Healthcare security applications

Dahua Technology, with its award winning deep learning algorithms, proudly releases WizMind – a portfolio of solutions composed of project-oriented products including IPC, NVR, PTZ, XVR, thermal and software platforms, delivering precise, reliable and comprehensive AI solutions to verticals including government, retail, energy, finance and transportation. WizMind's human-oriented solutions Powered by AI and deep learning algorithms, WizMind provides comprehensive human-oriented solutions including facial recognition, privacy protection, human video metadata, people counting and stereo analysis, enabling rapid and precise reaction. In addition, it provides more precise and effective AI search to locate targets, generating various human data for business analysis. According to IHS, the total market value of professional video surveillance equipment will grow to $27.2 million by 2023 To protect portrait data, WizMind provides outstanding privacy protection. Based on deep learning algorithms, WizMind supports real-time mosaic masking of the human face or body detected in the monitoring area, which is needed in courtroom scenarios and may be valuable to retailers which can optimize their business through intelligent analysis of customer flow, recorded without violating privacy or GDPR. WizMind based on vehicles WizMind boasts multiple vehicle-based AI solutions, such as ANPR and vehicle metadata, illegal parking which provide more attributes of vehicles for easy control, quick search and business analysis. It is widely used in urban areas, residential community entrances, parking lots and toll stations. By extracting and comparing plate numbers with databases, ANPR helps managers of parking lots and city roads improve vehicle management efficiency with functions like Blacklist Alarm and VIP Recognition. ANPR also supports vehicle tracking, which helps police efficiently locate vehicles according to the crosschecking result. ANPR is able to recognize plate numbers in over 58 countries. WizMind with thermal technology WizMind combines deep learning algorithms with thermal imaging technology to help users achieve ultra-long-distance monitoring in harsh environments, non-contact temperature monitoring and early fire prevention. The Dahua WizMind series is compatible with mainstream third party technology partners With an accuracy of 0.3 degrees Celcius and a speed that monitors three people per second, Dahua’s High Accuracy Body Temperature Monitoring Solution has been widely and successfully applied within transportation hubs, financial institutions, commercial complexes, schools and other places all over the world, joining the global efforts in pandemic prevention and control. WizMind Ecosystem Initiating openness and collaboration, the Dahua WizMind series is compatible with mainstream third party technology partners, such as Milestone, AxxonSoft, ISS and others. Furthermore, WizMind Ecosystem provides the DHOP and sufficient API for our technology partners, enabling them to combine real AI joint solutions to our common customers, and a series of marketing activities will be engaged with our ecosystem partners. Dahua WizMind, a high-end AI series, aims to serve demanding scenarios in many vertical industries. With the mission of “enabling a safer society and smarter living”, Dahua Technology will continue to focus on “innovation, quality and service” to serve its partners and customers around the world.

Due to the escalating coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), Messe Frankfurt New Era Business Media Ltd and ABEC Exhibitions and Conferences P Ltd, have decided that Secutech India will not take place in 2020. The decision is the result of travel restrictions and strict social distancing guidelines currently in place across India, and a lack of availability at the fair’s venue – the Bombay Exhibition Centre – during an appropriate time later this year. The fair will take place at the same location in Mumbai in May 2021. Stemming the spread of COVID-19 The Indian Government has taken extensive measures to stem the spread of COVID-19. Beginning from March 25, a 21-day nationwide lockdown was announced, effective until April 14. This has since been extended for another 19 days, effective until May 3. Strict social distancing regulations have been imposed, and all incoming and outgoing international and domestic flights have been suspended. With uncertainty and tight travel restrictions in place not only in India, but around the globe, pre-fair planning and preparations for Secutech India, originally scheduled from May 7 – 9, 2020, were severely hindered for the fair’s exhibitors and visitors. The decision to defer to 2021 Commenting on the cancellation, Ms Regina Tsai, General Manager of Messe Frankfurt New Era Business Media Ltd, said: “The evolving situation, including local and international travel restrictions as well as constantly changing public health guidelines made it impossible for the fair to be held as scheduled. Despite our best efforts, we have been unable to find a new available time slot at the fair’s venue to adequately serve the interests of our exhibitors in 2020. Because of this, we have taken the difficult decision to defer the fair until 2021.” Mr Manish Gandhi, COO, ABEC Exhibitions & Conferences P Ltd, further commented: “As members of an industry that prioritises safety and security, we are confident that the industry is in full support of our decision. We remain committed to supporting the business of our stakeholders wherever possible, and we look forward to welcoming the full fraternity for another productive few days of trade in 2021."

Motorola Solutions has agreed to acquire IndigoVision, a U.K.-based provider of end-to-end video security solutions. The boards of Motorola Solutions, its holding company and IndigoVision have reached an agreement on the terms of a recommended cash acquisition for approximately $37.2 million, representing a premium of approximately 116 percent based on the average share price over the most recent 12-month period. The acquisition will be funded by existing cash resources of Motorola Solutions and become final in May 2020. Motorola Solutions has a strong presence in the large and expanding area of video security since acquiring Avigilon in March 2018. Their product offerings include high-definition cameras, advanced video analytics, network video management hardware and software and access control solutions. IndigoVision is a developer of complete, end-to-end video security solutions from cameras to video recorders to body worn cameras to security management software. Motorola Solutions says the IndigoVision range of products, global presence and customer base are "highly complementary" to Motorola Solutions' existing presence in video security. Among the benefits is enhanced geographical reach across a wider customer base. "The access we will now have to Motorola Solutions' range of innovative technologies will create new opportunities for IndigoVision and enable us to bring an exciting proposition to the market that allows us to further deliver on our goal of delivering safety, security and business intelligence," says Pedro Vasco Simoes, Chief Executive Officer of IndigoVision. "We share IndigoVision's commitment to providing next-generation, end-to-end video security solutions that enhance safety, security and efficiency," says John Kedzierski, Senior Vice President, Video Security Solutions, Motorola Solutions.

