Radio frequency Identification

Gunnebo Safe Storage is strengthening its presence in the Swiss market through an expanded partnership with IMHOTEC Next Level Safes Engineering AG. Under the new arrangement, IMHOTEC will have an exclusive role for Chubbsafes and Primat across Switzerland. IMHOTEC will become the exclusive Swiss partner for certified Chubbsafes and the complete Starprim range from Primat. The two portfolios will be supported by Imhotec’s established engineering expertise, local stock and nationwide service organization, giving customers access to both ranges through a single, locally supported operation. Locally supported operation Says Robin Schneider, CEO of IMHOTEC Next Level Safes: "Twenty years ago the banking industry was largely convinced almost every asset would end up digital, and cash together with safe deposit lockers would gradually fade out. Digitalisation has advanced further, and crypto currency has arrived. Even so, the need to keep physical valuables safe has kept growing." “We’ve learned a great deal from working in demanding environments, and this experience is now being applied to private clients and high-risk sites beyond the banking sector. The requirements can vary from one site to another, but the fundamentals remain the same: a well-built safe, reliable performance and proper service over the long term.” Safe storage solutions IMHOTEC and Gunnebo Safe Storage have worked together since 2012, first as installation and service partner for SafeStore Auto systems, classic safe deposit lockers and vault construction. Distribution followed later, together with high-security locks, management software and certified safes, allowing Imhotec to deliver complete safe storage solutions from a single source. Together, the two companies have made their safe deposit solutions a standard across the Swiss and Liechtenstein banking landscape. IMHOTEC today services between 400 and 500 safe deposit installations in Switzerland and Liechtenstein, covering automated, electronic and mechanical systems and the vault rooms that house them. Automated safe storage Robin adds: "Some of the installations we look after were built by Gunnebo Safe Storage and Leicher close to thirty years ago, before my time in this industry, and they are still in daily use. With this agreement our customers get both portfolios from a single Swiss source, with the same team behind them for the life of the equipment." As bank branches have become more open and customer-focused, safe storage has become part of the wider service they offer. Automated safe storage gives customers direct access to their valuables, while allowing banks to provide an additional service alongside their core financial offering. Local market knowledge Viktoria Lövberg, Director Strategic Key Distributors & Defense, Gunnebo Safe Storage Europe, concludes: "The Swiss market continues to demonstrate the importance of safe storage for banks, businesses and private customers. Our collaboration with Imhotec has grown over many years, combining our expertise with their local market knowledge and technical capability." "The expansion of this partnership strengthens the availability of both Primat and Chubbsafes solutions across Switzerland. By working closely together from the initial design and specification stages through to installation and ongoing service support, we bring together the right expertise at every stage of a project to meet each customer's specific requirements."

Evolv Technology, a pioneer in AI-powered weapons screening, announces the release of Evolv eXpedite™ 3.0, the newest update to the company’s AI-powered bag screener. eXpedite 3.0 is built around three outcomes: showing operators exactly where to search when a bag alerts, delivering a stronger balance of knife detection against nuisance alerts, and providing one connected view of people and bag screening. Evolv’s Red Box guided search, a new detection algorithm, and an upgraded MyEvolv portal connection deliver these benefits to customers. Evolv eXpedite is an autonomous X-ray system that screens bags quickly without requiring staff to interpret X-ray images. The system analyzes each bag image, and, if it detects a potential threat, alerts staff for further inspection. In that moment, eXpedite 3.0 gives operators more context to resolve alerts with a Red Box identifying the area of potential concern. Standard search procedures Now see what alerted. Know where to search: Bag searches are high-pressure moments. Now operators start with direction rather than a guess. Every alert image carries a Red Box highlighting exactly where the system identified a potential threat in the bag, while operators follow their standard search procedures. Enhanced detection performance: eXpedite 3.0 gives customers greater flexibility with expanded sensitivity options to support enhanced knife detection, along with refined alerting that reduces alerts from common items such as binders. High-pressure moments “Transitioning to eXpedite 3.0 has reduced our alert volume by 50%. By limiting unnecessary interruptions, we’ve significantly reduced the operational burden on our staff while ensuring students transition smoothly and efficiently to the building," said Nino Dicandia, Director of Safety and Security Hillsboro School District (MO). The goal is to help customers find the threats and keep everything else moving. Five sensitivity levels let teams set detection to their own risk profile. People and bag screening. One connected operation. Alert images, tags, and screening data for bags now come together with Evolv Express people scanning data, reporting in MyEvolv and Evolv Insights. Security leaders can review alerts and analyze operations of their entire fleet – both Express and eXpedite - from a phone or desktop, in one view. Together, Evolv Express and Evolv eXpedite give security teams a layered approach to screening: Express screens people while eXpedite screens bags. With over 39 million bags screened across schools, hospitals, and entertainment venues, eXpedite 3.0 helps teams screen quickly, search with clarity, and keep people moving.

DigiCert, a pioneer in intelligent trust, releases findings from its global consumer study revealing fraudulent emails are affecting British shoppers and potentially costing retailers sales ahead of Black Friday. The study of 2,000 UK consumers found that 43% had deleted or abandoned an email in the past year because they were unsure whether it was genuine. Nearly one in five (18%) had delayed a purchase while 12% had shopped with another retailer. Busiest shopping periods The findings highlight a growing challenge for retailers during ahead of one of the busiest shopping periods of the year: just 3% of UK shoppers say they would open or click an offer they couldn’t verify came from a brand. A quarter (25%) would delete the email, while 23% would ignore or abandon the offer.  Paul Holt, Group Vice President, EMEA at DigiCert, commented, “Black Friday is one of the biggest opportunities for retailers, but trust can make or break a sale before a customer even reaches the website. With shoppers increasingly wary of fraudulent offers, legitimate brands need to make it easier for customers to recognize authentic communications. Verified brand identities and stronger email authentication can give shoppers the confidence to engage, while making it harder for fraudsters to impersonate trusted businesses.” Most impersonated organizations Nine in ten UK (90%) consumers reported receiving a suspicious email in the past year, with delivery companies the most impersonated organizations. Among those who received suspicious emails, 63% had encountered messages claiming to come from parcel or delivery providers. Those messages can be especially convincing during the holiday shopping rush. Despite growing awareness of online fraud, 38% of UK consumers admitted taking an action before realising an email was fraudulent. More than a third (34%) of UK shoppers judge an email’s authenticity partly by whether they were expecting it, making fake delivery notices particularly convincing when they arrive at the exact moment a shopper expects a real parcel. AI-generated scams “Shoppers shouldn’t have to play detective every time an offer lands in their inbox,” said Al Iverson, Industry Research and Community Engagement Lead at Valimail, a DigiCert company. “Retailers can help by making their emails harder to impersonate and easier to recognize. When shoppers hesitate because they don’t know who to trust, even a legitimate offer can end up in the trash.”  Nearly three quarters (73%) of UK shoppers believe they could spot a professionally written scam email. Yet 42% still rely on spelling and grammar to judge authenticity, a check AI-generated scams can easily pass. Despite this confidence, 38% of UK consumers have acted before realising an email was fraudulent, including 25% who clicked a link and 8% who made a payment or purchase. Offering similar promotion Verification could give retailers a competitive advantage, with 56% of UK consumers saying they would choose a brand that displays its official logo in the inbox over a competitor offering a similar promotion. More than eight in ten (81%) said knowing a logo had been independently verified would make them feel safer.  But awareness remains a hurdle, with 38% of UK consumers unaware that verified inbox logos exist. Consumer doubts also reach product listings. More than a third (37%) of UK shoppers have decided not to buy because they were unsure whether an image or video was genuine.  The research found how content credentials showing the origin of product images were more likely to earn trust and prompt a purchase than the same images without them. At checkout, 53% of UK consumers said a trust mark confirming who operates the website would make them more likely to complete a purchase. 

