Education security applications

Schools are continuing to upgrade security measures for pupil safety. However, on top of all the fundamental challenges schools face, implementing well-rounded and effective security solutions can seem a great difficulty. Andrew Shaw, architectural consultant for Allegion UK, discusses the advantages of electro-mechanical solutions. Schools can equate to some of the most complex security challenges for architects, specifiers and school officials alike. This is because choosing the right solution requires a comprehensive analysis of a building’s design and layout and the different requirements of each perimeter, alongside specific uses, user groups and opening hours. Different areas and spaces, such as reception areas, entry points or classrooms, each need to be approached differently in terms of safety and security measures. Precautionary Lockdown Strategy Adequate training also means all staff know how to support an effective lockdown and facilitate a safe escape in the event of an emergency What’s more, if the building is used for out-of-hours purposes, or if contractors are on-site, these issues will also need to be addressed. Simply put, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution for schools. Security hardware and a precautionary lockdown strategy are necessities, as they are integral to the safety of teachers, students and visitors. Adequate measures need to be implemented so that schools are prepared for, and safeguarded against, external threats or unauthorized access. While a lot of the responsibility falls on the shoulders of facility managers, it’s also important for teachers and administrators to be aware of, and educated on, solutions and training. This means knowing how certain hardware works and how to spot a faulty product. Adequate training also means all staff know how to support an effective lockdown and facilitate a safe escape in the event of an emergency. Unique Building Requirements This is becoming increasingly important with newer systems too, especially as the Internet of Things (IoT) becomes more commonplace within the industry. Integrating electro-mechanical solutions into existing school security systems is now more commonly viewed as an achievable and viable option. Because an off-the-shelf security solution to fit all doesn’t exist, the benefits of integrating both electronic and mechanical solutions into systems are quickly becoming realized. As such, schools are growing more accustomed to tailored solutions based on their own unique building requirements and budgets. Each school layout is unique and, therefore, must address a range of security factors specific to different areas. Many areas within a school’s building design must accommodate for high capacity, especially in places that may be part of a fire escape route. Mechanical Door Hardware Schools need to consider the amount of exit and entry points, which will be dependent on the size and layout of the school grounds All schools need to address three different levels of security. The first level is the least vulnerable of the three and concerns the perimeter entry and exit points. The second level is more vulnerable than the first and relates to the point at which people are screened before entering the interior of the school. Finally, the third level - and the most vulnerable - refers to the core of the school that both pupils and staff occupy. The first level of security is the perimeter, and these areas become more important depending on the time of day. Schools need to consider the amount of exit and entry points, which will be dependent on the size and layout of the school grounds. Incorporating some level of electronic access control should be a consideration, whether that is a combination of electronic and mechanical door hardware, or a complete electronic solution. Greater Visitor Management An electromechanical solution, such as electric strikes, can be beneficial in the effectiveness of perimeter security as they provide greater visitor management and traffic control. Electric strikes are able to control access via keypads, cards and proximity readers. When combined with mechanical locks, they provide the benefits of unrestricted egress. This option also allows integration with central security systems, which can be automatically activated and pre-programmed for regular scheduled control. These solutions help lower the risk of potential unauthorized entry, which can lead to theft of equipment, and compromising people’s safety. They also aid facility and site managers in knowing where potential weak points are in the school perimeter. Because schools will most likely have multiple access points, the combination of mechanical hardware and access control systems allows for both security and convenience, providing greater control and monitoring. Efficient Access Control A well-designed school with a single-entry point allows for such monitoring, but should also cater to the efficient movement in and out of the building The second level of security is the administration or reception area. As this area will be designed primarily to facilitate visitor entry, it will require adequate monitoring of access control. This area should be able to restrict visitors from freely accessing the rest of the school. A well-designed school with a single-entry point allows for such monitoring, but should also cater to the efficient movement in and out of the building. To do this, the latches used on access-controlled egress doors can be electronically controlled from the reception area or school office. Exit or entry doors can be opened by a push from the inside and, if the entry area is also an emergency exit, electronically-powered panic bars can also provide an effective solution. When using access control solutions, schools are provided with information on who entered a part of the premises and when, are able to restrict or limit access to specific times of the day, and easily add and delete users, allowing them to manage access to the building more efficiently. Integrated Centralized Systems The areas most susceptible to vulnerability are the internal hallways, corridors, stairwells, entry points and restricted areas (such as staff lounges and science laboratories). These are the areas where a school must foster the safest environments for pupils, while also providing protection as they often contain confidential information, expensive equipment or chemicals. For these areas, there are a number of different solutions that will be beneficial, whether electronic, mechanical or a combination of the two. For electronic solutions, there are two options available: remote or centralized systems. With remote lockdown systems, individual locks are activated by remote control within proximity to the door. With integrated centralized systems, the access control system is linked to all doors within the school building and locked at the touch of a button.  Mechanical solutions, which include a cylinder lock and key, are also ideal for places such as classrooms, as doors can be locked externally with a key or internally with a thumbturn, to prevent unauthorized persons from entering. When paired with electronic access control systems, mechanical hardware can provide simplified yet improved security levels. Electromagnetic Door Closers Electromechanically exit devices allow for monitored and safe access, while also allowing for an immediate exit In schools, it is often the case that entrance doors will also be fire exits. Electromechanically exit devices allow for monitored and safe access, while also allowing for an immediate exit. When integrated with electronic access control systems, emergency exit points become safer and more secure as access control measures can be added, whether for teachers, pupils or visitors.  In the interest of fire safety, and to eliminate the illegal practice of propping fire doors open as well as aid free passage in busy areas, electromagnetic door closers can be linked with the building’s fire alarm system. When the fire alarm sounds (or in the event of a power outage), the electromagnet deactivates, bringing the door to a close in a normal manner, preventing the spread of fire and smoke. Building Design Requirements By design, electronic access control systems are also easy to use and maintain. The reliability and durability of such systems also means that there will be less need for excess time and money spent on maintenance, and there’s peace of mind in knowing the systems are code-compliant. Their flexibility additionally allows for the implementation of a highly-effective bespoke solution. Electronic access control and electronic devices are able to be integrated with or into a variety of other electronic and mechanical systems. This means schools are able to successfully tailor solutions to their own budgets and building design requirements. Fully integrated security solutions and biometrics are becoming increasingly affordable and accessible, giving school officials and managing teams greater control over their buildings. These solutions also give them scalability for the future, meaning systems are both future-proof and easily upgradable.

