Switches

New switches, relays and pressure sensing solutions from Sensata Technologies, global manufacturer of sensors for industrial applications, are helping to ensure the smooth and efficient operation of access control equipment installed in a range of demanding and often remote environments. New devices have been launched to address the three key concerns that design engineers have in creating new access control solutions - space – new designs require smaller components for applications where space is at a premium; performance – components have to work reliably and efficiently, even in extremes of temperature or where vibration or other disturbances can be an issue; and reliability – access control solutions must have a durable life cycle to reduce unnecessary repair and maintenance costs. Solid State Relays Sensata’s switches and relays are used to switch motors or pumps that are key to a range of access control systems Sensata’s latest range of switches and relays are used to switch motors or pumps that are key to a range of access control systems including barriers, roller shutters and rising curbs. The latest Solid State Relays (SSRs) – including the new DRC Series – reduce power consumption and wear and tear on various components within the equipment, therefore improving operational performance and reducing costly downtime and repairs. They are especially designed for high volume operations where reliability is key. Pressure sensors and switches Pressure sensors and switches, including the latest HDC Series, are used in access control applications that use hydraulic systems. They are typically used in the design of the pump station that controls the rising and lowering of the unit (such as a tail lift or disabled ramp). Pressure ranges in these applications typically range from 100- to 260-PSI and require accuracy but must also be cost effective. Sensata’s latest Position sensors are critical to the elements of access control systems that rely on the position of an object. This could be an arm of a gate or a roller of a door. Position sensors The latest Position sensors, including the recently launched ACW/TCW and 9960 Series Hall Effect sensors, are contactless and rugged in construction, making them ideal for access control applications that are exposed to extremes of weather, and where the reduced cost of maintenance is an important concern. The same is also true of the latest range of Motor Protection components (such as the AC Off-Winding Motor Protector) that protect the motor from failing, thus preventing the commensurate disruption to business and increased costs of repairs.

Once again this year, macmon secure GmbH will be present at Europe's largest IT security trade fair with five partners and presents the following four main topics: macmon NAC in the new version 5.15.0 - secures corporate networks even more efficiently and comprehensively macmon NAC smart - the simple NAC solution for small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) macmon Past Viewer - the intelligent network look back macmon Switch Viewer - more network details for more security Network access control software The migration to the new version is in full swing with our customers and runs smoothly" With the latest version of the network access control (NAC) software from macmon secure GmbH, another milestone was reached in September 2019. In addition to more than 200 new and improved features, the overall engine performance could be significantly increased again. Thus, the processing speed of large amounts of data, as they occur in the Domain Name System (DNS), the network device detection and footprinting, multiplied. Christian Bücker, Managing Director of macmon secure GmbH: "At this year's it-sa we inform our partners, customers and interested parties about our latest version of macmon NAC. Our development team in Berlin has done an excellent job, the migration to the new version is in full swing with our customers and runs smoothly. NAC should be as self-evident as antivirus and firewall products.” Increasing number of network devices “Since attacks, cybercrime or espionage activities are increasingly occurring in the internal network and are always becoming more sophisticated, we can contribute a relevant part to fundamental security. Besides, with our new product variant macmon NAC smart, we also have a possibility for SMEs to implement NAC quickly, easily and cost-effectively. At it-sa, we are also looking forward to many new resellers who can achieve short-term sales with macmon NAC smart without registration or additional certification." There is currently no attractive solution on the market in the area of network access control For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) up to 250 nodes, there is currently no attractive solution on the market in the area of network access control. Above all, the acquisition costs for SMEs seem too high. But the importance of NAC will grow strongly in the coming years due to an increasing number of network devices in companies, IoT and associated skills shortages for SMEs. Comprehensive network transparency Network Overview will also be a core driver for NAC solutions and network access protection in this segment. In September 2019, macmon secure GmbH introduced macmon NAC smart, a solution that solves precisely these problems intelligently and easily, while at the same time being attractive for customers in use and for partners and distributors in sales. In addition to comprehensive network transparency, guest and BYOD management, as well as differentiated enforcement of policies, the solution can be put into operation quickly and in just a few hours. macmon NAC smart is available either for up to 150 or 250 nodes and a fixed term of 3 years. The customer can choose between high-quality hardware or a virtual appliance. Setup is conveniently done via remote support. Thus, macmon reseller, also outside the partner network, offers fast sales opportunities without certification and training. Suspicion or concrete incidents In case of suspicion or concrete incidents, corresponding connections can be checked later Besides, macmon Past Viewer offers the option of structurally collecting and processing the ‘old’ data - which is usually discarded with Network Access Control - to obtain a historical view in addition to the live view. For each endpoint can be represented, when and where the endpoint was operated in the network, which IP addresses and which names it had or in which VLAN it was. Furthermore, it can be tracked per switch interface or access point, which endpoints were operated there. With this information, forensic analysis is possible, but above all, proof requirements regarding ISO or PCI compliance or for the data protection officer are effectively supported. In case of suspicion or concrete incidents, corresponding connections can be checked later. Utilisation of all collected data Because these data are collected through the permanent survey, it is possible to look back over the entire duration of the use of macmon NAC and macmon Past Viewer. At the same time, the data allow analysis for planned changes or measures within the network. Another addition to the control of network access is the utilisation of all collected data down to the last detail. With macmon Switch Viewer, other information of the network devices is collected and offered for use With macmon Switch Viewer - extended functions around network components. Another addition to the control of network access is the utilisation of all collected data down to the last detail. With macmon Switch Viewer, various other information of the network devices is collected and offered for use. Examples include the serial numbers and other port configurations. Effective protection of the network A graphical representation of the interfaces in the original layout of the network devices provides quickly detectable details about the current state. If necessary, there is the possibility to unerringly determine the correct physical port and switch it, if required. In addition to details and visualisations, the macmon Switch Viewer also allows the use of the macmon RADIUS server for secure switch login to ensure that only authorised administrators can make changes to the switches. At the same time, a gap in the effective protection of the network is closed by the German macmon NAC.

