No more free lunches at Seattle restaurants and bars

Editor / Provider: Axis Communications | Updated: 1/25/2013 | Article type: Commercial Markets

Mission
Internet Camera Solutions (ICSs) had a number of Seattle-based restaurant owners who needed advanced remote monitoring systems for their restaurants and bars. Although a few of the restaurants already had analog cameras in place, the owners needed a way to access the video feeds remotely, as well as to easily record and manage the images.

Solution
ICSs selected Axis video servers to digitize the video feeds from each restaurant's analog cameras. In addition, various Axis network cameras were added to the system to provide enhanced coverage. Milestone XProtect software was installed to enable the restaurant owners to easily manage and store the video.

Result
With the Axis equipment in place, ICSs' customers can view live images from their restaurants and bars via the Internet from anywhere in the world. This allows them to keep track of customer service practices and employee safety, or prevent theft and vandalism, without spending as much time in each restaurant.

An expanded presence
ICSs develops high-tech digital surveillance systems that allow clients to maximize profits, control costs and deter loss through the ability to monitor businesses from anywhere in the world. In order to meet the growing customer demand for a remotely accessible system, the company turned to Axis network cameras and video servers.

Before ICSs began installing Axis network video products, restaurant owners were unable to efficiently monitor their stores without being physically present. For owners with multiple locations, it was extremely difficult and tiring to travel between the various locations and monitor all employees. In addition, if stock or money was missing, it was nearly impossible to determine who was responsible.

"Restaurant owners don't like to feel that they need to live in their restaurants in order to know what is going on," said Bruno Pirecki, VP and managing partner of ICSs. "They need their surveillance systems to function as a remote set of eyes so that they can be more efficient in managing their facilities."

Before the Axis equipment was installed, images from the analog cameras were recorded to VCRs. However, the image quality degraded as the tapes were constantly reused and the restaurant owners had to spend hours winding through video just to find one particular event.

Less time, more management
With the Axis equipment, digital images can be stored on hard disks, so there is no loss in image quality. Images can also be accessed on-site or remotely via the Internet. In addition, search functions allow restaurant owners to zero in on a particular instance almost immediately, and the system can even be configured to store images only when motion is detected.

"Viewing activity via the Internet is a huge time saver, and the digital recording abilities allow owners to easily determine who is responsible should anything be stolen or vandalized," Pirecki said.

In fact, Maltby Pizza and Pasta, one of ICSs' first restaurant customers, was able to use the video from the Axis network video equipment to protect the business against a lawsuit. One night, the restaurant's employees had to remove an intoxicated customer who was disturbing others. Once outside, the man fell, injured himself, and ultimately threatened to sue Maltby Pizza and Pasta. However, the restaurant was able to produce digital video from the incident that proved the man's claim was false.

In addition, Toi Thai, a restaurant and bar in downtown Seattle, experienced trouble with liquor theft from its supply room. ICSs installed an IR-sensitive camera and Axis video server that allowed the restaurant's owner to view and record images of all activity in the storeroom, even in complete darkness. As a result, Toi Thai was able to catch a patron stealing a bottle of high quality scotch, and theft from the supply room has not been a problem since.

The flexible placement options with network cameras are beneficial because the cameras can go anywhere there is a connection to the network. If none is available, then a wireless connection can be used. This helps restaurants install cameras in very discreet locations, where they are not easily noticed.

According to Pirecki, it is common for restaurants to see a 3-5 percent decrease in liquor and food costs after they start using Axis network video. In some extreme cases, the cost savings can be as high as 15 percent. The technology also helps restaurant owners and managers keep an eye on safety procedures and minimize the risk of accidents.

Michigan school district graduates to IP-based security management

Editor / Provider: Milestone Systems | Updated: 1/25/2013 | Article type: Education

To address the disconnect between its state-of-the-art facilities being monitored with an outdated security system, Chippewa Valley School District called for a complete renovation of its analog video surveillance. They chose Milestone XProtect Corporate VMS for an open platform IP network solution with HD Axis cameras that cover all 22 campuses across the Michigan district.

In 2004, an attack on Chippewa Valley high schools was foiled. A student threatened to terrorize the school in a way similar to the publicized events of other U. schools. For the district administration this was an eye-opening situation and the catalyst to upgrade security measures for the continued safety of students, teachers, staff and property.

With more than 16,000 students on 22 campuses for kindergarten through 12th grade (K-12), Chippewa Valley Schools of Michigan is responsible for many safety matters. With a previously diverse array of analog camera systems, each sending video to multiple DVRs around the district, there was little efficiency for monitoring the pupils, teachers and staff. It was also difficult to obtain video evidence: going back into recordings was more of a frustration than a help.

Chippewa schools otherwise boast state-of-the-art technology and planned to ensure that the taxpayers would receive optimal value for concerns about loss, vandalism or property damage. Taking the step to IP video surveillance was the best option to keep the schools' costs low.

IT consultants Metro Technology Services designed a comprehensive surveillance solution based on Milestone XProtect Corporate video VMS that is centrally managed by the school administration. Installed and fully integrated by Peripheral Vision (PV), more than 1,400 HD Axis network video cameras are connected via Milestone Federated Architecture to cover the Chippewa Valley internal and external properties of its 22 locations.

