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VIVOTEK and IDTECK Collaborate to Enhance Access Control and Surveillance Solutions

VIVOTEK (3454-TW), the global leading IP surveillance solution provider, and IDTECK, a renowned access control systems provider, have joined forces to revolutionize security management. This collaboration with IDTECK aims to take the next step in access control systems by leveraging VIVOTEK VSS (VAST Security Station), achieving a comprehensive solution. The integration of access control systems and VSS offers three key advantages: Real-Time Video Streaming Boosts Access Control: VIVOTEK’s integration of real-time video streaming into access control systems represents a significant security advancement. It enables live video alerts for swift responses and enhances real-time monitoring. Audit-Ready Alarm Video Footage and Streamlined Evidence Gathering: In this collaboration, VIVOTEK and IDTECK introduce features that provide audit-ready alarm video footage, facilitating thorough incident reviews. Enhanced search records expedite evidence gathering, streamlining security operations. PTZ Control for Seamless Management: VIVOTEK and IDTECK’s collaboration introduces PTZ (Pan-Tilt-Zoom) control within the IDTECK system. This goes beyond live monitoring to track individuals at access points, simplifying access control for security personnel. The collaboration seamlessly integrates IDTECK’s access control system with VIVOTEK VSS, enhancing security, real-time monitoring, and incident investigation. Users can access key features like live camera viewing, monitoring, PTZ controls, presets configurations, and video searches, all integrated with the enterprise’s E-map. This provides an intuitive and comprehensive security management experience. IDTECK provides complete integrated access control solutions with access control, elevator control, visitor management, ID badging, and a unique brand of top CCTV VMS integration partners. IDTECK Access Control System SW provides the highest level of secure System Management.  

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Innovation in Safety: The Latest Advances in Security Equipment Technology for 2023

