Banking & Finance security applications

Rapiscan Systems RTT 110 is the first high-speed Computed Tomography Explosive Detection System (EDS) to be approved on TSA's Air Cargo Screening Technology List (ACSTL). This was achieved last month after a thorough testing process with the TSA and means that the RTT 110 will now undergo further field test activities which it must pass before it can be formally qualified. The RTT 110 has revolutionized the EDS market by providing exceptional performance at significantly lower cost of ownership. With its unique stationary gantry design and belt speed of 0.5m/s, the RTT 110 produces industry-leading high-resolution full volumetric 3D images at high speed, giving excellent security. Reliable and effective high-Speed screening “We are very excited to be included on the ACSTL and the only approved CT EDS on the list”, said Mal Maginnis, President, Rapiscan Systems. “Our teams have worked extremely hard to create an exceptional product which we are all proud of. The technology has been designed to the highest quality to provide reliable and effective high-speed screening with many features ideally suited for the fast parcel industry and we are really pleased that our hard work is now being recognized”. By February 2021, all cargo shipments leaving, entering or traveling within the USA must be screened by a product included on the latest TSA’s Air Cargo Screening Technology List (ACSTL). The RTT 110 is the only EDS to be approved by the TSA and to be included on the ACSTL.

Cybersecurity services and Integrated Risk Management solutions provider SureCloud has announced that it has been accredited to provide Simulated Target Attack and Response (STAR) Intelligence-Led Penetration Testing services by the not-for-profit accreditation and certification body, CREST that represents the technical information security market. CREST developed the STAR framework to deliver intelligence-led cybersecurity testing, incorporating advanced penetration testing and threat intelligence services to more accurately replicate cybersecurity threats to critical assets. To meet CREST’s stringent requirements to secure STAR service provider status, SureCloud had to demonstrate its robust methodologies and sophisticated capabilities relating to the latest vulnerabilities and cybercrime techniques, as well as meeting government and risk management requirements. We have recognized their high professional service standards and the rigorous approach" Mitigating risks President of CREST, Ian Glover said, “SureCloud has been successfully assessed against our strict criteria for the supply of Simulated Target Attack and Response (STAR) Intelligence-Led Penetration Testing services. In accrediting SureCloud, we have recognized their high professional service standards and the rigorous approach they take in helping their customers mitigate risks and safeguard against advanced cyber-attacks. We congratulate them on this excellent achievement.” SureCloud’s VP of Cybersecurity, Mike Harrison, said, “The CREST STAR accreditation is a real testament to our capabilities as a business and it’s an important industry benchmark for delivering STAR intelligence-led penetration testing services. We’re proud to be amongst only 5% of UK penetration testing vendors that have been awarded this accreditation and are therefore able to offer STAR services in line with the high standards set by CREST. The fact we can deliver this excellent service through our vulnerability management platform means further value for our clients.” This accreditation reinforces the strong performance of the SureCloud team in undertaking Red-Team simulated Cyber Attack services for their clients. Techniques used are typically a blend of penetration testing, social engineering and physical breach attempts, with the overall aim being that organizations can prevent, detect and respond to the attack as if it were real. Crucially, this gives them a realistic overview for testing crisis management procedures, and how they might need to improve. SureCloud’s Penetration Testing services have been CHECK approved since 2009 Minimizing risks of potential data breaches Given the complexity of these engagements, the standards you need to achieve a STAR accreditation are set exceptionally high, as it is imperative that the increasing number of organizations looking to undertake these engagements can understand who has the capability to deliver the highest quality service to them. SureCloud’s Penetration Testing services have been CHECK approved since 2009, and has been re-certified by the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council (PCI SSC) as a PCI Approved Scanning Vendor (PCI ASV) for more than 10 years running. SureCloud is certified by internationally recognized ISO/ IEC 27001 for achieving operational excellence, minimizing the risks of potential data breaches. SureCloud is also certified by Cyber Essentials Plus, complying with the requirements of the scheme, which focuses on technical control themes such as firewalls, secure configuration, user access control, malware protection and patch management.

ExtraHop, the leader in cloud-native network detection and response, announced its top predictions for the cybersecurity and technology industries in 2020. Informed by insight from customers, partners and industry analysts and insiders, ExtraHop leaders predict a year of tool consolidation, headline-grabbing breaches and a shifting industry focus on what makes a successful tech start-up. The Year of Deeper Scrutiny for Fast-Growth Companies: “2019 was a tough year for heavily hyped, fast-growth companies going public in Silicon Valley. Several companies that raised huge rounds ultimately failed to deliver expected results or even approach profitability after they went public, and Wall Street was not amused. In 2020, we expect the investment community to more deeply scrutinize companies' financials and business fundamentals, ultimately leading to the support of companies who deliver on their promises, are capital-efficient with sound vision and innovation, and have truly sustainable business results and models to back them up.” - Arif Kareem, CEO File hashing has been the default mechanism for detecting malicious threat activity" Antiquated Threat Detection Methods like File Hashing and Signature-Based IDS Waste Time: “Since the 1990s, file hashing has been the default mechanism for detecting malicious threat activity, despite the fact that it's ineffective against modern attacks that use polymorphic or fileless methods to go undetected. The same goes for signature-based IDS, which are extremely noisy while providing very little actual alert context. Security teams will continue to rely on these antiquated methods of detection because they are expected to, regardless of how well they work in today's threat landscape.” - Jesse Rothstein, CTO and co-founder Accountability for the Ethical Use of Users’ Data: “Recent headlines tell of giant data corporations like Google and Facebook monetizing users' data and lacking sufficient transparency in these activities. There’s already been significant social backlash, but in 2020 we predict that users will demand companies not just follow the often-dated laws, but that they also do what’s right. Regulations like GDPR and CCPA are helping to bring more clarity around what’s appropriate, but 2020 will be the year that the industry is held accountable for the ethical, in addition to regulatory-compliant, use of personal data.” - Raja Mukerji, CCO and co-founder A Slowing Economy Will Force Tool Consolidation: “In security programs, it's been very difficult to turn tools off. What gaps will I create? What unintended consequences will I see? As the economy has rolled along over the last decade, most security programs have had the necessary funding to add new tools and retain legacy tools under the guise of risk management. Economic slowdown is likely to change all of that, as investments in new technology will require cost savings elsewhere. A tighter economy will finally cause us to pull the plug on legacy security tools.” - Bill Ruckelshaus, CFO A tighter economy will finally cause us to pull the plug on legacy security tools""Observability" Will Gain Ground as Both a Concept and a Vocabulary Term in Security and DevOps: “Observability is a term that several companies are using to describe the practice of capturing metrics, logs and wire telemetry, or sometimes other data sources, mostly in the DevOps space. The value of correlating insights from these data sources has gained enough ground that vendors need a word for it. Observability, The SOC Visibility Triad, and other terms have been spotted in marketing materials and on big screens and main stages at security and analytics conferences. In 2020, we'll see heated competition to control the vocabulary and mental models that enterprises and vendors use to discuss and market security best practices regarding gathering multiple data sources and correlating insights between them.”- John Matthews, CIO A Major Information Leak from a Cloud Provider is Coming: “In 2020, we are likely to see a major information leak from a cloud provider. While at the same time the cloud providers are providing many useful built-in tools, it's not clear that they are using their own tools to secure themselves. As a further prediction, the leak will not effectively diminish migration to the cloud. As we have noticed with other breaches, they do not significantly erode confidence in the services.” - Jeff Costlow, CISO 2020 may well be the year that a breach of a vendor’s environment exposes the data of one or more of their customers" The Wave Begins Towards Security Tool Consolidation: “Organisations will take a strong look at the number of security vendors within their ecosystem in 2020 to determine overlap and begin a move towards consolidation of tools. The winners will include those that have proven their API superiority and ability to work together within an organisation’s ecosystem. The losers will be those who have not proven their ability to strengthen core security.” - Chris Lehman, SVP of Worldwide Sales A Vendor Will Be Responsible for a Major Breach of Data Due to Phoning Home: “In 2019, ExtraHop issued a security advisory about the vendor practice of phoning data home and how this is happening without the knowledge of customers. The problem with this practice is that it expands the attack surface via which that data can be breached, exposing it to threats within the vendor’s environment. 2020 may well be the year that a breach of a vendor’s environment exposes the data of one or more of their customers. Regulations like GDPR have imagined exactly this type of scenario and laid out specific requirements for data controllers and data processors. But when such a breach occurs, it will have broad impact and implications.” - Matt Cauthorn, VP Security The Big IoT Breach is Coming: “In 2017, major ransomware attacks crippled the networks, and operations, of major global organisations. While those attacks did billions in damage, for the most part, IoT devices were left unscathed. But sooner or later, and probably sooner, the big IoT breach is coming, and it could have global implications. Whether it happens in the US or abroad, in healthcare, shipping and logistics, or manufacturing, IoT devices around the globe are fertile hunting grounds for attackers. Taking down every connected device, from telemetry sensors to infusion pumps to mobile points-of-sale, could easily grind operations to a halt.” - Mike Campfield, VP of Global Security Programs

