Jumbi Edulbehram

The year ahead holds endless promise for the physical security industry, and much of that future will be determined by which technologies the industry embraces. The menu of possibilities is long – from artificial intelligence to the Internet of Things to the cloud and much more – and each technology trend has the potential to transform the market in its own way. We tapped into the collective expertise of our Expert Panel Roundtable to answer this question: What technology trend will have the biggest impact on the security market in 2019?

Cybersecurity continues to be a major theme in the physical security industry, but effective cybersecurity comes at a cost. Higher cost is contrary to another major trend in the market: lower product pricing, which some have characterized as a ‘race to the bottom’. Chinese manufacturers, whose products tend to have lower prices, have been the target of cybersecurity concerns and even a government ban. So what is the overall impact of cybersecurity on pricing trends in video products? We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: Are cybersecurity concerns slowing down the ‘race to the bottom’ (i.e., the dominance of lower-cost cameras)?

The new year 2019 is brimming with possibilities for the physical security industry, but will those possibilities prove to be good news or bad news for our market? Inevitably, it will be a combination of good and bad, but how much good and how bad? We wanted to check the temperature of the industry as it relates to expectations for the new year, so we asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: How optimistic is your outlook for the physical security industry in 2019? Why?

In many regards, 2018 was a turbulent year for the physical security marketplace, driven by evolving technologies and changing customer needs, among other factors. Year-end is a great time to reflect, so we asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: What caused the most disruption in the physical security marketplace in 2018? 

The concept of how security systems can contribute to the broader business goals of a company is not new. It seems we have been talking about benefits of security systems beyond “just” security for more than a decade. Given the expanding role of technologies in the market, including video and access control, at what point is the term “security” too restrictive to accurately describe what our industry does? We asked the Expert Panel Roundtable for their responses to this premise: Is the description “security technology” too narrow given the broader application possibilities of today’s systems? Why?

In today’s global economy, goods are manufactured all over the world and shipped to customers thousands of miles away. Where goods are manufactured thus becomes a mere detail. However, in the case of “Made in China”, the location of a manufacturer has become more high-profile and possibly more urgent. The U.S. government recently banned the use in government installations of video system components from two Chinese manufacturers, presumably because of cybersecurity concerns. A simmering trade war between China and the United States also emphasizes other concerns related to Chinese manufacturing. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: Should "Made in China" be seen as a negative in the video surveillance marketplace? Why or why not?

Physical security technologies operate successfully in many different markets, but in which markets do they fall short? Physical security is a difficult challenge that can sometime defy the best efforts of manufacturers, integrators and end users. This is especially the case in some of the more problematic markets and applications where even the best technology has to offer may not be good enough, or could it be that the best technology has not been adequately applied? We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable to reflect on instances when the industry may fall short: Which segments of the physical security industry are most under-served and why?

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a current buzzword in the physical security market – and the subject of considerable hype. However, AI sometimes get negative press, too, including dire warnings of its potential and eventual impact from some of our most prominent technology thinkers. We decided to take the issue to our Expert Panel Roundtable with this week’s question: What are the negative impacts and/or new challenges of AI for physical security?

By definition, an edge device is an entry point to a network. In the physical security industry, edge devices are the cameras, sensors, access controllers, readers and other equipment that provide information to the IP networks that drive today’s systems. In the Internet of Things (IoT), edge computing refers to an increasing role of edge devices to process data where it is created instead of sending it across a network to a data center or the cloud. In our market, edge computing takes the form of smarter video cameras and other devices that store and/or process data locally. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What’s new “on the edge” of security and video surveillance systems? 

What happens after the sale is complete, after the contracts are all signed and sealed? That’s when an abundance of variables can kick in – variables that can mean the difference between a successful security system or a case of buyer’s remorse. The features and value of equipment involved in a security system are well known before the sale closes, as hopefully are the integrator’s and end-user’s expectations about after-sale service. But what is the reality of after-sale service, and how can manufacturer’s make it better? We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: How can security system manufacturers improve their after-sale service for integrators and end users?

Video cameras are everywhere, and hundreds more are installed every day. Our society appears to be reaching a point of perpetual surveillance. It certainly feels as if we are always being watched even though it is not yet the case. But as cameras are becoming more common than ever, we are also entering a new era of privacy concerns and sensitivities, as evidenced by GDPR and other such initiatives. We presented this quandary to this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: Surveillance cameras can go anywhere, right? Where is it “not OK?”

Hospitality businesses work to provide a safe and pleasant customer experience for their guests. Hotels offer a “home away from home” for millions of guests every day around the world. These are businesses of many sizes and types, providing services ranging from luxury accommodations to simple lodging for business travelers to family vacation experiences. Hospitality businesses also include restaurants, bars, movie theaters and other venues. Security needs are varied and require technologies that span a wide spectrum. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What are the security challenges of the hospitality market?

High-quality products are the building blocks of successful physical security systems. How they are packaged may sometimes be seen as an unimportant detail or an afterthought. But should it be? Effective packaging can serve many functions, from creating a favorable customer impression to ensuring the product isn’t damaged in transit. Packaging can also contribute to ease of installation. On the negative side, excess packaging can be an environmental concern, especially for customers who are sensitive to green factors or to minimizing waste. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: Is packaging of products important in the commercial security market? Why or why not?

Knowledge shared among peers is often afforded more credibility than information from manufacturers. An approximation of that principle is at work in the use of case studies as marketing tools in the physical security industry. Case studies are aimed at telling real-world success stories – from actual customers – about how various technologies are used to accomplish security goals and make the world a safer place. But how useful are they? We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What are the benefits of case studies as a marketing tool in the security industry?

You could say concerns about privacy are “trending” in our increasingly data-driven world. Unease about how Facebook and other high-tech companies use and share data dominates the news, and the full impact of new European Union (EU) regulations is about to be felt around the world. By May 25, companies that collect data on EU citizens will need to comply with strict new rules around protecting customer data, as enumerated in the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). But how do the new regulations, and broader concerns about privacy, affect the physical security market? We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: How do privacy issues and regulations, such as GDPR, impact physical security systems and how they are managed?

Should ‘Made in China’ be seen as a negative in security systems and products? It’s an important and complex issue that merits a more detailed response than my recent comment in the Expert Panel Roundtable. For me, there are two sides of the answer to this question: Buying products that have certain negative attributes that are not in alignment with some part of a belief system or company mandate. Buying products that do not perform as advertised or do something that is unacceptable. For integrators and end users making the buying decisions, the drive to purchase products may not be based on either aspect and instead on the product that can do the best job for their business. But for others, a greater emphasis on the ethical implications of purchasing decisions drives decision-making. What Is Ethical Consumption? Ethical consumption is a type of consumer activism that is based on the concept of ‘positive buying’ in that ethical products are favoredEthical consumption — often called ethical consumerism — is a type of consumer activism that is based on the concept of ‘positive buying’ in that ethical products are favored, and products that are ethically questionable may be met with a ‘moral boycott’. This can be as simple as only buying organic produce or as complex as boycotting products made in a totalitarian regime that doesn't offer its citizens the same freedoms that we enjoy in the United States. Consider the goals of the Boston Tea Party or the National Consumers League (NCL), which was formed to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. Some examples of considerations behind ethical consumption include fair trade, treatment of workers, genetic modification, locally made and processed goods, union-made products and services, humane animal treatment, and in general, labor issues and manufacturing practices that take these factors into account. Increase In Ethical Consumption The numbers show that ethical consumption is on the rise. In a 2017 study by Unilever, 33 percent of consumers reported choosing to buy and support brands that they believe are doing social or environmental good. In the same study, 53 percent of shoppers in the United Kingdom and 78 percent in the United States said they feel better when they buy products that are ‘sustainably’ produced. There’s clear evidence that products from some Chinese companies suffer from cybersecurity vulnerabilities Though the aforementioned question that sparked this conversation centers around concerns with products made in China, there are many other countries where, for example, governments/dictators are extremely repressive to all or parts of their populations, whose products, such as oil, diamonds, minerals, etc., we happily consume. There are also a number of countries that are a threat in terms of cybersecurity. It may be naive and simplistic to single out Chinese manufacturers. Impact On Physical Security Products Product buying decisions based on factors other than product functionality, quality and price are also starting to permeate the security marketplace. While this hasn't been a large focus area from the business-to-business consumption side, it's something that should be considered for commercial security products for a variety of reasons. Hardware hacks are more difficult to pull off and potentially more devastating" There’s clear evidence that products from some Chinese companies suffer from cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Last fall, 30 U.S. companies, including Apple and Amazon, were potentially compromised when it was discovered that a tiny microchip in the motherboard of servers built in China that weren't a part of the original specification. According to a Bloomberg report, “This attack was something graver than the software-based incidents the world has grown accustomed to seeing. Hardware hacks are more difficult to pull off and potentially more devastating, promising the kind of long-term, stealth access that spy agencies are willing to invest millions of dollars and many years to get.” This, along with many other incidents, are changing the considerations behind purchasing decisions even in the physical security industry. Given that physical security products in general have been lax on cybersecurity, this is a welcome change. Combating Tech-Specific Threats In early January, members of the U.S. Senate introduced bipartisan legislation to help combat tech-specific threats to national security posed by foreign actors and ensure U.S. technological supremacy by improving interagency coordination across the U.S. government. The bill creates the Office of Critical Technologies & Security at the White House, an indication that this issue is of critical importance to a number of players across the tech sector. Members of the U.S. Senate introduced bipartisan legislation to help combat tech-specific threats to national security posed by foreign actors To address a significant number of concerns around ethical production, there are certifications such as ISO 26000 which provides guidance on social responsibility by addressing accountability, transparency, ethical behavior, respect for stakeholder interests, respect for rule of law, respect for international norms of behavior and respect for human rights. While still emerging within physical security, companies that adhere to these and other standards do exist in the marketplace. Not Buying Products Vulnerable To Cyberattacks It may be counter-productive, even irresponsible, to brand all products from an entire country as unfit for purchasing. Some manufacturers’ products may be ethically questionable, or more vulnerable to cyberattacks than others; so not buying products made by those companies would make sense. The physical security industry might be playing a bit of catch up on this front, but I think we're beginning to see a shift toward this kind of responsible buying behavior.

