Security cameras

XSponse, a provider of connected safety and emergency response technology, announces the appointment of Richie Perna as Chief Revenue Officer (CRO), effective September 19. Perna will lead XSponse’s national go-to-market strategy as the company moves into its next phase of growth and market expansion. Perna joins XSponse at a pivotal point in the company’s growth. Following a recent strategic investment from Armory Capital, XSponse is accelerating its national expansion and moving from a period of rapid product development into a more aggressive phase of market development, demand creation and commercial growth. Emergency response technology The appointment also reunites Perna with XSponse CEO Lee Mandel, with whom he spent nearly eight years building strategy, expanding into new markets and scaling a security business through a successful exit. “Richie is not a traditional CRO, and that is exactly why I wanted him in this role,” said Lee Mandel, CEO of XSponse. “He is a market maker. He understands customers and this industry, knows how to create demand where it doesn’t yet exist, and has the ability to build relationships and open doors that very few people can. I’ve already built a business alongside Richie, and I know what happens when we put the right product in front of him. Bringing him to XSponse full time is a major part of our plan to take this company nationwide.” Broad connected technology ecosystem As CRO, Perna’s role will extend well beyond traditional sales leadership, with broad responsibility for how XSponse is positioned, brought to market and expanded nationally. He will lead the company’s go-to-market strategy, strategic partnerships, channel development and demand creation, with K-12 as a core focus, while building the market presence and commercial momentum needed for XSponse’s next stage of growth. A major part of that strategy will be simplifying how XSponse goes to market. The company has developed a broad connected technology ecosystem in a relatively short period of time, and Perna will focus on bringing those capabilities to customers through clearly defined solutions built around specific operational and safety challenges. Life-safety technology “We have incredible technology, but great technology by itself doesn’t build a great company,” said Perna. “The market has to understand it, customers have to want it, and partners have to know how to bring it to their customers. That’s where I see the opportunity. My job is to help make XSponse a company that people across this industry know, create real demand for what we’ve built, and put us in the rooms and markets where we belong.” Perna most recently served as Chief Strategy Officer at Day Automation / Stark Tech, where his work centered on strategic growth, market development and large-scale school safety and security initiatives. His experience spans physical security, public address and intercom systems, emergency communications and mass notification, access control, video surveillance, lockdown systems and integrated life-safety technology. Public safety stakeholders Throughout his career, Perna has worked closely with school district leaders, technology and facilities professionals, public safety stakeholders, consultants, manufacturers, integrators and other industry partners. His approach has consistently centered on understanding the customer’s actual operational challenge first, then bringing together the technology, relationships and strategy needed to solve it. “Security and communications have become too fragmented,” Perna added. “Customers need technology that connects seamlessly with their operations, strengthens performance and delivers meaningful value. They need systems that work together and give people better information when something happens. XSponse has an opportunity to become the connective layer across that environment. That’s a much bigger story than any one product.”

ViewScan, Inc., a provider of AI-Powered Monitoring for Security & Operational Intelligence, announces the company has recently launched its new product release & redesigned website with enhanced features to better support its customers. The new website boasts revamped content and resources which includes real-world AI event videos to new case studies, white papers, client testimonials, and an FAQ section. The new website features a fresh look that encapsulates a modern, contemporary design with easier navigation for partners and customers. In addition, there will soon be a ROI calculator on the website that will allow customers to clearly understand the potential savings in staffing, employee efficiency and energy performance to help save money. Cost-effective solutions The company has also expanded ViewScan Protect with enhanced analytics, faster response times, and earlier intervention capabilities. “We are excited to launch our revamped AI software solution and new website to help our customers access resources and improve not only security, but operational efficiency with our ViewScan Protect ecosystem,” states David Antar, President at ViewScan, Inc. “We pride ourselves on staying at the forefront of AI technology and keeping our customers’ privacy protected with flexible and cost-effective solutions that monitor their facilities 24/7 for total peace of mind. Our mission has always been to create a smarter, safer and healthier world and ViewScan's latest innovation in AI driven technology accomplishes this, while potentially saving our customers money.” AI-powered monitoring system ViewScan Protect is changing the game in AI video intelligence by offering a unique solution for end users looking for one AI-powered monitoring system that can do it all. The software monitors not only video, but environmental sensors that send alerts for any type of smart building events. This new product release demonstrates ViewScan’s commitment to intelligent AI, human judgment, and privacy protection. The ViewScan Protect software ecosystem is built on three core components: an AI Engine, a series of advanced AI models delivering multiple analytics on any video stream; an Event Manager that continuously analyses video and sensor signals and generates real-time alerts; and front-end software that creates a true "single pane of glass" for situational awareness, usable by ViewScan operators, the end user, or a hybrid of both. Detecting human presence The pipeline follows five steps: Capture, Detect, Verify, Deter, Escalate. Cameras send video feeds and sensors send alerts to an on-site gateway, where ViewScan’s on-premise AI software analyses the footage in real time, detecting human presence, loitering, sensor abnormalities, area-crossing behavior, and other objects of interest. A TMA-certified remote operator, drawn from a team staffed by U.S. veterans, verifies each alert to ensure it’s not a false trigger. The operator then attempts to deter trespassers through live audio talk-down. If the trespasser does not leave, the operator escalates the situation to local police or an on-site security team; helping to prevent any further incident.

Comelit-PAC’s GDX Next has been specified by Magnus Electrical to bring a new door entry system with access control to 20 Moore Street in Glasgow, without requiring the building’s existing cabling to be replaced. Serving 22 flats across the development, the new system has been installed across two main entrance doors, replacing the existing digital audio door entry system. For Magnus Electrical, the ability to work with the existing cabling was a key factor in selecting GDX Next. Moore Street installation Magnus Electrical has worked with GDX on several projects and was already familiar with the platform. Following discussions with Comelit-PAC, the company selected GDX Next for the Moore Street installation, combining their experience with the requirements of the refurbishment. Tom Chalmers, Contracts Manager at Magnus Electrical said: “For a refurbishment like this, keeping the installation process as seamless as possible allows residents to get on with their day-to-day lives. The aim was to keep the turnaround and disruption to a minimum while giving upgrading the door entry solution, and GDX Next, alongside with the technical and design excellence of Comelit-PAC allowed us to achieve this.” Access control hardware GDX Next combines Comelit door entry technology with PAC access control hardware, supporting audio and video door entry alongside integrated access management. Its common hardware and cabling structure across handset options is intended to simplify installation and future upgrades, while systems can be managed through standalone, PC-based or cloud-based configurations. The platform offers different approaches to access management, including multi-technology readers and a range of handset options, allowing systems to be configured around the requirements of individual residential buildings and their residents. Door entry refurbishment Since completion, Magnus Electrical has quoted for further blocks at the development, with further orders expected during the year. Margaret Ann Sheppard at Comelit-PAC said: “20 Moore Street shows how the requirements of an existing building can shape the approach to a door entry refurbishment. Magnus Electrical already knew the GDX platform, while GDX Next provided the functionality required for the new installation and could work with the existing cabling. Bringing these factors together gave the project a clear route from the existing system to the new one for the benefit of residents.”

Imagine, for a moment, sitting in parents’ or grandparents' living room. There’s a coffee table, and it’s cluttered with three or four different remotes, all controlling different systems. One for the TV, one for the set-top box, one for the DVD player (remember that?), and a fourth for the audio system. Simply tuning into the evening news involved a complex process of turning on the TV with one, switching the HDMI over with another, and adjusting the sound with yet another remote. One wrong button press, one wrong remote, and suddenly a blank screen or a “no signal” message. Poor user experience This complexity and poor user experience have long been mirrored in the security industry. Over time, many video management systems (VMS) evolved to resemble those old, button-heavy remotes. Every time a client requested a new feature, a new interface was rolled out with more buttons, more screens, and more toggling. That’s not how an operator is going to get their job done quickly and efficiently. It’s time to rethink the modern VMS. No longer is this system a way of viewing footage; instead, it has become the engine behind the security function. And to use it effectively, operators need a simple and intuitive interface. Preventing situations from escalating The number of digital interfaces that operators need to manage has increased in recent years, causing cognitive load and task switching to also rise. Research shows that workers take around 23 minutes to re-focus after switching tasks or systems, losing between 20 to 40% of productivity as they reorient. Preventing operators from jumping between disconnected applications and hidden menus allows them to focus on protecting assets, preventing situations from escalating, and responding to events. The most effective VMS is a consolidated system, divided into logical blocks and tabbed navigation, so operators understand where functions are and can see footage at a glance. Supporting future growth With the front-end experience improved, focus can shift to the infrastructure and hardware behind it. It can be easy to pick a VMS based on the cost of a single-channel license and believe that this is the most cost-effective solution. However, licenses are usually the start of your costs, with hardware, server maintenance, infrastructure, and deployment time also impacting the total cost of ownership (TCO). As AI capabilities advance, organizations need infrastructure that can scale without driving up unnecessary costs. Traditional deployments often require additional servers to provide redundancy and support future growth, meaning hardware, rack space and power are allocated long before they are needed. This can leave valuable resources sitting idle while still adding to operational costs. Maintaining system resilience Choosing a VMS with active-active failover clustering helps eliminate this inefficiency. Instead of maintaining standby servers that sit idle until a failure occurs, multiple servers actively share the workload under normal operation. If one server fails, the remaining servers automatically take over, maximising available computing resources while maintaining system resilience. For designers of enterprise-scale systems, this provides a strong foundation. A single server can support up to 256 devices, while a clustered deployment scales to 12,800 channels. Organizations managing multiple locations can also connect sites through cloud federation, enabling centralized management without adding operational complexity. Integrating legacy infrastructure Just as importantly, modernising an existing deployment does not have to mean starting from scratch. Comprehensive support for established ONVIF standards, RTSP streams and a robust open API makes it straightforward to integrate legacy infrastructure, avoiding vendor lock-in while providing a future-ready platform that can adopt new protocols as they emerge. Even the licensing model becomes more straightforward. One license equals one camera. However, when connecting IP speakers or intercoms, a single license covers up to four devices. When integrating an NVR, one license covers eight channels. This hardware optimization combined with a flexible licensing approach ultimately delivers a significantly more cost-effective and stable deployment. Improving operator performance Often, the biggest improvements to productivity come when an individual understands how to use a system effectively. The interface, as touched on before, is a significant influence on this. Advanced video analytics and AI-powered search features play a role too. For example, if an operator needs to search for an event, such as overcrowding in a busy car park, video analytics can help them search the footage quickly. Instead of hours of manual footage scrubbing, the operator can use an event histogram (a type of graphic that shows baseline and spikes in events) to quickly identify times when an anomaly occurred. They can jump directly to those events with a single click to investigate what happened. Unique visual characteristics If an operator needs to find a specific object, such as a vehicle of interest, they can use AI-powered search to sift through footage based on unique visual characteristics. For example, the vehicle type, make, model, and color. Not only will they see relevant footage, but they can track this vehicle across different cameras to see where it travels across the car park. Taking this a step further, some VMS platforms now support semantic search powered by generative AI. Rather than relying on predefined metadata such as clothing color or object type, operators can use natural language to describe what they are looking for. For example, they can search for "a woman holding a phone," and the system understands the context to locate relevant footage, making it easier to find events that may have been difficult to identify using traditional attribute-based searches. Overall cybersecurity posture Physical security systems are an integral part of IT infrastructure and are subject to stringent audit requirements. The NIS2 Directive and the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) leave no room for compromise. Modern-day VMS need to address these challenges at every layer of the network. Look for features such as encrypted camera communications to tamper-resistant exported clips, and intelligent session management. Audit logs will record every user action, which helps spot unusual behavior that could signal a breach; meanwhile, automatic HTTPS negotiation and JWT-based authentication ensure the VMS meets gold-standard IT security requirements. Some VMS are deployed within hardened, closed operating environments that prevent user access to the underlying operating system. This minimizes the operating system as a potential attack surface and helps strengthen the overall cybersecurity posture. Advanced analytics and AI The VMS has come a long way since its invention in the early 1940s. Taking the time to understand the options available now can ensure the security function performs optimally, safely, and cost-effectively. The best VMS can be learned quickly, with intuitive interfaces that don’t require a thick manual or days of training. They unify different security features and systems, so operators don’t waste time switching between applications. And they have a robust infrastructure that supports advanced analytics and AI.