Traka, from ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions, has integrated with Maxxess’ award-winning security management software, eFusion, to present users with a powerful route to achieving operational efficiencies across a wide range of systems and functions. Complete site control Traka, in conjunction with Maxxess Systems, has developed a seamless integration with Maxxess’ eFusion open platform, to allow complete site control, centralize site visibility and present real-time monitoring, ensuring situational awareness for all assets, safely and securely. eFusion with Traka makes it simple for authorized staff to gain access to a wide range of controlled assets, from keys and premises to high value equipment, vehicles and machinery. The new integration enables full traceability and audit reports that can include video and audio recordings, as well as transactional data from systems such as access control, intruder, HR and fire. eFusion system is renowned as presenting a seamless opportunity to integrate to third party systems" Integration with third party systems Martin Woodhouse, Traka Head of Asia Pacific, Middle East, India and Africa (APACMEA), “Maxxess is one of the foremost global innovators within the security industry, its eFusion system is renowned as presenting a seamless opportunity to integrate to third party systems. Now together with Traka, we can deliver a significant futureproof technology that paves the way for users to benefit from one all-encompassing building control system.” “The power of this new integration brings together Traka’s intelligent key and equipment management systems with eFusion’s flexible cloud architecture, developing a solution that will deliver exciting advances in security and operational efficiency.” “It will not only benefit major new build projects, but also open new opportunities for existing users of eFusion and Traka. We look forward to building on this exciting partnership with Maxxess, which we jointly believe continues to deliver real benefits to our valued customers.” Audit capabilities across key cabinets and lockers As with all Traka solutions, the integration with Maxxess’ eFusion presents audit capabilities across its key cabinets and lockers, and enables instant traceability and reporting. Other important features include fault logging, curfews and multiple authorizations, which provide tangible returns on investment by improving operational efficiency, increasing productivity and minimizing costly down time. Integration with eFusion opens the way for more powerful joint opportunities" Lee Copland, Managing Director, Maxxess EMEA adds, “With Traka solutions globally deployed in many market sectors such as critical infrastructure, retail, logistics, hospitality and corporate environments - and increasingly integrated with many third-party systems - this integration with eFusion opens the way for more powerful joint opportunities to be developed.” “There are huge benefits to be gained from integrating Traka’s capability with wider functions and operations, including building management systems, security, fire and the many application-specific systems used by our customers in different sectors.” To see Traka’s integration with Maxxess eFusion in action, one can visit Traka in hall 2, stand G20 at Intersec Dubai, taking place at Dubai’s International Convention and Exhibition Centre from 19 - 21 January 2020.

Steel fencing manufacturer Zaun Ltd has appointed Mat White from Highway Care Security Solutions. Zaun boasts a long-standing working relationship with White extending back over many years. For the past five years, he has been at Highway Care, initially as project manager on security and major highways contracts, and more recently as commercial manager and director for H2S2, a joint venture business between Highway Care and Hill & Smith business Hardstaff Barriers. White said, “I’m really excited to be joining the Zaun team and can’t wait to get my teeth stuck into my new role, while strengthening long term customer relationships and opening new doors to help create a sustainable future for the business. Zaun is picking up momentum thanks to the high-quality products it manufactures, and the dedicated and enthusiastic team that represent the business.” White project managed the design, program and deployment of security measures utilising the National Barrier Asset (NBA) Deployment of security measures Prior to Highway Care, White spent 12 years at Hardstaff, starting out as a plant operator and quickly progressing through the ranks to site supervisor and then operations manager overseeing highways and security projects. As the UK terrorist threat increased, he project managed the design, program and deployment of security measures utilizing the National Barrier Asset (NBA) for high-profile events including the Nuclear Security Summit in Holland, Champions League Final, G8 and NATO conferences. High security environment Zaun sales and marketing director Chris Plimley said, “Mat brings a wealth of experience to Zaun in the high security environment, having previously worked alongside us on various high profile critical projects over the years. His product and design experience is exceptional, as is his ability to communicate at all levels from the teams on the ground to the end client means, building confidence that the project gets over the line. I’m delighted to welcome Mat into the team.” White joins four other recent recruits at Zaun. Andy Holloway has joined as internal sales manager, alongside sales estimator father and son Dave and Tommy Calvin together with design and production engineer Shane Rowton. Plimley concluded, “These appointments put the Zaun sales team on a stronger footing than ever and are key to driving forward our plans for continued growth coupled with ever improved customer service.”

RSA, a global cybersecurity provider of delivering Business-Driven Security solutions to help organizations manage digital risk, will extend its enterprize offering of modern authentication and identity assurance through a strategic partnership and joint solution with Yubico. The solution, YubiKey for RSA SecurID® Access, combines a FIDO2-enabled hardware device by Yubico with the benefits of enterprize-grade security, risk-based authentication and simplified credential lifecycle management delivered by RSA SecurID Access. YubiKey for RSA SecurID Access In today’s dynamic workforce, users expect a frictionless experience, regardless of where they are or what applications they are accessing. At the same time, organizations want to reduce the risk of security breaches, secure critical assets and minimise the costs associated with credential lifecycle management. Stolen identity is a critical security issue, and often the weakest link in security postures. In fact, 80 percent of breaches involve compromised and weak credentials, and last year security breaches cost companies an average of $3.86 million per breach. “Our partnership with RSA demonstrates a shared commitment to protect millions of users from security breaches,” said Jerrod Chong, Chief Solutions Officer, Yubico. “This collaborative effort combines RSA’s long-standing expertise in identity and access management, with Yubico’s proven leadership in standards and innovation, to bring forward a unified FIDO-based hardware authentication solution for enterprizes, their partners and their customers.” Leadership in authentication and identity assurance YubiKey complements the existing range of authentication methods of RSA SecurID AccessAs organizations continue to pursue digital transformation initiatives, identity management has become increasingly complex. Continuing leadership in authentication and identity assurance, the strategic partnership will add to the broad range of authentication methods offered in the RSA SecurID Access Suite. RSA and Yubico will address a variety of workforce use cases with a simple login experience enabled by the YubiKey for RSA SecurID Access and backed by the enterprize-grade security of RSA SecurID Access. The YubiKey complements the existing range of authentication methods of RSA SecurID Access including push notification, one-time password, SMS and biometrics to enable the broadest support for diverse user populations and use cases. FIDO authentication is uniquely suited for use cases like passwordless logon to PCs and laptops and mobile-restricted environments (e.g., call centers). The joint solution will also provide identity insights, threat intelligence, and business context for user access, devices, applications and behavior to provide businesses with the confidence that users are who they say they are. “With ongoing support for FIDO, RSA continues to deliver modern authentication solutions and identity assurance to help enterprizes meet business needs, provide a range of authentication options for users and protect their most valuable assets,” said Jim Ducharme, VP of Identity and Fraud & Risk Intelligence Products, RSA. “Now, we’re enabling our customers to combine the robust, enterprize-grade identity assurance of RSA SecurID Access with YubiKey hardware devices, for secure and convenient authentication. The strategic partnership extends our support for FIDO in RSA SecurID Access, allowing integration with applications from ground to cloud to address the evolving threats and challenges in today’s dynamic workforce.” RSA SecurID Access bridges islands of identity  RSA SecurID Access provides a unified platform for secure enrolment Today, RSA SecurID Access provides the backend software and services required for a full range of authentication options like the YubiKey for RSA SecurID Access to be successfully deployed, managed and used across an enterprize environment. RSA SecurID Access bridges islands of identity, and with one of the strongest partner ecosystems in the industry (RSA Ready), RSA SecurID Access provides a unified platform for secure enrolment, access control, policy enforcement and lifecycle management across all of an enterprize’s applications from data center, endpoint and network perimeter to the cloud. For customers, this enables features like secure (multi-factor) enrolment, self-service, emergency access, and a single FIDO registration across all enterprize applications. It also provides broader compatibility and a consistent user experience for YubiKeys within the enterprize. RSA is a longstanding member of the FIDO Alliance as well as a member of the Board of Directors. As a market leader in multi-factor authentication, RSA is committed to supporting the new FIDO2 standard and providing best practices for FIDO deployment in the enterprize with RSA SecurID Access.

