Top Stories


Importance and Need for Certification in SASE Adoption

In today’s dynamic landscape, the evolution of the digital economy serves as a compelling catalyst for organizations to revamp their networks, facilitate remote work, enhance cloud connectivity, reinforce cybersecurity, and maximize productivity. In particular, the shift to cloud computing and remote work has increased the need for secure access for any user from any device and any cloud to network resources.

Survey: 70 Percent of CISOs Feel at Risk for Cyber Attack in Next 12 Months

Proofpoint, Inc., a cybersecurity and compliance company recently released its annual Voice of the CISO report, which explores key challenges, expectations and priorities of chief information security officers (CISOs) worldwide.

SIA Launches New Community for Veterans in Security

The Security Industry Association (SIA) has launched the SIA Veterans in Security Forum, an all-new community focused on the issues and concerns of veterans and active military members who are in, or are interested in joining, the security industry. SIA has appointed Jeff Huggins of ASSA ABLOY Door Security Solutions as chair of the new group.

Leire Arbona Puértolas, Arielle Thomas Chosen as 2024 SIA Industry Advocate Award Honorees

The Security Industry Association (SIA) has recognized two industry leaders – Leire Arbona Puértolas and Arielle Thomas – as the 2024 winners of the SIA Industry Advocate Award. This award is presented to individuals making an extraordinary contribution of professional time, leadership and resources to position SIA and its members to address the public policy challenges impacting the security industry. Arbona Puértolas and Thomas were recognized with the awards at the 2024 SIA GovSummit conference.

Making Safety and Security Intrinsic to School Design

Public anxieties about school safety are escalating across the country. According to a 2023 Gallup report, 44% of parents fear for their child’s physical safety at school, a 10 percentage-point increase since 2019. Unfortunately, these fears are likely to increase if the incidence of school tragedies continues to mount. As a result, school leaders are now charged with two non-negotiable responsibilities. The first, as always, is to ensure kids have what they need to learn, grow, and thrive. Sadly, their second responsibility is to keep the children in their care safe from threats and physical danger.

The Power of a Layered Approach to Safety

In a perfect world, every school would have an unlimited budget to help secure their schools. In reality, schools must prioritize what budget they have while navigating the complexities surrounding school security and lockdown.

How a Security System Can Enhance Arena Safety and the Fan Experience

Ensuring guests have both a memorable experience and a safe one is no small feat for your physical security team. Stadiums, ballparks, arenas, and other large event venues are increasingly leveraging new technologies to transform the fan experience and maintain a high level of security. The goal is to preserve the integrity and excitement of the event while enhancing security and remaining “behind the scenes.”

Survey: C-Suite Cyber Leaders Optimistic about Defenses, but Large Percentage Suffered Recent Cyber Attack

A recent survey conducted by KPMG, the audit, tax, and advisory firm, reveals that despite a growing number of attacks and breaches, C-suite cyber leaders are optimistic about the effectiveness of their defenses. The survey also highlights the growing importance of artificial intelligence (AI) in the fight against cyber threats. According to the survey of 200 C-suite cyber leaders at companies with revenue of $1 billion and above, 40% reported that their company had suffered a recent cyberattack resulting in a security breach, with 38% experiencing one to three attacks.



How Government Agencies Are Utilizing ID Cards To Take Control of Security

It’s a known fact that government agencies across the U.S. require a higher level of security due to the amount of sensitive information they keep on file. They must maintain control over their public facilities and require more stringent security practices than the normal building. With constant risks of attempted forgery and tampering, government agencies must ensure that only authorized personnel have access to public records and their facilities. A great way to take control and bring security to the next level is investing in a fully comprehensive ID card solution. Most agencies today are implementing an ID card policy to help ensure confidential information stays private.

Announcing the Winners of the 2024 Security Technician of the Year Awards

The Foundation for Advancing Security Technology (FAST) is thrilled to announce the winners of the 2024 Security Technician of the Year Awards, now in its second year. This prestigious initiative highlights the critical role that security technicians play within the industry, celebrating their excellence in the meticulous design, installation and maintenance of security systems that safeguard our communities.

