Library security systems

Frederick Tucker, Allied Universal® security professional, has been honoured with the 2023 Ralph Day Memorial Security Officer Heroism Award for his life-saving actions during a shooting at the Nashville Metro Public Library. The award is the highest recognition a security officer can receive for an act of heroism. Tucker will accept the award on September 22 at the 2024 Global Security Exchange Conference (GSX) in Orlando and his story will be featured in the Allied Universal GSX booth #2200. Nashville Public Library Tucker directly removed his uniform shirt and used it to slow the bleeding until paramedics arrived On August 10, 2023, Tucker was on patrol at the Nashville Public Library and observed several people enter the library, heading to the restrooms. Moments later gunfire was heard from the restroom area and Tucker sprang into action.  He directed patrons to take cover under the main library desk until police arrived. Tucker and the library supervisor then entered the restroom, where they found a person suffering from a gunshot wound. Tucker immediately removed his uniform shirt and used it to slow the bleeding until paramedics arrived. His bravery in the face of danger not only helped keep library visitors away from the gunman, but helped save the gunshot victim’s life. Front-line security professional “Security professionals are unsung heroes. Frederick’s actions personify the bravery and selflessness our security professionals exhibit on a daily basis in today’s volatile society,” said Allied Universal Global Chairman and CEO Steve Jones. “Today and every day, we want the world to know about the heroism of our front-line security professionals and thank them for their hard work and dedication.  We want them to know that we appreciate them and applaud their heroism and professionalism.” Outstanding service and acts Each year, one security officer is recognised for outstanding service/acts in the security profession through the Ralph Day Memorial Security Officer Heroism Award sponsored by ASIS International, a renowned industry association for the security industry. The award is meant for those who perform heroic acts that involve circumstances where private security officers risk their lives to help save lives and/or property. The award nominees must be employed as security officers with a contract security company.

Robotic Assistance Devices, Inc., a subsidiary of Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions, Inc., is thrilled to announce the successful deployment of 4 RAD RIO™ (ROSA Independent Observatory) solar-powered mobile surveillance units (MSU) during the 2024 CMA Fest in Nashville, Tennessee.  The CMA Fest, one of the most significant country music events in the world, saw tens of thousands of fans flock to Nashville for an unforgettable weekend of music and entertainment. Ensuring the safety and security of such a large gathering is always a top priority, and this year, RIO played a crucial role in achieving that goal. Advanced AI technology Throughout the festival, the RIO units were strategically placed across key locations to enhance security coverage. The units operated flawlessly, providing continuous surveillance, monitoring for potential threats, and ensuring rapid response capabilities. RIO units were strategically placed across key sites to enhance security coverage The advanced AI technology embedded within the RIO units allowed for real-time analysis of crowd movement, immediate detection of any unusual activities, and swift communication with on-site security personnel law enforcement. Traditional security methods Steve Reinharz, CEO/CTO of AITX and RAD, commented on the deployment, stating, “The successful performance of RIO during the CMA Fest is a testament to our commitment to providing best-in-class security solutions. Our AI-driven technology not only enhances safety but also offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional security methods. We are proud of the role our tech played in ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all attendees.” “RIO has proven its effectiveness at several outdoor events and venues, capturing the attention of event organisers, security professionals and law enforcement,” said Troy McCanna, RAD’s Chief Security Officer and former FBI senior agent in charge of tactical operations in Michigan and Ohio. “The success of these deployments has demonstrated RIO’s ability to provide robust, reliable security in dynamic environments.” ROSA’s AI-driven security analytics  RAD expects to announce additional event deployments for RIO in the coming months Building on this momentum, RAD expects to announce additional event deployments for RIO in the coming months. Sitting atop a standard RIO 360 configuration are dual ROSA units. ROSA is a multiple award-winning, compact, self-contained, portable, security and communication solution that can be installed and activated in about 15 minutes. ROSA’s AI-driven security analytics include human, firearm, vehicle detection, licence plate recognition, responsive digital signage and audio messaging, and complete integration with RAD’s software suite notification and autonomous response library. ROSA’s high-resolution Two-way communication is optimised for cellular, including live video from ROSA’s high-resolution, full-colour, always-on cameras. RAD has published six Case Studies detailing how ROSA has helped eliminate instances of theft, trespassing and loitering at retail centers, hospital campuses, multi-family communities, car rental locations and construction sites across the country. RAD solutions are specifically designed to provide cost savings to businesses AITX, through its subsidiaries, Robotic Assistance Devices, Inc. (RAD), RAD-R, RAD-M and RAD-G is redefining the $25 billion (US) security and guarding services industry through its broad lineup of innovative, AI-driven Solutions-as-a-Service business model. RAD solutions are specifically designed to provide cost savings to businesses of between 35%-80% when compared to the industry’s existing and costly manned security guarding and monitoring model. Mobile robotic solutions RAD delivers these tremendous cost savings via a suite of stationary and mobile robotic solutions that complement, and at times, directly replace the need for human personnel in environments better suited for machines. All RAD technologies, AI-based analytics and software platforms are developed in-house. RAD has a prospective sales pipeline of over 35 Fortune 500 companies and numerous other client opportunities. RAD expects to continue to attract new business as it converts its existing sales opportunities into deployed clients generating a recurring revenue stream. Each Fortune 500 client has the potential of making numerous reorders over time.