With just days left until the planned industry trade show, Reed Exhibitions has canceled ISC West over concerns about the COVID-19 coronavirus. Here is the statement on the decision: 'We at ISC West want to express our concern for everyone impacted by the COVID-19 coronavirus. Based on our close monitoring of ongoing developments with the virus, recent reports from public health officials and extensive consultation with our partners in the global security community, ISC West, scheduled to be held March 17-20, will now occur in July at the Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas. We take pride in offering vital business opportunities to our customers, including networking, education and access to new products and technologies, and commit ourselves to making July’s ISC West 2020 event live up to high standards. Over the coming weeks, along with ISC West’s Premier Sponsor SIA - we will continue to serve the industry, creating ways to connect, collaborate and keep our world moving during this difficult period.'

With growing concerns over the COVID-19 coronavirus, Motorola Solutions and its Avigilon brand have released a statement on their decision to pull out of this year's ISC West. The trade show, one of the biggest in the security industry, hosts over 30,000 security professionals and over 1000 exhibitors each year.  The company states: "After careful consideration, we have withdrawn from this year’s ISC West trade show due to the widespread impact of the coronavirus." Official sources of updates "While ISC West is one important opportunity to demonstrate the power of Motorola Solutions' video security and analytics portfolio, the safety and well-being of our employees, customers and partners is our top priority. We are grateful to the ISC West organizers for their understanding and look forward to attending and supporting future ISC West events." ISC West will occur as scheduled March 17th through 20th, 2020, says Reed Exhibitions, despite the concerns. A statement from the show organizers is as follows: "While we regret that some companies have made the decision not to take part in ISC West 2020, we are focused on making ISC West 2020 a successful, safe, and enjoyable event for all attendees and exhibitors."

ISC West will occur as scheduled March 17th through 20th, 2020, says Reed Exhibitions. Following is a statement from show organizers: We take pride in offering vital business opportunities to our customers, including networking, education and access to new products and technologies and are working diligently to ensure ISC West 2020 and our other events live up to our high standards. While we regret that some companies have made the decision not to take part in ISC West 2020, we are focused on making ISC West 2020 a successful, safe, and enjoyable event for all attendees and exhibitors. Close Monitoring Over the last few weeks, Reed Exhibitions and our partners in ISC West have been closely monitoring the COVID-19 virus and its impact on members of the global security community. We are collaborating closely with the Sands Expo Center and local public health authorities and following local, state and federal public health guidelines, including those issued by the CDC. We have additional precautionary measures in place, including enhanced cleaning and sanitization across all public areas and customer touchpoints in the show and we are constantly reviewing our health protection activities, public health messaging, hygiene and medical control measures with the aim of strengthening our COVID-19 response further in line with up to date public health advice and guidance, including that of the CDC. Health and Safety We will continue to provide updates on our website as we get closer to ISC West. The health and safety of our team members and guests is our utmost priority. Our policies and best practices are in close collaboration with our venue partner, Sands Expo Center. The Sands Emergency Management Team works closely with local officials and are taking appropriate steps to protect team members and guests as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD). Sands is prepared to follow any additional protocols or guidance, as they are made available by the CDC or SNHD.

As businesses, schools, hospitals and sporting venues look to safely reopen in a COVID-19 world, thermal imaging systems will play a critical role in helping to detect and distinguish skin temperature variations in people. Thermal surveillance, a mainstay of traditional physical security and outdoor perimeter detection, is now being deployed to quickly scan employees, contractors and visitors as part of a first line of defense to detect COVID-19 symptoms. In the coming weeks and months, the security industry will look to implement thermal camera solutions for customers, yet many questions remain as to the differences between different system types and how to properly install thermal imaging cameras. In this Q&A, Jason Ouellette, Head of Technology Business Development for Johnson Controls, answers several of these questions. Q: What are some of the different thermal imaging solutions available in the market to detect an elevated temperature in a person? For the general market, there are three types of these thermographic screenings. There is the handheld device, which is typically lower cost, very portable, and very easy to use. Typically, this is a point and shoot type of device, but it requires you to be three feet or less from the person that you're screening, which, in today's world, means the user needs to wear protective personal equipment. For the general market, there are three types of these thermographic screenings The second type of solution would best be described as a thermal camera and kiosk. The advantage of this system over a handheld device is this can be self-service. An individual would go up to and engage with the kiosk on their own. But many of these kiosk type solutions have some integration capability, so they can provide some type of output, for either turnstiles, or physical access control, but not video management systems (VMS). Some of the downside of this type of system is that it’s less accurate than a thermographic solution because it does not have a blackbody temperature calibration device and the readings are influenced by the surrounding ambient temperature, called thermal drift. So instead of being able to achieve a ±0.3ºC accuracy rating, this system probably provides closer to ±0.5ºC at best. Some of these devices may be classed as a clinical thermometer with a higher degree of one time accuracy, but do not offer the speed and endurance of the thermographic solution for adjunctive use. And then there are thermal imaging camera systems with a blackbody temperature calibration device. These types of systems include a dual sensor camera, that has a visual sensor and a thermal sensor built right into the camera, along with a separate blackbody device. This provides the highest degree of ongoing accuracy, because of the blackbody and its ability to provide continuous calibration. These systems can provide much more flexibility and can offer integrations with multiple VMS platforms and access control devices. Q: When installing a thermal imaging camera system what is the most important element to consider? Camera placement is critical to ensure the system works as expected, however the placement of the blackbody device which verifies the correct calibration is in place is equally as important. If the customer wants to follow FDA medical device recommendations for camera placement, both the height of the camera and the blackbody as well as the distance between these devices should comply with the product installation instructions. This takes into account the device focal range and calibration parameters in addressing the distance from the person undergoing the scan. Also, integrators should minimize camera detection angles to ensure optimal accuracy and install cameras parallel with the face as much as possible, and again in compliance with installation instructions. Integrators should minimize camera detection angles to ensure optimal accuracy The blackbody should be placed outside of the area where people could block the device and located more towards the edges of the field-of-view of the camera. You need to keep in mind the minimum resolution for effective thermographic readings which is 320 by 240 pixels as defined by the standards. To achieve this, you would need to follow medical electrical equipment performance standards driven by IEC 80601-2-59:2017 for human temperature scanning and FDA guidelines. Within that measurement, the face needs to fill 240 x 180 pixels of the thermal sensor resolution, which is close to or just over 50 percent of the sensor’s viewing area typically, meaning a single person scanned at a time in compliance with the standards for accuracy.  Along with height and distance placement considerations, the actual placement in terms of the location of the system is key. For example, an expansive glass entryway may impact accuracy due to sunlight exposure. Installations should be focused on ensuring that they are away from airflow, heating and cooling sources, located approximately 16 feet from entry ways and in as consistent of an ambient temperature as possible between 50°F and 95°F. Q: Once a thermal imaging camera system is installed, how do you monitor the device? There are several choices for system monitoring, depending on whether the solution is used as standalone or integrated with other technologies, such as intrusion detection, access control or video systems. For standalone systems, the ability to receive system alerts is typically configured through the camera’s webpage interface, and the cameras include abilities such as the live web page, LED display for alerting, audio alerts and physical relay outputs. When done right, these features will all follow cybersecurity best practices which is important for any network solution today, including changing default passwords and establishing authentication methods. The ability to receive system alerts is typically configured through the camera’s webpage interface These types of thermal cameras can also integrate with turnstile systems, VMS platforms and access control systems. This is typically done through the integration of a relay output, activated by a triggered temperature anomaly event on a thermal imaging camera which can then be used for activities such as locking a turnstile, or through access control and video systems to send an email or provide an automated contagion report for contact tracing. These capabilities and integrations extend the monitoring capability above that of the standalone solution. The camera can be configured to monitor a specific range of low and high alerts. Users can determine the actions that should be taken when that alert exceeds the preset low or high threshold. These actions include things like a bright and easy-to-see LED can provide visual notification through pulsing and flashing lights as an example. Q: What about system maintenance? Does a thermal imaging camera require regular service in order to operate accurately? First it’s important to make sure the system is calibrated. This can be done after the unit stabilises for at least 30 minutes to establish the initial reference temperature source known as the blackbody. Calibrations conducted before this warm up and stability time period can throw off accuracy. Also, as part of your system maintenance schedule you will want to perform a calibration check of the blackbody device every 12 months, along with following recommendations of the FDA and IEC. If you install the solution and don’t perform maintenance and the blackbody calibration certificate expires, over time there’s a risk that the device will experience drift and a less accurate reading will result. There’s a risk that the device will experience drift and a less accurate reading will result Q: What final pieces of advice do you have for either an integrator who plans to install a thermal imaging camera system or an end user who plans to invest in this solution? Before you buy a thermal imaging camera check to see if the manufacturer ships the camera with a calibration certificate. Also, become familiar with FDA’s guidance released in April 2020, Enforcement Policy for Telethermographic Systems During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Public Health Emergency. This document places thermal/fever products for adjunctive use under the category of a Class I medical devices and subject to its regulatory control. Driven by these regulations and categorisation, users need to understand specifically what is required to meet the required level of accuracy for successful detection. While thermal imaging camera systems are more complex than traditional surveillance cameras, they can prove to be a valuable resource when set up, configured and maintained properly.