"Throughout the entire design process, we performed intricate walk-through sessions with each school's principal to ensure we would cover all possible blind spots," stated Tom Giachino, President of Metro Technology Services. "From an end-user perspective, the Milestone system was easy to use and fit our needs perfectly to help secure the district."

"Before Milestone XProtect, it was nearly impossible to effectively manage the out-of-date analog camera system over Chippewa Valley's entire school district. Now, rather than relying on hundreds of DVRs and low-resolution cameras, district administrators can easily and quickly monitor the schools via XProtect smart client to keep the students, staff and property safe," says Hugh Sonk, President & CEO at Peripheral Vision, the installing Milestone partner.

"The majority of the issues we saw when reviewing video software choices were related to proprietary equipment. Milestone's open platform technology, however, saves us from a complete system overhaul if we decide to change any of the more than 1,400 cameras we have invested in for the district," explains Craig McBain, Director of Technology at Chippewa Valley Schools.

The school district now efficiently monitors all campus buildings and perimeters from one central location. Department heads around the district also have specific access to monitor where they are responsible. Since installing the Milestone solution and high-resolution Axis cameras, the school has seen a dramatic decrease in security-related instances and is far more efficient when it comes to dealing with the incidents that do occur.

The complete installation was delivered in two phases, starting with installing the cameras in five high schools around the district. Phase II connected the middle and elementary schools through Milestone Federated Architecture. These were completed after hours, overnight and on weekends during the regular school year. PV was able to set up each building's XProtect system individually and connect them as each station was finalized. "The buildings are large and it's definitely a challenge to manage the security, keeping an eye on property and students in multiple areas," states Sonk. "The Milestone system even allows administrators to virtually walk the halls by monitoring the system from their mobile devices, in addition to their desktops. It has an easy-to-use interface and is a complete improvement for the district."

Flexible access and more than security
Users in each department were trained. Due to the intuitive design they quickly developed the necessary skills to operate cameras through the XProtect interface. "There is a fast turnaround time for training – no more than 45 minutes per session," states McBain. "We actually took advantage of those to determine camera realignments for trouble spots not seen during the initial install."

While the administration and security guards have instant access to the entire system running Milestone XProtect on their laptops and smartphones, the transportation manager can see if buses are on time, the food service manager can review an incident in the cafeteria or monitor lines, and maintenance managers can watch for vandals or keep track of safety with internal school issues such as flooding from a broken pipe, road and parking lot conditions or traffic.

Hikvision unveils entry-level DVR series and low-light IP cams

Editor / Provider: Hikvision | Updated: 1/25/2013 | Article type: Security 50

Hikvision, the global provider of video surveillance products and solutions, launches a new series of low-light network cameras – the X55 series – that enables users to achieve impeccable vision of meticulous details in extremely dark environments. There are four models in the series: the DS-2CD755F-E(I)(Z) indoor dome camera, DS-2CD7255F-E(I)Z(H) outdoor dome camera, DS-2CD855F-E network box camera and DS-2CD8255F-EI(Z) bullet camera. Each offers super low light technology (up to 0.05 lux/f1.2, with AGC on), and boasts of a full HD output and noise reduction technology (3D DNR).

The super low-light capability is the hallmark of the X55 series, making the cameras well ahead of their time in technological advancement. With a minimum illumination of 0.05 lux @ F1.2, these cameras have a level of sensitivity that allows users to discern colors, shapes, sizes, and of course movements in near complete darkness. Coupled with a wide range, the most meticulous details can be brought to life and captured with extreme clarity.

Each of the models in the series captures images of up to 2 megapixels and provides full HD 1080p real-time video recording. The DS-2CD8255F-EI(Z) and DS-2CD7255F-E(I)Z(H) both incorporate a weather proof rating of IP66 and operate effectively in a wide range of weather conditions, including a temperature range of -10°C to 60°C (14°F to 140°F) and humidity of up to 90%.

The DS-2CD8255F-EI(Z) bullet camera, DS-2CD755F-E(I)(Z) indoor dome camera and DS-2CD7255F-E(I)Z(H) outdoor dome camera all offer optional infrared LEDs and provide an IR range of up to 30m (98.4 feet), as well as motorized Vari-focal lens that facilitates quick and easy lens installation. Besides, the DS-2CD7255F-E(I)Z(H) even supports a built-in fan and heater.

Besides, Hikvision introduces new standalone DVR series – the DS-7200HFI/HVI-SH. This product is specifically designed to cater towards the entry-level security market by using a high-definition video output, a friendly user interface, and multi-channel real-time monitoring. Offered in an attractive price range, this DVR series is the perfect recording solution for smaller-scale applications, such as homes, offices, or for retail purposes.

Compared with Hikvision's DS-7200HFI/HVI-ST(/SN/SE) series of standalone DVRs, the new DS-7200HFI/HVI-SH series supports VGA and HDMI outputs simultaneously, with up to 1920x1080 resolution. This provides users a versatile solution for real-time video viewing, and also allows them the experience of a cost-effective, but high-quality method to secure their businesses.

The DS-7200HFI/HVI-SH features high-quality 4CIF recording in real time across its up-to 16 channels. It even allows up to 128-channel streaming of remote live viewing (within 60M bandwidth), allowing users to access their videos anytime and anywhere over the internet. This DVR further supports alarm functionality with motion and tampering detection. When critical events (such as theft) occur within owners' premises, this DVR's alarm event recording is triggered, generating instant notification via E-mail to allow owners the ability to take whatever proactive response they deem necessary.

