Security access systems

VIPRE Security Group, a global pioneer and award-winning cybersecurity, privacy, and data protection company, released its Q1 2024 Email Threat Trends report, based on an analysis of 1.8 billion emails. The findings reveal the evolving landscape of email-based threats and emerging tactics malicious actors are employing. The US, UK, Ireland, and Japan top the spam sources list. The report identifies the US as the top source of spam emails globally, followed by the U.K., Ireland, and Japan. The US, UK, and Canada are the top three countries most subjected to email-based attacks. Attackers aim at the manufacturing sector The manufacturing, government, and IT sectors are the most victimized by malicious actors. In Q1 2024, the manufacturing sector suffered 43% of email-based attacks, with the government (15%) and IT (11%) trailing well behind. This is a change from Q1 2023, when attackers targeted the financial (25%), healthcare (22%), and education (15%) sectors most often. Scams surpassing phishing These emails contain malicious attachments in .html or .pdf formats, featuring phishing QR codes This research warns that ‘scams’ within the spam category are growing in popularity among cybercriminals, overtaking phishing emails in the first quarter of 2024. There’s been a notable increase in phishing emails masquerading as communications from Human Resources, falsely claiming to relate to employee benefits, compensation, or insurance within a company. These emails contain malicious attachments in .html or .pdf formats, featuring phishing QR codes that redirect recipients to phishing sites upon scanning. New phishing trends and techniques In email phishing campaigns, 75% of emails leverage links, 24% favor attachments, and 1% use QR codes. Attackers are employing links in phishing emails for URL redirection (54%), compromised websites (22%), and newly created domains (15%). Emerging tactics employed by cybercriminals to execute phishing attacks include the use of .ics calendar invite and .rtf attachment file formats to trick recipients into opening malicious content. Malspam links and top malware family Malware is increasingly being hidden in cloud storage platforms such as Google Drive Encouraged by the success of password-oriented phishing emails that use links, cybercriminals are opting for malicious links in malspam emails instead of attachments. Malware is increasingly being hidden in cloud storage platforms such as Google Drive. The use of malware-based emails employing attachments has increased to 22% in Q1 2024, from only 3% in Q1 2023. Due to the void left by the dismantled Qakbot malware, Pikabot has emerged as the top malware family, with IceID a distant second. Exploiting software vulnerabilities Criminals are exploiting a web application vulnerability, most notably Reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS), focusing on the tag attribute “href”, to circumvent detection by using a variety of tactics such as images as the entire email content, encoding URLs, and directing the victim through multiple URLs. Malicious actors are also finding success with thread hijacking of NTLM Malicious actors are also finding success with thread hijacking of NTLM (NT LAN Manager), a security protocol used by Microsoft Windows operating systems for authentication. By hijacking the authentication thread, attackers extract NTLM challenge-response hashes from legitimate SMB (Server Message Block) sessions, to enable them to impersonate authenticated users and gain unauthorized access. Exploiting human vulnerabilities "Criminals are using email with success to scam, infiltrate networks, and unleash malicious payloads," warns Usman Choudhary, Chief Product and Technology Officer, VIPRE Security Group. "We're witnessing bad actors relentlessly exploiting human vulnerabilities and software flaws, circumventing email gateways and security measures with alarming precision. Robust email and endpoint defenses, coupled with a vigilant human frontline, remain our strongest defense against these unyielding attacks." VIPRE leverages its unique understanding of email security to equip organizations with the information they need to protect themselves. This report is based on proprietary intelligence gleaned from round-the-clock vigilance of the cybersecurity landscape.

A wider group of customers can now experience the benefits of Dicentis Hybrid Meetings with the latest rollout of this cloud-hosted end-to-end hybrid conference solution. The technology update is part of an ongoing mission of Bosch Building Technologies to meet the rapidly evolving needs of the modern professional conferencing environment. Hybrid meeting environment Dicentis Hybrid Meetings is a fully native end-to-end solution that ticks all the boxes for highly efficient, legally compliant meetings. It combines the best of both worlds with an efficient mix of on-site and remote participants, reflecting the future of conferencing in professional meeting environments. Dicentis Hybrid Meetings is a fully native end-to-end key that ticks all bins for highly efficient The seamless hybrid meeting environment provides everyone with equal participation options in a familiar, easy-to-use software interface to provide the perfect meeting experience. Regardless of their physical location, each participant is fully involved and enjoys the same speech priorities, voting rights, content sharing options and now also a language selection feature with the possibility to select from up to 31 interpretation languages. Secure and data-privacy-compliant This functionality helps to expand the applications where Dicentis Hybrid Meetings can be used. The language selection option allows remote participants for international meetings, inter-governmental gatherings and within multinational organizations to fully engage with the meeting as if they were physically in the room. Dicentis Hybrid Meetings offers specific functions for professional meeting environments such as councils, ministries, and international institutes, to ensure a complete and stable conference workflow. This is centrally controlled over a straightforward, intuitive interface for the chairperson. The solution, which benefits from cloud hosting by Bosch for customers' peace of mind, is secure and data-privacy compliant. Focus on security Dicentis Hybrid Meetings has given its penetration test from the decent usd HeroLab with flying colours The latest phase of the Dicentis Hybrid Meetings rollout has seen the high-security promise from Bosch Building Technologies, backed by industry-standard evaluation and certification.  Following an intense period of testing, Dicentis Hybrid Meetings has passed its penetration test from the esteemed usd HeroLab with flying colors, demonstrating its cyber resilience. Receiving this penetration test certificate is living proof of the unwavering commitment to meet the highest standards. Expanded coverage Dicentis Hybrid Meetings is now more accessible to a wider range of customers. The language selection option allows for remote participants to select and listen to available simultaneous interpreter languages (up to 31), making it particularly useful for international meeting environments like conference centers, international institutes as well as rental companies serving multi-lingual meetings. In addition, the number of countries where Dicentis Hybrid Meetings is available has grown. The initial launch of Dicentis Hybrid Meetings focused on eight key European countries: Finland, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Spain, Germany, the UK and Italy. This has expanded with a further 13 European countries: Portugal, Hungary, Greece, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. Preparations are underway to make the solution available in more regions. Training options are now available to support this broader base of potential customers. Online training is available via the Learning Management System from the Bosch Building Technologies Academy, while classroom training can be booked via local sales representatives.