DICE Corporation announces a new edge artificial intelligence platform that runs AI processing inside the customer's network and reports into Ceila.ai as a native component. The platform was previewed with corporate and national account clients at GSX 2026 in Atlanta this week. It is currently in trials with monitoring centers and enterprise accounts including Clear Watch, one of the industry's larger interactive virtual guarding services, with general availability planned for the first quarter of 2027. Most video monitoring deployments today rely on a round trip. The customer selects a third-party analytics provider, motion events are sent out to that provider for evaluation, and the result is forwarded into the monitoring platform. Separate vendor relationship The monitoring center becomes a destination for someone else’s decision, and the customer carries a separate vendor relationship, a separate bill, and a separate support path when something misses. DICE supports that model and will continue to, integrating whichever analytics provider a customer chooses. That already includes a wide range of edge and analytics platforms, such as OpenEye, Camect, and CloudEye. DICE remains camera-agnostic by design. The platform is built to the industry’s established protocols, including ONVIF, and where a device falls outside those standards it connects directly by RTSP, with events delivered into the center by SMTP. Rather than maintaining a fixed list of certified devices, DICE built to what the industry already runs on and kept a path open for everything else. DICE edge platform The DICE edge platform offers a second path. Processing happens on site, on DICE hardware, with results delivered directly into the same workflow that handles the alarm signal, the video, the audio, and the dispatch. There is no external analytics hop and no clip leaving the customer’s premises for evaluation elsewhere. Local processing also simplifies network configuration. Because the appliance operates inside the customer’s network and communicates outbound to DICE, cameras are reached across the LAN rather than through inbound access, which suits enterprise environments where IT policy restricts changes at the firewall. Custom detection projects The platform is built to carry the full DICE detection library on premise rather than a reduced subset. Beyond person and vehicle classification, the platform detects behaviours and interactions between objects, reads license plates, counts people and vehicle traffic, applies privacy masking to sensitive areas, processes thermal imaging, and performs safety and compliance review including personal protective equipment use and lifting technique. Detection models are developed by DICE and extended for individual customers, including custom detection projects built for Fortune 500 companies, national retailers, and municipal operations. Development has been driven by national retail chains and multi-site enterprise accounts DICE supports, where event volume and bandwidth cost make on-premise filtering essential. Over the past year DICE has seen a significant increase in monitoring centers and guarding operations migrating onto its platform, and the company has expanded its installation and onboarding capacity to meet a growing schedule of committed deployments. Co-pilot architecture Clear Watch runs its AI video detection on the DICE platform today and states publicly that it identifies more than three times the object types of any other provider. “In virtual guarding, our reputation is built on catching what matters and staying quiet about what doesn't. Three object classes never gave us the resolution to do that reliably,” said Glen Carter, President of Clear Watch. “Running DICE's full detection library on the edge means the call gets made on site, in real time — we're not dependent on a third party's turnaround to protect our clients.” Virtual guarding providers Ceila.ai extends its digital operator and co-pilot architecture to virtual guarding providers and enterprise GSOC teams. Because DICE manufactures its own PBX and softswitch, Ceila.ai evaluates live phone audio alongside live video in a single decision path, an integration DICE believes is unique in the industry. Dispatches are delivered through the DICE message broker, which is connected to more than 700 PSAPs and sends alarm dispatches directly into their CAD systems. “Everyone in this industry says they have AI. Most of them mean they have a connector to somebody who does,” said Cliff Dice, President, CEO, and Founder of DICE Corporation. “We built Ceila.ai with AI at the core of the event management platform rather than as a service we forward events to. If a customer wants to bring their own provider, we integrate it and we do that every day. But they should also be able to get it from the same company that handles their alarm, their video, their phone call, and their dispatch, with one throat to choke when something misses.” Global buildout of artificial intelligence The DICE platform runs entirely on Linux, on a runtime engine and virtualisation layer DICE developed itself, inside UL-listed hosting centers the company owns and operates. That architecture allows processing capacity to expand and contract automatically with load, which matters in an industry where event volume is uneven by hour, by season, and by incident. Development is performed by a United States based engineering team. The approach also gives DICE direct control over compute cost at a moment when the global buildout of artificial intelligence has made processing capacity significantly more expensive. In the round-trip model, a customer’s analytics cost is set by a third party and can be repriced at renewal. DICE provides the compute inside its own centers and prices it as part of the platform. GPU computing environment DICE has invested millions in the infrastructure behind the program, including its own GPU computing environment inside facilities it owns and operates, with the objective of keeping AI processing and the data governance around it under DICE’s control as the technology advances. The company has filed more than 20 patents tied to Ceila.ai, adding to a portfolio that includes patents for Video Arm/Disarm and Gatekeeper technology. DICE Corporation has been in business for 40 years and today supports approximately 3.5 million alarm subscribers and 6.5 million telecom subscribers, handling more than 10 million calls per month.

