Electronic security systems

SecureCom Wireless LLC has called on customers to know that they can now use Virtual Keypad if they ever need to trigger a system panic. The app, as well as VirtualKeypad.com can display Police, Emergency and Fire panics in the menu, and all the user needs to do is to add it to the app user in Dealer Admin. “Because most people have their phones with them, we wanted customers to be able to trigger a system panic if they needed to, even if the keypad isn’t nearby,” said Clayton Tummons, Vice President of Software for SecureCom Wireless. He adds, “If there’s a break-in, and you’re inside, calling 911 may put you at risk of being heard talking. Without saying a word, you can silently trigger a system panic and expedite the dispatch of the type of emergency personnel you need.” Dealer Admin Version 2.40.0 Dealer Admin Version 2.40.0 allows users to go to the App User section where they can select the panic options To enable customers’ System Panic feature instantly, Dealer Admin Version 2.40.0 allows users to go to the App User section where they can select the panic options available. Depending on what they need or what they want them to have, users can check the appropriate boxes. When they log in to their Virtual Keypad app or website account, they’ll see “Panic” displayed in their menu. To initiate a panic, the users have to simply tap Panic, then press and hold the desired panic option for three seconds. Virtual Keypad continues to expand, giving customers more functionality and flexibility than ever before. “The System Panic functions the exact same way as if you’d initiated the panic from the keypad,” Tummons adds, further stating “We just want to make sure customers can always have access to their systems, wherever they are.”

A lack of historical data and the rapidly evolving nature of cyber threats mean that cyber risk modellers need to be selective in the lessons they learn from natural catastrophe models. According to a new report from market-renowned cyber analytics provider firm, CyberCube, the evolution of natural catastrophe modeling since Hurricane Andrew in 1992 can act as a template for cyber modelers, but only up to a point. Beyond that, cyber modelers need to develop their own solutions. ‘Drawing from the Experience of Nat Cat Modeling’ ‘Drawing from the Experience of Nat Cat Modeling’, highlights three key differences While there are similarities between the two types of models, the report, ‘Drawing from the Experience of Nat Cat Modeling’, highlights three key differences. In addition to a lack of historical data and the rapid frequency with which cyber events are changing, cyber-attacks involve ‘active adversaries’ in the form of criminals or terrorists. These important differences mean that cyber modelers do not have the time or ability to ‘observe, learn and adapt from past data and models’. One key challenge for cyber modelers identified in the report is the need to improve accuracy in this sector in which the past provides limited guidance as to future activity. Enhancing cyber security Oliver Brew, CyberCube’s Head of Client Services and one of the report’s authors, said “There’s a well-known phrase in statistical circles that while all models are wrong, some are useful. Models like CyberCube’s model do not have a predictive line of sight to outcomes but they do aid decision-making, capital planning and a wide range of other factors.” He adds, “For a long time, our sector thought that by studying the way in which nat cat models developed, we could find answers to build better cyber models. What this report shows is that those parallels will only take us so far. The challenge for businesses like CyberCube is to use the tools at our disposal to learn from the past and make informed decisions about the future. The good news is that cyber models are improving rapidly with more useful data sources and faster cloud-hosted processing power.” ‘Categorized and structured’ data The report studied how Hurricane Andrew in 1992 highlighted significant weaknesses in what were then current modeling practices. Yvette Essen, Head of Content at CyberCube, said “Back then, insurers estimated the size of future losses using ‘experience’ data based only on what happened in the past. Actuaries simply adjusted recent history to reflect current trends. Hurricane Andrew helped to prove that past data is a poor gauge for future catastrophe exposure. Previous projections failed to recognize that science indicated unprecedented events were within the realm of reasonable possibility.” Limited volume of ‘categorised and structured’ data on insured cyber losses can hamper cyber models' development The limited volume of ‘categorized and structured’ data relating to insured cyber losses may also hamper the development of cyber models. While there are many sources for information on well-documented cyber incidents, the report notes, these have not translated into a similar volume of useful data that insurers and modelers can utiltize. Cyber risk analytics expert CyberCube delivers renowned cyber risk analytics for the financial and insurance industry. With best-in-class data access and advanced multi-disciplinary analytics, the company’s Software-as-a-Service platform helps insurance companies make better decisions when underwriting cyber risk and managing cyber risk aggregation. CyberCube’s enterprise intelligence layer provides insights on millions of companies globally and includes modeling on over 1,000 single points of technology failure. Drawing from the Experience of Nat Cat Modeling is published online and available from CyberCube on the official company website.

Marks USA, a division of NAPCO Security Technologies, renowned for its architectural-grade hardware, locking and access lock lines, announces the release of their new 2020 Custom Lockset Catalog. The new catalog includes over 250 Marks USA custom levers, knobs & escutcheons; standard and custom design decorative locksets.  ArchiTech Designer Series Networx Locksets Also featured are ArchiTech Designer Series Networx Locksets, customisable with over 300 trims and finishes Also featured are ArchiTech Designer Series Networx Locksets, customizable with over 300 trims and finishes, with Bluetooth LE and iLock App support. Marks Custom Locks featured, have been used in a variety of high-profile worldwide projects , i.e., The Plaza Hotel and Condominiums, New York , The Trump International Hotel, Washington D.C., VIA 57 West, New York (also known as The Pyramid Building due to its iconic shape), and the Lucida and Georgica Buildings, as well. Marks USA manufactures mortise, cylindrical and tubular locks in an infinite customizable collection of designs, styles, looks, and functions, many of which can be “tried on”  on their interactive official website, where designers and architects can design, spec and share their own custom lock vision, in various settings, inside and out, in mortise & cylindrical locks, and including matching interior locks.  High-security keying systems Ready for any requirement, Marks’ custom trim may include engraving, conventional and high-security keying systems, electronic access control are all offered for commercial, residential and industrial projects. Marks USA products are long-lived and backed by the industry's only Lifetime Mechanical Warranty.

