University security

Meesons, UK’s entry control innovator, will be unveiling its innovative EasyGate Superb at this year’s International Security Expo (ISE19), Olympia London, 3-4 December, stand K40. At 99mm the EasyGate Superb cabinets are the slimmest of any Speed Gate on the market, accentuating the sleek, minimalistic aesthetics created by the glass wings. EasyGate Superb is an ultra-slim, fully customized Speed Gate that is an ideal solution for controlling access to offices, schools, universities or government buildings. The range includes unique and innovative features, including an optional integrated card collector and QR code/ barcode reader. EasyGate Superb can be specified in colors to match a customer’s corporate identity. Its ultra-slim design has already generated significant interest and Meesons is predicting that it will continue to be a major focal point for visitors to stand K40 at ISE19. Gain independent access The EasyGate Superb is the only Speed Gate on the market with such a slim design yet featuring the ability to integrate an optional card collector with a card return function. Where required, a third-party card reader can be built into the EasyGate Superb. The QR scanner, another optional feature, will help improve the efficiency of visitor management - it will be possible for an external visitor to receive a QR code on their cellphone phone, allowing unimpeded entry to the facility on arrival without having to verify credentials. The QR code reader can also be used by delivery partners where there isn’t a permanently staffed reception. Sending the QR code in advance will mean they are able to gain independent access to specific areas of the facility. Intuitive light guidance The sensors are smart enough to detect when a person is traversing in a wheelchair, wheeling luggage or pushing a baby carriage Both the QR scanner and card collectors are an integral part of the design, meaning they don’t need to increase the cabinet width or be a bolt on like other ranges. This helps maintain sightlines of the ultra-slim cabinets, which are supplied in brushed, polished or bronzed stainless steel, any RAL color or alternative surface finishes, along with tempered glass top lids. Other optional functionality of the EasyGate Superb range includes intuitive light guidance; colored LED illumination of the top lid allows smart settings of light navigation. In addition to standard navigation functions, various lighting effects such as arrow, dots, blending colors and much more can be set. The selection of colors is fully customizable. Safety and security Jonathan Bairam, Commercial Director at Meesons A.I. Ltd, said: “We will have our new EastGate Superb in sleek white on display at ISE19 on 3-4 December. Visitors will be able to view and try this unique new product for themselves. We are expecting a lot of interest especially as its ultra-slim design and minimalistic aesthetic will appeal to specifiers and their clients in a wide range of sectors.” Safety and security are built into EasyGate Superb with 24 pairs of IR sensors that prevent people tailgating their way into a facility without presenting the correct ID or security tag. The sensors are smart enough to detect when a person is traversing in a wheelchair, wheeling luggage or pushing a baby carriage. Optional high glass wings prevent climb-over attempts by would-be intruders.

On September 8–12 in Chicago, ASSA ABLOY will show GSX 2019 attendees the latest innovations in their security and life safety offerings. They’ll also hold special events and educational opportunities for conference attendees at their booth, #1303. “New challenges are always on the horizon, so security professionals need to stay ahead of changing conditions and have access to cutting-edge solutions,” said Mark Duato, Executive Vice President of Aftermarket Solutions at ASSA ABLOY Door Security Solutions. “We’re proud to be at GSX again this year and support professionals across education, government, healthcare, commercial and multi-family security in staying ahead of what’s next for the industry.” Proactive solutions for security ASSA ABLOY is making access more convenient by extending electronic solutions to openings in commercial facilities At GSX 2019, visitors to the ASSA ABLOY booth will experience the latest products to help them better secure, manage and control their spaces. ASSA ABLOY is making access more convenient by extending electronic solutions to openings in commercial facilities and multi-family residences. For example, the award-winning Adams Rite G100 digital glass door lock with Aperio wireless technology offers a surface-mount solution for interior all-glass doors that integrates with existing software. Now glass openings can utilize single-card or dual-factor authentication without the need for cutting and drilling to install the lock. The latest keypad access product by Yale, the nexTouch Keypad Exit Trim, easily upgrades exit devices with keyless technology in commercial, multi-use and multi-family spaces. This scalable solution functions as a stand-alone keypad lock, or it can be integrated with a data-on-card or wireless access system. Enhancing security in educational facilities ASSA ABLOY combines security with cost effectiveness so that safety solutions can be implemented at scaleASSA ABLOY also remains committed to enhancing security in educational facilities. Their award-winning attack-resistant doors are tested according to the FBI’s active shooter report and can withstand a four-minute attack by an assailant using a variety of tools and weapons. ASSA ABLOY combines security with cost effectiveness so that safety solutions can be implemented at scale. “GSX 2019 is a great opportunity to show a range of stakeholders in various industries how ASSA ABLOY can help them strengthen life safety and security at their facilities,” explained Jeff Huggins, VP Government Programs & National Accounts, ASSA ABLOY, Door Security Services. “Our activities and interactive displays onsite will also allow visitors to deepen their knowledge and discover new ways to better secure their spaces, and they’ll even have the opportunity to give back to our brave military members.” Contributing for military ASSA ABLOY will feature hands-on activities and informational opportunities at their booth. On September 11, they will offer an opportunity for GSX attendees to give back to those who sacrifice for our freedoms by hosting a USO Bag Build in their booth. Attendees can pack supplies for military, who transit through the Chicago USO centersFrom 12 – 4 p.m. CT, attendees can pack supplies for military, who transit through the Chicago USO centers, including weekly graduates from the US Navy’s boot camp at Great Lakes and transiting troops who may be en route to or returning from deployments at locations across the globe. Training and education resources At the in-booth Technology Center, visitors can explore the: Customer Support App center, where attendees can view interactive videos, chat with technicians and review troubleshooting resources. BILT app kiosk, which showcases easy-to-use 3D installation instructions for ASSA ABLOY products. ASSA ABLOY Academy for training and education resources. Openings StudioTM kiosk, where attendees can preview integrative BIM software tools for designing, building and managing openings that can be used throughout the lifecycle of a building. ASSA ABLOY Group companies will also be onsite, including ABLOY (booth#2523), Ameristar Perimeter Security (booth#1413), HID Global (booth#1503) and Traka (booth#1213).

Prey Inc., provider of the cross-platform, open source anti-theft software that protects more than eight million mobile devices, announced Prey for Education, a mobile security feature-set offering developed to address the needs of K-12 and higher education environments. Co-designed with partnered schools, Prey for Education centralizes and automates mobile device security management so that hard-pressed school IT staff can delegate and automate tasks and ease their workflow. This initial feature release is designed to help schools better evaluate and track their mobile fleets and grow their device environments safely to ensure they can generate better results and promote the growth of their tech programs. Features of Prey for Education IT managers can also review further inventory data, such as battery and network connection per devicePrey for Education was developed in collaboration with Prey’s education customers to provide the following: Scheduled Automations – This new capability allows managers to schedule Prey actions on their devices, such as the lock, alert, and alarm, to be executed on specific days, hours, and data ranges. For example, a curfew lock can be set from Monday to Friday at 6pm to deter out-of-hours device usage. Reactive Security – New Control Zone Actions Triggers integrate with the Control Zone settings, Prey’s geofencing movement detection parameters, to precipitate reactions and eliminate reaction time in case of an eventuality. Users can configure Prey’s alarms, alerts, locks, and the ‘Mark as Missing’ evidence reporting feature whenever a device enters, or leaves a designated area. Specific actions can be assigned to both the entry, and exit. Inventory Management – IT staff can now assign a user or specify a contact for each device. An Online/Offline tag has been added to provide visibility on the devices’ connection, as well as a ‘Last Seen Online’ device sorting for quick visibility. As for device status, IT managers can also review further inventory data, such as battery and network connection per device, together with the logged in user. The multi-OS Prey for Education platform allows IT managers to group devices by class, usage, or state with custom tags Unified Management – The multi-OS Prey for Education platform allows school IT managers to group devices by class, usage, or state with custom tags; view device status or hardware changes; and assign them to faculty or students.  Data Privacy – An extra layer of FERPA / data privacy compliance is delivered with data wipe and retrieval reactions, and Prey’s tracking and evidence gathering are configurable to boost end-user privacy. Promoting safe mobile environments “The Control Zone Actions and Scheduled Automations were created from the feedback our users gave us regarding their multi-tasking and high-pressure workflow. In the end, we’re trying to make their work as easy as possible. For example, they can now do things such as create digital curfews for their devices and ensure their fleet is locked up when the day ends,” said Carlos Yaconi, founder and CEO of Prey Inc. “We’re doubling down on our promise to help promote safe mobile environments for NGOs, schools, and universities, and we will continue to work with our partners to enhance and deliver new solutions for them.”

