Museum surveillance

Hanwha Techwin has launched AI deep learning based video analytics Social Distance Measuring application which, in a COVID-19 affected world, helps businesses to implement their social distancing policies. Developed by A.I Tech, Hanwha Techwin’s award-winning technology partner, the server-based Social Distance Measuring application is able to accurately measure the distance between people in a camera’s field of view and will generate an alarm if social distancing rules are not being complied with. Users can also be alerted if the number of people within an area exceeds a specified threshold. Indoor and outdoor environments Compatible with all Wisenet cameras, the application has been developed for use in workplaces, such as offices and factories, as well as a wide range of other indoor locations including art galleries, museum and places of worship. The Social Distance Measuring application performs equally well in outdoor environments and offers a highly effective social distancing implementation tool for public transport environments and in city centers where local authorities are looking to monitor and manage the crowds which may gather in popular locations. Video Management Software The application has been integrated with Wisenet WAVE Video Management Software (VMS), with users having the option to use web-based AI Tech dashboard to collect, aggregate, view and act on alarms and events from multiple camera streams. The data can also be visualized through charts, tables and images, while data is easily exported through .csv, .jpeg or .pdf and integrated into third-party systems. The dashboard is fully customizable to meet individual user’s operational requirements and is accessed via a PC, smartphone or tablet. Social Distance Measuring application “In our ‘new normal’ world, there are countless businesses who wish to give their colleagues, customers and visitors confidence that the need for a safe distance between them, is being respected,” said Uri Guterman, Head of Product & Marketing for Hanwha Techwin Europe. “The Social Distance Measuring application will help them do so and as such, perfectly complements the capabilities of our license-free Occupancy Monitoring solution which is designed to be installed at entrances and accurately counts the number of people entering or leaving a building. Both are part of a suite of COVID-19 related solutions offered by Hanwha Techwin, which also includes a Face Mask Detection application.”

The new family of social distancing tools supports the smooth return to a safe shopping environment by providing automated occupancy control, ensuring the number of customers in a physical space never exceeds a maximum limit. With Gunnebo’s OccuLinq software, retail managers enjoy real-time data on customer numbers at their fingertips. When a maximum occupancy level is reached, gates lock temporarily until another customer has left the store, after which a new customer is free to enter. Automated customer flow maximizes social distancing and thereby minimizes infection risk. Live occupancy data sharing The OccuLinq platform provides live occupancy data direct to a cellphone phone app, tablet or PC screen. The app works in combination with: OccuSense stereo cameras that count people without storing personal data, making them fully GDPR compliant. OccuSign digital display to inform waiting customers of occupancy availability, while reassuring shoppers that the store takes their safety seriously. Access control speed gates that regulate the flow of customers. Exit control to prevent shoplifters leaving the store without paying. OccuLinq offers automatic adherence to social distancing occupancy guidelines and regulations. There is no need for staff at store entrances, while friction-free and transparent occupancy control minimizes possibilities for confrontation between customers and staff. OccuLinq platform for the retail market “We foresee increased demand for occupancy control solutions as the retail sector adapts to the new normal created by the COVID-19 pandemic. Launched in mid-May, our H-Sense range has already been a genuine success, supporting customers by ensuring efficient infection control on their premises. OccuLinq now offers efficient and user-friendly occupancy control processes linked to the right of access, ensuring that social distancing measures are properly and safely enforced,” says Robert Hermans, SVP Entrance Control, and Gunnebo. While OccuLinq is initially launched toward the retail market, Gunnebo believes that OccuLinq will also provide important benefits to other market segments such as museums, theatres, office buildings etc., during the re-opening phase and beyond.

The perimeter is the first line of defense against intruders who could put people or assets in danger. For many forward-looking businesses, the answer is to deploy thermal cameras, which offers a number of advanced benefits. In complex light environments, at night, or in severe weather conditions, many conventional ‘visible light’ cameras may not be able to recognize intruders and alert security teams. By contrast, thermal cameras can recognize tiny changes in temperature, allowing them to detect people or vehicles that cross perimeter boundaries even in extremely low-light or low-visibility conditions. Some thermal cameras incorporate deep learning algorithms to distinguish humans and vehicles from animals, falling leaves, and other moving objects that could otherwise trigger false alarms. This means that intrusion alarms are only triggered when a real perimeter threat is identified, which supports a faster response with far less time spent analyzing footage and investigating false alarms. Perimeter protection with minimal false alarms Another key benefit of thermal cameras is that they are effective at longer distances than many conventional ‘visible light’ cameras. This means that small and medium businesses can reduce equipment and installation costs for their perimeter-protection solutions, while also monitoring camera feeds with fewer team members. Hikvision offers a range of affordable thermal cameras that are ideally suited for perimeter protection in small and medium applications such as residential areas, office buildings, car parks, factories, stores, and even museums. With Hikvision’s thermal camera range, detection in real time of people or vehicles that breach perimeter defenses is made possible, even in low-light and poor-visibility conditions. As an added benefit, overlay of traditional video images on top of thermal camera images is possible, which ensures availability of evidence needed to support legal processes or insurance claims in the event of a perimeter breach. Hikvision thermal cameras for perimeter protection Hikvision’s range of thermal turret, bullet, and speed dome cameras are already being deployed in many perimeter protection solutions for housing developments, car parks, factories, stores, farms, and even museums. In one example of a successful project, a car brand is protecting one of its European dealerships 24 hours-a-day with Hikvision thermal cameras. In this case, the Hikvision camera alerts security teams if perimeter defenses are breached, enabling a real-time response to prevent the theft of vehicles or parts.

