Weston in Space

We have finally moved on from the hellscape that was the year 2020. However, there will be lingering effects. COVID-19 will not be forgotten soon thanks to the countless back-to-work protocols and solutions that have been implemented. Another hot topic that has carried over from 2020 is Allied Universal’s deal to acquire G4S Plc for $5.1 billion . Allied had actually attempted to acquire the guarding company in November, but was rebuffed until it eventually sealed the deal in December. The latest development in the deal involves state officials from Oregon and Illinois calling for increased scrutiny of the potential takeover. The deal also raised concerns among unions that a takeover could harm working conditions for hundreds of thousands of low-wage security guards worldwide. Considering the amount of security guards this deal could impact, it’s no surprise that was by far the most popular story on SSI in January. Another topical article that was popular was how facial recogniti

Once a busy manufacturing and shipping hub, steeped in industrial tradition, Seaport is now one of Boston’s hottest up-and-coming neighborhoods. At the gateway of this revitalized waterfront area is the Two Drydock development, a new 13-story, nearly 300,000-square-foot multiuse building that exudes an authentic industrial look while also featuring boutique retail, a swanky rooftop terrace and a fitness center. The structure stands as a beacon in the city’s Innovation District and is setting a standard for what’s to come next in Boston. To attract high-end tenants to this multitenant building, the owners and developers of Two Drydock sought to offer the best in technology and security. The project was designed and planned out by the architectural firm of SGA together with consulting firm WSP and implemented by SIGNET Electronic Systems. Automatic Systems optical turnstiles proved to be an optimal solution for delivering an aesthetically pleasing environment coupled with best-in-clas

In this week’s Top Su rveillance Videos… It has become apparent over the years that some people don’t understand how gasoline and fire work. How else can you explain all the videos of arsonists accidentally setting themselves on fire? There’s the guy that tried to set a fleet of luxury cars on fire, only to torch himself . Then there’s the guy that set his whole leg on fire attempting to burn down a local business. This week we find an arson suspect attempting to burn down the office of a North Carolina RV park. Surveillance video shows the suspect pouring gasoline all over the place. He then lights a flame and suddenly the video turns white for a few seconds. When the image comes back, the office is on fire and the suspect is nowhere to be found. Footage from a second camera shows the suspect immediately fleeing the scene with his feet and legs on fire. He even tries to pick up a backpack or some item that is on fire, but it disintegrates as he grabs it. Also this week… Surveil

SECURE Perspectives is a monthly column by the  Security Industry Association (SIA)  profiling women in the security industry. This column is part of SIA’s  Women in Security Forum , an initiative to support the participation of women in the security field through programs, professional development and networking events. For this edition of  SECURE Perspectives , SIA spoke with Erica McBride-Rapp, logistics manager at Allegion. SIA: How did you get into the security industry? Erica McBride-Rapp : In my first job after my bachelor’s degree, I was introduced to the security industry. I majored in supply chain management and started as a sourcing specialist in a new dedicated group for Allegion’s sourced products business. I was later promoted to associate commodity manager, taking on the responsibility of managing our global accessories business. Shortly after this time, two of my colleagues introduced me to SIA and the SIA RISE committee. How does your organization serve the industr

DENVER — PSA Security Network is moving forward with plans to host an in-person component for PSA TEC 2021 in early May, while announcing the conference’s educational programming will be held in a virtual format. Held annually, PSA TEC is a premier education and networking event for systems integrators. The conference offers industry-leading education and certification programs, networking and dedicated exhibit hours designed to advance the skills and expertise of industry professionals nationwide. Last year’s event was cancelled to due to the coronavirus pandemic. PSA TEC 2021 is scheduled to be held May 3-6 at Denver’s Downtown Sheraton Hotel. This week, PSA Director of Marketing Candice Aragon explained in a video announcement the organization decided to convert PSA TEC 2021 to a “hybrid model” based on data it received from the hotel and the city. “You may be wondering what a hybrid model entails. PSA plans to deliver premier education to our network whatever it takes,” Arag

SAN ANTONIO — Pro-Vigil, a provider of remote video monitoring and crime deterrence solutions, has published a research report about companies that updated their security strategies in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. These updates coincide with 20% of survey respondents reporting an increase in physical security incidents since the start of the pandemic, and the perception among one-third of respondents that 2021 will bring an increase in these types of incidents, according to the company. Pro-Vigil polled 124 business operations leaders across a variety of commercial vertical markets to gain an understanding of how the pandemic has impacted their security strategies, including the use of security guards and video monitoring systems. Key findings from the survey include: The Impact of COVID-19 on Physical Security Nearly one-in-five respondents said they saw an increase in physical security incidents since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nearly one-third of respondents i