Allied Universal, globally renowned security and facility services company in North America, is proud to celebrate Women’s History Month, which commemorates and encourages the study, observance and celebration of the vital role of women in American history. Security is one of the fastest-growing professional careers worldwide. Today, more and more security companies are employing women. “Allied Universal celebrates the hard-working women who work for us each and every day at all career levels within the organization,” said Steve Jones, CEO, Allied Universal. “We employ many women in a wide variety of positions including security professionals, administrative and executive positions.” Honoring women security professionals While security is not traditionally a sector that most women consider to build their careers, the landscape has shifted dramatically. It has been an evolution, rather than a revolution, that has attracted the diverse population of employees who now serve as our country’s security professionals. “Every day, thousands of female security professionals put on their uniforms and ensure the safety and security of countless workplaces, schools, shopping malls, and communities,” says Caress Kennedy, Northeast Region President for Allied Universal. The Committee of 200 (C200) It is important to recognize these women for their distinguished service" She is also associated with many industry associations, including The Committee of 200 (C200) - a prestigious network of top-level women entrepreneurs and corporate innovators, New York Staffing Association, NYPD Law Enforcement Explorers, NYC Workforce Investment Board and serves on St. John's University Homeland Security Academic Program Advisory Board. Caress adds, “It is important to recognize these women for their distinguished service.” Elizabeth Core, a military veteran and Shift Advisor for Allied Universal, decided to join a security company due to the opportunity to share her military knowledge with her team such as discipline, respect and honesty. For most of her 26-year career in the military, Core was stationed at Joint Base Andrews in Washington, DC. The security industry is ever-changing and combines the evolution of technology and physical security, coupled with the opportunity for continual learning and growth. Empowering working women “We are able to not only positively impact our clients, but also our world at large,” said Liz Thomas, Vice President of Sales, Northwest Region, Allied Universal. She adds, “Having the opportunity to work at Allied Universal, who serves so many different vertical markets, has opened the door to connect with diverse groups of people and create incredible relationships and long-term friendships with customers and employees, which is the greatest benefit of all.”

Smart R Distribution has announced it will be exhibiting at The Security Event which takes place at the NEC Birmingham on 28-30 April 2020. Simon Shawley, who recently joined Smart R Distribution in a business development role, says the exhibition will provide an ideal opportunity for the company to formally launch its new CCTV division. “Many of the visitors to The Security Event will know of Smart R Distribution as a specialist distributor of Access Control, with specialist knowledge in cards and reader technology, but we have in fact been supporting CCTV products for some time.” “However, with both product sets now almost routinely being specified for the same projects, we believe the time is right for us to significantly increase our CCTV activities and work with installers and system integrators to generate new sales opportunities.” Value-added distributor We are looking forward to presenting many of these products to existing and potential new customers" Smart R Distribution is confident that by combining the industry knowledge of founding directors, Derek Clenshaw and Neill Williams with Simon’s extensive CCTV expertise, it will establish clear blue water between itself and other distributors by adding real value to the supply chain. The company takes pride in having built an enormously talented and highly trained pre and post sales team who are just one phone call away when installers and system integrators are looking for objective, professional advice on how to ‘put the right pieces together’ in terms of integrating Access Control and CCTV. Hanwha Wisenet L camera range In addition to distributing and offering first line technical support for an extensive range of door entry and access control solutions from many of the electronic security industry’s manufacturers, Smart R Distribution is a distributor of Vivotek CCTV products. It is also one of just two UK distributors who are able to supply the keenly priced Wisenet L camera range manufactured by Hanwha Techwin. “We are looking forward to presenting many of these products to existing and potential new customers who visit stand G70,” said Simon. “We will also take the opportunity to raise awareness of the new range of CCTV products from Comelit.”

Napco Security Technologies has announced the availability of its award-winning iSecure Complete Cellular Alarm Systems, now at distribution centers nationwide. iSecure is designed to help security professionals to be more competitive, adding more residential accounts and new RMR, while offering the professional-grade security systems, remote Smart App & notification alerts consumers want. iSecure Cellular Alarm Systems iSecure is uniquely installable in about an hour, and programmable using any smart phone/tablet For speediest setup, iSecure is uniquely installable in about an hour, and programmable using any smart phone/tablet and a cloud-based portal with easy drop-down menus. (No laptop required!) iSecure is available in 3 all-inclusive kits, starting from US$ 79.95 net (with StarLink-incentive), with choice of wireless keypad, security touchscreen or connected home touchscreen, and includes two wireless window/door sensors and wireless PIR.  Go-Anywhere Smart Hub iSecure guarantees the lowest equipment cost and professional installation in under an hour and features a Go-Anywhere Smart Hub with built-in StarLink Cellular/IP LTE dual path alarm reporting that literally goes anywhere, wall-mount or tabletop, allowing dealers to position it for best signal reception and less vulnerability to smashing, plus spoken voice prompts, 85db siren, RF-receiver & 24-hr standby for maximum power-outage protection. A full line of professional accessories are also available including wireless CO, smoke, heat detectors, video cameras & doorbell, extra plug-in siren with strobe and the iSecure Takeover Module, eliminates rewiring or replacing installed sensors, and more. Free customizable consumer marketing materials & mailers are also available.