OPTEX and RAYTEC, both OPTEX Group companies, will be exhibiting at SICUR (25-28 February, Hall 10, Stand A37) with their Spanish speaking team to showcase its new outdoor detection sensors and the latest suite of renowned LED lighting solutions, and engage with the market. OPTEX sales, marketing and technical team, will be attending one of Spain’s largest security fair to support successful growth in the Iberian region and to have the opportunity to hear the voice of the market. Part of the engagement is to showcase the new outdoor sensors, including the QXI series a family of compact, outdoor sensors that complements the existing suite of short-range outdoor PIR’s. A particular benefit of the new range is that the sensors are specifically designed to be mounted at heights of up to 2.7m, making them less obvious to intruders and out of reach from vandals. Reliable outdoor detection The sleek design makes them ideal for both residential and commercial buildings and the sensors will trigger both intruder alarms and CCTV. The event will also see the preview in Iberia of VXI-CMOD, OPTEX’s 180° day/night Wi-Fi camera module that can be easily integrated with its best-selling outdoor sensor VX Infinity (VXI) to create a visual verification solution. The VXI series provides highly reliable outdoor detection and is used for both residential and commercial applications, detecting intrusions in courtyards, gardens, driveways and secured car parks. For larger and bespoke projects, the team will demonstrate how LiDAR technology can be tailored to suit niche applications, including transportation, critical infrastructure, museums and other high value assets. Intrusion alarm systems SICUR has been a great event for us in the past and I look forward to exhibiting there again" The award-winning laser RLS-2020 series is now Grade 3 compliant meaning it can be added to indoor graded intrusion alarm systems, giving installers the opportunity to enhance site security by adding virtual walls and ceilings, as well as thrown object detection. Corinne Vaughan, Regional Sales Manager for RAYTEC, says: “SICUR has been a great event for us in the past and I look forward to exhibiting there again.” Milton Acosta, Regional Sales Manager for Iberia, adds: “SICUR provides the ideal platform for OPTEX and RAYTEC to connect with our partners, discuss projects, technical requirements and gather industry feedback, as well as showcase a selection of our new solutions that are generating greater demand across Iberia to potential future customers.” license plate recognition systems Beside its core intrusion detection portfolio, OPTEX will be showcasing its innovative ViiK vehicle sensor, which has been named as part of the SICUR Innovation Gallery 2020 by a panel of industry experts. ViiK’s technology combines both microwave and ultrasonic waves to detect vehicles for a range of operations, while having the ability to ignore human traffic. The sensor requires no civil engineering works and can be easily mounted on the ground, making it ideal for historic city centers or other locations where digging is not possible. ViiK sensors can also be part of a solution to trigger ANPR cameras and LED lights to increase the capture rate of license plate recognition systems. The values of adding LED light on enhance the performance of not only ANPR systems but also security and safety applications will be demonstrated by RAYTEC.

Dahua Technology, a globally renowned video-centric smart IoT solution and service provider, takes a step forward with its self-developed and patented HDCVI technology. A longtime provider of the realm of HDCVI that offers great convenience, best quality and least cost, Dahua Technology launches HDCVI 6.0, boasting one of industry's first 4K real-time and advanced AI capabilities. According to IHS report, a 4K security camera is a security camera that is capable of outputting 3840*2160 with a frame rate of at least 24 FPS. A couple of years ago, the industry went through technical challenges when moving from standard definition to high definition video, since then the demand for HD resolution cameras grew rapidly. It is expected that 4K video surveillance cameras to follow a similar pattern. The HDCVI 6.0 era In 2012, Dahua Technology introduced the industry renowned HDCVI Technology, and since then it continues to enhance the technology leadership by bringing state-of-the-art performance in terms of resolution, intelligence and usability to the HDCVI community. In 2020, Dahua Technology takes HDCVI to the 6.0 era. HDCVI technology architecture overcame the common bottleneck of transmission bandwidth to achieve ultra-high resolution of 4K@25/30fps video previously only available on IPC. This is a major breakthrough to extend the potential of HDCVI in future This is a major breakthrough to extend the potential of HDCVI in future. The newly released 1800 series products support 4K real-time Ultra HD image acquisition and back-end XVR storage, providing a superior visual experience in which tiny details are captured in better clarity within a large monitoring coverage. Its competitive pricing promotes the global inclusivity of 4K technology. Access control systems In addition, 1800 series camera is optional with built-in mic, which allows audio-over coax transmission with a broadcast-quality audio. With outstanding compatibility, this series also support self-adaptive output, enabling the 1800 series to work with 4K real-time XVRs to achieve 30fps output, and also any 4K XVR to achieve 15fps output, to protect the existing investment. To accelerate the AI adoption, the new 4K real-time XVR are equipped with Enhanced AI, a number of deep-learning powered functionalities such as SMD Plus, Perimeter Protection, Face Recognition and Metadata Search, that focus on human and vehicle, providing intelligence, simplicity and inclusivity to users. Analog video system HDCVI 6.0 ensures cyber security using encryption algorithms that are certified by TÜV Rheinland and UL Its benefits include: accurate prediction before an event; instant deterrence during an event; quick target search after an event; storage saving while ensuring target details, and privacy protection and defense against attacks. While offering abundant functionalities, HDCVI 6.0 also ensures high-level of cybersecurity using encryption algorithms that are certified by TÜV Rheinland and UL (Underwriters Laboratories). The new XVR is compatible with all existing HDCVI/TVI/AHD cameras, meanwhile, it also supports CVBS and IP cameras. All these enable a more convenient and cost-effective upgrade from existing systems. The installation, configuration, operation and maintenance of HDCVI 6.0 equipment are the same as before, preserving the plug & play convenience of analog video system. With the upgrading of the products to 4K real-time and AI, the storage might become much more costly. Video surveillance systems To address this issue, Dahua Technology will soon release AI Coding, which takes video compression to a new level of content-awareness. It puts emphasis on human and vehicle while encoding, significantly improving the streaming quality compared with H.265. At the same time, AI Coding also reduces the bit rate when there is no real target in sight, allowing efficient handling of videos to save HDD storage cost. The comprehensive offering of HDCVI 6.0 matches up very well to the IP equivalent. Customers can choose the most suitable system for their sites without being constrained to IP only. The easy configuration and operation of HDCVI save considerable labor cost. With abundant functionalities, HDCVI 6.0 enjoys a wide range of applicable scenarios. Firstly, situations in which UHD resolution of surveillance is required, such as casinos, vaults, labs and museums. Broadcast quality audio New products will be introduced throughout the year in 2020 to implement the HDCVI 6.0 framework The high clarity of surveillance video comes from high stakes, meaning it is of utmost importance to catch every detail in real time and play back, thus to prevent unwanted behaviors and retain the unquestionable visual evidence. Secondly, places crowded with people and vehicle, such as major cross roads, entrance of campus or industry zones, shopping malls, parking lots, etc. With HDCVI 6.0, it’s much easier to find a guy or a car since AI can automatically trace features of the target in the long recording. This can be very beneficial during evidence obtaining procedure. Thirdly, places where the user wants to set their own rules and making their own block/allow list, such as a luxury store or the user’s own private house. HDCVI 6.0 will respond spontaneously according to the visual information it captured and analyzed/cross-checked, to trigger the alarm for the block listed or send a tailored welcome to VIP customers. HDCVI 6.0 also allows two-way talk in broadcast quality audio. Core product launch HDCVI 6.0, a part of Dahua Technology 2020 core product launch, brings unparalleled experience with security, convenience and intelligence, protecting the investment of HDCVI customers. New products will be introduced throughout the year in 2020 to implement the HDCVI 6.0 framework. One can follow Dahua Technology on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter to get first-hand information on new product releases.

