Security communication

Bugcrowd, the pioneer in crowdsourced security introduced the availability of its AI Pen Testing on the Bugcrowd Platform to help AI adopters detect common security flaws before threat actors take advantage. AI Pen Testing is a part of  Bugcrowd’s AI Safety and Security Solutions portfolio, in addition to the recently announced AI Bias Assessment offering.  Access to AI Commoditized access to AI is revolutionizing how work is done in every industry. AI also presents new categories of potential security vulnerabilities, as reflected in President Biden’s Executive Order 14110 which calls for “AI red teaming” (methods unspecified) by all government agencies. Large Language Model (LLM) applications Bugcrowd AI Pen Tests are designed to uncover the most common flaws in these areas The conversational interfaces in Large Language Model (LLM) applications can be vulnerable to prompt injection, training data extraction, data poisoning, and other types of attacks. Bugcrowd AI Pen Tests are designed to uncover the most common flaws in these areas using a testing methodology based on its open-source Vulnerability Rating Taxonomy which draws from the OWASP Top 10 for LLM Applications while adding other flaws reported by hackers on its platform. Detecting new vulnerabilities Many AI applications are highly integrated with other systems, amplifying risk by serving as a potential access point for wider infiltration by attackers. As generative AI becomes universally adopted, the expanded attack surface will require Bugcrowd’s unique brand of rigorous pressure testing to detect the new vulnerabilities that come along with it. Data-driven approach Pentesters are curated from a deep bench of trusted testers selected from the global hacker community for their skills and track records. The Bugcrowd Platform’s data-driven approach to researcher/hacker/pentester sourcing and activation, known as CrowdMatch AI, allows it to rapidly create and optimize crowds with virtually any skill set, to meet any risk reduction goal. Skills-as-a-service approach Bugcrowd Platform has evolved to reflect the changing nature of the attack surface including the adoption of mobile apps For over a decade, Bugcrowd’s “skills-as-a-service” approach to security has been shown to uncover more high-impact vulnerabilities than traditional methods for customers like T-Mobile, Netskope, and Telstra Corporation, while offering a clearer line of sight to ROI. With unmatched flexibility and access to more than a decade of vulnerability intelligence data, the Bugcrowd Platform has evolved to reflect the changing nature of the attack surface including the adoption of mobile apps, hybrid work, APIs, crypto, cloud workloads, and now AI.  AI Pen Testing offering “AI serves as a tool for enhancing attacker productivity, a target for exploitation of weaknesses in AI systems, and a threat due to the unintended security consequences stemming from its use,” said Dave Gerry, CEO of Bugcrowd. “With our new AI Pen Testing offering, our customers now have a solution to address any AI-based risks, ranging from standard tests for web apps, mobile apps, and networks to continuous, crowd-powered testing of complex apps, cloud services, APIs, IoT devices, and now AI systems, for maximum risk reduction.” Crowdsourced security platform “The rapid adoption of LLMs in government and enterprise use cases has led to an unprecedented growth in attack surface that adversaries are already exploiting,” said Julian Brownlow Davies, VP of Advanced Services for Bugcrowd. “Bugcrowd’s world-class crowdsourced security platform with CrowdMatch AI has enabled us to bring to market high-impact AI/LLM penetration testing delivered by trusted testers with deep domain experience, providing safety and security to our customers against these evolving threats.” Bugcrowd at RSA Conference Visit us at Booth 2245 on the Expo floor for swag, demos, and conversation about the news. Request 1:1 time with execs for a deep dive into our announcement and the value of the Bugcrowd Platform.  Register for the events. Access additional information on the AI Safety and Security Solutions portfolio.

The Monitoring Association (TMA) is pleased to announce that ADT – Knoxville, Tennesse has received the prestigious 'TMA Five Diamond Monitoring Center' designation. This designation is granted annually to monitoring centers that satisfy all of the requirements of the 'five points of excellence': Commitment to ongoing job-related education and testing by having 100% of its monitoring center operators certified using the TMA online training series on industry best practices. Commitment to random inspections and quality criteria standards by a nationally recognized testing laboratory, such as FM Approvals, Intertek/ETL, and UL. Commitment to raising the industry standards through TMA membership and participation in its activities. Commitment to reducing false dispatches. Commitment to the highest levels of customer service. Five Diamond designation TMA’s Five Diamond designation means, in particular, that a monitoring company has demonstrated an exceptionally high degree of responsibility to their local community and their customers through the investment of time, money, and commitment to quality operator training. Operators serve as the life-saving link between residential or business properties and the police, fire, and emergency services in local areas. The TMA Monitoring Center Operator course covers virtually all phases of monitoring center communications with customers, police, fire, and emergency services communications centers.  Criteria for designation To achieve the Five Diamond designation, every operator must not only pass the course and recertify every three years, but demonstrate: Proficiency in alarm confirmation process, which helps reduce false alarms. Proficiency in communications with Public Service Answering Points, such as the Emergency 911 centers. Knowledge of electronic communications equipment, including, cellular, radio, and internet communication systems. An understanding of the codes and standards of such organizations as Underwriters Laboratories, Factory Mutual, the National Fire Protection Association, and others. Proficiency in the area of emergency preparedness under a wide scenario of possibilities. UL827 registered TMA In 2022, Five Diamond has expanded to include TMA Member video monitoring companies that are hosted by a UL827 registered TMA member data center and fulfill all other program requirements. There are approximately 2,700 monitoring centers in the United States that communicate and interact with police, fire, and emergency services agencies. Of this group, fewer than 130 monitoring centers have achieved the Five Diamond designation, setting these companies apart.

DSSL Group, the security systems company, has rolled out a new field service management system from BigChange. The cloud-based system incorporates vehicle tracking, a mobile workforce app, intelligent job scheduling, and an online customer booking portal. The system has already helped the Essex-based company offset more than 200 tonnes of CO2 and achieve net zero running for its fleet of vehicles, as well as reducing paper use by around 20,000 sheets a year. Disparate and outdated systems Predominantly specializing in Local Authority CCTV systems and access control systems for Housing Associations, DSSL operates a mixed fleet of more than forty vans and five cherry pickers from its regional operation centers in Essex, Leeds, and London. Completing around 100 planned jobs a day with an additional 15-30 out-of-hours callouts, DSSL implemented BigChange to replace a number of disparate and outdated systems. Implementing BigChange, DSSL has very reduced its back-office authority resources Since implementing BigChange, DSSL has significantly reduced its back-office administration resources. Automated workflows and integration of management systems have meant that two, full-time staff members have been redeployed within the business equating to a saving of around £60,000 per annum.  DSSL is also realizing improvements in cashflow due to more timely and accurate invoicing and improved management reporting. Separate tracking system “Prior to BigChange we had a job sheet system that was server-based, we used Google Calendar, a separate tracking system and multiple spreadsheets to manage daily activities such as job raising and invoicing,” commented Aaron Stephens, Managing Director of DSSL Group. “Engineers couldn’t create jobs when responding to call outs, which meant we needed a dedicated member of staff to raise these retrospectively and chase engineers for the required information to close the job for invoicing. We also had another member of the admin team whose job it was to print completed job sheets and get them marked up for invoicing.” Cloud-based system DSSL selected the BigChange job management system, which incorporates a mobile workforce app DSSL selected the BigChange job management system, which incorporates a mobile workforce app, customer relationship management (CRM), job scheduling, live tracking, financial management, and business intelligence tools in one system, after just one face-to-face demo. “We knew how our business operated and the workflows that were required to get jobs done and invoiced,” he continued. “However, we also knew this was long-winded. We knew we wanted a cloud-based system and it very quickly became apparent that the BigChange methods and processes were aligned with what we needed to achieve, and the functionality and vision was there to save us resources from day one, boost customer service and support us as we continue to grow.” Real-time sharing DSSL customers are also noting the changes in the business with real-time sharing of information DSSL customers are also noting the changes in the business with real-time sharing of information between the field and the office, and more detailed and comprehensive reporting. Southern Housing, one of the largest Housing Associations in the UK with more than 45,000 homes across London, the South East, and the Midlands, uses DSSL access control solutions and commented, “We are delighted with DSSL and their performance as they continue to deliver against our targets and KPI’s. Best of all is their ability to communicate and put in place processes and procedures to keep customer satisfaction at 98% and complaints to a very low level.” Additional training requirements Some additional features within the BigChange system, such as vehicle checks, driver behavior alerts, and improved field reporting, are also helping DSSL look after their workforce promoting safer and greener driving and identifying additional training requirements. DSSL Group is a family-run security solutions integrator whose services include bespoke designs for security installations, tailored planned maintenance, and reactive repair for all types of security systems across the UK. Founded in 1998 by Dave Stephens, DSSL Group was formed in 2009 and is now run by Dave’s eldest son Aaron Stephens as Group Managing Director with his two brothers alongside him on the board. The business continues to grow, having recently upgraded over 20 town center CCTV systems and attended over 30,000 jobs in the past year, and is committed to sustainable operations.

