Thermal imaging

Teledyne FLIR, part of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated, announced Gremsy, a pioneering provider of advanced gimbals and payloads, as the latest collaborator in the Thermal by FLIR® program. Gremsy integrates the Boson® radiometric thermal camera module as part of its gimbaled National Defense Authorisation Act (NDAA) compliant Vio F1 drone payload. Assembled in the USA, the Vio F1 is an advanced, lightweight electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) payload for asset and infrastructure inspection, disaster relief, firefighting, search and rescue (SAR), and public safety missions. Industrial inspections and applications Vio F1 features a Sony 4K Block Zoom EO sensor with up to 240x zoom and a 640 x 512 NDAA-compliant The Vio F1 features a Sony 4K Block Zoom EO sensor with up to 240x zoom and a 640 x 512 radiometric NDAA-compliant and ITAR-free Boson thermal camera with up to 8x zoom.  The payload also integrates a 2,400-metre laser range finder, making it an ideal option for industrial inspections and applications. With its integrated sensors, users can seamlessly engage the advanced functionalities of the payload through its diverse and intuitive viewing modes, allowing for individual and combined visible-thermal views. Thermal by FLIR program “Working with the global pioneer in thermal imaging through the Thermal by FLIR program empowered Gremsy to drive innovation and get Vio swiftly to market,” said Vinh Tran, CEO at Gremsy. “Our goal was to create a payload that is compatible with multiple platforms, including Pixhawk, CubePilot, and Skynode, and to offer an easy-to-integrate solution for any drone maker, including BLUE UAS providers.” Features of Vio’s AI AI detection offers accurate and automated tags of key objects, including humans, vehicles, and boats Vio’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) features provide advanced detection and auto zoom capabilities that are critical for public safety and SAR operations. AI detection offers accurate and automated identification of key objects, including humans, vehicles, and boats.  Layered with AI Auto Zoom, the system can automatically zoom in on the selected object for the best and most useful view. The zoom level in tracking mode automatically adjusts as the object moves closer or farther away, eliminating the need for teams to adjust the zoom during flight. Advancing aerial imaging technology “Gremsy is a known innovator in advancing aerial imaging technology, making it an ideal candidate for the Thermal by FLIR program,” said Dan Walker, vice president, product development, Teledyne FLIR.  “The Vio offers precision and accuracy, plus the upcoming implementation of our radiometric JPG file format will soon enable pilots to leverage the FLIR Thermal Studio Suite analysis and reporting software.” Teledyne FLIR thermal camera modules Teledyne FLIR’s Thermal by FLIR program is a cooperative product development and marketing program created to support original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).  The program enables streamlined integration of Teledyne FLIR thermal camera modules into products and provides go-to-market support for resulting innovations.

FLIR, a Teledyne Technologies company, introduced the FLIR Scout Pro, a next-generation thermal monocular designed to meet the rigorous demands of law enforcement and public safety professionals.  Building on a legacy of reliable FLIR thermal monoculars, the Scout Pro offers exceptional situation awareness with its 32-degree field of view, allowing users to detect humans up to 500 metres (1,640 feet) away while maintaining a broad visual perspective. This balance of wide coverage and practical detection range provides the critical information and intelligence needed to patrol areas safely or to locate missing or injured people quickly. FLIR Scout Pro pairs The new Scout Pro monocular enables users to efficiently survey vast areas without losing time Developed in partnership with law enforcement and public safety professionals, the FLIR Scout Pro pairs its wide field of view with a 640 × 480 thermal resolution, providing clear, high-quality imaging. The handheld infrared monocular offers two-, four-, six-, and eight-times zoom to magnify and obtain a closer image. Perfect for both urban and rural environments, including open spaces for tracking moving targets, the new Scout Pro monocular enables users to efficiently survey vast areas without losing time or focus on observed objects or people. Benefits of next-generation Scout Pro “Thermal visibility is playing a much greater role in officer safety and life-saving activities,” said Peter Dekkers, Director of Business Development, First Responder Solutions at FLIR. “To this end, law enforcement and public safety professionals demand quality, reliable, simple-to-use thermal imaging tools when seconds matter. This next-generation Scout Pro enables professionals to see more clearly in dark and low-visibility conditions. It provides first responders, law enforcement, and search and rescue professionals the ability to focus on the task at hand while improving overall decision support.” Scout Pro mobile app Scout Pro introduces a redesigned user interface that improves upon previous generations of FLIR The Scout Pro introduces a redesigned user interface that improves upon previous generations of FLIR monoculars. By eliminating overlaid menus and settings, it ensures a continuous, unobstructed view of the target. Paired with the Scout Pro mobile app, it offers wireless remote observation and surveillance, enabling teams to collaborate in real time through live video streaming, instant media sharing, and seamless content transfers, all from a single app. Challenging in weather conditions Built to operate in the toughest conditions, the compact, rugged, and water-resistant IP67-rated Scout Pro is durable enough to withstand a 2 metre (6.5 feet) drop and use in challenging weather conditions. Featuring an integrated battery that delivers over six hours of continuous use, the Scout Pro is available with an optional charging dock. The monocular can also be mounted on a tripod or placed on a flat surface during extended use. The Scout Pro includes a two-year warranty with an additional complimentary three years offered upon registration and is available now for pre-order at the website. FLIR will premiere the new Scout Pro at SHOT Show 2025 in Las Vegas from January 21–24.

Teledyne FLIR, part of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated announced it has been selected by Red Cat Holdings, Inc., to provide thermal imaging and Artificial Intelligence (AI) embedded software for its Black Widow™ small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS). SRR Program Red Cat was selected as the winner of the U.S. Army’s Short Range Reconnaissance (SRR) Program of Record after an evaluation process completed by the Army Project Management Office for Uncrewed Aircraft Systems, Army Maneuver Battle Lab, Army Test and Evaluation Command, and Army Operational Test Center. The U.S. Army’s current acquisition objective is for 5,880 systems, with each system consisting of two aircraft. Hadron™ 640R+ visible camera module Black Widow’s fully modular architecture enables swift adaptation to diverse mission requirements Red Cat incorporated Teledyne FLIR’s NDAA-compliant Hadron™ 640R+ longwave infrared and mega-pixel visible camera module and its Prism™ AI embedded perception software into Black Widow, a highly capable, rucksack-portable sUAS designed for operation in Electronic Warfare (EW) environments. Black Widow’s fully modular architecture enables swift adaptation to diverse mission requirements, including SSR and secondary payload operation. Dual thermal-visible imaging “We are proud to be selected by Red Cat to support the Black Widow with unparalleled tactical capabilities for the U.S. Army’s SSR Program,” said Paul Clayton, Vice President, Teledyne FLIR. “This collaboration provides the Black Widow with superior yet compact dual thermal-visible imaging along with AI software libraries that enable classification, object detection, and object tracking to complete the mission day or night.” Thermal imaging technology “The Hadron 640R+, with its best-in-class thermal vision, will play a key role in helping the warfighter Dominate the Night™ with the Black Widow,” said George Matus, CTO of Red Cat. “We are thrilled to continue our longstanding relationship with the world pioneer in thermal imaging technology, enabling Red Cat to accelerate deployment to the U.S. DoD and its allies across the globe.” 640x512-resolution thermal camera The International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR)-free Hadron 640R+ provides a 640x512-resolution thermal camera with industry-pioneering thermal sensitivity and a 64-MP resolution visible camera in a size, weight, and power (SWaP) optimised package. Paired with Prism AI embedded software, the combination can enable high-precision object detection within application-specific classes, multiple object tracking, motion target indication, and more. Military+Aerospace Electronics magazine recently recognised Teledyne FLIR’s Prism digital ecosystem as a Platinum Honoree, its highest award for innovation in defence and aerospace.