With the start of the 2020s, many security industry experts are reflecting on the emerging technologies over the past decade and looking forward to what is in store in the future. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a buzzword that has infiltrated everyday nomenclature throughout the past decade. Every industry from healthcare, to banking, to security has implemented some form of AI that is touted as the hidden key to maximizing productivity and/or security. However, AI technology is still in its infancy and is not the panacea that many cybersecurity experts claim. Why AI is more hype than reality AI is a nascent technology and has limited practical applications Today, AI is a nascent technology and has limited practical applications because it’s still difficult to understand the rational that is used by the machine learning algorithms for making their decisions. As a result of this limited understanding, these technologies are only leveraged for pinpointed functionality. For example, AI can be designed to analyze data for specific threats, such as malware, but AI technology is only as good as the data it analyzes and cannot be fully trusted to discover new threats that emerge on their own. Furthermore, even when a threat is detected by AI, humans are still needed to confirm that a real risk is present. The value of AI in security today AI undoubtedly has its place in today’s security space. Government agencies and the military use AI to comb through hundreds of hours of call data to try to isolate terrorist or criminal activity. In its current state, AI can successfully review large amounts of data and automate repetitive tasks. The results of these services are helpful as additional data points, but at this time it makes more sense to use AI as helper technology rather than fully relying on AI to ultimately make decisions for organizations. Furthermore, AI can be utilized in access management to watch the habits of individuals and identify actions that stray outside the norm. For example, if a user logs into a system outside the normal working hours, AI can identify this anomaly and utilize step-up authentication to further validate the user should be granted access. AI can also be leveraged for access certification campaigns by providing scoring that helps approvers prioritize their efforts on certifications with low scores. However, algorithms should not be trusted to make higher stake decisions. This is because AI cannot currently be taught or programmed with the intuition that humans naturally possess, making the risk of a breach or other security threat is considerably higher. As computing power rapidly grows, so will the future of AI capabilities AI will continue to grow from its infancy into a more useful and robust tool In this next decade, AI will continue to grow from its infancy into a more useful and robust tool that companies can utilize to keep their assets and people safe. There will be a point where AI reaches a mature stage where it can truly think and learn on its own; computing power has grown exponentially in the last decade and will only continue to grow more in the next. This increase in computing power opens up a limitless number of possibilities for AI usage, especially as humans perfect and refine AI’s algorithms. For now, AI has a place in today’s security industry and has already proven to be adept at identifying threats and making society safer. While this is helpful, humans remain as a critical factor in evaluating threats. I believe that the future of AI is bright, and fully expect that our capabilities around explainable AI will rapidly advance thus providing many opportunities to leverage these technologies in a fully autonomous capacity in the not-to-distant future.

Leap years occur every four years as a way to help synchronize the calendar year with the solar year, or how long it takes the Earth to orbit the sun. While this is necessary, leap years require our security systems to account for an extra day, apart from its normal schedule. As a result, leap years create problems with computing and can cause major issues to access control system functionality if a provider is not leap year compatible. There are a few things to keep in mind as we near February 29 to ensure you and your system are prepared for this uncommon occurrence. Why doesn't my access control system work on a leap year day? A leap year doesn’t occur that often, but if your system is newer than four years old, then this may be the first time you are being hit with this issue. It may be something as simple as the fact that the manufacturer of the system failed to account for leap day in their QA/testing procedures when designing the product. Regardless of the reasoning, it is important to recognize the issues that could arise so you can be prepared. An access control system malfunctioning never leads to a good outcome. What are some of the issues I could run into if my system isn’t leap year compatible? If you have your doors on a schedule, it could lead to doors being open on a Saturday or Sunday — which is the case this leap year — when they should not be open. This could naturally lead to unauthorized individuals gaining access to sensitive areas, putting company assets at risk. This could also lead to problems with credentials that were set to start or expire on a certain date, which could cause problems for new employees needing access, or could extend access privileges to contract workers whose employment terms have ended. In addition to credentialing, other scheduled events will also be off in the system. For example, some access control systems automatically lock or unlock doors on a set schedule based on business hours. With no defined schedules in place for a day that only occurs once every four years, this could lead to issues with scheduling for both authorized and unauthorized individuals. What can I do to ensure my system is ready for Feb. 29? Anything? If your manufacturer hasn’t alerted you that your system is leap year compatible, it is best to set up your system in a test lab and simulate the leap year date. This allows you to verify that all of your scheduling type events work correctly. If it works in a simulation, it will work on the actual day. However, beware waiting until the last moment to test your system, in case you do run into challenges that need to be addressed. Are there solutions available that account for this already? This is an important question to ask if you are evaluating a new system. While there are some systems that do not account for a leap day, many systems, like Hirsch Velocity, already do. In fact, Hirsch products have been leap-year compatible for many years now, allowing end-users to ignore the inconvenient day altogether. What if my system doesn’t? If you know for a fact that your system is not leap year compatible, ask your provider before that date to test and ensure that your system will work properly. If you do this and encounter scheduling issues, you can opt to push off all of your scheduled events until March 1 and validate scheduled doors being opened on February 29 to plan accordingly. While leap day is inconvenient, it is addressable. It is just important to do so early to catch any issues before they arise. Failure to acknowledge the challenges associated with leap years will inevitably lead to difficulties when the day comes.

