Peter Strom

We’re here again. The end of another calendar year, and a time when many organizations are assessing their performance over the past 12 months and finalizing strategic plans for 2019. Taking time to reflect on where our industry is at – and what’s likely to happen in the future – is important for all organizations as they set out their long-term goals and tactics. Here are some of the key trends to watch in the months to come and some predictions on their potential to influence, or disrupt, in 2019 and beyond. Providing Value With A.I. Computer Vision No one will be surprised to see artificial intelligence (A.I.), computer vision and similar content analytics listed as a major trend shaping the physical security industry. Solutions employing A.I. (performing a task that would normally require human intelligence) and/or computer vision (extracting, analyzing and understanding information extracted from digital images or video) are everywhere. And most would agree our industry has only scratched the surface in terms of their potential. We’re seeing organizations working hard to develop content analytics that perform in an effective, efficient and accurate manner While many companies are focused on the efficacy of these analysis technologies, there’s been less discussion about how to best leverage them in real-world applications. Ensuring the accuracy of these products is certainly a must, as no one wants to repeat the cycle we saw with security analytics a decade ago, when their promise initially fell far short of expectations. Identifying The Real Benefit Of Analytics With A.I., computer vision and similar content analytics, it will be interesting to watch the companies that take the next step beyond proving viability for security purposes to deliver true business applications to the market. Right now, we’re seeing organizations working hard to develop content analytics that perform in an effective, efficient and accurate manner. Many of these organizations are true A.I. and/or computer vision companies, and they are spending a lot of money developing very advanced algorithms. However, there’s still work to be done identifying the real benefit of these analytics for customers as part of comprehensive business intelligence solutions. Until that happens, and customers understand how those benefits apply to them directly, adoption will continue to be lower than all the marketing hype would suggest. Hybrid Solutions For Data Storage Expect to see more hybrid solutions on offer in 2019, incorporating both on-premise storage and cloud storage Another trend that will continue this year is the push toward centralized cloud storage, particularly in enterprise organizations. Expect to see more hybrid solutions on offer in 2019, incorporating both on-premise storage and cloud storage for the retention of more critical data for longer periods. Despite the buzz around cloud solutions the last few years, uptake has not been significant to date for several reasons. A majority of cloud solutions in the physical security space have been pure cloud solutions as opposed to hybrid solutions, and many organizations have yet to embrace the costs and understand the benefits. Most corporations considering a cloud solution are focused on leveraging cloud storage as a back-up to on-premise storageMost corporations considering a cloud solution today are focused on leveraging cloud storage as a back-up to on-premise storage in case of a hard drive failure or for archiving video for an extended period. But that’s only the starting point for the power of centralized data. The real benefits will be clear when organizations start applying cloud-based analytics to enhance business intelligence and improve operations including inventory management, marketing and customer service. Expect this to be a growing theme in 2019.  Access to affordable bandwidth will also help with cloud adoption. While bandwidth remains an issue for some organizations, it’s becoming less of a barrier as enterprise customers continue to update their networks and capacity. Impact Of GDPR On Organizations Data protection was another key focus this past year, especially as Europe’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) came into effect on May 25, 2018. The GDPR has impacted not only European organizations but most organizations doing business in Europe. Whether you’re a bank based in Dubai or a retailer headquartered in the U.S., more than likely you’re touching European soil at some point, and therefore you must follow GDPR legislation. The GDPR has impacted not only European organizations but most organizations doing business in Europe It’s now clear that the regulation is casting a much wider net that some anticipated. Expect to see a stream of announcements from manufacturers in 2019 as they continue to enhance and offer new features to customers to support GDPR compliance, or play catch up in some instances. In addition, we will certainly see other jurisdictions issuing their own versions of data protection legislation. California, for example, passed a similar Consumer Privacy Act in June 2018. Often considered a bellwether state, California’s Act likely signals the start of more data privacy legislation to come across the U.S. New Companies Entering The AI And Analytics Sector There are a number of startup companies focused on A.I., computer vision and similar analytics emerging in our marketA final industry shift to track in 2019 is the entry of new companies in the physical security space. As I noted above, there are a number of startup companies focused on A.I., computer vision and similar analytics emerging in our market. While the majority of them likely won’t make it as standalone companies, many of them will be acquired by larger organizations looking to enter the video-based business intelligence space and/or accelerate market penetration. Because data analytics are becoming such a significant component of today’s ‘big data’ solutions, watch for a number of large, enterprise software companies to start focusing on the security industry. This shift will create a huge disruption in our industry and cause further consolidation. Those are my top predictions for 2019, following what I would consider to be a pivotal past 12 months. It’s a time ripe with opportunity for those companies with a clear vision that correctly anticipates future market demand, and the ability to execute. I look forward to seeing how these next few months unfold.

