Lone worker protection

Key figures from the cyber security industry will gather to address the Parliament to discuss the UK’s readiness to defend itself against the growing threat posed by ransomware. Cyber – The Next Threat The event, entitled Cyber – The Next Threat is organized by the Parliament Street think tank and chaired by former Business Minister - Dean Russell MP and will take place on 13th March 2023.  The expert panel includes cyber security veteran Nicko van Someren, CTO, of Absolute Software, Oseloka Obiora, CTO of RiverSafe, Chris Cheyne, CTO of SecurityHQ, and Robin Brattel, CEO of Lab-1. Topics for discussion UK’s chronic cyber skills shortage and the threat it poses to national security will also be debated Hot topics under discussion will include protecting businesses from hackers and ransomware attacks. Other items for discussion include the steps required to protect the UK’s critical national infrastructure from attacks such as the NHS. The UK’s chronic cyber skills shortage and the threat it poses to national security will also be debated as part of the session. Developing a strategy for data protection Speaking ahead of the event, Nicko van Someren, CTO, of Absolute Software, “As the cyber threat continues to grow, developing a clear strategy both for protecting companies from crippling ransomware attacks and for their recovery in the event of an attack, should be top priorities." Nicko van Someren adds, "The rise of remote and hybrid working has also given hackers new routes to enter companies undetected. Tackling these threats requires collaboration between the cyber industry, the government, and businesses to ensure the highest standards are in place to protect data and keep cyber criminals locked out.”

G7c personal wearable by Blackline Safety is the world’s first connected gas detector and lone worker safety monitor certified to the newly-upgraded BS 8484:2022, the standard that underpins the UK’s lone worker safety leadership. Lone workers are those who work by themselves without close or direct supervision. Employers have a legal obligation to manage any health and safety risks before their employees can work alone. Potentially harmful events In addition to the almost 700,000 incidents of violence at work in the UK in 2019/20, lone workers face the risks of slips, trips, falls, health events, extreme weather, vehicular accidents and a number of other potentially harmful events. There are also concerns related to stress and mental health, medical suitability to work alone, and the workplace itself, for example, if working in an isolated or remote area. Ensuring the safety of these at-risk workers has always been a top priority for Blackline Safety. Ensuring the safety of these at-risk workers has always been a top priority for Blackline Safety “Considering employee safety, well-being and security at a strategic level leads to a culture of safety at work at the operational level,” said Natalie Hays, QHSE & Compliance Manager, at Blackline Safety Europe Ltd, a fully-owned subsidiary of Blackline Safety Corp. “BSI (British Standards Institution) states that ‘lone worker protection might be a consideration for both safety and security strategies. It contributes to the organization's governance, management of risk, and compliance with both company policies and legal obligations.’” industry best practices Lone Worker monitors enable organizations to maximize workers’ safety with incident detection and emergency response services to ensure most vulnerable team members are always accounted for and return home safely to their families at the end of each working day. Due to stringent Health and Safety laws, outlining the responsibilities of employers in significant detail, the UK is considered one of the safest places in the world to work. Strict regulations and industry best practices help ensure employers offer an unparalleled duty of care to their workers. BS 8484:2022 defines the code of practice for lone worker equipment and monitoring services in the UK. Lone worker equipment “The UK’s thorough safety regulations help ensure we consistently achieve success in keeping people safe while at work,” Hays said. “The BS 8484:2022 standard underpins the UK’s safety leadership by providing lone worker product and service providers with a code of practice that allows the despatch of a police Level 1 response,” she explained. “Blackline Safety Europe, Ltd are very proud to be among the first businesses in the UK to be accredited to the new upgraded BS8484:2022 standard.” cloud-Connected solution BS8484 enables certified service suppliers to offer the highest level of emergency response Blackline’s G7c is the all-in-one cloud-connected solution, disrupting the safety monitoring and gas detection space by integrating 4G connectivity and industry-first capabilities to enable efficient and reliable lone worker monitoring. The risk that an employee's call for help could go unanswered is mitigated by connecting workers directly with live monitoring personnel, from wherever they are working. BS8484 enables certified service suppliers to offer the highest level of emergency response, bypassing the central 999 system to make the process as efficient as possible. Robust lone-worker policies combined with innovative employee-worn technology can mitigate potential risks faced every day by those working alone. G7c’s lifesaving man-down and lone worker protection features include: Integrated connectivity wirelessly links your team to live monitoring personnel True Fall Detection™ and no-motion alerts Missed check-ins immediately identify when a team member fails to confirm their safety status with a scheduled confirmation timeframe Reliable communication with two-way text messaging, two-way voice calling, and push-to-talk options G7c’s emergency SOS latch generates an instant visible and audible alarm, alerting monitoring personnel should a worker be faced with a threatening or dangerous situation The Silent SOS feature enables users to discreetly call for help by pressing the red latch for three seconds so there are no obvious signs of activation to an aggressor. This can be used in situations where a user knows they need help, but may not want to draw attention to themselves. Optimized emergency response G7c automatically communicates man-down and gas alerts to monitoring personnel who are equipped to deploy a potentially life-saving emergency response when and wherever needed, up to and including the police. Worker location and safety status are easily viewed on a live map, so responders know exactly where to go. Connectivity is necessary to ensure the fastest possible emergency response. The live monitoring team follows tailored emergency response protocols and when required, escalates to the highest levels of police, ambulance or fire service, only permissible when using a BS 8484:2022 certified solution. G7c is the only BS 8484:2022-certified combination lone worker monitoring and gas detection product currently on the market.