ISC West attendees include physical and IT security professionals; dealers, installers, integrators, end-users (from various vertical markets), law enforcement/government officials, consultants, specifiers, architects, engineers, consultants, and more. Within the ISC brand, we are continuing to diversify and grow the number of attendees by attracting international visitors, as well as encouraging physical and IT/IoT teams to visit the show together.   Our VIP program, branded the ISC Executives' Club® program, attracts the highest level attendees who have buying power for their organization. Members include: high level end-users from government, education, healthcare, retail, casino gaming (and other verticals), national integrators (along with their End User customers), specifying security consultants, and independent dealers/installers with open projects and decision-making power. Some examples of Executive Club clients attending this year's event are the Department of Homeland Security, Apple, Google, San Francisco 49’ers, Sephora, AirBnB, and United Airlines, just to name a few. “We are so honored to have such dedicated and influential customers in our Executives’ Club program. They are among the top thought leaders of the physical/IT security industry, and we are truly grateful for their loyalty to our event brand”, said Sharon Kelley, ISC Attendee Relations Manager. The show floor The show floor has six featured areas to mirror the evolution of the converged security industry. The areas include: Public Safety, Smart Home, Connected Security, Emerging Tech, Drones & Robotics, and (new for this year) Loss Prevention & Supply Chain. The Emerging Tech and Loss Prevention & Supply Chain areas will be located in the Venetian Ballroom, along with the International VIP attendee lounge, and Venetian Ballroom Theatre, which will feature complimentary Drone & Robotics and Loss Prevention education sessions, along with the Mission 500 5k run/2k walk awards ceremony. At the show, you’ll see a new ISC re-brand that has created more identifiable segments and will assist with easier show floor navigations for attendees.The ISC Executives' Club® program attracts the highest level attendees There is never a shortage of special events at ISC West. Below are a few you won't want to miss: Charity Events (AIREF Golf Classic, Mission 500 5k run/2k walk) Awards Ceremonies (Sammy Awards, New Product Showcase Awards) Industry parties (SIA Market Leaders Reception, ISC West Customer Appreciation Party at TAO). These events are designed to enable attendees and exhibitors network with peers and forge new connections. Visit the ISC website for a list of all our Special Events taking place. Women in security SIA Women in Security Forum is thrilled to be hosting the second annual breakfast at ISC West In addition, the SIA Women in Security Forum is thrilled to be hosting the second annual breakfast at ISC West. “It’s great to see the security industry embrace this initiative and we hope signature events like this will continue to raise awareness of the importance of gender diversity as a competitive differentiator” states Kim Landgraf, SIA Liaison for the Women in Security Forum. This year’s breakfast will feature keynote speaker, Jaime Paris Boisvert, GM for Siemens Smart City Infrastructure.  Jaime will share her insights on leading strategy, sales, and operations whilst working closely with clients to deliver solutions that optimize buildings and infrastructure by improving energy efficiency, comfort, safety, and security. Looking beyond ISC West this March, the ISC Security Events portfolio for 2020 also includes the Expo Seguridad event in Mexico City in April, ISC Brazil in Sao Paulo in June, and ISC East in New York City in November (co-located with Infosecurity North America). 

The Private Security Industry Act of 2001 gives the Security Industry Authority (SIA) the function of setting standards of conduct in the United Kingdom’s private security industry. Time is winding down to provide input during the SIA’s six-week consultation on a new draft code of conduct for SIA licence holders and applicants for SIA licences. The authority is inviting the industry, licence holders, and anyone with an interest in private security to have their say on the draft code of conduct by taking part in a survey. The consultation will end on 23 February.   “The ethos of the code of conduct is that it will improve standards and public safety by setting out the standards of conduct and behavior we expect people to uphold if they are entrusted with protecting the public, premises and property,” says Ian Todd, Chief Executive, Security Industry Authority (SIA). Security's Code of Conduct A code of conduct sets out what standards of behavior professionals have to meet in order to work in the profession In security as in many professions, a code of conduct sets out what standards of behavior professionals have to meet in order to work in the profession. SIA is suggesting Six Commitments of behavior that will apply to all licensed security operatives and to applicants. If the code of conduct is sanctioned by the U.K. Home Office, it would become mandatory and incorporated into SIA’s licensing criteria Get Licensed. A commitment to certain standards of behavior is fundamental to what it means to be fit and proper, and to being part of a profession. The six commitments are: Act with honesty and integrity Be trustworthy Protect the people and property you are entrusted to protect Be professional at work Act with fairness and impartiality at work Be accountable for your decisions and actions “We will review the comments from the consultation once it concludes on 23 February, analyze the results and publish a report on our findings,” says Todd. “The SIA will then use the comments it has received to write a final version of the code of conduct. The introduction of a code of conduct will be subject to final approval by Home Office Ministers.” SIA’s current Standards of Behavior provide guidance on professional behavior but are not mandatory. The draft code of conduct builds on the Standards of Behavior. Upholding SIA's Standards The SIA’s Partnership and Interventions team is the unit that enforces the Private Security Industry Act “The majority of licence holders uphold the standards of behavior that the SIA, their employers and the public expect of them,” says Todd. “Their professionalism and dedication keep the public safe and tackle crime. However, there are incidents in which some licence holders do not behave in this way. This minority lower the standard of service the public receives, harm public safety, and bring themselves and the rest of the private security industry into disrepute.” The SIA’s Partnership and Interventions team is the unit that enforces the Private Security Industry Act. It is likely that they will be required to enforce the code of conduct should it become mandatory. The draft code of conduct is currently out for consultation and the proposal has been shared widely to licence holders, private security businesses, and enforcement partners encouraging them all to take part. “Once the consultation has concluded, we will analyze the findings from the feedback, produce a report and publish it on our website and share this widely via social media,” says Todd.

