Biometric time and attendance

Access control and integrated security management vendor Maxxess has expanded its UK and Ireland operations with the appointment of Russell Baker as business development & account manager. Responsibilities Russell will be based out of the company’s European head office in Bracknell, UK, and will handle the substantial increase in demand for the firm’s signature solution, the eFusion™ access control, and security management platform. Building on the success of Maxxess solutions in the corporate, higher education, hospitality, and healthcare sectors, offering enterprise-class access control and integrated security, he will support existing partners and end-users and as well as developing new relationships with systems integrators,  consultants, and end-users across the UK and Europe. Work experience Russell has over two decades of experience spanning video surveillance, access control, intruder, and systems integration A familiar face in the security industry, Russell has over two decades of experience spanning video surveillance, access control, intruder, and systems integration. He started his career at Chubb and went on to sales management roles with security systems integrators and tech vendors including Vicon and Zenitel Group. A longstanding member of the Association of Security Consultants (ASC), Russell has a proven track record in consulting roles as well as sales management. Feedback   Lee Copland, Managing Director Maxxess EMEA, said, “We’re delighted to welcome Russell on board. He is well-positioned to leverage the increasing demand for cost-effective, integrated systems that drive operational efficiency by digitizing processes and workflows.”  “He will build on Maxxess’s existing installed base as well as helping many more organizations upgrade and digitize their infrastructures and bring new technologies on line.” Developing better access solutions Russell Baker commented, “With Maxxess eFusion and eVisitor enabling more affordable integrated site security and safety solutions, I am looking forward to working closely with consultants and systems integrators to develop project opportunities.” “These solutions are now very much in demand as customers look towards better access and people management solutions to support more flexible workplace operations post-pandemic.”

GeoVision has announced the release of GV-Control Center (V4.0), integrated security management software, designed for central monitoring systems. GV-Control Center is designed for enterprise system users, to handle high-volume video data. From real-time monitoring, video playback, event detection pop-up, I/O central monitoring, 3D E-map, and communications, GV-Control Center helps security guards to quickly identify threats, and take swift actions. GV-Control Center (V4.0) GeoVision unveils a re-designed user experience on GV-Control Center (V4.0), to streamline its interfaces and aim at building a consistent experience, across the platforms of GV-VMS and GV-Edge Recording Manager. Additionally, GV-Control Center V4.0 introduces the new viewing windows, Face Recognition (FR) Watch and ASManager View, to integrate the monitoring of face recognition, access control, and LPR events into the central monitoring operation. The AI (video analytics) events from forefront GV-VMS software and GeoVision AI cameras are also incorporated in the new version.

Algorithm development at Cognitec Systems GmbH (Cognitec) continues to engineer the optimal balance between speed and accuracy of the face matching processes. NIST’s Face Recognition Vendor Test The latest results of the U.S. NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) Face Recognition Vendor Test for identification tasks, show the Cognitec algorithm in the best position of all algorithms tested, when relating the template generation time to the false negative identification rate (miss rate), for mug shot databases. The identification test addresses the largest market for face recognition applications The identification test addresses the largest market for face recognition applications, including the detection of duplicates in image databases and fraud detection, during passport and driver’s license applications. These tests apply a very high matching threshold, where only 0.3 % (3/1000) of probes, without a mate in the gallery, produces a false hit, one of the most difficult face recognition tasks. Accuracy advances in face matching algorithms “We are proud to also see significant accuracy advances, in comparison to the algorithm that we submitted to the last test in early 2021,” said Dr. Thorsten Thies, the Director of Algorithm Development at Cognitec Systems GmbH. Dr. Thorsten Thies adds, “For the test, with 12 million mug shot images, Cognitec achieved rank 24 out of 165 algorithms, with a match rate of 98.5 %. In the test, with 1.6 million mug shots, with a 99.4 % match rate, we ranked 26 out of 299 algorithms. These results show remarkable performance consistency, regardless of database size.” Cognitec-005 face matching algorithm The September 2021 test evaluates face matching algorithms from 85 different vendors. Cognitec Systems GmbH submitted a new algorithm, with a revised face finder, called Cognitec-005 algorithm, in the report.

Suprema, a global pioneer in biometric security and access control, announced the launch of an upgraded version of its X-Station 2 access control terminal, which supports fingerprint authentication. In May 2021, Suprema launched four models of X-Station 2, a next-generation “versatile intelligent terminal” that supports a variety of authentication methods from cellphone access cards to RFID cards, QR codes, and barcodes. The newest X-Station 2 model comes equipped with a fingerprint recognition module that provides more options for customers. Features The main features of X-Station 2 include: Support for various authentication methods such as cellphone access, QR codes, fingerprints, and RFID cards Fraud prevention via authentication photos using a built-in camera A convenient 4-inch touch screen Up to 500,000 users can be stored and processed Contactless authentication Suprema CEO Hanchul Kim said, “With COVID-19 increasing the demand for smartphone-based, non-face-to-face solutions, we received good reviews following the original launch of our X-Station 2 cellphone access authentication terminal.” “The newly launched X-Station 2 fingerprint model diversifies contactless authentication options to customers who use existing biometric information. They can now enjoy the same level of security performance while offering users the convenience and peace of mind that mobile access brings.”

Everything changed for QR codes when the COVID-19 pandemic got close to life in early 2020. QR codes are suddenly everywhere. But while they’re popping up faster than TikTok trends, it might be a surprise to learn that they were actually created in 1994, which makes them almost the same age as the World Wide Web. So they’re actually pretty old, in tech time — but they’re only just now becoming relevant to the everyday consumer. What’s that about? Digital no-Touch payments Quick response (QR) codes were invented at Japanese automotive company Denso Wave. The goal was to make auto part scanning easier and more efficient with a new barcode that could hold more information than the traditional rectangular one. The black and white design is based on the popular board game Go and one QR code can hold exponentially more information than a traditional barcode. In Singapore, QR codes have played a significant role in the fight against COVID-19, notes Benjamin Pavanetto, the Managing Director for Asia at Adludio, as a method of contact tracing, as well as digital no-touch payments to minimize contact among humans. Non-Compulsory health certificate As pandemics arise, the QR codes were given more functions besides shopping and advertising "In China too, QR codes are ubiquitous although it raised some controversy around data privacy, and this is something the authorities need to closely regulate. Chinese consumers utilize QR codes regularly for shopping, billboard advertising, identification of pets, as well as to make quick donations," he adds. As pandemics arise, the QR codes were given more functions besides shopping and advertising. In March, the European Commissioner in charge of vaccines outlined requirements for a non-compulsory health certificate, or vaccine passport, equipped with a QR code to track medical records of European citizens. The health certificate is available from the websites of the Ministries of Health for each EU country. The scanned QR code makes it easy to verify that the certificate holder has been vaccinated against COVID-19. It also provides information on the origin of the vaccine, if the individual has already been a carrier of the virus, and if they have antibodies. Providing cloud management To fulfill the requirement of European Commissioner, FaceDeep 3 now enable QR code version that supports users to scan QR code for entry and modify requirements that can suit every daily life situations. FaceDeep 3 also supports combination verification include body temperature and mask detection. If users need to manage access attendance for various locations, FaceDeep 3 QR series can work with CrossChex software to provide cloud management. FaceDeep 3 QR series can support most scenes to be used by different types of mounts. Italy become the first European country that make coronavirus vaccine passport compulsory for all state and private employees recently, and most countries will consider to make the COVID-19 QR code mandatory if Italy end with a good result. Together, Anviz provides secured and convenient access control and time attendance solutions specialize for European users.

