Surveillance & Security News for September 2020

This year has been characterised by uncertainty and extraordinary strain, which has fallen heavily on all manner of key workers. Alongside our celebrated healthcare professionals, carers and the emergency services, those working in essential retail have proved themselves to be the backbone of our society during this challenging period. As people try to grasp onto normality and cope with the unexpected changes taking place in every aspect of their lives – including the way they are allowed...

For bricks and mortar retailers, there’s no going back to how it was anytime soon.  Even before the COVID-19 pandemic and economic crisis, they had been fighting a fierce battle against online shopping and significant e-commerce players.  The high street has done a pretty good job of evolving over the years. From its humble beginnings in the late 19th century to its boom in the late 20th, it’s constantly adapted to meet changing consumer needs. The risk to retail But, i...

We still have some way to go before we see 5G service rolled out as a UK-wide service, but we can discuss future implications of 5G, and how it can improve device capabilities once its widely accessible.  The impact of 5G lies within the increase in the amount of data that can be transferred between smart home devices through a cloud-based system. By utilising the cloud’s mass com...

Indoor positioning is, in many ways, an inside version of the satellite-navigation apps we rely on for outdoor navigation, but with an added twist – it can also be used to help locate people and things. Let’s say you’re at home and misplaced your car keys, or you’re in a grocery store and can’t find your favorite brand of coffee. Or maybe you’re working in a factory and need a particular tool from a storage bin, or you’re a site manager dealing with an...

Eagle Eye Networks, the provider of cloud video surveillance, announces the launch of the Eagle Eye Local Display Station. The new video appliance integrates seamlessly with Eagle Eye’s Cloud Video Management System (VMS), displaying up to 32 cameras on any standard TV display and up to 164 cameras across multiple display pages. The Eagle Eye Local Display Station is available in two models, the DS100 which supports a single display, and the DS200 which supports two displays. Both models...

Hikvision’s smart video solutions for logistics parks add several layers of intelligence compared to traditional security cameras, helping operators to enhance personnel management, vehicle management, site management, and goods management. Smart video solutions Global supply chains, the booming online retail market, and rising demand for manufactured goods have driven growth in the logistics industry. An array of materials and goods are constantly on the move by truck, arriving at logis...

Cohesity has announced the release of Cohesity SiteContinuity, an automated disaster recovery solution that is integrated with the company’s backup and continuous data protection capabilities, making it the only web-scale, converged solution to protect applications across tiers, service levels, and locations on a single platform. Data security and loss prevention Cohesity is making this announcement as organisations are concerned about losing data to ransomware and malware attacks, natur...

NAPCO Security Technologies introduces new easy cloud-based programming available for its award-winning, cost-saving FireLink® FACPs with onboard LCD annunciator and LTE cellular, or Cell/IP communicator, in new dual path model. To offer pros more convenience and flexibility, cloud-based programming allows the FireLink to be programmed from any smart device or tablet, using easy drop-down menus (No special software, training or laptop required). FireLink Integrated 8-32 Pt Fire Alarm Contro...

After undergoing rigorous vetting and testing, Salient Systems announced that it has earned prestigious regulatory approval from Dubai’s Security Industry Regulatory Agency (SIRA) on its CompleteView 20/20 platform, opening new opportunities for the company in the Middle East region. SIRA approval With Security Industry Regulatory Agency’s seal of approval, Salient Systems is now on a short list of certified manufacturers, who have undergone a rigorous vetting process by the Dubai-...

Genetec Inc., a technology provider of unified security, public safety, operations, and business intelligence solutions, announces that the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, an iconic amusement park in California, has recently upgraded its security infrastructure with the Security Centre platform. By unifying video and access control park-wide, the park’s security team is able to speed up investigations and emergency response. Touted as the ‘Coney Island of the West’, the seaside pa...

With the potential to generate 1,230 megawatts and provide low carbon energy for 2.3 million homes, it is essential that Heysham 2 nuclear power station is able to operate 24/7 without any disruption. Located in North West England, Heysham 2 held the world record for the longest continuous operation of a nuclear generator without a shutdown. To ensure the generator retains this enviable reputation for reliability, its operator EDF has recently invested approximately £30 million in plant i...

VIVOTEK, the global IP surveillance solution provider presents its latest facial recognition surveillance solution, brought through cooperation with the AI and facial recognition technology pioneer CyberLink Corp. The enhanced software integration between VIVOTEK’s Video Management Software (VMS), the VAST 2 and CyberLink’s FaceMe® Security facial recognition software will enable users to monitor and manage facial recognition results effortlessly for a wide range of security appl...

Securitas is acquiring STANLEY Security’s electronic security businesses in Germany, Portugal, Switzerland, Singapore and India. The acquisition is aligned with Securitas’ ambition to double the size of its security solutions & electronic security business and expands Securitas’ electronic security footprint and capabilities. The purchase price is estimated to MUSD 64 (MSEK 563). The entities to be acquired provide an integrated electronic security offering to their client...

BCD International released its Harmonize Conductor iDRAC plugin, which integrates with the core Genetec Security Center platform. Built on the Genetec SDK platform, the BCD Conductor leverages many advantages that are found within Security Center such as the creation of entities, event-to-actions, and role fail-over. BCD Conductor enhances the user experience by introducing virtual machine management while staying true to the Genetec platform. BCD’s Harmonize Conductor iDRAC allows all or...

icetana, globally renowned Australia-based intelligent video surveillance solutions company, is pleased to announce its first purchase orders for the US correctional services market, after two new 5-year client orders were confirmed with hardware systems vendor, Rasilient Systems, Inc. The order includes supplying icetana’s video analytics solution to two US correctional facilities (prisons). Video analytics solution The orders are significant as they represent icetana’s first US p...