At Dahua, they view environmental protection as one of their core responsibilities. They integrate clean technology into the company's strategy and increase investment outputs in this area, particularly in R&D. In this article, they will explore how Dahua empowers its green R&D capabilities, highlighting its green product management platform, utilisation of green raw materials as well its upgraded green packaging. Utilising GPM platform Dahua embeds green principles throughout the entire product lifecycle by establishing a green product management (GPM) platform that facilitates integrated management of products’ green attributes. This platform significantly promotes standardised and process-oriented management of green R&D efforts, thereby enhancing the efficiency of green product management. Dahua embeds green principles throughout the entire product lifecycle Dahua also developed a Product Full Lifecycle Environmental Management Specification, which imposes rigorous standards and strict requirements for internal environmental management across various stages including product design and development, processes, production, logistics, sales, maintenance, and product recycling. Using green raw materials The company actively identifies and adheres to environmental regulations and standards for products Dahua places significant emphasis on managing green product attributes by integrating environmental requirements into the early stages of R&D. The company actively identifies and adheres to environmental regulations and standards for products in both domestic and international operations, encompassing key requirements such as RoHS, REACH, CA65, PAHs, among others. These requirements are internalised and integrated into Dahua's Hazardous Substance Restriction Requirements, which also extend to the company's suppliers, ensuring that the products meet stringent environmentally friendly and low-carbon standards right from the source. Dahua also strictly adheres to the Hazardous Substance Process Management System (HSPM) in accordance with the IECQ QC080000:2017. This includes enhancing environmental data control mechanisms, developing multiple material library functions, and utilising green materials to support green product development. Throughout the 2023 reporting period, the HSPM operated effectively, resulting in zero recall or customer complaints related to environmental compliance issues. During the same year, Dahua added and updated 1,718 RoHS reports, covering over 97% of production materials. It also introduced new environmental testing equipment and conducted inspections on over 1,000 types of production materials with a 100% passing rate for self-developed RoHS sampling. Additionally, all types of different materials achieved a 100% coverage rate for REACH declarations. Over 1,000 products sold in Europe completed SCIP registration declarations, and the overall recovery rate for WEEE (Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment of the European Union) products reached 80%. Upgrading R&D techniques At present, 100% of Dahua's new product R&D has achieved simulation coverage While building a green product R&D platform and system, Dahua is dedicated to developing simulation designs. With high precision and efficiency, Dahua’s Galaxy Cloud Simulation Management Platform facilitates multidisciplinary simulation and cross-domain integration. This platform eliminates the need for actual testing or experiments in the R&D process, utilising continuous technological innovation to support green development. At present, 100% of Dahua's new product R&D has achieved simulation coverage. Dahua is dedicated to developing simulation designs In 2023, Dahua received the Excellent Organisational Award in Engineering Simulation Innovation Design at the Belt and Road Initiative and BRICS Countries Skills Development and Technological Innovation Competition. Several Dahua employees also received the Second Prize, Third Prize, and Excellent Award for Engineering Simulation Innovation Design in the same competition. Optimising R&D of green packaging Dahua actively conducts research and development on green packaging materials Dahua closely monitors the environmental impact of its product packaging. It follows the EU 2005/20/EC Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive, as well as relevant standards such as the GB/T 12123-2008 General Requirements for Packaging Design, the GB/T 8166-2011 Cushioning Packaging Design, the GB/T 6544 Corrugated Board, and the GB/T 13024 Carton Boards baseline requirements.  Adhering to principles of lightweight, standardisation, and green sustainability in packaging materials, Dahua actively conducts research and development on green packaging materials, guided by the DH JS 1730 Packaging Design Technical Specification and the T/ZJAF 9-2021 Green Packaging Technical Specification for electronic security products. Using lightweight packaging Dahua is committed to utilise lightweight packaging, ensuring that its packaging effectively protects the products while minimising the use of packaging materials and reducing packaging weight wherever possible. This approach not only reduces resource consumption but also lowers carbon emissions. Dahua developed an industry-pioneering film composite packaging technology Dahua also developed an EHS ecological pallet that uses paper instead of plastic or wooden pallets Dahua developed an industry-pioneering film composite packaging technology that utilises a flat paper-film packaging structure to provide three-dimensional product protection in a flat package. This innovative design is 100% recyclable, resulting in a 40% reduction in packaging material usage and a 50% decrease in storage space requirements. The patented non-equal-length composite core production process with paper film significantly reduces the average volume of product packaging by over 15%. On average, every million sets of products can save 12.5 tons of cardboard usage. This technology has been granted 31 authorised invention patents and 42 utility patents and is continuously being applied to key products in front-end, consumption, and storage segments. Dahua also developed an EHS ecological pallet that uses paper instead of plastic or wooden pallets, reducing the weight of the pallets by 50% and lowering energy consumption and carbon emissions during product transportation. Implementing packaging standardisation Dahua implements packaging standardisation to ensure that packaging materials meet the requirements of various products while promoting uniformity in packaging. This approach enhances the reusability and space utilisation of packaging materials. Based on the standardised design of basic logistics modules, Dahua developed a modular packaging technology featuring 1 standard box specification and 22 packaging solutions, catering to the packaging needs of over 1,000 components. Dahua developed a modular packaging technology featuring 1 standard box specification This technology is characterised by high reusability and significantly enhances the space utilisation of packaged products in transport vehicles. Also, Dahua’s innovative film packaging technology not only reduces the consumption of materials but also increases the reuse rate of product packaging by 30%. Upgrading green packaging Dahua is dedicated to utilising more environmentally friendly packaging materials, aiming to reduce the plastic content in its packaging in order to lower non-renewable resource consumption, minimise environmental impact, and promote the green recycling of packaging materials. Dahua introduced green plastic-free packaging technologies to replace non-degradable plastic components in its packaging through its initial research on degradable films and cushioning foam materials, along with the development of high-strength all-paper cushioned linings, plastic-free colour printing curing technology, and novel-coating moisture-proof boxes. Dahua introduced green plastic-free packaging technologies This initiative effectively reduces plastic waste, standardises packaging materials, decreases solid waste disposal requirements, promotes recycling and reuse, and enhances the overall degradability of the upgraded packaging. As a result of these efforts, the company has achieved a 9% reduction in plastic content in product packaging, equating to an annual reduction of eight tons of single-use plastic per million units. Dahua mainly uses paper, plastic, wood and metal in its product packaging. The table below shows Dahua’s consumption of paper and plastic packaging over the years: Dahua’s consumption of paper and plastic packaging

Robotic Assistance Devices, Inc., a subsidiary of Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions, Inc., is pleased to announce significant enhancements in the performance and reliability of its firearm detection AI analytics. These improvements will be incorporated into RAD's popular line of security devices, including ROSA™, RIO™, AVA™, and RADDOG™, and will begin shipping in June. Key features Key features of the upgraded firearm detection system include: Double Authentication: This new feature aims to reduce false positives by ensuring the system only acts upon true positives, enhancing overall reliability. Enhanced Performance: The updated software provides superior accuracy and faster response times, ensuring more effective threat detection and mitigation. ROSS™ and RAD’s physical product line Pricing details will be made available to RAD’s dealer channel and clients upon request “Continually improving our AI both at the edge and in the cloud is crucial for staying ahead of potential threats and ensuring public safety,” said Steve Reinharz, CEO/CTO of AITX and RAD. “We are leaning into this technology in a big way. We feel that the existing, limited competition combined with a great need, makes this worthy of investment.” The company noted that its verified firearm detection analytics will be charged at an extra cost to ROSS™ and RAD’s physical product line, making it the first analytic to earn the company additional revenue. Pricing details will be made available to RAD’s dealer channel and clients upon request. Firearm detection systems Troy McCanna, RAD’s Chief Security Officer and former FBI agent, emphasised the importance of proactive security measures, “It's imperative that schools and corporate campuses regularly review their active shooter security procedures and protocols. RAD's firearm detection solutions offer a critical layer of protection, enhancing the ability to identify and respond to threats swiftly and effectively.” Suspected images are meticulously compared against RAD's vast and always edited library RAD devices utilise a sophisticated combination of edge (on-device) technology and cloud-based processing to enhance the reliability of their firearm detection systems. When a potential firearm is detected, the device immediately sends captured images of the suspected firearm to the RAD Cloud for a process called double authentication. During this process, the suspected images are meticulously compared against RAD's extensive and continuously updated library of firearm models. RAD's Double Authentication process If the process confirms a true positive, the RAD device at the scene automatically enters a local alert phase, including audible and visual alerts. This action triggers an immediate response protocol, where notifications are swiftly sent to remote monitoring centres and other security personnel, including law enforcement agencies. RAD's Double Authentication process significantly enhances the accuracy of the RAD devices, ensuring that only genuine threats are acted upon. By minimising false alerts, RAD provides a more reliable and effective security solution, safeguarding public safety.

The Cyber Leader Summit, held at London’s Leadenhall Building and hosted by Check Point® Software Technologies Ltd., a pioneering AI-powered, cloud-delivered cyber security platform provider, served as a forum for discussing the escalating threats in the cyber landscape, with a particular focus on the alarming rise in cybercrime and the critical need for more robust defences. The one-day event brought together over 200 delegates, along with experts from Check Point, Microsoft, Omdia and Hashicorp among others, to explore the biggest cyber threats facing organisations. Cyber pioneers headed to the capital to listen, review and engage in talks around the global risk of security facing all industries.  Cyber Security Breaches Survey Citing the rule Cyber Security Breaches Survey Weir shared that 50% of UK firms Mark Weir, Regional Director for UK & Ireland at Check Point addressed the audience in his opening remarks, arguing that they need to revise the minimum security level in this country. Citing the government’s Cyber Security Breaches Survey Weir shared that 50% of UK businesses have been breached in the last year, while 75% of senior pioneers believe cyber security is important. With Ransomware and email breaches remaining the top threats for organisations, the question being asked at the summit was, “who is behind the cyberattacks?” Deryck Mitchelson, Global CISO at Check Point delved into this during his presentation where he explored the topic of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a looming economic threat and its influence on attack methods. Substantial financial gains Addressing the geopolitical dimensions, Mitchelson noted the significant threats originating from China, Russia, and Iran, particularly emphasising China's dual role as a technological partner and a substantial cyber threat. "The level of threat from China tends to be quite political as we’re deeply embedded with them in terms of technology exports. Yet, they pose a huge threat to us," he explained. He addressed the stark reality that cybercrime is on track to surpass the GDP of China by 2028 and highlighted the substantial financial gains cybercriminals are making, leveraging advanced tactics such as Phishing as a Service, which can be acquired for as little as $120 a month. Mitchelson remarked, "We're seeing a phishing epidemic – the accessibility and affordability of these services are contributing to the surge in successful cyberattacks." Power of AI and deep learning Mitchelson pointed to several high-profile breaches, including the theft of data from NHS Dumfries Deryck went on to share examples of how deepfakes, including voice clones, have had an impact on businesses and could potentially influence major events such as the general elections later this year. Mitchelson pointed to several high-profile breaches, including the theft of data from NHS Dumfries and Galloway as well as valuable lessons from the British Library. "All these attacks are preventable. None of these are classed as next-generation attacks. We should be doing much better to protect our organisations."   “It is important that we don’t underestimate the potential impact this technology could have on organisations of all sizes. The good news is that companies like Check Point are leveraging the power of AI and Deep Learning to predict and prevent attacks from happening.”  Threat posed by ransomware In the morning, delegates also heard from other industry experts including Marco Eggerling, Global CISO at Check Point. He provided insights into the world of Artificial Intelligence, demystifying the role of unknown cybercriminals. Other sessions included talks from Glen Robinson, National Technology Officer at Microsoft on digital defence in the AI era and Maxine Holt, Senior Director VP at Omdia regarding improving cyber hygiene. The People Hacker raised the awareness of humans being the number one risk factor for organisation The afternoon featured more presentations with Charlotte Wilson, Director at Hashicorp advocating for diversity in the industry, guest speaker Jenny Radcliffe aka The People Hacker raised the awareness of humans being the number one risk factor for organisation. The summit also highlighted the ongoing threat posed by ransomware in the UK and Ireland, which have become hotspots for such attacks. The day finished with a panel discussion where experts discussed the threat level and need for resilience on a larger scale. Cybersecurity strategies On that point, Mitchelson added: "Developing cyber resilience should be a key focus not just for organisations but for states and the public sector. In closing, Mitchelson urged attendees to rethink their cybersecurity strategies and prioritise cost-effectiveness, resilience, and the mental health of cyber teams." "We need to manage the mental health of individuals within our teams while ensuring resilient organisational structures," he concluded.

