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Product

VICON’s New H.265 Cameras

MassMediaLink India LLP SecurityLink IndiaDecember 13, 2017November 14, 202403 mins

New models offer the simplest way to reduce VMS bandwidth utilization and storage requirements Vicon Industries, Inc., designer and manufacturer of video surveillance and access control software, hardware and components, introduced several new models of H.265 megapixel IP cameras. With superior compression that allows the cameras to transmit high resolution video at 50% lower bitrate than H.264, these models provide the simplest way to reduce demand for bandwidth and storage when used as part of a VMS solution. This is accomplished without any degradation to video quality, and the end result lowers overall cost of video management system operation. Vicon’s new line of H.265 cameras includes a selection of form factors, with resolutions ranging from 2 to 5 megapixels, and a choice of fixed or varifocal lenses. V800 series: Available as mini-bullets (V810B) and indoor domes (V800D), these cameras combine excellent quality video with cost-effective and easy-to-install housings. All offerPoE, WDR (Wide Dynamic Range), multi-streaming, and a range of other features that vary by specific model. V930/ V9500 series: These turret cameras combine the durability of a bullet camera with the ease of positioning offered by a dome. They are designed for demanding indoor or outdoor use and feature a fixed (V930D) or motorized varifocal autoiris (V9500D) lens and IR illuminators. The V930EZ includes integrated pan/ tilt motors that enable remote adjustment of the field of view. The V930D/ V9500D can be positioned manually. All offer PoE, WDR and triple streaming. The V930EZ model includes an SD slot for local storage. V940 series: These bullet (V940B) and dome (V940D) cameras are designed for use in the most demanding environments, featuring rugged construction and impact resistant housing. They can perform in even the lowest lighting conditions and offer an array of advanced features, including on-board video content analysis (VCA) and smart IR LED technology.

Arecont Vision SurroundVideo® Omni G3 Named 2017 Campus Safety BEST Winner

MassMediaLink India LLP SecurityLink IndiaDecember 13, 2017November 14, 202403 mins

Arecont Vision®SurroundVideo® Omni G3 surveillance camera has won a 2017 Campus Safety BEST Award. This is the latest award for the omnidirectional multi-megapixel Omni G3, first unveiled in 2016. Campus Safety Magazine, honoring superior products and services for hospital, school, and university protection professionals, has announced the winners of the 2017 Campus Safety BEST Awards, including SurroundVideo Omni G3. Winning entries recognizing superlative security, law enforcement, emergency management, and safety solutions for K-12 institutions, universities, and healthcare organizations were awarded. SurroundVideo Omni G3 is the surveillance industry’s first multi-sensor, adjustable view camera with no-touch, remote setup. This capability ensures easy and rapid installation. The multi-sensor surveillance camera market was created by Arecont Vision in 2006 with the introduction of the first SurroundVideo 180° and 360° panoramic models, followed in 2014 by Omni G1. The SurroundVideo Omni G2 with remote focus was added in 2015. Both the Omni G1 and G2 are industry award winners in their own right, and continue to be offered alongside the new Omni G3. The three cameras are able to address any market requirement with a range of features and competitive price points. A single high-definition SurroundVideo camera replaces multiple pan-tilt-zoom or fixed-view single-sensor cameras for a wide range of campus safety requirements, while providing non-stop entire-scene coverage and video streaming. SurroundVideo delivers enhanced high-definition video and improved situational awareness indoors and out. Omni G3 brings remote setup to simplify and speed the installation process while enabling customers to easily change their area of coverage. For example, a stadium may wish for a different view for a sports events versus a concert, and Omni G3 can be remotely adjusted, including use of several pre-set and customer-set coverage options.

