Electronic security systems

The global market size of surveillance is projected to nearly double by 2024, according to a report from Market Study Report. Technological advances, increased public awareness of the role of surveillance, and an increased adoption of artificial intelligence solutions are all driving demand for products and services in the electronic security industry. Major players are already making moves to grow their market share, so how can other businesses be sure they get their piece of the growing video surveillance pie? The solution lies in getting ahead of the curve, and that comes through preparation and education. Adopting Artificial Intelligence Solutions This June, experts at ESX will explore today’s video surveillance and monitoring trends and share best practices during the conference’s peer-led breakout sessions, June 3-6 in Indianapolis. The passionate professionals who attend these breakout sessions will leave better informed, so they can take advantage of the oft-projected growth of the global video surveillance market. Accomplished peers will discuss ways to tap into this growth, such as reaching high-demand markets, adopting artificial intelligence solutions and implementing streamlined processes for monitoring centers. Sessions Will Include: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Real Time Video Monitoring Solutions to Take the Guess Work out of Alarm Verification Top 3 Ways to Grow Your Video RMR The Manager’s Guide to Monitoring Center Benchmarking: Top Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to Manage Change When Time is Actually Money: How to Streamline New Technology Deployments in the Monitoring Center 5 Hot Markets for Video Surveillance

Matrix COSEC ARGO is a performance, design and engineering wonder that brings a modern design to the access control and time-attendance applications. The device is equipped with an enhanced 3.5” IPS LCD touchscreen for optimizing users’ visual experience. The door controller is designed to meet the aesthetics, technology and harsh environment application requirements of the large & multi-location enterprises, SME & SMB organizations. Matrix COSEC ARGO Door Controller: Enhanced 3.5’’ IPS Touchscreen LCD with Gorilla Glass 2x times Faster and Accurate User Verification Fingerprint – Optical & Multispectral, RF Card and PIN Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, PoE, Ethernet & GSM/VoLTE (Through Dongle) 50,000 Users and 500,000 Events Innovative Design - Wall and Flush Mount IP65, IK08, CE, BIS, FCC, RoHS Compliant

Altek Corp., global digital imaging company based in Taiwan, is introducing three new technologies: Vision AI chips, AI commercial surveillance cameras, and 3D depth image sensing modules with the theme of ‘Bringing Vision AI to The Edge’. The company’s vision AI chip and AI commercial surveillance cameras enable high-resolution smart surveillance by supporting AI human/object detection, event detection and behavior recognition. The entire AI process is conducted in the camera and corresponding alerts are sent out according to the detection results. It reduces the network bandwidth for data transmission to the cloud and improves the AI detection speed. This technology can be utilized in multiple use cases, including in retail, restaurants and hospitals. Altek also has collaborated with global tech leaders in providing commercial/home use surveillance system with edge vision AI capability" “Being dedicated to more than 20 years in digital imaging, Altek believes that edge vision AI will unleash remarkable market demands.” Alex Hsia, Chairman of Altek Corporation said. “Recently, Altek also has collaborated with global tech leaders in providing commercial/home use surveillance system with edge vision AI capability, aiming to bring the surveillance environment in retail, manufacturing, factory and home to new level of experience.” Altek – CyberLink Software Integration In partnership with CyberLink Corp. (5203.TW), Altek’s 3D sensing solution has been integrated with CyberLink’s AI facial recognition engine FaceMe. The new integration strives to enhance the anti-spoofing capabilities of smart security systems, enabling them to accurately detect facial images and videos apart from live human faces. “Anti-spoofing is vital for smart security and other AIoT applications. CyberLink’s FaceMe engine is capable of accurate anti-spoofing by utilizing an array of inputs including 2D & 3D cameras, human head motions, voice, and mainstream 3D imaging technologies including Altek’s active stereo technology. This allows FaceMe to achieve highly accurate human face pairing with faultless anti-spoofing results,” said Dr. Jau Huang, CEO of CyberLink. “Through our collaboration with Altek Corp., we hope to implement FaceMe’s high-accuracy facial recognition technology into 3D camera solutions to deliver safer and more reliable facial recognition capabilities to hardware manufacturers of mobile phones, door access control systems, and a number of other applications.” Edge Vision AI Technology With Microsoft and Qualcomm, Altek also co-developed a Visions AI Developer Kit Altek has also co-developed products with other global tech leaders to demonstrate its commitment to commercializing edge vision AI technology. With Qualcomm, the company has co-developed a commercial AI surveillance IP camera. This camera is powered by QCS603 platform with distributed edge AI computing power to enable AI detection of humans and objects within the recognition area in the camera. It also supports Amazon KVS so that users can leverage the AWS cloud platform to access, process and store streaming video with ease for further analysis by deep learning.  Visions AI Developer Kit With Microsoft and Qualcomm, Altek also co-developed a Visions AI Developer Kit. By supporting Microsoft Azure IoT Edge and using Qualcomm AI Engine, it strengthens Azure’s deep learning service and delivers ultra-high resolution video quality, creating optimal capability for processing vision AI at the edge for various markets and applications. Having established itself in the market of edge vision AI, Altek has integrated its software/hardware systems, chips and algorithms, and continues to collaborate with leading technology providers to leverage technological advantages and industry experiences to expand sales channels and provide omnidirectional services in the field of edge vision AI.

Ping Identity, global identity defined security solutions provider, has announced new programs and benefits for its Technology Alliance and Channel Program partners, including a new online partner directory, app integrations catalog, education and training services, on-demand resources, and enhanced services designed to improve partner products and drive business. Ping is also recognizing Microsoft, Optiv and ProofID for their shared commitment to deliver innovative identity solutions to the market and driving new license revenue through customer acquisition. Digital Transformation Digital transformation is driving demand for identity and access management (IAM) solutions and paving the way for Ping’s increasingly robust partner network. The transition from legacy to modern systems, combined with new industry regulations, have led companies to face complex issues in their IT environments. This is where Ping Identity and its partners can help customers understand the broader market dynamics associated with these challenges and offer solutions tailored to their IAM needs. “The Ping Global Partner Network is an extensive group of leading advisors, systems integrators, resellers and technology companies,” said Andre Durand, CEO, Ping Identity. “With our strong global partner network and the investments, we’re making in our partner ecosystem, we’re well positioned to continue enabling the expertise, value-added services and technology that are critical to driving success for our customers.” Technology Alliance Program (TAP) The Technology Alliance Program’s tiered structure includes Emerging, Engaged and Established partners Ping’s Technology Alliance Program (TAP) fosters collaboration with other security leaders to create integrated solutions that solve unique IAM challenges, increase effectiveness of IAM products, and take advantage of emerging technologies. Ping’s Intelligent Identity Platform integrates with more than one hundred IAM vendors that provide complementary security technologies. The Technology Alliance Program’s tiered structure includes Emerging, Engaged and Established partners. TAP delivers tangible technical, business and marketing benefits to drive product innovation, extend market reach and generate revenue. Because of Microsoft’s commitment to enabling Ping Identity customers to seamlessly connect Microsoft Azure Active Directory to hybrid IT environments, Microsoft was awarded the “Technology Alliance Partner of the Year” accolade at Ping’s recent Partner Summit. Intelligent Identity Platform “Microsoft is very proud of its partnership with Ping Identity, because it brings Azure Active Directory, the largest cloud enterprise directory, together with a leading provider of on-premises identity technology,” said Sue Bohn, director, program management, Microsoft Identity Division. “We look forward to continuing to innovate and extending the reach of Azure Active Directory with Ping Identity.” Channel Program Ping Identity’s Channel Program provides value-added resellers, distributors, managed service providers (MSPs) and systems integrators with the tools and resources they need to be successful in the enterprise identity market. The program’s tiered structure includes Registered, Authorized, Preferred and Elite, affording partners the opportunity to advance and unlock new benefits at each level. At Ping’s annual Partner Summit this month, Optiv received the “Channel Partner of the Year” award Also, at Ping’s annual Partner Summit this month, Optiv received the “Channel Partner of the Year” award, recognizing that the organization outperformed its 2017 benchmarks. Julie Talbot-Hubbard, global vice president and general manager, digital identity and data services, Optiv, commented, “We believe an integrated solution brings together all innovations across a comprehensive IAM program, and assures businesses are protected regardless of where data is used, resides, and is accessed." "Ping’s comprehensive, standards-based platform is an important part of that integrated solution, spanning deployment models and helping Optiv address many of the challenging enterprise identity use cases presented by our clients. We're proud to be recognized as the Channel Partner of the Year and look forward to continuing to work together to provide even more clients with end-to-end solutions that deliver measurable outcomes." ProofID, “Channel Delivery Partner of the Year” ProofID was also honored with the “Channel Delivery Partner of the Year” recognition for its consistent service and results-driven offerings, designed to solve complex identity challenges for Ping Identity customers. “We’re thrilled to be named the Channel Delivery Partner of the Year. For nearly 10 years, we’ve helped enable enterprise digital transformation projects leveraging the Ping Intelligent Identity Platform. It’s been a very rewarding partnership, and we’re excited to continue our collaboration with the Ping team,” added Tom Eggleston, CEO, ProofID.

