Dedrone GmbH - Experts & Thought Leaders

Dedrone, the pioneer in smart airspace security announced that it has entered a partnership with G4S, an Allied Universal® company, covering Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA). G4S will offer Dedrone’s command and control (C2) drone detection, tracking, and identification (DTI) solution suite to its customers in more than 50 countries across EMEA. cUAS capabilities “This partnership with Dedrone enables us to add another layer in our risk-based assessment approach, to assess the customer-specific threat level, in perimeter and airspace protection." "Dedrone’s ability to easily integrate with third-party products also means that our customers can quickly incorporate counter-Uncrewed Aerial System (cUAS) capabilities into their existing security infrastructure,” said Erik Deleersnyder, Regional Director of Technology Solutions Development at G4S. The mobile drone detection system This detection equipment is a significant addition to the State Police of Latvia's ability to control the UAV traffic" The State Police of Latvia is one of G4S’s first clients to benefit from this new partnership, with Dedrone used to establish a mobile drone detection system for large events in Riga.  "This detection equipment is a significant addition to the State Police of Latvia's ability to effectively control the traffic of Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs),” said a State Police of Latvia representative with responsibility for Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) and air navigation, Māris Vitkovski. Public safety "The first tests with Dedrone have proven that it's of high quality; it will undoubtedly improve our ability to strengthen Latvia’s internal national security." “These devices make it possible to determine the height, route, and, most importantly, the location of a drone’s remote pilot, which is essential for detecting any potential law-breaking. We will use Dedrone to ensure public safety, including during public events, to prevent violations, including those that may threaten the safety of the public." Balancing act Latvia has 6000 registered drone pilots and many more who are not licensed, so the police need to strike a balancing act between guarding against the risk of drones and allowing people the freedom to use them safely and responsibly. “We face a real challenge in Latvia with drones due to the risks in crowded areas and to critical national infrastructure with an increasing number of drones being produced and sold every year." "What we needed was a flexible system that detects any drone that can be deployed in different situations to provide an essential layer of security. Dedrone provides that flexibility without sacrificing security,” said Aleksandrs Šnevels, Head of the Technology Department for G4S in Latvia. DedroneTracker DedroneTracker, through its DTI protocols and AI/ML engine, continuously evaluates drone threats autonomously Dedrone’s C2 cUAS platform, DedroneTracker, is built on an Open Systems Architecture (OSA) and allows for easy integration to any third-party inputs including sensors and cameras that may already be in place. DedroneTracker, through its DTI protocols and Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) engine, continuously evaluates and prioritizes drone threats autonomously in the background, through interrogation of possible targets for operator attention. Dedrone also recently released DedroneDefender, which mitigates drones through precision Radio Frequency (RF) jamming. Airspace protection “Forming this partnership with one of the world’s leading security solutions providers is the logical next step for Dedrone as we continue to lead the cUAS market globally, and we are pleased to provide G4S customers with our full suite of products to ensure that the threat of drone incursion can be effectively and speedily countered,” said Jan Schween, VP EMEA of Dedrone. “No matter the size of the site or the current security setup, we’re prepared to quickly integrate our best-in-class cUAS solution for effective airspace protection.” Drone detection services Dedrone works across 40 countries, including four of the G-7 nation governments; nine U.S. federal agencies, including the Department of Defense; more than 75 critical infrastructure sites; 20+ airports; and 50 correctional facilities worldwide. The company actively provides drone detection services for some of the most high-profile events around the world and works closely with more than 35 law enforcement agencies.