Reliance High-Tech is pleased to have been nominated as a finalist for two awards in the Security and Fire Excellence Awards in 2022.  Training Initiative of the Year award For the Training Initiative of the Year award, the company has embarked upon ambitious recruitment and training program consisting of two pioneering schemes.  Firstly, developed in conjunction with Zitko, Reliance has adopted the Zitko TALENT program, which takes individuals from other industries and retrains them.  Secondly, the company’s apprenticeship program is one of the most comprehensive of its kind in the industry. Project of the Year award nomination The Project of the Year award nomination is for Reliance High-Tech’s work on a Security Digital Transformation project for a Global insurance organization, to help them meet the challenges of a modern threat landscape. “We are proud to have been nominated as finalists again this year in these two categories, which demonstrates not only our technical capabilities as a company but also our commitment to developing the best trained and most highly motivated team in the security industry,” said Alistair Enser, CEO for Reliance High-Tech. Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on 23rd November 2022.

Reliance High-Tech, the independent security technology integrator, is celebrating 30 years of membership of the British Security Industry Association (BSIA). During this time, Reliance High-Tech has been able to help shape the direction of the security industry by sharing its knowledge with other members and playing an active role in a number of special interest groups. Voice of the security industry Since it was formed in 1967, the BSIA has firmly established itself as the voice of the professional security. industry, while educating the marketplace on the value of high quality and professional security. Its members are responsible for more than 70 percent of privately provided UK security products and services including the manufacture, distribution and installation of electronic and physical security equipment and the provision of security officer services and consultancy. Authority comment Reliance High-Tech has always seen the value in those operating within the industry “We are delighted to be able to celebrate this significant milestone in our relationship with the security industry’s foremost trade body,” commented Alistair Enser, the Chief Executive officer (CEO) at Reliance High-Tech. He adds, “Our work over three decades was recently acknowledged when the BSIA presented us with an award to mark this achievement and we remain committed to working together to ensure that the security industry continues to thrive.” Supporting and encouraging excellence Reliance High-Tech has always seen the value in those operating within the industry working together to support and encourage excellence and develop best practice. It considers its BSIA membership to be a symbol of the quality and professionalism it offers to its customers. One area where Reliance High-Tech is particularly active is within the BSIA’s lone worker section. Significant focus over recent years has been around the development of BS 8484 lone worker code of practice, which details the requirements for suppliers of lone worker safety solutions to attain Police Lone Worker Unique Reference Numbers in order to fast-track Level 1 Police responses where required.   The ability to help shape the technical requirements in British, European and International standards is hugely important to Reliance High-Tech. Commitment to improve Chris Allcard, Lone Worker Services Director at Reliance Protect, said “We are immensely proud of our reputation as a leader in our industry, which is the result of the vast knowledge, skills and experience, we have across our expert team.” He adds, “We are committed to improving lone worker safety, which is increasingly important given that more than six million people in the UK work either in isolation or without direct supervision, often in places or circumstances that put them at potential risk. I’m looking forward to building on this success and collaborating with colleagues at the BSIA to further educate people in this area, as well as improving the development and operation of such solutions.” 

Blackline Safety Corp., a globally renowned company in connected safety technology, has announced it will unveil the G6 single-gas detector – setting a new standard in connected worker wearables – at the upcoming 2022 National Safety Council (NSC) Safety Congress & Expo, which is to be held from September 19 to September 21, 2022, at the San Diego Convention Center, in San Diego, California, USA. “The challenge was how to bring the increased safety and operational performance of connected safety to scenarios where workers typically use disposable detectors that last only a couple of years,” said Cody Slater, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chair, Blackline Safety. G6 single-gas detector at 2022 NSC Safety Congress & Expo G6’s long-lasting connectivity gives progressive, safety-focused industrial workplaces the technology they need" He adds, “G6’s long-lasting connectivity gives progressive, safety-focused industrial workplaces the technology they need, to harness vital safety data and respond quickly to incidents—with minimal effort.” At the 2022 NSC Safety Congress & Expo, Blackline Safety Corp. will give attendees a first-hand look at the most disruptive solution for connected safety available currently, featuring: New Product Launch – G6 Wearable Single-Gas Detector: A first look at Blackline’s latest innovation for oil and gas, petrochemical and other industrial workplaces, enabling fast incident response time, better safety and compliance, long-lasting connectivity and improved efficiency—all in one cloud-connected device. Professional Development Discussion – Linking EHS to ESG, Tuesday, September 20, 2 pm to 3 pm PST, Room 29 D: An opportunity for safety leaders to learn how global brands like L’Oreal and Repsol are leveraging data and technology, in order to demonstrate environmental, social and governance (ESG) impact and help environmental, health and safety (EHS) become part of the business strategy conversation. Panelists include Laynnea Myles, Assistant VS, EH&S, L’Oreal; Jennifer Ward, S&E Systems Lead Supervisor, Repsol; and Sean Stinson, Chief Growth Officer, Blackline Safety Corp. Media Briefings Blackline representatives will be available for one-on-one media interviews to demonstrate the all-new G6 transformative features and benefits. Media briefings can be booked in advance online. Blackline Safety Corp.’s staff can be found at Booth 2627, in Hall E, during the 2022 NSC Safety Congress & Expo show. The new G6 product launch follows a series of awards won by Blackline Safety Corp. over the last several months, including four prestigious 2022 Industrial Hygiene Awards – two platinum awards for its G7 EXO Portable Area Gas Monitors and two gold awards for its G7 Personal Gas Detection products. The company was also named best-in-class for Lone Worker Monitoring, by the 2022 Canadian Occupational Safety Readers’ Choice Awards for a second consecutive year.

