Category: Feature

Weaponized for Malicious Purposes GARIMA GOSWAMYChief Executive Officer and Co-FounderDridhg Security International Pvt. Ltd. On January 7, 2019, Gabon faced an attempted coup sparked by a suspicious video of President Ali Bango, coinciding with rumours of his failing health. Amidst the Russia-Ukraine conflict in February 2022, a deepfake video depicting Volodymyr Zelenskyy surrendering circulated, sowing confusion. Subsequently, in June 2023, hackers aired a fake televised emergency message supposedly from an AI-generated Russian President Vladimir Putin, declaring Martial law due to alleged Ukrainian incursions into Russia. There is also a viral interview of Russian President Vladimir Putin having a conversation with his deepfake, a student from St Petersburg State University. A snapshot of the same is given below: In India, a deepfake video of Bharatiya Janata Party’s Manoj Tiwari speaking multiple languages went viral on WhatsApp before the Delhi elections, resembling David Beckham’s multilingual ‘Malaria no more’ campaign. Initially surfacing in 2018, deepfake technology was exploited by a Reddit user to create objectionable pornographic content featuring celebrities, generating widespread skepticism due to a lack of awareness. More recently, financial frauds leveraging synthetic audio and deepfake videos, often combined with impersonation on video calls, have become prevalent. What began as a seemingly innocuous tool in the entertainment industry has spiraled into a technology facilitating misinformation, defamation, pornography, and financial fraud through social engineering tactics. Good DeepFakes Some uses of deepfake which is not necessarily unethical is the use of text-to-speech for writing audio books for the visually impaired and text-tospeech or speech-to-speech to create synthetic voices, that can be used in the entertainment industry. Then there is the concept of hyper-personalization. Recently, Cadbury used hyper-personalization as an initiative to make the famous Indian actor Shah Rukh Khan a brand ambassador for small businesses. Here videos were created by mixing a deepfake version of the actor along with some shots recorded for the campaign. Now companies like ‘True Fans’ are using hyper-personalization to send customized messages on special occasions at a cost. Understanding Deepfakes Deepfakes represent a form of manipulated media, combining ‘deep learning’ with ‘fake.’ Utilizing artificial intelligence and deep learning techniques, deepfakes involve altering or superimposing content onto existing images, videos, or audio recordings to create convincing yet entirely fabricated scenes. These manipulations often employ auto-encoder convolutional neural networks, which compress input images before reconstruction, or Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs), an unsupervised deep learning algorithm. GANs consist of a generator, which reproduces a specific person’s face, and a discriminator, which identifies flaws in the generated image, leading to iterative improvement until flaws are minimal. Where Lies the Solution? Just as proof of the pudding is in eating it, the detector is already present inside the deepfake creation. Also, some cues can help distinguish the real from the deepfake and some credible software that falls under the category of ‘deepfake detectors.’ It is important to sensitize people about the problem of deepfakes and present credible methods to distinguish the real and the deepfake. For image forensics and authentication of audio and videos, there are some reliable software available. A highly reliable image forensic software, particularly popular with law enforcement agencies in several countries is Amped Authenticate which uses multiple parameters for authentication of images. It conducts file analysis that is used to check the metadata of images. It can also be checked if an image comes from social media. A global analysis involves examining the processing history behind an image. The software through this analysis can demonstrate the presence of resaving, cropping, recapture, and editing. This helps to increase the accuracy of image analysis. Local analysis identifies possible manipulations based on the nature of JPEG file format and the traces left behind by editing software. Using color channels, error level analysis, JPEG ghost maps, and cloned artifacts identification, it is possible to demonstrate areas within an image which has possibly been edited. These are just some of its features. For detection of synthetic voices, a notable tools which comes highly recommended is ResembleAI’s detector. It is user-friendly and a wav or mp3 format file can easily be uploaded. It has two controls which have to be used – frame length and a sensitivity knob. Frame length controls for the granularity of the model’s analysis. By default, the model analyzes the file in 2-second chunks, then provides a real or fake prediction score for each chunk, and ultimately provides a weighted average score for the entire file. The smaller the chunks, the less likely that the chunk will contain both real and fake data, which ultimately improves the accuracy of the model. The sensitivity knob controls the level of scrutiny and aggression the model applies to its file analysis. The higher the sensitivity the more likely that the model will return a false positive result. Increases in sensitivity are meant to capture any instance of synthetic audio in an audio file, and flag the audio as fake. While there are several deepfake detectors which are available for checking the authenticity of videos such as DeepWare, DeepIdentify, Sensity, FakeBuster, FakeBuster by Intel, Kroop AI’s detector, Sensity is recommended as it has a high level of accuracy. It is to be noted that among these names, a distinctive feature of Fakebuster is that it can capture live videos and can be integrated with video conferencing platforms like Zoom and Skype. This made-in-India software is available as open-source and was developed in 2021 keeping in mind the risk of imposters in video conferencing particularly as the frequency of video calls increased after COVID-19. If such software was used, the 2024 Hong Kong fraud involving a finance executive who deposited $25 million to imposters after a fake Zoom call could have been prevented. We can’t only depend on deepfake detectors for this space is evolving regularly and there is a cat-and-mouse chase between deepfake creation software and deepfake detection software. And, no software can guarantee 100% accuracy. It is then important to rely on human intelligence too. Some warning signs and techniques that individuals can use…

