In the world of cybersecurity, ethical hacking proactively identifies security vulnerabilities before malicious actors (i.e., unethical hackers) can exploit them. By simulating real-world attacks, organisations can strengthen defences, protect sensitive data, and maintain public trust. In the physical security world, ethical hacking can transform cybersecurity of security systems from a reactive struggle into a strategic safeguard. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: What is the role of ethical hacking as it relates to physical security?

Next-generation (Next-Gen) technologies are products, services, or infrastructures that represent a significant leap forward rather than a small, incremental update. In the physical security industry, NextGen products are those that enable disruptive change, breakthrough performance, and a fundamental change that renders previous products obsolete. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: What is the next generation of physical security solutions, and how will they change the industry?

Emphasising proactive rather than reactive security shifts the focus from dealing with crises and damage control to prevention. Advantages of a proactive approach include cost efficiency, better business continuity, and fewer crises that draw attention away from strategic improvements. Staying ahead of threats is a core mission of the security department, and technology has evolved to enable security professionals to deliver on that mission better than ever. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: How are security systems transitioning from reactive to proactive, and what is the benefit?

Multiple technology trends are transforming the physical access control market. There is a fundamental shift away from physical cards and keys toward digital identities — mobile credentials, digital wallets, biometrics, and cloud-native access platforms. These next generation access solutions are radically reshaping how buildings operate, protect staff, and perform functionally. At the same time, AI and analytics solutions are being layered onto these physical access control systems to support predictive threat detection and behavioural insights. Access data itself is becoming an asset for sustainability, space optimisation, and smart building initiatives. Risk, impact operations and experience The annual HID Global Security and Identity Trends Report highlights these and other issues The annual HID Global Security and Identity Trends Report highlights these and other issues. The survey cites improving user convenience as a priority for nearly half of organisations, while 41% are focused on simplifying administration, and 28% struggle with system integration. These are not theoretical challenges, they are day‑to‑day friction points that add cost, increase risk, impact operations and experience, and, of course, must be addressed. HID Global’s commercial focus HID Global’s commercial focus is to help organisations digitise their access control — with mobile identities, biometrics, and cloud platforms — and then to use the data to deliver more value. “We are turning access control from an operational cost into a software-driven asset that improves efficiency, supports Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals and even creates new revenue opportunities,” says Steven Commander, HID Global’s Head of Consultant Relations. The impact of digital transformation Digital transformation is the method of moving access control from hardware and physical credentials Digital transformation is in the process of moving access control from hardware and physical credentials to a software-driven, integrated experience. The transformation strengthens security while also improving user convenience — transforming the “pavement to the desk” journey. HID enables this shift through mobile credentials, biometrics, cloud-native platforms, and solutions that allow third-party applications to run on door hardware. “This helps customers turn access data into operational and commercial outcomes, while also improving the overall user experience,” says Commander.  Digital transformation in access control is not focused on chasing the latest trends. Rather, transformation is about turning software, data and integration into outcomes that matter to customers, says HID. “Security becomes stronger and more adaptive,” says Commander. “Operations become simpler and more cost‑effective. Experiences become seamless and consistent. Sustainability moves from ambition to action. And the financial case becomes clearer as efficiencies are banked and new value streams emerge.” The challenge of futureproofing with long lifecycles Given that physical security technologies will be in place for 15 to 20 years, it is important to plan for how systems can evolve over time. Considering how rapidly security threats, compliance standards, and user expectations change, 15 to 20 years is a long time. The decisions made at the beginning of a system’s lifecycle can either limit flexibility later (which will be costly) or enable long-term adaptability. Support for open standards such as Open Supervised Device Protocol (OSDP) is therefore important Choosing products and platforms that are open, interoperable, and designed for updates can enable future-proof projects. Support for open standards such as Open Supervised Device Protocol (OSDP) is therefore important.  