Body field communication

The industry is showing strong interest in Security Essen as a platform for the security sector. A good year before the start of the fair, the organisers of Messe Essen are pleased about an extremely positive booking level and the return of well-known companies. Julia Jacob, Project Manager of Security Essen, said "Already at this point in time, many exhibitors have booked their stands again. In exhibition areas that are in great demand, we can no longer offer areas in particularly popular halls." Returning companies Together with her team, Julia Jacob has further developed Security Essen Numerous companies such as Hekatron, Dom, Burgwächter, Funkwerk, and AtralSecal will be back when Security Essen takes place at Messe Essen from September 17 to 20, 2024. "The return of these companies is a clear sign that impressively underlines the importance of our trade fair for the security industry," says Julia Jacob. Together with her team, Julia Jacob has further developed Security Essen. New thematic focus Thus, in 2024, there will be the new thematic focus ‘Civil Protection and Civil Defense, Special and Special Protection Vehicles‘ for the first time. Senior Vice President of Marketing, Sabrina Großkreuz, said "In this way, we want to take account of the new challenges in our society and give all interested parties a platform for exchange, cooperation, and networking." Supporting programme with many opportunities for networking One of the points that many exhibitors and visitors praised at the last Security Essen was the supporting programme. This will be expanded even further next year:  Professional exchange at a high level on the subject of networked security will be the focus of the Digital Networking Security Conference. The Training and Education Day, organised jointly with the BDSW (Federal Association of the Security Industry), will support the industry in promoting young talents and recruiting skilled workers. In the Drone Zone, exhibitors will demonstrate the added value of drones for the security industry. The German-Dutch Forum offers an opportunity for bilateral exchange between experts from both countries. For the first time, a Banks and Savings Banks Day is planned. There, financial institutions can find out about the latest developments in the physical security industry-especially with regard to safes, ATMs, and security rooms.

In the current dynamic business landscape, where offices, manufacturing plants, co-working spaces, and multi-use facilities co-exist, organisations face an array of challenges, including the need for agile and future-proof access control. The rise of hybrid or flexible work arrangements, coupled with the demand for optimised space utilisation, requires businesses to carefully consider their access management solution.  Incedo™ Cloud With the right solution, organisations can seamlessly secure virtually any entry point using either offline electronic locks or real-time online devices. Together with a range of credentials, Incedo™ Cloud enables users to access authorised areas using smartphones, smart keys, or smart cards, all managed securely from a single, flexible, and scalable platform.  EAC-M90 Incedo Updater Controller  EAC-M90 Updater Controller empowers security managers with complete control over Aperio wireless locks The EAC-M90 Updater Controller empowers security managers with complete control over Aperio wireless locks and ASSA ABLOY Signo readers. It enables updates to credentials, including PULSE programmable keys with RFID capability, ensuring access permissions remain up to date.  HID Seos® technology and OSDP v2.1.7 When integrated with an ASSA ABLOY Signo reader, each access event triggers the Incedo system to collect event logs, update individual access permissions, or revalidate credentials, including our range of smart cards or battery-free smart keys, with the same credential working across connected/online and offline readers, enhancing security site-wide.  The EAC-M90 incorporates HID Seos® technology and OSDP v2.1.7 protocol to ensure high security in every interaction between credentials, updater/controller, and the system. With the EAC-M90 and Incedo software, security and facilities managers achieve comprehensive and flexible control over their premises, without requiring a fully online system.  Making facilities management more flexible  Facility managers benefit from the ability to oversee multiple device types, or even sites, within a unified system. Expanding access control, whether online or offline, to additional access points is simple and efficient, ensuring smooth onboarding. For flexibility, the Incedo Cloud control panel offers secure administration from anywhere with an internet connection.  Regular and secure cloud software updates are automated, simplifying the maintenance process.   Advantages of Incedo Cloud High-security access points such as those pioneering to labs or server rooms, can benefit from real-time control One significant advantage of Incedo Cloud is the high flexibility it offers security managers, who can deploy online and offline management at different access points within their facility. For instance, high-security access points like entrances and sensitive doors, such as those pioneering to labs or server rooms, can benefit from real-time control, while lower-security areas, like meeting rooms, utilise offline devices for cost-effective access control, without the need for cables or communication hubs.  Single, integrated software interface Incedo ensures that all aspects of security are managed seamlessly from a single, integrated software interface, combining the benefits of real-time control with the straightforward deployment of offline electronic access management.  Implementing Incedo access control is straightforward: Businesses select hardware including the new EAC-M90 updater controller from a vast range, to add flexibility to their security system and control virtually any access point, including doors, cabinets, lockers, gates, server racks, and more. 

Boon Edam Inc., a global pioneer in security entrances and architectural revolving doors, continues to demonstrate its industry expertise at GSX 2023. Their extensive range of new solutions, products, and programmes, which deliver value both for physical entrances and customers, are showcased alongside Boon Edam’s existing array of security entrance solutions at booth #3533.  New product developments “GSX presents the perfect platform for Boon Edam to demonstrate several new product enhancements, launch our new Integrator Certification Programme, and celebrate major milestones in our company’s history,” said Patrick Nora, President and Managing Director, of Boon Edam. “We are excited to welcome all GSX attendees to our booth to discover how security entrances continue to evolve for mainstream physical security applications.” Vandal-resistant laminate film The vandal-resistant laminate film can be applied to Boon Edam’s Tourlock, Circlelock, and Lifeline Swing series New product developments at the Boon Edam booth #3533 include a new vandal-resistant laminate film designed to prevent vandalism among a range of Boon Edam’s glass-equipped security entrances. This film works to keep glass intact upon impact after an attempt(s) to break the glass is made. The result is a strong barrier of glass that protects against unauthorised entry and smash-and-grab burglaries while deterring further criminal behaviour. The vandal-resistant laminate film can be applied to Boon Edam’s Tourlock, Circlelock, and Lifeline Swing series of products. Integrator Certification Programme Visitors can also learn about the Boon Edam Security Integrator Certification Programme. This initiative provides video tutorials and other learning materials necessary for security integrator technicians to understand the working principles, safe operation, access control, and fire systems integrations, configuration, and troubleshooting procedures related to Boon Edam’s Lifeline Swing Optical Turnstiles. The instruction is accompanied by short evaluations that allow technicians to move further through the programme. Once competence is shown, technicians will obtain a digital certification that will follow the technician. The Security Integrator Certification programme currently provides three programme concentrations to best accommodate systems integrators’ specific needs and budgets. Celebrating milestones As it’s 50,000th installation in the US approaches, Boon Edam highlights many of the core values driving its success Additionally, Boon Edam is celebrating two significant milestones, Boon Edam’s 150th anniversary and the company’s 50,000th US product installation, at GSX 2023, taking this time to reflect on the past while showcasing its plans for the future. Over the past 150 years, Boon Edam has been dedicated to delivering superior entrance solutions while positively impacting the communities it serves. As it’s 50,000th installation in the US approaches, Boon Edam highlights many of the core values driving its success since the company’s humble beginnings in 1873. GSX attendees are invited to join in the celebration by visiting booth #3533 from 3:00 to 4:30 PM on September 11th and 12th for beer, wine, and mixed drinks. Security entrances portfolio Beyond these exciting new initiatives, Boon Edam is showcasing its enhanced portfolio of security entrances at GSX 2023. Highlights include:  Tourlock 180 The Tourlock 180 is a four-winged revolving security door that provides high security in areas with heavy foot traffic. The Tourlock will feature the StereoVision® overhead sensor system, which uses smart, near-infrared technology to generate accurate 3D images of the doorway to ensure only one person is present in the doorway.  Circlelock Solo The Circlelock Solo uses StereoVision® technology and can also integrate with biometric devices for MFA The Circlelock Solo offers the highest security possible for an unattended entrance. Using a space-efficient cylinder compartment with an interlocking door system, the Circlelock guarantees that only one person at a time can enter. The Circlelock Solo uses StereoVision® technology and can also integrate with biometric devices for multi-factor authentication (MFA).  Turnlock 150 The Turnlock 150 is a full-height turnstile constructed with heavy-duty aluminum that operates similarly to a revolving door. At GSX, the Turnlock 150 will be equipped with the BE Secure Overhead Detection System. This anti-piggyback overhead detection system utilises Time-of-Flight measurement principles (TOF) combined with Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms to detect when two people try to enter the same compartment on the turnstile using one credential.  Lifeline Speedlane Swing Optical Turnstile The Lifeline Speedlane Swing uses intuitive sensors and a swing gate to prevent unauthorised entry The slimmest optical turnstile available, the Lifeline Speedlane Swing Optical Turnstile features a sleek glass casing and colorful LEDs to guide users. The Lifeline Speedlane Swing uses intuitive sensors and a swing gate to prevent unauthorised entry and tailgating. In addition, the turnstile coordinates beautifully with the existing building decor.  Speedlane Compact Offering simplicity and sophistication, the Speedlane Compact offers a small footprint and ease of efficiency that provides security and safety when real estate is at a premium.