Feature

DIY Security Systems & the Future of the Professional Installer

MassMediaLink India LLP SecurityLink IndiaDecember 13, 2017November 14, 2024014 mins

By Anna Sliwon – Research Analyst, Building And Security Technology, IHS Markit In 2016, the global market for DIY security equipment reached $60 million, with the great majority of gear – 85 percent – sold in the Americas. The American market for DIY intruder alarms is forecast to grow at a CAGR of more than 20 percent over the next five years. In recent years, the residential security market has seen an influx of DIY intruder alarm system providers from internet service providers such as Deutsche Telekom and consumer electronics companies including Ring and Nest – the latest such providers to offer DIY security systems. DIY on the upswing The popularity of DIY systems is on the rise for several reasons. Self-install systems have no installation costs and can be set up fairly quickly. Equipment usually comes pre-configured, and often only requires a basic understanding of wireless technology. And end users are becoming more tech savvy thanks to the increasing availability of how-to video tutorials on intruder alarm system installation. Alarms can be monitored through a dedicated smartphone application, bringing the costs down to zero while also freeing users from lengthy monitoring contracts. Professional monitoring contract options for DIY systems often come at a lower price than contracts for professionally installed systems. Also, with the growing availability of pay-as-you-go monitoring, users can opt to have the alarm monitored only a few months a year, further reducing the overall annual cost of monitoring. In some cases, the cameras used in DIY systems are more affordable when compared to those offered as part of a professional package. In certain DIY systems, cameras can also be offered at a discounted rate if the user opts out of alarm monitoring services for the camera. DIY end users also have more options available to them, as they can choose from a wide range of consumer devices. With professionally installed systems, usually only one type of pre-selected camera is offered. This limits the end user’s choice to accepting the supplier’s camera or not having a camera in the system. Very often, equipment is interoperable with a wide range of commercially available video cameras, voice speakers or video doorbells, and allows for virtually unlimited expansion and customization. Professional security systems also allow for expansion, but the services of a professional installer may be required to integrate some of the devices, and advanced features are often turned off when a service contract ends. This means that a customer may still be able to arm and disarm the security sensors for a local alarm, but any advanced automation features will not be available to non-active subscriber accounts. Professional solution providers are under pressure New players have entered the security marketplace from other industries, resulting in increased competition and pricing pressures. The flexibility of DIY systems has allowed non-traditional security equipment providers to increase the overall penetration rate of homes with alarm systems – something professional equipment providers have long struggled to achieve. DIY systems are most likely to be chosen by young apartment renters, where there is no previous history of security equipment and the likelihood of annual moves is common. In regions with high population densities, this will lead to the replacement of the professional install option, leaving DIY as a first choice for newcomers to alarm systems. For new homeowners who are also young families concerned with monthly fees, DIY systems may provide a viable option for securing property without long-term contracts. The rise of the DIY market poses the biggest challenge to suppliers of professional security equipment. A blessing in disguise New players from other industries bring into play additional marketing resources to help educate consumers and drive increased awareness of the benefits of security systems. DIY systems have helped lower the barriers to acquiring security systems. As the needs of DIY consumers evolve over time (for instance, they become property owners), they are more likely to switch to professionally installed systems, thereby increasing opportunities for the professional market via system upgrades. DIY systems rely on open protocols and Wi-Fi connectivity that can sometimes be unreliable, creating connection issues. Some of the sensors can become unrecognizable to the system, requiring intervention from the user. In contrast, professional wireless systems rely on UL- or EN-certified equipment and operate on the basis of proprietary frequency, enabling them to work with the control panel much more seamlessly. Not going away anytime soon The need for professional installers will not disappear completely anytime soon. Professionally installed systems provide added peace of mind. When equipment malfunctions, issues can be addressed immediately by a qualified engineer. And what’s more, the quality of the equipment is usually higher in professionally installed systems, and professional configuration and setup greatly reduces the potential for connection instability and false alarms. Although DIY security equipment is in principle very easy to install, it is still relatively new technology. Therefore, software and connection issues are likely to surface in the process of operating the equipment, which may undermine the performance of the system. Dealing with technical support that’s available only online or over the phone could be a daunting process and may not appeal to every consumer. Professional installers are usually located across numerous local offices, making an in-person interaction much more accessible and simple. The proportion of elderly people in economically developed countries is increasing. Many senior citizens are not tech savvy enough to install a DIY system by themselves, so they tend to rely on professionally installed systems that are usually maintained by a family member. Moreover, in many cases these systems include individual monitors like personal emergency response systems (PERS) that can alert if a vulnerable person is in distress inside as well as outside the home. In addition to PERS, many service providers have been trialing programs that analyze the routines and behaviors of the elderly. This means that instead of an elderly patient needing to wear a pendant, his or her behavior is monitored passively by analytics software that alerts caregivers and…

