Expert commentary

An integrated security system needs to fulfill user's security objectives and needs To meet a user’s specific needs, a truly integrated security solution must include video surveillance and other security systems on a single platform. Although this is a high criteria for any system designer to meet, it is now becoming increasingly possible. Integration solutions require a commitment and expertise on the part of systems integrators as well as security product manufacturer...

Ambient lighting in hospitality environments pose major challenges for video surveillance Variable lighting conditions pose a persistent challenge in video surveillance applications such as large retail locations, banks and financial institutions, and hospitality environments.Challenges to lighting quality Typically, retail locations, banks and hospitality venues include an abundance of windows. The resulting excessive light can damage video image quality, by flooding the ima...

The power supply is the key driving force for access control systems Power plays a crucial role in the effective functioning of any access control system and the choice of the right power system to suit specific requirements is important. In this article, Ronnie Pennington, National Accounts Manager of Altronix Corporation explains various ways to determine and meet the power requirements for access control systems. Usually, an access control system itself acts as the main so...

The changes to the economic climate over the past few years have affected the construction industry as a whole, and the booming casino industry was naturally affected as well. While there are still new casinos being built, overall the scale of construction does not approach the mega-casinos that have dominated the industry for the previous twenty years. Many of the new builds today are smaller casinos with different budgets and requirements of past projects. In addition, existing c...

Innovative surveillance technology, relaxation in UK Data Protection Laws and shared resources are key to curb rural crimes The significant rise in crime in rural areas in recent times in the UK has led to growing calls from security and crime prevention experts for government to make it easier for communities and law enforcement to fight back. “In our areas, every farm within a 5 mile radius has had trespass, some kind of theft of property, plant or livestock in the las...

Networking is a powerful way to effectively converge and integrate security In an ever-changing world, business organizations require efficient security partners in order to focus their expansion towards growing economies. This physical expansion leads to a need for expanded and enhanced security programs to protect a growing network of people and facilities. In this article, Renae Leary, Senior Director, Global Accounts, at ADT Worldwide, provides an insight into cost-effecti...

Fiber optic technology offers the most efficient means of transmitting video in the digital environment In Part II of this article on the role of fiber optic transmission in network IP video surveillance systems Jack Fernandes, President and CEO of American Fibertek takes a deeper look at the critical needs of a reliable transmission system in the evolving age of digitalization. There is no doubt that fiber optics will play an even bigger role in modern security...

Fiber optic transmission has played a crucial role in the rise of IP video surveillance The advances in video surveillance technology have seen the increased adoption of network IP products over analog systems. A key constant to this shift has been the critical need for reliable transmission of video signal. As the transition to network IP video continues, the need for the widely used coaxial cable is wavering in favour of Cat-5/ UTP cable and high-speed Ethernet connections u...

  An automated key control system bridges the gap between mechanical and electronic access control systems The vast array of doors, entrances and restricted areas securing semi-public locales are increasingly demanding the need for effective and easy access control management. In this article, Fernando Pires, VP Sales and Marketing at Morse Watchmans, highlights the effectiveness and convenience offered by automated key control systems that have narrowed the gap...

   Network-enabled "intelligent" security components increasingly have better computational and memory capacity The use of Internet Protocol (IP), or networking, is commonly associated with convergence. In this article, Markus Lahtinen of Lund University's LUSAX project, contends that the shift to network-enabled "intelligent" security components which increasingly have better computational and memory capacity has a significant impact on the present and future dy...

 The outlook of the access control is bright despite economic downturn Belying the tough economic environment in which it is operating globally, the security industry is apparently ‘weathering the storm' quite well. Despite some expected adverse impact of the economic downturn, overall the security industry has been relatively immune and resilient compared to some other sectors. This could well be because of the growth in unemployment and higher crime rates necessi...

  Fiber optics enhances the operation and business bottom line of surveillance solutions Designers and end users of security systems, integrators and installers must consider and balance the functionality required of a video surveillance camera with its methods of transmission. This is the first of a 3-part examination by Mark Wilson, Marketing Vice President of Infinova, of how chief security officers (CSOs), directors and managers can understand the benefits of and...

  No more confusion: high definition and megapixel resolution explained  The growing popularity of IP-based video systems in the video surveillance market provides the ability to capture high-resolution images through megapixel video. The use of HDTV standards in the consumer video market is becoming more prevalent. The images produced by this new generation of surveillance cameras are often collectively referred to as high-definition (HD) or as megapixel images. Sin...

 Selecting the optimum power supply for a system is critical to an installation  When it comes to selecting power supplies, knowledge is power. Determining the power requirements of every systems product, taking into account their integration with one another is critical to ensure that you are selecting and installing the power solutions most appropriate for your installation. Such information will enable you to select the power supplies that will be required to keep your security sys...

 Dealing with rising airport security threats  demand more innovative solutions   With the rise in large security threats since the commencement of this century, security of airports has become paramount. Looking into this issue Ashley Smith, BSIA (British Security industry Association) Civil Aviation Security Section Chairman, explains how a mix of properly interfaced security systems working in conjunction with monitoring and response staff offers a cost...