ABUS returns to the Safety & Health Expo 2024 to launch its brand-new range of personal protective equipment (PPE), reinforcing its commitment to workplace safety and security. Known for its world-class industrial padlocks, lockout/tagout systems, and key management solutions, ABUS is expanding its product offering to include PPE, addressing the critical need for comprehensive safety measures in the workplace. New PPE line Visitors to stand SH1800 will be able to preview the new PPE line featuring a selection of products, focusing on helmet security to ensure complete protection. "Our return to the Safety & Health Expo marks an exciting chapter for ABUS as we launch our PPE range," said Paul Spencer, Marketing & Commercial Director ABUS UK & Ireland. Integrated safety solutions ABUS will offer the opportunity for visitors to engage with product experts, witness live demonstrations Paul Spencer added: "We have a long-standing reputation for safeguarding property and possessions, and now, with our PPE offering, we’re extending that protection to the most valuable asset in any workplace: its people. We’re eager to present our full portfolio of safety solutions, including this significant new addition, to industry professionals at the Expo." ABUS will offer the opportunity for visitors to engage with product experts, witness live demonstrations, and explore how the company’s integrated safety solutions can enhance workplace security. Legacy of innovation With this new product launch, ABUS continues its mission to provide end-to-end solutions that meet the evolving needs of safety professionals. Paul Spencer concluded: "ABUS is bringing its signature quality and engineering excellence to a new frontier in workplace safety. Our commitment is to ensure that every worker, regardless of their environment, has access to the highest standard of protection. We look forward to discussing opportunities to present our PPE, building strong partnerships and continuing our legacy of innovation and trust in the safety sector at Safety & Health Expo." ABUS is on stand SH1800 at the Safety & Health Expo 2024, taking place on 2 – 4 December, 2024, at Excel, London.

There’s a new security paradigm emerging across malls, server farms, smart office buildings, and warehouses, and its advantage over the status quo are so broad they are impossible to ignore. Instead of a lecture, let’s start with a short narrative scenario to illustrate my point. Darryl's work Darryl works as a security guard at the Eastwood Mall. Like any typical evening, tonight’s shift begins at 9:30 PM, as the stores close and the crowds thin. His first task: Ensure that by 10 pm, all mall visitors have actually left and that all doors, windows, and docks are locked securely. As he walks through most major areas throughout the mall, he checks them off his list. All’s quiet, so after a 45-minute patrol, he stops for a quick coffee break before heading out again. He repeats the process throughout the night, happy to finish each round’s checklist and rest his feet for a few minutes. Challenge: Vandalism during the shift  A few cameras located sporadically throughout the mall recorded two dark figures moving in and out of the shadows As usual, there’s nothing notable to report, he clocks out and heads home. The next morning, however, he's greeted by an angry mall manager. He learns that sometime during his shift, three stores were robbed and a back hallway vandalised. A few closed-circuit cameras located sporadically throughout the mall recorded two dark figures moving in and out of the shadows at about 4 am. The mall manager demands an explanation, and Daryl has none, “They must have been hiding during closing time and then waited for me to pass before acting,” he says. “I can only be in one place at one time. And if they were hiding in a dark hallway, I would never have seen them.” Theft explanation “Actually,” explains the manager, “we found a loading door ajar near the furniture store. We’re guessing that’s how they got in, but we can’t be sure. Do you check all the docks? We need to know if we need to replace a lock. Look at your logs - tell me exactly what you saw and when.” Daryl tries to recall. “I'm pretty sure I checked that one a couple of times. I checked it off my list.” Darrell decides not to mention that at 4:00 AM, he was feeling the night's fatigue and might have skipped that area a couple of times. That's the end of our tale. Poor Daryl is not a bad security guard, but he’s only human. His job is repetitive and unstimulating. Darryl's work log He checks off each location for the record, but there's no way for him to record the thousands of details Let’s discuss his hourly log. He checks off each location for the record, but there's no way for him to record the thousands of details he sees to later zoom in on the few observations that might be helpful for an investigation. He has walked by that loading dock door hundreds of times, and it's all a blur. This isn’t an unusual story; Darryl is doing the same job that humans have been doing in almost precisely the same way for millennia. And, like last night, the criminals have always found a way to avoid them. But there is a better way. Solution: Fully-automated indoor drone   Replacing a human guard with a fully-automated indoor drone eliminates virtually all the problems we've identified in this story as it flies through the facility: Drone teams can work 24/7: While each drone needs to dock to recharge its battery periodically, a fleet working in concert can patrol around the clock in multiple areas simultaneously. This makes it much more difficult for an intruder to move freely, without risk of discovery. A drone can even keep an eye out and keep recording while docked. Drones see and log everything: Everything is recorded and stored in full detail as they compare what they see with what they expect to see High-resolution onboard cameras and ultrasensitive sensors can detect heat, movement, and moisture, and see into dark areas much more effectively than the human eye. As they aren't limited to the floor, they can also fly high in the air to look above obstacles and at high windows or warehouse shelves. And they don’t lose focus or get bored as the night drags on: Everything is recorded and stored in full detail as they compare what they see with what they expect to see based on a previous flight. Anything unusual triggers an alert. Drones don’t need vacations, snack/bathroom breaks, or new-recruit training: Without the need to deal with biological requirements, you aren't paying for non-work hours, and there’s no overtime for extra hours or holiday shifts. In a high-turnover business like security, there's no time spent training new employees; adding drones to your fleet simply means installing your existing procedures onto each. There is certainly room for judgment calls that require human intervention, but these can often be handled remotely using a control panel that provides all relevant data and alerts from the drones on duty. That means no scrambling to the office in the middle of the night for a false alarm. Drones outshine stationary cameras and the people staring at those screens: A guard in the security office staring at dozens of these screens usually loses their attention span throughout the shift Close-circuit cameras are expensive to install, maintain, and periodically replace. In addition, they are limited in their scope and, almost by definition, leave large blind spots. A guard in the security office staring at dozens of these screens (that generally show nothing notable) usually loses their attention span throughout the shift. Conclusion  In short, there is a good reason that our industry is following close on the heels of the manufacturing industry, which has been eagerly adopting robotics as a more cost-effective and precise solution for years. It is simply becoming harder and harder to justify the expense of the traditionally error-prone and monotonous work that we ask of our security guards.

