Wireless security

The client is a renowned German global discount supermarket chain and ranks as the sixth largest grocery retailer in the UK, holding a 7.7 percent market share as of August 2023. Headquartered in Wimbledon, London, the company operates over 12,000 stores across every EU member state, as well as in Serbia, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. With a large number of locations and diverse door access requirements, the client was facing challenges in managing visitor access across their UK Headquarters. Current access control system Additionally, they were seeking to streamline operations and enhance the visitor experience by implementing a more efficient visitor management system. The client also required integration with their current access control system, Exos platform. They were aiming to address the following challenges: Implementing access control for a variety of hardwired and wireless doors Installing speed lane control systems at the front and rear entrances to deter unauthorised access Integrating Visitor and Contractor Management with the access control system Streamlined operations Customisable workflows based on visitor types were also vital for the supermarket's HQ campus Customisable workflows based on visitor types were also crucial for the supermarket's new HQ campus. The VAR company collaborated with acre security to implement acre Enterprise Visitor Management, a cloud-based solution that provided a centralised platform for managing visitors across all locations, integrating it with Outlook, Teams, and Exos.  This solution not only streamlined operations but also enhanced the overall visitor experience through features such as pre-registration, self-service check-in kiosks, and real-time reporting. It also allowed visitors to conveniently scan badges at turnstiles for site access. Successful integration with Exos Following thorough research on customer needs, the project team implemented the access control system, combining hardwired and wireless online access control points. The integration of the access control reader, acre Enterprise Visitor Management solution and Exos software and hardware enhanced the visitor experience and streamed visitor details with barcode readers. The successful integration with Exos and the enhanced visitor experience were pivotal in securing the project. Positive client feedback was received for the innovative approach to product feature enhancements and the variety of visitor kiosk options offered. The project's success has led to plans for expansion, with 14 additional locations across the UK set to benefit from the implemented solution.

Centrios, a new brand created within ASSA ABLOY to serve the small business market, announces their first shipment of hardware products to SECLOCK. Centrios is a cloud-based access control solution developed to radically simplify the needs of small and growing businesses. By connecting the Centrios mobile app with Centrios smart readers and locks, owners and managers can quickly and easily manage access for all employees and visitors in one place. Small and growing businesses The first shipment of Centrios product left Centrios HQ in Berlin, Connecticut on June 18th and is now available for ordering through SECLOCK. End-users that are looking to purchase or have Centrios product installed at their business can find local support on the Centrios Where to Buy Finder on centrios.com. Their channel partners also benefit from a solution that is easy to sell, is well supported Bryan Lieberman, General Manager for Centrios, shared that this shipment marks an important step forward in digital transformation for small and growing businesses. It offers small business owners improved connectivity, ease of access, quality, and versatility, enabling them to control access for employees or visitors across multiple physical sites with their phone, tablet or PC. Their channel partners also benefit from a solution that is easy to sell, is well supported, and helps them grow their business. Managing access schedules Echoing this sentiment, Justin Wormell, Executive Director of Strategic Accounts, SECLOCK, said, "Centrios offers a fresh approach to access control systems, providing new functionality and operating practices for the owners and managers of small businesses – something we get asked for all the time. We are honored to be the first to stock Centrios products and look forward to the opportunities it brings." The Centrios mobile app is designed to seamlessly integrate with Centrios smart readers and locks. The simple-to-use mobile app allows owners and managers to grant access to employees and trusted vendors, manage access schedules, view access history reports, and users can unlock openings with a touch of their phone. Users can find the Centrios mobile app on the Apple App Store or Google Play. Access control solution The new Centrios Smart Reader is IP65 weather resistant, FCC/IC certified, ADA compliant The Centrios Smart Reader enables users to unlock virtually any door with electrified hardware from the perimeter to the core of a small business. The Smart Reader is an optimal access control solution for storefronts, employee entrances, storerooms, gates, offices, automatic doors, and access control retrofits. The Smart Reader can be paired with other electronic access control systems, features Bluetooth mobile access and PIN code management which can be managed with the Centrios mobile app, and is easily installed and operated. The new Centrios Smart Reader is IP65 weather resistant, FCC/IC certified, ADA compliant, and operates in temperatures ranging from -40º to 140º F (-40º to 60º C). Access control components Centrios offers bundled kits to make purchasing convenient and hassle-free for small business owners. Each bundle includes a Smart Reader and various access control components depending on the type of hardware required. Examples of what can be selected include electric strikes from HES and Adams Rite, power supply from Securitron, no touch request to exit switch from Alarm Controls, and Securitron DPS. With technology from several new patents, the Centrios cylindrical lock is high performing, easy to install, and simple to use. It facilitates access via an optional mechanical key or Bluetooth mobile access, features privacy mode with an included door position sensor, and an LED for lock events and alarms. Configurable auto relock The Centrios cylindrical lock typically operates for an entire year on four AA batteries and includes exterior emergency 9VDC power backup and a configurable auto relock. Small businesses can choose from one of four lever designs and five finishes, including the very popular black suede, satin chrome, bronze, bright brass, and satin nickel. The Centrios cylindrical lock is ANSI/BHMA A156.2 Grade 1 compliant, features UL10C 3-hour fire rating, is IP57 weather resistant, FCC/IC certified, ADA compliant, and operates in temperatures ranging from -40º to 140º F (-40º to 60º C).

ASIS International and the Security Industry Association (SIA) have closed out a successful second annual Security LeadHER conference, a unique event dedicated to advancing, connecting and empowering women in the security profession. The sold-out event took place June 24-25, 2024, in Phoenix, Arizona, bringing together more than 400 security professionals from seven countries. Security LeadHER 2024 builds on the tremendous success of last year’s inaugural event, gathering attendees of all backgrounds and genders. This year’s conference – a day-and-a-half program featuring industry-pioneering subject matter expert presenters – offered inspiring keynotes, educational sessions and networking opportunities. The 2024 agenda featured a diverse range of presentations and discussions addressing the unique challenges and opportunities faced by women in the security industry. Keynote presentations Event also featured multiple networking breaks, a networking lunch and a lively evening reception Session topics included the power of authenticity in leadership, addressing and overcoming imposter syndrome, managing the multigenerational workplace, fostering male allyship in the security industry, negotiation tactics and more.  Additionally, attendees enjoyed motivating keynote presentations from Henna Pryor, two-time TEDx and global keynote speaker, workplace performance expert, author and executive coach at Pryority Group; Debby Stone, CEO and executive coach at Novateur Partners and Amanda McPherson, confidence coach and speaker. The event also featured multiple networking breaks, a networking lunch and a lively evening reception at The Duce, providing ample opportunities for attendees to connect with peers and industry pioneers. Security LeadHER conference “Following the tremendous success of our inaugural event, we’re thrilled to see Security LeadHER 2024 sell out with over 400 attendees from seven countries,” said Mary Gamble, Esq., MBA, CPP, chair of the ASIS Women in Security Community. “This partnership between ASIS and SIA has proven to be a catalytic force to develop and promote the success of women in the security industry and will have a positive impact for years to come.” “The second annual Security LeadHER conference was nothing short of spectacular. It was inspiring to see so many established and emerging women leaders in one room, and the energy was palpable,” said Alice DiSanto, vice president of global marketing at Rajant Corporation and chair of SIA’s Women in Security Forum. LeadHERs in security Amazing ward of “leadhers” donated to the Greater Phoenix Area by supporting Dress DiSanto added: “Our expert speakers addressed the most pressing personal and professional issues facing women in security and shared actionable tools and tactics for leadership development, collaboration and risk-taking to cultivate a bolder presence. This conference is unlike any other in our industry, and the 2024 event fostered connectedness, enriched lives and grew engagement among the ‘LeadHERs’ in security. We can’t wait to do it again next year!” As part of this year’s Security LeadHER conference, the amazing community of “leadhers” contributed to the Greater Phoenix Area by supporting Dress for Success Phoenix and the Bra Recyclers by accepting donations on-site during Security LeadHER 2024. Investment in Security LeadHER Event organisers SIA and ASIS are profoundly grateful for the generous support of the sponsors who have made Security LeadHER 2024 possible. Their commitment to advancing, connecting and empowering women in the security industry is truly commendable. These organisations are not just sponsors; they are catalysts for change in the industry, actively promoting diversity and inclusion. Their investment in Security LeadHER demonstrates a shared vision for a more equitable and dynamic security sector. Together, they are paving the way for the next generation of women pioneers in security. Sponsors include Premier Sponsors|Apple, Dorma Kaba, HID, Intel, Wesco, Executive Sponsors|Axis Communications, Salto, Securitas Technology, Partner + Bag Sponsor | Allegion, Partner Sponsors | Assa Abloy, Boon Edam, Genetec, GSA Schedules, Inc., i-Pro, Ontic and Sage Integration. Security LeadHER 2025 will be held June 9-10 in Detroit, Michigan.

