When nature calls

Editor / Provider: Christine Chien, a&s International | Updated: 4/23/2013 | Article type: Tech Corner

Not all surveillance deployments are meant solely for security and safety purposes. In this feature, a&s explores security equipment and management software in a “wilder” perspective — nature watching.

The main purpose of VMS is to provide users efficient management of all video files streaming from all cameras, from past to present. It is the basis of video surveillance, recording, analysis, and sharing, with multiple functions such as remote access and control via a Web browser or smartphone, playback, audio support, content search, and much more depending on the user's needs and specifications. As more and more VMS packages are becoming open-architecture, integrators and users are able to freely customize their VMS, adding additional programs to further enhance their operational efficiency. Truly successful VMS lies in its ease-of-use, so users can quickly learn to operate the system even with minimal training.

Nowadays, the common requirements of retaining video recordings for a prolonged period of time makes it easy to get lost amid the large quantities of stored data, but great VMS will help users navigate through the database to find what they need or provide them with important updates and information, even for nonsecurity matters. With a click of the mouse, users are able to quickly retrieve the files that they need, while simultaneously keeping an eye on live conditions in real time. In emergency situations, users are able to immediately make informed decisions if all the necessary data can be quickly gathered in front of their eyes for a quick assessment.

The following series of applications showcases how users utilize their VMS for different forms of applications more akin to nature.

The Greenhouse Effect
The state of Colorado in the U.S. approved a new legislation governing the cultivation, manufacture, distribution, and sales of medical marijuana in 2010. Due to the high sensitivity of this matter, a customized, full blown security measure including lighting, physical security, video surveillance, face recognition, access control, and alarm was provided and implemented by AxxonSoft at all the medical marijuana-related facilities. After all, if the herbal remedy originally intended for medical use is stolen or falls into the wrong hands, it will immediately and most likely be sold or used illegally.

Despite the various strains of weed available, approved medical grade marijuana comes from only two strains, the Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica, as these are the only strains with enough potency to provide medical benefits. In order to properly cultivate these plants, the light, air, water, nutrients, temperature, and growing medium must all be carefully controlled for optimum growing conditions. With the help of the integrated VMS, the operators can easily target areas or plants that need more attention or determine the plants that are ready for harvest and optimize plant yields."ViewOptix has developed a video surveillance solution that enables us to record and monitor plant growth, health and nutrient levels, and automatically adjust environmental controls," said Ryan Geller, President of Operations at Pain Management of Colorado. "The system is also integrated with our dispensaries for security at POS kiosks.” With these implementations in place, the operators will also be able to monitor the transaction and transportation of the medical marijuana to the separate dispensaries and the transactions that will take place thereafter.

Storm Chasers
The BAM chase team, led by Bryan Kilgore, Amanda Kilgore, and Michael Clark, follows and tracks down different storms and tornadoes to capture these powerful natural occurrences live on camera. The data they gather and share are extremely useful to scientific research.

When Hurricane Sandy struck the East Coast of the U.S. on Oct. 28, 2012, the violent storm wreaked havoc in its path and left behind a trail of destruction. Having successfully tracked and recorded more than 20 significant storms in the past, the BAM chase team began to forecast the storm's future course of action, destruction, impact, and monitored Sandy through social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook, and online video feeds. “We forecasted Sandy using the latest in a package of computer models available online. We used our knowledge to predict the path that we felt best that the storm would take. We felt that most of the other forecasters were too far east so we stuck to our guns and kept it west. We were getting comments that we were out of our minds but kept posting about it that east coast needed to keep an eye on it,” said Bryan Kilgore. The team also verified their forecast from what was being reported on the news and online. Despite their efforts, Mother Nature is not easily tracked, nor is it easily predictable. Hurricane Sandy affected a total of 24 states, left 17 states without power, affected millions of people, caused 72 direct deaths, and cost the government an estimated US$75 billion worth of property damage.