Indian PSI Prepares for the Next Leap

MassMediaLink India LLP SecurityLink IndiaDecember 13, 2017November 14, 2024042 mins

(FICCI & PWC) The security industry is a large and expanding area of the economy with an estimated global market worth of USD 173 billion. The private security industry in India, valued at INR 570 billion is also promising. The Indian industry is still nascent and is likely to see exponential growth both in terms of manpower employed, and market share due to rapid infrastructural and economic development, leading to an increased need for prevention, detection and protection of assets and citizens against criminal acts such as fraud, terrorism, theft, drug-related offences and violent crimes. Yet another factor adding to the demand is the increase in individuals joining the billionaire league and seeking private protection at all times. The private security industry is one of the largest employers in India and is continuously growing. It is employing almost 8.5 million people and has the potential to employ 3 million more people by 2020. Manned guarding continues to be the service line with maximum employment and is also the highest revenue generator for the private security industry, contributing to 80 per cent of the revenue, followed by cash services. Government policies like making guards and installing CCTV cameras in schools, ATMs, and various other locations mandatory have also accelerated the demand of the industry in the country. With a high level of advancements in technology, services like electronic security services, integrated facility management, and security architecture and engineering will see greater prominence in the time to come. This not only has the potential to improve the quality of services offered by security companies but may also prove to be a boon for the large workforce who will have the opportunity to up-skill themselves and progress to engaging employment conditions. With the passage of time, security companies have evolved from servicing only homes and businesses to servicing the government. The rapid growth of the private security industry is both a refl ection of the inability of government security agencies to provide adequate security to private property and of the growing sophistication of the requirements of the private sector. In the context of current policy and regulatory developments in the country, the private security industry will continue to play an important role. More investments coming into manufacturing and other related industries will not only trigger the demand for private security personnel but also compel the industry to adopt processes and practices in sync with international standards. The contribution of this sector to employment generation in India is unique. Private security industry provides employment to a large number of rural youth, which otherwise would have remained outside the fold of formal employment. – Dr. Sanjaya Baru Secretary General, FICCI However, as per the industry sources, 60 per cent of the security service providers still operate as unorganised, thereby keeping the sector price oriented, and amenable to unfriendly employment practices that make it difficult to monitor quality and compliance. The sector continues to be perceived by the work force as non-aspirational as people are unaware of career prospects and the benefits that can be achieved. Technology integration is yet another challenge as it is widening the gap between the well-established players and smaller players in the industry. Most clients are now looking for technology-enabled security solutions which some of the bigger players in the industry already have; however, because of high capital and highly skilled manpower requirements, it is getting harder for smaller companies to keep up with the pace. Lack of quality manpower, high attrition rates and compliance requirements also continue to pose major challenges to the growth of the manned guarding security services market. Government policies are changing the game quickly with important decisions being taken to overcome challenges such as revision in foreign direct investment (FDI) rates, re-categorization of security workers and modification in the minimum wages. However, the industry stakeholders are still of the view that more changes at the policy level and improved enforcement could help private security grow further and make the sector more viable for investments. Some key suggestions are creating a grading framework for private security players in the market and having a single window licence process. Industry overview Considering the growing demand for security services, security firms in India are seeking capital to expand their business. Some international players are also foraying into India to tap the potential of the industry. Demographic characteristics India’s competitive advantage has been its competitive wage structure and availability of manpower. A large number of youth within the age group of 15–19 fall below the poverty line as they drop out of formal education and have limited avenues for employment – majorly in regions including Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Assam. They come to cities in search of better employment opportunities. The youth from cities, though, associate with the security industry with low aspirational value owing to lack of social security schemes, long working hours and poor working conditions. Nevertheless, the private security industry continues to be one of the largest employers in India. Over 90 per cent of this workforce consists of security guards who are at the base of the pyramid, with little to no relevant experience or expertise. They resort to working as security guards as the last option. Recent policy initiatives FDI rates: FDI in private security agencies (PSAs) has been revised through the automatic route to 49 per cent and through the Government approval route to 74 per cent. Re-categorisation: In January 2017, vide a Gazette Notification, workers in private security have been re-categorized under the Minimum Wages Act, along with a modification in the minimum rate of daily pay. Security guards without arms have been recategorized as ‘skilled,’ and security guards with arms and security supervisors have been categorised as ‘highly skilled.’ Wage rate revision: The Central Government has also revised the minimum wage payable to employees of the ‘watch and ward’ sector to INR 637 per day effective April 2017. Stakeholders are of the opinion that more changes need to…

