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Hikvision, globally renowned provider of innovative security products and solutions, has announced the launch of a new generation of its signature AcuSense products, with significant updates. “Hikvision AcuSense products were introduced in 2018, with the idea of making intelligent alarms and services available to small businesses and residential customers for the first time,” says Frank Zhang, President of International Product and Solution Center at Hikvision. “In a nutshell, AcuSense technology enables security personnel to focus on human and vehicle events rather than insignificant objects, so they can act more efficiently which helps save time and costs, while end users can get full control of their security system anytime, from anywhere.” Hikvision AcuSense devices The latest Hikvision AcuSense devices are engineered with an upgraded deep learning algorithm The latest Hikvision AcuSense devices are engineered with an upgraded deep learning algorithm, which analyses live video streams and labels them as ‘human’, ‘vehicle’, or ‘other events’. Those labeled as human and vehicle will trigger alarms for security staff, while other events such as rain drops, animals, or the movement of foliage, for example, will be drastically disregarded. The result is a striking reduction in false alarms – now with an accuracy approaching 98%. In this way, security personnel can focus on genuine security issues and take action. Additionally, related videos are automatically sorted by categories for easier search. Enhanced motion detection with AcuSense technology Customers familiar with Motion Detection will appreciate the capabilities of AcuSense technology as well. Taking users’ habits into full consideration, Hikvision designed AcuSense products to integrate human and vehicle classifications with motion detection. More specifically, when motion is detected, the system analyses whether or not it is associated with a human or a vehicle, and whether an alarm should be triggered. So, when users enable the motion detection function, they can enjoy the same level of alarm accuracy afforded by Hikvision’s AcuSense technology.  Flashing light and two-way voice communication Hikvision also offers camera models with a flashing light and auditory warning When real-time deterrence is needed, Hikvision also offers camera models with a flashing light and auditory warning. As soon as an alarm is triggered, the built-in light flashes. Simultaneously, security personnel can communicate with the person who triggered the alarm to confirm their authorization, thanks to the built-in speaker and microphone in the camera. Of note, the latest AcuSense cameras even support customized audio tracks, which can be pre-recorded to suit various environments. Optimized image brightness The latest AcuSense camera lenses are equipped with an aperture reaching up to F1.4. This technology allows more light to enter the lens, for optimized image brightness, and better performance in low-light environments. Compared with previous AcuSense cameras, this new generation extends target classification distances from 10, 15, or 22 meters to 20, 25, or 30 meters, depending on the model. Customers can choose from 2 MP, 4 MP, or 4K resolutions, as well as dome, turret and bullet housings to suit their specific installation requirements.

DigiBox, the UK’s renowned distributor of technologies for the pro-AV and Broadcast industry, will participate in ISE 2020, the world’s largest pro-AV show, taking place at the RAI Amsterdam alongside partners Haivision, SNS and BirdDog. In conjunction with partner Haivision, a popular provider of video streaming solutions, DigiBox will showcase the many benefits of Haivision’s award-winning Makito X4 video encoder, a highly-secure, ultra-low latency HEVC and H.264 video encoder that delivers exceptional video quality, next-gen performance, SRT streaming, and best-of-breed 4K UHD and HD encoding density. Also featured will be the newly launched Haivision Play Pro, an iOS App which offers a quick and easy way to watch and monitor SRT video streams from anywhere on a cellphone device. Extended file support Users can get hands-on with EVO DPX, their highest performance EVO system yet Haivision will also demonstrate the benefits of SRT, the open-source protocol that optimizes streaming performance over unpredictable networks to deliver high quality, low latency media. SRT will feature on a continuous showreel of highlights and applications. SNS (Studio Network Solutions), a provider of media storage will be showing how EVO shared storage works with your favorite NLE with the latest updates to ShareBrowser, including AI Autotagging that eliminates hours of manual metadata logging, extended file support for previews, and new integrations for Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro X and After Effects. Users can get hands-on with EVO DPX, their highest performance EVO system yet. In addition to this, DigiBox will be exhibiting alongside BirdDog also in Hall 10 on Stand K160. PTZ range of cameras Anticipating the launch of some exciting new products specifically designed for the AV market, BirdDog will be featuring products from its PTZ range of cameras which are equipped with BirdDog’s proprietary silicon chip developed internally specifically to encode and decode full NDI. DigiBox CEO Mike Heaney said, “We are dedicated to providing the best technical solutions our dedicated partners and internal team have to offer. Our experience in content distribution, digital conversion, and systems integration offers unrivalled benefits for new and long-term professionals in a wide range of pro-AV markets, virtually all of which will be represented at ISE 2020.” DigiBox representatives will be available on attending partner stands including Adder Technologies, Stand 10.P180; AJA on Stand 8.G110; Gefen, Stand 1.N50, and Theatrixx on Stand 14.K130 as well as canvassing the ISE show floor for opportunities to establish new, complementary partnerships.

Johnson Controls has added to its successful Illustra Pro camera family with the Illustra Pro Gen3 Bullet, featuring new Smart Wide Dynamic Range that optimizes video quality while minimizing configuration time. Available with standard or telephoto lens and in megapixel resolutions of 3MP and 4K, the Pro Gen3 Bullet provides customers with a selection of video images to match their operational requirements and is ideal for a wide variety of deployments in both medium and large-sized facilities. Smart Wide Dynamic Range available in the Pro Gen3 Bullet reduces configuration time while greatly improving the quality of the video stream in varying lighting environments. By effectively reading the scene, the Bullet can adjust contrasting and overall scene balance without operator intervention. Setup and management costs Setup times are also reduced with the addition of configuration profiles, such as retail, gaming and indoor/outdoor scenes, where camera settings are automatically adjusted based on the environment, with a simple click of a button. The Pro Gen3 Bullet automatically adjusts settings to the desired mount for ceiling or wall for additional labor savings The Pro Gen3 Bullet also automatically adjusts settings to the desired mount for ceiling or wall for additional labor savings. “The smart technology embedded in our latest generation of Illustra Pro cameras automates picture tuning and ensures that what you see is always dynamically optimized even in changing scenes and lighting conditions. We are aiming to reduce operator setup and management costs while always delivering a perfectly configured picture,” said Ric Wilton, Director of Product Management for Illustra. “Adding intelligent, automated capabilities to our solutions is core to our product design and the Illustra portfolio.” Video Intelligence Analytics Building off the previous generation of cameras, the Bullet improves on important features such as Wide Dynamic Range, Illustra IntelliZip bandwidth management, effective failover redundancy, cyber security and Video Intelligence Analytics. Users can offload analytic streaming from network video recorders to the edge on Illustra cameras, saving time and resources. This feature, Video Intelligence Analytics, provides real-time, user-customisable event alarms that allow for quick reaction to incidents. By gathering transformative data instantly, users can better allocate human resources elsewhere. As part of the Tyco Cyber Protection Product Security Program, the new generation of Illustra Pro cameras will also have enhanced safeguards against cyber attacks. Cyber-threat resilience With cyber-threat resilience in mind, the solution includes “secure boot” which prompts the installer to change passwords upon installation. Additional safeguard controls include an enhanced security mode, which forces the use of complex, non-default passwords and encrypted communications. The Pro Gen3 Bullet is now available for order in both 3MP and 8MP form factors, with additional options coming soon.

