First Alert - Experts & Thought Leaders

The Association of University Chief Security Officers (AUCSO), the renowned organisation for security professionals working in Higher and Further Education around the world, is to host its first European Region Winter Conference at Leiden University in the Netherlands.  The Conference, which takes place from Wednesday, 27 November 2024 until Friday, 29 November 2024, is free to all AUCSO members. European Winter Conference Benny Vandenberghe, Chair of the European Region for AUCSO will open the Conference followed by a welcome from Professor Mr. Dr. E.R. Muller, Vice-Rector and Professor in Safety, Security and Law, and Leo Harskamp from Leiden University. Day One will begin with a session on ‘How UCare and Mental crisis intervention supports mental well-being at Ghent University’ followed by ‘Mental support after shocking events and crisis interventions: what can or should be done? Both these sessions will be led by Gunther Groenwals and Sarah Vermeersch from Ghent University in Belgium. Afternoon session Eric Lanxner from Université Libre de Bruxelles and Leo Harskamp from Leiden University will also lead a session The afternoon will see a session on ‘Horizon scanning and foresight – the added value of tools’ led by Leo Harskamp from Leiden University followed by ‘First Alert and ways to utilise it’ with Gus Hodson from Dataminr. Eric Lanxner from Université Libre de Bruxelles and Leo Harskamp from Leiden University will also lead a session on ‘Physical security – counter criminal and counter-terrorism’. Day Two session Day Two will see sessions on ‘Protests as a daily business’ with Jaap Weijermans from Universiteit van Amsterdam and long-term partner of AUCSO, Critical Arc, will be presenting its emergency management planning tool, Safezone, which is rapidly becoming the most widely-used and trusted technology of its kind. There will also be an interactive session on ‘What should AUCSO Europe focus on’ and announcements of what’s coming up in 2025. The Conference will be closed by Benny Vandenberghe, Chair of the European Region for AUCSO. Topical and interactive sessions Julie Barker, Chief Operating Officer, of AUCSO, said, "We are excited to be hosting our first European Region Winter Conference at Leiden University in the Netherlands and we are looking forward to welcoming many of our AUCSO members and colleagues from Higher Education in Poland, Switzerland, Finland, Belgium, and the Netherlands." Julie Barker adds, "It’s going to be a jam-packed agenda of topical and interactive sessions together with lots of opportunities for networking and having some fun too."

