Technology & Trends - Access Control

It’s dangerous to compromise on safety features in search of a low-cost security solution, as it can put employees at serious risk Driving quality in the private security industry is vital to the ongoing effectiveness of the products and services that the industry provides. Figures show that, post-recession, buyers are increasingly aware of the importance of quality when it comes to choosing security providers, with 20% citing quality over price as a crucial factor i...

Enterprise security strategies identifyliabilities & ways to mitigate risks, showinghow the cost of mitigation prevents largerliabillity costs  The security profession continues to take on new risk management responsibilities. The big thing now is called Enterprise Security and Risk Management (ESRM). ASIS International has issued a standard on the subject: ANSI/ASIS/RIMS RA. 1-2015, and a couple of booths at the recent ASIS International 2015...

Automation is another hallmark of PIAM solutions, which can perform a wide variety of processes that are prone to error if performed manually Security departments in organisations face a number of threats from both internal and external sources, thus forcing security personnel to remain vigilant and aware of the growing number and scope of new and emerging risks. The most powerful weapon in this seemingly endless battle is data. Every organisation has it – probably more...

Millions of dollars are spent annually at border crossings on technology such as buried volumetric sensors Border control forces, train operators, ferry companies and humanitarian organisations have spent much of 2015 concerned with people trafficking between the northern coast of France and the United Kingdom. Now the focus has switched to migrants fleeing civil war in Syria. It is one of the biggest migrant crisis that Europe has witnessed so far, with hundreds of refugees s...

Aventura continues to expands expand its feature set of products beyond PSIM As the 61st annual ASIS 2015 kicked off in Anaheim, Calif., it became increasingly clear that physical security continues to move from the realm of traditional intrusion detection, video surveillance and alarms into value-added applications that extend into new markets, uses and purposes – many of them centred on business and operational processes. While video surveillance, intrusion detection,...

Organisations can develop security master plan internally or use the assistance of an independent security consultant Whether it’s a college campus, a healthcare facility or a large corporation, organisations often tackle issues related to security management, operations, programs and technology in a reactionary manner. They often fail to consider the need to plan and develop a written roadmap to define and provide direction for the big picture of their security programm...

The pre-seminar will also offer educational sessions on cutting-edge subjects It is that time of the year again, when security industry stalwarts gather together at ASIS to showcase the latest in physical security systems and other technological innovations. The event will focus on domestic threats as well as intelligence gathering tools to protect organisations against social media threats. The organisers of the ASIS International 61st Annual Seminar and Exhibits — ASI...

ASIS is a great opportunity to not only learn about new technologies first hand, but also to benchmark offerings against competitors  Now in its 61st year, the American Society of Industrial Security (ASIS) Seminar & Exhibits is more than an end-user show. Many systems integrators also attend, walk the show and even exhibit to meet with potential customers and perhaps see technology they may need to apply to their clients’ security challenges and issues. This ye...

System integration is about adding value, and value-engineering is the solution to address the challenges facing the customer and their facility Leading systems integrators continue to embrace new technology and add a range of services focusing on IT, connectivity and integration. The trend will continue for forward-thinking companies seeking to differentiate themselves from the competition and gain a loyal following of end-user customers.  Pref-Tech - History and backg...

 IP is here and is continuing to proliferate in the security industry and its next major advancement is in pure IP access control IP technologies in the security industry are nearly ubiquitous today. End users and integrators have adopted and embraced IP cameras, building automation systems, wireless mesh networks, alarms, monitoring, and regularly view all of these technologies from the palm of their hand, on their smart phone. The technologies are easier to install, oft...

Executive protection can be costly, but it isa fraction of the loss that protecting a topexecutive could prevent  Corporate security departments work hard to protect people and property. Executive protection is one of the key components of corporate security services. In fact, many corporate security departments are now taking on this new responsibility. “We are seeing more companies adopting executive protection as a normal part of corporate security,” says B...

The worst insider threats are existential, dangerous enough to literally destroy an organisation The key to maintaining an effective security system is timely detection of security breaches. Widespread use of technology has resulted in massive amounts of data transfer which in turn makes organisations vulnerable to both internal and external threats. Mass shootings, data thefts and other internal breaches of security have cast a spotlight on the issue of insider threats. Accor...

The sheer number of travelers and lack of passport control in the Schengen Area in Europe tests railroad security’s capabilities Railway security faces the unenviable task of monitoring hundreds of thousands of passengers travelling between countries every day, and an attack on a train in Europe last month has cast a spotlight on the conflict between offering fast and efficient transport services whilst conducting thorough surveillance of passengers and luggage in transi...

A variety of control and usage options are available for automated key management systems in data centres The protection of networks and data centres is a growing concern given the recent spate of high profile security breaches, and it is forcing organisations into taking serious steps to improve protection. For many businesses, this means implementing a combination of passive and active security measures designed to deter, detect and react against threats. Included in these m...

Preventive security measures and security training of personnel in the line of fire have improved dramatically Aviation security has significantly intensified since 9-11, and we’re making it more and more difficult for terrorists to get to us on the ground and in the air. In February the FBI arrested three men in Brooklyn plotting to hijack an airliner, and in the 14 years since the terrorist attacks of 9-11, officials have foiled dozens of plots against airlines, buildi...

