Reed Exhibitions - Experts & Thought Leaders

ISC East 2024, with its premier sponsor the Security Industry Association (SIA), and in partnership with the ASIS NYC Chapter, presented another year of dynamic programming as the Northeast’s security and public safety event.  Over three days, ISC East showcased premier keynote speakers, educational sessions, and professional development, and over 200 exhibitors displayed the latest innovations in the field.  SIA Education@ISC East programme From Nov. 19 to Nov. 21, ISC East welcomed nearly 6,000 total security professionals to the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City. 2024’s turnout continued to display year-over-year growth for general attendance, with more than 4,600 attendees. Adding to the success, the SIA Education@ISC East programme achieved over 40% growth, underscoring the value of ISC East’s educational offerings. Public safety “Both our attendees and exhibitors gather at ISC East to discover the industry’s latest products and solutions, cultivate professional relationships, and celebrate the biggest innovations in the world of security and public safety,” said ISC Event Vice President Mary Beth Shaughnessy. “Over the three-day event, we saw attendees who were eager to learn from industry experts and conduct business face-to-face with new and existing vendors, which all contributes to a maximised customer experience year after year.” ISC East 2024 highlights SIA Education@ISC East This team of industry experts provides critical guidance on the newest trends and most relevant technologies 2024’s event executed the largest SIA Education@ISC East programme yet, which doubled in size from last year with 70+ sessions and 150+ speakers – all carefully curated by the newly formed SIA Education@ISC Advisory Board. This team of industry experts provides critical guidance on the newest trends and most relevant technologies in the world of security to best inform show programming at ISC Security Events.  Content, training courses, offerings “The 2024 ISC East show was one of the best yet – boasting outstanding attendance as well as top-quality SIA Education at ISC East conference content, training courses, and other offerings,” said SIA CEO Don Erickson. “Attendees at the show were able to see the most cutting-edge innovations in security, and the experience was further elevated by the highly engaging SIA meetings and special events that brought together our industry to explore essential topics in security interoperability, mobile credentials, the return on security and safeguarding our utilities and critical infrastructure, honor the exceptional work of SIA member pioneers and volunteers and give back to the future of the security workforce. This year’s show highlighted why ISC East is the Northeast’s premier security and public safety event.” Brand New at ISC East SIA New Products and Solutions New to the ISC East show floor in 2024, several product submissions from the SIA New Products & Solutions (NPS) Awards at ISC West 2024 had the chance to remain in the spotlight.  With the debut of the dedicated NPS area on the show floor, exhibitors were able to showcase their latest solutions and attract potential buyers eager to discover what’s new and exciting in the industry. Critical Infrastructure Pavilion Exhibitors displayed how critical infrastructure impacts transportation, energy, and communications The Critical Infrastructure Pavilion was also new to ISC East this year. With this elevated focus, exhibitors displayed how critical infrastructure impacts transportation, energy, and communications and how to protect these essential services from cyberattacks, intruders, and other potential threats. The products and solutions showcased in this pavilion offered the tools to safeguard the systems exhibitors depend on every day. The Bridge   The Bridge, ISC East’s newly revamped main stage destination, hosted an industry-pioneering lineup of speakers, education sessions, and other exclusive events. Located right on the show floor, The Bridge was home to the Keynote Series, which featured prominent experts making waves in today’s security landscape.   Day 1 Keynote: Proactive Security Strategies at Navy Pier, Chicago: A Unified Approach to Emergency Preparedness and Response  Sponsored by ZeroEyes  Brian Murphy, chief operating officer, Navy Pier  Day 2 Keynote: Presented by the SIA Women in Security Forum: Living Ambitiously, a Career of Continuous Learning and Innovation  Sponsored by Axis Communications  Anjené Abston, executive director, and security division director, JPMorganChase  Career Zone  Experts at the Career Zone led workshops on how to advance the career, attract and retain young talent Industry experts at the Career Zone led workshops on how to advance the career, attract and retain young talent, foster supportive networks for women in security, manage the career trajectory effectively, and much more. ISC East also brought back the fan-favorite Headshot Studio where guests could receive a complimentary professional photo to add to their portfolios.  ISC West 2025 With attendees eager to network, conduct business, and learn from industry experts, exhibitors look forward to ISC West 2025. At this event held March 31 – April 4 at the Venetian Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada, attendees can experience the largest and most dynamic security event of the year.   Already making plans for next year? Save the date for ISC East 2025, held from Nov. 18-20 at the Javits Center in New York City.

