QNAP Digital video recorders (DVRs)  (2)

Human beings have a long-standing relationship with privacy and security. For centuries, we’ve locked our doors, held close our most precious possessions, and been wary of the threats posed by thieves. As time has gone on, our relationship with security has become more complicated as we’ve now got much more to be protective of. As technological advancements in security have got smarter and stronger, so have those looking to compromise it. Cybersecurity Cybersecurity, however, is still incredibly new to humans when we look at the long relationship that we have with security in general. As much as we understand the basics, such as keeping our passwords secure and storing data in safe places, our understanding of cybersecurity as a whole is complicated and so is our understanding of the threats that it protects against. However, the relationship between physical security and cybersecurity is often interlinked. Business leaders may find themselves weighing up the different risks to the physical security of their business. As a result, they implement CCTV into the office space, and alarms are placed on doors to help repel intruders. Importance of cybersecurity But what happens when the data that is collected from such security devices is also at risk of being stolen, and you don’t have to break through the front door of an office to get it? The answer is that your physical security can lose its power to keep your business safe if your cybersecurity is weak. As a result, cybersecurity is incredibly important to empower your physical security. We’ve seen the risks posed by cybersecurity hacks in recent news. Video security company Verkada recently suffered a security breach as malicious attackers obtained access to the contents of many of its live camera feeds, and a recent report by the UK government says two in five UK firms experienced cyberattacks in 2020. Cloud computing – The solution Cloud stores information in data centres located anywhere in the world, and is maintained by a third party Cloud computing offers a solution. The cloud stores your information in data centres located anywhere in the world and is maintained by a third party, such as Claranet. As the data sits on hosted servers, it’s easily accessible while not being at risk of being stolen through your physical device. Here’s why cloud computing can help to ensure that your physical security and the data it holds aren’t compromised. Cloud anxiety It’s completely normal to speculate whether your data is safe when it’s stored within a cloud infrastructure. As we are effectively outsourcing our security by storing our important files on servers we have no control over - and, in some cases, limited understanding of - it’s natural to worry about how vulnerable this is to cyber-attacks. The reality is, the data that you save on the cloud is likely to be a lot safer than that which you store on your device. Cyber hackers can try and trick you into clicking on links that deploy malware or pose as a help desk trying to fix your machine. As a result, they can access your device and if this is where you’re storing important security data, then it is vulnerable. Cloud service providers Cloud service providers offer security that is a lot stronger than the software in the personal computer Cloud service providers offer security that is a lot stronger than the software that is likely in place on your personal computer. Hyperscalers such as Microsoft and Amazon Web Service (AWS) are able to hire countless more security experts than any individual company - save the corporate behemoth - could afford. These major platform owners have culpability for thousands of customers on their cloud and are constantly working to enhance the security of their platforms. The security provided by cloud service providers such as Claranet is an extension of these capabilities. Cloud resistance Cloud servers are located in remote locations that workers don’t have access to. They are also encrypted, which is the process of converting information or data into code to prevent unauthorized access. Additionally, cloud infrastructure providers like ourselves look to regularly update your security to protect against viruses and malware, leaving you free to get on with your work without any niggling worries about your data being at risk from hackers. Data centres Cloud providers provide sophisticated security measures and solutions in the form of firewalls and AI Additionally, cloud providers are also able to provide sophisticated security measures and solutions in the form of firewalls and artificial intelligence, as well as data redundancy, where the same piece of data is held within several separate data centres. This is effectively super-strong backup and recovery, meaning that if a server goes down, you can access your files from a backup server. Empowering physical security with cybersecurity By storing the data gathered by your physical security in the cloud, you're not just significantly reducing the risk of cyber-attacks, but also protecting it from physical threats such as damage in the event of a fire or flood. Rather than viewing your physical and cybersecurity as two different entities, treat them as part of one system: if one is compromised, the other is also at risk. They should work in tandem to keep your whole organization secure.

