Avigilon Corporation, a Motorola Solutions company has been selected to enhance security for the Port Authority of Guaymas, Administración Portuaria Integral (API) de Guaymas, in north-western Mexico. As one of Mexico’s busiest and most strategically located freight ports, API Guaymas imports and exports nearly 6 million metric tons of cargo to and from Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas each year. To strengthen safety and comply with government regulations, the port, in partnership with telecommunications solutions company, Global VoIP de Mexico S.A. de C.V., installed a complete Avigilon security solution that includes Avigilon HD Pro, HD Dome and HD Multisensor cameras, as well as Avigilon Control Center (ACC) video management software and Avigilon network video recorders. The port is also deploying the Avigilon access control manager (ACM) system to secure physical access points throughout its extensive premises. With resolutions ranging from 8MP (4K) to 30MP (7K), Avigilon HD Pro cameras were selected for their ability to cover wide distances between sites with fewer cameras, while simultaneously allowing operators to zoom in with detail to identify and quickly respond to potential security events. Avigilon HD Multisensor cameras were also chosen for their flexible design, which can capture multiple angles up to 360 degrees, enabling maximum scene coverage while minimizing blind spots. Combined with ACC software’s advanced search capabilities, these cameras help the port’s operators to effectively monitor and accurately verify the location of people and vehicles of interest, saving time and effort during critical investigations. “Clear video surveillance that can withstand challenging conditions is critical to our ability to protect the port from theft and other security threats,” said Axel Humberto Perez Flores, Head of Information Technology for the Port of Guaymas, “With Avigilon’s HD cameras and ACC software, our operators can centrally monitor and verify port activities, helping ensure we continue to provide secure transportation and storage services to our clients.” “Transportation projects like the Port of Guaymas face unique challenges in protecting staff and facilities, while also ensuring the safe and efficient handling of cargo,” said Ryan Nolan, Avigilon’s Senior Vice President, Business Operations, “The comprehensive Avigilon solution installed at the port is an excellent example of how our technology can provide scalable solutions to meet the operational and safety needs of our customers.”

Security has come a long way in the banking business. At one time, for example, Westpac New Zealand supplied firearms to employees and had a gun range in the basement of one of its branches to train staff in marksmanship. It was only in 1975 that firearms were removed from the branches and the gun range deemed redundant. Today, Westpac New Zealand relies on a state-of-the-art video surveillance system from March Networks to protect its customers, employees and assets. Part of the Australian-based Westpac Group, Westpac New Zealand is the island nation’s second largest financial institution with 170 branches across the country, approximately 130 of which are equipped with March Networks 8000 series hybrid NVRs or 9000 series IP recorders. As the bank’s older, thirdparty surveillance devices and recorders exceed their ‘best before’ date, they too will be replaced by March Networks technology, said Ray Millar, Westpac New Zealand’s Senior Manager of Protective Services.   “We have exposure to three video surveillance systems and the March Networks solution is the leading performer of the three for usability, retention and quality,” said Mr. Millar. Transitioning to all-IP video The introduction of the 9000 series IP recorders followed a decision by the bank last year to begin transitioning to high-definition, all-IP video in new deployments for enhanced image quality. Each recorder is loaded with a quar tet of 4TB hard drives for total storage capacity of 16 TB, allowing Westpac New Zealand to retain video for up to a year. Branches are each equipped with between 10 and 24 third-party cameras depending on their size, including outdoor cameras in branches where parking lot coverage is necessary. The 9000 Series recorders are available in 32, 48 and 64-channel models, and feature an embedded Linux operating system, internal battery backup, front panel diagnostic LEDs and between four and eight secure, front-access hard-drive slots for efficient maintenance. The solution is powered by March Networks Command Enterprise video management software, which allows large, multi-site organizations like Westpac New Zealand to centrally administer user access and recording configurations, schedule mass device updates, monitor system health performance, and quickly zero in on video evidence. In addition to its 170 branches, Westpac New Zealand operates 320 remote ATMs, 19 of which are smart bank machines that accept deposits without the need for a bank card. To comply with the New Zealand government’s antimoney laundering requirements, the bank has equipped the 19 smart ATMs with March Networks MegaPX ATM cameras. Designed specifically for bank machines, the MegaPX ATM camera is compact, easy to install, and features high dynamic range for superior image capture in bright backlit conditions