Secutech Vietnam 2026 came to a close on 12 September at the Friendship Cultural Palace in Hanoi, with exhibitors and visitors exploring how safety, security, fire protection and smart building technologies can be applied across Vietnam’s buildings, factories and infrastructure projects. Held alongside Fire & Safety Vietnam and SMABuilding, the fair highlighted solutions for facility management, emergency response, automation and connected building operations. The 19th edition spanned 13,000 sqm and featured 480 exhibiting brands from 16 countries and regions, including Bulgaria, China, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Türkiye, the UAE, the US and Vietnam. It welcomed 15,898 trade visitors, including project owners, system integrators, distributors, installers, consultants, engineers, facility managers and end users. Smart building technologies “Vietnam’s continued investment in buildings, factories and infrastructure is creating stronger demand for safety, fire protection and smart building technologies that can be applied in real operating environments,” commented Ms Regina Tsai, General Manager of Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd – Taiwan Branch. “This year’s edition showed how the market is moving from standalone products to more connected systems that support prevention, monitoring, response and facility operations. For the industry, this shift creates new opportunities for suppliers, integrators and end users to work more closely on solutions that are practical, scalable and suited to Vietnam’s development.” AI-enabled operations software Across the exhibition floor, suppliers showcased a wide mix of security, fire safety and smart building technologies, from AI-enabled operations software, access control, CCTV and monitoring systems to flame detectors, fire alarm devices, intelligent circuit breakers, sprinkler components, fire pumps and protective gear. For exhibitors, the fair offered opportunities to connect with project decision-makers and share technical knowledge through training sessions. Marking the company’s 10th appearance at Secutech Vietnam, Mr Nguyen Xuan Son, Chairman, Nha An Toan, said: “We are presenting AI-powered surveillance, AI fire detection cameras and advanced robotics to industry traders and decision-makers for major infrastructure projects. Secutech Vietnam has supported us through event promotion and direct engagement at our booth. Workshops and dealer training sessions on the exhibition floor also allow us to showcase products and provide hands-on technical training for our partners.” AI-integrated solutions Demand for AI-integrated solutions also shaped discussions about project requirements and industry collaboration. Mr Tran Luong, Executive Vice President, G20+ Alliance, an association of 47 enterprises in the security camera and extra-low-voltage (ELV) sectors, said: “Our target customers are mainly clients involved in infrastructure projects, including industrial parks, aviation and government facilities. Today, customers are showing a strong preference for AI-integrated solutions. In response to this trend, we have also been upgrading our technologies and equipment to keep pace with the market. Participating in Secutech Vietnam has helped us build partnerships and strengthen industry connections.” Fire safety technologies International pavilions broadened the sourcing opportunities, with the Japan Pavilion, Korea Pavilion and UL Pavilion presenting fire safety technologies, certification services and advanced protection systems. For UL Solutions, the fair reflected rising interest in international standards and certification. Mr Suresh Shanmugam, Regional Business Head, South & Southeast Asia, UL Solutions, noted: “We see Vietnam as a very strong and fast-growing market, with local manufacturers looking to grow internationally and global manufacturers also entering the country. The market is becoming more open to international products, certifications and best practices. Visitors including government authorities, traders and manufacturers, showed interest in UL certification and our testing process.” Battery-related facilities The needs of critical facilities were another focus. Mr Takashi Ito, General Manager, International Division, Nohmi Bosai Ltd, emphasized the importance of identifying smoke at an early stage: “One of our key strengths is early smoke detection, especially for data centres, semiconductor factories, large warehouses and battery-related facilities. In these environments, customers need to identify smoke as early as possible before a fire becomes serious. Through the fair, we hope to introduce our systems to more Vietnamese companies, particularly those operating data centres and other high-security facilities.” Visitors also explored how the technologies on display could serve the Vietnamese market. Mr Park Kyung Hoon, Team Leader, Korea Testing & Research Institute (Korea), attended with a focus on product evaluation and certification: “I am interested in the fire safety sector and in understanding what is available in the Vietnamese market. Our work includes research, evaluation and certification for industrial products, including fire prevention, CCTV and security-related systems. I saw relevant solutions such as IR cameras and fire extinguishers, and I also visited the Korea Pavilion, which I was pleased to see.” Building management equipment Local sourcing interests included smart security and firefighting equipment. Mr Vu Manh Quan, President, IT-CCTV Ho Chi Minh, said: “I am looking for smart security hardware and software solutions, as well as fire protection products such as fire alarm systems, firefighting equipment and safety gear. I am particularly interested in fire safety technologies and security solutions powered by AI software. I have already seen quite a few firefighting robots and upgraded devices that integrate AI technology.” For property operators, the focus was on reducing fire risks in day-to-day operations. Mr Duong Van Chinh, Chief Engineer, Lotte Property & Development Vietnam Co Ltd, said: “Fire protection is a key priority for our company. I was particularly interested in building management equipment, fire alarm cameras, thermal imaging cameras and AI-integrated camera systems that can identify fire risks and issue early warnings. Vietnam’s rapid urban development, high-rise construction and industrial growth are creating strong demand for reliable fire protection systems. For property managers, the main challenges are finding compliant, durable equipment and qualified installation contractors.” Smart building systems Beyond sourcing, the fringe program combined product showcases with technical discussion, covering AI, robotics, factory automation, fire prevention, emergency planning and smart building systems. Installer-focused training addressed system design, installation and operation, while live demonstrations allowed visitors to see automation equipment and AI-enabled tools in use. Speaking at one of the seminars, Mr Do Huy Hoang, R&D Manager, RTC Technology Vietnam, highlighted the value of technical exchange: “My presentation was about how AI cameras and robotics can be applied in modern industry. These technologies can help reduce machine downtime and improve accuracy in operations. For companies like us, it is also a good opportunity to share our technology and speak with people who may be interested in applying AI solutions in their businesses.”

The eagerness to adopt AI in physical security is increasing as teams want to implement technology solutions for faster, smarter operations. At the same time, the conversations surrounding AI have changed. The focus now includes not only efficiency gains but also concerns about accountability and trust. According to the Genetec 2026 State of Physical Security report, AI ranked alongside access control and video surveillance as a key priority. However, approximately 40% of the over 7,000 physical security leaders surveyed expressed concern about how AI systems use their data. The potential for malicious purposes followed close behind at 36%. You may recognize this tension in your own organization. There is an expectation that AI can help operations and an understanding that AI entails risks. Balancing the two includes careful deployment and policies. Higher stakes demand a higher standard AI can quickly spot the difference and elevate the event to the security team Most AI applications in physical security revolve around automation. Basic examples include triggering events, filtering and classifying alarms, and enabling faster searches across video and event data. These applications tackle the persistent security challenges of too much noise and too little context. AI takes on some of the lifting, cutting the false positives that overwhelm operators and adding context to the events that remain. For example, someone loitering near an entrance may not be a notable event. While someone loitering and trying door handles is a priority. AI can quickly spot the difference and elevate the event to the security team. From there, the human operator can confirm the issue and next steps. AI narrows the operator's focus rather than replacing their judgment. Higher standard of supervision While these uses improve operator efficiency, they need to be implemented responsibly. Irresponsible AI usage in physical security is more than a simple inconvenience. The outputs affect safety and security. AI applications within physical security demand a higher standard of supervision. This oversight is often referred to as “human in the loop,” but perhaps a better phrase is "expert in the loop." The person validating an output needs the knowledge to question it, contextualise it, and overrule it if needed. How to deploy responsible AI Deploying responsible AI starts by defining where AI can add value to your specific organization Deploying responsible AI starts by defining where AI can add value to your specific organization. AI works best as a tool with a defined job. What is the problem that needs to be solved? What challenges are holding back the team? Start by identifying the problems, then work backward to a solution. Otherwise, you may be implementing technology that doesn’t fully meet your needs. Next, define parameters around AI usage within your team. Document exactly what AI is permitted to do and not allowed to do within your operations. Information should include which use cases you've approved, what data the system can access, and how issues escalate. By defining these elements, your team has clear guidelines on when AI tools are part of your security procedures and for what purposes. Cross-functional monthly meetings Because AI can behave unpredictably, it’s good to prepare for when something does go wrong. Even a well-built model will eventually drift from its thresholds. This is where governance comes in. Governance is what keeps responsible AI holding up over time. It sets the review cycles that catch an issue before an incident does. Governance related to AI entails data privacy, liability, and regulation. Input from legal, compliance, cybersecurity, and IT teams is important. Getting these groups together starts with something as simple as cross-functional monthly meetings to review use cases and emerging challenges. Consider also working with other manufacturers, integrators, and end users across your ecosystem. In doing so, you create shared standards that make issues diagnosable. Responsible AI as a practice, not a project The goal is to protect individual rights and build trust without hampering technological advancement Responsible AI usage in security is not a box to check or a project to complete. It's an ongoing practice, especially as the compliance bar rises. As more AI security risks surface, governments are drafting legislation to regulate how organizations can develop and implement AI-enabled technology. The goal is to protect individual rights and build trust without hampering technological advancement. Identified risk category For example, the 2024 AI Act in the European Union (EU) sets obligations for various AI applications based on their identified risk category. These requirements include creating adequate risk assessments and mitigation practices, using high-quality training datasets to reduce bias, and sharing detailed documentation on models with governing authorities as needed. In the US, multiple states have implemented legislation on AI use, and national legislation has been discussed. Organizations can begin by implementing documented processes for guidelines and governance: Conduct risk assessments: Evaluate how automating a specific process may impact critical systems or safety protocols Identify non-critical applications: Start by implementing AI into processes that aren’t central to your most critical operations to curb major business disruptions Prioritise human-centred design: Ensure that AI applications always empower humans with the information they need to make the best decisions Design for explainability: Ensure AI decisions can be explained and traced, so the expert in the loop can question, verify, or overrule them when needed. Broaden data protection strategies: Apply cybersecurity measures and best practices to AI-enabled solutions, including regular audits and system updates Choose trusted vendors: Work with vendors who follow responsible AI principles, considering biases, data protection, and cybersecurity Core pillar of physical security The industry is slowly converging on shared standards for AI governance. This is good news for early adopters who wish to shape the industry rather than react to it. The potential applications of AI in security are exciting. But as this technology evolves, so do the risks. Strong governance builds trust, a core pillar of physical security. Responsible AI protects that trust and earns more of it. Start by defining your outcomes, building guardrails, and creating accountability structures to support your organization’s responsible use of AI technology.