RFI Enterprises has a Central Station Alarm Association (CSAA) Five-Diamond Monitoring Center RFI Enterprises started in a small town and has over the years grown to a large regional business. The company has developed innovative security solutions to fulfil customer’s requirements for a secure environment. It has managed to stay ahead of growing competition within the systems integrator sector and design solutions for customers ranging from aerospace, banking and health...

9-11 caused a sharp refocus of attention on security assessment and risk management Fifteen to 20 years ago, security was a relatively sleepy, small-time business. Companies typically hired a guard or two to walk around the property, usually at night, sometimes during the day. If a guard spotted someone who wasn’t supposed to be there, he (it was usually a he) ran the person off. Larger companies had more sophisticated video and access control systems, but those system...

With the power of new technology and analytics, security systems could be used in other ways as well Security and surveillance systems are valuable beyond strictly providing compliance in the casino market. Even beyond ensuring physical security on premises outside the casino floor, systems are providing additional benefits including customer service, marketing and profitability, says Maureen Bruen, vertical market specialist – gaming, Honeywell Security Products Ame...

The Protection Bureau is one of the top-10 security integrators in the US You really can’t talk about The Protection Bureau without discussing its founder, the late Keith Ladd. If you’ve been in the industry any length of time, you probably had a chance to meet him. I certainly did. In fact, when I was a cub reporter with one of the first security publications I ever worked for, my inaugural visit to a customer and central station was to The Protection Bureau. That...

More and more commercial buildings today are replacing mechanical keyed locks with card access systems. The basic reason is familiar to security professionals: card systems, once installed, cost less to manage and maintain. “When people are let go, if you don’t get their keys back, you have to rekey the locks and give everyone new keys,” says Brett St. Pierre, director, education solutions with Austin, Texas-based HID Global. “With a card system, all y...

Manufacturers need to come to integrators with a multi-faceted approach on how a wholesale change could be made Dakota Security Systems Inc., Sioux Falls, S.D., a security systems integration company is nearly 40 years old and started as a lock shop. Eric Yunag, president and chief executive officer, has been at the helm of the award-winning company for nearly 10 years. In an exclusive Q&A, SourceSecurity.com asked Yunag what he looks for from his manufacturer-partners. S...

Customers are seeking systems integration as a solution rather than a component The migration of access control systems from conventional technology to IP has had a positive impact on TDSi’s sales for IP equipment.  Increasing demand for biometric and face recognition applications has also paved the way for better and improved access control systems. According to John Davies, Managing Director of access control company TDSi, the state of any given market depends on...

Airport security has tightened ever since the September 9/11 catastrophic event. Post-incident investigation of such events often brings to light a particular weakness in security. As a result, security and safety protocols are developed in reaction to such traumatic events. Similar to the security measures adopted by airlines, school safety systems have also undergone major changes with a variety of electronic and mechanical access control products that prevent assailants fr...

Wavestore’s Better Together programme is designed to offer benefits to security installers and integrators An independent video management system (VMS) offers an open platform that can support the “best-in-breed” components of security systems, according to James Smith, director of marketing at Wavestore. “We offer a truly open platform and are truly independent – what we do really well is bring disparate technologies together,” says Smith....

Small-timers with big ideas can always make their way into the industry In recent years, home automation technology has given birth to the “Smart Home” in which internet-enabled and controlled devices are bringing a new level of comfort to the standard house. From locking doors to setting the temperature to opening the blinds for a view of the sunset, technology is transforming the home into something reminiscent of the now-quaint 1960s sci-fi cartoon, The Jetsons....

Voice biometrics is fast becoming a security imperative due to increasing instances of fraud and identity theft. From identifying customers at banks and call centres to securing mobile devices in a “bring your own device” world, the use of a person’s unique “voiceprint” is fast gaining ground as an identifier. The global voice biometrics market is expected to reach $4.7 billion (U.S.) by 2020. Much of it is being driven by the increasing need to...

The key driver to growth in the IP market is the effectiveness and efficiency of the technology Technological advances in video surveillance are allowing end users the flexibility to do more with their systems than previously imagined. 2014 saw several new technological trends that shaped the future of the security market, with 4K and cyber security being the main drivers. The drift continues this year too with end users demanding HD video surveillance and wide-spread...

Large busy casinos must maintain continuous surveillance of multiple tables and machines High-definition (HD) cameras are a perfect fit for the casino market. HD security cameras provide six times the resolution of analogue cameras, supplying images with sharper edges that easily identify faces, cards, dice, chips, currency, and fill slips. In addition, high-definition IP cameras can reduce camera count. A single, 1080p camera can effectively cover poker, roulette or craps tab...

According to Chris Mosley, President of Complete Security Systems self-monitoring with video security is a moving trend Complete Security Systems Inc., Marlboro, New Jersey, is a UL-listed central station and security installation company serving New Jersey and other East Coast areas. According to Chris Mosley, President of Complete Security Systems, attracting young people to the security industry is a challenge. Chris highlights Complete Security Systems' new products, servi...

Once home automation – controlling everything from HVAC to door locks to lights to security cameras – was solely the providence of the high-end home. Custom systems were pricey – some ranging upwards of $100,000 or more. That was before widespread access to broadband internet and before everyone started carrying a powerful internet-connected mini-computer – called a smart phone – in their pocket. Home Automation goes mainstream These days the Smart Home has gone...