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.

Group-IB, a creator of predictive cybersecurity technologies to investigate, prevent, and fight digital crime, announces the launch of its Purple Teaming service, a collaborative security validation offering that brings offensive and defensive specialists together in real time to test whether an organisation's defences, people, and processes can effectively detect and respond to today's most prevalent attack techniques. Unlike traditional penetration testing, which concludes with a report delivered after the fact, Purple Teaming is a live, feedback-driven process. Group-IB's red team executes adversary scenarios while the client's own defenders monitor, respond, and immediately tune their detection rules and response playbooks, creating a continuous improvement loop within a single engagement. Predictive cybersecurity technologies Every exercise is grounded in Group-IB's Threat Intelligence and mapped to the MITRE ATT&CK® framework. Scenarios are tailored to each client's specific environment and can include ransomware simulations, Active Directory attacks, supply chain compromise, and data exfiltration, all conducted safely, without business disruption. The service is delivered over one to eight weeks and is available on-site, remotely, or in a hybrid format to accommodate organisations of all sizes and operational structures. By closing the distance between a security team's theoretical capabilities and their demonstrated performance under realistic conditions, Purple Teaming addresses one of the most persistent challenges in enterprise security: the gap between investment in tools and platforms and actual operational readiness. Clients leave each engagement with measurably improved detection coverage, updated response procedures, and defenders who have practiced under pressure against adversary behaviour that mirrors real-world campaigns tracked by Group-IB. Adversary intelligence capabilities The service draws directly on Group-IB's adversary intelligence capabilities, which are built on over 1,600 high-tech cybercrime investigations conducted since the company's founding in 2003. This depth of intelligence allows scenarios to reflect the actual techniques, tactics, and procedures of the threat actors most relevant to a client's industry and geography, not generic attack frameworks applied uniformly. “Organisations today face a fundamental accountability question: they have invested heavily in detection and response capabilities, but many have never tested whether those capabilities actually work when it matters,” said Dmitry Volkov, CEO of Group-IB. “Purple Teaming answers that question honestly. It is not a checkbox exercise; it is a structured, intelligence-driven process that reveals exactly where detection fails, where response breaks down, and where training has not kept pace with the threat. The goal is not to expose weakness for its own sake but to convert that knowledge into a measurable improvement in resilience.” Measurable improvement in resilience “The most important thing we bring to a Purple Teaming engagement is not just about our offensive toolkit, but also the intelligence behind every scenario we run. When we simulate a ransomware intrusion or an Active Directory attack, we are not working from generic playbooks,” said Konstantin Damotsev, Global Head of Group-IB’s Red Teaming Practice. “We are replicating the specific behaviour of threat actors Group-IB has tracked, investigated, and attributed across thousands of real incidents. That specificity is what makes the exercise genuinely useful: defenders learn to detect the adversaries that are actually targeting them, not a theoretical composite. The difference shows immediately when a detection rule catches something it has never been tested against before.” Security resilience services Purple Teaming is the latest addition to Group-IB’s portfolio of security resilience services and complements its broader offering across Threat Intelligence, Managed Extended Detection and Response (XDR), and Incident Response. The service is available globally through Group-IB’s network of Digital Crime Resistance Centers across the Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the Americas, and Central Asia.

Incode Technologies launches On-Device Age Estimation, an age check that runs age estimation and liveness detection models right inside the user’s device without their face being transmitted off it. It is the first time Incode’s proprietary models are available fully on device. And it is the first enterprise-ready offering to combine on-device age estimation with the industry’s pioneer deepfake and spoofing defences. More than 30 age assurance laws are now in force worldwide. In the UK, the Online Safety Act’s “highly effective” age check requirement is being enforced, with restrictions on under-16 access to social media planned for spring 2027. Incode is working to close the gap between compliance and user trust: offering an age assurance method that is seamless, inclusive, and built for a stronger standard of privacy. Facial age estimation technology When a user needs to verify their age online, the check happens where the user already is: the camera opens and Incode’s models analyse the face directly on the phone, tablet, or laptop. The face is not transmitted or stored. What travels onward is the outcome - an estimation of the user’s age together with metadata used to detect tampering, such as someone swapping in a fake camera feed or replaying a recorded video instead of a live one. In plain terms: the user proves their age. The face stays on the device. Age checks are rapidly becoming a legal requirement rather than a product choice. Facial age estimation technology has emerged as one of the most accessible ways to meet that requirement - it needs no government ID and no database lookup, which makes it a practical option for many users of various age groups, including those who have no documents to show. Age verification requirement “We have always believed that privacy and fraud prevention are not a tradeoff, but part of the same problem - solved together or not at all,” said Ricardo Amper, Founder and CEO of Incode. “Age checks are becoming law around the world. Our job is to do what we can so that proving your age asks as little of the user as possible.” The age assurance industry’s standard for facial age estimation has been a privacy policy stating that biometric data will be handled with care and deleted after the check happens. On-device age estimation is designed to give users a more privacy-preserving option at the moment they face an age verification requirement. Because the face is analysed on the user’s own device, there is no technical way for Incode or any client platform to access a biometric or face image.

