Video management software

ASIS International, the association of security management professionals, released its Enterprise Security Risk Management (ESRM) Guideline, which takes a different approach to traditional security. The new guideline is the first strategic security management tool of its kind, elevating the security function by establishing a partnership between security professionals and business leaders to manage security risks. The objective of ESRM is to identify, evaluate, and mitigate the likelihood and/or impact of security risks to the organisation with priority given to protective activities that help enable the organisation to advance its overall mission. ESRM positions the security professional as a trusted advisor to help guide asset owners through the process of making security risk management decisions. Maintaining high performance over time “We’re very proud to provide this foundational tool to ASIS members—and the security industry at-large—to help guide them through adoption of ESRM within their organisations” said David R. Feeney, CPP, PMP, Chairman of the ASIS ESRM Guideline Technical Committee. The new guideline further outlines how the ESRM Cycle is built on a foundation of transparency ESRM recommends that security professionals maintain an understanding of the organisation’s overall strategy, including its mission and vision, core values, operating environment, and stakeholders. Understanding this context will enable security professionals to effectively support and align with the organisation’s strategic goals. The new guideline further outlines how the ESRM Cycle is built on a foundation of transparency, governance, partnership with stakeholders, and holistic risk management. By continually repeating the ESRM Cycle, security professionals can bring ESRM practice to maturity and maintain high performance over time. Global development of ESRM “We remain committed to the global development of ESRM, and the release of our ESRM Guideline demonstrates the ASIS Board of Director’s on-going support to formalise ESRM globally,” said Tim McCreight, ASIS Global Board sponsor of the ESRM Initiative. Security professionals can learn more about ESRM during the Introduction to Enterprise Security Risk Management classroom program on September 8 at McCormick Place in Chicago—the convening place of Global Security Exchange (GSX) 2019. ASIS members receive free digital access to the new ESRM Guideline on the ASIS website. Non-members may purchase a softcover or read-only copy of the Guideline online in the ASIS Store. GSX attendees can purchase a copy in the ASIS Bookstore onsite and learn more about ASIS standards currently in development by visiting the ASIS Hub (Booth #2027) in the exhibit hall.

Snap Network Surveillance Pty Ltd. (“Snap Surveillance”), the developer of the world’s first and only AI-based intelligent tracking software for large-scale security camera networks, has announced the establishment of North American operations based in San Diego, California. This new office will focus on the United States and Canada regions as well as provide additional support to Central and South America. The new San Diego office will function as a demo center for the company’s Force Multiplier (FMx) VMS add-on tool, which delivers significantly faster and more reliable suspect tracking and forensic review capabilities for systems such as Milestone’s XProtect. IP security cameras San Diego location will provide integrators and customers with the experience of a security operations center Snap Surveillance’s San Diego location will provide integrators and their customers with the experience of a security operations center (SOC) with a functioning VMS system, numerous IP-cameras, along with the FMx tool to showcase the improved tracking capabilities for large-camera count environments such as hospital, airports, universities, and casinos. “This is a significant step for Snap Surveillance and is a realisation of the growth we have achieved over the past ten years of operations from Australia,” stated Simon Langsford, CEO, Snap Surveillance. “Our recent project wins in the U.S. – including airports, universities, and hospitals -  has highlighted the need to strengthen our support within the North American market.” AI-based security systems With the opening of the North American office, Snap Surveillance has also appointed Jay Jason Bartlett as the new General Manager for North America. Snap Surveillance will be exhibiting at the Global Security Exchange (GSX) in Chicago, IL, September 10 – 12, 2019 within the GSX Disruption District in booth 3417. As a Gold Partner and Certified Solution with Milestone Systems, Snap Surveillance will be demonstrating its patented AI-based system that is 10x faster than human-alone subject tracking, removing the operator stress of knowing where to look or which camera feed will be needed next.

Snap Network Surveillance, PTY LTD, the developer of the world’s first and only AI-based intelligent tracking software for large-scale security camera networks, announced the latest release of its Force Multiplier (FMx) tool – enabling operators to track subjects faster and more easily. This new version delivers extensive enhancements to the FMx Network Optimiser tool, which significantly benefits our system integrator partners in commissioning a FMx system, now much faster. Provides REST API for PSIM vendors Force Multiplier version 1.7.3 now provides a new REST API for partners that provides a low-resolution form of our camera relationship learning. Now, for example, a PSIM vendor is able to use the REST API to find the environment’s camera relationships and use that information in their own PSIM user interface. This functionality could also be used with currently non-supported VMS platforms. Version 1.7.3 now also supports the Milestone XProtect privacy masking functionalityVersion 1.7.3 now also supports the Milestone XProtect privacy masking functionality. When Milestone XProtect implements a security privacy mask on a particular camera feed, FMx will now also properly blur out the privacy area within the Force Multiplier tab within the XProtect Smart Client. VMS add-on tool to track suspects “This new release is the result of our ongoing development of the industry’s easiest to use VMS add-on tool for tracking suspects and objects around a campus-style environment,” stated Henry Detmold, CTO, Snap Surveillance. “Being able to quickly and easily track targets of importance around a large camera count environment is what Snap Surveillance excels at and this new version continues to expand our overall value to our customers.” Exhibiting at GSX 2019 Force Multiplier 1.7.3 instantly creates one continuous video story from hundreds of individual camera feeds – quickly and more easily than any other tool on the market. Snap Surveillance will be exhibiting at the Global Security Exchange (GSX) in Chicago, IL, September 10 – 12, 2019 in booth 3417. As a Gold Partner with Milestone Systems, Snap Surveillance will be demonstrating its patented AI-based system that is 10x faster than human-alone subject tracking removing the stress on an operator of knowing which camera feed or video view will be needed next.

At GSX 2019, in booth 251, Hanwha Techwin America, a global supplier of IP and analog video surveillance solutions, will announce availability in September for Wisenet WAVE 4.0, the next version of their VMS (Video Management System) designed to support the advanced features and license-free onboard video analytics that are unique to Hanwha cameras. Wisenet WAVE 4.0 VMS Available from Hanwha’s network of authorised distributors, Wisenet WAVE 4.0 is ideally suited to meet the needs of customers looking for a reasonably priced and easy to use end-to-end video surveillance solution. WAVE gives users the ability to create tailored layouts for the way they want to use their Wisenet video surveillance solutions on any device. Wisenet WAVE VMS has been very successful for customers looking for a flexible solution that is reliable and simple" “Wisenet WAVE VMS has been very successful for customers looking for a flexible solution that is reliable, simple and lightweight. With Wisenet WAVE 4.0, we have continued to develop features and functionality our customers are asking for while also building for the future,” said Ray Cooke, Vice President - Products, Solutions, and Integration at Hanwha Techwin America. Unified API Communication with WAVE is via Hanwha’s native unified API for maximum compatibility and efficiency. New analytics support includes: Queue Management (Queue-meter) – for retail queue management. Users can set up to three rectangular regions to monitor three lines. If a queue gets backed up, an event can be triggered to alert the end-user to assess and take action. Shock Detection – Introduced in the Wisenet X series PLUS line of cameras, gyro sensors can detect when a camera is shaking or enduring physical shock. This can trigger an alarm or custom event in WAVE 4.0. Temperature change detection from thermal cameras – When working with the recently released Wisenet thermal cameras, change in temperature above or below a threshold can trigger an alarm in WAVE. Remote access For remote access, a new WAVE mobile app version 19.3 features smart motion search from within the mobile client For remote access, a new WAVE mobile app version 19.3 features smart motion search from within the mobile client. Users simply press and drag on a region from within the camera’s field of view and motion slices pop up in the timeline showing any motion that occurred within that region within any time period. In WAVE 4.0, the system architecture has been revamped to ensure every moment is captured and recorded with minimum downtime while providing increased scalability. The previous 50 server limit has been doubled to support up to 100 servers in a unified site (each server can support 128 camera streams). Multi-server failover is built into the software and ready to be activated with only a few clicks, and without requiring any extra failover licenses. Additional highlighted features in WAVE 4.0: Improved support for Wisenet Q series NVRs with integrated PoE Improved PTZ support and functionality on NVRs and SPE encoders Encrypted video and HTTPS communications provide the ability to force the system to use HTTPS and to encrypt video traffic When using WAVE Sync, users can easily merge systems over the internet that are registered to the same user account Metadata SDK A metadata SDK allows for the integration of object metadata (coordinates, tags) Additionally, a metadata SDK allows for the integration of object metadata (coordinates, tags) generated by third party computer vision applications. This allows for the integration of several functions including the ability to overlay bounding boxes and object paths within video tiles, as well as integrate custom actions and events. Wisenet WAVE supports all major operating systems including Microsoft Windows and Linux Ubuntu for server application; Microsoft Windows, Linux Ubuntu and Apple MacOS for the client application; and Apple iOS and Google Android for the mobile application and web clients. Hanwha also includes an API package accessible by developers directly within the server application enabling easy third party integration with Wisenet WAVE. Software integration “Small and medium businesses range from one or more large sites, to several campuses or a small chain of sites. These organisations, and their public sector counterparts, demand end-to-end simplicity that is friendly to their budget upfront, and for the long term,” said Cooke. “Wave 4.0 provides just that, with features and solutions for these environments as their needs expand.”