Belden, Inc., a provider of signal transmission solutions for mission-critical applications, releases its Full Gigabit OCTOPUS ethernet PoE switches. The new managed switches from Hirschmann are designed to meet evolving data demands by increasing bandwidth and ensuring reliable, high-speed connections, even in the toughest industrial settings. “As the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) increases the number of devices typically operated across a network, bandwidth expectations also rise, while the available operating space often decreases,” said Rolf-Dieter Sommer, product manager at Belden. Optimising network performance Hirschmann’s Full Gigabit OCTOPUS switches offer an economical, yet powerful solution" “Equipped with Gigabit ethernet on all ports and enclosed in an L-shaped housing, Hirschmann’s Full Gigabit OCTOPUS switches offer an economical, yet powerful solution for optimising network performance in extreme, condensed operating spaces.” Hirschmann’s Full Gigabit OCTOPUS switches offer the following benefits: Maximise network performance and guarantee high-speed connections with full Gigabit ethernet options on all ports Ensure network reliability under extreme conditions with vibration and waterproof IP67 housing design Save precious operating space with unique L-shaped IP67 housing for efficient cabling and cabinet less mounting Reduce cabling to end devices using Power over Ethernet (PoE) switch variants Highly configurable switches Hirschmann’s Full Gigabit OCTOPUS switches are highly configurable and come with a variety of feature sets including three housing sizes for 8, 16 or 24 ports, tailored to specific networking demands. The switches are also compact and don’t require cabinets, making them easy to install and maintain. The Full Gigabit OCTOPUS switches are also well-suited for applications requiring superior data transfer rates Built in compliance with international train approvals for use alongside tracks or onboard trains, the new switches are ideal for transportation applications, including traffic control systems, rail-rolling stock, mass transit systems and railway and train stations. The Full Gigabit OCTOPUS switches are also well-suited for applications requiring superior data transfer rates in extreme operating conditions, such as general manufacturing, automotive and machine building settings. Next generation of industrial networking solutions As an early innovator in industrial ethernet, Belden knows industrial IT and delivers the next generation of industrial networking solutions, including wired, wireless and embedded products. With its global brands – Hirschmann, GarrettCom and Tofino Security – Belden helps companies minimise downtime and take advantage of the real-time data access and control made possible by the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). Through a seamless, secure and scalable industrial Ethernet infrastructure, companies are equipped to revolutionise their operations and achieve improved efficiency, productivity and agility.

Interlogix, a division of UTC Climate, Controls & Security, announces a plan to dismantle its businesses in the United States and Canada by the end of the year. Here is a statement from the company: “After a thorough portfolio review of our security business, we have communicated our plans to wind down our Interlogix U.S. and Canada businesses. This decision will allow us to focus on the significant growth opportunities for our other fire and security businesses, including LenelS2.” Fire detection and life safety Dealers can continue to purchase, install, register, and service Interlogix products with complete confidence" Interlogix products will be manufactured and orders fulfilled through 2019 and will be available for purchase from distributors and dealers during ‘a well-coordinated transition period,’ according to the company. “We will continue to provide customer support related to product technical services, timely fulfilment and comprehensive product warranty into 2020 and beyond,” says the company statement “Dealers can continue to purchase, install, register, and service Interlogix products with complete confidence.” Interlogix represents a full product line including intrusion detection, video surveillance, fire detection and life safety, access control and security/fire data transmission products. Enhanced video streaming capabilities Interlogix was created in the merger in 2000 of ITI Technologies and SLC Technologies. It was purchased by General Electric in 2002 and later renamed GE Security. United Technologies Corp. (UTC) bought the security business of General Electric in 2010 and reverted back to using the Interlogix brand. Last year, Interlogix introduced TruVision Navigator version 8.0 of its unified security software Last year, Interlogix introduced TruVision Navigator version 8.0 of its popular unified security software, including enhanced video streaming capabilities, integration with the Interlogix UltraSync Modular Hub systems and tighter integration with IFS networking switches. Voice-controlled digital devices Early this year, Interlogix reinvested in its UL-listed, professional-grade, security panel lineup and added two touchscreen controls. In addition, it began providing access to more device integrations – such as sensors, lights, locks, thermostats and garage door controls, video doorbell cameras and voice-controlled digital devices, among others. In the spring, the company re-launched its Interlogix Security Pro program, a national channel partner program offering Interlogix dealers an array of resources and incentives designed to help them successfully grow their businesses.

Matrix Comsec, a manufacturer of IP based phone systems and voice gateways is participating in GITEX Technology Week 2019, Dubai. During this event Matrix will unveil its server based ANANT UCS and will showcase its complete range of business IP-PBXs, VoIP & GSM gateways and new portfolio of IP communication endpoints. Matrix is going to unveil ANANT UCS at the event. ANANT is an enterprise-grade high capacity, high durability, high scalability and high efficacy software-based communication solution. It connects all the employees on a single platform. It offers a range of enterprise grade calling features that improves employees’ productivity and speeds up the decision-making process. Network management solution Matrix will showcase its new video conferencing solution, PARISAT VC - an enterprise meeting solution With an in-call redundant system, ANANT UCS boasts of providing the best customer engagement. As a major highlight in IP-PBX domain, Matrix will showcase its new video conferencing solution, PARISAT VC - an enterprise meeting solution that sets a new benchmark by offering enhanced video and voice capabilities. The video conferencing server meets communication needs of modern enterprises to brainstorm ideas and device effective strategies. Matrix PARISAT VC empowers organisations for faster decision-making process and creates enhanced customer experience. Moreover, Matrix will also showcase its network management solution – an all-in-one solution for central control of every connected Matrix communication servers and Gateways in the network. Here, at this event, Matrix will exhibit its range of gateways. Based on SIP (Session Initiation Protocol), these gateways allow easy integration with most of IP-PBX, TDM PBX, soft switch and hosted solutions. Redefining business communications Award winning series of Matrix gateways are perfect for enterprise and carrier-class solutions. Starting from a single port VoIP adaptor to high density VoIP-GSM-PRI-FXO/FXS gateways, Matrix has one stop solution for every business needs. Preloaded with superior voice quality and state-of-the-art routing features, Matrix gateways are ideal for multi-site connectivity, remote survivability and SIP trunking. Matrix is all set to showcase its latest telecom solutions at GITEX this year" Apart from this, Matrix is also going to showcase its wide range of IP communication endpoints along with its enterprise video collaboration desk phone – SPARSH VP710. “GITEX is a major technology event bringing ICT professionals on a common platform. Matrix is all set to showcase its latest telecom solutions at GITEX this year.” “We look forward to meeting key decision makers and service providers and give them a first-hand experience of our telecom solutions that are redefining business communications and providing competitive advantage to our customers worldwide,” said Jatin Desai, Marketing Manager, Matrix Comsec. To get a closer look on Matrix telecom solutions, visit Matrix Comsec at booth #Z3-B20 at GITEX 2019 scheduled from 06th to 10th October, Dubai.

