INDUSTRY FOCUS

The New Normal, New Technology

I just can’t seem to get my arms around that phrase, “The New Normal.” I’m not sure why it bothers me so much, because how it see it … every day is a new day; every day something new is happening. To me, the new normal sounds like we’re surrendering to a pest.

This industry, security and all its variants, including software has worked through bugs before. With persistence and determination, the industry wins; the pests are defeated. The security industry is no stranger at pushing the envelope. For the most part, I suppose those achievements have been step by step but there have been some quantum leaps.

The point is, security is always moving forward. Technology is evolving at such a rapid pace that it is hard to define where it all started, and if it will ever end. It likely will not.

Within the pages of this magazine, I have been fortunate to publish an article from Dr. Martin Gren. He says, “We are seeing more solutions being designed to serve multiple purposes from safety and security to business operations.” The technology has been in place for years, and the natural evolution tends to offer solutions responding to a crisis. Security technology is being integrated within other technologies to provide security and safety in new ways.

Dr. Gren writes about several forthcoming technologies, or solutions that have been in place being reassigned as a new partner. He writes about driving new approaches to cybersecurity. As the ecosystems continues to expand, so does the threat landscape. With more devices being connected there is an awareness of heightened security measures.

A few of the topics that Dr. Gren tackles are zero-trust networks, layered cybersecurity, and device management and lifecycle management.

In concert with Dr. Gren, Fredrik Nilsson weighs in on resilience in the face of crisis. Now, this is what I like to read about. It is optimistic and deals with the reality we find ourselves today. Nilsson writes about the COVID-19 pandemic and corporate global citizenship. The thought process behind COVID-19 involves the technology of touchless door entry solutions with Apps that can authenticate users and automatically open a door.

Some businesses are already using intelligent IP audio systems, which will relay critical health information to everyone entering a building.

What about Nilsson’s thoughts on corporate global citizenship? I’ll give you a hint of what he is writing about, to include Planet, People and Profit. This is the real new normal. This is where the new normal bumps into technology, in a meeting.

This article originally appeared in the November / December 2020 issue of Security Today.

About the Author

Ralph C. Jensen is the Publisher of Security Today magazine.

Featured

  • Collaboration Made Easy Using a Work Management Platform

    Effective collaboration between security operators, teams and other departments is critical to the smooth functioning of organizations. Yet, as organizations grow in complexity, it becomes more difficult for teams to coordinate with each other. This is compounded by staffing shortages, turnover and ineffective collaboration tools. Read Now

  • Creating a Safer World

    Managing and supporting locks and door hardware within a facility is a big responsibility. A building’s security needs to change over time as occupancy and use demands evolve, which can make it even more challenging. Read Now

  • Creating More Versatility

    Today, AI has become top of mind for most security professionals. It is the topic of conversation in the technology world and continues to transform the way data is used to make important business decisions. Read Now

  • Report: 78 Percent of CISOs Seeing Significant Impact from AI-Powered Cyber Threats

    Darktrace recently unveiled its 2025 State of AI Cybersecurity report. The findings reveal that 78% of Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) surveyed say that AI-powered threats are having a significant impact on their organizations, a 5% increase1 from 2024. While an increasing number of CISOs report feeling a significant impact from AI threats, more than 60% now say that they are adequately prepared to defend against these threats, an increase of nearly 15% year-over-year. However, insufficient AI knowledge and skills and a shortage of personnel and talent continue to be listed as the two top inhibitors to a successful defense. Read Now

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.

  • 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.

  • 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