Fire safety manufacturer Advanced has been named a finalist in eight categories across two major industry awards, recognizing achievements spanning product innovation, complex project delivery, sustainability, training and customer support. The Newcastle-based manufacturer has secured five finalist positions at the Security & Fire Awards for Excellence 2026 and three at the ECN Awards 2026, with winners set to be revealed within days of each other at ceremonies on 30 November and 3 December. Complex multi-campus estate At the Security & Fire Awards for Excellence, Advanced has been named a finalist in: Industry Choice Best Security or Fire Company Active or Passive Fire Project of the Year Fire Hardware or Software Manufacturer of the Year Security or Fire ESG Champion Security or Fire Solution of the Year The Active or Passive Fire Project of the Year shortlisting recognises Advanced’s work at the University of West London, where AdvancedLive is helping transform the way fire safety is monitored and managed across a complex multi-campus estate. Fire system infrastructure Working alongside Alarm Communication Limited (ACL), the University has created a consistent MxPro 5 fire system infrastructure across a diverse estate comprising education, office, residential, historic and high-rise buildings. AdvancedLive provides facilities and security teams with real-time visibility of system status, graphical mapping and remote management capabilities, helping alarms and faults to be identified more quickly while reducing the need for routine travel between campuses. Advanced’s latest smoke control solution, SmokeGo, is also at the heart of two of the company’s Security & Fire Awards finalist positions, contributing to its recognition for Fire Hardware or Software Manufacturer of the Year and being shortlisted in its own right for Security or Fire Solution of the Year. Smoke control systems Launched in January 2026, SmokeGo has been developed to simplify the design, installation, commissioning and ongoing management of smoke control systems. Its four-step, matrix-based configuration process enables installers to define smoke compartments, configure interfaces and establish cause-and-effect relationships without specialist coding, transforming programming tasks that could traditionally take days into a process that can be completed in minutes. The solution has already been deployed across residential, commercial and education projects, including the John Street development in Newham and the University of Southampton’s Chemistry Building, where it controls and monitors almost 100 smoke control dampers. Advanced has also been recognized as a finalist for Security or Fire ESG Champion, reflecting its wider purpose of Creating a Safer, Sustainable Future. Sustainability-led specification decisions The company has reduced its Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 42% against its 2020 baseline and achieved an EcoVadis Silver rating, placing it within the top 15% of organizations assessed globally. In 2026, Advanced also achieved an industry-first independently verified Environmental Product Declaration for its MxPro 5 and Axis EN four-loop fire panels, providing cradle-to-grave environmental information to help customers make more informed, sustainability-led specification decisions. Completing Advanced’s five finalist positions is Industry Choice Best Security or Fire Company, a category decided through an industry-wide vote. Advanced’s success continues at the ECN Awards 2026, where the company has been named a finalist in all three categories it entered: Fire Safety Product of the Year – SmokeGo Training Provider/Initiative of the Year Manufacturer of the Year Ongoing technical support The Training Provider/Initiative of the Year recognition reflects Advanced’s investment in accessible fire safety education and professional competency. During 2026, delegates from over 200 companies have received Advanced training, supported by face-to-face workshops, live online learning, bespoke courses and e-learning. Advanced also provides a monthly schedule of free FIA-certified CPD seminars covering wider fire safety principles, standards and best practice. Since its inception, the program had trained more than 2,500 attendees. Advanced’s Manufacturer of the Year entry brings these achievements together, recognizing the company’s combination of UK-based manufacturing and R&D, product innovation, education and ongoing technical support. The Security & Fire Awards for Excellence winners will be announced on 30 November at JW Marriott Grosvenor House in London. The ECN Awards follow on 3 December at the Heart of England Conference and Events Centre in Coventry, where winners will be determined following judging by an independent panel of industry experts.

Atos, a pioneer in AI-powered digital transformation, announces a five-year contract with SSE to deliver its SIAM services, digital workplace, cloud operations and data management platforms. Atos brings decades of mission critical engineering experience across critical national infrastructure (CNI) such as energy, rail, water and aerospace environments where reliability, resilience and security are at the core of all services. Performance-based refreshes At the heart of the contract, Atos will provide SIAM services with the aim of strengthening, simplifying and elevating SSE’s IT landscape. As the first company to achieve dual Scopism SIAM Assured status, Atos will use its best practice blueprint, define a long-term Partnership Charter unique to SSE’s team and values, and build a data-driven approach to service excellence and innovation. Atos will also manage Service Desk and End User Services for SSE’s over 14,000 team, moving towards a proactive monitoring service that addresses issues before they have an impact on employees. Atos will support SSE’s environmental goals by improving device longevity through proactive maintenance, performance-based refreshes and the incorporation of remanufactured devices. Next generation technology As SSE embarks on its £33bn five-year investment program to transform the UK’s electricity infrastructure and deliver long-term benefits for society, Atos will provide foundational services to allow for the management of an expanding portfolio and mandate. Michael Herron, Head of Atos UK&I said, “We’re delighted to partner with SSE to support its goal of delivering a cheaper, cleaner, more secure energy system. We understand that the service SSE provides is critical and resilience is essential and will work to strengthen its infrastructure, support the people who keep it running and protect essential services with mission critical experience, sovereign security and next generation technology.” Relevant technologies and innovations Stewart Fry, SSE Group Chief Information Officer said, “We needed a partner who understood the complex needs of a business like ours, delivering vital always-on services to our customers. As we focus on our program to transform the UK’s electricity infrastructure and deliver long-term benefits for society, we need foundational digital services we can rely on, that are intelligent, secure and future-ready.” Atos’ newly launched Centre of Excellence for CNI will be available to SSE for future innovation needs, providing access to insights and knowledge about relevant technologies and innovations. The Centre is designed to tackle complex industry challenges through collaboration and knowledge sharing across the sector and its regulators.

PureTech Systems, the industry pioneer in autonomous perimeter protection software solutions, announces a powerful new integration between its best-in-class PureActiv® platform and Genetec™ Security Center. The enhanced integration supports Genetec™ Security Center version 5.13.2.0 and enables operators to view classification bounding boxes over live video, receive PureActiv® alarms and manage those alarms within their existing Genetec™ workflows. Together, PureActiv® and Genetec™ Security Center deliver unmatched perimeter protection—marrying the industry's most accurate detection and classification, with the lowest nuisance alarm rate in the industry, to the unified security platform operators already trust. Associated camera information The integration delivers alarm descriptions, associated camera information and bounding box metadata from PureActiv® to Genetec™ Security Center. Bounding boxes visually highlight detected and classified targets in real time, giving operators instant, unambiguous visual confirmation of the target that triggered an alarm and the ability to assess activity within the camera view. PureActiv® alarms can be distributed and managed using the alarm-handling capabilities available within Genetec™ Security Center. This allows organizations to bring PureActiv®'s most accurate, lowest-nuisance-alarm detection directly into the environment their security teams already use for monitoring and response—no new consoles and no new training. Lost computer communications In addition to analytics-related alarms, the integration delivers system health status alarms, including video loss, lost computer communications and analytics hindered. These notifications ensure operators are never blind to conditions that could compromise surveillance coverage or analytic performance. “Security teams deserve the most accurate detection available, the fewest nuisance alarms in the industry and clear visibility into the systems they rely on,” said Larry Bowe, founder, chairman and CEO of PureTech Systems. “Our enhanced Genetec™ integration marries PureActiv®’s best-in-class analytics with Genetec™ Security Center to deliver unmatched perimeter protection—bringing alarms and real-time visual context into the operator’s existing workflow so teams can assess events and coordinate a response with confidence.” Accurate threat identification PureActiv® delivers unmatched autonomous perimeter protection through a detect, classify, track, alert and deter workflow. Its Geospatial AI-boosted Video Analytics (GABVA) and sensor integration capabilities deliver the industry's most accurate threat identification with the lowest nuisance alarm rate, and initiate automated deterrence before an intruder penetrates the perimeter. The Genetec™ integration brings this best-in-class detection, alarm information and target overlays directly into existing security operations.