Dahua Technology, a world renowned video-centric smart IoT solution and service provider, unveils its 2020 core product launch in Intersec Dubai, enabling and accelerating the AIoT transformation. The launch includes the main over-coax technology advancement HDCVI 6.0, AI (WizSense/WizMind) as well as Full-color technology which enables outstanding performance under extreme low light conditions. Advanced AI capabilities A longtime pioneer in the realm of HDCVI that seeks to offer great convenience, best quality and least cost, Dahua Technology launches HDCVI 6.0, boasting industry's first 4K real-time and advanced AI capabilities. 4K Real-time While traditional 4K HD over-coax products only allow 15fps, Dahua Technology’s 4K real-time doubles it, making 30fps a reality in live view. 4K real-time provides a superior visual experience in which tiny details are captured in better clarity within a large monitoring coverage. Moreover, with the help of AI Coding, users won’t have to worry about the storage cost incurred from the clarity enhancement. AI Coding Dahua AI Coding takes video compression to a new level of content-awareness. It puts emphasis on human and vehicle while encoding, significantly improving the streaming quality compared with H.265. At the same time, AI Coding also reduces the bit rate when there is no real target in sight, allowing efficient handling of videos to save HDD storage cost. Two-way Talk In addition, HDCVI 6.0 supports Two-way Talk, which allows real-time communication between camera and recorder with a broadcast-quality audio. A breakthrough innovation in Audio-Over-Coax technology, the Two-way Talk feature does not just satisfy users' demand for auxiliary audio information, it also enables bi-directional audio intercom that can be used to warn off intruders and to verify the actual situation when an incident occurs. Enhanced AI Endowed with Enhanced AI (see section 3 below for more information), HDCVI 6.0 is bringing fresh ideas and new possibilities to the industry and will always provide more economical and convenient solutions to customers. Advanced low light functionality Dahua Technology provides two series of full-color cameras – LED series and Non IR series The demand for cameras to perform in low light environment is on the rise. According to the 2019 IHS video surveillance report regarding global low illumination trend, cameras with advanced low light functionality grows at 20.6% CAGR 2018-2023. In response to this increasing demand, Dahua Technology developed its Full-color Camera, which captures vivid colorful information even in low-light conditions. In places with high crime rate like a park at night or a dark alley, it effectively extracts the color features of the scenes, such as human, vehicle or other objects, providing great help to police officers during the evidence obtaining procedure. Dahua Technology provides two series of full-color cameras – LED series and Non IR series – both adopt large aperture lens that collect higher amount of absorbed light and present a more vivid and colorful image under dark environment. Low light conditions These cameras are capable of 24/7 colorful monitoring that can accurately identify people and objects in low light conditions. Cameras of LED series are equipped with LED that serves as a supplementary light in dark environment. The LED also serves another purpose – to deter intruders – that can significantly reduce crimes. Cameras of Non IR series have no complementary light device, which will not emit light like infrared camera at night. This means that this type of camera does not interfere with ongoing activities and does not contribute to light pollution in the environment. Also, it prevents reflections in rainy days and attraction of small insects, making it an ideal silent security guard in dim places like stores, parking lots and casinos. In addition, the full-color camera can work with AI functions to further enhance the probability and accuracy of target recognition and feature extraction. AI (WizSense/WizMind) WizSense, being easy to use and not pricy to own, is competent enough to meet the needs of most ordinary users To accelerate the AI adoption, Dahua Technology is proud to release WizSense, a series of AI products and complete end-to-end solutions based on deep learning that focus on human and vehicle, providing intelligence, simplicity and inclusivity to users. WizSense, being easy to use and not pricy to own, is competent enough to meet the needs of most ordinary users. Its benefits include: accurate prediction before an event; instant deterrence during an event; quick target search after an event; storage saving while ensuring target details, and privacy protection and defense against attacks. Accurate prediction can be realized through SMD Plus, which analyzes human and vehicle shapes based on motion detection that adopts deep-learning algorithm. It effectively filters out false alarms triggered by raindrops, leaves, pets, insects and light, allowing users to focus on real threats. Face Detection and Face Recognition WizSense also supports Perimeter Protection, which functions in a similar way as SMD Plus in terms of its accurate prediction capability. It allows users to set more flexible rules for different scenarios. While SMD Plus applies to the whole scene by default, Perimeter Protection could be applied to a specific area, especially where the direction of the movement needs to be detected. Aside from recognizing whether the target is a person or a vehicle, WizSense is also equipped with Face Detection and Face Recognition features to aid further identification of targets. By comparing face images with those recorded in the customized database, more business values can be generated through VIP recognition, Black List alarm, etc. Intelligent video analysis Real-time push notifications with trigger type of human or vehicle will be sent to users Moreover, based on intelligent video analysis, WizSense also provides instant deterrence functions. When intrusion has been detected, these features will enable the camera to flash and make alarm sound to warn off intruders and avoid possible crime. At the same time, real-time push notifications with trigger type of human or vehicle will be sent to users, alerting them to verify the situation using video. After an event, WizSense makes it easy for users to do quick and reliable search based on SMD Plus and Perimeter Protection. Features like face image search and face attribute search can effectively improve the efficiency of target searching. It is worth noting that the data storage is ensured with AI Coding as well, which intelligently saves data space while maintaining the image quality of key targets. System integrators and installers While offering abundant functionalities, WizSense also ensures high-level of cybersecurity using encryption algorithms that are certified by TÜV Rheinland, UL (Underwriters Laboratories), etc. Users can rest assured that their privacy will be properly protected using WizSense series products. Furthermore, WizMind is a high-end AI series to be released in Q1 of 2020. While supporting all functions of WizSense, WizMind is also capable of other intelligent functions such as people counting, video structure, ANPR, human face/body privacy protection, large scene monitoring, etc. Designed to create more commercial values for system integrators and installers, WizMind series offers users with end-to-end solutions that can be tailored case by case to satisfy demands of clients. The aforementioned three key technologies work in trinity, resulting in surveillance solutions that can be applied to many situations. Dahua smart solutions You can use this guard to verify a visitor’s identity and warn off intrudersFor example, these products are suitable in dark places where theft and other sorts of crimes are likely to occur, such as a dark street corner or a dimly lit bar. They are also useful in places where it is impossible for security guards to accurately remember various features of people and vehicle, such as crossroads, schools, or entrances of residential areas where people and vehicles frequently come and go. They are also applicable to any place where you want to set specific rules, such as vaults of banks or casinos, entrance of a luxury store, or fence of a zoo. In these situations, Dahua smart solutions serve not only as a sharp eye that diligently monitors 24/7 and clearly records every little colorful details regardless of light condition, but also as a smart guard that can recognize features of each and every people or vehicle in sight. Verify visitor’s identity You can create your own black/white list and your guard will treat the visitor accordingly, triggering the alarm, for example, in a spontaneous manner. You can use this guard to verify a visitor’s identity and warn off intruders. If you are looking for a particular person or plate number when collecting evidence, this guard will take care of it. Overall, Dahua Smart Solutions offers users comprehensive protection as well as personal options to satisfy more diversified needs. For 2020, Dahua Technology is fully loaded with cutting edge technologies and products to provide upgraded services to more users across the globe. With its mission of “Enabling a safer society and smarter living”, Dahua Technology will continue to focus on “Innovation, Quality and Service” to serve its partners and customers around the world.

Pelco’s Sarix Enhanced 3 cameras are designed to handle a broad range of lighting conditions while always delivering sharp footage. They also feature resolutions of up to 4K and true WDR as well as ultralow light performance and image stabilization capabilities. And with frame rates of up to 120 FPS at 1080p, the user also has the ability to slow down scenes of interest and capture detailed images in applications like traffic and gaming. This solution also comes with Pelco Smart Compression and h.265 encoding, which enable lower bit rates without compromising image quality. Reduce storage and bandwidth costs by compressing up to 70% depending on complexity and level of motion in the scene. Analytics: Enhanced with deep learning capability The Sarix Enhanced 3 cameras will pair perfectly with included Pelco Enhanced Analytics suite to enable one to quickly focus on situations needing immediate attention for faster response times. The solution will also act as a platform for advanced deep learning analytics, with superior accuracy in its ability to easily categorize objects within the scene. Sarix Enhanced 3 cameras will start to ship in February, beginning with 2 and 3 Megapixel dome cameras with 2.8-8mm lenses. Other models will follow over the next few months. 2 and 3 Megapixel dome cameras with 2.8-8mm lenses are now available for orders, and the remaining models will be available for order 8 weeks before ship dates.

“Normally when we talk about trends and the future, we are actually thinking more about the present. The reason we are keen on understanding trends is because we want to know how they will affect our current business and how we should act now to avoid being outdated.” Significant changes have shaped the security industry during the last decade, and more exciting innovations should be expected in the 2020s. Emerging technologies and applications, such as multi-dimensional perception, UHD, low light imaging, artificial intelligence, and cloud technology, open new possibilities for the security industry. At the same time, millions of cameras and other security devices are being connected into networks, making the security industry a very important part of the future IoT world. Hikvision shares their thoughts on a few key trends that will affect the security industry in 2020, and probably even longer into the future. Multi-dimensional perception Video cameras integrated with centimetre and millimetre wave radars are becoming popular in object detection For security cameras, image capturing simulates the sense of sight, extending the power of people’s “eyes.” But what if security cameras could use other kinds of “senses,” like “hearing,” “smelling,” or even detections that are beyond visual range, to identify and respond to incidents? For example, video cameras integrated with centimeter and millimeter wave radars are becoming popular in object detection. With deep integration of radar and video, a multi-dimensional camera extends perception beyond visual range to improve the detection of objects and movement tracking, up to a distance of 100 meters and in any weather. Another approach is the integrated automobile horn-detection camera. Equipped with sonar arrays, this camera can precisely detect and locate the source of a vehicle’s horn, while identifying the vehicle and generating photos and videos of the event as evidence. This ability can help reduce noise pollution on roadways and in communities with rules against the unnecessary use of horns. More “senses,” like smoke detection, heat detection, or even pressure detection, can be embedded in cameras to precisely monitor and report events or incidents. The multi-dimensional perception trend will powerfully shape security systems and endow them with more capabilities to create safety in the near future. Multi-intelligence cameras The computing power of security cameras has been enhanced greatly with the increased performance of AI chips Artificial intelligence applications have been slowly emerging in the security industry for many years already, but most AI-powered security cameras can only run a single algorithm because of the limitation of computing power, which means they can incorporate only one intelligent function at a time, counting people or counting cars, for example. Now, the computing power of security cameras has been enhanced greatly with the increased performance of AI chips. Multi-intelligence technology will be the trend for the next generation of AI-empowered cameras as several intelligent tasks will be accomplished by one camera. Vehicle intersections can be used as an example. In many cities one can see ten or more cameras installed at intersections to detect traffic flow, to identify violations, to detect vehicle types and license plate numbers, protect sidewalks, and so on. But now, with multi-intelligence cameras, two or three cameras will be enough for an intersection. Since fewer cameras will be equipped for one application scenario, the cost of equipment, installation and maintenance and management will all be reduced. Moreover, scenario-defined cameras will become common as manufacturers can insert different algorithms into security cameras according to specific application scenarios, allowing customers to choose customized functions for their needs. Proactive and comprehensive security systems Proactive video analysis enables deployment of valuable comprehensive security systems Merely reactive CCTV systems will no longer meet the demands of security operations teams as they are often looking for new opportunities to enhance their operational efficiency. Many customers are now asking for proactive and comprehensive security systems that combine CCTV monitoring, alarm systems, access control, and even fire protection. With the development of AI technology, monitoring processes of CCTV systems are becoming more automated by analyzing live and recorded video to detect, classify and track predefined objects. These processes can be especially effective in proactively identifying events as they happen and extracting information instantly from recorded video. Meanwhile, proactive and intelligent video analysis enables deployment of valuable comprehensive security systems and improves the return on investment for integration of CCTV and non-CCTV systems. For example, now, when a camera detects an incident, a linkage will trigger the alarm system automatically, telling security personnel to check the surveillance camera live feed. Conversely, when alarm, access control or fire protection systems report an incident, the CCTV system will be activated to verify what actually happened. Digital transformation to increase productivity is a business imperative for most organizations nowadays, and proactive and comprehensive security systems will be the direction for security operations to increase their efficiency and value. Ultra-high definition UHD is benefiting from improvements in transmission and encoding technologiesPeople want to see more and see with more clarity; thus pursuing ever higher image resolution has been a key driving force in the development of security industry technology. After the HD era, the Ultra High Definition (UHD) era will be the natural next step. UHD used to mean “expensive cost”, but now UHD is benefiting from improvements in transmission and encoding technologies. It is becoming more and more cost-effective for large-scale use in the security industry, from entry levels to the top. With greater bandwidth and lower latency transmission technology, the smooth transmission of UHD images is becoming possible, and widespread adoption of 4K and 8K resolution cameras will meet real opportunities. Furthermore, continuously optimized encoding technology, which is vastly decreasing the bitrate of video, is another stimulus for UHD applications in the security industry. As the bitrate of recorded footage is greatly reduced, bandwidth and storage costs are reduced as well. Visibility, any time and any condition Low light imaging technologies have become more and more popular in the security industry Most security incidents happen at night, but images and footage from conventional security cameras may easily lose colors and critical details in ultra-low light environments. Low light imaging technologies have become more and more popular in the security industry, enhancing the visibility of objects for identifying details at any time and in any condition. Another important innovation is thermal imaging, which can detect the heat information of any object with a temperature above absolute zero. Taking advantage of heat zone imaging, thermal imaging technology allows cameras to “see” in low-visibility conditions, such as fog, smog, rain, and snow, even at night. And thermal cameras have huge potentials in various applications, like perimeter defense, fire detection and temperature measurement. Moving to the cloud As mentioned at the beginning, more security devices, including cameras, are being connected over the Internet, making them parts of the IoT world. Thus, “moving to the cloud” has been a focus for the security industry, especially for video surveillance operations. Why are people enthusiastic about the cloud? It’s because cloud services can bring vast benefits in efficiency, flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and security. Among security operations, video surveillance as a Service (VSaaS) has been a major trend in the security industry as it is an ideal choice for small and medium-sized businesses to move their video-based security systems to the cloud. It is a technology to host the hardware and software of security operations in the cloud, so that users can access their IP cameras and IoT devices and check video footage or alarm linkage from anywhere. Since no on-site server installation and system configuration is needed, it is often more convenient than traditional video surveillance solutions. On the cloud, users can distribute costs over a contract term and pay for exactly and only the services that are used. With VSaaS, system integrators are able to provide services for their clients using the cloud For enterprises running chain stores, demands on VSaaS are increasing greatly. Moving video surveillance services to the cloud, these businesses can quickly and economically centralize their security operations and remotely check the status of their stores. To greet the “moving to the cloud” trend, security system integrators are also taking hold of VSaaS as it is a good chance to strengthen their business models. With VSaaS, system integrators are able to provide services for their clients using the cloud, such as system checks and remote maintenance, and consistently scale their business with efficiency. Higher demands on cybersecurity With millions of security devices being connected in IoT, security systems are evolving from single and isolated to open and connected. People are getting more and more concerned about the security of their data and privacy, and accordingly have set higher demands for the security industry on cybersecurity. To help minimize the risk of security breaches, a multi-layered approach, including network, application, and device layering, that addresses a full range of cybersecurity threats concurrently will be demanded and expected by security organizations and IT departments. Security manufacturers, will also have to cover the security of their products throughout the whole lifecycle. 5G, big data affect the industry Just as 2020 is the beginning of a new decade, we expect to see a new decade of innovation in technologies and applications. Along with the prominent security industry trends mentioned above, other trends such as 5G, big data, smart enterprise operations, and stricter data protection regulations like EU’s GDPR, might also greatly affect the industry in the 2020s.