Global economic expansion and technology improvements continued to drive demand this year for IP cameras, network video recorders (NVRs), access control and other security technologies.   A Strong Year For Security Overall, 2017 represented another strong year for the security industry. A combination of falling prices and improved IP camera performance helped drive camera sales during the year as the migration from analog to IP continued to pick up momentum. Advancements in areas such as video analytics, compression and data analytics enabled end users to begin leveraging video beyond traditional security applications. We expect this trend to continue in 2018 as the market finds new uses for video data, and integrators build out their service portfolios. Key Industry Trends To Watch Another 2017 trend was the growing concern over cybersecurity and the exposure of security vulnerabilities in many leading security products. This concern grew throughout the year and is causing some enterprises to rethink their strategies. With IT departments increasingly weighing in on security vendor selection, we expect this to have a major impact on camera sales in 2018. In 2018, three key industry trends to watch will be a continued focus on cybersecurity, the introduction of artificial intelligence, and ongoing growth of security-as-a-service. Heightened Cybersecurity Concerns The sheer scope and size of the data breaches we saw in 2017 – Equifax being one of the most notable – has heightened concerns over cyber-preparedness. Increasingly, corporations are beginning to evaluate their own level of cybersecurity preparedness, as well as that of their suppliers. In 2018, we expect to see IT departments continue to play an expanded role in approving products for deployment on corporate networks. The use of third-party cybersecurity audits will become common practice and significantly impact how products are developed. In addition to ensuring that their products are secure, suppliers will also need to improve security organisationally.    The sheer scope and size of the data breaches we saw in 2017 – Equifax being one of the most notable – has heightened concerns over cyber-preparedness For video solution providers, that could mean demonstrating how you protect your software code, the architecture of your software or how compliant your solutions are with data privacy standards such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDRP) legislation in Europe. The need to bolster cyber defences will drive demand for new equipment and software upgrades as the vulnerabilities of legacy equipment are exposed. Artificial Intelligence Is Here Another key trend in 2018 will be the proliferation of AI-enabled products in our industry. End users are increasingly looking to data analytics to gain better insight into their operations. These may include security-related intelligence or operational and customer insight. We have also begun to see several chip manufacturers introduce next generation processors with AI built into the core firmware. As a result, we forecast that product innovations in 2018 will focus on advanced video analytics, data integrations and application software. The challenge for both manufacturers and end users will be how to decide which data is valuable, who will have access to it, and how to best manage it. Managed And Cloud-based Services Demand for security-as-a-service will also continue to grow in 2018. The combination of low upfront capital costs and outsourced services has made cloud-based video and access control popular in the hospitality and small-to-medium enterprise markets. As service providers add more sophisticated applications and services to further drive customer insight and efficiencies, we predict that enterprise retail customers will also begin to move to this model in 2018.

March Networks, a globally renowned company in video security and video-based business intelligence solutions, is proud to announce that one of the world’s largest oil companies will deploy its cloud-based Searchlight solution at more than 300 c-store locations. The Fortune 500 Company is currently rolling out March Networks Searchlight for Retail as a Service at all of its U.S. corporate-owned stores. The company’s branded fuel products are sold at nearly 8,000 service stations in the U.S., providing a future platform for March Networks to continue to grow its c-store customer base. Cloud-based Searchlight solution By choosing March Networks’ cloud-based Searchlight, the oil company can deploy a powerful loss prevention and data analytics solution in a shorter timeframe and with less upfront cost than a traditional video surveillance deployment. The subscription-based service, combining high-definition video, transaction data and analytics, is managed by March Networks from its secure Network Operations Center (NOC). This eliminates the need for the company to purchase and maintain servers within its own IT infrastructure, and leaves it free to focus on its business, while March Networks handles all the software upgrades and maintenance of the application. With the addition of the oil company, nearly 15,000 business locations worldwide are now using the March Networks Searchlight solution. Security and transformational business insights “Leading banks, retailers and restaurant chains are choosing March Networks Searchlight for its unique ability to deliver both security and transformational business insights,” said Peter Strom, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), March Networks. He adds, “Organizations can not only reduce theft, fraud and shrink, but gather operational and business intelligence to boost performance and profitability. By offering Searchlight’s video insights in a monthly subscription model, March Networks is meeting increased demand for cloud-based video surveillance-as-a-service (VSaaS), and rapidly growing the services part of our business.” Convenient managed services Searchlight for Retail as a Service includes March Networks’ convenient managed services Searchlight for Retail as a Service includes March Networks’ convenient managed services, where trained professionals monitor each customer’s video network system health and performance, ensuring maximum uptime. Using the March Networks Insight platform, customers gain access to their network information, including device health and warranty information, through a secure web browser. Searchlight and Insight are part of the oil company’s complete end-to-end solution. Command Enterprise Software The end-to-end solution also includes March Networks’ highly reliable hybrid recorders, supporting analog and IP cameras, its Command Enterprise Software for advanced system management and administration, and its SE2 and SE4 Series IP Cameras for crystal-clear video capture. March Networks is partnering with NAVCO, a national electronic security systems integrator and long-time March Networks Certified Solution Partner (CSP), to complete the company’s deployment and provide seamless support for the solution moving forward.

March Networks®, a video surveillance and video-based business intelligence provider, is pleased to announce a new solution to help enterprise businesses manage new health and safety compliance regulations in the COVID-19 era. The company’s Health Compliance Solution delivers a suite of new features to help banks, retailers, restaurants, schools and other businesses monitor and measure occupancy in real time, rapidly detect individuals who may pose a potential risk, and ensure compliance with new cleaning and sanitization procedures. Data analytic platform The solution, based on March Networks’ highly flexible data analytic platform called Searchlight, combines data from video surveillance cameras and third-party sensors to alert operators in real time of potential compliance violations. The solution was recently selected for rollout by a major European supermarket chain with more than 150 locations. The first release of the Health Compliance Solution includes: Real-Time Occupancy Management – Using Searchlight, businesses can count the number of people entering their locations in real time and visualize occupancy data in multiple ways, both locally and from a central location. Occupancy alerts can be displayed on a local, color-coded video client or public view monitor, a mobile phone or tablet or via a smart lighting system, which can change color to indicate when a business is nearing or has reached its maximum capacity. Thermal imaging cameras All visual indicators of occupancy are easy to setup, custom configurable and displayed in real time Once capacity has been reached, video clients display the maximum count number with a red background and Searchlight simultaneously sends an email or SMS message to a manager so they can react in real time to close their doors. For large enterprise businesses, color-coded occupancy data from multiple sites can be viewed together from one central location, along with associated surveillance video. All visual indicators of occupancy are easy to setup, custom configurable and displayed in real time. Data can also be viewed historically via Searchlight’s reports and dashboards, allowing managers to identify trends and more easily pinpoint high-risk locations. Real-Time Alerts on Elevated Body Temperatures – COVID-19 has generated immense interest in thermal imaging cameras as a tool to identify individuals with elevated body temperatures. Searchlight’s open platform integrates with many of the third-party thermal cameras to send real-time email and SMS alerts when an alert is triggered. Email notifications include a video snapshot of the person that triggered the alert, so managers can quickly identify the individual and take appropriate action. Potential risk factor Searchlight logs all alerts centrally so managers can search and sort alerts by location and camera, view data in chart or graph format, identify trends and rapidly respond to locations presenting a potential risk factor for virus transmission. Audits can also validate that employees are wearing masks and gloves Health & Safety Audits – Leveraging Searchlight’s convenient Security and Operations Audit features, businesses can automatically capture video of new health and safety procedures to ensure compliance with re-opening rules. Examples include a video database of employees washing their hands at prescribed intervals, and regularly cleaning high-touch surfaces. Audits can also validate that employees are wearing masks and gloves and that physical barriers like sneeze guards are in place. Improving health and safety “COVID-19 has created unprecedented challenges, and at March Networks we’re doing all we can to help business owners get back to work while instilling confidence in consumers that these organizations have taken the necessary steps to keep them safe,” said Peter Strom, President & CEO, March Networks. “With Searchlight as the centerpiece, this solution equips businesses to quickly make informed decisions that can help them reduce risk and further improve health and safety moving forward. We will continue to work closely with our customers to add more functionality to the platform as new regulations emerge.” The March Networks Health Compliance Solution is available starting this month on flexible one, three or five-year service terms. In Canada and the U.S., the solution will also be available as a hosted service, offering convenient monthly invoicing options.