Allied Universal®, the world’s renowned security and facility services company, has been named to the Newsweek list of America's Greatest Workplaces for Job Starters 2024 with a ranking of four and a half stars. The list was compiled based on responses from people with less than five years of employment experience currently working at companies with more than 500 employees. Greatest Workplaces for Job Starters “Allied Universal is honored to be recognized as one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Job Starters in 2024,” said Steve Jones, Global Chairman and CEO of Allied Universal. He adds, “We are proud to provide a wide range of opportunities for those who are looking for a start in the workforce. Our dedicated team of pioneers make exceptional mentors for anyone who chooses to begin their careers with Allied Universal. With a core emphasis on promoting from within, our newest employees are welcomed into the company with a commitment to helping them grow and realize their career goals and aspirations.” Equitable and inclusive workplace Allied Universal is committed to building a more diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace that fully supports its commitment to becoming an Employer of Choice, including the recruitment and mentoring of those just starting out in their careers by providing a wealth of opportunities and fostering a culture that promotes from within.

The British Security Industry Association (BSIA) has announced its regional security personnel winners for 2024, recognizing frontline security officers across the United Kingdom for their commitment to keeping people, property, and places professionally protected. The BSIA’s regional security personnel awards are part of the Association’s British Security Awards, which will be held from 2024 at the Royal Lancaster London. All regional winners will now go forward as national finalists – the full list will be published on 16 May along with the security business finalists. Exhibited by frontline security personnel Regional awards have recognized the talent, dedication, skill and bravery shown by frontline guard For 25 years, the regional awards have recognized the talent, dedication, skill, and bravery exhibited by frontline security personnel in their roles. In 2024 the five categories, Best Newcomer, Best Team, Outstanding Act, Service to the Customer and Security Manager of the Year, saw a record number of entries. Mike Reddington, Chief Executive, BSIA said: “It is our honor to be able to recognize through the British Security Awards each year the work of security officers across the United Kingdom for their role in keeping people, property, and places professionally protected. This year’s winners should be immensely proud of their achievements, and we wish them the best of luck as they now go forward to the national finals of the British Security Awards on 3 July.” Regional winning companies The 2024 regional winning companies are ABM, Bidvest Noonan, Dyson, G4S, Lodge Service, Land Sheriffs, Ministry of Defense, MAN Commercial Protection, Mitie, NG Bailey, OCS Group, Rockfort Secure, Samsic UK, SecuriGroup, Securitas UK, SGS, STM Group, Vigilance, Westgrove Group. The security personnel categories of the British Security Awards are sponsored by Darwin Clayton.

Barracuda Networks, Inc., a trusted partner and major provider of cloud-first security solutions, announced that Neal Bradbury has been elevated to the role of Chief Product Officer. In this new role, Neal will lead a unified product, engineering, and advanced technology team to steer the vision for Barracuda’s comprehensive cybersecurity platform and drive customer-centric innovation across the entire portfolio. The platform is designed to protect customers across all attack surfaces including email, networks, data, and applications. Neal’s leadership “Neal’s business leadership skills and his deep understanding of our products, technology, business processes, and market strategy make him uniquely positioned to lead our product organization and guide our platform strategy as Chief Product Officer,” said Barracuda President and CEO, Hatem Naguib.  Hatem Naguib adds, “I’m confident that under Neal’s leadership, we will continue to find new ways to meet customers’ evolving business needs for scalable security and help our partners to safeguard their customers' SaaS applications, prioritize data protection, and improve efficiencies in the face of ever-evolving threats.” Roles in operations and technical support Neal has been with Barracuda for nine years, most recently as the SVP of Barracuda’s Managed Service Provider business. In this role, Neal led all functions, including product development, sales, and marketing. Before joining Barracuda, Neal worked at Intronis, which he co-founded in 2003. Between 2003 and 2013, Neal served as Vice President of Systems Engineering before moving on to a succession of roles in operations and technical support. In 2013, Neal became Vice President of Channel Development, where he was part of the team that led the company to a successful acquisition by Barracuda in 2015.

Genetec Inc., a renowned technology provider of unified security, public safety, operations, and business intelligence solutions, announced that its new enterprise-grade SaaS solution, Security Center SaaS, gives organizations the complete freedom to choose the door controllers, cameras, and devices that work best for their business. Based on an open platform architecture, Security Center SaaS enables organizations to connect direct-to-cloud with the latest Axis, Bosch, Hanwha, and i-PRO cameras. Security Center SaaS also brings organizations’ existing access control and camera hardware to the cloud through the new range of Genetec Cloudlink™ appliances – maximizing existing infrastructure investment. Newly announced connect solution Direct-to-cloud connection support for Axis, Bosch, Hanwha, and i-PRO devices: In addition to an open portfolio of cameras by a range of manufacturers, Security Center SaaS takes full advantage of the newly announced Axis Cloud Connect solution, and the existing Axis Powered by Genetec network door controller. Security Center SaaS enables customers to securely connect, enroll, and manage Axis devices in a diversity of deployment options, including direct device-to-cloud streaming of video, metadata, and access control data.     The latest Bosch cameras will seamlessly integrate with Genetec Security Center SaaS. With firmware version 9.21 releasing later this year, Bosch will provide camera configuration capabilities and video viewing in the Security Center SaaS platform through direct-to-cloud connections. Hanwha Vision's Q series cameras will be fully compatible with Security Center SaaS. Over time, Hanwha Vision will continue to add support for Security Center SaaS across its entire product line to enhance its integrated systems. i-PRO will make as many existing camera models as possible compatible with the new Genetec solution through an app-based approach. Users of AI-enabled i-PRO cameras will be able to simply install an application on the camera to give direct access to Genetec™ Security Center SaaS. Genetec Cloudlink™ cloud managed appliances “The Genetec Cloudlink line of cloud-managed appliances enables organizations to modernize their security infrastructure to benefit from new capabilities. The new line of appliances facilitates the migration of security systems to a modern hybrid cloud architecture, while maximizing existing security investments,” said Christian Morin, Vice President of Product Engineering at Genetec Inc.  Genetec Cloudlink™ 310 The Genetec Cloudlink™ 310 is the new generation of cloud-managed appliances The Genetec Cloudlink™ 310 is the new generation of cloud-managed appliances that push processing and storage to the edge with a secure, Linux-based Operating System and remote deployment and management capabilities.  It offers a set-and-forget experience with frictionless deployment and maintenance. Genetec Cloudlink 310 provides the simplicity of the cloud for easy connectivity and scalability, while leveraging the enterprise-grade video management features of Security Center SaaS. Genetec Cloudlink appliances family With the existing Synergis™ Cloud Link, customers can easily bring their existing or new HID Mercury-based access control infrastructure into a cloud or hybrid deployment. Part of the Genetec Cloudlink appliances family, the Synergis Cloud Link is designed to work with the latest access control technology and features authenticated communications between hardware and the cloud. This provides a safe way to truly open access control as a service (ACaaS) solution, giving customers choices and adapting to their needs for years to come. Security Center SaaS is available to be quoted and ordered immediately in all regions and will begin shipping as of May 30th. Genetec Certified Channel partners interested in early access to Security Center SaaS can contact their Genetec representative for more information. Security Center SaaS and Genetec Cloudlink will be showcased at ISC West 2024, at booth #13062.