Edge devices (and edge computing) are the future. Although, this does seem a little cliché, it is the truth. The edge computing industry is growing as quickly as technology can support it and it looks like we will need it to. IoT Global Market The IoT (Internet of Things) industry alone will have put 15 billion new IoT devices into operation by the year 2020 according to a recent Forbes article titled, “10 Charts That Will Challenge Your Perspective of IoT’s growth”. IoT devices are not the only edge devices we have to deal with as the total number of connected edge devices includes the likes of devices like security devices, phones, sensors, retail sales devices, and industrial and home automation devices. The IoT (Internet of Things) industry alone will have put 15 billion new IoT devices into operation by the year 2020 The sheer number of devices begins to bring thoughts of possible security and bandwidth implications into perspective. The amount of data that will need to be passed and processed with all of these devices will be massive. There needs to be consideration taken by all business owners and automation engineers into how this amount of data and processing will be conducted. Ever-Expanding Edge Devices Market As the number of edge devices in the marketplace and their use among consumers and businesses rises, the need to be able to handle the data from all of these devices is no longer going to be suitable for central server architectures. We are talking about hundreds of billions and even trillions of devices. According to IHS Markit researchers’ study, there were 245 million CCTV cameras worldwide. One has to imagine there are at least 25% of that many access control devices (61.25 million devices) based on a $344 million market cap also calculated by IHS Markit’s researchers. If all the other edge devices mentioned earlier are considered then one can see that trying to route them all through servers for processing is going to start to become difficult if it hasn’t already, -which arguably it already has, as is evidenced by the popularity of cloud-based solutions amongst those businesses that already use a lot of edge devices or are processing a lot of information on a constant basis. Cloud Computing The question is whether cloud computing the most effective and efficient solution as the IoT industry grows The question is this; is cloud computing the most effective and efficient solution as the IoT industry grows and the amount of edge devices becomes so numerous? My belief is that it is not. Taking the example of a $399 USD device that is just larger than the size of a pack of cards and runs a CPU benchmarked at the same level as a mid-size desktop. This device has 8GB RAM and 64GB EMMC built-in and a GPU that can comfortably support a 4K signal at 60Hz with support for NVMe SSDs for add-on storage. This would have been unbelievable five years ago. As the price of edge computing goes down, which it has done in a dramatic way over the last 10 years (as can be seen with my recent purchase), the price to maintain a central server that can perform the processing required for all of the new devices being introduced to the world (due to the low cost of entry for edge device manufacturers) becomes more expensive. This introduces the guarantee that there will be a point where it will be less expensive for businesses, and consumers alike, to do the bulk of their processing at the edge as opposed to in central server architectures. Cloud computing is now being overtaken by edge computing, the method of processing data at the edge of the network in the devices themselves Edge Computing There are a plethora of articles discussing and detailing the opposition between the two sides of the computing technology coin, cloud computing and edge computing. The gist of it is that “cloud computing” was the hot new buzzword three years ago and is now being overtaken by “edge computing.” The truth is that cloud computing is a central server architecture hosted at someone else’s location. Edge computing is going to be a necessary development in the technology industry Edge computing is the method of processing data at the edge of the network (in the devices themselves) and allowing for less resources required at a central location. There is certainly a use case for both, however the shift to edge computing amongst the general public and small to mid-sized businesses will not be a surprise to those players, who have been paying attention.  One article titled, “Next Big Thing In Cloud Computing Puts Amazon And Its Peers On The Edge” by Investor’s Business Daily takes the stance that edge computing is going to completely displace centralized cloud computing and even coins the phrase, “Cloud computing, decentralized” to explain edge computing. It speaks for the stance that most experts in technology seem to be taking, including Amazon Web Services’ VP of Technology, Marco Argenti according to the same article. We know that edge computing is going to be a necessary development in the technology industry, and it is happening as I write this, and quickly at that. Cost Efficiency Of Edge Processing As time goes on, the intersection between the prices of network bandwidth, edge processing and maintaining super powerful central servers will cause edge processing to be the most efficient and cost-effective way to maintain a scalable network in any environment, including datacenters. Owning a central server or utilizing edge computing become the better options As it currently stands, most residential users can only achieve a 1Gbps WAN (internet) connection, and small to medium-sized business can’t get much more but seem to get much less, based on my personal experience. When more than 1Gbps needs to be processed, cloud computing becomes very expensive at which point, owning a central server or utilizing edge computing become the better options. Then you look a total cost of ownership and when the cost of edge computing is less expensive than the cost of maintaining central server architectures, edge computing becomes the single best option. So, I’ll say it again, edge devices (and edge computing) are the future.

