IDIS Fiber Optic Transmitters & Telemetry Receivers

Video surveillance across the world is growing exponentially and its major application is in both public safety and law enforcement. Traditionally, it has been fixed surveillance where cameras provide live streams from fixed cameras situated in what is considered strategic locations. But they are limited in what they can see given by their very definition of being “fixed”. The future of video surveillance includes the deployment of more mobile video surveillance with the benefits it offers. Instead of fixed cameras, this is the ability to live stream from mobile devices on the move such as body-worn cams, drones, motorbikes, cars, helicopters and in some cases, even dogs!Sending drones into the air, for example for missing people or rescue missions, is much more cost-effective than deploying helicopters Advantages Of Mobile Surveillance The advantage of mobile surveillance is that the camera can go to where the action is, rather than relying on the action going to where the camera is. Also, sending drones into the air, for example for missing people or rescue missions, is much more cost-effective than deploying helicopters. The ability to live stream video from cars and helicopters in high-speed pursuits can be used to take some of the operational issues from the first responders on the ground and share that “life and death” responsibility with the operational team leaders back in the command center. This allows the first responders in the pursuit vehicle to focus on minimizing risk while staying in close proximity of the fleeing vehicle, with direction from a higher authority who can see for themselves in real time the issues that are being experienced, and direct accordingly. In addition to showing video live stream from a pursuit car or motorcycle, by using inbuilt GPS tracking, the video can be displayed on a map in real time, allowing a command chief to better utilize additional resource and where to deploy them, through the use of displaying mapping information with real time video feed. It allows police chiefs to make better informed decisions in highly-charged environments. The 4G phone network can now be used with compressed video to live stream cost effectively Application in emergency situations The same is true of first responders in many different emergency situations. Mobile surveillance opens up a new area of efficiencies that previously was impossible to achieve. For example, special operations can wear action body-worn cameras when doing raids, fire departments can live stream from emergency situations with both thermal and daylight cameras, and paramedics can send video streams back to hospitals allowing doctors to remotely diagnose and prepare themselves for when patients arrive at the hospital. How can special operations and emergency first responders live stream video from a mobile camera with the issues of weight, reliability and picture-quality being considered? H265 Mobile Video Compression Law enforcement insists on secure transmissions, and it is possible to encrypt video to the highest level of security available in the public domain The 4G phone network can now be used with compressed video to live stream cost effectively. The issue of course is that 4G is not always reliable. Soliton Systems has mitigated this risk of low mobile quality in certain areas, by building an H265 mobile video compression device that can use multiple SIM cards from different cellular providers simultaneously. H265 is the latest compression technique for video, that is 50% more effective than conventional H264, and coupling this with using multiple “bonded” SIM cards provides a highly reliable connection for live-streaming high-quality HD video. The 400-gram device with an internal battery can be connected to a small action cam, and can live-stream simultaneously over at least three different cellular providers, back to a command center. Latency is typically less than a second, and new advance improvements are looking to reduce that latency further. Encrypted Video Transmission What about security? Law enforcement insists on secure transmissions, and it is possible to encrypt video to the highest level of security available in the public domain, i.e. AES256.What about integration into existing video infrastructure at the command center? It is not untypical for a police force to have an existing video management system (VMS) at their command center such as Milestone System’s Xprotect. The Soliton range of products are ONVIF-compliant, a standard used by video surveillance cameras for interoperability, allowing cameras and video devices that are ONVIF-compliant to simply “plug&play” into existing video management systems. These mobile transmitters are deployed with law enforcement and first responders across the globe. Their ability to provide secure, full HD quality and highly-reliable video streaming within a small unit, and to enable it to be integrated into the current eco-system that is already installed at the receiving end, has made them a favorite choice with many companies and government agencies.