macmon secure GmbH, globally renowned technology solutions provider for network security, announced developing its Network Access Control (NAC) solution completely in Germany. The Berlin-based in-house development team has now been able to even extend the best-of-breed solution with further significant features in order to solve major future challenges of Corporate IT-Security. Network access control solution With macmon NAC, enterprise networks will be even more effectively protected against unauthorised access. Security teams will be significantly relieved of administrative workload. The amount in security tools will be reduced, and the IoT-devices securely operated. With version 5.15.0, macmon secure GmbH has reached yet another milestone With version 5.15.0, macmon secure GmbH has reached yet another milestone. In addition to numerous new and improved functions, the overall performance of the engine could be significantly increased, again. Therefore the processing speed of large amounts of data - as they occur in the Domain Name System (DNS), the network device detection and foot-printing - multiplied. Scalability for growing networks In the optimised dashboard, administrators now can see more details about unauthorised devices in the network status in more detail. macmon NAC also evaluates the network status. This relieves the IT department from work and makes decisions easier. With new and enhanced filter wizards, macmon NAC now also offers the option of searching in IPv4 and IPv6 ranges. The filters can be even more granular. In addition, RADIUS authentication information has been enhanced in reporting and included in a NAC RADIUS report.In addition to various improvements and optimisations, which result from the close collaboration with the macmon customers, it is now possible to also implement NAC via SNMP with macmon satellites, enabling decentralised NAC. The synchronisation of the servers has been significantly accelerated, the interaction has been expanded considerably with more stability. The transparency of the processes and the performance of the scalability nodes has been increased. In addition, detailed status messages provide more transparency about the synchronisation as well as the system status of the satellites. macmon RADIUS server The relatively new Past Viewer feature has been further optimised to more effectively evaluate the historical data of the network. On one hand, the collected information was supplemented by further details and the search for historical data was made more flexible for the administrator. For logins to a network device, the macmon RADIUS server can now be used for authentication. To do this, macmon NAC has a separate set of rules that makes access options controllable. The switch port layouts stored in a particular network device can be configured, and also displayed graphically. The overview of complex networks increases enormously. macmon REST API With a wider range of functionalities, the macmon REST API now covers almost all areas of macmon NAC With a much wider range of functionalities, the macmon REST API now covers almost all areas of macmon NAC. Thus, the possibility to set manual links was added and the intelligent access to endpoints was extended. So not only the information about company devices, guest devices, and BYOD devices, but from now on about any other unknown/discovered devices are available. Last but not least, the API also enables guest management and Wake-On-LAN.Access VLANs configured on the switch ports can now be automatically adopted as terminal standard VLANs. Other VLAN concepts can be implemented flexibly, extending to parallel operation with other VLAN management solutions. By activities and on demand you will be informed by e-mail about the event ID and get with one click directly to the process. Extended capabilities To support the widest possible network device diversity, several new methods are included, such as extended capabilities for SonicWall Firewalls, Cisco WLAN Controller 5500 and switches from HP (1910s), Ruckus, Extreme (Rail), Alcatel (Industrial), Enterasys and Moxa.The management of guests and the creation of vouchers via the macmon guest portal has been expanded and is now much more flexible. Administrators can differentiate between time of usage and usage duration and are in the position to extend voucher lifetime quickly. FireEye integration extends connectivity In addition to texting, a SMS can be sent to guests on extension or expiration of their utilisation period. The portal pages can now also be displayed in Spanish and Italian. The site offers an optimised display of details and messages for administrators and guests.The new integration of FireEye enables the receiving and processing of status information of individual endpoints in the network. This way, endpoints that are classified by FireEye as dangerous or infected, are automatically isolated in macmon NAC, accordingly. Integration with other security solutions In macmon NAC, other security products can also be integrated, for example, endpoint security solutions In macmon NAC, other security products can also be integrated, for example, endpoint security solutions, emergency management and firewall / IPS. The company uses its long-standing technology partnerships with well-known manufacturers of security products such as Barracuda, Certex Tenfold, Contechnet, EgoSecure and NCP to promote the knowledge exchange. The open macmon REST API also enables direct connection to any asset management system, identity source or infrastructure component. Customers benefit from these far-reaching opportunities and can optimally combine multi-vendor IT systems. Network security Christian Bücker, Managing Director macmon secure GmbH, said "Over the past few months, our development team has developed significant capabilities that will allow us to further extend our leading position in the dynamic network security market. He adds, “Our customers appreciate macmon NAC because we offer a solution that can handle the existing enterprise infrastructure in a highly dynamic, but also an intelligent way. Network security becomes even easier and more efficient through our permanent in-house development capabilities."

Security consultants are on the front lines of trends such as “smart buildings” and the increasing demand for green technologies. We recently gathered together several consultants to reflect on what’s new in these areas, joined by a representative of HID Global. Participants were Chris Grniet of Guidepost Solutions, Brandon Frazier of Elert & Associates, Terry Harless of Burns & McDonnell, and Harm Radstaak, HID Global’s Vice President and Managing Director, Physical Access Control. SourceSecurity.com: What are your thoughts on the emergence of “smart buildings”? How do you see the concept expanding? How does making a building “smart” add value to it as an asset? Brandon Frazier: The term smart building has been a moving target beginning in the late 1800s with the electric thermostat. As I see things now becoming networked, becoming smarter, I think we’ll be able to aggregate a lot of data, and probably use that data. I think there will be new ways to use data for the average customer. Chris Grniet: Smart buildings have been a long time coming. It’s about green, sustainability, the ability to control your environment, and making sure you get the most efficiency out of an asset. To understand how an asset is being used is very important. A lot of clients these days are looking for occupancy calculations: Are my facilities being used to their utmost capabilities? What are my populations, and how do I control the environments? And is the real estate really worth keeping because so many people are working remotely? Harm Radstaak: I believe that smart buildings will bring our traditional security industry potentially into a new space, with data analytics and servicing end users, and channeling data to be used for green buildings, sustainability, space utilisation. It’s important for our industry to know how we will make sure that data is secure and trusted for end users and to provide the correct technology, services and solutions. Terry Harless: Another thing is that smart buildings can be used for maintenance. In the security world, you can keep a log of how many people have gone through a door, or use it for maintaining batteries if you’re using wireless devices, or maybe maintain your locks when they have been cycled so many times. {##Poll36 - How do you make your security systems more green?##} SourceSecurity.com: How important is being “green” related to design decisions and product selection? How do you use green products? Frazier: The world of selecting electronics based on green criteria has always been very tricky. A lot of manufacturers have come out with “green products.” I’ve seen more power-efficient products, and we are seeing certifications on them. But it is very difficult, I think, to truly design a green technology-based system end-to-end. Not just single components but an entirely efficient system. Radstaak: I see it as absolutely a trend for end users to specify new buildings according to sustainability and green specifications. For HID Global and ASSA ABLOY, we see it as one of the megatrends worldwide. Green and sustainability are critical as we define our products and solution set and bring that back to the table in design engineering and product marketing. Harless: I’m on board and think green is good. But as far as helping with accumulating points for the LEED [Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design] certification, I have talked with several architects and engineers in the past who are LEED certified and discussed with them some of the green security products out there. For the most part, they say the products are not providing any points for them. They typically don’t want to waste the time of adding security into their evaluation. SourceSecurity.com: So the “green” that we have achieved in the security market is not translating into enough quantitative scoring to make a difference in the LEED certification. Frazier: I think our power usage is so miniscule compared to the big building systems that the savings we offer are just not worth their time (to document). Grniet: I have had some opposite experiences where we are able to contribute if we don’t call it a security category, but we put it in with the low voltage category, so now we have greener power consumption on my switches, my computing systems, people are putting OTNs (optical transport networks) in, and not utilising as much power on a floor-by-floor basis. Now I have smart power supplies, smart locks, green locks. Where the industry has always lacked is the sustainability piece. We talk about zero landfill projects. We talk about rare earth metals involved in these processes, and other materials; this industry continues to source from remote regions. Everybody is pitching “built in America,” but we all have to source something from abroad, and those are real challenges for the security industry. Not to mention the fact that, unfortunately, we ship everything in small packages – it’s all unitised. So we create massive landfills by doing that. There are some companies that have gone out and started packaging in mass relative to orders and said: “This is how we are going to ship, not on an individual piece-by-piece basis.” That has to speak to the entire supply chain relative to sustainability. Read part 2 of our Consultants' Forum series here