Teledyne FLIR, part of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated introduced the Neutrino SX8 mid-wavelength infrared (MWIR) camera module and four additional Neutrino IS Series models designed for integrated solutions requiring HD MWIR imagery with size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP+C) constraints for commercial, industrial, defense original equipment manufacturers (OEM), and system integrators. High performance and imagery Based on Teledyne FLIR HOT FPA technology, the Neutrino SX8 offers high-performance, 1280x1024 HD MWIR imagery for ruggedized products requiring long life, low power consumption, and quiet, low vibration operation.  The SX8 and the Neutrino IS series models are ideal for integration with small gimbals, airframes, handheld devices, security cameras, targeting devices, and asset monitoring applications. Reduced time-to-market and development risk Teledyne FLIR provides highly qualified technical services teams for integration support and expertise The latest additions to the Neutrino MWIR camera portfolio continue to provide shortened time-to-market and reduced project risk with off-the-shelf design and delivery. Teledyne FLIR also provides highly qualified technical services teams for integration support and expertise throughout the development and design cycle. All the cameras and solutions in the Neutrino series are classified under US Department of Commerce jurisdiction as EAR 6A003.b.4.a and are not subject to International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Neutrino IS products include a Teledyne FLIR CZ lens integrated with a Neutrino SWaP Series camera module (VGA or SXGA). All four models using the Neutrino LC and two models using the Neutrino SX8 provide crisp, long-range MWIR imaging. The purpose-designed, factory-integrated CZ lenses and MWIR camera modules provide performance, cost, schedule, and risk benefits unmatchable by other camera or lens suppliers.

The COVID-19 pandemic is only accelerating the expansion of Automation, Robotics, Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), and changing how people live their daily lives. This expansion leads the way with technologies that are developed to solve problems, improve operations, streamline processes and assist people, to focus on learning new skills, creativity, and imagination. Transformation of the physical security industry One of the latest industries to be permanently transformed is physical security. The era of utilizing security cameras is slowly changing into more advanced and more efficient technological applications - security robotic solutions. SMP Robotics is a California-based company, which is a pioneer in developing robotic technologies, powered by AI, to assist, improve and deliver on new expectations in today’s world. One of their services is smart surveillance systems. This represents a proactive approach to security. The company, SMP Robotics’ Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Leo Ryzhenko, stated “Autonomous robotic technologies will become a driving force in future security solutions.” Robotics and AI in autonomous security solutions The robots can patrol 24/7, counteracting intrusion and communicating via voice message with guards The company uses robotics and AI technology to implement autonomous security solutions, which reduce liability and overhead, as well as improving the quality of services. Robotic guards are capable of patrolling all types of facilities, in both urban and rural contexts. The robots can patrol 24/7, counteracting intrusion and communicating via voice message with guards. The inspection robots, deployed by SMP Robotics, are easily integrated with many existing security technologies, armed with obstacle avoidance and anti-collision measures, automatically recharge, and can recognize faces up to 50 meters. As the world grows increasingly complex, technology like this is essential to ensure safety for all. AI-enabled autonomous video monitoring ground vehicles The advancements in technological breakthroughs of SMP Robotics position the company and its AI-powered, autonomous video monitoring ground vehicles, to be the most adaptable to any industry, cost-effective for clients’ business needs, in providing various types of services from public safety, crime prevention, to asset protection and physical security. SMP Robotics continues to implement new innovative solutions and groundbreaking technologies in its latest generation of autonomous models. Currently, many were already deployed or in a process to be delivered to a number of key clients, in various industries throughout the globe, from oil & gas, nuclear power plants to data centers, healthcare facilities, and amusement parks. Smart security robots Tal Turner, the Vice President (VP) of Business Development and Partnerships, SMP Robotics, said “We provide autonomous, artificial intelligence, all-weather, all-surface, smart security robots that are turnkey and operate independently on their own, using real-time obstacle avoidance, face recognition, and other cutting-edge technological advancements.” According to Coherent Market Insights, the Robots as a Service (RaaS) market direction will grow by 15.9% by 2028 and reach the threshold of 41.3 billion dollars. SMP Robotics stands at the forefront of the security robotic revolution, making an impactful change to make the world a safer place.

Recently, the European Parliament called for a ban on police use of facial recognition. In the US, too, some cities have restricted police use of facial recognition. The first question that comes to mind is - why ban police from using technology that is allowed to private companies? Point of difference The key difference between the way police use facial recognition and the way commercial facial recognition products work is that: The police get a picture of a suspect from a crime scene and want to find out: "Who is the person in the picture?" That requires as wide a database as possible. Optimally - photos and identities of all the people in the world. Commercial facial recognition products such as those used by supermarkets, soccer stadiums, or casinos answer different questions: "Is the person in the picture on the employees' list? Is the person in the picture on a watch-list of known shoplifters?" To answer these questions doesn't require a broad database but rather a defined list of employees or a watch-list of specific people against whom there is an arrest warrant or a restraining order. Use of facial recognition AnyVision helps organizations leverage facial recognition ethically to identify known persons of interest "Facial Recognition Apps Should Be Provided to the Police with an Empty Database". This is exactly the subject of the open letter sent by AnyVision, to the British Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner, Prof. Fraser Sampson, titled: "Facial Recognition Apps Should Be Provided to the Police with an Empty Database". AnyVision recently raised $235M from Softbank and another leading VCs is a visual AI platform company that helps organizations across the globe leverage facial recognition ethically to identify known persons of interest, including shoplifters, felons, and security threats. Ethical use of facial recognition AnyVision CEO Avi Golan wrote, "The ethical use of facial recognition is a thorny one and requires a nuanced discussion. Part of that discussion has to explain how facial recognition works, but, just as important, the discussion must also involve how the technology is used by police departments and what checks and balances are built into their processes.” “We recommend building their watchlists from the ground up based on known felons, persons of interest, and missing persons. Some facial recognition solution providers have scrapped billions of photos and identities of people from social networks, usually without their consent." "Unfortunately, this method of facial recognition has justifiably angered privacy groups and data protection agencies around the globe and damaged the public trust in accuracy and reliability of facial recognition systems.” Preventing invasion of citizen’s privacy We believe an unjustified invasion of citizens' privacy can be prevented, false arrests can be reduced" “We believe that lists of suspects should be limited and justified. In this way, unjustified invasion of citizens' privacy can be prevented, false arrests can be reduced and public confidence in technology can be increased.” Golan added: "AnyVision is willing to share its industry insights and best practices from our vast research experience with leading global players, including name-brand retailers, global hospitality and entertainment companies, and law enforcement agencies from around the world.” Balancing public order and Crime prevention “If the regulations set forth by Surveillance Camera Code of Practice are committed to the principles outlined above, then law enforcement agencies can strike the right balance between the need to maintain public order and prevent crime with the rights of every person to privacy and non-discrimination before the law." Recently Clearview AI CEO told Wired; the company has scraped 10 billion photos from the web - 3 times more than was previously known.