Luxul, the innovator of IP networking solutions for AV integrators, announces its technology lineup for CEDIA Expo 2019, taking place September 12-14 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver. In Legrand | AV's booth 905, Luxul will exhibit a wide range of solutions that deliver reliable, high-performance networks in smart homes, including a new wireless mesh solution and cloud remote monitoring and management system; Self-Healing managed Gigabit switches; the next generation of wireless controller technology; ‘Good, Better, Best’ dual-band wireless access points (AP); and dealer tools designed to speed up installations and deliver exceptional WiFi experiences. Advanced network configurations Visitors to the Legrand | AV booth will also be able to get a glimpse of the new Epic Mesh" "The network is an essential element of any connected home, and at CEDIA Expo we'll be highlighting a range of solutions to ensure that it's rock solid — from routers and switches to wireless APs," said Mike Grubb, vice president of marketing at Luxul. "Visitors to the Legrand | AV booth will also be able to get a glimpse of the new Epic Mesh — the first wireless mesh solution designed for the necessities of the CEDIA market. Top it off with educational sessions covering topics such as Wave 2 technology and advanced network configurations, and its shaping up to be an amazing show for Luxul dealers." Making its debut at CEDIA Expo 2019, Luxul's Epic Mesh kit comes with two dual-purpose mesh nodes that can each serve as either a router or satellite. Cloud remote monitoring Simple to install, integrators turn one of the two nodes into a router in under two minutes using the Luxul Easy Setup App. The other becomes the satellite node, which is placed around the residence to create a powerful wireless mesh. There is no need to run additional wires; integrators just plug the satellite node into an available outlet. An innovative antenna design and 4x2x2 antenna array enable two 2x2 client access radios and a powerful 4x4 5-GHz dedicated backhaul channel to ensure strong connectivity back to the router for the delivery of high-speed internet anywhere in the home. Additional satellite nodes can be incorporated as needed to accommodate installations of any size. In addition, Luxul will introduce a new cloud remote monitoring and management solution for integrators. This new solution will be a free service to integrators managing customers' systems remotely, freeing them up from rolling a truck to service a client. PoE-connected devices The units empower integrators with two advanced features: auto-recovery and power scheduling Highlighted managed Gigabit switches featuring self-healing capability will include the 18-port/16 PoE+ L2/L3 AMS-1816P and 12-port/8 PoE+ XMS-1208P. The units empower integrators with two advanced features: auto-recovery and power scheduling. With auto-recovery, devices connected to the switches by PoE are automatically rebooted when they fall offline or become unresponsive. With power scheduling, integrators can trigger the switches to power PoE-connected devices on or off based on any schedule they create within the switch interface. Also on display will be the next-generation XWC-2000 wireless controller, which delivers twice the capacity of its predecessor with support for up to 32 APs for large-scale projects. Newly deployed APs are automatically added for plug-and-play installation, and Luxul's Roam Assist™ technology for active roaming is built into the wireless controller, ensuring mobile devices are always connected to the best AP for the highest performance. Dual-band technology Luxul will also showcase a ‘Good, Better, and Best’ offering of wireless Apex™ APs. For smaller networks where budgets are a concern, Luxul's ‘Good’ XAP-810 is a cost-effective wireless AP offering 802.11ac 2x2 dual-band technology and 5GHz beamforming for data rates up to 1200Mbps. The ‘Better’ XAP-1510 features 802.11ac 3x3 dual-band technology and 2.4 and 5GHz beamforming for data rates up to 1900Mbps throughout a facility. The ‘Best’ XAP-1610 — Luxul's fastest ever — features advanced Wave 2 4x4 MU-MIMO 802.11ac technology and 2.4 and 5GHz beamforming for data rates up to 3167Mbps. Luxul's Easy Setup App allows integrators to install a Luxul wireless router and up to two wireless APs Highlighted dealer tools will include Luxul's Easy Setup App and the company's free network design service (Customer Assurance Program, or CAP). Available as a free download from the Apple and Android stores, Luxul's Easy Setup App allows integrators to install a Luxul wireless router and up to two wireless APs at the same time, in under two minutes, from the convenience of a mobile phone. Wireless network designs Luxul's CAP provides dealers with certified wired and wireless network designs, which are guaranteed to deliver WiFi networks that meet their customers' reliability and performance requirements. Over 2,800 certified networks have been provided to the company's dealer network in the program's first year. Finally, Luxul is excited to wrap up its Tee Shirt Revival — a fun challenge it ran with its followers from July 12 through Aug. 9 — at the show. Show attendees that are ‘caught’ on the floor wearing Luxul swag (i.e. past years' CEDIA shirts, hats, shirts they earned from the Tee Shirt Revival) will be entered to win a backpack stuffed full of Legrand | AV gear with an MSRP value of $1,000. One backpack will be given out per day, for a total of three backpacks to be won throughout the show.

Legrand | AV Residential Solutions announces its 10-minute training schedule for CEDIA Expo 2019, taking place Sept. 12-14 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver. In Booth 905, Legrand | AV brands and seven of its key technology partners will conduct 10-minute presentations covering a wide range of topics — all accompanied by giveaways — every half hour for the duration of the show. "Providing a quick and convenient way to learn about a wide of range of topics, our 10-minute trainings have always been very popular with our dealers at CEDIA," said Lauren Theobald, director of marketing at Legrand | AV. Deliver training sessions Legrand | AV will also give away products to participants at each session "This year, we've got a great lineup on tap that touches on every aspect of transforming the smart home. And as always, the giveaways aren't to be missed, so be sure to stop by our booth for all the fun." Over the course of the show, Legrand | AV and its partners will deliver 33 training sessions covering everything from TV mounting to human-centric lighting to remote monitoring and management. The company will also give away products to participants at each session. Presentation schedule A complete presentation schedule is provided below. Thursday, September 12 Time Presented by Title Presenter 10 a.m. On-Q Flat is where it's at! The secret to hiding power and AV cables James Rutherford 10:30 a.m. SANUS SANUS HeightFinder: The trick to saving you serious install time Ryan Hagberg 11 a.m. Luxul Introducing Legrand AV's new remote monitoring & management solution! Brannon Young 11:30 a.m. URC The value of a solid network for home automation platforms Jeff Rogers Noon Josh.ai Dynamics of voice control and the importance of the network Casey Levy-Tulloch  12:30 p.m. Ring Reducing crime in neighborhoods with three "Rings" of security Rich Way  1 p.m. Vantage Lighting for life: demystifying HCL & circadian rhythm  Mark Moody 1:30 p.m. Nuvo Advantages of the new integrator-exclusive line of streaming audio players Gerald Willis 2 p.m. Domotz TRUCK ROLLS SUCK – the value out of your company Seth Rubenstein 2:30 p.m. Luxul Free network design with a guarantee! Josh Thurman 3 p.m. MAP The system approach Pat Kittridge 3:30 p.m. Sonos Networking for sound in all living spaces Matt Neumann 4 p.m. Just Add Power J+P AVoverIP: VLAN switching vs. IGMP switching Brian Sandifer 4:30 p.m. Luxul Luxul Epic Mesh: essentials for the connected home Chris Kovacek 5 p.m. Chief Outdoor mounts and AV storage solutions David Albright Friday, September 13 Time Presented by Title  Presenter 10 a.m. Domotz TRUCK ROLLS SUCK – the value out of your company Seth Rubenstein 10:30 a.m. On-Q On-Q: RF lighting control – A better design and integration Shenali Parikh 11 a.m. SANUS SANUS HeightFinder: The trick to save you serious install time Ryan Hagberg 11:30 a.m. Luxul Free network design with a guarantee! Josh Thurman Noon IC Realtime Network security: best practices for surveillance Michael Caballero 12:30 p.m. Da-Lite The power of Parallax screen technology Wendy Cox 1 p.m. Just Add Power J+P AVoverIP: VLAN switching vs. IGMP switching Brian Sandifer 1:30 p.m. Vantage Lighting for life: demystifying HCL & circadian rhythm Mark Moody 2 p.m. Josh.ai Dynamics of voice control and the importance of the network Casey Levy-Tulloch  2:30 p.m. Ring Reducing crime in neighborhoods with three "Rings" of security Todd Towey 3 p.m. Luxul Luxul Epic Mesh: essentials for the connected home Chris Kovacek 3:30 p.m. Sonos Networking for sound in all living spaces Brian Yackel 4 p.m. Luxul Introducing Legrand AV's new remote monitoring & management solution! Brannon Young 4:30 p.m. Nuvo A speaker for every space, project, and price point Gerald Willis 5 p.m. QMotion QMotion: Using the QzHub3 for mobile app control and integration Shenali Parikh Saturday, September 14 Time Presented by Title Presenter 11 a.m. Luxul Luxul Epic Mesh: Essentials for the connected home Chris Kovacek 11:30 a.m. Luxul Introducing Legrand AV's new Remote Monitoring & Management Solution! Josh Thurman Noon Luxul Free Network Design with a Guarantee! Josh Thurman

