Top Stories


New Benchmarks in Biometrics

New Benchmarks in Biometrics

For too long now, facial recognition technology has been caught in the middle, residing somewhere in between universal and extraordinary.

Live From GSX 2022: Post-Show Update

GSX 2022 is in the books, and everyone in attendance would agree that it was a rousing success! Attendance and engagement sparked significantly since the show’s tentative post-COVID return in 2021, and the three days were full of collaboration, strengthening existing professional relationships and forging new ones.

An Emergency Voice

An Emergency Voice

In early July, residents living in a South London tower block “found out through WhatsApp” about a fire raging above them because they allegedly didn’t hear any alarms.



Protect Every School Zone

School is back in session, and I could not be happier and more proud of my third grader. School campuses come with their inherent historical risks.

Reducing Overall Costs

Reducing Overall Costs

By design, physical security systems warn security staff of intrusions or abnormal behavior. Unfortunately, they get it wrong most of the time.

After the Dust Settles

My girlfriend and I recently bought our first house, a new-build on the southeast fringes of the DFW metroplex. We moved in at the end of August and, just a few days before I left for GSX, finished transforming the piles of boxes and furniture and odds and ends into our new home.

The Next Evolution

The longstanding practice of watching hundreds and thousands of cameras for suspicious behavior, and then reacting, is over. This method has proven ineffective, especially as surveillance continues to proliferate in home, business, smart cities and other connected environments.

Dispelling the Myths

Dispelling the Myths

We hear the term “best practices” a lot, but the truth is, there are still plenty of bad practices in use that put people and assets at risk every day. Many of those bad practices are grounded in one or more of the following myths that commonly lure people and organizations into a false sense of security.

Maintaining Volunteer Security

The Town of Batavia, New York is a community of opportunity, originally established in 1802 in Western New York. After a fire occurred without any responding fire apparatus, it was determined the town needed its own fire company.

Tackling Traffic Congestion

Tackling Traffic Congestion

One of the biggest drawbacks to living and working in modern cities is traffic congestion. It frustrates motorists. It increases the probability of accidents. It can slow response time for emergency services. And, it lowers air quality.

Transforming Security Infrastructure

While many people look to financial institutions for products and services that fit their budget and improve their life, others can potentially see them as an opportunity for something far different.

GSX 2022 was a smashing success. In fact, all three days were busy and aisles filled with security professionals. A job well done by the ASIS team.

If It Were Not for the Airlines...

GSX 2022 was a smashing success. In fact, all three days were busy and aisles filled with security professionals. A job well done by the ASIS team.

My First “There Was This One Conference When…” Story

I’m still riding a personal high, so forgive me if this comes out a little bit jumbled.

Any questions about tradeshows? GSX is back. Some people I talked with said maybe 70 percent. I think that is way too low.

Back in the Saddle

Any questions about tradeshows? GSX is back. Some people I talked with said maybe 70 percent. I think that is way too low.

Live From GSX: Day 3

The second day of GSX in Atlanta, Ga., continued strong, with representatives from all corners of the security industry gathering to show off this past year’s work.

Hanwha Techwin Unveils an Array of New Intelligent Surveillance Technologies at GSX 2022

Hanwha Techwin is reinforcing its leadership position as a global supplier of intelligent video solutions at GSX 2022, Booth 1617. The company will highlight an array of new technologies to meet today’s complex security and surveillance requirements at the ASIS International event taking place September 12th -14th at the World Congress Center in Atlanta

Security Today New Product of the Year Awards: Complete List of Entries

Here are all of the entries for the 14th annual New Product of the Year awards. Thanks and congratulations to everyone who participated!

With the first day of GSX in the books, I wanted to share a few observations and products that have caught my eye. I try to get everywhere but unfortunately, there is not time enough. Let’s look.

Things to See and Touch at GSX

With the first day of GSX in the books, I wanted to share a few observations and products that have caught my eye. I try to get everywhere but unfortunately, there is not time enough. Let’s look.

Featured

  • 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

  • Survey: 48 Percent of Worshippers Feel Less Safe Attending In-Person Services

    Almost half (48%) of those who attend religious services say they feel less safe attending in-person due to rising acts of violence at places of worship. In fact, 39% report these safety concerns have led them to change how often they attend in-person services, according to new research from Verkada conducted online by The Harris Poll among 1,123 U.S. adults who attend a religious service or event at least once a month. Read Now

New Products

  • 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.

  • FEP GameChanger

    FEP GameChanger

    Paige Datacom Solutions Introduces Important and Innovative Cabling Products GameChanger Cable, a proven and patented solution that significantly exceeds the reach of traditional category cable will now have a FEP/FEP construction.

  • 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