Through August 2019, IDIS, the South Korean video surveillance solutions manufacturer will highlight the applicability of its end-to-end Total Solution to the spectrum of challenges facing campus safety and security professionals in the Americas. Campus Safety Conference  IDIS America, the regional headquarters for South Korea’s in-country manufacturer of surveillance technology, kicks off several weeks of focus on the unique challenges and concerns related to campus security in the Americas. Beginning with an appearance at the 2019 Campus Safety conference in Dallas and continuing through August with outreach focusing on the unique suitability of the high-performing, cost-effective IDIS Total Solution to meet the widely varying (and, at times, highly specific) needs of campuses, large and small, in the Americas. “There’s no question there has never been a greater time of challenge or urgency when it comes to campus safety and the protection of our nation’s students, faculty, staff and others,” notes Keith Drummond, Senior Director at IDIS America. “You only have to open a newspaper—or even just talk with the students in your life—to know that challenges to campus safety and security run the gamut from traditionally smaller, more familiar concerns like fights, contraband, and unauthorized movement, to worries about lethal threats like active shooters.“ IDIS Total Solution IDIS promise to meet any surveillance need, of any size or complexity with high performing technology" Keith further states, “When you throw in the inherent complication of maintaining full situational awareness in a dynamic campus and the requirements most schools have to build and maintain security infrastructure—often funded with limited taxpayer, grants, or donor dollars—in the most fiscally responsible way possible, campus safety and security professionals must balance a great deal as part of keeping their charge—and no two campuses are ever alike. That’s where we believe IDIS and it’s adaptable, scalable, and complete end-to-end total solution for both analog and IP surveillance makes the difference.” Drummond also points to the IDIS promise to “meet any surveillance need, of any size or complexity” with high performing technology and a low total cost of ownership as key to the company’s unique value proposition for American campuses. The company’s flagship DirectIP range of IP solutions, award-winning for its true plug and play ease of installation and use, next-generation features, high degree of interoperability, forward- and backward-compatibility guarantees, and long (often longest) industry warranties—all with a cost-free, full featured VMS included and total lack of recurring licensing fees. DirectCX analog solution This serves as the base of the company’s solution for campuses, with complementary product lines (including the full product line in the company’s DirectCX analog solution, easily integrated with existing systems or seamlessly incorporated as part of a mixed analog/IP requirement) and sub-ranges (including the IDIS Compact Solution of IP cameras designed to deliver high performance in with lower-profile form factors and a wider variety of price points). “IDIS’s technology makes it possible for those responsible for the design and deployment of campus security solutions to avoid traditional (and frustrating) tradeoffs between quality and performance and cost-effectiveness,” adds Andrew Myung, President of IDIS America. IDIS Compact Solution Our technology is designed and developed through our market-responsive R&D process" “Our technology is designed and developed through our market-responsive R&D process, manufactured in our secure, flexible, and efficient Smart Factory (cited in peer reviewed research and honored with a Presidential Citation for innovation), and delivered with our industry leading warranties and compatibility guarantees. This allows us to deliver next generation technology, packed with innovative, award-winning features, benefits, and support with a proven low total cost of ownership, without recurring licensing fees.” “That unique mix of factors and advantages is huge for campuses that are both performance- AND cost-conscious, and for whom showing maximum attentiveness to the core mission of keeping students and campus communities safe, as well as strong financial stewardship of taxpayer, grant, and donor dollars is essential.” IDIS cameras Drummond and Myung note, that ultimately, it’s the ability of IDIS cameras, recorders, software to truly meet any surveillance need, no matter the size or complexity of the requirement, that makes the case. That’s why the company’s activities over the next several weeks will include interviews, topical and industry education social media posts and videos, and demonstrations and appearances, beginning with an appearance at the 2019 Campus Safety conference in Dallas, where visitors can discuss specific challenges and requirements with the IDIS team and go hands on with IDIS technology. The IDIS team will also be available for phone, the web, and in person (including demonstrations at the IDIS America demonstration center, near Dallas) consultations regarding general and specific campus safety challenges.

Smarter Security, the intelligent entrance controls company, has announced new optical technology that reduces the risk of “sidegating” when two people attempt unauthorized side-by-side entry through a turnstile. Layered security strategy Jeff Brown, Chief Executive Officer at Smarter Security, says “Security teams must approach insider threats and collusion with a layered security strategy that starts at the front lobby. This innovative optical turnstile technology available in the Fastlane Glassgate 155 is the first of its kind to identify and alert when sidegating is occurring” Sidegating is a growing security issue as changing regulations and customer demands for increased pedestrian and wheelchair user comfort dictate the need for wider turnstiles. If a lane is wide enough to comfortably fit a wheelchair, it is also wide enough to fit two pedestrians side-by-side. Until now, turnstiles have been unable to detect this kind of behavior, which leads to increased risk for unauthorized access and security breaches. Fastlane Glassgate 155 turnstiles Intelligent infrared matrix powered by neural network algorithms senses who or what is going through Smarter Security’s Fastlane Glassgate 155 turnstiles feature new optical technology to prevent sidegating from happening. An intelligent infrared matrix powered by neural network algorithms senses who or what is going through the turnstile in real time and makes thousands of calculations per second to determine if entry should be authorized. The system can distinguish between people and objects to minimize nuisance alarms, and process unsurpassed throughputs of up to one person per second. “Security teams must approach insider threats and collusion with a layered security strategy that starts at the front lobby. This innovative optical turnstile technology available in the Fastlane Glassgate 155 is the first of its kind to identify and alert when sidegating is occurring,” said Jeff Brown, CEO of Smarter Security. “Our customers who need those wider lanes also need to have the confidence that only authorized people are coming into the building. This breakthrough reinforces how far ahead Fastlane technology is, and why it has been number one for much of the past decade.” Intelligent optical turnstiles, speed gates Smarter Security’s Fastlane brand of intelligent optical turnstiles and speed gates are favored by end users for their superior return on investment, and by architects for combining depth of functionality with extensive customization options. The turnstiles are installed in thousands of iconic building lobbies, government buildings, corporate campuses and universities around the world.

