Top Stories


Snap One to Display Solutions from Clare, Control4 and More at ISC West

Snap One, a manufacturer and distributor of smart-living technology for professionals and consumers, will demonstrate a range of products and solutions designed to help Partners build stronger businesses, elevate customer satisfaction, and transform the industry at ISC West 2024 Booth #10053.

Reflections of My 28th ISC West Experience

As the security industry's pinnacle event, ISC West continues to draw seasoned professionals, eager newcomers and curious innovators. Among them stands a figure whose presence has become synonymous with both the event and the industry's evolution—the veteran editor, now embarks on year 28 to the heart of innovation and security.

A Biometric Revolution

In an era where technological advancements redefine the way we live and work, the transition from classic credentials to biometric authentication stands out as a pivotal shift in the realm of security. Nearly gone are the days of traditional badges and access cards; instead, our own unique biological markers are taking center stage, offering a more secure and seamless authentication experience.



PSIA Approves PDKC Over ODSP Specification

The Physical Security Interoperability Alliance (PSIA) today announced its Public Key Open Credential (PKOC) specification has expanded to support Open Supervised Device Protocol (OSDP). The new specification, PKOC over OSDP version 1.63, was unanimously ratified by the PSIA Board on March 22. It demonstrates how the ecosystem for PKOC, an open and freely available specification, can be extended to support a range of access control use cases.

Solving Loitering and Open Access Challenges

Loitering is generally not considered a crime with few instances of arrests reported nationally, but it is becoming an increasing problem for a multitude of reasons. One being the use of private spaces such as public-faced restrooms for drug use, other forms of illicit behavior, or as safe havens where homeless individuals are seeking shelter and protection from the elements. In any case, the misuse and prolonged occupancy of publicly accessible spaces prevents them from being accessed for their intended purposes by legitimate users.

ProdataKey Software Platform Introduces Built-In Integrations with Leading Camera Manufacturers

ProdataKey (PDK), manufacturer of cloud access control platform built for mobile, now gives PDK.io system users access to immediate, turnkey integrations with cameras from five manufacturers from within its settings interface: Digital Watchdog, Hanwha Wisenet Wave, NX Witness, Turing, and Spot AI.

Shaping the Use of Technology

In the ever-evolving healthcare landscape, hospitals are increasingly turning to video technology for a range of critical applications that extend far beyond traditional security. These innovative systems play a pivotal role in several areas including inventory control, drug diversion prevention, patient monitoring, and compliance with hospital procedures and industry standards.

Adapting to See Change

Imagine a retail world rapidly transforming, a landscape where the traditional brick-and-mortar model faces the relentless tide of e-commerce. Well, there is no need to imagine as this is 2024, where market losses surpass $112 billion, and the term “retail apocalypse” is not just hyperbole but a stark reality. 

Vehicle Ramming Attacks

In the world of cyber security, a cyber-attack exploits users having weak passwords or protections in place, making it easy for threat actors to cause harm. Destructive attacks in the physical world work much in the same way, using simple tactics and a wide attack surface to intentionally cause harm. The threat of vehicle ramming attacks introduces a new dimension of challenges for security professionals, property managers, and business owners alike.

Enhancing Autonomy Software

In the realm of national and global security, safeguarding critical infrastructure is paramount. It is not just about erecting physical barriers; it is about deploying perimeter security software capable of autonomous detection, alerting, and deterring potential threats. The integration of autonomy software into existing perimeter security systems marks a significant advancement in this field and is now imperative for an effective system.

Early Detection and Deterrence

Threats of theft, vandalism, and terrorism are a continual concern for those responsible for the security of high-risk facilities. Perimeter security is vital to maintaining safety, safeguarding assets and ensuring continuity of business at these sites.

How to Roll Out Microsoft Copilot Securely and Ensure Data Security

Microsoft Copilot is a robust AI productivity tool integrated into Microsoft 365 applications. Copilot can significantly improve your daily workflows by assisting you with drafting documents and presentations, capturing action items in Teams meetings, analyzing data in Excel, and other tasks. However, adopting Copilot can also introduce unexpected data security risks because it is built on native access controls within Microsoft 365, meaning it can access all data a user has access to, including documents, emails, and notes. Therefore, it is crucial to prepare your organization for a secure Copilot rollout and ensure that your sensitive data remains under control in the future.

