TOP10 most popular security products for March 2014

Editor / Provider: Michelle Chu | Updated: 4/17/2014 | Article type: Hot Topics

asmag.com would like to introduce the TOP10 popular products for March 2014 in this report.

Have a quick look here: Besides two products from Hikvision and Dahua respectively, the other most-clicked products in March were coming from Axis, AirLive, Antaira, Biwave, Honeywell, and VIVOTEK.

As most of the products make their debut in the TOP10 in March, interestingly, two seats were taken by Hikvision's IP cameras, DS-2CD2412F-I (W) and DS-2CD2432F-I (W) as previous winners in the last three months and one by Biwave VDL4000 10M/100M Ethernet Transmission as a winner of the TOP10 in December 2013 and January 2014.

According to this ranking list, IR cameras, 3-megapixels resolution, and multifunctional management system that could assist end users to operate more efficiently are still leading the trend.

1. Hikvision DS-2CD2412F-I (W) 1.3MP IR Cube Network Camera

The first place of the TOP10 for March goes to Hikvision DS-2CD2412F-I (W) 1.3MP IR Cube Network Camera, with a leading 600-click from all around the world. This has been the third month in a row since this camera was first honored in December 2013. Worth noting here is that since its first appearance in the TOP10 for December, this IR cube camera has experience soaring click-through rate from the viewers worldwide. DS-2CD2412F-I (W) comes with passive infrared sensor (PIS) and is capable of detecting objects within a range of 10-meter; meanwhile, this IR Cube camera is able to sustain a weather of -30 °C ~ 60 °C (-22 °F ~ 140 °F).

2. AirLive BU-3025v2 3-MegaPixel Outdoor 25 meter IR IPCAM

Right after, as a new comer in March, AirLive BU-3025v2 : 3-MegaPixel Outdoor 25 meter IR IPCAM wins the 2nd place with 422 clicks, receiving the highest click-through rate from Asia in this rank. BU-3025v2 provides high image quality of 2048*1536p at 20fps; otherwise, the end users can choose to keep a real-time recording at 1080p. This 3MP IR camera is equipped with auto-changeable IR filter and wide-range infrared LEDs coverage for a distance up to 25m.

3. Antaira LNP-0802-24 8-Port Industrial PoE+ UnManaged Ethernet Switch

As another new comer on list of TOP10 for March, Antaira LNP-0802-24 8-Port Industrial PoE+ UnManaged Ethernet Switch takes the 3rd place with 362 clicks from all around the world. This switch is specifically designed with Network Storm Protection and built-in relay warning function that will send out an alert to operators when power failure or port breaks occur. This American company was formerly known as Aaxeon Technology, and renamed as Antaira Technology earlier in 2013.

4. Honeywell HUS-NVR-7200A-E 256-Channel NVR

Closely right behind as No.4 is Honeywell HUS-NVR-7200A-E 256-Channel NVR, embedded with standalone server with 16 hard disk bays (up to4TB storage), capable of continuous 24/7 video recording, and supporting 256 channels of real-time recording. Furthermore, this recorder allows end users to search by date, time, alarm event, and channel number. This multifunctional NVR is ideal for applying in verticals such as banks, governments, transportation, city surveillance, and commercial industries.

5. Axis SketchUp 3D CAD software

The 5th place goes to Axis SketchUp 3D CAD software with 337 clicks. As another new face in this list, this management platform got both American and Asian viewers' high attention. As applying Axis cameras, the software, SketchUp, is well-integrated with Google maps providing users a clear view over any outdoor surveillance areas. This software enables end users to easily adjust the field of view through PTZ cameras in order to set up the best surveillance coverage and fits into the building layout.

6. VIVOTEK FD8355EHV 1.3MP WDR Dome Network Camera

With 332 clicks coming evenly from all around the areas, VIVOTEK FD8355EHV takes the 6th place in the TOP10 for March, featuring its improved wide dynamic range technology, WDR Pro II, provides end users with better visibility in extremely dark and light environments with 4 shutter capture methods. Furthermore, with 3D noise reduction technology, this dome camera can capture clear and polished picture even under poor light source, allowing users to easily identify details in the video.

7. Hikvision DS-2CD2432F-I (W) 3MP IR Cube Network Camera
Hikvision DS-2CD2432F-I (W) had to settle for a tie with DAHUA-IPC- HFW5300C/5302C in the TOP10 for March, as they equally gained a total of 280-click, both ranked as No.7.

 

Hikvision DS-2CD2432F-I (W) is definitely not a stranger to the TOP10 ranking. Since it first appeared last year, this IR Cube network camera has been one of the hot products on the TOP10 throughout the past three months keeping a steady click-through rate. As a total of 280, it got the most clicks from European countries – 60% of the viewers are from Europe.

7. DAHUA-IPC-HFW5300C/5302C

DAHUA-IPC-HFW5300C/5302C as a new comer on TOP10, featuring its multiple network monitoring, including web viewer, content management system (CMS), and DMSS. This IR-Bullet camera can keep 20fps at a recording quality of 3megapixel; and 30fps at 1080P. Interestingly, European take up the majority of the viewers as well.

