ERIS, L-3 STRATIS and Virginia Tech Launch Management Initiative

ERIS Technologies, LLC, has entered into a public-private partnership with Virginia Tech and L-3 STRATIS to co-develop an integrated security and incident management center of excellence at Virginia Tech's campus in Blacksburg, Va.

This landmark initiative establishes a new infrastructure for fostering continuous development and advancement in the field of campus and facility security and management. The center will enable Virginia Tech to showcase the partnership's advanced platform that integrates applications for campus security, incident management and response, facility management, energy monitoring, and cyber security.

The platform, as implemented at Virginia Tech, will provide facility managers, emergency personnel, and IT security professionals a fully integrated common operating picture, or "dashboard." The management perspective and control delivered through this dashboard will be complemented and enhanced by Virginia Tech's expertise in security, state-of-the-art building management, and energy management. Overall, the platform will offer users broad situational awareness through its real-time single interface that will display relevant information about critical systems in buildings and campus infrastructures, including extensive tactical information. It will also provide unique views into both two- and three-dimensional information for identity management, access control, geospatial data and sensors integration, building management, energy management, cyber security, and security systems.

"This will firmly position Virginia Tech in the forefront of smart building technology worldwide," said Joseph Boggs, managing member of ERIS. "Additionally, we plan to support the Blacksburg community at large by hiring students and others in the region to be part of the process; we foresee tapping the Virginia Tech campus as a full-scale test and demonstration environment."

Earving Blythe, Virginia Tech's vice president for information technology and chief information officer, said, "This is a rare opportunity for us to explore the integration of our existing processes for communications with our campus safety, incident management, and facility management personnel. The partnership will help us leverage our unique strengths and knowledge of cyber security and advanced computational infrastructures in the new arena of smart building systems integration. Visitors and interested partners are to be welcomed to the demonstration center included in this project."

"We are entering a new era for campus first responders and facility managers, as well as for educational institution administrative leadership," said Les Rose, president of L-3 STRATIS. He continued, "This platform and the partnership developing will help first responders become more effective at saving lives and property, and at protecting the vital infrastructure of our colleges and universities. It will also bring about the genesis of a new model for creating, documenting, and sharing best practices for incident management."

Featured

  • From Surveillance to Intelligence

    Years ago, it would have been significantly more expensive to run an analytic like that — requiring a custom-built solution with burdensome infrastructure demands — but modern edge devices have made it accessible to everyone. It also saves time, which is a critical factor if a missing child is involved. Video compression technology has played a critical role as well. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in video coding standards — including H.263, MPEG formats, and H.264—alongside compression optimization technologies developed by IP video manufacturers to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality. The open-source AV1 codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media—a consortium including Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon and others — is already the preferred decoder for cloud-based applications, and is quickly becoming the standard for video compression of all types. Read Now

  • Cost: Reactive vs. Proactive Security

    Security breaches often happen despite the availability of tools to prevent them. To combat this problem, the industry is shifting from reactive correction to proactive protection. This article will examine why so many security leaders have realized they must “lead before the breach” – not after. Read Now

  • Achieving Clear Audio

    In today’s ever-changing world of security and risk management, effective communication via an intercom and door entry communication system is a critical communication tool to keep a facility’s staff, visitors and vendors safe. Read Now

  • Beyond Apps: Access Control for Today’s Residents

    The modern resident lives in an app-saturated world. From banking to grocery delivery, fitness tracking to ridesharing, nearly every service demands another download. But when it comes to accessing the place you live, most people do not want to clutter their phone with yet another app, especially if its only purpose is to open a door. Read Now

  • Survey: 48 Percent of Worshippers Feel Less Safe Attending In-Person Services

    Almost half (48%) of those who attend religious services say they feel less safe attending in-person due to rising acts of violence at places of worship. In fact, 39% report these safety concerns have led them to change how often they attend in-person services, according to new research from Verkada conducted online by The Harris Poll among 1,123 U.S. adults who attend a religious service or event at least once a month. Read Now

New Products

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis.

  • PE80 Series

    PE80 Series by SARGENT / ED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin

    ASSA ABLOY, a global leader in access solutions, has announced the launch of two next generation exit devices from long-standing leaders in the premium exit device market: the PE80 Series by SARGENT and the PED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin. These new exit devices boast industry-first features that are specifically designed to provide enhanced safety, security and convenience, setting new standards for exit solutions. The SARGENT PE80 and Corbin Russwin PED4000/PED5000 Series exit devices are engineered to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern buildings. Featuring the high strength, security and durability that ASSA ABLOY is known for, the new exit devices deliver several innovative, industry-first features in addition to elegant design finishes for every opening.

  • 4K Video Decoder

    3xLOGIC’s VH-DECODER-4K is perfect for use in organizations of all sizes in diverse vertical sectors such as retail, leisure and hospitality, education and commercial premises.