We all know that having CCTV around your home can help to protect you and your family. Without CCTV, you could end up in danger and an intruder could get away with breaking into your house, hurting your loved ones and stealing your possessions. Similarly, without CCTV in the office, you’ll be leaving yourself open to all kinds of damage and could lose a lot of equipment in the process. In short, making sure you have CCTV is important for both home and business security. However, it can be improved to become a more effective system so that you’re better protected, and can even deter a potential intruder without having to panic. In our world of ever-changing technology, we’re able to upgrade and enhance our CCTV systems so they can become a monitored system. Remote CCTV monitoring is an ideal way to protect everyone and everything whether you’re at home or at a workplace. What is remote CCTV monitoring? For a long time, CCTV was one of the best ways to keep your home, the office and people safe. But people started to notice that it would only deter people so much of the time and often the cameras were ignored by intruders. They would just cover their faces and hope for the best as they steal from a home, office or any other premises. Remote CCTV monitoring is a system that can loop into your existing CCTV, or come preinstalled with a new system. This technology sends a feed to a control room full of trained operators that are on call 24/7. Within this control room, operators are able to respond to any sort of distress call or unauthorised movement on the property line.  How does it work? Remote CCTV monitoring works by attaching to a live feed of your CCTV system, existing or new, so that the signal and images can be passed to a team of operators. These operators are on hand 24/7 so that if there is a problem, you know that you're safe in the hands of a specialist team. The specialist team has been trained to mitigate the chances of somebody breaking into your home when the system is triggered; similarly they call the local authorities instantly so that the potential intruder has less time to flee the scene. This is especially important if an intruder is already inside your property because they have less time to steal your items and leave. Without CCTV in the office, you’ll be leaving yourself open to all kinds of damage and could lose a lot of equipment in the process One of the biggest questions that revolve around remote CCTV monitoring is the idea of operators watching the CCTV at all times. Luckily most remote CCTV monitoring systems will incorporate a motion detection system to accompany your CCTV. Motion detection offers the ability to alert a control room if there is an unauthorised entry to the property line. These motion detection systems are state-of-the-art and so, depending on the system that you choose, they can watch over your property from a number of angles. Once the motion detection system has been triggered and the alert has been sent to the control room, then and only then will the operators get involved. This means that until the motion detection system has been triggered, nobody will watch your live CCTV feed. After one of the systems has been triggered, one of the specialist operators will instantly jump into action. This means that they can take different measures to deter any potential intruder and make sure that they do everything in their power to stop any damage or theft from the premises. In addition to the motion detection system and CCTV, you are able to opt for a public address (PA) system too. This means that an operator is able to shout commands through the PA system and potentially scare away any intruder. The intruder will also be warned about the fact that local authorities have already been called to the location.  Remote monitoring versus traditional CCTV Motion detection offers the ability to alert a control room if there is an unauthorised entry to the property line Having a monitored CCTV system means that you're able to better protect yourself, your business, employees and even your loved ones. Whether you're at home or in the office, having someone looking over your shoulder protecting your every move is something that can be appreciated by everybody. The biggest problem with just having traditional CCTV, is that it is a reactive system. This means that rather than stopping crime, a CCTV system just records it. While the thought is that having a CCTV camera visible can deter some intruders, there's no real evidence to suggest that it stops anybody; anyone can simply cover their face and carry on breaking into your home, office or even your car. As mentioned, remote CCTV monitoring is going to tackle that problem and make sure that someone is on hand to protect you at all times.

