Surveillance & Security News for September 2020

While COVID-19 continues to dominate headlines, another kind of emergency is threatening the lives of millions of Americans around the nation -- food insecurity. To help address this urgent problem in the communities it serves, Allied Universal®, a security and facility services company in North America, recently donated more than 310,000 meals to the following nine food banks. Food banks During these challenging times, more and more people, especially seniors and children, are facing hung...

Alcatraz, developer of autonomous access control products, and Channeltivity, a globally renowned partner relationship management (PRM) solution, have united to help deliver a state-of-the-art channel and training program that fosters partner success. “As a technology-based startup carving out a new space in the security industry for autonomous access control solutions, we knew when it came to managing our dealer network interactions, that the solution had to offer the absolute latest in...

Evolv Technology announced that Hersheypark® is using Evolv’s artificial intelligence (AI)-based, touchless security screening system as part of the much-loved theme park’s robust COVID-19 safety measures. Hersheypark was originally created by businessman and philanthropist Milton S. Hershey more than 110 years ago as leisure grounds for employees of Hershey's Chocolate Factory. Embodying the passion of its namesake, the park is dedicated to its global reputation as a safe, fun...

Due to the worldwide spread of new threats to public health, ‘contactless’ has become more and more important as a preventive measure and this has spurred change in the security industry. Recognising this trend long before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Suprema is already experienced in offering flexible contactless solutions. Suprema R&D has developed a new Facial Recognition solution that provides a fusion of infrared and visual imaging methods coupled with a deep learning...

Johnson Controls, the globally renowned provider of smart security and sustainable building solutions, has announced the introduction of the latest generation of the Tyco American Dynamics victor/ VideoEdge security solution, which offers powerful features, such as Intelligent Person Search, Area Occupancy, new Event Management hub, 64-bit client, and NVR Network Interface Card bonding for increased bandwidth. victor/ VideoEdge solution The Tyco American Dynamics victor/ VideoEdge security sol...

Security experts have discussed the demise of the passwords for years. As early as 2004, Bill Gates told the RSA Security Conference that passwords “just don’t meet the challenge for anything you really want to secure.” Change has been slow, but the sudden increase in remote working and the need for enterprises to become touchless as they try to encourage teams back to the office is increasing traction. Here we look at the future of passwordless authentication - using the examp...

For several decades, Baby Boomers represented the largest sector of employees in the physical security market. However, these security professionals born between 1946 and 1964 are now nearing retirement – or have already retired. How will the security market change as the next generations step up to make their contributions? We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: As Baby Boomers approach retirement age, what are the positives and negatives in the physical security market?

The security industry knows the value of recurring revenue, as it’s the foundation of the residential security monitoring market. Commercial systems integrators have traditionally taken a different approach, focused on one-time commodity-based sales that lack the financial benefits provided through long-term serviced-based agreements. Cash flow is one of the biggest challenges faced by security systems integrators. And the truth is,  during economic uncertainty, businesses will find...

Johnson Controls, the globally renowned smart and sustainable building solutions company, has announced that it is introducing a reliable, cyber-hardened IP edge access control device for up to four doors. One of the most powerful, flexible and secure edge access controllers, Tyco Software House iSTAR Edge G2 provides effortless upgrades from existing edge controllers, is OSDP compatible and supports embedded high assurance FICAM operation without additional third-party hardware, making it an i...

All public properties are faced with a diverse and complicated set of safety and security risks, from health and safety to violence, terrorism, natural disasters, fires, political and environmental. Reducing safety and security risks requires the hands-on support of all operating teams, not just the security team, each playing their part in the pursuit of providing a safe and secure environment for all customers and staff. The challenge is twofold, one many still rely on antiquated logbooks, ch...

Hikvision, an IoT solution provider with video as its core competency, has announced its new generation of wireless alarm systems – the AX PRO – delivering comprehensive alarm solutions for both residential and commercial applications. The newly launched AX PRO product family includes a compact panel hub for a wide range of detectors and peripherals, covering intrusion detection, video verification, smoke detection, flood detection and home automation. Developed with both the instal...

Fingerprint Cards AB (Fingerprints™) and Sentry Enterprises, a US-based manufacturer of converged biometric identification solutions, have entered into a global licence agreement for Fingerprints’ software platform for access, FPC-BEP, as well as a volume agreement for the FPC T-Shape® sensor module to incorporate into its SentryCard™ security credential. The agreement features converged biometric credentials for physical and logical access to address the increased market...

Adept Audio, a new loudspeaker branch focused on the needs of the security industry, announces its line of audio solutions is now available through ADI Global Distribution, a distributor of security, AV and low voltage products. Adept, which has been developed by Origin Acoustics, offers a complete line of in-ceiling, in-wall, indoor-outdoor speakers and subwoofers for residential and commercial security dealers who install sound systems. Dealers can now purchase Adept products at ADI's 108 bra...

Infortrend® Technology, Inc., the enterprise storage provider, has introduced an excellent EonStor CS scale-out NAS solution for large-scale surveillance video archiving from more than 1000 IP-cameras. EonStor CS is a highly scalable solution with both scale-out and scale-up expandability to provide large capacity and high availability for continuous services. Capacity can be scaled to 100+ PB for archiving large surveillance data volumes. To get the complete sophisticated surveillance solu...

South Africa conservationist, Brett Barlow needed a robust security solution to protect Munu, a blind, South Western Black Rhinoceros, whose species is critically endangered. FLIR video solution Barlow deployed an all FLIR solution, comprising thermal cameras, visible cameras and an NVR, for around-the-clock monitoring, early detection and real-time response. FLIR technology has played an instrumental role to protect Munu’s life and livelihood. Throughout the 20th century, big-game hunt...

