COVID-19

Boon Edam Inc., a globally renowned company in security entrances and architectural revolving doors, has announced a new continuing education course approved by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) entitled, ‘Closing the Gap in Physical Security: Addressing the Entry’. Architects can view this one-hour presentation in exchange for one Health, Safety and Welfare Continuing Education Unit (HSW CEU) towards their AIA accreditation. The course focuses on the role of security entrances in building design and a physical security strategy, including integration with other security technologies, safety and code requirements, and the impact of pandemics on the entry. Importance of controlling access to buildings The course begins by explaining the importance of controlling access to buildings The course begins by explaining the importance of controlling access to buildings through designs that address securing the entry. Architects learn the risks and associated liabilities that impact an organization when they fail to put effective measures in place to mitigate unauthorized access at their buildings. The presentation also touches on the results of a recent Boon Edam survey that revealed how security professionals perceive the risk, impact and cost of tailgating at buildings. Tailgating occurs when an unauthorized person follows an authorized person into a facility via a swing door and is arguably the biggest physical vulnerability that an organization will face today. Security entrances key in physical security strategy The AIA course continues by classifying security entrances according to their ability to mitigate tailgating, their safety features and how they comply with local codes. There are also discussions around the people and processes necessary to support each type of security entrance and the importance of securing a building in layers for the best overall outcome. Attendees will also see videos that demonstrate the working principles of turnstiles, security revolving doors and mantrap portals as they rebuff tailgating attempts while integrated with third-party access control and biometric devices. Future of security entry post COVID-19 The course concludes with details surrounding the future of security in building design in a post-pandemic world. Architects will learn tactics that include creating separate entry and exit points across a building based on the types of users and utilizing technologies that support touchless entry and temperature screening.

Hanwha Techwin, a global supplier of IP and analog video surveillance solutions, has announced the expansion of its line of public health surveillance technologies with the new Wisenet TNM-3620TDY body temperature detection camera. The multi-purpose device uniquely combines Artificial Intelligence (AI) with a dual-sensor design to securely monitor facility entrances and accurately identify potential health risks. Wisenet TNM-3620TDY camera The Wisenet TNM-3620TDY body temperature detection camera offers two detection modes to discreetly scan people entering a facility. When used in estimated body temperature (EBT) mode, the camera’s 2-megapixel visible light sensor captures and sends AI-based face detection data to its QVGA-class thermal sensor, which simultaneously measures the body temperature of each subject. Temperature monitoring is accurate to within +-0.3⁰ C when used with a blackbody calibration device and the camera will trigger audio/visual alarms and notifications when elevated temperatures are detected. An onscreen display indicates a subject’s temperature measurement, and a color-coded indicator is shown over their face. High-resolution surveillance video The Wisenet TNM-3620TDY camera can also be used as a traditional radiometric device The Wisenet TNM-3620TDY camera can also be used as a traditional radiometric device, with the visible sensor providing high-resolution surveillance video to assist in identifying people and activities. In this mode, onboard video and audio analytics are available to detect area intrusion, line crossing, loitering, and temperature detection. A spot temperature measurement feature also enables operators, via a web viewer, to obtain targeted temperature measurements by isolating specific areas within an image. Keeping customers and employees safe The TNM-3620TDY joins Hanwha Techwin’s full suite of solutions for helping businesses adapt during the COVID-19 pandemic, comply with new public health guidelines and keep customers and employees safe. “Business owners and managers of public spaces need flexible options for remaining open and operating efficiently,” said Ray Cooke, Vice President, Products, Solutions, and Integration, Hanwha Techwin America. Integrated with Wisenet 7 System on Chip (SoC) Ray adds, “With this new camera and all our solutions for occupancy level monitoring, face mask detection and social distancing measurement, Hanwha Techwin gives them a choice of health and safety technologies they can tailor to their operations.” The new TNM-3620TDY is based on Hanwha Techwin’s Wisenet 7 System on Chip (SoC), the core technology driving its enhanced image quality and advanced cyber security protection capabilities. The camera has a Micro SD/SDHC/SDXC slot that allows up to 256 GB of video data to be stored at the edge. This method of recording is useful in the event of a network disruption, enabling video evidence that potentially might have been lost to be easily and quickly retrieved when a connection is restored. Seamless connection to VMS, NVR and video decoder The TNM-3620TDY camera can also complement a facility’s existing COVID-19 safety protocols The camera can connect to a VMS, NVR or video decoder, or be used as a standalone device to comply with healthcare privacy concerns. The camera’s face detection area can be customized, for example to target the eye region, to prevent false positives from a warm forehead. The TNM-3620TDY camera can also complement a facility’s existing COVID-19 safety protocols, as people with detected elevated temperatures can be discreetly asked to enter a separate screening area for secondary screening with an FDA-approved clinical thermometer temperature reading. IEC 60601 certification The TNM-3620TDY is compliant with a series of technical standards for the safety and essential performance of medical electrical equipment published by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). In addition, Hanwha Techwin has completed the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) facility registration process, with device registration for FDA 510(k) clearance in progress. The TNM-3620TDY supports H.265, H.264 and MJPEG compression formats, as well as WiseStream II, Hanwha Techwin’s compression technology which dynamically controls encoding, balancing quality and compression, according to movement in an image. Users can improve network bandwidth efficiency by up to 75% when combining WiseStream technology with H.265 compression.

BlueVoyant, a cybersecurity services company, announces a strategic partnership with UK-based third-party risk management consultancy, DVV Solutions, to deliver BlueVoyant’s Cyber Risk Management (CRx) services to DVV Solutions’ global customer base. This will be delivered primarily through BlueVoyant’s Vendor Risk Management (CR3) solution, which provides risk identification, analysis and threat remediation. Through DVV Solutions, BlueVoyant will generate, triage, prioritize and communicate security updates to DVV customers, providing actionable intelligence as part of its Vendor Risk Management service. Supply chain vulnerabilities This allows BlueVoyant to actively reduce DVV Solutions’ clients' exposure to the real threats their businesses face, instead of solely identifying the threats without context. Frequently, organizations do not have the in-house skills or resources to address these supply chain vulnerabilities, with assessment and identification being very labor intensive. DVV Solutions can help its customers to maximize their investment in third-party risk management programs Now, as a BlueVoyant partner, DVV Solutions can help its customers to maximize their investment in third-party risk management programs, utilizing BlueVoyant’s CR3 managed services offering. This provides customers with access to unmatched visibility and expertise, to meet the desired vendor risk management requirements, while improving their own cyber risk postures, and those within their vendor ecosystems. Security monitoring services Robert Hannigan, Chairman at BlueVoyant International, comments: “The knock-on effect of COVID-19 has led to squeezed financial margins and a reduction in the resources available to tackle third-party risk in the supply chain; just as the pandemic widens the attack surface. Our CR3 solution will provide the desired level of risk analysis and remediation for DVV Solutions’ customers and their vendor ecosystems, enabling them to effectively quantify, manage, and remediate third-party security risks.” Sean O’Brien, Managing Director of DVV Solutions, adds: “Partnering with BlueVoyant is a natural extension of our third-party risk management and security monitoring services. As businesses and their vendor ecosystems have changed throughout an unprecedented 2020, we have seen a sharp uptick in the requirement for managed services, as supply chains become increasingly complex. Organizations therefore require a managed service-based third-party risk management solution to cut through the noise, helping them to prioritize the most pertinent supply chain risks.” Risk management program “By utilizing our collective team of risk experts in this managed service model, customers will quickly improve the return-on-investment from their third-party risk management program. This will also enable them to re-allocate resources towards what’s important: eliminating control gaps, raising security standards and reducing overall risk,” added O’Brien. BlueVoyant will also deliver its Cyber Risk Management for Investors (CRi) solution BlueVoyant’s CR3 service complement DVV Solutions’ dedicated third-party risk management services portfolio. This portfolio includes on-site/virtual audits, risk assessments, questionnaires, security ratings, continuous monitoring, cyber risk maturity consultancy and regulatory compliance services. BlueVoyant will also deliver its Cyber Risk Management for Investors (CRi) solution, as part of DVV Solutions’ mergers and acquisitions (M&A) consultancy. This service effectively identifies cybersecurity risk throughout the investment process, such as pre- and post-investment and acquisition. Mitigating cyber risks This provides the desired expertise to assess, quantify, and mitigate cyber risks associated with a potential transaction or an investment portfolio. This level of due diligence is becoming an increasingly important pillar of the Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) frameworks that many organizations are adhering to. Robert Hannigan concludes: “Organizations are now realizing the responsibilities they have in actively identifying and managing cyber risks throughout their vendor ecosystems, and how this directly impacts operational resiliency and financial stability. Our CR3 services enables an increasing number of customers and prospects across the UK and Europe to address these issues, building upon DVV Solutions’ existing managed services portfolio.”

