Education security applications
In 1899, the Texas Legislature authorised the formation of the Southwest Texas State Normal School, which opened in San Marcos four years later. At the time, the school’s mission was to prepare Texas public school teachers, but over the years, it has undergone several expansions and name changes to reflect its evolution into the major multi-purpose university Texas State has become. From its humble beginnings located in a single building, Texas State’s original San Marcos campus has...
Koning Willem I College in north-east Brabant, The Netherlands offers various educational and integration programmes. In total, around 18,000 students take 250 courses at its 16 locations. Modern educational institution A new location on Onderwijsboulevard in 's-Hertogenbosch was designed to be a model modern educational institution, including its access control. The imposing new building has modern rooms that provide opportunities for consultation, collaboration in small and larg...
Named one of Money magazine’s Best Colleges in America 2023, Fairfax-based Geoge Mason University (Mason) is the largest public research university in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Its 10,000 faculty and staff provide classes and support services across three regional campuses, an international branch campus in Songdo, South Korea, and five instructional sites. With more than 40,000 students hailing from all 50 states and 130 countries and a six-year graduation rate that is well above the...
When students come to study at the prestigious Les Roches Marbella campus in Spain, they are not just attending one of the world’s major hospitality business schools, they are also enveloped in extraordinary innovation and sophisticated living to mirror the exceptional experiences they are being prepared to facilitate in their future careers. Real-life training site The institution aims to serve up “academic rigor with a twist of innovation and entrepreneurship” to its...
Dahua Technology Indonesia has donated a Dahua DeepHub Smart Interactive Board to the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), demonstrating the company’s commitment to supporting the advancement of education in Indonesia. The Country Director of Dahua Technology Indonesia, Royce Ouyang, expressed his gratitude for this charitable opportunity during the handover event held at the Alumni Hall of FEB UGM on March 14. Royce Ouyang said, "We are pleased to co...
Central Community College in Nebraska has multiple campuses and educational centres to serve approximately 90 different communities. CCC’s outdated lock-and-key system and access control technology weren’t meeting their security needs. On one campus alone there are 26 buildings with access control needs for students, staff, and vendors. The security team had to provide targeted scheduled access control for about 15 different user groups. Support and service “From past...
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Morse Watchmans, the industry pioneer in key control and asset management systems, reports a rising number of domestic universities installing the company’s flagship key control system, KeyWatcher® Touch, to facilitate heightened levels of security and safety on campus. KeyWatcher Touch systems Recently, Morse Watchmans reports new, multi-department deployments of its KeyWatcher Touch systems at Boise State University and Marquette University. Additional higher education facilities, including the University of Michigan, Ohio State University, Yale University, University of Texas, and University of California have recently expanded or upgraded their existing KeyWatcher Touch systems with many others having placed or plan to place orders for fulfillment in 2023. First-of-its-kind key control solution KeyWatcher Touch improves university security while reducing costs related to theft, loss, and re-keying" “We are witnessing universities across the country embrace our first-of-its-kind key control solution because it allows departments of all types to manage campus security in a specific, yet highly integrated manner across the campus enterprise,” said Tim Purpura, VP of Global Sales and Marketing, Morse Watchmans. “Moreover, KeyWatcher Touch improves university security while reducing costs related to theft, loss, and re-keying, assuring campus security and facilities teams alike that their security investment offers tangible ROI.” Scalable key control solution Because KeyWatcher Touch systems are infinitely scalable, it is possible for universities to start with one system and add on more as needed. In this way, key control and asset management solutions fit the needs of departments and universities now and into the future. Morse Watchman’s KeyWatcher® Touch electronic key cabinet is a scalable key control solution for organisations looking to secure, manage and track keys and other assets. KeyAnywhere technology With a 7” touchscreen and patented SmartKey system with industry-first KeyAnywhere technology, it is easy to withdraw and return a key securely to any key cabinet located within an enterprise. KeyWatcher® Touch also integrates with many brands of access control systems for a layered security approach.
More than one million electric vehicles are registered in the U.S.—and they all have to plug in somewhere. As EV charging stations pop up across the country, one of the chief questions will be how charging station users are identified, authenticated, and connected with membership or payment systems. Radio-frequency identification cards and tokens and smartphone authentication apps have emerged as two viable options for EV charging authentication. Which is best? It may depend on the user base they plan to serve. User authentication for EV charging Most electric vehicle owners have a spot to plug in while at home, either in their own garage or carport or in a designated charging spot in a tenant parking garage. But electric vehicles also need spots to charge while owners are out and about. The EV charging market is broadly divided into two tiers: Level 2 charging stations, which operate at 208-240 V and use AC power. These stations will add 20-25 miles of range in about an hour of charging. The U.S. Department of Transportation listed more than 22,800 public Level 2 EV charging stations across the nation as of mid-2020. They are commonly found in public parking lots and garages, hotels, grocery stores, malls, and other commercial areas. They may also be installed in private parking garages and business parking lots for use by tenants, employees or fleet drivers. Collecting membership data Direct Current Fast Chargers (DCFS) are designed to charge an EV battery to about 80% in 20-30 minutes. There are currently about 15,000 DCFC stations across the U.S., but their numbers are expected to explode as more people start taking EVs on longer road trips. They are commonly found along major interstate highways. As the market evolves, user authentication requirements for EV charging stations are likely to vary by type, location, and user base. Some commercial locations may provide Level 2 EV charging as a free amenity to shoppers, guests or employees. If there is no charge for the service, there may be no need to authenticate users at all— people can simply park and plug at any available spot. However, there may be a benefit to collecting membership data (e.g., shopper reward club). Private charging stations Public, for-profit EV charging stations, like gas stations, need a method to collect payment for their services. In some cases (especially at roadside DCFS stations), users may simply pay for the minutes used with a credit card—just like at the gas station pump. However, many EV charging station users are already accustomed to identifying themselves with an RFID membership card or a smartphone app. Charging networks like ChargePoint and Blink enable members to access any EV charging station within their networks with a card or smartphone app, which connects to their membership, account, and payment information. Private charging stations—such as those offered to tenants, employees or fleet drivers—may not require payment but need to ensure that only authorised drivers are accessing power and taking up valuable parking spots. An RFID card or smartphone app can be used to identify authorised drivers and track charging behaviours. Moving forward, many EV charging stations may find that they need a mix of options for users, including membership cards, smartphone apps, and a credit card payment option for out-of-network drivers. Choosing between RFID and smartphone apps In the long run, the answer may be ‘both.’ RFID cards are economical and easy to issue When user identification and authentication are desirable, which is the better option: RFID cards or smartphone authentication? Both have their uses in the EV charging market. In the long run, the answer may be ‘both.’ RFID cards are economical and easy to issue. And for some users bases, they may not have to issue a new card at all—they can take advantage of an RFID card they already carry. In many cases, it is possible to leverage existing employee IDs and membership cards for access to privately controlled EV charging stations. RFID membership cards may be a good bet for: Fleet drivers who already carry an RFID card for vehicle access. Employee parking lots and garages where people already use a card for entry. EV charging parking spots at gyms or other locations where users want to limit charging access to active members. EV charging stations Most consumers would prefer not to have to carry a physical membership card for every retail outlet On the other hand, public charging stations may find that consumers would prefer to use a smartphone app rather than receive another membership card to carry in a physical wallet. Many consumers prefer to carry only their phone and one or two essential cards (such as a driver’s licence and a single credit or debit card). As more retailers enable consumers to pay via a digital wallet app on their smartphones, some don’t even carry a physical credit card anymore. Most consumers would prefer not to have to carry a physical membership card for every retail outlet they visit—and that includes EV charging stations. Smartphone apps for user authentication are simple to set up and highly secure. Instead of RFID, they typically use either Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLE) or Near-field Communication (NFC) protocols. Public charging stations For the user, the experience is almost identical to RFID authentication, except they wave a smartphone over the reader instead of a card. Apps have other user benefits, too. A custom app for EV charging can be configured to help users locate or reserve charging stations, check their balance and usage history, and change their payment options right on their phone. These features make smartphone authentication ideal for consumers These features make smartphone authentication ideal for consumers accessing a network of public charging stations. However, EV charging network managers should keep in mind that some users may still want a physical membership card. Smartphone-based authentication There are still some user populations, such as older consumers and those from lower income brackets, where smartphone ownership is not ubiquitous. If users are primarily using EV charging for a fleet vehicle, they may not want to download an application for work on their personal cell phone. Other users may find smartphone apps confusing or simply prefer to have a card for other reasons. The answer for both public EV charging networks and private charging station owners is to have an RFID reader that is capable of both card-based and smartphone-based authentication. This will provide maximum flexibility as user preferences change. Finding the right RFID reader for EV charging The ELATEC TWN4 MultiTech family of readers is ideal for authentication at EV charging stations The best RFID reader for EV charging is one that is flexible enough to meet the needs of all user populations and evolve as requirements change. The ELATEC TWN4 MultiTech family of readers is ideal for authentication at EV charging stations. The readers support 60+ RFID transponder technologies along with BLE and NFC smartphone authentication. This means that one reader can support all common technologies already in use across the entire user base—both nationally and internationally. This capability becomes important for applications where users want to enable drivers to use an existing RFID card (such as their employee or fleet ID card or an access card for a tenant parking garage) for access to charging locations. It also provides more flexibility as technologies or preferences change in the future. Supporting advanced encryption TWN4 MultiTech supports advanced encryption and security configurations for highly secure transactions between the card or smartphone and the reader. This is important for EV charging applications tied to payment or employee/driver identification. ELATEC readers are mobile-ready. The ELATEC Mobile Badge BLE NFC App offers simple and effective components for building or extending a mobile application for EV charging networks. Non-managed mobile credentialing using the ELATEC app is free. TWN4 MultiTech readers also work with multiple existing third-party managed credential systems, such as KleverKey, Safetrust, and Transact. The TWN4 MultiTech is easy to customise with the powerful Software Development Kit (DevPack) and App Blaster and Director utilities. Readers can be easily configured to support custom functionality (such as LED light flashing sequences or sounds for user feedback) and integration with backend software for easier member management. The DevPack tools make the TWN4 family the most powerful, versatile, and sustainable readers on the market. Hardware communication interfaces As electric vehicles move from niche to mainstream, EV charging infrastructure will need to grow and evolve to accommodate millions more drivers—both in the consumer market and in commercial fleets. With TWN4 MultiTech, EV charging station managers will be ready. Interested in learning more about technical considerations for RFID? Download 11 Considerations for Embedded System RFID Readers for additional advice, including operating power and consumption requirements, antenna placement, hardware communication interfaces, and more.
