Public security

Genetec Inc., a pioneering technology provider of unified security, public safety, operations, and business intelligence solutions, announced the opening of several new R&D hubs and experience centres, and the expansion of several offices around the world. New R&D hubs Underscoring its commitment to innovation, Genetec is expanding its global footprint with the establishment and expansion of new research and development hubs in strategic locations worldwide. Located in Vienna (Austria), Krakow (Poland), and Orléans (France), these R&D centres will complement the company's existing Montréal-based campus and its other R&D centres in Québec City and Sherbrooke (Canada), Paris (France), and Bruges (Belgium). Genetec is growing its global print with the place and expansion of new research and development “These new offices serve as innovation hubs, fostering collaboration amongst our developers as they build the forward-thinking technology that Genetec is known for. Our newest R&D centres will bolster existing initiatives and new capabilities such as intelligent automation,” said Christian Morin, Vice President of Product Engineering, Genetec Inc. “Not surprisingly, to meet the growing demand for Genetec innovation, we've grown our R&D team by 50% in the past five years." New experience centres and office expansions Genetec has also recently opened three new state-of-the-art Experience Centres in Washington D.C. (USA), Sydney (Australia), and Dubai (UAE), in addition to its existing flagship Experience Centres in Montréal (Canada), Paris (France), the City of London (UK), Singapore, and Mexico City (Mexico).  The company has also significantly expanded its offices in London, Paris, Vienna, and São Paulo Genetec also continues to grow its Montréal headquarters campus, recently adding over 100,000 square feet – including two subsidised bistros for its Montréal-based employees. The company has also significantly expanded its offices in London, Paris, Vienna, and São Paulo (Brazil). Demand for Genetec solutions “By launching new experience centres and offices in these strategic locations, we're not just expanding our global presence; we're scaling to meet the increasing demand for Genetec solutions across the globe. Our goal is to provide customers, channel partners, and prospects a hands-on encounter with our innovative technology, and an unforgettable brand experience," said Michel Chalouhi, Vice President of Global Sales, Genetec Inc. Since 2020, the company has grown its total headcount by 52% and currently has over 2,100 employees located in 20 offices across four continents. As part of its ongoing efforts to accommodate its organic growth, the company is currently recruiting to fill over 80 new positions, including over 30 openings in R&D across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia Pacific regions.

Alibaba Cloud, the digital technology and intelligence backbone of Alibaba Group, in partnership with Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS), has tested its latest AI-enhanced multi-camera replay service at the Olympic Qualifier Series in Shanghai, China, occurring between May 16 to 19, 2024. This pivotal event determined the athletes participating in the forthcoming Olympic Games in Paris ("Paris 2024”). AI innovation The AI innovation from Alibaba Cloud is poised for deployment across various competition venues during Paris 2024, promising to deliver a dynamic and vivid viewing experience to audiences worldwide.  “We are thrilled to collaborate with OBS to expand the use of our cutting-edge cloud-based AI technology, aiming to elevate sports broadcasting to new levels of immersion and engagement,” said Selina Yuan, President of International Business at Alibaba Cloud Intelligence. Advanced cloud technologies Selina Yuan adds, “As a pioneer in delivering intelligent sports solutions, we aim to work with OBS to redefine how global sports enthusiasts experience and engage with the Olympic Games. We look forward to further contributing to the Paris 2024 experience with our advanced cloud technologies.” Cloud-based multi-camera replay system The system, powered by Alibaba Cloud’s resilient cloud infrastructure, reconstructs the competition scenes The cloud-based multi-camera replay system introduces an innovative way to view the Olympic Games from multiple angles for the upcoming Paris 2024. Utilising machine learning and deep neural networks, the system, powered by Alibaba Cloud’s resilient cloud infrastructure, reconstructs the competition scenes in sophisticated detail, offering viewers a compelling engagement experience.  Immersive and cohesive 3D reconstruction Through specialised video processing within both edge and cloud environments, footage captured from strategically positioned cameras around the venues will be transformed into cloud-based 3D models with high-quality textures, enabling the creation of virtual frames from new viewpoints and making actions, such as rotation more smooth and realistic, thus providing an immersive and cohesive 3D reconstruction of the competition scenes. Alibaba Cloud's powerful computing architecture and proven cloud technologies facilitate the near real-time processing of high-precision 3D reconstruction and video rendering. Multi-angle video content During Paris 2024, the AI-enabled replay system will be implemented at 12 competition venues for events During Paris 2024, the AI-enabled replay system will be implemented at 12 competition venues for events such as beach volleyball, tennis, judo, and rugby. The multi-angle video content will be made available through OBS’s production system, enriching coverage of the Olympic Games through cloud broadcasting with a range of dynamic and lifelike replay footage for global Media Rights Holders (MRH).  AI features and deployment First introduced at the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 for curling and speed skating events, the multi-camera replay system was used to immerse fans in the action, allowing them to experience critical competition moments from a variety of optimal angles. With more AI features and deployment at more competition scenes, the innovation will elevate the broadcasting of the Olympic Games to a new level. As the official cloud service provider for the International Olympic Committee, Alibaba Cloud remains at the forefront of broadcasting innovation, driving the expansion of Games coverage through more inventive and inclusive technologies, to redefine the future of sports viewing experience with partners like OBS.

As more countries adopt the concept of digital identity, regulators are keen to showcase their plans and successes. But what do businesses think about this shift? To find out, Regula, a global developer of forensic devices and identity verification (IDV) solutions, commissioned a study to survey companies across different regions and industries to get a sense of their readiness, concerns, and expectations for digital identities. Digital identity Digital identity is considered to be a way to improve the efficiency and security of services, reduce fraud, and enhance access to public services, ensuring that they are delivered quickly and to the right people. A digital ID is an online representation of an individual, which contains personal information, credentials, and attributes used to establish and authenticate identity in digital spaces. As such, digital identity is already a well-recognised concept in different sectors. Perception According to the Forrester Consulting study “The New Imperative: Digital IDs,” 81% of large and enterprise-level companies from the Aviation, Banking, Government, IT, and Telecom sectors have at least a basic awareness of this technology, with almost half possessing a thorough understanding. Moreover, some countries and sectors, primarily those with advanced digital infrastructures and regulatory frameworks, as well as high customer online interaction frequencies, have already leaped its adoption. Implementation Currently, 42% of organisations worldwide are actively integrating digital ID technologies into their systems, and 31% are in the early stages of implementation. Another 17% of respondents are now developing a strategic plan to begin this transformation. The United Arab Emirates shows higher integration rates, where the majority of businesses (54%) have already moved to active integration. At the same time, places with stricter regulations, such as the US and Europe, are taking a more cautious approach, with only 37% and 39% of companies respectively claiming to be at the integration stage. Hybrid approach to digital IDs “As the Forrester experts note in the study, the complexities and disparities of global implementation across various landscapes highlight the strategic necessity of adopting a hybrid approach to digital IDs. Moreover, there is no single, universally accepted set of global standards for digital IDs that applies across all countries and sectors," said Ihar Kliashchou, Chief Technology Officer at Regula. "Therefore, the large number of companies at the stage of active implementation demonstrates a growing need for frameworks and guidelines that aim to foster interoperability, security, and privacy across different digital ID systems." Frameworks and guidelines "The good news is that several international organisations and standards bodies, the New Technology Working Group in the International Civil Aviation Organisation, the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO), etc. are working towards those standards. This seems to be a case in which slow and steady wins the race.”  More insights on the survey results will be revealed during an upcoming webinar with Regula and European Telecommunications Standards Institute experts. Methodology In January 2024, Regula commissioned Forrester Consulting to survey 226 manager-level and higher decision-makers responsible for their organisations’ ID verification solutions.  The respondents were primarily from Europe, North America, and the Middle East, with at least 500 employees or more.

