduled activity was protected by high-performance Predator and Invictus cameras from UK CCTV design and manufacturing company, 360 Vision Technology. Specialists in a wide range of leading-edge CCTV, Access Control, PA, AV and radio communications, County Kildare-based Mongey Communications was chosen to provide the additional security surveillance protection measures necessary to secure the Pope’s visit to Dublin. With the massive crowds expected to see the pontiff, the temporary surveillance installation needed to be minimally disruptive and use mobile radio to provide the multi-scene coverage required during the two-day visit. Multi-site CCTV surveillance The camera images were to be used for co-ordination and management by multiple agencies To support an existing small-scale CCTV installation at the Pope’s final venue of Phoenix Park (the largest enclosed city park in Europe), there was a need for further camera coverage along the park’s approach routes, entrance/exit gates, search areas and general areas of crowd movement and congregation. A similar solution was also required for the Pope’s visit to the Knock Shrine pilgrimage site and the Capuchin Day Centre, where public space CCTV was again already in place but of limited overall coverage. Full integration with the existing CCTV system at the 82,300 capacity Croke Park stadium for a papal address to the Festival of Families extravaganza was also required, with communications and CCTV feeds from all locations required to be transmitted back to local on-site control rooms at each location, and additionally to a central Command and Control room at Dublin Castle. At the main Command and Control Centre, the camera images were to be used for co-ordination and management by multiple agencies, including the Office of Public works (OPW), Garda Síochána, Defence Forces Ireland, Dublin Fire Brigade, HSE / Ambulance Services and Civil Defence. High-definition video security to secure Phoenix Park  “With 300,000 people expected to attend a papal mass at Phoenix Park to close the World Meeting of Families, we were briefed to provide the very best possible reliability and imaging performance from the additional cameras we employed,” explains Kevin McGrath of Mongey Communications. We needed to be confident of camera reliability straight out of the box, along with simple and fast set-up" He further added, “With this in mind, we needed to be confident of camera reliability straight out of the box, along with simple and fast set-up, and quality high-definition video for forward transmission to the various control rooms. Our very positive experience of employing 360 Vision Technology cameras on many high-security installations in the past led us to be confident about the image and build quality of the manufacturer’s cameras, and product support.”  “So, to fulfil the challenges we faced for this high-profile project, we specified the latest version of 360 Vision’s Predator camera, and also their new cost-effective and ruggedised Invictus Hybrid HD PTZ camera.” 360 Vision Invictus Hybrid HD PTZ camera The new 360 Vision Invictus cameras specified for the project employ the latest compact camera modules with a choice of 20:1 or 30:1 zoom and are available with 1/2.8” Sony StarVis or 1/1.9” Sony Exmor (Ultra) sensor packages. Bridging the divide between analogue and IP technology, all Invictus cameras are equipped with Hybrid functionality enabling installation in existing analogue systems and also in full 1080P HD IP video streaming networks. Alongside ONVIF 2.4 Profile S compatibility, this means the Invictus range is not only economical, but simple to install, providing Mongey Communications engineers with a reliable, flexible and high- performance solution with which to enhance the existing electronic surveillance measures for the Pope’s 2018 visit. HD IP video streaming networks An upright camera mount design allows full 360-degree continuous pan and unobstructed field of view Further enhancing camera reliability for this important event, the new Invictus camera range design draws cost-effectively on features usually associated with very high-end cameras, including construction from high grade, hardened aluminium and stainless steel, to ensure a rugged, durable and compact camera. An upright camera mount design allows full 360-degree continuous pan and unobstructed field of view, plus the ability to tilt above the horizon – enabling operators to view targets above camera installation height (i.e. up hills) – an invaluable asset where cameras were being installed in the difficult installation and operational conditions of Phoenix Park. Technical relationship with 360 Vision Technology “Our decision to once again entrust the provision of the best technology available for the project to 360 Vision Technology was proven correct, and we had no issues of consequence with the installation, commissioning and performance of all the cameras - straight out of the box,” explains Kevin. “Because of the condensed set-up period available and challenging terrain of some of the installation areas, we had to act fast to ensure the successful inclusion and full control of the cameras for the multi-agency command and control room,” adds Kevin. “Here our technical relationship with 360 Vision Technology really paid dividends throughout this time-critical project, affording easy integration of all the additional cameras into the control room’s Cathexis VMS. Cathexis VMS Images from the cameras were relayed back to the various event control centres In all, over 60 additional 360 Vision Technology cameras were employed over the various sites throughout the Pope’s visit. With extensive digging and cabling not a practical option, images from the cameras were relayed back to the various event control centres via a network of reliable and secure microwave transmission links, powered by temporary generators and back-up batteries. “The new Invictus cameras were perfect for the role thanks to their low power consumption compared to other similar specification PTZ cameras,” explains Kevin. “Low power consumption really helps when adding multiple cameras to a network with a temporary power system - and meant we could add more cameras for the benefit of maximum scene coverage.” High-speed fibre-optic connectivity High-speed fibre-optic connectivity between the various remote sites and Dublin Castle was installed, together with video walls at the various control rooms. “The Pope’s visit was a great success with no security issues reported,” says Kevin. “Images relayed to the control room from the additional 360 Vision Technology cameras were vital in the smooth running of the visit and allowed all of the state agencies involved to keep a constant update on the movements of the vast crowds drawn over the pontiff’s two-day visit.” “Our long-term technical partnership with 360 Vision Technology and our direct input in to the development of their new products really pays off with high-profile projects like this,” concludes Kevin. “We have many new and exciting installation challenges on the horizon and I’m confident that 360 Vision Technology camera products will continue to be an integral part of those future projects.”