In addition, systems built on open controller platforms — such as Mercury — enable organisations to switch software providers or expand functionality without replacing core door hardware. Architectural openness is key to system lifecycles and maximising the return on investment (ROI) from a chosen solution. Digital credentials and mobile access Flexibility and upgradeability should also be top of mind when it comes to endpoints like access control readers. While RFID cards are still commonplace, there is a clear trend toward digital credentials and mobile access. Readers that support both allow organisations to transition at their own pace, without committing to a full system overhaul. A long system lifecycle does not mean technology should remain static. Security, particularly cybersecurity, demands more frequent updates. Technologies that support firmware upgrades in the field extend the value of a deployment while helping organisations keep pace with emerging threats. In that sense, lifecycle thinking is not just about longevity — it’s about maintaining resilience and readiness over time. Applying biometrics and mobile identities Biometrics is becoming mainstream as a credential alternative, strengthening security without adding friction Biometrics is becoming mainstream as a credential alternative, strengthening security without adding friction. Many organisations are now deploying biometrics to support fast, seamless access journeys, with adoption already around 39% in access control according to HID’s recent research.  In addition, 80% of organisations surveyed expect to deploy mobile identities within the next five years. Full technology integration enables tap‑to‑access without opening an app; the user journey becomes faster, safer, and more convenient. “It is where the industry is headed and we are at the vanguard of this,” says Commander.    Ongoing challenge of cybersecurity At HID Global, cybersecurity is embedded into everything, from corporate processes and development practices to the solutions they bring to market. “Our approach ensures that customers can strengthen their overall security posture, not only by deploying secure products but by benefitting from HID’s commitment to the highest industry standards,” says Commander. HID holds multiple globally recognised certifications, including ISO 27001, ISO 14298, SOC Type 2 and CSA STAR, which demonstrate their robust information security and cloud security practices. In addition, HID’s SEOS® secure chipset is independently SEAL-certified, providing one of the most advanced levels of protection available on the market today. “Ultimately, this means organisations are not just purchasing isolated secure products; they are implementing solutions developed and delivered within a comprehensive, cybersecure framework,” says Commander. “When deployed according to best practices, HID solutions enable customers to achieve the highest levels of resilience against evolving physical and cyber threats.” Developing green and sustainable solutions A huge amount of waste is generated from the manufacture of plastic RFID access cards Digital credentials align with the sustainable solutions that everyone wants. A huge amount of waste is generated from the manufacture of plastic RFID access cards. Over 550 million access cards are sold annually. This creates 2,700 tons of plastic waste and 11,400 tons of carbon, based on a PVC card weighing 5 grams.  Therefore, digital credentials self-evidently reduce the reliance on plastic cards (helping reduce carbon emissions by up to 75% according to HID’s research), while leveraging access control system data supports energy optimisation by shutting down or reducing systems in unused spaces. Energy use and CO₂ emissions can be cut dramatically, showing how access systems can contribute to sustainability goals and green building certification. What is the latest in smart buildings? Smart buildings increasingly rely on mobile access control as the backbone for digital services. Real-time access data enables new services such as automated room bookings, HVAC control, lift/elevator calling, e-bike hiring, and so on. Smart buildings increasingly rely on mobile access control as the backbone for digital services The financial upside is clear; smart, digitally transformed buildings can deliver around 8% higher yields per square foot versus traditional office space. Operational savings accrue from reduced administration, the removal of card production and shipping, and lighter IT support. This creates a value cycle — better experiences drive adoption, adoption fuels monetisation, and monetisation funds further improvements. Achieving technology impact in the real world One standout project is One Bangkok – a $3.9 billion mixed used development in Thailand – which demonstrates the scale of what can be achieved when access control data is used for optimisation, particularly when it comes to monitoring facilities usage and occupier behaviours. By switching lights off or lowering the temperature in unused rooms, for example, the One Bangkok building demonstrates this potential with a 22% reduction in energy consumption, saving 17,000 MWh and 9,000 tons of CO₂ annually.  Sustainability is a key factor in contributing to how properties are valued. And sustainability extends far beyond digital credentials having a lower environmental impact than plastic cards.  Buildings with recognised sustainability certifications often command rental premiums of around 6%, and three‑quarters of security decision‑makers now consider environmental impact in their procurement assessments.

