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Technical Surveillance Counter Measure (TSCM)

Kartik Vig, Director, Security Consulting, Netrika It’s a competitive world, and not everyone plays by the book. Sadly, gathering competitive intelligence is one of the ways being used to not only stay abreast of competition, but may be even try beating the competition to the finishing line. It is an ever-increasing threat in today’s data-driven world, and it ranges from criminals trying to obtain business critical information for commercial or technical gains, to sophisticated state-sponsored organisations looking for political and military gains. While it is not always possible to know every threat present around us, a robust security policy encompassing physical security, cybersecurity, and protection from electronic surveillance is necessary to ensure that your secrets remain secret. Devices being used by perpetrators for surveillance and gathering intelligence are increasingly becoming more sophisticated, small and inexpensive, which can compromise not only your sensitive information, your private conversations, your plans as well as secrets but also the entire security of your building. Critical and sensitive information whether of business or personal nature, can be misused by any detractor and may lead to financial loss and/ or loss of reputation. With our unique approach and state of the art TSCM equipment, we offer a comprehensive TSCM solution, which could greatly improve the security of your organisation. TSCM helps ensure safeguarding of critical/ sensitive information in a professional and comprehensive manner. What is Technical Surveillance Counter Measure? Technical Surveillance Counter Measure (TCSM) is a term that was coined by the United States government, that describes the action of sweeping for devices that may be spying on you. TSCM was initially aimed at sanitising rooms for listening devices by detection of emission of radio waves. The process of TCSM has evolved to the point where non – radio emissions can also be detected. It encompasses securing communications technology, thoroughly inspecting and fortifying information technology and ensuring a heightened protocol of physical security. With a proper TSCM sweep, one can counter the risk of corporate spying, ensure confidentiality and safeguard inside information – losing which could impact your firm. The goal of a TSCM sweep is to identify existing security gaps and potential weaknesses in technical and communications security and to recommend corrective actions to neutralize the identified risks. Mentioned below are some of the most used surveillance tools, that maybe used by perpetrators trying to steal your information: Mini audio/ video cameras and recorders, as in everyday use items. Radio microphones, IP and wireless microphones and cameras. Wired microphones or cameras. Devices intercepting the electromagnetic radiation. Eavesdropping software monitoring GSM phones, computers, laptops and tablets. Microphones transmitting information through electrical grid, internet cables. Technologies used in Technical Surveillance Counter Measure and Caution I n today’s technologically vibrant world, there are a number of TSCM technologies available in the market, from radio signal analysers to spectrum analysers, non-linear junction detectors to IR detectors, camera detectors etc. However, one needs to be cautious as use of inexpensive and local devices for conduct of TSCM may lead to a false sense of security and loss of all security efforts envisioned for securing critical information. It is therefore highly recommended to adopt a comprehensive approach using state-of the art technology to counter the threat of illicit surveillance. To Conclude Deploying TSCM measures will help safeguard your edge over your competition, your trade secrets and your conversations from illicit surveillance/ intelligence gathering. It is also one of the best ways of mitigating such risks. Scheduling regular TSCM sweeps can safeguard your trade secrets as well as ensure peace of mind.  

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Boost Security at Remote Locations with Hikvision’s Solar-Powered Stand-Alone Security Solutions