Smart cities, airports, stadiums, hospitals and other organisations are now liaising with government bodies and law enforcement to propel a new dawn of collaborative security and communication. The influx of new technology coupled with the ever-changing political and social landscapes has meant security is having to evolve. Artificial Intelligence is now allowing law enforcement, security personnel and organisations to a transformational method of fighting crime, maintaining public security and...

RCP21, a pioneering Community Interest Company (CIC), has used SmartTask to help set up and manage an in-house security operation at Langthwaite Business Park in South Kirkby, West Yorkshire. The workforce management software was adopted to coordinate a full-time team of officers, tasked with protecting 120 businesses located at the site, without the need to increase management and administrative resource within the organisation. SmartTask has since enabled RCP21 to deliver a superior security...

Dycon Power Solutions, the Welsh-based developer and manufacturer of advanced technology power solutions for the security, fire, communications and Building Management Systems sectors, has seen an increasing global demand for security and monitoring equipment to be used in external locations. This has meant installers and specifiers now need to consider how best to power these devices locally and safely and to satisfy this demand, Dycon Power Solutions has created its IP-W Series, an extensive...

Security at educational institutions is a highly sensitive issue. No matter whether it is a kindergarten, school, university or private learning institute, concentrated learning requires a harmonious environment to focus on the essentials. High-end video technology can make a decisive contribution to protecting students from any kind of disturbance or untoward incident. Safeguarding schools In the past, schools and universities have repeatedly been the target of active shooter and terrorist a...

Every video security application has its unique challenges, especially in terms of scale, location, lighting, and affordability. Can the entrance to a retail shop be secured to the highest level of detail, while compensating for light fluctuations? Is it possible to monitor an external perimeter day and night whilst paying close attention to keeping storage costs low and avoiding network strain? And, can these challenges not only be met, but also provide high quality images that enable persons...

Located 40 kilometres outside the Russian capital, the new Mercedes-Benz passenger car factory is a showcase for Industry 4.0 automotive manufacturing. To ensure the safety of more than 1,000 employees at the massive facility, Bosch provided a fire alarm and security system, replete with voice evacuation capabilities to meet the specific safety needs of modern-day car factories. Future of car manufacturing Walking into the main manufacturing hall of the new Mercedes-Benz Cars plant in the Mosc...

ASSA ABLOY has signed an agreement to sell its sensor technology business firm, CEDES in Switzerland to capiton AG. Sensor technology solutions major CEDES is a globally renowned sensor technology company in the elevators and door solutions business. The company was established in 1986 and has approximately 320 employees. The company is headquartered in Landquart, Switzerland. "I find it very satisfying that with capiton AG, CEDES and its employees and customers gain a committed long-term inv...

Trade shows have always been a basic element of how the security industry does business - until the year 2020, that is. This year has seen the total collapse of the trade show model as a means of bringing buyers and sellers face to face. The COVID-19 pandemic has effectively made the idea of a large trade show out of the question. Today, even air travel seems incredibly risky, or at minimum a huge hassle. The good news is that the industry has adapted well without the shows. A series of “...

Morse Watchmans has announced Virtual Expo Europe, giving European customers and interested parties an opportunity to connect with their local dealers safely and in their native language. The event will be held over the course of two days, with Norway, Italy, Portugal, and Sweden presenting on October 20th and France, Switzerland, and Germany presenting on the 21st. Detailed schedules can be found on the Morse Watchmans Events page. “We’re excited to support our dealers by giving th...

Johnson Controls, the global provider for smart and sustainable buildings has further expanded its Tyco Illustra range with the launch of a new Flex multi-directional camera. Designed to provide a highly cost-effective solution for monitoring activity over wide open spaces, the second generation Illustra Flex multi-directional camera is equipped with four separate image sensors which can be individually positioned and angled to provide up to 360-degree coverage via four separate non-stitched vi...

Aiphone, the international manufacturer of intercom and security communication products, is introducing the IX Simple Support Tool, an abbreviation of the full-service IX Support Tool programming software. The simplified version is designed to seamlessly configure up to 20 systems from the IX Series portfolio of IP video intercom components. The IX Simple Support Tool has a programming wizard which allows for the configuration of each station’s number, name, and IP address. Quickly confi...

General Dynamics Missions Systems and Dedrone, the provider of airspace security, announces their strategic counter-drone partnership, providing General Dynamics’ global network with access to Dedrone’s complete drone detection and defeat technology. As part of this strategic agreement, General Dynamics Mission Systems becomes a value-added reseller for Dedrone’s counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) capabilities and has made a significant equity investment in Dedrone. Genera...

ZeroEyes, a renowned provider of artificial intelligence weapons detection solution, announced that it will provide its technology to the South Side Area School District in Beaver County, Pennsylvania. ZeroEyes’ platform is purpose-built to detect visible weapons in real-time, identifying guns before any violent threats can occur. ZeroEyes’ software integrates with an organisation’s existing camera systems and video analytics to detect weapons in real time. As soon as a visibl...

Maxxess Systems, a globally renowned company in event response management and collaboration systems, is pleased to announce that they have entered into a global strategic partnership with WaveLynx Technologies, leveraging complementary technology innovations and a shared focus on expanding market adoption of mobile access control. Ethos Readers and LEAF credentials Maxxess Systems will serve as a reseller of WaveLynx Ethos Readers and LEAF credentials, and will develop an end-to-end mobile acc...

Security industry expert Tina D’Agostin has joined Alcatraz as Chief Revenue Officer. D’Agostin brings deep enterprise security and building technology experience that will accelerate Alcatraz’s go-to-market strategy for its revolutionary facial authentication platform for physical access control. D’Agostin will oversee sales, marketing, and customer success for Alcatraz’s enterprise customers. “I am thrilled to have Tina D’Agostin join Alcatraz as CRO,...