Magal acquires WebSilicon to expand into cyber security

Editor / Provider: Magal Security Systems | Updated: 1/24/2013 | Article type: Security 50

Magal Security Systems announced that it is expanding its business proposition with integrated physical-cyber protection solutions.

As part of this strategy Magal acquires Websilicon - an Israeli-based company in the rapidly growing network management and monitoring markets.

Magal's new cyber security solutions will monitor, detect and protect against abnormal network activity, both landline and wireless, within and close to protected sites. Cyber and physical events will be managed by the same platform - the Fortis4G, which is already installed in hundreds of sites.

The cyber security market
Since digital electronic technology has permeated every aspect of the business, critical sites are now exposed to new threats. The core production technology within sites, utilities, the information systems and even the security system itself - everything is now connected to the cyber world, and thus exposed to cyber threats due the bad and old motivations – terror, crime, hooliganism, espionage, etc. Therefore critical sites can no longer suffice in physical security and IT firewalls; essentially everything has to be protected.

Magal's cyber solution
The core solution will be based on advanced communication monitoring – wire-line, mobile wireless and satellite – which will intercept and alert for attacks, worms and other threats. The "sensors" will report into a unified Security Operation Center (SOC) into Fortis4G – a top notch centralized threat command and control platform. The unified SOC will eliminate the current silo approach which artificially disconnect the network security from the physical security and thus save resources and strengthen the overall security.

Since every site is different Magal will use its homegrown products as well as 3rd party products and tailor a turnkey solution for each site, supported by the full span of services: cyber risk and threat analysis, site survey, holistic cyber security Solution design, integration and post sales cyber monitoring, reviews and upgrades.

"The traditional physical threats to sensitive sites are now exacerbated by cyber threats, which have the potential to jeopardize the mission of our customers. Unlike the physical space, deterrence barely exists in cyberspace, and therefore in this cyber decade, seaports, airports, power utilities, cities and in fact, any business cannot be left protected with only physical security." said Eitan Livneh, President and CEO of Magal S3.

"Magal chose WebSilicon due its strong executive and development team, as well as its successful product sales to intelligence and other cyber protection players. Together, we are now positioned to lead the convergence of the physical-cyber security for critical sites."  Livneh said.

Ferrero enforces international food and security standards at Russian plant

Editor / Provider: Bosch Security Systems | Updated: 1/22/2013 | Article type: Commercial Markets

Food production today is not simply a business. In order to guarantee a globally comparable and accepted norm, the industry introduced the International Food Standard in 2003 to support manufacturers and retailers in their striving for quality. One aspect of this standard is the protection of the production facilities, including surveillance of the exterior and interior premises.

As a result, the popular Italian chocolate manufacturer, Ferrero was in need of plant security when expanding its production in Eastern Europe and Russia. When its Russian subsidiary, ZAO Ferrero Russia, opened its first factory in Vorsha Sobinskiy, in the Vladimir region northwest of Moscow, one of the most crucial factors to address was the security of the highly sensitive facilities, where Ferrero produces its all-time favorite Kinder Chocolate and the Raffaello praline in an 80,000 m2 plant, and which created around 1,000 jobs.

A 24 hour access control and detection of suspicious behaviour were key requirements. Environmental influences, such as weather, lighting conditions or leaves, had to be excluded. Additionally, it was vital to have an expandable surveillance system, backed by video storage, as well as the ability to be integrated into the existing IP network.

The solution supplied by Bosch comprised cameras and storage capabilities, as well as intelligent analysis tools. In terms of cameras, 120 IP and analog cameras were installed to provide comprehensive monitoring, aligned using an encoder. The camera control is coordinated by the Bosch VMS, equipped with four workstations and such features as the quick search function within video archives, making the operator's work more targeted and efficient. In order to store video files, nine iSCSI arrays with a total capacity of 100 TB were installed.

For evaluating the recorded scenes, this surveillance solution is equipped with intelligent video analysis (from Bosch, which offers the reliable detection of suspicious behaviour, such as unauthorized access to restricted areas, illegally parked cars or changing aspect ratios of objects. It also takes into consideration changing light and environmental conditions, such as rain or snow.

By combining several products and technologies, such as cameras, video analysis, storage capabilities, and a video management system, Bosch provided Ferrero with a comprehensive, integrated security solution that offers high-quality images, comfortable management, and a reduction in the total cost of ownership. Thus, Ferrero is able to produce chocolate of the quality that brands like Kinder and Raffaello are known for, and enjoyed by all generations in both East and West.

Video on the move

Editor / Provider: Vemotion | Updated: 1/22/2013 | Article type: Tech Corner

The characteristics of mobile video
It is critical to understand the building blocks of how we can use video, audio and other elements of data that can accompany these processes. Video is normally used to allow either a human or machine to identify a person, object, action or combination of all of the above. The quality of the video, frame rate, audio capability or whether the scene requires colour images depends on the underlying requirement. High definition video might be ideal for capturing a football match but such definition is not needed just to be able to see if a person has walked into a warehouse or if a car has driven down a section of road. Similarly, 24 frames a second of video may be required to watch a game of tennis but is overkill if the goal is to identify a number plate of a car as it waits by an automated barrier for admittance into a car park. Both high definition and high frame rate are necessary for certain functions, but they are also expensive in bandwidth and data – so why pay for something you don't need?