AUSTIN, Texas — Athena Security announces two major product launches for its smart security camera line up focused on mitigating gun violence and the spread of COVID-19 . Athena’s dual gun and temperature detection system utilizes two 384-pixel thermal cameras so one can be in front of the subject and behind the subject, in order to see if there’s a concealed weapon on the front or back of their body. The front thermal camera also then measures body temperature to detect if there’s an elevated temperature. On the gun detection side, Athena Security’s artificial intellegence (AI)-enabled thermal camera is said to be able to spot concealed weapons and immediately alert authorities. On the occupancy tracking side, the company has added sensors (no cameras needed) that can be placed in every room to accurately track how many people are in the building or in individual rooms to avoid coronavirus overcrowding issues while maintaining privacy, according to the announcement. “We are const

MONTRÉAL — Genetec has broadenedd its portfolio of FICAM (federal identity, credential and access management)-certified options for its Security Center Synergis access control system with support of Veridt Stealth access control readers. Traditionally, the options for federal government organizations to replace a non FICAM-compliant system or to secure a new site were restricted to a limited choice of proprietary solutions. Because Security Center Synergis is a FICAM-approved open platform access control system, customers can choose from a range of nonproprietary choices to efficiently validate Personal Identity Verification (PIV, PIV-I, CAC and TWIC) for federal employees and contractors. “By bringing these new nonproprietary options to market with partners such as Veridt, HID and Mercury, we are offering government customers a choice of simple-to-deploy and cost-effective solutions so that they can easily comply with FICAM requirements while leveraging the most robust and extensi

Presented in podcast form for the first time ever,  SSI ‘s annual Commercial Dealer Roundtable presents executives from four Honeywell Integrated Security Dealer companies sharing the trials they endured and opportunities discovered during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as what they expect for 2021. You’ll hear from participants Tyler Blake, COO Midwest Alarm/BCI Integrated Solutions, Melissa Brinkman, CEO Custom Alarm, Dave Chritton Microbiz Security Co. and John Copeland, partner at ESI Fire & Security Protection. Though the security industry is generally considered recession-proof, the commercial sector didn’t go totally unscathed. Below, these four leaders detail the challenges the faced and how they overcame them. You can read a condensed version of the interview  here . Check out this latest episode of  SSI ‘s  Security Speaking podcas t by watching it below, or listen or download it directly from  SSI , or listen to it via your streaming platform of choice.      

This month’s article is not on a single subject, but is intended to provide some news on events that are occurring within the code promulgation world as it relates to fire alarm systems. 2020 has been busy in this regard and 2021 will be even busier. To begin, the final work on the 2022 edition of NFPA 72, The National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code is just about completed. The Correlating Committee has concluded its second draft meeting. All that is left on this edition of 72 is the letter ballot to the Committee, and then any floor action that may occur during the annual meeting of the National Fire Protection Association . This would be at the technical session of the association. The NFPA Annual Meeting is scheduled to be held in Las Vegas from June 22-25, with the technical session being conducted on the final day [Ed. note: The Annual Meeting will now be held as a virtual series ]. During the “Tech Meeting,” certified amending motions (CAM) will be heard, including any that ma

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Joe Biden has signed an executive order aimed at closing loopholes in existing “Buy American” provisions, which apply to about a third of the $600 billion in goods and services the federal government buys each year. An executive order signed Monday pushes federal agencies to buy more American-made products and services, and comes with new reporting requirements, a new senior-level oversight position and a new General Services Administration ( GSA ) website. “With this order, President Biden is ensuring that when the federal government spends taxpayer dollars they are spent on American-made goods by American workers and with American-made component parts,” according to a factsheet released in conjunction with the president’s executive action. “This executive order fulfills President Biden’s promise to make Buy American real and close loopholes that allow companies to offshore production and jobs while still qualifying for domestic preferences.” Relate