We live in an age when private customer data is constantly under attack from hackers. Cyber-threats have taken a front seat in the line-up of primary risks facing banks and financial institutions. The fact that cyber-attacks are becoming more prevalent isn't the only issue; they're also becoming more complex and therefore harder to address. And although the convenient interconnectivity of the Internet of Things (IoT) creates many advantages for financial institutions, there is also an increased risk to dangerous threats.#   The Impact Of Cyber Heists According to Cybersecurity Ventures, the amount of money taken in cyber heists, both in banking and elsewhere, was estimated at $3 trillion overall for 2015, and this substantial amount is expected to double by 2021. In today’s environment, banks, credit unions, and financial organizations of all types are primary targets for hackers. But it’s not just the monetary loss that these businesses need to be concerned about — there is also a threat to the brand, customer trust, and employee safety. Banking Surveys Banking choices are influenced by how secure consumers feel when conducting transactions, either in their local branch, at an ATM or online. In one survey, a vast majority of consumers (98%) felt most secure when conducting transactions at their local banking branch, compared with 92% when conducting transactions online and 85% using a mobile phone app. Further, 90% of consumers said they feel safer when they can see video surveillance cameras in their bank or credit union and would choose a financial institution with surveillance over one without, all other things being equal. Here are some other key findings from the survey: Half of consumers have walked away from an ATM without conducting their intended transaction because someone was loitering in the vestibule 60% of consumers noticed a fraudulent transaction before their financial institution, leaving plenty of opportunity for banks and credit unions to be more proactive when it comes to identifying and notifying customers about potential fraud   “Banks and credit unions recognize that today’s consumers want a mix of in-person and online banking service options and have very high expectations when it comes to security and customer service,” said Peter Strom, President and CEO, March Networks, which provides security systems for banks. To increase security, biometric solutions are replacing PINs at physical ATMs To increase security, biometric solutions are replacing PINs at physical ATMs and providing a more fool-proof form of identification for banking security. Ways To Increase Banking Security Popular use cases include a) PIN replacement at physical ATMs; b) proof-of-presence (such as pension benefit distribution) that requires liveness detection; c) more easily authenticating multiple transactions during a single ATM session; d) incorporating biometric information directly into a smart device; and e) the ability to leverage investments in biometric enrollment databases across multiple applications. An example of the latter is when fingerprint authentication on mobile devices used for payments and secure mobile banking is also used in conjunction with enrolled information for authentication at an ATM. The availability of interoperable authentication devices would permit cross-bank usage and pave the way for many new applications in the future. By enrolling a citizen’s fingerprints and then creating an ecosystem in which these transactions are strongly tied to that individual’s biometrics, the potential for fraud and identity theft approaches zero, and the process is simple and convenient for users.

March Networks, a global video security and video-based business intelligence pioneer, is proud to announce that it has been designated as a cybersecure business by Cyber Essentials Canada for a second consecutive year. March Networks was the first company in the country to achieve the certification in 2018, and is the first to re-certify through the program this year. Developed as part of the United Kingdom’s (U.K.’s) National Cyber Security Programme, Cyber Essentials certification is awarded to organizations able to demonstrate good cybersecurity practices and an ability to mitigate risks from Internet-based threats in areas including: boundary firewalls and Internet gateways; network configuration; software management; access control; and malware protection. The toolset is also a valuable asset for end user organizations seeking to verify the security of their supply chain. Adhering To Best Security Practices Our participation in the Cyber Essentials program enables us to confirm that we are adhering to the current security practices"“March Networks works with many Fortune 500 customers, including some of the world’s largest banks, so strong corporate security practices have always been a priority,” said Peter Strom, President and CEO, March Networks. “Our participation in the Cyber Essentials program enables us to confirm that we are adhering to the most current security best practices. It also provides our customers with yet another assurance of our high cybersecurity standards.” March Networks’ holistic approach to security involves a 360° view of all areas of its business – from product development and source code management, to operational processes and customer data privacy. The company’s Network Operations Center, for example, operates with extensive physical access and networking controls and restrictions to ensure the security of customer data. The company also participates in comprehensive security audits initiated by large enterprise customers seeking to confirm the security of their video solution provider. Identifying Potential Vulnerabilities Proactive resilience strategies help strengthen organizations’ ability to avoid disruption"In addition, March Networks takes a proactive approach to identifying potential vulnerabilities in its products. The company’s Security Updates and Advisories program involves regularly tracking US-CERT reports on identified vulnerabilities, conducting in-depth investigations when required, and alerting customers and partners to any necessary software updates via email alerts and information posted directly on the March Networks website. Endorsed by the U.K. government, Cyber Essentials was originally created in collaboration with industry partners such as the Information Security Forum (ISF) and the British Standards Institution (BSI). CyberNB, a special operating agency of Opportunities New Brunswick, administers the program in Canada, where it is gaining momentum as a requirement to win business in both public and private sectors. “The team at CyberNB is proud of the commitment to security and continuous improvement that we’ve seen from March Networks,” said Josh Waite, Head of Cyber Essentials Canada. “Proactive resilience strategies help strengthen organizations’ ability to avoid disruption and demonstrate responsible practice. We congratulate March Networks for having made Cyber Essentials Canada certification part of their strategy.”