Alongside quality, the distribution of the video is important. Sending data across any network, whether that's an email or real-time video feeds, has an associated cost. With modern analytics and sensors, video may only need to be transmitted when there is motion or a scene change. Does video need to go to just one person or machine interpreter, or should it be broadcast to many? For example, a team of security guards on patrol around a large industrial site may need access to cameras in the event of an alarm sounding. The video in this context should be available on a portable device like a smartphone or tablet on demand.

Should the video and audio be retained for later analysis or as evidence? If so, how should the video be stored and does it need an additional data element such as a time code to validate its source. All these variables are then made more interesting when we add in the aspect of camera mobility. Our modern society is highly dispersed and mobile. The UK alone has over 30 million motor vehicles and the freedom of movement and expression allow people to congregate, and express themselves almost anywhere. Whether that is at a rural rock concert or demonstration moving through the streets of Westminster, mobility makes the decision making process for people charged with security and public safety much more complex. Visualization of a scene is critical in the area of security but it was the Armed Forces that first truly understood and quantified some of the essential elements which are often described as an OODA loop (observe, orient, decide, and act). Although attributed to military planners, the notion also forms part of other decision making processes such as PDCA (plan–do–check–act) often found in management courses.

Video can help meet the fundamental challenges of OODA loops or a PDCA cycle as it delivers a lot of information with context to both decision makers and action takers. For example, a report of a “crowd gathering outside a pub” to a police control room could mean a coach party from the local Women's Institute, or two rival gangs of inebriated youths about to fight. A video image sent to the police control centre would quickly allow for an appropriate tactical decision.

Video analysis
But video is more powerful when it can be examined for data which is then cross checked to help in a rapid decision making process. For example, a guard at a gatehouse might need to identify if a vehicle is allowed access to a car park based on a license plate number. Having to check the number plate against a lengthy list is a time consuming process, especially if the volume of traffic peaks. Video can be used to quickly generate data that can be automatically correlated.

Again, mobility can both aid and make the decision making process more complex. So let's take the example of the crowd outside the pub again. It's great if there is only one pub in the town, but setting up a monitoring station at every venue in a mid-sized town is probably not cost effective and unnecessary. The ideal solution would be a mobile vehicle with video capability that could either tour an area or be dispatched to hotspots as needed. With images fed back to a control room, the requirement can be assessed and resources deployed accordingly and much more efficiently.

Low bandwidth yet powerful
However, it is not just mobile applications that can benefit from mobile video. In some areas, video can be of great assistance when the underlying fixed infrastructure for traditional CCTV capture and transmission is just not available or not physically possible. For example a remote mining camp, a rural weather station, on a maritime platform or new construction project within a greenbelt location. In these instances, forms of wireless transportation for video become critical.

As a company, Vemotion understands the capture, delivery and distribution of video across low bandwidth transport layers across a wide range of mobile and fixed location cases. The software and hardware elements are designed to be as flexible as possible to allow organizations to solve operational challenges and mitigate limitations.

The underlying premise is to be able to capture video from an appropriate source, encode it in a format suited to the readily available transport layer and then distribute it to the people or systems that can use the video to make critical decisions. Like the OODA loop example, these workflows need to be flexible enough to meet different challenges and Vemotion has already delivered its technology to meet a wide variety of different scenarios.

Mobile monitoring
A great example of how mobile video can address public order concerns and allow the Police to react quickly is Vemotion's support to Leeds City Council in police operations at football matches. Vemotion‘s video compression and transmission equipment has been installed in mobile CCTV vans that can be deployed to critical areas or known "hot spots". The system uses the 3G network to provide real-time images to Police Control Rooms (ACRs) as well as to the control room within the local football stadium.

The benefit is more tactical awareness for the teams overseeing large events, such as football matches, with the ability to remain mobile. In addition, the vans can reposition to other venues or be dispatched to mobile incidents such as protest marches or impromptu gatherings such as rural pop and rock concerts. The same technology from Vemotion has also been used in other mobile situations such as escorting the Olympic flame across the UK and even ‘clearing the route‘ in front of the riders on the Tour de France.

Remote location surveillance
Much of the planet is still not connected to the fibre optic networks that transport super-fast internet traffic and traditional video feeds. Although satellite has allowed us to connect distant outposts across the world, the costs are still high. However, the demands for communication have, in many parts of the world, been met through 3G and now 4G voice and data networks.

However, these relatively low bandwidth transport mediums are not well designed for video. The challenge is to create video formats that use the available bandwidth in the most efficient fashion. Vemotion has helped the UK Environment Agency to implement video feeds across 3G networks to monitor water levels in remote locations across Britain. The system takes snap shots at regular intervals but can deliver a live feed “on command” to a control room to help with flood management and reduce the risk of flooding.

Although a different requirement, Vemotion's technology has also helped councils and local authorities create temporary monitoring zones to detect illegal activities such as refuse dumping (fly-tipping) on quiet country lanes to poaching. The same requirements for video delivered over low bandwidth 3G networks with some element of mobility has solved many challenging although seemingly disparate problems.

