Calipsa- Experts & Thought Leaders

Motorola Solutions, a globally renowned company in public safety and enterprise security solutions, announced that it has opened an innovation hub in Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom (UK), expanding its mobile video, video security and access control businesses, while creating new employment and commercial opportunities for Scotland. Motorola Solutions’ Edinburgh R&D (research & development) teams will focus on cloud-based evidence management software, video security solutions and body-worn cameras, highlighting the Scottish capital’s global reputation for strong engineering talent and position as the U.K.’s top innovation city outside of London. New Edinburgh facility opened “The opening of Motorola Solutions’ new Edinburgh facility is a real vote of confidence and again highlights the attractiveness of investing in Scotland,” said Angus Robertson, the Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture. Innovation is key to ensuring that Scotland is able to develop smart digital solutions" Angus Robertson adds, “Innovation is key to ensuring that Scotland is able to develop smart digital solutions, to meet the needs of the future. The Motorola Solutions Innovation Hub will contribute to this work by creating video security and evidence management solutions for emergency services, not just in Scotland but internationally as well.” Investment in video security capabilities The company has invested significantly in video security capabilities, over the past four years, including the acquisitions of U.K. companies, including Edesix, IndigoVision, Ava Security and Calipsa. The acquired solutions are integrated into Motorola Solutions’ technology ecosystem, which unites voice, video, software and AI (artificial intelligence), in order to help public safety agencies and enterprises better detect and analyse events, seamlessly communicate and respond appropriately in any situation. Video security and access control to play key role “Video security and access control are playing a more powerful role in helping our customers understand and respond to rapidly evolving safety and security challenges now more than ever,” said Jack Molloy, the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Motorola Solutions. Jack Molloy adds, “This is the fastest growing part of our business, and our Edinburgh team will be instrumental in continuing to design advanced technologies that enhance safety, security and operational efficiency, reaffirming our leadership in this space.” Video security innovations from Scotland Motorola Solutions’ video security innovations from Scotland are trusted by thousands of organisations Motorola Solutions’ video security innovations from Scotland are trusted by thousands of organisations worldwide, including U.K.-based NHS England ambulance trusts, National Highways and the Co-op, as well as international organisations, such as the French Ministry of the Interior, Malta Police, MetrôRio and Romanian Border Police. “Edinburgh has a proven track record for some of the most exciting advancements in video innovation,” said Richie McBride, the Senior Director of International Mobile Video at Motorola Solutions, adding “Our growing local presence reinforces Motorola Solutions’ commitment to investing in diverse talent, to create next-generation, mission-critical technologies that are depended on by frontline workers all over the world.” Motorola’s new Edinburgh office The Edinburgh office supports employees across Scotland in both on-premise and hybrid working roles and is focused on recruiting the U.K.’s best software developers, engineers, sales and marketing talent. Further details of available roles can be found on Motorola Solutions’ careers website. The Edinburgh office is located at Caledonian Exchange, on the 1st Floor, 19a Canning Street, Edinburgh, EH3 8EG, Scotland, in the United Kingdom (UK).

Motorola Solutions announces it has acquired Calipsa, Inc., a pioneer in cloud-native advanced video analytics based in London, U.K. Calipsa’s scalable platform enables businesses to optimize security with AI-powered analytics that verify alarms, enable content-based searches, detect tampering and assess the health of cameras in real-time. The solution is relied upon by enterprise and security monitoring customers around the world. Cloud-based technology Both Calipsa and Motorola Solutions share the mission of keeping enterprises and communities safe" “We believe AI, spanning from the edge to the cloud, is driving the future of video security,” said Greg Brown, Chairman, and CEO, Motorola Solutions. “With Calipsa, we can rapidly extend our intelligent analytics across any video security solution and support the accelerating trend of enterprises using cloud technologies to enhance safety and security.” Calipsa’s unique cloud-based technology allows customers to add AI to existing IP-based cameras without additional hardware, enabling new analytics capabilities on the millions of IP-based cameras already deployed. “Both Calipsa and Motorola Solutions share the mission of keeping enterprises and communities safe,” said Mohammad Rashid, CEO, Calipsa. “Joining the Motorola Solutions team enables us to accelerate the development and broaden the reach of our innovative technologies that transform video from a retroactive investigative tool into a proactive response tool.” The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

