An attention-grabbing exhibit at GSX 2024 in Orlando involved a robot dog that could open a door.  Boston Dynamics robot dog ASSA ABLOY impressed attendees with the robotics demonstration, featuring the Boston Dynamics robot dog that could open a door using either an HID credential or a mechanical grip. This innovation represents a shift toward more autonomous security solutions and is suitable for environments where human access may be limited. ASSA ABLOY impressed attendees with the Boston Dynamics robot dog Operational efficiency Eye-catching exhibits at the GSX in Orlando, showcasing the future of security technology It was one of many eye-catching exhibits at the GSX in Orlando, showcasing the future of security technology, and offering practical solutions to the industry's challenges.  For security professionals, the advancements presented opportunities to enhance operational efficiency and to maintain a proactive stance in a rapidly evolving market.  Control ID face identification Alongside their robot demonstration, ASSA ABLOY also highlighted the Control ID Face Identification.  Access Controller, providing advanced facial recognition access control. From identity management to AI-driven surveillance systems, GSX 2024 offered a glimpse into the tools that can streamline processes, increase security, and reduce costs. Here are some other highlights. ASSA ABLOY also highlighted the Control ID Face Identification More integration with critical infrastructure  A major theme at GSX 2024 was the increasing integration of security solutions with critical infrastructure. ALCEA (formerly ASSA ABLOY Critical Infrastructure) is an example. Their globalised software solution ALWIN is designed for managing access control, visitor management, and other security factors across multiple locations. ALCEA's approach involves not only internal collaborations within ASSA ABLOY but also partnerships with external organisations. An example of innovation is the Neenah Foundry lockable manhole cover, blending safety and security. Solving identity management challenges  The solution simplifies onboarding and access request changes while ensuring compliance with policies Identity management continues to be a key focus in the security sector, and AMAG Technology addresses this need with its Symmetry Connect product. The solution simplifies onboarding and access request changes while ensuring compliance with policies. For professionals overseeing identity access management, Symmetry Connect provides a streamlined, automated approach, reducing human error and increasing operational efficiency. AMAG also sees a growing demand for efficient visitor management systems, especially in the post-COVID landscape. AMAG’s products cater to the need for enhanced security without overburdening staff.  AI and cloud-based surveillance solutions  Axis Communications highlighted its advancements in AI and cloud-based video management systems with its AXIS Camera Station Edge and Pro products. These solutions can connect seamlessly to cloud systems, providing security professionals with easy access to surveillance data anywhere. With the increasing need for centralised management, Axis’s offerings ensure that security teams can efficiently manage surveillance with minimal infrastructure. Axis also showcased its commitment to AI-driven analytics based on superior video quality. There were also networked audio solutions for public announcements and background music, among other uses. Body-worn cameras for corporate and school uses  Traditionally focused on law enforcement, Axon is now expanding its body-worn cameras and TASER technology into corporate and school security environments. Their Axon Body Workforce camera is a practical solution for protecting frontline workers in high-risk environments.  Axon also introduced drone-based solutions for real-time aerial awareness Axon also introduced drone-based solutions for real-time aerial awareness, a significant benefit for large campuses or remote locations. As more industries adopt corporate surveillance systems, Axon’s offerings provide flexible, scalable solutions that address the need for real-time, actionable intelligence.  Cloud-based access for smart buildings  Brivo’s native cloud systems and flexible credentials offer practical, future-proof security options Brivo showcased how cloud technology is revolutionising access control by offering systems that integrate seamlessly with other smart building platforms. Their open API approach enables collaboration with IT teams, bridging the gap between physical security and IT management. Brivo’s new partnership with Comcast Smart Solutions illustrates how large enterprises can implement advanced solutions, including access control while maintaining flexibility. For professionals managing complex building environments, Brivo’s native cloud systems and flexible credentials offer practical, future-proof security options.  AI-powered multi-sensor camera  Hanwha focused on an AI-powered multi-sensor camera, equipped with an NVIDIA processor capable of running complex analytics. In addition, Hanwha’s new AI camera technology can process multiple video streams simultaneously, either stream from its sensors or outside cameras, enabling better tracking of objects in complex environments. Their eight-channel AI Box, which converts legacy cameras into AI-enabled devices, is an attractive solution for professionals seeking to upgrade existing systems without the need for complete overhauls. For security teams looking to enhance situational awareness, Hanwha’s AI-based offerings provide advanced, scalable solutions.  