Mul-T-Lock has worked closely with K.B.O Fire & Security to upgrade the security at Guildford College, in the United Kingdom (UK), creating a dedicated master key suite for the ultimate peace of mind of staff, pupils and visitors. Guildford College is the largest further and highest education college in the Surrey area, with approximately 3000 students and offers courses at all levels. Success rates are higher than national benchmarks with many students operating with the local community on a regular basis. Control and secure access for Guildford College K.B.O Fire & Security offered a number of innovative ideas to ensure complete security Controlled and secure access is a high priority for the Estates and Facilities team, who sought the advice of K.B.O Fire & Security to undertake a comprehensive security overview. K.B.O Fire & Security offered a number of innovative ideas to ensure complete security and a smooth operating system throughout the college site. Mul-T-Lock’s high security MTL400 patent protected solution The resulting master key suite was designed and installed using Mul-T-Lock’s high security MTL400 patent protected solution, which combines advanced technologies with enhanced key copy control and maximum resistance to all forms of lock manipulation. Sandra Searle, the Facilities Customer Services Manager at Guildford College, said “The college is committed to offering staff and students a vibrant, happy and nurturing learning environment. So that we can do this as safely as possible, we ensure the security systems, right from the entrance to the college and throughout the site, are all maintained to a high level.” Bespoke Mul-T-Lock master key suite system Sandra Searle adds, “K.B.O Fire & Security worked with us to produce a bespoke Mul-T-Lock master key suite that could enable total key management control. We are particularly impressed with the advanced protection capability as it means as a team, we can maintain a single key to open all doors as required and maintain differential access to rooms between staff, visitors and students.” With up to 90 cylinders installed in a scalable design, the master key suite system was installed quickly and efficiently, in order to ensure minimal disruption to learning timetables. Offering flexibility in access control With Guildford College, we like to consider ourselves as part of this team" Lance Harding of K.B.O Fire & Security stated, “With Guildford College, we like to consider ourselves as part of this team, where we can really understand the bespoke requirements. The benefit of working in this way is allowing for the flexibility of access, including accounting for the large number of part- and full-time students, alongside the wider community, who all use the facilities.” Lance Harding adds, “Here a master key system was the best choice and using Mul-T-Lock enabled total patented key control to keep the college, and all who attend safe and secure.” Mul-T-Lock and K.B.O Fire & Security partnership Tom Hyslop, the Regional Sales Manager at Mul-T-Lock, concluded by stating “By working with the college and K.B.O Fire & Security early in the specification process, the right level of protection could be designed into the master key suite, choosing MTL400 to make sure staff and students can work and learn in a safe and secure environment.” Tom Hyslop adds, “It also meant installation could be planned carefully around learning timetables. And now, staff can focus and maintain their high standards for the benefit of all who attend with total peace of mind security.”
A significant number of U.S. parents of school-aged children feel insecure about, and support increasing, security measures in their children's schools, according to a survey conducted by Oosto following the Uvalde school shooting earlier this month. Survey findings When asked if parents felt their children's schools were safe, more than 11% of respondents stated that their child’s school is either somewhat or very unsafe. Moreover, 18% of respondents have refrained from sending their child to school in the past year for fear of their safety, and 20% of respondents considered moving their child to another school, city, or country. In brief, 59.4% of respondents support additional security measures in place. Additional access control measures Thirty percent of the responders support better equipping and training teachers Of those that preferred a security measure, 38.6% of U.S. parents support access control at school entrances, 28.2% support CCTV and video surveillance, and 28.8% support the use of real-time video surveillance to detect potential threats. Thirty percent of the responders support better equipping and training teachers. The survey was based on survey results from two thousand U.S.-based parents (June 2022). Gun violence “There have been 265 mass shootings so far this year in the U.S. according to the Gun Violence Archive, and we simply return to the ‘old normal,’” said Avi Golan, CEO of vision AI technology leader, Oosto. “This has become a very personal issue for me and I’m tired of talk and social media debates that amount to no change. We’re starting to get sensible gun reform initiatives proposed, and that’s a good start, but we also need very tactical plans in place to help teachers and administrators better protect their schools.” Security technologies Let’s act now and at least have the technologies in place to help expedite a better response" In an opinion column recently published in SourceSecurity, Golan wrote, “There is no single technology that will prevent this type of tragedy." "But, let’s act now and at least have the technologies in place to help expedite a better response while we simultaneously debate the deeper questions about the nature of education, mental health, and guns in American society. We owe it to our children.” School Safety Emergency Summit Mr. Golan will be one of several panelists who will address the issue of school safety at the School Safety Emergency Summit. The Summit is being hosted by Carnegie Mellon University’s Biometrics Center and will be moderated by Ben Chapman – U.S. education reporter for The Wall Street Journal and will include distinguished panelists from the school security space including Guy Grace, Retired Director of Security for Littleton Public Schools, Colorado and Chairman of the Partner Alliance for Safer Schools (PASS); Michael Matranga, CEO of M6 Global security consultancy and former U.S. Secret Service agent; Bruce Montgomery, National SLED-FED Market Leader with Honeywell and 25-year law enforcement veteran; and Professor Shlomit Yanisky-Ravid, Yale Law School. Real-time security and safety alerts The summit will also include a 20-minute session with Prof. Marios Savvides, head of Carnegie Mellon University’s Biometrics Center. Prof. Savvides will review some of the latest developments in computer vision and artificial intelligence, and how these can provide security and safety alerts in real-time including early warning signs that can be identified through the help of Vision AI.
Interface Systems, a managed service provider delivering business security, managed network, UCaaS, and business intelligence solutions to distributed enterprises, announces two scholarship programmes to help provide financial support to college students pursuing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)-oriented studies and careers. The ‘Tech for Good’ scholarship, which was launched in 2021, recognizes students who demonstrate a passion for using technology to solve real-world problems. Pursuing higher education This year as part of Interface’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) initiatives, the company is adding a new ‘Women in STEM’ scholarship that is open to women with a strong academic record who are pursuing higher education in science and technology. Students will need to be enrolled full-time in an accredited US university for the 2022-2023 academic year Students selected for these scholarships will receive the one-time US $5000 grant to help them continue their education. To be eligible for these scholarships, students will need to be enrolled full-time in an accredited US university for the 2022-2023 academic year, studying any technology-related course. Providing academic references This year, the deadline for submitting the application will be November 15th, 2022. Applications can be submitted online, and finalists will be expected to provide academic references. “We are proud to support students from diverse backgrounds on their path to becoming scientists, innovators, and engineers,” said Brent Duncan, CEO of Interface. “We look forward to ideas that demonstrate how technology can be applied to change social, environmental, and economic outcomes for the better.”
In a first of its kind initiative, Concept Smoke Screen is partnering with criminologists from the University of Lincoln to assess the impact of their systems on retail loss prevention and on crime in surrounding communities. The new partnership was born out of Concept’s ‘Connected’ campaign, which urges a radical rethink of the private security industry’s approach to crime prevention. A significant part of the Connected project focuses on collaboration between academia and industry to address structural-level causes of crime and approaches to tackling them. Security systems manufacturers We’re hugely excited about this new partnership and the insights it will provide for ourselves" This initial study, with the Criminology team of the School of Social and Political Sciences at the University of Lincoln, will also act as a pilot for further investigation into the way that security systems manufacturers and security users can work cooperatively with researchers to share data, providing insights into criminal trends and patterns which have not traditionally been available to either group. “We’re hugely excited about this new partnership and the insights it will provide for ourselves and our clients,” Concept MD Matt Gilmartin said. “We see it as both extremely valuable in itself, and as the first step in an ongoing collaboration with the University of Lincoln team.” Private security companies “Data is absolutely critical to intelligent crime prevention planning, and being able to assess that data in a wider, holistic context will allow us to make smarter choices about how and where our systems are deployed. And we’ll also be better able to advise Smoke Screen users about the broader social impact of these sorts of loss prevention measures.” Dr Sue Bond-Taylor, Senior Lecturer and Criminology Programme Leader in the School of Social and Political Sciences at the University of Lincoln, said: “The University of Lincoln Criminology team welcome this opportunity to support Concept’s ambition to become pioneers within the security industry. Their aim is to promote a more ethical and sustainable industry, in which private security companies can make a positive contribution to the communities in which they operate, and we are excited to help them achieve this vision.” Loss prevention strategies We expect to be able to produce precise and up-to-date estimates about the impact of loss prevention strategies" Dr. Nick Cowen will lead the quantitative data team on the project. “By pooling data from across multiple sites and multiple retailers, we expect to be able to produce precise and up-to-date estimates about the impact of loss prevention strategies, as well as where, when, and how the application of these strategies is likely to be most effective,” he said. “Additionally, because we will be establishing the broader social impact of effective loss prevention on the public’s experience of crime and disorder, we anticipate that this will help Concept’s clients substantiate and document their contributions to wider public values according to Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance criteria.” Security fogging technology This initial project has been made possible thanks to a productivity voucher from The Productivity Programme for Greater Lincolnshire, delivered by the University of Lincoln and funded by the European Regional Development Fund. Productivity vouchers provide micro, small and medium businesses with the academic capacity and technical expertise of the University to address a specific business need to drive forward a new idea, product, process or service. Concept Smoke Screen is an award-winning Lincolnshire-based electronic security system manufacturer, specialising in security fogging technology. The Smoke Screen range of products provides direct but harmless confrontation to criminal intrusion, while simultaneously defending high risk property.
