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.

Iluminar, Inc., a pioneer in infrared and white light illuminator manufacturing, is alerting organisations to time-limited federal tax credits available for its Power Stack vertical solar poles. These benefits will expire for solar infrastructure builds not concluded by December 31, 2027, giving businesses, schools, non-profits, and municipalities a limited window to capture incentives before the deadline. Under the federal Clean Electricity Investment Credit (26 USC § 48E), Power Stack’s vertical solar poles qualify as an eligible clean energy asset and meet the criteria for a standard 30% baseline credit. That baseline can be stacked with additional credits, bringing the total eligible return on investment up to 70% and transforming a standard security expense into a strategic capital asset. Underground grid infrastructure These federal incentives are accessible to organisations of every kind. Nonprofit organisations can use the Direct Pay provision (26 USC § 6417) to receive the full eligible credit value as a direct cash payment from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Taxable businesses can use the transferability clause under 26 USC § 6418 to sell eligible credits to a third-party taxpayer for cash, converting the credit directly into project value. Many states offer additional incentives that can be layered on top of federal benefits, stretching project budgets even further. The Iluminar Power Stack is also uniquely engineered to help organisations meet the 2027 placed-in-service deadline with minimal disruption. Most poles can be installed in under one hour and raised and serviced by a ground-level crew. This effectively prevents construction delays and eliminates dependence on underground grid infrastructure. Solar battery storage The Power Stack solar poles support Iluminar illuminators, as well as IP cameras, license plate recognition systems, wireless connectivity, access control, and other IoT sensors, with up to five days of dedicated solar battery storage. Each pole delivers uninterrupted power through localised grid failures and severe weather events, protecting organisations from the potential losses that follow security downtime. “The use of clean, reliable energy has historically been the smart choice for ensuring continuous security operations, but these federal incentives make it the smart financial choice too,” said Eddie Reynolds, president and CEO of Iluminar. “We want to make it as easy as possible for organisations to take advantage of these credits while they can.” Solar tax incentives are subject to federal and state law, IRS guidance, and project documentation. Organisations are advised to consult their tax advisor before relying on any credit estimate.

ZeroEyes, creators of the multi-analytics weapons detection and threat intelligence platform, announces changes to its executive team to support the company’s growth and maturation. ZeroEyes will preserve the vision and values established by the founding team while continuing to expand its product line and global footprint. As part of the transition, co-founders Sam Alaimo, Rob Huberty, and Dustin Brooks will move from their day-to-day operating roles into advisory positions on a newly-formed Founders’ Council, where they will continue to help guide the company's long-term strategy. Since founding ZeroEyes, they have played central roles in building the business, developing strong customer relationships, and creating the operational foundation that has driven the company's success. Additional security offerings To support the company's next chapter, co-founder and Chief Product Officer Tim Sulzer will expand his leadership responsibilities to oversee company operations, and VP of Sales JT Wilkins will take on expanded responsibility for the company's sales, marketing, and customer success. Together with the executive team, they will focus on strengthening customer relationships and delivering the expanding portfolio of products and services. ZeroEyes has grown considerably in 2026, expanding from AI gun detection pioneer to the creator of the world’s leading multi-analytics threat intelligence platform, complete with knife detection, real-time threat geolocation, and additional security offerings. The company has also released its ‘anywhere, anytime’ off-network ZeroLink solution, a 3D mapping solution with Ark Strategic, public safety alerts with Samdesk integration, and most recently, the Harborwatch risk-focused membership organisation. “I’ve worked alongside Sam, Rob and Dusty since our military service, and I can’t imagine better partners to have built this company with,” said Mike Lahiff, co-founder and CEO of ZeroEyes. “I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished together, and I look forward to their continued contributions as trusted advisors to the company.”