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.”

K-12 schools and higher education campuses face a number of challenges, not the least of which is the basic principle of safeguarding students, staff and faculty from emerging threats. They must strive to strike a balance between building a safe and secure environment and maintaining a welcoming one. A combination of policies and procedures for stakeholders to follow can be instrumental in achieving these goals, but it's not enough to simply lay down strategies. Manufacturers and integrators must work diligently to meet the needs of educational facilities by embracing convergence and unification. One way to do this is to build technology solutions that are easy to use and install, and those that efficiently integrate with the security solutions already in place to maximize capital investments that budget-conscious schools have made. When designing a system, the unique needs of the organization must be identified. Are streamlined management and situational awareness the goal? If so, a close integration between various systems is critical to the success of the implementation. Reservations With Security Management System A single reservation system enables students to reserve a meeting space or classroom without having to be physically let in the room every time For example, in access control, when two systems are integrated, the simple act of swiping a card can communicate to the building management system to turn on lights in a specific area, ensuring savings on energy costs while also enhancing security by allowing personnel to control access to certain areas that require more protection. Today's access control systems are doing more than simply granting and restricting access: they're adding more value to capital investments by incorporating information from student and building management platforms in an effort to build more intelligent solutions. One example of this collaboration is the use of Vanderbilt's Security Management System (SMS) with a network-based reservation system. The event management software works with the access control software to communicate in real-time; a single reservation system enables students to reserve a meeting space or classroom without having to be physically let in the room every time. This also allows security officials to readily identify responsible parties in the event of a security incident and saves security teams the added expense of having an on-duty person manually granting and restricting access. Strengthening Campus Safety Lockdown capabilities are also critical for educational facilities, and SMS enables this with the push of a button or the swipe of a card SMS can also be used in a more holistic approach to strengthen campus safety by bringing multiple systems together in an easy-to-manage and web-based platform. This includes a facility's access control technologies, digital video and alarm monitoring systems. SMS is scalable and ideal for large, multi-site or global organizations, like educational campuses, and supports an unlimited number of cardholders and readers. From a single interface, security leaders are able to manage alarms, photo ID badging, visitor management, elevator control, offline and online locks, advanced reporting and more. Lockdown capabilities are also critical for educational facilities, and SMS enables this with the push of a button or the swipe of a card. Showcasing Educational Solutions Vanderbilt will highlight its solutions ideal for the education market at the upcoming Jenzabar Jam 2018 Annual Meeting in Nashville, Tenn., USA, May 30 to June 2. The meeting presents Jenzabar users with the opportunity to share ideas and learn more about Jenzabar systems and the solutions that seamlessly integrate with the company's offerings, including Vanderbilt SMS. Visit Vanderbilt at booth 13 or click here to schedule a one-on-one meeting with the team during the show.

Leaders in the electronic security and life safety industry will roll up their sleeves and contribute some creativity to an interactive art project on the ESX expo floor June 20-21 in Nashville, TN. #PassionateSecurity in Schools Initiative As part of ESX’s ‘#PassionateSecurity in Schools’ initiative, which also includes a heartfelt presentation during the show’s Closing Keynote Luncheon on June 22, attendees will be painting a 3-part mural that ESX will then donate to the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. The planned artwork is intended to stimulate an environment of creativity, positive energy, and safety that encourages students to explore and express themselves. Enhancing School Security The growing safety issues faced by the country’s school systems today are being confronted by activists, leaders and victims of the tragic incidents As a result of the numerous recent tragedies, school security and safety have taken center stage in public discourse. The growing safety issues faced by the country’s school systems today are being confronted by activists, leaders and victims of the tragic incidents. Everyone is looking for answers. “School districts around the country are looking for expertise in assessing security threats and to address the shortfalls in their current security infrastructure, planning and budgeting,” says Ryan Petty, activist and experienced telecom professional. “We’ve seen a groundswell of interest in enhancing school security in the wake of the Parkland tragedy. There is a flurry of activity in the public sector on school safety, and in particular over the use of security technology to protect students and teachers during class time. We need experienced security professionals to be a part of that conversation.” Electronic Security and Life Safety ESX 2018 show will have a focus on #PassionateSecurity in Schools As a group of individuals and companies with unique qualifications to help improve and strengthen school security, the electronic security and life safety industry has an opportunity to make a difference. For this reason, ESX 2018 show will have a focus on #PassionateSecurity in Schools. Artwork on the mural will be designed before the show, and attendees will each put their own touch on the painting, adding color together throughout the two days that the ESX expo is open to public. This collective creation is representative of an industry coming together, as a whole, to do their part in making our nation’s schools and communities safer for children. ESX 2018 Expo This panel will discuss practical ways integrators can strategize with schools and universities to take a multifaceted approach to ensure safety Off the expo floor, the Closing Keynote Luncheon will include perspectives from Petty – who lost his daughter in the MSD shooting in February – as well as an end-user and integrator of security solutions. This panel will discuss practical ways integrators can strategize with schools and universities to take a multifaceted approach to ensure safety and peace of mind for children, educators and parents. Through this initiative, the hope is that ESX attendees will leave better equipped and inspired to make a difference in communities across the nation, displaying #PassionateSecurity far beyond the event. The #PassionateSecurity in Schools initiative is sponsored by CSR Professional Services.