iDenfy, a global RegTech company specialising in identity verification and fraud prevention solutions, has added Handy-Signatur to its electronic identity verification (eID) platform. This new addition brings Austria’s established mobile digital identity and e-signature system into iDenfy’s non-document verification workflow list, allowing more businesses to verify Austrian users through native, user-friendly credentials they already use to access online services without requesting a physical document at the initial point of user onboarding. Mobile identity credentials Austria has a market reach of approximately 9,2 million people, and Handy-Signatur currently serves more than 4 million active users already. Austrian government services, banking platforms, and private sector applications use Handy-Signatur as one of the most established mobile identity credentials in the German-speaking region. iDenfy’s system links users to a mobile authentication flow in which they confirm their identity by using a passcode or a mobile SMS one-time password (OTP). Afterwards, with the qualified-signature-backed identity data, users request their service. For a significant portion of Austrian users, this is the main authentication method they associate with secure online transactions. It is familiar, trusted, and already embedded in how they interact with public and private services digitally. Main authentication method Handy-Signatur is issued by the Austrian government and built on the OIDC standard. For each successful authentication, it also returns a deterministic attribute set of given name and family name information, most importantly, not derived from document photos. Because the credential is government-issued, it falls within the legal framework under which Austria’s overall electronic identity infrastructure has been developed. It is important to note that Austria’s Handy-Signatur certificates are valid for a maximum of 5 years. If Handy-Signatur is not renewed in time, digital services may no longer be available. Renewal is only possible before expiration. If the certificate has already expired, users must reapply in person at a registration authority. Mobile-based authentication Austria is one of the EU member states with the longest track record in electronic identity deployment, having introduced mobile-based authentication for government services in 2011, well ahead of most European markets. The platform has accumulated its user base across years of active use in tax filing, public administration, and regulated private sector onboarding. The eIDAS 2.0 framework (Regulation (EU) 2024/1183) asks for the availability of at least one EU Digital Identity Wallet in all 27 countries by 31 December 2026 and mandates banks, payment institutions, and issuers of electronic money to accept the digital identity credentials as a valid authentication mechanism under SCA. Handy-Signatur, which is an identity managed by the state and backed by a qualified signature, falls within the above-mentioned framework. Electronic ID verification workflow “Handy-Signatur is the credential that carried that infrastructure for more than a decade, and more than 4 million Austrians still use it today. Our clients who serve that market now have a direct path to verify those users through the credentials they already trust, without asking them to switch to other methods or provide a document they may not have on hand,” said Domantas Ciulde, the CEO of iDenfy. iDenfy’s users can configure this new workflow without extra coding or settings changes using its platform. This enables to route users to an electronic ID verification workflow, whether it could be via Handy-Signatur or many other global non-document verification methods that iDenfy’s system supports, all automatically when document capture is unavailable or fails due to image quality or lighting conditions, a scenario that iDenfy’s internal algorithms identify as a recurring source of session drop-off. This approach to a combined flow (both document-based and non-doc digital ID) is available to all iDenfy clients at no additional cost and can be activated through dashboard settings without new integration work. Best customer experience iDenfy’s platform currently covers over 16,000+ government-issued documents across over 200+ countries and territories. Cases that look suspicious are immediately flagged and reviewed by iDenfy’s internal compliance team, which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with no interruptions for weekends or public holidays to maintain the best customer experience. “Handy-Signatur carries qualified-signature-backed identity data, which means that the successful verifications are tied to a government-issued credential, not to a user-entered form or a photography-based surface. For our clients, that distinction translates directly into verification quality for the Austrian market,” added Domantas Ciulde, the CEO of iDenfy. Handy-Signatur support is available now across iDenfy’s identity verification platform.

