Sophos has recently been named the 2019 Best Small Business Endpoint security solution by SE Labs in its inaugural ‘Annual Report.’ The new report recognizes Intercept X Advanced as the industry’s best for endpoint threat protection based on strong product performance following months of in-depth testing. “SE Labs tested more than 50 different products using over 5,000 targeted attacks. These attacks were run in a realistic way using publicly available hacking tools,” according to the report, “To ensure our testing is as realistic and useful as possible, we monitor real-world breaches from a technical point of view. This allows us to adapt and change our testing in a similar way to how real attackers operate.” Intercept X Advanced consistently ranks best at detecting and stopping attacks. It achieved 100 percent total accuracy ratings for enterprise and small business endpoint protection in SE Labs’ 2019 endpoint protection test reports. It’s also earned AAA ratings in every SE Labs test to date. “Cybercriminals are constantly evolving their methods, launching new attacks in attempt to go undetected,” said Dan Schiappa, Chief Product Officer at Sophos, “Automated, active attacks targeting businesses of all sizes are on the rise, and organizations need advanced endpoint protection now more than ever. Sophos is committed to stopping never-before-seen, zero day cyberattacks, plus ransomware and other attacks that cybercriminals are persistently using. This award is validation that we’re helping organizations stay one step ahead.” Intercept X Advanced is the industry’s most sophisticated endpoint prevention solution, offering multiple layers of security to deliver unparalleled protection against advanced attacks. Leveraging deep learning and anti-exploit technology, Intercept X Advanced stops the widest range of threats by employing a comprehensive defense-in-depth approach to endpoint protection.  

Expansion of the Genetec Stratocast™ portfolio gives users unparalleled flexibility and freedom of choice when selecting their cameras Genetec Inc., a leading technology provider of unified security, public safety, operations and business intelligence has recently announced that Stratocast™, its cloud-based video surveillance-as-a-service (VSaaS), powered by the Microsoft Azure cloud-computing platform, now supports new camera models from Bosch, MOBOTIX and EUKLIS. Stratocast also supports hybrid-cloud deployments for users wishing to keep certain on-premise storage and infrastructure hardware while gradually transitioning everything to the cloud. Thanks to the Stratocast open architecture, the portfolio of supported devices is also continually expanding and will now support cameras from Bosch, EUKLIS and MOBOTIX, in addition to existing support for hundreds of models from Axis and Vivotek. “A driving force behind Stratocast is to deliver a cloud-based video management system based on an open architecture with no need for a local bridge or recorders. At Genetec, we want to offer users a non-proprietary solution in the cloud so that they have the flexibility to integrate a variety of cameras to address their specific needs,” said Oktay Yildiz, Product Line Manager – Stratocast, Genetec, “With Stratocast, users can transition to a cloud-based infrastructure while potentially leveraging their existing investment in camera hardware or choosing to install new cameras from a variety of supported brands.”  

“Placard is a strategic technological addition to the ASSA ABLOY Group. The company reinforces our current offering within secure cards. The acquisition of Placard considerably enhances the Group´s position in the Pacific smart card market and will provide complementary growth opportunities,” says Nico Delvaux, President and CEO of ASSA ABLOY “Placard’s large installed base of customers in the Australasia region demonstrates the continued strength of secure cards and their relevance in the lives of millions of people every day,” says Stefan Widing, Executive Vice President and Head of HID Global, “Adding Placard to the HID portfolio will expand our value-add services and enhance our capabilities for trusted identities, while striking the balance between offering a broad range of card solutions and providing customers with the choice of digital IDs.” Placard was founded in 1987 and has some 170 employees. The main office is located in Melbourne, Australia. Sales for 2019 are expected to reach about AU$63 million (approx. SEK 520 million) with a good EBIT margin and the acquisition will be accretive to EPS from start.  

Forensic science can be a powerful force in support of justice and public safety. Properly applied, it clears the innocent and helps convict the guilty. The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science (OSAC) is working to strengthen forensic science by facilitating the development of technically sound standards and encouraging their implementation. In recognition of National Forensic Science Week 2019, held September 15-21, OSAC took to LinkedIn and highlighted several standards and guidelines currently on the OSAC Registry or in the registry approval process that will be beneficial for the forensic science community. Take a look: Interdisciplinary training & continuing education The forensic science disciplines exhibit wide variability regarding techniques, methodologies, research, general acceptability, and education. For example, there are multiple types of practitioners with different levels of education, training and standards for performance. An interdisciplinary standard currently in the OSAC Registry approval process, ASTM E2917-19 standard practice for forensic science practitioner training, continuing education, and professional development programs, outlines minimum training criteria and provides general information, approaches, and resources for all disciplines. Fire and explosion investigations A re-constructive investigation such as a fire or explosion scene, may be subject to independent, subjective and sometimes biased thinking. To help individuals who are charged with the responsibility of investigating and analyzing fire and explosion scenes and rendering opinions as to the origin, cause, or responsibility of such incidents, OSAC’s Fire and explosion investigation subcommittee supported the placement of NFPA 921:2017 guide for fire and explosion investigation on the OSAC Registry. DNA mixtures Results from DNA mixtures and trace DNA analysis can be ambiguous and difficult to understand, sometimes even for experts. OSAC’s biology/ DNA interpretation and reporting subcommittee, in collaboration with AAFS standard board’s (ASB) DNA consensus body, developed ANSI/ ASB 020, standard for validation studies of DNA mixtures and development and verification of a Laboratory’s mixture interpretation protocol, to provide laboratories with the requirements for designing and evaluating their internal validation studies and interpretation protocols for mixed DNA samples. This ASB published document is currently in the OSAC Registry approval process. Drug evidence For police and forensic chemists, opening a bag of suspicious powder that might contain fentanyl can be dangerous because of the risk of accidental inhalation. More of the powder becomes airborne than you might think. But cur rently, one has to open the package and scoop out a bit of powder in order to test it. Check out the recent research our colleagues in NIST’s forensic science research group have been doing to help the forensic science community find a safer Credit: Pixabay way to test drug evidence.