It’s not just a new year, it’s a new decade. And somehow this makes it feel bigger. Almost like we’re moving faster or reaching farther. Technology is certainly advancing at an unprecedented pace. While there’s a lot to talk about, there are three big security trends that we think will continue to have a huge impact in the year to come. 1. What is artificial intelligence and is it going to take over? We’ve seen countless versions of artificial intelligence (AI) in pop culture—think of Sonny in the 2004 film I, Robot or Rachael in Blade Runner—so we feel we know the technology. And, based on this, we believe our anxieties around it are warranted. But, the truth is that the science to produce even far less sophisticated versions of these characters just doesn’t exist. AI today Computers use data to help improve performance without being explicitly programmed Today’s AI science is focused largely on machine learning. With machine learning, computers use data to help improve performance without being explicitly programmed. This means that, through the use of algorithms and training, a computer can be programmed to determine which features it should use in the identification process to efficiently produce the most accurate output. Over time and based on a trainer’s feedback, for example, a computer can determine that using color rather than shape to identify a flower is more efficient because the results are more accurate. Machine learning in the physical security industry In the security sector, we’re seeing good results with automatic license plate recognition (ALPR) systems that employ machine learning. Today’s ALPR cameras and systems are better at recognizing license plates from different countries, states, or provinces because they’re more efficient at identifying an ever-expanding number of inputs. We don’t need to worry that AI will be running our lives So, we don’t need to worry that AI will be running our lives. And, in fact, we should be relieved that machine learning can be used to identify scofflaw plates as this will help keep our roads and spaces safer.   2. Can we move beyond the single, secured door? With increased globalization and the rise of multinational companies, organizations everywhere are facing new challenges around visitor, and employee access management. Protecting your environment is no longer as easy as securing a single door. As the nature of work becomes more complex, organizations are going to have to take a different approach for managing the flow of people through their facilities. Organizations are going to have to take a different approach for managing the flow of people through their facilities The challenges of traditional access control We’ve seen that relying exclusively on a static access control system can increase workload and inefficiencies. With this approach, granting and revoking temporary access and provisioning employees is a labor-intensive process. It requires hands-on participation from security operators and front office staff. There is no guarantee that corporate or regulatory policies are being followed as well as little-to-no traceability. And, ultimately, the process is, by its very nature, prone to human error. Large conglomerates have been meeting these challenges by developing tailor-made solutions based on physical identity management. These systems are costly and require 3rd party support. Smaller organizations simply could not afford the time or resources necessary to implement them. Heading into 2020, we’re seeing an increase in out-of-the-box solutions that will allow organizations of all sizes to move to cloud-based identity management systems. How Physical Identity and Access Management (PIAM) systems can help More affordable Physical Identity and Access Management (PIAM) solutions will help organizations secure their systems and facilities by effectively managing access requests based on an individual’s identity and an organization’s security policies. They can ensure that only those individuals who have the right to access a secured area can do so by managing and automating the process. In effect, by extending an access control system with a PIAM, organizations of any size will be able to reduce workloads, fully implement corporate policies, and better protect their spaces.   3. Should we be nervous about facial recognition? We shouldn’t be surprised by the public’s fear of facial recognition. The idea that private citizens can be identified and tracked in public is the stuff of political espionage and sci-fi thrillers. But, beyond the fictional examples, we’ve also seen cases where facial recognition gets it wrong. Incorrectly identifying an innocent man for a robbery twice or having difficulty distinguishing members of the same race are just some of the real-world reasons people don’t trust facial recognition. How facial recognition can increase security Facial recognition technology can play a huge role in helping keep people, assets, and spaces safe. It can monitor visitors to improve safety and efficiency, assist security personnel by helping to reduce response times, and aid in the investigation of incidents. Facial recognition technology can play a huge role in helping keep people, assets, and spaces safe In the coming year, we’re going to see a greater focus on developing solutions that use a privacy-by-design approach. For video surveillance applications, this will include the ability to automatically mask—through blurring or pixelation—persons in live and stored video feeds. The system itself will ensure that only authorized personnel can access un-pixelated or blurred images and only in cases that warrant it. Anonymization Using this approach will help reduce concerns and increase protection, which will lead to greater accuracy and trust. In parallel, technology providers must continue to work with regulating bodies to ensure that the policies around implementing and using any surveillance technology, especially facial recognition, align with our values. With all these trends, we’re seeing the relationship between people and technology evolving. When we focus on improving the lives of people in our communities, we can harness the power in these advancements and make a real difference.

Entrance control and access control - of the physical kind - are common terms in the security industry which are often used interchangeably, but should they be? Having worked both sides of the fence, with previous roles at TDSi and HID and now the Major Accounts and Marketing Manager at Integrated Design Limited, Tony Smith highlights the subtle but important differences between these two terms and the systems they refer to, outlining how they should work together to achieve optimal security. Access control is a system which provides discriminating authentication Access control provides a discriminating authentication process and comprises the software or hardware that defines the criteria for acceptance or denial Used to describe a system which performs identification of users and authentication of their credentials (deciding whether or not the bearer of those credentials is permitted admission) access control is an incredibly broad term. Access control provides a discriminating authentication process and comprises the software or hardware that defines the criteria for acceptance or denial of an individual to a restricted area. Entrance control – such as security turnstiles - takes the output of that validation and has the capability to see whether that criteria is being adhered to, either granting or denying access as appropriate. Entrance control is the hardware responsible for keeping people honest If access control verifies authorized personnel using their credentials – their face, fingerprints, PIN number, fob, key card etc – and decides whether or not they are permitted access, entrance control is the hardware which enforces that decision by making users present their credentials in the correct way, either opening to allow pedestrian access or remaining closed to bar entry and potentially raising an alarm. For example, a card reader acts as an access control device, recognizing the card holder as having the correct permissions and saying ‘yes, this person can pass’. But, it’s the entrance control system – a turnstile, for example – which actually physically allows or denies access. Physical access and video surveillance Some entrance control systems don’t feature a physical barrier, however. Fastlane Optical turnstiles will not physically stop an unauthorized person from passing through, and instead alarm when someone fails to present valid credentials, alerting security staff that a breach has occurred. These kinds of turnstiles are suited to environments which just need to delineate between the public and secure side of an entrance, with less need to physically prevent unauthorized users from entering. State of the art access control integrations have been installed for award-winning complex, The Bower It’s also possible to capture video footage of any incidents, allowing security personnel to identify users failing to abide by the access control system’s rules, using It’s also possible to capture video footage of incidents, allowing security personnel to identify users failing to abide by access control system rules the footage to decide on the level of response required. The breach could have been the result of a member of staff being in a hurry and failing to show their card before passing through, in which case they can be reminded about the security protocol. Or, it could be an unidentified person who needs to be escorted from the premises. Entrance control and access control working together For optimum security, access control and entrance control should work together, with the entrance control system enhancing the use of the access control system, making it more efficient and better value for money. The two can’t effectively operate without each other. Security turnstiles, for example, require something to tell them that someone is about to enter – the access control system does this – and, the access control system needs a method of stopping people when they don’t badge in correctly. The two systems are complementary.