Evolv Technology, the pioneer in AI-based weapons detection security screening, is proud to unveil the latest innovation in its product portfolio, Evolv Extend™, designed to identify non-concealed (or brandished) guns approaching a venue and expand detection beyond the door. With a focus on delivering critical, timely information to “First Reactors” (those near or operating an Evolv Express® system, which detects concealed weapons), Evolv aims to help empower such professionals to take prompt action to address guns visible to the cameras as they approach a venue. In a world, where every second counts when it comes to gun violence, a swift response is paramount to help reduce the risk of harm. Omnilert Gun Detect Evolv partnered with Omnilert to create Evolv Extend, incorporating Omnilert Gun Detect, their best-in-class AI visual gun detection software. Combining selected 4k resolution security cameras and AI, Evolv Extend analyses high-resolution video streams to help identify brandished guns at distances up to 100 feet, depending on the gun type and orientation. Once a potential threat is detected, a comprehensive image, highlighting the detected gun, along with live, annotated video footage from the relevant camera, is transmitted to the tablet of the onsite security staff, or First Reactors, positioned near the Express system. Evolv partnered with Omnilert to create Evolv Extend, mixing Omnilert Gun Detect, their best-in-class AI visual Additionally, the command centre, broader security team, and first responders receive the same image with a recorded video clip showing when the gun appeared. The information presented to the user enables them to quickly make a decision and act on it, similar to the user experience with Evolv Express’ “Red Box” image-aided alert. This early warning is designed to help empower security operators to swiftly implement emergency operational procedures, like locking the doors, getting people to safety, and alerting the broader security team. Author's quote "The brandished gun detection technology is right up our alley,” said Kyle Jones, deputy superintendent at Florence 1 Schools in South Carolina. “Evolv continues to be proactive with its products and this technology is exactly what we need to add to our perimeter of defense. We sent various groups through the trial, including a high school marching band and our SROs, and the weapon was detected every time."   “With the introduction of Evolv Extend, Evolv reinforces our commitment to delivering the most innovative security solutions that prioritise rapid response and the safety of people,” said Peter George, CEO of Evolv Technology. “By helping enable security teams to detect brandished guns from a distance, Evolv aims to provide the information and tools necessary for security operators to proactively address threats and help protect lives.”

Smarter Security is thrilled to announce the launch of the latest Door Detective model, the Door Detective SG, featuring groundbreaking Sidegate Detection® technology.  This next-gen addition to the Door Detective line is set to transform the landscape of access control and door security, offering enhanced capabilities that address the evolving needs of modern facilities. Door Detective SG "Smarter Security's new Door Detective SG brings an entirely new weapon to the Security Director's arsenal," said Jeff Brown, CEO of Smarter Security. "Many years ago, Door Detective® introduced the concept of securing doors while they are open." "SG stands for sidegating or side-by-side collusion attempts to sneak unauthorised people into secure areas where they do not belong. So, this is a perfect solution for extra-wide or double doors in data centres, labs, and hospitals. Unlike other door security, Door Detective SG kills this risk, which is a major win for our government and commercial customers," said Brown. Doorway-mounted device It accurately identifies single individuals, multiple persons, tailgating or piggybacking attempts The Door Detective is a doorway-mounted device that provides real-time detection and analysis. It accurately identifies single individuals, multiple persons, tailgating or piggybacking attempts, and directional violations. Sidegate Detection® technology Its unique Sidegate Detection® technology identifies side-by-side collusion attempts through single and double-door entrances, emergency exits, and other vulnerable points, making it an invaluable tool for security professionals. This proactive approach can prevent security breaches, theft, and other criminal activities that could result in substantial financial losses and damage to an organisation's reputation. Demonstrations and insights Join Smarter Security for an exclusive opportunity to experience the Door Detective SG Join Smarter Security for an exclusive opportunity to experience the Door Detective SG and its breakthrough Sidegate Detection® technology in action at the Dallas Global Security Exchange (GSX) conference. From September 11th to 13th, its experts will be on-site at Booth #1533 to provide live demonstrations and detailed insights into the innovative features and advantages of the Door Detective SG. Innovative solutions Smarter Security is committed to providing innovative solutions that address the ever-changing challenges security professionals face. The Door Detective SG with Sidegate Detection® technology represents the dedication to advancing access control systems and protecting the integrity of modern facilities.

