Banking & Finance security applications

Two giant video surveillance companies have responded to a United States government ban on use of their products included in the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Both Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Company and Dahua Technology Company are mentioned by name in a section buried in the giant military reauthorization bill. A ban on use of their products will take effect “not later than one year after” the law is enacted. Response From The Manufacturers Hikvision’s statement expresses disappointment with the version of the 2019 NDAA passed by both chambers of the U.S. Congress Hikvision’s statement expresses disappointment with the version of the 2019 NDAA passed by both chambers of the U.S. Congress. “This legislation was quickly drafted without sufficient evidence, review, or investigation to warrant the video surveillance technology restrictions outlined in section 889,” says Hikvision. “The process resulted in an ambiguous provision with potentially far-reaching implications for American business and represents a rejection of the U.S. government’s commitment to use a standards-based approach when evaluating security risks in federal procurement.”  Dahua was less direct and did not specifically mention the ban in its statement. “Although local laws and regulations may present challenges, we never lose sight of our goals — to provide top-tier products and services for the North American market,” says the statement from Zhejiang Dahua Technology Ltd. The rest of the statement centers on Dahua’s ongoing commitment to the video surveillance market and addresses possible motivations for the ban (see below). Impact On Contractor Business Dahua’s statement expressed its ongoing commitment to the video surveillance market Hikvision also cited a recent article published in The Hill that quoted Chris Nickelson, a Missouri-based contractor, who argued that a ban on Hikvision products would actually harm small American businesses like his. According to the article, Nickelson said allegations against Hikvision have hurt his business, and he decried a lack of evidence supporting the allegations. “Somebody still needs to show me that there’s any real meat and potatoes behind any accusations that have been made towards Hikvision,” Nickelson is quoted in The Hill. The rest of Hikvision’s statement: “Hikvision is committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations and has made efforts to ensure the security of its products go beyond what is mandated by the U.S. government, including certification under the Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 140-2 and opening our Source Code Transparency Center (SCTC), which makes the company’s source code available for review by law enforcement authorities and government agencies in the U.S. and Canada.”We understand that in today’s security industry, cybersecurity is the biggest challenge" Company Statement On The NDAA Here is more of Dahua’s statement on the National Defense Authorization Act: “Dahua Technology is a global leading IoT video surveillance solution provider operating in 37 countries and dedicated to bringing our customers innovative solutions. Dahua Technology has been publicly traded on Shenzhen stock exchange market since 2008 and is not a government-owned entity. We understand that in today’s security industry, cybersecurity is the biggest challenge. We have provided remedies to correct those issues with our customers. We take cybersecurity very seriously by implementing a seven-module cybersecurity baseline into our product design. Meanwhile, we continue to work with 3rd party partners like DBAPP Security and Synopsys Technology, to rigorously test our products to combat against current cybersecurity vulnerabilities."To personalize our interaction with customers at this event, Hikvision will not have a booth on the GSX show floor" Dahua’s statement continues: “With over 6,000 R&D Dahua professionals, we strive to provide secure products and solutions to our valued customers to secure what they care about. Although local laws and regulations may present challenges, we never lose sight of our goals — to provide top-tier products and services for the North American market. We will continue to invest in resources and employees to ensure our customers and partners retain the highest quality of services to support future growth in this market. "We will continue to invest in resources and employees to ensure our customers and partners retain the highest quality of services to support future growth in this market.” Hikvision Comments On GSX Presence Hikvision has also issued a statement about its downsized presence at the upcoming GSX trade show (formerly ASIS) in Las Vegas. A Hikvision spokesperson confirmed that the decision to abandon Hikvision’s large booth presence was made earlier this summer and was not a result of the ban. Here is Hikvision’s statement about GSX: “As in previous years, Hikvision will be well represented at the GSX show in September in Las Vegas. To personalize our interaction with customers at this event, Hikvision will not have a booth on the GSX show floor. Instead, a contingency of Hikvision professionals will attend the conference and host partner meetings and product demonstrations in meeting facilities throughout the trade show. "As a total solution provider, Hikvision looks forward to meeting with end users, A&E consultants, integrators and other partners to discuss how Hikvision's full suite of products can help address the challenges facing security directors and the broader C-Suite.”