The Monitoring Association’s Surveillance and Video Verification Committee Welcomes New Co-Chair

The Monitoring Association (TMA) is pleased to announce that David Charney, chief customer officer (COO), Stealth Monitoring, has accepted the position of co-chair of the TMA Surveillance and Video Verification (SVV) Committee. Charney joins seated Committee Co-Chair Wes Usie, Guardian Alarm Systems.

Elite Interactive Solutions Unveils New Website

Elite Interactive Solutions, a remote video guarding pioneer using proprietary intelligence and integration to achieve proven crime prevention, announces the launching of its new website, eliteisi.com. Several months in the making, the site has been designed with the security end-user customer across a diverse range of vertical markets in mind, highlighting myriad benefits of Elite’s solution and company differentiation in an appealing and user-friendly format.

Protecting Data is Critical

To say that the Internet of Things (IoT) has become a part of everyday life would be a dramatic understatement. At this point, you would be hard-pressed to find an electronic device that is not connected to the internet.

Mobile Access Adoption

Smartphones and other mobile devices have had a profound impact on how the world securely accesses the workplace and its services. The growing adoption of mobile wallets and the new generation of users is compounding this effect.

Changing Mindsets

We have come a long way from the early days of fuzzy analog CCTV systems. During that time, we have had to migrate from analog to digital signals. When IP-based network cameras arrived, they opened a new world of quality and connectivity but also introduced plenty of challenges. Thankfully, network devices today have become smart enough to discover themselves and even self-configure to some degree. While some IT expertise is certainly required, things are much smoother these days. The biggest change is in how fast security cameras and supporting infrastructure are evolving.

Elevating Security

Willis Tower, an iconic symbol in Chicago for more than 50 years, has undergone significant transformations to become a modern workplace and community hub that delivers the best experiences for its tenants, area residents and visitors. Originally known as Sears Tower, it was renamed Willis Tower after a change in ownership in 2009.

Security Industry Association Announces First-Ever Security Industry Community Service Day

The Security Industry Association (SIA) has announced the first-ever Security Industry Community Service Day, an initiative created by the SIA Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Advisory Board to rally the entire security industry to give back and make the world a better place. The 2024 Security Industry Community Service Day and supported by event sponsors ASSA ABLOY and HID – will take place on Friday, June 7, and the event will be held on the first Friday of June each year.

Digital Access in the Workplace

It is simple to set up a unified, robust access control solution for one tenant leasing one building. It is even easier if the tenant owns the property. But what is involved when multiple companies lease space in a building? And what about companies that have multiple buildings in the same city or locations across various regions in the country and the world?

Axis Communications Enhances Presence in Texas with New Dallas Experience Center

Axis Communications celebrated the grand opening of its latest Axis Experience Center (AEC) in Frisco, Texas on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. The new Dallas-area facility replaces the original Irving AEC location with a larger, state-of-the-art facility built to accommodate the need for a greater Axis presence in North Texas, and to better serve customers as the Axis product portfolio expands and its partner ecosystem grows. The space also offers additional meeting space, with plans to expand staffing in the future.

Texas City Replaces Locks on Intelligent Traffic Cabinets With More Secure Option

The Transportation Services and Mobility department for the city of Grand Prairie, Texas recently completed a substantial project to replace the locks on their Intelligent Traffic Cabinets with a better and more secure choice. Turns out what they needed was only a few miles away with ALCEA’s Traffic Cabinet Locking Solution powered by ABLOY technology.

Cloud and Hybrid Adoption on the Rise

The physical security industry is experiencing a time of great transformation. Cloud connectivity is accelerating, and more organizations are choosing to blend on-premises and cloud-based solutions. This transformation is affecting all aspects of security, including access control. In the Genetec annual State of Physical Security Survey, it was access control that topped the list of new technologies end-users planned to focus on in 2024.

Security Industry Association Announces 2024 Winners of the SIA Women in Biometrics Awards

The Security Industry Association (SIA) has named four women biometrics leaders as recipients of the 2024 SIA Women in Biometrics Awards, a globally recognized program presented by SIA with support from sponsor IDEMIA and organizational and media partners AVISIAN, Biometric Update and SIA’s Identity & Biometric Technology Advisory Board and Women in Security Forum.