Corelight, a pioneer in open network detection and response (NDR), published a new research paper highlighting the strong divide among European IT pioneers over the suitability of generative AI (GenAI) for use by their cybersecurity teams. The latest study has found that, although 46% of respondents state that they are proactively looking at how to incorporate the technology in their cybersecurity approaches, 44% also believe that the sensitive nature of the data involved – along with engrained enterprise silos – will in fact make it difficult to use GenAI. Of the approximately one-third of responding organisations not currently using GenAI technology for threat detection and response, 37% cite C-suite concerns as the reason. AI-powered products “Our research highlights a fair degree of market scepticism and a clear need for further education, particularly amongst C-level executive teams,” says Matt Ellison, Technical Director of EMEA, Corelight. “However, we know that GenAI will give SOC teams a major boost in delivering the insights analysts need to enhance productivity and bridge skills gaps.” He continued: “Security vendors must work hard to build sufficient guardrails into their AI-powered products, so more organisations can enhance threat detection and response with this transformative technology.” Perception of GenAI Corelight found European ITDMs were split down the hub in their perception of GenAI Corelight found European ITDMs (IT Decision Makers) were split down the middle in their perception of GenAI use for cybersecurity and exactly half (50%) of the responding ITDMs believed GenAI would have the biggest impact on providing alert context and analysis. They also cite the following potential use cases: Maintaining compliance policies (41%) Recommending best practices on domain-specific languages like identity and access management policy (36%) Unstructured vulnerability information (35%) Providing remediation guidance (35%) Unstructured network connection and process information (32%) Implementation of GenAI A further 28% plan to incorporate these abilities into more use cases in the future Alongside some clear concerns and question marks about the practical use and implementation of GenAI in a security environment, 68% of respondents with dedicated threat hunters say it’s already helping their threat detection and protection efforts. A further 28% plan to incorporate these capabilities into more use cases in the future. Despite the legitimate concerns of many European ITDMs, many have a positive view of the future. More than 40% of respondents claim AI and automation are central to creating “the perfect security formula”. Interact with the GenAI model “Generative AI has been successfully applied for alert enrichment and contextualisation, providing SOC analysts with enhanced incident response capabilities,” added Ignacio Arnoldo, Director of Data Science, Corelight. He continued: “GenAI's adoption is hindered by concerns over data confidentiality and model accuracy. As models improve in overall reasoning capacity and cybersecurity knowledge, and as more LLM deployments include structural privacy protections, GenAI is set to become integral to security operations.” Corelight helps customers mitigate data protection concerns by establishing a functional firewall so that customer-specific data cannot interact with the GenAI model. Pre-vetted GenAI prompts are used to contextualise alerts and provide analysts with investigative recommendations.

Masaya Kida, Managing Director of OPTEX Security, reflects on the 45th anniversary of OPTEX and what it means, discusses the driving factors behind the business’ success and looks ahead at what’s next for OPTEX and the wider security industry. OPTEX’s 45th anniversary When OPTEX was founded in Japan in 1987 by Electronics Engineer - Toru Kobayashi and three colleagues, their vision was to build a global sensing technology business with precision and intelligence at its heart. Currently, OPTEX has achieved just that, with a business that now employs more than 2,000 people across 42 companies and which still has an unwavering commitment to innovating new solutions and ideas that solve the everyday problems of its customers.

Thales announced the release of the 2024 Thales Cloud Security Study, its annual assessment of the latest cloud security threats, trends and emerging risks based on a survey of nearly 3000 IT and security professionals across 18 countries in 37 industries. As the use of the cloud continues to be strategically vital to many organisations, cloud resources have become the biggest targets for cyber-attacks, with SaaS applications (31%), Cloud Storage (30%) and Cloud Management Infrastructure (26%) cited as the pioneering categories of attack. As a result, protecting cloud environments has risen as the top security priority ahead of all other security disciplines. Increased risks to sensitive data Growing cloud usage across enterprises has seen an accompanying growth in the potential attack surface This comes as organisations continue to experience cloud data breaches. Forty-four percent of organisations have experienced a cloud data breach with 14% reported having an incident in the last 12 months. Human error and misconfiguration continued to lead the top root cause of these breaches (31%), followed by exploiting known vulnerabilities (28%), and failure to use Multi-Factor Authentication (17%). Growing cloud usage across enterprises has seen an accompanying growth in the potential attack surface for threat actors, with 66% of organisations using more than 25 SaaS applications and nearly half (47%) of corporate data being sensitive. Despite the increased risks to sensitive data in the cloud, the data encryption rates remain low, with less than 10% of enterprises encrypting 80% or more of their sensitive cloud data. Data sovereignty and privacy Sebastien Cano, Senior Vice President for Cloud Protection and Licencing activities at Thales: “The scalability and flexibility that the cloud offers is highly compelling for organisations, so it’s no surprise it is central to their security strategies." "However, as the cloud attack surface expands, organisations must get a firm grasp on the data they have stored in the cloud, the keys they’re using to encrypt it, and the ability to have complete visibility into who is accessing the data and how it being used. It is vital to solve these challenges now, especially as data sovereignty and privacy have emerged as top concerns in this year’s research.” New security challenges Future-proofing cloud environments (31%) was the number one driver behind digital sovereignty initiatives As organisations gain more experience in using cloud computing, many have modernised their investments to meet new security challenges. For organisations that prioritised digital sovereignty as an emerging security concern, refactoring applications to logically separate, secure, store, and process cloud data was the top way they would attain or achieve sovereignty initiatives ahead of other measures such as repatriating workloads back to on-premises or in-territory.  Future-proofing cloud environments (31%) was the number one driver behind digital sovereignty initiatives, while adhering to regulations came in at a distant second at 22%. For more information listen to the webinar with S&P Global hosted by Scott Crawford, Information Security Research Head and Justin Lam, Research Analyst.  About the 2024 Thales Cloud Security Study The 2024 Thales Cloud Security Study was based on a global survey of 2961 respondents, aimed at professionals in security and IT management.  In addition to criteria about the level of knowledge on the general topic of the survey, the screening criteria for the survey excluded those respondents who indicated an affiliation with organisations with annual revenue of less than US$100 million and with US$100 million-$250 million in selected countries. This research was conducted as an observational study and makes no causal claims.

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.