Current UK Managing Director Andy Madge will retire, effective 1 July 2024, handing over responsibility for the UK and Ireland subsidiary to Mike Garrod. Mike Garrod, with extensive experience in the aerospace and defence sectors, joined Frequentis UK on 13 May to begin a phased handover to close Andy’s seven successful years as Managing Director of the UK and Ireland subsidiary.  Frequentis UK Frequentis UK operates across all five Frequentis business segments, including civil and military air traffic control, public transport, public safety, and maritime. Under Andy Madge’s leadership, the company has experienced remarkable market growth, transforming from a small branch into a key contributor to the international success of the Frequentis Group, as well as successfully navigating challenging times, including Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic. Mike Garrod's experience Mike has held various leadership roles in engineering, programme management, and business development Before joining Frequentis, Mike Garrod served as the Managing Director of MKC Training, where he has overseen operations since September 2019. With a career spanning 16 years at the UK-based defence technology company QinetiQ, Mike has held various leadership roles in engineering, programme management, and business development, working on projects ranging from global navigation systems to electronic warfare. Next phase of development “The Frequentis Executive Board expresses its sincere gratitude to Andy for his contributions over the last seven years. Under Andy’s Leadership Frequentis UK gained prominent contracts including the Metropolitan Police Service, West Yorkshire Fire Service, Maritime and Coastguard Agency, and UK Ambulance Radio Programme, as well as fostering relationships with the long-term partners Ministry of Defence and National Air Traffic Services (NATS)." "We wish Andy all the best in his retirement and would like to warmly welcome Mike to continue to lead the company into its next phase of development,” says Norbert Haslacher, CEO of Frequentis. The transition between Andy Madge and Mike Garrod will be managed from May until the end of July 2024.

IDEMIA Public Security North America, the biometrics solutions pioneer for law enforcement agencies, announced that it has implemented its cloud-native, fully functional Automated Biometric Identification System, STORM ABIS, in Volusia County, Florida to support its latent print unit. The Volusia Sheriff’s Office is the first law enforcement agency in the nation implementing a cloud-native ABIS that can search county, state, and federal databases from a single application. Volusia County, which is located in the east-central part of Florida, is home to over 579,000 citizens. Biometric matching algorithms Designed by latent print aces for latent print examiners, STORM ABIS users work efficiently With over 40 years of experience working alongside the world’s pioneering law enforcement agencies, IDEMIA understands the technology that latent print units need. Designed by latent print experts for latent print examiners, STORM ABIS users work efficiently to upload, encode, search, and compare latent prints.  As the industry’s first cloud-native ABIS, each Latent Print Examiner can log into STORM ABIS from wherever they are, securely and conveniently through a web browser to access state-of-the-art biometric matching algorithms. It supports local and national searches with tools for analysis, comparison, and case management, so users don’t have to log onto different systems. Latent print casework Independent testing from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) showed that IDEMIA has the most accurate latent print search algorithms, and the Volusia Sheriff’s Office has seen incredible benefits with this technology. The Latent Print Unit typically handles latent print casework for 15-16 different agencies, and STORM ABIS has helped increase efficiency and allowed examiners to complete more cases. STORM ABIS has helped increase efficiency and allowed examiners to complete more cases “The ease of use stands out for us. We prepare the images for a case, upload it to STORM ABIS, and then run searches for the case. With its capabilities, we’ve gone from handling 5 cases a week (per examiner) to 8-15 cases per week! We can now also send searches at the local, state, or federal level at the same time within one application,” Lindsay Jones, CLPE, Supervisor of the Latent Print Unit. Partner with the Volusia Sheriff’s Office “We’re honoured to partner with the Volusia Sheriff’s Office and help streamline their processes and further their goals to keep their communities safe. It’s exciting to see the benefits they are already seeing, and to see how they will use the technology to expand their capabilities not only at the local level, but for state and federal cases,” Casey Mayfield, SVP, Justice & Public Safety, IDEMIA Public Security North America. “The IDEMIA team has been with us every step of the way, and we’ve loved working with them. The team is knowledgeable and transparent about what we can do with their technology, we’re looking forward to continuing to collaborate with them in the future,” Lindsay Jones.

New data from the latest members’ survey of the ClubCISO community, in collaboration with Telstra Purple, highlight CISOs’ confidence in generative AI in their organisations. Around half of those surveyed (51%), and the largest contingent, 50%) believe these tools are a force for good and act as security enablers. In comparison, only 25% saw generative AI tools as a risk to their organisational security. Risks linked to Gen AI tools The study's findings underscore the proactive stance of CISOs in comprehending the risks linked to generative AI tools and their active support in implementing these tools across their respective organisations. 45% of respondents suggested they now allow generative AI tools for specific applications, with the CISO office making a final decision on their use. Governing AI use Only a quarter (23%) also have region-specific or function-specific rules to govern generative AI use. The findings represent a marked change from when generative AI applications first landed following the launch of ChatGPT and when data privacy and security concerns were top-of-mind risks for organisations. Data privacy 57% of CISOs also believe that their staff are aware and mindful of data protection and intellectual property Despite ongoing concerns around the data privacy of specific applications, 54% of CISOs are confident they know how AI tools will use or share the data fed to them, and 41% have the policy to cover AI and its usage. In contrast, only a minority (9%) of CISOs say they do not have a policy governing the use of AI tools and have not set out a direction either way. Inspiring further confidence, 57% of CISOs also believe that their staff are aware and mindful of the data protection and intellectual property implications of using AI tools. Generative AI Commenting on the findings, Rob Robinson, Head of Telstra Purple EMEA, sponsors of the ClubCISO community, said, “While we do still hear examples of proprietary data being fed to AI tools and then that same data being resurfaced outside of an organisation’s boundaries, what our members are telling us is that this is a known risk, not just in their teams, but across the employee population too.” “Generative AI is rightly being seen for the opportunity it will unlock for organisations."  Understanding the risks He continued, "Its disruptive force is being unleashed across sectors and functions, and rather than slowing the pace of adoption, our survey highlights that CISOs have taken the time to understand and educate their organisations about the risks associated with using such tools."  "It marks a break away from the traditional views of security acting as a blocker for innovation.”

