Biometric Security

Atos, a pioneer in AI-powered digital transformation, announces a UK partnership with Palo Alto Networks to help organizations understand and address their exposure to frontier AI-enabled threats. The identifies mission-critical vulnerabilities, prioritizes the actions needed to address them and combines advanced platforms and technologies with sovereign engineering capabilities to proactively mitigate threats at machine speed. Exposure assessment capabilities The offering delivers an outcome-based approach focusing on three key areas: Proactive identification of mission-critical exposure to frontier AI threats, powered by Palo Alto Networks exposure assessment capabilities. This gives customers a clear understanding of how and where they may be targeted, together with practical steps to mitigate risks to their critical systems and services. Atos’ advanced vulnerability management approach prioritises the absolute business-relevant fix first needs, using AI enrichment that cross-references every finding against asset criticality, real-world exploitability, ownership, and organizational context. A frontier AI-ready SOC, SOAR and MXDR capability, hosted in Atos’ sovereign UK data centres and delivered exclusively from the UK. Combining Atos expertise with the Palo Alto Networks and adjacent capabilities, it provides customers with market-pioneer managed detection and response, delivering continuous, real-time protection against AI-enabled threats at machine speed. Data exfiltration collapsing Patricia Murphy, vice president of EMEA Ecosystems, Strategic Alliances and Channel, Palo Alto, said, “The attack cycle has compressed with the time from initial access to data exfiltration collapsing to. Machine-speed meantime to respond is no longer an ambitious goal, it is a requirement. To outsmart AI-based exploits, enterprises must decisively address vulnerabilities across their code and stand up the right security stack to enable real-time, automated defences. This is a moment that calls for radical collaboration across the entire security ecosystem, so we’re pleased to work alongside Atos who will join us in delivering AI readiness at scale.” Atos operationalises these capabilities from sovereign UK infrastructure, with security-cleared personnel and human-in-the-loop governance. AI handles detection and triage at machine speed; human analysts retain governance, escalation authority, and strategic risk assessment. Strategic risk assessment Terry Bebbington, head of cyber, Atos UK&I, said, "UK organizations have a real challenge in front of them to address the new risks and opportunities AI frontier models bring to them. Our unique set of frontier AI enabled offerings provide any organization with a way forward that has been tried and tested.” “Our partnership with Palo Alto combines decades of UK security experience with AI-powered modeling and threat detection alongside truly sovereign delivered cyber services. This enables organizations to confidently defend against evolving threats whilst meeting their sovereignty and compliance obligations.” With sovereignty now a boardroom issue, organizations must demonstrate to regulators, shareholders, and government that their security operations are sovereign. Customer data remains in their environment, monitored by cleared UK personnel using AI-powered security orchestration, with no offshore dependencies.

The milestone gives European fire engineers and risk professionals independent evidence when specifying thermal image fire detection, complementing established European and national approval requirements. Teledyne FLIR's A40 and A70 (Axx-Series) thermal imaging cameras are the first models to achieve UL 2684 listing. They are listed as thermal image fire detectors under ANSI/CAN/UL 2684, the Standard for Video and Thermal Image Detectors for Fire Alarm Systems. Although UL 2684 is a North American standard, the Teledyne FLIR milestone has important implications for Europe. Covering established technologies European fire detection is supported by a mature standards and certification environment covering established technologies such as smoke, point heat, aspirating, and flame detection. Radiometric thermal image detection has no harmonised European product standard of its own, and is addressed through project-specific approval pathways and national certification schemes, including VdS in Germany and CNPP in France. These pathways support the assessment of systems that continuously measure temperature across a scene and identify abnormal heat before smoke or flame develops. EN 54-10 covers flame detection, including the flame-response capability of certified thermal cameras. UL 2684 is written specifically for video and thermal image detectors, evaluating and testing them as fire detection devices. Determines project acceptance In the United States, the 2025 edition of NFPA 72, the National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, created a dedicated category for thermal image fire detection (Sec. 17.12), which requires thermal image fire detection systems to be listed for the purpose of fire detection. UL 2684 is a North American product standard that provides an independent benchmark for the performance of video and thermal image fire detectors. In Europe, it can support the technical evidence presented through the applicable European approval pathway. European regulatory requirements, CE marking obligations, relevant EN 54 standards, national certification schemes such as VdS and CNPP continue to apply, and the approving authority determines project acceptance. Considerably stronger position “Fire engineers work from evidence, and the strongest evidence is a published benchmark with an accredited laboratory behind it,” said Matthew Hasty, Global Vertical Director for Science, Automation, and Early Fire Detection at Teledyne FLIR. “That is what the listing adds for Europe. It gives the people building the technical case something independent to build on.” What the listing changes is the strength of the evidence behind the specification. A consultant, a risk engineer, or a fire protection professional can now put forward a detector whose fire performance has been tested against a published benchmark by an accredited laboratory and show the reviewer where that benchmark came from. That benchmark is concrete: flaming wood, flammable liquid, and polyurethane fires with defined response criteria, plus the environmental, electrical, and durability program around them. In a submission that has to be argued rather than ticked off against a standard, that is a considerably stronger position than manufacturer test data. Defined response criteria The listing tests fire performance. The everyday value sits in the instrumentation. A radiometric thermal camera is a calibrated measuring instrument, not a camera that renders heat in color. Every pixel in the scene reports a temperature, many times a second. Teledyne FLIR Early Fire Detection solutions monitor defined regions of interest and report minimum, average, and maximum values for each, with alarms set on absolute thresholds, on the difference between regions, and on rate of rise. The system responds to how heat is behaving rather than only to how hot something is, and it leaves a record: a measured value, a location in the scene, a history behind it. That record is what an approving authority or an underwriter can actually review. Battery energy storage installations Demand is coming from operators. Waste and recycling sites deal with deep-seated fires in stored material. Manufacturers run bearings, motors, and hydraulic lines that heat up well before they ignite. Battery energy storage installations face thermal runaway. Data centres concentrate electrical load, and a failing connection runs hot long before it smokes. Rooftop solar arrays develop hotspots at connectors and modules, often on roofs with no conventional detector at all. In each case, thermal imaging provides continuous temperature-based monitoring that can identify developing heat conditions before smoke, flame, or conventional heat thresholds are reached. Project-specific approval pathway Thermal imaging is line-of-sight, so a camera protects what is in its field of view. In practice that means specific high-value assets: a switchboard, a battery enclosure, a conveyor run. It works alongside conventional detection rather than in place of it. The cameras are also multispectral: detection is thermal, while an integrated visible camera supplies the picture, so an alarm arrives with video of what caused it. An operator can see what they are dealing with before stopping a line, and a stoppage that turns out to have been unnecessary is money the site never gets back. For projects being designed in Europe today, the UL 2684 listing provides independent evidence that can strengthen the specification and approval case. It works alongside the applicable European, national, and project-specific approval pathway.

Allient Inc., a global designer and manufacturer of advanced specialty motor, Motion, Controls, and Power products and solutions for targeted industries and applications, has announced the appointment of Dave Larcenaire as General Manager of Allient Denver (ALIO Industries). Dave brings more than 30 years of experience in precision motion, automation and advanced technology markets. His background includes engineering, business development and marketing, with experience building OEM relationships and growing engineered solutions businesses. He holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Merrimack College. Precision motion solutions In his new role, Dave will lead engineering, manufacturing and commercial operations at Allient Denver, focusing on strengthening customer relationships, expanding market opportunities and developing integrated precision motion solutions. Allient Denver combines specialized precision positioning expertise with Allient’s broader technology, engineering resources and manufacturing capabilities to support demanding OEM applications in semiconductor, life sciences, photonics, metrology and advanced manufacturing markets. “Dave brings a strong combination of technical knowledge and commercial experience to Allient,” said Robert Mastromattei, Chief Commercial Officer & Group President at Allient. “His track record of developing customer relationships and growing engineered solutions businesses will be valuable as we continue to support our customers’ evolving needs.”