Hikvision, the world’s supplier of innovative video security products and solutions, has been awarded the Innovative Achievement Award for its Thermal & Optical Network Turret Camera at the 2019 Detektor International Awards in Sweden. The prize is in the category Alarm & Detection. Of the Hikvision camera, the jury said, “Through a combination of smart analytics, thermal and optical technologies, Hikvision succeeds in offering an impressive solution for early detection and optimum performance”. Advanced fire detection The award-winning Hikvision camera DS-2TD1217-2/V1 enables rapid indoor fire detection through bi-spectrum technology Marcel Wiechmann, Thermal Products Manager at Hikvision Europe was present at the ceremony to receive the award. He said, “Hikvision is excited to receive this accolade. Our innovative Thermal & Optical Network Turret Camera was launched in July to empower security teams to stop a fire before it is truly started. It is also very cost-effective with such advanced fire detection. We’re delighted that this product has been so well recognized by the security industry.” The award-winning Hikvision camera DS-2TD1217-2/V1 enables rapid indoor fire detection through bi-spectrum technology, which captures images using both thermal radiation and visible light. By displaying optical and thermal images together through image fusion or picture-in-picture, the camera helps safety personnel to quickly pinpoint the source of a fire. Importantly, the camera also triggers an alarm once the temperature goes higher than a user-set limit – potentially allowing personnel to prevent ignition or combustion. Indoor monitoring and advanced intrusion detection In addition, the camera contains a built-in GPU for running the Hikvision deep learning algorithm, in order to support indoor monitoring and advanced intrusion detection. Equipped for double-duty - both fire detection and intrusion detection – this camera is highly recommended for indoor solutions, especially in application scenarios such as warehouses, museums, data centers, and offices.

The physical security market continues to experience growth as users look to capitalize on the promises of emerging technologies and because of this, 2017 proved to be a great year for Oncam. In fact, this year was the best year in Oncam's history in terms of sales, as 360-degree fisheye cameras have gone from being a “specialty” camera used only in certain applications to a primary device for enabling total situational awareness. Today, many of our customers leverage 360-degree cameras exclusively to provide extensive coverage inside a facility or in a large outdoor area, with traditional narrow field-of-view cameras used only at “choke” points. Increase In Cybersecurity Threats And Breaches At the end of 2016, we predicted a major trend this year would be an increase in cybersecurity concerns for users of physical security systems, and we were right. An increase in cybersecurity threats and breaches have put organizations on watch. Based on this and the adoption of more IT-centric infrastructure and protocols, there is significant collaboration between IT and physical security, and true “convergence” is finally starting to happen. The adoption of video analytics also continued to increase this year, as most video surveillance projects involved the use of some form of analytics and data analysis. Demand For Safeguards As we move into 2018, the trends of 2017 will roll over, and cybersecurity will continue to be a major issue. Suppliers of hardware and software will put an even greater emphasis being cyber secure and end users will increasingly demand safeguards. Additionally, the deployment and use of advanced analytics based on newer artificial intelligence-based technologies will continue to increase. It will be the technology providers that find ways to allow users to capture additional value from the information collected by security systems that will accelerate growth. Oncam made significant investments in new products that leverage analytics and cloud technologies. In 2018, we will continue to invest in the development of new products, with a focus on solutions for particular applications across industry segments. Beyond our technology advancements, we've invested significantly in boosting our sales force in the Americas and adding industry experts to ensure sustained customer and partner success with our solutions. From our vantage point, Oncam is well positioned to capitalize on opportunities for growth in the coming year.

