Canada News

Matrox® Graphics and Portalis® recently announced that Matrox Avio™ F120 fiber-optic KVM extenders have been validated for use with the Portalis pro-xi® workstation integrator to provide high-performance monitoring, switching, extension and interaction for control room environments. A pro-xi workstation integrator includes KVM switch and multiviewer capabilities enabling an operator to monitor and instantly access multiple computer systems from a dual-display console with a si...

ObjectVideo shook the industry a few years ago by launching a series of lawsuits against the industry’s big players, claiming infringement of ObjectVideo’s patents on the basic technologies of video analytics. Some of the targeted companies fought back, but in the end most opted to make the issue go away by signing a licensing agreement with ObjectVideo. The latest twist in the story is major video supplier Avigilon’s acquisition of those patents – and of the 19 related...

Klass Software’s acquisition of incident management software company PPM 2000 is the first step in an evolution to build a broad, unified software solution to manage multiple aspects of the security function. In buying PPM, Klass sought to obtain “a very good platform business and grow it with the existing team,” says Will Anderson, CEO of Klass Software (and now CEO of PPM). He sees expansion and enhancement of PPM as a “long-term project,” maybe 10 years. Klass S...

Video surveillance, or CCTV, is becoming increasingly common in cities and other public places all over the world. The benefits of video surveillance cameras to prevent crime and aid police investigations have been well documented, and there have been several high-profile cases in which video was instrumental in solving a crime. Still, whenever video surveillance is proposed in a public place, there can be opposition, based on privacy concerns, from various interest groups and the general public...

More attention needs to be placed on the development of readers that can accommodate Wireless and Wi-Fi technology Many of the changes in the access control market are happening at the “edge” – at the reader level. Access control advances that continue to become more widespread include wireless and PoE-enabled access control hardware such as wireless locks and PoE door controllers, which both reduce installation costs. Other trends are related to mobility; o...

Genetec will discuss its hybrid-cloud solutions at the upcoming TechSolutions conference Genetec™, a leading provider of unified IP security solutions recently announced it will support the newly introduced Microsoft Cloud for Government. This new government-community cloud enables U.S. federal agencies and state and local governments to leverage Genetec cloud services, including Security Center Cloud Archives, with the assurance that information stored in Azure Governme...

HID's annual assessment is intended to help organizations understand the latest security advances HID Global®, a worldwide leader in secure identity solutions, recently issued its outlook on technology trends for 2015, as well as other anticipated developments across key vertical industries in the secure identity marketplace. The annual assessment is intended to help organizations understand and take advantage of the latest advances to improve security, convenience and the...

Engaging with the cannabis industry for security companies has become debatable as it is yet to legalize nationally Third instalment of 4-part series: One question that comes up when talking about security for the cannabis industry is “why aren’t there more companies getting into the business?” While a number of small operators and larger companies have begun offering their services to marijuana retailers, some very big players have largely passed on the...

Mr. Fong is responsible for Avigilon’s financial communications and investor relations programs Avigilon Corporation, a leading global provider of end-to-end security solutions, recently announced the appointment of Dennis Fong to the position of vice president of investor relations, effective immediately. Mr. Fong is responsible for Avigilon’s financial communications and investor relations programs, and building and maintaining strategic relationships with the in...

The collaboration brings together SVN with eFusion to deliver an integrated platform for managing access points SALTO Systems, world leaders in wire-free and wireless access control technology, and Maxxess, a U.S.-based, global corporation recognized for its award-winning security software, recently announced a strategic partnership. The collaboration brings together SALTO’s Virtual Network (SVN) with Maxxess’ universal security management software, eFusion to deli...

What lessons, if any, are there to be learned from the recent attacks in Paris? Recent events in Paris highlight the deadly and changing face of terrorism in 2015. Two gunmen armed with AK-47 assault rifles attacked the Paris offices of satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo on 7 January, killing 12 people in all, including eight Charlie Hebdo employees and two national police officers. Two days later, the terrorism continued with a hostage crisis at a printing firm at Dammartin-en-Goel&nbs...

Reinvention of go-to-market models proves integration business is place to be Suffice it to say 2014 was a pivotal year for the majority of alarm dealers and installers. Many have had to change their way of thinking and their method of doing business, while adapting to ever-changing technology. But those who continue to reinvent their go-to-market model prove that the integration business is the place to be – and there’s money to be made, albeit it not in simply...

Security cameras can earn a return on investment (ROI) that goes beyond security Today’s security camera technology can help speed entrance screening and provide video under very low light conditions. In each case, security cameras can earn a return on investment (ROI) that goes beyond security. One difference between today’s security cameras and older generations of camera technology is something called wide dynamic range or WDR. It is a feature that enables a ca...

By 2018, worldwide revenue will reach a projected $23.6 billion The global market for video surveillance equipment was worth an estimated $15.0 billion by the end of 2014, up from $13.5 billion in 2013. By 2018, worldwide revenue will reach a projected $23.6 billion, as shown in the attached figure, equivalent to a five-year compound annual growth rate of 12 percent. “The year 2014 has been one of the most interesting—and disruptive—in recent memory for both...

Access control and alarm worlds are going digital and plugging into the network Open tech standards are integrating diverse security technology systems — and security people — into the corporate mainstream The digital technology revolution has begun to course through the public and private worlds of government and commerce, replacing old analog technology. Chief among the many benefits of digital over analog is the ability to integrate diverse technologies into si...

