Category: International

QNAP® QVR Pro, the next-generation surveillance solution featuring the QVR Center central management software and QVR Guard failover protection, is now compatible with an additional 88 models of Dahua Technology’s Eco-savvy 3.0, WiFi 265 and H.265 PTZ series network cameras. QNAP has worked with Dahua Technology to provide users with greater choice and compatibility in deploying a comprehensive surveillance solution. Dahua’s Ecosavvy 3.0 network camera series can deliver real-time 4K video streams at 15 fps, providing security applications with impressive range of smart detection features. Dahua’s WiFi 265 series supports H.265 compression. Dahua’s H.265 PTZ camera provides a large monitoring range with clear details, while the latest H.265 compression cuts bandwidth in half to ensure video recording with greater efficiency and lower cost.  

The National Safety Council applauds the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration campaign, If You Feel Different, You Drive Different, and its goal to curb impaired driving crashes. Despite decades of education and enforcement, nearly 10,000 people are lost each year to alcohol-impaired driving. Now, with the country’s opioid epidemic and several states approving medicinal and recreational marijuana use, impairment on their roads is an even more complex issue. Drivers must understand that alcohol impairment begins with the first drink, and marijuana use affects both decision making and reaction time. Additionally, opioid use can seriously jeopardize safe driving. Education, legislation and high visibility enforcement can change behaviors. NHTSA’s campaign rightly focuses on all three. The National Safety Council is pleased to support If You Feel Different, You Drive Different, and we look forward to the day when impaired driving crashes are a thing of the past. The National Safety Council is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to eliminate preventable deaths at work, in homes and communities, and on the road through leadership, research, education and advocacy. Founded in 1913 and chartered by Congress, NSC advances this mission by partnering with businesses, government agencies, elected officials and the public in areas where we can make the most impact.

Hikvision has achieved a U.S. Government Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 140-2 certification, marking another important milestone in its cybersecurity program. Hikvision’s encryption module (HIKSSL) received level 1 FIPS 140-2 certification to be used in both IP cameras and NVR products. FIPS 140-2 is a U.S. government encryption standard created by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), which is a division of the U.S. Department of Commerce. Used by federal government agencies in the U.S. and Canada, FIPS 140-2 is also widely used in regulated industries such as finance, healthcare, legal and utilities, as well as commercial businesses. “Hikvision firmly believes that the video surveillance industry should be adopting the same standards that are used by governments and highly regulated industries,” said Dr. Wang Bin, Chief Officer of Hikvision’s Network Information Security Laboratory and Network Security Department, “Hikvision is leading the way by adopting and seeking validation certification in this area.” One of the most recognized security standards worldwide, FIPS 140-2 is used and referenced by numerous standards bodies and international testing organizations including the ISO standard. Global tech companies such as Apple, Mi – Microsoft, Cisco, and Google have achieved FIPS 140-2 validation. The FIPS 140-2 validation process is comprehensive and includes a series of rigorous tests by an independent and accredited U.S. security laboratory and NIST compliance confirmation. Hikvision takes cybersecurity seriously and abides by all laws and regulations in the countries in which it operates. With a record of strict regulatory compliance, Hikvision products meet industry leading standards for safety and security that include ISO 270001, ISO 9001:2008, CMMI Level 5, and AICPA SOC, organizations.

Hikvision has won the Video Surveillance Hardware category in the Benchmark Innovation Awards 2018. The winning Hikvision product was the iDS-2CD8426G0/B-I DeepinView dual-lens behaviour analysis camera, which uses cutting-edge deep learning algorithms to analyse human movement for improved safety inside buildings. Technology magazine Benchmark holds its Innovation Awards every year. The 2018 Video Surveillance Hardware category was strongly contested, with Hikvision competing against four other providers for the title. Gary Harmer, Sales Director for Hikvision UK & Ireland says, “Innovation is at the heart of our business, driven by our extensive research and development. We’re thrilled that Benchmark recognises how the innovative features we deliver with the iDS-2CD8426G0/B-I make a real difference to the safety of our end customers.” The features behind the winning camera The iDS-2CD8426G0/B-I provides a broad range of cutting-edge features that are not found in typical indoor surveillance systems. Instead of just detecting moving targets, it uses deep learning, stereo imaging algorithms and high speed GPU processing to analyse human body movements. As a result, it can be used to identify a potential human threat or a personal safety issue in real time.   For example, the camera can iden tify when people have fallen down, and this is gaining interest particularly among retail and healthcare organisations and for lone worker applications. Another feature is loitering detection, by setting up a specific distance within a defined region of interest. If a person’s movement exceeds the pre-set distance, an alarm will be triggered. Innovation across the product range The iDS-2CD8426G0/B-I is part of the broader Hikvision DeepinView series of cameras, which is designed to boost surveillance system performance across a range of security and management applications. The Hikvision DeepinView series cameras offer features such as: Human body detection, which can detect human bodies while filtering out other movements, in order to reduce false alarms. Facial recognition, which uses facial image modeling and similarity calculation to alert system operators to the presence of persons of interest. People counting, which uses video analytics to track the number of people who enter and exit a particular area, enabling businesses to improve their profitability and site management. Illegal parking detection, whereby the system user is able to set illegal parking zone or the maximum parking time. As soon as the vehicle enters the zone, or its parking time surpass the limit, the camera is triggered to collect the evidence. Queue detection, whereby the camera is capable of providing real time alerts and historic information post event on queue waiting time, queue density, etc.

