ZBeta Establishes LabZ as a Center of Excellence for Security Innovation, Collaboration, and Testing

ZBeta, a provider of comprehensive physical security consulting services, today announces the launch of LabZ, an innovative program dedicated to driving the future of security technology through rigorous testing, independent evaluation, and continuous improvement. Designed to be a center of collaboration for the security industry, LabZ is an unparalleled resource for the testing of emerging innovations, complex integrations, and system and device convergence.

In the modern landscape, businesses are confronted with growing complexities, shifting risks, and swift changes, all of which demand strategic and robust security programs. The need for comprehensive evaluation and understanding of the diverse solutions that serve as the basis for enterprise security programs has never been more critical. LabZ is designed to help security leaders evaluate and analyze technologies to ensure that they can excel in real-world environments.

LabZ is the key piece of the puzzle in ZBeta's journey from a technology, services, and system design firm to a comprehensive security consulting provider. It is a proving ground for new ideas, a fully equipped, highly resourced environment where ZBeta can test solutions and address complexities before incorporating them into any system design. By continuously innovating, collaborating, and striving for excellence, LabZ also ensures its evaluations evolve with the security landscape.

"LabZ is a center of collaboration where the industry can come together to evaluate challenges and solve problems," said Zack Brunette, CEO, ZBeta. "As a dedicated space for hands-on testing and concept proving, this initiative ensures that the solutions we recommend and that our clients implement are responsive to business needs and risk, aligned with use cases and operations, and fully optimized. LabZ is a space where we will have the freedom and ability to dig deeper, look further, push boundaries, and pursue fundamentally better results."

Located in Chicago, the LabZ facility features a state-of-the-art testing center, meeting rooms, and collaboration areas. This environment serves as a test bed for program goals and evolving client needs, offering multiple engagement avenues for potential clients and industry professionals, and the ability to pilot and demonstrate the integrated solutions that have been fully configured and implemented up to their full potential. It is also a center of collaboration, supporting industry discussions, innovations, and strategy development focused on elevating the role of physical security.

The foundation of LabZ is built on several key pillars:

  • Testing: LabZ performs performance, and function tests on equipment and integrated solutions, documenting and publishing findings for clients and the industry..
  • Research and Analysis: The LabZ team, made up of expert security practitioners and consultants, collects and analyzes system and program data to identify trends, validate costs and benefits, and support internal and client data collection objectives..
  • Solution optimization: Develops research-driven consulting, roadmap development, subject matter expertise, and R&D assistance, along with app configuration and solution optimization..
  • Knowledge Base: The team builds and sustains an extensive, interactive database of security manufacturers, products, and essential features..
  • Industry Collaboration and Thought Leadership: LabZ addresses persistent industry challenges by proposing solutions, questioning assumptions, and issuing constructive challenges.

LabZ provides a comprehensive suite of resources, including in-depth content and publications offering insights and findings, targeted testing with practical solutions, extensive market research and industry guidance, and product alerts highlighting emerging technologies and their value.

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

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area.