Trident IoT, an RF technology and engineering company focused on decreasing time-to-market for connected device manufacturers, announced the release of the new Taurus Z-Wave Series of silicon solutions. The Trident IoT Taurus Z-Wave Series will encompass system-on-chip (SoC) solutions and modules that support the latest advancements in Z-Wave technology, including Z-Wave Long Range (ZWLR) for the U.S. and the implementation of the ZWLR European specification. The Taurus Z-Wave Series will ship with an SDK based on Open Z-Wave Specification Release 2024A. “The Taurus Series gives global manufacturers access to cutting-edge Z-Wave capabilities,” said Trident IoT co-founder Bill Scheffler. “This silicon series and SDK will be the first to implement the ZWLR European specification, accelerating IoT product development worldwide.” Taurus Series silicon specifications Using the ZWLR 12-bit managing space, the Taurus Series supports networks of up to 4000 nodes The Taurus Series is based on an ultra-low power, high-performance Z-Wave SoC. The Taurus SoC solution is designed to enable Z-Wave solutions with pioneer battery life, range, and memory. Taurus Series chips feature an ARM® Cortex®-M33 microprocessor, 1MB of flash program memory, and 288KB of SRAM data memory for exceptional processing and response time. The powerful sub-GHz radios transmit at +20 dBm and +14 dBm, enabling communication over distances up to 1+ miles.  Taurus chips support Z-Wave Plus, Z-Wave Plus v2 and ZWLR, enabling the development of highly secure, reliable, scalable, and backwards-compatible solutions for smart home, hospitality, multi-dwelling units and more. Using the ZWLR 12-bit addressing space, the Taurus Series supports networks of up to 4000 nodes; Taurus chips also leverage ZWLR dynamic power control, enabling end-point battery life of up to ten years from a single coin-cell battery. Utility of IoT applications “ZWLR is a revolutionary technology, with the power to expand the reach, scale and utility of IoT applications while preserving full backward compatibility with currently deployed Z-Wave devices,” said Avi Rosenthal, Z-Wave Alliance Chairman of the Board. “This new Z-Wave silicon offering, paired with the Trident IoT SDK and design services, will enable more Z-Wave Alliance members to take advantage of ZWLR capabilities, bringing exciting new products to market faster around the globe.” End-to-end product development support Trident IoT will offer end-to-end engineering talks for new yields integrating Taurus SeriesIn line with the company’s mission to decrease time-to-market for IoT devices, Trident IoT will offer end-to-end engineering consultation for new products integrating Taurus Series silicon. In addition to the Taurus Series SDK, Trident IoT customers will also have access to an exclusive library of both Z-Wave and ZWLR device and sensor reference designs, created to accelerate the development of innovative new edge-of-property applications. Trident IoT also offers in-depth consulting from some of the industry’s foremost experts on wireless connectivity, including Z-Wave technology. “Trident IoT was launched in response to a gap in the availability of IoT product design services,” says Mariusz Malkowski, Trident IoT CTO and founder. “The demand for consultation has been extraordinary: in just six months we’ve had to double our engineering resources.” New Z-Wave products The Trident IoT lab is fully equipped and available for Z-Wave, Z-Wave Plus v2, and ZWLR end-product To support the development of market-ready products, the Trident IoT lab is fully equipped and available for Z-Wave, Z-Wave Plus v2, and ZWLR end-product compliance and testing. By providing silicon, design services, and in-house compliance testing, Trident IoT can help device manufacturers decrease the time-to-market for new Z-Wave products by more than 60%. According to Kevin Kraus, VP of Technology Alliances and IoT Business Development, Yale–Fortune Brands Innovation, “In-depth consulting services from the Trident IoT team will be an invaluable accelerator for Fortune Brands, helping us to bring new Z-Wave-certified products to market in the near future. With the launch of this new single-die silicon solution, we look forward to collaborating on new devices with next-generation capabilities, including long-range and potentially even multi-protocol devices.” Taurus Series silicon will begin shipping at scale in Q4 2024. In the meantime, Trident IoT will issue Taurus Series samples to select partners for initial testing and product development. 

The average business owner or investor has some kind of security precaution in place, especially in the after-hours when there are fewer deterrents to inhibit criminal activity. Security guards, video surveillance systems, motion sensor lights, or even just fake cameras placed around the property are some of the common options people choose.  Future of overnight security Smart business owners are starting to realise, however, that some of these traditional security measures are becoming antiquated and no longer cutting. The now and future of overnight security is in remote guarding. Pioneered by companies like Los Angeles-based Elite Interactive Solutions, which was founded back in 2007, remote guarding is revolutionising the overnight security business. Minimising criminal activity Remote guarding is fast becoming the most popular choice among commercial end-user property owners Remote guarding utilises a combination of cutting-edge technology, “digital guards,” highly trained security agents, and local law enforcement if and when necessary to minimise the potential of criminal activity. For those adequately enlightened to its overwhelmingly impressive crime prevention capabilities, remote guarding is fast becoming the most popular choice among commercial end-user property owners to secure and protect their investments. What Is remote guarding?  Remote guarding is a revolutionary concept and increasing trend in security systems that utilises a combination of methods to effectively analyse potential threats to property. Cameras and/or other monitoring devices running highly advanced algorithmic software are installed in strategic areas or vulnerable places onsite and remotely located security agents are immediately notified of any activity within a designated perimeter of the property. A blend of AI, cybersecurity, and video analytics When properly deployed by an expert provider, the technology stack includes a proprietary blend of video analytics, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and more. Done right, “noise” is effectively filtered out, allowing agents to act on legitimate alerts and achieve zero false alarms communicated to first responders. Today, there are a lot of terms and descriptions tossed around about remote guarding, remote video, virtual guarding, etc., but those attributes must be present to represent the true definition of the offering and its many virtues. Realtime situational awareness Many systems have a two-way speaker that allows the security agent to give a verbal warning When specially trained security agents are alerted to trespassers, possible intruders, or other suspicious activity, they analyse the situation in real-time and determine the necessary level of action. Many systems have a two-way speaker that allows the security agent to give a verbal warning, known as a voice-down, to the individual(s) that they are being watched. Most perpetrators, often believing the response is emanating directly from security personnel on the property itself rather than from a remote command centre, flee immediately. However, if the threat persists, the security agent enlists local law enforcement to get on the scene.  Customised remote guarding When properly deployed, remote guarding systems are also customised to specific properties. A team of consultants visits the client’s property to evaluate its vulnerabilities and where to best place cameras and/or other monitoring devices for system efficacy. Traditional security shortfalls  According to Keith Bushey, a retired commander for the Los Angeles Police Department, there is much frustration between law enforcement officers and potential victims of crime due to the historically unreliable performance of traditional burglar alarm systems and central monitoring stations. He states about 90% of security-related calls are false alarms, a problem that has been well-documented through the years. Onsite challenges When a legitimate emergency does occur, the perpetrators have often already done their damage When a legitimate emergency does occur, the perpetrators have often already done their damage and/or escaped by the time law enforcement arrives.  Onsite security guards are not the remedy either as they bring their own set of issues and challenges.  Unexpected costs Traditional security systems can also have unexpected costs. The cost is not only in the security guards’ paycheck or the cost of the equipment itself. The cost comes when an actual incident occurs. In worst-case scenarios, the security guard(s) are injured, the business suffers inventory loss, and/or damage is sustained to the property.  The medical and other costs for the security guard(s), the loss of inventory, property damage, deployment of law enforcement resources, and possible fallout of legal expenses all add up. Even in the best-case scenario, false alarm expenses incur if law enforcement is dispatched. These, among many others, are some of the primary issues that remote guarding resoundingly answers as a superior alternative. A bounty of benefits Remote guarding systems have been proven to cut costs and be more effective than traditional security systems. Even though the monthly monitoring costs of remote guarding are significantly higher than traditional intrusion detection system monitoring, the much higher effectiveness in crime reduction, elimination of false alarms, and augmenting or replacement of manned guards result in a substantially higher return on investment (ROI) to the end user. Easy tracking of threats The security cameras already have their image captured on record, making them easier to track down For example, case studies have demonstrated reduced security costs for clients by 60%, on average. These reductions have come from the costs of security staff, inventory, or property loss, plus saving money on insurance premiums and deductibles. The nature of remote guarding reduces the risk and costs of false alarms, with professional security agents able to determine an actual threat before law enforcement is called. In a rare instance when a perpetrator escapes before law enforcement arrives or can detain the individual(s), the security cameras already have their image captured on record, making them easier to track down and identify. Reduction of false alarms The significant reduction in false alarms is greatly appreciated by law enforcement, as it allows them to focus on real emergencies or crises. Better relationships are also developed between clients and law enforcement, as remote guarding systems are highly reliable in providing accurate and real-time information to officers as they approach the scene. In short, it assists law enforcement in doing their job more effectively, as well as more safely thanks to having eyewitness information before engaging in an active crime scene.  Partnership When you combine the decreased cost with the increased efficiency and success rate, it is easy to see why many commercial end-user property owners across the country are making the shift to remote guarding. It’s also an outstanding opportunity for professional security dealers and integrators to partner with a remote guarding services provider to bring a superior solution to their end customers and pick up a recurring monthly revenue stream in the process.