Using OnSSI's VMS, which the team installed themselves, they were able to simplify the management of six network megapixel cameras used to document the storms and tornadoes that they chase. The software is loaded onto the server and is able to capture all the videos recorded from the cameras at once. This was the first and only VMS the team has used for their system, while additional software were used to make their live stream happen. Based on the storm's movements, the VMS helped the team topinpoint video from multiple network cameras for a quadrant view. The videos were also able to be exported and distributed through wireless connectivity to any centralized video storage station so it can be instantly distributed to the National Weather Service, National Severe Storm Laboratory, and various media sources as well. This way, their local offices can see the progression of the storms and how it was progressing. “The footage allows us to see things we didn't catch in the field first hand. With the cameras we have installed, we can see 360 degrees around the outside of the vehicle. We can't see everything so this allows us to go back and review that,” said Kilgore.

As for OnSSI, seeing its products being implemented in a non-security application also struck as interesting. “Even with the advancement in technologies supporting physical security today; the operating procedures are still mainly reactive where collection of evidence to a situation is done after the fact. This trend is changing, however in the case of BAM they installed the system strategically to actively capture live data of storms that have immediate impact to lives and properties as it is occurring and feeding this back to meteorologists so they may make the public aware of their efforts toward public safety,” said Julio Montalvo, Director of Technical Services at OnSSI.

This year, the BAM chase team hopes to help more offices and the NSSL with the amount of footage they gain.

Animal Planet
The 50-acre Akron Zoological Park is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to wildlife conservation and preservation located in Ohio, U.S. The zoo had chosen to use Milestone's VMS as a way to supervise and observe the behaviors and health conditions of its wide range of animal inhabitants, especially the dangerous species, and ensure the safety of their handlers. Outside each animal holding area, a monitor displays the live video feed of various cameras placed inside. This allows the animal caretakers to check if animals are properly contained. Not only does the solution raise the safety level of its staff, it also minimizes human interference of the animals, allowing the animals to be observed from afar, so as not to disturb their natural habitat and cause them distress. "Animal safety was our main concern. Cameras were mounted inside the enclosure where it was in a secure location and did not harm the animal, or the animal was unable to reach it," said Tzviah Dank, Information Systems Administrator/IT Projects Manager, at the Akron Zoological Park.

After integration with mobiDEOS' remote viewing application, the video feeds were able to be accessed through the smartphones of relevant staff. This way, animal handlers will be able keep an eye on the zoo animals 24 hours a day, even when they are away from the facility. With the help of the VMS, the caretakers can monitor the animals' breathing patterns and even the contractions of a cat giving birth in real time. All video footage can be stored for a week or longer, if necessary. Prior to these installations, a camcorder was connected to a VCR when recording was needed, according to Dank.

Similar to the Akron Zoological Park, Brookfield Zoo has also installed video surveillance systems throughout its entire premise controlled by Milestone's VMS, in order to ensure crowd control and other security-related incidents. However, the last couple of projects have been geared towards animal health and care. Cameras were placed in rooms where animals were quarantined or giving birth. New habitats have also been built, integrating the cameras into their surroundings for general monitoring but with access also only limited to animal care employees.

Having the constant access to the zoo's animals also allow the caretakers to study the interactions between the animals, as sometimes, the interactions may not be so friendly. If an animal becomes sick, the zoo veterinarians are able to check past videos in order to determine possible causes. They can also check on the animals while on the way to the zoo. Only a select number of zoo employees have access to this private application, as video feeds are not opened to the public.

“For security or general park locations there have been no special circumstances. When the locations involve animal locations, then we have to coordinate work schedules with the animal care professionals and be mindful of their schedules,” said Chris Moomey, Director of Product Development at Current Technologies, sharing his experiences from when he installed the system for the zoo and comparing them to his previous installations. “When the new habitats were built over the last couple of years, the cameras were installed during the construction so it was like any construction site, just with a cool walk to work.”

Asia Update: Etherwan successfully moves from networking to security

Editor / Provider: The a&s Editorial Team | Updated: 4/23/2013 | Article type: Hot Topics

When IT companies shift to physical security, many fail to recognize the importance of product reliability and engineering efficiency in security. Security products demand unique qualities such as high customization and reliability. Etherwan, a company providing Ethernet products, found security to be a good fit. Six years ago, the company entered the security market. Through the design concept of modularization, Etherwan provides a wide range of Ethernet products, even for small orders. The network management features were also customized from a general IT approach to make it more user-friendly to security applications.