Johnson Controls, a provider of smart and sustainable buildings, and the architect of OpenBlue connected solutions, and Alcatraz AI have collaborated to provide a comprehensive suite of AI-powered security solutions and services to meet the growing need for frictionless entry and advanced building security. Leveraging its own data-powered access control technology combined with Alcatraz AI’s advanced facial authentication platform, the Alcatraz Rock, Johnson Controls offers comprehensive solutions to protect occupants and assets from building intruders and enable healthier hands-free entry. This partnership is just one facet of Johnson Controls commitment to bringing buildings to life through intelligent, dynamic, and data-powered solutions. Deep neural networks Alcatraz AI enhances Johnson Controls offerings to customers, creating a richer ecosystem of products and services and a timely response to the COVID-19 pandemic. When integrated with Johnson Controls access control technology, the Alcatraz Rock and its analytics provide building managers with advanced protection for their facilities’ security operations. AI technology instantly identifies and alerts security personnel to entry abnormalities The Alcatraz Rock software employs real-time facial mapping and deep neural networks to automatically enroll an individual based on any current access control methods, allowing for instant one-factor recognition authentication. This integration completely replaces standard badging practices with frictionless, hands-free access, allowing businesses and organizations to safely reopen by minimizing person-to-person contact at major entry points, and can even provide AI-powered mask detection. In addition, AI technology instantly identifies and alerts security personnel to entry abnormalities. Facial authentication technology “The ability to respectfully monitor who is accessing your building is crucial,” said John Hudson, vice president and general manager of security at Johnson Controls. “Facial recognition technology allows us to offer our customers an extra level of protection and provide the peace of mind of knowing exactly who is entering and exiting their facilities. Johnson Controls is more committed than ever to providing our customers with the tools and integrations needed to make buildings smarter, safer, and more connected.” “Frictionless entry is critical to public health right now, and this partnership allows us to take it to the next level by combining our leading facial authentication technology with Johnson Controls security solutions,” said Vince Gaydarzhiev, CEO and founder of Alcatraz AI. “From advanced tailgating detection to automatic employee check-in, the Alcatraz Rock makes hands-free entry possible while simultaneously making your building a safer place to live and work.”

The SmartWater Group is to operate a National Intelligence Portal for the police and critical infrastructure companies, tracking Organized Crime Gangs (OCG's) across the UK. In particular, the new shared national database and crime mapping system will tackle metal crime and national infrastructure crime. Transport, power, and telecommunications, are some of the sectors severely affected by metal crime. Heritage sites, including places of worship, are also increasingly being targeted with metal stolen from roofs and altars, causing irreparable structural damage and historic loss. Analyzing crime data Members of the National Metal Theft Group, which includes BT Openreach, National Grid, Network Rail, and many others, will be contributing their crime data to analysts operating within the Center for Infrastructure and Asset Protection (CIAP), a division of the SmartWater Group. Security alerts SmartWater Group’s analysts will be issuing security alerts to the members, to warn organizations of developing crime patterns ahead of any attack on the national infrastructure. Members will now have the ability to see where crime is happening across the UK, not just for their organization. The tools allow organizations to analyze the details and put measures in place to prevent crime from happening in their industry.  SmartWater Group will also be working with the police on special operations aimed at identifying offenders to facilitate their arrest and subsequent conviction. Mapping criminals Mark Cleland, British Transport Police Superintendent and National Lead for Metal Crime commented, “Thanks to the support of The SmartWater Group, we have taken the next step in creating the ability to map out criminality across the UK, enabling partners and law enforcement agencies to target those who present the greatest risk.” “These tools provide a greater pool of intelligence and a bigger picture of offender behavior, allowing us to join the dots and deliver impact evidence to courts for sentencing.” “By taking a multi-agency approach, we are maximizing our ability to identify those who are attacking our national infrastructure and historical buildings, making it harder for them to sell stolen metal and gain from their activities.” Supporting national infrastructure SmartWater Group and its partners form a crime reduction partnership to disrupt crime and reduce the disruption Phil Cleary, CEO of the SmartWater Group, added “We are really excited to demonstrate a number of innovative tools that will support national infrastructure and policing in tackling crime across the UK.” “SmartWater Group and our partners are working together to form a national infrastructure crime reduction partnership that will drive activity to disrupt crime and reduce the disruption of the UK’s important infrastructure.” “We are proud to be part of this work in supporting the country during these difficult times.” Licensing requirements The introduction of the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013, which brought in strict licensing requirements on dealers and identity checks for people selling scrap metal, contributed to a significant decrease in metal theft. Despite this, crime has continued with some offenders taking advantage of a quieter network during the Covid-19 pandemic to target isolated locations. National week of action British Transport Police (BTP) recently led a national week of action, involving more than 45 other organizations, in which the force provided training for officers from local forces, council staff, and industry workers. Officers made more than 500 visits to scrap metal dealers, vehicle dismantlers, and illegal waste sites. More than 1,000 vehicles were stopped and there were 29 arrests across eight force areas, as well as 129 matters settled without prosecution, with 150 other alleged offenses under investigation. 16 loads of stolen property were also recovered.

Allied Universal, a globally renowned security and facility services company in North America, is seeking to hire 100+ Phoenix area security professionals. Applicants are invited to drive up to the parking lot at the Clocktower Corporate Center, located at 7776 S. Pointe Parkway West in Phoenix, Arizona, on January 13, 2021 from 11 am to 4 pm to connect with hiring managers. Virtual interview process Allied Universal also employs a virtual interview process where applicants can complete the company’s online application from the comfort of their home through highly advanced video interviewing technology. “We invite applicants to drive up to the parking lot for an interview, and potentially drive off with a job offer,” stated Julie De La Mora, MBA, US Army Retired, Director of Recruiting | Southwest Region, Allied Universal. Keeping communities and businesses safe Our security professionals play a pivotal part ensuring facilities can continue business as usual" “Our clients, and the public at large, rely on us to keep our communities and businesses safe and secure especially during these challenging times,” said Steve Jones, Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Allied Universal. Steve adds, “Our security professionals play a pivotal part ensuring facilities can continue business as usual and other businesses that had to close, can rest assured that their assets will remain protected.” Company benefits include medical and dental coverage For full time positions, company benefits include medical and dental coverage, life insurance, 401(k), holidays and more. Allied Universal is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce. “Our #1 priority is to keep our employees safe and healthy in the workplace,” said Steve Jones, adding “We have a dedicated safety team constantly monitoring all COVID-19 developments ensuring we continuously educate our employees to understand and follow the CDC guidelines.” Providing careers and long-term growth Allied Universal offers careers and long-term growth in the thriving security industry. The company has countless examples of individuals that began their career as a security professional and today are in senior leadership positions. 

