Surveillance & Security News for December 2017

An increase in spending on security, more focus on data security, higher demand for integrated solutions, and steady progress to move beyond the pixel race were key trends in 2017. As we look forward to 2018, we will continue to see development in these areas as well as greater impact of the Internet of Things (IoT) on the video security market. Potential of video security data More and more, users are realising that the real issues in video security are not about pixel counts. Managing incre...

Last year, Genetec predicted that cybersecurity would be taken much more seriously as the Internet of Things (IoT) opened more doors for hacking and network take overs. We also predicted that that there would be an increase in the adoption of Software as a Service (SaaS), expanding choice and convenience from new ownership models via hybrid (on-premises and Cloud) and Cloud-only models. Cyber Accountability awareness 2017 was also a year of awareness about ‘Cyber Accountability’....

As the economy improved during 2017, the security industry also experienced an increase in new projects and upgrades for existing customers. Security dealers have been busy adapting to the new services that customers are now demanding and trying to stay competitive within their market. Many have changed their strategies—offering not only professionally installed systems but assisting with DIY and self-install products. Overall, the goal of forward-thinking security dealers has been to ele...

Johnson Controls announces that the aviation specific CEM Systems AC2000 Airport access control system has been selected to secure Muscat International Airport and Salalah Airport, Oman. AC2000 Airport access control solution with intelligent CEM Systems, IP card readers and CEM Systems S3040 portable hand-held readers will ensure the highest levels of integrated security, and provide a solution that goes beyond security by helping in airport operations. Oman Airports Management Company (OAMC)...

VIVOTEK, the IP surveillance solution provider, has announced the launch of its multi-adjustable sensor dome camera, the MA8391-ETV. Featuring four independent 3-megapixel CMOS sensors, the MA8391-ETV allows users to simultaneously view four different areas while occupying only a single IP address. This not only reduces the installation time and total number of cameras needed, but also reduces management effort and maintenance costs. Due to its unique and small design, the camera is perfect for...

Overall, it’s been quite a year for the industry and Vanderbilt. Last year, we predicted that the security industry would see a rise in cloud-based systems in 2017, and based on the developments and trends we've seen over the last 12 months, that forecast has come true. ACT365 access control and VMS Vanderbilt introduced the ACT365 cloud-based access control and video management solution to its portfolio, and it has plans to educate the marketplace on the technological and economic advan...

‘Tis the season to be jolly. Yet according to independent research, commissioned by Verisure, the European provider of professionally-monitored smart alarms, the festive period is a burglars’ bonanza. Two-thirds (66%) of respondents who have already experienced a home burglary, fear they’re more at risk of a repeat experience over the festive season. Increased Christmas spending Seven in ten (70%) of the UK population attribute the heightened threat of burglaries at this time...

During 2017, we’ve enjoyed stable economic growth for a number of years now; we’re not running into as much resistance for security entrances as we did, say, seven to nine years ago. Hardening perimeters against active shooters Compared to other security products such as cameras and card readers, security entrances are a big investment and considered somewhat of a luxury: during downturns we’re among the first to hit the “cutting room floor.” Now, however, fueled...

Nowadays, the telecare sector still relies heavily on traditional systems or even analogue systems, which lags behind the proliferation of smart technology in other sectors. Akuvox, with its blockbuster indoor monitor, is tipping the UK telecare sector towards more humane, proactive and intelligent care through a project involving half a million elderly people living in thousands of care homes. Akuvox's customer, a key telecare service provider in the UK, sought to transform its traditional tel...

While the security industry continues to grow, increased commoditisation and the rise of low-cost cameras that are vulnerable to cyber-attacks has forced our industry to take a harder look at cybersecurity. Systems integrators and customers are increasingly aware of the dangers posed by these devices, and demand more accountability from manufacturers. This is good news for innovative manufacturers like Hanwha who have always put cybersecurity at the core of their product development. Because we...

With the changing “lone wolf” style of terrorism, there will be a trend toward many more installations of vehicle access control systems and smaller numbers of units. Where a university, military base or airport might have 20-plus systems scattered among its grounds, there will be a growing number of smaller applications needing one, two or three systems. These will include customers such as primary and secondary education facilities; pedestrian locations such as shopping centres,...

Shrewsbury Town Football Club have defied the odds at the start of the 2017-18 football campaign by being well and truly amongst the pace setters with a quarter of the season already gone. No doubt there many reasons for the turnaround in fortunes from what was a dramatic end to last season with the Town finishing near the bottom to being on the crest of a wave this season. One of them could be down to the complete refurbishment of the Club’s Sundorne training facility on the outskirts of...

Qognify a provider of big data solutions for physical security and operations, announced that it has appointed Al Maillet as VP Sales of the Americas and to the company’s Leadership Team. This appointment supports the company’s increased focus on the Americas and responds to the market’s need for solutions that address a wide range of cross-functional challenges. Al brings with him 25 years of experience in business development, sales and management. His leadership experience...

3xLOGIC, Inc., a provider of integrated, intelligent security solutions, and the three-year-in-a-row Deloitte Fast 500 winner, announced moves to strengthen the company’s sales and training resources in order to continue to support its award-winning growth. Richard Rao is the new Regional Sales Manager for Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Arkansas and is based out of Houston, Texas. Richard has 20 years’ experience in the security industry, working in both sales and operations roles f...

The term “smart city” gets thrown around a lot nowadays, but as different technologies that strive to be defined in this way are adopted by different countries globally, the meaning of this phrase gets lost in translation. The simplest way to define a “smart city” is that it is an urban area that uses different types of data collecting sensors to manage assets and resources efficiently. One of the most obvious types of “data collecting sensor” is the video ca...