To ensure reliability, its products go through many rigorous tests to ensure that they are exactly what were promised to the customers and fully conform to industry standards. For example, its PoE devices are all required to achieve the maximum power requirement without any issue. With high engineering efficiency, it can quickly solve any technological problems and carefully review all possible factors that might result in product malfunction.

What really differs Etherwan from other companies is it's core business motto — integrity and honesty. For example, Etherwan is committed to designing its products strictly according to standards. If the product is designed to fit the IEEE802.3af standard which requires the proper wattage to be 15.4 watts, then Etherwan will insist on giving each PoE port the full 15.4 watts. The same goes for products designed in compliance to IEEE802.3 which requires 30 watts for each PoE port. Etherwan understands that such integrity to power source conformance is an important factor to project success. “Integrity for us is the company's central value,” said Maggie Chao, Associate VP of Sales Division at Etherwan.

Etherwan's security business includes OEM sales and original brand manufacture (OBM) of its own products. During the last six years, Etherwan successfully introduced its Ethernet products from IT clients to the security industry. Now, two out of Etherwan's top 10 clients are pure security companies, cementing the importance of its security business. For Etherwan, the security market holds strong potential. Its security business unit has grown almost 30 percent in recent years.

Etherwan also has a good reputation in the transportation sector, particularly for traffic and railway monitoring. In 2013, the company is concentrating on transportation and security in its target countries — the U.S., Benelux, Southeast Asia and South Africa. In the U.S., Etherwan attends one to two road shows every month to educate its clients on the basics to the advanced knowledge of Ethernet network infrastructure. Etherwan is also anticipating significant growth in the Malaysian and Thai markets.

"In the near future, we can expect more challenges in price competition. When clients who used to purchase IT networking products started to buy security equipment, they were more likely to compare brands and prices," Chao said.

Technology wise, networking technology should follow the nature of the security product application. “For Etherwan to win in the price competition, product reliability is key,” Chao said.

Asia Update: Qnap targets SMB segment

Editor / Provider: The a&s Editorial Team | Updated: 4/23/2013 | Article type: Hot Topics

Qnap, a NAS supplier, unexpectedly entered the video surveillance industry after inspiration from one of its customers. David Chiang, GM of Surveillance Business Division at Qnap, recalled Qnap's first NVR for a Japanese client who requested a customized NAS with Qnap enhanced surveillance functions. This request later led Qnap to launch its own NVR.

As a pioneering NVR manufacturer with a strong background in NAS, Qnap is able to meet specific surveillance requirements for product design and reliability. “Video surveillance equipment should serve as a useful and reliable tool for security guards, especially in forensic investigations,” Chiang said. “Product reliability should be key, instead of product specifications.”

Therefore, Qnap takes several considerations seriously to ensure reliability. For example, the most common cause of system failure of NVRs is from overheating. To ensure NVR performance and IT efficiency, Qnap adopts a fanless thermal heatpipe CPU cooling system. Other features are designed with usability in mind, such as a VGA/HDMI local display in a series of Qnap's NVRs. Solution for long-term recording is also taken into account.

Qnap will support its own NVR with a NAS device via network for storage expansion this April, and release more new high bay models, including 16-bay in the second half of 2013. In 2009, the company began to provide free multi-server monitoring that can support up to 128 channels by grouping multiple NVR servers for simultaneous monitoring. For large scale projects, Qnap will unveil a new easy turnkey CMS solution to manage a maximum of 1,024 channels collectively in May 2013. By connecting multiple NVR servers to a central management system, Qnap brings the convenience for surveillance and efficiency for system management over the network.

The strength of Qnap products is ease of use. “We provide an easy turnkey solution,” Chiang said. Qnap products can be easily set up in just six steps.

Qnap focuses on its own brand business. To penetrate project markets, Qnap provides timely and extensive support to integrators. “Knowing how to cooperate with local system integrators is key,” Chiang said. “Once you have won your first project, the second and the third will come along.”

Qnap actively looks for partnerships of third-party camera providers, who help promote Qnap to their clients. Currently, Qnap has a strong presence in the following regions: Japan, Europe, the U.S., Central and South America, and India.