Mivatek Smart Connect (formerly “Mivatek”) announces the signing of a partnership agreement with Asia Pacific Telecom (APT), whereby APT will use Mivatek Smart Connect’s plug-n-play Smart Home solutions and service. Mivatek’s mobile-cloud IoT platform and smart devices will form the foundation of APT's Home Guardian program - a DIY MIY Smart Home service available to 2.6 million APT's customers. The new APT Home Guardian program is the company’s first offering in the smart home arena. Home Guardian provides APT customers with a turnkey video-integrated interactive security, safety, and wellness service solution. Each system package gives users advanced ‘one-touch-to-responder’ features that allow them to make video-integrated protection and control with family, wherever they are. The collaborative protection design allows the user, their family members, caregivers, and even neighbors to protect their homes and achieve peace of mind. All Home Guardian systems can be easily expanded with additional Mivatek devices to cover security, safety and/or care capabilities Home Security And Safety There are three in-a-box starter packages available to APT customers. The entry-level package allows the user to create a basic Home Security system comprised of a Mivatek Cube Camera, two door and window sensors, and a hub for system control. All Home Guardian systems can be easily expanded with additional Mivatek devices to cover security, safety and/or care capabilities; the zero-pairing technology allows the expansion of accessories in seconds. Ultimately, these packages cover the areas that APT believe will bring their customers the most peace of mind: home security and safety; care of elderly to allow them to independently and safely in their own homes as long as possible (the ‘aging in place’ trend); and the care and safety of infants and pets. The creation of Home Guardian evolved as a result of APT’s desire to bring additional value and service to its cellular subscriber base, currently at 1.9 million and growing. The zero-pairing technology and the comprehensive capabilities of the Mivatek Smart Connect platform and associated devices, spanning from security, safety, care, and video, really impressed us" Cost-Effective Platform “We looked at a number of value-added solutions to make our wireless products and services more attractive,” said Oscar Kuo, APT Senior Project Deputy Manager. “The zero-pairing technology and the comprehensive capabilities of the Mivatek Smart Connect platform and associated devices, spanning from security, safety, care, and video, really impressed us.” Joe Liu, CEO of Mivatek Smart Connect, emphasized that this new project dovetails well with the company’s new focus on service providers, brand owners, and telco’s. “We are excited about serving global service providers and brand owners with our turnkey Smart-Connect-as-a-Service,” said Liu, emphasizing the company’s commitment to a private label and OEM business strategy. “We are also thrilled that a leading telecom and cellular service provider like APT chose Mivatek's Smart Connect platform. We made video-integrated Smart Connect easy, reliable and cost-effective, and we’re confident that APT and its customers will appreciate these advantages.” Additional Capabilities Of The Home Guardian System: Multi-point installation: Use a single account to simultaneously manage devices in different locations and monitor multiple locations at the same time. Collaborative protection: Five family members can be authorized to receive instant video push notifications and five emergency contacts. Service in tandem: Strengthen the home security/care function, connect hospitals, care centers & security operators in series, providing users with more comprehensive services. Privacy encryption: Multiple patented firewalls and anti-intrusion technologies protect the user’s image privacy and account information.