There’s almost no installation that goes 100-percent smoothly in the field of video surveillance. Unexpected issues routinely arise that can increase time on the job, cost of the project and frustration. Manufacturers work on the product side to help ensure their products are easy to install and – when troublesome situations do arise – are flexible enough for installers to quickly find a remedy. Importance of ease of installation Ease of installation is a very important part of the project to the system integrator because the cost of labour is variable  Ease of installation is a very important part of the project to the system integrator because the cost of labour is variable and can be very expensive. In some cases, the cost of labour to install a camera can be more than the cost of the camera! If labour costs are high – or are more expensive than a system integrator planned – they can lose a great deal of money on a project. If a cautious system integrator includes too high of an estimate for labour in a project bid, his overall bid will to high and it could cost him the project. The easier the camera is to install, the lower the labour cost, subsequently achieving higher savings for end-users. Hence it is essential that camera manufacturers develop products that are easy to install or are flexible in the field for system integrators and installers who know that time is money. Enterprise projects can involve thousands of cameras installed Simplifying installation of cameras Camera installation typically involves an electrician, the camera installer and the person who configures the VMS (Video Management Software). Of course, one person can play all three roles, and in many cases, does, but enterprise projects can involve dozens, hundreds or even thousands of cameras with teams of individuals involved in an installation. The electrician runs conduit with an electrical or PoE (Power over Ethernet) connection to the housing or the backplate of the camera; the installer then installs the camera at that location, hooking it up to power; and then a configurator adds cameras to the network and makes adjustments – renaming the camera, setting the frame rate, enabling WDR (Wide Dynamic Range), and the like. When it’s a project that involves different players for any of these functions, there is the potential for a bottleneck and delay in project completion. And if a system integrator is paying an electrician, installer and software configurator – and they are all three on site waiting for each other to finish – that’s a system integrator’s worst-case scenario. Enhancement through modular cameras Video surveillance camera manufacturers like Hanwha Techwin are producing products that take different roles Video surveillance camera manufacturers like Hanwha Techwin are producing products that take the different roles of electrician, installer and configurator into consideration, allowing them to complete their tasks independently. With a focus on modular design which includes a USB dongle, a device manager, magnetic module and included accessories, the Wisenet X series Plus is one of the fastest cameras to install, service and upgrade – saving installers time and money. Wisenet X series Plus cameras have a detachable camera module that utilise magnets to lock into the housing for instant configuration. Electricians can run conduit with a single PoE connection to the back plate/housing while the configurator is working on configuring the camera module, allowing security professionals to later snap the camera into place in just minutes. The VMS configurator can then come and add the cameras to the network and program their functionality. Modular cameras offer flexibility  In the past, an end user might determine after the camera is installed that there aren’t enough pixels on target, or they need certain different functions like video analytics for example, resulting in the time-consuming replacement of the entire camera. With modular-designed cameras, the camera module can be swapped with a new one without having to focus or replace the camera – even to change the resolution or field of view, also Wisenet X series Plus has optional PTRZ modules that can be remotely adjusted to the field of view and the position of the camera lens. Making camera adjustments in the field is also now easier and perhaps even safer. Installers have been known to climb a ladder and juggle a bulky laptop to access the network to be able to see video of how the camera is positioned. Or they’ve had to use analogue video output to view the video feed on a separate monitor which provides the field of view, but not megapixel quality. Using a smartphone, the installer can wirelessly see full and not cropped quality video directly from the camera Wisenet X series Plus cameras have a USB port that allows installers to connect it to a small dongle that converts the camera to a Wi-Fi device. Using a smartphone, the installer can wirelessly see full and not cropped quality video directly from the camera. It’s a much easier way to evaluate video while at the camera. Eliminating the second person looking at live view on a computer guiding through a cellphone to the installer to accurately point the camera to the proper position. If system integrators can do some of the legwork prior to even getting on site, it can reduce cost and improve efficiency. Imagine having 300 cameras ready to send to a project site. To configure those cameras, a system integrator has to take each camera out of the box, plug each into a switch, configure it, take it off of the switch and put it back in the box. To improve this process, camera manufacturers have now developed packaging that provides access to the camera port without even having to remove it from the box. It’s an innovative solution that saves time. Modular cameras have optional PTRZ modules that can be remotely adjusted to the field of view Software programs help in enhancing installation Whether it’s a one-man show or a team of electricians, installers and configurators, software programs can greatly enhance the installation process. Device managers are important tools in adding multiple cameras to a project. Using that 300-camera project, for example, it’s easier when a manufacturer has a device manager that allows the mass programming and configuration of cameras. Adding 300 cameras one by one is time consuming and leaves room for error when making so many multiple entries. A device manager should be able to scan the network and locate its devices, allowing them to be grouped, configured and much more. Every video surveillance camera project is going to have its ups and downs. But camera manufacturers can do their part in the production process to address the many issues known to slow down progress. It’s impressive that many are taking the lead in producing innovations like modular camera design, flexibility in the field and accessible packaging that can truly reduce installation cost and improve efficiency.

For those of you old enough to remember, video matrix switchers were once the heyday of surveillance camera control. These cumbersome antiques were at the heart of every major video surveillance system (CCTV at the time) in premier gaming properties, government installations and corporate industrial complexes. They required more physical labour to construct and configure than perhaps the pyramids – maybe not – but you get the picture. And then digital video made its way in to the market and everything changed, transforming the physical demands for camera control and management from a hardware-centric to a software driven process. We’ve come a long way in a few short years, and the borders that once defined IT and security continue to diminish, if not disappear completely There’s no doubt that this migration also presented significant challenges as many security professionals often struggled with all things IT and software programming being one of the industry’s soft spots. Fortunately, we’ve come a long way in a few short years, and the borders that once defined IT and security continue to diminish, if not disappear completely. However, the complexities of today’s VMS functionality can be intimidating for anyone tasked with installing one of these systems given all of the user-defined options available from the simplest camera sequencing and bandwidth allocations to mobile management and enterprise level integration. This is where truly advanced VMS solutions need to shine on both the operations and the design/build sides of the equation. Smart VMS design There are more solutions products labelled “VMS solutions” out there than ever before. The issue is the fact that many of these “solutions” really don’t fall into the category of a true VMS by today’s standards but offer basic camera and NVR control. No doubt that there is a place for such software programs in the market. However, VMS solutions from the likes of OnSSI and other industry-leading companies offer distinct and superior management and control capabilities for demanding security and business intelligence applications. Perhaps of equal importance, these top-tier VMS solutions incorporate provisions for installers, so they have a clear and easier implementation path. OnSSI offers VMS solutions with smart camera drivers Here are seven attributes that can assist with the design and implementation of an advanced VMS solution: 1) Open architecture platform We need the ability to easily integrate with other systems and scale for future developments and physical system growth The ability to easily integrate with other systems and scale for future developments and physical system growth is largely dependent on a systems platform architecture. Here’s where VMS solutions with open architecture provide a distinct advantage. Open-architecture solutions expand functionality by facilitating greater integration between multiple systems and components. This not only makes VMS solutions with open architecture easier to implement, it makes them extremely cost-efficient by eliminating the need for proprietary solutions. Open architecture systems also provide adherence to industry standards such as ONVIF and PSIA, as well as compression formats such as H.265 and MJPEG, and help ensure system integration and support of an extensive range of manufacturers’ cameras and off-the-shelf hardware. Be wary of VMS solutions with limited camera manufacturer support. 2) Simple licensing processes and pricing Camera licenses and pricing is always a touchy subject, as any misunderstanding of a specific VMS solutions’ licensing terms can prove to be costly after the fact. And it often seems that some VMS suppliers have gone to great lengths to complicate the process as to obscure actual Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). Perhaps the most direct, simple and straightforward camera licensing and pricing method is to have one license per IP address used by each camera/encoder on multi-channel devices. These should be perpetual licenses with no required annual fees or subscriptions. Additionally, the licensing agreement should be all inclusive without added fees for multiple clients, failover servers, active directory support, I/O devices, redundant management servers, technical support or security patches and updates. 3) Mixing and matching camera license types The ability to mix and match different camera license types within the same system helps facilitate a seamless and simple migration of new and pre-existing systems with minimal downtime or interruption in operation. The ability to mix and match camera licenses not only saves valuable design and installation time, it can provide considerable savings when integrating large, multi-tenant systems. Mix and match capabilities also allow system designers to apply specific feature sets to specific groups of cameras to best leverage functionality and budgets, as well as providing the flexibility to implement an on-site, virtual, or cloud-based VMS solution, without any additional cost. 4) Auto camera detection and configuration Another VMS set-up feature that eases the install process is the ability to forego device registrations or MAC address requirements Another VMS set-up feature that eases the install process is the ability to forego device registrations or MAC address requirements. This functionality allows installers to instantly locate cameras on the network and configure them centrally so they can easily replace older cameras while seamlessly retaining video recorded from them. The auto detection capability should also include the ability to detect and import CSV files, which can then be stored and used to configure camera templates for future camera installation profiles. 5) Smart camera driver technology VMS solutions with smart camera drivers offer valuable assistance during system implementation, and any time new cameras are added to the network or replace older models. Manufacturer-specific smart camera drivers expand the range of model-specific static drivers. Instead of storing the device’s information (codecs, resolutions, frame rates, etc.) statically, a VMS with smart camera drivers queries devices for their capabilities using the manufacturers’ proprietary protocol. All that is required for configuration is that the camera is available on the network. Smart camera drivers eliminate the need to wait for model-specific drivers or installation of driver packs, allowing for newly released cameras to be used immediately. Network security is an area where leading VMS suppliers like OnSSI have ramped up development efforts to stay ahead of hackers  6) Importance of network security Network Security is perhaps the greatest challenge faced by industry professionals today Network security is perhaps the greatest challenge faced by industry professionals today. This is an area where leading VMS suppliers like OnSSI have ramped up development efforts to stay ahead of hackers. New security developments to look for include TLS 1.2 encryption protocols for camera-to-server communications (SSL 3.0 supported for older cameras), as well as server-to-server communications. Additional safeguards to consider include: randomised video databases with no camera identification information to secure recorded data; support for Active Directory authentication; AES encryption between servers and clients; and AES encrypted exporting. 7) Automatic updates Regardless of the supplier you select for your VMS solution, they should be consistently providing new updates and security patches on a frequent if not regular basis. Keeping up with these updates can be a burden and are often overlooked leading to system failures and breeches. Advanced VMS solutions now feature automatic update service checks on a system-wide basis, eliminating the need to manually update individual servers and devices. This ensures that your VMS system always has the latest drivers, fixes and updates which assures overall security while reducing TCO. So next time you’re getting a demo of the latest and greatest VMS solution, remember to ask what it offers in terms of design and implementation tools. Half the battle with new technologies is getting them installed and working properly. Without the right tools to accomplish these critical first steps, all the functionality in the world will do you little good.