9. DAHUA IPC-HFW5200C HD Network Water-proof Bullet Camera

The 9th of the TOP10 for March is DAHUA IPC-HFW5200C HD Network Water-proof Bullet Camera, and it is the second product from Dahua that makes into this ranking in the TOP 10 for March. This water-proof bullet camera, highlighted its Eco-Savvy feature, drew 264 clicks – around 75% came from Asian and American areas.

10. Biwave VDL4000 10M/100M Ethernet Transmission for IP Network Camera Connection

Coming to the 10th place is a previous winner in the TOP10 rankings in December 2013 and January 2014 – Biwave VDL4000 10M/100M Ethernet Transmission, which is designed for long distance IP camera transmission. After its absence from the TOP10 in February 2014, this Ethernet transmission took back the seat in March gaining 251 clicks, taking up mostly by European and American viewers by 42% and 32%.

 * Please note that the above statistics are not based on the sum of clicks but the accumulation of IP addresses.

For last month's TOP10 products, click here.

Axis IR IP cameras monitor Colombian cafe house in low lighting

Editor / Provider: Axis | Updated: 4/15/2014 | Article type: Commercial Markets

Mission
A mainstay of Bogota nightlife since 1998, this restaurant has become famous for its live tropical music, traditional food, colorful decor and party atmosphere. Its owners, the Colombian singer/songwriter Carlos Vives and his brother, Guillermo, saw the opportunity to convert it into in a central meeting point for the city's artists, earning it the nickname “The Artists' Cafe.” Constant worry about client security at the establishment led the owners to look for higher quality cameras than the analog ones that were being used.

Solution
Aiming to expand and improve their electronic security system, Gaira Cafe Cumbia House sought out Observer Monitoring, an Axis partner in Colombia. They recommended migration to an IP system of 13 fixed infrared (IR) AXIS M3024-LVE and 5 AXIS M1013 Network Cameras, and one AXIS Q1765-LE Network Camera. Distributors Lince Commercial and Scansource – also Axis partners – collaborated on the project as well.

Result
In addition to bringing a greater sense of security to its clients, Gaira Cafe Cumbia House uses the imaging capabilities of the new system to locate objects lost in dimly lit areas at night. The cameras are integrated into screens visible to everyone in the bar and also generate videos over their YouTube channel, GairaTV. Being outdoor-ready, the same camera models are found outside the entrance and on the facade in front of the bar, where they are in use 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Music videos shared on the Internet
One of the greatest innovations of the video surveillance system adopted by Gaira Café Cumbia House is to use the cameras in ways that go beyond security. One of the AXIS M3024-LVE Network Camera models – which offers HDTV image quality, a built-in infrared LED and is vandal-resistant – is aimed at the stage and records the night's musical performances. This video footage is enhanced by the establishment's sound and video editor, who sends it to all displays throughout the bar so that everyone can enjoy the show. At the same time, the videos are shared worldwide over the Internet on GairaTV, the bar's YouTube channel.

Supervision of cash registers and people
In any commercial establishment, one critical area is the cash register. At Gaira Cafe Cumbia House, the register is monitored using the bullet-style AXIS Q1765-LE Network Camera. Its HDTV-quality 1080p resolution and built-in IR illumination offer a clear view of everything that happens with the handling of money and client credit cards. Another important area is the kitchen. Axis cameras monitor the handling of food, guaranteeing that the establishment's adopted procedures are followed by employees. Additionally, cameras installed in hallway areas help management evaluate employee quality of service.

Expansion in sight
After having begun its expansion with the first two floors in 2008, Gaira Cafe Cumbia House has plans to continue expanding to six floors. This growth will go hand-in-hand with a video surveillance project currently consisting of 19 Axis cameras – slated to increase to approximately 80 cameras from Axis.

March Networks NVR integrated Software House access control solution

Editor / Provider: March Network | Updated: 4/14/2014 | Article type: Security 50

March Networks, a global provider of intelligent IP video solutions, announced the integration of its 8000 Series Hybrid Network Video Recorder (NVR) system with the Software House C-CURE 9000 Security and Event Management System. The integration provides customers worldwide with a centralized video surveillance and access control solution that enables faster incident response, improved risk management and more efficient security operations.

"In collaboration with Software House, we are proud to offer our customers this seamless integration, which supports the convenient, remote monitoring of dozens or thousands of locations and the fast visual verification of incidents when needed," said Dan Cremins, Director of Product Management, March Networks.

The certified integration delivers everything organizations need to manage their video surveillance via the C-CURE 9000 system. Analog and IP video feeds are all incorporated into the access control software, allowing customers to instantly monitor, review and access live and archived video from any 8000 Series Hybrid NVR or previous generation 4000 C or 3000 Series recorder. In addition, the integration enables users to control surveillance camera actions associated with C-CURE 9000 triggered alarms, including multi-view video popups, PTZ movement, and video tagging. They can also monitor alarms appearing in the C-CURE 9000 interface, including those represented within maps, and react swiftly to disconnected recorders or camera video synchronization loss.

"We're pleased to be working with March Networks to bring customers an important tool to keep their people and property safe," said Jason Ouellette, Director of Product Management, Tyco Security Products access control solutions. "Integrating the C-CURE 9000 with the March Networks hybrid NVR system gives customers visibility to critical security events, allowing them to react quickly."

