Yesterday’s Network was a Challenge

Fiber optics makes delivering data much easier, and the network that this information rides on is able to do the job.

Our cover story by James Marcella, director of technical services, Axis Communications, talks about giving your network a workout. His explanation about light passing through fiber makes all the sense in the world. There are many out there who would have you believe that copper wiring is the way to go. I’m sorry, it just isn’t.

Marcella puts it this way, “Copper...needs multiple amplifications to function over long lengths; the light that passes through fiber optic cable doesn’t diminish, even over many miles.”

Marcella talks about the network workout in several different ways, such as supplanting 1080p with 4K, for instance. Yes, 4K technology will surely be gaining momentum during 2015. The 4K experience is highly anticipated, and it will provide unprecedented detail. The workout also includes adding more intelligence to the edge (software) and introducing smart hardware advancements, such as auto rotation and level assistant.

Gaby Friedlander, CTO, ObserveIT, picks up inside the issue with reasons why video surveillance is not enough. The fact is that the real threat lies with users who have access to data. They are the trusted insider. More than 67 percent of data breaches involve stolen credentials in internal sources, remote vendors and other third-party contractors.

He writes that a new breed of security technology has arrived on scene, particularly that of user activity monitoring. This enables companies to track users and understand what they have done on the computer. The key: The solution starts with the user, rather than the infrastructure.

I think you will enjoy this issue of Networking Security, and as always, if you have an idea or would like to contribute your thoughts, please feel free to reach out to me.

This article originally appeared in the November 2014 issue of Security Today.

About the Author

Ralph C. Jensen is the Publisher/Editor in chief of Security Today magazine.

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

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.

  • QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    The latest Qualcomm® Vision Intelligence Platform offers next-generation smart camera IoT solutions to improve safety and security across enterprises, cities and spaces. The Vision Intelligence Platform was expanded in March 2022 with the introduction of the QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC), which delivers superior artificial intelligence (AI) inferencing at the edge.

  • EasyGate SPT and SPD

    EasyGate SPT SPD

    Security solutions do not have to be ordinary, let alone unattractive. Having renewed their best-selling speed gates, Cominfo has once again demonstrated their Art of Security philosophy in practice — and confirmed their position as an industry-leading manufacturers of premium speed gates and turnstiles.