Genetec’s Omnicast Certified As Approved Product For U.S. Homeland Security
Genetec, announced recently that its video surveillance system, Omnicast, has received both a designation as a Qualified Anti-Terrorism Technology and certification as an Approved Product for Homeland Security from the United States Department of Homeland Security.
Both the designation and the certification were granted under the Support Anti-terrorism by Fostering Effective Technologies Act of 2002 (SAFETY Act), which is intended to facilitate the development and deployment of anti-terrorism technologies by creating systems of risk management and litigation management.
Designation of Omnicast as a Qualified Anti-Terrorism Technology provides Genetec with limited liability for third-party claims arising out of the deployment of Omnicast with respect to an Act of Terrorism, as well as immunity from punitive damages. More importantly, this designation effectively protects all Genetec partners and persons in the manufacturing and distribution chains as Genetec becomes the sole liable entity for third-party injuries with respect to Omnicast in the case of an Act of Terrorism.
Certification as an “Approved Product for Homeland Security” is the highest level of distinction and provides some additional protections. To date, Omnicast is the only video management system with this certification and listed under DHS’ approved product list.
Unlike a sole designation which states proven effectiveness, certification as an “Approved Product for Homeland Security” means that Omnicast shows consistently proven effectiveness (with high confidence of enduring effectiveness). The Secretary of Homeland Security has conducted a comprehensive review of the design of Omnicast and determined that it will perform as intended, conforms to Genetec’s specifications, and is safe for use as intended.
Specifically, Omnicast was examined and certified based on the following criteria: consistent positive results; reliability and availability is high; performs in accordance with performance specifications; installation, use, maintenance procedures proven; documented processes are being followed; standards are identified and met; and, quality assurance processes are effective.
As part of the certification process, DHS also collected feedback from numerous existing Omnicast customers who use and rely on Genetec’s video surveillance system daily.
“Omnicast was one of the first IP video surveillance systems released more than 10 years ago, and now, the first to be recognized as an “Approved Product for Homeland Security””, said Alain Côté, executive vice president at Genetec. “We could not be more proud of this accomplishment and recognize that this provides benefits beyond our organization. This certification benefits all of our partners who continually support us in the development of our security technology, as well as in the growth of our organization.”