Library security systems

Lumeo, a provider of video analytics solutions, announces a partnership with Hanwha Vision America, a global leader in surveillance and security solutions, to launch advanced AI analytics that run on Hanwha’s new camera, eliminating the need for analytics servers, and simplifying site deployments. This strategic collaboration enables customers to run Lumeo’s cutting-edge AI analytics on Hanwha’s state-of-the-art camera, the newly launched PNM-C32084RQZ camera, a high-resolution 8MP x 4 multi-sensor, multi-directional camera that. incorporates an Nvidia Jetson, enabling powerful AI processing directly on the edge. Key features and benefits Advanced On-Camera Analytics: Lumeo’s AI platform, integrated and running seamlessly into the Hanwha camera, delivers high-end analytics on the edge, surpassing basic functionalities. Customers can now benefit from traditional and generative vision AI models from Lumeo’s vast library, analytics like dwell, queue, redaction, speed, and proximity, and integrate into 3rd party systems, all running right on the camera. An All-in-One AI Platform: The integration enables on-camera analytics to be configured from, and to push data to Lumeo’s comprehensive AI platform that provides multi-camera data, video and event dashboards, AI search, remote management, and streaming capabilities. Simplified Deployment: With analytics processed within the camera itself, there’s no need for additional computing hardware, leading to faster installation and maintenance. Customisable Solutions: Leveraging Lumeo’s drag-and-drop tools, pre-built analytic building blocks, support for custom models, and custom code, users can effortlessly tailor analytics to their exact needs. AI with advanced camera technology PNM-C32084RQZ camera offers flexibility, with each of its four sensors capable of providing 8MP resolution "We are excited to partner with Hanwha to bring forth this innovative solution that combines cutting-edge AI with advanced camera technology,” said Devarshi Shah, CEO of Lumeo. “With the PNM-C32084RQZ and Lumeo, organisations can harness the power of on-camera analytics like never before, driving actionable insights and optimising operations seamlessly.” The PNM-C32084RQZ camera offers unparalleled flexibility, with each of its four sensors capable of providing 8MP resolution per channel. remote adjustments for pan, tilt, and rotation, along with motorised zoom and focus control, ensure precise coverage. New standards for on-camera analytics “Our partnership with Lumeo represents a game-changer for security solutions. By integrating Lumeo’s AI platform into our latest camera, the PNM-32084RQZ, we’re setting new standards for on-camera analytics." "This collaboration empowers organisations with unprecedented flexibility, intelligence, and efficiency,” said Tom Cook, EVP of Hanwha Vision America.

Maintel, the cloud communications, connectivity and security managed services company, is delighted to announce the launch of its new versatile Maintel Application Platform. The platform enables Maintel to develop and deliver its own applications and middleware “as a service” rapidly and consistently, in a scalable and secure manner, whilst providing a consistent approach to developing, managing, and delivering communication tools and apps. The platform will deliver a transformational capability for all of Maintel’s Cloud Communications customers. Core communications platform Audiosafe will provide customers with the ability to export their call recordings and metadata The Audiosafe application will be the first app delivered from the platform. Audiosafe will provide customers with the ability to export their call recordings and associated metadata from Cloud Communications platforms and Workforce Experience Management applications into their own secure storage instance, initially supporting the Genesys Cloud platform.  This addresses the key business and/or regulatory requirement that many organisations face, of retaining access to their call recordings for a length of time that is longer than is supported by the core communications platform provider. Common search and replay interface In the future Audiosafe will also allow customers to centralise call recordings from their legacy providers and systems, allowing them to fully decommission them where historically they would have had to keep them running and supported in the background, centralising all recordings in one place with a common search and replay interface. Dan Davies, Interim CEO and Chief Technology Officer at Maintel commented: “This new platform will further differentiate Maintel in our marketplace, helping us to tightly integrate Cloud Communication and Customer Experience platforms into our customer’s own business applications and workflows, providing a library of reusable pre-built software components developed in a pioneering edge, secure, serverless microservices architecture from the public cloud.”