On November 2019 in Stockton, California, surveillance footage found that vandals shot out glass windows and doors in many places in a small business complex (FOX40). The intruders broke in only to leave with nothing, proving their intent was solely to vandalize the property. Meanwhile, it was reported that a trio of ATM thieves struck around 9 times across many different locations inside Brooklyn and Queens within just over a month in fall 2019 (ATM Marketplace). On average, the cost of vandalism to SMB is around $3,370 per incident (US Small Business Administration), including a staggering 692 vehicle vandalism claims per day. Likewise, the average cost of theft to SMB is about $300 per shoplifting incident and $1,500 per employee theft incident, which accounts for 38% and 34.5% of all theft instances, respectively (National Retail Security Survey). High-performance artificial intelligent systems can automate the monitoring tasks Vandalism and theft have proven time and time again to be inconvenient and deconstructively harmful towards SMB. However, these financial burdens can be prevented with the use of the right security system. AI-based security systems with Deep Learning contain many features that many SMB owners find advantageous in their pursuit to stop unwarranted and unwanted money loss.   Intrusion and loitering detection The first of many features that can help with vandalism and theft prevention is Intrusion Detection. High-performance artificial intelligent systems can automate the monitoring tasks for high-risk sites to provide a high level of security and security personnel monitoring efficiency. Traditional intrusion detection systems detect objects based on size and location, but they do not recognize the type of objects. Now, Intrusion Detection (Perimeter Protection) systems with cutting-edge, built-in AI algorithms to recognize a plethora of different object types, can distinguish objects of interest, thus significantly decreases the false-positive intrusion rate. The more advanced AI-based systems, like those we offered at IronYun, enable the users to draw ROIs based on break-in points, areas of high-valuables, and any other preference to where alerts may be beneficial. Similarly, AI Loitering Detection can be used to receive alerts on suspicious activity outside any given store. The loitering time and region of interest are customizable in particular systems, which allows for a range of detection options. Advanced loitering detection software as such can detect and trigger real-time alerts for both people loitering and/or vehicles that are illegally parked in certain areas of interest. A benefit, which only certain advanced systems contain, is the ability to send trigger actions to 3rd-party systems in reaction to receiving an alert of loitering and/or intrusion detection. These trigger actions can be set to contact authorities immediately and/or trigger a scare tactic alarm or announcement to intruder/loiterer. Certain Face Recognition and License Plate Recognition software can record individual people/vehicles Face and license plate recognition In addition to the activity detection solutions, certain Face Recognition and License Plate Recognition software can record individual people/vehicles and use pre-configured lists to identify particular faces or plates that may be of interest, such as those in watchlists. These systems can also enable the users to upload images of faces not in the lists and search for them in the camera recording. For instance, if a person is detected several times loitering outside a store, one may save one of the detection photos into the watchlist, and set up an alert when said face is recognized again outside the building in the future. The alerts will help to deter and prevent vandalism or theft, and notify the authorities to the scene before the troublemaker completes the act. The main attributes of high-performance Face Recognition systems which maximize assistance with vandalism and theft management include: Face match rate > 90% with good camera angles and lighting. Processing multiple streams and multiple faces per image. Live face extraction and matching to databases of thousands of faces within 3 seconds.                                                                                                                State-of-the-art AI security software with Deep Learning allows the user to no longer need to install special LPR cameras     If the watchlist individual is wearing a mask or their face is not in view of the camera, their license plate may be a good indicator. If a particular car is detected several times loitering in the parking lot or street outside a store, the user can set the alerts for such car to get notified in the future. With an AI solution like this, common street cameras should be equipped with LPR capabilities. So, state-of-the-art AI security software with Deep Learning allows the user to no longer need to install special LPR cameras. high-performance alert mechanisms A high-performance AI solution, in addition to having high accuracy, should be able to: Easily integrate with 3rd-party systems Work well with all ONVIF IP cameras including infrared and thermal ones (for Intrusion detection) Analyzes video streams in real time and trigger alerts within a few seconds Send alerts to multiple VMSs, connect with signaling devices such as loud speakers or flashing lights Send email notifications to security staff and police departments Send notification on mobile device using AI NVR mobile app Maintains a record of all alerts to provide evidence of intrusion and loitering instances for police and insurance agencies. To assist in theft and vandalism prevention, AI-based security systems with deep learning will do all of the tedious work for you. Their low cost and high performance also make them the most accessible security solutions in the market with large return on investment. Stopping crimes is a difficult, ongoing challenge, but with the right AI software, business vendors and police departments can do so with more ease.

Facial recognition continues to be a political football and a target of privacy activists in the United States. For example, San Diego has suspended its use of facial recognition scanners by law enforcement after a campaign by civil rights groups. The San Diego Tactical Identification System (TACIDS) program included a database of facial recognition scans shared by 30 local, state and federal agencies. A California law, passed in the fall, puts a three-year moratorium on law enforcement use of face recognition technology. A proposal in Congress would prohibit use of biometric recognition technology in most public and assisted housing units funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), thus protecting the more than two million public housing residents nationwide from being “over-surveilled.” The “No Biometric Barriers to Housing Act” is supported by the NAACP, the National Housing Law Project, National Low-Income Housing Coalition, National Action Network, Color of Change, and the Project on Government Oversight. The problems of Facial Recognition "Studies that show that facial recognition systems may misidentify many individuals including women and people of colour" A letter from seven members of Congress to HUD Secretary Ben Carson questioned the use of facial recognition in federally assisted housing because it “could be used to enable invasive, unnecessary and harmful government surveillance of…residents.” The letter cites studies that show that facial recognition systems may misidentify many individuals including women and people of color, thus “exacerbating vulnerabilities that marginalized groups already face in life.” In June, Somerville, Mass., became the second U.S. city to ban the use of facial recognition technology in public spaces. The first was San Francisco. A coalition of organizations and trade associations has issued a letter to Congress outlining concerns with “blanket prohibitions” or moratoriums on facial recognition technology and listing beneficial uses for public safety, national security and fighting fraud. The Security Industry Association (SIA) is part of the coalition, the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation. A letter from seven members of Congress to HUD Secretary Ben Carson questioned the use of facial recognition in federally assisted housing   Facial recognition technology has benefited Americans in many ways, such as helping to thwart identity thieves" The letter says: “While polls consistently show that Americans trust law enforcement to use facial recognition technology responsibly, some groups have called for lawmakers to enact bans on [the] technology. While we agree that it is important to have effective oversight and accountability of these tools to uphold and protect civil liberties, we disagree that a ban is the best option.” Development and guidance  As alternatives to outright bans, the letter proposes expanded testing and performance standards, develop of best practices and guidance for law enforcement, and additional training for different uses of the technology. “Facial recognition technology has benefited Americans in many ways, such as helping to fight human trafficking, thwart identity thieves and improve passenger facilitation at airports and enhance aviation security,” says Don Erickson, CEO of SIA. “SIA believes this advanced technology should be used in a safe, accurate and effective way, and look forward to working with Congress to help the U.S. set the example on how to ethically and responsibly govern this technology.” SIA has produced a document called “Face Facts: Dispelling Common Myths Associated with Facial Recognition Technology.”