inter airport Southeast Asia, the premier trade exhibition and conference for airport innovation and technology in Asia will return to Singapore from 25 to 27 March 2025 at the Marina Bay Sands. The 8th edition is expected to bring together over 3,500 representatives of the aviation industry in Asia, influencers in the airports and airlines community, and 150+ exhibitors, including world-class solution providers and airport equipment suppliers, to connect, find synergies, build partnerships, and innovate.  Sustainable solutions As the aviation industry advances and new airport projects and investments surge globally, groundbreaking innovations are essential to drive its transformation. Themed “Airport Operations for Tomorrow” conversations at the exhibition and conference will highlight innovation, technology, and sustainable solutions to optimise terminal and ramp operations of the future.   Asia driving majority in airport projects APAC currently boasts 575 existing or new airport projects, valued at a staggering USD 488 billion With visitor arrivals projected to reach 564 million in the Asia Pacific, the region is positioned at the forefront of significant airport development, leading the global aviation recovery. APAC currently boasts 575 existing or new airport projects, valued at a staggering USD 488 billion, while the investment at existing airports amounts to 170 projects, valued at USD 217 billion. Passenger volume “Thailand is one of the high growths in emerging aviation market in Asia-Pacific. The passenger volume is expected to double by 2032, and Thailand will be one of the top 10 markets in total passenger traffic by 2042,” said Latchida Apaphant, EVP, Foreign Affair, Airports of Thailand PLC (AOT).  "To manage the increased passenger capacity, AOT developed a strategic master plan that includes the construction of new airports, expansion of existing facilities, and upgrades to key infrastructure to enhance capacity to accommodate 240 million annual passengers (MAP) by 2032." Automated technology and biometric identification “To make Thailand a regional aviation hub, and a goal to bring Suvarnabhumi International Airport rank among the top airport operators by 2037, massive investments are also be made to procure automated technology and biometric identification system to reduce international passenger processing times." "Given the increasing complexity of airport operations and the need to innovate, inter airport Southeast Asia conference offers timely discussions and an exhibition to explore emerging technologies for the future of airports.”   Speakers at the conference Ms. Latchida will join some of the C-suite speakers confirmed at the inter-airport Southeast Asia conference:  Ricia Montejo, Head, Customer Experience, Aboitiz GMR-Megawide Cebu Airport Corporation  Ibrahim Mohd Salleh, Chief Operating Officer, Aerodarat Services Sdn Bhd - a wholly owned subsidiary of Malaysia Aviation Group  Lye Teck Tan, EVP, Safety & Security, Changi Airport Group  Saurabh Dalvi, Head of Operations, Mumbai, Goa, Hyderabad, Celebi Nas  Musdalifa Abdullah, CEO, GTR Malaysia  Megat Ardian, Senior General Manager, Strategy, Malaysia Airports  Raymond Lo, CEO, Menzies CNAC Aviation Services Ltd  Simon Lotter, Head of Market for Asia & Pacific, Munich Airport International  Tatsuya Izumi, Deputy General Manager, Narita International Airport Corporation  Ranjiv Ramanathan, SVP, SG Hub Transformation & Development, SATS Ltd   Brad Moore, CEO APAC, Swissport International AG  The reference point for the future of airports  According to Airports Council International (ACI), global passenger volume is foreseen to reach 9.5 billion in 2024, while the Asia-Pacific region is said to lead in year-on-year (YoY) growth in 2024, with a 13% increase, reaching 3.4 billion passengers by year-end. With air travel playing a vital role in global trade and tourism, the sector must adopt innovative approaches to make airports more sustainable and resilient.   Efficiency and greener solutions Global and regional solutions that support the scaling up of airport tech to boost operation efficiency inter airport Southeast Asia 2025 will highlight global and regional solutions that support the scaling up of airport tech to boost operation efficiency and greener solutions in ground operations to reduce carbon emissions. Prominent exhibitors on the exhibition front include ADB Safegate, Alstef Group, BSLBatt, Charlatte Manutention – FAYAT Group, Dynell GmbH, ElectroAir, Fastcharge GSE, ITW GSE, JBT AeroTech, Runway Safe Group, Roypow, Smith Detection, TLD Asia Ltd, Weihai Guangtai Airport Equipment, just to name a few.  Reduce emissions and improve operational efficiency “Ground support equipment is a critical component of driving airport operations, and the advancements in GSE technology are paramount for driving sustainability and efficiency,” said Brad Moore, CEO – of APAC, Swissport.  "By embracing advanced GSE technologies, such as electric and autonomous vehicles, we can reduce emissions and improve operational efficiency, all while enhancing safety. It’s important to discuss how we can reimagine ground handling operations to establish new benchmarks in turnaround efficiency, and I’m excited to discuss this with fellow panelists at the upcoming inter-airport SEA." Japan pavilion Japan pavilion will also be showcased for the first time at inter-airport Southeast Asia. The pavilion will present a dynamic line-up of companies including NEC, Japan Radio Co., Ltd (JRC), RION, ShinMaywa Industries, Ltd., Sugie Seito Co., Ltd., and Toyota Industries Corporation as they showcase cutting-edge airport equipment for ground operation and touchless technology to enhance airport experiences.  Singapore in advanced aerospace manufacturing standards The standard seeks to establish a comprehensive framework for FLM parts producers In line with the industry's focus on innovation and safety, Singapore is also taking steps to advance aerospace manufacturing standards. A Working Group on Additive Manufacturing for Aerospace Manufacturing, established under the Singapore Standards Council, will launch a new standard: SS 708 Additive Manufacturing (AM) for Aviation – Filament Layer Manufacturing (FLM) Process Specifications. The standard seeks to establish a comprehensive framework for FLM parts producers supplying to the aerospace industry, covering process control and qualification of hardware, facility, materials, and operations.  inter-airport Southeast Asia 2025 The standardisation of terminology and processes will also facilitate procurement officers of FLM parts to better evaluate new industry entrants to the FLM supply chain, ultimately contributing to enhanced safety in both commercial and military aircraft operations.  All registered professionals for inter-airport Southeast Asia 2025 will be granted free access to both the exhibition and conference floors.

Trade Show Executive (TSE) has named ISC West as The Greatest Trade Show of 2023 at the 2024 TSE Gold 100 Awards & Summit. This prestigious awards program recognises trade shows across various industries that were the largest and most ahead of the curve in innovative approaches in 2023. The event celebrated not only the winners but also the robust recovery of the trade show industry since the pandemic. Innovative programming “The ISC West team is honoured to be recognised as The Greatest Trade Show of 2023 by Trade Show Executive Magazine,” said Mary Beth Shaughnessy, ISC Event Vice President. “Every year, we are committed to delivering a standout show with innovative programming to create an unrivalled customer experience. With a show floor of almost 250,000 square feet, we were proud to meet both our exhibitors and attendees with an expanse of offerings that keep them coming back year after year.” Security challenges ISC West addressed society’s most pressing security challenges throughout the four-day event Held at The Venetian Expo in Las Vegas, in collaboration with premier sponsor the Security Industry Association (SIA) and hosted by RX, ISC West 2023 showcased an environment where innovation and creativity came to life.  As safety continues to dominate headlines, ISC West addressed society’s most pressing security challenges throughout the four-day event and broadened the industry’s horizon to bring the most advanced products, services, and solutions to security novices and experts alike.  Physical and cybersecurity challenges In 2023, attendees had the opportunity to engage with industry experts, make professional connections, share valuable insights, and explore the most cutting-edge solutions to physical and cybersecurity challenges in a hands-on setting. ISC West 2023 welcomed over 27,000 security industry professionals, including more than 650 exhibitors displaying their latest technologies. Post-show attendance numbers totalled over 18,000 attendees alone, marking an increase of 56.2% from ISC West 2022. Additionally, the 2023 show saw an 89.6% increase from 2022 for SIA Education@ISC session attendance. As an industry very eager to return to in-person events, ISC West 2023 experienced significant growth with heavy foot traffic on the show floor from open to close. ISC West 2023 highlights The Bridge Enhancements came to life at the revamped space known as The Bridge, the main stage destination In 2023, ISC West significantly elevated the look and feel of the event, and these enhancements came to life at the revamped space known as The Bridge, the main stage destination. Here, attendees experienced the immersive nature of the safety and security industry, replete with thought-provoking speakers and special events throughout the show. Career Zone The Career Zone was introduced at ISC West 2023. This area on the show floor focused on professional growth and workforce development. The Career Zone also catered to young professionals and next-gen pioneers of the security industry. With this objective, sessions focused on mentorship and skills workshops so attendees could bring what they learned into their own workplaces. SIA New Products + Solutions Awards Showcase The SIA NPS Awards display area underwent a design and layout transformation at ISC West 2023, strategically highlighting the most innovative products and solutions on the market. It also featured a new visitor-led scanning technology, Colleqt, where attendees could scan