Yoav Stern

DVTEL, INC., the video surveillance solutions provider, announced recently the release of its new Video Management System (VMS) platform: United VMS 7.0, the platform of choice for corporations and organizations from entry-level to enterprise. United VMS 7.0 Offers Launched at ASIS 2015, United VMS 7.0 provides global unified network topology, allowing users to connect multiple sites and systems utilising Latitude, Horizon, and Meridian to an aggregated system that can be controlled and monitored from a single location. It is equipped with DVTEL’s advanced adaptive streaming technology, which automatically obtains the optimal stream resolution from DVTEL cameras, based on the viewing tile size and zoom level, achieving significant savings in bandwidth and workstation process load. As a result, adaptive streaming allows an increased number of viewing tiles on the client machine, reducing the overall deployment costs. This release features user interface enhancements, including the new EZ Client web interface, as well as new features added to the existing Control Center client. United VMS 7.0 is designed with cyber protection in mind and includes DVTEL’s IP-mmune Cyber Defense Suite. The new EZ Client web interface delivers remote access to Latitude, Horizon, and Meridian, enabling system control from any location. With its lightweight and sleek design, EZ Client is simple and intuitive. It is also optimized for touch functionality and allows easy and rapid access to the system through a web browser, without requiring any preinstalled software on the client machine. Its thumbnail-based navigation enables operators to quickly browse through recorded footage, search for forensic evidence, and easily export video files. Inspired by the ease-of-use of today’s consumer smartphones and tablets, the EZ Client provides users with easy access to video footage from any place, at any time. IP-mmune Cyber Defense Suite IP-mmune Cyber Defense Suite addresses one of the biggest concerns in the IP video industry today, and probably the greatest danger for corporate IT networks: the threats of cyber vulnerability exploitation. IP-mmune utilizes a multi-layered protection approach designed to ensure that DVTEL’s video surveillance solutions are sealing IT corporate grids from cyber penetrability through IP video networks. DVTEL’s cyber defense strategy is to protect critical customer data and assets from unauthorized or malicious IT threats. IP-mmune is designed to proactively identify potential IT threats at any point of vulnerability and prevent them from creating damage. United VMS 7.0 includes the first element of the IP-mmune Suite: PORTection, a network access control solution that monitors and ensures that all devices connected to the video network are properly identified, authenticated, and comply with the organization’s security policies. “Today’s surveillance customers demand more efficiency and effectiveness of their technology. At the same time, they require a simplified user experience and scalable open solutions with end-to-end ability for streamlined third-party integration and one-stop-shopping. We are constantly seeking ways to meet those evolving and sophisticated needs,” said Yoav Stern, President and CEO, DVTEL. “In addition to global topology, and cloud-ready infrastructure and services, we are leading the market with our unique IP-mmune cyber defense modules that protect our installations from IP video network vulnerabilities while not encumbering usability. The result is a more advanced level of security, and more cost-effective response, on all fronts.”

DVTEL Latitude network video management system and cameras were used to safeguard over 30,000 runners DVTEL, INC., the video surveillance solutions provider, announced recently that its sophisticated technologies helped drive enhanced cooperation, strong security measures and robust communication between multiple agencies during the 2015 Boston Marathon. DVTEL Latitude Network Video Management System (NVMS) and associated cameras were used to safeguard more than 30,000 runners and nearly one million spectators along key race points and spectator viewing areas along the 26.2-mile course (View news coverage on DVTEL’s involvement). The Enterprise-Class NVMS The enterprise-class Latitude NVMS was chosen to seamlessly merge existing, standalone DVTEL video surveillance systems, typically used by various entities throughout the Metro Boston area for routine monitoring, scene recording and investigations, into a single unified system to achieve new levels of intelligence, and allow race officials and authorized agencies to access comprehensive video footage across the marathon route. Officials monitored activity from multi agency command centers to maximize efforts while ensuring collaboration between law enforcement, event organisers and other aligned stakeholders. DVTEL’s Latitude NVMS provided global situational awareness by linking separate camera networks into a single entity to deliver greater visibility, and provide more insight into safety and security operations. Since the deadly 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, officials at sports and special events throughout the country have elevated their focus on safety, and therefore, have increased investments in surveillance technologies to monitor suspicious acts, mitigate risk, and effectively manage and respond to incidents. Boston has invested in the DVTEL solutions, which are used to help public safety agencies take a more proactive approach to safety while boosting security for high-profile events, such as the Boston Marathon, other key sporting events, and the popular annual St. Patrick’s Day parade. DVTEL Quasar HD Cameras The city has continued to invest in intelligent surveillance solutions to further boost its security efforts. This year, it added new DVTEL Quasar HD cameras, including the Quasar 4K Ultra HD, to ensure high-quality video is captured in high-risk or high-traffic areas along the marathon route. The cameras were selected for their ability to be quickly deployed and will be re-purposed for future events, according to the city’s systems integrator and DVTEL partner Lan-Tel Communications. “Since the bombing at the 2013 Boston Marathon, race officials throughout the country have made security a No. 1 priority,” said Yoav Stern, CEO, DVTEL. “DVTEL is proud to be a part of Boston’s efforts to ensure safety while providing law enforcement with greater visibility to effectively and efficiently respond to incidents. This year’s collaborative efforts were deemed a success, and other race and special event organisers are now looking to Boston as a model for their future security endeavors.” DVTEL’s Role In The Security DVTEL’s role in the security efforts surrounding the Boston Marathon was featured in a number of mainstream publications and radio broadcasts, including NPR, WBUR, WGBH and CRN.