Security’s intersection with consumer electronics is on view at CES 2020, the world’s largest technology event, Jan. 7-10 in Las Vegas. The giant show features more than 170,000 attendees, 4,500 exhibitors and 1,100 industry thought-leaders featured on the CES stage. A range of technologies will be on display, from artificial intelligence (AI) to 5G, vehicle technology to AR/VR (augmented and virtual reality), robotics to home automation. Security plays a prominent role, too.The impact of this event for the smart home could be about delivering home analytics and enhancing privacy" Smart home market on the forefront The smart home market is a major focus. “For the smart home market at CES this year, we expect to see numerous announcements regarding home awareness,” says Blake Kozak, Senior Principal Analyst at IHS Markit. “This will include brands offering up additional analytics for consumer security cameras with a focus on edge-based solutions.” “The impact of this [event] for the smart home could be about delivering home analytics and enhancing privacy through cloudless architectures and new electronic door lock approaches,” he adds. An example of cloud analytics is the Resideo Home app, introduced in December, which will make whole-home monitoring possible for four critical networks of the home – water, air, energy and security. Resideo promises a “simplified and integrated smart home experience.” Video is also prominent at the show. “For cameras, we can expect to see more cameras focused on the outdoor space and possibly new form factors for video doorbells,” says Kozak. Familiar security industry brands exhibiting at CES 2020 include ADT, Ring, August Home and Yale (both part of ASSA ABLOY), Bosch and Alarm.com. Focus on Cybersecurity In 2020, companies will continue to focus on solutions for protecting consumer data" Cybersecurity is an aspect of many of the devices on display at CES. “Device security and data privacy play a key role in the adoption of connected devices,” says Elizabeth Parks, President, Parks Associates. “Consumer security concerns for smart home products will continue to be a barrier to adoption in the U.S. and Europe, and these concerns can actually intensify with device adoption-71% of U.S. smart home households are concerned about cybersecurity. In 2020, companies will continue to focus on solutions for protecting consumer data. One big area of interest is protection on the network router, providing whole home solutions, which are very appealing to consumers.” “At CES we will see the traditional players introducing new DIY (do-it-yourself) products, as well as new players announcing new product features, services, and partnerships,” Parks adds. Smart access control Smart locks will be among the security products at CES 2020. For example, PassiveBolt, a lock company, will show the Shepherd Lock, a touch-enabled smart lock with enhanced security through sensors and AI. The add-on lock converts existing locksets into touch-activated devices. Another lock manufacturer is Kwikset, whose door locks and door hardware include Wi-Fi-enabled smart locks, Bluetooth-enabled smart locks, keyless and keyway-less locks and connected home technology. Video doorbells, including industry-innovator Ring, have been a hit in the consumer market. At CES, Ring will expand the mission to make neighborhoods safer by creating a “Ring of Security” around homes and communities with a suite of home security products and services. The “Neighbors by Ring” app enables affordable, complete, proactive home and neighborhood security. Homeguard offers a range of affordable CCTV solutions for home and small business DIY CCTV demonstrations DIY security systems are another market. Homeguard is a leading DIY consumer brand offering a range of affordable CCTV solutions for home and small business, including wired and wireless CCTV kits, smart cameras, home alarm systems and wire-free HD CCTV kits. Swann Communications is also at the forefront of surveillance and monitoring with new products developments including wire-free HD cameras and doorbells, professional CCTV video surveillance systems, and 1080p full HD systems with “True Detect” heat and motion sensing. AVTECH, and subsidiary YesGo Tech, will demonstrate a compact Wi-Fi home security set, a series of special cameras with face recognition, thermal detection and license plate recognition, customized central management software and a university ID tag that is compatible with access control, OEM and ODM opportunities. Security and automation solutions D-Link’s home networking, security and automation solutions will help consumers connect, view, share, entertain, work and play. SECO-LARM, manufacturer of a Room Occupancy Monitor that shows whether a room is in use, has a line of keypads and proximity readers with built-in Bluetooth for convenient access. Another smart home security solutions provider, Climax Technology, integrates wireless security, home automation, energy management, home emergency monitoring and live visual monitoring. Personal safety mobile application Manufacturers are positioning outdoor cameras as deterrents to theft before a burglary happens" WaryMe designs and develops a personal safety mobile application to improve a user’s security in public places, schools, transports and companies by addressing major risks such as terrorism attacks, intrusion, fire and even industrial accidents. An all-in-one mobile application integrates alerting, crisis management and mass notification features. “Market players are looking to expand beyond established smart home devices like smart thermostats and networked cameras to products like smart water leak detectors, smart pet feeders, and smart air purifiers,” says Elizabeth Parks. “Manufacturers are positioning outdoor cameras as deterrents to theft before a burglary happens. This trend is part of a broader security marketing effort to extend the perimeter of home security beyond traditional home access points.” “Familiarity with smart home devices lags behind familiarity with smart entertainment products; it even lags that of smart speakers, which are quite new in the market,” adds Parks. “In 2020, we will see players working to advance the visibility and marketing around device integration, and specifically focus on use case scenarios around safety, security, and convenience, which have always been the primary drivers of adoption of these types of products.”

Across the security industry, power supplies are too often an afterthought and the first item in an access control system to be value-engineered. However, when the power supply fails on a high-end access control device, the system becomes a very expensive paperweight. Fortunately, there are now power supply units available that can enhance system reliability by providing remote diagnostics and real-time reporting and analytics. There is also a mistaken perception that all power supplies are the same, says David Corbin, Director of ASSA ABLOY’S Power Management Strategic Business Unit. Access control and security applications Power supplies today are more important than ever for access control and security applications The fact is, a properly designed unit for today’s market must have a wide input range, a myriad of features, interface to network, have adequate transient protection, good surge capability and a demonstrated quality level for mission critical reliability, he says. “Power supplies today are more important than ever for access control and security applications,” says Corbin. “From heavy snowstorms in the Midwest and East Coast to the two million Californians that experienced unprecedented power outages, extreme weather conditions have created chaos for millions over the past few months. These events have resulted in students being locked out of schools, hospitals darkening and electronic keypads or card readers shutting down. With events like these on the rise, and an increased reliance on the technology we use to get in and out of the spaces we occupy, power supplies are critical for keeping systems up and running and people safe and secure.” ASSA ABLOY's LifeSafety Power’s FPO Intelligent Power Supplies and Helix Redundant Power Systems Installing right power supplies ASSA ABLOY has a range of products within the power supplies category, including LifeSafety Power’s FPO Intelligent Power Supplies and Helix Redundant Power Systems. ASSA ABLOY’s acquisition of LifeSafety Power in September expanded the company’s offering of smart integrated access control power solutions for OEMs, integrators and end-users. Other ASSA ABLOY power supply products include Securitron AQ Series Switching Power Supplies, and eco-friendly, linear, plug-in and solar power supplies, as well as Power over Ethernet (PoE). Access control is crucial to security and life safety, says Corbin. And without power, any protective system is useless. When the right power supplies are installed correctly, the system will have built-in backup power that will be triggered during an outage. Dependable power supplies, with regularly replaced and appropriately sized backup batteries, are critical to keeping occupants safe in an emergency event. Other ASSA ABLOY power supply products include Securitron AQ Series Switching Power Supplies Periodic testing of the battery When it comes to extreme weather conditions, the result of a power outage can lead to hazardous situations for employees, patients, residents and students, he says. Buildings that require power to gain access can leave people stranded outside or locked inside. “When access controls are disabled, intruders can easily enter buildings without notice, affording the opportunity for interruptions to power distribution, water supplies and other necessary public utilities,” says Corbin. Preparation for the next big power outage should include the sizing of power supplies to the system requirement with a reasonable safety factor for foreseeable system expansion and a battery set that is sized for operating the system for a period of time greater than the planned requirement, he says. Using a ‘smart’ power supply provides early warning of an impending failure; and consistent, periodic testing of the battery set keeps the system in peak operating condition. Predictive maintenance of access control Predictive analytics and data harvesting can help with predictive maintenance of access control Redundancy ensures that power remains available in the event of a failure, regardless of whether it is a blackout situation or a failure of the power supply itself, says Corbin. “In critical power installations where redundancy is vital, the system must have a properly sized and maintained backup battery,” says Corbin. “Additionally, further redundancy can be achieved via products like our Helix systems that provide for seamless switching between two different power supplies in the event of an electrical failure of one of the power supplies.” Corbin also notes there is a growing want and need for more data and analytics in the access control field. End users increasingly expect access control systems to be able to integrate with building information systems. Predictive analytics and data harvesting can help with predictive maintenance of access control and building systems. For example, intelligent power supplies can identify problems before they happen – such as performing periodic, automated battery tests and then notifying a central monitoring location and/or a facility manager of a battery that needs replacement. Lock operation can also be monitored on a real-time basis for failure or impending failure of a secured door opening, he says.