For K12 education pioneers, embarking on a journey to upgrade security controls can present a myriad of questions about finding the best-fit solutions and overcoming funding hurdles. A majority of public-school districts today are faced with outdated infrastructure and security controls, requiring necessary upgrades. By addressing these concerns head on, schools will ensure a safer environment for both students and staff, mitigating risks posed by unforeseen physical and digital threats. Common K12 security pain points There’s no one-size-fits-all solution in school district security. School districts may have big plans to implement upgraded security systems but to set out on the right foot, pioneers must have a clear vision of their long-term strategy. When embarking on their security journey, education pioneers often wonder where to start and what exact steps are they need to be taking to identify and address weaknesses. Local K12 and government pioneers are promoting and mandating security assessments to uncover safety gaps on campuses and mitigate these risks with advanced technology solutions. Not only do assessments provide detailed, customisable roadmaps for district pioneers, but they also recommend technologies and funding opportunities to help close threat gaps. K12 school districts are mainly vulnerable to cyber-attacks due to the sensitive nature of student records  In today’s climate, schools face a growing number of physical and digital security threats. From a cybersecurity standpoint, K12 school districts are particularly vulnerable to cyber-attacks due to the sensitive nature of student records. However, only one-third of these districts have adequate staffing to address threats effectively. In addition, according to a recent survey from Johnson Controls and Forrester Consulting, security decision-makers are having trouble receiving actionable insights. Nearly two-thirds of respondents said that they struggle to receive information from all necessary systems regarding their security threats. To gain more clarity into what school districts need in terms of security tools and threat mitigation, implementing system-wide monitoring and optimisation can be invaluable. This approach enhances equipment and operational efficiency, while providing necessary resources and expertise for critical patch updates across all systems, strengthening their overall security posture. Achieving a well-rounded security program In the past few years, AI technology has emerged as a trending solution and is generating considerable attention. While the allure of implementing cutting-edge technologies is undeniable, it’s important to recognise that a robust security program hinges on solid access control. Access control technology provides administrators with the means to oversee and regulate entry into facilities, serving as the foundation for basic physical security. The technology helps administrators and staff control access to multiple areas from web-enabled devices, even during lockdowns which is crucial in emergency situations. School district pioneers should utilise available digital risk assessment tools to uncover threat areas Once basic security controls are in place, school districts must address their next set of security pain points and identify which solutions meet their specific needs. This involves identifying and prioritising the highest need and most cost-effective investments that will have the greatest impact on enhancing security measures. To accurately determine which security solutions are needed for a specific environment, school district pioneers should utilise available digital risk assessment tools to uncover threat areas and determine levels of priority. By focusing on these priority areas, districts can allocate their resources and efforts where they are needed most, ensuring maximum effectiveness in mitigating risks and vulnerabilities.  Securing funding before approaching deadlines A major challenge for school districts surrounding campus security is identifying and securing the necessary funding to implement solutions aligned with their goals. Leveraging available funding sources is critical, especially considering certain programs are approaching their deadline, like the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) fund. Announced during the pandemic, ESSER is a funding program that has allocated nearly $190 billion in aid to U.S. public school districts to fund projects benefitting the well-being of occupants.  Notable ESSER funding deadlines to keep in mind as the clock winds down include September 30, 2024 Notable ESSER funding deadlines to keep in mind as the clock winds down include September 30, 2024, when schools must attribute all of their funds to assigned contracts. Following this date, pioneers will need to complete all ESSER spending by January 2025 unless approved for an extension into March 2025. As ESSER wanes, school districts are acutely aware of the fiscal cliff in budgets through 2025. However, many states are ramping up grant funding to close the deficit gap. Administrators should become familiar with these grant opportunities at a local and state level. Get started on security plans The time for school district pioneers to act is now. While the safety and well-being of students and staff are always top priorities, it’s crucial to acknowledge that a lack of insight into necessary security upgrades and available funding options will leave districts behind the curve. Seizing the final months of ESSER funding presents an ideal window to address security pain points and build a safer future for K12 facilities. Looking beyond ESSER, pioneers must proactively seek out and leverage other funding avenues to help ensure the continuity of their security efforts and maintain a proactive stance in safeguarding healthy and safe educational environments.

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.

The autumn equinox, which marks the start of autumn, occurs this weekend on Saturday, September 23. With darker evenings ahead, the experts at ADT have shared five ways to maximise your home's security. Author's quote Michele Bennett, General Manager at ADT UK&I comments: “Opportunistic thieves use darkness to their advantage, so it’s no surprise that the number of burglaries committed increases when the darker nights draw in." He adds, "Our 2022 burglary report found that burglaries are most common at night, with 58% of burglaries occurring between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. Taking steps to optimise your home’s security before the clocks go back this year will provide reassurance that your property is as secure as possible.” Five ways to secure your property: Get a monitored alarm installed: A visible alarm system is a strong deterrent to potential burglars, as criminals are less likely to target a home that is protected. In the event of a break-in, a monitored alarm will alert you, your keyholders and depending on the package you take out, the police, ensuring a swift response to an alarm activation. Light up the dark: Well-lit exteriors make your home less appealing to potential intruders. Install motion-activated lights around any entry points, particularly porches and gardens, which alert you to movement on your property. This will also prevent burglars from operating under the cloak of darkness and increase the chance of a passerby spotting suspicious activity. Trim your garden landscape: Thieves look for escape routes and hiding spots when deciding which homes to break into, making gardens with high, overgrown hedges more likely to be targeted. This is especially true in the darker evenings, so be sure to give your garden a thorough tidy-up to make your property less likely to be targeted. It’s also advisable to ensure any tools are locked away in sheds and garages that could assist a burglar such as ladders, or a garden spade to force entry. Be smart with your lights: Using smart plugs allows you to turn on a few well-appointed lights and radios or televisions from any location from your phone. Used in conjunction with an outdoor camera or video doorbell, you can have lamps plugged into smart plugs come on when motion is detected. Programming lights to come on at different times throughout the night will help to deter burglars by making your property look occupied.  Purchase a smart doorbell or outdoor camera: Smart doorbells are an effective way to deter burglars as they provide evidence in the event of a break-in, package theft, or other suspicious activity around your home. They also notify you when someone is at your door reducing the chance of you being caught out by a late evening or early morning robbery.  Further encroachment Smart doorbells also act as a deterrent to unscrupulous door-to-door sellers and con artists, as video footage is recorded. In the event of a late-night door knock, you can see and speak to whoever is at your front door, without having to open the door. ADT’s new outdoor camera also has two-way audio and a high-pitch deterrent siren so you can warn off anyone from your property to deter any further encroachment.