As we head into a new year, it’s fair to say that it isn’t easy out there for the security integrator community. That’s understandable given the big ruptures felt in the market for physical security in 2023. Typically, Commercial Real Estate (CRE) landlords are the biggest and most influential buyers of physical security hardware and software, but this is starting to wane as heightened borrowing costs and biting inflation cause real estate valuations to plunge. Building security upgrades A lot of CRE landlords are in a fight for survival which unfortunately doesn't leave much room for budget spend on building security upgrades. This state of affairs is a problem for security integrators with extensive connections in the CRE space. Where do they pivot their services to keep their business growing in 2024? From the conversations I’ve been having with integrators and customers alike over the past few months – the answer is that the growth potential lies in the enterprise space. The trajectory of enterprise IT and physical security Aren’t enterprises carrying out cost-cutting efficiency drives and downsizing office space to reflect hybrid working It might initially feel unnatural to see the enterprise segment as a potential driver of demand for physical security services and products. Aren’t enterprises carrying out cost-cutting efficiency drives and downsizing office space to reflect hybrid working habits? These things are true but also present an opportunity for the right physical security proposition. Standardization of enterprise IT Take efficiency drives as an example. A key element of such efforts is an acceleration toward the standardization of enterprise IT platforms, hardware, and solutions, using the cloud. What was once a focus on moving on-prem systems and workloads to the cloud has shifted to efforts to keep cloud OpEx costs down by centralizing as much as possible. Practically, this means utilizing APIs to plug disparate IT applications and services into central platforms that boast a “single pane of glass” view. APIs APIs drive consumption, open new business models, and foster cross-industry partnerships APIs aren’t anything new to enterprises. They drive consumption, open new business models, and foster cross-industry partnerships. However, the use of APIs in the physical security sphere has been surprisingly slow to take off. There are multiple elements to this but a key reason is that some security software products on the market aren’t cloud-based. Adding cloud-based solutions to network Others are cloud-based, however, and these are the solutions that security integrators need in their portfolio to serve the influential enterprise market segment and its approach to IT networks. Selling the value of these solutions requires integrators to take it a step further by speaking the language of the enterprise IT buyer and understanding their goals. The power of Cloud-based access control in the enterprise Hybrid working and the occupancy rate fluctuations it brings require closer monitoring of access events The continued relevance of physical security for enterprises can’t be understated. After all, hybrid working and the occupancy rate fluctuations it brings require closer monitoring of access events – not less. Despite the discourse around office downsizing, the reality for most enterprises is that the office can’t be done away with completely and there’s always going to be growth experienced by successful companies that require an upgrade in physical square footage. Physical security  Access control systems that are cloud-based will be preferred by the enterprise to fulfill the essential function of physical security. That’s because they align with the push towards centralization in the cloud that enterprises are carrying out business-wide. Access control has the potential to result in lots of disparate dashboards and apps. Think video management, license plate recognition, building management software, elevator monitoring, hot desking solutions, guest booking software, room booking functions, and more. Uniting all of these functions in one platform suits enterprise security teams well. Access control solutions Linking employee databases to an IAM solution, or creating seamless experiences by tying access credentials But this only scratches the surface. Access control solutions that can be integrated with hugely popular corporate software applications like Okta, Azure Active Directory, and Google Workspace quickly catch the eyes of enterprise IT security teams by pulling in the same direction as the broader tech stack. Whether it’s applying AI analytics to anomaly detection, linking employee databases to an Identity Access Management (IAM) solution, or creating seamless experiences by tying access credentials to things like meeting room bookings, it’s through APIs that cloud-based access control can thrive in an enterprise setting. Security integrators It’s worth also noting that as enterprises grow, access control gets harder. Managing the access requirements of thousands of employees across a global real estate footprint requires the scale that cloud computing is best placed to bring. Security integrators who can join the dots to make that link are well-positioned to pivot toward the enterprise. Broadening horizons Concepts like smart access and applying AI to access data to automate the monitoring of occupancy rates This pivot is understandably a daunting prospect but the potential for natural synergy shouldn’t be overlooked. Concepts like smart access and applying AI to access data to automate the monitoring of occupancy rates and security anomalies won’t be completely alien to cloud-first enterprises. That’s an opportunity for integrators to upsell more sophisticated security set-ups in a way that they may have found more difficult with CRE clients and prospects. Tailored propositions It would be remiss to avoid mentioning that ‘enterprise’ is a very loose term that encompasses businesses across multiple industry verticals. To better pivot, security integrators need to offer tailored propositions specific to set verticals that cover all bases as opposed to offer, for example, piecemeal alarm or video product solutions. Enterprise industry verticals Security integrators should be weary of all-encompassing narratives in 2024. Whether or not the global economic picture darkens, there are always going to be pockets of growth within certain enterprise industry verticals. Plus, anecdotally, the indicators point to enterprises being the driver of demand for cloud-based access control as we head into the new year. Integrators who can dial into that shift have a lot to gain and nothing to lose.

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 organizations 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 revolutionized 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 organizations are adopting comprehensive risk management tools that empower personnel across the organization 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 signaling 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 minimize 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 minimize harm Adopting this technology and establishing a culture that enforces risk management across an organization 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 organization’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.