The biggest return on investment from an AI-enabled camera might have nothing to do with security. Organizations are increasingly discovering that the same cameras installed to protect people and property can also improve safety, streamline operations, automate routine workflows, and generate valuable business intelligence. Security remains the primary mission, but it is increasingly only the first customer for the intelligence these systems produce. AI-enabled cameras are rapidly becoming distributed IoT sensors that continuously observe, interpret, and describe their surroundings. Instead of simply producing video, they generate rich metadata about people, vehicles, objects, movement, and activities. That information has value far beyond surveillance. As organizations look for better ways to improve efficiency, reduce costs, enhance safety, and automate routine operations, they are discovering that the same camera installed to monitor a doorway or parking lot may also become one of the most valuable operational sensors on the network. From video to metadata For years, higher resolution dominated the conversation around video technology For years, higher resolution dominated the conversation around video technology. More pixels promised better evidence and clearer images. While image quality remains important, AI has fundamentally changed where the real value lies. Modern edge AI processes video directly inside the camera, identifying people, vehicles, objects, behaviours, and countless other attributes as events unfold. Instead of transmitting every frame for centralized analysis, the device generates lightweight metadata that describes what it sees. That metadata can be searched, filtered, shared, and consumed by other applications without requiring operators to review hours of video footage. This fundamentally changes the role of the camera. Rather than acting as a passive recorder, it becomes an intelligent sensor that continuously feeds structured information into operational workflows. Once organizations begin thinking in terms of metadata instead of video, entirely new applications emerge. Movement of critical equipment The security department may have purchased the camera, but it is increasingly supporting decisions made by operations, facilities, safety, transportation, and executive leadership. In healthcare, cameras can do far more than document incidents. AI applications can detect when someone has fallen, help staff locate misplaced wheelchairs, count ambulances arriving at emergency departments, or monitor the movement of critical equipment throughout a facility. These capabilities improve patient care while reducing the time staff spend searching for resources. AI-enabled cameras As an IoT sensor, the camera has become a shared resource across multiple departments Logistics organizations are seeing similar benefits. AI-enabled cameras can monitor for compliance issues, automate gate operations using license plate recognition, validate vehicle movements, and track pallet or trailer activity throughout a distribution center. Security remains important, but the same infrastructure also improves throughput, reduces manual processes, and provides operational visibility across the facility. Barnet Council in the United Kingdom initially modernised its video infrastructure to improve safety and security. Today, the same cameras generate people and vehicle counts that support planning decisions for parks, transportation, libraries, festivals, and other public spaces. Rather than serving only security personnel, the system supplies operational data that helps city planners make better infrastructure and investment decisions. As an IoT sensor, the camera has become a shared resource across multiple departments. Metadata is only valuable when it drives action Collecting more information just because it’s possible is not the objective. Organizations are already overwhelmed with data. The real opportunity lies in intelligent automation. The greatest operational value comes when AI-generated metadata automatically triggers meaningful workflows rather than simply identifying people or vehicles. When a person enters a restricted area after hours, a PTZ camera can automatically focus on the activity while lighting activates to deter loitering. Security personnel receive alerts only if the individual remains in the area. License plate recognition AI handles repetitive operational tasks while people remain responsible for judgment and response When a worker collapses inside a manufacturing facility, safety personnel are immediately notified while responders receive precise location information. At a logistics gate, license plate recognition can validate vehicle credentials, update operational systems, and document the transaction automatically. In each example, AI handles repetitive operational tasks while people remain responsible for judgment and response. This transition from detection to intelligent automation may ultimately deliver greater value because it focuses on outcomes rather than observations. The business case is getting stronger Perhaps the most significant consequence of this evolution is organizational rather than technical. Historically, video projects were often justified solely through security budgets. Return on investment depended largely on reducing theft, improving investigations, or strengthening compliance. Today, the value proposition reaches far beyond the security department. Facilities managers use camera data to understand occupancy and space utilization, operations teams streamline workflows, safety officers monitor hazardous activities, transportation managers optimize vehicle movement, and executives gain measurable operational metrics that support planning and resource allocation. The same camera infrastructure can now deliver value to multiple departments, making investment decisions easier to justify while improving long-term utilization of existing assets. Open ecosystems will determine who benefits most Metadata creates the greatest value when it flows freely between systems As cameras become operational sensors, another requirement becomes increasingly important: openness. Metadata creates the greatest value when it flows freely between systems. An AI-enabled camera may generate valuable operational information, but that information becomes significantly more useful when it integrates with video management systems, access control, public safety platforms, business intelligence software, facility management applications, or other third-party operational systems. Organizations want the flexibility to add new AI applications as needs evolve without replacing existing hardware. Developers benefit from standardized platforms that allow applications to run consistently across different environments, while integrators need the freedom to build solutions that reflect each customer's unique operational requirements rather than forcing every deployment into the same proprietary framework. Open architectures make that possible. Looking beyond security AI is expanding the role of the camera far beyond traditional security. Organizations are increasingly treating AI-enabled cameras as operational infrastructure that improves safety, streamlines workflows, and supports better decision-making across the enterprise. Every day, AI-enabled cameras observe facilities, generate metadata, automate workflows, and provide actionable information that helps organizations make faster, better decisions. Security remains the foundation, but the same intelligence now supports business operations, public safety, healthcare, logistics, transportation, and smart city initiatives. Organizations that recognize this shift early will find that one of the richest sources of operational intelligence is already installed throughout their facilities. They simply need to start thinking beyond security.

Europe has set an ambitious goal. With the European Green Deal, leaders aim to make the continent climate neutral by 2050. Ireland is following this lead, promising to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 51% before 2030. And solar energy is a key part of this plan. If you drive through rural Ireland today, you can see the changes happening. Solar farms now cover former grazing land and open fields. They work quietly and efficiently, providing clean electricity to homes, hospitals, schools, and businesses. Most of the time, these sites are empty. There are no workers patrolling the area and no lights in office windows at night. Clean energy supply That stillness, however, hides a growing risk. Each solar site holds millions of euros worth of equipment. Every megawatt of solar power relies on a complex network of copper cables, solar panels, inverters, and electrical systems. These parts are valuable, especially when copper prices are high. For thieves looking for quick profit, an unmanned solar farm can seem like an easy target. Just one act of trespassing or vandalism can lead to stolen wiring, damaged panels, and production shutdowns that last days or even weeks. Repairs are expensive, but the bigger problem is the impact on clean energy supply and trust in the infrastructure supporting Europe’s low-carbon future. Standard video cameras A report from PV Magazine says police in the United Kingdom have seen a sharp rise in solar-related crimes That stillness hides a growing risk. Each solar site holds millions of euros worth of equipment. A report from PV Magazine says police in the United Kingdom have seen a sharp rise in solar-related crimes, with cases increasing by 93% between 2021 and 2022. This trend is familiar: when commodity prices go up, rural energy sites attract more attention from criminals. While a passerby might see only glass and steel, others see scrap metal and resale value. For a long time, many of these sites and businesses did not prioritise security. They put up fences, used standard video cameras, and hired guards. These steps provided some reassurance, but often only responded after damage had already happened. Traditional cameras record events but rarely stop them. Guards cannot monitor every part of a large site, especially when solar farms cover hundreds of acres. Traditional security methods As renewable infrastructure expands, traditional security methods are no longer enough. The industry needs to change its approach. As Europe builds more renewable energy projects, security should become a main part of planning. Developers now consider not just energy output, but also how resilient a site will be. Communities want the infrastructure supporting their climate goals to run smoothly, and investors want to know that sites and assets are safe. New technology is now helping protect remote energy sites. One method uses video analytics along with live operators who watch camera feeds from remote centers. Instead of waiting for alarms to go off after a breach, these systems can spot unusual activity as it happens. For example, if someone lingers near a fence late at night, the system can send an alert that is different from one triggered by wildlife passing by earlier. Preventing similar problems This approach aims to move security from just recording events to actually stopping them When something suspicious happens, security teams can check the situation and decide if they need to respond. Sometimes, operators send a live audio message to let people know they are being watched. This can stop trespassing or theft because it takes away the feeling of being anonymous. This approach aims to move security from just recording events to actually stopping them. If a situation gets worse, staff can follow set procedures and keep watching until it is over. Afterward, they write incident reports. These records help with reviews, regulatory paperwork, insurance claims, and learning how to prevent similar problems in the future. Large solar projects Ireland already shows how this model works. Several large solar projects across the country now use integrated, remote monitoring from the very start of construction. At one major site, developers installed 170 cameras, investing nearly €1 million in security alone. This amount shows more than just caution. It marks a change in how the industry sees protection. Security is now as important as engineering and grid connection in project planning. Security is now as important as engineering and grid connection in project planning A solar farm that runs smoothly does more than just make electricity. It helps meet climate goals, boosts energy independence, and shows stability. If a site is left unprotected, the impact goes beyond one facility. It affects energy supply and public trust. That is why security should be a basic part of development. Providing reliable power As Ireland grows its solar capacity, it sets an example for the rest of Europe. Clean energy is not just about building infrastructure. It also requires steps to protect what has been built. The new fields of glass and steel are more than just power sources — they are shared commitment to a more sustainable future. Protecting that future requires ongoing effort. Europe is creating its clean energy landscape one panel and one field at a time. By caring for the security of these sites as much as their construction, these quiet areas will keep providing reliable power and support a stronger energy system for years ahead.