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.

A concierge orders a taxi for an employee or takes his shirts to be cleaned, then greets a visitor and escorts her to an elevator. And these are just a few of countless possible examples of the NOVE office complex’s unique, multifaceted service culture. It attains the standard of security, efficiency and comfort of a five-star international hotel in a state-of-the-art facility where 1,300 people work for no fewer than eight different companies in the heart of Munich. The NOVE has even been honoured with platinum certification from LEED (‘Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design’, a program developed by the U.S. Green Building Council to encourage the construction of energy- and resource-efficient, healthy buildings). Completely integrated solution Tim Wiesener therefore went looking for a reliable and experienced partner, and found it in Bosch’s building experts “We wanted an office building that felt like a five-star designer hotel,” says Tim Wiesener, the CEO of Salvis Consulting AG. The company envisaged a high standard of security backed by smart networked solutions that blended smoothly and esthetically with the architecture and interior decorating. “We certainly didn’t want employees and other users of the building to feel bothered or overwhelmed by its technology.” Tim Wiesener therefore went looking for a reliable and experienced partner, and found it in Bosch’s building experts. “Bosch applies both experience and foresight to its projects, and its specialists immediately grasped our vision.” Video surveillance, access control and intrusion alarm systems, fire protection, visitor management: Bosch planned and implemented a completely integrated solution that harmonised with NOVE’s character and personality. Its leading-edge technology and software are distributed and networked across six stories, a 23-meter-high atrium, and a nine-floor tower. Manage video surveillance The concierges working shifts at the 24-hour reception play an important role in the overall concept, since they are also trained security experts. Among other things, monitors behind the counter let them keep a watchful eye on images from over a hundred surveillance cameras that can be remotely controlled, zoomed and pointed as required, all courtesy of the Bosch Building Integration System. The software lets them efficiently manage video surveillance as well as fire and intrusion alarms. Around-the-clock assistance is also available to the 300 or so visitors that enter the NOVE each day, aided by the dedicated BoVisit visitor management system. The software’s functionality includes announcing guests, printing name tags for them, and assigning them to employees. Thanks to a centralised solution, the concierges always know who is where inside the building. Visually integrating This is especially important in case a critical situation ever arises. At the press of a button, the system generates a vitally important overview of how many people need to be evacuated from each area. Not everything the concierges do is high-tech, of course; they are devoted to helping both tenants and visitors with a smile. “Our receptionists are efficient but not nameless. We combine security with personal service,” says Tim Wiesener. Tenants can naturally access the NOVE any time of the day or night Italian star architect Antonio Citterio designed the complex, which spans roughly 27,500 square meters of gross floor space. He paid especially great attention to visually integrating the security equipment so it wouldn’t stand out. “This called for a certain finesse,” explains Tim Wiesener. Networked solutions Tim Kosok, a sales representative with Bosch Energy and Building Solutions in Munich, worked hard to find out exactly what the customer wanted, explaining that “we painted installations the same color as the ceilings or walls and positioned them just right so they would be practically invisible. Even the door intercoms are designed to be inconspicuous.” Tenants can naturally access the NOVE any time of the day or night. Tim Wiesener is confident that everyone consistently feels safe there, thanks to the networked solutions. “Our collaboration for implementing the complex was excellent and collegial. We worked closely with the Bosch experts to create a solution that’s geared to people and their needs.”

Video cameras are everywhere, and hundreds more are installed every day. Our society appears to be reaching a point of perpetual surveillance. It certainly feels as if we are always being watched even though it is not yet the case. But as cameras are becoming more common than ever, we are also entering a new era of privacy concerns and sensitivities, as evidenced by GDPR and other such initiatives. We presented this quandary to this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: Surveillance cameras can go anywhere, right? Where is it “not OK?”

Sometimes customers expect more out of a security system. A brand new security system just doesn’t perform as the customer expected it would. In fact, one might argue that the many variables in today’s complex systems make it more likely than ever that some element of a system might not measure up to a customer’s expectations. What happens then? We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What happens if a customer’s expectations of system performance are greater than what a physical security system can deliver?

Environmentalism is a universal consideration in most business sectors in 2016. Whether seeking to provide greener products, or looking for new ways to minimise waste of manufacturing processes, most companies are involved to some degree with environmental concerns. Green has not traditionally been a big driver in the security industry, but there are indications the profile of environmentalism is increasing. We asked this week's Expert Panel: How green (environmentally friendly) is the security industry? How should the industry as a whole (integrators and manufacturers) work to improve the industry’s environmental record?