ASIS International, a major authority in security standards and guidelines, proudly announces the release of an American National Standards Institute (ANSI)-approved standard dedicated to security risk assessments. ASIS SRA standard The ASIS Security Risk Assessment (SRA) Standard has been revised and designed to revolutionize how organizations assess and manage security risks. Developed by a team of seasoned security professionals, the ASIS SRA Standard offers an up-to-date and forward-looking comprehensive and systematic approach to identifying, analyzing, and evaluating security risks, ultimately empowering organizations to safeguard their assets, mitigate threats, and enhance resilience.  Security risk assessments “The ASIS Security Risk Assessment Standard is the result of extensive collaboration and expertise from a diverse group of pioneering security professionals with expertise in conducting security risk assessments,” stated ASIS International’s SRA Technical Committee Co-Chair, Jennifer Holcomb, PE, PMP, PSP, CPP, CPD. She adds, “By outlining a systematic approach to security risk assessment, this standard empowers organizations to proactively identify and address vulnerabilities, ultimately strengthening their security posture. I am honored to have contributed to this important initiative."  Robust framework This standard equips security practitioners with the tools and methodologies needed  The ASIS SRA Standard sets the benchmark for excellence in security risk assessment practices. With its robust framework and detailed guidance, this standard equips security practitioners with the tools and methodologies needed to conduct thorough and effective security risk assessments in diverse environments.  Key features  Comprehensive Scope: The standard provides a detailed outline of the scope, objectives, and principles of security risk assessments, ensuring that all aspects of the assessment process are thoroughly covered.  Establishing the SRA Context: This section delves into the foundational elements of the SRA, including needs assessment, defining objectives, delineating roles, and responsibilities, and ensuring compliance with legal and other requirements.  Preparing SRA Activities: Offering practical guidance on authorization, information gathering, planning, and documentation, this section prepares practitioners for the execution of the SRA process.  Conducting SRA Activities: From risk identification to evaluation, this section outlines the essential steps involved in analyzing and assessing security risks, providing methodologies for both qualitative and quantitative analysis.  Post-SRA Activities: Following the assessment, this section guides organizations through the process of implementing risk treatments and establishing ongoing monitoring and improvement mechanisms.  General Principles: Emphasizing impartiality, objectivity, competence, and confidentiality, this section underscores the ethical and professional standards that underpin the SRA process.  Contents of the Security Risk Assessment Report: Providing a template for reporting findings and recommendations, this section ensures clarity and consistency in communicating assessment outcomes.  Insights and guidance ASIS SRA Standard is poised to become the go-to resource for security professionals worldwide With its emphasis on best practices, transparency, and continual improvement, the ASIS SRA Standard is poised to become the go-to resource for security professionals worldwide. Whether users are seasoned practitioners or new to the field, this standard offers invaluable insights and detailed guidance for enhancing the organization's security posture.  A comprehensive roadmap "We are proud to introduce the ASIS Security Risk Assessment Standard, a culmination of years of expertise and industry collaboration," said Sue Carioti, CAE, CStd, Vice President, Certification, Standards, ASIS International. Sue Carioti adds, "With security risks evolving at an unprecedented pace, it is imperative for organizations to have a robust framework in place to assess and mitigate these risks effectively. The ASIS SRA Standard provides precisely that, a comprehensive roadmap for navigating the complexities of modern security challenges." 

RiverSafe, a pioneering cybersecurity professional services provider, has partnered with Cribl, the Data Engine for IT and Security. This new partnership is set to transform the data capabilities available to RiverSafe's clients, empowering organizations to analyze, collect, process, and route all IT and security data from any source or in any destination. As data continues to grow at a 28 percent compound annual growth rate, Cribl's product suite, including the industry's pioneering observability pipeline Cribl Stream, is purpose-built for IT and security teams to manage rapidly growing volumes of data. Ultimately, this partnership aims to drive operational efficiency for RiverSafe's clients, elevating their competitiveness and driving sustainable business growth. Incredibly powerful technology Oseloka Obiora, CTO of RiverSafe commented: “Our goal is to accelerate time to value for our customers and we select technology partners that we feel will be a real asset to our clients and their environments. Cribl is an incredibly powerful technology and will allow companies to make data accessibility and usage easier and more manageable." “We are incredibly proud of our current technological offering, and we hope to continue building upon this, making digital transformations as easy and as seamless as possible, helping businesses to grow and remain competitive in our digital economy, while keeping security at the heart of operations.” Deploying Cribl technologies Charlie Howe, VP of Sales, EMEA at Cribl said: "We are delighted to have forged a strong alliance with RiverSafe, a trusted and highly skilled professional services provider. Their expertise in deploying Cribl technologies will bring immense value to our customers, empowering businesses to navigate complex data challenges, bolster security postures, and unleash actionable insights essential for thriving in today's data-driven world." "As organizations come to terms with how data can be used to improve business decision-making and operations, we are excited to see the results this partnership can bring to our customers.”

Dahua Technology, a global video-centric AIoT solution and service provider, recently upgraded its integrated, quick, efficient, and secure network solution – the Dahua Cloud Network Solution. It integrates CCTV and IT networks into one platform, offers easy and fast network setup, provides auto-generated network topology and rich management features, as well as 24/7 network security, enabling easy network configuration and maintenance and addressing users’ scenario-based security needs.  One Network: Integrated CCTV and IT networks This intelligent solution integrates all network products including network switch, wireless access point, enterprise router, and wireless bridge into the DoLynk Care, a cloud-based platform that can also manage IPC, PTZ, NVR, XVR, Alarm, Video intercom, and other devices. It is a comprehensive solution that combines both CCTV and IT networks, saving deployment and maintenance costs.  In addition, this solution is also compatible with third-party devices which are displayed on the network topology with icons, MAC address, and other relevant Information. Quick Deployment: Easy and fast network setup It supports remote configuration of device functions, including reboot, upgrade, backup, restore With this solution, devices can be easily added by simply scanning a QR Code via the mobile app or doing Single/Batch Device Import on the web platform. Users can also scan the QR code of the Controller to connect all network devices to the cloud network. What’s more, its integration with DoLynk Care enables the automatic generation of the corresponding topology based on identified devices in the network. It supports remote configuration of device functions, including reboot, upgrade, backup, restore, STP, VLAN, link aggregation, loop protection, etc. It also allows password-free jumping from the cloud to the device's WEB to operate more advanced functions. Efficient Maintenance: Network maintenance using auto-generated topology and rich functions The data dashboard of the cloud platform shows the graphical data of the real-time status of connected devices in the network. It supports one-click health diagnoses that can check all devices and provide professional troubleshooting guides with just a single click of a button. It also offers real-time alarms that immediately notify the operator when an error occurs. Users also have an option to allow installers to deliver the device to them, or entrust their system to a professional operator for maintenance. Security Guarantee: 24/7 network security This solution implements secure transmission protocols such as TLS network communication security protocol Each added device has a unique encryption key to ensure safety when accessing the cloud network. This solution also implements secure transmission protocols such as TLS network communication security protocol for data encryption and SHA256 for highly secure cryptographic hash algorithm, guaranteeing reliable protection against brute-force attacks.  An effective portal authentication is also in place to identify and verify users in the network, which greatly enhances network security and reliability. Comprehensive all-in cloud network solution Overall, the Dahua Cloud Network Solution is a comprehensive all-in cloud network solution that provides a great deal of advantages to both users and installers, making business easier and more convenient. It offers an integrated network, quick solution deployment, efficient maintenance, and round-the-clock security, and is ideal for various applications such as stores, offices, campuses, and hotels.

