Traffic surveillance

Indusface, an application security SaaS company that continually detects security risks, provides real-time protection, and improves the performance of applications, announces that it is adding behavioural application DDOS protection offering to its product, AppTrana. Application DDOS attacks are sophisticated and hard to mitigate. Simple rate-limiting rules are insufficient allowing sophisticated attacks to fly under the radar. With AppTrana's behavioural application DDOS protection, built on a highly performant big data pipeline and backed by ML concepts, mitigation of sophisticated attacks like HTTP flood, volumetric DDOS, and complex attack scenarios happen in seconds. Providing optimal protection AppTrana's behavioural application DDOS protection solution takes advantage of its ability to process a huge volume of requests in seconds and provides policies that are auto-configured based on the behaviour of the application requests instead of hardcoded limits. With AppTrana: Behaviour DDOS can be configured to be triggered if the behaviour of requests to application changes, which means any normal variance in the request is accounted for and alerts are triggered only when there is an abnormality. By default, three policies that monitor traffic on the host, IP, and session level are configured When an application is onboarded, these policies are configured with a generic value that works for most applications. Within a few days of onboarding the application, based on behaviour observed, appropriate values are derived which provides optimal protection. Being a completely managed solution, all applications are constantly monitored and in case of any DDOS attacks, security experts are notified who automatically step in to do advanced configuration as needed. Customers can configure additional policies based on their requirements. Policies can be configured to take various actions when triggered including blocking the requests outright. Behavioural DDOS protection Even the most sophisticated attacks are protected by AppTrana without any business impact Collectively through such a multi-step approach, even the most sophisticated attacks are protected by AppTrana without any business impact. "AppTrana is known to make application security easy for customers. Building on this, we are proud to announce behavioural DDOS protection solution that can protect against sophisticated DDOS attacks within minutes with first mitigation starting under a minute.” “Any DDOS protection solution needs a highly scalable infrastructure and unlike other vendors who have different DDOS scrubbing centres, all AppTrana's servers are equipped to handle DDOS attacks and can scale to handle large attacks," said Ashish Tandon, CEO, Indusface. AppTrana's behavioural DDOS protection is available for all customers who have signed up for the advance, advance plus, or premium plans.

To meet rising consumer demands for parcel delivery, particularly for goods bought online, logistics companies need to manage their loading docks as effectively as possible. However, dock managers often lack the real-time information they need to make fast, accurate decisions. They may not be able to see, for example, which docks are available, which are in use, and which will soon be free. Without these vital insights, vehicles often wait unnecessarily, when they could be loading or unloading, causing delays and negatively impacting productivity, and the throughput of goods through the facility. As an additional challenge, managers are often unable to see which truck parking areas are available. This means drivers often simply park where they can, blocking important areas of the site, or slowing down other vehicles trying to reach their allocated docks. Dock management with intelligent video  Hikvision has built Smart Dock Management features into its logistics solution portfolio To address the challenges of ineffective and manual dock management, Hikvision has built Smart Dock Management features into its logistics solution portfolio. Using an intelligent dock camera at every loading and unloading bay, the solution provides real-time information that enables dock managers to make accurate, timely decisions across many more docks than would otherwise be possible. The Smart Dock Management feature incorporates several key capabilities that help to automate and optimise dock management operations. Key capabilities of the solution include: Dock occupation detection The Hikvision cameras can detect, in real-time, if trucks are loading or unloading at docks, or whether they are unoccupied. The solution also recognises the truck’s number plates to identify the vehicle that is occupying the dock. This information is relayed to an interactive map, giving managers instant visibility of the load and unload operations and docks that are available, 24 hours a day. Based on these real-time insights, drivers can be dispatched to available docks quickly and efficiently via a mobile app. Parking optimisation Information from dock cameras and other site cameras also provides a real-time view of available parking spaces across the site. This allows managers to dispatch trucks to available parking spaces where they can wait without blocking key corridors and routes on the site. Monitoring for truck loading and unloading Using cameras positioned inside and outside loading bays, the Hikvision solution creates a record for later reference. This is essential for determining responsibility and liability in the event of goods going missing, or if an accident occurs such as fragile goods falling from a truck or pallet. Security checks To maximise security, information for barcode scanners is cross-referenced with video records. This enhances goods tracking and provides an audit trail to ensure goods never ‘leak’ from the supply chain. Automation of inbound and outbound processes The Hikvision solution eliminates the need to calculate transport costs for parcels manually based on their weight and size. Instead, it uses product information from barcode scanners to automate the process, reducing operating costs and maximising throughput. Efficient dock management with a digital dashboard interface The solution provides a digital dashboard that displays all docks, showing if they are available or occupied. The dashboard also displays historical performance data, allowing staff to optimise operational efficiency, optimise scheduling and staffing decisions, and speed up the time between vehicles arriving and leaving. Together, these benefits serve to improve the overall operating efficiency of the logistics park. Using an intelligent dock camera at every loading and unloading bay, the solution provides real-time information that enables dock managers to make accurate, timely decisions across many more docks than would otherwise be possible. Key benefits of Smart Dock Management With Hikvision’s Smart Dock solution, logistics operations can improve their throughput and performance, while also providing far better experiences for dock managers and truck drivers. Top benefits include: Increased operational performance and efficiency With features that help managers dispatch drivers to available docks more quickly, Hikvision Smart Dock helps to maximise dock utilisation. This allows logistics operations to increase their overall throughput, and to drive revenues as a result. In addition to this benefit, throughput is increased with features that automate a range of key processes, including goods tracking, security checks, sizing, and weighing. This all helps to improve operating efficiency, delivering significant cost savings for logistics operators. End-to-end goods monitoring and security By monitoring and recording the entire goods loading and unloading process, the Hikvision solution creates an audit trail for every product passing through the site. This helps to improve the security of goods and to prevent loss of inventory, while also helping to determine responsibility where goods are lost or damaged. Information from barcode scanners can be cross-referenced with video footage to track goods and to detect and view incidents quickly and easily. Excellent experiences for dock managers and drivers Using the Hikvision solution, dock managers can handle their workloads much more easily and make the best decisions across a large number of vehicles and allocated docks. Additionally, drivers get clear instructions on where to park and where to wait and are able to load or unload much more quickly than would otherwise be possible. This gives them a far better experience and allows them to meet their demanding schedules.

Boon Edam Inc., a provider of security entrances and architectural revolving doors, announces a new solution mapping tool, BoonSelect, that breaks down the complex entry selection process and helps decision-makers choose the right entrance solutions for their unique goals. BoonSelect features seven factors to consider prior to making an entrance decision. Boon Edam entry experts are trained on the right questions to ask as they walk a decision-maker through each of the factors – all with the goal of helping their clients make the most well-rounded entrance choice. Entrance implementation strategy Being responsible for making the decision to implement new security turnstiles or revolving doors at a facility can be a challenge. Security and Facility Managers are responsible for the safety and security of all who enter a campus or facility via its entrances. BoonSelect formalises the selection process, providing clarity and confidence in an investment And each entrance location has a different set of users, traffic levels, security requirements, environmental requirements, etc. BoonSelect formalises the selection process, providing clarity, peace of mind and confidence in an investment that can last ten or more years. BoonSelect outlines seven decision factors to be considered prior to an entrance implementation strategy: Throughput – Types of users and number of users, especially at peak traffic periods? Security – Tailgating deterrence, detection or prevention? Remote locking? Safety – Local codes and fire or evacuation strategies? Aesthetics – Entrances blend in or stand out? Technology – Integration capabilities with new or future technologies? Comfort – Ease of use? Energy efficiency? Service – Planned preventative maintenance and user training? Starting productive conversations “BoonSelect is an efficient driver for starting productive conversations that our customers appreciate,” said JC Powell, Vice President of Sales at Boon Edam Inc. “A client will often ask for an entrance solution that does not meet the overall security goals or traffic requirements of their facility. BoonSelect helps all the stakeholders explore what they don’t know and think about their overall risk posture, and eventually come to the best entrance decision for their unique facility or campus.”

The London Festival has announced a landmark partnership with Knights Security Group (KSG) to deliver a COVID safe event in 2023. The London Festival is an extravaganza of live music performances, cultural events, engaging new technology and feel-good entertainment. Knights Security Group will work in collaboration with The London Festival to deliver a strategic and fully comprehensive 360-degree COVID-safe blueprint. It will deploy their wide range of COV-RID products across multiple locations in the festival to keep festival goers safe. Planning is already under way and will continue as arrangements are made to kick off the inaugural event. Regular thermal fogging With significant experience in dealing with high traffic locations, the KSG Team will ensure that over 250 hand sanitiser stations are kept in operation throughout the two-week festival, regular thermal fogging will be deployed to ensure that all attractions are clean and safe. The KSG Team will ensure that over 250 hand sanitiser stations are kept in operation Going above and beyond, The London Festival will offer free 50ml hand sanitiser bottles to families with young children free of charge on entry to the festival. All COV-RID products to be used during the London Festival are alcohol-free and are specifically designed to be non-toxic and non-hazardous to use. The COV-RID products are natural and friendly to the environment as they are derived from plants and biodegradable. Technologically advanced event Achieving the gold standard for disinfecting locations with lots of visitors and people, KSG will become an integral part of The London Festival team throughout the event with pre-tested teams continually disinfecting all areas of the immersive and technologically advanced event at regular intervals. Mr Andrew Knights, CEO of Knights Security Group Ltd said: “The London Festival will be provided with the full range of COV-RID products to achieve levels of hygiene and cleanliness that no big event has experienced before. All products planned for the festival are alcohol-free, non-toxic and non-Hazardous. By thermally fogging all of the exposed surfaces in the enclosed locations the London Festival will ensure they are disinfected and safe for the whole family.” The London Festival is organised by Empower London Foundation in partnership with the Nascent Vek Group.