Workflow management and hybrid cloud security  Genetec continued the theme of integrated solutions with their Operations Centre module for Security Centre, which consolidates work management into a single platform. Built on lean management principles, this system simplifies workflow for security professionals, promoting real-time collaboration across mobile and web platforms. As the industry shifts from on-premises systems to hybrid cloud solutions, Genetec’s products provide seamless transitions for organisations. Their new SaaS Security Centre also allows for natural language video searches in multiple languages, making it easier for global teams to manage operations across locations.  Simplifying remote surveillance  The company’s focus on scalability and efficiency is demonstrated by the “Eagle Eye Complete” subscription service Eagle Eye Networks showcased their continued international expansion, highlighting a new data centre opening in Saudi Arabia and new hiring initiatives in Australia and Europe. Their “Eagle Eye Anywhere” solar-powered camera system exemplifies the move towards flexible, easy-to-install solutions that can be deployed in remote locations. Integrators benefit from simplified maintenance through remote management, reducing the need for on-site support and ensuring operational continuity. The company’s focus on scalability and efficiency, as demonstrated by the “Eagle Eye Complete” subscription service, reflects the broader industry’s shift toward managed security services.  Tailored solutions for commercial clients  Everon continues its transition away from its former identity as ADT Commercial. Claiming the status of a competitive commercial integrator, Everon is reinventing itself by offering customised billing and monitoring solutions for a range of industries. Their cloud-based business intelligence platform, which combines video surveillance with data analysis, is aimed at enhancing operational awareness by detecting anomalies such as OSHA violations or retail point-of-sale exceptions. With AI-driven dashboards, clients can customise their security solutions to meet specific needs, reflecting a growing demand for tailored, data-driven security applications.  Innovation through cloud and mobile LenelS2 is part of Honeywell, and they emphasised their investment in cloud and mobile solutions at GSX 2024. Their "Enterprise OnGuard Cloud" platform, launched in June 2024, is a testament to the growing demand for cloud-enabled access control systems. With the addition of NFC-enabled Blue Diamond credentials, LenelS2 is pushing towards smarter, more secure mobile access options. The strategic combination of Lenel’s solutions with Honeywell’s infrastructure offers users enhanced engineering capabilities and global reach. This reflects a broader market trend of integrating mobile devices into physical security protocols.  Bringing AI to everyday security LPR system, combined with their Searchlight Cloud Analytics, offers a powerful tool for identifying security risks March Networks highlighted their new AI-driven smart search feature, designed to help security teams quickly detect operational anomalies in retail and financial environments. From identifying misplaced cash in quick-service restaurants (QSRs) to detecting "jackpotting" attacks on ATMs, their solution highlights the increasing importance of AI in enhancing both security and operational efficiency. Their Licence Plate Recognition (LPR) system, combined with their Searchlight Cloud Analytics, offers a powerful tool for identifying and responding to security risks in real-time, emphasising the practicality of AI in daily security operations.  Driving sustainability in security  Securitas showcased its commitment to sustainability, a growing concern for businesses across all industries. By providing CO2 data for clients and promoting digital tools like mobile credentials, Securitas is leading the charge in creating greener, more sustainable security solutions. Their focus on remote services and occupancy insights offers companies a way to reduce their environmental impact while enhancing security operations. The company’s alignment with science-based targets and circular economy practices signifies the increasing role sustainability will play in the security sector.  Future lies in integration  The GSX 2024 trade show revealed that the future of security lies in intelligent integration, AI-driven analytics, and cloud-based management systems. The innovations presented will help security professionals streamline their operations, enhance situational awareness, and future-proof their systems. As these technologies continue to evolve, professionals must stay informed about the latest advancements to maintain a competitive edge in the security marketplace. GSX was a great place to start. At the end of the day at GSX, it wasn’t just the robot dog that was opening doors …. to the future of security systems. {##Poll1727925373 - Of the important factors highlighted at GSX 2024, which do you consider most when adopting new security solutions?##}

The most common wearable device deployed by security professionals is the body-worn camera. Traditionally used by law enforcement professionals, these devices are finding more and more uses in the corporate security world, and even impacting issues such as customer service. However, the term “wearables” also encompasses a range of other devices, including many worn by consumers. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: How are wearable technologies impacting the security market?

