RealNetworks Inc. News

SAFR enhances AI access control with new leadership

SAFR from RealNetworks, the world’s foremost AI computer vision platform for access control and security announced the appointment of Charisse Jacques as its new President. Jacques brings a wealth of experience in AI and associated technology to the security industry. Her leadership will drive SAFR’s mission of advancing security and operational efficiency in live video applications, security, authentication, and touchless access control. Access control solutions Rob Glaser,...

Embrace PKOC for enhanced access control in GSX 2024

The PSIA had another impressive and compelling demonstration of its PKOC spec at GSX 2024. Some of the major lock and physical access control (PACS) vendors were able to see PKOC in action, with commercially available readers, cards, and apps all relying on the open specification, showing seamless interoperability.  PKOC product lines “It was gratifying to see all of the hard work of the PKOC technical committee come together at the demonstration at GSX 2024,” said David Bunz...

Doordeck joins PSIA Board: Boosting access control interoperability

Doordeck, a cloud-based access control software company, has joined the Board of the PSIA. The company has an innovative product that enables smartphone NFC keyless entry for buildings, regardless of which access control system is installed. The company, based in London, England, was established in 2015, and its products and services have been integrated into buildings throughout the world. It is a subsidiary of Sentry Interactive of Austin, Texas. “Our company is very excited to be joini...

CIE rings in 60th anniversary with showcase of cutting-edge security solutions at TSE 2024

The Security Event (TSE) 2024 was a landmark occasion for CIE Group, which marked its 60th year in business with an impressive display of innovative security products and a champagne drinks reception on the first two days of the show. Latest brand offerings Long established for its unique and value-added distribution model in the audiovisual industry, CIE is making a significant impact in the security sector. Consequently, TSE 2024 served as a powerful platform to unveil the company’s l...

PSIA launches PKOC in a minute

The Physical Security Interoperability Alliance (PSIA) released a PKOC explainer video to its site. This video is less than a minute long and demonstrates how the PSIA’s PKOC specification works and will disrupt the access control market. PKOC specification David Bunzel, PSIA Executive Director, shared, “We are seeing significant uptake in the market with a growing number of vendors adding PKOC to access readers. We recognised the need to provide some tools so that c...

PSA announces addition of SAFR to technology partners

The PSA Network, the world’s consortium of professional systems integrators announced the addition of SAFR from RealNetworks to its technology partners. SAFR is an AI-powered face authentication solution designed for mainstream commercial applications. The visual intelligence platform specialises in face and person-based computer vision optimised for real-world performance. Security, convenience, and affordability "As AI becomes more prevalent, security integrators must stay on top of t...

PKOC demonstrated for cards and mobile access

Physical Security Interoperability Alliance (PSIA) hosted a special interoperability event with seven companies involved in the access control market, demonstrating the emerging Public Key Open Credential (PKOC) specification. The Interoperability Validation Testing was hosted at Convergint’s facility in Centennial, Colorado and featured products from ELATEC, Kastle Systems, JCI, Last Lock, rf IDEAS, SAFR Scan (RealNetworks), and Sentry. PKOC specifications David Bunzel, PSIA Executive...

How is AI changing the course of the security marketplace?

According to a report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), artificial intelligence (AI) is expected to transform all sectors of society, including national security. The physical security marketplace is certainly feeling the impact of the new technology, which has quickly gained prominence as one of the industry’s most popular buzzwords. To assess the more practical aspects of the situation, we asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: How is artificial intelligence (...

SAFR™ SCAN highlights new integrations, features and mobile app in secure, seamless facial authentication platform

SAFR™ SCAN from RealNetworks, the AI-powered face authentication solution designed for mainstream commercial applications, will bring its latest computer vision access control solution to Booth 3089 during ISC West 2023, March 29-31 in Las Vegas. SAFR SCAN With a focus on security, convenience, and affordability, SAFR SCAN is a frictionless solution that’s environmentally sound and avoids adding to the approximately 300 million plastic proximity cards disposed of or lost each year....

SAFR® from RealNetworks at ISC West 2023

SAFR™ SCAN from RealNetworks, the AI-powered face authentication solution designed for mainstream commercial applications, will bring its latest computer vision access control solution to Booth 3089 during ISC West 2023, March 29-31 in Las Vegas. With a focus on security, convenience and affordability, SAFR SCAN is a frictionless solution that’s environmentally sound and avoids adding to the approximately 300 million plastic proximity cards disposed of or lost each year. Integrates...