Educational institutions worldwide increasingly rely on robust wireless networks to enhance academic pursuits, safety measures, and operational efficiency. The campus environment, a complex network of interconnected buildings, and the humans navigating them require innovative technologies to meet these diverse needs. The solution lies in a new wireless protocol that provides an ideal fit for the long-range, low-power connectivity requirements of educational campuses: Wi-Fi-certified HaLow. Wi-Fi HaLow: Wi-Fi HaLow, a new Wi-Fi certification released by the Wi-Fi Alliance in November 2021 and incorporating the IEEE 802.11ah standard, is optimized for the unique requirements of Internet of Things (IoT) applications. Wi-Fi HaLow provides a reliable and robust wireless solution that overcomes the trade-offs Its combination of long-range connectivity, low power consumption, advanced Wi-Fi CERTIFIED WPA3 security features, and the ability to connect more than 8,000 devices from a single access point makes the protocol a game changer for campus environments. Wi-Fi HaLow provides a reliable and robust wireless solution that overcomes the trade-offs between range and speed that limit the effectiveness of conventional Wi-Fi in the 2.4, 5, and 6 GHz frequency bands for campus applications. Robust, secure connections for access control Operating at sub-GHz frequencies, the Wi-Fi HaLow protocol's unparalleled ability to penetrate physical barriers and its advanced security features make it an ideal wireless technology for supporting access control systems throughout campuses. Credential systems for students, badge scanners, cameras, and dormitory door locks can work efficiently and securely in hard-to-reach locations, providing an interconnected and safe environment for the campus community. Enhancing safety through improved connectivity Body-worn cameras used by public safety officers can remain connected to the wireless local-area network The low-power and long-range attributes of Wi-Fi HaLow can play a significant role in strengthening campus safety systems. Body-worn cameras used by public safety officers can remain connected to the wireless local-area network (WLAN) or mobile router in their patrol vehicles even at a long distance, reducing the need to consume cellular data. Wi-Fi HaLow enables the development of robust wireless networks that can reliably support campus-wide, two-way video intercoms, potentially enhancing response times and safety measures. Streamlining outdoor equipment automation Outdoor equipment automation, such as irrigation systems, smart lighting, and robotic lawnmowers, can leverage Wi-Fi HaLow's power efficiency, and long-range and expansive coverage.  Automation of these systems with such efficient wireless connectivity can lead to significant energy savings, improved productivity, and reduced operational costs. Delivering superior speed and range 8 MHz capable device using 64 QAM modulation can transmit at speeds of up to 32 megabits per second A Wi-Fi HaLow network shatters the traditional tradeoff of wireless communications between speed and range. A single-stream, 8 MHz capable device using 64 QAM modulation can transmit at speeds of up to 32 megabits per second at sub-GHz frequencies, enabling live streaming on large screens, connecting multiple real-time AI edge cameras, as well as thousands of low-power IoT devices, all connected without compromising on range. Wi-Fi HaLow signals can extend beyond 1 kilometre, up to 10 times farther than traditional forms of Wi-Fi in the 2.4, 5, and 6 GHz frequency bands, and are capable of connecting far-flung devices and systems across campus environments. Setting a new standard for campus connectivity By addressing the connectivity needs of modern campuses, Wi-Fi HaLow paves the way for future campus applications. As we navigate the digital era, Wi-Fi HaLow presents a compelling solution that significantly enhances connectivity, safety, and efficiency. This leap in wireless capabilities isn’t merely incremental; it represents a transformative stride toward a smarter, more connected future. Wide-reaching wireless network Educational institutions can leverage Wi-Fi HaLow to create safer, more efficient, and interconnected campus environments. By providing a robust, reliable, and wide-reaching wireless network, Wi-Fi HaLow enables campuses everywhere to fulfill their diverse connectivity needs without compromise.

When a bomb detonated in the Port of Beirut, I had hundreds of employees under my care inside the blast zone. Within just two hours, I was able to determine who was impacted, understand their safety conditions, and share resources for on-the-ground support—all thanks to mobile technology. For Chief Security Officers, receiving calls like these launches a variety of protocols and necessary decision-making with the safety and security of people and assets as a top priority. And these calls are only becoming more common. Dependence on threat intelligence Mobile phones have dominated the post-COVID environment where people work from anywhere Threats ranging from natural disasters to geopolitical conflicts are becoming more frequent and complicate the responsibility organisations have in keeping their people safe. To meet these needs CSO’s are staying ahead of negative outcomes through creating a greater dependence on threat intelligence. In these times, effective, real-time risk management depends on hyper-local data from technology that is accessible, portable, and dynamic–such as cell phones. Mobile phones have revolutionised the way people live and work. They allow us all to walk around with a computer in our pocket, bringing the world to our fingertips and eliminating digital borders for over 90% of the world's population. Mobile phones have dominated the post-COVID environment where people work from anywhere and have geographically distributed teams but are also more vulnerable to threatening events. Mobile-friendly risk management platforms Mobile technology assigns workers with easy entry to data that can help keep them and their teams safe As we approach 2024, many organisations are adopting comprehensive risk management tools that empower personnel across the organisation with the intelligence and knowledge they need to stay safe wherever they are.  Mobile-friendly risk management platforms, such as Crisis24 Horizon, provide always-on awareness, on-hand threat intelligence, and immediate communications and distress signalling through location monitoring. Users receive location risk assessments and push notifications directly to their devices about nearby issues and threats no matter if they are on or off the job. While only select risk managers have complete control of the platform and all sensitive employee data is protected through encryption, the app distributes critical intel to foster a culture of shared awareness and responsibility. Thus, mobile technology empowers employees with easy access to information that can help keep them and their teams safe. Creating a culture of mobile technology adoption In the last few years, the world has proven the importance of being well-informed of risks and mitigation plans to minimise harm. However, psychological barriers tend to trump physical barriers when it comes to accessing the vast array of tools our mobile devices offer. World has proven the matter of being well-informed of risks and relief plans to minimise harm Adopting this technology and establishing a culture that enforces risk management across an organisation is a daunting challenge that demands substantial commitment from leadership to be successful. Some companies have tackled this challenge by positioning security technology as part of the organisation’s employee benefits package, such as commuter benefits and health insurance, to encourage people to take advantage of these resources and learn how to use them.   Cohesive risk management culture Technology is only as effective as the people whose actions it informs, which is why adoption and integration are so important. When a cohesive risk management culture meets a powerful technology platform, individuals are enabled to receive threat alerts and counter their impacts, letting others know when and how to take the necessary precautions to protect themselves and their team.  For more information on mobile technology and other security trends, check out the Global Risk Forecast, an annual report by Crisis24 that provides a comprehensive analysis of key events around the world most likely to affect operations in the coming year.

