Dahua Technology Ltd- Experts & Thought Leaders

About a year and a half ago, Peter de Jong introduced Dahua to Fred Koks, General Manager of KITT Engineering.  Since then, Dahua, KITT Engineering and Ocean Outdoor have completed five joint projects together. Follow-up appointments for the next two projects are already scheduled. "Let's see what happens," was Fred's reaction when introduced to Dahua. ''We evaluate our portfolio with suppliers every year,'' he explained. “We have to. So much is changing and new technology is developing incredibly fast. You have to keep up.” He knows better than anyone how mobile the market is. “Among suppliers of LED screens, there is a constant battle for market position and new technology. We all know the big providers and the market leaders. But it is not necessarily that they are also at the forefront of technology.” Indoor shopping centre But the initial learnings and experience with the screen were very good before we started" Erwin van Domselaar, Operations & Project Manager at Ocean Outdoor, says his company dares to blindly trust the expertise of Koks and his people when choosing a particular type of LED screen. "KITT Engineering is our technical supplier. They are very good at distinguishing good products from bad products, and we trust them completely on this. When they have a product they see a future in, they discuss it with us to see if we can take on a project together with it." In Dahua's case, that first project is a screen in a shopping centre called Koperwiek – an indoor shopping centre with more than a hundred fashion-related shops – located in Capelle aan den Ijssel. "That was a relatively small project," Erwin recalls. "The screen was not too big. But the initial learnings and experience with the screen were very good before we started. And the installation itself went off without a hitch. Exactly what we expected from this product." Not regarding the screen, but its coincidence with the renovation of the shopping centre Very pleasant cooperation Soon, a second project was launched. This time in a shopping centre called Sterrenburg in Dordrecht. "Here, not everything went smoothly right away. Not regarding the screen, but its coincidence with the renovation of the shopping centre.” “They had actually just finished. All the walls had been neatly plastered and at that moment we asked if a new cable could be drawn. Fortunately, all this was eventually dealt with and solved in a very pleasant cooperation with the project developer, but it took some time." We are always looking for something new and surprising Pure craftsmanship The third and fourth projects are true masterpieces. In Hoofddorp, KITT Engineering installed a corner screen. "A unique screen for us," says Erwin. "It is the first screen that goes around a corner. It is half a meter that goes around the corner, fitting in super nicely with the surroundings. On paper, a huge screen of forty square meters, but when you stand there, you don't notice it because it blends in so well with the surroundings. We are always looking for something new and surprising. And a screen that turns around the corner offers a lot of new possibilities. For example, in terms of 3D content." Trying various techniques The screen doesn't just go around the corner, it goes around the corner seamlessly" Fred adds: "The screen doesn't just go around the corner, it goes around the corner seamlessly. KITT is always trying to bring novelties forward so we've had corner screens before. But that was in art projects and things like that where requirements are a lot lower.” “In the process, we were able to try out various techniques and we also found out that the products we had at our disposal at that time were not one hundred percent ready. Then Dahua came up with a prototype, we were very pleased with the 'cold corner' as we call it. It is really LED on LED, without a seam." Making image seamless To understand how clever this feat of engineering is, it's worth realising that the margin you have to make the image seamless is the space between two LEDs. Millimeter work, on a length of ten by five meters. "The fourth project was placing a screen in the atrium of Zuidplein shopping centre in RoFerdam," Peter says. "The screen was placed against a glass elevator. When you see that, [it is] not normal the way it came together. You don't see a cable or anything. Really fantastic." For instance, it prevents the light intensity from being too high Monitoring primary system The fifth project collaboration between Dahua, KITT Engineering and Ocean Outdoor is a LED display screen in Westfield Mall of the Netherlands.  Something that can have major consequences in outdoor advertising In addition to the regular LED screen and the driving system, a screen control and monitoring system was also developed to monitor the primary system at every point. “We want to see remotely how our assets in the country are doing," Fred explains. From the video player to dysfunctional LEDs, everything can be monitored remotely. For instance, it prevents the light intensity from being too high. Something that can have major consequences in outdoor advertising.

