i-PRO- Experts & Thought Leaders

The Security Industry Association (SIA) has named 24 recipients for this year’s SIA RISE Scholarship, a program offered through SIA’s RISE community, which supports the education and career development goals of young industry talent and emerging pioneers. Through this scholarship program – open to SIA student members and RISE members who are employees at SIA member companies – each awardee will receive a USD 3,000 scholarship to use toward continuing education and professional development courses, SIA program offerings and/or other academic or education programs. Array of security professionals Scholarship funds can be used to expand knowledge in the areas of business, human resources Scholarship funds can be used to expand knowledge in the areas of business, human resources, information technology, marketing, sales, project management, security engineering, and/or risk management. “SIA congratulates this year’s class of RISE Scholarship awardees – an impressive, diverse array of security professionals and rising stars who are making their mark on our industry,” said SIA CEO Don Erickson. “We are proud to present scholarships to more recipients this year than ever before and honoured to support these inspiring young pioneers as they pursue their educational and career development goals.” RISE Scholarship The winners for this year’s RISE Scholarship are: Zachary Allen, account executive, Convergint Technologies Brianna Bonfondeo, account manager, Traka, ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions Joi Brown, control centre specialist, Rapid Response Monitoring Services Brenda Constantin, account executive, 3Sixty Integrated, a Division of the Cook & Boardman Group Jonathan Crabtree, channel sales specialist, Genetec Taylor Davenport, HR business partner, i-PRO Americas Mason Fanning, end user specialist, ASSA ABLOY Natalie Fetsko, customer success manager, dormakaba Aishwarya Gandhe, senior channel marketing coordinator, North America, Genetec Anish Chandra Jalla, software developer II, Genetec Kajaanei Kajenthiran, security guard, City of Toronto, Canada Will Knehr, senior manager of information assurance and data privacy, i-PRO Americas Ryan Knoll, account executive, Pro-Tec Design Chandni Lalwani, DevOps engineer, HID Global Vincent Malenfer-Henard, security analyst, Genetec Josh Martin, mechanical engineer II, dormakaba Bryn Menzel, director of strategic accounts and marketing, 3millID Corporation Gabriella Moraniec, contracts manager, GSA Schedules Taylor Nevells, digital marketing and content specialist, Wavelynx Juan Pelayo, technical support supervisor, i-PRO Americas Itzel Portillo, marketing specialist, Allegion Joel Searle, program manager, ZBeta Maria Sturges, project coordinator and administrator, Northland Controls Julie Trinh, SDK specialist, Genetec New opportunities in the security industry SIA would also like to thank the following individuals and companies which contributed to the 2024 RISE Scholarship fund.  Tax-deductible donations were made through the Foundation for Advancing Security Talent (FAST), a nonprofit organisation co-founded by SIA and the Electronic Security Association and dedicated to connecting passionate, innovative professionals with new opportunities in the security industry. ADI Allegion Axis Communications Convergint Genetec HID i-PRO Secure Access & Digital Systems Securitas Technology TIME program SIA RISE is a community that fosters the careers of emerging pioneers in the security industry. In addition to the SIA RISE Scholarship, SIA RISE offers fun in-person and virtual networking events for young professionals, the Talent Inclusion Mentorship Education (TIME) program for early and mid-career professionals, the 25 on the RISE Awards, career growth webinars and trade show education tracks and the annual AcceleRISE conference – a unique event designed to ignite new thinking, strengthen leadership and sharpen business acumen in young security talent.  The SIA RISE community is open to all employees at SIA member companies who are young professionals under 40 or have been in the security industry for less than two years; learn more and sign up to join.

i-PRO Co., Ltd. (formerly Panasonic Security), a global pioneer in professional security and public safety solutions, announced a new line of High Zoom Bullet cameras designed to deliver exceptional long-range coverage with advanced edge AI capabilities. Equipped with powerful zoom and IR LED technologies, the new cameras offer unrivaled precision for long-distance monitoring across various environments, such as highways, parking lots, bridges, ports, and stadiums. The new lineup includes 10x and 30x zoom options, complemented by long-range (up to 250m/820ft) infrared (IR) LED capabilities for optimal performance in low-light or nighttime conditions. High Zoom Bullet cameras Available in 2MP, 5MP, and 4K resolutions, the range offers 20 new models across the X- and S-series. "The High Zoom Bullet camera’s superior performance, combined with AI-powered analytics and an industry-renowned 200-metre IR distance, sets a new standard for long-range security monitoring in mission-critical environments, including city surveillance, critical infrastructure, and transportation hubs," said Gerard Figols, Chief Product Officer at i-PRO. AI-driven object detection i-PRO provides the flexibility to tailor the system to meet specific operational needs Featured on X-series models, the powerful Ambarella CV52 SoC incorporates nine pre-installed edge applications, enabling enhanced object detection, AI on-site learning, and smarter incident detection in all conditions. With its open AI development platform for third parties, i-PRO provides the flexibility to tailor the system to meet specific operational needs. Advanced situational awareness X-series models also include the unique ability to add AI analytics to non-AI network cameras, including cameras from other manufacturers. Each X-series camera can collect AI metadata from up to three additional non-AI camera streams, giving advanced situational awareness to legacy cameras in potentially difficult-to-reach areas. i-PRO Active Guard When paired with the award-winning i-PRO Active Guard intelligent search application, a wealth of metadata describing the unique attributes of humans and vehicles is seamlessly delivered to popular Video Management Systems (VMS) like Milestone, Genetec, Video Insight, and others. This not only allows deep forensic search from edge-based AI analytics but also enables real-time proactive monitoring of important events that require immediate attention. LPR-optimised models An advanced Long Wavelength Pass Filter (LPF) enhances plate capture in various lighting conditions Four LPR-optimised models are available for capturing plates at high speeds (up to 130 km/h) during the day or night. An advanced Long Wavelength Pass Filter (LPF) enhances plate capture in various lighting conditions, such as reducing glare from vehicle headlights at night and ensuring high accuracy even in challenging lighting conditions. Vaxtor’s LPR software is bundled with the camera and licenced separately. Third-party application Gerard Figols said, "It’s the first time we are launching a third-party application bundled with our powerful edge computing cameras." He adds, "The native integration of Vaxtor with i-PRO Active Guard demonstrates how our hardware and third-party software partners bring unparalleled value to mission-critical applications like city surveillance and traffic monitoring." Additional features and benefits: Cybersecurity - NDAA and TAA compliant, the line-up is FIPS 140-2 Level 3 certified and features secure boot (X-series) and GlobalSign digital certificates for robust cyber security. Gyro-Based Stabilisation -The integrated gyro sensor improves image stability during long-range zoom operations, reducing vibration and ensuring sharp images, even in challenging conditions. Easy Installation –Installation is simplified with a ball-joint mechanism for flexible angle adjustment and a temporary holding structure. The camera’s sunshade design reduces the impact of external light and rain, further ensuring optimal image quality.