The concept of security has substantially upgraded because of technological advancements. We have seen a shift from mechanical locks to electronic locks and door access control systems which are more relied upon nowadays for watertight security and safety. But, choosing the system that is the best for you requires understanding how both these technologies work. In this article, you will get a clear idea of: How electronic locks are better than traditional locks The difference between access control systems and new locking mechanisms Why biometric technology is the best access control system What are traditional locks? These are mechanical locks having strong metal deadbolts, knob locks, levers, etc. They always require a matching physical key. Mechanical locks are easy to install and can protect houses and small offices. However, their keys can be copied easily. Anyone with a key can open a mechanical lock, no matter if it isn’t the owner. Insight: The only advantage of mechanical locks is they’re very modestly priced, so if your security requirements aren’t very complex, mechanical locks can serve you well. The new-age electronic locks Electronic or digital door locks give you increased control over who can enter your premises, extending greater security and accessibility. They are operated using cards or biometrics. Cards cannot be copied without the owner or the manufacturer’s knowledge. Some smart digital locks also provide information on who accessed your door and when, and any attempts of forced entry.  Insight: Although more costly than traditional locks, electronic locks are a better option and investment. What is access control? Access control is a comprehensive system of security that covers all the doors or access points of your premises, only allows entry to people who are registered in the system, exercises surveillance in terms of IDing each user requesting access, and maintains detailed records of all transactions done on the system. The elements required for installing and operating an access control system are: The access reader – This is installed on or beside the door or the access point, is connected to the electric lock, and acts upon the instructions programmed into it by the administrator. The access key – An RFID reader uses an RFID card key, and a biometric reader uses a biometric identifier (fingerprint, palmprint, etc.). The control panel – This stores all the information of the access keys, employees, visitors, etc. and reads commands from the key and sends it to the reader. Electronic lock – The access control door locks are controlled by the control panel. Access control systems go beyond electronic locks as they bring your entire premises under one security framework for convenient monitoring. Why Biometric Access Control Systems Are The Best Bet Biometrics – the science of evaluating features of the human body to establish your identity. Biometric technology has been earning immense approval all over the world in the last two decades. From quick access to managing records of visitors, biometrics does it all, making it the best access control system in use.  As a general practice, companies looking to install biometric security solutions should consider the following points to make their decision easier and more accurate: The purpose for which the system is to be installed. The group of employees who will be using it. The area and scale where it is going to function. Understanding Biometric Access Control Mechanisms According to reports, biometric verification was first encouraged by law enforcement agencies in the 1800s to identify criminals. Later, it was adopted by businesses and large companies for recording the attendance of their employees and maintaining records. Today, technological advancements have developed biometric access control & security systems that can analyze an array of biometric identifiers: Facial Recognition  Fingerprint Recognition Voice Recognition  Iris Recognition Retinal Scans The easiest to install and the most common biometric ACS (access control system) is fingerprint recognition. They’re highly preferred by organizations of all scales and sizes and are easy for employees to operate as well. Next in line is facial recognition, which is slightly expensive due to its equipment and tech, but highly adopted, nevertheless. This has become possible due to facial unlocking systems flooding the smartphone market and making this technology more normalized, plus the onset of the covid-19 pandemic that surged the demands for contactless solutions everywhere.  Insight: For this reason, many biometric access control system manufacturers develop scalable devices that can accommodate multiple identifiers as per the client’s necessities. A unique benefit of the voice recognition component in access control mechanisms is ‘convenience with fun’. We cannot deny the expediency of "Hello Google", "Hey Siri" and "Alexa" in Google Assistant and Apple's voice recognition facilities. Voice recognition is a comparatively costlier access control mechanism and so small companies hesitate to employ it.   Insight: Voice recognition is a developing technology; it can become cost-efficient in the future.   Both iris recognition and retinal scans are ocular-based biometric identification technologies that seem similar but are actually quite different. A retina scan is performed by casting a beam of low-energy infrared light into a person’s eye as they look through a scanner’s eyepiece at close range. Iris scanning uses camera technology to obtain a detail-rich image mapping out the intricate structure of the iris. Overview: Retina scanning is more invasive than iris scanning because the retina is positioned at the back of the eye. Iris scans take a picture of the iris from a distance, whereas retina scanning takes a picture of the iris by putting the person's eye close to the scanner. Insight: Companies looking to install these 2 systems should consider the users as retina scanning works the best for in-person authentication, and iris scanning can be done digitally. How Does Access Control Transcend All Other Locking Systems? The number of benefits that modern access control systems offer is quite evident. They encompass all features of traditional as well as electronic locks and amplify security to a significant level. Moreover, biometric access control raises the bar by eliminating the risks of keys/ proximity cards getting stolen and enforcing identity-based access so that only the one who is authorized can enter.