Keeper Security, the identity security platform for humans, machines and AI agents, announces a major milestone in its journey to become the market standard for AI-native identity security, having reached $225 million in Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR). Since 2021, Keeper's ARR has grown over 3x. Keeper protects over 95,000 organisations, which includes many Fortune 500 enterprises and public sector agencies. The company is quickly emerging as the market standard for AI-native identity security for enterprises globally with its zero-trust and zero-knowledge identity security platform. In 2025, pioneer analyst firm Gartner recognised Keeper as the second-fastest-growing security software competitor globally, second only to Google. Artificial intelligence adoption This recognition underscores Keeper's rapid market expansion in addressing identity security challenges created by cloud transformation and artificial intelligence adoption across enterprise infrastructure and endpoints. This market-pioneer growth is driven by the explosion of identities in the agentic AI age and relentless focus on innovation to protect customers, as evidenced by the release of its unified privileged access management and identity security platform, KeeperPAM®, which protects both human and Non-Human Identities (NHIs), including service accounts, machine identities, databases, AI agents and agentic workloads. Identity security platform Since the launch of KeeperPAM in February 2025, KeeperPAM revenue has exhibited 10x year-over-year growth and Keeper has seen industry-pioneer new customer growth, adding an average of 850 new organisations every month. In the last fifteen months, Keeper added over 400 innovative features and products to KeeperPAM. "Identity is the new security perimeter," said Darren Guccione, CEO and Co-founder of Keeper Security. "As enterprises increasingly deploy AI agents and autonomous systems, the number of privileged identities and machine credentials is growing exponentially. Organisations need a modern, unified platform that secures every identity – human and non-human – and governs every privileged interaction. Our growth reflects the market's demand for a platform purpose-built to address these challenges." Enterprise password management Keeper's cloud-native cybersecurity platform delivers a comprehensive approach to identity security and privileged access management by unifying enterprise password management, secrets management, privileged session management, database management and endpoint privilege management in a single platform. Keeper's AI-native identity security strategy seamlessly extends these capabilities to non-human identities and agentic AI environments, enabling organisations to discover, manage and secure machine credentials and autonomous workloads with the same rigor applied to human users. As enterprises adopt AI technologies at scale, the proliferation of non-human identities is rapidly outpacing that of human identities by 150:1, according to reports, thereby creating new attack surfaces and operational complexity. Keeper's platform helps organisations establish identity-first security strategies that provide security, visibility, governance and least-privilege controls across their entire identity ecosystem. Fastest-growing providers "Autonomous agents, frontier LLMs and machine-to-machine workflows are operating inside enterprise environments right now – without adequate governance, secrets management or access controls," said Craig Lurey, CTO and Co-founder of Keeper Security. "Keeper is purpose-built to solve this problem at scale." The company's continued growth and market recognition reinforce its position as one of the cybersecurity industry's most innovative and fastest-growing providers of AI-native identity security and privileged access management solutions. Keeper's financial profile combines best-in-class growth, profitability and a debt-free capital structure and is an asset positioned to efficiently lead identity security in the agentic AI age. "Surpassing $225 million in ARR confirms what we've heard in every enterprise conversation – that securing non-human identities is the defining security challenge of the AI era," said Darren Guccione, CEO of Keeper Security. "We have established an accelerated path to $1 billion in ARR which, coupled with our technology roadmap, will provide optionality for a public offering."