In December 2023 organizations were still recovering from pandemic-related disruptions. Yet, despite labor shortages, supply chain issues, and growing cyber threats, leaders advanced their risk management plans. In 2024, the physical security industry will stay focused on growth. We believe that they’ll prioritize agility, data optimization, and resource efficiency in their decisions. Check out our top 8 physical security trends below: 1.IT and physical security teams will join forces Physical security’s convergence with IT is accelerating. And it isn’t limited to technology anymore. In the coming year, organizations will look to optimize collaboration between IT and physical security teams. sets will result in more effective risk mitigation and data optimization across the organization. And though there’s no one-size-fits-all approach, most will consider the following strategies: As this human-centered convergence grows, so will the demand for unified, cloud-connected physical security solutions. This will give teams a comprehensive view of systems and evolving risks while helping them extract more value from data. 2.The democratization of physical security data will surge The democratization of physical security data is well underway. More employees need to engage with physical security technologies and data than ever before. Our research shows that almost 40% of organizations are also struggling with physical security labor shortages. Gatekeeping access to specific tasks or information only compounds the strain on resources. As employee roles evolve in this digital era, organizations will seek more collaborative physical security technologies. They’ll want easy-to-use solutions that can support secure, limited-use applications for people outside of the security department. What could this look like? Crimescene witnesses securely sharing video from their phones to a centralized evidence repository or, team leaders overseeing access requests relevant to their department. For many organizations, this will lead to greater workforce augmentation across the enterprise. It will also help them expand the value of security investments to serve broader objectives. 3. Access control modernization will top tech investments Modernizing access control will remain a top priority in 2024. To ease upgrade complexities, many organizations will shift to a hybrid-cloud model and deploy cloud-ready access control solutions. This will deliver continuous innovation and cybersecurity updates that reinforce security from doors to networks. We’ll also see greater demand for open access control solutions. More than ever, organizations want the freedom to add and connect the best technologies out there. In 2024, this will include everything from building management systems and life and safety solutions to human resource management software and mobile credentials to name a few. Unifying access control with these various technologies can boost operational efficiencies and sustainability initiatives. They also allow employers to enhance the cardholder experience; one where everything feels more fluid and convenient. Many will also reach a breaking point in managing separate video and access control systems. Striving for more efficiencies, leaders will take steps towards system unification. This will simplify system monitoring and maintenance tasks, leading to higher output and costs savings across the enterprise. 4.Organizations will seek to maximize hybrid-cloud investment The physical security industry will see a large increase in hybrid-cloud adoption in 2024. Recent research found that 44% of organizations already have over a quarter of their physical security deployment in a cloud or hybrid-cloud environment. As cloud adoption rises, there’s a growing interest in new plug-andplay, cloud-ready appliances. They not only streamline access to cloud services but also enhance computing power at the edge. We’ll also see a larger focus on cloud data usage and associated costs. Those who are further along in their hybrid-cloud journey are seeking ways to optimize cloud spend. Many will lean on channel partners to explore use cases beyond security to maximize hybrid-cloud investments. 5.Cities will become focused on building public trust In recent years, police departments have been struggling to hire and keep officers. To offset this problem, many cities are investing in new crime-fighting technologies. Everything from vehicle investigation systems and situational awareness platforms to drones and body-wearable devices helps boost efficiencies across public safety departments. Yet as the use of technology expands across cities, so do public privacy concerns. In 2024, we’ll see a growing commitment from cities to build more public trust and strengthen privacy efforts. The following core strategies will be most helpful: 6.IIoT growth and data-optimized solutions will boom The number of physical security devices and other industrial internet of things (IIoT) sensors coming into the market is accelerating. And across industries, organizations can’t get enough. IT and security experts want to expand the types of data within their security deployment. Beyond that, they’re looking to extract data from the systems holding it and build data lakes that serve future objectives. At this critical moment, those who opt for an API-centric, open architecture, along with a unified physical security platform will stand to gain the most over time. This will give them the flexibility to combine and simultaneously analyze various sources of data on their own terms. Ultimately this can help inform new data-driven strategies and maximize returns across all tech investments. During this data influx, many organizations will also look for ways to empower their operators and digitize current workflows. As a result, demand for physical security solutions with embedded analytics, automation tools, and visual dashboards will grow. 7.Organizations will favor government-approved solutions According to IBM, the average cost of a data breach in 2023 was $4.45 million USD. And only one-third of companies were able to identify the breach through their own security teams. Moving into 2024, many organizations will use government directives and accredited certifications to guide technology decisions and scrutinize their supply chain. This will increase demand for government-approved, highly compliant physical security solutions. Today, the most stringent data protection requirements apply to government agencies and essential services. However, other organizations are paying close attention. By adopting similar strategies and solutions, they get access to the most advanced tools that help identify and contain threats faster. They can also prove trustworthiness by showing partners and customers they take cybersecurity seriously. The benefits are two-fold: stronger resilience and…