It’s no secret that the data security sector is constantly changing. It has an annual CGR of about 12.3%. Future trends in data security Much of this has to do with the rise of cybercrime in recent years, with reports showing that cyberattacks happen as often as every 39 seconds. To combat the growing rate of cybercrime, data security has been on the rise. As we journey further into this era, it becomes evident that a spectrum of significant trends is molding the future of data security. This exploration delves into a selection of these trends, unraveling their importance and the potential implications they carry  1. AI security tools will increase  Artificial Intelligence is also being used in the development of smart attacks and malware The introduction of Artificial Intelligence in the data security industry brought significant changes, especially in cybersecurity. AI has been the golden standard for face detection, natural language processing, automated threat detection, and automated security systems. Additionally, Artificial Intelligence is also being used in the development of smart attacks and malware, bypassing even the latest security protocols in data control. And as time progresses, AI security tools will flourish and dominate the scene. Let’s take a more in-depth look at three of the top AI security tools. Targeted attack analysis tool  Manufacturers utilise targeted attack analysis tools to uncover targeted and stealthy attacks. Artificial Intelligence can be applied to the program’s capabilities, processes, and knowledge. For instance, Symantec launched this tool to combat the Dragon 2.0 attack in 2022. The phishing attack reprimanded multiple energy companies while trying to gain access to their operational networks. Targeted Attack Analysis Tools can analyse incidents and look for similarities from previous situations. They also help detect suspicious activities and collect all the necessary data to determine whether a specific action is malicious. Intercept X tool  Results from the Intercept X Tool feature high accuracy and a low false positive rate Sophos, a British security hardware and software company, launched the Intercept X Tool. It engages a neural network that records and analyses data like a human brain. Sophos’ Intercept X Tool can extract features from a single file and perform a deep analysis. It detects malicious activities within 20 milliseconds. Plus, it’s also trained to work on bi-directional sharing and real-world feedback of threat intelligence. Results from the Intercept X Tool feature high accuracy and a low false positive rate.  IBM Watson Technology  IBM’s QRadar Advisor uses IBM Watson Technology, a unique AI tool for fighting cyber attacks. Artificial Intelligence can auto-investigate activities and indicators for potential exploitation or compromise. With cognitive reasoning, IBM Watson Technology can present critical insights to accelerate the response cycle. Security analysts can utilise this technology to search for threat incidents, reducing the risk of letting them fly under the radar. 2. Blockchain as a security solution  It guarantees no points of failure or hackable entrances that can expose datasets inside the system Blockchain is a type of distributed ledger technology (DLT) that aims to establish trust within an untrusting ecosystem. Today it’s one of the most robust cybersecurity technologies in the industry. Blockchain utilises a decentralised ledger system, but your team members can still gain access to transparent information in the cloud. Members can also record, pass along, and view necessary transactional data in the blockchain. The entire blockchain process maintains data integrity within the system while establishing trust among team members. It guarantees no points of failure or hackable entrances that can expose datasets inside the system. Cybersecurity, biometrics Cybersecurity primarily benefits from these features because blockchain can create a secure and robust wall between data and hackers. On top of that, blockchain ledgers can include biometrics like fingerprints and retina scans. These prevent hackers from accessing any private data. Because blockchain is decentralised, it also limits hackable data. Together with the technology’s record-keeping system, each node is provided insight into data manipulation exposing real-time cybercrime attempts.  3. Increased and widened access control  Without access control, expect your company to be open to security issues, including theft, data loss, and breach of data Access control is critical in data security. More than a valuable security tool, business leaders can use access control to regulate people accessing any given resource. A company with an IT security setting can control who has the liberty to edit certain files. One of the primary goals of access control is to minimise threats or attacks to organisations and businesses to keep people and data secure. Without access control, expect your company to be open to security issues, including theft, data loss, and breach of data protection laws. Benefits The benefits of increased and widened access control include: Identifying who can access and control your data at specific time intervals. Protecting data from overwriting, accidental deletion, and malicious intent. User permissions that can be readily changed. Compliance and regulation with data privacy laws. Central management of access to data through a reporting portal or a dashboard.  Multi-factor authentication Access control comes in various types and systems, so it’s critical to know the features of what you’re looking for. The most common type is multi-factor authentication or MFA. It involves multiple steps before logging in, requiring the user to enter other relevant information besides the password. Some other examples of information include biometrics, answering a security question, or entering a code sent to the user’s email address. Two-factor authentication, role-based access control Two-factor authentication further prevents unauthorised entries that can result in unnecessary data possession Two-factor authentication further prevents unauthorised entries that can result in unnecessary data possession.  Another type of access control is role-based access control. In this setup, only one individual can set up access guidelines and grant permissions to specific team members within an organisation. 4. Greater use of the zero-trust security model  The zero-trust security model is a framework that requires every user within and outside the organisation to undergo authentication, authorisation, and validation. These are all essential to ensure proper security configuration before access is granted to the company’s applications and data. A zero-trust model assumes that anyone can cause data breaches and that a traditional network edge is not taken into effect. Moreover, it addresses the following modern-day challenges: Hybrid cloud environments. Security of remote workers. Ransomware threats.  This framework utilises the combination of multiple advanced technologies, including:  A risk-based multi-factor authentication. Endpoint security.  Identity protection.  Cloud workload technology.  The zero-trust model uses all these innovative tools for system identification, user verification, access consideration, and system security maintenance. Constant validation and monitoring Enforcing strict policies and compliance with data privacy laws are also essential Additionally, it also considers data encryption, email security, and asset verification before establishing connections with applications. The architecture of a zero-trust framework requires constant validation and monitoring of the users and the devices they are using. Enforcing strict policies and compliance with data privacy laws are also essential. More importantly, the zero trust architecture requires all organisations to be aware of all their available services and accounts to gain complete control of data handling and manipulation. 5. Increased privacy regulations  Privacy regulations and policies guide organisations in proper data control, handling, and security. These policies guide organisations in proper data control, handling, and security. As a responsible business owner, you must comply with these regulations to avoid legal issues. With cybersecurity attacks becoming common, expect increased and stricter privacy regulations to be released in the next few years. While current policies are still taken into effect, various modifications and adjustments will occur to compete with the rising numbers of data breaches, thefts, data loss, and more.  California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA) Currently, the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA) is the most comprehensive legislation on state data privacy. It only started to take effect on January 1, 2023. The CPRA introduces the following principles: Broad individual consumer rights. Significant duties of people who need to collect sensitive and personal information. Additional definitions of data privacy and security. An individual’s duties include releasing information about data collection to concerned data subjects and proper access, correction, and deletion of information. Final thoughts  2023 is a big year for data security. Trends such as increased adoption of zero-trust policies, a greater reliance on AI security tools, and the implementation of blockchain as a security solution are all things we expect to see shortly.  Staying up-to-date with these trends is important for keeping your business current and ensuring that you’re adhering to new and changing regulations. Doing so can give you an edge over the competition and keep you out of legal hot water.