These days, business is more collaborative, adaptable, and connected than ever before. In addition to offering new identities and access privileges, new applications and data also increase the attack surface available to cyber criminals, hacktivists, state actors, and disgruntled insiders. These new identities need to be handled carefully. CISOs must develop an identity management strategy that is consistent across on-premises, hybrid, and cloud systems. Good security is built on solid identity governance and administration (IGA) principles. From ransomware to supply chain intrusions, high-profile cybersecurity events frequently take advantage of weak identity and access management procedures. The Identity Defined Security Alliance found that 84% of organizations experienced an identity-related breach during its one-year study period. Robust IGA system Consequently, organizations need to find best-of-breed solutions for each section of the fabric Some of the most well-known cyber-attacks have not been made possible by a nation-state exploiting a remote zero-day vulnerability; rather, they have been made possible by something as basic as a hacked orphaned account. This resulted in lateral movement from an insecure platform to a high-value system, illegitimate privilege escalation, or unsanctioned access to a computer system. To safeguard against such attacks, organizations must be aware of who has access to their systems and apps, and guarantee that access is revoked when it is no longer required. Here, a robust IGA system is helpful. It is not the whole picture, though; IGA is part of a larger identity fabric. A report by KuppingerCole noted that “Identity Fabrics are not necessarily based on a technology, tool or cloud service, but a paradigm for architecting IAM within enterprises.” The report pointed out that the paradigm is created using several tools and services. That’s because, contrary to marketing claims, no one vendor has a platform that provides all the needed elements. Consequently, organizations need to find best-of-breed solutions for each section of the fabric. Threats to the new corporate landscape Due to their exclusion from the corporate firewall and the security culture that comes with working on-site, remote employees and third parties are desirable targets for hackers. The transition to online office suites is another vulnerability that hackers are taking advantage of–for instance, through bogus authentication login dialogs. Additionally, hackers are using technologies like machine learning and artificial intelligence to circumvent current security tactics. A cyberattack powered by AI will imitate human behavior and develop over time. Even publicly available information might be used by this "weaponized AI" to learn how to get past a target’s defenses. CISO and the business users Attackers will finally find an entryway, but firms can protect the new perimeter–their identities It's no longer possible to secure the traditional perimeter. Attackers will eventually find an entryway, but businesses can protect the new perimeter–their identities. To defeat these threats, organizations must look again at identity and access management tools and how they are weighed against the impact on the organization. Should you mandate multi-factor authentication (MFA) more often and earlier? Should only company-owned devices have access to networks, or should access be restricted to specific business hours or regions? Should access to sensitive information and critical systems be given just temporarily or should it be offered on a task-by-task basis? Both the CISO and the business users they assist should be asking these questions. Staying ahead of threats with identity Access control limits decrease dangers but can come with a cost. If you give your users too much access, your organization becomes susceptible; if you give them too little, productivity suffers. But there are ways to strike a balance with security, compliance and productivity. More CISOs are turning to Zero Trust–which is based on the principle of maintaining strict access controls and not trusting anyone by default–to protect their systems from new attack types. However, Zero Trust is reliant upon having a thorough and baked-in strategy that underpins it.  Other actions that companies can take include implementing automation for identity management, such as automating workflows for approval. This would significantly lessen the administrative burden and friction that security solutions like multifactor authentication (MFA) or time-restricted access to critical systems have on business users. This might include restricting access to particular devices, capping access hours during the day or enforcing MFA based on user behavior. Identity fabric: Putting it all together Make sure your identity architecture is scalable, secure, and provides a seamless user experience These are just two elements of the identity fabric approach. Most organizations today have implemented pieces of an identity fabric, which is basically an organization’s identity and access management (IAM) infrastructure and typically includes a mix of modular IAM solutions for multi-cloud and/or hybrid environments. Now, organizations need to define, enhance and develop this infrastructure. They must also institute guiding principles for how it should operate, meet current and future business requirements as well as identity-related cybersecurity challenges. In doing so, businesses can move past identity platforms and adopt an identity fabric perspective. The key is to make identity governance the starting point of your identity fabric strategy, ensuring seamless interoperability within your identity ecosystem. Make sure your identity architecture is scalable, secure, and provides a seamless user experience. Aligning security with business Due to the increase in knowledge workers using the cloud and working remotely, attackers are focusing on this group. These employees are easier to compromise, give access to valuable data and offer more attack targets. Knowledge workers also lack an administrator’s level of security expertise. Therefore, as part of their security fabric strategy, enterprises require a scalable IGA system. It is easier to comply with security and access regulations and takes less time for IT teams to do normal administrative activities when they invest in IGA, a crucial tenet of identity security. CISOs and boards, though, are currently looking at more than identity management. IGA is at the center of the debate about security and governance. Taking an identity fabric-based approach, with a foundation built on modern, cloud-based IGA, will safeguard identities, increase productivity, and make staff adherence to organizational procedures easier.

Active shooter situations grab the most attention, but there is a long list of other threats facing schools, including bullying, vandalism and emergency medical situations. Broadly speaking, a comprehensive approach to school security should prioritize prevention, preparedness and response to all threats.  Holistic security approach “Fostering a culture of safety within a school, which involves strong relationships, trust, and communication, is highly effective and does not require significant costs,” says Christin Kinman, End User Sales Consultant with Allegion, a security manufacturer. “It is crucial to educate stakeholders about the unintended consequences of quick fixes, like barricade devices, to ensure informed decision-making and a holistic security approach. The goal should be to promote safety and security for all, every day, in every situation.” Integrated and successful security plans  While this might solve a particular challenge, it can also create unintentional conflicts" "Creating an integrated security plan requires a multi-faceted approach," says Kinman. "Too often, security measures are implemented as a reaction to either an event or a specific vulnerability. While this might solve a particular challenge, it can also create unintentional conflicts," adds Kinman. “Creating a successful security plan involves a comprehensive approach,” she says. “An effective, systematic approach begins with assessing, identifying, and valuing assets, identifying threats and vulnerabilities, quantifying the impact of a loss, analysis, and prioritization, and finally, development of mitigation measures.” Safety and Security An effective resource is the Partner Alliance for Safer Schools (PASS), which provides a framework to help with school assessments, including identifying and valuing assets, identifying external threats and internal vulnerabilities, assessing the impact of loss, and analyzing and prioritizing mitigation measures.  Safety and security are words used seemingly interchangeably when it comes to schools, but they mean different things. “How we define these terms influences planning and addressing challenges,” says Kinman. “It is easiest to think of these terms as being either external or internal to the individual.” Coordinated security Safety is internal to the individual and relates to the individual’s perception of being free from harm Security is external to the individual and encompasses the protective physical, emotional, and environmental measures implemented in conjunction with policies, procedures, and training, as well as mental health measures and social and emotional learning.  Safety is internal to the individual and relates to the individual’s perception of being free from harm or danger. Coordinated security measures create an environment of safety. Four main elements of physical security Kinman lists four main elements of physical security, often referred to as the 4D’s. These elements are deter, detect, delay, and deny:  Deter refers to measures implemented to prevent an attack or threat from happening. These are usually visual deterrents that communicate legitimate use. Detect refers to measures that can detect the presence of a threat, such as video surveillance and monitoring. Delay refers to measures that slow down an attack or increase the level of effort needed for an incident to occur. Finally, deny refers to measures that prevent or restrict access to valued assets. Four layers of ground perimeter A layered approach to school security creates “layers” that must be defeated for an event to occur, says Kinman. Typically, the four layers are the ground perimeter, the private grounds around the building, the building perimeter, and the building interior. The ground perimeter layer demarcates public vs private space, and deterrence is the primary objective. The grounds layer allows for identification of legitimate vs illegitimate users and detection is the primary objective. The building perimeter layer prevents illicit users’ intent on harm from gaining access. The primary objectives at this layer are delay/deny. The building interior protects the most valuable assets, and the denial of an unauthorized individual is the primary objective. Report on Indicators of School Crime and Safety The second element is impact, also rated on a scale of 1-5 and ranging from negligible to catastrophic “Quantifying loss and assessing risk is one of the most important steps in creating an integrated security plan,” says Kinman, who explains that the two elements that guide this step are probability and impact. Probability is the likelihood that an event will occur, typically rated on a scale of 1-5 ranging from rare to almost certain. The second element is impact, also rated on a scale of 1-5 and ranging from negligible to catastrophic. “Probability multiplied by impact equals risk, which has a score ranging from 1-25,” says Kinman. “The higher the score, the higher the risk.” An analysis of vulnerabilities and threats using a matrix yields a systematic approach to prioritize improvements and identify mitigation measures. For statistics on crime and safety in schools, visit the Report on Indicators of School Crime and Safety: 2022. Security improvements “The costs of school security encompass various aspects, including physical measures, personnel, training and policy enforcement,” says Kinman. “While there is no fixed amount, it often involves investments in technology, such as access control and emergency response systems. Many security improvements do not require additional funding, like training staff and students on security protocols and implementing policies to create a culture of safety.” Generally, funding for public school security is a shared responsibility among federal, state, and local governments; communities also contribute. “Striking a balance between shared responsibility and ensuring adequate resources is crucial for effective school security,” says Kinman. K-12 school security  Community members and parents can donate by being vigilant and noting any suspect activities Various stakeholders play crucial roles in enhancing K-12 school security in addition to schools and communities. Stakeholders include community members, parents, local government, local law enforcement, first responders, and non-profit organizations.  “Engaging these stakeholders fosters a comprehensive approach to school security,” says Kinman. Community members and parents can contribute by being vigilant and reporting any suspicious activities. Local government can support schools with funding and resources, while local law enforcement and first responders can provide expertise, conduct drills, and establish emergency response protocols. Safe and secure learning environment In addition, non-profit organizations can offer valuable resources, training, and support programs to address specific security concerns.  “By involving all these stakeholders, schools can tap into a diverse range of expertise, resources and perspectives, pioneering to a more effective and comprehensive approach to school security,” says Kinman. “Collaboration and communication among these entities are vital to ensure a safe and secure learning environment for students and staff.”