The Electronic Security Expo (ESX) is proud to announce the winners of the 2024 Innovation Awards, recognising excellence and innovation within the electronic security and life safety industry. These prestigious awards highlight next-generation products and services that present significant growth opportunities for integrator companies. A comprehensive set of criteria An independent panel of judges selected the winners based on a comprehensive set of criteria, including ingenuity, applicability, response to market needs, and more. The 2024 ESX Innovation Awards Judging Panel, led by Preston Atkins, Systems Engineer at Certified Alarm Co. of AL Inc., also included Richard Tampier, VP of Everon Solutions, Jamie Byrd, VP of Business Development at Security Central, and Gregory R. Breyer, Director of Fire Business Development at Zeus Fire & Security. ESX extends its gratitude to these judges for their dedication and expertise in recognising forward-thinking ideas within the security industry. Efficiency and profitability "The ESX Innovation Award winners showcase the industry's pioneering-edge advancements,” explains ESX Chairman, George De Marco. “These innovative products and services are driving efficiency and profitability. Congratulations to this year's outstanding innovators for shaping the future of security and life safety technology." 2024 ESX Innovation Award Winners ESX congratulates the visionary companies behind these breakthrough technologies. Winners are listed in alphabetical order by category: Access Control/ ID Systems Readers / Keypads AC-2DM by Aiphone Fire/ Life Safety Detection Appliances – Smoke / Heat / Gas Detection Services FireProtect 2 RB (Heat/Smoke/CO) UL Jeweller by Ajax Systems Cellular / Radio Communications Super Dual ™ StarLink Fire Max2 Supervised Dual SIM/ Dual Path Communicator by NAPCO Security Technologies Inc. Installation/ Service Tools Tools / Testers Camerashine Surveillance Cleaning Kit– Clean Any Camera Safely from the Ground by Camerashine Systems Design / LifeCycle Maintenance – Commercial System Surveyor 2.0 by System Surveyor Intrusion Systems Outdoor Detection MotionCam Outdoor (PhOD) Jeweller by Ajax Systems Monitoring (Central Station) Alarm Monitoring for End User Patented Becklar Engage Platform– an AI-Powered Platform that Makes a Difference in the Moments that Matter by Becklar Smart Home IT / Networking Araknis 920-Series Switch by Snap One Home Automation / Home Control Systems Control4 Halo Touch Remote by Snap One Specialty Products & Services Power Supplies & Batteries CP1500PFCRM2U PFC Sinewave Short-Depth UPS System by CyperPower Systems Video Surveillance Managed Video Advanced Interactive Video Monitoring and Remote Guarding Solution – Eyeforce by Becklar Video Analytics Alarm.com: AI Deterrence (AID) by Alarm.com Video Management Software Eagle Eye 911 Camera Sharing/ Eagle Eye 911 Public Safety Sharing Complete by Eagle Eye Networks Megapixel / HD Cameras First Alert VX3 HD Outdoor Camera by Resideo IP Cameras TurretCam (8 Mp/2.8mm) by Ajax Systems The ESX Innovation Awards continue to spotlight the innovative efforts of companies that are shaping the future of the security and life safety industry. The awards ceremony will take place during the ESX 2024 Expo, where attendees can explore these innovative products and services. TechVision challenge TechVision Challenge is an opportunity for manufacturers and service providers The TechVision Challenge is a Shark Tank Style Competition held at ESX where judges recognise outstanding products and services that drive the electronic security and life safety industry forward. The TechVision Challenge is an opportunity for manufacturers and service providers to come up with innovative end-user offerings and tools that help dealers, integrators, and monitoring professionals become more efficient and profitable. Judging criteria The selection of the winner is based on specific judging criteria that include: Features & Functions Aesthetic & Design Qualities Groundbreaking or Innovative Improving End User Experience Overall WOW Factor Improves Efficiency Increases Company Value Regulatory Compliance It is up to each contestant to prepare their presentations for the competition and the TechVision Challenge judging criteria will be used to determine what product or service will be named Best of Show for ESX 2024. Interactive judging panel In 2024, 9 participants from the Innovation Awards judging process were invited to compete in the TechVision Challenge and an interactive judging panel of a minimum of 3 judges watched the presentations. The judges then have up to 12 minutes for each presentation to judge each product. In 2024, they had incredible products in the competition for “Best of Show”, but the ultimate winner was Ajax Systems for the FireProtect 2 RB (Heat/Smoke/CO) UL Jeweller with runner-up Eagle Eye Networks for their Eagle Eye 911 Camera Sharing/ Eagle Eye 911 Public Safety Sharing Complete.

Resideo Technologies, a pioneering global provider of solutions for home comfort, security and safety, unveiled the First Alert® VX5 Indoor Camera at ISC West 2024 (exhibitor stand #10047). The indoor camera is the latest addition to the award-winning First Alert VX  Series – which includes the First Alert Outdoor Camera and Video Doorbell – and it features accurate artificial intelligence (AI) event detection, a unique automated privacy mode and flexible installation options that meet the needs of professional security dealers. Deliver end-to-end solutions “We’re committed to expanding the coverage and functionality of our security offerings to deliver end-to-end solutions that deliver new services and business growth for our professional security customers,” said Pat Tessier, Senior Director of Product Marketing at Resideo. “Resideo’s First Alert cameras and professionally installed systems offer a platform that can be fully connected – from the outdoors, to the front door and inside – providing complete home security protection for customers.” Offers of indoor camera  The indoor camera offers: Advanced event detection: Intelligent capabilities detect people, pets, and vehicles, helping to keep family and belongings safe and secure even when users aren’t at home. High-quality video and audio: Sharp, two-megapixel resolution provides both day and night vision and a wide field of view. Two-way talk enables user engagement and interaction. Privacy mode: Users can select Privacy Mode from the app or by pushing a button on the camera to activate its built-in privacy shield, which prevents the camera from recording video and audio. By integrating with the ProSeries security panel, the privacy shield opens effortlessly when the system is armed and closes when the system is disarmed. One-App control of the connected home: Resideo’s Total Connect 2.0 app puts control of the home security system in the hands of home users, providing easy access to arm, disarm, and check alerts for their security system. Resideo’s security offerings The First Alert Indoor Camera complements Resideo's existing professional security offerings and provides a whole-home awareness, intrusion and security platform. Security dealers can offer flexible installation options and a variety of AlarmNet 360 video service plans to deepen recurring monthly revenue.   The indoor camera will be available at ADI Global Distribution, a Resideo company, this summer. Homeowners interested in Resideo’s security offerings can visit the website.

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.