Milestone Systems, a pioneer in open platform video management software, announces XProtect 2026 R2 and the fall 2026 updates to Arcules. Together, the releases help organizations turn growing numbers of cameras, devices, sites and operational data into clearer, more manageable operations across on-premises, cloud and hybrid deployments. As video environments expand, the challenge is less about accessing more video data and more about helping operators understand what is happening while giving administrators efficient ways to manage the systems behind it. XProtect 2026 R2 adds context around incidents and simplifies administration of growing installations, while Arcules strengthens resilience, operational insight and secure communication across cloud and hybrid environments. Cloud and hybrid environments “Our customers are managing more cameras, more sites and more information than ever, and they need that complexity to work for them rather than against them,” said Andrew Burnett, CTO, Milestone Systems. “With XProtect 2026 R2 and the latest Arcules updates, we’re giving operators clearer context when incidents happen and giving administrators simpler ways to keep growing systems secure, current, and reliable, however they choose to deploy.” Maps in XProtect add location context to video security, bringing cameras, alarms, connected devices, and live video together in geographic and floor plan views. Stronger situational awareness Maps is designed for complex environments such as campuses, hospitals, and airports, where hundreds or thousands of cameras can make it difficult to pinpoint an incident. It helps operators see where an event is happening, identify nearby cameras, and open live video directly from the map, supporting faster response and stronger situational awareness. Maps will be available in future XProtect Smart Client releases. New Sticky Notes keep important operational knowledge where operators work. Users can attach a note to each camera view in XProtect Smart Client to capture site-specific information, shift handover details, or operating instructions, with color coding to signal priority. Administrators manage and configure notes centrally through the XProtect Management Client, helping teams maintain continuity from one shift to the next. XProtect 2026 R2 also reduces the administrative effort of running large, distributed installations. Supporting compliance reporting Server Logs centralises audit, system, and rule logs generated across the XProtect environment, giving administrators a consistent way to review activity, troubleshoot issues, and support compliance reporting. It also integrates with preferred monitoring and third-party log management systems. Permission Inheritance lets newly added cameras and devices automatically receive the access permissions already assigned to their group, so administrators define rules once and apply them consistently as the system grows. The value of XProtect continues well beyond initial deployment, and Milestone Care helps customers protect and extend that investment by keeping their systems current with the latest releases. Multi-site XProtect deployments XProtect Remote Manager, available through Care Plus, gives partners and end customers secure, browser-based oversight of multi-site XProtect deployments. It delivers system health updates in seconds so teams can prioritise the actions that keep their systems running at their best. For Arcules customers, Cloud Backup for Edge Gateways provides off-site video retention by uploading a lower-resolution secondary stream to the cloud, improving resilience while minimizing bandwidth and storage requirements. A new integration with Triton Sensors extends video security with environmental and occupancy awareness. It brings sensor data together with video and event data so users can create alarms, rules, and video-linked sensor events from a single platform. Complex network environments Additional Arcules updates include: Secure Device Communication automatically encrypts communication between gateways and supported cameras using HTTPS, protecting video and credentials without additional configuration. Faster Local Video Streaming speeds stream startup and delivers smoother multi-camera viewing and playback, including in complex network environments. Arcules-XProtect Operational Enhancements bring safer upgrades, improved diagnostics, and role-based alarm access to hybrid environments. As a continually updated cloud service, Arcules delivers new capabilities automatically and does not require Milestone Care. Together, these releases reflect Milestone’s continued investment in helping customers operate with greater clarity and confidence.

ViewScan Inc., a provider of AI-powered monitoring for security and operational intelligence, announces that the company will be showcasing its AI-powered video analytics and remote security services at ISC East 2026, giving customers a scalable path to add AI-driven intelligence to the infrastructure they already own. Every deployment reflects the company’s guiding principle — Intelligent AI, Human judgment, Privacy protected. In addition, ViewScan will have on display 78 Dragons’ HotMesh™   patented wireless mesh technology supporting secure, scalable connectivity for up to 1,000 devices per gateway. Remote monitoring operators ViewScan will be exhibiting in booth #1030 at ISC East 2026, Nov. 3-5 at the Javits Center in New York City, where attendees can see live demonstrations of the ViewScan Protect platform. “We are excited to bring our AI-powered monitoring solution to the ISC East show floor and help customers get more from the systems they already own,” says David Antar, President at ViewScan. “ISC East is the perfect opportunity for the security industry to see our solutions first-hand and talk with our experienced team about how it can help reduce operating costs.” ViewScan Protect, the company’s 24/7 AI-driven monitoring solution, pairs advanced computer vision with remote monitoring operators who are primarily veterans and military spouses. Human-in-the-loop is the foundation of the platform where AI analyses video and sensor input in real time and filters out noise and false alarms. Remote monitoring operators Trained operators verify every critical event, apply human judgment, and determine the response — the speed of automation without handing security decisions to a machine alone. Privacy protection is built into that workflow, with monitoring focused on events and conditions rather than tracking individuals. The latest release adds enhanced analytics, faster response times and earlier intervention capabilities, and extends monitoring beyond video to environmental sensors that send alerts for smart building events. “The goal is to enhance an organization’s current system without requiring a complete technology replacement, improving situational awareness, accelerating response and investigations, and creating opportunities to reduce traditional security operating costs,” says Antar. Traditional security coverage Also new at the show, ViewScan will demonstrate its Return on Investment (ROI) Calculator, which models the potential cost savings of leveraging ViewScan Protect: reduced spending on traditional security coverage, better use of existing security and custodial staff, and when integrated with sensors or a building management system (BMS) — lower energy costs. ISC East attendees can see live demos of ViewScan’s AI-powered monitoring platform, run their own numbers through the ROI Calculator and find out more about 78 Dragons’ HotMesh™, patented wireless mesh technology. Register for a free ISC East expo pass and schedule a meeting with one of ViewScan’s security experts to find out more about this powerful AI-monitoring solution.

Wachter, a nationwide technology solutions integrator, is celebrating the opening of its new Logistics and Training Center at its Lowell campus. The investment expands Wachter’s ability to stage, configure, and deploy technology, and to train the technicians who install it, so customers can roll out projects across many locations with less complexity. Bringing these capabilities under one roof also gives customers and partners a place to see Wachter’s solutions in action through hands-on demonstrations. Creating local jobs The campus includes more than 75,000 square feet of logistics and warehouse space, approximately 7,520 pallet positions, and a 7,200-square-foot Integration Center for staging and configuration. The Integration Center is ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 certified, supporting the controlled preparation, configuration, and deployment of technology before it reaches customer sites. The campus expansion is already creating local jobs. Since the Integration Center opened in November 2025, Wachter has added new positions across its Lowell logistics and Integration Center teams. With the new Logistics and Training Center building complete, Wachter will convert the original warehouse attached to its main office into additional workspace. The space will bring teams now located in leased office space in Bentonville onto the Lowell campus and create room to grow the Lowell workforce by approximately 20%. Most significant investments “Growth is exciting, but growth also creates responsibility,” said Brian Sloan, CEO at Wachter. “We must invest in the infrastructure, technology, and people that allow us to deliver consistently for our customers. The Lowell campus gives us the space to do that, while creating an environment where our employees can learn, develop, and build long-term careers.” One of the most significant investments taking place in Lowell is not in tech, but in Wachter’s people. The Logistics and Training Center trains approximately 125 to 150 new technicians each year across its training programs. The facility includes three divisible classrooms, each with seating for 18, as well as hands-on training environments that replicate the conditions technicians encounter in the field. Low-voltage technology industry Technicians can train in mock intermediate distribution frame (IDF) rooms, practice ladder and lift safety, and work directly with access control, fire, and security equipment from leading manufacturers, including Axis, Hanwha, Bosch, DMP, Edwards, Kidde, and Fire-Lite. The facility also supports Wachter’s U.S. Department of Labor-registered Boot Camp apprenticeship program, a nationwide pathway launched in January 2022 to prepare technicians for careers in the low-voltage technology industry. The program combines a paid three-week boot camp with six months of field training, pairing graduates with field trainers as they transition to real-world projects. Wachter runs five cohorts each year, with up to 16 participants per class. Many apprenticeship programs As of August 2026, approximately 15% of Wachter’s field technicians are Boot Camp alumni, demonstrating the program’s growing role in developing the company’s workforce. Even more significant is retention. About 75% of Boot Camp graduates remain with Wachter, compared with retention rates of 25% or lower that are common across many apprenticeship programs. The model offers workers a technology-focused career path without requiring a traditional four-year degree. “Technology is changing incredibly fast, and AI is changing the nature of a lot of jobs,” said Sloan. “But there will always be a need for people who can walk into a building, understand how technology needs to work in the real world, install it, troubleshoot it, communicate with customers, and solve problems that can't be handled from behind a screen.” Different career paths For Sloan, that message is personal. His own career at Wachter illustrates the type of progression the company wants its training programs to make possible. He didn't walk into Wachter with an MBA and a five-year plan. He started in the warehouse at 18, three weeks before graduating high school. That was 33 years ago, and he never left. “That's what makes this opportunity exciting,” Sloan added. “You don't have to know exactly where you're going to end up when you start. You need an opportunity to learn, develop your skills, and prove what you can do.” Wachter's commitment to workforce development extends beyond new hires. Broadening technical capabilities The Lowell campus also hosts the company's ReTrade Program, which helps existing technicians expand into new specialties. The program currently includes two access control cohorts and two alarm cohorts each year, giving experienced employees a structured way to broaden their technical capabilities. The program reflects a larger philosophy at Wachter: technology may change, but skilled people remain at the center of successful deployment. Employees can build technical expertise, move into leadership, and pursue different career paths, supported by a Lowell campus that brings training, logistics, staging, and deployment together. Next generation of technicians “The Training Center represents where Wachter is going,” said Sloan. “We're investing in our people, their careers, the community, and the customers we support to make spaces safer. The Lowell campus brings all of that together.” The ribbon cutting formally celebrates the new Logistics and Training Center, but the larger investment is ongoing: preparing the next generation of technicians, engineers, and technology professionals to build, deploy, and support the systems businesses rely on every day.