The last year revolutionised the way people work. When offices transitioned to work-from-home and worksites implemented social distancing, the security industry saw an overnight shift in what technologies our customers wanted. Now that businesses are bringing employees back to work in-person, management has broadened their focus to include healthy access in their security plans. Healthy access is a modern security concept that uses the latest technologies to blend employee and visitor health with automated security and digital transformation. This year, more leaders than ever are concerned with the health of their people – for good reason. Touchless Solutions Touchless solutions are at the forefront of security conversations because, suddenly, no one wants to touch anything in public. As a result, biometric solutions using face recognition have adapted to deliver a powerful and highly effective trifecta of solutions for physical security, health and workforce management. Face recognition is now considered to be the most accurate non-invasive method to identify and authenticate individuals Face recognition is now considered to be the most accurate non-invasive method to identify and authenticate individuals. Ongoing improvements like smarter algorithms, neural networks and artificial intelligence (AI) continue to improve face recognition’s performance. Well-known enhancements like faster processing and better camera functionality are quality-of-life improvements for traditional face recognition applications. Other advancements – like mask detection, face recognition while wearing a mask, mobile enrolment and more – are unique additions to this technology that effectively answer the needs of today without adding complex workflows. Biometric Face Recognition for Physical Security Even as pandemic mask restrictions lift, many businesses still require people to wear face masks to enter their facilities – a policy that will be with us for years to come. The sudden requirement for face masks in public stimulated the rapid development of a new face recognition application where security systems need to authenticate people with half their face covered. The ability to use a person’s biometrics to gain access eliminates the need for PINs or cards that can be forgotten, shared or stolen, so businesses familiar with the high security of biometrics cannot turn to less-secure means of authentication, and fingerprint is not a feasible option because that technology involves touching shared surfaces. Face recognition while wearing a mask is a highly relevant, timely advancement for businesses that need high security at their entry doors without compromising on mask mandates or personal comfort levels with illness avoidance. Biometric Face Recognition for Health Face recognition is touchless by nature and took centre stage during the pandemic Face recognition is touchless by nature and took centre stage during the pandemic as buildings migrated to contactless security to limit the spread of surface-borne illnesses. As more businesses reopen and bring office staff back, the demand for this fast, easy-to-use and touchless technology will continue to surge. Additionally, advanced face recognition solutions can be enhanced with thermographic cameras for elevated body temperature detection, which enables businesses to limit access to only people with healthy temperatures and prove that they are protecting healthy staff. To adhere to social distancing guidelines, businesses can take advantage of our society’s affinity for mobile apps. Remote enrolment is a feature of high-end face recognition solutions where people can enrol their faces using their phones – limiting the amount of time spent waiting in line, standing in front of a device or interacting with other people. Some solutions are also integrated with attestation questionnaires that allow people to self-declare symptoms or exposure to illnesses, which can help businesses make informed decisions to protect the health of their staff. The more your solution can accomplish, the more confidence your personnel can have that they are healthy at your building. Biometric Face Recognition for Workforce Management Returning to work is now a monumental undertaking. One of the biggest challenges for business owners is balancing hybrid work-from-home schedules and socially distanced in-person shifts. Every business will have a unique approach to what work in a post-pandemic world looks like. Touchless, mask-inclusive technology and attestation are user-friendly solutions that help businesses protect staff health This adds a new layer of complexity to shift scheduling that management must address to maintain the simplicity of shift changes and accuracy of time tracking. Touchless, mask-inclusive technology and attestation are user-friendly solutions that help businesses follow mask rules, ensure high security, protect staff health and keep shift changes fast and easy. Advancements in face recognition align with the timing of getting employees back to work because of work done by proactive security leaders. The “face” of biometrics has forever changed. This industry is no longer represented by antiquated fingerprint technology. Instead, we are represented by modern, accessible face recognition with room to grow for physical security, health and workforce management – the trifecta of healthy buildings.

James Twigg is the Managing Director of Total Integrated Solutions (TIS), an independent life safety, security and communication systems integrator, specialising in design & consultancy, technology and regulatory compliance. Total Integrated Solutions work primarily with retirement villages, helping to ensure the safety of residents in numerous retirement villages across the country. In this opinion piece, James shares how smart technology is helping security teams and care staff alike in ensuring the safety and security of their spaces, amid the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Impact of smart technology Smart technology is having an impact on pretty much every aspect of our lives Smart technology is having an impact on pretty much every aspect of our lives. From how we travel, to how we work, to how we run our homes. It’s not unusual to have Alexa waking us up and ordering our groceries or Nest to be regulating the temperature and energy in our homes. And while there’s a popular misconception that people in their later years are allergic to technology, retirement villages and care homes are experiencing significant innovation too. And the result is not only improved quality of life for residents, but also improved safety and security systems for management teams. Switching to converged IP systems I’ve been working in the life safety and security industry for over fifteen years. When I first joined TIS, much of the sector was still very analogue, in terms of the technology being installed and maintained. Slowly but surely, we’ve been consulting and advising customers on how to design, install and maintain converged IP systems that all talk to each other and work in tandem. I'm excited to say retirement villages are some of the top spaces leading the way, in terms of technological advancement. Improving the quality of life for residents A move into a retirement village can be daunting and one of the key concerns that we hear about is the loss of independence. No one wants to feel like they are being monitored or to have someone constantly hovering over them. One of the ways we’ve used smart technology to maintain residents' independence is through devices, such as health monitors and motion sensors. For example, instead of having a member of staff check-in on residents every morning, to ensure they are well, sensors and analytics can automatically detect changes in routine and alert staff to possible problems. Similarly, wearable tech, such as smart watches give residents a chance to let staff know they are okay, without having to tell them face-to-face. As our retirement village customers have told us, a simple ‘I’m okay’ command can be the difference between someone feeling independent versus someone feeling monitored. Simplifying and improving security systems Smart technology gives care staff and security oversight of the needs of residents For the teams responsible for the safety of the people, places and spaces within retirement villages, smart technology is helping to improve and simplify their jobs. Smart technology gives care staff and security oversight of the needs of residents, and ensures rapid response if notified by an emergency alert, ensuring they know the exact location of the resident in need. And without the need to go and physically check-in on every resident, staff and management can ensure staff time is being used effectively. Resources can be distributed where they are needed to ensure the safety and wellbeing of those residents who need extra consideration. 24/7 surveillance When planning the safety and security for retirement villages, and other residential spaces, it’s no use having traditional systems that only work effectively for 12 hours a day or need to update during the evening. Surveillance needs to be 24/7 and smart technology allows that without the physical intrusion into people’s spaces and daily lives. Smart technology ensures that systems speak to each other and are easily and effectively managed on one integrated system. This includes video surveillance, which has also become much more effective as a result of advanced video analytics, which automatically warn staff of suspicious behaviour. Securing spaces amid COVID-19 This year has, of course, brought new challenges for safety. COVID-19 hit the retirement and residential care sectors hard, first with the initial wave of infections in mid-2020 and then, with the subsequent loneliness caused by the necessary separation of families. As essential workers, we worked closely with our customers to make sure they had everything they needed As essential workers, we worked closely with our customers to make sure they had everything they needed during this time, equipping residents with tablet devices to ensure they could stay connected with their families and friends. It allowed residents to keep in touch without risking transferring the virus. Thermal cameras and mask detection And now that we’re emerging out of COVID-19 restrictions and most residents can see their families again, we’re installing systems like thermal cameras and mask detection, so as to ensure that security will be alerted to anyone in the space experiencing a high temperature or not wearing proper PPE. Such steps give staff and families alike, the peace-of-mind that operational teams will be alerted at the earliest possible moment, should a COVID-19 risk appear. Thinking ahead to the next fifteen years, I’m excited at the prospect of further technological advancements in this space. Because at the end of the day, it’s not about how complex your security system is or how you compete in the industry. It’s about helping teams to protect the people, spaces and places that matter. I see smart technology playing a huge role in that for years to come.