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

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

Permiso, the pioneer in real-time identity security, released SkyScalpel, an open-source tool that helps both offensive and defensive security professionals understand how policies could be obfuscated by threat actors in order to go undetected in an environment. JSON-based policies in cloud environments, particularly in AWS, dictate what resources users and systems can access and the actions they can perform. However, these policies can be susceptible to obfuscation—a technique where bad actors manipulate the policy’s syntax and semantics to hide their true intentions. This makes it difficult for security teams to detect and prevent unauthorised access effectively. Obfuscation techniques Some obfuscation methods are detectable in runtime events during yield but sanitised upon storage Obfuscation of cloud policies, remote administration command scripts and various permissions parameters are an often-overlooked attack vector with implications at several stages of the detection engineering pipeline.  Threat actors can utilise obfuscation in their policies such that "Allow" becomes "Al\u006Cow" and "iam:PassRole" becomes "iam:P*ole.” Some obfuscation techniques are detectable in runtime events during creation but silently sanitised upon storage and/or later retrieval by corresponding APIs.  Obfuscation scenarios  Other techniques persist into the storage of created entities (e.g., IAM policies). These obfuscation scenarios can evade string-based detections, break policy rendering pages in Management Consoles, and even selectively overwrite policy contents of an attacker's choosing based on the defender's viewing method. Additionally, we identified subtle differences between official cloud provider tooling (CLI, SDKs, Management Console) that further facilitate and complicate the generation and detection of these obfuscation scenarios. Cloud environments SkyScalpel addresses this issue by providing a robust solution for scanning, analysing SkyScalpel addresses this issue by providing a robust solution for scanning, analysing, and normalising obfuscated policies. It ensures that security teams can quickly identify and rectify policies that may compromise the security of their cloud environments.  Given a policy containing some obfuscation, the custom tokeniser parses and decodes the syntactical obfuscation techniques - enabling access to the underlying values while still preserving the original values for comparison (or reassembly of the original input policy). Obfuscated JSON documents “SkyScalpel will help teams detect obfuscated JSON documents, with additional rules and de-obfuscation capabilities targeting numerous syntactical and logical evasions that affect IAM policies (and the plethora of runtime events that contain policy statements),” said Permiso Principal Threat Researcher Daniel Bohannon.  “Attackers employing these obfuscation techniques can quite effectively evade traditional string-based detections, with some techniques persisting after JSON deserialisation." Azure and AWS environments Bohannon added: "SkyScalpel also includes a full obfuscation suite of functions so red teams can automate the multi-layer obfuscation of any input JSON document with additional obfuscation techniques applied to IAM policies to more thoroughly test an organisation’s defences against such evasion techniques.” Permiso has launched several other open-source tools within the past year, including CloudGrappler, which helps security teams quickly detect threat actors in their Azure and AWS environments, as well as YetiHunter, a tool that combines several Indicators of compromise in Snowflake environments.

DigiCert, a pioneering global provider of digital trust, announced the appointment of Lakshmi Hanspal as Chief Trust Officer. Hanspal, a seasoned cybersecurity pioneer, will play a pivotal role in advancing DigiCert’s commitment to providing world-class digital trust solutions. Hanspal will be based in the company’s Sunnyvale office and report directly to DigiCert Chief Executive Officer Amit Sinha. She most recently served as Global Chief Information Security Officer for Amazon Devices and Services. Prior roles of Lakshmi  In that role, she led security strategy and operations for some of the world’s most widely used connected devices. Prior to Amazon, she held senior leadership positions as Chief Security Officer at Box and SAP Ariba, as well as security leadership roles at the Bank of America and PayPal. "Lakshmi is an exceptionally experienced pioneer with a strong track record for building and pioneering trust initiatives,” said Sinha. “She will be a great addition to our team and will help further strengthen our position as the clear pioneer in digital trust.” Digital trust and cybersecurity Hanspal is a recognised advocate for digital trust and cybersecurity Hanspal is a recognised advocate for digital trust and cybersecurity. She has served as a strategic advisor and board member for several organisations, helping shape security standards and governance frameworks that prioritise trust.  At DigiCert, she will oversee efforts to strengthen trust strategies, including digital identity, public key infrastructure (PKI), and secure communications for a rapidly evolving digital landscape. Cybersecurity and operations “I am thrilled to join DigiCert, a company at the forefront of building the infrastructure for digital trust,” said Hanspal. “I particularly look forward to applying my experience in cybersecurity and operations to help our customers protect their digital way of life.” Hanspal holds a master’s degree in computer science and is an active voice in the cybersecurity community, often speaking about the importance of trust, diversity, and innovation in the field.