The trend of video customers moving to the cloud has reached a tipping point. At the same time, artificial intelligence (AI) is being adopted on a massive scale. Combining the two trends adds a higher level of value than either component individually. Merging the power of AI and the cloud is a driving force behind cloud surveillance company Eagle Eye Networks’ acquisition of Uncanny Vision, an AI and video analytics company headquartered in Bangalore, India. Expensive AI resources Cloud systems empower customers to leverage AI without having to install and program complicated and expensive hardware, in effect stripping away the barriers to entry that customers face when seeking to embrace AI. The cloud also enables customers to share expensive AI resources. One of the key components is ease of deployment – click, click and turn on the AI for any camera" Simplicity of implementation is crucial to the combined value proposition of Eagle Eye Networks and Uncanny Vision. “One of the key components is ease of deployment – click, click and turn on the AI for any camera (in a cloud system),” says Dean Drako, Eagle Eye Networks CEO. There is also a benefit of having AI systems networked, enabling 25 banks to perform facial recognition of customers from a single cloud-based system, he adds. A transition is also under way in the perception of AI. Video surveillance applications While previously it was seen as an add-on to surveillance systems, now it is seen as a very desirable feature on any system. “Centralized management of the cloud benefits the AI database,” says Drako. “In a project built around license plate recognition (LPR), for example, all the data goes up to the cloud into a single database, and the customer can get a mobile view of everything going on across the world. You can’t do that without the cloud. And AI for LPR is more accurate.” Uncanny Vision’s targeted focus on AI for video surveillance applications was one factor that attracted Eagle Eye Networks to make the acquisition, says Drako. In contrast, some other companies have embraced broader applications of video AI. Uncanny Vision also has more customers using their system in real-world applications than competitors. Finally, the acquisition will help to expand Eagle Eye Networks’ presence in the LPR market, where Uncanny Vision is especially strong. Improving business operations The 60 employees at Uncanny Vision are mostly engineers and programmers Uncanny Vision’s deep learning algorithms enable recognition, identification, and prediction, improving business operations, customer service, and site safety. Applications include smart parking, retail, smart cities, ATM monitoring, worker safety and perimeter security. The 60 employees at Uncanny Vision are mostly engineers and programmers. “These guys understand how to translate AI algorithms to run very efficiently on various types of hardware,” says Drako. “They optimize how they get the code to run so we can implement in the cloud cost-effectively. They do it at a modest cost to make it more accessible. They understand how to deploy software for high performance on low-cost hardware.” For Uncanny Vision, the new ownership provides more reach. “We have a huge channel and a huge brand,” says Drako. “They are strong technical guys who need a sales and solution channel.” Video analytics solutions Even in light of the acquisition, Eagle Eye Networks will continue to provide a selection of third-party AI and video analytics solutions to customers. Use of AI and video analytics is specific to the application and business needs of each customer. Use of AI and video analytics is specific to the application and business needs of each customer In addition to AI functionality, systems need a ‘business logic’ component that drives how that capability is integrated into a system. System needs vary widely by vertical market, and many third-party vendors are focused on a specific vertical and how AI can benefit that market. Recurring monthly revenue “Third parties can provide analytics and the business logic, which is different for a factory, an office building or for a drive-thru restaurant,” says Drako. “The market is looking for many solutions, and one company couldn’t own a majority of them.” To ensure flexibility, Eagle Eye Networks will accommodate third party solutions, deploy their own analytics, or leverage analytics embedded in cameras. For Eagle Eye Networks’ dealer and integrator customers, the expansion into AI presents a new opportunity for recurring monthly revenue (RMR) and provides greater value to customers. Drako says the impact of the acquisition will be global as AI applications grow in popularity worldwide.