In 1973, a brilliant economist named E.F. Schumacher wrote a seminal book titled ‘Small Is Beautiful:’ taking an opposing stance to the emergence of globalization and “bigger is better” industrialism. He described the advantages of smaller companies and smaller scales of production, highlighting the benefits of building our economies around the needs of communities, not corporations. In almost every industry or market that exists in the world today, you're likely to find a difference in size between companies. Whether it’s a global retail chain versus a small family-owned store, a corporate restaurant chain versus a mom-and-pop diner or a small bed and breakfast versus a large hotel chain — each side of the coin presents unique characteristics and advantages in a number of areas. Disparity In Physical Security Industry Customers are drawn to products and services from large enterprises as the big names typically imply stability This disparity very clearly exists in the physical security industry, and differences in the sizes of product manufacturers and service providers could have important implications for the quality and type of the products and services offered. All too often, customers are drawn to products and services from large enterprises, as the big names typically imply stability, extensive product offerings and global reach. And that's not to say that these considerations are unwarranted; one could argue that larger companies have more resources for product development and likely possess the combined expertise and experience to provide a wide range of products and services. But the value that a company’s products and services can bring isn’t necessarily directly related to or dependent on its size. In an age where the common wisdom is to scale up to be more efficient and profitable, it’s interesting to pause and think about some of the possible advantages of small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). Typically, “small” companies are defined as those with less than 100 employees and “medium” with less than 500. Providing Social Mobility  Schumacher argued that smaller companies are important engines of economic growth. Indeed, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), a group of 36 member countries that promotes policies for economic and social well-being, SMBs account for 60 to 70 percent of jobs in most OECD countries. Importantly, SMBs provide resilience in that there are often large economic and social impacts when big companies fail. Smaller companies are better for regional economies in general, as earnings stay more local compared to big businesses, which in turn generates additional economic activity. SMBs are also better at providing social mobility for disadvantaged groups by giving them opportunities and enabling them to realize their potential. Smaller companies are often more innovative, bringing to the market novel technologies and solutions such as Cloud, analytics, AI, and IoT New Companies Introduce New Technologies There's no denying the role of start-ups when it comes to innovation. In the security industry, many new technologies (e.g. Cloud, analytics, AI, IoT) are first brought to the market by newer companies. In general, smaller companies’ products and services often have to be as good or better than others to be competitive in the marketplace. They are therefore often more innovative, bringing to the market novel technologies and solutions. And these companies are also more willing to try out other new B2B solutions, while larger companies tend to be more risk-averse. Customer Service Aside from the quality of products and services, arguably one of the most important components of a security company’s success is its ability to interact with and provide customers the support that they deserve. Smaller companies are able to excel and stand out to their customers in a number of ways: Customer service. Customers’ perceptions of a product’s quality are influenced by the quality of support, and smaller manufacturers often possess a strong, motivated customer service team that can be relatively more responsive to customers of all sizes, not just the large ones. A superior level of support generally translates into high marks on customer satisfaction, since customers’ issues with products can be resolved promptly. Flexibility. SMBs have a greater capacity to detect and satisfy small market niches. While large companies generally create products and services for large markets, smaller companies deal more directly with their customers, enabling them to meet their needs and offer customized products and services. And this translates to adaptability, as SMBs become responsive to new market trends. By having a pulse on the market, smaller companies have much more flexibility in their supply chain and can adjust much faster in response to changing demand. Decision-making. Smaller companies are much more agile in decision-making, while larger enterprises often suffer from complex, tedious and lengthy decision-making processes. Communication is easier throughout SMBs, as smaller teams enable new ideas to flow and can solve problems faster. Job Satisfaction Employees working for SMBs connect more directly with the company's goals and objectives, which in turn increases motivation and job satisfaction Employees working for SMBs connect more directly with the company's goals and objectives, which in turn increases motivation and job satisfaction. SMBs are also generally more connected to local communities and participation in community activities leads to a greater sense of purpose. Additionally, SMBs have a much smaller impact on the environment, which is increasingly becoming an important consideration for today’s employees and customers. Though Schumacher's book takes a much deeper dive into the large global effects of scale on people and profitability, the general impact of a company’s size on its products and services is clear. It’s important for all players in the security industry to remember that the commitment and dedication to product quality can be found in businesses of all sizes. Ensuring Safety Of People, Property And Assets Large manufacturers may catch your eye, but small business shouldn’t be forgotten, as they can offer end users a robust set of attributes and benefits. While all security companies are aiming to achieve a common goal of providing safety for people, property and assets, smaller businesses can provide extensive value when it comes to driving the economy, innovating in the industry, providing quality employment and offering superior customer service.

It's no secret that one of the next market segments to see exceptional growth nationwide is somewhat non-traditional: cannabis. The global cannabis market is projected to reach $60 billion by 2024, according to Ameri Research, fueled by the increasing legalisation and decriminalisation across much of the United States. It is estimated that 22 million pounds of marijuana are grown each year in the United States, with 80 percent coming from California, Tennessee, Kentucky, Hawaii and Washington, according to Mother Jones. Unlike other products, this commodity is valuable from the moment the seeds go in the ground to the exchanging of money for end-user products - and at every point in between.Within large greenhouses, 360-degree cameras that show a wide field of view are essential for cannabis protection From seedlings to selling, securing every point within the supply chain is vital to the assets being distributed, and companies are now realising how lucrative this endeavor can be. Critical to the success of the industry is keeping the merchandise secure and the workers safe. In this article, we explore each part of the supply chain within the cannabis market and address ways of implementing robust security measures.  Plants, Fields And Greenhouses This is one industry where money actually grows on trees! When cannabis crops are planted either in greenhouses or in fields, security becomes critical, since the plants themselves are worth a significant amount of money. A single truckload can be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, so securing the load is crucial to the process Producers don't want plants stolen – especially high-end varieties that garner a bigger profit when harvested and sold – and the size of the plants make theft a greater possibility. Video surveillance becomes vital at this point and can be used in a variety of ways. Within large greenhouses, single cameras that can cover a wide expanse of space, such as cameras that offer 360-degree views, are essential and can provide more coverage with less investment overall than traditional narrow field-of-view cameras.Advanced technology, such as unmanned aerial vehicles (or drones), are also being used in open fields in an effort to protect these plants.  Comprehensive video surveillance becomes the main tool for thwarting cannabis theft and addressing incidents as they arise Transportation And Protection Once the plants are mature enough to be harvested, they must be transported to a production facility where they are either dried or cured based on the needs of the grower, as well as processed and transformed into edible products to be sold at retail locations. There are already a range of companies that specialize in keeping these crop yields safe while they are transported: think Brinks armored transportation used for cash, but for cannabis. A single truckload can be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars – if not more – so securing the load is crucial to the process. Losing one of these loads can lead to large-scale losses for a producer. Surveillance equipment that can withstand sanitation standards and power-washing is paramount for effective protection After being transported, cannabis must be processed. In these environments, where strict handling processes are in place, surveillance equipment that can withstand sanitation standards and power-washing is paramount. This requires camera enclosures that are rated for resistance to high-pressure water jets, dust and vandalism/tampering. Since edible processing requires stringent regulations be followed, it becomes more critical for security managers to identify solutions that carry the NSF Mark, making them compliant with standards set forth for commercial food equipment in North America, or the HCV EU, the equivalent in Europe.  Many of these locations handle and store large amounts of cash since customers have to pay with cash Retail Protection As the final products come out of processing and go into storefronts to be sold by retailers in States that have recreational or medical facilities, there's another level of security that must be in place to protect these transactions. But careful considerations must be made. Traditional security tags cannot generally be used because of the small size of many of the end products, making it more difficult to track with tracking devices. Traditional security tags cannot generally be used because of the small size of many of the end products In this instance, comprehensive video surveillance becomes the main tool for thwarting theft and addressing incidents as they arise. In these locations, a loss prevention or security officer has to be an integral part of the team. Another consideration is the careful screening of the potential employees.  Since the federal government doesn't recognize cannabis producers and retailers, banks that are federally insured through the FDIC don't accept money from these establishments, meaning that many of these locations handle and store large amounts of cash since customers have to pay with cash. There must be security measures in place for these kinds of transactions, including the ability for video surveillance to be played back instantaneously in the event of an incident at a cash register. The cannabis market comes with a variety of challenges at each and every step of the operation, from growing to transport to production and sales. Video surveillance and business intelligence solutions are ideal for these applications, and as the market grows, more and more security companies will look to cater to the market. 

The physical security market continues to experience growth as users look to capitalize on the promises of emerging technologies and because of this, 2017 proved to be a great year for Oncam. In fact, this year was the best year in Oncam's history in terms of sales, as 360-degree fisheye cameras have gone from being a “specialty” camera used only in certain applications to a primary device for enabling total situational awareness. Today, many of our customers leverage 360-degree cameras exclusively to provide extensive coverage inside a facility or in a large outdoor area, with traditional narrow field-of-view cameras used only at “choke” points. Increase In Cybersecurity Threats And Breaches At the end of 2016, we predicted a major trend this year would be an increase in cybersecurity concerns for users of physical security systems, and we were right. An increase in cybersecurity threats and breaches have put organizations on watch. Based on this and the adoption of more IT-centric infrastructure and protocols, there is significant collaboration between IT and physical security, and true “convergence” is finally starting to happen. The adoption of video analytics also continued to increase this year, as most video surveillance projects involved the use of some form of analytics and data analysis. Demand For Safeguards As we move into 2018, the trends of 2017 will roll over, and cybersecurity will continue to be a major issue. Suppliers of hardware and software will put an even greater emphasis being cyber secure and end users will increasingly demand safeguards. Additionally, the deployment and use of advanced analytics based on newer artificial intelligence-based technologies will continue to increase. It will be the technology providers that find ways to allow users to capture additional value from the information collected by security systems that will accelerate growth. Oncam made significant investments in new products that leverage analytics and cloud technologies. In 2018, we will continue to invest in the development of new products, with a focus on solutions for particular applications across industry segments. Beyond our technology advancements, we've invested significantly in boosting our sales force in the Americas and adding industry experts to ensure sustained customer and partner success with our solutions. From our vantage point, Oncam is well positioned to capitalize on opportunities for growth in the coming year.

Over the last year, we have continued to see the rise of manufacturers from China in the mid- to low-end market for video surveillance - a trend that currently shows no signs of tapering. Additionally, the shift from analog to IP systems has remained consistent, with end users increasingly looking to network-enabled devices to mitigate risk from both a physical and cyber perspective. Complex network attacks in 2016 demonstrated the need for increased network security for network-connected devices such as IP cameras and network video recorders. More and more manufacturers are considering the potential for such attacks when designing updates for existing hardware and software technology, strengthening password requirements, incorporating robust data encryption, and educating integrators and end users on how to put protocols in place to protect the valuable information being collected. Increased Security Collaborations Today’s surveillance technology - and the new innovations right around the corner - incorporates more IT protocols in response to high-profile cyber incidents. As a result, IT standards will finally start being adopted by security system manufacturers over the course of the next few years. At the same time, we'll see increased collaboration between IT and security leaders within enterprises. Intelligent, Big Data Analysis Video technologies such as panoramic 360-degree cameras with advanced dewarping capabilities are being rapidly adopted, along with video analytics software that enables the extraction of data for business intelligence, apart from just security video. The future includes more widespread availability of cloud technologies and services. In 2017, we can look forward to the more widespread adoption of intelligent analytics and big data analysis, which has the potential to streamline processes and optimize sales operations for organizations to drive new levels of business intelligence. See the full coverage of 2016/2017 Review and Forecast articles here Save

