Lone worker protection

Tamworth-based trade association, DHF (Door & Hardware Federation), has, this week, launched its CSCS-approved card partner scheme in collaboration with the Automatic Door Suppliers Association (ADSA). The DHF CSCS card provision is for those who work with industrial doors, domestic garage doors, automated gates & traffic barriers and metal or timber doors. CSCS cards for construction workers “While not a legislative requirement, CSCS cards are supported by the government and provide proof that individuals working on construction sites have the appropriate training and qualifications for the job that they are doing,” explains DHF’s Commercial Manager, Patricia Sowsbery-Stevens. She adds, “By ensuring that the workforce is appropriately qualified or experienced, the card plays a vital role in improving standards and safety on UK construction sites. Indeed, the majority of principal contractors and major house builders require construction workers on their sites to hold a valid card.” Skilled Worker card DHF is asking that anyone who is applying for a card has evidence of CPD  As part of the scheme, and in addition to any criteria set by CSCS such as a relevant NVQ for the Skilled Worker card, DHF is asking that anyone who is applying for a card has evidence of CPD (continued professional development). This will usually be in the form of a valid DHF training course certificate. “Each card is specific to the requirement,” continues Patricia. “In addition to the Blue Skilled Worker card, there are several other cards available, check the DHF website for further information.” CSCS card partner scheme The launch of the CSCS card partner scheme is a further ‘feather in the cap’ for the pro-active federation who, in July of this year, announced that it is the very first UK organization to offer an official theory-based ABBE-qualification for three of the industries it serves, approved and regulated by Ofqual, the Government Office of Examination Regulation. The move was described as ‘ground-breaking’. The launch of CSCS cards is further endorsement of DHF’s drive for safety and best practice. Gordon Jenkins, Director of Operations at CSCS commented, “CSCS is pleased to see the collaboration between DHF and ADSA in the issuing of cards for the Doors sector. This collaboration demonstrates DHF’s commitment to meeting the requirements of the CLC and ensuring that construction site workers are appropriately qualified. In the process, we are all playing our part in improving standards and safety on UK construction sites. CSCS looks forward to a long and productive relationship between our three organizations.”

Everbridge, Inc., a pioneer in critical event management and enterprise safety software applications to help keep people safe and businesses running, announced a partnership with RiskBand, a provider of wearable, live-monitored safety devices for organizations and their workers. The alliance is part of Everbridge’s strategy to reach the broadest set of workers, including those that may not always have ready access to a cellphone, such as a hospitality employee, in-home healthcare provider, or lone worker in the field. With the additional modality and simple access of the RiskBand wearable device, Everbridge is expanding its addressable market for protecting employees regardless of their physical location, whether inside the office, working remotely, or traveling the globe. Critical events such as assaults and active shooter incidents are threatening lives and causing major business disruptions. Fatal work injuries have increased over the last decade, with 5,147 occupational fatalities recorded in the U.S. in 2017. Emergency response strategy The rise in smart technology is drastically improving operations for businesses across the globe" This challenge is only magnified by an increasingly mobile workforce, as well as the prevalence of lone worker scenarios across multiple industries served by both Everbridge and RiskBand, including healthcare, banking, retail, energy and utilities, hospitality, and higher education. Designed for enterprise-level personal safety and security, RiskBand’s wearable devices bolster an organization’s emergency communication and response strategy. A single push of a button provides two-way voice, user profile data, images, and geolocation, in near real-time to your organization’s security operations center. As part of the partnership, Everbridge will integrate its award-winning Safety Connection™ platform with RiskBand’s wearables, allowing both Everbridge and RiskBand customers to receive emergency messaging and provide detailed reporting of their location. The data from an employee’s RiskBand device is shared back to the Everbridge platform, allowing an organization to deploy the appropriate emergency response. The rise in smart technology and connected devices is drastically improving operations for businesses across the globe, and bringing about new opportunities to keep people safe,” said David Meredith, CEO of Everbridge. Immediate access to phones The collaborative partnership will enable us to enhance employee safety through state-of-the-art wearable devices" “Our partnership with RiskBand is advancing our existing connected safety ecosystem, offering employees without immediate access to a cellphone with a direct line for emergency communication that they can utilize anywhere.”  As part of the expansion of that ecosystem, Everbridge is looking to introduce additional wearables into the marketplace, and integrate further with IoT devices, sensors, and smart building technology, all to better protect employees from an increasing array of workplace threats. "It is especially gratifying that a respected industry leader like Everbridge recognises the powerful solution of the RiskBand ARIES device and platform. We believe that this collaborative partnership will enable us to empower businesses to enhance employee safety through state-of-the-art wearable devices that are fully integrated with the most comprehensive critical event management solutions,” explained Jim Van Law, CEO and Co-founder of RiskBand.      RiskBand will be fully integrated into Everbridge’s platform. Individuals attending the Global Security Exchange (GSX) conference next week in Chicago can visit the Everbridge Booth #124 to learn more about the joint offering.