OpenAI has announced a series of enhanced safety measures designed for under 18’s using ChatGPT to introduce controls that limit how “human” the chatbot can appear amid growing concerns about the use of AI among children. Those with the new teen account can disable voice responses to ensure the tool is understood as AI rather than a person. OpenAI is also introducing reminders for young people to take a break when using the tool to prompt healthier usage patterns. Reinforcing real-world relationships OpenAI has said the update was not triggered by any single incident but the update comes following a wider concern about people believing AI systems to be sentient with the company reinforcing protections that should ‘reflect developmental stage, reinforce real-world relationships and support healthier use over time.’ Teen accounts will become a default for anyone who identifies as under 18 during sign up, as well as for users OpenAI determines to be minors. Children under 13 remain unable to use the product. Heather Barnhart, Senior Digital Forensic Expert at Cellebrite and SANS DFIR Curriculum lead commented: “Technology policy makers are up against what could be the greatest generation in tech. AI adoption is being introduced across all sectors and the children who understand how AI works and how to use it responsibly will be at an advantage as AI increasingly becomes a life skill. With this in mind, regulation should prioritise educating children on how to use it safely and what potential red flags to look out for.” Providing direct answers “Parents, educators and social media companies need to take an active role in guiding children on use. This gets at the larger issue, which is parents having open conversations about the dangers that lurk online - and having concrete guardrails on what their kids are doing and how they’re interacting with technology that is having an active role in shaping every sector. With education and healthy engagement, families can help their children navigate the online world, responsibly and safely.” As part of this, OpenAI is also expanding its Study Mode which was launched last year to help students work through problems without providing direct answers and set specific hours where Study Mode will automatically activate. OpenAI has reported nine out of 10 of its younger users use it to help them with learning.

Managing access control for a single facility is very different from overseeing dozens of locations across multiple regions. As organisations grow, security teams must manage more access requests, frequent role changes, and compliance across multiple sites. At the same time, access control systems are becoming more connected to identity management platforms, business applications, and corporate networks. Access control was once considered primarily a door-management function, it is now closely connected to identity, cybersecurity, compliance, operational technology and enterprise risk. This shift is particularly relevant in the Middle East, where the continued expansion of smart cities, critical infrastructure and large-scale commercial and government environments is creating more connected and complex security operations. Complex security operations Access control systems generate and store sensitive information, connect to enterprise networks, and often integrate with other business systems. Readers, controllers, credentials, and management software are now part of the same risk conversation as endpoints, networks, cloud services, and identity platforms. If compromised or poorly governed, they can create exposure that is both digital and physical. Organisations want greater visibility into system health, stronger oversight of administrative access, and confidence that vulnerabilities can be addressed before they become larger problems. This includes understanding whether communications are encrypted, how users are authenticated, how quickly software updates can be applied and whether policies are consistently enforced across locations. Well-managed environments “As access control becomes more connected to enterprise networks and business applications, it can no longer be managed in isolation from wider cybersecurity and governance strategies,” said Hassan Makki, Area Sales Director at Genetec Inc. “For organisations across the Middle East, consistent policies, shared visibility and closer collaboration between physical security and IT teams will be essential to managing risk as operations continue to grow and become more interconnected.” As organisations expand, governance often becomes more difficult to maintain. New facilities, acquisitions, contractors, temporary workers, and evolving organisational structures can introduce complexity into even the most well-managed environments. Approving access requests Different locations may use different processes for credentialing employees, approving access requests or reviewing permissions. Security teams may also be managing multiple systems while trying to enforce common policies without a complete view of their operations. Without a clear governance framework, inconsistencies begin to accumulate. Employees may retain access for longer than necessary. Access privileges may vary from one location to another, and security teams may struggle to determine which policies should apply at different locations. Access-related decisions As the number of sites and users grows, manual processes become increasingly difficult to sustain, and the likelihood of errors increases. Standardisation therefore becomes essential to scaling access control effectively. Access control becomes harder to manage consistently without accurate information. Yet many organisations struggle to gain a complete view of permissions, credential activity, and security events across all locations and systems. Access to reliable information helps organisations make better decisions and respond more effectively when issues arise. It also supports collaboration between physical security, IT, compliance, and risk management teams that may all have a stake in access-related decisions. For organisations across the Middle East, clear governance, consistent policies and shared visibility will be essential to scaling access control while managing evolving cyber and physical security risks.

