Biometric Security

IWCE the annual event for critical communications technology professionals, unveils its full program for its 44th annual conference to be held at the Las Vegas Conference Center, March 30th to April, 3rd 2020. Organizers expect more than 7,000 attendees for this year’s five-day day event which offers a two-day expo, educational workshops, short courses, power sessions, keynote addresses, town hall meetings, and networking events. The event will also host over 400 exhibitors from April 1-2 showcasing the latest products and services in hardware, networks, applications, interoperability and integration that drive communications systems. Push-To-Talk communications We expect the biggest buzz to be around 5G, FirstNet, and push-to-talk communications" IWCE Conference Director Stacey Orlick commented “We are delighted to officially announce the program for IWCE 2020. Since its inception IWCE has provided an opportunity for all those who work within the sector to stay ahead of all the latest developments. There are so many new technologies changing the critical communication industry right now we expect 2020 to be one of the most interesting events yet! We expect the biggest buzz to be around 5G, FirstNet, drones, Artificial Intelligence, augmented reality, wearables and push-to-talk communications.” “In addition, attendees can learn about the latest developments in safe cities, new infrastructure that affects utilities and transportation, in-building wireless systems, technology advancements and the latest regulatory insights that they should be aware of. It’s also always a great opportunity for professionals to network with their peers or gain a new certification in our partner ETA’s Educational Forum. We hope to see you in Las Vegas in March!” Advances in critical communications For the first time this year, attendees can experience Informa’s new outdoor Drone Demonstration where they can see the drones in-action! There will also be an expanded Safe Cities technology section on the main expo floor where there will be a theater showing content rich sessions that have a particular focus on advances in critical communications. All exhibit hall pass holders will be able to enjoy these new attractions. The innovations that are actually changing street performance for responders" The Keynote this year will be given on April 1st by Chief Jeffrey D. Johnson, CEO of The Western Fire Chiefs Association who will discuss “The innovations that are actually changing street performance for responders.” A second Keynote Address will be presented by Bryan Wiens, Senior Product Manager, Cloud Services, InterTalk Critical Information Systems. Wireless communications initiative Other speakers include: Michelle Geddes, Public Safety Communications Director, City and County of San Francisco, Department of Emergency Management Robert Zanger, Wireless Engineering and Operations Unit (WEOU), Department of Justice Bill Schrier, Senior Advisor, FirstNet Authority Shelley Westall, Broadband Program Manager, Washington State Public Works Board David Witkowski, Executive Director, Wireless Communications Initiative, Joint Venture Silicon Valley Vincent Sritapan, Portfolio Manager, Physical & Cyber Security, US Department of Homeland Security Science & Technology Directorate  Interference management and cybersecurity The main tracks at this year’s conference will be NEW! 5G Track NEW! Safe Cities Track NEW! In-Building Wireless Track NEW! Smart X Track Connectivity Track Push-to-Talk & The Future of Voice Track Interoperability & Networking Track Disaster Comms Track Public Safety Broadband Track FirstNet Track 911 and Emergency Communications Track Network Infrastructure Track Planning & Preparation Track Critical Infrastructure Track Cybersecurity Track Transformative Tech Track ETA Technical Track In addition, co-located with IWCE 2020 is ETA International's Education Forum with 11 training classes providing certification in various technologies such as DAS, interference management and cybersecurity.

As it is a new year and decade, it is prime time to assess the state of the video content analytics industry and ponder how it might evolve in the coming 12-18 months. The video surveillance market has been booming for many years, but the introduction of complementary video intelligence technology has enabled users to derive more value from their video surveillance investments, transforming video into actionable intelligence based on deep learning techniques and artificial intelligence. This is why a variety of industries, including retail, financial services, and shipping, are enthusiastically embracing video content analytics. Video content analysis Artificial intelligence (AI) and deep learning continue to be the key enabling technologies behind video content analysis, effectively transforming live or recorded video into structured metadata that can deliver actionable and quantifiable insights. Ongoing algorithm research and development continues to make the extraction and analysis of data increasingly efficient and accurate and the innovation in this area will progress as the world moves into 2020 and beyond.  Algorithm research and development continues to make the extraction and analysis of data increasingly efficient and accurate Because real-time video processing continues to provide significant benefit to end users – based on advances in the sophistication of real-time alerting – a top priority for organizations already leveraging video analytics is expanding the camera coverage for real-time video processing. By expanding the scope of real-time video processing, users can trigger alerts for broader environments and also increase data aggregation and visualization into dashboards in real time to drive business insights based on continuous processing with integrated video data sources. Real-time information The market demand for real-time information and immediacy will only grow, especially as users become more reliant on video intelligence dashboards for deriving current business intelligence, and – in parallel – the technology to support this will continue to improve. Facial recognition, which matches faces by correlating biometric features against a compiled watchlist or database of digital images, either extracted from video frames or uploaded to the system. With so many significant applications – from pinpointing missing persons or criminal suspects, to identifying VIP customers in a loyalty program – this technology is posed for increased adoption, as access to ideal video and conditions to support face matching become more mainstream: As higher resolution video and more efficient processing technologies evolve, face recognition solutions are becoming more effective and accurate. While the progress in this field has been significant, face recognition remains controversial and will continue to do so until regulations around its use become more definitive. Accurate video analytics The increasing availability of high-resolution video (4k, 8k) is enabling more sophisticated and accurate video analytics. Higher resolution video makes it possible to more accurately analyze and identify objects in crowds, for triggering real-time rule-based alerts when certain conditions are met, searching and filtering video, and drawing intelligence from video metadata. Technological advances drive precise analytic capabilities, such as face recognition and count-based alerting. However, the steep hardware requirements to support heavier video processing remain a barrier. As long as the cost of hardware is high, mass market adoption of higher resolution cameras will be somewhat stilted, but it’s definitely an evolution we’ll continue to monitor in the coming years.  Video surveillance networks The migration to cloud platforms offer end users the freedom of choice when it comes to video content analytics deployment Cloud-based video analytics is a trend that’s often discussed, but as of yet there has not been significant market penetration. Nonetheless, this industry – among other software solutions – is still moving in this direction, because cloud implementations offer ease of deployment and a low cost of entry. With advances to cloud development, in general, cloud platforms now boast robust cybersecurity, as well. Cloud services incur a fraction of the capital expenditures, procurement procedures, and installation and deployment expenses of on-premises implementations, and are well-suited to serving the needs of a multi-site deployment. At the very least, the migration to cloud platforms will offer end users the freedom of choice when it comes to video content analytics deployment, whether the cloud, on-premises or hybrid of the two is most suited to maximize their existing video surveillance networks. Hardware and software progress The video analytics field is posed for continued evolution in 2020, because of rapid enabling hardware and software progress that is making the technology more accessible and more valuable. BriefCam is looking forward to continuing to contribute towards the advances in video content analytics in 2020 and to evolve with the market as it grows to serve new types of end users, business units and organizations across a broad range of industries in 2020 and beyond. 