A pioneer in the access control sector since 1971, AMAG Technology is looking to the future and the next generation of products that will expand its services to customers. “In our vision, we have advanced approaches that will not only provide our partners with advanced technologies but also ones that are easier to install with tools to expand their services,” says David Sullivan, who was appointed President of the venerable access control company in September 2022. New challenges at AMAG Sullivan brings a new outlook to the AMAG business, a part of Allied Universal, and a new vision to lead the company into the future. We caught up with David Sullivan to discuss his new challenges at AMAG and the journey ahead as the company looks to the future. Q: How does your background inform your approach to leading AMAG? I believe that it helps me to define a vision for AMAG that will be unique and on the leading edge of our industry David Sullivan: With the exception of only a few short years, my career has been in access control. I have experience with several systems and have had the privilege to manage several successful access control companies. As a result, I bring a great deal of experience into my role at AMAG. I believe that it helps me to define a vision for AMAG that will be unique and on the leading edge of our industry. Q: How would you describe AMAG’s journey over the last several years and how do you see the future? Sullivan: Prior presidents of AMAG always shared their leadership vision and direction with senior leaders located in the United Kingdom. This had an impact on the full direction of the business, sometimes limiting its ultimate success. Before I became a part of AMAG, these senior leaders that were located in the UK retired, placing for the first time the full management responsibilities of the president. This has allowed me to integrate the business into a single team, with single objectives, and a single vision. We expect to begin to reveal this new vision in the coming weeks. We are excited about the future of AMAG and believe we will surprise the industry with our new products and approach in the coming months and years. Q: How important is it that a manufacturer provides both hardware and software solutions? How does AMAG’s approach (in general) differentiate it in the market? We can design the complete solution, providing functionality that others may find more difficult to accomplish Sullivan: Regardless of the manufacturer, we all provide hardware and software. An access control solution is not complete without both. Some of us choose to make our panels, and others do not. Those who are dependent on third-party suppliers are restricted to the developments and direction of that company, and while it might be perceived to be an open technology, it still is proprietary to the hardware manufacturer. AMAG has controlled its manufacturing of panels from day one. The result means that we can design the complete solution, providing functionality that others may find more difficult to accomplish. Q: How does the breadth of AMAG’s product suite provide advantages to customers and/or integrators? Sullivan: AMAG’s product portfolio is unique and provides the end user with an end-to-end identity management solution from one company. Our Control Room PSIM, Symmetry CONNECT Identity Management Solution, Symmetry Access Control, and Symmetry GUEST solutions all integrate to provide the user with a broad set of features and capabilities from a single provider. There is no finger-pointing when we come to support your system. We hold full responsibility for making it work and can quickly provide a resolution to any application difficulties the user may be experiencing. Q: How does AMAG address the divide between on-prem and cloud systems? How do you help customers make the transition and/or plan for the future? We are in the early stages of developing our next generation of access control in which we intend to provide on-prem Sullivan: In our current product portfolio, we have three products that are cloud-based. Our mobile credential platform (Symmetry Mobile), our visitor management solution (Symmetry GUEST), and our physical identity and access management solution (Symmetry CONNECT) are all offerings that operate in the cloud. We are in the early stages of developing our next generation of access control in which we intend to provide on-prem, web client, and cloud-based offerings. One of the primary objectives is to ensure that the large installed base of systems that are out there today will be able to migrate not only to our next generation but as well to the cloud if the client so desires. Q: What is AMAG’s approach to mobile credentialing? Sullivan: As an access control provider, adding Symmetry Mobile credentialing to our portfolio just made sense. We want our customers to have a forward-thinking solution with the opportunity to save money not only on the physical badges but the cost of printing and distributing badges. Mobile credentials can be easily issued and revoked remotely, reducing administrative overhead, and eliminating the need for physical inventory management. Organisations can centrally configure what devices are used and the read range for each type of device and operating system, thus providing flexibility. Symmetry Mobile offers a customised questionnaire that controls access and reduces liabilities. Q: What has surprised you the most in your first year or so leading AMAG? Not many companies are blessed with such a broad portfolio that is supported by a resource-rich company Sullivan: I wouldn’t say I was surprised by this as much as happy to see, but I would say that the quality of our people was a pleasant surprise. As well, the AMAG product offering is broad and has some unique elements. When coupled with the depth of the resources that we have in AMAG, I know that we are second to none. Not many companies are blessed with such a broad portfolio that is supported by a resource-rich company that has so many talented people. Q: Please describe your dealer channel, and how you are seeking to expand it. Sullivan: The AMAG products are sophisticated and typically are installed for higher-end applications. With this sophistication comes a need to be well able to install such a solution. We have a strong group of certified and loyal partners who help us to deliver these enterprise solutions. We desire to provide our existing partners with updated and competitive systems to offer to their end users. Q: What is the security industry’s (and/or AMAG’s) biggest challenge in the next five years? We need to find ways to provide both our channel partners and the customers with solutions that are easily integrated Sullivan: I believe that the advancements that we are seeing in technology provide our industry with the opportunity to truly change how security is provided to our collective customers. As we advance these solutions, we will need to do so responsibly and in a way that helps the channel’s abilities. We need to find ways to train our partners to both install and support these more complex solutions. At the same time, we need to find ways to provide both our channel partners and the customers with solutions that are easily integrated, moving away from proprietary closed systems to open and cohesive solutions. This will ensure that the users get the best, and most complete solutions. Q: What does the industry as a whole misunderstand about AMAG -- time to set the record straight! Sullivan: Well, I am not ready to openly share where we are heading. We are in the process of putting together some advanced approaches to how we will do business with our partners. We are focused on providing tools that will enhance their services to their customers, and with products that are leading edge. I can only state that all should keep their eyes on AMAG, because over the next few years, we are going to surprise some people, and more importantly make our loyal partners quite powerful.