Control room operators face a tricky and ever-growing list of responsibilities. Every day, they're expected to monitor dozens, sometimes hundreds, of camera feeds, identify suspicious behavior, and respond quickly when something goes wrong. Add in a constant stream of alerts, many of which turn out to be false alarms, and it's easy to see how even the most experienced security professionals can become overwhelmed. Indeed, in the UK alone, there are an estimated six million CCTV cameras, with around one in 70 publicly owned. A human, or team of humans, cannot possibly be expected to keep on top of every single one of those devices without missing something. Monitoring multiple locations Recently, the UK's Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI), now part of the National Protective Security Authority (NPSA), uncovered a challenge faced by many security operators known as the vigilance decrement, where concentration can begin to decline after just 20 to 30 minutes of continuous monitoring. A study of 42 professional CCTV operators, published in Applied Ergonomics, found that they detected only around half of the target behaviours during a 90-minute video review task. For security teams working long shifts and monitoring multiple locations, this presents a significant challenge. Missing an incident can have serious consequences, yet expecting operators to maintain the same level of concentration throughout an entire shift simply isn't realistic. Identifying unusual activity The result is that operators spend less time reviewing routine activity, have faster responses to threats This is where AI-powered video analytics makes a huge difference. By automatically identifying unusual activity, filtering out unnecessary alerts, and highlighting events that require attention, AI can help operators work more effectively and focus on what matters most. The result is that operators spend less time reviewing routine activity, have faster responses to potential threats, and there are more opportunities for security professionals to apply their experience and judgement where it's needed. Breaking the cycle of alarm fatigue Traditional video surveillance systems have often relied on motion detection and basic rules to identify potential security incidents. While useful, these technologies can also generate large volumes of unnecessary alerts. A tree branch moving in the wind, an animal crossing a perimeter, or a delivery vehicle stopping near a building can all trigger a false alarm. Now imagine this happening across hundreds of cameras, throughout an eight- or twelve-hour shift. Operators can quickly find themselves dealing with a seemingly endless queue of notifications, most of which turn out to be harmless. Over time, this can lead to alarm fatigue. When operators are repeatedly presented with false alarms, they may become less responsive to new notifications, increasing the risk of a genuine threat being overlooked. This isn't a reflection of their professionalism or experience, but a natural response to information overload. Persistent alarm fatigue It can also make it harder for organizations to demonstrate the value of their security investments The consequences extend beyond missed incidents. Persistent alarm fatigue can contribute to stress and burnout, slow response times, and place additional pressure on security teams that may already be stretched. It can also make it harder for organizations to demonstrate the value of their security investments. Simply adding more cameras, hiring more operators, or increasing training isn't necessarily the answer. Instead, organizations need to consider how technology can reduce the volume of information operators must process and ensure that the alerts reaching them are genuinely useful. Smarter alerts, faster responses AI-powered video analytics is helping to address this challenge by making surveillance systems more intelligent and proactive. Rather than simply detecting movement, modern analytics can identify objects, recognize patterns and provide greater context around what's happening within a camera's field of view. For example, a traditional system might generate an alert every time something moves near a perimeter fence. AI analytics can help distinguish between an animal passing through, an authorized vehicle following its usual route, and someone loitering near a restricted entrance. Operators can then focus on the activity that warrants further investigation, rather than spending valuable time reviewing harmless events. Providing relevant information The system identifies potential concerns and provides relevant information Advances in vision-language models are taking this a step further. These technologies can interpret and describe activity within video footage, helping operators understand what's happening without having to manually review every camera feed. This shift is gaining momentum across the industry. The Security Industry Association's 2026 Security Megatrends report identifies the automation of security operations centres as a leading trend, highlighting opportunities for AI to support activities such as incident reporting and filtering lower-priority alarms. Importantly, the aim isn't to remove operators from the process. Much of this technology takes an agentive AI approach, where AI assists human decision-making rather than acting independently. The system identifies potential concerns and provides relevant information, while operators remain responsible for assessing situations and deciding how to respond. For security teams, this creates an opportunity to improve situational awareness while reducing the pressure of constant monitoring. Identifying threats before they escalate One of the most valuable capabilities of advanced video analytics is its ability to identify unusual behavior and patterns over time. Consider a vehicle driving slowly around a business park. On its own, this might not appear suspicious. However, if the same vehicle returns on three consecutive evenings, stopping near a restricted entrance before leaving, it could indicate someone assessing the site's security arrangements. An operator working a single shift might not notice the connection, particularly if the activity occurs across several days. But AI analytics can help identify recurring patterns and flag them for further investigation. Identifying recurring incidents These capabilities also offer benefits beyond immediate security monitoring The same principle applies to other scenarios. Someone repeatedly approaching a restricted area, a person remaining in an unusual location for an extended period, or a vehicle traveling against the normal flow of traffic could all trigger an alert based on predefined rules or patterns of behavior. With the right information available, security teams can investigate potential threats earlier and respond before an incident escalates. These capabilities also offer benefits beyond immediate security monitoring. Analytics can help organizations identify recurring incidents, understand how spaces are being used and make more informed decisions about patrols, staffing and security resources. For multi-site organizations, this can be particularly valuable, allowing security teams to identify trends across locations rather than treating each incident in isolation. Making investigations faster and more effective AI can also significantly reduce the time required to investigate incidents after they occur. Reviewing hours of recorded CCTV footage has traditionally been a painstaking process. Investigators may need to search through multiple camera feeds to identify a person, vehicle, or sequence of events, often under considerable time pressure. Advanced video search and synopsis technologies can simplify this process by condensing lengthy recordings into a much shorter visual summary. Events and objects captured at different times can be presented together, allowing investigators to identify relevant activity quickly while retaining links to the original footage and timestamps. For example, an investigator looking for a particular vehicle can search footage based on characteristics such as color, type, or direction of travel, rather than watching hours of recordings manually. For police forces, local authorities and private security teams, these capabilities can make a substantial difference to investigations, reducing the time spent searching through footage and helping important evidence reach the right people sooner. Demonstrating the value of intelligent video AI-powered video analytics can also deliver a measurable return on investment Alongside the operational benefits, AI-powered video analytics can also deliver a measurable return on investment. An Omdia survey of 140 end users across North America and Europe found that more than 85% of organizations achieved a return on investment from their video analytics deployments within one year. More than half reported seeing returns within the first six months, with banking and manufacturing reporting particularly strong results at 95% and 90%, respectively. Evidently, intelligent video can deliver value far beyond traditional surveillance. Improved incident detection Reducing false alarms can help operators use their time more effectively, while faster investigations can lower the resources required to review footage. Improved incident detection and response can also help organizations minimize disruption, protect assets and strengthen their overall security posture. There are benefits for installers and integrators too. By introducing advanced analytics into existing video management systems, they can help customers get more value from their security infrastructure, while offering additional capabilities that can evolve alongside operational needs. Rather than viewing video surveillance solely as a cost centre, organizations can increasingly use the intelligence it provides to improve security performance and inform wider operational decisions. Keeping people at the heart of security As AI becomes more capable, questions around human oversight and decision-making will become increasingly important. There is a distinction between AI that supports operators and fully autonomous systems that can independently make decisions and take action. While more agentic AI capabilities are emerging, many of the most practical applications in video security today are designed to assist people, not replace them. Making informed decisions This combination of machine intelligence and human experience is where the greatest value lies For instance, AI might identify a person behaving unusually near a restricted entrance, but an operator can assess the wider context, determine whether there is a genuine threat and decide on the appropriate response. Similarly, analytics can highlight a vehicle that has repeatedly visited a site, but it takes human judgement to establish whether that behavior is suspicious or entirely legitimate. This combination of machine intelligence and human experience is where the greatest value lies. AI can continuously analyze large volumes of footage, identify patterns across different cameras and shifts, and highlight events that deserve attention. Operators bring the contextual understanding, professional judgement and accountability needed to make informed decisions. An operator reviewing five relevant alerts, each supported by useful information, is in a much better position to respond effectively than someone attempting to process 50 notifications with little context. The goal is therefore not to automate every aspect of security, but to create a more effective partnership between people and technology. A smarter approach to security operations The demands placed on security teams are unlikely to decrease. Organizations are managing larger sites, more cameras and increasingly complex security environments, often without equivalent increases in staffing or resources. At the same time, the limitations of human attention remain unchanged. No matter how experienced or well-trained an operator may be, maintaining constant concentration across dozens of video feeds is an unrealistic expectation. AI-powered video analytics offers a way forward. By reducing unnecessary alerts, identifying suspicious patterns, and accelerating investigations, these technologies can help security teams become more proactive, efficient, and effective. Most importantly, they allow operators to concentrate on what they do best: understanding situations, making informed decisions and protecting people and places. The future of security isn't about replacing the people behind the screens. It's about giving them the intelligence and tools they need to do their jobs better.