Case Study

Motorola Solutions Technology for Safer Cities & Secure Businesses

MassMediaLink India LLP SecurityLink IndiaDecember 13, 2017November 14, 202404 mins

Company’s newest smart public safety technology including apps, devices, infrastructure and future concepts will be showcased at the first Mission Critical Africa event in Cape Town Motorola Solutions introduces advanced solutions and futuristic technologies for safer cities and secure businesses across Africa. Danani Longwe, Motorola Solutions General Manager for South Africa said, “There’s a growing need among public safety agencies for critical actionable data. Emergency services, along with the rest of the public sector are eager to gain advantages of technology to increase safety and efficiency. There is increasing demand for broadband technologies, mobile apps, next generation command and control and advanced security solutions,” Said Longwe, “The majority of our customers in the region already understand that access to real-time intelligence is critical for their work.” “At Mission Critical Africa we will demonstrate a powerful set of software tools that help make cities safer by increasing public safety agencies’ situational awareness and capabilities. Other featured Motorola Solutions devices and apps, enable organizations to work more safely and collaboratively, thus helping their business thrive.” Tunde Williams, Head of Field and Solutions Marketing EMEA for Motorola Solutions, said the company’s vision for smarter public safety includes use of Big Data and Artificial intelligence for greater efficiency, “The abundance of data along with advanced AI technologies such as deep learning and computer vision, will play a growing role for public safety agencies. With the help of technology we are moving to an era where we will be able to predict and prevent crime before it happens.” “Public safety organizations need not only the technology and tools to meet their evolving needs, but also a partner with specialized knowledge and experience to understand their challenges, find solutions and imagine new ways to get the job done,” said Williams. Motorola Solutions’ global leadership in delivering secure and reliable critical communications is demonstrated through recent major milestones. These include: A contract to deliver mobile apps, software and services for the FirstNet network as part of its role on the AT&T team selected by the U.S. Government to deliver America’s first nationwide wireless broadband public safety network. A contract to deliver system integration and next-generation, mission-critical voice and data services for the emergency services network in the UK. Implementation of the three largest public safety broadband networks in the world – in Los Angeles County, California in the U.S. and in two Middle Eastern countries. Delivery of leading public safety broadband trials with multiple international police and military forces throughout the world.

Uniview Secures Toyota Iran Branches

MassMediaLink India LLP SecurityLink IndiaDecember 13, 2017November 14, 202403 mins