Matrix is dedicated to pioneering intensive research to develop groundbreaking security and telecommunication solutions for both domestic and global contexts. During the North Tech Symposium 2023, Matrix will present its full array of customer-centric offerings and products within the Video Surveillance, Access Control, Time-Attendance, and Telecom sectors.  Telecom offerings During the North Tech Symposium, Matrix is set to showcase its Telecom offerings, including Media Gateways such as SIMADO GFX114G, SETU VFX404, and SETU VFXTH0016.  Additionally, the lineup will feature the Digital PBX VISIONPRO, IP-PBXs ETERNITY NENX, and ETERNITY PENX, as well as the Hybrid IP-PBXs ETERNITY GENX and ETERNITY MENX. The collection will be further enriched by the inclusion of the pure-IP SPARK200 and top-tier business IP phones, all of which will be on display at the event.  Industry-specific telecom solutions Matrix stands as the exclusive OEM offering a comprehensive range of business communication products and solutions In addition to its telecom products, Matrix will also present various industry-specific telecom solutions at the event. These solutions encompass offerings like Office-in-a-box, hospitality solutions, software-based open server PBX, and seamless integration with third-party open SIP phones. Within the realm of Telecommunications, Matrix stands as the exclusive OEM offering a comprehensive range of business communication products and solutions.  IP Video Surveillance solutions At this event, Matrix will showcase its complete lineup of IP Video Surveillance solutions, encompassing server-based enterprise-grade Network Video Recorders (NVRs), UL-listed Cameras, Matrix Video Management Software (VMS), and more. These offerings are tailored to address the specific challenges faced by organisations, including issues related to bandwidth usage, storage expenses, the management of multiple office locations, and reactive security measures. Cameras on display The cameras on display will include Matrix's selection of Turret, Dome, Bullet, and PTZ Cameras The cameras on display will include Matrix's selection of Turret, Dome, Bullet, and PTZ Cameras, ranging from 2MP to 8MP in resolution. These Matrix Cameras come with UL Certification, a globally recognised safety standard, and NEMA Certification for protection against environmental threats, ensuring high-quality images for detailed scene analysis.  Server-based enterprise-grade NVRs In addition to cameras, Matrix will also present its server-based enterprise-grade NVRs during the event. These NVRs come pre-installed with Video Management Software that supports redundancies and hot-swappable hard disks (HDD/SSD) capable of providing up to 144TB of storage capacity. This technological marvel is designed to meet all the security requirements of organisations.  Access Control and time attendance In the realm of Access Control and time attendance, Matrix stands as the sole OEM that produces all the components, which include panels, door controllers, readers, and software, entirely in-house. COSEC PANEL200P Within the Access Control field, Matrix will feature its versatile Multifaceted Site Controller, the COSEC PANEL200P, capable of managing up to 25,000 Users and 255 COSEC door controllers. COSEC ARC DC200P Its POE capabilities and various mounting options simplify installation, even in limited spaces Additionally, Matrix presents its advanced access door controller, the COSEC ARC DC200P, which offers several advantages compared to traditional access control terminals. Its Power over Ethernet (POE) capabilities and various mounting options simplify installation, even in limited spaces, with reduced wiring requirements. This event will provide a comprehensive display of Matrix's complete access control product lineup.  COSEC VEGA FAXQ In the Time-Attendance sector, Matrix will introduce its COSEC VEGA FAXQ, a Biometric Attendance Device specially designed for government organisations and capable of integrating with Aadhaar information from the UIDAI server to accurately record the attendance of government employees. COSEC ARGO FACE Additionally, Matrix will showcase its top-tier facial recognition-based door controller, the COSEC ARGO FACE, known for its exceptional accuracy, lightning-fast identification speed of less than 0.5 seconds, and extensive user capacity of 50,000 individuals. These devices offer a range of connectivity options, including Wi-Fi, Power over Ethernet (PoE), and Ethernet, making them ideal choices for modern organisations.  Enterprise-grade solutions Kaushal Kadakia, Marketing Head, Matrix, states “Through this event, one of our major aims is to connect with organisations and system integrators, present our proven products  and solutions, and demonstrate how Matrix caters to various verticals through our enterprise-grade solutions.”

For both employers and employees, a safe workplace is crucial. But what about the security of those who keep us safe? Worker safety The physical security industry and its personnel are not only valuable but also indispensable assets in workplaces. Most private and public sectors rely on it to keep their respective communities and stakeholders safe. Hence, it is extremely crucial to ensure the safety of physical security workers. The security industry, regardless of size, must prioritise safety in the workplace as well, as well as maintain safety protocols for their workers. It is an employer’s responsibility and obligation to have in place effective safety procedures to safeguard both workers' safety and the safety of industrial equipment. Occupational safety and health measures Unsafe working conditions, environmental risks, and workplace violence affect regular businesses This justifies the requirement for occupational safety and health measures. They are necessary for both physical security and employers' and employees' well-being. More important than anything else is the sense of certainty that comes from knowing that one will arrive home from work safely. Unsafe working conditions, environmental risks, substance misuse, and workplace violence are factors that not only affect regular businesses but those in the personnel security industry as well. Importance of Workplace Safety in the Physical Security Industry A secure workplace is a characteristic of reputable businesses everywhere. All workers desire assurance of their security and defense, including workers in the security industry. Safety at work is a crucial problem. Employers are responsible for making sure that their staff members work in a secure atmosphere. Promoting workplace safety is the responsibility of management structures and company owners. Employers should urge staff to follow safe habits and utilise safety gear. Workplace accidents  Working in security is very risky. For instance, for every police officer killed while on duty in some nations, approximately two private security agents are also killed. Security guards sustain injuries more than twice as frequently as the typical worker. Workplace accidents take a human toll. They also place a heavy operational and financial load on security firms. Security assignments inevitably involve risk, but top security firms have demonstrated that it is possible to reduce both the personal and financial costs of workplace accidents. Safety and security tips The desirable characteristics of employees in terms of security and protection should be made known to employers. Productivity will rise, and the goods and services will be of higher quality. Here is a small guide listing out some safety and security tips and must-dos for physical security service providers. Wearing proper protective gear during security duty Consider giving your police protective clothes if officers patrol alone or work in hazardous regions Security officers run different hazards depending on where they are patrolling and the crime rates in the area. Consider giving your police protective clothes if they patrol alone or work in hazardous regions. It may be required in some circumstances to move around physically, such as while walking or running, therefore wearing comfortable clothing and footwear is also crucial. Adequate security training for personnel Getting all security personnel to commit to workplace safety is the first step in creating a safety programme. This includes giving them adequate training so that they have good knowledge of what their job entails, and how to do their jobs safely. It's crucial to be knowledgeable about security precautions so the person in charge can respond to events as they happen. Make sure that the employees are aware of the steps to take in case of an accident, fire, or break-in. It's also important to teach your security workers what to do if they need to detain someone suspicious while waiting for police enforcement to arrive and take over. Every physical security officer should be responsible for following safety regulations. Equipment knowledge and training  Additionally, physical security workers should also be well-versed in the equipment that may be required to do their jobs, as well as any security software they need to perform their tasks. Efficient and timely re-trainings and skill updates should also be given by employers in this industry. A well-trained professional is better equipped to protect himself while mitigating risks at the place they are working at. Every workplace accident should be looked into by the employer. They ought to motivate staff to adhere to all safety guidelines. Additionally, employers must express in writing the risks of not adhering to them. This lessens the likelihood of errors. Memorising the physical environment of the duty site Making sure to alert managers of any burned-out lights, damaged locks, or fence gaps should be a protocol Physical security professionals should be well-versed in all the potential trouble spots in their work surroundings. They should know, like the back of their hand, the locations of all the entrances, stairwells, and exits by walking the routes. To avoid being ambushed or hurt, it is commonly advised to make wide turns around corners. Likewise, making sure to alert managers of any burned-out lights, damaged locks, or fence gaps should be a protocol. Security policies and procedures Understanding the security policies and procedures in place at the sites, learning where the exits are and how to get there quickly from each location are also a must. It's a good idea to regularly pause, breathe deeply, and take a thorough inventory of your surroundings. When moving, it can be more difficult to notice any strange sounds, images, or odours. Therefore, to stay focused and alert throughout a long shift, it's a good idea to pause and re-ground oneself. Knowing the professional and physical limitations Security guards need to be aware of their rights and obligations. So, rather than attempting to handle the problem by themselves, such as seeing a strange item at a construction site, it would be more helpful to alert the proper authorities. To educate physical security professionals on what to do in an emergency, giving a properly detailed job description for each site is necessary. Security workforce management programme Companies should look for capabilities for lone employees' protection, a panic button, and real-time event reporting Security service providers want to spend money on a reliable security workforce management programme that has safety features for their security guards. Companies should look for a system that incorporates capabilities for lone employees' protection, a panic button, notifications, and officer safety features like real-time event reporting. The industry must ensure that its agencies’ personnel have received the necessary training to handle the worst-case scenario. It is pretty critical for security guards to be informed of their rights, obligations, and job limitations. Safety recommendations Workers should know, during the training stage itself, that it is strictly recommended to never attempt to handle a challenging situation on their own and always contact the right authorities to take collective action. Although extremely straightforward, these safety recommendations can boost physical security and guard effectiveness while protecting the lives of security guards. Besides the aforementioned, there are a few other common issues that also hinder the process of building a safe working environment for safety professionals. Impact of workplace stress Anxiety, sadness, and other health issues can all be brought on by workplace stress. And in the physical security industry, stress is plenty. Workplace stress is often the result of bullying at work, job uncertainty, and heavy workloads. Working productivity and employee health can both be significantly impacted by workplace stress. To help mitigate this risk it is advisable to encourage the following: Positive peer relationships - Encouraging good employee-to-employee relationships across hierarchies helps in curbing incidents of social exclusion or workplace bullying. Providing job security and welfare - Job certainty and meaningful perks and incentives help increase the overall job satisfaction of the workers, cushioning the natural stressors that come with the nature of the industry. Taking frequent breaks and giving fair work shifts - Ensures that workers are not tired and overworked, thereby improving their stress levels and job effectiveness which would improve both their performance and their well-being. Safety protocols Taking care of security workers' safety is paramount to the success of physical security enterprises. Having effective protocols in place that safeguards the workers, mitigate risk, reduce costs, and make safety personnel’s work performance better. In other words, for security companies and the industry as a whole, well-thought-out SOPs and thorough training will go a long way.