The average business owner or investor has some kind of security precaution in place, especially in the after-hours when there are fewer deterrents to inhibit criminal activity. Security guards, video surveillance systems, motion sensor lights, or even just fake cameras placed around the property are some of the common options people choose.  Future of overnight security Smart business owners are starting to realize, however, that some of these traditional security measures are becoming antiquated and no longer cutting. The now and future of overnight security is in remote guarding. Pioneered by companies like Los Angeles-based Elite Interactive Solutions, which was founded back in 2007, remote guarding is revolutionizing the overnight security business. Minimizing criminal activity Remote guarding is fast becoming the most popular choice among commercial end-user property owners Remote guarding utilizes a combination of cutting-edge technology, “digital guards,” highly trained security agents, and local law enforcement if and when necessary to minimize the potential of criminal activity. For those adequately enlightened to its overwhelmingly impressive crime prevention capabilities, remote guarding is fast becoming the most popular choice among commercial end-user property owners to secure and protect their investments. What Is Remote Guarding?  Remote guarding is a revolutionary concept and increasing trend in security systems that utilize a combination of methods to effectively analyze potential threats to property. Cameras and/or other monitoring devices running highly advanced algorithmic software are installed in strategic areas or vulnerable places onsite and remotely located security agents are immediately notified of any activity within a designated perimeter of the property. A blend of AI, cybersecurity, and video analytics When properly deployed by an expert provider, the technology stack includes a proprietary blend of video analytics, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and more. Done right, “noise” is effectively filtered out, allowing agents to act on legitimate alerts and achieve zero false alarms communicated to first responders. Today, there are a lot of terms and descriptions tossed around about remote guarding, remote video, virtual guarding, etc., but those attributes must be present to represent the true definition of the offering and its many virtues. Realtime situational awareness Many systems have a two-way speaker that allows the security agent to give a verbal warning When specially trained security agents are alerted to trespassers, possible intruders, or other suspicious activity, they analyze the situation in real time and determine the necessary level of action. Many systems have a two-way speaker that allows the security agent to give a verbal warning, known as a voice-down, to the individual(s) that they are being watched. Most perpetrators, often believing the response is emanating directly from security personnel on the property itself rather than from a remote command center, flee immediately. However, if the threat persists, the security agent enlists local law enforcement to get on the scene.  Customized remote guarding When properly deployed, remote guarding systems are also customized to specific properties. A team of consultants visits the client’s property to evaluate its vulnerabilities and where to best place cameras and/or other monitoring devices for system efficacy. Traditional Security Shortfalls  According to Keith Bushey, a retired commander for the Los Angeles Police Department, there is much frustration between law enforcement officers and potential victims of crime due to the historically unreliable performance of traditional burglar alarm systems and central monitoring stations. He states about 90% of security-related calls are false alarms, a problem that has been well-documented through the years. Onsite challenges When a legitimate emergency does occur, the perpetrators have often already done their damage When a legitimate emergency does occur, the perpetrators have often already done their damage and/or escaped by the time law enforcement arrives.  Onsite security guards are not the remedy either as they bring their own set of issues and challenges.  Unexpected costs Traditional security systems can also have unexpected costs. The cost is not only in the security guards’ paycheck or the cost of the equipment itself. The cost comes when an actual incident occurs. In worst-case scenarios, the security guard(s) are injured, the business suffers inventory loss, and/or damage is sustained to the property.  The medical and other costs for the security guard(s), the loss of inventory, property damage, deployment of law enforcement resources, and possible fallout of legal expenses all add up. Even in the best-case scenario, false alarm expenses incur if law enforcement is dispatched. These, among many others, are some of the primary issues that remote guarding resoundingly answers as a superior alternative. A Bounty of Benefits Remote guarding systems have been proven to cut costs and be more effective than traditional security systems. Even though the monthly monitoring costs of remote guarding are significantly higher than traditional intrusion detection system monitoring, the much higher effectiveness in crime reduction, elimination of false alarms, and augmenting or replacement of manned guards result in a substantially higher return on investment (ROI) to the end user. Easy tracking of threats The security cameras already have their image captured on record, making them easier to track down For example, case studies have demonstrated reduced security costs for clients by 60%, on average. These reductions have come from the costs of security staff, inventory, or property loss, plus saving money on insurance premiums and deductibles. The nature of remote guarding reduces the risk and costs of false alarms, with professional security agents able to determine an actual threat before law enforcement is called. In a rare instance when a perpetrator escapes before law enforcement arrives or can detain the individual(s), the security cameras already have their image captured on record, making them easier to track down and identify. Reduction of false alarms The significant reduction in false alarms is greatly appreciated by law enforcement, as it allows them to focus on real emergencies or crises. Better relationships are also developed between clients and law enforcement, as remote guarding systems are highly reliable in providing accurate and real-time information to officers as they approach the scene. In short, it assists law enforcement in doing their job more effectively, as well as more safely thanks to having eyewitness information before engaging in an active crime scene.  Partnership When you combine the decreased cost with the increased efficiency and success rate, it is easy to see why many commercial end-user property owners across the country are making the shift to remote guarding. It’s also an outstanding opportunity for professional security dealers and integrators to partner with a remote guarding services provider to bring a superior solution to their end customers and pick up a recurring monthly revenue stream in the process.

It’s no secret that the data security sector is constantly changing. It has an annual CGR of about 12.3%. Future trends in data security Much of this has to do with the rise of cybercrime in recent years, with reports showing that cyberattacks happen as often as every 39 seconds. To combat the growing rate of cybercrime, data security has been on the rise. As we journey further into this era, it becomes evident that a spectrum of significant trends is molding the future of data security. This exploration delves into a selection of these trends, unraveling their importance and the potential implications they carry  1. AI security tools will increase  Artificial Intelligence is also being used in the development of smart attacks and malware The introduction of Artificial Intelligence in the data security industry brought significant changes, especially in cybersecurity. AI has been the golden standard for face detection, natural language processing, automated threat detection, and automated security systems. Additionally, Artificial Intelligence is also being used in the development of smart attacks and malware, bypassing even the latest security protocols in data control. And as time progresses, AI security tools will flourish and dominate the scene. Let’s take a more in-depth look at three of the top AI security tools. Targeted attack analysis tool  Manufacturers utilize targeted attack analysis tools to uncover targeted and stealthy attacks. Artificial Intelligence can be applied to the program’s capabilities, processes, and knowledge. For instance, Symantec launched this tool to combat the Dragon 2.0 attack in 2022. The phishing attack reprimanded multiple energy companies while trying to gain access to their operational networks. Targeted Attack Analysis Tools can analyze incidents and look for similarities from previous situations. They also help detect suspicious activities and collect all the necessary data to determine whether a specific action is malicious. Intercept X tool  Results from the Intercept X Tool feature high accuracy and a low false positive rate Sophos, a British security hardware and software company, launched the Intercept X Tool. It engages a neural network that records and analyses data like a human brain. Sophos’ Intercept X Tool can extract features from a single file and perform a deep analysis. It detects malicious activities within 20 milliseconds. Plus, it’s also trained to work on bi-directional sharing and real-world feedback of threat intelligence. Results from the Intercept X Tool feature high accuracy and a low false positive rate.  IBM Watson Technology  IBM’s QRadar Advisor uses IBM Watson Technology, a unique AI tool for fighting cyber attacks. Artificial Intelligence can auto-investigate activities and indicators for potential exploitation or compromise. With cognitive reasoning, IBM Watson Technology can present critical insights to accelerate the response cycle. Security analysts can utilize this technology to search for threat incidents, reducing the risk of letting them fly under the radar. 2. Blockchain as a security solution  It guarantees no points of failure or hackable entrances that can expose datasets inside the system Blockchain is a type of distributed ledger technology (DLT) that aims to establish trust within an untrusting ecosystem. Today it’s one of the most robust cybersecurity technologies in the industry. Blockchain utilizes a decentralized ledger system, but your team members can still gain access to transparent information in the cloud. Members can also record, pass along, and view necessary transactional data in the blockchain. The entire blockchain process maintains data integrity within the system while establishing trust among team members. It guarantees no points of failure or hackable entrances that can expose datasets inside the system. Cybersecurity, biometrics Cybersecurity primarily benefits from these features because blockchain can create a secure and robust wall between data and hackers. On top of that, blockchain ledgers can include biometrics like fingerprints and retina scans. These prevent hackers from accessing any private data. Because blockchain is decentralized, it also limits hackable data. Together with the technology’s record-keeping system, each node is provided insight into data manipulation exposing real-time cybercrime attempts.  3. Increased and widened access control  Without access control, expect your company to be open to security issues, including theft, data loss, and breach of data Access control is critical in data security. More than a valuable security tool, business leaders can use access control to regulate people accessing any given resource. A company with an IT security setting can control who has the liberty to edit certain files. One of the primary goals of access control is to minimize threats or attacks to organizations and businesses to keep people and data secure. Without access control, expect your company to be open to security issues, including theft, data loss, and breach of data protection laws. Benefits The benefits of increased and widened access control include: Identifying who can access and control your data at specific time intervals. Protecting data from overwriting, accidental deletion, and malicious intent. User permissions that can be readily changed. Compliance and regulation with data privacy laws. Central management of access to data through a reporting portal or a dashboard.  Multi-factor authentication Access control comes in various types and systems, so it’s critical to know the features of what you’re looking for. The most common type is multi-factor authentication or MFA. It involves multiple steps before logging in, requiring the user to enter other relevant information besides the password. Some other examples of information include biometrics, answering a security question, or entering a code sent to the user’s email address. Two-factor authentication, role-based access control Two-factor authentication further prevents unauthorized entries that can result in unnecessary data possession Two-factor authentication further prevents unauthorized entries that can result in unnecessary data possession.  Another type of access control is role-based access control. In this setup, only one individual can set up access guidelines and grant permissions to specific team members within an organization. 4. Greater use of the zero-trust security model  The zero-trust security model is a framework that requires every user within and outside the organization to undergo authentication, authorization, and validation. These are all essential to ensure proper security configuration before access is granted to the company’s applications and data. A zero-trust model assumes that anyone can cause data breaches and that a traditional network edge is not taken into effect. Moreover, it addresses the following modern-day challenges: Hybrid cloud environments. Security of remote workers. Ransomware threats.  This framework utilizes the combination of multiple advanced technologies, including:  A risk-based multi-factor authentication. Endpoint security.  Identity protection.  Cloud workload technology.  The zero-trust model uses all these innovative tools for system identification, user verification, access consideration, and system security maintenance. Constant validation and monitoring Enforcing strict policies and compliance with data privacy laws are also essential Additionally, it also considers data encryption, email security, and asset verification before establishing connections with applications. The architecture of a zero-trust framework requires constant validation and monitoring of the users and the devices they are using. Enforcing strict policies and compliance with data privacy laws are also essential. More importantly, the zero trust architecture requires all organizations to be aware of all their available services and accounts to gain complete control of data handling and manipulation. 5. Increased privacy regulations  Privacy regulations and policies guide organizations in proper data control, handling, and security. These policies guide organizations in proper data control, handling, and security. As a responsible business owner, you must comply with these regulations to avoid legal issues. With cybersecurity attacks becoming common, expect increased and stricter privacy regulations to be released in the next few years. While current policies are still taken into effect, various modifications and adjustments will occur to compete with the rising numbers of data breaches, thefts, data loss, and more.  California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA) Currently, the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA) is the most comprehensive legislation on state data privacy. It only started to take effect on January 1, 2023. The CPRA introduces the following principles: Broad individual consumer rights. Significant duties of people who need to collect sensitive and personal information. Additional definitions of data privacy and security. An individual’s duties include releasing information about data collection to concerned data subjects and proper access, correction, and deletion of information. Final thoughts  2023 is a big year for data security. Trends such as increased adoption of zero-trust policies, a greater reliance on AI security tools, and the implementation of blockchain as a security solution are all things we expect to see shortly.  Staying up-to-date with these trends is important for keeping your business current and ensuring that you’re adhering to new and changing regulations. Doing so can give you an edge over the competition and keep you out of legal hot water.