The term “smart city” gets thrown around a lot nowadays, but as different technologies that strive to be defined in this way are adopted by different countries globally, the meaning of this phrase gets lost in translation. The simplest way to define a “smart city” is that it is an urban area that uses different types of data collecting sensors to manage assets and resources efficiently. One of the most obvious types of “data collecting sensor” is the video camera, whether that camera is part of a city’s existing CCTV infrastructure, a camera in a shopping mall or even a police car’s dash camera. The information gathered by video cameras can be used with two purposes in mind, firstly: making people’s lives more efficient, for example by managing traffic, and secondly (and arguably more importantly): making people’s lives safer. Live Streaming Video All The Time, Everywhere In the smart and safe city, traditional record-only video cameras are of limited use. Yes, they can be used to collect video which can be used for evidence after a crime has taken place, but there is no way that this technology could help divert cars away from an accident to avoid traffic building up, or prevent a crime from taking place in the first place. However, streaming live video from a camera that isn’t connected to an infrastructure via costly fiber optic cabling has proven challenging for security professionals, law enforcement and city planners alike. This is because it isn’t viable to transmit video reliably over cellular networks, in contrast to simply receiving it. Video Transmission Challenges Transmitting video normally results in freezing and buffering issues which can hinder efforts to fight crime and enable flow within a city, as these services require real-time, zero latency video without delays. Therefore, special technology is required that copes with poor and varying bandwidths to allow a real-time view of any scene where cameras are present to support immediate decision making and smart city processes. The information gatheredby video cameras can beused to make people’s lives more efficient, and to make people’s lives safer There are many approaches to transmitting video over cellular. We’ve developed a specialist codec (encoding and decoding algorithm) that can provide secure and reliable video over ultra-low bandwidths and can therefore cope when networks become constrained. Another technique, which is particularly useful if streaming video from police body worn cameras or dash cams that move around, is to create a local wireless “bubble” at the scene, using Wi-Fi or mesh radio systems to provide local high-bandwidth communications that can communicate with a central location via cellular or even satellite communications. Enhanced City Surveillance Live video streaming within the smart and safe city’s infrastructure means that video’s capabilities can go beyond simple evidence recording and evolve into a tool that allows operations teams to monitor and remediate against incidents as they are happening. This can be taken one step further with the deployment of facial recognition via live streaming video. Facial recognition technology can be added on to any video surveillance camera that is recording at a high enough quality to identify faces. The technology works by capturing video, streaming the live video back to a control center and matching faces against any watch lists that the control center owns. Importantly, the data of people who aren’t on watch lists is not stored by the technology. Identifying Known Criminals This technology can work to make the city safer in a number of ways. For example, facial recognition could spot a known drug dealer in a city center where they weren’t supposed to be, or facial recognition could identify if a group of known terror suspects were visiting the same location at the same time, and this would send an alert to the police. Facial recognition technology captures and streams live back to a controll center, matching faces against any watch lists that the control center owns In an ideal world where the police had an automated, electronic workflow, the police officer nearest to the location of the incident would be identified by GPS and would be told by the control room where to go and what to do. Most police forces aren’t quite at this technological level yet, and would probably rely on communicating via radio in order to send the nearest response team to the scene. As well as this, shopping malls could create a database from analog records of known shoplifters to identify criminals as soon as they entered the building. This would be even more effective if run co-operatively between all shopping malls and local businesses in an area, and would not only catch any known shoplifters acting suspiciously, but would act as a deterrent from shoplifting in the first place. Live Streaming For Law Enforcement As mentioned above, live streaming video from CCTV cameras can help the police fight crime more proactively rather than reactively. This can be enhanced even further if combined with live streaming video from police car dash cams and police body worn cameras. If video was streamed from all of these sources to a central HQ, such as a police operations center, the force would be able to have full situational awareness throughout an incident. This would mean that, if need be, officers could be advised on the best course of action, and additional police or other emergency services could be deployed instantly if needed. Incorporated with facial recognition, this would also mean that police could instantly identify if they were dealing with known criminals or terrorists. While they would still have to confirm the identity of the person with questioning or by checking their identification, this is still more streamlined than describing what a person looks like over a radio and then ops trying to manually identify if the person is on a watch list. The smart, safe city is possible today – for one, if live video streaming capabilities are deployed they can enable new levels of flow in the city. With the addition of facial recognition, cities will be safer than ever before and law enforcement and security teams will be able to proactively stop crime before it happens by deterring criminal activity from taking place at all.