Saviynt, a provider of identity security solutions, announced significant business momentum, surpassing $300 million in annual recurring revenue while growing bookings by more than 80% and maintaining a 96% customer retention rate. It also launched Zuma, a complete AI identity security platform that provides organisations with an innovative, agile, and effective solution to adopt, deploy, and scale AI solutions. Saviynt’s financial achievements reflect the growing demand for modern identity security, especially with the challenges caused by the rapid utilisation of AI. Saviynt developed Zuma after working closely with some of the world’s pioneer organisations and understanding that AI agents, LLMs, AI-based applications, and non-human identities are multiplying across business functions, yet often without effective oversight. With the launch of Zuma, enterprises can now implement a complete, real-time, intent aware identity security solution purpose built for AI. Identity security equation “AI is fundamentally changing the identity security equation,” said Sachin Nayyar, CEO of Saviynt. “Enterprises are no longer securing only human users. They are now responsible for AI agents and non-human identities that can decide and access systems at machine speed. Saviynt’s momentum reflects the urgency we are seeing from customers around the world, and Zuma represents a major step forward in helping them embrace AI with confidence and control.” “Like many large enterprises, we are looking at how to safely scale AI across the business without losing visibility or control,” said Sarita Dsouza, IAM Leader, Cytiva, a Danaher company. “The challenge is that AI agents and non-human identities don’t fit neatly into legacy identity processes. Saviynt is bringing the right pieces together – discovery, ownership, runtime controls, and governance, in a way that maps to how security teams actually need to manage this risk.” Legacy identity solutions AI moves too rapidly for legacy identity solutions, misapplied cybersecurity applications, and broad IT tools. These infirmities have left enterprises searching for a new approach because the current approaches cannot provide answers to fundamental questions, like: Where are all my AI agents? Who created these agents? What are these agents doing? Who is overseeing the actions of these agents? What control do we have over the data and applications they access? AI-specific capabilities Zuma answers these questions by bringing together new, AI-specific capabilities and existing identity best practices into a single unified control plane made up of Zuma Insights, Zuma Access, and Zuma Governance: Zuma Insights = Visibility into all identities: Zuma Insights continuously discovers AI agents, LLMs, AI-based applications, and non-human identities across the enterprise. It helps organisations understand what these identities access, who owns them, sees lifecycle changes with a clear timeline view, and understand where risk exists before any gaps become business or financial risks. Zuma Access = Protection applied at run-time: Zuma Access evaluates agent intent, context, permissions, and risk at runtime to ensure AI agents are only authorised to perform the actions required for a specific task. It prevents privilege misuse and anomalous activity before it can impact the business. Zuma Governance = Accountability for all identities: Zuma Governance establishes ownership, lifecycle controls, policy guardrails, access reviews, and audit-ready evidence for AI agents and non-human identities. This lets organisations close governance gaps on unmanaged or orphaned agents and ensure AI and non-human identities are held to stronger accountability standards than human identities. “Customers are telling us they need more than another dashboard,” added Nayyar. “They need a control plane that can help them see every AI and non-human identity, govern it with accountability, and protect the business in real time. That is the problem Zuma was built to solve.”