This blog explores the revolutionary impact of reinforced polyamides on anti-corrosion cameras. Discover how these innovative materials offer superior chemical resistance, durability, and strength, and how they stand out as a lightweight and cost-effective alternative to metal camera housings. We also explain why Hikvision’s Polymer Anti-Corrosion Cameras are the ideal solution for corrosion protection in the harshest environments Cameras installed in industrial or marine settings are constantly exposed to harsh chemicals, salt, or other corrosive materials. For these reasons, inner camera components that can be easily damaged in these kinds of environments need to be enclosed in strong, protective housings. Until recently, anti-corrosion cameras used housings made of metal, typically stainless steel or coated aluminum. While these materials can be very effective in terms of protecting sensitive camera components, they are also typically expensive and heavy, making them more difficult to handle and install. To overcome these challenges, the latest generation of anti-corrosion cameras use reinforced polyamides, which are light, highly durable and more cost effective than metal housing alternatives. Read on to find out why these cutting-edge materials are a game changer for anti-corrosion cameras in four key ways. 1.Resilience against various kinds of chemicals and corrosive materials In the process of corrosion, oxygen, acids, salt and other substances convert metals into more chemically stable oxides. This can damage them and prevent them from fulfilling their intended function, requiring metal components to be treated or coated with special chemicals. Reinforced polyamides require no such protection as they are almost immune to corrosion. The secret behind this is the strong chemical bonds that hold polyamides together, as well as the extra reinforcement provided by the blended materials. The tight molecular structure of the polyamides provides greater stability and durability, leaving very little chemical energy available to react with other substances, even the most aggressive oxidants. According to the British Plastics Federation, polyamides provide good resistance to most chemicals. Hikvision’s rigorous acid, alkali, and salt spray tests have proved that a polyamide, when reinforced, can exhibit exceptional material integrity. 2.Protection against abrasion, impacts, and the passage of time Naturally present in wool and silk, polyamides are more often seen in synthetic products. Sports gear and dental floss demonstrate the reliability and strength of these materials, which are also used frequently to replace metal components in all kinds of machinery and equipment. In a Hikvision laboratory test, a specific reinforced polyamide demonstrated 90% of the strength of aluminum. Notably, it was able to withstand repeated high-energy impacts with no signs of fracture, demonstrating its suitability for high-demand security scenarios and devices. Reinforced polyamides are also strong enough to resist the ravages of time. Subjected to rigorous 1,000-hour xenon aging tests in the Hikvision lab, the tested reinforced polyamide maintained its appearance and resilience in a way that regular plastics are unable to. 3. Reduced camera weight and less hassle for installers Heavy stainless-steel-cladded cameras, which typically weigh up to 25kg, are difficult for installers to handle safely. In many cases, it is simply impossible for a single person to do the installation. The same volume of reinforced polyamides are significantly lighter than their metal counterparts. A reinforced polyamide typically has a density less than half that of aluminum and only a seventh of stainless steel. This weight differential changes the game for installers, making anti-corrosion cameras much less cumbersome and much easier to install and maintain. 4. New levels of cost effectiveness Reinforced polyamides are typically far more cost effective than metals. Their lighter weight also provides significant savings in terms of transportation, warehousing, and installation costs. The superior durability of reinforced polyamides in harsh environments also reduces the need for repairs and maintenance, delivering major savings for larger installations on public roadways, in industrial parks, or in similar settings. Security cameras with reinforced polyamide housings offer excellent performance and durability at a highly competitive price-point. This makes them an excellent investment for users and helps to maximize RoI over the product lifecycle. Introducing Hikvision’s reinforced polyamide anti-corrosion cameras Hikvision’s newly released Polymer Anti-Corrosion Cameras feature state-of-the-art reinforced polyamide housings and accessories. They increase durability and cost effectiveness for our customers, as well as reducing the weight of each camera unit. Additionally, the cameras are equipped with Hikvision ColorVu and DarkFighter technologies for excellent color imaging, even in ultra-low light. A range of built-in deep learning analytics capabilities help end users to maximize security and reduce false positives. Additionally, third-party or custom applications can be integrated easily into the cameras, making them ideal for even the most complex security needs. The new Hikvision anti-corrosion cameras, which are wrapped in tried-and-tested reinforced polyamide, offer a durable, lightweight, cost-effective security solution, even in the harshest industrial and marine environments.