In response to significant international growth, barox Kommunikation AG, the global manufacturer of professional standard switches, PoE media converters and IP extenders, continue to reinforce their advanced technical development and global client support, with the appointment of Jeneeben Jesujeevagan, as Head of Engineering. Based from the company’s headquarters in Switzerland, Jeneeben will head the technical development of the barox range and champion the company’s technology partner integrations, harnessing barox’s capabilities to deliver ‘Switches made for video’ and specifically, advanced integrated diagnostic tools and features to support integrators and end-users. Complex network configurations Jeneeben was liable for defining standards, network analysis and the design of network designs Other responsibilities include managing the global technical support teams and further expanding the company’s training programme for international markets, in particular the UK. Jeneeben brings a wealth of experience to his new role, including technical expertise gained at his previous position at global automotive components supplier, Faurecia Autositze GmbH. Here, Jeneeben was responsible for defining standards, network analysis and the design of complex network configurations. Advancement of barox technology “I’m really looking forward to making a start on the continued technical advancement of barox technology to support general and high-security video surveillance applications, such as those suitable for public space, transportation hubs, distribution centres, arenas, CNI, prisons and shopping malls,” says Jeneeben. “Drawing on my extensive technical development experience and in combination with the advancement of the barox switch range’s powerful feature set and built-in cyber security – my focus will be to sustain and further develop barox as an industry pioneer at the forefront of technical development. I am also looking forward to meeting and engaging with barox’s international clientele, as part of our new training initiative." Technical product development “We are delighted to welcome Jeneeben to the barox team,” says Rudolf Rohr, barox Co-founder & Managing partner. “This new appointment underlines our continued commitment to research, development, support and training where we constantly endeavour to drive technical product development and expertise across the industry." "With a Head of Engineering the calibre of Jeneeben, we’ll be able to ensure the development of our range and technical prowess continues to rise exponentially to the benefit of our customers across the globe.”

Entrust, a global pioneer in trusted payments, identities, and data security, announced it has been positioned by Gartner in the Leaders’ Quadrant for the inaugural Gartner Magic Quadrant for Identity Verification (IDV). The Magic Quadrant evaluated vendors across the identity verification market and recognised Entrust as a Leader. This recognition comes after the acquisition of Onfido earlier this year.  Gartner Magic Quadrant The Gartner Magic Quadrant for IDV evaluates vendors on their ‘Ability to Execute’ and ‘Completeness of Vision’. According to Gartner, vendors recognised as Leaders "demonstrate a superior vision that goes beyond simply doing more of the same at a larger scale. They also demonstrate strong execution to bring that vision to fruition. They anticipate IDV requirements and in some ways help shape the market.” The threat of identity-based attacks is increasing in sophistication and scale, enabled by emerging tools such as generative AI and deepfake technology. Entrust’s IDV solutions IDV solution uses a highly intuitive no-code workflow editor that makes it easy for clients Entrust’s IDV solutions empower businesses across industries such as financial services, governments, and workforce enterprises, with a unified AI-powered platform that addresses fraud threats, enables regulatory compliance, and improves customer conversion at scale.  The IDV solution uses a highly intuitive no-code workflow editor that makes it easy for customers to adapt the solution to their unique needs. With trusted, real identity at the centre, organisations can secure the full customer lifecycle from day one to ongoing customer interactions with an identity-centric security approach.  Innovative digital services Tony Ball, President, Payments & Identity at Entrust, said: “We believe this recognition demonstrates our commitment to protecting people from malicious cyber-criminals, while allowing businesses to deliver innovative digital services." "With Onfido embedded into the Entrust portfolio, we now have market-pioneering digital identity verification capabilities, all powered by AI. Digital identity is the key that unlocks online experiences for everyone." Entrust Onfido IDV solution Ball added: "We’re making it the focus of our continued investment in security, accessibility and user experience - both for organisations using Entrust and the consumers engaging with online products and services.” Recently, the Entrust Onfido IDV solution received recognition in 62 of G2’s Summer 2024 Market Reports, earning 13 pioneer badges in categories including identity verification, fraud detection and anti-money laundering.