March Networks, a global provider of intelligent IP video solutions, announced the results of an independent survey exploring how fraud, customer service and security perceptions are impacting U.S. banking consumer decisions. Key results from the survey, commissioned by March Networks and conducted by leading market research firm Ipsos earlier this year, reveal that 15% of consumers experienced fraudulent bank account activity in 2016. Banks and credit unions responded successfully, however, with 85% of those consumers saying they were satisfied with how their financial institution handled the incident. Security Influence On Banking Decisions Survey results also show that a continued focus on customer experience remains critical for banks and credit unions when it comes to retention, with 1 in 5 respondents (and a higher 1 in 4 Millennials) confirming they have switched banks in the past because of poor in-branch service. In addition, banking choices are influenced by how secure consumers feel when conducting transactions, either in their local branch, at an ATM or online. A majority of consumers (98%) felt most secure when conducting transactions at their local banking branch, compared with 92% when conducting transactions online and 85% using a mobile phone app. Further, 90% of consumers said they feel safer when they can see video surveillance cameras in their bank or credit union, and would choose a financial institution with surveillance over one without, all other things being equal. Key Findings From The Survey: Nearly half of consumers said waiting more than 5 minutes for service is unreasonable While poor customer service was the top reason consumers switched to a new bank, other drivers included the branch nearest them closing (14%), fraudulent bank account activity (9%) and safety concerns (9%) Half of consumers walked away from an ATM without conducting their intended transaction because someone was loitering in the vestibule 90% of consumers think that visible surveillance cameras help deter crimes 60% of consumers noticed a fraudulent transaction before their financial institution, leaving plenty of opportunity for banks and credit unions to be more proactive when it comes to identifying and notifying customers about potential fraud Intelligent Video Solutions “Banks and credit unions recognize that today’s consumers want a mix of in-person and online banking service options, and have very high expectations when it comes to security and customer service,” said Peter Strom, President and CEO, March Networks. “The positive takeaway from this survey is that financial institutions are meeting these expectations at present, however will need to get even more strategic to retain customers and attract new business in their extremely competitive environment.” For nearly two decades, March Networks’ intelligent video solutions have helped many of the world’s leading banks and credit unions address real-world business challenges efficiently and cost-effectively. More than 500 financial institutions rely on the company’s solutions to enhance security in their banking branches, corporate facilities and at ATMs; proactively identify and reduce losses from theft and fraud; and improve operations and corporate policy compliance. Using March Networks’ video-based business intelligence software, which integrates video with transaction data and analytics, financial institutions are also realising significant improvements in customer service, workforce management and operations.

RTI has announced new video intercom support for select RTI controllers and third-party intercom-enabled devices Remote Technologies Incorporated (RTI), a control and automation manufacturer for residential and commercial settings, has announced new video intercom support for select RTI controllers and third-party intercom-enabled devices. Ideal for front door access, security gates, intra-office, and room-to-room applications, this new capability allows users to conveniently and safely communicate from point-to-point via their RTI devices. Video Intercom-enabled Controllers"The demand for intercom continues to increase, and we are pleased to add video functionality across a range of RTI devices," said Mike Everett, Vice President of Global Sales for RTI. "Our lineup of video intercom-enabled controllers includes wired and wireless interfaces, which allows our dealers to offer their clients convenient communications between their RTI devices and third-party door stations." Video Communications RTI's video intercom capabilities are supported on the KX3, KX7, and KX10 in-wall touchpanels, the CX7 and the upcoming CX10 countertop/under-cabinet touchpanels, as well as the company's flagship T3x – delivering the company's first video intercom-enabled handheld controller. Via a free firmware update, dealers can also leverage video communications on compatible devices that support H.264-based video intercom via SIP. These devices also support auto answer or do not disturb modes, while a push-to-talk audio mode lets users communicate via voice only from device to device.

