Getting a Security Education at GSX

Getting a Security Education at GSX

Seeing the technology and offerings first-hand was eye-opening at my first conference.

While the GSX conference has gotten smaller each year, my first one was the opposite of uneventful. I spent most of my days in Chicago on the exhibit floor, walking between the companies we covered for our Live From GSX 2019 program. In between stops, I had the chance to visit some of the other exhibitors and learn about their offerings in this rapidly changing industry.

As someone who has only written about security issues from a distance, it was fascinating to see how professionals approached the challenges we write about on a daily basis at Security Today. Among them is the upcoming government ban on federal contractors using Chinese video surveillance technology, which has posed strategic problems for companies large and small. I heard the topic brought up multiple times throughout GSX, and businesses offering video surveillance services are still moving to make sure they can meet the requirements.

In addition, I was eager to see how the cyber and physical security industries interacted at the conference. My main takeaway was that the two sectors are increasingly reliant on each other to ensure services like access control and video surveillance are not vulnerable to cyber threats. 

That’s no surprise — experts have expressed similar views for years. But while there is increasing acknowledgment of this relationship, the two fields still feel a bit disconnected. 

It’s admirable that physical security experts are willing to let cybersecurity pros take over when they’re not confident they can handle a customer’s need. However, there could be potentially negative consequences when people on the physical side don’t know the right questions to ask, or don’t recognize that a solution requires more stringent cybersecurity protection than usual. The same could be said of people on the cyber side who are not aware of how their solutions could be potentially burdensome (financially or otherwise) on consumers, dealers or integrators. 

The best part of conferences like GSX is that they bring people from across this broad industry together to learn about their customer needs, but also the technology and challenges that their competitors are taking on. The education element, even outside of GSX’s speaker sessions, stood out to me — someone who is continuing to learn more about the industry day by day.

About the Author

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

Featured

  • Accelerating a Pathway

    There is a new trend touting the transformational qualities of AI’s ability to deliver actionable data and predictive analysis that in many instances, seems to be a bit of an overpromise. The reality is that very few solutions in the cyber-physical security (CPS) space live up to this high expectation with the one exception being the new generation of Physical Identity and Access Management (PIAM) software – herein recategorized as PIAM+. Read Now

  • Protecting Your Zones

    It is game day. You can feel the crowd’s energy. In the parking lot. At the gate. In the stadium. On the concourse. Fans are eager to party. Food and merchandise vendors ready themselves for the rush. Read Now

  • Street Smarts

    The ongoing acceptance of AI and advanced data analytics has allowed surveillance camera technology to shift from being a tactical tool to a strategic business solution. Combining traditional surveillance technology with AI-based data-driven insights can streamline transportation systems, enhance traffic management, improve situational awareness, optimize resource allocation and streamline emergency response procedures. Read Now

  • The Progress of Biometrics

  • Next-Gen AI for Smart Cities

    The future of smart city technology is not being shaped in Silicon Valley — it is taking root in Dubuque, Iowa. With a population of about 60,000, this mid-sized city has become a live testbed for AI-driven traffic management thanks to a unique public-private collaboration led by Milestone Systems. Project Hafnia demonstrates how cities can transform urban mobility and safety through Responsible Technology—without costly infrastructure overhauls. Read Now

New Products

  • Unified VMS

    AxxonSoft introduces version 2.0 of the Axxon One VMS. The new release features integrations with various physical security systems, making Axxon One a unified VMS. Other enhancements include new AI video analytics and intelligent search functions, hardened cybersecurity, usability and performance improvements, and expanded cloud capabilities

  • Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden Door Controls is pleased to announce that, in response to soaring customer demand, it has expanded its range of ValueWave™ no-touch switches to include a narrow (slimline) version with manual override. This override button is designed to provide additional assurance that the request to exit switch will open a door, even if the no-touch sensor fails to operate. This new slimline switch also features a heavy gauge stainless steel faceplate, a red/green illuminated light ring, and is IP65 rated, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor use as part of an automatic door or access control system. ValueWave™ no-touch switches are designed for easy installation and trouble-free service in high traffic applications. In addition to this narrow version, the CM-221 & CM-222 Series switches are available in a range of other models with single and double gang heavy-gauge stainless steel faceplates and include illuminated light rings.

  • Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden Door Controls has relaunched its CV-7600 card readers in response to growing market demand for a more secure alternative to standard proximity credentials that can be easily cloned. CV-7600 readers support MIFARE DESFire EV1 & EV2 encryption technology credentials, making them virtually clone-proof and highly secure.