Prakash Prabhu Chief Business Officer & Co-Founder, VisionBot Visual AI may seem like it’s everywhere now. But, in all likelihood, there is lot to be achieved. As AI tools improve in efficiency, industries already relying more on them to boost productivity and compliance. Let us explore what Visual AI can do for the Oil & Gas industry. Companies using AI saw the most value in manufacturing and risk management. Lately, they are seeing the most value in Operations, Marketing and Sales, Product and Service development, and Strategy. Automated Visual Inspection is rapidly entering the oil and gas industry, creating significant potential for innovation and growth. The integration of Visual AI in oil and gas holds immense promise for innovation and growth, promising to revolutionize how the industry operates. Companies can aim to create value using Visual AI instead of relying on traditional, humancentered monitoring and inspections. Emerging technology and breakthroughs in the field of computer vision and Edge AI allow the highly scalable use of distributed computer vision applications. Those applications are becoming possible because the workloads from computer vision and AI algorithms are moved from the cloud to the edge. network edge. With this on-device machine learning allows processing the video streams of distributed cameras in real-time, at high computational efficiency, it becomes possible to build mission-critical, large-scale computer vision systems with remote cameras connected to computing devices. Compared to conventional IoT sensors and low-power devices, cameras provide a contactless method that provides rich information about complex objects and situations. With computers that can see, it becomes possible to automate human tasks and accelerate processes, increase operational efficiency, and reduce human error or subjectivity. In the oil and gas sector, companies can adopt AI technologies to improve Operations, Safety and Reliability across the production and supply chain. This translates to autonomous processes, improving cost efficiencies, and reducing operational risks. Some of the process impacted by Visual AI include: Maintenance and service life prediction. Safety and compliance monitoring. Reliability & business continuity. Risk evaluation. Sustainability and environmental protection. Non-destructive testing and inspection. Analyze fatigue and corrosion of systems. Oil or Gas Pipeline Remote Inspection Assessing large-scale network of pipelines to determine their condition and health status poses great challenges to the operators. Edge based deep learning leverage computer vision models for the by extracting critical information from the visual data of remote cameras. DL models (e.g., R-CNN) are able to rapidly and accurately detect the damage location and level, where there is a high potential for large-scale oil/ gas pipeline assessment at both spatial and temporary scales over conventional models. Automatic Recognition of Analog Instruments Visual AI can be used to read analog gauges at power substations and other equipment. Cameras with edge based computer vision are used to automatically read oil level gauges, winding temperature gauges, and gas density gauges. DL vision algorithms use color segmentation to detect the position of the pointers and scale marks. Such applications work real-time, faster and more accurately than humans and help to avoid dangerous accidents and expensive interruptions. Leak Detection with Deep Learning Visual AI Models Visual AI can used to detect gas emissions using regular infrared cameras. The automated approach simplifies the leak detection analysis with very high accuracy, as high as 90-95%. Computer vision approaches for optical gas imaging with convolutional neural networks (CNN) require training with methane leak images to enable automatic detection. Visual Inspection for Corrosion Detection Corrosion is a major defect in structural systems. It has a significant economic impact and can pose safety risks if left untended. Inspection tasks that must be performed periodically are often carried out manually, sometimes in hazardous conditions. Current manual interpretation process is usually very expensive, time-consuming, and subjective. Deep learning methods can analyze the video images of cameras to automate inspection tasks. Vision AI models have been successfully applied in use cases for automatic rust detection leading to cost savings and faster, better decisionmaking of preventative or corrective measures based on quantitative insights at scale. As a leading Visual AI Company, VisionBot helps to leverage the latest in computer vision technology to help businesses and organizations automate processes, improve customer experiences, and gain valuable insights in to their operations. Connect with our experts to understand how companies are using VisionBot ™ Visual AI driven Computer Vision to strengthen security, safety and streamline operations. Get Started We welcome Technology Integrators and sector speciality VAR’s to become a VisionBot ™ channel partner, and discover the opportunity to offer a cutting-edge AI-powered computer vision solution to your customers. Partner  

With centralized access, the cameras are equipped to provide a complete 360-degree view videos of all critical crossings, offices, establishments of the towns as well as the main gate of the Ram Mandir, the perimeter, the entry and exit points of the Ram Mandir. The capability of this unified AI enabled platform helps data feeds coming across the holy land of Ayodhya with multi-tiered encryption between the cameras and the integrated command center to multiple viewing stations across, nullifying any hostile attack and data tampering. These surveillance devices further enable high-definition zoomin, with utmost clarity, to identify even the smallest of objects and recognise faces correctly. The AI-powered technology deployed by Mirasys (India) would further ensure efficient crowd management and estimation. Arindam Das Sarkar, Managing Director, Mirasys (India) elaborated how his company is leveraging technology to provide security ensuring data privacy, “With the consecration ceremony at the Ram Mandir, Ayodhya is slated to be one of the world’s most visited holy towns, witnessing influx of lakhs of pilgrims from all over. It is a matter of pride for Mirasys (India) to help enhance the security across the town, along with encrypted data, leveraging AI-powered unified Video Management Surveillance Technology. From hundreds of cameras all around and facial recognition system to crowd estimation and threshold alerts, queue management, hourly to daily devotee count etc, the Pran Pratishtha also marks a smart transformation of Ayodhya in terms of security, with cutting-edge AI Video Analytics and surveillance tech.” AI will play a great role in boosting the security of Ram Mandir and Ayodhya city. Even as the AI integrated platform will ensure that no corner of the city is left out of the ambit, crowd management becomes as important. AI based surveillance would equip the security personnel and authorities to notice even the smallest of disturbances for swift and timely action. Real time analysis of any threats or security lapse will be monitored