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Expert commentary
Changing customer needs can make specifying an alarm system that will continue to deliver in the long term a challenge. However, the latest modular alarm solutions provide the opportunity to build a more individualised system from the outset, as well as offering the ability to up-scale in the future without causing disruption. Martin Wilson, North EMEA Regional Director at Resideo, looks at how alarm specialists can use this style of solution to both benefit customers and build their own business opportunities. Holistic sense of home security In a survey of 1,000 homeowners undertaken by Resideo, the results revealed that, although deterring burglary was still a top priority, consumers were moving to a more holistic sense of home security, wanting to bring convenience, and property and life safety, into the mix. An alarm system no longer needs to function on one level, alerting only to a break-in taking place Indeed, an alarm system no longer needs to function on one level, alerting only to a break-in taking place. The latest modular alarm systems offer the flexibility to create a scalable security and life safety platform for homes and small businesses, as well as giving installers the ability to suggest future update options that can be added as and when budget or requirement allows. Valuable up-scales Finding an alarm that can be scaled over time has the obvious business benefit of ensuring it is easy to revisit and add to as customers naturally expand their existing security. With many modular designs connected via WiFi, this not only means installers can opt for the right mix of sensor options from the get-go but also that any additions can be connected to the panel and system with ease. Many control hubs have winning features in their own right. The ProSeries security panel by Resideo, for instance, has an intuitive touchscreen, easy-to-read, full-colour display to reduce false alarms, plus a built-in camera, speaker and microphone, intuitive icons and even five-day weather alerts. The ProSeries security panel by Resideo has an intuitive touchscreen Natural up-scale opportunities For instance, for those in a property prone to flooding, a flood sensor may be a worthwhile addition For the installer, it has a plug-in power connection, trouble-shooting videos and end-user replaceable batteries to reduce unnecessary callouts. However, to build a scalable system, this needs to be coupled with the right, flexible solutions to tackle customer concerns. Taking the time to find out what is important to the end user is vital here and can lead to natural up-scale opportunities. For instance, for those in a property prone to flooding, a flood sensor may be a worthwhile addition. Similarly, a panic button and even medical transmitters may be of benefit to others. All this, as well as other options, such as glass break detectors, door and window sensors and indoor and outdoor MotionViewers™, are available within the ProSeries range, and can be updated or added to an installation as needed or as a property grows with minimum disruption. Adding life safety The ability to propose an alarm system that can bring together alerts for different threats – for both the home and life – under one platform, also has real appeal. Indeed, in a survey of 1,000 homeowners undertaken on behalf of Resideo, a system’s ability to alert to the dangers presented by fire and CO was mentioned as an important part of the decision-making process by 41% of participants. For many, this increased awareness may stem from the many regulation updates regarding smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms that took place in 2022. In Scotland, for instance, carbon monoxide detectors were required to be fitted in any room with a carbon-fuelled appliance in all homes, rented or owned. Social housing properties In England, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms were required in all social housing properties In England, from the 1st of October 2002, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms were required in all social housing properties, with carbon monoxide alarms now mandatory in the private rented sector. Wales followed suit in December for rented accommodation. The new guidance for England and Wales requires at least one smoke alarm to be installed on each storey of a property, to help alert to domestic fires more quickly, ensuring a quicker evacuation and reduced risk of fatality. For professionals, systems such as ProSeries, can be connected to a series of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, in a ‘one-go-all-go’ setup that means the alarm will go off if one of these threats are identified. Smart and connected benefits The total Connect 2.0 app gives ProSeries end-users the ability to view and control the security platform remotely. The Resideo Pro app currently gives installers the ability to view the system and connect to the central monitoring system. The platform also supports home automation as it works with Zwave devices. The platform also supports home automation as it works with Z-wave devices. The platform also supports home automation as it works with Z-wave devices There are also extra benefits for alarm professionals too. The AlarmNet 360™platform on which ProSeries is configured gives greater insight to improve business operations, increase efficiency and deliver insights on accounts to identify additional upsell opportunities and ongoing services. Providing the ability to remotely diagnose brings valuable time-saving options and avoids unnecessary callouts. It also means the ProSeries panel and peripherals programming can be accessed anytime, anywhere, using the cloud, allowing ease of programming, troubleshooting and account management on the go. Needs and future possibilities Changing a complete alarm system to apply new functions is never going to feature highly with the end user, nor does it work where longevity and sustainability is concerned. Having the ability to build a modular system and add to this as needed, whether this is at a property or a small business, provides benefits for both customers and professionals when it comes to meeting immediate needs and future possibilities. Add connectivity and remote access to this and you have a platform that can help streamline business operations, putting professionals more in touch with customers, and helping to spot future opportunities.
The adoption of innovative and interconnected door hardware systems can help overcome the challenges associated with building security, explains Daniel May of Consort Architectural Hardware. The security of our built environment and the safety of its people is paramount throughout a building’s lifecycle. While these elements remain a primary focus at each touchpoint of a construction project, today’s design teams are sooner adopting modern access control systems to address this age-old challenge, but why? Modern access control Where systems were once rudimentary, modern access control has evolved into a revolutionary factor of building design, unlocking various benefits for its many users in the process. The Internet of Things (IoT) has enhanced building security as we know it, and as technology continues to advance, more options enter the market. Following more than a decade of innovation and integration, the access control market is projected to grow year on year, from £7.8 billion in 2023 to £11.8 billion by 2028. Modern user requirements have led to several operational and technological advancements Modern user requirements have led to several operational and technological advancements during this period, and decision makers and design teams alike can now choose from a versatile selection of options. Some door hardware products now utilise smart locks, cloud control and even biometrics for example, and most recently, there’s been a substantial change to the way access control systems operate, with focus moving towards end users and ease of use. Modern access control has evolved into a revolutionary factor of building design Smart door hardware From an operational perspective, interconnected access control systems gift users with an intuitive network that improves building security through the use of real-time status updates, while also providing them with the ability to grant instant access approval and denial at the touch of a button. Often, users can operate their building’s various access points through their mobile phone, which has led to improved flexibility and efficiency in most environments - whether at home or in a public access property. The security benefits also become clear when compared to the alternative of physical keys. If a traditional key is lost or stolen, the security of a building becomes at risk until it is found or replaced. Intuitive access control systems are designed to build upon the traditional lock and key methods. By seamlessly integrating smart door hardware into both new and retrofit projects, users can manage access points and improve security across the building - without stifling ease of access, stunting future scalability or unsettling the aesthetics. Users can operate their building’s various access points through their mobile phone Access control system The PSIA standard is one of the widely recognised and respected standards for access control products As many adopt Wi-Fi infrastructures, NFC technology and cloud services into their buildings, decision makers must also consider the need for better standards. While the introduction of IoT may advance security, performance and functionality, it can also introduce new risks which must be mitigated by adhering to both localised and international standards, such as ISO 27001 for example. The Physical Security Interoperability Alliance (PSIA) standard is one of the widely recognised and respected standards for access control products and provides comprehensive requirements for systems by focusing on interoperability, scalability, and functionality. While the introduction of IoT may advance security, it can also introduce new risks Providing comprehensive requirements This standard ensures that access control products from different manufacturers can seamlessly integrate and communicate with each other, allowing for greater flexibility and choice when designing a complete access control system. After all, a one size fits all access control solution simply doesn’t exist and decision makers would be remiss in not selecting a product that aligns with their building’s needs while meeting the required standards.
In the early stages of childhood education, kindergarten imparts foundational principles that shape future behaviour. Today, you can think about cloud computing in a similar manner: it has become a fundamental element in the architecture of modern technology. The cloud now plays a critical role in digital interaction, security, and infrastructure development. Far from being just another tool, the cloud is a cornerstone, providing essential support for the intricate network that supports today's digital ecosystem. Vomplex digital systems Much as kindergarten lessons lay the groundwork for cognitive development, the cloud offers base capabilities that are vital for constructing and operating complex digital systems. Recent advancements in cloud-based security — particularly in access control and video surveillance — emphasise the importance of cloud computing. It has been instrumental in unifying fragmented security systems, similar to how basic social principles taught in kindergarten help diverse children come together as a unit. The role of cloud computing in our technological world is multifaceted and continuously growing The role of cloud computing in our technological world is multifaceted and continuously growing. It has evolved into a space where innovation is cultivated and security commitments are maintained with vigilance. The fusion of artificial intelligence and analytics into cloud services signifies a concerted effort toward a future that is more cohesive, intelligent, and secure. Significant technological progress As we delve deeper into this topic, it will become evident that cloud computing, like the pivotal lessons of kindergarten, is indispensable. It quietly enables significant technological progress, mirroring the foundational principles taught in our formative years in both its essential nature and its growing influence. Play Fair: Technological Developments in Cloud-Based Security The past year has been a period of significant innovation in cloud-based access control and video surveillance. Cloud computing has evolved into a robust platform that fosters the creation of integrated security systems. These systems consolidate access control and video surveillance into a unified experience, demonstrating the cloud's potential to seamlessly combine disparate systems. Substantial industry progression The advent of edge computing has boosted bandwidth efficiency and accelerated data processing The incorporation of artificial intelligence and analytics into cloud services marks a substantial industry progression. This development provides businesses with advanced tools for in-depth analysis and intelligent decision-making, enabling them to not only gather comprehensive insights but also strengthen their security measures. The cloud has eased the transition to new technologies and emphasised a commitment to cybersecurity, with encryption protecting data integrity in transit and at rest. Simultaneously, the advent of edge computing has boosted bandwidth efficiency and accelerated data processing, highlighting a consistent drive to refine and adapt. The trend of integrating cloud security systems with other business platforms help create unified ecosystems, reflecting a broader narrative of security professionals’ pursuit of progress and enhancement. Potential future disruptions Wash Your Hands: Pandemic-Induced Transformation in Cloud Services As we all know, the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a swift transition to remote operations, with cloud computing forming the backbone. i The urgent need for cloud solutions was apparent as businesses adopted remote collaboration tools, work-from-home policies, and virtual workspaces. This transition increased the demand for cloud services and prompted more adaptable and cost-effective pricing models. Recognising the critical role of cloud services, organisations enhanced their investment to safeguard operations against potential future disruptions. The pandemic fundamentally altered the perception and valuation of cloud computing, emphasising its critical role in sustaining business operations. Scaleable digital infrastructures The growing demand for SaaS has led integrators to create scaleable digital infrastructures Share Everything: Systems Integrators and the Adoption of Cloud Systems integrators have done much to realise the cloud’s potential. The growing demand for Software as a Service (SaaS) has led integrators to create scaleable digital infrastructures tailored to specific business needs.. The use of the cloud for data backup has improved efficiency and increased organisations’ ability to cope with disruptions. Although there has been a gradual shift among integrators toward cloud solutions, effectively marketing and supporting SaaS business models remains a challenge. But the possibility of continuous revenue streams through managed services is promoting broader adoption of cloud technologies. Cloud-based security solutions Live, Learn, Think: Enterprise-Level Cloud Adoption There is an increasing trend among large enterprises to adopt cloud-based security solutions. The shift toward VSaaS indicates a move towards subscription models that offer financial and scalability advantages. This transition is more than a mere operational change. Rather, it represents a commitment to the expansive potential for growth and innovation that the cloud offers. But let’s face it: the ‘cloud’ journey is accompanied by challenges, particularly concerning data security. Providers must deliver robust data protection measures to ensure the success of cloud-based security services, which depends not just on technological progress but also on fostering trust with clients. Addressing cybersecurity concerns The hybrid model offers a balanced solution for businesses looking to merge these two environments Baby Steps: Hybrid Cloud and On-Premises Infrastructure The hybrid model, which combines cloud with on-premises infrastructure, continues to be a strategic choice for many organisations. While the cloud provides flexibility and ease of access, on-premises solutions offer control over data security and comply with regulatory demands. The hybrid model offers a balanced solution for businesses looking to merge these two environments. Be Trustworthy: Cybersecurity Measures and Communication Transparent communication is key in addressing cybersecurity concerns with customers and partners. Companies that are transparent about their security protocols, including encryption and regular updates, build trust. Certifications such as SOC 2 Type II affirm a dedication to security, and proactive educational resources ensure that users are well-informed about best practices. Decision-making processes Cloud computing has become the cornerstone of modern security strategies Look: The Future Outlook for Cloud-Based Security Solutions Looking forward 5-10 years, cloud-based security solutions are expected to become even more central to organisational decision-making processes. The cloud is poised to become the hub for predictive decision-making, using AI algorithms and extensive data to proactively manage security risks. This vision of an intelligent, integrated approach to security, with the cloud enabling swift, collaborative responses to threats, is almost at hand. Cloud computing has become the cornerstone of modern security strategies, moving beyond its initial role as a digital transformation tool. As we look to the future, the cloud is set to redefine security paradigms and anchor a new era of intelligent, predictive security operations.