Prakash Prabhu – Chief Business Officer & Co-Founder, VisionBot In an ever-evolving world with new security challenges emerging regularly, the need for innovative and advanced security equipment has never been greater. As we step into 2023, the security industry continues to push the boundaries of technology to enhance safety measures. In this blog, we’ll explore the latest advances in security equipment technology for 2023, covering everything from surveillance cameras and access control systems to biometrics and AI-powered analytics The Evolving Landscape of Security Security concerns have expanded beyond traditional physical threats to include cyberattacks, public health emergencies, and the need for contactless solutions. To address these challenges, security equipment manufacturers are constantly innovating. Here are some of the latest advancements shaping the security landscape in 2023: Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning: AI and machine learning are transforming security by enabling intelligent analysis of vast amounts of data in real-time. AI-powered analytics can detect anomalies, recognize faces, and identify suspicious behavior, making security systems more proactive and effective. Integration and Interoperability: Security equipment is becoming more interconnected, allowing different systems to work together seamlessly. Integrated solutions enable a holistic approach to security, where information from various sources such as cameras, sensors, and access control systems, is consolidated for a more comprehensive view. Contactless Access Control: The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of contactless technologies for access control. Solutions like facial recognition, mobile credentials, and touchless biometric systems are gaining traction to minimize physical contact and enhance security. Enhanced Biometrics: Biometric authentication methods are becoming more sophisticated and accurate. Advancements in facial recognition, fingerprint scanning, and iris recognition are making access control systems more secure and user-friendly. IoT and Sensors: The Internet of Things (IoT) has enabled the deployment of a wide range of sensors that can monitor environmental conditions, detect intrusions, and track assets. These sensors provide valuable data for security analysis and decision-making. Cloud-Based Solutions: Cloud-based security systems offer scalability, flexibility, and remote management capabilities. They are particularly attractive for businesses with multiple locations and a need for centralized control. Video Analytics: Video analytics technology is becoming more sophisticated. It can analyze video feeds in real-time to detect specific events or objects such as unauthorized access, suspicious packages, or loitering, improving overall security awareness. Now, let’s delve into specific areas of security equipment technology and explore the latest innovations in each category. Surveillance Cameras: More Than Meets the Eye Surveillance cameras have come a long way from their analog predecessors. The latest innovations in surveillance camera technology are focused on improving image quality, reducing false alarms, and enhancing analytics capabilities. 4K and 8K Resolution Cameras: High-resolution cameras with 4K and even 8K capabilities offer superior image clarity, enabling users to zoom in on details without losing image quality. This is particularly valuable in applications where visual evidence is crucial. Thermal Imaging Cameras: Thermal cameras can detect heat signatures, allowing them to capture images in complete darkness and adverse weather conditions. These cameras are valuable for perimeter security and search-and-rescue operations. 360-Degree and Panoramic Cameras: 360-degree and panoramic cameras provide a complete view of an area without blind spots. These cameras are ideal for large spaces like warehouses and parking lots. Advanced Analytics: Surveillance cameras are equipped with AI-driven analytics that can recognize objects, detect motion patterns, and send alerts for specific events. This reduces false alarms and enhances security response. Facial Recognition: Facial recognition technology has become more accurate and reliable, making it a valuable tool for access control and identification. Privacy concerns are being addressed with stricter regulations and ethical considerations. Access Control: Beyond the Keycard Access control systems are evolving to provide more secure and convenient ways of managing who can enter a facility or access sensitive areas. Mobile Credentials: Mobile apps can turn smartphones into access control credentials, allowing users to unlock doors with their devices. This technology is convenient and enhances security by enabling remote access management. Touchless Biometrics: Biometric access control methods, such as facial recognition and iris scanning, eliminate the need for physical contact with devices, reducing the risk of germ transmission. Behavioral Biometrics: Some access control systems use behavioral biometrics, such as keystroke dynamics and gait analysis, to verify users’ identities based on their unique behaviors. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): To enhance security, access control systems increasingly incorporate 2FA, requiring users to provide two different types of authentication such as a fingerprint and a PIN code. AI-Powered Access Policies: AI algorithms can analyze access patterns and automatically adjust security policies based on user behavior, helping to detect anomalies and prevent unauthorized access. Intrusion Detection: Keeping Unauthorized Parties Out Intrusion detection systems are becoming smarter and more capable of identifying threats and vulnerabilities. Smart Sensors and IoT Integration: A coordinated security response is enabled by real-time communication between intrusion detection sensors and other devices. AI for Anomaly Detection: AI-driven algorithms can analyze sensor data and identify abnormal patterns, raising alerts for potential intrusions or breaches. Drones for Surveillance: Some security systems incorporate drones equipped with cameras and sensors to provide real-time aerial surveillance, especially useful for large outdoor areas. Acoustic and Vibration Sensors: These sensors can detect subtle sounds or vibrations associated with unauthorized access attempts, even in challenging environments. Cybersecurity: Protecting Digital Assets As the world becomes increasingly digital, cybersecurity is a paramount concern. Innovations in this field aim to safeguard data and networks from cyber threats. Zero Trust Architecture: Zero Trust security assumes that no one, whether inside or outside the organization, can be trusted. It requires strict authentication and authorization for all users and devices trying to access resources. AI-Enhanced Threat Detection: AI and machine learning are used to analyze network traffic and detect abnormal behavior indicative of cyber threats. These systems can respond quickly to potential breaches. Blockchain for Security: Blockchain technology is being explored for its potential in enhancing the security of data storage and transactions by providing immutable records and decentralized control. Quantum-Safe Encryption: As quantum computing poses a potential threat to current encryption methods, quantum-safe encryption…

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Selection of Lenses for Video Surveillance Systems: A Design