The office of the Additional Director General of Police (ADG) and Inspector General (IG) of Prisons oversees the management and security of all prisons in the Indian state. This includes ensuring the safety of prison facilities, implementing rehabilitation programs for inmates, and managing prison staff.  Creating a fair environment The ADG and  IG focus on improving prison conditions and ensuring legal standards are met. Their goal is to create a secure and fair environment, balancing safety with efforts to reform and rehabilitate prisoners for their eventual return to society.  Scenario The need for a robust solution became clear after issues like hidden illegal items and unmonitored inmate movements The absence of a security video surveillance system created critical security blind spots, making it difficult to monitor key areas effectively. The need for a robust solution became clear after issues like hidden illegal items and unmonitored inmate movements posed significant risks to prison security.  New security video surveillance system To comply with government regulations, the new security video surveillance system had to adhere to stringent standards established by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). This included specific sections detailing the specifications for camera performance and image quality and covering safety guidelines for IT equipment. The system required STQC certification to meet high security and data privacy standards, crucial for government installations. OWASP ASVS 4.0 L2 standards Additionally, it needed to comply with OWASP ASVS 4.0 L2 standards to ensure robust cybersecurity, safeguarding against common vulnerabilities. High-resolution cameras were essential for clear image capture, and tamper-proof storage was required to securely retain footage for 30 to 90 days. The system also had to align with the National Cyber Security Policy to protect sensitive data from cyber threats. Compliance with these standards was vital for maintaining security and operational integrity within the prison.  Challenges Due to the absence of a security video surveillance system, the Prison Department faced numerous challenges such as:  Struggled to monitor blind spots in the prison yard where fights and disputes frequently occurred.  ​Detecting the smuggling of drugs and mobile phones during visitations was nearly impossible with manual checks alone.  ​Staff couldn’t always be present to monitor isolated areas like back rooms, corridors, and staircases, leading to security gaps.  ​Identifying the individuals involved in riots or brawls was difficult due to the lack of visual evidence. ​ Inmate escape attempts often went unnoticed until too late, especially during night shifts.  ​Ensuring round-the-clock monitoring of high-risk zones like solitary confinement was a constant challenge.  ​Coordinating emergency responses, such as medical help during violent outbreaks, was delayed without instant visual updates.  Matrix solution Matrix security video surveillance systems comprising Matrix Network Cameras and NVRs were installed across four prisons statewide, providing robust security for over 10,000 inmates.  Matrix PTZ Cameras were deployed in larger spaces like the prison yard, where they could pan, tilt, and zoom to follow suspicious activities or fights, providing dynamic coverage and ensuring swift responses to incidents.  Mini Dome Cameras were placed inside cells and common areas to provide constant, wide-angle surveillance, keeping tabs on inmate behaviour and reducing the chances of fights or smuggling illegal items. These cameras were also installed in cafeterias and recreation areas to monitor inmate interactions. Mini Bullet Cameras were installed in corridors and cellblock hallways to keep a close eye on inmate movement, ensuring no blind spots in these high-traffic zones. They were also installed in less-visited areas like storage rooms and staff offices to prevent unauthorised access and maintain control.  Project Bullet Cameras were mounted along the prison yard and perimeter walls, providing long-range surveillance to prevent escape attempts and monitor outdoor activity. They were also installed at entry and exit points to keep tabs on everyone going in and out, securing access to the facility.  24x7 real-time monitoring All Matrix Network Cameras were centrally monitored with Matrix 64 Channel NVRs All Matrix Network Cameras were centrally monitored with Matrix 64 Channel NVRs. This setup enabled 24x7 real-time monitoring, recording, and playback of video from different areas of the prison, ensuring complete coverage and prompt incident response.  Similarly, the prison departments in three other cities of the state were also secured with Matrix Network Cameras and NVRs.   