Until now, it has been difficult for remote sites and operations to protect their people and assets – especially where no power supply or fixed networks are available. Now, there’s a simple, practical, cost-effective solution to this challenge in the form of Hikvision’s Solar-powered Security Camera Setup. The challenge of protecting remote and rural sites All kinds of remote and rural sites require constant security monitoring, from farms and fisheries, to forestry operations, oil and gas pipelines, and even national parks. The problem is that these kinds of sites are frequently ‘off-grid,’ lacking the power and fixed network connectivity needed to deploy security monitoring cameras. As an additional challenge, many sites have only temporary security requirements, making the cost of deploying ‘fixed’ cameras prohibitive. This is the case for open air music festivals, political rallies, and many other events. A range of other sites and operations also have short-term monitoring needs, from construction sites to temporary road maintenance works. Meeting security requirements at these kinds of remote and temporary sites requires a new kind of ‘standalone’ solution – one that can operate independently, without physical connections to either the energy grid or to a fixed network. Additionally, standalone solutions should be fast and simple to deploy, highly durable to withstand the most adverse weather conditions, and affordable enough to meet the needs of all kinds of remote sites and operations. Boosting security with Hikvision’s Solarpowered standalone solution To help remote operations to boost their security, Hikvision has created the Solar-powered Security Camera Setup. This solution uses a 40 Watt photovoltaic panel and a highly durable 20 Ah rechargeable Lithium battery to power a Hikvision EXIR Fixed Bullet Solar Power 4G Network Camera. Because the Solar-powered Security Camera Setup uses solar power and includes a micro SIM card for connectivity with the 4G network, there is no need for fixed power or network cables on site. Additionally, operators can monitor, review, and store footage remotely, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Key benefits for remote sites and operations Using the Hikvision solution, remote sites and operations can boost their security quickly, easily, and at low cost. With no need for a fixed network or power supply, and simple installation that can be carried out by just one person, the solution can be rolled out in hours – with very little need for ongoing maintenance or support. Key benefits include: High-quality imaging for fast, effective incident responses The Hikvision EXIR 4G Network Camera provided with the Solar-powered Security Camera Setup offers high resolution imaging (1920×1080 pixels @30fps). Additionally, the camera provides very clear images even where strong back-light exists due to Hikvision’s 120dB true wide dynamic range (WDR) technology. The excellent quality and clarity of video imaging means that operators can quickly identify and react to security incidents at remote sites – helping to reduce negative business impacts. 24×7 security monitoring – in any weather The product employs BMS (battery management system) in its 20Ah Lithium battery, which ensures the optimal use of the battery energy. With its smart power management features, the Solar-powered Security Camera Setup provides up to 7 days of operation during cloudy or rainy periods when fully charged. Its 4G camera further adds a 32GB eMMC (embedded multimedia card) besides the SD card, this ensures continuous video recording when there is an anomaly with the SD card or the network environment. Additionally, the self-sufficient unit is waterproof (accredited to the IP67 standard), and windproof (with a hurricane rating of 12). All this means that operators can continue monitoring and securing their remote sites without interruptions – even in the harshest and most challenging weather conditions. Rapid, simple, cost-effective installation A single person can install the solution at remote sites, making the process fast, easy, and cost-effective, thanks to its lightweight design. The pole mounted unit weighs just 14kg, and there are no complex cables to connect – further reducing deployment time and complexity. This speed and ease of deployment significantly lowers barriers for remote sites and operations looking to boost their security. It is also a major reason why it is the ideal choice for temporary sites such as construction sites and road maintenance sites. The key features of the Hikvision Solarpowered Security Camera Setup High quality imaging with 2MP (1920×1080 @30fps) resolution. Clear imaging against strong back light with 120dB true WDR technology. Ah rechargeable lithium battery with 7-day operation even in cloudy and rainy weather. 40-Watt photovoltaic panel for standalone operation. Support battery management features, including battery display. Battery high/ low temperature protection and charge/ discharge protection, with low-battery sleep protection and remote wakeup features. 4G Micro SIM card with LTE-TDD/ LTE-FDD/ WCDMA/ GSM transmission capabilities. Water and dust resistant camera (IP67 certified).  

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How to Track Parcels in Real Time to Boost Performance and Minimize Lost Goods

Since e-commerce has steadily been on the rise globally in recent years, many people prefer not to visit physical stores as usual, leading to a major boom in online shopping and home parcel delivery. This means there are unprecedented opportunities for e-commerce and logistics companies to expand their businesses and grow their revenues. However, success depends on increasing performance and throughput, while also tracking and securing thousands of parcels a day as they head towards end-customers’ addresses. Why manual processes make parcel tracking harder For many logistics companies, the sheer volume of goods passing through distribution and fulfillment centers creates major challenges for tracking and securing parcels effectively. This is especially the case during manual steps in the parcel delivery process such as opening boxes to conduct quality control checks, and packing parcels for delivery to customers’ addresses. This is because manual processes inevitably introduce an element of risk into the parcel delivery process. Errors can occur, for example, leading to lost or mis-directed parcels. Additionally, manual interventions in the supply chain may increase the risk of lost inventory, especially where effective monitoring systems and processes are absent. The question for logistics providers processing thousands – or even tens of thousands – of parcels a day, is how to minimize the risk of errors and loss of goods across the entire, end-to-end delivery process. Track each and every one of the parcels with digital technology Using a combination of digital technologies, it’s now possible to monitor goods as they flow through the facility in real time. In particular, smart video cameras can be connected to barcode scanners, allowing users to understand exactly where goods and parcels are located, and how they are moving through their facility. By cross referencing data from cameras and scanners, one can quickly access footage of incidents such as goods that are dropped or damaged. In the same way, he can identify goods that were damaged before they reached him, proving that his teams were not responsible for breakages. The value of an end-to-end audit trail By creating an end-to-end audit trail for every parcel, this kind of solution allows the user to monitor his performance on an ongoing basis, and to make operational improvements that increase his productivity and throughput. Equally importantly, he can also find out exactly what happened to goods that are lost or stolen from the supply chain and take immediate action if required. If goods are lost, for example, he can quickly cross reference time and date information from barcode scanners with video footage recorded by security cameras. He can then see exactly what happened, giving him clear evidence for later use. Many times, of course, mistakes and issues are innocent such as parcels stuck in joins between conveyer belts. However, with digital, end-to-end parcel tracking, these kinds of events are also fast and easy to spot, ensuring that one can meet your delivery SLAs.  