There’s a lot of excitement around artificial intelligence (AI) today – and rightly so. AI is shifting the modern landscape of security and surveillance and dramatically changing the way users interact with their security systems. But with all the talk of AI’s potential, you might be wondering: what problems does AI help solve today? The need for AI The fact is, today there are too many cameras and too much recorded video for security operators to keep pace with. On top of that, people have short attention spans. AI is a technology that doesn’t get bored and can analyse more video data than humans ever possibly could.AI is a technology that doesn’t get bored and can analyse more video data than humans ever possibly could It is designed to bring the most important events and insight to users’ attention, freeing them to do what they do best: make critical decisions. There are two areas where AI can have a significant impact on video surveillance today: search and focus of attention. Faster search Imagine using the internet today without a search engine. You would have to search through one webpage at a time, combing through all its contents, line-by-line, to hopefully find what you’re looking for. That is what most video surveillance search is like today: security operators scan hours of video from one camera at a time in the hope that they’ll find the critical event they need to investigate further. That’s where artificial intelligence comes in. The ability of AI to reduce hours of work to mere minutes is especially significant when we think about the gradual decline in human attention spans With AI, companies such as Avigilon are developing technologies that are designed to make video search as easy as searching the internet. Tools like Avigilon Appearance Search™ technology – a sophisticated deep learning AI video search engine – help operators quickly locate a specific person or vehicle of interest across all cameras within a site. When a security operator is provided with physical descriptions of a person involved in an event, this technology allows them to initiate a search by simply selecting certain descriptors, such as gender or clothing colour. During critical investigations, such as in the case of a missing or suspicious person, this technology is particularly helpful as it can use those descriptions to search for a person and, within seconds, find them across an entire site. Focused attention           The ability of AI to reduce hours of work to mere minutes is especially significant when we think about the gradual decline in human attention spans. Consider all the information a person is presented with on a given day. They don’t necessarily pay attention to everything because most of that information is irrelevant. Instead, they prioritise what is and is not important, often focusing only on information or events that are surprising or unusual. Security operators scan hours of video from one camera at a time in the hope that they’ll find the critical event they need to investigate further Now, consider how much information a security operator who watches tens, if not hundreds or thousands of surveillance cameras, is presented with daily. After just twenty minutes, their attention span significantly decreases, meaning most of that video is never watched and critical information may go undetected. By taking over the task of "watching" security video, AI technology can help focus operators’ attention on events that may need further investigation. As AI technology evolves, the rich metadata captured in surveillance video will add even more relevance to what operators are seeing For instance, technology like Avigilon™ Unusual Motion (UMD) uses AI to continuously learn what typical activity in a scene looks like and then detect and flag unusual events, adding a new level of automation to surveillance. This helps save time during an investigation by allowing operators to quickly search through large amounts of recorded video faster, automatically focusing their attention on the atypical events that may need further investigation, enabling them to more effectively answer the critical questions of who, what, where and when. As AI technology evolves, the rich metadata captured in surveillance video – like clothing colour, age or gender – will add even more relevance to what operators are seeing. This means that in addition to detecting unusual activities based on motion, this technology has the potential to guide operators’ attention to other “unusual” data that will help them more accurately verify and respond to a security event. The key to advanced security When integrated throughout a security system, AI technology has the potential to dramatically change security operations There’s no denying it, the role of AI in security today is transformative. AI-powered video management software is helping to reduce the amount of time spent on surveillance, making security operators more efficient and effective at their jobs. By removing the need to constantly watch video screens and automating the “detection” function of surveillance, AI technology allows operators to focus on what they do best: verifying and acting on critical events. This not only expedites forensic investigations but enables real-time event response, as well. When integrated throughout a security system, AI technology has the potential to dramatically change security operations. Just as high-definition imaging has become a quintessential feature of today’s surveillance cameras, the tremendous value of AI technology has positioned it as a core component of security systems today, and in the future.

According to the reports of not-for-profit organisation Gun Violence Archive, the year 2018 saw 323 mass shooting incidents as of November. This number is 346 for the year 2017 and 382 for 2016, with ‘mass shooting’ defined as cases where four or more people are shot or killed in the same time period and location. A variety of gunfire detection solutions and other technology approaches seek to address the problem. ShotSpotter SiteSecure and ShotSpotter SecureCampus provide critical outdoor infrastructure protection against active shooter attacks. SiteSecure delivers critical information such as the number of shots fired, a detailed map of the airport or transportation facility, with the shooting location clearly identified. SiteSecure also provides law enforcement and transportation facility management with real-time information that can be useful to identify and address false alarms and reduce mass panic. Gunfire detection and precise shooter location Designed for college campuses and K-12 schools, ShotSpotter SecureCampus provides gunfire detectionShotSpotter SecureCampus is a gunfire detection system designed to provide outdoor coverage at university and school campuses. Designed for college campuses and K-12 schools, SST SecureCampus provides gunfire detection, precise location, and number of shooters to first responders and school personnel, enabling faster response to an incident. Data capture form to appear here! Gunshot detection can offer tremendous benefits in mitigating active shooting incidents occurring in a public facility or commercial environment. Data shows that active shooter attacks often begin outside a building and then progress indoors. Thus, the first line of defence for security professionals lies outside a facility, in a zone of protection surrounding it or comprising the entire outdoor area of a larger facility of many buildings. Audio solutions for perimeter security Video cameras are effective surveillance tools in the event of a shooting incident, but they are not able to capture everything. Deploying audio solutions can automatically flag incidents not caught on camera, as well as alert central station guards of what surveillance zones need to be closely monitored. Audio analytics solutions for aggression and gunshot detection are some of the best security tools in the security market when it comes to detection, intervention and deterrence. They are the next generation of monitoring; equipping security teams with critical information and enhancing perimeter security. End users can identify high-risk situations in real-time and prevent acts of physical aggression before they happen Aggression detectors are capable of accurately recognising duress in a person’s voice. The software automatically and objectively detects the presence of rising human aggression, anger or fear, and subsequently warns staff by a visual alert or alarm trigger. As a result, end users can identify high-risk situations in real-time and prevent acts of physical aggression before they happen. Artificial intelligence to detect weapons A gunshot detector recognises firearm discharge from various firearms in different settings. Within seconds of a gunshot, the software accurately classifies and triggers an immediate notification through a designated VMS. Security staff can then verify the alert, effectively reducing the reaction time of first responders. With the development of artificial intelligence (AI) in object recognition, AI weapons detection offers an efficient alternative to gunshot detection to prevent active shooting: AI can visually detect guns based on their shapes before they are fired. The AI is trained to recognise firearms in different shapes, sizes, colours, and at different angles in videos, so that the AI weapon detector can be deployed with existing camera systems, analyse the video feeds, and instantly notify security staff when a gun is spotted. Audio analytics, processed inside a video camera, are another approach that can quickly pinpoint zones that security staff should focus on, which can dramatically shorten response times to incidents. Audio-derived data also provides a secondary layer of verification that an event is taking place which can help prioritise responses from police and emergency personnel. Detecting audio levels and alerting operators Operators can be notified of abnormal situations via event signals allowing the operator to take suitable measuresThe first job of a well-configured camera or camera/mic pair is to detect sounds of interest while rejecting ancillary sounds and noise below a preset threshold. Each camera must be custom-configured for its particular environment to detect audio levels which exceed a user-defined level. Since audio levels are typically greater in abnormal situations, any audio levels exceeding the baseline set levels are detected as being a potential security event. Operators can be notified of any abnormal situations via event signals allowing the operator to take suitable measures. Finding a baseline of background noise and setting an appropriate threshold level is the first step. Well configured audio analytics can deliver critical information about a security event, accelerating response times and providing timely details beyond video-only surveillance. Analytics take privacy concerns out of the equation and allow installers and end users to use camera audio responsibly. Hanwha Techwin's audio source classification technology, available in its X Series cameras, features three customisable settings for category, noise cancellation and detection level for optimum performance in a variety of installation environments.