Cultural and hospitality venues are attractive targets for terrorists due to their public accessibility Over the past 40 years there have been numerous attacks carried out against cultural and hospitality venues in the furtherance of religious, ideological, criminal or political beliefs. By default, cultural and hospitality venues are attractive targets for terrorists due to their public accessibility, the volumes of visitors and guests or because of what the venue represents; in short because they are ‘soft targets’.Examples of such attacks include the destruction of the Buddha’s of Bamiyan in Afghanistan by Mullah Omar, the 2015 attack on the Bardo museum in Tunis, the coordinated attacks in Mumbai through to the recent attack on a Berlin Christmas market where an tractor-trailer was used as a weapon.So how can we protect these venues from terrorist attacks without making them a fortress or detracting from their main functionality?Understanding Terrorist ThreatsWhen implementing protective strategies, the first thing I need to understand is what threats exist and what risks they poses to the organization or individual being protected. In this case the threat source is terrorism. What is terrorism? There are many different definitions of terrorism but the one that I have used for over 30 years is: “The unlawful use, or threat of violence to achieve political or ideological aims.” This differs from organized crime which may use terror but is concerned with financial reward and gain. I define a terrorist as “Somebody who knowingly takes part in, supports or assists an act of terrorism.”The next stage is understanding the ways in which the threats can impact the organization and the risks that exist from known, or anticipated attack methodologies. While the threat from traditional attack methods continue; car bombs, grenades, firearms etc., these are by no means the only threats that should be considered. The 9/11 attacks used aeroplanes, a boat was used against the US Cole and in 2016 a lorry was used to devastating effect to kill 86 and physically injure over 400 civilians during the Bastille Day celebrations in Nice, France.Introducing Protective Security MeasuresOnce understood, the risks and vulnerabilities that exist for each attack method can be assessed and categorized. This allows protective security measures to be introduced that reduce the likelihood or impact of any attack that takes place. For ease, I categorize the protective security measures in one of four ways: Physical measures Operational (procedural) measures Technical measures Educational measures These measures should be overarching and work collaboratively with each other to create defense in depth and increasing resilience and robustness. The idea being to provide a means of protecting assets and deterring, detecting and delaying attackers, while increasing response capabilities. Once understood, the risks and vulnerabilities that exist for each attack method can be assessed and categorised Museums, hotels, bars and restaurants are places where people go to for relaxation and pleasure. Therefore, the implementation of security measures must be carefully considered so that the organization is still able to function without destroying or negatively impacting the customer experience. Understanding an organization’s risk appetite and tolerance levels are almost as important as the security measures that are introduced to protect them.Physical Security OptionsPhysical security measures include barriers, fences, secure doors and windows. They can also include security personnel and the creation of stand-off and vehicle mitigation measures. CPTED methodologies and design practices are a great means of preventing certain attack types and creating better response capabilities. In some countries, security personnel can be armed, but not in all. During the 2017 New Year celebration attack at the Reina nightclub in Istanbul an armed police officer and 35,000 on duty police could not prevent the attack that resulted in 39 deaths.Although technical security measures may not deter or really delay terrorist attacks (unless used as part of a physical security measure) CCTV, search equipment and access control systems do provide an ability to identify pre-attack activity including surveillance and penetrative testing.Security Education For StaffAn organization’s operational practices and procedures are a great protective security resource. Levels of alertness, introduction of surveillance detection program involvement of all staff in the security program, correct search procedures and robust access control to reduce the target attractiveness of the venue.Security education can enable 100 people to be involved in a surveillance detection program instead of just the security team Security education is often either forgotten or not considered by many as a fundamental security measure. Security education allows staff to understand the security measures that exist, why they exist, the actions they are to take and the part that they can play in protecting themselves, visitors and venues from attack. Security education can enable 100 people to be involved in a surveillance detection program instead of just the security team and help staff understand suspicious activities and reporting practices. Security education helps deliver and maximize the effectiveness of each of the other security measures that are introduced.Proactive PlanningAn organization has to be realistic in its approach to protection from acts of terrorism. The likelihood of preventing a terrorist attack is low, fact. Unless intelligence was available or surveillance detected the first a venue would know about it would be the attack itself. However, there is still an ability to make a significant impact in protecting visitors, staff, physical assets and reputation. These include: Proactive immediate response planning Establishing a recovery plan Providing welfare and medical support to victims. Indirect victims may include first responders, crisis and emergency management teams and families of direct and indirect victims I still find organizations and venues that do not have emergency or crisis management plans that are specific and fit for purpose. Not only is it critical that a plan exists but also that senior management know and understand the actions that they need to take. Plans should be exercised so that the operational, tactical and strategic elements are being tested and where vulnerabilities are identified steps are taken to reduce or mitigate them.Recovery planning is a vital part of your crisis management practices. Is there a fall-back location, can there be partial opening, what systems are operable and will they function off-site? The sooner an organization or venue can normalize operations the speedier the recovery will be. The longer it takes to recover, the increased risks to an organization’s operations, finance and reputation.Welfare and medical support is not just about those directly impacted by the terrorist attack it also includes the indirect victims; first responders, crisis and emergency management teams, families of direct and indirect victims. Consider counseling, establishing outreach program, town hall meetings and lessons learned. Consider the welfare benefits of senior management visiting the scene, speaking with victims and being there to reopen the venue. Often it is not the physical effects that impact an organization but the psychological effects and trauma suffered, often over many months or years by staff.It has to be remembered that governments spend billions of dollars on counter terrorist programs but they are not able to thwart all attacks Creating A Security CultureTo conclude, the chances that your organization or venue will become the victim of a terrorist attack are very slim and will normally depend on two factors; what you are doing and where you are doing it. It has to be remembered that governments spend billions of dollars on counter terrorist program but they are not able to thwart all attacks; neither can you.Implementing sensible, risk based security measures means that resources are not being wasted unnecessarily. Including as many members of staff as possible in educational and detection program helps create a ‘security culture’ that everybody buys into.“Failure to plan, is planning to fail!” Is a saying that has stuck with me since the early 1980’s. While you may not be able to prevent terrorist attacks, by ensuring your venue has appropriate plans to respond in a proactive manner the greater the opportunity to reduce the risks and resuming activities in a timely manner. Infographic: How To Prepare For Active Shooter Incidents 

