Learning What Drives the Security Industry Forward at GSX

Learning What Drives the Security Industry Forward at GSX

Security providers large and small are exploring how they can make cloud-based systems functional and secure at the same time.

  • By Haley Samsel
  • Sep 10, 2019

Since it’s my first time attending GSX, I have made it my mission to pay close attention to common characteristics among the companies exhibiting in Chicago’s McCormick Center. I consistently ask myself: What challenges are security companies responding to? How can they (or can’t they) overcome those issues with the latest technology?

One trend on display at GSX is the growing popularity of cloud-based systems, which aim to offer customers the ability to access video surveillance footage, camera configurations and more from their devices at any time. Security providers large and small are exploring how they can make cloud-based systems functional and secure at the same time -- which, as we know, is easier said than done.

ABP Technology, a Dallas-based company, is a key example of how the security industry is changing to meet consumer demands without sacrificing its values of protecting cybersecurity. Robert Messer, the founder and CEO of ABP Tech, told me that his company’s AlarmReady system is the first video verification alarm system that works with any alarm system to provide an immediate video stream to a user’s device of choice as soon as an alarm is detected.

Messer sees ABP’s newly announced distribution of the system in the U.S., starting with MOBOTIX IP Cameras, as a game changer in how consumers and security integrators respond to alarms within their facilities. The AlarmReady system has been in the works for the better part of a decade and will soon be compatible with other camera systems, he said.

Messer’s key point to me was this: As Ring home surveillance systems become commonplace and homeowners become accustomed to having video footage at their fingertips, they will want the same functionality in the workplace. Business leaders will want to easily respond to alarms from home, and without having to connect to an office system through a VPN.

It sounds simple enough, but so far companies have been reluctant to tackle the issue because of cybersecurity concerns. Messer says that part of ABP’s job is to provide cybersecurity protection for their customers as part of the service, not as an afterthought.

Listening to Messer talk about ABP’s latest release made me realize how close the industry is to truly becoming cloud-based, and what that could potentially mean for consumers and businesses alike. AlarmReady may be the first of its kind in cloud-based video verification, but it doesn’t look like it will be the last.

About the Author

Haley Samsel is an Associate Content Editor for the Infrastructure Solutions Group at 1105 Media.

Featured

  • Security Industry Association Announces the 2026 Security Megatrends

    The Security Industry Association (SIA) has identified and forecasted the 2026 Security Megatrends, which form the basis of SIA’s signature annual Security Megatrends report defining the top 10 factors influencing both near- and long-term change in the global security industry. Read Now

  • The Future of Access Control: Cloud-Based Solutions for Safer Workplaces

    Access controls have revolutionized the way we protect our people, assets and operations. Gone are the days of cumbersome keychains and the security liabilities they introduced, but it’s a mistake to think that their evolution has reached its peak. Read Now

  • A Look at AI

    Large language models (LLMs) have taken the world by storm. Within months of OpenAI launching its AI chatbot, ChatGPT, it amassed more than 100 million users, making it the fastest-growing consumer application in history. Read Now

  • First, Do No Harm: Responsibly Applying Artificial Intelligence

    It was 2022 when early LLMs (Large Language Models) brought the term “AI” into mainstream public consciousness and since then, we’ve seen security corporations and integrators attempt to develop their solutions and sales pitches around the biggest tech boom of the 21st century. However, not all “artificial intelligence” is equally suitable for security applications, and it’s essential for end users to remain vigilant in understanding how their solutions are utilizing AI. Read Now

  • Improve Incident Response With Intelligent Cloud Video Surveillance

    Video surveillance is a vital part of business security, helping institutions protect against everyday threats for increased employee, customer, and student safety. However, many outdated surveillance solutions lack the ability to offer immediate insights into critical incidents. This slows down investigations and limits how effectively teams can respond to situations, creating greater risks for the organization. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • Mobile Safe Shield

    Mobile Safe Shield

    SafeWood Designs, Inc., a manufacturer of patented bullet resistant products, is excited to announce the launch of the Mobile Safe Shield. The Mobile Safe Shield is a moveable bullet resistant shield that provides protection in the event of an assailant and supplies cover in the event of an active shooter. With a heavy-duty steel frame, quality castor wheels, and bullet resistant core, the Mobile Safe Shield is a perfect addition to any guard station, security desks, courthouses, police stations, schools, office spaces and more. The Mobile Safe Shield is incredibly customizable. Bullet resistant materials are available in UL 752 Levels 1 through 8 and include glass, white board, tack board, veneer, and plastic laminate. Flexibility in bullet resistant materials allows for the Mobile Safe Shield to blend more with current interior décor for a seamless design aesthetic. Optional custom paint colors are also available for the steel frame.

  • 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.

  • 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.