Video surveillance cannot address all the security challenges in education, but it is a valuable tool and among the least obtrusive options available. And the list of security challenges that video can address grows every day. Video systems can provide real-time monitoring of school premises and facilitate rapid response to incidents. New advances such as video analytics are currently underutilised in the education arena. Historically, video has been used as a forensic tool in the education market, providing critical information about an incident after the fact. But that generalisation is changing. Today, networking enables video images to be shared throughout a school system, travelling over existing networks, empowering a more centralised security management structure, and making video more valuable. In particular, higher education institutions are more likely to view live video, given the larger campuses, greater number of buildings, and more public areas where staff and students congregate. Challenges for securing a school environment Panoramic cameras are one tool to address challenges, as a single 360-degree camera can replace between 4 and 5 PTZ camerasMultiple challenges in the education market for security goods and services (from a video perspective) include wide open spaces that make securing schools with video surveillance cameras difficult since the vast amount of coverage required can be cost-prohibitive. Second, state and federal regulations must be taken into account and balanced with the need to protect student privacy. Finally, schools and colleges face dwindling budgets, which means security solutions must deliver more coverage and functionality, while also being cost-effective to deploy. Panoramic cameras are one tool to address these challenges, as a single 360-degree camera can replace between four and five traditional pan-tilt-zoom cameras, resulting in fewer cameras and more coverage – all at a lower cost for hardware and licensing. Data capture form to appear here! Intelligent cameras with video analytics Video surveillance with video analytics can be deployed to monitor areas at certain times of day. For example, once school starts, there shouldn’t be a lot of activity in the parking lot or in particular areas around the school. For these situations, intelligent cameras with video analytics can be used to detect activity in those areas of interest to alert school security that something may need their attention. Radar detection is ideal for perimeters, where a device can be set up unobtrusively to alert when someone enters a particular area. ACC 6 video management software with Avigilon Appearance Search technology provides advanced video analytics search The goal in a potentially dangerous situation is to speed up response times. The faster you’re able to detect something using technology, the faster you’re able to respond. Therefore, being able to identify something happening in a parking lot and alert school resource officers could provide 30 seconds or a minute head start for response, which can get the school into a lockdown situation and get first responders on site more quickly. Video cameras with low-light capability There are video cameras available with extreme low-light capability to see in near-dark or complete darknessIt’s been shown that using lighting at night can deter crime. However, it can be expensive to keep a building and grounds illuminated all night, every night. To mitigate these concerns and potential costs, there are video cameras available with extreme low-light capability that allows them to see in near-dark or in some cases complete darkness. This allows a school to save money by turning lights off while achieving a level of surveillance performance similar to daytime deployments. Facing above-average student incident rates and student disciplinary concerns at some schools, a school system in the United States sought to upgrade its video surveillance system to allow better local and remote monitoring in important areas. Avigilon high-definition cameras with self-learning video analytics and access control solutions were installed in 101 schools, and ACC 6 video management software with Avigilon Appearance Search technology provides advanced video analytics search. A deep learning artificial intelligence search engine can sort through hours of footage and allow operators to click on a button and search for all instances of a person or vehicle across all cameras on a site, quickly and efficiently.

Despite any negativity you may hear, Hikvision is optimistic about their role in the U.S. market. “We demonstrate that we can be trusted, and that we should be trusted,” says Jeffrey He, Vice President, Hikvision, and President, Hikvision USA and Hikvision Canada. “We have sound products and technology. Our mission in the security industry is to protect, not to harm. Otherwise why would we be in this industry?” Hikvision is committed to investing in the North American market, where there was ‘positive year-over-year growth’ in 2018 and ‘strong’ sales in Q1 this year, according to Eric Chen, General Manager of Hikvision USA and Hikvision Canada. HikCentral central management software The company’s U.S. focus is shifting from products to solution sales, with emphasis on ‘mid-market’ small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). The largest verticals are retail and education, and there are emerging opportunities in the cannabis market. Launch of the HikCentral central management software (CMS) is a component of the company’s solution-sales approach. Launch of the HikCentral central management software is a component of the company’s solution-sales approachMr. He acknowledges the growth of ‘anti-China sentiment’ in the United States and other parts of the world, which he says will impact Hikvision’s operations globally. Specifically, in the U.S., ‘political’ elements impacting Hikvision’s business include ongoing tariffs and a trade war, Congressional calls for export controls and sanctions, and a provision of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that bans use of Chinese video surveillance products in government applications. Specifying cybersecurity initiatives at ISC West In spite of it all, Hikvision’s message at the recent ISC West show was overwhelmingly positive, and the company also detailed cybersecurity initiatives they say put the Chinese company ahead of many competitors in the industry. Eric Chen came in as General Manager last year; he previously spent a decade working for Hikvision in China. Chen reports solid 18.8% year-over-year growth for Hikvision globally, totalling $7.4 billion last year. He notes the company saw 40% compounded growth between 2010 and 2018. Globally, there are 34,000 employees, 16,000 of whom are research and development (R&D) engineers. Hikvision’s expanding global footprint includes 46 international branches. There are three manufacturing facilities in China, in addition to one in India. HikRewards program for HDP customers At ISC West, Hikvision’s theme was ‘Focus on Your Success’, including introduction of the HikRewards program that provides rebates to HDP (Hikvision Dealer Partner) customers, their core dealer base. A new online Hikvision Knowledge Library for HDPs provides training and reference materials dealers can share with employees. A new tech centre, introduced in December, provides data sheets, product information, and support resources. There is also a North American R&D team headquartered in Montreal. At the industry’s largest U.S. trade show, Hikvision unveiled a brand-new booth with plenty of open space and video walls A customer satisfaction survey launched in March provided good feedback from customers. “They know who to call if they have a problem,” says Chen. “We want to focus on making customers successful.” The success theme also extends to Hikvision employees, who are featured in videos describing their jobs and enthusiasm for Hikvision. There are some 400 employees in the North American operation. At the industry’s largest U.S. trade show, Hikvision unveiled a brand-new booth with plenty of open space and video walls. Half of the booth was focussed on solutions, especially retail and education, and also gaming and commercial real estate. Security products displayed at ISC West A variety of devices, including access control, intercoms and cameras, are integrated using the HikCentral CMS systemProduct highlights at the ISC West booth included the 32-megapixel PanoVu multi-sensor dome camera, whose 180-degree panoramic image was displayed on a 65-inch monitor. A variety of devices, including access control, intercoms and cameras, are integrated using the HikCentral CMS system. Some products new to the North American market, including intercoms, turnstiles, emergency call stations, and under-vehicle inspection, were displayed. Hikvision’s deep learning products are moving into their second generation, including the ability to obscure private information on videos to comply with GDPR/privacy requirements (previewed at ISC West and released later in the year). Algorithm components of Hikvision’s DeepInMind artificial intelligence are being adapted into a platform called AcuSense for value-priced products, which can recognise a human or vehicle and help filter out false alarms. Also being adapted to products with lower price points are the ColorVu system that incorporates visible light LEDs to provide colour images at night, and DarkFighter low-light capabilities. Penetration testing of cameras and NVRs As a global manufacturer, Hikvision faces a high level of scrutiny about cybersecurity, which Mr. Chen says is “a good thing for us,” enabling them to highlight the steps they are taking to improve cybersecurity. Chuck Davis, Director of Cybersecurity, outlined specific milestones Hikvision has achieved in its quest to provide world-class cybersecurity. Chuck Davis, Director of Cybersecurity, outlined specific milestones Hikvision has achieved in its quest to provide world-class cybersecurity In September 2017, Hikvision began working with third parties (including Rapid7) for penetration testing (ethical hacking) of its cameras and recorders. That same month, Hikvision set up a Cybersecurity Hotline open to anyone with questions about cybersecurity, including white-hat hackers and researchers. Even before that, Hikvision had an open-door policy on cybersecurity and a program for patching and disclosing responsibility. In February of 2018, Hikvision released a 40-page Cybersecurity White Paper describing cybersecurity testing and processes built into the software development lifecycle. That same month, Hikvision launched an Opened Source Code Transparency Center and offered an open invitation to anyone wanting to inspect Hikvision’s source code and let them know of any vulnerabilities. FIPS 140-2 certification by NIST Hikvision has also become a Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) Numbering Authority (CNA), which ensures their patching and incident reporting programs have been reviewed by a CNA partnering company. Hikvision's encryption module (HIKSSL) received Level 1 FIPS 140-2 certification to be used in both IP cameras and NVRsIn August, Hikvision received Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 140-2 certification, a U.S. government encryption standard created by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Hikvision's encryption module (HIKSSL) received Level 1 FIPS 140-2 certification to be used in both IP cameras and NVR products. Davis said the FIPS 140-2 certification process began before the NDAA ban on use of Hikvision products in the U.S. government, and in any case is a standard that ensures a high level of encryption. “We wanted to make sure we had the same level of technology,” he says. “It was not to win over the government.” Making industry more cybersecure “We are really trying to have third parties test and certify our equipment,” adds Davis. “We are trying to be open and transparent. Education and awareness are key.” “We need the trust of customers in the security community,” says Mr. He. “No matter what, we have to follow the highest standards to offset the concerns and accusations.” In April 2018, Davis became a member of the Security Industry Association (SIA) Cybersecurity Advisory Board to help make the entire industry more cybersecure through education, awareness and standards. Hikvision has also joined the Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams (FIRST at first.org), a global cybersecurity incident response consortium that cooperatively handles computer security incidents and promotes incident prevention programs. Davis has presented Cybersecurity Road Shows in 22 cities in the United States and Canada, and also in Australia and New Zealand. The 90-minute presentations focus on education awareness around cybersecurity and seek to get attendees engaged and aware about cybersecurity in business and also in their homes.