As lockdown restrictions ease and public mobility increases, new research reveals three-quarters (75%) of people have health, safety, and security concerns when visiting their nearest city, signaling a need for new security innovations and greater public reassurance on their return to UK cities. Following high profile cases such as the disappearance of Sarah Everard, the London Bridge terror attack, and recent road cyclist deaths, the public has a heightened awareness of the safety and security issues cities present, according to a new report into public perception of smart cities by video management solution provider Milestone Systems. Security concerns in the city Despite ONS reporting a total crime reduction of 4% in England and Wales in the 12 months ending in June 2020, more than a third (37%) of the British public cited petty crime, such as mugging and pickpocketing, as a security concern when in a city setting.  One in four (25%) Britons stated vandalism is a primary concern for them, and a similar proportion (24%) listed pedestrian safety as a worry when navigating their nearest city. Terrorism threat Although the UK's terrorism threat level was downgraded from "severe" to "substantial" in February 2021 by Home Secretary Priti Patel, following a "significant reduction" in the momentum of attacks in Europe, terrorist activity remains a worry for almost a fifth (17%) of the public. Terrorism was of markedly less concern to those over 65 than any other age group (8% vs average of 17%), but for all other safety concerns, there was a surprising consistency across both age groups and genders. Improving safety and security The existence and benefits of smart technology in cities needs to be better communicated to the public To mitigate these concerns, smart technology is already being deployed in cities across the world to improve safety and security. Increased bandwidth afforded by the rollout of 5G and the internet of things has given local authorities new tools to improve public services such as crime-fighting. In Glasgow, for example, there is an effective multi-faceted state-of-the-art traffic and public safety management system that uses data and video analytics to improve responses to issues in the city, but Milestone’s research suggests that the existence and benefits of smart technology in cities needs to be better communicated to the public. Smart city technology Neil Killick, UK General Manager at Milestone Systems said, “Many local authorities have been investing heavily in recent years in cutting-edge smart technology to improve public services and tackle safety and security concerns highlighted by our report. However, the research found that less than a third (29%) of people say that they believe smart city technology could contribute to enhanced safety and security.” “This demonstrates a need for more public education around how smart technology improves safety in cities and also suggests that local authorities need to continue to find new ways to improve day to day life for their city’s residents and visitors.” “The sector is advancing rapidly and products are available to tackle a wide range of city-based safety concerns so it is important to improve understanding so that citizens give their full support to smart city technology and feel safer and more confident when in urban areas.” Public awareness Increasing the public’s awareness of technology advancements for safety purposes must be done in a way that demonstrates its benefits. Developments such as limiting video network blind spots, improving poor-quality images, and supplementing visuals with data collected from interconnected devices, give law enforcement more reliable and thorough data to use in investigations. Thus, enabling instances of theft and civic disturbances to be monitored, reacted to more rapidly, and prevented, curbing the safety concerns of the public. Traffic management systems Department for Transport figures reveal the vast majority of accidents occur in towns and cities Also among the top five concerns for the public when returning to UK cities was driver safety (17%). Department for Transport figures reveal the vast majority of accidents occur in towns and cities, with 2,881 accidents per 1 million people happening in the capital city region, higher than any other region. One in six (14%) Britons cite cyclist safety within their top concerns when returning to the UK’s busy cites, supporting London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s plans for 160 miles of 'safer cycle routes. However, London’s low-traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs) have come under criticism from the emergency services who state the new traffic management systems have reduced response times. This suggests that alternatives are needed to balance the needs of the public and of emergency services, such as smart sensors and cameras that collate real-time data to detect the quickest and most traffic-free route for emergency vehicles to take. Smart video and sensor technology Neil Killick continued, “As well as helping to protect the public in the context of crime, smart video and sensor technology can be used to manage traffic and roads within cities, reducing congestion and providing local authorities with constant, real-time analytics, as seen in Glasgow.” “This enables relevant authorities to identify potential danger spots, manage roads and bike lanes within a city and plan optimal emergency service routes. The use of interconnected devices, sensors, and video technology allows for a deeper understanding of how the city is being used so that necessary improvements can be implemented based on data-driven decisions to better public safety.”

Blaize, the AI computing innovator revolutionising edge and automotive computing solutions, announces that Minds Lab of Seongnam, S. Korea has extended its maum.ai ‘AI as a service (AlaaS)’ cloud service to the Edge running on Blaize Xplorer X1600P PCIe accelerator platform and utilising the Blaize AI Software Suite. The Maum Edge AI Platform combines Edge AI Devices and Maum AI Cloud to improve and expand services with greater usability and expandability. Minds Lab is using Blaize initially for its ‘Edge AI Road,’ ‘Edge AI Street’ and ‘Edge AI Home’ services, all of which are AI-based CCTV enabled. Artificial intelligence CCTV "The artificial intelligence CCTV applied with Minds Lab’s Edge AI is highly effective in monitoring objects and analysing data efficiently and quickly," said Dr. Hoon Paek, CTO, Minds Lab. "Based on the Blaize edge AI hardware, we plan to combine Minds Lab's unique AI technology to provide full-scale services to the Edge AI service platform market in Korea, the US and abroad." “The maum.ai service at the edge is an example of how Blaize hardware and software products deliver the right balance of performance with low power, low latency, and programmability to enable compute for breakthrough productisation of AI applications at the edge,” said Dinakar Munagala, CEO, Blaize. “Combined with the Minds Lab innovations, end users can access the power of affordable AI to enhance safety, security and convenience.” Performing various analytics Customers download an application from the Minds Lab AI cloud and install it on a network The Edge AI Road application provides traffic surveillance such as car and licence plate detection and speed and lane infringements. Edge AI Street provides sidewalk and close to home surveillance concerning pedestrian traffic and unusual behaviours (such as break-ins) and Edge AI Home provides monitoring of various activities in public and private interior spaces. The Maum.ai platform enables customers to download AI applications just like one would download an app for a mobile phone. Customers download an application from the Minds Lab AI cloud and install it on a network. They then register, activate, and adjust settings to perform various analytics via the Minds Lab cloud-based and real-time interface. Accelerating AI applications MindsLab is recognized for its AI technology solutions built on Blaize edge AI hardware, such as the Suwon City's CCTV video data construction business solution that immediately informs controllers when abnormal behaviour such as assault or theft is detected. In particular, the MindsLab AI-enabled CCTV service in Suwon City met strict performance verification through the Korea Data Agency (KISA) in recognising the behaviour of wandering, intrusion, and collapse. The Blaize embedded and accelerator platforms are built on the Blaize Graph Streaming Processor (GSP) architecture designed for the demands of edge computing. The Blaize Xplorer platforms accelerate AI applications at the edge of the enterprise via easy plug-in to the PCIe slot in a host server or appliance. The Blaize AI Software Suite comprised of Blaize Picasso and the AI Studio product leads the industry with open standards and ease of accessibility reducing the time to get edge applications into production from months to days.