IRToya is the exclusive distributor of Toyota in Iran, which was founded in 1973 and owns more than 70 branches in most of the important cities in Iran, for example Tehran, Mashahd, Shiraz, Isfahan, Ahvaz, Yazd, Tabriz, Babol, Bandar Abbas, Noor, Hamedan etc. IRToya chose Uniview to handle video surveillance in all branches. More than 30 cameras are installed in each branch, which cover customer service area, entrances, offices and parking lot. With Uniview products, operators will be able to monitor all the spots inside and outside the store and guarantee the safety. Right now, Uniview has provided video surveillance solutions for many branches and soon will cover all the branches of Toyota in Iran. Demand and solution The main demand from IRToya is a solution to keep records with high quality 7/24 video for 2 months. In this case, Uniview provided IPC3232, IPC3612 and IPC2324 with smart functions, IK10, IP66, and Full-HD image quality. Uniview also provided NVR304-32E in each branch with four 6TB HDDs. Ultra 265 deep compression technology Higher definition brings the problems about larger storage cost. In order to solve this problem, Uniview developed self-innovated Ultra 265 technology which combined H.265 and U-Code encoding technology, helping to reduce up to 95% bandwidth, compared with a common encoding algorithm whilst no compromise on the details. Most of UNV cameras and NVRs support Ultra 265, which enables the Toyota stores to store over 30 channels videos for 2 months with only 4 pieces 6TB HDDs. If it is H.264 compression mode, it will need 14 pieces 6TB HDDs to store the video. Ultra 265 significantly saves the cost for customers. Smart functions to simplify store management UNV cameras support various smart functions including people counting, intrusion detection, crossing line detection, scene change detection etc. By using people counting function, operators can easily analyze the people flow based on the statistics generated from UNV cameras, and reorganize sources to improve.

Belgium Police Uses JET PtMP

MassMediaLink India LLP SecurityLink IndiaDecember 13, 2017November 14, 202404 mins

Fighting Crime & Terror with RADWIN’s Video Surveillance Network Antwerp police in Belgium have chosen RADWIN’s JET Point-to-Multipoint (PtMP) solutions to build a mission-critical video surveillance network that connects hundreds of high-definition PTZ video cameras to the police control center and provides connectivity for nomadic video surveillance deployments during public events such as concerts and fairs. Live video feeds transmitted via RADWIN’s JET Beamforming wireless broadband systems allow Antwerp Police to detect and respond to unfolding or potentially criminal activity in real-time and capture activity for future investigation. RADWIN’s JET PtMP radios deliver dedicated bandwidth per camera site to ensure the highest-quality video transmission, enabling facial identification and vehicular license-plate recognition (LPR). Wim Simons, Service and Solutions Manager, Exclusive Networks said, “More and more police forces globally use high definition cameras for facial and license plate recognition, and therefore they need greater throughput. RADWIN’s JET system fits the bill, providing the highest industry capacity of up to 750 Mbps per base station so that transmission quality is superb. There’s no network downtime and zero latency and jitter. The police in Antwerp have come to rely on the RADWIN-powered video surveillance network to ensure the safety of citizens and visitors.” Mari van Heijst, Senior Engineer, VCS Observation said, “Antwerp is an old city, so it’s very difficult to obtain connectivity via fixed network lines. RADWIN’s system offered the perfect solution because they give the police the flexibility to set-up cameras in virtually any location rapidly and cost-effectively, unlike fiber which is slow and expensive to roll-out. JET’s unique Bi-Beam Beamforming technology spatially filters and fights interference to deliver a non-stop connection with ZERO video hiccups.” Raymond Forado, RADWIN GM Europe, Russia, North and West Africa said, “There is a marked rise in crime and terrorist activity on a global scale, and governments are realizing the imperative of establishing fixed and nomadic surveillance networks to combat these threats. We are proud that RADWIN’s JET solutions are a vital component of the Antwerp police’s Safe City project, and will continue to support the police force as their surveillance network grows to encompass more sites.”

Feature

The Markets and Markets Report

MassMediaLink India LLP SecurityLink IndiaDecember 13, 2017November 14, 2024010 mins