Chiang is optimistic about 2013, which is expected to be a fruitful year for the mid-end NVR market as it has just started to bloom. He also predicted that eight-to-16-channel NVRs with high scalability will be standard for the mid-end market. “We now have the edge in the battlefield because we entered this market early on,” he said. “In my point of view, the same prospective outlook for NVR market will last for the next 10 years.”

Mongolian bank banks ATM security on EverFocus solution

Editor / Provider: EverFocus | Updated: 4/22/2013 | Article type: Commercial Markets

From now on, staff and customers at Mongolian Khan Bank are better protected with the installation of IP-based video surveillance systems on its ATMs.

Due to increasing ATM robberies in the past few years, Khan Bank worked with EverFocus Electronics for the first time to install IP-based surveillance cameras on their ATMs to improve security. More than 250 IP cameras were installed at Khan Bank's 21 provincial branches. Two models were chosen: Outside the cabin, EHN3260 is capable of capturing people around the machine while customers are operating it; NVR-202, on the other hand, is much smaller in size, making it perfect for the confined space inside the ATM stall.

The EverFocus compact size NVR-202 offers real-time recording and display of up to 2 IP cameras. Videos are recorded in MPEG-4, M-JPEG and H.264 formats at a maximum rate of 60 fps. The footage is stored in a highly compressed format that can be viewed on the monitor in order to avoid time loss in case of any requirement at the ATM site. Also, video inputs can be simultaneously viewed on a single screen using the multiview feature. For investigations and preventive measures, video footage is to be monitored by a team of security experts, to retrieve evidence in crimes such as credit card skimming, armed robbery, card swapping and the use of explosives on ATMs.

EHN3260 is an outdoor, vandal-proof IP dome delivering image quality up to 2-megapixel. It is equipped with a P-iris Lens, which enables the camera to automatically and precisely control the iris opening in all lighting conditions for optimal depth of field and image quality, including sharpness and clarity. It supports both H.264 and M-JPEG compression formats. The weather-proof IP68 rating makes EHN3260 water-, dust- and weather-resistant — perfect for extreme outdoor environments. Its WDR capability provides clear images even under back-light circumstances where intensity of illumination can vary excessively.

The EverFocus IP cameras guarantee the highest level of customer satisfaction for various vertical applications. With new video surveillance, the stakeholders at Mongol Khan Bank can now rest better knowing ATM operators and users are better protected.

Sponsored by:

EverFocus Electronics is an integrated security solution manufacturer. Our lineup includes of CCTV cameras, DVRs, HDcctv, IP surveillance solutions, access control systems, as well as surveillance and access control peripherals. EverFocus has offices globally, including the U.S., Germany, China, Japan, India, Taiwan and the U.K.

Napco reports high demand for home automation

Editor / Provider: Napco Security Technologies | Updated: 4/19/2013 | Article type: Security 50

Napco Security Technologies, recently reported high demands for home automation and alarm system products from dealers at a U.S. trade show. Other products that received great level of interest, included radio communicators, wireless lock systems, as well as physical security integration software, said Richard Soloway, Chairman and President of Napco. Soloway went on highlighting rising security concerns and other factors behind growing demands for these products in the security sector.

Napco's home automation app for smartphones and tablets enables home owners to remotely control alarm functions, lighting, thermostats and door locks, said Soloway. The company and its dealers will be able to charge end user customers additional recurring revenue over and above alarm monitoring for all these additional services. Future proof radio communicators that can be upgraded using plug-in radio modules to 3G, 4G or 5G radio services have also become a strong growth area as traditional dial up phone lines are being phased out in premises.

Electronic wireless lock systems and low cost mechanical door locks were also well received by dealers, added Soloway. The wireless lock system can lock down any section of a school, university or business facility with the operation of a remote control device/console located in the security or management office. Dealers also showed interest in physical security integration software that integrates all Napco alarms, radio controlled locks and access control into a single network.

"The timing is right for these products because security concerns have risen to higher levels”, explained Soloway. "Demand for security equipment is being driven by numerous factors including (1) stabilizing economic conditions, (2) concerns about crime and terrorism, (3) technology improvements which are enabling further market penetration and spurring a strong replacement and upgrade market, and (4) by giving security dealers an opportunity to trade up their customers monthly monitoring rates for additional remote service functionality."

Nedap expands presence in the U.S.