Alarm.com, the platform for intelligently connected properties, has announced the appointment of Bert McGaughey as International Business Development Manager. In this role, McGaughey will drive dealer growth and partner development across the United Kingdom, Ireland and South Africa, reporting to Aitor Gauna, Alarm.com European Sales Director, supporting Alarm.com's continued expansion into international markets. McGaughey brings more than 15 years of experience across the security, smart home and connected-technology industries, with a career built on developing dealer and distributor relationships throughout Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Fire alarm signalling systems He joins Alarm.com from EBS Sp. z o.o., where he served as International Sales Manager, managing accounts and business development across Turkey, the UK and Ireland, the Benelux region and Nigeria, with a focus on critical-path intruder and fire alarm signalling systems. Before EBS, McGaughey spent more than four years as Area Manager for SATEL, a European security systems manufacturer, where he built and expanded the company's customer base through sales, technical training and field support across the UK, Ireland, Spain, Portugal and several African markets, including Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa and Tanzania. Earlier in his career, he held supply chain and operations leadership roles with Satel UK and Perfect Integration, a London-based smart home technology integrator recognised with CEDIA awards for Best Multiple Scheme and Best Innovative Solution. AI-powered capabilities The appointment comes as Alarm.com continues to scale its international business. The company's international operations recently surpassed 1 million active subscriber accounts, with international video attachment rates climbing to 33% as Alarm.com expands its residential and commercial offerings internationally. The company has also extended its AI-powered capabilities into new markets, including AI Deterrence with Spanish and French-Canadian language support, and this year launched its Fire Communicator (ADC-FC100), bringing commercial fire alongside intrusion, access control and video onto the Alarm.com for Business platform. Today, Alarm.com's platform powers the backend for roughly 10 million properties worldwide, delivered through a network of thousands of service provider partners. Video attachment rates McGaughey said: “I'm excited to join a platform trusted by millions of home and business owners every day. I'm looking forward to building strong partnerships and unlocking new opportunities for our dealers across the UK, Ireland and South Africa.” McGaughey is based in Poland and will work remotely in support of his international remit.