Mission 500 is excited to announce this year’s Security 5k/2k fundraiser at ISC West 2020 will be held on Thursday, March 19th. The event will be located at 2601 East Sunset Road, in Las Vegas, Nevada and will benefit children and families in need across the United States. Registrations to participate in this year’s event are open. Those who are unable to attend or participate in the physical event can sign up and donate as a virtual runner or walker. Wide array of new security industry participants “2020 marks our eleventh year hosting the Security 5k/2k and we want to thank all of the previous participants and sponsors who have made the last ten years a tremendous success,” said Tom Nolan, Director of Strategic Partnerships, Mission 500. We can’t wait for this year’s event and hope to meet a wide array of new security industry participants" “We can’t wait for this year’s event and hope to meet a wide array of new security industry participants, reconnect with prior ones, and have a great time while supporting this worthwhile cause.” Participants in the Mission 500 Security 5k/2k will be awarded for their performance across various age categories, as well as those companies and individuals who led the fundraising effort. Humanitarian awards ceremony Those who succeed in raising $500 or more will automatically be enrolled in Mission 500’s 500 Club and receive a jacket as recognition for their efforts. The Security 5k/2k Reception and Mission 500’s CSR and Humanitarian Awards Ceremony will take place Thursday afternoon after the race (time and location to be announced). Confirmed charter sponsors include Alarm.com, Altronix Corporation, Axis Communications, Bosch Security Systems, BRINKS Home Security, CMAC, COPS Monitoring, Dahua Technology, DMP, Freeman, Galaxy Control Systems, HID Global, Hikvision, LENSEC, LRG Marketing Communications, Milestone Systems, Napco Starlink, PSA Security Network, Safety Technology International, Inc., and ZKTeco USA. The race is operated by Las Vegas Running Company, a locally based race management company.

Anixter International Inc. announces that the Anixter Board of Directors (the ‘Anixter Board’) determined that an offer from WESCO International, Inc. (‘WESCO’) constitutes a ‘Superior Company Proposal’ as defined in Anixter’s previously announced definitive agreement and plan of merger with an affiliate of Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, LLC (‘CD&R’). Under the terms of WESCO’s revised offer, WESCO would acquire Anixter for nominal consideration of $100.00 per share, reflecting an enterprise value of approximately $4.5 billion including net debt. The proposed consideration consists of $70.00 per share in cash, 0.2397 shares of WESCO common stock, and $15.89 per share in face amount of WESCO perpetual preferred stock. Common stock consideration Based on the closing price on January 8, 2020, the total consideration would be $100.16 The cash portion of the merger consideration will be increased by up to $2.82 to the extent the value of the WESCO common stock consideration, calculated using a volume weighted average before closing, declines below $14.11 per share, providing Anixter stockholders with 20% down-side protection based on WESCO’s closing price on January 2, 2020. Anixter stockholders would receive the benefit of any increase in the value of the WESCO common stock consideration above $14.11 per share. Based on the closing price on January 8, 2020, the total consideration would be $100.16. WESCO has told Anixter that the perpetual preferred stock is expected to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange, will be non-callable for five years and will pay dividends at a fixed rate subject to reset every five years. Careful review and consideration WESCO has also informed the Company that the proposed acquisition of Anixter will not require the approval of WESCO’s stockholders. “After careful review and consideration and consultation with our financial and legal advisers, the Board of Anixter has determined that the current WESCO offer is superior to the existing CD&R agreement,” said Sam Zell, chairman of Anixter. CD&R has the option for the next five business days to negotiate Anixter has notified CD&R of the Anixter Board’s determination and, pursuant to the CD&R Merger Agreement, CD&R has the option for the next five business days to negotiate an amendment of that agreement so that WESCO’s offer will no longer be a ‘Superior Company Proposal.’ Paying the termination fee Under the CD&R Merger Agreement, Anixter is required to pay a $100 million termination fee to CD&R if the Anixter Board terminates the CD&R Merger Agreement in order to enter into an agreement with WESCO. WESCO has agreed to pay the termination fee on Anixter’s behalf in such event. At this time, Anixter remains subject to the CD&R Merger Agreement and the Anixter Board has not changed its recommendation in support of the CD&R transaction or the existing CD&R Merger Agreement, or its recommendation that Anixter’s stockholders adopt the CD&R Merger Agreement. There can be no assurances that a transaction with WESCO will result from WESCO’s offer, or that any other transaction will be consummated. There can be no assurance that CD&R will seek to negotiate with Anixter or will make a revised offer.

Ambarella, Inc., an AI vision silicon company, Lumentum, a designer and manufacturer of innovative optical and photonic products, and ON Semiconductor, a provider of CMOS image sensor solutions, announced a joint 3D sensing platform for the development of intelligent access control systems and smart video security products, such as smart video doorbells and door locks. The platform is based on Ambarella’s CV25 CVflow AI vision system on chip (SoC), structured-light powered by Lumentum’s VCSEL technology, and ON Semiconductor’s AR0237IR image sensor. Ambarella, Lumentum, and ON Semiconductor will demonstrate the platform during CES 2020. Dedicated ASIC Lumentum has worked to enable diverse applications of our VCSEL technology into ext-generation 3D sensing products" Traditional structured-light solutions need to use both an infrared (IR) camera and a separate RGB camera and typically, a dedicated ASIC for depth processing. This new platform leverages a single ON Semiconductor AR0237 RGB-IR CMOS image sensor to obtain both a visible image for viewing and an infrared image for depth sensing. The Ambarella CV25 AI vision SoC powers depth processing, anti-spoofing algorithms, 3D facial recognition algorithms, and video encoding on a single chip, significantly reducing system complexity while improving performance. “Lumentum has worked to enable diverse applications of our VCSEL technology into next-generation 3D sensing products,” said Dr. Andre Wong, vice president, product line management, 3D Sensing at Lumentum. “We are excited to partner with Ambarella to help expand the use of 3D sensing in new applications including video security and more broadly AI vision.” Single sensor solutions “ON Semiconductor’s RGB-IR sensor technology enables single sensor solutions to provide both visible and IR images in security and vision IoT applications,” said Gianluca Colli, vice president and general manager of the Commercial Sensing Division at ON Semiconductor. “Ambarella’s CV25 computer vision SoC, with its next-generation image signal processor (ISP), brings out the best image quality of our RGB-IR sensor, while providing powerful AI processing capability for innovative use cases in security applications.” It delivers 3D sensing with reduced system complexity as well as improved reliability and security “We are delighted to partner with Lumentum and ON Semiconductor to deliver a hardware platform for the next generation of intelligent access control systems and video security devices,” said Fermi Wang, president and CEO of Ambarella. “Powered by Lumentum’s VCSEL solution, ON Semiconductor’s RGB-IR technology, and our CV25 SoC, it delivers 3D sensing with reduced system complexity as well as improved reliability and security. We look forward to seeing the innovative products our customers will build with this hardware platform.” High dynamic range (HDR) processing Ambarella’s CV25 chip includes a powerful ISP, native support for RGB-IR color filter arrays, and advanced high dynamic range (HDR) processing, which results in exceptional image quality in low-light and high-contrast environments. CV25’s CVflow architecture delivers the computational power required for liveness detection and 3D face recognition, while running multiple AI algorithms for advanced features such as people counting and anti-tailgating. CV25 includes a suite of advanced security features to protect against hacking including secure boot, TrustZone and I/O virtualisation. The 3D sensing platform will be shown to select Ambarella and Lumentum customers and partners at their respective private events during CES 2020. ON Semiconductor will offer CES 2020 demonstrations of the 3D sensing platform in their demo room at the Venetian/Sands Convention center, Murano 3302.