to ensure smooth functioning of the event. Serpentine queues for the coveted darshan is expected to continue in Ayodhya, and the AI-based system deployed at the temple would play a major role in effective management of the same. For example if an area is designated to accommodate only 1000 people, officials concerned would be informed if the threshold is crossed under any circumstances, thereby avoiding the possibility of a situation like stampede. The data will be stored at a central location, which can be accessed by authorised personnel only, further ensuring that the data does not land in wrong hands. Mirasys (India) is a pioneer in the video surveillance and analytics industry, with esoteric expertise in cutting-edge use of AI technology, real-time analytics, object recognition and predictive insights, delivering unparalleled security and business intelligence with utmost accuracy. With strong focus on data privacy and ethical AI usage, Mirasys (India) has emerged as a trusted partner in the public & government domains, especially Smart & Safe City, Oil & Gas and Transportation. Mirasys (India) solutions are currently being used across various critical areas,such as holy places and judiciary, in addition to retail store chains & amp; outlets, and industries like manufacturing, logistics, educational institutes, sports, entertainment, banking, utility, healthcare etc. Started in 2018 by visionary industry leader and Sociopreneur Arindam Das Sarkar, Mirasys (India) stands out for its customer-centric approach, enabling customized solutions for specific client needs and ensuring a seamless and personalized experience, which serves the global product development as well.

This blog explores the revolutionary impact of reinforced polyamides on anti-corrosion cameras. Discover how these innovative materials offer superior chemical resistance, durability, and strength, and how they stand out as a lightweight and cost-effective alternative to metal camera housings. We also explain why Hikvision’s Polymer Anti-Corrosion Cameras are the ideal solution for corrosion protection in the harshest environments Cameras installed in industrial or marine settings are constantly exposed to harsh chemicals, salt, or other corrosive materials. For these reasons, inner camera components that can be easily damaged in these kinds of environments need to be enclosed in strong, protective housings. Until recently, anti-corrosion cameras used housings made of metal, typically stainless steel or coated aluminum. While these materials can be very effective in terms of protecting sensitive camera components, they are also typically expensive and heavy, making them more difficult to handle and install. To overcome these challenges, the latest generation of anti-corrosion cameras use reinforced polyamides, which are light, highly durable and more cost effective than metal housing alternatives. Read on to find out why these cutting-edge materials are a game changer for anti-corrosion cameras in four key ways. Resilience against various kinds of chemicals and corrosive materials In the process of corrosion, oxygen, acids, salt and other substances convert metals into more chemically stable oxides. This can damage them and prevent them from fulfilling their intended function, requiring metal components to be treated or coated with special chemicals. Reinforced polyamides require no such protection as they are almost immune to corrosion. The secret behind this is the strong chemical bonds that hold polyamides together, as well as the extra reinforcement provided by the blended materials. The tight molecular structure of the polyamides provides greater stability and durability, leaving very little chemical energy available to react with other substances, even the most aggressive oxidants. According to the British Plastics Federation, polyamides provide good resistance to most chemicals. Hikvision’s rigorous acid, alkali, and salt spray tests have proved that a polyamide, when reinforced, can exhibit exceptional material integrity. Protection against abrasion, impacts, and the passage of time Naturally present in wool and silk, polyamides are more often seen in synthetic products. Sports gear and dental floss demonstrate the reliability and strength of these materials, which are also used frequently to replace metal components in all kinds of machinery and equipment. Protection against abrasion, impacts, and the passage of time Naturally present in wool and silk, polyamides are more often seen in synthetic products. Sports gear and dental floss demonstrate the reliability and strength of these materials, which are also used frequently to replace metal components in all kinds of machinery and equipment. Reinforced polyamides are also strong enough to resist the ravages of time. Subjected to rigorous 1,000-hour xenon aging tests in the Hikvision lab, the tested reinforced polyamide maintained its appearance and resilience in a way that regular plastics are unable to. Reduced camera weight and less hassle for installers Heavy stainless-steel-cladded cameras, which typically weigh up to 25kg, are difficult for installers to handle safely. In many cases, it is simply impossible for a single person to do the installation. The same volume of reinforced polyamides are significantly lighter than their metal counterparts. A reinforced polyamide typically has a density less than half that of aluminum and only a seventh of stainless steel. This weight differential changes the game for installers, making anti-corrosion cameras much less cumbersome and much easier to install and maintain. New levels of cost effectiveness Reinforced polyamides are typically far more cost effective than metals. Their lighter weight also provides significant savings in terms of transportation, warehousing, and installation costs. The superior durability of reinforced polyamides in harsh environments also reduces the need for repairs and maintenance, delivering major savings for larger installations on public roadways, in industrial parks, or in similar settings. Security cameras with reinforced polyamide housings offer excellent performance and durability at a highly competitive price-point. This makes them an excellent investment for users and helps to maximize RoI over the product lifecycle. Introducing Hikvision’s reinforced polyamide anti-corrosion cameras Hikvision’s newly released Polymer Anti-Corrosion Cameras feature state-of-the-art reinforced polyamide housings and accessories. They increase durability and cost effectiveness for our customers, as well as reducing the weight of each camera unit. Additionally, the cameras are equipped with Hikvision ColorVu and DarkFighter technologies for excellent color imaging, even in ultra-low light. A range of built-in deep learning analytics capabilities help end users to maximize security and reduce false positives. Additionally, third-party or custom applications can be integrated easily into the cameras, making them ideal for even the most complex security needs. The new Hikvision anti-corrosion cameras, which are wrapped in tried-and-tested reinforced polyamide, offer a durable, lightweight, cost-effective security solution, even in the harshest industrial and marine environments.  