Using computed tomography (CT) security technology for cabin baggage screening at airports can eliminate the need for passengers to remove liquids and laptops from their bags, thus helping to make the security process easier and more efficient. As the latest in checkpoint scanning technology, CT provides 3D images with much more information to improve threat detection capabilities so decisions by the operator can be resolved quickly and more accurately, without the need for manual search. The whole experience is better and safer for everyone. The use of computed tomography The Netherlands were the first to introduce CT at the checkpoint and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in the United States plans to install 145 units in its airports by the end of the year. Australia is already installing and using CT at some of its airports. The United Kingdom is the first country to mandate use of CT for screening cabin baggage, and it is expected that the EU will also mandate this type of technology in the near future. It is expected that the EU will also mandate this type of technology in the near future The process of deploying CT is another level in the evolution of passenger screening and aviation security.  Since 9/11, the traveling public has become increasingly educated about aviation security, says Steve Revell, Senior Director of Aviation CT at Rapiscan Systems. “What passengers expect is courtesy, professionalism and, most of all, to be able to travel safely without fear of harm,” he says. “Each level of security we have seen introduced over the years, I believe, shows commitment from all stakeholders to meet these key deliverables.” Rapiscan Systems' 920CT Rapiscan Systems' 3D cabin baggage screening system, 920CT, utilizes patented Dual-Energy technology and a sophisticated algorithm to provide the highest level of automatic detection of highly dense items, as well as automatic detection of explosives based on the most stringent global regulatory requirement. It also has a truck wheel design and contactless power and data transfer, both of which reduce maintenance costs and downtime and make the 920CT more efficient and robust. Rapiscan's 920CT provides the highest level of automatic detection Rapiscan’s 920CT is equipped with advanced software and detection algorithms that are designed to be upgradeable. With 3D volumetric imaging, the 920CT is superior to 2D systems as it provides improved visualization of potential threats. It has also been engineered to integrate seamlessly with Rapiscan’s TRS tray return solution to create a more efficient checkpoint experience, for both passengers and staff.  “As a manufacturer, we strive to provide the very best quality service and equipment we can – working closely with regulators and airports alike to ensure the evolution and expansion of air travel is both collectively understood and fit for purpose,” says Revell. Portfolios and partnerships Rapiscan has a wide portfolio of products and capabilities. However, one company cannot do it all. “For this reason, we will always look to best-of-breed technologies that complement our offerings and provide a cohesive solution and, more importantly, long-term partnership,” says Revell. “The partnership deliverable is what drives the future. Our mission is one of an open platform that invites other technologies to work in conjunction with ours and integrate in such a way that can provide meaningful reports and controls systems to our clients, driving core efficiencies and security enhancements.” Our mission is one of an open platform that invites other technologies to work in conjunction with ours “The efforts borne by each of the key stakeholders is done for one very important and aligned reason, to ensure to the very best of our abilities that passenger safety is put first, is always put first and is done in the most courteous, professional way possible, without any undue inconvenience,” he adds. Increasingly, airports are asking for suppliers’ systems to talk to each other. Many airports have security screening equipment from multiple manufacturers and want to put images from these into a single, searchable database, to track missing items, improve productivity and efficiency, or comply with regulations. The Digital Imaging and Communication for Security (DICOS) is an industry standard that defines an interoperable data format for integration of security screening technologies across multiple vendor platforms. It facilitates the development and use of improved security screening technologies and third-party software. Rapiscan’s 920CT supports DICOS, and the company is working with multiple vendors to help create a single platform for airports.

The boundaries between the smart home market and security market at large are narrowing. Amidst a wave of expansion, suddenly everything is becoming digital. Home automation has been around for close to 30 years but hasn’t really hit it big because integration hasn’t been that simple. Now that the Internet of Things has stepped into the market, home automation is really taking off. As technology in the smart home market advances, the gap between the residential and professional security markets is growing smaller. Additional revenue for security industry There will continue to be more opportunity for interoperability, and home automation will continue to grow and eventually become a norm. Growth in the residential security market and its position as the channel for smart home solutions, have attracted numerous new entrants. Telecoms, cable operators, and CE (consumer electronics) manufacturers are joining traditional security players as they compete to fulfill consumer demand for safety and security. Connected products also provide a layer of competition as consumers must decide whether having category devices such as doorbell video cameras, networked cameras and other products suffice for their security. Smart home services can provide additional revenue streams for the security industry. In Parks Associates’ 2017 survey of U.S. security dealers, 58% report that smart home service capabilities enable extra monthly revenue. Almost half of dealers also note they have to offer smart home devices and services in order to keep up with their competition.  Data capture form to appear here! Residential security solutions Growth is going to be slow and steady. Everyone needs to be realistic about that" The trend has no doubt accelerated in the last couple of years. New collaborations are being made between audio-video (AV) suppliers and security solution providers. The clientele of high-end AV products is becoming increasingly concerned with home security and property protection. So, in recent months, the requirement for residential security solutions has been increasing as technical solutions can go hand in hand with AV installers’ capabilities and client base. “One of the big mistakes many make is that they assume – based on some of the hype and big market investments – that the smart home market is set to explode,” says Michael Philpott, Senior Practice Leader, Consumer Services at Ovum. "This is not the case – growth is going to be slow and steady. Everyone needs to be realistic about that, rather than expecting some rapid ramp up simply because some big names have entered the market.” Pressure to upgrade security standards Surprisingly for what has historically been something of a grudge purchase, in the context of home automation, security is seen as a solution some consumers are looking for. Another security aspect of home automation is cybersecurity, in particular how it applies to various IoT devices in the home. Now as connected devices gather personal information from realms long considered private and protected – the bedroom, the kitchen counter, the nursery – the risks are higher than ever. All of the data that various devices and sites have collected can be combined, shifted and then exploited by marketers or even stolen by hackers. Both manufacturers of smart home products and the companies that install them are feeling pressure to upgrade security standards. They are moving to set policies that will regulate who has access to data and how it is used. Ease of installation Advances in the home market are increasing customers’ expectations as well as adoption of newer technologies A recent revelation that some “smart TVs” might be listening to conversations and transmitting them to "third parties" caused an uproar. These sets have voice activated features that enable users to change channel, turn on a DVD or browse the internet by speaking to the screen or remote. The fine print in privacy policies contains warnings that general conversations are also being heard, and one company even told owners to turn off this function if they were concerned. Another impact of smart homes on the security marketplace is to raise expectations about the capabilities of commercial systems. Products made today for residential applications are very high quality, easy to install (do-it-yourself, or DIY), and have very rich feature sets. End users expect their commercial solutions to have a similar ease of use and ease of installation. Geofencing in commercial applications The quality of video that people are seeing at home is motivating some legacy commercial customers to finally move to IP video from lower resolution analog cameras. A higher percentage of commercial customers use cellphone applications to view integrated video and access control data. People’s experience with smart thermostats has them asking for geofencing in some commercial applications. In short, advances in the home market are increasing customers’ expectations as well as adoption of newer technologies. Read part two of our smart home mini series here.