exhibitors’ QR codes to learn more about their security technologies on display. SIA Education@ISC West When it comes to industry education, ISC West continues to grow and evolve and the security field When it comes to industry education, ISC West continues to grow and evolve alongside the security field. With that in mind, ISC West updated its annual education offerings to provide the best and most up-to-date experience possible. SIA Education@ISC hosted over 85 sessions – all with content curated around 2023 Megatrend topics and focusing on Cybersecurity, which was the #1 Megatrend of the year. ISC West 2023 With 200+ speakers, more than 650 exhibitors, 85+ education sessions, and 27,000 industry professionals spanning 248,000 square feet, ISC West 2023 established its show floor as the place where people want to be and stay. Offering a combination of products, educational programming, and networking opportunities all under one roof cemented ISC West as the premier destination to showcase innovation and illustrate where the industry is moving next. Already making plans for next year? Save the date for ISC West 2025, held March 31–April 4 at The Venetian Expo in Las Vegas where security professionals can continue to experience the largest and most dynamic industry trade event of the year.

Technology is driving new opportunities in the security industry. Innovation trends include artificial intelligence (AI), edge-based systems, mobile systems, a greater focus on software, and efforts to simplify operation of security systems, even as capabilities become more complex. ISC West 2022 reflected these changing trends. “In addition to emphasising technology innovation, ISC West also reflected an industry that is resilient, dedicated and passionate,” said Mary Beth Shaughnessy, the Event Director of ISC Security Events. ISC West 2022 “Almost 12,000 dealers, installers, integrators, end users and consultants reconnected at ISC West 2022, and there were nearly 20,000 total industry professionals in attendance (including manufacturers),” adds Mary Beth Shaughnessy. The 550 exhibitors and brands on display reflected an industry that has come through the COVID-19 pandemic in better shape than ever, poised for even greater success in the years ahead. Turning video and access control into knowledge Deployment of AI to ‘watch video’ can inform users of what’s happening in real-time Motorola Solutions emphasized several themes that were heard repeatedly throughout the show. “One trend is fulfilling the need to turn video and access control into sources of knowledge, inside the enterprise,” said John Kedzierzski, Motorola Solutions’ Senior Vice President of Video Security and Access Control. Deployment of AI to ‘watch video’ can inform users of what’s happening in real-time, while monitoring access control yields the equivalent of an operating system inside a building. Using the Cloud offers consumer ease-of-use to systems The second trend listed by Motorola Solutions is working to bring the consumer ease-of-use experience into enterprise security solution applications. Professional security systems were previously complicated to buy, install, manage and upgrade. However, using the Cloud, even distributed enterprises can bring consumer ease-of-use to systems, from improving the out-of-box installation experience to boosting the ability to manage the system. Transition to ‘mobile first’ interfaces The third trend emphasised by Motorola Solutions is transition to ‘mobile first’ interfaces, reflecting the need for busy security executives to be on-the-go, but with full access to their systems, without being chained to their desks. Since the last springtime ISC West show in 2019, Motorola Solutions has grown rapidly, both organically and through acquisition of IndigoVision, Pelco, Openpath, Envysion, and Ava Security. Cloud-based Orchestrate system Integration is simple through a ‘drag-and-drop’ approach that doesn’t involve writing code In addition, the company is making it easier to integrate video and access control systems with Motorola’s radio systems, typically carried by security guards. The cloud-based Orchestrate system translates ‘events’ from access control and video, to trigger notifications on a mobile radio. Integration is simple through a ‘drag-and-drop’ approach that doesn’t involve writing code. Simplifying implementation of AI Artificial Intelligence (AI) has traditionally been associated with the use of large servers or even intelligence in the Cloud. Several exhibitors at ISC West helped to change that misconception. For example, Oosto offers a simpler and more economical approach. They supply edge appliances for AI. The purpose-built Vision AI appliance, a small box, puts intelligence at the ‘near edge’, by connecting to up to five cameras. Easy and dependable ‘failover’ ensures redundancy without a big investment, and the system can work with any IP camera, including an end user’s installed base of cameras. Oosto’s TCO (total cost of ownership) calculator Oosto’s TCO (total cost of ownership) calculator spells out how much a customer can save versus using a big server, including lower costs such and power and cooling. AI was probably the