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — CertaSite , based here, announces the acquisition of Great Lakes Fire & Safety Equipment, a family-owned business in Alpena, Mich., for undisclosed terms. The transaction marks CertaSite’s sixth acquisition in Michigan, and expands the company’s service territory into the Upper Peninsula. For more than 30 years, Great Lakes Fire & Safety Equipment has offered its customers a wide range of services and products, including fire extinguishers, restaurant hood systems, fire alarms, emergency lights, first aid and related safety products, and fire department gear. The company’s reputation in the region will allow the company to grow its customer base and expand into new markets under CertaSite, according to the announcement. “CertaSite is a company that we trust because they share our values and code of ethics for saving lives and protecting property,” says Tammy Buvia, the proprietor of Great Lakes Fire & Safety Equipment. “We are proud of the team we bu

KANSAS CITY – StoneLock, a provider of contactless and privacy-hardened biometrics solutions, announces the official integration of the StoneLock GO biometric reader with Tyco Software House from Johnson Controls . Released in 2020, the StoneLock GO delivers a frictionless authentication of users and simplified enrollment intentionally built to protect the user’s privacy through its proprietary, “faceless” recognition technology for global enterprises, according to the announcement. The Tyco Software House C•CURE 9000 access control solution allows customers to integrate seamlessly with critical security and business applications, while providing customers with full control through a single user interface. The solution flexibility grants security professionals the capability to deploy a unique security solution for their entire business, the announcement says. When combined with the StoneLock GO, the security of C•CURE 9000 is enhanced to ensure only pre-authorized employees are per

The sophisticated supply chain attack of SolarWinds Orion software has surely shaken the cybersecurity world. Early reporting is that the successful cyber attack allowed adversaries to compromise the code within the Orion software which was sent to thousands of organizations within both the private and government sectors. By infiltrating the SolarWinds development environment, attackers were able to inject malicious code into the software with the ultimate goal of implementing a backdoor to end-user systems. The attack appears to have been well orchestrated from the start, from initially gaining access and using numerous camouflage and decoy techniques to avoid detection. SolarWinds has responded with an update to the software along with numerous recommendations and remediation techniques. It is still early in the investigation and as we learn more, there is no doubt this was a very sophisticated attack aimed at not only at breaching SolarWinds directly but also many other organiza

We’ve seen no shortage of innovative solutions related to the pandemic the past year. From thermal cameras, to contract-tracing apps, to all kinds of back-to-work solutions. However, there is no magic meter that can detect COVID-19 particles in the air. Despite this, it is possible to get some sort of idea of the air quality in relation to how much of the virus may be in the environment. The COVID-19 virus travels via particles in the air that are expelled when people exhale. Another gas that is expelled when exhaling? Carbon dioxide (CO2). By installing CO2 detectors, a business can get a rough idea of how effective its ventilation is. If CO2 levels remain low, it is likely that fresh air is flowing. If levels are high, you know it’s time to become concerned about shared air. While this is by no means a bulletproof way to detect COVID-19 particles, it may be a solution worth mentioning to businesses such as restaurants and retail stores, which are desperate to remain open and att

The old saying what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger was never more on the nose than this grueling past year — in both an individual sense and from a business standpoint. While security dealer and integrator companies have by and large had a better lot than a great deal of other businesses and industries amid the COVID-19 pandemic, few to none have gone entirely unscathed. And everyone has had to navigate completely uncharted territory. “We have never seen anything like this. Even with the recession in 2008 there were markets that were unaffected, but this is just hitting every imaginable area of business and people,” says Custom Alarm CEO Melissa Brinkman. “Factor in the health element and how you’re supposed to do work now and it’s so multifaceted. It’s nothing that we’ve ever experienced before … it’s just a <expletive> storm.” In these times of intense pressures and strife on owners, managers and employees of installing security systems firms the need to come together

On the RISE is a bi-monthly column by the Security Industry Association ( SIA ) in partnership with  Security Sales & Integration  profiling the next generation of security industry leaders. This column is part of SIA’s  RISE initiative , a community that fosters the careers of young professionals in the security through networking and career growth events, education and professional development offerings and scholarship opportunities. For this installment of On the RISE, SIA spoke with Colin DePree, residential business leader at Salto Systems. Tell us a little bit about yourself. I grew up in Michigan and moved to Minnesota in 2008. I currently live about 25 minutes south of the Twin Cities with my wife, five-year-old daughter and three-year-old son. I have a bachelor’s degree in economics and management and a master’s degree in management information systems. Outside of the office, I am a sports and travel enthusiast. What first got you interested in security and safety as a