New ways to identify fake security devices on banknotes, passports and other secured documents will be at the heart of the Optical Document Security conference for central banks, ID issuers and authorities, banknote and ID printers / integrators and secure document component suppliers. The Optical Document Security conference, which takes place in San Francisco, California (January 29 – 31, 2020), will provide insight and guidance for everyone involved in improving the specification, design, production and examination of security documents. Optical document security features The 2020 event will focus on the latest innovations in optical document security features. Among the topics will be caustic optics, asymmetric microstructures and plasmonic technologies from international industry leaders. This well-established and respected conference takes place as the transition from the physical to the digital world gathers pace, so it brings together the best aspects of each being used to secure personally sensitive and financial information. Only people with a legitimate interest in the topic will be accepted for it The Short Course which precedes the conference has forensic examiners from Interpol and the US Department of Homeland Security explaining how they set about examining documents and detection and the trends they are seeing in fraudulent optical features. Given the sensitive nature of this course, only people with a legitimate interest in the topic will be accepted for it. Anti-counterfeiting strategies Sessions will examine human factors and design in optical document security, novel materials, production methods and the rapid adoption of smartphone technology in anti-counterfeiting strategies. The conference, organized by Reconnaissance International, an authoritative source on secured documents, is for people in the public and private sectors involved with the design, production or examination of government issued security documents including financial, tax and ID documents. An essential part of the conference is the exhibition of novel optical security features which takes place during the conference dinner. This allows participants to examine and learn more about items covered in the conference papers. Smartphone recognition The conference comes as a timely opportunity to engage in the debate and examine the most pressing issues" Conference director Dr Mark Deakes, of Reconnaissance International, said, “We are living through a watershed period in how we manage what must be secure documents and secure information. So, the conference comes as a timely opportunity to engage in the debate and examine the most pressing issues, particularly as the co-existence between the physical and the digital worlds gathers pace.” There will be papers from SICPA on caustic optics, OVD Kinegram on asymmetric microstructures and SURYS on its latest plasmonic features. Plasmonics also features in papers from OpSec and Shanghai Jiao Tong University, a newcomer to ODS. Conference newcomers PulseTech Security, Demax and Polytechnique Montreal will present on reflection holograms with QR codes for smartphone recognition, plasmonic color control for smartphone verification, and electrochromic materials respectively. Central banks are also on the agenda - a paper from the European Central Bank will focus on analyzing fake Euro holograms while the Bank of Canada will report on its work on perception studies.

On November 2019 in Stockton, California, surveillance footage found that vandals shot out glass windows and doors in many places in a small business complex (FOX40). The intruders broke in only to leave with nothing, proving their intent was solely to vandalize the property. Meanwhile, it was reported that a trio of ATM thieves struck around 9 times across many different locations inside Brooklyn and Queens within just over a month in fall 2019 (ATM Marketplace). On average, the cost of vandalism to SMB is around $3,370 per incident (US Small Business Administration), including a staggering 692 vehicle vandalism claims per day. Likewise, the average cost of theft to SMB is about $300 per shoplifting incident and $1,500 per employee theft incident, which accounts for 38% and 34.5% of all theft instances, respectively (National Retail Security Survey). High-performance artificial intelligent systems can automate the monitoring tasks Vandalism and theft have proven time and time again to be inconvenient and deconstructively harmful towards SMB. However, these financial burdens can be prevented with the use of the right security system. AI-based security systems with Deep Learning contain many features that many SMB owners find advantageous in their pursuit to stop unwarranted and unwanted money loss.   Intrusion and loitering detection The first of many features that can help with vandalism and theft prevention is Intrusion Detection. High-performance artificial intelligent systems can automate the monitoring tasks for high-risk sites to provide a high level of security and security personnel monitoring efficiency. Traditional intrusion detection systems detect objects based on size and location, but they do not recognize the type of objects. Now, Intrusion Detection (Perimeter Protection) systems with cutting-edge, built-in AI algorithms to recognize a plethora of different object types, can distinguish objects of interest, thus significantly decreases the false-positive intrusion rate. The more advanced AI-based systems, like those we offered at IronYun, enable the users to draw ROIs based on break-in points, areas of high-valuables, and any other preference to where alerts may be beneficial. Similarly, AI Loitering Detection can be used to receive alerts on suspicious activity outside any given store. The loitering time and region of interest are customizable in particular systems, which allows for a range of detection options. Advanced loitering detection software as such can detect and trigger real-time alerts for both people loitering and/or vehicles that are illegally parked in certain areas of interest. A benefit, which only certain advanced systems contain, is the ability to send trigger actions to 3rd-party systems in reaction to receiving an alert of loitering and/or intrusion detection. These trigger actions can be set to contact authorities immediately and/or trigger a scare tactic alarm or announcement to intruder/loiterer. Certain Face Recognition and License Plate Recognition software can record individual people/vehicles Face and license plate recognition In addition to the activity detection solutions, certain Face Recognition and License Plate Recognition software can record individual people/vehicles and use pre-configured lists to identify particular faces or plates that may be of interest, such as those in watchlists. These systems can also enable the users to upload images of faces not in the lists and search for them in the camera recording. For instance, if a person is detected several times loitering outside a store, one may save one of the detection photos into the watchlist, and set up an alert when said face is recognized again outside the building in the future. The alerts will help to deter and prevent vandalism or theft, and notify the authorities to the scene before the troublemaker completes the act. The main attributes of high-performance Face Recognition systems which maximize assistance with vandalism and theft management include: Face match rate > 90% with good camera angles and lighting. Processing multiple streams and multiple faces per image. Live face extraction and matching to databases of thousands of faces within 3 seconds.                                                                                                                State-of-the-art AI security software with Deep Learning allows the user to no longer need to install special LPR cameras     If the watchlist individual is wearing a mask or their face is not in view of the camera, their license plate may be a good indicator. If a particular car is detected several times loitering in the parking lot or street outside a store, the user can set the alerts for such car to get notified in the future. With an AI solution like this, common street cameras should be equipped with LPR capabilities. So, state-of-the-art AI security software with Deep Learning allows the user to no longer need to install special LPR cameras. high-performance alert mechanisms A high-performance AI solution, in addition to having high accuracy, should be able to: Easily integrate with 3rd-party systems Work well with all ONVIF IP cameras including infrared and thermal ones (for Intrusion detection) Analyzes video streams in real time and trigger alerts within a few seconds Send alerts to multiple VMSs, connect with signaling devices such as loud speakers or flashing lights Send email notifications to security staff and police departments Send notification on mobile device using AI NVR mobile app Maintains a record of all alerts to provide evidence of intrusion and loitering instances for police and insurance agencies. To assist in theft and vandalism prevention, AI-based security systems with deep learning will do all of the tedious work for you. Their low cost and high performance also make them the most accessible security solutions in the market with large return on investment. Stopping crimes is a difficult, ongoing challenge, but with the right AI software, business vendors and police departments can do so with more ease.