March Networks' comprehensive video management solution provides the unparalleled reliability, centralized management and performance organizations need to maintain the highest security standards and operate more efficiently. Able to support both analog and IP surveillance cameras, or run as a pure IP platform with as many as 32 IP cameras, the 8000 Series Hybrid NVRs enable businesses to make a smooth transition to advanced IP video networking. Combined with enterprise-class management and powerful investigation capabilities, the solution saves customers time and resources and is proven in installations worldwide, including more than 450 financial institutions and some of the world's largest retail organizations.

Software House's C-CURE 9000 security and event management system utilizes IT- standard tools and innovative distributed architecture. It offers advanced integration capabilities, advanced alarm routing and remote access for system administration and monitoring via a light client. Leveraging Microsoft's sophisticated .NET 4 technology, C-CURE 9000 provides native encryption and XML data transfer, making it one of the fastest, most secure systems in the industry.

Genetec IP video surveillance safeguards India diamond maker

Editor / Provider: Genetec | Updated: 4/14/2014 | Article type: Commercial Markets

Not many people know that 92% of the world's diamonds are cut and polished in the city of Surat, India. Shree Ramkrishna Exports Pvt. Ltd. (SRK) is the leading diamond manufacturer in the region. The company processes more than 720,000 carats of rough diamonds annually and owns the world's largest and most progressive diamond processing facility. The company also has 2 headquarter buildings in Mumbai as well as another older factory in Surat. Protecting these diamonds that range in value from thousands to millions of US dollars from internal theft or loss requires a very thorough approach to security.

During construction of their new state-of-the-art, six-story diamond plant, SRK set up a fully IP-based video surveillance system to leverage a new network and infrastructure. SRK had an analog system in the older factory and was looking for improved clarity and more powerful features to investigate missing assets and track unusual behaviours. However, after 6 months in operation, SRK realized the limitations of their choice.

“The initial IP video software SRK selected was only able to support 40-50 cameras per server. In growing the system, SRK had to decide whether they would spend a lot more money on servers or change the software to one that would provide greater network efficiency,” explained Santosh Kamble, Managing Director at NexGen Integrated Systems Pvt. Ltd., the Genetec-certified integrator for SRK.

Looking for a more cost-effective solution for long-term growth, SRK choose Genetec Security Center unified platform. SRK was also interested in Security Center's ease of use and the ability to later integrate access control and license plate recognition within their platform.

Safeguarding Million-Dollar Diamonds with Security Center
Today, Security Center has been fully deployed and its video surveillance system, Omnicast is managing over 1100 IP cameras across 3 buildings: the new factory in Surat and the 2 SRK headquarter buildings. The most vital feature in helping SRK maximise their infrastructure investments was Multicast. With this unique Security Center feature, many users can view a video feed simultaneously without overcrowding the network or overloading the servers because Multicast uses the bandwidth of each network segment only once.

According to Shreyans Dholakia, Director at SRK Export, “We were able to keep our existing infrastructure, and get over 100 cameras per server. So in terms of scalability, it was an excellent solution.”

SRK has benefitted from the user-friendly system during investigations, as its team often uses bookmarking, image exports, instant playbacks, and mobile system access from iPads. Thanks to Security Center Mobile, SRK directors can easily pull-up video from their mobile phones, within or outside of their offices.

“Our floor managers are always on the move. So when incidents happen, they are able to do a little bit of investigation from their iPad to identify issues. They will then report their findings to the factory manager. Together with security and IT, our managers take a closer look in the control room. In terms of day-to-day operations, it has become so much easier and faster to review video. We can move forward and backwards, without any delays in accessing the video,” elaborated Mr. Dholakia.

SRK's IT team has also found Security Center to be extremely reliable and very easy to maintain. “Two of IT administrators underwent Authorized Genetec training. We feel we have really mastered our system and remain in control of regular maintenance. Even without any new updates, we can easily manage and maintain our system for a few years,” said Mr. Dholakia. Tools such as Advanced Health Monitoring help the SRK team stay up to speed by automatically logging system health events and providing warnings for all basic components.

Expanding Investment in Genetec IP Security Solutions
“Since installing Genetec, we are very happy. We have established a good partnership with Genetec, and will continue growing our security system with Genetec,” advocated Mr. Dholakia while discussing plans to expand their Security Center system into the older Surat factory.

Other plans such as integrating Omnicast with access control, license plate recognition and asset tracking systems are also on their maybe-later list. “In the future, SRK will integrate Security Center with their RFID-enabled diamond tracking system to identify the real-time location of diamond packages and receive alarms if they move outside designated zones,” clarified Mr. Kamble.

In the meantime, SRK has one of India's most progressive security solutions, proving the following statement encompasses everything, even its security: “Technological superiority and high quality form the backbone of Shree Ramkrishna Exports Pvt. Ltd. (SRK).”

A Closer Look at the Infrastructure
A total of about 930 Axis Communications IP cameras including models Axis M1114, Axis M1346, Axis P5534, Axis M3204, and Axis P3346 are spread through SRK's new diamond processing plant, suggesting over 100 cameras per floor. The remaining cameras cover both buildings at the main headquarters in Mumbai, with approximately 100 cameras each. Video from all these cameras are hosted on seven servers with SAN storage which allows SRK the ability to retain video recordings for about 15 days.