Brinqa, the pioneer in exposure management for enterprise security teams, announces it has acquired PlexTrac, the trusted platform for offensive security validation, workflow, and reporting. The acquisition adds the ability to verify that remediation has actually worked, uniquely positioning Brinqa to identify and prioritise the exposures that matter most, drive remediation, and prove the fix held, closing the CTEM loop. The acquisition also makes Brinqa the largest standalone vendor in Unified Exposure Management, with over 3,000 customers across 57 countries, including more than 25% of the Fortune 500. Solving exposure management challenges “We've spent over a decade building the platform enterprise security teams trust to prioritise what to fix first,” said Dan Pagel, CEO at Brinqa. “PlexTrac brings real offensive security depth, from practitioners who have spent years proving exactly how attackers get in. Pairing that expertise with our exposure assessment platform gives customers proof they can defend to a board, an auditor, or any AI system acting on that data.” Brinqa has spent more than a decade solving exposure management challenges for the world's largest and most complex organisations, including Nestlé, PhonePe, Cambia Health Solutions, Guidewire, and SAP. That focus paid off in 2025 with 164% year-over-year growth in new bookings, a 32% increase in new-logo average selling price, and inclusion in the inaugural Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Exposure Assessment Platforms. Momentum accelerated further in 2026, with new logo bookings more than doubling year-over-year and existing customers expanding their deployments as Brinqa shipped new AI capabilities, including new MCP interfaces, the AI Attribution Agent, and the AI Deduplication Agent. Robust data foundation The PlexTrac acquisition builds directly on that trajectory, adding the capability enterprise security teams kept asking for: proof that a fix actually worked. Combined with a robust data foundation, MCP, and Bring Your Own AI, customers can connect that same validated exposure data to the AI models and tools they already use, making high-value exposure intelligence available across teams. "Exposure management only matters if teams can prove the fix worked, and that's the gap Brinqa now closes. We've watched this team build category-defining technology, and this acquisition sharpens their lead at a moment when security organisations are demanding validated, AI-ready data," said Thomas Krane, Managing Director at Insight Partners and member of Brinqa's board of directors. Acquisition highlights Brinqa now serves 3,000+ customers across 57 countries, giving PlexTrac's offensive security community direct access to Brinqa's data foundation and AI agents. Brinqa now fully closes the CTEM loop, from discovery and prioritisation through validated proof that a fix worked. The combined company is now the largest standalone vendor in Unified Exposure Management, bringing together two companies independently recognised in the Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Exposure Assessment Platforms. Every confirmed exploit and fix from PlexTrac flows into Brinqa's data layer, strengthening the Cyber Risk Graph and sharpening every AI agent, whether Brinqa's own or one a customer runs via Brinqa’s Bring Your Own AI program. Dan DeCloss, founder and Chief Customer Brand Officer of PlexTrac, joins Brinqa's executive leadership team and board of directors to lead the combined offensive security practice. Pre-remediation testing For Brinqa's customers, it means faster confirmation that a fix worked, and evidence to back up what security teams report to auditors, insurers, and the board. A vulnerability marked “closed” in a ticketing system is a status update. A vulnerability confirmed closed through validated retesting is proof. For PlexTrac's customers, it means pentest teams and workflows now plug directly into a CTEM program instead of sitting next to one. Brinqa's prioritisation engine focuses pentest resources on the exposures that matter most to the business, and validation now covers both ends of remediation: pre-remediation testing to confirm an exposure is exploitable, and post-remediation retesting to confirm the fix held. Security, IT, and offensive security teams work from one prioritised list. Offensive security practitioners The PlexTrac solutions will continue operating as standalone offerings, giving existing customers the same experience they have today, with the option to extend into Brinqa's broader platform as their programs evolve. “PlexTrac was built by offensive security practitioners, for offensive security practitioners, and that's not changing. Joining Brinqa gives our team a bigger platform to prove that hands-on offensive security expertise still matters, even as more of this work gets automated,” said DeCloss. With PlexTrac, Brinqa becomes the operating system for enterprise exposure management: the layer where every decision, every fix, and every proof point comes together. Brinqa was represented by Covington & Burling in the transaction.