Back in the 1960s a lead engineer working in conjunction with the United States Navy for Lockheed’s Skunk Works team coined the acronym KISS, which translated to the design principle ‘keep it simple stupid’.  The KISS principle embraces the concept of simplicity, stating that most systems work best if they are kept simple rather than geared up to be more complicated. When it comes to physical security systems, this concept can also play a key element in its overall success. Secure work environments For years the tug of war in the security industry has pitted the need for a secure environment against the desire for technology that is convenient for users. However, finding a happy medium between the two has often seemed elusive. I believe you can design and have operational convenience at the same time as achieving high security" Jeff Spivey, a security consultant and the CEO of Security Risk Management, has this to say about it, “If there is an understanding of the security-related risks and their separate and/or collective impact on the organization’s bottom line business goals, a resolution can be reached.” Jeff also does not think that convenience and high security have to be opposing each other. He says, “I believe you can design and have operational convenience at the same time as achieving high security.” Importance of secure access control The premise is that for organizations and spaces to be truly secure, they must be difficult to access. So, by its very nature, access control is designed to be restrictive, allowing only authorized staff and visitors to access a facility or other secured areas inside. This immediately puts convenience at odds with security. Most people will tolerate the restrictive nature of a controlled entrance using badge, card or biometric because they understand the need for security. When that technology gets in the way of staff traversing freely throughout the facility during the course of a business day, or hindering potential visitors or vendors from a positive experience entering the building, they become less tolerant, which often leads to negative feedback to the security staff. Enhancing corporate security Security consultants like Spivey and security directors all stress that understanding the threats and risk levels of an organization will most likely dictate its physical security infrastructure and approach. All the technology in the world is useless if it is not embraced by those who are expected to use it and it doesn’t fit the culture of the organization. Once employees and customers are educated about what security really is, they understand that they're not losing convenience, they're gaining freedom to move safely from point A to point B. Converged data and information shape new access options Migration of physical access control systems to a more network-centric platform is a game-changer for security technologies The migration of physical access control systems to a more network-centric platform has been a game-changer for emerging security technology options. The expansion of the Internet of Things (IoT), Near-Field Communication devices powered by Bluetooth technology, and the explosion of converged information systems and identity management tools that are now driving access control are making it easier than ever before for employees and visitors to apply for clearance, permissions and credentials. Wireless and proximity readers Advancements in high-performance wireless and proximity readers have enhanced the user’s access experience when presenting credentials at an entry and expediting movement throughout a facility. A user is now able to access a secured office from street-level without ever touching a key or card. Using a Bluetooth-enabled smartphone or triggering a facial recognition technology, they enter the building through a security revolving door or turnstile. A total building automation approach adds extra convenience, as well as seamless security, when access technology is integrated into other systems like elevator controls. A total building automation approach adds extra convenience and seamless security How to Meet Security Concerns at the Entry While security managers are charged with providing their facilities the maximum level of security possible, there is always the human element to consider. But does the effort to make people comfortable with their security system ecosystem come at a cost? Does all this convenience and the drive to deliver a positive security experience reduce an organization’s overall levels of security? And if so, how can we continue to deliver the same positive experience including speed of entry – while improving risk mitigation and threat prevention? Door entrances, barriers Users can slip through the door or turnstile barriers while they are still open after a credentialed individual has gone through Let’s examine some of the various types of entrances being used at most facilities and the security properties of each. With some entrance types, there is the possibility for security to fall short of its intended goals in a way that can’t be addressed by access control technology alone. In particular, with many types of doors and barriers, tailgating is possible: users can slip through the door or turnstile barriers while they are still open after a credentialed individual has gone through. To address this, many organizations hire security officers to supervise the entry. While this can help to reduce tailgating, it has been demonstrated that officers are not immune to social engineering and can often be “talked into” letting an unauthorized person into a facility. Deploying video cameras, sensors Some organizations have deployed video surveillance cameras or sensors to help identify tailgaters after the fact or a door left open for longer than rules allow. This approach is not uncommon where facilities have attempted to optimize throughput and maintain a positive experience for staff and visitors. Security staff monitoring the video feeds can alert management so that action can be taken – but this is at best a reactive solution. It does not keep the unauthorized persons from entering, and so is not a totally secure solution. Optical turnstiles, speedgates Security staff should carefully evaluate its facility’s needs and consider the technology that is built into the door itself Security staff should carefully evaluate its facility’s needs and consider the technology that is built into the door itself. Not all security entrances work the same way. And, there will always be a balance between security and convenience – the more secure the entry, the less convenient it is for your personnel and visitors to enter your facility. For example, it takes more time to provide 2-factor authentication and enter through a mantrap portal than to provide only one credential and enter through an optical turnstile or speedgate. Perimeter protection So, it is an important first step to determine what is right at every entrance point within and around the perimeter. Remember that convenience does not equate to throughput. Convenience is the ease and speed of entry experienced by each individual crossing that threshold, while throughput relates to the speed at which many individuals can gain access to the facility. A more convenient entry makes a better first impression on visitors and is good for overall employee morale. Throughput is more functional; employees need to get logged in to begin their workday (and often to clock in to get paid), and they quickly become frustrated and dissatisfied when waiting in a long line to enter or exit the premises. Considering form and function when designing a security entrance can ensure that those requiring both high-security and convenience are appeased.

Imagine a home surveillance camera monitoring an elderly parent and anticipating potential concerns while respecting their privacy. Imagine another camera predicting a home burglary based on suspicious behaviors, allowing time to notify the homeowner who can in turn notify the police before the event occurs—or an entire network of cameras working together to keep an eye on neighborhood safety. Artificial Intelligence vision chips A new gen of AI vision chips are pushing advanced capabilities such as behavior analysis and higher-level security There's a new generation of artificial intelligence (AI) vision chips that are pushing advanced capabilities such as behavior analysis and higher-level security to the edge (directly on devices) for a customizable user experience—one that rivals the abilities of the consumer electronics devices we use every day. Once considered nothing more than “the eyes” of a security system, home monitoring cameras of 2020 will leverage AI-vision processors for high-performance computer vision at low power consumption and affordable cost—at the edge—for greater privacy and ease of use as well as to enable behavior analysis for predictive and preemptive monitoring. Advanced home monitoring cameras With this shift, camera makers and home monitoring service providers alike will be able to develop new edge-based use cases for home monitoring and enable consumers to customize devices to meet their individual needs. The result will be increased user engagement with home monitoring devices—mirroring that of cellphones and smart watches and creating an overlap between the home monitoring and consumer electronics markets. A quick step back reminds us that accomplishing these goals would have been cost prohibitive just a couple of years ago. Face recognition, behavior analysis, intelligent analytics, and decision-making at this level were extremely expensive to perform in the cloud. Additionally, the lag time associated with sending data to faraway servers for decoding and then processing made it impossible to achieve real-time results. Cloud-based home security devices The constraints of cloud processing certainly have not held the industry back, however. Home monitoring, a market just seven years young, has become a ubiquitous category of home security and home monitoring devices. Consumers can choose to install a single camera or doorbell that sends alerts to their phone, a family of devices and a monthly manufacturer’s plan, or a high-end professional monitoring solution. While the majority of these devices do indeed rely on the cloud for processing, camera makers have been pushing for edge-based processing since around 2016. For them, the benefit has always been clear: the opportunity to perform intelligent analytics processing in real-time on the device. But until now, the balance between computer vision performance and power consumption was lacking and camera companies weren’t able to make the leap. So instead, they have focused on improving designs and the cloud-centric model has prevailed. Hybrid security systems Even with improvements, false alerts result in unnecessary notifications and video recording Even with improvements, false alerts (like tree branches swaying in the wind or cats walking past a front door) result in unnecessary notifications and video recording— cameras remain active which, in the case of battery powered cameras, means using up valuable battery life. Hybrid models do exist. Typically, they provide rudimentary motion detection on the camera itself and then send video to the cloud for decoding and analysis to suppress false alerts. Hybrids provide higher-level results for things like people and cars, but their approach comes at a cost for both the consumer and the manufacturer. Advanced cloud analytics Advanced cloud analytics are more expensive than newly possible edge-based alternatives, and consumers have to pay for subscriptions. In addition, because of processing delays and other issues, things like rain or lighting changes (or even bugs on the camera) can still trigger unnecessary alerts. And the more alerts a user receives, the more they tend to ignore them—there are simply too many. In fact, it is estimated that users only pay attention to 5% of their notifications. This means that when a package is stolen or a car is burglarized, users often miss the real-time notification—only to find out about the incident after the fact. All of this will soon change with AI-based behavior analysis, predictive security, and real-time meaningful alerts. Predictive monitoring while safeguarding user privacy These days, consumers are putting more emphasis on privacy and have legitimate concerns about being recorded while in their homes. Soon, with AI advancements at the chip level, families will be able to select user apps that provide monitoring without the need to stream video to a company server, or they’ll have access to apps that record activity but obscure faces. Devices will have the ability to only send alerts according to specific criteria. If, for example, an elderly parent being monitored seems particularly unsteady one day or seems especially inactive, an application could alert the responsible family member and suggest that they check in. By analyzing the elderly parent’s behavior, the application could also predict a potential fall and trigger an audio alert for the person and also the family. AI-based behavior analysis Ability to analyze massive amounts of data locally and identify trends is a key advantage of AI at the edge The ability to analyze massive amounts of data locally and identify trends or perform searches is a key advantage of AI at the edge, for both individuals and neighborhoods. For example, an individual might be curious as to what animal is wreaking havoc in their backyard every night. In this case, they could download a “small animal detector” app to their camera which would trigger an alert when a critter enters their yard. The animal could be scared off via an alarm and—armed with video proof—animal control would have useful data for setting a trap. Edge cameras A newly emerging category of “neighborhood watch” applications is already connecting neighbors for significantly improved monitoring and safety. As edge cameras become more commonplace, this category will become increasingly effective. The idea is that if, for example, one neighbor captures a package thief, and then the entire network of neighbors will receive a notification and a synopsis video showing the theft. Or if, say, there is a rash of car break-ins and one neighbor captures video of a red sedan casing their home around the time of a recent incident, an AI vision-based camera could be queried for helpful information: Residential monitoring and security The camera could be asked for a summary of the dates and times that it has recorded that particular red car. A case could be made if incident times match those of the vehicle’s recent appearances in the neighborhood. Even better, if that particular red car was to reappear and seems (by AI behavior analysis) to be suspicious, alerts could be sent proactively to networked residents and police could be notified immediately. Home monitoring in 2020 will bring positive change for users when it comes to monitoring and security, but it will also bring some fun. Consumers will, for example, be able to download apps that do things like monitor pet activity. They might query their device for a summary of their pet’s “unusual activity” and then use those clips to create cute, shareable videos. Who doesn’t love a video of a dog dragging a toilet paper roll around the house? AI at the Edge for home access control Home access control via biometrics is one of many new edge-based use cases that will bring convenience to home monitoring Home access control via biometrics is one of many new edge-based use cases that will bring convenience to home monitoring, and it’s an application that is expected to take off soon. With smart biometrics, cameras will be able to recognize residents and then unlock their smart front door locks automatically if desired, eliminating the need for keys. And if, for example, an unauthorized person tries to trick the system by presenting a photograph of a registered family member’s face, the camera could use “3D liveness detection” to spot the fake and deny access. With these and other advances, professional monitoring service providers will have the opportunity to bring a new generation of access control panels to market. Leveraging computer vision and deep neural networks Ultimately, what camera makers strive for is customer engagement and customer loyalty. These new use cases—thanks to AI at the edge—will make home monitoring devices more useful and more engaging to consumers. Leveraging computer vision and deep neural networks, new cameras will be able to filter out and block false alerts, predict incidents, and send real-time notifications only when there is something that the consumer is truly interested in seeing. AI and computer vision at the edge will enable a new generation of cameras that provide not only a higher level of security but that will fundamentally change the way consumers rely on and interact with their home monitoring devices.