FIREX International, alongside the co-located IFSEC International, Safety & Health Expo and Facilities Show, has announced that the Protection & Management series of events will be moving to a new dateline of 19-21 May for the 2020 edition at ExCeL, London. FIREX International 2019 Dates Unchanged  Gerry Dunphy, Exhibition Director, FIREX, explains: “Major business decisions are made at FIREX every year, and the event has been in huge growth in its home in London, as we anticipate seeing for the June 2019 event. Expanding on this, we’re thrilled now to have worked even more closely with the fire safety community and with our venue, ExCeL, to organize the 2020 edition on a May timescale. The customer is at the heart of the much-loved FIREX exhibition, and this will allow exhibitors and visitors alike to maximize this essential time in the buying cycle.” FIREX sees organisations across a host of industries, from construction to government and legislative bodies FIREX welcomes an international audience of installers, integrators, specifiers, distributors and end-users from over 70 countries. In the wake of the number of fire tragedies the community has witnessed on a global scale, the conversation around fire safety has never been more important; FIREX sees organizations across a host of industries, from construction to government and legislative bodies, mark the three days as a key date on their calendars. Fire Protection And Prevention In moving to May 2020, ExCeL also welcomes the Security & Counter Terror, Ambition and Forensics Europe Expos to run alongside FIREX and its neighboring IFSEC, Safety & Health Expo and Facilities Show. With fire prevention and protection playing a major role in developments in the security and safety industry, the move further strengthens FIREX’s position as the industry leader in the life safety conversation. This strategic co-location of events will see 38,000 professionals working across fire and security come together at ExCeL London. Exhibiting companies will have access to the entire end-to-end fire protection supply chain under one roof, with visitors able to source products and technology from an unrivalled showcase of solutions. This year’s FIREX International will keep its June dateline from 18–20 June 2019. 

Maxxess will be at Intersec 2019 showcasing its latest advances in corporate risk reduction, improved people management and smarter hospitality access solutions - including new releases in its popular eFusion and Ambit solutions. The latest version of the VisitorPoint module within the eFusion security management platform will be showcased, offering a host of new streamlined functions for efficient people and visitor management. Harnessing current advances in cloud computing and mobile communications, VisitorPoint is being used at premises from hotels and campuses to corporate headquarters. It allows the whole process of visitor management to be streamlined in a way never previously possible. Diary Management Processes VisitorPoint is also ideal for busy reception teams who need to keep across who is entering their premises For example, it lets guests’ phones be used as access credentials, making it a perfect alternative to room keys in the hospitality sector. Compatibility of the VisitorPoint system with ASSA Abloy Hospitality products has proved to be particularly popular with hotels. VisitorPoint is also ideal for busy reception teams who need to keep across who is entering their premises. With the latest version of VisitorPoint, users can easily view pre-registered visitors in advance; manage and sign-in large groups in seconds; book meeting rooms; manage visitor car parking; and automate notifications and messaging. Now organizations can go even further in streamlining their people and diary management processes, thanks to integration with Outlook and Google calendars. Important Additions A new VIP feature allows automatically tailored welcomes for specified guests and/or groups; and a QR Scan App allows visitors and VIPS to be immediately verified. In addition, a new, sleek self-service kiosk will be unveiled at the show, which is ideal