A new generation of video cameras is poised to boost capabilities dramatically at the edge of the IP network, including more powerful artificial intelligence (AI) and higher resolutions, and paving the way for new applications that would have previously been too expensive or complex. Technologies at the heart of the coming new generation of video cameras are Ambarella’s newest systems on chips (SoCs). Ambarella’s CV5S and CV52S product families are bringing a new level of on-camera AI performance and integration to multi-imager and single-imager IP cameras. Both of these SoCs are manufactured in the ‘5 nm’ manufacturing process, bringing performance improvements and power savings, compared to the previous generation of SoCs manufactured at ‘10nm’. CV5S and CV52S AI-powered SoCs The CV5S, designed for multi-imager cameras, is able to process, encode and perform advanced AI on up to four imagers at 4Kp30 resolution, simultaneously and at less than 5 watts. This enables multi-headed camera designs with up to four 4K imagers looking at different portions of a scene, as well as very high-resolution, single-imager cameras of up to 32 MP resolution and beyond. The CV52S, designed for single-imager cameras with very powerful onboard AI, is the next-generation of the company’s successful CV22S mainstream 4K camera AI chip. This new SoC family quadruples the AI processing performance, while keeping the same low power consumption of less than 3 watts for 4Kp60 encoding with advanced AI processing. Faster and ubiquitous AI capabilities Ambarella’s newest AI vision SoCs for security, the CV5S and CV52S, are competitive solutions" “Security system designers desire higher resolutions, increasing channel counts, and ever faster and more ubiquitous AI capabilities,” explains John Lorenz, Senior Technology and Market Analyst, Computing, at Yole Développement (Yole), a French market research firm. John Lorenz adds, “Ambarella’s newest AI vision SoCs for security, the CV5S and CV52S, are competitive solutions for meeting the growing demands of the security IC (integrated circuit) sector, which our latest report forecasts to exceed US$ 4 billion by 2025, with two-thirds of that being chips with AI capabilities.” Edge AI vision processors Ambarella’s new CV5S and CV52S edge AI vision processors enable new classes of cameras that would not have been possible in the past, with a single SoC architecture. For example, implementing a 4x 4K multi-imager with AI would have traditionally required at least two SoCs (at least one for encoding and one for AI), and the overall power consumption would have made those designs bulky and prohibitively expensive. By reducing the number of required SoCs, the CV5S enables advanced camera designs such as AI-enabled 4x 4K imagers at price points much lower than would have previously been possible. “What we are usually trying to do with our SoCs is to keep the price points similar to the previous generations, given that camera retail prices tend to be fairly fixed,” said Jerome Gigot, Ambarella's Senior Director of Marketing. 4K multi-imager cameras “However, higher-end 4K multi-imager cameras tend to retail for thousands of dollars, and so even though there will be a small premium on the SoC for the 2X improvement in performance, this will not make a significant impact to the final MSRP of the camera,” adds Jerome Gigot. In addition, the overall system cost might go down, Gigot notes, compared to what could be built today because there is no longer a need for external chips to perform AI, or extra components for power dissipation. The new chips will be available in the second half of 2021, and it typically takes about 12 to 18 months for Ambarella’s customers (camera manufacturers) to produce final cameras. Therefore, the first cameras, based on these new SoCs, should hit the market sometime in the second half of 2022. Reference boards for camera manufacturers The software on these new SoCs is an evolution of our unified Linux SDK" As with Ambarella’s previous generations of edge AI vision SoCs for security, the company will make available reference boards to camera manufacturers soon, allowing them to develop their cameras based on the new CV5S and CV52S SoC families. “The software on these new SoCs is an evolution of our unified Linux SDK that is already available on our previous generations SoCs, which makes the transition easy for our customers,” said Jerome Gigot. Better crime detection Detecting criminals in a crowd, using face recognition and/or license plate recognition, has been a daunting challenge for security, and one the new chips will help to address. “Actually, these applications are one of the main reasons why Ambarella is introducing these two new SoC families,” said Jerome Gigot. Typically, resolutions of 4K and higher have been a smaller portion of the security market, given that they came at a premium price tag for the high-end optics, image sensor and SoC. Also, the cost and extra bandwidth of storing and streaming 4K video were not always worth it for the benefit of just viewing video at higher resolution. 4K AI processing on-camera The advent of on-camera AI at 4K changes the paradigm. By enabling 4K AI processing on-camera, smaller objects at longer distances can now be detected and analyzed without having to go to a server, and with much higher detail and accuracy compared to what can be done on a 2 MP or 5 MP cameras. This means that fewer false alarms will be generated, and each camera will now be able to cover a longer distance and wider area, offering more meaningful insights without necessarily having to stream and store that 4K video to a back-end server. “This is valuable, for example, for traffic cameras mounted on top of high poles, which need to be able to see very far out and identify cars and license plates that are hundreds of meters away,” said Jerome Gigot. The advent of on-camera AI at 4K changes the paradigm Enhanced video analytics and wider coverage “Ambarella’s new CV5S and CV52S SoCs truly allow the industry to take advantage of higher resolution on-camera for better analytics and wider coverage, but without all the costs typically incurred by having to stream high-quality 4K video out 24/7 to a remote server for offline analytics,” said Jerome Gigot. He adds, “So, next-generation cameras will now be able to identify more criminals, faces and license plates, at longer distances, for an overall lower cost and with faster response times by doing it all locally on-camera.” Deployment in retail applications Retail environments can be some of the toughest, as the cameras may be looking at hundreds of people at once Retail applications are another big selling point. Retail environments can be some of the toughest, as the cameras may be looking at hundreds of people at once (e.g., in a mall), to provide not only security features, but also other business analytics, such as foot traffic and occupancy maps that can be used later to improve product placement. The higher resolution and higher AI performance, enabled by the new Ambarella SoCs, provide a leap forward in addressing those scenarios. In a store setup, a ceiling-mounted camera with four 4K imagers can simultaneously look at the cashier line on one side of the store, sending alerts when a line is getting too long and a new cashier needs to be deployed, while at the same time looking at the entrance on the other side of the store, to count the people coming in and out. This leaves two additional 4K imagers for monitoring specific product aisles and generating real-time business analytics. Use in cashier-less stores Another retail application is a cashier-less store. Here, a CV5S or CV52S-based camera mounted on the ceiling will have enough resolution and AI performance to track goods, while the customer grabs them and puts them in their cart, as well as to automatically track which customer is purchasing which item. In a warehouse scenario, items and boxes moving across the floor could also be followed locally, on a single ceiling-mounted camera that covers a wide area of the warehouse. Additionally, these items and boxes could be tracked across the different imagers in a multi-headed camera setup, without the video having to be sent to a server to perform the tracking. Updating on-camera AI networks Another feature of Ambarella’s SoCs is that their on-camera AI networks can be updated on-the-fly, without having to stop the video recording and without losing any video frames. So, for example in the case of a search for a missing vehicle, the characteristics of that missing vehicle (make, model, color, license plate) can be sent to a cluster of cameras in the general area, where the vehicle is thought to be missing, and all those cameras can be automatically updated to run a live search on that specific vehicle. If any of the cameras gets a match, a remote operator can be notified and receive a picture, or even a live video feed of the scene. Efficient traffic management With the CV52S edge AI vision SoC, those decisions can be made locally at each intersection by the camera itself Relating to traffic congestion, most big cities have thousands of intersections that they need to monitor and manage. Trying to do this from one central location is costly and difficult, as there is so much video data to process and analyze, in order to make those traffic decisions (to control the traffic lights, reverse lanes, etc.). With the CV52S edge AI vision SoC, those decisions can be made locally at each intersection by the camera itself. The camera would then take actions autonomously (for example, adjust traffic-light timing) and only report a status update to the main traffic control center. So now, instead of having one central location trying to manage 1,000 intersections, a city can have 1,000 smart AI cameras, each managing its own location and providing updates and metadata to a central server. Superior privacy Privacy is always a concern with video. In this case, doing AI on-camera is inherently more private than streaming the video to a server for analysis. Less data transmission means fewer points of entry for a hacker trying to access the video. On Ambarella’s CV5S and CV52S SoCs, the video can be analyzed locally and then discarded, with just a signature or metadata of the face being used to find a match. No actual video needs to be stored or transmitted, which ensures total privacy. In addition, the chips contain a very secure hardware cyber security block, including OTP memory, Arm TrustZones, DRAM scrambling and I/O virtualization. This makes it very difficult for a hacker to replace the firmware on the camera, providing another level of security and privacy at the system level. Privacy Masking Another privacy feature is the concept of privacy masking. This feature enables portions of the video (say a door or a window) to be blocked out, before being encoded in the video stream. The blocked portions of the scene are not present in the recorded video, thus providing a privacy option for cameras that are facing private areas. “With on-camera AI, each device becomes its own smart endpoint, and can be reconfigured at will to serve the specific physical security needs of its installation,” said Jerome Gigot, adding “The possibilities are endless, and our mission as an SoC maker is really to provide a powerful and easy-to-use platform, complete with computer-vision tools, that enable our customers and their partners to easily deploy their own AI software on-camera.” Physical security in parking lots With a CV5S or CV52S AI-enabled camera, the camera will be able to cover a much wider portion of the parking lot One example is physical security in a parking lot. A camera today might be used to just record part of the parking lot, so that an operator can go back and look at the video if a car were broken into or some other incident occurred. With a CV5S or CV52S AI-enabled camera, first of all, the camera will be able to cover a much wider portion of the parking lot. Additionally, it will be able to detect the license plates of all the cars going in and out, to automatically bill the owners. If there is a special event, the camera can be reprogrammed to identify VIP vehicles and automatically redirect them to the VIP portion of the lot, while reporting to the entrance station or sign how many parking spots are available. It can even tell the cars approaching the lot where to go. Advantages of using edge AI vision SoCs Jerome Gigot said, “The possibilities are endless and they span across many verticals. The market is primed to embrace these new capabilities. Recent advances in edge AI vision SoCs have brought about a period of change in the physical security space. Companies that would have, historically, only provided security cameras, are now getting into adjacent verticals such as smart retail, smart cities and smart buildings.” He adds, “These changes are providing a great opportunity for all the camera makers and software providers to really differentiate themselves by providing full systems that offer a new level of insights and efficiencies to, not only the physical security manager, but now also the store owner and the building manager.” He adds, “All of these new applications are extremely healthy for the industry, as they are growing the available market for cameras, while also increasing their value and the economies of scale they can provide. Ambarella is looking forward to seeing all the innovative products that our customers will build with this new generation of SoCs.”