A person infected with the Coronavirus (COVID-19) infects an average of 2.5 other people within five days. You do not need to be a mathematician to realise that early detection of infected people is key to successful pandemic containment. The aim of effective containment strategies is therefore not so much to reduce the number of absolute cases as it is to extend the time frame within which they occur. Without effective containment measures, the virus spreads rapidly and is beyond the capacity of the health care system. However, if infection rates can be minimised through early detection and rapid, targeted identification of further infections, cases will continue to occur over a longer period of time and remain within the capacity of the health care system. Identifying, testing and results For example, the goal of many countries is to carry out as many Corona tests as possible to quickly identify infected people. It is then necessary to identify and reach potentially-infected people and isolate them in quarantine. This is a tried and tested procedure. But this method also costs valuable time in the fight against the virus and has many unknowns. The determination of a concrete test result alone sometimes takes up to 48 hours due to limited laboratory capacity. Added to this is the imprecise and slow procedure for determining contact persons. Or do you still remember exactly who and where you shook hands with in the last ten days - and could you provide information on this? Security technology to the rescue When it comes to the time factor, security technology can be a great help. Thermal imaging cameras and temperature sensors, for example, can help to detect a person with elevated body temperatures. Fever can also be one of the symptoms in those infected with the Coronavirus. At neuralgic points such as airports and train stations, or at entrances to hospitals, thermal imaging cameras can quickly reveal which people have fever. Presumably infected people can be easily separated and asked about other symptoms. Physical security technology can make a great contribution here. Dr. Frank Gillert, a professor at the University of Applied Sciences in Wildau, Germany states, however, as one of the leading scientists for logistics-centric security research, he demands "rapid innovation in dealing with situations like COVID-19 should be a priority". He sees enormous potential in the possibilities of IT and artificial intelligence; "We should use the disruptive changes that are currently taking place and that are challenging global orders to strengthen the significance in IT infrastructure development and also in security technology development.“ The goal in a global crisis And he is right: In global crises such as the Corona pandemic, security-related deficits become apparent and space is created for technical innovations. The goal of governments and companies is to restore security and save human lives as quickly as possible. The German data analytics powerhouse G2K, for example, has developed a Corona Detection & Containment System (CDCS) that is ready for immediate use in record time. Detection takes place in combination with AI-supported data analysis to specifically identify virus hotspots and distribution routes, as well as to identify other potentially infected persons. When developing the system, the focus was on two questions: How do I detect a suspected infected person in crowded environments and even more importantly, how do I quickly and comprehensively determine the person's contacts and previous whereabouts, and find correlations and patterns in this information? The data experts of the Berlin-based company found the answer in the combination of physical security technology and their existing data analytics platform. The G2K system The system is based on G2K's scalable IoT platform "Situational Awareness Builder" (SAB), which is already in use in several projects worldwide and sets standards in process automation and process optimisation, including security management. As soon as a person with fever is detected by the system, he or she can be immediately screened to avoid contact with other people and thus prevent possible new infections, i.e. to interrupt the chain of infection. For this purpose, stationary thermal imaging cameras or smartphones equipped with a temperature sensor accessory can be used. The potentially infected person must now be registered and referred to a doctor or hospital for further specific diagnostic measures. The entire process is covered by a mobile G2K application. A combination of security and medicine The platform can bring together available hospital capacity, infection reports, movement and contact profiles and provide an excellent picture of the source of infection. Thus, medically necessary isolations can be implemented quickly. At the same time, infected patients can use the app to document their recovery and become actively involved. All this data is centrally managed and analysed, using deep learning methods. This provides crisis managers with a single monitoring, control and resource management tool that enables immediate action to be taken to combat the spread of the virus and gives officials full transparency on the status of the pandemic. Karsten Neugebauer, founder and CEO of the company behind the solution, explains his commitment as follows "A few weeks ago we too were faced with increasing difficulties due to the Corona crisis. As we have a strong presence in Europe in particular, we had to struggle with postponed project starts and limited resources". But instead of burying their heads in the sand, G2K's dedicated team decided to declare war on the virus." "In our entrepreneurial duty, we, therefore, decided to use our available technology and equip it to fight COVID-19. Our team has been working day and night over the last few weeks to expand our software platform to enable us to contain the pandemic quickly and effectively. Politicians must now immediately push ahead with the unbureaucratic implementation of prevention and control measures such as our CDCS to ensure the stability of our public systems," demands Karsten Neugebauer. The pandemic continues As the COVID-19 pandemic spreads from continent to continent, researchers around the world are working to develop antidotes to the virus. As long as this has not been found, the spread of the virus must be slowed down internationally. Only by this can system-relevant infrastructure be held consistently. Combining modern physical security technology with platform technology and artificial intelligence provides an excellent possibility to slow down the current and for sure, future pandemics.