New recorders from March Networks allow integration of up to 16 analog and 32 IP inputs in a single network video recorder Digi Security Systems, a provider of integrated electronic security systems, announces that it has partnered with March Networks, a provider of intelligent IP video solutions, to offer customers more cutting-edge electronic security products tailored specifically to the retail and banking markets. With this partnership, Digi is poised to provide retail and banking customers with the highest quality electronic security systems at the greatest possible value.Customer BenefitMarch Networks is recognized in the industry for being the top-of-the-line for retail and banking applications, and its technology is currently being used by Tier I, Tier II, and Tier III financial institutions throughout the country.“In partnering with March Networks, Digi Security Systems has responded to customer needs for electronic security technology sourced from leaders in the design and manufacture of recorders, software, and cameras specifically for retail and banking institutions,” said Danny Frid, Vice President of Sales at Digi Security Systems. “Digi’s customers will benefit from a wider range of available products, as well as continued excellence in technology quality and overall system value.”Cost-Effective SolutionsNew recorders from March Networks are some of the most cost-effective solutions on the market, allowing integration of up to 16 analog and 32 IP inputs in a single network video recorder. This will allow Digi to create security systems and product attrition timelines to work with each customer’s budget.March Networks products are now available as part of Digi’s proof-of-concept trial installations, and Digi now also supplies, installs, services, and supports these products. As with all of Digi’s manufacturer partners, Digi will carry a strong inventory of March Networks products, both to allow customers to test products hands-on for as long as it takes them to feel comfortable with the new equipment, and to drastically reduce service times over competing service providers. Save Save

Arteco Open Connector is an integration platform that streamlines interoperability between systems, devices and different types of applications Arteco Open Connector is an integration platform that streamlines interoperability between systems, devices and different types of applications, from video security, access control, intrusion and fire detection to building automation, traffic control and parking management. Arteco Open Connector gives partners the ability to integrate these systems and allows users to customize and scale every aspect of the interface, making it adaptable to every kind of installation and placing the needs of the end customer in focus. Intuitive, Fast Integration By using standard protocols to third-party partners, Open Connector provides an intuitive, fast and easy integration that leverages the full power of Video Event Management systems (VEMS) to centralize events from many different devices and help users make sense of their incoming event data for vertical markets such as critical infrastructure, logistics, retail, transportation, industry, banking, healthcare, hospitality and education. Save

Due to its small footprint, the MegaVideo Flex easily fits into a wide range of areas and settings Arecont Vision, provider of IP-based megapixel camera technology, last week demonstrated the award-winning MegaVideo® Flex camera series during IFSEC International at the ExCel London, along with several examples of the wide range of possible applications that this unique professional surveillance camera supports. MegaVideo Flex IP Applications The MegaVideo Flex IP camera series offers a cost-effective security solution for installations that require a more flexible and compact design than other professional security cameras deliver. Due to its small footprint, the MegaVideo Flex easily fits into a wide range of areas and settings. It is ideal for inconspicuous surveillance applications or for use in equipment such as in ATMs (automated teller machines) and other tight spaces while delivering megapixel (MP) high definition video. The stylish indoor/outdoor camera series features a choice of 1.2MP, 1080p, 3MP, and 5MP resolution models. Day/night Technology MegaVideo Flex is a true day/night camera that is ideal for applications with variable lighting conditions regardless of time of day. NightView™ technology in the 1.2MP model ensures coverage in areas where little light is present. Applications with bright or over-saturated lighting conditions can be addressed with models that include Wide Dynamic Range (WDR). IP Camera Design The MegaVideo Flex IP camera is composed of the camera sensor, main camera unit, metal mounting bracket, and the USB cable used to connect the camera sensor with the main camera unit. Camera Installation Installation of MegaVideo Flex is quite simple. The camera sensor can be surface mounted via the supplied mounting bracket or flush mounted into a ceiling or wall with the two (2) included fastening nuts.  No additional mounting accessories are required. For added flexibility, the USB cable allows the camera sensor to be mounted in one area while the main unit is up to 12 meters (40 feet) away. The camera includes both a white and a black trim ring so that the small sensor further blends into many environments. "The MegaVideo Flex has already driven much interest from customers requiring a professional megapixel camera that delivers optimum performance yet can fit into tight spaces and challenging environments" Features And Enhancements The main unit features two (2) USB ports to allow the addition of one or two optional IR (infrared) illuminators. Each illuminator includes six (6) infrared 850nm LEDs to provide up to 15 meters (49 feet) of enhanced night vision capability. MegaVideo Flex IP cameras are enhanced with the convenience of remote focus. This facilitates both the ease of initial setup and simplifies future adjustments, reducing time required to be spent at the jobsite. The ability to change lenses brings additional flexibility in application uses. Options include 2.1, 2.8, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 16mm lenses. “The MegaVideo Flex has already driven much interest from customers requiring a professional megapixel camera that delivers optimum performance yet can fit into tight spaces and challenging environments,” said Brad Donaldson, Vice President of Product Development, Arecont Vision.  “Smaller cameras are typically more of a challenge to adjust, so the remote focus capability of the MegaVideo Flex provides welcome convenience both for the initial installation and for future changes.” MegaVideo Flex cameras offer advanced streaming capabilities. They are designed on the Arecont Vision highly efficient H.264 encoding platform to deliver high quality video without straining the network. New Arecont Vision SNAPstream™ (Smart Noise Adaptation and Processing) technology further decreases bandwidth usage. Power can be supplied via a single Power-over Ethernet (PoE) compliant network cable, or powered from a 12-48V DC/24V AC power supply.  The built-in camera interface allows for an intuitive, fast, and easy configuration, while the AV IP Utility tool allows users to quickly configure or update one or multiple cameras simultaneously.