Booth number: 26041 March Networks is a global provider of video surveillance and video-based business intelligence solutions. Their product portfolio is end-to-end, ensuring that customers can deploy comprehensive solutions designed to help them address real business challenges and improve performance. At ISC West this year, March Networks will be showcasing new hosted services, new PTZ cameras and additional offerings. Attendees will also be encouraged to discover their solutions for banking, retail, cannabis and transportation – all of which help organizations transform video into business intelligence through the integration of surveillance video, analytics, and data from business systems and IoT devices. For more about their presence at ISC West, we contacted Peter Strom, President and CEO, March Networks. And not surprisingly, the technology was a lot less sophisticated compared to what we see today Q: What was the first year your company exhibited at ISC West? Please share your remembrances of that experience. I believe March Networks first exhibited at ISC West in 2001. I did not join the company until 2003, however I had been working in the industry for several years already, and can recall that the exhibitions back then had a much different feel. For one thing, there weren’t the very large companies we see today dominating a lot of the landscape. And not surprisingly, the technology was a lot less sophisticated compared to what we see today. Anyone who has worked in physical security for a long time can attest to the remarkable shift we have seen over the years, first with the transition from analog to IP video and all that entails, to security analytics, to today’s truly advanced business intelligence applications, hosted solutions, and artificial intelligence, computer vision and similar content analytics. Q: What strategies do you use to get the most out of exhibiting at ISC West? Our most effective strategy by far is scheduling our business meetings in advance of ISC West. Our sales team does a very good job of planning meetings with enterprise end users and channel partners ahead of time, so we’re hitting the ground running even before the doors open on Day 1 of the event. In addition, our channel partners are also very well organized, and know which organizations they are going to bring to our booth during ISC West. This pre-planning saves us a tremendous amount of time and ensures that we make the most of the opportunity to meet face-to-face with the many decision-makers who have traveled to the show. The quality and quantity of our planned business meetings is definitely how our company measures the success of our ISC West participation each year Q: How do you quantify your success at ISC West? What ROI do you receive from the show? The quality and quantity of our planned business meetings is definitely how our company measures the success of our ISC West participation each year. Of course we do track the number and quality of the leads we capture as well; however, our face-to-face meetings with end user organizations and channel partners are the primary measures of our ROI. Q: What company activities (outside the show floor) does your company organize each year? The activities we organize outside of the show floor vary from year to year. We have hosted customer appreciation events and roundtable events. We will typically organize an internal sales meeting as well to take advantage of the fact that many of our salespeople and product managers are in the same location. Q: What sets ISC West apart from other trade shows on the calendar? The timing of ISC West is good for most people, as it is still early enough in the budget cycle for most customers to leverage the show to help make decisions – particularly in our banking, retail, cannabis and transit target verticals. Holding the event consistently in Las Vegas is also beneficial, as it makes it easier for people and exhibitors to plan in advance. The city itself is well equipped to handle large exhibitions, offering everything from a central conference space at the Sands to the convenience of nearby accommodations, restaurants etc. Travel is typically convenient as well. In our opinion, ISC West is the premier industry show in North America and appears to be gaining momentum each year.

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

March Networks, a pioneer in the delivery of video surveillance and video-based business intelligence solutions to the cannabis industry, is pleased to announce that one of Canada’s largest cannabis producers has selected its complete cannabis video solution to provide security, loss prevention and operational insights for its retail dispensaries. The publicly-traded producer, with multiple brands and a global presence, chose the March Networks solution based on its proven reliability, ability to support thousands of locations, and its Searchlight business intelligence software. March Networks Searchlight provides organizations with valuable information on customer service, risk mitigation, corporate compliance and other operations through the integration of surveillance video, point-of-sale (POS) transaction data and customer data analytics. The solution delivers an enhanced level of tracking and compliance by correlating video with the RFID data in the Searchlight softwareEnhanced Level Of Tracking “Early on, we recognized the security and operational requirements of the tightly-regulated cannabis market and evolved our offering to uniquely address those needs,” said Peter Strom, President and CEO, March Networks. “Today, we are proud to be the solution of choice for cannabis operators, including this leading Canadian-based producer in advance of the legalisation of the country’s recreational marijuana market in October.” Just last week, the government of Ontario – Canada’s largest province by population – opened up the sale of marijuana to private retailers, reversing a previous decision that would have seen sales limited to government-run outlets only. Across the United States, March Networks currently works with multiple cannabis operators, providing intelligent video solutions for dispensaries and cultivation facilities. In states like Colorado, where radio frequency identification (RFID) tagging from seed to sale is mandated by law, the solution delivers an enhanced level of tracking and compliance by correlating video with the RFID data in the Searchlight software. The producer will be able to centrally manage the entire system and easily schedule software updates using March Networks Command Enterprise Server software Deploying NVRs And 3D Analytics Sensors In addition to March Networks Searchlight, the Canadian cannabis producer will deploy the company’s hybrid network video recorders (NVRs) in each retail store, as well as integrated 3D analytics sensors to gather valuable metrics on customer traffic and wait times. The producer will be able to centrally manage the entire system and easily schedule software updates using March Networks Command Enterprise Server software. The powerful video management software is an ideal solution for organizations with multiple distributed locations, providing capabilities such as mass device management and LDAP integration to enable secure multi-level user access and authentication. It also delivers remote system health monitoring to ensure video is always there when needed – a critical feature to help ensure cannabis operators remain compliant with video surveillance requirements at all times.