biggest buzzword at ISC West, but there was also emphasis on the practical results of applying AI to physical security. Artificial Intelligence (AI) - the biggest buzzword at ISC West I believe our purpose is to bring buzzwords, like Cloud and AI together in a way that is useful to end-users" “What surprises me (at the show) is that there is a lot of generic marketing of AI, but we are trying to step back from our analytics and look at applications that serve certain end-users,” said Jeff Corrall, Vice President - Product Management at March Networks, adding “As an industry, we are still at the stage of AI as a buzzword.” Jeff Corrall further said, “I believe our purpose is to bring buzzwords, like Cloud and AI together in a way that is useful to end-users. We have to live with the buzzwords, but what we really want is to apply them. That creates a stickiness with the end-user — when high technology is making a difference.” March Networks Labs address specific end-user problems and then apply their systems to provide a solution. Jeff Corrall adds, “A lot of AI is responding to what the customer is asking for, and we are stepping back and making sure the end-user will use it on a consistent basis.” ‘Edge versus cloud’ was a common theme at ISC West Edge versus Cloud ‘Edge versus cloud’ was a common theme at ISC West, pondering where in a system the ‘intelligence’, such as AI and machine learning, as well as other functionality, should reside. Among the companies addressing the quandary was Axis Communications, which focused on the issue using a racing theme at their presentation to the industry press. The winner of the ‘race?’ - The combination of both approaches working together as a team, of course. AXIS Speed Monitor on exhibit One introduction at the show was the AXIS Speed Monitor, a speed detection app available using ACAP Axis Communications also highlighted the deep learning analytics of the ARPEC 8 camera chip (introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic), which will be deployed across their camera line. One introduction at the show was the AXIS Speed Monitor, a speed detection app available using ACAP (Axis Camera Application Platform), the capability to load ‘apps’ onto camera chips at the edge. They also introduced the D4100-E Network strobe siren (a smart edge device), the Audio Manager Pro (a cloud-based software system enabling zoning and callouts for specific areas in a building), the W101 body worn cameras with GPS capabilities, and a Barcode Reader for doorstop applications (another ACAP app). ‘App Store’ approach to expanding applications Azena is at the centre of expanding applications at the edge, promoting new applications through an ‘App Store’ approach that sells software apps that can be loaded onto cameras that are equipped with Azena’s operating system. In the last couple of years, the company (formerly known as Security and Safety Things) has expanded its offerings. There are currently 108 apps in the store from 30 to 40 app developers. There are 14 camera models (from six manufacturers) that are commercially available and run their operating system. The newest camera is a fisheye model from Vivotek. “What we have seen is that a lot of the use cases are pretty unique,” said Fabio Marti, Vice President - Marketing for Azena. Two examples are an application that monitors a flame to ensure it is burning cleanly (no smoke). Another system monitors nets covering fish farms to avoid birds getting tangled up in the nets. Fabio Marti said “A challenge is to find new business avenues for integrators. Everybody is not eager to look beyond their comfort zone.” Focusing on software to ensure user experience Software systems are one of the major focal points for innovation in security systems Software systems are one of the major focal points for innovation in security systems and Verkada is focusing on how software innovation can improve systems. “For decades, innovation was on the hardware front,” said Filip Kaliszan, Verkada’s Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), adding “We saw an opportunity for more innovation on the software side. The customer experience revolves around software.” Ensuring an end-to-end experience “We want to guarantee an end-to-end experience,” adds Filip Kaliszan. As a new company with a ‘hybrid cloud’ approach, Verkada focused on appealing to end users to convince them of the value proposition. Once an end user was convinced, Verkada brought in an integrator partner to deliver the solution. In effect, Verkada finds demand and brings that demand to the integrator. Software-centric operation of a modern building Verkada is broadly focused on ‘software-centric operation of a modern building.’ After starting out in video, Verkada has since expanded into systems for access control, alarm systems, and other categories. They use a combination of third-party hardware and equipment that is custom designed to work seamlessly with their software systems. Verkada’s end goal is to put the various systems together into a platform. They will continue building each product category, which will eventually be unified into ‘the operating system for the building of the future.’