Martyn’s Law (also known as ‘Protect Duty’) could forever change the landscape of event security if changes to legislation are passed. Some would argue it already has. In 2017, just as concertgoers were leaving the Manchester Arena, a terrorist detonated an improvised explosive device in a suicide attack killing 22 and injuring more than 250. The mother of one of the victims, Martyn Hett, has tirelessly campaigned for tighter security and a duty of care to be placed upon venues to protect their patrons. As a result, Martyn’s Law (‘Protect Duty’) has been proposed in UK legislation to protect the public from terrorism. At the same time, other global trends have indicated the need for action on this front. Labour-intensive task The Global Terrorism Index 2020, for instance, reported a steep increase in far-right attacks in North America, Western Europe, and Oceania, stating a 250% rise since 2014, with a 709% increase in deaths over the same period. But, how do we implement the measures proposed by Martyn’s law without intruding on our lives through mass surveillance? The Global Terrorism Index 2020, reported a steep increase in far-right attacks in North America Traditionally, cameras and CCTV have been the go-to solution for monitoring. However, maintaining a comprehensive view of locations with complex layouts or venues that host large crowds and gatherings can be a challenging and labour-intensive task for operatives. Camera outputs have been designed to be interpreted by people, which, in turn, requires a significant human resource that’s liable to inconsistent levels of accuracy in complex environments where getting things wrong can have a catastrophic impact. Highly accurate insights Fortunately, technology is evolving. AI-based perception strategies are being developed alongside advancements in 3D data capture technologies – including lidar, radar, and ToF cameras - that are capable of transforming surveillance with enhanced layers of autonomy and intelligence. As a result, smart, automated systems will be able to work alongside the security workforce to provide an always-on, omniscient view of the environment, delivering highly accurate insights and actionable data. And, with the right approach, this can be achieved without undue impact on our rights as private citizens. While much of this innovation isn’t new, it has been held back from at-scale adoption due to the gaps that remain between the data that’s captured and the machine’s ability to process it into an actionable insight. High traffic environments It’s crucial that they are able to detect all individuals and track their behaviour as they interact In security, for example, this gap is most present when it comes to addressing occlusion (in other words, recognising objects that move in and out of view of the sensors scanning a space). For security systems to provide the high levels of accuracy required in high traffic environments, such as concert venues, it’s crucial that they are able to detect all individuals and track their behaviour as they interact with a space and those within it. This, of course, is possible using multiple sensor modes. However, without the right perception platform to interpret the data being captured, the risk of missing crucial events as a result of the machine misinterpreting a partially concealed individual as an inanimate object, for instance, is significant. Identifiable personal data This gap is narrowing, and thanks to the first wave of sensor innovators, this shift in dependence from video read by people to 3D data point clouds read by machines have meant that we are now able to capture much richer information and data sets that can precisely detect and classify objects and behaviours – without capturing biometric and identifiable personal data. But what we need to fully close the gap are perception strategies and approaches that can adapt to the ever-changing nature of real-world environments. This gap is narrowing, and thanks to the first wave of sensor innovators Until now, this has been a lengthy and costly process requiring those implementing or developing solutions to start from scratch in developing software, algorithms, and training data every time the context or sensor mode is changed. But, by combining proven 3D sensor technologies like lidar with the deep learning first approach, this needed to be the case. Edge processing platform That’s why we are developing an adaptive edge processing platform for lidar that’s capable of understanding the past and present behaviour of people and objects within a given area. Through deep learning, it can predict the near-future behaviour of each object with some degree of certainty, thereby accurately and consistently generating real-time data and tracking the movement of people in the secured environment at scale. This approach has value beyond security. Facilities teams, for example, can extract a wealth of information beyond the primary function of security to support other priorities such as cleaning (tracking facility usage so that schedules can be adjusted), while retailers can optimise advertising and display efforts by identifying areas of high footfall. Likewise, health and safety teams can gather much deeper insights into the way spaces are used to enhance processes and measures to protect their users. Programming limitless scenarios Martyn’s Law will leave them with no option but to rethink their approach to security and safety As we’ve explained, perception is reaching new levels of sophistication through deep learning. By continually programming limitless scenarios, our approach can provide consistently accurate and rich data that users can trust. This will ultimately change the way we manage environments at a time when liability comes with ever-increasing consequences. For venue providers, Martyn’s Law will leave them with no option but to rethink their approach to security and safety. But, with new, smarter, more accurate tools at their disposal that will enable them to predict and protect, rather than just react, risks – both human and commercial – can be addressed. Meanwhile, the public can take comfort in knowing that measures to keep them safe needn’t mean sacrificing their privacy.

The evolution of smart video technology continues at pace. As in many other industries, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic expedited timelines and the artificial intelligence (AI) video world is continuing its rapid evolution in 2021. As video demand and the use of AI to make sense of the visual data increase, the number of cameras and subsequent data produced are growing rapidly, and these are forcing the creation of new edge architectures. Cameras and AI in traffic management ‘Smart factories’ can leverage AI to detect flaws or deviations in the production line in real time In addition, a new generation of ‘smart’ use cases has developed. For example, in ‘smart cities’, cameras and AI analyse traffic patterns and adjust traffic lights, in order to improve vehicle flow, reduce congestion and pollution, and increase pedestrian safety. ‘Smart factories’ can leverage AI to detect flaws or deviations in the production line in real time, adjusting to reduce errors and implement effective quality assurance measures. As a result, costs can be greatly reduced through automation and earlier fault detection. Evolution of smart video The evolution of smart video is also happening alongside other technological and data infrastructure advancements, such as 5G. As these technologies come together, they’re impacting how we architect the edge. And, they’re driving a demand for specialised storage. Listed below are some of the biggest trends that we’re seeing: Greater volume means greater quality The volume and variety of cameras continue to increase with each new advancement, bringing new capabilities. Having more cameras allow more to be seen and captured. This could mean having more coverage or more angles. It also means more real-time video can be captured and used to train AI.  Quality also continues to improve with higher resolutions (4K video and above) Quality also continues to improve with higher resolutions (4K video and above). The more detailed the video, the more insights can be extracted from it. And, the more effective the AI algorithms can become. In addition, new cameras transmit not just one video stream, but also additional low-bitrate streams used for low-bandwidth monitoring and AI pattern matching. Smart cameras operate 24/7 Whether used for traffic management, security or manufacturing, many of these smart cameras operate 24/7, 365 days a year, which poses a unique challenge. Storage technology must be able to keep up. For one thing, storage has evolved to deliver high-performance data transfer speeds and data writing speeds, to ensure high quality video capture. And, actual on-camera storage technology must deliver longevity and reliability, critical to any workflow. Real world context is vital to understanding endpoints Whether used for business, in scientific research or in our personal lives, we’re seeing new types of cameras that can capture new types of data. With the potential benefits of utilising and analysing this data, the importance of reliable data storage has never been more apparent. Considering context when designing storage technology As we design storage technology, we must take the context into consideration, such as location and form factor. We need to think of the accessibility of cameras (or lack thereof), are they atop a tall building or maybe amid a remote jungle? Such locations might also need to withstand extreme temperature variations. All of these possibilities need to be taken into account, so as to ensure long-lasting, reliable continuous recording of critical video data.  Chipsets are improving artificial intelligence (AI) capability Improved compute capabilities in cameras means processing happens at the device level, enabling real-time decisions at the edge. New camera chipsets deliver enhanced AI capability We’re seeing new chipsets arrive for cameras that deliver improved AI capability, and more advanced chipsets add deep neural network processing for on-camera deep learning analytics. AI keeps getting smarter and more capable.  Cloud must support deep learning technology Just as camera and recorder chipsets are coming with more compute power, in today’s smart video solutions most of the video analytics and deep learning is still done with discrete video analytics appliances or in the Cloud. To support these new AI workloads, the Cloud has gone through some transformation. Neural network processors within the Cloud have adopted the use of massive GPU clusters or custom FPGAs. They’re being fed thousands of hours of training video, and petabytes of data. These workloads depend on the high-capacity capabilities of enterprise-class hard drives (HDDs), which can already support 20TB per drive and high-performance enterprise SSD flash devices, platforms or arrays.  Reliance on the network Wired and wireless internet have enabled the scalability and ease of installation that has fuelled the explosive adoption of security cameras, but it could only do so where LAN and WAN infrastructures already exist. 5G technology aids camera installations Emerging cameras that are 5G-ready are being designed to load and run 3rd party applications 5G removes many barriers to deployment, allowing expansive options for placement and ease of installation of cameras at a metropolitan level. With this ease of deployment comes new greater scalability, which drives use cases and further advancements in both camera and cloud design. For example, cameras can now be standalone, with direct connectivity to a centralised cloud, as they’re no longer dependent on a local network. Emerging cameras that are 5G-ready are being designed to load and run 3rd party applications, which can bring broader capabilities. Yet with greater autonomy, these cameras will need even more dynamic storage. They will require new combinations of endurance, capacity, performance, and power efficiency, to be able to optimally handle the variability of new app-driven functions. Paving the way for the edge storage revolution It’s a brave new world for smart video, and it is as complex as it is exciting. Architectural changes are being made to handle new workloads and prepare for even more dynamic capabilities at the edge and at end points. At the same time, deep learning analytics continue to evolve at the back end and the Cloud. Understanding workload changes, whether at the camera, recorder, or the Cloud level, is critical to ensuring that new architectural changes are augmented by continuous innovation in storage technology.