Going Beyond the Perimeter

Wireless locks are a growing segment of the electronic access control (EAC) market, increasing at a rate of 8% annually in the Americas, according to OMDIA. They can be used in a variety of applications and provide many of the benefits of traditional hard-wired access control. Depending on the type, they can be managed as standalone solutions or as part of Physical Access Control Software (PACS) systems.

The Need to Hear and be Heard

Have you ever tried to watch a movie in a movie theater and the sound suddenly stopped working? Or you attended a musical concert, but the sound system failed? What happened? More than likely, the movie or concert stopped until the sound and audio were fixed. Or if it could not be fixed, you likely departed and your money refunded. After all, it is pointless to watch a movie or attend a concert without sound. You are not getting the whole experience.

3xLOGIC Launches VIGIL NVR Case Management Providing Cloud Storage for Sensitive Video Clips

3xLOGIC, a provider of integrated and intelligent security solutions, has launched VIGIL NVR Case Management, a cloud storage solution designed for sensitive video clips. The standalone solution provides cloud storage capability to VIGIL NVRs, making it easier for operators to review, share, and store video clips in a single place.

Getting Smarter About AI

The past few years have seen companies throughout the security and surveillance industry expand their use of AI, some rapidly adopting the technology and others dipping their toes in the water. Either way, AI has certainly moved beyond being an emerging technology to now being a proven reality, with demonstrated abilities to improve security camera imaging performance, enhance the accuracy of people and object detection, reduce false alarms and conserve recording and network bandwidth.

Security Industry Association Expands Its Team to Better Serve Its Members

The Security Industry Association (SIA) has welcomed four new members to the SIA team to support the association’s members and initiatives: Rachel Tayag, associate director of learning and development; Adriana Lopez Cadima, senior manager of design and videography; Natalie Robinson, senior manager of member services; and Adom Yusuf, senior manager of standards and technology.

DHS Unveils Artificial Intelligence Roadmap

Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas and Chief Information Officer and Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer Eric Hysen announced the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) first “Artificial Intelligence Roadmap.” The roadmap details DHS’s 2024 plans, including to test uses of the technologies that deliver meaningful benefits to the American public and advance homeland security, while ensuring that individuals’ privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties are protected.

Featured

  • Cyber Overconfidence Is Leaving Your Organization Vulnerable

    The increased sophistication of cyber threats pumped by the relentless use of AI and machine learning brings forth record-breaking statistics. Cyberattacks grew 44% YoY in 2024, with a weekly average of 1,673 cyberattacks per organization. While organizations up their security game to help thwart these attacks, a critical question remains: Can employees identify a threat when they come across one? A Confidence Gap survey reveals that 86% of employees feel confident in their ability to identify phishing attempts. But things are not as rosy as they appear; the more significant part of the report finds this confidence misplaced. Read Now

  • Mission 500 Debuts Refreshed Identity Ahead of Security 5K/2K at ISC West

    Mission 500, the security industry’s nonprofit charity dedicated to supporting children in need across the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico, has unveiled a refreshed brand identity ahead of ISC West. The charity’s new look includes a modernized logo with refined messaging to reinforce Mission 500’s nearly decade-long commitment to serving the needs of children and families in crisis. Read Now

    • Industry Events
  • Meeting Modern Demands

    Door hardware and access control continue to be at the forefront of innovation within the security industry, continuously evolving to meet the dynamic needs of commercial spaces. Read Now

  • Leveraging IoT and Open Platform VMS for a Connected Future

    The evolution of urban environments is being reshaped by the convergence of Internet of Things (IoT) technology and open platform VMS. As cities worldwide grapple with growing populations and increasing operational complexities, these integrated technologies are emerging as powerful tools for creating more livable, efficient, and secure urban spaces. Read Now

New Products

  • Luma x20

    Luma x20

    Snap One has announced its popular Luma x20 family of surveillance products now offers even greater security and privacy for home and business owners across the globe by giving them full control over integrators’ system access to view live and recorded video. According to Snap One Product Manager Derek Webb, the new “customer handoff” feature provides enhanced user control after initial installation, allowing the owners to have total privacy while also making it easy to reinstate integrator access when maintenance or assistance is required. This new feature is now available to all Luma x20 users globally. “The Luma x20 family of surveillance solutions provides excellent image and audio capture, and with the new customer handoff feature, it now offers absolute privacy for camera feeds and recordings,” Webb said. “With notifications and integrator access controlled through the powerful OvrC remote system management platform, it’s easy for integrators to give their clients full control of their footage and then to get temporary access from the client for any troubleshooting needs.”

  • Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

    Connect ONE®

    Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file.