SureView Systems, the globally renowned open response platform provider for running security operations and Calipsa, a market-renowned provider of deep-learning powered video analytics for false alarm reduction, have announced the integration of their cloud-based flagship technologies. The integration of Calipsa’s software with SureView’s next-generation physical security information management (PSIM) platform improves the ability of security command centres to manage and respond to video alarm events. Calipsa – SureView Systems partnership Calipsa’s false alarm reduction software easily integrates with the SureView PSIM platform and quickly deploys with no on-premises hardware required. Once a video alarm is triggered on a connected camera, a SureView server sends video to a Calipsa server, where algorithms look for human and vehicle movement before returning genuine alarms. Filtering up to 95% of false alarms significantly reduces the chance of SOC operators missing or being delayed in their response to an actual event. The filtering process takes about a second to complete. False alarm reduction technology - PSIM platform integration Brian Baker, the Chief Revenue Officer for Calipsa, said the integration of false alarm reduction technology into the PSIM platforms is an example of SureView’s dedication to protecting its customer’s people and assets. Brian Baker stated, “SureView's PSIM platforms automatically filter and prioritise input from multiple disparate security and related systems, to present the SOC with alarms and events requiring immediate attention. The addition of our software vastly reduces false alarms, enabling operators to respond more effectively and efficiently, without unnecessary delays.” Reduction in false alarms helps SOCs The number of video alarms in a typical SOC can overwhelm even the best-trained staff" Simon Morgan, the Chief Product Manager of SureView Systems, said the integration of Calipsa false alarm software is a valuable enhancement for users of SureView’s next-generation PSIM platforms. Simon Morgan stated, “The number of video alarms in a typical SOC can overwhelm even the best-trained staff. This partnership with Calipsa virtually eliminates nuisance alarms and the many operational bottlenecks they cause. End-users may deploy the Calipsa software right out of the box with our PSIM platform.” Technology integration Calipsa’s artificial intelligence-based false alarm reduction software uses deep-learning technology to automatically identify humans and vehicles, while ignoring alarms generated by weather, blowing foliage or stray animals. SureView’s open, easy-to-use PSIM platform uses AI to help SOCs improve security outcomes, by providing operators with the data and procedures required, in order to resolve alarm situations shown on a single display. The PSIM platform is available in a Software as a Service (SaaS) model, enabling end users to subscribe to additional services, as security needs change.

Consolidation is a dominant trend in the security marketplace. Large companies typically swallow up smaller companies as a means of expanding both their technology portfolios and their geographic reach. Sometimes a big fish is swallowed up by an even bigger fish.   Despite the pandemic and resulting economic challenges, the security market has continued to be a desirable environment for both big players and startups, which then provide abundant acquisition targets for the larger companies. Acquisitions of Motorola Motorola Solutions has been among the most acquisitive of the larger players, recently adding several smaller companies to their growing portfolio. Just this year, Motorola has acquired Ava Security, a video security and analytics company; Calipsa, another analytics company; and Videotec, an Italian provider of ruggedized video solutions for critical infrastructure applications. Video solutions that help to enhance safety and streamline operations while supporting customers In one announcement, Motorola chairman and CEO Greg Brown stated the goal of acquisitions is “to support our customers’ evolving security needs by expanding our portfolio of intelligent video solutions that help to enhance safety and streamline operations.” Previously, Motorola Solutions acquired Envysion, a video analytics company for the retail market. On the access control side, Motorola acquired Openpath Security, a cloud-based, mobile access control provider, in 2021. Motorola entered the video surveillance business back in 2018 with the acquisition of Avigilon for around $1 billion. Also now a part of Motorola are IndigoVision and Pelco, among others. ACRE's mergers and acquisition Another company active in the mergers and acquisition market has been ACRE (Access Control Related Enterprises). The company began with a spinoff from Ingersoll Rand in 2012 to become Vanderbilt Industries. As ACRE, the parent company