Vidsys - Experts & Thought Leaders

Vidsys, a global developer of Physical Security Information Management (PSIM) and Converged Security and Information Management (CSIM) technology solutions, announces the release of the latest version of its security software platform – Vidsys Enterprise 2020 R1.0. Vidsys Enterprise 2020 R1.0 is the first release of the product’s 2020 iteration, which focuses on continuing to provide security and performance optimisations to better support the user’s experience. Mapping and visualisation enhancements This release includes significant mapping and visualisation enhancements, robust rules and streamlined RRP (Riskshield Rules) configuration, improved Arabic user interface for better support of users in the Middle Eastern market, and the introduction of automatic reporting in the Enterprise Business Intelligence (EBI) dashboard. Key new features include: Updated map viewing architecture including WMS overlay and Apple Maps support Camera map icon status overlays Camera viewer title bar custom buttons and design updates Situation policy updates for default severities and audio alerts Set maximum concurrent user sessions limit in non-SSO environments Automatically log off idle users Improved Action Plan automation and read-only fields Automatic reports email distribution and other new reports and enhancements

Taking place 18-20 June 2019 at ExCeL, London, IFSEC International is Europe’s largest integrated security event. Registration is now open. One of the outstanding highlights from IFSEC 2018, the Converged Security Centre returns to this year’s show on an even bigger and better platform to showcase the very latest in integrated security management technology. Conceived and delivered by Vidsys, the Centre is a state-of-the-art demonstration area which expertly highlights the advancement of Converged Security Information Management (CSIM) and how software, hardware and all forms of information media can be expertly used to gain a complete overview of a developing security situation. Integrated approach to situation management The Converged Security Centre will present a wide range of simulated security scenarios related to situations such as transport, utilities, infrastructureEach day at IFSEC 2019, the Converged Security Centre will present a wide range of simulated security scenarios. These will relate to situations such as transport, utilities, open spaces and infrastructure, and reveal how integrated security systems can be aligned with supplementary information sources such as social media to provide end users with the whole developing picture. As a security professional, if your role is to manage the security of a large-scale asset, then the Converged Security Centre is an absolute must-attend feature; it will expertly show you how this technology provides a vital and integrated approach to situation management. The Converged Security Centre will crucially show how, with a fully converged security system, users can correlate multiple events into one situation, track major assets, execute efficient building management operations, mitigate cyber threats, monitor social networks and most importantly enable high level information security resilience. Highly efficient security solution Converged Security and Information Management provides a real time technical solution enhanced by Artificial IntelligenceThe Vidsys CSIM technology is the perfect integration platform for multiple systems and hardware to work in a fully integrated manner. This year, Vidsys will be welcoming support from a number of global partners, including Ipsotek and Micro Focus, to show how a vast range of related technologies can work in tandem, to provide a truly effective and highly efficient security solution. Converged Security and Information Management provides a real time technical solution enhanced by Artificial Intelligence, meaning large volumes of data can be interpreted and processed to enable a more efficient response. Experts from Vidsys will be on hand at IFSEC to help explain and guide visitors on the uses of CSIM, as well as how this integrated approach to security management can provide effective and long-term resilience for any major asset or installation. Monitoring physical and cyber security events There is a requirement for a converged security solution that monitors both physical and cyber security events under one, unified software platform"The Converged Security Centre is a cornerstone feature in IFSEC’s role as a platform to show security professionals technologies and capabilities in real time, delivered by world leading experts with solutions they can trust. It is also a key part of the IFSEC ‘Show Me How’ programme, providing direct access to learning and insights they would otherwise struggle to see. James I. Chong, CEO, Vidsys says: “We’re thrilled to be part of the Converged Security Centre’s return at IFSEC International 2019 and to be working with our global partners and experts to showcase and share what a truly converged security solution can provide to organisations worldwide. “Today, there is a rapidly growing requirement for a converged security solution that monitors both physical and cyber security events under one, unified software platform, especially due to the ever-increasing amount of data created in the world of IoT and Smart Cities.” Benefits customers safeguarding assets The last few years have shown how important it is for physical security vendors to ensure that their products are resilient to cyber physical attacks"Gerry Dunphy, Exhibition Director IFSEC, says: ‘’IFSEC is delighted to welcome Vidsys back to this year’s show as the key partner in The Converged Security Centre. The feature made a major impact at last year’s IFSEC, showcasing how integration and resilience can be achieved through the strategic use of CSIM. IFSEC visiting customers with key roles in safeguarding major assets will directly benefit from seeing the capabilities on display.” James Willison, Founder, Unified Security Ltd and Sarb Sembhi, CISO, Virtually Informed, added, "We are delighted to be working with UBM, Visdsys and their partners to bring together physical and information security professionals and converged technologies in one operations centre. “The last few years have shown how important it is for physical security vendors to ensure that their products are resilient to cyber physical attacks, and it’s important for them to ensure that their products can integrate with enterprise threat intelligence tools. This theatre showcases some of what is possible with integrated solutions.”