‘AI’ in Transportation Market to grow to USD 10.30 Billion by 2030 The report ‘Artificial Intelligence in Transportation Market’ notes that the artificial intelligence in transportation market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 17.87% with the market size expected to grow from USD 1.21 Billion in 2017 to USD 10.30 Billion by 2030. The emergence of autonomous trucks and industry-wide standards such as adaptive cruise control (ACC), blind spot alert, and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) would trigger the growth of the artificial intelligence in transportation market. The growing demand for safety and security has created an opportunity for OEMs to develop new and innovative artificial intelligence systems that would attract customers. Software segment holds the largest share The software segment is estimated to hold the largest market share of the artificial intelligence in transportation market in 2017. In recent years, major developments have occurred in AI software solutions, platforms and related software development kits. These developments have taken place due to the need for advancement in the areas of object perception, machine translation and object recognition. Companies such as Alphabet (US), Microsoft (US), IBM (US) and Intel (US) are among the frontrunners in the development of AI software. All these companies are acquiring or investing heavily in start-ups to maintain a strong position in the artificial intelligence in transportation market. In March 2017, Intel (US) acquired Mobileye (Israel) for approximately USD 15 billion. Software for deep learning technology has a major share in the AI in transportation market. Therefore, the need for advancement in autonomous trucks has led to a large amount of funding for various start-ups in the North American region. Data mining process is estimated to be the fastest growing segment of the artificial intelligence in transportation market from 2017 to 2030. A huge amount of data, collected from different sensors used in semi-autonomous or autonomous trucks can be used to train the trucks to detect or recognize images, obstacles and various scenarios one might encounter behind the wheel. Autonomous trucks have a potential of collecting more data from the outside environment, and hence, data mining will be of great importance. The North American region is estimated to have the largest market for data mining as the trucking industry has a huge influence on its economy. Similarly, the growing demand for predictive maintenance in transportation industry would boost the growth of the data mining process in the near future. North America be the leading market Transportation plays a significant role in the North American economy. According to American Trucker Association, there are 8.7 million truck-related jobs in the US, and the country still faces a shortage of truck drivers. Hence, major developments related to autonomous driving of trucks are taking place in this country. Additionally, incentives and high level of funding from the government plays a major role in the development of this technology. For instance, in 2016, the US government spent USD 4.00 billion to accelerate the acceptance of autonomous vehicles on US roads. Also, the Central North American Trade Corridor Association is planning to develop a driverless truck corridor from Mexico to Manitoba. Also, the region is home to leading technology companies such as Microsoft (US), Intel (US), and NVIDIA (US), which offer various AI technologies for vehicles in partnership with OEMs. Therefore, the North American region has a great potential for the growth of the artificial intelligence in transportation market. The key software & Tier- I suppliers profiled in the report include Continental AG (Germany), Bosch (Germany), Microsoft (US), and NVIDIA (US). These systems and technologies are supplied to automotive OEMs such as Volvo (Sweden), Daimler (Germany), Scania (Sweden), and others. Visual Analytics Market Worth USD 6.51 Billion by 2022 The report ‘Visual Analytics Market Global Forecast to 2022’ indicates that the visual analytics market is expected to grow from USD 2.57 Billion in 2017 to USD 6.51 Billion by 2022, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 20.4%. The major factors driving the visual analytics market are the rapid growth in volume and variety of business data, growing need for data-driven decision-making, and increasing demand for advanced analytics. The visual analytics market is growing rapidly because of the transformation from the traditional analytical techniques for analyzing business data to the advanced techniques and due to the massive surge of the flowing business data. IT business function The IT business function is expected to witness the highest CAGR during the forecast period because of the increasing need for IT departments across industries to have access to real-time analytics on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and the visualization of the percentage of helpdesk ticket requests resolved in the agreed time-frame to assess the success of on-going support. Transportation and logistics The transportation and logistics industry is expected to witness the highest CAGR during the forecast period because of the increasing need for managing the real-time data coming from various transportation and logistics activities, such as the vehicle’s schedule analysis and route analysis, based on the transportation and logistics activities conducted. North America is to dominate North America is expected to hold the largest share of the visual analytics market in 2017, due to the technological advancements and early adoption of analytical solutions in this region. The market size in Asia Pacific (APAC) is expected to grow at the highest CAGR from 2017 to 2022. The primary driving factors for this growth are the increasing technological adoption and huge opportunities across industries in the APAC countries, especially in India, China and Japan. The report also encompasses different strategies, such as mergers and acquisitions, partnerships and collaborations, and product upgrading adopted by the major players to increase their shares in the market. Some of the major technology vendors include IBM (US), Oracle (US), SAP (Germany), SAS Institute (US), Tableau Software (US), Microsoft (US), MicroStrategy (US), TIBCO Software (US), Qlik (US), and Alteryx (US).