Leon Medical Centers is a privately-owned healthcare organisation with seven state-of-the-art facilities serving over 46,000 elderly and Medicare patients in Miami and neighbouring communities in Dade County, Florida. Established in 1996 by Benjamin Leon Jr., Leon Medical Centers is one of the largest and most prestigious primary healthcare organisations in the state. However, what really sets it apart is its rigorously enforced service philosophy of ‘personal attention at all times’ and its commitment to treating its patients with the ‘dignity, respect, compassion and human kindness that they deserve.’ Mobile video recorders Leon Medical Centers began deploying previous-generation March Networks mobile video recorders in 2011 In keeping with its commitment to exceptional service, Leon Medical Centers operates a fleet of 230 buses that pick up patients, take them to their appointments and return them home. To ensure their safety in transit and monitor compliance with its service philosophy, it relies on an integrated March Networks® RideSafe™ video surveillance solution. Leon Medical Centers began deploying previous-generation March Networks mobile video recorders in 2011. “We had another vendor’s equipment up to that point, but the system couldn’t support IP video,” said Erick Martinez, Leon Medical Centers’ Security Systems Manager. “At the time, we were using analogue cameras and wanted to upgrade to higher definition video. We were also experiencing a lot of issues with hard drive failures.” Hybrid network video recorders In 2014, Martinez began upgrading to RideSafe GT Series Hybrid Network Video Recorders (NVRs), and now has 120 of the new mobile recorders in addition to almost 200 older March Networks mobile DVRs. The RideSafe GT Series recorders are available in 8, 12, 16 or 20-channel models with hybrid capability allowing end users to migrate from 100 percent analog to 100 percent IP video. An embedded Linux-based operating system, ruggedised design offering protection against shock, vibration, dust and moisture, solid state electronics, and internal battery backup make the RideSafe GT Series recorders ideal for reliable operation in punishing mobile conditions. A hard drive mirroring capability ensures redundancy and storage flexibility, while health monitoring proactively alerts system administrators to hard drive failures, irregular temperatures or synching issues with cameras. Safety of our passengers Our patients are elderly, so if there’s a slip and fall incident, we want to have evidence of what happened" Each Leon Medical Centers bus is equipped with six March Networks cameras. Five of the cameras are mounted to capture interior views and the last is used externally to capture video of passenger entry and exit points. “Our focus is on the safety of our passengers,” said Martinez.  “Our patients are elderly, so if there’s a slip and fall incident, we want to have evidence of what happened. We also use the system to confirm compliance with our service standards. Our drivers are the first and last points of interaction with our patients, so if there’s an issue, we want to be able to review and rectify it.” In the event of an incident in transit, the driver is able to push a button on the dashboard to tag the associated video. Diagnostic imaging services When the bus arrives at one of the clinics, the tagged video automatically down-loads through a Wi-Fi hotspot to a server for immediate review by Leon Medical Centers risk management personnel. While in range of a Wi-Fi hotspot, the system also downloads health alerts and can also upload any scheduled software updates or new device settings. For routine video downloads, there’s hardly ever a need for Martinez’s staff to board a bus. “Wireless downloading saves us a lot of time,” he said. “It makes incident reporting much more efficient when we need to have an issue resolved. It helps a lot.” The seven Leon Medical Centers are one-stop-shop facilities with onsite labs, pharmacies, diagnostic imaging services and dental clinics. Traveling to multiple locations Leon Medical Centers operates four Healthy Living Centers with modern gyms, exercise and yoga classes This convenient service model enables patients to see their family doctor or a specialist, have blood work done, get an X-ray and fill prescriptions without having to spend time traveling to multiple locations. Each center has a café, where patients can have a coffee and socialise. And to help patients stay fit, Leon Medical Centers operates four Healthy Living Centers with modern gyms, exercise and yoga classes, seminars and other programs. Patients who require surgery or a hospital procedure are picked up and delivered by Leon Medical’s bus transportation service. On arrival, they’re greeted and escorted to their destination by staff from Leon Medical’s Hospital Service Centers, which are located within all of the major Miami-Dade County hospitals. Aside from the seven centers and four Healthy Living Centers, Leon Medical operates a fleet maintenance garage and a 300,000 square-foot corporate headquarters. Video management software Martinez says that the fixed facilities are also being equipped with March Networks 8000 Series Hybrid NVRs, which are managed using the same March Networks Command video management software powering the mobile recorders. Having a single software solution to access and manage video - regardless of whether it’s recorded on a bus or in one of the medical centers - means that Leon Medical Centers doesn’t have to train staff on multiple software systems. It also provides the organisation with complete oversight of its clients and operations. Once again, it’s all about patient safety and service excellence. “If a patient loses a purse or a wallet, for example, we’ll be able to find it for them on one of our buses or in a clinic. Or if they have an issue with an employee, we’ll be able to review the video and take care of it,” said Martinez. Video surveillance infrastructure Martinez and his staff are trained to take full advantage of all the Command software functionality A Microsoft certified engineer, Martinez heads up a department solely focused on overseeing Leon Medical’s video surveillance infrastructure. “This department didn’t exist four years ago,” he said. “I was part of the IT department responsible for PC support. Mobile security was handled by transportation at the time. I thought it would be a good idea to create a separate department with IT expertise to look after mobile security, and senior management agreed.” Martinez and his staff are trained to take full advantage of all the Command software functionality. For example, they’re able to manage video viewing privileges to ensure users have access only to those cameras corresponding to their roles or responsibilities. They’re also able to take advantage of Command’s support for Microsoft Active Directory integration, which collects established user account information from Leon Medical’s corporate network directory. Patient safety and service excellence This allows them to select users from the company directory, assign a profile and customise their user interface to display the tools needed for their role. Looking ahead, Martinez and his team will be busy this year, as Leon Medical Centers continues to expand. We have four construction build-outs planned, including a four-story, 80,000 square-foot building" “We have four construction build-outs planned, including a four-story, 80,000 square-foot building and two parking garages - one six-floor and one seven-floor garage - so there will be opportunities for additional fixed video surveillance systems. Because we lease our buses for three years, we’re also always adding to our transportation fleet, so we’ll continue swapping out our 5308 recorders in favour of the newer GT Series.” “March Networks has served us well,” said Martinez. “Without a high-quality, reliable video surveillance system, we would have a much more difficult time fulfilling our commitment to patient safety and service excellence. It’s that simple.”

