Year: 2022

Installers and system administrators are familiar with the challenge only too well: Providing encryption for the connections of a video security system is a complex, time-consuming task. Expert technical skills are required, particularly when large network and system landscapes are involved. The new Dallmeier Device Manager tool makes configuring security much more convenient. Encryption in six easy steps In addition to all device management tasks, the recently unveiled Dallmeier Device Manager (DDM) makes it possible to conveniently encrypt a Dallmeier video system with TLS (Transport Layer Security) certificates. Accordingly, system administrators can provide the Dallmeier devices with the necessary certificates from a single central user interface. It is even possible to encrypt access via mobile end devices. In this way, DDM users further increase the protection for their Dallmeier video systems and can meet their individual security requirements. On its homepage, the manufacturer offers a configuration document which explains how to implement TLS encryption in six easy steps. Dashboard: The critical data always in view The Dallmeier Device Manager further features a dashboard which displays the most important data regarding hardware and security status, licensing arrangements and the software version. To make this device data available, the software automatically scans the entire video network TCP/ UDP for Dallmeier single sensor cameras, multifocal sensor cameras and recording systems. A scan for ONVIF-compatible devices is also possible. The DDM can also be used to change many settings and the IP addresses of the connected Dallmeier devices, open configuration dialogs directly, and to create wide-ranging reports for optimisation and maintenance. To improve system security further still, when they run the software for the first time, system operators are instructed to assign strong passwords for access to the individual devices. Additionally, the system informs the user about current software updates and software maintenance licences that are due to expire. Devices with the same software version can be updated together in a single step via the DDM. Full system continuity to the VMS As soon as the connected devices have been stored in the DDM, they can easily be transferred to the Dallmeier Video Management Software ‘SeMSy® Compact’ together with the corresponding configuration files using the multiple selection and drag-and-drop functions. The cameras are ready for use immediately after this operation, there is no need to log onto the VMS again.  

NEC Corporation recently announced the development of a ‘gradual deep learning-based object detection technology’ that enables efficient and high throughput object detection for video analytics while maintaining detection accuracy. This technology enables up to eight times the processing speed of object detection for large volumes of images, even on edge devices with limited processing capacity. NEC aims to commercialize this technology in fiscal 2022, following further research and development. Video analytics are expected to be utilized for a wide range of applications, such as analyzing camera images of vehicles at intersections, optimizing traffic control, and analyzing camera images of stores and warehouses to detect intrusion or to optimize facility management. To perform these video analytics in real time, it is ideal to process them on an edge device near a sensor, such as a camera. However, because cooling is difficult to manage and electricity consumption is restricted in edge devices, high-performance processors such as GPUs used in high-performance servers are not available, and processing capacity is constrained. In video analytics, object detection software that utilizes deep learning (hereinafter ‘object detection AI model’) performs object detection processing in order to find the object to be analyzed from images captured by a camera Since highly accurate object detection AI models have a large amount of operations though, it is difficult for edge devices to process a large amount of images due to constraints on processing capacity. If the amount of operations for a high-speed object detection AI model is reduced, for example, the accuracy declines and the recognition accuracy requirements for image analysis cannot be met. Application of NEC’s newly developed gradual deep learning-based object detection technology enables efficient, high-speed, and high-precision detection of subjects from a large amount of images, even in an edge device with limited processing capacity, and enables simultaneous processing of images from multiple cameras in real time.  Technology features High-speed, high-precision detection at the same time This technology combines an object detection AI model that is high-speed, but is only roughly accurate, with another object detection AI model that is highly accurate, but computationally complex. This combination enables efficient processing of multiple images and results in highspeed, high-precision detection. First, a high-speed object detection AI model detects multiple objects quickly, but with rough accuracy, then the detected results are processed together with a high-precision object detection AI model to gradually refine the detected objects. As a result, in an example of detecting a car license plate from a camera image, processing speed was approximately eight times faster than when using an object detection AI model with high accuracy alone, while maintaining detection accuracy*. Compatible with various detection targets, detection methods, and AI chips This technology is compatible with a diverse range of object detection processes according to detection targets, such as people, vehicles and car license plates, without being limited to specific detection targets and specific processing methods. In addition, the technology’s application is not limited to a specific AI chip. By taking advantage of the fact that AI chips have a large number of computing resources in common, the technology makes effective use of the internal computing power of chips. Going forward, NEC aims to enhance the safety, security, and convenience of society by expanding the use of video analytics technologies to a wide variety of applications.  