AI is empowering a new generation of advanced, efficient security systems. In the field of education, AI is also facilitating the digital and intelligent upgrading of schools and institutions from K12 to universities. AI applications such as smart identification, deep learning and intelligent analysis greatly reduce manpower costs, while improving the security level and management efficiency at the same time. AI-enabled innovative teaching methods can help enhance engagement in both remote and in-person classes, and promote a conducive learning environment for students. Utilising advanced technologies To give the users a better understanding of how can schools benefit from utilising advanced technologies like AI, here’s a list of some of its campus applications: Contents and materials can be conveniently shared on the screen that supports 9 split screens and 4k UHD Improve teaching performance with Dahua Deephub - Digitalisation in the education sector has become a global trend. With the unprecedented offline-to-online transition of many classrooms, modern interactive whiteboard and blackboard have emerged. The Dahua DeepHub Smart Interactive Whiteboard, for instance, provides an array of features including multifunctional writing, wireless projection, conference content sharing, etc., making it an ideal learning and teaching tool for classrooms and meeting rooms where demonstration, information sharing and document management are needed. The Dahua DeepHub offers low writing parallax for a paper-like writing experience. Contents and materials can be conveniently shared on the screen that supports 9 split screens and 4k UHD. Education software solution The device is equipped with built-in camera and microphone ideal for life-like face-to-face video conferencing. It supports various educational tools and offers centralised device management. In addition, the Dahua DeepHub is not just a powerful teaching tool with display capability, but also an all-in-one solution for interactive and hybrid education. In Dahua DeepHub classroom, distance and education constraints are reduced by technology With education software solution, teachers can present their pre-made interactive courses on Dahua DeepHub. They can utilise digital education tools such as virtual ruler, protractor, etc. or even interactive games with the students for a more lively class. Students can also participate and collaborate in the classroom or at home, using their own devices, to receive content, take a quiz, project their outcomes, or write on the same canvas. In Dahua DeepHub classroom, distance and education constraints are reduced by technology. Hybrid teaching solutions Alternatively, consider an all-in-one smart blackboard. With highly integrated design, it combines traditional blackboard writing with the advantages of touch screen, providing interactive human-computer enjoyment for classroom. Broadcasting and recording system for hybrid teaching - Normalcy and resource imbalance during the pandemic have prompted developing countries to accelerate hybrid teaching solutions. Broadcasting and recording server can integrate with multi-channel video streams With Dahua smart education solutions, teachers don't have to worry about students who can't participate in in-person classes. An intelligent camera such as the recently released 8MP WizMind Classroom Network Camera can automatically track and capture a teacher's lecture through AI algorithm. It also supports detection of class behaviours such as standing up, writing on the board, walking, etc. Broadcasting and recording server can integrate with multi-channel video streams to vividly restore the classroom scene, providing an immersive remote learning experience for students in different locations. Access control system Prevent unauthorised entry into campus - Campus entrances and exits are areas vulnerable to external threats. A robust entrance and exit access control system is imperative in building the school’s first major line of defence. For example, installing an AI-enabled access control system can effectively prevent unauthorised entry into the campus, library, teaching buildings, dormitories and other school premises. Aside from that, the latest data management technology can be used to meet the daily needs of schools and students (e.g. attendance, visitors, vehicles). Installing an AI-enabled access control system can effectively prevent unauthorised entry Likewise, perimeter protection, the technology behind tripwire and line crossing function, plays a vital role in preventing invasions in surrounding areas or unauthorised access to regulated places. When unauthorised personnel and vehicles are detected, the system will send a real-time alarm to notify the control room, which can help eliminate security risks in the campus. Machine learning helps reduce false alarms by filtering out irrelevant objects like leaves, branches and even animals. Eliminating security risks Detect violent actions in real time - Globally, school violence and bullying remain a serious problem. A report by UNESCO and the Institute of School Violence Prevention at Ewha Womans University (Seoul, South Korea) indicated that an estimated 246 million (20%) children and adolescents were subjected to some form of school violence each year. One of the recommended priority actions is to establish reporting systems and improve the collection of data and evidence. For campus safety, comprehensive security systems have already integrated emergency management features. With the help of an AI sensor, 3D cameras with stereo analysis capabilities can identify fights, falls and other possible violent behaviours through deep learning. With real-time alarm in place, the school’s security personnel can be informed in time about possible emergencies such as violence and falls, allowing them to intervene or respond accordingly. A one-button alarm system is also suggested in the campus premises to provide students with the fastest way to ask for help in case of emergencies. Central management software Educating users regarding proper usage of technology and its benefits is strongly encouraged As AI becomes more advanced and continues to gain traction in the security industry, it is imperative to carry out best practices in surveillance monitoring. Educating users regarding proper usage of technology and its benefits is strongly encouraged. Aside from that, data and privacy protection must also be prioritised at all times. Several central management software and platforms combine data and privacy security functions in order to help protect privacy while monitoring. Some of the measures being implemented are minimised data and private information, face/body mosaic technology, as well as security encryption of network transmission, storage, download, and export. Users also have an option to configure the storage duration of each video channel. Overall, these best practices are put into action to help ensure privacy protection and promote responsible monitoring. Harnessing intelligent teaching Taking video-centric AI as its core, Dahua Technology actively contributes to the modernisation of education and aims to create a safe and pleasant environment for students, teachers and staff. Dahua Smart Education Solution adopts all the aforementioned technologies above with focus on safe campus and smart teaching. Furthermore, Dahua also focuses on minimising cheating behaviour in student examinations and on harnessing intelligent teaching and learning platforms for modern digital classrooms. In 2021, Dahua assisted the Egyptian Ministry of Education in regulating the country’s college entrance examination by deploying an examination room network system for 1,800 examination centres. “I am the happiest person on this picture that shows the installation of surveillance cameras in all high schools. This is a step that will raise the efficiency of education, because it will abolish the idea of cheating and will regulate the behaviour of the students and the observer during the examination,” says the spokesperson of the ministry.

