Expert commentary

Consumers prefer voice recognition technology for biometric identification Voice recognition is the most preferred form of biometric identification among consumers. Derek Scheips for ASSA ABLOY Future Labs outlines the concept behind this technology and some of its uses and drawbacks. With all types of biometric applications on the rise, voice-based authentication is one approach that seems to engender less resistance among users than other biometric forms of s...

  Resolution quality must be considered when assessing surveillance effectiveness Surveillance cameras are becoming more and more commonplace, especially in busy metropolitan locales. Police and detectives hope to reduce crime rates by keeping a watchful eye on civilians but CCTV has only been helpful in solving a small percentage of crimes. Mike Lewis, Country Manager UK for CCTV manufacturer MOBOTIX AG, highlights key considerations for improving the efficiency of ex...

  Bandwidth is an important consideration for CCTV systems to reach their full potential Most surveillance systems today transmit data over IP networks. As manufacturers continue to improve the capabilities of CCTV systems, the amount of traffic travelling on a network becomes increasingly large. Bandwidth is a key consideration in managing surveillance systems and ensuring their full potential is reached. In this article, Bosch discusses the importance of bandwidth and ho...

  Integration of security systems is a priority for retail sector managers With the assumed digitalisation happening on the end-user side, progressive security systems integrators stress the importance of changing the business concept from being installers to being service and solution providers. However, less is known about the details of this process on the end-user side, Markus Lahtinen of LUSAX project explains. An online survey of loss prevention managers in...

Hoteliers don't give security a high enough priority Security is not as high on the hotel agenda as it should be according to Michael Hartmann, Senior Vice President for Hospitality Solutions with Siemens Building Technologies.  Here he looks at the reluctance to invest in the latest security systems, the different levels of security typically employed and the benefits of an integrated approach. The contribution to profit, or the perceived lack of it, is one of the major...

Examining the road to convergence The use of Internet Protocol (IP) in the security industry is increasing but little is known about the relationship between end users and the merger of traditional physical security and IT otherwise referred to as convergence in the security trade press. Markus Lahtinen of the LUSAX project examines the growth of convergence in the security industry and discusses complexities of this relationship. The LUSAX project at Lund Universit...

PoE technology allows for safer environments through better security systems Power over Ethernet is both convenient and affordable, says Jonas Rehnberg of ASSA ABLOY Future Labs. The benefits to network security are immense, be it in powering security cameras with added features or enabling better access control systems and intruder deterrents. Hailed as a watershed innovation when first standardized in 2003, Power over Ethernet (PoE) offers a way of supplying electricity to n...

   XML, API and web server offer the ability for interoperability between proprietary software Today's facility executive wants to purchase systems and components from various manufacturers and have those components work together as one system. They want "open systems" that allow the manufacturers to offer new features and add value without locking the owner into a single vendor's proprietary protocols. In short, they want Interoperability.Hirsch Electronics...

  HID and Abloy UK are creating the future of intelligent doors At IFSEC 2009, ASSA Abloy launched Hi-O, a new concept for electronic door solutions that improves and simplifies the installation, service and upgrade of access control systems and allows end users to create the first truly "intelligent doors". SourceSecurity.com spoke with Matt Thomas, Managing Director of Abloy UK, and Ian Compton, Director of Sales for UK, IE and Nordics for HID Global, to find out more ab...

  To obtain complete security on sites night time surveillance must factor as high priority Today, the challenge to video surveillance professionals is to make sure that the CCTV video footage is effective on a 24/7 basis throughout the year. Securing an area during the daytime is one thing. But what happens during the night? And in weather conditions like fog, rain and snow? What can be detected if the sun blinds CCTV cameras? Flir Systems explains.As CCTV systems be...

  Metadata saves on resources required to store large amounts of data Yu Kitamura, Product Manager, Network Video Monitoring, Sony Europe explains the facts about metadata, and their benefits.All organisations have to face the costly challenge of the storage and management of their valuable data. In the sphere of security, where visual data is indispensable, any avenues that make the capture, storage and retrieval of that information more efficient will command budget...

 Well defined spec key to cost-effective CCTV installation A report from the West Midlands Police suggests that the quality of up to 80% of CCTV images is so poor that they can't be used for evidential purposes. But it doesn't have to be that way, as Alistair Enser of Siemens Building Technologies explains. To design an effective CCTV installation, it is first necessary to decide what the installation is supposed to do. For example, in a stadium or a shopping c...

  Unclear digital and Network video recorder terminology is perpetrating several myths  SourceSecurity.com's Product Editorial Consultant Jennifer Lines dives into the murky waters of video recording and looks at the advent of both digital and network video recording. What are the options? Why is there so much confusion? Which type should you choose?VCRs, DVRs and NVRs - A brief historyAfter the demise of VCR technology, digital video recording has enjoyed a stea...

  Security threats keep the demand for advanced security measures high in different industries Terrorism and other security threats around the world are generating high demand for advanced video security solutions that can help detect threats, and protect lives and assets. Elan Moriah President of Verint Video Intelligence Solutions and Verint Witness Actionable Solutions, explores some of the key technologies and trends that are helping reshape the security industry....

   Key to stability during economic downturn is investment in partners and product innovation  If we are to believe the words of the Bank of England's Mervyn King, the recession may be coming to an end. No longer are we to fear the shouts of the dreaded "credit crunch" resonating from our TV screens. While green shoots of economic recovery spring up around the world, there is still enough uncertainty to warrant the question: How is the security industry...