Fueled by mounting concerns about the cybersecurity vulnerability of U.S. ports, President Joe Biden has signed an Executive Order aimed at shoring up defences against cyberattacks. Cybersecurity initiative The cybersecurity initiative marks a significant shift in policy, empowering key agencies and outlining concrete actions to bolster defences.  By empowering agencies, establishing clear standards, and fostering collaboration, the initiative aims to strengthen U.S. ports against the evolving threat of cyberattacks, safeguarding the nation's maritime economy and national security.   Expanded authority for DHS  The proactive approach aims to prevent incidents before they occur The Executive Order grants expanded authority to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Coast Guard to address maritime cyber threats. DHS gains the power to directly tackle these challenges, while the Coast Guard receives specific tools. The Coast Guard can compel vessels and waterfront facilities to address cyber vulnerabilities that endanger safety. The proactive approach aims to prevent incidents before they occur.   Real-time information sharing Reporting any cyber threats or incidents targeting ports and harbors becomes mandatory. This real-time information sharing allows for swifter response and mitigation efforts. The Coast Guard also gains the authority to restrict the movement of vessels suspected of posing cyber threats. Inspections can be conducted on vessels and facilities deemed risky.  Mandatory cybersecurity standards  The standardisation aims to eliminate weak links in the chain and prevent attackers from exploiting Beyond these broad powers, the Executive Order establishes foundational elements for improved cybersecurity. Mandatory cybersecurity standards will be implemented for U.S. ports' networks and systems, ensuring a baseline level of protection across the board. This standardisation aims to eliminate weak links in the chain and prevent attackers from exploiting individual vulnerabilities.  Importance of collaboration and transparency Furthermore, the initiative emphasises the importance of collaboration and information sharing. Mandatory reporting of cyber incidents fosters transparency and allows government agencies and private sector partners to work together in mitigating threats.  Additionally, the Executive Order encourages increased information sharing among all stakeholders, facilitating a unified response to potential attacks.  Maritime Security Directive The Executive Order encourages investment in research and development for innovative cybersecurity solutions To address specific concerns, the Coast Guard will issue a Maritime Security Directive targeting operators of Chinese-manufactured ship-to-shore cranes. This directive outlines risk management strategies to address identified vulnerabilities in these critical pieces of port infrastructure. The long-term success of this initiative hinges on effective implementation. The Executive Order encourages investment in research and development for innovative cybersecurity solutions, recognising the need for continuous improvement and adaptation to evolving threats.  Recognising the urgency of cyber threats  The initiative has been met with widespread support from port authorities, industry stakeholders, and cybersecurity experts who recognise the urgency of addressing cyber threats. However, some concerns exist regarding the potential burden of complying with new regulations for smaller port operators.  Effective communication, resource allocation, and collaboration among all stakeholders will be crucial to ensure the successful implementation of this comprehensive plan.  Enhancing cybersecurity The more impactful and noteworthy piece is the associated NPRM from the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) “This Executive Order is a positive move that will give the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) additional authority to enhance cybersecurity within the marine transportation system and respond to cyber incidents,” comments Josh Kolleda, practice director, transport at NCC Group, a cybersecurity consulting firm.  The more impactful and noteworthy piece is the associated Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) from the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) on “Cybersecurity in the Marine Transportation System,” adds Kolleda. Portions of the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) look similar to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Security Directive for the rail industry and the Emergency Amendment for the aviation industry.   Coordinating with TSA on lessons learned  The USCG should be coordinating with TSA on lessons learned and incorporating them into additional guidance to stakeholders and processes to review plans and overall compliance, says Kolleda. “At first glance, the NPRM provides a great roadmap to increase cybersecurity posture across the various stakeholders, but it underestimates the cost to private companies in meeting the requirements, particularly in areas such as penetration testing,” says Kolleda. Cyber espionage and threats The focus is on PRC because nearly 80% of cranes operated at U.S. ports are manufactured there “It is unclear if or how the federal government will provide support for compliance efforts. As this seems to be an unfunded mandate, many private companies will opt for the bare minimum in compliance.”  “Cyber espionage and threats have been reported by the Director of National Intelligence from multiple nation-states including China, Russia, and Iran,” adds Paul Kingsbury, principal security consultant & North America Maritime Lead at NCC Group. The focus here is on the People’s Republic of China (PRC) because nearly 80% of cranes operated at U.S. ports are manufactured there, he says.  Destructive malware “The state-sponsored cyber actors’ goal is to disrupt critical functions by deploying destructive malware resulting in disruption to the U.S. supply chain,” says Kingsbury. “These threat actors do not only originate in China or other nation-states but also include advanced persistent threats (APTs) operated by criminal syndicates seeking financial gain from such disruptions." "The threat actors don’t care where the crane was manufactured but rather seek targets with limited protections and defences. The minimum cyber security requirements outlined within the NPRM should be adopted by all crane operators and all cranes, regardless of where they are manufactured.”  PRC-manufactured cranes Kingsbury adds, “The pioneering risk outlined in the briefing is that these cranes (PRC manufactured) are controlled, serviced, and programmed from remote locations in China." "While this is a valid concern and should be assessed, there are certainly instances where PRC-manufactured cranes do not have control systems manufactured in PRC. For example, there are situations in maritime transportation system facilities where older cranes have been retrofitted with control systems of European Union or Japanese origin.”  Monitoring wireless threats  “The Biden Administration’s recent Executive Order is a critical step forward in protecting U.S. ports from cyberattacks and securing America’s supply chains,” says Dr. Brett Walkenhorst, CTO at Bastille, a wireless threat intelligence technology company. “To ensure proper defence against malicious actors accessing port-side networks, attention must also be paid to common wireless vulnerabilities." "Attacks leveraging Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and IoT protocols may be used to access authorised infrastructure including IT and OT systems. Monitoring such wireless threats is an important element in a comprehensive approach to upgrading the defences of our nation’s critical infrastructure.”

Already a strong player, particularly in New Zealand and Australia, Gallagher is still climbing in the U.S. market, which it sees as a big opportunity to invest in the company. Active in the United States for 10 years, Gallagher undertook a more aggressive growth strategy about five years ago. There are 52 employees in Gallagher’s U.S. security business, and about half the workforce has been hired in the last couple of years. They have grown from three sales territories to 16, operated by a full sales and engineering staff. Culture of innovation sets As it happens, Gallagher’s U.S. headquarters is located a short drive from my home office in the wider vicinity of Atlanta. I missed seeing them at GSX in Dallas, so we scheduled an in-person visit to catch up on their company. Gallagher’s strong culture of innovation sets them apart, as does their “people-first” commitment, says Scott Elliott, Gallagher’s Executive Vice-President, The Americas. “We have intentionally recruited for a diversity of thought that drives the business,” says Elliott. “We are a people business.” Melissa Vidakovic, Director of Marketing, Americas; and Scott Elliott, Executive VP, Americas, at Gallagher Security's office in Canton, GA. Unified approach An advantage Gallagher has in the market is total ownership of their supply chain; it manufactures each of the hundreds of products used across their solutions, from plastic components to readers to controllers to their own software systems.  Among other advantages, the unified approach enables tighter control from a hardening and cybersecurity perspective, enabling them to minimize any threat vectors or vulnerabilities. The strategy also avoids dependence on third-party suppliers, which was a huge advantage during recent supply chain disruptions. While competitors struggled with availability issues related to third-party manufacturers, Gallagher’s supply was uninterrupted. Gallagher’s commitment Gallagher uses the same norms as the nation and subjects its effects to inner and outer penetration As a manufacturer serving a broad spectrum of markets, it’s Gallagher’s commitment to the high end of the market (e.g., high-security applications), where the company incorporates core tenets such as authentication and encryption. Gallagher uses some of the same standards as the government and subjects its products to internal and external penetration testing. These core strengths are also integral to Gallagher’s complete product line. “If it’s good enough for a high-level customer, it’s good enough for Mr. Business Owner,” says Elliott. The New Zealand company was founded in 1938 and was the first company to commercialize the electric fence, which it still uses for its agriculture business sector, separate from the security business. Gallagher entered the access control business 35 years ago in 1988 when a product used to restrict access to fuel pumps evolved into broader access control. Gallagher platform In the intervening years, the product has grown into a unified platform that incorporates access control, intrusion detection, and perimeter detection in a single ecosystem. “The platform is all-encompassing,” says Elliott. “No other platform does all three.” Augmenting access control, intrusion, and perimeter protection, there are other applications available in the Gallagher platform, such as workforce management, health and safety functions, and a spectrum of features useful to a wider stakeholder community. Fatigue management applications For example, Gallagher can implement routine randomized checks to proactively mitigate potential risks such as drug or alcohol abuse, thus ensuring workers are fit to work, to operate various machinery and that they do not pose a threat to fellow employees or the company.  “Fatigue management” applications can monitor the use of equipment to avoid repetitive injuries or manage how long an employee works at a job site, requiring a worker to swipe or tap a card to a reader mounted on a machine to monitor and limit the time they operate that machine. Mobile mustering provides location and identification of evacuees in case of an emergency. Impact of digital transformation Gallagher’s “Better Ways of Working” concept zeroes in on the impact of digital transformation Gallagher is also embracing the “digital transformation” of the industry. Security companies must adapt to a more agile workforce and shifting processes, says Elliott. Gallagher’s “Better Ways of Working” concept zeroes in on the impact of digital transformation on their workforce. They also seek to address the changing workforce, where Gen-Z’ers work side-by-side with tenured, experienced workers, and where creating trust is the best approach to closing the generational gap.  Gallagher also seeks to educate the market on trends such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, cloud adoption, various service delivery models, and other issues. Industry consolidation Gallagher has more than 1,200 employees; operates in 140 countries, from South America to Canada, Europe to the Asia-Pacific and Australia; and serves almost 16,000 customers. Gallagher is part of New Zealand’s growing technology export sector, which is growing 30% faster than the overall economy and is now the second-largest export sector in New Zealand. In an age of industry consolidation and a market dominated by corporate conglomerates, Gallagher is a privately held organization seeking to be agile and innovative, and to deliver customer value more quickly. Gallagher re-invests about 15% of its profits into research and development. “Our customer service is the primary reason people buy from us,” says Elliott. Security integrators Security integrators quickly appreciate the breadth and strength of the product line Gallagher positions itself as an alternative in a market in the midst of disruption. Brand awareness continues to be a challenge in the United States, and the sales team often hears the question: “Who is Gallagher?” Once the introduction is made, security integrators quickly appreciate the breadth and strength of the product line, says Elliott. “We allow our customers to select among best-of-breed platforms, and [using open systems,] we are not limited by the technology we offer,” says Elliott. “Our value proposition to the integrator channel is our focus on the relationship,” says Elliott. Supporting end users through an authorized, certified channel, Gallagher also emphasizes value, cost-competitiveness, and cybersecurity. “Our partner relationships are built around cultural alignment,” says Elliott. Product innovation perspective What’s ahead for Gallagher and for the industry as a whole? Hard to say, notes Elliott, given the unfolding of unpredictable geopolitical and financial trends.  However, from a product innovation perspective, Gallagher will continue to evolve, balancing a dependence on “cash cow” legacy product lines with investment in leapfrog innovations such as frictionless access control, cloud platforms, and mobile systems. In general, Elliott predicts AI will yield an opportunity to analyze a person’s pattern of behavior and intent, thus enabling a security system to adapt down the road. “With the ability to predict with some degree of certainty what might happen, these capabilities will evolve,” says Elliott.