Covert surveillance
CCTV in general has a great deterrent effect. Many studies have shown that well implemented and clearly visible CCTV helps to reduce crime within an area. However, catching the perpetrators of crime and building a case to secure prosecution is often most effective when the criminals are unaware that surveillance is taking place. The ability to quickly deploy video surveillance without having to provide anything other than just basic power or in some cases just a large battery is a requirement for many covert video operations. One Vemotion customer has the added challenge of protecting goods in transit as they move across countries and through international borders. The hijacking of goods vehicles is still rampant and Vemotion's technology has been deployed both to help catch organised hijackers and to detect when drivers try to fake an incident and collude with criminals. The ability to transmit video using 3G from highly concealable video cameras complete with GPS location data makes these types of covert video platforms vital in loss prevention and criminal investigations.

Although just three examples, each shows how Vemotion is helping real world organisations use mobile video to solve problems. The possibilities are almost limitless. Vemotion's technology has been used in projects on every continent and, in some instances, combines widely different technologies such as 2G & 3G mobile networks, Wi-Fi, solar power, satellite technology and even traditional dial up modems to take advantage of PSTN. Certain projects have required encryption and ultra-secure two factor authentication systems to help restrict access to content.

How to scale access projects

Editor / Provider: Tevin Wang, a&s International | Updated: 1/18/2013 | Article type: Tech Corner

Access control is customization-intensive. The scale of a project is not only measured by the number of doors to be secured, but also the level of integration and customization required. a&s explores what role project scale plays when it comes to access integration and management.

In access control, project scale is often measured by a variety of variables, according to Harry Mai, Assistant VP of Hundure Technology. “The number of readers, the number of locations, the complexity of multilayered security, and how many subsystems are to be integrated are just some of the key factors.”

Scale can also be measured in terms of integration and customization required, echoed Oonagh Fearon, Marketing Communications Manager, CEM Systems (a Tyco International company). “A project with a small to medium number of doors may have additional requirements, such as integrations or customization, that will make it a much larger project.” Another way to define project scale is how the system is used. “When looking at small or midsized implementations, the vast majority are being utilized forensically, specifically running reports on information after the fact and searching for video,” said Eric Joseph, Solutions Engineering Manager, S2 Security. “In larger implementations, the user is usually monitoring the system in real time, and reacting accordingly to situations as they arise. The advanced integrations used by different system users are usually dictated by their application. For example, infant abduction and patient wandering integrations are very common in health care; and in the federal government space, integrating with government watch lists is usually required.”

Small Scale
Projects in this category tend to be single buildings, such as SMB/Es, residential complexes, retail outlets and elementary schools. With access control at the core, security management can include subsystems such as time and attendance/HR, logical access, intercoms, parking lots, elevator controls, intrusion alarms, visitor management and surveillance.

Ease of installation and usage is essential; cost-effectiveness is another important factor, said John Davies, MD of Time and Data Systems International (TDSi). Web-based software is an important prerequisite as well, as customers access the majority of their other business systems through the Internet, such as email, CRM and HR systems.

Low TCO is another popular requirement, said Holger Maier, PM for Security Systems, Bosch Security Systems.

“When using a fully integrated access and video system, video can be easily searched by selecting the cardholder and searching for all instances of video containing that cardholder,” Joseph said. “Most of these types of users are not very familiar with security management, so making a system easy to understand and operate is paramount,” Joseph said.

Events such as a door forced open can be attached to the associated video for quick playback, while images and associated audio from cameras are recorded and stored, said Steven Lewis, Senior PM at Tyco Security Products. Such integration provides the benefits of operational efficiency and simplicity, and removes the need for multiple servers as well as the need for separate management applications.

Delays — as a result of paper- or email-based interactions between the IT and physical security teams — are eliminated, said Ajay Jain, CEO and President, Quantum Secure. Human errors are minimized and the manual effort for assigning condition-based access is automated.

Medium Scale
Midsized projects can include several buildings on a single campus, site or complex, such as K-12 school districts, municipal governments, libraries, museums, cultural centers, factories, small hospitals, data centers and banks, encompassing systems for time and attendance/HR, logical access, intercoms, parking lots, elevator controls, intrusion alarms, visitor management, surveillance, cashless payment, library management and mass notification.

Required features for integrated access control typically include customizations, system interoperability and scalability (with basic building automation), and future-proof yet cost-effective high security. “When the operator sits down at their workstation, they expect to view access control, intrusion and video information through one single user interface,” Joseph said. “The focus of the management is information from a variety of different sources, all tied into a single application, ideally providing a central repository for running reports on all of the stored data.”

Operational efficiency, enhanced security and convenience are obvious benefits. A comprehensive platform should reduce the cost of physical security operations by offloading the process of access requisition to end users, while increasing end-user satisfaction with physical security services by providing visibility into the status of their requests, Jain said.

Large Scale
Large-scale projects cover a significant area and have the highest security needs, such as federal agencies, utility companies, oil and gas, airports and transportation, universities and research institutions, and large MNCs with multiple sites (hospitals and banks). Key features can span across time and attendance/HR, logical access (active directory and lightweight directory access protocol ), intercoms, parking lots, elevator controls, intrusion alarms, visitor management, surveillance, cashless payment, library and data management, mass notification, real-time locations, asset management, additional building management, and other vertical-specific requirements.