Evolis announces the formation of a wholly-owned subsidiary in Tokyo, Evolis Japan K.K. The globally renowned French card issuance company designs, manufactures and commercializes a complete range of personalization and issuance solutions for plastic cards in various markets such as retail, hospitality, banking or public administrations across the globe.Evolis has been present since 2008 in Japan through a distributor. The creation of a local subsidiary aims at strengthening relations with local partners in order to accelerate the group's business development and establish a long-term presence in Japan. Evolis Japan K.K. Operational since January 7, 2019, Evolis Japan will market the entire Evolis product range and offer technical support by Japanese speakers Operational since January 7, 2019, Evolis Japan will market the entire Evolis product range and offer technical support by Japanese speakers, expand the traditional distribution network, develop channels dedicated to new industry sectors, and strengthen response to the demands of government bodies and financial institutions."Japan is one of the world's leading economies with more than 125 million people. We therefore see strong potential for card personalization in several markets. The creation of a Japanese company will help in our existing business relationships and facilitate the development of new partnerships" says Eirik Bakke, Managing Director, Evolis APAC. On-Site Encoding And Securing Key Cards Evolis systems allow for the on-site personalization, encoding and securing of cards that support various applications, such as access control badges, debit and credit cards, ID cards, resident permits, drivers' licenses, transport passes, student IDs, as well as product tags for the retail and hospitality market.Evolis' solutions support any requirement in card personalization, from basic printing in small runs up to the personalization of advanced and secured cards in large volumes. Numerous governments, financial institutions and large retail chains are using Evolis' card personalization systems to issue their cards. Card Personalization Systems Due to its flexible manufacturing capabilities and technical expertise, Evolis meets stringent customer demands in terms or technical features, quality and delivery lead times. A project team is dedicated to designing specific and tailored solutions, recognized at national and international levels.

In preparation for ISC West, the largest converged security and public safety industry trade show, the Security Industry Association (SIA) has identified the top technology advancements to look out for at ISC West 2019. The “Top 8,” presented with ISC Security Events, represent the key technology advancements impacting the converged security and public safety landscape. The “Top 8” Security Technologies At ISC West 2019: Cloud Artificial intelligence Robotics/autonomous systems Mobile credentials Security audio Facial biometrics 5G LTE Voice control  Ever-Converging Physical And Cybersecurity As physical and cybersecurity continue to converge within the broader security industry, SIA and ISC West are regularly keeping a close pulse on the latest trends As physical and cybersecurity continue to converge within the broader security industry, SIA and ISC West are regularly keeping a close pulse on the trends driving this industry transformation. Together, they present what SIA has identified as the most significant technology-first issues impacting the industry and made recommendations for security professionals looking to further their education at the show. ISC West will be held April 9-12 (SIA Education@ISC: April 9-11, 2019 | Exhibit Hall: April 10–12, 2019) at the Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, drawing over 30,000 security professionals and over 1,000 exhibitors and brands. A more detailed look at the Top 8 security advancements at ISC West: Cloud: Video surveillance as a service (VSaaS) is a growth area this year, as more companies deliver solutions that move recording, storage, management, analytics and monitoring solutions to the cloud. As SIA director of standards Joseph Gittens notes, this is especially common in residential video solutions, which often have low camera counts. Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI is permeating many security product categories but is most visible at ISC West in video security systems. Attendees will see analytics applications for automated motion detection and trespassing detection, advanced algorithms performing identification and categorization of persons and objects within scenes and systems that can even analyse human behavior within scenes such as long line queues and crowded situations. AI is also being used more extensively in the intrusion and alarm systems categories AI is also being used more extensively in the intrusion and alarm systems categories AI is also being used more extensively in the intrusion and alarm systems categories, with the promise of AI being able to leverage combined data from multiple sensors to help reduce false alarms and enhance home automation. Other firms are even offering AI solutions to identify cyber threats and network intrusions. Robotics/Autonomous Devices: Driven primarily by advancements in AI, power storage and mobility, steady improvements are being made in robot and drone security solutions. SIA notes that many of the companies are taking a managed service approach, allowing users to “rent” the services that these robots and drones provide. Mobile credentials: While a true mobile credentialing explosion may be a few years away, SIA expects the public to become more comfortable using mobile devices to complete transactions outside of access control. Mobile credentialing may expand into more commercial security installations, and industries will increasingly migrate to systems that incorporate all facets of identity management into unified systems capable of granting and managing access rights. Security Audio: Audio has long been a component of security systems, particularly with intercoms, emergency notification platforms and public address systems, but the industry is now delivering specialized solutions which can actively monitor audio and apply analytics to the audio –enabling functions like automated alerts on possible aggression. SIA adds that audio is proving to be a value-added augmentation to video security systems. SIA adds that audio is proving to be a value-added augmentation to video security systems Facial Biometrics: Thanks to popular consumer efforts like Apple’s Face ID and Windows Hello for Microsoft Windows 10, facial recognition has become less of the curiosity from futurist movies and more of a common place logical and physical access solution. As facial biometrics have proliferated in consumer technology, so has the technology advanced in professional solutions. SIA expects to find more presence of this solution on the show floor, particularly as verification accuracy increases and competition makes solutions more affordable. 5G LTE: With the major telecommunications firms in the process of planning their networks to support 5G LTE, which could deliver nearly 10 gigabits of data per second to a cellular phone, IoT solutions that use cellular connectivity will no longer be limited to the throughput of today’s 4G speeds. Expect to see early glimpses of technology solutions, particularly mobile video security solutions with applications primarily in public safety and smart cities –even though full 5G LTE networks are still in development and are not widely available from most carriers. Voice Control: With smart speaker adoption growing dramatically in 2018 (up 24 percent in Q2 2018 according to Nielsen), these solutions are being integrated into residential technology ecosystems. Look for new products in the areas of home security and home automation to have existing or available integration with common voice control/smart speaker providers like Amazon and Google. Voice control and natural language processing will also likely augment video analytics Augmented Video Analytics Voice control and natural language processing will also likely augment video analytics. According to SIA, in today’s analytics, users still need operators with a level of database/querying skills to find a particular event or scene, but the ability to say “Show me all persons in red shirts carrying an object who entered through door three” will prove much faster than waiting on an operator to input that analytic query manually. “Each year at ISC West, the largest audience in the security industry gathers to strengthen business connections, learn and see the latest trends in security technology,” said SIA CEO Don Erickson. “SIA is proud to be the premier sponsor of ISC West and looks forward to engaging with influential attendees through our compelling SIA Education@ISC education and training sessions, networking events and the SIA New Product Showcase.” ISC West 2019 In addition to connecting with nearly a thousand companies on the show floor, ISC West attendees will have access to 85 top-quality training sessions led by SIA. SIA Education @ ISC West provides critical information on the newest technologies in security. “ISC West has been a driving force in bringing together and educating the security and public safety community for more than 50 years. As the industry moves towards a converged mindset for physical and cyber security, it’s critical we’re addressing the technology-specific trends our attendees are looking to learn more about,” said Will Wise, group vice president, security portfolio, Reed Exibitions. “With SIA’s collaboration, we’re able to put forth this cheat sheet so attendees can easily identify the topics they care about and all the ways we can help them learn more.”