One of the best business lessons I learned didn’t come from business journals or the boardroom. It came from a biography: Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson. If you haven’t read it, you should! The book covers the full arc of Jobs’ career, and while many of the most talked about lessons center on his entrepreneurship, perfectionism, and brand building, the one that has stayed with me is his philosophy of design. Digital music player market I don’t mean design in the sense of aesthetics, although Apple certainly became famous for that. I mean design as an understanding of how people interact with technology. Examples of Jobs’ design philosophy appear throughout the book, but the chapters about the birth of the iPod are particularly compelling. If you’re too young to remember the era of downloading songs from Napster and loading them onto MP3 players, here’s the context. By the early 2000s, Apple was entering a crowded digital music player market. Companies like Sony, Creative and Rio had already introduced devices that were packed with technical innovation, and they were growing in popularity among college students, commuters, and early adopters who preferred the solid state devices over larger, glitchy portable CD players. Yet Jobs believed the entire MP3 player category possessed a fundamental flaw: all the products were too complicated. More intuitive experience In envisioning the iPod, Jobs became obsessed with creating a more intuitive experience Actually, Jobs used more blunt language. He said they all “were deeply flawed.” They held only a handful of songs, and users struggled with frustrating menu trees to access their most basic functions. As for the software managing the devices’ music libraries? To quote the book, “Only a genius could figure out half of their features.” Jobs saw something the existing manufacturers didn’t. Their MP3 players weren’t offering the one thing that consumers wanted the most, an easier way to listen to music. In envisioning the iPod, Jobs became obsessed with creating a more intuitive experience. He challenged his team to eliminate unnecessary complexity and established a simple rule for the user interface: if a person wanted a song or a function, they should be able to get there in no more than three clicks. Incredibly sophisticated technology The result was a product that felt completely different to use. Apple took an incredibly sophisticated technology and made it approachable. The complexity didn’t disappear; it was just moved behind the curtain where the user didn’t have to think about it. Despite being a late entrant to the MP3 industry, Apple quickly became the dominant manufacturer in the category because of the iPod’s unmatched usability. Plenty of successful companies cared about usability, but Jobs made simplicity a strategic priority. While competitors were adding features and complexity, Apple was asking, “How do we make this easier?” Twenty years later, I still think that’s one of the most important questions any technology company can ask, and one that is shaping the next generation of security technology. Stronger security practices Making a system more secure meant adding steps, procedures, and user responsibilities Which brings me to where I spend most of my time these days: Identity verification. For years, the security industry viewed convenience and security as competing priorities. Making a system more secure meant adding steps, procedures, and user responsibilities. What’s exciting about modern biometrics is that we’re increasingly able to improve both simultaneously. In many ways, we’re applying Jobs’ three click philosophy to identity verification, reducing the interaction required from the user without compromising the strength of the underlying security. And by reducing friction, organizations can implement more frequent identity verification that supports stronger security practices. Biometric authentication experience The simplicity of the biometric authentication experience can make people underestimate the sophistication of the technology behind it. Just as iPod users didn’t have to think about file formats, manually transferring songs to their device, or navigating cumbersome menus, users of modern biometric systems don’t have to think about how their faces, palms, or fingerprints are converted into encrypted, mathematical templates that cannot be reverse engineered. Or how the system verifies that a live person, not a photo, is standing in front of it. Or how AI quietly adjusts for the naturally occurring, gradual changes in a person’s appearance, whether from age, lifestyle, or a few extra pounds. Interacting with a biometric identity solution is like listening to music on an iPod or today, an iPhone. You don’t even think about the incredible technology working in the background that makes the experience possible. For example, with facial authentication, the most frictionless form of identity verification, you look at a reader without even stopping. In a fraction of a second, the system accurately matches you to your digital identity with a false match rate as low as 1 in 10 billion! I consider that more like a ‘zero click’ solution. Providing better protection The challenge for manufacturers will be resisting the temptation to make them more complicated As our industry embraces AI, we can expect to see a new generation of products that can automate more tasks, synthesise more data, and deliver more functionality than ever before. The challenge for manufacturers will be resisting the temptation to make them more complicated. Product teams should take a page from Jobs’ playbook. Instead of focusing on what the latest technology makes possible, they should be asking, “What do our customers genuinely want? And how can we use technology to make that experience better? Easier? Simpler? As effortless as using your face to access your phone?” That’s the lesson of the iPod, and why a guy who never developed a security product has provided one of the most important lessons for our industry. Companies that build products people want to use will also be creating solutions that are adopted more broadly, used more consistently, and ultimately provide better protection.

When news broke that a Renoir painting had been stolen from an exhibition in the south of France, days after 600 diamonds were taken from a museum in Vienna, few in the art or security worlds would have been surprised. Europol had recently published “Changing Tactics, Changing Targets: The Evolving Nature of Museum Heists,” highlighting criminals’ growing focus on high-value objects and their increasing use of force. The latest theft also echoes the Louvre heist almost a year ago, both in how quickly it unfolded and in the security lessons it exposes. When every second counts Both French museum thefts happened in broad daylight. Both were fast. CCTV from the Renoir museum shows the perpetrators cutting through the perimeter fence early in the morning. Police were reportedly on site within five minutes of the alarm being raised. It still wasn’t fast enough. That matters. For many museums and galleries, simply building higher walls or stronger fences isn’t an option As criminals become bolder, custodians of national treasures and high-value objects need to rethink where protection begins. For many museums and galleries, simply building higher walls or stronger fences isn’t an option. These buildings are often architectural landmarks and public spaces. Turning them into fortresses defeats the point. But there is another lever security teams can pull: earlier detection. A few extra seconds of warning could give on-site security or nearby police the time they need to intervene before a work of art disappears. Forget the Hollywood lasers The cover of Europol’s museum heist report shows a criminal wielding a mallet in front of artefacts protected by red laser beams. It is the kind of security system made famous by films including “Entrapment,” “Ocean’s Twelve” and “The Thomas Crown Affair.” Virtual perimeters aren’t science fiction. But the technology available today looks very different. Museums and galleries need stronger protection without compromising their architecture or the visitor experience. One technology attracting attention is LiDAR, a spatial sensing system that uses lasers to understand what is happening within a physical environment An invisible perimeter The technology sends out laser pulses and takes millions of spatial measurements every second LiDAR is already used in environments ranging from railway stations and prisons to electricity substations. Its appeal lies in its accuracy and flexibility. It can operate indoors and outdoors, integrate with existing cameras, alarms and sensors and strengthen security without major physical alterations to a site. The technology sends out laser pulses and takes millions of spatial measurements every second, building a three-dimensional picture of its surroundings. Security teams can use that data to create virtual zones around a building, room or individual exhibit. Those zones can be changed as the site changes. Three-dimensional picture A museum perimeter, for example, might remain protected around the clock. A gallery being prepared for a new exhibition could be temporarily excluded while authorized staff work inside it. Once the zone becomes active again, an intrusion can trigger an immediate alert. The same principle can work while a museum is open. If someone gets too close to an exhibit, crowds begin to form or a person remains in a sensitive area, the system can alert staff or bring up feeds from relevant cameras. That means security teams can focus their attention where it is needed instead of relying on someone to spot every incident across banks of CCTV screens. Seeing what cameras can miss During an attempted robbery, LiDAR can identify the location and movement of people and vehicles During an attempted robbery, LiDAR can identify the location and movement of people and vehicles, including their direction and speed. It also has a significant advantage over conventional CCTV: it does not depend on external light. Detection can continue in bright daylight or complete darkness. That makes the perimeter less about a physical barrier and more about knowing, instantly, when someone crosses a line they shouldn’t. Security before the doors even open The technology can do more than detect intruders. Walk-through simulations allow teams to move through a virtual version of a site much as they would navigate an open-world computer game. Before an exhibition changes, teams can test how a new layout could affect visitor movement, identify blind spots and bottlenecks and assess evacuation routes. That gives security teams the chance to find problems before visitors arrive, not after something goes wrong. Protect the art, not the fortress Museums and galleries face a fundamental tension: make art and culture accessible while protecting objects that can be culturally irreplaceable and financially priceless. The answer cannot simply be more barriers. The next generation of museum security needs to detect threats sooner without getting between visitors and the works they came to see. The strongest perimeter may be the one nobody notices.