ISC West is back in a big way in 2022, taking Las Vegas by storm with a level of attendance and enthusiasm that makes it seem like 2019 all over again. There are few face masks to get in the way of long-overdue person-to-person communications; no social distancing as the crowd gathers for the show to open on the first day. The only remnants of the pandemic are Reed Exhibition’s stringent health and safety guidelines, evidenced by a more complex registration process and the wearing of wrist bands to designate vaccinations. “We are thrilled to be back at ISC West,” says Rick Koscinski, General Manager at Honeywell. “There has been great traffic, great energy, it’s wonderful,” he commented on the first day of the show. Power of leveraging data Koscinski sees data as a driving force in the future of the industry, as evidenced by trends at ISC West. Integrators see the power of leveraging data for new applications, including some outside the security marketplace. Users are looking for new ways to use data from a physical security and life safety point of view, and even in related areas such as energy management (e.g., HVAC), which is also part of the broader Honeywell corporate offering. Terms such as artificial intelligence (AI) and deep learning are used more broadly than ever at this year’s show “Information is power, and the security industry is wise to it,” he says. Cloud systems have gained momentum in the years since the last show, as have so-called ‘edge devices’ (and ‘near edge’ devices) which now contain more intelligence than ever. Terms such as artificial intelligence (AI) and deep learning are used more broadly than ever at this year’s show. Germ-sensitive environments And these high-tech approaches are no longer restricted to higher-cost product lines; rather, they are working their way into mid-priced offerings and will likely soon be ubiquitous. Even the installed base of cameras can now be tied into AI systems, which apply greater intelligence to video feeds from cameras that are several years old. Solutions is also a buzzword, and more companies are pointing to solutions rather than an emphasis on individual products. At the show, Aiphone is pushing service, support, and solutions rather than an emphasis on products. Hands-free intercom products, which gathered steam during the pandemic, are showing continuing positive signs, especially in germ-sensitive environments. Two-way video intercoms are also gaining momentum; among other things, they provide an intercom system that accommodates deaf users (through sign language), which can help with Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance. ISC West is back in a big way in 2022 Making the show possible “It’s good to be back in person,” says Brad Kamcheff, Marketing Manager of Aiphone. “It’s good to see everyone, and the volume of people feels like we should be at the end of the pandemic, but there is still some anxiety.” Kamcheff applauded Reed Exhibitions for making the show possible. “It’s better than last July (when a delayed 2021 show was held).” Returning to the show after three years, Pervez Siddiqui, Vice-President, Offerings and Transformation at Genetec, sees changes in the market. There are many new players, for example, and some are well funded. Siddiqui also sees enthusiasm in the market about what ‘could be.’ Clearly, security is a gateway to many Internet of Things (IoT) applications. Safeguarding crucial information A concurrent issue as the industry expands into new applications is privacy “We (in the security industry) are sitting on some of the richest data any company could want. We are capturing more and more information through access control and video, and people have caught onto the fact that we are capturing data for one function, but they can leverage it in different ways.” A concurrent issue as the industry expands into new applications is privacy. The industry must be mindful of the need to ensure safeguards and manage carefully who has access to what information “We need to build those safeguards into our products,” says Siddiqui. A keyword is trust. There is no better evidence of the industry’s bright future than a successful ISC West 2022 Serving multiple applications Salient is one of the companies looking to ‘Go Beyond Security’ when approaching how customers use their products. Often, an end-user may be using video only for security and surveillance. However, there are many additional opportunities to use data throughout an enterprise, whether to unlock business intelligence, drive positive outcomes, or otherwise mitigate risk. The metadata from a camera feed can serve multiple applications without privacy concerns. A broadening product mix, more intelligence, and a greater focus on solutions and customer outcomes suggest a security industry that is exiting the pandemic stronger than ever. There is no better evidence of the industry’s bright future than a robust and successful ISC West 2022. Welcome back.

An impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been to accelerate change. In 2020, the security industry was among many others that sought to adapt to shifting norms. In the process, we grabbed onto new opportunities for change and, in many cases, re-evaluated how we have done business for decades. If necessity is the mother of invention, perhaps crisis is the mother of acceleration. This article will reflect on how these themes impacted the physical security industry in 2020, based on content we published throughout the year, and with links back to the original articles. Sensitive data leakage Since the lockdown came into effect, organisations globally have undergone years' worth of transformations in a matter of months. Whether it has been to transition their operations online or moving their IT infrastructure to the cloud, there’s no denying that the face of business has changed permanently, experiencing a seismic shift, both operationally and culturally. As we enter the ‘next normal’ there remains a great deal of uncertainty around what the next 12 months holds and how organisations can navigate turbulence in the face of a possible recession. One of the most notable and widely reported trends has been the switch to remote methods of work, or home working. With so many employees logging on from residential networks, through personal devices that may be more easily compromised, the overall attack surface has greatly increased, raising the risk of potential corporate and sensitive data leakage in their new home office settings. Security and data protection are larger issues than ever. Good cybersecurity hygiene Criminals will use the crisis to scam people for money, account information and more" With a majority of the world working from home, businesses had to respond to this changing landscape. While it used to be that in-person networking events and sales pitches secured new projects or opportunities, the current landscape pushes businesses to be more creative in how they reach their customers. For example, with ISC West being postponed, many companies have turned to online resources to share new product demonstrations and other company news. Others are hosting webinars as a way to discuss the current climate and what it means for the industry. Without the proper precautions, working from home could become a cybersecurity nightmare, says Purdue University professor Marcus Rogers. “Criminals will use the crisis to scam people for money, account information and more,” he says. “With more people working from home, people need to make sure they are practicing good cybersecurity hygiene, just like they would at work. There is also a big risk that infrastructures will become overwhelmed, resulting in communication outages, both internet and cell.” Work-life balance In a typical office with an on-premise data centre, the IT department has complete control over network access, internal networks, data, and applications. The remote worker, on the other hand, is mobile. He or she can work from anywhere using a VPN. Until just recently this will have been from somewhere like a local coffee shop, possibly using a wireless network to access the company network and essential applications. There are many benefits of working remotely with productivity right up the top of the list There are many benefits of working remotely with productivity right up the top of the list. By reducing the unproductive time spent commuting and travelling to meetings, we are able to get much more done in a day. Add to this the reduction in stress and improved work-life balance and it makes for an impressive formula of happier, healthier and more motivated colleagues. And it’s still easy to measure results no matter where someone is working. Video conferencing platforms 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. The good news is that the industry has adapted well without the shows. A series of ‘on-line shows’ has emerged, driven by the business world’s increasing dependence on Zoom and other video conferencing platforms. The fact is, 2020 has provided plenty of opportunities for sellers to connect with buyers. Some of these sessions have been incredibly informative – and conveniently accessible from the comfort of a home office. Online training courses Online training has grown in popularity this year, and the change may become permanent Online training has grown in popularity this year, and the change may become permanent. “We have seen unprecedented international demand for our portfolio of online training courses ranging from small installation companies to the largest organisations, across a wide range of sectors,” says Jerry Alfandari, Group Marketing Manager of Linx International Group, a UK training firm. “More than ever, businesses are looking to ensure they have the skills in-house to coordinate their response to the changing situation. Individuals are also taking this time to upskill themselves for when we return to ‘normal’ by bringing something with them they didn’t have before. Perhaps unsurprisingly, people are still seeking to better themselves for what will be, eventually, a competitive market.” Virtual trade show ‘Crisis and the Everyday’ was part of Genetec’s Connect’DX virtual trade show last spring. The virtual conversation – emphasising both in form and content the topsy-turvy state of the world – included interesting insights on the current pandemic and its near- and long-term impact on the industry. In the middle of this pandemic, there is an opportunity to help security reinvent itself “In the middle of this pandemic, there is an opportunity to help security reinvent itself,” said Brad Brekke, Principal, The Brekke Group, one of the panelists. “Amid the business disruption, we should ask ‘what’s the new playbook?’ It’s an opportunity for security to look at ourselves now and look at a business plan of what the future might look like. We need to align with the business model of the corporation and define our role more around business and not so much around security.” Cloud-based platform As a cloud-based platform for service providers in the security, smart home and smart business markets, Alarm.com adapted quickly to changing conditions during the coronavirus pandemic. In the recent dynamic environment, Alarm.com has kept focus on supporting their service provider partners so they can keep local communities protected. “We moved quickly to establish work-from-home protocols to protect our employees and minimise impact on our partners,” says Anne Ferguson, VP of Marketing at Alarm.com. The Customer Operations and Reseller Education (CORE) team has operated without interruption to provide support to partners. Sales teams are utilising webinars and training resources to inform and educate partners about the latest products, tools, and solutions. Alarm.com’s partner tools are essential for remote installations and support of partner accounts.