The city of Baltimore has banned the use of facial recognition systems by residents, businesses and the city government (except for police). The criminalization in a major U.S. city of an important emerging technology in the physical security industry is an extreme example of the continuing backlash against facial recognition throughout the United States. Facial recognition technology ban Several localities – from Portland, Oregon, to San Francisco, from Oakland, California, to Boston – have moved to limit use of the technology, and privacy groups have even proposed a national moratorium on use of facial recognition. The physical security industry, led by the Security Industry Association (SIA), vigorously opposed the ban in Baltimore, urging a measured approach and ‘more rational policymaking’ that preserve the technology’s value while managing any privacy or other concerns. Physical security industry opposes ban In such cases, it is local businesses and residents who stand to lose the most" “Unfortunately, an outright ban on facial recognition continues a distressing pattern in which the clear value of this technology is ignored,” said SIA’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Don Erickson, adding “In such cases, it is local businesses and residents who stand to lose the most.” At the national level, a letter to US President Biden from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Coalition asserts the need for a national dialog over the appropriate use of facial recognition technology and expresses concern about ‘a blanket moratorium on federal government use and procurement of the technology’. (The coalition includes Security Industry Association (SIA) and other industry groups.) The negativity comes at a peak moment for facial recognition and other biometric technologies, which saw an increase of interest for a variety of public and business applications, during the COVID-19 pandemic’s prioritization to improve public health hygiene and to promote ‘contactless’ technologies. Prohibition on banks, retailers and online sellers The ordinance in Baltimore prohibits banks from using facial recognition to enhance consumer security in financial transactions. It prevents retailers from accelerating checkout lines with contactless payment and prohibits remote online identity document verification, which is needed by online sellers or gig economy workers, according to the Security Industry Association (SIA). At a human level, SIA points out that the prohibition of facial recognition undermines the use of customized accessibility tools for disabled persons, including those suffering with blindness, memory loss or prosopagnosia (face blindness). Ban out of line with current state of facial recognition Addressing the Baltimore prohibition, the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation reacted to the measure as ‘shockingly out of line with the current state of facial recognition technology and its growing adoption in many sectors of the economy’. Before Baltimore’s decision to target facial recognition, Portland, Oregon, had perhaps the strictest ban, prohibiting city government agencies and private businesses from using the technology on the city’s grounds. San Francisco was the first U.S. city to ban the technology, with Boston, Oakland; Cambridge, Massachusetts; and Berkeley, California, among others, following suit. Police and federal units can use biometrics Unlike other bans, the Baltimore moratorium does not apply to police uses Unlike other bans, the Baltimore moratorium does not apply to police uses, but targets private uses of the technology. It also includes a one-year ‘sunset’ clause that requires city council approval for an extension. The measure carves out an exemption for use of biometrics in access control systems. However, violations of the measure are punishable by 12 months in jail. The law also establishes a task force to evaluate the cost and effectiveness of surveillance tools. Transparency in public sector use of facial recognition Currently, the state of Maryland controls the Baltimore Police Department, so the city council does not have authority to ban police use of facial recognition, which has been a human rights concern driving the bans in other jurisdictions. A measure to return local control of police to the city could pass before the year lapses. SIA advocates transparency in public-sector applications of facial recognition in identity verification, security and law enforcement investigative applications. SIA’s CEO, Don Erickson stated, “As public sector uses are more likely to be part of processes with consequential outcomes, it is especially important for transparency and sound policies to accompany government applications.”

Honeywell announces it was selected to lead the Bengaluru Safe City project under the Nirbhaya Fund by the Government of India’s Ministry of Home Affairs. The project aims to create a safe, secure, and empowering environment for women and girls in public places to enable them to pursue all opportunities without the threat of gender-based violence or harassment. The Bengaluru Safe City project is valued at INR 496.57 crore ($67 million USD). Advanced video analytics Honeywell will create an integrated Command & Control Center to manage a state-of-the-art video system that features more than 7,000 video cameras deployed at more than 3,000 locations across the city. The video system will provide advanced video analytics, including facial recognition, a ‘Dial 100’ application, and drones. Honeywell will also upgrade the city police department’s existing Suraksha app to help improve incident response rate and citizen engagement. Bengaluru is among eight cities selected for India’s Safe City project, which involves the identification of hot spots for crimes against women and the deployment of various components, including infrastructure, technology adoption, and capacity building in the community through awareness programs. Making informed decisions Honeywell helps develop future-ready cities with its wide portfolio of smart city offerings" “Globally, Honeywell helps develop future-ready cities with its wide portfolio of smart city offerings, including a focus on connected safety and security technology,” said Matthew Britt, Smart Cities General Manager, Honeywell Building Technologies. “Our technology-led integrator approach combined with our global expertise in delivering complex integrated solutions can help city administrators make informed decisions and improve safety for citizens in near real-time, with the goal of turning Bengaluru into a city that’s safer, smarter and more resilient.” The Bengaluru Safe City project will be implemented in phases. Honeywell will operate and maintain the security infrastructure for five years. Smart city systems Honeywell’s smart city systems connect more than 100,000 IoT sensors and touch the lives of more than 100 million people. The company’s solutions help create actionable insights that city authorities and municipalities can use to improve their situational awareness, economic development, and quality of life for residents. Honeywell has delivered similar projects under India’s Smart Cities Mission across multiple states, including Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat, to name a few.

Alcatraz AI has announced that they are bringing the Alcatraz AI Rock facial authentication solution to BrainBox AI’s offices. BrainBox AI is at the forefront of building automation and a renowned company in the green building revolution. Identity and facemask verification solution As BrainBox AI’s office recently re-opened with limited capacity, the company is taking proactive steps, through Alcatraz AI’s robust identity and facemask verification solution, in order to keep employees safe. As one survey showed, two-thirds of employees have safety concerns, regarding the return of on-site operations. Considering these statistics, health and safety must be top priorities for businesses, as they re-open. BrainBox AI is keeping its employees’ safety at the top-of-mind, by installing Alcatraz AI’s Rock solution, before they return, to ensure greater safety and security. Alcatraz AI’s Rock facial authentication solution Alcatraz AI’s Rock facial authentication solution combines advanced AI and 3D sensing technologies Alcatraz AI’s Rock facial authentication solution combines advanced AI and 3D sensing technologies, to provide facilities with enterprise-grade identity verification, which is needed to create secure spaces. Rock’s state-of-the-art security features include touchless access, multi-factor authentication, video at the door and intelligent tailgating detection. Alcatraz AI’s access control solution, the Rock, effectively detects tailgating and sends ‘real-time alerts’, if an unauthorized person enters, and sends real-time notifications to ACS/VMS. BrainBox AI, leading the green building revolution “BrainBox AI is leading the green building revolution, and we are looking forward to bringing frictionless, multi-sensor technology and a touchless authentication feature to the office,” said Tina D’ Agostin, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Alcatraz AI, adding “By utilizing the Alcatraz AI Rock, we’ve helped BrainBox AI’s offices re-open smoothly and safely.” “BrainBox AI is excited to announce its partnership with Alcatraz AI. Our employees’ safety is always our top priority. We are confident The Rock’s touchless authentication and the frictionless security system will give each BrainBox AI employee peace of mind, when returning to the office,” said Jean-Simon Venne, the Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of BrainBox AI.