Thermal cameras can be used for rapid and safe initial temperature screening of staff, visitors and customers. Used the right way, the cameras can help prevent unnecessary spread of viruses like the novel coronavirus. During the global pandemic, use of thermal cameras has increased, but they have not always been used correctly, and therefore, not effectively. Hikvision’s temperature screening thermal products are currently assisting users in initial temperature screening across the global market. During 2020, demand increased in most markets, and the company highly recommends that Hikvision’s thermographic cameras be used in accordance with local laws and regulations. Limitations of the technology include throughput and the impact of ambient conditions. Detect viruses and fever Hikvision releases a video that illustrates how skin temperature measurements are normalised within minutes Thermal cameras cannot detect viruses and fever and should only be used as a first line of screening before using secondary measures to confirm, says Stefan Li, Thermal Product Director at Hikvision. “We also believe it is important for businesses and authorities to use [thermal cameras] alongside a full programme of additional health and safety procedures, which includes handwashing, regular disinfection of surfaces, wearing protective clothing such as masks, and social distancing.” Hikvision has released a video that illustrates how skin temperature measurements are normalised within minutes after someone emerges from the cold. Mr. Li says the video demonstrates the accuracy of forehead measurement under difficult circumstances when people come inside from a cold outdoor environment. Temperature screening facilities “There have been some claims that measuring the forehead temperature is not as accurate as measuring the inner canthus, and we believe this video demonstrates the accuracy of forehead measurement very well,” he says. “We also illustrate how the skin temperature will experience a process of recovery (warming up), no matter if it is measured by a thermal camera or a thermometer.” Mr. Li adds that people should wait five minutes in such circumstances before starting a temperature measurement. “We hope that stakeholders who are involved in the design of temperature screening facilities and associated health and safety procedures will recognise how important it is to consider the skin temperature recovery time, and that forehead measurement can provide accurate test results,” says Mr. Li. Thermal imaging manufacturers The algorithm is based on a large number of test results to obtain a value that tends to be dynamically balanced The temperature measurement principle of thermal imaging is to detect the heat radiation emitted by the human body. The detected heat value often does not reflect the true internal body temperature of an individual. Furthermore, the temperature varies among different parts of the human, such as the forehead, ears, underarms, etc. A temperature compensation algorithm can be used to adjust the measured skin temperature to align with the internal body temperature. The algorithm is based on a large number of test results to obtain a value that tends to be dynamically balanced. At present, thermal imaging manufacturers in the market, and even forehead thermometer manufacturers, have developed their own algorithms to map the skin temperature measured by the camera to the internal body temperature, so as to compensate the skin temperature to the internal body temperature. Thermal cameras This is also why Hikvision recommends that the "actual body temperature" should be checked with a secondary device for confirmation. The calibration work for a thermal camera is completed in the production process at the factory, including calibration of reference values and detection point and so on. At the same time, the equipment parameters should be adjusted before on-site use to ensure accurate temperature reads. Hikvision does not deny the accuracy of temperature measurement at the inner canthus but prefers forehead temperature measurement and algorithms based on actual use scenarios, says Mr. Li. A large amount of test data and practical results indicates that the forehead is a correct and easy-to-use temperature measurement area, says the company. There are advantages and disadvantages of choosing different facial areas for temperature measurement. Default compensation temperature Two main approaches direct the measurement area and how compensation algorithms are applied: Forehead area + default forehead compensation algorithm value Upper half face (forehead + canthus) + default inner canthus compensation algorithm value. Both methods deploy compensation algorithms, but the default compensation temperature of the inner canthus will be less than the default compensation temperature of the forehead, generally speaking. The reason is that the temperature of the inner canthus of most people is higher than their forehead, so the temperature compensation is relatively low (i.e., closer to the actual temperature inside the body.) Upper face area Hikvision found that selecting the upper face area plus the default compensation value for the inner canthus resulted in situations when the calculated temperature is lower than the actual temperature. For the Hikvision solution, the forehead is a relatively obvious and easy-to-capture area on an entire face Mr. Li explains: “The reason is that when the camera cannot capture the position of the inner canthus (for example, when a person is walking, or the face is not facing the camera), the camera will automatically capture the temperature of the forehead. Then the result that appears is the sum of the forehead temperature plus the default compensation temperature of the inner canthus, which is lower than the actual temperature of the person being measured. Therefore, errors are prone to occur.” Thermal imaging products But for the Hikvision solution, the forehead is a relatively obvious and easy-to-capture area on an entire face. Also, the default forehead compensation temperature is based on rigorous testing and can also correctly mimic the actual temperature of the person being measured, says Mr. Li. After many test comparisons, considering that the results of forehead temperature measurement are relatively more stable, and in order to avoid the false results from inner canthus temperature measurement, Hikvision chose the forehead temperature measurement approach. “We look forward to bringing thermal imaging products from a niche market where there is a relatively high-end industry application to a mass market and serving more users,” says Mr. Li. Facial recognition terminals Additional application parameters can maximise effectiveness of thermal cameras for measuring body temperature: Positioning and height - All cameras must be mounted appropriately to avoid loss of accuracy and performance. The installation height of each camera must be adjusted according to camera resolution and focal length, and stable installation is needed to avoid errors caused by shaking. Ensuring a ‘one-direction path’ - The detection area must ensure that cameras capture the full faces of all those passing by or stopping, and obstacles should be avoided in the field of view, such as glass doors that block the camera. Adequate start-up and usage - A waiting time of more than 90 minutes is required for preheating, after the initial start-up. Before conducting a thermal scan, people should be given three to five minutes to allow their body temperature to stabilise. When Hikvision MinMoe facial recognition terminals are used, people must stand at a fixed distance, pass one by one, make a short stop, and face the camera directly. Hikvision cameras support efficient group screening, but one-by-one screening is suggested for more accurate results, says Mr. Li. Unstable environmental condition An unstable environmental condition may affect the accuracy of thermal camera systems Environmental factors can impact the accuracy of thermal cameras, and the idea of using a black body is to provide the camera with a reference point that has a stable temperature. The black body is heated to a specific temperature and helps the thermal camera to know how much error is caused by environmental factors in the room, and how the camera should calibrate itself in real time to improve its accuracy. A black body can help increase the temperature measurement accuracy, and the most common improvement is from ±0.5 degrees to ±0.3 degrees. However, it also increases the cost of the installation. In some markets, customers may require black bodies in order to comply with regulatory accuracy requirements. An unstable environmental condition may affect the accuracy of thermal camera systems for measuring temperature. Medical temperature measurement Therefore, Hikvision suggests that the ambient conditions should be met for installation and use. First of all, users should avoid installing devices in hot or changeable environments. All cameras require indoor environments with calm air, consistent temperature and no direct sunlight. Installation should also be avoided in semi-open locations that may be prone to changes in ambient conditions, such as doorways, and there should be enough stable, visible light. All devices should be installed to avoid backlighting, high temperature targets, and reflections in the field of view as far as possible. “We often see the misconception that thermal cameras can replace medical temperature measurement equipment, which is not the case,” says Mr. Li. Rapid preliminary screening “Temperature screening thermographic cameras are designed for the detection of skin-surface temperatures, and the measurement should be conducted to achieve rapid preliminary screening in public areas. It is really important that actual core body temperatures are measured subsequently with clinical measurement devices.”