We work with and buy from “middlemen” all the time, yet the term remains loaded with negative connotations. It’s telling that the term remains gendered, no one has tried very hard to normalise the term “middleperson” in the same way as “chairperson” or “police officer.” Why? It’s easy to see a middleman as an inconvenience, someone who skims profit off the top while offering no real value to the end customer. Think of the second-hand car salesperson or estate agent of the popular imagination. Management of added services Yet we buy from retailers and marketplaces every day without complaint. As long as we see a middleman as providing value and convenience rather than getting in the way, they’re safe. This does mean, however, that resellers and integrators need to carefully manage how they are perceived and how much their added services are valued by their customers. The risk to security integrators Security policies need to be integrated, and the way physical and cybersecurity works needs to reflect these policies Businesses have often relied on security integrators to break down silos between security systems to strengthen both physical and cybersecurity postures. Typically, these have been seen as separate, but the increase in remote working and the adoption of cloud-based physical security has blurred the lines between the physical and the digital. Security policies need to be integrated, and the way physical and cybersecurity works needs to reflect these policies, rather than a siloed approach that will mean one is more secure than the other, and security integrators can help bridge this gap. Macroeconomic headwinds, digital transformation Security integrators have also proved invaluable in filling skill gaps within organisations. Not every business can be expected to have the staff and skills needed to successfully overcome integration challenges, they may have cybersecurity and physical security experts, but perhaps not both. And if they do have experts on staff, they may lack knowledge of the cutting-edge technologies that will protect their businesses best. This unique and esteemed role of security integrators is today at risk of disruption. Macroeconomic headwinds mean that businesses are scrutinising every budget line and asking if each is necessary. Digital transformation means they are questioning old ways of doing things are the providers they worked with five years ago, or longer, the same people who are going to give them the best value today? Research findings on current trends Unfortunately, many security integrators are not keeping up with change. Our research has found that only 26% of customers consider integrators up to date with the latest technologies. Businesses rely on these providers to navigate a new and confusing security landscape and only one in four say they are confident their partners have researched the road ahead. In the past, providers may have relied on having better knowledge than their customers. But 73% of security solutions buyers are doing their research on vendors and technology. Integrators risk being underprepared to serve a market that is more and more educated in the products they are providing a dangerous situation for any middleman. Finding the gap Who needs to outsource in-depth technical knowledge of security when they have that knowledge available in-house? The research suggests a shrinking gap for security integrators. Who needs to outsource in-depth technical knowledge of security when they have that knowledge available in-house? However, the problem may not be as dire as the research first suggests as long as integrators act to address the risks they face. Education Businesses are educating themselves about the market. They want to know what is available to stay safe, both in a physical environment and from online threats. This is understandable given how the news cycle, both of these spaces have seen an increase in potential threats, and the cost of cleaning up after a ransomware or similar attack has spiralled. Any sensible business will review what they have in place and their future options. Advance industry knowledge It has never been more important for the integrator community to advance their industry knowledge. They truly are the experts, and have an in-depth understanding of the latest trends, the advancement in cloud security, and the shifting demands of users. They also need to provide better service and consultancy. As the security world gets smarter and more cloud-based, security integrators who are well-informed and educated will have a clear advantage in the market. After all, most businesses don’t want to spend time researching and upskilling in areas where they can effectively outsource. Security integrators must be able to reassure their customers that they are up to the task. Bring on added value But to thrive, security integrators need to bring more value to the table and also be seen to be providing more value The problem may be perceptions rather than the actual value that integrators can offer. If integrators are more informed than their customers realise, they need to do more to let their customers know. This could be down to being too reactive i.e., not anticipating customer needs and simply waiting for them to ask for particular services or products or not demonstrating knowledge as part of regular customer service. There is still very much of a gap for security integrators in today’s market. They can survive in this gap. But to thrive, security integrators need to bring more value to the table and also be seen to be providing more value, more than a middleman, but a provider that can advise on the right products to meet specific needs and make those products work for their customers in an integrated way. Reinventing via consultancy They need to provide consultancy so their customers understand how best to ensure online and physical security work together to keep a business safe. Most of all, they need to demonstrate their knowledge to their customers and make sure they understand the value they bring. Businesses won’t be safer by relying on their research and knowledge to buy and install security products, but if they don’t understand the benefits of a specialist integrator, they may choose this route. It’s up to security integrators to reinvent themselves as the better kind of middleman if they want to remain relevant.

Wire bonding is a key process in semiconductor production. Extremely fine wires with diametres of 15 to 75 micrometres create tiny electrical connections between a semiconductor chip and other components. The distances between the bond wires are often less than 100 micrometres.  Wire bonding Any deviation, however small, can lead to connection errors. Wire bonding therefore requires the highest precision and forms the basis for producing high-performance electronics, which are used in many different applications. F&S BONDTEC Semiconductor GmbH from Braunau, Austria, relies on image processing technology with industrial cameras from IDS Imaging Development Systems GmbH to precisely determine wire positions and for quality assurance. Application The operator only has to change the wire or tool on the bonder occasionally and take care of loading and unloading Wire bonders are available with various degrees of automation. With manual devices, each bond position must be approached manually before the corresponding connections can be made. Semi-automatic machines automatically position the wire after the first bond to create a wire bridge. Fully automatic machines use a structure recognition system to determine the position of the chips. Here, the production of all wire bridges is completely automatic. The operator only has to change the wire or tool on the bonder occasionally and take care of loading and unloading. Image processing F&S Bondtec uses image processing with IDS industrial cameras for various tasks in the production process, especially in the semi-automatic machines of the 56i series and the automatic wire bonders of the 86 series. "Our wire bonds connect previously placed microchips or other components with different contact points on printed circuit boards and breathe life into the chips," explains Johann Enthammer, Managing Director and CTO at F&S Bondtec. Bonding parametres Ultrasonic amplitude, force, time, or the movement sequence for setting up the bonding bridges must be programmed "However, positional inaccuracies of the components can occur during the upstream processes. Our machines have to determine these positional inaccuracies using the IDS camera image and our image recognition software and update the wire bond positions accordingly." For each bonding process, parametres such as ultrasonic amplitude, force, time, or the movement sequence for setting up the bonding bridges must also be programmed in advance. The camera's image feed is also used when creating these programmes. Image recognition library For example, you can drag a wire in the live image and change its position. The axes can also be adjusted by clicking on the image. On the software side, the Austrian company relies on a specially developed image recognition library that works with position/pixel mapping, greyscale recognition, and edge detection, for example. Visual assessments of bond connections Once the bonding process is complete, the camera is used again, as Johann Enthammer explains, "After welding, the wire bonds are visually checked by the operator via the camera image." "Among other things, the position and shape of the bond bridges are assessed. The camera image therefore has more than just one function during the bonding process." uEye XCP models At just 29 x 29 x 17 millimetres, they are the smallest housed IDS cameras with C-mount Between one and seven industrial cameras are used per system. Depending on the type, these can be particularly compact and cost-effective uEye XCP models. At just 29 x 29 x 17 millimetres, they are the smallest housed IDS cameras with C-mount and have a completely enclosed die-cast zinc housing. Their screw-type USB micro-B connection and compatibility with the Vision Standard (U3V / GenICam) simplify integration. uEye CP cameras F&S Bondtec also uses uEye CP cameras. These tiny powerhouses offer maximum functionality with extensive pixel pre-processing and are also perfect for multi-camera systems thanks to the internal 120 MB image memory for buffering image sequences. Users can choose from a large number of modern CMOS sensors. They also score points with a compact housing measuring just 29 x 29 x 29 millimetres. Camera selection The small design of the models and the large number of different sensors were important criteria when selecting the camera, as was the low thermal expansion. However, the free IDS peak software development kit with all the programming interfaces and software tools required for operating and programming the cameras was also crucial. Easy-to-understand convenience functions ensure an intuitive programming experience and quick and simple commissioning of the industrial cameras. Plug-and-play functions Johann Enthammer confirmed, "The driver shows very stable runtime behaviour. The easy-to-programme API and the plug-and-play functions with running software convinced us." "This is because there are many different use cases for our systems that can be implemented with the API without any problems. Our machines can be equipped with up to seven different bond heads. A different IDS camera can be integrated into each one." Outlook In addition to standard products, the company develops special machines and customised software solutions The wire bonders from F&S Bondtec ensure stable connections in semiconductor production. With the help of integrated image processing, the manufacturing quality and productivity of the systems can be further increased and rejects avoided. At the same time, the cameras make work easier for the operators. In addition to standard products, the company develops special machines and customised software solutions that also use AI models.  Efficiency, precision, and quality "We see a lot of potential for the use of artificial intelligence in our applications in the future," says Johann Enthammer. Image processing opens up completely new potential, especially in conjunction with AI, particularly in terms of efficiency, precision, and quality. And thanks to IDS's broad portfolio, the right "eye" can be found for every application - for micrometre-precise results. Camera F&S Bondtec uses various uEye industrial cameras, for example: uEye XCP - the industry's smallest housing camera with C-mount Model used: U3-3680XCP Rev.1.2 Camera family: uEye XCP uEye CP - incredibly fast, powerful, future-proof Modell used: U3-3040CP Rev.2.2 Camera family: uEye CP Customer F&S Bondtec covers the desktop bonder and tester segment worldwide and offers a wide range of production and test equipment. It extends to the desktop micro-factory, which combines all wire bonding processes and all test methods in one machine base. Since the company was founded in 1994, several thousand wire bonders and bond testers have left the factory and are in use in many laboratories, development departments, pilot production lines, and production facilities around the world.