The new shareholders are highly reputable, growth-oriented PE firms DVTEL, INC., the video surveillance solutions provider, announced that it completed a $9-million capital infusion investment by the end of the first quarter of 2015.  DVTEL will use the net proceeds from the transaction to fund its corporate growth plans, including significant R&D efforts such as the continued evolution of its global enterprise-class Latitude Network Video Management Systems (NVMS), mid-market scalable and user-friendly Horizon and Meridian NVMS, dcVMS (distributed cloud-based-VMS systems), and Cyber Defense technologies. The company also plans an expansion of its vertical marketing strategies worldwide.  The new shareholders are highly reputable, growth-oriented PE firms Seacoast Capital and EGIS Capital Partners. Seacoast Capital is a strategic investor in high-quality U.S. companies that are leaders in its target sectors of manufacturing, distribution, business services, and industrial technologies. EGIS Capital Partners is a leading private equity firm focused on middle-market buyout and late-stage growth investments in the security and homeland defense sectors. Imperial Capital drove the transaction and worked closely with all parties to finalize the placement. Developing R&D "In our judgment, DVTEL now combines the segment's best management team with a technologically superior and carefully conceived IP surveillance solution to the middle market,” said Timothy Fay, Partner, Seacoast Capital. “EGIS Capital Partners has been following DVTEL for several years, and we believe this is the right time and the right leadership that makes an exciting opportunity to be an investor in the company” said Robert Chefitz, Managing Partner, EGIS Capital Partners. "DVTEL now has the opportunity to channel additional resources into our leading VMS and camera technologies to ensure our customers are benefitting from the highest level of efficiency," says Yoav Stern, CEO, DVTEL “DVTEL continues to position itself as a global leader in the IP surveillance field,” said John Mack, Executive Vice President and Co-Head of Investment Banking, Imperial Capital. “For Seacoast and EGIS, the investment represents a unique opportunity to support a highly innovative, fast-growing company that is at the forefront of a burgeoning industry.” Capturing Video Surveillance Market “The capital investment from these leading financial firms is a statement of recognition for the innovation and significant momentum we have established for our video surveillance solutions across the globe,” said Yoav Stern, CEO, DVTEL. “DVTEL now has the opportunity to channel additional resources into our leading VMS and camera technologies to ensure our customers are benefitting from the highest level of efficiency, effectiveness, and reliability. In addition, we’re focused on expanding our solution to a cloud-based, shared-resources economy of scale structure, as well as further defining our cyber defense initiatives to protect corporate IT grids from vulnerabilities in IP video networks. In parallel, we will be accelerating our marketing efforts to focus our attention on serving the needs of various vertical segments around the globe.” Most recently, DVTEL showcased a wide range of new product innovations during ISC West 2015, one of the largest security conferences in the world. The company’s new technologies include the global topology United VMS 7.0, a new Web client with a  smartphone-like user interface for command and control (CC), Quad HD cameras that incorporate true WDR, and Quasar 4K Certified Solutions.