i-PRO Americas Inc. (formerly Panasonic Security), a global pioneer in professional security solutions for security and public safety, announced the integration of Triton ULTRA, a multi-function health, safety, and drug detection device, with its Video Insight VMS. This integration enables educational institutions to enhance campus safety through real-time environmental insights while ensuring full privacy compliance in sensitive areas like bathrooms and locker rooms, where traditional surveillance is not feasible. Key features Triton ULTRA is specifically designed to detect potential health and safety concerns without cameras, audio recording, or collecting personally identifiable information. Key features include: Vape & THC Detection: Utilising eleven unique chemical metrics and AI, Triton ULTRA distinguishes between vape, THC, cigarette smoke, and other aerosols. Aggression and Gunshot Detection: Triton ULTRA’s advanced sound recognition can also detect gunshots and signs of aggression based on sustained noise levels. Keyword Detection: the system also enables schools to detect specific trigger words in multiple languages that immediately alert security personnel to emergencies. People Counting and Loitering Detection: the system can also accurately monitor the number of people in a room and detect loitering with customisable thresholds. Triton ULTRA’s advanced technology Video Insight users can access real-time data from Triton ULTRA’s advanced sensor technology Through the integration, Video Insight users can access real-time data from Triton ULTRA’s advanced sensor technology directly within the VMS dashboard, enabling them to monitor environmental conditions such as chemical levels, noise anomalies, and occupancy.  Using the built-in rule manager, administrators can configure specific event triggers—like changes in air quality or sound detection—and automatically initiate security responses, such as sending alerts or activating cameras. This flexible, rules-based system allows schools to proactively address potential incidents while maintaining privacy in sensitive areas like restrooms and locker rooms. Integrating with Triton ULTRA “Video Insight has built a strong reputation in the education sector for its intuitive interface, ease of use, and low cost of ownership,” said Adam Lowenstein, Product Director at i-PRO Americas. “By integrating with Triton ULTRA, we are further empowering schools to harness cutting-edge analytics for real-time, data-driven insights directly within our video management system. This integration allows schools to take a proactive approach to critical health and safety concerns, like vaping and aggression, without sacrificing privacy. It’s a significant step forward in campus security, delivering enhanced protection where it’s needed most.” i-PRO’s Video Insight With Video Insight VMS’s scalable platform, clubs can easily raise their security systemsWith Video Insight VMS’s scalable platform, institutions can easily expand their security systems as their needs evolve. Whether deployed on-premises or in the cloud, the combined solution offers schools the flexibility to manage all monitoring from a single platform, improving overall safety and response efficiency without compromising privacy. “The integration of Triton ULTRA with i-PRO’s Video Insight marks a significant step forward in campus safety solutions,” said Lance Parthemore, Operations Director at Triton. i-PRO’s network partners Parthemore added: “By combining Triton’s advanced sensor technology with the comprehensive management capabilities of i-PRO’s Video Insight, customers can monitor private and sensitive spaces seamlessly from a single platform. This partnership unlocks cutting-edge insights without compromising on privacy.” The new integration is available immediately from i-PRO’s network of distribution partners. The Triton Sensor can also be purchased through i-PRO.

By all accounts, technology development is moving at a rapid pace in today's markets, including the physical security industry. However, market uptake of the newest technologies may lag, whether because of a lack of clear communication or not enough education of potential customers. We asked this week's Expert Panel Roundtable: How can the industry do a better job of promoting emerging technologies in physical security environments?

Port forwarding is a networking technique that allows incoming traffic on a specific port number to be redirected to a particular device or application on a local network. Open ports on the network expose an IP video system to the internet. This makes it a potential target for malicious cyberattacks. In the physical security industry, the elimination of port forwarding is seen as a basic and manageable precaution to shore up cybersecurity. We asked this week's Expert Panel Roundtable: What are the risks of port forwarding, and how can manufacturers and/or integrators mitigate those risks? 

The hospitality industry drives economic growth and development by creating jobs, generating revenue, and initiating a ripple effect to improve profitability throughout the supply chain. The hospitality industry includes a vast number of small businesses, including hotels and restaurants. But what are the security challenges of these businesses, and how is the security marketplace serving those needs? We asked this week's Expert Panel Roundtable: How can technology address the security challenges of the hospitality market?