Small and medium businesses of all kinds encountered unprecedented challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. And now that businesses have reopened, they are facing new obstacles through each stage of recovery. Business owners need to look for solutions that can help them manage these issues now and beyond. Challenges ranging from lack of cash flow to staffing challenges to IT security issues for businesses with remote workers can be lessened by security and automation solutions. One of the main challenges following the height of the COVID-19 pandemic for small and medium businesses is cash flow. Mitigating negative effects In the aftermath of the pandemic, both demand and supply chains continue to be disrupted, causing implications for cash flow across industries. Business owners can help mitigate negative effects to cash flow by finding more ways to save money A particularly impacted industry is retail, which continues to struggle due to reduced foot traffic. Business owners can help mitigate negative effects to cash flow by finding more ways to save money and helping prevent other crisis-level situations before they occur. Security and automation devices are an ideal solution to manage energy and monitor for situations that could cause damage or loss. Energy management: Smart lighting: With an automated security system, lights can be programmed to go on and off to give the illusion of an occupied storefront or can be easily turned off remotely if left on by accident. This can help keep energy costs down by only using lighting when needed. Smart thermostat: Business owners can also manage energy usage at one or many locations by using a smart thermostat and setting up automated schedules. For example, they can set their thermostat according to their open and close hours and lower the use of energy from those devices while the store is empty. Temperature and flooding alerts: Devices to measure unanticipated temperature changes or detect flooding can help a business owner act quickly to prevent damage or loss to stock and equipment due to extreme heat, cold, or a flood. After the crisis already endured during the pandemic, it is important that business owners have the chance to prevent further unexpected disasters. Medium business owners Staffing challenges are a prevalent issue for businesses across the nation Staffing challenges are a prevalent issue for businesses across the nation. Due to the lack of employees, small and medium business owners now must work more to help keep their businesses running. Security and automation solutions like remote system management, instant alerts and activity reports and professional monitoring can help them keep their business functional and protected even if they need to step away or check on another location. Remote system management: Business owners can use an app to lock and unlock their businesses or arm and disarm their security system 24/7 from virtually anywhere in the world. They can also ensure all doors are locked after the last employee has left for the night. This can allow them to keep their security level consistent even with fewer employees. With security cameras, business owners can take a live look into their business from anywhere using their mobile app. This is an especially helpful feature if a small business owner has multiple locations and wants to check in at another location from work or home. Instant alerts and activity reports: With an automated security system, business owners can get instant alerts to keep them up to date on what is happening at the business while they’re away. This helps owners stay in control even with reduced staffing or while new employees are being trained. Professional monitoring: Security systems with professional monitoring can help save lives and protect property, whether a burglar alarm or a fire alarm is set off in the business. When an alarm sounds, a live person will respond immediately and ensure emergency services are on the way. This can give business owners peace of mind while they are away from their business, knowing that their livelihood and life’s work is always protected. Physical security systems Cyberattacks increased dramatically during the pandemic, according to the FBI Another key change for small and medium businesses due to the pandemic is more employees working remotely. What many businesses overlook, however, is that remote workers that aren’t properly protected can cause a major threat to a business’s network. In addition to that, cyberattacks increased dramatically during the pandemic, according to the FBI, and small businesses need to stay alert. Just as with physical security systems, employing the right cybersecurity solutions can reduce the risk of cyberattacks. Cybercriminals are just like burglars-looking for easy victims without protection in place. Cybersecurity solutions like firewalls and VPNs (virtual private networks) can help protect the business network and beyond. Shielding business computers Managed firewall: Firewalls help protect against bad actors by shielding business computers or the overall network from malicious Internet traffic. Just one small error in the configuration could result in a hacker gaining access to credit card transactions, or other sensitive patient or customer data. A managed firewall service allows companies to receive the benefits of sophisticated firewall solutions and outsource the complexity associated with operating them. VPNs: Businesses can extend their firewall protection to wherever employees are working, including their homes, with VPN This is a crucial need in limiting risk due to the expanded post-pandemic remote workforce, which is expected to double pre-pandemic numbers by 2025, according to Upwork. Medium business owners As small and medium business owners encounter the difficulties of the post-pandemic ‘new normal,’ they can look to security and automation solutions to help keep them on their feet. Beyond that, security systems and cybersecurity solutions are a great investment to help ensure the protection of a small business both online and physically, while also providing convenience, insight and peace of mind to business owners.

A new generation of video cameras is poised to boost capabilities dramatically at the edge of the IP network, including more powerful artificial intelligence (AI) and higher resolutions, and paving the way for new applications that would have previously been too expensive or complex. Technologies at the heart of the coming new generation of video cameras are Ambarella’s newest systems on chips (SoCs). Ambarella’s CV5S and CV52S product families are bringing a new level of on-camera AI performance and integration to multi-imager and single-imager IP cameras. Both of these SoCs are manufactured in the ‘5 nm’ manufacturing process, bringing performance improvements and power savings, compared to the previous generation of SoCs manufactured at ‘10nm’. CV5S and CV52S AI-powered SoCs The CV5S, designed for multi-imager cameras, is able to process, encode and perform advanced AI on up to four imagers at 4Kp30 resolution, simultaneously and at less than 5 watts. This enables multi-headed camera designs with up to four 4K imagers looking at different portions of a scene, as well as very high-resolution, single-imager cameras of up to 32 MP resolution and beyond. The CV52S, designed for single-imager cameras with very powerful onboard AI, is the next-generation of the company’s successful CV22S mainstream 4K camera AI chip. This new SoC family quadruples the AI processing performance, while keeping the same low power consumption of less than 3 watts for 4Kp60 encoding with advanced AI processing. Faster and ubiquitous AI capabilities Ambarella’s newest AI vision SoCs for security, the CV5S and CV52S, are competitive solutions" “Security system designers desire higher resolutions, increasing channel counts, and ever faster and more ubiquitous AI capabilities,” explains John Lorenz, Senior Technology and Market Analyst, Computing, at Yole Développement (Yole), a French market research firm. John Lorenz adds, “Ambarella’s newest AI vision SoCs for security, the CV5S and CV52S, are competitive solutions for meeting the growing demands of the security IC (integrated circuit) sector, which our latest report forecasts to exceed US$ 4 billion by 2025, with two-thirds of that being chips with AI capabilities.” Edge AI vision processors Ambarella’s new CV5S and CV52S edge AI vision processors enable new classes of cameras that would not have been possible in the past, with a single SoC architecture. For example, implementing a 4x 4K multi-imager with AI would have traditionally required at least two SoCs (at least one for encoding and one for AI), and the overall power consumption would have made those designs bulky and prohibitively expensive. By reducing the number of required SoCs, the CV5S enables advanced camera designs such as AI-enabled 4x 4K imagers at price points much lower than would have previously been possible. “What we are usually trying to do with our SoCs is to keep the price points similar to the previous generations, given that camera retail prices tend to be fairly fixed,” said Jerome Gigot, Ambarella's Senior Director of Marketing. 4K multi-imager cameras “However, higher-end 4K multi-imager cameras tend to retail for thousands of dollars, and so even though there will be a small premium on the SoC for the 2X improvement in performance, this will not make a significant impact to the final MSRP of the camera,” adds Jerome Gigot. In addition, the overall system cost might go down, Gigot notes, compared to what could be built today because there is no longer a need for external chips to perform AI, or extra components for power dissipation. The new chips will be available in the second half of 2021, and it typically takes about 12 to 18 months for Ambarella’s customers (camera manufacturers) to produce final cameras. Therefore, the first cameras, based on these new SoCs, should hit the market sometime in the second half of 2022. Reference boards for camera manufacturers The software on these new SoCs is an evolution of our unified Linux SDK" As with Ambarella’s previous generations of edge AI vision SoCs for security, the company will make available reference boards to camera manufacturers soon, allowing them to develop their cameras based on the new CV5S and CV52S SoC families. “The software on these new SoCs is an evolution of our unified Linux SDK that is already available on our previous generations SoCs, which makes the transition easy for our customers,” said Jerome Gigot. Better crime detection Detecting criminals in a crowd, using face recognition and/or licence plate recognition, has been a daunting challenge for security, and one the new chips will help to address. “Actually, these applications are one of the main reasons why Ambarella is introducing these two new SoC families,” said Jerome Gigot. Typically, resolutions of 4K and higher have been a smaller portion of the security market, given that they came at a premium price tag for the high-end optics, image sensor and SoC. Also, the cost and extra bandwidth of storing and streaming 4K video were not always worth it for the benefit of just viewing video at higher resolution. 4K AI processing on-camera The advent of on-camera AI at 4K changes the paradigm. By enabling 4K AI processing on-camera, smaller objects at longer distances can now be detected and analysed without having to go to a server, and with much higher detail and accuracy compared to what can be done on a 2 MP or 5 MP cameras. This means that fewer false alarms will be generated, and each camera will now be able to cover a longer distance and wider area, offering more meaningful insights without necessarily having to stream and store that 4K video to a back-end server. “This is valuable, for example, for traffic cameras mounted on top of high poles, which need to be able to see very far out and identify cars and licence plates that are hundreds of meters away,” said Jerome Gigot. The advent of on-camera AI at 4K changes the paradigm Enhanced video analytics and wider coverage “Ambarella’s new CV5S and CV52S SoCs truly allow the industry to take advantage of higher resolution on-camera for better analytics and wider coverage, but without all the costs typically incurred by having to stream high-quality 4K video out 24/7 to a remote server for offline analytics,” said Jerome Gigot. He adds, “So, next-generation cameras will now be able to identify more criminals, faces and licence plates, at longer distances, for an overall lower cost and with faster response times by doing it all locally on-camera.” Deployment in retail applications Retail environments can be some of the toughest, as the cameras may be looking at hundreds of people at once Retail applications are another big selling point. Retail environments can be some of the toughest, as the cameras may be looking at hundreds of people at once (e.g., in a mall), to provide not only security features, but also other business analytics, such as foot traffic and occupancy maps that can be used later to improve product placement. The higher resolution and higher AI performance, enabled by the new Ambarella SoCs, provide a leap forward in addressing those scenarios. In a store setup, a ceiling-mounted camera with four 4K imagers can simultaneously look at the cashier line on one side of the store, sending alerts when a line is getting too long and a new cashier needs to be deployed, while at the same time looking at the entrance on the other side of the store, to count the people coming in and out. This leaves two additional 4K imagers for monitoring specific product aisles and generating real-time business analytics. Use in cashier-less stores Another retail application is a cashier-less store. Here, a CV5S or CV52S-based camera mounted on the ceiling will have enough resolution and AI performance to track goods, while the customer grabs them and puts them in their cart, as well as to automatically track which customer is purchasing which item. In a warehouse scenario, items and boxes moving across the floor could also be followed locally, on a single ceiling-mounted camera that covers a wide area of the warehouse. Additionally, these items and boxes could be tracked across the different imagers in a multi-headed camera setup, without the video having to be sent to a server to perform the tracking. Updating on-camera AI networks Another feature of Ambarella’s SoCs is that their on-camera AI networks can be updated on-the-fly, without having to stop the video recording and without losing any video frames. So, for example in the case of a search for a missing vehicle, the characteristics of that missing vehicle (make, model, colour, licence plate) can be sent to a cluster of cameras in the general area, where the vehicle is thought to be missing, and all those cameras can be automatically updated to run a live search on that specific vehicle. If any of the cameras gets a match, a remote operator can be notified and receive a picture, or even a live video feed of the scene. Efficient traffic management With the CV52S edge AI vision SoC, those decisions can be made locally at each intersection by the camera itself Relating to traffic congestion, most big cities have thousands of intersections that they need to monitor and manage. Trying to do this from one central location is costly and difficult, as there is so much video data to process and analyse, in order to make those traffic decisions (to control the traffic lights, reverse lanes, etc.). With the CV52S edge AI vision SoC, those decisions can be made locally at each intersection by the camera itself. The camera would then take actions autonomously (for example, adjust traffic-light timing) and only report a status update to the main traffic control centre. So now, instead of having one central location trying to manage 1,000 intersections, a city can have 1,000 smart AI cameras, each managing its own location and providing updates and metadata to a central server. Superior privacy Privacy is always a concern with video. In this case, doing AI on-camera is inherently more private than streaming the video to a server for analysis. Less data transmission means fewer points of entry for a hacker trying to access the video. On Ambarella’s CV5S and CV52S SoCs, the video can be analysed locally and then discarded, with just a signature or metadata of the face being used to find a match. No actual video needs to be stored or transmitted, which ensures total privacy. In addition, the chips contain a very secure hardware cyber security block, including OTP memory, Arm TrustZones, DRAM scrambling and I/O virtualisation. This makes it very difficult for a hacker to replace the firmware on the camera, providing another level of security and privacy at the system level. Privacy Masking Another privacy feature is the concept of privacy masking. This feature enables portions of the video (say a door or a window) to be blocked out, before being encoded in the video stream. The blocked portions of the scene are not present in the recorded video, thus providing a privacy option for cameras that are facing private areas. “With on-camera AI, each device becomes its own smart endpoint, and can be reconfigured at will to serve the specific physical security needs of its installation,” said Jerome Gigot, adding “The possibilities are endless, and our mission as an SoC maker is really to provide a powerful and easy-to-use platform, complete with computer-vision tools, that enable our customers and their partners to easily deploy their own AI software on-camera.” Physical security in parking lots With a CV5S or CV52S AI-enabled camera, the camera will be able to cover a much wider portion of the parking lot One example is physical security in a parking lot. A camera today might be used to just record part of the parking lot, so that an operator can go back and look at the video if a car were broken into or some other incident occurred. With a CV5S or CV52S AI-enabled camera, first of all, the camera will be able to cover a much wider portion of the parking lot. Additionally, it will be able to detect the licence plates of all the cars going in and out, to automatically bill the owners. If there is a special event, the camera can be reprogrammed to identify VIP vehicles and automatically redirect them to the VIP portion of the lot, while reporting to the entrance station or sign how many parking spots are available. It can even tell the cars approaching the lot where to go. Advantages of using edge AI vision SoCs Jerome Gigot said, “The possibilities are endless and they span across many verticals. The market is primed to embrace these new capabilities. Recent advances in edge AI vision SoCs have brought about a period of change in the physical security space. Companies that would have, historically, only provided security cameras, are now getting into adjacent verticals such as smart retail, smart cities and smart buildings.” He adds, “These changes are providing a great opportunity for all the camera makers and software providers to really differentiate themselves by providing full systems that offer a new level of insights and efficiencies to, not only the physical security manager, but now also the store owner and the building manager.” He adds, “All of these new applications are extremely healthy for the industry, as they are growing the available market for cameras, while also increasing their value and the economies of scale they can provide. Ambarella is looking forward to seeing all the innovative products that our customers will build with this new generation of SoCs.”