HID, a pioneer in trusted identity and access control solutions and Kodaa, an Australian digital consultancy, announces that Melbourne’s iconic 101 Collins Street tower is emerging as a live example of how mobile credentials are moving from pilot projects to everyday building operations - with thousands of tenants and visitors now accessing one of the city’s most prestigious commercial towers through their mobile wallet, without the need for a physical card. The Collins Street building is setting a new benchmark for commercial buildings after deploying HID Mobile Access at scale across entry points, elevators, lockers, and end-of-trip facilities. Secure mobile credentials The deployment, delivered by Melbourne-based digital consultancy Kodaa with HID Mobile Access, has been live for nearly a year and is supporting thousands of active users across more than 35 tenancies. Rather than introducing new hardware or layered systems, the integrated solution embeds access directly into the mobile wallet, with HID providing the trusted identity backbone through secure mobile credentials. Steve Katanas, Head of ANZ for HID Physical Access Control Solutions said the shift from plastic cards to mobile credentials is one of the most significant changes the industry has seen in decades. “Through HID’s proven ecosystem of credentials and readers, we enable partners like Kodaa to deliver frictionless, mobile-first experiences at scale,” Katanas said. Combining strong identity “There’s often a perceived trade-off between security and convenience, but mobile access solutions remove that compromise entirely by combining strong identity and device-level security, which sets a new benchmark for workplace access control.” Kodaa founder, Seth Khouri, said the results confirmed the growing demand for mobile wallet access to secure buildings. “A year on, we’re supporting thousands of active users, and the feedback is overwhelmingly positive. People don’t want to go back. Also, the project didn’t require a full infrastructure overhaul. The integrated solution is built to work with existing systems and HID ensures modernisation without disruption, making the transition low risk and the results immediate.” Modernise access control The 101 Collins Street deployment has reshaped the way teams manage access administration, with access requests, approvals, updates, and revocations now handled digitally through a central portal. “As hybrid work continues to influence tenant expectations, office buildings are under increasing pressure to deliver smarter, more seamless experiences from the moment someone arrives. What 101 Collins has shown is that digital credentials can be deployed at scale without disrupting existing infrastructure,” Katanas said. What began as a flagship deployment at one of Australia’s most iconic commercial towers is now being viewed as a model for how HID and its partners can help modernise access control for the next generation of workplaces.

Gunnebo Entrance Control has completed a major entrance control project for ByteDance’s new corporate offices in Dubai Media City and Business Centre, delivering secure and efficient access for one of the world’s pioneer technology companies. ByteDance, the global organisation behind TikTok, Lark and Lemon8, selected Dubai as the base for its Corporate Services head office. The facility supports business functions including security, procurement, EHS and R&D and reflects the company’s long-term investment in the Middle East. Maintaining robust protection With a rapidly growing workforce and constant visitor traffic, ByteDance needed to maintain a secure workplace while ensuring smooth, welcoming operations. Managing access for hundreds of employees and contractors daily, alongside the onboarding of new staff, was critical to preventing unauthorised entry to sensitive areas and systems while maintaining a seamless day-to-day experience across the offices. Gunnebo Entrance Control worked closely with ByteDance’s internal teams to align with both security and operational requirements, ensuring employees and visitors could move efficiently throughout the building without disruption while maintaining robust protection across key areas. High-traffic corporate environments In total, twenty-four SpeedStile FLs MAX gates were installed across the two sites: seven in Media City and seventeen in the Business Centre. The SpeedStile FLs MAX is a premium speed gate designed for high-traffic corporate environments, combining advanced security functions with a sleek, professional appearance. Compact in footprint and highly adaptable, the solution integrates smoothly with third-party access control systems. Intelligent detection technology reduces the risk of tailgating and piggybacking, ensuring only authorised personnel gain entry while preserving a smooth flow for everyday movement. Entrance control solutions Delivering the project required close collaboration with ByteDance’s IT teams and civil contractors to align the solution with building design and operational requirements. The installation was completed in line with the timeline for the launch of ByteDance’s new headquarters and has become a central part of the company’s entrance control strategy in the region. Jacob Touma concluded: “ByteDance is a global brand with demanding requirements for workplace security and employee experience. Their new Dubai offices mark an important hub for the company’s Middle East future, and the SpeedStile FLs MAX delivers the right balance of safety, efficiency and aesthetics, ensuring smooth movement while maintaining robust protection. This project underlines our commitment to supporting world-leading businesses with reliable, effective entrance control solutions.”