Public spaces in cities and suburbs are important places for community development and promoting outdoor recreation. These areas may include main streets, parks, promenades, band shells and fields. Such locations are often utilized by public event planners for community activities, including summer festivals, wintertime ice skating rink installations, music concerts and art fairs. As the year drew to a close, holiday and Christmas markets as well as major New Year’s Eve events, presented cities with constant public event security needs. The public nature of these events increases risks of incidents with high-speed vehicles that put attendees in danger. Fortunately, there are three ways for public space managers to prevent casualty-causing collisions and further promote the use of local public areas. Developing An Effective Action Plan   When strategizing how to react to an alert, think about what time of the year and time of day the event is occurring It is important to have a plan developed before an incident or accident occurs. Warning systems, utilizing doppler radar and digital loop technologies, alert guards to abnormal vehicle velocity changes in the surrounding area. Managers of public areas should organize a meeting with public safety authorities and local agencies to discuss what must immediately occur when a high-speed vehicle is approaching a public event. When strategizing how to react to an alert, think about what time of the year and time of day the event is occurring. Having such a reaction plan in place combines technology and strategic planning to ensure everyone is on the same page to effectively target a threat and promote overall event safety. Securing Public Areas  Ideally, there will be no need to implement a well-conceived action plan. After all, taking preventive measures to secure public areas where events take place is important to keep people safe from accidental vehicle collisions and intentional attacks. Protect attendees by clearly separating pedestrian and vehicle locations using security devices such as – Barricades Portable barriers Bollards Install Guard Booths  Avoid the risk of vandalism and theft, making sure people are safe when walking back to the cars at night by keeping parking areas illuminated with flood lights. Install guard booths with employees who monitor activity in the parking area and who are prepared to react if an alert is triggered. Furthermore, prevent accidental collisions by clearly marking the parking area with informative warning signs and using barricades to direct traffic. These three tips can be used by public area managers to promote security at the next community event. Additionally, the technologies used to secure an event can also be used as infrastructure for year-round security. Installing gates that shut when the public space is closed or using aesthetically pleasing bollards are steps any public area manager can take to promote community safety.

With the coming of a New Year, we know these things to be certain: death, taxes, and… security breaches. No doubt, some of you are making personal resolutions to improve your physical and financial health. But what about your organization’s web and mobile application security? Any set of New Year’s resolutions is incomplete without plans for protecting some of the most important customer touch points you have — web and mobile apps. Every year, data breaches grow in scope and impact. Security professionals have largely accepted the inevitability of a breach and are shifting their defense-in-depth strategy by including a goal to reduce their time-to-detect and time-to-respond to an attack. Despite these efforts, we haven’t seen the end of headline-grabbing data breaches like recent ones affecting brands such as Marriott, Air Canada, British Airways and Ticketmaster. App-Level Threats The apps that control or drive these new innovations have become today’s endpoint The truth of the matter is that the complexity of an organization’s IT environment is dynamic and growing. As new technologies and products go from production into the real world, there will invariably be some areas that are less protected than others. The apps that control or drive these new innovations have become today’s endpoint — they are the first customer touch point for many organizations. Bad actors have realized that apps contain a treasure trove of information, and because they are often left unprotected, offer attackers easier access to data directly from the app or via attacks directed at back office systems. That’s why it’s imperative that security organizations protect their apps and ensure they are capable of detecting and responding to app-level threats as quickly as they arise. It’s imperative that security organizations protect their apps and ensure they are capable of detecting and responding to app-level threats as quickly as they arise In-Progress Attack Detection Unfortunately, the capability to detect in-progress attacks at the app level is an area that IT and security teams have yet to address. This became painfully obvious in light of the recent Magecart attacks leveraged against British Airways and Ticketmaster, among others. Thanks to research by RiskIQ and Volexity, we know that the Magecart attacks target the web app client-side. During a Magecart attack, the transaction processes are otherwise undisturbed Attackers gained write access to app code, either by compromising or using stolen credentials, and then inserted a digital card skimmer into the web app. When customers visited the infected web sites and completed a payment form, the digital card skimmer was activated where it intercepted payment card data and transmitted it to the attacker(s). Data Exfiltration Detection During a Magecart attack, the transaction processes are otherwise undisturbed. The target companies receive payment, and customers receive the services or goods they purchased. As a result, no one is wise to a breach — until some 380,000 customers are impacted, as in the case of the attack against British Airways. The target companies’ web application firewalls and data loss prevention systems didn’t detect the data exfiltration because those controls don’t monitor or protect front-end code. Instead, they watch traffic going to and from servers. In the case of the Magecart attacks, the organization was compromised and data was stolen before it even got to the network or servers. Today’s proven obfuscation techniques can help prevent application reverse engineering, deter tampering, and protect personal identifiable information and API communications Best Practice Resolutions The Magecart attacks highlight the need to apply the same vigilance and best practices to web and mobile application source code that organizations apply to their networks—which brings us to this year’s New Year’s resolutions for protecting your app source code in 2019: Alert The key to success is quickly understanding when and how an app is being attacked First, organizations must obtain real-time visibility into their application threat landscape given they are operating in a zero-trust environment. Similar to how your organization monitors the network and the systems connected to it, you must be able to monitor your apps. This will allow you to see what users are doing with your code so that you can customize protection to counter attacks your app faces. Throughout the app’s lifecycle, you can respond to malicious behavior early, quarantine suspicious accounts, and make continuous code modifications to stay a step ahead of new attacks. Protect Next, informed by threat analytics, adapt your application source code protection. Deter attackers from analyzing or reverse engineering application code through obfuscation. Today’s proven obfuscation techniques can help prevent application reverse engineering, deter tampering, and protect personal identifiable information and API communications. If an attacker tries to understand app operation though the use of a debugger or in the unlikely event an attacker manages to get past obfuscation, threat analytics will alert you to the malicious activity while your app begins to self-repair attacked source code or disable portions of the affected web app. The key to success is quickly understanding when and how an app is being attacked and taking rapid action to limit the risk of data theft and exfiltration. Protecting encryption keys is often overlooked but should be considered a best practice as you forge into the new year with a renewed commitment to app security to ensure your organization’s health and well-being in 2019 Encrypt Finally, access to local digital content and data, as well as communications with back office systems, should be protected by encryption as a second line of defense, after implementing app protection to guard against piracy and theft. However, the single point of failure remains the instance at which the decryption key is used. Effective encryption requires a sophisticated implementation of White-Box Cryptography This point is easily identifiable through signature patterns and cryptographic routines. Once found, an attacker can easily navigate to where the keys are constructed in memory and exploit them. Effective encryption requires a sophisticated implementation of White-Box Cryptography. One that combines a mathematical algorithm with data and code obfuscation techniques transforming cryptographic keys and related operations into indecipherable text strings. Protecting encryption keys is often overlooked but should be considered a best practice as you forge into the new year with a renewed commitment to app security to ensure your organization’s health and well-being in 2019. Protecting Applications Against Data Breach According to the most recent Cost of a Data Breach Study by the Ponemon Institute, a single breach costs an average of $3.86 million, not to mention the disruption to productivity across the organization. In 2019, we can count on seeing more breaches and ever-escalating costs. It seems that setting—and fulfilling—New Year’s resolutions to protect your applications has the potential to impact more than just your risk of a data breach. It can protect your company’s financial and corporate health as well. So, what are you waiting for?