Joanne Weng Director of the International Business Department at Synology In today’s digital age, information security is a critical issue that enterprises can no longer ignore. With the increasing number of ransomware attacks, the challenges of managing cross-border data flows, and geopolitical factors, businesses are faced with more and more challenges when it comes to data management and protection. These phenomena have also accelerated the creation of corresponding laws and regulations by governments and relevant organizations worldwide. For instance, companies around the globe are establishing information security management systems and adopt appropriate technologies and measures. Many companies also need to obtain the ISO 27001 certification, which just last year added more control measures. Moreover, if businesses fail to meet regulatory requirements, they may face restrictions, penalties, or even exclusion from the supply chain in various industries. This makes compliance no longer an option but a necessity. Since this is closely tied to a company’s reputation and relationships, Synology expects that information security compliance will become an increasingly important factor in corporate operations. Lack of clear implementation methods in most regulations leads to confusion for businesses When helping our clients plan their compliance strategy, we’ve found that a common struggle is the initial compliance implementation assessment. While the goal of protecting data is clear, most regulations only offer basic directions and require companies to demonstrate compliance without providing specific recommendations. Here are some common examples of how compliance clauses are usually stated: Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX): A regulation that mainly regulates U.S. listed companies, requiring the protection of financial data and reports and the development of disaster recovery plans for sensitive information. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA): A U.S. regulation for the healthcare industry ensures patient medical data confidentiality, specifies how long patient data can be retained, and requires backup and disaster recovery plans for data protection. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR): An E.U. regulation that requires companies to protect personal data, allows individuals to request data deletion, and requires backup plans to comply with individual rights. When faced with numerous complex laws and regulations without clear guidance on how to implement them, it can be difficult for company compliance units to know where to start. Start with ISO 27001 to meet many security standards at once To address these challenges, Synology recommends starting with the implementation of the ISO 27001 system. ISO 27001 is an international standard that helps organizations establish Information Security Management Systems (ISMS). Since its security requirements overlap significantly with other standards such as HIPAA and GDPR, it’s one a good way to address several compliance regulations at once. The following diagram shows one example of ISO 27001’s similarities with other standards by highlighting the similarities with HIPAA. This means that by meeting ISO 27001, most of the other information security requirements of other regulations can be met at the same time. Only specific industry requirements need to be fine-tuned or customized to ensure your organization’s compliance with relative standards. Six audit checkpoints to meet data protection measures Synology aims to make data protection compliance easy for organizations of all sizes. To achieve this, we have outlined the following six audit checkpoints. If an organization can answer ‘yes’ to the following questions, it meets the basic data protection requirements for most regulations: Complete backups: Can data be efficiently and regularly backed up, ensuring restoration to specific versions? Backup verification: Are backup data truly secure, and are they proven to be recoverable? Data immutability: Do you have a copy of the data that cannot be tampered with or deleted at will? Restoration drills: Do you regularly simulate response strategies and procedures for unexpected events? Offsite secondary backups: Are backup data stored in different locations and media? Instant restorations: Can data be restored and services restarted within an acceptable time frame? If it is not currently possible to achieve all of these points, don’t worry. By using a modern solution like Synology’s Active Backup Suite, these audit checkpoints can automatically be met. This backup suite helps IT personnel easily create a complete data protection strategy by deploying multi-version and multi-destination data backups. Not only does this help you meet the six major audit checkpoints, but there are no license fees, making it a cost-effective option to achieve compliance with information security regulations. We’ve outlined how Synology products do this in the following table, where the regulation requirements for ISO 27001: Control 8.13 are used: Deploy Active Backup Suite today to comply with data protection standards Compliance with data protection laws is crucial for business operations, and failure to comply can have direct negative consequences. Take HIPAA for example: If healthcare institutions or related organizations fail to comply with HIPAA requirements such as failing to protect patient medical information or failing to take the appropriate security measures, fines for each violation can reach up to $1.5 million USD. Not only that, but it can also severely damage a company’s reputation. According to Synology’s survey, over 80% of companies are aware of data protection compliance laws but lack a comprehensive and adaptable data security solution. The Synology Active Backup Suite helps IT personnel turn ideas into actionable plans to ensure the security and recoverability of company data while fulfilling data protection compliance requirements. *Views expressed in the article are solely of the Author  