Named one of Money magazine’s Best Colleges in America 2023, Fairfax-based Geoge Mason University (Mason) is the largest public research university in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Its 10,000 faculty and staff provide classes and support services across three regional campuses, an international branch campus in Songdo, South Korea, and five instructional sites. With more than 40,000 students hailing from all 50 states and 130 countries and a six-year graduation rate that is well above the national average, Mason continues a rapid upward enrollment trajectory that saw headcount and credit hours increase by nearly 2 percent in Spring 2022 and Fall 2023 applications rise by 11 percent.  R1 research university In addition to a heavy emphasis on diversity – U.S. News and World Report named it the state’s best public university for diversity and innovation – Mason is a pioneer in technology and research with 40 percent of its students majoring in STEM fields. It is also the youngest nationally ranked R1 research university, a top 10 public university for cybersecurity programmes, and a top 20 public university for five different engineering and education online programmes.  University's challenge Providing an exceptional experience had to balance with the need to maintain public access to appropriate services Mason’s rapid growth requires it to embrace system-wide innovation, particularly when it comes to providing a safe, secure university environment for students, faculty, and staff. Providing an exceptional experience had to balance with the need to maintain public access to appropriate services, as well as the convenience of contactless entry and the ability to act quickly when credentials were lost, or stolen or the user’s status with the university changed.  Goal “We have a very open campus. Most of our doors are unlocked from 7 AM until 11 PM and we have a public library, so we need to make sure access control isn’t in the way. On the other side, we need to make sure that if something does happen, we can react quickly to unfolding scenarios,” said Daniel W. Anthes, Director of Technology Services, at George Mason University. “The goal is to make it safe, easy, and seamless for people to navigate campus.” Case study  Mason had already implemented a card-based access control solution featuring HID® Seos credentialling technology, HID OMNIKEY® chips, HID Asure ID card printing software, HID FARGO® printers, and HID Signo™ card readers.  Photo identification cards were encoded with appropriate credentials allowing the holder to access everything from parking to residence and dining halls to facilities and services, including data centres, libraries, and shops by simply tapping or swiping. “Eventually, we reached the point that the switch to mobile credentialling was a straightforward next phase. This would make it easier for staff and students to get where they needed to be without having to fumble with a set of keys,” said Anthes.  HID's solution HID Mobile Access lets any compatible mobile device – smartphones, tablets, or wearables – be used as a credential Mason again turned to HID and Atrium, deploying the HID Mobile Access® solution with Seos as the underlying credential technology. Atrium provisions and manages the lifecycle of the HID Mobile Access credentials. HID Mobile Access lets any compatible mobile device – smartphones, tablets, or wearables – be used as a credential to securely access doors, gates, networks, and more. It significantly increases convenience and boosts operational efficiency without compromising security.  HID Mobile Access Because Mason had Signo readers already in place, deployment of HID Mobile Access required just a simple upgrade. Importantly, while mobile access eliminates the need for physical access cards, the highly versatile Signo readers support the widest range of credential technologies via native Bluetooth, Near Field Communication (NFC), and Apple Wallet – meaning those who choose to can continue using their physical ID cards until they are ready to transition to mobile access.  Seamless integration “Once you get them using the technology, at that point the realisation hits that this phone access is awesome. Or you can use your Apple watch and never even pull your phone from your pocket. There are a lot of things you have to navigate when considering credentials." "Fortunately, the HIDand Atrium Campus partnership offers the complete solution, bundled together and working seamlessly in the way I expected. The seamlessness of the mobile credential and how quickly they can get where they need to be with their phone or wearable is cool to see in action,” said Anthes.  Final results Mason’s more than 50,000 students, faculty, and staff can leverage mobile credentials at any campus In addition to access to approximately 7,000 doors across its campus locations, Mason’s more than 50,000 students, faculty, and staff can leverage mobile credentials at any campus cash register, printer, copy machine, and retail and recreational facility. Mobile access will increase the convenience factor exponentially for students, for example enabling express check-in for residence halls at the start 2024-25 school year which will let students bypass queues that in the past were hundreds deep and go straight to their dorm rooms.  Mason Mobile ID Mason Mobile ID has also driven a significant drop in the issuance of temporary and replacement cards, saving both the university and students time, money, and frustration. Students can also easily switch credentials to a new wearable or mobile device, eliminating the need to have this done in person – a significant convenience when Apple released its iPhone 15 shortly after Mason transitioned to mobile access.  Safety standpoint “We are only two months in, so there are a lot of benefits we have yet to see with Mason Mobile ID, but I’m excited about what we’ve already started noticing in terms of students engaging faster with their peers and community." "The police department also absolutely loves the wearables from a public safety standpoint, because they can get through the doors a whole lot faster than they could with the traditional cards or when they had to fumble with keys,” said Anthes.  Operational efficiency Going forward, Mason is exploring expanding mobile access to shuttle buses, which would also allow them to track utilisation data, and for more special events access. “New technology like mobile access is how Mason improves operations, so if there is an opportunity, I will certainly push to have HID involved. There are a lot of things you have to navigate when considering credentials. Fortunately, the HID and Atrium Campus partnership offers the complete solution, bundled together and working seamlessly in the way I expected,” said Anthes. 