Across many sectors, AI is transitioning from an experimental process to a trusted tool, but how will construction - and architectural ironmongery specifically - balance this technological opportunity with traditional practice? Artificial intelligence was once considered the trend of tomorrow, but it’s now here, and already it’s impacting the design, specification and management of the built environment. Following a period of refined development, the technology is emerging as a valuable tool for architectural professionals, with its growing role signifying far more than a passing industry trend. Passing industry trend According to the Royal Institute of British Architects’ (RIBA) Artificial Intelligence Report 2025, 59% of architectural practices now use AI on at least some projects, an increase from 41% in 2024. Furthermore, a global survey led by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors in 2025 found that 56% of investors planned to increase AI investment, suggesting that the rate of adoption will continue to accelerate over the coming years. However, whilst innovation typically creates opportunity, there are challenges to address These findings represent a cultural shift, one where AI is firmly embedding itself into workflows and influencing the decision making process. However, whilst innovation typically creates opportunity, there are challenges to address. As more professionals equip themselves with an arsenal of AI-driven tools, are we in danger of becoming overly reliant on technology? Or are those reluctant to adapt likely to be left behind? Daniel May, Director at Consort Architectural Hardware, shares insight: Repetitive administration tasks “The development of the built environment has always relied on technical precision. Specifications naturally contain large volumes of product information and technical data, with professionals managing document-heavy tasks in the form of specification writing, door scheduling and BIM coordination in order to meet project requirements and compliance obligations. All of this data must be analyzed and processed accurately - often in line with demanding timescales - and it is here where AI can offer the greatest value.” “Where time was once consumed by repetitive administration tasks and information processing, professionals are now embracing AI as a means of working more efficiently. For architectural ironmongery specifically, where specification accuracy is critical, AI has the potential to support architects and specification professionals as they navigate the product selection process. As a tool, AI can streamline documentation by rapidly processing performance data and certification requirements, whilst also identifying inconsistencies and absent compliance information within schedules.” Complex project requirements “AI systems are helping professionals navigate increasingly complex project requirements quickly, accurately and consistently. As machine learning and autonomous models continue to advance, these tools may further reduce the administrative burden associated with architectural work models whilst improving accuracy and minimizing the risk of human error in the process. With that said, the effectiveness of AI software is very much reliant on the quality of the information it receives.” “With the sector so deeply tied to fire safety, accessibility, security and regulatory standards, the caution around adopting AI as common practice is of course justified. Historically, much of the construction industry has been measured in its adoption of new technology, partly due to the critical nature of compliance and the significant consequences of error. Though, AI feels somewhat different because of its pace and potential, and as such, organizations must be measured in their approach to it, ensuring that professional knowledge remains central to delivering safe, efficient and compliant building projects.” The human element As industry standards and the legislation surrounding the built environment continues to evolve, so too will the methods used to achieve high level design and compliance. Seemingly, AI looks set to have an increasingly prominent role, but it should be viewed as a collaborative partner capable of enhancing professional expertise as opposed to a system that can, or should, do it all. Daniel continues: “At this stage, AI alone simply can’t understand the nuances of individual projects and that has implications for both design and compliance. This is particularly relevant in the post-Grenfell regulatory landscape, where accountability, traceability and evidence-based decision-making have become fundamental to product specification and delivery.” Building greater trust “Although AI can assist with information processing, the technology is not ultimately responsible for the decisions being made. Accountability has rightly become a major focus point in construction, and as AI continues to disrupt practices, the industry must ensure that responsibility remains clearly defined. AI-driven errors could lead to serious penalties in relation to compliance, safety and project delivery, proving human expertise remains critical.” “Moving forward, greater transparency within AI systems will be key. If professionals are able to understand how or why AI recommendations have been generated, they can assess them with confidence, building greater trust in the technology.” Architectural design solutions “When it comes to architectural design, the emotional intelligence, contextual understanding and creative balance offered by a team of professionals far outweighs the speed that AI can offer. Already, AI is being used to support visualization and concept development for multi-layered projects in hospitality, healthcare and commercial environments to name a few, helping teams to explore ideas and communicate concepts at a quicker rate.” “However, can AI effectively develop architectural design solutions based on the bespoke requirements of a project, the operational needs of its users or even the general character of the building? Most would argue that it’s not conceivable, because AI lacks the lived experience and contextual understanding that comes from being present in the project itself.” Architectural ironmongery products “For architectural ironmongery products, professionals must regularly assess how products will function in real environments. Human intuition is impossible to replace and those informed design decisions, made by human professionals, will always be essential. Whilst some question whether AI could one day plan and deliver a project from concept to completion, perhaps the more important question should be whether future generations of professionals could lose the critical design and specification skills that are needed, should the industry become too dependent on AI.” “There is a growing sense of inevitability surrounding AI’s influence on architectural ironmongery and the wider built environment. As the industry continues to embrace this new wave of technological development, it is important to remember that innovation must complement the knowledge, judgement and accountability of the professionals who create safe and functional buildings, not replace it.”

Combining VIVOTEK’s branded video security business with March Networks paves the way for the combined brands to meet customers’ increasing appetite for integrated solutions rather than individual components. The merger brings VIVOTEK's branded video security business together under one operating structure with March Networks’ enterprise-grade video surveillance, AI analytics, and cloud-managed security solutions. Customers now have access to a broader, more integrated portfolio spanning enterprise video management, advanced cameras, edge artificial intelligence (AI), cloud services, recording platforms, and business intelligence, says Net Payne, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer at March Networks and VIVOTEK. Distinct product strategies Given the combined companies, product development, sales, marketing, and customer support can move in step rather than in parallel. March Networks and VIVOTEK were already both part of the Delta Electronics family, but they previously operated as separate businesses with distinct product strategies, teams, and routes to market. March Networks and VIVOTEK announced the merger of their branded video security businesses last spring following Delta Electronics' acquisition of remaining VIVOTEK shares. “Aligning our complementary capabilities lets us innovate faster, simplify engagement, and respond more quickly to a market moving toward AI, cloud and intelligent video,” says Payne. This merger reflects a broader shift across the physical security industry, adds Payne. “Customers no longer see video purely as a tool for reviewing incidents after the fact,” he says. “They expect it to help identify risks earlier, simplify investigations, improve operations, and support better decisions across the organization.” Cloud video management Meeting customer expectations requires more than bolting AI features onto existing systems Meeting customer expectations requires more than bolting AI features onto existing systems. Rather, it requires cameras, edge intelligence, recording, software, cloud services, and business data working together as one coordinated platform. “By bringing March Networks and VIVOTEK together, we combine deep expertise across the full video technology stack while preserving the relationships, sector knowledge and customer focus both companies have built over many years,” says Payne. “Our goal is to make intelligent video more integrated, scalable, and practical for customers and partners worldwide.” Both entities bring strengths to the combined companies. March Networks brings experience in enterprise software, cloud video management and large-scale deployments; while VIVOTEK brings strength in imaging, camera technology and edge intelligence. Together they seek to ensure more choice when designing systems, a clearer path for future expansion, and technologies that work together more effectively without compromising the reliability, cybersecurity, and support customers expect from both companies. Advantages for channel partners Channel partners gain a broader portfolio to address a wider range of customer requirements, combining components as each deployment demands. Channel partners also benefit from expanded geographic reach, deeper technical expertise, and greater investment in training and enablement. “Importantly, this is designed to be a seamless transition,” says Payne. “Partners keep working with the teams and relationships they already know, while gaining access to new capabilities and certification opportunities. Over time, that alignment should make it easier to design, deploy and support complete solutions.” Because they are established and respected brands, March Networks and VIVOTEK branding will continue to be used. Rebranding is not a goal, and neither identity is being replaced by the other. Coordinated decision-making “The immediate priority is organizational alignment by making it easier for customers and partners to benefit from the combined portfolio,” says Payne. Product branding will continue to reflect the relevant portfolio and market context. As product roadmaps become more closely coordinated, customers can expect greater interoperability and a more cohesive experience, says Payne. Any future branding changes will be managed carefully and communicated clearly. Combining the businesses reduces duplication and enables coordinated decision-making across product strategy, engineering, sales, marketing, operations, and customer support. “Instead of developing capabilities independently, teams can share their expertise, align roadmaps, and direct investment to where it has the greatest customer impact,” says Payne. Combining specialized knowledge globally The combined organization operates across six continents and more than 75 countries The combined organization includes more than 300 research and development (R&D) engineers across four Centres of Excellence in Canada, Taiwan, Italy and Poland, thus bringing together a substantial base of specialist knowledge. The unified network also sharpens the ability to prioritise global opportunities, respond to regional needs and bring innovations to market faster. The combined organization operates across six continents and more than 75 countries, supported by more than 1,100 certified channel partners. That footprint provides greater capacity to support multinational customers while staying responsive to local market needs. Looking ahead, future growth will increasingly come from helping customers turn video into useful, actionable intelligence. “The market is moving beyond conventional surveillance toward solutions combining AI, cloud services, edge processing, video management and operational data — and our new structure brings these together as one connected solution rather than several isolated technologies,” says Payne. Broader technical expertise There will also be closer collaboration among specialists in imaging, hardware, software, analytics, and cloud, which is important given how much customer infrastructure, regulatory, and deployment requirements vary. The companies can support cloud, hybrid, and on-premise environments, giving organizations a practical path toward more intelligent video. More choice comes from bringing together complementary technologies across product groups. Greater scale is achieved through a larger engineering organization, broader technical expertise and more capacity to invest in innovation. Challenges for the industry at large Looking to the future for the industry at large, the greatest challenge will be managing the rapid growth of AI Looking to the future for the industry at large, the greatest challenge will be managing the rapid growth of AI responsibly, securely and at scale, says Payne. Video systems will generate more data and automate more decisions, but organizations must be able to trust how that intelligence is created, protected, and applied, he adds. “Cybersecurity, privacy, data sovereignty, system interoperability and AI accuracy are more important than ever,” says Payne. Addressing these elements requires expertise across the entire technology stack: from camera and edge processing to recording, cloud infrastructure, video management and analytics. “Together, March Networks and VIVOTEK can coordinate development across all these layers, giving customers flexible architectures that balance innovation with security, transparency and operational control,” says Payne.