Workplaces, schools, hotels, sporting events, entertainment venues and other large –and sometimes not so large – facilities have become headlines in the news for all the wrong reasons: violent attacks. The Safer Solution is an effective training method that addresses public/workplace violence and active shooter incidents – by both alleviating a situation before it ever occurs, and by preparing civilians with appropriate response skills in the case of a crisis developing. The Safer Solution The Safer Solution was developed by Ken Good, Ted Westmoreland, and Michael Clarke The Safer Solution was developed by Ken Good, a Navy SEAL; Ted Westmoreland, an Army Special Forces Medic; and Michael Clarke, an Executive Protection Specialist – who, with their combined training, experiences and unique skillsets, have created a new method to teach individuals and organizations how to sense and assess an environment in order to act on red flags before it’s too late. In the event a crisis does occur, the training gives individuals proper skills to have a greater chance of survival as well as the ability to assist others. The Safer Solution provides training so that employees can: Increase situational awareness to allay an incident Identify and communicate threat concerns Protect themselves and others during an active-shooter situation Mitigate imminent and immediate attacks Perform lifesaving first responder actions Prevail overactive shooting situations through well-coordinated evacuation, barricade and engagement drills Training For Crisis Situations “It’s tragic and unfortunate, but the facts are that random acts of violence and active shooter incidents are increasing; ignoring these facts is no longer an option” said Michael Clarke, CEO of Archangel and one of the three partners in The Safer Solution. “We don’t believe that just telling people to ‘run, hide, and fight’ is effective training; individuals and organizations need a plan. The Safer Solution empowers people so they can prevent, protect, and prevail against aggressive attacks. Our training provides them with the tools and skills needed to make their work environments and public places safer.” The Safer Solution goes beyond the traditional ‘run, hide, fight’ direction" “The Safer Solution is our strategic partner in helping us design, implement, and maintain our workplace violence and active shooter program. With their guidance we have formulated strong company policy, in-depth training and coaching, and our threat response plan. The Safer Solution goes beyond the traditional ‘run, hide, fight’ direction.  Their comprehensive in-person and online training has aided Randstad in developing and maintaining a comprehensive safety and security program to deal with the real threat of workplace violence.” - Corey Berghoefer, Senior Vice President – Risk Management & Insurance, Randstad US. Online Active Shooter Training Course “After having completed the online active shooter training from The Safer Solution, I am confident that this is the training our organization needs to help our staff prepare itself in case an active shooter situation was to arise. The training was interactive, kept me engaged and more importantly increased my knowledge of what to do if I were to ever find myself in that unfortunate circumstance. One of the key elements of the training is what to do after, the information is key, and may save a life.” - Rudy Amador, Director Safety, Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc. The Safer Solution is offered through on-site presentations where the team will come to a location and provide “hands on” instruction, demonstrations and drills. An effective, online e-learning version of the training, complete with videos and self-assessment drills, is also recommended for larger organizations with multiple locations.

Protecting against fire and security risks is an essential aspect of life for people and across all sectors. However, there is an increasing expectation and demand on fire and security providers, in areas such as education. The securitisation of our world paired with the rapid speed of communication and news updates means that young people especially have the potential to be more aware of potential dangers and threats to their own safety and the safety of those around them. Education institutions are large and sometimes sprawling sites that present considerable fire and security challenges. From Kindergartens to Colleges Each education site brings distinct challenges, with differing facilities and specialties, as well as the need to maintain the capacity of students, teachers and lecturers to study, learn and teach at the high level expected.Each education site brings distinct challenges, with differing facilities and specialties While some schools and universities are based in urban areas with a mix of heritage and high rise buildings, others are sprawled across green open spaces. Some of these sites have specialised sporting facilities, while others may be focused on engineering or scientific study, with costly technical equipment. Kindergartens and primary schools have their own unique requirements. Parents expect the highest safety standards, while schools require safety in addition to efficient facilities management. The demographic of these institutions is predominantly young children, who are often unaware of or only just learning about fire safety and personal safety. This creates a huge vulnerability and an added onus on teachers to keep their students safe. Facial recognition at West Academy of Beijing In response to this need, Chubb China upgraded the closed-circuit television (CCTV) system for Western Academy of Beijing (WAB) focusing on elevating video content analytic features, including maximised CCTV monitoring, automatic police calling, and a smart search solution. Complementing this, a facial recognition system capable of finding the exact location of a student on campus within 30 seconds was added, aided by real-time remote gate operation. This integrated and advanced system resulted won the "High Quality Educational Technology Suppliers for School" award for the WAB project at the 2019 BEED Asia Future Oriented Construction of Universities and Schools Seminar. This award recognizes outstanding solution design and project execution. Parents expect the highest safety standards, while schools require safety in addition to efficient facilities management Awareness remains important at university As students graduate from kindergarten, primary school, junior and senior school, they become more aware of fire safety, relevant dangers and how to protect themselves. Unfortunately, external dangers remain. There are particularly high stakes for university campus facilities managers The safety of students in a university environment is also critical. It is often the first time young people live away from their family home and have the independence of adulthood. For this reason, there are particularly high stakes for university campus facilities managers. In the eventuality of a fire, students could be at great risk and, beyond the immediacy of physical harm, this can have serious ramifications for the reputation of an educational institution. Integrated solutions Integrated solutions must be nimble and adapted to a range of site types including campus residences, recreational areas, open spaces and lecture theatres. Chubb Sicli recently identified and overcame these challenges through the installation of a full suite of fire safety and security equipment and services at Webster University Geneva. Established in Switzerland in 1978, Webster University Geneva is an accredited American university campus that offers programs in English to students interested in undergraduate or graduate-level education.  Located in the Commune of Bellevue, just a few kilometres from Geneva's central station, the campus of Webster University Geneva includes five buildings in a park-style atmosphere. Full fire and security audit Chubb Sicli provided Webster’s fire extinguisher maintenance for over 25 years. This business relationship led to a full fire and security audit that identified the need for updates to the university’s security installation. The initial audit showed several improvements to the university’s security profile were needed.The challenge was to create and provide an effective and interconnected fire and security solution The challenge was to create and provide an effective and interconnected fire and security solution, enhancing the security of the student population and its ever-evolving needs. This included complete fire detection and intruder alarms for all five buildings, upgrades to existing CCTV systems, new video surveillance equipment and an automated fire extinguishing system in the kitchen areas. In addition to this integrated system solution, Webster University required access control for all main entrances, with the requirement that all documentation to be made available in English, because Webster is an American company. Customized solution Chubb Sicli’s quality, capability, and security expertise provided a customized solution for the unique educational establishment. Not only was the solution both tailored and integrated, the approach and planning were based on audit, fire extinguisher and emergency light maintenance, fire detection, intrusion detection, access control, video surveillance and Fire Detection. Through dedicated and integrated fire safety support, Chubb provides students and families peace of mind and security. From the moment a young child enters the education system, Chubb’s diligent and effective surveillance and fire safety systems work to prevent and protect, offering a new kind of ‘end-to-end’ service for education systems around the world.