AMAG Technology™, a pioneer in the access control and identity management industry, announced a new strategic direction that focuses on an expanded view of the company’s product portfolio and improved customer experience for channel partners and end users. The strategy has the full support of Allied Universal®, AMAG Technology’s parent company and the world’s pioneering security and facility services provider. Reinvigorate relationships “This isn't just a shift in strategy, it's a revolution in protection. We’re making the necessary moves to reinvigorate relationships with our channel partners and end users through improved experiences and visibility into our product offerings,” said David Sullivan, president of AMAG Technology. "AMAG has been a pioneer in the access control industry for more than 50 years. While our business has transformed dramatically over the years, perceptions of the company haven’t kept pace. Our new strategy provides our organisation and selling channel with advancements to achieve objectives and empower customer success.” New strategic direction The new strategic direction reflects the company's unwavering commitment to innovation, excellence, user experience and security. Expanded view of the company’s product portfolio and holistic approach to security: Three new product offerings launched this month. Technology Partner Portal showcases integrations with trusted technology partners, offering a destination to explore expanded capabilities of AMAG Technology’s Symmetry solutions. Comprehensive revamp of Symmetry integrated solution to be released within 12 to 18 months with an innovative interface and expanded features. Improved customer experience for channel partners and end users: A refreshed visual identity and digital experience at AMAG.com. New, comprehensive Resource Library provides a curated collection of content and a valuable repository for industry insights, best practices and in-depth product information. Launch of AMAG Technology Financial Services providing channel partners a leasing alternative to offer their customers -- an industry first. Interactive ecosystem “Our goal at AMAG is to provide our customers with an interactive ecosystem that is easy to navigate offering increased operational efficiency, to help operators quickly respond and even predict security events,” Sullivan said.  “We are strategically building a broader automated solution through business magnetism, attracting systems providers to support our solution portfolio which will provide customers a single pane of glass to operate within.” AMAG Technology’s strategic direction The company secures the globe’s most sensitive sites, including energy, higher education, medical, military, financial and data centres. Details of AMAG Technology’s new strategic direction and product offerings will be unveiled at the International Security Conference & Exposition (ISC West), April 9 through 12 in Las Vegas. ISC West is the comprehensive security trade event in the U.S.

After successfully detecting cloud identity-based attacks that bypassed existing security solutions and closing multiple six and seven-figure licence deals with Fortune 500 customers, Permiso has raised a $18.5m Series A led by Altimeter Capital with participation from Point72 Ventures. Permiso's unique library of detection signals feeds into their unified threat prevention, detection and response platform to provide organisations unprecedented visibility into their cloud environments. Static risk analysis “Permiso has proven to be indispensable to the way we manage and secure identities across multiple cloud environments,” said Sebastian Goodwin, Chief Trust Officer at Autodesk. “The ability to correlate runtime behaviour with static risk analysis across our identity providers, cloud service providers, SaaS applications and CI/CD pipelines enables my team to quickly detect suspicious activity in our environment, supporting my team’s mission to protect customer data and provide resilient cloud service to our customers.” Permiso’s platform  Permiso was got in to help victim organisations that were once targeted connect the dots After MGM and Caesars were targeted by LUCR-3 (Scattered Spider) last September, multiple casino groups turned to Permiso’s platform to help defend all layers of their cloud attack surface. In several other instances, Permiso was brought in to help victim organisations that were previously targeted connect the dots of activity in their environment that incumbent, enterprise systems couldn’t provide.  “We were initially captivated with the impressive commercial traction and love from customers. These customers made it clear that Permiso had rapidly become as critical a pillar in their cloud security stack as Wiz, CrowdStrike, and Palo Alto Networks. Jason and Paul's clarity of vision in anticipating this market need, intimately understanding why other cloud security technologies can't adequately detect identity-based threats at scale, and the completeness of their approach for providing technology to fill those gaps is what gave us conviction to invest,” said Erik Kriessmann, Partner at Altimeter. Disparate runtime events Permiso creates a composite, ‘meta’ identity to unify the disparate human and non-human identities within an enterprise and synthesise their runtime activity across the cloud’s attack surface. By providing multi-plane coverage across the layers of cloud environments, Permiso constructs user sessions from disparate runtime events that provide security teams the answer to the question ‘what happened in my environment, and should I be concerned?’ Permiso creates a composite, ‘meta’ identity to unify the disparate human and non-human identities “We don’t think in product acronyms when figuring out what detections to build - we observe threat actors in the cloud and follow them wherever they go to build detections in our product that find threat actors quickly and help our customers sleep better at night,” says Ian Ahl, SVP of Permiso’s cloud security research group P0 labs and former head of the Mandiant Advanced Practices and Adversary methods team. Permiso’s run-time graph Tracking threat actor activity across authentication boundaries poses serious challenges for security teams. By tracking all entities that are configured to access an environment, whether through federation, role assumption, access tokens, or direct login – Permiso’s run-time graph and activity analysis engine creates high-fidelity alerts with immediate attribution and context. Permiso’s run-time graph and activity analysis engine creates high-fidelity alerts with immediate attribution “Over the course of many of their campaigns, threat actor groups have demonstrated how they are able to target the identity provider and move seamlessly from the IDP to cloud hosting providers, and into SaaS and CI/CD environments,” explained Co-founder and Co-CEO Jason Martin. “By correlating runtime activity across boundaries with static, posture-based information, Permiso can not only help organisations find evil across their cloud environments more quickly than ever, but also use our run-time graph data to make better decisions around control improvements needed to secure their human and non-human identities.” New product capabilities After delivering for customers and significantly increasing revenue since their seed round, Permiso will use this Series A to rapidly increase integrations and introduce new product capabilities to their customers and the market.  Permiso emerged from stealth mode in 2022 and was named as one of the SINET16 Innovators. This prestigious award recognises the 16 most innovative and compelling cybersecurity companies from around the world. Prior to this, they raised a $10m seed funding round from Point72 Ventures, Foundation Capital, 11.2 Capital, WorkBench Capital, and prominent angel investors from the security community.

