Geutebruck Video Security Upgrade for Berlin’s Alexander House

"Alexanderhaus" in Berlin’s Alexanderplatz Geutebruck Video Security Upgrade for Berlin’s Alexander Houseis now a modernist building with a modernized video security system. Owned by Landesbank Berlin AG, it has legal protection as a building of special architectural and historic interest and currently houses the head office of the Berlin Sparkasse - the Berlin Savings Bank.

Alexander House and its neighbour, Berolina House, were designed by the modernist architect Peter Behrens and constructed in 1930-32. They were the only designs from the 1929 Alexanderplatz redevelopment competition ever to be built.  After severe damage in the Second World War, Alexander House was initially repaired in the ‘50s, then completely reconstructed and significantly expanded in 1994/5.

For the last 15 years or so a Geutebruck’s analog video system has been used for security purposes. Recently however, the local communications and security specialist KTF-Berlin GmbH upgraded it to bring it into the digital age and open it up for future improvements and expansion. The centralized analog system and analog displays have been replaced with Geutebruck digital equipment including hybrid re_porter video platforms, a GeViSoft management system and modern digital workstations running GSCView-Station software. For the time being the cabling and analog cameras have been retained, but these can now be easily replaced with IP cameras when desired.

Meeting current standards also involved the incorporation of Schneider-Intercom call points. These were linked to the video system via existing cabling and an analog matrix, thus ensuring that both picture and sound are available to security staff for assessing situations.

Featured

  • Security Today Announces 2025 CyberSecured Award Winners

    Security Today is pleased to announce the 2025 CyberSecured Awards winners. Sixteen companies are being recognized this year for their network products and other cybersecurity initiatives that secure our world today. Read Now

  • Empowering and Securing a Mobile Workforce

    What happens when technology lets you work anywhere – but exposes you to security threats everywhere? This is the reality of modern work. No longer tethered to desks, work happens everywhere – in the office, from home, on the road, and in countless locations in between. Read Now

  • TSA Introduces New $45 Fee Option for Travelers Without REAL ID Starting February 1

    The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced today that it will refer all passengers who do not present an acceptable form of ID and still want to fly an option to pay a $45 fee to use a modernized alternative identity verification system, TSA Confirm.ID, to establish identity at security checkpoints beginning on February 1, 2026. Read Now

  • 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

New Products

  • Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden Door Controls has relaunched its CV-7600 card readers in response to growing market demand for a more secure alternative to standard proximity credentials that can be easily cloned. CV-7600 readers support MIFARE DESFire EV1 & EV2 encryption technology credentials, making them virtually clone-proof and highly secure.

  • 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

  • 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.