“Every employer’s fundamental responsibility to their employees is to eliminate risks to health and safety, for every worker, including those who work alone,” advises Matt Smitheman, Senior Solutions Consultant, at Interface Security Systems, a managed service provider delivering business security, managed network, UCaaS, and business intelligence solutions to distributed enterprises. Occupational risks As retailers continue to adapt their business models, many are increasingly relying on lone workers for opening, closing, third shifts, curbside deliveries, and other customer interactions outside of the traditional store premises. While lone employees play a critical role in keeping these businesses up and running, they are more at risk of encountering threats at work with an estimated 48% of HR professionals reporting that their organization has witnessed workplace violence. Addressing workplace violence and security concerns  More attention needs to be placed on increasing safety measures for lone employees Workplace violence and security concerns make talent retention and hiring challenging in a tough labor market. In times like these, more attention needs to be placed on increasing safety measures for lone employees. Security professionals are looking at ways in which they can add another layer of protection for their associates when they are working alone, for locations with limited or no existing protection, or to expand security coverage outside a business’ building. Lone worker safety policy Asset protection and risk professionals should put in place a comprehensive lone worker safety policy and align with innovative solution providers to leverage technology, services, and training to protect employees and assets. Interface Security Systems’ Matt Smitheman is joining forces with Jim Mires, VP of Loss Prevention & Safety at Sally Beauty, and Tim Lapinski, DVP, Enterprise Risk Management at Helzberg Diamonds to present a session on best practices for protecting lone and mobile employees at the RILA (Retail Asset Protection Conference) on Tuesday, April 26, 2022, from 11:15 AM - 12:00 PM. Session agenda During this session, attendees hear about the latest technology and best practices that have been put in place by these leading retailers to implement a comprehensive employee protection strategy. Specifically, they will learn about: Who is a lone worker and why should businesses worry about them now? Safety and security challenges faced by lone and mobile workers. Leading technology solutions and advanced security monitoring options. How to train lone workers to deal with emergencies. How retailers and security service providers can comprehensively partner together to enhance employee and customer safety.

There is no denying that the COVID-19 pandemic has radically changed the way we work. In May 2021, 31% of the countries workforce was still working remotely, with 71% of businesses in professional, scientific, and technical industries remote-working. Work patterns shifting Although the conversation often focuses on office workers, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the way many other, non-office sectors operate. In the security industry, since the introduction of lockdowns and social distancing guidelines, the way businesses monitor sites has changed. While in the past, security guards would have patrolled the premises, companies are increasingly opting to use high bandwidth security, deploying CCTV to monitor sites - rather than people. At OV, we believe the only way to ensure CCTV is as trustworthy as a person, is to use a multi-network SIM in the device, ensuring connectivity 24 hours a day – every day. Smart Surveillance Reliable video surveillance means deploying CCTV cameras with the Internet of Things (IoT) Switching to CCTV doesn’t simply mean installing a camera on a wall. To ensure your site is monitored 24-hours a day, with real-time footage available to your staff, reliable video surveillance means deploying CCTV cameras with the Internet of Things (IoT). Smart surveillance not only reduces the need for a security officer on site, but also minimizes the reliance on a member of staff continuously monitoring the CCTV footage. Instead, cameras connect to a centrally managed system, so if an emergency happens, it notifies the system. It then sends an instant alert to a designated person or the emergency services. This streamlines the typical monitoring process, removing possibilities of human errors and computer lags, increasing efficiency. And, equally as important, since the COVID-19 pandemic, it removes the reliance on in-person surveillance. Deploying IoT sensors across the site However, the role of a security guard is not always just to monitor and prevent crime. When stationed at a block of offices or flats, an officer often also monitors the premises, ensuring that everything is running smoothly, for example, checking for faults in entry systems and lifts. Though this technically sits with the maintenance team, losing a security guard in place of CCTV could risk losing another pair of eyes on the ground. This risk can be averted, if businesses also deploy IoT sensors across the site, connected to the same centrally managed system as the CCTV. Sensors send data collected in real time Sensors installed into lifts and door entry systems work in a similar way, sending data collected on the object in real time. If an error with the system arises, an instant alert will be sent, and maintenance can be scheduled immediately. Although smart solutions are on the rise, for some businesses, in-person security is still the best or the preferred option. Pre-pandemic, there may typically have been multiple security staff on-site, but to accommodate for social distancing guidelines and fewer people on the premise generally, security guards have increasingly worked solo. Wearable IoT devices for lone workers’ safety The wearable IoT devices have an emergency button and voice access installed Lone working, especially for security personnel, comes with its risks. When faced with emergencies, such as burglaries or violence, the risk of working alone is immediately heightened. To keep lone workers safe, businesses can provide staff with wearable IoT devices. The wearable IoT devices have an emergency button and voice access installed, so in the case of an urgent situation, the wearer can discretely press the button, and it will immediately alert the monitoring station, who will be able to hear what is happening at the incident location. Furthermore, wearable IoT devices can also monitor key health markers and regular movement, so if a worker either stops moving for a prolonged time, or their health markers suddenly change, an alert will immediately be sent to a pre-agreed contact, or the emergency services, to send out help instantly. Connectivity, the key to the seamless operation of IoT While this technology can protect businesses and staff, it can also help to remove instances of human errors, when inaccuracies can still occur. Ultimately, we’re handing the baton of trust over from person to tech. So, if smart technology is to perform as we expect it to, it must be connected to a reliable network. Connectivity is the key to the seamless operation of IoT, because without it, devices cannot work and losing connection for the security industry is not an option. A business needs to trust that security equipment will do its job, after all, the safety of their site and staff is in the ‘hands’ of it. Multi-network SIM is the safest option Not only are multi-network SIMs the safest option for ensuring connectivity, but they are also invaluable To confidently trust in IoT, a multi-network SIM is the safest option. Using a single network means that if that provider experiences issues or outages, so will the equipment. Whereas, with a multi-network provider, if one network drops, it will simply switch to another in the area, in order to ensure reliable security 24 hours a day. Not only are multi-network SIMs the safest option for ensuring connectivity, but they are also invaluable, as the security industry assesses the short-term future of mobile connectivity. Whether it is the closing down of 2G and 3G networks, or the availability of new technologies, such as LTE-M or 5G, opting for a multi-network SIM is the best option available. Smart security solutions as reliable as the connected network Whatever the plans are of the individual networks, a multi-network SIM ensures that you can access older services, such as 2G and 3G, as long as any network continues to supply service, and get the newer technologies, such as LTE-M and 5G, as soon as the first network makes them available. Ultimately, smart security solutions are only as trustworthy as the network they are connected to. As businesses roll out new technologies that rely on connectivity 24 hours a day to perform their job, multi-network providers should be the only option considered and utilized. With a multi-network SIM in a CCTV device, businesses can be confident that their site is monitored and secure, every hour of every day.

