United States of America (USA) News

Highlighting China’s Video Surveillance Giants, this is the first in a series of articles on the growing international presence of China’s top three video surveillance/CCTV companies. See other articles in the series from Dahua and Uniview here and here. For three years now, Hikvision Digital Technology Co. has been ranked as the world’s largest CCTV and video surveillance equipment provider. IHS Research estimates the Chinese manufacturing giant’s global market share in...

There will be at least 88 smart cities all over the world by 2025, up from 21 in 2013 The number of smart cities worldwide will quadruple within a 12-year period that started last year, proliferating as local governments work with the private sector to cope with a multitude of challenges confronting urban centers, according to a new report from IHS Technology. There will be at least 88 smart cities all over the world by 2025, up from 21 in 2013, based on the IHS definition of...

Kwikset's SmartCode locks will bring consumers added peace of mind via remote locking capabilities Kwikset, the leader in residential security, announces that two of its most popular electronic locks have been certified through the Icontrol Networks OpenHome™ Partner Program. The SmartCode™ 910 and SmartCode 914, both with Home Connect™ technology, are among eleven devices that Icontrol, a leader in connected home technology and innovation, recently added to...

Rosslare Security, a leading global provider of professional access control solutions, is pleased to announce that it has received the UL294 Certification for its ExpansE™ platform. The ExpansE is a distributed access control system with a web based management and control application, employing the latest access control technology to meet the requirements of the dynamic market. The Expanse system is comprised of several units, the main unit, the EXP-1032 Networked Controller, and several...

Return on Investment (ROI) is crucial for any security installation. Most people consider what return on investment they are getting when making a purchasing decision. Usually, customers will select the option which provides them with the greatest ROI. But how can ROI be measured? Individuals involved at different points of the security buying chain will have different ideas of how to measure ROI. Here are a few thoughts from our Expert Panel. As you will see, ROI is more of a sub...

Helping utility companies meet the new CIP-14 standard is an urgent new challenge On April 16, 2013, snipers fired for 19 minutes on PG&E Corp.'s Metcalf electric power transmission station near San Diego, California, knocking out 17 giant transformers that supply electricity to Silicon Valley. At least 100 rounds were fired from at least one high-powered rifle. The power grid was rerouted to avoid a blackout, but it took 27 days to make repairs and get the substation bac...

D-Link recently introduced two new IP cameras – a two megapixel Full HD Indoor Pan/Tilt Dome Camera (DCS-5615) and a one megapixel HD Outdoor Dome Camera with Color Night Vision (DCS-6315), both delivering high definition resolution and a full suite of image and management features designed to meet a range of customer surveillance needs. “Dome cameras continue to be the most popular form factor in the surveillance market,” said Vance Kozik, director of marketing for IP Surveil...

The integration between the two systems enables a faster and efficient response With the certification of its latest incident management connector, PPM is now a member of AMAG Technology’s Symmetry™ Extended Business Solutions (EBS) Program. AMAG Technology and PPM cooperatively tested and certified the integration between PPM’s Perspective v4.0 incident management software and AMAG’s Symmetry v7.0.1 access control software. “We are happy to welc...

Garcia will be responsible for developing and managing all aspects of the marketing and communications strategy PSA Security Network® recently announced the addition of Kim Garcia as Director of Marketing. Garcia will be responsible for developing and managing all aspects of the marketing and communications strategy to support the company’s sales goals, educational programs, and member services. “The company already has a great reputation in the security indus...

Deems brings over 17 years of sales management experience in the commercial and homeland security markets Xentry Systems Integration, a systems integrator focused on delivering best-in-class security solutions and healthcare technologies, has named Andy Deems as its new Account Executive. In this role, Deems will leverage his wide range of technology and sales experience to increase sales at Xentry while building long-term customer relationships. Deems brings to Xentry more t...

A value management process with clearly defined steps and procedures is critical In a highly competitive marketplace, where organizations need to ensure they are contracting for the best possible services, value must be visible. This starts with aligning with the right service provider – one that is dedicated to the organization’s success and has the people and processes to make an impact. Certainly most, if not all, service organizations say that they strive t...

For over thirty years, the team at United Central Control, Inc. (UCC) in San Antonio, Texas has been providing premier alarm monitoring services. Over that time, UCC has built a reputation in the industry for excellence. In October of 2013, UCC committed to future excellence by converting to the Secure Global Solutions’ (SGS) stages™ central station automation system. UCC’s CEO, Don Munford, stated, “The UCC Team invested two years of research to identify the right automa...

OnSSI announces a new licensing structure that effectively accelerates the migration from analog to IP video surveillance operations. The licensing is based on one-to-one-to-many licensing structure whereby only one license is required for each encoder IP address, regardless of the number of analog cameras connected to the encoder. This provides analog system owners with a highly cost-efficient incentive to implement their migration from analog to IP functionality without having to rip and repl...

Scallop Imaging updates its existing surveillance solutions with new features such as improved light sensitivity Propelled by a new executive management team and significant investment in product development, Scallop Imaging has positioned itself for further innovation to boost its role as a pioneering force in imaging technology. Boston-based Scallop Imaging, which first conceived its core “distributed imaging” technology in 2006, has invested significant resourc...

OnSSI’s Ocularis v3.8 receives approval for use with Lenel’s OnGuard access control security system On-Net Surveillance Systems Inc. (OnSSI) has received factory certification from Lenel Systems International Inc. and joined the Lenel OpenAccess Alliance Program (OAAP). OnSSI’s Ocularis video-centric physical security information management (PSIM) now interfaces with the Lenel OnGuard access control system to enable seamless functionality between both systems...