for positioning in hotels and high-end corporate lobbies. Meanwhile, with its versatile, open-technology software eFusion is proving a practical alternative to costly or complex conventional PSIM solutions. It offers the advantages of a modular, building block approach and gives users the freedom to integrate, customize and adapt their security systems to meet both current needs and emerging risks. Ensuring compatibility with leading surveillance, intruder, access and fire detection systems, eFusion now supports more than 60 off-the-shelf integrations and several important additions are confirmed for the show. Security Investments The eFusion platform allows legacy systems to be transformed into a smart, open infrastructure and extends the life of equipment" These latest integrations include IP intercom hardware from Jaquies; the mobile phone app GuardPoint; and the Metra locker system hardware. For users who want control and better value from their security investments, eFusion with its expanding choice of integrations is the ideal management platform, says Lee Copland, Managing Director, Maxxess EMEA. “The eFusion platform allows legacy systems to be transformed into a smart, open infrastructure and extends the life of equipment. Our technology is proving particularly popular because it gives users all the advantages of advanced PSIM without the associated cost or complexity.” eFusion can be easily scaled from one site to multiple sites globally and it can connect stand-alone systems for easy upgrades such as retro-fits with existing hardware. Allows Security Controllers Also on show, Ambit allows security controllers to communicate directly with both individuals and groups and to monitor the safety of everyone on site (or on multiple sites), for example employees, residents, visitors, or contractors. Now Ambit users will benefit from direct notification of a wide range of risks thanks to a new integration with the NC4 incident alert service. NC4 monitors risks and issues alerts in real time, covering potential threats ranging from terrorist incidents to weather events, from civil disruption to cyber-attacks. With this new integration, as N4C alerts arise they will be filtered by proximity/relevance and directly sent to Ambit users. Lone-Worker Monitoring Visitors to the Maxxess stand will also learn how Ambit’s latest life-saving technology comes with a choice of applications tailored to the user’s needs. For example, it can allow lone-worker monitoring; courtesy communications and remote escorting after-hours; panic alarm features; and individualised messaging during incidents. It can help security teams co-ordinate and work more effectively with emergency responders too as well as improving the efficiency of day to day operations It can help security teams co-ordinate and work more effectively with emergency responders too as well as improving the efficiency of day to day operations. With new customers and projects including Bluewater Island, TAJ Hotel & Residences JLT Dubai, TAJ Hotel & Palace on Palm Jumeirah, the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation, Emirates Flight Catering Extension, the Jewel of the Creek and Yahsat, 2019 will be an exciting year of growth for Maxxess in the Middle East. Better Optimized Workforces “We are well positioned to further capitalize on major infrastructure projects across the region such as hotels and leisure. The demand for increased operational efficiencies across the MENA region has seen many organizations look to automate tasks and at the same time mitigate against the potential for human error. This is evident in the demand we’re seeing for streamlined visitor management, the elimination of keys and better optimized workforces across security and facilities management functions.” “And as real-world applications for artificial intelligence become a reality, we are continuing to collaborate with our world leading video surveillance partners to bring these advanced analytics into the eFusion platform. Meanwhile, we will continue to support our customers in complying with revised fire and safety codes and new security regulations.”