As the world continues to become more connected, it’s becoming increasingly important to adjust security and safety procedures in the workplace. But today’s ever-evolving office environment can present unique safety and preparedness challenges. No two businesses are exactly alike, with some located in numerous buildings or spread out across campuses, while others have employees that frequently journey from different locations, work remotely or travel internationally. With this shifting environment, Rave Mobile Safety’s recent Workplace Safety and Preparedness survey asked over 500 full-time employees in various industries across the United States about their views on safety at work and emergency preparedness. Preferred Safety Measures Only 57 percent of respondents indicated that their workplace currently had preparedness drills in place for critical situationsThe survey looked at how employees and companies respond to various workplace emergencies: workplace violence, active shooter, medical emergency, fire, hazmat incidents, weather events and cyberattacks/system outages. Respondents provided insight on the current state of safety in their workplace, as well as how they want to be contacted when an emergency occurs. Though opinions on the preferred safety measures differed between generations and also between on-site and offsite workers, one fact remains consistent: there is much to be done to instill a better sense of safety in the workplace. While the findings show that employees feel safe in their workplace, only 57 percent of respondents indicated that their workplace currently had preparedness drills in place for critical situations. Quick Thinking Of the plans currently in place, excluding fire, 57 percent of the other major emergency plans were rarely or never tested. With so few drills in place, employees are left not knowing the best ways to respond to emergencies like weather events or hazmat incidents or if their employer recommends a certain response to situations like medical emergencies. Testing these plans is essential so that all employees, whether they are new to the company or not Even if plans are in place to begin with, not ensuring your employees understand and are comfortable with how to react to certain situations, can put the organization in harm’s way. Testing these plans is essential so that all employees, whether they are new to the company or not, have the appropriate response top of mind and their actions become second nature during a situation that will likely require quick thinking. Workplace Violence Instilling regular practices will only further ensure that responses will happen seamlessly, regardless of the emergency. Beyond the general awareness of drills and practices, most surprising in the responses was the fact that 34 percent of female respondents were unaware of workplace violence emergency plans. This is particularly shocking because workplace violence is the second leading cause of death for women in the workplace, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This shows an obvious lack of preparedness from organizations. It’s immensely important that employees to understand the relevant dangers of the workplace, especially when alternative could have a fatal result. The differences between baby boomers and millennials in the workplace is a common barometer showing how the workplace is continuing to change. Emergency Plans Workplace violence is the second leading cause of death for women in the workplace, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labour StatisticsWhat may have worked for previous generations must be reworked and adjusted so every generation is made aware of and understands the plans and procedures in place. These changes can help make workplace safety plans fresh and continuously relevant. With that in mind, millennials currently represent the largest segment of employees unaware of emergency plans for major workplace emergencies. 38 percent of this age group are unaware of existing emergency plans, compared to just a 28 percent average of employees over the age of 35. This could be associated with the fact that some organizations are not communicating plans with newer employees or even that organizations that employ a significant number of millennials might not have plans in place at all. Affecting Everyday Work If the newest generation is unaware of these plans, then it is only a matter of time before Generation Z enters the workforce and is in even worse position when it comes to emergency awareness. The survey results showed that on average, workplaces use two methods of communication for emergencies Feeling safe and secure at work should not be something that workers need to focus on, however more than a quarter of respondents that work remotely said that worrying about safety is exactly what is affecting their everyday work. With that in mind, it’s even more concerning to see that there seems to be a clear divide between current methods and preferred methods of communication during an emergency. The survey results showed that on average, workplaces use two methods of communication for emergencies, with the top two being intercom system announcement/building alarm (27 percent) and email (22 percent). Mass Text Messages At first, these methods seem to cover both remote and in-office employees, but survey results actually showed that both groups preferred and would be better reached during other methods. While email is the second most common emergency method currently in place by organizations, it actually ranks as the fourth most preferred method at a mere 11 percent. Even with a clear preference towards communication via mass text messages by respondents (39 percent of remote workers prefer this method), less than 20 percent of companies actually take advantage of this technology. This clear disconnect shows that organizations must find what works best for their employees instead of using methods that were previously established or that are just currently being used. Preparedness Plans What remains important for organizations, regardless of size or industry, is to keep emergency preparedness plans ever evolving Communication can not only be essential to alert employees to everyday situations, like office closures, but it is also imperative in preventing emergencies to escalate when they do occur. Although this survey discusses the current state of safety in the workplace, it’s that the disconnect between employee perceptions and employer polices that’s the most concerning. Companies need to take steps to understand how their employees would like to be reached during an emergency, as well as how employees would also like to reach out to management to report their own concerns. What remains important for organizations, regardless of size or industry, is to keep emergency preparedness plans ever evolving and well communicated, so your employees are confident in the emergency plans in place. By proactively planning and practicing for emergency events through table top exercises and drills, employers can demonstrate their commitment to employee safety and preparedness and build employee confidence.