March Networks, a global provider of intelligent video solutions, is pleased to introduce a new software as a service (SaaS) offering for convenience stores. The secure, hosted service will deliver all the benefits of March Networks’ powerful Searchlight for Retail solution - including loss prevention, data analytics and operational audits reporting - for an average cost of just $4 a day. It leaves owners free to focus on their business rather than maintaining a video surveillance network and delivers a swift return on investment through advanced loss prevention and business insights. Used by retail organizations worldwide to extract valuable information on customer service, operations, compliance and more, March Networks Searchlight helps retailers improve performance and profitability. By integrating surveillance video with point-of-sale (POS) transaction data, and accurate analytics, the software enables retailers to proactively detect fraud and theft and reduce incident investigation times by as much as 90%. Searchlight For Retail As A Service Searchlight for Retail as a service is hosted at Amazon Web Services for proven speed and data security With this new hosted solution, Searchlight for Retail as a service, c-stores can enjoy a true enterprise video solution for a low monthly fee. The service is easy to deploy and it eliminates the need for customers to purchase and maintain servers within their own IT infrastructure. Searchlight for Retail as a service is hosted at Amazon Web Services for proven speed and data security and is managed by experienced staff in March Networks’ secure Network Operations Center (NOC). It includes all software licensing and all camera and recorder processing, health management, upgrades and administration - including user management that is performed by March Networks NOC staff working in cooperation with the business’s certified March Networks systems integrator. Suspicious Activity And Video Evidence The upcoming release of the service will include WebRTC functionality and a number of key security and privacy features that c-stores will benefit from. Searchlight allows c-store owners and managers to spend more time on their core business by simplifying the task of locating suspicious activity and finding video evidence. It delivers multiple, user-defined reports and allows customers to schedule them to arrive automatically in their email inboxes. The reports include snapshot images and direct links to recorded video that let them analyze and compare location and employee performance at one or a group of locations suspect transactions, such as all voids above a set amount conversion rates, customer wait times, dwell times and other customer service metrics using integrated analytics operational performance, including how clean locations are, if shelves are well-stocked, if employees are dressed properly and if procedures are being followed security audits, including a list of alarms and the ability to filter by specific alarm or location. The new hosted Searchlight service provides the scalability and enterprise management features customers have come to expect from March Networks. The company’s continuing focus on privacy and data security also makes this an ideal solution for c-stores that are looking for the highest level of cyber protection. The upcoming release of the service will include WebRTC functionality and a number of key security and privacy features that c-stores will benefit from. Loss Prevention And Business Analysis Searchlight for Retail as a service will be sold through March Networks certified partners "This new, hosted Searchlight option is ideal for convenience store owners who want the loss prevention and business analysis capabilities of a proven intelligent video solution, without the burden of managing and maintaining their video devices," said Peter Strom, President and Chief Executive Officer, March Networks. "The solution also removes upfront capital expense barriers, making it a more cost-effective option for owners who are always keeping an eye on the bottom line." Searchlight for Retail as a service will be sold through March Networks certified partners, who will work directly with their c-store customers to install, configure and maintain the service to best meet their needs. The new service will initially be available to the c-store market in the U.S. and Canada.

March Networks, a global provider of intelligent video solutions, is proud to be one of the first companies in Canada to become Cyber Essentials Canada certified, designating it as a cybersecure business. Cyber Essentials Canada Certified Developed as part of the United Kingdom’s National Cyber Security Program, the Cyber Essentials certification is awarded to organizations able to demonstrate good cybersecurity practices and an ability to mitigate risks from Internet-based threats in areas including: firewalls, routers and other boundary security devices; Internet-connected email, web and application servers; desktop PCs and laptops; and cloud, Internet and other service providers. The Cyber Essentials Canada toolset is an important asset for end user organizations eager to monitor and protect their supply chain In addition to helping organizations identify the required controls believed to shield companies from most common Internet threats, the Cyber Essentials Canada toolset is an important asset for end user organizations eager to monitor and protect their supply chain. March Networks The certification is a further affirmation of March Networks’ holistic approach to security, which involves a 360° view of all aspects of its business – from product development and source code management, to operational processes and customer data privacy. For example, the company operates a secure Network Operations Center, conducts background checks on employees working with product code, and has participated in extensive security audits with Fortune 500 customers.  It also takes a proactive, transparent approach to identifying potential vulnerabilities in its products. March Networks’ Security Updates and Advisories program involves regularly tracking US-CERT reports, conducting in-depth investigations when required, and quickly alerting customers and partners to any necessary software updates via email alerts and information posted directly on the March Networks website. Cybersecure standards March Networks has always taken a responsible approach to our security policies and practices" “As the video solutions provider of choice for many of the world’s enterprise organizations, including leading banks and credit unions, March Networks has always taken a responsible approach to our security policies and practices,” said Peter Strom, President and CEO, March Networks. “Achieving this Cyber Essentials certification, which is already well recognized in the U.K., provides our customers with yet another assurance of our cybersecure standards.” Cyber Essentials was created in collaboration with industry partners in the United Kingdom (U.K.), including the Information Security Forum (ISF), and the British Standards Institution (BSI), and is endorsed by the U.K. government. CyberNB, a special operating agency of Opportunities New Brunswick, recently brought the program to Canada, where it is expected to be a major requirement to win business in both public and private sectors in the future.  “Business today is largely conducted online, and every organization has a critical responsibility to protect its business data,” said Stephen Lund, CEO of Opportunities New Brunswick. “We are delighted to extend this certification to March Networks, in recognition of the security controls and best practices the company has in place within its IT systems to address cybersecurity effectively and mitigate Internet-based threats.”