Deploying artificial intelligence (AI) tools should be seen as a business initiative rather than a technology initiative, says Martin Soukup, CTO of Solink, a cloud-based video security and data intelligence platform. The approach makes a difference that plays out in practical terms. A technology initiative is tactical and solution-oriented, often solving an isolated problem within a single department's silo. In other words, it might solve just a security problem. In contrast, a business initiative is cross-disciplinary, driven by executive leadership to impact the entire organization in a measurable way. “Viewing AI tools as a business initiative ensures they adapt to multiple departmental needs and drive high-level strategic growth rather than just fixing a localised technical issue,” says Soukup. AI platform combines video and business systems Demonstrating the value of embracing AI as a business initiative is Solink’s new video intelligence platform Demonstrating the value of embracing AI as a business initiative is Solink’s new video intelligence platform that combines video with business systems to detect threats and send real-time alerts. The capabilities are designed to help security teams operate smarter and more efficiently, supporting the next generation of lean, intelligence-driven security operations centers (SOCs). And benefits of the platform extend beyond security to include other parts of the business. “At the end of the day, video cameras only tell part of the story, much like looking at a 2D shape,” says Soukup. “They capture dimensions and colors, but only from a single perspective, even with powerful AI analysis providing traffic metrics, wait times, product interaction, and compliance logs. The addition of operational data, such as inventory, shipping, labor, and sales data, fills out that shape into 3D, adding critical context.” For example, while a camera simply shows three people standing in a line, and AI data flags that those individuals have been waiting for over five minutes, operational data lets you know also that a cashier has not checked into their shift yet. Combining these data streams gives businesses full situational awareness, turning passive observation into immediate, contextual intervention. AI agents handle repetitive tasks The Solink platform uses AI Agents, which are software that operates autonomously to handle manual, repetitive, or high-volume tasks based on specific instructions and tools. For Solink users, AI Agents unify their existing camera and data source investments into a single automated workflow. “AI Agents transform Solink from a security tool into an operational investment that benefits all departments,” says Soukup. “Modern operational leaders are turning to AI to scale productivity without increasing overhead.” Integrating business intelligence Operations checks compliance, loss prevention investigates theft, and security assesses threats Customers already use Solink to centralize video, integrate business intelligence, and trigger real-world responses like real-world alerts, two-way communication, or smart locks. AI Agents tie these pieces together, analyze the data and identify what matters most, and then take action either without human intervention or with humans in the loop. Businesses currently watch video manually across separate workflows. Operations checks compliance, loss prevention investigates theft, and security assesses threats. However, a human must always watch the footage to get results. Solink AI Agents automate this entire workflow. If an operational event can be seen on camera and matters to the business, a Solink Agent can be integrated to automatically review, assess, and trigger the next step in the workflow across hundreds or thousands of locations simultaneously. Calling all stakeholders to the discussion When discussing applications, stakeholders should include revenue and marketing officers, compliance officers, and line-of-business executives. Agents leverage existing infrastructure by adding an intelligent automation layer that drives efficiency and grows revenue across the entire organization without large capital investment. Solink AI Agents will not replace employees; they empower lean teams to maximize their existing resources. Job descriptions will shift toward human-in-the-loop workflows where humans and machines collaborate. The AI Agent handles the high volume, filtering out noise and processing data at scale. Human employees set up and guide the Agents, give feedback to improve performance over time, and step in to make final decisions, managing the nuanced situations that require critical thinking, empathy, and deep context. Passive data visualization In contrast, a Solink AI Agent is deployed with a clear mandate for a specific task, deliverable, or outcome Given the convergence of physical and digital security, AI Agents, not dashboards, are the right unit of enterprise AI deployment. Dashboards typically aggregate data without evaluating the context or importance of the source. Data looks identical whether it comes from 10 sources or 100. In contrast, a Solink AI Agent is deployed with a clear mandate for a specific task, deliverable, or outcome. This approach shifts the focus from passive data visualization to active intent, creating a direct path of accountability and clear attribution for business results. With dashboards, everyone can see the problem, but nobody owns it. An agent with a mandate either did the job or it did not, and you can audit exactly what it saw and why it acted or did not. Overcoming obstacles to deploy AI agents The primary obstacles to integrating AI Agents into the physical security workflow are change management, building trust, and system interoperability. Physical security requires absolute reliability, which demands rigorous initial configuration to establish trust. Furthermore, Agents are only as effective as the data they can access. Overcoming these hurdles requires comprehensive team training, shifting organizational mindsets, and ensuring seamless integration with existing tools so the Agents have the full context needed to execute tasks accurately and integrate with human workflows seamlessly. Addressing common security challenges Several use cases are driving the deployment of AI Agents among Solink's customers Several use cases are driving the deployment of AI Agents among Solink's customers. Overnight guarding, loss prevention, and store readiness will be the first wave of use cases. These are proven, high-frequency scenarios in which Solink provides pre-built template Agents to address common security challenges out of the box. The second wave of use cases will include highly customisable occupancy tracking, health and safety, and food quality. Pre-built template Agents are coming for these next. In addition, custom, niche operational use cases can be tailored to a specific business environment. Just like hiring a specialized contractor, companies can deploy custom Agents to tackle unique operational challenges rapidly across all locations. Measuring the effectiveness of AI agents The effectiveness of AI Agents can be measured by multiple factors. Core Accuracy, and consistency and accuracy of detections and automated outputs. Business Outcomes delivered, such as reduced inventory loss, reduced fraud, and faster incident resolution. Financial Impact, measured through recovered budget, reduced operational overhead, and increased per-store conversion. There is a perception that AI Agents possess predictive or flawless capabilities, like stopping crime before it happens or operating perfectly in dark, chaotic environments. Not true, says Soukup. AI cannot understand ambiguous requests like "look for suspicious activity." Success requires explicit parameters, tools, and skills, defining what is acceptable, what is unauthorized, and how to handle the gray areas. Another misconception is that Agents need a fundamentally different security model than people. “I run security for this company as well as engineering, and I hold our own Agents to the same standard I would hold a third-party vendor,” says Soukup. “That means least privilege, full audit trails, anomaly detection, random audits, and no action they can't explain after the fact.”

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.

The security landscape is undergoing a profound transformation, as evidenced by the innovations showcased at the ISC West Expo 2026. From dismantling of silos between physical and digital security to the ongoing transition to cloud and hybrid platforms, much of the discussion on the show floor was familiar, if somehow more urgent than ever. Clearly the industry is moving toward unified, cloud-native, and highly automated ecosystems. In a series of deep-dive meetings and demonstrations at the recent show, I got a first-hand glimpse of the future of the physical security marketplace. Spoiler alert: The future is now! HID Global: Tearing down the silos HID Global is addressing the long-requested convergence of physical and digital security. Recognizing that the industry has historically operated in silos, HID is now leading with a combined implementation team to leverage the power of both sides. HID is supporting the transition by combining its logical and physical security teams to help end users design secure, end-to-end journeys for their employees. By leveraging its massive existing footprint in physical access, HID is uniquely positioned to help organizations upgrade their cybersecurity posture without a total "rip and replace" of their hardware. HID is seeing a surge in demand for converged credentials that unite building access with digital identity. On the digital front, HID has implemented FIDO (Fast Identity Online) and passkeys to replace traditional passwords with more secure, biometric-backed authentication methods. Acre Security: Bridging the gap to the cloud Acre Security previewed a cloud-native video solution, reinforcing its cloud-first security strategyAcre Security is currently consolidating brands, bringing established names like Feenics and AccessIt under a single corporate umbrella. A primary theme for the company at ISC West is the migration of legacy systems to modern infrastructure. To facilitate the transition, they are launching "The Bridge," a technology designed to help on-premise customers transition to the cloud at a pace that suits their operational needs. The company is also expanding its portfolio into video. Attendees at the show received a preview of a new cloud-native video solution slated for release later this year, signaling Acre’s commitment to a holistic, cloud-first security suite. Acoem: Real-time acoustic threat detection With a 35-year foundation in vibration and acoustics—including military sniper detection—Acoem is providing gunshot detection through edge processing. Unlike systems that rely on the cloud and may suffer from latency, Acoem’s technology processes data at the sensor level for instant alerts. Their sensors are engineered for massive outdoor spaces, covering a 500-foot radius (roughly 11 football fields) and can detect high-powered rifle shots from up to half a mile away. The system provides critical intelligence by distinguishing between muzzle blasts and "mach noise" from bullet travel, delivering an audio file to the end-user that maps the location and direction of the threat. They use AI to filter out environmental false positives, such as skateboards hitting metal rails. Alarm.com: The all-in-one dealer ecosystem Beyond hardware, Alarm.com is leveraging AI to streamline the sales process Alarm.com is doubling down on "giving tools to dealers to help them be successful," with a focus on unified commercial solutions. A highlight at ISC West is their new fire communicator, which integrates fire monitoring into their single app, completing what they call the "fourth leg of the stool." The product allows fire systems to benefit from the same real-time customer engagement and push notifications that have long been available for intrusion and video. The key products, such as commercial-grade hardware, are now available for immediate purchase. Beyond hardware, Alarm.com is leveraging AI to streamline the sales process. Their new AI Proposal Builder uses customer meeting notes to automatically generate customized, value-driven sales proposals for dealers. Allegion: A global shift in credentialing Following the acquisition of ELATEC, Allegion is adopting a more global market approach and expanding its OEM business. The company is involved in the development of Aliro, the newly unveiled mobile credentialing standard. Allegion’s strategy is built on versatility: While Aliro serves the burgeoning mobile market, they also offer PKOC for plastic cards, allowing them to provide solutions regardless of the user's preferred credential type. The ELATEC acquisition has effectively filled previous gaps in their use-case portfolio, positioning them as a comprehensive provider for both physical and digital access needs. AtlasIED: Engineering for life safety Transitioning from audio to a fully automated threat detection company, AtlasIED showcased its new IPX line at ISC West. This modular platform uses a single PoE++ port to power various "plug-and-play" modules, allowing for easy system upgrades. Their gun detection technology achieves a 99% confidence rating by "stacking" AI models; it cross-references audio data with infrared signatures to detect muzzle flashes and air quality sensors for particulates. With systems already running in 80% of U.S. international airports, the company maintains 24/7 domestic engineering support to manage these "life-safety adjacent" environments. Axis Communications: Unifying connectivity Axis Communications is advancing network video with 4G/5G surveillance, reducing cabling needs Axis Communications continues to lead in network video, with a new focus on offering surveillance through 4G and 5G networks to eliminate the need for extensive cabling in long-range applications. Axis also introduced several specialized hardware pieces, including the P1486-LE global shutter camera for high-speed traffic monitoring and the Q2802-TE, which integrates thermal and visual monitoring into a single unit.  To assist technicians, they launched a new installer app that uses Bluetooth for easier camera pairing and management directly from a mobile device. Axon: De-escalation through enterprise wearables Focusing on frontline safety, Axon is expanding from law enforcement into the enterprise sector with its retail and healthcare-focused body camera. Weighing only 0.25 lb, these cameras are designed to be less intimidating, using colorful designs and acting as a primary de-escalator for aggressive behavior. A clear front display signals when recording is active, striking a balance between safety and a non-intimidating appearance. These devices feature live-streaming and panic alarms that connect workers to a Global Security Operations Center (GSOC). To ensure the footage is legally viable, Axon maintains a rigorous audit trail that authenticates every action recorded. Genetec: The value of the unified platform Genetec is advocating for unified platforms that reduce the time between incident detection and resolution. They argue that AI is becoming a commodity and that the true value lies in unified platforms that reduce the time from incident to resolution. Their approach emphasises the "outcomes" customers need, such as allowing security teams to coalesce around an investigation quickly. Genetec remains a strong supporter of open systems for enterprise customers, ensuring they have the choice to integrate diverse technologies rather than being locked into a manufacturer’s “walled garden.” This flexibility is critical for high-end security environments that require tailored, responsive systems. Johnson Controls: Large-scale enterprise solutions Johnson Controls has made a significant push into the enterprise video market with C-Cure IQ, a standalone VMS designed for major hubs like airports and large campuses. Through a partnership with Scylla, they have integrated 11 advanced analytics—including facial recognition and weapons detection—directly into their cameras. They also showcased new multi-sensor panoramic cameras capable of "stitching" multiple images into a single 360-degree view. While innovating in video, Johnson Controls also confirmed modern upgrades to their intrusion line, including their legacy DSC Neo line. The new DSC PowerSeries Neo 5, a high-end residential and commercial platform, features an all-new user interface and built-in PowerG+. They have also begun shipping the IQ5 family lineup, which is powered by a Qualcomm DragonWing processor.  ONVIF: Standardising the future of AI and cloud ONVIF continues to lead the charge in establishing common languages for the security industry. A major focus is their new "Cloud Profile," which enables cameras to connect directly to the cloud through a standardized protocol. They are also expanding into audio standards to ensure IP-based speakers can seamlessly connect to Video Management Systems (VMS). To combat the rise of sophisticated digital manipulation, ONVIF is developing "video signing" standards. ONVIF is actively seeking more diverse enterprise participation to help shape these emerging AI standardsThis feature protects the integrity of video for evidentiary purposes by embedding a digital signature and timestamp directly into the footage at the camera level. Additionally, the organization has formed an AI Working Group to develop common communication methods for "AI agents" within physical security systems. ONVIF is actively seeking more diverse enterprise participation to help shape these emerging AI standards. Roberto Licari is the new ONVIF Ambassador, seeking to attract new companies (even outside the security sector) to ONVIF as they look to expand their offerings. SwiftConnect: Bridging digital and physical identity SwiftConnect is redefining access control by shifting the focus from physical cards to digital identity. As a cloud-based "connected access network," the platform bridges the gap between IT identity providers (like Okta or Azure AD) and legacy physical access control systems. At the show's Security Experience Center demonstrations, SwiftConnect showcased its ability to integrate mobile credentials within Apple and Google Wallets across multiple technology platforms. By aligning physical security with Zero Trust principles, they ensure that access is governed by the same rigorous standards as digital networks. Their software-centric approach allows for a more seamless employee experience while simplifying the management of complex, multi-site building security. This emphasises a future where the mobile device becomes the primary tool for navigating the physical workspace. Wasabi Technologies: Redefining cloud storage economics With cloud technology becoming a baseline requirement at every booth, Wasabi Technologies highlighted its "hot cloud storage" as a cost-effective alternative to major hyperscalers. Their model claims to be 80% less expensive than competitors, notably removing hidden fees. Wasabi is increasingly bundled at the "back end" of security solutions through partnerships with integrators and end users. A key feature for law enforcement and high-security sectors is their "Object Lock" capability, which ensures that video evidence remains untampered with and immutable during defined retention periods. By providing high-performance storage without the unpredictable costs typically associated with the cloud, Wasabi is positioning itself as the foundational layer for data-heavy video surveillance applications that require long-term, secure retention. Wasabi is positioning itself as the foundational layer for data-heavy video surveillance applications ZKTeco USA: Versatile and integrated access ZKTeco USA showcased a range of integrated solutions, including turnstiles, visitor management, and access control. Their Atlas access control series offers versatility, supporting everything from traditional readers and keypads to QR codes and fingerprint scanning, with the flexibility to operate on-premise or in the cloud. For tight environments, they introduced the Mars 100 turnstile, which features a compact 2x3-foot footprint. They also highlighted the Omni series, an all-in-one standalone reader-controller that manages access, intercom, and visitor functions in a single device. Innovation in portability was evident in their new walk-through metal detectors, which consist of two poles with an 8-hour battery life—ideal for schools and temporary events. While they offer their own Armatura readers, ZKTeco emphasized that their solutions can integrate with other industry leaders to fit diverse customer needs.