With the pandemic still in full swing and no certainty as to when exactly it will come to an end, the world has been battling anxiety for months now. And with each day, circumstances change quickly and almost make it impossible to predict what will happen next, how events will unfold, and what actions to take in light of a new situation. But one thing is certain: the world has been shut down and paralyzed for way too long, and the eventual reopening is unavoidable – in fact, it’s well under way. In this situation, what is possible to control is how the world will continue reopening – and specifically, how to ensure the safest possible reopening that will ensure the return of some degree of normalcy to people’s lives and business operations, while also managing the risk of COVID’s spread in the most efficient way. Our highly digitised, technologically advanced world This is when the power of technology comes to rescue the day: what truly sets the global crisis we face today apart from other calamities that humanity has encountered over year is the fact that it has developed in a highly digitised, technologically advanced world where each day brings about innovations with a sole purpose to make daily life and operations easier and more streamlined. And among these, the star of the past decade has been artificial intelligence. The world has been shut down and paralyzed for way too long, and the eventual reopening is unavoidable – in fact, it’s well under way While AI has many avenues of introducing efficiency and fast problem-solving, there is one specific application that will further fuel the reopening of the world and successfully keep the spread of the virus abate. This “collaborative security” application includes a synthesis of smart video analytics, facial recognition, object identification/detection, and thermal cameras that can support the reopening of businesses globally when installed within those facilities frequented by customers. With such a level of sophistication that can ensure uninterrupted monitoring and analysis of large public spaces, these AI technologies can ideally operate best as cloud solutions to ensure a collaborative network with maximum scalability and widespread implementation. As these technologies increase in ubiquity and find their way into daily operations of businesses globally, the cost of the smart solutions will decrease proportionally to the growth of their reach. There are some highly specific ways to create this collaborative network of interconnected safety tools in the current climate. Here are some applications that have been successful to date and will increase in usability in the foreseeable future, creating “smart cities” working together towards a safer, more secure world. Maintaining social distancing practices The most important step everyone around the world has taken to contribute to the effort of slowing the spread of the virus has been social distancing. A six-foot-distance has become a new social norm that has quickly been adopted globally and become a habit to people who are naturally used to being close to others and socialising without giving distance a second thought. The star of the past decade has been artificial intelligence So, it is natural that such distancing measures take time to get accustomed to – and it is also natural that individuals may forget about them from time to time. To help maintain the six-foot distance between people at all times and give them slight nudges to keep the rule top of their minds, AI video technology can be trained to estimate the distance between individuals in public and commercial areas and identify the cases in which people get too close to each other. By notifying local merchants or authorities about such cases, the system can help ensure the safety of everyone in the area at all times while positively reinforcing the public to gradually get more accustomed to maintaining the distance and thus helping stop the spread of the virus. Detecting the virus through facial recognition Perhaps the straightforward application of such high-level technology is using video surveillance to identify persons of interest who have tested positive for the virus. Modern AI has the ability to identify facial features and characteristics with a unique level of granularity, making it possible to identify individuals whose records show they have antibodies from those who can be potential carriers of the virus. After the initial differentiation and identification, the system can then notify the employers and employees of the facility about the results of the conducted analysis and the pursuant results, allowing them to be more vigilant and take action where necessary to ensure a safe experience for everyone. PPE reinforcement Wearing a mask or some sort of face coverage in public spaces and especially within facilities (such as stores, for instance) has been - and will continue to be - a requirement for maintaining a safe and healthy environment for people to continue with their day-to-day lives and businesses to resume regular operations. To this extent, the object detection and identification abilities of smart cameras can further reinforce this requirement and ensure that the absence of protective equipment doesn’t go unnoticed.  Essentially, these cameras can easily identify if an individual has coverage at any given point of time or not, notifying the local authorities about any risks immediately and helping them maintain necessary safety measures without having to interrupt their workflow or worry about missing a visitor without a mask. Detecting high temperature One of the key (and the most widespread) symptoms of COVID-19 is a high fever - a certain indicator of whether an individual may have been infected with the virus or not. While identifying fever with a regular human eye is nearly impossible, AI can do so at a fraction of time by quickly scanning body temperatures of any incoming individuals and determine whether it’s above CDC’s recommended temperature of 100.4F in order to determine the risk factor and notify the local authorities to take action. Modern AI has the ability to identify facial features and characteristics with a unique level of granularity This technology is a good tactic to objectively assess potential risks that come with elevated temperatures - and sometimes, the people themselves might not realize they might (unconsciously) be carriers of the virus and thus endanger the safety of others in their vicinity. The technology is yet another step towards ensuring a safer reopening of the global economy and a more streamlined way of getting back on track while minimizing the risk of spreading the virus further. It’s not all about the theory  We have tested the described approaches in our own R&D campus in Europe. The latest release of the IREX cloud enables remote fever detection and monitoring of social isolation and mask policies with AI. We have integrated thermal cameras to detect people with elevated temperature and CCTV cameras for identification and notifying those who potentially ill. In case of any health threat, the venue manager gets an instant message with a picture and exact location. These preventive steps helped our employees return to the office months earlier than it's happening in other countries. Moreover, personnel coming back to the office by their own wish as now they feel a virus-free environment in the campus - even safer than in their own homes. Now we are launching a pilot project for a well-known pharmacy chain in Florida, USA. With the help of a Computer Vision platform, staff will be able to divide customer traffic into those with normal body temperature and those who come in with elevated temperatures, as well as effectively monitor social distance norms. The goal of our potential client is to maximize the safety of customers in the post-pandemic period. Also, IREX is already deployed across hundreds of locations in the UK and will add health monitoring capability soon.