IFSEC International is one of Europe’s largest integrated security event, with tens of thousands of visitors attending ExCeL, London, 18 – 20 June 2019. Registration is now open. IFSEC International, the hub for the security industry, announces that installer registrations from the North have already grown by 4%, while installer registrations from the Midlands have grown by 5%, matching its annual growth from London, South East, South West and international installation companies. Educational security seminars This is thanks in no small part to IFSEC’s Installers Concierge program, dedicated to connecting key installers from the Midlands and North with exhibiting manufacturers and distributors to partner on specific security projects. IFSEC also works to attract installation companies with its hands-on educational security seminars, demos and training Alongside its heritage at the centre of the security installer, engineer and integrator calendar, IFSEC also works to attract installation companies with its hands-on educational security seminars, demos and training. This includes IFSEC’s Show Me How demonstrations, a programme of security kit demos across CCTV, Intruder and Access Control; the Converged Security Centre, an integrated security showcase in partnership with Vidsys; and the Future of Security Theatre, created for tactical security training with Tavcom. These 50+ security sessions and demos make IFSEC the centre for installation companies to equip themselves with the knowledge they need for a truly competitive edge against their competitors. Security installation projects A small sample of those responsible for mass-scale security installation projects that have registered for IFSEC, and will discover the security solutions demonstrated by IFSEC 2019 exhibitors, include: Head of Procurement – Banham Group Chairman – Corps Security Managing Director – Pointer UK Support Services Director – Profile Security Services Chairman – Kings Secure Technologies Operations Director – Mitie Fire and Security Managing Director - Frontline Security Engineering Support Manager – SECOM Risk & Security Manager EMEA – CBRE Chief Procurement Officer – Securitas Account Manager - Noonan Director of Security - Interserve Security Manager – Wilson James Head of Group Installations & HSSE – Makeen Energy Group Head of Distribution & Manufacturing – Mitie - VSG Technical Director – Banham Head of Security – OCS Group UK Ltd. Director of Security – Interserve Support Services Contract Director – Man Commercial Protection Ltd Procurement relationships IFSEC welcomed tens of thousands of visitors, and IFSEC 2019 has been shaped to capitalise on this huge marketplace Last year, IFSEC welcomed tens of thousands of visitors, and IFSEC 2019 has been shaped to capitalise on this huge marketplace, shining a greater spotlight on procurement relationships between visitor and exhibitor. Over 500 security suppliers will be exhibiting, showcasing the latest in security solutions and technological advances across intruder, cyber, perimeter protection, access control, CCTV and more. Those looking to attend as a visitor can register now for a free ticket to IFSEC 2019 and see the latest security technology put to the test, learn from world-renowned industry leaders and network with fellow security professionals at Europe’s largest integrated security event, ExCeL London.