Facial recognition continues to be a political football and a target of privacy activists in the United States. For example, San Diego has suspended its use of facial recognition scanners by law enforcement after a campaign by civil rights groups. The San Diego Tactical Identification System (TACIDS) program included a database of facial recognition scans shared by 30 local, state and federal agencies. A California law, passed in the fall, puts a three-year moratorium on law enforcement use of face recognition technology. A proposal in Congress would prohibit use of biometric recognition technology in most public and assisted housing units funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), thus protecting the more than two million public housing residents nationwide from being “over-surveilled.” The “No Biometric Barriers to Housing Act” is supported by the NAACP, the National Housing Law Project, National Low-Income Housing Coalition, National Action Network, Color of Change, and the Project on Government Oversight. The problems of Facial Recognition "Studies that show that facial recognition systems may misidentify many individuals including women and people of colour" A letter from seven members of Congress to HUD Secretary Ben Carson questioned the use of facial recognition in federally assisted housing because it “could be used to enable invasive, unnecessary and harmful government surveillance of…residents.” The letter cites studies that show that facial recognition systems may misidentify many individuals including women and people of color, thus “exacerbating vulnerabilities that marginalized groups already face in life.” In June, Somerville, Mass., became the second U.S. city to ban the use of facial recognition technology in public spaces. The first was San Francisco. A coalition of organizations and trade associations has issued a letter to Congress outlining concerns with “blanket prohibitions” or moratoriums on facial recognition technology and listing beneficial uses for public safety, national security and fighting fraud. The Security Industry Association (SIA) is part of the coalition, the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation. A letter from seven members of Congress to HUD Secretary Ben Carson questioned the use of facial recognition in federally assisted housing   Facial recognition technology has benefited Americans in many ways, such as helping to thwart identity thieves" The letter says: “While polls consistently show that Americans trust law enforcement to use facial recognition technology responsibly, some groups have called for lawmakers to enact bans on [the] technology. While we agree that it is important to have effective oversight and accountability of these tools to uphold and protect civil liberties, we disagree that a ban is the best option.” Development and guidance  As alternatives to outright bans, the letter proposes expanded testing and performance standards, develop of best practices and guidance for law enforcement, and additional training for different uses of the technology. “Facial recognition technology has benefited Americans in many ways, such as helping to fight human trafficking, thwart identity thieves and improve passenger facilitation at airports and enhance aviation security,” says Don Erickson, CEO of SIA. “SIA believes this advanced technology should be used in a safe, accurate and effective way, and look forward to working with Congress to help the U.S. set the example on how to ethically and responsibly govern this technology.” SIA has produced a document called “Face Facts: Dispelling Common Myths Associated with Facial Recognition Technology.”