In the age of massive data breaches, phishing attacks and password hacks, user credentials are increasingly unsafe. So how can organizations secure accounts without making life more difficult for users? Marc Vanmaele, CEO of TrustBuilder, explains. User credentials give us a sense of security. Users select their password, it's personal and memorable to them, and it's likely that it includes special characters and numbers for added security. Sadly, this sense is most likely false. If it's anything like the 5.4 billion user IDs on haveibeenpwned.com, their login has already been compromised. If it's not listed, it could be soon. Recent estimates state that 8 million more credentials are compromised every day. Ensuring Safe Access Data breaches, ransomware and phishing campaigns are increasingly easy to pull off. Cyber criminals can easily find the tools they need on Google with little to no technical knowledge. Breached passwords are readily available to cyber criminals on the internet. Those that haven’t been breached can also be guessed, phished or cracked using one of the many “brute-force” tools available on the internet. It's becoming clear that login credentials are no longer enough to secure your users' accounts. Meanwhile, organizations have a responsibility and an ever-stricter legal obligation to protect their users’ sensitive data. This makes ensuring safe access to the services they need challenging, particularly when trying to provide a user experience that won’t cause frustration – or worse, lose your customers’ interest. After GDPR was implemented across the European Union, organizations could face a fine of up to €20 million, or 4% annual global turnover  Importance Of Data Protection So how can businesses ensure their users can safely and simply access the services they need while keeping intruders out, and why is it so important to strike that balance? After GDPR was implemented across the European Union, organizations could face a fine of up to €20 million, or 4% annual global turnover – whichever is higher, should they seriously fail to comply with their data protection obligations. This alone was enough to prompt many organizations to get serious about their user’s security. Still, not every business followed suit. Cloud Security Risks Breaches were most commonly identified in organizations using cloud computing or where staff use personal devices According to a recent survey conducted at Infosecurity Europe, more than a quarter of organizations did not feel ready to comply with GDPR in August 2018 – three months after the compliance deadline. Meanwhile, according to the UK Government’s 2018 Cyber Security Breaches survey, 45% of businesses reported breaches or attacks in the last 12 months. According to the report, logins are less secure when accessing services in the cloud where they aren't protected by enterprise firewalls and security systems. Moreover, breaches were most commonly identified in organizations using cloud computing or where staff use personal devices (known as BYOD). According to the survey, 61% of UK organizations use cloud-based services. The figure is higher in banking and finance (74%), IT and communications (81%) and education (75%). Additionally, 45% of businesses have BYOD. This indicates a precarious situation. The majority of businesses hold personal data on users electronically and may be placing users at risk if their IT environments are not adequately protected. Hackers have developed a wide range of tools to crack passwords, and these are readily available within a couple of clicks on a search engine Hacking Methodology In a recent exposé on LifeHacker, Internet standards expert John Pozadzides revealed multiple methods hackers use to bypass even the most secure passwords. According to John’s revelations, 20% of passwords are simple enough to guess using easily accessible information. But that doesn’t leave the remaining 80% safe. Hackers have developed a wide range of tools to crack passwords, and these are readily available within a couple of clicks on a search engine. Brute force attacks are one of the easiest methods, but criminals also use increasingly sophisticated phishing campaigns to fool users into handing over their passwords. Users expect organizations to protect their passwords and keep intruders out of their accounts Once a threat actor has access to one password, they can easily gain access to multiple accounts. This is because, according to Mashable, 87% of users aged 18-30 and 81% of users aged 31+ reuse the same passwords across multiple accounts. It’s becoming clear that passwords are no longer enough to keep online accounts secure. Securing Data With Simplicity Users expect organizations to protect their passwords and keep intruders out of their accounts. As a result of a data breach, companies will of course suffer financial losses through fines and remediation costs. Beyond the immediate financial repercussions, however, the reputational damage can be seriously costly. A recent Gemalto study showed that 44% of consumers would leave their bank in the event of a security breach, and 38% would switch to a competitor offering a better service. Simplicity is equally important, however. For example, if it’s not delivered in ecommerce, one in three customers will abandon their purchase – as a recent report by Magnetic North revealed. If a login process is confusing, staff may be tempted to help themselves access the information they need by slipping out of secure habits. They may write their passwords down, share them with other members of staff, and may be more susceptible to social engineering attacks. So how do organizations strike the right balance? For many, Identity and Access Management solutions help to deliver secure access across the entire estate. It’s important though that these enable simplicity for the organization, as well as users. Organizations need an IAM solution that will adapt to both of these factors, providing them with the ability to apply tough access policies when and where they are needed and prioritising swift access where it’s safe to do so Flexible IAM While IAM is highly recommended, organizations should seek solutions that offer the flexibility to define their own balance between a seamless end-user journey and the need for a high level of identity assurance. organizations’ identity management requirements will change over time. So too will their IT environments. organizations need an IAM solution that will adapt to both of these factors, providing them with the ability to apply tough access policies when and where they are needed and prioritising swift access where it’s safe to do so. Importantly, the best solutions will be those that enable this flexibility without spending significant time and resource each time adaptations need to be made. Those that do will provide the best return on investment for organizations looking to keep intruders at bay, while enabling users to log in safely and simply.