As the technology in omnidirectional cameras continues to improve, they are becoming increasingly more affordable to a wider segment of the video surveillance market Just a few years ago, omnidirectional cameras were a novelty. Today, however, this technology has taken the leap to the mainstream. Think about how ubiquitous Google’s Street View is, and you can gain a better idea of the power of omnidirectional cameras. Even consumers are starting to see many forms of omnidirectional cameras, from 360-degree lenses on SLRs to 360-degree video from action cameras. To that end, 360-degree cameras represent one of the strongest areas of growth in surveillance technology, with global unit shipments forecasted by IHS to increase by more than 60 percent year-on-year. Omnidirectional Vs. Traditional Cameras  Both 360- and 180-degree surveillance cameras offer panoramic views, helping reduce the number of traditional narrow field-of-view cameras needed in a single installation. Omnidirectional cameras can also be used in concert with PTZ cameras, or replace them entirely depending on the application. Not only does this help increase situational awareness, it decreases the overall cost of the cameras, installation and maintenance. Compared to PTZ cameras, omnidirectional cameras have the advantage of being able to pan, tilt and zoom around in both live, as well as stored video, which means operators can pinpoint problems in real-time, ensuring incidents can be resolved quickly and efficiently, and at the same time, go back to stored 360-degree video to conduct investigations. The option for 180- and 360-degree coverage from a single camera is delivered via a specialized lens on one sensor or a camera that integrates with multiple sensors with conventional lenses aligned to provide an ultra-wide-angle coverage. Single-lens or “fisheye” cameras use a specialized lens called a fisheye lens, which, when compared to a conventional lens, employs different optical design techniques that can lead to the distortion of the captured image when viewing beyond a 90-degree horizontal field-of-view. With this, “barrel distortion” can occur, where a circular image is created and a straight line within the captured image appears curved. ‘Dewarping’ software has to be used to correct this optical illusion. As a consequence of lens design idiosyncrasies in 180- and 360-degree fisheye cameras, either an oval or circular shaped imaged is created. Since image sensors used in surveillance cameras are square or rectangular, some parts of the sensor are not used. Increasingly Affordable Solutions As the technology in these types of cameras continues to improve, they are becoming increasingly more affordable to a wider segment of the video surveillance market. Similarly, higher resolutions and more affordable storage for video data make it more affordable to get increased amounts of coverage and detail at the same time. As mentioned previously, cost savings can also be realised when a single 360-degree camera replaces three to four fixed cameras, a result that can be recreated in other areas or departments within an organization to help realize additional cost savings. Fisheye Vs. Multi-Sensor Fisheye and multi-sensor cameras both create panoramic images, but do so in very different ways. Fisheye cameras capture the whole scene in a single view without having to stitch images, so the full view of the captured video footage has consistent brightness, sharpness and contrast across the entire scene. Fisheye cameras also offer a number of other benefits: higher reliability as a result of a single sensor, camera and lens arrangement; no blind spots; fixed focus, making installation quicker; lower cost; and a smaller, less obtrusive form factor. Additionally, the dewarping of the image is carried out in the video management system or network video recorder, allowing for higher frame rates at any given bandwidth.   Omnidirectional cameras can pan, tilt and zoom around in both live and stored video, which means operators can pinpoint problems in real-time  However, fisheye cameras may have fewer pixels per foot, depending on the total resolution, and these types of cameras require client-side dewarping to gain the full benefits of retrospective image adjustment – that is, dewarping of stored video for investigations. Multi-sensor cameras, on the other hand, may offer a higher total resolution depending on the individual resolution of each of the sensors within the camera. Here, dewarping is not required since each sensor is, in essence, a narrow field-of-view camera. Multi-sensor cameras, however, have more than one sensor, which can lead to an overall higher maintenance costs, and with four or more cameras needed to cover a specific area, there is an increased risk that one or more of the sensors can malfunction — in essence, lower reliability. Installation of multi-sensor cameras is also more complicated and more time-intensive. Additionally, the units themselves can be large and bulky, and complex to operator and manage — each view has to be stitched together, which means captured images have to be carefully calibrated with the correct brightness, color, contrast and sharpness for the image to be as clear and seamless as it needs to be for viewing and evidentiary purposes. Other possible considerations include: additional licensing fees for each camera connected to an NVR or VMS, total frame rate is generally lower and bandwidth usage will be high. Also, storage costs are higher. As businesses look to increase situational awareness by investing in omnidirectional cameras, it’s important to carefully evaluate the technology being implemented and various options before moving forward with an implementation Dewarping Images If a camera sends a 360-degree image, the VMS software has to dewarp the image so that users can get normal views while electronically PTZ’ing around in the image. This is called “client-side” dewarping. With client-side dewarping, images can be dewarped retrospectively — that is, stored video can be dewarped, enabling users to forensically analyze a scene after the fact. The result is that investigations can be carried on as if the video were being watched in real time, making the data indispensable to investigators examining the details of a crime or security breach. Not only does this approach deliver new levels of situational awareness, but it also allows officials to use the data to examine additional areas of interest. The virtual PTZ function can only be experienced via client-side dewarping for stored video, and it can also be run on still images. Additionally, different parts of the image might be useful for different applications that are hard to predict in advance. For example, a merchandiser may want to zoom in and look at signage or an end cap after the fact to gain better insight into the business. Client-side dewarping may also be run on mobile devices, on either live or on stored video. One challenge of client-side dewarping is that VMS and NVR platforms have to support this function. There are already a large number of platforms that support this functionality because of end user demand. On the other hand, camera-side dewarping does not require a VMS/NVR platform to integrate this function. Camera-side dewarping means you can only virtually PTZ around in a live scene, which is the same as using a motorized PTZ camera – and this function requires an operator to manually navigate and record what the camera sees. Once these views are fixed, a user may only see those views in stored footage, severely limiting the possibility of being able to capture a wider scene for analysis. This means there may be more blind spots in live and stored video depending on how the views are configured. Evaluating Technology Implemented As businesses look to increase situational awareness by investing in omnidirectional cameras, it’s important to carefully evaluate the technology being implemented and various options before moving forward with an implementation. There are a number of pros and cons to dewarping software and the views within the cameras to consider. But, with higher resolutions and more efficient dewarping/stitching technologies, omnidirectional cameras may soon replace narrow field-of-view and PTZ cameras in a number of vertical markets, including transportation, retail, education, banking and finance, maritime, leisure and gaming, ushering in a new era of total situational awareness with a wealth of data and insight yet untapped.

The year 2015 has been notable in several ways. Industry changes include a rise in Chinese manufacturers in the mid- to low-end market, more mobile devices providing video surveillance, and the rise of omnidirectional and higher-megapixel cameras. Unexpectedly, the industry also saw an increase in popularity of do-it-yourself security systems and the speed with which Chinese companies saturated the marketplace with “good enough” products. Omni-Directional Cameras Oncam welcomes the trend in 360-degree and omnidirectional cameras, as our company saw a more than 40 percent growth in 2015 as compared with 2014, signifying increasing demand for our technology. However, it wasn’t without its challenges, including the hiring of talented engineers in this high-demand environment and the increasing pressure from Chinese manufacturers to drop prices. IT Security Standards Looking forward to 2016, the industry can expect to see higher megapixel cameras – and as the resolutions increase, the price of lower-resolution cameras will fall. We also will see more attention being paid to IT security because of high-profile cyber-attacks and data theft incidents, accelerating the adoption of IT security standards by system manufacturers and integrators. Additionally, the industry’s first cloud-focused conference will showcase the rise of cloud services and deployments for video surveillance and access control. Changeover From Analog To IP Systems This is a great time to be in the security industry. The changeover from old analog systems to IP systems is accelerating, creating demand for this technology. There are a lot of new video analytic technologies that are also gaining momentum for security and other applications, as well as new ways of using video – think body cameras for law enforcement and drone cameras. Still, the security industry will continue to see a certain degree of unrealised potential in the adoption of new technologies because of the training required for traditional security integrators. More and more are capable of designing, installing and supporting intelligent IP-based systems, but there is still a ways to go. See the full coverage of 2015/2016 Review and Forecast articles here

The security marketplace is talking about a lot of different subjects. Our website’s Expert Panel Roundtable discussions in 2018 reflected some of the “hot topics” in the industry.  The very most-clicked-on Expert Panel Roundtable discussion in 2018 was about privacy issues and GDPR’s impact on physical security systems. Other hot topics that made the Top-10 list of roundtable discussions included obstacles to adoption of mobile credentials, what’s new “on the edge,” and the value of physical security data. Here is a listing of the Top 10 Expert Panel Roundtable discussions posted in 2018, along with a “sound bite” from each discussion, and links back to the full articles. Thanks to everyone who contributed to Expert Panel Roundtable in 2018 (including the quotable panelists named and linked below). 1. How do privacy issues and GDPR impact physical security systems? "GDPR specifically restricts the capture and use of EU residents’ personal data and is in direct conflict with the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) platforms to track individual activities. The challenge for manufacturers will be to design solutions capable of capturing valuable information for security or business intelligence purposes while simultaneously anonymizing retained data.” - Peter Strom, March Networks 2. What are the security challenges of the hospitality market? "The primary challenge the hospitality industry faces is the fine balance between the delivery of exceptional customer service and maintaining a safe and secure environment. The industry sees a range of threats, including theft, terrorism and natural disasters, and more modern risks, such as those related to cybersecurity, liability and compliance." - Jumbi Edulbehram, Oncam 3. Where is it inappropriate to install video cameras? "The most obvious examples would be in bathrooms or bedrooms, but the more interesting cases are those that are not so obvious – such as religious institutions like a church or a mosque. An increase in the boldness of would-be thieves has led to a recent rise in surveillance outside of houses of worship." - Stuart Rawling, Pelco by Schneider Electric 4. What technology will impact security most in the rest of 2018? "The hottest trend we are currently seeing in 2018 is the continued adoption of intelligent devices and automation into the security framework. We have embraced a model where our software and hardware components continually get smarter and easier for security and IT teams to manage and deploy." - Stuart Tucker, AMAG Technology 5. What are the obstacles to adoption of mobile credentials for access control? "Mobile credentials have been slow to take off because legacy readers traditionally did not have Bluetooth or NFC capacity. However, upgrade kits will soon be available from some access control vendors, and customers will be able to easily upgrade their readers." - Derek Arcuri, Genetec 6. What’s new “on the edge” of security and video surveillance systems? "As more powerful in-camera chipsets are developed, edge devices are capable of even more powerful analytics that can inform operators in real-time of events requiring attention. Part of this significant evolution is from a form of artificial intelligence (AI) called deep learning." - Paul Kong, Hanwha Techwin America 7. Are integrators and end users overwhelmed by too many choices? "Being proactive in tracking new developments and networking with like-minded professionals are critical. Find out what your colleagues are using or testing, and get their feedback on what is working well, especially if their organization is similar to yours. Join local groups, attend industry conferences, and connect on social media to compare notes on emerging technologies." - Brandon Reich, Pivot3 8. What role does social media play in promoting security? "Social media can help us reduce false police dispatches by drawing in a personal circle of people that can validate an alarm, whether it be a neighbour looking out their window to see what’s going on, or a family member that knows your travel plans and is taking care of your house." - Wayne Jared, 3xLOGIC 9. How should your security company measure total cost of ownership (TCO)? “When looking at TCO you need to consider the obvious initial capital cost – compared to alternatives – and also the operational costs across the lifespan of the systems, across one, three and five years. On top of this, though, security can add additional value through integration.” - John Davies, TDSi 10. What is the value of physical security data? "While active protection is the primary job of a security system, the data generated by today’s networked solutions can provide a wealth of intelligence to help organisations optimize both their security strategies and their business operations.” - Mark Perkins, Boon Edam