As technology continues to catapult forward at a significant pace in the 21st century, banks are increasingly facing new security challenges to safeguard their buildings, staff, customers, and financial operations. Because of this, it is critical that banks invest in security systems that meet the complex and unique requirements of the financial environment. Vanderbilt’s SPC provides this solution through advanced, dedicated intruder detection features and products for banking applications. SPC offers versatile operation and comprehensive alarm management functionality. With the support of cloud services, end-user apps, and a dedicated software suite, this puts SPC at the forefront of modern intrusion detection.  Credito Cooperativo Consortium Italy’s Credito Cooperativo (BCC) consortium of banks are found throughout the length and breadth of the country and have served local communities for the past 134 years. There are 317 mutual not-for-profit organisations comprising over 4,300 branches, all of which work together to guarantee a range of products in keeping with the values and identity of a cooperative. Vanderbilt’s SPC is a true hybrid intrusion detection system that meets EN 50131 standards and has unmatched flexibility and scalability Headquartered in Cesena, Banca di Cesena e Banca di GATTEO Credito Cooperativo S.Coop is the first member of the BCC to initiate a new security infrastructure. The bank wanted a system that offered integrated between access control and intrusion detection as well as being reliable, easy to install and future proof. Hybrid Intrusion Detection Vanderbilt’s SPC is a true hybrid intrusion detection system that meets EN 50131 standards and has unmatched flexibility and scalability. SPC5000 and SPC6000 control panels are being installed at each branch, with the former able to be expanded per specific customers and project needs with up to 128 zones, 128 outputs, 16 system keypads, 16 doors and eight verification zones. SPC6000 expands upon this functionality with up to 512 zones, 512 outputs, 32 system keypads, 64 doors and 16 verification zones. SPC Connect offers the ability to customize how data is viewed by setting up a feature that allows Smart Security to manage and control access rights to individual panels and groups of panels. This means that tasks such as configuration management, troubleshooting, and regular maintenance can be carried out remotely, saving massive amounts of time and money, and enabling a swift resolution to any issues. SPC Connect Integration The control panels are being fully integrated with Vanderbilt’s pioneering SPC Connect system – a cloud-based solution that allows Smart Security to monitor, manage and control the SPC control panels remotely from any location. Personal security devices, such as the SPC Wireless Personal Alarm, increase the confidence and security of bank employees, while SPC also offers a set of specifically defined ‘Financial’ area types for ATM and vault environments with pre-defined times and enhanced security functions. Here’s how it works. Users can define the period during which an ATM or vault remains unset. Once that period expires, the ATM or vault automatically sets to an interlock group, thus denying further access to other ATMs or vaults if any area within a group is unset. The dual PIN feature is another measured safeguard, requiring two PINs to be entered within 30 seconds to set or unset an ATM or vault. Meanwhile, the All Okay feature requires users to confirm ‘All Okay’ on entry, otherwise an alarm is generated. Monitoring Safety Central Monitoring Stations (CMS) working with SPC quickly and correctly identify the source of any alarms. As a direct consequence, the number of needless callouts due to false alarms can be significantly reduced. For example, if the bank manager arrives early, he uses his card to gain access to the branch office and PIN to disarm the alarm. His code disarms the office and secure area but the ATMs, vaults, and safe deposit boxes remain armed.  A Central Monitoring Station is alerted to the early entry. They need to know whether the entry is routine or under duress. The monitoring station views the manager in live video as he executes a predetermined security procedure and until he hits an “All Okay” button. If there is a problem the manager sends a silent duress alarm rather than the “All Okay” button. The monitoring station can listen in and if necessary call the police. Banks wish to operate in an open and friendly layout while safeguarding their customers, staff, and assets Multiple Layers This is just one layer of automated security that Vanderbilt provides to protect banks and other financial institutions. For instance, SiPass® integrated (a product made by Siemens AG) offers protection against cyber threats and intellectual property espionage. Personal security devices, such as the SPC Wireless Personal Alarm, increase the confidence and security of bank employeesSiPass meets current IT security requirements for data protection and delivers the highest data security through encrypted data transmission throughout the network. SiPass is one Vanderbilt solution used at Bank Pekao, a Polish financial institution considered to be one of the safest banks at the pan-European level. Seismic detectors are designed for monitoring of ATMs, 24/7. They have been developed for false alarm immunity and even the subtlest attacks can be detected at a very early stage, repeatedly triggering an alarm that gives ample time for intervention.  Importance Of Security In Banking Security in banking is an essential issue. It requires thoughtful attention and procedure while allowing room for agility, adaptability, and dependability – flagship traits of the Vanderbilt brand. Banks wish to operate in an open and friendly layout while ultimately safeguarding their customers, staff, and assets. Vanderbilt’s solutions respond to these expectations and enable effective safeguarding foundations to be laid. 

Financial institutions of all sizes demand simple, reliable solutions to protect against fraud, theft, and accidents in the workplace. Advancements in camera resolution and storage capabilities have put pressure on banks and credit unions to upgrade their video surveillance systems. Upgrading to a modern, economical NVR server will greatly increase system performance and scalability for small-budget projects with benefits seen across both loss prevention and business insights. Reliable High Performance However, not all banks have the same security budget as large institutions. This makes high-power, custom-built solutions seem unrealistic; however, small projects featuring bandwidth limitations need to retain the ability to scale up depending on future surveillance demands. Before any system expansion can occur, reliable high-performance must be established. White-box solutions compromise quality and underperform when exposed to the tough requirements of the financial security market. Fortunately, custom-built, video-optimized solutions are not exclusive to large multinational financial institutions. Network Architecture When upgrading an ineffective digital security system, a new network architecture needs to be created. Usually, this means switching from DVR to NVR servers. As a result, network switches attach to the camera allowing for easier future system expansion. Along with the newly gained scalability, throughput performance on servers can achieve significantly higher levels.BCDVideo offers servers, networking and workstations that provide enterprise-quality performance for all financial projects, regardless of size Implementing a complete video solution with high-performance servers, modern networking protocols and powerful workstations in financial institutions is now possible, even for small projects. BCDVideo offers servers, networking and workstations that provide enterprise-quality performance for all financial projects, regardless of size. The Benchmark Magazine 2016 Infrastructure award winner Aurora Server Series earns its name by marking the dawn of a new era in DVR replacement. Small-budget projects that have previously succumbed to the pressure of sacrificing quality for short-term savings now have access to servers with redundant power, 12Gbps RAID controller with 2GB of Flash Based Write Cache, hot-pluggable helium hard drive, and 10,000 PassMark rated CPUs. These big project features fit price-conscious budgets while maintaining the high-performance found in enterprise surveillance. BCDVideo Titan Networking The Titan Networking Series is priced well below standard to ensure project size and scope does not prevent an integrator from deploying a complete networking solution. Without the added cost of a networking engineer, savings reach into the thousands. Additionally, by using cutting-edge technology like Shortest Path Bridging, Titan switches, backed by a five-year, on-site warranty, will run at a high-level for years. The Gamma Series workstations fill the void in commercial and enterprise environments. Ideal for access control and IP video surveillance, they are powerful enough to render high-quality megapixel images for applications running 24/7. Optimized for advanced graphics and video capabilities, smaller projects can use the Gamma Series as both a video recorder and viewer.

To the lay person they appear to be simple LED light spots going back to the original style of illumination of the old 1800s palace (1876) that currently houses the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance, and that historically represents the first great building of the newly reborn Roman capital, as commissioned by the former Minister Quintino Sella. Hidden In Plain Sight The carefully hidden technology, however, transforms each of the 20 light points (appropriately designated “Roma lights”) decorating the external perimeter into a state-of-the-art tool to guarantee the security of the public in the area around the Ministry. The transformation is executed thanks to the internal installation of IP cameras produced and distributed world-wide by the German company MOBOTIX, equipped with software for recording and processing the images. Notwithstanding the innovation of the performance, the new lighting systems are perfectly integrated, from an aesthetic point of view, with the historic palace where they are installed: A very advanced system, therefore, in terms of technology, but completely hidden inside a design in perfect harmony with the place where the light spot is installed, as envisioned and implemented by Dr. Massimo Belli, Appointed Administrator of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, Dr. Umberto Dall’Aglio, Director of the VI Office of the IV Department of the Ministry and by Architect Gianluca Canofeni, Director of the Works and Technical Administrator of the IV Department. High Efficiency At A Low Cost The transformation is executed thanks to the internal installation of IP cameras produced and distributed by MOBOTIX  “The motivation for the project was multifaceted: On the one hand to realize a control system based upon state-of-the-art video surveillance tools, and on the other hand implementing a new lighting project to substantially reduce electricity consumption – within the scope of energy efficiency –, guaranteeing at the same time a much longer useful life, and as a result a substantial reduction of maintenance costs”, said Lieutenant Colonel Saverio La Monaca, chief of the Central Security Organization of the Ministry. As per the costs, the analysis carried out by the Ghisamestieri teams, obviously as a function of the actual system utilization give a clear picture: It is foreseen that the initial investment will be recouped within only 4 or 5 years and economic savings of even 50% between the fifth and fifteenth year of useful life of the system. With respect to energy savings, MOBOTIX’ video cameras provide a further guarantee, since their energy consumption is extremely low in comparison with other technologies present on the market: about 4 to 6 watts per hour. MOBOTIX DualDome Cameras The project, comprises today 20 wall light spots installed in strategic positions throughout the Ministry. Each shelf hides inside 2 MOBOTIX DualDome cameras with 180 degrees field of view, for an overall total of 40 high-resolution IP security cameras. The images can be recorded inside the cameras 24/7 (color, and black and white) to be viewed at the control center located inside the Ministry building. The security personnel belonging to the military branch of the Financial Guard manage the complete video surveillance apparatus and constantly monitor the images of the cameras in real time. 10 wireless routers manufactured by the young Italian company 3WLan, are installed inside a similar number of wall brackets and are capable of guaranteeing the bi-directional Wi-Fi link between the control center and the patrols active outside the palace. This is possible thanks to an authentication on a RADIUS server that identifies the access permissions of the router on a list of authorized equipment. Exchange Data And Images In Real Time The new wireless system guarantees much more reduced operating expenses against a much more intensive use profile" “Especially in case of demonstrations, which is actually very common, our security operators are involved in the so-called pacification operations outside the palace for the purpose of first of all protecting the ministerial magistrates. These are carried out both on foot and inside our patrols – which implies the need to rapidly cross-check the owner of a particular vehicle or verifying the personal data on passports and identification documents. "Before installing the new intelligent light spots we relied on a GSM system that was, however, very expensive. The new wireless system guarantees much more reduced operating expenses against a much more intensive use profile”, added Giancarlo Varvo, who is responsible for security. The video surveillance technology available on the patrol vehicles, which are also equipped with tools to read license plates, or palmtop operating systems (also known as explorers) supplied to foot patrols, once within the radius of coverage of the poles equipped with Wi-Fi antennas, have the option of exchanging data and images with the operations center inside the Ministry by means of a recognition system. Furthermore, by connecting to a specific IP address, external patrols have the possibility to view the images recorded by a specific video camera in real time. Remote Day/Night Illumination Management Each support is also equipped with a remote switch that allows managing the illumination and video surveillance functions completely autonomously and independently from each other. While the light source turns on at dusk and switches off at sunrise, the cameras continue functioning 24/7, according to the specific settings they may record both in continuous mode or trigger upon an event, such as the movement of a pedestrian, or a sound. The cameras placed close to the entrances of the Ministry are capable of sending alerts in real time to the operations center, or activating a bollard along the perimeter thanks to an automatic vehicle license plate reading system. In fact, the operations room located inside the Ministry remotely controls the recording of more than 1,600 cameras" Nothing to object about the support of the engineers of Ghisamestieri, that proved to beat all times available and collaborative in answering the requirements of the Ministry. Also, no complaints about Genius, a unique world-wide illumination solution, capable of offering high level design and advanced technology in a single solution. No objections about the technology made in Germany of MOBOTIX. Securing The Facility With Additional Cameras “In addition to the project implemented with Ghisamestieri, we employed the technology of MOBOTIX also for other types of requirements, still obviously related to the security of the Ministry: 36 AllroundMono security cameras have already been installed on the roof of the palace to check potential attacks for instance through the air vent conduits to the so-called Tempest room, a completely aseptic environment for the protection of communications inside the Ministry. "In fact, the operations room located inside the Ministry remotely controls the recording of more than 1,600 cameras installed in various facilities connected to the department”, underscores Varvo. The light spots installed in Rome find their place in a wider project, where any illumination support can potentially serve as a technology node. Named “Genius” by their creators, regardless of the design or aesthetic form, any light spot is potentially capable of becoming a true security center, perfectly integrated from the aesthetic and urban points of view into city decor. Equipped with microphones and speakers, MOBOTIX’ cameras can put the citizens in touch with the operations centers of the police or ambulances by means of special buttons placed at the base of the pole or through the implementation of an RFID or magnetic strip identification system. “With respect to traditional poles with well-visible cameras installed outdoors, Genius represents a true video security system, not just a simple crime deterrent”, concluded Varvo.