Recognising that security industry business companies need more than technical training, SecurityCEU.com, a division of The CMOOR Group offers a library of essential skills business courses, sometimes also called 'soft skills' courses.  The topics for the essential skills training include Meeting Management, Organisational Skills, Creative Problem Solving, Negotiation Skills, Crisis Management, Diversity and Inclusion, Workplace Harassment, Goal Setting & Getting Things Done, and Risk Assessment & Management. 130 courses in 7 categories There are 130 courses in the new library spread out into seven categories: Administrative and Office Skills, Career Development, Human Resources & Business Management, Interpersonal Development, Sales and Marketing Skills, Management Skills, and Essentials for the Workforce. Each course is between one and three hours.  This new library directly compliments the existing library on the SecurityCEU.com site, which hosts over 165 hours of technical security, fire, and life safety courses. Online or hybrid All the courses may be white-labeled so a client’s branding is applied to the user interface This new library offers the best of both worlds, as each course can be taken in the classroom, in an online format, or hybrid. Regardless of how a student takes the courses, the student receives a certificate upon completion. In addition, all the courses may be white-labeled so a client’s branding is applied to the user interface and client-specific examples can be built into the courses.  Robust suite of courses “We have not only seen the need for business courses for security industry companies, but the library is in response to client requests,” said Connie Moorhead, CEO of The CMOOR Group. Connie Moorhead adds, “Our goal is to provide a more robust suite of courses to help companies succeed, assist integrators and dealers with workforce development, and assist all security professionals to become more well-rounded in all areas of business.” Course pricing The essential skills courses are priced similarly to the pricing of the security and fire CEU library. Individual 1-hour courses are $25 per student, and the individual Essential Subscription rate for the entire library is $250 per student. Corporate volume rates are available for companies with as few as five (5) students. 