RedTacton technology makes it possible to transfer data by a simple touchCan you imagine locking or unlocking a door simply by touching the doorknob? Or being able print a document by placing one hand on the copy machine and the other on your laptop? It may sound like science fiction but is actually a very real possibility thanks to a new close-range communication technology called RedTacton. ASSA ABLOY Future Lab explores the implications of this new technology. First developed by Japanese NTT (Nippon Telephone & Telegraph) in 2005, the new close-range communication technology RedTacton takes wireless communication a step further by replacing the radio waves used for transmission over Bluetooth, IR and similar technologies with the minute electrical field emitted by the human body.NTT claims the invention heralds the dawn of Human Area Networking (HAN), a network where communication takes place via RedTacton transceivers embedded in devices like PCs and cameras, and in tags carried in, for example, the user's pocket. The connection is not initiated until he or she physically touches two different RedTacton-enabled devices, say, a laptop and a printer. Calling it an "intuitive and natural" technology, NTT points out that any human movement - be it touching, gripping, sitting, walking or stepping - can serve as triggers for unlocking or locking, starting or stopping equipment, or obtaining data. Development of an automatic human identification system and other applicationsTo the security industry, the RedTacton body field communication technology paves the way for a new breed of access control systemsTo the security industry, this biometric technology paves the way for a new breed of access control systems that are not based on remote controls or access cards that rely on radio waves that could be interfered with. The technology uses a transmission path established between the body of a person carrying a RedTacton card key and a RedTacton transceiver installed in, for example, a doorknob or floor. The person is automatically identified when they touch the doorknob or walk on the floor, and the transmission path is disconnected when the body and transceiver physically separate.  Based on this technology, NTT and Hitachi have developed a human-identification system that could be used for security applications, while a lock company designed and manufactured the RedTacton-equipped doorknob.  Also, French security company Vachette is currently working on a wireless security and control system for private homes where the use of RedTacton would add a further touch of convenience and ease-of-use to the home owner. The company's technical director Christian Pont explains: "Our preliminary tests show that RedTacton could be useful in motorised door locks. When you leave your home it is simply enough to touch the handle in order to lock the door. You don't even need to push a button or use a remote control."With RedTacton technology it will be possible to lock and open doors by merely touching the handleUsing human body for surface transmission of data Instead of radio waves, RedTacton utilises an electro-optic crystal that transforms electricity into data, achieving duplex (two-way) communication over the human body at the maximum speed of 10 Mbps. Scary as it may sound to use your own body as a communication device, NTT points out that the transmission never actually enters the skin but is merely carried across the surface, not exposing the user to more electricity than when speaking on a cell phone. In addition, the transceiver is covered with an insulation layer.  According to NTT another benefit of RedTacton - compared to transmission technologies using radio waves - is that transmission speed does not deteriorate in congested areas where many people are communicating at the same time. RedTacton is also said to be highly scalable for security systems incorporating flapper gates, fingerprint biometric authentication devices, immersion-detection sensors or safety equipment.  Outside the office, RedTacton offers a host of communication options that might come in really handy. For example, it lets you transfer pictures from your camera just by touching the PC while the camera is around your neck. And since data can pass from one human body to another, you may also swap electronic business cards by shaking hands, trade music files by dancing cheek to cheek, or swap phone numbers just by kissing. Body communication just reached a whole new level!ASSA ABLOY Future Lab 

The importance of space exploration is increasing, and more and more astronauts are cavorting in space. But what effects does weightlessness have on the ageing of the human body? How do certain cells develop under milligravity and microgravity conditions, such as those found on small moons and asteroids? The Swiss Artificial Gravity Experiment (SAGE) is dedicated to this research task. Construction of a satellite platform A team of students from various Swiss universities (Academic Space Initiative Switzerland, ARIS) wants to investigate how the ageing process in humans changes in space and how cellular senescence influences the development of ageing and age-related disorders. The young researchers are currently designing the construction of a satellite platform for a corresponding biological experiment, which must meet extreme requirements.  The fully automated system will serve as a long-lasting test field under the required space conditions and act as a centrifuge for the human cell lines to be studied. At the heart of this CubeSat solution is a fluorescence microscope equipped with a microfluidic chip and a high-resolution USB3 camera from the uEye XLE family. Ageing processes In the human body, ageing processes take place at the cellular level is referred to as senescence In the human body, ageing processes take place at the cellular level, which is referred to as senescence. This is a phenomenon where cells stop dividing and secrete inflammatory factors. "Building on research by NASA and many other groups around the world, there is reason to believe that cells age more slowly in microgravity than on Earth. This effect can be measured by certain proteins and mRNA, which are emitted during cell ageing." "Messenger RNAs (mRNAs) have emerged as essential factors contributing to or preventing cellular senescence. With a fluorescent marker, this mRNA can be labelled and, when irradiated with the right light, it is made to glow. The complete experiment is carried out over a period of two months in a volume of only ten cubic centimetres. To measure and analyse the necessary processes under these conditions, we need a particularly reliable and compact fluorescence microscope," explains SAGE Payload Engineer Jonas Schlör. Use of microfluidic channels For the laboratory tests, a U3-38J1XLE-C-HQ was used in the microscope. The camera captures fluorescent mRNA from human cells placed on a microfluidic chip. Microfluidic chips enable the miniaturisation and integration of complex laboratory functionalities on a single chip. This saves space and reduces the need for samples. Microfluidic chips contain engraved or shaped microchannels through which the fluid to be analysed can flow. The use of microfluidic channels allows samples in very small volumes. Due to the high resolution of the camera with the rolling shutter sensor IMX415 from Sony, individual cells can be distinguished from each other. The high pixel density of the sensor in particular makes it possible to display individual cells with a diameter of only 15 μm. A blue LED energises the cells in a microfluidic chip. These emit green light of varying intensity depending on the rate of senescence. Cells with a higher senescence rate emit more fluorescent proteins and are therefore brighter. An optical filter allows only the green light from the cells to pass through the lens onto the camera. This allows not only the general senescence rate of the cells to be determined, but also the specific number of living cells. Demands of the external environment Camera also features numerous software-related setting options, such as exposure times "The data obtained is thus very meaningful and scientifically relevant, as comparable research has not been conducted in this way before," explains Jonas Schlör. In addition, a complex apparatus, which is otherwise necessary for fluorescence microscopes, can be dispensed with and a lot of space can be saved. "The camera also features numerous software-related setting options, such as exposure times or colour filters, which means that a high degree of flexibility can be maintained throughout the design process." It also has to meet the tough demands of the external environment. These include the rocket launch with its very intense vibrations and, of course, the conditions in orbit under vacuum and cosmic radiation. U3-38J1XLE Rev.1.1 and IMX415 With 8.41 MPixels and 4K resolution, the U3-38J1XLE Rev.1.1 is particularly suitable for this type of visualisation task. With the 2×2 binning feature, it is possible, if necessary, to reduce the amount of data to be transmitted by a factor of four and thus increase both the light sensitivity and the frame rate. Sony's IMX415 rolling shutter sensor delivers high-resolution data for detailed image analysis.  Due to its extremely space-saving design, the IDS camera can be optimally integrated into this embedded application. The camera is controlled by a microcontroller, which processes and compresses the data while still on the satellite, after which it is to be sent to Earth. The software as well as the control algorithms are developed and tested by the students of the Swiss Academic Space Initiative themselves. Demands for subsystems and components All components must withstand the physical stresses generated by the launch vehicle The demands on the system or the CubeSat are high: The latter must both provide the attachment points for the subsystems and components and ensure the structural stability of the satellite - from insertion into its launch vehicle to the end of its service life.  All components must withstand the physical stresses generated by the launch vehicle during ascent and later the radiation and temperature fluctuations in space, while being as light as possible. The satellite prototype has already delivered first promising results. Outlook The experiment is designed to run for 3 years. Based on the research results, various scenarios are conceivable. First, for example, scientists would like to find out whether certain therapies could improve the astronauts' well-being. But senescent cells can also be drivers of various diseases that make life difficult for people, especially in old age - such as dementia, arteriosclerosis, diabetes and arthritis. In addition, they are suspected of contributing to tumour progression. According to one study, SARS-CoV-2 may also be a trigger for senescence - a possible explanation for Long Covid's persistent symptoms. The Swiss Artificial Gravity Experiment could provide interesting approaches for possible therapies. More and more IDS cameras are thus making a contribution to health promotion worldwide. "A field of application that is close to our hearts," emphasises IDS founder and owner Jürgen Hartmann. Camera uEye XLE USB3 Vision - consistently cost-optimised Interface: USB 3 Model: U3-38J1XLE-C-HQ Sensor type: CMOS colour Manufacturer: Sony Frame rate: 25.1 fps Resolution: 3864 × 2176 px Shutter: Rolling-shutter Optical class: 1/3" Resolution: 8.41 MPixel Dimensions: 36.0 × 36.0 × 21.0 mm Weight: 13 g Connector: USB Type-C Client ARIS brings together students from Swiss universities who are passionate about space exploration. Formed around ETH Zurich, the members address technical challenges by combining theory and practice. Not only are rockets being built, but with SAGE (Swiss Artificial Gravity Experiment) their first 3U-CubeSat satellite is also being developed.