Companies at GSX 2023 emphasized 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 emphasizes 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 pure cloud, but there are benefits to be realized 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 realize 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 organization 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 organization 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 centers 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. Emphasizing performance, protection (cybersecurity), and price, their data centers 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 center 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 pioneer in the access control sector since 1971, AMAG Technology is looking to the future and the next generation of products that will expand its services to customers. “In our vision, we have advanced approaches that will not only provide our partners with advanced technologies but also ones that are easier to install with tools to expand their services,” says David Sullivan, who was appointed President of the venerable access control company in September 2022. New challenges at AMAG Sullivan brings a new outlook to the AMAG business, a part of Allied Universal, and a new vision to lead the company into the future. We caught up with David Sullivan to discuss his new challenges at AMAG and the journey ahead as the company looks to the future. Q: How does your background inform your approach to leading AMAG? I believe that it helps me to define a vision for AMAG that will be unique and on the leading edge of our industry David Sullivan: With the exception of only a few short years, my career has been in access control. I have experience with several systems and have had the privilege to manage several successful access control companies. As a result, I bring a great deal of experience into my role at AMAG. I believe that it helps me to define a vision for AMAG that will be unique and on the leading edge of our industry. Q: How would you describe AMAG’s journey over the last several years and how do you see the future? Sullivan: Prior presidents of AMAG always shared their leadership vision and direction with senior leaders located in the United Kingdom. This had an impact on the full direction of the business, sometimes limiting its ultimate success. Before I became a part of AMAG, these senior leaders that were located in the UK retired, placing for the first time the full management responsibilities of the president. This has allowed me to integrate the business into a single team, with single objectives, and a single vision. We expect to begin to reveal this new vision in the coming weeks. We are excited about the future of AMAG and believe we will surprise the industry with our new products and approach in the coming months and years. Q: How important is it that a manufacturer provides both hardware and software solutions? How does AMAG’s approach (in general) differentiate it in the market? We can design the complete solution, providing functionality that others may find more difficult to accomplish Sullivan: Regardless of the manufacturer, we all provide hardware and software. An access control solution is not complete without both. Some of us choose to make our panels, and others do not. Those who are dependent on third-party suppliers are restricted to the developments and direction of that company, and while it might be perceived to be an open technology, it still is proprietary to the hardware manufacturer. AMAG has controlled its manufacturing of panels from day one. The result means that we can design the complete solution, providing functionality that others may find more difficult to accomplish. Q: How does the breadth of AMAG’s product suite provide advantages to customers and/or integrators? Sullivan: AMAG’s product portfolio is unique and provides the end user with an end-to-end identity management solution from one company. Our Control Room PSIM, Symmetry CONNECT Identity Management Solution, Symmetry Access Control, and Symmetry GUEST solutions all integrate to provide the user with a broad set of features and capabilities from a single provider. There is no finger-pointing when we come to support your system. We hold full responsibility for making it work and can quickly provide a resolution to any application difficulties the user may be experiencing. Q: How does AMAG address the divide between on-prem and cloud systems? How do you help customers make the transition and/or plan for the future? We are in the early stages of developing our next generation of access control in which we intend to provide on-prem Sullivan: In our current product portfolio, we have three products that are cloud-based. Our mobile credential platform (Symmetry Mobile), our visitor management solution (Symmetry GUEST), and our physical identity and access management solution (Symmetry CONNECT) are all offerings that operate in the cloud. We are in the early stages of developing our next generation of access control in which we intend to provide on-prem, web client, and cloud-based offerings. One of the primary objectives is to ensure that the large installed base of systems that are out there today will be able to migrate not only to our next generation but as well to the cloud if the client so desires. Q: What is AMAG’s approach to mobile credentialing? Sullivan: As an access control provider, adding Symmetry Mobile credentialing to our portfolio just made sense. We want our customers to have a forward-thinking solution with the opportunity to save money not only on the physical badges but the cost of printing and distributing badges. Mobile credentials can be easily issued and revoked remotely, reducing administrative overhead, and eliminating the need for physical inventory management. Organizations can centrally configure what devices are used and the read range for each type of device and operating system, thus providing flexibility. Symmetry Mobile offers a customized questionnaire that controls access and reduces liabilities. Q: What has surprised you the most in your first year or so leading AMAG? Not many companies are blessed with such a broad portfolio that is supported by a resource-rich company Sullivan: I wouldn’t say I was surprised by this as much as happy to see, but I would say that the quality of our people was a pleasant surprise. As well, the AMAG product offering is broad and has some unique elements. When coupled with the depth of the resources that we have in AMAG, I know that we are second to none. Not many companies are blessed with such a broad portfolio that is supported by a resource-rich company that has so many talented people. Q: Please describe your dealer channel, and how you are seeking to expand it. Sullivan: The AMAG products are sophisticated and typically are installed for higher-end applications. With this sophistication comes a need to be well able to install such a solution. We have a strong group of certified and loyal partners who help us to deliver these enterprise solutions. We desire to provide our existing partners with updated and competitive systems to offer to their end users. Q: What is the security industry’s (and/or AMAG’s) biggest challenge in the next five years? We need to find ways to provide both our channel partners and the customers with solutions that are easily integrated Sullivan: I believe that the advancements that we are seeing in technology provide our industry with the opportunity to truly change how security is provided to our collective customers. As we advance these solutions, we will need to do so responsibly and in a way that helps the channel’s abilities. We need to find ways to train our partners to both install and support these more complex solutions. At the same time, we need to find ways to provide both our channel partners and the customers with solutions that are easily integrated, moving away from proprietary closed systems to open and cohesive solutions. This will ensure that the users get the best, and most complete solutions. Q: What does the industry as a whole misunderstand about AMAG -- time to set the record straight! Sullivan: Well, I am not ready to openly share where we are heading. We are in the process of putting together some advanced approaches to how we will do business with our partners. We are focused on providing tools that will enhance their services to their customers, and with products that are leading edge. I can only state that all should keep their eyes on AMAG, because over the next few years, we are going to surprise some people, and more importantly make our loyal partners quite powerful.