This year has brought about changes in virtually every sector. As with other frontline industries, the security sector has been tested more than those able to move entirely to remote working. While the promise of a vaccine means an end is in sight, the post-COVID era will not bring with it a return to the ‘normal’ we knew before the pandemic. Organizations have adapted, becoming more resilient and agile and this will have lasting effects. The coming months will continue to be testing. The tiered system will see the precautions in place fluctuate with the situation. Initial lockdown period At the same time, a gradual return to normal as the vaccine is rolled out will require adaptive measures. The security sector will be at the heart of keeping people safe throughout this process. The initial lockdown period and the first wave of panic buying might seem like a lifetime ago. However, the introduction of the second lockdown in November was accompanied by another wave of stockpiling despite organizations trying to reassure their customers. It is uncertainty that breeds anxiety, and we continue to see this as the restrictions fluctuate across the country. The tier system depends upon a number of factors: case detection rate, how quickly case numbers are rising or falling, positive COVID-19 test numbers in the general population, pressure on the NHS in that region, and local context and exceptional circumstances. Social distancing measures For the sector to meet demand, technology will be needed to work alongside the manned guarding role While travel is allowed in all tiers if necessary for work, government advice still recommends that those able to work from home should do so. This means that throughout the country, many buildings will remain empty or at minimal capacity for some time to come. Security risks vary with the restrictions in each area. Although shops are largely open, tier three still requires the closure of many premises. Vacant premises are more vulnerable to theft and damage, meaning officers and security technology remain in higher demand than usual. As more premises are allowed to open, the need for officers to implement social distancing measures increases, stretching the sector like never before. For the sector to meet demand, technology will be needed to work alongside the manned guarding role. Temperature checking devices It will continue to be important in providing security when officers cannot be present in person through CCTV and sensors. But it will also be integrated into the manned guarding role to streamline processes. We are already seeing the start of this as many officers are using handheld temperature checking devices to reduce the spread of COVID-19. We’ll also see temperature scanners installed into buildings to allow security guards to focus on other priorities. Those businesses that are open will need to continue to adapt to the changing regulations in the coming months. Christmas is a busy period that stretches the retail sector. Unpredictability results in heightened stress levels and makes it more difficult for people to reliably take in and recall information. Security officers are a key first point of contact both to enforce measures and reassure anxious staff and members of the public. Enforcing one-Way systems Security staff will need to keep members of the public safe and prevent disruption Some shops are enforcing one-way systems and limiting the number of customers allowed inside. Over Christmas, many more may choose to do so. Security officers will be responsible for ensuring these precautions are followed. With the heightened pressure of the festive period, it can be hard to predict how members of the public will respond to officers enforcing measures. Security staff will need to keep members of the public safe and prevent disruption. Doing so will require tact and empathy in dealing with customers. Within shops, too, officers will be tasked with ensuring social distancing and other measures are followed effectively. Doing so, they must work closely with clients to understand what protocols are in place and how to handle a breach. They must also be able to enact discretion. For example, clients may not take issue with protocols being broken momentarily or accidentally. Extensive government guidance There is extensive government guidance on the precautions that should be taken on various premises. They include the introduction of one-way systems and limiting building capacity. Measures such as one-way systems may be broken by those that don’t notice or don’t care. Officers must be able to judge what responses are appropriate while maintaining a calm and reassuring presence. The security officer role has long been moving toward a more front of house position as, for many visitors to a building, they are the first point of contact. The pandemic has accelerated this trend. Working on the frontline of the pandemic, officers have had to play a more multifaceted role than ever before. Officers still act as deterrents and manage security issues, but they must also use empathy and strong communication skills to inform and reassure customers and staff onsite. Adapting to new technology They will need to be able to learn quickly on the job and adapt to new technology and practices Being able to demonstrate this flexibility and to read a situation and react appropriately will be some of the skills most in demand in the industry in the future. Officers will need to build close working relationships with clients. In addition, many will have new roles, such as taking temperatures with handheld devices. They will need to be able to learn quickly on the job and adapt to new technology and practices. Technology, too, will be more important. If the global pandemic has driven any point home, it is that we cannot always see or sense threats. Data-Driven insights Temperature checks and occupancy sensors will be the norm in protecting from COVID, while security technology and data-driven insights will continue to grow in popularity. The security sector specializes in adapting to the unexpected and the threatening. It continues to demonstrate incredible value through the pandemic. While the coming months will undoubtedly be trying, the sector is adapting. Lessons have been learned from the pandemic that will affect business globally. Security specialists are taking these on and creating a stronger and more effective industry.

The Security industry’s role in maintaining safe workplaces has never been more critical. Yet, individual security officers remain likely to drop shifts at the last minute and with greater frequency in the current climate, with illness, lockdown, self-isolation and home-schooling all common reasons for being off. Having a reliable bench with relief officers on hand has never been more important. Sorting drops internally (as opposed to using agency officers) is no longer nice to have to improve margins but is increasingly expected by clients who require consistent support more than ever. Thanks to COVID-related complications, staff sickness, and absence rates could reach as much as 15% this winter and because of this, Controllers can no longer assume they know how many Security officers are going to be able to turn up on any given shift. The truth is traditional static, fixed schedules, and standard workforce management software can’t resolve blow-outs or unpredictable demand with any degree of reliability. It is too rigid and inevitably operates too close to maximum capacity to give scope for an adequate response. Agency officers           By using agency officers, Controllers find themselves stuck in a cycle of relying on them and allocating valuable time to filling shifts rather than dealing with the root of the staffing issues. Agency officers are also expensive and need to be trained, with each new officer having to be familiarised with site procedures before starting a shift. By avoiding agencies businesses can not only save money but also the relentless job of ringing around to fill last-minute gaps. Agency staff also heightens the risk of internal officers catching COVID by increased mixing with outside staff members. Static staffing Static roles have a fixed rota pattern and are needed in place no matter how low or high each site requires So, what can Controllers do to avoid agencies but also ensure they have the staffing levels they require? The solution lies in rethinking the approach to static staffing - or staffing by fixed-schedule, permanent team members. In short, the answer is to set full-time staffing levels to the minimum required for operational stability and use a bench of dynamic reserves to cover all other levels of demand. Static roles are those that have a fixed rota pattern and are needed in place no matter how low or high each site requires. Dynamic roles, in contrast, are those roles that can be filled from a pool of people who work non-fixed hours. Once minimum full-time staff requirements are determined then Controllers can begin mapping the dynamic reserves needed to build a bench of officers. How to build a bench Choose areas of the business (by client contract or region) that will benefit most. As a guide, look first where any agency usage is significant. A bench isn’t a line-up of second-rate substitutes - it’s an opportunity to build a talented flexible workforce that wants or needs to be able to work non-standard hours. By empowering bench officers with choice over how and when they work, businesses will see less staff turnover and be able to fill shifts quickly and easily with the right people. By taking into account the preferences and skills of the workforce businesses can intelligently match available officers to the right shifts for them. This helps to build better teams that work well together and allows officers to choose the shifts that suit them best. There has never been a better time for recruiting additional bench staff. This may seem an odd strategy during a recession, but with unemployment levels at a high and incentives from the government to employ apprentices, now is actually the perfect time to look at what additional skills each team needs to offer high levels of service. With the option of flexible contracts and many officers looking to be able to fit work into their busy lifestyles, recruiting additional officers to be part of a bench is a win-win situation. Flexible working options Dynamic staffing gives maximum responsiveness and efficiency but it is complex There are further advantages of internally filling roles, especially during the pandemic, such as peace of mind that officers aren’t mixing unnecessarily with outside staff, reducing the risk of exposure to the virus. This is especially important for those who live with or are high-risk people themselves. In addition to this, by offering flexible working options, officers can feel empowered and happier; we live in a flexible and personalized society so why shouldn’t this thinking be applied to our working lives? By giving officers this dynamic option, many who have other responsibilities such as childcare or aging relatives to care for can still enjoy working and contributing to society. This way of thinking is inclusive, empowering, and a lifeline for those who are juggling different factors. Dynamic staffing software Dynamic staffing gives maximum responsiveness and efficiency but it is complex. The moving parts involved - the volume of officers, their availability, the necessary skills, performance feedback - is hard enough when setting schedules in advance. Throw in last-minute blow-outs because of sickness, timetable clashes, and operational needs, and the sheer complexity can cause an operational meltdown. Dynamic staffing software can help take the operational headache away. Treating officers equally Lastly, it is important that all officers are treated equally, whether full time or bench. Controllers and the reputation of the business rely on these bench officers to respond to unpredictable needs, they aren’t a band-aid, they are the business and their performance depends on their satisfaction and retention.