Thousands of security professionals gathered Nov. 14-15 at the Javits Center in New York City to explore new products, solutions and technologies, network with security luminaries and obtain high-quality industry education. ISC East, sponsored by the Security Industry Association (SIA), is the Northeast’s largest security industry event; more than 7,000 security professionals attended or exhibited at this year’s conference. Following day 1 of ISC East, SIA gathered industry luminaries and experts for SIA Honors Night, an annual event featuring a cocktail reception, a gala dinner benefiting Mission 500, engaging entertainment and an awards ceremony recognizing industry leaders. Sold-Out Event SIA Honors Night 2018 was a sold-out event held at the Current at Chelsea Piers. The awards presented at SIA Honors Night 2018 were: SIA Progress Award (presented by SIA’s Women in Security Forum) – Eddie Reynolds, president and CEO, iluminar Inc. Women in Biometrics Awards (co-founded by SIA and SecureIDNews and co-presented with sponsors FindBiometrics, IDEMIA and SIA’s Women in Security Forum) – Kelly Gallagher, senior account manager at NEC Corporation of America; Lisa MacDonald, director of the Identity Management Division in the Office of Biometric identity Management at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security; Colleen Manaher, executive director of U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Lora Sims, senior biometric examiner at Ideal Innovations, Inc.; and Anne Wang, director of biometric technology research and development at Gemalto Cogent SIA Insightful Practitioner Award – Guy M. Grace, Jr., chair of the Partner Alliance for Safer Schools Steering Committee and director of security and emergency planning for Littleton Public Schools in the Denver suburb of Littleton, Colorado Jay Hauhn Excellence in Partnerships Award – Larry Folsom, co-founder and president, I-View Now George R. Lippert Memorial Award – Pat Comunale, retired security industry veteran, former member of the SIA Board of Directors and former CEO and president for Tri-Ed Distribution, an Anixter company Standout Keynotes SIA Honors Night also highlighted Mission 500, a charity that advocates for children and families living in extreme poverty in the United States Honors Night guests enjoyed keynote remarks from Bonnie St. John, a Paralympic ski medalist, Fortune 500 business consultant, Rhodes scholar, former White House official and best-selling author. St. John discussed her journey to become the first African-American ever to win medals in Winter Olympic competition despite having her right leg amputated at age five and shared her top lessons from mentors and her advice for cultivating resilience. SIA Honors Night also highlighted Mission 500, a charity that advocates for children and families living in extreme poverty in the United States; each year, SIA Honors Night raises funds for Mission 500. SIA presented 26 engaging education sessions through the SIA Education @ ISC East program, including two standout keynotes and four hands-on workshops. Hundreds of conference attendees participated in these sessions, with impressive speakers like Valerie Thomas, ethical hacker and executive consultant at Securicon; Pierre Bourgeix, president at ESI Convergent; Scott Swann, president and CEO of IDEMIA National Security Solutions; and Jumbi Edulbehram, regional president – Americas, Oncam. SIA sponsored Infosecurity North America’s Keynote Stage, the central hub of the event Confronting Emerging Threats Highlighted education sessions at this year’s conference included: Friend or Foe? Technology Disruption and the Physical Security Industry, a keynote address by Philip Halpin, senior vice president and head of global security at Brown Brothers Harriman, one of the country’s oldest and largest privately held financial firms 21st Century Best Practices: Reporting From the Front Lines on How Law Enforcement and the Security Industry Are Confronting Emerging Threats, a keynote address by James A. Gagliano, a retired FBI supervisory special agent, CNN law enforcement analyst and adjunct assistant professor at St. John’s University Cybersecurity Professionals ISC East 2018 was co-located with two additional conferences – Infosecurity North America and Unmanned Security Expo Additional cutting-edge topics covered in the education sessions included the move to smart cities, convergence in the security industry and the use of artificial intelligence in video analytics. ISC East 2018 was co-located with two additional conferences – Infosecurity North America and Unmanned Security Expo. SIA sponsored Infosecurity North America’s Keynote Stage, the central hub of the event, which featured a presentation from world-famous hacker Kevin Mitnick, insights from Dave Hogue of the National Security Agency’s Cybersecurity Threat Operations Center, a discussion on the cyber skills shortage gap and ways to attract, develop and retain talented cybersecurity professionals and more. Handle Sensitive Data Additional events at ISC East 2018 included: A breakfast presented by ISC Security Events and SIA’s Women in Security Forum featuring a panel discussion celebrating women in security and supporting the participation and advancement of women in the industry Paid hands-on workshops providing cutting-edge information and valuable insights on the most current business trends, technologies and new developments in security Free exhibitor product training sessions sharing live, in-depth demonstrations A meeting with SIA’s Data Privacy Advisory Board, which provides information and best practices to help SIA members handle sensitive data in a safe and secure manner to protect the personally identifiable information of their employees, partners and customers from potential breaches

Oncam, a provider of 360-degree video capture and business intelligence technology, announced it was honored with two awards for its innovative products: Most Innovative Online Solution from the 2018 North American Fraud Awards alongside its partners at Video Analysis Solutions (VAS) and a 2018 Money-Saving Products Award from BUILDINGS Magazine for its new Evolution 180 Indoor Camera. The recognitions demonstrate the company's continued dedication to innovation and the development of technology to address today's greatest security and business challenges. At the 2018 North American Retail Fraud Awards dinner in May, Oncam and its partner VAS were recognized by Retail Risk for their retail-centric Cloud Searching Dashboard. Oncam and VAS have created a powerful and user-friendly analytics tool that leverages Oncam's high-quality 360-degree video and intuitive VAS analytics to allow store managers and staff to securely log in and view live or recorded images, as well as monitor customer behavior and provide details on store traffic. The solution offers significant ROI by optimizing store operations, improving customer service and growing sales. The Evolution 180 range uses a 12MP sensor for high-resolution panoramic video Evolution 180 Indoor Camera The Evolution 180 Indoor Camera was recognized in the June 2018 issue of BUILDINGS Magazine for the features it provides building owners and facility managers for life safety and security. The Evolution 180 range uses a 12MP sensor for high-resolution panoramic video. Oncam’s unique Angle Compensation Technology provides adaptive dewarping in the camera, eliminating the need for integration in video management software. The camera is ONVIF Profile S compliant, making it plug-and-play with the leading video management systems on the market today. “Oncam provides innovation in the products we create, but more than that, our close collaboration with other technology leaders allows us to create solutions that enhance the abilities of our video capture tools to provide valuable insight to end users,” said Jumbi Edulbehram, Regional President – Americas, Oncam. “These awards are an acknowledgment of the hard work and dedication of our team and we're honored to be recognized.” Oncam will showcase its award-winning technology during IFSEC International 2018.

Oncam, global provider of 180- and 360-degree video capture and business intelligence technology, announced that it has experienced rapid growth over the past year, including significant expansion in the logistics, food safety and critical infrastructure markets. Additionally, in the last three years, Oncam has experienced strong revenue growth of 20 percent per year, while consistently increasing its annual investment in research and development, talent acquisition, and the formation of partnerships to bring cutting-edge solutions to market. This marked growth demonstrates the increased demand for 180- and 360-degree video solutions that deliver higher levels of situational awareness than traditional fixed cameras.  As deployments of high-resolution, omni-directional cameras have expanded, Oncam is at the forefront of developing cutting-edge video technology and incorporating next-level analytics software that uses video as a powerful management and informational tool. Oncam continues to invest heavily in product development, expansion of sales efforts and brand-building. Oncam’s key accomplishments include: The camera also boasts of NSF certification and the HVC EU mark to make it compliant with standards for commercial food equipment in North America and Europe Evolution 180 Indoor Camera Introduction of the Evolution 180 Indoor Camera, a 180-degree video solution designed to enhance panoramic imaging. The Evolution 180 Indoor meets the needs of customers in a variety of markets that require a high-resolution, wall-mounted camera with panoramic views from a single sensor. Environments that benefit from this unique view include education, hospitality, casinos, banking, retail and transportation, which demand the monitoring of large walkways, open spaces and corridors without blind spots. Introduction of the Evolution Stainless Steel form factor in both the 5MP and 12MP versions to meet the needs of customers operating in extreme environments where resilience and compliance to stringent regulations are critical: pharmaceuticals, food processing, industrial and chemical plants, and ports and marine applications. The camera also boasts of NSF certification and the HVC EU mark to make it compliant with standards for commercial food equipment in North America and Europe. Featuring marine grade 316 stainless steel for maximum resistance to corrosion, as well as IP69K/IK10 ratings for resistance to high-pressure water jets, dust and vandalism, the solution meets high standards for customers in these markets. Technology Integration Partner Program The company launched the revamped Technology Integration Partner Program, which is built to ease integration with Oncam technologies and provide extensive support to aligned technology partners. Certified partners include Pelco, Milestone Systems, Genetec, Avigilon, March Networks, Verint, Exacq Technologies, OnSSI, ClickIt, Aimetis and Dallmeier. The company has seen an increased demand for 360-degree cameras due to significant cost savings, open-platform capabilities and a dedicated sales force that truly believes in the company's mission to provide innovative technology. Significant wins in a wide variety of verticals include food processing, transportation, banking, retail, casinos and gaming, education, and logistics and manufacturing. In addition, the company’s partner network expanded through the addition of 15 partners, a 16 percent increase over the previous year. Oncam is built on a strong technology foundation and we’re now ideally positioned to capitalise on market opportunities" Recognition For Video Surveillance Solutions The company earned video surveillance innovation recognition through two product innovation awards from the Retail Risk Fraud Awards 2017 for the Most Innovative In-Store Solution and Most Innovative In-Store Surveillance. Oncam added experienced sales leaders to drive business in new and existing market segments. “In 2017, we focused on expanding our global team to extend our reach and support structure. Our team is now focused on delivering advanced 180- and 360-degree video solutions to customers in verticals such as food safety, critical infrastructure, logistics and other niche markets that require enhanced surveillance options to mitigate risk and maintain compliance,” said Jumbi Edulbehram, Regional President, Americas, Oncam. “Oncam is built on a strong technology foundation and we’re now ideally positioned to capitalise on market opportunities and realise sustained growth, allowing better decisions to be made based on real-world and digital data,” he adds.