There’s only so much a corporation can do to counteract the threat of a major incident. You can ask everyone to be vigilant and to report anything suspicious, but you cannot stop someone intent on deliberately starting a fire, threatening a work colleague with a knife or something much worse. And of course, most businesses recognize that even routine events – such as burst pipes, IT system failures, extreme weather event or power outages – can have significant consequences unless they are quickly brought under control. Training Security Officers Governments and organizations across the world are increasingly encouraging businesses to re-assess risks and to plan for and conduct drills for major emergencies. This is driving different agencies and companies to invest in new skills, resources and systems, and encouraging businesses to routinely re-evaluate their emergency response strategies. UK police forces are increasingly training security officers in the public and private sectors on how best to react to potential terrorist incidents For example: UK police forces are increasingly training security officers in the public and private sectors on how best to react to potential terrorist incidents, as part of the UK government’s Action Counter Terrorism program. And organizations including the Association of University Chief Security Officers (AUCSO) and Higher Education Business Continuity Network (HEBCoN) are developing customized training for their members to improve their own response and business continuity plans. Mass Notifications Systems Whether an organization is facing a terrorist attack or a severe weather event, follow up reports consistently identify that the same types of challenges are common to all crisis situations, with similar errors often occurring again and again. Typically, these are centered on three key areas: poor communications, fractured command and control structures, and delayed deployment of resources. Communications skills and technologies clearly play a pivotal role in how effective an organization is in responding to major incidents, particularly when it comes to assessing the situation and its implications, moving people towards safety and providing updates as an incident unfolds. However, when an organization is considering its technology options, emergency response and mass notification systems (MNS) are often touted as the ideal platform to deliver all the required critical communications and ongoing updates. UK police forces are increasingly training security officers in the public and private sectors on how best to react to potential terrorist incidents Emergency Notification System All the incident reporting, command and control, and communications functions have been brought together on a single platform But, if an organization does not know exactly where all its staff or students are, and it cannot see the location and availability of its first responders and other emergency coordinators relative to them and the incident, then how useful is it to send a top-down alert to everyone? And what about fast moving or multi-centre incidents, where previously agreed evacuation procedures, recommended actions or mustering points may need to change if an incident takes an unexpected turn? Many organizations may have been lulled into believing that an emergency notification system will allow them to confidently handle all the communications aspects of virtually any crisis. In reality, too many businesses are still unaware that there are now much more sophisticated and proven technologies where all the incident reporting, command and control, and communications functions have been brought together on a single platform. Using Live Map Tracking The benefit of using these advanced and more integrated approaches – often categorized as mobile distributed command and control systems – is that they enable faster and better decision making in a crisis using real-time feedback and two-way dialogue with those closest to the emergency. And they avoid the risks of any potential delays, miscommunications or mistakes that can happen when an organization is under pressure to respond and often switching between multiple systems. Leading universities and multi-national corporations are already using new mobile/web-enabled platforms to improve their incident response These next generation emergency management platforms have been specifically designed to enable real-time mapping of an organization’s security assets and its users on a single screen and to fully integrate it with a highly targeted geo-fenced notification capability. The mass notification aspect of the system can then be used to advise specific groups on the best actions to take at their location as an incident develops. The use of live map tracking enables real time mapping of an organisation's security assets  Segmented Messaging Many leading universities and multi-national corporations are already using these new mobile/web-enabled platforms to plan, manage and improve their incident response, leading to 50% faster reactions and more positive outcomes.During a crisis, users can receive push notifications so the security centre can immediately see their exact location and advise them accordingly The systems have been widely adopted within the higher-education sector, but they are equally applicable to any large company with multiple international sites or those situated in research or corporate campuses where the bulk of assets and people are based in one or more key locations. Typically, systems provide users with a smartphone app that they can use to call for immediate emergency or first aid support when at work, or to report something suspicious which could prevent an apparently minor incident from escalating into a full-scale emergency. During a crisis, users can receive push notifications, SMS and E-mails asking them to open the app if they are not already logged in, so the security center can immediately see their exact location and advise them accordingly. Supporting Dispersed Mustering Now that communications can be more nimble, responsive and flexible this can support the increasing numbers of planners are recognizing the advantages of dispersed mustering. This is a strategy that has been developed to reduce the risk of secondary attacks on unprotected people complying with instructions to evacuate from premises and gather in what are, effectively, exposed locations. It is now acknowledged that evacuees waiting outside for any length of time are more vulnerable to targeted attacks or to injury, from flying glass for example. With dispersed mustering – a strategy made more effective by these new mobile distributed command and control systems - a building’s occupants can be advised not to go outside, but to move to known safe internal locations. People in each specific area can then be kept regularly updated. Many corporations are now using new mobile/web-enabled platforms to improve their incident response Coordination Between Response Agencies The software platforms can be integrated with an organization’s fixed security infrastructure to take real-time sharing of information First responders are permanently logged in, so the emergency operations center can see their exact locations in real-time and can advise what actions to take in mustering people or in setting up and protecting security cordons. Bringing everything together on one platform, with real-time feedback and in a fully integrated system also removes what is often seen as the weakest communication link in managing any major incident: the need to rely on conventional two-way radio as the sole means of communication between the command and control center and its first responders and other team members on the ground. The software platforms can be integrated with an organization’s fixed security infrastructure to take real-time sharing of information to a new level for improved collaboration, coordination and communications between users, the incident management team and external agencies. Improving Emergency Response Strategies One of the most powerful features of some of these new systems is the ability to record and view all alerts, responses and the detailed conversations between first responders, emergency coordinators and other parties. This allows the systems to be used to simulate major incidents involving inputs from the emergency services and other key agencies and to ensure the organization’s crisis management plans have been fully tested against a range of possible incident scenarios.

Schools today are charged to provide an environment that is both safe and conducive to learning, which can be difficult considering the range of security incidents and challenges they face, including bullying, fights, graffiti, theft and more. In addition to working within often tight budgetary constraints, a main challenge is to provide the highest level of security in an aesthetically pleasing way that doesn’t make students feel as if they are in prison. While these two needs may seem mutually exclusive to some degree, that doesn’t have to be the case. School security can be achieved without building 20-foot walls or putting barbed wire around the perimeter. The key to balancing the security and learning environment can be found in the four pillars of a good school security strategy, namely people, practices, technology and physical environment. A mobile app or text notification system could be used to alert students and staff of potential problems Situational Awareness One of the most effective measures to take is to educate staff and even students to learn to be aware about their surroundings and adopt the 'If you see something, say something' mentality. In an emergency, time is of the essence, so the speed of response becomes critical. Educating staff and students to recognize potential problems and report them is a good first step. Augmenting this with mobile apps and/or texting capabilities, for example, that allow someone to send a photo to school security or law enforcement for quick assessment and evaluation, can speed response even more. A mobile app or text notification system could also be used to alert students and staff of potential problems and provide instructions on what steps to take in order to remain safe. By providing real-time situational awareness about potential responses, these types of technologies can reduce the number of armed guards or resource officers needed to patrol a school or campus, which also makes students more comfortable and able to learn in a non-prison-like environment. Security Best Practices Every school should establish a set of security policies and procedures and ensure that staff and students understand what to do if they suspect a problem or if an incident should unfold at the school. However, too often, schools may not know where to start when seeking out best practices. And once these policies are in place, there may be confusion about how to audit them to ensure people are properly educated. The NFPA has begun work on a school security standard that would address a range of issues schools face on a daily basis A number of organizations are available to aid with this process, such as the Partner Alliance for School Safety a group founded in cooperation with SIA (Security Industry Association), which provides resources and tools to help schools and security professionals evaluate and establish the best security protection for their buildings. These guidelines and best practices are designed to help schools spend their often limited funds on the right security solutions. Safe and Sound Schools provides downloadable school security toolkits, and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has recently released the NFPA 3000 Active shooter response guidelines and has begun work on a school security standard that would address a range of issues schools face on a daily basis. The key takeaway is that the information is out there, and the organisations mentioned above are excellent resources for helping schools create safe, secure and learning-conducive environments. Technology In School Security The second thing that needs to be considered is how technology can be brought to bear to contribute to school security. Video surveillance with video analytics can be deployed to monitor areas at certain times of day. For example, once school starts, there shouldn’t be a lot of activity in the parking lot or in particular areas around the school. For these situations, intelligent cameras with video analytics can be used to detect activity in those areas of interest to alert school security that something may need their attention. This might be a vehicle entering a lot or driving against the normal traffic flow, which may simply be a parent arriving to pick their child up early, or it could be something worth following up on. Radar detection is ideal for perimeters, where a device can be set up unobtrusively to alert when someone enters a particular area In any case, this is something that should be brought to the attention of someone who can quickly assess the situation and determine what, if any, response is needed. Because the goal in a potentially dangerous situation is speed response times. The faster you’re able to detect something using technology, the faster you’re able to respond. Therefore, being able to identify something happening in a parking lot and alert school resource officers could provide 30 seconds or a minute head start for response, which can get the school into a lockdown situation and get first responders on site more quickly.Facial recognition systems and providing access through smartphones could help create a more welcoming and secure environment for students, staff and parents After-Hour Monitoring Solutions Monitoring buildings and facilities after hours presents a different set of challenges. For sporting events, the National Center for Spectator Sports and Security (NCS4) at the University of Southern Mississippi provides best practice guidance for sporting facilities and events not only just for universities but even including those at high schools. It’s been shown that using lighting at night can deter crime. However, it can be expensive to keep a building and grounds illuminated all night, every night. To mitigate these concerns and potential costs, there are video cameras available with extreme low-light capability that allows them to see in near-dark or in some cases complete darkness. This allows a school to save money by turning lights off while achieving a level of surveillance performance similar to daytime deployments. Radar Detection Another technology for effective school security, both during and after school hours, is radar detection. This is ideal for perimeters, where a device can be set up unobtrusively to alert when someone enters a particular area. Radar can be deployed with a single PTZ camera, which can track whatever has been detected to provide real-time situational awareness for a school resource officer or law enforcement to investigate to determine the potential threat, if any, related to the perimeter breach.Following the four pillars of school security can ease the process while improving the effectiveness and efficiency of securing educational facilities More often than not, schools are faced with issues that are not necessarily the worst-case scenario everyone fears, such as how to identify parents and others who are authorized to pick a child up from school early. In this instance, facial recognition systems and providing access through smartphones could help create a more welcoming and secure environment for students, staff and parents. Lighting And Landscaping In addition to technology, one of the things that can contribute to a safer school environment is environmental design. CPTED provides four basic principles, one of which is natural surveillance, which follows a 'see and be seen' philosophy. In other words, when people know they can be seen, they are less likely to commit a crime. The main points in this general principle are lighting and landscaping. For example, a school doesn’t want to block potentially vulnerable areas with landscaping, so the height and thickness of any potential landscaping elements should be carefully considered. In general, openness and visibility should be the guiding factors. Securing Physical Environment Another aspect of the physical environment is maintenance. If a window gets broken but isn’t fixed right away, that tends to invite vandalism. These are just two of the guidelines CPTED offers for creating a more secure environment that doesn’t feel like a prison. In general, finding the right mix between maintaining security and providing a welcoming, aesthetically pleasing and learning-conducive environment can seem like a difficult – if not impossible – task. Following the four pillars of school security can ease the process while improving the effectiveness and efficiency of securing educational facilities.

