Thibaut Louvet

Legacy access control systems use outdated technology that leaves them vulnerable to cyber threats, and can cause damage beyond the door, cautions Thibault Louvet, Director - Access Control Product Group at Genetec Inc. (Genetec), a technology provider of unified security, public safety, operations, and business intelligence solutions. With the average cost of a data breach being US$3.9* million in damages, it’s never been more important for organizations to be educated on the risks associated with legacy systems and the advantages that a new cyber-secure access solution can offer. Potential cause of cyber attacks Access Control Systems (ACS) are a powerful infrastructure tool that tends to be overlooked as a potential vector for cyber-attacks. In the past, they existed primarily to open and close doors but are increasingly used by businesses and government organizations to implement access rules, analyze building usage, and monitor for aberrant behavior and access requests within their facilities. Breach of legacy ACS Once a network has been breached, all data becomes vulnerable, including sensitive information stored internally As access control systems tend to be connected to an organization’s network, if a cybercriminal breaches a legacy ACS, not only can they open and close doors without permission, but they can also gain control over any other system that is connected to the network. Once a network has been breached, all data becomes vulnerable, including sensitive information stored internally. Threat actors often look to move around a breached network to search for information that will generate the most financial gain. This usually leads them to valuable data like personal information about employees or customers, or an organization’s private financial data. Outdated ACS systems “Many organizations are holding on to access control systems that date back to more than 15 years,” says Louvet. “Although they are aware of the drawbacks of such a system, the thought of change is a daunting one for fear of costs, disruption of business, and the inability to take on more work. This results in them pouring more money and time into an old system that simply can’t keep up.” Entry of cyber-secure solutions Thankfully, the access control market is undergoing a huge transformation. Traditionally a proprietary market, it has now shifted to a more open one, providing customers with choices that better meet their unique needs. New, more cyber-secure solutions featuring end-to-end encryption and advanced authentication are now available, allowing end-users to do more with their system while protecting them from cyberattacks and malware. Unified access control systems With an open architecture IP-based access control system, organizations have the power to upgrade to the latest technology A unified access control system that uses the latest cybersecurity standards to secure communication, servers, and data such as Genetec Security Center Synergis can not only better protect an organization’s assets and people but help them improve their business operations and decision making that go beyond locking and unlocking doors. By choosing an open architecture IP-based access control system, organizations have the power to upgrade to the latest supported technology at any time, move at their own pace, and work within their available budget.  

Genetec Inc., a renowned technology provider of unified security, public safety, operations, and business intelligence solutions announced that it has released a new reporting function for its Security Center Synergis (Synergis) access control system that is designed to help organizations find all people who went through a door in close proximity to someone thought to be contagious. It is conceivable that they may have contaminated the door handle or other surfaces or left aerosol contaminants in their passage. This report helps identify all people who are at increased risk of being in contact with contaminants or contagious individuals. This feature will be also useful for customers that handle dangerous substances and is made available to all Genetec Synergis Access Control customers at no cost. Access control system The reporting function correlates physical proximity of an infected individual with other employees Developed at the request of McCormick Place in Chicago, North America’s largest convention Center, the reporting function correlates physical proximity of an infected individual with other employees and badged visitors based on the use of the access control system. A report can quickly be generated to correlate access events by time window to identify people who are at increased risk of being in contact with contaminants or contagious individuals. This will allow enterprises to proactively advise individuals of their potential contamination and take the necessary hygienic precautions, as outlined by health and safety procedures and regulations. Extremely beneficial to organizations “With Synergis, any organization can produce a detailed report that shows exposure metrics for employees and visitors utilising existing access control data,” said Thibaut Louvet, Product Group Director, Access Control at Genetec. “It considers that if two people went through the same door in a short period of time, chances are high that they had some level of interaction. This forensic analysis can be extremely beneficial to organizations seeking to use technology they already have to better protect employees, visitors, and the broader community.” New and critical tool Being able to utilize technology to provide these additional metrics available through this system is a new and critical tool" “Our number one priority is to ensure the health and safety of our guests and staff, so we knew we needed to be prepared for any eventuality,” said McCormick Place Security Systems Coordinator Brett Zelnio. “In the fight against a contagion that can be spread easily through surfaces or proximity to infected individuals, knowledge is our best defense to stem the spread of these types of viruses. Being able to utilize technology to provide these additional metrics available through this system is a new and critical tool.” Usefulness and brilliant simplicity “Only about half of Security Center features are a result of Genetec anticipating which technology will be useful for our customers. The other half are as a result of what our customers dream up. They regularly imagine clever and innovative ways to use the system and suggest useful new feature ideas. The Contagion/Contaminant Proximity Report is a case in point,” said Pierre Racz, President, Genetec Inc. “A clever member of the technical staff at one of our public infrastructure customers requested the Contagion/Contaminant Proximity Report and we were taken by its usefulness and brilliant simplicity - so we fast tracked its development.”