LenelS2 announced the release of its Mobile Security User app that enhances safety, security and convenience. LenelS2, a global leader in advanced security systems and services, is a part of Carrier Global Corporation, a global provider of innovative heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC), refrigeration, fire, security and building automation technologies. The Mobile Security User app offers a wide range of security features to LenelS2 NetBox™ ecosystem users. With the Mobile Se...

The opportunity for criminals to take advantage of COVID-19 face covering requirements presents a security challenge for commercial premises. The Face Recognition Company (FRC) is addressing that challenge with the addition of a new “unmasking” capability to its multi-camera face-recognition security system. Designed for a wide range of commercial environments, from retail outlets and hospitals to sports arenas and hotels, the FRC system identifies and alerts about individuals on a...

A national centre of excellence for children and young people with mental health needs has been secured by a comprehensive security system from IDIS, the largest in country video surveillance manufacturer in South Korea. The £7 million refurbishment of Austen House, a 14-bed forensic hospital in Hampshire run by Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, prioritised keeping both staff and patients safe from harm, given their specialised needs. Security systems integrator As the sole speciali...

Corps Security begins pilot scheme which equips officers with speech to text and translation tools to overcome communication issues caused by wearing face masks, and addresses language barriers. Forty Corps Security officers across retail sites in Birmingham, Cheltenham and Exeter have access to transcription functionality (audio to text), written text translating capability and verbal conversation translation between two different languages. All services are delivered via mobile application an...

Intersec, the world’s renowned security, safety, and fire protection trade fair, has been rescheduled to take place in January 2022, organiser of the trade event, Messe Frankfurt Middle East confirmed on September 24, 2020. The 23rd edition of the three-day event was originally set to run from January 24-26, 2021, at the Dubai World Trade Centre, in Dubai, UAE. However, the event has now been moved to 2022, after extensive consultation with key industry stakeholders. Intersec Dubai 2022...

Facial recognition is becoming more popular in newer systems for access control — a shift that began before the pandemic and has intensified with a market shift toward “touchless” systems. A new facial recognition platform is emerging that responds to the access control industry’s increased interest in facial recognition by expanding the concept with a new higher level of technology. At the core of the new system is high-performance, true-3D sensing with facial depth ma...

Listentech’s innovative ListenIR range of infrared hearing technology is now available from SigNET. Ideal for classrooms, performing arts studios, courtrooms, places of worship or anywhere where amplified audio needs to be private, the range includes lightweight IR transmitters and radiators, receivers and accessories, all designed to offer an exceptional end-to-end assistive listening experience in areas where strict privacy, zero overspill and effective ‘line of sight’ cover...

Gough & Kelly, a provider of security products and services across the north of England, has expanded the use of SmartTask to enhance its patrol monitoring and performance reporting capabilities at a second office in Yorkshire. The company has rolled out the workforce management software to its operation in Leeds, having already achieved significant operational improvements at its York business. “SmartTask has proved to be an invaluable tool across our manned guard, keyholding and ala...

Security researchers at Check Point identified a critical vulnerability in Instagram, the popular photo and video sharing app with over 1 billion users worldwide. The vulnerability would have given an attacker the ability to take over a victim’s Instagram account and turn their phone into a spying tool, simply by sending them a malicious image file. When the image is saved and opened in the target’s Instagram app, the exploit would give the hacker full access to the victim’s In...

Paxton’s longstanding access control system, Net2, receives its latest software update. The highly anticipated new feature, Checkpoint Control, supports COVID-secure sites. This additional functionality helps Net2 users protect employees and visitors by monitoring and approving people as they enter buildings. Throughout the first half of 2020 the creation of Checkpoint Control was underway, along with the unforeseen global spread of the coronavirus COVID-19. During this time lockdown and...

Hanwha Techwin America, a global supplier of IP and analogue video surveillance solutions, announced that it has received the UL CAP (Cybersecurity Assurance Program) certification for its recently-launched range of IP cameras featuring Wisenet 7 SoC (System on Chip). The UL Cybersecurity Assurance Program (UL CAP) aims to minimise risks by creating standardised, testable criteria for assessing software vulnerabilities and weaknesses in embedded products and systems. This helps reduce exploitat...

Honeywell is launching a new 60 Series line of 5MP IP cameras that offer greater detail than traditional camera and recorder solutions; and are well suited for users who want fast notification and verification of potential threats and responses. The 5MP video delivers a clearer picture and can be zoomed in from greater distances, allowing for fewer cameras to cover a larger area of view. The Honeywell 60 Series IP cameras are designed for use as part of video systems which comply with the John...

Honeywell is adding to its video series line with the launch of the 30 Series Embedded Network Video Recorders (eNVR), the latest affordable and fully featured NVRs that offer 4K HD (UHD) video resolution. The Honeywell 30 Series eNVRs are designed for use as part of video systems which comply with the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act 2019 (NDAA), Section 889. They are also PCI-DSS compliant and include enhanced cybersecurity with a built-in FIPS chip set. Users will also benef...

The high-powered PA-250 combines loud ringing, voice paging, and background music into one paging amplifier for easy broadcasting. The compact design fits into a single 1U rack space and can be used with both new and previously installed paging systems. “This is our largest amplifier yet and I’m excited to bring trusted Viking quality to this large of a scale”, says Paul Speltz, Sr. Engineer, Viking Electronics. The PA-250 is a 250-Watt rack mounted paging amplifier for 25V an...

Allied Universal, a globally renowned security and facility services company in North America, has announced that Forbes’ ‘America’s Best Employers by State Survey’, partnered with market research company, Statista, has ranked the company as the best employer in the US states of Georgia, New Jersey and Tennessee. Forbes list The Forbes’ list is divided into 51 rankings, one for each of the 50 states, plus the District of Columbia and was compiled by surveying 80,0...