ZeroEyes, creators of the pioneer multi-analytics weapons detection and threat intelligence platform, announces that its proactive AI gun detection and intelligent situational awareness software has been deployed by Goessel USD 411 in Kansas to help protect students, staff, and visitors from gun-related threats. Goessel USD 411 is a small rural district serving approximately 285 students and employing 75 faculty and staff members across two campuses -- an elementary school and a combined junior-senior high school. The district is strengthened by a caring and supportive community, engaged families, and a strong school board, all of which contribute to its success and commitment to student well-being. Broader community initiatives The district secured funding through the Kansas Safe and Secure Firearm Detection Grant Program, administered by the Office of the Kansas Attorney General, to purchase and implement ZeroEyes. The grant followed coordination with local law enforcement and community leaders that identified AI gun detection as a key safety priority aligned with broader community initiatives. “I was very impressed by the system’s performance during our calibration process,” said Scott Boden, Superintendent of Goessel USD 411. “The ability to accurately detect and identify a handgun from a distance exceeded our expectations and gave us added confidence in the technology’s role in helping keep our schools safe.” Intelligent situational awareness 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 Center (ZOC), the industry’s only U.S.-based, fully in-house operations center staffed 24/7/365 by specially trained U.S. military and law enforcement veterans. If the threat is determined to be valid, alerts and actionable intelligence — including visual description, gun type, and last known location — are dispatched to law enforcement and school officials, often in a matter of seconds from the moment a gun is detected. Proactive detection technology Goessel USD 411 works in coordination with county law enforcement and surrounding agencies to support school safety efforts. The addition of ZeroEyes enhances this collaboration by providing earlier detection and faster communication, helping bridge the gap created by geographic distance and limited local resources. “Goessel USD 411 is taking an important step in strengthening school safety by implementing proactive detection technology,” said Mike Lahiff, CEO and co-founder of ZeroEyes. “By leveraging grant funding to bring advanced capabilities into a rural environment, the district is demonstrating a strong commitment to protecting its students and staff while preserving the close-knit culture that defines its community.”

Verkada, a pioneer in physical security and operations, announces that the Miami Dolphins and Hard Rock Stadium adopted its platform to enhance fan safety and security. Hard Rock Stadium's new Verkada deployment unifies video security, access control, guest management, intercoms and alarms into a single, cloud-based platform that enables its team to streamline security operations at the scale and speed that the 65,585-seat venue demands. "As a world-class venue hosting global events year-round, we prioritise solutions that align with the scale and pace of our operations," said Sameer Istafa, Chief Technology Officer for the Miami Dolphins and Hard Rock Stadium. "Verkada's unified platform provides a seamless, connected operating environment that supports our focus on delivering a consistent, elevated experience for our fans at every event." Resource-intensive maintenance costs Verkada's unified platform gives Hard Rock Stadium's team: Faster response during high-pressure moments. Activity-based detection and intelligent alerts provide teams with greater visibility into activity across Hard Rock Stadium, enabling faster, more informed responses when needed. Proactive perimeter coverage. Advanced detection tools enable Hard Rock Stadium to take a proactive approach to monitoring the stadium's exterior and surrounding areas, flagging unusual activity before it escalates. Streamlined access across a large campus. Verkada's cloud-managed access credentials replace physical keys and disconnected badge systems. With all door events logged, Verkada's platform can flag anomalies. Flexibility across a wide range of events. In addition to the Miami Dolphins, Hard Rock Stadium hosts college football games, concerts, and other global events – and each event has a different footprint and different security needs. Verkada enables the Hard Rock Stadium team to tailor protocols event-by-event without new infrastructure. Lower infrastructure costs. Moving onto Verkada's cloud-based platform is expected to save Hard Rock Stadium on time- and resource-intensive maintenance costs, with new features delivered automatically through software updates. Insight into operational efficiency. Visual intelligence from Verkada's platform provides insight into occupancy trends that can enable operations teams to reduce bottlenecks and adjust staffing in real-time. World-class experience "Hard Rock Stadium can swing from hundreds of employees and vendors on a weekday to more than 65,000 fans in a matter of hours," said Filip Kaliszan, co-founder and CEO of Verkada. "Verkada is built to handle this kind of complexity, with one unified platform that keeps pace with an operation that never stays still. We're proud to provide solutions that help keep fans, athletes and entertainers who visit Hard Rock Stadium safe – and to give the team behind these legendary events the tools they need to keep delivering a world-class experience." Video security infrastructure Hard Rock Stadium worked with Castaway Technology and Security (CTS) to support its Verkada deployment and implementation across the campus. CTS used Verkada's Command Connector to bring Hard Rock Stadium's existing video security infrastructure into the new platform during the migration period, ensuring a smooth transition and letting security teams work from Verkada's platform from day one. "Hard Rock Stadium is a marquee venue that demands a security infrastructure to match. Our goal was to help them transition to a more agile and integrated ecosystem. With Verkada, we were able to deliver a truly end-to-end solution that eliminates technical friction, allowing the security team to focus entirely on maintaining a safe, premier experience for every fan," said Craig Bruce, co-founder at CTS.