Editor / Provider: Nedap | Updated: 4/15/2013 | Article type: Security 50

Dutch technology company Nedap incorporates business in the United States of America.

Nedap recently formed a legal corporate entity in the US to facilitate further expansion into the North American market. Effective as of April 1, part of the existing representation has been transitioned into the new Nedap identity in Delaware. Place of business remains at the current location in Atkinson NH, just north of Boston MA.

Several Nedap business units have been acting on the American market for over a decade establishing a sound base business with significant growth numbers over the last years.

The North American market dimensions represent a huge potential to a diversified technology company as Nedap. Increasing our local presence will support the objectives to accelerate the rate at which we succeed to capture these market opportunities.

Setting up a corporate entity reiterates our commitment to the North American market and its customers. The Nedap Inc. infrastructure supports our business units in their ongoing effort to provide Nedap propositions to the market. It enables Nedap to leverage the experience gained over the last years to the entire organization' benefit.

Establishing the US corporation also reconfirms engagement to Nedap' global accounts. "Having an official place of business in North America enables us to maintain an adequate level of support towards a growing number of global accounts on US territory."

Gerard Ezendam is appointed as the president and will officially head up the Nedap entity.

Morpho enters into Canadian and French air spaces

Editor / Provider: Morpho | Updated: 4/12/2013 | Article type: Security 50

Morpho Detection, the explosives and narcotics detection business of Morpho, Safran's security unit, announced a five-year standing order from the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) valued at up to $100 million.

Under terms of the agreement, Morpho Detection will supply high, medium, and low-speed and Over-length explosives detection systems (EDS) in support of CATSA's next-generation baggage screening program. The first delivery order will deploy eight compact CTX 5800 and four high-speed CTX 9800 DSi to airports in Canada this year.

Both CTX 5800 and CTX 9800 are certified by the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and approved by the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) as meeting European Union Standard 3 requirements.

Morpho announced its Itemiser DX desktop explosives trace detection system has been certified by the Service Technique de l'Aviation Civile [1] (STAC) in France.

As a result of this certification, the sixth by a global regulatory agency, Itemiser DX is now available to quickly and accurately screen cabin and hold baggage, passengers, and cargo for explosives at airports throughout France.

Itemiser DX incorporates Morpho's ITMS trace technology into a lightweight, portable desktop system that can detect residue from explosives on skin, clothing, parcels, bags, cargo, vehicles and other surfaces. In addition to STAC, Itemiser DX has been approved by the US TSA, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office, the Italian Department of Transport, U.K. Department for Transport, and the U.K. Home Office Scientific Development Branch.

The availability of Itemiser DX and the handheld MobileTrace ETD system, certified by STAC in 2012, gives airports in France a single partner to provide advanced trace detection solutions to meet the most demanding security programs and challenges.

[1] The civil aviation technical center of the French civil aviation authority, STAC tests and certifies security technology and solutions for use at airports in France

State of HD-SDI in 2013

Editor / Provider: a&s International | Updated: 4/11/2013 | Article type: Tech Corner

Real-life HD-SDI deployments have been scarce, due to practical issues such as component options, truly full HD performance (1,080p at 25 to 30 fps per channel) and pricing acceptability; the relatively high costs of 8- and 16-channel packages have limited uptake by the traditional channels. Things are changing for the better in 2013, however, and this feature looks into what the future holds for this common broadcast technology in security.

HD is an unstoppable trend, thanks to advances in consumer electronics. Security surveillance has been bitten by the same bug; once you go for sharper images, you never go back. Previously, the only way to get better-than-analog surveillance footage was through megapixel cameras and NVRs. Not any more. According to IMS Research, HD over coax products (SDI, SLOC, 960H) are forecast to capture around 5 percent of the video surveillance market revenues by 2016; with the overall worldwide projection at US$20.5 billion, that means a slightly over $1-billion business.

Price has been a chief stumbling block. Choices in deliverable HD-SDI DVRs were limited and at a premium, until late 2012. “The average price for 4-channel HD-SDI DVRs has dropped about 30 percent,” said Danny Tang, VP of Sales and Marketing at Shany Electronic. “As more manufacturers and chip developers, more models are coming out. We are looking forward to the increased competitiveness this year.”