In a world forever changed by the coronavirus pandemic, companies worldwide are now expanding their concept of physical security to best safeguard their facilities and employees. Few incidents have had as much of an impact on businesses globally as the COVID-19 pandemic; much of the world is still struggling to contain COVID-19, navigating the lasting effects and exploring what the “new normal” looks like. While some organizations are still engaged primarily in “anywhere operations”, i.e. remote work, many organizations are implementing strategic physical security solutions that better protect everyone through the use of video surveillance technology and advanced intelligence capabilities. As this new normal takes hold within the business environment, security strategies will largely be centered around several key initiatives like access control, people counting, occupancy controls, temperature screening, contact tracing, and reducing office touch points. With the use of a video management system (VMS) in the shadow of COVID-19, occupancy data from a VMS can trigger a lockdown and not permit new entrants until the occupancy drops below a certain threshold; this is significantly useful for organizations that have returned to in-person work.  But there’s a caveat: though many legacy security systems are being re-evaluated to allow for touchless or frictionless access control — a move designed to eliminate the need for employees and visitors to physically touch a surface when using an access control system — upgrading the outdated technologies can be cumbersome and expensive, especially for organizations that had not planned for an interruption like the pandemic. Security contractors will be vital So, what is the solution? Security contractors will play a vital role in helping end-users across a range of vertical markets — large and small — to achieve their goals in the new paradigm. For some, this may mean leveraging existing access control and video surveillance systems with upgrades where needed. For others, an entire overhaul is made possible with budget friendly solutions for businesses to migrate to integrated access control through end-to-end security solutions that tie into existing infrastructures without major disruptions (meaning the organization will never be left vulnerable). Cybersecurity is becoming even more intertwined with physical security There is massive transformation occurring in the security industry, most notably the movement to digitise physical access and integrate it with video management systems and surveillance. This shift means that cybersecurity is becoming even more intertwined with physical security, allowing organizations the ability to correlate the metadata of people’s behaviors and activities — a plus point for those looking to remain vigilant against future pandemic-esque business interruptions. Access, video, and audio are converging into consolidated platforms. Due to lower costs and pairings with IP-based, wireless infrastructure, there are infinite solution configurations. IT security requirements are beginning to apply to physical security because of this integrated infrastructure. Multi-factor authentication The security industry is also beginning to see a trend of multi-factor authentication, which is going to dominate in the days to come as it makes solutions more reliable. Most people carry smartphones these days, which have green check communication capabilities that allow easy multi-factor authentication. Costs are going down, and algorithms are getting better, making more people willing to try it. Some new solutions have both the fingerprint reader and a camera for facial biometrics Some new solutions have both the fingerprint reader and a camera for facial biometrics. Cameras and CCD modules cost almost nothing, and they do not have to be super high-end anymore, especially if organizations are doing one-to-one verification. It’s not just about security now; it is security, health, and safety. Access control with video, intelligent readers, and credentials is a perfect platform for next generation solutions.

An impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been to accelerate change. In 2020, the security industry was among many others that sought to adapt to shifting norms. In the process, we grabbed onto new opportunities for change and, in many cases, re-evaluated how we have done business for decades. If necessity is the mother of invention, perhaps crisis is the mother of acceleration. This article will reflect on how these themes impacted the physical security industry in 2020, based on content we published throughout the year, and with links back to the original articles. Sensitive data leakage Since the lockdown came into effect, organizations globally have undergone years' worth of transformations in a matter of months. Whether it has been to transition their operations online or moving their IT infrastructure to the cloud, there’s no denying that the face of business has changed permanently, experiencing a seismic shift, both operationally and culturally. As we enter the ‘next normal’ there remains a great deal of uncertainty around what the next 12 months holds and how organizations can navigate turbulence in the face of a possible recession. One of the most notable and widely reported trends has been the switch to remote methods of work, or home working. With so many employees logging on from residential networks, through personal devices that may be more easily compromised, the overall attack surface has greatly increased, raising the risk of potential corporate and sensitive data leakage in their new home office settings. Security and data protection are larger issues than ever. Good cybersecurity hygiene Criminals will use the crisis to scam people for money, account information and more" With a majority of the world working from home, businesses had to respond to this changing landscape. While it used to be that in-person networking events and sales pitches secured new projects or opportunities, the current landscape pushes businesses to be more creative in how they reach their customers. For example, with ISC West being postponed, many companies have turned to online resources to share new product demonstrations and other company news. Others are hosting webinars as a way to discuss the current climate and what it means for the industry. Without the proper precautions, working from home could become a cybersecurity nightmare, says Purdue University professor Marcus Rogers. “Criminals will use the crisis to scam people for money, account information and more,” he says. “With more people working from home, people need to make sure they are practicing good cybersecurity hygiene, just like they would at work. There is also a big risk that infrastructures will become overwhelmed, resulting in communication outages, both internet and cell.” Work-Life balance In a typical office with an on-premise data center, the IT department has complete control over network access, internal networks, data, and applications. The remote worker, on the other hand, is mobile. He or she can work from anywhere using a VPN. Until just recently this will have been from somewhere like a local coffee shop, possibly using a wireless network to access the company network and essential applications. There are many benefits of working remotely with productivity right up the top of the list There are many benefits of working remotely with productivity right up the top of the list. By reducing the unproductive time spent commuting and traveling to meetings, we are able to get much more done in a day. Add to this the reduction in stress and improved work-life balance and it makes for an impressive formula of happier, healthier and more motivated colleagues. And it’s still easy to measure results no matter where someone is working. Video conferencing platforms Trade shows have always been a basic element of how the security industry does business - until the year 2020, that is. This year has seen the total collapse of the trade show model as a means of bringing buyers and sellers face to face. The COVID-19 pandemic has effectively made the idea of a large trade show out of the question. The good news is that the industry has adapted well without the shows. A series of ‘on-line shows’ has emerged, driven by the business world’s increasing dependence on Zoom and other video conferencing platforms. The fact is, 2020 has provided plenty of opportunities for sellers to connect with buyers. Some of these sessions have been incredibly informative – and conveniently accessible from the comfort of a home office. Online training courses Online training has grown in popularity this year, and the change may become permanent Online training has grown in popularity this year, and the change may become permanent. “We have seen unprecedented international demand for our portfolio of online training courses ranging from small installation companies to the largest organizations, across a wide range of sectors,” says Jerry Alfandari, Group Marketing Manager of Linx International Group, a UK training firm. “More than ever, businesses are looking to ensure they have the skills in-house to coordinate their response to the changing situation. Individuals are also taking this time to upskill themselves for when we return to ‘normal’ by bringing something with them they didn’t have before. Perhaps unsurprisingly, people are still seeking to better themselves for what will be, eventually, a competitive market.” Virtual trade show ‘Crisis and the Everyday’ was part of Genetec’s Connect’DX virtual trade show last spring. The virtual conversation – emphasizing both in form and content the topsy-turvy state of the world – included interesting insights on the current pandemic and its near- and long-term impact on the industry. In the middle of this pandemic, there is an opportunity to help security reinvent itself “In the middle of this pandemic, there is an opportunity to help security reinvent itself,” said Brad Brekke, Principal, The Brekke Group, one of the panelists. “Amid the business disruption, we should ask ‘what’s the new playbook?’ It’s an opportunity for security to look at ourselves now and look at a business plan of what the future might look like. We need to align with the business model of the corporation and define our role more around business and not so much around security.” Cloud-Based platform As a cloud-based platform for service providers in the security, smart home and smart business markets, Alarm.com adapted quickly to changing conditions during the coronavirus pandemic. In the recent dynamic environment, Alarm.com has kept focus on supporting their service provider partners so they can keep local communities protected. “We moved quickly to establish work-from-home protocols to protect our employees and minimize impact on our partners,” says Anne Ferguson, VP of Marketing at Alarm.com. The Customer Operations and Reseller Education (CORE) team has operated without interruption to provide support to partners. Sales teams are utilizing webinars and training resources to inform and educate partners about the latest products, tools, and solutions. Alarm.com’s partner tools are essential for remote installations and support of partner accounts.