Major art heists often feature audacity that defeats even the most thorough security protocols   Museum security, like art, is ever-changing. Traditional security practices like manned guarding alone are not sufficient to keep thieves at bay. Modern security technologies such as video surveillance, motions detectors, intruder alarms and other physical security devices also play an equally important role in securing museums and its art work. Regrettably, having all these security measures in place does not always guarantee safety and thieves sometimes still manage to steal art work through deceptive tactics. “The Mona Lisa” by Leonardo, “The Scream” by Edvard Munch (twice, but two different versions), “Poppy Flowers” by van Gogh (twice), “Harlequin Head” by Picasso, and “Jacob de Gheyn III” by Rembrandt (a staggering four times). What do these paintings have in common? They have all been stolen from museums. Museum Security – Best Practices Any museum director must strike a delicate balance between providing a sanctuary and a showplace for art works. Galleries seek both to protect and to welcome. For the legitimate visitor, museum security should be nearly invisible. For the would-be criminal, it should be apparent, but not so obvious as to make hostile reconnaissance a worthwhile practice. Spend a few hours in a selection of galleries in any major city and you’ll note that on the whole, attendants are indeed welcoming. They tend to be amiable blazered men in their 60s who are filling in time while on a pension from a former career in the police or armed forces. You would back them to prove zealous in confiscating a selfie-stick from a tourist (largely banned, though frequently still used) but might be less confident of the outcome if they had to confront a determined thief or vandal. Galleries need guards who are physically strong, observant and not beyond early middle age. (A standard gag among criminals is that staff are often of the same vintage as the exhibits they are guarding.) Michael Daley, director of ArtWatch UK, makes the pragmatic point that gallery curators should assess thoroughly the security measures at any museum that they are going to entrust with a loan item. In 1994, the Tate in London lent two paintings by Turner to a museum in Frankfurt that shares its premises with a music college and at the time had no perimeter security. The Turners were stolen by thieves working for Serbian gangsters and a ransom in excess of $4.5 million was paid by Tate from charitable monies with little attempt made at apprehending the criminals. One of the paintings was recovered from the garage of a Frankfurt mechanic who had a sideline as a Dean Martin impersonator. Yes, really. CCTV Vs. Human Response A standard gag among criminals is that staff are often of the same vintage as the exhibits they are guarding The consensus among curators that technology has much to offer but will never replace the human response is difficult to argue with, but only if we are confident that guards will prove to be consistently alert and conscientious. Skepticism about the merits of video surveillance prompts many museums to pay more attention to installing CCTV in their gift shops than in the exhibition halls. Traditional curators are also reluctant to allow a battery anywhere near a painting for fear that acid may be leaked. They argue that unless CCTV is scrutinised non-stop by guards (and few institutions have the manpower for this) it merely gives a record of the theft. This was the case three years ago when a Salvador Dali painting was taken from a brand-new gallery on Madison Avenue. Management had a high-resolution clip from an IP camera and little else to go on. Use Of Proximity Alarms The principal focus of London-based ArtWatch UK is to protect works from inappropriate restoration techniques and careless or demeaning treatment. But Michael Daley naturally keeps an eye on security issues and has some horror stories to relate that suggest proximity alarms are not being used. He says: “Only recently I was shown a photograph of a curator signing a form by placing the paper on the vertical surface of a Rembrandt.” He continues: “At a preeminent gallery in the U.S., I saw a group of teenagers having their photograph taken and being instructed to keep moving back so that they could all be in the frame. They ended up leaning against a canvas with one boy’s elbow depressing it sharply. Only when I shouted at them did either the guard or their teacher notice what was happening.” London’s National Gallery Theft Incident Museum parlance for somebody who enters a gallery as a visitor through the normal route and remains after hours is a “stay behind.” A bizarre theft involving a stay behind (possibly better categorized as a protest rather than a serious attempt to steal) occurred at London’s National Gallery early one morning in August 1961. As part of a campaign against the perceived injustice of low-income pensioners being charged to buy a license to watch public television broadcasts, Kempton Bunton eased his way out of a bathroom window leading on to Trafalgar Square carrying a portrait bust of Napoleon by Goya under his arm. He had arrived as a regular visitor the previous day and hidden overnight. Bunton had done his research and was aware that the gallery’s infrared motion sensors were switched off while cleaners readied the building for the day. A disabled former bus driver in his 60s and weighing 240 pounds, he was an unlikely burglar. The next time you watch the Bond film Dr No (shot six months after the theft) look for Sean Connery walking past an oil painting in the villain’s underwater Jamaican headquarters. “So that’s where it went!” The painting was returned safely in 1965 when, with an anticlimactic gesture, Bunton deposited it at the left luggage lockers of a Birmingham railway station. Scepticism about the merits ofvideo surveillance promptsmany museums to pay moreattention to installing CCTV intheir gift shops than in theexhibition halls Biggest Art Theft In US History Major art heists often feature audacity that defeats even thorough security protocol. An unsolved 1990 theft at Boston’s Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum involving 13 paintings valued at $500 million began when a pair of criminals presented themselves at the gallery door late at night dressed as policemen and claiming they were responding to a call amid the hoopla of St Patrick’s Day celebrations. They were buzzed in and one of the two duty guards foolishly left his desk (which featured a panic button.) Both guards soon found themselves duct-taped to pipes in the basement. The theft is the largest ever art haul and included Rembrandt’s only seascape, “The Storm on the Sea of Galilee.” This painting remains in our popular culture, being seen in films and even featuring in an episode of “The Simpsons.” "They have cameras at McDonald’s But we weren’t allowed to install them" Ingenuity can also extend to diversionary tactics and escape methods. In December 2000, criminals brought an already busy Stockholm city center to gridlock by abandoning a pair of cars outside major hotels and setting them afire. Meanwhile, at the National Museum, their colleagues stole a Rembrandt and two Renoirs, making their getaway along the river Norrström in a tatty second-hand speedboat they had bought a few days earlier. In a remarkably blunt and no doubt emotional press conference, Agneta Karlström of the museum said: “They have cameras at McDonald’s but we weren’t allowed to install them.” Staying in Scandinavia, art security specialists noted a depressing development in Oslo in 2004 when one of the several versions of “The Scream” painted by Edvard Munch was stolen from the Munch Museum. Thieves had been armed before but in this case they were wielding machine guns during opening hours and gave the impression they would not hesitate to use them.