According to the reports of not-for-profit organization Gun Violence Archive, the year 2018 saw 323 mass shooting incidents as of November. This number is 346 for the year 2017 and 382 for 2016, with ‘mass shooting’ defined as cases where four or more people are shot or killed in the same time period and location. A variety of gunfire detection solutions and other technology approaches seek to address the problem. ShotSpotter SiteSecure and ShotSpotter SecureCampus provide critical outdoor infrastructure protection against active shooter attacks. SiteSecure delivers critical information such as the number of shots fired, a detailed map of the airport or transportation facility, with the shooting location clearly identified. SiteSecure also provides law enforcement and transportation facility management with real-time information that can be useful to identify and address false alarms and reduce mass panic. Gunfire detection and precise shooter location Designed for college campuses and K-12 schools, ShotSpotter SecureCampus provides gunfire detectionShotSpotter SecureCampus solution is a gunfire detection system designed to provide outdoor coverage at university and school campuses. Designed for college campuses and K-12 schools, SST SecureCampus provides gunfire detection, precise location, and number of shooters to first responders and school personnel, enabling faster response to an incident. Data capture form to appear here! Gunshot detection can offer tremendous benefits in mitigating active shooting incidents occurring in a public facility or commercial environment. Data shows that active shooter attacks often begin outside a building and then progress indoors. Thus, the first line of defense for security professionals lies outside a facility, in a zone of protection surrounding it or comprising the entire outdoor area of a larger facility of many buildings. audio solutions for perimeter security Video cameras are effective surveillance tools in the event of a shooting incident, but they are not able to capture everything. Deploying audio solutions can automatically flag incidents not caught on camera, as well as alert central station guards of what surveillance zones need to be closely monitored. Audio analytics solutions for aggression and gunshot detection are some of the best security tools in the security market when it comes to detection, intervention and deterrence. They are the next generation of monitoring; equipping security teams with critical information and enhancing perimeter security. End users can identify high-risk situations in real-time and prevent acts of physical aggression before they happen Aggression detectors are capable of accurately recognizing duress in a person’s voice. The software automatically and objectively detects the presence of rising human aggression, anger or fear, and subsequently warns staff by a visual alert or alarm trigger. As a result, end users can identify high-risk situations in real-time and prevent acts of physical aggression before they happen. Artificial intelligence to detect weapons A gunshot detector recognizes firearm discharge from various firearms in different settings. Within seconds of a gunshot, the software accurately classifies and triggers an immediate notification through a designated VMS. Security staff can then verify the alert, effectively reducing the reaction time of first responders. With the development of artificial intelligence (AI) in object recognition, AI weapons detection offers an efficient alternative to gunshot detection to prevent active shooting: AI can visually detect guns based on their shapes before they are fired. The AI is trained to recognize firearms in different shapes, sizes, colors, and at different angles in videos, so that the AI weapon detector can be deployed with existing camera systems, analyze the video feeds, and instantly notify security staff when a gun is spotted. Audio analytics, processed inside a video camera, are another approach that can quickly pinpoint zones that security staff should focus on, which can dramatically shorten response times to incidents. Audio-derived data also provides a secondary layer of verification that an event is taking place which can help prioritize responses from police and emergency personnel. Detecting audio levels and alerting operators Operators can be notified of abnormal situations via event signals allowing the operator to take suitable measuresThe first job of a well-configured camera or camera/mic pair is to detect sounds of interest while rejecting ancillary sounds and noise below a preset threshold. Each camera must be custom-configured for its particular environment to detect audio levels which exceed a user-defined level. Since audio levels are typically greater in abnormal situations, any audio levels exceeding the baseline set levels are detected as being a potential security event. Operators can be notified of any abnormal situations via event signals allowing the operator to take suitable measures. Finding a baseline of background noise and setting an appropriate threshold level is the first step. Well configured audio analytics can deliver critical information about a security event, accelerating response times and providing timely details beyond video-only surveillance. Analytics take privacy concerns out of the equation and allow installers and end users to use camera audio responsibly. Hanwha Techwin's audio source classification technology, available in its X Series cameras, features three customisable settings for category, noise cancellation and detection level for optimum performance in a variety of installation environments.