There is a new event on the calendar for the security industry in 2019: The Security Event 2019, 9-11 April, at NEC, Birmingham. For additional details and a preview of the new trade show and conference, we spoke with Tristan Norman, Founding Partner and Event Director, The Security Event. Q: It seems recently that some trade shows have been on the decline in terms of exhibit size and attendance. Why does the physical security industry need another trade show? Norman: I think there are numerous factors that play into the decline of trade shows in general and not something that is limited to the security industry. Those events that are suffering are no longer serving their target market or have failed to adapt to the changes in the industry they serve.However, what we are seeing now is the rise of focused, more “evolved” trade events which fulfill a gap in the industry event calendar and provide something new and fresh to a disillusioned audience. Q: What will be unique about The Security Event, and what role will it serve in bringing together buyers and sellers in the market? Where (geographically) will attendees come from?What we are seeing is a rise of trade events which provide something fresh to a disillusioned audience Norman: The driving ethos behind The Security Event is that we are “designed by the industry, for the industry.” We were able to start with a blank canvas and take on board all the feedback from stakeholders throughout the security buying chain and create an event that is sustainable and fit for purpose. We see the role of the event as a very important one – to truly reconnect the currently fragmented UK commercial security industry, back at the NEC in Birmingham. We had originally anticipated that this would be an almost-exclusively UK event in year one. However, we have seen significant interest from potential visitors from across the wider EMEA region who are keen to do business in the UK. We formed a strategic alliance with Security Essen to help facilitate and strengthen our reach in these regions through additional marketing and PR activities. Consequently, early registrations indicate that it will be approximately an 80% UK and 20% international split. Q: What conference programming is being planned to augment the trade show event? Norman: Content will be delivered across three focused theaters, serving the needs of our audience throughout the buying chain. Emphasis will be placed on the latest technology innovations impacting the industry, practical advice on the most pressing issues facing security technicians, and important industry updates and insights. All sessions are focused on delivering tangible benefits to ensure professionals are equipped to stay relevant and to grow their business and we’re excited to be working with key industry bodies, innovators and experts to deliver the program. We look forward to announcing those in coming weeks. Exhibitors want to re-engage with the thousands of industry colleagues who no longer attend other events on offer Q: Comparisons to IFSEC are inevitable. How will The Security Event be different than the IFSEC Security and Fire shows? What are the advantages of locating at Birmingham NEC? Norman: Both The Security Event and The Fire Safety Event, based at the NEC are completely different to any other trade show in the UK. We pride ourselves in creating a business platform that puts the exhibitors’ needs first, by limiting the size of stands and total number of exhibitors as well as creating a comprehensive CPD accredited educational program for the visitors. Q: Which big industry players are supporting the launch of The Security Event, and what feedback are you hearing in terms of why they signed up at the show's inception? If a global manufacturer has a footprint in both the US and Europe, any tradeshow will be managed locally Norman: Our founding partners are Assa Abloy, Avigilon, Anixter, Comelit, Dahua, Honeywell, TDSi, Texecom, Tyco and Videcon. The full list of exhibitors and supporting partners can be found on our website. The reasons why they have signed up are very simple. They all see the exact same gap in the industry event landscape as we do. We believe there is a need for a 3-day channel focused commercial security exhibition based at The NEC in Birmingham. Our exhibitors want to re-engage with the thousands of industry colleagues who no longer attend the other events on offer. Q: Your 2019 show will be the same week as ISC West in Las Vegas. Do you think the competitive calendar will be a factor? Norman: In terms of our both our audience and our exhibiting base there is very little overlap with ISC West. Generally, if a global manufacturer has a footprint in both the US and Europe, any tradeshow will be managed locally so we haven’t observed any issues so far. We do acknowledge that having two shows at the same time globally isn’t ideal and we have moved our dates in 2020 to the 28-30 April to mitigate this going forward. The Security Event 2020 will not clash with Las Vegas' ISC West 2020 as it will in 2019, says Norman Q: How will you measure success in the first year of the show? What measurements (show size, number of attendees, exhibitor feedback, etc.) will constitute a "successful" first year for the show?The Security Event will continue to evolve year after year, but will intent to stay true to the event's original concept Norman: Great question – the most important barometer of success for me and the team next April is the general industry reaction, after all, this show was created for them. Furthermore, it is vital to us that our exhibitors feel they have achieved their objectives for the show, whether it be quality, quantity of leads or raising awareness of a new product launch. We’ll also be keen to understand how satisfied visitors are with the event, including their views of the content, access to new products/services, effectiveness of the out of hours networking, etc. We are anticipating 6,000 visitors over the 3 days and I believe if we achieve this goal, we will have a strong rebooking on site, laying a great foundation for our 2020 event. Q: How would you expect/hope the show would continue to evolve in coming years? Norman: I hope over the next few years The Security Event cements itself as the industry’s favorite trade show and that exhibitors and visitors alike look forward to every year for both the business opportunities at the event and the networking outside of it. The Security Event will continue to evolve year after year, but I am determined that we stay true to our original concept and the principles on which the show was founded. After all, it is this formula that has proved to be so popular to date.

The Middle East security market provides a healthy opportunity for manufacturers who can capitalize on the region’s key verticals. Intersec’s 20th edition show focused more on solutions than on products, including solutions for the growing retail sector and an infrastructure market requiring ruggedized equipment to stand up to harsh environments. Intersec hosted security, safety and fire protection exhibitors from over fifty countries at Dubai’s spacious International Convention and Exhibition Centre on January 21 - 23. For the security market, the show was an opportunity to demonstrate how the industry’s latest technologies can benefit end-users in the UAE and globally. While the show hosted many impressively-sized stands from key security players, these tended to reflect the ongoing shift from a product-centric market to a focus on customer problems and solutions. Rather than filling the floorspace with an abundance of products, many brands chose to showcase how their flagship solutions could function in real-world applications. Retail Surveillance Delivers ROI Numerous companies opted to highlight their retail solutions – a key vertical for Dubai, which is known for its elaborate city shopping hubs. The Axis Communications stand allowed visitors to experience its network video offerings for the retail sector, including integrations with Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) and Point of Sale (POS) technologies. Solutions on show reflected how security systems are increasingly expected to provide a tangible return on investment: With options for queue management and people counting, Axis video technology can be used to provide business intelligence and improve the customer experience, as well as enhancing safety. IP video manufacturer Vivotek also showcased its latest retail offering, including fisheye cameras with built-in crowd detection and heatmap technology, which can help retail managers analyze customer traffic patterns and highly frequented areas. The panoramic nature of Vivotek’s IP cameras makes them ideal for collecting comprehensive data from retail stores.    MOBOTIX CEO Thomas Lausten demonstrates how the company’s dual modular camera delivers high-quality images in extreme weather conditions IP Video In Extreme Conditions The MOBOTIX stand was also less product-driven than at past shows. Instead, the focus was on how the manufacturer combines intelligent IoT technology and robust materials to address real end-user needs. CEO Thomas Lausten, who joined the company in June 2017, was on-hand to demonstrate how the company’s dual modular camera continues to deliver high-quality images in extreme weather conditions including ice, rain and sand. Rugged solutions were a big theme across the show floor. This is unsurprising given Intersec’s location in Dubai – the Middle East provides ample opportunity for the security market to capitalise on large outdoor projects, including the oil and gas industry. Video surveillance manufacturer Videotec showcased its latest HD PTZ cameras built to withstand harsh outdoor environments. The stand hosted an immersive ‘Experience Center’, where the company’s flagship PTZ cameras moved in sync to a rolling video, demonstrating their use in vertical markets including oil and gas, marine surveillance, and critical infrastructure. Video surveillance manufacturer Videotec showcased its latest HD PTZ cameras built to withstand harsh outdoor environments MENA Security Market Requirements Storage provider Promise Technology showcased its latest portfolio of surveillance solutions, including a cloud-based infrastructure optimised for growing IP video requirements. The manufacturer also introduced its new Vess A700 network video recorder series. This latest NVR offering specifically targets medium- to large-scale applications such as banking and industry. Such a solution is ideal for the growing Dubai market, where strict legislation requires a video retention time of 180 days. Intersec is set to return to Dubai from 20th - 22nd January 2019. Organisers expect over 1,300 exhibitors from across to globe to come together for a bigger, wider ranging and more innovative show.