One of the best business lessons I learned didn’t come from business journals or the boardroom. It came from a biography: Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson. If you haven’t read it, you should! The book covers the full arc of Jobs’ career, and while many of the most talked about lessons center on his entrepreneurship, perfectionism, and brand building, the one that has stayed with me is his philosophy of design. Digital music player market I don’t mean design in the sense of aesthetics, although Apple certainly became famous for that. I mean design as an understanding of how people interact with technology. Examples of Jobs’ design philosophy appear throughout the book, but the chapters about the birth of the iPod are particularly compelling. If you’re too young to remember the era of downloading songs from Napster and loading them onto MP3 players, here’s the context. By the early 2000s, Apple was entering a crowded digital music player market. Companies like Sony, Creative and Rio had already introduced devices that were packed with technical innovation, and they were growing in popularity among college students, commuters, and early adopters who preferred the solid state devices over larger, glitchy portable CD players. Yet Jobs believed the entire MP3 player category possessed a fundamental flaw: all the products were too complicated. More intuitive experience In envisioning the iPod, Jobs became obsessed with creating a more intuitive experience Actually, Jobs used more blunt language. He said they all “were deeply flawed.” They held only a handful of songs, and users struggled with frustrating menu trees to access their most basic functions. As for the software managing the devices’ music libraries? To quote the book, “Only a genius could figure out half of their features.” Jobs saw something the existing manufacturers didn’t. Their MP3 players weren’t offering the one thing that consumers wanted the most, an easier way to listen to music. In envisioning the iPod, Jobs became obsessed with creating a more intuitive experience. He challenged his team to eliminate unnecessary complexity and established a simple rule for the user interface: if a person wanted a song or a function, they should be able to get there in no more than three clicks. Incredibly sophisticated technology The result was a product that felt completely different to use. Apple took an incredibly sophisticated technology and made it approachable. The complexity didn’t disappear; it was just moved behind the curtain where the user didn’t have to think about it. Despite being a late entrant to the MP3 industry, Apple quickly became the dominant manufacturer in the category because of the iPod’s unmatched usability. Plenty of successful companies cared about usability, but Jobs made simplicity a strategic priority. While competitors were adding features and complexity, Apple was asking, “How do we make this easier?” Twenty years later, I still think that’s one of the most important questions any technology company can ask, and one that is shaping the next generation of security technology. Stronger security practices Making a system more secure meant adding steps, procedures, and user responsibilities Which brings me to where I spend most of my time these days: Identity verification. For years, the security industry viewed convenience and security as competing priorities. Making a system more secure meant adding steps, procedures, and user responsibilities. What’s exciting about modern biometrics is that we’re increasingly able to improve both simultaneously. In many ways, we’re applying Jobs’ three click philosophy to identity verification, reducing the interaction required from the user without compromising the strength of the underlying security. And by reducing friction, organizations can implement more frequent identity verification that supports stronger security practices. Biometric authentication experience The simplicity of the biometric authentication experience can make people underestimate the sophistication of the technology behind it. Just as iPod users didn’t have to think about file formats, manually transferring songs to their device, or navigating cumbersome menus, users of modern biometric systems don’t have to think about how their faces, palms, or fingerprints are converted into encrypted, mathematical templates that cannot be reverse engineered. Or how the system verifies that a live person, not a photo, is standing in front of it. Or how AI quietly adjusts for the naturally occurring, gradual changes in a person’s appearance, whether from age, lifestyle, or a few extra pounds. Interacting with a biometric identity solution is like listening to music on an iPod or today, an iPhone. You don’t even think about the incredible technology working in the background that makes the experience possible. For example, with facial authentication, the most frictionless form of identity verification, you look at a reader without even stopping. In a fraction of a second, the system accurately matches you to your digital identity with a false match rate as low as 1 in 10 billion! I consider that more like a ‘zero click’ solution. Providing better protection The challenge for manufacturers will be resisting the temptation to make them more complicated As our industry embraces AI, we can expect to see a new generation of products that can automate more tasks, synthesise more data, and deliver more functionality than ever before. The challenge for manufacturers will be resisting the temptation to make them more complicated. Product teams should take a page from Jobs’ playbook. Instead of focusing on what the latest technology makes possible, they should be asking, “What do our customers genuinely want? And how can we use technology to make that experience better? Easier? Simpler? As effortless as using your face to access your phone?” That’s the lesson of the iPod, and why a guy who never developed a security product has provided one of the most important lessons for our industry. Companies that build products people want to use will also be creating solutions that are adopted more broadly, used more consistently, and ultimately provide better protection.