Introduction - Lightkeepers of Henry County is a grassroots nonprofit organization based in New Castle, Indiana. It began informally in 2020 with a community vigil, where organizers realised that local residents wanted more activities centred on culture, diversity, and understanding. Lightkeepers became a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2023 and soon afterward acquired its own building. Guided by its core values of equity, education, diversity, and empathy, Lightkeepers aims to provide a safe place where everyone in the community feels appreciated and has a sense of belonging. Its programs focus on marginalised communities, including low-income residents, people with disabilities, and the LGBTQIA+ community. The organization hosted the first Juneteenth celebration in Henry County, organises New Castle Pride, and runs food and blanket drives, festivals, and community meetings. Following historic flooding in the area, it is also hosting home damage assessments for affected residents. Limited police patrols The challenge - Lightkeepers is based in the former Westminster Community Center, a two-story cement building that has long been a staple of the neighborhood. Over the years, it has served as an elementary school, a community center with after-school programs and classrooms, and most recently a food pantry. The building includes a large gym, several ground-floor rooms, an upstairs kitchen, classroom area, and offices, and an attached garage. Before Lightkeepers took it over, the building had been largely vacant, opening for only a few hours, two days a week, for food distribution. It is located in a low-income area with limited police patrols, and the parking lot was so poorly lit that the team repaired the light themselves. A city park directly behind the building had become a meeting place for illegal and unsafe activity. Limited police patrols Today, the building is in use throughout the day. With no set opening hours, it hosts fundraisers, community meetings, training sessions, birthday parties, and baby showers, with anywhere from four to more than 120 people inside at any one time. Festivals and other events also take place in the parking lot. During summer 2026, Lightkeepers partnered with fellow nonprofit Live Coalition to run the Hangout Hub, a weekday program offering activities and free meals for children aged 10 and over. Lightkeepers needed a way to protect the building and its contents, and to keep children and visitors safe while they were on-site. Board members, who often come and go outside of normal hours, needed to see what was happening in the building and parking lot before arriving or leaving. As an older building with boiler heating, the property was also at risk from problems that could go unnoticed when nobody was there. “After we acquired the building, we knew that we would need to be able to watch what we had, because of the neighborhood it’s in. We definitely needed some sort of security, and we wanted safety for the kids in the gym,” says Mary Nicholson Tait, President, Lightkeepers of Henry County. Monitored intrusion detection The solution -Lightkeepers worked with 3xLOGIC and SONITROL to install video surveillance and monitored intrusion detection across the building, parking lot, and perimeter. The system was completed in 2024. A mix of 3xLOGIC indoor and outdoor cameras watches the building inside and out. A 360-degree camera mounted in the center of the gym ceiling gives full visibility of the space, while a camera in the entrance lobby covers the main entry point. Outside, cameras cover each side of the building, including edge-based deep learning cameras that, if required, can detect people and vehicles and identify details such as vehicle make, model, and color. Deep learning analytics A 3xLOGIC VISIX 5MP InterACT camera on the front of the building overlooks the parking lot. The camera combines high-quality video with edge-based deep learning analytics and built-in deterrence features, including sirens, white or red and blue lights, two-way audio for talk-down, and custom messaging. Its analytics can detect loitering, intrusion, and vehicles in prohibited areas, with real-time alerts allowing potential incidents to be addressed early. SONITROL’s patented audio intrusion sensors inside the building provide 24/7 monitored intrusion detection. When a sensor is triggered, SONITROL operators can listen in to verify activity and dispatch police when required. Allowing potential incidents Mary can view live footage remotely using the 3xLOGIC mobile app on her phone and access the cameras from a desktop workstation in her office at the building. The SONITROL app, meanwhile, may be used on-site to arm and disarm the alarm system. “I’ve got the desktop set up in my office at the building, so if we have activities in the gym, we don’t have to go down and see what’s going on. We can just click on the camera and see what’s happening,” explains Mary. Monitored intrusion detection Results gained - Since installation, Lightkeepers can see what’s going on at the building from anywhere. Mary regularly uses the mobile app to keep an eye on the parking lot, and because the team does not keep regular business hours, board members can check the cameras before heading out to their cars at night. “We’ve got a lot of women on our board, and we’re over there at all hours. It’s nice for everybody to be able to see what they’re about to walk into before they leave the building,” says Mary. Late one Sunday night, an intruder forced their way in through the gym door. SONITROL’s monitored intrusion detection picked up the activity, operators called Mary, and police were dispatched. Officers were at the building before Mary, who lives five minutes away, could get there. The intruder fled without taking anything. Low winter temperatures In another incident, during unusually low winter temperatures, copper pipes in the building burst. SONITROL’s sensors detected the noise and alerted the team, and Mary checked the lobby camera on the 3xLOGIC mobile app, where she saw water coming out of the room. This meant the team could get someone to the building quickly and limit the damage. No repainting or structural repairs were needed, and no fittings needed to be thrown away. “Had it not been for the security system, we would not have known about the flooding. I was able to look from my app and see there was water, and we were able to get over there and take care of the problem. It saved us a lot of money in repairs and made a huge difference,” explains Mary. Deter nuisance activity The cameras, the repaired light, and the extra activity on-site have helped deter nuisance activity in the wider area, so the park behind the building is now somewhere local children can play. Residents across the street have welcomed the cameras, reporting fewer people coming into their yards and a decrease in illegal activity. “We were afraid they were going to be so mad at us because there were cameras over here. It was completely the opposite. The neighbours were really happy that they could see the cameras, because it provided safety for their properties. They actually thanked us,” Mary concludes. Additional camera coverage Future plans - Lightkeepers is preparing to partner with the Boys and Girls Club to deliver after-school programs from the building, to bring more young people on-site regularly. The organization is also working with its integrator to assess additional camera coverage and to make full use of the InterACT camera’s siren, talk-down, and custom alarm features to actively deter unwanted activity in the parking lot.