At ISC West 2018, visitors to the Genetec Inc. booth #26065 will be able to learn about the company’s new range of market-specific solutions specifically developed to address the needs of airports, cities, educational institutions, retailers, and transportation customers. “By leveraging the growing availability of valuable yet untapped sources of data, these portfolios create a host of new opportunities for organisations to find synergies between their security, operations, and business intelligence needs,” comments Jimmy Palatsoukas, Director of Product Marketing at Genetec. Genetec Citigraf is a decision support system ideally suited for law enforcement, emergency services, and public safety agencies Genetec Airport Sense At ISC West, airport customers will be particularly interested in looking at Genetec Airport Sense, an advanced operational analytics solution that correlates data provided by existing security sensors to produce actionable intelligence about passenger flow, airport security, and overall operations. Attendees will also be able to see how Genetec Security Center, a unified security platform, Genetec Clearance, a digital evidence management system, and Genetec Mission Control, a collaborative decision management system, are helping leading airports around the world heighten security, improve operations, and grow retail revenue. Genetec Citigraf Already installed in several cities around the world, Genetec Citigraf is a decision support system ideally suited for law enforcement, emergency services, and public safety agencies. Citigraf was first introduced in the city of Chicago, where it is helping to improve collaboration, shorten the first-response time of reported incidents, and significantly reduce crime. Featuring a powerful correlation and analytics engine, as well as a unified view of public safety operations, Citigraf instantly detects and displays relevant information from disparate systems for inter-agency collaboration. The proliferation of new surveillance systems, body-worn cameras, in-car video and mobile phones has created more ways to gather evidence, while exponentially increasing the quantity of data collected. A digital evidence management system, Genetec Clearance allows cities, police officers, investigators, and security managers to collect, manage, and share digital evidence from a variety of sources. To help solve challenges such as traffic congestion, roadway accidents, and parking scarcity, Genetec recently introduced Genetec Traffic Sense Genetec Traffic Sense The efficient flow of people, vehicles, and goods throughout cities and communities is a fundamental aspect of everyday life and business activities. To help solve challenges such as traffic congestion, roadway accidents, and parking scarcity, Genetec recently introduced Genetec Traffic Sense. This unified traffic operations platform brings together traditional traffic operations systems with security and incident response platforms and uses advanced analytics to detect road incidents and slowdowns, automates response, and provides operators with a consolidated view of events. Genetec Security Center And Mission Control Teaching, research, and learning happen best when faculty, staff, and students feel safe. With thousands of students and staff to protect, sprawling campuses, and emerging threats, campus security is often left feeling overwhelmed. Working together, Genetec Security Center and Mission Control increase situational intelligence and enable security personnel to prepare for, and effectively respond to, common occurrences and emergency situations. By unifying all aspects of campus security, such as access control, video, ALPR (Automated License Plate Recognition), communications, and intrusion, Security Center enhances the efficiency of campus police. Not only do they benefit from a global view of all their buildings and campuses, but they are better equipped to centrally act on threats at a moment’s notice. Genetec Retail Sense Genetec Retail Sense enables brick and mortar retailers to increase operational intelligence to enhance customer service Retailers today are behooved to gather and rely on the same insightful customer analytics that online merchants can harvest automatically. Security Center offers retailers enterprise-wide visibility of sales floors, point-of-sale (POS) and cash-handling areas, distribution centers, and parking facilities so that they can efficiently safeguard staff, patrons, buildings and equipment. When used with Security Center, Genetec Retail Sense enables brick and mortar retailers to increase operational intelligence to enhance customer service by transforming existing video surveillance content into powerful consumer insights. Genetec solutions are designed to help public transit agencies develop and maintain the most efficient operations and processes to provide passengers with positive experiences in a secure environment. When transit and security personnel manage operations from a single, unified platform, such as Security Center, they have easy access to all the data being collected by their physical security system. With this bird’s-eye-view of their environment, they can respond quickly and knowledgeably to any incidents as they arise.

Located within 10 miles of the U.S.A. - Mexico border on the southern tip of Texas, Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District (CISD) serves most of the cities of Harlingen and Palm Valley, the towns of Combes and Primera, and portions of unincorporated Cameron County, including the communities of Las Palmas-Juarez and Lasana. Over 18,000 students are enrolled in 29 schools across these communities. The school system has seventeen elementary schools, five middle schools, a ninth grade academy, two comprehensive high schools, a medical high school, an early college high school, and two alternative high schools. Four-Year IP Surveillance Migration Plan High-quality video is required to identify and prevent incidents, as well as to provide detailed information to law enforcement and first responders in case of an emergency. Harlingen CISD’s analog system was unable to deliver high resolution images, leaving district schools with un-actionable video. Other deficiencies of the system included image instability, limited network accessibility across the district, and inadequate storage capacity to support additional cameras for increased coverage. Recognizing the shortcomings of its analog system, Harlingen CISD developed a four-year migration plan to replace it with an IP surveillance system. Arecont Vision Megapixel Solution After an extensive RFP (Request for Proposals) process, Harlingen CISD contracted with Calence Physical Security Solutions, LLC, headquartered in Austin, Texas. A local Calence branch in nearby McAllen, Texas delivered the video system upgrade project. Harlingen CISD selected Arecont Vision®, which provided the best combination of high-quality video and a competitive price point for megapixel cameras. Exacq Technologies was selected as the video management system (VMS) software, network video recorder and system health monitoring provider. The first phase of the upgrade was for two high schools, one middle school, and the ninth-grade academy. Included as well was the district’s new 15-acre agricultural farm, where students have the opportunity to learn to work with and care for animals. “We’ve been very impressed with the quality of the video provided by the Arecont Vision® cameras, which is a significant upgrade" Over 180 Arecont Vision® MegaDome® 2, MegaView®, and SurroundVideo® IP megapixel cameras were installed in these five locations. Local security officers monitor video from the cameras using the exacqVision Enterprise VMS software and exacqVision Enterprise System Manager (ESM). From ESM, school security officers can easily monitor the server and system health including camera connections. exacqVision ESM ensures video is properly recording from each Arecont Vision® camera. The high-quality video and expanded coverage area provided by the Arecont Vision® cameras allows the district security personnel to zoom in on live and recorded images. This enables the security personnel to identify individuals involved in an incident and to review what may have precipitated the incident. These benefits can be achieved without affecting overall coverage and without sacrifices in image quality. Remote Network Access The Arecont Vision® cameras installed at Harlingen CISD can be accessed district-wide via the network. Instead of having to physically travel to a location to view video following an event, security personnel can access any Arecont Vision® camera and exacqVision Z-Series recorder on the network remotely through the exacqVision client or mobile app. The increased storage capacity of the new system accommodates larger video archives. This allows security personnel to retrieve and view forensic video recorded by the Arecont Vision® cameras from the period before an event occurs to aid in investigations. “We’ve been very impressed with the quality of the video provided by the Arecont Vision® cameras, which is a significant upgrade over the previous system. Their stability and ease of use further contribute to our overall satisfaction with this new system,” says Ken Lee, Administrator for District Operations, Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District.