Increasing the quality of illumination with LED can help deter crime and improve the accuracy of video analytics One of the greatest challenges that indoor and outdoor security surveillance solutions face is lack of light. However, obtaining the proper amount of illumination for security goes beyond merely flooding a specific area with light. Without an adequate lighting source, video cameras are ineffective. When capturing only dark, blurry images and video, they can quickly become worthless to security staff or law enforcement personnel. On the other hand, too much of the wrong type of light can create issues like ‘hot spots’ and overheating, which can diminish crucial details and eventually cause irreversible camera damage. Fortunately, there has been a recent global shift that is sending users away from the old incandescent and fluorescent bulbs, and toward LED lighting. Regardless of the type of CCTV application, there are an abundance of reasons to stop using alternative types of illumination. Here are 3 of the most substantial. 1. Better illumination and clarity You would think it would be common knowledge by now that cameras need light to see, and well-lit areas provide less cover for criminals to commit crimes. However, it is still somewhat commonplace to have sites where either not enough lighting or the wrong kind of lighting is implemented. Increasing the quality of illumination in an area has the ability to deter crime, make other accompanying safety devices perform better and even improve the accuracy of video analytics. LED lamps are currently the only security lighting option that possesses a multitude of point sources, making it possible to  aim your light Integrators need a lighting solution that consistently performs, and when it comes to supplying the best operation, price, and durability; external LED lighting is the only choice. One particular aspect of external LED lighting that makes optimum illumination possible is the strategic uniformity of its design. External LED lamps are currently the only security lighting option that possesses a multitude of point sources, making it possible to literally aim your light by situating individual diodes in a specific angle or position. This type of alignment offers a more consistent and predictable light source than anything else on the market, eliminating much of the uncertainty involved in installation. This allows you to light a larger area more effectively and efficiently with nearly zero effort. 2. Faster start-up time Whether you are talking about protecting a utilities facility, school campus or international border, it doesn’t take long for an incident to occur. Unlike traditional HID (high intensity discharge) lights, which can take up to a half an hour to reach full competency, LED’s spark up immediately. The colder the climate of the area, the more difficulty the HID bulbs have getting started and functioning properly. Given that there are many places in the United States alone where temperatures can sit at or below single digits, it seems almost absurd to consider anything else besides LED lighting. This sizable flaw can be especially detrimental if attempting to set up any kind of crime deterring, motion detection solution. One of the most crucial components of a sufficient response system is reaction time. Having a sluggish start up regarding any component is much like having a 15 year-old guard dog laying in your yard. By the time the security lights get up and running, the offender has already committed the crime and vacated the premises. And as dependable as the old boy may have been in the years past, he is now just too darn slow. And with an industry that is quickly moving toward more effective real-time, situational security solutions, a hesitated response is the last thing desired. Unlike traditional HID lights, which can take up to a half an hour to reach full competency, LED’s spark up immediately 3. Increased life span and efficiency Organisations have the opportunity to save thousands of dollars each year in energy costs, whilst increasing site security by switching to LED based illuminators. LED’s provide the lowest running cost currently available, with less than 100 watts needed for the most powerful of units. Not to mention, the majority of additional wattage needed for other types of lighting units is generally burned off in the form of unwanted heat, decreasing both quality and length of life. How much longer LED’s lasts when compared to the alternative is astounding. For example, the average life span of an incandescent bulb is about 1,000 hours; fluorescent bulbs last for around 10,000 hours, while LED’s can shine bright up an impressive 100,000 hours. That is 100 times longer without changing a bulb. Furthermore, installing LED’s not only saves money in the form of lower energy and running costs, but also provides a very low rate of bulb malfunction or failure. This cuts down on maintenance fees as well as possible down time that could result in vulnerability. Inspections and servicing of lights alone can be very expensive and time consuming. LED’s radiate much less heat, reducing the chance of insect complications and helping prevent hot spot development, again saving you time, money and frustration at every camera site. Enhancing overall security solution As time goes on, the importance of strategic lighting becomes more and more evident for the security industry. The continual growth of technologically advanced video solutions (biometrics, crowd detection, motion tracking, etc.) demands a level of clarity and consistency that can only obtained through proper lighting. LED’s not only yield a lower running cost and better performance, they provide an enhanced level of control. The most important benefit of a security tool is not always how it performs independently, but how it increases the effectiveness of the overall security solution it is a part of.

Budget cuts are causing councils to scale down their systems, or decommission them altogether Budget cuts in England and Wales are leading to cameras being switched off to save money. But why is this happening and what could be done to minimise the impact on public space CCTV systems? The UK could be described as the CCTV “capital” of the world, with between 4 million and 6 million cameras deployed, according to a British Security Industry Association study in 2013. The vast majority of these are part of privately run systems mostly on “private” property, and do not feature in this article. We are concerned here with public space CCTV, usually run by – or at least involving – local government authorities. Due in part to large amounts of central government funding in the past (successive governments injected over £200 million of capital funding between 1994 and 2003), it was a boom time for public space surveillance. It seemed that every city and town was falling over itself to set up a surveillance system, often because the town next door had done so. Propelled by a fair amount of hype about what these systems could do and tacit acceptance of them by the public, they were soon to be seen in many towns and cities in the UK. Budgets squeezed and CCTV cut So are the good times over for CCTV? Well, there have been some radical moves recently which have seen local councils either scale down their systems, or decommission them altogether. Councils have had their budgets squeezed since austerity began in 2010, and there’s no sign of this changing any time soon. So, many of them have been looking at what expenditure cuts they can make. Unlike other services councils are legally required to deliver, CCTV is a “non-statutory service,” which means it’s at each council’s discretion. "The decision to carry out this limited decommissioning process was part of the response to central government funding cuts in general" A recent example of what can happen when councils are strapped for cash is Havant Borough Council in Hampshire, which switched off its 46-camera system this month, aiming to save £155,000 a year. “Reluctantly, after much consideration and investigation by our scrutiny panel, Havant Borough Council accepts the current CCTV system no longer fulfils a majority of the original objectives set out from when the system was set up in 1999,” said a spokesperson. Some of the cameras did not comply with the 2013 Surveillance Camera Code of Practice, and the system was described as “not fit for purpose.” The council concedes that although the local police force was approached to help with funding, no other sources of revenue – and no alternative technical solutions such as video analytics – were considered. Interestingly, Havant council says that if crime and anti-social behaviour rose “to a reasonable point,” alternative digital solutions would be investigated. If required, the council says it would work with other stakeholders towards a digital, fully integrated, centrally monitored CCTV system, with the council making a “financial contribution.” Over in Newbury, a 22-camera system has been switched off after West Berkshire Council stopped funding it. A council spokesperson told Newbury Today that among a whole range of cuts proposals that went out for consultation, the CCTV scheme had fewer responses than others, and as a result the council felt the money was better spent on other services. In Birmingham, the city council has decommissioned 51 cameras out of its stock of 276 since 2014. “We have physically decommissioned … cameras at various sites across Birmingham, as agreed by the council’s cabinet in March 2014,” said a spokesperson. “The decision to carry out this limited decommissioning process was part of the response to central government funding cuts in general – and the council is also required to adhere to guidance from the Surveillance Commissioner’s office, which states that cameras should only be used in areas where there is a pressing need.” Perhaps the most high-profile location to make plans to abandon its CCTV system is Westminster council London CCTV monitors to go dark Perhaps the most high-profile location to make plans to abandon its CCTV system is Westminster council in London, which will decommission its network of 75 cameras from 1 September. The scheme covers large parts of central London, was only established in 2002, and at the time was one of the most advanced in the country. The council revealed it has been discussing for “many years” the issue of the ongoing annual running costs of up to £1 million with the police, the Greater London Authority and central government, but no support has been forthcoming. If no solution can be found, Westminster council says it will allocate the £1.7 million currently earmarked for upgrading CCTV to other, “potentially more effective crime prevention measures,” such as improving the environment or better street lighting. Councillor Nickie Aiken, cabinet member for public protection, says: “Like many other local authorities around the country, our current view is that we are not able to continue to subsidise this non-statutory service when there are many other pressures on our budgets, and where other partners are the main beneficiaries.” City centre surveillance should be a priority Not all council members are happy with the decision. “We saw a 30 percent reduction in crime when [the cameras] were installed, so may we expect a 30 percent increase when they are no longer functional?” councillor Glenys Roberts asked in West End Extra. “Whenever there is a major incident anywhere in the world, CCTV plays a huge part in tracking and apprehending perpetrators, so of all the things the council spends money on, [it] should be a priority.” The Surveillance Camera Code of Practice says there has to be “a legitimate aim and a pressing need” in order to use CCTV. The term “pressing need” is not defined, so could be interpreted to mean only when there is an urgent rise in, or increased threat of, crime. Are there perhaps technical solutions available to mitigate this sorry state of affairs? Jacques Lombard, managing director of installation company Syntinex and vice chairman of the British Security Industry Association’s CCTV section, thinks so. “New technology such as HD 1080P and Ultra HD 4K can cover more than four times the area of a traditional analogue system, meaning the number of cameras required is significantly reduced. Installing fewer cameras does not necessarily mean less coverage.”  