End users need scalable subsystems that can grow as their organization grows, as well as a well-integrated system that can be easily managed as it grows. Ease of customization, management and integration of business and building systems is a top priority for many. “Many operate on multiple sites, and their primary goal is to have all sites act autonomously, without a single point of failure,” Joseph said.

The focus of the management platform is visibility into each of the sites and locations displayed on a single application. Another priority is the overall security of the building and maximum utilization of the card, said Wei Jin Lee, Sales Director for ASEAN, HID Global (an Assa Abloy company).

“Open to third-party systems, highly customizable, reliable and robust 24/7/365 operation are common demands as well,” Maier said.

The benefits of a single solution connecting multiple sites include enhanced security, central management (SCADA, ERP and PSIM), data tracking and backup. Other advantages include multiple applications on a single card, cost and manpower reduction, operational efficiency and the avoidance of single points of failure, eliminating the manual effort involved in collecting and reporting on compliance-related data, Jain said.

Creating Opportunities
The number of devices connected to the Internet passed the 5-billion mark in 2010 and is expected to reach 22 billion by 2020, according to IMS Research (an IHS company). With the proliferation of IP-enabled smartphones, tablets, cameras, sensors and other devices, impact on physical security and IT departments in terms of network design, bandwidth optimization, and most important of all, the safety and security of an organization can be significant.

IP connectivity speeds the migration of legacy sensors and appliances to networks, highlighting the importance of physical and logical security integration. “As long as organizations treat their physical and cyber domains as separate, there is little hope of securing either one,” said Scott Borg, Director of the US Cyber Consequences Unit. "The convergence of cyber and physical security has already occurred at the technical level. It is long overdue at the organizational level."

Identity management requires modifying identity in both the physical and virtual worlds. “Synchronization of an identity between the access control management system and the logical system, whether that be AD, LDAP or some other system, is the most important aspect of the integration,” Joseph said. “It allows for the capability to limit a user's ability to log on to a system based on their physical presence and activity.”

Utilization of a single credential for both physical access into a facility as well as logical access at a workstation is usually requested, Lewis said. Integration with other business systems, such HR, student enrollment or network printers, is common as well. “For instance, the addition of access card readers on network printers allows the user-requested print job to be accessed and printed when physically at the printer. This prevents wasteful use of ink and paper and also eliminates unauthorized viewing of any document.”

Stay tuned for more development!

Security management made easy

Editor / Provider: Tevin Wang, a&s International | Updated: 1/18/2013 | Article type: Tech Corner

Having physical access control integrated with video surveillance, intrusion detection and logical access systems as a complete security management platform enables a wider range of capabilities and possibilities. a&s explores how recent innovation in integrated access and security management helps better provide visible benefits to all involved.

The ability to integrate surveillance with access control is no longer considered a luxury in the market, but a necessary step to providing a comprehensive picture of security operations to an end user, said Dr. Michael Luetzeler, member of the ONVIF Steering Committee. "Using products that conform to interoperability specifications such as ONVIF, those integrations are simplified with the use of a common interface. ONVIF's pending release, for 2013, of its specification to include access control functions such as door monitoring and control will govern interoperability between access control and video surveillance systems, as well as among individual components of an access control system."

Physical access control systems integrated with network video devices would use the specification to position a PTZ dome camera for recording a person's entry after a card swipe at a particular door or activating network video recording on an invalid card swipe, Luetzeler continued. "By providing a common language, an access control standard will allow a system that enables IP-based door controllers from a variety of different manufacturers to browse devices, creating a list of types of readers and connections, and subscribe to card reader and door controller events. The same standard would also be used for device discovering and management, and controlling the outputs of the system, such as opening and locking doors, enabling or disabling access points, or switching networked field devices on and off."

Tangible Benefits
The integration should deliver complete, multilayered and versatile authentication. It should also provide broad support for authentication devices and methods. The goal is better prevention of malicious denial of service attacks, improved and more streamlined incident management when breaches occur, and more efficient risk management, said John Davies, MD of Time and Data Systems International (TDSi).

The system should use an open-standard platform that can integrate with existing computing environments, such as Windows, Linux and Mac, for desktop authentication. “When enterprises need to upgrade, they should be able to simply download firmware updates or deploy field-upgradable solutions,” said Wei Jin Lee, Sales Director for ASEAN, HID Global (Assa Abloy). “Converged access solutions help organizations enforce consistent policies, and they foster the use of consolidated audit logs throughout the enterprise. Another important consideration is for organizations to future-proof their investments on mobile platforms.”

The true benefit to the end user is the increased level of security. “By automating the integration between the physical and logical systems, identities are automatically deactivated upon termination of an employee, removing any chance of someone forgetting to remove or deprovision an identity,” said Eric Joseph, Solutions Engineering Manager, S2 Security. “Additionally, it reduces the opportunity for logical accounts to be hacked by only allowing them to be accessed by valid cardholders in the facility.”

Lowering the TCO and increasing the ROI are also highly demanded. “The end user saves time and money because they are only managing one system and using one credential for both systems,” said Kim Rahfaldt, PR Manager at Amag Technology (a G4S Technology company).