GSX 2023 marks a poignant moment for the security industry as an increasingly complex risk landscape converges with the acceleration of technology innovation. Emerging from this environment are three key trends that will dominate the conference and the future of the security industry: (i) the adoption of AI, (ii) the use of predictive analytics, and (iii) a hybrid global and local risk management approach. As Chief Security Officer of Crisis24, a GardaWorld company, I regularly advise clients on how these trends are evolving and impacting their security and risk management approach. Here’s how we can expect to see them discussed at the show next month:​ Trend 1: Artificial intelligence is the new industry standard.  AI is this year's buzzword. While AI is not new to the industry, this year it has become a standard to operate with AI being adopted or expanded more ubiquitously. Legacy AI-enhanced security offerings that have been years in the making are becoming more advanced and are being integrated into expert analyst teams to leverage the best of both man and machine.  Limitations AI augments the data processing ability; however, human-led intelligence is still necessary AI can generate unparalleled levels of data and insights, but it also has its limitations. AI does not have the emotional intelligence that can influence decision-making. For instance, our Crisis24 analyst teams know that every one of the intelligence alerts they provide to leadership may save a life or protect a business. AI augments the data processing ability; however, human-led intelligence is still necessary to effectively elevate knowledge of those threats through an organization to incite action.  Trend 2: Predictive analytics powered by AI will transform security operations.  Predictive analytics enabled by AI will allow for more precise planning and execution of true emergency management. Those living or operating in conflict zones must be ready to spring into action and predictive analytics can help better evaluate risks, threat levels, and the probability of certain events.   When I served in Iraq in 2003, our greatest challenge was operating in an unpredictable environment and navigating the many unknown threats. With these large-scale threats, it was difficult to account for the vast array of variables involved and ensure that all parties were protected. Broad and instant visibility Predictive analytics provides broad and instant visibility into numerous potential outcomes, impacts, and mitigation strategies for a wide variety of threats.  When dealing with risks that are constantly evolving and quickly accelerating, the insights from predictive analytics can have a direct impact on risk management, mitigation strategies, and preparedness levels. Predictive analytics can anticipate the ripple effect that threats can have on organizations, their people, and their assets and enable security teams to plan.​ Trend 3: Risk mitigation is increasingly both global and hyper-local.  A company’s workforce is often scattered across the country or the world, working from home or on the go Remote work and a flood of 24/7 data sources have driven demand for timely, accurate, and hyper-local intelligence.  Where before an organization may have had a handful of facilities around the world where its employees gathered, now a company’s workforce is often scattered across the country or the world, working from home or on the go.  Preventive mitigation steps To keep their people and assets safe, business pioneers need to know what’s happening in all corners of the globe, while also easily accessing details on what is happening at the street corner level.  How a business takes care of its people, including anticipating risks and taking preventive mitigation steps as well as responding quickly in the face of threats, can directly affect its reputation. Every company is in the business of safety and security when it comes to looking after its people on a global, national, and increasingly hyper-local scale. 

Companies at GSX 2023 emphasized new ways that technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and the cloud can address long-standing issues in the security market. Among the exhibitors at the event in Dallas were companies seeking creative ways to apply technology, lower costs, and make the world a safer place. Reflecting on the exhibition, here are some additional takeaways. Expanding AI at the edge  i-PRO is a company reflecting the continued expansion of edge AI capability in the security market. Today, more than half of the company’s lineup supports AI at the edge so the customer has a wide choice of form factors when seeking to leverage the feature set.  AI processing relay, extended warranty i-PRO is increasing their warranty period from 5 to 7 years, which could be a lifetime warranty in some cases I-PRO also has an “AI processing relay” device that accepts non-AI video streams and applies edge analytics. AI has progressed from a high-end technology to a feature available in a variety of cameras at different price points. i-PRO is also increasing its warranty period from 5 to 7 years, which could be a lifetime warranty in some cases depending on a customer’s refresh schedule and lifecycle management. Active Guard, MonitorCast The company’s video management system (Video Insight) is continuing to build new features including “Active Guard,” an integrated metadata sorter. Their access control platform, MonitorCast, is a Mercury-based solution that is tightly integrated with Video Insight. Their embedded recorders now have PoE built in.  “We can move at a faster pace to fill out our product line since leaving Panasonic,” says Adam Lowenstein, Director of Product Management. “We can focus our business on adapting to the market.” Emphasis on retail and other verticals  Shoplifting is a timely issue, and retail is a vertical market that got a lot of attention at GSX 2023. “We see a lot of retailers who are primarily interested in protecting employee safety, but also assets,” says Brandon Davito, Verkada’s SVP of Product and Operations. “Shrinkage is a CEO-level priority.”  “Retailers are getting more engaged with security posture, instead of letting perpetrators walk,” Davito adds. Intrusion detection Verkada has an intrusion product that will notify a central station if there is an alarm On the alarm side, Verkada has an intrusion product that will notify a central station if there is an alarm, and operators can review videos to confirm the alarm. Other capabilities seeking to discourage trespassers include sirens, strobes, and “talkdown” capabilities.  International expansion Verkada continues to expand internationally with 16 offices in all, including Sydney, Tokyo, and London. The core value proposition is to enable customers to manage their onsite infrastructure more simply, including new elements such as PTZ cameras, intercoms, and visitor management. Verkada emphasizes ease of use, including a mobile application to allow access to be managed across the user base. Forging partnerships “We are committed to the channel and industry, and we continue to build relationships and expand our reach,” says Davito. Among the industry relationships is a new partnership with Convergint, which was hinted at during the show and announced later the same day. They are also expanding their partnerships with Schlage, Allegion, and ASSA ABLOY.  Working with other verticals They offer new features for K -12 schools, and a new alarm platform is easier to deploy and manage Verkada has also found success across multiple other verticals, notably healthcare, where they integrate with an electronic medical records system. They offer new features for K-12 schools, and a new alarm platform is easier to deploy and manage. They are integrating wireless locks to secure interior doors in schools, looking to secure the perimeter, and installing guest management systems. Transitioning the Mid-Market to the Cloud  Salient is squarely focused on the “mid-market,” a large swath of systems somewhere between small businesses and enterprise-level systems. Pure cloud systems are not as attractive to this market, which has a built-out infrastructure of on-premise systems. Adding a camera to an existing system is easier and less expensive than tying it to the cloud. Benefits of cloud It’s a market that may not be ready for pure cloud, but there are benefits to be realized from adding a cloud element to existing systems. “We are continuing to augment our premise-based solutions with added cloud capabilities and flexibility,” says Sanjay Challa, Salient’s Chief Product Officer.  The feedback Salient hears from their customers is “I want to own my data.” The hybrid cloud approach offers the right mix of control, flexibility, and unit economics. Cloud add-on capabilities We want to provide the flexibility for customers to go full-cloud as it becomes more economically attractive" Cloud add-on capabilities include bringing more intelligence about system operation to the user via the cloud. Over time, Salient expects to sell more cloud-centric offerings based on feedback from integrators and customers. “We want to provide the flexibility for customers to go full-cloud as it becomes more economically attractive over time,” says Challa.  Vaidio AI technology Salient seeks to be a transition pioneer to help customers realize the path to the cloud. Their approach is “crawl, walk, run,” and helping customers make the transition at each stage. Salient has added AI to its product offering, incorporating Vaidio AI technology from IronYun into a powerful suite and broad array of on-premise analytics, which are gaining traction. The seamless approach makes it easy for customers to embrace AI analytics, although Salient remains broadly committed to open systems. Addressing ‘Soft’ Features for Integrators AMAG is in the process of enhancing its product line with the next generation of access control panels. However, “product” is just part of the new developments at AMAG. In addition to “hard” features (such as products), the company is looking to improve its “soft” features, too; that is, how they work with the integrator channel. Integrator channel Rebuilding a process to make your organization more efficient, is relatively easy; it just takes a lot of persistence" “We have the depth of our legacy customer base we can learn from, we just need to close the feedback loop quicker,” says Kyle Gordon, AMAG’s Executive Vice President of Global Sales, Marketing, and commercial Excellence, who acknowledges the value of reinstating face-to-face meetings after COVID. “We are laser-focused on nurturing our integrator channel,” he says.  “Developing new features takes time, but rebuilding a process to make your organization more efficient, that’s relatively easy; it just takes a lot of persistence,” says Gordon. More cohesive internal communication is another useful tool, he says.  Disrupting the cloud based on price  Wasabi is working to make cloud applications less expensive by offering a “disruptive” price on cloud storage, $6.99 per terabyte per month (80% less than hyperscalers). Contending “hyperscalers” like AWS are charging too much for cloud storage, Wasabi is using its own intellectual property and server equipment co-located in data centers around the world. Wasabi sells “hot cloud storage,” which refers to the fact that they only have one tier of storage and data is always accessible. In contrast, a company such as AWS might charge an “egress fee” for access to data stored in a “colder” tier.  Cloud storage “We saw that several video surveillance companies had not yet adopted cloud storage, and we saw an opportunity to make it easy to use,” said Drew Schlussel, Wasabi’s Senior Director of Product Marketing. “We just install a little bit of software that allows them to store data in the cloud and bring it back from the cloud.” Performance, protection (cybersecurity), and price Wasabi works with integrators, resellers, and distributors and also integrates with VMS companies Wasabi works with integrators, resellers, and distributors and also integrates with VMS companies such as Genetec and Milestone. Emphasizing performance, protection (cybersecurity), and price, their data centers are certified to SOC 2 and ISO 27001 standards.  Faster throughput for weapons detection Xtract One is a young company focusing on weapons detection in a time of accelerated concern about gun issues post-COVID. Founded in Canada and based on technology developed at McMaster University, Xtract One has found a niche in providing weapons detection at stadiums and arenas. These customers already have budgets, and it is easy to shift the money to a newer, faster technology. Madison Square Garden in New York City is among its customers.  Cost savings solution Xtract One can increase throughput to 30 to 50 people per entrance per minute (compared to 5 to 6 people per minute when using metal detectors). The solution doesn’t require anyone to empty their pockets and the system alarms on items beyond guns and knives. Using Xtract One allows customers to reduce the number of screening lanes and security staff, providing additional cost savings, all while getting fans through the screening process in half the time. Purpose-built sensors The system uses purpose-built sensors looking for specific characteristics, such as reflective and density properties In addition to stadiums and arenas, Xtract One, formerly Patriot One, is also getting “inbound” interest from schools, hospitals, manufacturers, and other verticals that makeup 50% of their business. “We’re on a rocket ride, mainly because the weapons issues are not going away,” says Peter Evans, CEO and Director at Xtract One. The system uses purpose-built sensors looking for specific characteristics, such as reflective and density properties, all correlated by an AI engine.  Providing early warning of violence ZeroEyes is another company focused on weapons detection. Their AI gun detection system works with video images to identify if someone is “brandishing” (carrying) a weapon. In other words, the system does not detect concealed weapons. Identifying someone carrying a weapon provides early warning of a possible violent act. Increased response with AI-enables images Images are identified by AI and sent to a monitoring center where a human confirms the image before contacting first responders. Knowing the location of a shooter enables staff to lock entry points, move people to safety, and direct first responders. The company was founded to leverage existing camera views to stop mass shootings and gun violence by reducing response times. 