Leading security and home automation provider ADT recently announced availability of ADT Pulse® Voice, a new app that combines the ADT features customers know and love with the security and convenience of personal voice commands. ADT Pulse Voice technology is the first of its kind in the smart home space, enabling homeowners to log in and log out of the Pulse Voice app via custom technology that recognises unique voice signatures. Once logged in, users can arm and disarm their Pulse security...

Leading security provider ADT recently announced the expansion of its video surveillance portfolio with new cloud-based and local DVR (digital video recorder) storage offerings designed to meet the needs of America’s small business owners. ADT’s extended video offerings give small business owners the flexibility to keep tabs on their most critical assets, store their video footage on-premise or in the cloud, scale their investment level up or down over time, and have a better underst...

Mohammad and Joshua bring to the PSIA strong technology, commercial and industry leadership skills The Physical Security Interoperability Alliance (PSIA) recently announced it has elected Mohammad Soleimani, CTO and Executive Vice President of Kastle Systems, as its Chairman; and Joshua Jackson, Director, Global Product Integration for STANLEY Security, as its Vice Chairman. The PSIA membership develops specifications for enabling standards-based sharing of digital data and in...

The acquisition will significantly strengthens ADT's business in Canada The ADT Corporation recently announced that it has closed the previously announced acquisition of Reliance Protectron, Inc. (Protectron), from Reliance Comfort Limited Partnership, a portfolio company of investment funds managed by Alinda Capital Partners. ADT acquired Protectron for total cash consideration of CAD $555 million. "We’re delighted to have completed the acquisition of Protectron, which...

The new key system is compatible with restricted Schlage Primus XP keys being used in some applications Allegion PLC, a leading global provider of security products and solutions, recently announced that the Olathe Public School District is improving classroom security and simplifying key control by replacing multiple brands of locks on classrooms and other doors with Schlage locks and a patent-protected Everest 29™ key system.       &n...

AMAG’s Symmetry access control system will integrate with Genetec’s video management system Hudson Yards, the largest private real estate development in the history of the United States, has announced its selected AMAG Technology part of G4S the world’s leading security solutions provider to secure Hudson Yards in New York City.  10 Hudson Yards, the first office tower under construction will be secured by Symmetry™ Enterprise v7.0.1 Access Control...

Hikvision has been recertified for the interface of its IP cameras and HD speed domes with Lenel’s latest OnGuard access control system Hikvision Digital Technology Co., Ltd has been recertified by Lenel Systems International for the interface of its latest Internet protocol (IP) camera series and high-definition (HD) speed domes with the most recent versions of the Lenel OnGuard® access control system. This expanded certification provides live video viewing, motion...

PhoeniXSentry is a managed network and security service that is easy to sell, deploy and manage Phoenix Managed Networks, provider of PhoeniXSentry, an easily deployed and extremely affordable cloud-based network security and management service, recently announced they have partnered with Intelisys, the leader in selling business telecommunications and cloud services through an independent sales channel. The partnership will give Intelisys partners the ability to add additiona...

HID Global®, a worldwide leader in secure identity solutions, recently announced that its Identification Technologies division is shipping the IN Tag™ 300 8KB RFID transponder, which is ideal for memory intensive applications. IN Tag™ 300 8KB incorporates ferroelectric random access memory (FRAM) technology from Fujitsu Semiconductor. This accelerates data access close to the maximum high frequency (HF) speed; endures billions of read and write cycles; and withstands gamma radiat...

I took an extra camera with me on vacation this year. It was a tiny thermal camera that FLIR gave out at a press event earlier in the year. It’s about 2 by 3 inches or so and contains their new micro-camera thermal core. Obviously the little camera is just a way for them to demonstrate how small (and inexpensive) the new technology is. I figured a trip to the beach was a good time to try it out. The sensor in my little toy camera is the same small, inexpensive thermal camera core that ena...

Jackson will join new Chairman Mohammad Soleimani to help develop PSIA specifications STANLEY Security announced recently that Joshua Jackson, Director – Global Product Integration, has been elected as Vice Chairman of the Physical Security Interoperability Alliance (PSIA). Jackson will join new Chairman, Mohammad Soleimani, CTO and Executive Vice President of Kastle Systems, to help develop specifications for enabling standards-based sharing of digital data and intelli...

There's no doubt that the security technology buying decision is a complex one. There are several factors to consider, and no one application will have the same exact needs as another.  This is generally where security consultants come in - to help out with the security buying process and help the end-user decide on the best technology to suit their specific needs. But more specifically, what is their exact role in the security technology buying decision? Let's take a l...

"Impact", "technology" and "trends" are three words often found together, not just in the security industry, but in any industry. And with talk about technological impact often comes talk of game changing developments. Tradeshows are a great place to get a feel of what different security industry professionals think about technological advances in the industry. While a particular new technology may be undoubtedly a popular topic of discussion at a given time, there is rarely ever a unanimous tr...

NEC's technology took first place for the third consecutive time following MBGC 2009 and MBE 2010-2011 NEC Corporation (NEC) along with NEC Corporation of America, a leading provider and integrator of advanced IT, communications, managed services and biometric solutions, recently announced that NEC's face recognition technology achieved the highest performance evaluation in the recent Face Recognition Vendor Test (FRVT) 2014 performed by the U.S. National Institute of Standard...

The IndigoVision Lenel Integration Module has been upgraded to allow seamless two-way communication of alarms and events between the Lenel access control system and IndigoVision's Complete IP Video Security Solution. Live video, move PTZ cameras, start recordings and send notification emails can all be triggered automatically in IndigoVision's Control Center software from events generated in the Lenel OnGuard system. Additionally, relays in IndigoVision’s Control Center software can now...