Acre is a company built on mergers and acquisitions (M&A). Since its founding in 2012, Acre acquired several familiar access control companies, from Vanderbilt to RS2 Technologies, Open Options to Feenics, and several others. Acre itself was acquired in 2021 by UK-based private equity firm Triton, thus launching a new chapter in the company's history. Don Joos was named the new CEO in 2022 and set about transforming Acre from a collection of acquired companies into a coherent whole (representing various brands). A year later, we recently caught up with Don Joos to discuss the "new Acre" and what's ahead. Q: How does your background inform your approach to leading Acre Security? In physical security, there is a shift to more of a software-centric versus hardware approach Joos: This is my fourth company as CEO. What I’ve found along the way is that no matter the size or type of business, there’s a common theme, the business is going through some form of evolution or transformation because the industry they're in is going through an evolution. And today, in physical security, there is a shift to more of a software-centric versus hardware approach, and there’s a shift occurring that’s pulling us to the cloud. I think a key thing here is that while the industry is evolving, we must keep a careful eye on the evolution of the customer because the customer is the one who will dictate the pace of change, and I think that is what a lot of people sometimes lose sight of. Q: It seems Acre is on the path from being a “collection of small companies” to “a collection of brands within a single company.” Joos: I think most people think of Acre as a federation of companies. Acre Security was seen more as a holding company. For me, I think the biggest misconception is just that: “This is just a federation of companies” versus “This is a business.” Acre Security is a business that has a range of portfolios to address key verticals and pivotal business problems for customers. Because of what’s happening now and the market dynamics that are occurring, it ties back to “Who is Acre Security?” We have a clear answer as to where we want to be from cloud access control versus on-premise access control. We have clear answers regarding market segments, visitor management, and intrusion. When you think about it, those are the core areas of our business. Q: What has surprised you the most in your first year or so at Acre? Joos: I think the thing that surprised me the most was how similar the problems are because I was coming into a new industry. It’s surprising how strong a correlation [security has] to other industry transformations that I’ve been a part of. Q: What are the points of differentiation among the various Acre Security brands? Joos: I think if you go back to the history of the company, it was designed to compete. That is, that's how it was set up under the logic of, “If we have three bids in a deal, it increases the odds that we're going to win one of them.” As we evolve, to have sustained scalable growth, it is not just about going shallow and casting a wide net. It’s about creating a concentrated focus. Some of the technology is just inherently older technology. And so for me, it’s about creating migration paths for the customers to move to more modern technology, such as the cloud. I love our installed base. When you think about the cost of acquisition to get a new cloud customer, it costs a lot less when you have an installed base that you can migrate to the more modern solution versus having to spend the money and the sales energy to hunt for that next opportunity. Q: Where has Acre positioned itself in the marketplace? We can take care of your current needs, but we also have a clear migration path to take care of your future needs Joos: If you're ready to go to the cloud, we have an answer for you. If you're not ready to go to the cloud, but you're ready to take more cloud-based applications to continue to evolve, we have an answer for you. If you're not quite ready yet and you're still looking for a market-leading premises solution, we have an answer for you, and we have a migration path when you're ready down the road. So, you have a safe bet with Acre because we can take care of your current needs, but we also have a clear migration path to take care of your future needs. Q: How are you building up your team? Joos: In 2023, we’re getting a lot of core building blocks in place and making investments in people who have experience in this space or aligned industries. It is a balance. I think we need a group that understands the industry and a group that's going to come into it and challenge why we do things the way we do. I think that makes us unique: we have fresh eyes looking at things from a different perspective. With that, you’re naturally going to end up with a better answer to problems because people are comfortable challenging the status quo. Q: How are you seeking to expand your dealer channel and/or transition it from the various dealers “inherited” in previous acquisitions? Joos: The channel invests in Acre Security. Our success is their success, and so what we're proposing to them is a range of solutions that supports their longevity and their financial success. But we also continue to build out our portfolio through organic technology innovation or M&A.  We're continuing to make investments in our channel strategy and how our partners interact with us We're continuing to expand their addressable market if they want to make investments with us. We're continuing to make investments in our channel strategy and how our partners interact with us. The design of our upcoming technology right now is built with the channel in mind. We want to ensure that we are not creating any channel conflict or any perceived channel conflict. I think that's usually the worst kind: when it's perceived but not real. You need to be very upfront and clear with communications. Q: What is the biggest challenge in the industry right now? Joos: Companies and customers are looking to embed security into their workflows. What I mean is these are not just standalone solutions anymore. They’re integrating with enterprise resource planning (ERP) and human resource (HR) software systems. In property management, they want it integrated into the fitness center, they want it integrated into the cafeteria areas and the dry cleaners, and so forth. So, this is about an ecosystem, and there are times when we are going to be the core, and there is going to be a lot of technology that is adjacent to us. There are times when we are the adjacency to someone else's core in a smart city or a smart building. This gets to why having an open application programming interface (API) is going to be an important part of the technology evolution. It cannot be a closed environment anymore; that is part of the past. Q: What’s next for Acre? We're constantly evolving our cloud access control as well as our on-premise access control Joos: There is a lot of work going on with integrating the business into a single Acre Security company. This is an investment year for us, we are adding people to our team. We are making a lot of investments from a systems and technology perspective. We have a lot of work right now going into integrating the business from an IT infrastructure perspective and all the tools that we use from an employee perspective. We are making a lot of investment as it relates to the commercial side. You're going to see some next-gen technology coming out from an intrusion perspective. We're constantly evolving our cloud access control as well as our on-premise access control. We're also bringing software applications, too. Q: What is Acre’s “message” going forward? Joos: One of the takeaways for me is this is not the Acre of the past. We are making some bold changes. New things are happening here; you better pay attention because clearly, something is different. I think that's one. I think the second is that as they spend time within us, they're going to realize the wide range of solutions and use cases that we can address, whether you're in access control or cloud, whether you're in intrusion, whether you are in visitor management, or whether you're looking at some network connectivity solutions. The third thing that I think people are going to see is a whole lot of energy as they talk to our people and the passion that you see from the team. If I wrap those three points up in one kind of statement there, I think my goal is that people walk away saying “Something is going on at Acre Security. We better pay attention.”

Matter is a new open-source interoperability standard that will simplify the connectivity of smart home systems, including security.  The growing popularity of the Matter 1.0 standard was evident at the large Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January in Las Vegas, where the standard was heavily promoted by companies including Google, Amazon, and Samsung. A flood of Matter-connected products is on the horizon for ship dates in the second half of 2023. Evolve, and manage IoT standards Creating the standard is the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA), formerly the Zigbee Alliance, which changed its name in May 2021. With 300 companies as members, CSA seeks to create, evolve, and manage Internet of Things (IoT) technology standards through a well-established, collaborative process. CSA promotes the benefits of global, open standards, and the value of the IoT to customers and consumers, and seeks to break down the barriers to broad access and adoption of IoT technologies and solutions. Matter The new brand name Matter was launched in May 2021 to designate the standard formerly known as Project CHIP (Connected Home over IP), developed by CSA member companies including Apple, Google, Samsung, and Amazon. There are currently 800 devices and apps certified to the new smart home standard, including various smart home equipment (except video cameras, which will be included in a major release in the fall of 2023). Matter version 1.0 was initial launch in October 2022. Matter 1.0 release Twice a year moving forward, Matter plans a minor release each spring and a major release each fall As part of the Matter 1.0 release, authorised test labs are open for product certification, the test harnesses and tools are available, and the open-source reference design software development kit (SDK) is complete, thus enabling new products to be brought to market. Twice a year moving forward, Matter plans updated releases, a minor release each spring and a major release each fall. Smart home interoperability Currently, a variety of CSA working groups are addressing various aspects of interoperability in the smart home, including issues such as data privacy, security, energy management, and health and wellness, says Christopher LaPré, CSA’s Head of Technology. “Implementing elements requires that the standards alliance be able to multitask on several tracks,” says LaPré. Some development is centering around connectivity and the need for a “hub” to which multiple systems can communicate and incorporate an “identity” to regulate the availability of information to various systems. The standards will enable both do-it-yourself (DIY) systems and devices deployed by professional installers. Addressing privacy requirements The new development will be guided by what installers need to succeed in the home automation" Ecosystems depend on the availability of some type of “identity” to meet privacy requirements. Rules must be implemented across the ecosystem that deploys a “trust system” to ensure privacy. Solving the challenge involves getting all the major players to the table at the technical level to meet the bar from the business and technology perspective. “Integrators and retailers will play a role as Matter continues to evolve,” says LaPré. “New development will be guided by what installers need to succeed in the home automation market.” Matter-certified devices There is still work to be done to expand the 800 certified devices to function throughout the Matter ecosystem and to add new devices over time. One goal is to simplify an integrator’s solution using fewer hubs (and possibly a single hub) to provide a wide variety of services. The timeline of adding new Matter-certified devices may be delayed by the availability of equipment in the global supply chain, says LaPré. Flexibility Multi-admin provides for the simultaneous operation of devices in multiple smart home systems A multi-admin feature of Matter enables more flexibility for multiple ecosystems. A core feature of Matter, multi-admin provides for the simultaneous operation of devices in multiple smart home systems. Accordingly, family or household members could operate the device with the digital assistant or smartphone app of their choice. A bridging protocol helps to tie existing systems together.  Amazon, Apple, Comcast, Google, SmartThings, and the Connectivity Standards Alliance came together in 2019 to develop and promote this new standard, joined by fellow Alliance board member companies IKEA, Legrand, NXP Semiconductors, Resideo, Schneider Electric, Signify, Silicon Labs, Somfy and Wulian. Smart device communication Currently, member organisations span all sizes, across a range of business categories. More than 1,700 Member individuals participate in bringing the Matter specification, reference implementations, testing tools, and certification programs to life. Matter's underlying network technologies are Wi-Fi and Thread. Wi-Fi enables Matter devices to interact over a high-bandwidth local network and allows smart home devices to communicate with the cloud. Thread provides a mesh network within the home. Both the Wi-Fi Alliance and Thread Group partnered with the Connectivity Standards Alliance to help realise the vision of Matter.