Elbit Systems commences global marketing of the Hermes™ 900 StarLiner, a powerful and trend setting Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) that features adverse weather capabilities and is fully compliant with NATO’s Standardization Agreement (STANAG) 4671, qualifying it to be safely integrated into civilian airspace and fly in the same environment with manned aircraft. Concluding an extensive year-long flying schedule, the Hermes 900 StarLiner has been performing civil aviation authority certified flights in Masada National Park, Israel. Aseries of the Hermes 900 StarLiner (known as Hermes 900 HFE in the Swiss program) is currently being assembled for the Swiss Armed Forces and is scheduled to be delivered and integrated into Switzerland NAS during 2019. Security events such as the dismantling of ISIS and diverse geo-political tensions have caused European countries to re-orient defense efforts from involvement in far-away conflicts to coping with intensifying homeland and border security challenges. This shift has resulted in a growing demand for advanced yet mature UAS that can be safely integrated into civilian airspace and provide the technological capabilities that are required to effectively and safely perform complex homeland and border security missions. Drawing on the legacy of the widely operational Hermes 900 and Hermes 450 and their proven technologies, Elbit Systems has conducted an extensive multiyear R&D effort focusing on producing a mature UAS that complies with civilian airspace regulations and can be safely integrated into European NAS. Meeting the strict safety and certification requirements of non-segregated airspace regulations required all the components of Hermes 900 StarLiner to be designed in full compliance with STANAG 4671, and to incorporate the most advanced aviation technologies including cooperative and non-cooperative detect & avoid systems, train avoidance warning system, automatic take-off and landing in near zero visibility, redundant broad bandwidth line-of-sight (LOS) and beyond line-of-sight (BLOS) data link, and adverse weather capabilities such as de-icing and direct lightning strike sustainment. These technological enhancements allow the aircraft to operate in both visual and instrument meteorological conditions, and its powerful heavy fuel engine provides improved climb rate, extended endurance and higher ceiling and maximum speed.   Elad Aharonson, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Elbit Systems ISTAR Division, commented,” “Anticipating the rising security need for operating unmanned aircraft in the same environment with civilian manned aircraft enabled us to achieve this breakthrough. We are committed to maintain our approach of technological innovation based on an extensive operational experience and provide our customers with advanced yet mature systems that enhance effectiveness and safety when coping with the evolving national security needs”.

Dahua Technology has recently signed a strategic partnership agreement with Scanview Systems, the leading parking and traffic solutions provider of Denmark, which delivered the Copenhagen Airport and Billund Airport car parking projects in a close and successful cooperation with Dahua Technology. Michael Chen, VP and General Manager of Overseas Business, Dahua; Zhang Xingming, VP, General Manager of R&D Center, Dahua; and Dan Blirup, CEO of Scanview Systems attended the signing ceremony. Scanview Systems is a leading technical concept solution provider which deals in unique products, consulting, design and installation. It delivers customized services for license plate video analysis, registration for parking and traffic systems, and various types of LED info boards. Its customers include municipalities, Copenhagen Airports, Billund Airport, and APCOA – ranging from government to private companies. Through the agreement, Scanview Systems will be involved in the early de velopment and testing stages of specific Dahua new products, and both companies will keep a close position in technological communication. In the meantime, business cooperations are expected to be more frequent between two sides, where Dahua will leverage Scanview system’s unique insights to finetune its product portfolio, and Scanview systems will also better utilize Dahua’s product solutions to expand its business in Nordic and EU markets. Zhang Xinming said, “I believe the partnership between Dahua Technology and Scanview Systems will be a win-win choice. Dahua technology will continuously input resources to expand our ability to give better, faster, and much more effective service in Demark. Also, our R&D team will optimize allocation of resources to provide Denmark with great innovation of products and technology, to offer more advanced and competitive solution.” “We at Scanview Systems are very proud and honored to have signed this strategic agreement with Dahua Technology. I think we are the perfect match where we at Scanview Systems are coming with all the fantastic ideas and Dahua can make all the ideas real and things happening,” Said Dan Blirup. Michael Chen is also optimistic about the partnership. He commented, “Dahua is dedicated to customers’ success. We will collect true market needs from our customers and optimize our products and services accordingly. With a mission of ‘Enabling a Safer Society and Smarter Living,’ we will continue to focus on innovation, quality, and service to serve partners and customers around the world.”