The coronavirus pandemic had a monumental impact on all aspects of the business world, including the security industry. However, amid the gloom and doom, many security professionals also saw opportunity: New ways the industry’s products could be applied to address the challenges of coping with the virus. This article will review some of those opportunities, based on our reporting throughout the year and including links back to the original articles. During and after the pandemic, security systems are an important asset when it comes to helping to keep occupants and buildings safe as employees return to work. For example, video analytics can provide insight into how spaces have previously been used and can help to predict where and when occupants encounter each other or congregate. Role of thermal cameras These foot-traffic patterns can inform settings for a variety of devices - like ventilation and temperature controls - and even help owners create social distancing plans and monitor personal protective equipment (PPE) compliance. Thermal surveillance, a mainstay of traditional physical security and outdoor perimeter detection, began being deployed early in the pandemic to quickly scan employees, contractors and visitors as part of a first line of defense to detect COVID-19 symptoms. These systems provide flexibility and can offer integrations with multiple VMS platforms and access control devices These systems provide flexibility and can offer integrations with multiple VMS platforms and access control devices. Thermal cameras can be a tool for detecting fever, but any use of the technology for this purpose is full of qualifications and caveats. Importantly, how the camera system is configured makes all the difference in whether temperature readings are accurate, and the downside of inaccurate readings is obvious - and potentially deadly. Temperature detection systems FDA guidelines limit how the cameras are used, not to mention guidance from other regulatory/government bodies such as the CDC. One of our Expert Roundtable panelists compares the market to a “wild west scenario,” and almost all the panelists are clear about how customers should approach the market: Buyer beware. There are many companies jumping into selling temperature detection systems to the state, local governments, hospitals, airports and local businesses, but do they know how to drive one? Anyone can get behind a car and drive it into a wall by accident. The same can happen with a temperature detection system. Customers need to know what questions to ask to ensure they maximize the accuracy of body temperature detection systems. Rise of contactless Spread of the novel coronavirus has jolted awareness of hygiene as it relates to touching surfaces such as keypads. No longer in favor are contact-based modalities including use of personal identification numbers (PINs) and keypads, and the shift has been sudden and long-term. Both customers and manufacturers were taken by surprise by this aspect of the virus’s impact and are therefore scrambling for solutions. Immediate impact of the change includes suspension of time and attendance systems that are touch-based Immediate impact of the change includes suspension of time and attendance systems that are touch-based. Some two-factor authentication systems are being downgraded to RFID-only, abandoning the keypad and/or biometric components that contributed to higher security, but are now unacceptable because they involve touching. "Users do not want to touch anything anymore,” says Alex Zarrabi, President of Touchless Biometrics Systems (TBS). Facial recognition system Another contactless system that benefits from concerns about spread of COVID-19 is facial recognition. New advancement in software, specifically in the areas of algorithms, neural networks and deep learning and/or artificial intelligence (AI), have all dramatically improved both the performance and accuracy of facial recognition systems, further expanding its use for an increasing number of applications. A low-tech solution - the face mask - became a leading preventative measure during the pandemic. But, a high-tech solution is necessary to ensure that everyone is wearing them. Cameras powered by artificial intelligence can now identify whether or not people entering a facility are wearing facemasks and help enforce adherence to mask mandates. This technology is proving to be a cost-effective solution that reduces risks of confrontations over masks policies and gives managers the data they need to document regulatory compliance and reduce liability. Smart video analytics Other technology approaches, including artificial intelligence (AI), were also brought to bear during the pandemic. The German data analytics powerhouse G2K, for example, has developed a Corona Detection and Containment System (CDCS) that is ready for immediate use in record time. Detection takes place in combination with AI-supported data analysis to specifically identify virus hotspots and distribution routes, as well as to identify other potentially infected persons. One specific AI application fuels the reopening of the world and successfully keeps the spread of the virus abated One specific AI application fuels the reopening of the world and successfully keeps the spread of the virus abated. A “collaborative security” application includes a synthesis of smart video analytics, facial recognition, object identification/detection, and thermal cameras that can support the reopening of businesses globally when installed within those facilities frequented by customers. Enforcing social distancing Several applications have been successful to date and will increase in usability in the foreseeable future, creating “smart cities” working together towards a safer, more secure world. The site of one pilot program is the 250,000-square-foot HID Global facility in Austin. For the pilot program, 80 HID Location Services readers were installed in a wide area in the facility, including a variety of environments. Initially 30 badges and 30 fobs, all BLE-enabled, were issued to employees. If a badge identifies another nearby beacon (suggesting a social distancing failure), it emits a blinking LED light, which can be seen by the offending co-worker. To ensure social distancing, a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacon is emitted from an employee’s fob (or from a badge that has the same functionality). The beacon communicates peer-to-peer with a beacon emitted by another employee’s fob or badge to alert if the location of the two employees is less than six feet apart. For contact tracing, the beacons communicate via a nearby “reader” (a BluFi BLE-to-Wi-Fi gateway) to the Bluzone cloud-based software-as-a-service. COVID-19 White Papers In addition, we published several White Papers in 2020 that addressed various aspects of the coronavirus pandemic. They included: The top five security lessons learned that apply across all industries navigating COVID-19. Using video analytics to keep staff, visitors and customers safe by enforcing social distancing. How antimicrobial treatment on door handles and levers can reduce disease spread. How companies can put in extra precautions that will continue to grow and adapt with their environment over the long-term. Determining the practicalities and capabilities of today's thermal cameras to accurately detect body temperature.