Despite any negativity you may hear, Hikvision is optimistic about their role in the U.S. market. “We demonstrate that we can be trusted, and that we should be trusted,” says Jeffrey He, Vice President, Hikvision, and President, Hikvision USA and Hikvision Canada. “We have sound products and technology. Our mission in the security industry is to protect, not to harm. Otherwise why would we be in this industry?” Hikvision is committed to investing in the North American market, where there was ‘positive year-over-year growth’ in 2018 and ‘strong’ sales in Q1 this year, according to Eric Chen, General Manager of Hikvision USA and Hikvision Canada. HikCentral Central Management Software The company’s U.S. focus is shifting from products to solution sales, with emphasis on ‘mid-market’ small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). The largest verticals are retail and education, and there are emerging opportunities in the cannabis market. Launch of the HikCentral central management software (CMS) is a component of the company’s solution-sales approach. Launch of the HikCentral central management software is a component of the company’s solution-sales approachMr. He acknowledges the growth of ‘anti-China sentiment’ in the United States and other parts of the world, which he says will impact Hikvision’s operations globally. Specifically, in the U.S., ‘political’ elements impacting Hikvision’s business include ongoing tariffs and a trade war, Congressional calls for export controls and sanctions, and a provision of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that bans use of Chinese video surveillance products in government applications. Specifying Cybersecurity Initiatives At ISC West In spite of it all, Hikvision’s message at the recent ISC West show was overwhelmingly positive, and the company also detailed cybersecurity initiatives they say put the Chinese company ahead of many competitors in the industry. Eric Chen came in as General Manager last year; he previously spent a decade working for Hikvision in China. Chen reports solid 18.8% year-over-year growth for Hikvision globally, totaling $7.4 billion last year. He notes the company saw 40% compounded growth between 2010 and 2018. Globally, there are 34,000 employees, 16,000 of whom are research and development (R&D) engineers. Hikvision’s expanding global footprint includes 46 international branches. There are three manufacturing facilities in China, in addition to one in India. HikRewards Program For HDP Customers At ISC West, Hikvision’s theme was ‘Focus on Your Success’, including introduction of the HikRewards program that provides rebates to HDP (Hikvision Dealer Partner) customers, their core dealer base. A new online Hikvision Knowledge Library for HDPs provides training and reference materials dealers can share with employees. A new tech center, introduced in December, provides data sheets, product information, and support resources. There is also a North American R&D team headquartered in Montreal. At the industry’s largest U.S. trade show, Hikvision unveiled a brand-new booth with plenty of open space and video walls A customer satisfaction survey launched in March provided good feedback from customers. “They know who to call if they have a problem,” says Chen. “We want to focus on making customers successful.” The success theme also extends to Hikvision employees, who are featured in videos describing their jobs and enthusiasm for Hikvision. There are some 400 employees in the North American operation. At the industry’s largest U.S. trade show, Hikvision unveiled a brand-new booth with plenty of open space and video walls. Half of the booth was focused on solutions, especially retail and education, and also gaming and commercial real estate. Security Products Displayed At ISC West A variety of devices, including access control, intercoms and cameras, are integrated using the HikCentral CMS systemProduct highlights at the ISC West booth included the 32-megapixel PanoVu multi-sensor dome camera, whose 180-degree panoramic image was displayed on a 65-inch monitor. A variety of devices, including access control, intercoms and cameras, are integrated using the HikCentral CMS system. Some products new to the North American market, including intercoms, turnstiles, emergency call stations, and under-vehicle inspection, were displayed. Hikvision’s deep learning products are moving into their second generation, including the ability to obscure private information on videos to comply with GDPR/privacy requirements (previewed at ISC West and released later in the year). Algorithm components of Hikvision’s DeepInMind artificial intelligence are being adapted into a platform called AcuSense for value-priced products, which can recognize a human or vehicle and help filter out false alarms. Also being adapted to products with lower price points are the ColorVu system that incorporates visible light LEDs to provide color images at night, and DarkFighter low-light capabilities. Penetration Testing Of Cameras And NVRs As a global manufacturer, Hikvision faces a high level of scrutiny about cybersecurity, which Mr. Chen says is “a good thing for us,” enabling them to highlight the steps they are taking to improve cybersecurity. Chuck Davis, Director of Cybersecurity, outlined specific milestones Hikvision has achieved in its quest to provide world-class cybersecurity. Chuck Davis, Director of Cybersecurity, outlined specific milestones Hikvision has achieved in its quest to provide world-class cybersecurity In September 2017, Hikvision began working with third parties (including Rapid7) for penetration testing (ethical hacking) of its cameras and recorders. That same month, Hikvision set up a Cybersecurity Hotline open to anyone with questions about cybersecurity, including white-hat hackers and researchers. Even before that, Hikvision had an open-door policy on cybersecurity and a program for patching and disclosing responsibility. In February of 2018, Hikvision released a 40-page Cybersecurity White Paper describing cybersecurity testing and processes built into the software development lifecycle. That same month, Hikvision launched an Opened Source Code Transparency Center and offered an open invitation to anyone wanting to inspect Hikvision’s source code and let them know of any vulnerabilities. FIPS 140-2 Certification By NIST Hikvision has also become a Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) Numbering Authority (CNA), which ensures their patching and incident reporting programs have been reviewed by a CNA partnering company. Hikvision's encryption module (HIKSSL) received Level 1 FIPS 140-2 certification to be used in both IP cameras and NVRsIn August, Hikvision received Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 140-2 certification, a U.S. government encryption standard created by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Hikvision's encryption module (HIKSSL) received Level 1 FIPS 140-2 certification to be used in both IP cameras and NVR products. Davis said the FIPS 140-2 certification process began before the NDAA ban on use of Hikvision products in the U.S. government, and in any case is a standard that ensures a high level of encryption. “We wanted to make sure we had the same level of technology,” he says. “It was not to win over the government.” Making Industry More Cybersecure “We are really trying to have third parties test and certify our equipment,” adds Davis. “We are trying to be open and transparent. Education and awareness are key.” “We need the trust of customers in the security community,” says Mr. He. “No matter what, we have to follow the highest standards to offset the concerns and accusations.” In April 2018, Davis became a member of the Security Industry Association (SIA) Cybersecurity Advisory Board to help make the entire industry more cybersecure through education, awareness and standards. Hikvision has also joined the Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams (FIRST at first.org), a global cybersecurity incident response consortium that cooperatively handles computer security incidents and promotes incident prevention programs. Davis has presented Cybersecurity Road Shows in 22 cities in the United States and Canada, and also in Australia and New Zealand. The 90-minute presentations focus on education awareness around cybersecurity and seek to get attendees engaged and aware about cybersecurity in business and also in their homes.

A hyperconverged infrastructure is a software-defined environment in which various elements of a physical security system – computing, storage and networking – are combined together and run more efficiently on fewer hardware devices. Rather than each element of a system being represented by a physical hardware device, those elements are combined on a cluster of hardware devices. Hypervisor software separates a computer's operating system and applications from the underlying physical hardware. The elements continue to function as before, and software keeps them separated virtually, while also enabling the system to run more economically on less hardware. Virtualization Within Hyperconverged Systems Hypervisor software separates a computer's operating system and applications from the underlying physical hardware Software companies such as VMWare, Microsoft Hyper-V and Nutanix provide virtualization software that enables hyperconverged systems in the IT world. However, bringing hyperconverged systems to the world of video surveillance requires special handling, and security integrators may not be aware that hyperconverged software from the IT market does not work seamlessly with video data. Specifically, these hypervisor software systems have latency problems that are not compatible with video. Therefore, hyperconverged software systems must be adapted to meet video’s needs. Companies working to bring hyperconverged systems to the video market are taking proper measures to ensure that those systems deliver on expectations of security integrators and end users while also providing economic and operational advantages of hyperconverged systems. Why A Virtual Machine Can Aid Your Server Solution A hyperconverged system can transition a stack of 10 or more application servers down to three servers, with all the applications still virtually separated on fewer machines. Each server is used to 100 percent of its capacity, which is more efficient. Companies working to bring hyperconverged systems to the video market are taking proper measures to ensure that those systems deliver on expectations Both operating and maintenance expenses are lower, and if more computing resources are needed for a virtual machine, the software interface enables an end user to allow more processing power, RAM or disk space to that application. Less servers equate to less equipment costs, and also less costs for rack space, cooling and other related expenses. When a video system is working on a hyperconverged cluster, what happens if there is a hardware failure? The virtual system gets moved to a cluster that is working, but there might be a 30-second gap in video, which would not be acceptable for a critical application. All video must therefore be saved in two places. Virtualized Server Stacks From BCDVideo BCDVideo has entered into an engineering partnership with Scale Computing to develop an optimized hypervisor based on Scale Computing’s HC3 software that is also efficient for writing video.Less servers equate to less equipment costs, and also less costs for rack space, cooling and other related expenses Virtualization in the physical security market can create traffic patterns that are unlike traditional IT, and changes need to be implemented to accommodate for that. To avoid a “bottleneck” that can occur during the virtualization process, the virtual machine and the underlying physical hardware must be optimized to account for the virtualization process. “Performance and high-availability are critical in the video surveillance market and not all HCI solutions will adapt to video data,” said Dan Pierce, VP of Strategic Sales at Scale Computing. “With Scale Computing’s HC3 platform and BCDVideo’s ‘purpose built’ approach, customers will benefit from a solution that’s adapted to meet industry wide requirements while simplifying the management and maintenance of their infrastructure.”  Hyperconverged infrastructure will become more and more prevalent in the video market, especially for large systems that have high camera counts and longer video retention times. Hyperconverged systems offer a more efficient use of resources and save costs because hardware is more fully utilised. Previous problems of using hyperconverged systems for video have been solved, which paves the way for much more widespread deployment. Over time, we should expect hyperconverged system to become more common for larger video installations, such as gaming, sports arenas, large cities, universities, corporate campuses and airports. The key to success is applying knowledge both of the needs of video systems and of how hyperconverged systems can be adapted to meet those needs.