Manageability and Outlook
Network stability and bandwidth will influence system performance, especially if there is video surveillance involved. “One of the biggest network challenges we face is educating the IT department on the effect of a security management system on the network,” Joseph said. “When initial conversations are started, the IT department can be very standoffish about having additional systems and information riding on their network, and potentially slowing it down. Once we are able to explain the minimum impact access control events have on the network, this becomes alleviated. Additionally, with video recording being done at individual sites or on the edge, and streamed back to security operations centers as needed, video bandwidth can be managed in a much easier way.”

The deployment does not stop at the IT department. “The management of access control systems regularly involves several departments within an organization, such as HR, IT, building management, parking services, food services, and, of course, security management,” said Steven Lewis, Senior PM at Tyco Security Product. “It is imperative that the management teams within these departments are aligned with consistent policies and procedures to ensure the performance of the platform.”

Another challenge of traditional systems is software updates. Microsoft regularly provides service packs and other updates to the Windows operating system for maintenance purposes. “This leads to increased responsibilities for the IT department,” Joseph said. “As we are able to provide alternatives to Windows-based systems, we are easily able to avoid these challenges and reduce the strain on IT personnel.”

Access control management systems have long life spans of typically more than 10 years, meaning there is more to think about than the initial cost. With TCO considerations, four key points should be taken into account: cost of acquisition, installation, operation and maintenance.

Other considerations include openness to other vendors' hardware, zero downtime, reliability and robustness, Holger Maier, PM for Security Systems, Bosch Security Systems cautioned. “It's been challenging to find and certify good sales partners or systems integrators in all parts of the world to handle the combination of many different domains, from access control over surveillance to fire and building management, plus IT and network knowledge.”

For now, proprietary systems make true integration difficult, as access control is not as tightly regulated as the intrusion and fire industries are. “In Europe, the existing EN50133 standard has been around for a while, but isn't used by everyone because the technology has moved on so rapidly,” Davies said. “There is, however, a new IEC standard which started development about 18 months ago and is currently out for parallel voting. As is usual with a lot of standards when in development, there are some good points and some contentious points. It is refreshing, though, to see a new standard being developed at the global level, and what is encouraging is the speed at which this standard has evolved.”

Stay tuned for more development!

Verticalization of ALPR technology

Editor / Provider: a&s International | Updated: 1/17/2013 | Article type: Tech Corner

While concerns of economic difficulties and budgetary constraints linger, more and more ALPR solution providers are looking to deliver better services and business models with higher ROI. a&s explores how this change of focus is helping them enter new markets and scale new revenue heights.

There have been a couple of suppliers who have essentially had to close their businesses, as a result of customers' budget cuts, Jim Kennedy, President of Inex/Zamir, observed. Many solution providers have, thus, diversified their offerings to cater to different needs. Previously, ALPR was thought of as a security measure, but now, this technology can be utilized to generate more income and simplify management tasks. "Whether for gate control, inventory control or parking management, ALPR represents a key investment with quantifiable returns," said Charles Cousins, MD of APAC at Genetec.

Traffic Monitoring
Despite austerity measures in certain parts of the world, many burgeoning megacities are not slowing down with infrastructural development. "Traffic safety systems are fairly common, and if anything, demand at the government level is growing, not shrinking," said Durairaj Gireraj, Director for APAC at Axxonsoft. Though suppliers have explored other vertical segments, demand in the government sector remains steady.

In government applications, "traffic management and safety programs are really picking up steam," Gireraj continued. In some cases, ALPR can pay for itself and generate additional income in the long term, especially with projects where the technology allows for cost reductions, flow improvement and automatic fare/violation payment collection.

Traffic monitoring checkpoints in Austria, the Netherlands and Spain, for example, use ALPR for speed enforcement. No radar is required because the cameras in use capture every license plate and calculate the travel time between two set points. If the calculated speed is 10 percent or more above the speed limit, the system automatically issues a ticket. By deploying similar systems, not only can authorities cut personnel and fuel costs in issuing traffic violation tickets, but they can also increase revenue by increasing coverage points and distances.

Law Enforcement
Although government budget in general may not be what it was years ago, "we still see that market continuing to consume as ALPR becomes a valuable crime-fighting tool," Cousins said. Reading up to 3,000 plates per minute, ALPR can check against a database for vehicles of interest, such as drivers with expired registration tags, revoked licenses or warrants for violent crimes, and then notifies nearby officers. Police departments have noticed a huge spike in tickets, arrests and revenues as a result.

Parking Management
Due to its strong ROI, parking-time management is currently one of the fastest growing markets, outperforming many other applications. The ALPR market in EMEA showed a slight decline in 2011, but the parking segment increased by 4.1 percent. This technology helps parking lots drive revenue by identifying and charging vehicles that stayed overtime. Simultaneously, it frees up parking spaces for new customers, thus driving retail sales as well.

In 2012, Genetec integrated ALPR, video surveillance and access control systems into one platform. The platform not only allows end users to view live video streams, but also lets them control the cameras, configure aspects of their access control and ALPR system, and run reports from Web browsers. "The needs of this market are more than just reading a plate. Parking management is a world of its own, with its own nuances," Cousins reminded.

Ticketless parking is another possibility. "The result is a clean management system that delivers a completely seamless and pleasant experience for customers," said Nick Parker, MD of Sensor Dynamic. Ticketless parking obsoletes printed tickets, thus removing problems such as lost tickets, swapped tickets or traffic congestion from exit lanes.