An area of technology that is shifting how we interact with our cities is the Internet of Things (IoT). 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 critical. 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. Delivering exciting opportunities Much like the arrival of Uber and Airbnb, the Internet of Things will deliver exciting opportunities The search for an answer to the challenges of growing human urbanisation is believed to exist in the smarter application of new technologies. Where once, electricity and the arrival of the elevator gave us vertical cities, today, we have the promise of the Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data, micro-controllers (MEMS) and new materials to help manage a very crowded future. Data capture form to appear here! We are confronted with a perfect storm of risk factors and potential vulnerabilities as each of these connection points is potentially a source for a security breach. Much like the arrival of Uber and Airbnb, the Internet of Things will deliver exciting opportunities and new kinds of services, many of which we have yet to imagine. Priority control solutions However, there will be equally unimagined and unintended consequences, if only because, in highly complex systems with many connected and tightly linked elements, accidents are inevitable. “The journey to a smart city is incremental—you can’t flip a switch or force it. It requires complex integration and relentless innovation,” says Global Traffic Technologies (GTT) product manager Chad Mack. GTT provides priority control solutions that use analytics GTT provides priority control solutions that use analytics, cloud-based computing to link connected devices to improve mobility, public safety and transportation in cities around the world. GTT’s Opticom Priority Control mobility solution allows transit and public safety vehicles to request a green light at intersections, dramatically reducing the potential for intersection crashes and improving travel times and reliability. Increased connectivity “These intelligent priority management systems allow users to oversee and control the movement of vehicles that operate on a city’s streets,” Mack explained. The rise of urban centres and ‘Smart City’ initiatives enabled by big data, network of sensors and the Internet of Things bring a new set of challenges to future policing. There is now a growing consensus that technology transformation must be part of the overall solution While digital technologies have helped compress the reaction time of police all over the world, the increased connectivity can similarly be leveraged by criminals to carry out increasingly sophisticated crimes. There is now a growing consensus that technology transformation must be part of the overall solution. To keep cities and citizens safe, law enforcement must be armed with the right technology, tools, and processes to solve – or even prevent – the toughest crimes at faster rates. Proven criminal theories Many law enforcement agencies such as LAPD, Seattle and Florida Police Departments are using cutting-edge cloud-based crime prediction software to predict drug crime, gang crime, anti-social behaviour and gun violence. Such crime prediction software works by analysing data through a sophisticated algorithm that applies proven criminal theories to predict the top 10 to 20 spots where crime is most likely to occur over the next few hours. To do so, it leverages on a variety of factors, such as historical and recent crime data, real-time activity, weather forecasts, locations and other information. Once these ‘hot spots’ are identified, police officers can adapt their patrol schedule and frequency at these locations, making their presence felt in the area and thereby prevent crime from taking place.