Indexable inserts are interchangeable cutting tools that are indispensable in various industrial applications, especially in metalworking. They are used as cutting material carriers for machining metals, plastics or wood. Their manufacture requires high-precision production processes to ensure an exact geometry and perfect surface finish. Even minimal deviations affect not only the service life but also the performance of the cutting insert. The smallest defects that are invisible to the human eye can cause immense damage, for example when milling or cutting high-quality components - including consequential costs. Careful quality control is essential to ensure that only flawless indexable inserts leave the production process and meet the high requirements in terms of durability and reliability. A flagship project by automation and measurement technology specialist Xactools from Germany demonstrates how artificial intelligence can help visual inspection make quantum leaps. The German medium-sized company has developed a fully automated handling and inspection system for a global manufacturer of indexable inserts based in Scandinavia, in which the DENKnet solution for AI-based image evaluation plays a decisive role and sets new standards in terms of performance, zero-defect production and speed. Application Edges of the indexable inserts are rounded and ground, and their covers are blasted, ground and coated Around 1.2 million indexable inserts leave the Scandinavian company's production halls every week, which have to guarantee the highest possible process reliability and maximum productivity in the metalworking, automotive and aerospace industries, for example. They are manufactured using the sintering process, in which powdered metals, hard metals and other materials are pressed into the desired shape and then sintered, i.e., bonded together under heat and pressure. The strong and robust structure created in this way makes it possible to combine materials with different properties in order to achieve the desired cutting and wear resistance properties. After the sintering process, the edges of the indexable inserts are rounded and ground, and their surfaces are blasted, ground and coated. The Robotvision system from the Swabian engineers is used directly after the second manufacturing step, the sintering process. "The earlier defects are detected in the process, the better and cheaper it is to rectify them," says Marvin Krebs, Director Technical Sales at Xactools, explaining the system's position. A total of eight high-resolution industrial cameras and two spider robots are used to handle and inspect the indexable inserts for defects, which keep an eye on and load three rotary table nests and finally one pin pallet each. DENKnet's AI forms the heart of the complex image processing system between cameras, robots and a multi-GPU computing rack. Requirements The AI-based image evaluation software used had to be trained to correctly recognise As versatile as the areas of application of the small tool parts are, so varied are their properties and geometries. This manufacturer alone has around 2,800 products in its portfolio, which can be divided into almost one hundred geometry families. The aim was to automate handling and defect inspection for all of these. "The first challenge results from the numerous colour variations within the powder per pressing process," explains Marvin Krebs. "If certain parameters such as time, pressure or positioning vary, this leads to colour or gloss level deviations or to a different distribution of speckles on the surface, but this is not a defect." The AI-based image evaluation software used had to be trained to correctly recognise the numerous possible colour deviations of the surfaces and rate them as "OK". On the other hand, the smallest irregularities such as cracks, scratches, inclusions or other anomalies must be recognised as such and classified as "NOK". The inspection of metal surfaces is considered one of the highest skills of surface inspection, as their texture can be matt, shiny or even reflective. "The AI had to be extremely trained to variations and lighting conditions for this application," emphasises Marvin Krebs. AI results for the metal components The customer himself trained the customised image analysis solution with the DENK VISION AI Hub But in addition to the visual appearance, it is also about the insert geometry. Categories such as triangle, rectangle, rhombus or square can be found in countless variations due to the smallest deviations and are therefore divided into manageable subcategories, so-called geometry families. Xactools made the pre-selection for the training of the meshes; almost one hundred geometry families were defined and then taught in by the manufacturer itself. What sounds like a laborious undertaking was done surprisingly quickly.  "No more than 20 to 30 images were needed to teach each geometry family," recalls Marvin Krebs. The DENKnet palletising AI used for this purpose uses the DENKnet segmentation and classification network. The customer himself trained the customised image analysis solution with the DENK VISION AI Hub. The AI was integrated into the production line in just a few months and achieved almost perfectly reliable AI results for the metal components to be tested right from the start. "Indexable inserts identified as defective are sorted out and grouped according to the size and position of the defect. The AI image analysis detects more than 99 percent of production errors," adds Daniel Routschka, Sales Manager Artificial Intelligence at IDS Imaging Development Systems GmbH. But how exactly does the system work? A lighting screen measuring 1 x 1 metre provides extremely high illumination at the palletising stations A total of eight cameras with resolutions between 5 and 30 megapixels provide live images of the indexable inserts, which are positioned by magnetic or interchangeable grippers. For example, a camera records the individual indexable inserts from below and from above in order to check them for surface defects. Two other cameras check their cutting edge.  A lighting screen measuring 1 x 1 meter provides extremely high illumination at the palletising stations. "The system detects defects in the thousandth of a millimetre range," emphasises Marvin Krebs. This ensures that no damage is caused to the high-end surfaces to be processed later. This is because "uneven and faulty milling processes can potentially impair profitability and competitiveness", as the manufacturer also knows. To prevent this from happening during the production process and to exercise the greatest possible caution, the system also records images of the contour and position of the panels after inspecting the surfaces and edges. New versions of indexable inserts The contour of the insert and the outer edge of the gripper are detected in order to correct the position It can see exactly where and in which rotational position the indexable insert is positioned so that the magnetic gripper can finally place it on pin pallets. To ensure this, the gripper, to which the indexable insert is attached, moves over a camera that detects the exact position of the hole from below. At the same time, the contour of the insert and the outer edge of the gripper are detected in order to correct the position of the indexable insert and hit the pin if necessary. In addition, each individual pin position is detected in order to recognise bent and broken pins so that they are not palletised in the first place. "The system has been running for six months and the self-learning, global AI now recognises parts that it has never seen before. After just three to four months, new versions of indexable inserts no longer had to be trained for inspection. The underlying geometry is no longer relevant for the AI; it knows the contour and can also differentiate between IO and NIO for new parts," explains Marvin Krebs. High-performance AI image analysis with 99% picking efficiency The image analysis of live images from eight cameras via a DLL requires enormous computing power For Marvin Krebs, the added value of the DENKnet system compared to conventional image processing is obvious: "Without AI, the creation of part families and defect detection would be completely unthinkable. With rule-based image processing, the robot would also recognise parts within the standard range as NOK and sort them out." In addition, thanks to the Vision AI Hub, no hard coding is necessary, and the flexibility of the networks was another selection criterion for the intelligent DENKnet software. "We were able to easily embed the DENKnet palletising AI and several object classes for defects into our own Xactools image processing software via an API," says Marvin Krebs. However, the performance of the solution is almost unique. The entire inspection process takes place in a cycle time of four seconds, with almost 100% picking efficiency. The image analysis of live images from eight cameras via a DLL (Dynamic Link Library) requires enormous computing power. "We work with DENKnet for a good reason. The performance is not comparable with that of other providers, it is truly excellent," emphasises Marvin Krebs. "Using artificial intelligence in the most diverse variants on this scale has never been done before." Further variations are currently being tested, for example, to further simplify hole detection. Outlook The extremely varied surfaces and geometries as well as intolerances in the thousandths of a millimetre range make the visual inspection of indexable inserts a supreme discipline that can be transferred to many other demanding applications. The self-explanatory training environment DENKnet serves as an incomparably simple and at the same time high-performance tool, because it can be operated without programming knowledge and enables the automated training of AI with just a few clicks. A wide range of Vision AI technologies are available for this purpose. "This solution can be customised to any use case and there are no limits - no matter how many “classes”, which camera technology, how large or small the images or even how mixed the data sets are in terms of resolution and type, for example," adds Daniel Routschka, Sales Manager Artificial Intelligence from IDS. "Over 95 percent of our measuring and testing systems have at least one AI object class integrated. The potential areas of application are getting bigger and bigger for us, the market is growing," confirms Marvin Krebs. Promising prospects for this exemplary automated AI training for the highest demands.

Safeguarding and streamlining access into and through education premises is a formidable task. Each user group has specific needs, from teachers, management teams, and cleaners to IT staff and students. Perimeter entrances, and indoor and outdoor spaces all require different levels of security.  Visitors to the premises want a controlled, efficient flow through the site. Staff need timely access to teaching rooms. Student access to the library or IT suite must be filtered and monitored.  Challenges All the while, budgeting remains a challenge, and the hidden costs of using traditional keys quickly eat up time and money. Managing mechanical keys is labour-intensive. Admin puts added pressure on busy staff when someone loses a key, for example. Locks need changing; keys recut and reissued and this costs money.   Need for electronic and mobile solutions Convenience is the main factor driving the fast-growing demand for mobile solutions In addition, building users, especially “digital native” students have grown to expect convenience in the palm of their hands. Their phone goes everywhere and does everything. Naturally, they expect the efficiency of electronic and mobile solutions. As the latest edition of the Wireless Access Control Report indicates, convenience is the main factor driving fast-growing demand for mobile solutions, in use by almost a third of organisations across every sector.  Cost efficiency With an electronic access system instead of traditional lock-and-key security, a few clicks in the management software cancels and reissues any lost or stolen credential, at almost no extra cost. It saves facility managers valuable time and the school’s or university’s money.  Because it requires no invasive drilling, wireless digital locking is fast and cost-effective to install. It’s also cheaper to run as, unliked wired locks, wireless door devices are powered by standard batteries or even energy-harvesting battery-free technology. Education institutions all over the world have already found success by switching from mechanical to wireless electronic access control, in both cost and time savings.  Keyless convenience, 2-factor authentication Easy integration with the existing access control system without additional software" Koning Willem I College’s new location in 's-Hertogenbosch was designed to be a model modern educational institution, including for security. “Easy integration with the existing access control system without additional software,” was the goal, according to Alex te Pas, functional manager of facilities management information systems.  “Within our organisation, we want to phase out the use of keys. Because when employees left, we noticed that people often forgot to turn in keys or tokens. In the event of an audit, we then have a problem.”  Aperio® locks The college chose Aperio® locks which were easy to integrate wirelessly with their existing Nedap AEOS access control system. No additional software was needed: wireless Aperio locks communicate via Aperio Hubs which handle secure, real-time communication between locks and the AEOS system. College security staff now have full control over access and can quickly revoke anyone’s access rights. “We wanted to provide our technical rooms with 2-factor authentication. So here we chose Aperio locks with PIN code capability,” adds te Pas.  Simpler municipal access management Keys were being lost and the subsequent cost of rekeying put even more pressure on budgets Saint Jacut de la Mer faced growing difficulties with access management for their public buildings, including the local school. Keys were being lost and the subsequent cost of rekeying put even more pressure on budgets. As in many other towns across Europe, they looked for a more efficient way to operate.  eCLIQ wireless access control “We decided to install eCLIQ wireless access control because of the good reputation of ASSA ABLOY equipment,” explains the town’s director of technical services, M. Bertho. This first phase includes the Town Hall, school restaurant, and more. All these properties enjoy the benefit of convenient, secure access management within a single eCLIQ programmable key-based system which includes single and double cylinders, as well as eCLIQ padlocks. Electronic access control  Adding electronic access control to all these different buildings required no drilling around doors. Authorised users have been issued with programmable, battery-powered eCLIQ keys. Each one unlocks all the openings they need in their day-to-day work. The town has already decided to extend the coverage of their system year by year. Next up are the elementary school and local cultural centre.