There was a time when physical security and cybersecurity occupied two very different worlds. One was concerned with the nuts and bolts of locks, doors and perimeter protection. The other focused on networks, software and digital threats. Today’s modern access control systems – used in everything from offices and hotels to hospitals and data centres – combine the two, fusing mechanical engineering and cloud platforms. That means that a door is no longer simply a physical barrier. Instead, it’s a connected endpoint within a much wider digital ecosystem. And it’s changing expectations across the industry. Increasingly, developers, architects and operators are turning their backs on separate products in favour of integrated access solutions that combine doors, locks, access controls, environmental monitoring and digital management into a single, connected system. A new connected approach to security This change is part of a wider shift in the way that security itself is perceived This change is part of a wider shift in the way that security itself is perceived. Traditionally, physical security was about keeping unauthorized people out. Today, it’s about making sure the right people have the freedom to move within a restricted space. That is particularly important in places such as hospitals, data centres and other critical infrastructure, where security helps protect essential services while minimizing disruption. And it’s why our Research & Security Center (R&S) in Berlin, Germany, brings together both disciplines under one roof. Their job is to test products against both physical attacks and cyber threats. Employing unconventional tactics Sometimes, that means employing unconventional tactics, such as using professional lockpickers to test the security and resilience of new physical products. While modern locks are still based on mechanical engineering, they are more advanced than they look. Improvements in design, materials, and manufacturing mean they are stronger, more reliable, and harder to tamper with. But there’s more to locks than just security. Some systems can even use the motion of inserting and turning a key to generate a small amount of electrical energy, which provides energy to power extra functions without wiring or batteries. This means they are not just standalone locks but can also be used as part of wider digital access systems. Bridging physical and digital security For instance, great strides have been made recently in terms of biometric authentication However, as everyone knows, digital systems have their own security risks, especially now that artificial intelligence (AI) is part of the emerging threat. This means the cybersecurity team needs to ensure that systems are robust enough to withstand a wide range of risks – from attempts to breach access platforms to phishing attacks – as well as other tactics designed to exploit human behavior. It’s here that researchers adopt a ‘hacker’s mindset’ to keep systems safe. And that means continuously testing, probing, and strengthening systems to identify vulnerabilities against existing real-world threats while also anticipating what might be around the corner. Mobile-based access control systems For instance, great strides have been made recently in terms of biometric authentication, including facial recognition and fingerprint scanning. Similarly, smartphones are increasingly being used to secure credentials for mobile-based access control systems. But improvements in technology also come with their own risks. For instance, For instance, AI-generated deepfake videos and voices are becoming more convincing, making it easier to trick people into giving access, sharing information or approving actions they should not. And as I alluded to earlier, criminals are now using AI and automated tools to identify weaknesses and exploit them much faster than before, sometimes with little or no human involvement. But it’s also true that it’s being used to bolster defences. Work is currently underway to use AI to analyze data in real time to identify unusual entry times, identify multiple failed authentication attempts, or spot any other anomalies that might suggest someone is trying to gain entry illegally. Modern access control Cloud-based platforms allow security teams to issue and revoke credentials remotely Increasingly, the value of modern access control lies not just in the hardware, but in the software that sits behind it. Cloud-based platforms allow security teams to issue and revoke credentials remotely, monitor activity across multiple sites and respond quickly to emerging threats. This makes security a real-time, always-on, continuously managed service rather than a collection of standalone products installed and largely forgotten about. The importance of regulation and compliance This is something that policymakers are aware of. In the European Union, for example, the  EU’s NIS2 Directive relates to cybersecurity protecting network and information systems and significantly broadens both the scope and the obligations for compliance. It also takes an “all-hazard” approach to security, which means protecting not just digital networks and systems, but also the physical environments in which they operate. Similarly, the EU’s Cyber Resilience Act is designed to ensure that all digital products are safe from cyber threats. Its goal is to ensure that connected devices and software are built, updated, and maintained with security in mind, helping protect users in an increasingly connected world. And by introducing clearer requirements and standards, the CRA will help consumers and organizations identify products with strong security features and configure them more securely from the outset. Security by design Security can no longer be treated as something that is bolted on at the end of the development process In both cases, it is incumbent on vendors not only to meet or exceed these rules and regulations but also to keep customers, the wider industry, and other stakeholders informed about developments. For me, these regulations also reflect a broader shift in thinking. Security can no longer be treated as something that is bolted on at the end of the development process or addressed only after a vulnerability has been identified. Instead, it needs to be considered from the very beginning and maintained throughout a product's lifecycle. For manufacturers, that means continuously assessing risks, testing products against emerging threats and ensuring they remain resilient as technology and the threat landscape evolve. As I said at the beginning, the reason is simple. Today's buildings are no longer just bricks and mortar. They are connected environments where doors, locks, cameras, sensors and access control systems increasingly communicate with one another and with cloud-based platforms. You might want to think about that the next time you walk into a secure building.

Deploying artificial intelligence (AI) tools should be seen as a business initiative rather than a technology initiative, says Martin Soukup, CTO of Solink, a cloud-based video security and data intelligence platform. The approach makes a difference that plays out in practical terms. A technology initiative is tactical and solution-oriented, often solving an isolated problem within a single department's silo. In other words, it might solve just a security problem. In contrast, a business initiative is cross-disciplinary, driven by executive leadership to impact the entire organization in a measurable way. “Viewing AI tools as a business initiative ensures they adapt to multiple departmental needs and drive high-level strategic growth rather than just fixing a localised technical issue,” says Soukup. AI platform combines video and business systems Demonstrating the value of embracing AI as a business initiative is Solink’s new video intelligence platform Demonstrating the value of embracing AI as a business initiative is Solink’s new video intelligence platform that combines video with business systems to detect threats and send real-time alerts. The capabilities are designed to help security teams operate smarter and more efficiently, supporting the next generation of lean, intelligence-driven security operations centers (SOCs). And benefits of the platform extend beyond security to include other parts of the business. “At the end of the day, video cameras only tell part of the story, much like looking at a 2D shape,” says Soukup. “They capture dimensions and colors, but only from a single perspective, even with powerful AI analysis providing traffic metrics, wait times, product interaction, and compliance logs. The addition of operational data, such as inventory, shipping, labor, and sales data, fills out that shape into 3D, adding critical context.” For example, while a camera simply shows three people standing in a line, and AI data flags that those individuals have been waiting for over five minutes, operational data lets you know also that a cashier has not checked into their shift yet. Combining these data streams gives businesses full situational awareness, turning passive observation into immediate, contextual intervention. AI agents handle repetitive tasks The Solink platform uses AI Agents, which are software that operates autonomously to handle manual, repetitive, or high-volume tasks based on specific instructions and tools. For Solink users, AI Agents unify their existing camera and data source investments into a single automated workflow. “AI Agents transform Solink from a security tool into an operational investment that benefits all departments,” says Soukup. “Modern operational leaders are turning to AI to scale productivity without increasing overhead.” Integrating business intelligence Operations checks compliance, loss prevention investigates theft, and security assesses threats Customers already use Solink to centralize video, integrate business intelligence, and trigger real-world responses like real-world alerts, two-way communication, or smart locks. AI Agents tie these pieces together, analyze the data and identify what matters most, and then take action either without human intervention or with humans in the loop. Businesses currently watch video manually across separate workflows. Operations checks compliance, loss prevention investigates theft, and security assesses threats. However, a human must always watch the footage to get results. Solink AI Agents automate this entire workflow. If an operational event can be seen on camera and matters to the business, a Solink Agent can be integrated to automatically review, assess, and trigger the next step in the workflow across hundreds or thousands of locations simultaneously. Calling all stakeholders to the discussion When discussing applications, stakeholders should include revenue and marketing officers, compliance officers, and line-of-business executives. Agents leverage existing infrastructure by adding an intelligent automation layer that drives efficiency and grows revenue across the entire organization without large capital investment. Solink AI Agents will not replace employees; they empower lean teams to maximize their existing resources. Job descriptions will shift toward human-in-the-loop workflows where humans and machines collaborate. The AI Agent handles the high volume, filtering out noise and processing data at scale. Human employees set up and guide the Agents, give feedback to improve performance over time, and step in to make final decisions, managing the nuanced situations that require critical thinking, empathy, and deep context. Passive data visualization In contrast, a Solink AI Agent is deployed with a clear mandate for a specific task, deliverable, or outcome Given the convergence of physical and digital security, AI Agents, not dashboards, are the right unit of enterprise AI deployment. Dashboards typically aggregate data without evaluating the context or importance of the source. Data looks identical whether it comes from 10 sources or 100. In contrast, a Solink AI Agent is deployed with a clear mandate for a specific task, deliverable, or outcome. This approach shifts the focus from passive data visualization to active intent, creating a direct path of accountability and clear attribution for business results. With dashboards, everyone can see the problem, but nobody owns it. An agent with a mandate either did the job or it did not, and you can audit exactly what it saw and why it acted or did not. Overcoming obstacles to deploy AI agents The primary obstacles to integrating AI Agents into the physical security workflow are change management, building trust, and system interoperability. Physical security requires absolute reliability, which demands rigorous initial configuration to establish trust. Furthermore, Agents are only as effective as the data they can access. Overcoming these hurdles requires comprehensive team training, shifting organizational mindsets, and ensuring seamless integration with existing tools so the Agents have the full context needed to execute tasks accurately and integrate with human workflows seamlessly. Addressing common security challenges Several use cases are driving the deployment of AI Agents among Solink's customers Several use cases are driving the deployment of AI Agents among Solink's customers. Overnight guarding, loss prevention, and store readiness will be the first wave of use cases. These are proven, high-frequency scenarios in which Solink provides pre-built template Agents to address common security challenges out of the box. The second wave of use cases will include highly customisable occupancy tracking, health and safety, and food quality. Pre-built template Agents are coming for these next. In addition, custom, niche operational use cases can be tailored to a specific business environment. Just like hiring a specialized contractor, companies can deploy custom Agents to tackle unique operational challenges rapidly across all locations. Measuring the effectiveness of AI agents The effectiveness of AI Agents can be measured by multiple factors. Core Accuracy, and consistency and accuracy of detections and automated outputs. Business Outcomes delivered, such as reduced inventory loss, reduced fraud, and faster incident resolution. Financial Impact, measured through recovered budget, reduced operational overhead, and increased per-store conversion. There is a perception that AI Agents possess predictive or flawless capabilities, like stopping crime before it happens or operating perfectly in dark, chaotic environments. Not true, says Soukup. AI cannot understand ambiguous requests like "look for suspicious activity." Success requires explicit parameters, tools, and skills, defining what is acceptable, what is unauthorized, and how to handle the gray areas. Another misconception is that Agents need a fundamentally different security model than people. “I run security for this company as well as engineering, and I hold our own Agents to the same standard I would hold a third-party vendor,” says Soukup. “That means least privilege, full audit trails, anomaly detection, random audits, and no action they can't explain after the fact.”