Security is more-than-ever linked to consumer electronics, especially in the residential/smart home market. CES 2018 in Las Vegas is therefore brimming with news that will have a direct impact on the security market, today and especially looking into the future. Products for the future of security   CES is a giant trade show for consumer electronics with 2.75 million net square feet of exhibitor space and featuring more than 3,900 exhibitors, including 900 startups - in contrast, ISC West has some 1,000 exhibitors. During the week-long show welcoming 170,000-plus attendees from 150 countries, more than 20,000 new products are being launched. The products incorporate ingredient technologies such as artificial intelligence and 5G that will also be familiar elements as the future of the security industry unfolds. Familiar players at security shows also have a presence at CES, and many consumer technologies on display offer a glimpse of what’s ahead for security The areas of consumer electronics and security are closely intertwined. For example, Apple recently expanded near-field communication (NFC) support to include the NDEF (NFC Data Exchange Format), which will likely accelerate the adoption of smartphones for access control credentialing. In another recent development, Amazon acquired Blink, a home security camera startup that offers wireless home security systems. The acquisition aligns with Amazon’s effort to offer more home devices. Key Security Technologies At CES 2018 Familiar players at security shows also have a presence at CES. For example, Bosch is highlighting its “Simply. Connected” portfolio of smart city technology to transform security as well as urban mobility, air quality and energy efficiency. Many consumer technologies on display offer a glimpse of what’s ahead for security. Are Panasonic’s 4K OLEDs with HDR10+ format or Sony’s A8F OLED televisions a preview of the future of security control room monitors? At CES, Johnson Controls is announcing support for Apple HomeKit now offered in their DSC iotega wireless security and automation solution. Consumers can manage both their security system and also other home automation abilities using Apple’s Home app, or Siri on their iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch. Interlogix is announcing new features and components of its UltraSync SmartHome system, including hands-free voice control, high-definition cameras, an LTE cellular module and soon-to-be-released doorbell camera. The areas of consumer electronics and security are closely intertwined Developments In Crime Awareness ADT has a high profile at CES, including the launch of its ADT Go mobile app, equipped with 24/7 emergency response from ADT’s live monitoring agents and backed by Life360’s location technology, providing emergency response, family connectivity, safety assistance and crime awareness.  ADT is also unveiling a video doorbell and expanding its monitoring to cybersecurity. IC Realtime is introducing Ella, a cloud-based deep-learning search engine that augments surveillance systems with natural language search capabilities across recorded video footage. Ella enables any surveillance or security cameras to recognise objects, colours, people, vehicles and animals. Ella was designed using the technology backbone of Camio, a startup founded by ex-Googlers who designed a simpler way to apply searching to streaming video feeds. It’s a “Google for video:” Users can type in queries such as “white truck” to find every relevant video clip. Smarter homes and smarter computers Do-it-yourself smart home security company Abode Systems announces iota, an all-in-one system giving customers more freedom and flexibility to build out and monitor their smart home. The new form factor has a built-in full-HD resolution camera enabling customers to see and hear what’s going on in their home 24/7 while a built-in gateway supports hundreds of devices to make homes more convenient, safer and more secure. There is also support for Apple HomeKit. Highly programmable and high-performance platforms will no doubt play a role in the future of video surveillance systems in our market  The Z-Wave Alliance will host 30-plus leading smart home brands in the Z-Wave pavilion at CES. A full walk-through home will demonstrate different brands working together to create one cohesive smart home experience. Sigma Designs unveils its 700-Series Z-Wave platform, including numerous performance and technology enhancements in energy-efficiency and RF performance. Personal protection in attendance Self-defence product company SABRE will debut a combination pepper spray with dual sound-effect personal alarm that “alternates between the traditional wailing sound and a primal scream, while a strobe blinks 19 times per second to disorient assailants.” SABRE’s Modern Fake Security Camera includes “sleek, realistic design to deter would-be thieves.” Chip maker Ambarella is introducing the CV1 4K Stereovision Processor with CFflow Computer Vision Architecture. The chip combines environmental perception with advances in deep neural network processing for a variety of applications, including video security cameras and fully autonomous drones. At CES, applications will focus on automotive uses, including advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), self-driving, electronic mirror and surround view systems. The highly programmable and high-performance platform will no doubt play a role in the future of video surveillance systems in our market. A full walk-through home will demonstrate different brands working together to create one cohesive smart home experience Extending home security and efficiency  The Ring whole-house security ecosystem creates a “Ring of Security” around homes and neighbourhoods. Products include “Stick Up” indoor/outdoor security cameras, integrated LED lighting, a “Ring Alarm” integrated bundle for $199 including a base station, keypad, contact sensor, and Z-Wave extender. “Ring Protect Plans” include 24/7 professional monitoring. The “Streety” phone app, from Vivint Smart Home, extends home security into the neighbourhood. Streety makes it easy for neighbours to monitor neighbourhood activity through a network of shared residential cameras. They can keep an eye on kids, cars and property through live video feeds and use recorded video clips to investigate incidents. A new device making its debut at CES is the Walker “commercialised biped robot,” from UBTECH Robotics, which provides a complete home butler service and is designed to ease the day-to-day operations of a busy home or office. The varied of functions includes video surveillance monitoring, security patrol monitoring, motion detection and “instant alarm,” as well as dancing and playing games with children. The company says Walker will “bridge the gap between technologies that were once only available in scientific research institutions and everyday people.”

Tottenham based Lancasterian Primary School is focused on the delivery of a safe and welcoming learning environment, ‘where everyone is included and creativity is valued.’ The school is persistently seeking new ways to enhance and improve its offer to the children and the local community. The school had an established high-profile intruder alarm system on site and consulted with Amthal to create a maintenance program that could operate with no disruption to learning timetables. Safe Learning And Working Environment Proactively worked with us to create a maintenance schedule for our intruder alarm" Says Sam Judge, Lancasterian Primary School’s Assistant Site Manager: “The security of our school is naturally a top priority, to ensure staff and pupils can work and learn in a safe environment. We see a careful balance to ensure our focus on creation of a welcoming and nurturing school for pupils and the local community is not overwhelmed.” “It’s something we are consistently reviewing and when we approached Amthal, we were instantly impressed with their understanding of our objectives. They proactively worked with us to create a maintenance schedule for our intruder alarms, to ensure they continue to operate to maximum capacity for the ultimate protection of all who learn with us, and provide total peace of mind and assurance to the site management team.” Well-Maintained Security System An effective school building security alarm system for which users are fully trained" Mark Golding, Amthal Account Manager added: “Ensuring that pupils, buildings and equipment are protected requires an effective school building security alarm system for which users are fully trained, alarm systems that are regularly maintained and service inspections that are logged and documented.”  A well-maintained system will ensure compliance with building safety regulations and also help to ensure the school passes OFSTED with flying colours. Amthal is thrilled to be working with schools such as Lancasterian Primary to ensure its security for the benefit of staff, pupils and visitors.” Satisfying User Needs Independently owned, Amthal Fire & Security is dedicated to satisfying end user needs for security safety and convenience offering design, installation, service and remote monitoring of advanced electronic fire & security solutions, including intruder, Fire, Access and CCTV systems. Amthal Fire & Security is accredited by the Security Systems and Alarm Inspection Board (SSAIB) United Kingdom Accreditation Services (UKAS) and British Approvals for Fire Equipment (BAFE.)