The UK Government has been working to reduce the risks associated with illegal drone use since a high-profile incident at UK’s Gatwick Airport in December 2018, when a drone sighting triggered a three-day shutdown of the UK’s second busiest airport, disrupting the travel plans of 140,000 people and affecting 1,000 flights. To address growing security threats by drones, the UK Government has released its ‘Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Strategy’. ‘Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Strategy’ This strategy sets out our approach to countering the threat the malicious or negligent use of drones can bring" “This strategy sets out our approach to countering the threat the malicious or negligent use of drones can bring,” says Brandon Lewis, the U.K. Minister of State for Security. “It will provide the security the public and drone users require to continue to enjoy the benefits of leisure and commercial drone use and facilitate the growth of the drone industry.” “Given the challenge posed by rapid advances in drone technology and the potential threat, the strategy will provide overarching direction to our efforts,” says Lewis. The strategy focuses on ‘small drones’, those weighing less than 20 kg (44 pounds). Countering malicious use of aerial drones The UK Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Strategy centres on mitigating the highest-harm domestic risks resulting from malicious use of aerial drones. They are: Facilitating terrorist attacks, such as modifying commercially-available drones to conduct reconnaissance or attacks. Facilitating crime, especially in prisons, where drones are currently used to deliver contraband. Disrupting critical national infrastructure, such as airports, where a malicious incursion using a drone can have serious safety, security and economic consequences. Potential use by hostile state actors. Maximising benefits of drone technology The initiative will also look to build strong relationships with industry to ensure high security standards Over the next three years, the strategy will seek to reduce the risks posed by the highest-harm use of drones while maximising the benefits of drone technology. It will develop a comprehensive understanding of evolving risks and take a “full spectrum” approach to deter, detect and disrupt the misuse of drones. The initiative will also look to build strong relationships with industry to ensure high security standards. Further, promoting access to counter-drone capabilities and effective legislation, training and guidance will empower the police and other operational responders. Tactical response to drone-based threats Because technology is rapidly evolving, the response needs to keep pace, according to the strategy document. Lewis adds, “We will therefore work to understand how drone-based threats might evolve in the future, both at the tactical and strategic levels.”  The strategy will be to build an end-to-end approach to tackling the highest-harm criminal use of drones. It will also work to make it easier to identify malicious drone use against a backdrop of increased legitimate use. Legal drone operators will be required to register with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and to pass an online competency test before flying a drone. Retailers who follow a specific set of safety guidelines when selling drones will be designated ‘DroneSafe’. Unmanned traffic management system The government is working toward future implementation of an unmanned traffic management (UTM) system, which provides a means of preventing collisions between unmanned aircraft and other manned or unmanned aircraft. The current strategy includes early planning for the system. An Industry Action Group will ensure a continuing relationship with the drone industry and help to improve existing counter-drone measures and identify new opportunities, such as use of ‘Geo-Fencing’ to restrict drones from flying in certain areas. Regulating commercial and domestic drones The UK Department of Transport is responsible for safe and lawful use of drones within the UK airspace The strategy will seek to communicate the UK’s security requirements to the counter-drone industry and to encourage a thriving sector that is aware of, and responsive to, the needs of government. Regulating drones is the responsibility of two UK government departments. The UK Department of Transport is responsible for safe and lawful use of drones within the UK airspace, while the Home Office has overall responsibility for domestic counter-drone activity. Fast-evolving drone and counter-drone technology Also, the Center for the Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI) has been involved in reducing the vulnerability of sensitive sites, including airports. New performance measures will track the strategy’s success. Due to the fast-evolving nature of drone and counter-drone technology, the intent is to review and, if necessary, refresh the strategy in three years.