Until recently, data laws have differed from one country to the next. This meant that for those organizations conducting business or protecting assets abroad, they needed to localize both their infrastructure and policies dependant on the country they were operating in. However, with the impending arrival of the EU GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), which comes in to force on the 25th May this year, all of that will need to change. Data Management In CCTV Surveillance Surprisingly, despite the fact that much has been written about the impending EU GDPR, very little attention has been devoted to the process of ensuring compliance for the operation of video surveillance, access control and other physical security systems. The EU GDPR dictates that businesses adhere to specific governance and accountability standards with regards to the processing of all data. As this includes such a large scope of data, any public or even private organization using CCTV to monitor publicly-accessible areas must pay attention, as monitoring the public on a large scale is by default considered a high-risk activity. This includes information that shows who a person is, where they are and any other specifics about them.We have seen organizations defining corporate standards for their physical security systems based on IT standards and technologies According to numerous market research studies, many organizations are yet to take the necessary steps in order to review the new regulations and ensure the necessary changes are made to meet these obligations. To date, we have seen organizations defining corporate standards for their physical security systems based on IT standards and technologies. With the implementation deadline of the new regulations fast approaching, these should be in a better state of readiness, with standardized processes, common organizational approach and technology. Enhancing Industry Awareness Of Compliance  What’s more, a lot of legacy systems or disparate systems are still out there, and these may still have been entirely commissioned and operated by location-specific security teams. Regardless as to where your organization stands in terms of technology, it is important to participate in the GDPR review with a greater sense of urgency.  The EU GDPR dictates that businesses adhere to specific governance and accountability standards with regards to the processing of all data Tony Porter, the UK’s Surveillance Camera Commissioner, has been incredibly vocal in recent months with regards to making security system operators aware that their activities will be subject to the GDPR and to signpost them to relevant guidance from the ICO. For those actively seeking to ensure their businesses are compliant, his organization’s independent third-party certification is a great place to start. However, with just a few months until the regulation comes into force, it is unfortunate that his organization is not yet in a position to confirm this will be sufficient to demonstrate compliance with the EU GDPR. Ensuring Regulatory Preparedness With this being said, there are still a number of steps organizations can take to ensure they are well-prepared when the law comes into play: Get involved in the GDPR discussion If you haven’t already, proactively initiate a GDPR discussion with your legal team and ask for their guidance. Conduct a gap analysis to identify what works and what might require improvement in accordance with the new regulation. Then engage your consultants, integrators and manufacturers who should be able to advise on appropriate solutions. In the vast majority of cases, it should be possible to upgrade the existing system rather than ‘rip out and replace’.The appropriate use of encryption and automated privacy tools is a logical step Adopt privacy by design Under the terms of the EU GDPR, data that is anonymized or pseudonymized is likely to be low-risk. The appropriate use of encryption and automated privacy tools is therefore a logical step. For example, video redaction that blurs out people’s faces in video unless there is a legitimate reason to reveal their identity can minimize the dangers of having security cameras deployed in public spaces. Seek out certified and sanctioned organizations, such as the European Privacy Seal group ‘EuroPriSe’, a professional organization whose purpose is to ensure companies meet the ‘GDPR-ready’ privacy compliance standards. Consider cloud-based services Owners of on-premises video surveillance, access control or ANPR systems are responsible for all aspects of EU GDPR compliance, including securing access to the systems and servers storing the information. However, by working with an approved cloud provider it is possible to offload some of these responsibilities. For example, we partner with Microsoft Azure to offer these systems ‘as a service’. This pathway significantly reduces the customer’s scope of activities required to ensure compliance and is highly cost-effective. Yet it is important to realize it isn’t a full abdication of responsibility. You remain accountable for ensuring data is classified correctly and share responsibility for managing users and end-point devices.  With data laws changing around the world, businesses need to seriously consider how their security technology investments will help them manage risks in order to keep pace. With the GDPR deadline approaching, it is the ideal time to re-evaluate practices, partner with forward-thinking vendors and adopt technologies that will help meet privacy and data protection laws. This way, businesses can minimize risk, avoid costly penalties and be ready for anything.

Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust (KCHFT) has become the first UK health service provider to adopt CriticalArc’s SafeZone technology for lone worker protection, staff safety, mass and targeted communications, and emergency response coordination.   SafeZone was acquired through the UK Government Cloud 12 Framework and is being delivered in partnership with Chubb UK. The service will help provide rapid emergency assistance for the Trust’s 5000 plus staff – including lone workers out in the community – with specialist help available regardless of the user’s location. Improving workforce management The technology precisely locates checked-in users and enables control room operators to coordinate faster responses, for example, by directing all relevant responders to the scene of an accident. As well as improving personal safety for thousands of healthcare workers across Kent, senior managers believe the technology will deliver far-reaching efficiency benefits that could serve as a model for other NHS trusts to follow. For example, SafeZone will improve workforce management, communication and coordination between local care teams and their team leaders.   The technology allows the Trust to set-up any number of user-groups in specialist categories The technology allows the Trust to set-up any number of user-groups in specialist categories so that alerts can be directed to the most appropriate manager, depending on whether the staff member is asking for routine advice, reporting a non-urgent problem using the ‘See it? Say it!’ feature in the SafeZone app, or calling for emergency response. This will allow more efficient and flexible coordination of care delivery. Streamline reporting processes The technology is also expected to lead to more accurate recording of aggression against staff, and reporting of health and safety issues, because incidents can now be escalated directly to the Security Team for recording and provision of advice and guidance with additional support from their clinical line managers. Managers say this will help streamline reporting processes and make it more likely that staff will report problems. “This will give us a more accurate picture of risks, and free-up our clinical teams to focus on delivering patient care, while the security department can intervene more effectively to keep people safe,” says Wayne Sherratt, KCHFT Head of Security. Maintaining uninterrupted response Chubb’s 24/7 control room operation will ensure seamless monitoring and support for the healthcare teams Chubb’s 24/7 control room operation will ensure seamless monitoring and support for the healthcare teams at night, maintaining uninterrupted response even when the trust’s Security Team aren’t immediately available. Chubb’s controllers will provide advice for staff requesting help and contact the police as needed. Wayne added: “Chubb have demonstrated a flexible and supportive approach to our particular needs.” The SafeZone solution will replace more traditional lone worker technologies that were previously locally managed, creating siloed systems. With NHS providers under continual financial pressure, Wayne hopes the new service will deliver significant savings by providing a single-platform centralized solution for the whole trust. Send early notifications Further savings will be generated by SafeZone functions including ‘tip reporting’ which will make it easy for staff to send early notifications highlighting issues –anything from broken equipment to a spill in the stairwell that could cause an accident. SafeZone is already used by over 45 per cent of universities in the UK to improve safeguarding for students and staff, and many of its capabilities will be as transformative for the healthcare sector, says Darren Chalmers-Stevens, CriticalArc’s, Chief Operating Officer. “CriticalArc is now helping to provide the best round-the-clock protection for nurses, medical teams, and care staff across Kent. As the first NHS provider to adopt SafeZone, KCHFT is demonstrating its determination to make staff safety and wellbeing a top priority, and to unlock significant new benefits in terms of staff retention, efficiency of operations and value for money. SafeZone makes it easy for organizations to connect with their people – whether they are based remotely, lone working in the community, traveling on business, or present on-site – transforming how they respond to incidents and allowing them to offer Safety Everywhere™, wherever there is a duty of care.”