Security beat
{##Poll1719488782 - What is the most valuable benefit of artificial intelligence (AI) in an emergency call center?##} In an emergency, information is pivotal. More information provides better understanding of an emergency and empowers potentially life-saving decision-making. Emergency response teams depend on information to guide their efforts and to deliver targeted assistance. On the front lines of emergency response are 911 and field responder agencies, which must direct reaction to life-or-death situations rapidly and efficiently. Historically, 911 operators had to respond based on very little information, perhaps just a voice on the phone or a location on their screen. Providing critical information Today, there are literally millions of information sources available, ranging from connected buildings to vehicle telematics to live video streams to health information from wearable devices. In fact, there are 540 million connected devices, any one of which could provide critical information in an emergency. But how can those information sources be leveraged to improve emergency response? That’s the mission and value proposition of RapidSOS, an ‘intelligent safety platform’ company that connects 911 operators with the vast universe of information available to promote better and faster emergency response. Highly sophisticated operation The platform is integrated into every major public safety software system and first responder agency “RapidSOS fuses human and artificial intelligence to put critical information from any connected device directly into the existing systems and operating procedures of first responders across the United States,” says Michael Martin, CEO of RapidSOS. RapidSOS is widely used by first responders. The platform is integrated into every major public safety software system and first responder agency. There are more than 4,600 software integrations that serve more than 21,000 first responders and 911 agencies. In 2023, RapidSOS supported the lifesaving work of public safety across 171 million emergencies with 3.3 billion data payloads. The system is adaptable and configurable to support any agency, from a highly sophisticated operation in New York City to a local sheriff running their own 911 center. Intelligent analytics and reporting RapidSOS Unite is the latest evolution of the product, a single solution that includes AI automation, rich content pathways, redundant connection to caller phones, and access to millions of connected devices. In an emergency, Unite intelligently fuses data from among millions of sensor feeds into a unified picture of an incident, allowing public safety officials to view real-time location, health profile, telematics, alarm data, and more. RapidSOS Unite is the latest evolution of the product, a single solution that includes AI automation RapidSOS offers core modules that handle call, text, video, sensor, mapping, and administration tools, and that provide partner data from connected devices. Additional modules provide enhanced geographic information system (GIS) data, and automated translation and transcription. There is also a single sign-on (SSO) upgrade, intelligent analytics and reporting, and seamless integration into field responder applications. Field responder applications Consider how an emergency might unfold and how RapidSOS can help. In a car accident, data from a modern automobile telematics system can alert a 911 operator of the accident as it happens. Data from a passenger’s wearable device might provide information about their health and condition. A nearby video or traffic camera could fill in details of how the accident occurred. Useful information in an emergency might come from any one of thousands of sources, including public safety data, sensor feeds, enterprise security systems, smart phones, etc. In a train derailment, electronic access to the cargo manifest can identify which train cars contain hazardous materials and how to manage the specific type of hazmat. This information could save valuable time when responding to incidents like the Feb. 3, 2024, Norfolk Southern train derailment involving 38 cars in East Palestine, Ohio. Consider how an emergency might unfold and how RapidSOS can help Institutional security partners Norfolk Southern is one of the companies that provides information to first responders using RapidSOS; in effect, the company provides a direct digital link from their rail security operations to any first responder in the United States. Amazon’s global operations centers also interface with RapidSOS to provide critical information to first responders. Partnering with corporate security helps to better support the flow of data from institutional security partners and their solutions. Information can transform and guide emergency responses. For example, in a structure fire, real-time sensor feeds throughout a building can help 911 and first responders understand how the fire is progressing. Real-time security camera footage Having access to live feeds can save lives as 911 provides pre-arrival instructions such as CPR Leading the way to providing video feeds from private camera systems to 911 operators is an agreement between Eagle Eye Networks and RapidSOS, which was announced in April 2024. The agreement allows an enterprise to opt-in to share real-time security camera footage from an Eagle Eye video stream during a live 911 call. Having access to live feeds can save lives as 911 provides pre-arrival instructions such as CPR. “Security cameras are crucial in many locations, including schools, but previously those cameras could not be accessed by 911 during an emergency but were only used for investigation after an incident,” says Martin. Improving fire and life safety systems RapidSOS is also integrated with Honeywell’s Connected Life Safety Services (CLSS) system, a cloud platform that combines software and hardware to improve fire and life safety systems. Technology integrations between the two companies further modernise and digitise the public safety communications process to provide faster, more accurate communications with emergency centers (i.e., 911 agencies). RapidSOS technology securely transmits detailed data about an emergency CLSS provides real-time visibility and connectivity to help systems integrators and facilities managers make informed decisions and manage fire systems more efficiently. When combined with Honeywell's solutions, RapidSOS technology securely transmits detailed data about an emergency, such as the type of hazard, severity, and location within the impacted building, to emergency response centers. Video object detection Rapid SOS’s emerging Harmony artificial intelligence (AI) product serves as a ‘co-pilot’ for 911 operators, helping them manage the high volume of emergencies by making their response more efficient. Harmony pulls all the sensor feeds in an emergency and works to make only the most important information available in the hands of 911 and first responders. Harmony can take key insights from text and video data, use ‘sentiment analysis’ to determine the emotion tone of a message, and help 911 professionals using language translation, keyword alerts and video object detection. Harmony can help local agencies as they address a 25% average staffing shortage by providing additional support to 911 professionals while lessening the workload. Harmony is also working to help RapidSOS expand the ecosystem, stitching more data together and quickly making it more actionable than ever. Emergency response system RapidSOS also interfaces with Iamresponding, a comprehensive end-to-end emergency response system for first responders in the fire and other emergency sectors. Iamresponding’s field responder application is used by RapidSOS to get information out to first responders in the field. More than 650,000 first responders use RapidSOS’s field application RapidSOS’s recent acquisition of Iamresponding helps the company improve the connection with the last mile “in-the-field” piece of the puzzle, ensuring partners across computer-aided dispatch (CAD), integrated applications, mobile data terminals, body cameras and other responders have access to critical data. More than 650,000 first responders use RapidSOS’s field application. Enhancing emergency response RapidSOS’s Safety Pioneer Program formalises the important partnership between RapidSOS and public safety agencies. Participants in the program receive early access to new platform features, contribute to the platform roadmap, and drive feedback to enhance emergency response. “911 and first responders do incredible lifesaving work,” says Martin. “Everything we have done and built at RapidSOS is a direct result of the engagement, partnerships, inside advice and insight we have gotten from public safety. We have learned from them, developed new technologies and tested them.” Martin adds: “Companies have data and we now know how to make that data actionable into the hands of 911 and first responders to save lives. This is an exciting moment for us continuing our mission in partnership with public safety, and for technology and security companies to have a major hand in that.”