PVcomBank, one of Vietnam’s fastest growing and most progressive banks, has acquired a cutting-edge March Networks video surveillance system.   Established in 2013 through a merger of PetroVietnam Finance Corporation and WesternBank, the Hanoi-based financial institution is a joint stock commercial bank with 115 branches throughout the country. Shareholders include Petro Vietnam with a 52 percent stake and Morgan Stanley with a 6.7 percent strategic interest. Prior to selecting the March Networks technology, PVcomBank had a variety of different video surveillance systems installed throughout its branch network. The bank wanted to upgrade to a high-performance solution it could eventually standardize on for all of its retail branches, ATMs and corporate offices, and centrally manage from its headquarters in Hanoi. “The March Networks system gives us the central management capability that we didn’t have before. It’s also reliable, user friendly and provides us with excellent quality video.” Enterprise-Class Video Surveillance The enterprise-class March Networks system PVcomBank is now deploying consists of 8000 Series Hybrid NVRs, Command Enterprise video management software and hundreds of March Networks IP cameras, including MegaPX WDR MiniDomes Zs and MegaPX Indoor IR Domes.More than 450 banks and credit unions worldwide rely on March Networks’ intelligent IP video solutions to keep their customers and employees safe PVcomBank relied on the advice of Intelligent Building Solutions (IBS), a security systems integrator and March Networks certified partner with offices in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Singapore and Phnom Penh. “We wanted to upgrade to a high quality, enterprise system with central management and health monitoring,” said Nguyen Manh Hai, PVcomBank. “IBS recommended March Networks because of its track record as a global leader in the delivery of video surveillance solutions to the financial sector.” More than 450 banks and credit unions worldwide rely on March Networks’ intelligent IP video solutions to keep their customers and employees safe, and help reduce losses due to fraud, theft and liability claims. IBS, a supplier of security and building automation products, including video surveillance, access control and intrusion detection systems, began rolling out the March Networks system across PVcomBank’s branch network in June 2015 and expects to complete the deployment by the end of 2016. Hybrid Capability Results In Lower Costs The hybrid capability of the March Networks 8000 Series NVRs is ideal because, in addition to approximately 250 new March Networks IP cameras, PVcomBank opted to continue using analog cameras from its previous video surveillance systems. Continuing to use its existing cameras with the March Networks system kept costs down and resulted in noticeably improved video quality from the analog cameras. Access to video is restricted to the bank’s security staff and used to obtain evidence of burglaries, fraud and other reported incidents. Eight and 16-channel NVRs are equipped with 6 and 8 TB of onboard storage, respectively — sufficient for approximately 60 days of video retention. The 8000 Series recorders are available in 4, 8, 16 and 32 channel models and can accommodate two simultaneous recording streams — one lower resolution stream for viewing online, and another full resolution, full frame rate version for investigation purposes. Built for maximum reliability, they feature a secure Linux operating system to better protect against viruses and malware, and an internal battery backup for systematic shutdown in the event of power loss.The 8000 Series recorders can accommodate two simultaneous recording streams The 8000 Series recorders are also designed for easy maintenance with docking station architecture that keeps all cables securely connected to the back of the unit for faster, more convenient installation and servicing. Technicians can also take advantage of March Networks’ industry-first GURU Smartphone Application to scan the QR code on any 8000 Series NVR to quickly find the recorder’s serial number and warranty status, speed troubleshooting, link to video tutorials and use an installation audit feature to run automated reports on the video system’s configuration complete with camera field-of-views. Simplifying Day-To-Day System Administration The Command Enterprise video management software used by PVcomBank simplifies day-to-day system administration with centralized management and mass configuration tools, and provides real-time health monitoring that alerts administrators to performance issues. A customisable user interface with motion histogram and thumbnail images allows investigators to quickly zero in on video evidence. “We are very pleased with our March Networks video surveillance system,” said Nguyen Manh Hai. “We worked closely with IBS, our security systems integrator, to select a system that would meet all of our needs. The March Networks system gives us the central management capability that we didn’t have before. It’s also reliable, user friendly and provides us with excellent quality video.”