Silverstein Properties, a renowned real estate development, investment, and management firm, has introduced contactless access to its 7 World Trade Center office building, located in New York City, USA, through an employee badge in Apple Wallet. Silverstein Properties’ employee badges in Apple Wallet allow users to easily access its office buildings, tenant floors, fitness centers, and amenity spaces, using their iPhone or Apple Watch. Starting at their 7 World Trade Center office space, the company plans to offer the service to its 50,000 office customers in New York, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles in the coming months. Contactless access control solution Tal Kerret, President of Silverstein Properties, said “We are proud to make it easy for our employees and customers to get into our buildings, their offices, and our shared lounges, cafes, conference facilities and yoga studios, using employee badge in Apple Wallet on iPhone and Apple Watch,” He adds, “Through our Inspire app, we can now provide and manage access to any number of buildings and spaces, in a safe and secure way.” This marks an important milestone for the U.S. real estate industry, as property owners and employers reimagine the workplace experience for their employees. How the employee badge contactless access control solution works: Seamless Set-up: Employees and tenants can add their employee badge to Apple Wallet, after an initial set-up through Silverstein’s Inspire app. Once added, the badge will give them access to enter their office building, office space, and shared fitness and amenity spaces. Unlike the physical cards, there is no waiting time for gaining building credentials and access for new employees. Simply Tap iPhone or Apple Watch to Unlock: Once an employee badge is added to Apple Wallet on iPhone or Apple Watch, users can hold their device near the door’s NFC-enabled lock to access secured areas. With Express Mode, tenants don’t need to unlock their device, to use their badge in Apple Wallet. If their iPhone needs to be charged, they can still use the device to access their office or amenity areas, for up to five hours with Power Reserve. More Secure and Private: Employee badges in Apple Wallet are stored on personal devices and take full advantage of the privacy and security, built into iPhone and Apple Watch. When a Silverstein employee uses a badge in Apple Wallet, it is never shared with Apple or stored on Apple servers. If their iPhone or Apple Watch is misplaced, the owner of the device can promptly use the Find My app, to lock the device and help locate it. Employee badges in Apple Wallet Employee badges in Apple Wallet are provisioned from Silverstein’s Inspire app Employee badges in Apple Wallet are provisioned from Silverstein’s Inspire app, using SwiftConnect Access Cloud, which manages and connects disparate access control systems across owner and enterprise portfolios with mobile credential platforms, user directories, and other systems that influence physical access requirements. SwiftConnect’s Access Cloud and Silverstein’s Inspire app integrate with HID Origo, a cloud platform that enables lifecycle management of mobile credentials. Leveraging HID’s Seos credential technology The solution leverages HID’s Seos credential technology, in order to deliver an intuitive, private and secure access transaction, when a user presents their iPhone or Apple Watch to HID Signo Readers. To deliver this access experience, in even the most extreme circumstances, employee badges stored in Apple Wallet work in Power Reserve mode, when the iPhone needs a charge. Björn Lidefelt, the Executive Vice President and Head of HID Global, said “We are delighted to partner with Silverstein and SwiftConnect to bring new-age experiences that transform how property owners provide value to employees and tenants,” Transforming how users navigate modern workplaces Björn Lidefelt adds, “We are excited to extend our collaboration with Apple in providing this ground-breaking experience that transforms how users navigate the modern workplace.” Matt Kopel, President of SwiftConnect, said “The remote and programmatic provisioning of credentials and permissions to users in real-time will open up new ways in which people interact with and use buildings and offices.” Matt Kopel adds, “We are excited to work with Apple, HID Global, and Silverstein Properties in this digital transformation of how customers access and engage Silverstein Properties’ portfolio.” New offering under Inspire This new offering falls under Inspire, Silverstein’s holistic customer experience program This new offering falls under Inspire, Silverstein’s holistic customer experience program that reshapes how, when, and where its customers work. Inspire brings hospitality services, social and wellness programming, data-driven workplace technology, and a flexible workspace solution under one umbrella. Every customer in Silverstein Properties’ office and apartment buildings has access to a range of wellness services, amenities, and flexible work, and meeting spaces, across the company’s 16 million square foot office and residential portfolio in Manhattan, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles, USA. The real estate company’s customers can take advantage of services ranging from hotel-quality on-site concierge to social and wellness programming that integrate seamlessly into their work routine. Contactless access control via the Inspire app The contactless access through the Inspire app also allows Silverstein customers to access shared office space on specific days. For example, one company could lease an office suite at 7 World Trade Center on Monday and Tuesday, and another company could lease the same space on Wednesday through Friday. Since its inception 65 years ago, Silverstein Properties has been recognized for driving innovative technology adoption to enhance the tenant experience. The company has built a reputation for developing exceptional projects, enhancing local communities, providing outstanding services to clients and partners, and driving innovation within the industry.