  Mobile Wimax drives business  For around 15 years, Alvarion has been at the forefront of the development and deployment of radio technologies and advance antenna systems for broadband wireless networks including mobile WiMAX. Ashish Sharma, Vice-President of Corporate Communications, explains the merits of Mobile WiMAX radio technologies and advance antenna systems. In addition to being a leading-edge technology, Mobile WiMAX™ has also emerged as a business driver addressi...

Integrated systems solution - The future proof option Does the key to a successful long-term investment in security systems reside in integration? Patric Meyer, SDK support manager, Geutebruck answers 'yes'.If you are only interested in a stand-alone CCTV system for screening and recording video - full stop - then this article is probably not for you. However, most CCTV users these days want much more for their money. Many want their video surveillance system to communicate wi...

   Hospitals need stronger 'in-depth' physical security at different entry points Within the course of any given day, a hospital or health care chief security officer (CSO) faces the task of not only protecting multiple points of access but also doing so in a way that enables movement and activity, is convenient for staff and patients and does not impede the facility's primary function: saving lives. Health care facilities exist in a wide variety of medical focus, adm...

  Outdated technology dominating public sector CCTV systems Why does a common cell phone store images in better resolution than most public sector CCTV systems? Mobotix, manufacturer of hi-resolution IP cameras presents the case for use of new technology in video surveillance installations. Even basic digital cameras provide more definition than the images from CCTV camera systems that are commonly used to identify terrorists. During the 2006 FIFA World Cup almost all the...

  Increased public demand for high spec intruder alarm systemsNew kinds of ‘cost-competitive' dual-path security alarm transmission systems are opening up new business opportunities for installers upgrading from audible-only, says BT Redcare's Andy Fyvie.Heightened public awareness of the need to improve security, coupled with new developments in intruder alarm technology, mean that there are now some exciting new opportunities for security alarm installers to grow their bus...

   Megapixel and HDTV resolutions produce higher quality images What are the benefits of Megapixel and HDTV resolutions? In part 2 of this article, Phil Doyle, Managing Director (UK & Ireland) of Axis Communications continues with an in depth explanation of their key advantages. (Read part 1 of this article on standard video resolutions)Megapixel resolutionsA network camera that offers megapixel resolution uses a megapixel sensor to delive...

Can intelligent technology really deliver a high return on investment and what can it offer government and local authorities today? Yvonne Pritchard of Sony Professional Security details the advantages of intelligent solutions within security installations. Surveillance has long been an essential focus for governments and local authorities at all levels, from traffic and hospital  IP security - the intelligent choice monitoring to large-scale security operations for one-off e...

  Cruise ships need stringent security measures Baggage x-rays, archway metal detectors, body checks, swipe card readers and more... Michael Lawton for ASSA ABLOY Future Lab delves into the world of access control security onboard cruise ships as they are subjected to the tighter security norms of the IMO and ISPS code.If you wanted to describe the security challenges of a cruise liner, you could think of a hotel inside an airport. When it comes to the...

   Analogue and digital resolutions are worlds apart Resolution in an analogue or digital world is similar, but there are some important differences in how it is defined. Phil Doyle, Managing Director (UK & Ireland) of Axis Communications, outlines these key differences. In analogue video, an image consists of lines or TV-lines since analogue video technology is derived from the television industry. In a digital system, an image is made up of square pix...

  Integrated access control solutions have become easier to apply Leading integrated security solutions provider Honeywell explains the importance and benefits of implementing an integrated access control solution for businesses. An access control solution can be as simple as the use of electronic or magnetic swipe cards instead of keys to unlock a front door. This limited functionality still retains a considerable level of value. In most cases, businesses can limit...

What are the benefits of remotely monitored CCTV? Alan Collinge, Operations Director at RemGuard Visual Management, details the key advantages of adopting a remotely monitored CCTV system. As previous slowdowns have amply demonstrated, economic hardship tends to drive- up crime and, as a consequence, attacks on A remote monitoring CCTV system offers cost-effective security solution premises with resulting unplanned downtime. So now, more than ever, I would contend t...

  Museums facing growing security challenge with rise of armed robbery  It only takes a shocking 58 seconds to steal a painting. Jonas Rehnberg, writer at Assa Abloy Future labs, speaks to former museum security chief Ton Cremers about the safe-keeping of precious artefacts in museums and art galleries. In 2004, armed, masked robbers stormed into the Munch Museum in Oslo and stole two masterpieces - "The Scream" and "Madonna" - before the eyes of shocked spectators....

New technology now means that security cameras can be used over an IP network, Sony Professional Solutions Europe explore the benefits of IP based security technology. The world of IP-based technology is constantly evolving and the video security market has leaped forward in tandem with this. In light of both cost and ease of installation, we   Move towards Power over Ethernet encouraging use of network IP products are seeing a huge technological shift towards video&nb...

   IP connectivity featured in the latest access control products provides extra flexibility If it's been a while since you last looked at access control systems, be prepared for a surprise, says Matt Haynes of Siemens Building Technologies. For very little extra cost, the latest systems deliver a whole lot more functionality than their older counterparts. Let's be honest, even the most basic of access control systems are likely to perform some useful functions,...

Which video management software platform is the right solution? Markus Kissel of leading CCTV distributor Videor, provides a summary of the most important selection criteria. The number of commercially available software solutions for IP-based video surveillance is increasing. But the complexity of systems, numerous features and the required IT skills  Choosing the "right" video management software solution is key make it difficult to choose the "right" product. Th...