Tony Lin, Manager of EverFocus Electronics, agreed. “We foresee SDI prices coming down to a level on par with high-end traditional analog devices, with a better chance to win over customers looking to upgrade. We believe the improved product availability will hit squarely in the middle of the traditional analog market. This will include any market that hasn't already turned to IP.”

Applications That Could Benefit
Most of the approached industry contacts found it hard to see large-scale HD-SDI deployments, but some saw unique potential. “Our SDI solution is ideal for recording legal proceedings and can be used across multiple courtrooms simultaneously,” said Vanne Lin, Executive VP at iCatch. “Advantages include ease of use, no lag time or frame-rate interruptions, free from bandwidth limitations, stability and reliability, and high image quality.”

Keeping existing analog cabling infrastructure intact is another advantage. “For example, there are quite a few historic sites in Europe, and changing all the wiring to Ethernet might be out of the question,” Tang said. “We already have some European customers asking for HD-SDI solutions. Japan also shows great potential, due to a large analog installed base. To offer customized solutions and meet local needs, we designed features to include power over coaxial and remote control.”

More cost-effective HD-SDI bundles could spark increased deployment in retail. “In the U.S., chips and PIN codes on credit cards never caught on, and they still prefer to sign slips or checks,” said Alan Hayes, founder and MD of AMG Systems. “This slows down payment processing. Currently, there are considerations in terms of introducing ‘touch panel payment solutions' that the customer simply touches their credit card to a pad. [In this case], there may be a requirement for HD for proof of identity solutions.” Dahua Technology targets market segments that require HD but have huge existing coaxial infrastructure, such as banking, gaming and traffic monitoring. “Korea and Japan are leading SDI deployment in the APAC region,” said Xuping Zhong, Product Engineer at Dahua Technology. “Growth in other countries is moderate in verticals such as banking, casinos and city surveillance.”

Gas stations may also benefit from HD-SDI. “Gas stations mostly install only limited or basic surveillance,” said Lin of EverFocus. “We have noted, however, the need for increasing resolution in this sector, especially in self-service areas. Due the fact that gas stations are potentially dangerous environments, we believe that SDI is the perfect solution because it can provide resolution increases over existing coaxial cable.”

Advances in Components
HD-SDI reference designs are now available from Altera, Ambarella, Hisilicon Technologies, Texas Instruments and Xilinx, possibly making overall solutions more price-competitive. Increasing availability of ISPs also means that integrators and installers may need to pay more attention to different combinations and developments of sensors, FPGAs and reference designs, said Alf Chang, Senior Technical Consultant at a&s.

Design and Installation Considerations
The situation for video system designers has improved markedly over the last year with the widespread availability of HDcctv equipment, which makes any installer experienced with regular CCTV equipment already prepared to make the move to HD surveillance, said Todd Rockoff, Executive Director at HDcctv Alliance. “Despite this simplicity, newcomers to HDcctv should be aware of some technical points in interoperability, cable length, storage and integration. The next-generation HDcctv standard is on track for ratification mid-2013, bringing new capabilities and benefits for integrators and installers. The chips soon to be introduced that implement next-generation capabilities of the HDcctv standard promise to further accelerate the migration of security to HD surveillance video.”

HD-SDI Enabled
Some manufacturers are thinking ahead to offer easy migration or hybrid solutions for installers and end users. For instance, Hi Sharp offers HD-SDI and analog hybrid DVRs so that users can choose the most suitable cameras for different locations.

Shany provides DVRs with 2 channels of SDI and 8 channels of analog, along with embedded management software, to target the SMB market. Tribrid solutions, with IP, are available as well. “We will continue our efforts in easy-to-use remote configuration design and increased transmission distance to cope with the needs of installers,” Tang said. “SDI for nonsecurity applications and SDI speed domes are our R&D focus as well.”

Webgate (a Daemyung Enterprise company) will focus on integration of HD-SDI DVRs and ONVIF compliance to accommodate diverse user needs. “Since our HD-SDI DVR has network connectivity, video from our HD-SDI cameras can be acquired through a DVR or IP encoder,” said Chris Kim, Marketing Manager. “Hybrid products for analog and HD-SDI will lose their merits soon. We are preparing a long-term plan for hybrid products with IP and HD-SDI.”

iCatch concentrates on management software and mobile applications. “We are one of the first to develop 16-channel HD-SDI DVRs with real-time record/playback function in Asia,” Lin at iCatch said. “Users can fully enjoy the bundled CMS feature. In addition, the DVR also supports Windows/Mac OS and app (iOS/Android) platforms, so users are able to keep an eye on what they care about most, regardless of where they are. Users might not care or know whether their surveillance solutions are IP-based or HD-SDI, but they will care whether the surveillance system can be viewed and managed remotely.”