Security Essen 2018 presented itself as the international source of inspiration for the industry. 950 exhibitors from 43 countries showed their innovations for increased safety and convenience to over 36,000 trade visitors from 125 nations at Messe Essen on topics ranging from cyber security to innovations for building security and new solutions for the protection of valuables. The representatives of the companies, associations and institutions were in great demand as discussion partners. There was strong need for information and investment from trade visitors as a result of current events such as hacker attacks, challenges involving access control at airports, the still-high number of break-ins and increasing legal requirements. The exhibitors praised the significantly increased percentage of international visitors (eight percent up) and the strong decision-making authority of the trade visitors. Trend-Setting Solutions Security Essen attracted more than 36,000 professional visitors – including experts from industry and installers "Security Essen has underlined its position as a trend-setting international trade fair for all aspects of security. We were able to welcome significantly more visitors from abroad – 125 nations, that's an impressive number", says Oliver P. Kuhrt, CEO of Messe Essen. “Protection – whether public or private, digital or analog – is the central theme of our time. Our exhibitors provided answers to these challenges and presented trend-setting solutions. The high number of first-time exhibitors who showed their services to the specialist world indicates the importance of our trade fair as an independent platform for the security industry." There were more than 200 new exhibitors, including Hoppe AG, PwC Cyber Security Services and AEG ID. The trade fair attracted more than 36,000 professional visitors – predominantly including experts from industry, installers and participants from the security sector – who were characterized by greater internationality, a significant interest in new products and new business contacts as well as a strong willingness to invest. There were more than 200 new exhibitors, including Hoppe AG, PwC Cyber Security Services and AEG ID Numerous New Products Around 40 percent of the visitors came from abroad (2016: 32). The 76 percent of visitors were decision-makers within their companies and one quarter prepared their investments at the trade fair or concluded contracts directly. After all, the economy is still excellent. Industry sales in Germany alone are estimated at around 17.2 billion euros – a two-year increase of 18 percent. 62 percent of visitors rated the economic situation in the security sector as good to very good. Over 90 percent were satisfied with their visit to the fair and want to recommend Security Essen to others. The relevance of Security Essen as a pulse monitor for the security industry was particularly evident in the numerous new products. Once again, the influence of digitization became clear: access solutions are becoming smarter and rely on smartphones or biometric identification as keys. Evaluate Video Data Faster Protection of data and networked access was an all-encompassing topic for numerous exhibitors and many lectures Artificial intelligence helps to evaluate video data faster and more accurately. Apps display unsecured windows in the smart home or help keep track of valuable contents of safes. The protection of data and networked access was an all-encompassing topic for numerous exhibitors and many lectures. The winners of the Security Innovation Award attracted a great deal of attention. Seven exhibitors were honored with this award for their pioneering innovations. UrbanAlps convinced the jury with Stealth Key, a forgery-proof key from the 3D printer. The Jansen Tore burglar-proof sectional door with WK5 classification, which also received a prize, is especially secure – suitable, for example, for museums, hazardous material stores or military headquarters. Kötter Security received one of the coveted awards for the new emergency call and service control center, in which high-tech infrastructure and digital processes ensure the best possible customer security. New Service Facilities Security Essen was held for the first time in the modernized halls of Messe Essen, which will set new standards once the final construction phase is completed in 2019. Spacious, single-storey halls, plenty of daylight, the new glass entrance area and new service facilities such as the Business Club have already delighted exhibitors and visitors. Security Essen also provided optimal visitor and exhibitor communication with a new hall structure organized according to exhibition areas. The guests of Security Essen praised the division of the fair into key topics. The exhibition hall for Cyber Security and Economic Security celebrated a successful premiere. Exhibitors such as the Federal Office for Information Security, Telekom Security, Advancis Software & Services GmbH and the newly founded Federal Association for Critical Infrastructure Protection (BSKI) presented here. Numerous campaigns and events relating to the actual trade fair events offered visitors genuine added value Thematically Suitable Exhibitors Numerous campaigns and events relating to the actual trade fair events offered visitors genuine added value. Thus on the ‘Day of training and further education’, which was organized by the Federal Association of the Security Industry (BDSW) and Messe