Security professionals are recognising the intelligence value of leveraging publicly and commercially available information. This information can now be accessed more effectively from typically hard-to-reach regions. Also, the technological capabilities have matured in our age of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data science. Intelligence has historically been based on classified data. However, today’s unclassified data, including open-source intelligence (OSINT), is increasingly being used to provide context and queuing for other types of intelligence. Advanced identity intelligence Babel Street is a technology company providing advanced identity intelligence and risk operations using an AI-enabled data-to-knowledge platform to unlock insights from a flood of data. The company provides advanced data analytics and intelligence for the world’s most trusted government and commercial organisations. Experts have predicted that by 2025 over 463 exabytes of data will be generated each day globally The sheer volume of data is growing exponentially. Experts have predicted that by 2025 over 463 exabytes of data will be generated each day globally. Not only are we seeing exponential growth in the volume of data, but there is also disparity in the veracity and the variety of data. This is being compounded by the ‘app economy’ in which data is created in a new format for every app added around the globe. Human language technology “The problem is that the data ‘junk’ and the ‘crown jewels’ are in the same bucket, and government and commercial entities need better and faster ways to extract intelligence from these torrents of data,” says Farid Moussa, VP, Strategy & Public Sector, Babel Street. Prior to joining Babel Street, Farid retired from the National Security Agency (NSA). He has guided video, image, speech, and text analytics (VISTA) and developed an appreciation for human language technology. An elusive source of data is the Dark Web, where every user, by design, is attempting to obfuscate their identity, and bad actors are hiding much better. “This presents a cat and mouse game – the cat must be smarter than the mouse, but the mouse is continually getting smarter,” says Moussa. Intelligence tools for data analysis SIGINT and HUMINT – while both vital – are also the most expensive forms of intelligence There are several intelligence tools for analysing data. One of them is signals intelligence (SIGINT), which refers to electronic transmissions collected by ships, planes, ground sites, or satellites. Another is human intelligence (HUMINT), which is collected in a human-to-human fashion. Open-source intelligence (OSINT) is obtained by searching on topics or entities of interest that are publicly available on the Internet at large. Today, these various categories are often done in ‘silos of excellence.’ However, the best practice is using all forms together in a holistic fashion. SIGINT and HUMINT – while both vital – are also the most expensive forms of intelligence, while OSINT, which is growing in importance, is most cost-effective. All are vital forms of intelligence; OSINT is complementary and crucial to holistic intelligence practices. Holistic intelligence practices When it comes to physical security of people and places, OSINT has become a critical source of actionable information. Security directors leverage Publicly Available Information (PAI) to safeguard against threats to individuals, property, travel routes, and event sites. By monitoring PAI, security teams can detect and respond to potential dangers, including during and after events where thorough preparation is vital. Online information can contain warning signs of impending threats. It informs security professionals in uncovering digital traces, confirming intentions, and addressing risks across language barriers, ensuring proactive risk management for the protection of people and property. Role of Natural Language Processing (NLP) The Internet and social media were mostly English language by default, but that has changed exponentially Natural Language Processing (NLP) is a crucial capability that has evolved to recognise the richness and variety of words and names in multiple languages and scripts, and their use across cultures. Using machine learning and linguistics algorithms, the technology simultaneously considers numerous types of name variations. At one time, the Internet and social media were mostly English language by default, but that has changed exponentially. Babel Street’s world-class entity matching technology measures over 100 features to calculate the similarity of entities across multiple languages. Despite advances in data management and the cloud, there are still multiple challenges and complexities with integration of these data elements. Challenges include spelling variances/phonetics, language translation issues, criminal evasion, human error upon input, typos, etc. Accessing data from a scattered landscape While there have been advancements in cloud technologies, agencies utilising open-source data are typically working within a highly scattered data landscape and must use a wide array of tools to get at the relevant pieces. This fragmentation makes it difficult to run analytics and apply AI and machine learning at scale in order to derive actionable insights. Unstructured and relationship data are visualised through advanced link analysis As with many disciplines, artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the game when it comes to intelligence. NLP and AI algorithms are employed to enhance datasets for greater quality, usability, and completeness. Unstructured and relationship data are visualised through advanced link analysis, geographic heat maps, influential entity carousels, topic clouds, and patterns by time and day. Geographic heat maps The advanced algorithms accurately score and prioritise critical entities within the relationship network while providing the citations from which an AI/ML-based decision was made. “With the democratisation of AI, the world is becoming flat,” says Moussa. “Just like the most prosperous countries, even the poorest countries have the most advanced capabilities to do damage. Third-world economies often present a scenario where the financial gain of nefarious schemes and low-to-no regulation combine to incentivise bad actors.” The Challenges of Name Matching Identity has been an ongoing challenge for intelligence analysis due to the vast complexity of linguistics, spelling and cultural variances, human error, as well as human evasion. Technology and data science approaches are maturing, however machine translation can still struggle with meaning. The best-of-breed natural language processing capabilities run against the data while it still is in its native language. This minimises the occurrence of analytic errors caused by inaccurate machine translations. This minimises the occurrence of analytic errors caused by inaccurate machine translations It’s tempting to think that name matching is like doing a keyword search. The complexity of language makes it more challenging. New names are constantly created, with multiple spellings and no set of rules to encompass how names are formed. They are variable across languages, scripts, cultures, and ethnicities. Culturally specific nicknames and aliases add to the complexity. Replacing human involvement The investigation of the Boston Marathon Bombing in 2013 spotlighted an example of the significance of intelligence analysis. Even though the FBI had issued a detain alert for Tamerlan Tsarnaev back in 2011, Tsarnaev managed to travel to Russia in January 2012; and in July 2012, he returned to Boston. He was not detained on either occasion because there were too many names on the lists, and Tsarnaev’s last name had been spelled differently from the way it was on travel documents, thus enabling him to get through security. With the Internet, social media, and the dark web, there’s been an exponential increase in public communications in various languages, adding significantly to the amount of analysis required to keep societies safe. Name matching, using AI, analyses multiple contextual data points across languages to arrive at matches. Name matching, using AI, analyzes multiple contextual data points across languages to arrive at matches A common misconception is that this technology will replace human intelligence. “It’s more accurate to recognise its role as a force-multiplier, allowing humans to focus on the on the harder problems and/or vetting the results of AI,” says Moussa. “The technology can efficiently analyse massive volumes of data and distill it into actionable information in a timely manner. It augments human capabilities, enabling analysis at speed and scale beyond human capacity, without replacing human involvement.” Commercial Technology to the rescue “When it comes to threat and identity intelligence, we face a risk-confidence gap, underscored by the challenge of integrating traditional tactics with the modern digital landscape,” adds Moussa. “We cannot ‘hire’ our way out of this problem. Instead, it is imperative that we adopt technology to scale our efforts and free humans to solve the harder problems that machines cannot solve yet.” The public sector loves to build things, but there are time-to-value and return-on-investment considerations to the ‘build or buy’ decision. When commercial technology can be leveraged by government, it frees resources up to work on problems that the commercial world hasn’t yet figured out, says Moussa. “The public and private sectors need to come together – one team, one nation, working together with mutual trust and collaboration,” he says.
Already a strong player, particularly in New Zealand and Australia, Gallagher is still climbing in the U.S. market, which it sees as a big opportunity to invest in the company. Active in the United States for 10 years, Gallagher undertook a more aggressive growth strategy about five years ago. There are 52 employees in Gallagher’s U.S. security business, and about half the workforce has been hired in the last couple of years. They have grown from three sales territories to 16, operated by a full sales and engineering staff. Culture of innovation sets As it happens, Gallagher’s U.S. headquarters is located a short drive from my home office in the wider vicinity of Atlanta. I missed seeing them at GSX in Dallas, so we scheduled an in-person visit to catch up on their company. Gallagher’s strong culture of innovation sets them apart, as does their “people-first” commitment, says Scott Elliott, Gallagher’s Executive Vice-President, The Americas. “We have intentionally recruited for a diversity of thought that drives the business,” says Elliott. “We are a people business.” Melissa Vidakovic, Director of Marketing, Americas; and Scott Elliott, Executive VP, Americas, at Gallagher Security's office in Canton, GA. Unified approach An advantage Gallagher has in the market is total ownership of their supply chain; it manufactures each of the hundreds of products used across their solutions, from plastic components to readers to controllers to their own software systems. Among other advantages, the unified approach enables tighter control from a hardening and cybersecurity perspective, enabling them to minimize any threat vectors or vulnerabilities. The strategy also avoids dependence on third-party suppliers, which was a huge advantage during recent supply chain disruptions. While competitors struggled with availability issues related to third-party manufacturers, Gallagher’s supply was uninterrupted. Gallagher’s commitment Gallagher uses the same norms as the nation and subjects its effects to inner and outer penetration As a manufacturer serving a broad spectrum of markets, it’s Gallagher’s commitment to the high end of the market (e.g., high-security applications), where the company incorporates core tenets such as authentication and encryption. Gallagher uses some of the same standards as the government and subjects its products to internal and external penetration testing. These core strengths are also integral to Gallagher’s complete product line. “If it’s good enough for a high-level customer, it’s good enough for Mr. Business Owner,” says Elliott. The New Zealand company was founded in 1938 and was the first company to commercialize the electric fence, which it still uses for its agriculture business sector, separate from the security business. Gallagher entered the access control business 35 years ago in 1988 when a product used to restrict access to fuel pumps evolved into broader access control. Gallagher platform In the intervening years, the product has grown into a unified platform that incorporates access control, intrusion detection, and perimeter detection in a single ecosystem. “The platform is all-encompassing,” says Elliott. “No other platform does all three.” Augmenting access control, intrusion, and perimeter protection, there are other applications available in the Gallagher platform, such as workforce management, health and safety functions, and a spectrum of features useful to a wider stakeholder community. Fatigue management applications For example, Gallagher can implement routine randomized checks to proactively mitigate potential risks such as drug or alcohol abuse, thus ensuring workers are fit to work, to operate various machinery and that they do not pose a threat to fellow employees or the company. “Fatigue management” applications can monitor the use of equipment to avoid repetitive injuries or manage how long an employee works at a job site, requiring a worker to swipe or tap a card to a reader mounted on a machine to monitor and limit the time they operate that machine. Mobile mustering provides location and identification of evacuees in case of an emergency. Impact of digital transformation Gallagher’s “Better Ways of Working” concept zeroes in on the impact of digital transformation Gallagher is also embracing the “digital transformation” of the industry. Security companies must adapt to a more agile workforce and shifting processes, says Elliott. Gallagher’s “Better Ways of Working” concept zeroes in on the impact of digital transformation on their workforce. They also seek to address the changing workforce, where Gen-Z’ers work side-by-side with tenured, experienced workers, and where creating trust is the best approach to closing the generational gap. Gallagher also seeks to educate the market on trends such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, cloud adoption, various service delivery models, and other issues. Industry consolidation Gallagher has more than 1,200 employees; operates in 140 countries, from South America to Canada, Europe to the Asia-Pacific and Australia; and serves almost 16,000 customers. Gallagher is part of New Zealand’s growing technology export sector, which is growing 30% faster than the overall economy and is now the second-largest export sector in New Zealand. In an age of industry consolidation and a market dominated by corporate conglomerates, Gallagher is a privately held organization seeking to be agile and innovative, and to deliver customer value more quickly. Gallagher re-invests about 15% of its profits into research and development. “Our customer service is the primary reason people buy from us,” says Elliott. Security integrators Security integrators quickly appreciate the breadth and strength of the product line Gallagher positions itself as an alternative in a market in the midst of disruption. Brand awareness continues to be a challenge in the United States, and the sales team often hears the question: “Who is Gallagher?” Once the introduction is made, security integrators quickly appreciate the breadth and strength of the product line, says Elliott. “We allow our customers to select among best-of-breed platforms, and [using open systems,] we are not limited by the technology we offer,” says Elliott. “Our value proposition to the integrator channel is our focus on the relationship,” says Elliott. Supporting end users through an authorized, certified channel, Gallagher also emphasizes value, cost-competitiveness, and cybersecurity. “Our partner relationships are built around cultural alignment,” says Elliott. Product innovation perspective What’s ahead for Gallagher and for the industry as a whole? Hard to say, notes Elliott, given the unfolding of unpredictable geopolitical and financial trends. However, from a product innovation perspective, Gallagher will continue to evolve, balancing a dependence on “cash cow” legacy product lines with investment in leapfrog innovations such as frictionless access control, cloud platforms, and mobile systems. In general, Elliott predicts AI will yield an opportunity to analyze a person’s pattern of behavior and intent, thus enabling a security system to adapt down the road. “With the ability to predict with some degree of certainty what might happen, these capabilities will evolve,” says Elliott.