Security 101, one of the fastest growing security integrators in the country, announced it has opened a new office in Cleveland. Security 101 - Cleveland joins Security 101 – Columbus in Ohio and will serve the Cleveland/Akron market. The new office is owned and managed by Matthew Houchen, an Ohio native and experienced security professional. Integrated Security Services Provider Prior to joining the Security 101 team, Houchen worked as a security supervisor for a major online automotive parts company  Prior to joining the Security 101 team, Houchen worked as a security supervisor for a major online automotive parts company where he oversaw the integration and maintenance of the company’s security and surveillance system. He has extensive experience training and managing large teams of employees and successfully building client relationships. As a security supervisor, he also developed response plans for natural disasters and active shooter situations and he helped to harden the company’s physical facilities. This is the 39th office Security 101 has opened in the U.S., according to Steve Crespo, Security 101’s chief executive officer. Asset And People Protection “We always look for hard working, detail-oriented people to become our franchise owners and Matthew fits that description,” he said. “Cleveland/Akron is an active and growing marketing, so we are looking forward to great things from the new team there.”  “We’re looking forward to working in the local community to help provide organizations with the integrated security services they need to protect their people and assets,” added Houchen.

Veracity, a global designer and manufacturer of innovative IP transmission products, long-term surveillance storage and an advanced, modular integration platform for Command and Control Centers, is a key sponsor of the IAPSC Annual Conference and will be presenting to the attended delegates in San Diego, CA during the three-day event.  Veracity will be promoting VIEWSCAPE, their comprehensive Command and Control system. Featuring an advanced, modular integration platform, VIEWSCAPE gives operators flexible and immediate control over complex surveillance and security functions. VIEWSCAPE includes visual information received from IP and deployable CCTV cameras combined with interactive maps and incident management. Its flexibility adapts to new requirements whilst minimizing the challenges of integration with legacy systems.Live views may be mixed with playback and media streams such as broadcast news, online data streams, maps or other graphical displays  TRINITY Direct-To-Storage Architecture VIEWSCAPE is fully integrated with Veracity’s TRINITY direct-to-storage architecture and the award-winning, advanced COLDSTORE surveillance storage system. It also features a full video and media wall display option that can be reconfigured on-the-fly and in response to specific incidents or emergency situations. Live views may be mixed with playback and media streams such as broadcast news, online data streams, maps or other graphical displays. Cost-Effective Security Solution “Our solution brings a new level of cost-effectiveness to the integrated Command and Control system market,” says Jack Meltzer, Director of A&E Programs at Veracity. “COLDSTORE has already established itself as the most reliable and cost effective long-term storage solution available, and the addition of VIEWSCAPE to our portfolio brings significant added-value for any project."Veracity’s innovative solutions will be presented to the attending conference delegates at the IAPSC Annual Conference IAPSC Annual Conference "The system can provide integration with access control, building management, intruder detection, VOIP intercom systems and video analytics including LPR and facial recognition” added Meltzer. “A number of native security functions can be added to the system in a modular, customisable way, such as guard tour, lone worker monitoring, dispatch, alarm monitoring and key management.” Veracity’s innovative solutions will be presented to the attending conference delegates at the IAPSC Annual Conference between the 29th April and the 1st May in the Kona Kai Resort in San Diego, California.