Starr Corporation, located in American Falls, Idaho, United States, needed a way to track people’s time for time cards for a project that was to last a year long. It contacted Anviz for assistance. The customer, a food manufacturer, saw what they were doing for the construction site and wanted to have all subcontractors use the system, as to date there are 10,000 users and 200 some companies using the system. The challenge: For about a year-long length of the project, who comes to the construction site and who leaves. At any moment pull up a report of who is on-site ordered by the company. There are 200+ contractors and subcontractors on this project. The solution: It organized it so that company was the project name; departments were the various companies working on that project. Key benefits: Accuracy of capturing people and ability of reporting. Comments “The monthly attendance hours that CrossChex Cloud report to me took me 20 minutes to prepare to the bill while it typically takes me 2 hours without it,” said Brad Shroeder Pocatello, Idaho Manager.

Visa chooses Callsign, as their preferred behavioral biometric digital and device intelligence identity provider. Under the agreement, Visa will introduce Callsign's behavioral biometric and device fingerprinting solutions to the Visa network of financial institutions, payment service providers (PSPs), and merchants across Europe. Callsign joins the Visa Fintech Partner Connect program giving banks, merchants, and the wider card ecosystem access to Callsign's Intelligence-driven authentication solutions which positively identify consumers using inherent behavioral biometrics while detecting and preventing fraud. Allowing genuine access via MFA Callsign technology helps banks, merchants, and PSPs to answer two questions; is the user who they say they are? And are they permitted to access the service they are requesting? Callsign combines behavioral biometrics, device intelligence with MFA to help authenticate users' identities Using machine learning techniques Callsign combines behavioral biometrics, device intelligence, and geo-location with multi-factor authentication to help authenticate users' identities. This approach helps banks, merchants, and PSPs to secure and authenticate users' identities frictionlessly, stopping fraud early and only letting genuine customers access their service and transact safely and seamlessly. Need for secure and accurate user experience The agreement comes at a time of spiraling fraud, according to a recent report, every second fraudulent transaction in the finance industry was account take over. Card, not present fraud (CNP) accounted for 79% of all card fraud across the Single European Payments Area and, figures from UK finance suggest that the money lost to Authorized Push Payment (APP) scams totaled nearly half a billion (479 million) in 2020. "The need to accurately identify users online for digital payments and online banking is critical due to the shift to online transactions in the past 18 months. Financial services organizations are looking for the technology that provides the most secure, accurate, and seamless user experience to incorporate into their solutions. We are pleased to be joining the Visa Fintech Partner Connect to work with Europe's leading fintech," concluded Amir Nooriala, Chief Commercial Officer, Callsign.

Adani Group is an Indian multi-national conglomerate, with its headquarters located in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, in India. The group’s diversified businesses include resources, logistics, energy sectors and agriculture business. Adani Group is the largest port developer and operator in India, with the Mundra port, located in Gujarat, the largest commercial port in India. Having multiple ports, branches, manufacturing units and corporate offices at various locations, Adani Group is one of the largest business units in India. In all, this business group has 15,000+ employees and 50,000+ workers (with 900+ third-party contractors), who are involved in the incorporation of various work orders, across 25+ business units. Attendance and shift record maintenance Adani Group is widely engaged in multiple business units and ports, with strength of 50,000+ workers, who are engaged under 900+ contractors employed at various locations. Maintaining and managing the entire attendance details, diverse shifts and leave policies for the various locations and numerous workers at a central place was critical for the multi-national conglomerate. Moreover, task allotment to workers based on its requirements, skills under a contractor and its verification against the respective contractor's report were tedious tasks for the management to deal with on a regular basis. To provide approved and appropriate induction of each worker, at a defined level, monitor progress status of each work order and its segregation, based on reports were quite challenging. COSEC Contract Workers Management solution Report generation to eliminate the fraudulent and erroneous payment of wages, at contractors' end, had been the need of the hour. Moreover, their requirement of timely and error-free payroll processing was to improve overall productivity. After a comprehensive discussion, with regards to the problems and requirements of the Adani Group’s management, Matrix offered its COSEC Contract Workers Management solution for their 50,000+ workers, who are working under 900+ contractors, spread across the enterprise’s four locations in India. Centralized attendance management solution Matrix’s COSEC Contract Workers Management solution offers a centralized attendance management solution Matrix’s COSEC Contract Workers Management solution offers a centralized attendance management solution for various branches that are spread across multiple locations, which automates all processes right from recording entries and exits, up to processing salaries. The COSEC Contract Workers Management solution facilitates enrollment of the worker credentials, along with photographs, documents and induction details. It helps contractors to manage workers efficiently, using contractors’ self-service portal. The solution provides multiple connectivity possibilities, via Ethernet, Wi-Fi and Mobile broadband. Seamless integration with SAP The solution also eases the tracking of work order progress. It offers seamless integration with SAP, using the database to database linking and offers the feature of real-time notifications, in cases of exceptional situations, via Email and SMS. Results: Enhanced security with effective worker’s enrollment process, abiding by various induction levels. Increase in productivity of administration by 20%. Easy decision making, due to the generation of customized reports. Smooth and effective monitoring of work orders. Improved security with centralized control and monitoring, with reduced time spent by the security department. Error-free man hours’ computation for quick & effective wages’ calculation. Minimized manual interventions. Products offered by Matrix include: COSEC CENTRA LE - Application software platform, expandable up to one million users. COSEC LE CWM - Contract Workers Management module for COSEC CENTRA LE. COSEC DOOR FOW - Fingerprint and RF card-based door controller with Wi-Fi connectivity. COSEC PATH DCFM - Fingerprint, Mifare card, and NFC-based door controller. COSEC VEGA FAX - Fingerprint and RF card-based premium door controller with Touch Sense LCD, IP65, Wi-Fi and POE connectivity options. COSEC DOOR FOP - Fingerprint and RF card-based premium door controller with LCD and keypad.