According to a recent report published by business intelligence provider IHS Markit, Genetec Inc., a technology provider of unified security, public safety, operations, and business intelligence solutions, has become one of the fastest growing providers of access control software in the world. The IHS report showed Genetec rising to the number 3 position in the Americas region (with a 45% growth in business in the region), and to the number 6 position globally in 2018. According to the report Access Control Intelligence Service Annual Update for Global and Regional Databases 2019, “The advanced analytical capabilities of Genetec Security Center software have led Genetec to take market share from competitors, and several traditional access control equipment manufacturers have partnered with Genetec to take advantage of their superior software capabilities. As a result, the Genetec software business grew nearly 45% in the Americas in 2018 to reach a 7.8% market share in the region.” Unified access control platform “Broad adoption of Genetec Synergis demonstrates that our focus on offering a unified enterprise-class access control platform is putting us in a strong, leadership position. Genetec is capturing market share based on innovative technology and this is resulting in strong organic growth of our access control business worldwide,” said Thibaut Louvet, Product Group Director, Access Control. According to IHS Markit (2017 Video Surveillance Market Share Database, 2017 Access Control Intelligence Database, and 2018 ANPR & Detection Sensors Report), Genetec is the only security and public safety solutions developer to hold top-10 global rankings across all physical security industry sectors including video management software (VMS), access control software, and automatic license plate recognition (ALPR) software.

Genetec Inc. (“Genetec”), a technology provider of unified security, public safety, operations, and business intelligence solutions, announced Synergis™ IX, a new line of hardware that combines access control and intrusion monitoring. The Synergis IX devices are designed to work with the Genetec™ Security Center platform to unify access control and intrusion functions with video surveillance, communications and more. Synergis IX is available immediately in Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) from Genetec partner Hills Limited. By adopting a line of hardware combining access control and intrusion devices in a single platform, customers can significantly reduce installation time and total cost of ownership, while achieving operational efficiencies and gaining greater insight into their security environment. Access control and intrusion hybrid solutions  "For both regulatory and practical reasons, our customers in Australia and New Zealand require hybrid solutions that offer both access control and intrusion in one device. Synergis IX provides this all-in-one access control and intrusion monitoring solution but opens the door to greater efficiency through Security Center, which unifies video surveillance, communications and other security systems under the same platform," said Thibaut Louvet, Director of Access Control Product Group at Genetec Inc. Featuring a broad range of hybrid controllers, modules, readers, and keypads, Synergis IX enables users to control and monitor a scalable number of intrusion areas, doors, cardholders, and other field devices regardless of geographical location. With digital certificate support, claims-based authentication, and end-to-end encrypted communications, security throughout every layer of the architecture is ensured. "The security market in Australia and New Zealand continues to grow at an exponential rate, with a tremendous appetite for solutions that enable customers to manage all of their security systems on a single interface. We are excited to work with our partners Hills Limited to bring Synergis IX to the ANZ market," said Daniel Lee, Managing Director for Genetec APAC.

Genetec Inc., a provider of open architecture security and public safety solutions, has announced that its technology partner Alutel Mobility, a manufacturer of mobile access control systems, now offers extended access control capabilities to open areas, transport facilities, construction sites, mining, oil and gas operations, and education establishments without having to rely on physical readers or installations. Alutel Mobile is available now for Genetec™ Security Center, the company’s unified, open-architecture platform that combines access control, video management systems and automatic license plate recognition (ALPR).  Integrating Mobile Readers And Virtual Zones Alutel worked closely with Genetec to integrate their mobile readers and virtual zones with Security Center. By taking advantage of the Genetec software development kit (SDK), Alutel developed integrated functionality in Security Center SynergisTM, allowing its mobile readers and virtual zones to function the same way as a traditional, wired and wall-mounted card reader unit. These mobile units can synchronize cardholder information, badges, schedules, and access rules, while also reading barcodes and QR codes, which trigger alarms and generate valid and invalid access events, depending on rule configurations. Expanding Access Control Possibilities Installed on smart phones and tablets, Alutel Mobile can extend access control readers from globally recognized hardware manufacturers to read credential types including: HID, iCLASS, TWIC, PIV, and AWID. Even when wireless communication is cut off, an offline mode ensures uninterrupted service. Virtual zones can be created with defined geo-fences in areas of interest that activate an ‘event’ when a device enters or leaves that zone. Mustering reports can be generated in real-time during evacuation scenarios, helping to know how many employees are ‘checked-in’ safe, and who remains unaccounted for. “Alutel Mobility expands the access control possibilities for Genetec Security Center end-users by adding access control features capable of working in places without physical installations,” said José Grudzien, President of Alutel Mobility. “By using smartphones and rugged tablets running on iOS or Android, every client can affordably benefit from this mobile extension.” “As Genetec continues to be recognized as a leading innovator for access control technology, partners like Alutel Mobility help extend the enterprise capabilities for a greater number of customers,” said Thibaut Louvet, Genetec product group director for access control research and development.