The coronavirus pandemic had a monumental impact on all aspects of the business world, including the security industry. However, amid the gloom and doom, many security professionals also saw opportunity: New ways the industry’s products could be applied to address the challenges of coping with the virus. This article will review some of those opportunities, based on our reporting throughout the year and including links back to the original articles. During and after the pandemic, security systems are an important asset when it comes to helping to keep occupants and buildings safe as employees return to work. For example, video analytics can provide insight into how spaces have previously been used and can help to predict where and when occupants encounter each other or congregate. Role of thermal cameras These foot-traffic patterns can inform settings for a variety of devices - like ventilation and temperature controls - and even help owners create social distancing plans and monitor personal protective equipment (PPE) compliance. Thermal surveillance, a mainstay of traditional physical security and outdoor perimeter detection, began being deployed early in the pandemic to quickly scan employees, contractors and visitors as part of a first line of defence to detect COVID-19 symptoms. These systems provide flexibility and can offer integrations with multiple VMS platforms and access control devices These systems provide flexibility and can offer integrations with multiple VMS platforms and access control devices. Thermal cameras can be a tool for detecting fever, but any use of the technology for this purpose is full of qualifications and caveats. Importantly, how the camera system is configured makes all the difference in whether temperature readings are accurate, and the downside of inaccurate readings is obvious - and potentially deadly. Temperature detection systems FDA guidelines limit how the cameras are used, not to mention guidance from other regulatory/government bodies such as the CDC. One of our Expert Roundtable panelists compares the market to a “wild west scenario,” and almost all the panelists are clear about how customers should approach the market: Buyer beware. There are many companies jumping into selling temperature detection systems to the state, local governments, hospitals, airports and local businesses, but do they know how to drive one? Anyone can get behind a car and drive it into a wall by accident. The same can happen with a temperature detection system. Customers need to know what questions to ask to ensure they maximise the accuracy of body temperature detection systems. Rise of contactless Spread of the novel coronavirus has jolted awareness of hygiene as it relates to touching surfaces such as keypads. No longer in favor are contact-based modalities including use of personal identification numbers (PINs) and keypads, and the shift has been sudden and long-term. Both customers and manufacturers were taken by surprise by this aspect of the virus’s impact and are therefore scrambling for solutions. Immediate impact of the change includes suspension of time and attendance systems that are touch-based Immediate impact of the change includes suspension of time and attendance systems that are touch-based. Some two-factor authentication systems are being downgraded to RFID-only, abandoning the keypad and/or biometric components that contributed to higher security, but are now unacceptable because they involve touching. "Users do not want to touch anything anymore,” says Alex Zarrabi, President of Touchless Biometrics Systems (TBS). Facial recognition system Another contactless system that benefits from concerns about spread of COVID-19 is facial recognition. New advancement in software, specifically in the areas of algorithms, neural networks and deep learning and/or artificial intelligence (AI), have all dramatically improved both the performance and accuracy of facial recognition systems, further expanding its use for an increasing number of applications. A low-tech solution - the face mask - became a leading preventative measure during the pandemic. But, a high-tech solution is necessary to ensure that everyone is wearing them. Cameras powered by artificial intelligence can now identify whether or not people entering a facility are wearing facemasks and help enforce adherence to mask mandates. This technology is proving to be a cost-effective solution that reduces risks of confrontations over masks policies and gives managers the data they need to document regulatory compliance and reduce liability. Smart video analytics Other technology approaches, including artificial intelligence (AI), were also brought to bear during the pandemic. The German data analytics powerhouse G2K, for example, has developed a Corona Detection and Containment System (CDCS) that is ready for immediate use in record time. Detection takes place in combination with AI-supported data analysis to specifically identify virus hotspots and distribution routes, as well as to identify other potentially infected persons. One specific AI application fuels the reopening of the world and successfully keeps the spread of the virus abated One specific AI application fuels the reopening of the world and successfully keeps the spread of the virus abated. A “collaborative security” application includes a synthesis of smart video analytics, facial recognition, object identification/detection, and thermal cameras that can support the reopening of businesses globally when installed within those facilities frequented by customers. Enforcing social distancing Several applications have been successful to date and will increase in usability in the foreseeable future, creating “smart cities” working together towards a safer, more secure world. The site of one pilot programme is the 250,000-square-foot HID Global facility in Austin. For the pilot programme, 80 HID Location Services readers were installed in a wide area in the facility, including a variety of environments. Initially 30 badges and 30 fobs, all BLE-enabled, were issued to employees. If a badge identifies another nearby beacon (suggesting a social distancing failure), it emits a blinking LED light, which can be seen by the offending co-worker. To ensure social distancing, a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacon is emitted from an employee’s fob (or from a badge that has the same functionality). The beacon communicates peer-to-peer with a beacon emitted by another employee’s fob or badge to alert if the location of the two employees is less than six feet apart. For contact tracing, the beacons communicate via a nearby “reader” (a BluFi BLE-to-Wi-Fi gateway) to the Bluzone cloud-based software-as-a-service. COVID-19 white papers In addition, we published several White Papers in 2020 that addressed various aspects of the coronavirus pandemic. They included: The top five security lessons learned that apply across all industries navigating COVID-19. Using video analytics to keep staff, visitors and customers safe by enforcing social distancing. How antimicrobial treatment on door handles and levers can reduce disease spread. How companies can put in extra precautions that will continue to grow and adapt with their environment over the long-term. Determining the practicalities and capabilities of today's thermal cameras to accurately detect body temperature.