Antarctica is the Earth’s southernmost and least populated continent. It holds the world record for the lowest temperature ever measured: −89.2 °C (−128.6 °F). To help cover different scientific bases in the Argentine region of Antarctica, Dahua Technology has donated 15 security cameras specially developed to handle the harsh weather conditions in the “white continent”. These devices enable 24-hour footage, increase contact and connectivity with scientists on the ground and improve knowledge of local fauna and meteorology, allowing scientific research conducted in Antarctica to become more visible in Argentina. Handling extreme weather For this project, Dahua developed a Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) solution that can handle extreme weather conditions. It consists of 4MP Vari-focal Bullet WizMind Network Camera and 2MP Starlight+ PTZ Camera with 33x optical zoom capability to provide clear images of flora and fauna in the region, connecting the distant continent closer to the capital city of Argentina in real time. A customised Thermal Camera was also deployed to monitor the security of the runway and arriving planes, as well as to record the habits of penguins living there even in the dark, paving the way for deeper understanding of scientific research in the region. Coping with low temperature The most difficult part of the project is obtain the specific cameras that can cope with the low temperatures "The most difficult part of the project was to obtain the specific cameras that can cope with the low temperatures and climatic conditions that the region suffers in order to offer an optimal result based on their needs," explained Engineer José Varas, BDM of Dahua Technology. In fact, the continent’s temperature is so extreme that technicians could only stay outside for only 90 seconds. “The main complexity for the installation was obviously the extreme climate of Antarctica during the winter,” said Sebastián Mirich, President of Mirich Electronic Security, which was responsible for the installation. “However, the installation was a success and the cameras are working and withstanding the harsh and demanding Antarctic climate,” he added. Dahua Technology has donated 15 security cameras Providing greater security “In addition to increasing connectivity and showing more closely the activities that are carried out there. It also seeks to provide greater security to the runway every time a plane arrives, something fundamental to continue exploring in this area,” said Julia Anschütz, MarCom Manager of Dahua Technology. Bringing security technology to Antarctica This project has brought advanced security technologies to Antarctica, an unprecedented initiative in the world’s fifth-largest continent. It greatly reflects Dahua’s commitment to integrating digital intelligence technology into environmental protection and sustainability, as well as its unremitting support for ecological research. The equipment and solution provided by Dahua not only assists field researchers and technicians in their daily work, but also creates awareness about the scientific research activities and life in the region, breaking distance boundaries and extreme climate challenges.