Arana Security, a specialist in providing end-to-end security systems for businesses, has chosen Custom Consoles control room desks for a major client in the manufacturing sector. The project includes a main desk and supervisor’s desk from the Custom Consoles SteelBase series plus a MediaWall and auxiliary furniture. Arana Security was founded in 2013 to serve a growing market of smart card solutions and security systems. In 2015 it started to move towards providing clients with the advanced security that biometric technology offers. The company is a globally active service provider specialising in integrated biometric security solutions for the corporate, financial, governmental and logistics sectors. Latest-generation models “This is the most recent of many security-related control room commissions we have worked on over the years,” says Gary Fuller, sales manager at Custom Consoles. “Both SteelBase desks are latest-generation models with blue LED lighting on the underside of the worktop. This style of lighting provides sufficient illumination for staff to concentrate on the monitor displays without distraction while still being able to move around the room easily. It also helps to reduce fatigue during a long or uneventful operating shift." “The main desk is a 4.3-metre wide six-bay unit configured for use by two operators. Each bay is fitted with a lockable front and rear door providing easy access to computer equipment and related cabling. The desktop is 80 cm high and has a 120 cm front-to-back reach. A removable section of the worktop covers a full-desk-width cable tray. Four monitor screens are mounted near the rear edge of the desk. The desk faces directly towards a 3 metre wide MediaWall supporting six large multiscreen monitor video screens forming three wide by two high display grid." Desk worktops  Desk worktops are finished in grey Marmoleum with black PVC edging, plus matching grey doors Fuller added: “Situated behind and to the right of the main control desk, the supervisor’s desk is a 1.6-metre wide two-bay SteelBase with dual 24-inch monitor screens, again located near the rear of the worktop. This desk too has blue LED underlighting.” The desk worktops are finished in grey Marmoleum with black PVC edging, plus matching grey doors and side panels. Also provided were a dual-bay control room and crisis room storage units with doors, a 2.2 x 1-metre crisis room meeting table, 24/7 operator chairs, monitor arms plus meeting table chairs. Cable management features Custom Consoles' SteelBase is a high-strength desking system developed to withstand the demands of heavy industry. Built around steel frames with hinged lockable front and rear doors, SteelBase can be configured for use by individual operators or teams of practically any number without the cost and long delivery time usually associated with project-specific furniture.  Each bay can include an optional sliding shelf which gives easy access to internally stowed PCs Each bay can include an optional sliding shelf which gives easy access to internally stowed PCs. Predrilled monitor arm mounting points are positioned at the rear upper edge of each bay. Cable management features include a removable worktop section with dual brush strips providing an uninterrupted cable exit for telephones, monitor cables and computer peripherals. Integral cableways allow heavy-duty wiring to be fully concealed within the desk structure while retaining easy access for routine maintenance or adjustment. SteelBase desktops  Desktop equipment pods can be specified if required. SteelBase desktops are available in a choice of 120 cm (standard) or 100 cm (SteelBase Lite) front-to-back sizes with a choice of hard-wearing Marmoleum or laminate work surfaces. All elements are guaranteed against component failure for five years of normal use. All elements are guaranteed against component failure for five years of normal use MediaWall is a video and audio monitor support frame system providing a combination of structural rigidity and operational versatility. Flat-screen video displays of practically any size can be mounted in almost any configuration. Video display screens  Incorporating height-adjustable horizontal beams and T-slot mounts, MediaWall is fully adjustable to ensure optimal sight lines. Individual or multiple frames can be used in self-supporting mode or coupled directly to the studio wall.  Video display screens can be positioned so that the edges meet exactly to form a continuous horizontal display limited only by the monitor panel bezel. Monitor signal and power cables are fully concealed and can enter or leave the structure at any desired point.

Genetec Inc., a pioneering technology provider of unified security, public safety, operations, and business intelligence solutions, announced that Heathrow Airport’s multi-year investment in Genetec solutions is enabling them to continuously innovate and transform operations. The joint effort provides Heathrow with a unified view across large-scale airport operations to secure people and assets, bringing efficiency and enhancing the passenger experience while ensuring data privacy and cybersecurity compliance. Deployed Genetec Security Centre Heathrow deployed Genetec Security Centre to bring all of its IP security systems onto one unified forum London Heathrow is Europe’s busiest airport, handling approximately 80 million passengers and 14 million tons of goods annually. Over 76,000 employees work around the clock to ensure the airport’s smooth operations across its 1,227-hectare site, including maintaining passenger flow, securing the premises, and managing over 1,300 daily take-offs and landings for 89 different airlines. Heathrow initially deployed Genetec Security Centre to bring all of its IP security systems onto one unified platform. What began as a 2,000-camera deployment in 2016 has since more than quadrupled in size, incorporating everything from video and access control to LIDAR, analytics, automatic licence plate recognition (ALPR), and more. Genetec solutions Genetec solutions are used to go far beyond security. For example, Genetec solutions are used to monitor over 150 km (93 miles) of baggage belts and facilitate the daily entry and exit of over 150,000 vehicles. “We’re essentially running a small city operation that happens to be called Heathrow,” explains Danny Long, IT Product Owner for physical security products at Heathrow. “Alongside the traditional airport security functions, we’re responsible for the monitoring of roads, retail space, three train stations, a bus terminal, offices, a church, fuel stores, a high voltage electrical network, and all the other associated infrastructure that maintains passenger flow.” Software and firmware updates Genetec Security Centre supports 90 other stakeholder groups working across 110 control rooms Genetec Security Centre now supports 90 different stakeholder groups working across 110 distinct control rooms, all of whom have different needs and access rights. Customised dashboards enable individual teams and third parties, such as police, government agencies, airlines, and retailers, to focus on their specific tasks. For example, some operational staff are given the tools to monitor passenger flow and are automatically notified when security lines grow too long. Meanwhile, colleagues in IT don’t see camera feeds. Instead, they have access to system health dashboards that notify them of devices that have fallen offline or require software/firmware updates.  New requirements “The joy of working with London Heathrow is that the team is constantly striving to put our system through its paces and identify new areas where it can add value,” states Simon Barnes, Director of Business Development, Genetec, Inc. “While our software is configured to their requirements at the time, once in the field, new requirements emerge, and we have to adjust to their reality." “My job is to translate business requirements into workable solutions and Genetec provides me with the valuable tools to achieve that,” concludes Long. “Our experience with Genetec has been very positive. We’re only looking to expand in terms of the size and usage of the system.”

