Emerging Technologies


Envisioning What Might Be Ahead in 2020

Envisioning What Might Be Ahead in 2020

You have probably heard the old adage, “Hindsight is always 20/20.” Looking forward though, our vision is not nearly as clear.

Capitol Hill at sunset

New Bill Would Require Federal Law Enforcement To Obtain Warrant Before Using Facial Recognition

The bipartisan legislation would prevent “abuse” of the surveillance tool by federal authorities, according to Sens. Chris Coons and Mike Lee.

Cory Booker

Booker Introduces Legislation to Ban Facial Recognition From Federal Public Housing

The senator and presidential candidate says that the technology needs “better safeguards” before it is deployed in housing.

ACLU logo

ACLU Sues Justice Department, FBI For Records Showing Agencies’ Use of Facial Recognition Software

The ACLU’s lawsuit is the most recent development in a growing debate over regulation of facial recognition use by law enforcement.

casino machines

Major Casino Game Company Will Add Facial Recognition Software to Machines, Adding Security Capabilities

Konami plans to roll out facial recognition software on its machines in the next six to nine months.

cars in traffic

Axon Brings License Plate Recognition Technology, and Self-Regulation, To Police Dash Cameras

Alongside its announcement about adding ALPR to its cameras, Axon’s independent ethics board issued a report calling for government and industry regulation of the technology.

NYC City Hall

New York City Considers Legislation To Regulate Facial Recognition Use By Businesses, Property Owners

Lawmakers in the city are not advocating outright bans, but say that regulation is necessary to know how police and business owners are using the software.

Outback Steakhouse

New Computer Vision Program Being Tested at Outback Steakhouse Location

As restaurants find new ways to measure employee performance and increase customer satisfaction, security companies like Presto Vision are offering artificial intelligence as the solution.



police officer on motorcycle

Berkeley Becomes Fourth U.S. City to Ban Police Use of Facial Recognition

Two other California cities have already adopted similar policies, and the state has also passed a ban on facial recognition in police body cameras.

Facial Recognition Database Facing Potential Legal Action For Using Photos, Many of Children, Without Permission

Facial Recognition Database Facing Potential Legal Action For Using Photos, Many of Children, Without Permission

The massive MegaFace dataset may have violated the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act, a 2008 law that protects residents from using facial scans without their permission.

California Becomes Third State to Ban Facial Recognition Software in Police Body Cameras

California Becomes Third State to Ban Facial Recognition Software in Police Body Cameras

The measure, which will last until at least 2023, does not ban police from using facial recognition in other types of cameras.

The Mighty PoE

In today’s IP-centric world, media converters work on lots of different types of media. The three that this article discusses are fiber optic media converters, extended distance media converters, and wireless media converters, all of which are transmitting an Ethernet signal

camera with facial recognition software

Security Industry, Police Groups Urge Congress Not to Ban Facial Recognition Technology

A coalition sent a letter to Congress asking members to consider alternatives to banning facial recognition, including the development of best practices and additional training.

Smart City Technologies

Smart City Technologies

Two of the biggest trends today, particularly in the security surveillance and IoT realms, are border security and the emergence of local governments transforming their communities into smart cities.

AI Beyond the Hype

AI Beyond the Hype

Today, there are in-depth discussions about what ‘might be’ possible with AI, machine and deep learning-based analytics products on the market.

 Activists Protest Rollout of ‘Smart Streetlamps’ Across San Diego Due to Surveillance Concerns

Activists Protest Rollout of ‘Smart Streetlamps’ Across San Diego Due to Surveillance Concerns

The mayor says that the only people who should be concerned about the video-enabled streetlamps are people committing “violent crimes on a street corner in full public view.”

Music Festivals Facing Pressure to Ban Facial Recognition From Venues

Music Festivals Facing Pressure to Ban Facial Recognition From Venues

Several festivals, including Bonnaroo and Austin City Limits, have said publicly that they are not currently using facial recognition at their events.

Board Approves Detroit Police

Board Approves Detroit Police's Limited Use of Facial Recognition Software

Detroit police will continue to use the software to identify violent crime suspects but are prohibited from using it on live or recorded video.

California Legislature Votes to Ban Facial Recognition in Police Body Cameras

California Legislature Votes to Ban Facial Recognition in Police Body Cameras

While the bill would ban facial recognition software from body cameras, law enforcement are not banned from using it in other cameras.

facial recognition woman

Survey: Americans Trust Law Enforcement More Than Private Companies To Use Facial Recognition ‘Responsibly’

Fifty-six of American adults say they trust law enforcement agencies to use the tech responsibly, but attitudes varied widely across demographic groups.

Featured

  • The Evolution of IP Camera Intelligence

    As the 30th anniversary of the IP camera approaches in 2026, it is worth reflecting on how far we have come. The first network camera, launched in 1996, delivered one frame every 17 seconds—not impressive by today’s standards, but groundbreaking at the time. It did something that no analog system could: transmit video over a standard IP network. Read Now

  • From Surveillance to Intelligence

    Years ago, it would have been significantly more expensive to run an analytic like that — requiring a custom-built solution with burdensome infrastructure demands — but modern edge devices have made it accessible to everyone. It also saves time, which is a critical factor if a missing child is involved. Video compression technology has played a critical role as well. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in video coding standards — including H.263, MPEG formats, and H.264—alongside compression optimization technologies developed by IP video manufacturers to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality. The open-source AV1 codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media—a consortium including Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon and others — is already the preferred decoder for cloud-based applications, and is quickly becoming the standard for video compression of all types. Read Now

  • Cost: Reactive vs. Proactive Security

    Security breaches often happen despite the availability of tools to prevent them. To combat this problem, the industry is shifting from reactive correction to proactive protection. This article will examine why so many security leaders have realized they must “lead before the breach” – not after. Read Now

  • Achieving Clear Audio

    In today’s ever-changing world of security and risk management, effective communication via an intercom and door entry communication system is a critical communication tool to keep a facility’s staff, visitors and vendors safe. Read Now

  • Beyond Apps: Access Control for Today’s Residents

    The modern resident lives in an app-saturated world. From banking to grocery delivery, fitness tracking to ridesharing, nearly every service demands another download. But when it comes to accessing the place you live, most people do not want to clutter their phone with yet another app, especially if its only purpose is to open a door. Read Now

New Products

  • HD2055 Modular Barricade

    Delta Scientific’s electric HD2055 modular shallow foundation barricade is tested to ASTM M50/P1 with negative penetration from the vehicle upon impact. With a shallow foundation of only 24 inches, the HD2055 can be installed without worrying about buried power lines and other below grade obstructions. The modular make-up of the barrier also allows you to cover wider roadways by adding additional modules to the system. The HD2055 boasts an Emergency Fast Operation of 1.5 seconds giving the guard ample time to deploy under a high threat situation.

  • 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

  • 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.