Evolv Technologies Holdings, Inc., a security technology company pioneering AI-based solutions designed to create safer experiences, announces that it has agreed to a multi-year renewal of its hardware and software subscription agreement with TD Garden, the 19,000+ seat multipurpose arena in Boston, Massachusetts. TD Garden, home of the NHL’s Boston Bruins and NBA’s Boston Celtics also hosts a full calendar of other sporting events, concerts, and shows annually. Advanced sensor technology The subscription renewal, which extends an original agreement struck in 2024, includes an upgrade of the Evolv Express® concealed weapons screening systems to the company’s Gen2 hardware. Evolv Express uses advanced sensor technology and AI to detect concealed threats and identify the person and location of the potential threat, while allowing people to move through checkpoints at their natural walking pace. The system is designed to screen visitors effectively while helping minimise congestion and disruptions to traffic flow at entry points. Under the new agreement, the Express units, which are deployed at all venue entry points, will be paired with Evolv eXpedite™ bag screening systems. All the new systems are currently deployed and in use at the venue. Minimising congestion and disruptions The renewal also extends the official partnership between Evolv and the arena, under which Evolv has been designated as the “Official Fan Screening Provider of TD Garden.” “TD Garden operates at an exceptionally high volume, often hosting multiple events in a single day, which makes reliable and efficient systems essential to delivering a strong experience for both guests and staff,” said Tim Townsell, SVP of Business Operations at TD Garden. “We value our continued partnership with Evolv and look forward to further enhancing operations with the Gen2 hardware and new eXpedite systems.” Collegiate sports properties “We’re grateful for TD Garden’s continued trust in Evolv to support entry screening operations at such a busy and high-profile venue,” noted John Baier, Evolv’s Vice President of Sports & Entertainment. “As a company, we take pride in serving one of the landmark venues in our hometown of Boston, so we’re especially pleased to continue our partnership with TD Garden for years to come.” Evolv has official partner status with nearly all of the major professional and collegiate sports properties in the Boston market. In addition to TD Garden, the company is a “Proud Partner” of the Boston Red Sox; the “Official Fan Screening Provider” of the New England Patriots, New England Revolution, and Gillette Stadium; and the “Official Fan Screening Partner” of Boston College Athletics. These official partner designations join more than 50 others held by the company, which in total counts nearly 100 sports teams and venues worldwide as customers.

Comelit-PAC has partnered with Optic Fire & Security Solutions to deliver an upgrade to the fire alarm system at Rampworx Skatepark, the UK’s largest indoor extreme sports centre. Established in 1997, Rampworx is one of the UK’s longest-running skateparks and a major community facility in Merseyside. As a registered charity, it supports more than 1,000 young people every week and reinvests all income back into maintaining and developing its skatepark, programmes and retail operations. Multiple interconnected areas With a large and constantly active indoor environment, Rampworx required a fire alarm system capable of delivering consistent coverage across multiple interconnected areas. These included skate zones, spectator spaces, retail units and staff facilities while allowing daily activity to continue without disruption. Says Rachael Robinson at Rampworx Skatepark: “As a busy charity facility with thousands of weekly visitors, it was important for us to work with a company we could trust to guide us through the entire upgrade process for our fire alarm. Optic Fire Safety & Security Solutions understood the requirements and recommended a Comelit-PAC solution. The new system provides confidence and peace of mind, knowing it has been designed around us and the way we operate.” Live operational environment Optic Fire Safety & Security Solutions worked closely with Rampworx to design and install a tailored system using Comelit-PAC fire safety systems, ensuring the solution reflected both the operational demands and the unique layout of the building site. The installation was delivered within a live operational environment, requiring careful planning and coordination to ensure the skatepark remained open throughout much of the works. Optic Fire Safety & Security Solutions phased the installation to minimise disruption to visitors, staff and ongoing activities. Sase Boardman, Director at Optic Fire Safety & Security Solutions added: “Every area of Rampworx presented different considerations from a fire safety perspective. By working closely with the team and technical specialists at Comelit-PAC, we were able to carefully deliver a fire safety system known for its adaptability, reliability, and scalability to provide consistent protection across a complex, multi-use environment.” Fire detection coverage The completed system provides enhanced fire detection coverage across the entire facility, improving response capability and strengthening life safety provision for users, staff and volunteers. Mandy Bowden, Fire Systems Business Manager UK & ROI: “This project was delivered through close collaboration with Optic Fire Safety & Security Solutions and Responsible Persons on site, taking time to understand the specific requirements of the Rampworx environment. By combining this insight, we were able to specify a bespoke fire safety system, enabling a unified detection and control approach across areas with very different occupancy and risk profiles.”