 

IndigoVision regards access control and VMS most crucial in securiy systems

Editor / Provider: IdigoVision | Updated: 4/10/2014 | Article type: Security 50

 John Semple, Head of Product Management for IndigoVision, explains the individual and collective strengths of Access Control and Video Management Software.

Both Access Control software and Video Management Software (VMS) have become vital components in modern security systems. However, many are confused as to how exactly the two should be deployed.

It is important to get this right, as the two have very different strengths and features, and deploying the wrong one as the front end could leave end users without features that could be useful, or even vital to their security system.

In this article, we will examine the strengths of both Access Control and VMS, and how the two can be used to enhance each other and provide a better all-round security system.

The Strength of Access Control
Access Control systems are designed with immediacy in mind. Whenever someone interacts with the system, by swiping an ID card for example, the system immediately informs the operator who is requesting clearance, and what they are attempting to access.

It does this by accessing an extensive database, which can include information such as names, pass codes etc.

One striking aspect of this process is how the system relies on the person in question co-operating with it; in order to be effective, it requires the subject to willingly interact with the system. Let's take, as an example, a member of staff walking up to a door to swipe their ID card; they actively wish to be identified as they know they are.

Access Control software, even with video integration, is designed for this type of installation. Video functionality is often a basic “live video” pop up, giving visual verification along with the Access Control database information.

Unfortunately, Access Control systems are ill-equipped to deal with an intruder actively seeking to bypass the system by forcing entry through a door or gate. It is also limited when dealing with intruders bypassing controlled entry points altogether by forcing entry through a window or fence. In cases such as this, basic video display in the Access Control software provides limited information beyond the initial alarm, making it difficult to establish precisely what happened and has limited pre and post-event video analysis capabilities.

The Advantages of Video Management
This is where VMS comes into its own, with its more proactive nature allowing it to detect intruders whether they choose to engage with the surveillance system or not.

This means that VMS can provide a complete visual account of events before during and after an incident, leaving operators in no doubt as to what transpired.

Indeed, the ability to review evidence from before during and after an event is one of VMS' greatest strengths. Designed with a more forensic-based approach in mind, VMS features tools, such as thumbnails and bookmarks, to allow specific clips to be marked, searched and reviewed effortlessly. The footage can then be easily exported to the appropriate authorities.

This means that VMS can quickly establish a detailed timeline of events leading up to and following the main incident, which can provide vital information in an investigation, or key evidence in a trial. IndigoVision's Control Center even water marks video, both at the point of recording and again at the point of export, to guarantee that the video is authentic and has not been tampered with.

The superior analytics the VMS supports such as motion detection are another asset, as they offer a wider variety of logics to trigger alarms. In the case of IndigoVision's Control Center there is an additional benefit in the form of Activity Controlled Frame rate, which allows cameras to function at low frame rate and only increase to full frame rate if an analytic is triggered with no impact on video quality, while greatly reducing storage.

It is also worth noting that the VMS offers far more comprehensive surveillance, for example if a building is protected by Access Control alone and a car outside is stolen, the system will be of limited help. A strong VMS however could capture the incident and provide valuable evidence to resolve the situation.

So while Access Control performs one specific function exceptionally well, VMS is able to provide the security surveillance for a variety of areas of the property to be secured, creating a more adaptable and comprehensive surveillance system. All of these features mean that VMS is highly effective in open areas, areas of high traffic where checkpoints are not feasible, or areas with multiple points of entry, such as an airport.

Integration – The Best of Both
With this in mind, it should come as no surprise to learn that Access Control and VMS providers have been working to integrate with one another.

This allows Access Control systems to employ more video functionality such as live & playback video and PTZ control & export, while VMS can monitor Access Control events such as elevator control, card tracing and advanced door monitoring.

In most cases though, it is still best to deploy Access Control and VMS side by side, as this creates a more robust and well-rounded system. If the security system has been designed around limited entry points, with Access Control entry, and the operator only requires a basic visual verification, then Access Control software may be sufficient.

However, the more advanced analytics and forensic capabilities of VMS, combined with its versatility and wider coverage, make it better suited for monitoring larger areas with numerous entry points. Therefore in these environments, VMS should be the front-end, with an integrated Access Control plugin to allow management of events and alarms.

Axis to showcase new video surveillance at Counter Terror Expo

Editor / Provider: Axis Communications | Updated: 4/10/2014 | Article type: Security 50

As well as showcasing its latest network video innovations at the international security trade show, Axis will be joined by Digital Barriers, which specialises in advanced surveillance technologies to the international domestic security and defence markets.

Axis will be exhibiting at stand E45 at the event at the Olympia in London. At the Axis booth, visitors will get the chance to explore the benefits of network video solutions for any public infrastructure surveillance application, especially around the following areas:

* Efficient protection of people and property
* Reduced vandalism and crime
* Enhancement of the city's image
* Improved traffic monitoring.

Atul Rajput, regional director, northern Europe, Axis Communications, said: “The secret to success in the world of video surveillance is to create an environment where everyone can perform at their best while feeling safe and secure.

“Network video offers countless possibilities for infrastructure operators to integrate security, safety and production control in one system; a system that allows supervision of all processes, video surveillance, intrusion protection and access control to remote sites, several locations and, if needed, into one centrally-located control room and even on a smartphone!

“At the event, we hope to demonstrate to our guests that regardless of what other technologies are being used, the network camera should always be the starting point when planning and designing the surveillance and protection of critical infrastructure.”