Caution in Courtroom Evidence Presentation

MassMediaLink India LLP SecurityLink IndiaDecember 13, 2017November 14, 2024011 mins

Use of ‘Likelihood Ratio’ not consistently supported by scientific reasoning approach ( -: Contributed by NIST :- ) Two experts at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) are calling into question a method of presenting evidence in courtrooms, arguing that it risks allowing personal preference to creep into expert testimony and potentially distorts evidence for a jury. The method involves the use of Likelihood Ratio (LR), a statistical tool that gives experts a shorthand way to communicate their assessment of how strongly forensic evidence such as a fingerprint or DNA sample, can be tied to a suspect. In essence, LR allows a forensics expert to boil down a potentially complicated set of circumstances into a number – providing a pathway for experts to concisely express their conclusions based on a logical and coherent framework. LR’s proponents say it is appropriate for courtroom use; some even argue that it is the only appropriate method by which an expert should explain evidence to jurors or attorneys. However, in a new paper published in the Journal of Research of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, statisticians Steve Lund and Hari Iyer caution that the justification for using LR in courtrooms is flawed. The justification is founded on a reasoning approach called Bayesian decision theory, which has long been used by the scientific community to create logic-based statements of probability. But Lund and Iyer argue that while Bayesian reasoning works well in personal decision making, it breaks down in situations where information must be conveyed from one person to another such as in courtroom testimony. These findings could contribute to the discussion among forensic scientists regarding LR, which is increasingly used in criminal courts in the U.S. and Europe. While the NIST authors stop short of stating that LR ought not to be employed whatsoever, they caution that using it as a one-size-fits-all method for describing the weight of evidence risks conclusions being driven more by unsubstantiated assumptions than by actual data. They recommend using LR only in cases where a probability-based model is warranted. Last year’s report from the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) mentions some of these situations, such as the evaluation of high-quality samples of DNA from a single source. “We are not suggesting that LR should never be used in court, but its envisioned role as the default or exclusive way to transfer information is unjustified,” Lund said, “Bayesian theory does not support using an expert’s opinion, even when expressed numerically, as a universal weight of evidence. Among different ways of presenting information, it has not been shown that LR is most appropriate.” Bayesian reasoning is a structured way of evaluating and re-evaluating a situation as new evidence comes up. If a child who rarely eats sweets says he did not eat the last piece of blueberry pie, his older sister might initially think it unlikely that he did, but if she spies a bit of blue stain on his shirt, she might adjust that likelihood upward. Applying a rigorous version of this approach to complex forensic evidence allows an expert to come up with a logic-based numerical LR that makes sense to the expert as an individual. The trouble arises when other people – such as jurors – are instructed to incorporate the expert’s LR into their own decision-making. An expert’s judgment often involves complicated statistical techniques that can give different LRs depending on which expert is making the judgment. As a result, one expert’s specific LR number can differ substantially from another’s. “Two people can employ Bayesian reasoning correctly and come up with two substantially different answers,” Lund said, “Which answer should you believe, if you’re a juror?” In the blueberry pie example, imagine a jury had to rely on expert testimony to determine the probability that the stain came from a specific pie. Two different experts could be completely consistent with Bayesian theory, but one could testify to, say, an LR of 50 and another to an LR of 500 – the difference stemming from their own statistical approaches and knowledge bases. But if jurors were to hear 50 rather than 500, it could lead them to make a different ultimate decision. Viewpoints differ on the appropriateness of using LR in court. Some of these differences stem from the view that jurors primarily need a tool to help them to determine reasonable doubt, not particular degrees of certainty. To Christophe Champod, a professor of forensic science at the University of Lausanne, Switzerland, an argument over LR’s statistical purity overlooks what is most important to a jury. “We’re a bit presumptuous as expert witnesses that our testimony matters that much,” Champod said, “LR could perhaps be more statistically pure in the grand scheme, but it’s not the most significant factor, transparency is. What matters is telling the jury what the basis of our testimony is, where our data comes from, and why we judge it the way we do.” The NIST authors, however, maintain that for a technique to be broadly applicable, it needs to be based on measurements that can be replicated. In this regard, LR often falls short, according to the authors. “Our success in forensic science depends on our ability to measure well. The anticipated use of LR in the courtroom treats it like it’s a universally observable quantity, no matter who measures it,” Lund said, “But it’s not a standardized measurement. By its own definition, there is no true LR that can be shared, and the differences between any two individual LRs may be substantial.” The NIST authors do not state that LR is always problematic; it may be suitable in situations where LR assessments from any two people would differ inconsequentially. Their paper offers a framework for making such assessments, including examples for applying them. Ultimately, the authors contend it is important for experts to be open to other, more suitable science-based approaches rather than using LR indiscriminately. Because these other methods are still under…