In a surveillance monitoring context, video metadata refers to the structured details that the user can extract from given video footage. It is data that provides information about other data – a “data about data” in short. Human-based video metadata, as its name suggests, are data derived from human targets in the monitored scene. It can be utilized based on users’ requirements to significantly enhance the management and operation of various application scenarios, while carefully maintaining people’s privacy at the same time. To give some insights into its practical usage, here are three conventional applications of human-based video metadata to adopt based during monitoring needs: 1) Searching targets One of the most common applications of human-based video metadata is for target searching after an event. Intelligent surveillance devices, such as the Dahua WizMind products, offer a Quick Target Search function that can locate suspects in time using their physical attributes. Irrelevant targets in the captured images are filtered out by the back-end devices (IVSS, NVR) or by the platform Target attributes include beard, glasses, mask, hat, etc., which are continuously being developed and increased to meet the requirements of various application scenarios. Irrelevant targets in the captured images are also filtered out by the back-end devices (IVSS, NVR) or by the platform. It can capture up to 640* targets (with attributes) per second with an impressive detection rate of 98%*. Generating statistics In addition, another useful application of human-based video metadata technology is for target statistics. WizMind counts in real time the human targets in the monitored scene and filters them based on target category and direction. The directions include A>B, B>A, or A<>B. And to top it up, it can also generate reports by year, month, and day. It can capture up to 96** objects per frame, providing a detection rate of 98%** and an accuracy rate of 96%**. 2) Detect PPE wearing WizMind can detect wearing PPEs in construction sites including safety hats, protective vests, face masks, and glasses Wearing personal protective equipment or PPE is a must on any construction site. Depending on the scope of the project, monitoring the proper wearing of PPEs on the site could be a tough challenge to implement. The latest PPE Detection Technology of Dahua WizMind can detect wearing of commonly used PPEs in construction sites including safety hats, protective vests, face masks, and glasses. It can even detect the color of the uniforms (top and bottom) of workers. When a violation has been detected, the site supervisor or manager can be notified via the DMSS mobile app. Similar to target searching and statistics functions, it also offers a detection rate of 98%**, with an accuracy rate of 96%**. 3) Aid city road planning Who would have thought that aside from vehicle-related data, statistics related to people on the street can also be useful in planning city roads? By collecting attributes of pedestrians, directions, and periods, local road planning departments can design better roads tailored for road users and commuters. One good example is the Dahua solution developed for a local organization in Ireland. Aside from motor vehicles and non-motor vehicles, metadata of pedestrians are also captured on main city roads and streets around plazas. These data are then securely transferred to an SFTP server for further data analysis. The data summary is relayed to the local transportation department to help them plan and manage streets more efficiently. Key Takeaways Human-based video metadata can be effectively utilized to optimize the monitoring operation of various application scenarios. Metadata based on human targets can be used to search suspects after an event, and to generate accurate statistics of the people in the monitored scene. Also, these structured data can be used to detect proper wearing of PPEs in a particular site, and help local transportation departments in planning and maintaining city roads to benefit the general public.

When families seek hospice care for loved ones, they face a challenging and emotional time. Ohio’s Hospice comforts these families with compassion and individualized care. To provide the best end-of-life care, this not-for-profit enterprise has looked for ways to increase efficiency, across the organization. Partnership with WonderBotz Working in close partnership with WonderBotz, Ohio’s Hospice introduced a Blue Prism digital workforce with such success that it won the Best Newcomer Award at the 2021 Blue Prism Customer Excellence Awards. As a not-for-profit organization, Ohio’s Hospice focuses on people, not profits. The healthcare provider aimed to increase operational efficiencies, reduce costs, and improve service delivery. Additionally, with COVID-19 came unique challenges to the organization, creating a renewed urgency to automate back-office processes. Blue Prism’s Robotic Operating Model In cooperation with WonderBotz, Ohio’s Hospice launched an intelligent automation program In cooperation with WonderBotz, Ohio’s Hospice launched an intelligent automation program and had six processes automated, in less than eight months. In order to give the automation program a strong foundation, they turned to Blue Prism’s Robotic Operating Model for guidance. Early on, Ohio’s Hospice secured executive sponsorship, established a steering committee with representatives from across the business and identified the highest-value automation opportunities. Hospice patient onboarding One particularly impactful process is hospice patient onboarding. The organization helps physicians and hospitals seeking end-of-life care services for patients and responds immediately to these urgent referrals. Now, when the referring medical provider contacts Ohio’s Hospice, the intake team uses Blue Prism’s human-in-the-loop platform, Blue Prism Interact, to gather the patient’s medical data, demographics, and insurance information. Digital workers then identify the next steps for administrators and alert staff to patients who will need an in-person visit. Intelligent automation The digital workers assign the patient to a direct care team for related services and create or update an electronic health record. Intelligent automation has reduced manual data entry for staff and increased service delivery turnaround from referral to admission, and increased employee satisfaction.

Digital Barriers, a globally renowned provider of edge-intelligent surveillance and security technologies, reveals its collaboration with the Future Farms Cymru project, run by North Wales Police. Real-time surveillance solutions Digital Barriers has equipped a farm in North Wales with its real-time surveillance solutions, to demonstrate the role that sophisticated technologies can play in cutting the cost of rural crime, estimated by the National Farmers Union to have reached 54 million pounds in 2019. Rural areas and farmland can be inherently difficult environments to secure. However, Digital Barriers’ scalable and flexible solutions are designed to work in demanding conditions, such as remote and vulnerable locations. AI-based edge analytics Digital Barriers’ video streaming capability and AI-based edge analytics can provide reliable and secure monitoring Proven and trusted within the military and defense domain, Digital Barriers’ state-of-the-art video streaming capability and AI-based edge analytics can provide reliable and secure monitoring, thereby protecting people, places, and assets. The first technology being showcased as part of Future Farms Cymru project is a live streaming body worn camera for the enhanced protection of lone workers. If an incident occurs, the wearer can press the urgent assistance button, which transmits video and a live GPS location back to a designated monitoring center, providing immediate response. EdgeVis Shield The second is EdgeVis Shield, a combination of easy-to-deploy ground sensors that can be used to secure vast perimeters, including farmland containing high value assets. The autonomous system automatically detects when irregular behavior occurs around a perimeter, sending alerts and live video, if a trespasser or vehicle approaches. PC Dewi Evans of the North Wales Police Rural Crime Team commented on the announcement, “In recent years, we are increasingly seeing rural communities and businesses being targeted by criminals. Therefore, it is vital that rural businesses employ the right security methods to protect their assets. Criminals need to know that the farm they’re targeting could be equipped with this cutting-edge technology and they will be almost certainly caught.” Countering rise in rural crime Neil Hendry, Vice President EMEA at Digital Barriers, said, “I am happy that our technology is being used on the front line in the fight against rural crime. The COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected businesses of all shapes and sizes, with farmers struggling to protect themselves against criminal activity.” Neil Hendry adds, “Future Farms Cymru is an important initiative, and we are delighted to be able help shape and support the future food and farming policy, with our robust video surveillance technology.”