Dave Oliver, director UK enterprise account sales at Digital Barriers, added: “We are very excited to be launching our SafeZone-edge embedded intrusion detection system at Counter Terror Expo. It combines performance, simplicity, resilience and affordability. It has been certified under the Home Office's i-LIDS scheme as a primary detection system for operational alert use in sterile zone monitoring applications. It provides a compelling new argument for Axis camera installers and operators to embed analytics at the edge of the network.”

Amongst others, Axis will be exhibiting the following products:
* AXIS P5414-E PTZ Dome Network Camera – Intelligent direct drive PTZ dome with HDTV 720p
* AXIS P8514 Network Camera - Eye-level covertly mounted HDTV camera
* AXIS P3384-VE Network Camera – Outdoor, vandal resistant HDTV fixed dome with outstanding video quality in demanding light conditions
* AXIS P1204 Network Camera – Miniature HDTV pinhole camera for discreet surveillance
* AXIS Q6045-S PTZ Dome Network Camera – Pressurised, stainless steel PTZ dome with HDTV 1080p

 

Middle East shines in 2014 (1): Saudi Arabia

Editor / Provider: Jill Lai, a&s International | Updated: 4/9/2014 | Article type: Hot Topics

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries — Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the U.A.E. — still remain the region's top countries with the largest security markets. In 2012, the Middle East fell dramatically, “due to three unforeseen circumstances — the regional civil unrest, the fall in the price of oil and its production, and the fall in the US dollar,” according to IHS. The actual growth rate of video surveillance equipment in the Middle East fell to 5.3 percent. Although social turmoil and fluctuations in oil prices still made 2013 uncertain, the Middle East security market is predicted to bounce back to around 10 percent in 2013 and grow 12 percent in 2014. “The economy was a bit soft in 2012 and many customers delaying purchasing.

Implementation of many projects began in 2013, resulting in an excellent year for us,” said Watheq Abu Gharbiah, Regional Manager of Middle East at FLIR Systems. Most of all the suppliers expect the recovering momentum to continue through 2014 and 2015. Firstly, the U.S. began easing some of its economic restrictions against Iran this January, including its sanctions on cars and petrochemicals products. Secondly, recovery of the Iranian market would also raise the region's average growth rate. The latest cheerful announcement is of Dubai winning the bid to host the 2020 World Expo. The BBC reported that authorities in Dubai forecasted the 6-month event to bring in around US$23 billion and cost the country around a total $8.4 billion, of which around $6.5 billion is expected to be government spending on infrastructure projects. Finally, the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar is also serving as a major driver to boost the overall economy in the region.

CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROTECTION
To support the active economic activities in this region, protection of critical infrastructure ranging from airports, seaports, oil and gas, public utilities, highways, railways, metros, and etc., is important. Critical infrastructure protection remains as the most crucial market sector in the Middle East.

The oil and gas sector requires refinery protection and is the largest market sector here. The scale of projects in this sector is also much larger than other market sectors. Aside from the GCC countries, Iraq, Pakistan, and the Northern African countries, also have great potential. Robert Kirkaldie, Director of Marketing/Sales for Security Systems Division at Southwest Microwave, which designs and manufactures integrated, electronic perimeter security systems, especially for the oil and gas sector, in this region said, “In a country like Saudi Arabia, we mostly deal with perimeter projects of 3,000 to 5,000 meters. The biggest complex in oil and gas, which comprises of a storage tank, pipe lines, transportation, and all other facilities, can have a perimeter of up to around 20 kilometers. Thus, the size of a refinery is much bigger than a prison or power plant.”

Another fast developing market sector is airports. Cities in the Middle East compete to build the biggest and most modern airports to attract tourists. Abu Dhabi is planning its new $3 billion international airport terminal, while Doha, Qatar is near completion with its new airport. “Dubai has the largest airport here. The old one, which traffics 150 million passengers annually has 3,500 CCTV cameras. The latest one has around 5,000 cameras. Elsewhere in the region, the latest airport in Doha will begin operations this year; Saudi Arabia has 15 new airports; and Kuwait International Airport also has plans to expand,” said Gharbiah.

The Middle East is a project-oriented market. “Because it is so diverse, each country does have their particular preference toward products and partners. I think this unique characteristic brings a good opportunity for CP Plus to build up our own distribution business here. This year, we are going to set up five or six branch offices in some countries in the Middle East,” said Aditya Khemka, Director of CP Plus.

SAUDI ARABIA IS BOOMING FAST
Amongst the GCC countries, Saudi Arabia is gradually catching up with the U.A.E. in terms of security market demand and growth potential. Saudi Arabia has the highest number of large government projects, making it very important in this region. Peter Biltsted, Director of MEA at Milestone Systems said, “Milestone will be more directly engaged in Saudi Arabia this year. This means we will put our feet on the ground in the country, whereas Milestone channel partners used to be in charge previously. We have a very good foothold in Saudi Arabia now, since we have done several large projects. Moving forward, we would like to leverage our past experience to strengthen our business foundation here.”

In the past two years, Saudi Arabia heavily restricted the number of foreign workers to secure the employment of local workers. In 2014, the restrictions are expected to be lifted in order to continually push the market to grow. “Saudi Arabia just started their new financial year and the government has announced plans to build six new cities. It also made a US$200 million investment in aviation toward the building of new innovative airports. We can also expect several new cities in Saudi in the near future,” continued Tarek Ismail, Sales Director of Middle East at Tyco Security Products.