March Networks, a global provider of intelligent IP video solutions, announced the results of an independent survey exploring how fraud, customer service and security perceptions are impacting U.S. banking consumer decisions. Key results from the survey, commissioned by March Networks and conducted by leading market research firm Ipsos earlier this year, reveal that 15% of consumers experienced fraudulent bank account activity in 2016. Banks and credit unions responded successfully, however, with 85% of those consumers saying they were satisfied with how their financial institution handled the incident. Security Influence On Banking Decisions Survey results also show that a continued focus on customer experience remains critical for banks and credit unions when it comes to retention, with 1 in 5 respondents (and a higher 1 in 4 Millennials) confirming they have switched banks in the past because of poor in-branch service. In addition, banking choices are influenced by how secure consumers feel when conducting transactions, either in their local branch, at an ATM or online. A majority of consumers (98%) felt most secure when conducting transactions at their local banking branch, compared with 92% when conducting transactions online and 85% using a mobile phone app. Further, 90% of consumers said they feel safer when they can see video surveillance cameras in their bank or credit union, and would choose a financial institution with surveillance over one without, all other things being equal. Key Findings From The Survey: Nearly half of consumers said waiting more than 5 minutes for service is unreasonable While poor customer service was the top reason consumers switched to a new bank, other drivers included the branch nearest them closing (14%), fraudulent bank account activity (9%) and safety concerns (9%) Half of consumers walked away from an ATM without conducting their intended transaction because someone was loitering in the vestibule 90% of consumers think that visible surveillance cameras help deter crimes 60% of consumers noticed a fraudulent transaction before their financial institution, leaving plenty of opportunity for banks and credit unions to be more proactive when it comes to identifying and notifying customers about potential fraud Intelligent Video Solutions “Banks and credit unions recognize that today’s consumers want a mix of in-person and online banking service options, and have very high expectations when it comes to security and customer service,” said Peter Strom, President and CEO, March Networks. “The positive takeaway from this survey is that financial institutions are meeting these expectations at present, however will need to get even more strategic to retain customers and attract new business in their extremely competitive environment.” For nearly two decades, March Networks’ intelligent video solutions have helped many of the world’s leading banks and credit unions address real-world business challenges efficiently and cost-effectively. More than 500 financial institutions rely on the company’s solutions to enhance security in their banking branches, corporate facilities and at ATMs; proactively identify and reduce losses from theft and fraud; and improve operations and corporate policy compliance. Using March Networks’ video-based business intelligence software, which integrates video with transaction data and analytics, financial institutions are also realising significant improvements in customer service, workforce management and operations.

In response to the devastation that has occurred in the United States, Mexico and many of the Caribbean islands following recent natural disasters, NextGen Motorsports, a NASCAR series team, and March Networks®, a global provider of intelligent IP video solutions, are joining forces to help support relief efforts. Xfinity NextGen 55 March Networks is sponsoring NextGen Motorsports and driver Josh Berry, who will drive the Xfinity NextGen #55 in the NASCAR Kansas Lottery 300 on October 21 in Kansas City. One hundred percent of donations raised around the event at www.donations4disasters.com, will be provided via the Celia Cruz Foundation to established charities working on the ground to help families recover and rebuild following hurricanes Irma and Maria, and the devastating earthquake that hit Mexico on September 19. NextGen Motorsports will also donate 50 percent of any purse money won during the race to the cause, and is working with 22 Days Nutrition to provide food provisions of equivalent value to all funds raised through the website this weekend. Supporting Victims And Families “NextGen Motorsports, along with our drivers Enrique Baca, Luis Rodriguez Jr. and Josh Berry, is committed to helping support victims of these tragic events, as are many people in the NASCAR community,” said Carlos Crespo, Co-Owner, NextGen Motorsports. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the many families now struggling to put their lives back together.” “We have established routes into many of the communities affected by these disasters,” said Peter Strom, President and CEO, March Networks. “We are honored by this opportunity to join NextGen Motorsports and contribute to ongoing relief efforts that are critically needed in these countries.”