Serving a large geographical area of the North Island of New Zealand, the Waikato District Health Board (Waikato DHB) provides hospital and community-based health services to a population of nearly 400,000 people. With a wide range of security needs that include protecting staff and patients, securing high-risk facilities, restricting unauthorized access to medication and medical equipment, and streamlining contractor and car park management, Waikato DHB required a security solution that could be applied to both high and low security areas. The system al so needed to provide a comprehensive audit trail and detailed reporting, to identify access movements by employees and help meet legal requirements around the safe and secure storage of medication and equipment. Gallagher Single Access Card Control System Gallagher’s access control solution for Waikato DHB utilizes a single access-card system that simply and instantly updates access permissions Gallagher’s access control solution for Waikato DHB utilizes a single access-card system that simply and instantly updates access permissions, as well as streamlining car parking services. Where high-level security is needed, Gallagher’s system offers Waikato DHB the ability to lock-down areas of the hospital when required, isolating areas and restricting access. Gallagher’s Command Center Mobile application also delivers duress notifications from buttons located around the hospital directly to a guard's mobile device. Electronic Tag Boards allow contractors to easily sign on and off of the site, ensuring Waikato DHB meets health and safety requirements. In an environment where access profiles change on a daily basis as staff move between different departments, Gallagher’s access control system and Command Center central management platform ensure staff can approach doors with the confidence that they can enter or leave areas as necessary. The access card system has also reduced the risks associated with handling keys, along with providing detailed reports to meet comprehensive auditing requirements, saving time and cost. 'Security Ward Standard' Waikato DHB's experience with Gallagher products ultimately led them to develop a 'Security Ward Standard' detailing the minimum-security equipment required for new buildings, greatly reducing time spent producing specification documents and gathering approvals. As Waikato DHB's security requirements continue to evolve, Gallagher’s systems provide future-proofing with a software maintenance agreement ensuring they operate the very latest software available. Fast Facts About The Project Industry: Healthcare Business type: Hospital Number of employees: 6,500 Site Size: 18 hectares with 176,000 sq.metres of buildings Number of doors: Over 730 access-controlled doors; 40 alarmed and monitored refrigerators/freezers; 15 carpark barrier arms; 1 gate. Gallagher solutions and technology utilized: Command Center Controller 6000 T-Series readers Tag Boards Car park Management

As increasing digital engagement powers forward in the hospitality industry, SALTO Systems has joined forces with the KeezApp technology platform to offer hotels an unrivalled guest experience. Property Management Systems The KeezApp platform provides a range of solutions for any property that hosts guests and is able to integrate with most PMS (Property Management Systems) on the market. Guests can check in from anywhere, receiving a virtual key straight to their smart phone and getting an alert when their room is ready for occupation. The front desk is then alerted when the guest has used the mobile key to enter their room even for doors equipped with offline electronic locks. The virtual app provides for access to all permitted areas of the hotel during their stay and when the time comes to check out, guests can again use KeezApp removing the need to queue at reception. KeezApp – SALTO Software Integration KeezApp has implemented JustIN Mobile key access technology and interfaced it with SALTO front desk management software ProAccess SPACE Additional tools include live chat with the front desk. This provides a better, more efficient way for guests to talk and interact with the front desk whether they are in the hotel or out and about. Guests can also choose different departments to contact such as reception, concierge, housekeeping or room service depending on their needs. KeezApp has implemented JustIN Mobile key access technology and interfaced it with SALTO front desk management software ProAccess SPACE. SALTO Hospitality add-ons include functionalities such as mobile keys (BLE), group check-in; real-time re-rooming and real-time extended stay. These plus other key hotel features make it easy to control all the offline and online rooms and back-of-house doors from different front desk guest workstations. SALTO Electronic Locks Both companies are driven by the opportunity for hotels to provide a superior guest experience to their clients, whether by offering mobile functionalities or superior management standards like quick check-in and check-out, online billing, live chat with reception, housekeeping and concierge or auto Wi-Fi connection for guests. SALTO welcomes new partnerships with industry leaders like KeezApp that will result in improved hospitality management and the guest experience. SALTO also continuously adds integrations with other technology providers so that those in the hospitality industry have a choice when it comes to which platform, they use to control SALTO’s robust line of electronic locks and supporting products.

HID Global, globally renowned trusted identity solutions provider, and Phunware, Inc., a fully integrated enterprise cloud platform for mobile that provides products, solutions, data and services for brands worldwide, has announced their collaboration to improve the experience for hospital patients and visitors to find their way within medical facilities, using wayfinding on their mobile phones. Wayfinding is indoor navigation to guide a person step-by-step on the way to a desired destination.  Wayfinding And HID Location Services Phunware and HID are addressing the need of healthcare institutions to deploy standardised technology "The combination of Phunware’s market-leading wayfinding and mobile engagement capabilities with innovative HID Location Services will ultimately revolutionize wayfinding within healthcare institutions,” said Phunware co-founder and CEO Alan S. Knitowski. “It’s easy for visitors and patients to get lost in hospitals, and every time they do it puts appointment times and patient satisfaction at risk. With our location-aware app on a mobile device, we equip the visitor to get instant, turn-by-turn navigation that creates a better experience than that which is currently available on the market.” Phunware and HID are addressing the need of healthcare institutions to deploy standardized technology to provide a better wayfinding and visitor engagement experience inside the hospital, across campus and even in parking lots.  Unified Healthcare IoT Solutions Healthcare organisations can easily lay out the foundation for IoT applications, such as wayfinding" “Wayfinding is one more application that we are integrating into HID’s unified healthcare IoT solution to make it easier for healthcare systems to manage a growing demand for automated and streamlined experiences,” said Rom Eizenberg, Vice President of Sales, Bluvision, part of HID Global. “With HID technologies, we have changed the location-aware landscape, delivering location as a service. Now, healthcare organizations can easily lay out the foundation for IoT applications, such as wayfinding.” Healthcare IoT-Enabled Platform HID’s healthcare IoT solution-enablement platform simplifies the delivery of real-time location of clinicians, patients and devices. The platform is enabled by Bluvision (part of HID Global). Multiscreen-as-a-Service (MaaS) Platform Phunware’s Multiscreen-as-a-Service (MaaS) platform also provides enterprise-level mobile wayfinding, engagement, data and more for other vertical markets, including retail, residential, hospitality, media and entertainment and more.