Intelligent Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) sensors from OPTEX, global sensor manufacturer and supplier, are at the heart of a new security access control solution that is helping to protect endangered elephants at the Mount Kenya National Park in Kenya, Africa. Countering the threat of poaching Mount Kenya is the second largest mountain in Africa, and the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) listed National Park was established to protect the mountain, which is a water tower for the surrounding area and whose forest reserves and surrounding areas provide refuge for a vast array of wildlife, of which there is a large population of elephants, estimated at around 2,500. Despite the numbers, the animals are under constant threat from poachers Despite the numbers, the animals are under constant threat from poachers. The changing geography of the region and the proliferation of agricultural farms have also resulted in increased incidences of human-elephant conflict, with the elephants causing damage to the fencing and property that surround these farms when trying to re-enter the park. Elephants' access control system Instarect Limited, a security fencing solutions provider based in Nairobi, was approached by the Mount Kenya Trust – a non-profit organization running conservation projects for the forests and wildlife of Mount Kenya – to design and install a new elephant access control system within the three elephant ‘corridors’. The corridors are designed not only to keep the elephants protected but also allow them to re-enter the park safely and securely, without causing any damage to the fencing or farmland. Instarect selected OPTEX’s intelligent RLS-2020 LIDAR sensors as an integral part of the project. Solar powered gates and CCTV cameras installed In conjunction with new solar powered gates and CCTV cameras that have been installed, the RLS-2020 sensors, with a 20x20m detection range, are being utilised to detect the elephants as they approach and automatically open the gate for them. The sensors have been programmed to only detect elephants and will not open for smaller animals or humans. When the elephants trigger a gate to be opened, authorized park rangers are immediately notified via an SMS and are then able to view the CCTV cameras on their phone to check whole herd of elephants have re-entered the park safely. The rangers then send an SMS to close the gate. REDSCAN RLS-2020 sensors The new system is working well, the elephants are very intelligent and have quickly adapted to these new gates" Ebrahim Nyali, Security Solutions Designer at Instarect Limited, says “the new system is working well, the elephants are very intelligent and have quickly adapted to these new gates. They have learned to wait for the gates to open for them to re-enter the park and do not try to enter with force.” Masaya Kida, Managing Director of OPTEX EMEA, says “the REDSCAN RLS-2020 Series provides enhanced detection in even the most challenging environments and easy integration with any video security solution. These sensors are intentionally designed to create customized detection area and set a wide range of target sizes. This flexibility allows it to be used for many different and sometimes unusual applications; the elephant detection is a perfect illustration of that.” Advanced sensor technology Masaya adds, “We are pleased and proud to be chosen to work with Instarect Ltd. on this important project and that our leading sensor technology is helping to protect the elephants & reducing human wildlife conflict around the Mount Kenya National Park”. OPTEX Co., Ltd is a globally renowned manufacturer of sensing technologies for a number of sectors, ranging from security, entrance systems and factory automation to measuring instruments and transportation safety.

Upgrading a two-wire analog intercom to a conventional IP video system typically involves messy and costly rewiring work. So what happens when there is a need to install over 500 IP systems into a single building? One company, Hikvision, has developed an innovative two-wire solution, which is already making waves at the luxurious RiverGate condominium in Singapore. “If someone rang the bell at the side entrance, it wouldn’t always ring in my apartment upstairs,” says the Chairman of the Condo Council, who lives at the RiverGate condominium in River Valley, Singapore. “Visitors often had to call me to let them in, and I would have to travel down 20 floors to the main entrance. It became incredibly frustrating.” Switching from analog to IP system The intercoms in Asia’s condos are crying out for an upgrade to IP, but the infrastructure just doesn’t support it" The resident’s story is typical of millions of residents across Asia, where high rise living is the norm. In Singapore, the first condominiums were built back in the 1960s, to tackle the challenge of high population density and soaring land costs. Today, high-rise living in Singapore is not only necessary but highly desirable, with many condominiums offering swimming pools, spas, sky-gardens and a host of other deluxe facilities at exclusive locations across the island. Nevertheless, even the most luxurious apartment blocks are wrangling with aging access control systems. Many systems only work intermittently, while all but the newest builds feature intercoms that use out-dated two-wire analog cabling. “The intercoms in Asia’s condos are crying out for an upgrade to IP, but the infrastructure just doesn’t support it,” says Daniel Han, Engineering Director at Serron Technology. Hikvision IP security systems Making the move to IP intercom systems is a logical step, as it would offer a host of benefits to Asia’s high rise residents. First of all, IP systems are video-based and can work with HD cameras, giving homeowners crystal clear images of who is at the door potentially dozens of floors below. What’s more, they also typically link to an app, so residents can see and interact with the person at the door – even when they’re not in the apartment. “Video IP systems are much more functional, more future-proof, and incredibly reliable,” adds Daniel. The problem is, most of today’s IP intercom systems typically need to replace wire for an internet connection – and that means an upgrade to the building itself. “To upgrade to an IP system across a whole condominium is a massive job,” Daniel confirms, adding “Chasing out walls and replacing wiring is disruptive, messy and a time-consuming task. In addition, the task is also expensive, and management companies would have no choice but to pass this cost on to the residents." Two Wire IP Video Intercom System Although it may seem like an impossible problem, one company – Hikvision – has provided an excellent solution. As its product name suggests, the company’s Two Wire IP Video Intercom System is purpose-built to work over existing two-wire cabling, so that two wires supply power and transmit voice, video and control signals at the same time. At the heart of the Hikvision two-wire system is the Two-Wire Video/Audio Distributor (DS-KAD706). It’s this intelligent box that makes the two-wire solution possible by consolidating power and internet connectivity, enabling it to be distributed out to the external door video stations and the indoor video units. Hikvision two-wire solution Each of the 545 apartments within RiverGate has a Hikvision Intercom Indoor station with a video screen At Singapore’s luxurious RiverGate Condominium complex, the management team was so impressed with the potential of the Hikvision two-wire solution that they have already installed it into the condominium. Each of the 545 apartments within RiverGate has a Hikvision Intercom Indoor station (DS-KH6320-WTE2) featuring a video screen, while each of the entrances to the building has a Video Intercom Door Station (DS-KD8102-V) featuring an HD camera. If someone calls an apartment via a door station downstairs, it rings the appropriate indoor screen. The resident can see the visitor and have a conversation with them, before letting them in with a simple tap of the screen. Hikvision Video Intercom Master Station (DS-KM8301) The RiverGate central management offices also have the Hikvision Video Intercom Master Station (DS-KM8301), to monitor the building perimeter and control entry. Plus the complex has installed a number of Hikvision’s Waterproof and Vandal-proof Card Readers (DS-K1104M), to ensure that only authorized individuals can move around the building. What’s more, by downloading the HikConnect app, residents can be alerted to a visitor when they’re away from the video unit, or when they’re out of the premises entirely. The app offers the same functionality as the video screen – allowing residents to see visitors, speak to them, and even choose to let them into the building. Reliable and innovative IP-based solution The benefits of the new Hikvision system are far-reaching. From a building management perspective, the ability to use the existing two-wire system has kept installation costs to a minimum. The ability to use the existing two-wire system has kept installation costs to a minimum “Hikvision’s Two Wire Video Intercom System is a state-of-the-art product, and ideal for retrofitting and modernizing large residential and office building projects. Across Asia, there are thousands of high rise buildings whose access control systems desperately need upgrading. This sleek system provides a cost-effective and elegant IP-based solution – one that’s ideal for high end residential or commercial environments – for minimal cost and disruption.” said Jacky Xie, the Project Manager at Hikvision, who is very optimistic about the potential of the company’s two-wire IP solution. High-performance video and access control system And of course, it’s had a huge impact on RiverGate’s residents. One of the residents’ of the Condominium said, “The new intercom does more than the old system. I particularly like the functionality of mobile app – I can use my phone to let visitors come in even when I don’t have access to the indoor device, like when I’m not at home or using the bathroom. It’s also such a relief to have an access control system that works reliably. I love it; it’s more convenient, it’s really easy to use, and I feel safer.”