Companies at GSX 2023 emphasised new ways that technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and the cloud can address long-standing issues in the security market. Among the exhibitors at the event in Dallas were companies seeking creative ways to apply technology, lower costs, and make the world a safer place. Reflecting on the exhibition, here are some additional takeaways. Expanding AI at the edge  i-PRO is a company reflecting the continued expansion of edge AI capability in the security market. Today, more than half of the company’s lineup supports AI at the edge so the customer has a wide choice of form factors when seeking to leverage the feature set.  AI processing relay, extended warranty i-PRO is increasing their warranty period from 5 to 7 years, which could be a lifetime warranty in some cases I-PRO also has an “AI processing relay” device that accepts non-AI video streams and applies edge analytics. AI has progressed from a high-end technology to a feature available in a variety of cameras at different price points. i-PRO is also increasing its warranty period from 5 to 7 years, which could be a lifetime warranty in some cases depending on a customer’s refresh schedule and lifecycle management. Active Guard, MonitorCast The company’s video management system (Video Insight) is continuing to build new features including “Active Guard,” an integrated metadata sorter. Their access control platform, MonitorCast, is a Mercury-based solution that is tightly integrated with Video Insight. Their embedded recorders now have PoE built in.  “We can move at a faster pace to fill out our product line since leaving Panasonic,” says Adam Lowenstein, Director of Product Management. “We can focus our business on adapting to the market.” Emphasis on retail and other verticals  Shoplifting is a timely issue, and retail is a vertical market that got a lot of attention at GSX 2023. “We see a lot of retailers who are primarily interested in protecting employee safety, but also assets,” says Brandon Davito, Verkada’s SVP of Product and Operations. “Shrinkage is a CEO-level priority.”  “Retailers are getting more engaged with security posture, instead of letting perpetrators walk,” Davito adds. Intrusion detection Verkada has an intrusion product that will notify a central station if there is an alarm On the alarm side, Verkada has an intrusion product that will notify a central station if there is an alarm, and operators can review videos to confirm the alarm. Other capabilities seeking to discourage trespassers include sirens, strobes, and “talkdown” capabilities.  International expansion Verkada continues to expand internationally with 16 offices in all, including Sydney, Tokyo, and London. The core value proposition is to enable customers to manage their onsite infrastructure more simply, including new elements such as PTZ cameras, intercoms, and visitor management. Verkada emphasises ease of use, including a mobile application to allow access to be managed across the user base. Forging partnerships “We are committed to the channel and industry, and we continue to build relationships and expand our reach,” says Davito. Among the industry relationships is a new partnership with Convergint, which was hinted at during the show and announced later the same day. They are also expanding their partnerships with Schlage, Allegion, and ASSA ABLOY.  Working with other verticals They offer new features for K -12 schools, and a new alarm platform is easier to deploy and manage Verkada has also found success across multiple other verticals, notably healthcare, where they integrate with an electronic medical records system. They offer new features for K-12 schools, and a new alarm platform is easier to deploy and manage. They are integrating wireless locks to secure interior doors in schools, looking to secure the perimeter, and installing guest management systems. Transitioning the mid-market to the cloud  Salient is squarely focused on the “mid-market,” a large swath of systems somewhere between small businesses and enterprise-level systems. Pure cloud systems are not as attractive to this market, which has a built-out infrastructure of on-premise systems. Adding a camera to an existing system is easier and less expensive than tying it to the cloud. Benefits of cloud It’s a market that may not be ready for the pure cloud, but there are benefits to be realised from adding a cloud element to existing systems. “We are continuing to augment our premise-based solutions with added cloud capabilities and flexibility,” says Sanjay Challa, Salient’s Chief Product Officer.  The feedback Salient hears from their customers is “I want to own my data.” The hybrid cloud approach offers the right mix of control, flexibility, and unit economics. Cloud add-on capabilities We want to provide the flexibility for customers to go full-cloud as it becomes more economically attractive" Cloud add-on capabilities include bringing more intelligence about system operation to the user via the cloud. Over time, Salient expects to sell more cloud-centric offerings based on feedback from integrators and customers. “We want to provide the flexibility for customers to go full-cloud as it becomes more economically attractive over time,” says Challa.  Vaidio AI technology Salient seeks to be a transition pioneer to help customers realise the path to the cloud. Their approach is “crawl, walk, run,” and helping customers make the transition at each stage. Salient has added AI to its product offering, incorporating Vaidio AI technology from IronYun into a powerful suite and broad array of on-premise analytics, which are gaining traction. The seamless approach makes it easy for customers to embrace AI analytics, although Salient remains broadly committed to open systems. Addressing ‘soft’ features for integrators AMAG is in the process of enhancing its product line with the next generation of access control panels. However, “product” is just part of the new developments at AMAG. In addition to “hard” features (such as products), the company is looking to improve its “soft” features, too; that is, how they work with the integrator channel. Integrator channel Rebuilding a process to make your organisation more efficient, is relatively easy; it just takes a lot of persistence" “We have the depth of our legacy customer base we can learn from, we just need to close the feedback loop quicker,” says Kyle Gordon, AMAG’s Executive Vice President of Global Sales, Marketing, and commercial Excellence, who acknowledges the value of reinstating face-to-face meetings after COVID. “We are laser-focused on nurturing our integrator channel,” he says.  “Developing new features takes time, but rebuilding a process to make your organisation more efficient, that’s relatively easy; it just takes a lot of persistence,” says Gordon. More cohesive internal communication is another useful tool, he says.  Disrupting the cloud based on price  Wasabi is working to make cloud applications less expensive by offering a “disruptive” price on cloud storage, $6.99 per terabyte per month (80% less than hyperscalers). Contending “hyperscalers” like AWS are charging too much for cloud storage, Wasabi is using its own intellectual property and server equipment co-located in data centres around the world. Wasabi sells “hot cloud storage,” which refers to the fact that they only have one tier of storage and data is always accessible. In contrast, a company such as AWS might charge an “egress fee” for access to data stored in a “colder” tier.  Cloud storage “We saw that several video surveillance companies had not yet adopted cloud storage, and we saw an opportunity to make it easy to use,” said Drew Schlussel, Wasabi’s Senior Director of Product Marketing. “We just install a little bit of software that allows them to store data in the cloud and bring it back from the cloud.” Performance, protection (cybersecurity), and price Wasabi works with integrators, resellers, and distributors and also integrates with VMS companies Wasabi works with integrators, resellers, and distributors and also integrates with VMS companies such as Genetec and Milestone. Emphasising performance, protection (cybersecurity), and price, their data centres are certified to SOC 2 and ISO 27001 standards.  Faster throughput for weapons detection Xtract One is a young company focusing on weapons detection in a time of accelerated concern about gun issues post-COVID. Founded in Canada and based on technology developed at McMaster University, Xtract One has found a niche in providing weapons detection at stadiums and arenas. These customers already have budgets, and it is easy to shift the money to a newer, faster technology. Madison Square Garden in New York City is among its customers.  Cost savings solution Xtract One can increase throughput to 30 to 50 people per entrance per minute (compared to 5 to 6 people per minute when using metal detectors). The solution doesn’t require anyone to empty their pockets and the system alarms on items beyond guns and knives. Using Xtract One allows customers to reduce the number of screening lanes and security staff, providing additional cost savings, all while getting fans through the screening process in half the time. Purpose-built sensors The system uses purpose-built sensors looking for specific characteristics, such as reflective and density properties In addition to stadiums and arenas, Xtract One, formerly Patriot One, is also getting “inbound” interest from schools, hospitals, manufacturers, and other verticals that makeup 50% of their business. “We’re on a rocket ride, mainly because the weapons issues are not going away,” says Peter Evans, CEO and Director at Xtract One. The system uses purpose-built sensors looking for specific characteristics, such as reflective and density properties, all correlated by an AI engine.  Providing early warning of violence ZeroEyes is another company focused on weapons detection. Their AI gun detection system works with video images to identify if someone is “brandishing” (carrying) a weapon. In other words, the system does not detect concealed weapons. Identifying someone carrying a weapon provides early warning of a possible violent act. Increased response with AI-enables images Images are identified by AI and sent to a monitoring centre where a human confirms the image before contacting first responders. Knowing the location of a shooter enables staff to lock entry points, move people to safety, and direct first responders. The company was founded to leverage existing camera views to stop mass shootings and gun violence by reducing response times. 