Top US bank upgrades 1,300 branches and facilities using hybrid solution

Editor / Provider: March Networks | Updated: 4/11/2013 | Article type: Commercial Markets

The Fifth Third Bancorp (FTB), one of the top 15 banks in the U.S., has launched an upgrade program to replace more than 1,600 of its existing March Networks NVRs with new hybrid models. The bank has already initiated the deployment, which reaches across its 1,300 full-service branches, data centers, corporate offices, operations and cash-handling facilities in the U.S.

Identive on future identity credentials

Editor / Provider: Identive Group | Updated: 4/1/2013 | Article type: Security 50

From the beginning of time, humans have employed an array of methods for identifying people and deciding how to rank them in terms of what we in the identification industry now call “privilege management.”

Early man relied on simple, direct visual or voice identification of others to grant a privilege such as sharing a meal or shelter. Larger human settlements added markings, colors, code words or sounds to help with identification and the management of a limited number of important, often vital, privileges.

As settlements expanded into villages, towns and cities, the need to deal with total strangers and finding methods for granting them specific privileges became more complicated and relied more on proving one's relationship with a known and trusted person or group.

In the twenty-first century, with unprecedented levels of migration, travel and international commerce, a true global village environment has emerged that nevertheless still relies on proving our relationships – with governments, employers, schools, financial institutions, companies with which we do business – as a way of gaining access to certain privileges.

We use our drivers licenses for general ID purposes such as banking or checking into a hotel; passports to travel internationally; health insurance cards for access to medical treatment; frequent-flier cards, bus passes, library cards, bank debit and credit cards – even ski passes and loyalty cards. We carry badges to access office buildings, college dorms, parking, company cafeterias or gyms. For access to online information or digital transactions, we use cards or tokens and a multitude of passwords that must be memorized. The need for identification and privilege management has exploded in volume and complexity.

By the year 2023, it is likely that most people will be required to carry government-issued credentials. However, the increasing drive for efficiency by both governments and technologists will likely result in a reduced number of physical credentials and a subsequent rise in secure electronic IDs.

In the U.S., the aversion to a national ID might therefore skew the market towards voluntary, convenience-driven alternatives. Programs like GOES, Global Entry, TSA's Pre Check show the beginning of this trend. Globally, there is a trend towards the adoption of common standards.

We could see an Italian citizen use her Italian government-issued national ID card to enroll into the British National Health Service or apply for a temporary residence in Singapore, each enrolling authority having full control of its procedures and policies.

As we move on to the world of enterprise, the wider adoption of cyber security measures will result in more secure, multi-function electronics credentials. The reliance on passwords is likely to disappear for most enterprises with more than 50 employees in advanced economies. They will be replaced by a single, secure electronic identity for physical and logical access that is centrally issued and managed.

For consumers, we are likely to see mobile phones play a much larger role as both a credential and secure transaction device. There is growing confusion and irritation as people juggle ever more ID cards, tokens and passwords in order to prove that they are entitled to the privileges they are trying to access: money, the office, the ski slope, their bank accounts, social or company networks, etc.

This mounting dissatisfaction with the status quo is accelerating a convergence between employee ID and consumer ID. We see this now with the Bring Your Own Device trend, as companies begin to cater for individuals using their own preferred mobile devices. The next step is for companies to enable their employees to add access privileges to their mobile devices.

Ultimately the conversion of physical IDs into fewer, more secure and convenient electronic credentials will offer people more efficient and secure solutions for privilege management.

The technology is here today, but more is needed to make this vision a reality. Policies and practices must be developed that allow diverse organizations to use a secure credential issued by a third party, and this requires some changes in culture and mind-set. Also important is the wide adoption of NFC-enabled smart phones to empower people with secure credentials and transaction devices, right in their hands.