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.

Our most popular articles in 2017 reflected changing trends in the U.S. security market, from deep learning to protection of mobile workers, from building automation to robotics. Again in 2017, the most read articles tended to be those that addressed timely and important issues in the security marketplace. In the world of digital publishing, it’s easy to know what content resonates with the market: Our readers tell us with their actions; i.e., where they click.   Let’s look back at the Top 10 most-clicked articles we posted in 2017. They are listed in order here with the author’s name and a brief excerpt.  1. Las Vegas Massacre Demands Reevaluation of Hospitality Sector Security The Oct. 1, 2017, sniper attack from a 32nd-floor room at Mandalay Bay, overlooking 22,000 people attending a country music festival, has been compared to “shooting fish in a barrel.” When the bullets rained down, there was nowhere to hide. The attack came from outside the “perimeter” of the event, so any additional screening of attendees would not have prevented it. There are also implications of the Las Vegas massacre for the hospitality industry. Hotels and resorts such as Mandalay Bay have not generally embraced technologies like the explosives scanners or X-ray machines used at airport terminals, at least not in the United States. 2. Deep Learning Algorithms Broaden the Scope of Video Analytics [Zvika Ashani] Until recently there have been minimal applications of Machine Learning used in video analytics products, largely due to high complexity and high resource usage, which made such products too costly for mainstream deployment. However, the last couple of years have seen a tremendous surge in research and advances surrounding a branch of Machine Learning called Deep Learning. The recent increased interest in Deep Learning is largely due to the availability of graphical processing units (GPUs). GPUs can efficiently train and run Deep Learning algorithms The last couple of years have seen a tremendous surge in research and advances surrounding a branch of Machine Learning called Deep Learning 3. Home Security Systems: Why You Need to Upgrade From 3G to 4G Technology [Missy Dalby] The current communication method for most home security systems is via CDMA and 3G (GSM) technologies. With the emergence of faster, better, and stronger 4G LTE technology, carriers are migrating away from old technology standards and methods towards new, more efficient ones. As such, the older technology is going dark, and soon. Manufacturers of cellular modules have stopped making them. At the end of 2018 they will stop letting customers add systems utilizing 3G radios to their channels. 4. Diving into AI and Deep Learning at NVIDIA’s San Jose Conference [Larry Anderson] Video analytics applications fall under NVIDIA's “AI City” initiative, which they describe as a combination of "safe cities" (video surveillance, law enforcement, forensics) and "smart cities" (traffic management, retail analytics, resource optimization). Depending on the application, AI City technology must function in the cloud, on premises and/or at the edge. NVIDIA’s new Metropolis initiative offers AI at every system level, from the Jetson TX2 "embedded supercomputer" available at the edge, to on-premises servers (using NVIDIA’s Tesla and Quadro) to cloud systems (using NVIDIA’s DGX). 5. Physical Security Evolves to Protect Mobile Workers [Annie Asrari] With an increasing number of employees traveling and working remotely, the days of a dedicated worker who commutes to and from a single location every day of the week are just about over. Security professionals must take a second look at their policies and procedures for employee safety. To protect employees in this new mobile world, where people, assets and brand reputation threats may face higher than normal levels of safety and security risks, businesses must focus less on securing physical, four-wall perimeters and instead take a global approach to security that focuses on protecting traveling, remote and lone workers. Businesses must take a global approach to security that focuses on protecting traveling, remote and lone workers 6. New Security Technologies Driving Excitement on Busy ISC West Day One [Larry Anderson] ISC West in Las Vegas kicked off April 5 with an expanding focus on new technologies and new applications, including some that go beyond any narrow definition of security. “Technology is disrupting the market and executives are taking our solutions beyond security,” says Moti Shabtai, CEO and President of Qognify. “They are starting with security and quickly moving to other risk and business continuity issues in the organizations. They want a clear return on investment (ROI), which we can deliver if we move from covering a limited island of ‘security’ issues and give them the value of also managing risk, safety, and operations.” 7. Optimizing Building Automation for Good Return on Investment [Minu Youngkin] Smart buildings are on the rise around the world, not only because a growing number of companies are considering their environmental impact, but also because of the dramatic cost savings that can be realized through integration. In every building that has an integrated security and access control system, an opportunity awaits to also integrate the building’s energy use, water use, ventilation and more. The key is to effectively convey the tremendous potential of this new technology to the end user. 8. ISC West 2017: How Will IT and Consumer Electronics Influence the Secuirty Industry? [Fredrik Nilsson] A good way to predict trends [at the upcoming ISC West show] is to look at what’s happening in some larger, adjacent technology industries, such as IT and consumer electronics. Major trends on these fronts are the most likely to influence what new products will be launched in the electronic security industry. Proof in point is H.264, an advanced compression technology ratified in 2003 and adopted as the new standard by the consumer industry a few years later. By 2009, it became the new compression standard for the video surveillance industry as well. Violence will continue to challenge the healthcare sector in the future 9. The Future of Healthcare Security: Violence Response and Emergency Preparedness [Ben Scaglione and David LaRose] Violence will continue to challenge the healthcare sector in the future. Domestic violence, child abuse, behavioral health, drug and alcohol abuse will all continue to challenge hospital staff in the Emergency Department, Women’s Health, and behavioral health areas. The Hazard Vulnerability Assessments (HVA) along with facility wide risk assessments helps in defining risk severity and identifying historical patterns of violence. 10. Robot Revolution: Uncovering the Real Value of Security Robots [Steve Reinharz] The security coverage that a robot offers in the case of a shopping mall can be easily overshadowed by the fact that the machines seem to serve to entertain the population. Instead, security robots can best be utilized for more high-level roles, such as in critical infrastructure sites, corporate campuses and educational facilities, where wide, expansive spaces require continuous protection. In these locales, security can be difficult to achieve, as cost, location and lack of resources make the logistics of deployment difficult.