The recent terrorist acts in Paris defy any understanding or explanation. The events represent a level of mayhem that defies easy answers, emblematic of a global security threat that demands a unified, worldwide response way beyond what is achievable by any combination of technology gadgets. Simply put, the problem is not our industry’s to solve. It’s bigger than we are. Still, such events haunt the people in our market – dedicated as we are to protecting people, facilities and...

Exacq Technologies, part of the Security Products business unit of Tyco, introduces the ability to set up and manage failover on exacqVision servers with exacqVision 6.6 and Enterprise System Manager (ESM) version 3.0, a health monitoring program for use with exacqVision Enterprise networked video recorders (NVRs). The new exacqVision version 6.6 VMS (video management system) also includes updates to the views and event monitoring features in exacqVision, faster searching with the Exacq mobile a...

There have been a number of developments in the last year which have impacted the security industry in one way or another.  As we begin a new year, we thought we'd ask our panelists to reflect back on 2014 and tell us what changes they think have made the largest impact in their areas of expertise within the security industry.

Cameras at airports today are often used for operations rather than (or in addition to) security Video cameras are great tools for security at airports, but increasingly cameras are offering operational benefits, too. Anthony Incorvati, business development manager, critical infrastructure and transportation, Axis Communications, says cameras at airports today are often used for operations rather than (or in addition to) security. For example, cameras mounted at departure gate...

This achievement represents the company’s strong commitment to the Canadian market Hikvision®, the world’s leading supplier of innovative and award-winning video surveillance products and solutions, has established Hikvision Canada Inc., which will focus on the video surveillance market in Canada. This achievement represents the company’s strong commitment to the Canadian market and speaks to its rapid growth in Canada, North America, and across the globe...

Arens participated in Viscount’s latest funding round and joins as designated board member Viscount Systems, a leading provider of IT-based security software and services, announced recently the addition of Geoffrey W. Arens to its Board of Directors. Mr. Arens participated in Viscount’s latest funding round and joins as the designated board member appointed by the company’s Series A Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock Holder, One East Capital. Mr. Arens...

Security technologies are used in a wide variety of locations and environments in the transportation vertical Transportation is among the more diverse markets within the security industry, consisting of multiple non-homogeneous segments and some varied sub-segments, too. Transportation means a lot of different things to a lot of different people. Typically, the transportation vertical includes any entities responsible for moving people and goods – that would encompass pu...

The growing market for legal marijuana (now available in some form in 24 states) has also generated a demand for security products and service to protect the industry from illegal activities. “For the most part, companies are looking for what we call the traditional surveillance systems whereby you have visible deterrence,” says Monty Henry, president of DPL-Surveillance-Equipment.com LLC in Ventura, Calif. Many companies are seeking more sophisticated systems t...

Security professionals and end users are eager to define video analytics In the era where “I” is king, video analytics have become a topic of excitement, confusion, and deliberation. All one needs to do is take a stroll through the latest security expo to recognize how popular the space is, and how difficult it is to find an adequate explanation of what they are and how they work. So what are video analytics? This is the question both end users and security profess...

The solutions offered today in the field of server virtualization seem to be a natural fit for the evolution of security systems from analog to IP The video surveillance industry has been transitioning from analog to IP-based systems over the last several years, and it is clear that this trend will continue. In light of this, it is apparent that taking advantage of the advancements in the IT world for use in security system design is the next logical step. In this article, Guy...

Dave Tyson has 30 years of experience in all facets of enterprise security The incoming president of ASIS has volunteered with industry groups for years. His goal: to help people get better at their jobs. With 30 years' experience in all facets of enterprise security, Dave Tyson, CPP, CISSP, looks forward to his 2015 term as President of ASIS International (ASIS). “I’ve spent a lot of years working to make a difference in the security industry,” Tyson says...

Global positioning systems (GPS) have a role to play to combat shoplifting, especially in the fight against the growing trend of large-scale organized retail crime (ORC). Todd Morris, founder and CEO of BrickHouse Security, recently explained to me how GPS fits into the fight against retail crime. A variety of GPS devices – from small “micro” sensors to plug-in devices for cars to wired devices – can all be tracked using the same cloud-based service, which manages the de...

Observers say improved analytic technology and better support technologies are making video analytics effective Video analytics and biometrics entered the security technology market some years ago accompanied by great expectations. Both generally disappointed security directors and end users. Manufacturers oversold video analytics as a tool that could monitor video for hours on end without losing concentration — something human security officers couldn’t do. Analy...

Often our selection of a network switch is based on price or major brand names, both of which can lead to problems Networking Basics for Security Professionals:  How bandwidth requirements guide selection of network switchesIf a network switch looks like a network switch, is it a network switch that will work for IP video security applications? The surprise answer is “not necessarily.” There are major differences between the network switch performance require...

It has been interesting to read all the Review and Forecast articles we published over the last month. The holiday season was a perfect time to reflect on the previous year, and it is interesting to read about all the companies, their visions for 2015 and their accomplishments. It reminds me how lucky I am to be a part of an industry dedicated to protecting assets, people and facilities. The opportunity to report on a constantly changing business climate and a wealth of interesting technology is...