The general public doesn’t give much thought to the important role of security officers in creating and promoting safer environments. The low-profile work of security officers is vital to protecting people, places and property. During the pandemic, newer aspects to that role have emerged. Security personnel have been called on to perform diverse tasks such as managing queues at the supermarket, safeguarding testing centers and hospitals, ensuring food deliveries, and supporting police patrols. The British Security Industry Association (BSIA) and two other organizations in the United Kingdom are joining forces to raise awareness of the work of security officers and to recognize the vital importance of the duties they perform. BSIA, a trade association, includes members who are responsible for 70% of privately provided UK security products and services, including security guarding, consultancy services, and distribution and installation of electronic and physical security equipment. BSIA, the Security Institute and the Security Commonwealth Joining BSIA in the awareness campaign are the Security Institute, a professional security membership body; and the Security Commonwealth, which is comprised of 40 organizations from across the security landscape with common objectives to build professionalism, raise standards and share best practices. “The recognition of security officers as key workers is the start of a re-appraisal of what service they provide to the community in keeping the public safe and secure,” says Mike Reddington, BSIA Chief Executive. “As we exit lockdown and have to navigate public spaces again, [security officers] will have a crucial role in supporting public confidence. We are working closely with the Police and all other public bodies to find the best way to achieve this.” Security officers acknowledged as key workers The campaign will showcase security professionals as a respected, valued, professional service provider and a key worker that is acknowledged and embedded in daily lives. The British Security Industry Association (BSIA) and two other organizations in the United Kingdom are joining forces to raise awareness of the work of security officers “Great effort has been invested in the professional standards and capabilities of frontline [security] officers, and they have proven their worth during the coronavirus crisis in the UK,” says Rick Mounfield, Chief Executive, the Security Institute. “They, along with the wider security sector, deserve to be recognized, respected and appreciated for the safety and security they provide across the United Kingdom.” “[We are working to] build professionalism, raise standards and share best practices, and I hope this campaign can make more people recognize the changes we have all made and continue to make,” says Guy Matthias, Chairman of the Security Commonwealth (SyCom). The industry will be reaching out to companies, professionals, and organizations in the sector to participate in the campaign. The hope is that, over the coming weeks as lockdown is eased, the industry can play its part to ensure that the country emerges with confidence to start to recover and build for the future. Private security more important than ever The campaign will showcase security professionals as a respected, valued, professional service provider Across the pond in the United States, law enforcement professionals are facing a crisis of confidence during a time of civil unrest as protestors call to “defund the police” and to otherwise undermine and/or recast law enforcement’s role in preserving the peace and ensuring public safety. If an upshot is that public policing is starved of resources, the role of private security to supplement their mission is likely to increase. In short, the role of private security is more important than ever on both sides of the Atlantic. Public recognition of that role is welcome, obviously. In any case, the importance of their role protecting people, places and property has never been greater.

Trends in the alarm industry point to a need for a software system that accommodates business patterns such as recurring monthly revenue (RMR). Workhorse Service Company provides a software that combines customer relationship management (CRM), enterprise resource planning (ERP) and field service management (FSM) into a “cradle-to-grave” system designed specifically for the alarm industry. “Making an alarm sale is different than making a CCTV sale, and the processes for the salesperson, technician and customer service rep are different,” says Steven Hayes, founder of Workhorse Service Company. He says WorkHorse is built on modern programming languages, is responsive, and provides a pleasant user experience regardless of the device being used. Client experience “Before coming on WorkHorse, our clients have needed to use multiple softwares such as bookkeeping, quoting, central station software, email, spreadsheets, and more,” says Hayes. “This would cause issues with continuity between softwares. Mistakes are made, appointments are missed, and customers leave.” When building WorkHorse, Hayes and his team interviewed dozens of companies to find out what they were missing and what their pain points were. “There are other CRM and FSM softwares on the market, but the ones that are made for our industry are generally designed for dealer programs and selling contracts,” he says. “Others are designed to bill your RMR and have basic service call functionality.” Alarm companies know that they need RMR to survive, and WorkHorse seeks to make it easy. WorkHorse allows companies to have multiple subscriptions inside a single deal. Single point of data entry WorkHorse ensures a single point of data entry for alarm companies Merchant services come with Auto Updater. If a credit card expires or even if it is canceled, the service will reach out to the issuing bank and get the new number or token necessary to bill customers. This means less time with past due bills and calling on customers to get an updated form of payment. With two-way sync integration into central stations, WorkHorse ensures a single point of data entry for alarm companies. Information used at the time of the sale to create accounts is then pushed right from the tech portal to the central station. Employees can Create, Place Online/Offline, on test, and terminate accounts through the use of WorkHorse. The Workhorse call center, ProConnect.io, will answer phone calls and provide a Tier 1 Tech Support line for clients as a well as a concierge service. Operators will trouble-shoot alarm issues or create a service ticket if they cannot help them (subscriptions to both ProConnect and WorkHorse are needed). Operators will also try and collect money that is past due while assisting clients. Misconceptions in the industry Over the next year the prevailing trends will likely be a large swing from dealer programs to the traditional alarm company, says Hayes. This will make software like WorkHorse incredibly important as companies move from a funding program to managing their in-house sales, RMR, service, and customer retention, he adds. There is a misconception is that an owner/operator can purchase a bookkeeping software and run their alarm company efficiently and effectively. Another misconception is that someone can just turn on a software and know how to use it without any help or guidance, that “playing around” with it at night will be enough to make them proficient users. The software used to run a business should be a top priority. The software used to run a business should be a top priority The WorkHorse team is looking to expand verticals into other environments in the future. WorkHorse is built in a way that could easily expand verticals by making changes to the deal and service call modules. “In mid-2020 we plan on starting Pool Cleaning and Pest Control followed by HVAC, Plumbing, Electricians, and more,” says Hayes. WorkHorse has all in-house developers located in South West Florida. The team is continuously working to create additional features and integrations in order to bring the best user experience to clients and their customers.