In 2017, DITEK saw how power surges from the many natural disasters that took place damaged many businesses. In a natural disaster, or even everyday business operations, a facility’s entire investment in security, life safety and surveillance systems technology can be disabled or rendered useless in a few seconds. Surge protection solutions can mitigate those risks and protect security investments. Proactive approach to risk mitigation Throughout 2017, we also witnessed a change in how...

News of cyberattacks seems constant these days. Recently, Equifax, a US-based consumer credit reporting agency, announced that a private customer data breach impacted 143 million people. Earlier this year, 1.5 million connected cameras around the world were hijacked in an unprecedented DDoS attack. As cyber-attacks become more rampant, it’s hardly surprising that governments are stepping in to hold organisations more accountable. One of the most recent examples of this is the European Un...

A downside of our thriving economic times is a shortage of skilled personnel to work in the physical security marketplace. Strong economic growth translates into a low unemployment rate, and greater competition among employers to attract the best talent. The field of cybersecurity, in particular, is seeing a serious talent shortage, but any physical security company can also attest to our own challenges finding and keeping the best talent; not to mention the obvious - that cybersecurity is now...

Body-worn cameras are becoming more common every day, driven both by needs of the marketplace and technology developments. However, questions remain about the usefulness of the devices, and their future role in promoting safety and security. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What are the challenges of body-worn cameras for the security industry?

ASIS International continues to adapt, innovate, and grow at the high speed of the industry and profession. If 2016 represented a year for new CEO Peter J. O’Neil and his senior management team and volunteer leadership to explore, review, and assess, 2017 was the year when many new initiatives took wing. Career Pathing initiative For one, the Society is working on a new model that includes corporate membership. A Career Pathing initiative is under way, in which the knowledge, skills, and...

Muir Group Housing Association, which manages more than 5,500 homes across the country, has formed a new partnership with OpenView Security Solutions, a national supplier of electrical and mechanical services, to further enhance the level of services to residents. The contract started on 1st June 2017 and OpenView Security Solutions is providing a range of specialist services including PAT testing, fire risk assessments and the ongoing maintenance of fire alarms, emergency lighting, door entry...

Today’s security industry has reached a critical mass in the volume of collected data and the limits of human attention to effectively search through that data. As such, the demand for video analytics is increasing globally and we believe that all video surveillance systems will eventually feature video analytics. Artificial Intelligence solutions Through the power of artificial intelligence (AI), Avigilon™ is developing technologies and products that dramatically increase the effe...

When it comes to securing a residential care home, there are no second chances. You need access control you can trust. In Pamplona, the Casa de la Misericordia care home put its trust in SMARTair™, advanced wireless access control from ASSA ABLOY. Caring for elderly residents Caring for vulnerable or elderly people presents a unique set of security challenges. Crucially when it comes to access control, residents may find it difficult to adapt to new or complex technology. Yet at the same...

Johnson Controls introduces hardware updates to the existing line of exacqVision Network Video Recorders including the Z-Series, A-Series and M-Series, which are now being built with high-capacity hard drives. The exacqVision S-Series server, which archives video, was also upgraded, allowing systems to store or archive more video than ever before. Exacq Network Video Recorders These impressive enhancements are designed to address the significant rise in storage requirements demanded by today's...

Alarm Lock Systems, a division of NAPCO and a leader in access and egress solutions for education, healthcare, government, retail, airports and industry, is excited to announce the launch of their new website at www.alarmlock.com. Multi-platform capability The redesigned website boasts a brand new look with multi-platform capability, ideal for mobile devices. Visitors can register for training classes, find their local sales rep or distributor with a handy locator map, or download free marketi...

The organisers of World Border Security Congress have announced the support of the Organization for Security & Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) for next year’s World Border Security Congress in Madrid, from the 20th-22nd March 2018. OSCE mandates The OSCE is the world's largest security-oriented intergovernmental organisation and has a comprehensive approach to security that encompasses politico-military, economic and environmental, and human aspects. Its mandate includes issues such as...

The worldwide security market is booming – and visitors to Intersec Dubai 2018 will be able to witness all aspects of the industry. EVVA will return to exhibit at the show from 21 to 23 January 2018 (Hall S2, stand H19). With more than 1,300 exhibitors, Intersec is one of the largest and most influential trade fairs in the security industry. At the exhibition centre in Dubai, EVVA will benefit from an excellent platform to showcase new products on an international stage. This is where sec...

The organisers of next year’s UK Security Week have announced that Richard Barrett – the former coordinator of the Al-Qaeda/Taliban Monitoring Team of the United Nations Security Council – will chair its renowned World Counter Terror Congress from 6-7 March 2018. Counter Terrorism Task Force One of the world’s foremost experts on terrorism, from 2004 to 2012 Barrett headed the Al-Qaeda and Taliban Monitoring Team at the United Nations (UN). During this time, he helped e...

Matrix is participating in IFSEC India – Securing People, Property & Assets, to be held in New Delhi from 6th to 8th December 2017. The main objective behind participating in the event is to demonstrate the company's enterprise-grade, well-engineered security solutions. In the event, Matrix will showcase futuristic technologies from the security domain. The Matrix access control and time-attendance domain offers a glimpse into its newly launched and high-tech face recognitio...

As a grocery store or supermarket owner, it is very hard to fight theft. Shoplifting and retail theft may not seem like a major deal, but to the small business fighting for survival, it has a big impact on the bottom line.   A disadvantage of traditional tools for fighting shoplifting is that they are most effective when the shoplifter is caught red-handed. Once the shoplifter has concealed the stolen product in his or her clothing or bag, it is very hard to see whet...