IQSIGHT seeks to bring visual intelligence to environments where clarity, reliability, and trust matter the most, says CEO Sabrina Stainburn. Formerly Bosch Video Systems, IQSIGHT is an intelligence-first video security company, combining more than 60 years of engineering expertise with real-time intelligence to help organizations see clearly, act confidently, and improve outcomes in environments when every second matters. While the brand is new, the technology, reliability, and trust behind it are familiar— the products still carry the Bosch name, and the engineering teams remain the same to ensure the continuation of the Bosch legacy. As a result, customers can expect the same standards they rely on today. Embracing emerging technologies IQSIGHT is embracing emerging technologies. “We are applying AI where it delivers value by helping systems understand what is happening and surface the events and patterns that matter most—so customers can detect risk earlier, make faster decisions, and operate with confidence,” says Stainburn. With intelligence at the edge, the cameras act as sensors to secure premises, make buildings safer, and monitor perimeters — without requiring a cloud connection. Edge-based AI also supports integration into existing systems to add visual intelligence without a rip-and-replace — such as adding cameras with visual gun detection outside of entrances or supplementing systems with the ability to detect clothing color and other attributes. IQSIGHT combines the Bosch video portfolio with new AI-enabled capabilities AI-enabled capabilities IQSIGHT combines the Bosch video portfolio with new AI-enabled capabilities designed to remove blind spots IQSIGHT combines the Bosch video portfolio with new AI-enabled capabilities designed to remove blind spots and support earlier, better-informed decisions. The portfolio continues to include intelligent cameras, such as the FLEXIDOME, AUTODOME, DINION, and MIC models, AI-enabled Intelligent Video Analytics Pro (IVA Pro) offerings, and recording and video management solutions, such as BVMS software. This year, the portfolio will also expand with technologies and solutions built on IQSIGHT’s new intelligence-first platform. Vertical markets that are core to the strategy include government, critical infrastructure, education, and smart cities, all industries closely connected with safety, continuity, and operational performance. In these environments, visual intelligence helps organizations address practical challenges — securing perimeters, enhancing safety, and improving traffic flow — so they can operate securely and efficiently. Visual intelligence helps organizations address practical challenges Operating securely and efficiently “Reliability is essential in these industries, and our cameras are engineered to Bosch quality standards and designed to perform in demanding conditions, including extreme weather, while delivering dependable video and accurate analytics where it matters most,” says Stainburn. “These strengths make our video solutions ideal for any industry where security must be uncompromised.”   IQSIGHT evolves from the sale of Bosch’s security and communications technology product business to European investment firm Triton on June 30, 2025. The product brands for video systems, access control, intrusion systems, and communications systems united under the roof of the new company Keenfinity Group. New organizational structure The Keenfinity Group now operates as a holding company consisting of four businesses In late 2025, Keenfinity Group introduced a new organizational structure designed to unlock the next chapter of growth and innovation. The Keenfinity Group now operates as a holding company consisting of four businesses, including the video systems business now called IQSIGHT. Bosch has a long history of partnerships and integrations, and partnerships will remain essential to how IQSIGHT delivers value and flexibility for customers. “We work closely with technology partners to ensure customers can use visual intelligence within the platforms and architectures that best fit their operations,” says Stainburn. Secure-by-design approach Deep integrations include VMS platforms, such as Genetec and Milestone, thus enabling real-time insights across on-premise and cloud environments. This approach gives customers choice — without compromising performance, security, or reliability, according to IQSIGHT. “Continually strengthening our existing partnerships is vital, and we regularly add capabilities to these integrations to deliver new features to enhance security and safety for customers,” says Stainburn. “Cybersecurity is not a feature for us — it’s a foundation,” Stainburn emphasises. “As video systems become more connected and intelligence moves closer to the edge, trust must be designed in from the start. We take a secure-by-design approach across our hardware, software, and integrations. That means protecting data at every stage — from capture to analysis to delivery.” Combining sight and intelligence Just as important, the company works closely with partners and customers to ensure systems fit into their broader security and IT strategies. “When organizations rely on video to make critical decisions, security and reliability must be non-negotiable,” says Stainburn. Stainburn sees video as evolving from traditional surveillance into “visual intelligence” — moving from simply recording events to understanding what is happening in real time. By combining sight and intelligence, organizations can see patterns, giving them the power to predict events that may happen. Proactively addressing risks Stainburn sees video as evolving from traditional surveillance into “visual intelligence” Traditionally, video security was based on video surveillance — an investigative tool for users to review what has already happened. With AI, users can take a different approach — looking at patterns to better secure their premises and have the foresight to intervene before incidents escalate. AI helps systems understand what is happening in a scene, enabling them to discern between a person standing at a train platform and an individual vandalising a train platform, someone holding a power drill versus someone holding a gun. “This level of visual intelligence brings clarity to unfolding events to assist users in proactively addressing risks,” says Stainburn. AI-enabled video systems With foresight, end users can prevent those events from occurring or other issues from escalating. The ability to discern patterns can also influence decisions around safety, resource use, and the customer experience, says Stainburn. “While security will always remain core, we expect visual intelligence to play an increasingly important role in improving operational efficiency across many environments over the next five years.” Not all AI-enabled video systems are equal. Edge, cloud, and GenAI-based tools have different strengths and selecting one approach over another depends on the application or the problem customers need to solve. IQSIGHT works closely with integrators and end users to understand the challenges they are addressing and to provide guidance on the best AI approach to reduce risks, lower response times, and improve operations. Proof of concept projects are important to demonstrating performance in the real world. That’s where IQSIGHT gains an advantage with solutions that deliver reliable results even in challenging conditions, says Stainburn.