In the heart of Aalborg is a lovely and well-kept private home. Here lives a family of five who in 2016 would rent out their basement to utilize the home’s square metres. WHY – To access the basement, the tenants must go through the back door. The family and the tenants thus share the same entrance at the back of the house. Therefore, the family was looking for a solution on how they could give the tenants access to the basement without them also having access to the family’s private residence. WHAT – It was important for the family to keep the architectural style of the house. However, it was not entirely straightforward to find an access control solution where the solution only sat on one side of the door, says Michael Goth-Rindal. Together with CONLAN’s CEO, Ejner Hansen, the family found a solution where they could both preserve the old door and at the same time avoid pulling wires for electricity. Tenants keyless access The keyboard can go through many cycles before the battery needs to be replaced The CT1000 keypad is installed on the back door of the house, giving both family and tenants keyless access to the house. In addition, the C1000LP keypad is installed on the front door of the private home, where the solution is only visible from the side of the staircase. From the inside of the house, they can not see that the door is powered by a keypad. The keypad on the front door of the private residence is battery-powered, meaning the old door could remain, without the pull of wires. As the keypad is a low-power device, the keyboard can go through many cycles before the battery needs to be replaced. The family changes the battery themselves, and the keyboard tells when it’s time. Keypad’s daycode function This allows them to create a code for, e.g., the cleaning, which only works the one-day Benefits - With this solution, the family can access their home, completely without the need for keys. “We are really happy with our solution. It works and is a flexible system that we can easily handle ourselves,” says Michael Goth-Rindal. In addition, the family also uses the keypad’s daycode function. This allows them to create a code for, e.g., the cleaning, which only works the one day. With this, the family has full control over who has access to the house and when. Low power consumption CT1000 reader on the back door – A standalone reader with code. Possibility of up to 28 user codes. The keypad can also be connected to the alarm, so that the alarm is switched off at the same time as the door is unlocked. C1000LP reader on the entrance door for the private home – Reader with code and low power consumption for access control. Several options for access with codes, including one-time, day and period codes that are active from one to 28 days. In addition, the keypad can be powered by both battery or wired power.

Completed in 2023, Thanet Parkway Station, the new high-speed rail hub serving the Thanet area in southeast Kent, has implemented a significant infrastructure enhancement: the installation of high-quality parking barriers to optimize accessibility and safety within its premises. Investment in connectivity Thanet Parkway Station, which opened on 31st July 2023, is a testament to the region's commitment to advancing its transportation infrastructure. With a total investment of £44 million secured through a combination of council financing and various building and growth funds, the station addresses the rising demand for efficient connectivity to London and neighboring towns. Swift and convenient travel Furthermore, its ample car park, boasting space for 293 vehicles, serves as an indispensable "park and ride" facility Featuring two expansive platforms capable of accommodating 12-car trains and strategically situated on the high-speed line through Ashford International, Thanet Parkway Station offers commuters swift journeys to key destinations. Furthermore, its ample car park, boasting space for 293 vehicles, serves as an indispensable "park and ride" facility, alleviating congestion in central Thanet and providing convenient access to the surrounding areas. Enhancing safety and traffic flow To enhance safety and streamline traffic flow within the station's car park and adjoining pedestrian and cycleway, Jacksons Fencing was specified to implement a comprehensive suite of parking barriers and demarcation measures. Warden Swing Barriers were installed along the pedestrian and cycleway to regulate vehicular access. These galvanized steel barriers offer a robust solution while ensuring ease of operation for maintenance and emergency vehicles. Safeguarding pedestrian pathways Along the same path, Jacksons Fencing’s timber knee rail fencing served as an unobtrusive demarcation device. This fencing solution, constructed from kiln-dried, pressure-treated timber and galvanized steel straps, safeguards grass verges and delineates pedestrian pathways. Ensuring peace of mind Strategically positioned to enforce height restrictions within designated parking areas, Jacksons’ MaxHite parking height restriction barriers were installed. Crafted from galvanized steel and finished in a highly visible yellow polyester powder coating, the barriers provide durable protection against unauthorized access, while facilitating smooth traffic management. Each installed product comes with the assurance of Jacksons Fencing’s 25-year guarantee, symbolizing a commitment to quality and sustainability. High-quality, sustainable products Commenting on the project, Peter Jackson, Managing Director of Jacksons Fencing, underscored the transformative impact of the enhanced security measures at Thanet Parkway Station, said "As a local supplier, we’re thrilled to have been involved in this project, and it’s great to see that the developers have invested in high-quality, sustainable products, showcasing this project’s commitment to providing a lasting transport solution for the community." He adds, "Beyond parking, the upgraded access control and increased security measures not only enhance safety, but also foster a profound sense of reassurance and pride in the area for all station users."