In 2017, DITEK saw how power surges from the many natural disasters that took place damaged many businesses. In a natural disaster, or even everyday business operations, a facility’s entire investment in security, life safety and surveillance systems technology can be disabled or rendered useless in a few seconds. Surge protection solutions can mitigate those risks and protect security investments. Proactive Approach To Risk Mitigation Throughout 2017, we also witnessed a change in how enterprises view surge protection, which included how investments are being made in surge protection to protect valuable security, life safety and surveillance systems, while also reducing downtime, manpower costs, liability vulnerabilities, and possibly compliance issues that can force businesses to actually cease operations. Effective security management is about mitigating risks. But risks cannot be mitigated without a proactive approach. Enterprises and integrators, who take the time to assess risk and to develop a strategy to incorporate effective detection, deter and response criteria to protect physical assets will be successful in 2018. 2018 And Beyond That strategy includes designing surge protection into new security systems, while also adding surge protection to existing systems. Enterprises and security integrators who implement a surge protection strategy during security planning processes – or after – will be exercising prevention and mitigation, and they will be successful in 2018 and beyond.  Surge protection devices have an untapped potential for enterprise surveillance and security systems In 2017, Ditek continued to offer security end users a solid surge protection solution. We also successfully educated system integrators, who are seeking value-added products or services to incorporate into their portfolios, on the importance of surge protection devices. Educating Security Integrators We believe that surge protection devices have an untapped potential for enterprise video surveillance and security systems, because they can and do meet safety and security challenges that have been rarely identified in the past. We are looking forward to 2018, when we will continue to develop new surge protection products – including a new product engineered to protect up to twelve individual fuel dispensers, which is critical to the financial operation of convenience stores. We will also continue to educate security integrators about the importance of including surge protection in the design/build RFP, to not only secure an enterprise’s valuable security equipment, but also to help integrators to differentiate their capabilities and knowledge from the competition.

The advances in video analytics – including improved classification, accuracy and speed – were unveiled at a Global Partners Summit of international security and video surveillance professionals, hosted by IDIS in Seoul, South Korea. The three day event, attended by senior executives from security distributors from 23 countries, focused on how IDIS is responding to market trends and needs, developing end-to-end solutions, including specialist technologies for a range of vertical markets, and pushing forward with improvements to the IDIS Deep Learning Engine, the technology which powers the company’s AI in the Box and IDIS Deep Learning Analytics solutions. Reduce false alarms, people counting, fall detection Earlier this year IDLA Version 3.0 was introduced as a service module for up to 80 channels within the IDIS Solution Suite VMS and it set new performance benchmarks by achieving an accuracy of 97% - 98% and dramatically reduces false alarms. Responding to customer demand for easier, more affordable analytics for smaller applications, IDIS also launched its DV-2116 AI in the Box solution. Delegates learned of future enhancements in meta-data searching by class, color and number Delegates learned of future enhancements in meta-data searching by class, color and number, plus the ability to search a specific area of interest. People counting, fall detection and the ability to search by the direction of an object’s movement were also previewed and delegates got advanced notice of a new range of AI-ready 5MP cameras, featuring deep learning on-the-edge analytics, due for release next year. Growing importance of cyber security The global summit also previewed IDIS’s ambitious video product and technology roadmap for 2020, further building out its end-to-end solutions for core vertical market sectors. Innovations in recording and camera technology, and the growing importance of cyber security, extended warranties and the advantages of delivering lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and lower Total Cost to Serve for systems integrators and installers were among key topics discussed at the event. Strategies for product development IDIS works closely with its partners and hosts the annual summit as an opportunity to exchange market insights and steer its strategies for product development, technical support and marketing. Partners shared best practice implementations and case studies in core vertical