Timely and important issues in the security marketplace dominated our list of most-clicked-upon articles in 2018. Looking back at the top articles of the year provides a decent summary of how our industry evolved this year, and even offers clues to where we’re headed in 2019. In the world of digital publishing, it’s easy to know what content resonates with the security market: Our readers tell us with their actions; i.e., where they click. Let’s look back at the Top 10 articles we posted in 2018 that generated the most page views. They are listed in order here with a brief excerpt. 1. U.S. President Signs Government Ban On Hikvision and Dahua Video Surveillance The ban on government uses, which takes effect ‘not later than one year after … enactment,’ applies not only to future uses of Dahua and Hikvision equipment but also to legacy installations. The bill calls for an assessment of the current presence of the banned technologies and development of a ‘phase-out plan’ to eliminate the equipment from government uses. 2. Motorola Makes A Splash With Avigilon Video Surveillance Acquisition Early clues point to Motorola positioning Avigilon as part of a broader solution, especially in the municipal/safe cities market. The company says the acquisition will enable more safe cities projects and more public-private partnerships between local communities and law enforcement. Motorola sees Avigilon as ‘a natural extension to global public safety and U.S. federal and military’ applications, according to the company. 3. Impact Of Data-Driven Smart Cities On Video Surveillance One of the major areas of technology that is going to shift how we interact with our cities is the Internet of Things (IoT). One benefit will be the ability to use video surveillance to analyze data on large crowds at sporting events The IoT already accounts for swaths of technology and devices operating in the background. However, we’re increasingly seeing these come to the forefront of everyday life, as data becomes increasingly critical. Bosch is highlighting its “Simply. Connected” portfolio of smart city technology to transform security as well as urban mobility, air quality and energy efficiency 4. CES 2018: Security Technologies Influencing The Consumer Electronics Market Familiar players at security shows also have a presence at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). For example, Bosch is highlighting its “Simply. Connected” portfolio of smart city technology to transform security as well as urban mobility, air quality and energy efficiency. Many consumer technologies on display offer a glimpse of what’s ahead for security. Are Panasonic’s 4K OLEDs with HDR10+ format or Sony’s A8F OLED televisions a preview of the future of security control room monitors? 5. SIA Predicts Top Physical Security Trends For 2018 Traditional security providers will focus more on deepening the customer experience and enhancing convenience and service. The rise of IoT also places an emphasis on cybersecurity, and security dealers will react by seeking manufacturers and technology partners with cyber-hardened network-connected devices. 6. High-Speed Visitor Screening Systems Will Improve Soft Target Security The system is more expensive than a metal detector, but about a third the cost of familiar airport body scanners. Labor reduction (because of faster throughput) can help offset the system costs, but “it’s difficult to quantify the improvement in the visitor experience,” says Mike Ellenbogen, CEO of Evolv Technology. 7. How To Prevent ATM Jackpotting With Physical And Cyber Security A new crime wave is hitting automated teller machines (ATMs); the common banking appliances are being rigged to spit out their entire cash supplies into a criminal’s waiting hands. The crime is called “ATM jackpotting” and has targeted banking machines located in grocery shops, pharmacies and other locations in Taiwan, Europe, Latin America and, in the last several months, the United States. Rough estimates place the total amount of global losses at up to $60 million. The safety and security world bring a complex problem to solve how to pick out a face in a moving and changing environment and compare it to several faces of interest 8. Why We Need To Look Beyond Technology For Smart City Security Solutions Although technology is necessary for an urban area to transition in to a safe and smart city, technology alone isn’t sufficient. Truly smart cities are savvy cities and that includes how they employ software, sensing, communications and other technologies to meet their needs. 9. How New Video Surveillance Technology Boosts Airport Security and Operations Employing airport security solutions is a complex situation with myriad government, state and local rules and regulations that need to be addressed while ensuring the comfort needs of passengers. Airport security is further challenged with improving and increasing operational efficiencies, as budgets are always an issue. As an example, security and operational data must be easily shared with other airport departments and local agencies such as police, customs, emergency response and airport operations to drive a more proactive approach across the organization. 10. The Evolution Of Facial Recognition From Body-Cams To Video Surveillance The safety and security world bring a complex problem to solve how to pick out a face in a moving and changing environment and compare it to several faces of interest. “One-to-many” facial recognition is a much harder problem to solve.

With increased demands being placed on safety and security globally, and supported by advancements in IP cameras and 360-degree camera technology, the video surveillance industry is growing steadily. Market research indicates that this worldwide industry is expected to reach an estimated $39.3 billion in revenue by 2023, driven by a CAGR of 9.3 percent from 2018 to 2023. Video surveillance is not just about capturing footage (to review an event or incident when it occurs), but also about data analysis delivering actionable insights that can improve operational efficiencies, better understand customer buying behaviors, or simply just provide added value and intelligence. Growth of Ultra-HD Surveillance To ensure that the quality of the data is good enough to extract the details required to drive these insights, surveillance cameras are technologically evolving as well, not only with expanded capabilities surrounding optical zoom and motion range,4K Ultra HD-compliant networked cameras are expected to grow from 0.4 percent shipped in 2017, to 28 percent in 2021 but also relating to improvements in signal-to-noise (S2N) ratios, light sensitivities (and the minimum illumination needed to produce usable images), wide dynamic ranges (WDR) for varying foreground and background illumination requirements, and of course, higher quality resolutions. As such, 4K Ultra HD-compliant networked cameras are expected to grow from 0.4 percent shipped in 2017, to 28 percent in 2021, representing an astonishing 170 percent growth per year, and will require three to six times the storage space of 1080p video dependent on the compression technology used. Surveillance cameras are typically connected to a networked video recorder (NVR) that acts as a gateway or local server, collecting data from the cameras and running video management software (VMS), as well as analytics. Capturing this data is dependent on the communications path between individual cameras and the NVR. If this connection is lost, whether intentional, unintentional, or a simple malfunction, surveillance video will no longer be captured and the system will cease operations. Therefore, it has become common to use microSD cards in surveillance cameras as a failsafe mechanism. Despite lost connectivity to the NVR, the camera can still record and capture raw footage locally until the network is restored, which in itself, could take a long time depending on maintenance staff or equipment availability, weather conditions, or other unplanned issues. Since microSD cards play a critical role as a failsafe mechanism to ensure service availability, it is important to choose the right card for capturing video footage.  It has become common to use microSD cards in surveillance cameras as a failsafe mechanism if an NVR breaks Key Characteristics Of microSDs There are many different microSD cards to choose from for video capture at the network’s edge, and they range from industrial grade capabilities to commercial or retail grade, and everything in-between. To help make some of these uncertainties a little more certain, here are the key microSD card characteristics for video camera capture. Designed For Surveillance As the market enjoys steady growth, storage vendors want to participate and have done so with a number of repurposed, repackaged, remarketed microSD cards targeted for video surveillance but with not much robustness, performance or capabilities specific to the application. Adding the absence of mean-time between failure (MTBF) specifications to the equation, microSD card reliability is typically a perceived measurement -- measured in hours of operation and relatively vague and hidden under metrics associated with the camera’s resolution and compression ratio. Therefore, when selecting a microSD card for surveillance cams at the edge, the choice should include a vendor that is trusted, has experience and a proven storage portfolio in video surveillance, and in microSD card technologies. Endurance, as it relates to microSD cards, represents the number of rewrites possible before the card can no longer store data correctly  High Endurance Endurance, as it relates to microSD cards, represents the number of rewrites (program/erase cycles) that are possible before the card can no longer store data correctly. The rewrite operation is cyclical whereby a new stream of footage replaces older content by writing over it until the card is full, and the cycle repeats. The higher the endurance, the longer the card will perform before it needs to be replaced. Endurance is also referred to in terabytes written (TBW) or by the number of hours that the card can record continuously (while overwriting data) before a failure will occur. Health Monitoring Health monitoring is a desired capability that not many microSD cards currently support and enables the host system to check when the endurance levels of a card are low and needs to be replaced. Having a card that supports this capability enables system integrators and operators with the ability to perform preemptive maintenance that will help to reduce system failures, as well as associated maintenance costs. Performance To capture continuous streams of raw footage, microSD cards within surveillance cams perform write operations about seventy to ninety percent of the time, whereas reading captured footage is performed about ten to thirty percent. The difference in read/write performance is dependent on whether the card is used in an artificial intelligent (AI) capable camera, or a standard one.   microSD cards deployed within surveillance cameras should support temperature ranges from -25 degrees Celsius to 85 degrees Celsius Finding a card that is write-friendly, and can provide enough bandwidth to properly capture streamed data, and is cost-effective, requires one that falls between fast industrial card capabilities and slower commercial ones. Bandwidth in the range of 50 MB/sec for writes and 80 MB/sec for reads are typical and sufficient for microSD cards deployed within surveillance cameras. Temperature Ranges Lower capacity support of 32GB can provide room to attract the smaller or entry-level video surveillance deployments As microSD cards must be designed for continuous operation in extreme weather conditions and a variety of climates, whether located indoors or out, support for various temperature ranges are another consideration. Given the wide spectrum of temperatures required by the camera makers, microSD cards deployed within surveillance cameras should support temperature ranges from -25 degrees Celsius to 85 degrees Celsius, or in extreme cases, as low as -40 degrees Celsius. Capacity Selecting the right-sized capacity is also very important as there needs to be a minimum level to ensure that there is enough room to hold footage for a number of days or weeks before it is overwritten or the connectivity to the NVR is restored. Though 64GB is considered the capacity sweet spot for microSD cards deployed within surveillance cameras today, lower capacity support of 32GB can provide room to attract the smaller or entry-level video surveillance deployments. In the future, even higher capacities will be important for specific use cases and will potentially become standard capacities as the market evolves. When choosing the right storage microSD card to implement into your video surveillance system, make sure the card is designed specifically for the application – does it include the right levels of endurance and performance to capture continuous streams – can it withstand environmental challenges and wide temperature extremes – will it enable preventative and preemptive maintenance to provide years of service? It is critical for the surveillance system to be able to collect video footage whether the camera is connected to an NVR or is a standalone camera as collecting footage at the base of the surveillance system is the most crucial point of failure. As such, failsafe mechanisms are required to keep the camera recording until the network is restored.