Four out of every five (82%) of existing CCTV and video monitoring systems are set to be extended to help keep schools and colleges ‘COVID Safe’, found a new education sector study of 91 education organizations based in the UK, US, Sweden, and Norway, carried out by video security as a service (VSaaS) provider AVA Security in March 2021. Many schools and colleges have already adapted their video monitoring systems to support COVID safety measures. For example, half (50%) of all those in charge of these systems had already adapted their existing video systems to help manage social distancing. A further 34% planned to use their systems for this purpose within the next 6 months.  Adopting video monitoring/CCTV technologies The AVA Security Education Sector Trends Report 2021 just out, provides a wealth of data and insight linked to how Operations, Security, and IT directors and managers within educational establishments in the US, Norway, Sweden, and the UK, are adapting their video monitoring or CCTV systems in the wake of the pandemic. Nearly four of every 10 (38%) educational institutions were already using their video monitoring systems to trace all student, staff, and visitor movements in, out, and around their premises and grounds to protect everyone from infection. A further 46% planned to configure these systems for this same purpose within the next 6 months. New COVID Safe-specific video analytics 29% were using their existing video systems to help provide temperature level health checks at some building entrances Nearly a third (29%) was already using their existing video systems to help provide temperature level health checks at some building entrances. A further 43% planned to enable temperature checking via their CCTV systems within the 6 months. Interestingly, 41% had already deployed their video systems for reporting on class or lecture hall occupancy levels and people density levels inside retail areas, dining facilities, and other leisure areas where students congregate. A further 41% said they were planning to add this capability via their video systems over the next 6 months. Mask and face recognition systems Mask detection analytics is also being widely deployed in US and Northern Europe’s schools and colleges: 35% had already deployed video analytics software now available for alerting security staff when teachers or students are inside a building but not wearing a mask. A further 31% planned to deploy mask detection analytics within the next 6 months. However, the Education sector is a more cautious deployer of facial recognition analytics in existing cameras to enable visual identification and contactless access control in the interests of reducing COVID infection via card touch-in gates. Only 22% of schools and colleges have deployed facial recognition to date, although this is set to more than double to 29% over the next 6 months. The biggest challenge of supporting all these changes appears to be paying for them: 31% of those in charge of video monitoring systems had already seen a significant reduction in budgets available for upgrading and improving video monitoring capabilities in the last year. A further 29% had seen a small reduction in budgets over the same timeframe. A further 8% thought fresh budget cuts were likely before the end of 2021. Cybersecurity becomes a key IT priority There has been an increased focus on cybersecurity to protect access to vital data and online learning resources As IT, operations, and security staff have had to run systems as well as teaching remotely during the pandemic, there has been an increased focus on cybersecurity to protect access to vital data and online learning resources. Just in the last few months, the University of Hertfordshire experienced a major cyberattack that led to the shutting down of key online learning apps including Zoom for students enrolled there. Over a third (35%) of educational institutions’ decision-makers questioned thought it ‘very likely that they would need to place a ‘larger focus on cybersecurity for all devices and applications that are networked’ as one impact of the pandemic. A further 48% thought an increased cybersecurity focus was ‘likely’. Linked to this, 27% of directors and managers running video security systems in schools and colleges saw an improvement to the video ‘system’s resilience and back-up systems/procedures’ as a ‘High Priority’ improvement that they needed to implement to protect video data this year, while a further 44% saw it as ‘Somewhat a Priority’. VSaaS selection criteria For the 82% of all education respondents actively considering Video Security as a Service (VSaaS) options right now, there were many criteria determining provider selection. Nearly nine out of 10 net (87%) considering VSaaS in 2021, agreed with the statement ‘It must have very strong cybersecurity, including end-to-end encryption from the camera to the cloud.’ Reduced costs and ease of use The VSaaS selected must also offer a reduction in the ‘Total Cost of Ownership of our video monitoring system’, according to 48% of educational institutions considering migration to VSaaS. Further, 45% of decision-makers questioned insisted on greater ease of use, supporting the statement ‘It must be configurable and operable by non-IT people. While 24% of education sector decision-makers considering VSaaS, said the provider needed not to be headquartered in mainland China. Integration with existing camera systems A net 80% of video monitoring system decision-makers in the education sector also considered it important A net 80% of video monitoring system decision-makers in the education sector also considered it important that the VSaaS selected ‘must allow us to continue using our existing third party cameras which we have already installed, we don’t want to rip & replace any equipment. A net 80% considering VSaaS also confirmed ‘It must allow us to view their directly attached cloud cameras alongside our third-party cameras on the same interface’. Further, the same number of respondents (net 80%) considered it net important (either ‘very’ or ‘quite important’) that the VSaaS ‘must allow us to use our existing Video Management Software (VMS) or provide the same functionality as we get from our VMS’. Video analytics An even higher number, net 84%, regarded it as important that the VSaaS selected ‘must enable us to run the latest video analytics capabilities such as occupancy levels for social distance management (in a room), noise analytics (e.g., breaking glass, screaming, yelling, etc), people and vehicle search, object searching and color searching’. Workspace management technologies Ava Security also found evidence that the education sector is an early adopter of other workspace technologies designed to make it easier for students to manage the use of school and college facilities while minimizing the risk of COVID infection. For example, 52% of educational institutions captured in the Ava study expressed interest in offering staff and students the capability of remote pre-booking of working areas in libraries, classrooms, and lecture halls and pre-registering students via cellphone-ready apps. Nearly four out of every 10 people responsible for managing video monitoring in their school or college (38%) felt remote booking of extra cleaning of surfaces before or after classes would be a useful innovation. Cybersecurity is critical to VSaaS selection Education sector video monitoring system decision-makers are considering VSaaS and weighing up criteria for selection" Vegard Aas, Head of Online Business at Ava Security, commented, “The fact that four out of five education sector video monitoring system decision-makers are already actively considering VSaaS and weighing up criteria for selection is very encouraging." “There is also clearly a strong determination to adapt existing school video surveillance systems to new COVID-safe requirements. And the fact that a third (32%) confirmed that a new budget had already been allocated for moving more services into the cloud this year provides significant scope for optimism as we enhance our VSaaS offering with Ava Cloud Connector for example, which enables those running systems to plug existing third party cameras into Ava’s open Aware Cloud platform.” Video security solutions Ava Security recently launched its Cloud Connector offering to enable video security system owners easy and cost-effective transition of video security solutions to the cloud. This brings Ava’s advanced real-time video analytics and proactive security to existing surveillance cameras by integrating them with Ava’s open Aware Cloud platform. Ava’s Cloud Connector eliminates the need to rip and replace existing video security devices to directly reap the cost and operational efficiencies of a true cloud service.

Facial recognition is a mature technology that continues to change and evolve. New innovations such as artificial intelligence (AI) are expanding facial recognition capabilities, even as privacy concerns, though often misguided, undermine wider acceptance in the market. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What are the new developments in facial recognition?

Since the advent of the physical security industry, access control has been synonymous with physical cards, whether 125 kHz ‘prox’ cards or the newer smart card alternatives. However, other credentials have also come on the scene, including biometrics and even smart phones. Some of these choices have distinct cost and security advantages over physical cards. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: How soon will the access control card become extinct and why? 

Cost is a reality to be managed. No matter how powerful or desirable a technology may be to a customer, the sale often comes down to the basic question: Can I afford it? And affordability extends not just to the purchase price, but to the cost of technology over its lifespan. In addition to advances in technology capabilities, the security industry has also achieved inroads to make its offerings more worth the cost. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What is the physical security industry doing to make more affordable and cost-effective technology solutions for end users?