Video, access control and visitor management are among the technologies that are enabling greater safety and security at hospitals and other healthcare facilities. Video surveillance systems enable hospital management and security professionals to know what goes on in and around a medical facility. Recording images in high resolutions (megapixels and gigapixels) is becoming more and more important in healthcare, says Jason Ouellette, Product Line Director – Access Control, Tyco Security Products. Video event management software Video analytics are now being leveraged for patient tracking, asset tracking, and operational purposes If an incident occurs in a medical facility, the security staff has to be able to identify faces easily and accurately. Storage and costs have to be considered, of course. With technology improving and prices decreasing, video solutions can even be used for purposes beyond traditional security. For example, video analytics are now being leveraged for patient tracking, asset tracking, and operational purposes, and captured video can be used to defend against liability claims. What’s next? Video analytics will continue to be a valuable addition to any surveillance infrastructure due to its ability to address patient needs, operational efficiencies and early risk detection, says Brandon Reich, Senior Director of Surveillance Solutions, Pivot3. Through video event management software (VEMS), hospitals can customise the statistics that are relevant to their individual buildings or campuses without having to spend extra time or money on rigorous employee training. Data capture form to appear here! Real-time access control security updates Furthermore, once healthcare facilities are able to digitise all of their patient records, secure any of their ingress and egress points with real-time access control security updates, and fully transition from analogue to IP video surveillance cameras, VEMS systems that house analytical software will be able to multiply the benefits offered to hospitals, not just in real time, but in planning ahead for future risk, expansion and safety protocols. It is vital to implement integrated and innovative access control solutions With large, complex facilities, directors of security at hospitals struggle with controlling access to various levels of the facility, according to Eric Widlitz of Vanderbilt Industries. To manage the risks that hospitals face and ensure a comprehensively protected atmosphere for patients and staff, it is vital to implement integrated and innovative access control solutions. For example, ease of access with controlled entrances is vital to medical crash teams, as is the need for a zonal access control lockdown in the event of a contagious disease outbreak. Strict access limitations Different hallways, rooms, floors and waiting areas within a hospital require different amounts of restriction, and sensitive materials, such as medical files, controlled substances and sterile environments (such as operating and procedure rooms) all necessitate an additional layer of protection. Access control in particular has advanced significantly to offer healthcare facilities the ability to control access remotely, through mobile applications, confirm identity quickly and easily and program varying levels of access for visitors, patients, doctors and staff. One area that is recently experiencing rapid growth – and drastic change – is the securing of narcotics within healthcare facilities, says Robert Laughlin, CEO and Chairman, Galaxy Control Systems. In the past, all medicine was controlled in a central pharmacy located somewhere in the hospital or health facility. These pharmacies were highly secured areas, with strict access limitations; only authorised staff could get near the medicine stocks. Fiber optic communication lines For vehicle access control, medical centers and hospitals prefer beam barricades and shallow foundation barriers To improve the speed of delivery, and to have the necessary medicines ready at hand for in-patients without retaining a large delivery staff, the current trend is to have distributed pharmaceutical closets or carts that hold medicines much closer to the intended patients. For vehicle access control, medical centers and hospitals prefer beam barricades and shallow foundation barriers, according to Gregg Hamm of Delta Scientific. Manual beam barricades are installed at the Fort Bragg Veterans Administration Hospital in North Carolina to shut down certain areas of the facility when a higher alert is sounded. They will stop a 15,000-pound vehicle traveling 50 mph. The Navy Hospital in San Diego uses high speed, high security and very shallow foundation barricades to control all vehicles going in and out of the facility. With their extremely shallow foundation, they obviate the concerns of interference with buried pipes, power lines and fiber optic communication lines. They will stop a 15,000-pound vehicle traveling 50 mph. At the National Institute of Health in Bethesda, Maryland, even stronger shallow foundation barriers are used for traffic control and protection. These barriers will destroy a 65,000-pound (5.4 million foot-pounds) dump truck traveling 50 mph and continue to stand. Physical access control systems Controlling visitors to hospitals and healthcare facilities can directly impact security Controlling visitors to hospitals and healthcare facilities can directly impact security. Traditional methods of visitor management, such as paper visitor logs and handwritten badges are insufficient given today’s variety of security challenges. A hospital using paper-based systems cannot easily cross-check information, confirm patient information, check visitor names against up-to-date watch lists, or visually confirm identity. An increasingly popular and important application is secure and simplified visitor management, integrated with the physical access control systems (PACS). Today’s visitor management systems enable the screening, badging and tracking all visitors or, at a minimum, those visiting critical areas or during ‘after hours’ periods, Quickly identify inappropriate visitors One other growing technology is the ability to link to internal or governmental watch lists, to quickly identify inappropriate visitors before they gain access to the facilities. For example, Visitor Management systems can be configured to perform a Sex Offender search in both Children’s Hospitals and Pediatric areas, further decreasing the likelihood that someone of the list could gain access. Wayfinding is indoor navigation to guide a person step-by-step on the way to a desired destination HID Global and Phunware Inc. are addressing the need of healthcare institutions to deploy standardised technology to provide a better wayfinding and visitor engagement experience inside the hospital, across campus and even in parking lots. The companies are collaborating to improve the experience for hospital patients and visitors to find their way within medical facilities, using wayfinding on their mobile phones. Wayfinding is indoor navigation to guide a person step-by-step on the way to a desired destination. Enterprise-level mobile wayfinding “It’s easy for visitors and patients to get lost in hospitals, and every time they do it puts appointment times and patient satisfaction at risk,” says Rom Eizenberg, Vice President of Sales, Bluvision, part of HID Global “With our location-aware app on a mobile device, we equip the visitor to get instant, turn-by-turn navigation that creates a better experience than that which is currently available on the market.” HID’s healthcare IoT solution-enablement platform simplifies the delivery of real-time location of clinicians, patients and devices. The platform is enabled by Bluvision (part of HID Global). Phunware’s Multiscreen-as-a-Service (MaaS) platform also provides enterprise-level mobile wayfinding, engagement, data and more for other vertical markets, including retail, residential, hospitality, media and entertainment and more. Missed the rest our healthcare mini series? Read part one here and part two here.

UNC Greensboro (UNCG) is one of 17 campuses within the University of North Carolina system. Founded in 1891, UNCG is the largest and most diverse university in the Piedmont Triad region, serving more than 20,000 students and employing approximately 2,800 faculty members. UNC Greensboro (UNCG) The university is in the heart of Greensboro, which boasts nearly 260,000 people, making it visible within the larger community as well. Landlocked by local streets, the 200-acre campus with 30 buildings poses unique security issues, as it is crisscrossed with major roads, making it a priority to ensure pedestrian and bicycle safety. UNCG has its own police department (UNCG PD), with more than 40 members, who ensure the safety of the campus As a public institution, UNCG is also largely open to the community and hosts numerous events, activities, and services, which are regularly accessed by residents of nearby neighbourhoods and the city of Greensboro at large. UNCG has its own police department (UNCG PD), with more than 40 members, who ensure the safety of the campus. UNCG PD relies on its video surveillance system to alert them to incidents, record video for forensic purposes, and also provide video analytics for traffic and crowd control. Proactive video surveillance and camera system With a growing campus and rising security needs, UNCG PD, with the help of its systems integrator, NETCom Cabling and Security Systems, located in Greensboro, North Carolina, recognised it required a more efficient and proactive video surveillance and camera management system. The days when DVRs could provide the necessary recorded data quickly, gave way to the need for a more responsive approach, such as a shared enterprise system, to bring together cameras, recording, and the intelligent usage of both. The exacqVision platform and Z-Series video recorders UNCG PD’s foray beyond the NVR/DVR world began with the installation of the exacqVision platform, starting with its Z-Series recorders, to cover its parking decks. From there, it began to incorporate a hybrid platform, including exacqVision VMS, to support the analogue cameras used for the parking decks, as well as the IP cameras being installed for security elsewhere. The migration began several years ago, but today the campus boasts nearly 900 cameras in use, with about 700 IP and the remainder analogue. Each recorder can handle up to 128 IP cameras and 64 analogue ones, and it works with thousands of IP camera models. Within that time, the UNCG PD has also grown to become a state-of-the-art department, with its own command and emergency operations centre, where it can monitor and manage its video surveillance system. Intuitive video surveillance system In selecting the exacqVision Z-Series, UNCG’s police department was seeking an intuitive system In selecting the exacqVision Z-Series, UNCG’s police department was seeking an intuitive system that would put the necessary information at the fingertips of whosoever was on duty. It was also critical to deploy a system with built-in redundancy, to protect against any data loss, in the event of a power issue or system fail. “It’s a pretty easy end-user experience for our officers, without a lot of technological background,” said Joshua Green, Technical Services Analyst for the UNCG PD. Scalable video security system The software within the system makes it simple to perform tasks, such as playing back recordings or searching for data, using a single screen. One of the biggest benefits of the Z-Series is its scalability, offering one of the largest processors and fastest speeds of the DVRs on the market. The system’s design also makes it easy to add new cameras and licensing. One of the common usages of the exacqVision platform is for traffic management. Using the video from the exacqVision system, they can perform tasks, such as counting parking spaces, to know when a parking lot is full, as well as to watch crosswalks, to see how pedestrian and vehicle traffic is moving, or where people are congregating. Key inputs for efficient resource allocation It can also be used to help the police department determine where to put resources. For example, how many people are in the workout room and does that area need extra patrols, or are there concerns about equipment in the computer lab and how should that be monitored? There is also time savings to be gained, by working with exacqVision VMS platform There is also time savings to be gained, by working with exacqVision VMS platform, a system that lets the user easily search recorded video, with a timeline search. Green recalled an instance when someone was concerned that an iPad had been stolen, but a quick check of the video showed within a matter of minutes that the item had been safety stored away, rather than taken. UNCG, NETCom and Intelligent Marketing Inc. partnership As a long-time user of the Z series and exacqVision VMS, UNCG, NETCom and Intelligent Marketing Inc. are quick to share their success stories and concerns to improve the product. “These guys, (Tim Reese, Sergeant for the technical services area, and Green), are working with Exacq engineers on changes that everyone will benefit from,” such as improvements to the mapping feature,” said Bob Moulton, North Carolina’s Territory Manager for Intelligent Marketing, a security manufacturer representative firm that works closely with end-user customers. Smart video surveillance solution The ability to make integrations down the road, because of the scalability of the system, whether it’s adding card access or expanding the number of cameras, makes the Z-Series a smart strategic investment for the university. We are looking to the future of our surveillance system to ensure the safety of the university’s students" “We are looking to the future of our surveillance system to ensure the safety of the university’s students, faculty and visitors,” said Tim Reese, Sergeant for the technical services area, adding “Migrating to and implementing a new NVR platform provides the university with an important foundation for future surveillance capabilities and usability.” Implementing new NVR platform Systems integrator, NETCom Cabling and Security Systems concurred with those sentiments. “We enjoyed the opportunity to collectively work together with the University of North Carolina’s police department and Intelligent Marketing Inc. to support the University’s goal of continuously making improvements to ensure the campus remains secure,” said Aaron Spivey, Director of Security at NETcom Cabling. Aaron Spivey adds, “Together, we’ve achieved that objective and we look forward to continuing to work together in the future.” Security system providers: Intelligent Marketing Inc., based in Haverhill, Massachusetts., works in concert with manufacturers, distributors, specifiers, and integrators to assist with system design and specifications. Intelligent Marketing Inc. delivers proactive customer service, training, and support from project inception to completion, and more. NETcom Cabling and Security Systems, Greensboro, North Carolina, has been in business since 1990, specialising in category 5e/6 and 6a copper, indoor/outdoor fiber installations, card access, cameras, perimeter detection, gate entry systems, paging and AV solutions. NETcom has the capabilities to create comprehensive commercial cabling and security plans, through its in-house CAD department.