SourceSecurity.com’s Expert Panel covered a lot of ground in 2017 about a variety of topics resonating in the security market.   The most-read Roundtable discussion in 2017 was about a familiar and ongoing debate: What is an open system? Other hot topics that made the Top-10 list of Roundtable discussions included smartphones, buzzwords, standards and product life cycles. Here is a listing of our Top 10 Expert Panel Roundtable discussions posted in 2017, along with a “sound bite” from each discussion, and links back to the full articles. Thanks to everyone who contributed to Expert Panel Roundtable in 2017 (including the quotable panelists named below). 1. What is an open system? Is there a consensus in the marketplace on the definition of “open?” "Being truly ‘open’ means going above and beyond when designing your product line, keeping in mind the ability for end-users to easily interface your product with other open-platform solutions. That's why offering an open-platform design must be coupled with the ability to provide exceptional support through training, follow-up and innovation as they are brought to market.” [Mitchell Kane] 2. How are smartphones impacting the physical security market? "The security protocols on phones (such as fingerprint readers and encryption) have become some of the strongest available to consumers and are regularly used to access essential services such as banking. With this level of trust and user convenience from mobile device security, it makes sense to produce physical security systems that also take advantage of it." [John Davies] TDSi's John Davies says it makes sense to produce physical security systems that take advantage of trust and user convenience on mobile devices 3. What is the biggest missed opportunity of security systems integration? "Integrators need to be more savvy on how they can meet their customers’ IT and surveillance goals, from both a technology and services perspective. Being knowledgeable about new innovations can help integrators sell infrastructure, keeping that piece of business rather than losing server sales to a customer’s internal IT department. Integrators are tasked with ensuring surveillance customers can benefit from best practices, and solutions proven in the world of IT offer significant benefit." [Brandon Reich] 4. What are the security industry’s newest buzzwords? "End-to-End Security is a buzzword reflecting how cyber threats are increasing and the importance of ‘the security of security systems,’ especially for companies operating in the critical national infrastructure. Convergence has been a ‘hot topic’ for years, but has it really happened? In order to create true end-to-end security solutions, IT and physical security best practices need to be combined." [Arjan Bouter] End-to-End Security is a buzzword reflecting how cyber threats are increasing, says Arjan Bouter 5. What technology will have the greatest impact in the second half of 2017? "Cloud-hosted access control is poised to have the biggest impact in the second half of 2017. Organisations are looking to decentralise IT management and eliminate the need for overhead costs in hardware infrastructure and ongoing maintenance costs. This decentralisation is driving them to migrate their day-to-day systems to the cloud, and access control is no exception." [Melissa Stenger] 6. Are mergers and acquisitions good or bad for the security industry? “On the ‘pro’ side, consolidation is good for pulling together a fractured market, as vendors try to gain market share by acquiring solutions they may not otherwise have in their portfolio. On the ‘con’ side, however, consolidation restricts or limits innovation as the merged vendors strive to develop end-to-end solutions that reduce customer choices" [Reinier Tuinzing] 7. What new standards are needed in the security marketplace? "Do we need that many new standards, or do we need the industry to embrace the standards that are already in place? I believe that current standards like ONVIF and OSDP are sufficient in what they offer the industry. Members of the security industry just need to start thinking outside the box and realise that it is with standards in place that real industry growth can occur." [Per Björkdahl] 8. What will be the big news at ISC West 2017? "Security solutions that capture greater data and utilise analytics to transform the data into useful information, or business intelligence, will be the talk of the industry at ISC West this year. It’s not just about surveillance or access control anymore, but about who can best assess the end user’s interests and deliver an end-to-end solution that provides a value beyond the technology and a service beyond security.” [Richard Brent] When buying cameras, customers are often lured by lower upfront costs, but may end up paying more in the medium- to long-term because of lower quality, says Oncam's Jumbi Edulbehram 9. Why should a customer continue to buy “premium” surveillance cameras? "When buying cameras, customers are often lured by lower upfront costs, but may end up paying more in the medium- to long-term because of lower quality (requiring costly site visits and replacements), susceptibility to cyber-attacks, or lower quality of integrations with video management systems. Customers should certainly be prudent buyers and make sure that they’re paying for actual reliability/features/functionality rather than simply paying a premium for a brand-name product. When functionality and reliability are important, it always makes sense to ‘buy nice, not twice.’ [Jumbi Edulbehram] 10. What is an acceptable life cycle for a physical security system? "The answer to this question clearly depends on the seat you sit in. Manufacturers, integrators, distributors, consultants and engineers all have extremely different perspectives on this question. As a manufacturer, we design systems to have a lifecycle between 5 and 7 years." [Robert Lydic]

Oncam, a provider of 360-degree video capture and business intelligence technology, has announced the addition of John Haspel as the company's new Director of Technology Programs, bringing more than 30 years of industry experience to the Oncam team. Managing Oncam Technology Partner Program Haspel joins Oncam from Avigilon, where he oversaw the development of the company's global training initiatives. He will use that experience in his new role, which includes the development and execution of training programs for channel partners, consultants and end users, as well as the implementation of innovative online learning materials. He is also tasked with the management and growth of Oncam's technology partner program, assisting with integration, as well as identifying and on-boarding new partners. Haspel brings a wealth of security experience to Oncam, having worked previously in director-level positions in technical sales and support, product development and management, systems engineering, and installations for Loronix Information Systems (now Verint), SyPixx Networks (now Cisco Systems), Next Level Security Solutions and Avigilon. Haspel is well known in the industry for helping build sales and support infrastructure, as well as positioning companies as leaders in product development and management throughout his 30-year career. Oncam's Strategic Goals “I was drawn to Oncam because of its tight-knit entrepreneurial feel that allows employees to have a real impact on the direction of the business,” Haspel said. “I've seen a lot of fisheye cameras in my time, but the design and dewarping technology of the product line really sets the Oncam offering apart from the others. I am excited to be a part of the team and to elevate the company's training and partnership programs to the next level while delivering overall results for the vision and strategy of its global business.” “We see John as a visionary addition to our team, and look to him to fulfill our strategic goals to make Oncam's partner programs 'best of breed' within the security industry,” said Jumbi Edulbehram, Regional President - Americas, Oncam. “His extensive knowledge of the surveillance technology market makes him uniquely qualified to continue to elevate Oncam's position in the market, while guiding and managing multiple programmes within the organization. We're excited to have him on board.”

March Networks®, a global provider of intelligent IP video solutions, is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with Oncam, a provider of 360-degree video capture and business intelligence technology, to add Evolution 12 and 05 Mini cameras to its comprehensive video portfolio. The 360-degree cameras provide exceptional surveillance coverage, clear high-definition video and are available in a wide range of models and mounts, making the devices an ideal complement to March Networks’ banking, retail and transportation solutions. 360-degree Surveillance Technology The partnership enables certified systems integrators to purchase the Evolution cameras directly from March Networks as part of a complete solution and enjoy a single point of contact for technical support via March Networks’ Customer Care team. “March Networks is committed to partnering with technology providers such as Oncam, whose specialization in 360-degree surveillance technology adds proven value to our intelligent video systems,” said Net Payne, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, March Networks. “We look forward to providing these best-in-breed cameras to our customers and continuing to work with Oncam to jointly develop future capabilities.” Evolution 12 And 05 Mini Cameras March Networks and Oncamplan to collaborate on future camera software as part of a shared product roadmap Fully integrated with March Networks Command™ video management software and 8000 Series Hybrid NVRs, the Evolution 12 and 05 Mini cameras capture high resolution, 360-degree views, eliminating blind spots and often reducing the number of cameras required to monitor a scene. The cameras’ patented de-warping technology enables organizations to virtually pan, tilt and zoom within recorded video as easily as in live video, which allows users to access critical evidence whenever it is needed. Delivering advanced low-light performance and Power over Ethernet (PoE), the 360-degree cameras have no moving parts to maintain and come with a standard three-year warranty. March Networks Integrated Solutions March Networks and Oncam plan to collaborate on additional camera software features that will work with March Networks 8000 Series recorders, as part of a shared product roadmap. “March Networks’ advanced video solutions are used by an extensive and growing customer base worldwide,” said Jumbi Edulbehram, Regional President, Americas, Oncam. “Through interoperability as a March Networks partner, we are pleased to provide Oncam’s 360-degree technology to deliver additional value and increased situational awareness as part of March Networks’ integrated solutions.” March Networks will showcase the Evolution cameras as part of its intelligent video solutions in Booth 25041 at the International Security Conference and Exposition (ISC West), 5th-7th April, at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas.

The coalition is made up of educational end users, administrators, consultants, architects and technology providers The Campus Security Coalition, a networking group focused on spearheading discussion about security and safety at educational facilities, has been launched to bring together school leaders and aligned stakeholders, and propel discussion about how to better address threats, further strengthen security efforts and achieve more proactive intelligence efforts. Protecting Infrastructures And Assets Faced with the growing threats of violence, vandalism and attacks, modern school systems are challenged with ensuring a safe, open environment while protecting infrastructure and assets. Continued budget restraints often limit the availability of new investment dollars for security expansions and continued plan assessments. Over the coming year, the Campus Security Coalition will seek to assist schools by partnering with technology vendors and installers to provide the tools and services necessary to strengthen situational awareness and security efforts. The Campus Security Coalition is made up of educational end users, administrators, consultants, architects and technology providers. Members can use the valuable resources and information they receive as part of the group to contribute expertise and resources to schools in need of enhanced security plans. Campus And Student Safety “Educational campuses have seen a significant increase in threats that put the lives of students and faculty members in jeopardy” “If it takes a village to raise a child, it also takes a village to protect one. There’s a need in today’s market to help schools address security concerns by listening to what they need and offering advice for building a better security posture,” said Jumbi Edulbehram, Regional President – Americas, Oncam. “As the educational landscape changes, so, too, should the technology used to protect these facilities. It’s important for manufacturers, integrators and end users to come together to discuss a more holistic approach to securing our schools.” “Educational campuses have seen a significant increase in threats that put the lives of students and faculty members in jeopardy,” said Steve Birkmeier, Vice President, Arteco. “The Campus Security Coalition is made up of a diverse group of individuals and organizations who believe that securing the next generation is of the utmost urgency, and we’re honored to play a part.”