Prakash Prabhu Chief Business Officer & Co-Founder, VisionBot As we enter the year 2024, the world of logistics is poised for transformation. The logistics industry ,a vital backbone of global trade and commerce, is constantly changing in response to technological advancements, changing consumer behaviors, and business concerns. Logistics is moving forward in every aspect, and one of the clearest logistics trends for 2024 is digitalization. Artificial intelligence (AI) in the supply chain will also be fundamental in 2024. This is mainly due to the immense amount of structured and unstructured data that exists in this area. AI technologies here such as machine learning, and predictive analytics that hold a huge potential to add value in terms of providing real-time data insights, improving operational efficiencies, and enabling data-led decision-making. The refinement of Visual AI will simplify access to internal and external information, with the expansion of AI, automation and real-time visibility as go-to strategies. According to Gartner’s forecasts, by 2026, more than 80% of companies will have used AI-driven applications in production environments compared to the current 5%. Logistics companies need to harness the power of automation in 2024 by implementing end-to-end integrations, as businesses continue to incorporate more platforms and systems into their processes, data becomes more abundant and valuable. The fast and efficient delivery of products from the warehouses to the door steps of the customers, is achieved through thoughtful warehousing and logistics management system. Effective Logistics needs intricate a distribution network comprising of different types of facilities, which play a crucial role in its supply chain and needs building efficiencies across multiple processes to boost productivity and process compliances. Crossdock centers: Shipment from vendors are stored here until more inventories are required by the fulfillment center. Fulfilment centers: The packages are stored here before being picked up for delivery. Sortation centers: In this facility the products are sorted by respective delivery addresses (zip codes) before they are sent out for delivery. livery stations: The delivery stations are meant to improve last mile delivery. Local hubs: These facilities enable time sensitive deliveries such as groceries, which need to be delivered in a matter of hours. Which are the areas that Visual AI can contribute to productivity? Warehouse optimization. Damaged cargo detection. Package identification. Package counting. Empty space – utilization. Real-time inventory visibility. Some of the processes that can be optimized using Visual AI solutions are Traceability and tracking of objects: Smart tracing applications aim to identify and localize logistics objects such as goods, containers, vehicles, or persons within logistics systems. It can be achieved by attaching optical codes to objects such as barcodes or QR-codes and using image processing algorithms to capture and read the optical codes. Vision-based good identification: Such identification systems are widely popular to identify incoming and outgoing goods in warehouses and distribution centers. In port logistics applications, OCR systems are used to read container codes and license plates (ANPR) of trucks and delivery vans in real-time. Container number recognition: System Computer vision has been used to recognize container numbers automatically. Number recognition is used to automatically detect and locate containers in large-scale areas. Regular security cameras provide a visual image that is pre-processed and fed into an ML model. With modern convolutional neural networks (CNN), logistics objects can be identified and localized even without optical codes. Volumetric properties of goods: In logistics processes, the volumetric properties of goods are critical for planning and billing quantities. Its automation enables significant time savings and optimization of operational efficiency. Hence, vision-based systems to detect dimensions of goods are widely popular to detect parcel dimensions on conveyor systems. Goods and pallet dimensioning: Standard surveillance cameras are also suitable for dimensioning palletized goods and packages, provided the systems are calibrated using specific reference points. Inspection and quality control of goods Computer Vision in logistics has many use cases to ensure the quality of goods throughout the supply chain. Equipment condition monitoring: Equipment condition inspection and monitoring AI vision systems are widely used for conditions monitoring of logistics equipment. Early defect detection: In another application, Visual AI can provide images to detect defects in conveyer systems resulting from high friction. Moreover, existing cameras are used for condition inspection on belt conveyors to early detect belt displacements. Determine free capacity of transport vehicles: Camera-based approaches have been implemented to determine the free capacity of transport vehicles, for example, with cameras oriented toward trailer gates. The current loading conditions and space allow optimizing the operating costs and efficiency. Docks and parking lot occupancy detection: Computer vision technology can support yard and dock management by monitoring the occupancy of docks or parking lots. The loading states of forklifts are of interest to determine the coordinates of delivered goods in warehouses. Parking lot occupancy detection for computer vision in logistics Storage bin occupancy analysis: This approach can be easily applied to other domains, for example, to detect free storage bins in warehouses. The occupancy of storage bins is used to detect critical process situations and to optimize transport routes. Security and protection of facilities: Infrastructure and logistics facilities are the basis for logistics processes. Therefore, it is of great importance to protect them against internal or external hazards such as accidents, theft, terror attacks, and others. Intrusion detection in logistics facilities: AI video surveillance is a widely popular, effective solution to increase security in logistics facilities such as warehouses. Modern deep learning methods allow intrusion detection with virtual fences to identify dangerous situations automatically. Related security applications include vehicle detection in restricted areas or large-scale face recognition. Intrusion detection in logistics with deep learning Crowd detection and behavior analysis: Innovative systems include camera-based systems for people counting, crowd density estimation, and crowd behavior analysis to increase security at logistics facilities. People counting application with deep learning Due to legal requirements, privacy features are becoming increasingly important. Edge AI based vision systems allow private on-device processing in real-time, with only sending analytics data to the cloud. Vision-based Anomaly detection: With anomaly detection using machine learning,…