has been active both in acquisitions and divestitures over the next decade. Vanderbilt grew with the acquisition of Siemens’ Security Products in 2015. ACRE owned Mercury Security, a manufacturer of OEM hardware used by access control companies, from 2013 until it was sold to HID Global in 2017. The acquisition of Razberi enhances the ComNet portfolio while providing complementary technologies ACRE’s more recent access control acquisitions are RS2 Technologies (in 2019), Open Options (2018), Feenics (2021), and Matrix Systems (2021). They acquired ComNet, a manufacturer of video and data transmission equipment, in 2016. The acquisition of Razberi (in 2020) enhances the ComNet portfolio and provides complementary technologies to the access control brands. Acquisition of ACRE ACRE itself was acquired by European investment firm Triton in 2021, and Joseph Grillo, the company’s founder and CEO, announced his retirement in 2022. His knowledge of the security and access control markets helped to drive the company’s growth, including 11 successful acquisitions in all. Securitas acquiring Stanley Security  The acquisition of Stanley Security is transformational for both Securitas and the security industry Stanley Security has also made headlines. In December 2021, Securitas signed an agreement to acquire the Electronic Security Business from Stanley Black & Decker for $3.2 billion in cash. Securitas President and CEO Magnus Ahlqvist says, “the acquisition of Stanley Security is transformational for both Securitas and the security industry.” Allegion plc, global security products and solutions provider, later signed an agreement to acquire Stanley Access Technologies and assets related to the automatic entrance solutions business from Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. for $900 million. Acquisition by HID Global, ADT Inc. & Allied Universal HID Global has acquired Vizinex RFID, thus increasing its presence and relevance in key vertical markets, including healthcare/medical, manufacturing, oil and gas, data centres, etc. and adding a key technology to HID Global’s RFID tag portfolio. ADT Inc. recently expanded its geographic reach with the acquisition of Key-Rite Security, a locally owned and operated security provider specializing in access control, surveillance, intrusion, and intercom systems in Colorado and for customers across the United States. Allied Universal continues its strategic growth with the acquisition of Attenti Group, an electronic monitoring company Allied Universal has acquired Star Protection Agency, the largest Hawaiian-owned and veteran-owned security company in the state. Although Star is primarily a guard patrol service, with workers at 125 sites throughout the state, it provides a range of security technology and consulting services. Internationally, Allied Universal continues its strategic growth with the acquisition of Attenti Group, an electronic monitoring company. Allied Universal will integrate Attenti Group with G4S Monitoring Technologies, to create Allied Universal Electronic Monitoring Services. SALTO Systems making acquisition news Also internationally, SALTO Systems has made acquisition news by investing in Bluefield Smart Access, thus strengthening their portfolio of access control solutions. SALTO Systems is a manufacturer of electronic access control and operating system solutions, designed to provide a seamless, keyless and mobile experience for modern buildings. Also joining the SALTO Group is Cognitec Systems, a face recognition company. The goal is to strengthen their research, development and market reach while working with SALTO on new technologies for expanding biometric markets. SALTO strategically selected Cognitec Systems to meet market requests for adding face recognition and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to the company’s electronic access control and ticketing solutions. Acquisitions by MOBOTIX and Resideo Technologies  Resideo Technologies, Inc. entered into an agreement to acquire First Alert, Inc., a provider of home safety products Further, on the international scene, MOBOTIX has reached an agreement to acquire Vaxtor Group, Tres Cantos, Spain, an artificial intelligence (AI) based video analytics provider, specializing in Optical Character Recognition (OCR) and Deep Learning technologies. On the residential system's front, Resideo Technologies, Inc. entered into an agreement to acquire First Alert, Inc., a provider of home safety products, from Newell Brands Inc. for $593 million in an all-cash transaction. Established in 1969 and based in Aurora, Illinois, First Alert offers a strong omnichannel presence serving end-users directly through retail and e-commerce channels and professional contractors through relationships with distributors and home builders.

The advantages of security systems as forensic and investigative tools are well understood and demonstrated in the market. However, the new trend is toward systems that are useful in real-time and that even predict a security event, before it happens. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: Which security systems are becoming more proactive than reactive?