Case studies
In Neuss, Düsseldorf, and Meerbusch, ISR (International School on the Rhine) offers an excellent international education from kindergarten to grade 12. The teachers at ISR prepare students for the world's most prestigious universities, placing great emphasis not only on academic excellence but also on positive character development and the teaching of values. Since 2022, ISR has also been using the DeepHub whiteboard for this purpose. Test phase from 2022 "The modernisation of classrooms and the additional digitalisation of teaching methods are important concerns for us," explains Peter Soliman, Managing Partner of ISR. “Dahua's DeepHub whiteboard offers us versatile functionalities and the perfect solution for our needs.” Mohammed Aloof, Head of IT at ISR, adds, "We have already deployed the DeepHub whiteboards in some classrooms since 2022. The feedback we have received from teachers and our students has been extremely positive. Therefore, we have decided to install a more modern whiteboard in every classroom for even better learning conditions.” Improved visibility and interaction Students can read the text on the screen very well from all angles of the classroom The new whiteboards have significantly improved the visibility of the learning content. Students can read the text on the screen very well from all angles of the classroom. Due to the optimised brightness of the screen, classrooms no longer need to be darkened. "Being able to add handwritten information to documents on the whiteboard adds a lot of value for me," adds Bianca McLeod, a teacher at ISR and head of secondary education. Whiteboard function "The sensitivity here is just right. For example, I can also call up pre-made geometric shapes and use them for lessons. The whiteboard function allows me to save the pages afterward and call them up again at any time. The students can save the learning content by scanning a QR code." "Our teachers can also upload and use extensive materials and teaching aids on DeepHub, which is very practical and accommodates an increasingly paperless and thus environmentally friendly aspiration at ISR." DeepHub This two-way sharing system between DeepHub and the students' tablets is particularly practical Classroom interaction is also further encouraged with the DeepHub. For example, teachers encourage students to participate directly via the whiteboard and answer the quiz displayed on the DeepHub screen. This two-way sharing system between DeepHub and the students' tablets is particularly practical and allows for innovative and interactive teaching. More engaged and proactive "After almost a year of experience with DeepHub, I have noticed a positive change in my teaching," Ms McLeod points out. "The students have become more engaged and even more proactive. We are convinced that further upgrading of the screens will bring even more benefits!" Administration work is simplified The head of the IT department at ISR, Mr. Aloof, is also satisfied, "The Dahua DeepHub makes administration very easy." "A highly modern DeepHub device now replaces the old equipment, projector, speakers, microphone, countless cables, and much more. It makes the management work much easier." Clever all-in-one solution 4K 3840×2160 touch UHD display with a screen diagonal of 65 to 98 inches and a 178° viewing angle The DeepHub whiteboard ensures excellent presentation experiences and creative ideation by allowing participants to fully concentrate on the task at hand without having to worry about technical aspects. In doing so, its 4K 3840×2160 touch UHD display with a screen diagonal of 65 to 98 inches and a 178° viewing angle, combined with anti-glare technology, ensures a clear, more legible display, sharp images, and vivid colours. One-touch projection One-touch projection from up to four terminals via the USB wireless screen sharing dongle or eshare software simplifies collaborative presentations. In training situations and the classroom, knowledge can be conveyed intuitively and with fun in this way. At the same time, as part of a quality control process, other teachers, as well as academic coordinators, have the opportunity to participate in lessons from any location with internet access, even if they are not on-site, due to the interactive features. High-quality, interactive touchscreen The integrated camera (up to 5MP) and up to eight microphones enable powerful video conferencing The touch-active screen supports an optimal writing experience: Smooth writing works virtually in real-time with less than ten ms latency. Responses to touch and support for simultaneous writing vary depending on the application. The integrated camera (up to 5MP) and up to eight microphones enable powerful video conferencing. Due to its high audio and video quality, the Dahua interactive whiteboard is also suitable for seminars, business negotiations, and training. Compatibility Of course, comprehensive compatibility is also taken care of: the pre-installed Android and an optional Windows operating system enable the use of a wide range of productivity tools. This makes perfect sense, as dual operating systems offer a wide range of apps and software. The device is also compatible with popular third-party video conferencing software. Its competitive price and a three-year warranty ensure a high return on investment. In addition, the integrated Android as well as an optional Windows operating system ensure full compatibility with numerous teaching and learning programmes. Conclusion "ISR has many Dahua products in use. In the past, our security system, but now state-of-the-art interactive whiteboard technology in all classrooms. We are grateful for the support from a global pioneer in technology and IoT solutions," explains Peter Soliman. He concluded, "I am convinced that the new technology will add great value to ISR's students."
Founded in the early 1400s, the University of St Andrews is globally renowned and was recently ranked as the UK’s top university. It occupies around 150 separate buildings in and around the town of Fife, Scotland. Home to the St Andrews Prize for the Environment, it has many teams and departments that have won awards for sustainability, energy efficiency, and environmental action. The University’s vision is to be net zero by 2035. St Andrews will take out all avoidable greenhouse gases it releases into the atmosphere and compensate for emissions that are unavoidable. Committed to sustainability The university has a dedicated Environment Team, its own biomass power plant, and a socially responsible investment policy Challenge Matching access control technology to a university with an award-winning track record in energy efficiency To replace multiple different standalone access control technologies which had been installed at student halls at different times over the years, university accommodation managers sought a more suitable solution. Requirements for the university’s new access control system included: An energy-efficient access solution to match the university’s sustainability ethos. Electronic locks would integrate fully with both the university’s central system and their student ID card. The ability to manage and control the entire system, including doors in multiple buildings, from a single point and in real-time. Solution Aperio battery-powered locks save energy through installation, operation, and beyond Locks are wireless, so can be installed with little energy use and no need for a wired connection The university has installed Aperio wireless locks on around 1,693 student bedrooms. St Andrews takes its environmental footprint very seriously: These battery-powered, wire-free electronic locks are a natural fit for their accommodation. The entire Halls of Residence estate will run Aperio. The locking devices offer significant energy efficiency benefits. Locks are wireless, so can be installed with little energy use and no need for a wired connection to mains electricity. Energy efficiency They consume zero energy when idle and run on standard batteries, consuming little power in operation. Maintenance involves a change of battery every two years (approx.), nothing more. Through an entire life cycle, Aperio combines energy efficiency with cost-effectiveness. Streamlined process Online central management has improved access for all building users. Student ID is combined with a room entry credential, which saves issuing two cards. Staff and maintenance teams can have access rights issued or changed with a couple of clicks in the management system. The whole experience is streamlined. Results How Aperio matches the University of St Andrews’ sustainability ethos Install without drilling Upgrading a door with an Aperio wireless cylinder or escutcheon is simple, with no drilling or door hardware alterations required. Installers do not have to make multiple return journeys. Cut energy consumption Unlike traditional wired electronic locks, Aperio does not need a permanent, energy-hungry connection to mains electricity. A long-lasting standard battery powers all lock electronics. Environmentally conscious manufacturing ASSA ABLOY is committed to reducing its environmental footprint and helping mitigate climate change to meet the needs of future generations. 24/7 monitoring and reporting “Aperio interfaces with our central access control system, which gives us central management and control. We get 24/7 monitoring and reporting when required,” said Pauline Brown, Associate Chief Information Officer at the University of St Andrews.