Banks must meet their customers' requirements for security in a special way on many levels. Whether it is with their savings, taking advantage of over-the-counter services at a branch office, withdrawing money from the teller machines, making deposits via the cash recycling system, online banking etc. - for a long-lasting, trusting cooperation with a bank, customers demand the highest possible level of security. In order to fulfill these demands, banks rely on sophisticated hardware and software solutions that can be easily and efficiently expanded with MOBOTIX high-resolution video surveillance technology at an optimal cost-benefit ratio.  Commerzbank - competent services for private and business customers With around 820 branches, a consolidated balance sheet total of more than 600 billion Euro and almost 36,000 employees, Commerzbank is the second biggest financial institution of its kind in Germany and one of the largest in Europe and in the world. The bank's large number of branches ensures a closely meshed network and customer proximity. In the branches, the trend is towards "more service for the customer" and this of course includes being able to withdraw and deposit cash "around the clock." This, in combination with a sophisticated centralized security system, reduces the threat of criminal attacks. The technical implications of this approach are considerable.  Every branch has its own quasi-standardized comprehensive security package installed, in which camera surveillance plays an important role. Once a day, the relevant, locally stored events are transferred via the bank's own data network infrastructure to the bank's security center in Frankfurt and analyzed there. This meets the requirements of the Verwaltungs-Berufsgenossenschaft (VBG - German professional trade association) while keeping the usage of the data lines between the branch and the headquarters to a minimum during opening hours.   The dome camera series is suitable for use inside buildings  Flexible solutions for special tasks Security-related situations that cannot be solved using the standard package solutions are occurring with increasing frequency. This is where competent and creative service providers, such as ADS Networks GmbH come in, together with intelligent IP-based audio and video solutions from the technology leader MOBOTIX AG. Commerzbank required a pilot system installation in their branch in Erfurt. This branch is situated in a shopping arcade that was frequently used after closing time by numerous skateboarders to pursue their hobby. This deterred many bank customers from accessing the foyer of the building which houses the account statement printer and the ATM for cash withdrawals, thus also damaging the image of Commerzbank. The landlord's suggestion of barring the skaters from the arcade after closing time by installing rolling shutters was expensive and counter-productive since the bank customers would then have been equally unable to access the branch. The task was to present a solution that focused on the customer's needs. ADS Key Account Manager Semsettin Özünal suggested introducing MOBOTIX dome cameras to provide surveillance in the arcade. Thanks to its elegant design, the dome camera series is highly suitable for use inside buildings. The camera models are each equipped with two flexible, adjustable camera modules that can be individually positioned in all directions independently of each other.   The cameras are additionally equipped with a microphone and speakers The individual models are available with a range of different lenses. Michael Wihan, branch security specialist at Commerzbank and an open-minded technician, was immediately convinced and impressed by the advantages of the easily and quickly installable solution. The high-resolution color images of the two cameras enable around-the-clock visual surveillance of the arcade by staff at the Commerzbank security center in Frankfurt. The additional data traffic on the dedicated line also proved to be no problem at all since MOBOTIX IP cameras have very low bandwidth requirements. The cameras are additionally equipped with a microphone and speakers that allow the security staff to directly address the skaters in real-time and order them to refrain from their activities. The impact was enormous. After a short period of transition, the arcade is now free of skaters and can be accessed by anyone without any concerns for security - even during evening hours.  G8 summit in Heiligendamm A further security challenge for the banks was the G8 summit of the eight largest industrial countries that was held in Heiligendamm in mid-2007. The security experts at Commerzbank had to prepare themselves and take precautions against a potential threat to their branches in the Heiligendamm area by militant globalisation activists. Due to the exceptionally positive experience in Erfurt, Commerzbank again chose MOBOTIX IP camera technology. Within just a few days, the branches in Kröpelin, Roggentin and Warnemünde were visually and acoustically linked to the group's security center.     