The Customer Located in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, North Hennepin Community College (NHCC) is one of the largest and most diverse community colleges in the state, serving more than 10,000 students enrolled in 60 degree and certificate programmes. With a rich tradition of excellence in teaching and learning, NHCC offers an exceptional student experience at one of the safest campuses in the country. NHCC’s all-inclusive public safety program includes regular foot and vehicle patrol, set building alarms, access control and a campus-wide surveillance system. To further enhance student safety, NHCC has also installed MicroPower Technologies’ solar-powered, wireless MicroPower Surveillance Platform in its main parking lot for powerful, cost-effective and reliable 24x7 coverage. The Challenge Campus safety is a top priority for college administrators, who are constantly looking for new ways to provide an open academic environment while ensuring student safety. With a far-reaching security plan already in place, North Hennepin Community College was left with one area that needed better coverage: the school’s parking lots. “We see a large amount of activity in our parking lots, ranging from vehicle break-ins and tampering to hit and run accidents, which we have not been able to effectively monitor with our existing cameras,” explained Erik Pakieser, Director of Public Safety at NHCC. “Staff, students and parents have asked for more coverage in these areas and we are committed to meeting their needs.” However, limited by budget, the college simply could not afford to install a surveillance system that would require trenching concrete to install electrical and network cables. In addition, the building that would have to support any additional hardwired cameras in the parking lots did not have an adequate power supply. “Every time we discussed parking lot surveillance, the conversation was over before it began because of the extraordinarily high costs of hardwiring,” added Pakieser. On the recommendation of Paragon, a single-source provider of converged IP/IT security solutions, NHCC selected the MicroPower Surveillance Platform to monitor activity across the South West Parking Lot, the campus’ main parking area. “We didn’t look at any other solutions,” asserted Pakieser. “MicroPower was the only wireless solution available that would allow us the cover such a large area without running network or power cables, and deliver video we required.” MicroPower Solution NHCC installed 10 MicroPower video surveillance cameras mounted on 40-foot light poles throughout the parking lot . As an open-platform system, MicroPower is managed using the existing Milestone Video Management System for easy, central monitoring. “We couldn’t afford to invest in a separate client, so it was imperative that the new platform integrate seamlessly with the Milestone VMS,” noted Pakieser. “If not, it would’ve been a deal-breaker.” Public safety, human resource and maintenance personnel have access to the MicroPower platform, which is monitored in real-time by Public Safety officers. “Our officers like the MicroPower surveillance platform because they can see so much more than before and it is easy to manage using the familiar Milestone software,” said Pakieser. The MicroPower Surveillance Platform is used primarily for public safety reasons, but human sauces sometimes leverages footage to resolve employee issues or liability claims. “All feedback on the new systems has been very positive.” NHCC installed 10 MicroPower camerasthroughout the parking lot, which aremanaged using the existingMilestone Video Management System Paragon installed the MicroPower platform without difficulty, and all users were up and running with minimal training. “We upgraded the CMS to gain enhanced functionality with the MicroPower platform,” added Pakieser. “Now, we have access to more search and playback featured that let us better leverage the excellent surveillance footage we have of the parking lot.” Results According to Pakieser, the top selling feature of the MicroPower Surveillance Platform is the dramatic cost-savings it delivers. Its unique zero-cable design minimizes deployment time, reduces installation complexity and does not require trenching. “There was simply no way we could’ve moved forward if we had to trench, so having a wireless option was a very, very big deal," stated Pakieser. A hardwired surveillance system would’ve cost thousands more, making it unfeasible. “A wireless solution was the difference between having parking lot surveillance and not.” The college has also seen a reduction in operational expenses since deploying the solar-powered MicroPower Surveillance Platform, which operates on only ¾ Watts and supplies a minimum of five days of back-up power on a single charge of its battery packs. “We can cut our electricity costs because we aren’t powering the cameras,” said Pakieser, who added that the college doesn’t have to worry about overloading its existing power supply either. “MicroPower helps with our budget and allows us to reduce our environmental footprint – a fact that has been well-received by the campus community.” Maintenance costs have also been lowered, due in part to the durability of the cameras. In fact, the college has experienced no downtime since they were installed. “The cameras also hold up well under the extreme weather conditions here in Minnesota,” said Pakieser. In fact, the system has required little to no maintenance so far. Public Service officers also save time because they no longer have to patrol the area on foot. “We can use the system in lieu of foot patrol, and quickly and easily review high-quality video to expedite investigations.” Pakieser also likes that MicroPower incorporates security features and a robust wireless network protocol to ensure that video data is protected and highly available, even in the event of network disruptions. “The IT team had no problem getting the platform running on the network and can easily support the system to ensure optimal uptime”. The MicroPower solution has changed the face of security at NHCC, providing remote, wireless surveillance where it was once impossible. “From a security standpoint, the MicroPower platform has been a huge help in our daily monitoring and investigating of parking lot incidents and a proactive step towards complete, campus-wide security,” concluded Pakieser. By providing high-quality video footage of the parking lot, the new system will also help reduce the potentially high costs of liability claims. “We are very happy with the performance, reliability and cost-effectiveness of the MicroPower Surveillance Platform and plan to install it across our other two working parking in the very near future”.