In order to turn its auditorium into a multi-purpose venue, and to improve the general visual experience, Dubai's GEMS Modern Academy replaced their legacy projection system with a massive LED wall from Hikvision. The renovated auditorium has become a popular venue for students, staff, and the community. Challenge: Turning the school auditorium into a multi-purpose performance venue. With the numerous approaches to the entertainment available, and with audiences' surging demand for rich, high-quality content display and immersive sound and video. As a result, venues such as showrooms, studios, auditoriums, and lecture halls are dabbling in a host of new technologies and applications to achieve the ‘wow factor’ audiences are looking for. Visual display systems GEMS Modern Academy is one of these venues. Offering Curriculum to children from kindergarten to grade 12, GEMS is one of the top ten schools in Dubai. Its large auditorium holds 500 seats for school events and can be rented out for private events on weekends. Originally, the auditorium had a large projection screen on the stage to display presentations, images, and videos. However, every element in the environment could take away from the image quality, from sunlight coming in through windows to the whiteness of the screen, the distance from the projector, the age of the system, and more. Offering Curriculum to children from kindergarten to grade 12, GEMS is one of the top ten schools in Dubai Ritesh Dhanak, Head of the IT team at GEMS Modern Academy said, "The projector system was not good enough with the ambient lighting. In order to create a better experience in our auditorium, and to pave the way for it to become a community hub, we need to do a complete upgrade to our live audio, stage lighting and visual display systems.” Remarkably refined images To achieve this, Mr. Dhanak worked with Almoe AV Systems, a renowned distributor and solutions provider of professional audio visual & IT products in the UAE. Almoe helped the school to upgrade the auditorium's touch control systems, matrix switchers, stage lighting, and speaker systems. For the most crucial part of the solution – the visuals – they worked with Hikvision to install a new LED display. The solution: A massive Hikvision LED wall and movable LED side-walls. LED displays offer many advantages, including flexibility and modularity. Therefore, the school decided to install a massive LED screen at a width of 12.48 metres, a height of 4.86 metres, and a pixel pitch of 2.5 mm at the centre of the auditorium stage. The massive LED wall is made up of nine pieces of P2.5 Fine Pixel Pitch LED Display Units (DS-D4425FI-CAF). The wall delivers an outstanding colour gamut and contrast ratio to create remarkably refined images. Massive centre screen The two side-screens are used as backdrops, and can be easily removed when they are not needed For the setup, GEMS Modern Academy preferred to make the two sides of the screen removable to ensure flexibility on the stage, as well as to have multiple videos broadcasted on the screens simultaneously. Four smaller side-screens were designed to be 2 metres wide and 5 metres high, with a pixel pitch of 2.9 mm. They were installed on the two sides of the massive centre screen. Each side-wall was composed of four P2.9 Indoor Rental LED Displays (DS-D4429RI-CAF). The two side-screens are used as backdrops, and can be easily removed when they are not needed. The LED walls are managed using Hikvision’s Video Wall Controller (DS-C10S-S11T), which supports up to 3840 x 2160 resolution at 30 Hz from multiple signal sources (VGA, DVI, HDMI, SDI, YpbPr, DP, and HDBaseT). This enables the school faculty to easily manage multiple video and audio inputs and outputs. Excellent visual experience The benefits: Excellent visual experience for audiences makes the auditorium a popular venue for students, staff, and the community. Hikvision's LED wall has vastly improved the visual performance of lectures and events held at the auditorium. With an extremely bright and clear image displayed, the screen loses none of its sharpness, colour, or coherence, even when viewed at an angle or when the auditorium is brightly lit. The LED wall provides high-quality visuals, and is perfect for our large auditorium" "The LED wall provides high-quality visuals, and is perfect for our large auditorium," said Mr. Dhanak, adding "Unlike with the old system, we don't have to dim the lights in the auditorium during lectures, presentations, or live performance, and this allows students to take notes, remain more attentive and, for remote viewers joining via web conferencing, see the auditorium clearly." Ambient lighting conditions In the end, the video wall displays excellent visuals, adapts to ambient lighting conditions, and offers unique flexibility with the removable side-walls. As a result, Hikvision's LED display solution has turned the auditorium into a venue that fits all kinds of events. Since the LED screens have been installed, the school has hosted a large number of events at the auditorium, such as school lectures, stage plays, and musical performance. In addition, the venue has also been rented out for many private events such as public presentations and speeches. Impressively, the venue has also been used to host a TED Talk, one of the most popular lecture platforms in the world. Mr. Dhanak concluded, "With a large multi-purpose auditorium providing such excellent visual experience to the audience, events at GEMS Modern Academy are now on a different level and our auditorium is a much sought after event space in the community."
The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico needed to implement a centralised and efficient perimeter security system for all public schools on the island. Intrusions and assaults at educational institutions have increased, and Hurricane Maria further exacerbated problems with the destruction of infrastructure. The solution: The need to repair hurricane damage also provided opportunities to invest in modern improvements. The Department of Education chose to install a video surveillance system with more than 10,000 cameras, speakers, and other security devices in 856 schools. In the same way, a centralised control centre was established using the Corporate version of Milestone Systems XProtect® video management software (VMS). Devices installed Milestone Systems: XProtect VMS Software XProtect Smart Client Milestone Interconnect Cameras from Axis Communications and Uniview DH-Vision Seneca Servers and Optex Sensors The advantages: Audiovisual material captured by the system helps agencies to evaluate and manage areas for public use Endowed with the same annual budget that allowed the monitoring of 250 institutions, the new system enabled the Puerto Rico Department of Education to cover all 856 public schools. Since the system has been operational, there has been a 97% reduction in intrusions within educational institutions. In addition to protecting the educational programme, the audiovisual material captured by the system helps other government agencies to evaluate and manage areas for public use and investigate incidents. Need for a centralised security system Ensuring a safe environment is a growing challenge for schools and colleges: theft, fights, and bullying are some of the problems that not only affect students, but also teachers, employees, and, ultimately, the government entities that subsidize the educational system. In Puerto Rico, for example, the Department of Education was concerned about the increase in unauthorised intrusions, robberies, and assaults within its schools. This index shot up after Hurricane Maria destroyed much of the island’s infrastructure in 2017. Even before this natural phenomenon, there was no centralised security system that integrated an overview of all schools. There were disparate installations of video surveillance equipment (cameras, alarms, and lighting) but only in approximately 250 of the schools. Centralised command centre González said, the proposal was born to begin the process to acquire a video surveillance system for public schools After the hurricane, top priority was given to providing perimeter security for all schools through an effective centralised command centre instead of investing in the repair and purchase of separate systems. “The hurricane damaged the island’s communication and lighting systems, a circumstance that promoted intrusions into schools and increased vandalism. We had no visibility of what was happening and we could not find a way to avoid these escalations,” said César González Cordero, Security Commissioner for the Puerto Rico Department of Education. He adds, “However, we could not afford to buy and repair equipment individually for all schools, so a centralised and coordinated effort was necessary.” Based on this context, González said, the proposal was born to begin the process to acquire a video surveillance system for public schools in Puerto Rico, focused on perimeter security. Perimeter security for all schools Genesis Security Services, Inc. of Puerto Rico was selected to develop the perimeter security project for the 856 public schools on the island. This Puerto Rican corporation was founded in 1997 in Yabucoa, Puerto Rico by brothers Roberto and Emilio Morales, who are leaders in security services at the government level. “We have been providing security to the Department of Education for more than 15 years through our onsite guard service. That is why we knew the design, location, assets, and vulnerabilities of various educational establishments. This was a great advantage when executing the project,” said Yasel Morales, Technology Director at Genesis. Video system Milestone XProtect video management software supports more than 8,500 security and surveillance devices In October 2018, the installation of cameras and other devices began in all schools. The video system mission control was built inside the Genesis Central Station, located in the Carolina municipality (in the island's northeast region). Video data from all schools are returned to Central Station, where it is managed with the Milestone Systems XProtect Corporate open platform VMS. Leveraging the power of the open platform, Milestone XProtect video management software supports more than 8,500 security and surveillance devices, and more than 450 software integrations from more than 3,500 technology partners. NVRs, DVRs and cloud solutions Alliance partners include providers of network video cameras, cloud solutions, DVRs and NVRs, servers and storage equipment, alarm and detection systems, video analytics, GPS technology, laser and radar scanners, boxes of emergency calls, and more. “At the Central Station, we have fifteen workstations, with the same number of operators per shift. There we have a videowall of ten monitors distributed between the stations. Likewise, we have two dispatch centers that serve as backup: one in the municipality of Yauco and the other in the municipality of San Juan,” Morales explained. Uniview DH-Vision 4-megapixel cameras, audio speakers As part of the project, approximately 10,000 Uniview DH-Vision 4-megapixel cameras were installed in 856 schools (an average of 12 cameras per campus). Audio speakers from Axis Communications and a range of Optex sensors also were integrated. The combination of these technologies made it possible for every school to have an anti-intrusions system with its alerts feeding back to the Central Station. XProtect Express+, Milestone Interconnect Milestone Interconnect connects remote sites for a low-cost video surveillance solution Each campus has a Seneca brand server with the XProtect Express+ software installed. This communicates with the Corporate version at the Central Station through Milestone Interconnect™, a licensing platform that opens a communication channel between different hardware that normally cannot communicate with each other. Milestone Interconnect connects remote sites for a low-cost video surveillance solution. It is the ideal surveillance for a wide variety of industries that want an inexpensive way to get centralised supervision of multiple locations spread across one region. Remote management and monitoring With Milestone Interconnect, engineers and managers can easily monitor critical and remote areas from one central location. This means faster intrusion management because operators in the central system can access the video and receive alarms from remotely connected sites. This reduces the need to have local security personnel, maintenance, operation, and other costs, including visits onsite. Virtual gates Genesis created virtual gates using cameras that, in addition to protecting school spaces, also ensure the safety of substations and solar panels, which are considered important assets for institutions. If someone crosses the virtual gate, an alert is generated locally and passed to the Central Station through Interconnect. Operators then make a visual confirmation and, if applicable, the emergency protocol is activated. “The emergency protocol is to contact the Security Commissioner and the Department of Operations. For this liaison, we internally designate an inspector. Once informed, they activate the security officers at the sites, who are trained to give quick responses and inform the police,” said Morales. Identifying suspicious activities Due to the management software, Genesis can easily find any recording of the schools Due to the management software, Genesis can easily find any recording of the schools and send it to the Security Commissioner, who can also receive the alerts directly through an application on his mobile phone. It should be noted that all personnel handling the system, both operators and technicians, have Milestone Systems certifications, which they obtained on the manufacturer’s website. Security Commissioner González explained that the directors and residents of the schools may contact the Central Station if they wish to report any suspicious activity within a school after regular hours. Genesis operations centre González also clarified that “if for any reason a school principal requires a recording, he must contact us, and we request the information from the Genesis operations centre. This protocol is designed to respect the right to be in a place without feeling guarded at all times, as stipulated in the public policy of Puerto Rico. In total, this system directly benefits almost 400,000 people.” Increased security at a lower cost According to the Security Commissioner, since the first camera was installed, they went from two or three intrusions per day to one or zero. Even in October 2018, they had no record of intrusions. Genesis Security Services, Inc. confirmed that since the system has been operational, there has been a 97% reduction in school intrusions. Reduced physical assaults Video technology has helped dispel theft of property by employees and has helped reduce rates of physical assault Video technology has helped dispel problems such as theft of property by employees and, more importantly, has helped reduce rates of physical assault and bullying among students. These results have helped build trust among Puerto Rican families when they enroll their children in schools. “The system provides agility and precision. It is more efficient and immediate than communicating with a guard who has to enter a facility to verify what is happening. It’s great working with a system that has visibility 24/7 in schools,” said González. Cost savings On the other hand, due to this project, it was possible to reduce the cost of security in schools using technology, one of the main objectives of the Department of Education at the beginning. “We spent about $25 million annually covering just 250 schools with the guard system, and we had almost 600 schools left unattended. This project gave us the possibility of covering 100% of the public schools in Puerto Rico with the same budget,” González reported. Finally, it is important to note that many of these schools are located in vulnerable places on the island, so the system is also helping the Police and the Prosecutor’s Office to resolve cases that occurred around the educational facilities, and in general to contribute with the welfare of the community. Future projects On behalf of the Department of Education, the Puerto Rican Government is seeking ways to integrate this type of video analytics system with software programmes and databases of organisations that advocate for sexual assault victims. “In the future, we want to have a system that is capable of identifying if a sex offender crosses the perimeter in school zones so that we can warn in time,” said González. On the Genesis side, Morales said that the next step with this project would be to develop video analytics for the VMS, not only to give perimeter security but also statistics such as counting people and vehicles. They also plan on integrating access control systems into all schools.