SourceSecurity.com’s Expert Panel covered a lot of ground in 2016 about a variety of topics in our Roundtable discussions.   The very most-clicked-on Roundtable discussion in 2016 was about how to choose between a cloud-based system and a server-based system. Other hot topics that made the Top-10 list of Roundtable discussions included edge-based video storage, the challenges of commoditization, and mistakes customers make when buying and installing security systems. Here is a listing of the Top 10 Expert Panel Roundtable discussions posted in 2016 at SourceSecurity.com, along with a “sound bite” from each discussion, and links back to the full articles. Thanks to everyone who contributed to Expert Panel Roundtable in 2016, including the quotable panelists named below! 1. What factors should a customer consider when choosing between a cloud-based system and a server-based security system? "Invariably the choices will be driven by security processes in place within the corporate environment and by ensuring the remote system is as impenetrable as the corporate network. Both options potentially leave the corporate network vulnerable to a determined cyber attacker, so the systems and access points to the network need to be sufficiently hardened to deter or prevent attacks.” [John Davies] 2. What is the most unusual application of surveillance cameras you have seen recently? "The most unusual application I’ve seen is the use of 360-degree fisheye cameras mounted on mobile poles for security along a marathon route. The poles were mounted on mobile units that contained power and communications infrastructure. Multiple mobile units were driven and placed along the route so that the entire route was constantly under surveillance. " [Jumbi Edulbehram] 3. What is the biggest mistake you see your customers make when it comes to buying or installing security or surveillance systems? "Too many businesses fail to take full advantage of the breadth of services available for maximizing tools like remote diagnostic services, for example, which allow customer service teams to regularly and proactively check equipment quality and make repairs remotely." [Joe Oliveri] A number of major security companies are offering cloud video surveillance solutions apart from the traditional server-based systems, but which is best for the customer? 4. How many megapixels are enough? At what point does additional resolution not matter, or not make economic sense? "The industry commonly holds that 20 pixels/foot is enough for general surveillance, 40 pixels/foot is the minimum for facial recognition and license plate identification, and 80 pixels/foot is used for higher detail like reading logos, names embroidered on a shirt, etc. " [Jason Spielfogel] 5. What is the value of edge-based storage and in what specific applications? "Recording at the edge frees up network bandwidth and PC processing power, allowing users to view and manage video feeds and store applicable images for later use or transfer to the network when necessary. " [Dave Poulin] 6. How can security integrators replace revenue in the age of commoditization? "The integrator community needs to learn to embrace what hundreds of other contractor businesses have. They need to improve their predictable cash flow and margin by offering contracted services. Call it what you like – RMR, managed services, monitoring – the description makes no difference. The integrator community simply needs to get off their butt and make it happen. " [Bill Bozeman] 7. How successful was ISC West 2016? Did it meet your expectations? "It was unanimous that 2016 ISC West was the best show we have participated in Arecont Vision history! Activity on the first two days was especially strong with Systems Integrators, Dealers, Distributors, End Users, and A&E/Consultants. These people all came to see our new product line and were especially interested to see the product performance improvements and ease of installation and setup." [Scott Schafer]   More of us are depending on social media smart phone apps as a source of information, providing new levels of immediacy that dovetail well into security, specifically in areas of emergency notification   8. What are the physical security challenges of "safe cities" applications, and how is the market meeting those challenges? "One of the challenges is, of course, to make systems from different manufacturers work together. Interoperability is important not only from an operator’s point of view, but also in how cities and their internal divisions should respond to incidents reported by the security systems. " [Per Björkdahl] 9. How should integrators/installers differentiate themselves or make themselves stand out in today’s market? "In today's market, it's all about customer service. Almost every integrator has good product – and most of these products do a lot of the same things – but what sets integrators/installers apart is the level of value-added support they are providing to their accounts. Increased support through training, follow-up, open communication and keeping them informed on emerging technologies can really speak to the needs that end users have and why they will remain loyal.” [Mitchell Kane] 10. What role can social media play in the security marketplace and/or as a tool to promote better security in general? "Social media has weaved its way into our daily lives and is an integral part of our interaction with customers in the marketplace. Social media outlets bring the human element to interfacing with our communities and customers. This humanization allows us to address sensitive topics like the recent events in Orlando and how to take preventative measures in the future." [Melissa Stenger] See the full coverage of 2016/2017 Review and Forecast articles hereSave Save

OnCampus brings together educators, administrators, and thought leaders to address the state of security on campuses The upcoming OnCampus Educational Seminar in Chicago is pleased to announce that Jeff Bean, Senior Consultant at RETA Security and Founder of Act on Bullying, Inc., will be the event’s featured speaker, and will talk about how administrators can address today’s most complex school security challenges, mitigate risk and assess a school’s security posture. Specialized In School Safety Bean has more than 17 years of law enforcement experience with a police department in the suburbs of Chicago. Over the course of his career, he has specialized in school safety. He is currently assigned as the primary Liaison Officer for a school district of more than 2,500 students, and is the Resource Officer at the junior high school. Bean is also the Founder and President of Act on Bullying, Inc. Established in 2012, Act on Bullying focuses on mitigating the effects of bullying, cyber-bullying and improving school safety. In this capacity, he has presented at several state-wide conferences sponsored by the Illinois Principal’s Association, the Illinois Association of School Social Workers and the Illinois Parent Teacher Association. Safety And Security On Educational Campuses OnCampus is a campaign dedicated to the ongoing discussion of the state of safety and security in the education market. OnCampus brings together educators, administrators, and thought leaders to address the state of security on campuses and how to address concerns related to the threats that schools face. Laura Stepanek, Editor and Associate Publisher of SDM Magazine will moderate the discussion. Additional speakers include Jumbi Edulbehram, Regional President, Americas, for Oncam, and Brandon Reich, Senior Director of Surveillance Solutions, Pivot3. Save

Part 3 of our Security in Healthcare series Megapixel and higher-definition cameras are meeting the security and surveillance needs of a variety of hospital and healthcare facilities Video is a major component of most hospital and healthcare security systems. Among the big video trends are greater integration of video with other systems, and increased use of higher-megapixel cameras and 180-degree and 360-degree-view cameras to monitor larger areas. Variety Of Video Applications Arecont Vision is seeing a growing number of video applications for healthcare providers. Commonly protected with Arecont Vision megapixel surveillance cameras, integrated with a video management system or a network video recorder of the customer’s choice, is coverage of: Entrances and exists to buildings, grounds, parking structures, car parks, and facilities Office areas, emergency rooms, nursing stations, treatment centers, clinics, operating rooms, procedure rooms, operating rooms, morgues, patient wards Pharmacies, drug storage areas, records storage, store rooms, laundry Public areas, reception, lobbies, hallways, cafeterias, kitchens, retail areas Protection from slip-and-fall, workman’s compensation, malpractice, lawsuits, and other litigation and compliance Perimeter, parking surveillance and license plate recognition Facial recognition, people counting, movement monitoring Access control and staff identification Visitor, patient, and staff safety Megapixel and higher-definition cameras are meeting the security and surveillance needs of a variety of hospital and healthcare facilities. “Due to the resolution provided by Arecont Vision’s megapixel cameras, and the deployment of several panoramic cameras, we have easily expanded our coverage capabilities using fewer cameras with outstanding results,” says Paul M. Sarnese, System Safety Direct, Virtua Health in New Jersey. “The performance of our new surveillance systems has helped us to improve overall security. It has been a win-win situation for Virtua.” Addressing Accountability Sacred Health Health System, Pensacola, Florida, uses Arecont Vision megapixel cameras as part of a video surveillance system to look for recorded video of suspicious persons after a description is given, says Michael J. Matroni, Emergency Preparedness and Security Manager, “We are also using it to review slip-and-fall complaints, and to address issues of employee accountability.” “Arecont Vision cameras more than satisfy our requirements for image quality,” says Lai Voon Hon, General Director of Hoa Lam-Sangri-La, a high-tech healthcare park in Vietnam. “The system is working very well for us.” The International Hi-Tech Healthcare Park will be the first integrated healthcare development in Vietnam to provide a comprehensive healthcare environment employing high-tech medical equipment and a professional medical staff. “Our new video surveillance system is an important element of that environment,” says Lai Voon Hon. Hospitals and healthcare facilities that have multiple sites and locations can benefit from centralizing all video on a single platform Centralizing Video Onto A Single Platform One Pelco customer is the University of Arizona Medical Center – South Campus (UAMC South Campus). When adding a new behavioral health hospital tower, UAMC South Campus sought to migrate and expand its existing analog video surveillance system to an IP system that would allow the capabilities of multisite monitoring. Using Pelco’s Endura IP video management system (VMS) with NSM5200 network video recorders, the hospital system was able to centralized all video onto a single platform while allowing several operators to simultaneously look for and view video of daily events. In addition, more than 150 Sarix and Sarix with SureVision technology IP cameras were deployed throughout the new tower, emergency room and most entrances and exits. The open platform concept that Pelco offers can help ensure that existing technology can be incorporated when adding onto existing infrastructure Other hospitals and healthcare facilities that have multiple sites and locations can benefit from the kind of technology used at UAMC South Campus – especially using the latest VMS technology VideoXpert and Pelco’s latest IP camera technology, Optera, which offers 180-, 270- and 360-degree views. Additionally, the open platform concept that Pelco offers can help ensure that existing technology can be incorporated when building a new building or adding onto existing infrastructure. Pelco by Schneider Electric is focused on the development of video surveillance and security solutions for enterprise-class organizations that allow users to make real-time, business-enabling decisions. Pelco offers video management platforms, industry-leading IP cameras and accessories, and other video security products and open platform systems that healthcare facilities require to bring multiple sites and locations together into a single, holistic approach to security. Multi-sensor Panoramic View Cameras When Arecont Vision pioneered multi-sensor megapixel cameras with their first offerings in 2006, they were alone in the market in presenting these in place of pan-tilt-zooms (PTZs) and multiple individual cameras Over the past year, the industry has seen many legacy camera vendors offer their own 180- or 360- multi-sensor cameras to try and gain market traction. “Competition is always good, and our own fifth generation SurroundVideo cameras will get even better as a result,” says Jeff Whitney, Arecont Vision’s Vice President of Marketing. “Most importantly for healthcare overall, users will see affordable solutions that don’t require multiple analog cameras and PTZs as in the past, and understanding of the benefits of multi-sensor cameras will accelerate. PTZs are a legacy technology just as analog cameras and fisheye lenses are in many situations.” "Most importantly for healthcare overall, users will see affordable solutions that don’t require multiple analog cameras and PTZs as in the past" Multi-sensor megapixel camera technology is the way of the future to keep costs down, reduce the numbers of cameras required, shrink maintenance costs, and improve quality and video coverage for healthcare, says Whitney. Pelco is also seeing an increase in use of 180-, 270- and 360-degree camera technology to cover a larger area, such as a large waiting room or corridor, or a parking garage. The technology in these cameras allow users to pan, tilt and zoom virtually within the picture to pinpoint an incident in real-time or retrospectively. Additionally, there is a significant uptick in violence within healthcare facilities, so it’s imperative that a comprehensive video surveillance system is in place to help identify potential problem areas or threats to the safety and security of patients, healthcare workers, visitors and staff of these large facilities. This can be done through open platform technology that works seamlessly with other cameras, video management systems, alarm monitoring systems and access control, says Kyle Cusson, Business Development Manager, Healthcare, Pelco by Schneider Electric. 360-degree Analytics Jumbi Edulbehram, Regional President, Americas, Oncam, also expects 360-degree cameras to expand their uses in the healthcare realm.  “Another major development will be the use of analytics, built into the 360-degree cameras, being used to help monitor traffic patterns, streamline hospital operations, increase response times and provide overall, general business intelligence for hospital administrators on ways they can improve operations and management of these facilities,” says Edulbehram. “Using analytics, the possibilities are nearly endless for how patients, staff and visitors can be better served.” A role that is sometimes overlooked is the growing importance of mobility for security officers in the healthcare vertical. “These facilities – more than ever – need to find ways to deploy effective, yet cost-aware, solutions to protect critical assets, staff, visitors and patients,” says Edulbehram. “Remote monitoring has become mainstream, and mobile applications are growing in popularity because they enable users to fully experience surveillance through 360 degrees, in full high definition from a smartphone or tablet.” The ability of officers to remain mobile while also accessing video on the go offers new flexibility that is critical to the success of any security solution, he says. There is a wealth of untapped information within the departments and offices of hospital perimeters that can be analysed to improve security strategy Expanding How Video Is Used In Healthcare With technology improving and prices decreasing, video solutions can even be used for purposes beyond traditional security. For example, video analytics are now being leveraged for patient tracking, asset tracking, and operational purposes, and captured video can be used to defend against liability claims. What’s next? Video analytics will continue to be a valuable addition to any surveillance infrastructure due to its ability to address patient needs, operational efficiencies and early risk detection, says Brandon Reich, Senior Director of Surveillance Solutions, Pivot3. Additionally, IT innovations will drive continued technology investment – hyperconvergence and virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) deliver new levels of cost saving and opportunities for efficiencies, he says. For example, a VDI environment can automatically lock users out of a device after three minutes of inactivity or if they have swiped into a different workstation. Additionally, VDI drives mobility, allowing medical staff to roam from environment to environment to improve patient care and hospital operations. Video analytics are now being leveraged for patient tracking, asset tracking, and operational purposes, and captured video can be used to defend against liability claims As in hospitals and healthcare facilities, the world of video analytics is gaining ground in vertical markets such as retail, government and corporate enterprise applications, says Steve Birkmeier, VP of Sales and Business Development, Arteco. “There is a wealth of untapped information within the many departments and offices of hospital perimeters that can be analyzed to improve security strategy in the future,” he says. Video Event Management Software Through video event management software (VEMS), hospitals can customize the statistics that are relevant to their individual buildings or campuses without having to spend extra time or money on rigorous employee training. Furthermore, once healthcare facilities are able to digitise all of their patient records, secure any of their ingress and egress points with real-time access control security updates, and fully transition from analog to IP video surveillance cameras, VEMS systems that house analytical software will be able to multiply the benefits offered to hospitals, not just in real time, but in planning ahead for future risk, expansion and safety protocols. Recording images in high resolutions (megapixels and gigapixels) is becoming more and more important in healthcare as well, says Jason Ouellette, Product Line Director – Access Control, Tyco Security Products.  If an incident occurs in a medical facility, the security staff has to be able to identify faces easily and accurately. Storage and costs have to be considered, of course. “At Tyco Security Products, we are making smart solutions that use native analytics and intelligence to help security operators determine when they need to record video and have that top quality image. It’s a cost-effective way to use high-resolution imaging,” he says. Read Part 4 of our Security in Healthcare series here