Milestone Systems, a provider of open platform video management software (VMS), is helping Columbia Borough, Pennsylvania, strengthen public safety through a community-wide video security system built on Milestone XProtect® VMS. For more than 16 years, Columbia has worked with Lancaster-area security integrator App-Techs to develop and expand a distributed wireless video network serving its downtown, public buildings, parks, and other borough facilities. Today, the system supports roughly 83 camera feeds, including 4K multi-lens and PTZ cameras, primarily from iPro. Distributed wireless architecture Located along the Susquehanna River in Lancaster County, Columbia is a historic borough of roughly 10,000 residents. As the community worked to revitalise its downtown and attract new businesses, borough leaders wanted safety and security to support that broader effort. Traditional wired infrastructure was impractical across Columbia’s geographically varied environment, requiring App-Techs to engineer a distributed wireless architecture. XProtect provides the video management foundation, with dedicated servers located in the municipal building and a remote park office. Officers can also access live camera feeds from laptops in patrol vehicles, while mobile access extends video to personnel during community events. Immediately dispatched officers Columbia’s dispatchers are the primary day-to-day operators of XProtect, monitoring cameras, and supporting officers in the field. In one incident, a dispatcher spotted someone breaking into a vending machine outside a laundromat and immediately dispatched officers. “Our staff member observed someone breaking into a vending machine just outside that building and was able to dispatch officers to the scene,” said Jack Brommer, Columbia Borough Police Department Chief. “Officers apprehended the individual, and it turns out this was a serial thief who had been breaking into vending machines across the tri-county area. So that single arrest helped resolve a number of thefts across multiple counties. That’s just the kind of impact this technology can have on a community.” The system also supports holding cells and interview rooms inside the police station, where microphones are integrated with cameras, as well as large community events. During Columbia’s annual “Thunder on the River” antique car show, Emergency Management personnel used the community camera network to support proactive monitoring and rapid response across the event. Gunshot-detection technologies Over time, Columbia’s video system has supported faster incident response, stronger evidence for prosecution and greater situational awareness for dispatchers and police officers. Borough leaders also use signage in parks and public areas to make camera coverage visible as a deterrent. “The data that I can point to is that we are trending downward, probably for the last five, six years, as far as call volume and crime trends. Those numbers have been very positive,” added Brommer. Looking ahead, Columbia plans to expand its use of video analytics, including object-search capabilities that can help investigators filter video by vehicle type, colour, and other attributes. The borough is also exploring emerging gunshot-detection technologies to further improve situational awareness.

Genetec Inc., the global pioneer in enterprise physical security software, announces that TEPCO Power Grid has deployed Genetec™ Security Center as the foundation for a next-generation physical security platform that supports its broader digital transformation strategy and scales with its growing operational requirements. The platform will centralize management of more than 30,000 cameras and support future innovation across the TEPCO Power Grid network of 1,600 substations and service centers. TEPCO Power Grid manages and operates the transmission and distribution network that delivers electricity from power plants to homes and businesses across the Tokyo metropolitan area. The company is using advanced technologies to improve operational efficiency, strengthen disaster response, and modernise critical infrastructure. Modernising critical infrastructure As its camera network expanded over the years, TEPCO Power Grid needed a platform capable of supporting large-scale camera management, integrating with image analysis technologies, and expanding access to video across a broader range of devices. After evaluating several options, the company selected Genetec Security Center for its functionality, scalability, proven track record, and customization capabilities through its software development kit. “The response from users has been very positive, and we're already seeing new ideas emerge for how the system can be used across the organization. Beyond supporting our current operations, we see an opportunity to leverage accumulated video data alongside AI technologies to support future operational and technology initiatives, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration with Genetec,” said Tomoyuki Soma, Group Manager, System Development General Affairs Group, System Development Center, DX Promotion Department, TEPCO Power Grid. Improving operational efficiency TEPCO Power Grid selected Security Center for its scalability and open architecture. The platforms broad camera support allowed the company to bring together camera models from multiple manufacturers into a unified environment, helping preserve existing hardware investments while giving teams room to evolve. The Security Center software development kit also enables the company to customize the system and integrate additional technologies as requirements evolve. Security Center gives TEPCO Power Grid a unified view of its camera network while allowing teams across the region to support sites in their respective areas. Activities such as adding cameras and updating maps, which were previously managed centrally, can now be performed by individual workplaces, helping improve operational efficiency. Digital transformation strategy Authorized personnel can also use the Security Center web app to view video from computers and mobile devices. During an incident or emergency, managers and field teams can remotely assess the situation and coordinate their response. The platform also helps teams identify camera malfunctions across the network, making it easier to locate and address issues TEPCO’s 1,600 geographically dispersed sites. In addition to video management, the company sees potential opportunities to leverage accumulated video data and integrate emerging technologies as operational requirements evolve. The company is also evaluating additional capabilities available within the Security Center platform as part of its longer-term digital transformation strategy.

The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn is one of the four Inns of Court and operates as an active and thriving society of lawyers, sprawling across 11 acres in central London and dating as far back as 1422. The title of “Lincoln’s Inn” refers both to the Society and the location, which houses the Society’s own facilities, numerous barristers’ chambers and several solicitors’ offices. The Inns of Court originally provided accommodation for law students who learned their craft by attending court. Different levels of security Today, the Inns exist to aid students in pursuing the legal profession and serve as landlord, custodian of historic buildings, banqueting and events venue, and tourist attraction. To fulfill these many functions, Lincoln’s Inn required security that would meet their own high standards while protecting buildings that had been in continuous operation for centuries. As the Inn not only provides services to law students, but also operates as an attraction and a hosting venue, many different levels of security need to be in place for a variety of users—full-time employees, temporary contractors, event staff, students, and others. For this reason, it was essential that Lincoln’s Inn have a comprehensive system to track and monitor their many keys for the extensive venue. Improving key control For some time, keys at Lincoln’s Inn were managed manually through an analog system, with staff retrieving keys from an open cabinet and recording key usage with pen and paper. However, because at times manual recordkeeping can be less than diligent, this allowed for confusion as to who had what keys when, and made it possible for keys to be stashed away or used by unauthorized persons. With the variety and quantity of people moving throughout Lincoln’s Inn on any given day, a more secure solution was needed. To update and improve key control, Chief Porter Nicholas Bracey turned to the KeyWatcher Touch key control system by Morse Watchmans. Key storage and management “KeyWatcher Touch provides us with a fully secure means of key storage and management. We considered a number of products on the market and found the Morse Watchmans solution to be the most flexible and easy to use system,” said Mr. Bracey. “The high quality and ease of scalability were two of the top features we required, and the KeyWatcher Touch was a perfect fit for our key control needs.” Lincoln’s Inn installed two KeyWatcher Touch units configured for a total of 192 keys or keyrings in January 2016, and the system has been in daily use since the installation. It utilizes the Inn’s IT network and is fully integrated with the PCs in the security office and the office of the Chief Porter in order to provide maximum flexibility and ease of use. Providing maximum flexibility Tracking keys as they were removed and returned was a top concern, so the ability of the KeyWatcher to record who has removed what key and when was exceptionally important. “The keys are always secure, rather than being openly accessible to staff. There is no longer paperwork to be managed for logging, it is all taken care of with the KeyWatcher software,” continued Mr. Bracey. “Audits and reports are fast and accurate, and it has led to our staff becoming more responsible overall.” KeyWatcher Touch has provided Lincoln’s Inn with the functionality and security it requires to easily manage its 192 keys, while also providing an easily accessible audit trail. In addition, the system has proven hardy and resilient in daily use over two years. “We have had continuity with Morse Watchmans since day one,” finished Mr. Bracey. “Demonstrations of function, installation, and training were all handled almost entirely by the same representative, in addition to subsequent orders. The continuously exceptional service has ensured that we were getting exactly the product that would best serve Lincoln’s Inn and provide us with the security we need.” KeyWatcher Touch Features: Email and SMS Notifications Scheduled Reports via Email or SMS Centralized User Database Scalable, Modular Design