Security professionals are recognizing the intelligence value of leveraging publicly and commercially available information. This information can now be accessed more effectively from typically hard-to-reach regions. Also, the technological capabilities have matured in our age of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data science. Intelligence has historically been based on classified data. However, today’s unclassified data, including open-source intelligence (OSINT), is increasingly being used to provide context and queuing for other types of intelligence. Advanced identity intelligence Babel Street is a technology company providing advanced identity intelligence and risk operations using an AI-enabled data-to-knowledge platform to unlock insights from a flood of data. The company provides advanced data analytics and intelligence for the world’s most trusted government and commercial organizations. Experts have predicted that by 2025 over 463 exabytes of data will be generated each day globally The sheer volume of data is growing exponentially. Experts have predicted that by 2025 over 463 exabytes of data will be generated each day globally. Not only are we seeing exponential growth in the volume of data, but there is also disparity in the veracity and the variety of data. This is being compounded by the ‘app economy’ in which data is created in a new format for every app added around the globe. Human language technology “The problem is that the data ‘junk’ and the ‘crown jewels’ are in the same bucket, and government and commercial entities need better and faster ways to extract intelligence from these torrents of data,” says Farid Moussa, VP, Strategy & Public Sector, Babel Street. Prior to joining Babel Street, Farid retired from the National Security Agency (NSA). He has guided video, image, speech, and text analytics (VISTA) and developed an appreciation for human language technology. An elusive source of data is the Dark Web, where every user, by design, is attempting to obfuscate their identity, and bad actors are hiding much better. “This presents a cat and mouse game – the cat must be smarter than the mouse, but the mouse is continually getting smarter,” says Moussa. Intelligence tools for data analysis SIGINT and HUMINT – while both vital – are also the most expensive forms of intelligence There are several intelligence tools for analyzing data. One of them is signals intelligence (SIGINT), which refers to electronic transmissions collected by ships, planes, ground sites, or satellites. Another is human intelligence (HUMINT), which is collected in a human-to-human fashion. Open-source intelligence (OSINT) is obtained by searching on topics or entities of interest that are publicly available on the Internet at large. Today, these various categories are often done in ‘silos of excellence.’  However, the best practice is using all forms together in a holistic fashion. SIGINT and HUMINT – while both vital – are also the most expensive forms of intelligence, while OSINT, which is growing in importance, is most cost-effective. All are vital forms of intelligence; OSINT is complementary and crucial to holistic intelligence practices. Holistic intelligence practices When it comes to physical security of people and places, OSINT has become a critical source of actionable information. Security directors leverage Publicly Available Information (PAI) to safeguard against threats to individuals, property, travel routes, and event sites. By monitoring PAI, security teams can detect and respond to potential dangers, including during and after events where thorough preparation is vital. Online information can contain warning signs of impending threats. It informs security professionals in uncovering digital traces, confirming intentions, and addressing risks across language barriers, ensuring proactive risk management for the protection of people and property. Role of Natural Language Processing (NLP) The Internet and social media were mostly English language by default, but that has changed exponentially Natural Language Processing (NLP) is a crucial capability that has evolved to recognize the richness and variety of words and names in multiple languages and scripts, and their use across cultures. Using machine learning and linguistics algorithms, the technology simultaneously considers numerous types of name variations. At one time, the Internet and social media were mostly English language by default, but that has changed exponentially.  Babel Street’s world-class entity matching technology measures over 100 features to calculate the similarity of entities across multiple languages. Despite advances in data management and the cloud, there are still multiple challenges and complexities with integration of these data elements. Challenges include spelling variances/phonetics, language translation issues, criminal evasion, human error upon input, typos, etc. Accessing data from a scattered landscape While there have been advancements in cloud technologies, agencies utilizing open-source data are typically working within a highly scattered data landscape and must use a wide array of tools to get at the relevant pieces. This fragmentation makes it difficult to run analytics and apply AI and machine learning at scale in order to derive actionable insights.  Unstructured and relationship data are visualised through advanced link analysis As with many disciplines, artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the game when it comes to intelligence. NLP and AI algorithms are employed to enhance datasets for greater quality, usability, and completeness. Unstructured and relationship data are visualized through advanced link analysis, geographic heat maps, influential entity carousels, topic clouds, and patterns by time and day. Geographic heat maps The advanced algorithms accurately score and prioritize critical entities within the relationship network while providing the citations from which an AI/ML-based decision was made. “With the democratization of AI, the world is becoming flat,” says Moussa. “Just like the most prosperous countries, even the poorest countries have the most advanced capabilities to do damage. Third-world economies often present a scenario where the financial gain of nefarious schemes and low-to-no regulation combine to incentivize bad actors.” The Challenges of Name Matching Identity has been an ongoing challenge for intelligence analysis due to the vast complexity of linguistics, spelling and cultural variances, human error, as well as human evasion. Technology and data science approaches are maturing, however machine translation can still struggle with meaning. The best-of-breed natural language processing capabilities run against the data while it still is in its native language. This minimizes the occurrence of analytic errors caused by inaccurate machine translations. This minimizes the occurrence of analytic errors caused by inaccurate machine translations It’s tempting to think that name matching is like doing a keyword search. The complexity of language makes it more challenging. New names are constantly created, with multiple spellings and no set of rules to encompass how names are formed. They are variable across languages, scripts, cultures, and ethnicities. Culturally specific nicknames and aliases add to the complexity. Replacing human involvement The investigation of the Boston Marathon Bombing in 2013 spotlighted an example of the significance of intelligence analysis. Even though the FBI had issued a detain alert for Tamerlan Tsarnaev back in 2011, Tsarnaev managed to travel to Russia in January 2012; and in July 2012, he returned to Boston. He was not detained on either occasion because there were too many names on the lists, and Tsarnaev’s last name had been spelled differently from the way it was on travel documents, thus enabling him to get through security. With the Internet, social media, and the dark web, there’s been an exponential increase in public communications in various languages, adding significantly to the amount of analysis required to keep societies safe. Name matching, using AI, analyses multiple contextual data points across languages to arrive at matches. Name matching, using AI, analyzes multiple contextual data points across languages to arrive at matches A common misconception is that this technology will replace human intelligence. “It’s more accurate to recognize its role as a force-multiplier, allowing humans to focus on the on the harder problems and/or vetting the results of AI,” says Moussa. “The technology can efficiently analyze massive volumes of data and distill it into actionable information in a timely manner. It augments human capabilities, enabling analysis at speed and scale beyond human capacity, without replacing human involvement.” Commercial Technology to the rescue “When it comes to threat and identity intelligence, we face a risk-confidence gap, underscored by the challenge of integrating traditional tactics with the modern digital landscape,” adds Moussa. “We cannot ‘hire’ our way out of this problem. Instead, it is imperative that we adopt technology to scale our efforts and free humans to solve the harder problems that machines cannot solve yet.” The public sector loves to build things, but there are time-to-value and return-on-investment considerations to the ‘build or buy’ decision. When commercial technology can be leveraged by government, it frees resources up to work on problems that the commercial world hasn’t yet figured out, says Moussa. “The public and private sectors need to come together – one team, one nation, working together with mutual trust and collaboration,” he says.