Topics that dominated our website’s Expert Panel Roundtable articles in 2021 included the effects of COVID-19, the benefits of mobile access, the upcoming potential of deep learning, and the future of access control cards. Our website’s Expert Panel Roundtable discussions in 2021 reflected some of the most timely and important topics in the industry. The very most clicked-on Expert Panel Roundtable discussion in 2021 considered the positive and negative effects of COVID-19. The second most popular was trends in perimeter security technology. Smart video solutions Here is a roundup of the Top 10 Expert Panel Roundtable discussions posted in 2021, along with a ‘sound bite’ from each discussion and links back to the full articles. Thanks to everyone who contributed to Expert Panel Roundtable in 2021 (including the quotable panelists named and linked below). The pandemic has impacted security in many ways, some we are just now realising" What are the positive and negative effects of COVID-19 to security? “The pandemic has impacted security in many ways, some we are just now realising. On the negative side, integrators were limited in their ability to access customer locations, posing significant challenges to supporting customers. Innovation was also halted in many sectors – such as AI and edge computing in healthcare. However, the pandemic increased awareness regarding the need for smart solutions that can aid in these types of crises. Smart video solutions have been identified repeatedly in the media as a potential pathway to better customer experience and increased safety.” – Alexander Harlass. Reducing false alarms What are the latest trends in perimeter security technology? “What’s really important in perimeter security is the minimisation of false alarms, not simply the potential detection of what might be an unauthorised person or object. In light of that, many systems now include alarm validation that can confirm an alarm event using a camera. The utilisation of AI-based technologies can further validate the accuracy of the alarm, making it as accurate and precise as possible. I anticipate seeing more cross-technological integrations to reduce false alarms, so that personnel in an alarm center spend as little time as possible in validating an alarm.” – Leo Levit. What will be the biggest security trends in 2021? “2021 will see artificial intelligence (AI) become more mainstream. There will be increased deployment in edge devices, including cameras, thermographic cameras, radar and LIDAR sensors, entry point readers, etc. Additional algorithms will be developed, greatly expanding the use and function as video surveillance transitions from a forensic tool to real-time analytics. This increases the value of these systems and helps create ROI cases for their deployment.” – Tim Brooks. Access control solutions Investments in tools and platforms to drive digital interactions have accelerated" What will be the security industry’s biggest challenge in 2021? “The security industry is traditional in the sense that it relies heavily on face-to-face interaction to do business with customers and partners alike. COVID-19 has put a hold on in-person meetings, trade shows, etc., and this trend is likely to extend throughout 2021. Virtually recreating these personal touchpoints, while cultivating and strengthening internal and external relationships, will continue to be both a challenge and opportunity for the security industry. Investments in tools and platforms to drive digital interactions have accelerated.” – Robert Moore. What are the challenges and benefits of mobile access control? “Mobile access control solutions are an exciting innovation in a market where the day-to-day user experience hasn’t changed much in the last 20 years. One area that has clear benefits and challenges is in improving the user experience. On one hand, physical credentials are expensive and a hassle to administer; however, they work reliably, quickly, and predictably. Mobile credentials are convenient in that everyone already has a smartphone, and you don’t have to admin or carry cards; however, when you’re actually standing at the door they need to work as well or better than physical credentials, or the benefits are lost.” – Brian Lohse. Attacking critical infrastructure What are the security challenges of protecting critical infrastructure? “It seems so often we hear about a new threat or cyber-attack in the news. Because of the rapid growth in technology over the last few years, cybercriminals are getting bolder and discovering new ways to attack critical infrastructure. One of the biggest challenges boils down to the capabilities of the operating security system and whether the organisation is aware of the current risks they face. Because there are so many points of entry for cybercriminals to target within critical infrastructure, it is vital that the security solution be prepared for attacks at every level.” – Charles (Chuck) O’Leary. They are more aware when they make physical contact with doors and interfaces" Which security technologies will be useful in a post-pandemic world? “People have become more sensitised to crowds and personal space. They are more aware when they make physical contact with doors and interfaces. As the pandemic subsides, these habits will likely remain for a majority of people." "Utilising AI-based cameras to accurately monitor the number of people in a room or in a queue will enable staff to take action to improve the customer experience. For example, AI-based analytics can quickly notify security or operations when people are waiting at a door and initiate 2-way audio for touchless access.” – Aaron Saks. Central monitoring station What is the potential of deep learning in physical security and surveillance? “Deep learning, a subset of artificial intelligence, enables networks to train themselves to perform speech, voice, and image recognition tasks." In video surveillance, these networks learn to make predictions through highly repetitive exposure" "In video surveillance, these networks learn to make predictions through highly repetitive exposure to images of humans and vehicles from a camera feed. That ability is ideal for use with drones patrolling perimeters seeking anomalies or in software that significantly reduces the number of false alarms reported to central monitoring station operators. Through use, the software continues improving its accuracy.” – Brian Baker. Valuable audit trail How soon will access control cards become extinct and why? “Access control cards will go the way of the dinosaur, but they still have some life left in them. For the short term, they have plenty of utility in minimum security use cases and leave a valuable audit trail. But for companies that are more technology-centric, particularly those with high value assets, we’re seeing demand for next-generation access control, which includes increased integration with video surveillance systems and professional monitoring services.” – Sean Foley. Which security markets are embracing touchless and contactless systems? “Touchless technology is not a new trend, but contactless systems and transactions have surged since the COVID-19 pandemic. Even after the pandemic is over, it is likely public perception of what is hygienic and acceptable in public spaces will have changed. [We are] seeing an uptick in touchless access control systems in the education and flexible office space markets.” – Brooke Grigsby.