 Migrating from analog to HD surveillance solutions  Globally, the video surveillance market has been slow to move beyond its analog origins. Many analog technologies or first generation network video management systems installed in the last decade are now aging, becoming less reliable and unable to deliver the quality and coverage most security professionals demand. Increasing video quality using these older solutions requires an unmanageably large number of survei...

Understanding the complexities of the transform matrix In the concluding part of this 3-part review of the H.264 video compression standard, Kate Huber, Peter de Konink and Piet Nieuwets of Siqura discuss the transform, quantisation and entropy encoding - various block-encoding steps following motion estimation. Describing data in the transform matrix In contrast to the motion estimation step, the transform phase in the encoding process is relatively similar in H.2...

Video analytics enables security teams to take action as soon as incidents occur  Video analytics can boost security efforts by automatically alerting personnel to take action when a security event occurs. Intelligent sensors never tire, can cover large distances and “see” what the eye would miss, even in absolute darkness. Based on such intelligent analytics, people can make smart decisions when actual violations happen. John Romanowich, CEO of SightLogix believes...

  Using card-based access control solutions alongside IT password management provides an additional layer of security A mandatory part of any organization's relationship with its employees is the requirement to set up a secure password, which allows access to important documents needed to ensure fluid day-to-day processes of the business. Ken Scotland, Sales Director at ADT Fire & Security, discusses the best ways to build a more secure modern day enterprise by co...

  Migration to IP-based systems is a necessary way to future-proof an organization To say that IP security offers myriad benefits will merely be stating the obvious. The value proposition of IP is strong, as can be seen from its growing adoption. However, navigating the road to IP requires careful consideration of many factors, from network infrastructure to physical security needs. Jeremy Kimber of Honeywell analyses the true benefits of IP and provides some insights on c...

Video surveillance systems can be used in a variety of ways within the mining industry The development of specialized, integrated video security systems for specific environments has vastly increased the benefits they deliver to users. However, the mining industry has considerable scope for exploiting the more sophisticated functions provided by integrated systems with data mining techniques which have added significant value in other business environments. In this article Jan de Be...

  Migrate to a better system by adopting an all-IP video surveillance solution With declining prices for IP cameras and advancements in video compression technology such as the latest H.264 compression standard, IP video surveillance is increasingly becoming the preferred security solution. The convergence of voice, video and data in the world of surveillance has truly  arrived, a fact amply highlighted by the projected growth of the network video market to over $2.6...

Image quality of objects in motion is greater with H.264 technology In the first part of this three part series, the authors described the H.264 video compression standard including its history. In part two, the authors discuss motion estimation, the phase during which H.264 really distinguishes itself from other MPEG standards. Differentiating from other MPEG standards: Adapting raster block sizes for more detailed images H.264 distinguishes itself from the other MPEG s...

  Taking time to evaluate some do's and don'ts before buying an IP network camera IP network-based surveillance cameras offer enticing possibilities. However, you need to evaluate several factors before deciding on the type of IP camera installation you'd like to go for.  For example, do you want full or partial IP? How much bandwidth? Simon Nash, Senior Marketing Manager at Sony Europe explains the entire process. Transition to IP surveillance Network cameras f...

More attention needs to be given to wireless security technology Despite major developments in radio technology and increased demand in the market for new solutions, wireless systems are still not fully embraced by the security industry. Tony Makosinski of Honeywell Security Group asks why, and explores what the future holds for wireless technology. Although wireless technology -specifically radio - has been used in the security industry since the 1980s, penetration rates in...

 H.264 has become the compression standard of choice in the security industry The rising popularity of the H.264 video compression standard has established H.264 as ‘the buzzword' within the video surveillance industry. With all this talk of the possible enhancements brought to the fore by H.264, Kate Huber, Peter de konik and Piet Nieuwets of Optelecom-NKF present the true benefits and shortcomings of this popular standard in the first of a three-part review.H.264...

Environmental implications are important considerations in surveillance system designs Rising energy costs are compelling many organizations to optimize their computing environments. In fact, energy costs have quickly become the fastest growing operating cost, propelling many corporations to embark on new conservation and "green" initiatives. Marc Holtenhoff, CEO of Aimetis, explores ways to reduce energy consumption within video surveillance applications, that could pave the...

The use of retinal scans for security applications is increasing The eyes have it. The use of iris recognition technology is expanding around the globe and it is being utilised in a vast array of commercial and government applications ranging from access control to time management. ASSA ABLOY Future Lab examines  how this biometric technology is breaking new ground in identity management and other security applications. Retinal vs. iris scans Often confused w...

Thermal surveillance cameras have numerous security benefits All network cameras have a basic physical limitation: they need light to work. Phil Doyle, Regional Director, Northern Europe at Axis Communications examines the key benefits of thermal imaging cameras in surveillance.  Some network cameras have night and day vision capability that allows them to operate in very poor lighting conditions, down to fractions of a lux. And of course, if natural light is not availab...

  Going back to the blueprint - assessing the challenges of designing an IP CCTV The world of IP CCTV design is continuously progressing. Security system designers and installers have to frequently evaluate customers' needs when running an IP-surveillance system on a company's network. It is up to the CCTV sales manager to eradicate any concerns regarding IP-based CCTV systems and look at the requirements of each customer, subsequently offering bespoke networks to suit the...