Essen, 300 participants of the security industry were provided with information on training possibilities and career opportunities. At the new Cyber Security Conference, Arne Schönbohm, President of the Federal Office for Information Security, spoke about cyber security as a challenge for politics, business and society. The computer scientist Jan Krissler, known as Starbug, was also a guest at the top-class conference. Gregor Gysi, member of the Bundestag of the German party ‘Die Linke’, discussed the economic importance of cash at the BMWL (Federal Association of Medium-Sized Value Logistics Companies) booth. In the security experts’ forum, practical experts designed a non-stop programme with more than 90 presentations. The guided tours were expressly aimed at architects, planners, installers, operators, authorities and employees of construction and planning departments and stopped at thematically suitable exhibitors. Topic Of DigitizationCooperation between Western Business Exhibitions and Messe Essen offers a comprehensive platform for business The organizers are already setting the course for the next Security Essen, which will take place at Messe Essen from 22 to 25 September 2020. The new thematic hall structure will be further expanded and the topic of digitization will be explored in greater depth. Numerous exhibitors have already confirmed their registration for the next event. 88 percent of the visitors have already stated their intention to participate in Security Essen 2020. The fair is also taking a further step towards internationalization: From 9 to 11 April 2019 ‘The Security Event - powered by Security Essen’ will take place for the first time in Birmingham, Great Britain. This cooperation between the British trade fair organizer Western Business Exhibitions and Messe Essen offers the European security industry a comprehensive platform for business in Great Britain. Over one hundred of the world's leading security brands are exhibiting. Excellent Platform 950 exhibitors from 43 nations presented innovations in the field of civil security at Messe Essen. The projection for the last day of the fair estimated 36,000 visitors from 125 nations including conference participants, VIP guests, delegation participants and journalists (including FKM projection of 33.000). The proportion of professional visitors was 99 percent. The hall distribution was particularly great success this year Andreas Straubinger, Region Manager D/A/CH, Vanderbilt International GmbH said, “Our stand position in the new Hall 6 was a very good choice. Visitor footfall was above average and the results were even better than we saw at the last Security 2016 trade fair. We thought the hall distribution was a particularly great success this year. The number and quality of our D/A/CH trade fair contacts were very good; not only this but we were delighted to see how many trade fair visitors attended from around the world, which was a great fit for Vanderbilt’s global orientation. The trade fair contributed to further developing the level of awareness of the Vanderbilt brand. We consider Security to be the leading trade fair for our industry. It is an excellent platform from which to present our solutions to a broad audience.” Extremely Well Informed Security Essen set up its own exhibition hall for cyber security this year for the first time, to us it was a logical step to come and present our products" Bernd Hohlfeld, Management Board, ALVARA Cash Management Group AG commented, “For us, Security Essen has been our most successful trade fair to date. The high levels of demand for our ALVARA Logistic App and ‘Digital Driver Legitimation’ were one reason, but not the only reason by any means. In particular, the BMWL joint stand brought together all of the stakeholders in cash services, offering an overall solution for efficient cash circulation. The joint stand was well placed not only to present the route to innovation but also to confirm it. The concept is very impressive and we will be back in 2020.” Knud Brandis, Managing Director of PwC Cyber Security Services GmbH said, “PwC Cyber Security Services GmbH is Germany’s leading consultancy firm for data security. As Security Essen set up its own exhibition hall for cyber security this year for the first time, to us it was a logical step to come and present our products and services here. The topics which were in particularly high demand were information security, data protection, emergency services and cyber security. The trade visitors were extremely well informed and precisely our target audience.” Invaluable Validation Stamp Sebastian Mosbacher, Managing Director, Stölting Service Group commented, “Stölting Security was extremely satisfied with Security Essen 2018 in Essen. As a large security services provider operating in Germany, we were able to present our services and position ourselves in the best possible manner. The second day saw high footfall and was of great significance for us as a trans-regional personnel service provider operating in the sector of cleaning, security and staffing. Stölting Service Group will be back in 2020!” Dr. Alejandro Ojeda, CEO and Founder of UrbanAlps AG said, “Security Essen was beyond our wildest expectations; it has been one of our best platforms to get in direct contact with our target audience at an international level. Furthermore, winning the Security Innovation Award 2018 for our core product the Stealth Key, the worlds’ first 3D metal printed