Pharmaceuticals, food, vehicle parts, tobacco products, clothing and agro-chemicals are among tonnes of fake goods seized in INTERPOL-led operations across four continents. Coordinated by INTERPOL between March and May 2018 in 36 countries across Africa, Asia, the Middle East and South America, operations sought to dismantle factories and supply chains behind a wide range of counterfeit goods and the organized crime networks directing them. With 645 suspects identified or arrested so far, and more than 1,300 inquiries launched, further arrests and prosecutions are foreseen as ongoing investigations unfold. Global seizures worth USD 25 million I nvolving officers from a range of law enforcement agencies, customs and health regulatory bodies, operations triggered raids at shops, markets, chemists, retail outlets, warehouses and border control points. Global seizures include 7.2 million counterfeit, and illicit items weighing more than 120 tonnes and 90,000 litres of liquids. Beyond product seizures, national authorities have identified major trade routes and shut down points of sale as well as laboratories. Crucial global police support from INTERPOL Throughout operations, involved countries were able to check infor mation against INTERPOL’s criminal databases via its I-24/7 secure global police communications network. Coordinated by INTERPOL’s Illicit Goods and Global Health unit with support from the regional bureaus in Buenos Aires, Abidjan and Harare, the operations were made possible by the INTERPOL Foundation for a Safer World which helps raise funds globally to tackle the critical issues shaping the global security landscape. “By attacking the distribution networks, and by disrupting production at the source, participating countries have contributed towards globally protecting people from potentially unsafe goods, and made them safer by dismantling illegal networks which are often connected to other forms of serious crime,” said Tim Morris, “INTERPOL’s Executive Director of Police Services, “The sheer volume of seizures and follow-up investigations generated by these simultaneous global operations are testimony to the fundamental role of INTERPOL in shaping a coordinated response in regional and international operations : it is all about collaboration.” A truly global exercise Operations were conducted across Africa (with two operations codenamed ‘Afya’ and ‘Heera II’), Asia (‘Rainfall’), South America (‘Jupiter IX’) and the Middle East and North Africa (‘Qanoon’). More than three million packets of cigarettes and cigars were seized across South America during Operation Jupiter, along with 9.5 tonnes of food products, tens of thousands of fashion accessories, alcoholic drinks, school supplies and more than 35,000 litres of smuggled fuel. During Africa’s Operation Afya, Botswana police authorities arrested a man smuggling 2,500 counterfeit brand shoes, jackets, and handbags across the border with South Africa. In the Namibian capital, authorities seized 14,000 items of counterfeit goods. In Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s Food and Drug Administration seized USD 8,300-worth of counterfeit medical products including antibiotics, antimalarial tablets, Ferrous Sulphate and analgesics. Zimbabwe police seized 5,700 tablets of counterfeit pharmaceuticals and 250kg of skin lotions smuggled from Zambia. In Western Africa, Operation Heera II saw the identification of smuggling transit routes including one where a counterfeit brand of antalgic tablet was being distributed to western African countries by road after importation to Benin, Ghana and Togo seaports. At Niger’s Makalondi Border Crossing Point, police intercepted 29 tonnes of counterfeit medicines in two trucks thought to be travelling from Ghana. Three suspects were arrested and investigations are ongoing. In Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire, authorities closed down 10 chemists and one illicit manufacturing facility and arrested 11 suspects. Across the Middle East and North Africa, Operation Qanoon saw authorities in Saudi Arabia detect, investigate and shut down 100 social media accounts used to distribute counterfeit medical products and unlicensed cosmetics and herbal products. Mauritania seized tens of thousands of counterfeit medical products including antihistamines, corticosteroids, antibiotics, antimalarial tablets, analgesics, pregnancy tests, and vitamin supplements. At Jordan’s Aqaba seaport, authorities seized a container from India containing 500,000 pills of antalgic pills bound for Iraq. In Asia, Operation Rainfall saw Nepalese police seize 5,399 doses of opioid analgesics in a vehicle thought to have travelled from India. Laotian Customs, Food and Drug Department worked with Thai national police at the Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge, seizing 25 kg of illegal traditional medicines.