360 Vision Technology’s Invictus ruggedised Hybrid PTZ cameras are being used to protect endangered nesting green sea turtles. The Invictus camera has been deployed as part of Security Centres International’s high-performance Mobile Advanced Safety Tower (MAST), rapid deployment camera solution, which is now installed on the Cayman Islands, British West Indies. Mobile Advanced Safety Tower The MAST unit was deployed after a funding campaign led by Caymanian, Michael Ridley, to install video surveillance at a key nesting beach at Sand Hole Road in Boatswains Bay. “Sand Hole Road is a critically important nesting beach for the female turtles, who crawl out onto the beaches to dig nests and lay eggs during the night,” Michael explains. We are all very confident that the data obtained from this project will prove invaluable " “Unfortunately, poaching poses a constant threat to the survival of the nesting sea turtles at many locations. In addition, economic development of the island has seen more beach front property being built and a subsequent squeeze on places available for the turtles to nest safely after migrating long distances between feeding grounds.” HD surveillance imaging He adds, “After analysing the Cayman Islands Department of Environment (DoE) detailed nesting data accumulated over 20 years, to identify the most vibrant turtle nesting grounds, I selected the beach to implement a pilot program to monitor nesting turtles and protect them from poaching activity. The beach site has been dubbed, ‘Turtle Beach’ and provides a perfect nesting ground for turtles due to its minimal property development, zero light pollution, and enough sand and vegetation to support the turtles’ nesting activity.” “The Invictus based MAST solution was perfect for the application at the beach,” says Stuart Bostock, Executive Group President at Security Centres International. “Featuring world-class HD surveillance imaging from the 360 Vision Invictus camera, leading-edge design, robust build, zero infrastructure requirements and seamless Video Management System (VMS) integration, MAST is the only product of its kind. It’s also 100% self-powered, using solar energy and a 100-hour back-up battery; a feature supported by the use of the low power requirements of the 360 Vision Invictus camera.” High-performance CCTV surveillance Monitored 24/7, images from the camera enable DoE and Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS) officers to be alerted and dispatched when nesting turtles arrive at the beach, assisting the DoE to monitor the beach and provide the highest level of protection against poaching. “We are all very confident that the data obtained from this project will prove invaluable in assisting the DoE with their conservation efforts and assist them with their Island-wide monitoring efforts,” says Michael. “Sand Hole Road is a critically important nesting beach with poaching posing a constant threat to the survival of the sea turtles that nest there, so high-performance CCTV via the MAST solution was specified as the best way to protect them.” Night-time surveillance The MAST system was selected for deployment on the beach due to its excellent night-time surveillance capability The MAST system was selected for deployment on the beach due to its excellent night-time surveillance capability, operating without the need for any supporting local infrastructure. Plus, the MAST system is silent in operation, posing no environmental impact, and thanks to the 360 Vision IR LED illuminator equipped Invictus camera, the system can operate without a visible light source that may disturb, or draw unwanted attention to the turtles nesting site. Mark Rees, Managing Director at 360 Vision Technology added “The Invictus is a high-performance, ruggedised all-in-one PTZ camera with full 1080P HD and Predator ultra-low-light camera technology, making it the perfect choice for off-grid temporary/rapid deployment mobile surveillance rigs, such as MAST. Additionally, Invictus’ low-power consumption greatly assists the longevity of critical off-grid battery power when deployed in remote applications, extending MAST’s operational performance, and meaning fewer maintenance visits to the camera, with the benefit of less disturbance to the green sea turtles.” Video evidence gathering “The Invictus camera’s unparalleled mix of competitive cost and advanced functionality make it the perfect imaging component for the innovative MAST system, where it is now providing much needed surveillance protection and research video.” To date, the use of the MAST unit has proved a huge success in protecting the sea turtles from poachers and providing evidential video of the turtles’ feeding and nesting activity on the beach. Calculating population, nesting patterns and survival rates from the footage gained during this season, plans have already been made for additional protection measures and the extension of the MAST based surveillance program to other locations on the British West Indies island.

Motorola Solutions and Avigilon Corporation, a Motorola Solutions company, announced that they have been selected to help protect Georgetown County School District (‘GCSD’) in South Carolina, USA. Serving over 9,500 students throughout its 10 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, 4 high schools, career centre and adult education centre, GCSD sought to undergo a major security upgrade to increase safety, help mitigate misconduct and offer greater ease-of-use for school administrators, security officers and law enforcement officials using the security system. Deployment of Avigilon Control Center VMS To enhance safety throughout its locations, a complete Avigilon video security system was deployed, with over 1,000 cameras including the H4A Bullet with self-learning video analytics, H4 Mini Dome and H4 Fisheye cameras, all of which helped achieve a tailored security solution for each location while allowing school security operators to leverage the benefits of real-time analytics. Avigilon Control Center video management software was also deployed to provide a more efficient way to manage video from a central location. GCSD also uses Motorola Solutions XPR 3500e radios across its locations GCSD also uses Motorola Solutions XPR 3500e radios across its locations. If suspicious activity is flagged using the Avigilon solution, security operators can quickly contact each other using the Motorola Solutions radios and take immediate action to keep students and staff safe. By using the two systems together, school officials can seamlessly improve operations from the time an emergency call is placed until after an incident is resolved. Unified security solution for schools “Georgetown County School District is an excellent example of how Motorola Solutions and Avigilon provide a unified security solution for schools,” said John Kedzierski, senior vice president, Video Security Solutions at Motorola Solutions. “We are committed to continuing to develop products and technologies that can help enhance school safety and protect what matters most: students, staff and faculty.” “The ability of Avigilon and Motorola Solutions to provide an integrated solution for security, and critical communications is quite unique and extremely valuable to us,” said Alan Walters, executive director, Safety and Risk Management at GCSD. “We selected this system knowing that it is designed with every step of the response process in mind, which can make a world of difference in the moments that matter most.”

As prominent in Belfast’s history as its cranes are on the city’s skyline, it’s hard to imagine Belfast without Harland and Wolff. Once the world’s greatest shipbuilder, Harland and Wolff today has evolved into a company that provides over 150 years of engineering excellence to the maritime, offshore, and renewable energy sectors. The Harland and Wolff facilities on Queen’s Island are now used to maintain some of the world’s largest ocean-going vessels, ranging from offshore platforms and cruise liners to offshore wind farms. The company is spread over two sites in Belfast and covers over 200 acres. Its main facility has a public-facing perimeter of no less than 1.5 kilometers. With safety as a primary consideration in the execution of projects, the company goes to great lengths to protect its investments from unwanted visitors, intruders, and vandalism. FLIR VMS solution For over 15 years, Harland and Wolff has been using FLIR’s United VMS to manage a wide variety of security cameras For over 15 years, Harland and Wolff has been using FLIR’s United Video Management System (VMS) to manage a wide variety of security cameras. As technology innovations and features were being added onto the United VMS over the years, Harland and Wolff has always remained loyal to the FLIR brand. But with the increasing development of Queen's Island as an industrial, commercial, and tourist area came a greater public presence and an increased safety and security threat. That is why in recent years Harland and Wolff has been continuously investing in the latest security camera technology from FLIR, including enterprise security cameras, PTZ cameras, intelligent thermal cameras, and mobile and wearable cameras. Optical and thermal cameras “Today, over 140 FLIR cameras on-site and along the site’s perimeter make sure that we can detect any irregularity,” said Chris Neill, security operations manager at Harland and Wolff. “Whenever one of our cameras picks up an incident – an intruder for example – an alarm is generated and sent to our security control room, who can then follow up the incident. This ensures us that our investment and that of our customers is safe and secure at all times.” Due to the high impact and risk associated to a possible incident on site, the company’s security department follows a proactive approach for possible intruders. Even in complete darkness, in perimeter areas where there is no additional lighting, thermal analytic cameras can pick up the presence of intruders, animals, or vehicles automatically based on their heat signatures. Intruder detection While thermal camera footage does not allow actual identification of intruders, it can still be used as evidence for insurance companies or law enforcers, especially when an intrusion pattern can be seen over different cameras. United VMS is FLIR’s enterprise-level software solution for video surveillance operations United VMS is FLIR’s enterprise-level software solution for video surveillance operations. The software is currently used at Harland and Wolff by four control room operators and eight managers, all of which have dedicated user rights. One of the strengths of the United VMS system is that it can connect with nearly any security camera on the market and that video streams and detection alerts can be presented on any screen, be it on a video wall, a PC, or a smartphone. United VMS But Harland and Wolff has been using United VMS for far more applications. “We also use the United VMS platform to monitor alarms coming from fire sensors on oil rigs, for example,” said Neill. “Another example is the detection of failed pumps on one of our drydocks. This information also comes in on United VMS, where we generate alarms and notify key staff in real time.” Harland and Wolff has indeed managed to make use of United VMS's flexibility and deploy it for much more than security applications only. "We are not in a static business," said Neill. "At Harland and Wolff, we are always taking on new challenges and solving new problems; FLIR’s United VMS platform helps us do that.” TruWITNESS mobile sensor technology Harland and Wolff will also make use of TruWITNESS, the latest mobile and wearable sensor technology from FLIR. TruWITNESS will allow guards on patrol to stream video directly to the control room in real time and from anywhere on the Harland and Wolff sites. Harland and Wolff needs to comply with a minimum security level imposed by the UK Department of Transport" Guards will be able to bookmark events so that incidents or irregularities can be reported and can be followed up more efficiently. In case of incidents, camera footage from the TruWITNESS wearable devices can be used as evidence. In addition, control room operators will be able to track members of staff via the United VMS and display their location on a map. Security technology advancements “Our yellow gantry cranes have become a national icon,” said Neill. “Unfortunately, this also means that they are an attractive target for political messages or, as in the past, terrorism. As a port facility, Harland and Wolff needs to comply with a minimum security level imposed by the UK Department of Transport. But in reality, we always exceed these requirements. We owe this to our continuous investments in security technology, which we also consider as a commitment to our customers.” Maybe this is what connects Harland and Wolff with FLIR. “As committed as we are to our customers, we expect the same from our suppliers as well,” said Neill. “As someone with a technical background, I have always been convinced of the quality of FLIR security products. But there will always be a time when you need to rely on technical support, and that’s where FLIR really makes a difference.”