New Report Says Vulnerability Exploitation Boom Threatens Cybersecurity

Verizon Business recently released the findings of its 17th-annual Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR), which analyzed a record-high 30,458 security incidents and 10,626 confirmed breaches in 2023—a two-fold increase over 2022.

Cybersixgill Unveils Third-Party Intelligence, Exposing Threats to Organizations Stemming from Their Supply Chain

Cybersixgill, the global cyber threat intelligence data provider, broke new ground today by introducing its Third-Party Intelligence module. The new module delivers vendor-specific cybersecurity and threat intelligence to organizations’ security teams, enabling them to continuously monitor and detect risks to their environment arising from third-party suppliers and take preemptive action before an attack executes.

In The Clouds

Video data storage in the cloud was a novel concept when Dean Drako founded Eagle Eye Networks back in 2012. While cloud was being used for almost all other business systems at that time, the physical security industry took a cautious and measured approach to cloud adoption.

Surveillance Cameras Provide Peace of Mind for New Florida Homeowners

Managing a large estate is never easy. Tack on 2 acres of property and keeping track of the comings and goings of family and visitors becomes nearly impossible. Needless to say, the new owner of a $10 million spec home in Florida was eager for a simple way to monitor and manage his 15,000-square-foot residence, 2,800-square-foot clubhouse and expansive outdoor areas.

Maximizing Your Security Budget This Year

7 Ways You Can Secure a High-Traffic Commercial Security Gate  

Your commercial security gate is one of your most powerful tools to keep thieves off your property. Without a security gate, your commercial perimeter security plan is all for nothing.

NAPCO Announces the Promotions of Two New Sales Directors

Napco Security Technologies, Inc., Amityville, NY is pleased to announce the recent promotion of two regional sales managers, to Sales Director, Troy Bonnano, for Napco Security & Fire, and Rob Etmans, for Napco Access Pro divisions, respectively.

Safetrust Delivers First Employee Badge in Apple Wallet via Web Provisioning

In an industry first, Safetrust now provisions employee and visitor badges directly into Apple Wallet via an email link or text message, eliminating the need to download an application. This innovative app-free approach ensures a seamless experience for people requiring access to buildings or enterprise IT systems, whether visitors, contractors, or employees. It enables the deployment of mobile credentials in minutes rather than months.

ZBeta Unveils Comprehensive Engagement Model to Elevate Physical Security Consulting

ZBeta recently announced the launch of its engagement model designed to transform the landscape of security strategy development and implementation. This comprehensive approach extends beyond traditional consultancy services, providing clients with a sustained advisory, advanced technology and system design, and ongoing operational support.

Featured

  • Teaching Old Dogs, New Tricks

    After more than 30 years in the security integration business, today’s video surveillance systems are certainly not the same CCTV systems I sold and installed when I first started hanging cameras. Back in the day, there were only a handful of companies out there and one that started with a “P” stood above the rest. If you were fortunate enough to get invited to travel on their private jet out to California to tour the factory, it was a real honor. I have a picture somewhere in my garage collecting dust, of me sitting in the co-pilot seat. I know, old-man highlights, but still very cool. Read Now

  • Learning to be a Strategic Skeptic: Promoting Critical Thinking, Digital Literacy

  • Why Communication is Key in an Emergency

    During an emergency, communication with the outside world can be a critical component when it comes to response time and saving lives. Emergency communications typically consist of alerts and warnings; directives about evacuating the premises; information about response status, and other matters that can impact response and recovery. Read Now

  • Trust But Verify

    Today’s world is built on software—whether it is third-party applications, open-source libraries, in-house developed tools, operating systems, containers or firmware. Organizations worldwide depend on these diverse software components to power their operations, connect with customers, and drive innovation. However, this reliance on software comes with hidden dangers: the blind trust placed in these software products. Many companies assume that the software they purchase, and use is secure and free from vulnerabilities, but recent high-profile software supply chain breaches have proven otherwise. The reality is that every piece of software, no matter how reputable the source, increases the organization’s attack surface and poses new risks. Read Now

Webinars

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 3

  • 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. 3

  • 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. 3