At the Golden Phoenix Casino in Northern Cyprus, first-class entertainment, hospitality, and security go hand in hand. With its Dallmeier video security solution, the casino has created the right conditions to reliably protect guests, employees, and assets while making the day-to-day work of the surveillance team more efficient. The Golden Phoenix Casino is part of the Limak Cyprus Deluxe Hotel, combining the upscale atmosphere of a luxury resort with a diverse casino experience. The property belongs to the portfolio of Limak Hotels, a Turkish hotel group operating upscale resorts and city hotels, primarily in Türkiye and Cyprus. Professionally organized operations For guests, the focus is on the experience: entertainment, excitement, and the unique atmosphere of a modern casino should be enjoyed with complete peace of mind. Behind the scenes, this requires a high level of security and professionally organized operations. Wherever large numbers of guests, gaming tables, slot machines, and cash transactions come together, security personnel need to maintain a clear overview of what is happening at all times. Video surveillance was considered an integral part of the overall concept from the very beginning, when the Golden Phoenix Casino was built. The Dallmeier solution was therefore designed from the outset to meet the specific requirements of casino operations. The goal was to combine a high level of security with efficient processes and reliable compliance with regulatory requirements. Comprehensive situational awareness Particular attention is paid to gaming tables, slot machines, cash handling areas, as well as entrances and exits. Across an area of approximately 1,200 m², security personnel need to reliably identify potential fraud or cheating, theft, disputes, and other suspicious activities. “In casino operations, it is essential to maintain a clear overview of all critical areas at all times. When an incident occurs, we need to be able to quickly reconstruct the relevant situation so that we can make informed decisions and respond without delays,” explains Kaan Kaşif Kavaloğlu, Chairman of the Executive Board at Limak Tourism Group. Together with Dallmeier Türkiye, a video security solution was developed that is specifically tailored to these requirements and provides comprehensive situational awareness. Key reasons for choosing Dallmeier included the company’s extensive experience in casino environments, reliable image quality, and the long-term stability of its systems. Video management system More than 120 single-sensor cameras and over 30 PTZ cameras monitor the casino’s relevant areas. Four IPS 10000 systems with JBOD storage provide the required recording retention period. The high-resolution recordings make it possible to review and reconstruct events afterward, providing evidence that can be used in court. A Dallmeier video management system is used to centrally control and manage the video surveillance system. It enables authorized personnel to directly access relevant camera images and recordings whenever needed. “A good video security solution in a casino is about more than just providing high-quality images. The real value lies in giving employees rapid access to the information they need to reliably assess a situation,” says Orhan Yörükoğlu, Director of Dallmeier Türkiye A.Ş. Critical control situations This time saving is one of the key benefits in day-to-day operations. In addition, automated monitoring tasks reduce the workload for employees and contribute to greater operational efficiency. For example, improved system response times, particularly during playback, have minimised customer wait times during critical control situations. “For us, the main benefit is being able to focus our attention on the events that actually require it. This makes our work easier and gives us a reliable basis for decision-making,” says Eren Oran, Surveillance Manager, Golden Phoenix Casino. Specified retention periods The direct collaboration between the Golden Phoenix Casino and Dallmeier Türkiye ensured an implementation that was consistently aligned with the actual requirements of casino operations. “Our goal was not to install as much technology as possible,” summarises Orhan Yörükoğlu. “What mattered was creating a solution that supports security personnel in their specific tasks while making processes throughout the casino more efficient.” In addition to operational and regulatory requirements, data protection and data security play a central role. The Dallmeier solution is designed to reliably meet the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This includes secure storage of video data, clearly defined access rights, and specified retention periods. In this way, the solution supports the compliant handling of video recordings. Efficient casino operations While guests can focus entirely on entertainment, excitement, and the casino’s distinctive atmosphere, security personnel maintain a clear overview of events behind the scenes. The Dallmeier video solution provides the Golden Phoenix Casino with a stable foundation for efficient casino operations – both today and in the future. Its long-term stability and scalability allow the system to adapt to new requirements and expand as needed. This provides investment protection while maintaining the flexibility needed going forward. In 1984, Dieter Dallmeier founded what is now Dallmeier electronic – not in the proverbial garage, but in a garden shed in Regensburg, Germany. Today, the company, which can justifiably call itself a hidden champion for video information technology "Made in Germany", has several hundred employees worldwide, more than 250 of them at the company headquarters in the center of Regensburg alone. Tangible customer benefits Dallmeier's camera, recording, software, and analysis solutions optimize security and processes for B2B end customers in a wide range of industries in over 60 countries. The focus is on users from the casino, smart city, airports, logistics, stadiums, and industrial sectors. But also, banks, critical infrastructure facilities as well as medium-sized companies from all sectors. With pioneering innovations, Dallmeier has succeeded time and again in placing itself at the forefront of technology: From the world's first digital image storage system with motion analysis in 1992, the patented "multifocal sensor technology" Panomera® with its "Mountera®" mounting system, to the latest Domera® camera family, which allows up to 300 camera variants with only 18 components. These and many other innovations provide real, tangible customer benefits. Complete manufacturing process And with a low Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and a high Return on Investment (ROI) they can easily compete with systems produced and supplied from low-wage countries. With "Made in Germany", they also guarantee their customers the highest standards in data protection, cybersecurity, and ethical responsibility. With high quality and short supply chains, they also ensure – almost incidentally – sustainability and environmental protection. From their prestigious headquarters in the center of Regensburg, Dallmeier not only carries out its own research and development but also the complete manufacturing process – from component to product to solution.

Digitalising access presents a specific challenge in heritage buildings: how to protect these premises against 21st-century threats while preserving the unique building fabric? Choosing a programmable smart key system provided the solution at a historic Prague monastery. The Franciscan Monastery is a living space which, in addition to its spiritual mission, hosts exhibitions, baptisms, and community meetings. Managers must therefore effectively control access to individual parts of the building, to retain an overview of the movement of people, and at the same time react flexibly to events. Streamline key management The original access system could no longer meet their requirements. Key management was complex; there was a lack of clarity; and risks associated with the loss or non-return of site keys increased. They wanted to upgrade access security to streamline key management and minimize risks associated with missing keys. Another essential element was that any software for this enhanced control over key and space management should be user-friendly and operable even by non-technical staff. Above all, preserving the historic character of the building was non-negotiable. No invasive installation process was possible. Leaning into ASSA ABLOY expertise in the heritage sector helped monastery managers to identify the right solution. Combining mechanical robustness Based on these requirements, a CLIQ system was the preferred choice. The ASSA ABLOY eCLIQ smart key solution combines mechanical robustness with intelligent electronics; it enables modern access management without any need for cabling. “Even in historic buildings, our eCLIQ smart key system can be implemented efficiently while preserving safety, aesthetics, and flexibility,” explains Ondřej Gajdoš, Acquisition Sales Manager at ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions. Thirty-five wire-free cylinders were installed and 90 programmable keys distributed, with everything now managed in intuitive software which allows staff to easily set and edit access rights according to evolving needs – whether for employees and visitors, or to stage one-off events. One CLIQ advantage for the monastery is the ability for staff to respond immediately to any risky situation. If someone loses their key, for example, its authorisations are quickly blocked without any need to replace cylinders – saving time and money while also safeguarding security. Streamlining daily operations The CLIQ solution is also wire-free, so installation took place without interfering with the historic structure. It fully respects the architectural value of the building. By deploying CLIQ, the monastery has gained a modern access management tool that significantly increases security while streamlining daily operations. The solution brought not only a higher level of security and more efficient key management, but also the necessary flexibility for more dynamic use of space around the site. If needed, expansion of their system in the future is totally seamless: the CLIQ system’s reach can scale as the monastery’s needs evolve.

Background - An educational institution in Mexico has experienced continuous growth in its campus infrastructure over recent years, expanding its facilities to support academic, administrative, and student activities. As the campus developed, the need for a reliable and scalable video surveillance system became increasingly critical to ensure safety, operational efficiency, and centralized security management across multiple buildings. The institution required a long-term security partner capable of supporting gradual expansion while maintaining system stability and performance. Video surveillance system Challenge - Initially, the institution did not have any video surveillance system in place. The first challenge was to deploy a reliable solution for a single building while ensuring that the system could be expanded in the future. As additional buildings were constructed, the surveillance system grew in scale, increasing the number of cameras and operational demands. The institution faced the challenge of migrating the entire system to a more modern platform without disrupting daily operations, while also ensuring centralized management, improved efficiency, and future readiness. Enhancing operational efficiency Solutions - VIVOTEK was initially selected to deploy the institution’s first video surveillance system, providing reliable IP cameras and a dedicated server to secure the first building on campus. Over time, the institution sought to strengthen campus-wide coverage and modernise its security operations. Building on the proven reliability of the existing VIVOTEK ecosystem, they opted to upgrade the entire system to the latest platform to enhance operational efficiency and support long-term growth. A key reason the institution chose VIVOTEK was the platform’s continuity and future-ready design. Compared to competing alternatives, VIVOTEK offered perpetual licenses, allowing the system to expand and evolve without incurring recurring licensing costs. This long-term upgradeability was an important differentiator and aligned with the institution’s need for a solution that could grow and modernise over time, confirming VIVOTEK’s commitment to seamless upgrade paths and technological continuity. Throughout this process, VIVOTEK’s flexible architecture and strong technical support ensured a smooth transition, reinforcing the customer’s confidence in their long-term investment and in the platform’s ability to support future integrations and enhancements. Providing a scalable foundation Result and customer feedback – “For the institution, the transition to VIVOTEK VSS has resulted in a significant improvement in both performance and operational efficiency. The upgraded platform has enhanced overall campus security and provided a scalable foundation that fits perfectly with its long-term growth plans. Today, the institution feels confident knowing that it has a reliable, future-proof system that ensures a safe environment for both students and staff.” “The institution is very satisfied with the continuity and upgradeability that VIVOTEK has offered over the years. The transition to VSS has validated the long-term value promised at the outset of the project. Looking ahead, they are eager to explore how their current infrastructure can be integrated with VORTEX and what additional services and solutions can benefit them. This confirms their confidence in choosing a platform that not only meets their current needs but also supports their future development.”- Eduardo Domínguez Alatorre, Special Projects – ECS Network.