Whether it is video analytic platforms to monitor traffic patterns or cameras deployed to help law enforcement ensure public safety, many cities are looking at advancements in video technology. Upgrade costs and technology compatibility issues are often front-and-centre when it comes to blending new technology with existing infrastructure. For example, if the city law enforcement officials want to improve video camera image quality, which can improve the evidentiary value of footage in prosecutions, they may look at newer HD or IP-based video systems. Upgrading to a hybrid DVR system Applications include perimeter monitoring, public parking, city transportation, square/town safety To stretch a tight budget, a migration plan to an IP-based camera system could be phased in over time by centering the upgrade on a new hybrid DVR system. This way, both existing analogue and newer IP-based cameras can be hooked into the system. For example, Hikvision’s Smart City Solutions include systems for government services, transportation and traffic management, or any combinations of these. Applications include perimeter monitoring, public parking, city transportation, square/town safety and temporary surveillance. Data capture form to appear here! Heart of City strategy Dahua Technology, a video-centric smart IoT solution and service provider, has introduced its ‘Heart of City (HOC)’ strategy, which is in line with the top-level design experience from hundreds of city projects. The strategy is based on the maturity of five technologies – artificial intelligence (AI), big data, cloud computing, IoT and 5G. The combination will enable the evolution of smart city 3.0 and bring great changes to our life, according to Dahua. A 300-plus camera city centre video surveillance scheme in the UK city of Lincoln has been installed and commissioned using Dahua's cameras, monitors and switching equipment A 300-plus camera city centre video surveillance scheme in the UK city of Lincoln has been installed and commissioned using cameras, monitors and switching equipment from Dahua Technology. The design of the new all-wireless encrypted system was based around delivering flexible technology, reducing the total cost of ownership, ease of installation, lower maintenance requirements, smart edge analytics and remote connectivity. Future-proof radio network design Environmentally friendly aspects of the project included specifying lower-energy equipment, integrating remote support and recycling hardware wherever possible. The council employed independent consultants Lever Technology Group to help them ensure they had a robust and future-proof radio network design. The installation of the new IP full HD system and network is part of Lincoln’s smart city strategy – Vision 2020 – which seeks to drive innovation in the city and harness new technologies to improve the lives of citizens. One of the results is the provision of free Wi-Fi in the city, working alongside the Dahua cameras using the same IP wireless network. Wearables for city surveillance Wearables are another new aspect of city surveillance system. For example, FLIR Systems, Inc. has announced FLIR TruWITNESS, a wearable sensor platform designed for city-level security and public safety operations. TruWITNESS combines video, audio, location data, Internet of Things (IoT) capabilities, and cloud and management software in one solution, allowing organisations to reach a new level of situational awareness. TruWITNESS is worn on an individual’s body or mounted inside vehicles and is designed for any public safety organisation that requires on-scene, real-time mobile surveillance TruWITNESS is designed for any public safety organisation that requires on-scene, real-time mobile surveillance. Worn on an individual’s body or mounted inside vehicles, TruWITNESS includes visible-video, audio, global navigation satellite system (GNSS), gyroscope, accelerometer and magnetometer sensors. These sensors combine to send alerts and stream data to a central command centre in real-time to ensure full situational awareness and global event handling. Featuring FLIR Neighbor Aware inter-device connectivity, TruWITNESS acts as an IoT device, triggering nearby TruWITNESS devices, fixed and motorised Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) security cameras, and other connected sensors to act upon an alarm event. TruWITNESS becomes a key component of FLIR Systems’ Video Management System, United VMS, which command centres use to manage video surveillance. United VMS combines video, audio, and other related data and makes it available for real-time situation management and forensic purposes. Video analytics for crowd monitoring Crowd monitoring video analytics solutions monitor vast areas instantly alerting police of any overcrowding areasCrowd monitoring video analytics solutions continuously monitor vast areas instantly alerting police of any overcrowding areas. Qognify’s crowd monitoring video analytics solution was successfully used during the Maratha Morcha in the city of Kolhapur, India, on October 15th, 2016. The system monitored approximately one million protestors through 165 cameras installed across city. Smart threshold alerts were streamed directly into the control room while the crowd was building up, so that action could be taken before the crowd density reached dangerous levels, alleviating crowd safety and stability. At the core of the solution is Situator, Qognify’s advanced PSIM/Situation Management solution, which manages a myriad of security systems and sensors, including Qognify’s video management solution, from a newly built state-of-the-art Command and Control Center. Security operators and officials have advanced situational awareness of what is happening in their city and where. Automated, pre-defined Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) were designed, in the local language Marathi, for handling routine security incidents as well as disaster management, ensuring that the most effective response is initiated, and procedures are executed in a consistent manner. Maintaining law, order and safety Qognify also implemented its Safe City solution in Navi Mumbai, a planned township that was established to handle the population overflow from the overcrowded and ever-growing city of Mumbai, India. Together with CIDCO (City and Industrial Development Corporation, the agency established for managing the new city) and system integrator WIPRO, Qognify designed an integrated and holistic solution that helps Navi police to maintain law, order and safety.  Qognify’s Video Management Solution controls hundreds of surveillance cameras As a planned township, Navi Mumbai officials have the benefit of operating in a modern environment, allowing them to maximise Qognify’s Safe City solution. The Qognify Situator is an advanced Situation Management platform, and Qognify’s Video Management Solution controls the hundreds of surveillance cameras throughout the city. Role of standards in smart cities “Standards can assist in successfully deploying a comprehensive [safe cities] system with multiple technologies into a single, cohesive entity,” said Per Björkdahl, Chair of the ONVIF Steering Committee. “With the ability to integrate various sensors and data from many different devices synthesised through one interface, government officials and law enforcement are afforded a more complete picture of their city’s security.” Deployment of facial recognition technology Live video streaming within the smart and safe city’s infrastructure means video’s capabilities can go beyond simple evidence recording and evolve into a tool that allows operations teams to monitor and remediate against incidents as they are happening. Facial recognition technology can be added on to any video surveillance camera that is recording at a high quality This can be taken one step further with the deployment of facial recognition via live streaming video. Facial recognition technology can be added on to any video surveillance camera that is recording at a high enough quality to identify faces. The technology works by capturing video, streaming the live video back to a control centre and matching faces against any watch lists that the control centre owns. Importantly, the data of people who aren’t on watch lists is not stored by the technology. This technology can work to make the city safer in a number of ways. For example, facial recognition could spot a known drug dealer in a city centre where they weren’t supposed to be, or facial recognition could identify if a group of known terror suspects were visiting the same location at the same time, and this would send an alert to the police.

ANSecurity, a specialist in advanced network and data security, announces the successful delivery of a project with New College Oxford to streamline its network architecture and strengthen its security by moving to a Zero Trust model. Founded in 1379, New College is one of the largest Oxford colleges, with some 430 undergraduates and 360 graduates. The college, together with 37 other academic institutions across Oxford, uses the University’s switched Gigabit backbone along with some centralised services, such as e-mail for students, backup, remote access, VPN systems and more while the individual colleges runs their own core servers and applications. Good technical knowledge The project aim was to join two separate networks that had multiple subnets in the same native VLAN The college decided it needed to upgrade its ageing 3COM networking kit and after an evaluation process selected ANSecurity to help it specify, design and upgrade to new switches and a firewall from Juniper. James Dore, IT officer of New College at Oxford University, commented: “ANSecurity was a great company to deal with. It had good technical knowledge around the Juniper products and managed the project efficiently from start to end.” The project aim was to join two separate networks that had multiple subnets in the same native VLAN. This was overcomplicating the network because of how the VLANs had to be tagged and untagged when traversing the networks. As part of the move to a Zero Trust model, all users and server VLANs would be routed through the firewall. In addition, the project would also free up IP addresses from one of the subnets in order to re-allocate them to other colleges. High availability solution ANSecurity implemented a high availability solution using technology from Fortinet and designed and implemented a VLAN migration processes that by leaving the hosts in their original VLAN, allowed them to pick up IP addresses from a different subnet freeing up addresses to be re-allocated. The team from ANSecurity was easy to work with and had a deep knowledge of the network" “The design allows us to set up VLANs in a much simpler fashion, and is easier to manage while allowing us to better share resources across multiple colleges,” said Dore. “The team from ANSecurity was easy to work with and had a deep knowledge of the network and all the technologies we used. They have fielded questions from us at odd hours of the day and have kept us updated about new technologies on a regular basis.” Reducing annual charges It is estimated that the project will reduce annual charges related to client licences, hardware and maintenance fees by several thousand pounds annually. The project would also offer the benefit of allowing three of the colleges to share access to core security platforms to better utilise the technology and reduce upfront and ongoing maintenance contract costs. The successful project, delivered on time and within budget, allowed the college to refresh its infrastructure and start a relationship with ANSecurity that resulted in it becoming the trusted provider for the college’s networking and security needs. “It is fair to say that they have never let us down and we value the relationship which is now into its 7th year and look forward to working with them on future projects,” concluded Dore.