The physical security industry is moving fast. Evolving risks, new technologies and business changes all converged and had a profound impact on the industry in 2019. Looking back at our top articles of the year – as measured by those that received the most “clicks” at our website – provides a decent summary of how the industry evolved this year. Timely and important issues in the security marketplace dominated our list of most-clicked-upon articles in 2019. In the world of digital publishing, it’s easy to know what content resonates with the security market: our readers tell us with their actions; i.e., where they click. Let’s look back at the Top 10 articles we posted in 2019 that generated the most page views. They are listed in order here with a brief excerpt. 1. Schneider Electric to sell Pelco to private equity firm Schneider entered exclusive negotiations with Transom Capital Group, a U.S.-based private equity firm, to sell the Pelco business unit. Pelco is a security industry stalwart and global specialist in the design, development, and delivery of end-to-end video surveillance solutions and services including cameras, recording and management systems software. 2. High-tech drones, robots and counter-drone solutions on display From robots to drones to counter-drone solutions, a range of new technologies [was] displayed at ISC West 2019. The Unmanned Security Expo [included] a dedicated complimentary education theater for attendees offering sessions on a range of topics. Also included [were] demos of the best UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles), UGVs (unmanned ground robotics and vehicles) and autonomous systems on the market. 3. Hikvision and Dahua banned from buying U.S. exports In effect, inclusion on the “entities” list restricts the export of equipment to the two companies because of their alleged involvement in “human rights violations and abuses” related to a Chinese government campaign of repression, mass arbitrary detention, and high-technology surveillance against minority groups. Hikvision and Dahua have contracts to sell equipment that provides video surveillance capabilities in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region (XUAR) of China. 4. The many faces of today's facial recognition technology Used proportionately and responsibly, facial recognition can and should be a force for good. It has the ability to do a lot more to increase security in the future. From street crime to airport security, all the way through to helping those battling addiction, the technology can take security and operations to new heights. 5. Security industry trends to be led by focus on cyber security In 2019 With a more open, connected environment come cyber-risk and data privacy concerns – which is why, in the Security Industry Association’s 2019 Security Megatrends, cybersecurity’s impact on the physical security industry ranks number one on the list. Cybersecurity is affecting all areas of the industry landscape, from security implementation to attracting top talent to the workforce. 6. Open Supervised Data Protocol (OSDP): the gold standard for access control installations The Open Supervised Data Protocol (OSDP) is now the industry’s gold standard for physical access control installations. It was designed to offer a higher level of security with more flexible options than the aging, de facto Wiegand wiring standard. OSDP, first introduced in 2011 by the Security Industry Association (SIA), continues to evolve with significant manufacturer input. 7. Honeywell embracing AI, reinvesting in video portfolio Although uses for artificial intelligence (AI) are still emerging in security, Honeywell sees an important role for AI in building a connected system to ensure the safety and security of a building, and more importantly, its occupants. AI allows end users to go beyond monitoring activity on a surface level to really understand the scene – from who exactly is in the area to what they might be doing. 8. A secured entrance is the first defense against an active shooter What the majority of venues [of recent active shooter incidents] have in common is they all have a front entrance or chokepoint for anyone entering the facilities, which is why any active-shooter plan must include a strategy to secure that entry point. 9. Debunking the myths of the security of access control systems One of the areas where we see continued confusion is around access control systems (ACS) that are deployed over networks, particularly in relation to mobile access, smart cards, and electronic locks. These technologies are often perceived as being less secure and therefore more vulnerable to attacks than older ACS systems or devices. In the interest of clearing up any confusion, it is important to provide good, reliable information. 10. At Chubb Fire and Security, ethics is a core concept with practical impact Ethics discussions begin for employees at Chubb when they join the company; clear instructions about ethics are included as part of employee induction. There are nine modules of ethics training during employee orientation, and a discussion with an Ethics and Compliance Officer is part of the onboarding process.

Intelligent solutions, such as those derived from artificial intelligence, help critical infrastructure organisations make sense of vast amounts of data. These integrated applications, such as advanced video analytics and facial recognition, can automatically pinpoint potential breaches and significant events, and send alerts to the appropriate personnel, departments, and agencies. These solutions can be powerful in unifying disparate command centre technologies, fusing critical data input from emergency calls and responder activity to enhance situational awareness. Electrical substations are particularly vulnerable (and in need of extra security) due to their role in power distribution and the nature of their equipment. The challenge power utilities worldwide are facing is finding an affordable solution, which can help detect, deter and facilitate an informed response to a substation security event. Data capture form to appear here! U.S. regulations In the United States, this need is furthered by the physical security mandate CIP-014 issued