Large-Scale Government Projects Everywhere
In terms of an average project size, it is not really possible to compare projects in other GCC countries with those in Saudi Arabia. In Saudi, one city is just like a country in others. John Davies, MD at TDSi also echoed, "In Saudi Arabia, the projects are much bigger. Last year, we supplied systems to several large government projects across the Kingdom. Saudi Arabia is a very large country and represents more than 25 percent of the GCC GDP.

When you do a project for an institute in Saudi Arabia, it includes offices that are located all over the country. In contrast, institutes in the U.A.E. usually have only one or two offices." Ismail continued, “Our company has been here for more than 20 years. In Saudi Arabia, for example, we have the largest bank in the whole region as one of our customers. It is a national bank with 400 branches and 2,000 ATMs in the country. The number of buildings for VIP service, VIP accounts, and money transfer, is over 200. More than 1,300 recorders and 8,000 cameras from mixed brands were used in that project. From a banking point of view, a project this size covers the entire banking sector in the GCC countries. In Qatar, for example, the largest capital bank has a maximum of only 50 to 60 branches.”

Religious Buildings, Universities, and Banks
Saudi Arabia, being home to the largest and most holy Muslim mosques, has many religious projects. “It has many religious buildings, such as mosques and related infrastructures, where you can see thousands and thousands of cameras installed. Bosch Security Systems has done many projects in holy places in this country too,” said Hakan ?zyi?it, Regional Director of Middle East at Bosch Security Systems. “Bosch is also involved in many prestigious projects in the Saudi Arabian education sector. The country has the largest population in the region and almost half of the Saudi Arabian population is aged below 30. Hence, its government is focused on education and plans to build more universities and facilities to ensure its a much more competitive Saudi workforce in the future.”

 

Also, due to the country's conservative nature and religious background, the government has strict laws toward gender segregation in many public places, such as restaurants and shopping malls. Therefore, a public place usually tends to have more cameras installed for security and monitoring, compared to other countries. For example, in Saudi Arabia, it is pretty normal to have around 1,000 cameras for a five-star hotel, while only around 100 to 200 cameras are installed in a five-star hotel in the U.A.E., according to an industry expert in this region.

Considerations for Doing Business
Even though there are plenty of opportunities here, business is conducted very differently in the U.A.E. “The Saudi Arabian government sometimes has strong concerns about the origin of the products for certain projects to avoid products that are made in China,” said Noriyuki Hayashi, Senior Sales/Marketing Manager of System Solutions Department, MEA at Panasonic Marketing. Meanwhile, due to the sheer volume of government projects here, decision making usually takes a little while. Aditya Sahaya, Director of Business Development for Prologix Distribution also pointed out, "Traditionally, the U.A.E. is a very mature market, when it comes to CCTV and surveillance, and the end customers and consultants have very specific requirements which need to be adhered to. Saudi Arabia seems to be going down the same path. Despite a longer sales cycle, the country has been growing as the single largest market in the region."

* Let's take a further look into other areas in Middle East shines in 2014 (2): U.A.E., Oman, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Lebanon, Jordan

 

Critical infrastructure aspires for comprehensive protection

Editor / Provider: Michelle Chu, a&s International | Updated: 4/8/2014 | Article type: Infrastructure

The critical infrastructure sector has been regarded as one of the most important sectors in terms of national security around the world since it is highly vulnerable to terrorist threats. There were about 2,500 attacks on critical infrastructures around the world that can be linked to terrorist organizations from 1996 to 2006, according to a report by Electric Power Research Institute. To prevent possible disastrous consequences, governments usually adopt various high-tech security products that come with better risk management systems and also higher prices. It is forecast that the global infrastructure market will grow from US$63.7 billion in 2013 to $105.9 billion in 2018, at a CAGR of 10.7 percent, by MarketsandMarkets. North America will remain as the market with the most revenue, whereas the markets in Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa are expected to experience greater market traction.

MAJOR SECURITY THREATS TO CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURES
Critical infrastructures have always been one of the most prominent security focuses of national security. Critical infrastructures refer to several essential and fundamental facilities, interdependent systems, and assets that support a country's politics, economy, transportation, security, energy, health, education, communication, etc. — to put it simply, it has a huge impact on the public's daily activities. For instance, if any power plant is damaged, it can jeopardize a country's security and lead to unimaginable public consequences and inconveniences, as it can take several weeks to months for total site functionality to be restored.

Critical infrastructures are mainly threatened by terrorism, vandalism, intrusion, and espionage, and are often considered a major target of anti-government actions. These critical sites should also be protected from industrial accidents and natural disasters which will instantly endanger the public once they occur. If a dam, for instance, is sabotaged, the damage may cause insufficient water resources, flood control failure, agriculture irrigation failure, and even disable electricity from being generated around that area, or worse, across the country. If a power grid is attacked, the damage may lead to chemical leaks and cause further destruction.