key, has been an invaluable validation stamp from arguably the world’s leading security fair. It is clearly the place to be for security and we eagerly look forward to come back once again in 2020.” Topics discussed at Security Essen were information security, data protection, emergency services and cyber security Convenient Contactless Handles Rainer Schratz, Marketing Manager, HOPPE AG, Stadtallendorf commented, “HOPPE presented at Security Essen for the first time this year – and so far, we are extremely satisfied with the results of the trade fair. Security Essen is a good platform for HOPPE innovations and expertise in the field of protection and amenities; this is also clear from the high number of contacts we made at the trade fair – both with customers as well as visitors who came from segments which are new to us, for example from the electrical wholesale trade.” “Of course, the quality of the new contacts can only be evaluated after the trade fair but we are delighted with the high level of interest shown by visitors in our products – both from trade visitors and from the media. Visitors were particularly appreciative of our innovations such as the burglar-proof window handles SecuForte with automatic locking function and convenient contactless front door handles or the wireless window handle offering central locking.” Diverse Possibilities Offered Current aspects such as ‘Security technology in the smart home’ and ‘Digitisation and cyber security’ were afforded a great deal of attention" Norbert Schaaf, Chairman of the Federal Association of Security Technology (BHE) and Chairman of the Advisory Board for Security Essen said, “Trade fair visitors from around the world were able to seek information about the diverse possibilities offered by modern security technology from around 950 exhibitors. The new layout, with six primary areas, also received very positive feedback. The profile of the Security trade fair offers the right background for the entire security industry.” “As a specialist trade fair, it specializes in security and therefore offers the ideal platform for providers and users to share information and views. Current aspects such as ‘Security technology in the smart home’ and ‘Digitisation and cyber security’ were afforded a great deal of attention. The innovative spirit of the security providers also became particularly clear at the presentation ceremony of the Security Innovation Awards 2018.” Secured Connectivity Platform Serge Coppens d'Eeckenbrugge, Regional Manager BNL - DACH, Managing Director DACH, UTC Fire & Security commented, “Smart buildings and smart homes were the focal point of this year’s Security Essen. Thanks to UltraSync, the new secured connectivity platform, integrated smart home or smart building security solutions can be managed using the internet. UTC Fire & Security presented their Lenel range, which offers various security technologies (video, access, fire and burglary), which are integrated into both the home and larger-scale environments in a user-friendly manner.” “The trade fair offered us the ideal platform to present our upcoming new product range of cable and wireless fire alarm systems. The feedback we received from both the domestic market and neighboring countries was outstanding. The relaxed stand design provided the perfect environment for intense yet enjoyable conversations. Security Essen was very successful for us and we are looking forward to taking part again.” The relaxed stand design provided the perfect environment for intense yet enjoyable conversations Digital Burglary Protection Dr. Florian Scharr, Press Spokesman, VdS Schadenverhütung GmbH said, “Our goals were surpassed at Security Essen. At times, our stand was besieged! The burglar protection was particularly important and the topic of digital burglary protection was in high demand, which was very pleasing. We are delighted that so many industry representatives as well as numerous installers and planners came to find out more about VdS. Security Essen is a very important trade fair for us.” For the first time, the three security associations -BDGW, BDSW and BDLS – presented themselves together at Security Essen" Dr. Harald Olschok, Managing Director, BDSW Bundesverband der Sicherheitswirtschaft commented, “Once again we can look back on a successful trade fair week. For the first time, the three security associations – Federal Association of German Money and Value Services (BDGW), Association of private security industry (BDSW) and Federal Association of Aviation Security Companies (BDLS) – presented themselves together at Security Essen.” Buy Something Specific “The expert visitors and interested guests were informed about the work of the security associations through various events and lectures in the trade fair forums. Alone on the ‘Day of training and further education’, which takes place in cooperation with Messe Essen, around 300 visitors again took part.” Friederike Nielsen, VP of Marketing, Dedrone GmbH said, “Two years ago, our subject area ‘protection from civil drones’ was still very new. Even then, we made a great deal of interesting contacts with German and international customers and partners at Security Essen. Since then, our market has seen a great deal of additional growth. A great deal of visitors has come to our stand with a specific intention – many of them have an intention to buy something specific. We are leaving the trade fair very satisfied and will definitely be back.”