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Hikvision Completes Major Enhancements to its HikCentral Professional Integrated Security Software

Hikvision has announced the launch of newly updated HikCentral Professional 2.0 security software (HCP 2.0), which blends feeds from multiple systems onto a single platform. HCP 2.0 can be configured to link video security devices, alarm and access control systems, and more, including third-party systems through the OpenAPI – for easy centralized management of a variety of security and business applications. Frank Zhang, President of Hikvision’s International Product and Solution Center, said, “This is an important release for us, and a significant leap forward in our security management software offerings. HikCentral Professional 2.0 will help our customers manage a variety of activities seamlessly on one platform. We’re excited to see the value it delivers.” Nine key applications for numerous business needs HikCentral Professional 2.0 integrates multiple business and security systems with nine key applications, making it valuable to a wide variety of common security and business scenarios seen in buildings, factories, stores, apartments, and the like. Among them, video cameras and security alarms are integrated into the platform to deliver fluid live viewing and timely alarm notifications. Furthermore, access control can be included to assign a variety of access permissions using multiple methods including facial recognition, ID cards, fingerprints, QR codes, and more. HCP 2.0 also allows various personnel such as HR managers to set flexible attendance rules including schedules for shift work while delivering full reporting facilities. Additionally, site managers can also employ vehicle management and visitor management applications to streamline entrance management as well as on-site parking. Users can further rely on HCP 2.0 with intelligent analysis and reporting – an application that collects data and transforms it into easy-to-understand reports and dashboards. This includes flow status, people density and more. For systems management teams, HCP 2.0’s system maintenance application visualizes alarm and device notifications, as well as the full network and device topology for rapid, targeted action in unusual events. Last but not least, HCP 2.0 lets users deploy digital signage systems to display advertisements and announcements. The software comes with eight pre-installed templates for users to present content optimally. This can be crowd numbers and temperature status in a supermarket scenario, for example. Creating truly unified systems with enhanced security and greater operational efficiency With HCP 2.0, users will flexibly unite applications and build a tailored system to match their security and business needs. The unified approach not only creates greater situational awareness of their security environment, it also reduces real day-to-day management resources previously required by disparate systems. For example, users can integrate visitor management with vehicle management to enhance daily operational efficiency for building facilities. Facility managers can register visitor information into the HCP 2.0 system, and – by linking to an ANPR system – can set visitors to be automatically permitted into on-site parking. Similarly, the system can also pre-authorize visitor access to specific areas of an organization’s premises. Personalized user experience HikCentral Professional 2.0 can be tailored to deliver specific information to assigned users. The system comes with three pre-configured roles – ‘system installation and management,’ ‘security control and management,’ and ‘attendance management.’ In this way, HR staff can customize their feed to show employee attendance status, for example, while management staff can monitor security of the facilities. There is also one custom role, which can be tailored to specific needs. Perhaps most importantly, HikCentral Professional 2.0 features an improved user interface. Users can customize the control panel to suit their viewing preferences, simply dragging and dropping key video and device feeds into the dashboard, adjusting where they sit and how they look. Dynamic and intuitive user interface HCP 2.0 also incorporates multiple visualized dashboards that display key security and business insights generated from various applications, facilitating decision-making processes with more accuracy and efficiency. What’s more, users apply 3D E-maps that vividly demonstrate device monitoring statuses in different locations, and manage instant alerts interactively by clicking and watching associated live videos and other integrated system information. Easy setup and maintenance HikCentral Professional 2.0 is easy to deploy and quick to set up for a multitude of projects with single applications. Customers with minimum system requirement of Intel i3-CPU and 8 GB RAM can get up and running with a one-click installation procedure that makes HCP 2.0 setup a breeze. Operations guidance wizards are conspicuously displayed to support users in configuring key applications. In addition, the visualized health monitoring dashboards enable more focused and efficient IT maintenance.  

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