Emerging Technologies


Screenshots from Low Light Cameras

Getting the Most from Low Light

System designers, installers and end users have experienced the frustration that comes when cameras fail to work well in lowlight conditions, producing grainy, noisy video. The video compression used in most IP cameras and DVRs depends on the fact that there is little change in most scenes over time.

Researchers Create Radio Waves That ‘See’ Through Walls, Could Have Security Applications

University of Utah engineers showed that a wireless network of radio transmitters can track people moving behind solid walls. The system could help police, firefighters and others nab intruders, and rescue hostages, fire victims and elderly people who fall in their homes. It also might help retail marketing and border control.

Q&A From the Top

Gary Perlin has seen numerous changes in the security industry, most of them involving technology that, a few years ago, would have boggled the mind. Perlin has stayed in lock-step with the forward movement of the industry, so we wanted to talk with him about analog and network infrastructure and how hybrid solutions are affecting the industry today.

The New World of Surveillance

We have entered a new realm in the world of video surveillance. Gone are the days of the security guard tethered to a dedicated desktop monitor, reacting to unfolding events within a closed environment. With today's advancements in IP-based network infrastructures, management of video surveillance can be a much more valuable endeavor.

Always Listening

Imagine hearing a sudden burst of what sounds like a gunshot. But was it a gunshot? Was it a car back firing, or maybe it was a firecracker? And from where did that sound come from? Without accurate information available, the sound registers but gets ignored.

An Evolution, Not a Revolution

Terrorism and other security threats are generating a high demand for advanced video security solutions that can help detect threats and protect lives and assets. A wide range of industries—including banking, retail, critical infrastructure, government, education, ports, public transportation and homeland security —is interested in a broader deployment of video solutions.

Talking New Products

Tradeshows provide an excellent opportunity for manufacturers to pitch their newest new products, though there’s no possible way to see every one and every thing.

Thinking Beyond the Product

Technology plays a dichotomous role in the security of an organization's information assets. While it enables us to protect assets in ways we never imagined, it also can enable the very threats that leave those assets vulnerable.



Unwavering Focus

A breakthrough in security optics technology, called Varifocal Plus, is expected to revolutionize the industry. The solution offers precise CCTV installations with total cost of ownership considerations. It also is expected to surpass conventional technology and create new marketing areas for the CCTV surveillance market by providing time-saving installation and commissioning through consistent focusing technology.

A Bright Future

Today's airports are as critical to homeland security as they were in the months following Sept. 11, 2001. Airport security officials have implemented new protocols and installed sophisticated scanning technology, while travelers have grown accustomed to more stringent security procedures— from removing shoes to the ubiquitous baggies of approved liquids.

OnSSI, Defentect Chosen For Homeland Security Project

On-Net Surveillance Systems, Inc. (OnSSI) and Defentect are working together in a research demonstration project run by San Diego State University's Homeland Security Program and the SDSU Immersive Visualization Center (" Viz Center") that focuses on technologies and best practices needed to address the illicit transport of radiological materials used to make dirty bombs.

Michigan Colleges, RFID Companies Partner To Train Workforce

St. Clair County Community College and Mott Community College in Michigan have announced the development of RFID technology labs and curriculum with Dynamic Computer Corp. and Stratum Global.

DHS Using Ground Penetrating Radar To Battle Cross-Border Tunnels

Criminals of all kinds are digging tunnels along the U.S. border at a fast and furious pace. Of every tunnel ever discovered by U.S. border patrol agents, 60 percent have been found in the last three years. Agents spot a new one every month.

Nowhere to Hide

Public safety agencies around the country are using thermal security to increase their ability to keep watch over vulnerable areas after dark.

Researchers Looking At How RFID Can Help Reduce Shoplifting

According to Southeastern Louisiana University business professor and radio frequency identification (RFID) specialist David C. Wyld, investigators of organized retail crime are actively researching how RFID technology can be used to track the in-store whereabouts of products and reduce shoplifting incidents.

Von Duprin WS-Series Storm Shelter Exit Devices Meets ICC 500 & FEMA 361 Certification

Ingersoll Rand Security Technologies has announced that its Von Duprin WS9827/9927 surface vertical rod exit device has been certified to meet the new 2009 International Building Code standards that address the design and construction for structures that have been designated as either hurricane or tornado shelters.

Going Mainstream

Over the last 10 years, the CCTV industry has seen a major shift from analog to digital networking solutions for surveillance applications. In the next few years, the industry will see the adoption of high-definition IP video into mainstream consumer CCTV systems.

A True Security Blanket

Anti-abduction systems are now a common feature at birthing units and obstetric departments in hospitals nationwide. Over the last decade, facilities have opted to safeguard newborns with this specialized technology that provides protection to each infant.

Dedicated Micros Wins IFSEC 2009 Security Industry Award

Dedicated Micros—part of AD Group—received the Security Industry Award for transforming its NetVu Connected CCTV systems into an Emergency Messaging and Mass Notification System.

Europeans Show And Tell

Day two at IFSEC proved to be much busier in terms of attendance. The IFSEC Security Industry Awards 2009 were handed out later in the evening at a black-tie gala dinner, organized in association with the British Security Industry Association

Featured

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    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

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  • Achieving Clear Audio

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New Products

  • 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.

  • 4K Video Decoder

    3xLOGIC’s VH-DECODER-4K is perfect for use in organizations of all sizes in diverse vertical sectors such as retail, leisure and hospitality, education and commercial premises.

  • 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.