Sooner or later (hopefully sooner), the novel coronavirus global pandemic will allow workplaces to reopen. But as we move into this recovery phase, there are many questions surrounding the transition. How can companies ensure facilities are in acceptable working order to reopen? How do they decide who is coming back and when? How will social distancing impact the operation of a company’s physical access control system? How can companies ensure that both visitors and employees are aware of the policy changes and extra controls? For answers to these and other salient questions, we called on Ian Lowe, Product Marketing Director of HID SAFE Identity and Access Management (IAM) solutions. “There’s no doubt about it: the global pandemic will change the way we live, work, and conduct business for some time,” says Lowe. “Over the past several weeks, we have been working with customers to enable a safe return to the workplace. We have observed that the number of challenges in the mid-to-long-term level and the associated complexity vary by location.” Lowe shares some of the proactive measures and best practices that can assist in a safe return to the workplace as we settle into a “new normal”. Challenge 1: Ensuring building readiness After being unoccupied for weeks or months, building readiness must be addressed completely before welcoming anyone inside. Even though employees may be eager to return, the workplace itself may not be ready. Companies may want to consider continuing remote work while facility operations are prepped. Challenge 2: workforce management There’s no doubt about it: the global pandemic will change the way we live, work, and conduct business for some time While it is dependent on location and industry, taking a phased approach is the best course of action when allowing employees, contractors and visitors back into facilities. First, facilities management will want to survey the property for readiness and then provide an estimate as to when employees may begin reporting back into the office. Next, it’s important to consider that office density needs are interrelated to the facility architecture. It is possible to accommodate a higher capacity of workforce in an airy, open office space than in a constrained one. A good rule of thumb is to start by introducing no more than 30% of employees back into the workplace at first. This could be a rolling group model in which the population total remains controlled and constant, but specific individuals vary from day to day. This option is good for a workforce that needs to be together in person but not necessarily all at the same time due to office density concerns. Welcoming visitors or customers into the office should be delayed as long as possible. If that’s not feasible, visitor numbers should be factored into the total density count. A cloud-based visitor management system can help with implementation. Challenge 3: Controlling access The ability to vet staff, employees, contractors and visitors before and during the return will vary greatly depending on the location. Policies should be implemented that require employees to be screened regularly — and for an extended amount of time. Look to answer the following questions: Where have you visited in the days since last entering the workplace? Have you come into contact with anyone else who has recently visited high-risk areas? Have you shown any symptoms of infection in the past xx number of days? Policies should be implemented that require employees to be screened regularly — and for an extended amount of time If there is cause for concern, refuse the visitor and/or supplement the screening process with additional steps. Temperature checking is mandatory in many organisations⁠— often multiple times a day. This applies to interactions at delivery bays, too. A policy-based physical identity and access management solution integrated with existing physical access controls makes it possible to enforce, monitor and report this type of activity. Challenge 4: Social distancing and contact tracing plan Social distancing may continue within the office, which will impact restrictions and guidelines related to access control. The office layout may be reworked for proper distance between cubicles, workplace positions and employees. Specific entrances, exits and pathways may be designated as one-way-only. Assigning Bluetooth LE beacons to employees once they are inside the workplace will allow companies to monitor proximity to others and measure localised density in real-time⁠ by using location services, contact tracing, and surge response technologies. Challenge 5: Reduced physical touchpoints Contactless technologies can help enforce social distancing and reduce touchpoints on common surfaces Reducing the number of physical touchpoints is desirable throughout a workplace. Contactless technologies can help enforce social distancing and reduce touchpoints on common surfaces such as faucets, doorknobs, coffee pot handles, etc. While introducing additional security checks and screenings, it’s important to not increase touchpoints and further infection risks. There have been more requests for a contactless experience to secure workplace access, including automatic doors and turnstiles, contactless cards and mobile access. Challenge 6: Communicating for confidence Proactive communication is key to provide reassurance that appropriate safety measures have been taken and that both visitors and employees are aware of the policy changes and extra controls. Equally important is to communicate a policy change – and the reasoning behind it – before it happens. While there may not be an exact expiration date on these new policies, ensuring that impacted individuals will have a safer experience is universally appreciated.

LATINA Construction and Drilling needs to maximise staff safety and site security on the La Santa Maria oil drilling platform in the Gulf of Mexico. To achieve this, they have implemented a Hikvision solution featuring explosion-proof cameras equipped with deep learning algorithms for perimeter protection and fire detection. This system provides real-time alerts to the security team for swift incident response. Challenge: Maximising security and safety High value of hydrocarbon products makes perimeter security crucial for safeguarding staff and assets Oil and gas sites face unique security and health and safety challenges. The extraction, refining, and transport of hydrocarbons present significant fire and explosion risks that require all equipment and installations to operate at safe working temperatures. Additionally, the high value of hydrocarbon products makes perimeter security crucial for safeguarding staff and assets. These are some of the well-known challenges facing Constructora y Perforadora LATINA (LATINA Construction and Drilling), a major geothermal drilling company in Latin America with more than 60 years of experience. ‘La Santa Maria’ drilling platform The organisation is responsible for operating the ‘La Santa Maria’ drilling platform in the Gulf of Mexico, while also ensuring protection of the local maritime environment and wildlife based on responsible operations. The platform, built in 2013, is relatively close to land, making it more vulnerable to security breaches and property damage from trespassers. To address these risks, and to ensure that environmental risks are mitigated, the platform needed a new, improved, security solution. 24x7 perimeter security This needed to provide 24x7 perimeter security, excellent fire prevention capabilities, and the ability to minimise health and safety risks for employees. In addition, the system needed to be highly corrosion-resistant to withstand the harsh maritime environment, where the platform is located. Solution: Hikvision explosion-proof thermal imaging cameras with on-board deep learning for fire detection and perimeter security To overcome these challenges, LATINA Construction and Drilling, in collaboration with the renowned System Integrator - STC Global System, has deployed a Hikvision solution, which incorporates Thermal & Optical Bi-spectrum Network Bullet Cameras (DS-2TD2637-35/P) and Explosion-Proof Thermographic Network Bullet Cameras (DS-2TD2466T-25X). Hikvision explosion-proof thermal imaging cameras The explosion-proof cameras are housed in 316L stainless-steel casings The explosion-proof cameras are housed in 316L stainless-steel casings, preventing sparks or heat from coming into contact with potentially flammable fumes. The casings meet the NEMA-4X anti-corrosion standard, ensuring durability in the salty sea environment. The cameras’ thermal imaging capabilities, along with the sensitive fire-detection algorithm, ensure that any overheating equipment is reported immediately, even in low-visibility conditions such as fog and rain. Cameras feature powerful analytics functions Both Hikvision camera models use an on-board deep learning algorithm to provide powerful analytics functions. This means the cameras can generate alerts immediately for certain types of incidents, including perimeter invasions (line crossing) and entry of unauthorised people. The algorithm also distinguishes false alarms caused by moving objects like seabirds, high waves or storms from genuine threats, such as people invading the platform perimeter. This helps to minimise false alarms. The cameras also feature light and strobe alarms to alert intruders, deterring them from further actions. Benefits: Increased staff health and safety, optimised operational efficiency, and durable performance Enclosed in heavy-duty casings, the Hikvision explosion-proof cameras help to maximise staff health and safety by ensuring that the risk of camera-related sparks and resulting fires and explosions is minimised. Additionally, the cameras' thermal imaging helps the platform respond quickly to temperature increases or fires, ensuring the safety of personnel and assets, while adhering to environmental regulations. False alarm reduction deep learning algorithm The company can mitigate security risks associated with the platform’s location close to land The false alarm reduction deep learning algorithm ensures that members of the security team can focus 100% of their effort on genuine security threats, speeding up responses, saving time, and increasing operating efficiency and performance. With automated alerts for security incidents, such as ‘line crossing’, the company can mitigate security risks associated with the platform’s location close to land and ensure the safety of everyone working on the platform. Corrosion-resistant cameras offer chemical resistance Finally, but equally importantly, the corrosion-resistant cameras offer exceptional chemical resistance and durability, making them well-suited to withstand the harsh maritime conditions of the Gulf of Mexico. This reliability ensures that LATINA Construction and Drilling continues to benefit from the system for years, despite constant exposure to saltwater. Additionally, the reduced need for repairs and maintenance results in significant cost savings.