Governments around the world use facial recognition for applications such as identifying persons on public video feeds. The technology is also used by police for internal databases and as a component of ID verification for elections and/or airport security. In fact, the use of facial recognition technology is increasing globally. Surfshark, provider of virtual private networks (VPNs), collated the latest data on face surveillance around the world and distilled it into a map that shows which countries currently use facial recognition, which have approved it but have not yet implemented its use, countries that are considering the technology, and countries that have banned it. Only one country, Palestine – where the government of Israel is using facial recognition technology to monitor Palestinians in the West Bank – did not fit these categories. Facial recognition for surveillance purposes There are 109 countries today that are either using or have approved the use of facial recognition technology for surveillance purposes. The use of facial recognition technology is increasing globally Surfshark’s main data sources for this project were the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Electronic Frontier Foundation and AlgorithmWatch. Some 26% of Americans believe the government should restrict the use of facial recognition technology. In 2019, San Francisco became the first U.S. city to ban the police use of facial recognition. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security expects to conduct facial recognition scans on 97% of all air travellers by 2023. More than 50% of all Americans are currently in police facial recognition databases. Humanising protection tools Belgium is so far the only country to find facial recognition in breach of national law. Moscow used facial recognition technology to monitor whether potential carriers of coronavirus were obeying the rules of their quarantines. Some 26% of Americans believe the government should restrict the use of facial recognition technology One study found that the facial recognition technology used by London police was inaccurate in 96% of cases. The first arrest to result from facial recognition CCTV in the UK took place on February 27, 2020. Surfshark’s mission is to humanise protection tools so that everyone can be in control of their privacy and security. NeoMam Studios created the map. The studio seeks to create digital content that online audiences will want to share for months and years to come. See the full facial recognition technology world map here: https://surfshark.com/facial-recognition-map

In the aging trend of 21th century with rapid aging population and high healthcare costs are creating a growing demand for care at home, especially for seniors with long-term health conditions. Home care is moving towards tele-health monitoring and telemedicine, including video conferencing and remote monitoring technology to help increase caregiver efficiency while still providing constant convenience to the patients. Living independently and aging gracefully are the ideals that every individual seeks to pursue, and the challenge is to ensure that all people can age with dignity and security. Climax’s GX Cubic Smart Care Medical Alarm is an all-in-one wellness, and personal safety medical alarm solution, designed to help the elderly to manage their long-term health conditions, bridging medical health monitoring information to care providers/hospitals and create points of care to keep them safe in their own homes. GX Cubic medical alarm GX Cubic can be flexibly connected with third-party Bluetooth (BLE) healthcare sensors GX Cubic can be flexibly connected with third-party Bluetooth (BLE) healthcare sensors, like blood glucose monitor, pulse oximeter, blood pressure monitor, or weight for tracking health data and providing customized alerts to meet individual needs. The measurements can be automatically sent to a health professional who can review the results and continuously keep an eye on the patient’s health needs and provide early treatment as necessary. In addition to medical health monitoring, GX Cubic is also compatible with Pivotell Advance Automatic Pill Dispenser to keep secure of all pills, and remind the user to take the correct medicine at the pre-set time. The solution allows health professionals to monitor pill taking timely results and keep an eye on the patients’ treatment as needed. For situation when remote monitoring care given is insufficient and the user requires onsite assistance, GX Cubic can raise an emergency alarm to inform the caregiver or medical personnel for immediate action. Seniors can be assured that they are always being taken care of, and provide their family members with a peace of mind. Voice recognition solution Voice recognition has innovated over time and continues to advance, allowing products to become even more intuitive and easier to use. GX Cubic has built-in voice recognition and can activate an emergency call to care provider or central monitoring center by preset vocal commands or keywords. This allows seniors to receive emergency attention even in situations where they are immobilized or cannot manually reach the panic button. Working with the leading voice ecosystems Amazon Alexa and Google Home via cloud, GX Cubic also features voice control to activate home electronic devices, complete daily tasks, and seek help during emergencies. Voice over Internet Protocol With the VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) feature, GX Cubic users can also initiate two-way voice callsWith the VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) feature, GX Cubic users can also initiate two-way voice calls to contact their caregivers or family members at any time. With the additional add-on of DECT, GX Cubic can pair with voice extenders, talking pendants, call points, and voice extenders placed strategically around the home to create a safety net. Smart Home Automation Comprehensive elderly-friendly health care should also have a focus on preventive action to maintain a healthy ageing process. To realize independent living in a smart way, GX Cubic pairs with Zigbee or Z-Wave sensors to enable the whole-home control with various protocol-of-choice. GX Cubic can be programmed to turn on the hallway lights automatically when a sensor reports a senior’s movement in the middle of the night, to reduce a chance of falling; or automatically adjusting air conditioning when there is a sudden temperature-drop. The scenarios are unlimited to fit individual requirements, ensuring a safest living experience for the senior users. GX Cubic can also integrate IP security cameras and camera PIR motion sensors to deliver real-time visual monitoring and verification. When an emergency occurs, alerts are immediately sent to family members, and Monitoring Center to verify the event and sending immediate assistance as needed. Lastly, GX Cubic can support wireless sensor devices, allowing users to add in smoke detectors, water leakage sensors, and gas sensors to monitor environmental emergencies; and motion sensors, door contacts, sensor pad transmitters for inactivity monitoring, to build a healthier, safer independent living.

It creates challenges when a mechanical locking system grows organically over the years: Managers at South Denmark’s Syrenparken mental health treatment facility no longer had a trustworthy overview of all their physical keys in circulation. Yet, to serve the people treated there, Syrenparken must store medicines and psychotropic drugs. However, it is critical that only trusted personnel gain access. On-site access control solution As part of a modernization program, it was decided to upgrade on-site access control. One key aim was to replace old-fashioned keys, which can easily be lost, increasing the risk they fall into the wrong hands. Managers also wanted to make a working day more efficient for their trusted employees. They were each carrying three or four keys just to perform daily tasks in multiple areas of the site. Syrenparken installed the SMARTair wireless access control system from ASSA ABLOY to meet all their security needs Syrenparken installed the SMARTair wireless access control system from ASSA ABLOY to meet all their security needs. To date, 143 SMARTair wireless locking devices are fitted on resident bedrooms, as well as doors to offices, the medicine room and storage for patient records, plus other confidential areas. Staff and residents open doors with a standard, programmable MIFARE credential. SMARTair wireless access control system System reliability was a key factor in their choice of SMARTair, according to Henrik Jürs, Head of Syrenparken: "It is possible to put our access control system on a virtual server. Should a computer go down, we can put a new computer on and then we have access to it again. We trust the data security,” he emphasizes. Another important parameter was flexibility in system management: SMARTair makes it easy to administrate who should have access to which areas, and when. Instead of a bundle of keys, each employee has a key-card encoded with access rights to the exact areas they need. Online, offline access management  With SMARTair, it’s easy to combine online and offline access management within the same installation With SMARTair, it’s easy to combine online and offline access management within the same installation. At Syrenparken, 133 offline SMARTair escutcheons and 3 updaters, plus 8 offline SMARTair cabinet locks, work side-by-side within the same system as 10 SMARTair online escutcheons. If a key-card is lost, it's quick to disable it and activate a new one. There is no danger anyone unauthorized will enter controlled medicine rooms with a lost card as a result. Because managers no longer need to call a locksmith to replace the compromised escutcheon, SMARTair is also a cost-effective solution for Syrenparken. SMARTair deployment is ongoing at Syrenparken — and currently projected to reach a total of up to 200 doors.