MOBOTIX CCTV technology provided an ideal solution for Commerzbank After the G8 summit, the decision was made to keep the highly effective and affordable security solution in place. It had proven to be valuable both in terms of preventing threats to the branches and improving customer service. In the event of technical problems, a member of staff at the security center can directly communicate with the customer in the branch foyer via the microphone and speakers in the cameras. IP cameras in the "branches of the future" In its "branches of the future", Commerzbank wants to achieve its goal of "more service for the customer". Additional security measures were therefore needed in the self-service areas that house the ATMs. To ensure customer protection, a reliable surveillance system is required in areas where an emergency button is also installed. In order to identify criminals "creeping in" at night, MOBOTIX' high-resolution IP camera technology combined with an intruder detection alarm system offers a convenient method of providing additional, cost-effective security. The highly detailed camera images enable all required information to be extracted from the image provided by one single camera. This makes it unnecessary to install several conventional cameras cutting investment, installation and operational costs, reducing administration, simplifying data storage and alarm analysis, reducing network traffic and increasing the general reliability of the system. Additionally, customers more readily accept the MOBOTIX solution because it is visually more discreet. There is no doubt that the "branch of the future" needs the intelligent, high-resolution IP camera technology from MOBOTIX as an alternative to the increased use of security personnel or other conventional security measures. So it's a good thing that MOBOTIX communication and security technology is already available today for the branch concepts of tomorrow.

As the popularity of internet banking increases, the demand for conventional bank counter activity reduces and we see increased reliance on ATMs or other transaction devices. Making the appropriate infrastructure adaptations represents a big challenge for banks and for their security. The increasing number of unmanned areas mean that security, especially CCTV, is needed more than ever. In fact wherever cash is handled, CCTV is vital: at conventional teller counters and ATMs, at cash centres and at every step along the cash logistics chain, as well as at data centres and other data infrastructure sites.Meantime banks have also been migrating from analog video systems to IP ones, and adding HD or megapixel video. Generally in this situation their initial requirement is for hybrid solutions which can replace a mixture of different system types with one common system while incorporating their existing (predominantly analog) cameras. Geutebrucks’s re_porter_bank+ was conceived as the ideal platform to meet this need. Essentially it is an entry level ‘omnibrid’ business surveillance solution specifically designed and configured for the banking environment which can be used with analog and/or IP cameras.FlexibilityThe re_porter_bank+ is intended for dealing with the variety of situations, components and peripherals found in a large existing network of branches and locations. It comes with 4, 8, 12, or 16 analog inputs which can be expanded up to 19 Geutebruck channels with three IP sources and supports the use of many different brands of IP cameras. With 1Gbit onboard Ethernet the re_porter_bank+ offers TCP/IP-based digital matrix functionality and unlimited (LAN/WAN) integration potential. Each unit can take up to 4 hard disks for video database storage.The re_porter_bank+ has camera position analysis and motion detection features to trigger alarms if there is any tampering with the video system itself or if an intruder is detected in any sensitive areas of the site. It can of course be integrated with existing branch alarm, access control and ATM systems. So at night and out of hours it protects against break-ins and vandalism by detecting intruders, forwarding alarms to a remote control center, carrying out guard tours and documenting events. The re_porter_bank+ protects against break-ins and vandalism by detecting intruders, forwarding alarms, carrying out guard tours and documenting events  ‘Omnibrid’ technologyGeutebruck’s ‘omnibrid’ technology allows the use of all current compression algorithms and standards – H.264, H264CCTV, MPEG4CCTV, M JPEG and ONVIF compliance – as well as audio recording, for analog and IP cameras. It supports H264CCTV, H.264 and MJPEG formats with freely configurable resolutions. In addition, it can transcode M-JPEG streams from IP cameras into MPEG4CCTV or MPEG4CCTV/MP (megapixel) CCTV-optimized formats. This has the advantage of enabling the user to use highly advantageous specialist CCTV processes like dual channel streaming (DCS) and dynamic live streaming (DLS) which deliver large network and storage savings.Geutebruck’s video sensors and intelligent video analysis software are well-known for their reliability, while its own specialist, CCTV-friendly, standard-compliant compression processes retain fluid motion, and consequently valuable detail, in situations where the vast majority of other H.264 implementations hesitate and shudder. A key advantage of this new omnibrid technology is that it enables video streams from third-party image sources to be processed using Geutebruck’s proven video analysis software. It therefore provides more scope for intelligent data management, enabling different compression formats to be used for different purposes, and gives system designers much more scope to achieve optimum customisations.An all-in-one banking solutionConceived as an all-in-one banking solution, the re_porter_bank+ more than meets the specifications of the BVG, the body which regulates video security systems in German banks and other cash-handling institutions. Its regulations cover details such as the location of cameras, picture resolutions, recording rates, the format of pre- and post-incident histories, evidential security and even the system maintenance regime – all with a view to deterring hold-ups, or failing that, to obtaining useful evidence of events.As a consequence of this German regulation Geutebruck has extensive experience of exchanging metadata with