Anand Thirunagari India Country Manager, Genetec 2024 Trends in the Physical Security Industry for the General and India Physical Security Market As we navigate the dynamic landscape of physical security trends in 2024, we observe organizations in India making a strong push for the convergence of IT and physical security teams. The demand for cloud solutions is rising, and access control modernization has become a top priority. Breaking down silos between different physical security systems such as CCTV and access control, is an integral part of the refresh/ design discussions. Data from IIoT devices and its convergence with physical security are the most sought-after requirements in critical infrastructure. In the pursuit of a resilient and secure future, Indian companies are likely to prioritize access control modernization, unifying physical security systems in the areas of CCTV, access control, IIOT, and PIDS systems. Hybrid-cloud adoption, with the feasibility of moving the access control system to the cloud, is anticipated. Embracing open access control solutions and optimizing cloud spending will enhance operational efficiencies. Simultaneously, aligning with stringent data protection requirements and implementing advanced cybersecurity tools ensures a robust defense against evolving threats. These strategic measures not only bolster our physical security but also underscore our commitment to organizational continuity and community safety. #1 Access control modernization will top tech investments Modernizing access control will remain a top priority in 2024. To ease upgrade complexities, many organizations will shift to a hybrid-cloud model and deploy cloudready access control solutions. This will deliver continuous innovation and cybersecurity updates that reinforce security from doors to networks. We’ll also see greater demand for open access control solutions. More than ever, organizations want the freedom to add and connect the best technologies out there. In 2024, this will include everything from building management systems and life and safety solutions to human resource management software and mobile credentials to name a few. Unifying access control with these various technologies can boost operational efficiencies and sustainability initiatives. They also allow employers to enhance the cardholder experience; one where everything feels more fluid and convenient. Many will also reach a breaking point in managing separate video and access control systems. Striving for more efficiencies, leaders will take steps towards system unification. This will simplify system monitoring and maintenance tasks, leading to higher output and costs savings across the enterprise. #2 Businesses will focus on maximizing hybrid-cloud investments The physical security industry will see a large increase in hybrid-cloud adoption in 2024. Recent research found that 44% of organizations already have over a quarter of their physical security deployment in a cloud or hybrid-cloud environment. As cloud adoption rises, there’s a growing interest in new plug-and-play, cloud-ready appliances. They not only streamline access to cloud services but also enhance computing power at the edge. We’ll also see a larger focus on cloud data usage and associated costs. Those who are further along in their hybrid-cloud journey are seeking ways to optimize cloud spend. Many will lean on channel partners to explore use cases beyond security to maximize hybrid-cloud investments. #3 IT and physical security teams will join forces Physical security’s convergence with IT is accelerating. And it isn’t limited to technology anymore. In the coming year, organizations will look to optimize collaboration between IT and physical security teams. Bridging these two valuable skill sets will result in more effective risk mitigation and data optimization across the organization. And though there’s no one-size- fits-all approach, most will consider the following strategies: Physical security leaders will expand their departments with IT expertise. Security Operations (SecOps) will broaden their function to address physical security risks and capitalize on data coming from both groups. IT will bring physical security within their group and begin overseeing physical security mandates. As this human-centered convergence grows, so will the demand for unified, cloud-connected physical security solutions. This will give teams a comprehensive view of systems and evolving risks while helping them extract more value from data. #4 IIoT growth and data-optimized solutions will boom The number of physical security devices and other Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) sensors coming into the market is accelerating. And across industries, organizations can’t get enough. IT and security experts want to expand the types of data within their security deployment. Beyond that, they’re looking to extract data from the systems holding it and build data lakes that serve future objectives. At this critical moment, those who opt for an API-centric, open architecture, along with a unified physical security platform will stand to gain the most over time. This will give them the flexibility to combine and simultaneously analyze various sources of data on their own terms. Ultimately this can help inform new data-driven strategies and maximize returns across all tech investments. During this data influx, many organizations will also look for ways to empower their operators and digitize current workflows. As a result, demand for physical security solutions with embedded analytics, automation tools, and visual dashboards will grow. Over 5,500 physical security professionals answered our annual survey this year. Get the free report to gain comprehensive insights on the industry’s transition to SaaS, the convergence between IT and physical security, the impact of the manpower shortage, and more. *Views expressed in the article are solely of the Author