Serving a large geographical area of the North Island of New Zealand, the Waikato District Health Board (Waikato DHB) provides hospital and community-based health services to a population of nearly 400,000 people. With a wide range of security needs that include protecting staff and patients, securing high-risk facilities, restricting unauthorized access to medication and medical equipment, and streamlining contractor and car park management, Waikato DHB required a security solution that could be applied to both high and low security areas. The system al so needed to provide a comprehensive audit trail and detailed reporting, to identify access movements by employees and help meet legal requirements around the safe and secure storage of medication and equipment. Gallagher Single Access Card Control System Gallagher’s access control solution for Waikato DHB utilizes a single access-card system that simply and instantly updates access permissions Gallagher’s access control solution for Waikato DHB utilizes a single access-card system that simply and instantly updates access permissions, as well as streamlining car parking services. Where high-level security is needed, Gallagher’s system offers Waikato DHB the ability to lock-down areas of the hospital when required, isolating areas and restricting access. Gallagher’s Command Center Mobile application also delivers duress notifications from buttons located around the hospital directly to a guard's mobile device. Electronic Tag Boards allow contractors to easily sign on and off of the site, ensuring Waikato DHB meets health and safety requirements. In an environment where access profiles change on a daily basis as staff move between different departments, Gallagher’s access control system and Command Center central management platform ensure staff can approach doors with the confidence that they can enter or leave areas as necessary. The access card system has also reduced the risks associated with handling keys, along with providing detailed reports to meet comprehensive auditing requirements, saving time and cost. 'Security Ward Standard' Waikato DHB's experience with Gallagher products ultimately led them to develop a 'Security Ward Standard' detailing the minimum-security equipment required for new buildings, greatly reducing time spent producing specification documents and gathering approvals. As Waikato DHB's security requirements continue to evolve, Gallagher’s systems provide future-proofing with a software maintenance agreement ensuring they operate the very latest software available. Fast Facts About The Project Industry: Healthcare Business type: Hospital Number of employees: 6,500 Site Size: 18 hectares with 176,000 sq.metres of buildings Number of doors: Over 730 access-controlled doors; 40 alarmed and monitored refrigerators/freezers; 15 carpark barrier arms; 1 gate. Gallagher solutions and technology utilized: Command Center Controller 6000 T-Series readers Tag Boards Car park Management

A total overhaul of care and safeguarding measures at Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust’s mental healthcare facilities was required following historic failures, including preventable deaths in 2012 and 2013. A root-and-branch reform program was put in place to improve care, ensure transparency and cut risks. A comprehensive video surveillance solution was sought to underpin these efforts. The first phase project required complete video capture and recording at the Ravenswood House facility for children and adolescents, with further premises to follow in subsequent phases. Affordable Surveillance System The surveillance system not only needed to cover all areas of the site but also needed to be affordable, secure against cyber-attacksSouthern Health had a critical need for continuous video evidence capture in all areas at Ravenswood House, in all lighting conditions, without blind-spots. The primary objective was to use the recordings of interactions with patients to improve standards of care, with clinical staff reviewing how incidents are handled, and protecting staff in the event of accusations of mistreatment. Because vulnerable young people are being cared for, any allegation of mistreatment requires that the staff involved are removed from front-line care duties pending investigations, therefore the ability to find and present video evidence quickly is vital. The surveillance system not only needed to cover all areas of the site but also needed to be affordable, secure against cyber-attacks in compliance with NHS requirements, quick to install – as the hospital had to remain in constant use – and easy for clinical staff to use as well as security specialists. Installation Of 12MP Super Fisheye Cameras The 12MP Super Fisheyes benefit from IDIS’s Smart Failover protection, which ensures continued recording even during network instability or drop-outHigh specification IDIS video technology was identified as the best for the project following a detailed on-site comparison which demonstrated its superior picture quality and ease-of-use. Specialist integrator ISD Tech was brought in to install more than a hundred IDIS 12MP Super Fisheye cameras. These units allow affordable, comprehensive area coverage, typically doing the equivalent job of three or four PTZ cameras. The result is lower installation fees, a reduced maintenance burden and affordable operation, recording the full scene without the need for an operator 24/7. The 12MP Super Fisheyes also benefit from IDIS’s Smart Failover protection, which ensures continued recording even during network instability or drop-out. And IDIS’s Korean-made technology uses proprietary protocols (not off-the-shelf) that makes it fully network-secure, allowing it to be linked to local LANs without the risk of system hacking, which is a key consideration for any IP surveillance solution. Easier And Less Costly Installation The impact on staff is huge when they can’t work in the wards, so this speeded-up process is really valuable"The IDIS video solution was used to quickly and easily replace a previously-installed IP video system which comprised a mix of equipment from different manufacturers, and in comparison, it is easier and less costly to install, maintain and operate. “This will really assist us with evidence gathering and any criminal process. We can now look at the footage ourselves and quickly determine what happened. And we can email video links to the police and local authority designated officers. The impact on staff is huge when they can’t work in the wards, so this speeded-up process is really valuable,” said Tracey Edwards, Head of Security Southern Health NHS Trust. Following ISD Tech’s successful completion of the Ravenswood House upgrade, 250 more facilities across Hampshire are to follow, including clinics, medium secure units and admin centers.