by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), calling for identification of security issues, vulnerability assessments and deployment of appropriate processes and systems to address. CIP-014 identification of security issues, vulnerability assessments and deployment of appropriate processes and systems to address CIP-104 specifically calls for implemented security plans that include measures to deter, detect, delay, assess, communicate, coordinate and respond to potential physical threats and vulnerabilities. Manufacturers of video and other systems are designing products to serve the critical infrastructure market. For example, Dahua Technology offers explosion-proof cameras with a combination of rugged reliability and superior optics that is a fit for surveillance of explosive and corrosive environments, including chemical plants, refineries, and other facilities in the oil and gas industry. This explosion-proof series of cameras are housed in enclosures that are certified to the ATEX and IECEx standards for equipment in explosive atmospheres. Each explosion-proof camera features Dahua’s Starlight technology for ultra low-light sensitivity and high-definition sensors that deliver clear images in real-time. They are IP68-rated to prevent water and dust ingress. Each explosion-proof camera features Dahua’s Starlight technology for ultra low-light sensitivity and high-definition sensors that deliver clear images in real-time Video footage in extreme temperatures Another manufacturer, Videotec, offers a range of cameras and housings that provide video footage regardless of aggressive external factors, such as ice cold, scorching heat, desert sand, the force of sea or wind, total darkness, pollution, corrosion and even explosive agents. SightSensor thermal systems enable a utility to detect and respond to substation security incidents across multiple sitesSightLogix smart thermal camera systems have been deployed to protect substations for electric utilities and other critical infrastructure facilities. SightSensor thermal systems enable a utility to detect and respond to substation security incidents across multiple sites, ranging from copper theft to vandalism while also meeting regulatory compliance. At each substation facility, Thermal SightSensors are positioned along the perimeter, and are paired with a high-resolution pan-tilt-zoom camera for alarm assessment. When a Thermal SightSensor detects an intruder, the target’s location information is sent over the network to a SightTracker PTZ controller, which automatically zooms and steers PTZ cameras to follow the intruder. The target’s location is also displayed on a topology site map to provide real-time situational awareness. Alarms are sent to the utility’s 24-hour security operations centre, which will contact law enforcement in real time when unauthorised intrusions are detected. Integrated intrusion detection and lighting systems The Senstar LM100 hybrid perimeter intrusion detection and intelligent lighting system is simplifying security at one U.S. electrical utility company. For years, the utility company had integrated its perimeter intrusion detection and lighting systems. The company has now installed the Senstar LM100 which provides detection and lighting in one product and saves them over $80,000 per site. The savings are a result of the reduction of electrical requirements, conduit, grounding, and associated labor, as well as the removal of certain equipment from project scope that are required for the two-system integration. The Senstar LM100’s perimeter LED-based lighting acts as an initial deterrent. If an intruder persists and an attempt to cut, climb or otherwise break through the fence is detected, the closest luminaire begins to strobe, and an alert is sent via a security management system. The intruder knows immediately they have been detected and that their exact location is known by security and others in the vicinity.

Whether it is video analytic platforms to monitor traffic patterns or cameras deployed to help law enforcement ensure public safety, many cities are looking at advancements in video technology. Upgrade costs and technology compatibility issues are often front-and-centre when it comes to blending new technology with existing infrastructure. For example, if the city law enforcement officials want to improve video camera image quality, which can improve the evidentiary value of footage in prosecutions, they may look at newer HD or IP-based video systems.   Upgrading to a hybrid DVR system Applications include perimeter monitoring, public parking, city transportation, square/town safety To stretch a tight budget, a migration plan to an IP-based camera system could be phased in over time by centering the upgrade on a new hybrid DVR system. This way, both existing analogue and newer IP-based cameras can be hooked into the system. For example, Hikvision’s Smart City Solutions include systems for government services, transportation and traffic management, or any combinations of these. Applications include perimeter monitoring, public parking, city transportation, square/town safety and temporary surveillance. Data capture form to appear here! Heart of City strategy Dahua Technology, a video-centric smart IoT solution and service provider, has introduced its ‘Heart of City (HOC)’ strategy, which is in line with the top-level design experience from hundreds of city projects. The strategy is based on the maturity of five technologies – artificial intelligence (AI), big data, cloud computing, IoT and 5G. The combination will enable the evolution of smart city 3.0 and bring great changes to our life, according to Dahua. A 300-plus camera city centre video surveillance scheme in the UK city of Lincoln has been installed and commissioned using Dahua's cameras, monitors and switching equipment A 300-plus camera city centre video surveillance scheme in the UK city of Lincoln has been installed and commissioned using cameras, monitors and switching equipment from Dahua Technology. The design of the new all-wireless encrypted system was based around delivering flexible technology, reducing the total cost of ownership, ease of installation, lower maintenance requirements, smart edge analytics and remote connectivity.   