Revader Security has supplied a fleet of over 20 re-deployable CCTV cameras to West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), to provide visibility of multiple major construction projects being undertaken, in anticipation of the 2022 Commonwealth Games. 2022 Commonwealth Games The Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) capital construction programme comprises several major Commonwealth Games critical projects, within the Perry Barr area, including the A34 highways scheme, Perry Barr Rail Station & Bus Interchange, Alexander Stadium, A34 Sprint and A34 public realm works. The sheer scale of simultaneous construction activities within a constrained geography and along one of the busiest radial corridors into Birmingham City Centre, presents acute transport challenges. The redistribution of traffic flows is expected to cause significant potential disruption to the regional transport network, which requires intensive CCTV monitoring and rapid incident response. Re-deployable CCTV cameras Revader’s re-deployable CCTV cameras are rugged outdoor surveillance solutions Revader’s re-deployable CCTV cameras are rugged outdoor surveillance solutions, which combine camera, recording, storage and wireless video transmission in a single unit. They can be installed in virtually any location within minutes and repositioned to subsequent locations, to suit changing surveillance requirements. The units can operate from a variety of power sources, including mains and battery. Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) are able to relocate their cameras from site to site according to construction schedules, traffic volumes and the variable levels of disruption caused to surrounding infrastructure. The camera units are primarily attached to street lighting columns adjacent to major traffic routes. Data and video storage Data and video feeds are fed back to TfWM’s Regional Transport Coordination Centre in Birmingham, where these can also be shared with regional Urban Traffic Control centres and third parties, such as the Police. It was, therefore, important from the outset that the new cameras interface with existing network infrastructure and control room systems. Revader Security worked in partnership with CDC Technical Services (TfWM’s appointed consultant for the project) and Total Integrated Solutions (the authority’s incumbent maintenance provider) to ensure that the cameras integrated seamlessly with existing CCTV systems. Deploying high performing 4G cameras Revader’s re-deployable products are both reliable and high performing" Carl Chippendale, Owner and Managing Director of CDC Technical Services said, “Given the large geographical area involved, the solution to use 4G cameras was an obvious one. Revader’s re-deployable products are both reliable and high performing, making them the perfect match for a complex project. The level of support provided was exemplary and I would not hesitate to recommend them.” Eamonn Murphy, Key Account Manager at Total Integrated Solutions said, “Revader supplied us with a large fleet of re-deployable cameras, which were delivered on time and have proven highly effective. They also worked closely with us on this complex project to help configure our video networks and ensure that all our client’s priorities had been satisfied. I would recommend them highly.” Working with partners Revader Security continues to work alongside their partners, in order to support West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) and a variety of other clients, in the public and private sectors.

The Empresa Malagueña de Transportes (EMT) manages a fleet of 242 vehicles, distributed across 47 lines in a city of almost 570 thousand people in the south of Spain. They also have a customer service office in the city centre. EMT monitors the entire transportation system from a single command centre run by a 4-inspector team. The team leverages the city’s network of approximately 80 traffic cameras as well as proprietary cameras installed in strategic places and inside the vehicles themselves. EMT needed to be able to monitor the inside of the vehicles in real time, and switch quickly between feeds throughout the transportation network. Different display technologies Drivers can activate an alarm that automatically ensures the feed from that vehicle is monitored in the command centre, enabling the surveillance team to assess and prevent potential threats to public safety by making mission-critical decisions at the push of a button. EMT needed a solution that was flexible with the ability to pull in multiple sources of content EMT needed a solution that was flexible with the ability to pull in multiple sources of content from the many different feeds throughout their network and quickly switch among them. They also needed something that was simple to use, that their team of inspectors could quickly learn to operate. Finally, it had to be cost effective. After careful review of different display technologies—including specialised hardware solutions for video walls, as well as digital signage—the team at EMT learned about Userful’s Visual Networking Platform solution. Right away, they appreciated the simplicity and flexibility of the solution. Video wall space “The support for real-time interactive content, seeing how simple it was to manage and the ability to easily switch content sources between displays, was what really convinced me that Userful was the solution we were looking for,” said EMT Systems Engineer, Jose Manuel Fernandez. Userful fit EMT’s needs perfectly because it’s able to handle a virtually unlimited number of inputs and it easily scales the number of outputs it can offer. This is unique in the video wall space and is a result of Userful’s innovative architecture. Userful leverages the network to deliver content from the PC onto the video wall(s). With Userful, a single PC can support a video wall of up to 100+ displays. Each display has a simple, cost-effective zero client device on the back that connects to the PC through the local area network (LAN). External content sources The integration for virtual machines in the system made the solution even better for us" Userful software turns that PC into an appliance that is easily managed through a browser. Using the browser-based interface, customers can easily pull content from almost any available source including network sources in real time. The solution can display everything from video to a full-screen browser to a desktop and even a series of virtual desktops (multiple independent desktop sessions running on the same PC). According to Fernandez, “The integration for virtual machines in the system made the solution even better for us.” In the command centre, Userful deployed a 3x3 video wall with nine 55” LG commercial displays, all running from a single Intel Core i7 PC with 32 GB of RAM, which is securely located away from the wall itself in a locked room, with a controlled environment—helping to prolong the PC’s lifespan. EMT added HDMI capture cards to pull in external content sources to display on the video wall in real time. Public regarding fares After deploying the control room system, the EMT deployed a 2x2 video wall at the customer service office in downtown Malaga, which is managed and operated remotely from the main office, and displays information to the public regarding fares, schedules and additional information. Through their different functions, these deployments offer refreshed internal and external visualisation and the flexibility to display content and notifications in real time. The EMT deployed a 2x2 video wall at the customer service office in downtown Malaga The solution was functional out of the box and the easy configuration enabled a smooth transition, with minimal downtime. Throughout the engagement, EMT has been very happy with the quality of technical support—any questions they had during installation were promptly answered via phone or text, with subsequent follow-ups to ensure the highest performance of the system. Supporting additional displays The EMT has achieved their goal of refreshing both the command centre and customer service office with better visualisation, more simultaneous cameras on display and the flexibility to show desktop content and online notifications in real time, effectively optimising internal and external communication. With Userful, the EMT can expand their command centre as their fleet grows. When they need to add more displays, they simply add more zero clients onto the network and the PC they’ve already deployed will support the additional displays. Now they can continue to grow without needing to undergo a big expansion project.