other systems (e.g. ATMs, access control, building management systems and others) and the capabilities of the  re_porter_bank+ include some specialist functions which are now of increasing relevance and interest internationally. For example, the re_porter_bank+ was designed to fulfilll the legal requirement that all German financial institutions should document all cash withdrawals at ATM machines, whether these are on their own premises or in public areas. So where ATMs are located in foyers secured by access control systems, the re_porter can record card data when the customer presents his card to the card reader at the foyer door; video as he enters the foyer; video as he approaches the ATM; a portrait from the portrait camera as the customer’s cash card is read by the ATM; account data as the transaction is processed; video of the customer’s hand taking the cash from the ATM and then video of the scene as he leaves the foyer. In short it provides a comprehensive package of readily available, water-tight evidence on each ‘event’ which avoids the enormous costs which could otherwise be involved in investigating card fraud or vandalism.Securing banks is a company traditionGeutebruck is no newcomer to the banking sector. It owes its very existence to supplying banks with the latest security solutions. In the 1970s it was the development of an unconventional film camera which helped solve German bank robberies and brought early success to the company. Later the long-running Multiscope range of digital video platforms were used in their thousands in banks worldwide. Now Geutebruck’s GeViScope+ is the obvious choice for central banks and major institutions and the re_porter_bank+ the trusty workhorse for high street branch networks.

Refurbishment work was recently completed at the K&N Kenanga International building in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, a 22-storey commercial structure with a three-and-a-half-storey annexed podium block, located in Kuala Lumpur's central business district. New features of the refurbished main lobby include a physical access control system based on the contactless LEGIC technology, a food and beverage area and an information counter. Kaba Jaya Security was selected to provide electronic access control, visitor management systems and half-height sensor barriers. The system includes six lanes of Argus HSB E11 for tenants and visitors, one lane of Charon HSD E03 for disabled access, and Kaba Exos® 9300 for electronic access control and visitor management. The completed system provides the K&N Kenanga building with: Access rights management of staff and visitors Efficient reception and management of visitors No long queues during rush hour Integrated Malaysian IC reader Asset protection Increased employee safety Defined access restrictions within the security perimeter Reduced operational cost Fewer administrative expenses A flexible, integrated, efficient security solution All systems integrated One point of responsibility for all three system

This project has a main purpose and goal, which is to connect the main bank office with other bank offices and buildings to achieve secure bank data transfer between all offices. This is very necessary for the bank. In most countries, the systems used for data transfer between companies or banks are based on fiber optic networks such as PSTN and GSM. But in Iraq, the situation is different because Iraq does not have the infrastructure for this network and even if it existed, it would have likely been damaged because of the successive wars that Iraq has known. So, Fidaa Group Co. needed to find an alternative idea to manage the installed network of this bank in order to have a reliable network. Fidaa Group Co. had chosen WiMAX technology from Proxim Wireless for many reasons, which will be discussed later. This project is a premier project in the Middle East and the world using the WiMAX technology in banks network, and we hope it will help to open a new vision of WiMAX technology applications. Why WiMAX? Before Fidaa Group started to find a proper solution for the bank network, there were regular solutions like satellite VSAT connection, SCPC-SCPC, connection with public IP and dynamic SCPC-SCPC VSAT and even the shared satellite systems like DVB-S – RCS, but all of these systems shared four main problems: 1-The high costs – Satellite connections bandwidth used to reach about $3,000.00 for each 1 mbps, whereas it costs nearly $0 after initial up-front equipment costs with WiMAX. 2-The high latency – All satellite systems have minimum data packet latency about 550-750 milliseconds latency, even in ideal situations, which caused problems for real time systems and software. Many real-time applications are sensitive and require less 550 milliseconds of latency to operate synchronously. Many networking companies utilize a very complex technology to overcome these problems, but with WiMAX , this problem had already been solved because the maximum latency is about 10-25 milliseconds – which is considered very fast and suitable for real-time systems that require low latency . 3-The deployment and maintenance – Maintenance, weather affection and time to solve any network problems is very difficult especially when you have a third party network operator like PSTN, GSM, and Satellite Operators. You will not have the ability to solve the network problems compared to your private network if you don’t have a WiMAX network. 