Checkpoint Systems, a global pioneer in RFID and RF security solutions, has announced it is working with McDonald’s France to incorporate RFID technology into the global fast-food giant’s new reusable containers. Eliminating unnecessary packaging The move comes following McDonald’s commitment to eliminating unnecessary packaging and contributing to the improvement of recycling systems. It also coincides with the introduction of new French legislation that came into effect in January 2023 and aims to fight waste to preserve biodiversity and natural resources. RFID hardware and software Following an extensive two-year consultation process, Checkpoint was appointed to work with McDonald’s France in 2021 to deliver the project which involved the installation of RFID hardware and software in restaurants across the country. The project will help McDonald’s reduce waste by providing unrivalled real-time visibility The project will help McDonald’s reduce waste by providing unrivalled real-time visibility of its reusable tableware stock, delivering fast and efficient inventory management, optimising replenishment, and ensuring the restaurant’s stock lines are protected for long-term security and usability. First-ever food-safe, heat-and water-resistant, RFID Through laboratory test sessions and product consultations, Checkpoint Systems developed one of the first-ever food-safe, heat-and water-resistant, RFID solutions. The pioneering design has been applied from cups and bottles to fries containers, enabling them to be monitored and potentially tracked through an automated database. Real-time data In addition, the database will provide McDonald’s France with real-time data on the stock inventory including the container type and quantities and replenishment requirements, delivering up to 99% accuracy. Through its automated track and trace function, restaurants can also pinpoint the location of nearby containers (in case a container is accidentally discarded into a rubbish bin) to minimise the risk of shrinkage. To date, Checkpoint has supplied RFID solutions to more than 1,200 McDonald’s France restaurants. Circular economy With the new French legislation that came at the beginning of this year, the sector's players faced a unique challenge" Julien Thibult, RFID Sales Director Checkpoint France explained, "With the new French legislation that came at the beginning of this year, the sector's players faced a unique challenge." "Europe is tasked with achieving a circular economy within the next decade, and getting there will pose several operational obstacles." Future-proof solution Frederic Boukara, Business Unit Director France at Checkpoint Systems, added, "As the onus is placed on brands and retailers to pave the way for a greener future, organisations need to adjust their business practices accordingly without any adverse effects on their bottom line." "As such, we have provided an RFID solution to meet the demands of McDonald’s France, not only enabling it to improve its supply chain operations and visibility but future-proofing the brand’s business with the environment in mind.”