The Office for Students (OfS) is the independent regulator of higher education in England, responsible for ensuring that all undergraduate and postgraduate students, whatever their backgrounds, have a fulfilling experience of higher education which enriches their lives and careers and delivers value for money. They are headquartered in Bristol, United Kingdom with a workforce of around 450 people. GDPR Data Privacy Management Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), Office for Students’ predecessor, became a client of SureCloud back in 2017, implementing the GDPR Data Privacy Management Suite to support and enhance their GDPR program. As a new organization and a successor of HEFCE, Office for Students has been looking to mature its approach to risk management. The focus of this for the team was initially to improve risk policies and procedures, to develop internal capability, enhance reporting to show transparency and allow challenge, and to identify and manage risks enterprise-wide systematically. Effective Risk Management approach Office for Students needed a single, seamless, enterprise-wide solution to manage all aspects of risk management These improvements established a highly effective risk management approach, but the organization soon hit the ceiling in terms of their process supporting risk systems, with technology being a limiting factor rather than an enabler. The organization was relying on numerous disparate spreadsheets to assess and monitor different types of risk, these were inconsistent, time-consuming and error-prone. Office for Students needed a single, seamless, enterprise-wide solution to manage and monitor all aspects of risk management. Data privacy Risk Management solution Office for Students has been a SureCloud client for cybersecurity services since March 2017 and began deploying SureCloud’s governance, risk and compliance (GRC) solution in July 2017 to assist with their responsibilities under GDPR. Knowing that SureCloud also offered a comprehensive risk management solution (recognized on Gartner’s IRM Magic Quadrant), which could be tailored to their precise needs, Office for Students opened a conversation with SureCloud about how best to configure their existing SureCloud Data Privacy Risk Management solution to enable enterprise risk management. SureCloud’s Risk Management solution delivers: A central view of risk across the organization via a single intuitive dashboard Risks organized across divisions, legal entities, business functions, and geographies The ability to provide a central repository for enterprise risk, allow the organization to show the entirety of the risk environment and consider overlaps and interdependences A range of risk management methodologies to understand the likelihood, impact and overall risk rating Configurable drillable dashboards and reports to provide a real-time snapshot of risk at any time Centralized, cloud-based platform SureCloud’s centralized, cloud-based platform underpins the Risk Management product SureCloud’s centralized, cloud-based platform underpins the Risk Management product, allowing anyone from across an organization deploying the application to add information at any time, from anywhere. Office for Students worked with SureCloud to configure the Risk Management application to their precise needs and was ready for rollout ahead of schedule. Rapid implementation services “SureCloud got to grips with our requirements incredibly quickly,” said Ben Whitestone, Head of Governance at the Office for Students, adding “As the only independent regulator for higher education in England, we regulate in the interests of hundreds of thousands of students, and we take that responsibility very seriously.” Ben adds, “Managing the risks we face is an important part of our governance. But with our legacy systems, we were focused more on updating spreadsheets than actually managing risk. SureCloud’s platform is enabling us to take a far more agile approach to risk management, focusing on taking action to mitigate threats and exploit opportunities, with substantial time and cost savings as a result.” Streamlined, centralized Risk Management “SureCloud’s Platform has moved us away from using a series of disparate spreadsheets and countless emails for recording risk, with all of the potentials for errors that entails, to a single, centralized source of risk information for every member of staff,” said Whitestone. He further adds, “It’s dynamic and agile, if we want to get a snapshot of risk for a particular department or function, we can.” Intuitive, user-friendly platform We are very pleased with how quickly staff can get to grips with the SureCloud Platform" “Despite us being at the start of our risk management journey, we are very pleased with how quickly staff can get to grips with the SureCloud Platform, this was a key factor for us” commented Whitestone. Whitestone adds, “They can more or less log on and go – it’s extremely intuitive and easy-to-use. In turn, this means that it frees up a huge amount of time spent manually inputting or transferring information, which is a great advantage for us.” Systems and culture working in-sync “We undertook a great deal of work to evolve our culture of risk management, to one that was far more consistent and proactive.” stated Whitestone He adds, “With SureCloud’s Risk Management solution in place, we have the systems to underpin that culture, and enable us to take a far more streamlined, agile and accurate approach to help manage risk across the organization.”

A British university has overhauled its dated suite of security cameras to prepare for expansion and better protect its students and staff. Newman University in Birmingham called in systems specialist Unison Integrated Technology after a major power-surge disabled more than 30 cameras in its ageing system. Newman wanted comprehensive video coverage that was more robust and easier to use as part of its development plan for a safe learning environment for almost 3,000 students and staff. Facilities manager Lewis Palin said: “We contract out our security services, so it’s important for newly arrived officers to be able to use all of the system’s key features with minimal training.” Digital image stabilization Unison proposed an IDIS end-to-end solution that had already performed excellently at a number of nearby schools, colleges and commercial sites. Total cost of ownership was also a factor as Newman needed more than 150 new internal and external cameras, so Palin wanted to integrate its existing cameras and infrastructure with the new kit. It also meant minimal maintenance charges, no license fees and the option to adapt or scale the system as the campus grew or requirements changed. The Unison team delivered an IDIS DirectIP solution with more than 160 cameras, including five advanced 2MP Lightmaster IR PTZ models delivering 36x zoom and pin-sharp images in all lighting thanks to their 350 meter IR, true wide dynamic range and digital image stabilization. Network video recorders Unrivalled storage capability is assured by four powerful 64-channel network video recorders Unison also installed 55 full-HD IR vandal-resistant dome cameras to secure entrances and internal areas, and 40 IR bullet cameras to give HD coverage of key external areas. All the new cameras incorporate IDIS Smart Failover technology, which ensures automatic protection against video data loss, eliminating the risk of gaps in recordings in the event of power failure or network instability. Unrivalled storage capability is assured by four powerful 64-channel network video recorders with built-in failover and RAID 1, 5 and 10 support, plus a further three 32-channel recorders with IDIS Intelligent Codec to deliver storage efficiency. easily monitor live Security officers can now easily monitor live internal and external areas, and quickly search and retrieve recorded footage to find events of interest. Palin concluded: “Unison got the entire job done in three weeks – with swift stock delivery from IDIS – working around us to deliver our new system exactly as promised. We will definitely stick with IDIS technology as we expand our estate.”

The education sector is a gateway to the future for young people all over the world. But to assure this passage, schools must guarantee their students' safety as well as their education. In today's world, educators, administrators, and parents can all agree on one thing: the need to provide safe and secure learning environments for students is of paramount importance. When any type or size of threat has been made evident to an educational institution, immediate security protocol nowadays typically involves securing the entire facility and taking all measures necessary to keep intruders out. But this is not always as easy as it sounds, as reaching all doors during the event promptly can prove to be challenging. Multiple buildings, community spaces, and the logistics of personnel having to physically lock doors increases the risk for both students and staff. Intrusion detection platforms The integration between both systems means security managers can have access to a single user interface to monitor When determining which access control platforms to invest in, several factors have to be considered. This can include whether intrusion systems are also a critical component of the school’s security makeup. This is where Vanderbilt has the edge as the company possesses two award-winning products that also integrate with each other. These are the access control software ACT Enterprise and the intrusion detection system, SPC. The integration between both systems means security managers can have access to a single user interface to monitor both their access control and intrusion detection platforms. This includes a real-time of their SPC zone status from within ACT Enterprise, as well as the ability to view SPC events within ACT Enterprise, and more importantly, send commands such as “set” or “unset” to SPC from within ACT Enterprise. Access control fob Overall, this is an excellent added layer of security for school managers who get the benefit of two award-winning security systems all from one interface. Of course, a standout feature of ACT Enterprise is the software’s intuitive rules mapping engine that can trigger pre-defined outcomes based on specific event outcomes. Therefore, this feature is a particularly useful and creative tool to have at the disposal of a security or facility manager. Through the rules mapping feature, they can ensure not only the safety of the schools’ students and staff, but the smooth running of the building as well. For instance, an example of a rule that a security manager could create in the system, would be to receive an email notification anytime someone used their access control fob to enter into the school after hours. Audio and video verification Additionally, the integration between ACT Enterprise and SPC comes back into play here as the system user can also monitor their sites remotely through the SPC Connect app, which allows audio and video verification of any events that may take place on site. So, in essence, any security alerts can be immediately investigated and verified through video confirmation before taking the next appropriate steps to correct the situation. Libraries are often open late or even 24/7 to accommodate student learning for assignments and exams In addition to schools in general, when it comes to higher education, many universities are spread across a wide radius and contain popular student destinations such as bars, restaurants, gyms, and sporting facilities. One such popular student destination, the library, is a key example of the problematic issues that face the education sector. Libraries are often open late or even 24/7 to accommodate student learning for assignments and exams. Recording fob activity Libraries also house an abundance of valuable equipment such as state-of-the-art computers and printers. However, their opening hours and equipment makes them sensitive to theft, while the fact that they are focal gathering points for many students makes them a significant priority in securing students’ safety in the event of an active shooter on campus. Thanks to ACT Enterprise’s muster reporting feature, security managers can, for example, keep an audit trail of who is in the library by monitoring and recording fob activity. The ACT Enterprise muster report gives security a real-time list of all students in the library, and when students exit the library and swipe out, the muster report will automatically update. Access control systems These are just some of the advantages that access control systems such as Vanderbilt’s ACT Enterprise can have in an educational environment. Vanderbilt understands that security in education is an essential issue, one that requires thoughtful attention and procedure while allowing room for agility, adaptability, and dependability. Vanderbilt’s ACT Enterprise respond to these expectations and enable practical safeguarding foundations to be laid.