Products offered Matrix MIDR20FL36CWS P2 (800+): 2MP IR Mini Dome Camera with 3.6 mm Fixed Lens   Matrix MIBR20FL36CWS P2 (600+): 2MP IR Mini Bullet Camera with 3.6 mm Fixed Lens   Matrix CIBR20FL36CWS P2 (800+): 2MP IR Project Bullet Camera with 3.6 mm Fixed Lens   Matrix PZCR20ML25CWP P2 (70+): 2MP IR PTZ Camera with 25x Optical Zoom  Matrix NVR6408X P2 (40+): 64 Channel NVR with 8 SATA Ports   Solution diagram Benefits They ensured round-the-clock surveillance of high-risk zones, such as solitary confinement and cell blocks The installation of the Matrix security video surveillance system effectively eliminated critical security blind spots in the prison yard, reducing the risk of fights and disturbances. They ensured round-the-clock surveillance of high-risk zones, such as solitary confinement and cell blocks, preventing inmate escapes and unauthorised movements.  Centralised monitoring Matrix security video surveillance systems enabled accurate monitoring during visitations, significantly enhancing the detection of smuggling attempts for drugs and mobile phones.  Centralised monitoring via the 64-Channel NVR allowed for quick identification and response to disturbances, ensuring timely intervention during riots or medical emergencies. Regulation safety and data privacy High-resolution camera footage provided reliable documentation of inmate interactions and incidents, supporting investigations and enhancing overall prison security management. Matrix security video surveillance system meets BIS and STQC standards, ensuring compliance with government regulations for safety and data privacy. It also complies with OWASP ASVS 4.0 L2 standards, enhancing data security and protecting against cyber threats.

As a provider of future-oriented business education, The Camp sought an access control solution as forward-thinking as their courses. Their campus site near Aix-en-Provence is diverse, with offices, event spaces, kitchens and two accommodation blocks totalling 170 units. The Camp must remain open around the clock, all week, while maintaining security for staff and visitors. Aperio wireless locks Meeting rooms, server rooms, living spaces and kitchens are secured with Aperio wireless locks Aperio provided locking devices tailored to every door type — interior and exterior. So far, The Camp has integrated 221 Aperio Wireless Escutcheons, 42 Aperio Wireless Cylinders and 10 Aperio Wireless Handles within a TIL Technologies security system. Integrated online with the central system and controlled from the same interface, these Aperio devices effortlessly handle daily staff traffic of around 250 people. Meeting rooms, server rooms, living spaces and kitchens are secured with Aperio wireless locks. Aperio visitor access system Up to 2,000 external visitors arrive on-site when The Camp stages an event — and each must also have credentials issued and access filtered through the site. Aperio makes it straightforward to enable visitor access. “Many credentials get lost and Aperio enables us to handle this efficiently,” says Benjamin Ciotto, Head of Information Technology at The Camp. A few clicks are all it takes to cancel a lost key card and issue a replacement. Real-time and future-proofed Security staff at The Camp ensure only authorised users enter offices where expensive video projectors and screens are stored. Their TIL integration enables real-time management of the whole site, with specific profiles created to segment individuals who need fine-grained access to specific areas. “Online mode is very important because (access) rights are very often updated for the constantly shifting campus population,” explains Benjamin Ciotto, adding “We can also program access to defined time slots, which is essential when we welcome 200 people for an all-day meeting, for example.” Aperio product ecosystem’s performance Aperio product ecosystem’s sustainability performance also fits The Camp’s ethos Aperio technology also met The Camp’s need for an aesthetically pleasing, wireless solution. They did not want to compromise their interior or exterior design. The Aperio product ecosystem’s sustainability performance also fits The Camp’s ethos.  Because Aperio devices are wireless and battery-powered, they are much more energy efficient than traditional wired locking systems, which require an “always-on” mains connection. Multiple Aperio devices Multiple Aperio devices have independently assessed Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs). These detail the footprint of each device through its full life cycle, from production to disposal. “Aperio is a real comfort of use,” Benjamin Ciotto concludes. “And we handle the easy maintenance for ourselves.”