Combining VIVOTEK’s branded video security business with March Networks paves the way for the combined brands to meet customers’ increasing appetite for integrated solutions rather than individual components. The merger brings VIVOTEK's branded video security business together under one operating structure with March Networks’ enterprise-grade video surveillance, AI analytics, and cloud-managed security solutions. Customers now have access to a broader, more integrated portfolio spanning enterprise video management, advanced cameras, edge artificial intelligence (AI), cloud services, recording platforms, and business intelligence, says Net Payne, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer at March Networks and VIVOTEK. Distinct product strategies Given the combined companies, product development, sales, marketing, and customer support can move in step rather than in parallel. March Networks and VIVOTEK were already both part of the Delta Electronics family, but they previously operated as separate businesses with distinct product strategies, teams, and routes to market. March Networks and VIVOTEK announced the merger of their branded video security businesses last spring following Delta Electronics' acquisition of remaining VIVOTEK shares. “Aligning our complementary capabilities lets us innovate faster, simplify engagement, and respond more quickly to a market moving toward AI, cloud and intelligent video,” says Payne. This merger reflects a broader shift across the physical security industry, adds Payne. “Customers no longer see video purely as a tool for reviewing incidents after the fact,” he says. “They expect it to help identify risks earlier, simplify investigations, improve operations, and support better decisions across the organization.” Cloud video management Meeting customer expectations requires more than bolting AI features onto existing systems Meeting customer expectations requires more than bolting AI features onto existing systems. Rather, it requires cameras, edge intelligence, recording, software, cloud services, and business data working together as one coordinated platform. “By bringing March Networks and VIVOTEK together, we combine deep expertise across the full video technology stack while preserving the relationships, sector knowledge and customer focus both companies have built over many years,” says Payne. “Our goal is to make intelligent video more integrated, scalable, and practical for customers and partners worldwide.” Both entities bring strengths to the combined companies. March Networks brings experience in enterprise software, cloud video management and large-scale deployments; while VIVOTEK brings strength in imaging, camera technology and edge intelligence. Together they seek to ensure more choice when designing systems, a clearer path for future expansion, and technologies that work together more effectively without compromising the reliability, cybersecurity, and support customers expect from both companies. Advantages for channel partners Channel partners gain a broader portfolio to address a wider range of customer requirements, combining components as each deployment demands. Channel partners also benefit from expanded geographic reach, deeper technical expertise, and greater investment in training and enablement. “Importantly, this is designed to be a seamless transition,” says Payne. “Partners keep working with the teams and relationships they already know, while gaining access to new capabilities and certification opportunities. Over time, that alignment should make it easier to design, deploy and support complete solutions.” Because they are established and respected brands, March Networks and VIVOTEK branding will continue to be used. Rebranding is not a goal, and neither identity is being replaced by the other. Coordinated decision-making “The immediate priority is organizational alignment by making it easier for customers and partners to benefit from the combined portfolio,” says Payne. Product branding will continue to reflect the relevant portfolio and market context. As product roadmaps become more closely coordinated, customers can expect greater interoperability and a more cohesive experience, says Payne. Any future branding changes will be managed carefully and communicated clearly. Combining the businesses reduces duplication and enables coordinated decision-making across product strategy, engineering, sales, marketing, operations, and customer support. “Instead of developing capabilities independently, teams can share their expertise, align roadmaps, and direct investment to where it has the greatest customer impact,” says Payne. Combining specialized knowledge globally The combined organization operates across six continents and more than 75 countries The combined organization includes more than 300 research and development (R&D) engineers across four Centres of Excellence in Canada, Taiwan, Italy and Poland, thus bringing together a substantial base of specialist knowledge. The unified network also sharpens the ability to prioritise global opportunities, respond to regional needs and bring innovations to market faster. The combined organization operates across six continents and more than 75 countries, supported by more than 1,100 certified channel partners. That footprint provides greater capacity to support multinational customers while staying responsive to local market needs. Looking ahead, future growth will increasingly come from helping customers turn video into useful, actionable intelligence. “The market is moving beyond conventional surveillance toward solutions combining AI, cloud services, edge processing, video management and operational data — and our new structure brings these together as one connected solution rather than several isolated technologies,” says Payne. Broader technical expertise There will also be closer collaboration among specialists in imaging, hardware, software, analytics, and cloud, which is important given how much customer infrastructure, regulatory, and deployment requirements vary. The companies can support cloud, hybrid, and on-premise environments, giving organizations a practical path toward more intelligent video. More choice comes from bringing together complementary technologies across product groups. Greater scale is achieved through a larger engineering organization, broader technical expertise and more capacity to invest in innovation. Challenges for the industry at large Looking to the future for the industry at large, the greatest challenge will be managing the rapid growth of AI Looking to the future for the industry at large, the greatest challenge will be managing the rapid growth of AI responsibly, securely and at scale, says Payne. Video systems will generate more data and automate more decisions, but organizations must be able to trust how that intelligence is created, protected, and applied, he adds. “Cybersecurity, privacy, data sovereignty, system interoperability and AI accuracy are more important than ever,” says Payne. Addressing these elements requires expertise across the entire technology stack: from camera and edge processing to recording, cloud infrastructure, video management and analytics. “Together, March Networks and VIVOTEK can coordinate development across all these layers, giving customers flexible architectures that balance innovation with security, transparency and operational control,” says Payne.