As the UAE's economy progressed, its territory became the world's experimental zone for pioneering construction technologies. The continuous rise of the construction industry has introduced a large number of laborers to stations on construction sites.  How to systematically manage workers under regulations, while ensuring the rights and interests of both workers and enterprises is the main problem currently faced by NGC on its way forward. The customer Nael General Contracting (NGC), founded in 1998, is one of the UAE's premier construction companies. Its core areas of expertise include the Design and Execution of Turnkey Construction Projects, Steel Structures, Aluminum & Glassworks, Interior Fit-out, Hard & Soft landscapes, MEP infrastructure, and Facilities Management. Based on 25 years of safe working life, NGC currently has more than 9,000 employees and has successfully contracted not limited to 250 projects. “NGC is seeking the best intelligent attendance solution for one of its construction sites with nearly a thousand workers.” To this end, NGC consulted Anviz's long-term partner Xedos.  The challenge Workers' attendance management on and off work is bitterly chaotic without intelligent attendance Workers' attendance management on and off work is bitterly chaotic without intelligent attendance equipment. Workers' shifts are unreasonable and shift coordination is formidable.  There are even abundant irregularities such as punching in on behalf of others and tampering with attendance data without permission. So laborers take the fairness of wage calculations with a grain of salt.  Need for an intelligent and complete attendance solution “At the same time, the human resources department spends at least 10 hours per month sorting out the clock data of nearly a thousand employees to output monthly results reports." "The financial department also demands to settle workers' compensation based on attendance reports. It leads to continuous delays in salary payments. It is urgent to seek an intelligent and complete attendance solution."  The solution Simplify attendance while outputting cloud reports  FaceDeep 3 & CrossChex Cloud can cover the above needs and submit a satisfactory solution to NGC Based on ensuring the attendance management of nearly a thousand laborers, while also meeting the output of centralized visual reports and reducing labor costs, FaceDeep 3 & CrossChex Cloud can cover the above needs and submit a satisfactory solution to NGC.  NGC's site manager said, "Attendance at the construction site is not transparent, and most workers are often worried about whether their salary for the next month will be recorded in their accounts. There has even been chaos in paid attendance, which has brought a lot of trouble to the normal operation of construction." FaceDeep 3, CrossChex Cloud Based on high-precision liveness face detection and dual-camera lenses, FaceDeep 3 can accurately identify workers and complete personal attendance verification under any environmental conditions,  preventing the use of fake faces such as videos and pictures to check in. The CrossChex Cloud implements hierarchical management and designs administrator operation logs to record their action lines, effectively eliminating the unhealthy trend of tampering with records for personal gain. Attendance visualization reports Integrate through CrosssChex Cloud and SQL DATABASE to synchronize each employee's attendance records NGC's Finance Minister said, "Every month some workers appeal against errors in attendance records, but there is nothing we can do about the large amount of confusing data records."  Integrate through CrosssChex Cloud and SQL DATABASE to synchronize each employee's attendance records, and automatically generate attendance visualization reports. Real-time updates Administrators and employees can make attendance management transparent by viewing reports at any time.  The cloud system is equipped with shift and schedule management functions that administrators can adjust in real time according to the construction progress. Workers can apply for make-up attendance to achieve flexible management.  Key benefits Convenient and worry-free attendance experience  The efficient attendance system ensures a quick clock-in experience and simplifies the attendance process. Cloud visual reports make it easy to calculate workers' salaries.  Reduced human resource costs  Cloud visual reports make it easy to calculate workers' salaries. For the HR department, there's no longer a need to manually sort out large amounts of attendance data.  Client's quote “The person in charge of NGC said, "The attendance plan tailored by Anviz for us has received unanimous praise from all employees." "It reduced more than 85% of the labor costs spent on worker attendance management and saved the company nearly 60,000 dirhams per month."

With approximately 29,000 employees worldwide, Amdocs is a pioneering global software company providing services and solutions to communications and media companies. When building a new campus in Ra’anana, Israel, their large site with four office buildings and three underground floors required a door closer solution tailored to every door, considering their different size, type, and usage. Finding a single supplier to meet all their needs was a challenge, but they succeeded.  Site requirements This new site required reliable, flexible door-closing solutions tailored for use at several hundred doors of multiple types: fire doors, public entrances, high and low traffic, and many more. For such a complex project, they also sought trustworthy specification support from an established, experienced manufacturer with a proven track record and a team with local knowledge.  Door solutions across campus Requirements included full support for choosing, supplying, and installing solutions for doors across the campus “ASSA ABLOY has many access solutions related to openings in the building, including door closers. I am pleased that our project specification team was able to provide the right solutions for our customer’s requirements,” says Avi Kimhazi, Managing Director at ASSA ABLOY Israel. This included full support for choosing, supplying, and installing solutions for doors across the campus. ASSA ABLOY’s expertise and advice were always available.  Product portfolio to meet the individual needs The vast range of available ASSA ABLOY Door Closers, Electric Strikes, Locks, Panic Exit Devices, and other products ensured every opening at the Amdocs Park campus was equipped with its ideal solution, without compromises.  Certifications including fire compliance across the full range help to remove regulatory worries for specifiers and facilities managers.  Cam-Motion technology Models supplied include ASSA ABLOY Cam-Motion® Door Closers for several applications Models supplied include ASSA ABLOY Cam-Motion® Door Closers for several applications.  With innovative Cam-Motion technology, the push-force required to open a door falls rapidly, providing barrier-free access for all plus secure closing to keep premises safe.   DC700, DC840 and DC200 ASSA ABLOY’s Cam-Motion DC700 model creates comfortable, secure access to high-traffic public doors in the building. The DC840 model conceals the same technology within the door leaf itself and is deployed where minimal aesthetic impact is required. For smaller door sizes, choosing the cost-efficient DC200 rack and pinion door closer helped the project hit its budget targets.  Hitting project deadlines with specification support  Designers could visualize door solutions accurately and the right solution was specified for each opening The project was managed using BIM principles from the outset. ASSA ABLOY’s local specification team became a hub for coordinating and disseminating up-to-date information for every door solution as part of the BIM process.  Alongside providing timely specifications, the team made sure supply and installation hit the timelines that construction managers required. Detailed specifications were supplied and updated digitally, so designers could visualize door solutions accurately and the right solution was specified for each opening.  Openings Studio® software Openings Studio® software was a key tool for everyone involved in the project. This user-friendly software ensures accurate specification data is logged and, when approved, transmitted to the live Revit® design. With detailed specifications supplied and updated digitally, designers visualize door solutions accurately as soon as possible and ensure the right solution is specified for each opening.  And because every stakeholder can have appropriate Openings Studio access, they work transparently and with accurate, up-to-date specifications.