Smiths Detection, a global pioneer in threat detection and security screening technologies, announces that it is partnering with Flughafen Zürich AG (Zurich Airport) to trial the use of the industry-pioneering HI-SCAN 6040 CTiX Model S carry-on baggage X-ray scanners and the iLane A20 ATRS, the smart automatic tray return system, at two security lanes in the airport. The 3D images produced by Smiths Detection’s HI-SCAN 6040 CTiX will allow some of Zurich’s 2.7 million monthly passengers to leave their liquids and electronics in their carry-on luggage as they pass through security, resulting in a more convenient and streamlined security screening experience. Installation of CT scanners The iLane ensures a consistent flow of trays and provides a seamless checkpoint journey for passengers In addition to providing more efficient and effective security screening, the HI-SCAN 6040 CTiX is the most energy-efficient scanner of its type available in the market, featuring low noise levels, zero vibration, and a 30% higher belt speed than other CT X-ray scanners – helping to promote a calmer checkpoint. The iLane ensures a consistent flow of trays and provides a seamless checkpoint journey for passengers. Alongside passengers, employees at security checkpoints will also benefit from the installation of CT scanners via the addition of 'remote screening' capabilities. This means that security staff no longer have to check the images of the baggage contents directly next to the devices, but can work from a separate room, facilitating a quieter and more concentrated work environment. Layout of the new security lanes Zurich Airport will test the CT equipment in various configurations over several months, in order to optimise the layout of the new security lanes, with the intention of equipping all 26 lanes with this cutting-edge technology in the future. Although passengers will be able to leave liquids in their bags, the maximum container size of 100 ml and total carry-on size of one-litre rules will remain in place until further notice. Matthew Clark, Vice President (VP) of Commercial, Smiths Detection, commented: "We are delighted that Zurich Airport has selected Smiths Detection to trial the use of this pioneering technology that will enhance security outcomes and improve efficiency, providing a smoother experience for passengers and staff alike."

Hackers gain control of a chemical plant’s furnace control system. They tamper with the temperature settings and cause an explosion. The consequences of an incident like that can be catastrophic, especially since 9.3 million people reside within a 10-kilometre radius of the average chemical plant in the US. Targeting operational technology (OT) systems has become a typical tactic for bad actors. Cybercriminals and nation-state actors see these critical assets as an open invitation to disrupt operations, cause physical damage and even put public safety at risk. Average cost of Cyber breach OT environments require greater connectivity to realise the advantages of an intelligent production environment. “With increased connectivity comes the increased risk of bad actors gaining access to a network. They want to use it as a launching point to deploy malware and cripple the ability to produce products or provide services,” says Chase Carpenter, Chief Security Officer at Honeywell. Attacks are also costly. According to the Ponemon Institute, the average cost of a cyber breach in critical infrastructure is now $4.5 million. Moreover, 75% of OT organisations experienced at least one intrusion in the past year. OT cybersecurity starts with visibility Unfortunately, the solution didn’t provide the visibility required to efficiently identify cyber threats Honeywell needed to improve security for its own manufacturing environment. Every one of its over 400 facilities depend on OT to function, and in turn, those OT environments depend on cybersecurity programs and solutions to help improve their defences against malware and other cyber attacks that could disrupt or, worse, shut down its manufacturing sites. Before they can implement a good security program for the OT assets, they need to know what they are and where they are. Honeywell started by using an off-the-shelf cybersecurity solution to monitor OT networks at its various manufacturing locations. Unfortunately, the solution didn’t provide the visibility required to efficiently identify cyber threats. Specifically, the tool could not correctly detect numerous network assets, which might vary between workstations, test devices, control systems, CNC devices and more, depending on the manufacturing site. Advantage of the situation Honeywell would have to shut down a factory every time the site was threatened “Over 49% of our assets were left unclassified,” says Mukesh Saseendran, Director of Cybersecurity at Honeywell. “To get an accurate inventory, we needed an individual to walk down to every single workstation and document everything manually, which in itself is labour intensive and prone to human error.” If an asset is undocumented, it’s a blind spot. It could present a gaping hole for attackers to infiltrate, and no one would know about it until it’s too late. Without the right cyber tools in place, Honeywell would have to shut down a factory every time the site was threatened, resulting in serious revenue leakage. “If I don’t know about a particular asset, I can’t protect it and that’s a terrifying scenario,” Carpenter says. “There could be bad actors taking advantage of the situation to stage an attack.” Honeywell taps in-house experience to fight threats Around the same time that Honeywell realised its commercial off-the-shelf solution was inadequate, the company launched its own OT cyber solution. This software solution – Honeywell Forge Cybersecurity+ | Cyber Insights – came from years of internal development in Honeywell’s OT cybersecurity business, which serves multiple industries with products and services designed to help organisations reduce their industrial cybersecurity risk. Honeywell tested and evaluated dozens of OT cybersecurity software products in its labs The reality is that, over the years, Honeywell tested and evaluated dozens of OT cybersecurity software products in its labs – for itself and its customers. The company gained profound insight into what is considered a best-in-class solution and applied that insight as it developed Cyber Insights. Inventory of assets on the network Carpenter says he had three must-haves before removing the previous cyber tool and replacing it with Cyber Insights. First, the solution needed to be capable of accurately determining the inventory of assets on the network. Second, he and his team needed the capability to be able to passively detect any malicious activity happening on the network. Third, the solution should be designed to accurately identify the version of the operating system or firmware on each asset and when it needs to be patched or updated. “Cyber Insights delivered on every one of those must-haves,” says Carpenter. “Honeywell now has far greater visibility into all the assets on the network that manage, monitor and control its industrial infrastructure.” OT-centric environments In addition, Cyber Insights is designed to provide a layer of vulnerability defence “Having this visibility also means that, in case there is an adverse situation, we should have the ability to respond more quickly to the threat,” says Saseendran. In addition, Cyber Insights is designed to provide a layer of vulnerability defence. If an unauthorised system is trying to communicate with another asset, Cyber Insights is designed to raise flags and send alerts about the potential threat. Cyber Insights is also capable of significantly reducing unnecessary noise, particularly in OT-centric environments. “The previous product discovered 200,000 to 300,000 assets and networks across all our sites, and we didn’t understand why it was discovering so many,” explains Saseendran. “We later realised it was looking at the data and traffic incorrectly and, as a result, generating a lot of noise. When we switched to Cyber Insights and did the audit correctly, we were down to 67,000 assets across those sites. Honeywell now has far greater visibility into all the assets and networks that manage, monitor and control its industrial infrastructure.” Deployment of Cyber Insights Cyber insights are designed to make the implementation process easy Carpenter is the process of deploying Cyber Insights to 120 of Honeywell’s vital manufacturing sites Another major downside to that original off-the-shelf tool was that it was very difficult and time-consuming to implement. At each site, it took Honeywell four to six months to get up and running with the solution. “There are over 400 factory sites at Honeywell,” says Saseendran. “We simply cannot invest six months per site to implement the solution. That’s why efficient implementation is so critical.” In contrast, Honeywell implemented its first Cyber Insights site in less than a month, with seven sites implemented in two months. Carpenter is now in the process of deploying Cyber Insights to 120 of Honeywell’s most critical manufacturing sites. Honeywell’s experience indicates that a typical single-site deployment of Cyber Insights takes about 33% less time than the previous solution utilised by Honeywell. In addition to ease of implementation, Cyber Insights’ clear and straightforward representation of the network landscape simplified asset configuration and viewing, which is crucial for asset discovery without resorting to manual audits. Since going live with Cyber Insights, Honeywell observed an 18% to 20% increase in asset discovery within the Honeywell-deployed sites. This is a significant benefit that eliminates the need for manual workstation audits, which are often error-prone and unreliable. The Honeywell difference Reality is that OT cybersecurity is lazing because it needs specialised tools and knowledge Cyber teams have become skilled at implementing solutions, practices and procedures designed to improve security for IT systems; however, the reality is that OT cybersecurity is lagging because it requires specialised tools and knowledge. Organisations simply can’t use the tools they have in the IT space when managing their OT environment Honeywell has approached this challenge by leveraging its vast experience in the OT world to develop Cyber Insights. “We have a very complex environment, including small sites, large sites and sites around the world,” says Saseendran. “If Cyber Insights works for us in our manufacturing sites, it will very likely work for our customers as well. There is no silver bullet to fully secure your OT environment,” says Carpenter. “However, Honeywell currently offers one of the most complete sets of products and services that can help organisations improve their protection of their critical OT assets.” Robust cybersecurity solution for the OT environment Implementing Cyber Insights is like getting a good pair of glasses for the first time – everything becomes clear, and with that clarity comes new speed and efficiency. If there is an attack, Cyber Insights is designed to help cyber teams identify the source and know where to focus, which can help their organisations save valuable time and resources. It is not an install-once and-walk-away solution, but rather a constant companion in the battle against cybercrime. If they are looking for a comprehensive and robust cybersecurity solution for the OT environment, look no further than Honeywell Forge Cybersecurity+ | Cyber Insights. This solution can help them improve the visibility, control and resilience of the OT network, and help to improve their ability to protect it from cyber threats that could harm the business and reputation.