The cloud is here to stay. Its resilience and ability to connect the world during the COVID-19 pandemic has proved its worth, even to the uninitiated who have now witnessed first-hand the value of connected systems. Video and access control as a service provides a flexible and fluid security and business solution to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving industry, where the changing threat landscape means investing in the cloud is an investment towards success. This article will look back at our articles in 2020 about the growing popularity of cloud solutions for physical security, with links to the original content. Product offering While most people agree on the definition of “cloud,” there are several points about the terminology that may require clarification. Private cloud or public cloud? VSaaS or unlimited storage for video? Beyond the basics, the terms become foggy, reflecting a variety of notions about how cloud services fit into the broader physical security marketplace. As cloud usage becomes more popular, it’s important that marketers be precise in their terminology, and that integrators and end users be diligent in understanding the specifics of available product offerings. Different meanings “The cloud has many different possible connotations, depending on the context,” says Yu Hao Lin of Rasilient Systems, one of our Expert Roundtable panelists. For example, corporate CIOs will more likely understand the cloud to be a private cloud platform. As such, the public cloud is a ubiquitous term while the private cloud is more specified. Cloud system security Security of cloud systems is an ongoing discussion in the industry, especially how cloud system cybersecurity compares to that of on-premise systems. Our Expert Panel Roundtable weighed in on this question. “While both kinds of security systems serve their purpose, it can be argued that the streamlined updates that are commonplace with cloud-based solutions may put them at more of an advantage when it comes to data security,” says panelist Eric Widlitz of Vanderbilt Industries. “Also, most reputable cloud-based solutions are running in secured data centers by companies such as Google, Microsoft, or Amazon, so you also get to take advantage of all the security layers they have protecting your data.” Hybrid cloud video security solution A growing list of cloud players reinforces the importance of the cloud in the future of physical security There are several relatively new companies pushing cloud in a big way. Verkada is fast-growing company currently currently focusing to deliver an all-in-one hybrid cloud video security solution powered by edge processing inside the camera. The growing list of cloud players reinforces the importance of the cloud in the future of physical security. Combining AI and cloud video One company investing in the cloud is Eagle Eye Networks, which has raised $40 million of Series E funding from venture capital firm Accel to finance the realization of their vision to combine AI and cloud video. The money will allow Eagle Eye to continue its steep growth curve and leverage AI on its true cloud platform to reshape video surveillance. “The investment will make video surveillance smarter and safer for end-users,” says Ken Francis, President. Eagle Eye offers an application programming interface (API) to enable the integration of best-in-breed third-party AI and analytics systems to leverage the video. Eagle Eye is also investing in its own AI development and hiring additional development and customer service personnel. Hirsch Velocity Cirrus and MobilisID Identiv introduced the Hirsch Velocity Cirrus cloud-based Access Control as a Service (ACaaS) solution and MobilisID smart mobile physical access control solution. Hirsch Velocity Cirrus is an optimal solution for both end-users and integrators, with lower upfront costs, reduced maintenance, enhanced portability, and the future-proof assurance of automatic security updates and feature sets.  MobilisID is a smart mobile physical access control solution that uses Bluetooth and capacitive technologies to allow frictionless access to a controlled environment without the need to present a credential. Advantages and disadvantages Advantages of cloud-based physical security technologies are many, when supporting staffThe advantages of cloud-based physical security technologies are many, and have wide-ranging applications for all areas of the transport sector; across stations, transport hubs, and vehicles. When used to support staff and complement existing processes, such systems can prove invaluable for transport professionals in helping to create a safer working environment, promoting confidence among personnel and passengers, and assuring passengers who are fearful about the current pandemic that all possible precautions are being taken during their journey. 5G supporting cloud-based applications 5G is the first communication environment that is cloud-native. As such, 5G networks will support cloud-based applications in a way that 4G, 3G and 2G can’t support. For instance, sensors (e.g. in a manufacturing plant) often have small internal storage and rely on synced devices (e.g. gateways) to interact with the cloud. Soon, these sensors will be able to work more efficiently, interacting with the cloud via the ultra-low latency and the edge computing capabilities supported by 5G networks. Increasing use of IoT Unlike current IoT services that make performance trade-offs to get the best from these existing wireless technologies, 5G networks will be designed to bring the high levels of performance needed for the increasing use of IoT. It will enable a perceived fully ubiquitous connected world, with the boosted capacity offered by 5G networks transferring exponentially more data at a much quicker rate.

Since the beginning of the Corona pandemic, MOBOTIX thermal cameras have been increasingly used in the healthcare sector, as well as airports, train stations, public authorities, and companies, to detect temperature anomalies in people without contact and thus contain the spread of the virus. However, this aspect is only one area for which MOBOTIX technology is currently providing special services. The MOBOTIX 7 Platform, with its intelligent and cyber secure camera systems M73 and S74, predestined MOBOTIX video technology even before the pandemic to ensure comprehensive, digital support in healthcare clinics and the care of the elderly and disabled. The reliable, high-quality video systems made in Germany reduce hospital and nursing staff's workload, provide digital care for patients and residents, and optimize care and workflow processes. Parking lot management Basic safety and pandemic protection in healthcare Also, during the pandemic, a special duty of care applies to employees, patients, and residents as a risk or high-risk group. MOBOTIX video technology is used in numerous clinics, retirement, and care facilities worldwide to ensure that patients, residents, and employees have a carefree stay and can work safely. Dangers and sources of risk are detected, and the intelligent systems warn, report, or directly initiate assistance and rescue measures. With the MOBOTIX 7 platform and the versatile apps, MOBOTIX offers exceptional application possibilities This allows staff to concentrate on their work, while hospital patients and nursing home residents can recover more quickly and get the rest they need. MOBOTIX video technology is also used for early fire detection and access control, mainly to protect sensitive areas such as sterile rooms, operating theaters, or medication depots. MOBOTIX also offers the right solutions for intrusion and theft protection, securing outdoor spaces, or access monitoring and parking lot management. With the MOBOTIX 7 platform and the versatile apps, MOBOTIX offers exceptional application possibilities: Temperature-sensitive people are detected as soon as they enter the facility and can be immediately sent for further examination. Crowding is avoided, and social distancing can be supported. MOBOTIX video systems detect when no mask is being worn and trigger an alarm or an information announcement. Cybersecurity and data protection Cybersecurity and data protection "Made in Germany” Particularly in the healthcare sector, cybersecurity and data protection must be given the highest priority. After all, it is a matter of protecting lives. But it is also about sensitive, personal data that must not fall into the wrong hands under any circumstances. MOBOTIX video systems consist of high-quality components. Developed, produced, and comprehensively tested at the company's German headquarters in Langmeil/Rhineland-Palatinate, the company creates products and solutions that are impressive not only because of their outstanding image quality - even in the most challenging lighting conditions. One hundred percent DSGV-compliant, the decentralized MOBOTIX systems stand for the highest possible cybersecurity and comprehensive data protection. Unauthorized persons cannot read the stored data. Intelligent video technology Relieving the workload of hospital and nursing staff with "digital care” Using intelligent video technology from MOBOTIX can significantly reduce the hospital and nursing staff's workload Hospital and nursing staff often work at the breaking point. Using intelligent video technology from MOBOTIX can significantly reduce the hospital and nursing staff's workload. For example, adequate video support can be used to carry out control rounds digitally. On the one hand, this creates free space that can be used for personal care and nursing, while on the other hand, emergencies are reported directly at the time they occur - and thus, the staff does not lose critical time. Effective signaling and calling systems targeted alarm differentiation, and the avoidance of false alarms keep staff motivation high and reduce alarm fatigue. Incorporating audio systems Digital and discreet care for patients and those in need of care MOBOTIX provides discreet video support for round-the-clock security without anyone feeling they are being watched. The video surveillance systems in healthcare facilities are discreetly and unobtrusively installed; they also detect and alert only when defined events occur to keep recordings to a minimum. At the same time, patients and residents can be sure that help will arrive quickly in an emergency. Even at night, helpless individuals are detected immediately, ensuring their safety and preserving their independence. By incorporating audio systems, MOBOTIX video solutions for healthcare also enable patients to be addressed and communicated directly with. license plate recognition Optimize hospital and care processes Smooth organization of routines helps hospitals and retirement and care facilities be efficient and profitable Smooth organization of important routines helps hospitals and retirement and care facilities be efficient and profitable. Numerous processes can be automated and optimized with MOBOTIX video technology, from the facility's journey to check-out. For example, professional parking management with license plate recognition can ensure that only authorized vehicles can access specified areas. In this way, ambulance access routes can be kept free, or parking fees can be billed in a straightforward, fast, and accurate manner. Queues in registration or examination areas can be avoided, and smooth administration and medical and care areas can be enabled. University hospitals or teaching institutions can use high-resolution camera systems, e.g., in operating theaters, to fulfill their teaching and training mission without disruptions. Customers can develop further apps that enable completely individual solutions themselves or have them created by MOBOTIX and its technology partners and certified concerning cybersecurity. Advanced video technology Comprehensive solutions with the best return on investment Healthcare is a market that is extremely important to MOBOTIX. The high level of solution expertise digitizes processes and work steps in everyday hospital and home life, using intelligent and future-proof video technology. Thus, simplifying work and making it safer also relieves the healthcare budgets' pressure and increases profitability (ROI).