In a sector where budgets are always a focus of attention, delivering concrete returns to every investment is crucial. By digitalising access, healthcare premises – whether large hospitals or small clinics – can benefit from day one. They can improve staff and patient safety; quickly implement more efficient, time-saving workflows; and painlessly meet compliance demands. Healthcare sites always present complex access challenges. They must be welcoming, accessible public spaces. They often occupy large, sprawling areas; unfamiliar faces and first-time visitors are around every single day. At the same time, these premises inevitably have valuable and/or sensitive assets, including confidential data and medicines, which must be secured. Patients, doctors, nurses and support staff must feel safe. In labs and treatment suites, restricted materials and valuable equipment need both security and a compliant system for logging every access event. This has always been healthcare’s ‘business-as-usual’: it is a complex environment for any security manager. Meeting compliance demands Modern hospitals and clinics, however, now face an extra level of challenges – and opportunities. Their access system may benefit from integration with fire detection, CCTV and other building solutions, for example. With so many temporary and contract workers employed on-site, access is in constant motion. It needs to be tailored to specific and very different needs and, equally, revoked when any time-limited tasks are complete. In case of a security breach, rapid investigation is essential. Tracing and logging access to specific areas may also be a legal requirement, especially with new NIS2 regulations introduced for critical infrastructure, which demand proactive “hybrid” cyber/physical security frameworks for many healthcare premises. Relying on manual or siloed systems to complete these tasks could eat up hours or even days for security and even medical staff. Happily, there is a better way to work. Digital access devices The solution is access digitalisation. Digital access devices and credentials help to keep every hospital user safe. Unauthorized access is minimised because unapproved key copies rarely circulate and lost credentials are canceled with a click. Employees and equipment are safer because more access points may be digitally secured. Issuing contractors and temporary staff with digital or even mobile credentials can further simplify the granting, amending and revoking of site access. Security teams waste less time handing out and collecting keys. Intelligent, intuitive software helps facilities managers stay in control even while they are off-site. Logging access to specific assets or areas becomes quick and simple: a few clicks rather than the laborious process of keeping manual logs up to date. “Access is such an important part of any holistic approach to safety,” says David Moser, SVP and Head of Digital Access Solutions at ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions EMEIA. “Digitalising access immediately puts powerful tools in the hands of hospital management, delivering tangible daily benefits to meet security challenges head-on, improving efficiency and regulatory compliance at the same time.” Implementing digital access “There’s now a device to extend existing systems with digital control at almost any access point, whatever building solution is in place. Alternatively, we can equip customers with whole solutions to implement digital access from scratch, without invasive installation. So many efficiency and security benefits are within reach.” Below are three of many real-life examples which illustrate the ways healthcare premises have benefited from digital access beyond the most obvious security and safety aspects. By choosing ASSA ABLOY’s Aperio® wireless locks, integrated natively with an ARD access management solution, Centre Hospitalier Métropole Savoie (CHMS) could issue access rights tailored to individual staff and contractors and implement real-time control, helping to boost site safety. Because Aperio locks are wireless, the hospital introduced more layers of security without incurring excessive installation or operating costs, including for sensitive offices and drug stores. Access point functionality at CHMS now includes real-time management logs and remote door opening. Real-time management logs For convenience, staff now carry one credential programmed with their individual tailored permissions. “Having just a single badge, and not having to carry around heavy keys, has been a major advantage for us,” explains Béatrice Dequidt, Health Executive at CHMS. “We have implemented internal HR management procedures, creating badges that are automatically integrated into ARD's operating software,” adds Alain Gestin, CHMS’s IT Systems Architect. Aperio and ARD maintain compatibility of credentials with the French government’s electronic Health Professional Card (CPS), for added staff and management convenience. Personalized access permissions Hospital MAZ, in Zaragoza, also implemented a new ASSA ABLOY digital solution, SMARTair®, with real-time access functionality. Their online wireless access management system saves security managers’ time because they can implement all changes via the central system in real time, without needing to waste time walking through the hospital. Staff convenience is further enhanced: they now carry a smartcard programmed with their personalized access permissions. Custom-made cards double as employee IDs, so 625 staff and approximately 100 contractors only need to carry one. Their ASSA ABLOY system is also mobile access ready, making it easy for the hospital to issue and manage mobile keys in the future without hardware changes. “Digitalisation presents opportunities for healthcare organizations of every size and type to improve security while they also reduce costs ‘hidden’ in daily workflows,” explains David Moser. Convenient secure access Managing physical keys can impact nursing care, as pharmacy managers at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham discovered. An older, mechanical system made it difficult for them to keep track of who held the right key. Searching for that person wasted time. They identified a better solution for convenient secure access to controlled medicines: programmable keys. With their CLIQ programmable key access solution, power to digital and electromechanical locks is supplied by a standard battery inside every key, so no wires are required – making it an ideal retrofit solution for hospital doors, cabinets and mobile drug trolleys. Audit trails for locks and padlocks are available on demand: nurse managers can quickly see who has accessed cabinets or drug trolleys. Key access solution “The message from all nursing staff is that patients are getting medicines much easier and in a more timely fashion,” says Inderjit Singh, Chief Pharmacist at QE Birmingham. “For us, the key return on investment is the quality of service we’re providing.” “Our expertise in access, established over decades, enables us to work with customers to get their access ready for what’s ahead,” adds David Moser. “With ASSA ABLOY, they digitalise with confidence.”

Metallic, highly reflective surfaces are among the most challenging objects to inspect in machine vision applications. Reflections obscure details, defects often only become apparent from certain angles, and the quality of manual visual inspections varies throughout the working day. The Austrian company Danube Dynamics, in collaboration with EVVA, a manufacturer of mechatronic access solutions, demonstrates how these challenges can be managed with an AI-supported testing system. The system captures components placed in an orderly manner in a box in one step, automatically assesses surface defects, and integrates quality control reproducibly into the production process. Strict quality specifications Background: Challenging surfaces, high requirements - At EVVA, metallic components undergo several process steps and must meet strict quality specifications. These include, among others, locking cylinders, cylinder cores, and other finely machined or galvanised precision parts from access technology. Mechanical defects such as scratches under 0.1 mm and galvanisation errors must be detected – deficiencies that are often hardly visible to the naked eye. The central difficulty: Highly reflective surfaces reflect light and may conceal relevant features. For a reliable assessment, multiple viewpoints are often necessary. In practice, this complicates maintaining a consistently high quality of manual inspections. A solution was sought that reliably detects defects, supports employees, and integrates stably into the production process. Mechanical locking cylinder with a high-precision metal surface – test object of the AI inspection. Solution: Closed test box, coordinated lighting, AI To reliably solve these challenging inspection tasks, an AI-powered inspection system was developed in collaboration with Danube Dynamics. AI-powered inspection system The system captures components arranged in a 400 × 300 mm Eurobox in one step, automatically assesses surface defects, and integrates quality control reproducibly into the production process. Up to 126 components are arranged in the box and are tested in one pass. To 1/4 create constant conditions despite reflections, a closed test box with customized lighting is employed. Four individually controllable RGBW bars allow for different colours and lighting angles to make various defect patterns visible. The coordinated interplay of lighting, image quality, and AI evaluation was crucial. AI-based Inspection System: Arranged components in the Eurobox during optical inspection. The image capture is performed by a monochrome industrial camera of the type IDS uEye U3-36P0XCP-M GL Rev. 1.2. It is based on the 19.80 MP sensor AR2020 from onsemi, delivers 5K UHD resolution with 5136 × 3856 pixels, and is suitable for inspecting the finest surface details. High-contrast representation The 1/1.8-inch rolling shutter sensor in a 4:3 aspect ratio supports detailed imaging of even the smallest defects. The system is complemented by an IDS lens with a focal length of 8.5 mm (Type 20M11-C08528). “For us, it was crucial that we could capture many arranged components on a large testing area in one step while still reliably detecting the smallest surface defects. Only the interplay of lighting, high-resolution image capture, and AI evaluation makes this quality control robustly manageable,” underlines Edwin Schweiger, Co-Founder and COO at Danube Dymamics. The camera captures the entire Eurobox in high resolution. The image data obtained in this manner enables the detection of the smallest defects in each individual component using AI subsequently. What is crucial is not only the pixel count but also the repeat accuracy under defined lighting conditions. The monochrome version additionally supports a high-contrast representation of relevant surface features. AI detected deviations “Especially with highly reflective surfaces, it is essential to depict fine differences stably and in detail,” emphasises Jürgen Hejna, Product Owner 2D Cameras at IDS. “The camera's high sensor resolution and easy integration provide a solid foundation for industrial applications.” Ease of integration was also a decisive factor for Danube Dynamics. The camera can be integrated into the overall system via a standard interface. This reduces the development effort and ensures stable testing results during ongoing operations. Measurable benefit - The potential of the solution became evident during the first live deployment: The AI detected deviations that even experienced professionals hardly noticed. Above all, the significantly reduced testing time made the benefit immediately measurable. The previously manual visual inspection of more than 30 seconds per Eurobox has been reduced to under five seconds. The basis for this consists of four defined lighting scenarios, from which four images per component are generated. Subsequent AI inference The subsequent AI inference occurs with a runtime of approximately 10 milliseconds per cylinder. At the same time, the testing process has been fully digitised. Testing results are now systematically documented and statistically evaluated. Scrap and deviations that were previously not recorded are now transparently traceable. Manual quality control is therefore not replaced but specifically supported. Employees are relieved, testing processes are reproducible, and quality is measurably integrated into the production process. Another milestone is the ability to retrain the AI independently. EVVA can integrate new product variants and error patterns into the system by itself. This enhances the future viability of the solution and allows for adjustments to growing requirements without altering the fundamental system structure. AI-based evaluation The demands for automated quality control are increasing. At the same time, awareness is growing regarding what is possible with coordinated image capture and AI-based evaluation. While standard applications are relatively simple to implement today, this project demonstrates the potential in the inspection of demanding surfaces. It illustrates how even optically challenging, safety-relevant components can be reliably inspected using lighting, high-resolution camera technology, and AI. Customer - Danube Dynamics Embedded Solutions GmbH is a technology company based in Linz, Austria, which has specialized in intelligent embedded system solutions for industry since 2020. The company develops tailor made solutions at the interface of software, AI and electronics with the aim of driving automation and digitalisation forward in an efficient, secure and future-oriented manner through "AI at the Edge". Mechatronic access solutions Today, Danube Dynamics has over 30 customers across Europe and employs a team of more than 15 highly qualified developers and engineers. For over 100 years, EVVA has been synonymous with mechanical and electronic access systems at the highest technical level. What began in 1919 with the founding of the ‘Invention-Testing-Utilization-Institution’ (EVVA) is now a central part of the company philosophy: EVVA conducts its own research, develops and produces independently, and realises innovative mechatronic access solutions. As a family-owned business, EVVA is among the most successful companies in the industry internationally: Over 300 patents have been registered; subsidiaries in ten European markets and worldwide distributors ensure international presence.

Casinos are tasked with monitoring vast gaming floors, cashier cages, and access points. The market for casino security and surveillance demands software and hardware that provide high-definition, multi-angle visual coverage to ensure the integrity of the games and to protect players, staff, and the public. Like other vertical markets for physical security technology, the casino market is undergoing change and facing challenges. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: How are new technologies impacting the casino surveillance and security market?

Adequate video surveillance coverage depends entirely on a facility's layout, square footage, and security goals. Historically, better coverage required more cameras, but technology innovations are changing those expectations and undermining previously held rules of thumb. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: Do today's video systems generally require more cameras or fewer cameras, and why?

Next-generation (Next-Gen) technologies are products, services, or infrastructures that represent a significant leap forward rather than a small, incremental update. In the physical security industry, NextGen products are those that enable disruptive change, breakthrough performance, and a fundamental change that renders previous products obsolete. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: What is the next generation of physical security solutions, and how will they change the industry?