Alarming increases in vehicle thefts, unsolved traffic collisions, and stolen cargo in the Mexican State of Tlaxcala, motivated the Executive Commission of the State Public Security System (CESESP) to expand and upgrade its video security system. To counter the rise in crime, the CESESP sought a flexible, scalable, open-platform video management system (VMS) that could seamlessly incorporate existing cameras as well as over 800 new cameras and edge devices from a range of hardware and software providers.  Tlaxcala Located in East-Central Mexico, Tlaxcala is one of 32 states within the Federal Entities of Mexico. With a population of approximately 1,343,000, based on the 2020 census, Tlaxcala is the smallest yet one of the most densely populated states in Mexico.  The CESESP of Tlaxcala is tasked with safeguarding residents across the state's 60 municipalities. C4 centre C4 centre has multiple teams of six security professionals who monitor the system around the clock At the core of all security operations, including the 911 emergency response and 089 confidential tip line, is the CESESP's Control, Command, Communications, and Computing centre (C4). The state’s C4 centre has multiple teams of six security professionals who monitor the system around the clock on a large, 24-screen video wall. The C4 also houses the system’s HP and Lenovo servers.  Flexibility, scalability, and budget “Flexibility, scalability, and strictly adhering to the budget were top requirements for this critical, state-wide project,” said Maximino Hernández Pulido, Executive Commissioner of the State Public Security System. “We considered a variety of proposals and providers, but we ultimately followed the advice of our integrator, Digital Information Systems, and selected XProtect Corporate from Milestone Systems.”  XProtect Corporate The new system includes cameras from Hanwha Vision, Bosch Security and Safety Systems, Hikvision, and Pelco The new system includes cameras from Hanwha Vision, Bosch Security and Safety Systems, Hikvision, and Pelco, all integrated within the system and managed by XProtect Corporate VMS from Milestone Systems. The system is also fully integrated with the BriefCam Video Analytics Platform, delivering video intelligence for system managers to identify, monitor, investigate, and visualise incidents plus video data to make smarter decisions.   Efficient and cost-effective integration “Because state officials rely on their video system 24/7, the update needed to be gradual with no downtime. As new cameras were integrated into the Milestone platform, the previous system slowly disappeared,” said Isaac Sánchez Morales, an engineer at Digital Information Systems (SDI), an integrating company. “The XProtect Corporate open platform VMS allowed us to leverage our existing cameras and servers, integrate new equipment and devices, making the process very efficient and cost-effective, and we never had a gap in service.”  Data-driven video for fast response times  BriefCam video analytics technology The solution detects, identifies, and classifies video metadata to drive more efficient investigations The BriefCam video analytics technology seamlessly integrates into Milestone’s XProtect Smart Client. The solution detects, identifies, and classifies video metadata to drive more efficient investigations and business decisions, such as finding missing persons, investigating the vandalism, theft, assaults, accidents, injuries, or acts of violence, as well as extracting and analysing through heatmaps, dashboards, and visualisations. The analytics have proven beneficial in accelerating investigations, attaining situational awareness, and optimising operational intelligence for enhanced video search, alerting, and data visualisation.  Real-time alerts, situational awareness “We installed the BriefCam Insights and Investigator products, and regularly use the platform’s RESPOND and RESEARCH capabilities. One of the advantages of all these XProtect-integrated analytics is that operators do not have to open additional windows or enter new credentials to access them,” said Sánchez. “With this integration of technologies, operators can trigger real-time alerts based on complex object classifications and filter combinations to increase situational awareness meaning authorities can react to events as they unfold.”  Proactive policing with LPR With the BriefCam RESPOND solution, object characteristics and licence plate recognition tools can be used" Sánchez added, "With the BriefCam RESPOND solution, object characteristics such as a vehicle, person, or animal, and licence plate recognition tools can be used to trigger rule-based alerts." "These tools can help overcome the challenges of urban video surveillance and drive proactive policing in Tlaxcala."  Video technologies reduce state crime rates  Following the comprehensive expansion of the security infrastructure, statistics from the Executive Secretariat of the National Public Security Systems revealed Tlaxcala boasted the lowest crime rate nationwide. With the modernised system in place, officials documented a 93% reduction in pilfered freight from transport companies. Similarly, vehicle theft declined by 22.5%.  A cost-efficient and flexible way Milestone Interconnect provides a cost-efficient and flexible way to gain central surveillance According to Sánchez and the SDI team, it is expected that each municipality within the territory will soon have its own locally focused VMS. With the use of Milestone Interconnect, all the municipality subsystems will integrate directly with the state-wide platform. Milestone Interconnect provides a cost-efficient and flexible way to gain central surveillance of multiple sites spread across a region.  C4 video surveillance operation “The integrated solution delivered through Milestone is a robust, efficient, and secure system that provides all the necessary tools for the C4 video surveillance operation,” added Executive Commissioner Hernández-Pulido. “In addition, the excellent technical and post-sales support from Milestone and SDI has led us to meet the system and performance goals we set for ourselves.”

Adelante Healthcare currently operates seven healthcare centres in Phoenix, Arizona, and offers a wide array of services to patients of all socio-economic levels. The lock and key system wasn’t at all adequate for securing the seven different facilities. The facilities and all the patient and healthcare data needed to be protected in a highly secure manner. With so many employees, there was no way to track who had keys and how many copies were out there difficult to keep track of who had the keys. The choice It’s very easy to manage and we can focus our time on providing quality care to our patients" “The Brivo system makes my job easier and frees me up for other things. With Brivo, it’s easy to find out what we need; the system doesn’t lie," Larry Kadin, Facilities and Purchasing Manager, Adelante Healthcare. "It’s very easy to manage and we can focus our time on providing quality care to our patients.”  The change Adelante has issued access cards to over 200 staff and the cleaning crews at their seven facilities. Without lots of keys floating around, the healthcare provider no longer has security breaches. One person is administering multiple sites from a single web interface. Access can be programmed easily and quickly, it’s done remotely and in a manner of just minutes. The team has better records and easy access to data that can be provided to other departments. The new system has had significant positive effects on staff productivity and effectiveness. “I’ve not seen anything that comes close to what Brivo provides. The Brivo system is a joy to work with. It saves us so much time compared to other systems we were looking at, ” Larry Kadin.

In the United States, they are called licence plate recognition (LPR) systems. In Europe, the more common term is automated licence number-plate recognition (ANPR). In either case, the systems provide capabilities that can benefit a range of applications from schools to municipalities to parking lots. Newer technologies can even identify vehicle colour, type, make and model. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What's new with licence plate recognition (LPR) and/or automated number-plate recognition (ANPR) systems?

Headlines of violence in our schools are a reminder of the need to keep educational institutions safe. In fact, if there is a positive aspect to the constant bombardment of headlines, it is that it keeps our attention perpetually focused on how to improve school security. But what is the role of physical security systems? As the new school year begins, we asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: Are schools safer because of physical security systems? Why or why not? 

As physical security technologies become more complex, it is incumbent on the dealer/integrator to have the skills and expertise needed to ensure that a system operates smoothly. The value of integrators increasingly rests on the skill sets they bring to bear when installing a system. If the skills are missing, there is a problem. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What missing skills among security integrators can cause problems for customers?