An example of this is the power grid attack in California last April, which has recently been disclosed as an act of domestic terrorism, in which 17 transformers were fired at by unknown snipers for 19 minutes. The attackers had cut the fiber optic telecommunication cables in an underground vault near the site before entering the site and shooting at the oil-filled cooling systems of the transformers, causing massive oil leaks and the transformers to overheat. Fortunately, the damage was controlled; however, it still took 27 days for the facility and the damaged transformers to be repaired — each transformer can cost millions of dollars to build, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.

KEY CHALLENGES IN CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROTECTION
A power grid is usually set up with multiple buildings, assets, and facilities, spread over a vast geographical area. Critical infrastructures generally invest in various technologies over time, resulting in the wide adoption of legacy and new devices, according to Darren Chalmers-Stevens, VP of EMEA at VidSys. Regarding overall size, number of buildings, and vast system deployments, managing a power grid in an organized manner is the primary challenge of protecting critical infrastructures. In order to efficiently and conveniently manage the entire energy station across multiple locations, it is crucial for critical infrastructures to centralize operations and increase situational awareness on both physical and logical threats through greater system integration.

MULTI-LAYERED PERIMETER DETECTION AT THE FRONT LINE
Risk management of critical infrastructures could be a great challenge to a site operating manager, due to complex deployment of disparate systems, devices, and facilities within a vast area. Critical infrastructures tend to favor multi-layered perimeter systems, which are able to comprehensively prevent various threats, like vandalism, trespassing, terrorist acts, and etc.

It is forecast that the global market size for electronic perimeter security sensors and video in electrical utilities and oil refineries will top $160 million in 2014, despite the economic slowdown in 2011 and 2012. This strong growth is resulting from the trend of using remote video and networked sensors in order to remotely configure and conduct devices from a distant location, according to a report by IMS Research, an IHS company.

For energy grids, any security threat or attack might lead to catastrophic results, which is exactly why managers are prone to using multi-layered perimeter detection systems.

A nuclear site is the perfect candidate for a multi-layered perimeter system. “A common architecture for nuclear power stations and other high security sites is an initial layer of a volumetric-tall sensor (4m to 6m high) with very high possibility of detecion; once an alert is generated, the intruder has to penetrate a fence which would delay the intruder for a few minutes to move on, even if the intruder is well equipped,” suggested by Hagai Katz, Senior VP of Marketing and Business Development at Magal Security Systems.

"Behind the layer, there is typically a clear space of about 10-meters wide; it is an area always kept clear, facilitating ease of verification, be it by cameras or another detection layer, such as microwave sensors, buried volumetric cables, or even IR detectors. And finally there is a second fence for further delay, which may be equipped with a smart fence mounted sensor.”

Integration of Video Surveillance and Intrusion Systems
In perimeter security, it is crucial to properly integrate video surveillance with intrusion systems. If individuals or vehicles intend to breach a critical site, the intruder will trigger the perimeter sensors. The system will then immediately send out a security notification to the command center with a corresponding image from the camera at the particular site so operators will know how to respond.

“Without integration between video surveillance and intrusion systems, it would be difficult to maintain a high level of awareness when a sensor detects a break-in — it would be time consuming for a security operator to find the appropriate video footage of an event,” Joshua Phillips, Director of Marketing of Enterprise and Critical Infrastructure of Video Intelligence Solutions at Verint Systems stated.

There could be up to hundreds of surveillance cameras installed at the site of an energy grid to make sure that the entire area is completely covered. As the front line of a critical infrastructure site, a perimeter system especially requires constant monitoring with surveillance devices, in order to have the site comprehensively controlled.

However, for the security guard and operator, it is almost impossible to continuously concentrate on watching every camera during their shift, not to mention identifying the correct on-site camera and location right when the security alarm goes off. Adopting video analytics not only helps the operator to prevent an intrusion or attack, more importantly, it makes sure that the guards and operators will not miss any suspicious actions. “Upon motion detection or other abnormalities detected, security operators can get a geospatial location on the targeted suspect and immediately dispatch a response,” Phillips mentioned. Physical motion detection can help security operators spot threats effectively even in harsh external conditions and weather.

A TOTAL INTEGRATION PLATFORM
A common goal, when it comes to critical infrastructure protection, is the ability for security guards and operators to identify and respond to threats in the shortest time possible. In order to immediately and efficiently react to possible threats on site for large-scale operations, it is crucial to have a central management system with an open platform to allow for integration between different security measures and subsystems.

Besides, security systems like video surveillance, access control, and perimeter security, a total management integration platform should be able to connect effortlessly with other major systems. These systems include IT, fire and smoke detection, alarm, extinguishing, telephone, radio communication, and building automation that might be in the critical sites. These systems should be easily integrated through a single platform, regardless if they are new or legacy products and devices.

This total integration platform can make sure that any operator is able to manage all systems on site whenever a natural disaster, unexpected incident, or attack occurs. “The integration of video surveillance, access control, intrusion alarm, and fire detection is an ongoing and growing phenomenon which requires a tailor-made approach on behalf of the vendors and integrators, as some of the systems, such as access control, are quite old, but still operable,” said Aluisio Figueiredo, COO of Intelligent Security Systems.

Providing a safety and security solution that integrates different systems into a single, multi-modal, administrative solution is not just about merging equipment, devices, and systems — it is about putting into place a solution to support clearly defined working routines whilst ensuring rapid, compliant, and efficient response to emergency situations along with the mandatory, post-incident reporting analysis, according to Siemens Building Technologies.