Lock manufacturer Mul-T-Lock has provided all seven of Barry’s studios in London with its eCLIQ® locks and over 100 accompanying keys in order to manage access rights across each studio. Founded in 1998 in West Hollywood, Barry’s fitness classes soon became known throughout the world, with studios opening up across America and Canada, in the Middle East and throughout Europe. There are over 140,000 global members of Barry’s FitFam, with eight boutique studios in the UK. London-based Astoria Fire and Security Ltd recommended Mul-T-Lock’s eCLIQ® access control solution to all seven of Barry’s studios throughout London, to help combat lost keys and achieve complex access requirements. Granting access rights Fraser McNair, Contracts Manager at Astoria Fire and Security commented: “Mul-T-Lock’s eCLIQ® system has enabled us to program locks and cut keys without traditional locksmithing skills or equipment, which is invaluable to a specialist fire and security company such as ours.” “The convenience and cost saving to our customer has also meant that the product has virtually sold itself and it gives them the control to manage their security directly from a phone application that is both secure and easy to use. They can now reconfigure their security within minutes themselves and lost keys can be cancelled immediately. They also have the added convenience of only granting access rights on certain days at certain times depending on the role of the key holder.” Access control system If a key is lost, access can be also be revoked using the eCLIQ® software With a number of employees that require access to the studios at various times of the day/week and with confidential client data kept on file within each building, Barry’s required a solution that would offer a high level of physical security as well as data protection. Mul-T-Lock’s eCLIQ® access control system allows end-users to both grant and remove access permissions remotely. This includes the ability to schedule individual access permissions for each key, as well as to provide time-limited access. If a key is lost, access can be also be revoked using the eCLIQ® software, all managed from a cloud-based system. The eCLIQ® system is particularly useful for leisure facilities that often suffer from a high staff turnover. Having the ability to remove access permissions when a member of staff leaves allows facilities managers and business owners to uphold their security and the safety of visitors and staff. Offering enhanced security This not only offers enhanced security, but also significantly reduces whole life costing. In the past, when a mechanical key is lost, security can only be guaranteed by replacing the whole mechanical suite of locks – at an unwelcome cost and often disruption to ‘business as usual’ for facilities. Locks can also be easily removed and moved to a new site without the need for expensive re-wiring found in most other access control systems. Fitness studios and gyms have very complex access and security requirements" Jacques Vermeulen, Regional Sales Manager for Mul-T-Lock added: “Fitness studios and gyms have very complex access and security requirements, with 24-hour shift patterns for staff, deliveries throughout the day, and contractors needing one-time access. Plus, the management of visitors and their flow around a building, needs to be non-intrusive yet secure and reassuring.” Provide physical access “Even though keys provide physical access to critical assets within gyms and health clubs, including areas that house servers holding customer data, and to offices where customers’ accounts are managed, we often see end-users unsure of how many keys they have in circulation, or where they are at any given time. More worryingly, often when staff leave there is no system to revoke access or monitor if they return the keys.” “The safety and security of visitors and staff is paramount for any customer facing business, but in such a competitive industry the smooth running and ongoing service can be vital to its success and profitability. Security and access systems, such as eCLIQ® from Mul-T-Lock, not only improves safety and mitigates risk but also helps with business continuity, which is a valuable asset to the leisure industry.”

A subway system serving Southeast Asia needed to modernise from its aging analog CCTV system to new IP. The subway system includes over 150 stations connected by 135 miles of rail; facilitating over 5 million commuter trips on an average weekday. The passengers have come to expect a high level of quality and reliability as the transit system is one of the most reliable in the world; consistently achieving a 99.9% on-time rate. However, it was becoming increasingly complex and difficult to manage passenger security and safety within a transportation network of this incredible size, especially while relying on outdated surveillance technology. The existing analog CCTV surveillance equipment was approaching end-of-life and the organisation wanted to modernise security in their rapid transit subway stations. The organisation decided to modernise to an IP security system, which would provide enhanced capabilities and higher resolution security footage. Infrastructure barriers One of the company’s core strategies is to continuously upgrade its services to meet the needs of its customers. However, the organisation was facing several infrastructure barriers as they planned their upgrade to IP security. Traditional LAN design philosophies would involve ripping and replacing the existing Coax-based infrastructure to support the new IP cameras, leading to concerns of high project costs, long deployment times, and a harsh environmental impact. The organisation was unsatisfied with this approach and required an innovative solution. Change the conversation; improve the outcome The organisation leveraged its existing Coax-based infrastructure using the CLEER24 long-reach PoE solution Due to the organisation's needs, the distributor was confident in recommending Modern LAN design philosophies and the NVT Phybridge CLEER24 PoE solution. Developed by Frost & Sullivan, Modern LAN principles provide new best practices for connecting IP endpoints as organisations expand their network to incorporate IoT devices. Principle #1 suggests designing the LAN using the “outside-in” approach by first identifying the endpoint characteristics to determine the best-supporting infrastructure. Another principle is to consider new Power over Ethernet innovations to support IoT initiatives and simplify LAN design/requirements. By applying these principles, the organisation determined that they could leverage their existing and proven Coax-based infrastructure using the CLEER24 long-reach PoE solution. CLEER24 switch The customer was excited about the new solution but wanted to test the capabilities in their environment. NVT Phybridge assisted the customer in organising a no-obligation proof of concept. After a few simple setup steps, the CLEER24 switch transformed the existing Coax-based infrastructure into a robust and reliable IP backbone for the new surveillance system. The customer was also pleased with the ability to connect IP devices up to 6,000ft (1,830m) away from the application using existing infrastructure – with zero IDF closets required along the way. Environmental responsibility Protecting the natural environment is an important core value of the organisation, as they aim to become one of the most resource-efficient and ecologically sustainable railway companies in the world. The organisation has implemented LEED green building standards and continuously strives to reduce energy and resource consumption in all railway operations. Aligned with their existing sustainability programs, Modern LAN design helped the organisation: Reuse their existing physical infrastructure; which prevented over 10 US tons (20,000 pounds) of Coax cable from ending up in a landfill Avoid extensive construction and renovation work; reducing material and energy consumption Eliminate the need to install additional IDF closets thanks to the CLEER24’s long reach capabilities; reducing ongoing energy consumption Reduce the deployment time by 9 months; ensuring minimal disruption to passengers Using an innovative analytical tool to measure environmental impact, the subway system received the highest rating, 5 stars, for their environmentally responsible modernisation to IP. A better return on investment The customer took a proactive approach to support their IP modernisation objectives in a responsible manner The customer took a proactive approach to find new and better ways to support their IP modernisation objectives in a financially and socially responsible manner. By applying Modern LAN principles and leveraging innovative switch technology, the organisation was able to: Reduce infrastructure costs by more than $500,000 Deploy over 500 new IP cameras with no disruption to passengers Prevent over 10 US tons (20,000 pounds) of cabling e-waste from entering a landfill Reduce the overall deployment time by 9 months Simplify deployment and ongoing network management Build a cyber-secure and robust IP platform for their new security solution

Around 7,000 people pass through the Luminy faculty’s suburban campus every day. As part of a major project to modernize two buildings, university managers sought a retrofit-ready access control solution to upgrade security. University administrators selected Aperio® locks to secure doors in the new buildings. With Aperio, facilities staff deal with lost keys more efficiently. The laborious process of changing locks and reissuing keys — part of the daily workload with mechanical locking — vanishes. The Luminy campus is now equipped with 372 Aperio Electronic Cylinders & 42 Aperio Electronic Handles with built-in RFID readers. Locks are integrated seamlessly, wirelessly and online with Luminy’s ARD access control system. One key goal was to deter theft, which was becoming a problem in teaching areas — especially those with computers. Individual access smart-cards “Since we installed Aperio, we have not had a break-in,” says Cédric Lopez, Maintenance Manager at Luminy. An easy extension for room management and scheduling. In addition to theft deterrence, Aperio met broad, stringent criteria for the security upgrade. Staff and students carry individual access smart-cards. Doors and credentials are easily programmed and reprogrammed to accommodate everyone’s changing access needs. Access permissions and campus traffic Aperio devices are integrated online for a live overview of the campus that helps respond proactively to incidents Luminy’s security team has complete control over access permissions and campus traffic — in real-time. Because their new Aperio devices are integrated online, staff see a “live” overview of the campus and respond proactively to incidents. Aperio is trusted to protect the most sensitive areas of the campus. “We have critical premises, including for the storage of chemicals, some with radioactive properties,” adds Lopez. Integration with the scheduling system Aperio locks are built on an open platform, so they are flexible enough to integrate with the university’s room scheduling system. “Teachers are able to reserve their rooms. Students no longer have to wait for the teacher’s arrival, because they have access to the right rooms in defined time slots,” says Cédric Lopez. The credential students already carry automatically opens classroom doors, if they have pre-authorised access rights. For the facilities team, the ARD interface displays scheduling for all relevant rooms in real-time. Aperio beyond safety & security Luminy site managers have already scheduled further real-time access control upgrades built around award-winning Aperio wireless technology. As Luminy staff discovered, the benefits of Aperio extend beyond just enhanced campus safety and student security. The Aperio for Universities Solution Guide explains how one can upgrade and streamline security at ones campus.

The topic of video analytics has been talked and written about for decades, and yet is still one of the cutting-edge themes in the physical security industry. Some say yesterday’s analytics systems tended to overpromise and underdeliver, and there are still some skeptics. However, newer technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) are reinvigorating the sector and enabling it to finally live up to its promise. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What new technologies and trends will shape video analytics in 2021?

The new year is several weeks old, so it is safe to say that many of our New Year resolutions have fallen by the wayside. Despite the limited success of our personal resolutions, the new year is a great time to take stock, look ahead, and plan to make 2020 the best year yet. Thinking about our industry as a whole, we asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What should be the security industry’s “New Year’s resolution?” 

Public spaces provide soft targets and are often the sites of terrorist or active shooter attacks. Public spaces, by definition, require easy accessibility and unrestricted movement. Given that openness, what security technologies can provide real results? We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: How is technology innovation impacting the security of public spaces?