Time for an indepth review of IFSEC 2019 in London. This show had fewer exhibitors than previous shows, and the ‘vibe’ was definitely more low-key. Fewer exhibitors meant larger aisles and plenty of room to breathe, and the slower pace provided time for exhibitors to reflect (often negatively) on the return on investment (ROI) of large trade shows. There was little buzz on the first day of the show, but spirits picked up on the second day (when, not coincidentally, some exhibitors served drinks to attendees at their stands). Enterprise security solutions One eye-catcher was smart wireless security provider Ajax Systems’ stylish black stand Many exhibitors compared IFSEC unfavorably to ISC West in the United States and even to Intersec in Dubai. Others seemed willing to be lured back to Birmingham (previous location for IFSEC) to participate in the upstart competitor, The Security Event, next spring. However, not all the IFSEC 2019 reviews were negative. Vaion made the most of their small stand toward the back of the hall. They experienced brisk traffic right up until the end of the show. Happy with the response, the provider of real-time enterprise security solutions reportedly has already committed to IFSEC 2020. Other exhibitors also made the most of their space at IFSEC; one eye-catcher was smart wireless security provider Ajax Systems’ stylish black stand. Vaion made the most of their small stand toward the back of the hall Latest new products Nedap launched a new product, AEOS 2019.1, that is five time faster and more stable than its predecessor. It uses HTML5 – no more reliance on Adobe. Feedback has been good. The company has also increased its integration of open security standards (OSS). Traka showcased smart lockers, which are modular, scalable, and staff can easily replace broken equipment. Product features can be adapted to specific sectors (i.e., retail, prisons). Traka spends 30% of its revenue on research and development, developing their own engineering. The company has seen massive growth in the UK and Europe. Hanwha Techwin lured visitors into the centre of their stand with drinks and ice cream, surrounded by the latest new products. Hanwha promoted their investment in a manufacturing facility in Vietnam and showcased Wisenet cameras with enhanced 4K images, digital auto tracking, and less motion blur for clearer images. Video verification product A multi-sensor model captures wide areas with a single camera. Hanwha also offered some value-priced cameras that feature easy self-install and are swappable. Optex launched a new product called ‘the Bridge’, a video verification product that bridges CCTV on a digital video recorder (DVR) to intruder alarms. Hanwha showcased Wisenet cameras with enhanced 4K images UK Surveillance Camera Commissioner Tony Porter announced ‘Security By Default’, a set of minimum requirements that will guarantee users that network video security products are as secure as possible in their default settings right out of the box. Hikvision promoted their support for Secure by Default and expressed hopes the initiative would be embraced by other companies and create a new best practice for camera cybersecurity. Hikvision also promoted their retail solution, which includes on-site redaction for GDPR compliance, shelf detection incorporating artificial intelligence, and use of heat mapping to analyze customer foot traffic. Generating revenue Safety and Security Things (SAST), another IFSEC exhibitor, is in the process of creating an ‘app store’ for the security market. Striving to achieve critical mass with participation by a wide range of systems integrators and manufacturers, SAST has a goal of launching to the public in Q1 next year in time for ISC West. Hanwha Techwin is among the players that have already joined the alliance A pilot version will debut this autumn, and they already have 26 apps and six camera manufacturers toward that goal. With a staff of 120, mostly based in Munich, SAST expects to begin generating revenue in 2020 and to grow rapidly. An investment by Bosch is financing start-up operations. Open Security & Safety Alliance (OSSA) is creating standards and a platform to enable the sale of apps in the security market. Large industry players Hanwha Techwin is among the players that have already joined the alliance, and OSSA is seeking to add other large companies, such as Axis, Genetec and Hikvision. Engaging integrators, app developers and software providers as well as camera manufacturers will generate widespread support to ensure the initiative succeeds. Although currently most OSSA members are based in the EU and Asia, it is a global organization open to any company in the world. Many large industry players are now missing from the IFSEC show floor; the most noticeable new abstainer this year was Milestone. And the downturn seems likely to continue: Exhibitors were largely noncommittal about returning next year, although organizers were urging them during the exhibition to sign up for 2020.

The excitement of ISC West 2019 continued until the very end – almost. Exhilarated by the first two busy days of the show, attendees and exhibitors seemed to welcome a slower third day. There were no complaints about booth traffic, and still plenty of thoughtful conversations taking place, everyone determined to maximize the value of face time with customers until the last second. Building An IoT Ecosystem In SAST At a show lacking in high-profile new technology announcements, the biggest news is perhaps the possible long-term impact of first-time exhibitor Security and Safety Things (SAST), a Bosch startup. SAST is building a new Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem for the security and safety industry, including an app store, an open and secure camera operating system, a software developer environment, and a portal for integrators. SOCs (system-on-chips inside cameras) are becoming much more capable" Their 1,800-square-foot booth was big for a first-time exhibitor, and the American football theme was well received, as was the substance of the company’s effort to drive innovation in a highly fragmented industry. Seeing actual cameras and apps on display at the ISC West booth is “more real than PowerPoint,” says Hartmut Schaper, CEO of Security and Safety Things (SAST). “For us, seeing is believing,” says Schaper. “It was important for us to show cameras and apps for the first time. People are surprised at how far down the road we are.” “This dynamic will change in the industry,” says Schaper. “SOCs (system-on-chips inside cameras) are becoming much more capable. Soon there will be more processing power on the edge. People will find a way to use the extra processing power.” “Seeing is believing” at the SAST booth at ISC West 2019, where CEO Hartmut Schaper showed several manufacturers’ cameras whose functionality can be expanded using Android apps Developing More Apps Several large manufacturers are already involved in the initiative, but there are some holdouts. “We are having ongoing talks with everyone to convince them to join,” Schaper says. “Some of the bigger ones will come around. We are not a camera manufacturer, and not a threat. We are owned by Bosch but are managed completely separately. There will be more and more apps developed, and momentum will increase.” “A year from now we will have successful customers we can talk about, and more camera manufacturers on board,” he says. “This year we are taxiing on the runway, but next year we will have cleared the tarmac and be climbing.” If the approach succeeds, their first appearance at ISC West will be remembered as historic. Future Of Surveillance Cameras Off the show floor, in a nearby meeting room, chip maker Ambarella demonstrated technologies that will be driving the future of video surveillance cameras, including more intelligence at the edge. “People have been using more traditional video analytics approaches, though most of them have been disappointing,” says Chris Day, Ambarella VP of Marketing and Business Development. “What is ground-breaking now is the use of neural networks and real artificial intelligence, which has increased capabilities 100x. "You will see camera products coming out over the next year that are massively better than before. It’s not just incrementally getting better. Cameras will be coming out later this year with analytics that are absolutely amazing based on [the new chips.]” Larry Anderson, editor-in-chief of SecurityInformed.com, talks about Ambarella HDR and Low Light Solutions with Jerome Gigot, Senior Director of Marketing for Ambarella. (Source: Ambarella) New Systems-on-Chips Ambarella has introduced four new systems-on-chips (SoCs) in the last year, with emphasis on computer vision (video analytics). The newest is the S6LM Camera SoC with 4K imaging technology, unveiled at ISC West. The S6LM includes Ambarella's latest high dynamic range (HDR) and low-light processing technology, highly efficient 4K H.264 and H.265 encoding, multi-streaming, on-chip 360-degree de-warping, cyber-security features, and a quad-core CPU. People shouldn’t forget what a good camera is, and there doesn’t have to be a tradeoff" “With so much focus on AI and computer vision, I’m concerned the industry has taken focus away from low light imaging, wide dynamic range and image quality,” says Day. “You have to see the details in an image. People shouldn’t forget what a good camera is, and there doesn’t have to be a tradeoff, it’s all included in one chip.” From Products To Systems With a new general manager on board (Daniel Gundlach, formerly of Bosch), FLIR Systems Security Division is continuing its transition from a product company to a solutions provider, removing internal silos to clear the path. FLIR offers a strong end-to-end portfolio for Smart Cities applications, including the TruWITNESS line of body worn cameras and newly acquired Aeryon drones. FLIR’s historical strength as the top thermal imaging provider continues, but today they are much more than a thermal imaging company, offering visible day/night cameras, infrared pan-tilt-zoom cameras, video management systems and other technologies to provide a broader platform. FLIR's Saros security cameras combine multiple security technologies, including thermal sensors, high-resolution visible imaging, IR and visible LED illuminators, onboard analytics and two-way audio and digital input/outputs. Products In Critical Infrastructure Applications In addition to Safe Cities, FLIR installs a range of products in critical infrastructure applications, such as oil and gas and electric utilities. Ports also tend to combine traditional security with an emphasis on perimeter protection, a FLIR strength. Existing perimeter protection applications can open opportunities for the broader platform. For example, installing a complete system in an airport that already uses FLIR’s thermal technology represents “low-hanging fruit” for the company, says Fredrik Wallberg, FLIR Director of Marketing – Security and Intelligent Transportation Systems. Ambarella demonstrates its latest imaging technology for video security during ISC West 2019 (Source: Ambarella) Integrated Solutions Bosch's Focus At the Bosch booth, there was an emphasis on integrated solutions and the customer experience. A mock retail store setup demonstrated systems such as overhead cameras for people counting and alarm communication to provide an alert if a refrigerator door is left ajar. A wireless panic button generates a silent alarm, communicates with a 2-way radio, and triggers a camera to focus on the area. An AVIOTEK IP camera alarms if there is a fire, based on observing actual flames rather than smoke. A new Bosch fixed dome camera series offers wireless remote commissioning capabilities that reduce installation and set-up time by up to 75 percent. Set-up only takes three steps: install the mounting bracket, connect the cables, and attach the camera module. Commissioning can be done wirelessly or remotely with no need for ladders or lifts. Dahua Marks Five Years In The States An IR illuminator is attached to each lens module to ensure there is always illumination in the field of view Time flies in the security industry, and it has already been five years since the Dahua brand entered the U.S. market. Today the company offers products through ADI and some 20 distributors, and has more than 30 technical consultants and technical support employees and 50 or 60 sales people in the field (including independent rep firms). “We are growing,” says Tim Shen, Director of Marketing at Dahua Technology USA. “It’s exciting for the company.” At ISC West, Dahua introduced a line of Multi-Flex panoramic cameras with lens modules that can be repositioned along an internal track for 180-, 270- or 360-degree views, providing flexibility for integrators. An IR illuminator is attached to each lens module to ensure there is always illumination in the field of view. Cost savings come from ease of installation (one camera instead of four) and only one VMS license (instead of four). AI And Night Color Cameras Dahua is also emphasising its Night Color cameras that remain in full color mode regardless of how dark it gets. There is no IR illumination or IR cut filter – the camera stays in color mode and displays any visible image in colour with as little as 1 lux of illumination. The 2 megapixel version is on display at ISC West, and a 4 megapixel version will come in the fall. A year ago at ISC West, Dahua emphasised its initiatives in artificial intelligence (AI) in order to position the company as a technology leader. This year, the message was more general – ‘Power Through Technology.’ The range of Dahua technologies includes AI, Night Color, Starlight low-light imaging, fifth-generation HDCVI, and e-POE (Enhanced Power over Ethernet). Dahua USA's Director of Marketing says "the market itself likes AI", and expects more AI applications to follow (Source: Dahua USA's LinkedIn) “When we present AI to customers, they are happy, but when it comes to the budget they don’t have it,” says Shen. “The market itself likes AI, and it’s very much a buzzword. But we still need a proof of concept that it can do something good for end users. We need time to develop broader applications. The ‘smart retail’ market and education are good places to start.” he says. “AI is for project business,” adds Jennifer Hackenburg, Dahua’s Senior Product Marketing Manager. “Projects that are looking at AI haven’t come to fruition yet; they are still in the pipeline. It’s not for your everyday business. They are implementing it, but not as fast.” Access Control Beyond Doors Access control should extend beyond doors. That’s the message I heard at the ASSA ABLOY booth, which displayed a variety of physical locks and intelligent access systems. An example is traffic cabinets, those metal boxes in public locations that could potentially be accessed to invade an internal network. ASSA ABLOY emphasises the need to secure the variety of enclosures, cabinets, drawers and small spaces ASSA ABLOY emphasizes the need to secure the variety of enclosures, cabinets, drawers and small spaces throughout an enterprise. The company’s ‘security continuum’ message draws attention to the need for the right level of security for the right opening, using existing infrastructure as well as new electronic technologies. “Customers face a combination of non-traditional access control and questions on how they can secure things that are not doors,” says David Corbin, ASSA ABLOY Director of Access Control Accessories. The security message is resonating beyond the traditional security department to involve other stakeholders in an enterprise, including IT directors. There is new awareness of vulnerabilities that have been there forever, such as traffic cabinets that can be opened with a key purchased on eBay.