The sound of sirens in the distance is commonplace, nowadays. Whether related to a medical emergency or everyday crimes, such as theft, property crimes, and so on, we’re all accustomed to hearing these sirens by now. It is worth noting that many incidents that police respond to take place at night. According to a recent report by the Sleep Judge, more than half of murders, manslaughter, sexual assaults, robberies, aggravated assaults and motor vehicle thefts happen long after the sun has set. To anyone looking to address the round-the-clock security challenge, deploying the most comprehensive surveillance solution is a must, and this means, looking at the instrumental role illumination plays in video capture. Limitations of Traditional Video Surveillance If surveillance cameras can’t be used to prevent, detect and/or resolve crimes that occur in these areas, the entire security operation is obsolete For surveillance cameras relying on video analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) to deliver functionalities such as facial recognition, license plate reading and motion detection, nighttime crimes can pose something of a problem. Without adequate illumination, images from video cameras are grainy and unusable. Without proper lighting, potential criminals and moving objects essentially become indistinguishable, at night, thereby inhibiting even the most advanced security technologies. This limitation of traditional surveillance technology not only hinders immediate police response, but it also stops crime investigations dead in their tracks. Often, without video evidence that is clear and discernible, conviction in a court of law is next to impossible. A common response to this issue is to place security cameras near streetlights or well-lit areas. After all, according to NPR, street lights are effective in deterring crime,  as “there are people — neighbors, pedestrians or police — to actually see suspicious activity.” However, even if streetside and primary entrances are well lit, the areas that still need most to be surveilled are rear or side doorways shrouded by darkness, unlit back alleys, and so on. If surveillance cameras can’t be used to prevent, detect and resolve crimes that occur in these areas, the entire security operation is obsolete. Best-in-class security solutions must be able to see everything, day and night. A Purpose-Designed Solution to the Problem Addressing this issue is easier than you might think. Much like a human eye needs some sort of light to “see,” so does video surveillance technology. Integrating external illuminators into a security solution can optimize camera performance exponentially, expanding a camera’s video capture and coverage abilities and ensuring the operation of video analytics, day and night. Opting for an external illuminator allows system integrators to select a device that matches the exact emission range of a camera’s field of view (FOV). The result is an evenly lit visual field, where captured images are clear and effective for security purposes. The two most common options available to integrators include infrared (IR) and white light illuminators. Each technology is built to optimize particular deployments, depending on their needs. Infrared Versus White Light IR illuminators emit IR light, which is invisible to the human eye and perfect for covert surveillance operations. When cameras need to be able to detect potential threats over long distances, IR illuminators are perfect for the job as they typically have longer emission ranges. IR illuminators are optimal for surveillance operations in license plate recognition, border patrol, safe cities, theme park, and medical sleep lab applications. If an end user needs to implement full-color video analytics for identification purposes, such as facial, object and license plate recognition, white light illuminators are undoubtedly an integrator’s best bet. IR illumination and traditional thermal security cameras, after all, are only able to provide black-and-white images, whereas object recognition software often identifies objects based on their color. White light illuminators installed alongside AI-powered surveillance cameras enable enhanced video image clarity, which, optimizes video analytics performance. When customers want to physically deter suspicious activity, deploying white light illuminators is effective. A recent study out of Crime Labs New York found that businesses that deployed visible lights to deter crime “experienced crime rates that were significantly lower,” which “led to a 36 percent reduction in ‘index crimes’”. On top of all this, LED based white lights operate at low running costs and typically have long lifespans, saving end users thousands of dollars a year in energy costs without having to sacrifice surveillance optimization. External Versus Built-In Illumination Security customers looking to use lighting to deter crime and improve the performance of video surveillance may consider “all-in-one" solutions, as some cameras have LEDs (light emitting diodes) built into them. These LEDs typically encircle the lens and therefore shed light in whatever direction the camera is pointed. However convenient these may seem, built-in illumination can cause problems.Cameras deployed without proper illumination are rendered blind, especially at night First, LEDs built into cameras and next to other electronic components often cause heat to build up, which attracts insects that can trigger motion detection and obstruct a camera’s view. This heat buildup also shortens the LED lights lifespan. Built-in LEDs also tend to create “hot spots” with glare and reflection back into the camera, often because these lights only cover a 30-degree field of view (FOV), even though the average camera’s FOV is 90 degrees. This issue can severely limit a camera’s visibility, essentially rendering those remaining 60 degrees dark and unusable. All in all, when integrating lighting solutions into your security deployment, a cost-effective solution that enhances a camera’s video capture and coverage abilities, are external illuminators because they offer flexible choices of field of view and distances. Best-in-Class Solution When it comes to criminal conviction in a court of law, “seeing really is believing.” Cameras deployed without proper illumination are rendered blind, especially at night, just as any security officer would be when patrolling the same unlit area. To guarantee end users the most reliable and highest performing security solution, consider integrating best-in-class illumination into your offerings.