Security’s intersection with consumer electronics is on view at CES 2020, the world’s largest technology event, Jan. 7-10 in Las Vegas. The giant show features more than 170,000 attendees, 4,500 exhibitors and 1,100 industry thought-leaders featured on the CES stage. A range of technologies will be on display, from artificial intelligence (AI) to 5G, vehicle technology to AR/VR (augmented and virtual reality), robotics to home automation. Security plays a prominent role, too.The impact of this event for the smart home could be about delivering home analytics and enhancing privacy" Smart home market on the forefront The smart home market is a major focus. “For the smart home market at CES this year, we expect to see numerous announcements regarding home awareness,” says Blake Kozak, Senior Principal Analyst at IHS Markit. “This will include brands offering up additional analytics for consumer security cameras with a focus on edge-based solutions.” “The impact of this [event] for the smart home could be about delivering home analytics and enhancing privacy through cloudless architectures and new electronic door lock approaches,” he adds. An example of cloud analytics is the Resideo Home app, introduced in December, which will make whole-home monitoring possible for four critical networks of the home – water, air, energy and security. Resideo promises a “simplified and integrated smart home experience.” Video is also prominent at the show. “For cameras, we can expect to see more cameras focused on the outdoor space and possibly new form factors for video doorbells,” says Kozak. Familiar security industry brands exhibiting at CES 2020 include ADT, Ring, August Home and Yale (both part of ASSA ABLOY), Bosch and Alarm.com. Focus on Cybersecurity In 2020, companies will continue to focus on solutions for protecting consumer data" Cybersecurity is an aspect of many of the devices on display at CES. “Device security and data privacy play a key role in the adoption of connected devices,” says Elizabeth Parks, President, Parks Associates. “Consumer security concerns for smart home products will continue to be a barrier to adoption in the U.S. and Europe, and these concerns can actually intensify with device adoption-71% of U.S. smart home households are concerned about cybersecurity. In 2020, companies will continue to focus on solutions for protecting consumer data. One big area of interest is protection on the network router, providing whole home solutions, which are very appealing to consumers.” “At CES we will see the traditional players introducing new DIY (do-it-yourself) products, as well as new players announcing new product features, services, and partnerships,” Parks adds. Smart access control Smart locks will be among the security products at CES 2020. For example, PassiveBolt, a lock company, will show the Shepherd Lock, a touch-enabled smart lock with enhanced security through sensors and AI. The add-on lock converts existing locksets into touch-activated devices. Another lock manufacturer is Kwikset, whose door locks and door hardware include Wi-Fi-enabled smart locks, Bluetooth-enabled smart locks, keyless and keyway-less locks and connected home technology. Video doorbells, including industry-innovator Ring, have been a hit in the consumer market. At CES, Ring will expand the mission to make neighborhoods safer by creating a “Ring of Security” around homes and communities with a suite of home security products and services. The “Neighbors by Ring” app enables affordable, complete, proactive home and neighborhood security. Homeguard offers a range of affordable CCTV solutions for home and small business DIY CCTV demonstrations DIY security systems are another market. Homeguard is a leading DIY consumer brand offering a range of affordable CCTV solutions for home and small business, including wired and wireless CCTV kits, smart cameras, home alarm systems and wire-free HD CCTV kits. Swann Communications is also at the forefront of surveillance and monitoring with new products developments including wire-free HD cameras and doorbells, professional CCTV video surveillance systems, and 1080p full HD systems with “True Detect” heat and motion sensing. AVTECH, and subsidiary YesGo Tech, will demonstrate a compact Wi-Fi home security set, a series of special cameras with face recognition, thermal detection and license plate recognition, customized central management software and a university ID tag that is compatible with access control, OEM and ODM opportunities. Security and automation solutions D-Link’s home networking, security and automation solutions will help consumers connect, view, share, entertain, work and play. SECO-LARM, manufacturer of a Room Occupancy Monitor that shows whether a room is in use, has a line of keypads and proximity readers with built-in Bluetooth for convenient access. Another smart home security solutions provider, Climax Technology, integrates wireless security, home automation, energy management, home emergency monitoring and live visual monitoring. Personal safety mobile application Manufacturers are positioning outdoor cameras as deterrents to theft before a burglary happens" WaryMe designs and develops a personal safety mobile application to improve a user’s security in public places, schools, transports and companies by addressing major risks such as terrorism attacks, intrusion, fire and even industrial accidents. An all-in-one mobile application integrates alerting, crisis management and mass notification features. “Market players are looking to expand beyond established smart home devices like smart thermostats and networked cameras to products like smart water leak detectors, smart pet feeders, and smart air purifiers,” says Elizabeth Parks. “Manufacturers are positioning outdoor cameras as deterrents to theft before a burglary happens. This trend is part of a broader security marketing effort to extend the perimeter of home security beyond traditional home access points.” “Familiarity with smart home devices lags behind familiarity with smart entertainment products; it even lags that of smart speakers, which are quite new in the market,” adds Parks. “In 2020, we will see players working to advance the visibility and marketing around device integration, and specifically focus on use case scenarios around safety, security, and convenience, which have always been the primary drivers of adoption of these types of products.”

Across the security industry, power supplies are too often an afterthought and the first item in an access control system to be value-engineered. However, when the power supply fails on a high-end access control device, the system becomes a very expensive paperweight. Fortunately, there are now power supply units available that can enhance system reliability by providing remote diagnostics and real-time reporting and analytics. There is also a mistaken perception that all power supplies are the same, says David Corbin, Director of ASSA ABLOY’S Power Management Strategic Business Unit. Access control and security applications Power supplies today are more important than ever for access control and security applications The fact is, a properly designed unit for today’s market must have a wide input range, a myriad of features, interface to network, have adequate transient protection, good surge capability and a demonstrated quality level for mission critical reliability, he says. “Power supplies today are more important than ever for access control and security applications,” says Corbin. “From heavy snowstorms in the Midwest and East Coast to the two million Californians that experienced unprecedented power outages, extreme weather conditions have created chaos for millions over the past few months. These events have resulted in students being locked out of schools, hospitals darkening and electronic keypads or card readers shutting down. With events like these on the rise, and an increased reliance on the technology we use to get in and out of the spaces we occupy, power supplies are critical for keeping systems up and running and people safe and secure.” ASSA ABLOY's LifeSafety Power’s FPO Intelligent Power Supplies and Helix Redundant Power Systems Installing right power supplies ASSA ABLOY has a range of products within the power supplies category, including LifeSafety Power’s FPO Intelligent Power Supplies and Helix Redundant Power Systems. ASSA ABLOY’s acquisition of LifeSafety Power in September expanded the company’s offering of smart integrated access control power solutions for OEMs, integrators and end-users. Other ASSA ABLOY power supply products include Securitron AQ Series Switching Power Supplies, and eco-friendly, linear, plug-in and solar power supplies, as well as Power over Ethernet (PoE). Access control is crucial to security and life safety, says Corbin. And without power, any protective system is useless. When the right power supplies are installed correctly, the system will have built-in backup power that will be triggered during an outage. Dependable power supplies, with regularly replaced and appropriately sized backup batteries, are critical to keeping occupants safe in an emergency event. Other ASSA ABLOY power supply products include Securitron AQ Series Switching Power Supplies Periodic testing of the battery When it comes to extreme weather conditions, the result of a power outage can lead to hazardous situations for employees, patients, residents and students, he says. Buildings that require power to gain access can leave people stranded outside or locked inside. “When access controls are disabled, intruders can easily enter buildings without notice, affording the opportunity for interruptions to power distribution, water supplies and other necessary public utilities,” says Corbin. Preparation for the next big power outage should include the sizing of power supplies to the system requirement with a reasonable safety factor for foreseeable system expansion and a battery set that is sized for operating the system for a period of time greater than the planned requirement, he says. Using a ‘smart’ power supply provides early warning of an impending failure; and consistent, periodic testing of the battery set keeps the system in peak operating condition. Predictive maintenance of access control Predictive analytics and data harvesting can help with predictive maintenance of access control Redundancy ensures that power remains available in the event of a failure, regardless of whether it is a blackout situation or a failure of the power supply itself, says Corbin. “In critical power installations where redundancy is vital, the system must have a properly sized and maintained backup battery,” says Corbin. “Additionally, further redundancy can be achieved via products like our Helix systems that provide for seamless switching between two different power supplies in the event of an electrical failure of one of the power supplies.” Corbin also notes there is a growing want and need for more data and analytics in the access control field. End users increasingly expect access control systems to be able to integrate with building information systems. Predictive analytics and data harvesting can help with predictive maintenance of access control and building systems. For example, intelligent power supplies can identify problems before they happen – such as performing periodic, automated battery tests and then notifying a central monitoring location and/or a facility manager of a battery that needs replacement. Lock operation can also be monitored on a real-time basis for failure or impending failure of a secured door opening, he says.