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.”

TETRA has been widely adopted by several commercial and utility companies across Europe and further afield, including in countries and regions famed for their arctic weather conditions and long harsh winters. With operational temperatures dropping to between -20°C and -30°C in many of the operational environments, Sepura’s rugged TETRA terminals can cope with the challenge of snow, ice, water and freezing temperatures. In particular, Sepura’s SC20 and STP9000 hand-portable terminals are often favored for use in such environments for their IP67 environmental protection rating that ensures they continue to work after submersion in up to 1m of water for up to 30 minutes. TETRA hand-portable terminals Growth can cause a communications solution to quickly become insufficient and the requirement to implement a new one that is safe, reliable and scalable is paramount. SkiStar Åre were busy preparing for the Alpine Ski World Cup which would increase the need for a flexible system that can handle the capacity a large-scale event requires while remaining robust with uncompromised use in the dropping temperatures. Dispatcher system with TETRA base stations Safety and resource management was paramount and so a new dispatcher system was also implemented Safety and resource management was paramount and so a new dispatcher system was also implemented, enabling operator staff to easily monitor and communicate the location and status of users. The new system saw four TETRA base stations strategically placed across 4 Swedish regions, alongside the deployment of 170 Sepura SC20 hand-portable radios, praised by a control room user for sound quality and the ability to make individual calls. The terminals offer intuitive operation and outstanding RF performance and are Bluetooth and applications ready to match their safety and resource management requirements. Managing Safety & Operations at Ski Resorts As expected, daily challenges at ski resorts are often due to weather and environmental elements that have the potential to compromise the functionality and audio clarity of radios used as part of their critical communications solution. But another obstacle to consider is coverage across vast sites, especially if they are split, like the slopes of Tignes. The Société des Téléphériques de la Grande Motte (STGM) in the Rhône-Alpes region, France, replaced their existing analog system with a TETRA communications solution comprised of mobile terminals and rugged Sepura hand-portable radios featuring the Man-Down safety feature from Sepura partner, Sysoco. SRG3900 vehicle-mounted gateway terminals Sepura’s SRG3900 vehicle-mounted gateway terminals allow STGM to extend coverage into mountainous areas, particularly those affected by ‘black spots’ and climate conditions which are not covered by the infrastructure. Interoperability between TETRA and analog networks is allowed, permitting cross-network communication to maintain links with analog users across the two sites. Read the full story here. Idre Fjall is a world-renowned, year-round ski resort that offers over 40 ski runs and 82km of cross-country trails to the 600,000 plus annual visitors. Alongside the challenges posed by weather conditions, environmental factors and keeping visitors safe around the clock, the resort also hosts international events and their critical communications systems therefore must not falter on reliability, usability, audio or connectivity even in prolonged usage. Lone-worker and man-down safety features Sepura and partner Swedish Radio Supply established a solution consisting of a trusted TETRA infrastructure With the Ski-Cross World Cup and Speed Ski World Championship under their belt, it was imperative to boost communications to optimize safety for staff and visitors. In order to achieve this, Sepura and partner Swedish Radio Supply established a solution consisting of a trusted TETRA infrastructure and a fleet of STP9000 hand-portable radios. The rugged terminals offer the resort exceptional battery life, IP67 environmental protection rating, lone-worker and man-down safety features and a minimum operational temperature of -30°C. They were found by users to be intuitive, easy to use and unbeaten for audio quality and overall reliability. Clear, uninterrupted communications Sire-Kvina, one of Norway’s largest power companies operates seven hydro-electric power plants using watercourses in the South-west Norwegian mountains. When implementing a new TETRA communications system, Sire-Kvina chose Sepura STP9000 hand-portable radios for their powerful and robust ability to keep connectivity across their 15-site network, continuing to operate in Norway’s typically harsh winters. The company has a strict 90% uptime objective for production facilities and must by law be able to maintain internal communication for 72 hours even if regular supplies are cut out, they therefore must ensure that their communication system is reliable and provides a lifeline for their teams in a range of demanding environments from mountain tops to tunnels deep inside the mountains. Company employees are now successfully equipped with high-performance radios that offer a front-facing loudspeaker for clear audio alongside large color display screens; ideal for viewing images, maps and text in Sire-Kvina’s demanding operational conditions. Implementing TETRA radios Like Sira-Kvina, Sogn and Fjordane Energy (SFE) have a distribution network that extends over high mountains and deep valleys operating 26 power stations. Previously using analog systems for decades, the energy provider sought an alternative robust communication solution to successfully take them through daily routine work as well as emergency situations previously experienced. Implementing TETRA radios, utilizing Norway’s Nodnett TETRA network was a natural progression for SFE Implementing TETRA radios, utilizing Norway’s Nodnett TETRA network was a natural progression for Sogn and Fjordane due to the applications offered with a digital connection, which the users so desperately needed. SFE have since been able to increase restored network capacity and availability which has in turn increased security for the company, with Kåre Teigland, Head of Information and Communication Technology at SFE endorsing the coverage as “very reliable”, so much so that they would not expect any issues during a storm. STP9000 hand-portable radios The Norwegian Road Administration (NRA), part of the Directorate of Public Roads, is responsible for maintenance, expansion and control of Norway’s public roads and relies on a robust communication solution to keep operations running smoothly and efficiently. The NRA previously relied on analog communications which worked well overall but suffered in areas with limited signal range, mostly affecting areas such as tunnels, in which there was no coverage at all. Having upgraded their system and terminals through Sepura partner Wireless Communications AS, Sepura’s STP9000 hand-portable radios now provide complete coverage, even across the mountainous regions and extending to those all-important blackspot tunnels. Sophisticated communications system The sophisticated communications system is the first of its kind for the administration and with a radio installed in each car, the Haukeliester traffic center now has direct contact with all the operating vehicles. Access to a co-channel used by emergency services has also been obtained, allowing communication between organizations in case of an emergency. Read the full story here. From the challenges of operating in extreme environments and sub-zero temperatures to coverage and capacity, Sepura’s hand-portable and mobile TETRA terminals continue to prove themselves as a rugged and reliable communications solution. Advanced safety features, advanced positioning capability and clear audio are intrinsic to every radio, meeting a range of business and mission critical user needs.