Established by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, ADA University is a state higher education institution engaged in the delivery of undergraduate and graduate degree programs in addition to research advancement. The university started the construction of a new teaching building in 2017. Its multimedia classroom required 40 square meters of LED screens to provide students with advanced and modern teaching equipment. Spread spectrum VFE technology 42 m2 PHSA1.6-MH indoor fine pixel LED screens from Dahua Technology were seamlessly spliced and installed at the multimedia classroom of ADA University. The solution features single control chip with only one IC. The product adopts spread spectrum VFE technology to achieve higher refresh rate, while its wide color range provides excellent high restoration and color uniformity. It can also achieve high contrast, low failure rate and low light reduction. The brightness of the LED screens can be adjusted within 50-800 nits without losing gray levels With wide current regulation technology, the brightness of the LED screens can be adjusted within 50-800 nits without losing gray levels, which is applicable in different environments. A centralized power supply was also deployed to lower power consumption. In addition to providing the devices, staff from Dahua Delivery Department were also responsible for on-site installation, offering operation and after-sales training to both distributor and staff of ADA University. First LED screen project The customer was very satisfied with the successful delivery of the project. The students of ADA University can now enjoy vivid and colorful videos and images through the LED screen, bringing a pleasant viewing experience for teachers and students. As the first LED screen project in Azerbaijan, Dahua Technology’s complete solution and excellent service from pre-sales to after-sales greatly impressed the customer, and they expressed their desire to choose Dahua Technology in their other similar projects in the future. “Dahua Technology has a professional technical team, which provides us with high-quality service. We are very satisfied with Dahua Technology’s products. The professional training provided to us is very helpful for our operation and maintenance. We believe that we will continue to cooperate with Dahua Technology in the future,” said Alekberov Mukhdar, Electrical Engineer of ADA University.

Around 7,000 people pass through the Luminy faculty’s suburban campus every day. As part of a major project to modernise two buildings, university managers sought a retrofit-ready access control solution to upgrade security. Aperio locks University administrators selected Aperio locks to secure doors in the new buildings. With Aperio, facilities, the staff can deal with lost keys more efficiently. The laborious process of changing locks and reissuing keys — part of the daily workload with mechanical locking — vanishes. Luminy campus is equipped with 372 Aperio Electronic Cylinders & 42 Aperio Electronic Handles with built-in RFID readers The Luminy campus is now equipped with 372 Aperio electronic cylinders & 42 Aperio electronic handles with built-in RFID readers. Locks are integrated seamlessly, wirelessly and online with Luminy’s ARD access control system. One key goal was to deter theft, which was becoming a problem in teaching areas — especially those with computers. “Since we installed Aperio, we have not had a break-in,” says Cédric Lopez, Maintenance Manager at Luminy. Campus security and incident management In addition to theft deterrence, Aperio met broad, stringent criteria for the security upgrade. Staff and students carry individual access smart-cards. Doors and credentials are easily programmed and reprogrammed to accommodate everyone’s changing access needs. Luminy’s security team has complete control over access permissions and campus traffic — in real time. Because their new Aperio devices are integrated online, the staff can see a ‘live’ overview of the campus and respond proactively to incidents. Aperio is trusted to protect the most sensitive areas of the campus. “We have critical premises, including for the storage of chemicals, some with radioactive properties,” adds Lopez. Seamless integration with university’s scheduling system Aperio locks are built on an open platform for easy integration with the university’s scheduling system Aperio locks are built on an open platform, so they are flexible enough to integrate with the university’s room scheduling system. “Teachers are able to reserve their rooms. Students no longer have to wait for the teacher’s arrival, because they have access to the right rooms in defined time slots,” says Cédric Lopez. The credential students already carry automatically opens classroom doors, if they have pre-authorized access rights. For the facilities team, the ARD interface displays scheduling for all relevant rooms in real time. Aperio wireless technology Luminy site managers have already scheduled further real-time access control upgrades built around award-winning Aperio wireless technology. As Luminy staff discovered, the benefits of Aperio extend beyond just enhanced campus safety and student security. The Aperio for Universities Solution Guide explains how you can upgrade and streamline security at your campus. Learn more about Aperio® at https://campaigns.assaabloyopeningsolutions.eu/aperio-university

A security system upgrade at one of Australia’s most prestigious universities has seen Gallagher’s solutions installed at campuses across Melbourne. According to the University of Melbourne, Gallagher was selected for the upgrade due to their strong integration capability, commitment to supporting the university’s long-term site plan, and investment in development. Gallagher worked in partnership with the university and Gallagher Channel Partner MGA Electronic Security to roll out the upgrade in over 150 buildings across seven campuses. The partnerships were integral to the success of the rollout, ensuring the system was configured to best meet the university’s needs. System flexibility “We’re impressed with not only the flexibility of the system, but the support from Gallagher,” says Adam Leach, Security Systems Coordinator at the University of Melbourne. Project Leads from the university visited Gallagher’s head office in Hamilton, New Zealand, prior to the project beginning. The upgrade included access control for over 3,000 doors, over 177,000 cardholders, and thousands of inputs “The opportunity to visit Gallagher and see their investment in R&D showed us that they are committed to growth and future developments. We were looking for a long-term business relationship, and we are definitely confident we have chosen the right solution.” Complete site control The upgrade included access control for over 3,000 doors, over 177,000 cardholders, and thousands of inputs. Gallagher Command Center software, a powerful solution offering complete site control from one central platform, runs at the heart of the university’s security system. “The integration capabilities of Gallagher’s Command Center are second to none,” says Leach. The university has integrations with Active Directory, Unicard, Syllabus Plus, IndigoVision and Schindler. People safety One of the key decisions in choosing the Gallagher system for their upgrade was its flexibility to grow with the university. “Our security solutions are designed to protect sites now and into the future,” says Scott Johnstone, Gallagher’s National Sales Manager, Australia and Papua New Guinea. “We’re pleased to be able to support the University of Melbourne with their long-term plans, all while ensuring the safety of their people, assets and information.” MGA Electronic Security completed the upgrade project quicker than expected and on budget, undertaking the entire system changeover in under 18 months.

Securing large campus environments can be particularly demanding and requires a range of technology solutions. In effect, a campus may represent a dozen or more individual facilities to be secured, in addition to protecting the overall environment. Seeking more insight into the number and variety of needs of securing a campus, we asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What are the security challenges of protecting large campus environments?

The concept of how security systems can contribute to the broader business goals of a company is not new. It seems we have been talking about benefits of security systems beyond “just” security for more than a decade. Given the expanding role of technologies in the market, including video and access control, at what point is the term “security” too restrictive to accurately describe what our industry does? We asked the Expert Panel Roundtable for their responses to this premise: Is the description “security technology” too narrow given the broader application possibilities of today’s systems? Why?

As the new school term begins, awareness of security at all levels of educational institutions is higher than ever. Technology plays an important role in protecting educational facilities and their students, faculty, staff and visitors. Specific security challenges drive which technologies and other measures are used, and those challenges are evolving, along with the dynamic institutions security is tasked with protecting. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What are the security challenges for schools and colleges?