Customer: The Absa Group Limited is one of South Africa’s largest financial services groups, offering a complete range of banking and wealth management products and services. Absa Bank's business is primarily in South Africa, and the group has equity holdings in banks in Mozambique and Tanzania. Absa is a subsidiary of Barclays Bank, a major global financial services provider with an extensive international presence in Europe, the United States, Africa and Asia. Challenge: Absa Bank’s objective was to streamline its processes and reduce costs while maintaining a clear focus on the individual customer’s experience. Their decision to deploy megapixel network cameras in a proof-of-concept video surveillance installation was based on leveraging the greater system efficiencies, functionality and superior image quality of megapixel technology. Megapixel Solution: The new security surveillance system at Absa Bank was installed by AV Enforce Electronics (AVEE) of South Africa. The system employs Arecont Vision's 2.0 and 3.0 Megapixel Cameras positioned behind teller stations to closely monitor transactions between bank employees and clients. In addition, Arecont Vision's 8 Megapixel 180-degree and 360-degree Panoramic Cameras (AV8185 and AV8365) watch over customer queues, automated teller machines (ATMs) and the general banking hall with extreme image detail. Each Arecont Vision megapixel camera at the Absa Bank installation is connected to a power-over-Ethernet network switch that serves as the network video connection and also as the power source to the camera. Cameras are recorded on Luxriot network video recorders. The system is monitored locally by authorized management personnel. Arecont Vision's AV3105 3-Megapixel Camera uses a ½ inch CMOS sensor to provide 2048x1536-pixel progressive scan images at up to 15 frames per second (fps). The camera is built with Arecont Vision's massively-parallel MegaVideo technology, providing image processing at billions of operations per second. It can output multiple image formats of larger areas to allow simultaneous viewing of the full resolution field of view and regions of interest. The Arecont Vision AV2105 2-Megapixel Camera provides 1600x1200-pixel video at up to 24 fps, with light sensitivity of 0.1 lux at F1.4. Features include forensic zooming on archived video, region-of-interest views, as well as image cropping and motion detection. The panoramic view cameras used at the Absa Bank proof-of-concept installation are the 180-degree Arecont Vision AV8185 and 360-degree Arecont Vision AV8365 8-Megapixel Cameras. Both models employ four 2-megapixel sensors enclosed in 6-inch IP66-rated domes and provide up to 6400x1200-pixel images at 5.5 fps. The cameras can be set for lower resolutions at higher frame speeds, such as 1600x1200-pixel images at 22 fps or 800x600-pixel images at 88 fps. The cameras also use Arecont Vision MegaVideo video processing at billions of operations per second. Light sensitivity is 0.2 lux at F2.0, and the cameras provide image cropping and up to four regions-of-interest. “Arecont Vision outperforms all the current competitors,” said Alex De Barros of AV Enforce. “The price compared to analog cameras is better considering the fact that you gain so much. We were able to capture images for the bank that were never achieved before.” Megapixel Benefit: The proof-of-concept system atAbsa Bank has demonstratedthat megapixel cameras aresuitable for applications inthe banking environment andrepresent a significant upgradein system functionality comparedto standard-resolution cameras Arecont Vision megapixel network cameras use H.264 compression to minimize bandwidth and storage needs and are available at costs comparable to standard-resolution alternatives. Megapixel images provide much more detail in playback mode for forensic investigations. Operators can zoom in for up-close views on stored images. They can view specific parts of a larger image, such as a person's face. A benefit for Absa Bank is creation of a database of suspected criminals to allow operators to identify them easily. The use of megapixel video enables a larger area to be covered with fewer cameras, which reduces overall system cost which make it easier to realize ROI. Higher-resolution images boost the functionality of systems, enabling pristine image quality at industry-leading high frame rates, while minimizing bandwidth usage with H.264 video compression. The proof-of-concept system at Absa Bank has demonstrated that megapixel cameras are suitable for applications in the banking environment and represent a significant upgrade in system functionality compared to standard-resolution cameras. In addition to lower bandwidth and storage requirements, megapixel cameras can dramatically decrease costs related to other elements of a system, such as fewer software licenses, less cabling, fewer lenses, and a decrease in man-hours needed to bring it all together. “There is a lot at stake in the banking environment, and megapixel imaging can vastly improve the performance of the video surveillance systems in this important market,” said Ethan Maxon, Middle East and Africa Regional Sales Manager of Arecont Vision. “We continue to spread the word about the unparalleled image quality and resolution of Arecont Vision's megapixel IP video cameras. It's good to know that Absa Bank has experienced those benefits first-hand.”

Founded in 1877, Banco de Costa Rica (BCR) is the second-largest state-owned bank in Costa Rica. Today, BCR provides a broad range of financial services, including retail banking.Looking to protect its staff, buildings and financial assets, BCR has set upon a major project that will see its 4,500 employees, in 278 offices across Costa Rica, protected by an integrated hybrid CCTV and alarm system. The fundamental characteristic of the project is its implementation over unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) structured cabling networks, which will allow the use of legacy equipment to be integrated into a scheme that paves the way for migration to security solutions based entirely on this transmission media.Network Video Technologies (NVT) UTP CCTV video transmission equipment plays a fundamental role in the hybrid solution, enabling both legacy and new systems to be combined, delivering high-quality real-time video over large distances; to help ensure a measured and rapid response by the bank to any alarm scenario.One of the most important government financial institutions in Costa Rica, BCR was previously protected by a CCTV system based on coax cable and using monochrome cameras. Consequently, one of the aims of the bank's directors in implementing the new solution was to unify all of its systems to operate over UTP networks.Protection on multiple frontsThe new solution will encompass the bank's 278 branches, public offices and administrative buildings across Costa Rica, 450 buildings in total. Randall Ruiz Parajeles, the Bank's Director of Electronic Security explains about the project roll out: "At the moment 80% of the bank's buildings are covered, thanks to the installation of NVT video transmission equipment. Our aim was to improve video signal quality, eliminate interference noise, and most importantly, using NVT technology we will be greatly extending the video transmission distances without suffering video quality losses, which is what happens with coax."From coaxial to hybrid systemsBanco de Costa Rica has always had a surveillance system, the purpose of which was to protect the security of visitors to each of the bank's offices, as well as their money. These consisted of analog recording systems and standard-resolution monochrome cameras, with transmission via coaxial cables. Analogue recording systems as well as standard resolution monochrome cameras were included in the solution from NVT "For the system-wide renewal, the number of cameras has been increased, but many of them were re-used," explains Parajeles. "There are currently more than 4,500 NVT UTP transmission links installed that transmit the camera video over twisted pairs, using high-resolution day/night and low-light equipment. As for the recording systems, we are using digital equipment that works over the IP network.""It should be noted that NVT equipment was installed right from the start of the renewal programme. NVT allowed us to retain existing equipment as an infrastructure and adapt it to work with the newer devices, making this match between the two without having to discard units that might still give us some useful working life. We were able to integrate these units with the new ones in a manner entirely transparent to the monitoring personnel, who are now able to have everything integrated seamlessly on a single platform."The current configuration of the security system, installed by Seguridad y Protección de Centro América, has a threefold purpose: it is intended to be dissuasive, but also persuasive, and to allow verification of the events reported by the alarms. In this sense, it can be said that it is designed for both supervision and recording.But a major component of the system is the automation programme. This means that the CCTV system is complemented by the alarm system, which, when an event occurs, generates pop-up windows in the control center. There is also a link to the lighting systems, so that when an alarm is given, the lights in a particular area are switched on.The cameras and PTZ domes installed in the system are all Pelco models. Recording is carried out by Honeywell Rapid Eye units. In total, around 450 recording units have been installed. NVT technology allows extending the video transmission distances without suffering video quality losses A fundamental decision: hybrid instead of IPHowever, a review of the characteristics of this system immediately prompts a question. If the system was designed to run over UTP based structured networks, why implement a hybrid model instead of installing end-to-end IP.Parajeles explains that the use of UTP and NVT devices allows the linking of analog and digital equipment on a given IP network helps businesses to start down the road towards a single-stage system, because they are designed to work over structured cabling. "For us, it was rather difficult to install IP cameras because of bandwidth considerations, the quantity of IP addresses needed and the infrastructure that would require us to have individual physical connections for each camera in each branch. After looking into the matter, we could not find an IP camera that would, on its own, allow us to transmit over the network without adversely affecting the establishment's bandwidth."High-satisfaction technologyWhen a large institution implements such an important project, it is looking to simplify its operation and enhance its ability to respond when that operation finds itself put to the test. From this point of view, it can be declared that Ban­co de Costa Rica has fully met its target, in terms of guarantees, ease of installation and professional achievements; NVT has become an important ally.Summarising the entire process, Parajeles concludes: "This is an investment that will pay for itself over time. And because the quality of the NVT equipment is so good, visits to the sites of the various installations have also been reduced."

2019 was a big year for the Expert Panel Roundtable. The range of topics expanded, and we had more participation from more contributors than ever before. In closing out the year of contemplative discussions, we came across some final observations to share. They can serve both as a postscript for 2019 and a teaser for a whole new year of industry conversations in our Expert Panel Roundtable in 2020.  

The new year comes with new opportunities for the security industry, but what technologies will dominate our discussions in 2020? Topics such as artificial intelligence (AI) and HCI (hyperconverged infrastructure) became familiar in conversations during 2019, and they are likely to dominate our thoughts again in the new year. But other buzzwords are also gaining steam, such as “blockchain” and “frictionless access control.” Connectivity and the cloud will also be timely technology topics as the industry evolves. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What technology buzz will dominate the security industry in 2020?

“Open systems” has been a security industry buzzword for decades, although reality has sometimes diverged significantly from the ideal. The current state-of-the-art in open systems provides a multitude of benefits to increasingly complex physical security systems. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable to elaborate: What is the impact of open systems on physical security?