A major European oil and gas company that acquires, explores, produces and supplies chemical and petroleum products had a cybersecurity challenge. Company leadership wanted a better way to quantify and respond to the industry’s increasing levels of cybersecurity risk. Pioneers were looking for a new way to better understand and improve their company’s OT cybersecurity. As part of this effort, pioneers wanted to compare the company’s current levels of protection against a series of hypothetical attacks to identify gaps. With operations in several locations and a supply chain network of over 1,000 gas stations, auditing and improving the company’s cybersecurity would be no small task. Set of analysis and recommendations The Honeywell csHAZOP solution is designed to deliver a comprehensive set of analysis To help overcome these challenges, the company called in Honeywell and, specifically, its csHAZOP services team to perform a detailed design evaluation based on OT cybersecurity risk. The Honeywell csHAZOP solution is designed to deliver a comprehensive set of analysis and recommendations–it goes beyond the standard cybersecurity vulnerability assessment or IEC 62443 compliance audit by adding deeper analysis that is designed to: Investigate a significant amount of what can go wrong, including approximately 500+ attack scenarios – evaluating these for multiple threat actors and different consequences, Address – via risk assessments – both the likely risk reduction through the regular IT type of countermeasures (AV, firewall, hardening, etc.) and the consequence severity reduction through the implementation of safeguards (e.g., hardwiring critical control signals), Estimate residual risk for each hazard, allowing identification and quantification, making mitigation actionable, Focus on process automation cybersecurity risk (csHAZOP stage 1) or production process cybersecurity risk (by adding csHAZOP stage 2 vs. cybersecurity production risk) to add a higher level of cybersecurity analysis from an OT perspective unique in the industry. Send in the csHAZOP experts Honeywell cyber experts also uncovered some high-risk design deficiencies The Honeywell OT cybersecurity experts worked with the Honeywell proprietary csHAZOP method to uncover several concrete recommendations for immediate remediation and technical design recommendations in the company’s ICS, to be considered in upcoming ICS migrations. Honeywell cyber experts also uncovered some high-risk design deficiencies. The Honeywell csHAZOP framework was used to identify levels of residual risk to determine which security hazard was more critical to address versus others. Honeywell provided targeted guidance on several aspects of the study, using experience from real-world cyber attacks in the industry. Honeywell’s csHAZOP service is one of the few cybersecurity assessments available on the market that is designed to apply counterfactual risk analysis. Honeywell’s csHAZOP report This evaluation now links OT cybersecurity to loss prevention and process safety Given a system’s protective measures, this method helps a company evaluate which cyber attacks (based on countermeasures, security protections and type of threat actor) may succeed. This evaluation directly links OT cybersecurity to loss prevention and process safety. Honeywell’s csHAZOP report for this oil and gas refinery was considered successful by the customer because of its well-defined procedure, the tools Honeywell has specifically designed for OT systems and the team’s experience and efforts in OT cybersecurity. Results of the csHAZOP assessment “The results of the csHAZOP assessment from Honeywell went beyond our expectations. We have received a detailed and analytical cybersecurity hazard and operability report concerning both identified risks and realistic recommendations for remediation." "Additionally, the report is a valuable tool for future upgrades of our systems as well as new projects and the development of an incident response plan. We intend to repeat this assessment periodically, as it is a valuable tool in our continuous efforts to improve security for our systems from the ever-evolving cybersecurity threats,” Major refinery in Europe.

In 1899, the Texas Legislature authorised the formation of the Southwest Texas State Normal School, which opened in San Marcos four years later. At the time, the school’s mission was to prepare Texas public school teachers, but over the years, it has undergone several expansions and name changes to reflect its evolution into the major multi-purpose university Texas State has become. From its humble beginnings located in a single building, Texas State’s original San Marcos campus has grown to cover a 485-acre campus that is home to 267 buildings, as well as an additional 5,038 acres of recreational, instructional, farm and ranch land. The university added a second campus in Round Rock, which has grown from 15 temporary buildings to a 101-acre campus with state-of-the-art facilities. Electronic key control systems Texas State’s student population has kept pace with its physical expansion, growing from 303 in 1903 to more than 35,546 in 2013 – marking the 16th consecutive year of enrolment growth for the university. Texas State reviewed its security policies and chose the need to execute electronic key Anticipating major physical and population growth to continue into the future, Texas State reviewed its security policies and determined the necessity of implementing electronic key control systems in sensitive areas. Based on its size, the understanding was that as many as 85 of these systems could potentially be needed as part of this initiative. Aggressive construction campaign Texas State was faced with a particularly challenging growth-related issue in September 2013, as its freshman enrolment surged to more than 5,000. Like many universities, Texas State requires its freshmen to live on campus, which it sees as a tool for retention. That policy seems to be working, with approximately 80 percent of freshmen living on campus technically returning for the following semester. To accommodate the growing ranks of on-campus residents, the university has pursued an aggressive construction campaign, building a new residence hall complex every two years to house approximately 600 additional students with plans to break ground this fall on a third new housing complex. In all, Texas State spent more than $190 million on new or renovated buildings, with more construction planned into the foreseeable future. Update key management policies Maintenance staff members would often reach for the key to a particular building they needed to access With a large number of individuals requiring access to so many facilities, the university recognised that key management had the potential to become a high-risk issue and determined to become proactive in reducing that risk. Maintenance staff members would often reach for the key to a particular building they needed to access, only to find it was already checked out. They would then be forced to go through the time-consuming – and frustrating – process of determining who had the key last and tracking that person down to retrieve it. The decision was made to update key management policies and practices to make them more efficient and effective. “We’ve been especially happy with the KeyWatcher’s access and reporting capabilities, and the system’s reporting tools make reviewing events and issues incredibly simple,” Kyle Estes Associate Director of Housing for Facilities Services Texas State. Options for key management systems To combat these problems and increase the security and effectiveness of its key management, Texas State charged its University Police Department and other stakeholders with undertaking an extensive review of the available options for key management systems on the market. This exhaustive process involved gathering research from printed materials and online research, having discussions with current customers of the various vendors, and listening to on-site presentations from the companies under consideration. At the conclusion of its review of key control cabinets and systems, Texas State chose KeyWatcher Touch from Morse Watchmans. This exhaustive process involved gathering research from printed materials and online research The main factors that led Texas State to choose KeyWatcher Touch systems were its robust feature set and competitive pricing. The school was also impressed by Morse Watchmans’ receptiveness to its specific needs – a six-digit user ID, for example – and ability to implement changes quickly. Access to support was also a main consideration, so Texas State appreciated that the system was produced domestically by a company with a 130-year history. Enterprise management capability Of the KeyWatcher systems to be implemented, the largest number were to be deployed for Texas State’s Department of Housing and Residential Life, which provides housing and services to approximately 7,000 residents in 25 facilities. The department also operates a facilities service group consisting of 110 full-time employees and a staff of 170 building paraprofessionals. The department also operates a facilities service group consisting of 110 full-time employees Because of the personnel changes the department experiences on an annual basis, the system’s enterprise management capability has been a valuable feature, as have its robust reporting capabilities, says Kyle Estes, Texas State’s Associate Director of Housing Facilities Services. Having keys available in each residence hall for use by maintenance staff has made the department more efficient and reduced their liability; staff no longer need to carry multiple master keys across campus for different buildings. Centralised management features “Because the system automatically generates a log of who has each key, we’ve been able to establish much better employee accountability for key usage,” Estes says. “The ability to set a maximum duration that each key can be checked out and to receive alarms when that limit is exceeded has eliminated the problem of having keys unnecessarily checked out and as a result inaccessible when someone needs them.” Ease of use and centralised control parts fed by the system’s web capabilities All KeyWatcher Touch systems deployed at Texas State are connected to the university’s network and interface with its card access and email systems. The ease of use and centralised management features provided by the system’s network capabilities have streamlined the once cumbersome process of generating reports and reviewing incidents. One particular feature, the ability to access the system from anywhere, has made the system even more effective, Estes says. Earliest adopters of KeyWatcher Touch As one of the earliest adopters of KeyWatcher Touch, the Housing and Facilities Department served as a test case of sorts for the system. Based on the success the department has had, combined with its continued rapid growth and expansion, Texas State University’s 85-system implementation is ongoing. As more systems are added, expansion will be a consideration moving forward, but Estes doesn’t anticipate that being a problem. “We’ve found that expanding these systems is fairly easy and doesn’t involve time-consuming processes that could delay implementation of key management for particularly sensitive areas,” Estes says. “Overall, the system has been very reliable, and the support staff has been very responsive and regularly available to help resolve the very few minor issues we’ve encountered in a timely manner."