The Greening Campaign, founded by Terena Plowright, has set its sights on an ambitious goal: to make the entire United Kingdom greener, one community at a time. This initiative seeks to address a pressing concern—the widespread lack of awareness about the importance of energy efficiency within homes. According to Citizen’s Advice, the average UK home loses approximately £350 each year due to poor insulation. This loss escalates to as much as £951 annually for the least efficient homes. These figures show the significant financial impact of energy inefficiency on homeowners across the country. Complicating the situation further is the fact that many of the critical areas where heat loss occurs are invisible to the naked eye. This challenge requires the use of specialised equipment capable of detecting and addressing these elusive energy leaks. Given that the Greening Campaign operates primarily through the efforts of volunteers, the tool needs to be not only effective but also user-friendly. Solution Recognising the need for an accessible tool to identify and demonstrate energy inefficiency, the Greening Campaign selected the FLIR C5 compact thermal camera for its user-friendly design. Terena explained, "When we were looking at the camera, we were thinking about, 'What would people be confident to use?' We chose the FLIR C5 because it resembles a mobile phone." The FLIR C5 cameras were distributed to community members, enabling them to visually detect Colin, a volunteer for the Greening Campaign and a surveyor, shared his excitement about the potential of thermal imaging to reveal numerous solutions to energy loss problems; ‘’It was fascinating to hear how many answers there are to the problems people have of energy loss through losing heat. I, personally, as a surveyor was fascinated to see what results we’d get from using a thermal camera.’’ The FLIR C5 cameras were distributed to community members, enabling them to visually detect where heat was escaping from their homes, thereby making the invisible, visible. Colin gives details on his and the volunteer's first outing with the thermal cameras, ‘’We went out to our first few, very much, as amateurs. We played around with the cameras—it took around half an hour, and that’s all, to understand it.’’ Results Volunteers equipped with thermal cameras have been able to demonstrate the tangible benefits of energy efficiency to homeowners in a visually impactful way. Terena shares the positive effect of making it easier for people to understand and address heat loss issues: "When you’re telling people about energy loss, it’s very difficult to get them to really see that, but when you’ve got it in technicolour, right in front of them, they really understand where that heat loss is. And this is the beauty of these cameras; you can see where roof insulation has even the smallest gaps—it will show through." The campaign has created a ripple effect, with more than 200 wards now fitted to pass on their facts Kirsty, a community member, explains her experience with the initiative: "Everyone was really friendly; we looked at every window and door together, picked out areas that I might not have noticed—it was really beneficial to do. I’m definitely concerned about reducing my carbon footprint." She also highlights some simple answers to heat loss: "Little things like draft excluders—everyone can use those, shutting the curtains early, keeping all the heat in—and it doesn’t have to cost a lot." Moreover, the campaign has created a ripple effect, with more than 200 communities now equipped to pass on their knowledge and experiences to others. This grassroots movement, powered by the dedication of volunteers and the innovative use of FLIR thermal cameras, is creating a patchwork of energy-efficient communities. As Colin put it, "What each of us can do—we're a drop in the ocean, but, actually, all together, we are that ocean; we can make those changes." The success of the Greening Campaign underscores the power of community engagement, accessible technology, and hands-on education in driving significant environmental change. It's a compelling model for how local actions can contribute to global solutions, one community at a time.