Security is among the defining topics at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2019 this week in Las Vegas. More than 4,500 exhibiting companies are participating, including some 1,200 startups, highlighting the next wave of innovation in consumer electronics – and security. Twenty-four product categories at CES feature solutions to transform how consumers live, work and play. Technologies being highlighted include 5G connectivity, artificial intelligence (AI), augmented and virtual reality, smart homes, smart cities, and machine intelligence. Video is an important element at CES. This year, the focus is on intelligent video. For example, Eyecloud.ai, Santa Clara, Calif., is displaying a home security camera with on-device face recognition that uses AI. Powered by a 12-core Intel Movidius VPU (video processing unit), the camera combines AI-on-the-edge with easy setup and wirefree operation for up to six months per battery charge. On-Device Artificial Intelligence On-device AI is the next big trend in smart home surveillance, and deep neural networks will drive the future of do-it-yourself home automation SimCam, an Intel partner, demonstrates how the Intel Movidius VPU can turn a security camera into ‘the ultimate vision-based sensor’. On-device AI is the next big trend in smart home surveillance, and deep neural networks will drive the future of do-it-yourself home automation. A variety of other residential video systems are also on display at CES. For example, Swann Security is displaying 4K wired security systems featuring Google integration, a wireless smart security camera with True Detect heat-based PIR (photo infrared) motion detection, a video doorbell and chime with two-way talk, and indoor and outdoor wi-fi cameras with Alexa integrations. Intelligent Automotive Solutions Camera system-on-chip (SoC) company Ambarella is introducing the new CV25 camera SoC at CES. It combines advanced image processing, high-resolution video encoding and CVflow computer vision (video analytics) processing in a single, extremely low-power design. The CVflow architecture provides Deep Neural Network (DNN) processing required for a new generation of affordable and intelligent home monitoring, professional surveillance and aftermarket automotive solutions. CV25 offers half the performance of Ambarella’s previously released CV22 chip, but the new chip’s lower cost will bring intelligent cameras to a price point desirable for home systems. All Ambarella’s chips have hardware-based cybersecurity. A suite of advanced cybersecurity features protects against hacking, including secure boot, TrustZone, and I/O virtualization. Based on 10nm ultra-low power processing technology, the CV25 chip is optimized for wirefree cameras applications that require long battery life and small form factors. Camera system-on-chip (SoC) company Ambarella is introducing the new CV25 camera SoC at CES Virtual Security Guards Elsewhere, the Deep Sentinel home security system applies video and AI to predict residential break-ins ‘before they happen’. The Pleasanton, Calif.-based tech startup uses ‘AI-infused security cameras’ to keep an eye on your home. Three wireless 1080p full HD cameras provide night vision and PIR motion sensing, connected by a smart hub. Using proprietary artificial intelligence, the cameras act as virtual guards, watching activity around a house and providing alerts to situations that may lead to burglaries, break-ins, package thefts and other dangers. My Safe Patrol is an AI-driven platform that analyses data aggregated from security personnel, citizen alert systems and IoT smart devices, and responds with geolocated alerts in real-time. My Safe Patrol effectively supports the security/safety ecosystem of a building, a campus, a city or a district through a dynamic dashboard that helps command and control operations manage and deploy security plans. AI-Integrated Devices Showcased solutions include Smart Living integration of video surveillance applications to enable real-time two-way audio and video streaming simultaneously MicroVision, Redmond, Wash., showcases an interactive display engine for AI-connected devices, providing an integrated solution for projected display and interactivity through multi-point touch and air gestures. MicroVision’s new consumer 3D LiDAR engine provides high-fidelity spatial awareness to smart home hubs, for input to smart devices such as lighting, security, entertainment, and thermostats. The Internet of Things (IoT) is another big topic at CES, and ThroughTek Co., Ltd., Taiwan, demonstrates IoT developments to transmit voice, video and data over both wide- and narrow-band channels in smart home applications. Showcased solutions include Smart Living integration of video surveillance applications combined with voice assistant to companion robots, wireless doorbells, and battery cameras to enable real-time two-way audio and video streaming simultaneously. Advanced Capacitive Touchscreen Decayeux Group, a European manufacturer of mailboxes and high security doors, is displaying MyColisBox, a secure and connected parcel box delivery system designed to provide online shoppers a secure pickup point accessible by a PIN code sent via SMS message to a smartphone. Walter is the new mobile app for MyColisBox. Kwikset, a division of Spectrum Brands, showcases its smart lock portfolio – including three new smart locks – in the CES Smart Home Marketplace. Kwikset is showing the SmartCode 888, Kwikset Convert, Obsidian, and new designs of the SmartCode 914 and SmartCode 916, as well as a new wi-fi lock. Baldwin, Kwikset’s ‘luxury lock’ sister company, is offering a preview of its new TouchScreen Collection, launching this summer, available in five styles and featuring Advanced Capacitive Touchscreen technology. The Internet of Things (IoT) is another big topic at CES, with many companies demonstrating IoT developments Cyber Security Standards Privacy is increasingly a concern in the consumer space, and Private Discuss, from PIMAN Security, is a premium, secure, white label communication solution. Their active AI-powered defense architecture provides encrypted audio and video calls, messaging and file sharing. It renders a confidential, secure messaging platform that adheres to the highest standards of cybersecurity. FLIR provides virtual reality demonstrations at their CES booth, allowing attendees to put on a virtual fire helmet and try out a FLIR camera in a real-world residential fire response scenario. Participants may also use a FLIR optical gas imaging camera virtually to stop fugitive emissions in a natural gas refinery. Booth visitors may also take “thermal selfies” to post on social media.

The New Athos Cave (also known as Novoafonskaya, Novy Afon Cave, and New Afon Cave) is a karst cave in the Iverian Mountain located in Abkhazia, Georgia. It is one of the largest caves in the world with the volume of its void of about 1,000,000 m³. As a well-known tourist attraction, one of the most important factors that keep tourists from visiting this cave is its security. To achieve this, the management of the cave deployed a surveillance solution from Dahua Technology to provide visitors with comprehensive security throughout their cave exploration. Dahua Technology's Vari-focal Bullet Camera Due to the harsh environment with high humidity and low-light conditions in the cave, the customer needed a high-quality monitoring system to ensure the safety of tourists, avoid accidents, as well as achieve remote management. For the low brightness and high humidity condition in the cave, a group of highly reliable infrared cameras were installed. The main function of the cameras is to prevent visitors from crossing the installed fence which might pose danger to them. The IR Megapixel Vari-focal Bullet Camera presents a 2MP resolution with a motorized 2.7mm - 12mm vari-focal lens. With IR illumination, the camera can capture detailed images in low light or total darkness condition, making it suitable for the environment of the cave. IP video surveillance applications Smart IR technology prevents IR LEDS from whiting out images as they come closer to the camera The camera's Smart IR technology adjusts to the intensity of the camera's infrared LEDs to compensate the distance of an object. Smart IR technology prevents IR LEDS from whiting out images as they come closer to the camera. The camera's integrated infrared illumination of up to 60m (197ft) provides high performance lighting under extreme low-light environments. As for back-end equipment, Dahua's NVR5216-16P-4KS2 network video recorder was selected. It offers excellent performance and high recording quality for IP video surveillance applications. For applications where details are critical for identification, this professional NVR provides a powerful processor with up to 4K resolution. It also features a mouse shortcut operation menu, remote management and control, central storage, edge storage, and back up storage. Access camera remotely In addition, the NVR's Heat Map option highlights the areas with the highest concentration of people. This information can then be exported into a customized report to assist in business or forensic analysis. Security is one of the keys to sustainable tourism. These high-quality and reliable surveillance devices provide a convenient way for the customer to access the camera remotely, allowing the security personnel to monitor the situation in the cave 24/7 and respond quickly in case of an accident. The Dahua solution reinforces the security of this popular tourist destination, creating a safe and enjoyable cave exploration experience for visitors all over the world.