AFS is the global pioneer in providing real-time, end-to-end commercial lending solutions to the world’s top-tier institutions as well as regional and de novo clients. Solely dedicated to the financial industry, AFS is uniquely positioned to support the client’s business and technology transformation, evidenced by our solutions processing more than $3 trillion in small business, commercial, CRE, wealth management, and syndicated loans daily. AFS clients have achieved measurable results in customer expansion, revenue increases, and efficiency gains that outpace their competition. AFS is headquartered in Exton, Pennsylvania, with an office in Brussels, Belgium.  Need for a DRaaS solution In business for over 50 years, Automated Financial Systems (AFS) has a track record of industry excellence that few if any of its competitors can match. Currently, it operates the world’s largest and only fully integrated commercial lending system, with 25 of the top 100 banks using AFS products and services. As CIO, Rad Laney is responsible for ensuring that AFS, and all its precious data, remain secure and available, 24x7x365. That’s certainly no small task, especially when more business equals more data and business is booming. Challenge  We were faced with having to build out our DR systems in a bigger way than we had previously" “We’ve, thankfully, been quite successful when it comes to adding and retaining customers. But inevitably, that success began to impact our IT operations, particularly our disaster recovery strategy,” said Laney. "We were faced with having to build out our DR systems in a much, much bigger way than we ever had previously. It was a daunting task.” Continuous events of disaster For the last two decades, AFS has kept its IT operations largely in-house, developing and hosting its software. No strangers to “DIY IT,” this meant Laney and his team were solely responsible for maintaining the company’s business continuity efforts, which included operating two data centre locations in Pennsylvania. Each site was configured to failover to the other and vice versa, keeping the business continuously available in the event of a disaster. Simple and capable solution “Partnering with 11:11 Systems for disaster recovery allowed us to accomplish everything we set out to do. The capability and simplicity of its solution have certainly met and exceeded our expectations so far." "My team has been very pleased, and they’re a bunch of skeptics. In the IT world, you’re constantly bombarded by providers making all sorts of boastful claims and promises. So, when you run across an organisation like 11:11, that actually follows through and lives up to the hype, it’s a joy,” said Rad Laney, CIO. IT modernisation Laney and his team decided to change to DR by partnering with a cloud service provider for DRaaS While this in-house system technically worked, it was becoming increasingly burdensome to maintain. According to Laney, the resources required to manage both sites in both money and time started making the legacy processes feel less and less like an advantage, and more like a hindrance. So, as part of a larger IT modernisation project across the company, Laney and his team decided it best to change the company’s approach to DR by partnering with a cloud service provider for Disaster Recovery as a Service (DRaaS).  Market evaluation “Like most in-house DR systems, our old setup was quite expensive and difficult to maintain,” said Laney. “We wanted a way to make our lives simpler and save some money. So, we embarked on a search, which included a thorough market evaluation, for a solution that could best accomplish our goals. We found what we were looking for in 11:11 Systems." DRaaS-tically improved business continuity By the end of a months-long due diligence process, Laney and his team had their list of potential DRaaS vendors whittled down to three finalists. After careful evaluation, including selected proof of concepts (POC), Laney said their top choice was clear.  11:11 Systems' DRaaS solution From the usability and simplicity to the flexible capacity, our team thought it was just a much better offering" “11:11 Systems offered, hands down, the best DRaaS solution we tested. 11:11 DRaaS for Zerto is already a product, it already works. It’s not like an erector set waiting to be built once you sign the contract,” said Laney. “We wanted a product that was well thought out. From the usability and simplicity of the console interface to the flexible capacity, our team thought it was just a much better offering than the others we saw. We had it set up and replicated our three-tiered architecture in a matter of a couple of weeks. It just worked.” Meeting the regulatory requirements Another key differentiator in favor of 11:11, according to Laney, was its ability to meet all of AFS’ industry-specific regulatory requirements of which there are many. While not a bank, AFS is regulated like one, having to comply with the strict standards of the Federal Financial Examination Council (FFIEC). It also must demonstrate Recovery Point and Recovery Time Objectives (RPOs and RTOs) within a certain range or face dire consequences. Dedicated compliance team 11:11 offered all that and more, including a dedicated compliance team, which Laney can lean on to understand the complexity of maintaining these regulations. “Some may ask: Why did we choose 11:11? Well, let’s talk about meeting and exceeding expectations. 11:11 didn’t just meet our RPO and RTO requirements, it demonstrated the ability to exceed them,” said Laney. Covering data and transactions  With 11:11, our RPO was in the specification, and RTO, the time it took to bring up our entire environment" “We are required to meet five-minute RPOs, meaning we must be able to recover all transactions and all data created within five minutes of experiencing an outage. We also have an RTO of four hours." "With 11:11, our RPO was in the specification, and RTO, the time it took to bring up our entire environment, took about an hour and a half. Once we saw 11:11 demonstrate those capabilities, that was all she wrote.” Customer approved Transitioning to 11:11 DRaaS for Zerto aided AFS in another arena: Sales. Over the years, Laney has regularly fielded questions from customers regarding the company’s DR strategy, discussing everything from RPOs, RTOs, and underlying technology. Data protection, as it turns out, is important to everyone, especially banks. Five-minute RPO “There’s no question that DR is a major sales talking point for us. I get in front of a lot of customers and they’re always asking questions about our capability,” said Laney. “Being able to confidently say, ‘We can do a five-minute RPO and a four-hour RTO in the cloud with 11:11 and Zerto’ is huge. It assuages their concerns.” Data centre proximity One common customer concern, according to Laney, was regarding the proximity between AFS’ two data centres, which both resided in Pennsylvania. In the event of a regional disaster, like a hurricane or power outage, this left the company vulnerable to potentially devastating unplanned downtime.  And while AFS is not bound by any specific regulatory distance requirement, some of its prospective customers were, making deals harder to close. Policy compliance  For us, there was no regulatory requirement, but the same couldn’t be said for our customers" “The distance between data centres is often a matter of company policy or preference. For us, there was no regulatory requirement, but the same couldn’t be said for our customers,” said Laney. “And so, we kept running into this proximity problem. Some of our customers were required to get exemptions from their auditors. It just made everything a lot more complicated." AFS’ experience "Choosing 11:11, and having access to its global cloud footprint, allowed us to replicate our data at a safer distance, eliminate that concern for our customers, and still meet our RPOs and RTOs.” According to Laney, AFS’ experience with 11:11 has been everything he could’ve asked for, laying the foundation for a fruitful long-term partnership. Perhaps most impressive, he said, was 11:11’s ability to win over the toughest of IT critics: His team. Disaster recovery “Partnering with 11:11 Systems for disaster recovery allowed us to accomplish everything we set out to do. The capability and simplicity of its solution have certainly met and exceeded our expectations so far,” said Laney. “My team has been very pleased, and they’re a bunch of skeptics. In the IT world, you’re constantly bombarded by providers making all sorts of boastful claims and promises. So, when you run across an organisation like 11:11, that actually follows through and lives up to the hype, it’s a joy.”

The challenge - The Painesville City Local School District was opening to students and staff in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. Joshua M. Englehart, Ph.D., Superintendent and Shaun Bell, Director of Operations for the school district developed a reopening policy to ensure they could bring their staff and students back to school in a safe and effective manner. According to Bell, the 2019-20 school year has been particularly challenging, and while school has been in session since last August, plans for reopening began in April. Safe and effective manner Their operations plan was centred around ensuring students and staff were at minimal risk of contracting COVID-19 from interactions in the school building. They reached out to their district with a survey to gauge the parents’ interest in in-person A key component was to screen all who entered for an elevated temperature – a monumental task when hundreds of students enter the building within a very short period of time. They reached out to their district with a survey to gauge the parents’ interest in in-person learning versus virtual learning to determine their staffing needs. To be effective with their educators, they told parents that in-person students could later decide to go virtual-only, but virtual students could not opt to be in-person after the start of the year. The results were a 50/50 split between in-school and virtual learning. Elevated body temperature The solution - Recognising the value of MOBOTIX elevated body temperature (EBT) detection for school districts and the speed at which schools were deciding on policies, Konica Minolta Sales Representative Mark Michel crafted a two-pronged approach to help OH school districts succeed. First, he reached out to the Ohio Council of Educational Purchasing Consortia (OCEPC) to add MOBOTIX technology into the state contract. This ensured school districts could act quickly and get screening stations and other MOBOTIX cameras for their schools’ safety and surveillance needs without engaging in the lengthy bid process. “It’s just that extra layer. The more layers that you can provide the better… we recognise that you can never reduce the risk to zero, but you want to get it as close to zero as you possibly can,” said Joshua M. Engelhart, PhD., Superintendent of Painesville City Local School District. Thermal temperature screening After extensive research, we decided our best solution was to use infrared (IR) cameras" Next, Michel brought in the Derek Martinez, Video Security Services Consultant, Konica Minolta, as the subject matter expert to present the details to the Painesville team. After reviewing the product, they decided to make thermal temperature screening a part of their opening procedure. Painesville had already applied for grant money to cover the new costs that they faced with planning their district’s return-to-school needs, so they were ready to move forward. “After extensive research, we decided our best solution was to use infrared (IR) cameras provided by Konica Minolta to screen individuals quickly and with minimal staff to operate the system,” said Shaun Bell, Director of Operations, Painesville City Local School District. The plan was approved by the Painesville City Local Schools Board of Education and the Lake County Health District in July, which was “Much later than we would have liked,” said Bell. Screening individuals quickly The first day of school was August 24. The cameras arrived August 20, which meant the integration phase had to be quick. Opening of the school district was contingent on the details of the plan and they had to meet all the parameters – putting all their suppliers under a lot of pressure to perform. If it exceeded the acceptable range, the screener’s partner escorted the student to the nurse Konica Minolta’s Carmen Pescatrice, Solutions and Services Executive, was on site for two days installing the eight Thermal Screening Carts with M16 MOBOTIX cameras the school district purchased. They were installed and ready to go by the first day of school. The schools placed an ‘x’ on the floor that entering students needed to cross while a screener looked for an EBT on the laptop screen that is part of the station. If it exceeded the acceptable range, the screener’s partner escorted the student to the nurse. Computer network problems “It’s been working very well, I have received no complaints,” reported Bell. Going forward, the school district may mount the cameras with a direct Power over Ethernet (PoE) to reduce the WiFi use. And with MOBOTIX cameras on the OCEPC, they can consider other cameras to enhance their surveillance operations in the schools, on school grounds and in buses. During the course of the back-to-school discussion, Bell also mentioned some issues with virtual learning and frustrating computer network problems. With the All Covered, Managed IT Services team available to help them solve these problems, Brooke A Miller, Senior Sales Manager, stepped in to provide an All Covered contact the same day. Adds Bell, “We now plan on continuing our relationship with All Covered into the future as we work with them to investigate, troubleshoot and solve our technology issues.”