PACOM Systems, which designs, develops, and manufactures security platforms for enterprise multi-site and campus environments, announces that Hancock Whitney Corporation continues to roll out the PACOM GMS security management platform to their growing number of bank financial centers and ATMs. Hancock Whitney Corporation operates bank offices and financial centers in Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Texas, offering comprehensive financial products and services, including traditional and online banking; commercial and small business banking; private banking; trust and investment services; healthcare banking; certain insurance services; and mortgage services. Multi-Site security management platform GMS meets end-user demands for a multi-site security system with multiple integrations PACOM’s relationship began with Hancock Bank in Mississippi and, after Hancock’s acquisition of Louisiana-based Whitney Bank in 2011, blossomed further still. Currently, the PACOM GMS software platform manages card access and intrusion monitoring at 258 locations and growing. Hancock Whitney does all its own 24/7/365 alarm monitoring from a central location in Gulfport, Mississippi. There are also two company data centers monitored and protected by PACOM GMS. GMS is a robust multi-site security management platform, providing integration between access control, intrusion, video, intercom and virtually any building management or security solution. Designed to manage thousands of locations simultaneously through a single interface, while providing industry-leading availability and redundancy. GMS meets end-user demands for a multi-site security system with multiple integrations. Third-Party monitoring companies “One of the biggest advantages of the PACOM system,” commented Al Tapper, CPP, Manager, Bank Protective Services for Hancock Whitney Corporation, “is it’s all-inclusive with integrated card access and alarms. We have our entire company on a single, integrated platform. We do our own alarm monitoring, which is a big plus because we can immediately verify what is going on in any of our financial centers.” One of our banking acquisitions had two third-party monitoring companies" Tapper continued, “One of our banking acquisitions had two third-party monitoring companies. It was one false alarm after another. That’s dangerous, and it can be quite expensive. With PACOM and self-monitoring, we avoid that. The PACOM system also helps with disaster recovery. We can see what’s going on in our financial centers and know if our alarms are working.” Central monitoring station Hancock Whitney has launched another phase to their company-wide security platform: video integration. When an alarm goes off in any branch, the central monitoring station will automatically be able to see events associated with that alarm. Eventually, all branches and ATMs will have video monitoring with a number of integrated cameras at each location. The system currently provides access to more than 5,000 card holders with varying levels of access privileges. Alarm protocols are in place for each location, with Tapper and his team managing and monitoring the system. “PACOM helps us adapt the system to our changing needs; and when we provide feedback, PACOM listens and will consistently respond directly to that feedback, said Tapper.”

As one of the most important provinces of Argentina, Buenos Aires Province has been seeking to improve work efficiency and emergency response speed of its police force. However, the local police was always lacking of evidence when performing legal actions towards violence, traffic accidents, and other social incidents. This created temporary loopholes in law enforcement that criminals and erring people took advantage of in order to escape legal sanctions. For this reason, the Ministry of Security of Buenos Aires Province required powerful security tools to assist the local police in patrolling and enhancing the overall level of safety throughout the province. Strong and modern security equipment The Ministry of Security of Buenos Aires authorized the Dahua team to conduct research The Buenos Aires police sought strong and modern security equipment that could monitor the roads during police patrol, while keeping records as evidence. Additionally, they required a management terminal on the dashboard of each patrol car to allow the user to view videos in real time and manage all the surveillance equipment via the system. The technical equipment must be installed in a suitable position to avoid damage in case of car accident or airbag activation, and to ensure passenger safety under adverse conditions, such as weather changes, vehicle temperature shift, etc. After presenting Dahua Mobile Solution that could fulfill the aforementioned requirements, the Ministry of Security of Buenos Aires authorized the Dahua team to conduct research and implementation of this project. Monitoring road conditions The Dahua Mobile Solution covered 400 patrol cars of the Buenos Aires police, each of which was equipped with six HD cameras, including two different models of 2MP Mobile HDCVI IR Dome Camera – HDBW1200F-M and HDBW2241F-M-A, 3MP Network IR Mini-Bullet Camera IPC-HFW1320SP, and 2MP Mobile HDCVI IR Cube Camera HAC-HMW3200. Five cameras were also installed outside each patrol car to monitor road conditions from every angle In addition, five cameras were also installed outside each patrol car to monitor road conditions from every angle: HDBW2241F-M-A on both sides; HDBW2241F-M-A and IPC-HFW1320SP on the front top; and HAC-HMW3200 at the back. All of the products support IP67& IP6K9K, shock-proof, and resistant to vibration and severe weather conditions. HDBW1200F-M was installed inside each car to monitor its situation and regulate police behavior. As part of the requirement, the management terminal was installed at the center of the dashboard and linked to the central server through a 10/100 wired Ethernet connection via an RJ45 connector. Automatic recognition technology In addition to the cameras, Dahua Mobile Video Recorder MXVR4104-GFW was also deployed for efficient video storage. Its embedded GPS positioning allows the user to track the vehicle in real time. In case of emergency, it will trigger the alarm and automatically upload the data on time. It also supports image capturing of suspected vehicles and uploads them to the management platform It also supports image capturing of suspected vehicles and uploads them to the management platform. Indeed, Dahua Technology has launched a smart police car solution to aid the police in identifying suspected vehicles and people. Featuring automatic recognition technology, the new device can compare suspected vehicles and people with the information in its database, achieving efficient mobile control and identification. Mobile video surveillance solution With the implementation of Dahua Mobile Solution, the Buenos Aires police can now manage social security better through a comprehensive monitoring system. The mobile surveillance system with high-definition image quality and other advanced functions enabled the police to obtain first-hand evidence, achieve timely intervention and control dangerous and detrimental activities during their patrolling. This significantly improved their work efficiency, stabilized social order, and helped build a safe and harmonious community. “We are very satisfied with Dahua products. The mobile video surveillance solution used in police cars enables our police to work more efficiently and safely because the surveillance center is available 24 hours a day, providing appropriate assistance in solving various issues or incidents that the police may encounter. ” Said Dr. Ignacio Greco, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Ministry of Security, Buenos Aires.

HID Global, globally renowned provider of trusted identity solutions, has announced that the government of Argentina has selected its HID goID citizen identity technology to power the country’s digital version of its mandatory National Identity Document for its Mi Argentina app. The collaborative effort between HID, Argentina’s Ministry of Interior, Public Works and Housing through the National Registry of Persons (Renaper), and the Ministry of Modernization makes Argentina the first country in the world to offer a true national identity credential within a mobile app to its citizens. Currently, there are 47 million DNI cards in circulation and recent legislation has accorded full legal equivalence to the smartphone version of the card. Mi Argentina app The Mi Argentina app, which houses the National Identity Document, was developed by the Ministry of Modernization and allows citizens who download the app on their mobile devices to request appointments, receive health information and access credentials, such as their drivers’ license. Powered by HID goID technology, citizens can also access their National Identity Document on a mobile device on the app while offline. The Government of Argentina is leading the way in bringing the convenience and security of mobile identity to its citizens" “The Government of Argentina is leading the way in bringing the convenience and security of mobile identity to its citizens,” said José D’Amico, director of Renaper, adding “This innovative application is not only easy to get, but we also believe this could be the first step in digitiszng identity across the government in Argentina and potentially other countries in years to come.” Enhanced security of citizens’ mobile identity Citizens with the ‘Mi Argentina’ app can initiate their request for a mobile ID by visiting a Renaper office, where their identity is verified and authenticated. Once approved, they receive an email with a code to activate their National Identity Document. In the event a smartphone is lost or stolen, credentials can be immediately revoked, safeguarding the citizen from potential identity theft. The mobile ID is securely stored on the citizen’s smartphone, meaning it can still be accessed if the cell phone has no data plan or when connection to a network or Wi-Fi is not available. Storage on the phone brings additional security for the mobile ID ecosystem, as a channel back to the central database is never required. Superior identity solutions Renaper issues all citizens a National Identity Document at birth and requires two mandatory renewals: between the ages of 5 and 8, and at the age of 14. Adults are required to renew it every 15 years. Argentina’s implementation of our technology provides its citizens with innovative ID access" “HID Global is committed to providing identity solutions that meet the evolving standards of the 21st century,” said Jessica Westerouen van Meeteren, VP & Managing Director, Citizen Identity with HID Global. “The government of Argentina’s implementation of our technology provides its citizens with innovative ID access and the ease of a completely mobile experience from registration to issuance.” Enhancing Border Security The government of Argentina previously partnered with HID to upgrade the country’s ICAO electronic passport to a newer generation that was more cost efficient, improved security and enhanced data reading at border control checkpoints. The successful partnership was a key factor in the government’s decision to collaborate with HID Global and deploy the HID goID mobile identity solution. The HID goID technology mobile ID ecosystem powers a more secure and connected world based on field-proven identity technology. It enables the issuance, lifecycle management and verification of mobile identities, and is a customizable solution that delivers many more functions than physical identity documents.