iDenfy, the global identity verification, compliance, and fraud prevention business, announced the launch of its Age Estimation tool integrated into its onboarding software dashboard. This new Age Verification upgrade gives the ability to create, manage, and review age verification sessions on their own, separately from iDenfy’s standard identity verification flow metrics, while still relying on the same level of security. That means iDenfy’s users will now be able to choose an alternative, non-document-based Age Estimation workflow, designed to convert more users while still complying with age check requirements. Age verification workflow Age Estimation is a process that determines whether a user meets a minimum age requirement using a real-time selfie or via an uploaded document with the picture, if that requires a compliance policy, such as iGaming or financial industries. It is also commonly used by platforms that must confirm age eligibility before granting access to certain products or content. Previously, iDenfy’s platform offered an age verification workflow that required the end-user to upload a photo of their government-issued ID document. Now, with the new add-on of Age Estimation, this step can be removed, and the user can only be asked to capture their selfie biometrics. The system then determines the person’s age based on their facial features. Official API documentation Rather than treating age estimation as a feature bundled inside a broader onboarding flow, iDenfy has built it out with its own permission structure, billing model, and API endpoints, so its partners that only need Age Estimation checks are not required to adopt the full identity verification stack to access it. As a result, iDenfy’s users can view a full sessions list, generate tokens, and open a detailed session page from a single, centralised view, all supported by their own custom settings, fully encoded verification URLs, and official API documentation. Configurable age limit When a business enables the age estimation flow, the end user is asked to capture a live selfie, which is compared against a configurable age limit and buffer zone set by the business. It is worth mentioning that iDenfy’s age estimation tool can estimate people’s age within 3 years of gap accuracy, and control the age limit businesses want to provide access to their products. Users who are clearly above the age threshold pass in seconds using only a selfie. On the other hand, users whose estimated age falls near the legal limit are automatically routed to a certified ID document check within the same session, where the date of birth on the document, not the model’s estimate and make the final decision. Personal data businesses iDenfy claims that most young adults who are over 25 are considered easily verifiable. However, many companies have a hard time differentiating 18 to 24 age category. These users often still look young, and their facial features can be shaped by genetics or other external factors that potentially can mislead their verification systems. According to Domantas Ciulde, the CEO of iDenfy, the update reflects a broader pattern the company has noticed among its partners that operate in age-restricted and regulated markets: “Age estimation only works if the people using it can actually see what’s happening inside each session. We improved our product against disguises such as makeup or a moustache to precisely estimate people’s age and brought it into the dashboard with its own sessions list and detail view,” commented Domantas Ciulde. Validated age data reduces the risk of underage access to restricted products, platforms, and content, while limiting how much of the personal data businesses need to collect in the process. Because most users pass on a selfie alone, companies avoid asking their entire user base to submit a government ID just to prove they are old enough. This supports compliance with regulations such as the UK Online Safety Act, the EU Digital Services Act’s age assurance guidance, and GDPR’s data minimisation principle, as well as emerging state-level age verification laws in the United States and Australia’s under-16 social media restrictions. Centralising session creation Because the estimate and the document fallback now run inside the same session and the same dashboard, review and audit work move faster too. Compliance teams can see what was checked without needing to reconcile records across separate tools. “Centralising session creation and results in one dashboard view might sound like a small operational detail, but for partners that run age checks at scale, it removes a lot of manual tracking that used to happen outside our platform,” added Domantas Ciulde, the CEO of iDenfy. The Age Estimation dashboard module is available now to iDenfy partners, who can integrate through API or Dashboard, with 24/7 support available from iDenfy’s team to guarantee a smooth setup without any additional coding.

Viação Santa Brígida partnered with Dahua Technology to improve the safety and efficiency of its bus fleet in São Paulo, Brazil. The integrated solution enables real-time monitoring, reduces blind spots, supports passenger counting and fare-evasion control, and helps operators respond to incidents more effectively. Overview - Viação Santa Brígida is a major operator serving São Paulo with a fleet of more than 650 buses. To improve fleet supervision, passenger and driver safety, and operational visibility, the client partnered with Dahua Technology to deploy an intelligent mobile video surveillance and fleet management solution featuring onboard cameras, passenger counting, vehicle tracking, and centralised real-time monitoring. Potential safety risks Challenges - Managing hundreds of buses operating across a densely populated metropolitan area requires continuous coordination and reliable access to operational information. Viação Santa Brígida needed a more effective way to monitor its vehicles in real time and respond rapidly to incidents. Limited visibility inside and around buses made it difficult for the company to verify events, identify potential