An evolving business model now involves solution providers approaching large retailers to provide the systems free of charge, in exchange for a percentage of their revenues. This commission-based model has been well-perceived by those who might have originally been doubtful of the technology or who are limited in funding for initial installation.

Logistics
As many industry sources noted, the logistics industry also has huge demand for ALPR. Integrating ALPR into the monitoring systems of logistics companies ensures that vehicles do not disappear and certain rules are followed on site. "Vehicles have to go through several stations in the correct order; you have to monitor this process to avoid spoilage and product loss," Gireraj said.

Chicago student housing centralizes IP surveillance on campus fiber backbone

Editor / Provider: Axis Communications | Updated: 1/15/2013 | Article type: Residential & Consumer

Mission
As DePaul University, located in urban Chicago, Illinois, began purchasing and renovating city blocks of privately- owned apartment buildings to house its growing student population, it began maxing out the capacity of its DVR-based analog surveillance systems. The public safety department wanted to establish a centralized recording system that would run over the university's existing fiber optic backbone and be easier to manage, maintain and scale as the university acquired more buildings.

Solution
The university contracted with Axis partner Pace Systems, a Naperville, Illinois-based electrical contractor and systems integrator, to install fixed dome network cameras from Axis Communications in the lobbies, hallways and exteriors of the residential buildings at its Lincoln Park campus. Pace Systems replaced the individual DVRs at each dormitory with a centralized array of dedicated video storage servers and a video management system from Milestone Systems all housed at the public safety building.

Result
The network video technology gives public safety the ability to review incidents occurring at any residence hall from a single, centralized security office. Though the video recordings are primarily used in forensic investigations, a dispatcher can monitor select cameras live. And in case of emergency, senior security staff can access camera views from any authorized PC attached to the campus network.

Thinking creatively about aesthetic deployment strategies
Maintaining security on an urban campus like DePaul can be especially challenging when student housing is a mix of traditional residence halls and renovated historic apartment buildings. Bringing modern network video technology into 70-year-old brick-faced walkups pushed the ingenuity of the Public Safety Department and Pace Systems to the limit. "We had been using analog cameras tied to DVR technology," explains Bob Wachowski, director of public safety for DePaul University.

"But each unit could only support 16 cameras, which meant we had to install multiple DVRs per building." Wachowski wanted to centralize recording, making it easier to maintain video archive security and add capacity as needed.

The deployment timetable was extremely tight. Pace Systems had only 10 weeks to complete the project – from mid-June when students vacated the residence halls – to the end of August when they returned to campus. With no building blueprints to guide them, integrators relied on DePaul's chief electrician, Marty Murphy, to identify alternate pathways for stringing the Cat6 cable that would power the Axis network cameras. The solution was to use the many existing wireway chases to minimize visible cabling and preserve the aesthetics of the dorm rooms and hallways. Leveraging the PoE feature of the Axis cameras allowed the systems integrator to use the same cable to provide both electricity and network connectivity. This helped to reduce the cost of the installation and simplify implementation.

Keeping a low, yet visible profile
Pace Systems recommended two models of Axis network cameras for the campus: Axis 216FD fixed dome for interior locations and Axis 225FD fixed dome for exterior deployment. "We chose these ruggedized fixed dome models because of their very small footprint," explains Gene Prorwicz, director of special systems at Pace Systems. The Axis cameras allowed the university to maintain the aesthetics of the residence halls and provide a visible, but inconspicuous surveillance presence on campus. "They didn't want the cameras to be intrusive," says Prorwicz. "But they did want the student body and faculty to have a sense of security that someone was watching over them. The point is: you don't want an institute for higher learning to look like a correctional facility."

Wachowski says that the university has been pleased with image quality of these low-profile cameras. "I've been very happy with the clarity of the images from the Axis cameras and the ease of information retrieval provided by the Milestone XProtectR system for investigation."

Though the system has not been in place for long, Wachowski has already noticed a reduction in thefts and vandalism in the residence halls. Balancing bandwidth demands

Because DePaul University chose to stream video back to a central hub instead of putting servers out near the cameras, Pace Systems needed to take care that the surveillance system did not put undue strain on the fiber optic network. Pace Systems set the cameras to transmit at five frames per second at a resolution of 640x480, more than sufficient for forensic investigation. Public safety currently archives 30 days of recordings streamed live from all the network cameras on campus. But as the university continues to grow, Wachowski plans to put smaller servers at secure sites out in the field to store the video and then stream it back to the main recording center at night when there is less demand on the network.

Planning for the future
Wachowski feels the new network surveillance system gives the university more than sufficient room for expansion. As an interim step, the university is attaching its existing analog cameras to Axis video encoders, converting the analog transmission to digital and streaming it over the network. Eventually, Wachowski plans to gradually retire all the analog cameras at Lincoln Park and replace them with IP technology. Once all 60+ buildings on this campus are incorporated into the network, he will begin migrating analog technology at the Loop campus and adding that cluster of buildings to the university's surveillance network.

In addition to replacing the remaining analog cameras on campus, Wachowski is considering a wireless system that will give campus security access to video from their patrol cars. Axis PTZ network cameras are also in the plans to enable security staff to do live monitoring of high traffic areas in and around campus. These cameras will be integrated with Chicago's 911 system so that in an emergency, Chicago police can immediately view the area in question.