Future-proof radio network design Environmentally friendly aspects of the project included specifying lower-energy equipment, integrating remote support and recycling hardware wherever possible. The installation of the new IP full HD system and network is part of Lincoln’s smart city strategy – Vision 2020 – which seeks to harness new technologies to improve the lives of citizens. One of the results is the provision of free Wi-Fi in the city, working alongside the Dahua cameras using the same IP wireless network. Wearables are another new aspect of city surveillance system. For example, FLIR Systems, Inc. has announced FLIR TruWITNESS, a wearable sensor platform designed for city-level security and public safety operations. TruWITNESS combines video, audio, location data, Internet of Things (IoT) capabilities, and cloud and management software in one solution, allowing organisations to reach a new level of situational awareness. TruWITNESS is worn on an individual’s body or mounted inside vehicles and is designed for any public safety organisation that requires on-scene, real-time mobile surveillance   TruWITNESS is designed for any public safety organisation that requires on-scene, real-time mobile surveillance. Worn on an individual’s body or mounted inside vehicles, TruWITNESS includes visible-video, audio, global navigation satellite system (GNSS), gyroscope, accelerometer and magnetometer sensors. These sensors combine to send alerts and stream data to a central command centre in real-time to ensure full situational awareness and global event handling. Featuring FLIR Neighbor Aware inter-device connectivity, TruWITNESS acts as an IoT device, triggering nearby TruWITNESS devices, fixed and motorised Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) security cameras, and other connected sensors to act upon an alarm event. TruWITNESS becomes a key component of FLIR Systems’ Video Management System, United VMS, which command centres use to manage video surveillance. United VMS combines video, audio, and other related data and makes it available for real-time situation management and forensic purposes. Video analytics for crowd monitoring Crowd monitoring video analytics solutions continuously monitor vast areas instantly alerting police of any overcrowding areas. Qognify’s crowd monitoring video analytics solution was successfully used during the Maratha Morcha in the city of Kolhapur, India, on October 15th, 2016. The system monitored approximately one million protestors through 165 cameras installed across city. Smart threshold alerts were streamed directly into the control room while the crowd was building up, so that action could be taken before the crowd density reached dangerous levels, alleviating crowd safety and stability. Crowd monitoring video analytics solutions monitor vast areas instantly alerting police of any overcrowding areas At the core of the solution is Situator, Qognify’s advanced PSIM/Situation Management solution, which manages a myriad of security systems and sensors, including Qognify’s video management solution, from a newly built state-of-the-art Command and Control Center. Security operators and officials have advanced situational awareness of what is happening in their city and where. Automated, pre-defined Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) were designed, in the local language Marathi, for handling routine security incidents as well as disaster management, ensuring that the most effective response is initiated, and procedures are executed in a consistent manner. Maintaining law, order and safety Qognify also implemented its Safe City solution in Navi Mumbai, a planned township that was established to handle the population overflow from the overcrowded and ever-growing city of Mumbai, India. Together with CIDCO (City and Industrial Development Corporation, the agency established for managing the new city) and system integrator WIPRO, Qognify designed an integrated and holistic solution that helps Navi police to maintain law, order and safety.  Qognify’s Video Management Solution controls hundreds of surveillance cameras As a planned township, Navi Mumbai officials have the benefit of operating in a modern environment, allowing them to maximise Qognify’s Safe City solution. The Qognify Situator is an advanced Situation Management platform, and Qognify’s Video Management Solution controls the hundreds of surveillance cameras throughout the city. Role of standards in smart cities “Standards can assist in successfully deploying a comprehensive [safe cities] system with multiple technologies into a single, cohesive entity,” said Per Björkdahl, Chair of the ONVIF Steering Committee. “With the ability to integrate various sensors and data from many different devices synthesised through one interface, government officials and law enforcement are afforded a more complete picture of their city’s security.” Deployment of facial recognition technology Live video streaming within the smart and safe city’s infrastructure means video’s capabilities can go beyond simple evidence recording and evolve into a tool that allows operations teams to monitor and remediate against incidents as they are happening. Facial recognition technology can be added on to any video surveillance camera that is recording at a high quality This can be taken one step further with the deployment of facial recognition via live streaming video. Facial recognition technology can be added on to any video surveillance camera that is recording at a high enough quality to identify faces. The technology works by capturing video, streaming the live video back to a control centre and matching faces against any watch lists that the control centre owns. Importantly, the data of people who aren’t on watch lists is not stored by the technology. This technology can work to make the city safer in a number of ways. For example, facial recognition could spot a known drug dealer in a city centre where they weren’t supposed to be, or facial recognition could identify if a group of known terror suspects were visiting the same location at the same time, and this would send an alert to the police. Read parts one and three of our Smart Cities miniseries.