safety risks, and support drivers during daily operations. Blind spots around large vehicles also presented a concern, particularly during passenger boarding, manoeuvring, and interactions with pedestrians and other road users. Assessing vehicle occupancy The company additionally needed better tools to address fare evasion and monitor passenger movement. Without centralised and accurate data, assessing vehicle occupancy, reviewing suspicious activity, and identifying possible revenue losses could be time-consuming. Another priority was improving the efficiency of fleet management. Information from individual vehicles had to be consolidated and made readily accessible to the operations team, enabling managers to make faster, better-informed decisions. Centralised management software Solutions - Working with Dahua Technology, Viação Santa Brígida deployed an integrated mobile video surveillance solution combining strategically positioned onboard cameras, intelligent analytics, vehicle information, and centralised management software. Cameras installed inside the buses provide continuous recording and real-time monitoring of passenger areas. This allows the operations team to review incidents, observe passenger movement, and obtain reliable video evidence when necessary. The system also helps identify cases of fare evasion, supporting the protection of company revenue and improving operational control. Passenger-counting capabilities External cameras give drivers a more complete view of the areas surrounding each vehicle. By reducing blind spots, the solution helps drivers see pedestrians, passengers, and other nearby road users more clearly throughout the journey. This is particularly valuable during boarding and disembarking, when people may be positioned close to the vehicle or outside the driver’s direct field of vision. The deployment also incorporates intelligent passenger-counting capabilities. By automatically analysing boarding activity, the system provides more accurate information about passenger volumes, vehicle occupancy, and potential discrepancies associated with revenue collection. Comprehensive view of fleet activity All information is brought together at Viação Santa Brígida’s Integrated Control Center, where operators can monitor the fleet through a video wall and Dahua’s mobile management software. The platform consolidates live and recorded video with vehicle location and operational information, giving the control team a clearer and more comprehensive view of fleet activity. The centralised system also supports the identification and investigation of unusual events. When an incident occurs, operators can access the relevant vehicle information and video footage, helping the company evaluate the situation and take appropriate action more efficiently. Continuous video monitoring Results - Dahua’s integrated mobile video surveillance solution has significantly improved Viação Santa Brígida’s fleet visibility by enabling continuous video monitoring, more accurate passenger counting, stronger fare-evasion control, and faster incident verification. External cameras also reduce blind spots, helping drivers operate more safely during daily journeys and passenger boarding. By centralising video, location, and operational data in the Integrated Control Center, the company can analyse events more quickly and make better-informed decisions. Overall, the collaboration between Viação Santa Brígida and Dahua Technology has delivered a safer, more transparent, and more efficient approach to public transportation management, benefiting the company, its employees, and the thousands of passengers who rely on its services each day. “Today, we can continuously monitor the cameras installed across our buses and provide our managers with more accurate operational information. Dahua’s technology helps us control fare evasion, improve safety for drivers and passengers, and manage our fleet with much greater efficiency and confidence,” says a representative from Viação Santa Brígida.

ZeroEyes, creators of the multi-analytics weapons detection and threat intelligence platform, announces that its AI gun detection and intelligent situational awareness platform has been deployed by Kansas’ Bonner Springs–Edwardsville USD 204 to protect students and faculty against gun-related violence. USD 204 serves more than 2,400 PreK–12 students with 455 staff members across a network of schools in the suburban communities of Kansas City, Bonner Springs, and Edwardsville, including one high school, one middle school, three elementary schools, and two pre-K buildings. ZeroEyes complements the district’s multilayered security plan, which also includes school resource officers (SROs), secured entrances, and close, ongoing collaboration with local law enforcement agencies across all three communities.  Situational awareness platform 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. “Ensuring the safety of our students and staff is at the core of everything we do,” said Lisa Terrell, Director of Education Foundation & Counseling Services. “The deployment of ZeroEyes is a natural extension of our district’s proactive, layered approach to security, enhancing the strong foundation we’ve built through trusted partnerships with local law enforcement, secure facilities, and dedicated personnel.” Digital security cameras 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 operation centre, which is staffed 24/7/365 by specially trained U.S. military and law enforcement veterans. If these experts determine the threat is valid, they dispatch alerts and actionable intelligence — including visual description, gun type, and last known location — to law enforcement and local security teams, often in a matter of seconds from the moment a gun is detected. “Thanks to the Office of the Kansas Attorney General, we can provide an added level of confidence for USD 204’s families and community with ZeroEyes,” said Mike Lahiff, CEO and co-founder of ZeroEyes. “It's great to see the district reinforce its commitment to creating a safe, supportive environment where every student can thrive.”