The State of Illinois has enacted a ‘stay at home’ order effective as of Saturday, March 21, at 5pm to curb the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. This means all residents are mandated to ‘remain at home’ and only essential businesses may remain open to provide critical services. Everybody fully supports this measure as it will hopefully slow the spread of the virus. Securing critical infrastructure Under the order, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has mandated that all Illinoisans stay in their homes except as needed to maintain continuity of business critical operations. This coincides with Presidential Policy Directive 21 (PPD-21): Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience that advances a national policy to strengthen and maintain secure, functioning, and resilient critical infrastructure. BCD plays an important role in the information technology sector. The sector's complex and dynamic environment makes identifying threats and assessing security vulnerabilities difficult and requires that these tasks be addressed in a collaborative and creative fashion, especially as it directly affects both the public and security infrastructure.BCD plays an important role in the information technology sector Working with security integrators and OEMS In addition, it is imperative to maintain the supply chain in this unprecedented time of need. They work hand-in-hand with a number of security integrators and OEMs that work directly with the Federal Government. Most importantly, they supply life safety equipment that is used by first responders to help and keep them safe. Therefore, BCD Illinois build centers will remain open and operational, as the support technicians and engineers will remain available to continue to support all customers to fulfill the critical technology needs of the nation’s federal, state and local governments, healthcare facilities, and education, industrial and financial services sectors. It has also been notified that all shipments to US States currently in "stay at home" status may be delayed by the freight carriers; this includes the State of Illinois. BCD build centers Jeff Burgess, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at BCD said, “We continue to implement strict precautionary measures in all our logistics and integration centers, in accordance with government and public health requirements, to reduce risk for colleagues who are performing their duties. Our Illinois-based technical operations will continue as long as we can confidently protect the health and well-being of these dedicated two dozen team members. All other BCD staff will continue working from home until further notice.”

Link11, renowned European firm in the field of cyber-resilience and cyber security, is offering its DDoS protection solutions free of charge to public sector health, government and public education organizations during the highly contagious phase of COVID-19. Public sector organizations are particularly vulnerable to cyber-attacks, and the availability of critical public infrastructures is more important than ever as people look for genuine sources of information related to the virus outbreak. Remote working policies Governments all over the world have taken necessary actions to lower COVID-19’s spreading curve, including implementing remote working policies, resulting in significant growth in internet traffic, leading to an increased risk of social engineering, business email compromise, ransomware and DDoS attacks. According to Link11’s research, during the three-week period Monday 17 February to Monday 9 March, Link11’s Security Operation Center (LSOC) defended 20,349 minutes of attacks (over 2,860 hours), which is more than 30% up compared to the 15,612 minutes of attacks mitigated during the same period in 2019. Link11 Cloud Protection Platform Marc Wilczek, Chief Operations Officer (COO) of Link11 said, “It takes only a small effort these days to overload servers and online services, and organizations need to protect their infrastructures. To help them deal with the evolving threat landscape, Link11 is offering government, public health and education organizations a solution that proactively identifies, blocks, and mitigates DDoS attacks within the Link11 Cloud Protection Platform, free of charge until September 2020.” Link11’s integrated Cloud Security Platform ensures cyber-resilience of the entire IT infrastructure On Sunday 15 March, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) suffered a cyber-attack, designed to slow the agency’s services amid the government’s rollout of a response to coronavirus, with the aim of overloading HHS servers. Officials assume a hostile foreign actor was behind this campaign. Cloud-based DDoS protection Traditional on-premise DDoS defenses, which are still widely used, and load-balancing products, are not able to protect individual websites, APIs or cloud applications against Layer-7 attacks, as these malicious data tsunamis can create big damage with little total bandwidth, bringing everything to a standstill instantly. Cloud-based DDoS protection, such as Link11’s integrated Cloud Security Platform, uses artificial intelligence, machine learning, strict automation and real-time analytics to ensure cyber-resilience of the entire IT infrastructure and application landscape supporting hybrid as well as cloud-native deployments.