Aston University, Birmingham, is transforming security and safety with the introduction of SafeZone for students and staff on campus and those traveling globally. The SafeZone solution, from CriticalArc, will put users directly in touch with the university’s security control room using their mobile phone, enabling them to request help, trigger an emergency response, receive rapid notifications in the event of emergencies and benefit from a wide range of customer-care services. SafeZone was selected following a detailed comparison of alternative systems, says Mark Sutton, Head of Security and Emergency Planning at Aston University. Resource Management Capabilities “While some alternatives offered individual features that were attractive, none of them combined all the functions and benefits in the way that SafeZone does,” he says. What we are investing in is a comprehensive solution that allows our security team to engage much more closely with students and staff" “What we are investing in is a comprehensive solution that allows our security team to engage much more closely with students and staff, and to work in a more integrated way with the university’s various departments and within its senior management structure. It also gives us important additional functions including lone worker protection and resource management capabilities.” The technology works by letting Aston’s control room operators pin-point the locations of individuals who elect to check-in using a simple app on their smart phones, including staff, students, service users and members of the security team. Reporting Suspicious Activity This app makes it easy for students, staff and school’s using the system to communicate directly with security responders, calling for help, asking for advice, reporting suspicious activity etc. And in return security teams can send out alerts and safety instructions to groups or individuals, in specific locations, as individuals or by specified user type. Notifications can range from helpful advice to alerts regarding specific threats. Officers responsible for emergency response management can also monitor activity patterns of those who choose to check-in, seeing where people are gathering during an incident for example. And they can co-ordinate resources, keeping track of where known first aiders are, or seeing exactly how team members are deployed, minute by minute. Significant Placements Program The benefits of SafeZone bring together features found in an assortment of systems – including lone-worker protection - making them available in a unified, scalable package. There are also new options for users to collaborate with the growing global network of SafeZone system operators. At Aston University stakeholders such as the students’ union, staff and department heads have been fully engaged in the roll-out of the new system At Aston University stakeholders such as the students’ union, staff and department heads have been fully engaged in the roll-out of the new system. “Safety is a big issue, particularly for city center campuses,” says Mark Sutton. “Prospective students and parents want to know how well we look after our community, so we see SafeZone as an important new benefit.” Aston also has a growing international reputation and a significant placements program, with students and staff traveling around the world to work. Safety Monitoring With the ability to ‘geo-fence’ any location in the world that has a signal, the university’s security team will now extend the same level of customer care and safety monitoring to all users, whether they are on campus, in accommodation blocks or associated sites around the city, or working abroad, says Darren Chalmers-Stevens, Managing Director EMEA and APAC for CriticalArc. “We are delighted to be working with Aston University’s security and emergency response team to help them provide the best available monitoring and protection for all their people, in all situations and wherever they are. In addition, they are benefiting from a wide set of extra functions which would otherwise have to be purchased separately - including lone worker protection and health & safety compliance.” There are also important, emerging benefits which CriticalArc is developing alongside its community of users, confirmed Darren Chalmers-Stevens. “These were discussed during our recent two-day user group conference in February.”

Integrity Security Group is using SmartTask’s SmartForms to gain added visibility and dramatically cut down on its administrative burden. Having adopted the employee scheduling and mobile workforce management software last year for the provision of proof of attendance, control room management and staff rostering, the company is now using its electronic data capture functionality to streamline a range of operational processes. Initially, SmartForms are being used for vacant property and mobile patrol inspections as well as daily vehicle checks, already saving more than 15 hours of admin a month. SmartTask SmartForms The SmartForms replace previous paper-based processes that were increasingly difficult to manage by the office-based admin team “We are now using the SmartTask SmartForms to help reduce administration, capture critical work data and enforce health and safety procedures,” explains James Chittil, General Manager at Integrity Security Group. “We are constantly looking at clever ways to take advantage of the software’s rich functionality, so we can continue to simplify and enhance the way we operate.” The SmartForms replace previous paper-based processes that were increasingly difficult to manage by the office-based admin team. All reporting for vacant property and mobile patrol inspections – for both scheduled patrols and alarm activations – are now completed using a SmartTask-enabled smartphone. By electronically capturing all relevant information, including photo evidence, Integrity can quickly provide customers with a status update and details of all undertaken work as well as respond to any identified issues. Vehicle Checks And Fleet Management Meanwhile, daily vehicle checks for Integrity’s fleet of vans are now completed using a specially-developed SmartForm, so the company can instantly see if drivers are complying with this health and safety procedure. Any vehicle-related problems or damage can be raised by the driver and actioned immediately by the admin team to mitigate fleet risk. Mileage data is also captured through the software, enabling maintenance requirements to be tracked and scheduled at appropriate intervals. “The SmartForms are enabling us to dramatically reduce paperwork and remove manual processes. This is making it much simpler for both our security officers in the field and our office-based admin team to capture, collate and communicate essential operational data. This is not only helping us make better use of our valuable resources, but also enhance the service we are providing to customers,” added James Chittil. Paul Ridden, CEO of SmartTask commented: “Our experience within the security sector means we are continually developing new functionality that overcome real-world problems for our customers. This is the reason we are working in partnership with a growing number of security businesses who recognize the value they can gain and the benefits they can achieve from using the SmartTask software.” Integrity selected SmartTask to replace an outdated time and attendance system, enabling it to effectively monitor the whereabouts and welfare of staff Lone Worker Protection Integrity selected SmartTask to replace an outdated time and attendance system, enabling it to effectively monitor the whereabouts and welfare of staff as part of its commitment to lone worker protection. The company is also using the intelligent rostering functionality to streamline internal planning processes, while the interactive dashboard supported the launch of a dedicated, out-of-hours control room operation by providing a live view of all scheduled shifts and expected or missed check calls. SmartTask is an advanced and simple-to-use employee scheduling and mobile workforce management solution that enables security companies to better plan and manage their workers, so they are at the right place, at the right time. The cloud-based software solution combines intelligent rostering, live monitoring and integrated proof of attendance across both static and mobile teams, making it the ideal tool to improve operational control, enhance customer satisfaction, and support duty of care to staff.