AI is empowering a new generation of advanced, efficient security systems. In the field of education, AI is also facilitating the digital and intelligent upgrading of schools and institutions from K12 to universities. AI applications such as smart identification, deep learning and intelligent analysis greatly reduce manpower costs, while improving the security level and management efficiency at the same time. AI-enabled innovative teaching methods can help enhance engagement in both remote and in-person classes, and promote a conducive learning environment for students. Utilising advanced technologies To give the users a better understanding of how can schools benefit from utilising advanced technologies like AI, here’s a list of some of its campus applications: Contents and materials can be conveniently shared on the screen that supports 9 split screens and 4k UHD Improve teaching performance with Dahua Deephub - Digitalisation in the education sector has become a global trend. With the unprecedented offline-to-online transition of many classrooms, modern interactive whiteboard and blackboard have emerged. The Dahua DeepHub Smart Interactive Whiteboard, for instance, provides an array of features including multifunctional writing, wireless projection, conference content sharing, etc., making it an ideal learning and teaching tool for classrooms and meeting rooms where demonstration, information sharing and document management are needed. The Dahua DeepHub offers low writing parallax for a paper-like writing experience. Contents and materials can be conveniently shared on the screen that supports 9 split screens and 4k UHD. Education software solution The device is equipped with built-in camera and microphone ideal for life-like face-to-face video conferencing. It supports various educational tools and offers centralised device management. In addition, the Dahua DeepHub is not just a powerful teaching tool with display capability, but also an all-in-one solution for interactive and hybrid education. In Dahua DeepHub classroom, distance and education constraints are reduced by technology With education software solution, teachers can present their pre-made interactive courses on Dahua DeepHub. They can utilise digital education tools such as virtual ruler, protractor, etc. or even interactive games with the students for a more lively class. Students can also participate and collaborate in the classroom or at home, using their own devices, to receive content, take a quiz, project their outcomes, or write on the same canvas. In Dahua DeepHub classroom, distance and education constraints are reduced by technology. Hybrid teaching solutions Alternatively, consider an all-in-one smart blackboard. With highly integrated design, it combines traditional blackboard writing with the advantages of touch screen, providing interactive human-computer enjoyment for classroom. Broadcasting and recording system for hybrid teaching - Normalcy and resource imbalance during the pandemic have prompted developing countries to accelerate hybrid teaching solutions. Broadcasting and recording server can integrate with multi-channel video streams With Dahua smart education solutions, teachers don't have to worry about students who can't participate in in-person classes. An intelligent camera such as the recently released 8MP WizMind Classroom Network Camera can automatically track and capture a teacher's lecture through AI algorithm. It also supports detection of class behaviours such as standing up, writing on the board, walking, etc. Broadcasting and recording server can integrate with multi-channel video streams to vividly restore the classroom scene, providing an immersive remote learning experience for students in different locations. Access control system Prevent unauthorised entry into campus - Campus entrances and exits are areas vulnerable to external threats. A robust entrance and exit access control system is imperative in building the school’s first major line of defence. For example, installing an AI-enabled access control system can effectively prevent unauthorised entry into the campus, library, teaching buildings, dormitories and other school premises. Aside from that, the latest data management technology can be used to meet the daily needs of schools and students (e.g. attendance, visitors, vehicles). Installing an AI-enabled access control system can effectively prevent unauthorised entry Likewise, perimeter protection, the technology behind tripwire and line crossing function, plays a vital role in preventing invasions in surrounding areas or unauthorised access to regulated places. When unauthorised personnel and vehicles are detected, the system will send a real-time alarm to notify the control room, which can help eliminate security risks in the campus. Machine learning helps reduce false alarms by filtering out irrelevant objects like leaves, branches and even animals. Eliminating security risks Detect violent actions in real time - Globally, school violence and bullying remain a serious problem. A report by UNESCO and the Institute of School Violence Prevention at Ewha Womans University (Seoul, South Korea) indicated that an estimated 246 million (20%) children and adolescents were subjected to some form of school violence each year. One of the recommended priority actions is to establish reporting systems and improve the collection of data and evidence. For campus safety, comprehensive security systems have already integrated emergency management features. With the help of an AI sensor, 3D cameras with stereo analysis capabilities can identify fights, falls and other possible violent behaviours through deep learning. With real-time alarm in place, the school’s security personnel can be informed in time about possible emergencies such as violence and falls, allowing them to intervene or respond accordingly. A one-button alarm system is also suggested in the campus premises to provide students with the fastest way to ask for help in case of emergencies. Central management software Educating users regarding proper usage of technology and its benefits is strongly encouraged As AI becomes more advanced and continues to gain traction in the security industry, it is imperative to carry out best practices in surveillance monitoring. Educating users regarding proper usage of technology and its benefits is strongly encouraged. Aside from that, data and privacy protection must also be prioritised at all times. Several central management software and platforms combine data and privacy security functions in order to help protect privacy while monitoring. Some of the measures being implemented are minimised data and private information, face/body mosaic technology, as well as security encryption of network transmission, storage, download, and export. Users also have an option to configure the storage duration of each video channel. Overall, these best practices are put into action to help ensure privacy protection and promote responsible monitoring. Harnessing intelligent teaching Taking video-centric AI as its core, Dahua Technology actively contributes to the modernisation of education and aims to create a safe and pleasant environment for students, teachers and staff. Dahua Smart Education Solution adopts all the aforementioned technologies above with focus on safe campus and smart teaching. Furthermore, Dahua also focuses on minimising cheating behaviour in student examinations and on harnessing intelligent teaching and learning platforms for modern digital classrooms. In 2021, Dahua assisted the Egyptian Ministry of Education in regulating the country’s college entrance examination by deploying an examination room network system for 1,800 examination centres. “I am the happiest person on this picture that shows the installation of surveillance cameras in all high schools. This is a step that will raise the efficiency of education, because it will abolish the idea of cheating and will regulate the behaviour of the students and the observer during the examination,” says the spokesperson of the ministry.
St. Andrew’s House is a Boarding Home for International students in St. Andrew’s School. The school is a government-aided Anglican boys’ secondary school in Potong Pasir, Singapore. It was founded in 1862. The house had a standalone access control system that had stopped working to their satisfactory standard. As such, the decision was made by the school to upgrade the school’s security to an entirely new system. No specification for the project was provided. ACTpro access control and Bluetooth readers Wincheer (Winchester Security Services Inc.) managed the security system upgrade for St. Andrew’s. Wincheer selected Vanderbilt’s ACTpro access control and Bluetooth readers. In the Asian market, pricing always plays an essential factor in deciding what product to choose. And, as Vanderbilt’s ACTpro is exceptionally competitively priced, it was the ideal product to meet this project’s requirements. The primary function of ACTpro at the boarding home is monitoring the safety of their students in accommodation. ACTpro keeps audit trails in the boarding home, by monitoring and recording fob activity for time and attendance. ACTpro also produces diagnostic reports on door status. ACTpro smartphone app The ACTpro smartphone app offers ultimate flexibility for St Andrew’s House Campus security can provide pin codes, access fobs, and cards to students. These credentials can be easily enabled or disabled remotely if required. Moreover, ACTpro can be managed on desktops, laptop tablets, and smartphone devices. The ACTpro smartphone app offers ultimate flexibility for St Andrew’s House. It ensures convenient connectivity to the system day or night. Thanks to the app, the security managers no longer need to visit their premises out of hours, with quick access to the system's pulse from the palm of their hand. They can also enable and disable alarms, lock and unlock doors, authorise users, and check who’s in and out. Muster reports In the event of a fire or other emergency, ACTpro can automatically unlock all doors, in order to allow students to reach safety. The ACTpro muster report gives the security campus a real-time list of all campus accommodation students. When students exit their accommodation and swipe out, the muster report automatically updates. A muster report can also be generated directly from the ACTpro smartphone app. ACTpro access control solution “I have been working with Vanderbilt for many years. I know the company well and trust their ACTpro access control solution. I always send my project requirements to Vanderbilt first for a consultation. I have a comfortable working relationship with them”, stated Mr. Berg Kok of Winchester Security Services Inc.
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Round table discussion
Suddenly, artificial intelligence (AI) is everywhere. The smart technology brings a range of benefits to our lives, from streamlining everyday tasks to making scientific breakthroughs. The advantages of AI and machine learning (ML) also include automating repetitive tasks, analysing vast amounts of data, and minimising human error. But how do these benefits apply to the physical security industry, and is there a downside? We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What are the benefits, and drawbacks, of using artificial intelligence (AI) in physical security?
In the complex world of physical security systems, standards can enable disparate systems to be combined to function together as a cohesive whole. Standards help to ensure that all the “pieces” fit together to create a clear, unified picture. More broadly speaking, standards also play a role in ensuring best practices are deployed in a range of security-related situations. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: Which standards have had the greatest positive impact on physical security?
There is a complex and interdependent relationship between security and productivity. Good security is needed to make productivity possible, but security measures could, in some instances, hinder workplace efficiency. New technologies are enabling security systems to have a more profound and positive impact on productivity by yielding better intelligence to guide the improvement of workplace practices. Multiple systems that work together, rather than separately, improve the productivity of security processes. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: How can physical security systems contribute to productivity?