Losing keys is a given. It’s just something that happens at some point. One study in the UK estimated around 10,000 annually end up just in the refuse, by mistake*. At CROUS Montpellier student accommodation block in southern France, they sought a solution to lost keys and the other hassles of managing an outdated mechanical master-key system for a large facility with a transient population. Aperio Wireless Locking Devices CROUS Montpellier fixed lost key problems by exchanging their mechanical locks for Aperio cylinders. Aperio wireless locking devices with built-in RFID readers are already trusted at universities all over Europe to protect staff, students and assets against burglary and unauthorized intruders.  Easy-to-fit Aperio locks have transformed facility management for the accommodation block. To date, 1,500 wireless Aperio cylinders are seamlessly integrated online with their ARD security system, which gives facility managers an overview of block security in real time. Aperio Cylinders Integrated With ARD Security System Now, when a student loses their key-card, it’s simple for a site manager to cancel the old credential and issue a new one. There is no need to engage a locksmith to replace physical locks, saving everyone’s time and CROUS money. A constant drain on resources has been eliminated. Aperio easily integrates with payment and other smart-card systems, as well as access control Because Aperio integration at CROUS is online, managers block lost credentials quickly using the software, without visiting the door. It is just as easy to de-authorize credentials for students who leave, even if they forget to return their smart-card. An operator simply removes them from the system database, and they are locked out. Aperio-Access Control System Integration Aperio easily integrates with payment and other smart-card systems, as well as access control. “Aperio provides a comfortable access solution. Our students can access their accommodation, use the printer and pay in the canteen with the same card,” explains Cyril Combacal at CROUS Montpellier. Because Aperio is easily scalable and can expand any security system when needs change, investments in new wireless locking can be rolled out over time. It has made logistics and budgeting much easier for CROUS. Refurbishment at CROUS Montpellier is ongoing: up to 500 new Aperio cylinders are installed efficiently and wirelessly every year.

With innovative flair, characteristic Italian design and the quality of its products, Replay has become a leader in jeans and denim-based clothing manufacturers. It recently initiated a security and access control upgrade program throughout its premises and decided to install solutions from PACOM, a STANLEY Products and Solutions company. Since 1996 Replay has been headquartered in the Italian hilltop town of Asolo in a 25,000m2 reproduction of an early 20th century American industrial building. This acts as the company’s nerve center, where research and creative development thrive. Since its foundation, Replay’s key strategy has been formed around product vision, expansion into new markets and increasing control of its distribution network. As a result, it is now prominent in all European markets, the Middle East, Asia, America and Africa in over 50 countries, with its wholesale distribution network boasting 3,000 sales outlets with 200 retail stores. Improving Security And Access Control Infrastructure Secursat has carved a reputation for its ability to design, specify and install integrated and strategic security solutionsMilan based Secursat has carved an enviable reputation for its ability to design, specify and install integrated and strategic security solutions that address existing and predicted threats in compliance with current legislation and regulations. It creates security models based on a client’s requirements that not only are a form of business protection to reduce and prevent risks but, strategically, are an important tool to create value and be a source of competitive advantage. “When Replay first approached us with the idea of improving its security and access control infrastructure, first of all we had to gain a complete understanding of its objectives,” explains Maura Mormile, Secursat. “We always try to utilize any legacy infrastructure where possible, so we needed to find a technology solution that could be integrated with the customer’s equipment as well as being able to draw upon the benefits of our remote monitoring center. It soon became apparent to us that technology from PACOM would meet all of Replay’s objectives.” GMS Enabled IP Aecurity Solution GMS provides the perfect harmony between interoperability and functionality to ensure that Replay’s specific security needs can be met"PACOM and Secursat have been working closely since the beginning of 2018, after forming a strategic partnership to provide new opportunities for both companies. Secursat is the first systems integrator to be appointed in Italy by PACOM and the Replay project represented the first opportunity for the companies to work together. The solution configured by Secursat was based around PACOM’s pioneering Graphical Management System (GMS), which is engineered to communicate over an internet protocol (IP) network and has technology tailored specifically for multi-site environments. “Although not used extensively in Italy, the benefits of IP are beginning to be more widely understood and will have a dramatic effect on how security and access control systems are specified and installed,” states PACOM’s business development manager, Alfonso Lorenzo. “Our GMS technology draws on over 30 years of experience in developing applications based on a data communications platform, successfully balancing electronic security and IT applications on a single network. GMS provides the perfect harmony between interoperability and functionality to ensure that Replay’s specific security needs can be met, without compromising on quality or operational process.” PACOM 8003 Hybrid Control Panels PACOM 8003 offers up to eight configurable 5 state inputs and 8 outputs comprising 2 relays and 6 open collectors"Alongside the PACOM GMS are the IP based PACOM 8003 next generation hybrid control panels, which incorporate PACOM-Edge technology. By offering advanced security capabilities across Replay’s Ethernet backbone this control panel reduces the need for traditional security cabling. Alfonso Lorenzo adds, “PACOM 8003 offers up to eight configurable 5 state inputs and 8 outputs comprising 2 relays and 6 open collectors. Inputs can be expanded up to 96 and outputs can be expanded up to 40 via the addition of on-board expansion modules and/or remote I/O devices. “PACOM 8003 supports auto-discovery of peripheral devices for simplified installation and all doors can be individually configured to operate via card only, PIN only, or card and PIN, with access schedules providing additional control. It also satisfies the needs of Replay’s stores that may require access control.” Tracking Events In Real Time Not only did we overcome traditional wiring issues but, thanks to IP, we have faster signal transmission to the remote monitoring center"The entire installation went incredibly smoothly and was completed with minimal disruption to the stores. Maura Mormile comments, “All our integrators commented on how straightforward the PACOM equipment was to install and configure. Not only did we overcome traditional wiring issues but, thanks to IP, we have faster signal transmission to the remote monitoring center, which centralises operations in an innovative and simple way. “Furthermore, the use of the GMS means that we are able to track events in real time, have a record of events and can engage in remote management of the entire Replay security and access control infrastructure.” Maura concludes: “The Replay project was not a particularly straightforward one but the combined expertise of Secursat and PACOM ensured a great result. The products are user friendly and, just as importantly, offer a high level of future proofing and expansion possibilities that will optimize security and access control infrastructure for many years to come.”

Companies in fast-moving industries tend to want half or more of their revenue to come from products released in the last three or so years. The logical extension of that philosophy is the demise of product "cash cows" that remain in a company's portfolio for many years. Where better to witness the shortening life cycles of technology products than in the smart phone market, where most of us buy into the hype of the "latest and greatest?" But does acceleration of new product introductions translate into shorter product life cycles in the field? We asked this week's Expert Panel Roundtable: What is an acceptable life cycle for a physical security system? Is there a trend toward systems being replaced more, or less, often?

“Don’t try this at home.” It’s a common warning, but how does it apply to security systems? With today’s systems becoming easier to install, and with customers becoming more tech-savvy, there is a growing market for “do-it-yourself” or DIY home security systems. The trend also extends beyond the home security market: Business end users may also think they can forgo a professional installer and handle installation in-house. The customer may save money by installing a system, but at what risk? We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What are the pitfalls of “do-it-yourself” when it comes to security systems?

Even the most effective technologies usually require some level of human involvement. What new technologies do, generally speaking, is change the nature of a human’s role. Most jobs in today’s world are vastly different than 50 years ago, in many cases because of the changing role of technology. In the physical security world, what specific impact does technology have on the human element of systems? We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: Have recent developments in security systems made manpower more, or less, important to the equation? Explain.