Dubai Parks and Resorts, the Middle East’s largest integrated theme park destination, has introduced Gunnebo Entrance Control’s SpeedStile FLs gates to strengthen safety, security and the overall guest experience across its attractions. Since opening in 2016, Dubai Parks and Resorts has become one of the region’s most popular leisure destinations, welcoming guests from across the world to enjoy more than 100 rides and experiences across its 232-hectare site. Single-person detection technology The resort brings together four award-winning theme parks, a water park, Riverland Dubai as a themed leisure and dining district and the Lapita Hotel Dubai, a Polynesian-style resort designed for families. With its scale and variety, the resort faces the challenge of ensuring guests experience a smooth entry without compromising on safety or security. To meet these requirements, Dubai Parks and Resorts selected Gunnebo Entrance Control’s SpeedStile FLs. Designed for high-traffic environments, the gates combine a sleek design with advanced single-person detection technology to ensure only authorized visitors are granted entry. High level of security Since implementation, visitor entry has become more efficient across the resort, helping guests move smoothly through access points, even during the busiest times of day, while maintaining high security standards. The solution supports both the guest experience and the operational requirements of a large and complex destination, balancing efficient throughput with robust entrance control. The SpeedStile FLs provides valuable data insights on visitor flow, giving management greater visibility into how people move around the site. Gates can also be configured remotely, offering flexibility to adapt to different visitor types and operational requirements. Integrating with the resort’s existing ticketing and validation systems helps the resort optimize staffing and streamline operations, while maintaining a high level of security. Robust entrance control Clear visual indicators and audio signals make them intuitive to use, reducing the need for staff assistance. The gates are also engineered to handle high visitor throughput, coping easily with the surges in footfall that theme parks experience at different times of day. Fadi Yakoub, Project Director for Gunnebo Entrance Control, added: “Dubai Parks and Resorts is a destination recognized worldwide for its scale and ambition. We are proud to see our SpeedStile FLs supporting such a landmark site, helping the team deliver a safe, secure and seamless experience for every guest. It demonstrates how entrance control can go beyond security to add value in both operational efficiency and a seamless visitor experience.”

Premier Inn, Ilford, has completed a major upgrade to its fire alarm infrastructure with the installation of Advanced MxPro 5 fire panels, providing comprehensive Category L1 protection throughout the nine‑storey hotel. As a busy hospitality environment accommodating guests around the clock, the hotel required a robust and reliable fire detection system capable of delivering early warning across all areas of the building. The project involved a full system upgrade, with new detection installed throughout communal spaces, guest bedrooms, kitchen and dining areas, and roof spaces, ensuring maximum protection for both guests and staff. Effective occupant warning The new fire system comprises three Advanced MxPro 5 panels, including two four‑loop panels and one single‑loop panel, networked to cover all nine floors of the hotel. Detection has been installed throughout communal areas and bedrooms, with sounder beacons provided within each bathroom and accessible room to support effective occupant warning. The system is also connected to a pager system to assist hard‑of‑hearing guests, enhancing inclusivity and safety. Haskell Fire & Security Ltd was responsible for the full design, installation, and commissioning of the fire alarm system. The team worked on site to complete the final stages of installation and commissioning as part of the hotel’s refurbishment program, delivering a modern fire system designed to meet the operational demands of a live hospitality setting. Live hospitality setting Lee Haskell, Managing Director at Haskell Fire & Security Ltd, said: “This project was all about delivering maximum protection without compromise. The MxPro 5 is a fantastic product, and it’s one we specify wherever possible. It gives us the flexibility, reliability and ease of commissioning we need, while providing the client with a system that’s simple to manage and built for the long term.” Advanced’s MxPro 5 was recommended as a replacement for the originally installed system, offering greater flexibility through its open‑protocol design and consistency with fire systems installed across other Premier Inn sites. With powerful processing, intuitive configuration software and extensive cause‑and‑effect capabilities, the panel is well-suited to complex, multi‑storey hospitality buildings. Robust fire protection Salvy Vittozzi, Advanced’s Regional Sales Manager for the South East, added: “Hotels place unique demands on fire systems, with high occupancy, varied risk areas and the need for clear, reliable protection at all times. The MxPro 5 is designed for exactly these environments, combining powerful performance with ease of use for installers and end users alike. The Premier Inn, Ilford installation is a great example of how the system can deliver Category L1 protection across a busy, multi‑floor site.” With the upgrade now complete, Premier Inn, Ilford, benefits from a modern, high‑performance fire alarm system that supports early detection, clear occupant warning and long‑term reliability. The installation demonstrates how Advanced’s MxPro 5 can be successfully deployed in hospitality settings to deliver robust fire protection and peace of mind.

Genetec Inc., the pioneer in enterprise physical security software, announces that Newark Central School District (NCSD) in New York has expanded its deployment of Genetec Security Center across seven buildings. The district has connected video surveillance, access control, emergency communications, and sensors to help staff assess incidents and coordinate their response. NCSD serves approximately 1,800 students and nearly 600 staff. Its security environment had grown over time, and administrators were managing several technologies separately. The district needed a clearer view of activity across its buildings and a more coordinated way to respond when incidents occurred. Managing several technologies “It was a multi-year project, but we can confidently say it was worth it. With the help of Convergint and Genetec, we’ve improved our processes and have a clearer picture of what’s happening across our district,” said Mike Ishler, Co-Director of Technology at NCSD. “Our students and staff feel safer, and our community has greater confidence in what we’re doing to keep it that way.” Working with Convergint, NCSD expanded its existing Security Center deployment to connect video surveillance, access control, emergency communications, and other sensors through a single platform. By retaining its existing camera infrastructure and deploying upgrades in phases, the district was able to enhance its security capabilities while managing costs. Existing camera infrastructure Today, NCSD manages more than 400 cameras, 200 doors, 500 cardholders, 30 vape sensors, and several automatic license plate recognition (ALPR) cameras through Security Center. By bringing these technologies into one platform, the district has improved security operations in several key areas: Faster incident response: Automated alerts provide designated personnel with linked video to quickly assess incidents, while centralized monitoring and lockdown procedures help coordinate emergency response. Simplified access management: Integration with Microsoft Active Directory automatically assigns building access based on employee roles, reducing manual tasks and keeping permissions up to date. Reduced vaping incidents: When a vape sensor is triggered, Security Center bookmarks the event and notifies school administrators and the school resource officer for further investigation. Vaping incidents decreased by approximately 93%. Security Center’s open architecture gives NCSD the flexibility to introduce additional technologies as its needs change. Through an ongoing service agreement with Convergint, the district has access to remote support, maintenance, and on-site help when needed.

Inflation surged dramatically because of supply disruptions and high energy costs following the COVID pandemic and given the Russia-Ukraine conflict. More recently, inflation has cooled significantly, although it still has not achieved the historically targeted rate of 2%. Factors such as tariffs and the Iran war continue to drive broader inflation. The physical security market faces its own multiple trends that continue to drive inflation of the industry's products and services. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: What is the current state of price inflation in the security market, and what is the outlook for the near future?

Passwords originated in ancient times, used by Roman military forces around the first century BC. Since then, passwords have evolved from physical words to the computer access control tools used today. Passwords are easy to implement, widely supported, and familiar to users. However, they are easily forgotten, stolen through phishing, prone to reuse, and vulnerable to credential-harvesting or brute-force attacks. We asked our Expert Panel: What is the role of passwords in physical security?

Biometrics today provide better security and frictionless user experiences. Biometric identifiers like fingerprints, facial recognition, and iris scans are unique and difficult to forge. They eliminate the vulnerabilities of traditional authentication and streamline secure access control. Identity verification reliably protects sensitive digital information and physical entry. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: How is the role of biometrics evolving in physical access control?