Ipsotek, a pioneer in artificial intelligence (AI) powered video analytics, has announced that it has been awarded a security systems project at the Katara Culture Village in Doha, Qatar, in partnership with Mannai Trading Co, a Qatari based company listed on the Qatar Stock Exchange. Ipsotek’s highly scalable VISuite AI platform and advanced VISuite FR facial recognition system have been selected and approved by the Qatar Ministry of Interior to improve the security and safety as well as provide business intelligence at the iconic cultural village of Katara. VISuite AI enables users to efficiently manage automatically generated alarms in real-time, resulting in reduced operator response times and the ability to track chosen behaviors of interest in complex environments. Security threat VISuite FR automatically detects and informs operators of people that have visited a site multiple times in a configurable timeframe and could pose a security threat. It is optimized for use in busy and security-sensitives scenarios where the highest level of recognition is required. In addition to the project at Katara in collaboration with Mannai ICT, Qatar’s renowned Systems Integrator and the Information & Communication Technology Division of Mannai Corporation, Ipsotek has a number of other major projects across Qatar. The company has also announced that it has appointed Mr Jihad Marei as Country Manager for Qatar and is in the process of opening a new office in one of Qatar’s Free Zones. Key strategic partners We are very proud to have been awarded the Katara Heritage Village project with Mannai Trading Co." Also known as ‘The Valley of Cultures’, Katara is one of the main cultural destinations in Qatar, featuring a museum, open amphitheatre, opera house, movie theater, conference hall, beach, Souq and multiple restaurants. Katara hosts hundreds of events and attracts over 10 million visitors each year. Charlie Bennett, Ipsotek Head of Sales for EMEA said: “We are very proud to have been awarded the Katara Heritage Village project with Mannai Trading Co. Mannai has become one of our key strategic partners in Qatar and we have enjoyed collaborating on several projects together this year, which is why we have also chosen to grow our presence in country further by employing Jihad Marei as Country Manager and open a dedicated office in Qatar.” Artificial intelligence video analytics Shamnad Karuvadi, Deputy Manager ELV Physical Security at Mannai Trading Co said: “We are very pleased to be working with Ipsotek as our solution partner for Artificial Intelligence Video Analytics. Ipsotek has added a great deal of value to the Mannai solution portfolio and together we look forward to providing the highest levels of safety and security to protect critical infrastructure. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Charlie Bennet & Mr. Jihad Marei at Ipsotek for their extensive support.”

Two museums, a single security environment. As a result, access management was eating up significant time and budget for the museums’ Technical and Security Manager. The solution for simpler access management was eCLIQ, an electronic locking system built around easy-to-fit cylinders and programmable, battery-powered keys. The Thiepval Museums, in northern France, needed trusted, secure entry and exit control to reduce theft from their premises. User-friendly management of access rights was essential — for both internal and external users. They needed a system able to cope easily with changes, site extensions and two-site operation; a solution which would remove the need to change all cylinders when an employee loses a key. Simplified access management Now the Historial and Thiepval Museums are equipped with 52 eCLIQ locking cylinders across the two sites. The eCLIQ key-operated solution offers them simplified access management, incorporating easy activation and deactivation of keys and simpler administration of access rights and schedules for external providers and contractors. A unified system manages access to both locations. Every authorized key-holder carries one battery-powered key programmed with only their tailored access permissions. With eCLIQ, missing keys are quickly de-authorized, cutting risks associated with key loss or theft. At any time, facility managers can generate an audit trail to verify who has accessed which locks. Monitoring service providers Installing an eCLIQ system has allowed security teams to better monitor service providers Across the two sites, the museums have 40 durable, compact and waterproof eCLIQ keys, of which 19 are already allocated to regular users. These Bluetooth-enabled keys are available to both employees and contractors, helping the latter to improve their responsiveness when they are needed on-site. Installing an eCLIQ system has allowed security teams to better monitor service providers — and their movements around and between the two sites. It is straightforward for museum managers to limit contractors’ access rights to the duration of a task, whether recurring or one-off. Fitting eCLIQ locking was simple and wire-free: museum staff performed the installation themselves. One training session with the admin software was sufficient to put them at ease with their new system. Efficient energy management Looking after eCLIQ components is also easy: an integrated lubricant reservoir ensures cylinders remain maintenance-free for up to 200,000 cycles. AES encryption, rapid processing and efficient energy management is built into the eCLIQ chip. When a key’s battery runs out, it is easily replaced without tools. “I am very happy with the eCLIQ solution,” says M. Guyot, Technical and Security Manager at the Historial and Thiepval Museums. “Today, I promote the solution to those around me. I have also given a demonstration to the Somme General Council to show the effectiveness and simplicity of the eCLIQ solution. Normally, as a user client, we try to help you improve your products, but there was nothing to say in this case!”

An important heritage site which played a key role in protecting the UK during World War II is itself being made safe and secure with the installation of a comprehensive and fully integrated security system, including more than 75 Dahua HD CCTV cameras. Battle of Britain Bunker The Battle of Britain Bunker is an underground operations room in Uxbridge, formerly used by No. 11 Group Fighter Command during the Second World War, most notably in the Battle of Britain and on D-Day. The operations room was one of the key parts of the world’s first integrated defense system, which linked Fighter Command with Anti-Aircraft Command, Barrage Balloon Command, the Observer Corps, radar, and the intelligence services. The site is run by Hillingdon Council as a heritage attraction with a museum and a visitor center. Fully integrated security solution DSSL Group installed more than 75 Dahua HD CCTV cameras linked to a Genetec Security Center VMS DSSL Group completed a full analysis of the existing CCTV and intruder alarm systems, with the aim of creating a fully integrated security solution, to enhance the security around the site, reduce manned security costs, and speed up remote security and police response times. Using the existing wireless network also designed by them across the borough, DSSL Group installed more than 75 Dahua HD CCTV cameras linked to a Genetec Security Center video management system (VMS), as well as Axis IP PA speakers externally. All cameras are viewable by management and the security team on site, and also from Hillingdon Council’s main CCTV control room. Surveillance cameras with smart analytics using AI External cameras are equipped with smart analytics using AI, to help secure the perimeter of the site. In 2018, a state-of-the-art wireless CCTV system consisting of more than 1,000 Dahua HD cameras, along with Dahua NVRs, XVRs and control and viewing equipment, was installed across the borough by DSSL Group. More recently, an additional 1,000 Dahua HD cameras have been added to the council's network making it 2,000 in total. In addition to the cameras, DSSL Group installed a Honeywell Galaxy 62-zone intruder alarm system which feeds back to a central monitoring station and is also integrated with the VMS. Dahua CCTV system installed Cllr Richard Lewis, Hillingdon Council’s Cabinet Member for Cultural Services, Culture and Heritage, said “The Battle of Britain Bunker is one of Hillingdon’s treasured heritage sites. It played a pivotal role in the Second World War, and it’s important that we keep it protected. Dahua CCTV system will help us to do that with their state-of-the-art system and high performing cameras.”