A pioneer in the access control sector since 1971, AMAG Technology is looking to the future and the next generation of products that will expand its services to customers. “In our vision, we have advanced approaches that will not only provide our partners with advanced technologies but also ones that are easier to install with tools to expand their services,” says David Sullivan, who was appointed President of the venerable access control company in September 2022. New challenges at AMAG Sullivan brings a new outlook to the AMAG business, a part of Allied Universal, and a new vision to lead the company into the future. We caught up with David Sullivan to discuss his new challenges at AMAG and the journey ahead as the company looks to the future. Q: How does your background inform your approach to leading AMAG? I believe that it helps me to define a vision for AMAG that will be unique and on the leading edge of our industry David Sullivan: With the exception of only a few short years, my career has been in access control. I have experience with several systems and have had the privilege to manage several successful access control companies. As a result, I bring a great deal of experience into my role at AMAG. I believe that it helps me to define a vision for AMAG that will be unique and on the leading edge of our industry. Q: How would you describe AMAG’s journey over the last several years and how do you see the future? Sullivan: Prior presidents of AMAG always shared their leadership vision and direction with senior leaders located in the United Kingdom. This had an impact on the full direction of the business, sometimes limiting its ultimate success. Before I became a part of AMAG, these senior leaders that were located in the UK retired, placing for the first time the full management responsibilities of the president. This has allowed me to integrate the business into a single team, with single objectives, and a single vision. We expect to begin to reveal this new vision in the coming weeks. We are excited about the future of AMAG and believe we will surprise the industry with our new products and approach in the coming months and years. Q: How important is it that a manufacturer provides both hardware and software solutions? How does AMAG’s approach (in general) differentiate it in the market? We can design the complete solution, providing functionality that others may find more difficult to accomplish Sullivan: Regardless of the manufacturer, we all provide hardware and software. An access control solution is not complete without both. Some of us choose to make our panels, and others do not. Those who are dependent on third-party suppliers are restricted to the developments and direction of that company, and while it might be perceived to be an open technology, it still is proprietary to the hardware manufacturer. AMAG has controlled its manufacturing of panels from day one. The result means that we can design the complete solution, providing functionality that others may find more difficult to accomplish. Q: How does the breadth of AMAG’s product suite provide advantages to customers and/or integrators? Sullivan: AMAG’s product portfolio is unique and provides the end user with an end-to-end identity management solution from one company. Our Control Room PSIM, Symmetry CONNECT Identity Management Solution, Symmetry Access Control, and Symmetry GUEST solutions all integrate to provide the user with a broad set of features and capabilities from a single provider. There is no finger-pointing when we come to support your system. We hold full responsibility for making it work and can quickly provide a resolution to any application difficulties the user may be experiencing. Q: How does AMAG address the divide between on-prem and cloud systems? How do you help customers make the transition and/or plan for the future? We are in the early stages of developing our next generation of access control in which we intend to provide on-prem Sullivan: In our current product portfolio, we have three products that are cloud-based. Our mobile credential platform (Symmetry Mobile), our visitor management solution (Symmetry GUEST), and our physical identity and access management solution (Symmetry CONNECT) are all offerings that operate in the cloud. We are in the early stages of developing our next generation of access control in which we intend to provide on-prem, web client, and cloud-based offerings. One of the primary objectives is to ensure that the large installed base of systems that are out there today will be able to migrate not only to our next generation but as well to the cloud if the client so desires. Q: What is AMAG’s approach to mobile credentialing? Sullivan: As an access control provider, adding Symmetry Mobile credentialing to our portfolio just made sense. We want our customers to have a forward-thinking solution with the opportunity to save money not only on the physical badges but the cost of printing and distributing badges. Mobile credentials can be easily issued and revoked remotely, reducing administrative overhead, and eliminating the need for physical inventory management. Organizations can centrally configure what devices are used and the read range for each type of device and operating system, thus providing flexibility. Symmetry Mobile offers a customized questionnaire that controls access and reduces liabilities. Q: What has surprised you the most in your first year or so leading AMAG? Not many companies are blessed with such a broad portfolio that is supported by a resource-rich company Sullivan: I wouldn’t say I was surprised by this as much as happy to see, but I would say that the quality of our people was a pleasant surprise. As well, the AMAG product offering is broad and has some unique elements. When coupled with the depth of the resources that we have in AMAG, I know that we are second to none. Not many companies are blessed with such a broad portfolio that is supported by a resource-rich company that has so many talented people. Q: Please describe your dealer channel, and how you are seeking to expand it. Sullivan: The AMAG products are sophisticated and typically are installed for higher-end applications. With this sophistication comes a need to be well able to install such a solution. We have a strong group of certified and loyal partners who help us to deliver these enterprise solutions. We desire to provide our existing partners with updated and competitive systems to offer to their end users. Q: What is the security industry’s (and/or AMAG’s) biggest challenge in the next five years? We need to find ways to provide both our channel partners and the customers with solutions that are easily integrated Sullivan: I believe that the advancements that we are seeing in technology provide our industry with the opportunity to truly change how security is provided to our collective customers. As we advance these solutions, we will need to do so responsibly and in a way that helps the channel’s abilities. We need to find ways to train our partners to both install and support these more complex solutions. At the same time, we need to find ways to provide both our channel partners and the customers with solutions that are easily integrated, moving away from proprietary closed systems to open and cohesive solutions. This will ensure that the users get the best, and most complete solutions. Q: What does the industry as a whole misunderstand about AMAG -- time to set the record straight! Sullivan: Well, I am not ready to openly share where we are heading. We are in the process of putting together some advanced approaches to how we will do business with our partners. We are focused on providing tools that will enhance their services to their customers, and with products that are leading edge. I can only state that all should keep their eyes on AMAG, because over the next few years, we are going to surprise some people, and more importantly make our loyal partners quite powerful.