IDEMIA, the pioneer in Identity technologies, completed the first-of-its-kind mass-scale remote SIM provisioning campaign in the automotive industry with its Automotive Connectivity Manager platform. The Group collaborated with Mercedes-Benz AG to transfer over 700,000 vehicles from one mobile network service provider to another, using over-the-air services. Cloud-based Automotive Connectivity Manager The success of this campaign, which began in 2021 and ended in spring 2022, is the first of its kind globally. Combined with IDEMIA’s GSMA-compliant SM-SR, the cloud-based Automotive Connectivity Manager allows managing end-to-end processes from eSIM profile order to activation, including download of mobile cellular subscriptions into eSIM-equipped connected cars. Cost savings IDEMIA's automotive customers can easily swap vehicle fleets thus enabling substantial cost savings Due to the flexibility of eSIM technology and IDEMIA’s Automotive Connectivity Manager, IDEMIA’s automotive customers are not locked-in with any mobile network service provider, and can easily swap vehicle fleets, thus enabling substantial cost savings for worldwide fleet management. This large-scale migration did not affect Mercedes-Benz car owners, nor will they notice the change, as this is a subscription migration strictly beneficial to the carmaker for better optimisation of their telematics services. Subscription management campaign "IDEMIA has a long-standing business relationship with Mercedes-Benz AG. We are excited that we have managed this massive subscription management campaign together very successfully." "This campaign has solidified IDEMIA’s leading expertise in connectivity management for the automotive industry; it will encourage our Automotive customers to use this technology more often in the future, to solve existing and upcoming business challenges," said Philippe De Oliveira, SVP of Automotive Business Line, IDEMIA.

Large industrial units often have a large area containing quite disparate security needs. Hikvision has a wide range of technologies to cater to every need, as was recently seen by a rubber producer in Poland. Kabat Tyre, in Budzyń, produces rubber products for industry and agriculture, including rubber mats, machine tires, and inner tubes. When it came to developing a new security system to cover its 30,000 m2 production plant, Kabat turned to system integrator Tel-Kom Serwis, which used Hikvision products to deliver a hi-res fit-for-purpose solution that was also scalable for any future development. Challenge: Old systems with no flexibility Need for hi-res observation Kabat Tyre needed to overhaul its security system which was smaller and used lower resolution devices from different manufacturers. They needed to provide hi-res observation for their production halls, warehouse, office building, and outdoor areas, particularly to allay their fear of theft from the plant and to provide peace of mind and operational support in case of accidents. Need for reliable motion detection Landfills for black rubber products do not reflect well the light, making it difficult to observe with cameras In some areas, image quality in difficult lighting conditions was a particular concern. Not every part of the large area is well lit. Landfills for black rubber products (for example tires) do not reflect well the light, making them difficult to observe with cameras of lower sensitivity. In addition to this, they needed reliable motion detection and the ability to combine independent recorders into one system. The system needed to provide all of this in a scaleable way, as this would be a system that will be expanded in the future. They wanted to be able to add new features at an affordable price. This was particularly challenging since they could not know what functions they will need. Solution: Sharper images even in the dark 4K NVRs, Hikvision Video Management Software Tel-Kom Serwis built a solution for Kabat based on five Embedded 4K NVRs (DS-9632NI-I8 and DS-7716NI-I4). These provided a strong core for the solution, also using Hikvision Video Management Software to manage all of the cameras, all operating within one LAN.   Ultra Low-light Smart Bullet Cameras For the outdoor placements, tens Ultra Low-light Smart Bullet Cameras (DS-2CD4B26FWD-IZS) were used. These use Hikvision’s DarkFighter technology to provide bright, colourful images even in very low light conditions. EasyIP fixed cameras To cover the internal areas of the production hall and corridors, the EasyIP fixed cameras (DS-2CD2T42WD-IS) were installed, and IR fixed cameras (DS-2CD2142FWD-I) monitored the office. Thermometric Bullet Camera The tire testing points needed a slightly different device, so a Thermometric Bullet Camera was used The tire testing points needed a slightly different device, since temperature exceptions needed to be monitored to protect against potential fires. So here, a Thermometric Bullet Camera (DS-2TD2136T-15) with reliable temperature exception (-20°C to 550°C (-4°C to 1022°F)) alarm function and advanced fire detection algorithm was used. With hi-res images, even in the darkest areas, security operators have a much better view of what’s happening across the whole 3.5-hectare site. Results Easy installation and good image quality Arkadiusz Wierzbicki, from Tel-Kom Serwis, says, “A Hikvision solution made perfect sense to deliver this solution for Kabat Tyre as it provides easy installation, reliability, intuitive operation, and good image quality. There are also no hidden costs, which was important for the ongoing development of their system.” So Kabat Tyre has a high-resolution solution that brings all of its security needs together in a system that can be expanded to meet their changing needs in the future. Plans The future also looks rosy, as Kabat’s investor was so satisfied with the quality of the system that it is already in talks with Tel-Kom Serwis about expanding it further. It is planned to build more halls increasing the production potential, in which CCTV systems and Access Control will be installed by Tel-Kom Serwis.

Cloud systems faced early resistance from physical security end users concerned about a perceived lack of control of data that ‘leaves’ their premises. More recently, mass adoption of cloud systems reflects widespread confidence in these systems to protect the data they handle. However, there are physical security professionals who remain concerned about cloud-based systems from the perspective of cybersecurity. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: How can the industry address cybersecurity concerns of cloud-based systems?

Robots have been used in security patrol applications for decades, although developments in artificial intelligence (AI), video analytics, sensors and communications are expanding robot capabilities to new heights. Suddenly, robots are the latest thing in security. In addition, drones have become ubiquitous for numerous applications, including security. We wondered how well the security industry is embracing these newer technologies. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What impact are robots and/or drones having on the security industry?

Diversity in a company’s workforce is arguably more important now than ever. Societal awareness of the importance of diversity has grown, and many people see diversity as an important factor that reflects positively (or negatively) on a company’s culture and image in the marketplace. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What should the security industry do to promote workplace diversity?