Air Partner plc ('Air Partner"), the global aviation services group, has launched a unique new product, Air Partner Protect, in response to the emergence and spread of COVID-19 ("coronavirus"). The Group has recently carried out a number of evacuations on behalf of the UK government, and has seen increased demand from customers looking for similar services with enhanced safeguarding measures in place. Air Partner Protect The fast-moving and widespread nature of the disease has presented a unique and challenging set of circumstances in which to travel around the world, and individuals, governments and businesses alike are facing unforeseen hurdles as new restrictions and regulations are put into place. Air Partner Protect has been specifically curated to mitigate risk for customers flying during the coronavirus outbreak Through its broad and varied service offering, Air Partner is able to provide customers with global tailored solutions that meet multiple aviation requirements at the same time. Air Partner Protect has been specifically curated to mitigate risk for customers flying during the coronavirus outbreak, while offering expert advice and reassurance. Enhanced Security Screening Air Partner's dedicated Safety & Security division Redline can provide its own security operatives and equipment to carry out security screening where it is not available through the normal channels due to infection concerns. Air Partner works with approved operators to ensure aircraft and crew comply with recommended procedures around coronavirus (in addition to the stringent health and safety processes already in place). This includes ensuring aircraft have been deep cleaned and crew is following strict hygiene precautions.  Quick response evacuation and emergency medical support Using its exceptional relationships with operators globally, Air Partner can offer an extremely fast solution to evacuate any number of people from anywhere in the world, as evidenced by its recent work with the government's Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO). Air Partner's partnership with Northcott Global Solutions (NGS) provides customers with a quick and professional response to medical issues, emergency or routine, wherever they are in the world, 24/7. COVID-19 monitoring, updates and advice Working with partner NGS, the Air Partner team is kept fully briefed on all coronavirus developments, so that they can keep customers up to date on all the latest information and advice relating to their flights. Air Partner always monitors all of its customers' flights from start to finish, and the team can be reached 24/7, 365 days a year, for added reassurance. Bespoke safety solutions Customers are concerned and we have launched Air Partner Protect in response to growing demand" Commenting on the launch of Air Partner Protect, Air Partner CEO Mark Briffa said, "Coronavirus continues to affect communities around the world and global travel and transportation are becomingly increasingly challenging as new measures are brought in to try and limit the spread of infection. Customers are understandably concerned and we have launched Air Partner Protect in response to growing demand." Mark adds, “As a global aviation services group, we are already able to offer bespoke solutions spanning Charter, Consultancy & Training and Safety & Security so that customers can source everything in one place. Air Partner Protect goes one step further by ensuring that customers are safeguarded as much as possible when using our services at this difficult time." Fully-integrated solution Air Partner's collaborative and holistic approach was demonstrated when the Group supported the FCO's recent evacuation and repatriation of UK and Irish nationals onboard the cruise ship quarantined off the coast of Yokohama in Japan. The Group Charter, Freight and Redline teams worked together to deliver a fully-integrated solution for the multi-faceted project, which involved evacuating 32 people in line with all Public Health England health and safety protocols, security screening these passengers and their baggage ahead of the flight from Tokyo to the UK, and transporting cargo.

Around 7,000 people pass through the Luminy faculty’s suburban campus every day. As part of a major project to modernise two buildings, university managers sought a retrofit-ready access control solution to upgrade security. Aperio locks University administrators selected Aperio locks to secure doors in the new buildings. With Aperio, facilities, the staff can deal with lost keys more efficiently. The laborious process of changing locks and reissuing keys — part of the daily workload with mechanical locking — vanishes. Luminy campus is equipped with 372 Aperio Electronic Cylinders & 42 Aperio Electronic Handles with built-in RFID readers The Luminy campus is now equipped with 372 Aperio electronic cylinders & 42 Aperio electronic handles with built-in RFID readers. Locks are integrated seamlessly, wirelessly and online with Luminy’s ARD access control system. One key goal was to deter theft, which was becoming a problem in teaching areas — especially those with computers. “Since we installed Aperio, we have not had a break-in,” says Cédric Lopez, Maintenance Manager at Luminy. Campus security and incident management In addition to theft deterrence, Aperio met broad, stringent criteria for the security upgrade. Staff and students carry individual access smart-cards. Doors and credentials are easily programmed and reprogrammed to accommodate everyone’s changing access needs. Luminy’s security team has complete control over access permissions and campus traffic — in real time. Because their new Aperio devices are integrated online, the staff can see a ‘live’ overview of the campus and respond proactively to incidents. Aperio is trusted to protect the most sensitive areas of the campus. “We have critical premises, including for the storage of chemicals, some with radioactive properties,” adds Lopez. Seamless integration with university’s scheduling system Aperio locks are built on an open platform for easy integration with the university’s scheduling system Aperio locks are built on an open platform, so they are flexible enough to integrate with the university’s room scheduling system. “Teachers are able to reserve their rooms. Students no longer have to wait for the teacher’s arrival, because they have access to the right rooms in defined time slots,” says Cédric Lopez. The credential students already carry automatically opens classroom doors, if they have pre-authorized access rights. For the facilities team, the ARD interface displays scheduling for all relevant rooms in real time. Aperio wireless technology Luminy site managers have already scheduled further real-time access control upgrades built around award-winning Aperio wireless technology. As Luminy staff discovered, the benefits of Aperio extend beyond just enhanced campus safety and student security. The Aperio for Universities Solution Guide explains how you can upgrade and streamline security at your campus. Learn more about Aperio® at https://campaigns.assaabloyopeningsolutions.eu/aperio-university

We live in an era of Big Data. Surrounded by a flood of information, more companies are looking for ways to analyze that information (data) and systematically extract intelligence that can help them operate more efficiently and profitably. The data obsession has extended to the physical security industry, too, where large amounts of data have historically been a little-used byproduct of our access control and even video systems. But the picture is changing. We asked this week's Expert Panel Roundtable: What impact are data analytics having on the security market?

Delivering on customer expectations is a basic tenet of success in the physical security market. However, meeting expectations may be an elusive goal, whether because customer needs are not communicated effectively or because equipment doesn’t perform as promised. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: what if a customer expects more than a security system can deliver?

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?