When it comes to security cameras, the end user always wants more—more resolution, more artificial intelligence (AI), and more sensors. However, the cameras themselves do not change much from generation to generation; that is, they have the same power budgets, form factors and price. To achieve “more,” the systems-on-chips (SoCs) inside the video cameras must pack more features and integrate systems that would have been separate components in the past.  For an update on the latest capabilities of SoCs inside video cameras, we turned to Jérôme Gigot, Senior Director of Marketing for AIoT at Ambarella, a manufacturer of SOCs. AIoT refers to the artificial intelligence of things, the combination of AI and IoT. Author's quote “The AI performance on today’s cameras matches what was typically done on a server just a generation ago,” says Gigot. “And, doing AI on-camera provides the threefold benefits of being able to run algorithms on a higher-resolution input before the video is encoded and transferred to a server, with a faster response time, and with complete privacy.” Added features of the new SOC Ambarella expects the first cameras with the SoC to emerge on the market during early part of 2024 Ambarella’s latest System on Chip (SOC) is the CV72S, which provides 6× the AI performance of the previous generation and supports the newer transformer neural networks. Even with its extra features, the CV72S maintains the same power envelope as the previous-generation SoCs. The CV72S is now available, sampling is underway by camera manufacturers, and Ambarella expects the first cameras with the SoC to emerge on the market during the early part of 2024. Examples of the added features of the new SOC include image processing, video encoders, AI engines, de-warpers for fisheye lenses, general compute cores, along with functions such as processing multiple imagers on a single SoC, fusion among different types of sensors, and the list goes on. This article will summarize new AI capabilities based on information provided by Ambarella. AI inside the cameras Gigot says AI is by far the most in-demand feature of new security camera SoCs. Customers want to run the latest neural network architectures; run more of them in parallel to achieve more functions (e.g., identifying pedestrians while simultaneously flagging suspicious behavior); run them at higher resolutions in order to pick out objects that are farther away from the camera. And they want to do it all faster. Most AI tasks can be split between object detection, object recognition, segmentation and higher-level “scene understanding” types of functions, he says. The latest AI engines support transformer network architectures (versus currently used convolutional neural networks). With enough AI horsepower, all objects in a scene can be uniquely identified and classified with a set of attributes, tracked across time and space, and fed into higher-level AI algorithms that can detect and flag anomalies. However, everything depends on which scene is within the camera’s field of view. “It might be an easy task for a camera in an office corridor to track a person passing by every couple of minutes; while a ceiling camera in an airport might be looking at thousands of people, all constantly moving in different directions and carrying a wide variety of bags,” Gigot says. Changing the configuration of video systems Low-level AI number crunching would typically be done on camera (at the source of the data) Even with more computing capability inside the camera, central video servers still have their place in the overall AI deployment, as they can more easily aggregate and understand information across multiple cameras. Additionally, low-level AI number crunching would typically be done on camera (at the source of the data).  However, the increasing performance capabilities of transformer neural network AI inside the camera will reduce the need for a central video server over time. Even so, a server could still be used for higher-level decisions and to provide a representation of the world; along with a user interface for the user to make sense of all the data. Overall, AI-enabled security cameras with transformer network-based functionality will greatly reduce the use of central servers in security systems. This trend will contribute to a reduction in the greenhouse gases produced by data centers. These server farms consume a lot of energy, due to their power-hungry GPU and CPU chips, and those server processors also need to be cooled using air conditioning that emits additional greenhouse gases. New capabilities of transformer neural networks New kinds of AI architectures are being deployed inside cameras. Newer SoCs can accommodate the latest transformer neural networks (NNs), which now outperform currently used convolutional NNs for many vision tasks. Transformer neural networks require more AI processing power to run, compared to most convolutional NNs. Transformers are great for natural language processing (NLP) as they have mechanisms to “make sense” of a seemingly random arrangement of words. Those same properties, when applied to video, make transformers very efficient at understanding the world in 3D. Transformer NNs require more AI processing power to run, compared to most convolutional NNs For example, imagine a multi-imager camera where an object needs to be tracked from one camera to the next. Transformer networks are also great at focusing their attention on specific parts of the scene—just as some words are more important than others in a sentence, some parts of a scene might be more significant from a security perspective.  “I believe that we are currently just scratching the surface of what can be done with transformer networks in video security applications,” says Gigot. The first use cases are mainly for object detection and recognition. However, research in neural networks is focusing on these new transformer architectures and their applications. Expanded use cases for multi-image and fisheye cameras For multi-image cameras, again, the strategy is “less is more.” For example, if you need to build a multi-imager with four 4K sensors, then, in essence, you need to have four cameras in one. That means you need four imaging pipelines, four encoders, four AI engines, and four sets of CPUs to run the higher-level software and streaming. Of course, for cost, size, and power reasons, it would be extremely inefficient to have four SoCs to do all this processing. Therefore, the latest SoCs for security need to integrate four times the performance of the last generation’s single-imager 4K cameras, in order to process four sensors on a single SoC with all the associated AI algorithms. And they need to do this within a reasonable size and power budget. The challenge is very similar for fisheye cameras, where the SoC needs to be able to accept very high-resolution sensors (i.e., 12MP, 16MP, and higher), in order to be able to maintain high resolution after de-warping. Additionally, that same SoC must create all the virtual views needed to make one fisheye camera look like multiple physical cameras, and it has to do all of this while running the AI algorithms on every one of those virtual streams at high resolution. The power of ‘sensor fusion’ Sensor fusion is the ability to process multiple sensor types at the same time and correlate all that information Sensor fusion is the ability to process multiple sensor types at the same time (e.g., visual, radar, thermal, and time of flight) and correlate all that information. Performing sensor fusion provides an understanding of the world that is greater than the information that could be obtained from any one sensor type in isolation. In terms of chip design, this means that SoCs must be able to interface with, and natively process, inputs from multiple sensor types.  Additionally, they must have the AI and CPU performance required to do either object-level fusion (i.e., matching the different objects identified through the different sensors), or even deep-level fusion. This deep fusion takes the raw data from each sensor and runs AI on that unprocessed data. The result is machine-level insights that are richer than those provided by systems that must first go through an intermediate object representation. In other words, deep fusion eliminates the information loss that comes from preprocessing each individual sensor’s data before fusing it with the data from other sensors, which is what happens in object-level fusion. Better image quality AI can be trained to dramatically improve the quality of images captured by camera sensors in low-light conditions, as well as high dynamic range (HDR) scenes with widely contrasting dark and light areas. Typical image sensors are very noisy at night, and AI algorithms can be trained to perform excellently at removing this noise to provide a clear color picture—even down to 0.1 lux or below. This is called neural network-based image signal processing, or AISP for short. AI can be trained to perform all these functions with much better results than traditional video methods Achieving high image quality under difficult lighting conditions is always a balance among removing noise, not introducing excessive motion blur, and recovering colors. AI can be trained to perform all these functions with much better results than traditional video processing methods can achieve. A key point for video security is that these types of AI algorithms do not “create” data, they just remove noise and clean up the signal. This process allows AI to provide clearer video, even in challenging lighting conditions. The results are better footage for the humans monitoring video security systems, as well as better input for the AI algorithms analyzing those systems, particularly at night and under high dynamic range conditions. A typical example would be a camera that needs to switch to night mode (black and white) when the environmental light falls below a certain lux level. By applying these specially trained AI algorithms, that same camera would be able to stay in color mode and at full frame rate--even at night. This has many advantages, including the ability to see much farther than a typical external illuminator would normally allow, and reduced power consumption. ‘Straight to cloud’ architecture For the cameras themselves, going to the cloud or to a video management system (VMS) might seem like it doesn’t matter, as this is all just streaming video. However, the reality is more complex; especially for cameras going directly to the cloud. When cameras stream to the cloud, there is usually a mix of local, on-camera storage and streaming, in order to save on bandwidth and cloud storage costs. To accomplish this hybrid approach, multiple video-encoding qualities/resolutions are being produced and sent to different places at the same time; and the camera’s AI algorithms are constantly running to optimize bitrates and orchestrate those different video streams. The ability to support all these different streams, in parallel, and to encode them at the lowest bitrate possible, is usually guided by AI algorithms that are constantly analyzing the video feeds. These are just some of the key components needed to accommodate this “straight to cloud” architecture. Keeping cybersecurity top-of-mind Ambarella’s SoCs always implement the latest security mechanisms, both hardware and software Ambarella’s SoCs always implement the latest security mechanisms, both in hardware and software. They accomplish this through a mix of well-known security features, such as ARM trust zones and encryption algorithms, and also by adding another layer of proprietary mechanisms with things like dynamic random access memory (DRAM) scrambling and key management policies.  “We take these measures because cybersecurity is of utmost importance when you design an SoC targeted to go into millions of security cameras across the globe,” says Gigot. ‘Eyes of the world’ – and more brains Cameras are “the eyes of the world,” and visual sensors provide the largest portion of that information, by far, compared to other types of sensors. With AI, most security cameras now have a brain behind those eyes. As such, security cameras have the ability to morph from just a reactive and security-focused apparatus to a global sensing infrastructure that can do everything from regulating the AC in offices based on occupancy, to detecting forest fires before anyone sees them, to following weather and world events. AI is the essential ingredient for the innovation that is bringing all those new applications to life, and hopefully leading to a safer and better world.

ZeroEyes, the creators of the only AI-based gun detection video analytics platform that holds the U.S. Department of Homeland Security SAFETY Act Designation, announced that its proactive gun detection and intelligent situational awareness solution will be deployed at Appomattox County Public Schools (ACPS), Virginia to protect students and faculty against gun-related threats. ACPS Comprising four schools - a primary, elementary, middle, and high school -  ACPS educates approximately 2,500 students annually. With a commitment to fostering a safe and nurturing learning environment for all students, the school has implemented several security measures in recent years. These include assigning individual School Resource Officers (SROs) to each school, facilitating comprehensive walkthroughs of all facilities by local and state law enforcement, installing exterior door alarms and student computer monitor software, and enhancing its after-hours surveillance system. ZeroEyes will be the latest addition to this multilayered security approach. School safety “School safety is of the highest priority right now, and to have a technology that could potentially save a life or stop a threat before anything happens made ZeroEyes a no-brainer for us,” said Philip Amos, Supervisor of Security and Technology, Appomattox County Public Schools. ZeroEyes' AI gun detection and intelligent situational awareness software layers onto existing digital security cameras. ZeroEyes Operations Center If a gun is identified, images are instantly shared with ZOC staffed 24/7/365 by specially trained U.S. military If a gun is identified, images are instantly shared with the ZeroEyes Operations Center (ZOC), staffed 24/7/365 by specially trained U.S. military and law enforcement veterans. If these experts determine that the threat is valid, they dispatch alerts and actionable intelligence including visual description, gun type, and last known location to local law enforcement, SROs, and ACPS staff as quickly as 3 to 5 seconds from detection. Swift and accurate security communications "In the instance of a gun-related threat, first responders and school leadership must receive swift and accurate security communications to help them navigate the potentially deadly situation,” said Mike Lahiff, CEO and co-founder of ZeroEyes. “We are proud that ZeroEyes has been chosen to provide this type of situational awareness to Appomattox County Public Schools. Their proactive stance against gun violence is truly commendable."