Big news on the mergers and acquisitions (M&A) front is closing out 2024, a year in which several shifts changed the face of the physical security manufacturer community. Announced in December, German giant Bosch Group is selling its Building Technologies division’s product business for security and communications technology to the European investment firm Triton.  Bosch division selling to Triton  The transaction encompasses three business units – Video, Access and Intrusion, and Communication – and thus the entire product business of Bosch Building Technologies that was offered for sale. All 4,300 associates employed in these units at more than 90 locations worldwide will be taken over. The transaction reflects a growing confidence in the security market among private equity companies such as Triton, Becklar, and Volaris.   Sharing best practices Acre Security and Bosch will remain independent, standalone companies under Triton’s ownership Acre Security, previously acquired by Triton, has benefited from Triton’s strategic guidance and expertise, according to the company, which is confident Bosch will experience the same level of support and opportunity to thrive. Acre Security and Bosch will remain independent, standalone companies under Triton’s ownership, but will benefit from the potential to collaborate and share best practices as part of the broader Triton portfolio.  Resideo acquires Snap One  Earlier in 2024, there were other large M&A transactions. In the spring, Resideo Technologies, Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of technology-driven products and solutions, agreed to acquire Snap One Holdings Corp., a provider of smart-living products, services, and software to professional integrators. The transaction is valued at $1.4 billion, inclusive of net debt. Upon closing, Snap One becomes part of Resideo's ADI Global Distribution business.  Honeywell buys Carrier’s Access Solutions  In late 2023, Honeywell announced plans to enhance and strengthen its building automation capabilities with the acquisition of Carrier Global Corporation’s Global Access Solutions business for $4.95 billion, in an all-cash transaction.  The acquisition, which played out through 2024, includes both hardware and software solutions, adding three respected brands to Honeywell’s portfolio with a focus on life safety and digital access solutions. Acquired brands include LenelS2, commercial and enterprise access solutions; Onity electronic locks; and Supra cloud-based electronic real estate lock boxes. Hirsch reemerges as an iconic brand  The Identiv sale was originally announced in April, subject to regulatory approval Identiv announced plans to sell its physical security business and assets to Vitaprotech, the security solutions provider that also acquired British manufacturer, TDSI, in 2019. The Identiv sale was originally announced in April, subject to regulatory approval.  As a result of the sale, Hirsch, a global security technology pioneer advancing physical security, video intelligence, cybersecurity, and digital identification solutions, announces the relaunch of its iconic brand and strengthened focus on the industry’s most complete high-security, end-to-end platform.  Ease of use security solutions The move seeks to reposition Hirsch as the global pioneer in physical security, video intelligence, and identity solutions, protecting everything from small enterprises to critical national infrastructure. With a 43-year-strong foundation in the industry, Hirsch’s mission has always been empowering a secure, connected world, combining government-grade high security with ease of use. Milestone and Arcules unite  Effective July 1, 2024, global video technology company Milestone Systems announced its merger with the cloud-based video surveillance solutions provider, Arcules. Both companies are owned by Japanese multinational Canon Inc. Based in Irvine, Calif., Arcules was spun off from Milestone in 2017. The merger brings together Milestone and Arcules’ best-in-class capabilities within video management software (VMS), video analytics, and video surveillance as a service (VSaaS), providing a complete video technology offering.  More M&A stories in 2024  In other M&A moves in 2024, cloud-based workforce management software provider Synerion USA Inc. acquired cloud-based video surveillance and access control solutions platform Qumulex Inc. Also, the global pioneer in airspace awareness and security, Dedrone, became part of the public safety and technology company Axon. The acquisition unites two companies with a shared mission to improve public safety and national security by staying ahead of persistent and escalating threats, enabling faster, more effective responses and ultimately protecting more lives in more places.