In today’s market, efficient use of bandwidth and storage is an essential part of maintaining an effective video surveillance system. A video management system’s ability to provide analysis, real time event notifications and crucial image detail is only as a good as the speed and bandwidth of a surveillance network. In the physical security industry, H.264 is the video compression format used by most companies. Some companies also employ H.264 enhancements to compress areas of an image that are irrelevant to the user at a higher ratio within a video stream in order to preserve image quality for more important details like faces, license plates or buildings. The H.265, H.264’s successor, will be increasingly used for compression in the future. Some companies are already using H.265 in their cameras and video management systems, while a host of other manufacturers are certainly preparing for its broader adoption in the years to come. Video Compression Technologies Reduced bandwidth and storage requirements are the primary benefits of video compression technologies Reduced bandwidth and storage requirements are the primary benefits of video compression technologies. In some cases, H.265 can double the data compression ratio of H.264, while retaining the same quality. Increased compression rate translates into decreased storage requirements on hard drives, less bandwidth usage and fewer switches – all of which reduce overall costs of system ownership. H.265 compression delivers a lower bitrate than H.264, which is relevant to end users and integrators because the lower bitrate reduces strain on hardware and can reduce playback issues. It’s very important that the compression format that is used is supported in all of the different components of a system: cameras, desktop computers on which the VMS is running and the VMS itself. It is also good for end users and integrators to understand the basics of video compression. Having a basic understanding of compression allows users to tweak settings to reduce bandwidth usage even more. Many cameras come with default settings that can be changed to ultimately reduce costs. ONVIF Physical Security In the physical security industry, ONVIF is working to incorporate into its specifications the use of new formats such as H.265 but is not directly involved in developing the compression standards themselves. With Profile T, the new ONVIF video profile released will employ a new media service that is compression agnostic. This means that it can support new video compression formats, including H.265, as well as new audio compression formats, with the ability to include new video and audio codecs as needed in the future without having to redesign its media service. In the physical security industry, ONVIF is working to incorporate into its specifications the use of new formats such as H.265 Standardization organizations that are directly addressing new compression standards include the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) and a joint commission of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO)/International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), which is addressing the coding of audio, picture, multimedia and hypermedia information. Other compression formats on par with H.264 and H.265 are being developed by companies such as Google. H.265 Compression Formats Using products that employ H.265 compression will reduce costs through bandwidth reduction, as will changing default settings on cameras, which are often conservative. Having a basic understanding of compression formats and how to tweak camera factory default settings also gives integrators the ability to further reduce bandwidth for added costs savings and increased system performance. These enhancements will analyse which parts of an image are most important and adjust local levels of compressions accordingly It is also worth noting that H.265 enhancements will likely be developed by camera manufacturers to further reduce bandwidth, as was the case with H.264. These enhancements will analyze which parts of an image are most important and adjust local levels of compressions accordingly. While H.265 itself is ready for prime time, its value as a tool for IP-based surveillance systems is dependent on support for the codec in all parts of the system – the VMS, server hardware, graphics cards and camera. Though widespread H.265 adoption is predicted, providers of these components are jumping on the H.265 bandwagon at different rates of speed. ONVIF is including support for H.265 in its new video profile, Profile T, because it believes it will become the most widely used compression format and ONVIF recognizes the need to anticipate that migration as a future need of the industry. The new media service, which will be implemented with Profile T, will be future-proof in that when new compression formats are released in the future, ONVIF can adopt them very quickly. That flexibility will definitely help integrators.