Schools and heritage sites present their own unique difficulties for security and access control. But what about a school that is also a heritage site of exceptional value? This was the challenge facing security administrators at the Colegio Diocesano Santo Domingo in Orihuela, Spain. The Colegio Diocesano is more than just a school. Its historic buildings date to the 1500s, a heritage site as well as a place of learning - with a museum which requires the protection of the same access system. Hence, the brief for a new access system required minimal disruption on two fronts. The college buildings are a Resource of Cultural Interest and on Spain’s heritage registry: they must not be damaged. School leaders also required little disturbance of everyday school learning. Wireless access control was the obvious answer. Wireless access control devices The school chose SMARTair Wireless Online management for their new keyless access system SMARTair wireless access control devices now control access through 300 doors around the school. A mix of battery-powered escutcheons and weather-proof escutcheons, knob cylinders and wired wall readers (including for lifts), are connected to SMARTair’s intuitive software by a network of 38 wireless communication hubs. The school chose SMARTair Wireless Online management for their new keyless access system. This powerful management option enables real-time security control to limit free access to and around the site, even if the school data network is down. Automated emails inform security staff of any incidents, keeping students, staff, equipment, and precious heritage safe. Issue access credentials  “The main benefit is the ease of real-time key management - from any place and at any time - via the wireless online management system,” says IT Manager, Francisco Fernández Soriano. “This increases security for children and for staff, because no unauthorized people can enter the school.” SMARTair locks and readers provide a streamlined way to manage access. Student and staff carry credentials programmed to allow access to specific authorized areas. SMARTair TS1000 software makes it easy to issue and cancel access credentials for temporary visitors such as parents. Installation and integration The system was installed without a hitch and also without any disruption to classes" “In addition to the main entrances and classrooms, access to private spaces such as lifts, offices, staff rooms, the church, the museum, the library and the IT room is constantly monitored,” he adds. “Thanks to our SMARTair devices installed at more than 300 doors, the security team can find out who has accessed which space and when, at any time.” Installation of the school’s new SMARTair system demanded minimal work. Some school doors date to the 16th century, so major alterations to door hardware were not possible. “The system was installed without a hitch and also without any disruption to classes,” confirms Fernández Soriano. Because SMARTair is a modular system, scalability is built in. They can extend or fine-tune their access system when they choose. Indeed, SMARTair’s “Phase II” is already under discussion. Education management software SMARTair software also easily slotted into the school’s existing management workflows. The Colegio Diocesano has used iinventi education management software for the past five years. Integration with SMARTair software was simple: access control, the library and canteen are managed from an integrated system. “SMARTair gives the school’s security team the answers they need,” concludes school director, Reverend José María Fernández-Corredor.

Chocolate Nation’s decision to partner with Panasonic for technology at the immersive Belgium museum has delivered the sweet taste of success. Having already attracted over 100,000 visitors in the first nine months of opening, the Antwerp museum says its technology partnership with Panasonic has underpinned its rapid rise as a visitor attraction. Panasonic security cameras Chocolate Nation has deployed Panasonic equipment throughout the museum, shop, restaurant, event and meeting rooms. The technology provides a truly immersive experience for visitors and underpins the effective operation of the business. The range of solutions includes 20 professional display screens, 10 laser projectors, security cameras and the latest telephony solution. Chocolate Nation has deployed Panasonic equipment throughout the museum, shop, restaurant, event and meeting rooms From initial concept, the museum set-out to be an immersive experience for visitors to discover the wonders of Belgium chocolate using their five senses. Through 14 thematic areas, visitors are taken on a journey from the jungle where cocoa beans are grown, through their transportation across the ocean to Antwerp (the world’s largest port for cocoa bean storage), to the making of exquisite chocolate delights and, of course, lots of tasting. High quality video security “The immersive experience is where Panasonic plays an important role,” explains Catherine Stuyck, Head of Marketing and Communications at Chocolate Nation. “Thanks to the large projections on the ceiling, walls, and floor, visitors can really have the feeling they’re standing on a floating container ship. Using light and sound effects, visitors can pass in front of a large imaginary machine in true Willy Wonka fashion to understand how chocolate is made. Afterwards, visitors virtually meet the great Antwerp chocolate makers and are seated in an experimental restaurant where surprising images are projected onto their plates.” More than three years in the planning, the Chocolate Nation founders knew that choosing the right technology partner for the brand-independent museum was going to be critical to creating the magical environment for visitors and a reliable and cost effective business infrastructure. Seamless, flexible installation "After extensive market research, we chose Panasonic as our technology partner for Chocolate Nation," said Jeroen Jespers, Co-Founder of Chocolate Nation. “Panasonic had all the product categories we required and solid in-house expertise. The result is a visitor attraction of the highest quality and an outstanding experience. Obviously, it is only possible because of the absolute reliability of the technology provided by Panasonic”. Jeroen adds, “In addition, their flexible installation outside opening hours and the low maintenance equipment saves a lot of time. If we decide to expand our activities to other countries, we will quickly have a full on-site service with Panasonic, a global player in the sector.” Panasonic LCD and DLP projectors A variety of Panasonic LCD and DLP projectors, ranging from 32” to 65”, have been used in the museum A variety of Panasonic LCD and DLP projectors, ranging from 32” to 65”, have been used in the museum to create the immersive tourist installations and to provide the quality audio visual experience in the event and meeting spaces. The highest levels of security with the lowest total cost of ownership are ensured with the effective use of Panasonic’s 360 degree and indoor dome cameras combined with Panasonic’s Video Insight system management solution. KX-NS700 Smart hybrid communication system The extensive coverage from the 360 degree cameras reduced the number required across the venue and minimized the bandwidth impact on the network. For its unified communication system, Chocolate Nation chose Panasonic’s KX-NS700 Smart hybrid communication system. By using the Panasonic desktop phones, DECT handsets and intercoms as one integrated system, the guests are supported directly when needed. The size of the system ensures Chocolate Nation can expand its communications infrastructure quickly and efficiently as the organization grows.