In a groundbreaking initiative to bolster security measures, Indian Railways has successfully implemented Herta's state-of-the-art facial recognition solutions across its extensive network of train stations in the Eastern region. This transformative project marks a significant step towards ensuring the safety and well-being of passengers and staff throughout the railway system. The project becomes the largest one in the world in the transport sector. Herta has also been awarded two more regions that will be implemented after the Eastern one. Facial recognition technology The deployment of Herta's cutting-edge facial recognition technology is part of IndianRailways' commitment to embracing advanced solutions for enhancing security. By leveraging Herta's expertise, the railway network aims to create a safer environment for passengers, mitigate potential security threats, and streamline operational efficiency. Key features Key features of Herta's facial recognition solutions implemented at 230 train stations using thousands of video surveillance cameras include: Real-time Identification: Herta's technology provides real-time facial identification capabilities, allowing for swift and accurate recognition of individuals within the train station premises. Enhanced Security: The implementation of facial recognition enhances security by automatically identifying and alerting authorities about the presence of individuals with potential security concerns, contributing to the overall safety of passengers and staff. Efficient Monitoring: Herta's system enables efficient monitoring of the train stations, offering a proactive approach to security management. The technology assists in the quick response to incidents and ensures a rapid resolution of security issues. User-Friendly Interface: The intuitive user interface of Herta's solutions facilitates easy integration with existing security systems, providing a seamless experience for railway personnel responsible for monitoring and managing security. Stringent security requirements Mr. Rahat Jain, IDIS INDIA - MD, expressed his enthusiasm about the successful implementation, stating, "We are delighted to announce the successful integration of Herta's facial recognition solutions at Indian Railways." Startologic, the official partner overseeing the deployment of Herta's facial recognition solutions at Indian Railways, is proud to be part of this transformative project. The successful implementation showcases the capability of Herta's technology to meet the stringent security requirements of one of the world's largest railway networks.

An end-to-end IDIS video solution has overcome performance, quality, and affordability challenges that had hampered public space surveillance in Bristol city centre. The upgrade, which tackled a growing list of problems including degraded picture quality, unreliable transmission and data storage, and poor usability, has been completed at Temple Quay and Glass Wharf by KIS Fire & Security.   GDPR-compliant video surveillance The successful project is enabling significant operational improvements by the 24/7 security team that manages the site, according to Property Manager, Avison Young.  The company reports faster responses to medical incidents and more effective prevention of petty crime and antisocial behaviour, thanks to surveillance coverage without blind spots and the ease with which officers can retrieve and export GDPR-compliant video evidence to support police investigations.   Temple Quay and Glass Wharf The original video system at the site was almost twenty years old and proving to be increasingly unreliable Temple Quay and Glass Wharf are part of the Bristol Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone which is home to hundreds of businesses, government offices, serviced offices and co-working spaces, bars, restaurants, and residential properties. The original video system at the site was almost twenty years old and proving to be increasingly unreliable, with underground cabling and equipment prone to flooding and cameras producing increasingly poor-quality images.  Challenges faced "The problems were made worse by a cumbersome VMS operating system," says KIS Director - Rob Morgan, adding “The prospect of a complete system upgrade seemed daunting because it would need a complete replacement of the backbone infrastructure, cameras, recorders, etc. and a new VMS management system." He continues, "But we were able to satisfy Avison Young with IDIS technology, showing them a major public space system that we’d recently completed for Bristol Zoological Society.” IDIS Center VMS The new solution, managed by the cost and licence-free IDIS Center VMS, includes NDAA-compliant 8MP IDIS PTZ cameras delivering superior images at up to 31x zoom; vandal-resistant 5MP IR dome cameras; 8-ch 4K recorders supporting UHD display; a specialist network operator’s keyboard; plus, mountings, POE switches, and all other network accessories.   The system is easier to use and gives the security team complete area coverage, including full visibility KIS completed the upgrade ahead of schedule in under four months, with rapid installation supported by IDIS plug-and-play DirectIP® technology ensuring instant and seamless functionality of all devices. The system is also easier to use and gives the security team complete area coverage, including full visibility along – and across – a waterway that runs through the site.  Instant device functionality “With IDIS, the instant full functionality of all devices means we can be more certain about completion times, even for major public space projects like Temple Quay and Glass Wharf,” says Rob Morgan. He adds, “The system also comes with extended warranties, and failover protection against loss of data in the event of network instability - for public area surveillance this kind of reliability is essential.”   Award-winning solution “Following our successful partnership with the award-winning solution for Bristol Zoo, IDIS was delighted to support KIS with this major city centre surveillance project,” says Jamie Barnfield, Senior Sales Director, IDIS Europe. He adds, “Both these projects show video technology at its best, helping to create welcoming public spaces where people can feel safe.”

For many years, security systems produced their share of "data exhaust." Every access control action and each video image became a data point to be stored in perpetuity, with no practical way to use the data. More recently, systems have been developed to enable organizations to analyze data from sensors and other connected devices to gain valuable insights into how their systems are being used, to identify potential vulnerabilities; and even to provide insights into broader enterprise operations. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: How are data analytics changing the course of the security marketplace? 

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?