When students come to study at the prestigious Les Roches Marbella campus in Spain, they are not just attending one of the world’s major hospitality business schools, they are also enveloped in extraordinary innovation and sophisticated living to mirror the exceptional experiences they are being prepared to facilitate in their future careers.  Real-life training site The institution aims to serve up “academic rigor with a twist of innovation and entrepreneurship” to its 1,000+ students from all corners of the planet who collectively represent more than 80 nationalities. This real-life training site for elite hospitality professionals must offer an authentic, hands-on experience to its students — one that reflects the luxurious living and progressive comforts expected from high-end hospitality properties and their employees.  Digital badge One particular aspect they sought to enrich was integrating “digital badge” access across the coastal Mediterranean To ensure Les Roches is always ahead of the curve and a model campus when it comes to exemplary learning based on cutting-edge technologies, administrators wanted to evolve its mobile ecosystem. One particular aspect they sought to enrich was integrating “digital badge” access across their coastal Mediterranean property in Spain.  Project objective The project’s objective was to migrate to a mobile credentials-based system where a student’s plastic access card is replaced by a digital ID on a smartphone. This would serve as the verification for daily physical access and digital touchpoints (e.g., building access, vending machines, restaurant reservations, etc.). This effort would also allow the school to steer digital transformation and student efficiencies throughout its security and administrative functions.  Catering to student experience “Everything here is about the student experience,” said Mano Soler, Director of Student Services and Operations at Les Roches Marbella. “It is our main driver and the reason we embrace and foster innovation because innovation makes our students’ lives easier and supports their well-being through secure technology. The students will eventually leave this campus and, in turn, take that know-how and excellence into the world with them.”  Case study challenge The team wanted a mobile solution to fit specific campus requirements such as swift access For 10 years, Les Roches Marbella relied on an RFID (radio frequency identification) card-based system to identify and grant access to students. This was a fundamental tool that nearly 1,000 individuals needed to have with them at all times to validate themselves day in and day out.  Supporting their quest for digital transformation, as part of the school’s Spark incubator programme, the leadership team wanted a mobile solution to fit specific campus requirements such as swiftly granting/removing accesses, avoiding disruption when students lose/forget cards, and accommodating a multi-system environment. Need for a mobile credentials-based system Management also wanted to drive improvements through back-office processes and procedures to save time and resources and enhance everyday life on campus through modern technology. One of the most pressing factors for this particular mobile initiative was to achieve higher efficiency around the school’s new student intake registration/check-in process each semester. Loading ID credentials individually onto RFID cards, then printing each of the 1,000+ cards, meant corrections along the way were inevitable.  System re-adaptation Yet, the transition to mobile didn’t come without a series of obstacles and serious considerations. Each touchpoint where a card was to be replaced with smartphone technology required deep analysis and complex integration work, specifically involving seven to eight different brands whose products were already deployed throughout the premises (e.g., printers, vending machines, security technologies, door access, laundry facilities, parking garages and more). Les Roches required an access partner with solutions compatible with the many other products already in play within its existing infrastructure, and an ability to successfully address former system re-adaptation.  iOS and Android support The mobile technology needed to support both Android and iOS phones, as well as physical card technology In addition, the mobile technology needed to support both Android and iOS phones, as well as physical card technology (the RFID ecosystem would remain intact for non-student purposes and serve as a migration path for other areas not yet mobile). The school wanted a single company to supply both the hardware and software elements. And, as a higher education establishment with upscale expectations and an outstanding reputation, the Les Roches decision-makers required a proven partner of this same ilk. HID solution To transform technologies and reach new degrees of onsite productivity and novel amenities, Les Roches Marbella selected HID for its unmatched mobile access portfolio. As a market pioneer in trusted identification and authentication, and with a network of partnerships that spans the globe, HID’s experts designed a system to meet each requirement from the school resulting in a tremendous collection of 40+ access points featuring mobile identification, app, portal, and reader technologies.  Mobile components from HID The integration project was completed within an accelerated time frame to ensure it was in place before students set foot onto campus that fall. HID components that comprise this robust mobile ecosystem include HID OMNIKEY® readers and reader modules (OMNIKEY 5427, OMNIKEY 5127CK Mini, OMNIKEY 5127 Reader Core), HID Signo™ access control readers, HID Seos® mobile credentials, Aperio® locks from ASSA ABLOY and Aero™ X100 door modules.  HID access technologies With a slight tap or wave of their smartphone, students interact easily with the mobile ecosystem and via the digital Seos credential to authenticate themselves as they move throughout the property each day. HID access technologies are embedded in:  Parking garage systems  Building entrances  Vending machines  Laundry facilities  Printers  Point-of-sale at restaurants/on-campus eateries  Restaurant access control  Class attendance tracking  Dorm room door locks  Mobile-first world “You cannot discount the value of mobile when it comes to today’s student populations,” said Soler. “It is their way of life. They were ‘born digital’ and they have an expectation when it comes to smart living, for them, it’s a mobile-first world. We get it. We embrace it. And, we intend to attract and retain students by offering them an unparalleled educational experience while here in Marbella.”  Efficiencies and integration  “We not only transformed our campus with epic mobile access technology but also drove important efficiencies and integration into everything we touched." "The value and inventiveness HIDexperts contributed to constructing this complicated mobile ecosystem is completely in line with our ongoing quest to ensure that innovation is at the heart of the Les RochesWay of Life," said Carlos Diez de la LastraGeneral Manager Les Roches Marbella. Results achieved HID credentials available via a smartphone make scaling individual access up and down significantly easier Tying back to one of the original reasons for this mobile initiative, registration check-ins are streamlined, and Les Roches Marbella has gained immediate improvements around this important event that takes place each semester. 100% of students use the mobile access system on campus. Students register digitally with the option to do so in-person, ahead of time, or remotely with no human interaction. HID credentials available via a smartphone make scaling individual access up and down significantly easier for IT, faculty, and students.  A unique, homegrown handheld tool On a case-by-case basis, Les Roches Marbella is already finding ways to apply its in-house ingenuity to foster disruptive thinking. The school used 3D printers to design a customised case to house phones/tablets alongside HID access modules creating a unique, homegrown handheld tool that easily allows campus security personnel to check IDs as required. This safety support tool came about when there was no suitable offering available on the market to meet the school’s specific needs for security checkpoints.  Automated student attendance tracking The flexibility and power of HID components enabled the team to re-imagine and invent an original Les Roches security product to, as always, improve the student experience. Many new use cases are in the works to fuel future “wins” across the premises. Automated student attendance tracking is already at the beginning of each class period and serves as another way to further support and protect students. Mini computers and readers were installed in each classroom so students could use their mobile ID (via their smartphone) to mark attendance.  API-based interfaces, Aero door module When students go back to their dorm rooms any time, each door loc is integrated with the Aero door module All is handled by a web application running on the mini-computer that pushes and pulls data to/from the Les Roches Absences application in real time through API-based interfaces. And, when students go back to their dorm rooms any time, each door loc is integrated with the Aero door module, providing them with a seamless experience across the entire campus.  Mobile authentication and verification “Our eyes are wide open to all the possibilities afforded by the marvelous world of mobile authentication and verification, and each week we come up with new ideas for the continued transformation we have in motion on our campus,” said Juan Luis Velasco, IT Manager at Les Roches Marbella. “Our students love this newfound convenience, and our staff members are reaping the benefits of this technology overhaul.”  Best-in-class mobile access system Les Roches Marbella has a best-in-class mobile access system that squarely aligns with the school’s wider objective to be an example of innovation and excellence in global hospitality training both within its own brand family, as well as within the broader realm of higher education. Beyond elevating the student experience through the convenience of mobile IDs and strengthening security when it comes to student safety and mobile ID verification, Les Roches Marbella has an extremely efficient, flexible, and scalable solution that can grow with them as technologies evolve and digital trends continue to transform and connect us all to an international degree.  Benefits of digital transformation “This is a story about the value of mobile and any size campus in any sector of education can benefit from the digital transformation angles when it comes to campus business,” said Velasco. “But the most rewarding aspect truly is connecting to our students in a way that’s important, convenient, and meaningful to them keeping them connected and secure via a device that’s already an extension of their existence.” 