Ping Identity, the provider of Identity Defined Security, announces its successful completion of the Financial-grade API (FAPI) conformance testing, as part of the process defined by Open Banking Ltd. This builds on Ping Identity’s previous success as the first identity platform to pass all 70 technical security tests, as set by Open Banking Ltd., with zero warnings. The most recent set of FAPI conformance testing evaluated the latest versions of the Ping Intelligent Identity platform, including PingFederate, PingAccess and PingDirectory, within a mock banking environment. Additional technical requirements It switches to an API model with structured data that utilises a token model such as Open Authorisation The inclusion of FAPI within the Ping Identity solution for Open Banking helps allow banks to overcome insecure practices such as screen scraping by using stored user credentials. Instead, it switches to an API model with structured data that utilises a token model such as Open Authorisation. FAPI is a technical specification developed as a multi-industry standard by the FAPI Working Group of OpenID Foundation (OIDF). It leverages OAuth 2.0 and OpenID Connect (OIDC) to define additional technical requirements for the financial industry and other sectors requiring higher security. For banks specifically, FAPI provides various advantages. This includes enabling applications to securely interact with financial accounts, while also enhancing the user’s ability to control security and privacy settings. Secure identity requirements In concurrence with the specification, OpenID Foundation maintains a cloud-based testing suite for conformance testing by banks, certified third-party security providers and platform vendors—such as Ping Identity. The Ping Intelligent Identity platform is used by hundreds of financial services enterprises, including many of the CMA 9 and Open Banking Ltd. itself. Additionally, FAPI is of increasing relevance to the growing number of new fintech start-ups in areas such as investment, wealth management, insurance, payments and even real estate. “This is significant beyond the Open Banking and financial services sector,” explains Rob Otto, EMEA Field CTO, Ping Identity. “Other digitally-focused sectors, with similar secure identity requirements, now have a proven template that can allow them to quickly deploy their own security controls, which have been stringently tested by the largest financial institutions in the UK.”

At the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, the Technology Integration Services department provides infrastructure, customer service and web application support to the faculty, staff, students, and units of the College of Business. Its focus is to facilitate the use of the campus infrastructure and support while adding complementary infrastructure and services to meet the unique needs of the college. The college took a very innovative approach to operating and securing its 174,000sq ft state of the art Haslam Business Building. The technologically advanced facility incorporates over 40 meeting rooms and needed a way to efficiently schedule and fill classrooms and conference space, yet maintain security and control. Physical access control CSC identified the Gallagher security management platform as the best fit for the foundation of the system The university had previously used an antiquated access control and security system across the campus, and realised it did not meet the demands of this new high-tech facility. Ramsey Valentine, Director of Technology for the College of Business, turned to WWR Engineering of Knoxville, and Coactive Systems (CSC) of Canton, Ohio to design and deploy a state-of-the-art integrated security business solution. The difficulty involved in deploying this solution was that certain components, like physical access control, were readily available, but other components such as digital signage information kiosks and the integration of all components of the system, were not off-the-shelf. CSC’s Brad Green and John Kortis worked with Director Valentine to understand the college’s specific needs and develop a solution that exceeded their expectations. CSC identified the Gallagher security management platform as the best fit for the foundation of the system. Application programming interface Gallagher systems are installed in approximately 90 percent of Australia’s and New Zealand’s universities. With proven strength in the tertiary market internationally, the Gallagher system was selected because of its open architecture, application programming interface, and published software developer’s kit. CSC also teamed with the local office of Simplex Grinnell. Led by Mitch Hall, Simplex was the contractor responsible for the assembly and installation of the Gallagher security system and the kiosks provided by CSC. WWR was responsible for the engineering drawings and interface to the existing security systems. The College utilises Meeting Room Manager from NetSimplicity for room scheduling; CSC created an integration from Meeting Room Manager with Gallagher Command Centre software. CSC also designed and custom manufactured the 42 kiosks that the college uses at each classroom and in meeting room areas. Door position switches Use of the kiosk requires a valid access card carried by all students and faculty The kiosks are the user-interface to the ‘system’ for room access and scheduling. Use of the kiosk requires a valid access card carried by all students and faculty. Each touch-screen kiosk contains digital signage showing the classroom name and detailed information about the room schedule and its status. Users can also access current weather, news, and stock information via the touch screen. The kiosk may be programmed to display emergency messages and egress data if needed. The kiosks are connected to the college’s network on which Gallagher Command Centre resides. The Gallagher system controls and monitors the door functionality including electric lockset and door position switches. Meeting Room Manager is utilised by staff to schedule rooms for classes and assign students via the campus intranet. Gallagher server and controller application programming interfaces extend the functionality and flexibility of the Gallagher system as the platform for integration. Providing technology solutions Utilisation of the integrated system provides continuous communications security and access control for the college, while allowing students unencumbered access to the meeting rooms and classrooms. Gallagher would like to acknowledge the support of the University of Tennessee and their security partners Coactive Systems of Canton and Simplex Grinnell, Knoxville in the development of this in-site study. CSC is a full service IT integration company providing technology solutions for audio, video, data, voice, dispatch, asset management, inventory, kiosks, security, communication, insurance, retail and medical systems. CSC’s services include custom software development, system installation, maintenance and cabling. Photos reproduced with permission from University of Tennessee.

A Wisenet video surveillance system manufactured by Hanwha Techwin is being used to its full potential by the operators of the Audley End Miniature Railway in order to ensure that the 100,000 plus people who visit the Railway every year are able to safely enjoy all its facilities. Located close to Audley End House in Saffron Walden, Essex, the Miniature Railway, was built in 1964 by the then Lord Braybrooke as a hobby. It has since become a major tourist attraction with train enthusiasts able to enjoy steam and diesel train rides through the beautiful Audley End Estate Woodland designed by Capability Brown, whilst young visitors can venture through a ‘Fairy and Elf’ walk. IP Network Solution IP network-based Wisenet system is being used to keep a close eye on the trains moving around the 2.4 km track Originally installed as a replacement for an old analogue CCTV system following a number of security incidents, the new IP network-based Wisenet system is now also being used to keep a close eye on the trains moving around the 2.4 kilometer track and visitor car parking areas. In addition, it is also helping with the management of the queues of people waiting to buy tickets and to ensure compliance with Health & Safety regulations. The video surveillance system, comprising 14 Wisenet cameras and a Network Video Recorder (NVR), has been installed by IT infrastructure specialists, Eastern Voice and Data, who also designed and installed the Miniature Railway’s network and Wi-Fi. Wisenet cameras and NVR “We have previously installed Wisenet cameras for other clients and have been impressed with their robustness and reliability, as well as the quality of the captured images,” said Russell Marriott, Director of Norwich-based Eastern Voice and Data. “As a result, we were able to confidently recommend to Audley End Miniature Railway that all cameras should be selected from the Wisenet camera range. We then worked closely with the Hanwha Techwin pre-sales team to select the most appropriate camera model for each location.” Wisenet Q Series cameras Among the 14 cameras installed are 5 QNO-7030R Bullet and 6 QND-7010R Dome cameras Among the 14 cameras installed are 5 QNO-7030R Bullet and 6 QND-7010R Dome cameras. These are all able to capture 4megapixel high definition images of objects regardless of the lighting conditions, with the help of built-in IR illumination. Part of the Wisenet Q camera series, the cameras also feature defocus, motion and tamper detection, hallway view and lens distortion correction, whilst support for Power over Ethernet (PoE) has negated the need for Eastern Voice and Data to have to provide separate power supplies and cabling to each camera location. Images captured from all the cameras are recorded and stored on a 16 channel Wisenet XRN-1610S NVR, which is equipped with a PoE switch. Wisenet Mobile App “Our old CCTV was well passed its ‘use-by’ date and lacked the functionality required to help us maintain a safe environment for our visitors and staff, as well as deter would be intruders and vandals,” said Bob Ottaway, General Manager of the Audley End Miniature Railway. “We are now able to closely monitor all activity throughout the site during opening hours, and with the help of the Wisenet Mobile App, we can also be remotely alerted via smartphones and tablets to any suspicious activity when we are closed.”