Following its recent acquisition, Vidsys will continue to operate, now as an ‘An ARES Security Company’. The Vidsys brand is known worldwide for its PSIM (physical security information management) solution and the acquisition will accelerate the next generation of products that incorporate Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance their value to Vidsys clients and the overall market.  ARES Security Corporation has developed and deployed security and public safety software solutions for the past 20 years, solving complex physical security challenges. Their AVERT security software solution supports the full lifecycle of physical security operations: risk and technology assessment and design, training, and intelligent real-time incident response. AVERT security software AVERT security software helps clients by increasing security effectiveness and reducing cost AVERT security software helps clients by increasing security effectiveness and reducing cost. Clients are in many market segments including Corporate, Military, Government, Power, Data Centres, Transportation and Ports. Vidsys’ PSIM will immediately be improved by incorporating AVERT C2 (Command & Control), allowing clients access to expanded capabilities and an advanced technical roadmap. “Over time we will migrate the Vidsys technology to our state-of-the-art, multi-tenant SaaS architecture that includes secure, multi-site data sharing, an updated library of connectors, and integration to the AVERT digital twin, artificial intelligence/machine learning and automation capability,” said Ben Eazzetta, ARES Security Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Technical roadmap for upgrading to AI-PSIM platform “We are a client-centric company, and we will continue to support Vidsys clients,” stated Ben Eazzetta, adding “We will focus initial efforts towards closing any required and promised capability gaps and offer a significantly improved technical roadmap for the platform to be upgraded to AI-PSIM.” Additional AVERT products will be made available to Vidsys clients in a ‘cost-effective way’. They include technology for assessment and design, virtual tabletop and virtual reality training and enhanced AI and robotics capability surrounding the digital twin. A ‘digital twin’ is a digital representation of a physical object. Rapid incident response and robotic sentries interfaces ARES/Vidsys solution offers capabilities with extremely high levels of automation for rapid incident response ARES has a strong market position in several verticals that require a robust and automated next-generation AI-PSIM. The ARES/Vidsys solution offers capabilities with extremely high levels of automation that enable rapid incident response and incorporate advanced features, such as interfaces to robotic sentries. “These capabilities, along with a more automated deployment process, will allow Vidsys to scale their acquisition of customers across key verticals in which ARES is already active. This automated deployment process will also open new opportunities to work with system integrators who have shied away from PSIM projects in recent years,” stated Ben Eazzetta. Optimising security operations ARES believes the physical security market is underserved by technology that optimises operations. Ben Eazzetta adds, “All of our products are designed to optimise security operation, and the acquisition of Vidsys allows us to accelerate the development of the next generation PSIM that is adaptive and intelligent, powered by AVERT’s AI, and Modelling and Simulation system.” Vidsys pioneered PSIM in the security industry and created a robust library of connectors, providing an integrated real-time incident response system powered by a rules engine. Together, the AVERT/Vidsys solution seeks to transform the way security operations centres (SOCs) operate and respond to emergencies. Vidsys pioneered PSIM in the security industry and created a robust library of connectors Managing security at multiple sites Ben Eazzetta said, “There’s no denying that some in the security industry see PSIM as a four-letter word. But PSIM exists because it meets a need in the security operations centre that cannot be met by either video management or incident management systems. It is critical that PSIM evolves to meet the rapidly changing demands of enterprise clients.” He adds, “Our clients need to manage security at multiple sites, each with different security plans and threats, they need adaptive rules engines to manage complex incidents and emergency responses, and they need automation to seamlessly command and control all security assets, including robotic assets.” Flexible and intelligent software Future of command-and-control will need to be flexible, intelligent software with extremely high levels of automation “The future of command-and-control will need to be flexible, intelligent software with extremely high levels of automation that enables very rapid incident response and incorporates advanced capabilities such as interfaces to robotic sentries,” said Ben Eazzetta. He adds, “To achieve this, we are replacing the brittle, difficult-to-configure rules engine of today’s PSIM with machine learning and AI capabilities that can produce automated/optimised responses or recommendations in near real time.” SaaS-enabled and remotely hosted system The systems will be SaaS-enabled, remotely hosted and easily configurable to reduce the cost and time of deployments for large enterprise implementations and easily supported by end-users, and system integrators. In a post-Covid-19 world, it is critical that enterprise security software solutions be adaptive, intelligent, automated and offer the ability for disparate teams to share information and collaborate in a meaningful way, while responding to incidents and emergencies in real-time. The ARES/Vidsys offering is a lifecycle solution that meets the needs of enterprise security operations. Next-generation of AI-PSIM “ARES has always pushed the needle of what is possible with our AVERT solution, ever since development of our digital twin technology began in 1999 to protect our nation’s nuclear stockpiles,” said Ben Eazzetta, adding “Today, we continue to innovate with the next generation of AI-PSIM.”     So what’s ahead for ARES and Vidsys in 2021? “A lot of Zoom calls!” laughs Eazzetta, adding “We are excited to leverage the decades of hard work that both teams have put into our solutions. We all realise the fantastic opportunity we have been given to create a next-generation AI-PSIM and to open new markets for all of our products and solutions.” He adds, “Combining the two companies will lead to improved development/support capability and significantly improved roadmaps for our clients. We will provide immediate ROI for clients by lowering deployment costs and leveraging the entire suite of products to provide more immediate value while continuing to deliver as promised, like ARES always does.”

We are all more aware than ever of the need for cybersecurity. The Internet of Things is a scary place when you think about all the potential for various cyber-attacks that can disrupt system operation and negatively impact a customer’s business. Because most physical security systems today are IP-based, the two formerly separate disciplines are more intertwined than ever. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: How can cybersecurity challenges impact the physical security of a company (and vice versa)?

Superior image quality has been the “holy grail” of the video surveillance business for several years. A transition to 4K images and a race to ever-higher pixel counts have dominated product development conversations for a while now. However, it’s now possible that the tide has turned. These days, data is sometimes more important than image quality, and increasing use of smaller-format mobile devices has helped to make image quality variations moot. As the industry changes, we asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What’s the next big thing in video image quality (beyond 4K and megapixel)?