GX-MAX-DT35B Smart Care Medical Alarm comes with a brand-new case design. The battery level and the cellular signal strength will be indicated through the white bar on the top cover. The system supports VoLTE (voice over LTE), offering better quality of voice communication and calling experience. In addition, the current status of the system, for example, in learning mode or alarm reporting, will be also indicated through the LED backlight of the large Help button. Users can always be informed of the system status and have peace of mind. GX-MAX-DT35B GX-MAX-DT35B Smart Care Medical Alarm is an all-in-one wellness and personal safety medical alarm solution GX-MAX-DT35B can be compatible with Bluetooth medical devices, like blood glucose/blood pressure monitors, pulse oximeters, etc., to track medical data and remote monitoring directly from caregivers/physicians; and also has telecare alarm features, including emergency monitoring, inactivity monitoring, voice control, and home automation capabilities to assist seniors to have a more secure, healthy living.  GX-MAX-DT35B Smart Care Medical Alarm is an all-in-one wellness, and personal safety medical alarm solution, bridging medical health monitoring and emergency alarms to keep seniors safe in their own homes. Functions Bluetooth Medical Device Pairing GX-MAX-DT35B is compatible with BluetoothMedical devices, like blood pressure/blood glucose monitors, pulse oximeters, thermometers, etc., to track health and medical data and allow caregivers/physicians to remotely monitor and provide treatment as needed. Wi-Fi Hotspot GX-MAX-DT35B can serve as a Wi-Fi hotspot, allowing users’ computers, smartphones, or other devices to connect and access the Wi-Finetwork. Smart Home Automation ZigBee, Z-Wave, or Bluetooth automation devices are incorporated into GX-MAX-DT35Bcreates a smarter and safer home, by autotuning on hallway lights at night to decrease the chance of a fall; or auto turn on the heater if there’s a sudden temperature drop. Location Tracking GX-MAX-DT35B can be paired with the BRPD-1 Bluetooth pendant, a small wearable panic button that partners with a smartphone application for GPS location reporting and triggers a help alarm with one button press, whether the user is at home or out for a walk. Connected for Healthier, Secure Living Voice Control GX-MAX-DT35B is compatible with Google Home and Amazon Alexa voice control to control home electronic devices, allowing seniors to use their voice to make their environment more suitable without lifting a finger. Pivotell ® Advance Automatic Pill Dispenser GX-MAX-DT35B is compatible with Pivotell ®Advance Automatic Pill Dispenser, keeping secure of all pills, reminding users to take their medication, keeping track of their medicine intake, and allowing caregiver/physician to monitor pill-taking results/records, and keeping an eye on user needs. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) &DECT GX-MAX-DT35B’s built-in VOIP function allows users to initiate two-way voice calls to contact CMS and family members during alarms and emergencies. With a built-in DECT module (forGX-MAX5/8 models) or plug-in EX-1 DECT module (for GX-MAX15/18 models), GX-MAX-DT35B can pair with voice extenders, talking pendants, call points, etc., placed around the home to create a safety net and peace of mind. Visual Monitoring and Verification GX-MAX-DT35B can integrate Camera PIR Motion Sensors to deliver real-time visual monitoring and verification. When an emergency occurs, alerts are immediately sent to family members, and the Monitoring Center to verify the event and send immediate assistance as needed. Safety & Inactivity Monitoring GX-MAX-DT35B can support wireless sensor devices, allowing users to add in smoke detectors, water leakage sensors, and gas sensors to monitor emergencies; and motion sensors, door contacts, sensor pad transmitters for inactivity monitoring, to build a healthier, safer independent living. Features Communication Path Options: IP (Ethernet), LTE. Support for VoLTE (Voice Over LTE). Built-in Module: RF (for all models), DECT (for GX-MAX5/8 models). Optional DECT Module (for GX-MAX15/18 models). Protocol Module Options: Zigbee, Z-Wave, Bluetooth. Wi-Fi hotspot capability. Support external antenna capability (GX-DT35B-EX only). Able to support multiple Communication protocols with Monitoring Centers for Alarm Reporting. Compatible with Bluetooth (BLE) medical devices. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) capabilities. World-class certified RF range, reliability, and performance. Supports Pivotell ® ‘Advance’ Pill Dispenser integration. ZigBee or Z-Wave compatible home automation features. Compatible with Amazon Alexa & Google Home voice control. 24/7 Environment Safety Monitoring. Energy Management Capabilities. Voice Prompt feature alerts the user upon designated events and status. Comprehensive help/nurse arrival function. Multi-color of the Help button backlight to indicate the current status of the system. Multi-party emergency intercom system capability. Supports multiple programming methods. Automatic check-in reports. Remote firmware update capabilities.

Air Power East, a family-run business with over 30 years of experience as a premier distributor of Atlas Copco, specializes in providing high-quality compressed air systems to various industries across East Anglia. Under the leadership of Jason Sewell, the company has established a strong reputation for delivering reliable and efficient solutions. However, they faced a significant challenge in ensuring their systems were completely leak-free, a concern shared by their clients, including an agricultural manufacturer managed by Paul Musgrove. Jason highlighted the issue, stating, "Customers have been asking us to make sure that we can prove something that's completely leak-free." Challenge Musgrove was seeking an effective way to manage and maintain their compressed air systems Concurrently, Paul Musgrove was seeking an effective way to manage and maintain their compressed air systems, with a specific focus on reducing energy waste and operational costs, emphasizing the need to "save money where we can, especially with energy prices as they are." This dual challenge called for an innovative approach to maintain Air Power East's commitment to quality and efficiency while addressing the specific needs of their clients. Solution To address the intertwined challenges, Jason reached out to Baseline-RTS, an independent supplier of training and predictive maintenance equipment. They introduced Air Power East to the FLIR Si124 camera, an advanced acoustic imaging tool, capable of accurately detecting air leaks. Jason explains, "We sat down and did a bit of market research on a few different models and then came to the top. So, we contacted FLIR to come along and show us the Si124, and we've loved it ever since." One-handed tool designed to quickly locate pressurized leaks in compressed air systems or detect discharge The Si124 is a lightweight, one-handed tool designed to quickly locate pressurized leaks in compressed air systems or detect partial discharge from high-voltage electrical systems. It is equipped with 124 microphones to produce a precise acoustic image that visually displays ultrasonic information. This image is transposed in real time on top of a digital camera picture, allowing users to accurately pinpoint the source of sound. The Si124 camera can detect issues up to 10 times faster than traditional methods, even in loud industrial environments. Additionally, it is compatible with FLIR Thermal Studio suite for offline editing, analysis, and advanced report creation, and it can help facilities save money on utility bills and delay the expense of installing new compressors. Results The use of the Si124 camera brought about transformative results. Jason explained the camera's effectiveness: "We've managed to walk around with the customer, showing them exactly what we're finding on our screen. And if we do find any small leaks, we can rectify them and then we can prove to the customer that their system is leak-free." This approach not only heightened the efficiency of the compressed air systems but also solidified customer trust in Air Power East's services. Camera enabled the detection of leaks amounting to approximately 100 cubic feet per minute Quantitative results underscore the Si124's impact. The camera enabled the detection of leaks amounting to approximately 100 cubic feet per minute (CFM), which is roughly 50 liters per second. This translates to about 18.5 kilowatts of compressor power, pioneering to substantial energy and cost savings, particularly in light of rising energy prices. Conclusion Air Power East's adoption of the FLIR Si124 camera to address the complex challenges in compressed air systems illustrates the power of innovative technology in industrial settings. The successful detection and rectification of air leaks not only enhanced operational efficiency but also led to considerable energy and cost savings for the agricultural manufacturer. This case study demonstrates the effectiveness of advanced tools in solving intricate industrial problems and highlights the importance of technology-driven solutions in optimizing industrial processes.