AMG Systems has been commissioned to help digitise the traffic monitoring system for newly-extended hard shoulder bus lanes on Belfast’s main motorways, to make it more efficient, secure and reliable. A new IP-based CCTV system was being installed as part of the extension project, so the underlying fibre network needed to be upgraded in order to handle the high-grade images being transmitted back to the city’s Traffic Information and Control Centre (TICC). The upgrade helps to enhance passenger journeys by improving the quality of real-time information sent to traffic management teams. AMG – Juniper Networks partnership AMG, working with Juniper Networks, a leader in secure, AI-driven networks, brought the IP-driven CCTV project together across numerous government agencies and private construction contractors to create a cost-efficient, robust solution for Belfast’s M1 and M2 motorways. The Northern Ireland Department for Infrastructure (DfI) awarded a tender to Graham Construction to work on the extension of hard shoulder bus lanes along the M1 and M2 motorways, intended to improve journey times and service reliability for bus passengers without affecting general traffic flows. The scheme was designed by DfI consultants Aecom, who also carried out site supervision and project manager roles during construction. The work included the provision of new and upgraded Pan Tilt Zoom IP-based CCTV cameras for traffic monitoring purposes by the Traffic Information and Control Centre (TICC) in Belfast. Hikvision PTZ IP video camerasGraham used Hikvision PTZ IP video cameras – installed by Chubb – for traffic monitoring Graham used Hikvision PTZ IP video cameras – installed by Chubb – for traffic monitoring. But connecting them to the Pelco system in use at TICC was not as straightforward as it at first seemed, which is where AMG Systems and Juniper Networks came in. “On each of the two motorways, the existing fibre network had only two spare fibres, so all the images had to be combined onto the two, allowing for a resilient ring,” consultant Jo Hopkins of Highways Consulting says, “meaning that if one fibre broke, the other would be able to transmit all the images. The existing cameras on the network were analogue, but we took the opportunity to install digital cameras. This reduces the number of times the images are sampled and converted from analogue to digital and back again, which improves the quality of the image.” Connecting IP cameras to fibre network Hopkins worked with Graham on the project, and said AMG was asked to provide a reliable, cost-effective means of connecting new cameras onto the existing fibre network, bringing the images back to the Traffic Control Centre in Belfast. “The task itself was straightforward, but the integration into an existing live system made the project more complex,” she said. Hopkins and AMG Systems Business Development Director Sara Fisher worked to address the network challenge, which included upgrading from analogue to IP cameras for the first time on the Belfast motorways. AMG switches The network design utilises nine AMG switches on the M1 fibres and 15 switches for the M2 The network design utilises nine AMG switches on the M1 fibres and 15 switches for the M2. At the TICC control room, there are a further four AMG switches which allow the IP cameras to connect to the existing Pelco monitoring equipment. Fisher explains that the control room network connection was further complicated as the TICC’s existing system called for the use of multi-casting and VLANs, and an existing firewall also had to be factored in. “The most appropriate interface in this case was Layer 3 POE switches from our partner Juniper Networks,” she said. IP video surveillance A DfI TICC representative said: “The joint network design by AMG and Juniper Networks has met the challenge presented to them in upgrading our hard shoulder bus lane cameras from purely analogue to IP and has provided a resilient network, intended specifically for the task. AMG’s post-sales service and advice has also proved extremely helpful.”

Kwikset brand of Spectrum Brands, Inc. – Hardware & Home Improvement Division, announces that its SmartCode 888 Deadbolt Lock was chosen to become part of the new Home is Connected smart home system from D.R. Horton, Inc. The inclusion of Kwikset’s SmartCode 888 in the system was based on its value (great functionality at an entry-level price), reliability, and high degree of security. Incorporating the latest Z-Wave 500 chipset, the SmartCode 888 offers keyless entry through a convenient, easy-to-use touchpad. Kwikset’s patented Home Connect technology enables the lock to wirelessly communicate with other devices in the home through a third-party smart home controller, as well as to remotely check the door lock status, lock or unlock the door and receive notifications. Innovative program D.R. Horton’s Home Is Connected system is included in the base price of each new home from the company’s family of brands D.R. Horton’s 'Home Is Connected' system is included in the base price of each new home from the company’s family of brands. The system includes a robust central hub by Qolsys that controls the smart home features, including a home alarm and automation platform by Alarm.com, Honeywell Home thermostat from Resideo, smart switches by Eaton Corporation, video doorbell by SkyBell and hands-free, voice-first experiences with Amazon Alexa. “We are pleased to be part of such an innovative program created by the nation’s largest volume homebuilder,” said Dave Seeman, Director of National Builder Accounts, Kwikset and Baldwin, Spectrum Brands, Inc. – Hardware & Home Improvement Division. Convenience of keyless entry “We are confident that buyers of D.R. Horton homes will not only appreciate the security and convenience of keyless entry that our SmartCode 888 provides, but also the endless benefits of whole home automation. To be a part of a system that includes such well-known, reputable brands indicates to us the high level of trust D.R. Horton puts in our products.” Brad Conlon, Vice President of National Accounts for D.R. Horton, said, “We are pleased to work with Kwikset to provide this essential component to D.R. Horton’s new Home is Connected smart home system. We know our customers will appreciate the peace of mind that comes from Kwikset’s SmartCode 888 lock and the Home is Connected system overall.”

In the digital age, software is a component of almost all systems, including those that drive the physical security market. A trend toward hardware commoditisation is making the role of software even more central to providing value to security solutions. Software developments make more things possible and drive innovation in the market. We asked this week's Expert Panel Roundtable: How do software improvements drive physical security?  

When it comes to security and to ensuring the integrity of gaming operations, today’s casino market is risk-averse. Regulations direct the required surveillance of table games and slot machines, while modern casinos are often sprawling complexes that have a variety of other risks to be addressed, too. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What are the challenges of the casino market relating to security and surveillance technology?

IP network dependability matters in physical security and safety applications, given that a company’s assets and people are at risk. There have been strides in the areas of network dependability, fault-tolerance, reliability, and survivability. However, networks (or affordable ones, at any rate) still cannot ensure near-100 percent uptime, which is why system designers acknowledge and plan for the possibility of a network outage. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: How can/should an IP networked system adapt when network connectivity is lost?