In a highly visible, and competitive sport like Formula One racing, it’s not hard to understand why an organisation like Aston Martin Red Bull Racing attracts people who want access to their factory, and all the secrets contained within. Intrusion from unwanted visitors or vandalism is something that the people at Milton Keynes headquarters, in Buckinghamshire, England, want to avoid at all cost. Asset protection “Our Milton Keynes facility contains valuable technology and intellectual property,” says Mark Hazelton, Chief Security Officer. “At the same time, we are located alongside a public road, close to a residential area with high footfall. That is why it is critical for us to have high-performing security processes and systems in place, so we can effectively protect our assets as well as the people who work here.” The scale of operations at the Aston Martin Red Bull Racing Team factory in Milton Keynes is amazing The scale of operations at the Aston Martin Red Bull Racing Team factory in Milton Keynes is amazing. Crafting the next Formula One challenger is done on the engineering site with a variety of buildings, including many office spaces, an R&D facility, manufacturing and storage areas. The design, testing, building and assembling of thousands of parts required to construct each race car all happen in house. About 750 people are employed at Milton Keynes and some parts of the factory are operated on a 24/7 basis. Site and facility security “As our site has grown, our previous CCTV system was no longer sufficient to provide adequate security monitoring,” says Caroline Tierney, Infrastructure Project Manager at Aston Martin Red Bull Racing. “Our CCTV installation was no longer state of the art and we wanted to ensure that we made best advantage of the improving technology available. We were also looking to make it easier to retrieve information from the system.” Aston Martin Red Bull Racing started to look out for an updated CCTV system, investigated different options and ultimately selected FLIR Systems as their technology provider through a local IP security system integrator. Quasar HD and 4K cameras The facility is now equipped with some 120 cameras, both visual and thermal, that cover the entire area 24/7. Cameras on site include FLIR’s visual Quasar HD and Quasar 4K, the latter presenting four times the resolution of the HD camera and, therefore, able to cover larger areas with less cameras. The facility also makes use of the Quasar Hemispheric Mini-Dome, which provides 360° immersive viewing, and of the thermal FLIR FC-Series ID camera, which includes onboard video analytics capable of classifying human or vehicular intrusions. The entire camera network is managed by FLIR’s Latitude Network Video Management System (VMS). FLIR thermal cameras The image quality that we get from the new range of visual FLIR cameras is truly impressive" “The image quality that we get from the new range of visual FLIR cameras is truly impressive,” says Zoe Chilton, Head of Technical Partnerships at Aston Martin Red Bull Racing. “It’s amazing what kind of image quality can come out of such a compact camera unit.” The FLIR thermal cameras have powerful video analytics on board, which makes them extremely useful as intrusion protection devices at several strategic locations across the Milton Keynes site. With the FC-Series ID camera, you can set custom trip lines and regions of interest that will trigger alarms for human or vehicular intruders, even at night or in poor weather conditions. Upon the detection of an intruder, an alert is sent over to security personnel via email. FLIR Latitude VMS The FLIR Latitude video management system is the backbone of the system, allowing Aston Martin Red Bull Racing personnel to easily view, playback, search and export video from a scalable number of cameras. “In the past, when we wanted to investigate a particular incident in more detail, it used to take a long time to actually retrieve the information we needed from our video recordings, but with the new FLIR Latitude VMS, this is much more straightforward and we save a lot of time,” says Tierney Comprehensive camera network The cameras used in the network around the Milton Keynes site are relatively small in size. And there’s a very good reason for that, according to Chilton. “Of course, it’s important to have the best image quality possible, but on the other hand, we don’t want our cameras to be too large and imposing either.” The Milton Keynes headquarters receives visitors, customers and partners every day. For Aston Martin Red Bull Racing, it’s important that everybody feels welcome: “While we need our site to be secure, and the cameras are of course important, we don’t want them to be the first thing visitors see when they arrive to visit us, " said Chilton. "I think that the FLIR cameras strike that difficult balance between security and subtlety really well.” The cameras can also be used to check whether visitors are using the parking lot correctly FLIR security monitoring system Other than the security aspect, there are other practical benefits of having a comprehensive camera network, as well. The cameras can also be used to check whether visitors are using the parking lot correctly, to track contractors around the site, and just for general site management purposes. The selection of the FLIR security monitoring system fits into a long-standing technology partnership between FLIR and the Aston Martin Red Bull Racing team. Since 2014, the team has been integrating FLIR cameras for a wide variety of uses around the factory and track, from electrical maintenance, test rigs and security on site, to tyre temperature assessments in the garage. High product quality The high product quality and innovative approach FLIR takes to developing new solutions for the challenges of Formula 1 makes a great fit with Aston Martin Red Bull Racing’s desire to push the boundaries of available technology for developing their cars.

Faced with a number of security challenges and planned future expansion, a major airport decided it was time to implement a scalable security surveillance solution. Let’s take a look at how to manage such a scenario to ensure the selected solution provides scalability for growth. With the existing proprietary solution at the airport locked down to one manufacturer and littered with issues resulting in high maintenance and expansion costs, a new solution was required that would allow the airport to scale its surveillance solution in line with future expansion plans. Difficult in identifying people The low-resolution analogue cameras made it difficult to identify people during incidents Not only was the existing surveillance solution analogue and proprietary, it wasn’t intuitive and was difficult for operators to use. There were several ‘satellite’ security installations scattered in the various terminal buildings that weren’t viewable in the centralised Control Room which meant extra operators were required. The low-resolution analogue cameras made it difficult to identify people during incidents and coupled with the lack of video coverage, it gave operators poor situational awareness. Reviewing past events with the existing VMS was difficult as playback wasn’t synchronised and, without bookmarks, it was time-consuming to find important events. The combination of multiple terminal buildings and the Centralised Analogue Architecture resulted in bottlenecks and latency issues as all processing must pass through the centralised server. There was also no redundancy so if there was any failure in the system, the Control Room would no longer have the capability to view live or recorded video. Additionally, as the system was locked down to one manufacturer and the whole system had to be hardwired to the centralised server, there were very expensive expansion costs. Addressing security and scalability concerns New NVRs were specified to cope with the increase in camera streams and an extra NVR for redundancy and failoverThe required solution had multiple requirements to ensure that the existing issues were resolved and that the solution could scale with the planned expansion. With expansion planned to facilitate growing passenger numbers, an open IP based solution was specified to replace the existing analogue solution to improve situational awareness, provide scalability and integrate with a number of other systems operating in the airport. The architecture needed to limit bottlenecks, reduce latency issues, provide redundancy advantages and be scalable to allow for multiple new terminal buildings to be connected with ease. New HD cameras were specified to improve image quality and coverage, with a Video Wall required in order to view and manage the increase in video streams in the centralised Control Room. New large capacity NVRs were also specified to cope with the increase in camera streams and an extra NVR for redundancy and failover. Distributed Architecture reduces data bottlenecks A solution with Distributed Architecture was chosen as it solved multiple issues with the existing solution and facilitated future expansion without the need for a centralised server. Distributed Architecture allows data to be kept close to where it is produced or needed. When cameras, surveillance workstations, NVRs, alarm servers, integration gateways, all participate in a Distributed Architecture, data bottlenecks are minimised as all processing doesn’t need to pass through a centralised server. Distributed Architecture provides a truly unlimited and scalable solution that can easily accommodate the largest airports in the world. Enhancing situational awareness Distributed Architecture enables future expansion as it can support thousands of cameras, workstations and NVRsDistributed Architecture minimised the existing bottlenecks, reduced latency, and provided higher availability and faster access to data. It also allowed all ‘satellite’ security installations to be viewed in the centralised Control Room enhancing situational awareness. New HD cameras were installed and due to the scalability of Distributed Architecture, future cameras can easily be connected when needed. Furthermore, the scalability of Distributed Architecture enabled the airport to build new terminal buildings and connect with ease to the security solution when ready. Distributed Architecture enables planned future expansion as it can support thousands of cameras, workstations and NVRs, dramatically reducing the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). The scalability of Distributed Architecture allows the airport to continue with planned expansion and add a single camera/NVR or a whole new terminal when needed.

One impact of Chinese companies entering the physical security market has been an erosion in product pricing, creating what has been called the "race to the bottom". However, political forces and cybersecurity concerns have presented new challenges for Chinese companies. Adding cybersecurity increases costs, and the addition of more functionality to edge devices is another trend that has impacted product pricing. We asked this week's Expert Panel Roundtable: Has price erosion ended (or slowed down) in the security market? 

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

The definition of a standard is “an authoritative principle or rule that usually implies a model or pattern for guidance, by comparison with which the quantity, excellence, correctness, etc., of other things may be determined.” In technology markets, such as physical security, standards are agreed-upon language, specifications or processes that are used across the board by multiple stakeholders to enable easier interconnectivity and smoother operation of systems. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: How are standards shaping change in the physical security market?