Mines are unique operating environments with highly specific health and safety challenges. In particular, underground mining operations typically experience low-visibility conditions and light pollution from flashlights, vehicle lights and reflective strips on equipment and clothing, making traditional surveillance and safety monitoring difficult. These were some of the challenges facing Jiangzhuang Coal Mine in the Shangdong Province of China, which covers an underground area of 43 square kilometers, and produces more than 1.8 million tons of coal each year. The top priority for the mine’s management team is worker safety, and working practices and production are monitored 24 hours a day to minimize accident risks. Aging surveillance system Kong Qingwei, Director of the Jiangzhuang Coal Mine Dispatch Office, says, “We need to respond immediately to unsafe situations in the mine, whether they are caused by environmental factors, poorly performing machines, or employees not following authorized work procedures.” Its aging surveillance system made health and safety monitoring difficult in key areas of the mine Although the mine invests heavily in safety training and equipment for workers, its aging surveillance system made health and safety monitoring difficult in key areas of the mine. “Our previous surveillance system required us to monitor around 30 screens, 24 hours a day, often with sub-optimal image quality caused by low-light conditions or light pollution,” says Kong Qingwei. “This made our jobs extremely difficult and tiring, as well as impacting our ability to respond to safety issues quickly enough.” Maximizing worker safety To address its health and safety challenges, Jiangzhuang Coal Mine has implemented an intelligent video surveillance and control system from Hikvision. The Hikvision solution supports crystal-clear video imaging, even in low-light conditions, or where light pollution is created by lights or reflective strips. This quality and clarity of imaging ensures that hidden risks can be identified more quickly and easily, allowing the safety team to respond more quickly and to protect workers in all areas of the mine.   Improving worker health and safety In addition to the improved imaging capabilities, the Hikvision cameras incorporate deep learning technologies to identify and respond to health and safety risks in the mine automatically, and in real time. Specifically, the cameras can identify when employees deviate from approved work procedures and send alerts to the safety team to ensure staff can be deployed before accidents occur. The new Hikvision system increases worker safety by monitoring the areas around winches and other equipment" For example, it is prohibited for workers to come too close to winches when they are working due to safety risks, but this is hard to monitor with traditional video cameras. “The new Hikvision system increases worker safety by monitoring the areas around winches and other equipment, and by sending alerts if employees get too close,” says Kong Qingwei. Delivering continual improvement  In the first three months of operation, the new Hikvision system identified more than 30 deviations from safe operating procedures. Zhang Liu, Deputy Chief Engineer at Jiangzhuang Coal Mine, says, “In the past, many of these safety risks could have gone unnoticed. However, the Hikvision system has allowed us to identify every incident in real time and to take immediate action to protect our workers, which is a hugely satisfying outcome for us.” As well as alerting the team to potential security risks in real time, the Hikvision system also records the details of any safety incident for later analysis. “As well as accurately capturing deviations from safe working procedures, the Hikvision system supports playback and download functions,” says Zhang Liu. “We can use the insights we record to deliver continual improvement for safety procedures, and, ultimately, to support our vision for a ‘zero-accident’ mine,” he adds. Addressing mining-specific safety requirements The Hikvision solution is configured to support specific mining-safety applications, such as constant monitoring of surface water levels in different areas of the mine. With the Hikvision system, we can manage surface-water levels constantly" “Constant seepage from rock formations means that surface water can accumulate in different areas of the mine, which is a problem in terms of potential flooding, damage to infrastructure, and worker safety risks,” says Zhang Liu. “With the Hikvision system, we can manage surface-water levels constantly and take action to deal with any problems that arise before water levels exceed safe limits,” he adds. Increasing effectiveness for the safety team In addition to surface water management, the Hikvision solution supports improved safety in other potentially dangerous areas of the mine, including inclined tunnels that are used for transporting coal and other materials underground. “The Hikvision system is like an intelligent 'eye' for us in all areas of the mine, helping us to identify potential safety issues in a timely and accurate way and to protect our workers at all times,” says Kong Qingwei. With automated alerts for all manner of potential safety threats, the safety team can be far more effective, with no need to monitor video images constantly. “Instead of looking at grainy images on 30 screens, we can now spend more of our time responding to incidents, supporting workers, and keeping them safe,” says Zhang Liu. “This is a classic example of how automation can help to improve mine safety, while also reducing the tiring workloads associated with manual monitoring of screens.”

The death of Michael Brown at the hands of police in Ferguson, Missouri, in August 2014, highlighted to the public, the importance of body-worn cameras. There was no bodycam footage of the Ferguson tragedy. Arguably, it would have shed additional light on the shooting. Since then, body cameras have become a tangible legacy of Ferguson, Missouri. Bodycam footage is seen as providing greater accountability and ensuring an impartial record that can support, or debunk, any claims of police misconduct. Body-worn cameras are also finding their way into broader usage, even including customer service applications. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: How important will body-worn cameras be moving forward? 

In the past few weeks, the light at the end of the COVID-19 tunnel has brightened, providing new levels of hope that the worst of the pandemic is behind us. Dare we now consider what life will be like after the pandemic is over? Considering the possible impact on our industry, we asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: Which security technologies will be most useful in a post-pandemic world?

The high cost of thermal imaging cameras historically made their use more likely in specialized law enforcement and military applications. However, lower pricing of thermal imaging technologies has opened up a new and expanding market for thermal cameras in the mainstream. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What are the new opportunities for thermal cameras in mainstream physical security?