IQSIGHT seeks to bring visual intelligence to environments where clarity, reliability, and trust matter the most, says CEO Sabrina Stainburn. Formerly Bosch Video Systems, IQSIGHT is an intelligence-first video security company, combining more than 60 years of engineering expertise with real-time intelligence to help organizations see clearly, act confidently, and improve outcomes in environments when every second matters. While the brand is new, the technology, reliability, and trust behind it are familiar— the products still carry the Bosch name, and the engineering teams remain the same to ensure the continuation of the Bosch legacy. As a result, customers can expect the same standards they rely on today. Embracing emerging technologies IQSIGHT is embracing emerging technologies. “We are applying AI where it delivers value by helping systems understand what is happening and surface the events and patterns that matter most—so customers can detect risk earlier, make faster decisions, and operate with confidence,” says Stainburn. With intelligence at the edge, the cameras act as sensors to secure premises, make buildings safer, and monitor perimeters — without requiring a cloud connection. Edge-based AI also supports integration into existing systems to add visual intelligence without a rip-and-replace — such as adding cameras with visual gun detection outside of entrances or supplementing systems with the ability to detect clothing color and other attributes. IQSIGHT combines the Bosch video portfolio with new AI-enabled capabilities AI-enabled capabilities IQSIGHT combines the Bosch video portfolio with new AI-enabled capabilities designed to remove blind spots IQSIGHT combines the Bosch video portfolio with new AI-enabled capabilities designed to remove blind spots and support earlier, better-informed decisions. The portfolio continues to include intelligent cameras, such as the FLEXIDOME, AUTODOME, DINION, and MIC models, AI-enabled Intelligent Video Analytics Pro (IVA Pro) offerings, and recording and video management solutions, such as BVMS software. This year, the portfolio will also expand with technologies and solutions built on IQSIGHT’s new intelligence-first platform. Vertical markets that are core to the strategy include government, critical infrastructure, education, and smart cities, all industries closely connected with safety, continuity, and operational performance. In these environments, visual intelligence helps organizations address practical challenges — securing perimeters, enhancing safety, and improving traffic flow — so they can operate securely and efficiently. Visual intelligence helps organizations address practical challenges Operating securely and efficiently “Reliability is essential in these industries, and our cameras are engineered to Bosch quality standards and designed to perform in demanding conditions, including extreme weather, while delivering dependable video and accurate analytics where it matters most,” says Stainburn. “These strengths make our video solutions ideal for any industry where security must be uncompromised.”   IQSIGHT evolves from the sale of Bosch’s security and communications technology product business to European investment firm Triton on June 30, 2025. The product brands for video systems, access control, intrusion systems, and communications systems united under the roof of the new company Keenfinity Group. New organizational structure The Keenfinity Group now operates as a holding company consisting of four businesses In late 2025, Keenfinity Group introduced a new organizational structure designed to unlock the next chapter of growth and innovation. The Keenfinity Group now operates as a holding company consisting of four businesses, including the video systems business now called IQSIGHT. Bosch has a long history of partnerships and integrations, and partnerships will remain essential to how IQSIGHT delivers value and flexibility for customers. “We work closely with technology partners to ensure customers can use visual intelligence within the platforms and architectures that best fit their operations,” says Stainburn. Secure-by-design approach Deep integrations include VMS platforms, such as Genetec and Milestone, thus enabling real-time insights across on-premise and cloud environments. This approach gives customers choice — without compromising performance, security, or reliability, according to IQSIGHT. “Continually strengthening our existing partnerships is vital, and we regularly add capabilities to these integrations to deliver new features to enhance security and safety for customers,” says Stainburn. “Cybersecurity is not a feature for us — it’s a foundation,” Stainburn emphasises. “As video systems become more connected and intelligence moves closer to the edge, trust must be designed in from the start. We take a secure-by-design approach across our hardware, software, and integrations. That means protecting data at every stage — from capture to analysis to delivery.” Combining sight and intelligence Just as important, the company works closely with partners and customers to ensure systems fit into their broader security and IT strategies. “When organizations rely on video to make critical decisions, security and reliability must be non-negotiable,” says Stainburn. Stainburn sees video as evolving from traditional surveillance into “visual intelligence” — moving from simply recording events to understanding what is happening in real time. By combining sight and intelligence, organizations can see patterns, giving them the power to predict events that may happen. Proactively addressing risks Stainburn sees video as evolving from traditional surveillance into “visual intelligence” Traditionally, video security was based on video surveillance — an investigative tool for users to review what has already happened. With AI, users can take a different approach — looking at patterns to better secure their premises and have the foresight to intervene before incidents escalate. AI helps systems understand what is happening in a scene, enabling them to discern between a person standing at a train platform and an individual vandalising a train platform, someone holding a power drill versus someone holding a gun. “This level of visual intelligence brings clarity to unfolding events to assist users in proactively addressing risks,” says Stainburn. AI-enabled video systems With foresight, end users can prevent those events from occurring or other issues from escalating. The ability to discern patterns can also influence decisions around safety, resource use, and the customer experience, says Stainburn. “While security will always remain core, we expect visual intelligence to play an increasingly important role in improving operational efficiency across many environments over the next five years.” Not all AI-enabled video systems are equal. Edge, cloud, and GenAI-based tools have different strengths and selecting one approach over another depends on the application or the problem customers need to solve. IQSIGHT works closely with integrators and end users to understand the challenges they are addressing and to provide guidance on the best AI approach to reduce risks, lower response times, and improve operations. Proof of concept projects are important to demonstrating performance in the real world. That’s where IQSIGHT gains an advantage with solutions that deliver reliable results even in challenging conditions, says Stainburn.

B&B Theatres brought their video surveillance under a single platform with OpenEye Web Services (OWS), helping them to more easily manage their security systems across locations. Learn more about how B&B Theatres were able to improve their ROI with a flexible, scalable cloud video solution. With a rich history spanning a century, B&B Theatres is now the fifth largest theatre chain in North America, and the largest privately held operator of cinemas. As B&B Theatres rapidly expanded over the past decade, they inherited many disparate and legacy video security systems, creating a need for an improved video security platform. Improved video security platform B&B Theatres partnered with OpenEye to utilize powerful cloud-managed video surveillance, with benefits including: Open Ecosystem: The OWS open ecosystem enables B&B Theatres to integrate their existing cameras and security solutions into OWS. Cybersecurity: OpenEye’s video security platform utilizes cybersecurity best practices for a more secure video platform. Health Monitoring: Automated health monitoring keeps B&B theatres ahead of any pending hardware or system issues. Through working with OpenEye, B&B Theatres is now able to manage their security equipment across multiple locations under a single, convenient platform for improved safety and enhanced operations.

In a move to modernize campus operations and create a smoother experience for students and staff, Peru’s National Agrarian University has deployed a comprehensive Hikvision smart campus solution. From streamlined access to safer transportation, the university is building a safer, connected and efficient campus environment. Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina (National Agrarian University) is one of Peru's most respected academic institutions. Its 102-hectare campus operates more like a small city than a traditional university, serving eight faculties, around 8,000 students, and about 600 teachers every day. Large campus area As campus activity continued to grow, the university wanted a more modern and efficient way to manage daily operations. Previously, visitor and vehicle access relied heavily on manual checks and handwritten records. The university also wanted better visibility over campus bus operations and more effective support for security teams patrolling the large campus area. Their goals included: Streamlining pedestrian and vehicle access Equipping patrol teams with mobile tools to enable them to respond to incidents faster Enhancing safety and visibility across campus bus operations Centralizing management through a single unified platform Smart campus solution To achieve these, the university worked with system integrator Consorcio Valtar Security y Serinfortel to deploy a unified Hikvision smart campus solution. To improve pedestrian access, the university installed 18 Hikvision Pro Swing Barriers (DS-K3B530X) and 28 Face Recognition Terminals (DS-K5671-ZV) at the main and side entrances. The solution helps students and staff move through gates quickly while improving entry management. The facial recognition terminals support recognition speeds of less than 0.2 seconds per user and accuracy rates above 99%. Anti-tailgating functions, which prevent people slipping in behind others, helps ensure only authorized individuals can enter. LED indicators, meanwhile, provide visual indicators guide people through the turnstiles in order to avoid bottlenecks. Reducing manual paperwork To further streamline visitor handling, the university deployed a Visitor Terminal (DS-K5032-D) together with an Enrollment Station (DS-K1F600U-D6E-F) at the main entrance. The dual-screen visitor terminal supports paperless registration, helping security staff process guests more efficiently while reducing manual paperwork. At the same time, the enrollment station simplifies face enrollment and user management through an easy-to-use touch-screen interface. For vehicle access, Hikvision deployed 6 ANPR Cameras (DS-TCG406-E(S)) together with 6 Barrier Gates (DS-TMG520-H/B) at two campus entrances. The system automatically recognises license plates and manages vehicle access in real time, helping reduce waiting times and improve traffic flow. Staff vehicles can be pre-registered through the university’s app, allowing smoother entry during peak hours. Adjustable barrier speeds and multiple anti-hitting protection mechanisms also help improve operational safety. To further improve the driver experience, LED Screens (DS-TVL224-4-5Y) display welcome messages and vehicle information in real time. Maintaining daily operations Because of the campus’s large size, motorcycle patrol teams play an important role in maintaining daily operations and responding quickly across different areas. To support these teams, the university has deployed 10 Hikvision Ultra Series Body Cameras (DS-MH2311) together with 2 Dock Stations (DS-MDS001). Several features make this solution particularly suitable for mobile patrol work: Clear 2 MP video recording with a wide 129° horizontal field of view Up to 8 hours of recording with a removable 3,300 mAh battery Wireless connectivity for improved communication Real-time positioning support through GPS Centralized charging, storage, and evidence upload through dock stations Professional campus operations The cameras are mainly used during routine motorcycle patrols and when responding to incidents on campus. Recorded footage helps clearly document security procedures and provides reliable records of how situations were handled, supporting transparent and professional campus operations. The university has also upgraded safety across its fleet of 11 campus buses with Hikvision onboard solutions. Each bus is equipped with: Mobile Dome Cameras (DS-2XM6726G1-IM/ND) and Mobile Network Cameras (DS-2XM6522G1-ID): These provide real-time HD video coverage inside and outside the buses, helping operators monitor passenger boarding, alighting, and road conditions clearly. DSM Camera (AE-VC1B1I-ISF(RJ45)): This improves driving safety by detecting critical safety indicators such as fatigue, distractions, and smoking. When potential risks are identified, alerts are immediately issued to the driver, helping encourage safer driving practices during daily routes. Touch Monitor (AE-MW1203): Drivers can view live camera feeds through the monitor. The display automatically switches to relevant views when doors open or when reversing, helping drivers monitor passenger movement and blind spots more effectively. Alarm Button (DS-1530HMI(AE)(O-NEU)): It allows drivers to immediately notify the control center for rapid assistance in emergency situations. Mobile NVR (AE-MN5043(1T/SSD)(RJ45)(O-STD)): This records and stores video while also supporting GPS positioning, geofencing, and route monitoring through Google Maps integration. Campus bus management Every solution, from access control and patrol operations to campus bus management, is centrally managed through HikCentral Professional. From this single platform, the university can: Monitor access events in real time Manage user permissions and visitor records Track campus buses through GIS-based maps Receive centralized alarms and event notifications Coordinate faster responses across campus Daily campus operations According to the university, the solution has significantly improved operational visibility and coordination across the campus. “With Hikvision’s smart campus solution, we now have a much more efficient and connected way to manage daily campus operations,” says Joseph Jimy Ordóñez Blanco, General Coordinator of the University’s Security Unit. “From access management to transportation safety, the platform gives our teams better visibility, faster response capabilities, and greater confidence in maintaining a safe environment for students and staff.”