markets including retail, education, logistics and distribution, and hotels. Joon Jun, President of the IDIS Global Business Division, recognized outstanding project implementations and presented special awards for best practice to Alarm Automatika from Croatia and BTCO from Chile. Video surveillance manufacturer This collaborative approach, focusing on long term partnerships is a key element in the company’s success. It’s a customer-focused model that has seen IDIS grow continuously since 1997 to become Korea’s pioneer in-country video surveillance manufacturer, with regional operations now expanding across over 50 countries. Together we are giving our customers the most advanced video surveillance solutions" Concluding the summit, special partner awards were presented by Y. D. Kim, CEO of IDIS, recognizing outstanding collaboration and sales growth over the last year. These were given to Alarm Automatica of Croatia, CCTV Center of Spain, EPCOM of Mexico, JES CQTEC of Thailand and Secure Inc of Japan Protection against cyber-security risks “The expertise, energy and commitment from all our partners at this year’s summit demonstrates, again, that collaboration is that the best route to success,” said Joon Jun, President of the IDIS Global Business Division. “Together we are giving our customers the most advanced video surveillance solutions, offering industry-best TCO value, ease-of-use and installation, scalability and protection against cyber-security risks.”

In a boost for video project implementations across Europe, all IDIS cameras, network recorders and accessories are now available to partners with next day delivery with the opening of a new distribution and after-sales service center in the Netherlands. IDIS, which is Korea’s in-country surveillance manufacturer, is opening the new distribution center to improve customer service and accelerate growth by supporting local distributors in each country through much faster delivery times, with all stock to be available within days, not weeks, even for the largest projects. “Our expanded operation means a huge step up in customer service,” says Joon Jun, President of the Global Business Division, IDIS. “It can take a long time for buyers to choose a new video solution, but once they decide, they want it very quickly – we will now be able to do that, right across Europe, and in most cases we will dispatch same day for orders placed before midday.” Strong position in multi-site retail We can guarantee much faster product delivery and quicker equipment repairs” The company saw 22% year-on-year growth across Europe last year and has developed a strong position in multi-site retail, including fashion chains, high-end boutiques and eating out sectors. IDIS has also built on its success during the 2018 Russian World Cup, when two of the main stadiums used IDIS video tech, with more European stadia now turning to IDIS surveillance to improve visitor and staff safety and manage the risks faced by major event venues.  “For most applications customers don’t want to wait for service repairs or equipment upgrades,” added Joon Jun. IDIS distributors will now be able to better support their European integrator partners to win new projects with immediate rolling stock delivery as well as improve service levels with product refurbishments and repairs which will no longer need to be shipped to Korea.  Regular firmware updates We’re backing up with after-sales service to increase service-levels for their customers” “Once a customer chooses an end-to-end IDIS solution they are fully protected and supported at every stage, including for maintenance, with regular firmware updates to protect against evolving cyber security risks, for scaling up and system expansion, and for ongoing free user training. Now we can also guarantee much faster product delivery and quicker equipment repairs.” James Min, Managing Director, IDIS Europe added: “IDIS is already well known for the industry-leading IDIS Ultimate Warranty and first line local technical support. We have our own dedicated tech support desk here in Brentford, London, as well as offering first-line technical support in multiple languages via our network of distribution partners throughout mainland Europe.” He adds: “We’re now backing this up with an additional layer of after-sales service in the Netherlands that will allow our national distributors and their system integration partners across Europe to increase service-levels for their customers.”

An aging employee population and the influx of a new generation of workers and customers is driving change in the physical security industry. Millennials – those born in the 1980s and mid-1990s – are especially impacting how the industry operates, the technologies it produces, and the customers it serves. This tech-savvy generation grew up with the Internet at their fingertips. They embrace innovation in all its glory and expect it to play a seamless role in their lives – and work. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: How are millennials changing how security systems are designed, installed and/or operated?