Patriot One, developer of the PATSCAN Multi-Sensor Covert Threat Detection platform, is pleased to announce a collaboration partnership with Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC), part of Major League Soccer (MLS), to pilot its PATSCAN platform at Banc of California Stadium. Threat and intrusion detection “We are excited to announce this PATSCAN pilot deployment project with another U.S. major sport franchise,” said Martin Cronin, Patriot One CEO and president, adding “In the New Year, our installation team will begin work with the Los Angeles Football Club and Banc of California Stadium on this important game safety initiative. MLS fans will enjoy an added layer of security while attending their favorite team’s home games in Southern California”. Martin further said, “Our vision is to not only to create a world safe from acts of violence, but also to help save a way of life people have come to expect in their normal everyday lives, and that includes participating in professional sports and entertainment activities with their fellow fans.” PATSCAN Multi-Sensor Covert Threat Detection The PATSCAN Multi-Sensor Covert Threat Detection platform will ship in January 2020 to the security team at LAFC The PATSCAN Multi-Sensor Covert Threat Detection platform will ship in January 2020 to the security team at Los Angeles Football Club, where they will be joined by Banc of California Stadium security and Patriot One implementation engineers to begin the integration and pilot deployment project.  Specific location of the Platform’s deployment will not be disclosed. “Customer safety is our number one priority at Banc of California Stadium,” said LAFC Vice President of Information Technology Christian Lau. “We are excited to work with Patriot One to give customers an extra layer of security while attending events at our world-class venue in the heart of Los Angeles.” Stadium security Following the initial pilot deployment of the PATSCAN platform with LAFC at an undisclosed location within Banc of California Stadium, Patriot One will work with the team and stadium management to broaden deployment throughout the complex.

Established in 1976, Meghna Group of Industries (MGI) is a conglomerate in Bangladesh. MGI operates out of a large campus in Dhaka that houses its head office, 45 different manufacturing plants, and maintenance workshops, all under one roof. MGI has a turnover of over USD 3 billion, and an employee strength of over 30,000. Being an established and trusted group, it required operations to be suitably monitored, in order to ensure uninterrupted production, adherence to quality standards, and timely delivery of supplies to customers. So far, it had been monitored by manned security, with accompanying risks ranging from damage to assets, misuse of equipment, thefts, leakage of confidential information, employees’ safety, poor record keeping for vehicles entering or exiting the premises, and more. Providing investigation-Friendly monitoring software Enabling IVA at various locations has helped in the monitoring of infrastructure Designing of the solution started with a joint site survey by Videonetics, MGI IT heads, and the system integrator. After extensive research, Videonetics developed a unified solution encompassing Intelligent Video Management Software (IVMS), Intelligent Video Analytics (IVA), and a customized ANPR system to read and capture license plates in Bengali language. Key aspects of the solution included the following: Videonetics’s IVMS has been deployed to help in viewing and recording feeds from over 500 cameras installed in multiple factory locations. This is enabled over IP network in an efficient and elegant way. In addition, the solution provides investigation-friendly monitoring software at the front-end, while relegating all the complexity of the server software to the back-end. Enabling IVA at various locations has helped in the monitoring of infrastructure, vehicles, people, crowds and objects, for automatic detection and analysis of events of interest. Manned security to address safety The operators get a bird’s eye view of various sites from their centralized location, enabling them to respond quickly and effectively when an incident occurs. The solution has been installed on Red Hat® Enterprise Linux® which makes the overall system more secure and maintainable. Videonetics’s Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system has been customized to read license plates in Bengali. Regardless of the lighting conditions, the Bengali ANPR accurately captures with timestamp the license plate of any vehicle as it appears in the camera’s field of view (FoV). The new implementation enables security operators to be deployed at the unified interface In addition, the system is integrated with the IVMS at the command and control center, for viewing and analyzing vehicular movements, and taking action, if required. THE IMPACT Prior to the installation of Videonetics’s solution, MGI used to rely on manned security to address safety, security and operational risks. However, the new implementation enables security operators to be deployed at the unified interface, for monitoring multiple sites such as assembly plant, warehouse, process, dispatch area, vehicle movement, and so on. Personal protection equipment detection So now, MGI operators can handle incidents of thefts, potential break-ins, unauthorized intrusions, and conduct investigations, without having to leave their desks. This has helped MGI in maximizing resources and significantly reducing costs. But the biggest benefit has been to be able to provide a safer environment to its employees, and to secure its workplaces with optimization in day-to-day operations. The open architecture of the solution allows MGI to continue adding, in a single interface, more AI & DL powered applications such as personal protection equipment detection, facial recognition, fire & smoke detection, workers slip/ fall detection, workers head count, vehicle movement management, to name a few. This makes it possible for the company to address all its security concerns with a holistic approach.

Use of iTrak solution by casino operators in both Macau and Las Vegas for reporting, security and loss prevention expands Omnigo’s global footprint. Omnigo’s security system “One of the major benefits of penetrating a market like Macau with Omnigo’s security system is that casinos can draw from a shared database of banned patrons, advantaged players, and VIP guests from Day One of implementation,” said Mark Kornegay, CRO of Omnigo Software. He adds, “Sharing data across properties enhances security and surveillance for everyone by allowing casino operators to exchange critical information with each other and with law enforcement.” Omnigo’s iTrak allows casino operators to protect their staff, patrons, property and assets while streamlining reporting iTrak security solution Omnigo’s iTrak allows casino operators to protect their staff, patrons, property and assets while streamlining reporting and data analysis. Casinos can function more efficiently using iTrak thanks to its simplified reporting and notification process. The system also empowers casino employees to leverage data-driven security intelligence to address incidents in real-time, track persons of interest and mitigate risk and exposure to liability. Various modules within iTrak include Facial Recognition, Visitor Management, Lost and Found and more. Security and risk management system In addition to the Macau expansion, Omnigo’s casino portfolio also includes 100% of the Las Vegas Strip casinos and 65% of the Canadian gaming market. Each casino uses iTrak, Omnigo’s security and risk management system for incident reporting, property surveillance and security and loss prevention. “It’s a true testimony that these casino operators have put their full confidence into Omnigo’s offerings to keep their properties safe. With that level of trust, we’re able to prioritize innovation and bring the latest technology like facial recognition software and advanced data analytics to market faster for our customers, both large and small,” Kornegay added.

2019 was a big year for the Expert Panel Roundtable. The range of topics expanded, and we had more participation from more contributors than ever before. In closing out the year of contemplative discussions, we came across some final observations to share. They can serve both as a postscript for 2019 and a teaser for a whole new year of industry conversations in our Expert Panel Roundtable in 2020.  

The new year comes with new opportunities for the security industry, but what technologies will dominate our discussions in 2020? Topics such as artificial intelligence (AI) and HCI (hyperconverged infrastructure) became familiar in conversations during 2019, and they are likely to dominate our thoughts again in the new year. But other buzzwords are also gaining steam, such as “blockchain” and “frictionless access control.” Connectivity and the cloud will also be timely technology topics as the industry evolves. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What technology buzz will dominate the security industry in 2020?

Securing large campus environments can be particularly demanding and requires a range of technology solutions. In effect, a campus may represent a dozen or more individual facilities to be secured, in addition to protecting the overall environment. Seeking more insight into the number and variety of needs of securing a campus, we asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What are the security challenges of protecting large campus environments?