When Brazil’s Taquari River threatens to overflow, the Municipality of Muçum no longer waits and watches—it knows. Using Hikvision’s water-level detection solution, the town gets faster, more accurate insights about the changing water levels in the river. This strengthens emergency responses and helps protect communities across the Taquari Valley. Located in Rio Grande do Sul, the southernmost state of Brazil, the Municipality of Muçum is part of a wider region that has grown up along the Taquari River which runs through this mountainous region. Following relentless rainfall in both 2023 and 2024, the region experienced flooding of historic proportions. The 2024 disaster became the largest natural calamity in the state's recorded history. More than 600,000 people were displaced and infrastructure was damaged across nearly every municipality in the region, according to a report by Médecins Sans Frontières. Extreme weather conditions For the people of Muçum and its neighbouring cities, the focus quickly shifted from reacting to floods to preparing for them more effectively. Previous approaches had relied on manual observation and physical gauges. But such solutions, as they knew only too well, are unable to provide the kind of continuous, integrated, and real-time visibility that is so vital during extreme weather conditions. Instead, they needed to find a more reliable way to monitor river conditions, improve coordination during heavy rainfall, and communicate risks to residents earlier. Specifically, the municipal council of Muçum sought a technology solution that would: Deliver accurate, real-time water-level measurements Maintain operation during severe floods Support automatic alerts and emergency communication Centralise monitoring and historical data analysis Water-level monitoring solution To support these goals, the council worked with system integrator Infosat and distributor Tecline to deploy Hikvision’s intelligent water-level monitoring solution. Hikvision’s 4 MP Water-Level Detection Network Speed Dome (DS-2DF3C400SCG-D/4G/WL40(F1)(LA)) has been installed on a bridge above the river. Combining video imaging and millimetre-wave radar technology in a single device, the solution allows operators to visually monitor river conditions while simultaneously receiving highly accurate water-level measurements in real time. Preparing nearby communities Unlike traditional gauges positioned close to the water, the radar-based system can measure water levels from distances of up to 40 meters. This elevated installation approach helps ensure continuous operation even during major floods, when conventional equipment may become submerged or damaged. The solution’s millimetre-level precision allows emergency teams to detect even small changes in water levels and receive alerts when predefined thresholds are reached. With earlier visibility into changing conditions, emergency teams gain valuable time to evaluate risks, coordinate response actions, and prepare nearby communities. Challenging lighting environments The device delivers 4 MP high-quality imaging, allowing operators to visually confirm river conditions in real time. Its 120 dB WDR (Wide Dynamic Range) technology helps maintain clear images in challenging lighting environments, while the IP67-rated housing supports reliable outdoor performance during harsh weather. The integrated 4G connectivity and low-power design also simplify deployment in critical monitoring locations. To strengthen public communication, the municipality also deployed five Hikvision Network Horn Speakers (DS-QAZ1325G1T) in higher-risk neighbourhoods. Installed in areas where floodwaters can rise quickly, the speakers broadcast evacuation warnings and emergency notifications when necessary, enabling them to reach residents rapidly and directly. Real-time monitoring The entire solution is centrally managed on HikCentral Professional. Through the platform, operators can: Monitor water-level changes in real time Manage alarms and emergency alerts Review live video feeds remotely Access historical statistics for flood analysis and planning Since the deployment, the Municipality of Muçum has reported an 80% increase in the accuracy of water-level information compared with previous manual readings. Real-time monitoring and automated alerts now help emergency teams respond more proactively while improving communication with residents during critical situations. Mateus Giovanoni Trojan, the former Mayor of Muçum, said: “The Hikvision solution brings us more reliable information and enables us to respond faster. Automatic alerts help our emergency teams act earlier and improve safety for the population.” Creating a smarter foundation The benefits also extend beyond Muçum itself. Data collected from the monitoring system helps support neighbouring municipalities across the Taquari Valley, contributing to regional preparedness efforts that affect around 100,000 residents. “For nearby communities like ours, earlier information can make a huge difference,” said Luis Maya, Emergency Coordinator for the Municipality of Lajeado. “It helps emergency teams react faster and keep people safe.” Today, Muçum’s story is no longer only about overcoming floods; it is about building resilience through technology, coordination, and preparedness. By deploying Hikvision’s AIoT (AI-powered Internet of Things) technologies, the municipality has created a smarter foundation for flood response across the Taquari Valley. As climate challenges continue to evolve, Muçum is showing how AIoT technologies can help communities respond earlier, act faster, and face the future with greater confidence.