For over thirty years, Pallet Logistics of America (PLA) has been providing companies across the United States with easy access to new and recycled pallets. The scale of PLA’s operations and the nature of their work created a need for an advanced and centralized surveillance solution. The organization hoped to achieve greater visibility into floor operations while improving system management. Centralized surveillance solution By working with OpenEye, PLA now utilizes an intelligent cloud-managed video platform that improves their workflows while unlocking greater insights into processes across their organization, with benefits including: Improved Warehouse Visibility: PLA deployed powerful OpenEye cameras throughout their facilities to provide better visibility around manufacturing floors, entrances, and exits. Centralized Management: Thanks to the cloud, PLA leverages a centralized video platform which simplifies management of their system’s users, devices, and locations. Ease of Use: OpenEye Web Services (OWS) provides PLA with an easy-to-use solution that has improved investigations thanks to streamlined search functionality and video clip export and sharing, as well as strengthened system health monitoring. With OWS, the organization has optimized operations across multiple teams with a flexible, scalable cloud video surveillance platform.

Experiencing consistent growth over several decades while innovating the fashion world, a luxury retailer needed to find a solution that aligned with their company’s success. They wanted a system that could be easily scaled across locations while working with their stores’ most critical systems and devices, whether that was current third-party cameras, inventory management systems, barcode scanners, and other future innovations. Powerful video surveillance By working with OpenEye, this retailer utilizes an open cloud-managed video platform that enables streamlined scalability and integrates with their devices, with benefits including: Open Platform: OpenEye Web Services (OWS) enabled the business to integrate their existing cameras into the cloud video platform for more streamlined deployment and better cost savings. Reliable Support: The company leveraged reliable support through OpenEye, ensuring that whenever their team needed a new recorder or assistance with their surveillance, they had it. Improved Operations: OWS’ effective user management features equipped facilities, HR, and other teams throughout the business with access to powerful video surveillance. With OpenEye Web Services, this luxury retailer has been able to enhance operations across their stores while ensuring their employees, customers, and assets are secure.

Based in New York City, NY, Flushing Bank operates 30 branches and has been a staple in their community for nearly 100 years. With a heart for their customers, Flushing Bank needed a solution that could help protect their customers, employees, and assets. Hoping to streamline investigations when incidents occurred, Flushing Bank wanted a system that could optimize video retrieval and sharing. Improving response time By working with OpenEye, this financial institution utilizes an intelligent cloud-managed video platform that improves their ability to gather evidence and share it with law enforcement or other necessary parties, with benefits including: Remote Access: OpenEye Web Services (OWS) enables Flushing Bank to remotely access security video from wherever they are on any device. Clip Sharing: Thanks to the cloud, Flushing Bank can streamline investigations by utilising clip sharing in OWS to easily export and share video. Video Verification: Flushing Bank receives video verification during critical incidents or suspicious activity to improve response time while simultaneously reducing false alarms. With OWS, the bank has been able to focus on what matters most while staying vigilant and improving collaboration with police.

Salisbury Poultry Limited is a pioneering UK poultry processing company with a strong reputation for quality and efficiency. Established over 30 years ago, the company operates a state-of-the-art facility, supplying fresh and frozen poultry products to major retailers, wholesalers, and the food service industry. With a commitment to innovation and high standards, Salisbury Poultry continues to invest in advanced processing technology, ensuring excellent product quality and compliance with the highest food safety and welfare regulations The Challenge - Salisbury Poultry faced challenges in accurately tracking employee attendance across multiple shifts, leading to inefficiencies in workforce management and payroll processing. Manual processes made it difficult to monitor lateness, manage overtime, and ensure compliance with working time regulations. They needed a reliable, automated time and attendance solution to improve accuracy, streamline operations, and enhance overall workforce efficiency. Overall workforce efficiency The solution - Salisbury Poultry needed a robust, efficient, and GDPR-compliant time and attendance solution to manage their workforce of over 1000 employees. Their key requirements included accurate time tracking, a streamlined authorization process for overtime, and a comprehensive leave management feature to monitor holiday entitlement and identify sickness patterns effectively. timeware® Professional was the ideal choice due to its advanced functionality, reliability, customization capabilities and the ability to integrate seamlessly with Salisbury’s existing workforce management processes. The software ensures that all attendance data is processed quickly and accurately, minimizing disruptions and enhancing operational efficiency. Additionally, timeware® provides the necessary GDPR features, ensuring data security and compliance with strict regulations. For attendance points, we recommended Suprema’s BioStation 3 face authentication device. With over 1000 employees clocking in and out daily, speed and accuracy were crucial. Improved workforce management The BioStation 3 offers fast, contactless face recognition, eliminating bottlenecks at shift changes and ensuring a seamless experience for staff. Enrollment is simple, fast, and efficient, allowing new employees to be registered quickly without delays. Suprema’s hardware is fully GDPR-compliant, providing Salisbury Poultry with the reassurance that all data is encrypted and secure. This ensures both the protection of personal information and the integrity of Salisbury’s security infrastructure, making the BioStation 3 the perfect solution for their needs. KEY BENEFITS Since adopting the timeware® solution with Suprema BioStation 3, Salisbury Poultry has significantly improved workforce management. Sensitive workforce data Accurate time tracking has streamlined payroll processing, eliminating errors and reducing the administrative workload. The leave management feature now efficiently tracks holiday entitlement and identifies sickness patterns, ensuring better resource planning. Suprema’s fast and secure face authentication has improved clocking-in efficiency, reducing queues and preventing attendance fraud. The automated overtime authorization process ensures compliance and enhances productivity. With GDPR-compliant security features, Salisbury Poultry now has a reliable, efficient system that supports over 1000 employees while safeguarding sensitive workforce data.

Passwords originated in ancient times, used by Roman military forces around the first century BC. Since then, passwords have evolved from physical words to the computer access control tools used today. Passwords are easy to implement, widely supported, and familiar to users. However, they are easily forgotten, stolen through phishing, prone to reuse, and vulnerable to credential-harvesting or brute-force attacks. We asked our Expert Panel: What is the role of passwords in physical security?

Critical national infrastructure encompasses sectors such as energy, utilities, healthcare, and data centers – environments that underpin economic stability and public safety. With so much at stake, the importance of effective security systems is that much higher. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: What are the unique aspects of the critical infrastructure market, and how should the security industry adapt?

Biometrics today provide better security and frictionless user experiences. Biometric identifiers like fingerprints, facial recognition, and iris scans are unique and difficult to forge. They eliminate the vulnerabilities of traditional authentication and streamline secure access control. Identity verification reliably protects sensitive digital information and physical entry. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: How is the role of biometrics evolving in physical access control?