Located in downtown Houston, Texas, USA, at the George R. Brown Convention Center (GRB), the Houston Living Lab (HLL) serves as a testing ground for city departments and partners to test and validate new technology. In 2017, the Houston First Corporation (HFC) established the lab following a successful collaboration with Milestone Systems and several other security manufacturers to rapidly deploy video technologies for nearly one million attendees at the Super Bowl Live festival. Now HLL develops smart city solutions for deployment across Houston. Security technology solutions With the help of the Houston First Corporation — a local government corporation created to operate the city's convention and performing arts facilities — the City of Houston hosts many high-profile events annually. One of HFC's long-term goals is establishing Houston as a pioneer in smart city initiatives to further promote the region as a tourism and convention business destination. City of Houston and HFC needed to bring together technology partners and build on living infrastructure To accomplish this goal, the City of Houston and HFC needed to bring together technology partners and build on existing infrastructure to further enhance public safety and security during events. In 2017, the city hosted Super Bowl LI, an event that became a literal game changer in how the city rapidly deploys integrated security technology solutions. Legacy security systems The 10-day Super Bowl Live festival at the 12-acre Discovery Green featured free well-known music artist concerts and other attractions. The neighbouring GRB hosted the NFL Experience event with interactive activities and player appearances. When hosting large events spread out over several venues, the city found that the added congestion from portable event stages, booths, and attendees changed the environment. This rendered the standalone legacy security systems inadequate when hosting the events. “In these situations, the green space is no longer open; it’s cluttered with event structures, banners, and everything that comes with a festival. We found that our existing camera system was getting either visually or audibly interfered with,” said Jack C. Hanagriff, former Program Manager for the City of Houston’s Office of Public Safety and Homeland Security. Access to the camera system In the six-month planning period before the festival, Verizon installed fibre-optic cable for the event Determining a temporary system was needed to provide security at Super Bowl Live, Hanagriff and his team brought in Milestone Systems on the recommendation of HFC's long-time integrator Teksys and manufacturer Axis Communications. Milestone helped design and test a rapidly deployable, fully integrated supplemental camera and video management software (VMS) system at Discovery Green. In the six-month planning period before the festival, Verizon installed fibre-optic cable for the event. This allowed access to the camera system with Axis F Series modular cameras, Q Series PTZ dome cameras, and thermal imaging systems. Milestone open platform  Using a Milestone open platform system design, the temporary festival infrastructure easily integrated with the non-Milestone VMS already used at GRB. The system was built on the Milestone design. “We were able to tie both VMS networks into our existing homeland security network. We converged the two systems to give law enforcement, the fire department, and other agencies access to all systems seamlessly,” said Jack C. Hanagriff, adding “Again, this system did not exist just four days prior.” Houston Living Lab inspires Smart City R&D HLL allows city departments and partners to test and validate technology in an active environment After successfully collaborating with Milestone Systems and other security manufacturers for the Super Bowl Live events, HFC established the Houston Living Lab. The HLL allows city departments and partners to test and validate technology in an active environment. Technology partners include Milestone Systems, Axis Communications, Cradlepoint, Dell Technologies, Haystax, Acre Comnet (formerly Razberi), Siklu, and Verizon. Video analytics are provided by Athena Security, Citilog, EAGL Technology, Evolon Technology, Irisity (formerly Agent Vi), Sound Intelligence, and AirSight (formerly 911 Security). Technology Partnerships Enhance Public Safety The 1.9 million-square-foot GRB Convention Center has diverse security needs. Beyond public safety and monitoring aggressive behaviour in and around the centre, the security team proactively improves traffic at intersections and manages four large parking garage operations. In 2021, HFC worked with Houston Public Works (HPW) on designing and installing an on-premises software solution to easily bring together the latest technologies at GRB. The 1.9 million-square-foot GRB convention centre has diverse security needs Milestone video management technologies provide seamless integrations with cutting-edge security applications. Nearly 600 legacy Axis Communications cameras are integrated with Milestone Smart Walls in multiple security and parking command centres spread across facilities in the theatre and convention districts, providing complete situational awareness at any given moment. Relationships built at the HLL HFC wanted to be able to identify dangerous situations and be proactive rather than reactive to help mitigate risks. They now have visibility into different situations, such as vehicles driving the wrong way, large crowds gathering in an area or even listening for glass breaking, car alarms, gunshots, or aggressive behaviours.  “The relationships built at the HLL were instrumental in helping us support the needs at other high-profile sites throughout the city that were identified with concerns regarding general public safety and quality of life,” added Jack C. Hanagriff.

A recycling company specialises in processing corrugated paper in large “railroad-car-sized” amounts. This process entails sending the cardboard to a shredder and ultimately, producing craft paper, which creates high levels of heat. When the metal bands that hold the cardboard bundles together are cut, there is potential for a spark to be created, resulting in a fire hazard. Need for proactive measures To avoid increases in their insurance rates, it was acknowledged that more proactive measures needed to be in place at the plant. The existing cameras could not provide the capabilities needed for prevention such as detecting smoke in the air from the heat before a fire erupted and spread. Further, they needed to integrate the camera smoke/heat detection notifications with the fire alarms so there would be real-time alerts for the staff.  Solution used The benefits of installing new thermal cameras and creating maps from multiple walk-throughs Andrew Lundberg, Account Rep, Konica Minolta, was acquainted with the plant, and along with Sales Manager, Antonette Tobin, provided a security overview to the general manager. The team worked with Scott Browne, Video Security Solutions Executive, to show the company’s senior leadership the benefits of installing new thermal cameras and also created maps from multiple walk-throughs.  MOBOTIX cameras The Konica Minolta team addressed installation concerns by explaining how they could run the wire to accommodate the best location for the furnaces and operational points where a fire could start. Further, the plant manager was informed about the durability of the German-made MOBOTIX cameras in extreme temperature conditions since their plant created a hot environment. “When we saw that the MOBOTIX cameras operated in harsh environmental conditions with very cold and very hot temperatures, we were relieved that the camera quality and operations would hold up well at our plant,” added the GM. Results Konica Minolta could also have the cameras directly integrated with their fire alarm systems The plant purchased three MOBOTIX M16 cameras with thermal sensors for the interior of their facility. With a wide field of view, the cameras could cover the key areas where they felt smoke would need to be detected to proactively provide the alerts. They were pleased that Konica Minolta could also have the cameras directly integrated with their fire alarm systems, providing the proactive operational improvement that the insurance company required.  Improved workflow efficiency The installation of these new cameras would not only save them from additional insurance costs but also reduce the stress on employees who previously had to be on high alert to prevent potential fire problems. This technology addition enabled the team to improve workflow efficiency, with employees focused on the operations. Once the board approved the funding, the plant GM indicated that in the future, he would like to consider additional outdoor cameras.  Operational oversight Simply adding cameras to detect issues that may go unnoticed by employees helps with employee safety Proactively improving the oversight of his operations, he noted, could only help with their safety, security, and future evidence to the insurer that they had a proactive mindset.  This solution applies nationwide, to organisations that want better oversight of their facilities and manufacturers that need operational oversight. Simply adding in cameras to detect issues that may go unnoticed by employees helps with employee safety. The story is simple, Konica Minolta can help to provide security via its Mobotix cameras, through its camera detection apps and react offerings. Preventive maintenance “We were eager to get this solution in place, but we could only install it during our shutdown period when we conducted our preventive maintenance,” said the plant General Manager (GM).   "The Konica Minolta team worked on our timeline for funding approval from our leadership team and with our plant’s operational timing requirements."

Many of us take critical infrastructure for granted in our everyday lives. We turn on a tap, flip a switch, push a button, and water, light, and heat are all readily available. But it is important to remember that computerised systems manage critical infrastructure facilities, making them vulnerable to cyber-attacks. The recent ransomware attack on the Colonial Pipeline is an example of the new types of threats. In addition, any number of physical attacks is also possibilities. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What are the security challenges of protecting critical infrastructure?

Large public events were out of the question during the depths of the pandemic. However, public events are likely to experience a resurgence along with a more optimistic outlook in the coming months. In addition, there will likely be pent-up enthusiasm for these events among individuals weary from months of isolation. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What are the security challenges of public events planners in 2021?

In the past few weeks, the light at the end of the COVID-19 tunnel has brightened, providing new levels of hope that the worst of the pandemic is behind us. Dare we now consider what life will be like after the pandemic is over? Considering the possible impact on our industry, we asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: Which security technologies will be most useful in a post-pandemic world?