The Polizei Bayern successfully opened its first operations centre in mid-September at its Police Headquarters in Central Franconia in Nuremberg. At the heart of the communication system was the Frequentis 3020 LifeX platform including digital radio connections and the newly developed AudioHub. The headquarters in Nuremberg is the second largest operations centre in the German state of Bavaria. It comprises 21 operator working positions that receive and process between 800 and 1,200 police calls per day. In the event of an emergency, an additional 13 operator working positions can be activated. Dispatch Calls Successfully Within the first week of operation the system was put to the test during a storm which led to over 900 emergency calls in the space of seven hours Within the first week of operation the system was put to the test during a storm which led to over 900 emergency calls in the space of seven hours. The system proved its stability and operators were able to dispatch calls successfully without issue.  "The professionalism of Frequentis during the preparation, implementation and follow-up commissioning of the system gave us confidence in their abilities. All of the aspects important to us as customers were immediately considered and processed by the Frequentis team. Above all, the usability of the system was well received by the operators.", said Anton Beierweck, Head of State-wide IT Procedures at the Police Headquarters Upper Bavaria South. Provides Highest Protection LifeX was first deployed for Bavarian Police Force in 2015, ahead of the G7 summit. The system was adapted to the needs of the event which required 18,000 emergency services personal to protect government leaders and control demonstrations. The police headquarters of Mittelfranken is the pilot for the rollout of nine additional control rooms in Bavaria through October 2020 "What has been clear from the start of the project is the willingness of the Polizei Bayern to innovate. We are very proud to have met their high requirements in terms of technology and services and appreciate the professional cooperation with the organization who provides the highest protection and security in Bavaria.", Robert Nitsch, Frequentis Vice President Public Safety. The police headquarters of Mittelfranken is the pilot for the rollout of nine additional control rooms in Bavaria through October 2020. Two more operational centres are planned to be brought on line before the end of 2018.

Above the Line Security have improved the safety of their at-risk employees by switching from a manual call-in system to the user-friendly StaySafe lone worker solution. Employees at Above the Line Security are responsible for guarding individuals and high-value equipment on busy film sites. Ensuring Employee Safety StaySafe allows workers on site to send an alert in an emergency while providing the employee with an accurate location via a real-time map Prone to theft and coming into contact with potentially volatile paparazzi and members of the public, the company required a more reliable way of monitoring the safety of their guards. StaySafe allows workers on site to send an alert in an emergency while providing the employee with an accurate location via a real-time map. Monitors are alerted if an employee triggers an alert or fails to check-in on the app during their shift. StaySafe StaySafe also provides the ability for an alert to be raised even during difficult situations. If engaged in a confrontation, a panic can be sent discreetly, or a duress PIN entered if the app is discovered by the aggressor. Missed check-in alerts will also alert a monitor in cases where the lone worker may be unable to send a panic themselves. “Having used an app for the first time to protect our lone workers, we were incredibly impressed by the ease and agility of set up and usability. Our employees have adapted quickly to using the app whenever they work and as they do not always come to the office, it allows them to set up for the day quickly and independently.” Lone Workers’ Safety Security Personnel are often targets for verbal and physical abuse due to the nature of the work they carry out" Adele O’ Toole at Above the Line, continues; “Previously, we had to rely on night supervisors based in external locations to take check-in and emergency calls manually. This proved expensive and disconnected, particularly if our lone workers were situated in areas of low signal where making contact to ensure their safety was infrequent and unreliable. With StaySafe, we are able to instantly locate our workers on a map once they have checked-in, even in areas of low signal, saving us a lot of time and human resources.” Don Cameron, CEO at StaySafe adds; “Security Personnel are often targets for verbal and physical abuse due to the nature of the work they carry out. They often protect valuable assets which leads to the potential risk of theft and aggression. StaySafe provides peace of mind for the lone workers and the business by providing an effective and reliable solution for a range of volatile situations. Organizations can see exactly where their staff are in the case of an emergency and can send assistance directly to them – all with the added bonus of being user-friendly and cost-effective, only requiring a mobile phone.”

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?

Body-worn cameras are becoming more common every day, driven both by needs of the marketplace and technology developments. However, questions remain about the usefulness of the devices, and their future role in promoting safety and security. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What are the challenges of body-worn cameras for the security industry?

Rapid changes in technology span both the consumer and the physical security markets. In the consumer market, technology innovation is nowhere more apparent than in the palms of our hands, where we all hold the latest smartphones and mobile devices. Simply put, the unprecedented power and capabilities of today’s smart phones have changed our lives. No wonder they are also having an impact on our business of physical security systems. Although a consumer product, smartphones increasingly play a role in security. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: How are smartphones impacting technologies in the physical security market?