What is PKOC? How will it make access control solutions more interoperable?

PKOC stands for Public Key Open Credential. It is a new standard that will meet a 30-year industry challenge and strip away much of the complexity and cost involved in protecting and administering credentials for access control. It could also accelerate the transition from cards to mobile access control. PKOC is a standards-based mobile credential that is essentially free, vendor-agnostic, and interoperable across multiple devices and systems. It is a highly secure access credential that can l...

Secure Logiq powers many of the distributors’ partner products on the ZMR booth at Intersec 2023

As part of commitment to local partner - ZMR, Secure Logiq will be the hardware driving force that powers many of the distributors’ partner products on the ZMR booth at Intersec. The move will highlight how Secure Logiq hardware is the perfect fit to ensure optimum performance from a variety of surveillance products. The centerpiece of the ZMR booth will see a single Secure Logiq server running 1,000 1080P real time channels of video on the Milestone xProtect platform including half a Pet...

Combining technologies at the entrance to improve the customer experience

Collaboration among manufacturers in the physical security industry can result in systems that are easier to install for integrators and that provide a better customer experience for end users. Illustrating the point is the recent collaboration among a turnstile technology company, a supplier of short-range wireless readers/writers, and a biometric business focused on ‘frictionless’ access control.  “The more manufacturers collaborate with each other, the more benefits fo...

SAFR SCAN from RealNetworks demonstrates new features and announces new partnerships at GSX 2022

RealNetworks, Inc. is showcasing SAFR SCAN™, the company’s recently introduced facial recognition reader designed for mainstream commercial access control, workforce management and health safety applications, at GSX 2022 in booth 3725.   Since its introduction in Q1, 2022, SAFR SCAN has continued to evolve with added features further adding to the cost-effective solution’s broad market appeal. New integrations & partnerships Additionally, SAFR SCAN has caught the at...

RealNetworks announces executive leadership changes, including the appointment of Paul DiPeso as the President - SAFR

RealNetworks, Inc., a globally renowned company in AI-powered digital media software and solutions, has announced two significant changes to its leadership team. First, RealNetworks announced the appointment of Paul DiPeso to the newly created position of President - SAFR. Paul DiPeso, in the new role, will report to the company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Rob Glaser. Vast industry experience Paul DiPeso has over 25 years of top management experience in physical security with renow...

Maxxess adds facial recognition authentication to eVisitor with SAFR Integration

Maxxess has added advanced facial recognition authentication to its eVisitor visitor management solution for access control, with off-the-shelf integration to RealNetworks’ industry-renowned SAFR technology. Maxxess eVisitor Maxxess’ eVisitor visitor management solution has established itself as one of the most flexible, secure visitor management solutions available, with frictionless and touchless access, removing many of the old inconveniences visitors, staff, and contractors enc...

SAFR SCAN debuts to the Europe market at IFSEC 2022

RealNetworks, Inc., is displaying SAFR SCAN™, a highly innovative Facial Recognition Reader for a wide range of mainstream access control, workforce management, and health safety applications at IFSEC 2022 in stand IF2635. SAFR SCAN uniquely delivers advanced identification and authentication performance at an extremely attractive price point, making its public debut in the European market.   Secure and fast access  “SAFR SCAN provides a highly secure and fast way t...

RealNetworks SAFR SCAN™ wins 2022 Platinum Govies Award for Access Control – Biometrics

RealNetworks, Inc. is proud to announce that its recently introduced SAFR SCAN™ facial recognition reader is the recipient of the 2022 Platinum Govies Award for Access Control – Biometrics. The prestigious award was announced by Security Today on April 26, 2022, honouring SAFR SCAN as being an outstanding product for government security applications. Evaluation criteria SAFR SCAN was selected for the 2022 Platinum Govies Award for Access Control – Biometrics by an independen...

RealNetworks to showcase SAFR SCAN access control product at the ISC West 2022

RealNetworks, Inc., announces SAFR SCAN™, a highly innovative access control product for commercial and office uses, SAFR SCAN is Real’s first-ever hardware product, and is being publicly unveiled at the ISC West 2022 trade show in Las Vegas. “SAFR SCAN is a game-changer. It’s the fastest and most secure way to control building and office access ever created,” said Rob Glaser, CEO of RealNetworks. “SAFR SCAN is the first hardware product we’ve built-in...

What are the biggest misconceptions about biometrics?