4-The security factor is very important especially in banking systems. So in the network of any establishment, it is preferred to use a private network without a third party. This will help to decrease the possibility of data sniffing or to be spied on by anyone. With WiMAX, you have this advantage because it’s your network and you can use the latest security encryptions technologies in the world and have full access of your security employees charged to monitor and control the network 24/7/365 continuously easily which is very difficult to be done in with other technologies. Challenges Fidaa Group thinks WiMAX may threaten the fiber optic network from a cost perspective The challenges of this project could be divided in two sections: the first section is related to the non secure circumstances in Iraq which make work very difficult added to the absence of electricity for more 16 hours per day. Sometimes the workers could not reach work locations for more than a week. The hard weather with a temperature up to 50 degrees Celsius in summer and the connection difficulties between the workers who are supposed to make the alignments because the GSM networks which used to stop for more than a day were also problematic. VHF handsets were also banded. When Fidaa Group looked for a project at a very low budget, the WiMAX network was thousands or millions of dollars cheaper and works extremely well with excellent reliability and low cost running, making us very thankful for this new technology. The company thinks the WiMAX with this large spectrum of frequency (2-80 GHz) and the low cost will be the leader in telecommunication technologies and it may threaten the fiber optic network from a cost perspective. So after these years, we can say that our WiMAX network is working very good, which will encourage us to make other networks for a lot of establishments and gives us more confidence in our abilities and WiMAX’s reliability.  Conclusions and recommendations This project had added to Fidaa Group a new experience with the newest technology. The difficult situation in Iraq encouraged us to invent a new application for WiMAX technology in co-operation with Proxim Wireless, something which was not feasible before 2006. Departing from our experience, Fidaa Group recommends using the WiMAX technology in establishment’s networks especially in the countries which don’t have the network infrastructure or even enough budgets for other technologies or need a high secured network. Fidaa Group Company is ready to support any establishment worldwide to get full use of this technology with the lowest costs. 

Security Systems Design Limited has successfully completed the installation of a Samsung CCTV system at the London offices of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. Following  a refurbishment of its  offices  on the third floor  of Senator House in Queen Victoria Street, EC4, the Bank asked Richard Slee, a Director of Security Systems Design Limited, to design a CCTV system which could assist security personnel to provide a high level of protection for staff as well as the Bank's assets. The Commonwealth Bank of Australia employs 38,000 people worldwide. Staff at its London offices are responsible for developing strategic partnerships with European banks and they also assist migrants to relocate their finances to Australia. "Senator House is a multi-tenanted office building and although no cash is handled on the premises, the Bank nevertheless needs to maintain strict control over visitors, welcome or otherwise," said Richard Slee. "The objective therefore was to install a CCTV system to work alongside an existing access control system." Richard worked closely with the Bank's Facilities Manager to draw up the specification for the system which included a requirement that all cameras should have day/night capabilities, as well as built-in lighting so that high quality color images could be captured during the day and equally good monochrome images in night time conditions. "We considered cameras as well as digital recording equipment from a number of manufacturers. We came to the conclusion that we could source all that was required from Samsung who were able to demonstrate confidence in the reliability of their equipment by offering a full three year warranty," added Richard Slee. "The other important factor that helped us make the decision to use Samsung equipment was that its DVRs are supplied with license-free CMS (Centralized Management Software) which makes it very easy for the Facilities Manager to monitor the CCTV system from a PC on his desk." The Samsung SIR-60 day/night domes capture high quality color images in any environment with its built-in LEDs Security Systems Design Limited installed Day/Night dome cameras with built-in LEDs. The dome cameras can capture very high quality color images at 580TV lines resolution during the day. At night or in any environment where there may be zero light, the camera's built-in LEDs are activated and provide effective lighting up to a distance of seven metres. At the same time, the camera switches to monochrome mode generating superb monochrome images at 700TV lines resolution. The brightness of the LEDs is automatically adjusted to take into account how far away an object or person is from the camera.  Images from the nine cameras are recorded simultaneously onto a Samsung DVR which uses a highly efficient MPEG-4 compression method to ensure that the three terabytes of on-board video storage capacity is more than enough to record all activity throughout the Bank's offices. The SVR-945 is located in the Bank's secure comms room. "In the current economic climate, the client was understandably looking for a solution which would not put undue strain on the budget available for security equipment," added Richard Slee. "I am pleased to say that we have been able to provide equipment which can be regarded as the best in its class and is able to exactly match the Bank's demanding requirements."