CONCLUSION
Security deployment in a critical site is never an easy task, as there are many obstacles and concerns, such as environment, budget, and consensus among every department, which will affect the final security procurement in a critical infrastructure. Despite the challenges, the security market in the critical infrastructure sector is still full of opportunities for providers due to its importance in national security and safety.

Dahua wins IP Camera Excellent Award at Secutech 2014

Editor / Provider: Dahua | Updated: 4/7/2014 | Article type: Security 50

Dhua technology a well-known China-based manufacturer and supplier of video surveillance products headquartered in Hangzhou, China announced that its network camera — DH-IPC-HF5281 won “IP Camera Excellence Award” at Secutech Taipei 2014.

Each year at Secutech Taipei, Excellence Award Contest is always where the eyes go as it is considered as an impartial platform for manufactures to exhibit the product they are proud of as well as rendering an opportunity for buyers to see, to learn and compare product performance in person before decision-making. And this year's IP camera contest focuses on night visual effect in addition to saturation, low light, shutter speed and image quality.

Dahua DH-IPC-HF5281, an ultra-low light network box camera with a 2-Megapixel CMOS sensor, is able to capture 1920 x 1080 resolution video at 60fps. Featuring ultra low illumination, IPC-HF5281 is able to present clear image even under 0.0001Lux. Meanwhile, for monitoring high-speed moving object, over 50km/h for example, the camera is able to render smooth image with 60 frame per second, Moreover, the camera is added with intelligent functions, such as facial detection, wandering detection, illegal parking, fast-moving and etc.

“It is the third year in a row that Dahua's products have proven its outstanding performance and been recognized by worldwide security professionals,” said Tim Shen, Marketing Director at Dahua Technology. “We really appreciate Secutech organizer creates such a great platform for our product standing out among other companies. As the industry moves to high definition, how to ensure the whole video surveillance system to satisfy the HD requirement but also other functions, like WDR, better bit rate, low lux and alike are our focus. With more than 3,000 R&D professionals and 10 percent reinvestment, we aim to provide world-leading products and solutions.”

Mexico auto parts maker GONHER adopts VIVOTEK network cam

Editor / Provider: VIVOTEK | Updated: 4/3/2014 | Article type: Security 50

Grupo GONHER is a company located in the city of Monterrey, Mexico. Starting as a grassroots outfit in 1953, the manufacturer of parts grew in tandem with the automotive industry, first producing air filters and subsequently building up a more comprehensive product line throughout the latter decades. The company has enjoyed continual growth since its establishment by staying on the cutting edge of technology and expanding their workshop to meet full production capacity. GONHER now boasts an extensive filter line – they produce over 700 different types – and they distribute their high quality products throughout 36 distribution centers across Mexico. Emerging as a major player on the North American market, and as international brand, GONHER faced the need of ramping up their security surveillance system. With the help of Novalan Computers & Networking, VIVOTEK's local distributor, they chose to upgrade the system with an impressive set of VIVOTEK cameras.

Advanced technology, improved business eligibility
GONHER was looking for a security surveillance system as high in quality as their products are, which is where VIVOTEK stepped in. Extensive distribution throughout Mexico means that comprehensive monitoring can be a difficult for the manufacturer, and company expansion has only increased the demand for a centralized, real-time monitoring system. For GONHER to know what is going on at all locations at all times, and in real-time, installing a dynamic surveillance solution was the answer. Unwilling to compromise on security, GONHER wanted IP cameras with high quality standards in all distribution centers, and a central monitoring control center in corporate offices. To ensure top-notch feeds, a 200Mpbs internet link bandwidth was integrated into the monitoring center. With the advanced technology of VIVOTEK's IP security system, the activity in GONHER's distribution centers can now be conveniently viewed in real-time and recorded for playback, ensuring utmost security company-wide.

Image quality, mobility, and aesthetics make the surveillance outstanding and easy
A total of 85 cameras were chosen to furnish GONHER's facilities. Among them, the FD8161 model is a stand out. Combining strong image quality, mobility, and aesthetics, the FD8161 met the project demands on many levels. In terms of image quality, a 2-megapixel sensor feature and impressive bandwidth efficiency make for a clear, crisp picture. The model is capable of zeroing in on small details like faces or license plates, so installing this camera in open spaces mean that foot traffic and vehicles can be monitored with precision and ease. Multiple simultaneous streams also contribute to its unrivalled surveillance capabilities. As for mobility and aesthetics, the recessed design with cable management gives the camera a very clean look, and a 3-axis mechanical design lens means the FD8161 can be mounted on both ceilings and walls. Additionally, VIVOTEK's speed dome was installed for outdoor monitoring. Not only is the camera capable of fast, precise movements, it comes equipped with a sophisticated pan/tilt mechanism for continuous 360-degree pan and 90-degree tilt. Lens positioning is easily controlled via mouse or joystick, and the camera comes with a possible 128 preset positions for patrolling, making tracking objects of interest easy and efficient.

Real-time surveillance, seamless protection
The installation has significantly boosted security levels at GONHER as 31 distribution centers can now be monitored by a real-time feed. Information recorded on the servers can also be played back, which provides security support for the various facilities. GONHER is very satisfied with the final result, and plan to increase the number of cameras in each of the distribution centers, a project under consideration to be held the following year.