Event brings end users, integrators and technology partners together to discuss the surveillance and security needs of educational institutions Oncam, a provider of 360-degree video capture and business intelligence technology, announced that it will partner with Pivot3, a innovator in the development of hyper-converged infrastructure (HCI) solutions, to host the second in its series of education security symposiums aimed at creating a dialog about the risks that today’s educational facilities face. The event, titled “OnCampus,” will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 31, at Offsite in Chicago. The open, welcoming nature of today’s educational facilities poses significant threats to the safety and security of students, faculty and staff, leaving every tier of the community – from parents to police departments to school administrators – anxious to find better protection. The OnCampus educational symposium brings manufacturers, consultants, technology partners and systems integrators together to discuss the evolution, improvement and future of the education security market. Two Components The OnCampus symposium includes two components. The first explores the challenges the education end user faces in today's environment where campuses are increasingly becoming the targets of evolving physical threats. The second focuses on the efforts of technology partners to bring integrated solutions to these campuses, and how these strategic partnerships can leverage the latest in video surveillance, analytics and other security technologies to aid in investigations and proactively keep students safe. “We’re excited to partner with Oncam in this endeavor to bring more awareness to the security challenges educational institutions face. With a growing focus on increasing surveillance deployments to provide safe and secure places to grow and learn, we are eager to help drive the conversation around how the industry can help support stronger security postures across the education sector,” said Brandon Reich, senior director of surveillance solutions, Pivot3. “Pivot3 is uniquely able to offer these institutions system resiliency and data protection for their video needs, which are paramount to providing security and peace-of-mind to all parties involved.” “This series of events has shown us how important the security posture of a school can be – whether it’s as small as a rural elementary school or a large, widely dispersed university,” said Jumbi Edulbehram, regional president, Americas, Oncam. “Alongside Pivot3, we want to start a dialog about how security manufacturers, integrators and consultants can best meet those unique needs with comprehensive solutions that keep ROI, scalability and efficiency at the forefront. This event is one way to spark the conversation and offer attendees a chance to add to the discussion.”

 Part 2 of our Security in Healthcare series Users need to be able to upgrade in a way that fits with both their securityneeds and their budgetary limitations The future is digital, and analog systems are a thing of the past – or are they? The fact is, in the healthcare vertical at least, we may still have a way to go before the full potential of IP-based systems is realized. Obstacles include a lack of funding and the challenge of sharing IP bandwidth with other healthcare technologies. Bandwidth Competition While many hospitals have invested significantly in IP systems, one challenge is bandwidth: Security and video systems often have to compete for bandwidth with other now-IT-driven systems in healthcare facilities, such medical records systems, x-ray systems and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems. Security departments may not be the highest priority when allotting bandwidth, given they are competing with medical devices and systems that generate revenue. As a video company that serves the healthcare vertical, Pelco by Schneider Electric sees progress on the transition from analog to IP video surveillance devices, but there are still a large number of healthcare facilities that do not have the necessary funds to convert completely to an IP-heavy infrastructure. A big advantage of these facilities making the transition to IP is that users can access real-time video at any time from any computer, anywhere, says Kyle Cusson, Business Development Manager, Healthcare, Pelco. “This is immensely important for information security requirements and disaster recovery,” he says. With analog, the information gathered is physically tethered to the camera and DVR. However, there are hybrid solutions – such as encoders that convert analog to IP – that exist and allow facilities to capitalize on existing investments for the time being. IP To Gain Ground Soon “Over the next five years, we will definitely see a massive shift to IP solutions because they are becoming more cost-effective to deploy and are delivering superior video quality and flexibility to users,” says Cusson.  The transition isn’t always all-or-nothing. It is not uncommon for healthcare providers to depend upon outdated, analog-based video systems with limited capabilities while providing surveillance of a large facility, says Jeff Whitney, Arecont Vision’s Vice President of Marketing. “The transition happens after a major incident or awareness of new risks and challenges that the existing systems cannot address,” he adds. “That’s when surveillance technology is often moved from inadequate analog systems to IP megapixel surveillance cameras.” A big advantage of healthcare facilities making the transition to IP is easy access ofreal-time video any time from any computer Arecont Vision SurroundVideo Arecont Vision, a provider of video to the healthcare market, delivers megapixel surveillance cameras that reduce the cost of surveillance while increasing video coverage, improving aesthetics, and delivering high-definition (HD) video. Customers are able to continue to get value from their existing analog systems in some cases, while supplementing them with modern digital network-based video surveillance systems until existing systems reach their end of life, Whitney says. The network-based system can then replace the legacy analog system fully. Whitney notes that Arecont Vision’s SurroundVideo multi-sensor megapixel cameras replace multiple PTZs and fixed cameras while providing improved video coverage at a lower cost, and the system is less intrusive than the analog systems they replace. “In new projects, most customers already have chosen to deploy IP network surveillance camera technology and gain all of the benefits and improved security immediately,” says Whitney. Cost-To-Benefit Analysis  “We have seen the transition from analog to IP become most complete in regards to display, with digital monitors almost completely replacing analog monitors,” says Jumbi Edulbehram, Regional President, Americas, Oncam, which provides a broad range of 360-degree fisheye cameras and integration software to the healthcare vertical. “That’s where it really ends.” He says many hospitals and healthcare facilities have found the idea of an IP transition both cost-prohibitive and difficult to deploy. There has been some investment in relatively inexpensive decoders, which convert analog to IP. “Cost is definitely a factor in the resistance we’re seeing in these facilities, but as the technology is developed further, that will help drive the cost down,” says Edulbehram. New adoptions take time, and there will be a long period when different technologies co-exist, says Robert Laughlin, President, Galaxy Control Systems, which provides access control systems ranging from single-door systems up to multi-site enterprise-level integrated systems. For this reason, it will continue to be essential that new software and systems are backwards-compatible with the existing equipment in place within organizations. Users need to be able to upgrade in a way that fits with both their security needs and their budgetary limitations. Access control systems such as Galaxy’s will continue to be integrated with a range of systems, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution to every access need, Laughlin says. New adoptions take time, and there will be a long period when differenttechnologies co-exist in the healthcare market Networked Physical Access Control System Many healthcare institutions also want a path to IP-based physical access control system (PACS) solutions that are easier to operate, and that simplify expansion, customization and integration with other solutions that can share the same network, says Sheila Loy, Director Healthcare Strategies, North America, HID Global, provider of comprehensive healthcare security solutions to create a safe, compliant environment for patients and employees. Networked access control simplifies infrastructure enhancements and modifications because hardware platforms aren’t tied to proprietary software, she notes. It’s also easier to add wireless locksets that connect with the online access control system, thus reducing wiring costs and eliminating the problems of easy-to-lose keys while providing near-online and near-real-time control of the opening. IP-based solutions also provide a single, integrated system for combining security, access control, video surveillance and incident response, perimeter detection and alarm monitoring systems. Hospitals can invest in a single, unified IP network, and logically control multiple technologies that previously co-existed only on a physical level. Plus, they can leverage their existing credential investment to seamlessly add logical access control for network log-on, and achieve a full interoperable, multi-layered security solution across company networks, systems and facilities. Analog Or IP Debate – A Thing Of The Past? "We will not only continue to seemore security devices on thenetwork, but we will also start tosee more cutting-edge medicaltechnology and equipment thatis network-capable" Other manufacturers see analog in the healthcare vertical as largely a thing of the past. Camera technology has advanced so far and so fast that the analog or IP debate is really a thing of the past, says Dave Ella, AMAG Technology’s Vice President of Product Marketing. “The question now is how quickly budgets will allow for the transition to newer technology,” Ella says. Hospitals benefit from higher resolutions (available with IP cameras), which can identify individuals and license plate numbers. Almost all AMAG healthcare customers are integrating their video to their access control system, which vastly speeds up response to security incidents as they unfold. Brandon Reich, Senior Director of Surveillance Solutions, Pivot3, agrees. Today, virtually all new installations are IP, he says. There are a number of organizations that still deploy analog into large installed bases, though most have converted to IP by this point. In some cases, the rise of HD analog video has extended the usable life of installed analog systems, but by 2020, Reich expects the market to be vast majority IP. Pivot3 hyper-converged infrastructure (HCI) solutions for video surveillance provide a high level of protection against liabilities related to lost video. The Future Belongs To Network-Capable Medical Technology “In the security industry, we have seen the transition from analog to IP systems take place over the course of several years, and it is debatable whether or not that transition is complete,” says Steve Birkmeier, VP of Sales and Business Development, Arteco. “Similarly, within the next few years, we will not only continue to see more security devices on the network, but we will also start to see more cutting-edge medical technology and equipment that is network-capable.” Securing The Security Devices Birkmeier says this is a burgeoning topic of discussion within the larger conversation about where the internet of Things (IoT) is leading us. However, it also leads to some interesting questions, such as: How will we secure these “wired” devices through the network? Will new compliance standards or regulations have to be put in place? What kind of failover strategy or reliability factors can these life-saving devices guarantee for vulnerable patients if the network goes down? “Taking all these questions into consideration, it is imperative that we continue to invest in IT-centric access control solutions and open up integration opportunities with these technologies to ensure the security of patients, corporate and patient data, hospital staff and equipment,” says Birkmeier.  Read Part 3 of our Security in Healthcare series here