HID, the worldwide pioneer in trusted identity solutions, announces that Royal Jersey Laundry has introduced a new tracking feature of HID’s linen management platform at each of its 5-star hotel customer sites to guarantee that drivers drop off and collect precise linen stock and that costly errors are avoided. Linen tracking This new feature replaces a paper-based system used by drivers for the management of cages filled with clean/soiled linen delivered/collected at customer sites. It provides detailed end-to-end tracking of linen cages across multiple customer locations throughout the whole cycle of washing, packing, delivery, and collection, a complex process given that 550,000 pieces are laundered each week for numerous clients. Royal Jersey Laundry Royal Jersey Laundry works with most five-star hotels in London including The Dorchester, The Carlton Tower Jumerah Founded in 1915, Royal Jersey Laundry is one of the few cleaners servicing the luxury hotel sector. Based in a 25,000 square-foot purpose-built facility in Dagenham, rebuilt in 2021 for £15 million after a fire, it works with most five-star hotels in London including The Dorchester, The Carlton Tower Jumerah, The Peninsula London, and The Ritz. Need for constant communication Supporting the five-star segment is demanding given the constant communication required between the hotel and laundry, exacting standards, and the quantity and range of items to be laundered. This includes duvets, sheets, towels, and bath robes along with smaller items such as foot mats, drink coasters, shaving towels, and dry cleaning for guests themselves. Royal Jersey Laundry operates 24/7, employs 150 staff members, and washes 40 tons of linen per day.  Maintaining laundering schedule Five-star hotels prefer to use linen they own with five sets kept of everything, allowing them to maintain a schedule  In contrast with budget and mid-level hotels, five-star hotels prefer to use linen they own with five sets kept of everything, allowing them to maintain a rigorous laundering schedule and ensure guests always receive fresh, cleaned linens. “An average 300-bed hotel will have around 30,000 items of linen which will cost around £250,000,” says James Lincoln, Royal Jersey Laundry’s managing director. “The volume of linen is so high and it’s always moving such that accurate inventory control was a major challenge verging on the impossible.” HID cloud-based RFID linen management system Before the HID cloud-based RFID linen management system, everything was done manually. Laundry staff would check items off ironing/folding machines, a wholly error-prone process, and log the quantities on pieces of paper. The operational overhead for the laundry was exacerbated as the various linen items from the different hotels had to be kept separate, too. “Linen is everywhere: on beds, in cupboards, in transit, and at the laundry, yet no one had full insight into stock levels and, when things went missing which often happened, typically we’d get blamed,” says Lincoln. Real-time linen inventory management LinTRAK tags are sewn into linen items by laundry staff or linen manufacturers during the production process To address these problems, Royal Jersey Laundry installed a real-time linen inventory management system from HID combining LinTRAK® RFID tags, a full set of RFID equipment including table-top and conveyor-belt scanners, one RFID portal and one cabin scanning unit, and cloud-based Acuity software.  The discrete LinTRAK tags are sewn into linen items by laundry staff or linen manufacturers during the production process. Some hotels also use LinTRAK tags to manage staff uniforms and restaurant linens such as napkins and tablecloths. HID LinTRAK textile tags Around 40% of Royal Jersey Laundry hotel customers have transitioned to the HID linen management solution and connect via Acuity’s web portal. Once cleaned, the linen is packed into cages, and scanned in seconds through HID’s RFID cabin station. Items are automatically counted, with delivery notes generated including billing information. HID’s Acuity software integrates with the laundry’s Sage accounting software to generate invoices. Benefits of textile tags The implementation of HID LinTRAK textile tags, RFID stations, and the Acuity software platform has radically changed how Royal Jersey Laundry operates, delivering a range of benefits: Fast Return on Investment: Since the installation of the HID equipment in 2019, the system has already paid for itself given the efficiency and productivity gains. Better use of people resources: Laundry and housekeeping staff no longer waste time on dull and resource-intensive activities like manually counting linen. They have been redeployed to more productive work, generating 10-20% savings in labor costs. Better visibility of stock levels: As hotels know exactly the location and quantity of linen, they are better able to cater to peak demand, reducing linen expenditures by up to 30%. Improved responsiveness and customer satisfaction: Access to in-depth data generated by the Acuity platform means the laundry can quickly answer customer queries. “We give hotels complete transparency about where their linen is in the cleaning and delivery cycle. There are just no grey areas anymore,” says Lincoln. Increased security of expensive linen assets: While theft of linen at five-star hotels is rare, it does happen. RFID tagging enables better monitoring of expensive bedding and towel investments. Enhanced reliability and productivity: Operations are more efficient as RFID-enabled items can never be lost or misplaced. Furthermore, digital scanning results in faster processing of items. “We’re effectively two businesses: the laundry itself and a logistics operation. We run a mixed fleet of lorries and electric vans which nip in and out of London three times a day picking up and delivering garments for hotel customers using us for guest work,” adds Lincoln.

RecFaces, a facial recognition software company, has announced the successful deployment of its flagship product, Id-Guard at Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima, Peru. This implementation marks a significant milestone in bolstering security measures at one of South America's busiest airports, underscoring the importance of maintaining a high level of safety at public transportation hubs. Jorge Chávez International Airport Jorge Chávez International Airport serves as a vital gateway for travelers and cargo, welcoming more than 20 million international and national passengers every year. With such a high flow of people, ensuring the safety and security of passengers and airport personnel becomes crucial. Recognizing this need, RecFaces collaborated with airport authorities to implement their state-of-the-art Id-Guard solution and help ensure the safety of the facility.  Enhanced security measures The solution's features enable airport authorities to prevent suspicious individuals from accessing the site The implementation of Id-Guard has significantly enhanced security measures, allowing for proactive monitoring and rapid response to potential security threats. The solution's features enable airport authorities to prevent suspicious individuals from accessing the site, thereby safeguarding the safety of passengers and staff. Highest level of security “Airport representatives felt the need for facial recognition to strengthen the security structure within the airport as a whole,” notes Maria Kazhuro, Business Development Director for the LATAM region, RecFaces. Maria Kazhuro adds, “Our goal was not only to provide the highest level of security but also to simplify work processes for security guards. We can confidently say that the installation of an ID guard has significantly improved security in the facility. Now both airport visitors and employees can be sure that they are under even greater protection than before.”  Id-Guard facial recognition The deployment of Id-Guard at the Peruvian airport demonstrates RecFaces' dedication to excellence and innovation in the field of facial recognition technology. As airports worldwide continue to prioritize security and passenger experience, RecFaces remains at the forefront of delivering advanced biometric solutions tailored to the evolving needs of the aviation industry. 

The economic fallout of the COVID-19 epidemic was felt in supply chain disruptions, higher prices, and shortages of certain goods. The physical security industry was not spared, although the epidemic also presented opportunities for security companies. Changing access control trends triggered by the pandemic are still reverberating throughout the industry, for example. Four years later, the impact of the pandemic is still being felt in the security market, lingering like the symptoms of "long COVID." We asked this week's Expert Panel Roundtable: Four years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, what is its lingering impact on the physical security industry?  

The security industry offers a vast array of technologies and vendors. This can be overwhelming for end users, who depend on security integrators for guidance and service. But how well do security integrators provide end users with what they need? We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What are the biggest challenges that end users face when working with integrators? 

Technology offers a range of tools to bolster security at public events, including before, during, and after. This year, the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris will draw the attention of the world, requiring the best protection available for the venues, the athletes, and the attendees. Other happenings such as the FIFA World Cup, the Super Bowl, the Tour de France, and the U.S. NBA Finals are momentous events that challenge security and law enforcement personnel to keep them safe. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: How is technology contributing to security in the arena of public events?