Artificial intelligence and deep learning are poised to transform how video images are used and managed. In today’s surveillance systems, video from more and more cameras leave operators at risk of drowning in data, requiring hours of manual effort to track assets or persons of interest. They need more intelligent systems. Among the new tools is use of neural networks to create video analytics systems that are trained, not programmed. In effect, the systems have the ability to “learn” based on how they are used over time. IronYun is introducing an artificial intelligence (AI) appliance at ISC West that applies AI-based video search and video mining capabilities to enterprise applications. CityEyes deep learning video analytics are incorporated into IronYun’s CAC-AI appliance built for the surveillance market. CAC-AI combines artificial intelligence software and hardware video search capability for fast, efficient search of video objects stored in an external network video recorder or storage device. Cloud Analytics Centre Artificial Intelligence CAC-AI stands for Cloud Analytics Centre Artificial Intelligence. CityEyes is a private cloud software platform for enterprise, government and many small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). “Using a private cloud solution protects data from hacking and unauthorized access,” says Paul Sun, President and CEO of IronYun. “It also avoids the high bandwidth cost of continuously sending video traffic to a public cloud, and there is a lack of broadband infrastructure in many locations.” CityEyes has integrated more than 15 video analytics applications in an all-in-one video operating system CityEyes has integrated more than 15 video analytics applications in an all-in-one video operating system. The latest CityEyes AI deep-learning-based video search appliance is plug-and-play to leading DVR/NVR systems for quick and easy deployment, connecting via a LAN Ethernet cable. The appliance downloads files from the DVR/NVR and performs AI-based object detection and recognition. Extracted image metadata is then stored in the CAC-AI for fast retrieval and viewing. Video Search And Object Detection Engine A high-performance graphics processing unit (GPU) provides fast video search and mining, significantly increasing operator productivity and saving time compared to operators needing to manually inspect and identify objects of interest. The search engine allows objects of interest to be found and identified amid hours of video data; in effect, like locating the needle in a haystack. More intelligent video searches can find relevant video in seconds. They can quickly identify objects (car, bus, luggage, dog, cat, etc.) and persons (male, female, age, person with hat, etc.). IronYun’s AI object detection engine is based on natural language input. Video searching is based on intuitive, natural language and can be compared to the information that might be entered in a Google search. Inputs might include a description of a person, face, car, bus, motorcycle, a color or a time. Identifiable objects are continuously added as the deep learning engine is trained over time. In scene mode, numbers of objects (but not color) can be specified (such as a scene with four cars, or a scene with one car and two people). Video searching is based on intuitive, natural language and can be compared to the information that might be entered in a Google search Reduced Long-term Storage Costs Because video metadata takes up much less storage than unstructured video data; there is potentially an up to a 100-to-1 reduction in long-term storage costs (for longer than 30 days). Using the AI deep learning object-identifying capability, only the video metadata with relevant objects or persons will be archived for long-term storage and future forensic applications. Two series of the new appliance are available: The CAC-AI-110 series for small- to medium-sized enterprises, supporting up to 12 IP cameras; and the CAC-AI-510 series for clients needing to monitor more than 64 IP cameras. At ISC West, the IronYun AI solutions will be demonstrated at Booth #18129 and at IronYun partner booths: Jenne (distributor), NVIDIA, Promise Technology and QNAP. IronYun, founded in 2009, specializes in cloud and big data video search solutions, deployed successfully by many government and enterprise customers, providing reliability 24/7/365. Worldwide offices are in the USA, Japan, Taiwan, Korean, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and China.