Gozoki, a French family-owned company and pioneer in the freshly prepared meals market (Maison Briau, Maison Tino and other brands), has taken the step of investing to secure its industrial sites. At its facilities in Agen, the company now benefits from a state-of-the-art video surveillance system deployed by specialist integrator SDP, using Hanwha Vision hardware and software solutions. Production sites in the food manufacturing sector face stringent requirements for security, access control and traceability. Protecting staff, preventing intrusions, monitoring logistics flows and securing sensitive areas all present significant challenges. Present significant challenges As part of its ongoing commitment to improving its infrastructure, Gozoki began modernising its surveillance system in 2025 to enhance reliability, accuracy and responsiveness. “We needed a system capable of operating 24/7 in a demanding environment while delivering outstanding image quality. The Hanwha Vision solution meets these requirements perfectly,” says Nicolas Jeannesson, buildings and energy manager at Gozoki. To deliver the project, Gozoki selected SDP, a company renowned for its expertise in integrating electronic security solutions. SDP carried out the site survey, designed the network architecture, installed the equipment and completed its advanced configuration. The objective was to deliver a robust, scalable solution perfectly suited to the demands of a challenging industrial environment. “Our role is to provide a turnkey solution that is reliable and built to last. Hanwha Vision cameras enable us to deliver high levels of performance while simplifying maintenance,” says Pierre Albanese, managing director of SDP. Video analytics capabilities The cameras SDP and Gozoki chose to install were Hanwha Vision’s, and were selected for their exceptional image quality, even in challenging conditions, thanks to high-resolution sensors and WDR technologies. Advanced video analytics capabilities that enable intrusion detection, intelligent management of sensitive areas, and behavioural analysis, were also key features that Gozoki required. The reliability and durability of Hanwha Vision’s cameras are essential in industrial environments that are subject to fluctuations in temperature, humidity or lighting, such as Gozoki’s sites. Enhanced cybersecurity - a critical factor in preventing the risk of cyber attacks on connected systems - was also a vital element of the project’s requirements. The installed cameras cover all strategic areas, including vehicle entrances, loading bays, storage areas, internal traffic routes and external perimeters. “The integrated video analytics allow us to go far beyond simple monitoring. We now have a decision-support tool capable of anticipating risk situations,” adds Nicolas Jeannesson of Gozoki. Future regulatory requirements With the planned deployment of nearly 200 cameras across multiple sites around Agen, Gozoki now benefits from a modern video surveillance system that supports the company’s growth while meeting current and future regulatory requirements. “This project perfectly illustrates our commitment to supporting our customers over the long term with reliable, scalable technologies,” concludes Pierre Albanese. Together, SDP and Hanwha Vision delivered Gozoki a cohesive, high-performance and scalable solution, providing a clear, centralised view of security across its facilities.