Green security - Expert commentary
As city managers, law enforcement agencies, and first responders face mounting pressure to combat crime and respond to emergencies with limited resources, real-time crime centers empowered by a new generation of data-driven technologies are emerging as an effective force multiplier. Real-time crime centers Real-time crime centers (RTCCs) serve as centralized hubs where dedicated personnel leverage pioneering-edge technologies to analyze diverse data streams and provide critical support t...
Choosing the appropriate fingerprint technology for a given application is dependent on factors including the required level of security and matching accuracy, the desired capabilities and features, and the usability to achieve adoption and productivity goals. A successful evaluation process will help ensure that this mature and proven user authentication method performs as expected. Fingerprint biometric advantages The speed, simplicity, accuracy, and cost-effectiveness of the fingerprint m...
Misconceptions about AI and analytics in video security are common due to the rapid evolution of the technology and varying levels of understanding. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and analytics are increasingly used as interchangeable terms when discussing video security cameras. AI v/s analytics While there is some overlap, it is important to articulate the differences between them when speaking to stakeholders or customers. As the myriad types of AI gain more prominence in the global dialog&...
The average business owner or investor has some kind of security precaution in place, especially in the after-hours when there are fewer deterrents to inhibit criminal activity. Security guards, video surveillance systems, motion sensor lights, or even just fake cameras placed around the property are some of the common options people choose. Future of overnight security Smart business owners are starting to realize, however, that some of these traditional security measures are becoming...
The autumn equinox, which marks the start of autumn, occurs this weekend on Saturday, September 23. With darker evenings ahead, the experts at ADT have shared five ways to maximize your home's security. Author's quote Michele Bennett, General Manager at ADT UK&I comments: “Opportunistic thieves use darkness to their advantage, so it’s no surprise that the number of burglaries committed increases when the darker nights draw in." He adds, "Our 2022 burglary report found that bu...
It’s no secret that the data security sector is constantly changing. It has an annual CGR of about 12.3%. Future trends in data security Much of this has to do with the rise of cybercrime in recent years, with reports showing that cyberattacks happen as often as every 39 seconds. To combat the growing rate of cybercrime, data security has been on the rise. As we journey further into this era, it becomes evident that a spectrum of significant trends is molding the future of data se...
Security systems represent a significant investment, yet many organizations still only use a small percentage of their physical security systems’ capabilities. That’s before we even begin to consider the different ways that the likes of video, access control, and ANPR can add additional value beyond security by serving the needs of other business functions. Whether that be to obtain additional insight, streamline compliance, or drive operational efficiencies. Consumption ga...
Our recent survey on the state of access control in 2023 showed that HID partners and end users, as well as security and IT professionals, may have varying needs and concerns but nearly all agree on one thing: the need for sustainable solutions. Operational transparency In fact, sustainability was a top issue for almost 90% of our survey respondents. Our end users and their consumers are primarily driving this demand, with ever-increasing numbers asking for operational transparency...
Open platform video technology software is more than just a product; it's a tool that helps customers achieve their desired business outcomes. Safety, round-the-clock security, and increased operational efficiencies are now the norm due to video technology. Responsible Technology Despite humanity’s impressive technological advances, we also recognize the immense responsibility that comes with technological innovation. It's not enough to focus solely on the positive impact video technolo...
We work with and buy from “middlemen” all the time, yet the term remains loaded with negative connotations. It’s telling that the term remains gendered, no one has tried very hard to normalize the term “middleperson” in the same way as “chairperson” or “police officer.” Why? It’s easy to see a middleman as an inconvenience, someone who skims profit off the top while offering no real value to the end customer. Think of the second-hand c...
There are about 3,500 cybersecurity companies across 17 categories operating throughout the United States right now, according to both IT-Harvest and Cyber DB. So, on any given day, an IT security firm must beat back competitors in the market before it can even begin to battle the bots, phishing scams and ransomware attacks that are a part of your trade. And, you won’t be able to do that with marketing and advertising alone. Most, if not all, of your competitors are probably using a sim...
Inadequate security measures on your essential infrastructure can have severe consequences. Consequences Consider the rail industry: If a vandal cuts the cables on a vital mechanism that controls train signals, train safety is jeopardized. To avoid train collisions or derailments and thus significant damage to property and potential loss of life, the operating company must shut down the service until the infrastructure is repaired and the network is up and running again. The disru...
Regardless of their experience level or location, there is always a sense from close protection practitioners that there's a hunger to get back into the field and closer to the action. And why not? International travel coupled with diverse and challenging environments is all tied to a sense of mission. This is quintessential for close protection teams and starts with business travel. Travel concerns But, while increasing, it's safe to say that business travel is unlikely to return to...
Integrated security solutions are so often recommended by security specialists, while this sounds impressive, what does it actually mean? The short answer is: combining all aspects of security in a layered approach that leaves no vulnerable points. In this article, I will unpick the meaning behind this well used phrase, exploring the key components that make up an effective integrated security solution, while also revealing my top tips when it comes to maintenance and how to specify a solution...
When looking to design, implement, and track a loss prevention and security audit program across a national retail chain, there are two big questions to consider: What are you attempting to resolve, influence, and/or measure? What is the priority? The first point is to understand if there are any specific pressing concerns. If there are procedures not being followed by staff in the stores, then you want to come up with a program that is going to actually influence the way they work...