Dahua Technology Indonesia has donated a Dahua DeepHub Smart Interactive Board to the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), demonstrating the company’s commitment to supporting the advancement of education in Indonesia. The Country Director of Dahua Technology Indonesia, Royce Ouyang, expressed his gratitude for this charitable opportunity during the handover event held at the Alumni Hall of FEB UGM on March 14. Royce Ouyang said, "We are pleased to contribute to the development of education in Indonesia. We hope this 75” Dahua DeepHub Smart Interactive Whiteboard can enhance students' learning experience, enabling them to be more interactive and innovative in class and be in line with the latest developments abroad." Artillery of sophisticated features The 75” Dahua DeepHub Smart Interactive Whiteboard is a valuable cutting-edge device The 75” Dahua DeepHub Smart Interactive Whiteboard is a valuable cutting-edge device. Its package includes the smart interactive whiteboard, plug-in USB camera, 11th generation i5 processor 8GB+256GB, activated Windows 11 Pro, as well as a mobile stand and wireless screen sharing cable. This intelligent device is equipped with an artillery of sophisticated features, including a 4K screen, eight quick access buttons, fast charging, fast file sharing, the ability to switch between Android and Windows, a high-resolution camera, wireless screen sharing with various devices, and other advanced functions that enable smoother and more collaborative interaction in the classroom. Dahua DeepHub Smart Interactive Whiteboard The Dean of FEB UGM, Prof. Dr. Didi Achjari, M.Com., Ak., CA, expressed his appreciation for the generous donation, stating that the device will not only bring a more collaborative learning experience for their students, but also support various educational activities, research, and community service at FEB UGM. "We are committed to utilising it as best as possible to improve the quality of education in our environment," he said. "The support of advanced devices such as the Dahua DeepHub Smart Interactive Whiteboard facilitates FEB's academic community in adopting innovative teaching methods. Thus, it can improve student absorption and prepare them to face future challenges," said Gumilang Aryo Sahadewo, SE., M.A., Ph.D., Vice Dean of FEB UGM. He also stated that the use of the Dahua DeepHub Smart Interactive Whiteboard is expected to enhance the interaction between lecturers and students and facilitate collaboration in the learning process. Industrial sector and education In addition, this equipment can also support the development of innovative and technology-oriented curricula. "With this equipment, we hope that FEB UGM can continue to strengthen its existence as a pioneering educational centre that innovates and is competitive," he added. With the donation of Dahua DeepHub Smart Interactive Whiteboard to FEB Universitas Gadjah Mada, Dahua took a positive step towards strengthening the relationship between the industrial sector and education, empowering the youth of now and enabling a smarter society and better living.

i-PRO Co., Ltd. (formerly Panasonic Security), a global pioneer in professional security solutions for surveillance and public safety, announced that the Arkansas Department of Corrections (DOC) has chosen to modernise its surveillance camera system with i-PRO network cameras and recorders. More than 4,000 cameras help the Arkansas DOC oversee 17,000 inmates and 32 facilities. Working closely with system integrator Progressive Technologies, The Arkansas DOC has already replaced approximately 60% of their analog cameras with a mix of high-resolution i-PRO multi-sensor, fisheye, PTZ, bullet, dome, and compact dome cameras, and modernised their NVRs with i-PRO NX and NU recorders. Resolution, reliability, and cybersecurity Reliability is also a must-have for the DOC in an environment hostile to technology Arkansas DOC Containment and Surveillance Coordinator Drake Palmer talked about the impact of moving from analog to high-resolution digital cameras. “It’s like night and day. 4K is what allows us to see if someone’s handing an inmate a pen or a shank. We went from having blurry images to complete clarity. From a narrow field of view to a wide field of view. There are a hundred different things that these cameras have made easier and safer for inmates and staff.” Reliability is also a must-have for the DOC in an environment hostile to technology. Cybersecurity is also a key concern, which is why they replaced existing IP cameras that lacked cybersecurity features at a facility they took over. At that site, Palmer brought in the easy-to-install i-PRO NU all-in-one recorder, took out the low-end cameras and recorder, deployed i-PRO cameras and the NU recorder and had everything up and running in 10 minutes. Exploring video analytics At each of the DOC’s facilities, an officer monitors the video surveillance system on site. But with as many as 800 cameras on some sites, it’s impossible for one person to watch them all. Palmer anticipates taking advantage of i-PRO’s video analytics in the future to help with that. He is also exploring using line-crossing analytics to phase out the legacy microwave solution in place to surveil the facilities’ perimeters and identify/prevent contraband drops. Licence plate recognition is also of interest to Palmer as a way to identify vehicles of interest that frequent the facilities. As the Arkansas DOC continues to modernise its surveillance system in phases, Palmer says, “We’ll be able to move gradually from reactive to proactive use of our camera system.”

Around production environments, the main concern was always the efficiency of the production output. The risks of operational technology (OT) cybersecurity were unknown for many years. However, that all changed as the need for knowing what is connected, where it’s connected, and how it’s connected became imperative.  As cybersecurity is a necessity for oil and gas, the integrity of the OT network is very crucial for the safety and operation of the Motor Oil refinery. OT cybersecurity plan Learn how Honeywell engineers and Motor Oil engineers collaborated to build out the most efficient OT cybersecurity plan with two priorities at the forefront: maintaining network security and being able to provide a safe and healthy workplace. “Honeywell was the organisation that had cybersecurity experts who were able to reach our target. With our OT DCS engineers, their mentality, and existing collaboration with Honeywell engineers, we had a solid foundation to build on,” Ioannis Minoyiannis, Head of Automation, Motor Oil.

When it comes to protecting the environment, the security industry has historically been perched on the sidelines. For instance, the amount of electricity that physical security systems use is minimal when compared to the total energy usage in a typical building. However, as awareness of environmental issues has surged, and as some of the "low-hanging fruit" has been harvested, attention has come back to opportunities for additional, if small, savings. The lifecycles of security products are also being more closely examined, including the environmental impact of using plastics and other chemicals. We asked this week's Expert Panel Roundtable: How can the security industry contribute to protecting the environment?

Technological leaps in the last several decades have revolutionised biometrics. The technologies are constantly evolving, spanning facial recognition to iris scanning to fingerprints, to provide new levels of security and convenience. Biometrics are everywhere, from smartphones to border control, constantly evolving to meet the needs of our increasingly digital world. They are also more accurate and easier to use than ever. We asked this week's Expert Panel Roundtable: What’s new with biometrics?

In the complex world of physical security systems, standards can enable disparate systems to be combined to function together as a cohesive whole. Standards help to ensure that all the “pieces” fit together to create a clear, unified picture. More broadly speaking, standards also play a role in ensuring best practices are deployed in a range of security-related situations. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: Which standards have had the greatest positive impact on physical security?