Customer Butler University is a liberal arts school situated in a residential area, five miles from downtown Indianapolis, Indiana. The University has an enrollment of approximately 4,500 students and offers over 60 major academic fields of study in six colleges. Butler University’s 300 acre campus includes more than 30 buildings as well as a 20 acre garden, an observatory, and water areas. Challenge All universities today are looking for ways to improve physical security in order to provide a safer, more secure environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors. At Butler University, the administration believed that upgrading their existing video surveillance to a fully digital IP system with high resolution video surveillance cameras would help accomplish this goal. The immediate need was to make improvements to the University’s outdoor coverage, and longer term to increase indoor surveillance. Accomplishing these objectives required the assistance of a knowledgeable system integrator – a partner who was experienced in providing IP megapixel solutions and a firm who could work hand-in-hand with multiple University stakeholders. For this, the University chose KST Security of Indianapolis. Megapixel Solution Butler University started the surveillance improvement project by evaluating various cameras and their capabilities to provide high quality images in an outdoor environment. The conclusion was that Arecont Vision® panoramic megapixel cameras delivered the best image details and, because of their 180° and 360° capability, would be the most cost effective solution. The many additional features standard in the Arecont Vision® megapixel cameras, such as motion detection, true day/night functionality, wide dynamic range, vandal-resistant housings, and remote focus/remote zoom, made the decision even easier. Working with KST, school administrators next set out to develop and implement a deployment plan for the outdoor phase of the upgrade. As the project integrator, KST worked closely with Butler University’s police and IT department personnel to ensure effective camera placements and integration with the existing exacqVision video management system (VMS) software. Megapixel Benefit The decision to implement Arecont Vision® panoramic megapixel cameras provided immediate system improvements for the university. Not only did the cameras provide outstanding picture quality of high traffic areas such as parking lots and student housing areas, but the cameras performed equally as well in the heavily wooded areas where walkways connect the main campus to the school’s athletic facilities. The 180- and 360-degree cameras continuously capture a much wider field of view than other camera choices and the school receives complete coverage with fewer cameras overall. The Arecont Vision® cameras feature H.264 compression technology to dramatically reduce bandwidth over the school’s fiber and copper transmission system. Video is captured at full motion and full resolution without compromising image quality at any point in the process. The open standards-based cameras easily integrate with the exacqVision VMS software. “The improvement in the quality and performance of our video surveillance system with the Arecont Vision® megapixel cameras is incredible,” said Bill Weber, Assistant Chief of Police, Butler University. “The 360 degree views have made a tremendous difference in providing a safer and more secure campus.” Based on the success of the outdoor camera installation, the school also installed Arecont Vision® panoramic megapixel cameras for indoor use. Arecont Vision® megapixel cameras selected by Butler University were the AV12186DN and AV20185DN SurroundVideo® panoramic cameras and the AV12176DN SurroundVideo® Omni IP panoramic camera series.

In summer 2013, The University of Colorado at Boulder, commonly referred to as CU-Boulder, completed its project to install 5,700 SALTO RFID locks, replacing their previous magnetic stripe locks throughout all of the University’s residence halls. SALTO Systems’ use of RFID technology (Mifare, NFC, Desfire EV1), its robust architecture, and its ease of use all combined to make SALTO the clear choice for the future of CU-Boulder’s residence halls. Increased security awareness, aging infrastructure and pressure to cut operating costs are just some of the many reasons why schools, colleges and universities look to find new ways to enhance campus security. Multi-purpose access control system Student housing in particular is often a key area for upgrade. While each campus housing program is tailored to its individual location, many of the tasks it is required to perform are common across the country. These include assigning rooms, distributing keys, retrieving old keys and issuing new ones, and this can be a time consuming task that can involve large numbers of staff and lengthy waits for students. Then, there is the matter of lost keys and their associated costs which only adds to the workload. Add to this, that older systems used a card that was just a standard key. Today that same card is now almost certainly going to be a student ID card as well as a room key, campus key, and be used for managing in-room energy usage, purchasing food, study supplies, bookstore supplies and riding the bus to class. Being required to handle all this, plus providing facility management (remote lock/unlock, scheduling, access rights) requires a more modern approach to security. It needs an increasingly multi-layered approach that can maximize overall security now, while providing flexible future proof technology that will deliver lasting dollar value for the years ahead. An example of such a multi-purpose access control system installation can now be seen at the University of Colorado Boulder, which has just completed installation of some 3,900 SALTO RFID XS4 keypad locks and 1,800 non- keypad locks. Time to upgrade technology CU-Boulder is the flagship of the four-campus University of Colorado System, which also includes the University of Colorado Denver, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and