World Trade Centre (WTC) Amsterdam is home to more than 300 companies. The commitment of its security team to providing a safe working environment in WTC’s fixed and flexible offices goes without saying. However, building managers wanted more from their access solution. More than just an office space, WTC Amsterdam has complementary onsite facilities, including childcare, a gym, physiotherapy clinic, bar/café, dry cleaning service and more. All its facilities must be cleaned and serviced regularly: they sought a more time-efficient way to manage the many contractors and suppliers who come and go every day. Modern digital solution Modern digital solution would provide better oversight of movement around the building They also hoped a modern digital solution would provide better oversight of movement around the building, including usage data to improve maintenance scheduling.  For convenience during installation and day-to-day management they targeted a wire-free solution – for simpler, less disruptive switching of 1,000 doors from mechanical locks to digital access – and intuitive management, allowing for easy changing of individual access authorisations, even at the last minute. Digital access system With all these criteria in mind, WTC Amsterdam managers decided on ASSA ABLOY’s smart key digital access system, eCLIQ. They upgraded doors from mechanical to digital access simply by swapping the existing cylinder for an eCLIQ device. Doors are unlocked by battery-powered user smart keys, with a typical battery lifespan of 10 years. “Providing these doors with wired access control would be a huge job and become costly. Instead, we opted for the eCLIQ solution,” explains Sander Borggreve, Facility Manager at WTC Amsterdam. Concrete improvements in operations Scheduling is further simplified by storing keys with a Traka key management system The ROI in terms of workflow benefits has been significant. “Granting temporary controlled access to third parties is very easy with the eCLIQ system. We can set access for a certain period of time, but we can also revoke it at any time,” says Sander. Scheduling is further simplified by storing keys with a Traka key management system. After removing a key from the cabinet, authorised team members enter it into the adjacent eCLIQ Wall Programming Device. In seconds, the key is issued with its fine-grained access rights – covering both door-by-door and time validity. Maintenance and operations With the eCLIQ system, WTC Amsterdam gained not only control but also insights into usage and user flows. This data now informs maintenance and operations, reducing the overall Total Cost of Ownership for the solution. “eCLIQ works very pleasantly in practice. My employees are very satisfied with how the keys work,” says Rutger Barendse of D&B The Facility Group, who provide security staff for WTC Amsterdam. “It is easy as pie!” adds Sander.

ZeroEyes, the creators of the only AI-based gun detection video analytics platform that holds the full US Department of Homeland Security SAFETY Act Designation, announced that its proactive gun detection and intelligent situational awareness solution has been deployed by Susquenita School District of Perry County, Pennsylvania, to protect students and staff from gun-related violence. Located in Duncannon, the Susquenita School District comprises an elementary, middle, and high school, located on an 85-acre campus just off the Appalachian Trail. It educates approximately 1800 students from Marysville, Duncannon, and other townships each year. Robust security infrastructure According to the Gun Violence Research Centre, 60.6% of the Pennsylvania K-12 gun violence incidents analysed occurred outside the school. ZeroEyes adds a layer of interior and exterior detection to the district's robust security infrastructure that also includes a visitor management system, surveillance systems, controlled access points, and emergency protocols like threat assessment teams as well as relocation and reunification plans. “A safe environment promotes excellence by reducing distractions and fostering an atmosphere conducive to learning, creativity, and personal growth while cultivating a sense of trust and belonging within the school community,” said Dr. Jon-David Fox, Superintendent of Susquenita School District. Digital security cameras ZeroEyes’ AI gun detection and intelligent situational awareness software layers onto digital security cameras Fox added: “ZeroEyes is an impressive combination of AI and human expertise that will help protect students and staff from gun-related threats on our campus.” ZeroEyes’ AI gun detection and intelligent situational awareness software layers onto existing digital security cameras. If a gun is identified, images are instantly shared with the ZeroEyes Operations Centre (ZOC), staffed 24/7/365 by specially trained U.S. military and law enforcement veterans. AI gun detection technology If these experts determine that the threat is valid, they dispatch alerts and actionable intelligence — including visual description, gun type, and last known location — to local law enforcement and the district's school resource officers as quickly as three to five seconds from detection. “I commend Susquenita School District for their focus on security and safety, investing in the future of their students,” said Mike Lahiff, CEO and co-founder of ZeroEyes. “By adopting our proactive AI gun detection technology, the district has taken a significant step towards creating a secure learning environment for its students and staff.”