Protecting IP Surveillance Cameras

MassMediaLink India LLP SecurityLink IndiaDecember 13, 2017November 14, 202407 mins

(DITEK Surge Protection) As intelligent, networked IP cameras become the industry standard, protecting them from damage and downtime has become a crucial part of any security system. IP cameras can deliver constant analytic information such as the routes customers take through a store, in addition to providing the round-the-clock surveillance necessary for protecting your business. Should an electrical surge event occur, unprotected cameras can easily become damaged and require maintenance or replacement, which is costly both in price and in downtime of critical systems. It is more necessary than ever to safeguard the consistent functionality of your IP cameras by installing surge protection. Analog cameras require separate functionality – a standalone system often managed outside of an established business network. IP cameras can communicate over your primary data network, and can easily integrate with other systems. This provides faster, simpler connectivity and higher performance, but also comes with higher risk. A surge event at one of your IP cameras – often outside and exposed to weather – can be introduced into your entire network, damaging or even destroying other systems and devices. Surge protection for your cameras has become essential risk prevention for your security system. Downtime on your system is a huge security risk. With IP cameras more able to cover large areas and process data, fewer cameras are required on a modern surveillance system to achieve good coverage. Downtime on any individual camera could therefore leave larger areas without coverage and present more of a threat to your system’s functionality. A surge event that causes even a single IP camera to go down could present incalculable loss and possible risk to your business. It is more important than ever to ensure protection from surge events on every individual device on your network, and prevent a catastrophic event, like a lightning strike, from damaging additional parts of your system. IP cameras provide a wide range of functions beyond video surveillance to protect your business and provide higher return on investment (ROI). Today’s best-in-breed devices can track customer behaviors, perform facial recognition, and allow managers to watch sales and provide customer service in real time. With more functionality on individual cameras, losses are costlier if they are damaged in a surge event. Should a camera go down, your business is losing more than video data – you are losing the real-time ability to optimize and grow. To prevent loss of important functionality, always have surge protection on your cameras and switches. IP cameras are often the most exposed part of your surveillance system because many are installed outdoors and exposed to weather. Though lightning strikes are not the most common instigator of surge events as imagined by most people, outdoor IP cameras are often equipped with metal housings and are in much more danger of conducting a surge to your network than other devices. Surge protectors should consider required protection when installing an outdoor IP camera. Surge protectors are designed to be cost-effective ways to protect your IP cameras. Self-restoring devices keep the surge protectors functional after a surge event, and most are designed to survive several power surges. Should a surge protector be destroyed in a surge event, it is simpler and far less costly to replace than an expensive IP camera. Most surges are not caused by lightning strikes – more often, surges are created from nearby or even from within the facility such as when a large HVAC system kicks on. Surge protection should be considered a simple preventative measure, necessary to protect your cameras – and as such, your entire business – from these surge events. As a business incurs risk, liability, and costly downtime should its surveillance system go down, it is crucial to protect these devices from damaging surge events. Modern IP cameras that are networked to your system present a high risk should they not have proper surge protection. When installing IP cameras onto your security system, the addition of surge protectors should be considered an essential feature to protect your business.