Robotic Assistance Devices (RAD), a subsidiary of Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions, Inc. announced a significant addition to its suite of AI analytics. This innovation equips RAD’s robotic security solutions with the capability to detect the rampant threat of hook-and-chain ATM attacks plaguing the banking industry. Hook and Chain attack A Hook and Chain attack involves attaching one end of a chain or cable to an ATM and using a vehicle to exert force on the machine, usually by pulling the chain with the vehicle, to forcefully open the ATM’s safe doors, and allow thieves to access the cash inside. With this development, RAD continues to lead the charge in providing cutting-edge security solutions tailored to meet the evolving challenges faced by financial institutions and other enterprise clients. AI analytics Steve Reinharz, CEO/CTO of AITX and RAD commented, “This important addition to our growing suite of AI analytics is just another example of how RAD is listening, and responding, to the needs of our clients and prospects." "Since the very beginning, RAD has been in the business of saving clients’ money through innovative AI-powered solutions. This new analytic is the embodiment of that mission.” Increased ATM crimes According to a report by ATM Marketplace, the FBI reported 254 thefts in 2021, up from 229 in 2020 According to a report by ATM Marketplace, the FBI reported 254 thefts in 2021, up from 229 in 2020 and 31 in 2019. Hook and chain attacks were the pioneering ATM crime, in which thieves steal cash from an ATM and cause extensive property damage, sometimes with loss and damages approaching $500K per incident. Mark Folmer, CPP, PSP, FSyI, President of RAD, added, “The Hook & Chain analytic was requested during discussions with a pioneering national bank with over 1000 branches. It’s foreseeable that soon a large number of these locations will implement a ROSA or RIO to provide that extra layer of defence, security, and safety.” Reputational and financial impacts ATM attacks result not only in direct financial losses from stolen cash and property damage but also in significant reputational and financial impacts for banking institutions. The public perception of a bank’s security and trustworthiness can be severely damaged in the aftermath of such attacks, causing a loss of customer confidence and potential erosion of market share. Moreover, the costs associated with investigating and resolving these incidents, including legal fees, regulatory fines, and public relations efforts to restore trust, can further strain financial resources. ATM attack detection analytics Troy McCanna, RAD’s Senior Vice President of Revenue Operations, expressed optimism, stating, “This new analytic has the potential to propel RAD further into the banking and finance market segments." "We currently have highly satisfied banking clients who are eager to implement ATM attack detection analytics. Additionally, our sales pipeline includes several significant banking opportunities, and this enhancement should help move them closer to completion.”

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.

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.

Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions, Inc., a pioneer in AI-driven security and productivity solutions along with its wholly owned subsidiary, Robotic Assistance Devices, Inc. (RAD), published a case study reviewing the overwhelmingly positive results from the successful deployment of multiple ROSA security robots at a multi-family community in San Jose, California. Innovative security technology The case study titled "From Break-Ins to Breakthroughs: How a Multiple RAD ROSA System Reshaped an HOA Community’s Security" highlights the transformation of Westside Manor Homeowners Association from a vulnerable community plagued by often dangerous break-ins to a secure environment through the adoption of RAD’s innovative security technology. Struggling with limited funds and frustrated with previously ineffective measures Struggling with limited funds and frustrated with previously ineffective measures, the HOA partnered with EPIC Security Works, a RAD authorised dealer, to deploy multiple ROSA devices equipped with AI analytics, lights, audio, and visual messaging. This innovative approach led to a significant reduction in break-ins, effectively transforming the community's security landscape. Author's quote “This case study summarises the detailed and coordinated efforts that RAD, its dealers, remote monitoring partners, property managers and end users perform as we successfully disrupt the security and #proptech marketplaces,” said Steve Reinharz, CEO of AITX and RAD. “I am so proud of this winning combination where everything and everybody worked together enabling a safe and more secure environment for the community’s residents.”  RAD’s software suite notification ROSA is a multiple award-winning, compact, self-contained, portable, security and communication solution that can be deployed in about 15 minutes. Like other RAD solutions, it only requires power as it includes all necessary communications hardware. 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. RAD has published four Case Studies detailing how ROSA has helped eliminate instances of theft  Two-way communication is optimised for cellular, including live video from ROSA’s dual high-resolution, full-colour, always-on cameras. RAD has published four Case Studies detailing how ROSA has helped eliminate instances of theft, trespassing and loitering at multi-family communities, car rental locations and construction sites across the country. RAD solutions AITX, through its subsidiary, Robotic Assistance Devices, Inc. (RAD), 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% and 80% when compared to the industry’s existing and costly manned security guarding and monitoring model.  RAD delivers this 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.

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?