  Williams Meredith recently stepped out of his Kentucky home to see a drone hovering over his porch, videotaping his young daughters by the family pool. It wasn’t the first time one of these small flying devices had wandered over to take a look, but it had never gotten so close. So he did what any red-blooded American would do when confronted with a home invader – he blew it from the sky with a single shotgun blast. The confrontation is another example of the rising use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and a confirmation that neither laws or law enforcement have kept up. In recent months, drones have been used to smuggle drugs behind prison walls and enable paparazzi to crash celebrity weddings. Officials at power plants and other secure facilities report seeing these vehicles buzzing their perimeters, sparking concern they could be used by criminals or terrorists. Tracking Drones Those fears have opened up a new market for drone detection systems like those marketed by Dedrone, whose Drone Tracker device has been installed by a variety of companies with property to protect. Williams Meredith decided to get one to protect his home. “This has happened before, and when the police come there is no evidence there was even a drone here – let alone where it was over my property,” he explains. “Now we have the capacity of being alerted when it gets here no matter where it is. We now have video and sound of it being here.” Dealing with drones has beencomplicated by laws and regulationsthat never considered the idea of small, relatively cheap unmanned remote controlled vehicles For Meredith, the issue is protecting home and family and providing evidence to law enforcement. After shooting down the drone it was he (not the drone’s owner) who was arrested and charged with first degree criminal mischief and wanton endangerment for discharging a firearm. Drones are so new that privacy and property protection laws haven’t caught up. The Federal Aviation Administration – after prodding by Congress – has recently begun to rewrite regulations and in preparation to issue permits for the commercial use of UAVs. “They finally published [regulations] for comment at the beginning of this year, and they’ll be lucky if they get them passed and promulgated by some time in 2016,” says John Fry, a partner in the new drone practice group at Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP. Meredith expects the charges against him to be dropped, and some experts agree that’s likely even in the absence of new laws. University of Miami law professor Michael Froomkin says it’s reasonable for a homeowner to assume that “robotic intrusions” are menacing and that you may have the right to “employ violent self-help.” That’s also the way Meredith looks at it. Growing Market For Drone Trackers “There are very few products on the market today that are really addressing the security concerns with drones,” says Dedrone CEO Brian Edmunds. “Ours differs quite a bit from some of the others in that we have a multi-sensor approach to drone detection.” It’s equipped with microphones for audio recording, video cameras and near-infrared sensors for image detection in low light. Using multiple parameters such as noise, shape, and movement patterns, it can detect all types of drones including silent gliders. The built-in camera saves images and videos in HD quality, providing the type of evidence of the threat intrusion that Meredith lacked in his drone encounter. “Detection is really a big task because there are so many things flying in any area,” says Edmunds. “You have planes, helicopters, birds, leaves, and you have to be able to differentiate between the things that are safe and the drone that may be flying in your airspace.” Critical infrastructure such as gasand electric generation companiesand nuclear power plants are alsodeploying the system to guard theirfacilities against a threat thatoften goes undetected The system is programed to distinguish these objects based on sound and unique flight patterns. Once confirmed, the system automatically sends a text or email alert to a smartphone or other device. It also starts recording video that is stored locally for later use. As drones have multiplied, some have garnered headlines. Early this year, when a drunken intelligence agency employee crashed his drone on the White House lawn, inquiries coming into Dedrone ratcheted up as well. “Right now we’ve been talking with prison facilities, private industry and individuals as well,” says Edmunds. “People are starting to see more and more that this is a threat and they want (Drone Tracker) for their own personal security.” Critical infrastructure such as gas and electric generation companies and nuclear power plants are also deploying the system to guard their facilities against a threat that often goes undetected, he adds. Lagging Laws For UAVs Dealing with drones has been complicated by laws and regulations that never considered the idea of small, relatively cheap unmanned remote controlled vehicles. The FAA has been writing drone regulations, but only for commercial use. The FAA is issuing licenses – called 333 Exemptions – to companies such as Amazon.com, which wants to use the vehicles to deliver packages to customers. The agency has issued almost 2,000 of the exemptions so far this year. “That’s a pretty dramatic increase in the allowance rate, but we still have one of the most significant aspects of drone operation, which is the airspace management and safety, still being managed by exemption,” observes Fry. In the meantime, states are beginning to debate and pass legislation to protect privacy and property rights, according to Tony Roehl, another partner in the Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP drone group. “We found that the U.S. is behind other countries that have addressed drones much more comprehensively at the national government level,” he explains. “That’s why you’re seeing a lot of innovation in drones coming from outside the United States.” Meanwhile, business and individuals are taking matters into their own hands, deploying detection systems and even confronting drones head on.