University of Colorado Springs. Situated on one of the most spectacular campuses in the country, it offers approximately 3,600 courses in 150 fields of study in arts and sciences, business, education, engineering, environmental design, journalism, law and music. There are currently 26 residence halls on campus at CU- Boulder. The residence hall room types range from singles to four person rooms and others with apartment style amenities. Along with that, there are some rooms that have more amenities than others, including a full bathroom and/or a kitchen. The majority of the students living in the residence halls are freshmen, but any year student can live on campus. There are several communities of residence halls located throughout the campus and in a separate area called Williams Village, which is connected to the main campus via the local bus transit service. SALTO Systems were selected for its use of RFID technology, robust architecture, and ease of use With this in mind, CU-Boulder’s existing magnetic stripe door access system used in the student residence halls was aging and the university wanted to move their locking systems to newer, more secure RFID card technology. A program was initiated by HDS Information Technology Department to evaluate alternative solutions that could offer them both the higher levels of security that they wanted as well as the encrypted RFID technology that could be leveraged for their transit system and other uses on campus. Challenges Larry Drees, Assistant Director HDS Information Technology at CU-Boulder says, “Having used a mix of magnetic stripe door access systems as well as keypad and PIN enabled locks as a part of our residence room standard for many years; we wanted to upgrade our technology, but still have something that was easy to manage.   “Our residence halls are busy places with high traffic areas, so any replacement locking system would have to be robust. Encrypted RFID technology was an important requirement for us, but we also wanted something that was reliable and easy to install. Also, we wanted our new system to be capable of integration with our Ecopass transit system and our campus Software House's C-Cure 9000 access control system within the next 12-24 months. In addition, we were impressed with the variety of locking hardware options giving us additional levels of security on a case by case basis while still being capable of management within a single system. After many months of reviewing the options currently on the market, we settled on SALTO’s XS4 solution as the locking system that could give us the functionality and technology options we wanted, at a standalone off-line locking system price point. The ability to transfer information to and from the lock via an RFID card is also something we think will be helpful in managing these locks over the long term.” Planning and installation “Ensuring the safety of students and their assets in residence accommodation is always a high priority,” confirms Tim Moreno, Western Region Sales Manager for SALTO Systems. “Looking at the layout of the campus and the position of the various residence halls, we assessed usage and the level of security required and then worked with Larry and his team to design and subsequently install a highly secure and flexible networked access control system to meet all the needs of the university.” The solution chosen was the SALTO XS4 keypad lock which is designed to provide increased levels of security and control for doors where extra security may be required. It offers users a choice of multiple security authentication methods to control access including RFID smart cards (DESFire EV1 smart cards at CU-Boulder), combined use of a PIN (Personal Identification Number) code + smart card or a separate keypad code. The lock can be operated in 3 modes; smart card only, pin code + smart card or keypad code only. With standard smart card mode, the lock is locked at all times until opened with the student’s key card that has access rights to that room. "Controlling access and securing our residence buildings is crucial. We now have 26 residence halls and 3 administrative support buildings using SALTO locks", says Larry Drees, Assistant Director HDS Information Technology at CU-Boulder When using pin code + card mode, each student has their own personal code. Typically, this is used where extra security and dual authentication (presenting both a card and typing in the pin code) are needed, and students can have up to an 8-digit pin code. In keypad code only mode, the lock itself has an access code that is used for student authentication. Every student that goes through that door knows the keypad code. When two students share the same residence room, they are the only ones that know the keypad code of that room, and again, students can have up to an 8-digit keypad code. “The university also plans to install the SALTO solution into the lobbies controlling the private secure areas of the halls,” Moreno says, “and from a management point of view the XS4 keypad locks can handle up to 64,000 doors and 4,000,000 users on a single system, with each individual lock recording the last 1,000 audit trail events at that door in its memory.” Benefits Larry Drees summarizes, “Controlling access and securing our residence buildings is crucial. We now have 26 residence halls and 3 administrative support buildings using SALTO locks. At this point, we are keeping our system setup pretty simple. Most doors are student rooms which are locked 24/7, and we do not use the calendar features of the system to any great extent at this time. We also plan to work with SALTO to improve the user interface so we can restrict functionality at a more granular level. Now that the system has been implemented, we’re pretty satisfied with the quality and efficiency of the product. Besides helping us move closer to the university’s vision for utilizing RFID technology, the new system also leverages this technology while helping us meet our goal to provide a safe and secure environment for our students.”