BBVA Compass Stadium is a soccer-specific stadium located in Houston, Texas, USA and home to the Houston Dynamo, Major League Soccer club (part of MLS in USA). It also is home to the Houston Dash of the National Women’s Soccer League and to Texas Southern University Tiger football. It is also going through a major retrofit with its security systems to include a best of breed, open architecture solution. The stadium first opened in 2012, but six years later, Cultris Security Systems of Houston is back upgrading and expanding the current security installation. After spending five years with another security provider, the Dynamo and Dash, who maintains the facility, opted for a completely new solution. Axis cameras integrated with Salient Systems VMS Along with their current Panasonic cameras, stadium officials opted for Axis Communications cameras Along with their current Panasonic cameras, stadium officials opted for Axis Communications cameras. Both camera manufacturers play well with Salient Systems VMS. The result was an image resolution much more enhanced than they had been experiencing. “With all of this equipment brought together, we found it to be easy to use, user-friendly, and supported a very complimentary search function,” said Paul Fisher, Director of Key Accounts at Salient Systems, adding “For those people hired as facility guards, and with a sometime frequent turnover in staff, new people were able to use the Salient software right away and were able to do their job guarding the facility more quickly.” Paul further stated, “An installation like this is a great reference for us, and it is a very exciting security installation. Although there are fewer than 100 cameras, the placement and location of the cameras will allow security to monitor the sometimes over-zealous fans, and with BBVA Compass Stadium officials installing our synopsis video tool, stadium officials will be able to key-map the entire facility, gain analytical data and improve the customer experience.” CompleteView VMS platform Salient also partners with Dell, taking its CompleteView VMS platform into the booming Internet of Things market. The CompleteView VMS’ ability to quickly render and manage video surveillance over a WAN or LAN makes it a compelling offering for solution providers looking to gain a foothold in IoT. The manner through which the video is processed is very efficient, and can render the video and perform forensics on the video rapidly. As more businesses look to video surveillance as an IoT application, the CompleteView VMS platform can be integrated with other software packages will enable partners to work with customers to solve specific problems through big data and analytics capabilities. DSX software installed for secure access control BBVA Compass Stadium officials also switched out the outdated access control software and installed DSX software to complete the upgrade. “We have long known that DSX is a workhorse software solution,” said Jason Smith, President of Cultris Security Systems Inc., adding “It is easy to use and a lower cost to use. These upgrades are exciting for us to be part of because the installation will come in several phases, with the integration supported for years to come.” Open architecture security solutions Cultris technicians almost had a blank canvas to begin their security installation Jason adds, “We also found working with BBVA Compass Stadium staff very easy because they were receptive to open architecture security solutions. Phase Two will begin in 2019, and we’re excited to design the next layer of security at the stadium.” Cultris technicians almost had a blank canvas to begin their security installation. The facility itself is an open architecture facility, so facility managers were very receptive when plans were drawn up for security equipment. Much of the focus was on the stadium concourses, where the bulk of the soccer fans’ traffic is found during a match. 360-degree cameras installed The new master plan now included 360-degree cameras along the concourse, which offered coverage in every direction. The same 360-degree cameras were also placed near the locker rooms, loading docks and service areas. PTZ and fixed lens cameras were upgraded and placed in each corner of the facility where there is a gate for entrance and exit. As imagined, soccer fans are very passionate about their sport and teams, so cameras on the concourse were placed in a planned manner for the guarding staff to be able to know and react quickly if or when a fight broke out among spectators. The 360-degree cameras also enable the security staff to mobilize and reach the incident spot, where they would be required, as quickly as possible. 4K PTZ cameras Stadium security staff is able to view cameras placed in an adjacent parking area Houston’s BBVA Compass Stadium has a capacity of 22,039 seats, including 34 private suites, 1,100 club seats, an indoor premium club area, a dedicated supporters/fans stand and a food court. The stadium is designed to accommodate Major League Soccer (MLS) and FIFA standard international soccer, as well as other sports including football, lacrosse, and rugby and live concerts. Stadium security staff is able to view cameras placed in an adjacent parking area, as well as city security cameras (live view only) in order to ensure the safety and security of people coming to the venue and leaving after the match. These cameras have a 4K PTZ quick drive function, which helps establish a clear view of events, if additional security help is needed. As an integrator, Cultris Security has clearly installed a solution that will work properly for BBVA Compass Stadium, and their tenants, who are always looking to strike a goal.

As a consequence of COVID-19, many hospitals have needed to quickly erect new portable buildings to expand the capacity of certain sensitive areas. This in turn has created a requirement to immediately expand the scope of existing CCTV systems to ensure control room operators are able to monitor and react appropriately to any suspicious activity in the vicinity of the new buildings. New Cross Hospital, which is run by the Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust, is just one of many hospitals throughout the UK who are faced with the challenge of ensuring all areas of its campus can be monitored 24/7. Providing 700 beds and employing almost 9,500 staff, it is the largest teaching hospital in the Black Country, having been originally built circa 1900 as a workhouse. Cost-effective solution We clearly needed to find a much simpler and cost-effective solution which would enable our clients to take full advantage" The need to install a new 4K camera in a location over 300 metres from the hospital’s control room initially seemed daunting in terms of the cost of laying the network cabling normally needed to transmit ultra-high definition captured by IP cameras. “Apart from the cost of the engineering work and the disruption caused by installing the new cabling, it would also have taken several days to achieve,” said Dan Mather, Director of Derby based JKE Security, who have had a long term working relationship with the Trust. “We clearly needed to find a much simpler and cost-effective solution which would enable our clients to take full advantage of the superb quality images captured by 4K cameras and, if necessary, pass evidence of any wrongdoing to police.” Electronic security products Dan Mather sought advice from Smart R Distribution, the Haverhill based specialist electronic security products distributor. They were able to offer him an assurance that their own brand 602POE-2P single port PoE Ethernet Extender would be able to reliably support a new 4K Wisenet PNP-9200RH dome camera, by facilitating the transmission of the IP images over the hospital’s existing coaxial cabling. The Smart R 602POE-2P single port PoE Ethernet Extender has been proven to be able to robustly transmit data over any 2 wire cable, and with the ability to handle bandwidth of up to 200Mbps, is more than capable of coping with the transmission demands of the Wisenet 4K camera. Safe working environment It was truly a case of plug & play, with both devices installed, configured and working within half a day" “Although we did not source the camera from Smart R, it could not have been easier to connect it to the Ethernet Extender,” said Dan. “It was truly a case of plug & play, with both devices installed, configured and working within half a day!” Commenting on the successful installation of the new camera, Paul Smith, Head of Security and Car Parking for the Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust said: “It is essential during this challenging time that we are able to continue to provide a secure and safe working environment for all our heroic colleagues who are so compassionately caring for people who have contracted COVID-19." Electronic security supply chain "I have been impressed with how quickly various companies within the electronic security supply chain have been able to come together and use their combined expertise to provide us with an effective and cost-effective solution.”

With a history of over 20 years, the Cedr factory is one of the leading manufacturers of wooden doors, kitchen cabinets and other wood products in Russia. Today, it has a few of its own modern and automated plants with a wide range of products and innovative production approaches. For such a modern wood factory, safety is of paramount concern. Advanced video surveillance systems need to be introduced in the internal and external areas of the factory. Due to the extremely high risk of fire in a wood factory, the customer has high demands for a smart system to keep sufficient video backup as evidence. Specifically, the system needs to be capable of storing up to 30 days of videos, with copies stored on a separate network at the same time so that the videos can be safely saved under different network conditions. Mini-Bullet Network Camera With IR illumination, detailed images can be captured under low light conditions or total darkness A total of 400 IP cameras from Dahua Technology were installed inside of the factory for general monitoring, including DH-IPC-HFW1230SP, DH-IPC-HDPW1231FP-AS and DH-IPC-HFW2231TP-ZS. In this chain factory, DH-IPC-HFW1230SP was used to monitor machine operation, and DH-IPC-HDPW1231FP-AS was used to monitor corridors. These two types of cost-effective Mini-Bullet Network Camera feature 2MP resolution with a motorized 2.8mm/3.6mm fixed lens. With IR illumination, detailed images can be captured under low light conditions or total darkness. The cameras’ Smart IR technology adjusts the intensity of camera's infrared LEDs to compensate the distance of an object. Smart IR technology prevents IR LEDs from whitening out images as they come closer to the camera. excellent light sensitivity In order to ensure the safety of staff and vehicles in the factory vicinity, DH-IPC-HFW2231TP-ZS was installed outside the factory to monitor large and open scenes. This IR Megapixel Vari-focal Camera features 2MP resolution with a 2.7mm ~ 13.5mm vari-focal lens, meeting monitoring needs of different distances. For challenging ultra-low light environments, IPC-HFW2231TP-ZS powered by Dahua’s Starlight Technology offers excellent light sensitivity, capturing color details in low light conditions down to 0.006lux. The camera uses a set of optical features to balance light throughout the scene, resulting in clear images in dark environments. ±25% input voltage tolerance These cameras are ideal choices for installation even in the most unforgiving environments In addition, these cameras allow ±25% input voltage tolerance, suitable for the most unstable conditions in outdoor applications. Its 2KV lightning rating provides effective protection against lightning for both the camera and its structure. Certified and subjected to rigorous dust and immersion tests (IP67), these cameras are ideal choices for installation even in the most unforgiving environments. In order to help the customer improve the security of video storage, three types of Dahua 4K H.265 Network Video Recorders – adopting powerful processors with up to 4K resolution for preview and playback – are used in the factory to store 10-day videos, which can provide critical details for identification. Real time monitoring On the other hand, a 48-HDD Enterprise Video Storage is used to separately store 30-day videos at the headquarters in case the factory area videos are damaged. It supports 512 channels of IP camera inputs and 1024Mbps incoming/recording bandwidth, offering an unparalleled storage performance. Moreover, DHI-DSS4004 was selected as the central server, through which all videos are integrated in one system for a unified operation and management in the headquarters’ control room. The vast factory vicinity is now equipped with Dahua video surveillance system, enabling all security checkpoints to monitor the factory in real time. At the same time, the massive video storage and backup allows the administrator to review emergency situations if necessary. The advanced solution from Dahua Technology has created a safe and smart factory for the customer, assisting them in improving their security level during production.