and excellent low-light performance. Good camera coverage is ‘vital’ Westpac New Zealand uses its complete video surveillance solution to manage a number of risks including robberies, violent and aggressive behavior, and investigations around discrepancies in cash. “We allow for fast, bulk deposits, so someone might drop $5,000 in a sealed, tamper-proof bag into a slot and walk away,” said Millar, “The bag gets processed in a cash room and if a bank employee opens it and finds it’s short, it’s vital that we have good camera coverage with a chain of evidence to show with some confidence that the bag wasn’t tampered with.” “Because video evidence is so critical to Westpac New Zealand, the March Networks remote health monitoring functionality is very important,” continued Millar, “If we lose a camera or a recorder hard-drive, we need to know as soon as possible because we don’t want a branch to open without a fully functioning video surveillance system. In these situations, we’ll dispatch a security guard to the branch until we can get a technician there to get the system up and running.” Westpac New Zealand provides its regional and branch managers with access to video systems in the locations they oversee, and requires them to check the field of view monthly to make sure the cameras are properly positioned for optimum surveillance. The bank also makes the systems available to its antimoney laundering investigators and other key people in the organization. From time to time, the security department will receive requests for video from the human resource department, for example, or from a customer whose car has been dinged in a branch car park. In the event of a robbery or other incident, still images from the video solution can be quickly and easily emailed to law enforcement. Video clips can also be exported directly onto a memory stick or burned to a DVD. Westpac New Zealand’s decision to standardize on a March Networks intelligent video solution is based on the bank’s experience with different vendor offerings.  

Gemalto has won an open tender with the Home Office, acting through Her Majesty’s Passport Office (HMPO), for the production of the next generation of British passports and associated services. Gemalto, an international security company with substantial operations in the UK, won the contract following a rigorous competitive process which rated each bidder against strict requirements that included security capabilities, processes, technical quality and the value for money for the taxpayer. The contract is for 11.5 years, including 10 years of production and issuance services. British citizens will soon carry one of the most technically advanced passports in the world thanks to a combination of high-end security features. For the first time, the British passport’s data page (also known as the biographical data page) will be made from polycarbonate instead of paper. This material Awarded Multi-Year Service Contract for New British Passports makes the document extremely secure; any attempt to tamper with it causes visible damage. The material is more durable than paper, preserving the integrity of the document over its lifespan. The digital component of the new British passport will rely on a highly secure operating system designed to comply with ICAO standards, developed and secured in-house by Gemalto. Mark Thomson, Director General for HM Passport Office said, “I am delighted that we have awarded the contract to design and produce the new blue passport. I look forward to working with Gemalto to continue to deliver a worldclass service to British nationals around the world, and keep the UK passport as a global leader of document security.” Howard Berg, Managing Director of Gemalto UK Ltd, said, “We are delighted to have been selected by Her Majesty’s Passport Office to deliver the new generation of British passports. As a pioneer of cutting edge government document design, we’re confident that the new passports will be the most attractive and most secure ever, as befits the British traveller.” The passports will be personalised in the UK to ensure all citizens’ personal and biometric data remains in the country. This process will further extend Gemalto’s presence in the UK, where it has operated for the last 25 years and create new jobs, supplementing the 500+ staff which Gemalto already employs in the UK, as well as generating secondary economic benefits in the local communities where Gemalto will be manufacturing the passports. In line with HMPO tender requirements, Gemalto has developed a complete business continuity plan, featuring the multi sourcing of key components and a manufacturing capability distributed over several factories. Gemalto will be manufacturing the first CarbonNeutral® certified passport. The carbon footprint of the new British passport will be independently measured, validated and reduced to net zero in line with The Carbon Neutral Protocol – the global standard for carbon neutrality. Frederic Trojani, Executive Vice President of Gemalto Government Business Unit added, “Over the past decade, Gemalto has helped develop some of the world’s most secure passports, including landmark projects in Norway, Sweden, USA, Finland and Singapore. We look forward to working with Her Majesty’s Passport Office to deliver one of the most technically advanced passports ever.”