Customer: George Mason University is one of Virginia's fastest growing higher education institutions with four campuses and 35,000 students. Located in the heart of Northern Virginia's technology corridor near Washington, D.C., George Mason University offers strong undergraduate and graduate degree programs in engineering, information technology, biotechnology and health care. The George Mason University School of Law has been recognized by U.S. News and World Report as one of the top 40 law schools in the United States. Challenge: The previous video system at George Mason University suffered from poor video quality and a lack of standardization. The legacy system could not provide the needed levels of video surveillance, either related to the area being viewed or the quality of images needed to identify events and/or individuals. A new construction project included the required funds for an initial investment in an IP-based surveillance system. The University needed a system that could provide better video quality to capture facial recognition and to offer a wider range of options. Megapixel Solution: A need for better image quality led George Mason University directly to IP-based megapixel camera technology. The University evaluated several well-known camera suppliers before deciding on Arecont Vision, which leads competitors related to processing power, breadth of the product line, and use of H.264 compression technology to minimize bandwidth and storage needs. "We have installed almost every variety of megapixel camera made by Arecont Vision, from the 1.3 megapixel MegaDome® to the 8 megapixel 360-degree SurroundVideo® panoramic camera," said James L. McCarthy Jr., Director of Physical Security, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia. The capabilities of various cameras are matched to the areas they need to cover. Cameras have been installed in athletic facilities, including an Olympic-sized pool; in academic buildings; and in parking garages, according to Brian Piccolo, Senior Account Executive, S3 Integration, Baltimore, Maryland. The system was designed jointly by George Mason University and S3 Integration. Future installations will include the University's residence halls. Two panoramic 360-degree cameras are positioned over a broad plaza area to enable surveillance of activity on the plaza while also covering doors leading into an adjacent building. Each camera's 8 megapixel images (from four 2 megapixel sensors) provide 360-degree coverage from inside a 6-inch dome. The camera is used to view large areas while capturing megapixel detail. Each camera provides up to 6400 x 1200-pixel images at 5.5 frames per second (fps), or can be set for lower resolutions at higher frame speeds, such as 1600x1200-pixel images at 22 fps. The cameras use Arecont Vision's MegaVideo® image processing at billions of operations per second. The cameras also provide image cropping and up to four regions of interest. Several 180-degree cameras cover the pools and gym floors in George Mason's athletic facilities. The 8 megapixel, 180-degree panoramic camera also incorporates four 2 megapixel CMOS image sensors to provide 6400 x 1200-pixel panoramic images at 5.5 fps. Covering long and narrow runs (such as hallways and drives) are 3 and 5 megapixel cameras from Arecont Vision. Arecont Vision's 5 megapixel camera uses a 1/2-in. CMOS sensor to provide 2,592 x 1,944-pixel images at 9 frames-per-second. Light sensitivity is 0.3 lux at F1.4. The camera can output multiple image formats, allowing the simultaneous viewing of the full-resolution field-of-view and regions of interest for high-definition forensic zooming. Arecont Vision's 3 megapixel camera provides 2048 x 1536-pixel images at 15 frames per second. Light sensitivity is 0.2 lux at F1.4. The images from Arecont Vision's IP megapixel cameras are fed to a local ExacqVision network video recorder, which is monitored by a Central Security Operations Centre The images from Arecont Vision's IP megapixel cameras are fed to a local ExacqVision network video recorder, which is monitored by a Central Security Operations Center. Signals from some of the cameras are also fed to a central server that have been downloaded with Exacq software. All video data is transmitted over a secured, firewalled, standalone security network within the George Mason University intranet system. The majority of the Arecont Vision cameras are placed in areas where there is sufficient light at all times. Parking garages are currently monitored with Arecont Vision day/night cameras, which use a motorized infrared (IR) cut filter. These cameras can monitor license plate numbers and increase the productivity of garage personnel by monitoring daily tasks like: credit card transactions, remotely. Now, any George Mason University department that wants to add video surveillance can call on S3 Integration to upgrade and expand the system using funds provided through departmental budgets. Megapixel Benefits: "Advantages of Arecont Vision cameras over competitive products include performance, versatility, price and ease-of-use," said Mr. Piccolo. The end-user customer especially likes the ease-of-use and the sharp pictures available from the various Arecont Vision models. "The price point was better and [the cameras] helped eliminate some costs," said Mr. Piccolo. "We now have better forensic capabilities and more flexibility in the recovery of data," added Mr. McCarthy. The main attribute of the Arecont Vision camera line is the ability to install fewer cameras while capturing video from a larger area. Fixed megapixel cameras providing virtual pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) within captured images translates into fewer moving parts than traditional PTZ systems, which reduces overall maintenance cost and the potential for system failure. The picture quality and digital zoom capabilities of Arecont Vision cameras far exceed analog technology and allow George Mason University to retrieve usable video. Combined with recent cost reductions in NVR storage and network switches, the use of fewer cameras allows George Mason University to transition to higher-quality video at a minimum increase in cost. Megapixel imaging represents a significant upgrade in system functionality compared to standard-resolution cameras. In addition to lower bandwidth and storage requirements, using fewer megapixel cameras to cover larger areas can dramatically decrease costs related to other elements of a system, such as fewer software licenses, fewer lenses, and a decrease in man-hours needed to install the system.

The Muhammad Ali Center is a cultural attraction / international education center inspired by the ideals of its visionary founder, Muhammad Ali. Featuring two-and-a-half levels of interactive exhibits and captivating multimedia presentations, the Ali Center carries on Ali's legacy and inspires the exploration of the greatness within ourselves. It includes a five-screen orientation theater, timeline of Ali's life, historical Civil Rights era and fight footage, exhibit galleries, and hands-on boxing fun. It also includes an Ali Center retail store and lunch café. The Ali Center has over 30 cameras protecting the museum and its 3-level underground parking garage. The existing surveillance system transmitted analog video 800 to 1200 ft over traditional coax cable to the control room. To improve image resolution and flexibility, the museum decided to upgrade to a new IP-based system. The project was not as straightforward as initially thought. Budgets had to be met and facility disruptions kept to a minimum. To perform the upgrade the Ali Center turned to Tyco Integrated Security. After a careful site plan review, Tyco Integrated Security recommended the NVT Ethernet over Coax (EoC) solution based on past successes at other customer sites because: Re-deployed coax eliminates the expense for pulling out old cable and the installation of new network wiring; There would be zero facility disruption; Power-over-Ethernet signals are easily delivered at extended distances without the need for mid-span repeaters or IDF wiring closets. Successful deployment experiences at other Tyco customers’ sites. In selecting the NVT Ethernet over Coax solution, the Ali Center was able to install a cost-effective state of the art surveillance upgrade, using existing cable at extended distances with no disruption to visitor enjoyment of the facility.