The number of cyber attacks around the world has been steadily increasing year after year; for example, in 2022, the weekly rate of attacks on corporate networks was 38% higher than in 2021. The potential financial losses of a data breach are substantial, with IBM's report putting the average cost at $4.35M. In order to reduce incidents quickly, organizations must take action and prevent them from happening in the first place. And using an interactive malware sandbox is a cost-effective and sim...
A study found that over 80% of smartphones have biometric protection enabled, up from 68% a few years ago - these statistics alone show the trajectory of biometric security solutions. In the world of access control systems, biometric advancements allow for more secure authentication measures and seamless security processes. As more products and services hit the market, learn our predictions for the 2023 biometric trends in this article. Biometric access control systems What are biometric acc...
The security industry is going increasingly digital these days, with more small- and medium-sized businesses joining their global brethren by moving their data to the cloud, leveraging the benefits of artificial intelligence, and embracing more open solutions. Innovation is expected to continue at a rapid pace, thanks in part to the residual effects of the pandemic which has driven changes that might have otherwise taken five years or a decade or more to get into customers’ hands on a glo...
We believe in integrated security solutions, so while a solid gate could prevent sight lines from the house, combining it with other measures such as alarms, motion sensing lighting, and CCTV will allow a good level of surveillance to keep you and your valuables safe. Burglary prevention tips Very few burglars are opportunists; instead, they may be regularly scanning and looking for weaknesses to capitalize on. It is therefore crucial never to give a burglar an opportunity to strike. Of cours...
The outlook for advancements in door security solutions is proving to be an extension of the positive trends that have emerged over the past few years and that continue to evolve in exciting new ways. That’s a good sign as we make our way along the road toward an ever-safer world. Improvements in a hybrid workforce Here’s what we’re seeing: More and more companies are rethinking the office space and how electronic access control (EAC) security and data can help better s...
There’s a new security paradigm emerging across malls, server farms, smart office buildings, and warehouses, and its advantage over the status quo are so broad they are impossible to ignore. Instead of a lecture, let’s start with a short narrative scenario to illustrate my point. Darryl's work Darryl works as a security guard at the Eastwood Mall. Like any typical evening, tonight’s shift begins at 9:30 PM, as the stores close and the crowds thin. His first task: Ensure that...
In recent years, multinational corporations such as Cathay Pacific, Facebook, Uber, and numerous others have been heavily fined due to security and data protection violations. This period has seen data protection laws increase as more and more information is gathered and shared online. As such, it becomes crucial to account for security capabilities when choosing an embedded device that touches potentially sensitive data. RFID readers RFID readers very much belong to the ecosystem wherein per...
Nowadays the Internet of Things has become an integral part of business around the world. The enhanced functionality made possible by the Internet of Things (IoT) and associated technologies are responsible for many of the major changes seen across society today. Video surveillance Video surveillance is one area that experiences substantial evolution driven by IoT technology. The intelligent monitors and sensors of the IoT combined with emerging high-speed network solutions promise to improve...
Enable third-party application system quickly to incorporate the visual data, as part of their solutions. Each and every user has a unique set of platforms that they need to efficiently run their business. In the security and surveillance field, increasing interest in visual sensor networks drives the development of multi-camera applications in private and public areas. Thus, middleware is needed to facilitate video data sharing connections between software platforms. It works like video plumbi...
Identity management is an important element of both data security and physical security in an organization. But all ID management solutions are not the same—especially when it comes to security. There are no uniform security standards for the industry, and many off-the-shelf systems fall short when it comes to data protection. To protect people, property, and data, make sure you select a system that maximizes security at every stage. What is identity management? Identity management&mdas...
The smartphone is an integral part of our daily routines. The communication and entertainment device of yesteryear has become a serious player with which we increasingly handle sensitive processes, such as payment transactions. BLE or NFC authentication At the supermarket checkout, more and more customers are pulling out their smartphones instead of their wallets. Apple Pay, Google Pay, or specific banking apps make it possible: to hold the smartphone in front of the reader of the checkout sys...
Although video camera technology has been around since the early 1900s, it was not until the 1980s that video started to gain traction for security and surveillance applications. The pictures generated by these initial black and white tube cameras were grainy at best, with early color cameras providing a wonderful new source of visual data for better identification accuracy. But by today’s standards, these cameras produced images that were about as advanced as crayons and coloring books....
The General Data Protection Regulation, or GDPR as it is more commonly known, is a privacy and data protection law within the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA). Despite opting to leave the European Union, the United Kingdom (UK) also uses the UK General Data Protection Regulation, which is currently identical. For businesses, the legislation throws up a number of potential challenges related to how data is obtained, handled, and kept secure. Companies are obligated to com...
Organizations have shifted business focus countless times since the onset of the pandemic. While many leaders have been primarily concerned with the immediate health and safety of their customers and employees, 2022 has given rise to a new trend: More than ever, business leaders are seeking security solutions that increase operational efficiency and cost savings as well as improve logistics and business insight. As working environments become more complex, organizations looking to drive higher...
Business owners know the security of their properties is one of their most important daily concerns, and that leads many of them to work with professional security integrators who can design and deliver robust systems that provide protection and peace-of-mind through modern technologies and services. That’s why security integrators, by their very nature, have an invaluable tool that can be leveraged into bigger jobs: clients’ trust. As highly-trusted partners with extensive experien...
