Critical Infrastructure


chicago subway

Lawmakers Warn Cities to Stop Contracting Chinese Companies To Build Transit Systems

Despite concerns about Chinese manufacturers having access to U.S. transportation data, cities continue to move ahead with plans to partner with state-owned companies.

natural gas pipeline

Natural Gas Pipeline Operator Shut Down Due To Ransomware Attack, DHS Reports

Through a “spearphishing link” sent to staff at the facility, hackers were able to deploy ransomware on the operational network, leading to a two-day shutdown.

washington metro

TSA, Washington Metro Test Out New System That Can Detect Explosive Devices on Passengers

The non-invasive system has been implemented by more transportation authorities around the world to address threats of terrorism in public spaces.

Reshaping the Perimeter

Driven by the 2013 physical assault on a California substation, the NERC CIP 14 regulation has reshaped the way energy’s physical security directors are viewing perimeter security.

Treasury Department Implements Sanctions on North Korean Cyber Groups

Treasury Department Implements Sanctions on North Korean Cyber Groups

The department announced the sanctions Friday after it said that North Korean intelligence groups targeted American critical infrastructure, particularly the financial system.

Paving the Way with Analytics

Paving the Way with Analytics

Technology—from street lights to telephones—has been at the heart of modern cities for more than a century.

Considerations for Infrastructure

Considerations for Infrastructure

Security is top of mind for consumers around the world and businesses across industries.

Paving Safer Roads

Paving Safer Roads

Though traffic and crime are not the only contributing factors that determine a location’s desirability, they are some of the top catalysts that inspire digital transformation within a city.



Protecting Mining and Quarry Operations

Protecting Mining and Quarry Operations

Natural resources being extracted at a mining or quarry operation not only have monetary value, but may also be critical components of medical, military, and industrial processes.

Meeting the Challenge

Around the world, the shipping and logistics industry has experienced immense operational growth and development.

The Tide of Security

The Tide of Security

Before installing a networked, open-platform, VMS solution, the Port of Antwerp had a standalone DVR system with no networking capabilities and no open platform support, meaning only a limited number of camera brands were supported.

Expanding Rural Infrastructure for Drones

Expanding Rural Infrastructure for Drones

Drones can provide significant benefits for residents and business in rural areas: delivering medical supplies, collecting data on the status of crops, aiding in search and rescue efforts.

Processing Security

Processing Security

The surveillance technology initially installed at the site was triggered by outdoor motion sensors that activated any one of several PTZ cameras for verification—unfortunately this set-up generated far too many false alarms to be effective.

Be Strong

Be Strong

Looking at examples of how municipalities or governments protect these assets can help businesses plan as well. Critical infrastructure for businesses often shares similar needs with municipalities: how do we best protect servers, structures and the people who live and work in private buildings?

Transforming Security

Transforming Security

Empresa Eléctrica de Guatemala (EEGSA Group) required a video surveillance system that could digitize the security footage on its substations to help avoid damage to its own infrastructure as well as electrocution hazards for people trying to access these places without warning or authorization.

The Right Fit

The Right Fit

Standalone systems, where certain access points are equipped with card readers but are not connected to a larger network, can provide a cost-effective access control solution.

Malware Targets Industrial Safety Systems

Security firm FireEye disclosed Thursday the existence of a malware used to compromise industrial control systems and disable their safety systems to potentially cause physical damage.

Time for an Upgrade

Time for an Upgrade

When a regional traffic management center in Washington state outgrew its building—as well as the size of its roadway monitoring system— the staff realized it was time not just for a physical upgrade, but a technological one, too

Eight Injured After Car Crashes into Crowd in Philadelphia

Eight Injured After Car Crashes into Crowd

The driver, whose SUV hopped the sidewalk, sending it straight into partygoers, will be charged with DUI.

Green Airport Cameras

Green Airport Cameras

The environmental impact of air travel is no secret. While designing more fuel-efficient aircraft and other conservation measures to reduce CO2 emission are on the drawing boards, the real progress is happening in the greening of airport terminals around the country.

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

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.

  • 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.

  • 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.”