Airports, power plants, and data centers house mission-critical assets essential to everyday life. Without adequate physical security, these operations are at risk of intrusion and sabotage. The shutdown of any one of these critical infrastructure facilities would affect hundreds of thousands of people. Securing these entities from a physical breach starts by protecting the perimeter. While critical infrastructure sites pose their challenges for perimeter intrusion detection systems, new technologies, and solution integrations are addressing these pain points and enabling better detection, deterrence, and real-time response in the case of a threat. Trending technologies amplifying perimeter security Here are six trending technologies amplifying perimeter security for critical infrastructure: First-class thermal cameras - FLIR thermal cameras continue to remain the industry standard for 24-hour perimeter monitoring and are seeing strong adoption throughout the critical infrastructure sector. Greater thermal resolution, longer detection ranges, sophisticated edge analytics, and ONVIF compliance continue to distinguish premium choice FLIR thermal cameras from low-end options. Radiometric thermal cameras for business intelligence - Thanks to the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technologies, critical infrastructure customers are looking for a return on investment beyond the traditional functionality of their security cameras. Electrical substations, for example, are deploying thermal cameras for intrusion detection and predictive maintenance. These sites are installing radiometric thermal cameras, integrated with temperature trending software, to identify issues with assets before a component malfunctions, overheats, or fails. Being able to prevent even one electrical fire can save the customer thousands if not millions of dollars in damages, liabilities, and insurance claims, well worth the cost of the solution. Radar for redundancy - Critical infrastructure facilities are deploying radar solutions to expand coverage beyond the fence line. Providing continuous coverage, a radar conducts a full 360-degree scan of a property every one to two seconds. Radio waves are undeterred by rain, fog, or other adverse weather conditions that hinder standard surveillance cameras, making them an ideal solution for rugged environments. Users are also increasingly pairing radar with thermal cameras to ensure redundancy and reduce false positives. If both the radar and thermal camera are alerted to the same event, remote operators can see it is likely a true alarm. Cyber-hardened features - Because network cameras and sensors are now standard for enterprise-class deployments, the need for perimeter security has extended beyond physical security to edge devices. In this digital age, it is imperative that cybersecurity precautions are put in place to safeguard the network and devices from cyber breaches. FLIR has focused its research and development in cybersecurity. Today, all new lines of FLIR cameras are built with cyber-hardened features. Standard cybersecure protocols for FLIR cameras include running penetration tests, eliminating backdoor accounts, removing default passwords, and enforcing end-to-end encryption through secured TLS connections. 4K and UHD video - While thermal and radar sensors improve detection, other devices are needed for threat assessment and identification. The emergence of HD, Ultra HD, and 4K cameras offers end users a heightened level of detail, optimal for evidence capture and investigation procedures. Critical infrastructure customers are beginning to upgrade their visible cameras for higher resolution models, and for this reason, are opting for the latest FLIR Quasar and Ariel cameras. These cameras are attractive options, as they offer low predictable bit rate, improved wide dynamic range, and enhanced image stabilization features that enable crisp video quality, ideal for video analytics and suspect identification. Drones - For critical infrastructure sites like oil and gas refineries, dispatching security personnel to respond to an intrusion alert isn’t always easy, as these sites are often either remote or difficult to access. In order to improve response times, critical infrastructure sites are integrating unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), or drones, with their overall security system. Upon a verified alarm, the drone is dispatched to the area of interest to provide additional surveillance. By equipping a drone with both an optical and thermal payload, operators can quickly get eyes and ears on the scene to assess the threat.

Allianz Parque has become one of the most modern multi-purpose arenas in Latin America since it was built in 2014 by WTorre Properties. The stadium is located at the same place of the old Palestra Itália Stadium with a capacity of more than forty thousand spectators. The stadium not just meets FIFA standards but was also awarded various prizes including the Master Award in the 11th edition of the Grand Prize for Corporate Architecture, the Accessibility Seal, delivered by the Permanent Accessibility Commission (CPA), and the "Environmental Management of the Surroundings of the Work" award, at the 3rd Health and Safety at Work Seconci Award. Intelligent video surveillance cameras With an eye on the market, the management of Allianz Parque constantly invests in advanced technology and new solutions to keep the project in line with the most current standards of innovation in the world. The latest are the intelligent video surveillance cameras from Dahua Technology, globally renowned video-centric smart IoT solutions and service provider. The cameras with embedded artificial intelligence systems could help the security team of the arena The cameras with embedded artificial intelligence systems could help the security team of the arena work more efficiently and productively, so that the stadium is capable of dealing with different kinds of scenarios, such as large-scale concerts, major celebrations and, especially, football matches at Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras. Installation The installation of the entire system took around 90 days. According to the General Manager of Allianz Parque, the biggest challenge is to implement the new system with the arena in operation. "We have to carry out the replacement without any impact to the security team. But with the support of the Dahua Technology team, we are able to do the job quietly without any major changes in our initial planning,” explained Rigotto. In the project, devices with latest generation embedded artificial intelligence technologies were used. Many of their functions go beyond an image captured by an ordinary camera. Here are the camera models and technologies used: DH-IPC-PF83230-A180 - panoramic camera with four 8 Megapixel CMOS sensors, which generates a single 180-degree image of 32MP using H.265 compression technique; SD6CE245UN-HNI - PTZ-style positioning camera with various technologies, such as Starlight, which allows viewing of images in very light colors (less than 0.005lux). It has a 45x zoom system, plus an infrared illumination that can reach 250 meters away; MPT310 portable recorder, used with lapel cameras, making recording and transmission of high-definition audio and video online from the point of view of the agent close to the events; DH-IPC-HFW8242EN-Z4FD-IRA-LED - special network camera that captures human faces through AI algorithm, embedded in a chip with Deep Learning Technology. It gives the facial detection server a good deal of processing work, since the camera itself locates the faces of the video image and analyses attributes such as gender, age, facial expressions and whether it has glasses; Network camera recorder and face database manager, DHI-IVSS7016DR-4T - It works in conjunction with the CMS DSS PRO that makes the recording of the videos in the network, in addition to managing and analyzing the faces pre-registered in the database of employees and service providers of Allianz Parque. User can also set a black list and the recorder will alert once unauthorized persons detected in a certain sector. The server can, in real time, work by processing the input stream at the gate opening, being able to recognize up to 40 faces per second in the Arena, detecting the faces and comparing them with the database prepared to issue field safety alerts in up to a few seconds; Video Wall, with 6 46-inch LCD screens (DHL460UCM-ES), forms a 2x3 matrix and a Dahua controller (NVD0905DH-4I-4K), which can display 4K, live images, advertisements and bulletins in a professional manner. Facial recognition system Allianz Parque now has a state-of-the-art facial recognition system, which has artificial intelligence and data analysis" "We are very proud to have this partnership with Dahua Technology. Through it, today, Allianz Parque now has a state-of-the-art facial recognition system, which has artificial intelligence and data analysis, and can be integrated into the public safety team system,” emphasized Eduardo Rigotto, General Manager of Allianz Parque. Rigotto pointed out that there are always possibilities for modernization. "The market has changed in five years and in order to keep us in the lead as an inspiration for other spaces, we need to continue investing in new technologies," he said. In addition to providing advanced security technology, Dahua Technology also became the sponsor of Allianz Parque, as well as Prevent Senior, Banco Pine and the Allianz Seguros brand. With this, the Arena Control Center will be called CCO by Dahua Technology and there are more than 150 information boards present by Dahua Technology in the stadium to remind and protect everyone. Dahua LED panels In 2018, Dahua Technology has successfully delivered the largest RingLed 360º in Latin America, which totals 580 meters of panels for all bars in the arena. The innovative design with LED panels from Dahua Technology was developed by Digital Arena, a pioneer in the field of digital media for stadiums. "Our philosophy is to deliver large projects that make a difference not only to the customer but also to the people who will use their space," said Fabio Lopes, Channel Sales Director of Dahua Technology Brazil. Moreover, he added, "Allianz Parque is an entertainment venue where spectators aim to watch a great show with total safety and comfort. This project aims to demonstrate that Allianz Parque is one of the safest arenas in Latin America.” Stadium security Located in the city of São Paulo, Allianz Parque imposes itself between the districts of Água Branca, Pompeia, Perdizes and Barra Funda, an area of easy access, highlighted by event organizers and club fans. The space has the capacity to receive 43,700 people on game days, 55,000 for shows and 12,000 for events in the amphitheater.

The new school year is a good time to reflect on the role of security in protecting our schools. From video to access control to some newer technologies, our Expert Panel Roundtable found plenty to talk about when we asked this week’s question: How does security technology make our schools safer?

One impact of Chinese companies entering the physical security market has been an erosion in product pricing, creating what has been called the "race to the bottom." However, political forces and cybersecurity concerns have presented new challenges for Chinese companies. Adding cybersecurity increases costs, and the addition of more functionality to edge devices is another trend that has impacted product pricing. We asked this week's Expert Panel Roundtable: Has price erosion ended (or slowed down) in the security market? 

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