A worldwide enforcement operation against wildlife and timber crime coordinated by INTERPOL and the World Customs Organization (WCO) has disrupted crime networks and seen hundreds of arrests worldwide. Codenamed Thunder 2021, the month-long (1-31 October) operation involved customs, police, financial intelligence units and wildlife and forestry enforcement agencies in 118 countries: the largest number of participating countries since the annual operation started in 2017. Thousands of cars, trucks and cargo ships suspected of transporting protected wildlife and timber were searched at checkpoints in all regions, often with specialist sniffer dogs and X-ray scanners. Searches targeted illegally traded CITES-listed specimens, ranging from timber to live big cats, primates, reptiles, and birds, as well as derivative products such as clothing, beauty products, food items, traditional medicines and handicrafts. CITES is the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, an international agreement to ensure that trade in wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. Trade performed in breach of CITES is illegal. Environmental crime has a direct impact on climate change, harms the livelihoods of millions of people, results in forced migration and can trigger the spread of animal-to-human viruses (zoonotic diseases). Targeting the criminal networks Although results are still coming in, Operation Thunder 2021 has so far seen more than 1,000 seizures and the identification of some 300 suspects, triggering worldwide arrests and investigations linked to illegal trading, processing, exporting and importing CITES-listed wildlife and forestry products. Further arrests and prosecutions are foreseen globally as investigations continue to unfold. “Organized crime networks are generating billions in illicit profits every year, at significant cost to our environment as well as the associated impacts of fraud, corruption and violence,” said INTERPOL Secretary General Jürgen Stock. “We are seeing the continued globalization of crime, which means only an international response can be effective, as demonstrated with this latest Operation Thunder. Every one of our 195 member countries has a role to play in combating this threat, either directly or in the follow-up investigations,” added Secretary General Stock. Total worldwide seizures reported to date include: 478 kg ivory pieces and 487 kg ivory-derived products. 75 big cat parts, 29 live big cats. 856 kg pangolin scales. 531 turtles and tortoises. 171 birds. 336 reptiles. 4,843 kg marine products, including corals. 75,320 kg timber, including 313m3 of rosewood. 4 million plant-derived items. “With criminals trafficking endangered species along the same routes they use to smuggle other illicit goods, customs is strategically placed at borders to intercept illegally traded CITES-listed products,” said WCO Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya. “Large-scale cross-border operations such as Operation Thunder 2021 illustrate the benefits and impact global law enforcement cooperation has in deterring wildlife crime, putting its perpetrators behind bars, and raising awareness of its devastating effects,” added Dr Mikuriya. On the border with Mozambique, South African authorities seized 460 kg of abalone bound for China. Abalone molluscs are at critically low levels because of over-exploitation. Myanmar authorities made 13 seizures nationwide totalling 68 tonnes of restricted and endangered hardwood species. Polish authorities intercepted 29 illegal caviar shipments including one batch valued at USD 10,000. International trade in all species of sturgeons is CITES-regulated. In one of the operation’s largest plant-based seizures, the UK’s Border Force in Felixstowe seized from a maritime container 1.3 million tablets containing CITES-listed Saussurea Costus plant. Spain’s Guardia Civil seized more than 250 CITES-protected items worth EUR 250,000, including turtles, parrots, ivory-based merchandise and timber. Authorities in the Netherlands intercepted 145 snakes and other reptiles in luggage at Schiphol International Airport, as well as 454 live birds, mostly African songbirds. Trends identified so far include: Increase in illegal money transfers to launder the proceeds of wildlife and timber crime, Use of online platforms to facilitate cross-border trafficking, More commercial and customs document fraud for export, transit, and import, Links with other serious crime, as seen by Namibia which reported 14 wildlife crime cases linked to the illegal trade in pharmaceutical products, food and vehicle parts. In seizures that suggest some emerging trafficking routes, Nicaraguan authorities seized 657m3 of rosewood bound for China, while Hong Kong (China) authorities seized 3.2 tonnes of red sandalwood in freight from the United Arab Emirates. Demonstrating the link between wildlife and drug crime, Operation Thunder 2021 saw Mexican authorities arrest three Chinese nationals smuggling Totoaba bladders, sea cucumber and coral along with methamphetamine and cash. “The volume of seizures made during Operation Thunder 2021 proves how serious the transnational organized crime threat is for wild species and ecosystems across range, transit and destination countries,” said CITES Secretary General Ivonne Higuero. “The success of Operation Thunder 2021 strongly contributes to the strategic vision of CITES Parties, and reinforces that we must work together, combining different skills, mandates and resources to reduce threats to wildlife and live in harmony with nature,” added Ms Higuero. Intelligence-led field operations Police and customs shared wildlife and timber trafficking intelligence ahead of the operation enabling field officers to target specific trafficking hotspots during the tactical phase, with an emphasis on land, sea and airport border points as well as wildlife parks. Known criminals, particularly INTERPOL red notice fugitives, were identified ahead of operations, along with companies used to facilitate wildlife and timber crime. Since the first edition in 2017, Thunder operations have seen some 8,000 seizures of protected wildlife and forestry species and the arrest of more than 3,000 offenders. Operation Thunder 2021 is the fifth in a global series initiated by the INTERPOL Wildlife Crime Working Group. Coordinated jointly by the WCO and INTERPOL, with the backing of the CITES Secretariat and the International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC), these operational efforts are funded by the European Commission’s department for International Partnerships and the UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). INTERPOL’s environmental security activities are all externally funded and dependent on sustainable partnerships.