Managing General Partner of SCP Partners, Mr. Churchill has over 25 years of experience in private equity investing DVTEL, INC., the video surveillance solutions provider, is pleased to announce that Winston Churchill, Managing General Partner of SCP Partners, will join the DVTEL Board of Directors. Churchill replaces Edmundo Gonzalez, whose personal commitment and unique analytical skills over many years of being a loyal member of DVTEL’s Board of Directors have proven to be incredibly valuable in helping the company overcome hurdles and meet business goals. Mr. Winston Churchill has served as Managing General Partner of SCP Partners since its founding in 1996. He has more than 25 years of experience in private equity investing. Previously, he spearheaded the launch of Churchill Investment Partners Inc. in 1989 and CIP Capital L.P., another venture capital fund, in 1990. Prior to that, he was Managing Partner of a private investment firm that specialized in leveraged buyouts on behalf of Bessemer Securities Corp. During the course of his esteemed career, Churchill practiced law at the Philadelphia firm of Saul Ewing LLP and served as Chairman of its Banking and Financial Institutions Department, Chairman of the Finance Committee and a member of its Executive Committee. Churchill currently serves as a Director at Amkor Technology Inc., Griffin Land & Nurseries Inc. and Innovative Solutions & Support Inc., as well as a number of private companies in the technology and life sciences spaces. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics, summa cum laude, from Fordham University and has Master of Arts degree in Economics from Oxford University, where he studied as a Rhodes Scholar. He holds a Juris Doctorate from Yale Law School. DVTEL President And CEO Comments: “We are thrilled to welcome Win to the DVTEL Board of Directors. Win has been a supporter and believer in DVTEL since its inception, a commitment that has shown in practice, time and time again over the years. While in December 2014 DVTEL has completed the best year in its history, and moreover, Q1 of 2015 shows approximately 20% growth over last year, I do believe that Win’s closer involvement as a board member will help us further in the near future. This is an exciting time for DVTEL as we continue to advance our technology portfolio, and drive new levels of growth and efficiency throughout the organization.” said Yoav Stern, President and CEO, DVTEL. “But no less importantly, I want to thank Edmundo for helping me personally during the last 4 years. Edmundo is a bright and considerate individual that is able to combine confidence and methodological thinking conveyed in the most constructive and effective manner. He helped us consistently with his teamwork approach, financial expertise and business acumen, which have been incredibly beneficial to me personally and to DVTEL throughout his service on the Board of Directors. We wish Edmundo the best of luck and success, and I definitely look forward to him staying a “close friend of DVTEL” as he is currently Operating Partner at Columbus Nova Technology Partners, a venture capital fund sponsored by Columbus Nova”.

Cybersecurity has been getting much more attention lately in the physical security market. One company ready to address cybersecurity of IP video products is DVTEL. The Israeli company’s roots in IT and networking make it a logical choice to take a lead in cyber-defense of IP video systems. DVTEL’s core research and development (R&D) in Israel includes cyber-defense expertise. DVTEL’s Cyber-Defense Plan In fact, DVTEL is moving fast to implement its cyber-defense plan – which it calls the IP-mmune Cyber-Defense Suite – throughout its product line. Cyber-defense is a requirement as basic (and as necessary) as a computer password, says Yoav Stern, DVTEL’s President and CEO. “We decided to take the initiative,” he says. (Stern prefers the term cyber-defense; he says there’s no such thing as “cyber-secure” – it’s an ongoing process.) "Cyber-defense is a new requirement in today’s market, not a selling point or feature but a critical element of the environment where systems today operate", says Yoav Stern, DVTEL’s President and CEO IP-mmune is composed of several existing technologies from the IT world, which have been adapted specifically to the video environment, addressing needs such as the requirement to maintain fast data speeds to achieve real-time video. Technologies include port scanning and password-protected gate blockers throughout the system, and a "sand box” in the client software protects the main system from viruses. Additional cyber-defense enhancements will include video encryption and stringent measures related to cloud and wireless components. Slow Implementation Of Cybersecurity Cyber-defense has been a priority in the IT arena for decades, says Stern, and now is the time for physical security to catch up. “For 27 years, cyber-defense has been the environment where you operate in the IT world,” says Stern. In contrast, analog video, and even IP systems that were self-contained and only involved recording and real-time video transmission, were mostly immune to concerns about cybersecurity, so it was ignored. Also contributing to slower implementation of cybersecurity in video systems has been the industry’s single-minded mission to expand functionality and increase performance. “The whole industry, including the channel, are ex-analog people,” adds Stern. In fact, the overarching emphasis in the market has been on developing systems, processes and applications for IP video. Addressing the cyber-defense aspect requires a completely different skillset, and improving cyber-defense has even historically been seen as detrimental to system performance. “Performance and real-time video depend on free passage through firewalls,” says Stern. Risks With Cybersecurity However, as video systems have merged into enterprise networks, the cybersecurity dangers have heightened. Today, says Stern, “IP video is a black hole that could suck bad elements into the IT systems.” Lack of cybersecurity has also historically been an obstacle to inclusion of video on enterprise networks. Much-discussed concerns about video being a “bandwidth hog” have mostly overshadowed the other, equally daunting obstacle, which is that systems have not been safe and secure from cyber-attacks. So what makes this the right time to take on cyber-defense? Not only are networks converging, but video is also being used in new ways that demand that it be accessible throughout the enterprise, says Stern. To meet the huge demand on the horizon for wireless and mobile systems, the market must get its act together related to cyber-defense, he adds. Cyber-defense is a new requirement in today’s market, not a selling point or feature but a critical element of the environment where systems today operate, says Stern. “IT will take over, and if security wants to keep control of their business, they need to be able to tell the IT people that nothing can leak from the IP video environment, that it is protected.” DVTEL Plans To Implement IP-mmune In Existing Systems In addition to being installed on all systems moving forward, DVTEL says the IP-mmune suite could be implemented on existing systems, based on response in the market. IP-mmune will be maintained through the cloud, as part of DVTEL’s cloud services that measure and manage the health of video systems, including system audits. DVTEL cloud services will remotely identify problems, send alerts and provide analysis. DVTEL United VMS 7.0 For ISC West 2015 At ISC West, DVTEL is releasing United VMS 7.0, which can tie together any existing or new Latitude, Horizon and/or Meridian VMS systems into a unified whole with a new user interface. Also introduced will be a new Command and Control (CC) web and mobile client. Sleek, modern design approximate the user experience of a mobile app, including use of drag and pinch and browsing with a finger, basically mimicking the intuitive experience of using a smart phone. The company will also emphasize its cutting-edge technology at the network edge, including Quasar Quad HD cameras, and 4K Certified Solutions. “We are moving to one scalable system that is cloud-based and can scale to any size,” Stern says.