The Program will provide information, tools and support to partners focused on superior customer service and security system design Oncam, the leading provider of 360-degree video capture and business intelligence technology, announced recently the debut of its new Oncam OnSpec A&E Program to provide planning and support services to architects, engineers and security consultants focused on the video surveillance market. Understanding Capabilities Of 360-Degree IP Cameras As part of the initiative, Oncam will work closely with experienced architects, engineers and consultants to develop expertise with the company’s solutions and services. The Oncam OnSpec A&E and Consultant Program is designed to provide the information, tools and support needed in key projects to deliver extended customer value through strategic deployment of Oncam video surveillance technology solutions. “Today’s 360-degree panoramic IP cameras, combined with sophisticated image processing algorithms, have been one of the industry’s most significant developments,” said Ray Coulombe, Founder and Managing Director, SecuritySpecifiers.com. “It is important for security designers and consultants to understand the capabilities of this technology, and I support efforts by manufacturers to further educate this community. In this regard, we welcome Oncam as a sponsor of SecuritySpecifiers.” Member Access To Oncam’s Product Portfolio Information Members of Oncam’s OnSpec program automatically gain access to a host of information and benefits, including: a quarterly newsletter with updates on the Oncam suite of solutions and supporting documents; access to the Oncam Partner Portal; ability to receive products on loan; advance information on upcoming technologies; support from Oncam Sales Engineers for training and product demonstrations; and targeted information on product specifications in CSI format, and Autodesk Revit CAD models of hardware and information through Autodesk and SecuritySpecifiers.com. Members will also be able to access A&E specifications, product descriptions, user guides and installation manuals for Oncam’s product portfolio. “Oncam is committed to providing superior resources and solutions to our partners and customers, and we recognize the importance of focusing on understanding the needs and challenges of the design community,” said Jumbi Edulbehram, Regional President, Americas, Oncam. “We are committed to providing our partners with the support they need to deliver Oncam’s unique technology, enabling them to tap into new opportunities in a wide range of markets while increasing long-term relationships with end customers.” Oncam is discussing the value of its new A&E and Consultant Program during the International Association of Professional Security Consultants (IAPSC) Conference in Charleston, South Carolina.

Oncam’s 360-degee cameras will bedemonstrated alongside WavestoreUSAV5 VMS at ISC West booth #23129 Oncam, the leading provider of 360-degree video capture and business intelligence technology, announced recently a strategic partnership with WavestoreUSA, which will be showcased during the 2016 ISC West Conference and Expo, April 6-8, at the Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas. The partnership will allow Oncam’s suite of cameras to integrate seamlessly with WavestoreUSA’s open-platform video storage and Video Management System (VMS) software. WavestoreUSA And Oncam Integration The partnership between WavestoreUSA and Oncam creates a fully comprehensive surveillance solution that offers scalability and efficient data management. The powerful dewarping software incorporated in Wavestore V5 seamlessly dewarps on the client side with no additional resource management, while fully integrating with Oncam’s 360-degree line of cameras. The advanced image quality captured by Oncam’s 360-degree cameras combined with WavestoreUSA’s open-platform video storage and management systems allow end users to realize increased levels of situational awareness, streamline response to incidents and help aid in investigations of security events. Strategic Technology Partnership “We are pleased to be a strategic technology partner with Oncam and look forward to showcasing a demo of our integration with the Oncam Evolution 12 camera during this year’s ISC West,” said Randy Miller, Vice President of Sales, WavestoreUSA. “We share the same vision of providing our customers with leading technology and product enhancements to satisfy their every need.” “WavestoreUSA VMS is a comprehensive, leading solution in the industry that allows customers to fully leverage the Oncam 360-degree field of view and client-side dewarping for elevated visibility and insight,” said Jumbi Edulbehram, Regional President, Americas, Oncam. “Through increased interoperability and high-definition video playback, we are excited to be able to bring a new facet of situational awareness and efficiency to both WavestoreUSA and Oncam users at a lower total cost of ownership.” Oncam & WavestoreUSA At ISC West 2016 Oncam’s 360-degee cameras and dewarping technology will be available for demonstration alongside the WavestoreUSA V5 VMS at ISC West booth #23129.

OnCampus is dedicated to ongoing discussions on the improvement and future of security needs of education sector Oncam, the leading provider of 360-degree video capture and business intelligence technology, announced recently a series of education security symposiums aimed at creating a dialog about the risks that today’s educational facilities face, as well as offering solutions on how these risks can be mitigated. The first event, “OnCampus,” which is co-sponsored by Genetec, will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., on Tuesday, March 22, at the Hyatt Regency in Cambridge, Massachusetts. As agents of change, education campuses are places where the youth of America expand upon their intellectual capabilities to drive research and leadership initiatives to hew horizons. These unique open environments are increasingly becoming the targets of evolving physical threats, leaving every tier of the community — from parents to police departments to executive boards — anxious to find better protection. Discussion With End Users, Integrators And Technology Partners OnCampus is dedicated to the ongoing discussion on the evolution, improvement and future of the security needs of the education sector, and is designed to bring together thought leaders including end users, systems integrators and technology partners from around the country to strive for coalescent, pertinent security solutions on campuses of all sizes. Each OnCampus symposium discussion will include two important components. The first will focus specifically on the challenges educational institutions face in today's environment as campuses are increasingly targets of evolving physical threats. The second will focus on the efforts of technology partners to bring integrated solutions to these campuses, and how these strategic partnerships can leverage the latest in video surveillances, built-in analytics and other video technologies to aid in investigations and proactively keep students safe. During The First Event Of The Series, Martha Entwistle, Editor, Security Systems News, Will Moderate The Discussion And Panelists Include: Thomas W. Komola, Security and Emergency Manager, Massachusetts Institute of Technology John Silva, Director of Safety and Security, Cambridge Public Schools Brad Baker, CISSP, CPP, PSP, President, FTG Security Jumbi Edulbehram, Regional President, Americas, Oncam Jake Hauzen, Regional Sales Manager for Education, Genetec Demonstration Of 360-Degree Surveillance & Analytics Technology During the event, attendees will also have the chance to network with colleagues and participate in a technology demonstration of 360-degree surveillance and advanced analytics technology. “The changing landscape of the education security market is moving at a such a rapid pace that the evolving physical and technological threats not only makes our students less safe, it also leaves all stakeholders - whether they are campus police, school boards or systems integrators - with significant business challenges to overcome,” said Jumbi Edulbehram, Regional President, Americas, Oncam. “If it takes a village to raise a child, it also takes a village to protect one. Oncam sees a need in today’s market to seriously address the current gaps in campus security and come together as thought leaders to ensure a brighter future for students, and schools and universities.”

The Boston-area location will offer a highly branded environment for employees, customers and guests Oncam, the security division of Oncam Technologies and leading provider of 360-degree camera technology, announced recently it has expanded the headquarters for its Americas operations. The new location is indicative of the company’s sustained growth and is part of a corporate strategy to strengthen its presence in key markets across the globe.  Strengthening Global Ties The new 8,000-square-foot facility, located in Billerica, Mass., is in the heart of Boston’s technology corridor, which harbors some of the areas most prestigious and up-and-coming technology companies. The office is conveniently located 30 minutes from Boston’s Logan International Airport, and will house the Americas executive management, sales, and service, research and development, and support staff. The Boston-area location will offer a highly branded environment for employees, customers and guests to experience the unique surveillance technology solutions designed by Oncam. “Oncam is outpacing industry growth and winning new customers in the North American market every day. Our relocation to one of the nation’s fastest-growing technology regions demonstrates our commitment to delivering world-class technology solutions,” said Jumbi Edulbehram, Regional President, Americas, Oncam. “Our expanded presence allows us to facilitate stronger relationships with our customers in North America and ensures the success of our long-term strategy of expanding our reach in our targeted business segments.”

In the last several years, Oncam has experienced significant growth in the retail sector Oncam, the security division of Oncam Technologies and leading provider of 360-degree camera technology, announced recently it has seen marked growth in the retail sector across the globe, and showcased its latest technology at this year’s NRF Protect 2015 Loss Prevention Conference & Expo, held June 24-25 at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, Calif. Delivering Real-Time Business Intelligence Specializing in video surveillance, acquisition and the tracking of suspicious behavior, Oncam’s 360-degree security surveillance, combined with integrated retail technologies, is critical for loss prevention. Video surveillance technology, such as that offered by Oncam, is now being used to not only help reduce shrink, but to deliver real-time business intelligence that can help retailers improve operations and increase their bottom line. Today’s stores are using video analytics such as people counting and customer traffic pattern analysis to further enhance their video surveillance investments.   “Creating a high level of customer loyalty is an important differentiator for today’s brick-and-mortar stores, which are increasingly challenged to compete with the convenience and pricing of online competitors,” said Jumbi Edulbehram, Regional President, Americas, Oncam. “As the role of surveillance has expanded, loss prevention leaders have begun to be viewed in a whole new light – as a source of profit for the business.” In the last several years, Oncam has experienced significant growth in the retail sector, applying their technology to deliver tangible ROI for customers, such as MGM Resorts International, Mouawad luxury jeweler, Arnold Clark and more, by providing multiple tools for stores to use video surveillance technology. As the market continues to evolve, 360-degree surveillance technology will allow retailers to improve customer service capabilities, streamline operations and provide higher levels of security.

Jumbi Edulbehram will be responsible for sales, marketing and development activities in the Americas Oncam Grandeye, the security division of Oncam Technologies, announced recently that it has selected Jumbi Edulbehram to succeed Graham Wallis as Regional President, Americas. He will be based in the company’s Lowell, Mass. office, responsible for sales, marketing and development activities in the Americas. Before coming to Oncam Grandeye, he was in charge of business development for the physical security business of Samsung Techwin. In that position, he was responsible for managing strategic partnerships with technology partners, consultants/A&Es, and large national integrators. His was also responsible for developing new business and growing sales in industry segments such as retail, government and transportation. Prior to Samsung Techwin, he served as Vice President of Business Development for Next Level Security Systems, a physical security company focused on developing a new breed of networked security solutions. Before Next Level, Jumbi was Director of Business Development at Axis Communications, where he was responsible for partnership programs, industry segments as well as the Axis’ Video Hosting System. Preceding Axis, he was Vice President of Strategic Marketing and Business Development at IntelliVid, a provider of unique intelligent video analysis software for the retail market; IntelliVid was acquired by Tyco/ADT in 2008. Jumbi has also worked as a management consultant at BCG and as a senior chip design engineer at Intel Corp. Jumbi has a bachelor’s degree from MIT, a master’s degree from the University of California, San Diego and a Ph.D. in Regional Economic Development from the University of California at Berkeley. “As we continue to evolve our technology, we’re especially pleased to have someone with Jumbi’s vast experience and knowledge on board,” said Firas I Bashee, Group CEO, Oncam Technologies. “I also want to thank Graham Wallis and confirm that he will continue to be an active member of the management team, an advisor, and will remain on the Executive team.” “With their leading 360-degree technology, Oncam Grandeye has made enormous inroads in the security and retail markets,” said Edulbehram. “I’m looking forward to helping it become a comprehensive, global tech powerhouse as it takes advantage of many exciting opportunities ahead.”