Like many inpatient health facilities around Europe, the Centre Psychothérapique de Nancy (CPN) in France had a persistent problem with lost physical keys. If a key went missing — lost or misplaced, by a resident or staff member — multiple cylinders in a unit would need to be replaced. The expense in terms of staff time and money was significant, and never-ending. And like many other health centers, CPN turned to Aperio wireless technology for a solution. Over 160 Aperio wireless escutcheons have been installed across the CPN premises integrated with the access control system from Delta Security Solutions, most on the doors to patients’ rooms. Now, everyone the ability to circulate freely without needing to carry a cumbersome key. Tracking Door Security In Real Time Because the Aperio integration at CPN is online, security staff can now keep track of all door security in real timeBecause the Aperio integration at CPN is online, security staff can now keep track of all door security in real time — which was not possible with the old mechanical master-key system. If a resident loses their credential, facilities staff simply cancel it instantly and reissue another, ensuring security at the site remains intact. Some dorm-style rooms at CPN have multiple beds; in these, Aperio escutcheons secure cupboards for every inpatient, so their personal belongings are kept safe without physical keys or needing to remember PIN codes. The old key-operated safes have been removed, saving CPN the recurring cost of re-keying or replacing safe locks.  Securing Pharmacy And Medicine Store The Aperio H100 handle packs the power and flexibility of Aperio wireless access control into one slim interior door handle“Previously when a unit key was lost, we would have to change every cylinder it opened — which for some keys would be very expensive,” says Cédric Marchal, technical services engineer at CPN. At CPN, Aperio devices also secure areas where residents are not permitted, including staff rooms, offices and sensitive zones like the pharmacy and medicine store. Alongside the escutcheons deployed at CPN, the Aperio device range includes online and offline Aperio cylinders; an online security lock; a wireless lock for bringing server racks and cabinets into the same access control system as doors; and the new Aperio H100 handle, which packs the power and flexibility of Aperio wireless access control into one slim interior door handle. Every year since 2011, CPN have budgeted for an expansion in their Aperio system. Every year, more doors at their site are covered — enhancing the safety and well-being of patients. Enabled by Aperio wireless access control technology, the upgrading process continues. Learn more about Aperio and visit: https://campaigns.assaabloyopeningsolutions.eu/aperio

It was over a century ago that Charlotte Hungerford Hospital (CHH) was founded, as a gift by industrialist Uri T. Hungerford. The vision was to create a community hospital that would serve as a beacon of hope and a place of comfort for the sick and injured. 100 years later, that same community spirit has helped CHH evolve into a vibrant, independent, affordable healthcare network that delivers a comprehensive range of healthcare programs and services for over 100,000 lives in Northwestern Connecticut. A Challenging Safety Diagnosis Avigilon has made us more efficient as we don’t have to spend much time sifting through large amounts of video” Charlotte Hungerford Hospital prides itself on supporting patient and staff safety in all hospital areas and locations. Several years ago, they found themselves with an outdated security system that lacked quality video coverage and recording capabilities. CHH struggled with reliable video playback and faced frequent system crashes. As a result, the hospital’s security operators were often unable to provide accurate evidence during forensic investigations and many liability claims and hospital incidents went unresolved. CHH needed a cost-effective, comprehensive security solution that could protect patients and staff across multiple locations while still being flexible enough to scale with the hospital’s growing needs.  Avigilon AI & Analytics Technology With a desire to improve its legacy security system, CHH looked to Avigilon’s advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technology and video analytics to meet their security needs. CHH began a multi-phase upgrade that included installing over 100 Avigilon cameras with self-learning video analytics, deploying AI-based Avigilon Appearance Search™ technology and using impulse radar technology with the Avigilon Presence Detector (APD) sensor. Avigilon Appearance Search technology – a sophisticated deep learning AI search engine – helps CHH quickly locate a specific person or vehicle of interest across all cameras both inside the hospital and care centers as well as outside parking lots. This technology provides CHH’s operators with enhanced situational awareness, enabling fast event response and helping to save time and effort during critical investigations. To protect areas of the hospital where cameras cannot be installed, CHH installed the APD sensor, a discreet impulse radar device with self-learning radar analytics that scans, learns, and continuously adapts to its environment. Avigilon Presence Detector Sensors Our Security Department’s mission at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital is the safety of our patients, visitors, and employees" Capable of detecting persons who aren’t moving or are hidden, the APD sensors help improve situational awareness for CHH staff, and are used in areas where cameras are not permitted, such as restrooms or change rooms. When integrated with Avigilon Control Center (ACC) video management software, APD sensors alert CHH operators of human presence while still maintaining privacy. Avigilon H4 cameras were used throughout the hospital to provide exceptional image quality and built-in self-learning video analytics, which provides accurate detection and notification of movement of people and vehicles. CHH also deployed HD Multisensor cameras which provide up to four camera views per camera installation, using only one camera license and network drop. This allows CHH’s staff to efficiently cover all angles in order to detect, verify, and act on potential security events across the hospital’s premises. Avigilon H4 and HD Multisensor Cameras At the core of CHH is a desire to help the community and still serve as the beacon of compassion it was founded to be 100 years ago. With these values in mind, the hospital’s mission when it comes to security is the safety of patients, visitors, and employees. Avigilon’s AI solutions have helped achieve this by moving the CHH system from legacy to advanced and providing effective monitoring around the clock while also helping to create operational efficiencies. Since deploying ACC™ software, CHH’s operators spend significantly less time reviewing recorded video, allowing them to focus on proactive event response. Working with Avigilon, Charlotte Hungerford Hospital has a roadmap for continued growth and exceptional patient safety.

The first half of 2020 has been full of surprises, to say the least, and many of them directly impacted the physical security market. The COVID-19 pandemic created endless new challenges, and the physical security market has done our part to meet those challenges by adapting technology solutions such as thermal cameras and access control systems. In the second half of 2020, we can all hope for a return to normalcy, even if it is a “new normal.” In any case, technology will continue to play a big role. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: Which technologies have the greatest potential to disrupt the security industry in the second half of 2020?

Superior image quality has been the “holy grail” of the video surveillance business for several years. A transition to 4K images and a race to ever-higher pixel counts have dominated product development conversations for a while now. However, it’s now possible that the tide has turned. These days, data is sometimes more important than image quality, and increasing use of smaller-format mobile devices has helped to make image quality variations moot. As the industry changes, we asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What’s the next big thing in video image quality (beyond 4K and megapixel)?

Video is widely embraced as an essential element of physical security systems. However, surveillance footage is often recorded without sound, even though many cameras are capable of capturing audio as well as video. Beyond the capabilities of cameras, there is a range of other audio products on the market that can improve system performance and/or expand capabilities (e.g., gunshot detection.) We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: How does audio enhance the performance of security and/or video systems?