The program helps engineers and consultants develop expertise with DVTEL’s video surveillance technologies DVTEL, INC., the video surveillance solutions provider, recently announced that it has named Jack Meltzer as Senior Director, Global A&E Program. The program helps network architects, engineers and consultants to develop expertise with DVTEL’s intelligent, open video surveillance technologies and to specify projects that incorporate DVTEL solutions. Mr. Meltzer will focus on driving interest for DVTEL solutions and providing planning and support services to architects and engineers focused on the video surveillance market. In addition, He will contribute to the development of innovative solutions by identifying new product trends. Mr. Meltzer has more than 30 years of experience in the security industry. Prior to joining DVTEL, he managed the A&E programs at Axis Communications for five years. Before Axis, Mr. Meltzer developed and managed Lenel Systems’ global consultant support program for 10 years. Prior to Lenel, Mr. Meltzer was president of Wornall Electronics, which was acquired in 2005 by the security integrator Niscayah, Inc. (now part of Stanley Security Solutions). Mr. Meltzer has been a member of ASIS International since 1988. “Jack’s unique perspective and vast experience in the security industry underscore DVTEL’s commitment to provide superior resources and solutions to our partners and customers,” said Yoav Stern, President and CEO, DVTEL. “We recognize the importance of focusing resources on understanding the needs and challenges of the design community and are very glad that Jack has joined DVTEL.”

A busy first day at the ASIS International Seminar and Exhibits in Atlanta ended with a surprise strategic announcement by one of the industry’s largest suppliers and one of its most successful up-and-comers. Axis Communications and Sightlogix announced a strategic agreement to sell both technologies cooperatively to end-user customers through dealer channels. Despite the broad product range Axis brings to market, the company does not have a perimeter security solution, which is the strength of Sightlogix. Introducing the third generation of its SightSensor product at ASIS, Sightlogix provides an accurate security solution for outdoor and perimeter security applications at one-third the size and with reduced power consumption compared to prior generations. The new SightSensor avails solar and wireless capabilities that reduce infrastructure requirements often needed for outdoor security projects. Sightlogix’ growing mainstream presence will almost certainly get a boost from the association with Axis. I also visited with Allegiontoday and heard about their Engage platform, which will extend the benefits of integrated electronic locks to more doors in a building. Typically, electronic access control covers exterior doors, while interior doors use hardware locks. The Engage series seeks to replace some of those hardware locks with electronic locks that can be programmed individually using an app or tied into a larger access control system. Taking electronic locks further inside a building, the Engage locks fit in the same space as hardware locks – no extra drilling of doors – and can use electronic (NFC) or physical credentials. Simple to install and commission, the Engage locks will complement Allegion’s range of hardware locks used for interior doors. Despite the broad product range Axis brings to market, the company does not have a perimeter security solution, which is the strength of Sightlogix More application flexibility is a theme at the show for Altronix, which introduced the Pace long-range Ethernet products, extending the Ethernet range five times without repeaters. The eBridge Plus product provides 100Mbps full duplex Ethernet over coax, and there are receivers available in 1, 4, 8 or 16 ports. The eBridge outdoor 2-port Ethernet-over-coax transceiver has IP66, NEMA4/4X-rated outdoor enclosures with lockable latches. Among the first companies to introduce a 4K camera is DVTEL, and President and CEO Yoav Stern emphasized that the camera is part of a 4K system the company offers. Explaining that a system is only as strong as its weakest link, DVTEL has combined the 4K camera with interconnectivity, storage and a monitor that can take advantage of the higher resolution. DVTEL also has now integrated its video analytics with its HD cameras to provide advanced cameras with analytics. DVTEL, among other companies, opted to have a small booth on the ASIS show floor and to provide a private suite nearby that highlights its products and provides an environment more conducive to productive meetings with customers. Just a sampling of what I saw and heard on the first day of the show … more to come during and after the show.