The Milestone Systems open platform IP video management software is an important tool for Loomis Denmark to ensure transparency throughout the entire cash services process. The transport and counting of cash, financial documents and other valuables is a business that demands ongoing attention to security, which is well covered by Milestone XProtect Corporate managing network cameras from Axis and megapixel cameras from IQinVision documenting every detail of the activities."For us security has the highest priority, for obvious reasons. Our customers' livelihoods are literally in our hands when we carry out our work, so it is therefore vital that there is a strong relationship of trust. And this relates not only to our customers but also just as importantly to our employees, who handle all the assets on a daily basis," explains Risk Manager Tom Andersen at Loomis.Loomis utilizes a number of security measures, where video surveillance plays a big role. Every day over 100 cameras in the Glostrup location and a similar number in the city of Brabrand help to ensure that all procedures and security processes are being upheld. Thereby Loomis makes sure that every instance of cash handling is documented so any eventual irregularity can quickly be resolved. The surveillance technology is based on Milestone Systems open platform IP video management software, XProtect Corporate, with network cameras from Axis and IQinVision. With just a few clicks, operators can control different cameras at the same time and view the live or archived video from any location. Loomis monitors all the entrances and exits, cash handling areas, receiving and deliveries, in addition to the outer perimeters of their premises. The 1st of April 2008 is a day that Loomis will never forget. That night at 3:32 a.m. the police received a robbery alarm from Loomis: a group of men had busted into the cash handling company's building by breaking a hole through the wall with a telescope laser, and managed to get away with DK 62 million. The biggest robbery in the history of Denmark thereby became a reality, despite all of the security measures they had in place at that time. Loomis immediately went to work reviewing all their procedures and systems to improve their security even more. "Of course the robbery sharpened our focus on security! Our business always has to live with the risk of robberies but we can make it more and more difficult for any attempts by dividing our security elements and defences into different levels that hinder and delay any criminal efforts so much that the police can manage to arrive and deal with it. One of our important components is the video surveillance, which is also a fantastic tool for the police to use as evidence in their work," says Tom Andersen, who emphasises that Loomis makes ongoing changes to their security procedures all the time.When the robbery occurred, Loomis had operations at night for cash counting so there were employees present at the time of the incident. Today, Loomis only operates during the day, and another part of the increased defense of the building includes new alarms installed to warn when anyone is even getting near the building from the outside. Loomis previously had an analog system that became outdated, so after a thorough review of their security needs in collaboration with SmartGuard, a Certified Milestone Partner, it became clear that the open platform IP video solution from Milestone Systems provided all of the right options. Transparency and documentation for top integrity   The open platform IP video solution from Milestone Systems provided all of the right options for Loomis When an employee is hired, he or she must go through a series of security procedures such as credit and police arrest record checks. Yet even though Loomis takes all these precautions, it is still necessary to have an extra guarantee of accountability, which the video surveillance ensures. Today there are many cameras in the work stations. The zoom functions in the software combined with the megapixel cameras from IQinVision deliver the sharpest images of money bags being opened, and the money counting is monitored from different angles. The video information can be compared with the customers' records so any eventual differences can be revealed and resolved. This saves time and provides thorough documentation and integrity for the asset management process. "With the video surveillance we can document that we do our work properly and this strengthens our objective role with our customers. The video also helps us ensure things for our employees: should anything questionable come up, we can immediately go back in the recorded video and see that the task was handled correctly," says Andersen."The reason that we chose Milestone was precisely because the solution includes an intelligent SmartSearch function that lets us click quickly to the exact date and time for the scanning of a particular money bag and view it. We can also look for an object that's disappeared simply by marking it in the images," he adds, and concludes: "The video monitoring makes it possible for us to live up to our promise of transparency and documentation for our customers. And the Milestone open IP platform also allows us to integrate the system with other innovative solutions over time. This creates a high level of flexibility, and is just one of the ways in which we have future-proofed our business."