Milton Keynes University Hospital has installed a Videx VX2200 system, one of the UK’s renowned access control manufacturer’s flagship door entry systems with 5178 hands free audio units and touch free entry points. Through opting for a touch free entry solution, the hospital has been able to reduce physical contact between people to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Four independent units were installed by ST Fire and Security in different buildings of the hospital. One was installed at The Campbell Center, a 38-bed acute inpatient mental health unit, another system fitted at the hospital’s dental surgery, a system fitted at the entrance of urgent care and a final one at Eaglestone Health Center which is a specialist Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) facility. Audio apartment station Simon Turpin, Owner of ST Fire and Security, said: “The Videx VX2200 system with hands free audio apartment station and touch free entry points delivers huge benefits to the hospital by safeguarding patient, visitor and NHS staff safety as well providing easy and convenient access. The new system reduces waiting times as when a visitor uses it, someone in the building is immediately notified and will come to see them to complete entry.” “The Videx kit is the only one on the market currently that can offer convenient access in a touch-free way - they’re highly useful in helping the hospital ensure people stick to the designated one way system in place.” Touch free access Proximity access control can be added allowing authorized personnel to enter buildings touch free" As well as providing touch free access, the Videx system has replaced an existing system that had failed, affecting secure and convenient access to and from The Campbell Center. The Videx solution means no patient or member of staff is waiting for access into the secure mental health unit, safeguarding patients and employees. Ben Davies, South East Sales Manager, Videx UK, said: “Our touch free access control range has proved hugely popular in recent months as minimal contact remains key to reducing the spread of the coronavirus. The range offers both exit buttons and entrance panels in a touch free format using infrared sensor technology, providing a no touch solution for businesses as they focus on creating a COVID secure environment for their employees, partners and customers.” Bespoke entry panels “Proximity access control can be added allowing authorized personnel to enter buildings touch free, which is particularly useful for hospitals and other NHS buildings such as GP surgeries and urgent care facilities. We can also provide fully customized options, offering bespoke entry panels and exit buttons that are in keeping with the surroundings of the building whether that’s a specific hospital ward, GP surgeries, or dentist practices.”

Globally renowned security video wall technology and audio visual solutions expert, Ultimate Visual Solutions (UVS) has announced that the company has secured its first contract in Poland, as part of a concerted sales drive across Central and Eastern Europe. The project deal, for a client in the energy sector, is to supply a control room with UVS Lucidity video wall controller technology. This deal takes the number of countries where Ultimate Visual Solutions has worked in or supplied equipment to 17 in the last two years. UVS Lucidity video wall controller technology The contract is the result of detailed online demonstrations of the UVS Lucidity video wall controller technology The contract is the result of detailed online demonstrations of the UVS Lucidity video wall controller technology during lockdown, to a client brought to UVS by the audio-visual distributor, Business International Group. The AV distributor, based in Warsaw, Poland provides professional solutions, devices and audio-visual accessories to a wide range of clients. UVS technology will be at the heart of a new operations center, where it will be providing the monitoring of key Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems and other critical data. Monitoring of SCADA systems and critical data Business International Group was introduced to Ultimate Visual Solutions by Pawel Religa, the UVS representative in Central and Eastern Europe, who was recruited to take advantage of the region’s fast-growing audio-visual markets. He was given technical support by UVS’s certified and authorized Eastern Europe pre-sale and after-sale service support partner, Robert Chlebowski of SIGE Poland. Pawel Religa has a wealth of experience in the AV sector, with previous employers including, Edbak (EDBAK Sp. Zo.o.). He is focusing on Russia, Poland and other key parts of the European mainland. Live demonstrations of UVS technology Pawel Religa commented, “The fact that Ultimate Visual Solutions (UVS) were able to provide Business International Group and their end client with very specific online live demonstrations and evaluations of the proposed UVS technology, and using the exact same SCADA application as the end client has implemented, convinced the end client that it was providing the correct solution.” Pawel further adds, “Ultimate Visual Solutions support during the sales, procurement and installation cycle has been excellent and Business Group are looking forward to a long term business relationship.” UVS remote services suite Ultimate Visual Solutions launched a suite of remote services, including a live online demonstration facility Earlier this year, Ultimate Visual Solutions launched a suite of remote services, including a live online demonstration facility, in order to provide full video wall technology evaluations for partners and their clients, even in lockdown or self-isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Steve Murphy, Managing Director of Ultimate Visual Solutions (UVS), which is based in the Business First - Burnley Business Centre, said “This contract is the first to come as a result of the many proposals we have been doing during lockdown for Business International Group in Poland, which have benefitted greatly from our ability to provide online demonstrations.” Video wall displays and AV solutions provider Steve Murphy adds, “The investment we made at the beginning of 2020 in our remote demonstration and remote support capability is proving invaluable and has contributed to a very strong finish to 2020.” Ultimate Visual Solutions (UVS), which has its headquarters at the Business First - Burnley Business Centre in Burnley, United Kingdom, provides video wall displays and audio visual solutions to a range of clients across the UK and the rest of the world. It changed its name from eyevis UK in September 2018, following the acquisition of eyevis GmbH by the Leyard Group.

HID Global, the globally renowned company in trusted identity solutions, has announced that Bay State College safely brought its students back to its campuses in Boston and Taunton, Massachusetts using a digitized contact tracing solution that includes HID Bluetooth BEEKs Beacons to provide real-time location services. HID Bluetooth beacon The HID Bluetooth beacon is in the form of a simple badge holder that is used to carry existing ID badges for students, faculty, staff and guests. The beacons are part of a robust solution that makes it possible to quickly and easily perform contact tracing, removing the manual and time-consuming effort to identify who has been in contact with whom on campus. “Contact tracing is a key component for safely operating our campuses and considered by health departments to be one of the most important efforts to help slow the spread of COVID-19,” said Jeffrey E. Myers, Chief Information Officer with Bay State College. Contact tracing solution He adds, “HID BEEKS beacons are carried by each person on campus as part of our solution that enabled us to safely resume in-person classes and keep our campus operational should isolated parts of our community find themselves infected.” The HID BEEKS Bluetooth Low-Energy (BLE) beacons provide the starting data that Bay State College’s contact tracing solution uses to calculate the time, place, and proximity of faculty, staff, and students while on the college’s two campuses. HID BEEKs Beacons HID’s offering is part of a broader platform that provides smart building and optimization capabilities" The information from the beacons enables college administrators to comply with state and local occupancy mandates and, when needed, rapidly respond to cases. Logs are maintained only for the 14-day period required for contact tracing, and the university has adopted strict privacy policy guidelines for data use and access. “We are very pleased that Bay State College has used HID BEEKs Beacons to help streamline and accelerate the often daunting task of contact tracing,” said Mark Robinton, Vice President of IoT Services at HID Global, adding "In addition to creating a completely digitized approach to this process, HID’s offering is part of a broader platform that provides smart building and optimization capabilities that extend well beyond today’s pressing need to stem the spread of COVID-19.” HID Location Services HID BEEKS Beacons are part of a complete HID Location Services for Workplace Safety that also simplifies and streamlines how to manage social distancing. These workplace safety solutions build on the company’s comprehensive HID Location Services platform, deployed by Fortune 500 companies worldwide, to manage building occupancy, optimize office and facility space, improve energy efficiency and enhance security. The platform can also monitor assets as well as the condition and health of industrial equipment.