Intersec, the world’s largest trade and networking event for security, safety and fire protection, is set to celebrate two decades of remarkable success when it opens its doors in January 2018 in Dubai. Intersec 2018 Exhibitors And Visitors The 20th anniversary edition will feature more than 1,300 exhibitors from 58 countries, while over 31,000 visitors from 128 countries are expected to attend as they seek the latest solutions across seven show sections of Commercial Security, Fire & Rescue, Safety & Health, Homeland Security & Policing, Perimeter & Physical Security, Cyber Security, and Smart Home & Building Automation. Occupying 60,000sqm across 13 halls and 10 per cent extra space at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, Intersec 2018 has added a new Drones Pavilion and indoor Drone Zone, while a Wearable Security Pavilion will put the spotlight on advanced textiles including head-up displays, body cameras, embedded sensors, exo-skeleton communications and more. Intersec History From humble beginnings in 1999, when it featured 61 exhibitors from 13 countries, Intersec has developed into a global powerhouse, with 19 of the world’s top 20 security solutions providers among the 1,300-plus exhibitors on board in 2018. The three-day event, which takes place from 21-23 January 2018, has grown in-line with many of the exhibitors that have been with the show from the beginning. NAFFCO is one of 12 exhibitors at Intersec 2018 that participated in the inaugural edition in 1999. Since then, the UAE-based company has established itself as one of the world’s leading suppliers of life and fire safety solutions, with a global network spanning over 100 countries. Scaling New Heights Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of Messe Frankfurt Middle East, the organiser of Intersec, said: “Intersec continues to scale new heights as the world’s premier showcase of the latest security, fire, and life safety solutions. Societies, governments and corporates are increasingly pulling out the stops to combat various threats and ensure the security of people, infrastructure, property and information. This has led to a resultant surge in demand for the latest safety and security products and solutions. From the beginning, Intersec has paved the way for leading safety and security providers to access regional markets and facilitated many of the beneficial partnerships and relations forged over the years. By continuing to prioritise the showcasing of the cutting-edge new developments and the latest technologies, we hope to continue to play a constructive role in making the region a safer and more secure place.” The commercial security market too has witnessed an upswing throughout the region, creating opportunities for suppliers of video surveillance, access control and intrusion detection Global Presence Intersec’s impressive global presence over the last 20 years coincides with the Middle East region’s own rapid rise as a significant growth market for homeland and commercial security and fire protection. According to analysts Frost & Sullivan (F&S), the Middle East homeland security market, comprising monitoring and surveillance systems, restricted entry systems and perimeter security solutions, is estimated to reach US$17.05 billion by 2021, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.6 percent between 2015 and 2021. The commercial security market too has witnessed an upswing throughout the region, creating opportunities for suppliers of video surveillance, access control and intrusion detection. Valued at US$1.93 billion in 2015, the market is expected to grow at a CAGR (2016-2021) of 17 percent, reaching US$4.82 Billion by 2021, says F&S. Meanwhile, the Middle East fire safety market is expected to be worth US$4.4 billion by 2021, growing at a CAGR of 12.4 percent between 2016 and 2021. Commercial Security With more than 580 exhibitors, Commercial Security is the largest section at Intersec 2018, with more than two-thirds of the world’s top 50 security solutions players on board, including Hikvision, Bosch, Dahua, Assa Abloy, Tyco, FLIR, Hanwha Techwin, Axis Communications, Avigilon, Panasonic, Infinova, IDIS, and Milestone Systems. Philippe Kubbinga, Regional Director for the Middle East and Africa at Axis Communications, said: “Intersec is a very important event for us to showcase the latest advancements from Axis across products and solutions, demonstrate our strengths across key verticals with our partners and network with industry professionals. The Middle East market has continued to grow and we expect a further increase in adoption of the latest IP network solutions in the coming year with a great focus on smart and innovative technologies.” Returning features include the Safety Design in Buildings Pavilion in the Fire & Rescue section and the Outdoor Demonstration Zone Peter Strom, President and CEO of March Networks, a leading provider of intelligent IP video solutions, added: “Intersec has played an important role in helping position March Networks as a well-recognized name in the region, and increasing exposure in our target markets. It’s very effective at bringing together key decision-makers and we look forward to introducing them to our newest intelligent IP video solutions.” Plans For 20th Anniversary Edition CP PLUS, a provider of advanced security and surveillance solutions is another long-time exhibitor at Intersec, and with big plans for the 20th anniversary edition. Gaurav Khemka, the Director of CP PLUS, said: “Our association with Intersec has been quite a long one, and it goes without saying that it is one of the best platforms to showcase our technologies and solutions. And as one of the global market leaders in security and surveillance Intersec is important to us. This time around we’ll have quite a few new launches to showcase such as Analog HD solutions in 4MP and 5MP; Indigo and Red IP Solutions powered by Insta Stream, Time & Attendance solutions equipped with Facial Recognition, Wi-Fi, 3G and battery support, PoE Switches and much more. We are excited and look forward to a continued association with Intersec fueled by a similar goal and mutual growth.” Fire And Rescue Fire & Rescue is the next largest section with 400 exhibitors including NAFFCO, Fike, Honeywell, Hochiki, Oshkosh, and Siemens. Safety & Health and Homeland Security & Policing (both with 100 exhibitors), and Perimeter & Physical Security, Cyber Security, Smart Home & Building Automation (50 exhibitors each) wrap up the dedicated show sections. Returning features include the Safety Design in Buildings Pavilion in the Fire & Rescue section, as well as an Outdoor Demonstration Zone of the latest fire rescue applications in action. A comprehensive three-day conference program will also discuss and analyze new developments, innovations, legislation and changing paradigms within the Middle East safety and security industry. Intersec 2018 is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and supported by the Dubai Police, Dubai Civil Defense, the Dubai Police Academy, and the Dubai Municipality.