Among the technologies widely used in the world of security, none is more fraught with privacy concerns than biometrics. However, sometimes the privacy concerns are based more on false information than on facts. Privacy must be addressed, of course, but the industry should also promote greater understanding of the technology as a means of combatting misinformation. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What are the biggest misconceptions surrounding biometrics? What is the impact?

Will 2022 be the year for ‘touchless’ security?

Early in the pandemic, before the mechanisms of COVID spread were clearly understood, there was talk about the disease being transmitted through contact with surfaces. Such concerns created a windfall for manufacturers of hand sanitizer, and broadly changed the perceived risks of touching surfaces, perhaps forever. Touching the same surface as hundreds of other people suddenly became less desirable, thus boosting the fortunes of “touchless” access control and security devices. But wi...

RealNetworks announces SAFR version 3.8 with updated enterprise capabilities and enhanced usability

SAFR® from RealNetworks, Inc., the world’s foremost facial recognition solution for live video, offering accurate, fast, low bias face recognition and additional computer vision features, announces SAFR version 3.8. Available now, SAFR version 3.8 includes easy SSL support, updated enterprise capabilities, and enhanced usability. SAFR’s AI-powered recognition with liveness detection quickly (within 0.3 seconds) and accurately verifies and displays the name of a matched person. I...

SAFR shares their top predictions for the physical security industry in 2022

SAFR® from RealNetworks, Inc., the premier facial recognition platform for live video, shared its top predictions for the physical security industry in 2022. These include letting go of fears around AI, embracing hybrid cloud solutions, and embracing pandemic-driven use cases. The current conversations about AI are frequently fear-based. Coverage in the media has been dominated by depictions of rampant bias and invasions of privacy. While these are legitimate concerns, allowing the fears to...

SAFR gets selected as the facial recognition technology provider at Japanese construction sites

SAFR® from RealNetworks, Inc., the premier facial recognition platform for live video, was selected as the facial recognition technology provider for a new biometric access control system in use at Japanese construction sites. Developed by Nextware corporation, Ltd., in conjunction with Kids-Way corporation, the new FACEma® access control and health management system enables construction site workers to automatically register their attendance and departure while also checking body tempe...

Who should provide security solutions – the manufacturer or the integrator?

Assembling security solutions has long been considered the role of the integrator, whose role is to pick and choose the best technology tools and then to assemble the complete system. However, more manufacturers are offering pre-integrated end-to-end solutions that include multiple elements from the same manufacturer, designed to work seamlessly together. At the end of the day, end users want to know: Whose role is it to provide security ‘solutions’ – the manufacturer or the in...

What are the new developments in facial recognition?

Facial recognition is a mature technology that continues to change and evolve. New innovations such as artificial intelligence (AI) are expanding facial recognition capabilities, even as privacy concerns, though often misguided, undermine wider acceptance in the market. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What are the new developments in facial recognition?

How soon will access control cards become extinct and why?

Since the advent of the physical security industry, access control has been synonymous with physical cards, whether 125 kHz ‘prox’ cards or the newer smart card alternatives. However, other credentials have also come on the scene, including biometrics and even smart phones. Some of these choices have distinct cost and security advantages over physical cards. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: How soon will the access control card become extinct and why? 

How can the security industry provide affordable and cost-effective solutions?

Cost is a reality to be managed. No matter how powerful or desirable a technology may be to a customer, the sale often comes down to the basic question: Can I afford it? And affordability extends not just to the purchase price, but to the cost of technology over its lifespan. In addition to advances in technology capabilities, the security industry has also achieved inroads to make its offerings more worth the cost. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What is the physical securi...

SAFR collaborates with Dains to provide AI-based computer vision technology to increase the accuracy of people counting

SAFR from RealNetworks, Inc., a pioneer in high accuracy, low bias facial recognition, announces a collaboration with Dains, a Korean company that specialises in unmanned people and asset counting solutions. As part of the collaboration, SAFR is providing its AI-based computer vision technology to increase the accuracy of people counting to prevent duplicates of customers and employees. The combined solution was recently deployed at the National Memorial Hall of the Korean War Abductees in Paju...

What are the security challenges of protecting critical infrastructure?

Many of us take critical infrastructure for granted in our everyday lives. We turn on a tap, flip a switch, push a button, and water, light, and heat are all readily available. But it is important to remember that computerised systems manage critical infrastructure facilities, making them vulnerable to cyber-attacks. The recent ransomware attack on the Colonial Pipeline is an example of the new types of threats. In addition, any number of physical attacks is also possibilities. We asked this we...

Quick poll
What is the most significant challenge facing smart building security today?