Boon Edam Inc., a globally renowned company in security entrances and architectural revolving doors, has announced that Dexus Wholesale Property Fund has upgraded the Gateway Building in Sydney’s Circular Quay to feature entry security measures to protect employees, visitors and valuable data. The ideal solution was found by integrating Boon Edam Speedlane Swing optical turnstiles, IDEMIA’s MorphoWave touchless fingerprint scanners, Schindler’s elevator dispatch and Honeywell’s access control technology. Integration with MorphoWave touchless reader MorphoWave scans and verifies four fingerprints through a simple hand wave gesture Gateway’s access solution allows authorized and registered tenants to simply wave their hand in the MorphoWave touchless fingerprint scanner reader to enter the secure area through the turnstiles. Guests can sign in and register their finger pattern to become authorized to enter. MorphoWave scans and verifies four fingerprints through a simple hand wave gesture, during which the sensor takes several 3D photos of the fingerprints to extract biometric data and compare with the authorized fingerprints stored in the device. If they match, the user is granted access. This process all happens in less than one second. Featuring Schindler’s PORT Technology Each MorphoWave reader is connected to Schindler’s PORT Technology, which then receives the user’s credential data and conducts a cross-check with the building’s access control database. If the user is valid, a command is sent to the Boon Edam Lifeline Speedlane Swing to open its barriers. This interaction is surprisingly quick, with limited latency. “Tenants have a duty of care to protect their employees and visitors as well as valuable data and intellectual property, and they need the cooperation and support of a responsible and innovative building manager such as Dexus to manage secure entry into the building,” said Michael Fisher, Managing Director, Boon Edam Australia. Seamless access control integration A major part of the solution involves elevator destination control, whereby a user’s credentials are automatically assigned an elevator as they are verified and allowed access through the turnstile. This seamless integration was facilitated by an existing global partnership between Boon Edam and Schindler. The partnership arranged for Schindler’s PORT 4 mini technology to be embedded into the Speedlane Swing optical turnstiles at the manufacturing stage in the Boon Edam factory. Using an advanced algorithm and the integrated Schindler PORT 4 mini elevator destination control for visual and audio feedback, an elevator is automatically assigned, at the same time the turnstile is opening, allowing for optimum efficiency. The security is controlled by Honeywell’s access control system, integrated with Schindler’s PORT Technology. Honeywell access control system Honeywell has managed the security and building management systems for the Gateway building since 1990 Honeywell has been managing the security and building management systems for the Gateway building since it was first opened in 1990. Honeywell Asia-Pacific Solution Architect Leader Rhys Crabb said “Early engagement at all stages and a commitment to a collaborative approach enabled Dexus to select the best available technologies. Dexus placed customer outcomes first and foremost in the project brief, ensuring the delivery of a product that provided tenants and visitors with a premium, modern and secure user experience that is flexible and easy to use.” Boon Edam optical turnstiles Mr. Stephen Hodge, Senior Project Manager, Dexus, said “With so many stakeholders, and a strong need for reliability and quality, it was important that everyone knew the goals of the project and worked well together. I’m pleased to say that it was like a perfect jigsaw and everything came together smoothly." Stephen adds, “What was important to Dexus is that we were pushing the boundaries to create better experiences, but we’re only doing so with proven products. Boon Edam’s optical turnstiles have been installed globally and locally, and this gave us added confidence that they were the right product for this forward-looking project.” Enhanced building security “Another significant help with this project was that the companies involved built a prototype, located at Schindler’s Head Office based in Sydney, so that the Dexus management and technical teams could test the solution well in advance of implementing it at Gateway,” Hodge continued. He further stated, “It gave us peace of mind that we’d selected the right suppliers. We have tenants in Gateway who requested ground floor security, so we went out to tender to seek the best combination of sophisticated security and elegance, without being obtrusive to the building’s users.” Touchless fingerprint scanners for privacy Touchless fingerprint scanners were chosen to control access to secured floors and areas of the building Touchless fingerprint scanners were chosen to control access to secured floors and areas of the building, because they provide an extra level of privacy that was attractive to tenants. “A computer algorithm converts each person’s unique fingerprint signature into binary code, zeroes and ones, and uses that code to grant access,” explained Mr. Hodge, adding “Boon Edam turnstiles have the ability to integrate facial recognition, which could be highly valuable in other projects, but the fingerprint scanners were the right fit for this building. Boon Edam made it simple to integrate the scanners with their optical turnstiles, which helped us meet project deadlines.” Effective management of system installations For such a complex project, installation always has its challenges, including managing installation work as people continue to use the building. Mr. Bill Garrett, Facility Manager at Gateway Building, was impressed by Boon Edam’s service and installation team. He said, “The Boon Edam installation team always ensured safety was the number one priority and they did a quality job, even with some very difficult-to-access areas.” Garrett adds, “I’m delighted with the result of the project. One of the major benefits of the new entry system is that there’s a dedicated underground entrance for tradespeople, couriers and deliveries, which removes congestion and bulky carts from the main lobby. It’s all about enhancing the user experience, and Gateway will set a new benchmark for a seamless, secure and aesthetically pleasing entry.” Staged approach towards system implementation The testing, combined with the staged approach, allowed for a smooth transition to the new security technology" Mr. Garrett explained that to get tenants used to a totally new system, they adopted a staged approach. At first, the turnstiles were put into place but left in the open position and after an initial period, some of the turnstiles were closed so that tenants could try entering using the new technology, if they wished. Finally, the entire system was fully implemented. “In addition to this staged approach, we met with key tenants and allowed them to test the system in advance. The testing, combined with the staged approach, allowed for a smooth transition to the new security technology,” said Garrett. Scope of touchless access control technologies Now that the technology has been successfully rolled out at Gateway, Dexus is looking at other locations that could utilize the same harmony of security technologies. “We are continuing to assess opportunities to implement touchless technologies in new developments as well as in our existing buildings,” said Mr. Hodge. “The stylish and secure entrance at Gateway has been ideal through the COVID-19 pandemic. It manages flow, queries guests on recent visits to pandemic hotspots, if they are feeling any symptoms, and can record all entrants to the building, helping us meet government requirements. And the same features will be beneficial in a broader context, too, to help mitigate against unauthorized entry,” concludes Hodge. Dexus is actively exploring the possibility of rolling out similar security entrance systems in other buildings, thereby delivering the seamless balance of security and elegance.

In a time where marking specific locations have never been more important to aid in carrying out safe social distancing, security teams can struggle to communicate locations that do not have physical addresses. Need to effectively track locations Traditional street addresses can only work to a certain extent, globally 70% of addresses will not take one to the front door, with 74% of people saying clients, services and deliveries struggle to find them. Many places don’t have an address at all, so teams are left to depend on landmark-based descriptions such as, for example an address mentioning behind the third building to the left of the large tree, just after the crossroads. GPS coordinates can help, but they are difficult to communicate over the radio. what3words location tracking app what3words is a free app which has divided the world into 57 trillion 3-meter squares and given each square a unique combination of three words, a what3words address. The what3words app enables people to easily convey locations from specific building entrances or parking spots, and it provides easy location references in places with no street addresses, such as building sites, event spaces and large offices with multiple entrances. Location and property management company, The Movie Lot, use what3words to manage their security operations. The Movie Lot specialize in film and television security, location support, and traffic management for the British entertainment industry. Cutting-edge GPS technology We’ve used what3words to coordinate guards on locations from Hospital sites to outdoor film sets" They are experts at using cutting-edge GPS technology to ensure that even the most complex operations are equipped to cover the smallest detail. The Movie Lot use what3words to coordinate production and security crews as well as equipment while on location, and have also provided security staff for University College Hospital London during the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as working on some of the world’s renowned household name entertainment productions, such as the Fantastic Beasts and Doctor Who movie franchises. The Director at The Move Lot, Mark Davies, explains how what3words has helped their security. He said, “We are proud to be partnered with what3words, it has been a huge addition for us to navigate guards to their exact position on locations. We’ve used what3words to coordinate guards on locations from Hospital sites to outdoor film sets.” An effective and quick emergency response Mark adds, “what3words is commonly used in the film industry and being able to utilize it on site to describe precise locations has given our team great support.” what3words has also been credited for its capability of saving lives, with emergency services urging the public to download the app in order to facilitate a more efficient response. what3words works offline, making it ideal for use in rural areas or areas with an unreliable data connection.

What a year 2020 was for the security industry! There were vast challenges that could not have been foreseen at the beginning of the year. It is safe to say that the events of 2020 defied all industry prognosticators. However, is that any reason not to hope our expectations looking ahead to 2021 will be much closer to reality? Can we possibly benefit from looking ahead and trying to plan for the challenges of the year ahead? We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What will be the security industry’s biggest challenge in 2021?

As a subset of the larger economy, the security industry is bound to feel the effects of an economic downturn. Such was the case in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic undermined economic growth and presented a brand new set of challenges to business. The security industry has been able to pivot toward emerging opportunities, but that success has been offset by broader economic challenges. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What impact, positive or negative, has the larger economy had on the security marketplace in 2020?

Internet-based training has long provided a less-expensive alternative to in-person classroom time. There are even universities that provide most or all of their instruction online. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has expanded acceptance even more and increased usage of internet-based meeting and learning tools. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: How can remote or Internet-based training benefit the physical security market?