With a history dating back to the 1850s, the Sioux City Public Museum has evolved from its original focus on natural science to a broader emphasis on preserving the area’s heritage, offering a variety of educational programmes, events, and historical exhibitions valued at more than $2 million. Having outgrown its former location in a prominent Victorian-era mansion, the museum moved to a new downtown site in April 2011—a modern, open-concept building that has become known as one of the premier cultural destinations in Siouxland and beyond. With more than 5,000 visitors each month, the Sioux City Public Museum has made public safety and asset protection top priorities. Chosen for its advanced management features, ease-of-use, and exceptional image clarity, the Avigilon high-definition security system has played a key role in helping the museum meet its security goals.The Avigilon high-definition security system is used to deter criminal behavior and to safeguard valuable artefacts Crime Mitigation Located in the heart of downtown, the Sioux City Public Museum is a 55,000 square foot facility with an outdoor plaza, loading dock at the rear, and skyway connected to public parking. “Because of the size of the building, as well as its location in an area known for attracting a transient crowd, we wanted an advanced, high-definition security system to monitor people coming and going from our facility around the clock,” explained Steven Hansen, museum director at the Sioux City Public Museum. “We use the Avigilon high-definition security system to deter criminal behavior and to safeguard our valuable artefacts.” Based on research and a strong recommendation from the City of Sioux City facilities manager, Hansen chose to work with Electric Innovations, a local provider of security system design, installation, and service who installed the Avigilon high-definition security system to monitor the entrances, permanent exhibition area, temporary exhibition area, and loading dock. “We needed an advanced, high-definition security system that would provide broad coverage, overcome architectural challenges in our open-concept building, and remain unobtrusive,” explained Hansen. “Providing excellent local support, Electric Innovations has installed the best quality security solution possible to deliver optimal system performance.”Each user can select relevant camera views from their own desktop Live Monitoring And Broad Coverage Administrators and exhibition staff at the Sioux City Public Museum manage the Avigilon high-definition security system using the Avigilon Control Center (ACC) video management software monitoring the system live throughout the day from their desktop computers. A permanent monitor has been set up in the main reception area to monitor visitors as they enter and exit the permanent exhibit space. The museum installed a suite of Avigilon cameras in the main exhibit areas as well as in hallways, key entry points, and at the loading dock, and can store 29 days of continuous security video on an Avigilon network video recorder (NVR). Without a permanent security staff, the museum’s administrators are responsible for the facility’s security in addition to all other operational responsibilities, so ease-of-use was a key requirement for the new system. “The Avigilon high-definition security system is very simple to use, providing each of us with a variety of camera views right from our desktop, making it much easier and less time-consuming to monitor throughout the day,” said Deanna Mayo, administrative assistant at the Sioux City Public Museum. “Because each user can select relevant camera views from their own desktop, we can ensure broader coverage of the museum at all times.”Avigilon’s image quality makes it much easier to identify events with greater accuracy Effective security “While our needs are pretty basic, we can quickly and easily identify people and events because of Avigilon’s simple and intuitive user interface,” confirmed Mayo. Avigilon Control Center provides full control over security video playback, making it easy for users to quickly retrieve evidence and speed up response times. “Avigilon Control Center software is 1,000 percent more effective than our previous analog-based system,” added Hansen. Hansen and Mayo have also been very impressed with Avigilon’s image quality, which makes it much easier to identify events with greater accuracy than before. “I recently spoke with the captain of the police force who is very pleased that we have invested in the Avigilon high-definition security system,” noted Hansen. “We are located in an area that has caused concern for the police, and we have noticed a marked reduction in trespassing since deploying the Avigilon high-definition security system.”Sioux City Public Museum will be able to reduce its insurance costs and protect itself against the threat of false liability claims Safe Educational Experience The Avigilon high-definition security system has played a critical role in helping the museum ensure public safety and protect its assets worth more than $2 million. “I am confident that the Avigilon high-definition security system will deliver a lower total cost of ownership than other solutions because it offers greater image quality and reliability, requires less maintenance, and will free up our time for other important tasks,” explained Hansen. By installing such an advanced security system, Sioux City Public Museum will also be able to reduce its insurance costs and can more effectively protect itself against the threat of false liability claims. “Most traveling exhibits stipulate strict security guidelines before they can be displayed in a new location,” commented Mayo. “With the Avigilon system in place, we are in a much better position to host new exhibits and share the latest collections to attract new audiences,” said Mayo. With the knowledge that activity is being accurately captured around the clock by the Avigilon high-definition security system, Sioux City Public Museum administrators and patrons alike can enjoy a greater sense of security as they experience the region’s past at this leading cultural institution. “Avigilon has delivered the quality, reliability, and ease-of-use we need to help us deliver a safe, enjoyable, and educational experience,” concluded Hansen. “We have invested in the best quality and most reliable products in the industry.”

Public spaces provide soft targets and are often the sites of terrorist or active shooter attacks. Public spaces, by definition, require easy accessibility and unrestricted movement. Given that openness, what security technologies can provide real results? We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: How is technology innovation impacting the security of public spaces?