A highly esteemed private Science and Technology University situated in the Charotar region of Gujarat originated from a parent organization dedicated to social service through education for over 125 years. Recognizing its excellence, the Gujarat Government has designated the university as a "Centre of Excellence." With approximately 1700 faculty members and 8000 students, the institution stands as a prominent hub for education in the region. Modern communication technology This university holds a distinguished reputation among science and technology enthusiasts Challenges - This university holds a distinguished reputation among science and technology enthusiasts. Its enrolment has increased thanks to successful educational approaches, rendering outdated communication technology within its buildings obsolete. Furthermore, there are plans for expansion in the upcoming academic year, incorporating modern communication technology to streamline communication across various buildings and offices. To further delve into the difficulties they face: Outdated and insufficient capacity: The system demonstrated obsolescence and inadequate capacity to handle communication loads within both single and multi-location institutions. Communication issues among multi-location offices: The university was in the process of expansion, establishing a new building situated at a distance that required seamless connectivity with the main building. Lack of modern features: The absence of contemporary features such as Multi-party Conferencing, Unified Services for Mobility, etc., provides them with a motive to modernize their antiquated communication system. Scalability and redundancy: They needed a solution that could easily adapt to future requirements, guaranteeing seamless scalability for upcoming applications. Furthermore, the incorporation of redundancy (backup) was essential to ensure uninterrupted operations. Streamlining communication processes Matrix Comsec meticulously examined the challenges faced by the university authorities Solution - Matrix Comsec, in partnership with Rutvi System, meticulously examined the challenges faced by the university authorities. Collaboratively, they formulated a tailored solution for multiple locations. The proposed strategy concentrated on improving and extending the existing infrastructure through the integration of Matrix Telecom Solutions. This included the implementation of a Hybrid IP PBX and the integration of a Media Gateway to streamline communication processes, preparing them for future requirements. The Matrix solution includes: The Hybrid PBX, known as ETERNITY LENX, with Gateway, was situated within the University complex at location 1. Alongside the digital key phone, analog phones were linked in location 1. Location 1 was linked to location 2 via an IP connection. The ETERNITY LENX, along with SARVAM Gateway ENT, facilitated a setup of PRI Gateway from location 1, assigning an IP connection to ETERNITY MENX at location 2. In location 2, a collection of digital key phones and several analog phones were interconnected. The Matrix Multi-Location Communication solution seamlessly merged both sites, offering a range of contemporary communication features. This results in enhanced adaptability and flexibility within the organization, delivering optimal benefits for modern communication needs. Enhancing employee productivity Results - The adopted solution enabled them to experience the benefits of up-to-date communication features while ensuring smooth communication throughout their expanded infrastructure. The Hybrid PBX Systems, namely ETERNITY MENX16SAC and ETERNITY LENX27SDC, offered a user scalability capability of up to 2000 IP Users, positioning them for future needs. Furthermore, the Hot Swappable Card feature guarantees uninterrupted operation and simplified maintenance. The incorporated Redundancy ensured a high level of availability and seamless communication. The SARVAM Gateway ENT Licence empowered them to utilize SARVAM both as a Unified Communication Server and Gateway concurrently, eliminating the need for additional investments. EON510 - Premium Digital Key phone comes with next-gen call amenities like Global Directory Integration, and Advanced Call Routeing. This helped the institution to make the best out of these modern features by enhancing employee productivity and efficiency. Matrix's Multi-Location solution allowed the University to effortlessly link various buildings, and the contemporary communication features made them more efficient and well-prepared for the future.

ZeroEyes, the creators of the only AI-based gun detection video analytics platform that holds the US Department of Homeland Security SAFETY Act Designation announced that its proactive AI gun detection and intelligent situational awareness platform has been selected by Woodbine Community School District in Woodbine, Iowa, to protect students, faculty, and staff from individuals attempting to bring illegal guns onto the campus. U.S. school shooting rates continue to surge. Enhancing school safety Woodbine Community School District, a rural pre-K-12 public school district that operates two schools and serves 500+ students, adopted ZeroEyes to address these growing safety concerns.  “We are dedicated to enhancing school safety so that our teachers can focus on education and students can concentrate on learning,” said Justin Wagner, superintendent, of Woodbine Community Schools.  Instant verification, validation, and communication Step in a series of proactive mitigation and safety precautions we are taking to keep students and staff safe" “Choosing ZeroEyes means instant verification, validation, and communication to local law enforcement of anyone wishing to harm students or staff with a gun." "Their outstanding team and 24/7/365 in-house operations center provide us with the utmost confidence that we are providing the most advanced notification system available. This is an important step in a series of proactive mitigation and safety precautions we are taking to keep students and staff safe.” Actionable intelligence If ZeroEyes detects a gun on campus, the software will instantly send images to the ZeroEyes Operation Center (ZOC), staffed by specially trained U.S. military and law enforcement veterans, 24/7/365. These experts will verify the threat and dispatch alerts and actionable intelligence, including visual description, gun type, and last known location, to local Woodbine staff and first responders in as fast as 3 to 5 seconds from detection. AI gun detection technology "We're proud to see Woodbine Community Schools adopt our AI gun detection technology,” said Mike Lahiff, CEO and co-founder, of ZeroEyes.  “We see it as our duty to help create a safer learning environment for children. We hope to see a day where schools are free from violence, ensuring students, parents, and staff can live without fear of gun-related threats.”

A multinational corporation, headquartered in Mumbai, ranked among the Fortune 500, is sustained by an exceptional workforce exceeding 187,000 individuals from 100 different nationalities. The corporation is founded on the principles of creating value for stakeholders, with a history of over seven decades of responsible business practices.  Need for a modernized solution Their enterprises have evolved into global pioneers in various sectors including metals, pulp and fiber, chemicals, textiles, carbon black, telecom, cement, financial services, fashion retail, and renewable energy. The financial services arm of this conglomerate, to expand its business, needed a well-crafted, modernized Telecom solution, thus bringing them to the forefront of Matrix.  Conglomerate's challenges The Financial services arm of this multinational corporation in Mumbai was facing issues ranging from modernization to optimization of communication. The challenge of telecommunication without laying Telephone cables for their new office was prominent. An arrangement had also to be made for utilizing existing PRI lines and modernizing them to meet their demands for new establishment. To elaborate on their challenges:  Adoption of modern communication with existing Infrastructure: Their investment in existing infrastructure needed protection, and a provision had to be made to modernize the communication using existing infrastructure.  Scalability: They required a Telecom solution that was future-proof, that is, easily scalable to fulfill the needs of future applications. Additionally, it had to be ensured that the operations were flawless, especially during critical work hours.  Requirement of modern phone features: They required advanced features like Global Abbreviated Dialing, Auto Redial, Call Pick Up, and Internal Call Restriction, to become efficient in day-to-day operations.  Managing different protocols: Interface with existing and different telecom networks requires managing different protocols, which can be cumbersome, time, and energy-consuming.  Stipulated Time-frame: The transition and modernization, simultaneously, had to be completed within a stipulated time frame. Solution The solution was based on the prelude of utilizing existing infrastructure and amalgamation of Matrix solutions Matrix Comsec in partnership with SMB Automation analyzed the challenges of communications and crafted a Telecom solution that was the best fit. The solution offered was based on the prelude of utilizing existing infrastructure and amalgamation of Matrix Telecom Solutions within a stipulated time frame. VoIP-based communication This included employing Embedded IP-PBX to empower VoIP-based communication, and simultaneously integrating VoIP-PRI Gateway that optimized the feasibility of communication and helped the firm become more efficient by terminating PRI lines. The Telecom solutions include:  The Embedded IP-PBX, PRASAR UCS - SPARK200, enabled them up to 2100 IP users. Additionally, features like up to 550 Concurrent calls, Concurrent 21 Calls Tapping, etc. took them to a notch above through a uniquely crafted telecom solution.  The VOIP-PRI gateway included SETU VTEP 2P, which comes with features of 125 SIP Trunks and 120 simultaneous calls. The gateway enabled them to terminate 8 Copper PRI lines and thus transition towards IP. The VARTA Extensions enabled them to access Real-time UC features like one-touch access to Extension numbers, Instant messaging, monitoring the Real-time status of employees, etc. The IP phones included SPARSH VP510E and SPARSH VP210. This came with features like an LCD Graphical display, Context-sensitive keys, Built-in 16 DSS Keys, Polyphonic ring tune, and more. Results and benefits The implemented Telecom solutions enabled them to reap the benefits of modern communication while also enabling them to make the best out of the existing infrastructure. Matrix engineered a Telecom solution with our Embedded IP - PBX, PRASAR UCS enabling them to transit towards wire-free and modern communications, addressing the challenge of telephone cabling.  The VOIP-PRI gateway, SETU VTEP, provided much-needed Least-cost routing ensuring that the call is always placed on the most appropriate network resulting in the optimization and feasibility of calls. Access to the gateway was secured through PIN Authentication, while Digest Authentication ensured verification and protection of user credentials during the authentication process.  The Real-time UC features were provided in the form of soft IP extensions through the VARTA UC Client. A complete Collaboration solution was made possible through Laptop/Desktop extensions to work remotely.  The IP desk phones helped provide advanced features like Call Pick up, Call Forward, Call Waiting, and Call Transfer along with an Intuitive interface, that enabled employees to become efficient while simultaneously, enhancing user experience.

The security industry offers a vast array of technologies and vendors. This can be overwhelming for end users, who depend on security integrators for guidance and service. But how well do security integrators provide end users with what they need? We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What are the biggest challenges that end users face when working with integrators? 

In today's interconnected world, the lines between physical and digital security are blurring. This means that threats can easily exploit vulnerabilities in both realms, potentially causing significant damage. That's why the convergence of cyber- and physical security systems is becoming increasingly important. It has already been a topic of discussion in the security market for more than a decade. To get a reality check, we asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: Has convergence been achieved in security systems? Why or why not?   

There is safety in numbers, or so the expression goes. Generally speaking, several employees working together tend to be safer than a single employee working alone. Even so, some environments require that workers complete their jobs alone, thus presenting a unique combination of security vulnerabilities. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) defines a lone worker as “an employee working alone, such as in a confined space or isolated location.” We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: How can security technologies help to protect "lone workers?"