Milind Borkar – Expert Security Consultant This article is the sequel to the article that came out in the October issue of SecurityLinkIndia. Here is a different way to describe similar information which is extremely useful to the tech guys in Air ports Authority of India (AAI). The specs below are based on Transport Security Administration (TSA) guidelines & requirements that are used in the aviation industry. These are A&E CSI-format Spec 28 23 00 that was prepared for the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), & General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). This will help AAI going forward. Recap: An often-overlooked critical component in video surveillance systems is the lens. The security industry has moved steadily toward providing cameras with integrated lenses taking out the ‘guess work’ for integrators. Given the increased competitive pressures, it is understandable that cameras companies make trade-offs in lens performance to meet budgetary price targets for dome and bullet offerings. This can result in less-than-ideal solutions to specific imaging tasks. Most camera companies still offer traditional box cameras that come without a lens or with the ability to remove the accompanying lens and replace it with a better, more tailored solution. Being able to select a compatible high-performance lens can ensure the investment in a high resolution system is not wasted. 1.CAMERAS A.General Provide material of types, sizes, capacities and electrical characteristics indicated. Except as otherwise indicated, provide manufacturer’s VSS components as indicated by their published product information, designed and constructed as recommended by manufacturer. The design intent is that all cameras, both fixed and PTZ, be provided from the same manufacturer for ease of servicing. The design intent is that all camera housings shall be provided from the same manufacturer so that a fixed dome housing will have the same look/ style as that of a PTZ housing. Surveillance Requirements: The figures listed next page are indicative and are provided to assist the contractor in choosing the required resolution and field coverage of CCTV cameras at specific locations. Metrics for the performance of each video camera are to be expressed by pixel density, expressed as pixels per meter (PPM), where ‘pixels’ is the number of horizontal camera detector pixels displayed across the scene being viewed at a specified distance from the camera. These relationships are shown in Figure 1 and values are shown in Table 1. PPM metrics yield a range of performance values for targets at different distances in the field-of-view. These performance values decrease as the distance from camera to target increases. PPM does not account for variations in site conditions, such as differences between day and night lighting; or target variables such as contrast and reflectivity; or the non-linear response characteristics of camera detectors. The camera representation of an object should be as follows: For identification purposes: The image of the figure in the camera field of view target area should have a resolution of at least 400 pixels per meter (500 pixels per meter for challenging environments). For recognition purposes: The image of the figure in the camera field of view target area should have a resolution of at least 180 pixels per meter. For observation purposes: The image of the figure in the camera field of view target area should have a resolution of at least 80 pixels per meter. For detection purposes: The image of the figure in the camera field of view target area should have a resolution of at least 40 pixels per meter. For monitoring purposes: The image of the figure in the camera field of view target area should have a resolution of at least 16 pixels per meter. B.2 Megapixel Interior-grade Fixed Cameras Provide a 2 megapixel camera (1920 by 1080 resolution). This interior-grade camera system shall provide two simultaneous video streams, auto iris, and varifocal lens capabilities. The network camera system shall possess the following primary characteristics: 264 High, Main or Base profiles; and MJPEG compression. Up to 3 megapixels. Dual streaming minimum (two independent IP video streams). Day/ night operation with IR cut filter. Wide Dynamic Range (WDR): 130dB. PoE (IEEE 802.3af, Class 3), 24V AC, 12V DC. 264 Smart Compression Technology. Multicast and unicast capable with unlimited H.264 viewers. Unicast capable with up to 20 simultaneous viewers. Local storage via SD/ SDHC/ SDXC. Audio input and output. Alarm input and output. . IP66 and IK10. 16 window blanks to conceal user-defined privacy areas that cannot be viewed by an operator. User and group settings to assign permissions and access levels to the camera. The camera shall provide local management where the camera manages the access levels or remote mode where the camera authenticates the user through a Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) server. Support of server-based video analytics with the ability to provide hardware and software alarms based on the analytic behaviors. C.2 Megapixel Exterior-grade Fixed Cameras Provide a 2 megapixel camera (1920 by 1080 resolution), providing the interior-grade camera system that shall provide two simultaneous video streams, auto iris, and varifocal lens capabilities. The network camera system shall possess the following primary characteristics: 264 High, Main or Base profiles; and MJPEG compression. Up to 3 megapixels. Dual streaming minimum (two independent IP video streams). Day/ night operation with IR cut filter. Wide Dynamic Range (WDR): 130dB. PoE (IEEE 802.3af, Class 3), 24V AC, 12V DC. 264 Smart Compression Technology. Multicast and unicast capable with unlimited H.264 viewers. Unicast capable with up to 20 simultaneous viewers. Local storage via SD/ SDHC/ SDXC. Audio input and output. Alarm input and output. IP66 and IK10. Autofocus options based upon a manual trigger, day/ night transition upon every 10-degree C temperature change, and once every 24 hours to ensure focus. 16 window blanks to conceal user-defined privacy areas that cannot be viewed by an operator. User and Group settings to assign permissions and access levels to the camera. The camera shall provide local management where the camera manages the access levels or remote mode where the…

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