ASIS 2017 was off to a strong start on Tuesday, presenting a new wave of innovation to the U.S. security end user community. Many attendees to the Dallas show are well-placed in their companies to influence or direct the purchase of security products and equipment, and exhibitors sought to impress them with a range of new and enhanced options. Moving From Integration To Unification In general, the ASIS show has a quieter, less frantic feel than the spring ISC West show in Las Vegas. Conversations are more "intimate" than those common at integrator-focused shows. "End users are very honest about the challenges they are facing," observed Derek Arcuri, Product Marketing Manager of Genetec. "The challenges we are hearing are a symptom of similar problems we hear in conversations with other users. It's more than just technology, it's planning out the strategy and showing them how they can slowly inch toward their vision by investing in a platform that is open and unified." Unification is a buzz-word you hear more and more often in the security industry, and unification means something beyond integration. In the case of Genetec, unification summarizes a strategy that leverages an identical technology approach underlying every facet of a broad-based solution, including video, access control and other technologies. Arcuri says customers should commit to a unified platform and then use integration to accommodate existing installed products and enable a gradual transition to a systemwide unified system as costs allow. Among Genetec's current and future offerings highlighted at ASIS 2017 are vertical-focused product lines such as Airport Sense, Retail Sense and Traffic Sense, which offer specific capabilities and are all built on the Genetec unified platform. Johnson Controls Accelerates Product Development A year after the headline-making acquisition of Tyco, Johnson Controls kicked off the first day of the ASIS 2017 exhibition with a press event revisiting the big story one year later. Johnson Controls says they are making significant investments in engineering to ensure accelerated introduction of products in the video, access control and intrusion categories – around 100 engineers have been added to the product development team, a 15 percent increase. A press conference by Johnson Controls kicked off the ASIS 2017 exhibition, about a year after their headline-making acquisition of Tyco "As we have come together, all the positives have been realized," said Brian Young, Johnson Controls Senior Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing. The complementary nature of the two businesses -- a prime motivator promoted when the acquisition was announced last year -- has been realized in many ways, including how the technology platforms work together, and even the sales cycles (Johnson Controls typically has a longer sales cycle, while Tyco's business moves faster.) "We are starting to deliver real value," says David Grinstead, Global Vice President and General Manager of Security Products. Johnson Controls executives estimate the overlap of the two businesses is about 15 percent, which translates into 85 percent of new opportunity for crossover business to enhance both operations. March Networks Transitions To Video Software Companies are changing as the market changes. March Networks is transitioning from being a hardware provider to developing software reporting tools that can increase the value of video and data by correlating the two. "Video is becoming more of an operational feature that every institution wants to have. We are more of an information company than ever, focused on software and services," says Peter Strom, President and Chief Executive Officer. "We are seeing how video can play a role beyond security." For example, March Networks' new Searchlight for QSR (quick service restaurants) combines video with various data points, such as those provided by point of sale (POS) systems, to provide a "dashboard" to help a business owner track his business (with data tied into video to enhance the value). Video is stored locally, and data is stored in the cloud; the service is provided for a monthly fee. The company has similar data-driven products in other verticals: Searchlight for Retail and Searchlight for Banking, both providing a "360-degree view" of a business.  March Networks has historically emphasized the importance of cybersecurity - driven by demands of its financial and retail verticals Cybersecurity In The Video Surveillance Market March Networks also has historically emphasized the importance of cybersecurity -- driven by demands of the financial and retail verticals they play in. Their cybersecurity approach predates by a decade or more the current concerns in the market, says Strom. March Networks is among the companies that see video taking a new, higher profile among customers -- and not just for security applications. Two verticals that March Networks is active in -- financial and retail -- have been especially impacted by the transition to broader use of video in a company. At ASIS 2017, March Networks is also announcing integration of Patriot One Technologies' covert weapons detection solution with video. The cognitive microwave radar technology detects concealed handguns and other types of weapon, and sends real-time alerts to security. The system is "trained" and continues to "learn" after deployment, getting better and smarter at detecting hidden weapons with each screening. Arecont Vision Emphasizes Ease Of Use Arecont Vision continues on its theme of making it easier for integrators to install products. They have extended "no-touch" remote setup to the MegaDome G3 Series. A vari-focal motorized lens can be set up remotely in any position with pan, tilt, focus and zoom. The remote setup avoids a technician having to stand on a ladder to adjust and fine-tune the image, which takes extra time and can be hazardous. The MegaVideo 4K 8.3 megapixel camera also has multiple motorized lens options for remote setup. Arecont Vision plans to carry the approach through its entire product line over time, expanding ease of installation to an ever-broadening array of products. This is just a sampling of what I saw and heard on the first day of ASIS, with plenty more still to come. Read SourceSecurity.com's Day 2 Coverage Here

March Networks, a global provider of intelligent IP video solutions and EZUniverse, a provider of cloud-based retail data analytics, announces a strategic partnership and the launch of a new cloud-based video and retail data analytics service for the quick service restaurant (QSR) and fast casual market. March Networks Searchlight March Networks Searchlight for QSR powered by 360iQ combines March Networks’ industry-leading enterprise video solutions with 360iQ, the cloud-based data analytics solution from EZUniverse. It provides franchise owners and managers with valuable business insights into sales and productivity numbers, best-selling products, labor reports and other operational data in real-time using customizable dashboard reports on either a secure, intuitive mobile app or a browser-based software client. The service also provides loss prevention reports with fully integrated point-of-sale (POS) transaction data and high-definition video, as well as live and recorded surveillance video views. Franchise owners can also subscribe to remote store audits performed by a team of trained experts in the area of loss prevention, store operations and compliance. March Networks will deliver Searchlight for QSR working with a network of certified solution partners who will perform installation and support services.  “With an estimated 250,000 plus QSR and fast casual locations in the U.S., we view this market as a high growth segment,” said Peter Strom, President and CEO, March Networks. “The 360iQ solution stood out as clearly best-in-class based on its proven value to QSR retailers, exceptional user experience and scalability. When combined with our leading enterprise video solution, we are confident that we have a very competitive service offering and we look forward to working with EZUniverse to continue developing innovative business solutions.” Growth And Expansion In addition to the partnership, Peter Strom and Jeffrey Liu, Chairman of Infinova, have joined the Board of EZUniverse to help oversee its growth and expansion plans. "We look forward to working with the March Networks team to build a leadership position in the global QSR space" “EZUniverse has always been on the frontline of technology and product innovation, and we are thrilled that 360iQ has been recognized by a global player like March Networks. We look forward to working with the March Networks team to build a leadership position in the global QSR space. With this partnership, we are receiving significant interest from many of the international brands, and now the product will have both a powerful worldwide presence and a sizeable salesforce to commandeer the market,” said Leszek James, Chairman and CEO of EZUniverse. Developed specifically for the QSR sector, the Searchlight service powered by 360iQ addresses common barriers that can make it difficult for owners to adopt valuable business intelligence tools. Both the Searchlight for QSR mobile app and software client are extremely intuitive, enabling new employees to learn the tools quickly and use them more effectively – a critical requirement in an industry with a staff turnover rate of more than 70% (National Restaurant Association, 2016). The service also eliminates upfront capital costs in favor of an affordable monthly fee that includes the industry’s most reliable video recording platform.