Athena Security, a physical security and threat detection company specialising in AI-powered weapons detection systems, announced today they are working with MLK Community Healthcare, a non-profit healthcare system in South L.A., to improve security measures at their hospital. MLK Community Healthcare is utilising Athena’s Apollo 500 Weapons Detection System, an Al-driven walk-through concealed weapon detection system designed for busy entrances, such as those at hospitals and healthcare facilities. “Everyone deserves to feel safe going to work every day. Likewise, patients and their loved ones should feel at ease when seeking care at their local healthcare facility," said Lisa Falzone, Athena Security co-founder and president. Threat detection company Lisa Falzone, Athena Security’s co-founder and president, said the device offers peace of mind to healthcare providers and patients alike at a time when violence in hospitals and other healthcare facilities is rising across the country. “Everyone deserves to feel safe going to work every day. Likewise, patients and their loved ones should feel at ease when seeking care at their local healthcare facility,” Falzone said. “By leveraging our expertise in the security space and utilising emerging technology like AI, we’ve created a weapons detection system platform that is potentially saving lives while creating less disruption in the day-to-day activities at healthcare facilities.” Automated weapon detection systems The move comes ahead of a new AB 2975 California law requiring hospitals and certain other healthcare facilities to have automated weapon detection systems at key entrances. “When it came time to comply with California’s AB 2975 workplace violence prevention requirements and implement a weapons detection solution, we conducted an extensive evaluation of the available systems. Athena’s Apollo 500 Healthcare Weapons Detection System stood out as the best overall value, combining effective weapons detection with the operational capabilities and healthcare-focused workflows our hospital needed,” said Trenton Jackson, Director of Public Safety and Support Services at MLK Community Healthcare. Weapons detection platform “Throughout the installation and testing process, Athena has been a responsive collaborator. They’ve worked with us every step of the way to ensure that the weapons detection platform technology works as it should and integrates smoothly into our hospital operations.” Athena Security’s Apollo 500 Weapons Detection System has already been shown to improve security measures at healthcare facilities. A recent case study at an Illinois-based healthcare system found that Athena’s product successfully detected more than 200 weapons at their hospitals in 2025 alone.

Genetec Inc., the global pioneer in enterprise physical security software, announces that SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park have unified their physical security operations using Genetec™ Security Center. Home to the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers, SoFi Stadium is the premier sports and entertainment destination located at Hollywood Park. The stadium has established itself as a world-class venue, hosting record-breaking concerts and global sporting events while consistently ranking among the top venues in the world. Global sporting events To support events of this scale, the organisation standardised on Security Center to unify video surveillance, access control, automatic license plate recognition (ALPR), and other physical security systems in the 3.1 million-square-foot venue and across the 300-acre Hollywood Park development. Operators manage more than 3,000 cameras, 700 readers, and numerous other systems and sensors from three security control rooms, helping teams maintain situational awareness while streamlining day-to-day operations. "Genetec Security Center has improved our response time efficiency by giving us all the information we need in one platform. We’re able to understand what's happening and make decisions quickly," said Nick Bermensolo, Vice President of Security and Safety at SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park. Physical security systems Since deploying Security Center, the SoFi Stadium IT team has a reliable, scalable, and cybersecure platform that runs on an isolated network and connects back to centralised servers. During big events, they support security operations by monitoring system performance from the Network Operations Center, ensuring everything is working as it should. The security team can easily handle daily tasks, while IT keeps systems running smoothly on the backend. "The Genetec team doesn’t just understand physical security systems, but IT systems too. With their help, we’ve been able to deploy a reliable and high-performing security platform at scale," said Paul Maldonado, Vice President of IT Infrastructure and Operations at SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park. AI-based tools Looking ahead, both teams are focused on getting more value out of Security Center, exploring AI-based tools and more automation. They know they have a flexible, scalable platform that can support evolving cybersecurity and network requirements. "Genetec has really helped us establish a technology standard. Security Center is reliable and cybersecure, integrates well with our network, and reduces overhead for both IT and security. That’s the type of technology we want to continue implementing across our business," said Maldonado.