QNAP demonstrates versatility by demonstrating full-throttle NAS innovations at CES 2017 QNAP will unleash full-throttle network-attached storage innovations at CES 2017 in Las Vegas (The Sands Expo, Level 2 – No. 41169), including industry-leading Thunderbolt 3 NAS solutions, revolutionary Thunderbolt-to-Ethernet (T2E) Converter technology, game-changing Internet of Things applications, 4K live-streaming/broadcasting, alongside the ultimate storage device that combines NAS and optical discs. This versatility demonstrates QNAP's willingness to break boundaries, and will stand out at CES across the consumer, SMB, and enterprise markets. Thunderbolt 3 NAS Technology QNAP advances its renowned Thunderbolt NAS with the latest Thunderbolt 3 technology. Supporting higher speeds than the previous generation, the pioneering Thunderbolt 3 NAS is the best companion for the latest MacBook Pro, providing compelling features, storage, and reliability for creative professionals and enthusiasts who focus more on 4K or 3D workflows. The innovative T2E Converter (available in QTS 4.3) bridges Thunderbolt and Ethernet networks, making the Thunderbolt NAS a native Thunderbolt-to-Ethernet adapter for wider application scenarios. IoT Cloud Platform - QIoT Suite Following the launch of QIoT Containers for building a private IoT cloud platform, the QIoT Suite provides additional practical modules for developers to easily adopt, accelerating development and services. CES will also mark the unveiling of QBoat (QTS IoT Server powered by the Intel AnyWAN SoC GRX750), which helps connect and manage IoT devices and applications to provide a handy solution for the great potential industrial demands of IoT. Visitors can also discover the QNAP IFTTT Agent to experience web automation service with QNAP NAS. The new 1-bay 2.5"-drive TGX-150 NAS, powered by the Intel AnyWAN SoC GRX750 and featuring a built-in gateway with wireless access point, will also be showcased. Live-stream broadcasts enable real-time audience interaction and increase engagement, providing great potential for versatile business and lifestyle applications DJ2 Live 4K Broadcasts Live-stream broadcasts enable real-time audience interaction and increase engagement, providing great potential for versatile business and lifestyle applications. QNAP's DJ2 Live is an exclusive live broadcasting platform based on a private cloud that supports up to 4K video live-stream broadcasts and stores all the videos on the private, secure, high-capacity QNAP NAS. It also supports streaming to video services such as YouTube and Facebook. QNAP will demonstrate DJ2 Live with compatible smart glasses at CES for users to experience mobile live streaming applications. Optical Disc Drive Compatibility The TVS-882BR features a 5.25" drive bay for installing optical disc drives, providing an extra method for transferring content from discs to the NAS for more convenient access and sharing. By installing a disc writer, users can also directly copy data to disc - providing an extra layer of protection for important data. Supported drives include Blu-ray Disc and BDXL-compatible disc writers. QVR Pro Surveillance Solution QVR Pro integrates QNAP's professional QVR system into the QTS operating system. Users not only can arrange a dedicated, independent storage space for surveillance data on the NAS, but also can leverage the advantages of scalability and storage manageability from QTS. Enhancements include: higher performance for video playback and exporting, a consistent management interface for cross-platform client devices, batch adding and editing cameras, advanced event management, and more. QNAP marketing and business development personnel will be on-hand to help determine product and marketing strategies for distributors and resellers QNAP Qtier Technology Powered by an Intel Xeon D processor, the powerful enterprise-class TS-1685 features twelve 3.5" bays for storage and four 2.5" bays for SSDs. Six M.2 slots and QNAP Qtier Technology provide SSD caching for around-the-clock acceleration, making the TS-1685 the ideal solution for deploying virtualization environments using Virtualization Station, Container Station, and third-party hypervisors. Three PCIe slots provide users with total flexibility for meeting the needs of demanding applications by installing 10/40 GbE adapters, graphics cards, PCIe NVMe SSD, and USB 3.1 cards. QNAP marketing and business development personnel will be on-hand to help determine product and marketing strategies for distributors and resellers to grow their business with industry-leading network appliance solutions from QNAP. Accredited members of the worldwide press are also invited to schedule product briefings and request evaluation units for review purposes.

The exFAT file system is optimized for fast and high-capacity flash memory such as SD cards and USB devices, and allows for files of up to 16EB QNAP Systems, Inc. has teamed up with Microsoft and Paragon Software Group to provide an official exFAT driver customized for QNAP NAS, allowing users to directly access the contents of exFAT-based storage. Enhanced Flash Memory Compared to the conventional FAT32 file system and its 4GB single file limit, the exFAT file system is optimized for fast and high-capacity flash memory such as SD cards and USB devices, and allows for files of up to 16EB. "We are pleased to partner with QNAP on the technology solutions in network attached storage that will meet consumer needs in the 4K era and beyond," said Micky Minhas, Microsoft Vice President and Associate General Counsel. "The exFAT file system is becoming increasingly popular for SD cards and other storage devices due to the limitations of FAT32. With the purchase and installation of the exFAT driver, our users can now directly access their exFAT-based storage using their NAS," said Ripple Wu, Product Manager of QNAP. Availability The exFAT driver is now available for purchase from the QNAP License Store for US$3.99. Save Save